Showing papers in "Energy Efficiency in 2021"
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors review the empirical evidence to date on energy efficiency policies and discuss their effectiveness, including command and control instruments, incentives, and information feedback tools, and identify limitations of these policies, such as the difficulties of implementing codes and standards given that a minimum level need to be achieved, differences in the effectiveness of rebate programs and non-conclusive results in regard to monetary energy efficiency labels.
Abstract: The household sector is one of the most energy-intensive sectors in Europe, and thus a focal point for reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy consumption. Energy efficiency is considered a key measure to reduce household energy consumption, but several factors could lead to an underinvestment in energy efficiency. This is the so-called energy efficiency gap or paradox. The factors in question are grouped under market failures (including informational failures), behavioural failures and other factors. Various policies can be used to address these failures and promote the adoption of energy-efficient technologies, including energy standards and codes, economic incentives and information instruments. This paper reviews the empirical evidence to date on energy efficiency policies and discusses their effectiveness. On the one hand, command and control instruments seem to be effective policies, but they have to overcome several barriers. In the case of price instruments, subsidies and taxes do not seem to be effective while rebates present mixed results as they sometimes are effective and in other cases, they could present significant shortcomings. Finally, the effectiveness of informational policies is not always ensured as they depend on the country, sector and product category. Information feedback tools also seem to be effective as they work as a constant reminder of energy-efficient behaviour. Some limitations of energy efficiency policies are also identified, such as the difficulties of implementing codes and standards given that a minimum level need to be achieved, differences in the effectiveness of rebate programmes and non-conclusive results in regard to the effectiveness of monetary energy efficiency labels.
31 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors proposed that the interactions between retrofitted buildings and the householders are the sum of material affordances, as signified by the design of the housing equipment on the one hand, and the practical affordances in practices-as-performances on the other.
Abstract: Contemporary packages of housing retrofit equipment are based on models of expected energy savings with regard to globally standardized thermal comfort levels. Previous research shows that the energy savings realised after a housing retrofit is substantially lower than expected. Attempts to reduce energy demand by physical re-design, utilising technical standards for thermal comfort as well as financial incentives, tend to ignore the role of retrofit interventions in the construction of everyday practices of thermal comfort making. Thermal comfort practices of heating, cooling and ventilation are moderated by specific householders’ motivations which constitute ‘wants’ and emerging ‘needs’ in the interaction with the housing retrofit equipment. This paper proposes that the interactions between the retrofitted buildings and the householders are the sum of material affordances, as signified by the design of the housing equipment on the one hand, and the practical affordances in practices-as-performances on the other. The study presents comfort practices in relation to recently retrofitted low-income housing estates in Beijing, Mianyang (Sichuan province, South-west China) and Amsterdam on the basis of 50 qualitative interviews with householders in each city. The paper concludes that the expected energy saving is counteracted by a poor match between conventional retrofit packages and householders’ considerations about their thermal comfort. To better reduce energy demand and to mitigate energy poverty, retrofit packages should provide adaptive thermal comfort as preferred by householders, rather than fixed or tightly specified thermal comfort. Such a perspective may support a more flexible and inclusive use of housing equipment as part of retrofit programs.
18 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors provide detailed information on the key technologies that utilize renewables for decarbonization and electrification of the residential heating sector and compare the economics of the technologies.
Abstract: This study aims to provide detailed information on the key technologies that utilize renewables for decarbonization and electrification of the residential heating sector. To contextualize and compare the economics of the technologies, a levelized cost model is employed to perform a comparative analysis for a dense urban area in Switzerland. The outcome shows that decarbonization of the heat supply with a dominant share of renewables is feasible, but it is challenged by the high cost of some options. In the given context (current energy and CO2 prices, no coercive measures), the rapid shift from conventional boilers to electrification via decentralized heat pumps and/or the introduction of targeted small-scale thermal energy networks utilizing cheap local resources like industrial excess heat is the most viable option. The replacement of natural gas boilers with electrification technologies also is recommendable because it would result in a sixfold reduction in specific CO2 emissions. Wide-scale application of heat pumps may require significant electricity grid reinforcement which ultimately may escalate the costs. Large-scale district heating systems are currently relatively expensive due to the high network costs and require a sustainable financing mechanism. To speed up the energy transition, policy interventions by the government are urgently needed.
17 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a new retrofitting database is created to improve the results of a building energy model at urban scale taking into account the real characteristics of the built environment, and an urban energy atlas was designed for an Italian city, Turin, as a decision-making platform for policy makers and citizens.
