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The concept and methodology of a magnetocaloric heating network is proposed. A small thermal network consisting of several magnetocaloric heat pumps (MCHP) is considered from the point of their scaling and connection properties. We found a linear scaling law following the heating power variation with AMR mass, which can be included in an MCHP lookup table produced by a 1D transient AMR model. To estimate the performance of networks with different number of MCHPs, a set of single MCHPs coupled through temperature boundary conditions are modelled and network formulas are applied for the reference case of Gd packed beds. A performance optimum is found for specific design points compliant with building heating applications.

Dynamics of societal material stocks such as buildings and infrastructures and their spatial patterns drive surging resource use and emissions. Building up and maintaining stocks requires large amounts of resources; currently stock-building materials amount to almost 60% of all materials used by humanity. Buildings, infrastructures and machinery shape social practices of production and consumption, thereby creating path dependencies for future resource use. They constitute the physical basis of the spatial organization of most socio-economic activities, for example as mobility networks, urbanization and settlement patterns and various other infrastructures. This dataset features a detailed map of material stocks for the whole of Germany on a 10m grid based on high resolution Earth Observation data (Sentinel-1 + Sentinel-2), crowd-sourced geodata (OSM) and material intensity factors. Temporal extent The map is representative for ca. 2018. Data format Per federal state, the data come in tiles of 30x30km (see shapefile). The projection is EPSG:3035. The images are compressed GeoTiff files (*.tif). There is a mosaic in GDAL Virtual format (*.vrt), which can readily be opened in most Geographic Information Systems. The dataset features area and mass for different street types area and mass for different rail types area and mass for other infrastructure area, volume and mass for different building types Masses are reported as total values, and per material category. Units area in m² height in m volume in m³ mass in t for infrastructure and buildings Further information For further information, please see the publication or contact Helmut Haberl (helmut.haberl@boku.ac.at). A web-visualization of this dataset is available here. Visit our website to learn more about our project MAT_STOCKS - Understanding the Role of Material Stock Patterns for the Transformation to a Sustainable Society. Publication Haberl, H., Wiedenhofer, D., Schug, F., Frantz, D., Virág, D., Plutzar, C., Gruhler, K., Lederer, J., Schiller, G. , Fishman, T., Lanau, M., Gattringer, A., Kemper, T., Liu, G., Tanikawa, H., van der Linden, S., Hostert, P. (accepted): High-resolution maps of material stocks in buildings and infrastructures in Austria and Germany. Environmental Science & Technology Funding This research was primarly funded by the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (MAT_STOCKS, grant agreement No 741950). ML and GL acknowledge funding by the Independent Research Fund Denmark (CityWeight, 6111-00555B), ML thanks the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC; project Multi-Scale, Circular Economic Potential of Non-Residential Building Scale, EP/S029273/1), JL acknowledges funding by the Vienna Science and Technology Fund (WWTF), project ESR17-067, TF acknowledges the Israel Science Foundation grant no. 2706/19.

Working with the Sustainable Development Goals can be a highly motivating factor in Problem Based Learning, especially if the solutions produced can be used afterwards and have an actual impact on people and communities. This paper describes how three engineering students from Aalborg University, Denmark, collaborated with the South African Organisation Green Shoots on bringing IT-supported Math education out to some of the most disadvantaged learners from townships and rural areas of the Western Cape. The project provided the Danish students with a unique learning experience and have a lasting impact on the communities involved. While the content of the project focused on bringing IT-supported Math education to learners in previously disadvantaged areas around the Western Cape, the project also provided valuable insight into how such students’ projects, where the outcomes benefit people and communities suffering from socio-economic challenges e.g. poverty, can be carried out. In addition to demonstrate that such projects are actually possible, we studied three critical aspects: How to ensure a good fit between learning objectives and project outcome, how to ensure that the project creates value for the partner organisation and communities, and how to ensure that the projects can be conducted without overloading the university supervisors. We believe that student projects focusing on SDGs have a big potential in terms of providing highly motivating student projects yet at the same time contribute to a better world through solutions that are being used even afterwards. However, our study was just a single case with one group of three students. We hope it will serve as inspiration for larger studies, where more quantitative data could be gathered in terms of how to establish a good framework around such projects, and in order to demonstrate the value for students and societies.

This editorial introduces the 23rd volume of the International Journal of Sustainable Energy Planning and Management. This volume presents research on the robustness of energy modelling, firstly through an assessment of the accuracy of heat demand estimations compared to measured data, followed by an examination of assessment of the robustness of energy modelling relative to the results’ dependency on input time series. Subsequently, challenges to the integration of renewable energy are reviewed, followed by a case from Iran investigating a 100% renewable energy system for desalination. Finally, the issues of technology prioritization for energy efficiency purposes and the development of energy indicators are tackled. International Journal of Sustainable Energy Planning and Management, Vol 23 (2019)

This paper evaluates various aspects of flexibility in power systems worldwide within the multi-country study framework of IEA Wind Task 25, including grid components and actions which have been favoured for enhancing flexibility in different areas/countries/regions, and how TSOs/ISOs/ utilities intend to manage variable generation in their operating strategies. One methodology to evaluate the diversity of flexibility sources is a "flexibility chart”, which can illustrate several flexibility parameters (e.g. hydro, CCGT, CHP, interconnection) in a polygonal radar (spider) chart.

The Danish energy system is undergoing a transition from a system based on storable fossil fuels to a system based on fluctuating renewable energy sources. At the same time, more of and more of the energy system is becoming electrified; transportation, heating and fuel usage in industry and elsewhere. This article investigates the development of the Danish energy system in a medium year 2030 situation as well as in a long-term year 2050 situation. The analyses are based on scenario development by the Danish Climate Commission. In the short term, it is investigated what the effects will be of having flexible or inflexible electric vehicles and individual heat pumps, and in the long term it is investigated what the effects of changes in the load profiles due to changing weights of demand sectors are. The analyses are based on energy systems simulations using EnergyPLAN and demand forecasting using the Helena model. The results show that even with a limited short-term electric car fleet, these will have a significant effect on the energy system; the energy system’s ability to integrated wind power and the demand for condensing power generation capacity in the system. Charging patterns and flexibility have significant effects on this. Likewise, individual heat pumps may affect the system operation if they are equipped with heat storages. The analyses also show that the long-term changes in electricity demand curve profiles have little impact on the energy system performance. The flexibility given by heat pumps and electric vehicles in the long-term future overshadows any effects of changes in hourly demand curve profiles. International Journal of Sustainable Energy Planning and Management, Vol 7 (2015)

This is the introductory lecture to the course "Data science essentials for the energy sector: the case of wind energy: Harness the power of data in the digitalized energy sector". The course was held from 8th to 12th of April 2019 at DTU RISØ Campus, Denmark. The course is designed for future energy domain professionals, that wish to be equipped with data science essentials and tools to address the challenges of the renewable energy transition to renewables. The course aims at giving the competences and knowledge to identify the opportunities hidden in the big data and trigger innovative thinking to make significant, strategic changes that minimize costs and maximize efficiency outcomes and values.

Rising energy costs, anthropogenic climate change, and fossil fuel depletion calls for a concerted effort within energy planning to ensure a sustainable energy future. This article presents an overview of global energy trends focusing on energy costs, energy use and carbon dioxide emissions. Secondly, a review of contemporary work is presented focusing on national energy pathways with cases from Ireland, Denmark and Jordan, spatial issues within sustainable energyplanning and policy means to advance a sustainable energy future. International Journal of Sustainable Energy Planning and Management, Vol 1 (2014)