Evaluating the potential of small-scale renewable energy options to meet rural livelihoods needs: A GIS- and lifecycle cost-based assessment of Western China's options

The economics and livelihoods impacts of stand-alone, small-scale (less than 2 kW) renewable energy technologies for rural electrification are assessed using a representative sample of 531 rural households in three provinces of Western China. Over 20 small wind, photovoltaic (PV) and wind–PV hybrid configurations were evaluated for their potential to meet local electricity needs. The assessment integrates lifecycle costing and geographic information system (GIS) methods in order to provide a comprehensive resource, economic, technological and livelihoods assessment. The results of the analysis indicate that off-grid renewable energy technologies can provide cost-effective and reliable alternatives to conventional generator sets in addressing rural livelihoods energy requirements. Findings also demonstrate the existence of a sizeable market potential for stand-alone renewable energy systems in Western China. In support of market development for these technologies, policy recommendations are provided.     

Research,development and the prospect of combined cooling,heating, and power systems

The development of a combined cooling, heating, and power (CCHP) system in China is presented in this paper. The key scientific problems of a distributed energy system and the integration principles of a CCHP system are also pointed out. Moreover, two corresponding CCHP systems: one with the complementarities of fossil fuels energy and renewable energy, and the other integrated with desalination technology, are investigated. With special attention to thermal energy utilization, the integrating characteristics of these systems are likewise revealed, and the important role that the principle of cascade utilization of physical energy plays in system integration is identified. We have found that the energy-saving ratio of the integrated CCHP systems can be as high as 30%, and as such, the innovative CCHP systems suitable for China's sustainable development are also recommended.     

城镇化进程中的能源供应体系变革研究

我国正处于城镇化加速发展阶段,能源需求还将合理增加,构建城镇化与能源供给协调发展的能源供应体系是实现低碳城镇化的首要任务.本文在分析城镇化发展对能源供应体系变革提出新要求的基础上,提出应从推进煤炭清洁高效利用、优化能源供应布局、大力发展分布式能源、发挥农村生物质资源优势等方面对城镇和农村能源供应体系变革采取新举措,为新型城镇化发展提供能源保障.     

Transition strategy of the transportation energy and powertrain in China

The problems of the transportation energy and environment are the major challenges faced globally in the 21st century and are especially serious for China. The future 20 years is the strategic opportunity period of the transition of the transportation energy and powertrain system for China. The greatest characteristics of hydrogen economy lie in its diversity of the primary energy source, the unification of energy carrier and the greening of energy transformation. Development of hydrogen energy transportation powertrain system is suitable for China from the views of the situation of Chinese resources and energy sources, the urban and rural layouts, the superiority of later development and the successful practices of clean cars and electric vehicle development projects. The transition of the transportation energy powertrain system includes three parts: the transition of the energy structure, the transition of the powertrain system and the transition of the fuel infrastructure. The technical pathways of energy powertrain system transition includes expending the use of gaseous fuel to prompt the multiform of the transportation energy and to prepare for the transition of the infrastructure simultaneously, developing and promoting the hybrid technology to solve the current energy and environment problems and to prepare for the transition of powertrain system, and focusing on the research and development and demonstration of fuel cell vehicles and the hydrogen energy technology to prompt the earlier formation of the market of fuel cell vehicles. The goal in the near and medium term of transition is to reduce the fuel consumption by 100 million ton in 2020 by substituting and saving, and the long-term goal is to setup the infrastructure of hydrogen and fuel cell vehicle as the main one replacing the petroleum internal combustion engine vehicle. In order to realize the strategic goals of the transition, the four-phases strategic periods and research and development activities are discussed and proposed.     

Prospects for key technologies of new-type urban integrated energy system

In recent years, primary energy consumption in China’s urban areas has increased rapidly, facing the problems of extensive use of energy, high energy consumption and insufficient intensified use of energy resources. Improving multienergy supply, increasing the proportion of clean energy and integrated energy efficiency are the main goals of urban development. The integrated energy system with multi-functional synergy and open trading will become one of the new directions for the development of new urban energy systems. This paper summarizes the main problems faced by the current towns and the characteristics of the new urban energy system, analyzes the development of new urban energy system from three aspects including energy interconnection hub infrastructure construction, energy management platform construction and energy value sharing, and forecasts the future development direction of new urban energy systems.     

