Energy Policy Development Research Articles

What do empirical findings reveal about modelled energy demand and energy ratings? Comparisons of gas consumption across the English residential sector

Energy ratings and national housing energy models are useful for energy policy evaluation and development, but limited empirical validation of energy demand estimates is available across residential sub-sectors. This study used data from a sample of over 2.5 million gas-heated dwellings in England from the National Energy Efficiency Data-Framework (NEED) to compare with estimates of 2012 gas consumption from the Cambridge Housing Model (CHM), a national energy stock model. The analysis quantified differences by dwelling type, size, and age band. It also compared variations in gas consumption from NEED dwellings with that expected from Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) bands.The findings show that the CHM overestimates average gas consumption from NEED for all dwelling types built before 1930, most notably for large detached dwellings. For other dwellings built since 1930, the model estimates were in relatively close agreement with NEED data. Furthermore, a simple comparison between estimated gas consumption and NEED data suggests savings from upgrading dwellings to at least EPC band C would be substantially lower than expected.Findings raise question regarding assumptions used in models and EPC ratings, including occupancy and space heating patterns, and have implications for development of energy models and policy regarding energy efficiency programmes.

Price optimization of hybrid power supply chain dominated by power grid

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of renewable energy on the power supply chain and to study whether the renewable generator or the power grid that purchases power from the power spot market is better when the actual generation of renewable energy is insufficient. The authors want to compare and analyze the different power supply chain operation modes and discuss the optimal mode selection for renewable energy generator and power grid in different situations. Design/methodology/approach This paper studies the grid-led price competition game in the power supply chain, in which the power grid as a leader decides the price of transmission and distribution, and generators determine the power grid price. The renewable energy power generator and the traditional energy power generator conduct a price competition game; on the other hand, the power grid and power generators conduct Stackelberg games. The authors analyze the power supply of single power generator and two power generators, respectively, and research on the situation that the renewable energy cannot be fully recharged when the actual power generation is insufficient. Findings The study finds that both renewable and traditional power grid prices decline as price sensitivity coefficient of demand and installed capacity of renewable energy generators increase. Power grid premium decreases as the price sensitivity coefficient of demand increases, but rises as the installed capacity of renewable energy generator increases. When there is a shortage of power, if the installed capacity of renewable energy is relatively small and price sensitivity coefficient of demand is relatively large, the grid purchases the power from power spot market and shares cost with renewable energy generators, leading to higher expected profits of the renewable energy generators. On the contrary, the renewable energy generators prefer to make up power shortage themselves. For the power grid, purchasing the power by the renewable energy generators when there is a power shortage can bring more utility to the power grid when the installed capacity of renewable energy is lower and the demand price sensitivity coefficient is higher. When the installed capacity of renewable energy is high and the price sensitivity coefficient of demand is moderate, or the installed capacity of renewable energy is moderate and the demand price sensitivity coefficient is high, a generator that simultaneously possesses two kinds of energy source will bring more utility to the power grid. If the installed capacity of renewable energy and the demand price sensitivity coefficient both are small or the installed capacity of renewable energy and the price sensitivity coefficient of demand both are large, the power grid prefers to purchase the power by itself when there is a power shortage. Practical implications The goal of our paper analysis is to explore the implications of the theoretical model and address the series of research questions regarding the impact of the renewable energy on the power supply chain. The results of this study have key implications for reality. This paper sheds light on the power supply chain operation mode selection, which can potentially be used for the renewable energy generators to choose their operating mode and can also help traditional energy generators and power grid enterprises maximize their utility. This paper also has some references for the government to formulate the corresponding renewable energy development policy. Originality/value This paper studies the power operation mode under the uncertainty of supply and demand, and compares the advantages and disadvantages of renewable energy generator that makes up the shortage or the power grid purchases the power from power spot market then shares cost with the renewable energy generator. This paper analyzes the power grid-led coordination problem in a power supply chain, compares and analyzes the price competition game model of single power generator and dual power generators, and compares the different risk preferences of power grid.

