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A Vision for Energy Decarbonization: Planning Sustainable Tertiary Sites as Net-Zero Energy Systems

Author

Listed:
  • Marc Richter

    (Department of Energy Systems and Infrastructures, Fraunhofer Institute for Factory Operation and Automation IFF, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany)

  • Pio Lombardi

    (Department of Energy Systems and Infrastructures, Fraunhofer Institute for Factory Operation and Automation IFF, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany)

  • Bartlomiej Arendarski

    (Department of Energy Systems and Infrastructures, Fraunhofer Institute for Factory Operation and Automation IFF, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany)

  • André Naumann

    (Department of Energy Systems and Infrastructures, Fraunhofer Institute for Factory Operation and Automation IFF, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany)

  • Andreas Hoepfner

    (Department of Energy Systems and Infrastructures, Fraunhofer Institute for Factory Operation and Automation IFF, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany)

  • Przemyslaw Komarnicki

    (Department of Engineering and Industrial Design, Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences, 39114 Magdeburg, Germany)

  • Antonio Pantaleo

    (Department of Agro-Environmental and Territorial Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70121 Bari, Italy)

Abstract

The power system is changing towards a decarbonized one. The Kyoto protocol and the Paris climate agreement have prompted many nations to approve energy policies based on volatile renewable energy sources (RESs). However, the integration into the grid of the power generated by RESs as well as the electrification of the heating, gas and transportation sectors is becoming a huge challenge. Planning industrial and tertiary sites as net-zero energy systems (NZESs) might contribute to advance the solutions of fully integrating volatile RESs into the power system. This study aims to point out the importance of planning large energy consumer sites such as NZESs, and to depict a holistic modeling approach for this. The methodology is based on a multi-layer approach, which focuses on on-site power generation by RESs, on the improvement of energy efficiency, and on the increase of system flexibility. A qualitative case study has been conducted. It considers the planning of a Net-Zero Energy Data Center located in Germany. Results point out that new interdisciplinary and in particular social analysis methods are necessary. They might be used for accelerating the decision making process during the planning of RES-based on-site power generation systems. Besides, for computation and cooling systems, new technologies that are continuously emerging in the market should be taken into account. If well designed, they contribute to significantly decrease the whole energy demand of data center. Finally, optimal sizing of energy storage systems (electric and thermal) as well as an expedient choice of performance indicators to evaluate technology options are identified as the key factor for decreasing the external energy demand of tertiary sites, such as data center.

Suggested Citation

  • Marc Richter & Pio Lombardi & Bartlomiej Arendarski & André Naumann & Andreas Hoepfner & Przemyslaw Komarnicki & Antonio Pantaleo, 2021. "A Vision for Energy Decarbonization: Planning Sustainable Tertiary Sites as Net-Zero Energy Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-16, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:17:p:5577-:d:630100
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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