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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This study is accomplished by Co – PLAN Institute for Habitat
Development. However this work could not have been completed
without the assistance of many actors. Co-PLAN extends its thanks
and appreciation to the Ministry of Economy Trade and Energy (METE)
and Ministry of Environment Forestry and Water Administration
(MEFWA) as well as to the great input of many scientific and
research institutions as: National Agency of Energy, the Institute
of Hydro-Metrology, Institute of Hydraulic Works, Polytechnic
University of Tirana, Energy Efficiency Centre, etc. Special thanks
go to international (Ecofys BV) and field experts. They closely
collaborated with Co-PLAN on the researches of different aspects of
Renewable Energy Source Potentials. Without their time and
expertise, this study would not have been possible. And finally
Co-PLAN is grateful to the donor, Cord-aid for the financial
support of this study, which is the main output in the framework of
“Sustainable Energy for Albania” project.
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ABBREVIATIONS
BCHP – Biomass Combining Heating Power CDM – Clean Develop
Mechanisms CER – Certificate of Emitting Reduction CHP – Combining
Heating Power DH – District Heating EEC – Energy Efficiency Center
ERE – Albanian Electricity Regulatory Authority GEF – Global
Environment Facility GHG – Green House Gas GPP – Geothermic Power
Plant HPP – Hydro Power Plant IHM – Institute of Hydro Meteorology
IHW – Institute of Hydraulic Work KESH – Albanian Electro Energy
Corporation MEFWA – Ministry of Environment, Forest and Water
Administration METE – Ministry of the Economy, Trade and Energy NAE
– National Agency of Energy NSE – National Strategy of Energy PVPP
– Photovoltaic Power Plant RES – Renewable Energy Sources RET –
Renewable Energy Technologies SCHP – Small Combined Heating Power
SHPP – Small Hydro Power Plant SWHS – Solar Water Heating System
Toe – Ton Oil Equivalent TPP – Thermo Power Plant UNDP – United
Nations Development Programme WEC – Wind Electro Central WPP – Wind
Power Plant
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The world is living the end of the fossil fuel regime and the
transition towards a new energy regime. The history of mankind
knows a lot of civilizations, which failed due to the destruction
of their energy regime and the lack of abilities to generate them.
The civilization we are living is in a critical moment. The actual
energy system, based since 20-30 years on the fossil fuels, is
expected to pass through a huge shock. This is one of the main
reasons why the developed countries have been directed towards
other ways of using the renewable energy sources. The actual energy
system in Albania is currently based completely at the
hydro-energy. There are enormous doubts on its sustainability, as
there are limited generation capacities towards the growing demand.
On the other side it is limited with a considerable number of
technical and non technical problems related to the net work loss
and leading to a multi-year energy crisis. One of the main
challenges of the Albanian energy sector is the diversification of
the energy sources and the fulfilment of the needs by own country
resources, decreasing the import dependence. The energy local
crisis that has stucked Albania in the recent years is deepening
the difference between the development of our country and more
developed ones. Obviously, taking action based of the National
Strategy of Energy (NSE) will bring about an improvement and fulfil
the emergent energy demand. However, NSE does not provide a
coherent vision on the long-term energy situation in Albania, as it
does not take into account the international trends concerning
fossil fuel prices and development in prices for renewable energy
technologies (RET). Consequently Albania will soon be under the
effect of another crisis, the global energy one. The indicators of
this crisis are becoming quite visible and they are related to
global energy system replacement from oil towards toward renewable
energy sources. The study on “Assessment of the Renewable Energy
Potentials in Albania” is closely focused in this area. It includes
initially a space and quantity assessment of the renewable energy
sources, identifying their locations and potentials. Further steeps
of this study are: historical analyses of the energy sources used
by different economy sectors followed by projection of energy
demand and supply for the next 25 years, which are based on the
NSE, taking into account future developments (growth of
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4
economy, reduction of fossil fuel resources, EU accession and
European policy on RES/energy/climate change). Based on some
scenarios, which have been considered as optimistic-realistic, a
provision has been performed leading to an assessment of the amount
of energy provided by RES for the next 25 years. The objective has
been the assessment of the quantity, financial ($/kWh per produced
energy) and quality (assessment of the emitting generated in case
of other energy sources use) approach. This enables a better view
on the importance of the renewable energy sources use towards the
reduction of the energy import and the contribution on the total
energy demand.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
.............................................................................................
1
ABBREVIATIONS......................................................................................................
2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
..............................................................................................
3 TABLE OF CONTENTS
...............................................................................................
5 LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES
..................................................................................
7 I. Climate characteristics of Albania
...........................................................................
9
1.1 Air
Temperature............................................................................................
10 1.2 Solar radiation
..............................................................................................
10 1.3 Rain
falls......................................................................................................
11
II. Renewable energy sources in Albania
...................................................................
12 2.1
Biomass.......................................................................................................
12
2.1.1 Background
............................................................................................
13 2.1.2 Potential
................................................................................................
13 2.1.3 Installed capacity
....................................................................................
16 2.1.4 Characteristic features for Albania
.............................................................
16
2.2
Hydropower..................................................................................................
17 2.2.1 Background
............................................................................................
17 2.2.2 Potential
................................................................................................
18 2.2.3 Installed capacity
....................................................................................
20 2.2.4 Characteristic features for Albania
.............................................................
21
2.3 Geothermal resources
....................................................................................
21 2.3.1 Background
............................................................................................
22 2.3.2 Potential
................................................................................................
23 2.3.3 Installed capacity
....................................................................................
27 2.3.4 Characteristic features for Albania
.............................................................
27
2.4 Wind
energy.................................................................................................
27 2.4.1 Background
............................................................................................
27 2.4.2 Potential
................................................................................................
28 2.4.3 Installed
Capacity....................................................................................
32 2.4.4 Characteristic features for Albania
.............................................................
32
2.5 Solar
energy.................................................................................................
33 2.5.1 Background
............................................................................................
33 2.5.2 Potential
................................................................................................
34
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6
2.5.3 Installed capacity
....................................................................................
37 2.5.4 Characteristic features for Albania
.............................................................
38
III. Projection of energy supply and demand in Albania
............................................... 39 3.1 Extracting
and use of the energy sources in Albania
........................................... 40 3.2 The energy
provided by the HPP and
TPP.......................................................... 42
3.3 The provision of the energy demand divided by sectors
...................................... 43
IV. The forecast of the RES percentage in the overall fuel mix
...................................... 45 4.1Contribution of each
RET on the energy demand projection
.................................. 45
V. Evaluation of the energy/thermal unit cost for each RET
.......................................... 49 VI. The reduction of
the GHG emission based on the utilisation of
RES........................... 52
6.1 Fossil fuel impact to human health and environment
.......................................... 52 6.2 Emission
reduction of RES use
........................................................................
53 6.3 Kyoto Protocol and Clean Development Mechanisms
Projects............................... 55
VII.
Conclusions.....................................................................................................
59 VII. Recommendations
...........................................................................................
61 VIII. Literature
......................................................................................................
61 Annex A
...............................................................................................................
65 Annex B
...............................................................................................................
69 Annex C
...............................................................................................................
73
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LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES
Figures
Figure 1 The climate division in Albania
.......................................................................................
9 Figure 2 Mean average air temperature in the main cities of
Albania for the period 1961 –
2000........................................................................................................................................................
10 Figure 3 Daily mean average solar radiation for the 3
metrological stations in Albania ............. 11 Figure 4 Average
quantity of the monthly falls in the main cities of Albania during
period of 1961 –
2000...................................................................................................................................
12 Figure 5 The biomass CO2 cycle
..................................................................................................
13 Figure 6 Territorial distributions of forest according to main
government regime .......................... 15 Figure 7 Run-off
river and pumped storage hydropower
............................................................. 17
Figure 8 The map of the existing and the new SHPP in Albania
................................................. 19 Figure 9 Heat
pump
scheme...........................................................................................................
22 Figure 10 Territorial distributions of the heat flow
......................................................................
25 Figure 11 Territorial distributions of temperature at depth of
100 m........................................... 26 Figure 12
Territorial distributions of annual average wind speed
................................................ 30 Figure 13
Territorial distributions of annual quantity of wind hours in
Albania.......................... 31 Figure 14 Principle of a Solar
Water Heating System (SWHS)
................................................... 33 Figure 15
Territorial distribution of average daily solar radiation in
Albania.............................. 35 Figure 16 Territorial
distribution of average quantity of sunshine hours in Albania
................... 36 Figure 17 Daily average solar irradiation in
some European countries........................................ 38
Figure 18 The consume of energy sources divided by
sector....................................................... 39
Figure 19 The production, consume & self sufficiency of oil
supply.............................................. 40 Figure 20
The production and self sufficiency of primary energy sources for
the period 1990 -
2004.......................................................................................................................................................
