Drive Energy Efficiency Research Articles

Unleashing the power of green fiscal policies: Driving energy efficiency in China

This study examines the impact of such policies on energy efficiency by focusing on the “National Comprehensive Demonstration of Energy Saving and Emission Reduction Fiscal Policy” (ESER fiscal policy). Using a difference-in-difference method with multiple time points, the study finds that the ESER fiscal policy has significantly closed the total factor energy efficiency (TFEE) gap. The results are robust, supported by sensitivity analyses such as variable substitutions, dynamic effect tests, exclusion of potential intervening variables, placebo tests, and propensity score matching. Mechanism analysis shows that the pilot program closes the energy efficiency gap by increasing expenditure on environmental protection, improving agglomeration of productive services, and promoting of green technological innovation. Furthermore, the impact of green fiscal policies on TFEE is more pronounced in cities within two-control areas, non-old industrial base cities, large-scale cities, and resource-depleted cities. The analysis of the energy rebound effect found that green fiscal policies can effectively close the energy efficiency gap without generating energy rebound. These findings provide valuable insights and empirical evidence on the effectiveness of China's green fiscal policies in achieving green development, improving quality and efficiency.

Exploring the role of the Internet of Things in green buildings

AbstractThe global energy crisis has been one of the significant challenges for decades, threatening the global economy, and the health of our environment. The government's efforts to enhance the welfare and lifestyle of citizens have been partially undermined by a significant rise in energy intensity, resulting in increased energy consumption. Over the years, researchers have utilized historical energy consumption data to enhance energy efficiency through various technologies. Innovative smart technologies drive energy efficiency, reducing energy usage throughout all areas of the energy industry, from production and supply to consumption. This creates a balance in all sectors and indicates a decrease in energy demand in all areas of building infrastructure. Green buildings that utilize Internet of Things (IoT) technology employ sensors and software to collect data, optimizing, and enhancing building performance. This includes reducing energy and electricity consumption, improving air quality, and optimizing lighting throughout the day. These buildings can contribute to reaching zero‐energy building targets. It becomes challenging to manage green buildings without using centralized control. Therefore, managing and integrating these buildings with intelligent technologies is vital in achieving environmentally friendly management. This study offers a broad overview of the green building concept and explores the use of the green IoT in enhancing services and conserving energy within green buildings. The article aims to deliver an extensive review of green buildings and their advantages, analyze the technology behind the IoT and its integration with solar panels to lower energy consumption, and ultimately identify the challenges present in this area of research.

Will Power and Waste-to-X enable the worldwide energy transition to renewables?

AbstractSince the industrial revolution the world economy has grown thanks to energy generated by cheap and abundant fossil resources. Today, due to climate change caused by human-induced CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions, we are in the midst of a shift away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energy. It remains to be seen how fast this shift will happen and whether the correlating economics are feasible. Increasingly, experts are asking: what role will catalysis play to help drive energy efficiency? With a 60-year history in industrial catalysis, Clariant’s Catalysts business has been a front runner in catalyst and technology development. For more than a decade we have been working in the catalytic Power-to-X segments. This paper presents our understanding on current developments around the important role of Power-to-X and Waste-to-X technologies to enable a worldwide transition of the energy sector to renewables. Graphical abstract

Empowering tomorrow: Unleashing the role of technology driven energy efficiency for sustainable development in China

The underlying objective of the study is to investigate the energy efficiency improvement potentiality of total technological innovation and its components, such as residential and non-residential technological innovations, by controlling for economic growth and energy prices in China. To this end, the study employs Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS), Canonical Cointegrating Regression (CCR), and Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS) based on the unit root testing and Johansen and Juselius cointegration test outcomes. Thus, the results confirm the long-run relationship among the series under investigation. Further, it shows that total technological innovation and its components, i.e., residential and non-residential technological innovations, have the potential to improve energy efficiency. However, economic growth and energy prices are reducing energy efficiency. Moreover, these findings are stable while applying the other alternative methods for robustness. Therefore, the study suggests policy recommendations aimed at promoting technology that may be either residential or non-residential technological innovations to increase energy efficiency. Additionally, it urges designing national-level energy policy to boost economic progress by conserving energy along with measures to stabilize energy prices.

