Publications

@article{Velasco-Fernandez2020a,

title = {Fallacies of energy efficiency indicators: Recognizing the complexity of the metabolic pattern of the economy},

author = {R. Velasco-Fern\'{a}ndez and T. Dunlop and M. Giampietro},

doi = {10.1016/j.enpol.2019.111089},

issn = {03014215},

year  = {2020},

date = {2020-02-01},

journal = {Energy Policy},

volume = {137},

pages = {111089},

publisher = {Elsevier Ltd},

abstract = {The strategy of energy efficiency to save energy is deceptively simple: the idea is to use less input for the highest amount of useful output. However, on a practical and conceptual level, efficiency is an ambiguous and problematic concept to implement. Of particular concern is the lack of contextual and qualitative information provided in energy efficiency measurements based on simple ratios. Oversimplification of efficiency measurements can have a detrimental effect on the choice of energy policies. Efficiency measurements are particularly problematic on a macroeconomic scale where a significant amount of meaningful information is lost through the aggregation of data into a simple ratio (economic energy intensity). First, practical examples are presented flagging conceptual problems with energy efficiency indicators, then an alternative accounting method\textemdashthe end-use matrix\textemdashbased on the concept of the metabolic pattern of social-ecological systems is illustrated to show the possibility of enriching efficiency indicators by adding qualitative and contextual information across multiple scales and dimensions. This method unpacks and structures salient energy input and output information in a meaningful and transparent way by generating a rich multi-level and multi-dimensional information space.},

keywords = {End-use matrix, Energy efficiency, Energy performance, Energy policy, Jevons paradox, Metabolic pattern},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Perez-Sanchez2019,

title = {Characterizing the metabolic pattern of urban systems using MuSIASEM: The case of Barcelona},

author = {Laura P\'{e}rez-S\'{a}nchez and Mario Giampietro and Ra\'{u}l Velasco-Fern\'{a}ndez and Maddalena Ripa},

url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2018.09.028},

doi = {10.1016/j.enpol.2018.09.028},

issn = {03014215},

year  = {2019},

date = {2019-01-01},

journal = {Energy Policy},

volume = {124},

number = {March 2018},

pages = {13--22},

publisher = {Elsevier Ltd},

abstract = {The extreme degree of openness of contemporary urban systems with regard to both economy and population creates a serious challenge for the study of urban energy metabolism. A novel tool based on Multi-Scale Integrated Analysis of Societal and Ecosystem Metabolism (MuSIASEM) is proposed to overcome these challenges. It consists of an end-use matrix, a coherent multi-level integrated characterization of the uses of different forms of energy carriers (electricity, heat, fuels) for the various tasks performed in the city, including private and public mobility, tourism, commercial and residential activities. The end-use matrix integrates quantitative data referring to different dimensions (i.e. energy, human activity, land use, value added) and hierarchical (economic sectors and functional elements at lower levels) and spatial scales (i.e. individual buildings, neighborhoods, and the city as a whole). The end-use matrix provides information on both extensive (flows) and intensive variables (flow/fund ratios or benchmarks). Benchmarks are important for policy-making and allow a meaningful comparison of energy performance across hierarchical levels within the urban system, and among different urban systems. The approach is illustrated for Barcelona, a global city characterized by an important service sector.},

keywords = {Cities, End-use matrix, Energy, MuSIASEM, Time allocation, Urban metabolism},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Velasco-Fernandez2018,

title = {Analyzing the energy performance of manufacturing across levels using the end-use matrix},

author = {Ra\'{u}l Velasco-Fern\'{a}ndez and Mario Giampietro and Sandra G. F. Bukkens},

url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0360544218314191},

doi = {10.1016/j.energy.2018.07.122},

issn = {03605442},

year  = {2018},

date = {2018-10-01},

journal = {Energy},

volume = {161},

pages = {559--572},

abstract = {Within the context of the controversial use of the concept energy intensity to assess national energy performance, this paper proposes an innovative accounting framework: the energy end-use matrix. This tool integrates quantitative assessments of energy use of the various constituent compartments of socio-economic systems. More specifically it identifies, moving across levels of analysis, what compartments (or sub-compartments) are using what type of energy carriers for what type of end-use. This analysis is integrated with an assessment of labor requirements and the associated flows of value added. The end-use matrix thus integrates in a coherent way quantitative assessments across different dimensions and hierarchical scales and facilitates the development of integrated sets of indicators. In this way it contributes to a multi-criteria characterization of national or sectoral energy performance. The tool is illustrated with an analysis of three EU countries: Bulgaria, Finland and Spain. Challenges to improving the usefulness of biophysical analysis of the efficiency of the industrial sector are identified and discussed. Increasing the discriminatory power of quantitative analysis through better data standardization by statistical offices is the major challenge.},

keywords = {End-use matrix, Energy efficiency, Energy intensity, Industrial sector, Manufacturing, MuSIASEM},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}