Energy Efficiency最新文献

Since heating-related energy consumption is one of the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions and accounts for a large part of domestic energy use in Europe, reducing heating-related energy consumption has great potential to reduce Europe’s greenhouse gas emissions. This study examines which factors determine people's intention to decrease heating-related energy usage, specifically lowering the temperature in winter. It was part of a larger European project focused on promoting energy reduction. This study presents a smaller-scale model tested among 363 individuals from five pilot countries, i.e., Belgium (n = 58), Croatia (n = 82), Germany (n = 105), Greece (n = 33), and Portugal (n = 85). We applied three robust theoretical frameworks: the Theory of Planned Behaviour, the Value Belief Norm Theory, and the Prototype Willingness Model. We conducted a confirmatory factor analysis to ensure construct validity, followed by a structural equation model. Our findings suggest that willingness (from the Prototype Willingness Model) is the most important predictor in explaining someone’s intention to reduce heating-related energy consumption. Additionally, perceived behavioural control, subjective norms, and attitudes (part of Theory of Planned Behaviour) also play an important role in predicting the intention to reduce energy consumption. Lastly, personal moral norms (from the Value Belief Norm Theory) have a significant impact, but their effect is moderate compared to the other predictors.

Determining which attitudes and behaviours predict household energy consumption can help accelerate the low-carbon energy transition. Conventional approaches in this domain are limited, often relying on survey methods that produce data on individuals’ motivations and self-reported activities without pairing these with actual energy consumption records, which are particularly hard to collect for large, nationally representative samples. This challenge precludes the development of empirical evidence on which attitudes and behaviours influence patterns of energy consumption, thus limiting the extent to which these can inform energy interventions or conservation programs. This study demonstrates a novel methodology for estimating energy consumption in the absence of actual energy records by using a large, publicly available data set of energy consumption in the UK. We develop a predictive model using the Smart Energy Research Laboratory (SERL) data portal (with records from nearly 13,000 UK households) and then use this model to predict energy consumption (both electric and gas) for a sample of 1,000 UK householders for which we separately collect over 200 variables relating to climate change attitudes and practices. Our approach uses a set of over 50 independent variables that are shared between the data sets, allowing us to train a model on the SERL data and use it to analyse the relationship between energy consumption and the opinions, motivations, and daily practices of survey respondents. Results show that electricity consumption is influenced by a broader range of factors compared to gas. Household energy use is best explained by physical dwelling characteristics, socio-demographic variables, and certain behavioural and attitudinal measures. Notably, pro-environmental attitudes, frugality, and conscientiousness correlate with lower energy use, while income and consumerism are linked to higher consumption. We discuss how these findings can inform efforts to decarbonise home energy use in the UK.

The EU energy efficiency directive (EED) includes provisions to stimulate increased energy efficiency in companies. Mandatory provisions were first introduced in 2012 and recast in 2023. Policy learning has been suggested as an important route to policy change. This paper analyses how and why policy learning helped revising EU legislation to enhance energy efficiency in companies, using provisions of mandatory energy audits as a case. Negative experience from member states’ governments with the original provisions were voiced shortly after the adoption of EED. A complex process going back and forth between member state and EU levels led by a learning agent facilitated collective learning and change of beliefs, first in member states then in the Council. Several cognitive biases among individuals in the European Commission led to non-learning at the individual level and blocked learning at the collective level. This further blocked policy learning in the EU when EED was amended in 2018. However, external crises and the entering office of a new Commission College in 2019 made the Commission to reconsider its beliefs. Political leadership opened a window for individual and collective learning in the Commission and policy learning in the EU when provisions were changed with the recast of EED in 2023. This suggests that individual and collective learning in the EC is key for policy change to happen. Without new beliefs in the EC, it is hard to get a topic onto the policy agenda. The paper proposes policy recommendations on how to facilitate policy learning and suggests areas for further research.

