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The Avoid–Shift–Improve framework has been used since its conception in the 1990s to help decision-makers prioritize action towards environmental sustainability in the transport sector. The core of the framework establishes a clear priority of action among the three main strategies that give it its name, thus highlighting the prominent role transport demand reduction should have within policy discussions. However, although its general formulation allows for a fruitful application to other sectors, the approach and its definitions have rarely been extended beyond transport. In particular, the energy sector could significantly benefit from an application of its methodology since the prioritization of energy demand reduction over energy efficiency would be in line with an optimized path towards decarbonization. This paper outlines a theoretical application of the A-S-I framework to the energy sector that allows the categorization of energy policies in terms of Avoid, Shift, or Improve strategies. Moreover, the paper presents an analysis of several energy policies databases to evaluate to what extent policies are addressing energy demand reduction, shift to less-carbon-intensive energy sources or energy efficiency. The results of the study show that most energy-related policies seem to support improving efficiency in current technology (18–33% of policies, depending on the database that is considered) and shifting towards low-carbon sources (28–48% of policies) more than reducing or altogether avoiding energy demand in the first place (6–22% of policies). Further research is recommended to strengthen the results, especially by evaluating the significance of each policy in terms of committed investment, as well as to understand the main factors that contribute to Avoid-type policies being under-represented in the energy sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Environmental pollution and energy poverty have always been serious challenges for the global energy system. Results: Based on the panel data of 30 provinces in China from 2005 to 2020, this paper uses FE and sys-GMM models to explore the impact of environmental regulations and climate change on energy poverty. The results show that climate change increases energy poverty, with rising energy for cooling in hot summers, and unchanged income in the short term. Moreover, environmental regulation plays a moderating role between climate change and energy poverty. Specifically, economical environmental regulation has a negative moderating effect, while legal and supervised environmental regulations have positive moderating effects. Finally, the national basic energy poverty line used is lower than that in the eastern region, higher than that in the western region, and close to that in the central region, which reflects the heterogeneity of energy poverty in different regions of China. Conclusions: The findings in this paper clarify the nexus between climate change, environmental regulation, and energy poverty, addressing in this way a gap in existing research, which has great significance for environmental and energy policy makers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a key project of China's western development, the West-East Natural Gas Transmission Project (WENGT) has effectively alleviated China's uneven energy distribution and supply-demand issues. It has promoted the optimization of China's energy structure and sustainable development in the new era, helping to achieve the goal of "double carbon". Based on pollution data from Chinese industrial enterprises from 2000 to 2012, this paper analyzes the impact of the West-East Natural Gas Pipeline Project on the air pollution emissions of industrial enterprises using a difference-in-difference model and explores the moderating role of local government environmental regulations. The findings indicate that the project significantly reduced air pollutant emissions from industrial enterprises in cities along the route, with a more pronounced reduction effect in areas with higher environmental regulation intensity. Additionally, the emission reduction effect varied among different types of enterprises and regions, with private enterprises showing the smallest reduction impact and the eastern coastal region exhibiting the most significant effect. This paper delves into the relationship between sustainable cross-regional energy development and air pollution emissions from industrial enterprises, providing a theoretical basis for energy conservation and emission reduction policies in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the wake of increasing global emphasis on sustainable environmental practices, South African organisations strive to integrate green business principles into their strategies. The paper's objective was to evaluate the importance and implementation of an energy policy within the financial services sector in line with ISO50001. The paper presents findings from a quantitative non-experimental study within the South African financial services sector through a structured questionnaire. The findings showed that although the implementation of an energy policy is important, there is still a gap in the adoption of an energy policy within the financial services sector. The study further found that a notable percentage (29.5%) of respondents indicated that the energy policy did not provide sufficient guidance on energy targets and objectives. Setting an energy policy is the starting point and driving force for implementing energy management. It should be the priority of managers who have not yet done so. Further research on how energy policies are structured through content analysis could add value to organisations that have not yet implemented such policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Particularly within recent years, the rising number of city actors worldwide declaring climate emergencies and pledging commitments to carbon neutrality has sparked a spatial turn in broader sustainable transition thinking, noting the importance of the local level for governing sustainable transitions. Using a Geographical Political Economy approach, this paper critically engages with path creation theory and sustainable transitions literature to explore the potential of urban net-zero carbon transitions in a multi-scalar governance framework. The main argument is that municipal ownership across sectors has a fundamental role in sustainable transitions at the city level. This paper makes a distinct conceptual contribution to sustainable transitions literature by drawing on path creation theory to illustrate how municipal ownership is a central tenet of path creation by bringing together local actors and enabling political capacity and agency to control and strategize integrated sustainable urban pathways. Using the transport and energy sectors in Nottingham in the UK, it applies the Path Creation Framework in an urban setting to illustrate that municipal ownership stimulates a positive path creation