The implications of Australia’s carbon pollution reduction scheme for its National Electricity Market

This paper assesses the major implications for the National Electricity Market of the introduction of a domestic cap-and-trade carbon pollution reduction scheme in Australia. The electricity sector is the largest source of emissions in the Australian economy, and it is this sector, therefore, that will bear the brunt of the impact of the proposed scheme. The paper addresses core issues for the electricity market up to 2020 operating under the scheme. It focuses specifically on its impact on electricity prices and generation technology mix. These two variables have been assessed using a number of models, each applying different assumptions about key impact factors. In this paper we present a comparative summary of the results of the three highest-profile models and compare their assumptions in order to explain differences in projected outcomes. This comparison will give an indication of the likely range of impacts on the market of the current design of the scheme.     

Renewable energy sources in European energy supply and interactions with emission trading

This paper presents a model-based approach, which allows to determine the optimised structure and operation of the EU-15 electricity supply under different political and economic framework conditions, with a focus on the integration of renewable energy sources for electricity generation (RES-E) in the EU-15 countries. The approach is designed to take into account the characteristics of power production from both renewable and conventional sources, including the technological and economic characteristics of existing plants as well as those of future capacity expansion options. Beyond that, fuel supply structures are modelled, as well as the international markets for power and CO₂-certificates with their restrictions. Thus, a profound evaluation of the exploitation of mid-term renewable potentials and an assessment of the market penetration of the various renewable power generation technologies under the (normative) premise of a cost-optimised evolution of the power system becomes possible. Results show that a promotion of renewable energies reduces the scarcity of CO₂-emission allowances and thus lowers marginal costs of CO₂ reduction up to 30% in 2030. Despite the higher overall costs, a diversification of the energy resource base by RES-E use is observed, as primarily natural gas and nuclear fuels are replaced.     

Scenario analysis on CO2 emissions reduction potential in China''s electricity sector

With the approach of the year 2012, a new round of international negotiations has energized the entire climate change community. With this, analyses on sector-based emissions reduction and mitigation options will provide the necessary information to form the debate. In order to assess the CO₂ emissions reduction potential of China's electricity sector, this research employs three scenarios based on the “long-range energy alternative planning system” (LEAP) model to simulate the different development paths in this sector. The baseline scenario, the current policy scenario, and the new policy scenario seek to gradually increase the extent of industrial restructuring and technical advancement. Results imply that energy consumption and CO₂ emission in China's electricity sector will rise rapidly in all scenarios until 2030—triple or quadruple the 2000 level; however, through structural adjustment in China's electricity sector, and through implementing technical mitigation measures, various degrees of abatement can be achieved. These reductions range from 85 to 350 million tons CO₂ per year—figures that correspond to different degrees of cost and investment. Demand side management and circulating fluidized bed combustion (CFBC) (ranked in order) are employed prior to use to realize emissions reduction, followed by supercritical plants and the renovation of conventional thermal power plants. In the long term, nuclear and hydropower will play the dominant role in contributing to emissions reduction. It is also suggested that a “self-restraint” reduction commitment should be employed to help contribute to the reduction of emission intensity, an avenue that is more practical for China in light of its current development phase. Setting the year 2000 as the base year, the intensity reduction target could possibly range from 4.2% to 19.4%, dependent on the implementation effectiveness of various mitigation options.     

When renewable portfolio standards meet cap-and-trade regulations in the electricity sector: Market interactions,profits implications,and policy redundancy

Emission trading programs (C&T) and renewable portfolio standards (RPS) are two common tools used by policymakers to control GHG emissions in the energy and other energy-intensive sectors. Little is known, however, as to the policy implications resulting from these concurrent regulations, especially given that their underlying policy goals and regulatory schemes are distinct. This paper applies both an analytical model and a computational model to examine the short-run implications of market interactions and policy redundancy. The analytical model is used to generate contestable hypotheses, while the numerical model is applied to consider more realistic market conditions. We have two central findings. First, lowering the CO₂ C&T cap might penalize renewable units, and increasing the RPS level could sometimes benefit coal and oil and make natural gas units worse off. Second, making one policy more stringent would weaken the market incentive, which the other policy relies upon to attain its intended policy target.     

