NET ZERO TRANSITION TOWARDS DECARBONIZATION IN CONTEXT OF ENERGY SECTOR

Energetic Communities: Planning support for sustainable energy transition in small- and medium-sized communities

Kleine und mittelgroße Kommunen könnten sich als die Schlüsselakteure erweisen, da viele Probleme innerhalb ihrer Zuständigkeitsbereiche gelöst werden müssen. Die Stadtentwicklung beschäftigt sich mit einer Vielzahl von städtischen Veränderungsprozessen. Energie ist hierbei ein verhältnismäßig neuer Aufgabenbereich und vielen Entscheidungsträgern fehlen die Erfahrung und solide Kriterien für die strategische Entscheidungsfindung. Nach einer Phase großer Entschlossenheit, den Klimawandel zu stoppen, scheint sich inzwischen eine gewisse Resignation bei Politikern, Planern und der Öffentlichkeit breit zu machen, da manches nicht wie gewünscht umgesetzt werden konnte und die Hoffnung auf schnelle Lösungen zunehmend schwindet. 'Rebound-Effekte' scheinen einen großen Teil der Einsparungen aufzuzehren und alternative Ideen zur Umsetzung nachhaltiger Energiesysteme haben in vielen Fällen nicht überzeugt. Energiesysteme erweisen sich als komplex. Nach wie vor wird die Energiewende als wichtiges Thema gesehen, wobei sich um die richtigen Umsetzungsschritte ein wachsender Dissens zeigt. Diese Arbeit beschäftigt sich mit der Frage, was Entscheidungsträger in kleinen und mittelgroßen Kommunen benötigen, um einen erfolgreichen Energiewendeprozess zu initiieren und umzusetzen. Auf Basis dieser sehr allgemeinen Fragestellung wurden vier primäre Forschungsfragestellungen formuliert: • Wie können Kommunen langfristige Energiewendevisionen in ihren strategischen Entwicklungsplänen verankern? • Welche Werkzeuge und Modelle sind für die Analyse kommunaler Energiesysteme einsetzbar? • Wie können Werkzeuge und Modelle auf die spezifischen Anforderungen und Randbedingungen der Testkommunen angepasst werden, um eine langfristige Umsetzung geeigneter Maßnahmen und Technologien zu erreichen? • Wie funktioniert der Einsatz der adaptierten Werkzeuge in der Testkommune und welche Hemmnisse müssen für den langfristigen Erfolg noch überwunden werden? Um diese Fragen zu beantworten, wurde eine Kombination aus wissenschaftlicher Literaturrecherche, praktischer Anwendung und Auswertung des Modells in der Testkommune gewählt.

Population growth and city expansion in developing countries require traditional urban planning practices to be transformed in order to tackle climate change and follow Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agendas. Almost every expert in the urban sector believes that future cities should be sustainable, smart, and environmentally friendly, where energy is one of the most critical factors to achieve these goals. They also agree that smart and sustainable energy provision for cities requires a comprehensive and responsive legal and policy framework to be in place at the national level. However, this research’s findings reveal a lack of such frameworks for this group of countries. Considering the challenges and unique nature of Low-Income-Developing (LID) countries, there should be a framework based on the realities in these countries. In this research, key challenges of urban and energy sectors of LID countries, specifically Afghanistan, are identified, and a framework for the integration of sustainable and smart energy in the urban planning processes for LID countries is proposed. To make it easily replicable and adaptable for LID countries, the proposed framework is studied and analyzed around Afghanistan’s urban and energy sectors. This is one of the few frameworks of its kind for LID economies to the best of the authors’ knowledge. This framework lays a solid foundation for sustainable and smart energy integration in the urban planning process of developing countries. This study highlights that sustainable and smart energy systems could ensure climate change mitigation and economic growth enhancement but require close cross-sectoral coordination and policy maker’s commitments and involvement. This research will help many existing and emerging cities in the LID countries’ worldwide use and benefit from the proposed framework in their urban planning processes. It also enables policymakers, urban planners and designers, municipalities leadership, and other stakeholders of the urban, energy, and environment sectors to work together and make smart and rational decisions for the future of their cities and lead them towards smart and sustainable cities.

This chapter examines gender-based vulnerabilities and risks in the net zero transition and how natural resources law and policy can address those barriers. Achieving a just energy transition requires a gender-just approach. For decades, international legal instruments have emphasized the need to integrate gender perspectives in climate action and development efforts. However, women in many parts of the world continue to face deep vulnerabilities and barriers in the net zero energy transition process due to existing legal and social norms that make it difficult for them to participate in and influence decision-making processes. Drawing lessons from emerging gender mainstreaming efforts in the United Kingdom, this chapter examines transformative law and policy approaches for advancing gender-just planning and decision-making in the net zero transition. It identifies legal and institutional barriers to gender-just net zero policies in natural resources sectors in Africa and the dynamic legal innovation required to address them.

