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Ludlow, J., Jalil-Vega, F., Rivera, X. S., Garrido, R. A., Hawkes, A., Staffell, I., et al. (2021). Organic waste to energy: Resource potential and barriers to uptake in Chile. Sustain. Prod. Consum., 28, 1522–1537.
Abstract: Achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 requires a step-change in resource manage-ment, and the utilisation of organic waste is currently an untapped opportunity in Latin America. This study carries out a quantitative and qualitative assessment of organic waste-to-energy potentials for the Chilean context. First, it produces a comprehensive quantification of organic waste, including annual crop residues, horticulture residues, livestock manure and OFMSW by region; then it estimates the energy potential of these bioresources; and finally, it conducts a series of stakeholder interviews determining barriers to greater waste-to-energy utilisation. The results show that the total bioenergy potential from waste is estimated at 78 PJ/yr (3.3% of annual energy demand), being livestock manure (41%) and annual crop residues (28%) the main sources, arising mostly from three regions. The stakeholder elicitation concluded that financial, technical, and institutional barriers prevent waste utilisation, highlighting the needs to address elevated investment costs and high reliance on landfilling practices, which together with public policies could enable the full exploitation of these resources to ensure energy security and resource efficiency. (C) 2021 Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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Schmidt-Rivera, X. S., Rodgers, B., Odanye, T., Jalil-Vega, F., & Farmer, J. (2023). The role of aeroponic container farms in sustainable food systems – The environmental credentials. Sci. Total Environ., 860, 160420.
Abstract: Sustainable food production and consumption are key to face the current climate and environmental crisis, hence innovation to produce food with lower impacts are taking more attention. Controlled environment agriculture, also known as vertical farming, is seen as one innovative approach to reduce impacts of producing food while also improv-ing food security. Aeroponic is one of such innovations, which environmental impacts have not been well understood yet. Therefore, this study assesses the environmental impacts of aeroponic farm container system in the UK, including a full set of 19 indicators. The results show that energy requirements drive all the impacts, with climate change estimated at 1.52 kg CO2eq. per 1 kg of microgreens (pea shoots) using 2021 UK grid. Renewable powered systems improve almost all the impacts, with climate change reduced by up to 80 %, making this system competitive with con-ventional agricultural systems. This study proves that aeroponic farm container could offer lower impact food than equivalent imported to the UK, and that also could improve food security in terms of availability, stability, and access to food. Affordability issues need to be assessed in future work.
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Ferrada, F., Babonneau, F., Homem-de-Mello, T., & Jalil-Vega, F. (2022). Energy planning policies for residential and commercial sectors under ambitious global and local emissions objectives: A Chilean case study. J. Clean. Prod., 350, 131299.
Abstract: Chile is currently engaged in an energy transition process to meet ambitious greenhouse gas reductions and improved air quality indices. In this paper, we apply a long-term energy planning model, with the objective of finding the set of technologies that meet strong reductions of CO2 emissions and of local PM2.5 concentrations. For this purpose, we use the existing ETEM-Chile (Energy-Technology-Environment-Model) model which considers a simplified version of the Chilean electricity sector that we extend to the residential and commercial sectors and to local concentration considerations. We propose an original approach to integrate in the same framework local and global emission constraints. Results show that to meet the goal of zero emissions by 2050, electrification of end-use demands increases up to 49.2% with a strong growth of the CO2 marginal cost. It should be noted that this electrification rate is much lower than government projections and those usually found in the literature, in certain geographic areas in southern Chile with a wide availability of firewood for residential heating. Regarding local PM2.5 concentrations, our analysis shows that even without a specific emission reduction target, acceptable PM2.5 concentrations are achieved by 2045, due to first the emergence of more efficient, cleaner and cost-effective end-use technologies, in particular, residential firewood heaters, and second the use of drier and therefore less contaminating firewood. Achieving acceptable air quality as early as 2030 is also possible but comes with a high marginal cost of PM2.5 concentration. Our results illustrate the need for implementing effective public policies to (i) regulate the firewood heating market to increase its production and improve its environmental quality and (ii) incentivize the installation of efficient firewood heaters in the residential sector.
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Ferraz, A. D. N., Machado, P. G., Jalil-Vega, F., Coelho, S. T., & Woods, J. (2022). Liquefied biomethane from sugarcane vinasse and municipal solid waste: Sustainable fuel for a green-gas heavy duty road freight transport corridor in Sao Paulo state. J. Clean. Prod., 335, 130281.
Abstract: Diversifying the energy components of a country's transport sector is essential to guarantee the fuel supply to consumers and increase the market dynamics and competitiveness. Among the known alternative fuels, biogas is a renewable source and after upgrading to biomethane, it presents a similar composition to natural gas (>90% of CH4; 35-40 MJ m(-3)). In addition, it can be produced from a wide variety of biological resources and at different scales In this study, two scenarios have been developed that evaluate the use of liquefied biomethane (LBM) as a diesel replacement option in the freight sector of an area of 248,223 km(2) (equivalent to the area of the UK). Sugarcane vinasse (SVC) and Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) were the sole feedstocks for biogas production. The first scenario, non-restricted scenario (NRS), covered the entire territory while, the second scenario, restricted scenario (RS), includes only the area where gas pipelines are available. An economic assessment of the entire biogas value chain including, biogas production units, purification, transport and end-use was performed. The minimum selling price (MSP) of biomethane throughout the biogas chain was then estimated. LBM is estimated to be a cost-effective and affordable fuel choice compared to diesel. The technical potential of biogas production by the sugarcane mills and landfills of Sao Paulo state can replace up to half of the diesel consumed in the territory. The minimum distances and optimal locations methodology indicated the need for 120 liquefaction plants in the NRS, 35 injection points in the RS, and 7 refuelling stations to supply LBM throughout the state of Sao Paulo. The units for CO2 removal had the greatest influence on capital costs (similar to 60%) in both scenarios. Expenditure associated with the gas injection operation and its transport comprised more than 90% of the operating costs of the RS. Electricity purchasing represented the highest share of the operating costs at biogas purification (20%-30%) and biomethane liquefaction (65%-91%) units. Personnel costs are observed along the entire biogas chain, especially, in the biomethane transport step (40%), indicating an opportunity to generate wealth, jobs, and income. Despite our projections for the cost-effective and competitive supplies of LBM as a diesel replacement fuel, policy support measures such as a feed-in tariff, are likely to be necessary in order to overcome non-technical barriers and gain wider acceptability.
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Vargas-Ferrer, P., Alvarez-Miranda, E., Tenreiro, C., & Jalil-Vega, F. (2023). Integration of high levels of electrolytic hydrogen production: Impact on power systems planning. J. Clean. Prod., 409, 137110.
Abstract: The increasing interest in electrolytic hydrogen production using renewable electricity sources will require to adapt power systems to new electrical loads for hydrogen production and supply chains. Such high loads would impact the long-term planning and operation of power systems, as they need to balance the variability of renewable generation sources with electricity demand. This stresses the importance of characterizing the impact of incorporating hydrogen supply chains into power systems and planning accordingly. This study proposes a methodological framework to assess the integration and development of a national power system with electrolytic hydrogen production and supply chain. The framework is based on the well-known optimization tool for energy systems planning, Open Source Energy Modeling System (OSeMOSYS). For a detailed representation, a module was developed where demand side technologies � such as those associated to hydrogen supply chains � can provide operating reserves. As a case study, the integration of the Chilean power system with a hydrogen supply chain for exporting hydrogen between 2018 and 2050 was modeled. Among other findings, results indicate that an on-grid hydrogen supply chain would be more cost-effective than an off-grid one. However, the new electrical loads originated from such hydrogen supply chain would require additional generation capacity � primarily photovoltaic. Other generation capacities such as concentrated solar power, wind, and storage would experience significant variations in their investment requirements, compared to the off-grid hydrogen supply chain scenario. The study revealed that the coordinated operation of electrolyzers is crucial to the operational flexibility of the new electrical system.
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Ferrada, F., Babonneau, F., Homem-de-Mello, T., & Jalil-Vega, F. (2023). The role of hydrogen for deep decarbonization of energy systems: A Chilean case study. Energy Policy, 177, 113536.
Abstract: In this paper we implement a long-term multi-sectoral energy planning model to evaluate the role of green hydrogen in the energy mix of Chile, a country with a high renewable potential, under stringent emission reduction objectives in 2050. Our results show that green hydrogen is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly route especially for hard-to-abate sectors, such as interprovincial and freight transport. They also suggest a strong synergy of hydrogen with electricity generation from renewable sources. Our numerical simulations show that Chile should (i) start immediately to develop hydrogen production through electrolyzers all along the country, (ii) keep investing in wind and solar generation capacities ensuring a low cost hydrogen production and reinforce the power transmission grid to allow nodal hydrogen production, (iii) foster the use of electric mobility for cars and local buses and of hydrogen for long-haul trucks and interprovincial buses and, (iv) develop seasonal hydrogen storage and hydrogen cells to be exploited for electricity supply, especially for the most stringent emission reduction objectives.
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Vargas-Ferrer, P., Alvarez-Miranda, E., Tenreiro, C., & Jalil-Vega, F. (2022). Assessing flexibility for integrating renewable energies into carbon neutral multi-regional systems: The case of the Chilean power system. Energy Sustain. Dev., 70, 442–455.
