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The experience of operating an energy-related Living Lab (LL) in mountainous Greece is presented in this paper in an attempt to explore the dynamics of such initiatives to address energy vulnerability. The LL is situated in Metsovo, which is a typical mountainous town of Greece with increased vulnerability issues identified in previous studies. Since Greek mountainous societies have proved to be particularly exposed to energy poverty, the LL aimed to function as an exemplary case on how to tackle energy poverty issues in mountainous regions, mainly through reducing energy consumption and improving energy efficiency. The methodological context was based on a holistic LL approach consisting of various activities, such as conduction of energy cafés, questionnaire surveys, home visits from Energy Advisors, installation of monitoring equipment, ICT tools and processing, etc. In particular, the LL consisted of three independent rounds, each of which involved 50 households, with 30 of them being equipped with monitoring tools. Energy advisors repeatedly visited households to collect information (on heating expenses, behavioral aspects, etc.) and offer household-specific advice on potential energy savings measures. Overall, the LL operation proved to have benefited most participants (76%), especially households with monitoring equipment, as 85.5% of the last ones already applied energy-efficiency measures and 80% made further plans for future investments. Through the particular LL example, apart from the benefits delivered to the local society, useful information can be provided to policy-makers toward addressing more effectively energy vulnerability in mountainous societies.
Lefkothea Papada; Anastasios Balaskas; Nikolas Katsoulakos; Dimitris Kaliampakos; Dimitris Damigos. Fighting Energy Poverty Using User-Driven Approaches in Mountainous Greece: Lessons Learnt from a Living Lab. Energies 2021, 14, 1525 .
AMA StyleLefkothea Papada, Anastasios Balaskas, Nikolas Katsoulakos, Dimitris Kaliampakos, Dimitris Damigos. Fighting Energy Poverty Using User-Driven Approaches in Mountainous Greece: Lessons Learnt from a Living Lab. Energies. 2021; 14 (6):1525.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLefkothea Papada; Anastasios Balaskas; Nikolas Katsoulakos; Dimitris Kaliampakos; Dimitris Damigos. 2021. "Fighting Energy Poverty Using User-Driven Approaches in Mountainous Greece: Lessons Learnt from a Living Lab." Energies 14, no. 6: 1525.
In many European countries, energy poverty is measured on the basis of real energy bills, as theoretical energy costs are hard to calculate. The UK is an exception—the data inputs for the Low Income-High Cost (LIHC) indicator are based on reasonable energy costs, these data are collected through specially designed surveys, often an intensive and costly procedure. Approaches which calculate energy needs are valid when energy bill data are unreliable or where households restrict consumption. In this analysis, energy poverty levels are evaluated for Greece, the municipality of Évora (Portugal), and the Basque Country (Spain): energy bills are modeled based on building energy performance data and other energy uses, and adjusted according to socio-demographic variables. To this end, equivalization weights are calculated using socio-economic data from the aforementioned southern European countries/regions. Data are analyzed to compare measurements with actual versus modeled bills using the Ten-Percent Rule (TPR) and Hidden Energy Poverty (HEP) against twice the median (2M) indicator, enhancing the identification of households with low energy consumption. In conclusion, theoretical energy needs can be combined with socio-demographic data instead of actual energy bills to measure energy poverty in a simplified way, avoiding the problem of targeting households that under consume.
Iñigo Antepara; Lefkothea Papada; João Pedro Gouveia; Nikolas Katsoulakos; Dimitris Kaliampakos. Improving Energy Poverty Measurement in Southern European Regions through Equivalization of Modeled Energy Costs. Sustainability 2020, 12, 5721 .
AMA StyleIñigo Antepara, Lefkothea Papada, João Pedro Gouveia, Nikolas Katsoulakos, Dimitris Kaliampakos. Improving Energy Poverty Measurement in Southern European Regions through Equivalization of Modeled Energy Costs. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (14):5721.
Chicago/Turabian StyleIñigo Antepara; Lefkothea Papada; João Pedro Gouveia; Nikolas Katsoulakos; Dimitris Kaliampakos. 2020. "Improving Energy Poverty Measurement in Southern European Regions through Equivalization of Modeled Energy Costs." Sustainability 12, no. 14: 5721.
Mountainous areas have been long recognized as particularly important for the planet and sustainable mountain development is a global priority. In order to improve the socioeconomic development perspectives of mountain societies, efficient and well-targeted energy strategies should be formed. An important step towards this direction is adequate understanding of local conditions and specific features that affect energy sector. This procedure allows the inclusion of “locality” in energy planning and so, decentralized energy production is facilitated. The present study attempts to determine the particular energy identity of mountainous areas. Greece, which is the second most mountainous country in the EU, has been selected as a case study. Essential features of the mountainous space have been selected, namely altitude, inclination, remoteness, lack of productive activities, old buildings/ vernacular architecture, in order to explore their interrelation with the energy sector. Based on literature review and research findings the interaction between mountainous character and energy is outlined. Therefore, a framework of the characteristics of mountain energy identity is composed, which can provide support to the formation of specialized energy policy for mountainous areas. Some of the main findings of the present study include the significantly increased energy loads of mountainous areas, the abundance of renewable energy potential in high–altitude areas, the vulnerability of mountain societies to energy poverty and the difficulties in sitting energy projects in the restricted usable space of mountains. Since the literature regarding mountains and energy is rather poor the present paper aspires to be a step towards highlighting the importance of energy issues for mountain areas and societies. By determining the features of mountain energy identity energy planning in high–altitude areas and so, helping make energy planning more effective, such research works can be parts of sustainable development strategies for mountainous areas.
