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Energy Security and Sustainability

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2018) | Viewed by 118905

Special Issue Editors

Mr. Jeffrey Logan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 15013 Denver West Parkway, Golden, CO 80401, USA
Interests: clean energy policy analysis; carbon mitigation; energy security; Chinese energy policy and markets
Dr. Doug Arent

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Scientific Computing and Energy Analysis, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO 80401, USA
Interests: integration of renewable energy in energy systems; energy system modeling; power market design; energy/food/water/climate change nexus; sustainable development
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Global energy markets are currently experiencing notable uncertainty and transformation due to changes in technology, social demands, business models, and a host of other factors. These changes are also forcing us to rethink the traditional energy security calculus. Advances in renewable energy technology, for example, allow for greater reliance on domestic resources, but introduce new complications in managing electricity grids given the variable nature of wind and solar resources. Likewise, consumers may be shifting to a greater reliance on “electrified” end-uses as electric vehicles and heat pumps become alternatives to petroleum-fueled vehicles and natural gas heating. Establishing robust cybersecurity measures in such a highly-electrified future may emerge as a key issue. Advances in hydraulic fracturing of unconventional oil and gas formations in North America has allowed significant growth in production, although also raised questions about the potential for impacts on security-related issues, including water, air and agricultural concerns. Finally, energy infrastructure in many locations is aging and presents increasing security challenges. The implications of these trends in technology, policy, finance, and infrastructure on global geopolitics, greenhouse gas emissions, and trade are potentially significant.

This Special Edition on “Energy Security” encourages a diverse set of submissions. Topics include:

  • Evolving definitions of energy security and metrics used to characterize them.
  • Are security and sustainability mutually attainable or in conflict?
  • Analysis of energy security and sustainability trends at the local, national, regional and global level.
  • Changes in end-use technologies and how these may impact energy security and sustainability.
  • Potential social and geopolitical changes associated with energy developments that impact energy security and sustainability.
  • Institutional and governance issues associated with energy security and sustainability
  • Information and Communication Technology (ICT) needs, including cybersecurity
  • Sectoral approaches to energy security: supply/demand, power, industrial, buildings, transport
  • International negotiations and treaties
  • RDD&D needs

Mr. Jeffrey Logan
Dr. Doug Arent
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Energy Security
  • Sustainability
  • Cybersecurity
  • Resiliency
  • Geopolitics
  • Technology

Published Papers (22 papers)

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11 pages, 2270 KiB  
Article
Experimental Investigation on Establishing the HCCI Process Fueled by N-Heptane in a Direct Injection Diesel Engine at Different Compression Ratios
by Tuan Le Anh, Vinh Nguyen Duy, Ha Khuong Thi and Hoi Nguyen Xa
Sustainability 2018, 10(11), 3878; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10113878 - 25 Oct 2018
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4173
Abstract
Establishing the homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) process in a diesel engine, in order to improve exhaust emission quality while extending the HCCI regime, is one of the challenges in applying HCCI in worldwide applications. This can be done by decreasing the compression [...] Read more.
Establishing the homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) process in a diesel engine, in order to improve exhaust emission quality while extending the HCCI regime, is one of the challenges in applying HCCI in worldwide applications. This can be done by decreasing the compression ratio, and controlling the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) rate and charging temperature. In this paper, an original single cylinder diesel engine was converted to n-heptane-fueled HCCI with the fuel injected into the intake manifold. At the designed compression ratio of 20:1, the HCCI engine could operate stably at low speed (from 1600 rpm to 2000 rpm) and low load (10% to 20% load). In addition, reducing the compression ratio from 20:1 to 14.87:1 by changing the thickness of the cylinder head gasket and with no EGR applied extended the operating range to 50% load and 3200 rpm speed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Security and Sustainability)
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23 pages, 739 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Sustainable Energy Security and an Empirical Analysis of China
by Debin Fang, Shanshan Shi and Qian Yu
Sustainability 2018, 10(5), 1685; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10051685 - 22 May 2018
Cited by 76 | Viewed by 6071
Abstract
Energy security and sustainability are crucial factors for the development of China. The creation of an evaluation theoretical system of the energy has theoretical and practical significance that is important for ensuring the safe and sustainable development of energy security that matches the [...] Read more.
