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The chapters of this cumulative dissertation contribute to the evidence base on the effect of different policies on decarbonising energy supply, in other words reducing greenhouse gas emissions from energy use while maintaining energy services. The use of fossil fuels is the most important source of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. As such, the dissertation is embedded in the wider debate on climate change and its mitigation. In particular, the analyses respond to three research questions related to the energy-climate nexus. First, which are the macroeconomic impacts of promoting energy saving and low-carbon technologies, here the impacts of promoting EU biofuel use? Second, how effective are public support mechanisms in decarbonising economies, here past public energy R&D spending in the presence of energy and climate policies in OECD countries? Third, in which way can developed countries contribute to decarbonising the economies of developing countries by means of foreign aid?

Reliability has always been a concern in the energy sector, but concerns are escalating as energy demand increases and the political stability of many energy supply regions becomes more questionable. But how does one define and measure reliability? We introduce a method to assess reliability in energy supply systems in terms of adequacy and security. It derives from reliability assessment frameworks developed for the electricity sector, which are extended to include qualitative considerations and to be applicable to new energy systems by incorporating decision-making processes based on expert opinion and multi-attribute utility theory. The method presented here is flexible and can be applied to any energy system. To illustrate its use, we apply the method to two hydrogen pathways: 1) centralized steam reforming of imported liquefied natural gas with pipeline distribution of hydrogen, and 2) on-site electrolysis of water using renewable electricity produced independently from the electricity grid.

The energy sector's critical importance to the economy and national security on the one hand and its association with potential environmental impacts on the other subject it to competing and sometimes oscillating forces in policymaking and corporate decision‐making that can affect both supply and demand. As such, energy supply chains need to be resilient in order to meet the economy's dynamic demand for energy services, adapt to policy actions, respond effectively to natural and manmade disasters, foster transitions to emergent technologies, and serve long‐lived infrastructure. This paper presents a framework that guides systematic analysis of energy supply chains subject to ongoing change. While the framework is qualitative, it is strengthened by quantitative data. A case study of the utility‐scale gas turbine supply chain illustrates the framework.

Reliability has always been a concern in the energy sector, but concerns are escalating as energy demand increases and the political stability of many energy supply regions becomes more questionable. But how does one define and measure reliability? We introduce a method to assess reliability in energy supply systems in terms of adequacy and security. It derives from reliability assessment frameworks developed for the electricity sector, which are extended to include qualitative considerations and to be applicable to new energy systems by incorporating decision-making processes based on expert opinion and multi-attribute utility theory. The method presented here is flexible and can be applied to any energy system. To illustrate its use, we apply the method to two hydrogen pathways: (1) centralized steam reforming of imported liquefied natural gas with pipeline distribution of hydrogen, and (2) on-site electrolysis of water using renewable electricity produced independently from the electricity grid. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

During the 1970s and into the next decade, petroleum and natural gas derived in conventional ways will continue to constitute the major share of the fuel consumed in the United States and the world. After 1985 other forms of energy will increase in importance. Since the demand for oil and gas will increase in the near term, it is likely that prices will also rise. Thus, during the next ten to twenty years, the supply and price of oil and gas will be critical elements in the energy policy of both consuming, and exporting, nations. An ideal solution to the supply-price matter would be a rise in the supply of oil and gas which would meet the demand until alternative energy sources are available. Concurrently, the price of oil and gas should rise, but should not substantially exceed the cost of the alternative sources being developed. In order to pursue such an ideal solution, it must be understood that there is a real problem: the current energy difficulties are not created by an oil conspiracy; the price of oil and gas will not fall; and easy solutions cannot be expected. As a necessary part of the ideal solution, the major consuming areas should jointly approach the energy situation; another cooperative effort should be joint development of new energy sources. All should avoid narrow self-serving, near term actions. The cooperative approach to the world's energy problems fits well into the larger framework of cooperation on international matters pursued by the Nixon administration.

The final energy use can be divided mainly in four sectors: commercial, industrial, residential, and transportation. The trend in final energy consumption by sector plays as a most straightforward way to provide a wide indication of progress for reducing energy consumption and associated environmental impacts by different end use sectors. The average share of end use energy for residential sector in the world was nearly 20% until 2011, in Germany a higher proportion is between 25% and 30%. However, it remains less studied than energy use in other three sectors as well its impacts on climate and environment. The reason for this involves a wide range of fields, including the diversity of residential construction like different housing building design and materials, living or energy using behavioral patterns, climatic condition and variation as well other social obstacles, market trend potential and financial support from government. This paper presents an extensive and in-depth analysis of the manner by which projects researched and operated by authors in the fields of energy efficiency primarily from the perspectives of both technical potential and initiative energy saving consciousness in the residential sectors especially in social housing buildings.