Development of biomass energy plantations is one approach to mitigate and adapt to climate change and the energy challenges related to it; however, climate change will affect the climate conditions and in turn the selection of crops and trees suitable for renewable energy sources. In Estonia, electricity is mainly based on oil shale but since their integration in the European Union they are required to increase the share of energy from renewable sources. In this study, the possible changes of suitable species are assessed by examining the current and the future prospects and potentials with biomass energy derived from energy plantations in Estonia, taking climate change into consideration. The biomass energy potentials for the species that are climate suitable in current and future time are manually estimated, using a case study approach when determining the yields. The study result suggests that biomass energy from crops and trees have great development possibilities and that climate is not a key limitation for the selection of suitable species; in addition, the energy crops and trees appear to suit the future climate conditions better than the current. The results indicate that the established national target of 25% of energy from renewable sources in gross final consumption of energy by 2020 could be achieved to a large extent by putting energy plantations into practice.

TECNALIA Research & Innovation is the first privately funded applied research centre in Spain and one of the leading such centres in Europe. A renowned technological agent in the development of innovative and sustainable solutions for the energy and environmental challenges of industry and society, TECNALIA addresses the complex challenges of energy supply chain and energy systems. Contributing to these efforts, the project builds a model of the energy system in Basque Country, which is characterized by (1) high representation of industry; the most energy intensive sector (about 45% in the energy demand ) (2) the high consumption of fossil fuels (about 83% of Basque energy use in 2010). These challenges (and others) along with the compliance with EU targets to reduce GHGs emissions, to promote renewables and implement measures for energy savings and efficient use of energy, are key drivers to simulate different policy-based scenarios to study and analyze the impact of these measures over different time frames. The aim of this thesis is prepare energy scenarios for the Basque Country for 2050, taking into account different low-carbon pathways and integrating a life-cycle perspective which includes not only the impact during the use and operation phase of energy systems, but also the impacts during the other life cycle phases (manufacturing, installation, end of life).

After the nuclear fallout in Japan, Germany decided to back out from nuclear energy while at the same time changing the energy supply from fossil to renewable sources. This elaborate plan, known as Energiewende, will require significant economic and structural efforts that will have profound impacts on the environment and society itself. It is therefore crucial to identify possible technological pathways that can lead to a renewable energy supply, while reducing negative impacts on a holistic scope. In order to analyse alternative energy technology scenarios in Germany, this thesis focuses on the development of an indicator-based numerical Sustainable Energy Systems (SEnSys) model approach. Other than previous approaches, the SEnSys model considers full aggregated impacts of technological pathways leading to future configurations. With the help of an exemplary case study on two alternative energy technology scenarios (Trieb1 and Trieb2), the feasibility of the SEnSys model in evaluating sustainability is subsequently assessed. The results can affirm the findings of previous studies concerning lower economic and environ- mental impacts for scenario Trieb2, with small shares of renewable energy imports, compared to scenario Trieb1 based on only local but fluctuating renewables. Additionally, the results are in accordance with other relevant studies, while offering new valuable insights to the topic. Given a comprehensive revision of the identified uncertainties and limitations, it can be stated that the SEnSys model bares the potential for further analysing and improving sustainability of energy technology scenarios in Germany and other countries.

In order to achieve Net Zero emissions in the UK by 2050 and decarbonize the energy sector the integration of increased volumes of additional renewable wind energy is critical. Distribution network operators face challenges in increasing the capacity of this variable source of energy onto the electricity networks. Distribution network operators in Scotland have integrated more wind energy onto their networks to date and have learnings through experience that are worth investigating. The research conducted in this thesis is a comparative analysis of the Network Development Plans of three UK distribution Network Operators, Scottish Power Energy Networks in southern Scotland, Scottish and Southern Energy Networks in northern Scotland, and UK Power Networks in the southeast of England area.  The method used is a comparative analysis of the Network Development Plan documents using a set of pre-selected variables while also allowing for other new emergent variables to be included in the analysis and results. The pre-defined variables are grid capacity, flexibility, grid integration technologies, market structures, planning and regulatory framework, operational experience, efficiency, and location / wind availability. Variable codewords were used to perform the document search and related keywords were used where returns were insufficient. Two further variables emerged frequently in the texts as a result of keyword searches which were transmission links and energy storage and were also included in discussions. Results of the research reveal that Scottish Hydro Electricity Power Distribution, who operate in the north of Scotland, and Scottish Power Energy Networks who operate in the south of Scotland, appear to have a more innovative and proactive approach to grid integration technologies, stakeholder engagement, and innovation projects for increased wind energy integration. UK Power Networks have a larger investment plan approved by the UK electricity and gas markets regulator, Ofgem, but lack of experience in integration of large volumes of wind energy leaves it lagging behind its counterparts when it comes to integration and management of wind energy. Findings from analysis of the Network Development Plans is backed up in literature which claim that energy storage, smart grid technologies, and infrastructure upgrades are critical for integration of wind energy to transform it into a reliable and predictable energy source and manage its integration on to the electricity networks.

