Primary Energy Utilization Research Articles

Novel energy station by natural fluid CO 2

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The determinants of environmental quality in the SAARC region: a spatial heterogeneous panel data approach.

In recent years, financial development, trade policies, and energy performance have attracted attention due to their behavior on environmental quality. Therefore, the current study examines the impact of financial development, trade openness, primary and renewable energy utilization, and economic growth on the ecological footprint in South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries from 1990 to 2017. This article progresses the proficiency of financial development by utilizing the comprehensive and multidimensional index of financial sector development based on their depth, access, and efficiency of their financial institutions and markets. In order to estimate the robust results, this study employed the cross-sectional dependency tests that allow the second-generation unit root, Westerlund cointegration, augmented mean group (AMG), error correction model (ECM), and Dumitrescu-Hurlin (D-H) panel non-causality tests. The results revealed a very weak effect of financial development in a panel of SAARC countries, while country-specific results reveal that financial development significantly enhances the pollution level in the case of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. However, it improves the environmental quality in Nepal. Furthermore, trade openness only improves the environmental quality in the case of Nepal. Additionally, the findings explore that primary energy consumption enhances the ecological footprint in Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka and reduces in case of Bhutan. On the contrary, renewable energy consumption significantly improves the environmental quality in all countries except Bangladesh. Finally, consistent with these findings, a number of suitable policy implications are expressed in the angle of SAARC economies.

An empirical nexus between economic growth, energy utilization, trade policy, and ecological footprint: a continent-wise comparison in upper-middle-income countries.

This study investigates the causal connection between economic growth, foreign direct investment, primary and renewable energy utilization, trade openness, and ecological footprint for 33 upper-middle-income countries (UMICs) from Africa, Asia, Europe, and America during the period from 1994 to 2017. Initially, first- as well as second-generation panel unit root tests are applied to check the integration order after confirming the cross-sectional dependency and heterogeneity. Four different tests (FMOLS, DOLS, FGLS, and AMG) are applied to estimate the long-run elasticity, whereas Dumitrescu and Hurlin (D-H) non-causality test is used to test growth, conservation, and feedback hypothesis. Results show negative relationship of economic growth on ecological footprint in Africa and Europe; renewable energy utilization in Asia, Europe, and America; and trade openness in Asia. Moreover, the results revealed an adverse impact of trade openness on ecological footprint in case of Africa and America. Furthermore, the results of D-H panel non-causality test confirm the growth hypothesis for economic growth to ecological footprint in Africa, Asia, and Europe; foreign direct investment to ecological footprint in Africa and Asia; primary energy utilization to ecological footprint in Asia; renewable energy utilization to ecological footprint in America; and trade openness to ecological footprint in Africa, Asia, and America. Furthermore, the feedback hypothesis was confirmed between economic growth and ecological footprint in Asia and Europe; foreign direct investment and ecological footprint in Africa and Asia; renewable energy utilization and ecological footprint for America; and trade openness and ecological footprint for Asia and America. Finally, in context to efficient policy implications, it is suggested to associate the economic growth with clean energy and environment-friendly technologies by expanding the share of renewable energy in America and economic growth in Africa and Europe. Furthermore, Asian policy makers need to focus on foreign direct investment and trade openness by using green energy to overcome the environmental degradation. Impulsion with these findings, the central authorities of UMICs need to focus on more investments in environmental quality not only through foreign direct investment but also exchanging their clean energy technologies through trade policies such as tax exemption, feed-in tariffs, and subsidies. Government of these countries ought to upgrade the conventional capital which will ultimately improve the human lives by providing clean environment.

Analysis of Energy Utilization Efficiency of Integrated Energy System

This paper considers the multi-energy flow characteristics of the integrated energy system and the impact of renewable energy access, and proposes an energy utilization index that is suitable for the energy efficiency assessment of the multi-energy collaborative integrated energy system. The index can comprehensively reflect the consumption rate of renewable energy and the utilization level of non-renewable energy in the park, and reflect the core characteristics of low-carbon and high-efficiency of the integrated energy system. The analysis compares the difference between the proposed indicator and other energy efficiency indicators. The result of the calculation example shows that, compared with the direct promotion of the traditional primary energy utilization rate, this indicator can more accurately reflect the advantages of multi-energy combined supply and energy cascade utilization in the park.

