Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Debora Cilio Author-Name: Federico Aleotti Author-Name: Antonino Rollo Author-Name: Diana Moneta Author-Name: Matteo Zulianello Title: To be or not to be: The crossroad between individual remote self-consumption and renewable energy communities in front of Italian public administrations and local authorities Abstract: The topic of energy cooperation has been discussed internationally for over twenty years, with its historical roots going back to the early 1900s. The Directive 2018/2001/EU on renewable energy (REDII) established a unified definition of ?Renewable Energy Community? (REC) as an autonomous entity controlled by local members, aimed at providing environmental, economic, and social benefits. This shift encourages end users to participate in energy management and consumption, involving complex technological and organizational dynamics among various stakeholders, including citizens, SMEs, local authorities, and public administrations. In Italy, after the early, partial transposition of RED II in 2019 that lead to over a hundred active RECs by early 2024, the final regulations expanded the operational scope and allowed for greater participation in energy sharing and self-consumption processes. The paper focus on the role of public administrations in promoting RECs, examining potential legal forms and strategic choices, especially regarding the inclusion of the Remote Individual Self-Consumer (RISC or AID in Italian Acronym). While this new configuration seeks to accommodate those who cannot join a community, it may create ambiguity for local authorities, as they may choose between individualism and community-focused approaches. Given the complexity and novelty of these developments, further reflection is needed to assess the opportunities and risks associated with new configurations in the energy landscape. Classification-JEL: Q28, Q48, H23 Keywords: Note: Pages:5-35 Volume: 2024/2 Year: 2024 Issue:2 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=76703&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:efeefe:v:html10.3280/EFE2024-002001 Number: 1 X-File-Ref: http://www.francoangeli.it/Riviste/References.ashx?idArticolo=76703 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Titiksha Das Author-Name: Debasis Chakraborty Title: Effect of energy consumption on economic growth and sustainability: Panel evidence from PCSE and FGLS Abstract: Energy-growth nexus studies use measures of income to assess the impact of energy consumption on economic growth. However, exclusion of externalities and environmental costs has made these studies a partial one. The recent Energy-Sustainability nexus studies deploy measures of sustainability to assess the impact of energy consumption on sustainable economic welfare rather than just economic growth. The primary objective of the study is to compare the Energy-Growth nexus with Energy-Sustainability nexus for developed countries, developing countries, and transition economies. The time period of the study is from 2000 to 2014. The methodologies used in the study are Feasible Generalized Least Square (FGLS) and Panel Corrected Standard Error (PCSE). The results suggest that renewable energy consumption helps (hurts) economic growth and sustainable development of developed (developing) nations but non-renewable energy consumption hurts (helps) economic growth and sustainable development of developed (developing) nations. However, both renewable and non-renewable energy consumption support economic growth and sustainable development for transition economies. Energy policy recommendations are in favor of strengthening carbon pricing policies, encouraging investment in clean energy technologies, stimulating research and development to overcome challenges of complete energy transition and successful decoupling of economic growth from fossil fuel energy. Moreover, sustainability policies must ensure that economic benefits and welfare arising from renewable energy sources must complement economic growth and sustainable development substantially enough to outweigh the economic costs. Classification-JEL: Q43, Q56, Q01 Keywords: Note: Pages:37-53 Volume: 2024/2 Year: 2024 Issue:2 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=76704&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:efeefe:v:html10.3280/EFE2024-002002 Number: 2 X-File-Ref: http://www.francoangeli.it/Riviste/References.ashx?idArticolo=76704 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Vaishali S. Dhingra Title: Economic growth, financial development, and oil price effects on GHG emissions: Insights from BRICS economies Abstract: The global concern surrounding the environmental impacts of oil price fluctuations prompts us to investigate the skewed effects of such changes on environmental contamination in BRICS economies. Utilizing a yearly time series dataset from 1991 to 2020, the study employs quantile regression techniques to discern nuanced patterns between economic factors, financial development, oil prices, and their collective impact on the environment in BRICS nations. The results, gleaned from panel data analysis across BRICS nations, unveil a notable correlation between Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth and a persistent increase in Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. Intriguingly, the study reveals a negative correlation between GHG emissions and financial development, suggesting a potential mitigating effect of financial advancements on environmental harm. Moreover, the study identifies that extremely low, greater than median and extreme high oil prices do not significantly contribute to environmental degradation. Classification-JEL: D53, F43, F63, F64, O13 Keywords: Note: Pages:55-68 Volume: 2024/2 Year: 2024 Issue:2 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=76705&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:efeefe:v:html10.3280/EFE2024-002003 Number: 3 X-File-Ref: http://www.francoangeli.it/Riviste/References.ashx?idArticolo=76705 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Gbolahan Solomon Osho Title: Unitization in the oil and gas industry in Nigeria: Challenges, benefits, and regulatory framework Abstract: Unitization is an essential strategy for Nigeria?s crucial oil and gas sector, aimed at collaboratively managing hydrocarbon reservoirs across various leases. This study delves into its complexities, including challenges like ownership conflicts and technical issues, alongside benefits such as enhanced resource recovery and shared technology. Despite these obstacles, unitization promises improved efficiency and sustainable development by fostering cooperation, reducing waste, and promoting responsible extraction practices. The research highlights the necessity of a robust regulatory framework, clear communication, and stakeholder collaboration for unitization to succeed. It concludes that by embracing unitization, Nigeria can advance its energy industry sustainably, aligning with national objectives and ensuring economic and environmental benefits. Classification-JEL: Q480, O440, O4303 