Energy efficiency investment in a developing economy: financial development and debt status implication

Purpose This study aims to assess financial development and debt status impact on energy efficiency in Nigeria as a developing economy. Design/methodology/approach This study combined the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL), fully modified ordinary least squares and canonical cointegration regression analytical methods to estimate the parameters for energy efficiency policy recommendations. Secondary data between 1990 and 2020 were used for the analysis. Findings The result confirms the long-run nexus between energy efficiency, financial development and total debt stock. Furthermore, the ARDL estimates for this study’s key variables show that financial development promotes energy efficiency in the short run but hinders long-run energy efficiency. Total debt stock limits energy efficiency in Nigeria in short- and long-run periods. Research limitations/implications The limitation of this study is that the scope is limited to Nigeria as a developing economy. The need to support energy efficiency projects is a global call requiring cross-country analysis. Despite this study’s focus on Nigeria, it provides useful insights that can guide energy efficiency policy through the financial sector and debt management. Practical implications The financial sector must ensure the availability of long-term credit facilities to clean energy investors. The government must maintain a sustainable debt profile to pave the way for capital expenditure on clean energy projects that promote energy efficiency. Originality/value The environmental consequences of energy intensity are being felt globally, with the developing countries most vulnerable. The cheapest way to curb these consequences is to promote energy efficiency to reduce the disastrous effect. Driving energy efficiency requires investment in energy-efficient technology but the challenge for developing economies, i.e. Nigeria’s funding, remains challenging amid a blotted debt profile. This becomes crucial to investigate how financial sector development and debt management can accelerate energy-efficient investments in Nigeria.

Topology Morphing Insulation: A Review of Technologies and Energy Performance in Dynamic Building Insulation

Topology morphing insulation enables the on-demand switching of thermal properties between insulative and conducting states through shape change. The adaptive nature of these systems allows them to regulate heat transfer by dynamically altering insulation materials or systems in response to changing conditions, including environmental factors, electrical grid dynamics, and occupant requirements. In this article, we highlight the potential of topology morphing insulation for advancing building envelope design, improving energy efficiency, and facilitating on-demand adjustments in effective thermal conductivity. We provide a comprehensive overview of topology morphing insulation, delving into its underlying principles, mechanisms, and potential applications. This review explores cutting-edge research and the potential application of insights from non-building concepts, such as nature, textiles, and origami. Additionally, it examines crucial aspects such as actuation mechanisms, effectiveness, lifecycle considerations, sustainability implications, and manufacturing feasibility. We discuss the potential benefits and challenges associated with implementing topology morphing insulation solutions. Thanks to its transformative capabilities, topology morphing insulation holds tremendous promise for advancing building envelope design, driving energy efficiency improvements, and facilitating responsive changes in effective thermal conductivity.

The Impact of Digital Business on Energy Efficiency in EU Countries

Digital business plays a crucial role in driving energy efficiency and sustainability by enabling innovative solutions such as smart grid technologies, data analytics for energy optimization, and remote monitoring and control systems. Through digitalization, businesses can streamline processes, minimize energy waste, and make informed decisions that lead to more efficient resource utilization and reduced environmental impact. This paper aims at analyzing the character of digital business’ impact on energy efficiency to outline the relevant instruments to unleash EU countries’ potential for attaining sustainable development. The study applies the panel-corrected standard errors technique to check the effect of digital business on energy efficiency for the EU countries in 2011–2020. The findings show that digital business has a significant negative effect on energy intensity, implying that increased digital business leads to decreased energy intensity. Additionally, digital business practices positively contribute to reducing CO2 emissions and promoting renewable energy, although the impact on final energy consumption varies across different indicators. The findings underscore the significance of integrating digital business practices to improve energy efficiency, lower energy intensity, and advance the adoption of renewable energy sources within the EU. Policymakers and businesses should prioritize the adoption of digital technologies and e-commerce strategies to facilitate sustainable energy transitions and accomplish environmental objectives.

Activating electricity system demand response for commercial and industrial organisations

ABSTRACT With the rapid uptake of renewable energy generation and increasing price volatility, there are multiple opportunities emerging for businesses to earn additional revenue and reduce electricity bills by implementing demand response. However, commercial and industrial consumer implementation of demand response is not well understood and largely absent in energy management guidelines, which focus on reducing energy consumption and driving energy efficiency. Based on interviews with managers from 24 commercial and industrial businesses, we describe a practical implementation framework for demand response. The framework identifies unique implementation features for demand response - the activation steps. Energy management guidelines may have underemphasised approaches to demand response and inclusion of its unique features for businesses because benefits to be gained from demand response have focussed on benefits for the utilities in the electricity system, not benefits for individual businesses. The article concludes there is an opportunity for market operators to encourage organisations who produce energy management guidelines to include demand response, to promote awareness of the opportunities for businesses and provide practical guidance for implementation, therefore providing support for greater renewable energy penetration and reduced energy costs for businesses.

