PUBLICATIONS

@article{Sotiriou2021b,

title = {A multi-objective optimisation approach to explore decarbonisation pathways in a dynamic policy context},

author = {Chryso Sotiriou and Theodoros Zachariadis},

doi = {10.1016/J.JCLEPRO.2021.128623},

issn = {0959-6526},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-10-01},

urldate = {2021-10-01},

journal = {Journal of Cleaner Production},

volume = {319},

pages = {128623},

publisher = {Elsevier},

abstract = {Climate policy is changing fast in the EU, with country leaders raising the bloc's ambition to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and 2050. However, there is uncertainty about the allocation of decarbonisation effort between EU member states. This paper develops a multi-objective optimisation framework to provide insights to decision-makers in this policy context by exploring trade-offs between stronger decarbonisation goals and higher costs. Applying this approach for Cyprus, we find that the maximum achievable abatement for the EU Effort Sharing sectors corresponds to a 35% target. The current 24% ambition can be achieved with net social benefits, but the transition to higher abatement results in positive costs with a gradual rate of increase. The picture changes when decision-making explicitly accounts for external costs of emissions of greenhouse gases and air pollutants in the optimisation procedure. In this case, the least-cost solution delivers an abatement of about 32% and can yield social benefits of more than one billion Euros'2020. Regarding public expenditures, it requires about 3% of national GDP each year. This indicates that the socially optimal policy mix for attaining decarbonisation of the Cypriot economy is feasible but requires a consistent allocation of public funds to build infrastructure, overcome investment barriers and mobilise capital to enable the uptake of clean technologies across the economy. Although the modelling framework has been developed for a specific country and is tailored to the specific EU policy circumstances, the proposed methodology is entirely suitable for other world regions with a demanding decarbonisation roadmap.},

keywords = {Energy Planning & Analysis},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Karmellos2021,

title = {A decomposition and decoupling analysis of carbon dioxide emissions from electricity generation: Evidence from the EU-27 and the UK},

author = {Marios Karmellos and V. Kosmadakis and P. Dimas and A. Tsakanikas and Nestor Fylaktos and Constantinos Taliotis and Theodoros Zachariadis},

doi = {10.1016/J.ENERGY.2021.120861},

issn = {0360-5442},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-09-01},

journal = {Energy},

volume = {231},

pages = {120861},

publisher = {Pergamon},

abstract = {In this paper the driving factors of carbon dioxide emissions from electricity generation in the European Union are examined for the years 2000–2018, separated into three time periods using decomposition analysis, and particularly LMDI-I. Seven driving factors are examined, namely the economic activity effect, the population effect, the electricity intensity effect, the electricity trade effect, the energy intensity effect, the generation structure effect, and the emissions factor effect. The results showed that the main driving factor leading to increased carbon dioxide emissions is the economic activity effect counterbalanced mainly by the contribution of the generation structure effect. Moreover, a decoupling analysis between economic growth and carbon dioxide emissions was carried out aiming to identify the state of each country for each period. In the third examined period (2013–2018) most countries in the EU-27 are in a state of strong decoupling.},

keywords = {Energy Planning & Analysis},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Beltramo2021,

title = {The Global Least-cost user-friendly CLEWs Open-Source Exploratory model},

author = {Agnese Beltramo and Eunice Pereira Ramos and Constantinos Taliotis and Mark Howells and Will Usher},

doi = {10.1016/J.ENVSOFT.2021.105091},

issn = {1364-8152},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-09-01},

journal = {Environmental Modelling & Software},

volume = {143},

pages = {105091},

publisher = {Elsevier},

abstract = {Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs) are important tools to analyse cross-sectoral interdependencies and the use of global resources. Most current tools are highly detailed and require expert knowledge and proprietary software to generate scenarios and analyse their insights. In this paper, the complementary Global Least-cost User-friendly CLEWs Open-Source Exploratory (GLUCOSE) model is presented as a highly-aggregated global IAM, open and accessible from source to solver and using the OSeMOSYS tool and the CLEWs framework. The model enables the exploration of policy measures on the future development of the integrated resource system. Thanks to its relatively simple structure, it requires low computational resources allowing for the generation of a large number of scenarios or to quickly conduct preliminary investigations. GLUCOSE is targeted towards education and training purposes by a range of interested parties, from students to stakeholders and decision-makers, to explore possible future pathways towards the sustainable management of global resources.},