Energy security and sustainability are crucial factors for the development of China. The creation of an evaluation theoretical system of the energy has theoretical and practical significance that is important for ensuring the safe and sustainable development of energy security that matches the national development phase and reflects the sustainable development of national energy. Sustainable energy security must not only take into account the security of energy supply–demand in the long-term and short-term, it must also focus on the coordinated development between energy, the environment, and the economy in China. This paper proposes five dimensions of energy security (availability, accessibility, affordability, acceptability, and develop-ability) to construct China’s Sustainable Energy Security (CSES) evaluation index model. Based on the model, an empirical study of China’s energy security is carried out with data from 2005 to 2015, and dynamic changing trends are analyzed accordingly. The results indicate that availability and develop-ability are the most important weights in China’s Sustainable Energy Security index system, where availability shows a general downward trend, and develop-ability presents an inverted U-type trend, with its lowest point in 2011. From 2008 to 2012, China’s sustainable energy security had been at risk. Taking the year 2010 as the demarcation, two phases were obtained: before and after 2010, during which the level of China’s sustainable energy security first dropped, and then rose. However, compared with 2005, CSES level decreased by 28% in 2015 due to the decline of availability and accessibility. During 2005–2015, China’s energy security system had relative high scores in acceptability and develop-ability, while the sustained downward trend of availability is in need of more regulation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Security and Sustainability)
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15 pages, 1308 KiB  
Article
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Embodied in the Chinese International Trade of Computer Products
by Lien-Chieh Lee, Yuan Wang, Yuanyuan Yan and Jian Zuo
Sustainability 2018, 10(5), 1623; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10051623 - 18 May 2018
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3707
Abstract
Previous studies investigated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions embodied in the trade of large groups of products by using the input–output model. However, very little attention was paid from the product’s perspective via the bottom-up process-based life cycle assessment (LCA) model. In this paper [...] Read more.
Previous studies investigated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions embodied in the trade of large groups of products by using the input–output model. However, very little attention was paid from the product’s perspective via the bottom-up process-based life cycle assessment (LCA) model. In this paper via the process-based LCA approach, GHG emissions embodied in the computer trade between China and its major trade partners were examined over the period 2002 to 2013. Results revealed that China has been the largest net exporter of GHG emissions related to computers over the last decade, where portable computer products made up the main share. In 2002, the largest trade flow of GHG emissions embodied in computers was from Taiwan to the USA, while in 2013 it was from China to the USA. Moreover, technological innovation and geographical variability were taken into consideration as emission factors of computers, as well as the uncertainty analysis. This study found that the main driver of computer-related emissions embodied in international trade is industry transfer. The actual production of computers has shifted steadily away from the USA, firstly to Taiwan and ASEAN, but now almost entirely to China. Results of this study suggest that reduction of carbon emission is destined to be a global responsibility. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Security and Sustainability)
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13 pages, 29757 KiB  
Article
Quantifying and Monetizing Renewable Energy Resiliency
by Kate Anderson, Nicholas D. Laws, Spencer Marr, Lars Lisell, Tony Jimenez, Tria Case, Xiangkun Li, Dag Lohmann and Dylan Cutler
Sustainability 2018, 10(4), 933; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10040933 - 23 Mar 2018
Cited by 45 | Viewed by 9626
Abstract
Energy resiliency has been thrust to the forefront by recent severe weather events and natural disasters. Billions of dollars are lost each year due to power outages. This article highlights the unique value renewable energy hybrid systems (REHS), comprised of solar, energy storage, [...] Read more.
Energy resiliency has been thrust to the forefront by recent severe weather events and natural disasters. Billions of dollars are lost each year due to power outages. This article highlights the unique value renewable energy hybrid systems (REHS), comprised of solar, energy storage, and generators, provide in increasing resiliency. We present a methodology to quantify the amount and value of resiliency provided by REHS, and ways to monetize this resiliency value through insurance premium discounts. A case study of buildings in New York City demonstrates how implementing REHS in place of traditional backup diesel generators can double the amount of outage survivability, with an added value of $781,200. For a Superstorm Sandy type event, results indicate that insurance premium reductions could support up to 4% of the capital cost of REHS, and the potential exists to prevent up to $2.5 billion in business interruption losses with increased REHS deployment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Security and Sustainability)
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17 pages, 404 KiB  
Article
An Early Warning System for Oil Security in China
by Qingsong Wang, Hongrui Tang, Xueliang Yuan, Mansen Wang, Hongkun Xiao and Zhi Ma
Sustainability 2018, 10(1), 283; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10010283 - 22 Jan 2018
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4275
Abstract
The oil system security in a country or region will affect its sustainable development ability. China’s oil security has risen to the national strategic level. It is urgent to construct an early warning indicator system to reflect the oil security level accurately, as [...] Read more.