42 Figure 21 The production of electricity from TPP and HPP for the
period 1985 – 2004............. 42 Figure 22 The provision of
energy demands divided by sectors
..................................................... 43 Figure 23
The supply of primary energy sources made-in country and
imported............................ 44 Figure 24 Energy demand for
household, service and agricultural sector in the total energy
demand foreseen
...........................................................................................................................
45 Figure 25 Energy produced by the penetration of the renewable
energy schemes and contribution on energy demand for household,
service and agriculture sectors.
.............................................. 48 Figure 26 The
coverage of the imported energy demand through the renewable
energy................. 48 Figure 27 Unit cost for each technology
and each capacity
[cent/kWh].......................................... 51
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Figure 28 GHG emitting avoided from RES usage
......................................................................
55 Figure 29 The cycle of CDM Projects
..........................................................................................
58 Figure 30 The distribution of the annual average air
temperatures for the period 1961-2000 ..... 66 Figure 31 The
distribution of the annual average air distribution for the period
1961 – 2000..... 67
Tables Table 1 The distribution of the SHPP according to the
zones ...................................................... 20
Table 2 The characteristic of new SHPP
......................................................................................
21 Table 3 The distribution of the thermal springs with low
enthalpy.............................................. 23 Table 4
The distribution of abandoned gas or oil
wells................................................................
24 Table 5 The energy density and average speed of wind in height
of 10 m according to the
cities.......................................................................................................................................................
28 Table 6 The windy hours, average speed and the energy density
for the costal area, based on the land
measurements........................................................................................................................
29 Table 7 Preliminary Cost – Benefit analyses for each RET
......................................................... 50 Table
8 The emitting unit coefficients
..........................................................................................
53 Table 9 Emission reduction from the use of
RES.........................................................................
54 Table 10 Monthly average air temperatures for the main cities of
Albania for the period 1961 - 2000
(0C).......................................................................................................................................
65 Table 11 The average monthly quantity of the falls for the main
cities of Albania for the period 1961 - 2000 (mm)
.........................................................................................................................
65 Table 12 The solar radiation intensity for the 6 metrological
stations [kWh/m2 day] .................. 68 Table 13 The main
characteristics of 83 existing small water plant
stations................................ 71 Table 14 The main
characteristics of the identified small and medium
HPP............................... 72 Table 15 The Characteristics
of coals types in
Albania................................................................
73 Table16 The characteristics of major existing HPP in
Albania.................................................... 73
Table 17 Characteristics of HPP planned to be constructed in
Albania ....................................... 74 Table 18 Some
technical characteristics of existing TPP in Albania
........................................... 74
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I. Climate characteristics of Albania
Albania is one of the Mediterranean countries. The geographic
position of Albania gives to this country a Mediterranean climate,
which is characterized by a wet and soft winter and a hot and dry
summer. The climate regime of Albania is influenced by the
frequency of occasional atmospheric systems, which are mainly the
depressions coming from North Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea
including the anti-cyclones coming from Siberia and Azores, as
well. One of the main other factors that influence the climate
conditions of a certain region is the closeness to the sea (IHM
1978).
Figure 1 The climate division in Albania [Source: IHM 1978]
As far as the Albanian territory is concerned, it has been
noticed that there is a considerable increase from the sea level
and removal towards the inner part of the territory. The inner part
of the country is basically mountainous. The influences of the
before-mentioned factors have brought out a great number of
indicators and climate parameters in different regions of Albania.
As mentioned, the territory of Albania is divided in four main
climate areas. Whole its elements are basically stable. These areas
are name as following: The Field Mediterranean Area, The Hilly
Mediterranean Area, The Pre-mountainous Mediterranean Area and
Mountainous Mediterranean Area.
Field Mediterranean Area Hilly Mediterranean Area
Pre-mountainous Mediterranean Area Mountainous Mediterranean
Area
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10
0
6
12
18
24
Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May. Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.
[°C]
1.1 Air Temperature
The distribution of the temperatures in Albania presents a
considerable variability. The annual average temperature is 8-9 0C
in the mountainous area up to 17 0C in the seaside south-west area.
During the year, the curb of the temperatures in the whole country
is quite regular with a maximum in the summer months and the
minimum in the winter months, as presented in the Figure 2. The
period of the average of these calculations is during the years
1961-2000 (Mustaqi and Sanxhaku, 2006).
Figure 2 Mean average air temperature in the main cities of
Albania for the period 1961 – 2000.
[Source: IHM 2006]
The Annex A shows some tables with average middle monthly
temperatures in the main cities for a period of 40 years. Some
graphics that indicate the annual progress of the air temperature
for the last 10 years are presented, as well. It is very
interesting to analyze the data given in Annex A. It results that
the variability of the temperatures in July (the highest) and
January (the lowest) is lower than the one in the stations within
the country. Concretely, in Vlora this difference is approximately
15 0C, in Kukes approximately 21.5 0C. This fact confirms the
influence of the seaside in the territories around it. This
influence does not allow a decrease of the air temperature during
winter and a high increase during summer.
1.2 Solar radiation
Figure 3 presents the daily mean average solar radiation
according to the months for 3 main meteorological stations in
Albania. It shows, as well, the existence of huge differences
between the different seasons and stations in the country.
According to these data, Peshkopia station,
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0
2
4
6
8
Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.
kWh/
m2
Peshkopi Tirana Fier
located in North-East shows a difference from a minimum of 1,5
kWh/m2 in December to a maximum of 6.25 kWh/m2 in July. The same
phenomenon happens in the other stations as well (EEC 2005).
Figure 3 Daily mean average solar radiation for the 3
metrological stations in Albania
[Source: EEC, 2006]
The ratio between the month of the highest solar radiation and
the one of the minimal solar radiation varies from the smallest
values of 4 for the stations of Erseka and Saranda to the values of
5 kWh/m2 for Fier and Peshkopi. Annex A includes a detailed table
with data for each station.
1.3 Rain falls
The rainfalls in Albania have a Mediterranean regime. They are
mainly active during winter months (65-75 % of the annual quantity)
and less during the summer ones. Albania is characterized from a
huge variation as far as the territorial distribution is concerned.
The annual amount varies from 650 mm in the South-East to 2800 mm
in the Alps of Albania. The average amount of falls for the whole
territory is approximately 1400 mm annually. This is an indicator
for a huge slack of falls, which can be used for energy. Below
there is a graphic of the average amount of falls for the period of
40 years: 1961 – 2000. Compared to the temperatures, the falls’
regime in the last 10 years can be easily distinguished from
previous one. The detail amount on the falls in the last 10 years
is enclosed in Annex A.
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12
0255075
100
125150175200
Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr.May.Jun. Jul. Aug.Sep. Oct. Nov.Dec.
mm
Figure 4 Average quantity of the monthly falls in the main
cities of Albania during period of
1961 – 2000. [Source: IHM 2006]
II. Renewable energy sources in Albania
In this chapter, the most relevant renewable energy sources are
taken to the light. Each source is briefly introduced and
described.
2.1 Biomass
The term biomass covers a wide variety of both fuel and
conversion technologies. Usually, the term biomass refers to woody
or agricultural products being converted into useful energy through
different conversion technologies (Ecofys BV 2006). Biomass often
refers to solid materials such as wood, branches, industrial wood
waste, urban solid waste and agricultural residues (agriculture
plants, animal feeding); whereas bio-fuel refers to the (final)
products that are liquids. Important conversion technologies are:
Burning, incineration Gasification Digestion
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Figure 5 The biomass CO2 cycle [Source: Ecofys BV, 2006]
We stick here to woody biomass and agricultural residues.
2.1.1 Background
For ages, Albanians rely on fuel wood for cooking their food and
heating their homes. Therefore, there is nothing new about biomass
resources. However, it is the conversion technology and the size of
these different new technologies that make things new. Biomass can
be used as fuel for power plants (electricity), heat boilers (heat)
and cogeneration (both heat and electricity). New plants can be
constructed, but biomass can also replace coal (lignite,
anthracite) in existing power stations, up to a certain percentage.
Especially older power stations, which can deal with a variety of
fuel qualities, might well be able to deal with biomass, next to
fossil fuels such as lignite and anthracite. The term is then
‘co-firing’.
