Energy and climate change最新文献

This paper presents, a unique topology for multilevel inverter based totally on cascaded connection of fundamental modules. The proposed circuit is able to operate for both symmetrical and asymmetric inverter, which can be used for fuel cell and photovoltaic systems. The magnitude of two dc sources in basic module can be adopted for symmetrical and asymmetrical structure. In the symmetrical multilevel inverter, the magnitude of dc source is identical for each module. However, the magnitude of dc source for basic modules is unequal in asymmetrical configuration and their magnitudes are achieved from binary and trinary progression. Comparison results prove that the proposed circuit requires a fewer number of components, reduced power loss and improve the efficiency of the inverter. Moreover, the total standing voltage on switches is acceptable compare to contemporary topologies. The proposed inverter can be implemented to low-medium power renewable energy systems. Simulation and experimental results for 11, 15 and 19-level inverters are analysed to validate the operation and performance of proposed topology.

Electric vehicles are supposed to play a leading role in the transition towards a low carbon society since they allow to substitute oil products with electricity as the main energy source for transportation. On the other hand, the diffusion of electric vehicles determines an increase in power demand with a consequent variation in the power supply mix. In accordance with this, it is mandatory to analyse how the supply mix changes, since the introduction of electric vehicles is significant from the sustainability point of view only if there is a reduction in emissions. To assess this condition for the Italian energy system, the present paper proposes a model developed in EnergyPLAN. Three different scenarios are tested in terms of the penetration of electric vehicles to understand which is the optimal trajectory for their diffusion. The analysis demonstrates that the Italian energy system can accommodate 7 million electric cars, namely about 25% of the total in 2040. A higher amount would determine an increase in carbon emissions.

The energy sector is the largest contributor for CO₂ emissions and therefore energy use is a key issue for climate change and sustainable development. The acceleration towards decarbonization of electricity supply through renewable technologies development is critical for reducing CO₂ emissions. During peak-hours electricity consumption increase and peak units are needed to balance the demand and supply. Despite the technology updates done in many peak units, the most efficient fossil plants are not emission free. An approach to combine economic and environmental benefits through DR implementation was developed and applied to the Iberian Electricity Market data (MIBEL). It was developed a methodology that reduces emissions and replaces peak units with high prices by production with lower prices. The results indicate that generation portfolio and climatic conditions have a large impact on the offset emissions levels at each moment. At night polluting technologies have a greater share in the supply mix. Through DR implementation is possible to save emissions, reducing the need for peaking plants and simultaneously achieve an overall price decrease at peak hours, without compromising users’ comfort.

The scientific literature on climate actions, generally, and energy transitions, specifically, places a high premium on rigor and attention-to-detail when communicating their findings. While this is necessary, it may not always be most readily accessible to diverse audiences. This perspective describes the authors’ opinions on balancing future research directions and communication strategies to increase acceptance of widespread climate action among policymakers and the public. We suggest four approaches to do so: (1) use of co-benefits to appeal to diverse audiences, (2) reducing polarization in discussions, (3) use of more optimistic tones, and (4) finding the right balance between quantitative findings and qualitative narratives.

There is a heated debate for including nuclear power as an important source of energies for pursuing net-zero carbon emission in the coming years. An advanced Gaussian trajectory dispersion model is used to evaluate the consequent impacts of nuclear power plant (NPP) accidents with Fukushima nuclear meltdown emission levels occurring at all of the four power plants (NPP1–NPP4) in Taiwan. Our study indicates the exposure pathway emergency planning zone (EPZ) would be as far as 17, 25, 5 and 17 km downwind from NPP1 to NPP4, respectively, for an event occurring on 11 March 2011. Our study indicates that the percentages of the land in Taiwan becoming permanent evacuation zones (PEZs) are as high as 8%, 13%, 2%, and 11% for an event occurring randomly during a year from 11 March 2011 at NPP1 to NPP4, respectively. The mean percentages of the land for Taipei City becoming PEZs are 35%, 71%, 0% and 48%, respectively. The mean percentages of the land for Kaohsiung City becoming PEZ are 4%, 5%, 5% and 3%, respectively. The analysis shows that for pursuing net-zero carbon emission, the conventional nuclear energy might not be a good choice for Taiwan, since about 2–13% of the Island can be inhabited for more than 30 years while a Fukushima-level nuclear meltdown occurs. The methodology and the trajectory model used here can be applied for other countries for quantifying the EPZ and PEZ for each nuclear power plant to substitute a conventional straight-line-type plume model, such as MACCS2.

This paper examines the nexus between stock market development and carbon emissions for Nigeria based on annual data from 1981 to 2020. The study employs a multi-methodological approach, including the nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag approach, vector-error correction modeling, and Granger causality test. The nonlinear ARDL bounds test supports a long-run relationship between carbon emissions, energy intensity, population density, and gross domestic product per capita. Asides, the results show that perturbations in stock market development measured as stock traded have an asymmetric effect on carbon emissions in the short and long run. The results suggest that positive shocks in stock traded have an increasing insignificant effect on carbon emissions. In contrast, negative shocks in stock market development have a significant reducing impact on carbon emissions. Moreover, the results show that causality runs only from decreased stock traded to carbon emissions. Therefore, policy maker must strictly enforce all environmental regulations designed to control carbon emissions that might arise from increased manufacturing activities occasioned by improved stock market developments.