Analysis of Hong Kong’s Wind Energy: Power Potential, Development Constraints, and Experiences from Other Countries for Local Wind Energy Promotion Strategies

The wind energy utilization in Hong Kong is limited, although its potential has proven to be significant. The lack of effective policy for wind energy development is the main constraint. In this paper, the wind power potential in Hong Kong is analyzed, and the wind power potential assessment is conducted based on one-year field measured wind data using Light Detection & Ranging (LiDAR) technology in a proposed offshore wind farm. Results show that the offshore wind power potential in Hong Kong was 14,449 GWh which occupied 32.20% of electricity consumption in 2017. In addition, the electricity market and power structure in Hong Kong are also reviewed with the existing policies related to renewable energy development. Conclusions can be made that the renewable energy target in Hong Kong is out of date and until now there have been no specific effective policies on wind energy. In order to urge Hong Kong, catch up with other countries/regions on wind energy development, the histories and evolution of wind energy policies in other countries, especially in Denmark, are reviewed and discussed. Suggestions are provided in the aspects of economics, public attitude, and political factors which can stimulate wind power development in Hong Kong.

Analysis and forecasting of energy consumption in Hebei Province, China

Energy plays a crucial role in the economic growth of a country or region. Therefore, scientifically predicting energy consumption and formulating a reasonable energy development strategy are important steps in promoting economic development. Based on the analysis of the economic development situation and energy consumption in Hebei Province, China, this paper uses unit GDP (Gross Domestic Product) energy consumption forecasting method, trend fitting method, and regression analysis method to predict the energy consumption in Hebei Province from 2018 to 2022, and analyses the advantages and disadvantages of the three methods of prediction to provide theoretical support for the development of Hebei’s energy development policy.

Renewable Energy Development and Support Policies in Beijing

The development of renewable energy has critical and practical implications for promoting energy structure transformation, stimulating energy production, and revolutionizing energy consumption. Beijing is now faced with challenges of developing renewable energy. Organizing and optimizing renewable energy development mechanisms and support policies are the keys to transforming and upgrading renewable energy. This study analyzes the current state of development of renewable energy such as wind, solar, and biomass energy in Beijing. Support policies for renewable energy in the city are investigated to identify problems that affect renewable energy development. This study provides feasible suggestions for optimizing relevant support policies that can be implemented to achieve energy security and environmental protection.

Design and Optimization of Damping Materials for Power Equipment Based on Material Gene Engineering Technology

Abstract On the basis of the butyl rubber system, the damping and noise reduction with strong absorptive capacity of the low frequency, good heat dissipation and good flame retardancy was designed for power equipment by the technology of material genetic engineering. Multifaceted parameters were comprehensively inspected, such as low frequency absorptive capacity, heat dissipation performance and so on. While the safety of the electric power application scene was also taken into consideration. Breaking the barrier with high damping capacity and high thermal conductivity at the same time was achieved, which promoted the green upgrading of transmission and distribution equipment. It’s a favor for practicing the energy development policy of clean and low carbon, safe and efficient. Thus the green and livable environment would be created.

The Influence of Institutional Factors on Sustainable Renewable Energy Policy Development: New Evidence from the Thai Experience

Renewable energy has become the buzzword in the 21st century especially during the United Nations declarations of the Submit 21 in which world leaders renewed their efforts in achieving the seventeen sustainable development goals. One of the challenges of the developing world is achieving a reliable energy supply for industrialization and energy security. Thailand is one of the countries with the highest energy consumption within the ASEAN region and hence, several policies have been implemented to deploy a clean source of energy for both domestic and manufacturing purposes. However, there are many institutional factors that seem to impede this drive for a greener energy supply in the country. This study sought to investigate the institutional factors that support sustainable renewable energy policy development in the Thai context. The study selected 400 respondents from renewable energy producing companies in Bangkok and Ayutthaya using a survey instrument. The results were analyze using SPSS version 22.0 with multiple regression technique. The results showed that institutional variables such as stakeholder involvement, government R&D framework, regulatory procedures, and government subsidies had an influence on sustainable renewable policy development. The study recommends that future government policies should engage key stakeholders in the policy dialogue and implementation process.

