A cross-country assessment of energy and CO₂ emission: An index decomposition approach

As the threat of climate change becomes increasingly acknowledged, it becomes more evident that past and current unsustainable energy consumption patterns cannot be pursued or maintained. In order to address this challenging goal for policy makers across the globe, development of decomposition techniques have been widely undertaken, regarding both variations in energy and CO2 emissions. This study aims to promote a cross-country assessment of main energy-related emission drivers, resorting to an approach that diferenciates the contribution of RES and nuclear energy for overall carbon emissions. It resorts to a Log-Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) decomposition approach to enable disaggregation of Kaya identity function into main energy-related emission drivers. As main common emission drivers, energy intensity (Cint), affluence (Cypc) and penetration of RES (Crepe) constitute areas that require a more immediate action by energy policy decision makers. Thus, “extended” decomposition approach has enabled to identify key drivers for CO2 emissions, accounting for the contribution of all fuel alternatives – both renewable and non-renewable, including nuclear energy.This research was supported by a Marie Curie International Research Staff Exchange Scheme Fellowship within the 7th European Union Framework Programme, under project NETEP- European Brazilian Network on Energy Planning (PIRSES-GA-2013-612263)

A cross-country assessment of energy-related CO2 emissions: An extended Kaya Index Decomposition Approach

As the threat of climate change becomes increasingly acknowledged, it becomes more evident that past and current unsustainable energy consumption patterns cannot be pursued or maintained. In order to help policy makers across the globe to address this challenging goal, decomposition techniques have been applied to identify the main drivers of changes in energy consumption and CO2 emissions. This study presents a cross-country assessment of main energy- related CO2 emission drivers for Portugal, United Kingdom, Brazil and China, resorting to an approach that differentiates the contribution of all fuel alternatives – both renewable and non-renewable, including nuclear energy. The results obtained have shown the relevance of energy intensity and affluence effects as well as RES contribution as main emission drivers which means that their relationships constitute areas that require a more immediate action by energy policy decision-makers. In terms of policy implications, it seems clear that Brazil and Portugal need to focus on measures improving energy efficiency whereas China and UK need to prioritize issues regarding the weight of non-renewable energy sources in their energy mix. Another important implication is the need to promote synergies within the energy sector, regarding energy security, climate change and pollution mitigation goals.This research was supported by a Marie Curie International Research Staff Exchange Scheme Fellowship within the 7th European Union Framework Programme, under project NETEP- European Brazilian Network on Energy Planning (PIRSES-GA-2013-612263) and by COMPETE: POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007043 and FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia within the Project Scope: UID/CEC/00319/2013. Support from CNPq is also acknowledged

Cross-country multi-sectorial LMDI decomposition of aggregate energy consumption

Although a cornerstone for development, past and current energy uses have often posed a major challenge for policy makers regarding energy planning and management. Within this context, in this paper an updated multi-sectorial cross-country assessment of energy consumption trends was undertaken, contributing to existing literature and to the public debate over policy efforts towards sustainable development of the energy sector. This cross-country assessment encompasses a set of developed and emerging countries (United Kingdom, Portugal, Brazil and China). Resorting to a Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI), aggregate energy consumption was decomposed into three main explanatory effects: activity, structure and intensity. The major findings achieved reflect the relevance of intensity and activity effects in detriment of structural effect, since for all countries the main variations have been associated to both overall activity and intensity effect. Assessment of energy consumption trends through decomposition lens provides critical information regarding which is the dominant factor that should be focused during policy design, in order to improve overall energy consumption.This research was supported by a Marie Curie International Research Staff Exchange Scheme Fellowship within the 7th European Union Framework Programme, under project NETEP- European Brazilian Network on Energy Planning (PIRSES-GA-2013-612263)

An Analysis of ALMA Deep Fields and the Perceived Dearth of High-z Galaxies

Deep, pencil-beam surveys from ALMA at 1.1-1.3mm have uncovered an apparent absence of high-redshift dusty galaxies, with existing redshift distributions peaking around $z\sim1.5-2.5$. This has led to a perceived dearth of dusty systems at $z>4$, and the conclusion, according to some models, that the early Universe was relatively dust-poor. In this paper, we extend the backward evolution galaxy model described by Casey et al. (2018) to the ALMA regime (in depth and area) and determine that the measured number counts and redshift distributions from ALMA deep field surveys are fully consistent with constraints of the infrared luminosity function (IRLF) at $z<2.5$ determined by single-dish submillimeter and millimeter surveys conducted on much larger angular scales ($\sim1-10$deg$^{2}$). We find that measured 1.1-1.3mm number counts are most constraining for the measurement of the faint-end slope of the IRLF at $z4$. Recent studies have suggested that UV-selected galaxies at $z>4$ may be particularly dust-poor, but we find their millimeter-wave emission cannot rule out consistency with the Calzetti dust attenuation law even by assuming relatively typical, cold-dust ($T_{\rm dust}\approx30\,$K) SEDs. Our models suggest that the design of ALMA deep fields requires substantial revision to constrain the prevalence of $z>4$ early Universe obscured starbursts. The most promising avenue for detection and characterization of such early dusty galaxies will come from future ALMA 2mm blank field surveys covering a few hundred arcmin$^{2}$ and the combination of existing and future dual-purpose 3mm datasets.Comment: 21 pages, 12 figures, accepted for publication in Ap