The oil system security in a country or region will affect its sustainable development ability. China’s oil security has risen to the national strategic level. It is urgent to construct an early warning indicator system to reflect the oil security level accurately, as well as to diagnose and assess the oil system status effectively and put forward the corresponding proposals for ensuring oil security. An early warning indicator system of China’s oil system covering 23 sub-indicators from three aspects, i.e., resource security, market security and consumption security, was constructed using the SPSS (Statistical Product and Service Solutions) factor analysis method. It shows that China’s oil system safety level has been seriously threatened and is generally declining. However, due to the strong introduction of energy policies and increasing energy utilization technology in recent years, the increasing proportion of new energy, renewable energy and oil substitutes eases the energy security threats. In response to complex oil security issues, the Chinese government needs to strengthen macroeconomic regulation and control at the policy level continuously, increase efforts to explore resource reserves, upgrade energy conservation and emission reduction technologies, develop new alternatives for oil products, and reduce the dependence on international oil imports. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Security and Sustainability)
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27 pages, 6854 KiB  
Article
System Dynamics of Polysilicon for Solar Photovoltaics: A Framework for Investigating the Energy Security of Renewable Energy Supply Chains
by Debra Sandor, Sadie Fulton, Jill Engel-Cox, Corey Peck and Steve Peterson
Sustainability 2018, 10(1), 160; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10010160 - 11 Jan 2018
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 11172
Abstract
Renewable energy, produced with widely available low-cost energy resources, is often included as a component of national strategies to address energy security and sustainability. Market and political forces cannot disrupt the sun or wind, unlike oil and gas supplies. However, the cost of [...] Read more.
Renewable energy, produced with widely available low-cost energy resources, is often included as a component of national strategies to address energy security and sustainability. Market and political forces cannot disrupt the sun or wind, unlike oil and gas supplies. However, the cost of renewable energy is highly dependent on technologies manufactured through global supply chains in leading manufacturing countries. The countries that contribute to the global supply chains may take actions that, directly or indirectly, influence global access to materials and components. For example, high-purity polysilicon, a key material in solar photovoltaics, has experienced significant price fluctuations, affecting the manufacturing capacity and cost of both polysilicon and solar panels. This study developed and validated an initial system dynamics framework to gain insights into global trade in polysilicon. The model represents an initial framework for exploration. Three regions were modeled—China, the United States, and the rest of the world—for a range of trade scenarios to understand the impacts of import duties and non-price drivers on the relative volumes of imports and domestic supply. The model was validated with the historical case of China imposing an import duty on polysilicon from the United States, the European Union, and South Korea, which altered the regional flows of polysilicon—in terms of imports, exports, and domestic production—to varying degrees. As expected, the model tracked how regional demand shares and influx volumes decrease as a duty on a region increases. Using 2016 as a reference point, in the scenarios examined for U.S. exports to China, each 10% increase in the import duty results in a 40% decrease in import volume. The model also indicates that, under the scenarios investigated, once a duty has been imposed on a region, the demand share from that region declines and does not achieve pre-duty levels, even as global demand increases. Adding additional countries and other components in the photovoltaic supply chain (panels, cells, wafers) to this model could enable policymakers to better understand the relative impact of trade measures across the entire photovoltaic module manufacturing supply chain and the conditions that encourage industry evolution and competitiveness. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Security and Sustainability)
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1113 KiB  
Article
Energy Efficiency and Its Driving Factors in China’s Three Economic Regions
by Sheng-An Shi, Long Xia and Ming Meng
Sustainability 2017, 9(11), 2059; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9112059 - 09 Nov 2017
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3273
Abstract
Energy efficiency improvement is essential for China’s sustainable development of its social economy. Based on the provincial panel data of China’s three economic regions from 1990 to 2013, this research uses the data envelopment analysis (DEA) model to measure the total-factor energy efficiency, [...] Read more.
Energy efficiency improvement is essential for China’s sustainable development of its social economy. Based on the provincial panel data of China’s three economic regions from 1990 to 2013, this research uses the data envelopment analysis (DEA) model to measure the total-factor energy efficiency, and the Tobit regression model to explore the driving factors of efficiency changes. Empirical results show: (1) Energy efficiency, energy consumption structure, and government fiscal scale are significantly positively correlated. (2) Industrial structure and per capita income level have negative correlation to energy efficiency; the impact of industrial structure on energy efficiency is relatively small. (3) The increase of carbon dioxide emissions will decrease the energy efficiency. Furthermore, with people becoming less conscious of energy conservation and emission reduction, energy efficiency will also decrease. (4) Specific energy policies will improve energy efficiency, and greater openness in coastal areas will also have the similar effect. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Security and Sustainability)
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998 KiB  
Article
Policy Uncertainty and the US Ethanol Industry
by Jason P. H. Jones, Zidong M. Wang, Bruce A. McCarl and Minglu Wang
Sustainability 2017, 9(11), 2056; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9112056 - 09 Nov 2017
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3515
Abstract
The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2), as implemented, has introduced uncertainty into US ethanol producers and the supporting commodity market. First, the fixed mandate for what is mainly cornstarch-based ethanol has increased feedstock price volatility and exerts a general effect across the agricultural sector. [...] Read more.
