Pollution from energy supply,conversion and use a review of the U.K. problem

Trends in U.K. consumption of coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear and hydroelectric energy are discussed, and forecasts of use to the year 2000 A.D. are given. More detailed forecasts of fuel use by different sectors to 1985 are presented. Wastes, the resulting pollution and their likely future trends from the following energy sources are reviewed: primary energy — oil treatment, natural gas transhipment, coal production and nuclear and hydroelectric power: secondary energy — electricity generation, coking and gas making: tertiary energy — use of fuels in transport and the domestic sector. Emission forecasts for several air pollutants from all energy sources to 1985 are presented, the pollution and damage arising being discussed. The need for further waste and pollutant monitoring is then debated, and the necessity of continuing to consider environmental protection in energy policy decisions, along with fuel conservation and relative price is stressed.     

Load prediction method for heat and electricity demand in buildings for the purpose of planning for mixed energy distribution systems

Energy planning for mixed energy distribution systems is important to increase the flexibility in the regional and national energy systems. Expected maximum loads, load profiles and yearly energy demands, all divided into heat and electricity purposes, are important input parameters to plan for the most economical, technical and environmental optimal energy distribution system for a planning area. First, this article presents a load prediction method which estimates heat and electricity load profiles for various building categories. The method is based on statistical analyses of hourly simultaneous measured district heat and electricity consumption in several buildings, as well as background information of the measured buildings. The heat load model is based on regression analyses, whereas the electricity load model is based on various statistical distributions. Second, a method for load aggregation based on the building categories’ load profiles is presented to estimate the maximum load demands, yearly load profiles, load duration profiles and yearly energy demands, all divided into heat and electricity purposes, for a planning area.     

Discovering residential electricity consumption patterns through smart-meter data mining: A case study from China

With the increasing penetration of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in energy systems, traditional energy systems are being digitized. Advanced analysis of the energy production and consumption data and data-driven decision support can be combined to promote the formation and development of smart energy systems. Smart grids are a specific application of smart energy systems. Different electricity consumption patterns of residential users can be discovered and extracted by clustering analysis of the electricity consumption data collected by smart meters and other data acquisition terminals in a smart grid. This research explores daily electricity consumption patterns of low-voltage residential users in China. The service architecture of smart power use and the structure of electric energy data acquisition system of the State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) are introduced and a process model for mining daily electricity consumption data is presented. The analysis is based on the fuzzy c-means (FCM) clustering method and a fuzzy cluster validity index (PBMF). A case study of Kunshan City, Jiangsu Province, China is presented, using the daily electricity consumption data of 1312 low-voltage users within a month.     

光伏墙BAPV系统经济性及环境效益分析

研究对象为上海地区高层建筑的并网光伏墙发电系统,系统为BAPV形式,以经济性和环境效益作为主要评价指标对系统进行分析。分析结果表明:光伏墙BAPV系统在国家和上海市的政策补贴下具有较佳的经济性,投资回收期为14年,单位净现值为3.90元/Wp,总投资回报率为45.3%;与传统煤炭电力系统相比共减少23 513.1 kg环境污染物的排放,相当于价值2 841.6元的环境减排效益,十分可观。若不考虑现有政府的政策扶持,就光伏发电成本本身依然过高,不利于光伏发电的推广和普及。     

Constructing load profiles for household electricity and hot water from time-use data—Modelling approach and validation

Time-use data, describing in detail the everyday life of household members as high-resolved activity sequences, have a largely unrealized potential of contributing to domestic energy demand modelling. A model for computation of daily electricity and hot-water demand profiles from time-use data was developed, using simple conversion schemes, mean appliance and water-tap data and general daylight availability distributions. Validation against detailed, end-use specific electricity measurements in a small sample of households reveals that the model for household electricity reproduces hourly load patterns with preservation of important qualitative features. The output from the model, when applied to a large data set of time use in Sweden, also shows correspondence to aggregate profiles for both household electricity and hot water from recent Swedish measurement surveys. Deviations on individual household level are predominantly due to occasionally ill-reported time-use data and on aggregate population level due to slightly non-representative samples. Future uses and developments are identified and it is suggested that modelling energy use from time-use data could be an alternative, or a complement, to energy demand measurements in households.     