keywords = {Energy Planning & Analysis},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Ramos2021,

title = {The climate, land, energy, and water systems (CLEWs) framework: a retrospective of activities and advances to 2019},

author = {Eunice Pereira Ramos and Mark Howells and Vignesh Sridharan and Rebecka Ericsdotter Engström and Constantinos Taliotis and Dimitris Mentis and Francesco Gardumi and Lucia Strasser and Ioannis Pappis and Gabriela Peña Balderrama and Youssef Almulla and Agnese Beltramo and Camilo Ramirez and Caroline Sundin and Thomas Alfstad and Annukka Lipponen and Eduardo Zepeda and Taco Niet and Jairo Quirós-Tortós and Jam Angulo-Paniagua and Abhishek Shivakumar and Silvia Ulloa and Holger Rogner},

url = {https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/abd34f https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/abd34f/meta},

doi = {10.1088/1748-9326/ABD34F},

issn = {1748-9326},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-02-01},

journal = {Environmental Research Letters},

volume = {16},

number = {3},

pages = {033003},

publisher = {IOP Publishing},

abstract = {Population growth, urbanization and economic development drive the use of resources. Securing access to essential services such as energy, water, and food, while achieving sustainable development, require that policy and planning processes follow an integrated approach. The 'Climate-, Land-, Energy- and Water-systems' (CLEWs) framework assists the exploration of interactions between (and within) CLEW systems via quantitative means. The approach was first introduced by the International Atomic Energy Agency to conduct an integrated systems analysis of a biofuel chain. The framework assists the exploration of interactions between (and within) CLEW systems via quantitative means. Its multi-institutional application to the case of Mauritius in 2012 initiated the deployment of the framework. A vast number of completed and ongoing applications of CLEWs span different spatial and temporal scales, discussing two or more resource interactions under different political contexts. Also, the studies vary in purpose. This shapes the methods that support CLEWs-type analyses. In this paper, we detail the main steps of the CLEWs framework in perspective to its application over the years. We summarise and compare key applications, both published in the scientific literature, as working papers and reports by international organizations. We discuss differences in terms of geographic scope, purpose, interactions represented, analytical approach and stakeholder involvement. In addition, we review other assessments, which contributed to the advancement of the CLEWs framework. The paper delivers recommendations for the future development of the framework, as well as keys to success in this type of evaluations.},

keywords = {Energy Planning & Analysis},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Ramos2021a,

title = {The role of energy efficiency in the management of water resources of the syr darya river basin},

author = {Eunice Ramos and Nandi Moksnes and Annukka Lipponen and Lucia Strasser and Constantinos Taliotis and Shahid Siyal and Dimitris Mentis and Mark Howells},

doi = {10.1504/IJESD.2021.112667},

issn = {14746778},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-01-01},

journal = {International Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development},

volume = {20},

number = {1},

pages = {64--88},

publisher = {Inderscience Publishers},

abstract = {A motivation for integrated resource assessments is that they can capture indirect cross-sectoral effects of sectoral policies. This work investigates the electricity system implications from the implementation of basin-wide electricity and water systems efficiency measures. The spatial scope includes the four states that share the Syr Darya River basin. Different interests dictate the management of water resources in the basin. They are necessary for irrigation downstream in spring and summer and upstream, for hydropower generation during winter. The study investigated options to decrease the need for electricity upstream through efficiency measures and by the expansion of regional electricity trade. The scenarios were simulated by developing a multi-country electricity system model using the open source energy modelling system (OSeMOSYS). The results show that lesser investments in hydropower capacity could be needed and less water required in winter. This would reduce pressure on shared water resources.},

keywords = {Energy Planning & Analysis},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Taliotis2020a,

title = {The Effect of Electric Vehicle Deployment on Renewable Electricity Generation in an Isolated Grid System: The Case Study of Cyprus},

