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Achieving decarbonisation of the heating sector is a major challenge, especially in Ireland, which has the lowest proportion of renewable heat in Europe. In economically pursuing ambitious and equitable climate targets, Ireland's Climate Action Plan 2023 set a goal of reaching 2.5 TWh of district heating by 2030, starting from a limited existing capacity. This pioneering study explores supply sources and heat density demand cohorts to develop a model to understand district heating in a low-deployment region, using Ireland as a case study. We also conduct a sensitivity analysis considering different connection rates. Our research demonstrates that district heating is pivotal in achieving optimal decarbonisation pathways. Incorporating district heating reduces marginal CO 2 emission prices by 13%–25%. Additionally, with feasible growth limits applied, total savings for the energy system are anticipated to reach €17.2 billion by 2050. This reduction of emissions in the building sector, facilitated by district heating, allows for greater emissions allowances in other sectors and reduces reliance on electricity while meeting climate targets. These insights highlight the need for spatial energy policies and deepen our understanding of integrating district heating within an energy system optimisation model. • District heating in Ireland can reduce marginal CO 2 emission prices by 13%–25%. • District heating can cumulatively save €17.2 billion compared to no district heating. • Regional energy policy is needed to align with cost-optimal pathways. • Regional supply and demand quantified sensitivity analysis strengthens insights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy system and computable general equilibrium (CGE) models play vital roles in climate change mitigation studies. These models have advantages and disadvantages, and attempts have been made to integrate them. This study aimed to describe the method for integrating energy system and CGE models and demonstrate the new model that captures the strengths of both models. The method developed in this study ensured the detailed convergence of the energy system by exchanging the results iteratively. We demonstrated the model integration by adopting the method to MESSAGEix-GLOBIOM and AIM/Hub and estimating a mitigation scenario that limits the temperature rise to below 2 °C under the middle-of-the-road socioeconomic projection in Shared Socioeconomic Pathways. As a result of the integration, the index showing the difference between the two models proposed in this study decreased from 1.0 to 0.066. Therefore, we confirmed that these models estimated consistent scenarios. The diagnostic indicators showed that compared to its counterpart CGE model, the newly-developed model was characterized by a higher contribution of demand-side reductions, a lesser alteration in the primary energy supply composition, and lower abatement costs. Given the convergence and advantages of the integrated framework, the proposed method is useful for further application to mitigation studies. • Proposed a new method to integrate energy system models and CGE models. • Integrated MESSAGEix-GLOBIOM and AIM/Hub using the newly proposed method. • AIM/Hub provided multi-sectoral and goods representation. • MESSAGEix-GLOBIOM enabled estimates in consideration of detailed technologies. • Integrated model was characterized by demand-side effort and lower abatement costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Net-zero energy system configurations can be met in numerous ways, implying diverse economic effects. However, what is usually ignored in techno-economic and economy-wide analysis are the distinct social-political drivers and barriers, which might constrain certain elements of future energy systems. We thus apply a model ensemble that defines social-political storylines which constrain feasible net-zero configurations of the European energy system. Using these configurations in a macroeconomic general equilibrium model allows us to explore economy-wide effects and ultimately the cost-effectiveness of different systems. We find that social-political storylines provide valuable boundary conditions for feasible net-zero designs of the energy system and that the costliest energy sector configuration in fact leads to the highest European-wide welfare levels. This result originates in indirect effects, particularly positive employment effects, covered by the macroeconomic model. However, adverse public budget effects on the transition to net-zero energy may limit the willingness of policymakers who focus on shorter time-horizons to foster such a development. Our results highlight the relevance of considering the interaction of energy system-changes with labor, emission allowance and capital markets, as well as considering long-term perspectives. • Model ensemble covers social, technological and economic factors of net-zero energy. • Costliest system is associated with highest welfare due to economy-wide feedbacks. • Public budget effects show how fiscal space for supporting the transition changes. • Economic model allows for consistently contextualizing the costs of mitigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The implementation of Increase in Block Pricing (IBP) policy is premised on the assumption that consumers adjust their behavior to save energy in response to electricity price increases. However, consumers often lack a comprehensive understanding of the pricing schedules, leading to inaccurate consumption predictions. This study utilizes monthly electricity billing data from the administrative records of urban residential consumers of the Electricity Company of Ghana Limited to estimate the causal effect of IBP policy schedules on electricity consumption. To achieve this, we employed the Regression Kink (RK) design identification strategy to explore the kink structure of the policy function. This paper finds an inelastic causal relationship between IBP policy and electricity consumption. The results show a treatment effect of 0.41 KWh with an associated p-value of 0.473 at a robust 95 % confidence interval. Thus, IBP policy has no causal effect on electricity consumption at the 50 KWh lower block threshold. Notably, electricity consumers do not respond significantly to price increments, rendering IBP policy ineffective in achieving energy saving at the lower block threshold. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the effectiveness of IBP policy in promoting energy savings and informs researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders in the energy sector. Results can be used to develop evidence-based policies that contribute to energy conservation and climate change mitigation. • Increase in block pricing (IBP) is used to encourage energy conservation. • We estimate the causal effect of the IBP policy on electricity consumption. • We use monthly electricity billing data from the Electricity Company of Ghana. • Despite expectations, we find that IBP policy is ineffective in achieving energy conservation objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achieving net zero emissions is a crucial challenge in the global climate change policy. It requires a substantial reduction in unabated fossil fuel use, the deployment of renewable energy sources, and the development of carbon capture, utilisation and storage technologies. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare two CO 2 capture retrofits for natural gas combined cycle (NGCC). First one, amine absorption, is already mature and characterised as commercial technology, whereas second one, calcium looping is a promising method but still under pilot studies. Energy required for capture process yields net efficiency penalty, which in conducted research totalled 8.4% points for amine unit and 7.4–15.5% points in calcium-looping units. The economic evaluation was performed to analyse the impact of both concepts on their profitability. Moreover, the climate change mitigation potential was assessed and indicated that carbon capture can lower the emissivity of a conventional power plant by 82–87% or even contribute to achieving negative emissions when biofuels are used. Carbon dioxide capture is one of the key elements of ongoing energy transition and its integration with NGCC power units could be determined as essential for maintaining energy security with net zero emissions. • The work provides the comparison between amine scrubbing and calcium-looping CO 2 capture for Natural Gas Combined Cycle. • CCS retrofit causes a net efficiency penalty between 7.4 and 15.5%p for analysed configurations. • Calcium-looping retrofit placed after the gas turbine yield lower SPECCA and higher unit power due to new steam cycle. • Using biogas as a feedstock to calciner of calcium-looping unit leads to negative CO 2 emissions. • Amine scrubbing retrofit has much lower CAPEX and OPEX than CaL units, yet they reach higher ΔNPV within 25 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the last decades, several studies have shown that heat pumps are a promising solution to reach the European Union targets on climate change mitigation, since they satisfy the energy needs for heating, cooling and hot water production employing a single device and using a significant share of renewable energy. However, the full exploitation of the energy-saving potential of heat pumps is a difficult task for designers to achieve, as several factors, such as the variability of outdoor climatic conditions, the control logic of the system and the system configuration, influence the energy performance. High Coefficient of Performance (COP) and low environmental impact make Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) systems one of the most suitable technologies for the heating and cooling services, to promote the decarbonization of the building sector, especially in urban areas. The objective of this study is to assess a range of strategies for heat pump systems to achieve optimal performance that can be fully utilized. To do this, the authors analyse the performance of a 'positive' office building, located in Swansea University Bay, which is already featured with renewable energy technologies for electricity and heat generation: an integrated photovoltaic roof to generate electricity and a wall-photovoltaic thermal system. The current configuration ('baseline scenario') of the building-plant system was modelled in TRNSYS 17 environment and the influence of different parameters on the energy performances was studied. To complement the already high use of renewables the authors propose an alternative scenario for the Active Office Building integrating the use of geothermal heat pumps with the existing systems. By comparing the two scenarios on an energy and environmental point of view, it was possible to assess an 11% decrease in primary energy consumption, leading to a corresponding 11% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. [Display omitted] • GSHP are a promising solution to achieve EU energy goals, since they supply heating and cooling with a high share of RES. • The work proposed suggests optimization measures for buildings to increase efficiency. • A Positive Office Building, equipped with renewable technologies has been modelled with TRNSYS 17. • A technoeconomic and environmental analysis has been performed to assess the benefits of the adoption of a GSHP. • The proposed scenario has shown an energy saving of 11% and a reduction of GHG emissions with respect to the baseline one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep decarbonization scenarios indicate a decline in fossil oil usage in the coming decades, meaning that oil refineries must adapt. This work evaluates the refining sector in deep decarbonization pathways using Brazil as a case study. BLUES – a national integrated assessment model – is employed to investigate the evolution of the sector in mitigation scenarios until 2050. The production of feedstocks for the petrochemical industry, of fuels for the aviation and maritime sectors, and biomass co-processing are analyzed. These strategies may bring resilience to the sector. The potential for avoiding emissions in refineries' operations is also explored. Findings show that the refining sector operates at 70% and 74% of its nameplate capacity in decarbonization scenarios. These results are used as the starting point for a detailed analysis of Brazilian refineries. Results show that the employment of refineries' assets for purposes aligned with decarbonization targets, along with emissions mitigation in the sector, reduces risks of carbon lock-in and of asset stranding. To our knowledge, this is the first study that evaluates emissions mitigation in the refining sector and also uses an integrated assessment model to investigate oil refining repurposing and co-processing options in the context of decarbonization. • The refining sector is evaluated using an integrated assessment model for Brazil. • A comparison is made between business- as -usual and decarbonization scenarios. • Opportunities for refineries' assets and mitigation measures are explored. • Opportunities for refineries depend on their location and type of processing units. • Risks of carbon lock-in and asset stranding can be reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing energy demand and the industrialization of communities have been the leading causes of climate change. As a result, natural disasters have increased blackouts in power systems. Climate change mitigation should be a global goal of communities. Since natural disaster occurrence has risen recently, rapid system restoration after natural disasters is essential. Mitigation of global warming is inextricably linked to the mechanisms and architecture of energy systems. Energy resilience is a multi-dimensional solution to this problem. In this research, resilient strategies for dealing with natural disasters have been examined. Implementing distributed energy resources (DERs), smart distribution networks, and defining load priority based on consumers' preferences have made a viable solution to the post-disaster operation. Previous efforts cared more about the generation and transmission sectors. This study focused on active distribution systems (ADSs) because distribution systems, as a vital part of energy systems, have not sufficiently contributed to crisis management. A framework for resilience enhancement to smartening conventional distribution systems against natural disasters has been proposed. Three-stage socio-technical optimization was investigated, including optimal allocation of battery storage