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Meeting rooms are reserved 30% of working hours but only used for 20% of that time. By implementing a strategy where the available capacity is leased to the wider market rather than just the building users, there is a positive impact on the economic, environmental, and social factors of the building and its surroundings. This study uses the building ‘The Globe’ in The Hague as a case study, and then projects the results to the entire city. In case of The Globe, implementing a lease out strategy achieves a reduction of 36% of the annual rent of the meeting rooms to the building's tenant. The owner benefits from a revenue increase of 12.5%, with the same operational expenses (except the reservation system), leading to a proportional higher valuation of the building. Annual energy consumption may be lowered by 6.2%. This study contributes to the literature by considering the total benefits that could be obtained by more efficient use of office space that is currently underused. The application of technology generates added value for economic, environmental, and social factors. These factors are important in real estate as they (among others) have a direct link to the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) analysis that investors make before proceeding with an investment.
M. Peeters; T. Compernolle; S. Van Passel. Leasing out unused meeting room capacity to reduce future office space needs: A case study of The Hague, Netherlands. Journal of Building Engineering 2021, 44, 102953 .
AMA StyleM. Peeters, T. Compernolle, S. Van Passel. Leasing out unused meeting room capacity to reduce future office space needs: A case study of The Hague, Netherlands. Journal of Building Engineering. 2021; 44 ():102953.
Chicago/Turabian StyleM. Peeters; T. Compernolle; S. Van Passel. 2021. "Leasing out unused meeting room capacity to reduce future office space needs: A case study of The Hague, Netherlands." Journal of Building Engineering 44, no. : 102953.
A new reductive catalytic fractionation biorefinery process (RCF) is currently being developed transforming wood into high-value end-products. RCF is considered to be in the pilot stage with a technology readiness level of 5–6. Apart from the RCF-process characteristics, the economic feasibility also depends on the investment decisions that are made upstream and downstream within the wood value chain, increasing the level of uncertainty. Two investment options within the value chain are considered: an option to invest in harvesting equipment and an option to invest in the RCF. To understand the impact of multiple sources of uncertainty on the decision to invest in an innovative RCF-driven wood value chain, an analytical two-factor real options model is presented, accounting for correlated cost and price uncertainties. Two different scenarios, separated and united investments in harvesting equipment and RCF, are analyzed. In both scenarios, market uncertainty postpones investment in comparison to the traditional NPV approach. When both investments are considered separately, the investment in RCF is expected to be earlier than the investment in harvesting equipment. When both investment decisions are united, the probability of investment increases. The study reveals that RCF has the potential to stimulate investments from different investors, –upstream and midstream–, within the wood value chain. Besides, the introduced real options model proofs its ability to assess the economic feasibility of innovative technologies (e.g RCF) individually or within the value chain, taking into account multiple sources of uncertainty.
Maxim Tschulkow; Tine Compernolle; Steven Van Passel. Optimal timing of multiple investment decisions in a wood value chain: A real options approach. Journal of Environmental Management 2021, 290, 112590 .
AMA StyleMaxim Tschulkow, Tine Compernolle, Steven Van Passel. Optimal timing of multiple investment decisions in a wood value chain: A real options approach. Journal of Environmental Management. 2021; 290 ():112590.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaxim Tschulkow; Tine Compernolle; Steven Van Passel. 2021. "Optimal timing of multiple investment decisions in a wood value chain: A real options approach." Journal of Environmental Management 290, no. : 112590.
Environmental effects and natural resources depletion associated with agriculture production affect the agriculture response to climate change. Traditional cross-sectional climate response models ignore this requirement. This research estimates the impact of climate on European agriculture using a continental scale Ricardian analysis. We correct farm income by accounting for resources (energy, fertilisers, pesticides, and water) use intensity and calculate the sustainable value for a sample of 9497 specialized field crop farms. Compared with the traditional Ricardian method, the marginal effects of temperature remain positive (but less positive) in Northern countries, while it leads to less damages in Southern countries when net revenue and farms' sustainable values are used as dependent variables. Accounting for the environmental effects and depletion of natural capital improves the ability of the Ricardian method to estimate agriculture climate response functions in the long run.
Michele Moretti; Janka Vanschoenwinkel; Steven Van Passel. Accounting for externalities in cross-sectional economic models of climate change impacts. Ecological Economics 2021, 185, 107058 .
