Framework Of Energy Transition Research Articles

A Transdisciplinary Approach and Design Thinking Methodology: For Applications to Complex Problems and Energy Transition

In this paper, we outline a transdisciplinary approach and design thinking methodology (TADTM) to tackle complex problems. Our premise is that these problems need a fundamental understanding of technological solutions and those for human interactions, business operations, financing, socioeconomic governance, legislation, and regulations. They must be approached by different decisionmakers from different disciplines to establish seamless interactions and structured teamwork. In this regard, we emphasize the need for a transdisciplinary framework that accounts for personal preferences based on human behavior as well as the traditional interdisciplinary frameworks. To test and prove our hypothesis, three case studies are discussed. Case Study 1 is based on our studies at a major medical establishment, and Case Study 2 is about the integrated engineering and architecture approach we used at our university campus. Case Study 3 is based on an ongoing project to lead industrial corporations to change their energy policies with practical energy efficiency measures and by adapting renewable/alternative energy adaptations for their operations. Developing creative solutions and strategies to decrease atmospheric greenhouse gas emissions requires such an energy transition framework and should involve every person, company, entity, and all governments. It can only be achieved with efforts on both local and global levels, which needs to convince (a) industries to change their traditional operation modalities, (b) people to alter their consumption behaviors, and (c) governments to change their rules, regulations, and incentives. The complexity and magnitude of this enormous task demand the coordination and collaboration of all stakeholders, as well as the need for technological innovations.

Ghana's National Energy Transition Framework: Domestic aspirations and mistrust in international relations complicate ‘justice and equity’

This paper draws on a new global framework for energy justice – a fair distribution of decision making, representation, the costs, and benefits of energy services across time and space – to interrogate Ghana's National Energy Transition (NET) framework. It examines the government's justifications for not prioritizing green energy and for moving slowly towards net zero emission target of 2070. Whereas domestic energy justice considerations such as accessibility and affordability drive Ghana's framework, this paper finds a maze of other factors too. Using a thematic analysis of four main data sources (interviews, news items, Living Standards Surveys, and policy documents), the paper finds that the quagmire of economic considerations, global politics, and unresolved national and historical grievances interfere with objectivity of energy transition discourses, which also clouds the obvious inconsistency between policy and practice of energy services. The government's business-as-usual posture cannot achieve the NET targets, but attitudes can change if western countries and major emitters can demonstrate goodwill and objectivity in terms of policy and practice around climate action and energy transitions. The energy transition scenario in Ghana has some legitimacy from the country's policy and intellectual communities and is a microcosm of the wider tensions about energy justice and equity between the global north and south. The finalisation of Ghana's NET framework provides a policy framework for planning towards net zero, and although it's 2070 target doesn't show urgency, it offers the regulatory environment for international development partners to engage and contribute meaningfully to the country's energy transition.

Trends and Evolution of the GIS-Based Photovoltaic Potential Calculation

In the current framework of energy transition, renewable energy production has gained a renewed relevance. A set of 75 papers was selected from the existing literature and critically analyzed to understand the main inputs and tools used to calculate solar energy and derive theoretical photovoltaic production based on geographic information systems (GISs). A heterogeneous scenario for solar energy estimation emerged from the analysis, with a prevalence of 2.5D tools—mainly ArcGIS and QGIS—whose calculation is refined chiefly by inputting weather data from databases. On the other hand, despite some minor changes, the formula for calculating the photovoltaic potential is widely acknowledged and includes solar energy, exploitable surface, performance ratio, and panel efficiency. While sectorial studies—targeting a specific component of the calculation—are sound, the comprehensive ones are generally problematic due to excessive simplification of some parts. Moreover, validation is often lacking or, when present, only partial. The research on the topic is in constant evolution, increasingly moving towards purely 3D models and refining the estimation to include the time component—both in terms of life cycle and variations between days and seasons.

