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39 pages, 13993 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Why Biomass Fuels Are Principally Not Carbon Neutral

by Gilbert Ahamer

Energies 2022, 15(24), 9619; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15249619 - 19 Dec 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2582

Abstract

In order to realistically fulfil global and national climate protection targets, all potential measures have to be made use of to a maximum extent. Because it is readily available, biomass energy has been playing a key practical role for decades, supported by the [...] Read more.

In order to realistically fulfil global and national climate protection targets, all potential measures have to be made use of to a maximum extent. Because it is readily available, biomass energy has been playing a key practical role for decades, supported by the traditional assumption of its carbon neutrality: under sustainable conditions, carbon dioxide emitted during combustion is held to be equal to its absorption during plant growth. In order to clarify conditions of carbon (C) neutrality, it is therefore necessary to model the annual natural C cycle on the entire planet and to include changes caused by a variety of growth strategies for biomass fuels. The “Combined Energy and Biosphere Model” CEBM calculates the cycle of plant growth, decay, biomass fuel production and its combustion on 2433 grid elements worldwide. CEBM results suggest that over many decades, the C pools of litter and especially soil organic carbon (i.e., humus layer) deplete considerably as a consequence of the interrupted natural carbon cycle. Overall, based on this finding, the earlier assumption of “carbon-neutral biomass fuels” is disapproved of in a long-term evaluation and—as a coarse rule of thumb—might be reduced to “half as carbon neutral as previously assumed” (when compared to a current fuel mix). On top of this principal effect, it is well known that life-cycle emissions, indirect or secondary emissions such as energy input related to production, transport and conversion into fuels will still add to this already principally highly incomplete carbon neutrality of biomass. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Global Climate Change and Energy Transition)

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19 pages, 2447 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Use of Solar Energy by Households and Energy Cooperatives in Post-War Ukraine: Lessons Learned from Austria

by Galyna Trypolska and Andrzej Rosner

Energies 2022, 15(20), 7610; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15207610 - 15 Oct 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 1879

Abstract

The Russia-Ukraine war of 2022 showed the danger of reliance on autocratic regimes for energy supply. The use of renewables is a viable opportunity to substitute energy imports. Prosumption is one of the essential pillars of the Fourth Energy Package of the EU. [...] Read more.

The Russia-Ukraine war of 2022 showed the danger of reliance on autocratic regimes for energy supply. The use of renewables is a viable opportunity to substitute energy imports. Prosumption is one of the essential pillars of the Fourth Energy Package of the EU. After the war, Ukraine will require recovery packages, among other policies, aimed at increased energy prosumption. It will spur energy generation and foster employment, as well as being one of the means to avoid CO₂ emissions. Following the example of Austria, the investment grant sizes for households and energy cooperatives in Ukraine were assessed. Potential job growth was estimated using the employment factor method and the size of CO₂ emissions reduction. Should investment grants of EUR 50–200/kW for households and energy cooperatives be introduced, up to EUR 359.4 million would be required in 2022–2030. Households and energy cooperatives in Ukraine will still need to invest up to EUR 988 million until 2030. About 11 thousand full-time jobs may appear by 2030. Energy generation by households in 2020–2030 would enable the avoidance of 3.39–5.94 million tons of CO₂ emissions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Global Climate Change and Energy Transition)

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18 pages, 499 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Role of Healthcare Employees’ Pro-Environmental Behavior for De-Carbonization: An Energy Conservation Approach from CSR Perspective

by Li Xu, Jacob Cherian, Muhammad Zaheer, Muhammad Safdar Sial, Ubaldo Comite, Laura Mariana Cismas, Juan Felipe Espinosa Cristia and Judit Oláh

Energies 2022, 15(9), 3429; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15093429 - 7 May 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2493

Abstract

Buildings worldwide use a large amount of energy and, hence, contribute to increasing the level of greenhouse gases emission (GHG). It was realized that most electrical energy is used in buildings for heating, cooling, and ventilation purposes. To deal with environmental issues, the [...] Read more.

Buildings worldwide use a large amount of energy and, hence, contribute to increasing the level of greenhouse gases emission (GHG). It was realized that most electrical energy is used in buildings for heating, cooling, and ventilation purposes. To deal with environmental issues, the concepts of renewable energies and clean or green energy sources have been a part of academic discussions. A review of the literature unveils that most of the prior research in the GHG domain focused on the production side of producing renewable energy by opting for different cleaner energy sources (for example, solar energy). Although such studies have contributed significantly to advancing the field, it is also important to change the energy consumption behavior at the level of individuals for decarbonization. However, such a debate to promote the pro-environmental behavior (PEB) of employees from the perspective of energy consumption remains an understudied area. Against this backdrop, this research was carried out to promote PEB at the level of employees through corporate social responsibility (CSR) and green organizational practices in the healthcare sector of an emerging economy. The current research also focused on personal employee values, especially altruistic values, to spur their PEB. The data for the current work was collected from employees of different hospitals by employing a survey strategy (n = 441). To analyze the data, structural equation modeling was considered. The results showed that CSR directly and indirectly (via green organizational practices) influences employees’ PEB, whereas the altruistic values of employees produce a significant conditional indirect effect on the above relationship. The current research offers different implications for theory and practice, which are discussed in detail. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Global Climate Change and Energy Transition)

