A community-based approach to low-income residential energy efficiency participation barriers

Financial barriers are often cited as the principle impediment to the adoption of energy efficiency measures. Since 1976, the US Department of Energy's Weatherisation Assistance Programme (WAP) has provided state block grants for no-cost, low-income energy efficiency retrofits. Yet, millions of low-income American households lack affordable, reliable, and efficient energy access. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 boosted WAP's annual appropriation from $230 million to $5 billion, requiring states to explore innovate approaches to quickly increasing programme participation. Community-based energy programmes have shown success for overcoming various barriers and increasing participation in the adoption of energy technologies. This case study explores a community-based approach to scaling WAP-funded energy efficiency retrofits in a cluster of five urban, low-income, majority African-American neighbourhoods, known as the Green Impact Zone (GIZ), in Kansas City, Missouri. Findings from interviews with GIZ stakeholders suggest that local context is important to how energy efficiency participation barriers manifest. The targeted, community-based approach to WAP created institutional capabilities for increased recognition of participation challenges and facilitated opportunities for alternative solutions that may otherwise have been overlooked under the standard self-referral implementation of WAP. Lastly, effective implementation of WAP required policy workarounds that recognised the unique characteristics and needs of the target community.     

Selection of optimum fish oil fuel blend to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions in an IC engine—A hybrid multiple criteria decision aid approach

The increasing demand on energy due to population growth and rising of living standards has led to considerable use of fossil fuels which has in turn, had an adverse impact on environmental pollution and depletion of fossil fuels in Internal Combustion (IC) engine sector. Alternative fuel blend evaluation in IC engine fuel technologies is a very important strategic decision involving decisions balancing within a number of criteria and opinions from different decision maker of IC engine experts. The selection of appropriate source of biodiesel and proper blending of biodiesel plays a major role in alternate energy production. This paper describes an application of hybrid Multi Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) technique for the selection of optimum biodiesel blend in the IC engine. The proposed model, Analytical Network Process (ANP) is integrated with Technique for Order Performance by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) to evaluate the optimum blend. Here the ANP is used to determine the relative weights of the criteria, whereas TOPSIS is used for obtaining the final ranking of alternative blends. An efficient pair-wise comparison process and ranking of alternatives can be achieved for optimum blend selection through the integration of ANP and TOPSIS. The obtained preference order for the blends are as B20 > B40 > Diesel > B60 > B80 > B100. This paper highlights a new insight into MCDM techniques to evaluate the best fuel blend for the decision makers such as engine manufactures and R&D engineers to meet the fuel economy and emission norms to empower the green revolution.     

Interactions between energy consumption,international trade,and real income in Canada: An empirical investigation from a new version of the Solow growth model

This study investigates the empirical relationship between energy consumption, international trade, and real income in Canada which has an important role in global energy and trade. It employs bound tests to level relationships and conditional error correction models through ARDL specification to a new version of the Solow Growth model. Using annual data of the 1960–2010 period, results reveal a long-term relationship between energy consumption, international trade, and real income in Canada. It is also found that energy exporting activity is the determinant (driver) of energy consumption through the channel of real income and energy consumption is the determinant (driver) of exports through the channel of real income in the long term of the Canadian economy. Exports and energy use are the determinants (drivers) of real income in the long term of the Canadian economy; therefore, as conditional Granger causality tests suggest there is feedback relationship between energy consumption, international trade, and real income in the long term of the Canadian economy. The present study suggests that any energy conservation policies are likely to have negative influence on output and international trade in Canada.     

Optimization of grid tied hybrid power system in smart premises

Tapping of renewable energy sources like solar and wind is given great priority by power producers all over the world. Technical problems of linking them to the grid are solved. The cost constraints of utilizing renewable energy at specific locations are to be determined. In this work, a model is developed for grid tied hybrid power system (HPS) consisting of photovoltaic (PV) module and wind mill at the roof top of smart premises. The grid is capable of delivering and receiving energy. Objective function is formed with constraints taking into account the cost of PV module, wind mill, and grid tied inverter with controller. The constraints are rating of HPS and energy that can be delivered to the grid. Using this model, case studies were conducted in three locations in India, each location having two different demands. The results are presented. With the optimal rating of HPS, results shows that, conventional energy cost is higher.     