2.1.2 Potential
Biomass resources, woods, are plentiful available in Albania,
especially in the mountainous regions. This does not mean
automatically, though, that the potential for biomass is high. The
woods are protected and/or part of nature reserves, or there are
claims from logging/building/furniture industries. This means,
woods have other economical and nature reserves, more important
than those as biomass. On the European market, we see therefore
that
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secondary woody materials are more and more being utilized as
biomass, for example by compacting (pelletising or briquetting)
sawdust or wood chips into a uniform product that can be traded in
Europe and possibly worldwide (Ecofys BV 2006). Obviously, concerns
about selling out the woods should be dealt with; the
sustainability of woods and the contribution to biodiversity could
be at stake. Woods and forests should be treated as natural
reserve. An example to combat the abuse of woods is the
introduction of the FSC label (‘Forestry Stewardship Council’),
with which woods can be exploited for the different purposes, and
still have enough time to be regenerated once the trees are felled.
According to some approximate estimation, the energy potential from
agricultural residues were calculated at approximately around 800
toe/year in 1980; while in 2001 were around 130 toe/year. The
potential of urban wastes from the main Albanian cities was
calculated as approximately 405615 ton oil equivalent (Toe),
predicted for the year 2010 (EBRD 2004). The wood sources in
Albania are concentrated in the forestry zones that cover around
38.2% of the total surface. The data on forest resources are based
on inventories done every 10 years from the Forestry Directorate
subordinated to the Ministry of Agriculture. Total forecasted
resources reach some 125 million m3 (14.3 toe). Forests are
classified in these major categories: high forests which represent
47-50% of the total wood resources; copses which are 29-30% of the
total resources; and bushes, which are 24-25% of the total wood
resources. From the three aforementioned categories, 10% of high
forests, 50% of copses and 100% of bushes are used as fuel wood.
From this data, proven resources of fuel wood are respectively
5.87, 18.25 and 30 million m3. The total proven reserves of fuel
wood are considered about 6 Mtoe (Hizmo 2006). The energy potential
from animal residue's as well as for agricultural residue potations
is calculated at approximately 70 [toe/year] 12 740 GJ in 1995 with
a trend to be increased in the future. These numbers should be
considered estimates; a more comprehensive study should be carried
out for real validation.
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15
Figure 6 Territorial distributions of forest according to main
government regime
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16
2.1.3 Installed capacity
It is expected that, apart from a wide variety of old wood
stoves and furnaces working on wood, several modern wood boilers
are in operation, possibly at wood industry locations, to heat
production halls and facilities. The increase of the biomass
contribution is primarily based on a more efficient use of the fire
wood. The actual average yield of fire woods is 35-40%. It is
foreseen that in 2025 Albania will have a penetration of family
market heaters with an average yield of 75-85%.
2.1.4 Characteristic features for Albania
As a rugged country, with limited fossil fuel resources
(lignite), and an economy that is still close to its agricultural
roots, there are good opportunities to develop the biomass
potential much further. Environmental concerns should be taken care
of, in order not to have a continuous and clean supply of
indigenous energy and to prevent a sell out of the natural
resources of the country. Actually, from the categories mentioned
above, the wood waste from the wood industry and solid urban waste
biomass can be of a considerable contribution. Biomass from the
agriculture is connected with agricultural plants being used to
feed the animals during winter time. A biomass group, which can be
very profitable, consist of the cores of olive, peaches, etc. These
cores that are waste of alimentary industry can be burnt supplying
warm water or steam for different technology processes in the
alimentary industry. The biomass from the so-called energetic
plants is not applied yet in Albania. It still needs to be stressed
the importance of the incentive policies on the application of
these kinds of plants. Another important group that can be taken
into consideration on the energy supply is the high richness of
bushes. They can be considered without any doubt, as a very good
source of renewable energy, as they will always be growing up.
Whereas biomass produced from the animal breeding can not be taken
into consideration due to a low number of the house animals and
lack of division of farms (a farm consist of a very small number of
cows and other animals) and a small amount of waste, which actually
are being used as organic fertilizer.
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2.2 Hydropower Hydropower is a form of renewable energy that
captures the potential energy of flowing water to convert it into
electricity. A distinction is made between: Run-off river systems,
where (a part of) the river flow is captured and led along a
turbine. Pumped storage hydropower, where a lake is used as storage
system in order to use the
differences in availability of power,
Figure 7 Run-off river and pumped storage hydropower [Source:
HERMES 1997]
The latter system operates to pump up water levels when the
energy supply is cheap (for example at night, or after the winter)
and to allow the outflow of water from the storage lake when the
availability of peak capacity is low (and the electricity price is
high). Large scale hydropower plants are sometimes not (fully)
acknowledged as sources of renewable energy, because of the large
environmental effects on habitats turning a valley into a basin for
the hydropower plant, removing large numbers of people, animals and
agricultural land (Ecofys BV 2006).
2.2.1 Background
Hydropower has been available since late 19th century on the
Balkan Peninsula generating therefore one of the first ‘industrial’
forms of renewable energy. Several hydropower plants from the early
20th century, have fallen in dismay and are not or not fully been
operated at full capacity. In Albania, the highest profit from the
hydro-energy is due to the huge water power stations. A high
interest is the building of the small hydro power plant (SHPP). A
number of 83 SHPP have been built until 1988. Initially, the
construction of the SHPP, has intended the energy
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18
supply of the remote mountainous area. Today, the energy
production of SHPP is related to the Albanian energy system.
Actually it results that only a part out of the 83 existing SHPP
are functioning. The rest is out of use due to different reasons.
In general, all the existing SHPP have been constructed in
attractive areas, taking into consideration the potential and
availability aspects of water and hydraulic charge for the electric
production energy. The major part of the SHPP are in very bad
conditions due to the neglecting and the arbitrary destruction
during the riots and tumults of 1997 and afterwards. The equipment
is highly damaged and stolen. Since water is highly used in summer
for irrigation or potable water, there is no energy production
during season. There is no documentation for the water source
hydrology, as it is known that water supply is the crucial
parameter for energy (Xhelepi 2006).
2.2.2 Potential
Although a substantial portion of the current electricity supply
of Albania is covered with hydropower, the potential is clearly
larger, due to different sources and uneven relieve as far as
topography is concerned. The highest profit from the water energy
is realized through the usage of huge hydropower stations, but a
considerable interest presents the use of the water energy through
the SHPP. Albania has high amount of hydro-energy potential that
goes up to 16 billion kWh, 30-35% out of which can be used. The map
of the existing and new SHPP is shown below.
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19
Figure 8 The map of the existing and the new SHPP in Albania
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20
2.2.3 Installed capacity
Until 1998, a number of 83 SHPP have been built in Albania with
a installed power of 50 to 1200 kW and a capacity of 25 MW. These
SHPP are of the derivation type and they use the water sources and
incomes nearby. The major parts of SHPP equipments are maid in:
Austria, Germany, China, Hungary, and Italy. Another part of them
are produced in Albania. The turbines are: FRANCIS, PELTON and
BANKI, while the generators are Synchronous, mainly of a low power.
The average age of these SHPP is 25 years old. The following table
can be provided by classifying the 83 SHPP according to the regions
(more detail characteristics are presented on Annex B).
The distribution of SHPP according to the zones The divisions of
HPP according to the zones
Power installed
(kW)
The Annual Production Capacity
(000/kWh) Zone 1 (Bulqize, Diber) 3374.5 15370 Zone 2 (Elbasan,
Gramsh, Librazhd) 2040 11490 Zone 3 (Kolonje, Korce, Pogradec,
Devoll) 2893 17140 Zone 4 (M. Madhe, Tropoje) 1120 8190 Zone 5
(Gjirokaster, Permet, Sarande, Tepelene) 1366 4760 Zone 6 (Mat,
Mirdite, Lac, Shkoder) 1320 1030 Zone 7 (Skrapar) 420 1200 Zone 8
(Vlore) 144.7 420 Zone 9 (Has, Puke, Kukes) 599 2420 Total 13 277
62020
Table 1 The distribution of the SHPP according to the zones
The studies show that there is the possibility of building new
SHPP with a capacity of 140 MW and annual production of 680 GWh.
All the SHPP are of the derivation type, without dam and
catchments. From the 41 studied SHPP it results: (detailed
characteristics are presented on Annex B). As far as the
territorial distribution is concerned, it results that 28 SHPP with
a power of 100000 kW can be built in the North, generating 65% of
the total power. Whereas 13 SHPP with a power of 40000 kW can be
built in the South generating 35% of the total power.
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21
Nr. of SHPP The characteristics of new SHPP
4 8 8 15 3 3
Have a power up to 500 kW Have a power up to 501-1,000 kW Have a
power up to 1,001-2,000 kW Have a power up to 2,001-5,000 kW Have a
power up to 5,001-10,000 kW Have a power up to 10,000 kW
19 22
Are built on hydro-technical works. Are new axes
17
13 11
Power of N = 62.000 kW are with project-ideas and designed
implementations. Power of N = 56.000 kW are with design-idea and
study Power of N = 22.000 kW are identified.
