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The paper uses system dynamics modelling to analyse the development of bioenergy; economic system that uses biotechnology instead of conventional technology. The research is directed towards the use of biomass in the production of higher added value bioproducts in the forestry and agricultural sectors. This paper emphasizes and evaluates the energy sector, which uses low quality wood. The main aim for this research study was to build a framework to analyse the development options for wood pellet production. A system dynamics model was created of energy wood supply, processing and consumption. Production capacity, energy consumption, technology efficiency, required labour, the price of wood, energy and labour are all taken into account. Validation and verification tests with available data and information have been carried out. These indicate that the model constitutes a viable dynamic hypothesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to plans of the European Union (EU), Latvia needs to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions in the non-ETS sector by 6% until 2030 in comparison to 2005. Many policy instruments are evaluated to support GHG emissions reduction. A system dynamics modelling approach was used to analyze the impact of supporting mechanisms on CO 2 emissions from the Latvian district heating system that is not covered by the European Union Emission Trading System (non-ETS). Three policy instruments were included in the system dynamics model: carbon tax, subsidies for solar technologies and energy efficiency measures with co-financing for building renovations with the aim to decrease energy consumption. Three development scenarios were examined, taking into account these supporting mechanisms. 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. Modelling results show substantial CO 2 reduction potential by combining different supporting mechanisms. An 80% of CO 2 emissions reduction could be reached by applying a policy mix, which includes all proposed policy instruments – carbon tax, subsidies for solar technologies and funding for energy efficient renovation. The findings of this article are relevant for all countries with district heating who strive towards CO 2 emissions reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article is devoted to the analysis of research about the share of renewable energy in energy production as well as the use of solar energy for electricity generation in the Kazakh energy sector. The study results were compared with analogous data obtained in relation to Latvia and the European Union. The impact of electricity obtained from solar energy as well as energy efficiency impact on CO 2 emissions reduction directly in the food industry is calculated. During the study specific indicators in Latvia and Kazakhstan are compared using the comparison method. On the basis of the results of the study it can be concluded that under the given assumptions CO 2 emissions could be reduced by 83.90 ktCO 2 /year in the food industry in Kazakhstan, but in Latvia – by 5.31 ktCO 2 /year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Article is about development scenarios for the Latvian district heating system in which a policy instrument for energy efficiency improvement is used to achieve a higher share of renewable energy. The system dynamics model was used to determine whether it is possible to use energy efficiency policy to accelerate a shift from fossil fuels to renewables in district heating. In addition, the task was to determine measures which would help to remove barriers for renewable resource technology implementation. Six different development scenarios were viewed in the article. Results reveal that increased energy efficiency at heat source have no direct impact on fossil energy and renewable energy ratio. By increasing energy efficiency it is only possible to vary renewable energy share between different renewable technologies. It is possible to reach 40% biomass energy share and 30% solar energy share in 2030 when policy is used only for biomass technologies, but 20% biomass energy share and 50% solar energy share could be achieved by implementing policy only for solar technologies. The main barrier for switching from fossil energy to renewable energy is a lot of new gas boilers which were installed during reconstructions at many heat sources in the past few years. It is possible to reach even 97.47% renewable energy share in district heating in 2030 if the service life for gas boilers is reduced to 5 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change considerations stimulate to switch to wider use of renewable energy sources for electricity generation. However in case of solar and wind energy, the use is burdened with non-regular generation trends. Electricity storage technologies, for example heat pumps, are observed as a potential technology to solve the non-regularity issue of the renewable electricity generation, reduction of fossil fuel generated greenhouse gas emissions and increasing the share of renewables in energy production sector. The process of heat pumps integration in district heating system can differ for each heating and electricity production and distribution system.Energy system's behaviour types plays significant role while performing an integration efficiency analysis. The present paper analyses the possibilities of integration of heat pumps in district heating systems of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania as a tool for accumulation of renewable resources generated electricity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper analyses possibilities for CO 2 emission reduction into the centralized district heating system by using the index decomposition analysis: Kaya identity equation. The classical Kaya equation is complemented with an energy efficiency indicator of a district heating system. The paper focuses on the impact of the Kaya equation components on the CO 2 emission reduction. The elaborated methodology is tested in order to analyze possibilities for CO 2 emission reduction at district heating systems in Latvia. 3 scenarios were formed for the forecast of the CO 2 emission reduction. In case the current model for the state development is continued (scenario1) CO 2 emissions will be reduced for 13%; however, in the scenario of orderly and balanced DH systems they will reduce for 29% by 2020 as compared to 2012. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper analyses possibilities for CO 2 emission reduction into the centralized district heating system by using the index decomposition analysis: Kaya identity equation. The classical Kaya equation is complemented with an energy efficiency indicator of a district heating system. The paper focuses on the impact of the Kaya equation components on the CO 2 emission reduction. The elaborated methodology is tested in order to analyze possibilities for CO 2 emission reduction at district heating systems in Latvia. 3 scenarios were formed for the forecast of the CO 2 emission reduction. In case the current model for the state development is continued (scenario1) CO 2 emissions will be reduced for 13%; however, in the scenario of orderly and balanced DH systems they will reduce for 29% by 2020 as compared to 2012. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we study development patterns of Latvian electricity market based on a newly developed computer-aided simulation model. A system dynamics approach was applied to simulate long-term development of electricity sector in the region under the existing policy design. Results show that despite the relatively large share of renewable energy sources in Latvian electricity generation mix, natural gas will remain its significant role in national electricity supply. Alternative policy strategies should be developed to allow achieving CO 2 emission reductions greater than 30% by 2050. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]