Performance analysis of solar ethanol distillation

Continuous solar ethanol distillation systems having flat-plate and evacuated heat pipe solar collectors are constructed to study their performances and economic viability. The mathematical model of each main component is carried out and the system simulation is developed. The simulated outputs express a reasonable agreement with the experimental results within 14% accuracy. From the simulation, start up with 10% alcohol concentration, the production cost of 80% alcohol concentration from the distillation system of which the yield at 12,500 l/year is evaluated. With the economic analysis, the results show that the use of solar distillation systems appear to be economical compared to the conventional distillation system using fuel oil as heat source. The minimum production cost of the system is 0.39 US$/l.     

Hydrogen production from ethanol decomposition by microwave plasma TIAGO torch

This paper describes the study of molecular hydrogen production from ethanol decomposition by argon microwave TIAGO discharge in air ambiance at atmospheric pressure. In order to estimate the influence of the experimental conditions on the hydrogen production, a wide range of Ar flows, input powers and ethanol flows were tested. The simultaneous use of emission spectroscopy and mass spectrometry techniques allowed us to gain knowledge about the mechanisms which lead to the obtaining of hydrogen and other by-products (C₂H₂, C(s) …) at the plasma exit. Results showed a great capability of TIAGO discharges to withstand ethanol introduction as well as an almost complete ethanol decomposition (higher than 99.6%) with high hydrogen selectivity; argon and ethanol flows were found to be the key parameters in the by-products formation.     

Surface technologies 2006—Alternative energies and policy options

Surfaces are the immediate contact between anything in our world. Literally, every industry utilizes coatings and surface modifications in order to create surfaces tailored to specific needs, protect underlying substrates, or modify their behavior. Surface and coating technologies are essential to a large variety of different industrial sectors, including transportation, manufacturing, food and biomedical engineering, energy, resources, and materials science and technology. The present paper explains the limitations for alternative energy technologies, with a focus on fuel cell technology development and the alternative energy sector, based on the outcomes of presentations and facilitated discussion groups during a Canadian national workshop series. Options for technological improvements of alternative energy systems are presented in combination with national and international policy choices, which could positively influence research and development in the alternative energy sector.     

Exhaust emissions and electric energy generation in a stationary engine using blends of diesel and soybean biodiesel

The present work describes an experimental investigation concerning the electric energy generation using blends of diesel and soybean biodiesel. The soybean biodiesel was produced by a transesterification process of the soybean oil using methanol in the presence of a catalyst (KOH). The properties (density, flash point, viscosity, pour point, cetane index, copper strip corrosion, conradson carbon residue and ash content) of the diesel and soybean biodiesel were determined. The exhaust emissions of gases (CO, CO₂,C_xH_y,O₂, NO, NO_x and SO₂) were also measured. The results show that for all the mixtures tested, the electric energy generation was assured without problems. It has also been observed that the emissions of CO, C_xH_y and SO₂ decrease in the case of diesel–soybean biodiesel blends. The temperatures of the exhaust gases and the emissions of NO and NO_x are similar to or less than those of diesel.     

A study on the effect of hydrogen enriched intake air on the characteristics of a diesel engine fueled with ethanol blended diesel

This work aims to replace conventional diesel fuel with low and no carbon fuels like ethanol and hydrogen to reduce the harmful emission that causes environmental degradation. Pursuant to this objective, this study investigated the performance, combustion, and emission characteristics of the diesel engine operated on dual fuel mode by ethanol-diesel blends with H₂ enriched intake air at different engine loads with a constant engine speed of 1500 rpm. The results were compared to sole diesel operation with and without H₂ enrichment. The ethanol/diesel was blended in v/v ratios of 5, 10, and 15% and tested in a diesel engine along with a 9 lpm H₂ flow rate at the intake manifold. The results revealed that 10% ethanol with 9 lpm H₂ combination gives the maximum brake thermal efficiency, which is 1% and 4.8% higher than diesel with and without H₂ enrichment, respectively. The brake specific fuel consumption of the diesel-ethanol blends with H₂ flow increased with increasing ethanol ratio in the blend. When the ethanol ratio increased from 5 to 10%, in-cylinder pressure and heat release rate were increased, whereas HC, CO, and NO_x emissions were decreased. At maximum load, the CO and HC emission of 10% ethanol blend with 9 lpm H₂ case decreased by about 50% and 28.7% compared to sole diesel. However, NO_x emission of the same blend was 11.4% higher than diesel. From the results, the study concludes that 10% ethanol blended diesel with a 9 lpm H₂ flow rate at the intake port is the best dual-fuel mode combination that gives the best engine characteristics with maximum diesel replacement.     