Analyzing trends in energy modeling tools in Latin America: A comprehensive review

Probabilistic multi-criteria assessment of renewable micro-generation technologies in households

This study introduces a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework for optimizing multi-energy network scheduling (MENS). As energy systems become more complex, the need for adaptable solutions that balance consumer demand with environmental sustainability grows. The proposed approach integrates conventional and alternative energy sources, addressing uncertainties through fermatean fuzzy sets (FFS), which enhances decision-making flexibility and resilience. A key component of the framework is the use of stochastic optimization and cooperative game theory (CGT) to ensure efficiency and reliability in energy systems. To evaluate the importance of various scheduling criteria, the study applies the logarithmic percentage change-driven objective weighing (LOPCOW) method, offering a systematic way to assign weights. The weighted aggregated sum product assessment (WASPAS) method is then used to rank potential solutions. The hybrid scheduling alternative, combining distributed and centralized solutions, stands out as the best alternative, significantly improving resource optimization and system resilience. While implementation costs may increase, the hybrid approach balances flexibility and rigidity, optimizing resource use and ensuring system adaptability. This work provides a comprehensive framework that enhances the efficiency and sustainability of energy systems, helping decision-makers address fluctuating demands and renewable energy integration challenges.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative technology in the pursuit of sustainable energy development, offering innovative solutions to optimize energy generation, enhance efficiency, and reduce carbon emissions. This review explores the diverse applications of AI in sustainable energy systems, including renewable energy forecasting, smart grid management, demand-side optimization, decentralized energy trading, and carbon mitigation strategies. AI-driven algorithms enable accurate predictions of solar and wind energy production, improve energy storage management, and facilitate the operation of microgrids and virtual power plants. Furthermore, AI enhances energy efficiency through predictive maintenance, real-time consumption monitoring, and intelligent demand response mechanisms. Despite its potential, the integration of AI in sustainable energy systems presents several challenges. Data availability and quality remain critical barriers, as energy sectors often lack standardized and interoperable datasets. Additionally, the high computational costs of AI models, cybersecurity risks in smart grids, and ethical concerns regarding AI decision-making pose significant obstacles to widespread adoption. Regulatory frameworks governing AI implementation in the energy sector are still evolving, requiring further policy interventions to ensure responsible and effective deployment. Looking ahead, advancements in AI algorithms, improved energy system integration, and AI-driven circular economy initiatives offer promising opportunities for sustainable energy development. Collaborative efforts among governments, industries, and research institutions are essential to harness AI’s full potential while addressing its limitations. This review highlights the need for interdisciplinary research, policy development, and investment in AI-driven sustainable energy solutions to achieve global energy transition goals. As AI continues to evolve, its role in optimizing energy use, reducing environmental impact, and fostering a more resilient and sustainable energy ecosystem will be pivotal in shaping the future of energy systems worldwide.

Transition towards sustainable energy systems is of utmost importance to avert global consequences of climate change. Within the framework of the Paris Agreement and Marrakech Communique, this study analyses an energy transition pathway utilising renewable resources for the Philippines. The transition study is performed from 2015 to 2050 on a high temporal and spatial resolution data, using a linear optimisation tool. From the results of this study, technically, a 100% fossil free energy system in 2050 is possible, with a cost structure comparable to an energy system in 2015, while having zero greenhouse gas emissions. Solar PV as a generation and batteries a as storage technology form the backbone of the energy system during the transition. Direct and indirect electrification across all sectors would result in an efficiency gain of more than 50% in 2050, while keeping the total annual investment within 20–55 b€. Heat pumps, electrical heating, and solar thermal technologies would supply heat, whereas, direct electricity and synthetic fuels would fuel the energy needs of the transport sector. The results indicate that, indigenous renewable resources in the Philippines could power the demand from all energy sectors, thereby, bringing various socio-economic benefits.

Sustainability of energy systems is a common priority that involves key issues such as security of energy supply, mitigation of environmental impacts - the energy sector is currently responsible for 80% of all EU greenhouse gas emissions (European Environment Agency, 2007), contributing heavily to the overall emissions of local air pollutants - and energy affordability. In this framework, energy planning and decision making processes can be supported at different stages and spatial scales (regional, national, pan-European, etc.) by the use of comprehensive models in order to manage the large complexity of energy systems and to define multi-objective strategies on the medium-long term. This Chapter is aimed to outline the value of model-based decision support systems in addressing current challenges aimed to carry out sustainable energy systems and to diffuse the use of strategic energy-environmental planning methods based on the use of partial equilibrium models. The proposed methodology, aimed to derive cost-effective strategies for a sustainable resource management, is based on the experiences gathered in the framework of the IEA-ETSAP program and under several national and international projects.