Hydrogen Combustion: Features and Barriers to Its Exploitation in the Energy Transition

The aim of this article is to review hydrogen combustion applications within the energy transition framework. Hydrogen blends are also included, from the well-known hydrogen enriched natural gas (HENG) to the hydrogen and ammonia blends whose chemical kinetics is still not clearly defined. Hydrogen and hydrogen blends combustion characteristics will be firstly summarized in terms of standard properties like the laminar flame speed and the adiabatic flame temperature, but also evidencing the critical role of hydrogen preferential diffusion in burning rate enhancement and the drastic reduction in radiative emission with respect to natural gas flames. Then, combustion applications in both thermo-electric power generation (based on internal combustion engines, i.e., gas turbines and piston engines) and hard-to-abate industry (requiring high-temperature kilns and furnaces) sectors will be considered, highlighting the main issues due to hydrogen addition related to safety, pollutant emissions, and potentially negative effects on industrial products (e.g., glass, cement and ceramic).

A step towards a just transition in the EU: Conclusions of a regression-based energy inequality decomposition

The conceptual and regulatory framework of the European just transition does not consider inequality in household energy consumption. This study addresses the causes of this inequality across the 27 Member States of the European Union (EU) in the period 2010–2020 to contribute to its reduction. To identify these causes, the regression-based inequality decomposition approach is used. The results show that the variation in per capita gross domestic product (GDP), which contributes 38.76% to the inequality of household energy consumption, is the main cause of this inequality. Moreover, the average contribution of GDP per capita in the inequality of household energy consumption is almost negligible in the most developed states. In contrast, it is much higher in the least developed states, suggesting that decoupling between household energy consumption and economic development has not been achieved in all Member States. To promote a just transition to climate neutrality by 2050, the energy transition framework should therefore be broadened to help the least developed states achieve decoupling and align their energy consumption with that of the most developed states.

Design of sustainable offshore hybrid energy systems for improved wave energy dispatchability

Wave energy is a renewable energy source having a highly exploitable potential in several locations worldwide. In the framework of energy transition, the exploitation of wave energy combined with end-of-life offshore stranded gas reservoirs may lead to two positive impacts: the stabilization of the energy supplied to the grid and a better penetration of renewable energy in areas where the grid is not able to compensate the fluctuations associated to renewable energy production. Moreover, in order to guarantee the dispatched energy schedule, wave energy needs to be coupled with back-up systems aimed at valley filling. In the present study, an innovative approach to the conceptual design of hybrid energy systems based on wave energy is developed, entailing an operation strategy that complies with the dispatching needs of grid-connected generation systems. The probability of correct dispatching that the producer assures to the Transmission System Operator is used as a parameter to optimize the design of a Gas to Power back-up system used for valley filling. The approach supports the preliminary design of offshore hybrid energy systems based on wave energy, starting from historical wave data up to the definition of an optimal back-up system valorizing residual reservoir fuels and its operation strategy. The proposed design is evaluated through a Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis, including the technological, economic, environmental and safety aspects, which allows the assessment of the overall sustainability performance of the hybrid system, considering the fluctuations associated to wave power generation during a typical operation period. The methodology was applied to two test-cases in different offshore operating theaters (North and Adriatic seas), in order to test its potentiality. The results highlighted that, in both sites, similar design choices are suggested for the hybrid system. However, the annual energy production resulted 6.5 times higher in the North Sea test-case. The low energy generation in the Adriatic Sea test site caused a levelized cost of energy of 3960 EUR/MWh, much higher than the value obtained for the North Sea case (610 EUR/MWh). In both cases, the gas turbine park impacts negatively on the cost of energy production, but is critical in meeting the design value of the probability of correct dispatching.

