Hooman Farzaneh

Toward a CO2 zero emissions energy system in the Middle East region

ABSTRACT Climate change and energy security are global challenges requiring concerted attention and action by all of the world’s countries. Under these conditions, energy supplier and exporter countries in the Middle East region are experiencing further challenges, such as increasing domestic energy demand while energy exports have to concurrently be kept at high levels. Middle East countries process the largest proven oil and gas reserves in the world and contribute a large fraction of the world’s CO2 emissions from the use of these as fuels both domestically and internationally. This paper addresses different policies that could dramatically change the future course of the Middle East region toward a zero CO2 emission energy system. To this aim, an integrated energy supply–demand model has been developed to analyze required commitments including renewable energy and energy efficiency targets and the potential of nuclear power, all of which should need to be considered in order to reduce CO2 emissions by 2100. The results indicate that nearly 43% of the global energy of the Middle East region can be supplied from non-fossil fuel resources in 2100.

Urban governance and the systems approaches to health-environment co-benefits in cities

“Co-beneficios” e um termo que se refere aos impactos positivos de uma politica alem do que se era esperado inicialmente. No contexto urbano, politicas executadas em um setor especifico (como transporte, energia ou residuos) frequentemente podem gerar multiplos co-beneficios em outras areas, como reducao dos impactos ambientais globais e locais, e se extendendo a saude publica. Um ponto chave para se poder identificar e gerar co-beneficios e adotar a abordagem por sistemas para entender as ligacoes inter-setoriais. Esta abordagem tambem pode ajudar no entendimento de como podemos melhorar um setor especifico e a governanca urbana em geral. Assim, este artigo faz uma revisao da literatura de varias politicas que geram co-beneficios climaticos e de saude em diversos setores e ilustra atraves de uma serie de casos como a abordagem por sistemas pode levar a inovacoes em governanca urbana que levem ao desenvolvimento de cidades mais sustentaveis e saudaveis.

Evaluation of the optimal performance of passenger vehicle by integrated energy-environment-economic modeling

Analysis of multi dimensional interactions of flow of energy in passenger vehicle is a complex task that necessitates development and utilization of analytical tools. Development of analytical tools with high complexity is usually based on conclusions of many concepts and theories from different scientific disciplines. In this approach, Passenger vehicle is supposed to be organized in the form of a firm and appears in the market that oriented towards establishing an effective energy supply system which may be identified as delivering the product (person kilometer or tone kilometer) with minimum operation costs. To this end, an optimization model named power software founded on theory of firm of microeconomics has been developed using technique of mathematical programming. Base on this theory, the car owner tries to minimize the total cost of the system subject to the satisfaction of the required transport services and technological, economical, environmental and institutional constraints. The approach and the application of the model shall be demonstrated with the help of a case study. The result of this study shows the extent of optimal energy usage subject to meeting the required certain urban transport service.

Software of Passenger Vehicle Optimal Work and Energy Recovery (POWER)

In this paper, the model of optimal energy flow in a passenger vehicle has been founded on the theory of firm microeconomics. Based on this theory, the car owner tries to minimize the total cost of the system (including the cost of time of the traveler), subject to the satisfaction of the required transport services and technological, economical, environmental and institutional constraints. The model has been developed using a technique of mathematical programming. The model depicts the behavior of a nonlinear system and it includes many nonlinear functions in the objective function and in the constraints. Solving the large nonlinear set of constraints and identifying the global optimal energy flow was a major issue in the process of developing the model. Therefore, an integrated approach based on numerical analysis, linear programming and the concept of control volume, as a means of defining open and interrelated systems, has been developed and applied in solving the model. Solution of the model has been based on the boundary conditions that define the surroundings of the vehicle. The output data resulting from solution of the model are: material elements and optimal energy balances in different parts of the vehicle, transient behavior fuel consumption and emission of pollutants in the course of operation of the vehicle.

Optimal power generation from low concentration coal bed methane in Iran

Abstract Development of a model for optimal power generation from the thermal oxidation of a low concentration coal bed mine has been considered as the main objective of this investigation. The model has been applied to identify the optimal thermodynamic characteristics of the power generation system through using a mixture with 1.6% methane concentration in a recuperative lean-burn gas turbine and coupling a gas engine to the system for more power generation from the remaining coal bed methane. The implementation of the model based on the real site condition would lead to the generation of 6.97 MW electricity in Tabas coal mine of Iran.