Abstract: The EU building stock is 97% not energy efficient and the promotion of energy retrofitting strategies is a key way of reducing energy consumptions and greenhouse gas emission. In order to improve the energy performance of buildings, the European Union released the Energy Performance of Buildings and the Energy Efficiency Directives. The certification of the energy performance of a building is a central element of these Directives to monitor and promote energy performance improvements in buildings, with the aim of increasing their energy efficiency level, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This work evaluates the energy performance of existing residential buildings using the energy performance certificate database and identifies the more effective retrofitting interventions by applying an urban-scale energy model. The novelty of this study is that a new retrofitting database is created to improve the results of a building energy model at urban scale taking into account the real characteristics of the built environment. The here presented GIS-based monthly engineering model is flexible and easily applicable to different contexts, and was used to investigate energy efficiency scenarios by evaluating their effects of city scale. An urban energy atlas was designed for an Italian city, Turin, as a decision-making platform for policy makers and citizens. This energy platform can give information on energy consumption, production and productivity potential, but also on energy retrofitting scenarios. The results of this work show that it is possible to obtain energy savings for space heating of 79,064 MWh/year for the residential buildings connected to the district heating network in the city of Turin; these interventions refer mainly to thermal insulation of buildings envelope with windows replacement and allow a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 12,097 tonCO2eq/year.
15 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explore the different factors that influence purchasing decisions and understand the importance of energy consumption compared to other attributes, how consumers weight energy savings and what other benefits and costs influence the purchase of energy-efficient goods.
Abstract: Informational failures frequently lead consumers to make non-optimal energy-efficient purchasing decisions. Energy efficiency labels seek to influence consumer behaviour at the point of sale by reducing informational failures regarding energy efficiency. However, several informational and behavioural factors contribute to the energy efficiency gap and could render label-oriented policies useless. The purchasing decision model of Allcott and Greenstone (The Journal of Economic Perspectives, 26, 3–28, 2012) is used here to explore the different factors that influence purchasing decisions and understand (i) the importance of energy consumption compared to other attributes; (ii) how consumers weight energy savings and (iii) what other benefits and costs influence the purchase of energy-efficient goods. The analysis reported here is based on qualitative research methods and is conducted in the household and service sectors (the accommodation sector and private service companies), for appliances, heating and cooling systems and cars in Spain. Results show that (i) there is still an informational gap regarding energy labels and (ii) bounded rationality and end-user behaviour are important limiting factors for the purchase of energy-efficient goods in Spain.
15 citations
TL;DR: Based on an analytical production frontier framework, the authors constructs a comprehensive assessment model of both technological progress and its factor bias, and systematically analyzes both industrial green-biased and output-biased technological progress in China from 2001 to 2015.
Abstract: Based on an analytical production frontier framework, this paper constructs a comprehensive assessment model of both technological progress and its factor bias. It then systematically analyzes both industrial green biased technological progress and the energy conservation and emission reduction effects it exerts in China from 2001 to 2015. The results show the following: ① During the overall sample period, the average growth rate of industrial-technological progress was as high as 2.7% and the average annual growth was nearly 2.2%. Although there were losses in green TFP caused by a deterioration in technological efficiency, these were offset by other increases in green TFP. ② The main reason for industrial technological progress is the progress of neutral technology. Even though the contribution shares which are from input-biased and output-biased technological progress continuously rose, their promoting effects were still relatively weak. ③ On the whole, China’s input-biased technological progress can be presented as capital-intensive and labor-saving, capital-intensive and energy-saving, and energy-intensive and labor-saving, and it also shows a significant temporal-spatial characteristic. ④ China’s output-biased technological progress is, on the whole, seen as increasingly desirable output but technological progress in most provinces is still accompanied by increasing undesirable output during some periods.
15 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the level of efficiency in the use of electricity in the European residential sector relying on a cross-sectional data set comprised of 1375 households located in Italy, the Netherlands, and Switzerland and observed in 2016.
Abstract: In this paper, we analyze the level of efficiency in the use of electricity in the European residential sector relying on a cross-sectional data set comprised of 1375 households located in Italy, the Netherlands, and Switzerland and observed in 2016 To do this, we estimate an electricity demand frontier function using a stochastic frontier approach The empirical results show that the residential sector in these three European countries could save approximately 20% of its total electricity consumption on average if it improves the level of efficiency in the use of electricity These figures are in line with recent studies for Switzerland and for the US residential sector Moreover, we link energy efficiency to energy-related financial literacy We find that while energy-relevant knowledge per se does not play a significant role, stronger cognitive abilities are associated with higher levels of energy efficiency
13 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the impact of three categories of behavioral antecedents on decision to purchase energy-efficient technology: values, environmental concern, and lifestyle orientation, and reported three key findings comparing US and Canadian green technology purchasing intentions.