The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2), as implemented, has introduced uncertainty into US ethanol producers and the supporting commodity market. First, the fixed mandate for what is mainly cornstarch-based ethanol has increased feedstock price volatility and exerts a general effect across the agricultural sector. Second, the large discrepancy between the original Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) intentions and the actual RFS2 implementation for some fuel classes has increased the investment uncertainty facing investors in biofuel production, distribution, and consumption. Here we discuss and analyze the sources of uncertainty and evaluate the effect of potential RFS2 adjustments as they influence these uncertainties. This includes the use of a flexible, production dependent mandate on corn starch ethanol. We find that a flexible mandate on cornstarch ethanol relaxed during drought could significantly reduce commodity price spikes and alleviate the decline of livestock production in cases of feedstock production shortfalls, but it would increase the risk for ethanol investors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Security and Sustainability)
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1381 KiB  
Article
The Role of Large and Small Scale Hydropower for Energy and Water Security in the Spanish Duero Basin
by Beatriz Mayor, Ignacio Rodríguez-Muñoz, Fermín Villarroya, Esperanza Montero and Elena López-Gunn
Sustainability 2017, 9(10), 1807; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9101807 - 06 Oct 2017
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 6976
Abstract
Hydropower has been increasingly seen as a two-fold solution to the provision of renewable energy and water storage. However, the massive deployment of both large and small scale hydropower projects has been reported to cause important environmental impacts at the basin scale. This [...] Read more.
Hydropower has been increasingly seen as a two-fold solution to the provision of renewable energy and water storage. However, the massive deployment of both large and small scale hydropower projects has been reported to cause important environmental impacts at the basin scale. This study assesses the differential contributions to regional energy and water security of large (LHP) and small (SHP) scale hydropower deployment in the Spanish Duero basin, as well as associated cumulative environmental impacts. This is performed through a selection of indicators measured in absolute and relative terms. The results suggest that LHP deployment contributes more to energy and water security, performing better in 10 of the 12 indicators. It also shows higher absolute environmental impacts on flow regime and habitat loss. Meanwhile, when analyzed in relative terms, SHP shows greater impacts in all categories as a result of cumulative effects cascading along the rivers system. These findings suggest that optimizing the use of existing hydropower infrastructure would be beneficial for energy, water and environmental security. This could be implemented by substantially reducing the number of low capacity plants with almost no impact on final energy generation, while enhancing the pumping and storage potential of higher capacity plants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Security and Sustainability)
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249 KiB  
Article
Community Energy Companies in the UK: A Potential Model for Sustainable Development in “Local” Energy?
by Séverine Saintier
Sustainability 2017, 9(8), 1325; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9081325 - 29 Jul 2017
Cited by 31 | Viewed by 4939
Abstract
The rise of renewable energy sources (RES) comes with a shift in attention from government and market energy governance to local community initiatives and self-regulation. Although this shift is generally welcome at domestic and EU level, the regulatory dimension, at both levels, is [...] Read more.
The rise of renewable energy sources (RES) comes with a shift in attention from government and market energy governance to local community initiatives and self-regulation. Although this shift is generally welcome at domestic and EU level, the regulatory dimension, at both levels, is nevertheless not adapted to this multi-actor market since prosumers are not empowered and energy justice is far from achieved. The rise, in the UK, of Community Interest Companies (consumers and local actors’ collectives) in the energy sector provides an interesting perspective as it allows a whole system’s view. Research was conducted with six energy community organizations in the South West of England in order to evaluate their role and identity and assess whether this exemplar of “the rise of a social sphere in regulation” could be used as a model for a more sustainable social approach to the governance of economic relations. Findings illustrate that such organizations undoubtedly play an important role in the renewable energy sector and they also help to alleviate some aspects of “energy injustice”. Yet, the failure to recognize, in terms of energy policy, at domestic and EU level, the importance of such actors undermines their role. The need to embed and support such organizations in policy is necessary if one is to succeed to put justice at the core of the changing energy landscape. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Security and Sustainability)
2236 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Total Factor Efficiency of Water Resource and Energy in China: A Study Based on DEA-SBM Model
by Weixin Yang and Lingguang Li
Sustainability 2017, 9(8), 1316; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9081316 - 28 Jul 2017
Cited by 50 | Viewed by 5135
Abstract
One of the serious issues that China faces during its fast economic development is the low input–output efficiency of water and energy resources and growing water pollution. With the current economic development model of China, economic growth still requires large input of water [...] Read more.
