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Abstract: Urban neighborhoods could represent an optimal scale for the implementation of innovative energy strategies. However, barriers at the economic, regulatory and administrative level are still present. In this framework, it is important to operate on three levels of the energy system: by reducing energy demand; by optimizing generation and management system, and by integrating local renewable energy sources. In recent years, as a result of an important agreement with the Italian Ministry of Environment, Lombardy Region has supported numerous measures for energy efficiency and renewable resources integration among its territory. The funding supported different actions such as improvements of the buildings envelope, substitution of old gas boilers for heat generation with more efficient components, integration of solar thermal systems in buildings, hydrogen and more sustainable mobility, and district heating plants, which present contribution concerns. About district heating the incentives were provided within two different calls: one aimed at the creation of plants and district heating networks and another for the extension of existing systems. Main aim of the research is to evaluate effects, effectiveness, pros and cons of the several calls for funding; to that end a methodology was developed in order to collect the data and elaborate representative energy, environmental and economic indicators. The most important characteristics, conditions and technical features of the considered plants are described in the present paper trying to provide information on the effectiveness of the supporting measures taken in order to orient future choices and to identify the most promising strategies and technologies for improving energy and environmental performances of communities. In particular present paper is related to 10 district heating plants: 6 are based on biomass and located in mountain areas, 3 are based on natural gas and located in urban areas, while the last is connected to the urban waste to energy plant. One of the important lesson is learned is that district heating (fuelled by biomass, fossil, waste and CHP or not) represents an innovative field of knowledge far from standard: in general each plant has to be evaluated on the basis of specify characteristics and it is very hard to find out average performances from the environmental and economic point of view. The results obtained during the monitoring campaign could help in providing information on the effectiveness of the supporting measures adopted and also to orient future choices by Lombardy Region and, in particular, to identify the most promising technologies for improving energy and environmental performances of communities and to develop a model for the optimization of energy use in the built environment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Sustainable energy has turned into one of the most promising ways to handle the challenges of energy demand problems of numerous consumers worldwide. Myanmar''s energy consumption mainly depends upon traditional energy such as fuel wood, charcoal and biomass. The government had laid the energy policy guidelines and emphasized in renewable energy resources to replace traditional energy types. Although domestic conventional energy sources such as oil and natural gas have been increasing a little bit through discoveries and development, these does not satisfy the demand of the country. In this paper, the energy utilization and the present sustainable energy status are mentioned. Following that, completed projects by each sector are provided. The future plan for energy conservation is finally highlighted. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper, through analyzing aggregate economic volume and economic structure, distinguishes the influencing factors in fulfilment of the objective that non-fossil energy accounts for 15% of total national energy consumption. Potential of renewable energy resources are surveyed. Simulations of China''s total energy consumption in 2020 are made on difference growth rate assumptions. The feasibility of industrial restructuring is inspected regarding the energy consumption. Policy suggestions are made to achieve the structural objective by 2020. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]