Showing papers in "Energy Efficiency in 2018"
TL;DR: In this article, a review of contemporary literature and 18 semi-structured interviews was conducted to compare five distinct business models: atomised market model, market intermediation model, one-stop-shop, energy services agreement and managed energy services agreements.
Abstract: The comprehensive retrofit of residential buildings has significant potential to reduce carbon emissions and provide additional heath and economic benefits. However, in countries such as the UK, much of this potential is yet to be realised. This paper shows how the concept of ‘business models’ (BMs) can be a powerful tool for understanding the challenge of improving energy performance and reducing carbon emissions in residential buildings. Through a review of contemporary literature and 18 semi-structured interviews, the paper describes and compares five distinct BM archetypes: the atomised market model, market intermediation model, one-stop-shop, energy services agreement and managed energy services agreement. These models range from the traditional approach to highly innovative energy service contracts. The paper further illustrates how the UK and EU market for retrofitting residential buildings is beginning to trial the more innovative BMs. These emerging BMs are characterised by increasingly industrialised processes and integrated supply chains, a holistic customer offering and single point of sale, long-term energy-saving performance contracts (ESPC) and integral project finance. It is argued that whilst the traditional BM is suitable for the implementation of single or piecemeal energy-saving measures, BM innovation will be required to meet the UK’s ambitious climate change targets.
77 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a systematic review of case studies on low energy innovations in the European residential building sector, analysing their drivers, is carried out, where specific attention is paid to intermediary actors in facilitating innovation processes and creating new opportunities.
Abstract: As buildings throughout their life cycle account for circa 40% of total energy use in Europe, reducing energy use of the building stock is a key task. This task is, however, complicated by a range of factors, including slow renewal and renovation rates of buildings, multiple non-coordinated actors, conservative building practices and limited competence to innovate. Drawing from academic literature published during 2005–2015, this article carries out a systematic review of case studies on low energy innovations in the European residential building sector, analysing their drivers. Specific attention is paid to intermediary actors in facilitating innovation processes and creating new opportunities. The study finds that qualitative case study literature on low energy building innovation has been limited, particularly regarding the existing building stock. Environmental concerns, EU and national and local policies have been the key drivers; financial, knowledge and social sustainability and equity drivers have been of modest importance; while design, health and comfort and market drivers have played a minor role. Intermediary organisations and individuals have been important through five processes: (1) facilitating individual building projects, (2) creating niche markets, (3) implementing new practices in social housing stock, (4) supporting new business model creation and (5) facilitating building use post-construction. The intermediaries have included both public and private actors, while local authority agents have acted as intermediaries in several cases.
76 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors studied how energy efficiency is discussed by professionals during renovation of multifamily dwellings, in order to capture how barriers in relation to energy measures are appearing, disappearing and transformed during the process.
Abstract: We have studied how energy efficiency is discussed by professionals during renovation of multifamily dwellings, in order to capture how barriers in relation to energy measures are appearing, disappearing and transformed during the process. We did participatory observations of renovation meetings, conducted interviews with the involved professionals and studied-related documents. Our intentions have not been to assess decisions made, but to follow the process to gain a different understanding of how barriers can be understood during renovations. We can conclude that the renovation process is based on a complex series of contractural relationships, where assymetric information and lack of common goals contribute to split incentives. The results also show that the housing company’s internal organisation becomes a barrier where assymetric information and split incentives also became an in-house barrier. The decisions were often based on bounded rationality where calculations were surprisingly absent in meetings and during discussions on energy measures.
64 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a comparative methodology framework to calculate cost-optimal levels of minimum energy performance requirements was proposed to achieve the nearly zero-energy building (NZEB) target.
Abstract: The energy consumptions of the building stock are playing a central role in the energy policy of the European Union. While the Member States are applying the Directives in force, the European Commission is working to update the regulatory framework. Specifically, it is necessary to achieve the great unrealized potential for energy savings in existing buildings. With this aim, the nearly zero-energy building (NZEB) target was introduced, and a comparative methodology framework to calculate cost-optimal levels of minimum energy performance requirements was proposed. This study focuses on the issue of building renovation, and it presents the results obtained with the application of a cost-optimal calculation method for identifying proper retrofit measures to reach cost-optimal levels and NZEB levels. The assessment takes into account an exhaustive set of passive and active renovation options and it was extended to various building types of 60s–70s (residential and non-residential) in a wide range of representative European climatic conditions. A very relevant energy-saving potential was found for all cost-optimal benchmarks, and in many cases, the obtained NZEB refurbishments have resulted interesting also from an economic point of view.
64 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a methodology to disaggregate Eurostat's energy balance for the industrial sector by adding the dimensions of temperature level and end-use, showing that although a similar distribution of energy use by temperature level can be observed, there are considerable differences among individual countries.
