Future trajectories of renewable energy consumption in the European Union

Renewable energy sources (RESs) are able to reduce the European Union (EU)’s dependence on foreign energy imports, also meeting sustainable objectives to tackle climate change and to enhance economic opportunities. Energy management requires a quantitative analysis and the European Commission follows the performance of each Member State (MS) in order to define the corrective measures towards 2020 targets. Starting from historical data reported in the Eurostat database and through a mathematical model, this work proposes future trajectories towards 2020 of the share of energy from renewables (REs) in terms of gross final energy consumption (GFEC). Furthermore, a quantitative analysis based on two indices—(i) the share of REs in GFEC, and (ii) gross final renewable energy consumption (GFREC) per capita—permits a comparison among 28 MSs. The share of REs in GFEC in EU 28 varies from 19.4% to 21.8% in future trajectories towards 2020. Sweden and Finland occupy the top part of the ranking, while six MSs (Belgium, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, and the United Kingdom) are not able to reach the 2020 targets

A multicriteria analysis of photovoltaic systems: Energetic, environmental, and economic assessments

The development of photovoltaic (PV) energy has led to rising efficiencies, better reliability, and falling prices. A multicriteria analysis (MCA) of PV systems is proposed in this paper in order to evaluate the sustainability of alternative projects. The investigations are presented using multiple indicators: Energy Payback Time (EPBT), Energy Return on Investment (EROI), Greenhouse Gas per kilowatt-hour (GHG/kWh), Greenhouse Gas Payback Time (GPBT), Greenhouse Gas Return on Investment (GROI), Net Present Value (NPV), Discounted Payback Time (DPBT), and Discounted Aggregate Cost Benefit (D(B/C) A). PV energy is a relevant player in global electricity market and can have a key-role in sustainable growth

The Economic Feasibility of Residential Energy Storage Combined with PV Panels: The Role of Subsidies in Italy

A solar photovoltaic system produces electricity by converting energy from the sun. By the end of 2016, the global installed solar photovoltaic capacity reached 305 GW. Its growth is impressive in the last years; in fact, it was only equal to 41 GW in 2010. However, Europe has installed only 6.9 GW in 2016 (1.7 GW in comparison to previous year) and this annual power installed is equal to 9% of global one in according to data released by Solar Power Europe. The profitability of PV systems in mature markets depends on the harmonization between demanded energy and produced one residential energy storage when combined with photovoltaic panels is able to increase the share of self-consumption. This work proposes a mathematical model, in which a Discounted Cash Flow analysis is conducted to evaluate the financial feasibility of photovoltaic-integrated lead acid battery systems in Italy. The indicator used is Net Present Value. Furthermore, a break-even point analysis, in terms of an increase of self-consumption, is conducted. The residential sector is investigated and energy storage system investment is incentivized by fiscal deduction and regional subsidies. The analysis provides several case studies, determined by combinations of the following variables: photovoltaic plant size, battery capacity, the increase of the share of self-consumption, and the useful lifetime of energy storage system. The same case studies are proposed also in four alternative scenarios, where is the modified the structure of subsidies. Results confirm that the profitability can be reached in presence of subsidies

Economic analysis of a photovoltaic system: A resource for residential households

New installed annual solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity was equal to 76.1 GW in 2016 (+49%), reaching the total of 305 GW around the world. PV sources are able to achieve a greater energy independence, to tackle the climate change and to promote economic opportunities. This work proposes an economic analysis based on well-known indicators: Net Present Value (NPV), Discounted Payback Time (DPBT) and Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE). Several case studies are evaluated for residential households. They are based on three critical variables: plant size (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 kW), levels of insolation (1350, 1450 and 1550 kWh/(m2xy)) and share of self-consumption (30%, 40% and 50%). The profitability is verified in all case studies examined in this work. The role of self-consumption, that is the harmonization between demanded and produced energy, is strategic in a mature market to improve financial performance. A sensitivity analysis, based on both electricity purchase and sales prices (critical variables), confirms these positive results. The Reduction in the Emissions of Carbon Dioxide (ERcd) signifies an environmental improvement when a PV system is used as an alternative to a mix of fossil fuels. Finally, a policy proposal is examined based on a fiscal deduction of 50% fixing the period of deduction equal to 5 years

Economic and environmental assessment of thermal insulation. A case study in the Italian context

Abstract An analysis of the state of the art has shown how current European policy underpins the importance of assessing the impact of different energy efficiency strategies during the life cycle of buildings. In this study a framework is developed for the identification of the optimal material to be used to achieve the highest level of energy efficiency in building retrofits, taking into account environmental and economic elements and comparing different scenarios. For each of these scenarios the Life Cycle Cost Analysis was applied together with related environmental analysis in terms of the production of CO2. The research was applied to an industrial factory in Italy. Results showed that, among ten material with different origin, namely plant, animal, mineral and fossil origin, the optimal thickness varied between 0.023 m of the line fiber, and 0.082 m of the rock wool. From the economic point of view, saving was between 1.58 €/m2 with the linen fiber, and 9.63 €/m2 with the rock wool. Finally, considering the environmental aspect, savings in terms of CO2 was possible only for three of the ten materials, namely cork, sheep wool and fiber glass, respectively equal to 0.14 Kg/m2, 0.65 Kg/m2 and 0.34 Kg/m2. The study has important implications mainly regarding the issue of energy efficiency. Specifically, the opportunity to analyse and compare economic and environmental aspects of a series of alternative materials to improve energy efficiency may provide stakeholders with calculated and objective input for the support of sustainable actions. Sum up, this research has identified a "result oriented" methodology comparing traditional and sustainable materials and measuring the benefits from the correct insulation of a building. These benefits are mainly of an economic and environmental nature and, in this regard, the study helps to strengthen the leadership of the EU for a sustainable use of natural resources within an efficient bioeconomy, essential to achieve Sustainable Development Goals

