Enhance Energy Security Research Articles

The Bottlenecks and Countermeasures Faced by the Development of China’s New Energy Industry from the Perspective of Ecological Civilization

With the development of the social economy, the contradictions between China’s population, resources, and environment are becoming increasingly prominent. Therefore, the most important way for China’s industrial development is to develop and utilize new energy. These new energy sources mainly include solar energy, geothermal energy, wind energy, ocean energy, biomass energy, and nuclear fusion energy, among others. The significance of new energy in China’s sustainable development is mainly reflected in improving environmental quality, saving limited resources, and enhancing energy security. The development of China’s new energy industry still encounters multiple challenges that impose limitations on resource structure modification. It is necessary for us to aggressively pursue effective countermeasures to promote the development and use of new energy. Ecological Civilization has prioritized the development of new and clean energy sources. The major goal of this paper is to analyse the challenges that exist in the development of new energy in China in light of Ecological Civilization and to propose some novel ideas for the development path of China’s new energy industry.

Minimizing electric vehicle charging costs in the microgrid using the BFGS Quasi-Newton Method

Electric vehicles (EVs) offer a compelling solution for mitigating pollution, addressing environmental alterations, and enhancing energy security. This research presents a methodology employing the Broyden Fletcher Gold- farb Shanno quasi-Newton technique to streamline the charging costs associated with plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs). The initial step involves formulating an objective function directed at minimizing the expenses tied to PEV charging. This function takes into account crucial constraints pertaining to charger specifications, state of charge limitations, and voltage levels. Subsequently, we de- tail the application of the BFGS Quasi-Newton algorithm in computing node topology voltages within a microgrid featuring distributed energy resources (DERs). The findings demonstrate that the BFGS-enabled method outperforms alternative approaches in minimizing the cost of charging PEVs

DPSIR framework to evaluate and analyze Iran's energy security

Energy security has become an increasing concern for many countries, policymakers, and decision-makers. Beyond the environmental challenges of fossil energy sources, energy security remains a prominent concern for economic development. Therefore, evaluating energy security can be a valuable tool for policy formulation. This article models the energy security of Iran using the DPSIR framework (driving forces, pressures, states, impacts, and responses). The period under study is from 2012 to 2021. The dimensions of this framework include five aspects: driving forces, pressures, status, impacts, and responses. The TOPSIS model with entropy weighting is used to calculate the weights of indices and ultimately determine the final energy security. The research findings indicate that throughout the examined period, there have been fluctuations in the trend. However, Iran's energy security has been bullish and has reached 0.61 in 2021 from 0.38 in 2012. The indicators of driving forces and impacts have enhanced energy security threats. International sanctions, population growth, urbanization, reliance on fossil fuel consumption, and the emission of environmental pollutants were the most influential factors contributing to decreased energy security. Iran requires the implementation of suitable strategies for long-term control of these factors.

Renewable energy sources acceptability for decentralized energy system in Nigeria: Issues, challenges and prospects

The increasing awareness of environmental concerns, coupled with the need to enhance energy security and alleviate the impacts of climate change, has fast-tracked an intensive exploration of renewable energy technologies. The development has indeed recorded remarkable growth in most developed countries like China, USA, Brazil, and China. However, this is not the same as most developing countries in Africa. This work carried out a comprehensive review of the available Renewable Energy Sources (RES) in Nigeria, assessed its level of utilization, identified the challenges, and suggested effective ways of ensuring the adoption of a decentralized energy system through the use of RES. A critical analysis of public opinions on the acceptability of RES as a decentralized energy system in the country was carried out. The work sampled the opinions of people in the adoption of RES for a decentralized energy system using southwest, Nigeria as a case study. The population involves power stakeholders, rural dwellers, RES experts, and policymakers across the six states of southwest, Nigeria. A well-structured questionnaire was designed to capture nuanced responses on a range of key parameters, including awareness levels, acceptance, and perceived benefits and challenges associated with decentralized renewable energy systems. The research findings (through the use of questionnaires) showed a very low level of awareness and acceptability of RES and provided valuable insights into the potential barriers and possible facilitating conditions for the adoption of renewable energy technologies.