Experimental and theoretical investigation of using gasoline–ethanol blends in spark-ignition engines

The effects of ethanol addition to gasoline on an SI engine performance and exhaust emissions are investigated experimentally and theoretically. In the theoretical study, a quasi-dimensional SI engine cycle model, which was firstly developed for gasoline-fueled SI engines by author, has been adapted for SI engines running on gasoline–ethanol blends. Experimental applications have been carried out with the blends containing 1.5, 3, 4.5, 6, 7.5, 9, 10.5 and 12 vol% ethanol. Numerical applications have been performed up to 21 vol% ethanol. Engine was operated with each blend at 1500 rpm for compression ratios of 7.75 and 8.25 and at full throttle setting. Results obtained from both theoretical and experimental studies are compared graphically. Experimental results have shown that among the various blends, the blend of 7.5% ethanol was the most suitable one from the engine performance and CO emissions points of view. However, theoretical comparisons have shown that the blend containing 16.5% ethanol was the most suited blend for SI engines. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the proposed SI engine cycle model has an ability of computing SI engine cycles when using ethanol and ethanol–gasoline blends and it can be used for further extensive parametric studies.     

液化石油气(LPG)--柴油双燃料发动机的试验研究

用一种独特的方法,对液化石油气-柴油双燃料发动机进行了研究。试验结果表明,液化石油气-柴油双燃料发动机可得到与柴油机相类似的性能。控制废气再循环和低负荷时切断液化石油气供应是降低排放的一个较好方法。     

Market penetration analysis of the use of hydrogen in the road transport sector of the Madrid region,using MARKAL

Nobody can doubt today that hydrogen will, in the not-too-distant future, represent a very significant percentage of the total energy used by the transport sector. This study therefore consists of the modelling and simulation of energy consumption, by type of vehicle and fuel or energetic vector, in the road transport sector of the Madrid Region, during the period 2010–2050, using the MARKAL model. It has been necessary to complete this model by adding numerous specifications in order to determine the features of the Madrid Region, the richest Region in Spain. For the purpose of the study, three growth scenarios, based on short-term energy forecasts made by different official organizations, have been proposed for the energy consumption of the road transport sector in the Region. The results show a profound change in the current situation as there is a significant decrease in the consumption of fossil fuels and an increase in that of alternative non-fossil fuels and hydrogen. The latter, in particular, will rise from 0.1% in the year 2010, to around 50% in the year 2050, which will mean a drastic drop in the sector's CO₂ and atmospheric pollutant emissions.     

The fundamentals of the future international emissions trading system

The study aims to analyze the sectoral marginal abatements cost curves for a number of EU countries as well as to examine the efficiency aspects and the economic impacts for the major sectors of the ETS under different carbon market configurations in 2010 and 2020. To produce a consistent and realistic assessment, we employ sources such as GHG National Inventories, NAPs and POLES world energy model to constitute the sectoral base year and 2010, 2020 emission levels in different countries and regions. We then use the market analysis tool ASPEN, which enables to derive supply and demand from sectoral MACCs produced with the POLES model, and to evaluate the economic impacts on the carbon market participants. The paper shows that, in compliance with the Kyoto targets, the benefits of an enlarged carbon market are significant, since more than 50% of the abatement in the short term have to be achieved in ETS sectors, which may indeed use CDM or JI credits. A second major conclusion is that in 2020 the new flexibility margins provided by the adjustment of investments in new capacities compensate for the increase in pressure towards stronger emission reductions. This reduces the relative importance of the enlarged carbon market.     