One of the serious issues that China faces during its fast economic development is the low input–output efficiency of water and energy resources and growing water pollution. With the current economic development model of China, economic growth still requires large input of water resource and energy resource. This paper has focused on the total factor efficiency of water resource and energy resource by each province in China. We treat the undesirable outputs as outputs in the DEA-SBM Model instead of as inputs in previous studies, and design a new MATLAB programming to achieve optimization solutions of multi-variable constrained nonlinear functions to evaluate the Total Factor Efficiency of Water resource (TFEW) and the Total Factor Efficiency of Energy (TFEE) in China accurately. By using the method, this paper has analyzed the TFEW and TFEE in China from 2003 to 2014 by economic zones and typical provinces and provided corresponding policy recommendations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Security and Sustainability)
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1558 KiB  
Article
Electrical Energy Storage Systems Feasibility; the Case of Terceira Island
by Ana Rodrigues, Denise Machado and Tomaz Dentinho
Sustainability 2017, 9(7), 1276; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9071276 - 20 Jul 2017
Cited by 22 | Viewed by 5574
Abstract
The Azores Regional Government, through the Sustainable Energy Action Plan for the Azorean Islands, assumed that by the year 2018, 60% of electricity would be generated from renewable energy sources. Nevertheless, by increasing renewable energy sources share in the electricity mix, peak energy [...] Read more.
The Azores Regional Government, through the Sustainable Energy Action Plan for the Azorean Islands, assumed that by the year 2018, 60% of electricity would be generated from renewable energy sources. Nevertheless, by increasing renewable energy sources share in the electricity mix, peak energy that exceeds grid capacity cannot be used unless when considering energy storage systems. Therefore, this article aims at determining, among batteries and Pumped Hydro Systems, the most cost-effective energy storage system to deploy in Terceira Island, along with geothermal, wind, thermal and bio waste energy, while considering demand and supply constraints. It is concluded that a pumped hydro system sited in Serra do Morião-Nasce Água is the best option for storage of the excess generated energy when compared with batteries. However, further studies should analyze environmental constraints. It is demonstrated that by increasing the storage power capacity, a pumped hydro system improves its cost efficiency when compared with batteries. It is also demonstrated that, to ensure quality, economic feasibility, reliability and a reduction of external costs, it is preferable to replace fuel-oil by wind to generate electricity up to a conceivable technical limit, while building a pumped hydro system, or dumping the excess peak energy generated. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Security and Sustainability)
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4597 KiB  
Article
A Novel Study of Waveguide Propagation Rules of Coal Rock AE Signal: Effects of Waveguide Size and Installation Method on the Propagation Rules of Coal Rock AE Signal
by Guowei Dong and Yinhui Zou
Sustainability 2017, 9(7), 1209; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9071209 - 10 Jul 2017
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3371
Abstract
The propagation of acoustic emission (AE) signal in waveguide is quite important for AE-based prediction of dynamic disasters in coal rocks. In this study, based on some relevant theories in wave mechanics, the elastic mechanical model of one-dimensional (1D) waveguide was firstly established, [...] Read more.
The propagation of acoustic emission (AE) signal in waveguide is quite important for AE-based prediction of dynamic disasters in coal rocks. In this study, based on some relevant theories in wave mechanics, the elastic mechanical model of one-dimensional (1D) waveguide was firstly established, and the relationship between AE source signal and the signal at the waveguide’s receiving end was derived. On the basis of theoretical analysis, numerical simulation and laboratory test schemes were designed; additionally, using the standard vibration source method, AE response in different sizes of waveguides were investigated, the effects of waveguide size of waveguide were concluded, and the application conditions of the established theoretical model were clarified. Numerical simulation results fit well with the laboratory test results. Meanwhile, the effects of the sensor’s installation method on the propagation rules of AE signal were examined and appropriate installation method was determined. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Security and Sustainability)
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1595 KiB  
Article
A Novel Method for Selecting Protective Seam against Coal and Gas Outburst: A Case Study of Wangjiazhai Coal Mine in China
by Dong Guowei and Zou Yinhui
Sustainability 2017, 9(6), 1015; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9061015 - 13 Jun 2017
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3959
Abstract
Protective seam mining is a major and critical regional measure to prevent coal and gas outbursts (CGO) in coal mines. In this study, a novel method for selecting protective seam against coal and gas outburst was studied on the basis of gas geology [...] Read more.