The main objective of this thesis was to determine how far a biomass quantity, equal to the potential produced within the Swedish borders, could cover the present energy needs inSwedenwith respect to economic and ecological circumstances. Three scenarios were studied where the available biomass was converted to heat, electricity and vehicle fuel. Three different amounts of biomass supply were studied for each scenario: 1) potential biomass amounts derived from forestry, non-forest land, forest industry and community; 2) the same amounts as in Case 1, plus the potential biomass amounts derived from agriculture; 3) the same amounts as in Case 1, plus 50% of the potential pulpwood quantity. For evaluating the economic and ecological circumstances of using biomass in the Swedish energy system, the scenarios were complemented with energy, cost and emergy analysis. The scenarios indicated that it may be possible to produce 170.2 PJ (47.3 TWh) per year of electricity from the biomass amounts in Case 2. From the same amount of biomass, the maximum annual production of hydrogen was 241.5 PJ (67.1 TWh) per year or 197.2 PJ (54.8 TWh) per year of methanol. The energy analysis showed that the ratio of energy output to energy input for large-scale applications ranged from 1.9 at electric power generation by gasification of straw to 40 at district heating generation by combustion of recovered wood. The cost of electricity at gasification ranged from 7.95 to 22.58 €/GJ. The cost of vehicle work generated by using hydrogen produced from forestry biomass in novel fuel cells was economically competitive compared to today’s propulsion systems. However, the cost of vehicle work generated by using methanol produced from forestry biomass in combustion engines was rather higher compared to use of petrol in petrol engines. The emergy analysis indicated that the only biomass assortment studied with a larger emergy flow from the local environment, in relation to the emergy flow invested from society after conversion, was fuel wood from non-forest land. However, even use of this biomass assortment for production of heat, electricity or vehicle fuels had smaller yields of emergy output in relation to emergy invested from society compared to alternative conversion processes; thus, the net contribution of emergy generated to the economy was smaller compared to these alternative conversion processes. / <p>QC 20120217</p>

abstract: The residential building sector accounts for more than 26% of the global energy consumption and 17% of global CO2 emissions. Due to the low cost of electricity in Kuwait and increase of population, Kuwaiti electricity consumption tripled during the past 30 years and is expected to increase by 20% by 2027. In this dissertation, a framework is developed to assess energy savings techniques to help policy-makers make educated decisions. The Kuwait residential energy outlook is studied by modeling the baseline energy consumption and the diffusion of energy conservation measures (ECMs) to identify the impacts on household energy consumption and CO2 emissions. The energy resources and power generation in Kuwait were studied. The characteristics of the residential buildings along with energy codes of practice were investigated and four building archetypes were developed. Moreover, a baseline of end-use electricity consumption and demand was developed. Furthermore, the baseline energy consumption and demand were projected till 2040. It was found that by 2040, energy consumption would double with most of the usage being from AC. While with lighting, there is a negligible increase in consumption due to a projected shift towards more efficient lighting. Peak demand loads are expected to increase by an average growth rate of 2.9% per year. Moreover, the diffusion of different ECMs in the residential sector was modeled through four diffusion scenarios to estimate ECM adoption rates. ECMs’ impact on CO2 emissions and energy consumption of residential buildings in Kuwait was evaluated and the cost of conserved energy (CCE) and annual energy savings for each measure was calculated. AC ECMs exhibited the highest cumulative savings, whereas lighting ECMs showed an immediate energy impact. None of the ECMs in the study were cost effective due to the high subsidy rate (95%), therefore, the impact of ECMs at different subsidy and rebate rates was studied. At 75% subsidized utility price and 40% rebate only on appliances, most of ECMs will be cost effective with high energy savings. Moreover, by imposing charges of $35/ton of CO2, most ECMs will be cost effective. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Mechanical Engineering 2019

Building sector in Sweden constitutes a major part of the overall energy consumption, making up for around 40% of the total energy use. During the 60s and 70s, there was a big surge in housing in Sweden with over a million dwellings, both single family houses and multi-family apartments, constructed over a period of ten years. These buildings constructed according to the pre-oil crisis standards, suffer from poor energy performance and are in dire need for large scale renovations. This makes it a very interesting area to focus on to meet the Swedish government targets of 50% energy reduction by 2050. This study tries to assess the prevailing situation in multifamily housing sector and focuses on various obstacles and hinders in the path towards achieving long term energy saving goals. A model has been developed using bottom-up approach to study different scenarios for energy use in 2050 based on various renovation possibilities in the building stock.

