Integrated resource strategic planning: Case study of energy efficiency in the Chinese power sector

In the last quarter of the 20th century, many power companies used the integrated resource planning (IRP) approach in power expansion planning. Today, very few power companies use this approach because of the split between the power generation and distribution activities. It seems that, in some countries, long-term power system expansion planning has become a task of the central government. To help the government in this area, this paper proposes a new approach called the integrated resource strategic planning (IRSP). When combined with a smart grid, this approach can replace the IRP for the government’s power sector expansion. This paper introduces the necessity and possibility of using this new approach, presents a framework on how to use the approach, and justifies the effectiveness of this approach against the traditional power planning approach, with a case study in China. This paper concludes that if China follows the IRSP approach, it may be able to avoid or postpone up to 69 GW of power generation in the period 2009–2015. These measures could help mitigate 201.8 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂), 0.816 million tons of sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and 0.946 million tons of nitrogen oxide (NO_x).     

Decomposition analysis of energy consumption in Chinese transportation sector

The purpose of this paper is to identify the relations between transportation energy consumption and its impacted factors. We first analyze the current status of transportation energy consumption in China. Then, the logarithmic mean Divisia index (LMDI) technique is used to find the nature of the factors those influence the changes in transportation energy consumption. We find that: (1) In 2006, the transportation energy consumption increased by 7.63 times against that in 1980. (2) Up to 2006, the oil consumed by transportation accounted for 49.6% of that in the whole country, which almost equaled to the net oil import. (3) In the light of the increasing energy consumption intensity, the energy-utilization effectiveness of transportation sector has been declining gradually. (4) The transportation activity effect is the most important contributor to increase energy consumption in the transportation sector and the energy intensity effect plays the dominant role in decreasing energy consumption.     

An estimation of the energy and exergy efficiencies for the energy resources consumption in the transportation sector in Malaysia

The purpose of this work is to apply the useful energy and exergy analysis models for different modes of transport in Malaysia and to compare the result with a few countries. In this paper, energy and exergy efficiencies of the various sub-sectors are presented by considering the energy and exergy flows from 1995 to 2003. Respective flow diagrams to find the overall energy and exergy efficiencies of Malaysian transportation sector are also presented. The estimated overall energy efficiency ranges from 22.74% (1999) to 22.98% (1998) with a mean of 22.82±0.06%$22.82\pm 0.06\%$ and that of overall exergy efficiency ranges from 22.44% (2000) to 22.82% (1998) with a mean of 22.55±0.12%$22.55\pm 0.12\%$. The results are compared with respect to present energy and exergy efficiencies in each sub-sector. The transportation sector used about 40% of the total energy consumed in 2002. Therefore, it is important to identify the energy and exergy flows and the pertinent losses. The road sub-sector has appeared to be the most efficient one compared to the air and marine sub-sectors. Also found that the energy and exergy efficiencies of Malaysian transportation sector are lower than that of Turkey but higher than Norway.     

Stagnating energy efficiency in the Swedish building sector—Economic and organisational explanations

The development towards higher energy efficiency in the Swedish building sector stagnated in the late 1980s and 1990s. In new buildings the average specific energy use for heating is twice as high as in the best performing buildings 20 years ago. By combining econometric studies and interviews with actors in the building sector we analyse the underlying economic and organisational causes for this development. In the stock of buildings, specific energy use for heating (kWh/m²/yr) has a high correlation with increasing energy prices and price elasticities have not changed markedly over time. This implies that the stagnation to a large extent can be explained by energy price trends. On the contrary, in new buildings the correlation between energy prices and specific energy use is much weaker. One important cause of low sensitivity to price changes is that information about the life cycle cost (LCC) of different investment alternatives is often not available to the involved actors. The most common investment criterion is instead the requirements of the national building energy standard which has developed into a norm rather than a minimum for energy performance. In this paper we also discuss potential improvements in the learning processes within the sector.     