Table 2 The characteristic of new SHPP
2.2.4 Characteristic features for Albania
Albania is ranked as a country of considerable water richness
with a hydrograph distribution in all territory. Albania, with it
surface of 28748 km2, has a hydrographical distribution of 44000
km2, or 57% more than state territory. The hydrographical territory
of Albania has an average of 400 mm rain per year. There is snow in
the height of 1000 m, which remains for several months and ensures
the water supply for the rivers and their bridges for the period of
spring and summer. Due to irregular distribution there are
considerable changes in the rivers and their branches. During the
winter season the water flow income are quite high, while during
summer they decrease in a considerable amount. This is the reason
that flooding is 70% in winter and 30% in summer and autumn.
2.3 Geothermal resources Geothermal resource consists of
underground layers or springs that contain water with a temperature
level which is enough to gain useful forms of energy. Usually, the
water is heated through the higher temperatures in the earth core.
The water temperate level can be used in the buildings for heating
with low temperature directly or with the help of heat pumps. In
case of very high temperatures or when the water is in the form of
steam, electricity is produced. Here, focus is on the utilization
of geothermal resources for heating purposes, where it is expected
that
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22
most resources are on a moderate temperature level, i.e. they
need to be ‘thermally treated’ by heat pumps.
Figure 9 Heat pump scheme [Source: HERMES 1997]
2.3.1 Background Albania is actually in the feasibility phase of
assessing the geothermic energy use potentials. The geothermic
situation of Albanides presents two directions for the use of
geothermic energy, which has not been used so far. Firstly, the
thermal sources with low enthalpy and maximum temperature up to
80°C. These natural sources are in a wide territory of Albania,
from the South bordered to Greece and in the North-East part of it.
Secondly, the usage of the deep vertical well of the abandoned oil
and gas sources can be used for heating system. The temperatures of
145 deep well in mines and different levels have been measured. The
challenge with this type of renewable energy is not the
availability of these resources, but how to utilize these abundant
resources of heat in an economical way.
-
23
2.3.2 Potential Geothermal resources are widely available in
Albania. Like the neighbouring countries, the potential of
geothermal heat is large. There are many thermal springs of low
enthalpy with a maximal temperature up to 80 ºC as well as many
wells (abandoned gas or oil) in Albania, which represent a
potential for geothermal energy. The geothermal field is
characterized by relatively low values of temperature. The
temperature at a depth of 100 meters varies from 8 to 20ºC. The
highest temperatures (up to 68ºC) at 3000 meters depth have been
measured in the plane regions of western Albania. The temperature
is 105.8ºC at 6000 meters depths. The lowest temperature values
have been recorded in the mountainous regions. There are many
thermal springs and wells of low enthalpy. Their water has
temperatures up to 65.5ºC (Frasheri at al 2004). Different
characteristics of thermal spring and wells with low enthalpy are
given in the following tables.
Geographical co-ordinates No
Name of spring and region
Temp.
°C Width V Length L
Debit l/s
1 Mamuras 1 dhe 2 21-22 41°31'3" 19°38'6" 11.7 2 Shupal 29.5
41°26'9" 19°55'24”
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24
Geographical co-ordinates No.
Name of well
Temp. °C Width V Length L
Debit l/s
1 Kozani 8 65.5 41°06' 20°01'6” 10.3 2 Ishmi 1/b 60 41°29.2'
19°40.4' 3.5 3 Letan 50 41007’9” 20o22’49” 5.5 4 Galigati 2 45-50
40°57'6” 20°09'24” 0.9 5 Bubullima 5 48-50 41°19'18” 19°40'36” 6
Ardenica 3 38 40°48'48” 19°35'36” 15-18 7 Semani 1 35 40°50' 19°26
5 8 Semani 3 67 40o 46’12” 19o22’24” 30 9 Ardenica 12 32 40°48'42”
'19°35'42” 10 Verbasi 2 29.3 1-3
Table 4 The distribution of abandoned gas or oil wells
[Source: Frasheri at al 2004] The thermal spring and wells are
located in three areas: the geothermic area of Kruje, Ardenica and
Peshkopi. Kruja geothermal Area contains the majority of geothermal
resources in Albania. The most important resources, explored so
far, are located in the Northern part of Kruja Geothermal Area,
from Llixha-Elbasan in the South to Ishmi, in the North of Tirana.
In Tirana-Elbasani area heat in place is (Ho) (5.87 x 1018 – 50.8 x
1018) J, the identified resources are (0.59 x 1018 – 5.08 x 1018)
J, while the specific reserves ranges are between values of 38.5 –
39.6 GJ/m2. In the southern part of this area, where is located
Galigati – Sarandaporo zone, has been identifying lower
concentration of resources 20.63 GJ/m2, while geothermal resources
up to 0.65 x 1018J. Ardenica Area. Ardenica reservoir has (0.82 x
1018) J. Resources density varies from (0.25-0.39) GJ/m2. The
boreholes have been abandoned and are actually awaiting for renewed
investments. In order use the geothermal energy, the reconstruction
of the wells containing fountains of hot water is needed, when
technically possible. Peshkopia Area. Water temperature and big
yield, stability, and also aquifer temperature of Peshkopia
Geothermal Area are similar with those of Kruja Geothermal Area.
Therefore the geothermal resources of Peshkopia Area have been
estimated to be similar to those of Tirana- Elbasani area.
-
25
Figure 10 Territorial distributions of the heat flow
-
26
Figure 11 Territorial distributions of temperature at depth of
100 m
-
27
2.3.3 Installed capacity Apart from some Spa’s using geothermal
resources for treating patients or clients, there are basically no
house warming systems used out of them.
2.3.4 Characteristic features for Albania It is explore that
geothermal resources are available in the majority of the country.
There might be some limitation in the coastal areas due to
infiltration in the salty sea water. 2.4 Wind energy Since a few
centuries, mankind is able to use the wind power through the wind
mills. As from the mid seventies, modern wind turbines have been
developed with the aim to produce clean electricity. Technology for
wind energy has tremendously advanced the last years, leading to
(Ecofys BV 2006): • Larger wind turbines • Blades manufactured from
composite materials • Higher reliability • Lower noise levels (at
the source, the rotor) • Modern pitching technologies for the
blades • Direct drive technologies to reduce maintenance, • Systems
to stop operating automatically to reduce flickering and bird
fatalities
2.4.1 Background
Currently, most of new wind turbines sold in Europe are in the
2-4 Megawatt range. The trend of offshore wind turbines is even
higher. Offshore conditions are much harsher; therefore reliability
and a reduction of maintenance costs are key elements for
economical operation. Other types of wind turbines are available on
the market during the last few years. They are called urban wind
turbines and are much smaller in production capacity (around 5
kilowatt). Nevertheless differing from the other larger version
they can be installed in an urban environment, such as roofs of the
buildings.
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28
2.4.2 Potential
The presence of wind can vary significantly from on different
locations and time periods. Wind energy specialists sometimes work
on the annual average wind speed. Although it might be a good
indicator for a certain location (e.g. more than 6 meters per
second), it does not necessarily mean that it functions
economically well. The height of the turbines (‘hub height’) plays
an important role, as well. Due to characteristics of wind flow,
the wind speed is usually higher at higher altitudes. The
developments of new types of wind turbines have therefore resulted
in larger and higher turbines (Ecofys BV 2006). The Institute of
Hydro-Meteorology (IHM) is the only institute that deals with the
daily measurements of wind (three times/per day) in the main
meteorological stations located in a standard height of 10 meters.
The wind is highly influenced from orographia. One single barrier
(in direction or speed) generates high variances in the
measurements of the station (in speed or direction). This is the
main reason that such stations are located in open areas (free of
any kind of barrier). It is important to point out that the
stations are, as well, located in climate representative areas,
regardless the wind energy potential zones. The tables below show
the wind speed and the energy density for some windy areas/regions
that allow assessment of the wind potentials.
Month Durres Kryevidh Tepelene Sarande Vlore January 4.20 5.00
5.80 4.90 5.10 February 4.50 5.10 5.70 4.90 5.20 March 4.20 4.60
5.90 4.80 4.50 April 4.10 4.50 4.30 4.60 4.40 May 3.60 3.70 4.60
4.30 4.10 June 3.40 4.10 4.40 4.50 4.10 July 3.30 4.30 3.50 4.60
3.90 August 3.20 4.00 3.50 4.40 3.80 September 3.30 4.30 4.10 4.10
4.00 October 3.60 4.70 5.30 4.50 4.50 November 4.20 4.90 4.70 4.70
4.60 December 4.40 5.10 5.60 5.00 5.00 Annual 3.833 4.525 4.783
4.608 4.433 Density (W/m2) 75 -150 100- 230 100-235 110-250 100-
230
Table 5 The energy density and average speed of wind in height
of 10 m according to the cities [Source: P. Mitrushi, 2006]
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29
Table 6 The windy hours, average speed and the energy density
for the costal area, based on the land measurements [Source: P.