AMA StyleMichele Moretti, Janka Vanschoenwinkel, Steven Van Passel. Accounting for externalities in cross-sectional economic models of climate change impacts. Ecological Economics. 2021; 185 ():107058.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMichele Moretti; Janka Vanschoenwinkel; Steven Van Passel. 2021. "Accounting for externalities in cross-sectional economic models of climate change impacts." Ecological Economics 185, no. : 107058.
In the past decade, to improve crop production and productivity, Ethiopia has embarked on an ambitious irrigation farming expansion program and has introduced new large- and small-scale irrigation initiatives. However, in Ethiopia, poverty remains a challenge, and crop productivity per unit area of land is very low. Literature on the technical efficiency (TE) of large-scale and small-scale irrigation user farmers as compared to the non-user farmers in Ethiopia is also limited. Investigating smallholder farmers’ TE level and its principal determinants is very important to increase crop production and productivity and to improve smallholder farmers’ livelihood and food security. Using 1026 household-level cross-section data, this study adopts a technology flexible stochastic frontier approach to examine agricultural TE of large-scale irrigation users, small-scale irrigation users and non-user farmers in Ethiopia. The results indicate that, due to poor extension services and old-style agronomic practices, the mean TE of farmers is very low (44.33%), implying that there is a wider room for increasing crop production in the study areas through increasing the TE of smallholder farmers without additional investment in novel agricultural technologies. Results also show that large-scale irrigation user farmers (21.05%) are less technically efficient than small-scale irrigation user farmers (60.29%). However, improving irrigation infrastructure shifts the frontier up and has a positive impact on smallholder farmers’ output.
Markose Zewdie; Michele Moretti; Daregot Tenessa; Zemen Ayele; Jan Nyssen; Enyew Tsegaye; Amare Minale; Steven Van Passel. Agricultural Technical Efficiency of Smallholder Farmers in Ethiopia: A Stochastic Frontier Approach. Land 2021, 10, 246 .
AMA StyleMarkose Zewdie, Michele Moretti, Daregot Tenessa, Zemen Ayele, Jan Nyssen, Enyew Tsegaye, Amare Minale, Steven Van Passel. Agricultural Technical Efficiency of Smallholder Farmers in Ethiopia: A Stochastic Frontier Approach. Land. 2021; 10 (3):246.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarkose Zewdie; Michele Moretti; Daregot Tenessa; Zemen Ayele; Jan Nyssen; Enyew Tsegaye; Amare Minale; Steven Van Passel. 2021. "Agricultural Technical Efficiency of Smallholder Farmers in Ethiopia: A Stochastic Frontier Approach." Land 10, no. 3: 246.
The integrated techno-sustainability assessment (TSA) deals with the dynamic quantification of application-specific environmental, economic, and social indicators, and flexible decision-making for emerging (biobased) technologies.
Sophie Van Schoubroeck; Gwenny Thomassen; Steven Van Passel; Robert Malina; Johan Springael; Sebastien Lizin; Richard A. Venditti; Yuan Yao; Miet Van Dael. An integrated techno-sustainability assessment (TSA) framework for emerging technologies. Green Chemistry 2021, 23, 1700 -1715.
AMA StyleSophie Van Schoubroeck, Gwenny Thomassen, Steven Van Passel, Robert Malina, Johan Springael, Sebastien Lizin, Richard A. Venditti, Yuan Yao, Miet Van Dael. An integrated techno-sustainability assessment (TSA) framework for emerging technologies. Green Chemistry. 2021; 23 (4):1700-1715.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSophie Van Schoubroeck; Gwenny Thomassen; Steven Van Passel; Robert Malina; Johan Springael; Sebastien Lizin; Richard A. Venditti; Yuan Yao; Miet Van Dael. 2021. "An integrated techno-sustainability assessment (TSA) framework for emerging technologies." Green Chemistry 23, no. 4: 1700-1715.
In Ethiopia, urban expansion happens at high rates and results in land expropriations often at the cost of agriculture and forests. The process of urban expansion does not include assessment of ecosystem services (ES). This has been causing unintended environmental problems. This study aims to uncover ES of three most important land use types (cropland, agroforestry, and grassland) that are threatened by land expropriation for urban expansion in Bahir Dar City. The study applied a participatory approach using community perception and expert judgments (N = 108). Respondents were asked to locate their perceptions on the use of 35 different ES, and then to evaluate the potential of the land use. Respondents were shown to have the ability to differentiate between ES and land use in terms of their potential to deliver ES. The results show that agroforestry is expected to have a high relevant potential to deliver 31% of all ES, but cropland 20% and grassland 14%. Food, fodder, timber, firewood, fresh water, energy, compost, climate regulation, erosion prevention, and water purification and treatment were identified as the ten most important services. It is not only the provisioning services that are being supplied by the land use types which are expropriated for urbanization, but also regulating, supporting and cultural services. To ensure sustainable urban land development, we suggest the consideration of the use of ES and the potential of the land use to supply ES when making land use decisions, including land expropriation for urban expansion.