Any economy that has been influenced by technology advancement is thought to run on the energy sector. The fourth industrial revolution was created to make access to energy systems better, simpler, and more affordable. This chapter aims to give a thorough analysis of the trends behind Energy 4.0. The power distribution industry has been impacted throughout time by the rise of industry 4.0 developments. A decarbonized and decentralized energy system are both necessary at the same time. Decarbonization and decentralization of the energy sector are however essential for the energy industry to be sustainable due to the great concern for environmental protection and the critical requirement for energy system efficiency. The fourth industrial revolution, which is being fueled by digitization, is the one we are currently experiencing. It is essentially a digitalization-driven revolution in connectivity that is unrelated to the discovery of new energy sources and is instead founded on energy use. This revolution laid the groundwork for interconnectivity between various machines, devices, and other items as well as between these and people.

In recent years, the energy sector has entered a decisive phase of transformation, driven by mounting concerns regarding climate change and the recognized need to transition toward sustainable energy systems [...]

The COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s war on Ukraine have impacted the global economy, including the energy sector. The pandemic caused drastic fluctuations in energy demand, oil price shocks, disruptions in energy supply chains, and hampered energy investments, while the war left the world with energy price hikes and energy security challenges. The long-term impacts of these crises on low-carbon energy transitions and mitigation of climate change are still uncertain but are slowly emerging. This paper analyzes the impacts throughout the energy system, including upstream fuel supply, renewable energy investments, demand for energy services, and implications for energy equity, by reviewing recent studies and consulting experts in the field. We find that both crises initially appeared as opportunities for low-carbon energy transitions: the pandemic by showing the extent of lifestyle and behavioral change in a short period and the role of science-based policy advice, and the war by highlighting the need for greater energy diversification and reliance on local, renewable energy sources. However, the early evidence suggests that policymaking worldwide is focused on short-term, seemingly quicker solutions, such as supporting the incumbent energy industry in the post-pandemic era to save the economy and looking for new fossil fuel supply routes for enhancing energy security following the war. As such, the fossil fuel industry may emerge even stronger after these energy crises creating new lock-ins. This implies that the public sentiment against dependency on fossil fuels may end as a lost opportunity to translate into actions toward climate-friendly energy transitions, without ambitious plans for phasing out such fuels altogether. We propose policy recommendations to overcome these challenges toward achieving resilient and sustainable energy systems, mostly driven by energy services.

The net zero emissions policy represents a crucial component of the global initiative to address climate change. The European Union has set a target of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This study assesses Poland’s feasibility of achieving net zero emissions. Currently, Poland relies on fossil fuels for approximately 71% of its electricity generation, with electricity accounting for only approximately 16% of the country’s total final energy consumption. Accordingly, the transition to net zero carbon emissions will necessitate significant modifications to the energy system, particularly in the industrial, transport, and heating sectors. As this is a long-term process, this article demonstrates how the development of renewable energy sources will progressively necessitate the utilisation of electrolysers in line with the ongoing industrial transformation. A new framework for the energy system up to 2060 is presented, with transition phases in 2030, 2040, and 2050. This study demonstrates that it is feasible to attain a sustainable, zero-emission, and stable energy system despite reliance on uncontrolled and weather-dependent energy sources. Preparing the electricity grid to transmit almost three times the current amount represents a significant challenge. The resulting simulation capacities, comprising 64 GW of onshore wind, 33 GW of offshore wind, 136 GW of photovoltaic, 10 GW of nuclear, and 22 GW of electrolysers, enable a positive net energy balance to be achieved under the weather conditions observed between 2015 and 2023. To guarantee system stability, electrolysers must operate within a centralised framework, functioning as centrally controlled dispatchable load units.

The development of sustainable electricity technology is of utmost importance in addressing the increasing energy demand while mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Fossil fuel-based electricity generation is the primary contributor to air pollution and climate change, necessitating a shift towards renewable energy sources. The efficient production, distribution, and utilization of energy resources, along with ensuring affordable energy access and environmental sustainability, are key policy objectives for any country's energy sector. However, assessing sustainable electricity technologies is a complex task due to the diverse range of evaluation criteria and impacts associated with the practical implementation of these solutions. To overcome this challenge, this study proposes a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach to select the optimal solution for the development of sustainable electricity technology. The study employs several reliable methods, including MAIRCA, SPOTIS, COMET, and the CRITIC weighting method, to perform ranking evaluations. Based on this, an evaluation Table of criteria using linguistic variables is constructed. Furthermore, a ranking of methods for developing sustainable electricity technology is established by combining MCDM optimization methods. The results indicate that future energy policies should prioritize sustainable energy technologies, particularly water and solar thermal solutions. These findings have significant implications for development policymakers as the transition towards a sustainable energy system becomes increasingly crucial. In the future, the findings of this research can be further developed on a regional level, enabling the identification of the most appropriate energy technologies for specific regions based on their unique characteristics and requirements