In this study, ten different cold thermal energy storage (CTES) scenarios were investigated using thermodynamic and economic analyses and compared to the direct cooling system in a supermarket. The energy analysis of CTES system was carried out to predict its behavior during the charging and discharging phases. The coefficient of performance (COP) of the chiller was determined for all CTES designs on an hourly basis, considering the ambient temperature profiles of the local climate. A daily energy analysis, and an annual savings analysis were conducted for the whole system. The daily electricity tariffs of CTES scenarios decreased compared to the direct cooling system as storage capacity increased, leading to higher annual profits and a reduction in the payback period. It was found that eliminating chiller operation during peak hours in all CTES designs increases system capacity and CTES volume, which in turn raises net energy consumption and initial capital costs. However, this approach results in significant annual savings, despite a rise in service costs, and remains more beneficial compared to running the chiller 24 h a day. Overall, the leveling storage off-peak mode proved to be the optimal CTES design, offering substantial annual savings and the shortest payback period of six years, without requiring significant modifications to the existing chiller plant.

Infrastructure decisions today significantly impact future generations' quality of life, especially as severe storms and rising sea levels increasingly threaten communities across the United States. Decision-makers at all levels, including those involved in disaster prevention and response, must address climate change. However, those in infrastructure design and construction often prioritize immediate gains over long-term resilience. Engineering teams typically employ decision tools to manage complexity, but these methods may not highlight the long-term consequences of their choices. This study tests whether integrating Virtual Reality (VR) technology with engineering decision-making tools, can enhance engineers’ ability to visualize the future impacts of their infrastructure projects. A group of engineering students (n = 56) was given a case study on updating roadwork systems in Norfolk, Virginia, an area vulnerable to flooding. The control group viewed images depicting current and future conditions of sea-level rise (year 2100), while the intervention group experienced the same information but through an immersive VR scenario. Participants selected achievement levels for each credit using the Envision system, with total points reflecting the resilience and sustainability of decisions. The results indicate that participants who engaged with the VR experience, achieved higher scores than those who received the images. The results also indicate a variation in VR's impact based on political affiliation, with Democrats responding more positively to the VR experience than Republicans. The findings highlight that integrating VR into decision-making tools can be a crucial advancement in infrastructure planning, enabling engineers to make more informed, sustainable choices for a resilient future.

Corporations operating in energy-intensive industries have faced increasing pressure to introduce green management practices (GMPs), while seeking to pursue profitability for the benefit of shareholders. Although chief executive officers (CEOs) and corporate boards with environmental governance experience are likely to seek the adoption of GMPs, it may not happen among young and low financial performance corporations owing to a lack of operational experience and financial constraints. Drawing from institutional theory, this study proposes that the influence of CEOs and corporate boards’ environmental governance experience on GMPs will depend on their age and financial position of the corporations. Four hypotheses were tested using panel data (2011–2015) from 209 publicly-listed corporations drawn from energy-intensive industries in Malaysia. The results reveal that CEOs with environmental governance experience among young and high financial corporations are likely to adopt GMPs, but not among old and low financial performance corporations. The results also reveal that corporate boards with environmental governance experience are likely to adopt GMPs among young and old corporations, and low and high financial performance corporations. The findings provide strong implications for government policy in general, and the emerging economies in particular to promote environmental governance for achieving sustainable development goals.

