Evanthia A. Nanaki

Exergy-based comparison of two Greek industries

In this work, the potential of the increase in exergy and energy efficiency of the Greek construction and Food, Drink and Tobacco (FDT) industries has been examined using energy and exergy analysis methodology. These two industries play a vital role towards sustainable development of the country. The continuous increase in energy use in these two industries during the years 1971?2000 shows that both remain steadily in an ascendant orbit. The aim was to analyse and compare the energy use and exergy consumption in the Greek construction and FDT industries to gain insights into each sectors efficiency of energy use.

7 – Deployment of Renewable Energy Systems: Barriers, Challenges, and Opportunities

Abstract Anthropogenic activities resulting to the emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) to the atmosphere have increased the challenges faced from climate change. The increased need to mitigate the impacts of climate change has brought focus on the adverse impacts of fossil-fuel-based energy on the environment. Renewable energy sources that include biomass, hydroelectric, wind, solar, and geothermal systems and are carbon neutral, releasing relatively no emissions, are a viable solution. This chapter describes the renewable energy potential of EU-28 countries, current trends, and future prospects of energy systems in 2050. Furthermore, this chapter assesses from a technological and economical point of view a strategy for integrating renewable sources into isolated energy systems—located in Cyclades group of islands. The design of renewable energy systems involves three major technological changes: energy savings on the demand side, efficiency improvements in the energy production, and the replacement of fossil fuels by various sources of renewable energy. Based on the case of Cyclades group of islands, this chapter analyzes the problems and perspectives of converting the present energy system of Greek islands into a 100% renewable energy system.

Electric vehicle deployment in urban areas

The transportation sector accounts for approximately one-fifth of global primary energy use and one quarter of all energy related carbon dioxide emissions, with nearly half of those emissions originating from passenger vehicles. In order to reduce significantly the use of fossil fuels in urban mobility, whilst improving air quality and increasing the accessibility and attractiveness of urban areas, it is necessary to increase the use of non-conventionally fuelled vehicles for passenger and freight transport in urban areas. The introduction of electric vehicles (EVs) is a promising option, so as to achieve decarbonisation objectives, energy security, improved urban air quality and to increase energy efficiency. However, there are a number of challenges for the large-scale deployment of EV both on global and European level. These, in particular, are the high cost of the battery, lack of a standardised recharging infrastructure, relatively low range of battery electric vehicles or lack of interesting value proposition for consumers. A few studies have attempted to calculate the costs and benefits of EVs, but none consider the cost and benefits of EVs at a level of detail comparable to what has been performed for other vehicle technologies. This study constructs the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of EVs, based on real data from the auto-industry, in order to assess the costs and benefits as well as the potentiality of electro-mobility deployment in urban areas.

Earthquake risk management: the case study of Lefkada Island

Societys attitude toward seismic risk, in the last few years, has evolved from fatalistic to proactive. This paper presents an approach in the area of seismic risk management. The objective is to implement a methodology in a seismic prone area in an earthquake risk management framework, based on the case study of the island of Lefkada. A tool to assist in the selection of an intervention proactive strategy is the multi-criteria analysis. The outranking method ELECTRE III is used as decision-aid in earthquake risk management problems. Its application to decision support for earthquake risk management in the island of Lefkada is presented.