The usage of renewable energy sources (RESs) to achieve greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction goals requires a holistic transformation across all sectors. Due to the fluctuating nature of RESs, it is necessary to install more wind and photovoltaics (PVs) generation in terms of nominal power than would otherwise be required in order to ensure that the power demand can always be met. In a near fully RES-based energy system, there will be times when there is an inadequate conventional load to meet the overcapacity of RESs, which will lead to demand regularly being exceeded and thereby a surplus. One approach to making productive use of this surplus, which would lead to a holistic transformation of all sectors, is “sector coupling” (SC). This paper describes the general principles behind this concept and develops a working definition intended to be of utility to the international scientific community. Furthermore, a literature review provides an overview of relevant scientific papers on the topic. Due to the challenge of distinguishing between papers with or without SC, the approach adopted here takes the German context as a case study that can be applied to future reviews with an international focus. Finally, to evaluate the potential of SC, an analysis of the linking of the power and transport sectors on a worldwide, EU and German level has been conducted and is outlined here.

Linking the Power and Transport Sectors—Part 1: The Principle of Sector Coupling

Review of environmental and air pollution impacts on built heritage: 10 questions on corrosion and soiling effects for urban intervention

The effect of urban air pollutants in Germany: eco-efficiency analysis through fractional regression models applied after DEA and SFA efficiency predictions

https://www.econstor.eu/bitstream/10419/209648/1/1685947778.pdf

Low emission zones and population health.

By 2050, 70% of the global population will live in urban areas, exposing a greater number of people to specific city-related health risks that will only be exacerbated by climate change. Two prominent health risks are poor air quality and physical inactivity. We aim to review the literature and state the best practices for clean air and active transportation in urban areas. Cities have been targeting reductions in air pollution and physical inactivity to improve population health. Oslo, Paris, and Madrid plan on banning cars from their city centers to mitigate climate change, reduce vehicle emissions, and increase walking and cycling. Urban streets are being redesigned to accommodate and integrate various modes of transportation to ensure individuals can become actively mobile and healthy. Investments in pedestrian, cycling, and public transport infrastructure and services can both improve air quality and support active transportation. Emerging technologies like electric and autonomous vehicles are being developed and may reduce air pollution but have limited impact on physical activity. Green spaces too can mitigate air pollution and encourage physical activity. Clean air and active transportation overlap considerably as they are both functions of mobility. The best practices of clean air and active transportation have produced impressive results, which are improved when enacted simultaneously in integrated policy packages. Further research is needed in middle- and low-income countries, using measurements from real-world interventions, tracing air pollution back to the sources responsible, and holistically addressing the entire spectrum of exposures and health outcomes related to transportation.

Transforming Our Cities: Best Practices Towards Clean Air and Active Transportation

Since 2008 low emission zones (LEZ) have been introduced in many German cities to improve air quality and to protect human health. In order to assess the effectiveness of LEZ, both descriptive and statistical analyses have been conducted based on concentrations of air pollutants (PM10, PM2.5, NO, NO2, and NOx) from relevant monitoring stations in Germany from year 2002 to 2012. The results indicate that the introduction of LEZ has brought positive effects on reducing air pollutant concentrations. But the potential of further reduction by additional LEZ in Germany without further development of this measure seems to be small.

Impacts of low emission zones in Germany on air pollution levels

Der vorliegende Beitrag formuliert einen verkehrspolitischen Rahmen fur die Gestaltung der Lichtsignalsteuerung in Stadten, mit dem eine transparente und nachvollziehbare Abwagung von Zielkonflikten unterstutzt wird. Dabei werden nicht nur die vielfaltigen Anforderungen der verschiedenen Verkehrsteilnehmergruppen und Anwohner, sondern auch die verschiedenen Wirkungen hinsichtlich Verkehrssicherheit, Verkehrsfluss¬qualitat, Umweltqualitat und Wirtschaftlichkeit umfassend berucksichtigt. Moderne Planungsinstrumente und Steuerungs-techniken werden genutzt, um relevante Wirkungen weitgehend zu erfassen und die Ziele insgesamt bestmoglich zu erreichen. Mit gegebenenfalls erforderlichen Erganzungen und Anpassungen an lokale Gegebenheiten kann dieser Beitrag als Vorlage fur ein verkehrspolitisches Positionspapier in verschiedenen Stadten dienen.

Berücksichtigung verschiedener Verkehrsteilnehmergruppen und Kriterien bei der Optimierung von Lichtsignalanlagen. Ein Vorschlag zum verkehrspolitischen Rahmen für die Gestaltung der Lichtsignalsteuerung in Städten.

Traffic signals are a very important instrument to manage urban traffic. When designing traffic signal programs, many different goals and road user needs have to be considered. While traffic engineers must ensure the technical planning, implementation and operation of traffic signals, their work must be supported by a clear policy. One of the major questions to be answered within such traffic signal control policy is the prioritization of different road user groups at traffic signals.

/pdf/prioritization-of-different-road-user-groups-at-traffic-2gbserkxka.pdf

Wei Jiang

Papers

Impacts of low emission zones in Germany on air pollution levels

Berücksichtigung verschiedener Verkehrsteilnehmergruppen und Kriterien bei der Optimierung von Lichtsignalanlagen. Ein Vorschlag zum verkehrspolitischen Rahmen für die Gestaltung der Lichtsignalsteuerung in Städten.

Prioritization of Different Road User Groups at Traffic Signals