Abstract: Energy balances are usually aggregated at the level of subsector and energy carrier. While heating and cooling accounts for half the energy demand of the European Union’s 28 member states plus Norway, Switzerland and Iceland (EU28 + 3), currently, there are no end-use balances that match Eurostat’s energy balance for the industrial sector. Here, we present a methodology to disaggregate Eurostat’s energy balance for the industrial sector. Doing so, we add the dimensions of temperature level and end-use. The results show that, although a similar distribution of energy use by temperature level can be observed, there are considerable differences among individual countries. These differences are mainly caused by the countries’ heterogeneous economic structures, highlighting that approaches on a process level yield more differentiated results than those based on subsectors only. We calculate the final heating demand of the EU28 + 3 for industrial processes in 2012 to be 1035, 706 and 228 TWh at the respective temperature levels > 500 °C (e.g. iron and steel production), 100–500 °C (e.g. steam use in chemical industry) and < 100 °C (e.g. food industry); 346 TWh is needed for space heating. In addition, 86 TWh is calculated for the industrial process cooling demand for electricity in EU28 + 3. We estimate additional 12 TWh of electricity demand for industrial space cooling. The results presented here have contributed to policy discussions in the EU (European Commision 2016), and we expect the additional level of detail to be relevant when designing policies regarding fuel dependency, fuel switching and specific technologies (e.g. low-temperature heat applications).
57 citations
TL;DR: This research aims to identify household archetypes and behavioural patterns in order to allow a targeted approach in energy-saving policy and retrofit improvement and provides a gateway to developing more effective policies and low energy strategies geared towards specific households.
Abstract: Variations in household behaviour often lead to a mismatch between actual and estimated energy performance at home. More detailed information on behavioural variables could help in improving the prediction of energy consumption and enabling policy interventions responding to different household groups. This research aims to identify household archetypes and behavioural patterns in order to allow a targeted approach in energy-saving policy and retrofit improvement. It employed a statistical approach to cluster households based on empirical data collected from a household survey in Cambridge, UK. Factor analysis was used to identify behavioural factors. Based on the commonalities of variables under each factor, five factors were defined: (1) main space heating, (2) auxiliary space use, (3) main space use, (4) auxiliary space heating and (5) use of appliances. Statistical pattern analysis was then applied to develop behavioural patterns. These patterns were derived based on their factor scores. Finally, non-parametric correlation analysis was carried out in order to determine the relationship between behavioural factors and the following: household or dwelling characteristics, comfort and energy use for creating household archetypes. After significant correlations were found between behavioural factors and other variables, five archetypes were identified: (1) active spenders, (2) conscious occupiers, (3) average users, (4) conservers and (5) inactive users. Among these archetypes, households with a larger house, higher energy use and more complex household composition tended to have longer hours of main space heating, while larger and more complex households tended to use the main space of their dwellings for longer. Using these archetypes allows for a better integration of occupant behaviour into the technically oriented efficiency paradigm. This tailored approach provides a gateway to developing more effective policies and low energy strategies geared towards specific households.
46 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the socio-technical assumptions underpinning bottom-up activity-based energy demand models are identified and a number of shortcomings are discussed and new data collection approaches are proposed to address this gap.
Abstract: Demand response is receiving increasing interest as a new form of flexibility within low-carbon power systems. Energy models are an important tool to assess the potential capability of demand side contributions. This paper critically reviews the assumptions in current models and introduces a new conceptual framework to better facilitate such an assessment. We propose three dimensions along which change could occur, namely technology, activities and service expectations. Using this framework, the socio-technical assumptions underpinning ‘bottom-up’ activity-based energy demand models are identified and a number of shortcomings are discussed. First, links between appliance usage and activities are not evidence-based. We propose new data collection approaches to address this gap. Second, aside from thermal comfort, service expectations, which can be an important source of flexibility, are under-represented and their inclusion into demand models would improve their predicative power in this area. Finally, flexibility can be present over a range of time scales, from immediate responses, to longer term trends. Longitudinal time use data from participants in demand response schemes may be able to illuminate these. The recommendations of this paper seek to enhance the current state-of-the-art in activity-based models and to provide useful tools for the assessment of demand response.
45 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors discuss the need for industrial companies to cut costs due to increased global competition and resource scarcity, and energy can be a significant component of such cuts, particularly for energy-intensive companies.
Abstract: Increased global competition and resource scarcity drives industrial companies to cut costs. Energy can be a significant component of such cuts, particularly for energy-intensive companies. Improvi ...
44 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors consider the role of distributed storage in energy transitions and associated questions of value; outlines how agency and value in a smart system may be distributed between stakeholders; and assesses continuity and change in storage heating.