Wubante Fetene Admasu; Annelies Boerema; Jan Nyssen; Amare Sewnet Minale; Enyew Adgo Tsegaye; Steven Van Passel. Uncovering Ecosystem Services of Expropriated Land: The Case of Urban Expansion in Bahir Dar, Northwest Ethiopia. Land 2020, 9, 395 .
AMA StyleWubante Fetene Admasu, Annelies Boerema, Jan Nyssen, Amare Sewnet Minale, Enyew Adgo Tsegaye, Steven Van Passel. Uncovering Ecosystem Services of Expropriated Land: The Case of Urban Expansion in Bahir Dar, Northwest Ethiopia. Land. 2020; 9 (10):395.
Chicago/Turabian StyleWubante Fetene Admasu; Annelies Boerema; Jan Nyssen; Amare Sewnet Minale; Enyew Adgo Tsegaye; Steven Van Passel. 2020. "Uncovering Ecosystem Services of Expropriated Land: The Case of Urban Expansion in Bahir Dar, Northwest Ethiopia." Land 9, no. 10: 395.
A new lignin-first biorefinery with a reductive catalytic fractionation process, which targets the valorization of the lignin and the carbohydrate fraction into higher value end-products, is currently being designed. To identify the various R&D drivers for projects with a low technology readiness level (TRL), we developed an integrated techno-economic assessment (TEA) that directly integrates the results of lab studies with economic costs and benefits. Furthermore, different linkages are made to upstream wood availability and downstream demand to understand its fit into existing wood value chains. By making the relations across the wood value chain explicit within the integrated TEA, we find that the scale of the plant, the feedstock-specific output quantities, and output prices highly determine the economic feasibility. Furthermore, this detailed analysis reveals the importance of assessing different types of feedstock. If only virgin wood is available as feedstock, minimum capacity levels between 190 and 234 kilotons per year are needed for the investment to be profitable. Waste wood proves to be the most profitable feedstock with an NPV of M€ 59 and an IRR of 26%. Using only waste wood as feedstock makes the investment profitable at a lower capacity level of 80 kilotons per year and economic shocks can be absorbed. Based on these results we show that an integrated and detailed TEA is indispensable to define future development paths for early-stage, innovative technologies.
Maxim Tschulkow; Tine Compernolle; Sander Van Den Bosch; Joost Van Aelst; Ilié Storms; Miet Van Dael; Gil Van Den Bossche; Bert Sels; Steven Van Passel. Integrated techno-economic assessment of a biorefinery process: The high-end valorization of the lignocellulosic fraction in wood streams. Journal of Cleaner Production 2020, 266, 122022 .
AMA StyleMaxim Tschulkow, Tine Compernolle, Sander Van Den Bosch, Joost Van Aelst, Ilié Storms, Miet Van Dael, Gil Van Den Bossche, Bert Sels, Steven Van Passel. Integrated techno-economic assessment of a biorefinery process: The high-end valorization of the lignocellulosic fraction in wood streams. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2020; 266 ():122022.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaxim Tschulkow; Tine Compernolle; Sander Van Den Bosch; Joost Van Aelst; Ilié Storms; Miet Van Dael; Gil Van Den Bossche; Bert Sels; Steven Van Passel. 2020. "Integrated techno-economic assessment of a biorefinery process: The high-end valorization of the lignocellulosic fraction in wood streams." Journal of Cleaner Production 266, no. : 122022.
The purpose of this study is to determine if aquaponic systems can reduce food insecurity in the semi-arid regions of Brazil and generate income for the beneficiaries. Aquaponics is a potentially sustainable way to produce food based on gardening, hydroponics and aquaculture. A case study, based on a project called Aquaponova, was developed. The aquaponic systems currently used in the project are non-commercial and designed for households with limited resources. The data based on six existing systems within this project were used to compare the costs and the benefits. The cost–benefit analysis covers four scenarios and three financing options. The results show that aquaponic systems have a large potential and can reduce food insecurity in semi-arid regions while generating income for the beneficiaries. Even if the system only produces 40% of the total estimated production, the system will still be feasible. However, the low opportunity cost of labour is an essential factor for obtaining these positive results. Moreover, the social benefits, such as a community spirit and the health benefits of the system, should not be underestimated.
