The Xpress Code is for use in Xpress. The data input file is for the case study described in the ... more The Xpress Code is for use in Xpress. The data input file is for the case study described in the paper. The data output file is the output of the Xpress Code run with the data input file.
The uptake of voluntary time-of-use tariffs remains sluggish among residential consumers despite ... more The uptake of voluntary time-of-use tariffs remains sluggish among residential consumers despite its benefits to society as well as private utilities. In this paper, we investigate how heterogeneity in consumer use-preferences complicates the problem of designing a voluntary time-of-use scheme, resulting in a socially sub-optimal level of deployment.
Calculations of energy, greenhouse gas emissions, and other environmental impacts from biofuel pr... more Calculations of energy, greenhouse gas emissions, and other environmental impacts from biofuel production often allocate impacts between biofuel and its co-products by calculating that co-products substitute for other products. We illustrate the issues of co-product allocation with a case study of corn-derived ethanol, and show that the choice of allocation procedure and parameters can significantly influence the results. This is an open issue in environmental lifecycle assessment methodology; there are research opportunities to determine co-product allocation values by using data that relate co-product utilization to land use or market changes.
Quantitative methods for environmental and cost analyses of energy, industrial, and infrastructur... more Quantitative methods for environmental and cost analyses of energy, industrial, and infrastructure systems are briefly introduced and surveyed, with the aim of encouraging broader utilization and development of quantitative methods in sustainable energy research. Material and energy flow analyses can provide an overall system overview. The methods of engineering economics and cost benefit analysis, such as net present values, are the most straightforward approach for evaluating investment options, with the levelized cost of energy being a widely used metric in electricity analyses. Environmental lifecycle assessment has been extensively developed, with both detailed process-based and comprehensive input-output approaches available. Optimization methods provide an opportunity to go beyond engineering economics to develop detailed least-cost or least-impact combinations of many different choices.
ABSTRACT The article aims to evaluate total cost and benefit of landfill gas-to-energy projects. ... more ABSTRACT The article aims to evaluate total cost and benefit of landfill gas-to-energy projects. The evaluation takes into consideration not only the costs of installing and maintaining the necessary equipment and the revenues from selling the electricity or heat, but also potential revenue from carbon trading of the greenhouse gas emissions that are prevented by these projects and benefit from groundwater remediation.
ABSTRACT In this paper, we propose a stylized model to investigate the impact of financial option... more ABSTRACT In this paper, we propose a stylized model to investigate the impact of financial options on mitigating carbon permit price volatility under a cap and trade system. We show that both the spot price level and the price volatility of carbon permits can be reduced via financial options, while ensuring market efficiency and achieving the emission target. The existence of an option market also provides a way to hedge the uncertainty of future spot prices and is a stimulus for investment in carbon emission abatement technologies. A comparison of the policy implications of this mechanism, a safety valve and banking/borrowing is also described.
The Xpress Code is for use in Xpress. The data input file is for the case study described in the ... more The Xpress Code is for use in Xpress. The data input file is for the case study described in the paper. The data output file is the output of the Xpress Code run with the data input file.
The uptake of voluntary time-of-use tariffs remains sluggish among residential consumers despite ... more The uptake of voluntary time-of-use tariffs remains sluggish among residential consumers despite its benefits to society as well as private utilities. In this paper, we investigate how heterogeneity in consumer use-preferences complicates the problem of designing a voluntary time-of-use scheme, resulting in a socially sub-optimal level of deployment.
Calculations of energy, greenhouse gas emissions, and other environmental impacts from biofuel pr... more Calculations of energy, greenhouse gas emissions, and other environmental impacts from biofuel production often allocate impacts between biofuel and its co-products by calculating that co-products substitute for other products. We illustrate the issues of co-product allocation with a case study of corn-derived ethanol, and show that the choice of allocation procedure and parameters can significantly influence the results. This is an open issue in environmental lifecycle assessment methodology; there are research opportunities to determine co-product allocation values by using data that relate co-product utilization to land use or market changes.
Quantitative methods for environmental and cost analyses of energy, industrial, and infrastructur... more Quantitative methods for environmental and cost analyses of energy, industrial, and infrastructure systems are briefly introduced and surveyed, with the aim of encouraging broader utilization and development of quantitative methods in sustainable energy research. Material and energy flow analyses can provide an overall system overview. The methods of engineering economics and cost benefit analysis, such as net present values, are the most straightforward approach for evaluating investment options, with the levelized cost of energy being a widely used metric in electricity analyses. Environmental lifecycle assessment has been extensively developed, with both detailed process-based and comprehensive input-output approaches available. Optimization methods provide an opportunity to go beyond engineering economics to develop detailed least-cost or least-impact combinations of many different choices.
ABSTRACT The article aims to evaluate total cost and benefit of landfill gas-to-energy projects. ... more ABSTRACT The article aims to evaluate total cost and benefit of landfill gas-to-energy projects. The evaluation takes into consideration not only the costs of installing and maintaining the necessary equipment and the revenues from selling the electricity or heat, but also potential revenue from carbon trading of the greenhouse gas emissions that are prevented by these projects and benefit from groundwater remediation.
ABSTRACT In this paper, we propose a stylized model to investigate the impact of financial option... more ABSTRACT In this paper, we propose a stylized model to investigate the impact of financial options on mitigating carbon permit price volatility under a cap and trade system. We show that both the spot price level and the price volatility of carbon permits can be reduced via financial options, while ensuring market efficiency and achieving the emission target. The existence of an option market also provides a way to hedge the uncertainty of future spot prices and is a stimulus for investment in carbon emission abatement technologies. A comparison of the policy implications of this mechanism, a safety valve and banking/borrowing is also described.
Green information technology systems (Green ITS) are proposed as a strategy to reduce greenhouse ... more Green information technology systems (Green ITS) are proposed as a strategy to reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions and other environmental impacts while supporting ecological sustainable development. The Green ITS concept combines both Green information technology (IT) and Green information system (IS) applications. The Green ITS concept has the potential to combat the carbon emission problem globally, beyond simply Green IT, because it combines management, organizational, and technology dimensions of climate change mitigation and adaptation, especially if supported by global policy. Examples include life cycle assessment software for measuring GHG emissions, and software for monitoring GHG emissions. Previous studies on environmental burdens such as GHGs, water and air pollution, energy losses and other forms of waste alongside socioeconomic dependent variables including renewable resources and climate change policies are reviewed and synthesized. The research analysis conjointly points to the usage of renewable resources such as solar and wind as a critical strategy to scale back GHG emissions and enhance green growth. Empirical evidence shows that developed countries can reduce their carbon emissions while developing countries can utilize carbon emission-free technologies as they aspire to achieve development. The two significant benefits of the Green ITS strategy are first, to provide the environmental benefits of reducing greenhouse emissions and other environmental impacts and second, to enhance global green growth, which supports achievement of ecological sustainable development. Green ITS tools support achievement of the UN SDG 7, 13 and 15, which emphasize clean energy, climate action and ecological sustainable development, respectively. Future research directions include the formulation of a strategy to combat GHGs and design of a system to monitor carbon emissions and other waste remotely.
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