Latin American electricity markets and renewable energy sources: The Argentinean and Chilean cases

From the mid eighties on, most of Latin American Countries reformed their energy systems. The impact of these reforms over electricity markets was different in each case. However, in the majority of these cases there was a shift to private participation, instead of State, and a convergence of electricity systems to hydro and thermal technologies. This is the case of Argentina and Chile.     

Energy demand and environmental taxes: the case of Greece

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effects that energy taxes may have on reducing environmental pollution in Greece. We study the demand for residential energy for the period 1965–1998, and on the basis of these estimates we make forecasts for CO₂ emissions in the coming years. Furthermore we develop alternative scenarios for tax changes, and study their effects on CO₂ emissions. According to our findings the harmonization of the Greek energy taxes to the average European Union levels implies an increase of total CO₂ emissions by 6% annually. If taxes are raised, however, to the highest European Union levels, the CO₂ emissions are restricted significantly. These empirical findings may indicate that environmental taxation cannot be the unique instrument for combating pollution.     

Energy use,industrial soot and vehicle exhaust pollution—China's regional air pollution recognition,performance decomposition and governance

The identification of “industrial soot” or “vehicle exhaust” pollution facilitates developing proper measures for the mitigation of regional air pollution. In order to identify the pollution types at a regional level, this paper applies the Luenberger productivity indicator to decompose air pollutant emissions performance. Furthermore, we simultaneously consider pollution rates and the productivity change. Thus, we propose a new modeling framework allowing for the variable-specific decomposition of the environmental performance along time and quantity dimensions to identify the underlying patterns. The panel data for 30 provinces and autonomous regions are then applied to identify regional atmospheric pollution type. The results show that SO₂ emission from industrial soot and NO_x emissions from vehicle exhaust constitute an important source of regional atmospheric environmental inefficiency, though the former seems to be more decisive. The southeast coastal provinces showed generally lower levels of inefficiency, compared to the northwest inland area. During the period of the 11th Five-Year Plan of China, industrial SO₂ emission performance contributed to the increase in the atmospheric environmental productivity, while traffic NO_x emissions acted as a negative factor in this regard. Therefore, the government should seek to increase the intensity of environmental regulation in transportation sector. At the country level, technical progress associated with both types of pollutions was positive and thus exceed the negative efficiency change for the same variables. In particular, in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the productivity changes in industrial SO₂ emissions and traffic NO_x emissions indicate a “stably advancing” type. The results further indicate that there are 18 provinces of China which have experienced mixed-type pollution. Jilin and Hainan were classified as provinces experiencing vehicle exhaust gas pollution, whereas Guizhou was defined as that subject to industrial soot pollution. The government should formulate and implement diversified support and regulation policies to govern SO₂ and NO_x pollution at the regional level.     

Contributing to local policy making on GHG emission reduction through inventorying and attribution: A case study of Shenyang,China

Cities consumed 84% of commercial energy in China, which indicates cities should be the main areas for GHG emissions reduction. Our case study of Shenyang in this paper shows how a clear inventory analysis on GHG emissions at city level can help to identify the major industries and societal sectors for reduction efforts so as to facilitate low-carbon policy-making. The results showed total carbon emission in 2007 was 57 Mt CO₂ equivalents (CO₂e), of which 41 Mt CO₂e was in-boundary emissions and 16 Mt CO₂e was out-of-boundary emissions. The energy sector was dominant in the emission inventory, accounting for 93.1% of total emissions. Within energy sector, emissions from energy production industry, manufacturing and construction industry accounted for 88.4% of this sector. Our analysis showed that comparing with geographical boundary, setting system boundary based on single process standard could provide better information to decision makers for carbon emission reduction. After attributing electricity and heating consumption to final users, the resident and commercial sector became the largest emitter, accounting for 28.5% of total emissions. Spatial analysis of emissions showed that industrial districts such as Shenbei and Tiexi had the large potential to reduce their carbon emissions. Implications of results are finally discussed.     

Energy and GHG emission efficiency in the Chilean manufacturing industry: Sectoral and regional analysis by DEA and Malmquist indexes

Global warming produced mainly by the emission of greenhouse gases is currently a worldwide concern. In the last few decades since the 1950s many of the changes observed in the world climate have been meaningful. This paper presents an analysis of energy efficiency and of greenhouse gas emissions in the Chilean manufacturing industry by region and sector taking into consideration time sequences. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) models are used for the analysis. Three ways to handle undesirable outputs are compared, the source of inefficiency in each decision making unit (DMU) is calculated using scale efficiency, and the evolution over time is analyzed using the Malmquist index. The results indicate that the industries located in the Chilean regions of Coquimbo, La Araucania and Aysen were the most efficient while the industries in the regions of Tarapaca, Antofagasta and Biobio were less efficient. The most efficient industrial sectors were those involving communications equipment, base metals, and clothing; the least efficient were those concerned with food and beverages, textiles and nonmetallic minerals. Due to the treatment of the undesirable outputs, differences were found in the efficiency indexes obtained by the three models. This finding suggests using a model better adapted to the characteristics of the outputs in question and the viability of improving industrial practices.     