Scenarios and policies for sustainable urban energy development based on LEAP model – A case study of a postindustrial city: Shenzhen China

Cities consume more than 67% of global primary energy, the production of which results in approximately three-quarters of global CO2 emissions, exacerbating the global warming trend and related extreme weather events and natural disasters. Therefore, it is critical for cities to use existing and new sources of energy efficiently and effectively. This paper introduces a methodology that can combine sustainable energy planning with economic analysis, proposing a form of sustainable urban energy planning that could reduce energy consumption with the minimum economic cost. Taking a postindustrial city (Shenzhen, China) as an example, this paper defines four scenarios by which to analyze future projections of energy generation and consumption from 2015 to 2030 based on the Long-range Energy Alternatives Planning System model. Also developed are Sankey maps for the energy flow from the energy supply to demand sectors for different scenarios. The results show that energy efficiency improvement and energy structure upgrade policies implemented in Shenzhen would have a significant impact on its energy system. Energy consumption is projected to increase steadily up to 2030 under each scenario except for the Peak Scenario, but with different growth rates. Electricity generation in all scenarios is supposed to expand by 2030 and sustainable electricity (such as distributed photovoltaic power, waste-to-energy power, and Combined Cooling, Heating, and Power) will play an important role in the Energy structure upgrade and Peak scenarios.

The economic cost of unreliable grid power in Nigeria

The ever-increasing demand for electrical power in Nigeria, coupled with a limited supply, have restricted the nation's socioeconomic development. The country’s policymakers, aware of this, have formulated and enacted energy development policies in recent years targeted at diversifying the current electricity mix and increasing electrification to rural settlements.Despite these efforts, electricity infrastructure projects have been sidelined, power outages are common and grid unreliability is costing industry significant amounts to secure the electricity supply necessary for business sustainability and profitability.This paper presents the current state of the electricity industry in Nigeria and argues the case for integration of renewable energy technologies. A case study is presented based on electricity cost information collected from a survey of Nigerian industry. Three future electricity supply scenarios are presented: a do-nothing or business-as-usual scenario; a scenario of increased reliance on grid power due to improvements in reliability; and a scenario involving shifting some of the current diesel on-site generation to solar photovoltaics. It is shown that increasing the utilization of renewable sources could significantly reduce the costs and CO2 emissions incurred due to the current reliance on self-generation, primarily using diesel generators, amidst grid unreliability.

On the experience in development of regional energy policy and strategy

The article presents the main strategies of development features in the concept of energy policy in the Sakha Republic (Yakutia) and the energy strategy of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia) for the period up to 2030.

Externalising Europe’s energy policy in EU Free Trade Agreements: A cognitive dissonance between promoting sustainable development and ensuring security of supply?

It is no secret that while the European Union (EU) has taken up commitments to combat climate change under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Paris Agreement and its own 2020 and 2030 climate and energy package strategy, the Union continues to be heavily dependent on the import of fossil fuels from abroad. One may even say that this leads to a cognitive dissonance, i.e. the discomfort which ensues if one holds two contradictory values, with respect to the externalisation of the Union’s energy and sustainable development policy. On the one hand, the EU aims to become a global frontrunner in the field of promoting renewable energy and sustainable development. This expresses itself through the inclusion of specific chapters on Trade and Sustainable Development in the EU’s Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) (standard since the 2011 EU-South Korea FTA). On the other, the EU realises that it is imperative to secure the Union’s security of energy supply, still largely guaranteed by fossil fuels. Therefore, the Union in parallel attempts to eliminate discriminatory practices in international fossil fuel trade in its bilateral agreements (e.g. in the EU-Ukraine Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement). This paper will explore the root causes of this cognitive dissonance and research what elements could contribute to ensuring more coherence in EU external energy policy. The objectives of sustainable development and security of supply are not necessarily contradictory per se. However, clearer delineations between the two objectives are necessary in EU external relations in general, and in the Union’s FTAs more specifically. This also applies to relations between Member States and the Union in this area, as well as to the interactions between the relevant EU institutions tasked with energy, sustainable development and the environment.