Hydrogen utilization in various transportation modes with emissions comparisons for Ontario, Canada

The paper compares the atmospheric emissions of different hydrogen production scenarios for various transportation modes in a case study for Ontario, Canada. Hydrogen demand scenarios are based on historical data of the various transportation modes. Predicting the CO₂ emissions for a market with hydrogen vehicles against a purely fossil fuel market outlines the benefits of utilizing hydrogen. For road vehicles less than 4,500 kg in weight, emissions from a thermochemical production fraction of 20% produced a 9.8% decrease in CO₂ emissions (or over 3,000 kilotonnes), compared to a 100% fossil fuel market. When these studies are applied to other transportation modes such as rail, air and marine, similar trends are observed. The largest benefits occur from automobiles and rail, where increasing carbon emission trends were reversed due to the increasing hydrogen propulsion base. Further decreases in carbon dioxide emissions could be realized by lower emitting production sources such as nuclear thermochemical production and electrolysis from wind, solar, and hydro.     

Residential demand for energy commodities : A household production function approach

This paper formulates a demand model for energy commodities using a household production function approach. The model is stated in a utility maximization framework where utility is assumed to be a function of two composite commodities directly yielding utility. Electricity and natural gas are used as inputs along with a capital stock to produce one of the utility-yielding commodities. The other utility-yielding commodity is assumed to be produced with two non-energy goods and capital stock which are purchased on the market. The Kuhn-Tucker conditions are then used to characterize the optimal time paths for input purchases and investments by the household.     

The role of hydrogen in the road transportation sector for a sustainable energy system: A case study of Korea

This study analyzes the impact of the introduction of hydrogen as fuel in the road transportation sector of Korea. Since this sector is completely dependent on petroleum and alternative technologies such as fuel cell vehicles, hydrogen is one alternative fuel that could meet the challenges that Korea is facing due to rising oil prices. This study uses a scenarios-based energy economic model including the hydrogen path way as a sub-energy system to explore the energy system of Korea through 2044. This study also constructs six scenarios consisting of three government policies concerning carbon dioxide reduction and two oil price scenarios in order to assess the impact on hydrogen as fuel in the road transportation sector. The results of this study show that in a particular case (high Btu tax and oil prices) the share of hydrogen would reach 76% of the road transportation sector, and hydrogen would be produced mainly from renewable and nuclear resources via electrolysis facilities. It is also revealed that hydrogen is effective at reducing carbon dioxide, improving energy efficiency and contributing to the energy security of Korea.     

A pre-feasibility case study on integrated resource planning including renewables

In recent years, economical and environmental constraints force governments and energy policy decision-makers to change the prominent characteristics of the electricity markets. Accordingly, depending on local conditions on the demand side, usage of integrated resource planning approaches in conjunction with renewable technologies has gained more importance. In this respect, an integrated resource planning option, which includes the design and optimization of grid-connected renewable energy plants, should be evaluated to facilitate a cost-effective and green solution to a sustainable future.     

A GIS-based stand management system for estimating local energy wood supplies

A GIS-based system for decision support in wood procurement management was developed in order to identify energy wood harvesting alternatives during the integrated planning of harvesting operations. The system uses the information content of existing stand databases and an estimation method which is based on three major modules: i) modelling of energy wood volumes, ii) modelling of costs of haulage to the roadside and road transportation, and iii) economical allocation analysis of material flows. An application of this technology demonstrates how estimation of the total potential of residuals for local energy use can be integrated into wood procurement planning in Finland. Three experiments were prepared for testing this application. Based on the thinning regulations laid down by the Finnish national forest management organization Tapio, wood harvesting on permanent sample plots was simulated by two alternative procedures, one based on the empirical diameter distribution and the other on a theoretical Weibull distribution derived from the mean variables. The effects of these procedures on the extent of the residual energy wood potential were investigated. The third test compared this system with another system often used in Finland. The experimental results suggest that the theoretical distribution produces unreliable estimates in the case of untreated or young stands. Furthermore, the conventional system underestimates the potential of the residual energy wood. The implications of these results for improving the strategic planning of energy wood procurement in Finland are discussed.     