Comparative assessment of anticipated wind power capacities in Bulgaria and Kazakhstan

This paper presents a detailed comparative analysis of the projected growth in wind power capacities in Bulgaria and Kazakhstan from 2023 to 2030. It explores the development strategies, anticipated capacities, and the economic and environmental implications associated with these strategies in both nations. Bulgaria, with its strategic advancement under the European Union’s regulatory and financial framework, is set to expand its wind power capacity to 3.9 GW by 2030, including notable developments in both onshore and offshore wind energy sectors. The country's efforts are bolstered by governmental initiatives aimed at streamlining grid connections and facilitating faster project approvals, indicative of a mature market moving towards an integrated renewable energy system. Conversely, Kazakhstan, while starting from a lower baseline, displays significant potential for rapid expansion in its wind energy sector, aiming for a total capacity of approximately 4 GW by 2030. The focus primarily remains on harnessing its extensive onshore resources, with plans for offshore development still in the conceptual phase. This growth trajectory is driven by Kazakhstan's national priorities to enhance energy security and economic sustainability through renewable energy investments. This analysis underscores the varied approaches taken by Bulgaria and Kazakhstan in capitalizing on their geographic and political contexts to expand wind power, reflecting broader trends in global renewable energy development. The study provides valuable insights into the dynamics of renewable energy strategies in transitioning economies and their implications for regional energy markets.

Ethanol Fuel Blending Program in India: Analysis of Environmental, Economic, and Policy Aspects Using System Dynamics Approach

India initiated its ethanol fuel blending program (EBP) two decades ago to enhance energy security, reduce crude imports, and promote low‐carbon transportation. However, despite government initiatives and policies, the EBP has made slower progress than anticipated. For the long‐term adoption and success of the EBP, the following critical areas must be analyzed: integrated ethanol production from multiple feedstocks, demand and linkage to industries requiring ethanol, impact on the environment and revenue prospects, and evaluation of the policy measures adopted. This study addresses these topics by analyzing the interaction between various industries (demand) and ethanol production from multiple sources (supply) using system dynamics modeling. Simulation and scenario analysis have been used to evaluate the environmental and economic performance of ethanol blends under the influence of various policy parameters. The findings indicate that, contrary to the conventional belief, the production of ethanol directly from sugarcane juice does not significantly threaten food security. Higher blending ratios yield enhanced environmental benefits and revenues in the short term, but these are outweighed by the long‐term benefits of lower blending ratios. The findings also indicate that encouraging second‐generation ethanol production from rice stalks and increasing the blending ratios will reduce CO2 emissions. However, the goals set for blending cannot be achieved until measures to diversify feedstocks and improve the infrastructure for ethanol production are scaled up.

China’s Climate Diplomacy and Energy Security

As China continues to assert itself on the global stage, its energy policies are increasingly intertwined with its broaderGeopolitical ambitions. The country’s investments in renewable energy are not just about reducing carbon emissions;they also serve as a strategic tool for enhancing energy security and reducing dependency on foreign energy imports.Moreover, China’s approach to climate change diplomacy is shaping its relationships with other major powers, particularlythe United States, influencing the dynamics of international cooperation on environmental issues. While China’s progressin renewable energy is commendable, significant challenges remain, including the need to increase the domestic utilisationof renewable sources and afresh the logistical and infrastructural barriers that impede further development. Ultimately,China’s journey toward becoming a renewable energy superpower will be a critical factor in global effort to combat climateChange and redefine the future of international relations

A Comparative Analysis of Renewable Energy Policies and its Impact on Economic Growth: A Review