Evaluation Of Indonesia's National Energy Policy: A Regional Dilemma In Indonesia Through Simulation Approach

The target of Indonesia's national primary energy supply in 2025 and 2050 are estimated to be at least 400 MTOE and 1000 MTOE accumulated from a total of 34 Provinces in Indonesia to fill the target. At the same years, target for per capita primary energy utilization of 1.4 TOE and 3.2 TOE and per capita electricity utilization of at least 2,500kWh and 7,000kWh. This study aims to determine the magnitude of the achievement targets of national energy policies from several provinces in Indonesia by taking samples, namely the Nusa Tenggara Timur, West Java, and Central Java Provinces. The quantitative approach for the year 2010 to 2015 data periods of the NTT Province have taken by considering parameters, among others the economic structure, environmental conditions, and specific energy conditions. All data are processed through LEAP assistance. The study results have shown a dilemma in achieving national energy policy targets represented by three sample provinces.

Atmospheric air quality in Beijing improved by application of air source heat pump (ASHP) systems

In order to prevent the pollution emission of extensive coal burning, Beijing government has accelerated the transformation of coal into electricity, and established a clean energy system. Herein, the actual operating efficiency of 50 air source heating pump (ASHP) systems was investigated during the heating season in 2016–2018. The results showed that the indoor temperature could meet the demands of the indoor thermal comfort of rural residents. Correspondingly, the coefficient of performance (COP) value of the typical day was 2.07 and 2.24, respectively. The primary energy utilization rate exceeded 79%, which shows good applicability and had obvious energy-saving effect. Moreover, the relationship between the renewable energy and air quality was discussed. The atmospheric air quality was improved year by year by comparison of the air quality before and after the ASHP usage. It found that the effect of pollutant emission reduction by ASHP system has a strong impact on the reduction of PM10 and PM2.5 concentration (absolute Pearson’s r: 0.6525 and 0.6128) by correlation analysis. Therefore, the application of ASHP system has made a great contribution to the air quality improvement during the year of 2016–2018, which contributed an important force to the clean heating of northern China.

Analysis of Energy Saving and Consumption Reduction Effect of Ejector confluence on Heating Unit

Achieving the utilization of thermal energy according to its quality is the main means for power generation enterprises to improve the efficiency of primary energy utilization. This paper introduces the application of ejection confluence technology in 330 MW unit of a factory, and calculates and analyses the energy saving effect under the ejection confluence mode based on the method of thermal performance test. The results show that when the unit load is above 210 MW, the average energy saving of ejector-confluence heating mode is 2.18 g/(kW·h) relative to reheat heating mode.

Performance Analysis of a Small-Scale Biogas-Based Trigeneration Plant: An Absorption Refrigeration System Integrated to an Externally Fired Microturbine

Trigeneration or combined cooling, heat and power (CCHP) systems fueled by raw biogas can be an interesting alternative for supplying electricity and thermal services in remote rural areas where biogas can be produced without requiring sophisticated equipment. In this sense, this study considers a performance analysis of a novel small-scale CCHP system where a biogas-fired, 5 kWel externally fired microturbine (EFMT), an absorption refrigeration system (ARS) and heat exchangers are integrated for supplying electricity, refrigeration and hot water demanded by Bolivian small dairy farms. The CCHP solution presents two cases, current and nominal states, in which experimental and design data of the EFMT performance were considered, respectively. The primary energy/exergy rate was used as a performance indicator. The proposed cases show better energy performances than those of reference fossil fuel-based energy solutions (where energy services are produced separately) allowing savings in primary energy utilization of up to 31%. Furthermore, improvements in electric efficiency of the EFMT and coefficient of performance (COP) of the ARS, identified as key variables of the system, allow primary energy savings of up to 37%. However, to achieve these values in real conditions, more research and development of the technologies involved is required, especially for the EFMT.