Protective seam mining is a major and critical regional measure to prevent coal and gas outbursts (CGO) in coal mines. In this study, a novel method for selecting protective seam against coal and gas outburst was studied on the basis of gas geology and rock strata control theories and principles for protective seam mining and relevant regulations, which is that theories of gas geology were used to assess the outburst risk inherent in different seams of this mine, and then make preliminary selection of protective seams, and the technical feasibility of the proposed selection method was then analyzed using the theories and principles for protective seam mining and relevant regulations. The case application study results show that the extraction of the upper protective seam (UPS) caused significant decreases in the predicative indicators of outburst risk in the outburst-prone seam and thereby prevented CGO, and the novel method can provide a theoretical basis for selecting protective seam against CGO. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Security and Sustainability)
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1599 KiB  
Article
Using BP Neural Networks to Prioritize Risk Management Approaches for China’s Unconventional Shale Gas Industry
by Cong Dong, Xiucheng Dong, Joel Gehman and Lianne Lefsrud
Sustainability 2017, 9(6), 979; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9060979 - 07 Jun 2017
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 6450
Abstract
This article is motivated by a conundrum: How can shale gas development be encouraged and managed without complete knowledge of the associated risks? To answer this question, we used back propagation (BP) neural networks and expert scoring to quantify the relative risks of [...] Read more.
This article is motivated by a conundrum: How can shale gas development be encouraged and managed without complete knowledge of the associated risks? To answer this question, we used back propagation (BP) neural networks and expert scoring to quantify the relative risks of shale gas development across 12 provinces in China. The results show that the model performs well with high predictive accuracy. Shale gas development risks in the provinces of Sichuan, Chongqing, Shaanxi, Hubei, and Jiangsu are relatively high (0.4~0.6), while risks in the provinces of Xinjiang, Guizhou, Yunnan, Anhui, Hunan, Inner Mongolia, and Shanxi are even higher (0.6~1). We make several recommendations based on our findings. First, the Chinese government should promote shale gas development in Sichuan, Chongqing, Shaanxi, Hubei, and Jiangsu Provinces, while considering environmental, health, and safety risks by using demonstration zones to test new technologies and tailor China’s regulatory structures to each province. Second, China’s extremely complex geological conditions and resource depths prevent direct application of North American technologies and techniques. We recommend using a risk analysis prioritization method, such as BP neural networks, so that policymakers can quantify the relative risks posed by shale gas development to optimize the allocation of resources, technology and infrastructure development to minimize resource, economic, technical, and environmental risks. Third, other shale gas industry developments emphasize the challenges of including the many parties with different, often conflicting expectations. Government and enterprises must collaboratively collect and share information, develop risk assessments, and consider risk management alternatives to support science-based decision-making with the diverse parties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Security and Sustainability)
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802 KiB  
Article
Theoretical Explanations for the Inverted-U Change of Historical Energy Intensity
by Lizhan Cao and Zhongying Qi
Sustainability 2017, 9(6), 967; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9060967 - 06 Jun 2017
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3413
Abstract
Historical experience shows that the economy-wide energy intensity develops nonmonotonically like an inverted U, which still lacks direct theoretical explanations. Based on a model of structural change driven by technological differences, this paper provides an attempt to explore the underlying mechanisms of energy [...] Read more.
Historical experience shows that the economy-wide energy intensity develops nonmonotonically like an inverted U, which still lacks direct theoretical explanations. Based on a model of structural change driven by technological differences, this paper provides an attempt to explore the underlying mechanisms of energy intensity change and thus to explain the above empirical regularity accompanied by structural transformation, through introducing a nested constant elasticity of substitution production function with heterogeneous elasticities of substitution. According to some reasonable assumptions, this extended model not only describes the typical path of structural change but also depicts the inverted-U development of economy-wide energy intensity. With the availability of Swedish historical data, we take calibration and simulation exercises which confirm the theoretical predictions. Furthermore, we find that: (1) elasticities of substitution may affect the shapes and peak periods of the inverted-U curves, which can explain to a certain extent the heterogeneous transitions of economy-wide energy intensity developments in different economies; and (2) over long periods of time, the economy-wide energy intensity determined by the initial industrial structure and sectoral energy intensity tends to grow upward, while structure change among sectors provides a driving force on reshaping this trend and turning it downward. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Security and Sustainability)
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668 KiB  
Article
The Energy Rebound Effect for the Construction Industry: Empirical Evidence from China
by Qiang Du, Yi Li and Libiao Bai
Sustainability 2017, 9(5), 803; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9050803 - 14 May 2017
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 5535
Abstract
As the largest energy consumer and carbon emitter, China has made substantial efforts to improve energy efficiency to save energy, while the energy rebound effect mitigates its effectiveness. This paper is based on the logical relationship among capital input, technical change, economic growth, [...] Read more.
