Energy Efficiency最新文献

The residential sector in Ghana has been identified as an important group for energy efficiency programs in order to meet the country's growing energy demands and also tackle its power shortages. The total final energy consumption of the country stands at 47% for the residential sector, with an average of 31% and 7% for refrigerating and air conditioning, respectively. Improving energy efficiency in the residential sector will not only improve both local and global energy use but will also improve carbon emission reduction. Hence, to ensure that this energy efficiency is achieved, the country enacted four legislative instruments to regulate the importation of cooling appliances (refrigerating and air conditioning), lighting, and other household appliances. These legislative instruments are to ensure that these appliances meet the requirements of the minimum energy performance standards (MEPS). This study provides a quantitative performance evaluation of energy, energy savings, and carbon emissions through the adaptation of the minimum energy performance standards (MEPS), cooling appliance standardization, and labeling programs for Ghanaian households using the appliance and equipment climate impact calculator (MEPSY) modeling method. This quantitative evaluation (energy efficiency policy documents) is based on data acquired from governmental agencies responsible for the energy sector. The outcome revealed that the MEPS program in Ghana has yielded a total savings of over USD 3,100 in financial savings on electricity bills due to energy savings of 23,100KWh in the household sector from 2010 to 2020, while a total of over 12,650GWh of electricity savings was made, translating into financial savings of over USD 2 billion in electricity bill savings with a carbon reduction of 6.5 million tons within the same period at the national level.

In 2008, the European Commission established the Covenant of Mayors (CoM), a voluntary initiative to involve and support local authorities in pursuing the European Union's climate change mitigation and adaptation goals. This study proposes a methodology to evaluate the effectiveness of Sustainable Energy Action Plans (SEAPs) and Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans (SECAPs) in terms of reducing carbon dioxide emissions in the regions of Apulia and Sicily. The CO₂ emissions are analyzed at the provincial level, before and after the approval of the plans by the municipal council, using homogeneous consumption data from national sources, rather than from data declared by the CoM signatories themselves. The methodology adopted combines the analysis of variance and compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of emissions, both total and per capita, with an assessment of the level of involvement of municipalities and the population in CoM plans. Through Pearson's coefficient, the correlation between the spread of plans and emissions at the provincial level was also assessed. The main results show that Apulia and Sicily, with a share of approved plans of 45.5% and 87.7%, respectively, experienced a reduction in total emissions of 12.1% and 21.2%, and per capita of 9.3% and 18.7%, in the period after municipalities submitted their SEAPs or SECAPs. A greater effectiveness of the plans is denoted in Sicilian provinces than in Apulian ones. These findings underscore the importance of emissions monitoring by signatory local governments, particularly through a uniform methodology, as well as monitoring at the provincial and regional levels, implemented by the Covenant Territorial Coordinators (CTCs), to assess the implementation of the action plans and ensure that regional and national emission reduction targets are met.

The paper studies the optimization of interurban smart grid design by minimizing energy losses along the transmission lines. The optimized layout of the smart grid considers the location of the energy sources and consumption centers and the paths of the distribution lines. The optimization design includes the hourly distribution of the power sources and the hourly profile of the energy consumption. We developed a modeling study of the operation of a smart grid for specific operating conditions in a real case using historical data on electric energy consumption, solar, wind, and hydraulic energy resource. The study aims the development an algorithm that minimizes electric energy losses; this algorithm is based on the hourly distribution of energy generation and electric energy consumption but applies to other time intervals like days or seconds. The modelling results in a reduction of energy losses of 11.8%. This value corresponds to the selected configuration for this study; however, the methodology can be applied to any other grid configuration.

Under the new development paradigm, the digital economy has emerged as a crucial driver of China’s green development. Utilizing a quasi-natural experiment of the “Broadband China” strategy, this paper examines its impact on carbon productivity through a multi-period difference-in-differences model, a moderating effect model, and a spatial panel model. The findings indicate that the policy significantly enhances carbon productivity. As population size increases, the policy impact initially flattens, then rises, and eventually decreases before flattening again. The effect is particularly pronounced in the eastern and central regions, the southern region, and the first batch of demonstration cities. Furthermore, innovation, financial development, and urbanization amplify the policy’s effectiveness in boosting carbon productivity. From a spatial perspective, the digital economy positively influences carbon productivity of both local and neighboring areas. This research provides insights for further advancing Digital China and accelerating “dual carbon” goals.

The feasibility of a Natural Gas Absorption Heat Pump (GAHP) was assessed using an Excel-based technology screening tool that incorporated performance curves evaluated experimentally. The GAHP unit was installed at the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority's Archetype Sustainable Houses (ASH), and its heating and cooling capacities, Gas Utilization Efficiency (GUE), Coefficient of Performance (COP), and economic-environmental performances were analyzed. The GAHP's performance during the cooling season aligned with expectations. However, in the heating season, its effectiveness significantly declined at outdoor air temperatures below - 1.5 °C, rendering it less efficient than other natural gas-based technologies. This significant decrease in heating efficiency during extreme cold raises concerns about its practicality for use in Canadian houses. An Excel-based screen tool was created with a validated performance curve to assess the feasibility of the GAHP in five major Canadian cities (Toronto, Montreal, Halifax, Edmonton, and Vancouver). Vancouver achieved the highest GUE at 108%, while Edmonton had the lowest at 90%. Only Vancouver exceeded a GUE of 100% using a 50% Propylene Glycol (PG)/water mixture. During the cooling season, the GUE was about 58% for all chosen cities. Compared to an Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP), the GAHP offers lower operational costs, particularly with fluids with better heat transfer capabilities. Although GAHP is a promising technology, more experimental data is needed to assess its relevance fully in the context of the Canadian climate.