systems (BESSs), intentional islanding, and optimal power flow (OPF) in MATLAB and DIgSILENT. This optimization presents a decision-making tool for distribution system operators to quickly prepare the system against natural disasters. By applying eight scenarios in the proposed system, in the best scenario (CS4), the recovered power value (RPV) has increased from 38% to more than 99% (more than 61% increase in the resilience index). The amount of supplied load increased from 56% to 92%. Furthermore, prioritizing crucial consumers and reconfiguration are two primary crisis management tools. This approach creates a solid ground for avoiding the social consequences of natural disasters like electrocution and power outages of priority consumers. Failure to apply these two techniques would result in a 21% reduction in the RPV. • Determining load priorities based on consumers' preference. • Optimal placement of batteries considering cost and load priority. • Intentional islanding of the system to enhance resilience. • In the best scenario (CS4), recovered power value (RPV) has increased to 99.35%. • Failure to apply load priority and reconfiguration has reduced RPV to 77.85% (CS5). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regionalized Negative Emission Technology (NET) portfolios can sustainably support climate change mitigation. However, current studies focus on individual technologies that may be unsustainable on the large scale. The existing studies also do not consider multiple environmental footprints, technological readiness, and ecological discount rates, which are critical for addressing the future environmental damages of climate change. This study addresses these research gaps by using mixed integer linear programming to develop a multi-footprint, multi-period, optimization model for NET portfolios. The model is illustrated with a case study in the Southeast Asian region until 2100. The results show varying portfolios, with the net present value ranging from USD 516–2783 B, and the negative emissions from 30.42 to 79.56 Gt CO 2. The cheaper, technologically ready options like afforestation and biochar are selected earlier in the portfolio, while the initially expensive, emerging technologies like enhanced weathering and direct air capture come later. Land and water are the limiting resources. Both carbon value discounting and using a high initial carbon price support the early deployment of NETs for climate change mitigation. The model currently does not consider synergistic/antagonistic interactions between NETs, multi-objective optimization, and parametric uncertainties, which can be included in future works. [Display omitted] • A multi-footprint, multi-period, MILP model is developed for NETs portfolio optimization. • The model maximizes the net present value of the portfolio. • Economic and carbon value discount rates are applied. • Different scenarios result in different NET portfolio configurations. • Results show how NET portfolios under resource constraints perform in a discounted carbon market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deregulation is widely considered a driver of competition and reduction of market inefficiency and can lead to innovation. We deepen the literature and policy understanding of this narrative by extending it to negative emission technologies while we strengthen the findings of previous studies by accounting for input research and development (R&D) expenditure with heterogeneity analyses. The authors adopt the staggered difference-in-difference (SDID) design to 25 OECD countries for the period 1985–2015 to examine the influence of deregulation on innovation in the electricity industry with an emphasis on negative emission technologies. The empirical results show that while electricity deregulation is generally associated with increased innovation, only intense market deregulation can promote innovation in carbon capture and storage (CCS). This benefit is more observed in European Union OECD countries and those with high output innovation performance. The results also show that when implemented after market deregulation, solar PV and Wind power Feed-in tariffs effectively promote renewable energy innovation. The results suggest that electricity deregulation is a compelling market tool to promote climate change mitigation since the competitive market it creates supports the advancement of CCS and renewable energy innovation. We recommend a deregulation process to accommodate an effective market model designed to incentivize the promotion of funding for negative emission technologies. • We study the effect of deregulation (PMR) on innovation in the electricity industry. • The staggered DID method is applied to electricity deregulation and innovation. • Electricity deregulation can promote negative emission technology such as CCS. • Renewables feed-in tariffs effectively promote innovation in post-deregulation. • The results have implications for both developed and developing economies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Limiting global warming well below 2 °C requires substantial increase in the installation of low-carbon electricity generation technologies (EGTs). EGTs however require several critical materials and materials associated with considerable energy, water and CO 2 emissions. This paper assesses the implications of materials and energy efficiencies for climate change mitigation potential of global energy transition scenarios (GETS). The analysis is carried out using a dynamic material flow-stock model for 21 materials and 15 scenarios combining GETS developed by international organizations including International Energy Agency (IEA) and Greenpeace (GP), materials scenarios, and energy, water, and emissions intensities scenarios. Materials related CO 2 emissions are expected to constitute between 4% and 14% the emissions reported in the IEA Sustainable Development scenario, while expected to be between 10% and 28% in GP Advanced Revolution scenario. Increasing material efficiency and reducing emissions intensities (driven by increasing energy efficiency, renewable technologies in energy supply mix, and recycling) reduce cumulative emissions by 73.2% and 26.3% respectively, while both reduce emissions by 79.5%. Increasing materials efficiency in EGT, energy and water efficiency in mining activities mainly for iron, aluminium, and nickel, and recycling, combined with careful selection of EGTs are significant to realize the full potential of GETS in climate change mitigation. • Materials and energy efficiencies implications for climate change mitigation potential of energy scenarios are assessed. • Dynamic material flow-stock model for 21 materials and 15 combined materials and energy scenarios are used. • Materials related CO 2 emissions constitute between 4% and 14% of emissions reported in IEA Sustainable Development scenario. • Increasing material efficiency and reducing emission intensities reduce cumulative emissions by 79.5%. • Increasing materials efficiency and recycling, and careful selection of EGT are significant for climate change mitigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy markets are critical avenues for achieving the goal of climate action. Nevertheless, effective green policies by the government may significantly influence the demand and supply side of the