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Deep Decarbonization of Energy Systems with Hybrid Renewable Energy Integration

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A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "B: Energy and Environment".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 March 2024) | Viewed by 5700

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Matteo Giacomo Prina

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Guest Editor

Institute for Renewable Energy, Eurac Research, Viale Druso 1, I-39100 Bolzano, Italy
Interests: energy system modelling; energy transition

Dr. Pietro Bartocci

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Guest Editor

Instituto de Carboquimica, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
Interests: bioenergy; carbon capture; energy storage; alternative fuels
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Andrea Menapace

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Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Piazza Università 5, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
Interests: hydroinformatics, water supply systems analysis; hydrological modeling; hydropower optimization; water–energy nexus
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Globally, the energy industry is the primary source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The energy system, in particular, accounts for more than 75% of these emissions. According to the IPCC assessment from 2021, limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius would need aggressive emission reductions. As a result, it is important to investigate the decarbonization of the future energy system and to assist policymakers in determining the optimal energy solutions. Energy system modelling is the research field that deals with this objective by using computer models to evaluate future energy system options.

This Special Issue will mainly focus on the topic of energy system modelling and its main challenges:

Comparison of energy system frameworks, models, and scenario results as a means to improve transparency of energy system methods and identify must haves and must avoids in future energy systems.
Analysis of the impacts of different levels of resolution (in time, space, techno-economic details, and sector-coupling) on the accuracy of final results in energy system modelling and analysis of the increasing computation effort.
Energy system modelling and planning at different scales: district, municipality, province, region, national, continental levels.
Energy system modelling techniques adopted for energy communities case studies.
Analysis of uncertainty in energy system modelling.
How to quantify and consider security of supply in energy system modelling?
How to include social aspects in energy system modelling?
How to reduce the gap between modelling and policy making? Which available techniques are working for this purpose?
Energy policies and strategies for achieving decarbonization targets at different scales.

Dr. Matteo Giacomo Prina
Dr. Pietro Bartocci
Dr. Andrea Menapace
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Energies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

energy system modelling
energy transition
open-source modelling
model comparison
optimization
smart grids
digital twins

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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26 pages, 6313 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Pragmatic Approach to the Economic Assessment of Green Synthetic Methane Power in the Baltics

by Antans Sauhats, Roman Petrichenko and Marija Zima-Bockarjova

Energies 2023, 16(22), 7479; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16227479 - 07 Nov 2023

Viewed by 575

Abstract

The synthesis of methane from hydrogen and carbon dioxide creates an energy resource that is suitable for long-term storage. Once this process is powered by renewable electricity, it produces a clean fuel for producing electricity and heat and supports large-scale renewable energy deployment, energy transition and climate change mitigation. This paper proposes a pragmatic approach to assessing the economic potential of synthetic methane-based power. Today, natural gas plays an important role in the Baltic region due to the existing infrastructure, which includes a transmission and distribution pipeline network, gas power plants and a large underground storage reservoir. Replacing natural gas with synthetic methane would fulfil carbon emission reduction ambitions. In this paper, we simulate electricity producers’ actions at market conditions and consider the generation portfolio in the Baltics and the interconnections with Scandinavia and Poland operating in the NORDPOOL electricity market. As a result of these calculations, we obtain the volume of the synthetic gas, the production costs, the volume of gas storage, the installed capacity of the gas power plant, and the investments required to ensure energy transition and system adequacy. These results are essential for the informed decisions made by policymakers, investors and system operators. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Deep Decarbonization of Energy Systems with Hybrid Renewable Energy Integration)

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21 pages, 3221 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Assessing the Cost-Effectiveness of Incentives for Energy Transition Using Marginal Abatement Cost Curves

by Sofia Billi, Matteo Giacomo Prina, Marco Castagna and Wolfram Sparber

Energies 2023, 16(21), 7412; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16217412 - 02 Nov 2023

Viewed by 1055

Abstract

Incentive policies play a crucial role in encouraging the adoption of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency measures. This study analyzes and compares the incentives for energy transition in the South Tyrol region of Italy using a marginal abatement cost (MAC) curve constructed with an expert-based approach. The incentives for residential energy efficiency, mobility, and boiler replacement are characterized based on assumptions for costs, energy savings, and parameters. The resulting expert-based MAC curve analysis reveals boiler replacement incentives to be the most cost-effective, yielding CO₂ reductions at the lowest cost but with limited potential as the incentive is limited to apartment blocks that are not in district heating areas. Mobility incentives enabling electric vehicle adoption have the highest CO₂ reduction potential, albeit at higher costs per ton abated. Residential energy efficiency incentives fall between the two for cost-effectiveness and potential. The MAC curve approach provides a useful comparison of cost-effectiveness versus potential, guiding policy prioritization. This techno-economic assessment methodology can be applied to other regions pursuing energy transition. Overall, a balanced policy mix encompassing transport, buildings, and heating is required for comprehensive low-carbon transition. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Deep Decarbonization of Energy Systems with Hybrid Renewable Energy Integration)

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18 pages, 1518 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Role of Biomass in Decarbonisation Efforts: Spatially Enriched Energy System Optimisation Modelling

by Lukáš Rečka, Milan Ščasný and Dali Tsintskiladze Laxton

Energies 2023, 16(21), 7380; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16217380 - 31 Oct 2023