author = {Constantinos Taliotis and Nestor Fylaktos and George Partasides and Francesco Gardumi and Vignesh Sridharan and Marios Karmellos and Costas N. Papanicolas},

url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fenrg.2020.00205/full},

doi = {10.3389/fenrg.2020.00205},

issn = {2296598X},

year  = {2020},

date = {2020-08-01},

journal = {Frontiers in Energy Research},

volume = {8},

pages = {205},

publisher = {Frontiers Media S.A.},

abstract = {Decarbonisation of national economies to mitigate climate change requires transformation of the entire energy system. Investments in renewable energy technologies in the electricity supply system are increasing, but substantial effort is called for in other sectors, such as transport. While European Union member states have submitted their integrated National Energy and Climate Plans, this paper focuses on partial electrification of the transport sector as a measure to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the isolated grid system of Cyprus in a cost-effective manner. The present work assesses the impact of electric vehicle deployment on the share of renewable electricity generation, electricity costs and carbon dioxide emissions. Quantification of these aspects is provided with an outlook until 2035. A cost-optimisation model (OSeMOSYS) is used that takes into account the electricity supply, road transport, and heating and cooling sectors. Smart charging option is also evaluated as a possibility.},

keywords = {Energy Planning & Analysis},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Taliotis2020,

title = {Estimating the economy-wide impacts of energy policies in Cyprus},

author = {Constantinos Taliotis and Elias Giannakis and Marios Karmellos and Nestor Fylaktos and Theodoros Zachariadis},

doi = {10.1016/j.esr.2020.100495},

issn = {2211467X},

year  = {2020},

date = {2020-05-01},

journal = {Energy Strategy Reviews},

volume = {29},

pages = {100495},

publisher = {Elsevier Ltd},

abstract = {Decarbonisation of the global economy is necessary to achieve the climate targets set by the Paris Agreement at COP21. Significant investments are required in low-carbon technologies on the supply and demand side of energy systems; the scale of these may pose challenges to national economies. In this paper, an energy forecast model, a cost-optimisation model and an input-output model are combined to conduct an economy-wide assessment of policy pathways for energy transition in Cyprus. The results of the study indicate that a scenario with additional energy efficiency measures and a modal shift in the transport sector can reduce final energy consumption by 10% as compared to a reference case in 2030. The macroeconomic assessment shows that the measures have a moderate but positive effect on economic growth. The construction, metal products and transportation sectors are those mainly benefiting in terms of economic output generation, while the largest negative effects are observed in the energy sector. Our findings highlight the importance of targeted investments to ensure a positive impact of energy policies on the broader economy.},

keywords = {Energy Planning & Analysis},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Sridharan2019,

title = {Resilience of the Eastern African electricity sector to climate driven changes in hydropower generation},

author = {Vignesh Sridharan and Oliver Broad and Abhishek Shivakumar and Mark Howells and Brent Boehlert and David G. Groves and Holger Rogner and Constantinos Taliotis and James E. Neumann and Kenneth M. Strzepek and Robert Lempert and Brian Joyce and Annette Huber-Lee and Raffaello Cervigni},

url = {https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-08275-7},

doi = {10.1038/s41467-018-08275-7},

issn = {20411723},

year  = {2019},

date = {2019-12-01},

journal = {Nature Communications},

volume = {10},

number = {1},

pages = {1--9},

publisher = {Nature Publishing Group},

abstract = {Notwithstanding current heavy dependence on gas-fired electricity generation in the Eastern African Power Pool (EAPP), hydropower is expected to play an essential role in improving electricity access in the region. Expansion planning of electricity infrastructure is critical to support investment and maintaining balanced consumer electricity prices. Variations in water availability due to a changing climate could leave hydro infrastructure stranded or result in underutilization of available resources. In this study, we develop a framework consisting of long-term models for electricity supply and water systems management, to assess the vulnerability of potential expansion plans to the effects of climate change. We find that the most resilient EAPP rollout strategy corresponds to a plan optimised for a slightly wetter climate compared to historical trends. This study demonstrates that failing to climate-proof infrastructure investments can result in significant electricity price fluctuations in selected countries (Uganda & Tanzania) while others, such as Egypt, are less vulnerable.},

