Research

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21 pages, 4602 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Concept of Multiple Impacts of Renewable Energy Sources: A Critical Review

by Michaela Makešová and Michaela Valentová

Energies 2021, 14(11), 3183; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14113183 - 29 May 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2803

Reaching climate neutrality by 2050 is one of the main long-term objectives of the European Union climate and energy policy, and renewable energy sources (RES) are integral parts of this transition. RES development results in many effects, direct and indirect, linked to each [...] Read more.

Reaching climate neutrality by 2050 is one of the main long-term objectives of the European Union climate and energy policy, and renewable energy sources (RES) are integral parts of this transition. RES development results in many effects, direct and indirect, linked to each other, societal, local and individual, i.e., “multiple impacts of RES” (MI RES). These effects need to be carefully assessed and evaluated to obtain the full picture of energy field transformation and its context, and enable further development of RES. Nevertheless, the MI RES concept is often presented misleadingly and its scope varies throughout the literature. This paper provides a literature overview of the methodologies of this concept and presents a new concept of MI RES, respecting the difference between effects resulting from the implementation of RES and ultimate multiple impacts. We have summarized the effects into four groups: economic, social, environmental, and technical, which all lead to group of ultimate multiple impacts. Finally, we provide the complex overview of all MI RES and present the framework, which is used to analyze the multiple impacts and effects of RES and to show how the RES development leads and contributes to these impacts and effects. The concept is recommended to be considered in designing a robust energy policy by decision-makers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Behavioural and Societal Aspects of Decision Making in Energy Systems and Markets)

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25 pages, 587 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Smart Balancing of Electrical Power in Germany: Fuzzy Logic Model to Simulate Market Response

by Felix Röben, Hans Schäfers, Anna Meißner and Jerom de Haan

Energies 2021, 14(8), 2309; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14082309 - 19 Apr 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1986

Abstract

Recent EU legislation enforces the integration of European balancing markets, with harmonized products and international platforms for the procurement and activation of reserves; nonetheless, different power balancing strategies remain. The Netherlands and Belgium encourage market participants to support balancing the control block by [...] Read more.

Recent EU legislation enforces the integration of European balancing markets, with harmonized products and international platforms for the procurement and activation of reserves; nonetheless, different power balancing strategies remain. The Netherlands and Belgium encourage market participants to support balancing the control block by publishing real-time information. This article refers to such concepts as smart balancing, and a market simulation tool was developed to assess the relevant market parameters for effective smart balancing. This shall contribute to the true integration of real-time balancing energy markets. The scope of the assessment of relevant market parameters was Germany, and the results showed that a pricing scheme had less impact on the results, as currently is understood by European TSOs and regulators. Moreover, the accuracy and frequency of real-time publication indicate the effectiveness of smart balancing and the associated reduction of the activation of balancing energy and associated costs. Consequently, this article proposed a road map for Germany to introduce an adapted smart balancing approach, starting with a simple traffic light. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Behavioural and Societal Aspects of Decision Making in Energy Systems and Markets)

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24 pages, 893 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Economic and Non-Economic Incentives to Induce Residential Demand Response—Findings from a Living Lab Experiment

by Leandra Scharnhorst, Thorben Sandmeier, Armin Ardone and Wolf Fichtner

Energies 2021, 14(8), 2036; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14082036 - 07 Apr 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2279

Abstract

This study assesses the impact of economic and non-economic incentives to induce demand response in private households. The experiment was realized by a three-months residential phase in which two tenants lived in the Energy Smart Home Lab, an experimental lab with the equipment [...] Read more.

This study assesses the impact of economic and non-economic incentives to induce demand response in private households. The experiment was realized by a three-months residential phase in which two tenants lived in the Energy Smart Home Lab, an experimental lab with the equipment of a modern smart home. The tenants received calls to action (CtAs) on a regular basis, incentivized economically or by moral nudges with a social or environmental background. A mixed-methods approach, consisting of smart meter data analysis, a value scale assessment, surveys and interviews, assessed the tenants’ reactions on their energy consumption behavior towards the CtAs. The smart meter data shows that the tenants performed the majority of CtAs, revealing no significant difference between economic or non-economic incentives. Results from the value scale, the interviews and the surveys indicate that this behavior might be due to the tenants’ high tendency towards biospheric and altruistic values and a high self-efficacy. Furthermore, the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic caused a 100% home-office situation, suggesting a higher flexibility of the tenants. Although the results are not representative and need further experiments to be confirmed, the incentives show a promising potential to evoke residential demand response. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Behavioural and Societal Aspects of Decision Making in Energy Systems and Markets)

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20 pages, 1247 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Integrating Individual Behavior Dimension in Social Life Cycle Assessment in an Energy Transition Context

by Georgios Archimidis Tsalidis

Energies 2020, 13(22), 5984; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13225984 - 16 Nov 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1897

Abstract

Energy transition is a result of mankind’s reaction to climate change and individuals are expected to have a crucial role in achieving it in developed countries. The purpose of this study is to apply the social life cycle assessment (S-LCA) tool and investigate [...] Read more.