Exploring the Synergistic Effects of Digitalization and Economic Uncertainty on Environmental Sustainability: An Investigation from China

This study delves into the intricate interplay between digitization, economic uncertainty, and environmental sustainability, aiming to shed light on their multifaceted roles. Using an approach, the analysis spans 28 Chinese provinces over the period from 2000 to 2020, employing linear and nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag techniques to unveil symmetric and asymmetric impacts. The findings reveal the urgent need to address the challenges posed by economic uncertainty for effective environmental sustainability. Notably, a negative association between digitization and carbon dioxide emissions is identified, emphasizing its transformative potential in driving energy efficiency and sustainable practices. Furthermore, the study elucidates the detrimental influence of industrial structure on carbon dioxide emissions, highlighting the importance of balancing economic growth and environmental sustainability. The positive influence of urbanization on carbon dioxide emissions underscores the complexities of achieving sustainable development amidst rapid urbanization. By providing a comprehensive understanding of these dimensions, this study contributes to the scholarly discourse and aids in formulating evidence-based strategies for a greener and more sustainable future. The insights gained from this research can guide policymakers and stakeholders in navigating the complex dynamics between digitization, economic uncertainty, and environmental sustainability, fostering a more sustainable and resilient world.

An under-developed dimension in upgrading energy-inefficient German rental buildings: Corporate social responsibility as a hybrid form of governance

Germany aims to achieve climate neutrality in its residential building stock by 2050. It is on track for this with newbuilds, through mandating tight energy efficiency standards. However, it lags more than 50 % behind its climate goals for energy-efficiency upgrading of existing buildings. Further, the costs of upgrading often fall on tenants, through legally permitted post-upgrade rent increases that are too high to be offset by energy savings. This paper reports on a set of interviews and discussions with a panel of experts/stakeholders, exploring how these climate goals can be met without economically disadvantaging low-income tenants. A key finding is that the governance of this transition is weak, including both “hard” governance, through laws, regulations and sanctions, and “soft” governance, through corporate and cultural drivers of energy efficiency renovation. A hybrid between these two, corporate social responsibility, appears to offer promise for moving things forward. However, while large corporate rental housing providers have corporate social responsibility frameworks, there is no equivalent among small private landlords/landladies. Further, while these frameworks help drive energy efficiency renovation forward, they often fail to protect low-income tenants from sharp rent increases. Rental corporations' corporate social responsibility frameworks need be revised to take this issue into account. Further, a framework similar to corporate social responsibility needs to be developed for small private landlords/landladies. This could begin as voluntary, as in Scotland and Wales, and transition to mandatory over time, as has happened with corporate social responsibility in the EU.

Does economic complexity drive energy efficiency and renewable energy transition?

This global study examines the role of economic complexity in achieving energy efficiency and renewable energy transition in 94 countries, putting the level of economic development into perspective. The panel quantile regression technique is applied to examine the nexus across the conditional distribution of the dependent variables. We find that, on a global perspective, economic complexity impedes both energy efficiency and renewable energy transition. For a more specific case, economic complexity does not support energy efficiency in all economic groups, although the situation improves for countries with an existing higher energy intensity in the advanced and emerging economies. Also, it adversely affects renewable energy consumption and renewable electricity output in all economic groups, except in a few quantiles where insignificance or heterogeneous outcomes are established. In sum, economic complexity cannot be said to aid the efficiency of the energy system and the transition to renewable energy owing to a number of identified factors. Subsidizing renewable energy consumption, provision of grants for renewable energy deployment, and setting energy efficiency standards are among the strategic policy derivatives of the findings of this study.

RenoDSS – A BIM-based building renovation decision support system

Increasing the building renovation rate is a key initiative to drive energy efficiency in the sector and contribute to the European Green Deal. Within this paper, the BIM-based building renovation decision support system RenoDSS is described. RenoDSS (i) automatically generates renovation scenarios based on user preferences and the IFC representation (including second level space boundaries data) of the current building configuration (baseline), (ii) calculates baseline and renovation scenario KPIs, and (iii) identifies the most suitable scenarios by comparing the scenarios’ energy, finance, and sustainability KPIs. Validation conducted at two pilot sites shows that RenoDSS reduces the time for (i) identifying potential renovation scenarios, (ii) calculating their energy and LCA/LCC KPIs, and (iii) producing an IFC file for each renovation scenario by around 80% compared to tool-supported manual means. RenoDSS is used by (i) renovation designers that want to optimize the thermal building hull in combination with PV, solar thermal, and HVAC, as well as (ii) decision makers who want to collaboratively identify the most promising renovation option out of the ones generated by RenoDSS.