Energy Demand Forecast for South East Asia Region: An Econometric Approach with Relation to the Energy Per Capita “Curve”

This paper will discuss the forecast of final energy consumption from each member country up to 2100. Almost 40 years (1971–2010) of data series of energy consumption had been collected from various sources. Econometrics was then used to predict the energy consumption, based on the population projections of the United Nations (UN) (medium scenario). An energy intensity index (KTOe per capita) from various developed countries was also used (as a reference) in order to measure the potential limits of ASEAN member countries’ energy consumption. A novel approach was taken to modifying standard econometrics approaches with further limiting factors also being defined, such as land to population ratio, population trend, total land area, demographic characteristics and landscape (inland, archipelago, landlocked etc.).

An Optimization Supply Model for Crude Oil and Natural Gas in the Middle East

Crude oil and natural gas are major contributors to the world economy. Most of the Middle East countries are the main participants in the world energy because of their reserves, supplies and also trade markets. In this investigation, a model of optimal oil and natural gas supply has been developed for the Middle East region including main producers such as Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Bahrain. To this aim, Middle East region is supposed to be organized in the form of a firm and appears in the market that oriented towards establishing an effective energy system to produce oil and gas with minimum costs subject to satisfying technical, institutional and economical constraints. The model is used to prepare a projection on oil and gas supply up to 2030. According to the results, oil production is expected to increase in the Middle East region to meet growth in consumption. It should be expected to rise by about 30 Mbbld by 2030. Also, the Middle East’s share in global gas production is predicted to expand to 20% in 2030. The projection implies that the Middle East upstream and refinery capacities are likely to be sufficient to meet the demand until around 2015; thereafter expansion appears certainly.

Scenario Analysis of Low-Carbon Urban Energy System in Asian Cities

The main challenges of the coming urban energy transitions in Asia include increased urbanization in developing countries, climate change-energy security imperatives, and new technologies at local and grid levels. These challenges highlight the need for Asian cities to reconsider how new urban investments should be prioritized in order to reduce resource consumption and emissions, as well as to achieve local and national development goals. This chapter will explore the application of a quantitative bottom-up modeling approach for the assessment of multiple benefits of climate change mitigation in Asian cities. Testing the model in Delhi shows the potential environmental (GHG mitigation and air quality) and health co-benefits of developing a clean transport scenario for this city. The results reveal that the implementation of the strategic plan in Delhi’s urban transportation system has GHG emission reduction potential of about 4.3 million tonnes of CO2 with an aggregated reduction of about 0.2 million tonnes of other local air pollutants, which could prevent about 22,000 cases of mortality and brings more than USD 1850 million per capita by 2030.

Tokyo’s Low-Emission Development Strategies Underlying the Promotion of Energy Efficiency in Public and Private Buildings

Metropolitan cities are the cornerstones of economic development. They are showcases of technological advancement and are comprised of social infrastructures which accommodate dense populations. Nonetheless, as centers of production and consumption, they are also responsible for approximately 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions. In this regard, Tokyo Metropolis, the world’s most populous metropolitan area and the world’s largest urban agglomeration economy, has a significant role to play as a leader of sustainable technology and services, and could act as an inspiration for other world centers. Despite directing copious amounts of investments toward the conformation of environmental regulations, however, Tokyo faces the challenge of balancing economic competitivity and socio-environmental sustainability. In order to assess the most successful greenhouse gas reduction opportunities that are present in the context of Tokyo, this chapter has reviewed the projects and environmental policies that have been initiated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government since 2000. In essence, this chapter scrutinized the “Tokyo Metropolitan Environmental Security Ordinance”; “Tokyo Climate Change Strategy”; and the “Tokyo Metropolitan Environmental Master Plan” policies and the programs that were brought to life through their enactment. The findings from the policy review indicate that out of the three dominant programs occupying the space surrounding the energy efficiency of industrial, commercial, and residential buildings, the greenhouse gas reductions achieved by the Tokyo Cap & Trade program were the most notable and amounted to 10 million tons of CO2 at the end of the first compliance period. Despite regulating a fraction of the companies residing in Tokyo, 91% of the facilities surpassed the mandatory targets of 6–8% during the first compliance period, and 80% had surpassed the targets of 15–17% by the end of the first year of the second compliance period, showing great potential for future CO2 reductions.

A systems approach for health/environment/climate co-benefits in cities

Urbanization and Climate Co-Benefits examines the main opportunities and challenges to the implementation of a co-benefits approach in urban areas. Drawing on the results of empirical research carried out in Brazil, China, Indonesia, South Africa, India and Japan, the book is divided into two parts. The first part uses a common framework to analyse co-benefits across the urban sectors. The second part examines the tools and legal and governance perspectives at the local and international level that can help in planning for co-benefits.