Renewable energy has been identified as a critical component of global efforts to address climate change, enhance energy security, and foster sustainable economic growth. As a result, many countries have implemented renewable energy policies to promote the development and deployment of renewable energy technologies. However, the impact of these policies on economic growth remains a subject of debate. This article provides a comparative analysis of renewable energy policies and their impact on economic growth. The study employs a systematic review of the literature and utilizes qualitative and quantitative methods to compare renewable energy policies and their economic impacts across different countries. The findings suggest that the impact of renewable energy policies on economic growth varies across countries and is influenced by factors such as policy design, institutional context, and economic structure. This research article finally, examined the challenges associated with implementing renewable energy policies, analyzed the implications of the findings for policymakers and further gave some potential solutions that will help the policymakers and future researchers.

New Foods as a Factor in Enhancing Energy Security

Increasing energy security is a crucial component of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Three main factors influence energy security: (1) the efficiency of resource use in energy production, (2) the extent of energy losses, and (3) the use of new energy sources. Novel food products can impact these factors, and this paper explores whether they are being studied in the context of reducing energy consumption. Specifically, we investigate the role of technical progress and know-how in the creation and development of novel food products and whether novel methods of food production using artificial intelligence aim to reduce energy expenditures while improving product quality, variety, and the use of new energy sources. This paper seeks to examine the impact determinants of novel foods on energy security, considering economic, technological, social, and environmental aspects of knowledge about new food. To implement the study, the relevant international literature published in the past ten years have been reviewed and methods of modeling, visualization, and descriptive statistics applied. The review is structured into three sections: the first section presents ways to save energy and other resources in the food production chain through the intensive use of artificial intelligence tools; the second section presents the development of novel food products; and the last section presents marketing challenges for novel foods. The findings show that the topic addressed by this paper is currently critical, with many authorities, research centers, food producers, and energy producers interested. However, the research problem remains open, as a systematic review of secondary sources revealed little knowledge of the topic under study, and each author’s study presents a new solution. The conclusion is that utilizing new foods and innovative production techniques that require less energy not only enhances production diversity but also improves its quality.

Administrative and legal measures to overcome threats to energy security of Ukraine in the oil and gas sector

Under martial law conditions in Ukraine since February 24, 2022, the oil and gas sector has faced unprecedented threats to energy security. This article aims to comprehensively analyze the state’s administrative and legal measures in overcoming threats in the oil and gas industry during martial law, focusing on the fuel and gas sectors.
 The study employs various methods, including formal legal analysis of regulatory legal acts, the formal and dogmatic method to deduce the content of legal regulation for energy security in the oil and gas sector, and the systematic method to examine specific administrative and legal measures within the broader framework of Ukraine’s energy security.
 The study delves into the administrative and legal measures implemented by Ukraine to address threats in the fuel and gas sectors. In the fuel sector, measures include simplifying bureaucratic procedures, prioritizing fuel imports from the EU, altering pricing mechanisms, and tax relief. The gas sector involves legislative changes, moratoriums on pricing and tariff increases, funding allocations, export bans, and the involvement of large energy companies.
 Since martial law’s introduction, Ukraine applied diverse administrative and legal measures to enhance energy security in the oil and gas sector. The effectiveness of these measures requires a comprehensive approach, considering potential negative consequences. Strengthening the role of energy entities and aligning antimonopoly legislation with consumer protection is crucial. Timely legislation addressing the energy sector functioning under extraordinary circumstances is recommended for proactive threat response. Finally, the paper highlights the need for sustainable development criteria, emphasizing efficient energy resource use and the integration of renewable energy sources.