中原经济区能源消费视角下的大气环境压力评估

研究以能源消费模式为切入点,分析中原经济区能源消费总量、消费结构和利用效率的现状水平,并分析能源消费引起的大气环境压力状况。基于经济发展速度调控及节能减排力度的不同,设置2020年三种能源消费情景,使用区域能源消费总量优化模型模拟预测不同情景下的能源消费总量,并分析不同情景下的大气环境压力。结果表明,快速发展和适度发展Ⅰ情景下,2020年区域能源消费总量将比2012年增加4.2×10~8tce和2.4×10~8tce,煤炭消费总量将增加3.1×10~8tce和1.2×10~8tce,大气污染物排放压力增加30%和50%;适度发展Ⅱ情景下,能源消费总量将增加0.2×10~8tce,煤炭消费总量将下降0.3×10~8tce,大气污染物排放压力将降低20%。因此,要实现经济发展稳步增长(年均增长率7.7%)和大气污染物排放总量削减10%目标,重中之重是实现煤炭消费总量"零增长"或"负增长",同时力争能源消费总量控制在5×10~8~6×10~8tce,凭借煤炭占比大幅下降(降至65%左右)最大限度发挥能源供给领域节能效应,依靠产业结构升级节能效应和技术节能拓展能源消费领域节能空间,将能效水平提高至0.6tce/万元以下。     

双赢目标约束下中国能源结构调整测算

中国碳排放的主要来源是能源消费,能源消费又是经济增长的重要驱动因素,因而如何进行能源结构调整成为我国能否如期实现经济增长和碳减排双赢目标的关键。考虑技术进步的动态条件,基于1991-2013年中国的数据,采用超越对数生产函数对我国GDP增长中不同能源要素的贡献率进行了分解,并在2020年实现双赢目标的约束下,对不同能源2014-2020年期间的增长率在技术进步动态条件下进行了估算,分析了实现双赢目标的路径条件。研究结果显示:1综合要素、煤炭、石油、天然气、非化石能源等驱动因素1991-2013年期间对GDP的年均贡献率分别为:36.38%、13.03%、16.99%、12.00%、21.60%,中国经济增长对能源投入的依赖较强;2煤炭、石油、天然气对非化石能源的替代弹性较小,可替代性较差,但非化石能源对煤炭的替代弹性从2007年开始逐步增大,同时,煤炭、石油利用的技术进步慢于非化石能源,这有利于我国双赢目标的实现;3为实现2020年的双赢目标,煤炭、石油、天然气和非化石能源2020年的投入量需要比2013年分别增长26.43%、26.92%、57.53%、64.27%,2020年的能源消费结构比例为:0.63∶0.18∶0.07∶0.12,各种能源增长幅度不同,保持平稳调整;4在双赢目标约束条件下,从非化石能源、煤炭、石油、天然气四种能源角度分析了实现该目标的路径条件。从整体上看,在技术进步推动下,到2020年中国可以实现经济年均增长7%、碳排放强度下降44%的双赢目标。     

新能源汽车需求市场培育的政策取向:供给侧抑或需求侧

政策支持是促进新能源汽车消费市场等商业化条件成熟的重要手段。近年来,中央和一些地方政府在新能源汽车需求市场培育的"供给侧"和"需求侧"都先后出台了相应的市场培育政策。"供给侧"和"需求侧"的政策功能与效果不完全相同,地方政府在选择和应用新能源汽车需求培育政策时面临着诸多困惑。论文尝试将基尼系数分解法引入到新能源汽车需求市场"供给侧"和"需求侧"政策实施效果的区域差异分析中,分析了我国培育新能源汽车消费市场培养"供给侧"和"需求侧"政策取向的分布情况以及现阶段政策取向所面临的困惑,应用我国新能源汽车试点推广城市数据开展了实证研究。结果表明,"供给侧"政策着力于改善新能源汽车消费市场供给体系的质量和效率,为需求市场持续发展提供驱动力量;"需求侧"政策着力于激发新能源汽车消费的积极性和购买能力,为需求市场持续发展提供拉动力量。"供给侧"和"需求侧"政策在不同收入水平区域试点城市中的实施效果存在差异,高收入区域试点城市"供给侧"和"需求侧"政策都有着明显效果,但是"供给侧"政策效果更为显著;中等收入区域试点城市"需求侧"政策效果十分显著,"供给侧"政策效果相对较弱;收入稍低区域试点城市则以"供给侧"政策效果更为显著,"需求侧"政策效果相对较弱。我国新能源汽车市场培育在"供给侧"和"需求侧"政策取向上应因地制宜,各有侧重点。     