Solar Photovoltaic Optimal Tilt Angles in Public Building

Abstract The reduction of the consumption of fossil fuels that cause climate change and the encouragement of the use of cleaner renewable sources, appears to be a fundamental objective for achieving the climate aims agreed in Paris. Moreover, the sustainability of the implementation of solutions for energy efficiency in public administration buildings has played a fundamental role in recent years, strengthened also by the regulatory context of energy and environmental policies of European countries. The research fits into this context and it intends to promote a methodology that is able to evaluate the economic and environmental performance of a photovoltaic system applied in a school located in Italy when only the roof inclination angle changes. The economic and environmental performances are evaluated respectively through Life Cycle Cost Analysis and the avoided CO2 emissions. The results show that although the case study does not present the optimal roof inclination angle, there are economic and environmental advantages. Furthermore, the research notes that, considering the characteristics of the photovoltaic system concerned, the optimal roof inclination angle is equal to 40 degrees from an economic and environmental point of view. This methodology could easily support the decision-making process of designers and administrators to make the energy upgrading choices for the promotion of renewable sources. It was applied to a case study, that is a school located in Italy, in the Abruzzo region, in the province of L'Aquila, but it could be easily replicated in other existing public buildings in different locations

Analysis of Factors Affecting E-supply Chain Performances

The relevance of supply chain (SC) behaviour is continuously increasing, especially with respect to companies adopting e-commerce strategies. Although the huge number of works on this topic, an integrated approach to design and implement effective electronic supply chain (e-SC) - that is supply chain (SC) in which business actors are connected via Internet technologies - is still not available. In order to contribute towards the definition of an integrated and comprehensive framework for e-SC analysis and design, in this paper factors affecting e-SC performances are investigated, including organization, management and control

Energy Improvement in the Building Sector: An Economic Analysis Relating to the Most Common Italian Masonry

The construction sector is a major contributor to total energy consumption, therefore, it is crucial to adopt energy efficiency strategies capable of reducing energy impact in buildings. Among these strategies, exterior wall insulation is one of the most cost-effective options to achieve energy savings for both newly constructed and renovated buildings. In this paper, based on an economic analysis, we aim to determine the economically optimal thickness of insulation material to be used for retrofit interventions of masonry structures. The study analyzes 10 different insulating materials and 5 masonry structures widespread in Italy. The results show that each masonry structure requires a careful evaluation of the thickness of the insulating material to be applied in retrofit operations. Moreover, varying the type of insulating material used, even if applied to the same wall structure, there are different levels of thickness to be applied in order to optimize the performance of the structure

A comparison of environmental and energetic performance of European countries: A sustainability index

Recently, European countries agreed on a new 2030-pact establishing challenging levels for a set of climate and energy indexes in order to achieve a more competitive, safe and sustainable energy system. In order to evaluate current sustainability performances of European countries from the environmental and energetic perspectives, this research proposes a Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) that, starting from both Eurostat data and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), allows a direct comparison of nations. To this aim, multiple indexes are taken into account (e.g. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, Government expenditures for environmental protection, Recycled and reused waste from electric and electronic equipments (WEEEs), Recycled and reused waste from end-of-life vehicles (ELVs), Recycled materials from Municipal Solid Wastes (MSWs), Share of renewable energy (RE) in electricity, Share of RE in transport, Share of RE in heating and cooling and Primary energy consumption). This assessment model provides a sustainability value for each European country and the related ranking with the European average. Results show as, even nowadays, twelve out of twenty-eight European countries have a value greater than the European average in 2013. Top four nations (Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Austria) have high indexes of sustainability and Sweden is the best country from both the environmental and energetic perspectives

Sustainability of Biogas Based Projects: Technical and Economic Analysis

Biomethane is a renewable gas produced by the transformation of organic matter. It can lead to emissions reduction and it contributes to increasing methane production. Incentive policies favour its development and for this reason, the objective of this paper is to investigate the economic performance of biomethane plants and their process monitoring by electronic systems. Mathematical modeling is here presented to study the financial feasibility of biomethane plants in function of the size (100 m3/h, 250 m3/h, 500 m3/h, 1000 m3/h), the feedstock used (organic fraction of municipal solid waste and a mixture of 30% maize and 70% manure residues on a weight basic) and the destination for final use (fed into the grid, destined for cogeneration or sold as vehicle fuel). From an economic point of view the plant performance is studied by economic tools as Net Present Value and Discounted Payback Time and the uncertainty analysis is implemented using Monte Carlo method. Moreover, from a technical point of view, process monitoring is analyzed to understand what happens in a biomethane plant and help to maintain a stable process. The results show that the profitability of biomethane plants is verified in several scenarios presenting losses only if subsidies were removed