1. |
- Gustavsson, Leif, et al.
(author)
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Energy systems in transition: perspectives for the diffusion of small-scale wood pellet heating technology
- 2005
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In: International Journal of Technology Management. - 0267-5730 .- 1741-5276. ; 29:3/4, s. 327-347
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In response to environmental and supply security concerns associated with fossil fuels, promising small-scale wood heating systems with sizable market potentials have started to penetrate the residential heating market in Europe and elsewhere. Despite significant technological progress that led to cost reduction, increased levels of convenience, improved reliability and reduced environmental impact, the widespread diffusion of such systems will nonetheless take many years or even decades. Framework and market conditions, and especially drivers and barriers and the overall merits of such systems in comparison to alternative solutions, need to be properly understood by policy-makers and entrepreneurs for the successful promotion of these technologies. In this article we cover three important aspects related to small-scale wood pellet heating systems. First, we summarise recent technological, socio-economic and institutional trends. Second, results from a comparative analysis of the direct and indirect external costs and benefits of these technologies versus other heating technologies are reported. Third, the usefulness of various diffusion modelling approaches used in economics is discussed in the light of the technology scrutinised and existing data constraints.
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2. |
- Gustavsson, Leif, et al.
(author)
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Implementing energy efficiency measures in existing Swedish building stock
- 2008
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In: World Sustainable Energy Days 2008, 5-7 March 2008, Wels, Austria.
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- There is a large potential for improving energy efficiency in the existing Swedish building stock. However, how successful the implementation of the efficiency measures will be, depends on economical and technical factors as well as on the attitudes and perceptions of the relevant actors. In this paper we use Rogers’ diffusion of innovation theory to analyze various factors affecting implementation of energy efficiency measures in the Swedish detached houses and apartment buildings. Results of recent Swedish household surveys concerning adoption of heating systems showed that majority of the respondents were satisfied with their heating systems and did not intend to install a new one. Economic aspects and functional reliability were important factors in the choice of heating systems, while installers/vendors were the most important sources of information on heating system. We discuss upcoming empirical studies on implementation of other energy efficiency measures, e.g. energy efficient windows and additional insulation, including that of heating systems, in detached houses and apartment buildings.
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3. |
- Gustavsson, Leif, et al.
(author)
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Småhusägares inställning till fjärrvärme, pelletspannor och värmepumpar : Report prepared for Swedish Association of Pellet Producers (PiR), Stockholm, Sweden (in Swedish)
- 2008
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- I Sveriges villabestånd finns det en stor potential att ersätta elvärme och oljepannor med fjärrvärme, pelletspannor och värmepumpar. Vi analyserade effekterna av det svenska investeringsbidraget för konvertering från oljepannor och direktverkande el med s.k. “adopter-centric” metodik och hur konverteringen till fjärrvärme, pelletspannor och värmepumpar varierade. Resultaten från enkätundersökningar, som genomfördes hos 1500 slumpvist utvalda husägare i Sverige i september 2004 och januari 2007, visade att över 80% inte avsåg att byta värmesystem. Det trots att ca 37% av de svenska villaägarna fortfarande har el- eller oljeuppvärmning. Det statliga investeringsbidraget var viktigt för konvertering från direktverkande el, men inte för konvertering från olja. Det beror på att de flesta husägarna redan har bytt ut sina oljepannor, medan få har konverterat bort direktverkande el. De som konverterar bort från oljepannor är eftersläntrare, medan de som konverterar bort från el är ”tidiga anammare”. Ekonomi och driftsäkerhet var de viktigaste faktorerna när husägare skall välja mellan olika värmesystem. Olika värmesystem upplevs ha olika fördelar och det påverkar spridningsmönstret för konverteringen till nya värmesystem. Installatörer och personliga kontakter angavs vara de viktigaste källorna för information om nya värmesystem.
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4. |
- Gustavsson, Leif, et al.