Energy transition is a result of mankind’s reaction to climate change and individuals are expected to have a crucial role in achieving it in developed countries. The purpose of this study is to apply the social life cycle assessment (S-LCA) tool and investigate the social performance of the Dutch energy transition while focusing on individual behavior, and if this is not possible, to develop indicators focusing on individual behavior dimension. The social performance of the energy transition in the Netherlands was assessed on a hotspot level. Additionally, the S-LCA guidelines were examined to identify the human dimension and behavior in the existing subcategories, and environmental psychology literature was explored to identify drivers and behavior that are important for the energy transition. Existing subcategories fail to show the extent of social progress of the Dutch energy transition nor how individuals perceive it. As a result, a total of 8 subcategories and 25 indicators at a hotspot and site-specific levels are developed. These subcategories and indicators focus on prosumer’s and individual’s behaviors, and traits of local communities. Application of the developed hotspot indicators shows that the Dutch government still subsidies fossil energy and, even though Dutch citizens show environmental concerns, the energy transition is delayed due to insufficient top-down coordination. Developed indicators are considered to be both feasible and relevant to investigate the social aspects of the energy transition in developed countries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Behavioural and Societal Aspects of Decision Making in Energy Systems and Markets)

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31 pages, 2224 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Patterns of Energy Consumption in Polish One-Person Households

by Marlena Piekut

Energies 2020, 13(21), 5699; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13215699 - 30 Oct 2020

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 2570

Abstract

Poland belongs to a group of countries with the highest share of expenditure on energy carriers in total household expenditure among the EU-28 countries. This fact adversely affects the quality of life of Polish citizens. One of the types of households which are [...] Read more.

Poland belongs to a group of countries with the highest share of expenditure on energy carriers in total household expenditure among the EU-28 countries. This fact adversely affects the quality of life of Polish citizens. One of the types of households which are most severely burdened with expenditure on energy carriers are households run by a single person. The scientific objective of the study was to identify the consumption patterns of energy carriers in Polish one-person households. The findings of the research were used to assess the correlation between the risk of energy poverty and particular socio-economic and demographic characteristics of the representatives of these households. Many statistical methods were used to achieve the research goal: analysis of variance, regression analysis, and cluster analysis. An aggregated index of energy comfort has been designed. Social factors, such as the level of education and the fact of holding non-manual positions, are strongly related to the level of expenditure on energy carriers and the degree of satisfaction of the needs related to the thermal comfort. The types of one-person households particularly vulnerable to energy poverty were individuals who had a number of different characteristics. The group included individuals who were unemployed, disabled, with low disposable income, with a low education level, living in the rural areas as well as elderly people. Polish one-person households can be divided into four groups according to the expenditure on energy carriers and meeting their needs related to thermal comfort. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Behavioural and Societal Aspects of Decision Making in Energy Systems and Markets)

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26 pages, 3818 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Systemic Evaluation of the Effects of Regional Self-Supply Targets on the German Electricity System Using Consistent Scenarios and System Optimization

by Charlotte Senkpiel and Wolfgang Hauser

Energies 2020, 13(18), 4695; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13184695 - 09 Sep 2020

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2140

Abstract

This paper analyses the effects of regional renewable electricity self-sufficiency targets on the power system in Germany. For this purpose, an interdisciplinary approach from social sciences and energy system modelling was chosen, which allows considering qualitative factors such as public acceptance or political [...] Read more.