Priorities for tariff compensation of distributed electricity generation in Brazil

The economic, financial, environmental, social, and regulatory impacts of distributed generation influence energy policymaking. In 2012, Brazilian National Electricity Regulation Agency issued Normative Resolution 482/2012 to regulate the access and compensation of energy produced by micro-generation and mini-generation distributed to electric energy distribution systems. The paper aims to contextualize the history of the Brazilian electricity industry and its focus on centralization to demonstrate the need for expanding decentralized (distributed) generation. It is expected to contribute to the discussion about the decentralization of the natural monopoly from the expansion of distributed energy generation and its regulation. It is also expected to contribute to the discussion on the compensation of distributed generation in the electricity tariff in Brazil considering the regulatory basis/update and additional aspects like prosumer as a new player in the electricity market, diversification of renewable sources in the energy and in the electricity matrix, financing of investments in distributed generation, electricity supply versus GDP growth, and security of electricity supply to the country.     

生物质能电厂燃料供应设计案例分析

采用养殖企业生产过程产生的鸡粪与稻壳混合物作为生物质能电厂的燃料,结合燃料特性和相关电厂燃料供应设计的成熟经验,既可解决鸡粪露天储存带来的环境污染问题,同时将生物质能转变成电能,实现变废为宝.     

发展冷热电联产合理利用天然气

随着东海天然气的进入及“西气东输”工程的建设,对上海的燃气应用领域提出新课题：提高一次能源的综合利用率。冷热电联产在合理配置能源资源的基础上可减少大气污染、缓解季节性用电高峰、节约电力的基建投资。作者认为上海具有合理规划的能源结构、理想的气源供应结构、可靠的输气管网系统、多元化的市场需求等特点,应积极地发展以天然气为燃料的冷热电联产。     

Energy and exergy analysis of prosumers in hybrid energy grids

Surplus energy can be a recurrent phenomenon in zero-energy buildings (ZEBs) with onsite generation systems, usually resulting in the export of excess electricity. Yet, converting electricity into heat and exporting it could improve the overall energy balance. This study analyses the energy and exergy performance of a Finnish nearly zero-energy building (nZEB) as a heat and electricity prosumer, and proposes alternative energy topologies to improve energy and exergy levels, primary energy demand and CO₂ emissions. The results show that increasing the installed capacity of the photovoltaic systems would lead to zero energy, exergy, emissions and a balance of primary energy. However, by instead using the surplus electricity to drive a heat pump and export heat, the currently installed capacity would lead to a net energy export of over 4000?kWh/a. Thus, energy conversion could significantly enhance the contribution from heat and electricity prosumers to smart energy grids, though not without affecting other criteria. Two management strategies arise: favouring heat export improves the net energy and CO₂ emissions reduction but lessens the net exergy, while favouring electricity export improves the net exergy and primary energy reduction. The findings highlight that energy conversion can enhance nZEB performance and its exchange with hybrid grids.     

“紧凑住区”：中国未来城郊住宅可持续发展的方向？

在住宅建设的过程中节约用地是城市可持续发展的要求。住房改革后,大量城郊住宅的发展伴随着城市边缘地区和近郊区农业和生态用地的大量流失。因此,探讨未来中国城郊住宅可持续发展的方向成为设计和规划领域的重要问题。本文探讨了“密集型住宅小区”在节约住宅用地和改善小区居住环境方面的表现,并建立了定量分析的系统模型对住宅小区空间密集程度和它对小区居住环境的影响进行分析。通过对广州的三个住宅小区的具体研究,本文初步判断增加小区的密集程度确实可以带来小区在整体环境上的一些改善。     

Concentrated solar energy in materials processing

Solar energy, which is available in abundant in nature, is least utilised. As per primary energy product, solar energy conversion can be of three different ways: solar fuels, solar electricity, and solar thermal systems. These three approaches are presently not being fully utilised. Concentrated solar energy (CSE) is an alternative to other types of energy for modifying the surfaces of metallic materials. Attempt has been made to overview the current status of CSE in materials processing technology. In this paper, applications of CSE through solar furnace and Fresnel lens for hardening, coatings, sintering, nitriding, synthesis and welding are discussed.     