As the largest energy consumer and carbon emitter, China has made substantial efforts to improve energy efficiency to save energy, while the energy rebound effect mitigates its effectiveness. This paper is based on the logical relationship among capital input, technical change, economic growth, and energy consumption, adapting an alternative estimation model to estimate the energy rebound effect for the construction industry in China. Empirical results reveal that the average energy rebound effect for the construction industry in China was about 59.5% during the period of 1990–2014. It is indicated that the energy rebound effect does exist in China’s construction industry and it presents a fluctuating declining trend. This indicates that approximately half of the potential energy saving by technical change is achieved. It could be concluded that proper energy pricing reforms and energy taxes should be implemented to promote sustainable development in the construction industry for China’s government. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Security and Sustainability)
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6184 KiB  
Article
ESCoBox: A Set of Tools for Mini-Grid Sustainability in the Developing World
by Peter Boait, Rupert Gammon, Varun Advani, Neal Wade, David Greenwood and Peter Davison
Sustainability 2017, 9(5), 738; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9050738 - 03 May 2017
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 5356
Abstract
Mini-grids powered by photovoltaic generators or other renewable energy sources have the potential to bring electricity to the 17% of the world’s population, mainly in rural areas, that are currently un-served. However, designing and managing a mini-grid so that it is reliable and [...] Read more.
Mini-grids powered by photovoltaic generators or other renewable energy sources have the potential to bring electricity to the 17% of the world’s population, mainly in rural areas, that are currently un-served. However, designing and managing a mini-grid so that it is reliable and economically sustainable is difficult because of the high variability of demand that arises from the small population of consumers. We describe an integrated set of four tools to assist mini-grid operators to predict and manage demand. These comprise a decision support tool to predict peak and average demand from a consumer population, a demand disaggregation tool that allows the key statistical properties of connected electricity-consuming appliances to be identified, a battery condition modeling tool which allows the impact on battery life of a planned operating regime to be predicted and a demand control sub-system which limits the operating time of high demand appliances to intervals when they can be supported. Results from application of the tool set to mini-grids in Kenya and The Gambia are presented. We conclude that accessible, usable and low cost tools of this form can improve mini-grid sustainability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Security and Sustainability)
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406 KiB  
Article
Carbon Dioxide Emissions, Economic Growth, and Selected Types of Fossil Energy Consumption in China: Empirical Evidence from 1965 to 2015
by Hongze Li, Bingkang Li and Hao Lu
Sustainability 2017, 9(5), 697; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9050697 - 28 Apr 2017
Cited by 38 | Viewed by 5144
Abstract
This paper empirically investigates the interactions among CO2 emissions, economic growth, and three selected types of fossil energy consumption (coal, gas, and oil) using time series data from China over the period 1965–2015. Classic econometric analysis technologies including the Johansen cointegration test, [...] Read more.
This paper empirically investigates the interactions among CO2 emissions, economic growth, and three selected types of fossil energy consumption (coal, gas, and oil) using time series data from China over the period 1965–2015. Classic econometric analysis technologies including the Johansen cointegration test, the vector error correction model (VECM), and the Granger causality test based on VECM are employed to meet our objectives, and the presence of breaks in the data is also considered. Cointegration test result supports the existence of a long-run equilibrium relationship among the five variables, and the error correction mechanisms of the system involving the five variables are proven to be effective by VECM. Additionally, the Granger causality test based on VECM reveals that the bidirectional causalities between GDP and coal consumption, between GDP and gas consumption, and between coal consumption and CO2 emissions and unidirectional causalities running from GDP and oil consumption to CO2 emissions, from GDP to oil consumption, and from coal consumption to oil and gas consumption are found. Furthermore, several policy implications are proposed in the final section of this paper based on the empirical results. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Security and Sustainability)
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959 KiB  
Article
Decomposition Analysis of Aggregate Energy Consumption in China: An Exploration Using a New Generalized PDA Method
by Dequn Zhou, Xiao Liu, Peng Zhou and Qunwei Wang
Sustainability 2017, 9(5), 685; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9050685 - 26 Apr 2017
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 4882
Abstract
As the largest energy consumer, China is facing greater pressure to guarantee energy supply and energy security. Investigating the driving factors of energy consumption is very important. Decomposition analysis is an analytical tool for decomposing an aggregate indicator into its contributing factors. This [...] Read more.