Resource-effective systems achieved through changes in energy supply and industrial use: The Volvo–Skövde case

The result presented in this paper shows that the Volvo plant can decrease its electricity use by 44% by making the use of electricity more efficient and converting from oil and electricity to district heating for hot tap-water, space heating and cooling. The increased demand of district heating makes investing in a new planned CHP and cooperation between the Volvo plant and the local energy utility production cost fall by 46% at current unit electricity price and by 64% when calculating with a European unit electricity price and investment in an optimised CHP system instead of the planned plant. The study furthermore shows that the global emissions of the greenhouse gas carbon-dioxide will be reduced by 350% a year if the two energy-supply measures are taken and the electricity unit prices are at a European level.     

A risk management approach to the economic and environmental strategic design of ethanol supply chains

A general Mixed Integer Linear Programming modelling framework supporting strategic design and planning decisions for multi-period and multi-echelon ethanol supply chains is developed and implemented. Multiple biomass and technology options involving both first and second generation production are addressed for paving the way towards sustainable and feasible energy infrastructures. The ethanol supply chain is optimised according to a comprehensive mathematical framework where multiple decision criteria are simultaneously considered in an uncertain market scenario. In particular, the economic and environmental performances are both optimised also considering the decision makers' risk mitigation preferences. Carbon cost emissions allowances trading scheme, crop management and technology learning issues are encompassed, too. A demonstrative case study is proposed involving the potential future Italian biomass-based ethanol production. Results show the effectiveness of the modelling framework as a decision making-tool to steer decisions and investments in the long term horizon among different ethanol fuel configurations.     

Reforming the Energy Market and Utilization of Electrical Energy

The main objective of the present study is to provide an overview of reforming the Turkish energy market, including the electricity production and consumption values of Turkey and restructuring in the eight European Union countries. Turkey's electricity demand has been growing very rapidly. It has increased from about 47 TWh in 1990 to some 142 TWh in 2003, and it is expected to continue for the foreseeable future. Besides this, Turkey's total electricity capacity increased from 16,318 MW in 1990 to 31,846 MW in 2002. Restructuring of the electricity sector in the country has started with the establishment of the Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EMRA) upon the law (no. 4628) that came into force on March 3, 2001. The Energy Market Regulatory Board, which runs the EMRA, was commissioned on November 19, 2001. In May 2002, the EMRA issued drafts of the Energy Market Licensing Regulation and the Electricity Market Tariffs Regulation, and these regulations went into effect in August 2002. The Electricity Market Implementation Manual was also issued by the EMRA in April 2003. At present, not only the electricity sector, but the whole Turkish energy sector is in a dynamic change.     

用扩散及准均质混合气压燃的组合燃烧降低柴油机碳烟与NOx排放的研究

在柴油机的一部分工况采用现有的扩散燃烧方式，另一部分工况采用柴油引燃醇燃料均质混合气的组合燃烧方式，利用醇燃料的高汽化潜热和含氧的特性，达到同时降低柴油机碳烟及氮氧化物(NOχ)的目的，并且避免在小负荷燃烧醇燃料带来的高醛类排放问题。在一台4缸水冷直喷式发动机上采用上述组合燃烧法进行试验，从发动机进气管处喷进乙醇形成均质混合气，然后由柴油引燃。由电控装置控制乙醇喷入量及其喷入时刻。试验结果表明，与原机相比，碳烟和NOχ排放分别减少了50％和30％，同时燃料的消耗率也有大幅度降低。     

Evaluation the potential economic impacts of Taiwanese biomass energy production

The Taiwanese rice paddy land set-aside program diverts a substantial land area. Given today’s high energy prices and interests in energy security, that set-aside area could be converted to produce bioenergy feedstocks. This study evaluates the economic and environmental impacts of such a policy change using a Taiwanese agricultural sector model. The results show that such a strategy provides increased farm revenue, increased rural employment, increased energy sufficiency and reduced greenhouse gas emissions but also increased government expenditures. These outcomes indicate that the agricultural sector could play a positive role by producing renewable energy.     

进气预混乙醇降低柴油机碳烟与NOx排放的试验研究

通过开发的控制系统在485QDI发动机上研究了不同喷嘴、不同喷油定时、不同喷醇的起点对发动机碳烟、NOx排放和经济性的影响。经过优化供油参数和喷醇起点的喷醇发动机与原柴油机进行的对比试验,证明采用进气预混乙醇发动机在碳烟、NOx排放明显优于原柴油机,经济性也好于原柴油机,并在柴油机燃用可再生的含氧燃料方面做了很多有益的探索。