Suitable Energy Technologies Research Articles

The asymmetric relationships between pollution, energy use and oil prices in Vietnam: Some behavioural implications for energy policy-making

With rapidly expanding real GDP in Vietnam, it is anticipated that the Vietnamese energy production will increase to meet its rising energy consumption. An important corollary is that pollution will also rise since the energy sector is considered a big polluter in the developing world. This paper brings two important insights to this literature: first and foremost, this paper seeks to establish if any behavioural biases of policy makers have clouded the decision to adopt suitable energy technologies and policies in Vietnam with far-reaching consequences for sustainability in the region. Secondly, in order to detect behavioural biases, it considers the asymmetric effects of increases vis-à-vis decreases in regressors by using the non-linear autoregressive distributed lags (NARDL) models, to examine how such increases or decreases really impact on pollution in Vietnam. Using annual data from 1982 to 2015, the analysis finds that the long-run relationships between pollution, energy use and oil prices have been characterised by non-linear and asymmetric interlinkages to indicate hidden cointegration. We further argue that such hidden cointegration can signal important behavioural biases in (energy) policy-making.

Evaluation of Renewable Energy Technology Based on Reliability Attributes Using Hybrid Fuzzy Dynamic Decision-Making Model

Socio-technical and economic attributes consideration are very important during a renewable energy technology selection for a community. When decision-makers considered these attributes under a dynamic nature, they arrive at a robust decision. Hence, this study proposes an integrated model for renewable energy technologies evaluation under a dynamic condition. We developed the model using dynamic intuitionistic fuzzy Einstein geometric averaging operator, intuitionistic fuzzy entropy, and the intuitionistic fuzzy technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution method (TOPSIS). This model’s applicability was tested using five renewable energy technologies - solar (PT1), wind (PT2), hydroelectricity (PT3), geothermal (PT4) and biomass (PT5) and five attributes (risk factor, payback reliability, social benefit, change in demand and cost). Based on five energy experts, from academia and industry, opinions, the proposed model identified biomass energy technology as the most suitable energy technology. Three existing multi-criteria models were used to verify the proposed model; the proposed model performance was consistent with the existing models’ results. From most suitable the least suitable, the model ranked these technologies PT5 > PT2 > PT3 > PT1 > PT4.

Effectiveness of a Segmental Approach to Climate Policy

Resistance to adopting a cap on greenhouse gas emissions internationally, and across various national contexts, has encouraged alternative climate change mitigation proposals. These proposals include separately targeting clean energy uptake and demand-side efficiency in individual end-use sectors, an approach to climate change mitigation which we characterize as segmental and technology-centered. A debate has ensued on the detailed implementation of these policies in particular national contexts, but less attention has been paid to the general factors determining the effectiveness of a segmental approach to emissions reduction. We address this topic by probing the interdependencies of segmental policies and their collective ability to control emissions. First, we show for the case of U.S. electricity how the set of suitable energy technologies depends on demand-side efficiency, and changes with the stringency of climate targets. Under a high-efficiency scenario, carbon-free technologies must supply 60-80% of U.S. electricity demand to meet an emissions reduction target of 80% below 1990 levels by midcentury. Second, we quantify the enhanced propensity to exceed any intended emissions target with this approach, even if goals are set on both the supply and demand side, due to the multiplicative accumulation of emissions error. For example, a 10% error in complying with separate policies on the demand and supply side would combine to result in a 20% error in emissions. Third, we discuss why despite these risks, the enhanced planning capability of a segmental approach may help counteract growing infrastructural inertia. The emissions reduction impediment due to infrastructural inertia is significant in the electricity sectors of each of the greatest emitters: China, the U.S., and Europe. Commonly cited climate targets are still within reach but, as we show, would require more than a 50% reduction in the carbon intensity of new power plants built in these regions over the next decade.

CDM sustainable technology transfer grounded in participatory in-country processes in Israel

The complexities related to the clean development mechanism (CDM) are considered quite high and only a relatively low percentage of the existing potential has been exploited in the developing world. In addition, the present situation indicates that CDM with its strong focus on greenhouse gases abatement has a tendency to lead to ad hoc investments without including technology transfer and a clear link to host countries' development strategies. This paper proposes a participatory in-country approach using the market mapping method for exploring technology implementation chains in a particular developing country. The aim is to facilitate decision makers and key stakeholders to assess and select the most suitable energy technologies for technology transfer via the CDM with a view to the country's specific sustainable development objectives. The results from the pilot application of the proposed methodological framework in Israel (non-Annex I country) are presented and analysed.

Facilitating sustainable development in Chile: a survey of suitable energy technologies

Sustainable development in developing countries is the main aim of the Kyoto Protocol's Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). However, in the present context, uncertainty prevails as to whether the CDM is actually achieving its aims in terms of achieving sustainable development and to what extent. Chile has several renewable energy and energy efficiency options with significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions abatement potential that are not yet financially and economically competitive. In order to be able to identify potential CDM projects and to formulate a series of possible investment strategies with a sustainable development component, it is crucial to establish a clear understanding of the host country's needs and priorities and the suitable sustainable energy technologies to meet these needs. The main scope of this paper is to present results obtained from an elaborated stakeholder assessment on Chile's high priority energy needs and sustainable energy technologies fulfilling these needs in order to assist Chile in finding ways of encouraging technology transfer that would contribute to low-carbon sustainable energy development.