Energy retrofit as an answer to public health costs of fuel poverty in Lisbon social housing

Renewable energy sources play a key role in decarbonizing the economy of the European Union (EU) and the world. The aim of this research is to present the development of the renewable energy sources (RES) sector in the European Union (EU), with particular emphasis on sustainable development. The EU guidelines, requirements, and directives were analyzed in order to meet the provisions of the energy policy to ensure energy and climate security. The potential of the RES was studied in the EU countries, and the possibility of its use in cogeneration with the use of local renewable resources. The results are presented in tabular, graphic, and descriptive forms. The results are presented based on the extensive literature on the subject and data from Eurostat. The data covered 2004–19. We used different methods to evaluate the changes in the RES in the EU countries. First, we compiled descriptive statistics; second, we used the Augmented Dickey–Fuller test (ADF test); and, finally, we used the Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity model (GARCH model). Our analysis found that the EU increased the share of RES. The biggest share of energy from renewable energy sources was found in 2019 in Iceland (78%), Norway (74%), and Sweden (56%). The biggest increase in the share of RES in 2004–19 was found in Malta (8322%), Great Britain (1126%), and Luxemburg (784%). The results demonstrate the development of RES in the EU countries. However, not all countries achieved the planned goal in 2019.

show abstract

“…Fuel poverty is a challenge that requires investments in public housing renovation [50]. Households benefit from retrofitting.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of Renewable Energy Sources in the European Union in the Context of Sustainable Development Policy

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…EU, to be expected, will take more control over renewable energy in future construction of energy security. In terms of modernising energy system, increasing investment in energy efficiency, such as heating pumps in housing sector, cannot only replace fossil fuels in heating industry but also stabilise heating prices, which can help states protect populations against surged gas prices and energy poverty [36].…”

Section: Two Possible Models For Future Energy Policies In Europementioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, the REPowerEU plan suggests EU member states to replace Russia's gas with renewable energy and hydrogen production [43]. Improving energy efficiency in housing sector is another indirect way to increase energy savings and to protect vulnerable populations against energy price volatility through replacing fossil fuels [36]. Europe can impel transformation from traditional heating systems to heat pumps, because the latter is 3 to 4 times as efficient as fossil fuel boilers in providing heat.…”

Section: Long-term Energy Strategiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Russia-Ukraine War and Energy Security: Impact and Policies, From a European Perspective

Jing¹

2023

HBEM

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Since February 2022, the conflict between Ukraine and Russia has exacerbated the global energy crisis resulting from COVID-19. The war has disrupted world energy trade and pushed energy prices surged significantly. This paper tends to analyse the effects of the war on energy security and policies and provide some feasible coping strategies, mainly from a European perspective. It is expected that the analysis of the issue could assist policymakers in combining short- and long-term strategies when making relevant energy policies. In summary, two possible energy policy directions from which European countries may choose involve focusing national energy security and accelerating energy transition. Nevertheless, this research suggest that it is better to combine short-term and long-term energy policies to mitigate current crisis and reduce energy vulnerability in future. Feasible energy strategies involve postponing the phase-out of coal, stricter conservation requirements in housing and transportation sectors, accelerating the deployment of renewable energy, increasing energy efficiency, and mandating obligation to increase energy storage. Moreover, EU member states should cooperate to respond to the current, otherwise, it will cause serious social and political issues.

show abstract

“…The energy inflation rate is higher than 25%, especially with respect to gas, which is commonly used for heating in the residential sector [15]. This can bring about an increase in domestic thermal discomfort and, as a consequence, economic implications on public healthcare [16].…”

Section: Of 17mentioning

confidence: 99%

Energy Retrofit Optimization by Means of Genetic Algorithms as an Answer to Fuel Poverty Mitigation in Social Housing Buildings

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In accordance with national regulations, the renovation of the residential sector is an urgent task for achieving significant reductions in energy consumption and CO2 emissions of the existing building stock. Social housing is particularly in need of such interventions, given the higher vulnerability of its inhabitants and its crucial role in furthering social welfare and environmental sustainability objectives. Both passive and active strategies have proved their efficacy in advancing towards these goals and also in mitigating increasing fuel poverty in low-income families. However, to optimize the best combination of such retrofit strategies, advanced optimization methodologies can be applied. Here, a multi-objective optimization methodology is implemented by a genetic algorithm (aNSGA-II) coupled to EnergyPlus dynamic energy simulations. Then, the energy consumption of the optimal solution is considered by means of EnergyPLAN simulations for the further application of active strategies. The two-step method is tested on a relevant case study, a social housing building in Rome, Italy. Results show that the applied method reduced the energy demand by 51% with passive strategies only. Active strategy implementation allowed for a further reduction of 69% in CO2 emissions and 51% in energy costs. The two-step method proved effective in mitigating fuel poverty and decarbonizing the residential sector.

show abstract

Energy retrofit as an answer to public health costs of fuel poverty in Lisbon social housing

Cited by 21 publications

References 15 publications

Development of Renewable Energy Sources in the European Union in the Context of Sustainable Development Policy

Development of Renewable Energy Sources in the European Union in the Context of Sustainable Development Policy

The Russia-Ukraine War and Energy Security: Impact and Policies, From a European Perspective

Energy Retrofit Optimization by Means of Genetic Algorithms as an Answer to Fuel Poverty Mitigation in Social Housing Buildings

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About