Mitrushi, 2006]
Although IHM has done relevant measurements, they are fragmented
and can be useful for a general idea. However, these data are based
on measurements made by anemometers placed 10 m height above ground
level. It therefore makes it difficult to judge the real wind
energy potential. It must be pointed out that the meteorological
stations are located in climate representative areas of the
regions. Therefore, the natural potential of wind energy should be
greater. Consequently, the map showing the territory wind average
speed (Figure 12) is a schematic map (there are no space gradients
available). As a result, it shows only a number of regions
characterized by high wind speed. Nevertheless, the main regions
with high wind energy potentials are identified and they are:
Shkoder (Velipoje, Cas), Lezhe (Ishull Shengjin, Tale, Balldre),
Durres (Ishem, P.Romano), Fier (Karavasta, Hoxhara 1, Hoxhara 2),
Vlore (Akerni), Tepelene, Kryevidh, Sarande. However, it is quite
difficult to plan an exact distribution of the territory wind
speed. A detailed study includes the modeling of the speed wind
taking into the consideration topography, as well. According to the
studies performed so far on the special territory parts, it results
that a wind speed increase is closely related to the height
increase over the sea level. Some deviations can however be noticed
in the narrow valleys of the rivers or mountainous saddles where,
as a result of air streams convergences, the wind speed
increases.
10 m 50 m 75 m Hour/year m/s W/m2 m/s W/m2 m/s W/m2
6230 > 3 30 3.9 60 4.5 100 5000 > 4 70 5.2 160 6.0 250
4300 > 5 150 6.5 300 7.5 500 3100 > 6 250 7.8 550 9.0 800
1400 > 7 400 9.1 830 10.5 1300 Vmed Dens. 4.5 m/s 100 6.0 m/s
250 7.0 m/s 400
-
30
Figure 12 Territorial distributions of annual average wind
speed
-
31
Figure 13 Territorial distributions of annual quantity of wind
hours in Albania
-
32
2.4.3 Installed Capacity
It needs to be pointed out that actually no kWh of energy is
produced out of wind in Albania. This does not happen not due to
the lack of wind potential, but because of the lack of assessment
of wind energy potentials. The actual available limited
meteorological information serves only for a preliminary evaluation
on the wind energy potential. Base on the actual conditions of
Albania, it is foreseen that 4% of the total amount of electric
energy produced in country (around 400 GWh/year) until 2025 to be
produced from wind. It is assumed that a priority will be given to
the buildings of 20 Wind Electro Central (WEC) near 20 pumping
stations located along the Adriatic Sea, avoiding flooding
protection as well. A considerable number of areas with high wind
energy potentials are identified in the Seaside Lowland, near these
20 pumping stations are located (that looking for 30 GWh/year or
0.7% of the actual national electric energy production) (Mitrushi
2006). The average annual wind speed in these areas is 4-6 m/s
(height 10 m), and the annual energy density is 100-250 W/m2. This
potential is considered as low, but it can be improved, by using
the height of 50 m, where the speed is 6-8 m/s, and energy density
is 250-600 W/m2.
2.4.4 Characteristic features for Albania
The main part of the territory (approximately 2/3 of the whole
surface) is hilly-mountainous tending to be more mountainous
towards East. The costal line is 345 km in the direction of North –
South. The major part of it lies along the field coast part, and
the other part is near the south mountainous coast. The main
directions of the wind are Northwest – Southeast and Southwest –
Northeast, with a dominating direction from sea towards. Inside the
territory, the direction and the wind intensity vary considerably
from one location to another. Since Albania is close to the sea and
it is a mountainous country, it is expected that at some locations,
wind turbines have a good pay back time. However, only very limited
wind resource information is available to justify investments in
successful wind energy projects. The plains to the sea in the North
might offer some options (Ecofys BV 2006).
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33
2.5 Solar energy
With solar energy, we distinguish usually two conversion types:
solar thermal, solar PV (or photovoltaic solar energy)
In this study we are focusing more on solar thermal energy.
Solar thermal energy is the process where solar radiation is
converted into thermal energy. The most common system is the solar
water heater system (SWHS). The water is heating by the sun through
a collector, usually placed on the roof of the building. The warm
water is stored in a tank or directly used to heat the house or
preheat another boiler.
Figure 14 Principle of a Solar Water Heating System (SWHS)
[Source: www.soltherm.org]
Sometimes a distinction is made between active systems (such as
a SWHS) and passive systems. An example for a passive system is a
greenhouse that captures solar radiation without any additional
process.
2.5.1 Background
The Preskot model is used for the assessment of the territorial
distribution of solar radiation. The model has been adapted to the
climate conditions of Albania, taking into consideration the
multi-annual series of solar radiation (Mustaqi and Sanxhaku 2006).
The following factors are considered as crucial in the assessment
of solar radiation: The geographic location of the country, which
defines the possible theoretic potentials of the
solar energy, taken from the horizontal surface of the
earth.
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34
Topography (closely connected to the scale of horizon hided from
natural barriers), which defines the practical possible potential
of the solar energy taken from the earth horizontal surface.
Baric systems (their occasionally and time duration), which
define the characteristics of the cloudiness regime
It is very clear that the last two factors have the major impact
in the identification of the solar energy characteristics. The
influence of both factors is at the same direction, the decrease of
solar radiation towards the inner part of the territory.
Concretely, the heliographic measure spots (at the same time the
inhabited areas) are located at the end of the valleys of the
rivers. As a result the horizon is relatively closed to the
mountainous slopes. It is evident that the solar radiation quantity
measured in the station is smaller that the one taken on earth
surface located in a plateau or locations of a relative height. On
the other side, analyzing the cloudiness regime in the territory,
it results that, an average of 5 degrees in the field areas and of
6-7 degrees in the mountainous areas. Consequently, the reduction
of the solar radiation can also be noticed. The reducing effect of
topography factor can be avoided by recommending areas as plateaus
in considerable heights, with an open horizon. Meanwhile, it is
important to point out that the effect of causality and the
duration of baric systems can not be avoided because of the
stochastic character of the atmospheric phenomena. The result of
these factors is the distribution in the territory of the annual
solar radiation, as presented in the following maps (figure 15 and
16).
2.5.2 Potential
As it can be seen from this map, Albania has a considerable
energy coming through the solar radiation. This quantity varies
from 1200 kWh/m2 in the northeast part of the country (the area
than receives the lowest quantity of the solar radiation) up to
1600 kWh/m2 in Myzeqe area, which is the area that has a
considerable quantity of this energy kind (Hido 2006). The average
of daily solar radiation can change from a minimum of 3.2 kWh/m2 in
the Northeast (day in Kukes) up to a maximum of 4.6 kWh/m2 in the
South-Western (day in Fier). Therefore, Albania has an average of
daily solar radiation of 4.1 kWh/m2, which can be considered as a
good solar energy regime.
-
35
Figure 15 Territorial distribution of average daily solar
radiation in Albania
-
36
Figure 16 Territorial distribution of average quantity of
sunshine hours in Albania
-
37
Most areas of Albania benefit more than 2200 hours of sunshine
per year, while the average for the whole country is about 2400
hours. The Western part receives more than 2500 hours of sunshine
per year. Fier has a record of 2850 hours. The number of the solar
days in Albania has an average of 240 - 260 days annually with a
maximum of 280 - 300 days annually in the South-Western part. The
potential of solar thermal is not merely determined by irradiation
characteristics (which positively considered in Albania) but also
by availability of roof space and orientation and inclination of
the roof, the collector and storage as well (Ecofys BV2006). More
detail for some cities you will find on Annex B.
2.5.3 Installed capacity
The penetration of solar panel systems are used for thermal
power production during the last decade increased from 0 to 23 GWh
in 2001. Nevertheless, based on the surveys of National Agency of
Energy (NAE), the number of the installed solar panels in 2003 is
increased with 35% compared to 2002. In absolute values, the number
of solar panels installed in 2003 was 2800 units, while in 2005 it
is expected to go beyond 4000 units (MIE and NAE 2004). Energy
Efficiency Centre (EEC) has designed and implemented in
kindergartens and schools three projects funded by EU in 2002-2003.