Research on the Composite Index of the Modern Chinese Energy System

The Chinese government is going to “push ahead the revolution of energy production and consumption, and establish a clean, low-carbon, secure, and efficient energy system”, which points out a direction for the energy industry in the new era. Using the analytic hierarchy process of the system analysis method, we constructed an indicator system of the modern Chinese energy system, and by determining the weighting of each indicator, we obtained the composite index of the modern Chinese energy system, as well as four sub-indexes of clean, low-carbon, secure, and efficient. Then, we investigated policy changes and energy development characteristics of important periods, and performed historical trend analysis. Finally, we forecasted the composite index and four sub-indexes by 2050, and proposed an energy development path and policy suggestions to achieve a modern Chinese energy system as soon as possible.

Model Kebijakan Pengembangan Energi Baru dan Terbarukan di Provinsi Banten

<p><em>This research is motivated by the existence of the potential of New and Renewable Energy (EBT) in Banten Province. The purpose of this study is to analyze how to policy development model and potential policies for Renewable Energy (EBT) in Banten Province. The research method used is a qualitative descriptive approach with primary data collection techniques through interviews and observations as well as secondary data in the form of searching various sources and literature both from government documents and reporting on print and electronic mass media. The results of this study are the analysis of innovation and development of Banten Province EBT potential policies, namely the identification of Priority Policies for New and Renewable Energy Policy, innovation and development of EBT policies which include the initial conditions of developing Banten Province EBT potential which includes resources, politics and regulation, culture the community and the bureaucracy / institution as the base capital for the development of the EBT policy in Banten Province and an analysis of the modification of the Banten Province EBT potential policy system model.</em></p><p class="KataKunciInggris"> </p>

Review and assessment of energy policy developments in Chile

In recent years, the Chilean energy sector has gone through a significant transformation. Chile ratified the Paris Agreement in 2017 and committed to develop policies to face climate change and to transition to a more sustainable energy system. Promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency became an essential strategy for Chile to reduce emissions and reach its energy and environmental goals, which are addressed in various governmental studies. Further, Chile became successful in promoting renewable electricity production without feed-in tariffs. The current national goal is for at least 70% of the electricity in Chile to be generated from renewable energy sources by 2050. Additionally, energy efficiency is to be implemented in several sectors. This paper provides a broad overview of the energy sector and review of the Chilean energy policy development and environmental targets with emphasis on recent years. Finally, it also proposes an assessment about existing and required energy policy instruments for Chilean energy sectors by considering the promotion of renewable energy and energy efficiency and analyses the associated potential challenges. This work can provide insights to decision makers to develop long-term sustainable energy plans for Chile to reach its energy and environmental goals.

Analysis of the Robustness of Canada Economy and Energy Supply/Demand Fluctuations

ABSTRACTIt is well-known that energy has an important role in social and economic improvements. Understanding the relationships between energy-related issues and the economic growth is crucial for the development of reliable and appropriate energy policies and for handling the possible economic local or regional impacts. Considering Canada as a case study, this article investigates the relationships among gross domestic product (GDP), energy consumption, energy consumption in the industry, and the elasticity of oil prices. Results showed that the GDP and energy consumption (total, industrial) are inelastic with respect to the oil price and GDP, respectively. Moreover, Extra Trees approach is utilized for modeling the primary energy consumption and CO2 emissions. It was found that the proposed tree-based models provide excellent predictions.

Australian Renewable Energy Law: Carbon Lock-in or Clean Energy Transition?