This paper analyses the effects of regional renewable electricity self-sufficiency targets on the power system in Germany. For this purpose, an interdisciplinary approach from social sciences and energy system modelling was chosen, which allows considering qualitative factors such as public acceptance or political stability. Following the concept of context scenarios, consistent raw scenarios are generated by a cross-impact balance analysis (CIB), and the scenarios are quantified by the unit commitment and expansion cost minimisation model ENTIGRIS considering power plants, storages, and the electricity grid. This approach enables an understanding of the system framework conditions and their relationships and allows the combination of qualitative and quantitative scenario descriptors. The most important factors for setting regional self-sufficiency targets were identified through interviews. The main system effects identified are: The regional distribution of generation capacities is strongly influenced by a more demand-oriented installation of generation capacities. This leads to less grid reinforcement, but higher rates of curtailment. In all scenarios, higher utilization of the PV roof potential instead of ground mounted could be observed. The total system costs are increasing only slightly with regional self-supply targets. In general, it was found that the influence of regional self-sufficiency targets is less pronounced in scenarios that already achieve high national RES shares than in scenarios that achieve lower shares, since technology, storage and grid expansion measures are necessary anyway to achieve high RES shares. Overall, the effects here are rather small and the regional objective is not associated with major disadvantages for the system. In a future characterised by stagnation, the system can benefit from regional targeting, as higher renewable shares and lower costs can result. The main conclusion therefore is that regional target setting seem to be beneficial for the overall power system, in terms of system cost, national RE share, acceptance and CO₂-emissions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Behavioural and Societal Aspects of Decision Making in Energy Systems and Markets)

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Review

Jump to: Research

26 pages, 656 KiB

Open AccessReview

Integrating Behavioural Aspects in Energy System Modelling—A Review

by David Huckebrink and Valentin Bertsch

Energies 2021, 14(15), 4579; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14154579 - 28 Jul 2021

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3553

Abstract

Many countries worldwide have adopted policies to support the expansion of renewable energy sources aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, combating climate change, and, more generally, establishing a globally sustainable energy system. As a result, energy systems around the world are undergoing a [...] Read more.

Many countries worldwide have adopted policies to support the expansion of renewable energy sources aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, combating climate change, and, more generally, establishing a globally sustainable energy system. As a result, energy systems around the world are undergoing a process of fundamental change and transformation that goes far beyond the technological dimension. While energy system models have been developed and used for several decades to support decision makers in governments and companies, these models usually focus on the techno-economic dimension, whereas they fall short in addressing and considering behavioural and societal aspects of decisions related to technology acceptance, adoption, and use. In fact, it is often the societal dimension that comes with the greatest challenges and barriers when it comes to making such a socio-technical transformation happen in reality. This paper therefore provides an overview of state-of-the-art energy system models on the one hand and research studying behavioural aspects in the energy sector on the other hand. We find that these are two well-developed fields of research but that they have not yet been integrated sufficiently well to provide answers to the many questions arising in the context of complex socio-technical transformation processes of energy systems. While some promising approaches integrating these two fields can be identified, the total number is very limited. Based on our findings, research gaps and potentials for improvement of both energy system models and behavioural studies are derived. We conclude that a stronger collaboration across disciplines is required. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Behavioural and Societal Aspects of Decision Making in Energy Systems and Markets)

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31 pages, 1162 KiB

Open AccessReview

Exploring the Role of Stakeholder Dynamics in Residential Photovoltaic Adoption Decisions: A Synthesis of the Literature

by Fabian Scheller, Isabel Doser, Daniel Sloot, Russell McKenna and Thomas Bruckner

Energies 2020, 13(23), 6283; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13236283 - 28 Nov 2020

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3230

Abstract

Despite the intensive research on residential photovoltaic adoption, there is a lack of understanding regarding the social dynamics that drive adoption decisions. Innovation diffusion is a social process, whereby communication structures and the relations between sender and receiver influence what information is perceived [...] Read more.

Despite the intensive research on residential photovoltaic adoption, there is a lack of understanding regarding the social dynamics that drive adoption decisions. Innovation diffusion is a social process, whereby communication structures and the relations between sender and receiver influence what information is perceived and how it is interpreted. This paper addresses this research gap by investigating stakeholder influences in household decision-making from a procedural perspective, so-called stakeholder dynamics. A literature review derives major influence dynamics which are then synthesized based on egocentric network maps for distinct process stages. The findings show a multitude of stakeholders that can be relevant in influencing photovoltaic adoption decisions of owner-occupied households. Household decision-makers are mainly influenced by stakeholders of their social network like family, neighbors, and friends as well as PV-related services like providers and civil society groups. The perceived closeness and likeability of a stakeholder indicate a higher level of influence because of greater trust involved. Furthermore, the findings indicate that social influence shifts gradually from many different stakeholders to a few core stakeholders later on in the decision-making process. These insights suggest that photovoltaic (PV) adoption may be more reliably predicted if a process perspective is taken into account that not only distinguishes between different stakeholders but considers their dynamic importance along the process stages. In addition, especially time- and location-bound factors affect the influence strength. This clearly shows the importance of local and targeted interventions to accelerate the uptake. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Behavioural and Societal Aspects of Decision Making in Energy Systems and Markets)

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