scholarly journals Smart Altitude

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gianni Baldessari ◽  
Oliver Bender ◽  
Domenico Branca ◽  
Luigi Crema ◽  
Anna Giorgi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Transition ◽  
Decision Support Tool ◽  
Final Report ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Mountain Areas ◽  
Support Tool ◽  
Winter Tourism ◽  
Living Labs ◽  
Alpine Space

This final report summarizes the outcomes of the Smart Altitude project. The Smart Altitude project ran from June 2018 to April 2021 and was carried out by ten partners from six different countries in the Alpine Space (Austria, France, Italy, Germany, Slovenia, and Switzerland). The project was co-financed by the European Union via Interreg Alpine Space. The aim of the project was to enable and accelerate the implementation of low-carbon policies in winter tourism regions by demonstrating the efficiency of a step-by-step decision support tool for energy transition in four Living Labs. The project targeted policymakers, ski resort operators, investors, tourism, and entrepreneurship organizations. The Smart Altitude approach was designed to ensure suitability across the Alpine Space, thereby fostering its replication and uptake in other winter tourism regions and thus increasing the resilience of mountain areas.

Determinants and barriers of PV self-consumption in Spain from the perception of the installers for the promotion of distributed energy systems

2020 ◽  
pp. 153-169
Author(s):  
José Ángel Gimeno ◽  
Eva Llera Sastresa ◽  
Sabina Scarpellini
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Distributed Energy ◽  
Sustainable Solutions ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
Transition Scenario

Currently, self-consumption and distributed energy facilities are considered as viable and sustainable solutions in the energy transition scenario within the European Union. In a low carbon society, the exploitation of renewables for self-consumption is closely tied to the energy market at the territorial level, in search of a compromise between competitiveness and the sustainable exploitation of resources. Investments in these facilities are highly sensitive to the existence of favourable conditions at the territorial level, and the energy policies adopted in the European Union have contributed positively to the distributed renewables development and the reduction of their costs in the last decade. However, the number of the installed facilities is uneven in the European Countries and those factors that are more determinant for the investments in self-consumption are still under investigation. In this scenario, this paper presents the main results obtained through the analysis of the determinants in self-consumption investments from a case study in Spain, where the penetration of this type of facilities is being less relevant than in other countries. As a novelty of this study, the main influential drivers and barriers in self-consumption are classified and analysed from the installers' perspective. On the basis of the information obtained from the installers involved in the installation of these facilities, incentives and barriers are analysed within the existing legal framework and the potential specific lines of the promotion for the effective deployment of self-consumption in an energy transition scenario.

scholarly journals Adaptive Sustainable Reuse for Cultural Heritage: A Multiple Criteria Decision Aiding Approach Supporting Urban Development Processes

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 1363 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucia Della Spina
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Local Development ◽  
Evaluation Model ◽  
Adaptive Reuse ◽  
Decisive Role ◽  
Decision Support Tool ◽  
Development Strategies ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Support Tool ◽  
Decision Aiding

The European Union identifies the cultural heritage of cities as the main driver of development strategies. From this perspective, adaptive reuse can play a decisive role not only in terms of increasing the life cycle of the heritage but also as an urban strategy capable of generating new economic, cultural, and social values, thus supporting innovative dynamics of local development. The aim is to propose an integrated evaluation model based on the combined use of multi-criteria techniques, which helps to classify adaptive reuse strategies of unused cultural heritage assets and supports decision-makers in the implementation of development strategies in vulnerable contexts. The case study focuses on the potential reuse of some historical fortifications located along the coasts of the Strait of Messina in Southern Italy. The results obtained show that the proposed model can be a useful decision support tool, in contexts characterized by high complexity, able to guarantee the transparency of the decision-making process, and in which it is necessary to highlight the elements that influence the dynamics of the choice for the construction of shared development strategies.

scholarly journals Addressing transboundary conservation challenges through marine spatial prioritization

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
ELENA GISSI ◽  
Jennifer McGowan ◽  
Chiara Venier ◽  
Davide Di Carlo ◽  
Francesco Musco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biodiversity Conservation ◽  
Decision Support Tool ◽  
Careful Consideration ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Trade Off ◽  
Support Tool ◽  
Spatial Prioritization ◽  
Country Level ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Maritime Industries