Energy efficiency is vital for energy transitions, and energy-poor, vulnerable, and hard-to-reach groups are at risk of being left behind. In this context, local middle actors have been suggested as partners in deploying targeted energy support. Nevertheless, scarce research has engaged with them to assess if they are willing and capable of contributing, if they can reach households, and if they have unmet needs. In this research, we draw on the mapping of 198 local organizations and 34 semi-structured interviews conducted after deploying a pilot energy support service in Setúbal, Portugal. Interviews characterized the organizations and target audiences, assessed energy literacy, explored potential collaborative roles, and recognized drivers, barriers, and solutions. Results show that most organizations are willing to disseminate activities, forward citizens, facilitate contacts, co-organize events, and participate in training. Half can identify vulnerable families for proactive support. Drivers include environmental concerns, community participation, and social support. However, few seem able to conduct energy support, hire/redirect staff, or participate in coordination. Scarce human resources, lack of time, other priorities, and financing concerns severely constrain local organizations. This case study finds some potential for local organizations to act as intermediaries in energy support, building on their communication channels and trusted relationships to fulfill specific roles. However, they are often hard-to-reach themselves and burdened with demanding activities. Thus, we suggest that fostering collaborations with local organizations is challenging but possible. It requires dedicated funding, time, and resources to empower, capacitate, and reward middle actors for their contributions in delivering energy support.

With an increasing energy deficit, improving the thermal properties of building materials is nowadays a priority. The incorporation of expanded polystyrene (EPS) and expanded perlite (EP) into cement mortar has shown enormous potential to improve overall thermal performance. This study aims to numerically evaluate the efficiency of using EPS and EP reinforced composites as coating mortars. First, several reinforced mortars were prepared by adding different proportions of EPS and EP to the cement mortar. The thermal, mechanical and microstructural performances of EPS and EP mortars were subsequently analyzed using Hot Disk and MATEST instruments as well as FTIR spectroscopy and XRD analysis. COMSOL Multiphysics software was then used to simulate the inner temperature variation of a hollow brick coated on both sides with the optimal reinforced mortar mix. The results showed that an increase in the amount of reinforcing material led to a reduction in both mechanical strength and thermal properties of the mortar. Optimum performance could be achieved by incorporating 2.5% expanded polystyrene into the mortar, which resulted in approximately 37%, 15%, and 26% reduction in thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, and volumetric heat capacity, respectively, compared to standard mortar. This thermal improvement was achieved while ensuring a satisfactory mechanical and chemical properties. By applying varying thicknesses of this reinforced mortar to the brick, the internal surface temperature was reduced by approximately 0.2–1.8 °C during periods of maximum flux exposure. Therefore, the application of these composites as a thermally enhanced coating mortar on building walls seems to be an adequate solution.

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The internalization of the social cost of carbon (SCC) is the most efficient alternative to reduce the emissions that cause global warming. However, the carbon pricing initiatives implemented in many countries differ significantly from the empirical estimates of the SCC. Therefore, this study simulates the economic and environmental effects of internalizing the SCC in all the world’s nations through the environmental extension of a multi-regional input–output (MRIO) price model. The results show that the most affected countries economically are characterized by having an energy matrix with high participation of fossil fuels. In addition, there are relevant increases in the prices of energy and food, which are likely to raise poverty rates in low- and middle-income countries. It is concluded that the global emission reduction can vary between 5.1% and 50.3% depending on the SCC used, and only ten countries explain 77% of this reduction. In addition, global emissions reduction falls if data from a more recent base year is used, demonstrating that the structural transformations of the economy also strongly affect the impacts of carbon pricing. Finally, it is recommended that energy efficiency measures be incentivized to address partially this cost shock.

The energy demand in Turkey is increasing continuously because of the fact that it is a developing economy. However, it has limited energy sources. As a result of these circumstances, energy efficiency projects are essential for industry and other energy consumption areas. This paper proposes energy recovery by analyzing energy and exergy in a porcelain tableware firing kiln, a ceramics industry branch. The actual data obtained from the measurements made on the kiln were used in the energy and exergy analysis calculations. The energy consumption of the glaze kiln has been calculated as 3868 kJ/s. The incoming energy is lost around 14.78% by the main exhaust flue gas and 28.58% by the cooling exhaust gas. The primary energy casualties are kiln walls and other losses. They are 43.36% and 38.9%, respectively. Finally, according to energy and exergy analyses, suggestions were made on the processes with high energy losses, and depreciation was made.