through three main arguments. First, municipal ownership enables a positive embeddedness and historical legacy in the provision of sustainable urban energy and transport services; second, it facilitates the establishment of skills and expertise that positively reinforces urban political capacity for the pursuit of urban sustainability; and third, it stimulates the creation of innovative urban projects for sustainable and equitable pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mounting climate concerns are making energy transition inevitable. Providing a reliable, cost-effective energy supply that meets the needs of all, as set up by Sustainable Development Goal 7, and promotes climate neutrality, as set up by the European Green Deal, is a complex task that requires complex and combined interventions in various sectors and policy areas. This paper aims to conduct a systematic analysis of the scholarly work focusing on energy transition towards renewables and to contribute to the existing knowledge by offering a holistic perspective on the dynamic landscape of energy transformation and the transition to renewables. To this end, advanced bibliometric techniques, combined with a systematic in-depth review of the existing literature and desk research, are used to uncover the intellectual landscape and identify influential works and emerging themes within this critical intersection of the economic, governance, political, social, and climate dimensions of energy transition. This analysis not only highlights prevailing trends and influential works but also sets the stage for future research and discussions critical to shaping the transition to renewable energy and policy actions in a rapidly evolving world. The results are useful guidance in the formulation of policy actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite persistent housing affordability issues, energy policy and housing renovation are usually investigated separately from housing costs other than energy. Researchers have examined the financial viability of renovation attending to building conditions and the socio-economic characteristics of their occupants. However, the distributional impacts of renovation incentives and the potential of fiscal policy to redistribute housing costs remain understudied. Dutch fiscal policy, favouring homeownership, offers a relevant context to evaluate how property taxation can boost renovation rates. The novelty of this paper resides in investigating the impact of two policies, the current direct subsidy and a proposal for a green tax, on both the financial viability of renovation and the subsequent distribution of housing costs. The proposed green tax combines energy efficiency and taxation of property revenue. We employ a model considering marginal costs of housing renovation, obtained from a government dataset, and marginal benefits, drawn from a hedonic regression. We assess the distributional impacts of different policy scenarios by examining changes in user costs across income deciles. Our findings indicate that existing renovation subsidies exacerbate the regressive distributional impacts resulting from the current housing taxation system in the Netherlands. Introducing energy-efficiency-linked property taxation can make homeownership fiscality less regressive while incentivising housing renovation. Ultimately, this study highlights the importance of incorporating housing affordability as a fundamental element in renovation policies to balance environmental and distributional objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: An online deliberative engagement process was undertaken with members of the general public to understand what they value or would like to change about the energy system, within the broader context of decarbonizing Australia's energy networks, identifying a role for future fuels (hydrogen and biogas). Citizens developed a set of principles that could guide Australia's path toward a low-carbon energy future, reflecting on expectations they place upon energy transition. Next, citizens' principles were shared with policy-makers in government and policy-influencers from the energy industry using an online interactive workshop. Methods: This study analyses policy-makers and -influencers response to citizens' guiding principles using the 'diamond of participatory decision-making' framework for analysis. Convergence and divergence in diverse, complex and rich views across cohorts and implications thereupon energy policy were identified. Results: Although considerable alignment between multi-stakeholders' views was noted, key areas of divergence, or what is called the "groan zone" were easily identified in relation to social and environmental justice issues. This groan zone highlights the struggles that energy policy-makers face -the need to listen and respond to citizens' voices, vs. the need for practical and workable policies that also support overarching government or industry objectives. Discussion: Policy making when the views of different stakeholders align is relatively straightforward. However, this is not the case where the expectations diverge. More creative measures will be needed to address divergent views and expectations whilst maintaining procedural fairness, in this case, using democratic deliberative engagement processes. While the use of deliberative processes is gaining momentum worldwide, particularly concerning climate change and energy transition policies, this paper also highlights the benefits of conducting a robust post facto analysis of the content of the processes. Areas of alignment, where policy can be made and implemented relatively easily without contention are identified. Other areas (such as making electrification mandatory) might be more complex or have unwanted negative social and environmental justice effects. Overall, this paper bridges an analytical gap between "expectation studies" and participatory research. By borrowing terminology from a participatory research framework we sharpen the concepts in "expectation studies" from a consensus, inclusion and diversity standpoint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper navigates the critical role of hydrogen in catalyzing a sustainable energy transformation. This review delves into hydrogen production methodologies, spotlighting green and blue hydrogen as pivotal for future energy systems because of their potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Through a comprehensive literature review and a bibliometric analysis, this study underscores the importance of technological advancements, policy support, and market incentives in promoting hydrogen as a key energy vector. It also explores the necessity of expanding renewable energy sources and international cooperation to secure a sustainable, low-carbon future. The analysis highlights the importance of scalable and cost-effective hydrogen production methods, such as solar-thermochemical and photo-electrochemical processes, and addresses the challenges posed by resource availability and geopolitical