A Concept for Solving the Sustainability of Cities Worldwide
Considering that more than half of the world’s population today lives in cities and consumes about 80% of the world’s energy and that there is a problem with drinking water supply, this paper presents a way to solve the problem of the sustainability of cities by enabling their complete independence...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-01-01
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| Series: | Energies |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/15/2/616 |
| _version_ | 1797494335625756672 |
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| author | Karmen Margeta Zvonimir Glasnovic Nataša Zabukovec Logar Sanja Tišma Anamarija Farkaš |
| author_facet | Karmen Margeta Zvonimir Glasnovic Nataša Zabukovec Logar Sanja Tišma Anamarija Farkaš |
| author_sort | Karmen Margeta |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Considering that more than half of the world’s population today lives in cities and consumes about 80% of the world’s energy and that there is a problem with drinking water supply, this paper presents a way to solve the problem of the sustainability of cities by enabling their complete independence from external sources of energy and drinking water. The proposed solution entails the use of Seawater Steam Engine (SSE) technology to supply cities with electricity, thermal energy and drinking water. The system would involve the seasonal storage of electricity and thermal energy, supported by geothermal heat pumps. The strategy of the distribution network would be based on the original concept of the “loop”. In cities that do not have enough space, SSE collectors would be placed above the lower parts of the city like “canopies”. The city of Zagreb (Croatia) was selected as a case study due to its size, climate and vulnerability to natural disasters. The results show that Zagreb could become sustainable in 30 years with the allocation of less than 2% of GDP and could become a paradigm of sustainability for cities worldwide. This paper encourages the development of the “Philosophy of Sustainability” because the stated goals cannot be achieved without a change in consciousness. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T01:32:48Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a156f00bfceb4079a9779e750c5eec45 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T01:32:48Z |
| publishDate | 2022-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj.art-a156f00bfceb4079a9779e750c5eec452023-11-23T13:39:16ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732022-01-0115261610.3390/en15020616A Concept for Solving the Sustainability of Cities WorldwideKarmen Margeta0Zvonimir Glasnovic1Nataša Zabukovec Logar2Sanja Tišma3Anamarija Farkaš4The Institute for Development and International Relations, Lj. F. Vukotinovića 2, 10000 Zagreb, CroatiaFaculty of Chemical Engineering and Tachnology, University of Zagreb, Savska cesta 16, 10000 Zagreb, CroatiaNational Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova ulica 19, 1000 Ljubljana, SloveniaThe Institute for Development and International Relations, Lj. F. Vukotinovića 2, 10000 Zagreb, CroatiaThe Institute for Development and International Relations, Lj. F. Vukotinovića 2, 10000 Zagreb, CroatiaConsidering that more than half of the world’s population today lives in cities and consumes about 80% of the world’s energy and that there is a problem with drinking water supply, this paper presents a way to solve the problem of the sustainability of cities by enabling their complete independence from external sources of energy and drinking water. The proposed solution entails the use of Seawater Steam Engine (SSE) technology to supply cities with electricity, thermal energy and drinking water. The system would involve the seasonal storage of electricity and thermal energy, supported by geothermal heat pumps. The strategy of the distribution network would be based on the original concept of the “loop”. In cities that do not have enough space, SSE collectors would be placed above the lower parts of the city like “canopies”. The city of Zagreb (Croatia) was selected as a case study due to its size, climate and vulnerability to natural disasters. The results show that Zagreb could become sustainable in 30 years with the allocation of less than 2% of GDP and could become a paradigm of sustainability for cities worldwide. This paper encourages the development of the “Philosophy of Sustainability” because the stated goals cannot be achieved without a change in consciousness.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/15/2/616sustainable cityclimate changeSeawater Steam Enginerenewable energy sourcesdrinking waterheating and cooling |
| spellingShingle | Karmen Margeta Zvonimir Glasnovic Nataša Zabukovec Logar Sanja Tišma Anamarija Farkaš A Concept for Solving the Sustainability of Cities Worldwide Energies sustainable city climate change Seawater Steam Engine renewable energy sources drinking water heating and cooling |
| title | A Concept for Solving the Sustainability of Cities Worldwide |
| title_full | A Concept for Solving the Sustainability of Cities Worldwide |
| title_fullStr | A Concept for Solving the Sustainability of Cities Worldwide |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Concept for Solving the Sustainability of Cities Worldwide |
| title_short | A Concept for Solving the Sustainability of Cities Worldwide |
| title_sort | concept for solving the sustainability of cities worldwide |
| topic | sustainable city climate change Seawater Steam Engine renewable energy sources drinking water heating and cooling |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/15/2/616 |
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