Abstract: Low-carbon transition plans for temperate and sub-polar regions typically involve some electrification of space heating. This poses challenges to electricity system operation and market design, as it increases overall demand and alters the temporal patterns of that demand. One response to the challenge is to ‘smarten’ electrical heating, enabling it to respond to network conditions by storing energy at times of plentiful supply, releasing it in response to customer demands and offering rapid-response ancillary services to the grid. Shared operation of domestic electrical heating, in such a scenario, may imply changes in everyday heating practices and will change the number of system stakeholders, their activities and how they relate to each other. This paper sets out some practical and theoretical issues relating to the potential for residential demand response via electric storage heating, drawing on academic and policy-related literature and on material from a current research project. It offers a brief history of residential storage heating and recent developments, paying particular attention to customer experience; considers the role of distributed storage in energy transitions and associated questions of value; outlines how agency and value in a smart system may be distributed between stakeholders; and assesses continuity and change in storage heating. While the paper focuses on storage heating, many of the issue raised apply to heat pumps, given their functional similarities with storage heaters and water heaters. The paper concludes with some conditions to be met if smart storage heating is to succeed in the twin tasks of providing effective customer service and demand response, and sets out questions for further research into demand response and heating practices.
43 citations
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that the two trained classifiers are able to classify the individual electrical appliances with satisfactory accuracy level in order to improve on the feedback for energy efficiency.
Abstract: One of the ways to achieve energy efficiency in various residential electrical appliances is with energy usage feedback. Research work done showed that with energy usage feedback, behavioural changes by consumers to reduce electricity consumption contribute significantly to energy efficiency in residential energy usage. In order to improve on the appliance-level energy usage feedback, appliance disaggregation or non-intrusive appliance load monitoring (NIALM) methodology is utilized. NIALM is a methodology used to disaggregate total power consumption into individual electrical appliance power usage. In this paper, the electrical signature features from the publicly available REDD data set are extracted by the combination of identifying the ON or OFF events of appliances and goodness-of-fit (GOF) event detection algorithm. The k-nearest neighbours (k-NN) and naive Bayes classifiers are deployed for appliances’ classification. It is observed that the size of the training sets effects classification accuracy of the classifiers. The novelty of this paper is a systematic approach of NIALM using few training examples with two generic classifiers (k-NN and naive Bayes) and one feature (power) with the combination of ON-OFF based approach and GOF technique for event detection. In this work, we demonstrated that the two trained classifiers are able to classify the individual electrical appliances with satisfactory accuracy level in order to improve on the feedback for energy efficiency.
33 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors evaluate recent energy efficiency developments in terms of indicators, private initiatives, and policy measures in the residential sector in five European countries (Finland, Italy, Hungary, Spain, and the UK).
Abstract: Improving residential energy efficiency is widely recognised as one of the best strategies for reducing energy demand, combating climate change, and increasing security of energy supply. However, progress has been slow to date due to a number of market and behavioural barriers that have not been adequately addressed by energy efficiency policies and programmes. This study is based on updated findings of the European Futures for Energy Efficiency Project that responds to the EU Horizon 2020 Work Programme 2014–2015 theme ‘Secure, clean and efficient energy’. This article draws on five case studies from selected European countries—Finland, Italy, Hungary, Spain, and the UK—and evaluates recent energy efficiency developments in terms of indicators, private initiatives, and policy measures in the residential sector. Our analysis shows that the UK government has implemented a better range of policies, coupled with initiatives from the private sector, aimed at improving energy efficiency. However, its existing conditions appear to be more problematic than the other countries. On the other hand, the lack of effective and targeted policies in Finland resulted in increased energy consumption, while in Hungary, Spain and Italy some interesting initiatives, especially in terms of financial and fiscal incentives, have been found.
TL;DR: Insights from social practice theories and techniques must be acquired to deploy robust and unbiased questionnaire results, and therefore occupant behaviour could be better understood and represented in building performance simulation to support design and operation of low or net-zero energy buildings.