factors in establishing a hydrogen economy. This paper serves as a guide for policy and innovation toward achieving global sustainability goals, illustrating the essential role of hydrogen in the energy transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy modelling plays a crucial role in assisting governmental and policymaking bodies to strategise long-term investments within the context of energy transition. Among the well-established open-source optimisation models, OSeMOSYS—the Open-Source Energy Modelling System—stands out. This paper introduces clicSAND, a novel user interface designed for OSeMOSYS, aimed at reducing the learning curve and supporting novice energy modelers in efficiently conducting long-term investment analyses. clicSAND, freely available and open-source, features a user-friendly Excel interface for data input, integrated solvers, and a visualisation dashboard for result interpretation. The outcomes, projected up to 2070, hold the potential to inform policy decisions and mobilise financial resources for sustainable development endeavors, such as ensuring affordable and secure energy supply and mitigating climate change impacts. This advancement not only democratises access to energy modelling tools but also empowers policymakers and stakeholders to conduct thorough long-term investment analyses with ease. This paper elaborates on clicSAND's key advantages, architecture, and functionalities. Additionally, it discusses the evolutionary journey from clicSAND 1.0 to 3.0, emphasising a commitment to continuous improvement and user-centric adaptation, thereby enhancing its utility and relevance. The inclusion of a South African case study, conducted during the EMP-A (Energy Modelling Platform for Africa) 2021 international capacity-building event, showcases clicSAND's efficacy in facilitating knowledge transfer and skill development among inexperienced users, while providing a tangible example of its application in addressing specific regional energy challenges and policy contexts. Finally, current applications and future extensions of the software are also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the "power restriction" measures were taken in many localities, industrial electricity consumption was interrupted, mainly in the "two high" (high energy consumption and high pollutant emission) enterprises. Take the "power restriction" event in 2021 as an example, this event affected a wide range of regions and disrupted people's livelihood. It not only refers to the power switch and rationing measures taken by individual regions, but also includes differentiated policies implemented by over 20 provinces to limit power supply and industrial production. This paper investigated in detail and summarized the different requirements of power restriction across the country, through the comparison of annual growth rates of power generation and industrial added value，the comparison results of energy intensity, electricity production, power consumption and the industrial growth rate in each province are analyzed. Industrial enterprises and related industrial chains were most heavily affected by the "power restriction" event，mainly in steel, cement, electrolytic aluminum, industrial silicon, textile printing and dyeing, chemical fiber, chemical and other enterprises with high energy consumption and high pollutants emission. The measures to limit electricity will affect the normal production of enterprises to a certain extent, leading to not only the decrease of production efficiency, but also the increase of energy consumption and pollutant emission per unit product. Energy management measures such as differentiated electricity price have limited effect on the output of "two high" industrial products, and the economic leverage of differentiated electricity price is gradually being diluted by the price rise of end products. This paper analyzed the reasons and explored several key problems that need special attention. then recommended certain countermeasures for its appropriate application in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes a comprehensive energy-related dataset, collected from residential electricity households within an energy community in Ireland, as part of StoreNet project. The data includes local weather parameters and per household power (W) and energy (Wh) components for various aspects such as active power consumption, PV generation, grid import and export, charging and discharging, and the state of charge of energy storage. Additionally, it provides weather data for the location at a 1-minute temporal resolution for the year 2020. The dataset has been validated by comparing measurements that should yield identical results to standard load profiles, with no significant inconsistencies discovered. Validation examples have also been given through the published articles where this dataset has been used to analyse peer-to-peer energy trading benefits for the energy community and decision-making support for aggregators. The dataset aids in understanding patterns in electrical load curves and the duty cycle of energy storage within an energy community. Furthermore, it can assist in comprehending the impact on distribution networks caused by distributed energy storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of the study is to assess the importance of climate and energy policy instruments in fuel poverty reduction policy in Poland. Design/methodology/approach: The paper applies the method of regression analysis to assess the impact of climate and energy policy factors on fuel poverty in Poland. For this purpose, a literature review was carried out on the factors influencing fuel poverty and the development of climate and energy policy, particularly decarbonisation in the European Union, in order to identify potential determinants of fuel poverty. An empirical analysis was carried out of electricity and gas price developments and decomposition analysis of these prices in Poland in the studied period, and it was assessed using regression analysis which factors, among the instruments of energy and climate policies, determine fuel poverty in Poland. Findings: The main finding is that climate and energy policies influence fuel poverty in Poland, especially share of renewable energy sources in energy mix and expenditures on environment protection. It was also found that macroeconomic policy instruments, which determine the level of income per capita and thus disposable income, have a statistically significant impact on fuel poverty in Poland. In addition, it was found that such instruments as taxes and social transfers are worth using for this purpose. Research limitations/implications: It is recommended to deepen long-term research on the impact of these policies on fuel poverty. For the time being, the lack of long-term data limits the possibility for long-term analysis. Practical implications: Unfortunately, there is a lack of detailed data on income decomposition in decile groups, which limits the possibility to accurately estimate the