(author)
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Swedish Homewoners´ attitude towards water-based heating systems
- 2008
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In: World Bioenergy 2008, 26-29 May, Jönköping, Sweden. - : Swedish Bioenergy Association.
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Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- In 2004 and 2007, we conducted questionnaire surveys of 1,500 randomly selected Swedish homeowners of detached houses to understand their attitude towards adopting an innovative heating system (IHS). The results showed that there was no substantial change in homeowners’ attitude towards IHSs. More than 80% of the respondents did not intend to install a new heating system. Economic aspects and functional reliability were the most important factors in the respondents’ choice of heating system while environmental factors were of less importance. Installers were the most frequently consulted source of information on heating systems. Respondents perceived the relative advantage of pellet boilers over oil or electricity-based heating systems, but bedrock heat pump system was ranked higher than pellet heating system in every aspect except for investment cost. Pellet heating system has advantages with respect to investment cost. District heating system was considered as most functionally reliable and automatic.
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5. |
- Gustavsson, Leif, et al.
(author)
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Swedish house owners perception of pellet heating systems
- 2006
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In: Proceedings of the Second World Conference on Pellets (Pellets 2006), 30 May-1 June, Jönköping, Sweden. - : Swedish Bioenergy Association. - 9163189615
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Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- In response to the problems of global warming and security issues associated with the supply of fossil fuel use, bioenergy systems such as small-scale pellet heating systems (SSPHS) have been developed in Europe and elsewhere. In Sweden, SSPHS for the residential sector have been available on the market for about ten years, but the diffusion rate is rather slow. Research to analyse the diffusion of innovation is important, as this aspect determines the success of a technology. In this context, we recently carried out a questionnaire survey on Swedish house owners� perception of different heating systems. The sample consisted of about 1500 Swedish house owners selected through stratified random sampling. The results of the survey regarding pellet heating systems revealed that the annual cost of heating with the new heating system, functional reliability, investment cost, and in-door air quality are the four most important factors, in decreasing order of importance, in heating system choice. Environmental friendliness and low greenhouse gas emission are considered to be less important. Respondents consider SSPHS to be second to bedrock heat pumps in every aspect except for investment cost and therefore, such systems diffuse slowly in Sweden.
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6. |
- Gustavsson, Leif, et al.
(author)
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The role of wood material for greenhouse gas mitigation
- 2006
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In: Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1381-2386 .- 1573-1596. ; 11:5-6, s. 1097-1127
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Based on an interdisciplinary perspective the role of wood as a carbon sink, as a multipurpose material, and as a renewable energy source for the net reduction of greenhouse gases is discussed. We synthesize aspects from engineering, natural and social sciences to better understand the role of wood substitution in CO2 mitigation.We also formulate some recommendations on filling knowledge gaps that could be useful for policy making regarding how wood substitution could be further expanded. There are sufficient wood resources to substantially increase the use of wood for material and energy purposes. However, a number of factors hinder a wider use of wood for energy and material purposes. Furthermore, an analysis of wood substitution is a very complex issue, since the substitution influencing factors are to be found along the entire wood supply chain and involve several industries, socio-economic and cultural aspects, traditions, price dynamics, and structural and technical change. To improve the knowledge about wood as a substitute for other resources and the implications, it would be helpful to better integrate research from different disciplines on the subject and to cover different scales from a project to an economy-wide level.
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7. |
- Gustavsson, Leif, et al.