This article critically analyses recent developments in Australia's renewable energy law and policy. It identifies seven retrograde steps taken in energy and climate law in Australia in the last five years. Barriers to clean energy law - in the form of recurring narratives employed against the rise of renewable energy across Australia - are examined. Increased levels of renewable energy are portrayed by opponents as a threat to the security and reliability of electricity supply. Yet, the nation is currently experiencing a major renewable energy investment boom, supported by regional policy initiatives that are driving innovation, most recently in energy storage.

An outlook on Germany’s international energy transition policy in the years to come: Solid foundations and new challenges

Germany’s ambition to promote sustainable energy globally, on the basis of its own “Energiewende,” has led to the development of a multi-faceted international energy transition policy with various activities and an agenda to promote renewables and energy efficiency abroad. While domestic energy policy developments in Germany have received substantial attention in research and public debate, this is still less true for the country’s international energy transition policy. With the new German government’s program now having taken shape and implementation starting, it is time to assess the foundations and likely direction of and the most relevant challenges for Germany’s efforts to promote sustainable energy internationally. This perspective article takes a look at the aspects shaping Germany’s outreach to partner countries outside the EU to promote sustainable energy and addresses open questions related to its agenda. Germany’s international energy transition policy builds on a longstanding track record, but in order to maintain credibility and visibility in leadership for sustainable energy, two key challenges remain: setbacks in domestic climate mitigation efforts are putting into question claims for climate leadership and struggles to expand the Energiewende beyond the electricity sector require a new spin to international collaboration efforts, more and more directed toward bidirectional exchange and mutual learning.

Energy sector of Cameroon

ABSTRACTAs energy issues are at the top of the national policy agenda, policy-makers increasingly need better decision-supporting processes to assist them in fostering a sustainable energy policy. This article aims at supporting the development of energy policy by evaluating the potential, limits and efficiency of energy in Cameroon. The method used is based on the analysis of different forms of energy in Cameroon, through the past trend of energy production and consumption to the current status of Cameroon energetic system. Total energy production and consumption capacity in the country is up to 8.85 Mega tons of oil equivalents (Mtoe) and 5747 kilo tons of oil equivalents (ktoe) respectively. Energy consumption in Cameroon is highly dominated by biomass, followed by petroleum products and electricity; nevertheless, renewable energy is still marginal. Our opinion would be to develop new strategies to shift the energy situation from its present condition to the desired status.

Renewable energy and power: a review of the power sector reform and renewable energy law and policy nexus in Ghana

ABSTRACTThe Ghanaian government initiated its policy on power sector reform in 1995 to engender both structural and regulatory changes in the electricity market. Due to attainment of certain objective of the sector reform, some restructuring in the electricity market has been observed since the reform years. Other goals underpinning the sector reform such as the 100% national access to electricity are yet to be realized. About 30% of the Ghanaian population still lack access to electricity. This is despite the availability of renewable energy resources in Ghana and its potential for substantially increasing electricity generation capacity, which in turn, would help secure the supply of electricity. This paper examines the role of renewable energy in the power sector reform of Ghana and how the power sector reform of 1995 has contributed to the development of renewable energy law and policy in the country. Regulatory and structural changes that resulted from the power sector reform has contributed to the development of renewable energy law and policy in Ghana even though the potential for generating electricity from renewable energy resource in Ghana was overlooked during the power sector reform period.

Analysis of stakeholder roles and the challenges of solar energy utilization in Iran

Growing energy demand, rising greenhouse gas emissions and the depletion of fossil fuels necessitates the development of renewable energy sources. In order to improve renewable energy utilization, it is necessary to determine the most important factors influencing energy strategy. The energy system of Iran is highly dependent on fossil fuels; however, Iran has a high potential for solar energy development and several policies are being pursued by the government to develop power generation by renewable energy resources. This study presents and discusses several important parameters of energy policy and security which make the installation of photovoltaic (PV) systems crucial for the future. Installation of solar PV will improve energy security, foster job creation and reduce environmental problems. It also introduces and investigates those institutions and organizations involved in developing renewable energies, especially solar energy. These include the Ministry of Energy and universities, both of which play key roles in the development of solar energy.