long-term level of fuel poverty in Poland. Social implications: The regulation of fuel poverty would make it possible to constantly monitor the phenomenon and to apply instruments that would precisely limit this social phenomenon. Originality/value: The paper provides information on the impact of climate and energy policy on fuel poverty in Poland. So far there have only been analyses of the scale of the phenomenon, not of the factors. It is addressed to fuel poverty practitioners and policy makers in the field of social and energy policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Within the framework of EU policies and measures to develop a just and fair green energy transition model. This paper aims to offer valuable insights into a paramount concern not so well debated in the literature, i.e. the spatial variation of energy poverty. Design/methodology/approach: This empirical analysis investigates the regional variation of energy poverty we draw on a sample of more than 300,000 Spanish households, extracted from the Spanish Household Budget Survey (HBS) for the period 2006–2022. To characterize the probability of a household finding itself in a situation of energy poverty the authors use a discrete choice univariate probit model. Findings: The results confirm that energy poverty is a phenomenon that is asymmetrically distributed across Spain, and mainly occurs in un-densely populated regions. In addition, the findings demonstrate that the incidence of energy poverty drivers is highly heterogeneous across regions. Research limitations/implications: The paper ends with some recommendations for policymakers suggesting that countries need to design an energy poverty policy for the households that jointly pursue both a correct identification of vulnerable groups and a match with the type of measure to the characteristics of each region. Originality/value: This study enhances previous research by considering the case of areas at a lower level of aggregation (i.e. on the NUTS two regions in Spain called autonomous communities) and offers the opportunity to tailor policies to those regions most in need. Furthermore, to provide a more realistic picture of the complex phenomenon of energy poverty, the authors use the information for the period 2006–2022 differentiating by economic micro-cycle. This timespan allows the authors to understand the dynamics of energy poverty in periods of economic crisis, including the effects of the 2008 crisis and the present global energy crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research problem of this paper is related to numerous open questions in the field of energy, its understanding, its use, and the challenges of the energy future. After the introductory part, in which a brief historical overview of energy literacy is provided, the paper focuses on energy literacy, its emergence, and the different approaches to its definition and measurement. The paper analyzes the energy literacy of students at the Faculty of Economics in Rijeka based on their cognitive, affective, and behavioral skills. Their knowledge about energy, energy processes, and the energy efficiency of the objects they encounter on a daily basis is examined. Their personal attitudes and values are examined through various forms of personal initiatives and active participation in energy sustainability projects. Finally, the habits and behavioral patterns that the respondents have in their daily lives and their tendencies to save energy resources and find energy-efficient solutions are examined. Despite some positive findings, the current results are not satisfactory and point to the creation of adequate public policies with a particular focus on education and the role of the corrective mechanisms of the state, but also the need for joint negotiations between policy makers, regulators, scientists, representatives of civil society, and the business community. The particular contribution of this work is reflected in being the first research of its kind conducted among Croatian economics students, as well as among Croatian students in general; in the creation of a research instrument that is conceptually consistent with the findings from the existing literature, but with an original set of questions within each energy literacy skill adapted to the cultural and sociological background of the respondents; and in a kind of progress from previous research by taking into account the quantitative aspect (in addition to the qualitative) assessment of the respondents' energy literacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of European Journal of Applied Economics is the property of Singidunum University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The emerging energy transition is particularly described as a move towards a cleaner, lower-carbon system. In the context of the global shift towards sustainable energy sources, this paper reviews the potential and roadmap for hydrogen energy as a crucial component of the clean energy landscape. The primary objective is to present a comprehensive literature overview, illuminating key themes, trends, and research gaps in the scientific discourse concerning hydrogen production and energy policy. This review focuses particularly on specified geographic contexts, with an emphasis on understanding the unique energy policies related to renewable energy in Brazil, Austria, and Germany. Given their distinct social systems and developmental stages, this paper aims to delineate the nuanced approaches these countries adopt in their pursuit of renewable energy and the integration of hydrogen within their energy frameworks. Brazil exhibits vast renewable energy potential, particularly in wind and solar energy sectors, positioning itself for substantial growth in the coming years. Germany showcases a regulatory framework that promotes innovation and technological expansion, reflecting its highly developed social system and commitment to transitioning away from fossil fuels. Austria demonstrates dedication to decarbonization, particularly through the exploration of biomethane for residential heating and cooling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy saving in buildings is essential as buildings' operational energy use constitutes 30% of global energy consumption. Urban building energy modeling (UBEM) effectively understands urban energy consumption. This paper applied UBEM to assess the potential of peak demand reduction and energy saving in a mixed-use community, using 955 residential buildings, 35 office buildings and 7 hotels in Shenzhen, China, as a case study. The building type and period were collected based on the GIS dataset. Then, the baseline models were generated by the UBEM tool—AutoBPS. Five scenarios were analyzed: retrofit-window, retrofit-air conditioner (AC), retrofit-lighting, rooftop photovoltaic (PV), and demand response. The five scenarios replaced the windows, enhanced the AC, upgraded the lighting, covered 60% of the roof area with PV, and had a temperature reset from 17:00 to 23:00, respectively. The