Emerald | International Journal of Energy Sector Management | Table of Contents

Building synergies between EU and GCC on energy efficiency

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to analyse the state of play on energy efficiency with regards to policy, legislation and technological issues in the European Union (EU) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Moreover, specific collaboration proposals between the two regions, with respect to the aforementioned, are elaborated on. Design/methodology/approach – The approach of this paper utilizes and integrates the input from a large number of experts through excerpts from extensive international literature, dedicated meetings, bilateral interviews with experts and questionnaires regarding specific proposals for further collaboration. Findings – Collaboration on energy efficiency between the two regions focuses mainly on three directions: policy, technologies and research. Specific collaboration proposals identified relate among others to the establishment of energy agencies and synergies at the policy level, building retrofitting technologies, labels and standards especially for air conditioning and exchange of know-how on demand side management and third party financing. Originality/value – Information on the state of play of energy efficiency in the GCC is, for the most part, scattered and fragmented. This paper is the first integrated analysis on the GCC status. Moreover, this paper provides solid collaboration modules between the EU and GCC, through an active participation of experts from both sides.

Economic analysis of clean energy options for Kuwait

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose – An economic assessment was performed of the potential for clean energy options to contribute to the power and desalination needs in the State of Kuwait over the next 20 to 40 years. The paper aims to summarize two analyses that were performed for the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research to develop a strategy promoting renewable energy and evaluating alternative technologies including nuclear energy. Design/methodology/approach – The analyses were performed using a power and water model for Kuwait that was constructed using the International Energy Agency – Energy Technology Systems Analysis Programme (IEA-ETSAP) TIMES modeling framework. Data provided by the Ministry of Electricity and Water (MEW) and the Kuwait Petroleum Company (KPC) characterizes the projected demand for power and water; the existing and planned power generation and water desalination plants, including the expected retirement of existing plants; and future fossil fuel prices and availability. New power generation options – including renewable energy (RE), nuclear, combined cycle gas turbines (CCGT) and reheat steam power plants (RHSPP) – were compared in this least-cost optimization framework. Findings – The model results indicate that by 2030 the cost-effective RE share is 11 percent of electricity generation in the reference case and 8 percent in the case with the nuclear option. The RE technologies alone provide a 2030 net-back value compared to the reference case of US$2.35 billion, while in the nuclear case they increase the 2030 net-back value by an additional US$1.5 billion. Increasing the RE share, as a government policy, to 10 percent, 15 percent and 20 percent, decreases the 2030 netback benefit by US$1.0, $3.6 and $8.3 billion, respectively. Research limitations/implications – Sensitivity runs based on scenarios that assume higher RE costs or lower availability, lower demand growth, lower oil and gas prices, higher nuclear plant investment costs, and RE capacity credit were analyzed. Practical implications – The analysis provides a compelling economic basis for initiating a renewable energy program in the State of Kuwait. However, these forecasted benefits will only materialize to the extent the projected RE investments are achieved if they begin in earnest soon. Originality/value – The analysis identifies a cost-effective share of renewable energy use in Kuwait as about 11 percent of electricity generation in 2030. The investment in renewable energy provides the State of Kuwait with a net-back value of US$2.35 billion, due to the fuel savings that are generated by using renewables.

Measuring productivity change in Indian coal-fired electricity generation: 2003-2010

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose – This paper aims to study the changes in productivity for 25 state-owned coal-fired power plants (CFPPs) over a period of seven years (2003-2010). Design/methodology/approach – The methodology that is utilized in the study follows a non-parametric approach of data envelopment analysis (DEA) and uses the Malmquist index to estimate the change in productivity of panel samples. In the calculations, the study considers installed capacity, fuel, labour, electricity used, and average operational time as inputs and considers net electricity produced as output. Findings – The results indicate that the average total factor productivity regressed during the investigation period at an annual rate of 2 percent. The decrease in productivity is equally attributed to the technical efficiency change and technological change components, with an average decline in productivity of 1 percent per year. A plant-wise analysis demonstrates that the Parichha plant recorded an average increase in productivity of 3.9 percent per year that was mainly driven by the technical efficiency change component (4.2 percent).There is little variation in the productivity of small-size plants when compared with medium and large-size plants. The productivity of multivaried plants is comparatively lower than BHEL (Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited) make plants. Originality/value – The impact of size, make and region on change in productivity is examined. This study recommends specific policies that can be implemented to increase the productivity of power plants. The study also provides a contemporary overview of Indian CFPPs that can aid energy planners and plant operators in the monitoring and detection of changes in productivity.