As the largest energy consumer, China is facing greater pressure to guarantee energy supply and energy security. Investigating the driving factors of energy consumption is very important. Decomposition analysis is an analytical tool for decomposing an aggregate indicator into its contributing factors. This paper introduces index decomposition analysis (IDA) into production decomposition analysis (PDA) and provides a new decomposition framework for analyzing energy consumption. Two application studies are presented to illustrate the use of our proposed approach. The first deals with the decomposition of aggregate energy consumption from 1991 to 2012; the second application studies seven sectors of China from 2001 to 2012. The empirical studies result in four meaningful findings: (1) the rapid economic growth has already resulted in severe energy supply crises; (2) China’s energy sector consumption structure has changed significantly; (3) potential economic effect is the largest driving factor for energy consumption growth; (4) potential energy intensity effect and technical change of economic output effect were the two primary driving factors in reducing energy consumption. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Security and Sustainability)
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Review

Jump to: Research

35 pages, 4533 KiB  
Review
Drivers, Barriers, and Success Factors for Improving Energy Management in the Pulp and Paper Industry
by Akvile Lawrence, Patrik Thollander and Magnus Karlsson
Sustainability 2018, 10(6), 1851; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10061851 - 02 Jun 2018
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 5542
Abstract
Successful energy management is a way to achieve energy efficiency in the pulp and paper industry (PPI), which is important for assuring energy supply security, for increasing economic competitiveness, and for mitigating greenhouse gases. However, research shows that although energy use within PPI [...] Read more.
Successful energy management is a way to achieve energy efficiency in the pulp and paper industry (PPI), which is important for assuring energy supply security, for increasing economic competitiveness, and for mitigating greenhouse gases. However, research shows that although energy use within PPI can be reduced by 5.5–19.4% per year, some of this by energy management practices, energy management is not always implemented. Why is this so? What are the barriers to, and drivers of implementation? How can the barriers be overcome? A systematic review of barriers and drivers in energy management in the PPI within peer-reviewed scientific articles suggests that the world-wide events that affect energy supply, volatility, and use seemingly also affect the number and frequency of research articles on energy management in the PPI. The perception of energy management in the PPI seems to be dominated by the understanding that it can mostly be achieved through technological improvements aiming to improve energy efficiency. The main driver of energy management was shown to be economic conditions: high and unstable energy prices, followed by drivers such as the need to remain internationally competitive, collaboration and energy management systems. Meanwhile, examples of the most important barriers are technical risks, lack of access to capital, lack of time and other priorities, and slim organization. The success factors for enhancing drivers and overcoming barriers were continuous energy accounting, energy-related collaboration, energy-efficiency programmes, and benchmarking. Altogether, success factors for energy management for improved energy efficiency could be summarized in the 4M framework—the “4M for energy efficiency”: mind, measure, monitor, and manage—that could be used as the energy management memory-tool that could lead to improved energy efficiency in other sectors as well. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Security and Sustainability)
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23 pages, 10962 KiB  
Review
An Investigation of the Underlying Evolution of Shale Gas Research’s Domain Based on the Co-Word Network
by Wen Li, Yuxi Liu, Siqi Xiao, Yu Zhang and Lihe Chai
Sustainability 2018, 10(1), 164; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10010164 - 13 Jan 2018
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4846
Abstract
With the increasing shortage energy, the exploration and utilization of shale gas (SG) have greatly changed the world’s natural gas supply pattern. In this study, based on a bibliometric review of the publications related to SG, by analyzing the co-word networks during the [...] Read more.
With the increasing shortage energy, the exploration and utilization of shale gas (SG) have greatly changed the world’s natural gas supply pattern. In this study, based on a bibliometric review of the publications related to SG, by analyzing the co-word networks during the past years, we provide comprehensive analyses on the underlying domain evolution of shale gas research (SGR). Firstly, we visualize the topical development of SGR. We not only identify the key topics at each stage but also reveal their underlying dependence and evolutionary trends. The directions of SGR in the future are implied. Secondly, we find the co-word network has small-world and scale-free characteristics, which are the important mechanisms of driving the evolution of SGR’s domain. Thirdly, we analyze China’s SGR. We find the co-word network in China’s SGR has not yet emerged obvious differentiation. Nevertheless, it has a similar self-organized evolution process with the co-word network of international SGR. Our above results can provide references for the future SGR of scholars, optimization or control of the domain and the strategy/policy of countries or globalization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Security and Sustainability)
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