results show that using retrofit-windows is the most effective scenario for reducing peak demand at 19.09%, and PV reduces energy use intensity (EUI) best at 29.96%. Demand response is recommended when further investment is not desired. Retrofit-lighting is suggested for its low-cost, low-risk investment, with the payback period (PBP) not exceeding 4.54 years. When the investment is abundant, retrofit-windows are recommended for public buildings, while PV is recommended for residential buildings. The research might provide practical insights into energy policy formulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As countries decarbonise, the competition for land between energy generation, nature conservation and food production will likely increase. To counter this, modelling, and sometimes energy policies, use exclusion zones to restrict energy deployment from land deemed as important to society. This paper applies the spatially-explicit ADVENT-NEV model to Great Britain to determine the cost imposed on the energy system when either environmental or food production exclusion zones are applied. Results show that exclusion zones impose a cost of up to £0.63 billion (B), £19.17 B and £1.33 B for the solar, wind, and bioenergy pathways. These costs give an indication of the value being placed on protecting these areas of land. When multiple exclusions are imposed on bioenergy, the high pathway is infeasible indicating a more flexible approach may be needed to meet net zero ambitions. The model also shows how the value of ecosystem services changes when exclusion zones are applied, highlighting how some exclusions increase non-market costs whereas others decrease them. In several cases exclusion zones are shown to increase social costs, the opposite of their intended use. For these exclusions to be justifiable, the unobserved values missing from the model must be as large as these increases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geopolitical tensions have put the use of strategic trade policy instruments back on the agenda of policy makers. In this paper we investigate the interaction of the threat and use of three unilateral trade policy instruments: embargoes, import price caps and tariffs. In a game-theoretic framework with different scenarios and game variants, we show that the strategic use of the right combination of the respective trade policy instruments can be used to achieve more desirable outcomes for the players. In our setup, a credible threat of a tariff supports the successful implementation of an import price cap. While the results can be generalised, we show the concrete functioning of the interplay of these strategic trade policy instruments in a hypothetical game of resumption of natural gas sales from Russia to the EU. Following the application to this example, we derive policy suggestions to improve the EU's position in the specific game. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen is in the spotlight in the energy world, and it will remain so. In Europe, the necessity to integrate ever-growing amounts of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) in order to implement the ambitious European decarbonization policy (package Fit-for-55) and to preserve the security of energy supply (package Repower-EU) are feeding the interest in hydrogen. This paper will provide a thorough analysis of prospects and criticalities for the development of hydrogen both as a carrier and as a feedstock and, definitively, as a key element for the implementation of the European decarbonization policies. First, the present regulatory framework will be highlighted, taking the European Union as a main reference, since it presently has one of the most advanced hydrogen legislations in the world. Then, both hydrogen offer (technologies) and demand (both as a feedstock and as an energy carrier) will be dealt with in detail. Two additional sections will take care to illustrate, respectively, the interactions between hydrogen and the electricity grid and the issues related to the creation of a liquid hydrogen market. Finally, a conclusion section will wrap up and summarize the most urgent issues to be tackled to create a well-functioning hydrogen economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concerns about climate change are a hot topic in the current debate about a sustainable future, and despite more than 30 years of international conferences, including the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP), the annual usage amount of fossil fuel-based energy sources has remained largely unchanged, and the green transition to a carbon-free energy system is progressing at a much slower pace than anticipated. This paper presents an original approach that consists in addressing the green transition's dilemmas by analyzing the complex interplay of strongly interwoven forces hindering the rapid adoption of so-called green energy sources scrutinized from a three-fold perspective: socio-psychological; political–strategic and territorial; and technological. Moreover, these forces are ranked according to the magnitude of their impact on the anticipated transition to green, and it is estimated by logistic fit extrapolation that the total share of the contribution of low-carbon sources might reach a maximum of about 25% among all energy sources in 2050. A final original picture is presented, summarizing how all the involved forces are acting upon the expected transition as well as their consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper contributes to the understanding of media discourses surrounding the sustainability of nuclear energy, particularly within a crisis context. The study examines the implications of the adoption of the Complementary Delegated Act on EU taxonomy by the European Commission on July 6, 2022, which officially categorises nuclear energy as sustainable. Employing a critical discourse analysis (CDA) methodology, the research explores the discourse strategies --nomination, predication, and argumentation-- utilised across 695 news articles. The findings reveal the intricate representation of nuclear energy's sustainability across the media. The Russian-Ukrainian conflict amplifies favourably the nuclear energy view as a reliable and sustainable energy source. However, the media discourse on nuclear energy's sustainability reveals a variety of viewpoints. These varying outlooks provide essential insights for shaping effective energy policies. This research contributes valuable insights into understanding how media shapes and influences public perception of sustainability energy policies, amplifying specific actors' voices and steering discourse toward distinct trajectories. Such insights are crucial in crafting energy policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores how investments in research and development (R&D) and government policies impact the growth of renewable energy in Brazil, Chile, and Colombia up to 2040. The study presents four scenarios to understand how different levels of R&D investment and the