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The EU power sector is under increasing pressure due to rising electricity demand and the need to meet decarbonisation targets. Member states have been active in investing in renewables and building capacity to increase their share of renewables in electricity generation. However, it is important to examine what progress each member state has made in the deployment of renewable energy for electricity generation and what factors influence gross electricity generation from renewable energy. In this study, logarithmic mean Divisia index (LMDI) analysis was used to examine the changes in EU-27 countries' gross electricity generation from renewable energy sources (RES), wind, and solar PV from 2012 to 2021. The results show that the RES deployment per capita effect and the RES share effect were the main positive factors for the total gross electricity generation from RES in the EU. In contrast, the RES capacity productivity effect and the energy intensity effect had negative contributions. Population growth had a positive influence but was less significant than the other factors. The deployment of RES per capita effect was the main factor in the overall growth of gross electricity generation from RES in Northern Europe, Central Western Europe, and Central Eastern Europe, according to comparisons between the regional groups. RES share effect was the main driver in Southern Europe. The decrease in RES capacity productivity was the second most important factor influencing the variation in the amount of energy generated by RES in Northern Europe and Central Western Europe. The results could be used to develop more effective and tailored renewable energy policies that take into account the existing main drivers of RES, wind, and solar energy in each of the EU-27 member states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy consumption across industries accounts for more than seventy-five per cent of total greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union. Energy is a top priority for achieving climate goals and low greenhouse gas emission levels. The comparison of sustainable development patterns in renewable energy sources is carried out for all the different sectors analysed for the study, such as industry, services, agriculture, transport, and households. Specifically, researchers examined trends in each of these sectors. This study aims to create a model that combines qualitative and quantitative research approaches to obtain the most objective and descriptive data on RES technologies used in different sectors of the economy. According to the results, both solar energy and biomass have strong development potential overall, which is reflected in the higher average values of the overall results. This is also the case when looking at the impacts individually. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A vital component of achieving climate neutrality in the future involves bolstering energy efficiency measures in educational institutions and improving the overall knowledge on sustainable solutions. To achieve fruitful outcomes, the active involvement of various stakeholders, such as managers, teaching staff, and students, is indispensable. By implementing energy-efficient building systems, advancing the use of renewable energy sources, and incorporating sustainable practices into the curriculum, educational institutions can decrease their environmental impact and conserve resources for future generations. Active participation from all stakeholders, including managers, teaching staff, and students, is essential for the success of these efforts. Providing students with a comprehensive education on sustainability equips them to apply this knowledge in their future professions, thus contributing to a more sustainable society. To gain insights into the existing state of sustainability within educational systems, a comprehensive study of educational institutions was undertaken. To assess and compare schools' sustainability, a composite indicator was developed. The study's findings reveal that the implementation of mandatory and optional measures can lead to a substantial reduction in primary energy consumption by 39% and greenhouse gas emissions by 34% in educational institutions. The average abandonment costs for mandatory measures are 5.87 EUR/kgCO2/year, but the average value for optional measures is 33.80 EUR/kgCO2/year. It is suggested demonstration projects be implemented in institutions where specialists in RE, mechatronics, building engineering systems, and environmental technologies are trained by showcasing technologies needed for the transition to climate neutrality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon neutrality in municipalities can be achieved by combining individual heating and district heating solutions involving the use of renewable energy sources. Each approach has advantages and disadvantages, but the best solution depends on the specific circumstances of each municipality. As an environmentally friendly and efficient energy use, a decentralised heat supply contributes to achieving energy conservation and emissions reduction goals. Decentralised energy use, such as solar collectors with thermal energy storage or biomass as a resource, reduces dependence on centralised heat generation and transmission. The appropriate infrastructure for connection to district heating networks has not yet been built. On the other hand, it is easier to make investments to construct proper infrastructure in the case of large-scale centralised heat supplies. Moreover, a centralised heat supply with renewable energy sources can provide more inhabitants with renewable heat energy. Within the framework of the study, the possibilities of using renewable energy sources in one of the municipalities of Latvia—the Carnikava parish of Ādaži Municipality—are analysed. The study examines two scenario complexes including individual heating solutions in buildings or district heating solutions with a centralised approach. The study evaluates several alternatives to increase the share of RES (solar collectors, biomass, heat pumps, etc.) in the centralised heat supply. To evaluate individual RES solutions in various municipal buildings, this study evaluates alternatives with different technical solutions that increase the use of RES in heat supply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research paper is focused on how to choose the most suitable renewable energy solution using multi-criteria analysis for a district heating system. Making choices is based on indicators – economic, environmental and social. In this case, the study used five indicators: resources costs, totals investments, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, specific weight of renewable energy resources and impact on utilized land. Three situations have been compared – current situation: gas boiler, planned: solar collectors 21 595 m2 + accumulation tank 8000 m3 and alternatives: solar PV panels 5504 m2 – heat pump COP 3 are used in the estimation. The multi-criteria decision-making analysis shows that solar collectors 21 595 m2 + accumulation tank 8000 m3 are considered as the best alternative. The methodology is based on choosing a solution for a district heating company in Latvia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A system dynamics modeling approach was used to analyze the impact of economical mechanisms on CO2 emissions from the Latvian district heating system that is not covered by the European Union (EU) Emission Trading System (non-ETS). Three policy instruments were included in the system dynamic model: carbon tax, subsidies for solar technologies, and funding for energy-efficient building renovations with the aim to decrease energy consumption. Eight development scenarios were examined, taking into account different policy mixes for the transition of the heat network to the low-temperature regime. The heat tariff was used as the main indicator to determine the pace and structure of the technology change. The existing natural gas technologies and three renewable energy technologies (biomass combustion equipment, heat pump, and solar collectors with accumulation) were included in the model. Modeling results show substantial CO2 reduction potential; however, the results are highly dependent on the applied financial instruments. It is recommended to apply a policy mix, including all the proposed policy instruments—carbon tax, subsidies for solar technologies, and funding for energy-efficient renovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A zero-emission pathway for the Nordic and Baltic region in Europe is described based on the comprehensive policy and scenario analyses, accompanied by energy system modelling. The analyses show that a least-cost strategy would massively employ renewable energy, particularly in the power sector. Through strong coupling across energy sectors and countries, electricity would play a central role in the decarbonization of the main energy sectors. In particular power-to-heat conversion, where heat storage appears important in addition to existing hydropower. Technical and regulatory barriers in front of increased sector coupling and flexibility were identified, and policy measures are proposed to overcome these. In addition to a high carbon price, dynamic tariffs and taxation of electricity would be important to allow market signals for flexibility to reach end-users. A stronger power transmission connection from the Nordics to the mainland-Europe and the United Kingdom would be beneficial for the emission reductions and renewable energy use. The transition pathway analysis points out socio-technical issues such as social acceptance of large-scale new infrastructures (e.g., wind, cables). The energy system optimizations indicate that most of the investments needed for the zero-emission pathway until 2050 would take place already by 2030. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]