The investment amount has been around 85000 EUR installing more
than 200 m2 of solar panels. Based on the assistance of UNDP during
2003, an amount of 160 m2 of solar panels has been installed. The
total of the investment reached 70000 USD (EEC 2002). Nehemia
Foundation, has installed 168 m2 solar panels and a contemporary
heating systems in three schools of Pogradec with a beneficiary
number of 650 students. In the framework of this project 28 m2
photovoltaic systems have been installed aiming to supply the
computers and lightening system when power cuts. Another
significant project in the area of solar panels is currently under
implementation. Global Environment Facility (GEF) through UNDP is
supporting the Government of Albania to accelerate the market
development of SWHS as one of the measures to reduce the growing
electricity consumption and disparity between demand and the
domestic power generation capacity. This country program aims at
accelerating the market development of solar water heating. It is
expected that the end of the projects meets the following: the
installation of 75,000 m2 of new installed collector area, an
annual sale of 20,000 m2 and with expected continuing
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38
2.53.0
3.4
4.0 4.14.5 4.6
4.8
0.0
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
TheNetherlands
Denmark Germany North ofFrance
North ofItaly
South ofAlbania
Spain Greece
[kWh/m2/day]
growth to reach the set target of 540,000 m2 of total installed
SWH capacity by 2020 (UNDP 2005). The project is financed partly by
GEF through UNDP, and Government of Albania as well as from other
donors and private sector. If Albania would develop the solar
panels at similar level of Greece, the potential production of warm
water would be equivalent to the energy production of 360 GWh
thermo (or 75 MW thermo of the installed power). These amounts
correspond to a total surface of 300,000 m2 (or 0.3 m2/family. The
penetration in such countries as Israel, Greece, Turkey is actually
over 0.45 m2/familje), which can be taken as a potential indicator
for Albania for the coming 20 years.
2.5.4 Characteristic features for Albania
The position of Albania, which has a Mediterranean climate,
generates favourable conditions for a sustainable development of
the solar energy. The high intensity of solar radiation, its
relatively long duration, the temperature and the air moisture are
exactly the elements that contribute to this effect. The
Mediterranean climate with a soft and wet winter and a hot and dry
summer enables Albania to have higher potentials in solar energy
use than the average of the European countries.
Figure 17 Daily average solar irradiation in some European
countries. [Source: EEC 2001]
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39
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004
OtherAgricultureTransportIndustryServiceHouseholds
III. Projection of energy supply and demand in Albania
The energy sector is one of the most important ones in the
country economy. The supply of the energy according to the sectors
is based on hydro-energy, being considered as the primary energy
source up to the fossil fuels, wood etc. The history of the
traditional sources can be carefully considered for a further
analyses and forecast of the energy demand. This would help to an
effective intervention and better control of the increasing trend
in energy demand as well as to decrease the existing energy
dependence. This analyses is important to assess the energy needs
afforded by RES, which have never been considered in the energy
analyses.
Sector Industry Transport Households Service 1990 50% 6% 14,6%
5,4% 2004 17% 33% 20% 18%
Figure 18 The consume of energy sources divided by sector
[Source: NSE 2004] Taking into consideration the energy consume
in different sectors, it can be easily noticed that this consume
has huge ups and downs during the years 1990-2004, as shown in the
figure above. As the country was oriented towards the heavy
industry before 1990, the energy consume was considerably higher
than the first years of transition. During the years 1995-2000 the
energy consume has decreased up to 1/3 of the consume level of
1990. It can be easily concluded that there are high differences
which call for future special attention on the energy demand.
-
40
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
1933
1937
1941
1945
1949
1953
1957
1961
1965
1969
1973
1977
1981
1985
1989
1993
1997
2001
kton
Sandstone Limestone Consumption
3.1 Extracting and use of the energy sources in Albania
The oil sources in Albania are distributed in the West and
Southwest. They derivate mainly from the two structures, the sand
rocks and lime stones. The geologic slack of oil is assessed of 260
million m3, 54 million m3 out of which are accessible. The
geological slacks of oil in the sea are assessed to be up to 200
milion m3, 50 milion m3 out of which can be taken out1. The usage
of oil in Albania has started since 1918, whereas the peak was in
1975. Eversince the usage of oil has always been decreasing, and
from 1990s on it experienced a continous consume increase. This
contradiction between the usage and consume has led to a dependence
on the fossil fuel contries since years 90s. The difference between
the usage and the consume has been increasing as a result of the
transport development sector. Until 1989 Albania has been an
exporter of oil products. Actually, imported oil and its products
contribute approximately of 63% of primar energy sources.
0
400
800
1200
1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004
[ktoe]
0
40
80
120[%]
Oil supply (imported and country production)
Self-sufficiency of oil needs (country production)
Figure 19 The production, consume & self sufficiency of oil
supply
[Source: NSE, 2003 B. Islami 2006]
The oil refining has been done mainly through four refineries
available in Cerrik, Fier, Kucove and Ballsh. After the
construction of the refineries in Ballsh, the other three
refineries did not function in full capacity. The oil fields result
with a high percentage of sulphur (4% - 8%) and high gravity (8 –
35 API). The technologies used in the mentioned refineries are
quite old and give serious problems uncontrollable pollution.
Therefore new investments are needed for further usage of them. A
general technical-economic analysis would assess this kind of
investment 1 Figers provided from Albpetron sh.a. and ARMO sh.a
energy auditing perform from NEA 2002
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41
versus the investment on the renewable energy. Coal is one of
the main sources in country and it is concentrated in four main
areas (see Annex C). The systems of coal enrichment in Valias,
Memaliaj and Maliq are already out of function. The coal has mainly
been used as a source for central heating and electrical energy
production from TPP (co-generative), that are built near the coal
mines. In general, the country coal has resulted to a high
percentage of sulphur (around 4%) and a high percentage of ash and
wetness. Therefore the coal results to a low calorific value with
high emissions of SO2. The mine characteristic is that it is
located in high depths (over 200 m) and in strata of relatively
small amounts (70 – 100cm). As a result the country coal has a
higher cost than the imported coal. This is one of the reasons that
the use of the coal had a drastic decrease in the last years. The
production and the natural gas consume has started since 1963 and
gradually have been discovered other gas fields such as: Divjakë,
Frrakull, Ballaj-Kryevidh, Durrës, Povelçë, and Panaja–Delvinë.
Around 500 wells have been constructed until the end of 1995; out
of which approximately 3.04 billion m3 of natural gas have been
taken out. Actually, the gas fields are in their final phase. The
numbers of the wells are decreased to 30 and the daily collections
can be up to 300-1500 m3N/day. The gas slacks have a decrease since
1995, but the peak was in 1990 as a result of identification lack
of new sources and investments in the existing fields. A very
important source, which has given a considerable contribution to
the energy balance of the country, is biomass and more specifically
the woods. The usage of woods has also been decreased in the last
years. During 1990 the fire woods contributed with 727.7 ktoe (or
24.6% of the total) falling until 271.4 ktoe in 2004 (12.5% of the
total). This decrease has influenced positively in the minimization
of the wood cuts, and simultaneously has had a negative impact
since more electrical energy has been used, especially in the
residential sector. According to the data from the General
Directorate of Forests, the total slack of the fire wood goes up to
14,3 Mtoe. The usage of fire wood, coal and natural gas in years
and the percentages compared to the total of energy sources is
given below.
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42
0
2000
4000
6000
1985 1987 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003
GW
h
Hydro Power Plant Thermal Power Plants
0
300
600
900
1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004
ktoe
Fire Wood Coal Natural Gas
0
600
1200
1800
2400
3000
3600
1990 1993 1996 1999 2002
[ktoe]
0
40
80
120[%]
Primary energy sorces (imported and
countryproduction)Self-sufficiency of primary energy sources
(countryproduction)
Figure 20 The production and self sufficiency of primary energy
sources for the period 1990 - 2004 [Source: UNDP 2005, AKE
2004]
3.2 The energy provided by the HPP and TPP
Albania has a high potential of hydro-energy, 35% out of which
is used so far. The installed capacity up to now is 1464,5 MW. The
average production of HPP in Albania is about 4362 GWh/year. The
total slacks of hydro-energy are up to 3000 MW and the annual
potential can be up to 10 TWh (Xhelepi 2006). A great importance is
given recently to the use of the rivers in the central and the
southern part of Albania, in order to have a geographical
hydro-energy balance.
Figure 21 The production of electricity from TPP and HPP for the
period 1985 – 2004 [Source: IHW, 2004]
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43
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
1999 2002 2005 2008 2011 2014 2017 2020 2023
[kto
e]
Household Service Industry Transport Agriculture
8 TPP have been installed in different time periods and
capacities. The main common quality is the co-generation. Actually,
all the TPP are out of function, except from Fier one, which works
on a super minimal capacity. More details and technical
characteristics of existing HPP and TPP and those that are planned
to be constructed are given on Annex B.