presence or absence of supportive policies affect the spread of renewable technologies such as solar and wind energy. The scenarios range from an optimistic one with high R&D funding and strong policy support to a worst-case scenario with low R&D efforts and weak policies. The findings emphasize the importance of solid government backing and strategic R&D investments in promoting renewable energy and increasing the number of green patents. On the other hand, scenarios with limited policy support and R&D funding show much slower growth, highlighting the challenges posed by economic constraints and tough market conditions. The study shows that strong renewable energy policies could boost renewable energy adoption by 100% to 200%. Overall, this research adds to the discussion on sustainable energy policies and provides useful insights for policymakers and stakeholders to develop strategies that maximize the potential of renewable energy in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of European Policy Analysis is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

With the increasing "resource curse" phenomena relating to energy resources in China, research concerning energy substitution policies has become more meaningful. In this paper, a dynamic CGE model was built to evaluate the impacts of energy substitution policies on regional growth and the "resource curse". The results show the following: (1) Compared to other regions, an energy substitution policy exerts a more considerable influence on economic growth in regions with high "resource curse". (2) The changes in carbon emissions in regions with no or low "resource curse" are modest. The primary factor contributing to the rapid decline might be energy structure adjustments. As the intensity of substitution varies, the regional disparities in marginal emission reduction costs are expected to increase. (3) Energy substitution policies reduce the severity of high "resource curse" regions. As the intensity of energy substitution increases, the extent of "resource curse" regions decreases accordingly. Some suggestions are given as follows: (1) Further promote energy substitution and speed up the transformation of energy production and consumption modes in China. (2) Accelerate the energy transformation in "resource curse" regions to promote regional sustainable development. (3) Improve energy substitution policies in transportation, industry and other fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green technology innovation is a critical factor in ensuring the long-term stable development of renewable energy enterprises. Based on the super network theory, this paper constructs a network model of green technology innovation influencing factors of renewable energy enterprises, which includes the knowledge sub-network of green technology innovation of renewable energy enterprises, the research and development member sub-network of green technology innovation team of renewable energy enterprises and the policy sub-network of green technology innovation of renewable energy enterprises. It explores the mechanism of its influence on innovation in the preparation stage. Simulation analysis by Netlogo software concludes that innovation knowledge sharing, R&D membership, and innovation policy all have a significant positive impact on green technology innovation in renewable energy companies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper constructs a unique dataset of clean energy and collects firm-level green innovation data that matches it with provinces and cities. Then, this paper executes quasi-natural experiments on green innovation to examine the effects of China's emission trading policy on green innovation. Further, this paper introduces the interactive terms of the pilot time and pilot area dummy variables into the spatial Durbin model (SDM) and spatial dynamic panel model (SDPM) to construct quasi-natural experiments to examine the spatial effect. The findings confirm a negative association between the 'policy treatment effect' and green innovation. The results also indicate a significant negative association between the emissions trading policy and clean energy. Besides, the empirical results reveal a positive correlation between clean energy and green innovation; clean energy promotes green innovation in the region and the surrounding areas. This paper complements existing research and provides empirical evidence and policy implications for developing clean energy, promoting green innovation, and improving the emission trading policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy storage systems play a crucial role in the overall performance of hybrid electric vehicles. Therefore, the state of the art in energy storage systems for hybrid electric vehicles is discussed in this paper along with appropriate background information for facilitating future research in this domain. Specifically, we compare key parameters such as cost, power density, energy density, cycle life, and response time for various energy storage systems. For energy storage systems employing ultra capacitors, we present characteristics such as cell voltage, cycle life, power density, and energy density. Furthermore, we discuss and evaluate the interconnection topologies for existing energy storage systems. We also discuss the hybrid battery–flywheel energy storage system as well as the mathematical modeling of the battery–ultracapacitor energy storage system. Toward the end, we discuss energy efficient powertrain for hybrid electric vehicles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The existing battery management systems perform many functions, such as simply monitoring the battery's voltage, current, and temperature for the most basic and compensating energy imbalances between battery cells for the most advanced systems. In this last example, the function balancing helps protect the battery from obtaining a better lifespan. However, these systems with such functions remain complex because they involve techniques specific to power electronics and energy conversion. The number of components, implementation complexity, and cost increased. The work presented in this paper fits directly into this context. The main objective is to provide a solution to the problem of battery management and careful pack cell balancing. The proposed system aims to balance the battery pack cells based on the intermediate state of charge by charging or discharging the imbalanced cell. The implementation of the proposed control strategy was for a battery pack composed of five cells under MATLAB/Simulink. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper discusses a variety of serious challenges facing the Polish energy sector until 2040. These challenging tasks largely result from intensive works in the European Union on the finalisation of measures implementing a zero-carbon economy, as well as social (Covid-19), political and military events, both global and regional (war in Ukraine). After analysing the present condition of the energy sector, the authors proposed a modification of Poland's energy policy, pointing out that the transformation of the national electricity system towards zero-carbon energy requires, on the one hand, speeding up investments in renewable sources, but on the other hand, insuring this process by own controllable generation sources. The paper also defines the conditions that should be met to achieve the highest possible share of non-carbon energy in the national energy mix by 2040. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper deals with the problems of maintaining Ukraine's grid reliability under high renewable electricity penetration and improving state policy measures to accelerate sustainable energy transition in the post-war period. Promoting renewable energy in Ukraine increased renewable electricity share in the country's electricity mix to 13.8% in 2021. However, such growth became critical for Ukraine's electric power system. Due to its inflexibility, the lack of balancing and energy storage capacities, adding significant amounts of renewable electricity to the grid created severe problems. Further renewable energy development required serious reforming policy measures, but the Russian invasion prevented introducing relevant legislative changes. At the same time, the war had an unprecedented impact on the Ukrainian energy sector, resulting in the damage of more than 50% of the energy infrastructure. Considering global trends towards decarbonisation and achieving climate neutrality, reconstructing Ukraine's electric power sector will be based on the large-scale involvement of renewable energy technologies. Given this, based on the study of the trends in renewable energy development in the pre-war and war-time periods and the analysis of the shortcomings of the state energy policy, the paper examines the required measures for fostering resilient reconstruction of Ukraine's electric power sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ingeniería (0121-750X) is the property of Ingenieria and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Actual Problems of Jurisprudence / Habaršy. Zan̦ Seriâsy is the property of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Net metering (NM) is among the potent regulatory tools used globally for supporting distributed generation and renewable energy sources. This paper examines the trajectory of NM in a developing country such as Pakistan, analyzing the impact of regulatory changes, confidence-building strategies, hindering factors, and technical/financial issues. The three-stage methodology involves three components, namely techno-economic analysis, stakeholder engagement surveys, and impact analysis of financing mechanisms. This study emphasizes the importance of clear regulatory and financial frameworks, grid upgrades, and public–private partnerships for technology distribution in the context of a developing country with weak grid utilities and an import–export energy ratio. It also explores the role of financial incentives, such as tax breaks and subsidies, to encourage investment in NM systems from the perspective of lucrative rates, impact on paybacks, and return on investments, and proposes concrete solutions to enhance financial inclusion for ambitious renewable energy goals. Until April 2023, over 56,000 NM/distributed generation facilities were commissioned, with an installed capacity of 950 MW. By May 2024, the number of NM consumers reached ~100,000, with a 1950 MW capacity, nearly doubling. However, the import and export ratio of IESCO changed most, with 61% exports and 39% imports, directly impacting the revenue stream. A total of 60% of banks have adopted actions linked with green banking criteria, aiming to limit their environmental impact. The change in tariff will result in reduced ROI for NM consumers to 20%, and increase the payback period from less than 4 years to 13 years. Government subsidies, tax breaks, and green financing frameworks are proposed to encourage investment, but have been abruptly halted, and were previously at a 6% interest rate. This research aims to provide insights into effective market evaluation methodologies for NM programs and offer policy recommendations to strengthen legislative and institutional frameworks governing NM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given China's ambition to realize carbon peak by 2030 and carbon neutralization by 2060, hydrogen is gradually becoming the pivotal energy source for the needs of energy structure optimization and energy system transformation. Thus, hydrogen combined with renewable energy has received more and more attention. Nowadays, power-to-hydrogen, power-to-methanol, and power-to-ammonia are regarded as the most promising three hydrogen-driven power-to-X technologies due to the many commercial or demonstration projects in China. In this paper, these three hydrogen-driven power-to-X technologies and their application status in China are introduced and discussed. First, a general introduction of hydrogen energy policies in China is summarized, and then the basic principles, technical characteristics, trends, and challenges of the three hydrogen-driven power-to-X technologies are reviewed. Finally, several typical commercial or demonstration projects are selected and discussed in detail to illustrate the development of the power-to-X technologies in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the threshold voltage shift (ΔVTH) induced by positive bias temperature instability (PBTI) in silicon carbide (SiC) power MOSFETs. By analyzing ΔVTH under various gate stress voltages (VGstress) at 150 °C, distinct mechanisms are revealed: (i) trapping in the interface and/or border pre-existing defects and (ii) the creation of oxide defects and/or trapping in spatially deeper oxide states with an activation energy of ~80 meV. Notably, the adoption of different characterization methods highlights the distinct roles of these mechanisms. Moreover, the study demonstrates consistent behavior in permanent ΔVTH degradation across VGstress levels using a power law model. Overall, these findings deepen the understanding of PBTI in SiC MOSFETs, providing insights for reliability optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the predictive power of economic and energy policy uncertainty indices and geopolitical risks for bitcoin's energy consumption. Three machine learning tools, SVR (scikit-learn 1.5.0),CatBoost 1.2.5 and XGboost 2.1.0, are used to evaluate the complex relationship between uncertainty indices and bitcoin's energy consumption. Results reveal that the XGboost model outperforms both SVR and CatBoost in terms of accuracy and convergence. Furthermore, the feature importance analysis performed by the Shapley additive explanation (SHAP) method indicates that all uncertainty indices exhibit a significant capacity to predict bitcoin's future energy consumption. Moreover, SHAP values suggest that economic policy uncertainty captures valuable predictive information from the energy uncertainty indices and geopolitical risks that affect