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25 pages, 10706 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mathematical Description of Energy Transition Scenarios Based on the Latest Technologies and Trends

by Askar A. Akaev and Olga I. Davydova

Energies 2021, 14(24), 8360; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14248360 - 11 Dec 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2735

Abstract

This work, dedicated to a mathematical description of energy transition scenarios, consists of three main parts. The first part describes modern trends and problems of the energy sector. A large number of charts reflecting the latest updates in energy are provided. The COVID-2019 [...] Read more.

This work, dedicated to a mathematical description of energy transition scenarios, consists of three main parts. The first part describes modern trends and problems of the energy sector. A large number of charts reflecting the latest updates in energy are provided. The COVID-2019 pandemic’s impacts on the energy sector are also included. The second part of the paper is dedicated to the analysis of energy consumption and the structure of the world fuel and energy balance. Furthermore, a detailed description of energy-efficient technologies is given. Being important and low-carbon, hydrogen is discussed, including its advantages and disadvantages. The last part of the work describes the mathematical tool developed by the authors. The high availability of statistical data made it possible to identify parameters used in the algorithm with the least squares method and verify the tool. Performing several not complicated steps of the algorithm, the tool allows calculating the deviation of the average global temperature of the surface atmosphere from preindustrial levels in the 21st century under different scenarios. Using the suggested mathematical description, the optimal scenario that makes it possible to keep global warming at a level below 1.7 °C was found. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Global Climate Change and Energy Transition)

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27 pages, 2616 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Selected Issues of Safe Operation of the Railway Traffic Control System in the Event of Exposition to Damage Caused by Lightning Discharges

by Renata Markowska and Zofia Wróbel

Energies 2021, 14(18), 5808; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14185808 - 14 Sep 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1450

Abstract

Lightning discharge becomes a serious source of interference and damage for electronic and electrical power systems. Safe and reliable operation of railway traffic control systems requires proper protection against the effects of lightning. However, the current standards on lightning protection, PN-EN/EN/IEC 62305, do [...] Read more.

Lightning discharge becomes a serious source of interference and damage for electronic and electrical power systems. Safe and reliable operation of railway traffic control systems requires proper protection against the effects of lightning. However, the current standards on lightning protection, PN-EN/EN/IEC 62305, do not cover railway objects. Moreover, there are no other standards or recommendations dedicated to the railway. The paper is an attempt to apply the procedure of lightning risk management according to PN-EN 62305-2 to select the proper protection measures in railway objects. A case study for the signal box with installed relaying and digital stations of the railway traffic control system is analyzed. The analysis comprises calculations based on the current standard PN-EN 62305-2:2012 but including the issues specific to railway traffic control. The risks of lightning losses have been calculated for two cases: without lightning protection measures and with protection measures proposed to decrease the risks below the tolerable values. The results show that a practically effective solution to reduce the risks is applying surge protective devices with proper characteristics. Another way is replacing unshielded incoming lines with shielded ones of given shield bonding way, and supplementing it with surge protective devices when necessary. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Global Climate Change and Energy Transition)

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10 pages, 2053 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Machine Learning-Based Small Hydropower Potential Prediction under Climate Change

by Jaewon Jung, Heechan Han, Kyunghun Kim and Hung Soo Kim

Energies 2021, 14(12), 3643; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14123643 - 18 Jun 2021

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 2210

Abstract

As the effects of climate change are becoming severe, countries need to substantially reduce carbon emissions. Small hydropower (SHP) can be a useful renewable energy source with a high energy density for the reduction of carbon emission. Therefore, it is necessary to revitalize [...] Read more.