Influence of kind of raw materials used for industrial production of alcohol on air and water pollution

In this paper, the influence of the kind of raw materials which are (or can be) used in Greece for industrial production of ethanol on the characteristics of liquid and gas wastes has been studied. Raisin and molasses, which are used today, as well as straw and sugar beets which have been proposed recently, have been examined. From this study, it was found that the more suitable raw material from the point of view of air and water pollution is the sugar beet.     

Electricity consumption and associated GHG emissions of the Jordanian industrial sector: Empirical analysis and future projection

In this paper, an empirical model is developed for electricity consumption of the Jordanian industrial sector based on multivariate linear regression to identify the main drivers behind electricity consumption. In addition, projection of electricity consumption for the industrial sector based on time series forecasting is presented. It was found that industrial production outputs and capacity utilization are the two most important variables that affect demand on electrical power and the multivariate linear regression model can be used adequately to simulate industrial electricity consumption with very high coefficient of determination. To illustrate the importance of integrating energy efficiency within national energy plans, the impact of implementing high-efficiency motors was investigated and found to be significant. Without such basic energy conservation and management programs, electricity consumption and associated GHG emissions for the industrial sector are predicted to rise by 63% in the year 2019. However, if these measures are implemented on a gradual basis, over the same period, electricity consumption and GHG emissions are forecasted to ascend at a lower rate with low/no cost actions.     

Life cycle GHG emission analysis of power generation systems: Japanese case

This study presents the results of a life cycle analysis (LCA) of greenhouse gas emissions from power generation systems in order to understand the characteristics of these systems from the perspective of global warming. Nine different types of power generation systems were examined: coal-fired, oil-fired, LNG-fired, LNG-combined cycle, nuclear, hydropower, geothermal, wind power and solar-photovoltaic (PV). Life cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emission per kW h of electricity generated was estimated for the systems using a combined method of process analysis and input–output analysis. First, average power generation systems reflecting the current status in Japan were examined as base cases. Second, the impacts of emerging and future nuclear, wind power and PV technologies were analyzed. Finally, uncertainties associated with some assumptions were examined to help clarify interpretation of the results.     

Evaluating the effectiveness of urban energy conservation and GHG mitigation measures: The case of Xiamen city,China

To assess the effectiveness of urban energy conservation and GHG mitigation measures, a detailed Long-range Energy Alternatives Planning (LEAP) model is developed and applied to analyze the future trends of energy demand and GHG emissions in Xiamen city. Two scenarios have been designed to describe the future energy strategies in relation to the development of Xiamen city. The ‘Business as Usual’ scenario assumes that the government will do nothing to influence the long-term trends of urban energy demand. An ‘Integrated’ scenario, on the other hand, is generated to assess the cumulative impact of a series of available reduction measures: clean energy substitution, industrial energy conservation, combined heat and power generation, energy conservation in building, motor vehicle control, and new and renewable energy development and utilization. The reduction potentials in energy consumption and GHG emissions are estimated for a time span of 2007–2020 under these different scenarios. The calculation results in Xiamen show that the clean energy substitution measure is the most effective in terms of energy saving and GHG emissions mitigation, while the industrial sector has the largest abatement potential.     

PRES 2007: Carbon footprint and emission minimisation,integration and management of energy sources,industrial application and case studies

This editorial introduces and provides an overview of a Special Issue dedicated to the jubilee 10th Conference Process Integration, Modelling and Optimisation for Energy Saving and Pollution Reduction—PRES’07. It contains nine selected papers covering various fields of energy-related most recent developments. The papers deal with carbon footprint (CFP) and CO₂ emissions minimisation during energy generation, integration of fuel cell combined cycles and micro-CHP systems. They are supplemented by studies on power management strategies, gas and liquid fuel burners assessment and two industrial case studies: energy efficiency in pulp and paper Kraft mills and energy saving in reactive distillation.     

Reductions in emissions of local air pollutants and co-benefits of Chinese energy policy: a Shanghai case study

To better understand the reductions in local air pollution that will result from the implementation of current Chinese energy policy, as well as the co-benefit for greenhouse-gas emission reductions, a Shanghai case study was conducted. The MARKAL model was used to forecast energy consumption and emissions of local air pollutants under different energy policy scenarios and also to analyze the associated reductions in CO₂ emissions. The results show that energy policies in Shanghai will significantly reduce SO₂ and PM₁₀ emissions and will also achieve the co-benefit of mitigating the increase of CO₂ emissions. In energy policy scenarios, SO₂ emissions during the period 2000–2020 will maintain the same level as in 2000; and the annual rate of increase of CO₂ emissions will be reduced to 1.1–1.2%, compared with 2.7% under a business-as-usual scenario. The problem for the future will be NO_x emissions, which are projected to increase by 60–70% by 2020, due to expansion of the transportation system.     

