Integrated grey relational analysis and multi objective grey linear programming for sustainable electricity generation planning

Sustainable energy generation is a key feature in sustainable development and among various sources of energy electricity due to some unique characteristics seems particularly important. Optimising electricity generation mix is a highly complex task and requires consideration of numerous conflicting criteria. To deal with uncertainty of experts’ opinions, inaccuracy of the available data and including more factors, some of which are difficult to quantify, in particular for environmental and social criteria, we applied grey relational analysis (GRA) with grey linguistic, and grey interval values to obtain the rank of each system. Then the obtained ranking were used as coefficients for a multi objective decision making problem, aimed to minimize the cost, import dependencies and emissions as well as maximizing the share of generation sources with better ranking. Due to existence of interval variables multi objective grey linear programming (MOGLP) method was used to solve the problem. Our results for the UK as a case study suggest increased role for all low carbon energy technologies and sharp reduction in the use of coal and oil. We argue that the integrated GRA–MOGLP approach provides an effective tool for the evaluation and optimisation of complex sustainable electricity generation planning. It is particularly promising in dealing with uncertainty and imprecisions, which reflect real-life scenarios in planning processes

Sustainable energy solutions for the Aegean Archipelago Islands: What is the public attitude?

In contributing towards the realisation of plans to transform the Aegean into a “green” archipelago, the internationally acclaimed TILOS research consortium seeks to transfer tacit knowledge of smart micro-grids beyond the island of Tilos. However, research on public acceptability of sustainable energy technologies suggests that local opposition might undermine such plans. In order to minimize the problems of technological transfers it is, thus, imperative to embark on an early-stage exploration of public attitudes towards proposed interventions. In this paper, we draw on survey data from across the Aegean to uncover the widespread acceptability of green energy solutions. Simultaneously, though, we uncover how broad acceptability does not always translate into actual acceptance of the TILOS energy model, especially with respect to solutions that affect the end-user. In turn, we argue that these findings should inform future interventions with the ultimate aim of securing public support to “green” the Aegean

Public perception of sustainable energy innovation: A case study from Tilos, Greece

Renewable and smart grid technologies play a key role in delivering a sustainable energy future for non-interconnected islands. In this context, societal acceptance of proposed interventions manifests itself as a major determinant of planned transitions. With extant scholarship on public acceptability of sustainable energy technologies focusing on local opposition to wind farms, this paper presents timely survey data from the island of Tilos to provide a better understanding of energy-users’ perceptions vis-à-vis novel smart island proposals. Against stultifying narratives highlighting the lack of community acceptance for local interventions, we uncover: a) the widespread acceptance of sustainable and smart energy solutions, and b) the willingness of a large proportion of locals to play their part, as engaged energy prosumers, in a green energy transition. In turn, these findings form the basis for future academic and technical interventions on the island, and inform broader conclusions on public engagement around energy

China’s electricity emission intensity in 2020 – an analysis at provincial level

In order to maintain the 2°C climate change target, global carbon intensity of electricity generation needs to achieve a short-term target of 600 g/kWh by 2020. This target is important for China, which has been the largest consumer and producer of electricity since 2011. China has set ambitious targets to reduce its electricity carbon intensity in the 13th five-year plan. For a country as large as China, the outcomes of these policies rely on the implementation strategies and effectiveness of each province. In this study, we estimate the carbon intensities of power generation in China’s provinces by 2020. Results show that despite progress in renewable energy growth most provinces are expected to have carbon intensities well above 600 g/kWh by 2020. Renewable energy sources can help reduce carbon intensities in most provinces, but the magnitude of such impacts depends on the coordination among provinces. The over-dependence on coal power generation has made carbon capture and storage a necessity for China’s provinces to reduce their carbon intensity for power generation. Therefore, government support should be addressed sooner rather than later

Bringing innovation to market: business models for battery storage

Power systems around the world have undergone significant transitions towards a decentralization and decarbonization with higher requirements on supply security and flexibility. Technology advancement helps to improve energy efficiency and bring down cost, which in turn promote the growth of battery storage internationally. Business models of battery storage remain vague given its early stages of development but it is clear that there is no universal business model for batteries given the breadth of applications. In this study, we review the main components of existing business models and highlight the areas to be strengthened in a novel business model. Business models should be distinguished at different scales (utility-scale; behind-the-meter application; community-island mode operation) addressing different needs (to replace existing system or to add new capacity). A successful business model of a battery storage system needs to take into account electricity system transition, market and regulatory barriers, among others. Last but not least, it is important to consider innovations in other technologies for the design of a business model