keywords = {Energy Planning & Analysis},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Sridharan2019a,

title = {The impact of climate change on crop production in Uganda-An integrated systems assessment with water and energy implications},

author = {Vignesh Sridharan and Eunice Pereira Ramos and Eduardo Zepeda and Brent Boehlert and Abhishek Shivakumar and Constantinos Taliotis and Mark Howells},

url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/11/9/1805},

doi = {10.3390/w11091805},

issn = {20734441},

year  = {2019},

date = {2019-08-01},

journal = {Water (Switzerland)},

volume = {11},

number = {9},

pages = {1805},

publisher = {MDPI AG},

abstract = {With less than 3% of agricultural cropland under irrigation, subsistence farmers in Uganda are dependent on seasonal precipitation for crop production. The majority of crops grown in the country-especially staple food crops like Matooke (Plantains)-are sensitive to the availability of water throughout their growing period and hence vulnerable to climatic impacts. In response to these challenges, the Government has developed an ambitious irrigation master plan. However, the energy implications of implementing the plan have not been explored in detail. This article attempts to address three main issues involving the nexus between water, energy, crop production, and climate. The first one explores the impact of climate on rain-fed crop production. The second explores the irrigation crop water needs under selected climate scenarios. The third focuses on the energy implications of implementing the irrigation master plan. We attempt to answer the above questions using a water balance model for Uganda developed for this study. Our results, developed at a catchment level, indicate that on average there could be an 11% reduction and 8% increase in rain-fed crop production in the cumulatively driest and wettest climates, respectively. Furthermore, in the identified driest climate, the electricity required for pumping water is expected to increase by 12% on average compared to the base scenario.},

keywords = {Energy Planning & Analysis},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Moksnes2019,

title = {Determinants of energy futures—a scenario discovery method applied to cost and carbon emission futures for South American electricity infrastructure},

author = {Nandi Moksnes and Julie Rozenberg and Oliver Broad and Constantinos Taliotis and Mark Howells and Holger Rogner},

url = {https://doi.org/10.1088/2515-7620/ab06de},

doi = {10.1088/2515-7620/ab06de},

issn = {25157620},

year  = {2019},

date = {2019-03-01},

journal = {Environmental Research Communications},

volume = {1},

number = {2},

pages = {025001--1 -- 025001--25},

publisher = {IOP Publishing},

abstract = {Energy policy and investment are commonly informed by a small number of scenarios, modelled with proprietary models and closed data-sets. It limits what levels of insight that can be derived from it. This paper overcomes these critical concerns by exploring a large number of scenarios with an open-data and open-source model to address regional mitigation policy. Focusing on South America, we translate an ensemble of long-term electricity supply scenarios into policy insights and use post-processing methods to present a systematic mapping of solution outputs to model inputs. We find demand levels, the cost of capital and the level of CO2-limits to be significant determinants of total investment cost. Low-carbon pathways are associated with low demand and low cost of capital. When cost of capital increases a shift away from wind and hydropower to natural gas and solar PV is seen. We further show that appropriate concessionary finance together with energy efficiency measures are critical—at a continental level—to unlock economic, low-carbon investment.},

keywords = {Energy Planning & Analysis},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Almulla2018,

title = {The role of Energy-Water nexus to motivate transboundary cooperation:},

author = {Youssef Almulla and Eunice Ramos and Francesco Gardumi and Constantinos Taliotis and Annukka Lipponen and Mark Howells},