Study on the operation strategy for integrated energy system with multiple complementary energy based on developed superstructure model

The energy flow in energy supply system has become further complicated due to the addition of multiple clean primary energy and the integration of energy storage technique, which gives rise to the main challenges for integrated energy system (IES) designing on how the IES coordinates the start and stop or varying load operation of multiple equipment so as to maximize the energy conservation and emission reduction and economic benefits. In this paper, with the integration of multiple primary energy utilization technologies and combination of various energy conversions and storage equipment, a superstructure model of IES with multiple complementary energy is established by the way of gradually decomposing and modeling, taking the optimal annual total cost (ATC), primary energy consumption (PEC), and CO2 emission (CE) as the objective function, which can harmonize the energy supply and demand restrictions and the relations of energy flow in the subsystems of energy production system (EPS), energy conversion system (ECS), and energy storage system (ESS). The scientific installed capacity and optimum operation strategy can be solved by this model, which is applied for the designing of integrated energy supply scheme for one certain park. The result shows that the model is both suitable for the energy supply scheme research and the scientific and rational planning and designing for integrated energy of IES with multiple complementary energy.

Performance analysis of combined cooling heating and power (CCHP) exhaust waste heat coupled air source heat pump system

To achieve the deep recovery of exhaust waste heat, a combined cooling heating and power (CCHP) dynamic exhaust low temperature waste heat coupled air source heat pump system is proposed in this paper. Aspen Plus software was used to simulate the system and analyze the effects of the recyclable waste heat of the system, the coefficient of performance (COP) of the heat pump and the impact of the primary energy utilization rate. The results showed that under the design condition, the exhaust waste heat of CCHP system was 1.22 kW, the recyclable waste heat of heat pump system was up to 1.07 kW, the exhaust waste heat recovery rate was 87.7%. The COP was up to 4.66, increased 39.5%. The primary energy utilization efficiency was increased by 3.9%. It solves the problem of heat pump evaporator frosting and poor performance of low temperature in cold regions. This study provides an important reference for the combined and efficient application of CCHP systems and heat pump units.

An Analysis of the Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Problem for Distributed Energy Systems

Choosing a distributed energy system (DES) is a multi-criteria decision-making problem. Decision-makers should not only consider the cost of the system, but also consider the energy efficiency and environmental protection of the system. In order to help decision-makers choose the best DES, this paper designs seven different DESs based on specific examples, using five criteria: investment cost, operation cost, primary energy consumption, primary energy utilization, and yearly CO2 emission. Additionally, three methods of super-efficiency Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), and Complex Proportional Assessment (COPRAS) are used to evaluate the system priority and analyze the sensitivity under different decision-making scenarios. The results show that when decision-makers only consider cost factors, traditional systems are the best choice. However, renewable energy systems are the best choice when decision-makers consider energy efficiency and environmental protection rather than cost. Among them, the photovoltaic storage system is the best system in many decision-making scenarios, because of its comprehensive advantages in cost, energy efficiency, and environmental benefit. Simultaneously, the system’s prioritization of different decision-making methods is different. In this paper, according to the Spearman correlation index test, the results achieved from TOPSIS and COPRAS are relevant and feasible.

Evaluation of two typical distributed energy systems

According to the two-natural gas distributed energy system driven by gas engine driven and gas turbine, in this paper, the first and second laws of thermodynamics are used to measure the distributed energy system from the two parties of “quantity” and “quality”. The calculation results show that the internal combustion engine driven distributed energy station has a higher energy efficiency, but the energy efficiency is low; the gas turbine driven distributed energy station energy efficiency is high, but the primary energy utilization rate is relatively low. When configuring the system, we should determine the applicable natural gas distributed energy system technology plan and unit configuration plan according to the actual load factors of the project and the actual factors such as the location, background and environmental requirements of the project. “quality” measure, the utilization of waste heat energy efficiency index is proposed.

Status Quo of the Air-Conditioning Market in Europe: Assessment of the Building Stock

This study fills in knowledge gaps for the European air-conditioning (AC) market, which is fundamentally important to raising awareness about primary energy utilization. In contrast to space heating (SH) and domestic hot water (DHW) preparation, the European Union (EU) AC market is barely explored in scientific literature. While the focus of previous research has been on the residential sector, a shortfall of data for the services (wholesale and retail, offices, education, health, hotels and bars) exists. In this paper, data describing the actual space cooling (SC) market in Europe (quantity of SC units, equivalent full-load hours, installed capacities, seasonal energy efficiency values as well as cooled floor area per AC type and/or sector) is collected and explored using a bottom-up approach. Results indicate that SC is responsible for a significant portion of EU electricity consumption in households (nearly 5%) and even more in the service sector (~13%). Energy consumption for SC in the EU28 appears to be more than 140 TWh/y. The quantification of the European AC consumption shows a significant difference between the service and residential sectors: about 115 versus 25 TWh/y respectively. The SC market in Europe is characterized by a high potential for growth, especially in households.