In the context of energy crisis, the impact of household energy consumption on income and gender inequality in the European Union is a new challenge. The main aim of this study is related to the evaluation of the impact of energy consumption on Gini index as a measure of income inequality and on gender pay gap as a measure of gender inequality in the European Union. The baseline results for the period 2000–2021 based on dynamic panel data models indicate that more final energy consumption in households per capita reduced Gini index, but increased gender pay gap. For checking robustness of the results, a shorter period was considered (2010–2021) and the impact of final energy consumption on Gini index became positive. If various types of energy sources (natural gas, gas oil, gas diesel) and various purposes are considered for energy consumption (energy for heat, energy for ambiental heat) the evidence for the impact on Gini index and gender pay gap is mixed in the period 2010–2021. Besides these results based on dynamic panel data models, this study brings as novelty for literature the analysis of causal relationships between various types of energy consumption and income/gender inequality using a specific panel causality test that allow heterogenous parameters and Bayesian networks. The policy recommendations based on these results refer to the reduction of energy consumption in times of energy crisis to ensure less income and gender inequality.

Energy performance certificates serve to inform the public about the energy performance of buildings in a standardised way. Although there have been influential studies about energy performance certificates, their effectiveness in improving household energy efficiency by reducing information barriers has been underexplored. This paper addresses this gap with evidence from Slovenia, an EU member state using empirical data from an online survey. We employed discrete choice models to analyse a representative sample of 2,484 Slovenian homeowners. We find that financial literacy and correct life-cycle cost calculation positively and significantly influence the likelihood of selecting an energy-efficient home. The same results apply to the integrated concept of energy-related financial literacy. In addition, providing information in monetary terms, rather than in kWh per square meter, does not significantly impact the respondents’ decision, while trust in the energy performance certificates is a decisive factor in the choice of an energy-efficient home and thus plays an important role in their effectiveness. The obtained results advocate for the simplification of energy performance certificates and the enhancement of information campaigns to foster trust and improve energy literacy, which is found to be very low.

While ensuring efficient use of available energy is generally desirable with obvious benefits, consumers are known to be challenged with having to forecast equipment-utilization rates, evolution in applicable tariffs, savings accruing from EE equipment and other parameter values, and then to discount such streams to compare energy efficiency (EE) attributes of alternative options. Given such limitations, consumption from heightened equipment use (“rebound”) and, on occasion, higher than previous consumption (“back fire”) therefore reduce or negate the welfare effects from residential EE incentive programs. EE labels and other means to provide information have been used to overcome consumer ‘inattention’, and to attempt to convert EE procurement into ‘credence purchases’ – where equipment is purchased on faith in the label. The limits to such information campaigns (“nudge initiatives”) have been exposed in recent years. On the supply side, raising tariffs across the board might be politically unsustainable, and might not always lead to lower energy consumption, given the relative inelasticity of demand, especially in the context of residential end-use. Following a detailed review of relevant EE initiatives, the present paper advocates a mix of contemporary information signals that contribute first to decision utility with traditional price signals and those that impact the end-users’ experience utility. The paper posits that this two-pronged approach could eventually serve to shift discretionary consumption from peak to off-peak hours and subject to consumers’ budget constraints, to help conserve on energy used.

Energy consumption has been identified as the key contributor to carbon dioxide emissions and the depletion of natural resources. Promoting the purchase of energy-efficient appliances is crucial for environmental sustainability. While numerous studies have explored consumer purchase decisions regarding energy-efficient appliances, the literature remains broad and fragmented. Anchoring in the Theory–Context–Characteristics–Methods (TCCM) framework, this systematic literature review aims to synthesize the available research and offer a complete overview of the current state of research into consumer purchases of energy-efficient appliances. Conducting a thorough analysis of 142 empirical studies, this study uncovers that the Theory of Planned Behavior is the most frequently used framework, and most studies adopted quantitative methods and focused on emerging Asian countries (e.g., China, Pakistan, and Malaysia). In addition, this study also points out socio-demographic, psychographic, situational, and marketing-related factors that affect consumer purchase behavior toward energy-efficient appliances. Based on these findings, this study proposes a research agenda for scholars to advance the research field and practical implications for policymakers, manufacturers, and marketers to encourage the adoption and purchase of energy-efficient products.

Hybrid vehicles present promising application prospects, combining the tradition and autonomy of combustion engines with the reliability, efficiency, and environmental appeal of electrification. In Brazil, the eighth-largest vehicle producer globally, up to 70% of the fleet comprises flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs), capable of operating with gasoline E27 (27% anhydrous ethanol), hydrous ethanol E100, or any blend, representing a significant portion of the country’s transportation matrix. Energy recovery is an important strategy for power conservation and increasing the efficiency of hybrid vehicles that combine internal combustion engines (ICE) and electric engines with small-capacity batteries, commonly applied in low-level electrification. This paper proposes an overview of technologies for ICE energy recovery to improve hybrid FFVs efficiency, that should be the main strategy for comply new emission legislation in Brazil and others markets in the next years. It employs a two-step approach: a literature review followed by patent analysis. The discussion analyzes advance technologies for recovering ICE energy like turbocharger, hybridization, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI), applied to FFV ICEs. The United States, China and Germany are the countries with the highest number of patents registered in all ICE sub-technologies analyzed. Turbocharging appears to be a well-developed technology while HCCI still has many challenges to be overcome before it can be offered commercially. Hybrid FFVs vehicles using biofuel only or blended with gasoline offer a swift response to the energy transition in the mobility sector towards 100% electrification powertrain and provide a quicky solution for countries like Brazil.

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