Assessing energy-saving measures in buildings through an intelligent decision support model

Indeed, in the recent years, important efforts in applying energy management processes have been focused on the building sector, which demonstrates the increasing energy intensity and energy consumption indexes. The role of the building energy management systems (BEMS) is known and significant in this respect, for the management of the daily energy operations of a typical building. Effective energy management however requires the use of tools and methodologies that support the strategic decision making process of selecting energy saving measures, which are viable and environmental friendly. The aim of this paper is the presentation of an innovative intelligent decision support model for the identification of the need for intervention and further evaluation of energy saving measures in a typical existing building, based on the systematic incorporation of BEMS data (loads, demands and user requirements). The operation of the model is supportive to the decision makers authorized with the energy-efficient performance of the building and responsible for its management (energy auditors and building administration). In addition, the corresponding computerized decision support system and the appraisal of its pilot application to a typical existing office building in Athens, Greece, are presented and discussed.     

大型冷库余热余压利用方案比较

为了节约能源,降低用电量,充分利用发电厂余热,对浙江某1万吨冷库进行了分别用工业汽轮机替代电机拖动压缩机和汽轮发电机发电的技术改造分析.这些大量的余热若能合理的充分利用,将节约大量的能源和减少环境污染,企业的生产成本也将大为降低.     

Validity of decision criteria for selecting power-to-gas projects in Poland

Renewable energy sources ultimately intend to become the only power source in modern economies. In the coming years, new generation systems based on renewable energy sources (RESs), new energy transmission systems, and new management systems will be introduced for the electricity and gas sectors. As RESs work irregularly, proper management is crucial for the reliable operation of the electrical grid. Their utility will depend mainly on energy storage capacity. Power-to-gas (P2G) technology, where electrical energy is converted into, e.g., hydrogen or methane, will become an essential solution. The forthcoming transformation will require substantial financial and technical investments. Decision-makers should consider many factors (e.g., social responsibility, location, distance from gas and electrical grids, and solar and wind resources). The implementation of individual projects should be carried out carefully. Poorly planned projects work inefficiently in terms of costs and technical aspects. This paper aims to identify the conditions necessary for implementing P2G projects. Multi-Criteria approaches based on chosen benchmarks can help to select optimal P2G projects.In the paper, the weights of the proposed decision criteria, such as investment cost, investment return time, substrate resources, environmental attraction and social acceptance, were determined based on the stakeholder surveys using the chosen elements of the Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP) method. The proposed approach allows considering differing viewpoints and establishing the validity of each of them indirectly. The applied approach based on the AHP method, the validity of technical, economic and environmental criteria was determined based on both the preferences of experts in the field of energy and transportation as well as the energy end-users. As a result of the analysis, two dominant factors were selected: access to substrates and economic efficiency - meaning that a deep analysis of substrates resources should precede the work on P2G projects.     

On a group utility function for siting a nuclear power plant

A method of group decision making for selecting the optimum location for a nuclear power plant is considered. A concept of convex dependence among three decision makers, an electric power company, the users of electricity, and the population of the region is described using a hypothetical problem. It is shown that convex dependence would play an important role in the group decision or the society's decision, since by using this concept it is possible to describe the different preference structure of each decision maker which depends on the utility level (degree of satisfaction) of the other decision makers.     