Abstract: Occupants perform various actions to satisfy their physical and non-physical needs in buildings These actions greatly affect building operations and thus energy use Clearly understanding and accurately modelling occupant behaviour in buildings are crucial to guide energy-efficient building design and operation, and to reduce the gap between design and actual energy performance of buildings To study and understand occupant behaviour, a cross-sectional questionnaire survey is one of the most useful tools to gain insights on general behaviour patterns and drivers, and to find connections between human, social and local comfort parameters In this study, 33 projects were reviewed from the energy-related occupant behaviour research literature that employed cross-sectional surveys or interviews for data collection from the perspective of findings, limitations and methodological challenges This research shows that future surveys are needed to bridge the gaps in literature but they would need to encompass a multidisciplinary approach to do so as until now only environmental and engineering factors were considered in these studies Insights from social practice theories and techniques must be acquired to deploy robust and unbiased questionnaire results, which will provide new, more comprehensive knowledge in the field, and therefore occupant behaviour could be better understood and represented in building performance simulation to support design and operation of low or net-zero energy buildings
TL;DR: In this paper, the impact of additive manufacturing processes on energy demand is quantified by examining selective laser sintering (SLS) and a model is suggested and applied that focuses on three important phases in the life cycle of additively manufactured components and allows a comparison with conventional manufacturing processes.
Abstract: The general consensus is that 3D-printing technologies can help to render industrial production more sustainable, e.g. by shortening process chains, allowing more efficient production processes or providing benefits resulting from light-weight construction. This paper aims to quantify the impact of additive manufacturing processes on energy demand by examining selective laser sintering (SLS). To this end, a model is suggested and applied that focuses on three important phases in the life cycle of additively manufactured components and that allows a comparison with conventional manufacturing processes. The three phases considered are the production of the required raw material, the actual manufacturing process of specific components and their utilisation. The analysis focuses on the automotive and aircraft industries. The main factors influencing energy demand are analysed and discussed, and the impact of additive manufacturing is estimated on a national level for a sample component based on Germany as an example. The results indicate that substantial energy savings can be achieved, even though only a small component was replaced.
TL;DR: In this paper, a mobile app called Social Power is developed to provide electricity meter feedback in two gamified environments to stimulate social engagement and promote behavioral change to save electricity at the household level by forming teams of neighbors in two Swiss cities.
Abstract: To test the effectiveness of a competitive or collaborative approach on engaging people to change their household electricity-use habits, a mobile app, called Social Power, is developed to provide electricity meter feedback in two gamified environments. The project aims at stimulating social engagement and promoting behavioral change to save electricity at the household level by forming teams of neighbors in two Swiss cities. The household participants are assigned to one of two teams: either a collaborative team where citizens in the same city try to reach a fixed, 10% electricity savings target collectively or a competitive team which tries to save the most electricity in comparison to another city. The collaborative and competitive gamified structures are run in parallel as a 3-month field experiment (February to May 2016) involving 108 recruited household participants in two cities, with ultimately 46 who actively play. In this paper, we present the result of the two gamified structures on the sustainability of reported behavior, as well as on actual saved electricity. Overall, a collaborative or a competitive intervention contributes to electricity savings and reported behavior as compared to the control group; however, no significant difference is found between the two gamified structures.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examine empirically the drivers and barriers to energy efficiency measures in an important energy-using sector, namely, the food retail sector, and to gain an understanding of more effective energy efficiency policies in this sector.
Abstract: The objectives of this research are to examine empirically the drivers and barriers to energy efficiency measures in an important energy-using sector, namely, the food retail sector, and to gain an understanding of more effective energy efficiency policies in this sector. Although food retailers consume a significant amount of energy due to the specialised needs of stores, there has been little research on the barriers and drivers of energy efficiency measures in this sector. A survey of small food retailers was carried out to understand attitudes to energy efficiency measures and to examine the acceptability of different energy efficiency policy options. In addition, external stakeholders were consulted in order to validate and contextualise the results of the survey. We find that there is a complementary relationship between energy efficiency barriers and drivers for food retailers and that it is remarkably coherent. We identify policies, such as subsidies and support for ESCOs, that exploit both the complementarities between barriers and drivers and are acceptable to food retailers also. This methodology should help identify and design more effective policies to deliver energy efficiency improvements in the food retail and other services subsectors.
TL;DR: In this article, different procedures for obtaining occupancy profiles are described and applied with reference to a residential building stock located in Mediterranean climatic conditions (Italy), and the heating and domestic hot water (DHW) energy consumptions and indoor comfort conditions of a representative building were determined by introducing different occupant scenarios in dynamic simulations.