Abstract: Household energy consumption is a significant driver of greenhouse gas emissions associated with global climate change. Thus, identifying social and psychological determinants of household-level consumption warrants further study. Using nationally representative samples from Canada (N = 1220) and the USA (N = 1001), we examine the impact of three categories of behavioral antecedents on decision to purchase energy-efficient technology: values, environmental concern, and lifestyle orientation. Green lifestyle orientation refers to the importance of environmental action to one’s overall lifestyle, a theory that has been primarily explained through qualitative methods. We report three key findings comparing US and Canadian green technology purchasing intentions. The results of three structural equation models suggest the presence of a relationship between biospheric and altruistic values, environmental concern, and green lifestyle orientation that predict green technology purchasing intention in both samples. Additionally, income has a strong effect on purchase intentions in both US and Canadian consumers. Other sociodemographic factors also influence potential purchases and identifying as female was positively related to electric vehicle purchase intention in the US sample, but this relationship did not hold in the Canadian sample. We suggest that future research continue to explore pro-environmental behaviors not in isolation, but as integrated within broader green lifestyle perceptions and contexts.
13 citations
TL;DR: Results suggest that actual energy use is unresponsive to the EPC, with a range of 457 kWh/year observed across EPC-level averages for the entire sample, which sound a note of caution for policymakers that rely on a theoretical EPC to deliver real energy savings.
Abstract: Ireland’s Climate Action Plan aims upgrade 500,000 homes to B2 Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) standard by 2030. Evidence of an Energy Performance Gap, where actual energy use differs from the EPC, could undermine progress towards such targets. This paper studies the energy performance gap for a general housing sample (n = 9923) over multiple years. It provides a novel comparison between whole-home energy use (electricity and gas) that accounts for fuel switching and removes potential rebound effects by excluding households that may have changed their behaviour following a retrofit. Results suggest that actual energy use is unresponsive to the EPC, with a range of 457 kWh/year observed across EPC-level averages for the entire sample. This difference equated to less than 5% of the sample average annual energy use observed. The Energy Performance Gap range features an average deficit of 17% below theoretical energy use. The least energy efficient dwellings feature an average difference ranging from − 15 to − 56% of the relevant EPC. Conversely, energy efficient houses display higher-than-theoretical energy use, with average surpluses ranging from 39 to 54% of the relevant EPC. Results sound a note of caution for policymakers that rely on a theoretical EPC to deliver real energy savings. Future EPCs could be improved by incorporating historical household energy usage to help improve models.
12 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors tested if and how perceived environmental responsibility of organisations and government is related to pro-environmental behavior and acceptability of pro-Environmental policies among employees, customers, and citizens.
Abstract: To reduce environmental problems, citizens, governments, and organisations need to take action to reduce their environmental impact. In the current paper, we tested if and how perceived environmental responsibility of organisations and government is related to pro-environmental behaviour and acceptability of pro-environmental policies among employees, customers, and citizens. We hypothesised that the stronger perceived environmental responsibility of organisations and government, the stronger the environmental self-identity of employees, customers, and citizens because they are a part of that organisation. We hypothesised that a stronger environmental self-identity, in turn, is positively related to a range of pro-environmental actions as well as acceptability of pro-environmental policies. We tested our hypotheses in three studies. We found that a stronger perceived environmental responsibility of organisations is indeed related to a stronger environmental self-identity among employees and customers of the organisation. A stronger environmental self-identity was in turn related to a range of pro-environmental actions. An alternative explanation for our findings is that those with a stronger environmental self-identity are more likely to become a customer at an organisation with a strong perceived environmental responsibility. However, we found support for our hypotheses among those who chose and among those who did not freely choose to be a customer of the organisation, suggesting that the alternative explanation does not fully explain our findings. Furthermore, we found that citizens report a stronger environmental self-identity when perceived environmental responsibility of their government is stronger. A stronger environmental self-identity was in turn related to a higher acceptability of policies aiming to promote energy savings. Our findings are in line with social identity theory, which states that people partly infer how they see themselves based on the groups to which they belong. Furthermore, our findings have important practical implications for organisations and governments aiming to promote pro-environmental behaviour. Specifically, if organisations and government reduce their environmental impact and clearly communicate this, citizens, employees, and customers may also be more likely to do so.
12 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors analyzed the factors that affect how the energy efficiency attribute is rated in investment in heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in the hotel industry in Spain.
Abstract: Increasing energy efficiency is a major way of saving energy and thus reducing energy expenses. However, adoption of energy efficiency is generally low, as demonstrated by the energy efficiency gap. To understand that gap, this paper analyses the factors that affect how the energy efficiency attribute is rated in investment in heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in the hotel industry in Spain. A survey conducted on two hundred owners of hotels, hostels and holiday cottages (referred to jointly here for the sake of convenience as “the hotel industry”) shows that the value placed on energy efficiency is influenced not just by climate conditions, environmental concern and type of hotel but also by other attributes of the HVAC system such as brand reliability, price and performance. The hotel industry may also be identifying EE as a proxy for quality rather than savings. Designing the right energy-efficiency policy entails accounting for potential responses by agents, and this analysis helps identify those drivers to which they may or may not respond.
