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Scientific article
English

Context-specific energy strategies: Coupling energy system visions with feasible implementation scenarios

Contributors

Trutnevyte, Evelina; Stauffacher, Michael; Schlegel, Matthias; Scholz, Roland W.

Published in

Environmental Science & Technology, vol. 46, no. 17, p. 9240-9248

Publication date

2012

Abstract

Conventional energy strategy defines an energy system vision (the goal), energy scenarios with technical choices and an implementation mechanism (such as economic incentives). Due to the lead of a generic vision, when applied in a specific regional context, such a strategy can deviate from the optimal one with, for instance, the lowest environmental impacts. This paper proposes an approach for developing energy strategies by simultaneously, rather than sequentially, combining multiple energy system visions and technically feasible, cost-effective energy scenarios that meet environmental constraints at a given place. The approach is illustrated by developing a residential heat supply strategy for a Swiss region. In the analyzed case, urban municipalities should focus on reducing heat demand, and rural municipalities should focus on harvesting local energy sources, primarily wood. Solar thermal units are cost-competitive in all municipalities, and their deployment should be fostered by information campaigns. Heat pumps and building refurbishment are not competitive; thus, economic incentives are essential, especially for urban municipalities. In rural municipalities, wood is cost-competitive, and community-based initiatives are likely to be most successful. Thus, the paper shows that energy strategies should be spatially differentiated. The suggested approach can be transferred to other regions and spatial scales.

UNIGE affiliation entities

Not a UNIGE publication

Citation (ISO format)

TRUTNEVYTE, Evelina et al. Context-specific energy strategies: Coupling energy system visions with feasible implementation scenarios. In: Environmental Science & Technology, 2012, vol. 46, n° 17, p. 9240–9248. doi: 10.1021/es301249p

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Article (Published version)

Identifiers

Journal ISSN

0013-936X
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Technical informations

Creation

23/01/2018 17:32:00

First validation

23/01/2018 17:32:00

Update

15/03/2023 07:47:11

Status update

15/03/2023 07:47:11

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