Maíra Finizola E Silva; Steven Van Passel. Climate-Smart Agriculture in the Northeast of Brazil: An Integrated Assessment of the Aquaponics Technology. Sustainability 2020, 12, 3734 .
AMA StyleMaíra Finizola E Silva, Steven Van Passel. Climate-Smart Agriculture in the Northeast of Brazil: An Integrated Assessment of the Aquaponics Technology. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (9):3734.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaíra Finizola E Silva; Steven Van Passel. 2020. "Climate-Smart Agriculture in the Northeast of Brazil: An Integrated Assessment of the Aquaponics Technology." Sustainability 12, no. 9: 3734.
The anticipated development of decentralized electricity generation is expected to strengthen the opportunities of prosumers in the residential areas of cities, in line with the predicted establishment of renewable energy generation and storage. Based on academic research and on successful case studies, the opportunity for residential prosumers to organize in microgrids emerges as a viable and promising solution. This paper focuses on microgrids that are planned to generate electricity with a PV unit and use a shared storage system, and that opt to have a connection with the main grid. However, the point of common coupling needs to be agreed first between the microgrid operator and the network operator, and this agreement is determined by several factors and conditions beyond the basic technical and regulatory requirements. A survey of academic literature on the determinant factors for such an agreement exposes the fact that current research either focuses on the integration of individual prosumers in the main grid, or regards the point of common coupling as a given component of microgrids. We argue that neither of the two approaches is helpful in the case of microgrids vs. main grid, seeing as the agreement is not self-evident under just any circumstances, nor can the microgrid be equated to a single, large prosumer. Therefore this short paper compiles a set of determinant factors for the microgrid integration, as they emerge from academic literature, with the aim to document further research needs and support the discussion on microgrid integration.
Iolanda Saviuc; Steven Van Passel; Herbert Peremans. Integrating PV+Battery Residential Microgrids in Distribution Networks: How Is the Point of Common Coupling Agreed Upon? Lecture Notes of the Institute for Computer Sciences, Social Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering 2020, 150 -164.
AMA StyleIolanda Saviuc, Steven Van Passel, Herbert Peremans. Integrating PV+Battery Residential Microgrids in Distribution Networks: How Is the Point of Common Coupling Agreed Upon? Lecture Notes of the Institute for Computer Sciences, Social Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering. 2020; ():150-164.
Chicago/Turabian StyleIolanda Saviuc; Steven Van Passel; Herbert Peremans. 2020. "Integrating PV+Battery Residential Microgrids in Distribution Networks: How Is the Point of Common Coupling Agreed Upon?" Lecture Notes of the Institute for Computer Sciences, Social Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering , no. : 150-164.
The fast-paced urbanization of recent decades entails that many regions are facing seemingly uncontrolled land-use changes (LUCs) that go hand in hand with a range of environmental and socio-economic challenges. In this paper, we use an integrated cellular automata–Markov chain (CA–MC) model to analyze and predict the urban expansion of and its impact on LUC in the city of Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. To this end, the research marshals high-resolution Landsat images of 1991, 2002, 2011, and 2018. An analytical hierarchy process (AHP) method is then used to identify the biophysical and socioeconomic factors underlying the expansion in the research area. It is shown that, during the period of study, built-up areas are rapidly expanding in the face of an overall decline of the farmland and vegetation cover. Drawing on a model calibration for 2018, the research predicts the possible geographies of LUC in the Bahir Dar area for 2025, 2034, and 2045. It is predicted that the conversions of other land-use types into built-up areas will persist in the southern, southwestern, and northeastern areas of the sprawling city, which can mainly be traced back to the uneven geographies of road accessibility, proximity to the city center, and slope variables. We reflect on how our findings can be used to facilitate sustainable urban development and land-use policies in the Bahir Dar area.
Melaku Bogale Fitawok; Ben Derudder; Amare Sewnet Minale; Steven Van Passel; Enyew Adgo; Jan Nyssen. Modeling the Impact of Urbanization on Land-Use Change in Bahir Dar City, Ethiopia: An Integrated Cellular Automata–Markov Chain Approach. Land 2020, 9, 115 .