Lifecycle assessment of a system for food waste disposers to tank – A full-scale system evaluation

An increased interest for separate collection of household food waste in Sweden has led to development of a number of different collection-systems – each with their particular benefits and drawbacks. In the present study, two systems for collection of food waste in households were compared; (a) use of food waste disposers (FWD) in kitchen sinks and (b) collection of food waste in paper bags for further treatment. The comparison was made in relation to greenhouse gas emissions as well as primary energy utilization. In both cases, collected food waste was treated through anaerobic digestion and digestate was used as fertilizer on farmland. Systems emissions of greenhouse gases from collection and treatment of 1ton of food waste (dry matter), are according to the performed assessment lower from the FWD-system compared to the reference system (−990 and −770kgCO2-eq./ton food waste dry matter respectively). The main reasons are a higher substitution of mineral nitrogen fertilizer followed by a higher substitution of diesel. Performed uncertainty analyses state that results are robust, but that decreasing losses of organic matter in pre-treatment of food waste collected in paper bags, as well as increased losses of organic matter and nutrients from the FWD-system could change the hierarchy in relation to greenhouse gas emissions. Owing to a higher use of electricity in the FWD-system, the paper bag collection system was preferable in relation to primary energy utilization. Due to the many questions still remaining regarding the impacts of an increased amount of nutrients and organic matter to the sewage system through an increased use of FWD, the later treatment of effluent from the FWD-system, as well as treatment of wastewater from kitchen sinks in the reference system, was not included in the assessment. In future work, these aspects would be of relevance to monitor.

Future development of the air‐conditioning market in Europe: an outlook until 2020

While the European space‐heating market has been well researched for more than 20 years, there is still limited information concerning the air‐conditioning (AC) branch. Owing to the rising sensitivity of primary energy utilization, the development of the space cooling (SC) sector is of fundamental importance. We apply Porter's five forces analysis, leading to the conclusion that a fairly steady rise for approximately two decades (since 1990) characterizes the AC market, and it will continue to grow moderately. Research and development (R&amp;D) is the dominant driving force. Similar conclusions come from a multiple‐criteria decision analysis, which shows that the SC market will especially depend on (1) R&amp;D activities, (2) economic crisis, and (3) higher comfort standards requested by the European population. Taking into consideration the outcomes of performed inquiries, including an extensive survey based on expert interviews from all over Europe, the AC market appears to be marked by a slightly positive future development until 2020. The main factors influencing this tendency are the fact that SC is necessary only for specific applications and climates, the customers’ purchasing power reduction, and the electricity price growth. WIREs Energy Environ 2016, 5:649–669. doi: 10.1002/wene.210This article is categorized under: Energy Policy and Planning &gt; Economics and Policy

Life Cycle Assessment and Environmental Impact Evaluation of the Parabolic Solar Cooker SK14 in Madagascar

The main cause of deforestation in Madagascar is the collection of firewood for cooking. Research cooking alternatives that would reduce firewood and charcoal use has been undertaken by NGOs. In this context, south Madagascar experiences more than 320 sunny days per year and has close to ideal conditions for the use of solar energy. Currently a variety of solar cooker models are sold at a subsidized price for the poorest household. The paper explains advantages and disadvantages of solar cooking and the challenges faced to change traditional cooking habits, in order to fight the ongoing deforestation, preserve the environment and fight poverty. To optimize the success of this project, the use of solar cooker has been compared to two alternatives - firewood and charcoal cooking and on the topics of primary energy utilization and CO 2 gas emission. The whole life cycle analysis of the alternatives and accompanying devices has been examined. As results parabolic solar cooker is less usable in cloudy or rainy weather. A reduction of about half the environmental impact has been obtained with this technology. Some backup heat source must still be available to cook meal at these times. Solar cooker, charcoal and firewood can work in a complementary fashion to meet a variety of cooking needs. The parabolic solar cooker SK14 is a very helpful instrument but less competitive compared to the traditional cooking using wood energy. It can replace firewood and charcoal cooking, reduces deforestation, improves health conditions and creates local job opportunities.

