Ksenia Chmutina

Success in international decentralised urban energy initiatives: a matter of understanding?

Many towns and cities worldwide have begun implementing decentralised urban energy systems. Aiming to reduce their carbon emissions, many utilise not only technological innovation but also innovative policy and financial and social–economic approaches. Following interviews with stakeholders, four international cases, all of which were defined by stakeholders in different ways as “successful”, provide insights into the instigating driving forces contributing to success. Understanding of “success” varied between projects and between stakeholders, depending significantly on individual attitudes to sustainability, financial feasibility, technical performance and social acceptance, suggesting that a realistic definition of success involves not just a projects financial feasibility and energy savings, but that enhancing high-potential partnerships and transparency, and acceptance and understanding of the proposed project are also critical, as are interest from the media and outside organisations. The success of a project therefore cannot be measured simply via its outcomes – process factors and the context in which they unfold are also crucial.

Case Study Analysis of Urban Decentralised Energy Systems

The UK has set an ambitious plan to substantially cut its carbon emissions. In order to meet this 2050 target of 80 % reduction, the UK is facing a significant challenge of restructuring its energy system, currently characterised by lock-into centralisation. There is however, potential to challenge this lock-in through the development of more decentralised energy systems—based not only on technological, but also on more innovative political, social and economic approaches. Examples of these unique approaches have already been successfully implemented in many cities worldwide, demonstrating that more decentralised energy systems can lead to enhanced carbon emissions reductions. Using a multi-disciplinary framework, this work critically assesses several urban decentralised energy systems around the world through the assessment of exemplar international case studies. Following semi-structured interviews, this work compares and critiques four diverse international case studies in order to demonstrate and contrast a variety of decentralised approaches. It emphasises the variety and inter-relationships of barriers and drivers involved in the implementation of such projects. Although it is believed that regulations heavily influence the implementation of decentralised energy projects, these projects are frequently driven and motivated by other factors such as reputation, profitability and the opportunity to show that “we can do it”. The main non-technical barriers are not necessarily financial, as is often believed. Governance barriers—such as out-of-date regulations or unreliable partners—also play an important role in the success or failure of a project. Social barriers in the form of public apathy and misinformation regarding energy consumption can also be significant, which often affects the operation on the project.

The potential of PV installations in SIDS – an example in the island of Barbados

Purpose – This paper reviews the current status of photovoltaics on the island of Barbados, including experiences to date, and discusses the future directions with a view to sharing the experience gained with other small island developing states (SIDS).Design/methodology/approach – As with many SIDS Barbados is heavily reliant on fossil fuels to meet their electricity generation needs (currently 98 per cent of total electricity generation). The paper outlines how solar PV sits within the existing energy structure for the island of Barbados and reflects on the experience gained from the success of its solar thermal hot water heating industry.Findings – This paper estimates the installed capacity of photovoltaic solar systems on Barbados was estimated to be around 200 kWp in 2010 (0.18 per cent of the average electricity demand, not including the load factor of the PV systems).Practical implications – With an average daily solar radiation of 5.7 kWh/m2, the potential of the resource is clear to see, with so...

An analysis of climate change policy‐making and implementation in China

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to introduce and discuss policy making process in the field of climate change in China. It aims to describe the main climate change‐related policies and to discuss the role of China in international climate change negotiations.Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative method has been used for this paper. A preliminary desk study based on the analysis of the primary and secondary sources published in both English and Chinese (Mandarin) has been conducted. Literature on policy analysis and evaluation and the role of political actors in it, as well as examples of energy efficiency studies in other countries has been studied to develop an analytical framework for the empirical data interpretation. The main sources for information about Chinas situation are books, articles, as well as internet resources and newspapers covering Chinas politics, the climate change regime, and Chinese climate policy.Findings – The paper provides insights into Chinas climate change polic...

Disaster Risk Reduction for the Built Environment

This highly-illustrated text book provides a broad range of examples, case studies and thinking points that help the reader to consider how DRR approaches might be adapted for differing contexts.

Construction in Barbados: keeping natural hazards in mind?

