Abstract:The Azores Regional Government, through the Sustainable Energy Action Plan for the Azorean Islands, assumed that by the year 2018, 60% of electricity would be generated from renewable energy sources. Nevertheless, by increasing renewable energy sources share in the electricity mix, peak energy that exceeds grid capacity cannot be used unless when considering energy storage systems. Therefore, this article aims at determining, among batteries and Pumped Hydro Systems, the most cost-effective energy storage system to deploy in Terceira Island, along with geothermal, wind, thermal and bio waste energy, while considering demand and supply constraints. It is concluded that a pumped hydro system sited in Serra do Morião-Nasce Água is the best option for storage of the excess generated energy when compared with batteries. However, further studies should analyze environmental constraints. It is demonstrated that by increasing the storage power capacity, a pumped hydro system improves its cost efficiency when compared with batteries. It is also demonstrated that, to ensure quality, economic feasibility, reliability and a reduction of external costs, it is preferable to replace fuel-oil by wind to generate electricity up to a conceivable technical limit, while building a pumped hydro system, or dumping the excess peak energy generated.

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the possibility of implementation of alternative renewable energy microgeneration installations in dairy farm milk collection posts, from the technical, economical and environmental perspectives.This work was performed through a dairy farm milk collection post energy audit, to perform energy profile characterization and demand requirements. Following that, a study of the weather conditions was done and the obtained data (through CLIMAAT and MacSIMAR projects) [11] was introduced in a renewable energy solutions calculator (HOMER). Moreover, a system design from the available portfolio of micro-generation devices was defined and a cost benefit analysis of the selected alternatives was done. In the end a comparison of the current implemented solution with alternative designs was performed.Results show that from the analyzed solutions for this case, the set of PV (20Kw) and Wind (3KW) with no batteries is the best one, since it presents the least cost of energy, the smallest initial capital and the highest Net Present Cost. The sensitivity analysis derive that wind micro-turbines should be installed except if the solar radiation is on its maximum value and that in no case the use of batteries is an advantage for the system operation.For systems requiring a certain degree of energy (in this case with an average of 350 kW/day), the implementation of micro generation systems, like the ones evaluated, will never be economically viable in terms of Total Economic Value, even with generous feed-in tariff schemes. It is preferable that the grid operator makes investments in renewable energy production. To improve the system energy performance, the options should be focused on energy efficiency measures.

Infrastructural classification is a Decision-Making Unit (DMU) for the service providers to deliver better infrastructure. This paper intends to classify the infrastructural facilities of the railway stations offer to the passengers in Tripura through an alternative synthetic indicator. The study is based on both primary and secondary data. The existing synthetic indicator is also applied to it and generalisation of the indicator called generalised synthetic indicator is framed according to the nature of the observed data sets.  The study reveals that stations are categorised into four different (very good, good, poor and very poor) infrastructural classifications due to frequency of passenger mobility, proximity of urban centers, location of industrial units, land use of hinterland and undulating topography of the site. The causal interference has been represented through geo-spatial technique. A policy recommendation is proposed to provide better railway infrastructure for the passengers.

Wind power reduces our exposure to fuel price volatility and abrupt supply disruptions; it has no CO2 emissions and increases energy security through the diversification of the energy portfolio. If well sited and dimensioned, wind farms may contribute to decreased electricity generation costs. This article presents a combined GISs (Geographical Information Systems) and CBA (Cost Benefit Analysis) approach, in determining the most feasible sites that would be suitable for the generation of wind energy in Terceira Island, which is aimed towards efficient policy designs. Data corrected with Wind Atlas Analysis and Application Program, from local effects of the territory, are used to determine potential energy. Furthermore, a CBA is performed, without taking into consideration subsidies and economic indicators are displayed in maps using GIS. Results indicated that Terceira Island has large available areas capable of generating wind energy at low prices. On Terceira Island, while considering a 1500 kW wind farm under the best siting conditions, it is estimated to achieve a Net Present Value of nearly 3 330 000.00 €, an Internal Rate of Return of nearly 26%, and a Levelized Cost of Energy of nearly 0.04 €/KW h, without incentives. The sensitivity analysis results indicated that reductions in the energy sold may drastically impair the feasibility of a wind energy generation project, and that increases in the lifetime of a project from 15 to 25 years may improve its feasibility. The minimum wind speed required to grant feasibility of investments on Terceira Island, for 1500 kW installed power, is 6 m/s, ceteris paribus. This analysis pointed out that Serra do Cume and Serra da Ribeirinha are the most suited for wind energy projects on Terceira Island.

We use hedonic analysis of home sales data from the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area to estimate the effects of access to bicycle facilities on home value. The model includes proximity to three distinct types of bicycle facilities, controlling for local fixed effects and open space characteristics. Interaction terms help distinguish between preferences of city versus suburban homebuyers. Regression results show that off-street bicycle trails situated alongside busy streets are negatively associated with home sale prices in both the city and suburbs. Proximity to off-street bicycle trails away from trafficked streets in the city is positively associated with home sale prices, with negative result in the suburbs. On-street bicycle lanes appear to have no effect in the city and are a disamenity in the suburbs. Policy implications include the following. Type of bicycling facility matters. On-street trails and roadside trails may not be as appreciated as many city planners or policy officials think. Second, city residents have different preferences than suburban residents. Third, larger and more pressing factors are likely influencing residential location decisions. The findings also suggest that urban planners and advocates need to be aware of the consequences of providing for bicycle facilities, as the change in welfare is not necessarily positive for all homeowners.