A review of energy in Rwanda

During the last two decades, Rwanda has experienced an energy crisis mostly due to lack of investment in the energy sector. With the growing of the population and increasing industrialization in urban areas, energy provided by existing hydro and thermal power plants has been increasingly scarce with high energy costs, and energy instability. Furthermore, as wood fuel is the most important source of energy in Rwanda, the enduring dependence on it and fossil fuel consumption as well, will continue to impact on the process of environmental degradation. Rwanda is rich with abundant renewable energy resources such as methane gas in Lake Kivu, solar, biomass, geothermal; and wind energy resource is currently being explored. Recently, the Government has given priority to the extension of its national electrical grid through development of hydro power generation projects, and to rural energy through development of alternative energy projects for rural areas where access to national grid is still difficult. This paper presents a review of existing energy resources and energy applications in Rwanda. Recent developments on renewable energy are also presented.     

Towards green rural energy in Yunnan, China

Yunnan is one of the less developed provinces in China, but has abundant energy resources, and is an ideal destination for tourists around the world due to its perfect climate and unique sightseeing resorts. However, energy consumption in rural households relies mainly on straw (12.15%), firewood (41%), and coal (38.5%). This pattern of energy consumption has been imposing pressure on the environment, water resources and soil in recent years with the rapid growth of Yunnan’s economy. This paper reports the achievements in Yunnan’s rural energy development in the past two decades. Issues of the greatest concern and interest, which are unfavorable for further development of rural energy, have been identified, and a new proposal of developing green rural energy in Yunnan is suggested based on its economy and resource conditions. The proposal addresses the development of biogas, small hydropower and solar energy, which are abundant in Yunnan. It is estimated that the new program will annually bring direct benefits of about 5 billion yuan to farmers by 2010, and the indirect benefits, such as those from tourism due to the improvement of the environment resulting from the use of green rural energy, will be enormous. It is believed that the program will speed up rural economic growth through the integrated utilization of rural energy.     

Integrated energy strategy for the sustainable development of China

We propose in this paper an integrated energy strategy based on a systems approach to address the energy challenges and energy dilemma in China. First, we give a review of existing approaches to energy planning and strategic management, followed by a discussion on the major relationships among energy, economical, environmental and societal systems. Next, we present a conceptual system model with alternative solutions and clarify corresponding concepts. Based on the results, we propose, summarize, and present strategic ideas as policy implications for China’s decision makers. In conclusion, we determine that China should enhance strategic planning and regulation from a life cycle viewpoint of the whole society, prioritize energy saving, continuously improve incumbent energy, and rationally develop alternative energy.     

Energy sovereignty in Italian inner areas: Off-grid renewable solutions for isolated systems and rural buildings

This paper deals with a compact system developed to assure energy independence to buildings located in inner rural areas: the Off-Grid Box. This system features a combination of techniques that assure the use of several renewable energy sources, their storage and the rationalization of consumption.This research studies the base model of the Off-Grid Box, which entails the presence of photovoltaic panels as the energy capture system.The aim of this research is to evaluate the opportunity of realizing a system to ensure energy autonomy of rural residential buildings. To achieve energy independence, for an isolated dwelling, this paper assesses the optimal storage systems that may be combined with a photovoltaic system. To this end, an Off-Grid Box has been installed in a residential unit in central Italy. Starting from the real case, two alternative energy storage scenarios were constructed. The results can be applied to a variety of geographical settings and prove the feasibility and strategic importance of total off-grid systems for individual residential units, when they are designed in integrated terms in the area to implement small-scale-smart-grids. In rural areas, these grids should also cater for small farming businesses that feature a different consumption distribution compared to dwellings.     

Evaluation of a new geothermal based multigenerational plant with primary outputs of hydrogen and ammonia

Increasing environmental concerns and decreasing fossil fuel sources compel engineers and scientists to find resilient, clean, and inexpensive alternative energy options Recently, the usage of renewable power resources has risen, while the efficiency improvement studies have continued. To improve the efficiency of the plants, it is of great significance to recover and use the waste heat to generate other useful products. In this paper, a novel integrated energy plant utilizing a geothermal resource to produce hydrogen, ammonia, power, fresh water, hot water, heated air for drying, heating, and cooling is designed. Hydrogen, as an energy carrier, has become an attractive choice for energy systems in recent years due to its features like high energy content, clean, bountiful supply, non-toxic and high efficiency. Furthermore in this study, hydrogen beside electricity is selected to produce and stored in a hydrogen storage tank, and some amount of hydrogen is mixed with nitrogen to compound ammonia. In order to determine the irreversibilities occurring within the system and plant performance, energy and exergy analyses are then performed accordingly. In the design of the plant, each sub-system is integrated in a sensible manner, and the streams connecting sub-systems are enumerated. Then thermodynamic balance equations, in terms of mass, energy, entropy and exergy, are introduced for each unit of the plant. Based on the system inputs and outputs, the energy and exergy efficiencies of the entire integrated plant is found to be 58.68% and 54.73% with the base parameters. The second part of the analysis contains some parametric studies to reveal how some system parameters, which are the reference temperature, geothermal resource temperature and mass flow rate, and separator inlet pressure in the geothermal cycle, affect both energy and exergy efficiencies and hence the useful outputs.     