How Green Banks can create multiple types of value in the transition to net zero emissions

AbstractCurrent levels of investment are insufficient to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, and private sector funding shortfalls are acute. Despite this, little research has been undertaken into Green Banks, a new form of institution which mixes public and private institutional logics to mobilise additional private investment in the net zero transition. This paper examines how hybridity manifests in Green Banks and the ways these institutions create value through their investments. We adopt a mixed method, case study approach, combining primary document study with interviews, to elicit information on different forms of hybrid governance and value creation in four Green Banks (located in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States). We find some commonalities in how hybridity manifests between cases (e.g. combining public knowledge sharing logics with private investment logics), but also significant differences (e.g. in investment focus), as policymakers adapt organisational governance to suit jurisdictional circumstances. Green Banks are perceived to create value beyond their core financial roles, including knowledge spillovers, social equity benefits, and enhanced energy security. Current evaluation approaches focus on financial metrics and often exclude these broader areas of value creation. Development of additional value capture metrics could make Green Bank contributions more visible.Points for practitioners Green Banks are hybrid organisations that seek to accelerate investments in low carbon infrastructure. Green Banks aim to mobilise additional private finance to investments which would otherwise not occur, due to economic, social, or political barriers. Green Banks demonstrate different forms of organisational hybridity and value creation at national, state, and local levels. At present, the value created by Green Banks, particularly investments in disadvantaged communities, is not fully captured through investment evaluation processes. The net zero transition is an opportunity to develop new forms of investment governance and evaluation which moves beyond capturing financial value to capture the value of investments more effectively.

Extraction Study of Lignite Coalbed Methane as a Potential Supplement to Natural Gas for Enhancing Energy Security of Western Macedonia Region in Greece

Greek lignite reserves are mainly located in the northwestern part of the country (Region of Western Macedonia, Greece), reaching a total of 5 billion tons. Considering that Greece is planning to stop burning lignite for electricity production, the recovery of the CH4 trapped in lignite coalbed reservoirs can be a valuable alternative for power generation and may help to reduce the direct emissions of methane during mining activities. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the LCBM in the Region of Western Macedonia, Greece (Ptolemaida basin). In order to assess the LCBM that could be extracted, three samples were collected from an active mine and were subjected to desorption experiments at different temperatures (25 °C, 50 °C, 100 °C, and 150 °C) by channeling high purity Ar gas at 1 atm of pressure. According to the results, the highest amount of CH4 was extracted during the desorption process at 50 °C, while the total amount of CH4 from all three samples was 0.82 m3/kg, confirming the presence of CH4 in the lignite deposits. Finally, a SWOT analysis was carried out that shows the strengths and opportunities against the weaknesses and threats of a potential LCBM exploitation in Greece, while also taking into account the social, economic, and environmental nexus.

A novel geothermal-PV led energy system analysis on the case of the central American countries Guatemala, Honduras, and Costa Rica

Transitioning to renewables for all purposes in Central America is imperative to mitigating climate change and the impact of COVID-19, reducing fossil fuel imports and enhancing energy security. Research on integrating high shares of renewable energy in the region is still lacking. However, the variability of renewable energy is often raised as a concern. In this context, we present a novel solar PV-geothermal led energy system analysis for the case of Guatemala, Honduras, and Costa Rica, using the LUT Energy System Transition Model for detailed pathway analyses linked to state-of-the-art resource data. This study contributes to the value of hybrid solutions based on geothermal energy and solar PV as the centerpiece of overall supply applied to the energy transition discussion in these countries, which requires further research in countries or regions with similar climatic and resource conditions. We find that complementarity between solar PV and geothermal could be cost-competitive with improved system stability, where the need for battery storage decreases thanks to dispatchable geothermal power. The results illustrate the advantage of a fully renewable energy system, sector coupling, and high electrification rates as the most cost-efficient pathway by 2050. A new perspective is provided and is relevant for energy planners and policymakers in the region and globally.