Empirical analysis of the Russian power industry's transition to sustainability

Solutions to sustainability challenges often focus on low-carbon energy transition. This paper highlights the Russian electric power industry's barriers to and drivers for achieving zero emissions by 2060. The methods used include policy analysis and an econometric analysis of variables that affect and are affected by per capita electricity consumption in 1990–2021. The results show that while renewables lower overall electricity use, economic growth, financial development, and CO2 emissions increase use. A bidirectional causality exists from trade openness and CO2 emissions to electricity consumption. A sustainable energy transition framework is proposed based on consolidating selected policy tools.

Beyond the just energy transition narrative: How South Africa can support the AfCFTA to advance climate resilient development

ABSTRACT This article argues that South Africa’s climate change policy and engagement should go beyond advancing its transition to a low carbon economy, and should include adaptation, green industrialisation, and resilience. In this context the article argues that South Africa and other African countries should go beyond the narrow limits of the just energy transition framework and adopt the more holistic concept of climate resilient development. It is proposed that South Africa should support the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the African Union (AU) to strengthen renewable energy infrastructure, green industrial value chains, adaptation and resilience – thus adopting a climate resilient developmental regionalism approach. The EU carbon border adjustment measure is critically discussed. The AfCFTA and the AU are urged to build more coherent approaches between their negotiating positions in the WTO and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Scenario analysis of carbon emission trajectory on energy system transition model: A case study of Sichuan Province

Energy transition targets and pathway planning are more important since the declare of carbon peak and carbon neutrality in China. Energy transition is highly relevant with economic and social development, as well as industrial transformation and technological innovation. However, existing studies have rarely conducted energy transition and CO2 emissions analysis from the macro targets of economic development and climate change as well as micro pathway of different sectors. In this study, we propose an energy transition framework to present an energy transition mechanism driven by various impact factors. First, a sectional energy consumption module is presented to analyse energy consumption transition linking economic development, technology progress, and low-carbon policy effect. Then, the energy conversion and supply module is proposed, tracing back energy flows from demand to supply to provide an overview of the energy transition. Subsequently, empirical scenario analysis of Sichuan Province is conducted, followed by whole perspective and targets of energy transition as well as CO2 emission mitigation trajectory. The results indicate that: (1) Sichuan's Carbon peak and carbon neutrality will be achieved in 2028 and 2058 under the Energy Transition Scenario; (2) Clean electrification transition would result in an insufficient renewable power supply for outer-region demand from 2030 to 2050, and Sichuan Province would not be able to meet its carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals if natural gas is added to generate more electricity to ensure the export volume; (3) Energy efficiency improvement, energy mix optimization and the increase of penetration of renewable power can reduce CO2 emission by 13.3 Mt, 87.8 Mt, and 5.4 Mt in 2050 in Energy Transition Scenario. The model extends the modelling methodology of energy-economy-environment system and provides an effective scenario analysis and path selection tool, which can provide a scientific and quantitative reference basis for policy makers in the context of energy regulation and energy network governance and can be applied to the study of energy transition paths in other regions.

Internet data centers participating in electricity network transition considering carbon-oriented demand response

With the advent of the information era and the advance of the Internet, the electricity demand of Internet data centers (IDCs) sees rapid growth worldwide. The demand response of the IDCs is a potential resource to realize load management in smart grids. In this paper, we investigate the impact of the demand response of IDCs on the electricity network transition roadmap under carbon pricing policies. Different from other types of loads, IDCs can offer both temporal and spatial load regulation potentials. With their unique demand response characteristics, IDCs can help to smooth the output of renewable energy in the energy transition process. To this end, a two-stage energy transition framework is proposed. The proposed framework work reveals the interaction between the transmission expansion planning and the carbon response of IDCs. In the first stage, a transmission network expansion model, considering the early retirement of the coal-fired power plants (CFPPs), is proposed. The utilities are compelled to prioritize carbon-constrained infrastructure augmentation in their capital programs. In the second stage, the carbon response of the IDCs is modeled. The adjusted carbon emission flow (CEF) model is proposed to track the carbon footprint of IDCs. The operation and server expansion strategies of IDCs are optimized. The IDCs' self-elasticity to the carbon price and the cross-elasticity to the electricity price is formulated to better understand the underlying driver of carbon emissions in electricity markets. With the proposed model, the operation and expansion strategies of IDC can respond to the carbon price signals actively. The proposed method is verified on the IEEE 30-bus system. The simulation results show that the proposed method can save $0.518 billion annually. Furthermore, the carbon response of the IDCs can help the network realize energy transition smoothly and reduce the total carbon emission.