Stakeholder perceptions towards the transition to a hydrogen economy in Poland

Poland has significant reserves of energy in the form of coal. However, the exploitation of these reserves could lead to significant carbon emissions. Hydrogen technologies present a potentially sustainable option for the Polish energy system. This paper reviews the existing Polish energy system, resources, policies and measures from the perspective of planning a transition to a hydrogen-based economy. The key challenges and opportunities gathered by systematic consultation of senior stakeholders are presented. Coke oven gas and coal gasification are the major short and medium term sources of hydrogen. Underground conversion of coal deposits with integrated carbon capture and storage (CCS) is most important in the long term. Other opportunities include development of renewables, by-product hydrogen and nuclear power. Current lack of infrastructure, particularly for CCS, hydrogen pipelines and clean coal is seen as a significant barrier. Regional and central government should cooperate with industry to develop a portfolio of demonstration projects to provide experience and stimulate demand for hydrogen.     

Assessment of an integrated active solar and air-source heat pump water heating system operated within a passive house in a cold climate zone

In the pursuit of energy savings and emission reductions, solar energy heating systems have been promoted in China. However, there still exist many barriers to the operation of solar heating systems, in combination with other systems, under realistic conditions. In order to investigate this further, an integrated space heating system including passive sunspace, active solar water heating, and air-source heat pump (ASHP) was built. The detailed running performance of each subsystem was comparatively analyzed in a full-scale test house in a cold climate zone. This integrated system showed many encouraging results in terms of the maintenance of a stable and comfortable indoor thermal environment during the winter season. The study building consumed electricity as convectional energy, which only accounted for about one-third of the total energy supplied for heating. However, our study also found some shortcomings in the system design. Feasible suggestions regarding the running procedures aimed at a more optimal and effective design were proposed. The systems proposed in this study could be used as a promising future technology for energy savings and emission reductions in rural buildings. The study could also help achieve targets for energy savings and renewable energy utilization in China and other countries.     

Strategic analysis methodology for energy systems with remote island case study

A strategic analysis methodology is presented for adaptive energy systems engineering to realize an optimal level of service in the context of a community's social, economic, and environmental position. The groundwork stage involves characterizing the social context, assessing available energy resources, identifying environmental issues, setting eco-resource limits, and quantifying socio-economic constraints for a given region. A spectrum of development options is then constructed according to the range of energy service levels identified for the sector under study. A spectrum of conceptual energy systems is generated and infrastructure investments and resource use are modeled. The outcome is a matrix of energy system investment possibilities for the range of energy demand levels reflecting the values, ideas, and expectations expressed by the community. These models are then used to assess technical feasibility and economic, environmental and social risk. The result is an easily understood graphical depiction of local aspirations, investment options, and risks which clearly differentiates development opportunities from non-viable concepts. The approach was applied to a case study on Rotuma, an isolated Pacific Island. The case study results show a clear development opportunity space for Rotuma where desired energy services are in balance with investment sources, resource availability, and environmental constraints.     

拉美能矿资源基础、产业特征及中拉合作策略研究

拉美是保障我国能源安全,应对当前风险与挑战不容忽视的地区。中拉能矿合作面临着现实性机遇。拉美能矿资源丰富,分布集中,但基础设施和技术水平相对落后,与我国优势高度互补。拉美能矿产业发展特征及新能源产业发展政策为中拉能矿提供了广阔的合作空间。未来中拉应进一步推进能矿合作,为新时期中拉整体合作的提质升级提供支撑。     

光伏发电在我国电力能源结构中的战略地位和未来发展方向

保障能源和环境可持续发展,特别是保证一次能源的供给是我国面临的重大战略问题。可再生能源将逐步替代化石能源,成为人类可持续发展的能源。在可再生能源中,潜力最大的是太阳能,到本世纪中期太阳能将成为电力能源中的重要组成部分,而到本世纪末成为电力能源中的主要部分。我国拥有丰富的太阳能资源,是中华民族赖以生存的最宝贵的资源。光伏发电技术目前已经成熟,发展势头迅猛,正在努力突破高成本的制约瓶颈,有望在30年左右的时段内成为重要的电力能源之一。在今后10～20年,我国的光伏发电将主要应用于下述方面:农村离网供电,分布电源,大规模荒漠电站以及其它商业应用。国家应首先加强光伏发电各项能力建设,包括资源普查和评估、研发能力建设、培训体系建设、质量监督服务体系建设,并积极开展国际合作,引进技术、人才和资金,为我国光伏发电的健康、可持续发展奠定坚实的基础。     