The Adriatic and Ionian Region (AIR) is an important area for both strategic maritime development and biodiversity conservation in the European Union (EU). However, given that both EU and non‐EU countries border the sea, multiple legal and regulatory frameworks operate at different scales which can hinder the coordinated long‐term sustainable development of the region. Transboundary marine (or maritime) spatial planning can help overcome these challenges by building consensus on planning objectives and making the trade‐offs between biodiversity conservation and its influence on economically important sectors more explicit. We approach this challenge by developing and testing four spatial prioritization strategies, using the decision‐support tool Marxan, which meets targets for biodiversity conservation whilst minimizing impacts to users. We evaluate these strategies in terms of how priority areas shift under different scales of target‐setting (e.g. regional versus country‐level). We also examine the trade‐off between cost‐efficiency and how equally solutions represent countries and maritime industries (N = 14) operating in the region using the Protection Equality metric. We show that there are negligible differences in where priority conservation areas are located when we set targets for biodiversity at the regional versus country scale. Conversely, the prospective impacts on industries, when considered as costs to be minimized, are highly divergent across scenarios and bias the placement of protection towards industries located in isolation or with few other industries. We conclude by making several recommendations to underpin future MSP efforts in the region, including the identification of: 1) areas of national significance, 2) transboundary areas requiring cooperation between countries, and 3) areas where impacts on maritime industries require careful consideration of the trade‐off between biodiversity conservation and socio‐economic objectives.

scholarly journals The latest generation of EU Smart city projects: turning "clean energy for all" into "clean benefits for all

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriano Bisello ◽  
◽  
Daniele Vettorato ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Smart City ◽  
Smart Cities ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Urban Life ◽  
Positive Energy ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Ongoing Research

The European Union is in the process of updating its energy policy and legislative framework under the motto “Clean Energy for All Europeans”. This will facilitate the low carbon energy transition, make it fit for the 21st century, and delivering the EU’s Paris Agreement commitments. Besides expected climate-energy benefits, the EU narrative is introducing new elements to persuade citizens and stakeholders to change their perspective, shifting the general perception from mitigation costs to development opportunities. For example, impact assessment of the new directives estimated that they would generate 900,000 jobs and an increase of up to 1% in EU GDP over the next decade. However, this is just one among several multiple benefits that could be gained thanks to the smart energy transition of cities and neighborhoods (e.g. increased value of refurbished properties, improved health and well-being, enhanced social cohesion, etc.) Starting from this premise, the ongoing research will analyses 12 ongoing EU smart cities and communities projects started between 2014 and 2017, in order to investigate their capability in using the multiple benefits as an effective communication tool, or even including them among the key performance indicators to be used in the assessment phase. In that respect, the Positive energy district concept that permeates the smart city approach of latest calls for funding provides, even more, an interesting nexus and testbed opportunity for EU ambitions. However, ongoing and future projects need to be understood not only as marketing devices for new energy efficient technologies but powerful tools requiring a radical change in management and planning of cities and urban life. In this way, positive energy districts including good habits and behaviors of urban citizens will provide equitable solutions and clear benefits for all.

scholarly journals How Can Ski Resorts Get Smart? Transdisciplinary Approaches to Sustainable Winter Tourism in the European Alps

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (14) ◽  
pp. 5593 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annemarie Polderman ◽  
Andreas Haller ◽  
Diego Viesi ◽  
Xavier Tabin ◽  
Stefano Sala ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
European Alps ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Winter Tourism ◽  
Low Carbon Economy ◽  
Ski Resorts ◽  
Living Labs ◽  
Historical Developments

Climate change and the call for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the efficient use of (renewable) energy, and more resilient winter tourism regions, forces ski resorts across the European Alps to look for “smart” approaches to transition towards a sustainable, low-carbon economy. Drawing on the smart-city concept and considering the different historical developments of Alpine resorts, the Smart Altitude Decision-Making Toolkit was developed using a combination of an energy audit tool, a WebGIS, and collaborative and innovative living labs installed in Les Orres (France), Madonna di Campiglio (Italy), Krvavec (Slovenia), and Verbier (Switzerland). This step-by-step Decision-Making Toolkit enables ski resorts to get feedback on their energy demand, an overview of the locally available sources of renewable energy, and insights regarding their potential for improving their energy efficiency by low-carbon interventions. The Decision-Making Toolkit is suitable for knowledge transfer between stakeholders within living labs and moreover provides the flexibility for tailor-made low-carbon strategies adapting to the unique assets and situatedness of ski resorts.

Ocena wyzwań stojących przed polskim rynkiem energii z punktu widzenia współczesnych wymiarów bezpieczeństwa energetycznego

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 141-157
Author(s):  
Bruno Jasic
Keyword(s):  
Energy Policy ◽  
Energy Security ◽  
Regional Cooperation ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Transition Process ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
The European Union ◽  
East Central Europe

