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The increasing penetration of renewable energy sources in Europe requires market mechanisms which allow an efficient balancing of these sources. This paper analyzes the participation of renewable generators in the Spanish intraday market. First, the organization of the intraday market and the short-term market mechanisms influencing intraday trading are described. After that, day-ahead and intraday market prices, as well as intraday trading volumes, are used to study the behavior of market agents in the Spanish intraday market. Regarding renewable generators, the influence of support schemes on the behavior of these agents in the intraday market is also analyzed. This paper shows that the Spanish intraday market has effectively contributed to renewable generation balancing. Despite this, market distortions have incentivized some renewable generators to arbitrate between the day-ahead and intraday markets, giving rise to higher system costs. Based on the presented analysis, it is argued that these distortions need to be removed from short-term markets to incentivize market parties, especially intermittent generators, to reduce forecast errors over time, improving economic efficiency and avoiding the use of costly balancing actions performed by the System Operator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To mitigate the effects of climate change, energy systems are becoming increasingly reliant on renewable energy sources. Since these energy sources are typically dependent on the prevailing weather, renewable energy systems are susceptible to shortages during certain weather conditions. As renewable sources become larger contributors to the energy mix, the risks associated with these shortages, referred to as energy droughts, increase. Techniques are therefore required that can help policymakers to understand and mitigate the impacts associated with energy droughts. In this paper, two standardised indices are introduced to monitor droughts in renewable energy systems. The indices incorporate energy demand and renewable energy production, and constitute analogues to the standardised precipitation index (SPI) and standardised precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI), two indices regularly employed operationally to monitor meteorological droughts. The indices are straightforward to construct, can be defined on any timescale, and facilitate comparisons between regions with different climates and installed capacities. We demonstrate how the standardised energy indices proposed herein can be used to define renewable energy droughts, and illustrate the practical utility of these indices in an application to reconstructed time series of electricity demand and wind and solar power generation across Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper conducts data envelopment analysis (DEA) for the purpose of calculating inefficiencies in the European countries' growth using as main inputs the variables typically used in the growth-energy literature nexus such as energy consumption, carbon emissions, employment and capital but also with a particular focus on renewable energy sources (RES) consumption. Since we have a panel data set, we also apply the Malmquist method to calculate total factor productivity and an analysis of peers. Mean overall efficiency has been calculated to be equal to 0.892, while mean pure technical efficiency is 0.569 and scale efficiency 1.798. Countries with remarkable renewable energy performance have medium to low efficiency, while renewable energy laggards are among the most technically efficient countries in Europe. Results from this paper are useful for monitoring and benchmarking purposes with respect to their 2020 renewable energy obligations stemming from 2009/28/ED Directive. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In the last few years the solar-powered air-conditioning systems have been in intensive development and more often are considered as the viable application for the thermal solar systems in the regions of southern Europe. This is mainly due to the increasing higher electrical consumption in many countries (especially in Spain) which is moving from the winter to summer months due to expanding usage of cooling systems in this period of the year. In this paper we will analyze the behaviour of the solar-assisted air-conditioning system installed in the CIESOL building. This system consists mainly of flat-plate solar collectors and the simple effect LiBr–H2O absorption chiller. Different operation modes were analyzed. Coefficient of performance (COP) at various generator, absorber, condenser and evaporator temperatures is investigated and experimental results show that in practice it is easy to obtain values of about 0.6. The main goal of this paper is to describe the characteristics of the developing building and the solar-assisted air-conditioning system. Another useful purpose is to find the optimum conditions and operation parameters for the solar system through analyzing various systems'' operation strategies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A very large percentage of the European residential building stock is ageing and does not comply with current energy regulations. The need to complete short-term energy upgrading on these buildings in order to improve performance and meet current regulations poses a considerable challenge. Consistent energy methodologies are needed for mass application of suitable technologies in sensitive points such as the façade, saving time by guiding designers on use of preferred climatic design strategies for each situation and with economic feasibility. The paper presents a methodology with integrative approach between energy and economic aspects, using an inference system to overcome uncertain or unknown information found at the start of the project. Components used in the analysis are studied from a programmatic point of view (input, decision process and output). The methodology is suitable for early stages of the design process and its products enable continuation into more advanced ones. The methodology can form the basis for a software program using either its own databases or integrated energy simulation engines. This work is based on research for a European project concerning energy retrofit of residential building facades, but can be extended to other zones or end-uses having similar approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the framework of the INTERREG IVC RENERGY project an innovative methodology was devised to exploit stakeholder involvement on energy and environmental decisions at community level and to increase community acceptance. It is based on the “Living Lab” paradigm applied to policy making as a powerful instrument to encourage and coordinate stakeholder engagement. The paper describes the preliminary stakeholder analysis performed and the application of “Energy Lab” concept to eleven different EU communities (Kaunas – LT, Torre Vedras – PT, Potenza – IT, Slagelse – DK, Durham and Sheffield – UK, Tulln – AT, Szentes – Hu, Jaslo – PL and Avrig – RO) with the purpose of identifying gaps and needs at regional level, share the knowledge through the discussion of exemplar case studies, maximize the transfer of good practices for the regional implementation plans and derive effective policy recommendations. The results show that the Energy Labs can give a sound basis for a future dialogue and a long lasting co-operation among the different parties and can be therefore considered an investment in the future at community level. At interregional level the comparison of the experiences among different countries helps to highlight the different motivations and aspirations of the various communities as well as the main common barriers in the implementation of renewable energy and energy efficiency strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]