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Author(s): F. Becchis & G. Genon
Abstract:
Energy use outlook in developed countries shows a particularly fast growing
component: the demand for cooling.
This demand of energy for indoor air
conditioning represents a challenge for environmental policies, a potential enemy
of energy efficiency and energy saving and, definitely, an issue at stake for
global climate policies.
The trend of energy demand for cooling purposes also
brings many problems for the generation capacity and the management of peak
loads.
The technologies for centralized trigeneration (electricity, heating,
cooling) seem promising but do not always enter the market with convincing
commercial strategies.
Nevertheless, the presence of district heating from
cogeneration plants in large metropolitan areas (like in Turin, Italy) represent the
possibility of developing district conditioning.
The preliminary conclusions of
the research are as follows: 1) given the assumed technology and the trend for
indoor air-conditioning demand, district cooling brings net social benefits from
both sides of industrial figures (global investments, maintenance and running
costs) and environmental externalities; 2) some cautionary remarks are due in
relation to the assumptions, sometimes questionable, about emissions rate per
kWh, energy efficiency in electricity production, discount rate, market prices of
alternative technologies, plumbing and networking costs.
The analysis does not
encompass the distribution of costs and benefits among stakeholders (among the
others: electricity producers, network owners, end users), a question that is more
relevant in the political local arena.
Keywords: district heating, district cooling, energy efficiency, environmental
cost-benefit analysis, energy externalities.
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Pages: 10
Size: 318 kb
Paper DOI: 10.2495/ECO070251
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