TL;DR: In this paper, a comparison of the barriers to energy efficiency in firms from the literature with the prescriptions of ISO standards for energy management is presented, and empirical evidence that such ISO-certified large Austrian firms increased implementation of energy efficiency measures by 165% compared to those firms with business-as-usual decision-making methods.
Abstract: The energy efficiency gap has been presented as a prevalent paradox in the literature as individuals and firms fail to invest money or effort in seemingly highly profitable efficiency improvements. This article contributes to answering which management tools promote the realization of economic energy savings. This article first provides a comparison of the barriers to energy efficiency in firms from the literature with the prescriptions of ISO standards for energy management. Second, we provide empirical evidence that such ISO-certified large Austrian firms increased implementation of energy efficiency measures by 165% compared to those firms with business-as-usual decision-making methods. These higher conservation efforts observed support the hypothesis that ISO standards are an effective instrument to overcome efficiency barriers in an economic way. The main contributing factors for this achievement are the internalization of the identification process of savings potentials and setting up a stringent decision-making and governance process, thereby increasing implementation rates of measures.
TL;DR: Considering undesirable output and environmental impact factors, a four-stage DEA (data envelope analysis) combined with NDDF model was adopted in this paper to calculate the energy efficiency and eliminate the environmental impacts of Chinese transportation sector.
Abstract: The energy consumption and CO2 emissions of the transportation sector in China have increased greatly in recent years, accompanied by the growing regional disparities. Considering undesirable output and environmental impact factors, a four-stage DEA (data envelope analysis) combined with NDDF model (non-radical directional distance function) is adopted in this paper to calculate the energy efficiency and eliminate the environmental impacts of Chinese transportation sector. In this paper, five environmental factors are considered, including GDP per capita, consumption level, urbanization level, economic openness level, and transport infrastructure. The empirical results on the panel data for 30 provinces of China from 2005 to 2016 show that the energy efficiency of the transportation sector in China decreases from Eastern to Western region. After the adjustment of environmental factors, energy efficiency still shows a decreasing trend from Eastern to Western region, while energy efficiency increases more in Eastern region and less in Central region and Western region. The potential of energy efficiency improvement for some Central and Western provinces is relatively high. Some policy suggestions are proposed to improve the energy efficiency of Chinese transportation sector.
TL;DR: Li et al. as discussed by the authors developed an energy efficiency index based on green finance data from 114 listed companies of China during 2009 to 2018 by using the slack-based data envelopment analysis (DEA) model to measure energy efficiency and econometric estimation to measure the impact of debt and equity financing.
Abstract: The objective of this study is to measure the energy efficiency index based on green finance data from 114 listed companies of China during 2009 to 2018 by using the slack-based data envelopment analysis (DEA) model to measure the energy efficiency and econometric estimation to measure the impact of debt and equity financing. The proposed research study purpose is to develop a comprehensive assessment financing efficiency index based on energy efficiency index. Results shows that 1% increase in equity financing increases the financing efficiency by 0.002, while bond financing is negatively associated with financing efficiency, whereas 1% rise in debt financing decreases the financing efficiency by −0.019 whereas coefficients of bank financing and market capitalization. Jilin and Shandong provinces are best-performing provinces in terms of financing efficiency, whereas the Henan and Hubei provinces are worst-performing provinces in overall sample. For every 1% increase in research and development, Jilin and Shandong reduce carbon dioxide emissions by considerable amount, respectively. The key findings indicate that banks continue to dominate the Chinese credit industry. A significance of arithmetic mean aggregation as mathematical tool and DEA to construct an eco-friendly index of Chinese have been discussed. The proposed research study highlights irregularities of data issues and to follow appropriate properties index number. The current study may fit in the broader spectrum and developing an eco-friendly index and developing the ranking index based on multiple indicators.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors show that photovoltaics and wind produce work, as electricity, directly rather than via heat engines, and that this enables very large improvements in the conversion efficiency of final energy, through the use of electricity and hydrogen, in particular in heating and transportation.
Abstract: Recent evidence indicates that the key sources of energy for the zero carbon transition will be renewable electricity sources. The most rapidly expanding sources, photovoltaics and wind produce work, as electricity, directly rather than via heat engines. Making the assumption that these will be the dominant sources of energy in a future zero carbon system, the paper makes two new related and innovative contributions to the literature on the energy transition. First, it shows that the energy transition will be more than just a shift away from carbonaceous fuels, and that it is more usefully thought of as including a systemic shift from heat-producing to work-producing energy sources. Secondly, it shows that this enables very large improvements in the conversion efficiency of final energy, through the use of electricity and hydrogen, in particular in heating and transportation. The paper presents a thought experiment showing a reduction in final energy demand of up to 40% is likely from this effect alone. Technical standards and product regulation for end use conversion efficiency and/or service delivery efficiency seem likely to be key policy instruments.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors assess the current evaluation practices on behaviour and assess the value of also adding environmental psychology, to provide a stronger cross disciplinary understanding of behavioural change, and the need to coordinate and combine evaluations departing from different disciplinary approaches, to improve understanding of the transformational process.