bitcoin's energy consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the pervasive barriers hindering the widespread adoption of energy efficiency measures across various sectors. It categorizes these barriers into economic barriers, high upfront costs, organizational challenges, such as technical expertise and behavioral barriers, namely risk aversion and framing. To address these barriers, a comprehensive review of energy efficiency policies is conducted. These policies include incentives, coercive instruments, award systems, university industry collaboration, and technical support. To review energy efficiency barriers and policies, a methodological approach integrating non-structured snowball sampling with targeted literature review techniques was devised. Finally, the paper underlines that the success of these policies is contingent upon the active involvement, the collaboration, and the feedback of businesses, ensuring the feasibility of these policies. Their proactive engagement is indispensable in tackling energy efficiency barriers and driving the implementation of energy-efficient technologies, thus paving the way for a more sustainable and competitive businesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an in-depth analysis of decarbonizing the electricity sector in the Dominican Republic, pivotal for addressing climate change and fostering economic growth. Employing the robust-decision making methodology, we studied multiple scenarios via computational models, capturing inputs from stakeholders and evaluating each scenario across 1,000 futures to capture deep uncertainty. Four scenarios were examined: baseline, reference, natural gas, and renewable. The renewable scenario emerged as the most advantageous, proposing the replacement of coal-fired power generation with renewable sources, primarily solar and wind, coupled with batteries. A significant investment, averaging US$3.3 billion, is necessary for this shift toward renewable energy; however, these investments are overcompensated by savings in operational costs. Crucially, this transition promises substantial benefits by 2050: an estimated cumulative average net economic gain of US$2.7 billion, an 8% reduction in average generation costs in 2050, the creation of 160,000 direct jobs, and the avoidance of circa 140 million tons of C02. The findings underscore the feasibility and economic viability of transitioning to a 55% renewable energy generation by 2050. The study offers a critical roadmap for policymakers, highlighting renewable energy expansion, transmission grid strengthening, and strategic coal generation replacement, thus offering a comprehensive blueprint for the nation's energy transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The transition to energy-sustainable systems is a globally accepted concept, but it is implemented with various degrees of success around the world. The aim of this paper is to determine the status of green transition in five Central Asian countries (Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and the Kyrgyz Republic) that are among the highest energy consumers globally and the most vulnerable to climate change. Despite a notable improvement in living conditions across all countries over the past two decades, the region remains underdeveloped. Economic growth is based on the export of natural resources and remittance inflows, but the structure of the economy is monolithic. Main findings: Upon analysing transition indicators for the period 2000–2020, no evidence of significant changes towards a sustainable energy transition is found. All countries in the region (except Uzbekistan) have recorded an increase in carbon emissions, while the carbon intensity of the energy mix is almost the same. While there has been visible progress in reducing energy intensity, the countries in the region remain among the most energy-intensive economies. Despite the region's substantial potential for renewable energy production, it remains underutilized. Conclusions: A multitude of varied problems accompanies the green transition in Central Asian countries. The energy market that has not yet been liberalised, along with significant subsidies and low energy tariffs, discourages investments in renewable energy sources and energy efficiency initiatives. A high level of corruption, rigid legislative and institutional infrastructure, and insufficient capital are additional factors that determine the speed, scope, and effectiveness of the green transition. Thus far, the primary focus in these countries has been on ensuring energy security. However, there has been a discernible surge in investments (particularly from China) in renewable energy projects. Although energy efficiency and climate change issues are formally defined, the energy transition goals are often declarative without an action plan that provides concrete steps in transition process. Strategic planing of economic development that includes all related sectors (not only the energy sector) and paying attention to socio-economic and environmental indicators of sustainable development are prerequisites for successfully implementating the energy transition in these countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Egypt has the potential to generate a significant amount of energy from renewable technologies, in particular solar PV, concentrated solar power (CSP), and onshore and offshore wind. The energy sector is reliant on fossil fuels, particularly natural gas, for electricity production and is at risk of locking itself into a high carbon pathway. Globally, reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with national energy sectors is a target outlined in the UN's Paris Agreement. To reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions associated with a higher dependence on fossil fuels, Egypt must consider upscaling renewable energy technologies (RETs) to achieve a clean energy transition (CET). This research modelled six scenarios using clicSAND for OSeMOSYS to identify the technologies and policy target improvements that are needed to upscale RETs within Egypt's energy sector. The results showed that solar PV and onshore wind are key technologies to be upscaled to contribute towards Egypt's CET. The optimal renewable target is the International Renewable Energy Agency's (IRENA) target of 53% of electricity being sourced from RETs by 2030, which will cost USD 16.4 billion more up to 2035 than Egypt's current Integrated Sustainable Energy Strategy (ISES) target of 42% by 2035; it also saves 732.0 MtCO2 over the entire modelling period to 2070. Socio-economic barriers to this transition are considered, such as recent discoveries of natural gas reserves combined with a history of energy insecurity, political instability impacting investor confidence, and a lack of international climate funding. The paper concludes with policy recommendations that would enable Egypt to progress towards achieving a CET. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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