Keywords: Note: Pages:69-86 Volume: 2024/2 Year: 2024 Issue:2 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=76706&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:efeefe:v:html10.3280/EFE2024-002004 Number: 4 X-File-Ref: http://www.francoangeli.it/Riviste/References.ashx?idArticolo=76706 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Ilaria Losa Author-Name: Andreas Corusa Title: Methodology for evaluating the replicability of European energy solutions in global contexts Abstract: Platone (Platone Consortium, 2020) was a four-year Horizon 2020 funded European project that aimed at defining new approaches to increase the observability of renewable energy resources and loads to exploit their flexibility. It developed advanced management open-source platforms to unlock grid flexibility and to realize an open and non-discriminatory market, linking users, aggregators, and operators. These platforms were tested in three pilot projects in Italy (Platone Consortium, 2021), Greece (Platone Consortium, 2023) and Germany (Platone Consortium, 2021) and allow to integrate solutions like: Local Energy Communities, Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) supporting Distribution System Operators (DSOs), FlexibilityBased Reinforcement Planning, and Flexibility Provision by Distributed Resources. The results of pilot projects were complemented by an analysis of the Scalability and Replicability Analysis (SRA) potential of the most promising solutions tested in the demos in the European context (Platone consortium, 2023). The present paper expands the Platone project?s insights into a comprehensive methodology for evaluating the replicability potential of solutions developed in the 3 pilot projects in Extra European contexts, notably Canada. By integrating quantitative insights with empirical evidence from pilot projects across Italy, Greece, and Germany, the proposed approach highlights the critical interplay between technical innovation, regulatory adaptability, and stakeholder engagement. The analysis was performed with a qualitative approach. First, a literature review of the similar approaches developed by other European projects that allows to identify the technical, regulatory, and stakeholder acceptance issues that impact on the SRA potential of the Platone solutions. These elements were used to elaborate an ad hoc questionnaire that was distributed among the list of stakeholders of Canadian experts identified by the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. The survey highlights key insights and recommendations for deploying innovative energy solutions in Canada, such as VPPs and Flexibility-based Reinforcement Planning. Challenges include technical hurdles, like the deployment of Advanced Metering Infrastructure, and regulatory barriers across Canadian regions affecting distributed energy resources (DER) participation and energy trading. To overcome these obstacles, strategies such as comprehensive cost-benefit analysis, strengthened data privacy, standardized practices, regulatory alignment, increased stakeholder awareness, and supportive government policies are essential. Addressing these challenges can pave the way for successful integration of these solutions into Canada?s energy framework, contributing to a sustainable and resilient energy system. Classification-JEL: L94, O31, O32, O33 Keywords: Note: Pages:87-107 Volume: 2024/2 Year: 2024 Issue:2 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=76707&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:efeefe:v:html10.3280/EFE2024-002005 Number: 5 X-File-Ref: http://www.francoangeli.it/Riviste/References.ashx?idArticolo=76707 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Yukta Anand Author-Name: Asheesh Pandey Title: Feasibility study of blockchain technology for circular economy: A bibliometric and systematic review Abstract: Blockchain technology, brought into existence in the year 2008 by Satoshi Nakamoto, is an open and distributed ledger tool offering secure and permanent storage of transactions. It offers decentralized control of transactions. Over the period, three different versions of blockchain have been developed. It is widely used in sectors like healthcare, education, etc. Circular economy is such a production and consumption ecosystem that focuses on waste reduction, reuse, and recycling. The present study tries to analyze the avant-garde state of blockchain technology?s application for circular economy by adopting a bibliometric and systematic approach. Taking a filtered sample of 1339 papers from Scopus database, bibliometric analysis was conducted with an aim to understand the evolution of blockchain?s usage in circular economy. Later, systematic review of the relevant papers is done that highlighted major prospects and barriers to blockchain?s adoption. The study also cites present applications of blockchain by corporates and governments. Finally, it concludes with suggestions for blockchain?s better adoption. The present study is one of its kind, true to the knowledge of the authors. Such bibliometric analysis combined with systematic review is an outcome of the original work of the authors. The combined results of the two reviews have not yet been done in the field of study. Classification-JEL: Q01, Q56, G11, Q20, O30 Keywords: Note: Pages:109-144 Volume: 2024/2 Year: 2024 Issue:2 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=76708&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:efeefe:v:html10.3280/EFE2024-002006 Number: 6 X-File-Ref: http://www.francoangeli.it/Riviste/References.ashx?idArticolo=76708 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Francesco Pietro Colelli Author-Name: Edoardo Croci Author-Name: Benedetta Lucchitta Title: The green economy in the Italian Alps: A geospatial indicator-based territorial assessment Abstract: This paper, through a geospatial multicriteria analysis, evaluates the green economy?s (GE) development in over 2700 Local Administrative Units (LAUs) of Italian Alps, incorporating geographical, environmental, and socio-economic variables). LAUs have been classified across altitude and urbanization to examine how socio-demographic and territorial peculiarities impact GE indexes performance. Results highlight heterogeneous GE domain performance that depend on socio-demographic and territorial conditions. Low-density municipalities score lower in local economic competitiveness, accessibility, GHG reduction, and air pollution. High-density municipalities have lower equality and human well-being scores. Findings suggest regional and province-level regulations? relevance in driving performance variation, aiding local and national governments in shaping ad hoc policies for territorial advancement. Classification-JEL: R11, Q01, Q2 Keywords: Note: Pages:145-171 Volume: 2024/2 Year: 2024 Issue:2 File-URL:http://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/Scheda_Rivista.aspx?IDArticolo=76709&Tipo=Articolo PDF File-Format: text/HTML Handle: RePEc:fan:efeefe:v:html10.3280/EFE2024-002007 Number: 7 X-File-Ref: http://www.francoangeli.it/Riviste/References.ashx?idArticolo=76709