(author)
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Using biomass for climate change mitigation and oil use reduction
- 2007
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In: Energy Policy. - : Elsevier BV. - 0301-4215 .- 1873-6777. ; 35:11, s. 5671-5691
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In this paper, we examine how an increased use of biomass could efficiently meet Swedish energy policy goals of reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and oil use. In particular, we examine the trade-offs inherent when biomass use is intended to pursue multiple objectives. We set up four scenarios in which up to 400 PJ/year of additional biomass is prioritised to reduce CO2 emissions, reduce oil use, simultaneously reduce both CO2 emission and oil use, or to produce ethanol to replace gasoline. Technologies analysed for using the biomass include the production of electricity, heat, and transport fuels, and also as construction materials and other products. We find that optimising biomass use for a single objective (either CO2 emission reduction or oil use reduction) results in high fulfilment of that single objective (17.4 Tg C/year and 350 PJ oil/year, respectively), at a monetary cost of 130–330 million €/year, but with low fulfilment of the other objective. A careful selection of biomass uses for combined benefits results in reductions of 12.6 Tg C/year and 230 PJ oil/year (72% and 67%, respectively, of the reductions achieved in the scenarios with single objectives), with a monetary benefit of 45 million €/year. Prioritising for ethanol production gives the lowest CO2 emissions reduction, intermediate oil use reduction, and the highest monetary cost.
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8. |
- Mahapatra, Krushna, 1974-, et al.
(author)
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An adopter-centric approach to analyze the diffusion patterns of innovative residential heating systems in Sweden
- 2008
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In: Energy Policy. - : Elsevier BV. - 0301-4215 .- 1873-6777. ; 36:2, s. 577-590
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Innovation and diffusion of renewable energy technologies play a major role in mitigation of climate change. In Sweden replacing electric and oil heating systems with innovative heating systems such as district heating, heat pumps and wood pellet boilers in detached homes is a significant mitigation option. Using an adopter-centric approach we analyzed the influence of investment subsidy on conversion of resistance heaters and oil boilers, and the variation in diffusion pattern of district heating, heat pumps and pellet boilers in Swedish detached homes. Results from questionnaire surveys of 1,500 randomly selected homeowners in September 2004 and January 2007 showed that more than 80% of the respondents did not intend to install a new heating system. Hence, about 37% of the homeowners still have electric and oil heating systems. The government investment subsidy was important for conversion from a resistance heater, but not from an oil boiler. This is because homeowners currently replacing their oil boilers are the laggards, while those replacing resistance heaters are the �early adopters�. Economic aspects and functional reliability were the most important factors for the homeowners when considering a new heating system. There is a variation in the perceived advantages associated with each of the innovative heating systems and therefore, the diffusion patterns of such systems vary. Installers and interpersonal sources were the most important communication channels for information on heating systems.
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9. |
- Mahapatra, Krushna, 1974-, et al.
(author)
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Bioenergy innovations: the case of wood pellet systems in Sweden
- 2007
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In: Technology Analysis & Strategic Management. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0953-7325 .- 1465-3990. ; 19:1, s. 99-125
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In the context of global warming and dependence on fossil fuels, modern bioenergy systems have evolved with a large global potential. Small-scale pellet heating systems for space heating of detached houses is one application of bioenergy technology. In Sweden, such systems have advantages over oil-fired and electric boiler systems in terms of the total lifecycle heating cost to consumers. However, the diffusion of this technology into the market has hitherto been rather slow. By combining an extended configuration cycle model with a dynamic multi-level perspective on system innovation, we have studied the factors involved in the diffusion of such systems in Sweden. The results indicate that investment cost may not be the major issue, but that other factors such as annual fuel cost of heating, lack of information, dissatisfaction of early adopters, and technology lock-in are among the most important factors.
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10. |
- Mahapatra, Krushna, 1974-, et al.
(author)
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Cost-effectiveness of using wood frames in the production of multi-storey buildings in Sweden
- 2009
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Production cost of buildings is a complex issue to analyze with high variation and several uncertainties. In this report we give an overview of the production cost effectiveness of a change from traditional concrete-framed building practice to wood-frame building practice. The frame material itself may not significantly influence the production cost, but there is potential for cost reduction in the activities associated with a change from concrete to wooden frames. From the review of existing studies it could not be concluded that the production cost of wood-framed buildings was lower than that of a concrete-framed building. However, with increased construction, the production cost of wood-framed buildings could be reduced due to the influence of “learning”.
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