market differently. Using the time-varying parameter vector autoregression (TVP-VAR) and panel autoregressive distributed lag (PARDL), this study examines the role of institutional enforcement of environmental taxes and government spending on environmental protection on the returns and risk connectedness of energy stocks of 12 countries. The results show that networks of energy stocks primarily influence the returns and risk of each country's energy stock. The analysis further reveals that institutional enforcement of environmental fiscal laws reduces the long-run total returns connectedness of the energy market only through the net transmitting markets. The opposite is observed in net receiving markets. On the other hand, the risk spillover of energy markets increases with enforcing environmental protection spending only through the net receiving markets in the long run. A detailed analysis of the net receiving markets demonstrates that, depending on the period and the instruments employed, the impact of enforcing environmental fiscal laws on risk spillover of these markets is heterogeneous. The results of this study emphasize the policy implications for investors and climate change. • Returns and risk of energy stocks are mostly network-driven. • Enforcing environmental fiscal stance reduces returns shocks in net transmitting markets. • Risk shocks are amplified in net receiving markets by enforcing government spending on environmental protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shale gas is becoming a top priority for future global energy consumption and climate change mitigation, and deep and ultradeep shale gas extraction cannot overlook the influence of the geothermal environment. This paper experimentally investigated the tensile behavior and acoustic emission (AE) characteristics of anisotropic shale under geothermal environment of 25–200 °C. The results indicate that the tensile strength and absorbed energy of all specimens decreased with increasing temperature, and minimum values occurred in specimens with a layer inclination of 90° at each temperature. The evolution of tensile strength and absorbed energy versus the layer inclination did not vary with increasing temperature, exhibiting an inverted-V shape. Anisotropic failure mode of specimens with layer inclinations of 30°, 45° and 60° was influenced by the increasing temperature, but central tensile fracturing in specimens with layer inclinations of 0° and 90° was temperature-independent. With increasing temperature, the cumulative AE hits of specimens showed a highly obvious step-up trend, and anisotropic crack initiation stress levels obtained via the AE definition significantly varied. Finally, microstructure response, fracture length and fracture location and proportion of fracture types were discussed, and potential applications and challenges of geothermal environment in hydraulic fracturing of deep shale reservoirs were proposed. • Tensile behavior and AE characteristics of shale under the geothermal environment were investigated by Brazilian test. • Anisotropic tensile properties and AE activities of shale specimens versus the geothermal temperature were summarized. • Anisotropic failure behavior of shale specimens versus the geothermal temperature was concluded and discussed. • Potential applications of geothermal environment in hydraulic fracturing of deep shale reservoirs were proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the EU, COVID-19 and associated policy responses led to economy-wide disruptions and shifts in services demand, with considerable energy-system implications. The European Commission's response paved the way towards enhancing climate ambition through the European Green Deal. Understanding the interactions among environmental, social, and economic dimensions in climate action post-COVID thus emerged as a key challenge. This study disaggregates the implications of climate ambition, speed of economic recovery from COVID-19, and behavioural changes due to pandemic-related measures and/or environmental concerns for EU transition dynamics, over the next decade. It soft-links two large-scale energy-economy models, EU-TIMES and NEMESIS, to shed light on opportunities and challenges related to delivering on the EU's 2030 climate targets. Results indicate that half the effort required to reach the updated 55% emissions reduction target should come from electricity decarbonisation, followed by transport. Alongside a post-COVID return to normal, the European Green Deal may lead to increased carbon prices and fossil-fuel rebounds, but these risks may be mitigated by certain behavioural changes, gains from which in transport energy use would outweigh associated consumption increases in the residential sector. Finally, the EU recovery mechanism could deliver about half the required investments needed to deliver on the 2030 ambition. • This study soft-links an energy system model and a macroeconometric model for the EU. • Electricity decarbonisation can make up half the effort to −55% followed by transport. • Investments as part of EU green recovery could finance about half of what is required. • The pandemic is unlikely to heavily impact the EU's long-term emissions trajectory. • Work- and travel-related behaviour changes could considerably reduce investment needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to frequent natural disasters, it is required for the energy systems to be more resilient and affordable. Numerous investigations can be found in the publications that proposed renewable energy systems to deliver power to localities. Nevertheless, researchers have yet to explore the resiliency benefits of renewable energy systems in refugee camps. Therefore, in this study, we modelled the performance of a PV/battery system for hypothetical health care centres located in the Rohingya refugee camp, Bangladesh. A 24-h grid outage was assigned to the REopt software to observe the survival possibility of the system. An optimized mixed-integer linear programming model is used as it considers several practical parameters such as reducing total cost sufficiently robust to handle the simulated outages perfectly. The optimum system consists of a 643 kW PV and a 102 kW battery. The potential life cycle savings of the system are $27,212, and the system can successfully handle a 24-h duration outage. The system also reduces CO 2 emissions by 69% in resilient mode compared to 44% in financial mode. Therefore, it can contribute to climate change mitigation. • First study to address the resiliency benefits of a PV/Battery System in Refugee Camp. • REopt software is used to study and simulate the outage impact in the camp. • The system can successfully handle a 24-h duration outage. • The optimum system consists of a 643 kW PV and a 102 kW battery. • The system also reduces CO 2 emission by 69% in resilient mode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renewable energy resources have garnered considerable attention owing to concerns regarding climate change mitigation and sustainability. The performance of renewable energy resources varies based on weather conditions, which is an important consideration in power system planning as renewable energy penetration increases. In this study, a probabilistic approach for the potential estimation of renewable energy resources