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Towards Optimal Sustainable Energy Systems in Nordic Municipalities

Author

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  • Robert Fischer

    (Energy Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, SE-97187 Lulea, Sweden)

  • Erik Elfgren

    (Energy Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, SE-97187 Lulea, Sweden)

  • Andrea Toffolo

    (Energy Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, SE-97187 Lulea, Sweden)

Abstract

Municipal energy systems in the northern regions of Finland, Norway, and Sweden face multiple challenges: large-scale industries, cold climate, and a high share of electric heating characterize energy consumption and cause significant peak electricity demand. Local authorities are committed in contributing to national goals on CO 2 emission reductions by improving energy efficiency and investing in local renewable electricity generation, while considering their own objectives for economic development, increased energy self-sufficiency, and affordable energy costs. This paper formulates a multi-objective optimization problem about these goals that is solved by interfacing the energy systems simulation tool EnergyPLAN with a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm implemented in Matlab. A sensitivity analysis on some key economic parameters is also performed. In this way, optimal alternatives are identified for the integrated electricity and heating sectors and valuable insights are offered to decision-makers in local authorities. Piteå (Norrbotten, Sweden) is used as a case study that is representative of Nordic municipalities, and results show that CO 2 emissions can be reduced by 60% without a considerable increase in total costs and that peak electricity import can be reduced by a maximum of 38%.

Suggested Citation

  • Robert Fischer & Erik Elfgren & Andrea Toffolo, 2020. "Towards Optimal Sustainable Energy Systems in Nordic Municipalities," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-23, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:13:y:2020:i:2:p:290-:d:306096
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    Cited by:

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    4. Groppi, Daniele & Nastasi, Benedetto & Prina, Matteo Giacomo, 2022. "The EPLANoptMAC model to plan the decarbonisation of the maritime transport sector of a small island," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 254(PA).
    5. Fischer, Robert & Toffolo, Andrea, 2022. "Is total system cost minimization fair to all the actors of an energy system? Not according to game theory," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(PC).
    6. Younes Mohammadi & Aleksey Palstev & Boštjan Polajžer & Seyed Mahdi Miraftabzadeh & Davood Khodadad, 2023. "Investigating Winter Temperatures in Sweden and Norway: Potential Relationships with Climatic Indices and Effects on Electrical Power and Energy Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-34, July.
    7. Fredrik Ege Abrahamsen & Sturla Grina Ruud & Alemayehu Gebremedhin, 2020. "Moving Toward a Sustainable Energy System: A Case Study of Viken County of Norway," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-16, November.

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