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A Concept for Solving the Sustainability of Cities Worldwide

Author

Listed:
  • Karmen Margeta

    (The Institute for Development and International Relations, Lj. F. Vukotinovića 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia)

  • Zvonimir Glasnovic

    (Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Tachnology, University of Zagreb, Savska cesta 16, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
    Retired, independent scientist, current address: zvonimir.glasnovic@gmail.com .)

  • Nataša Zabukovec Logar

    (National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova ulica 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
    Faculty of Science, University of Nova Gorica, Vipavska 13, 5000 Nova Gorica, Slovenia)

  • Sanja Tišma

    (The Institute for Development and International Relations, Lj. F. Vukotinovića 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia)

  • Anamarija Farkaš

    (The Institute for Development and International Relations, Lj. F. Vukotinovića 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia)

Abstract

Considering that more than half of the world’s population today lives in cities and consumes about 80% of the world’s energy and that there is a problem with drinking water supply, this paper presents a way to solve the problem of the sustainability of cities by enabling their complete independence from external sources of energy and drinking water. The proposed solution entails the use of Seawater Steam Engine (SSE) technology to supply cities with electricity, thermal energy and drinking water. The system would involve the seasonal storage of electricity and thermal energy, supported by geothermal heat pumps. The strategy of the distribution network would be based on the original concept of the “loop”. In cities that do not have enough space, SSE collectors would be placed above the lower parts of the city like “canopies”. The city of Zagreb (Croatia) was selected as a case study due to its size, climate and vulnerability to natural disasters. The results show that Zagreb could become sustainable in 30 years with the allocation of less than 2% of GDP and could become a paradigm of sustainability for cities worldwide. This paper encourages the development of the “Philosophy of Sustainability” because the stated goals cannot be achieved without a change in consciousness.

Suggested Citation

  • Karmen Margeta & Zvonimir Glasnovic & Nataša Zabukovec Logar & Sanja Tišma & Anamarija Farkaš, 2022. "A Concept for Solving the Sustainability of Cities Worldwide," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-24, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:2:p:616-:d:725915
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Zvonimir Glasnovic & Karmen Margeta & Nataša Zabukovec Logar, 2020. "Humanity Can Still Stop Climate Change by Implementing a New International Climate Agreement and Applying Radical New Technology," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-32, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Sergey Zhironkin & Michal Cehlár, 2022. "Green Economy and Sustainable Development: The Outlook," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-8, February.
    2. Kılkış, Şiir, 2023. "Integrated urban scenarios of emissions, land use efficiency and benchmarking for climate neutrality and sustainability," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 285(C).
    3. Brygida Klemens & Brygida Solga & Krystian Heffner & Piotr Gibas, 2022. "Environmental and Energy Conditions in Sustainable Regional Development," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-26, August.

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