AMA StyleMelaku Bogale Fitawok, Ben Derudder, Amare Sewnet Minale, Steven Van Passel, Enyew Adgo, Jan Nyssen. Modeling the Impact of Urbanization on Land-Use Change in Bahir Dar City, Ethiopia: An Integrated Cellular Automata–Markov Chain Approach. Land. 2020; 9 (4):115.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMelaku Bogale Fitawok; Ben Derudder; Amare Sewnet Minale; Steven Van Passel; Enyew Adgo; Jan Nyssen. 2020. "Modeling the Impact of Urbanization on Land-Use Change in Bahir Dar City, Ethiopia: An Integrated Cellular Automata–Markov Chain Approach." Land 9, no. 4: 115.
Waste treatment taxation is a popular policy instrument in many European countries and regions. Its impact on household waste has extensively been researched. However, only little research exists which looks into the impact of waste treatment taxation on industrial waste generation. Nevertheless, industrial waste constitutes more than ninety percent of waste generated in the European Union. This study assesses the impact of an incineration tax on the generation of industrial plastic waste in Flanders, Belgium. We conduct different types of econometrical panel analyzes and provide statistical evidence that firms show lagged behavior, which means that the previous year’s waste generation partly determines the current year’s. The dynamic panel estimations show robust results, indicating that a growth of incineration taxes exert significant negative effects on the growth of industrial plastic waste generation. This result offers no argument to iteratively raise incineration taxes. We conclude that incineration taxation is meaningful if tax rates are set according to the prevailing market conditions, i.e. taking into account the marginal costs of alternatives for incineration. In the short run, the effectiveness of taxation will quickly diminish due to the rapidly rising marginal costs of waste reduction. In the long run, extra recycling capacity is needed to recycle the minimized waste fraction. The role of taxation in the long run is to maintain an equilibrium in which recycling is preferred by the market.
Loïc De Weerdt; Toshiaki Sasao; Tine Compernolle; Steven Van Passel; Simon De Jaeger. The effect of waste incineration taxation on industrial plastic waste generation: A panel analysis. Resources, Conservation and Recycling 2020, 157, 104717 .
AMA StyleLoïc De Weerdt, Toshiaki Sasao, Tine Compernolle, Steven Van Passel, Simon De Jaeger. The effect of waste incineration taxation on industrial plastic waste generation: A panel analysis. Resources, Conservation and Recycling. 2020; 157 ():104717.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLoïc De Weerdt; Toshiaki Sasao; Tine Compernolle; Steven Van Passel; Simon De Jaeger. 2020. "The effect of waste incineration taxation on industrial plastic waste generation: A panel analysis." Resources, Conservation and Recycling 157, no. : 104717.
Winter peaks in Belgian electricity demand are significantly higher than the summer peaks, creating a greater potential for imbalances between demand and supply. This potential is exacerbated because of the risk of outages in its ageing nuclear power plants, which are being phased out in the medium term. This paper conducts a choice experiment to investigate the acceptability of a load control-based demand response program in the winter months. It surveys 186 respondents on their willingness to accept limits on the use of home appliances in return for a compensation. Results indicate that respondents are most affected by the days of the week that their appliance usage would be curtailed, and by the compensation they would receive. The willingness to enroll in a program increases with age, environmental consciousness, home ownership, and lower privacy concerns. The analysis predicts that 95% of the sample surveyed could enroll in a daily load control program for a compensation of €41 per household per year. Thus while an initial rollout among older and more pro-environment homeowners could be successful, a wider implementation would require an explanation of its environmental and financial benefits to the population, and a greater consideration of their data privacy concerns.
Aman Srivastava; Steven Van Passel; Roselinde Kessels; Pieter Valkering; Erik Laes. Reducing winter peaks in electricity consumption: A choice experiment to structure demand response programs. Energy Policy 2019, 137, 111183 .
AMA StyleAman Srivastava, Steven Van Passel, Roselinde Kessels, Pieter Valkering, Erik Laes. Reducing winter peaks in electricity consumption: A choice experiment to structure demand response programs. Energy Policy. 2019; 137 ():111183.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAman Srivastava; Steven Van Passel; Roselinde Kessels; Pieter Valkering; Erik Laes. 2019. "Reducing winter peaks in electricity consumption: A choice experiment to structure demand response programs." Energy Policy 137, no. : 111183.