Barriers and drivers to energy efficiency in the Portuguese water sector: Survey analysis

Over the last decade, there has been heavy pressure to improve the energy and environmental performances of operations, systems, and facilities in the water supply and wastewater treatment sector. However, the almost non-existent assessment of the barriers and drivers that respectively hinder and potentiate the energy efficiency in the sector inhibits a proper understanding of how energy efficiency policies, strategies, and interventions play out on the ground and their level of success or failure. To help bridge this gap, a set of questionnaires was conducted to Portuguese water and wastewater utilities to identify the most prevalent barriers and drivers of energy efficiency. Results show that the three main barriers to energy efficiency are the lack of human resources, the need to focus on daily operational issues, and diverging priorities for different departments. In turn, the top three drivers are the reduction of operating costs due to lower energy costs, the existence of support and financing lines dedicated to energy efficiency, and the willingness to improve the image and social responsibility of the utilities. They also show that improving access to different types of financing in downstream utilities is essential to drive energy efficiency, while for upstream ones, legal and regulatory incentives, such as setting energy and environmental targets, are more beneficial. Finally, the main findings of this study can help decision-makers and legislators define sector-oriented policies adjusted to the different types of utilities that will leverage the adoption of energy efficiency measures and strategies in water and wastewater utilities worldwide.

Digital Finance, Industrial Structure, and Total Factor Energy Efficiency: A Study on Moderated Mediation Model with Resource Dependence

China’s main energy structure is dominated by coal. The burning of coal is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, making China the largest carbon emitter. Facing double pressure on ecological protection and economic development, improving energy efficiency is more practical than reducing coal utilization. In this context, digital finance can be a vital engine that supports a transition to a low-carbon economy. Based on panel data for 2011 to 2019 of 30 provinces in China, this study probes the effect of digital finance on the total factor energy efficiency and constructs a moderated mediating effect model to analyze the mechanism of action. The results show that: (1) digital finance is able to improve the total factor energy efficiency, (2) the industrial structure plays a mediating effect, which is regionally heterogeneous, and (3) the above transmission path is affected by the degree of regional resource dependence. With the deepening of resource dependence, the role of digital finance in driving energy efficiency through the industrial structure is enhanced. This research demonstrates the effectiveness of digital finance in energy efficiency improvement and develops ideas for ecological governance and sustainable development.

Flexible digital twins from commercial off-the-shelf software solutions: a driver for energy efficiency and decarbonisation in process industries?

Abstract The term ‘digital twin’ refers to a virtual simulation/model (virtual twin) of a physical plant or object (physical twin), where data flows between the virtual and physical twins. A digital twin can be used for different purposes, such as process optimisation/control, design, training, and maintenance/service. This manuscript found an increasing number of simulation and modelling publications in literature year on year, which illustrates the current trend towards implementing digital twins in a broad range of process engineering applications. A targeted literature review into the area found several commercial off-the-shelf software solutions (COTS) for different industrial applications providing the necessary flexibility to analyse a broad range of industries. However, most of the process modelling software is designed for petroleum and fine chemicals processes. There is still a need for software solutions that can model a broader range of applications. While most of the software found was licensed, open source process modelling software was also available. There is a lack of independent research into the accuracy of these software solutions. The literature review also found that 37% of the research based on process simulations is carried out to improve energy efficiencies. In comparison, 27% of the research found Decarbonization to be a secondary "added" benefit. It can be concluded that digital twins are ideally suited for driving energy efficiency improvements and decarbonisation goals. However, none of the COTS identified in the literature meets all the requirements for a digital twin. A solution to this problem is to create a layered digital twin, combining and interfacing different tools to accomplish a visually similar, self-optimising, self-learning virtual plant.

The green bond market and its use for energy efficiency finance in Africa

PurposeThis study presents the state of green bond markets in Africa and green bond funds by some countries in the continent.Design/methodology/approachThe authors adopt a case study approach on four different kinds of countries, namely oil-rich economy, green bond innovator, renewable energy user and carbon vulnerability.FindingsThe authors found that Africa's green bond is still at the early stages. However, countries are using innovative ways that are adaptable to their current economic conditions and investment attractiveness in issuing green bonds. While some countries focus on central and local government bonds, others use corporate bonds, few combine government and corporate green bonds. Interestingly, the first green bond globally certified by the Climate Bonds Standard was issued by an Africa country in Africa. In some selected countries such as Nigeria, South Africa, Morocco, Namibia and Kenya, green bond markets have seen massive growth and have contributed to numerous infrastructural energy efficiency projects. To expand this market further in these countries, the authors recommend fostering a public–private partnership backed by policies and political will.Originality/valueThis study provides an original contribution to the green bond and its likelihood of driving energy efficiency in a continent that has attracted little to no attention in the literature.