based on augmented spatial interpolation was proposed. The proposed algorithm was verified using empirical data obtained from wind farms in Jeju Island. Wind power output scenarios were modeled through ordinary kriging and Monte Carlo simulations. Moreover, the point and cause of line overload according to the seasonal wind power output and power demand were analyzed through transmission security analysis, and the frequency and scale of the curtailments were estimated. This can be used to estimate potential renewable energy resources and establish a power system operation plan. Further study includes the development of stable power system operation plans for large-scale renewable energy resource-integrated power systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change mitigation has been a global effort and energy generation is one of the primary sources of GHG emissions. There is a need to transition from fossil-based energy to renewable-based energy. One of the platforms to nourish the work is Eco-Industrial Park (EIP) which it promotes resource efficiency, industrial symbiosis, and circular economy practice. There is a need to explore an optimal configuration of multiple renewable energy (RE) systems in a centralised EIP facility that generates electricity for internal consumption and exports the excess energy to the grid. This model developed a mixed-integer non-linear programming (MINLP) model that considers RE from biogas, biomass, micro-hydro, and solar sources for a centralised water hub. The energy generated is primarily used for the main processes involved in the facility as the excess energy will be supplied to the grid. A case study and two scenarios were assessed, and the results offered simultaneous technical, economic, and environmental benefits, which are in the forms of multiple RE generations, additional yearly profit, and GHG emission avoidance from fossil source. This will further strengthen the envisioned role of EIP as it is also capable of supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (UNSDG) and RE100 agenda. • A MINLP model to optimise renewable energy generation for Total Site was developed. • The model is a part of a framework to optimise energy, water, and material streams. • The model considers energy generation via solar, micro hydro, biomass, and biogas. • The proposed installation could suffice the core processes energy needs. • Additional profit is up to 39% and GHG emission reduction can be up to 70%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Spanish national energy and climate plan (PNIEC) has recently been published, leading the worldwide task of climate change mitigation towards a net zero-carbon economy by 2050. The objective scenario of the PNIEC expects to reach a renewable share in the power system of 74% by 2030. In this context, three contributions are developed: i) providing an analysis of how Spain is facing the energy transition; ii) conceptualizing the link between an hourly energy model (EnergyPLAN) and a yearly integrated assessment model (MEDEAS); and iii) proposing a transparent policy agenda for the Spanish benchmarking in line with the official report. The results clarify the decreasing role such technologies as the combined heat and power facilities, as well as the pressure of biomass in Spain. Coherency in translating common variables in the energy chain of IAMs to the energy model is effectively reflected in the tables as an output of the research. Positive conclusions are found for Spain. The commitment of 74% might well be completed and the Spanish economy could run with a 100% renewable energy system by 2050, with requirements of sixteen and six times more installed capacity of solar-PV and wind onshore, respectively, by 2050 related to 2017. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable energy transition, air pollution reduction and climate change mitigation are the most challenging themes in nowadays energy sector. Microgrids (MGs) are one of the most effective ways to integrate Renewable Energy Sources (RES), and among them PhotoVoltaic (PV)-Storage (ST) configuration is relevantly promising. Focusing the attention on the PV and ST converters primary control, the main needs are to properly regulate voltage and frequency and optimally exploit the energy coming from the sun and manage the ST operation without any communication among the converter controllers. The conventional converter control approach presents several drawbacks and thus a strategy based on Higher Order Sliding Mode (HOSM) is presented in this work. The HOSM converter control strategy is fully analysed defining its control laws and the control schemes. A comparison between the HOSM and conventional control is performed with dedicated simulations on a common benchmark MG in order to highlight the advantages of the proposed strategy. • Decentralized control of islanded photovoltaic-storage microgrids. • Higher-Order sliding model application to microgrids. • Robust control approach for islanded power systems. • Combined results of primary and secondary frequency regulation without communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phasing-out fossil fuels is key to limiting global warming to 1.5 °C. Recent studies indicated huge amounts of unextracted oil resources in deep mitigation scenarios. However, crude oil heterogeneity and related refining yields have been overlooked. The same holds for the impact of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) and sequestration technologies on stranded oil resources, and the pace of crude oil extraction in different world regions in scenarios with and without average global surface temperature overshoot for the 2020–2100 period. This study uses a global Integrated Assessment Model (IAM) to assess the impact of considering such complexities when running full-century and peak budget carbon scenarios. When "turning off" the detailed oil quality module of this IAM, an overproduction of crude oil with a smaller throughput of oil refineries was found, as the model simplified the oil supply-demand balance. "Turning on" the detailed oil module and simulating the energy-land nexus showed that CDR allowed the remaining use of oil in hard-to-abate sectors, while refineries were better adjusted to oil supply. African and Latin American regions produced more oil before 2050 in the full-century-budget scenario than in the peak budget scenario. This has implications for just transition, as these regions usually prefer anticipating rents. • Phasing-out fossil fuels and CDR options are key to limiting global warming. • Crude oil quality matters to estimate stranded oil resources. • Climate ambitions and negative emissions affect just transition. • The distribution of unextracted oil resources differs regionally. • Temperature overshoot allows some developing regions to anticipate oil revenues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The trend for the decarbonization of the transportation sector, contributing to climate change mitigation, has driven the accelerated deployment of electric buses in cities. However, higher upfront costs, charging infrastructure deployment and operational issues are the main obstacles to their massive adoption. This work develops an optimization model to deal with the charging schedule of a fleet of battery electric buses. This