Landfill owners, governmental institutions, technology providers, academia and local communities are important stakeholders involved in Enhanced Landfill Mining (ELFM). This concept of excavating and processing historical waste streams to higher added values can be seen as a continuation of traditional landfill mining (LFM) and seems to be an innovative and promising idea for potential environmental and societal benefits. However, ELFM's profitability is still under debate, and environmental as well as societal impacts have to be further investigated. This study provides a first step towards an anticipatory approach, assessing ELFM through stakeholder integration. In the study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with various stakeholders, involved in a case study in Flanders, Belgium. Participants were selected across a quadruple helix (QH) framework, i.e. industrial, governmental, scientific, and local community actors. The research comprises 13 interviews conducted with an aim to elicit stakeholder needs for ELFM implementation using a general inductive approach. In total 18 different stakeholder needs were identified. The paper explains how the stakeholder needs refer to the different dimensions of sustainability, which groups of stakeholders they primarily affect, and what types of uncertainty could be influenced by their implementation. The stakeholder needs are structured into societal, environmental, regulatory and techno-economic needs. Results show additional economic, environmental, and societal aspects of ELFM to be integrated into ELFM research, as well as a need for the dynamic modeling of impacts.
Paul Einhäupl; Joakim Krook; Niclas Svensson; Karel Van Acker; Steven Van Passel. Eliciting stakeholder needs – An anticipatory approach assessing enhanced landfill mining. Waste Management 2019, 98, 113 -125.
AMA StylePaul Einhäupl, Joakim Krook, Niclas Svensson, Karel Van Acker, Steven Van Passel. Eliciting stakeholder needs – An anticipatory approach assessing enhanced landfill mining. Waste Management. 2019; 98 ():113-125.
Chicago/Turabian StylePaul Einhäupl; Joakim Krook; Niclas Svensson; Karel Van Acker; Steven Van Passel. 2019. "Eliciting stakeholder needs – An anticipatory approach assessing enhanced landfill mining." Waste Management 98, no. : 113-125.
Every decision-oriented life cycle assessment (LCAs) entails, at least to some extent, a future-oriented feature. However, apart from the ex-ante LCAs, the majority of LCA studies are retrospective in nature and do not explicitly account for possible future effects. In this review a generic theoretical framework is proposed as a guideline for ex-ante LCA. This framework includes the entire technology life cycle, from the early design phase up to continuous improvements of mature technologies, including their market penetration. The compatibility with commonly applied system models yields an additional aspect of the framework. Practical methods and procedures are categorised, based on how they incorporate future-oriented features in LCA. The results indicate that most of the ex-ante LCAs focus on emerging technologies that have already gone through some research cycles within narrowly defined system boundaries. There is a lack of attention given to technologies that are at a very early development stage, when all options are still open and can be explored at a low cost. It is also acknowledged that technological learning impacts the financial and environmental performance of mature production systems. Once technologies are entering the market, shifts in market composition can lead to substantial changes in environmental performance.
Matthias Buyle; Amaryllis Audenaert; Pieter Billen; Katrien Boonen; Steven Van Passel. The Future of Ex-Ante LCA? Lessons Learned and Practical Recommendations. Sustainability 2019, 11, 5456 .
AMA StyleMatthias Buyle, Amaryllis Audenaert, Pieter Billen, Katrien Boonen, Steven Van Passel. The Future of Ex-Ante LCA? Lessons Learned and Practical Recommendations. Sustainability. 2019; 11 (19):5456.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMatthias Buyle; Amaryllis Audenaert; Pieter Billen; Katrien Boonen; Steven Van Passel. 2019. "The Future of Ex-Ante LCA? Lessons Learned and Practical Recommendations." Sustainability 11, no. 19: 5456.
This paper investigates the impact of capacity tariff design on microgrids. While the possible benefits for utilities of capacity tariffs are well researched, comparatively little work has been done investigating the effects of capacity pricing on prosumers. Through simulating a grid connected microgrid and solving the day-ahead dispatch problem for a calendar year, we show that a well-designed capacity tariff will not only smooth out demand profiles, but could also lead to less erratic charge/discharge cycles in a real-time pricing scenario, lessening battery degradation. These results show that a properly designed capacity tariff has the potential to be beneficial for both the utilities as well as the battery-owning prosumer. Furthermore, we propose a new, heuristic approach to solve the day-ahead economic dispatch problem, which we prove to be effective and efficient. Additionally, we demonstrate that our novel approach does not impose mathematical restrictions such as continuous differentiability of the objective function. We show that the proposed capacity tariff achieves the stated aim of promoting battery storage uptake and that our novel method allows for compression and shorter run times.
Kevin Milis; Herbert Peremans; Johan Springael; Steven Van Passel. Win-win possibilities through capacity tariffs and battery storage in microgrids. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 2019, 113, 109238 .