A2L low GWP HFO based refrigerant solutions in heat pump applications to drive energy efficiency, safety, and sustainability even in building restoration

Driven by energy efficiency requirements and legal restrictions like F-Gas Regulation Heat Pump OEM supplier are looking for alternative refrigerant solutions. HFO based low GWP refrigerants can help increasing the system efficiency, expanding the operating temperature range while reducing CO2 emissions. For building restoration in particular, high flow temperatures (for existing hydronic heating system) are essential for convenient and cost-and energy-efficient replacements of fossil fuel boilers. A2L classified refrigerants provide extended application range at highest safety level versus A3 classified refrigerants, but R-32 still carries a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 675 making it a transitional solution. This paper compares different relevant parameters and points out the advantages provided by HFO A2L low GWP refrigerants (like R-454B and R-454C) for a wide capacity range of air to water and brine to water heat pumps. A special focus is put on the application of building restoration.

Environmental policies and energy efficiency investments. An industry-level analysis

Energy efficiency is considered a very cost-effective way to mitigate air emissions and improve the economic performance of manufacturing industries. Many countries have implemented measures to increase energy efficiency in industry. These measures include command-and-control and market-based interventions, and they may be specific to a particular firm or sector. Although these policies may have benefits, the results of the empirical analyses of the effects of these interventions on the adoption of energy-saving technologies are not conclusive. The main objective of this paper is to examine the role of different environmental policy measures on energy efficiency investment. We construct a database from several sources for Spanish industries for the period 2010–2017. This gives us information on a broad range of factors and policy instruments that may drive energy efficiency investments. We consider four different instruments: regulation, taxes, subsidies, and tax credits.

Transitioning from electrodialysis to reverse electrodialysis stack design for energy generation from high concentration salinity gradients

In this study, stack design for high concentration gradient reverse electrodialysis operating in recycle is addressed. High concentration gradients introduce complex transport phenomena, which are exacerbated when recycling feeds; a strategy employed to improve system level energy efficiency. This unique challenge indicates that membrane properties and spacer thickness requirements may differ considerably from reverse electrodialysis for lower concentration gradients (e.g. seawater/river water), drawing closer parallels to electrodialysis stack design. Consequently, commercially available electrodialysis and reverse electrodialysis stack design was first compared for power generation from high concentration gradients. Higher gross power densities were identified for the reverse electrodialysis stack, due to the use of thinner membranes characterised by a higher permselectivity, which improved current. However, energy efficiency of the electrodialysis stack was twice that recorded for the reverse electrodialysis stack at low current densities, which was attributed to: (i) an increased residence time provided by the larger intermembrane distance, and (ii) reduced exergy losses of the electrodialysis membranes, which provided comparatively lower water permeance. Further in-depth investigation into membrane properties and spacer thickness identified that membranes characterised by an intermediate water permeability and ohmic resistance provided the highest power density and energy efficiency (Neosepta ACS/CMS), while wider intermembrane distances up to 0.3 mm improved energy efficiency. This study confirms that reverse electrodialysis stacks for high concentration gradients in recycle therefore demand design more comparable to electrodialysis stacks to drive energy efficiency, but when selecting membrane properties, the trade-off with permselectivity must also be considered to ensure economic viability.

Mining the gap in long-term residential water and electricity conservation

Climate change and economic development provide a strong rationale for urban water and electricity conservation. Although behavioral and technological factors link short-term conservation of both resources, their long-term residential consumption trends have diverged across industrialized nations: from 1990 to 2010, per capita water use decreased, while per capita electricity use increased. This long-term ‘conservation gap’ has not generally been examined but it presents an opportunity to better understand what drives persistent residential conservation. Here, we analyze 2002–2012 water and electricity consumption from 38 000 California residences to characterize the conservation gap and its socio-economic determinants. Aggregate per-residence consumption figures show a 19% decline in water use—concentrated in the 2007–2009 drought—and an 8% increase in electricity use—coinciding with early 2000s economic growth. We find no meaningful socio-economic variation in micro-scale consumption trends across the study area but the ‘gap’ tendency is greater in residences with low customer-turnover, suggesting that widespread factors—including the proliferation of consumer electronics and small appliances—drove electricity use increases. Long-term water conservation was also widespread, suggesting that droughts provide immediate, locally-driven conservation imperatives that have been successfully leveraged for long-term water savings.Similar episodes were not generally available to electricity policy makers during the study period, but extreme climate events could drive energy efficiency campaigns in the future.