Abstract: Residential energy consumptions are determined by the interaction of many factors. Apart from physical characteristics such as climate, heating type, age, and size of the house, occupants’ behavior and socio-economic aspects are critical. Furthermore, the relative impact of the occupants’ characteristics and behavior seems to differ in various investigations confirming the importance of contextual analysis. In this study, different procedures for obtaining occupancy profiles are described and applied with reference to a residential building stock located in Mediterranean climatic conditions (Italy). The heating and domestic hot water (DHW) energy consumptions and indoor comfort conditions of a representative building were determined by introducing different occupant scenarios in dynamic simulations. The occupancy profiles were built by means of data collected at the University of Calabria using surveys, interviews, bills, and statistical elaborations. Considering different modes of use of the dwelling (Regulations, Current-use, and Statistical), in the simulation process, all the inputs of occupancy, ventilation, lighting, DHW, and heating operation were modified. The Regulations occupancy profile produces an underestimation of heating energy consumption. Additionally, primary energy for DHW is strongly affected by the family composition. The effect of the occupants’ preferences on the energy performance of the building was investigated: mainly energy consumptions and internal comfort conditions vary with the set point temperature and the duration of ventilation. The analysis provides reference procedures for obtaining occupancy profiles. Furthermore, the simulation results demonstrate the significant dependence of heating and DWH primary energy consumption on the characteristics and preferences of occupants in the Mediterranean climate.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors measured the energy efficiency implicit in residential energy consumption using a panel dataset comprised of 40,246 observations from US households observed over 1997-2009, and they fit a stochastic frontier model of the minimum input of energy needed to meet the level of energy services demanded by the household.
Abstract: In this paper, we measure the energy efficiency implicit in residential energy consumption using a panel dataset comprised of 40,246 observations from US households observed over 1997–2009. We fit a stochastic frontier model of the minimum input of energy needed to meet the level of energy services demanded by the household. This benchmarking exercise produces a transient and a persistent efficiency index for each household and each time period. We estimate that the US residential sector could save approximately 10% of its total energy consumption if it reduced persistent inefficiencies and 17% if it were possible to eliminate transient inefficiencies. These figures are in line with recent economy-wide assessments for the USA. Our results suggest that savings in energy use and associated emissions of greenhouse gases may benefit from both policy measures that attain short-run behavioral changes (e.g., nudges, social norms, display of real-time information about usage, and real-time pricing) as well measures aimed at the long run, such as energy-efficiency regulations, incentives on the purchase of high-efficiency equipment, and incentives towards a change of habits in the use of the equipment.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated how users understand energy information and analyze and interpret feedback from energy data visualizations, and found that people find home energy data very difficult to understand and link to everyday actions and behaviors.
Abstract: Smart metering studies typically focus on quantifying behavior change. However, little is known about how users understand energy information and analyze and interpret feedback from energy data visualizations. To investigate this, we gave 13 participants from nine UK households an electricity power clamp meter. Prior to installing and using the device, we conducted interviews with participants to gauge their understanding of their home electricity consumption and found that participants varied considerably from limited to substantial energy literacy. Two weeks after the clamp meter had been installed, we conducted a contextual inquiry in which we asked participants to explain the web-based time series visualization of their recorded electricity data. We found that the visualization proved unfit: participants relied on memories and suggested likely routines, while widely being unable to reliably identify specific events in the data visualization. In follow-up interviews 3 months later, we found that participants’ understanding of their home electricity consumption had hardly changed. Finally, we invited participants to generate ideas how smart electricity feedback could be optimized. They named different forms of disaggregation, higher temporal resolution, and interactivity as design requirements. In summary, these results suggest that people find home energy data very difficult to understand and link to everyday actions and behaviors.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors studied the transportation energy efficiency of Yangtze River Delta's 15 cities in the period from 2009 to 2013, and found that Shanghai had the highest transportation efficiency, followed by Zhejiang province, and Jiangsu province was the worst.
Abstract: In this paper, the transportation energy efficiency of Yangtze River Delta’s 15 cities is studied in the period from 2009 to 2013. To measure transportation’s dynamic performance, the window analysis of data envelopment analysis (DEA) is used to estimate the efficiency in cross-sectional and time-varying data. Capital inputs and labor inputs are selected as the two non-energy inputs, energy consumption as the energy input, passenger volume and freight volume are selected as the two desirable outputs, and carbon dioxide is chosen as the undesirable output. The empirical study shows that Shanghai had the highest transportation energy efficiency, followed by Zhejiang province, and the average efficiency of Jiangsu province was the worst. A regression analysis on the efficiency values and their three influencing factors was carried out. The results show that per capita gross domestic product and the per capita area of paved roads in a city negatively influenced the efficiency values, while the number of public transportation vehicles per 10,000 persons positively influenced the transportation efficiency values. Lastly, some policy recommendations, conclusions, and suggestions for further research are given.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the influence of occupant motivations on the practice of ambient heating and cooling in the home, and found that occupants living in the same house may have different motivations and/or heating/cooling practices, affecting the overall energy use.