As the effects of climate change are becoming severe, countries need to substantially reduce carbon emissions. Small hydropower (SHP) can be a useful renewable energy source with a high energy density for the reduction of carbon emission. Therefore, it is necessary to revitalize the development of SHP to expand the use of renewable energy. To efficiently plan and utilize this energy source, there is a need to assess the future SHP potential based on an accurate runoff prediction. In this study, the future SHP potential was predicted using a climate change scenario and an artificial neural network model. The runoff was simulated accurately, and the applicability of an artificial neural network to the runoff prediction was confirmed. The results showed that the total amount of SHP potential in the future will generally a decrease compared to the past. This result is applicable as base data for planning future energy supplies and carbon emission reductions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Global Climate Change and Energy Transition)

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28 pages, 7340 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Mathematical Description of Selected Energy Transition Scenarios in the 21st Century, Intended to Realize the Main Goals of the Paris Climate Agreement

by Askar A. Akaev and Olga I. Davydova

Energies 2021, 14(9), 2558; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14092558 - 29 Apr 2021

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 2359

Abstract

On 4 November 2016, the historic Paris Climate Agreement of the United Nations entered into force, requiring signatory countries to maintain global warming at the level of 1.5–2 °C. According to the calculations of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), to achieve [...] Read more.

On 4 November 2016, the historic Paris Climate Agreement of the United Nations entered into force, requiring signatory countries to maintain global warming at the level of 1.5–2 °C. According to the calculations of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), to achieve this goal, a 2/3 reduction in greenhouse gas energy emissions into the atmosphere compared with gaseous energy-related emissions in 2019 (33.3 Gt) by about 2050 (1.5 °C) or by 2070 (2 °C) is required. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), this is only possible with the implementation of a great energy transition from the use of currently dominant fossil hydrocarbon fuels—coal, oil, and natural gas—to the predominant use of renewable energy sources (RES) by 2040–2050, when the share of renewable energy in the total energy balance will reach 40% and above. In this work, mathematical description of an upcoming energy transition has been carried out, including long-term scenario writing of the world’s demographic dynamics and global energy demand, calculation of the dynamics of industrial CO₂ emissions and CO₂ accumulation in the Earth’s atmosphere, as well as the corresponding changes in the average global temperature of the Earth’s surface in the 21st century. A mathematical description of the impact of energy consumption on climate change was carried out taking into account long-term trends in the dynamics of energy consumption. Using the performed mathematically-oriented scenario writing, it is suggested that a great energy transition with the achievement of the goals of the Paris Agreement is possible only by 2060. Renewable energy could sufficiently displace and replace hydrocarbon fuels to achieve climate safety without compromising economic development. As a result, humanity will receive an environmentally friendly decentralized distributed energy system, connected by «smart» grids, controlled by intelligent digital technologies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Global Climate Change and Energy Transition)

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14 pages, 279 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Relationship between Renewable Energy Sources and Economic Growth. The Case of SAARC Countries

by Qiucheng Li, Jacob Cherian, Malik Shahzad Shabbir, Muhammad Safdar Sial, Jing Li, Ioana Mester and Alina Badulescu

Energies 2021, 14(3), 520; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14030520 - 20 Jan 2021

Cited by 95 | Viewed by 5612

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between renewable energy sources and economic growth of the South Asian Association for regional cooperation (SAARC) countries. This study uses three main renewable energy sources, namely geothermal, hydro, and wind.This study collects data [...] Read more.

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between renewable energy sources and economic growth of the South Asian Association for regional cooperation (SAARC) countries. This study uses three main renewable energy sources, namely geothermal, hydro, and wind.This study collects data set from SAARC countries from 1995 to 2018 and applies a fixed effect test and panel vector error correction model (PVECM) for data analysis. The overall results show that all three renewable energy sources have a positive significant impact on economic development among SAARC countries’ economies. Moreover, hydropower renewable energy has more effects and influences on economic growth as compared to the other two individual sources of renewable energy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Global Climate Change and Energy Transition)

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Jump to: Research

13 pages, 2168 KiB

Open AccessPerspective

Global Temperature and Carbon Dioxide Nexus: Evidence from a Maximum Entropy Approach

by Pedro Macedo and Mara Madaleno

Energies 2023, 16(1), 277; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16010277 - 27 Dec 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1637

Abstract

The connection between Earth’s global temperature and carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions is one of the highest challenges in climate change science since there is some controversy about the real impact of CO₂ emissions on the increase of global temperature. This [...] Read more.

The connection between Earth’s global temperature and carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions is one of the highest challenges in climate change science since there is some controversy about the real impact of CO₂ emissions on the increase of global temperature. This work contributes to the existing literature by analyzing the relationship between CO₂ emissions and the Earth’s global temperature for 61 years, providing a recent review of the emerging literature as well. Through a statistical approach based on maximum entropy, this study supports the results of other techniques that identify a positive impact of CO₂ in the increase of the Earth’s global temperature. Given the well-known difficulties in the measurement of global temperature and CO₂ emissions with high precision, this statistical approach is particularly appealing around climate change science, as it allows the replication of the original time series with the subsequent construction of confidence intervals for the model parameters. To prevent future risks, besides the present urgent decrease of greenhouse gas emissions, it is necessary to stop using the planet and nature as if resources were infinite. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Global Climate Change and Energy Transition)

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