The goal of this article is to outline and to analyse the key challenges to be faced by the Polish energy market, as it is only at the beginning of the energy transition process. The dynamics of energy policy adaptation process to the challenges of the energy security dimensions, in the face of the energy and climate policy set by the European Union and the expected transformation goals, may cause the growth of the energy security deficit both on a national and regional scale. Given the centralized model of energy infrastructure management, reliance of domestic generation capacity on conventional sources and insufficient development of cross-border networks, Poland is particularly exposed to a security deficit related to the transformation of its energy system, which may also negatively affect other countries in the East- Central Europe region. Using program documents and sector analyses, the article analyses possible strategies for ensuring energy security, setting the issues in the context of the specificity of the Polish energy sector and opportunities for development of regional cooperation between Central and Eastern European countries. As a result, the article reveals an assessment which shows an insufficient recognition by Poland both the external and internal factors determining the pace and direction of energy modernization, as well as a failure to adapt energy policy objectives to the specifics of low-carbon energy sources and the potential provided for by regional energy markets.

scholarly journals Financial Resources for the Investments in Renewable Self-Consumption in a Circular Economy Framework

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 6838
Author(s):  
Sabina Scarpellini ◽  
José Ángel Gimeno ◽  
Pilar Portillo-Tarragona ◽  
Eva Llera-Sastresa
Keyword(s):  
Energy Transition ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Financial Resources ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Low Carbon Economy ◽  
Determining Factors ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Carbon Economy

The availability of financial resources has been pointed out as one of the determining factors for the investment in renewable self-consumption solutions for the energy transition in the European Union. In economic terms, the barriers to investment are related to low levels of profitability and difficulties in accessing financing in some European regions. These barriers must be overcome to foster a sustainable energy transition. However, this topic of analysis is still underexplored in the literature to date. This study provides a characterisation of the financial resources applied to self-consumption from an economic–financial approach to the decision-making investors in a case study in Spain from a novel focus on the subject. The relevance of alternative financial resources as a mechanism to reduce existing barriers is revealed through the analysis of the active role that installers play in making investment decisions, facilitating the growth of self-consumption. The alternative financial channels and the bank intermediation for renewables are topics of interest to promote the energy transition towards a low-carbon economy.

scholarly journals Grid Operation Assessment under a Specific EV Chargers Deployment Plan in the City of Heraklion

Electronics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (22) ◽  
pp. 2831
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Karapidakis ◽  
Antonis Tsikalakis ◽  
Alexandros Paspatis ◽  
Emmanuel Fotakis ◽  
George Stavrakakis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Power Flow ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Flow Analysis ◽  
Strategic Plan ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Electrical Grid ◽  
Final Study ◽  
Grid Operation

The development of electric vehicles (EVs) as part of the electrification of the transportation sector plays a significant role in energy transition to a low-carbon and highly renewable society. The use of EVs has been promoted through the development of inclusive strategies for electromobility in the recent years. Apart from actions directed and funded by the European Union, national strategies have also been employed to support electromobility. Such a strategic plan has already been enacted by the Hellenic Ministry of Environment and Energy, funding municipalities to prepare siting and sizing plans for electric vehicle chargers. In this paper, the final study of this strategic plan for the municipality of Heraklion in Crete is used as a case study to investigate the effect of EV chargers on the operation of the Cretan power system. Their selected siting points are evaluated by performing a power flow analysis at the level of 150 kV. Thus, they are aggregated in each 20 kV/150 kV distribution substation of the electrical grid with the aim of investigating their effect on substation loading and transmission line losses. Generally, extensive fast charging should be avoided to minimize the risk of sudden stress of the existing cities’ grids and control strategies should be implemented to mitigate the need for upscale substation equipment or even postpone reinforcements.

scholarly journals Changes in Electricity Production from Renewable Energy Sources in the European Union Countries in 2005–2019

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (19) ◽  
pp. 6276
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Matuszewska-Janica ◽  
Dorota Żebrowska-Suchodolska ◽  
Urszula Ala-Karvia ◽  
Marta Hozer-Koćmiel
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Energy Policy ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Electricity Production ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Renewable Sources ◽  
Eu Countries ◽  
The Eu

The policy related to the use of renewable sources is a key element of the energy policy executed in the European Union (EU). One of the targets set for 2050 is to increase the share of electricity in energy consumption to 50%, and 80% of electricity is to be generated from low-carbon sources. In recent years, the EU economies have significantly modified their electricity production, which raises the question of the scale of these changes. The aim of the presented analysis is to assess changes in the use of renewable sources for electricity production in the EU countries in 2005–2019. Gini coefficient and k-mean are applied in the analysis. The conducted research shows that EU countries, in line with the energy policy assumptions, have both increased the share of renewable sources in energy production, especially in electricity production, as well as increased the diversity of used renewable sources. The results also indicate a vast diversity in terms of the use of such sources for the production of renewable electricity in the EU. This indicates that the energy transition is being implemented by EU countries with individual country-level approaches. Nonetheless, a variety of the EU’s both support and restrictive measures are of considerable importance for the ongoing energy transition.

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