多污染热源置换通风的应用与节能

简述了多污染热源置换通风的原理、特性及其与混合通风的比较 ,列举了工程应用实例 ,并对其节能效果进行了分析讨论 ,指出多污染热源置换通风是一种值得推广的通风方式     

Hold your breath: A new index of air pollution

Environmental quality and climate change have been discussed prominently as urgent problems that – due to air pollution – produce severe consequences affecting the everyday life of millions of people. Using a Multiple Indicators Multiple Causes (MIMIC) model, we calculate a new index of air pollution and provide a ranking for 122 countries for every fifth year between 1985 and 2005. The empirical analysis supports the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis and shows a significant influence of determinants such as energy efficiency, industrial production, the electricity produced from coal sources, and demographic transition on air pollution. According to the index, Norway, Switzerland, Japan, Luxembourg, and Iceland are among the top 5 countries in terms of air quality performance. Eritrea, Mozambique, Tajikistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Ethiopia performed worst in 2005.     

扬州市环境污染现状及产业结构调整的研究

分析扬州市工业污染源废水污染物、废气污染物的排放量的行业分布情况,找出扬州市工业污染源排放的行业特点。结合本地区的产业布局,行业的工业产值、排污等情况,找出适合扬州市发展的行业和应限制发展的行业,且适当调整扬州市的产业结构,并提出相应的对策和建议。通过结构调整,提升产业层次,优化产业结构,提高科技含量,提高扬州经济的市场竞争力。     

地方铁路和企业铁路牵引动力的转型

分析了地方铁路企业在牵引动力改造过程中遇到的问题和困难,并提出了建议。     

GIS-based evaluation of multifarious local renewable energy sources: a case study of the Chigu area of southwestern Taiwan

The issue of regulating greenhouse gas emissions of developing countries is one of the main reasons for the US's retreat from ratifying the Kyoto Protocal, and this deserves particular attention in order to ensure that a robust international climate policy exists in the future. Enabling developing countries to move toward low-carbon energy systems would enhance the feasibility for their participation in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. This study evaluates wind, solar, and biomass energy sources in a rural area of Chigu in southwestern Taiwan by means of analyzing technical, economic, environmental, and political implications in order to establish an evaluation model for developing local renewable energy sources. The adopted approach evaluates local potentials of renewable energy sources with the aid of a geographic information system according to actual local conditions, and allows the assessment to consider local potentials and restrictions such as climate conditions, land uses, and ecological environments, thus enabling a more-accurate assessment than is possible with evaluations on an approximate basis. These results may help build a developmental vision for sustainable energy systems based on locally available natural resources, and facilitate a transition of national energy and environmental policies towards sustainability.     

工业炉热风管道的热经济保温层厚度

从寿命经济学观点出发,讨论了工业炉热风管道最佳保温层厚度的问题。结果表明,保温层厚度的确定不仅取决于保温材料的费用,而且取决于换热器的投资费用。     

Heat management in aluminium/air batteries: sources of heat

One of the problems with the aluminium/air battery is the generation of heat, during both idle and discharge periods. The main sources of heat are: (i) corrosion of the aluminium anode during the idle period; (ii) inefficient, or less efficient, dissolution of anode during discharge; (iii) Joule heat during discharge, and (iv) non-uniform mass transfer during both dicharge and idle periods. These components of heat act in a cumulative way because they are all interconnected. This paper addresses the basic reasons for the origin of these sources of heat. Suitable and practical remedial measures for the effective removal of such heat in the aluminium/air battery are suggested.     

Decision support system for exploiting local renewable energy sources: A case study of the Chigu area of southwestern Taiwan

The topic of climate and energy policy has drawn new attention since the Kyoto Protocol has now come into force. It is hoped that strengthened use of renewable energy sources can meet new international environmental requirements and provide self-sufficient domestic energy supplies. The decision support system established in this study integrates potential evaluations, cost analyses, legal incentives, and analysis of returns on investments with the aid of a geographic information system (GIS). This system can provide insights for policymakers into where and the extent of the potentials, for lawmakers into whether the current legal incentives are sufficient to encourage private investment, and for investors into whether investments in exploiting local renewable energy sources are economically feasible. Under the current incentive framework in Taiwan, the amortization periods of investment on renewable energy are generally longer than the period over which the investment is to be recovered. This presents an unfavorable condition for attracting investments to and for developing renewable energy. An increase in remuneration through legal revisions is needed before domestic investment in renewable energy will actively expand.     

A multi-criteria analysis of climate,health and acidification impacts due to greenhouse gases and air pollution—The case of household-level heating technologies

This paper considers the climate, health and acidification impacts associated with household-level heating technologies; the policy-based incentives that current emission limits might create for switching between these technologies; and the societal costs that would arise from the externalities associated with the emissions. The data and selection of appliances are applicable to Finland, but the approach can be used to analyse also other countries with similar environmental policies. The results indicate that none of the assessed technologies outperforms the others in every impact category, and that trade-offs need to be made between the impacts. Two perspectives are used to compare these trade-offs. From a policy point of view, a switch from light oil to any of the studied biomass-based appliances would help to achieve national emission limits for CO₂ and SO₂. However, such a switch could potentially increase the externality costs to the society due to increased population exposure to primary PM_2.5. Based on this, the results suggest that the present emission reduction policies create incentives that can possibly direct decisions toward sub-optimal technology choices.