Review and comparison study of hybrid diesel/solar/hydro/fuel cell energy schemes for a rural ICT Telecenter

In this paper, the rural electrification study of an ICT Telecenter in particular reference to the Kelabit Highland of Sarawak is presented. The use of diesel generator and its associated environmental implications is first discussed. The cost-effectiveness of the present solar PV system and the solar/hydro schemes for rural electrification of the rural ICT are evaluated employing the HOMER simulation software, considering sustainability factors such as system efficiency, weather, fuel costs, operating and maintaining costs. Subsequently, simple novel Hybrid Energy Performance Equations and the associated Energy Performance Curves are derived and introduced, respectively, which provide a visualization model, simplifying hybrid system analysis. Results obtained in this study have shown that combined power schemes is more sustainable in terms of supplying electricity to the Telecenter compared to a stand-alone PV system due to prolong cloudy and dense haze periods. The hybrid systems can have efficiency range of ∼15%–75% compared to PV stand-alone of only ∼10%, indicating hybrid systems are more reliable and sustainable – in minimizing both energy losses and excess energy.     

Hydrogen supply chain architecture for bottom-up energy systems models. Part 1: Developing pathways

The integration of hydrogen energy systems in the overall energy system is an important and complex subject for hydrogen supply chain management. The efficiency of the integration depends on finding optimum pathways for hydrogen supply. Accordingly, energy systems modelling methods and tools have been implemented to obtain the best configuration of hydrogen processes for a defined system. The appropriate representation of hydrogen technologies becomes an important stage for energy system modelling activities. This study, split in consecutive parts, has been conducted to analyse how representative hydrogen supply pathways can be integrated in energy systems modelling. The current paper, the first part of a larger study, presents stylised pathways of hydrogen supply chain options, derived on the basis of a detailed literature review. It aims at establishing a reference hydrogen energy system architecture for energy modelling tools. The subsequent papers of the study will discuss the techno-economic assumptions of the hydrogen supply chain components for energy modelling purposes.     

The requirement and utilization of renewable energy technologies in Chinese rural areas

The tendency of using commercial fossil energy, especially high-quality energy, will increase rapidly along with the rural economic development in China. However, energy consumption for household use in most rural areas still relies on firewood or straw, except the urban suburb. The application and development of renewable energy has been and should play an important role in China. In order to integrate and adapt renewable energy technologies, we need to carefully study the specific economic and social conditions of the rural economic development.     

Collaborative optimization model of renewable energy development considering peak shaving costs of various flexibility resources

China has set carbon emission goals for 2030 and 2060. Renewable energy sources, primarily wind and photovoltaic power, are being considered as the future of power generation. The major limitation to the development of new energies is the limited flexibility of regulations on power system resources, resulting in insufficient consumption capacity. Thus, the flexible resource costs for peak shaving as well as the reasonable coordinated development and operation optimization of regional renewable energy need to be considered. In this study, a renewable energy development layout configuration analysis method was established by considering the composite cost of a power system, comprehensively analyzing the potential of various flexibility regulation resources for the power system and its composite peak shaving cost, and combining renewable energy output characteristics, load forecasting, grid development, and other factors. For the optimization of various flexible resource utilization methods, a peak shaving cost estimation method from the perspective of the entire power system was established by combining the on-grid electricity prices and operating costs of different power sources. A collaborative optimization model of power system operation that aims at the lowest peak shaving cost and satisfies the constraints of operation, safety, and environmental protection was proposed. Finally, a certain area of Gansu Province was used as an example to perform detailed analysis and calculation, which demonstrated that the model has an optimal effect. This model can provide an analysis method for regional renewable energy development layout configurations and system optimization operations.     

Modern energy access to all in rural India: An integrated implementation strategy

Expanding energy access to the rural population of India presents a critical challenge for its government. The presence of 364 million people without access to electricity and 726 million who rely on biomass for cooking indicate both the failure of past policies and programs, and the need for a radical redesign of the current system. We propose an integrated implementation framework with recommendations for adopting business principles with innovative institutional, regulatory, financing and delivery mechanisms. The framework entails establishment of rural energy access authorities and energy access funds, both at the national and regional levels, to be empowered with enabling regulatory policies, capital resources and the support of multi-stakeholder partnership. These institutions are expected to design, lead, manage and monitor the rural energy interventions. At the other end, trained entrepreneurs would be expected to establish bioenergy-based micro-enterprises that will produce and distribute energy carriers to rural households at an affordable cost. The ESCOs will function as intermediaries between these enterprises and the international carbon market both in aggregating carbon credits and in trading them under CDM. If implemented, such a program could address the challenges of rural energy empowerment by creating access to modern energy carriers and climate change mitigation.