Indicators for the optimization of sustainable urban energy systems based on energy system modeling
Abstract Background Urban energy systems are responsible for 75% of the world’s energy consumption and for 70% of the worldwide greenhouse gas emissions. Energy system models are used to optimize, benchmark and compare such energy systems with the help of energy sustainability indicators. We discuss...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-01-01
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| Series: | Energy, Sustainability and Society |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13705-021-00323-3 |
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| author | Christian Klemm Frauke Wiese |
| author_facet | Christian Klemm Frauke Wiese |
| author_sort | Christian Klemm |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Urban energy systems are responsible for 75% of the world’s energy consumption and for 70% of the worldwide greenhouse gas emissions. Energy system models are used to optimize, benchmark and compare such energy systems with the help of energy sustainability indicators. We discuss several indicators for their basic suitability and their response to changing boundary conditions, system structures and reference values. The most suitable parameters are applied to four different supply scenarios of a real-world urban energy system. Results There is a number of energy sustainability indicators, but not all of them are suitable for the use in urban energy system optimization models. Shortcomings originate from the omission of upstream energy supply chains (secondary energy efficiency), from limited capabilities to compare small energy systems (energy productivity), from excessive accounting expense (regeneration rate), from unsuitable accounting methods (primary energy efficiency), from a questionable impact of some indicators on the overall system sustainability (self-sufficiency), from the lack of detailed information content (share of renewables), and more. On the other hand, indicators of absolute greenhouse gas emissions, energy costs, and final energy demand are well suitable for the use in optimization models. However, each of these indicators only represents partial aspects of energy sustainability; the use of only one indicator in the optimization process increases the risk that other important aspects will deteriorate significantly, eventually leading to suboptimal or even unrealistic scenarios in practice. Therefore, multi-criteria approaches should be used to enable a more holistic optimization and planning of sustainable urban energy systems. Conclusion We recommend multi-criteria optimization approaches using the indicators of absolute greenhouse gas emissions, absolute energy costs, and absolute energy demand. For benchmarking and comparison purposes, specific indicators should be used and therefore related to the final energy demand, respectively, the number of inhabitants. Our example scenarios demonstrate modeling strategies to optimize sustainability of urban energy systems. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T20:46:15Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6be313e50de241dbb52e9c55ce814e3f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2192-0567 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T20:46:15Z |
| publishDate | 2022-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energy, Sustainability and Society |
| spelling | doaj.art-6be313e50de241dbb52e9c55ce814e3f2022-12-22T04:04:02ZengBMCEnergy, Sustainability and Society2192-05672022-01-0112112010.1186/s13705-021-00323-3Indicators for the optimization of sustainable urban energy systems based on energy system modelingChristian Klemm0Frauke Wiese1Department of Energy, Building Services and Environmental Engineering, Münster University of Applied SciencesDepartment of Energy and Environmental Management, Europa-Universität FlensburgAbstract Background Urban energy systems are responsible for 75% of the world’s energy consumption and for 70% of the worldwide greenhouse gas emissions. Energy system models are used to optimize, benchmark and compare such energy systems with the help of energy sustainability indicators. We discuss several indicators for their basic suitability and their response to changing boundary conditions, system structures and reference values. The most suitable parameters are applied to four different supply scenarios of a real-world urban energy system. Results There is a number of energy sustainability indicators, but not all of them are suitable for the use in urban energy system optimization models. Shortcomings originate from the omission of upstream energy supply chains (secondary energy efficiency), from limited capabilities to compare small energy systems (energy productivity), from excessive accounting expense (regeneration rate), from unsuitable accounting methods (primary energy efficiency), from a questionable impact of some indicators on the overall system sustainability (self-sufficiency), from the lack of detailed information content (share of renewables), and more. On the other hand, indicators of absolute greenhouse gas emissions, energy costs, and final energy demand are well suitable for the use in optimization models. However, each of these indicators only represents partial aspects of energy sustainability; the use of only one indicator in the optimization process increases the risk that other important aspects will deteriorate significantly, eventually leading to suboptimal or even unrealistic scenarios in practice. Therefore, multi-criteria approaches should be used to enable a more holistic optimization and planning of sustainable urban energy systems. Conclusion We recommend multi-criteria optimization approaches using the indicators of absolute greenhouse gas emissions, absolute energy costs, and absolute energy demand. For benchmarking and comparison purposes, specific indicators should be used and therefore related to the final energy demand, respectively, the number of inhabitants. Our example scenarios demonstrate modeling strategies to optimize sustainability of urban energy systems.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13705-021-00323-3Energy system modelingUrban energy systemsMulti-energy systemsOptimization indicatorsMulti-objective optimizationEnergy sustainability |
| spellingShingle | Christian Klemm Frauke Wiese Indicators for the optimization of sustainable urban energy systems based on energy system modeling Energy, Sustainability and Society Energy system modeling Urban energy systems Multi-energy systems Optimization indicators Multi-objective optimization Energy sustainability |
| title | Indicators for the optimization of sustainable urban energy systems based on energy system modeling |
| title_full | Indicators for the optimization of sustainable urban energy systems based on energy system modeling |
| title_fullStr | Indicators for the optimization of sustainable urban energy systems based on energy system modeling |
| title_full_unstemmed | Indicators for the optimization of sustainable urban energy systems based on energy system modeling |
| title_short | Indicators for the optimization of sustainable urban energy systems based on energy system modeling |
| title_sort | indicators for the optimization of sustainable urban energy systems based on energy system modeling |
| topic | Energy system modeling Urban energy systems Multi-energy systems Optimization indicators Multi-objective optimization Energy sustainability |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13705-021-00323-3 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT christianklemm indicatorsfortheoptimizationofsustainableurbanenergysystemsbasedonenergysystemmodeling AT fraukewiese indicatorsfortheoptimizationofsustainableurbanenergysystemsbasedonenergysystemmodeling |