Abstract: Reducing emissions from power systems requires enhancing the penetration of non-conventional renewable energy sources (NCRE) in the generation mix. However, such penetration requires high levels of operational flexibility in order to ensure an adequate balance between generation and demand. Concentrating solar power plants with thermal storage (CSP-TES) and battery energy storage systems (BESS) have shown to possess technical characteristics compatible with such high flexibility requirements. However, due to the high capital costs of these technologies, decision-makers must seek for cost-effective configurations and operation modes. This study presents the development of a methodological framework for designing the long-term transition of a multi-regional energy system towards a low carbon emission system. The sought system is characterized by a high penetration of NCRE, and the use of CSP-TES, BESS and electricity transmission settings for providing effective levels of operational flexibility. For this, the transformation of the Chilean electricity system between the years 2018-2050 is studied, using a tailored modification of the well-known OSeMOSYS optimization tool for energy systems planning. The main results indicate that by 2050, and considering a baseline scenario defined for 2016, for most of the scenarios studied the renewable electricity generation would be at least a 90 % and CO2 emissions would be 75 % lower. Furthermore, it is shown that providing operational flexibility to the system requires a mixed generation from hydroelectric reservoirs, CSP-TES plants, BESS, pumped-storage hydropower and natural gas generators. The obtained results allow planning the capacity and operation of CSP and BESS plants, which are adapted to the future flexibility requirements of the Chilean electric power system. Incentive policies like stimuli to growth BESS, would favor primarily the photovoltaic growth of the system at the expense of CSP-TES capacity, while CSP-TES growth incentives would maintain photovoltaic generation levels, but would decrease Wind and natural gas generation.
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Wickham, D., Hawkes, A., & Jalil-Vega, F. (2021). Hydrogen supply chain optimisation for the transport sector-Focus on hydrogen purity and purification requirements. Appl. Energy, 305, 117740.
Abstract: This study presents a spatially-resolved optimisation model to assess cost optimal configurations of hydrogen supply chains for the transport sector up to 2050. The model includes hydrogen grades and separation/purification technologies, offering the possibility to assess the effects that hydrogen grades play in the development of cost-effective hydrogen supply chains, including the decisions to repurpose gas distribution networks or blending hydrogen into them. The model is implemented in a case study of Great Britain, for a set of decarbonisation and learning rate scenarios. A base case with a medium carbon price scenario shows that the total discounted cost of the hydrogen supply chain is significantly higher than shown in previous studies, largely due to the additional costs from purification/separation needed to meet hydrogen purity standards for transport applications. Furthermore, it was shown that producing hydrogen from steam methane reforming with carbon capture and storage; installing new transmission pipelines; repurposing the gas distribution network to supply 100% hydrogen; and purifying hydrogen with a pressure swing adsorption system locally at the refuelling station; is a cost optimal configuration for the given technoeconomic assumptions, providing hydrogen at 6.18 pound per kg at the pump. Purification technologies were found to contribute to 14% and 30% of total discounted investment and operation costs respectively, highlighting the importance of explicitly including them into hydrogen supply chain models for the transport sector.
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Carvallo, C., Jalil-Vega, F., & Moreno, R. (2023). A multi-energy multi-microgrid system planning model for decarbonisation and decontamination of isolated systems. Appl. Energy, 343, 121143.
Abstract: Decarbonising and decontaminating remote regions in the world presents several challenges. Many of these regions feature isolation, dispersed demand in large areas, and a lack of economic resources that impede the development of robust and sustainable networks. Furthermore, isolated systems in the developing world are mostly based on diesel generation for electricity, and firewood and liquefied petroleum gas for heating, as these options do not require a significant infrastructure cost. In this context, we present a stochastic multi-energy multi-microgrid system planning model that integrates electricity, heat and hydrogen networks in isolated systems. The model is stochastic to capture uncertainty in renewable generation outputs, particularly hydro and wind, and thus design a multi-energy system proved secured against such uncertainty. The model also features two distinct constraints to limit the emissions of CO2 (for decarbonisation) and particulate matter (for decontamination), and incorporates firewood as a heating source. Moreover, given that the focus is on low-voltage networks, we introduce a fully linear AC power flow equations set, allowing the planning model to remain tractable. The model is applied to a real-world case study to design a multi-energy multi-microgrid system in an isolated region in Chilean Patagonia. In a case with a zero limit over direct CO2 emissions, the total system's cost increases by 34% with respect to an unconstrained case. In a case with a zero limit over particulate matter emissions, the total system's cost increases by 189%. Finally, although an absolute zero limit over both, particulate matter and direct CO2 emissions, leads to a total system's cost increase of 650%, important benefits in terms of decarbonisation and decontamination can be achieved at marginal cost increments.
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