Abstract: Emerging results from practice-based research demonstrate that energy efficient houses often do not meet theoretical energy use based on the current standards of residential buildings. A factor influencing this inconsistency is related to user behaviour and everyday practices. The objective of this research is to uncover some of the complexities associated with the practices of heating and cooling in the home, which are influenced by motivations, knowledge and technologies, including the use of photovoltaic panels. For this purpose, ten Australian houses were established as embedded Living Labs and monitored for over a year. The results confirm the variation of energy use in houses; in this case, similar designs vary by up to 33%. The type of heating and cooling systems that houses rely on through the year was found to be a major determinant in energy use. However, energy variation between houses is also linked to intra-home practices and behaviours. This research found that individuals living in the same house may have different motivations and/or heating and cooling practices, affecting the overall energy use. For instance, one individual who is motivated to save on energy bills might turn on appliances during the day to make the most of solar panels or use the heater for brief periods of time, whilst another inhabitant of the same house might turn on the heater for extended periods out of habit or to achieve a hedonic experience. The adoption of an explanatory design mixed-method approach to study everyday practices in the home showed that the routines, household configuration, technology and varied occupant motivations impact on the practice of ambient heating and cooling, impacting its regularity, duration, time of the day and intensity.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explored the demographic determinants of residential energy efficiency adoption using the 2013 Households and Environment Survey and predicted the odds of households adopting three energy-efficient actions: energy-saving lights, programmable thermostats, and changes to a dwelling following an energy audit.
Abstract: In addition to a growing and aging population, Canada has experienced large shifts in its residential sector. There are more households, homes are larger with less people in them, and there are more appliances per household, all of which contribute to increased energy consumption. The present work explores the demographic determinants of residential energy efficiency adoption using the 2013 Households and Environment Survey. With binary logistic regressions, we predicted the odds of households adopting three energy-efficient actions: energy-saving lights, programmable thermostats, and changes to a dwelling following an energy audit. Although it was found that Canadian households are participating in energy efficiency, not all groups are participating equally. Similar to previous research, seniors appear to be more inclined to adopt less challenging measures such as energy-saving lights, as opposed to more intensive dwelling upgrades. Additionally, levels of education and income were positively related to the adoption of energy efficiency measures. However, the results showed household income to be less of a contributing factor for decisions regarding dwelling changes compared to the financial incentives offered via government grants. The results suggest a need to increase energy efficiency education and to continue offering financial incentives as the country increases its residential energy efficiency.
TL;DR: This paper presents an approach to zero energy renovation in which the influence of occupants’ behaviour in building performance is taken into account to eliminate the uncertainties related to energy savings.
Abstract: A number of facade solutions have been developed in recent years to solve the problem of large-scale renovation of housing. In the Netherlands, housing associations have the ambition to achieve an energy-neutral renovation approach, and so, some aim at energy neutrality. However, few address the complexity of multi-family rental dwellings and more importantly, the importance of user behaviour in the actual performance of the buildings. In current approaches, the zero energy target is sought for an average household. In this paper we present an approach to zero energy renovation in which the influence of occupants’ behaviour in building performance is taken into account to eliminate the uncertainties related to energy savings. The results are used to inform the design process regarding the amount of energy production required to reach zero energy performance, and the feasibility of the on-site energy production only with photovoltaic panels. The research showed large statistically significant differences on energy consumption between the different household types, which could contribute to pre-bound effects if these differences are not considered when calculating energy savings and return of investments. When considering scenarios based on behaviour after renovation, the difference between the lowest and the highest heating demand is reduced to 34%.
TL;DR: In this article, an industrial sustainability perspective can better explain the real decision-making process of adopting an energy efficiency measure and explain the low rate of adoption of EEMs in industrial decision-makers.
Abstract: The industry should take further efforts towards increased energy efficiency, that is a major contributor to improve industrial sustainability performance, by implementing energy efficiency measures (EEMs) However, the rate of adoption of these measures is still quite low Hitherto, EEMs and barriers to their adoption have been evaluated almost exclusively from the viewpoint of energy efficiency decision-makers, not accounting for the broader sustainability perspective This work aims at understanding whether an industrial sustainability perspective can better address issues related to EEMs adoption, analyzing the question through different viewpoints and insights offered by industrial decision-makers of different industrial sustainability areas within a firm By doing this, we aim at offering a contribution in the understanding of the low rate of adoption of EEMs As case studies, we investigated 12 firms from Northern Italy In comparison to previous literature, results show that an industrial sustainability perspective can better explain the real decision-making process of adopting an EEM Indeed, people knowledgeable about different industrial sustainability areas may perceive different barriers about the same EEM EEMs may be negatively affected by reasons related to other areas of industrial sustainability, while positive reciprocal impacts may exist among areas of industrial sustainability; thus, EEMs may have effects on areas other than energy efficiency, and these effects may be perceived only by such areas The study concludes with some remarks for policy and industrial decision-makers and advice for further research
TL;DR: In this article, the authors presented a study to determine the potential for energy savings in commercial buildings through widespread deployment of controls, elimination of faults, and use of better sensing, and the results showed that there is significant potential for significant energy savings across all building types and climates.
