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Determination of Cost-Effective Energy Efficiency Measures in Buildings with the Aid of Multiple Indices

Author

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  • Theodoros Zachariadis

    (Department of Environmental Science and Technology, Cyprus University of Technology, 3603 Limassol, Cyprus)

  • Apostolos Michopoulos

    (Department of Environmental Science and Technology, Cyprus University of Technology, 3603 Limassol, Cyprus)

  • Yannis Vougiouklakis

    (Deutsche Gesellschaft für International Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), 10192 Athens, Greece)

  • Katerina Piripitsi

    (Ministry of Energy, Commerce, Industry and Tourism of the Republic of Cyprus, 1421 Nicosia, Cyprus)

  • Christodoulos Ellinopoulos

    (Ministry of Energy, Commerce, Industry and Tourism of the Republic of Cyprus, 1421 Nicosia, Cyprus)

  • Benjamin Struss

    (Deutsche Gesellschaft für International Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), 10785 Berlin, Germany)

Abstract

Energy refurbishments of buildings can substantially contribute to economy-wide energy efficiency improvements, leading to decarbonisation and additional sustainability benefits. Prioritising the most economically promising investments is not straightforward because apart from cost-effectiveness calculations, several real-world constraints have to be taken into account. This paper describes an approach to assess the economically viable energy efficiency potential in the building sector of the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, with a combination of detailed engineering modelling, cost-effectiveness calculations and real-world considerations of budgetary, technical, behavioural and market constraints. We examine diverse cost-effectiveness indices and come up with a proposal for prioritising specific energy investments such as the installation of heat pumps, insulation of roofs, and replacement of lighting and electronic equipment—without however ignoring other measures that may be economically less favourable but can realistically be implemented in a limited number of buildings. Finally we address the governance of energy efficiency policies, focusing on weaknesses of the current regulatory environment in Cyprus, which can be generalised for many other countries facing similar dilemmas.

Suggested Citation

  • Theodoros Zachariadis & Apostolos Michopoulos & Yannis Vougiouklakis & Katerina Piripitsi & Christodoulos Ellinopoulos & Benjamin Struss, 2018. "Determination of Cost-Effective Energy Efficiency Measures in Buildings with the Aid of Multiple Indices," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-20, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:11:y:2018:i:1:p:191-:d:126757
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Zachariadis, Theodoros & Hadjinicolaou, Panos, 2014. "The effect of climate change on electricity needs – A case study from Mediterranean Europe," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 899-910.
    2. Hunt Allcott & Michael Greenstone, 2017. "Measuring the Welfare Effects of Residential Energy Efficiency Programs," NBER Working Papers 23386, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    3. J. Lelieveld & P. Hadjinicolaou & E. Kostopoulou & J. Chenoweth & M. Maayar & C. Giannakopoulos & C. Hannides & M. Lange & M. Tanarhte & E. Tyrlis & E. Xoplaki, 2012. "Climate change and impacts in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 114(3), pages 667-687, October.
    4. Jaffe, Adam B. & Stavins, Robert N., 1994. "The energy-efficiency gap What does it mean?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 22(10), pages 804-810, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Barbiero, Tommaso & Grillenzoni, Carlo, 2019. "A statistical analysis of the energy effectiveness of building refurbishment," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 1-1.
    2. Sotiriou, Chryso & Michopoulos, Apostolos & Zachariadis, Theodoros, 2019. "On the cost-effectiveness of national economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions abatement measures," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 519-529.
    3. Carlo Iapige De Gaetani & Andrea Macchi & Pasquale Perri, 2020. "Joint Analysis of Cost and Energy Savings for Preliminary Design Alternative Assessment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-18, September.

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