approach aims to minimize the charging costs of electric bus fleets also considering the ageing of the batteries and the participation in vehicle to grid schemes. We developed a case study using real-world data from a small electric bus fleet of eleven electric buses in a medium-size Portuguese city. Further, we performed a sensitivity analysis to assess the possibilities of energy trading with the grid. The results indicate that below a battery replacement cost threshold of 100 €/kWh, it may become economically attractive for public transportation operators to sell back energy to the grid for a given remuneration scheme. Considering battery degradation and energy selling, our study indicates that operation costs could be 38% lower in 2030. The approach presented in this article provides a tool that can be employed by public transportation operators to assist decision making in the electrification of bus systems. • An optimization model to optimize electric bus fleet charging is developed. • The feasibility of V2G schemes considering battery degradation is evaluated. • Sensitivity analysis is performed to assess energy trading possibilities. • Total cost of ownership analysis evaluates the costs related to energy transactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the main initiatives in the context of global warming brought by the COP26 is global transition to green energy. Bioenergetic utilization of unharnessed renewable resources, such as native rangeland frequently subjected to fires, is a promising alternative to displace fossil fuels. Spartina argentinensis is a native perennial grass that develops in a depressed area of 33,000 km2 in Santa Fe province (Argentine) named "Los Bajos Submeridionales". A life cycle assessment (LCA) was performed analyzing the bioenergetic utilization of S. argentinensis. Two alternative scenarios (AS) were assessed and compared to their business as usual (BAU) counterparts: pellets for i) gasification to deliver electricity to the grid (ASp), contrasted to the Argentinean energy mix (BAUp) and ii) residential heating (ASh) contrasted to natural gas heating (BAUh). Carbon Balance of both AS were negative noticeably lower than BAU and the energy balance was promising considering that the produced energy was higher than that required along the complete system assessed. This is the first LCA of bioenergy from S. argentinensis and according to the results, this biomass resource could collaborate remarkably in climate change mitigation, which is auspicious considering the vast region occupied by this grass and others with similar characteristics. [Display omitted] • Spartina argentinensis can be pelletized without need of an additive. • Pellets can produce syngas for CHP or can be burnt for residential heat. • Renewable energies assessed produce significant lower GHG than fossil counterparts. • Renewable scenarios present high Energy Return on Investment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the aim to meet customers diverse energy needs by an economical and ecological means, integrated energy system has become a popular choice. Amongst various integrated energy system coupling configurations, individual heating infrastructure entails painstaking attention due to rapid expansion. Individual heating network plays a massive role in carbonizing the atmosphere as traditionally individual heating demands are fulfilled by fossil fuel-fired (natural gas and coal) boilers. Recently, trend is heading towards the integration of energy efficient technologies like micro combined heat and power and heat pumps to replace fossil fuel boilers. However, individual heating performance evaluation is generally investigated by energy analysis that employs only the first law of thermodynamics, thereby exergy analysis assessment and its comparison with energy analysis become noteworthy to measure actual performance. In this work, energy and exergy analysis of the individual heating network of China for the year 2030 is performed under the framework of both laws of thermodynamics. The proposed work includes various technological options like Hydrogen fired micro combined heat and power, natural gas fired micro combined heat and power and heat pumps to replace the fossil fuel boilers intending to attain an economically viable and carbon-free environment. At first, energy and exergy efficiencies of the aforementioned heat producing components are computed and afterwards EnergyPLAN technical simulation strategy is employed to evaluate performance in terms of costs, CO 2 emissions and primary energy supply. Subsequently, a comparison of both analysis is provided in order to present the difference between the two analysis which substantiates that exergy analysis provides inferior results than energy analysis as depicted in case 3 where heat pumps inclusion appears to be the most decarbonized alternative for energy analysis but corroborates vice versa for exergy analysis. However, exergy analysis complements the energy analysis that helps evaluating the actual performance of system in relation to climate change mitigation and cost-effectiveness. • Energy and exergy analysis of individual heating network of China is performed. • Economical and decarbonized environment is proposed. • Exergy analysis results are inferior to energy analysis. • Heat Pump is considered worse alternative according to exergy analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional rice-wheat cropping system (RWCS) in western Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) is carbon and energy intensive. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate energy budgeting, carbon footprints (CF) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from RWCS under long-term tillage and residue management practices. Experiment consisted six treatment combination of tillage [conventional tillage (CT), reduced tillage (RT) and zero tillage (ZT)] and residue [with residue (+R) and without residue (–R)] namely (i) CT-R (conventional farmers' practice), (ii) CT + R, (iii) RT-R, (iv) RT + R, (v) ZT-R and (vi) ZT + R. Energy consumption ranged from 51.87 GJ ha−1 (ZT-R) to 64.91 GJ ha−1 (CT + R) and irrigation water was major energy intensive input (41–44%) followed by chemical fertilizer (32–40%). Compared to CT-R, energy use efficiency (EUE) increased by 8.7–22.4%, CF lowered by 77.9–34.3%, and GHG emission lowered by 12.8–16.3% in different treatments. Residue addition enhanced the soil carbon accumulation in ZT + R (1213 kg C ha−1 yr−1) and RT + R (987 kg C ha−1 yr−1). Overall, switching from CT–R to ZT + R lowered energy consumption (19%), GHG emission (16%) and CF (78%), making it best-bet option for climate change mitigation and global warming related environmental protection in western IGP and similar agro–ecologies. [Display omitted] • Energy use efficiency (EUE), Greenhouse gases (GHGs) emission and carbon footprints (CF) were analysed. • Irrigation water contribute maximum (41–44%) share of input energy followed chemical fertilizers (32–40%). • Conservation tillage and residue management enhanced energy productivity (15.8–21.0%) and EUE (17.1–22.4%). • The CF lowered by 77.9% in zero tillage with residue to 45.2% in reduced tillage without residue. • Zero tillage with residue addition is most energy efficient system with lower GHG emission and carbon