An Open Architecture for Environmental Decision Support

Abstract: A class of environmental information systems, called environmental decision support systems, is defined. The requirements for such systems are elaborated, and a software architecture that supports these requirements is developed. This architecture is then illustrated through the example of the Sandia Environmental Decision Support System (SEDSS). The SEDSS is a family of workstation applications based on the architecture developed by AT&T Bell Laboratories and prototyped in collaboration with the Environmental Restoration Organization of Sandia National Laboratories. Sharing a common user interface philosophy and software architecture, the members of the SEDSS family are designed to facilitate human decision making with respect to the hydrologic aspects of hazardous waste management. In order to achieve these objectives, the SEDSS family integrates geographic information systems, hydrologic models, Monte Carlo simulation, and a highly interactive graphical user interface, into a coherent software system based on the X Window System.
This architecture is currently being applied to such similar environmental management problems as well-head protection area analysis, in addition to nongroundwater problems such as coastal fisheries management. Applied research in environmental decision support systems continues in the areas of uncertainty management, treatment of qualitative parameters, and the human factors of environmental decision making.     

Economic and environmental evaluation of micro CHP systems with different operating modes for residential buildings in Japan

The growing worldwide demand for less polluting forms of energy has led to a renewed interest in the use of micro combined heat and power (CHP) technologies in the residential sector. The operation of micro CHP system results in simultaneous production of heat and power in a single household based on small energy conversion units. The heat produced may be used for space and water heating and possibly for cooling load if combined with an absorption chiller, the electricity is used within the house.In this paper, two typical micro CHP alternatives, namely, gas engine and fuel cell for residential buildings, are analyzed. For each facility, two different operating modes including minimum-cost operation and minimum-emission operation are taken into consideration by employing a plan and evaluation model for residential micro CHP systems. The analysis results show that the fuel cell system is recognized as a better option for the examined residential building from both economic and environmental points of view. With the operation considering optimal economic benefits, annual energy cost is reduced by about 26%. On the other hand, while maximizing the environmental merits, annual CO₂ emissions are reduced by about 9%.     

An exergy application for analysis of buildings and HVAC systems

The paper presents an extended method for exergy analysis of buildings and Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems, according to an energy demand build-up model from the building side to the energy supply side. The HVAC systems comprise a thermal energy emission and control system, a thermal distribution system, an electricity distribution system and an energy conversion system. Energy and exergy that are required by a building and a HVAC system are posed into the external part and classified by different forms of energy carriers. The external part is out of the boundary of the study. The method is illustrated with an office building equipped with low-temperature heating and high-temperature cooling systems situated in the Netherlands. Thermal exergy and thermal energy demands of the building and thermal energy and thermal exergy losses occurring in the HVAC systems are discussed. The building and the HVAC systems to be considered meet standard Dutch energy performance regulations. Nevertheless their overall exergy efficiencies are low in both cases (17.15% and 6.81% subsequently). The exergy analysis also pinpoints that the thermal energy emission and control system and the energy conversion system are the main causes of the exergy inefficiencies in the heating and cooling cases, respectively.     

Engineering development and environmental law

The legal regulation of processes that affect the environment has been influenced by engineering development and vice versa. Three specific aspects of environmental law are identified where engineering development, primarily in the field of nuclear energy, has led to the implementation of formal regulation through environmental law. Firstly, the author deals with the decision making process to determine whether a project should proceed and how it should be developed, i.e. the feasibility study. Secondly, the author discusses the licensing of processes that are potential environmental polluters. The third discussed area is the concept of optimisation-achieving the lowest reasonably practicable release or exposure to a hazardous substance     

Cost-effectiveness of solar thermal and electrical energy production

Solar electricity and also solar thermal energy at moderate temperatures, typically 80 to 90°C, can be used for operating systems to provide cooling and water desalination. We analyze the techno-economic viability of converting solar energy to thermal or electrical form.

The analysis shows that, when compared with the conventional process of electricity production, the conversion of solar energy to electrical form is highly uneconomical. On the other hand, conversion of solar energy to thermal form can compete with oil based thermal energy production.