Abstract: Behavioural change is expected to play a significant role in the transformation to a more energy efficient built environment. Despite this, current evaluation practice of interventions often overlook behavioural aspects in their ambition of advancing our knowledge on transformative change. Moreover, little attention is paid to how different research perspectives on human behaviour can complement each other in providing a broader scope and deeper understanding of behavioural change. In this study, we acknowledge this gap, and assess the current evaluation practices on behaviour. The focus is on energy efficiency in the built environment in the Nordic countries, and evaluations undertaken by researchers. The assessment shows that the Nordic evaluations apply a variety of disciplinary approaches, but have only to a limited extent addressed a psychological understanding of individual behaviour and behavioural change. We analyse and discuss the potential contribution of environmental psychology in strengthening a cross disciplinary evaluation approach. In all, the results indicate the value of also adding environmental psychology, to provide a stronger cross disciplinary understanding of behavioural change, and the need to coordinate and combine evaluations departing from different disciplinary approaches, to improve understanding of the transformational process.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated how to decrease residential buildings' energy demand through passive methods and substitute renewable energy for fossil fuel to supply energy for buildings in a framework of a net-zero energy neighborhood unit in Qazvin.
Abstract: Fossil fuel combustion to supply energy demand has significant effects on air pollution and global warming through an increase in environmental pollutants and greenhouse gases resulting in climate change, environmental deterioration, and spread of different diseases. In Iran, the high growth of annual consumption of various fossil fuels has triggered many environmental and socioeconomic problems, and the building sector with a share of 40% in energy consumption plays a significant role in energy consumption levels. The main aim of this study is to investigate how to decrease residential buildings’ energy demand through passive methods and substitute renewable energy for fossil fuel to supply energy for buildings in a framework of a net-zero energy neighborhood unit in Qazvin. The methods applied in this study were based on analytical method, causal study method, and simulation. In this study, DesignBuilder thermal simulation software is used to estimate the energy consumption decrease through the passive strategies. In addition, the buildings’ energy demand is supplied using renewable energy sources. Results show that improving the thermal insulation and heat capacity of housing materials can reduce energy demand by 31.5%. In addition, appropriate window shading and natural ventilation decrease the buildings’ annual energy consumption levels (32 residential units) at a rate of 2 and 17.5%, respectively. Furthermore, achieving the net-zero energy definition required 902 units of PV modules with nominal power of 256 W, as well as 24 solar collectors and their assimilation with the energy grid.
TL;DR: The largest mitigation options identified were improved end use energy efficiency across the economy and the generation and use of low carbon electricity and these have been the key options adopted and drawn lessons for mitigation options to achieve the goal of net zero emissions in the next 30 years.
Abstract: In April 1989, the UK Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, convened a full cabinet meeting on climate change addressed by leading scientists. The presentation on mitigation of carbon dioxide emissions was made by the Head of the Energy Technology Support Unit (ETSU), Ken Currie, and identified the key potential options for mitigation by 2020. In this paper, we compare the mitigation potential identified for each proposed option with the 2019 outturn. The largest mitigation options identified were improved end use energy efficiency across the economy and the generation and use of low carbon electricity. Our analysis finds that these have been the key options adopted. Reductions in primary energy use, resulting from improvements in energy efficiency were concentrated in the period 2005–2012 which in 1989 were widely considered to be ambitious. Decarbonisation of electricity has been achieved by the displacement of coal, initially by gas and more recently by renewable electricity. Renewable electricity has exceeded 1989 expectations in the last 5 years and is now the biggest source of CO2 reductions from electricity generation. The contribution envisaged by nuclear electricity has not occurred, largely due its failure to compete in liberalised generation markets. In all cases, the policy environment has been important. We draw lessons for mitigation options to achieve the goal of net zero emissions in the next 30 years. The contribution of demand side and other modular options will remain crucial, as mass-produced technologies tend to improve more quickly than those requiring large construction projects. Environmental, social and political factors will be important, so analysis should not be a purely techno-economic assessment.
TL;DR: The authors explored the relationship between the meanings of home and the elements of practices and found that the dominant meaning of home differs between householders; this in turn affects the materials and procedures of energy-consuming practices.