La croissance démographique, l'amélioration de la qualité de vie, et l'intensification des activités énergivores influent fortement sur la demande en énergie au travers de la consommation d'électricité sur un territoire. Le recours aux énergies fossiles constitue la solution la plus adoptée dans les milieux insulaires pour satisfaire cette demande. L'envers de cette méthode réside dans la quantité d'émissions de gaz à effet de serre générée au cours de la production d'énergie et la vulnérabilité de ces territoires. Les politiques actuelles ambitionnent l'atteinte de l'autonomie énergétique dans les milieux insulaires à moyen terme, et favorisent l'utilisation des énergies renouvelables pour restreindre les émissions de gaz à effet de serre. Ces travaux ont pour objet de quantifier les impacts environnementaux liés à la production d'électricité de La Réunion afin d'établir un diagnostic territorial. À partir de l'Analyse de cycle de vie et suivant les normes ISO 14044, les centrales de production d'électricité du territoire sont évaluées sous différents impacts environnementaux. La démarche adoptée a été de mettre en place un outil d'évaluation adapté à tout territoire, permettant d'identifier les étapes et les processus fortement contributeurs pour la production de 1 kWh électrique. Les résultats de ce diagnostic servent de points de repère pour élaborer les scénarios de production, établis dans une démarche de modélisation prospective. Huit scénarios proposés ont été développés pour répondre aux contraintes environnementales, techniques, sociales et économiques. / Population growth, the raising of the standard of living and quality of life, and energy-intensive activities are key parameters affecting the territory energy demand, through electricity consumption. To meet this demand, reliance on fossil fuels is the main adopted solution, particularly in insular context. The downside of this method is the large amount of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) emitted, and vulnerability of the territories. Current policies are now in favor of the energy self-sufficiency as a medium-term objective, and put in place measures to support the use of sustainable energy sources to mitigate GHG emissions. This work aims to assess environmental impact of electricity production in Reunion island, to establish a territorial diagnosis. Based on a life cycle assessment approach, according to ISO 14044 standards, varying environmental impacts have been evaluated from existing power plants. An evaluating tool has been developed to identify the most emissive life cycle stage from 1 kWh electricity produced. The obtained results serve as a reference point to develop prospective scenarios. Eight scenarios have been presented and aim to satisfy environmental, technical, social and economic constraints.

The focus of this thesis work was the development of an approachto couple a previosly existing Thermal Energy Storage (TES) modelwritten in C++ with a Simulink/Simscape plant model to simulate anAdvanced Adiabatic Compressed Air Energy Storage (AA-CAES) plant.After the creation and validation of such tool, the complete modelwas used to run simulations, with the aim of assessing the AA-CAESplant's performance under multiple patterns of charge anddischarge.Most of the works found in the literature only provide values ofstorage efficiency obtained from analytical approaches, whilethose that use simulation tools provide average values ofefficiencies when the plant is performing a series of identicalcycles of charge and discharge. During this thesis project,instead, simulations were performed for consecutive irregularcycles determined as the plant response to the electric grid powerrequest. The average efficiency values obtained provide thereforea better representation of how the plant would perform in realapplications.The results show that, under the assumptions made, the AA-CAESplant's overall storage efficiency is influenced very weakly byalterations of the charge-discharge patterns, and that goodperformances can be expected not only for identical chargedischargeconsucutive cycles, but for any pattern that observesthe cavern pressure limits, as long as the thermal energy storageis sized wisely.In addition, a sensitivity analysis was performed in order toassess the influence of turbomachinery efficiency on overallstorage efficiency, for a specified plant layout. The results showthat the turbine efficiency is the most affecting parameter to theplant's performance, while the impact of the main compressors'sinefficiency is mitigated by the thermal recovery that takes placein the TES.The present work confirms that AA-CAES is a promising technologyand that storage efficiencies above 70% can be achieved even inrealistic production scenarios.Finally, future steps for more accurate simulations of plants'performances and more detailed energy production scenarios areproposed.MSc ET 18007Examinator: Joakim WidénÄmnesgranskare: Ane HåkanssonHandledare: