Answering the question of local biomass deployment: the use of energy modeling with case study for non industrial customers

Biomass-based energy carriers can play a non marginal role in a local energy system, but the impact must be carefully evaluated. The authors will report the results of an energy planning case study (for an Italian province of half a million people), based on the assessment of feasible use of local biomass, related with the energy modeling of the territory, by focusing on non industrial energy end use. From the policy maker's standpoint the interesting issue can be twofold: how many decentralized biomass power plant can be authorized without jeopardizing (or minimizing) the use of land, currently cultivated for food producing? How sustainable is the use of imported biomass from Far East countries in a local-limited context? The case is solved by analyzing scenarios, related to the defined local Standard-MarkAl model. By assigning different weights (both from the energy, environmental and economic standpoints) to different biomasses and technologies, the results give some advices on how to evaluate potential disputes through an optimization approach

Managing local resources: the role of electricity from biomass based cogeneration

The aim of this work, a case study for a province of half a million people -Northern Italy (PP), is to analyze and compare different energy development scenarios in order to provide a strategic assessment of measures for the local energy planners, by means of an optimization bottom-up model (MarkAl Standard). PP-MarkAl Model (PPMM) represents the whole energy system and the main features are: (i) detailed modeling of the residential sector (final energy demands and technologies);(ii) detailed modeling of electricity supply sector ; (iii) detailed modeling of biofuels production subsector. PP-MarkAL model provides an integrated analysis of the province, focusing on the achievement of the EU 20-20-20 targets and the role of cogeneration from local and imported biomass. The study is based on the assessment of feasible use of local biomass, related with the energy modeling of the territory, by focusing on non industrial energy and the analysis is performed from the policy maker's standpoint in order to evaluate the economic condition under witch new technologies become competitive, the role of decentralized power generation and the sustainability of using endogenous or imported biomass.The the impact of alternative technologies and the role of the public commitment is highlighted in terms of effective policy that could drive both the technological competition and the real estate market to achieve the optimal configuration of the energy system by means of subsidies for renewable technologies (solar, biofuels, …) and for more efficient end-use technologies

New proposal for the assessment of the impact of EVs, smart charging and V2G on the grid

The substitution of the conventional fleet with plug-in Electric Vehicles (EVs) is one possible path towards the decarbonisation and more sustainability of private transportation. However, benefits related to a high number of vehicles, and the measures that could mitigate negative effects on the electric grid have to be assessed. In this paper a new model is presented for investigating the effect of a high-medium penetration of EVs on a local grid and their role on the emissions reduction. Besides it allows analyzing how the smart charging and the Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) options can reduce the additional load or even support the power grid stability. Pro and cons are presented and a case study is proposed

The role of electricity in energy efficiency power conversion: a Markal application for energy planning

Energy saving technologies based on the use of electricity are in many cases an alternative to thermal energy from fuels. They are lighting, electrical drives, heat pumps, microwave, induction heating, mechanical recompression of vapor, distributed control system in industry and buildings, energy storage, renewable energy sources, electric and hybrid vehicles, smart grid applications. A wider use of these technologies is supported by the continuous increase of utility plant efficiency up to 60% combined with climate change awareness. The paper reports the results of research in the field of the MarkAl application to the energy planning of an urban and industrial area located in Europe by using optimum techniques in the management of complex systems, such as cogeneration combined with cooling and heating systems and fuel cells in industry and in buildings. Research is going on aiming to extend the MarkAl application to different combinations of electrical technologies