Abstract: The UK introduced carbon budgets in 2008, with an aim to reduce greenhouse gases by 80% by 2050 compared with the 1990 levels. It has been argued that the 2015 Paris Agreement on limiting the global average temperature rise to ‘well below 2° C’ requires deeper and more rapid emission reductions than the current UK targets. Household energy consumption accounts for almost a third of total UK CO2 emissions in recent years. This paper explores drivers of high energy consumption in domestic buildings from a sociological practice perspective and through a lens of dominant meanings of ‘home’. Whilst the practice approach and meanings of home have been explored separately in the literature to understand household energy consumption, this paper adds new findings on the interaction between the meanings of home and the elements of practices. Results show the dominant meaning of home differs between householders; this in turn affects the materials and procedures of energy-consuming practices. For instance, if ‘home’ means ‘hospitality’, this changes the standard of comfort and convenience people perceive at home. Understanding how practices and meanings of the home intersect, provides new, much needed insights that could support policy change commensurate with more rapidly reducing CO2 emissions from domestic energy consumption.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigate how energy advisors manage the reform and how they work as middle actors to increase energy efficiency and non-fossil fuel use among homeowners in Sweden, using the theoretical framework of middle actors in the middle-out perspective together with the theory of institutional logics.
Abstract: Homeowners are identified as a group in society that could change their energy behaviour towards greater energy efficiency and use of non-fossil fuels. External local energy advisors, who provide knowledge, motivation and service, can influence their decisions and thereby increase energy efficiency and dissemination of non-fossil fuels. In Sweden, the energy advice system has recently been reformed and this paper investigates this reform and analyses its early effects. The aim is to analyse how energy advisors manage the reform and how they work as middle actors to increase energy efficiency and non-fossil fuel use among homeowners. We use the theoretical framework of middle actors in the middle-out perspective together with the theory of institutional logics to analyse the case of the energy advisor reform. This qualitative analysis contributes to the discussion of energy advisors by focusing on the relevance of organizational structures and logics for their possibilities to influence homeowners’ energy practices. The reform has introduced a governance and New Public Management logic that runs parallel with the former energy advice logic, guiding the advisors’ work practice. The results show that the reform potentially has increased the energy advisors’ ability to act as middle actors. However, there are organizational practices following the reform, which greatly constrain the advisors’ abilities as middle actors. One conclusion is that the advisors are in need of more guidance from the Energy Agency to be able to perform more successful work.
TL;DR: The results indicate that including annual operating costs estimates in the refrigerator energy labels do not affect the consumers’ choices due to the relatively low annual operating cost of the refrigerator, and energy saving campaigns should better focus on other social benefits deriving from reductions in energy use.
Abstract: It is widely acknowledged that energy labels guide consumers towards more energy-saving appliances. However, the effectiveness of energy labelling schemes should not be taken for granted; the quality and the amount of information, as well as the way that information is displayed on energy labels may affect consumers’ choices. The paper presents the results of a choice-based experiment conducted in Greece on a random sample of 992 individuals. The respondents were assigned to one of four experimental conditions: (i) a labelled experiment without additional information on the estimated cost of energy (Control sample); (ii) a labelled experiment with additional information on the estimated cost of energy (Treatment 1); (iii) a non-labelled experiment without additional information on the estimated cost of energy (Treatment 2); and (iv) a non-labelled experiment with additional information on the estimated cost of energy (Treatment 3). The results indicate that including annual operating cost estimates in the refrigerator energy labels do not affect the consumers’ choices due to the relatively low annual operating cost of the refrigerator. Thus, from a policy perspective, energy saving campaigns should better focus on other social benefits deriving from reductions in energy use.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors used stochastic frontier analysis applied to a large panel data set of 81 OECD and non-OECD countries covering the years 2000 to 2013 to estimate energy efficiency.
Abstract: Improvements in energy efficiency are essential for reducing CO2 emissions, reducing energy consumption, and increasing energy security. This paper uses stochastic frontier analysis applied to a large panel data set of 81 OECD and non-OECD countries covering the years 2000 to 2013 to estimate energy efficiency. Non-OECD energy efficiency has been increasing across the time period under study while OECD energy efficiency has been declining. On average, 3% of global energy consumption can be saved by reducing transient inefficiencies but this can represent a lot of energy saved when accumulated across time. Much larger global energy savings can be obtained by reducing persistent energy inefficiency. Sigma convergence of energy efficiency (a reduction in the dispersion of energy efficiency across countries) is investigated. There is not much evidence to support energy efficiency sigma convergence. Sigma divergence and energy efficiency reductions make it more difficult to negotiate international treaties on energy efficiency and climate change.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors assess the effectiveness and efficiency of a small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) support scheme in Bulgaria, which has received financing of more than EUR 150 million under the European Regional Development Fund.
