Journal: Environmental Research: Infrastructure and Sustainability

Abbreviation

Publisher

IOP Publishing

Journal Volumes

ISSN

2634-4505

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2021 - 20244
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Publications 1 - 4 of 4
  • The interplay of policy and energy retrofit decision-making for real estate decarbonization
    Item type: Journal Article
    Petkov, Ivalin; Knoeri, Christof; Hoffmann, Volker H. (2021)
    Environmental Research: Infrastructure and Sustainability
    Retrofitting existing buildings is critical for meeting global and institutional net-zero CO2 emissions goals. Prominent energy and climate policy strategies are aiming to increase notoriously low retrofitting rates by triggering energy efficient and/or decarbonized real estate investments. Although many real estate assets are owned by large-scale investors (LSIs), the interplay of their retrofit decision-making and policies are under researched. Relying on interviews with four major owner types, industry experts, and policymakers, we unpack the 'black box' of retrofit investment and demonstrate how LSIs can transform retrofit decision-making processes to meet emissions goals. We show that to accelerate deep retrofits, policymakers should focus on integrated policy mixes, and consider the cross-impacts of policy instruments from various domains on the value-driven retrofitting decision. Instruments indirectly influencing retrofits, such as those targeting affordability or densification, represent a critical avenue for improving the retrofitting policy mix by moving away from single instruments directly targeting energy or emissions aspects. This policy mix should specifically target asset management budgetary decisions, which mainly drive investment planning relevant for deep retrofits.
  • Rebuilding Ukraine's energy supply in a secure, economic, and decarbonised way
    Item type: Journal Article
    Tröndle, Tim; Melnyk, Olena; Tutova, Olena; et al. (2024)
    Environmental Research: Infrastructure and Sustainability
    Since Russia's 2022 invasion, Ukraine's civilian energy infrastructure has faced systematic attack and requires urgent and strategic reconstruction. This study confronts the dual challenges of rebuilding Ukraine's energy system rapidly to mitigate civilian and economic disruption while aligning this to long-term goals of sustainability and energy security. We demonstrate that Ukraine can readily meet future energy demands through a fully renewable electrified system at costs comparable to those from fossil fuels and nuclear power. Contrary to previous reliance on high-carbon energy sources, we find a diversified renewable energy portfolio, including significant solar photovoltaic and wind contributions, can efficiently meet growing energy demands and position Ukraine as an energy exporter, capitalising on its geographical advantages. This study's approach, based on open data and models, extends beyond national borders and offers a model for post-conflict reconstruction that harmonizes immediate recovery with sustainable energy transition.
  • Environmental savings from concrete reuse: examining the limitations and optimal practices for cutting thresholds of concrete building components for reuse
    Item type: Journal Article
    Xiong, Shuyan; Frossard, Mija; Lasvaux, Sébastien; et al. (2024)
    Environmental Research: Infrastructure and Sustainability
    Concrete, a widely used construction material, presents both opportunities and challenges for promoting environmentally responsible practices. This research focuses on the concept of concrete reuse as a sustainable strategy, examining the limitations of cutting dimensions. To investigate the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with preparing concrete for reuse, a mathematical model was developed considering several factors, such as transportation emissions, energy used in cutting, and the effects of varying cutting performance and energy sources. By incorporating real-life data and connecting with industrial practices, this study establishes a screening standard to determine the minimum cutting size for concrete reuse. The results indicate that the ratio of transportation distances for the reuse case versus the new production of concrete case has an influence on the minimum cutting size for concrete reuse. Moreover, the cutting size itself significantly impacts the overall GHG emissions of the reuse strategy. We offer practical insights for industry stakeholders to optimize concrete reuse practices and effectively reduce GHG emissions. As further research explores cost-effectiveness and on-site case studies, the potential for large-scale implementation of concrete reuse has become increasingly promising. Thus, concrete reuse has emerged as a viable and effective approach to sustainable construction, provided that the minimum cutting dimensions are carefully considered.
  • Evaluating the levelized costs and life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of electricity generation from rooftop solar photovoltaics: a Swiss case study
    Item type: Journal Article
    Zhang, Xiaojin; Walch, Alina; Rüdisüli, Martin; et al. (2024)
    Environmental Research: Infrastructure and Sustainability
    The transition to renewable energy sources is pivotal in addressing global climate change challenges, with rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems playing a crucial role. For informed decision-making in energy policy, it is important to have a comprehensive understanding of both the economic and environmental performance of rooftop solar PV. This study provides a high-resolution analysis of existing rooftop solar PV systems in Switzerland by assessing the robustness of the potential estimation to properly derive the amount of electricity generated by individual systems, and subsequently quantify the levelized cost of electricity and life cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of electricity generation from PV and compare them with those of grid electricity supplies. Our results indicate substantial geographical variations between potential estimations and real-world installations, with notable underestimations of approximately 1.3 Gigawatt-peak, primarily for systems around 10 kWp in size, mainly due to the quality of input data and conservative estimation. The study finds that in many regions and for most of the installed capacity, electricity generated from rooftop PV systems is more economical than the grid electricity supply, mainly driven by factors including high electricity prices, larger installations and abundant solar irradiance. The GHG emissions assessment further emphasizes the importance of methodological choice, with stark contrasts between electricity certificate-based approaches and others that are based on the consumption mix. This study suggests the need for more accurate geographical potential estimations, enhanced support for small-scale rooftop PV systems, and more incentives to maximize the potential of their roof area for PV deployment. As Switzerland progresses towards its renewable energy goals, our research underscores the importance of informed policymaking based on a retrospective analysis of existing installations, essential for maximizing the potential and benefits of rooftop solar PV systems.
Publications 1 - 4 of 4