Energy indicators: crucial tool towards sustainability assessment

Energy has been considered an intrinsic factor to attain Sustainable Development (SD). However, it has not always been viewed, projected or recognized within sustainability’s scope. To address this issue, the use of indicators, namely Energy Indicators for Sustainable Development (EISD), allows to convey to policy-makers multidimensional implications of energy related decision-making. Besides contributing to assess current energy trends at a national level, this tool, contextualized within a country’s economic and energy mix, allows to establish a comparison between different countries. This effectively contributes to identifying common concerns and strategies to overcome barriers towards sustainable development. This paper compares the path to SD in Portugal and Brazil by making use of the EISD framework

Driving forces for aggregate energy consumption: a cross-country approach

Although a cornerstone for development, past and current energy use has often posed a major challenge for policymakers with respect to planning and management. Within this context, in this paper an updated multi-sectorial cross-country assessment of energy consumption trends was undertaken, aiming at identifying the main drivers of changes in aggregate energy consumption. These drivers have been interpreted in the light of the policy measures that have been implemented over the years by different countries to achieve a sustainable development of the energy sector. The cross-country assessment encompasses a set of developed (United Kingdom, Portugal and Spain) and emerging (Brazil, China, and India) countries. Resorting to the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) decomposition method, changes in the aggregate energy consumption were decomposed into three main explanatory effects: activity, structure and intensity. The major findings achieved reflect the relevance of intensity and activity effects in detriment of the structural effect. The assessment of energy consumption trends using the LMDI decomposition method provides critical information regarding which is the dominant factor that should be focused in policy design.This research was supported by a Marie Curie International Research Staff Exchange Scheme Fellowship within the 7th European Union Framework Programme, under project NETEP-European Brazilian Network on Energy Planning (PIRSES-GA-2013-612263). Support from CNPq is also acknowledged, as well as the support of ALGORITMI, a research Centre at the University of Minho. This work has been supported by COMPETE: POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007043 and FCT - Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia within the Project Scope: UID/CEC/00319/2013

Using vanadium redox flow batteries for the electricity storage towards the electric vehicles fast charging process

This work was later revised, extended and published as a full journal paper in ENERGY. Please use the journal version for citation purposes: Álvaro Cunha, Jorge Martins, Nuno Rodrigues, Vítor Monteiro, João L. Afonso, Paula Ferreira, F. P. Brito, Assessment of the use of Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries for Energy Storage and Fast Charging of Electric Vehicles in Gas Stations, Energy, 115-2, (2016), 1478–1494, DOI:10.1016/j.energy.2016.02.118. journal article available at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360544216301803The multitude and magnitude of the problems deriving from the use of fossil fuels for road transport is widely known. Therefore, electric mobility associated with renewable energy sources seems to be a good solution for minimizing these problems. However, the time required to charge the batteries of Electric Vehicles (EVs) and the availability of charging stations are seen as critical factors for their market viability. The use of fast charging stations is a possibility to mitigate the long time required to charge the batteries, but the high cost for power availability makes their operation very expensive. Moreover, it might be difficult to find suitable and affordable locations for installing these stations, so gas stations seem to be good candidates for this purpose. This paper assesses the use of fast charging stations for EVs in conjunction with Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries (VRFBs). Taking into account the low energy density of VRFBs, they are especially suited for situations where volume and weight are not limiting factors. Moreover, their liquid nature allows their installation inside deactivated underground fuel tanks located at gas stations. A preliminary assessment of a VRFB system for EVs fast charging stations taking advantage of existing gas stations infrastructures is presented. An energy and cost analysis of this concept is outlined, including a sensitivity analysis which shows that the project is technologically and economically viable for the conditions tested, although with long payback times.MOBI-MPP (MIT-Pt/EDAM-SMS/0030/2008) supported by the MIT Portugal Program and FEDER funds through the Programa Operacional Factores de Competitividade e COMPETE and National Funds through FCT e Foundation for Science and Technology. Post-doctoral grants SFRH/BPD/ 51048/2010 and SFRH/BPD/89553/2012 supported by the MIT Portugal EDAM and FCT, respectivelyinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A vocação da Amazônia é florestal e a criação de novos estados pode levar ao aumento do desflorestamento na Amazônia brasileira

The state of Pará has a rich diversity of ecosystems. However, it is one of the states that the most contribute with the deforestation of Amazonian. Actually, 22% of the state was deforested. Currently, a new policy of occupation is being studied for the Amazonian, based on the creation of new states. The creation of new states can increase deforestation in the Amazonian, especially in regions where the agricultural frontier and minerals activities are intense such as the state of Para. This study compares the changes of the representativeness of protected areas and deforestation, considering the proposed of division of the Para in three new states. The creation of new states can lead to a reduction or elimination of the protected areas resulting in the increase of the deforestation. Another serious consequence of the creation of new states will be the extinction of the Ecological-Economic Zoning of Para, an important instrument of public policy. The creation of new states must be preceded by studies involving the evaluation of the environmental, social and economic variables. One of the most serious consequences if it is not taken into consideration is the creation of a legal vacuum that will be used to increase the pressure on natural resources of the Amazon.O Pará detém uma rica diversidade de ecossistemas. Contudo, é um dos Estados que mais contribuem para o desmatamento na Amazônia. Atualmente, 22% do Estado foram desflorestados. Uma nova política de ocupação está sendo estudada para a Amazônia, baseada na criação de novos Estados. A criação de novos Estados pode aumentar o desmatamento na Amazônia, especialmente em regiões onde a fronteira agropecuária e mineraria é intensa como no Pará. Este estudo compara as mudanças da representatividade das áreas protegidas e do desmatamento, considerando a proposta de divisão do Estado do Pará em três novos Estados. A criação dos novos Estados pode levar a uma diminuição ou mesmo eliminação de algumas unidades de conservação, o que terá como consequência direta o aumento do desmatamento. Outra consequência grave da criação de novos Estados será a extinção do Zoneamento Ecológico-Econômico do Pará, um importante instrumento de políticas públicas. A criação de novos Estados deve ser precedida de estudos que envolvam uma avaliação criteriosa dos impactos ambientais, sociais e econômicos. Umas das consequências mais graves se isso não for levado em consideração é a criação de um vácuo jurídico que será aproveitado para aumentar a pressão nos recursos naturais da Amazônia

Analysis of energy security and sustainability in future low carbon scenarios for Brazil

This study estimated a series of indicators to assess the energy security of supply and global and local environmental impacts under different mitigation scenarios through 2050 in Brazil, designed with the integrated optimisation energy system model MESSAGE-BRAZIL. The assessment of interactions between environmental impacts and energy security dimensions was complemented through the application of life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. Overall results imply energy security establishes more synergies than trade-offs in increasingly stringent mitigation scenarios, especially patent within the sustainability dimension, which increases energy security and provides additional benefits regarding climate change mitigation and air pollution emissions. It is still necessary to extend analysis to other energy sectors in addition to the power supply sector, to promote a better understanding of repercussions of energy scenario expansion in energy security.This work was funded by the Brazilian research funding agencies CNPq and CAPES, under the Science Without Borders Programme, and the Marie Curie International Research Staff Exchange Scheme Fellowship within the 7th European Union Framework Programme, under the project NETEP- European Brazilian Network on Energy Planning (PIRSES-GA-2013-612263). We also acknowledge funding from US EPA and US AID (under Interagency Agreements DW89923040 and DW89923951US), through the LAMP, and the European Union, through the CLIMACAP project (EuropeAid/131944/C/SER/Multi)

Avaliação em laboratório do comportamento térmico de soluções construtivas em madeira

O presente trabalho apresenta a avaliação do comportamento térmico de quatro soluções construtivas integralmente em madeira, recorrendo à previsão e análise experimental do seu desempenho térmico. Foram avaliadas quatro soluções construtivas representativas do mercado, três delas tendo por base troncos de madeira e uma outra do tipo entramado de madeira. As principais tipologias de habitações que se encontram no mercado são, essencialmente casas em painel e em troncos de madeira tratada. As casas de troncos possuem um aspeto mais rústico sendo usualmente utilizadas em ambientes de montanha, estas recorrem a ligações metálicas entre troncos e entre paredes, podendo ou não utilizar isolamento térmico colocado no interior da parede. As casas em painel são, geralmente, do tipo modular, o que permite uma rápida execução e posterior expansão. Aliadas a uma arquitetura moderna e cuidada, são difíceis de distinguir das casas em alvenaria. O objetivo central do trabalho foi o de aumentar o conhecimento científico e técnico relativo ao comportamento térmico das soluções construtivas em madeira, colmatando a ausência de valores relativos ao coeficiente de transmissão térmica à disposição de técnicos e investigadores. Foi analisado o desempenho térmico destas soluções construtivas segundo a regulamentação térmica atual (RCCTE) [1], posteriormente estes resultados foram comparados com as soluções de construções mais comuns em Portugal. A análise dos resultados experimentais obtidos permitiu verificar que os coeficientes de transmissão térmica destas soluções cumprem os requisitos mínimos. Sendo a solução com estrutura leve de madeira revestida com aglomerados e preenchida com lã-de-rocha a que apresenta melhor desempenho. Comparativamente com os sistemas construtivos mais comuns de paredes de alvenaria as soluções construtivas com estrutura de madeira apresentam um comportamento térmico superiorRusticas