Analysis of Environmental and Energy Policies in Turkey, the European Union and the United States

Energy consumption plays a pivotal role in the development of societies. Sustainable Energy Resources are vital inputs for daily life, and energy and industrial products are essential for economic growth (Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, 2022). Consequently, those responsible for managing a country's energy sector must ensure the uninterrupted, reliable, timely, clean, and affordable supply of energy, as well as diversify energy sources to enhance energy security.
 The concept of "sustainable development" has emerged in response to the need to prevent irreversible environmental damage caused by conventional energy sources and outdated technologies while ensuring access to energy as a fundamental human right under optimal conditions (Pamir, N 2005). Developed societies have transitioned from planning based solely on energy source acquisition and production to a planning approach that carefully considers the energy-economy-ecology balance (3E) while taking into account resource diversity and geopolitical realities (Energy Policies and Global Developments, emo.org.tr).
 Turkey remains heavily dependent on energy imports, accounting for approximately 74% of its energy needs (Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, 2023). The multifaceted nature of Turkey's energy strategy and its energy dependence emphasize the importance of international relations in this field.
 U.S. energy policies have global ramifications, particularly in areas such as energy resource utilization, energy trade, and energy independence (Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, 2022). U.S. energy policies play a significant role in international relations, impacting relationships with other countries, especially in matters related to energy exports and imports.
 In Europe, there is uneven progress towards clean electricity, with both successes and challenges in transitioning to a low-carbon energy system. While the European energy sector has taken significant steps towards decarbonization, there has been limited progress in some countries, and much more progress is needed. Achieving a fully decarbonized energy system in Europe requires united efforts and coordination to address the challenges posed by fossil fuel dependence and climate change.

INTEGRATION OF HEATING SYSTEM OPERATION

Ukraine has a huge asset in the form of existing district heating (DH) networks and demand for related services. DH is transforming the European energy sector, attracting efficient, local and renewable energy resources where this was not possible. However, due to the old material base of spare parts, insufficient level of investment and low level of management, Ukrainian DH systems are ineffective and do not meet the needs of consumers. The experience of European Union member states in central Europe shows that deep and sustained reforms can address the current challenges of the heating sector, including improving energy efficiency and economic competitiveness, strengthening environmental sustainability and enhancing energy security. The DH sector in Ukraine has not yet undergone the structural reform that other sectors of the economy have already gone through: over the past 30 years, the quality of services has decreased; subsidies have increased; the old material base is falling apart; The question arises whether it is worth continuing to support DH. As a result, Ukraine's DH sector is in dire straits, with financial, operational and technical problems compounding each other. Comprehensive and well-planned efforts must be made to create the conditions for exiting this state. Such structural reforms are essential to attracting the investment needed to improve the quality, efficiency and long-term potential of the district heating sector.
 The article examines the possibility of using modern technological solutions to modernize heat supply systems in order to improve their efficiency, which can lead to improved district heating services, transparency and financial stability.
 Keywords: energy resources, renewable energy sources, fossil fuels, automated heat and power plant, electricity, hot water, hot air, heating, private households, electric water heater, geothermal heat pump, wind power generator, low-power boiler house.

Climate change, energy security risk, and clean energy investment

We examine the impact of climate change on energy security risk and explore the role of clean energy investment in reducing this impact. By exploiting a recently developed historical energy security risk dataset alongside climate change and clean energy investment datasets, we demonstrate that climate change enhances energy security risk. Additionally, we show that investment in clean energy can reduce the impact of climate change on energy security risk. This mitigating effect of clean energy investment is more pronounced in countries with slower population growth, the capacity to invest in robust energy infrastructures, and lower corruption practices. To optimize the role of clean energy investment in reducing the impact of climate change, it is crucial to establish robust energy systems, control population growth, maintain higher environmental standards, and limit corruption practices, among other measures.