Micro-level energy planning in India—A case study of bangalore north Taluk

Demand for energy in India is constantly on the rise and the conventional supply options available have failed to cope with this increase. The emergence of efficiency improvement, carrier substitution and renewable energy as alternative sources of energy supply, make adherence only to macro-level energy planning unrealistic. A micro-level (district/taluk) energy planning becomes pragmatic under these circumstances to pursue the goal of sustainable development and to harness locally available energy resources. This paper considers the energy consumption pattern in Bangalore North taluk in 1987–88 and projects the demand for energy in 1995–96. Taking into account the different energy sources used to provide different end-use services through different end-use devices, the paper presents a linear programming formulation for optimum allocation. The model considers the conventional and new alternative technologies for meeting the demand for energy service. The results show that substantial savings could be achieved by this optimal allocation. The cost savings could be to the tune of Rs 41.879 million in Bangalore North taluk during 1995–96 (terminal year of Eighth Five-Year Plan). Energy savings of about 27% and cost savings of 16% could also be achieved.     

Urban activity allocation under criteria of transportation energy efficiency

A linear programming optimization technique is applied to the problem of allocating new land using activities in an existing urban area. While it is recognized that energy is not yet as decisive a factor in the determination of household and firm locational patterns as other factors such as accessibility and time costs, the model attempts to resolve land allocation problems by means of minimizing total transportation energy costs alone. Such an analysis may serve as a benchmark against which other policies and their energy repercussions could and should be measured.     

A model for planning energy requirements for residential heating

A model is presented for planning the energy required for heating residential areas, and a case study where the model has been applied to an urban area in Sweden is discussed. The model has been used as a basis for decisions concerning mainly local and regional energy planning in Sweden. The model is a combined dynamic simulation and optimization model. The results are obtained through optimal balancing of investments in heat supply and energy conservation.     

Primary energy use for heating in the Swedish building sector—Current trends and proposed target

One goal of the Swedish energy policy is to reduce the amount of electricity used for heating in the building sector. This means to reduce the primary energy used for heating which in this paper is analyzed in the context of various heating technologies and CO₂ emissions. The analysis is applied to a region in Sweden (southern Sweden) for which detailed information on the energy infrastructure (the capital stock of the buildings and heating systems together with geographical variations in heat intensity) is available from a previous work [Johansson, P., Nylander, A., Johnsson, F., 2005. Electricity dependency and CO₂ emissions from heating in the Swedish building sector—current trends in conflict with governmental policy? Energy policy] and which is large enough to be assumed representative for Sweden as a whole. The detailed mapping of the energy infrastructure allows a good estimate on the rate at which the energy system can be expected to be replaced with respect to economical lifetime of the capital stock (the year 2025 in this case). Two scenarios are investigated; a target scenario for which energy savings are employed (e.g. improving climate shell in buildings) and oil and most of the electricity used for heating purposes are phased out and a second for which the current trend in the heating market continues.     

A planning model for acute energy shortages

This paper presents some results of a model developed by the Energy Systems Research Group under the auspices of the Swedish Energy Research and Development Board and the National Swedish Industrial Board for the allocation of energy resources during a temporary shortfall. the model is basically an input-output model of the conventional sort with special treatment of energy inputs. Different objective functions can be used, but the results here assume maximization of private consumption with given restrictions on other demand components and on the composition of private consumption. First a reference case intended to be a representative situation for the latter part of the seventies was developed to be used as a basis for comparisons. Following that a ‘worst case’, in which no adaptation responses were allowed for, was run. Then several cases in which only one adaptation mechanism was introduced were computed. These mechanisms included conservation, allowing reduction of other demand components such as exports, allowing limited changes in the composition of consumer demand or in other types of demand, and allowing inventories of finished and semi-finished goods to be drawn upon. Finally, several runs were made in which several of these mechanisms for adaptation were permitted to operate simultaneously.     

Modeling light-duty plug-in electric vehicles for national energy and transportation planning

This paper sets forth a family of models of light-duty plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) fleets, appropriate for conducting long-term national-level planning studies of the energy and transportation sectors in an integrated manner. Using one of the proposed models, three case studies on the evolution of the U.S. energy and transportation infrastructures are performed, where portfolios of optimum investments over a 40-year horizon are identified, and interdependencies between the two sectors are highlighted. The results indicate that with a gradual but aggressive introduction of PEVs coupled with investments in renewable energy, the total cost from the energy and transportation systems can be reduced by 5%, and that overall emissions from electricity generation and light-duty vehicle (LDV) tailpipes can be reduced by 10% over the 40-year horizon. The annual gasoline consumption from LDVs can be reduced by 66% by the end of the planning horizon, but an additional 800 TWh of annual electricity demand will be introduced. In addition, various scenarios of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions are investigated. It is found that GHG emissions can be significantly reduced with only a marginal cost increment, by shifting electricity generation from coal to renewable sources.     