Abstract: The US Department of Energy (DOE) sponsored a study to determine the national savings achievable in the commercial buildings through widespread deployment of controls, elimination of faults, and use of better sensing. The study estimated savings from 34 measures in 9 building types and across 16 climates. These buildings are responsible for almost 57% of the US commercial building sector energy consumption. In addition to the individual measures, three packages of measures were created to estimate savings: (1) efficient building, (2) typical building, and (3) inefficient building. The results showed significant potential for energy savings across all building types and climates. The total site potential savings by building type aggregated across all climates for each measure varied between 0 and 16%. The total site potential savings aggregated across all building types and climates for each measure varied between 0 and 11%. The national potential site energy savings across all building types studied is 29%. Across all building types, the savings represent approximately 1393 PJ (1.32 quads) of site energy savings or 2912 PJ (2.76 quads) of primary (or source) energy savings. Extrapolating the results for other building types not analyzed as part of this study, the primary energy savings could be in the range of 4220 to 5275 PJ. For comparison, the total US primary energy consumption across all sectors of energy use was 102,762 PJ (97.4 quads) in 2015. This makes commercial building control improvements strategically important to sustained reductions in national energy consumption. To realize most of this potential savings, many gaps can be addressed through research development and deployment (RD&D), as recommended in this paper.
TL;DR: In this paper, a review of the literature on energy efficiency policy has been presented, focusing on assessing potential interactions between combinations of energy efficiency policies, i.e. the extent to which the different instruments counteract or support one another.
Abstract: Increasing energy efficiency and savings will play a key role in the achievement of the climate and energy targets in the European Union (EU). To meet the EU’s objectives for greenhouse gas emission reductions, renewable energy use and energy efficiency improvements, its member states have implemented and will design and implement various energy policies. This paper reviews a range of scientific articles on the topic of policy instruments for energy efficiency and savings and evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of different measures. The review demonstrates the variety of possible instruments and points to the complex policy environment, in which not a single instrument can meet the respective energy efficiency targets, but which requires a combination of multiple instruments. Therefore, the paper in particular focuses on assessing potential interactions between combinations of energy efficiency policies, i.e. the extent to which the different instruments counteract or support one another. So far, the literature on energy efficiency policy has paid only limited attention to the effect of interacting policies. This paper reviews and analyses interaction effects thus far identified with respect to factors that determine the interaction. Drawing on this review, we identify cases for interaction effects between energy efficiency policies to assess their potential existence systematically and to show future research needs.
TL;DR: In this article, the use of mixedmode ventilation for a typical office building in Lebanon and consequently reduce Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) energy consumption in the observed current and under the future projected climatic conditions.
Abstract: The aim of this work is to assess the use of mixed-mode ventilation for a typical office building in Lebanon and consequently reduce Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) energy consumption in the observed current and under the future projected climatic conditions. Mixed-mode cooling is considered a compromise between the insufficient natural ventilation and the expensive year round-operated HVAC. A control algorithm is set for windows and HVAC system to ensure mixed-mode operation. Dynamic simulations are performed on a typical office building in Beirut City under the mixed-mode operation in the present and the future using commercial IES-VE software. The results of the software were validated against measured HVAC and total energy consumption of the typical office base case with conventional mechanical system. The results of the simulations are evaluated in terms of potential reduction in energy consumption under the present and the future weather data. Finally, a lifecycle cost analysis is performed for the proposed system, and its payback period is computed. Under present construction practices and weather data, 31% annual energy savings were achieved using mixed-mode system. Under future 2050s projected weather data, annual energy savings of 21% was attained with a payback period of 3.8 years.
TL;DR: In this article, a study of local governance strategies in 12 municipalities targeting homeowners' engagement in energy retrofitting is presented, and the authors find that these municipalities have developed promising local network-based ways to engage homeowners in energy saving, but find simultaneously that the national policy mix is only partly supporting these local initiatives.
Abstract: Energy retrofitting of existing buildings is a central challenge for local, national, and international climate policies, and in several countries, single-family houses represent a major energy-saving potential. Although many municipalities are implementing local climate policies with initiatives to promote energy retrofitting of buildings, little research has been done regarding the role of single-family houses in local climate policies. Thus, we have little knowledge about specific initiatives to promote energy retrofitting amongst owners of single-family houses, we know little about experience from such initiatives, and we lack knowledge about the extent to which national and EU policies support local initiatives directed at homeowners. This article provides insights into these issues from an explorative study on local climate strategies in Danish front-runner municipalities where single-family housing is the dominating building segment. Based on a study of local governance strategies in 12 municipalities targeting homeowners’ engagement in energy retrofitting, the paper finds that these municipalities have developed promising local network-based ways to engage homeowners in energy retrofitting, but finds simultaneously that the national policy mix is only partly supporting these local initiatives. The paper also points out that the local and regional context for the programmes, including the local economic situation, is of great importance, and this context creates both potentials and challenges for the local programmes.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors identified household viewpoints towards energy and stated preferences towards energy efficiency technologies and behaviour and revealed a range of nuanced viewpoints, which mapped onto three principal household themes: energy use in terms of the environment, energy in relation to money and apathy towards energy.