Lessons learnt from 20 + years of research on multilevel governance of energy-efficient and zero-carbon buildings in the European Union

At global scale, the building sector accounts for 40% of total energy end use and almost 35% of greenhouse gas emissions. This makes it one of the most important sectors to focus on for reaching the 1.5–2 °C target of the Paris Agreement, to enhance energy security of supply and to alleviate energy poverty. The European Union (EU) is often seen as a leader in climate governance, which is also true for energy efficiency. The improvement of energy performance of buildings has been part of EU public policy for more than 50 years, making the EU a pioneer in the policy domain. Based on a semi-structured review of the scientific literature (N = 90), this paper is aimed at drawing the lessons from research on governance of energy-efficient and zero-carbon buildings in the EU. As for the findings, there is a multitude of policy instruments developed on different levels of governance, more or less integrated and managed by different actors and no single instrument is sufficient to stimulate energy-efficient and zero-carbon buildings. Five key challenges are identified in the governance literature examining the transition towards energy efficiency and zero-carbon buildings. An ambiguous leadership, heterogeneity of implementation, lack of incentives, limitations of non-regulatory policies and market-based instruments, and limited diffusion between governance levels. We also conclude that most policy instruments focus on new buildings which is problematic since the greatest challenge in the transition is the renovation of the large existing building stock.

Hydrogen energy development in Turkey: Challenges and opportunities

In 2023, the Turkish government set ambitious targets for hydrogen production, aiming to reach a price of $2.40 per kilogram by 2035 and halve it by 2050. This article explores the development potential of hydrogen energy in Turkey based on current data. The analysis encompasses critical elements, such as research and development, governmental hydrogen strategy, economic & energy advantages, production & application technologies. There is also a SWOT analysis of the current hydrogen energy landscape in Turkey. Overcoming various challenges and increasing investments in scientific research and infrastructure development are crucial for the successful expansion of the hydrogen economy. In summary, the development of hydrogen green energy is pivotal for enhancing energy security, reducing environmental impact, and meeting international climate commitments, thus strengthening Turkey's economic position in the global energy arena.

Biodiesel: An Overview

Biodiesel, a renewable and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional diesel fuel, has garnered significant attention due to its potential to address pressing energy and environmental challenges. Biodiesel is a biofuel derived from organic materials, typically vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled cooking oils, through a process known as transesterification. During this process, these feedstocks are chemically converted into biodiesel and glycerol using alcohol and a catalyst. The resulting biodiesel can be used as a drop-in replacement for conventional diesel fuel, either in pure form (B100) or blended with petroleum diesel (e.g., B5, B20). Biodiesel is also known for its compatibility with existing diesel engines and infrastructure, which facilitates its adoption without significant modifications. However, challenges such as feedstock competition with food crops, energy balance concerns, and land-use change associated with biodiesel feedstock cultivation must be considered. Additionally, ongoing research focuses on improving the production process, exploring alternative feedstocks, and optimizing engine performance. Biodiesel represents a promising solution to reduce the environmental impact of the transportation sector and enhance energy security. Its advantages in emissions reduction, compatibility, and renewability make it a crucial player in the transition to cleaner and more sustainable energy sources. Addressing challenges while continuing to advance the state of the art in biodiesel production and application is essential for its successful integration into our energy landscape. Keywords: Biodiesel, Renewable Energy, Biofuel, Transesterification, Green House Gas Emissions

Navigating geopolitical crises for energy security: Evaluating optimal subsidy policies via a Markov switching DSGE model

This paper aims to provide insights on the design of optimal subsidy policies to enhance energy security amidst energy disruptions triggered by geopolitical conflicts. We introduce a novel Markov switching dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (MS-DSGE) model to address the limitations of existing integrated assessment models in environmental evaluation. These models often fail to adequately consider the environmental and economic impacts of geopolitical conflicts and do not prioritize energy security sufficiently in policymaking. Our application of the MS-DSGE model to the Russia–Ukraine conflict reveals significant decreases in output, social welfare, and energy consumption during disruptions. The mere anticipation of an energy crisis influences household behaviors, leading to a reduction in energy, output, and consumption volatility, while concurrently increasing volatility in social welfare. We show that an optimal subsidy policy should be contingent upon productivity levels, energy imports, and the economy’s responsiveness to economic shocks. Moreover, the policy should also be adaptable to prevailing economic conditions and the likelihood of an upcoming crisis.