Decentralized energy planning model for optimum resource allocation with a case study of the domestic sector of rurals in Nepal

The paper is concerned with the development of a simplified linear model which attempts to optimize the cost function of an energy supply system consisting of a mix of energy resources and conversion devices, each of which may have a constraint with respect to availability, efficiency and cost. The model has been applied in three villages, from three different physiographic zones of Nepal, for which detailed data were collected and analysed. The results of the study show that the optimized use of different energy sources in different regions is strongly dependent on demographic and climatic parameters. For hill villages, hydropower could become the cheapest source of energy if technical options were provided, but until then more efficient use of wood is the only viable solution. Commercial sources like kerosene and LPG are not likely to play any significant role in hill and mountain villages. On the other hand, the use of biogas is economically most feasible in Terai village. The availability of kerosene rules out wood or agriculture waste as feasible solutions for cooking energy needs, as this village is closer to the Indian border and has good road access.     

On the use of an energy certification database to create indicators for energy planning purposes: Application in northern Italy

Energy certification of buildings, mandatory under the European Directive EPBD provides interesting data on the thermo-physical properties and geometry of existing buildings. Although the energy certificate is intended to provide the characteristics of individual buildings, so stimulating the real estate market toward ever better energy performance, data management of the certificates issued over time, using a national or regional energy cadastre, makes available a data base which is useful for energy planning in the building sector.This paper provides the needed results of a benchmarking study on data from the energy cadastre of the Lombardy Region, northern Italy. By integrating data from the energy cadastre (175.778 energy certificates) with the statistical data obtained from the national census, indicators were obtained on the energy performance of existing buildings.The energy indicators obtained, characterised by building type and construction period, normalised as a function of Degree-Days, become an effective tool for energy planning at local and regional scales. In the specific case, the energy indicators have been used to estimate the potential for energy retrofit of existing buildings in the Lombardy Region. The same indicators can also be used by municipalities for energy planning at the municipal or district level.     

Mathematical model for energy planning of rural India

This paper describes an integrated energy system planning approach for Wardha District in Maharashtra State, India, for the year AD 2000 and gives an optimal mix of new/conventional energy technologies using a computer-based mixed integer linear programming model. The district level planning is accomplished by successively applying in two stages a new statistical extrapolation technique for moving first from the village level energy scenarios based on surveys to the corresponding energy scenarios at the block level and then for moving next from the block level scenarios to the desired district level planning profile. The model is suitably scaled for obtaining the optimal results at the district level owing to limitations on the available memory on the PC-AT system in use. Energy options for seasonal crops have been considered explicitly in the model. Post-optimal analysis based on a linear programming model to study the effect of the variations in parameters on the optimal solution has been performed.     

Three dimensional energy profile:: A conceptual framework for assessing household energy use

The provision of adequate, reliable, and affordable energy has been considered as a cornerstone of development. More than one-third of the world's population has a very limited access to modern energy services and suffers from its various negative consequences. Researchers have been exploring various dimensions of household energy use in order to design strategies to provide secure access to modern energy services. However, despite more than three decades of effort, our understanding of household energy use patterns is very limited, particularly in the context of rural regions of the developing world. Through this paper, the past and the current trends in the field of energy analysis are investigated. The literature on rural energy and energy transition in developing world has been explored and the factors affecting households' decisions on energy use are listed. The and the factors affecting households' decisions on energy use are listed. The gaps identified in the literature on rural household energy analysis provide a basis for developing an alternative model that can create a more realistic view of household energy use. The three dimensional energy profile is presented as a new conceptual model for assessment of household energy use. This framework acts as a basis for building new theoretical and empirical models of rural household energy use.