Purpose – Employing a case study of Barbados, the purpose of this paper is to highlight key stakeholders involved in the construction sector, discusses the roles of construction stakeholders in disaster risk reduction (DRR) and the key stages of the construction process where proactive DRR inputs could be made, The following objectives are addressed: to describe the main natural hazards in Barbados; to reveal key stakeholders involved in the decision making during the design, construction and operation process (DCOP) and DRR process; to discuss the roles of construction stakeholders in DRR and the key stages of the DCOP where proactive DRR inputs could be made; to emphasise the main barriers to the implementation of DRR in the Barbados’ construction sector. Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative case study methodology, that includes semi-structured interviews with construction stakeholders in Barbados, a critical review of relevant literature and media coverage of natural hazards, and construction si...

Urban Resilience and Sustainability: The Role of a Local Resilience Forum in England

Whilst being a large contributor of greenhouse gas emissions, the urban environment is prone to impacts of hazards, threats and major accidents. It is crucial to plan, design, build, manage and operate urban environments in a resilient and sustainable manner. The compatibility and conflict between resilience and sustainability has received increasing attention in recent years in academic literature, however its application at local and national levels has not yet been widely attempted. The Local Resilience Forum (LRF) is an important mechanism for facilitating the complex multi-stakeholder interactions required to deliver urban resilience in England, however sustainability does not appear to be a priority. This study explores how emergency planning and the design of the built environment can further both agendas. A range of promising practices have been found that potentially could not only increase the resilience of, but that are also integral to the sustainability of, the built environment.

Towards integrated security and resilience framework: a tool for decision-makers

Recent disasters such as Super Storm Sandy, the Haitian Earthquake and extensive floods across the United Kingdom have highlighted the fragility of cities to a range of hazards and threats thus emphasizing the increasing importance of resilience and disaster risk reduction (DRR) in relation to the management of the built environment. While this makes the role of planning, design and construction stakeholders crucial in implementing the principles of DRR, tensions exist regarding the extent to which DRR measures should be implemented during planning, design and construction process; in particular who should be responsible for the implementation of such measures. This paper presents a web-based Decision-Support System Portal (DSSP) developed during a four-year European Union-funded project which is examining the design and planning of safer urban spaces. Central to the project is an integrated security and resilience (ISR) design framework that engages local stakeholders (that can typically be otherwise disengaged in such matters) in identifying vulnerabilities and improving urban spaces with respect to ‘security threats’. The DSSP signposts a broad range of users to relevant advice and guidance that will help them to make more informed decisions about how DRR can be integrated into urban design and planning.

Non-technical barriers for decentralised energy and energy efficient buildings

Purpose – This paper aims to demonstrate the complex inter-relationship of non-technical barriers involved in the implementation of decentralised energy (DE) projects. To meet its ambitious 2050 target of 80 per cent carbon emission reduction, the UK needs to increase dramatically the wider uptake of DE systems. Many examples exist internationally of DE systems leading to enhanced carbon emissions reductions, including systems based not only on technological but also on more innovative policy, financial and social-economic approaches. Design/methodology/approach – Following semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders and thematic analysis with NVivo8, four exemplar international DE case studies have been investigated. Findings – The main non-technical barriers were not necessarily financial, as is often believed; governance barriers, such as out-of-date regulations or unreliable partners, can also play a critical role in a project’s success or failure. Social barriers such as public apathy and misinf...

Past and Present Green Economy Initiatives, and Capacity Building and Financial Mechanisms for the Future Development of the Barbados Energy Sector

As with most Small Island Developing States (SIDS), imported fossil fuels make up the majority of Barbados’ primary energy requirements, including electricity generation. As well as using up valuable foreign exchange, this import bill makes the island highly vulnerable to the ever more volatile international energy market. Sustainable development has long been present in the island’s ideological mindset and in 2010 the government of Barbados signalled its commitment towards becoming “the most environmentally advanced green country in Latin America and the Caribbean”. This paper first describes the island’s present fossilfuel-dominated energy sector, as well as past and present green economy-related initiatives. It then discusses two key areas of energy sector reform necessary to promote sustainable development: capacity building and finance, highlighting the role that innovative financing mechanisms could play in decreasing the country’s reliance on fossil fuel imports.