Национальная стратегия финансирования энергоперехода: оценка возможностей и поиск решений

This article examines the current trends and the state of development of the energy transition in the Russian Federation. This process presents many challenges and requires a country to develop a strategy for success. At the same time, the successful implementation of the energy transition requires a balanced solution for its organization and implementation and a clear economic calculation. The main purpose of the study was to systematize information on the organization and instruments of for financing the energy transition in the Russian Federation. Presented among the results of the planned modernization transformations of the economy, the energy transition must be considered in the system of existing relations to determine its role and place in this process. The article analyzes government decisions on the energy transition organization, describes key aspects of the modern energy agenda, and summarizes information on the main instruments of energy transition financing. The author concludes that Russia is shaping its energy transition agenda on the basis of competitive advantages and socio-economic development priorities. Regarding energy transition, the country currently adheres to the Paris Agreement, adapting cross-border carbon regulations. The system of organization of relations within the energy transition framework is only being formed in Russia today, while with regard to the funding mechanism there is some experience and groundwork formed in the organization of the financing process of the green economy. Financial flows are reoriented to sectors of the economy which ensure energy security, technological sovereignty and sustainable economic development of Russia.

Assessment of Renewable Acceptance by Electric Network Development Exploiting Operation Islands

The framework of energy transition poses significant challenges in subtransmission network development, where the increased renewable energy generation is collected, in order to efficiently convey power production, avoiding limitations in a range of operating conditions. In this paper, a method to evaluate possible margins for further renewable penetration due to electric network development is assessed, by means of scenario evaluation for the concretisation of renewable initiatives, combined producibility analysis, and load flow studies, accounting for operation islands in subtransmission network organisation, carried out in N and N-1 conditions. The method is applied to a provisional model of the southern part of the Italian power system.

How to avoid unjust energy transitions: insights from the Ruhr region

Abstract Background The transition of the Ruhr region in Germany from a hard coal belt into a knowledge-based economy with a dynamic service sector and state of the art universities over the past 60–80 years has been widely touted as a successful example of how just and fair low carbon energy transitions can unfold. Methods This paper leverages documentary analysis of data across a wide array of sources to test these claims and identify lessons by creating a novel just energy transition framework. Results The study finds economic motivation, mindset and reorientation—not environmental concerns—to be the defining features for at least the first two decades of this shift. The lack of willingness to acknowledge environmental impacts and market realities has delayed the transition and led to wasteful allocation of resources towards supporting the hard coal mining industry. The prominence given to distributional justice cushions the victims of this transition financially, but does not allow a broad based coalition to advance the transition process. It is in the second phase (mid-1980s onwards that we see procedural aspects of justice come forth and support greater ownership and sustainability of the transition to emerge, while the evidence of recognition justice continues to be scant. Conclusions There are many nuanced successes in the Ruhr’s example, along with some failures worth highlighting. It is in the breakdown of this transition into two distinct phases and their nuances (particularly in the domain of justice) that fresh insights emerge and allow for a better understanding of what constitutes a suitable energy transition in a particular socio-economic and political context. As the international community embarks on ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets, it can maximise the benefits and minimise the damages and costs by considering these realities on the ground.

