Publication year: 2012
Source: Cities, Volume 29, Issue 2, April 2012, Pages IFC

[No author name available]

Publication year: 2012
Source: Energy Economics, Available online 2 February 2012

Maethee Mekaroonreung, Andrew L. Johnson

Weak disposability between outputs and pollutants, defined as a simultaneous proportional reduction of both outputs and pollutants, assumes that pollutants are byproducts of the output generation process and that a firm can “freely dispose” of both by scaling down production levels, leaving some inputs idle. Based on the production axioms of monotonicity, convexity and weak disposability, we formulate a convex nonparametric least squares (CNLS) quadratic optimization problem to estimate a frontier production function assuming either a deterministic disturbance term consisting only of inefficiency, or a composite disturbance term composed of both inefficiency and noise. The suggested methodology extends the stochastic semi-nonparametric envelopment of data (StoNED) described in Kuosmanen and Kortelainen (2011). Applying the method to estimate the shadow prices of SO2and NOxgenerated by U.S. coal power plants, we conclude that the weak disposability StoNED method provides more consistent estimates of market prices.

Highlights► Develops methodology to estimate shadow prices for SO2and NOxin U.S. coal power plants ► Extends CNLS and StoNED methods to include the weak disposability assumption ► Estimates the range of SO2and NOxshadow prices as 201-343 $/ton and 409-1,352 $/ton ► StoNED method provides more accurate estimates of shadow prices than deterministic frontier

Publication year: 2012
Source: Energy Economics, Available online 2 February 2012

Yun Bai, Yanfeng Ouyang, Jong-Shi Pang

The rapid expansion of the biofuel industry diverts a large amount of agricultural crops as energy feedstocks, and in turn affects farm land allocation, feedstock market equilibrium, and agricultural economic development in local areas. In this paper, we propose game-theoretic models that incorporate farmers’ decisions on land use and market choice into the biofuel manufacturers’ supply chain design problem. A noncooperative bi-level Stackelberg leader-follower game model and a cooperative game model are developed respectively to address possible business partnership scenarios between feedstock suppliers and biofuel manufacturers. The models determine the optimal number and locations of biorefineries, the required prices for these refineries to compete for feedstock resources, as well as farmers’ land use choices between food and energy. Using corn as an example of feedstock crops, spatial market equilibrium is utilized to model the relationship between corn supply and demand, and the associated price variations in local grain markets.With linear corn demand functions, we develop a solution approach that transforms the original discrete mathematical program with equilibrium constraints (DC-MPEC) into to a solvable mixed integer quadratic programming (MIQP) problem based on Karush-Kuhn-Tucker (KKT) conditions. The proposed methodology is illustrated using an empirical case study of the Illinois State. The computation results reveal interesting insights into optimal land use strategies and supply chain design for the emerging tedblleft biofuel economy”.

Highlights► This paper studies how biofuel supply chain design affects farm land allocation and feedstock market equilibrium. ► This paper proposes Stackelberg and cooperative game models in the form of discrete mathematical program with equilibrium constraints (DC-MPEC). ► We transform the original bi-level problems into to a solvable mixed integer quadratic program (MIQP). ► An empirical case study of the Illinois State is conducted to reveal insights into optimal land use strategies and supply chain design.

Publication year: 2012
Source: Ecological Economics, Available online 3 February 2012

Ethan D. Schoolman, Chunbo Ma

Systematic research into social inequalities in the distribution of environmental hazards, though well-established in American sociology, has largely not been conducted using quantitative data from developing countries. In this study we consider whether theory and methods developed to test for and explain environmental inequality in the U.S. can be extended to a major developing country such as China. We argue that, due in part to the state'shukouregistry system, urban workers in China with an official rural residence may be subject to disproportionate exposure to environmental pollution. We also argue that environmental inequalities in China may be shaped in part by social processes analogous to those which have been held to explain racial differences in pollution exposure in the U.S. In an analysis of the locations and emissions of pollution-producing facilities in China's Jiangsu province, we find that townships with a higher percentage of rural migrants are more likely to be exposed to high levels of air and water pollution. This finding holds even after we control for income and for the presence of “dirty and hard” industries in which rural migrants are most likely to find work.

