Sustainable Development Of Energy Systems Research Articles

Sustainable development of energy systems for western China

Abstract The distribution of energy and industry in China is extremely uneven. The western region is rich in energy resources but relatively economically backward, while the eastern region, particularly, the southeast coastal area, is an industrially-developed area but is short of energy resources. On the basis of such a situation, this paper recommends the sustainable development of energy systems for the western region. The specific innovative energy systems adopted here can convert the western region's fossil fuels to alternative fuels and electricity with higher efficiency, lower investment cost, and less impact upon the environment. As one of such innovative energy systems, the MES (multi-functional energy system) can achieve 10–14% in the energy conservation ratio, 4–8% reduction of investment cost, and a 10–37% decrease of main pollutants. Moreover, its adoption will increase the income and accelerate the development of the energy industry in the western region, as well as meet the energy demand of the eastern region. The analysis in this paper presents a feasible energy road map for the rapid yet sustainable development of China's western region.

Computational Heat Transfer in Heat Exchangers

There are many reasons why heat transfer and heat exchangers play a key role in the development of sustainable energy systems as well as in the reduction of emissions and pollutants. In general, al...

Measuring Greece's progress towards energy sustainability

Energy is essential to economic and social development and improved quality of life. The European Union (EU) constitutes one of the world's largest energy consumers. The EU members include - among others - Germany and Greece, two countries with large disparities/differences in their energy systems, yet with certain similarities. The role of indicators that can measure all the future changes is crucial for the assessment of a country's progress towards a sustainable energy future. The objective of this paper is to benefit from a set of indicators that can guide necessary modifications to energy planning in Greece, so as to make its energy system more responsive to sustainable energy development issues. Furthermore, more specific targets are the monitoring of Greece's progress towards the development of sustainable energy systems during the last decade, compared to that of Germany's. Finally, we aim to point out the applicability and utility of an environment-friendly energy system with the use of statistical analysis.

Development of sustainable energy systems in Swedish municipalities: A matter of path dependency and power relations

Case studies of two Swedish municipalities indicate that the general energy area was divided into three independent policy areas: one dealing with supply, one with conservation and one with environmental questions related to the Agenda 21 vision of an ecologically sustainable energy system. However, the dominant energy policy area in the municipalities was supply policy. This article discusses why supply policy is dominant and the consequences of this for energy system development. Analysis of this pattern reveals that powerful actors, such as local energy companies, were able to mobilize support for supply policies, not least because they owned the energy plants and distribution networks. These actors were also represented in many different decision arenas; in contrast, actors representing the other energy policy areas often lacked power and resources, and were represented in only a few decision arenas.

05/02469 The role of hydrogen for the long term development of sustainable energy systems — a case study for Germany

05/02469 The role of hydrogen for the long term development of sustainable energy systems — a case study for Germany

The role of hydrogen for the long term development of sustainable energy systems—a case study for Germany

Based on different current long-term energy scenarios the paper discusses the future perspectives of hydrogen in the German energy system as a representative example for the development of sustainable energy systems. The scenario analysis offers varying outlines of the future energy system that determine the possible role of hydrogen. The paper discusses the possibilities of expanding the share of renewable energy and the resulting prospects for establishing clean hydrogen production from renewable energy sources. Emphasis is given to the questions of an ecologically efficient allocation of limited renewable energy resources that can only be assessed from a systems analysis perspective. Findings from recent studies for Germany reveal a strong competition between the direct input into the electricity system and an indirect use as fuel in the transport sector. Moreover, the analysis underlines the paramount importance of reducing energy demand as the inevitable prerequisite for any renewable energy system.

Integration and decision support systems for energy policy management and comparative assessment studies

The paper investigates the problematique of decision support systems within the framework of energy policy management and comparative risk assessment studies. A number of models and associated software tools are presented and discussed with a view to using them for the energy dialogue process. Special aspects on energy indicators, and their role in sustainable development of energy systems are investigated. Recommendations include the use of such analytical tools as DSS etc. in the overall decision aiding process for energy mix selection.