Definition of a Basic Design for Conversion of an Offshore Fixed Platform on a Depleted Reservoir Into a Sustainable Plant

Abstract In the framework of energy transition, a focus is given to the study of the conversion of offshore Oil&Gas (O&G) platforms at the end of their life due to the depletion of the reservoirs on which they operate. Their modular and versatile structure allows the implementation of new processes and innovative sustainable technologies for reducing the environmental impact of a complete decommissioning, especially on the subsea ecosystem that has grown around the jacket, and for guaranteeing cost-saving solutions. Among different conversion options, this paper focuses on the installation on the platform of a system for the production of photovoltaic (PV) energy to be used for seawater desalination and its delivery to other platforms operating in the same area. The project focuses on the definition of technical characteristics of the basic design, on the investigation of the technical feasibility of the conversion process, and on qualitative safety and environmental impact studies. Moreover, the old platform equipment to be decommissioned (i.e., the equipment necessary for hydrocarbons treatment) are identified, and the installation of new equipment is optimized, e.g., the number of PV panels and, therefore, the installed power are maximized. At the same time, decommissioning costs and impacts can be minimized. The basic design is completed with a preliminary structural verification to guarantee that critical situations do not rise, with an indication on the main maintenance activities for the preservation of plant good efficiency and with safety and environmental preliminary analyses for the identification of potential criticalities to be managed at different design levels.

Technological Perspectives and Economic Aspects of Green Hydrogen in the Energetic Transition: Challenges for Chemistry

Green hydrogen is a fuel capable of promoting sustainable energy development and is gaining attention in the current global energy transition framework. The global shift toward decarbonization has triggered a substantial boost in the hydrogen industry. This study presents an overview of the current status of hydrogen production, regulation of the green hydrogen segment, hydrogen storage, distribution, and transportation, and final use and application. We also critically discuss the viability of adopting green hydrogen in terms of possible economic and environmental impacts as well as the main challenges and opportunities it represents for the Chemical Sciences.

Global low-carbon energy transition in the post-COVID-19 era

The COVID-19 pandemic has created significant challenges for energy transition. Concerns about the overwhelming emphasis on economic recovery at the cost of energy transition progress have been raised worldwide. More voices are calling for “green” recovery scheme, which recovers the economy while not compromising on the environment. However, limited academic attention has been paid to comprehensively investigating the implications of COVID-19 for global energy transition. This study thus provides a comprehensive analysis of the dynamics between energy transition and COVID-19 around the world and proposes a low-carbon energy transition roadmap in the post-pandemic era. Using energy data from the International Energy Agency (IEA), we first summarized and reviewed the progress of energy transition prior to COVID-19. Building on prior progress, we identified the challenges for energy transition during the pandemic from the perspectives of government support, fossil fuel divestment, renewable energy production capacity, global supply chain, and energy poverty. However, the pandemic also generates opportunities for global energy transition. We hence also identified potential opportunities for energy transition presented by the pandemic from the perspectives of price competitiveness, policy implementation efficiency, and renewable energy strengths. We further provided an in-depth discussion on the impact of current worldwide economic recovery stimulus on energy transition. Based on the identified challenges and opportunities, we proposed the post-pandemic energy transition roadmap in terms of broadening green financing instruments, strengthening international cooperation, and enhancing green recovery plans. Our study sheds light on a global low-carbon energy transition framework and has practical implications for green recovery schemes in post-pandemic times.

Navigating the Future of the Energy Transition in the Middle East Gulf Economies Post COVID-19

Despite the oil price shock and global economic slowdown from COVID-19, hydrocarbons will still be relevant as petrochemicals play a vital role in Arabian gulf economies even when shifting to a low carbon future. Increasing the share of renewable energy generation and electrifying mobility will require governments of the Middle East to develop integrated energy and economic strategies. Preparing for a -post-COVID-19 world should extend beyond the energy transition into thinking towards a ‘Just’ inclusive energy transition framework for the citizens in the region.