footprint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The residential sector currently accounts for one fifth of global energy use and corresponding greenhouse gas emissions, largely driven by increasing demand for space heating and cooling. Climate change mitigation action requires these to reduce, but the exact decarbonization strategies, the contribution of demand and supply side measures, and their heterogeneity is unclear. Using a regional energy system model with an explicit representation of residential energy use and building stocks, the contribution of this sector in long-term decarbonization pathways is explored. The projections show that in a 2°C scenario, global heating demand is expected to decrease from current levels by 27% and 66% by 2050 and 2100, respectively. However, due to increasing affluence in warmer regions, cooling demand is expected to increase by 176% and 286% respectively. Yet, direct residential emissions are almost eliminated by 2100 by combining increased envelope efficiency and advanced heating technologies in a synergistic manner, where the adoption of high efficiency heating and cooling reduces the need for increased insulation, and vice versa. By combining these measures with rooftop PV, the net energy demand of many household types approaches zero. The exact residential sector strategies vary across local climate, socio-economic, and building stock characteristics. • Households account for a sizeable portion of energy demand and emissions. • We use a detailed model to investigate regional long-term decarbonization pathways. • Increasing insulation and efficient heating technologies both play an important role. • Combining with rooftop PV contributes to having net-zero buildings. • Contribution of each option depends on local climate and socio-economic setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green financing has been proposed to stimulate and promote environment-friendly products such as low-carbon building and renewable energy to mitigate climate change since 2013; however, Taiwan's energy security is fragile and vulnerable to fluctuations of fossil prices. This study investigates how the promotion of green bonds benefits Taiwan's bioenergy production and emission reduction, as well as the development efficiency under various green-bond rates and volumes. We propose a price-endogenous, mathematical programming framework that incorporates the entire agricultural sector to simulate net bioenergy production, emission reduction, and overall profitability in the face of alternative bioenergy technologies and market conditions. The results show that if biopower and biofuel are eligible for low-cost bond financing, bioenergy production would be more stable. An increase in the emission trade price is favored to biopower technology, but this advantage will be partly recovered by a low borrowing rate because biofuel production will also be at a low production cost. In the face of energy price changes, we estimate that with an increase in green volume of US$0.61 to US$1.02 billion, a meaningful transition to bioenergy technology could occur. • A price endogenous, mathematical programming is applied. • We analyze the effect of bond rates and bond volume on bioenergy development. • Lower bond rates encourage the development of biopower. • Transitions among bioenergy technology occurs under various market conditions. • Capital required for biopower is relatively stable than for biofuel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strengthening capacity for cross-sectoral coordination has a crucial role in enabling ambitious climate mitigation. This research work integrates the Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems Index into a policy framework with three main components to compare possibilities for improving urban system performance. Tiers of integration are defined and compared with the index results for more transformative action. The levels range from unintegrated urban sectors and emerging integration, including those with urban land use and spatial planning, to advanced integration across the urban system. The case study is based on a municipality that is benchmarked to receive an index score of 27.783, placing the urban area in rank 79 among 120 other cities. The measures in the existing action plan are compared with opportunities that would support the municipality in reaching higher tiers of urban integration in the future. Policy learning from other urban areas to which the index is applied is foreseen to support collective action in addressing synergistic opportunities for mitigation. The results have implications on considering urban system integration in the transition to net-zero targets, missions for climate-neutral cities, and the realization of 100% renewable energy systems. • Urban climate mitigation action can focus on integrating across the urban system. • A framework that involves benchmarking is developed in a broader policy context. • The case study receives a benchmarked score of 27.783 as a solution-seeking city. • Tiers of urban system integration are defined with comparisons to opportunities. • Net-zero emission targets can be supported with more transformative urban action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable energy development in the farming sector is an essential strategy to respond the combined challenge of achieving a reliable and affordable solution but including mitigation and adaptation to climate change. Intensive breeding farms require maintaining an adequate indoor thermal environment that results in high energy demands, usually covered by fossil fuels and electricity. This paper addresses the application of the combined slurry technology for a particular pig farm that currently uses a diesel boiler to supply the piglet heating energy needs. The study also considers different options based on closed ground source heat pump systems. After the design of the slurry alternative and the geothermal ones, notable advantages are detected compared to the existing diesel system. Results show that the implementation of the slurry technology implies an important reduction of the operational costs, which, in turn, involves short amortization periods for this system in relation to the diesel one. Greenhouse gases emissions are also highly reduced in the slurry alternative based on the low electricity use of the heat pump. The environmental side is reinforced by the reduction of polluting substances such as methane of ammonia derived from the descent of temperature of the slurry. [Display omitted] • Slurry technology has been evaluated and designed for covering the heating needs of a pig farm under study. • Slurry alternative has been compared to the existing diesel boiler and the conventional ground source heat pump systems. • GES-CAL software has allowed the design of the remaining geothermal installations. • Results show clear advantages for the slurry technology both from the economic and the environmental points of view. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the role of fiscal decentralization cannot be overlooked in tracking sustainable development goals targets of a clean environment and climate mitigation, it is inevitable to understand the comprehensive picture of its link with environmental quality. Unlike past studies, this study investigates the combined influence of energy prices and non-linear fiscal decentralization on carbon emissions in the presence of institutional quality and gross domestic product in the model. It employed advanced econometric panel techniques on data from 1990 to 2018 for the top seven fiscally decentralized Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) nations, including Spain, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Australia, and Canada. The main outcomes are as follows: first, a cointegrating equilibrium link is existent among the study variables. Second, the linear term of fiscal decentralization promotes carbon emissions, while the non-linear term mitigates it. It verified the inverted U-shaped curve between fiscal decentralization and carbon emissions. Third, increasing energy prices for non-renewable energy decrease carbon emission due to a substitution effect. Among other explanatory variables, improvement in the quality of institutions decreases carbon emissions, while the gross domestic product increases it. These findings suggest strengthening fiscal decentralization, lowering non-renewable energy prices, and improving institutional quality to check the deteriorating environmental quality in the study sample and other worldwide regions. • Employed Westerlund cointegration and found long-run equilibrium association. • Applied CS-ARDL and AMG techniques to obtain the influence estimates. • Linear (non-linear) fiscal decentralization promoted (reduced) carbon emissions. • Fiscal decentralization presented an inverted U-shaped association with carbon emissions. • Energy prices and institutional quality mitigated carbon emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, the transportation sector occupies a vital role in current society. However, this sector is the second-highest greenhouse gas emitter worldwide due to fossil fuel combustion. Transitioning from conventional to renewable energy propulsion is a promising alternative to climate change mitigation. This study proposes a smart decision-making approach of an integrated system assisted with renewable energy sources to satisfy the dynamic railway electrification demand. The proposed energy system consists of a proton-exchange membrane electrolyzer, solid-oxide fuel cell, and lithium-bromide absorption chiller assisted with solar radiation and wind turbine to simultaneously generate power, hydrogen, cooling, and heating loads. A novel approach consists of power-pinch analysis and multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) to determine the optimal sizing of renewable resources considering the system's thermodynamic, economic, and exergy performance. A total of five optimal scenarios with different renewable sources share were obtained. Accordingly, the scenario with a share of 70/30 of solar and wind energy showed the highest competitiveness based on the MCDM. This scenario showed an energetic and exergetic efficiency of 49% and 34%, respectively. Furthermore, it yielded acceptable subproducts generation, including the production of 312.25 kg H 2 /day, in an economical budget with a levelized cost of energy (LCOE) value of 0.079 $/kWh. • Smart management tool was developed for the dynamic railway electrification demand. • Power, hydrogen, cooling, and heating loads were produced simultaneously. • Power pinch analysis was developed to find optimal sizing of renewable energy share. • Energy and exergy analyses yielded efficiencies of 69% and 42%, respectively. • The optimal scenario generated a total of 312.25 kg H 2 /day. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

International climate policy debate has been struggling to define an agreeable principle for just distribution of the burdens of reducing greenhouse gases. By the integrated assessment modeling, we investigate climate change mitigation pathways compatible with the Paris Agreement goals under different carbon budget allocation principles, namely, cost-effectiveness, equality, and grandfathering for 11 world regions. The results indicate that regional carbon quotas remain similar under equality and grandfathering principles, except for regions with a high population projection, i.e., Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, or regions with a high level of current emissions, such as North America. Irrespective of the burden-sharing principles, most world regions must reach carbon neutrality before 2070 to meet the 2 °C climate targets. Moreover, carbon emissions reduced by carbon capture and storage applications are found to peak around 2050. In general, the share of fossil fuels in primary energy is larger under the larger carbon quota, which will also increase carbon capture and storage applications in fossil fuels. The average global investment needs for mitigating climate change are the lowest under the cost-effectiveness principle, and the marginal abatement cost is the same for all regions. For each region, as the carbon quota decreases the marginal abatement cost increases, while the energy investment changes independently from the carbon quota. These insights can inform global climate change negotiations and help policymakers formulate timelines for carbon neutrality, energy transition, and technology deployment and investment portfolios. • Allocation of carbon budget for 11 world regions is estimated under 3 principles. • Effects of allocation principles on emissions and energy transition are investigated. • The effects of carbon quota on MAC and energy investment are different. • International cooperation can help achieve climate goals in a cost-effective way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As climate change is likely to alter regional water availability via shifted precipitation patterns that affect agricultural practices, the analysis of the effectiveness of bioenergy promotion policies and efficiency of bioenergy development requires a thorough consideration of the interrelationships among water, agriculture, and renewable energy development in the context of climate change. We propose a stochastic, price-endogenous mathematical programming with recourse model by linking a well-established water resource model to a bioenergy production framework to investigate the aggregate economic and environmental effect of bioenergy production. This study theoretically analyzes the optimal resource allocation and production conditions of the model, and empirically tests the goodness of the proposed model with observed data. The results show that the proposed framework is likely to reflect the actual bioenergy production in the face of climate-induced impacts, and at small to moderate climate impacts the bioenergy production is likely to be more influenced by the energy and emission prices than by climate-induced yield changes. In addition, while the reduction in precipitation would not result in significant effects on bioenergy production, a substantial change in land use and cropping decisions might occur. • A bioenergy production–water allocation model under climate change is presented. • Optimal resource allocation and production conditions were analyzed and tested. • Uncertain supply of water can substantially influence bioenergy production. • Water supply–agriculture relationship must be aggregated for bioenergy potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]