url = {https://discurso.aau.dk/index.php/sepm/article/view/2156},

doi = {10.5278/IJSEPM.2018.18.2},

issn = {2246-2929},

year  = {2018},

date = {2018-12-01},

journal = {International Journal of Sustainable Energy Planning and Management},

volume = {18},

pages = {3--28},

publisher = {Aalborg University press},

abstract = {Hydropower is a key energy source for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7. Meanwhile, the effects of hydropower development and operation are complex, and potentially a source of tension on transboundary rivers. This paper aims at exploring solutions that consider both energy and water to motivate transboundary cooperation in the operation of hydropower plants (HPPs) in the Drina River Basin (DRB), where the level of cooperation among the riparian countries is low. OSeMOSYS was used to develop a multi-country model with a simplified hydrological system to represent the cascade of HPPs in the DRB. Results show that improved cooperation can increase electricity generation in the HPPs downstream without compromising generation upstream. It also demonstrates the role of inexpensive hydropower in enhancing electricity trade in the region. Implementing energy efficiency measures would reduce the stress on coal power plants, which will mitigate CO2 emissions by about 21% compared to the 2015 level.},

keywords = {Energy Planning & Analysis},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{PenaBalderrama2018,

title = {A sketch of Bolivia's potential low-carbon power system configurations. The case of applying carbon taxation and lowering financing costs},

author = {Jenny Gabriela Peña Balderrama and Thomas Alfstad and Constantinos Taliotis and Mohammad Reza Hesamzadeh and Mark Howells},

url = {http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/11/10/2738},

doi = {10.3390/en11102738},

issn = {19961073},

year  = {2018},

date = {2018-10-01},

journal = {Energies},

volume = {11},

number = {10},

pages = {2738},

publisher = {MDPI AG},

abstract = {This paper considers hypothetical options for the transformation of the Bolivian power generation system to one that emits less carbon dioxide. Specifically, it evaluates the influence of the weighted average cost of capital (WACC) on marginal abatement cost curves (MACC) when applying carbon taxation to the power sector. The study is illustrated with a bottom-up least-cost optimization model. Projections of key parameters influence the shape of MACCs and the underlying technology configurations. These are reported. Results from our study (and the set of assumptions on which they are based) are country-specific. Nonetheless, the methodology can be replicated to other case studies to provide insights into the role carbon taxes and lowering finance costs might play in reducing emissions.},

keywords = {Energy Planning & Analysis},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Fylaktos2015,

title = {Economic analysis of an electricity and desalinated water cogeneration plant in Cyprus},

author = {Nestor Fylaktos and I. Mitra and George Tzamtzis and Costas N. Papanicolas},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84939652776&doi=10.1080%2F19443994.2014.940219&partnerID=40&md5=cce64d9ff2a0952572d5b28f6883399a},

doi = {10.1080/19443994.2014.940219},

issn = {19443986},

year  = {2015},

date = {2015-01-01},

journal = {Desalination and Water Treatment},

volume = {55},

number = {9},

pages = {2453--2470},

publisher = {Taylor and Francis Inc.},

address = {The Cyprus Institute, EEWRC, Athalassa Campus, Aglantzia, Nicosia, 2121, Cyprus},

abstract = {Abstract: This paper builds on and extends the R&D work on the techno-economic analysis of the cogeneration of desalinated water and electricity by the Cyprus Institute (2012) (Solar Thermal Cogeneration of Electricity and Water: Research and Development study for a Concentrated Solar Power—Desalinization of Sea Water (CSP–DSW) C.N. Papanicolas & G. Tzamtzis editors. The Cyprus Institute, Nicosia, Cyprus, 2012. ISBN: 978-9963-2858-0-8). Three different Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plant configuration options for operating in Cyprus are examined in this paper: an electricity-only, electricity with Reverse Osmosis desalination and electricity with Multi Effect-distillation desalination. All plants' rated output is 4 MWe, and desalination capacity is 5,035 m3/d. A discounted cash flow model was developed and used, designed to represent the financial performance of the CSP–DSW concept. The expected financial costs for equipment, operation and maintenance and replacements were estimated. The expected performance in terms of annual electricity and water yields are considered for calculating financial revenues. In addition, to model uncertainty in the inputs, a Monte Carlo algorithm was used. The results show that the CSP–DSW concept is financially feasible for all systems even though the electricity-only plant performs best. If, however, the production of water from renewable sources is supported by policy schemes similarly to electricity production, the projects would perform similarly.},

keywords = {Energy Planning & Analysis},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}