AMA StyleKevin Milis, Herbert Peremans, Johan Springael, Steven Van Passel. Win-win possibilities through capacity tariffs and battery storage in microgrids. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 2019; 113 ():109238.
Chicago/Turabian StyleKevin Milis; Herbert Peremans; Johan Springael; Steven Van Passel. 2019. "Win-win possibilities through capacity tariffs and battery storage in microgrids." Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 113, no. : 109238.
Demand response (DR) can aid with grid integration of renewables, ensuring security of supply, and reducing generation costs. However, not enough is known about how residential customers’ perceptions of DR shape their response to such programs. This paper offers a deeper understanding of – and reveals the heterogeneity in – this relationship by conducting a quantile regression analysis of a Belgian DR trial, combining data on response with information on household attitudes towards smart appliances. Results overall suggest that improving response requires subtle shifts in electricity consumption behaviour, which can be achieved through changes in user perceptions. Specifically, if customers are inclined to be flexible, a stronger perception of smart appliances as being beneficial can greatly improve response. With those who are less flexible, the cost of smart appliances is a bigger concern. Thus, when designing DR programs, policymakers should aim to promote modest behaviour changes – so as to minimise inconvenience – in customers, by improving awareness on the benefits of smart appliances. Uptake of such DR programs may be improved by explaining the financial benefits or offering incentives to less flexible population segments. Lastly, improving response among older population segments will require a deeper investigation into their concerns.
Aman Srivastava; Steven Van Passel; Erik Laes. Dissecting demand response: A quantile analysis of flexibility, household attitudes, and demographics. Energy Research & Social Science 2019, 52, 169 -180.
AMA StyleAman Srivastava, Steven Van Passel, Erik Laes. Dissecting demand response: A quantile analysis of flexibility, household attitudes, and demographics. Energy Research & Social Science. 2019; 52 ():169-180.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAman Srivastava; Steven Van Passel; Erik Laes. 2019. "Dissecting demand response: A quantile analysis of flexibility, household attitudes, and demographics." Energy Research & Social Science 52, no. : 169-180.
Wastewater reuse provides valuable solutions to solve the societal challenges of decreasing availability and limiting access to secure water resources. The present study quantifies the environmental performance of nectarine orchards irrigation using treated municipal wastewater (TMW) and surface water using a unique dataset based on field experimental data. Climate change, toxicity (for human and freshwater), eutrophication (marine and freshwater) and acidification impacts were analysed using the impact assessment method suggested by the International Reference Life Cycle Data System (ILCD). The water footprint associated to the life cycles of each system has been estimated using the Available WAter REmaining (AWARE) method. Monte Carlo simulation was used to assess data uncertainty. The irrigation of nectarine orchards using TMW performs better than the irrigation using surface water for eutrophication impact categories. Compared with surface water resources, the potential impacts of TMW reuse in agriculture on climate change and toxicity are affected by the wastewater treatment phase (WWT). Only eutrophication and acidification burdens are generated by in-field substitution of surface water with TMW. Considering human and ecosystem water demand, the irrigation with TMW increases water consumption of 19.12 m3 per kg of nectarine produced. Whereas, it shows a positive contribution to water stress (−0.19 m3) if only human water demand is considered. This study provides important results that allow for a better understanding of the potential environmental consequences of TMW reuse in agriculture. It suggests that embracing the type of WWTs, the replacement of fertilizers, the effects on water scarcity and ecosystem quality might be useful to redefine water reuse regulations and increase public acceptance for the reuse of TMW in agriculture. Moreover, this study reveals the need for developing consensus and standardized guidance for life cycle analysis of water reuse applications.
M. Moretti; S. Van Passel; S. Camposeo; F. Pedrero; T. Dogot; P. Lebailly; G.A. Vivaldi. Modelling environmental impacts of treated municipal wastewater reuse for tree crops irrigation in the Mediterranean coastal region. Science of The Total Environment 2019, 660, 1513 -1521.
AMA StyleM. Moretti, S. Van Passel, S. Camposeo, F. Pedrero, T. Dogot, P. Lebailly, G.A. Vivaldi. Modelling environmental impacts of treated municipal wastewater reuse for tree crops irrigation in the Mediterranean coastal region. Science of The Total Environment. 2019; 660 ():1513-1521.
Chicago/Turabian StyleM. Moretti; S. Van Passel; S. Camposeo; F. Pedrero; T. Dogot; P. Lebailly; G.A. Vivaldi. 2019. "Modelling environmental impacts of treated municipal wastewater reuse for tree crops irrigation in the Mediterranean coastal region." Science of The Total Environment 660, no. : 1513-1521.