3.3 The provision of the energy demand divided by sectors
The generating capacity is insufficient to face the today demand
of 6.60 TWh/year (year 2006). The technical production has an
average of 10-12 million kWh/day and the import can go to 8-10
million kWh/day. Therefore a total maximal supply of 18-22 million
kWh/day can be provided. The required consume in a normal winter
day is 25-27 million kWh. As a result, the electroenergy system is
sufficient for 70-80% of the total energy demand during the winter
peak, leading to power cuts. According to the NSE, this situation
has a resulted to a trade defficit of 25.6 Milion USD in 1990. In
2004 imports go up to 310 million USD/year. To have a clear view,
the trade deficit of 2004 is around 1272 Milion USD/year. 25% of
this deficit consists of energitic comodities (sub-products of oil
and electric energy). The following forecast of the energy demand
for the period 2005-2025 is based on the NSE. The energy demand
forecast for each sector of economy has been done according to the
same scenarios and trends of NSE.
Figure 22 The provision of energy demands divided by sectors
[Source: SKE 2004, B. Islami, 2004]
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44
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
1999 2002 2005 2008 2011 2014 2017 2020 2023
Energy produce in country Energy coverage from import
Albania dependence on energy imports is already 55% and is
expected to increase over the coming years up to 70% by 2025 in
case of no intervention (see figure 16). The following figure
presents the coverage of the foreseen energy demand from the
country energy sources and import for the coming 20 years.
Figure 23 The supply of primary energy sources made-in country
and imported
[Source: SKE 2004, B. Islami, 2006] Much attention will increase
therefore the focus on security of supply. In this framework, one
of the main challenges in the Albanian energy sector is the
diversification of the energy sources and the self-sufficiency of
energy demand with the country sources, reducing the import
dependence. Renewable energies as indigenous sources of energy will
have an important role to play in reducing the level of energy
imports with positive implications for balance of trade and
security of supply.
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45
0
5001000
1500
2000
25003000
3500
1999 2002 2005 2008 2011 2014 2017 2020 2023
[kto
e]
Total energy demand
Energy demand for household, service and agriculture sectors
IV. The forecast of the RES percentage in the overall fuel
mix
One of the main goals of this study is to assess the energy
amount that can be provided by the renewable energy. We stick on
this study on the renewable energy technologies that can be applied
in the household, service and agricultural sector. Taking into
consideration the above goal the amount of energy provided by the
renewable energy in the before mention sectors is analysed below.
The figure shows the total energy demand foreseen for the
household, service and agriculture sectors.
Figure 24 Energy demand for household, service and agricultural
sector in the total energy demand foreseen
As it is shown in the figure the total energy demand in the
household, service and agriculture sector will cover over 50% of
the total energy demand. The analyses will be focused exactly in
this energy demand, which can be provided from the renewable
energy.
4.1Contribution of each RET on the energy demand projection
The study of E. Hido informs that the solar water heating
systems (SWHS) have generated 3.8 ktoe (44,2 GWh) until 2005.
Meanwhile, according to the forecast done until 2025, it is
supposed that the contribution from the systems will go up to 100
ktoe (1163 GWh). Therefore, in 2025 the generated energy from SWHS
will be 26 times more than in 2005 (Hido 2006). The above data on
the penetration of SWHS have been based on the penetration stage of
the solar energy in the two sectors: household and service. The
penetration of the solar energy in the household
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46
sector has been calculated in an amount of 16% in the whole
country (in 2025). More specifically, the country is divided in
three areas according to the heating degree days. Thus, the first
area had a penetration of 21%, the second one 15% and the third
area of 12%. The penetration of the solar energy in the service
sector has been assessed in 15% in the public services and 27 % in
the private ones.
According to the study of D. Profka, the photovoltaic centrals
that produce electricity from the solar energy PVPP have not
penetrated so far, except for a pilot project. Actually, there have
been constructed around 5 kW. Meanwhile the forecast until 2025
implies that the PVPP (need of the isolated systems like the costal
lighthouses and different the antennas for the mobile phone, radio
and televisions) will contribute with a production of 4.3 ktoe (50
GWh). Thus, in 2025 the energy produced from PVPP will be 4.3 times
more than in year 2005 (Profka 2006).
As a conclusion, the system that use solar energy can cover 7,8%
of the total energy demand of the three sectors together
(household, service and agriculture) or 4,12% of the import needs
in 2025 in case of applying the mentioned scenario. According to
the analyses from S. Xhelepi, it concludes that until 2006 the SHPP
have generated 1,7 ktoe around 20 GWh. Meanwhile, the optimistic
forecasts imply that these plants will generate around 81,7 ktoe
(950 GWh) in 2025, which means that the energy produced will be 48
times more than in 2005. As a conclusion, SHPP can cover up to 6,1
% of the energy demand in the three sectors considered or 3,23% of
the import needs in 2025 (Xhelepi 2006).
According to the study of A.Hizmo, the contribution of biomass
until 2005 has been 285 ktoe (3314 GWh). This is mainly dedicated
to the use of fire woods, the only actual selection being used.
Furthermore, he foresees that the plants using this energy will
contribute by generating around 400 ktoe (4650 GWh) in year 2025,
or 1,6 times more than in year 2005 (Hizmo 2006).
Contribution of biomass is mainly based on more efficient usage
of the fire woods. Actually, the average yield of wood heaters is
35-40% and it is foreseen that the heaters of 75-85% yield will
penetrate in 2025. The penetration value of the fire woods is
calculated based on the annual production of the forests and the
sector needs of the household, service, and agriculture demand.
This process will have a double profit: it will enable the
sustainable usage of the forests and it will considerably decrease
the local pollution (SO2, CO). It has been supposed that the
penetration of biomass will be increased by using the agriculture
biomass (animal breeding, the
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47
so-called energy plants) in energy production of green houses
and the especially in the energy production (as a secondary
product) as a result of the urban waste treatment. The biomass can
cover up to 29.8% of the energy demand in the three sectors
considered together or 15,82% of the import needs in 2025.
According to the study of P. Mitrushi, it results that the wind
energy contribution has not existed until 2005. There have been
some attempts to install pilot wind turbines. Nevertheless, the
actual contribute of this energy source is zero. It has been
foreseen that the penetration of these plants (WPP) will generate
energy up to 43 toe (500 GWh) until 2025. P. Mitrushi assumes in
his study a concept-idea of the construction of Wind Electro
Centrals in the Adriatic Costal area. The project looks more
feasible in this area than in other ones because of the great
energetic-ecologic-economic impact. As a conclusion we can say that
WPP can cover up to 3,2% of the energy needs in the three sectors
considered together or 1,7% of the import needs for year 2025
(Mitrushi 2006).
A Frasheri and M. Mico presents in their studies that the
contribution of geothermic energy has not existed until 2005. It is
expected that this energy source will cover 10 ktoe (116,3 GWh). It
is concluded that, the geothermic plants can cover up to 0,7% of
the energy demand in the three sectors or 0,4% of the import needs
for year 2025 (Frasheri 2006). The energy supply improvement, the
reduction of electric and thermo energy import, the promotion of
the new technologies as, DH & CHP (District Heating &
Combined Heat and Power) in the service and residential sector are
the main objectives of B. Islami’s study. A calculation of the
thermo energy provided by SCHP has been done by taking into
consideration its penetration of 6% in household sector and 10% in
the service sector until 2025. According to this study, the energy
produced by SCHP will be 144 ktoe (1675 GWh) in 2025. Therefore,
the SCHP can cover up to 10,7% of the energy demand of the three
sectors or 5,7% of the import needs in 2025 (Islami 2006).
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48
0
200
400
600
800
1999 2003 2007 2011 2015 2019 2023
[ktoe]
SWHP and PVP SHPP BCHP WPP GPP SCHP
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
1999 2003 2007 2011 2015 2019 2023
SWHS and PVP SHPP BCHPWPP GPP SCHPOther sources
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
1999 2002 2005 2008 2011 2014 2017 2020 2023
Renewable Energy Energy from import
Figure 25 Energy produced by the penetration of the renewable
energy schemes and contribution
on energy demand for household, service and agriculture
sectors.