Nikolas M. Katsoulakos; Dimitris C. Kaliampakos. The energy identity of mountainous areas: the example of Greece. Journal of Mountain Science 2018, 15, 1429 -1445.
AMA StyleNikolas M. Katsoulakos, Dimitris C. Kaliampakos. The energy identity of mountainous areas: the example of Greece. Journal of Mountain Science. 2018; 15 (7):1429-1445.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNikolas M. Katsoulakos; Dimitris C. Kaliampakos. 2018. "The energy identity of mountainous areas: the example of Greece." Journal of Mountain Science 15, no. 7: 1429-1445.
Highlights•The influence of mountains' characteristics on energy planning was analyzed.•Optimal energy solutions present differentiations with respect to altitude.•Greater socioeconomic benefits by energy optimization in mountainous areas.•Remoteness favors the development of decentralized energy systems.•The study is based on data from Greece. AbstractMountainous areas have particular characteristics, whose influence on energy planning is explored in this paper, through a suitably tailored methodology applied to the case of Greece. The core element of the methodology is a linear optimization model with a “total cost” objective function, which includes financial, as well as external costs and benefits. Altitude proves to have decisive influence on energy optimization results, because it affects energy demand. The improvement of local energy systems provides greater socioeconomic benefits in mountainous settlements, due to the high shares of renewables and energy efficiency interventions in the optimal solutions. Energy poverty can be alleviated by redesigning local energy systems and the structure of the energy market. However, spatial and aesthetic restrictions, presented often in mountainous settlements, may affect the operational costs of energy systems, which is a crucial parameter for confronting energy poverty. Furthermore, the study indicates that it could be better to electrify remote areas, far from electricity grids, by decentralized systems than by grid expansion. The results of this study and the assumptions made about the way in which energy market should function, could be utilized for reconsidering energy policy measures, aiming at supporting sensitive societies to improve their development perspectives.
Nikolas M. Katsoulakos; Dimitris C. Kaliampakos. Mountainous areas and decentralized energy planning: Insights from Greece. Energy Policy 2016, 91, 174 -188.
AMA StyleNikolas M. Katsoulakos, Dimitris C. Kaliampakos. Mountainous areas and decentralized energy planning: Insights from Greece. Energy Policy. 2016; 91 ():174-188.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNikolas M. Katsoulakos; Dimitris C. Kaliampakos. 2016. "Mountainous areas and decentralized energy planning: Insights from Greece." Energy Policy 91, no. : 174-188.
Nikolas M. Katsoulakos; Dimitris C. Kaliampakos. What is the impact of altitude on energy demand? A step towards developing specialized energy policy for mountainous areas. Energy Policy 2014, 71, 130 -138.
AMA StyleNikolas M. Katsoulakos, Dimitris C. Kaliampakos. What is the impact of altitude on energy demand? A step towards developing specialized energy policy for mountainous areas. Energy Policy. 2014; 71 ():130-138.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNikolas M. Katsoulakos; Dimitris C. Kaliampakos. 2014. "What is the impact of altitude on energy demand? A step towards developing specialized energy policy for mountainous areas." Energy Policy 71, no. : 130-138.
An increasing number of people find it difficult or even impossible to ensure adequate coverage of their energy needs. This situation, defined as energy poverty, is one of the results of the global energy crisis. Mountainous areas are especially vulnerable to energy poverty because their thermal energy needs are especially high and their economic environment is not a particularly prosperous one. We studied ways of reducing conventional fuel use and thus restricting the risk of energy poverty in Metsovo, a Greek mountain town. Given the special characteristics of energy consumption in the area and its energy potential, several alternative scenarios for saving energy in the town of Metsovo were constructed. The economic performance of the alternatives and their contribution to combating energy poverty were assessed. It was shown that utilizing locally produced biomass and applying energy-saving measures can bring households below the “energy poverty limit.” Moreover, dependence on diesel oil and electricity for heating purposes can be reduced to a very low level by applying financially viable energy practices. The case of Metsovo shows that the establishment of an appropriate framework of sustainable energy policy in mountainous areas can bring about significant environmental, social, and financial benefits. The general objectives of the energy strategy of the European Union, as well as its efforts to combat energy poverty, can be significantly supported by the rich renewable energy potential of its mountainous areas, which is well illustrated by the example of Metsovo.
Nikolas Katsoulakos. Combating Energy Poverty in Mountainous Areas Through Energy-saving Interventions. Mountain Research and Development 2011, 31, 284 -292.
AMA StyleNikolas Katsoulakos. Combating Energy Poverty in Mountainous Areas Through Energy-saving Interventions. Mountain Research and Development. 2011; 31 (4):284-292.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNikolas Katsoulakos. 2011. "Combating Energy Poverty in Mountainous Areas Through Energy-saving Interventions." Mountain Research and Development 31, no. 4: 284-292.