Viewed by 625

Abstract

Forests are a potentially carbon-negative energy source and function as carbon sinks. However, both of these functions have become threatened significantly by spruce bark beetle infestation in Czechia. This paper assesses how this ecological issue may affect the future energy mix, and in the process, affect carbon emission reduction targets and the available share of renewable energy sources (RESs). We assess several forest development scenarios with three policy incentives: subsidising wood pellet production, striving for climate neutrality, and adhering to ecological constraints. We build a spatially enriched energy system model, TIMES-CZ, based on Eurostat’s NUTS3 regions. We find that the spruce bark beetle infestation may not exert a lasting influence on overall decarbonisation pathways, the energy mix, or system-wide costs in any forest scenario. The RESs share is affected only until 2030, and the effect is minimal, at <1.5 percentage points. Nevertheless, Czechia’s RES contribution is far below the 45% 2030 EU target. Subsidising wood pellet production is a costly transition that does not contribute to meeting the target. Limiting forest biomass availability and adhering to ecological constraints increase the overall system costs and worsen the chances of meeting decarbonisation targets. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Deep Decarbonization of Energy Systems with Hybrid Renewable Energy Integration)

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17 pages, 3298 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Energy Demand Modeling for the Transition of a Coal-Dependent City to a Low-Carbon City: The Case of Ulaanbaatar City

by Sarnai Battulga and Shobhakar Dhakal

Energies 2023, 16(17), 6291; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16176291 - 29 Aug 2023

Viewed by 1381

Abstract

Cities have committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting renewable energy. However, many cities continue to rely on fossil fuels, while renewable energy sources are not used or are unable to meet the demand that fossil fuels provide. Depending on the geographic location, climate, and resources, cities must find their own path to energy sustainability. The city of Ulaanbaatar is one of the coal-dependent cities, its electricity and heat consumption mainly coming from coal. In this study, the future final energy demand of a coal-dependent city is identified and analyzed to make it a low-carbon city. Long-term energy demand projections for Ulaanbaatar to 2050 are conducted using the model for analysis of energy demand (MAED) model. Four scenarios are developed based on the existing local and national policies in the socio-economic and energy sectors, as well as more ambitious policy and technology measures recommended by various studies in the MAED_D model. The final energy demand is calculated to be 548, 460, 334, and 264 PJ in 2050 for BAU, REF, NDC, and RM scenarios, respectively, compared to 135 PJ in 2020. The results show that the high penetration of electricity and renewable energy, energy efficiency measures, and energy intensity reduction in all sectors can significantly reduce the future energy demand and help the transition towards a low-carbon city. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Deep Decarbonization of Energy Systems with Hybrid Renewable Energy Integration)

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Review

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42 pages, 6435 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Comprehensive Review on Carbon Dioxide Sequestration Methods

by Gregory Tarteh Mwenketishi, Hadj Benkreira and Nejat Rahmanian

Energies 2023, 16(24), 7971; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16247971 - 08 Dec 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1198

Abstract

Capturing and storing CO₂ (CCS) was once regarded as a significant, urgent, and necessary option for reducing the emissions of CO₂ from coal and oil and gas industries and mitigating the serious impacts of CO₂ on the atmosphere and the environment. This recognition came about as a result of extensive research conducted in the past. The CCS cycle comes to a close with the last phase of CO₂ storage, which is accomplished primarily by the adsorption of CO₂ in the ocean and injection of CO₂ subsurface reservoir formation, in addition to the formation of limestone via the process of CO₂ reactivity with reservoir formation minerals through injectivities. CCS is the last stage in the carbon capture and storage (CCS) cycle and is accomplished chiefly via oceanic and subterranean geological sequestration, as well as mineral carbonation. The injection of supercritical CO₂ into geological formations disrupts the sub-surface’s existing physical and chemical conditions; changes can occur in the pore fluid pressure, temperature state, chemical reactivity, and stress distribution of the reservoir rock. This paper aims at advancing our current knowledge in CO₂ injection and storage systems, particularly CO₂ storage methods and the challenges encountered during the implementation of each method and analyses on how key uncertainties in CCS can be reduced. CCS sites are essentially unified systems; yet, given the scientific context, these storage systems are typically split during scientific investigations based on the physics and spatial scales involved. Separating the physics by using the chosen system as a boundary condition is a strategy that works effectively for a wide variety of physical applications. Unfortunately, the separation technique does not accurately capture the behaviour of the larger important system in the case of water and gas flow in porous media. This is due to the complexity of geological subsurface systems, which prevents the approach from being able to effectively capture the behaviour of the larger relevant system. This consequently gives rise to different CCS technology with different applications, costs and social and environmental impacts. The findings of this study can help improve the ability to select a suitable CCS application method and can further improve the efficiency of greenhouse gas emissions and their environmental impact, promoting the process sustainability and helping to tackle some of the most important issues that human being is currently accounting global climate change. Though this technology has already had large-scale development for the last decade, some issues and uncertainties are identified. Special attention was focused on the basic findings achieved in CO₂ storage operational projects to date. The study has demonstrated that though a number of CCS technologies have been researched and implemented to date, choosing a suitable and acceptable CCS technology is still daunting in terms of its technological application, cost effectiveness and socio-environmental acceptance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Deep Decarbonization of Energy Systems with Hybrid Renewable Energy Integration)

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