Abstract: Improving the energy efficiency of our homes presents an excellent opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase thermal comfort However, a shortfall exists between the full potential and realised adoption of energy efficiency measures, a phenomenon termed the ‘Energy Efficiency Gap’ To better understand the energy efficiency gap, this research identified household viewpoints towards energy and stated preferences towards energy efficiency technologies and behaviour The research was carried out through interviews and a Q study in the cities of Manchester and Cardiff, alongside a questionnaire The results revealed a range of nuanced viewpoints, which mapped onto three principal household themes: energy use in terms of the environment, energy in relation to money and apathy towards energy A key finding was the small number strong correlations between distinct energy viewpoints and specific energy efficiency technologies or behaviours This result implies that being environmentally aware and actively concerned about energy efficiency does not in itself lead to a stated desire, or even, intention to install energy-efficient technologies The wider implication is that households that hold proactive energy efficiency viewpoints based on environmental concern may still require specifically targeted incentives to encourage the uptake of energy efficiency measures, ie their proactive and environmental beliefs are not alone enough to motivate them to improve the energy efficiency of their home
TL;DR: In this article, the authors analyze building efficiency policy measures and instruments and related technological solutions in two front-runner countries of the energy transition, possessing different structural conditions: Germany and Norway.
Abstract: Buildings in private and domestic use are responsible for about 30% of the global greenhouse gas emissions attributable mainly to their need for heating and cooling energy. This corresponds to about 40% of the global final energy consumption. Therefore, a viable implementation of building energy efficiency policies is inevitable to realize a transformation of the energy system to mitigate climate change. Within the building sector lies a huge potential for emission reduction consisting in the renovation of the existing building stock and climate-friendly building guidelines applicable to new constructions, both adapting CO2-neutral technology solutions. However, as there are several different pathways leading to a decarbonized energy system, there is always the question which political and technological solutions are most efficient, effective, and feasible. This paper aims to analyze building efficiency policy measures and instruments and the related technological solutions in two front-runner countries of the energy transition, possessing different structural conditions: Germany and Norway. We hence apply a comparative approach which allows us to present and assess the policies in place. The paper answers three research questions: (1) Which policies prevail in Germany and Norway to foster the deployment of energy efficient and decarbonized solutions for residential buildings? (2) How do these policies respond to country-specific barriers to the energy transition in the building sector, and (3) What effects do they have on the actual implementation of technological and societal solutions? This research provides a new insight to the highly relevant topic of energy efficiency in buildings in the context of international Intended Nationally Determined Contribution benchmarking and discusses some unsolved trade-offs in the translation of the global climate governance into the national building sector.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examine the preferences of Polish consumers for three types of electric vehicles: battery, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid vehicles, and find that electric vehicles are significantly less preferred than conventional cars, even under a public programme that would enable slow-mode charging in places where respondents usually park.
Abstract: Poland aims at stimulating the market to reach a target of 50,000 plug-in and battery electric vehicles by 2020. However, as in other Eastern European countries, the market penetration stays very low. In Poland, there were only 475 battery electric vehicles and 514 plug-in electric vehicles registered in 2017. To identify effective support measures, this paper examines the preferences of Polish consumers for three types of electric vehicles: battery, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid vehicles. We use a discrete choice experiment to estimate the willingness to pay of a representative sample of consumers intending to buy a car in Poland. We find that electric vehicles are significantly less preferred than conventional cars, even under a public programme that would enable slow-mode charging in places where respondents usually park. We quantify the marginal willingness to pay for increasing the driving range, reductions in charging time, the availability of fast-mode charging stations, and the provision of policy incentives. The novelty of the paper lies in presenting a scenario with the slow-mode and availability of several levels of fast-mode charging stations and examination of the extent to which the heterogeneity of consumer preferences is driven by place of residence (urban, suburban, rural), intention to buy a new versus a used car, and the annual mileage. This is also the first discrete choice experiment on electric vehicles conducted in Eastern Europe. To stimulate the electric vehicle market, we recommend a pricing policy that affects the operating costs and other incentives along with an effective up-front price incentive scheme.