基于能值的中国农业绿色经济增长与空间收敛

构造合理的评价指标,对农业绿色经济增长现状及其演变进行客观评估与分析,是实现传统农业向绿色农业转变,促进农业经济可持续发展的迫切要求。本文基于能值理论,对2003—2014年中国及各省域单元农业绿色GDP进行了测算,在此基础上,利用空间分析方法研究我国农业绿色经济增长的空间格局与收敛特征。结果表明:1相较于传统农业GDP,中国人均农业绿色GDP增长相对缓慢,农业绿色GDP占农业传统GDP的比重在80%—85%之间,并呈下降趋势。2我国农业绿色经济增长存在显著的空间集聚,且集聚效应逐渐增强。3人均农业绿色GDP并未打破传统经济增长东部高、西部低的整体格局。东部经济发达地区更高的农业生产效率和西部相对粗放的生产方式是形成这种空间格局的主要原因。4农业人均绿色GDP的收敛分析适用于空间误差自回归模型,考虑了空间自相关因素后得出的收敛速度快于普通收敛分析的收敛速度。因此,准确评价农业经济增长水平需要充分考虑农业增长中的资源环境代价。在今后的发展过程中,我国应实施差别化的农业绿色发展政策,经济发达地区需要进一步减少农业经济增长中的资源环境成本,在继续扩大高增长优势下,促进农业发展的绿色转型。而欠发达地区则应在稳定粮食生产的同时更加注重生态环境保护,努力实现整体跨越式发展。各地区还应加快现代农业技术的转移与扩散,通过增强技术知识的空间溢出效应来提高农业绿色经济增长的收敛速度,尤其是农业发展落后地区应加强与先进地区的交流合作,大力引进先进的农业生产技术与管理经验,提升人力资本水平,以逐步缩小差距,促进农业绿色经济的协调发展。     

中国农村能源正义的法律实现

为了厘清中国能源正义的现况,为《能源法》的制定提供直接参考,本文选择中国农村能源正义作为具体的研究对象,主要采用规范分析的研究方法,从能源正义和农村能源正义的概念界定入手,描述了中国农村能源不正义的事实现况和法律现况,指出了中国农村环境正义法律实现的路径,并阐释了法律实现的关键。本文认为,农村能源正义是指,能源的所有方、供给服务方、消费方等主体不因其农民的身份性质、农村的地域分布和农业的禀赋强弱等因素,而应在能源的勘探开发、加工转换、仓储运输、供给服务等领域享有平等的对待和实质的参与;农村能源不正义的事实现况主要表现为农村能源并未全面体现能源的自然、经济、安全和生态等多维价值,而其法律现况则主要表现为现有的能源立法并未对农村能源在分配、程序、矫正和社会正义上做系统的表达。本文指出,中国农村能源正义法律实现的路径,其逻辑起点在于保障农民的能源权,应首先从法律上正面规定公民的能源权,进而采用《能源法》的集中表达与相关法律部门的分散表达相结合的具体方式和步骤。本文建议,中国农村能源正义法律实现的关键是科学制定《能源法》,首先要明确其核心地位,处理好与《农业法》等法律部门之间的关系;其次要在总则中,重述立法目的、规定公民能源权、完善能源普遍服务;最后在《能源法》的分则中专设"农村能源"的章节,整合现有的《能源法(征求意见稿)》的内容,并从原则、规划、保障、生态化、公众参与、授权、救济、法律责任等方面进行优化。     

长江中游城市群能源效率评价研究

提高能源效率、促进低碳经济转型是当前长江中游城市群区域协同发展和新型城镇化建设的重点和难点。基于共同前沿(Meta-frontier)理论,利用数据包络分析方法构建非参数前沿,并将SO2排放量这一非期望产出纳入DEA模型中,比较分析了2005—2014年长江中游城市群全要素能源效率的区域差异,采用"技术缺口比率"衡量长江中游城市群三大区域之间能源利用的技术差距,并在此基础上研究了能源非效率的分解以及对真实的能源强度和潜在的能源强度进行了相关分析。研究结果表明:1当前长江中游城市群全要素能源效率整体水平偏低,但地区差异并不显著。2三大区域之间的能源技术差距不是很大。3技术缺口和管理等因素对不同区域能源非效率的作用不同。4真实的能源强度和潜在的能源强度都具有一定下降的趋势,而且两者之间的差距逐渐缩小。最后根据分析结果得出一些结论和启示,如制定区域节能战略时坚持"求同存异"的原则,加快技术进步,积极进行能源技术创新,不断提高管理水平等。同时,政府应加大对长江中游城市群的政策倾斜力度,这样才能充分挖掘长江中游城市群的节能减排潜力,这对提升中国区域能源效率的整体水平以及促进绿色经济转型具有重大意义。