Supply chain configuration for biomass-to-energy: the case of torrefaction

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Martin Svanberg, Árni Halldórsson) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose – One way of overcoming logistics barriers (poor transportation, handling and storage properties) towards increased utilisation of biomass is to introduce a pre-treatment process such as torrefaction early in the biomass-to-energy supply chain. Torrefaction offers a range of potentially beneficial logistics properties but the actual benefits depend upon how the supply chain is configured to address various elements of customer demand. Hence, the aim of this paper is to develop a framework for torrefaction configuration in a supply chain perspective for different types of customers. Design/methodology/approach – Sophisticated pre-treatment processes are yet to reach the commercialisation phase. Identification of possible supply chain configurations is in this paper done through a conceptual approach by bringing together knowledge from related research fields such as unrefined forest fuel, pellets and coal logistics with prescriptions for configuration derived from the subject area of supply chain management (SCM). Findings – A framework that explicates different elements of supply and demand of torrefaction is proposed, and exemplified by three distinct supply chains. Depending on demand, torrefaction serves different purposes, bridging gaps in place, time, quality and ownership. Furthermore, different supply chain configurations will pose different requirements on torrefaction in terms of producing different product quality, durability, energy density and hydrophobicity of the pellets. Research limitations/implications – The proposed framework entails a set of propositions, but requires further development through empirical studies using complementary research methods such as interviews or surveys and quantification through techno-economical or optimisation from a supply chain perspective. Practical implications – This paper provides a framework that can inform decisions makers in biomass-to-energy supply chains, in particular at torrefaction plants, on upstream and downstream implications of their decisions. Originality/value – The findings have implications for biomass-to-energy supply chains in general, and in particular, the paper provides a supply chain perspective of pre-treatment processes, where previous research has focused primarily on technical aspects of torrefaction.

Renewable energy in the GCC: status and challenges

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the efforts undertaken by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in deploying renewable energy (RE), in terms of capacity assessments, research and development activities, and current and planned projects. The paper also aims to investigate the drivers and barriers for the diffusion of RE technologies in the GCC. Design/methodology/approach – The paper provides a literature-based study on the status of the RE sector in the GCC, including capacities, projects, policies and frameworks in the GCC, in addition to an analysis of the main drivers and barriers to RE deployment arising from the literature. Findings – The results of this paper illustrate growing interest in renewable energy in the GCC countries at the R&D and project implementation level. Originality/value – The paper contributes by the provision of the latest knowledge on the status of the RE sector in the GCC and by highlighting the most significant drivers fuelling RE deployment, as well as the barriers currently hindering the greater diffusion of RE technologies in the region.

Prospects and barriers for Russia's emerging ESCO market

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose – The Russian Energy Service Company (ESCO) market emerges rapidly due to the new energy efficiency legislation that has been implemented since 2009. However, a clear identification of the Russian ESCOs, comparable to those operating on the basis of Energy Performance Contracting (EPC) in the Western markets, remains rather difficult. Hence, aside from the independent ESCOs identified, further energy service-providing companies (ESPCs) are within the scope of this survey. This paper aims to address these issues. Design/methodology/approach – Building on comprehensive qualitative research of the international and Russian academic and non-academic literature on the ESCO concept and an expert interview, an explorative, questionnaire-based survey among 161 Russian energy companies and organizations was conducted. A total of 28 usable responses were returned, corresponding to a response rate of 17 per cent. Non-parametric exact tests are used for the statistical analysis. Findings – The authors' findings show that only nine of the surveyed ESCOs have acquired energy performance-based projects. In line with the new energy efficiency legislation, such projects are strongly supported in the state sector but much less so in the commercial sector. Most of the projects are financed either through ESCOs' own funds, direct loans to customers, or by the customers themselves. Russian banks, however, rarely provide direct loans for energy performance-based projects of ESCOs, but rather prefer to offer financial leasing contracts. The contractual form “guaranteed savings”, which is generally more applicable in mature ESCO markets, is gaining in importance, while “shared savings” is barely used. Originality/value – This paper delivers, to the best of the authors' knowledge, the first systematic empirical investigation of the Russian ESCO industry, taking into account experiences from the international ESCO markets.

Editorial

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Prasanta Kumar Dey) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

2012 Awards for Excellence

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Haydn I. Furlonge) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100