Highlights► We argue that rural migrants in China occupy a place analogous to that of racial minorities in the U.S. ► We examine a major Chinese province for evidence of environmental inequality. ► We consider both facility locations and emissions weighted by proximity to township centers. ► Rural migrants are exposed to disproportionately high levels of pollution. ► This relationship holds after controlling for employment in heavy industries.

Publication year: 2012
Source: Ecological Economics, Available online 3 February 2012

Constantin Chilarescu, Ioana Viasu

In this paper we give some comments onto the paper of Kozo Mayumi and Mario Giampietro, recently published in this journal and, finally we present some conclusions.

Publication year: 2012
Source: Ecological Economics, Available online 1 February 2012

F. Vieux, N. Darmon, D. Touazi, L.G. Soler

The aim was to estimate the greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE) associated with self-selected diets and to evaluate the impact of modifying dietary structures on diet-associated GHGE. Food consumption data from 1918 adults participating in the French national dietary survey and GHGE of 73 highly consumed foods (in g CO2e/100 g of edible food) were used to estimate the GHGE of each individual diet. The mean diet-associated GHGE was 4170 g CO2e/day and a high inter-individual variability was observed. When the total caloric intakes were reduced to meet the individual energy needs, the diet-associated GHGE decreased by either 10.7% or 2.4%, depending on the assumption made on the average physical activity level of the population. The meat and deli meat food group represented the strongest diet-associated GHGE contributor, but the impact of different meat reduction scenarios was modest. In particular, when fruit and vegetables were iso-calorically substituted for meat, either null or even positive diet-associated GHGE variations were observed because the needed amounts of fruit and vegetables to maintain the caloric content of the diet were high. Therefore, substituting fruit and vegetables for meat (especially deli meat) may be desirable for health but is not necessarily the best approach to decreasing diet-associated GHGE.

Highlights► Diet-associated greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE) were estimated using the French individual food consumption survey data. ► The mean diet-associated GHGE was estimated at 4170g CO2e/d and was higher for men than for women. ► Individual diet-associated GHGE showed a high variability due to the variability of both diet quantity and diet structure. ► Meat was the strongest contributor to diet-associated GHGE. ► When meat was iso-calorically replaced with fruit and vegetables, only small diet-associated GHGE variations were observed.

Publication year: 2012
Source: Energy Policy, Available online 3 February 2012

Hidayet Tasdoven, Beth Ann Fiedler, Vener Garayev

Recent reform activities to liberate and privatize the Turkish utility energy sector through deregulation have transformed the scope of the historically government-owned corporations. However, during the free market process approach, power theft has become an issue that requires national attention. This paper examines the current use of two governance tools—privatization and regulation, and suggests two others to promote a framework of efficient electricity distribution (grants and public information). The capacity of the tools to provide a solution to power losses is discussed while considering the barrier of political acceptability in regions of the country where pockets of resistance exist.

Highlights► Energy sector reforms in Turkey have transformed scope of the government-owned corporations. ► Power theft has become an essential issue in this liberalization process. ► In addition to currently used two governance tools, two others are suggested to be used. ► The tools are promising to address the power theft issue as long as they are politically acceptable.

Publication year: 2012
Source: Energy Policy, Available online 3 February 2012

James Nelson, Josiah Johnston, Ana Mileva, Matthias Fripp, Ian Hoffman, ...

Decarbonizing electricity production is central to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Exploiting intermittent renewable energy resources demands power system planning models with high temporal and spatial resolution. We use a mixed-integer linear programming model – SWITCH – to analyze least-cost generation, storage, and transmission capacity expansion for western North America under various policy and cost scenarios. Current renewable portfolio standards are shown to be insufficient to meet emission reduction targets by 2030 without new policy. With stronger carbon policy consistent with a 450 ppm climate stabilization scenario, power sector emissions can be reduced to 54% of 1990 levels by 2030 using different portfolios of existing generation technologies. Under a range of resource cost scenarios, most coal power plants would be replaced by solar, wind, gas, and/or nuclear generation, with intermittent renewable sources providing at least 17% and as much as 29% of total power by 2030. The carbon price to induce these deep carbon emission reductions is high, but, assuming carbon price revenues are reinvested in the power sector, the cost of power is found to increase by at most 20% relative to business-as-usual projections.

Highlights► Intermittent generation necessitates high-resolution electric power system models. ► We apply the SWITCH planning model to the western North American grid. ► We explore carbon policy and resource cost scenarios through 2030. ► As the carbon price rises, coal generation is replaced with solar, wind, gas and/or nuclear generation ► A 450 ppm climate stabilization target can be met at a 20% or lower cost increase.

Publication year: 2012
Source: Energy Policy, Available online 2 February 2012

Andrew Peterman, Arno Kourula, Raymond Levitt

Commercial building owners and managers often face the challenge of selecting the appropriate combination of voluntary and mandated programs for commercial building energy efficiency. Using a mixed-method, both quantitative and qualitative approach, this study finds that barriers to energy efficiency can be interpreted as strategic drivers for the emergence of five forms of voluntary and mandated program forms. We argue that the links between energy efficiency programs in commercial buildings should be conceptualized in a comprehensive manner by evaluating the strategic drivers that have ultimately led to the emergence of the principal forms of voluntary programs:economic incentives; certifications; alliances and partnerships; and internal company programs. We develop a conceptual framework that helps building owners and managers: identify the primary drivers for energy efficiency efforts; assess the efficacy and limitations of available program forms; apply each program form strategically in conjunction with a number of other program forms; and, ultimately, predict the emergence of new program forms. In addition to United States Department of Energy survey data, this study draws upon data collected through semi-structured interviews with experts at major U.S.-based corporations, federally funded laboratories, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations.

Highlights► Distills a complex system of energy efficiency programs into a single framework. ► Classify drivers, emerging forms, and shortcomings of each voluntary program form. ► Present survey and interview data from retail, real estate, and hospital experts. ► None of these programs alone meet organizational needs for energy efficiency. ► Entrepreneurs will play a key role by capitalizing on broken agency challenges.

Publication year: 2012
Source: Energy Policy, Available online 2 February 2012

Gairuzazmi M. Ghani

The effect of trade liberalization on the environment can be directly linked to energy consumption, because energy consumption and production are the underlying cause of most pollutants that harm the environment. The descriptive statistics show that average annual growth of energy consumption per capita after trade liberalization varies among countries; hence it is a possibility that the effect of trade liberalization is conditional on factors other than liberalization per se. The regression results show that trade liberalization per se does not affect the growth of energy consumption of the developing countries analyzed, but its interaction with capital per labor reduces the growth of energy consumption as capital per labor increases. However, the effect is only significant after a certain minimum threshold level capital per labor is reached. On the other hand, economic growth increases energy consumption and its effect is not conditioned on trade liberalization. These two different effects mean that, with regards to energy consumption, countries at a higher level of economic development are more likely to reap the benefit of liberalization relative to less developed countries.

Research highlights► This paper examines the effect of trade liberalization on energy consumption. ► Developed countries are more likely to reap the benefit of trade liberalization. ► Growth of energy consumption after trade liberalization varies among countries. ► Interaction of capital per labor with liberalization reduces energy consumption.

Publication year: 2012
Source: Energy Policy, Available online 2 February 2012

Peng Ru, Qiang Zhi, Fang Zhang, Xiaotian Zhong, Jianqiang Li, ...

The market scale of China’s wind turbine manufacturing industry has grown immensely. Despite China still having a limited capacity in terms of technology innovation, the institutional support has promoted the technology capability development of the wind turbine manufacturing industry. This paper explores the driving forces underlying this development by reviewing the transition of the innovation modes and the dynamic interactions among the technology capability, innovation modes, market formation, and wind energy policy. The innovation mode in China began with imitative innovation, then transitioned to cooperative innovation, and has more recently set its sights on attaining truly indigenous innovation. Public policy serves as a key driving force for the evolution of innovation modes, as well as the development of the market. The policy focus has evolved in the following sequen 1. building the foundation for technological innovation; 2. encouraging technology transfer; 3. enhancing local R&D and manufacturing capabilities; 4. enlarging the domestic market; and 5. cultivating an open environment for global competition and sustainable market development in China.

Highlights► New data were provided for China’s wind turbine manufacturing industry. ► The transition of innovation modes in the industry is reviewed. ► The interaction among the technology, market, policy, and innovation mode is explored. ► Public policies are the key driving forces for the transition.

Publication year: 2012
Source: Energy Policy, Available online 1 February 2012

Hua-Wei Chen, Chung-Hsuan Hsu, Gui-Bing Hong

The pulp and paper industry is a significant consumer of fossil energy in the Taiwanese manufacturing sector. The concentration of greenhouse gases (GHG) from manufacturing factory activities and vehicle emissions has increased remarkably. Notable energy savings can be achieved in the pulp and paper industry through energy flow analysis. The aim of this paper is to analyze the energy flow for three major energy consuming mills of the pulp and paper industry in Taiwan to make energy savings. In addition, potential technology options are examined for the capture of some of the energy that is currently lost in the processes and to identify the areas of energy saving potential that could have a large impact across more than one industry. The results of this study can serve as a benchmark for developing a quantified list in terms of energy savings potential and opportunities for improving the efficiency of the pulp and paper industry.

Highlights► The aim of this paper was to analyze the energy flow for three pulps and paper firms in Taiwan. ► The results were used as the basis for developing a quantified list in terms of energy savings potential. ► Energy flow analysis results can serve as benchmarks for the current pulp and paper making operations.

Publication year: 2012
Source: Energy Policy, Available online 1 February 2012

Julian Andres Quintero, Erika Ruth Felix, Luis Eduardo Rincón, Marianella Crisspín, Jaime Fernandez Baca, ...

Peru has introduced a law to promote the use of biofuels with the objective to increase employment, strengthening agriculture development, providing an economic alternative to illegal drug production. In this work, the costs of biodiesel production from oil palm andJatrophawere analyzed under different scenarios. They include the participation of associations of smallholders and commercial producers as raw material provides in biodiesel business in Peru. The scenarios considered have a strong social dimension in which they explicitly consider how productions' costs change when smallholders supply a proportion of the feedstock to the industry. Production cost profiles were generated using the chemical process simulation and economical evaluation software packages provided by Aspen Technology. Total production cost found for oil palm biodiesel production ranged between 0.23 and 0.31 USD/L andJatrophabiodiesel production costs were between 0.84 and 0.87 USD/L. These production costs were analyzed and compared to biodiesel ex-factory prices and diesel fuel production cost factors. The results suggest that including smallholders in the supply chain can be under some conditions competitive with liquid biofuel production systems that are purely large scale.

Highlights► We design and simulate biodiesel production schemes based on oil palm andJatropha. ► Scenarios consider smallholders and commercial producers combinations. ► Inclusion of by-product selling allows a reduction of 30% in total biodiesel production cost. ► Major inclusion of smallholders requires a strong government policy to improve their technical production conditions.

Publication year: 2012
Source: Energy Policy, Available online 1 February 2012

Jing Zhao, Yajuan Xin, Dingding Tong

The establishment of building energy consumption quota as a comprehensive indicator used to evaluate the actual energy consumption level is an important measure for promoting the development of building energy efficiency. This paper focused on the determination method of the quota, and firstly introduced the procedure of establishing energy consumption quota of public buildings including four important parts: collecting data, classifying and calculating EUIs, standardizing EUIs, determining the measure method of central tendency. The paper also illustrated the standardization process of EUI by actual calculation based on the samples of 10 commercial buildings and 19 hotel buildings. According to the analysis of the frequency distribution of standardized EUIs of sample buildings and combining the characteristics of each measure method of central tendency, comprehensive application of mode and percentage rank is selected to be the best method for determining the energy consumption quota of public buildings. Finally the paper gave some policy proposals on energy consumption quota to help achieve the goal of further energy conservation.

Highlights► We introduce the procedure of determining energy consumption quota (ECQ). ► We illustrate the standardization process of EUI by actual calculation of samples. ► Measures of central tendency are brought into determine the ECQ. ► Comprehensive application of mode and percentage rank is the best method for ECQ. ► Punitive or incentive measures for ECQ are proposed.

Publication year: 2012
Source: Energy Policy, Available online 31 January 2012

Shenggang Ren, Zhen Hu

We adopted the refined Laspeyres index approach to explore the impacts of industry scale, energy mix, energy intensity and utility mix on the total carbon dioxide emissions from the Chinese nonferrous metals industry for the period 1996–2008. In addition, we calculated the trend of decoupling effects in nonferrous metals industry in China by presenting a theoretical framework for decoupling. As the results suggest, Chinese nonferrous metals industry has gone through four decoupling stages: strong negative decoupling stage (1996–1998), weak decoupling stage (1999–2000), expensive negative decoupling stage (2001–2003) and weak decoupling stage (2004–2008). We have analyzed the reasons for each phase. Generally speaking, the rapid growth of the industry is the most important factor responsible for the increase of CO2emissions, and the change in energy mix was mainly due to the increased proportion of electric energy consumption that has contributed to the increase of CO2emissions. Reduction of energy intensity has contributed significantly to emissions decrease, and the utility mix effect has also contributed to the emission decrease to some extent.

Highlights► We calculate the decoupling effects of CO2from Chinese nonferrous metals industry. ► Results demonstrate that the industry has gone through four decoupling stages. ► The output effect is most important for the increase of CO2emissions. ► Reduction of energy intensity has contributed significantly to emissions decrease.

Publication year: 2012
Source: Energy Policy, Available online 31 January 2012

Jim Skea, Modassar Chaudry, Xinxin Wang

This paper considers whether commercially driven investment in gas infrastructure is sufficient to provide security of gas supply or whether strategic investment encouraged by government is desirable. The paper focuses on the UK in the wider EU context. A modelling analysis of the impact of disruptions, lasting from days to months, at the UK's largest piece of gas infrastructure is at the heart of the paper. The disruptions are hypothesised to take place in the mid-2020s, after the current wave of commercial investments in storage and LNG import facilities has worked its way through. The paper also analyses the current role of gas in energy markets, reviews past disruptions to gas supplies, highlights current patterns of commercial investment in gas infrastructure in the UK and assesses the implications of recent EU legislation on security of gas supply. The paper concludes with an analysis of the desirability of strategic investment in gas infrastructure.

Highlights► We examine the impact of disruptions to gas supplies on UK energy markets. ► The policy implications of the EU regulation on gas security are discussed. ► We investigate the role of gas infrastructure investment in mitigating gas shocks. ► The policy case for strategic investment in gas storage is assessed.

Publication year: 2012
Source: Energy Policy, Available online 31 January 2012

Mathieu Bordigoni, Alain Hita, Gilles Le Blanc

Role of energy in the manufacturing industry is a major concern for energy and environmental policy design. Issues like energy prices, security of supply and carbon mitigation are often connected to the industry and its competitiveness. This paper examines the role and consequences of embodied energy in the European industry.To this end, a multi-regional input–output analysis including 59 industrial sectors for all European Union countries and 17 more aggregated industries for other regions of the World is developed. Other segments of the economy are not included. This base is combined with energy consumption, carbon emission as well as bilateral trade data for every sector in all included countries.Our main result is that embodied energy in manufactured products' imports represents a significant aspect of the energy situation in European industries, with quantities close to the direct energy consumption. These flows can further be broken down for detailed analysis at the sector level thanks to the number of distinct industries included. Results demonstrate that an important part of embodied energy inside European products is not concerned with domestic energy price changes. In addition, a European-wide carbon tax would induce an unbalanced burden on industries and countries.

Highlights► We calculate embodied energy and carbon flows in the European and World industry. ► A multi-regional input–output analysis is used with a detailed nomenclature. ► National industries' energy prices dependence is a domestic issue. ► With a European carbon tax energy-intensive industries would be penalised. ► Such a tax may also induce competition distortion among EU countries.

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