Abstract: Energy efficiency has been among the key objectives of the energy policy of the European Union and the European Structural and Investment Funds in the 2014–2020 programming period. It is one of the key priorities of the new European Green Deal, which will guide the EU programmes in the next multiannual financial framework. To provide recommendations for national Managing Authorities on how to design energy efficiency measures for enterprises in the 2021–2027 period, the paper assesses the effectiveness and efficiency of a small- and medium-sized enterprises (SME) support scheme in Bulgaria, which has received financing of more than EUR 150 million under the European Regional Development Fund. Combining data from publicly available databases, the paper provides an analysis of geographical and sectoral distributions, the ratio between grant size and energy savings (unit costs), estimations of correlation coefficients and linear regressions, and simple payback time of the EU-financed projects. The key finding of the study is that the scheme under Operational Programme ‘Innovation and Competitiveness’ did not score the input/output ratio of project applications, which resulted in very diverse unit costs, and some of the reviewed projects produced very low energy savings. Overall, the data show that the EU support for energy efficiency measures of large enterprises under the same programme was more coherent and cost-effective as compared to the SME procedure. The paper puts forward recommendations for designing energy efficiency support schemes, which relate to the assessment criteria, the use of internal benchmarking to assess efficiency, and the payback time of energy efficiency measures.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors conducted a stated preference survey among 992 Greek consumers and found that preferences, behavioral biases, external barriers, and socio-demographic factors are important sources of heterogeneity in the estimated implicit discount rate and the energy-related investment literacy of the consumers.
Abstract: Consumers are assumed to compare the upfront costs to the discounted value of future savings in energy expenditures when deciding whether to invest in a more energy-efficient product. This assumption presupposes that consumers have the energy-related knowledge, are familiar with the concept of discounting, and use a subjective discount rate, known as the implicit discount rate (IDR). However, the related literature suggests that consumers usually suffer from energy-related financial illiteracy and tend to apply IDRs much higher than the market interest rates owing to market and behavioral failures. This paper wishes to contribute to the ongoing discussion on how to promote energy efficiency across the residential sector using the results of a stated preference survey among 992 Greek consumers. The survey provides empirical evidence on the heterogeneity in the energy efficiency-related IDRs. More importantly, it is one of the few studies to look directly at investment literacy in the field of energy efficiency. To this end, a choice-experiment, the focus of which is to examine whether consumers can recognize the most cost-efficient alternative products, is being conducted. The estimated probabilities of having selected the most optimal choice are then regressed against attitudinal and socio-demographic variables to investigate the factors that affect investment literacy. The results suggest that preferences, behavioral biases, external barriers, and socio-demographic factors are important sources of heterogeneity in the estimated IDR and the energy-related investment literacy of the consumers. The outcomes and the limitations of the survey leave space for future research.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the results of a stated preference consumer survey undertaken in Slovenia in late 2017 to investigate how much the consumers are willing to consider future energy savings associated with the purchase of advanced home heating controls.
Abstract: Which attributes are the most important when buying a property? How much do individuals value energy efficiency? What discount rates do individuals employ when investing in energy efficiency and which factors influence them? This paper examines the results of a stated preference consumer survey undertaken in Slovenia in late 2017 to investigate these questions, also trying to answer how much the consumers are willing to consider future energy savings associated with the purchase of advanced home heating controls. The results show that energy efficiency as a decision-making attribute is very important for Slovenians, being the second most important after the property price. Females, environmentally aware and married individuals are more likely to value energy efficiency highly when buying a property. Interest in energy-efficient heating controls’ investment confirms the notion that people tend to discount the future benefits at 40%, on average, and give more importance to future energy savings when the investment cost is higher. Females favour higher implicit discount rates and shorter payback periods and therefore expect a higher return (energy savings) on the investment while people with higher education levels value future costs more and are willing to invest more due to the increased benefits of energy efficiency.
TL;DR: In this article, a dynamic mathematical model of the temperature-dependent components of a reference data center was created and the influence on the energy consumption in an area of 240 × 215 km in Germany was investigated.
Abstract: The effect of the location on the energy consumption of data centers has already been studied in detail on the macro-climatic level. To take advantage of these effects, however, it is usually necessary for the location of data centers to cross international borders. The influence of site changes within national borders and in a small radius of < 100 km has not yet been quantified. To investigate this, a dynamic mathematical model of the temperature-dependent components of a reference data center was created and the influence on the energy consumption in an area of 240 × 215 km in Germany was investigated. It could be shown that even small changes of the location within a 10 km radius of a location lead to annual energy savings in the recirculating chiller of 9.12% on average (maximum 56.58%). With a freedom of location of 100 km within national borders, savings of 37.35% on average (maximum 76.11%) are even possible. Location-dependent optimizations are therefore also relevant at local and national level with regard to their influence on energy consumption, and the consideration of mesoclimatic aspects should be an elementary part of the site selection process for data centers in the future.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the performance of an air to air ERV with the aid of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach, and the average annual energy consumption of the simulated building is estimated using hourly analysis program (HAP) software at different locations worldwide.