Decentralized energy production offers an increased share of renewable energy and autonomy compared to the conventional, grid-only solution. However, under the net-metering scheme, the energy losses in batteries translate into financial losses to an investor seeking to move away from grid-only electricity and set up a residential PV+Battery microgrid. Our paper examines a hypothetical support scheme for such a project, designed to balance the economic disadvantage through partially supporting the acquisition of batteries, and thus ensure that the microgrid solution is more attractive than no investment. For this we develop four case studies based on experiments carried out in Greece, Italy, Denmark and Finland. Using the minimization of the Net Present Cost for each project, we compare the PV+Battery solution to the grid-only scenario over 25 years, for a range of electricity prices. The results illustrate first how the success of this project depends on the price of electricity. Second, we find that under current conditions in the respective countries the need for battery support varies between zero in Denmark and 86% in Italy, which reflects how the disadvantages of net metering can only be counterbalanced by either very high electricity price or very high solar resource. Our paper contributes thus to the discussion about the favourable environment for batteries in residential microgrids.
Iolanda Saviuc; Herbert Peremans; Steven Van Passel; Kevin Milis. Economic Performance of Using Batteries in European Residential Microgrids under the Net-Metering Scheme. Energies 2019, 12, 165 .
AMA StyleIolanda Saviuc, Herbert Peremans, Steven Van Passel, Kevin Milis. Economic Performance of Using Batteries in European Residential Microgrids under the Net-Metering Scheme. Energies. 2019; 12 (1):165.
Chicago/Turabian StyleIolanda Saviuc; Herbert Peremans; Steven Van Passel; Kevin Milis. 2019. "Economic Performance of Using Batteries in European Residential Microgrids under the Net-Metering Scheme." Energies 12, no. 1: 165.
John Laurence Esguerra; Joakim Krook; Niclas Svensson; Steven Van Passel. ASSESSING THE ECONOMIC POTENTIAL OF LANDFILL MINING: REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS. Detritus 2019, ume 08 - D, 1 .
AMA StyleJohn Laurence Esguerra, Joakim Krook, Niclas Svensson, Steven Van Passel. ASSESSING THE ECONOMIC POTENTIAL OF LANDFILL MINING: REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS. Detritus. 2019; ume 08 - D ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJohn Laurence Esguerra; Joakim Krook; Niclas Svensson; Steven Van Passel. 2019. "ASSESSING THE ECONOMIC POTENTIAL OF LANDFILL MINING: REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS." Detritus ume 08 - D, no. : 1.
Understanding the perspectives of different stakeholders on emerging technological concepts is an important step towards their implementation. Enhanced Landfill Mining (ELFM) is one of these emerging concepts. It aims at valorizing past waste streams to higher added values in a sustainable manner. Yet, assessment of ELFM mainly focusses on environmental and private economic issues, and societal impacts are rarely analyzed. This study uses semi-structured interviews to build understanding for different ELFM practitioners and researchers and develops five stakeholder archetypes for ELFM implementation: the engaged citizen, the entrepreneur, the technology enthusiast, the visionary and the skeptic. The archetypes outline major differences in approaching ELFM implementation. The stakeholder perceptions are put into context with existing literature, and implications for ELFM implementation and future research are discussed. Results show that differences in regulatory changes and technology choices are affected by different stakeholder perspectives and more research is needed to balance inner- and inter-dimensional conflicts of ELFM’s sustainability. The developed archetypes can especially be helpful when evaluating social impacts, whose perception often depends on opinion and is difficult to quantify.
Paul Valentin Einhäupl; Karel Van Acker; Niclas Svensson; Steven Van Passel. DEVELOPING STAKEHOLDER ARCHETYPES FOR ENHANCED LANDFILL MINING. Detritus 2019, ume 08 - D, 1 .
AMA StylePaul Valentin Einhäupl, Karel Van Acker, Niclas Svensson, Steven Van Passel. DEVELOPING STAKEHOLDER ARCHETYPES FOR ENHANCED LANDFILL MINING. Detritus. 2019; ume 08 - D ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StylePaul Valentin Einhäupl; Karel Van Acker; Niclas Svensson; Steven Van Passel. 2019. "DEVELOPING STAKEHOLDER ARCHETYPES FOR ENHANCED LANDFILL MINING." Detritus ume 08 - D, no. : 1.