Hydrogen and methane generation from large hydraulic plant: Thermo-economic multi-level time-dependent optimization

This paper investigates hydrogen and methane generation from large hydraulic plant, using an original multilevel thermo-economic optimization approach developed by the authors.Hydrogen is produced by water electrolysis employing time-dependent hydraulic energy related to the water which is not normally used by the plant, known as “spilled water electricity”. Both the demand for spilled energy and the electrical grid load vary widely by time of year, therefore a time-dependent hour-by-hour one complete year analysis has been carried out, in order to define the optimal plant size. This time period analysis is necessary to take into account spilled energy and electrical load profiles variability during the year.The hydrogen generation plant is based on 1MWe water electrolysers fuelled with the “spilled water electricity”, when available; in the remaining periods, in order to assure a regular H2 production, the energy is taken from the electrical grid, at higher cost. To perform the production plant size optimization, two hierarchical levels have been considered over a one year time period, in order to minimize capital and variable costs.After the optimization of the hydrogen production plant size, a further analysis is carried out, with a view to converting the produced H2 into methane in a chemical reactor, starting from H2 and CO2 which is obtained with CCS plants and/or carried by ships. For this plant, the optimal electrolysers and chemical reactors system size is defined.For both of the two solutions, thermo-economic optimization results are discussed and compared with particular emphasis to energy scenario, economic aspects, system size, capital costs and related investments. It is worth noting that the results reported here for this particular large H2 plant case represents a general methodology, since it can vary according to their different sizes, primary renewable energy, plant location, and different H2 utilization.

Dynamic Analysis on Carbon Footprint of Energy Utlization in Guangdong Province

The paper calculated the Carbon footprint, Carbon Footprint Density, Value of Carbon Footprint Carbon Footprint Intensity, Ecological Pressure Intensity of Carbon Footprint of Guangdong energy consumption in 1990-2011, using the relevant concepts and research methodsthe carbon footprint.The results shows that The Guangdong per capita energy consumption carbon footprint continueed to rise from 1990 to 2011; In the energy consumption carbon footprint gross composition, coal carbon footprint was the maximum, followed by crude oil, natural gas was the last. The Guangdong primary energy utilization structure did not improve and optimize; The Guangdong energy consumption carbon footprint density increased gradually and the pressure of carbon emission reduction increased gradually; The Guangdong economy progress was good in the past 20 years, the Guangdong economic value created by energy consumption carbon footprint became stable in the 3 years; The Guangdong ecological pressure intensity of carbon footprint was increased in 1990-2011, and became 1.8925 in 2011.

Study on Performance of Air Source Heat Pump Water Heater

This paper introduce the working principle and classification of air source heat pump water heater. Thermodynamic calculation of the air source heat pump water heater is carried out, such as air source heat pump water heating coefficient, energy saving effect, and the cooling effect of the surrounding environment, and primary energy utilization of heating conditions of several forms. The primary energy utilization rate of air source heat pump water heater is the highest, and showing a good energy-saving.

Assessment of energy utilization in Iran’s industrial sector using energy and exergy analysis method

Abstract The purpose of this study is to assess the use of quality of energy in Iran’s industrial sector. The exergy analysis has been performed along with energy analysis, in order to gain deeper and more realistic understanding of the sector’s condition. Primary energy utilization from seventeen different industries has been considered for calculation of the exergy and energy efficiencies for each industry, and later for Iran’s industrial sector. The exergy efficiency is much lower than energy efficiency in all industries and also in the industrial sector. It is shown that based on the results from exergy analysis the priorities for efficiency improvement are different from that of energy analysis; this in turn suggests that exergy analysis as a proper tool for policy makers. The sources of energy degradation and the mechanisms which cause degradation of quality of energy have been identified. Moreover remedial actions for better utilization of quality of energy are proposed. The energy and exergy efficiencies for the entire industrial sector of Iran were approximated as 63% and 42%, respectively. The oil, iron and steel, plastic and cement industries are found to have the highest share in destruction of quality of total input energy to the industrial sector. The aluminum industry has the highest exergy efficiency of 52.5%. Mean entropic temperature is also proposed as a tool for understanding the degree of quality of energy required in each industry and consequently better quality matching which leads to better energy quality utilization.