Abstract: Energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) have been utilized within air conditioning systems to enhance energy efficiency and to improve indoor air quality. ERV performance contributes significantly towered lowering electrical consumption and emissions of the installed systems. Annual energy savings resulted from integrating a hybrid flow ERV to a conventional HVAC system is numerically investigated in the current research. Thermal performance of air to air ERV is estimated with the aid of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach, and the average annual energy consumption of the simulated building is estimated using hourly analysis program (HAP) software at different locations worldwide. Based on CFD simulations, a correlation for the total effectiveness of the ERV was developed (et = 4.2ΔTR0.06377Re−0.29458) which is a function of dry and wet bulb temperature at design conditions of a given location (ΔTR) and Reynolds number (Re) of air flowing through the ERV. Furthermore, CFD simulations showed that the amount of latent energy recovered could be as high as 6 times the amount of sensible energy recovered as the ambient conditions approaches the tropical humid conditions or as ΔTR decreases. Building simulations using HAP showed that the ERV has reduced the size of the cooling/heating coils which resulted in lowering the electrical energy needed to run the HVAC equipment. Utilizing the ERV could also contribute to coil downsizing of up to 40.5 kW, a total electrical load recovery of up to 8648 kWh and RER values of up to 662 for tropical cities such as Singapore. Moreover, an up to 16,000 kgCO2e could be reduced with an annual cost saving of up to US$3000 when adopting the ERV unit. Therefore, it is recommended to design the ERV to serve at relatively low Re values which reflects on obtaining higher effectiveness, lower pressure drop and the greatest possibility for energy recovery.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the long-term stability of the airtightness of a building envelope in the context of large-scale Passive House buildings and found that the building's thermal comfort and energy performance remained high, despite exceeding the Passive House primary energy target slightly due to increased electricity consumption.
Abstract: Long-term experience with Passive House buildings is illustrated with two early large-scale projects, a school and an office building located in Germany. Those were monitored in lump energy performance (school, commissioned 2004) and great detail (office, commissioned 2002), respectively. Moreover, they give an indication of the characteristics of such buildings subject to changes in usage intensity. Both buildings generally performed as expected with the school facing occasional overheating in the summer due to inflexible shading controls. Following an extension in schooling hours, the addition of a canteen was required and the ventilation system was adapted to the changed usage. Nevertheless, the building’s user comfort and energy performance remain high, despite exceeding the Passive House primary energy target slightly due to increased electricity consumption. The office likewise meets the calculated efficiency in operation. The ground-coupled cooling worked well despite greatly increased internal heat gains due to unexpected usage. This extra heat input did not, however, exhaust the geothermal (passive) cooling capacity for the future. Thermal comfort proved near optimal at all times, despite a very simple control regime of the one-circuit concrete core activation system for heating and cooling. In the last section, airtightness design and measurement experience in the UK and, particularly, the question of long-term stability of the airtight building envelope are assessed. It was found that measurement results are not only repeatable in relatively short intervals such as a few months. The data available suggests stability of the airtight envelope over many years. Attention is required as regards the leakage of party walls of terraced buildings which need to be integrated in the overall airtightness concept. A high permeability of party walls in terraced buildings with a common airtight envelope presents a challenge for measuring airtightness. Long-term series of airtightness measurements exist for the Kranichstein House in Darmstadt, Germany, and prove the stability of the chosen airtightness concept. Moreover, results for 17 early Passive House buildings in Germany in eight locations and various construction types revisited in 2001 (1.4 to 10 years after the initial airtightness test) suggest stability of airtightness values over time. Great advances have since been made in materials and methods available and the general understanding in the industry. This is supported by a large sample of 2934 Passive House projects of varied construction materials, locations, sizes, and usages that yielded an average airtightness test result as low as n50 = 0.41 h−1.
TL;DR: The financial evaluation of the model shows that energy saving by implementing smart street lighting control system has a payback period of 4 years and 6 months, and the net present value analysis shows that the project can start making profit after 3 years.
Abstract: The objective of this paper is to develop a combined refined technical and financial model to evaluate smart street lighting control system for saving energy and cost. The refined model incorporates independent variables such as the volume of traffic, pedestrian density, speed, ambient luminance, presence of median, parking allowance, intersection/interchange density, and visual guidance/traffic control, as well as dependent variables such as smart street lighting costs, payback period, and Life Cycle Cost (LCC). The refined technical and financial model evaluation includes the collection of data from the City of El Cajon, San Diego. The results of technical model indicate that implementing smart street lighting control system would reduce energy consumption from 17,360 to 10,351 kWh using data collected for E Main St., El Cajon, CA. The developed model was also verified using data from available worldwide cities for its accuracy. The financial evaluation model developed provides total cost of installation, cost benefit analysis, and the net present value of the smart street lighting control system. The financial evaluation of the model shows that energy saving by implementing smart street lighting control system has a payback period of 4 years and 6 months. The net present value analysis shows that the project can start making profit after 3 years.