Industrial Relocation and CO2 Emission Intensity: Focus on the Potential Cross-Country Shift from China to India and SE Asia

The potential relocation of various industrial sectors from China to India and countries of the SE Asian region presents low cost opportunities for manufacturers, but also risks rising energy demand and CO2 emissions. A cross-country shift of industrial output would present challenges for controlling emissions since India and SE Asian countries present higher industrial emissions intensity than China. We find that although there is a convergence in emissions intensity in the Machinery manufacturing and Paper and Pulp industries, there are significant variations in all other industrial sectors. Indian emissions are double that of China in the Iron and Steel and Textile and Leather industries and almost triple in the cement industry; Indonesian emissions are almost double those of China in the Non-Metallic Minerals and Textile and Leather industries and 50% higher in the Chemical and Petrochemical industry. We demonstrate that the expected higher emissions are driven by both a higher fuel mix carbon intensity in the new countries and a higher energy intensity in their industrial activities. While industrial relocation could benefit certain countries financially, it would impose considerable threats to their energy supply security and capacity to comply with their Paris Agreement commitments

Energy Supply Sustainability For Island Nations: A Study on 8 Global Islands

Energy supply sustainability is a multifaceted challenge for all countries and especially for small island nations that might have limited adaptive capacity. Previous studies showed that islands experience energy scarcity and isolation from energy markets due to their remote location. Our focus is on a range of islands spread out globally: Malta, Cyprus, Curacao, Mauritius, Iceland, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Bahrain. They are selected for their varying energy development paradigms that facilitate cluster elicitation. For the first time, we combine the estimation of fuel mix diversity and energy import dependence with established metrics Shannon-Wiener index (SWI), Herfindahl-Hirschman index (HHI) and Energy Import Dependence to assess energy supply security. SWI and Energy Import Dependence are then presented against carbon intensity to highlight two angles of sustainable energy supply. We argue that islands are clustered to those that have fossil fuel reserves and are locked in low diversity, low dependence and high carbon intensity, those that rely almost exclusively on imported fossil fuel reserves and have low diversity and high dependence and high carbon intensity and finally those that have entered a decarbonization trajectory that allows them to reduce their fossil fuel import dependence, increase their diversity and reduce their carbon intensity

Energy supply security in the EU: Benchmarking diversity and dependence of primary energy

We evaluate energy supply security in all the EU countries. For the first time a proxy indicators for diversity and concentration Shannon Wiener index and Herfindahl-Hirschman index and dependence metrics are used for the detailed primary energy fuel mix of all EU member states. The geographic coverage of this work allows for useful comparisons between countries and for a means of benchmarking against the indices. Overall, it is found that energy supply diversity in the EU has been significantly improved since 1990 by 14.2% (SWI) and 22.6% (HHI). We demonstrate the interrelations between dependence and diversity and the role of renewables on dependence and diversity. Renewable energy, particularly wind, solar and biomass has been the main driver for diversity growth and has a positive contribution to indigenous energy use; thus reducing energy import dependence. We argue that alongside renewable energy there exists a wide range of factors contributing to energy dependence and that renewable energy has had a positive contribution to almost all EU28 country's diversity

Energy and carbon intensity: A study on the cross-country industrial shift from China to India and SE Asia

The potential relocation of various industrial sectors from China to India and countries of the SE Asian region presents low cost opportunities for manufacturers, but also risks rising for energy demand and CO2 emissions. A cross-country shift of industrial output would present challenges for controlling emissions since India and SE Asian countries present higher industrial emissions intensity than China. We find that although there is a convergence in emissions intensity in the machinery manufacturing and paper and pulp industries, there are significant variations in all other industrial sectors. Indian emissions intensity is double that of China in the iron and steel and textile and leather industries and almost triple in the cement industry; Indonesian emissions intensity is almost double that of China in the non-metallic minerals and textile and leather industries and 50% higher in the chemical and petrochemical industry. We demonstrate that the expected higher emissions are driven by both a higher carbon fuel mix intensity in the recipient countries and higher energy intensity in their industrial activities. While industrial relocation could benefit certain countries financially, it would impose considerable threats to their energy supply security and capacity to comply with their Paris Agreement commitments