National Energy Transition Framework toward SDG7 with Legal Reforms and Policy Bundles: The Case of Taiwan and Its Comparison with Japan

The main problem explored in this study is how Taiwan and other countries meet the challenges of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals regarding energy transition by using legal instruments or policy bundles. This study adopts textual analysis and legal policy analysis as its main form of research methodology, and the theory of energy justice, as well as principles of energy management, to correlate with the Sustainable Development Goals. Furthermore, this study aims to construct an analysis structure for national energy transition and to analyze the current situation within Taiwan’s electricity sector reforms, while providing evidence of the national experience of electrical industry reforms as an international reference. This study also compares the differences between the seventh Sustainable Development Goal relationship and national energy transitions in Taiwan and Japan, based on the similar initiative of the revised Electricity Act with the policy bundle. This study specifically finds that, firstly, the theory for energy justice is connected with the principles for energy management, owing to the same concepts of “Fair Competition”, via the recognition of “Energy Development and Poverty”, which correlates with “Environment Protection”. Therefore, the concept of energy transition proposed in this study integrates national energy development policy goals and combines them with environmental sustainability, the green economy, and social equity. Secondly, the national energy transition in Taiwan is a response to the Sustainable Development Goals, and electricity sector-related laws could be used as legal tools for national energy transition. This study concludes that Taiwanese and Japanese governments can strengthen their environmental regulations to promote fair competition directly, with fair competition then being able to enhance stable electricity supply, to enable these countries to move towards the seventh Sustainable Development Goal and its indicators. Finally, the analysis structure used in this study could be used as a policy analysis tool for other countries during their own energy transition, when a nation is willing to strategically reform its electricity sector and make sustainable choices regarding transition paths and policy bundles that are suitable for the situation of the individual country. Then, a nation can make revisions to its laws and formulate a policy that is in line with local conditions, while as simultaneously implementing the Sustainable Development Goals.

Circular economy and energy transition: A nexus focusing on the non-energy use of fuels

Given emerging concerns about climate change, low-carbon energy transition is advocated and promoted. Non-energy use of fossil fuels accounted for 8.9% of the world’s total final energy consumption in 2015. Non-energy use intensity does not show an evident reduction, while energy intensity as fuel per dollar of gross domestic product has decreased thanks to energy transition efforts such as energy efficiency promotion and renewable energy expansion. This study conducted an extensive review of the circular economy and energy transition frameworks, and found that the energy transition framework has a critical gap, so it cannot provide a foundation for investigating non-energy use. This study suggests that the energy transition discourse needs to be extended to incorporate the transition of non-energy use and the achievement of a closed loop of non-energy use, which is part of the circular economy framework. The coordinated circular economy–energy transition approach could bring in synergistic effects, such as promoting circular economy activities among industries, reducing energy demand, and attaining additional greenhouse gas mitigation potential.

Drivers and Ideal Types towards Energy Transition: Anticipating the Futures Scenarios of OECD Countries.

This study aims to identify the ideal types of energy transition of the thirty-five Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries and to explore their implications using the fuzzy-set ideal type analysis. It then anticipates the futures scenarios of OECD member countries towards energy transition by placing the ideal type results. In particular, looking at the possibility of the futures towards energy transition, this study attempts to set up the comprehensive measurement framework of energy transition embracing the three key drivers (energy system (E), energy citizenship (S), and digital technology (T)). As a result, the eight OECD countries, including Denmark (fuzzy score 0.889), UK (0.800), and Norway (0.788) belonging to Type 1 (E*S*T) with the all high features of three key drivers, are expected to have ‘Outlier (super-potent) Futures’ of energy transition. The twelve countries of Type 2 (E*S*t), 3 (E*s*T), and 5 (e*S*T) with two high features of three ones will belong to the ‘Best (reformative) Futures’. The five countries of Type 4 (E*s*t), 6 (e*S*t), and 7 (e*s*T) with one high feature among three ones will be located in ‘Business-As-Usual Futures’. Finally, the ten countries, including Hungary (fuzzy score 0.881), Greece (0.716), Israel (0.679) belonging to Type 8 (e*s*t) with all three low features, are expected to have ‘Worst (declined) Futures’ of energy transition.