Figure 26 The coverage of the imported energy demand through the
renewable energy
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49
V. Evaluation of the energy/thermal unit cost for each RET
The main elements of the pre-feasibility analyses of a certain
plant are the initial investments, operations and usage costs, fuel
costs, produced electric energy, interest norms, the life duration
of the plant and some other indicators. LDC (Leveled Discount Cost)
calculated with the following formula will be used to realise the
cost-benefit analyses enabling the cost calculation as unit of
electrical and thermal energy generation is:
∑
∑
=
=
+
+= 30
0
30
0
)1(
)1(
ii
i
i
ii
i
i
rE
rC
LDC [$cent/kWh electrical/thermal]
The following parameters are shown in the formula:
Ci – the sum of the initial investment costs considered
according to the actual market, maintenance costs, working power
costs, buying/selling of the electrical energy as well as
amortisation costs [$cent]. Ei – Electrical/thermal energy produced
[kWh] ri - discounting norm is 7%, for the basic case
In order to realise the preliminary analyses of the benefit-cost
analyses, basically for each RES three different power rates plants
(250 kW, 1000 kW and 3000 kW respectively) have been analysed. They
supply thermal/electrical power for the family consumers, hotelier
sector for the buildings in service sector as well as agriculture
sector. The basic parameters of this analyses are in the following
table:
Basic parameters Unit Renewable Energy Schemes Solar Water
Heating System (SWHS) Thermal power, kW 422 1689 5068 Thermal
power, kWh 1182600 4730400 14191200 Unit investments USD/kW 750 700
650 Photovoltaic Power Plant (PVP) Electric power kW 250 1000 3000
Electric energy kWh 711750 2847000 8541000 Unit investments USD/kW
5000 4000 3500 Small Hydro Power Plant (SHPP)
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50
Electric power kW 250 1000 3000 Electric energy kWh 1314000
5431200 16819200 Unit investments USD/kW 1250 1150 1000 Biomass
Combining Heating Power (BCHP) Electric power kW 250 1000 3000
Thermal power kW 300 1200 3600 Electric energy kWh 1423500 5694000
17082000 Thermal power kWh 1182600 4730400 14191200 Unit
investments USD/kW 2000 1700 1500 Wind Power Plant (WPP) Electric
power kW 250 1000 3000 Electric energy kWh 766500 3066000 9198000
Investments units USD/kW 1350 1150 1000 Geothermic Power Plant
(GPP) Thermal power, kW 250 1000 3000 Thermal power, kWh 1182600
4730400 14191200 Unit investments USD/kW 1500 1400 1300 Small
Combining Heating and Power (SCHP) Electric power kW 250 1000 3000
Thermal power kW 300 1200 3600 Electric energy kWh 1423500 5694000
17082000 Thermal power kWh 1182600 4730400 14191200 Unit
investments USD/kW 650 600 550 Biomass Efficient heaters
Inefficient heaters Thermal power kW 250 250 Thermal power kWh
1182600 1182600 Unit investments USD/kW 17 37 BCHP Plant of the
solid waste Electric power kW 3000 Thermal power, kW 3600 Electric
energy, kWh 17082000 Thermal power, kWh 14191200 Unit investments
USD/kW 3000
Table 7 Preliminary Cost – Benefit analyses for each RET
Based on the above data, the costs per unit for all systems have
been calculated, as shown in figure 20.
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51
6.40 5.93 5.47 5.11 4.16 3.42
9.438.05
7.00 6.49 5.65 5.103.74
1.72
5.70 5.33 4.96
8.586.66 6.13
19.15
35.61
28.49
24.94
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
24
26
28
30
32
34
36
250 1000 3000 250 1000 3000 250 1000 3000 250 1000 3000 250 250
422 1689 5068 250 1000 3000 3000 250 1000 3000
SCHP SHP P WP P BCHP Eff-H
Ineff-H
SWHS GP P Was te P VP P
[cent/kWh]
Figure 27 Unit cost for each technology and each capacity
[cent/kWh]
[Source: B. Islami 2006]
The figure analyses shows that the long term marginal cost of
electrical/thermal energy is in high values for two technologies:
photovoltaic and urban waste plants. The second group of the low
cost plants consists of: wind and geothermic energy source. The
third group is compounded by the classical plants with comparable
costs such as: SHPP (which have a lower cost), the co-generated
plants that realise the production of electrical energy, the
efficient heater plants working with biomass (fire wood) and solar
panel plants that realise the production of the thermal energy.
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52
VI. The reduction of the GHG emission based on the utilisation
of RES
The climate change represents a global problem. Actually, all
the countries contribute in different scales to the green house gas
(GHG) emitting and climate changes. As such, the climate changes
influence in the temperatures increase, less raining and a higher
sea level. Less raining leads to an increase of dryness, to less
energy produced from hydro power plants and as a result it impacts
in the economic development of each country. These phases highly
harm the efforts for poverty reduction and the achievement of
Millennium Development Goals.
6.1 Fossil fuel impact to human health and environment
The usage of fossil fuels as: petroleum, oil, natural gas has an
enormous influence in the human health and the natural equilibrium.
With regard to the human health, the fossil fuel high consumption
leads to cancer or other chronic breath diseases, while its impact
in environment is mainly related to the global warming and the
degradation of earth, water sources and air pollution. The organic
stuff burning for the production of the electric energy is the main
source of the carbon dioxide emitting (CO2), which is the major
contributor to the global warming and climate change issue. The
scientists foresee that our planet will constantly be warmer if the
concentration levels of the carbon dioxide will be increasing.
Higher temperatures will influence to the extreme weather changes
and in devastated earth. The burn of the fossil fuel for the
production of the electrical energy is the main cause of the air
pollution. This process generates a lot of polluters as nitrogen
oxides NOx, sulphur oxides SOx, hydrocarbons HxCy, dust, smog, and
other materials in suspension. These polluters can influence in
serious problems to asthma, lung irritation, bronchitis, pneumonia,
reduction of breath organ resistance on infections and preliminary
death. Nitrogen oxides present themselves in the form of yellow to
brown clouds in the horizon of many cities. They can lead to lung
irritation, cause bronchitis and pneumonia as well as reduce the
resistance toward breath infections. The transport sector is
responsible for a considerable amount of emitting of NOx and the
TPP are responsible for the major part of NOx emitting. The sulphur
oxides are the results of sulphur oxidation in the fuel. The
equipment that use the
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53
coal for the production of the electric energy, produce around
two third of the emitting of SOx. These gases are combined with the
water steams that are in the form of sulphur and nitric acids,
which become part of the rain and snow. Acid rain damages the whole
live world in the rivers, lakes, minimizes the agriculture
production and damages the buildings. The hydro-carbons are major
part of the polluters. They are compounded of hundreds of specific
combinations, which contain carbon and hydrogen. The simplest
hydrocarbon is methane (CH4), which does not enter easily into
reaction with NOx to form smog, but the other part of the
hydrocarbons do so. The hydrocarbons are emitted from human sources
such as: emitting from vehicles, the steam of gas-oil and the oil
refining. It is very important, as well, to have a figure out of
how the energy is produced and how it is used. In order to use in
the future a kind of energy that does not lead to problems of the
global warming, it is needed to see towards the renewable energy
sources as: sun, wind, hydro-energy, biomass and geothermic. These
sources do not contain and do not emit CO2 or other polluters
during their usage. They do not also produce air polluters and they
are never finished. Using the fuel from wood or other plants
(energy and biomass) which free CO2, they do not contribute in the
global warming. During their growing they consume the carbon,
creating therefore a closed cycle.
6.2 Emission reduction of RES use
Taking into consideration the above pollutions, an assessment of
the emitted quantity that would be eliminated by the penetration of
the RET, according to the possible technical potentials to be
applied is presented below. It is supposed, in our hypothetical
case, that all potential amount of energy production from RES would
be produced if fact from a TPP with diesel fossil fuel. Its yield
is 0.4. Based on the norms taken out from literature, the following
coefficients have been used for calculating the emitted amount of
GHG.
CO2
[ton/TJ] CO
[kg/TJ] CH4
[kg/TJ] NOx
[kg/TJ] N2O
[kg/TJ] SO2
[kg/kg] Diesel 72,453 10 2 200 0,6 0,0285
Table 8 The emitting unit coefficients
[Source: IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change)]
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54
The foreseen energy for each RES multiplied to these
coefficients, give the emitting that can be avoided using the RES
according to the potentials described above. Because the electrical
energy is not only supplied from fossil fuel, the emitting part of
the TPP energy for the 20 years is considered. This coefficient for
the study period is 0,3 which means that the electric energy system
in Albania will be supplied 30% from the TPP in the next 20 years.
Having the assessment done for the amount of energy that will be
provided during the period 2005-2025 from the use of renewable
energies, we can calculate the emissions of CO2 equivalent, SOx,
NOx, in case this energy would be supplied from TPP burning
diesel.
Emitting reduction [ton] Energy produced from: ktoe CO2
equivalent SOx NOx
SHWS and PVP 104,3 238000 2230 655SHPP 81,7 186500 1750 500WPP
43 98000 900 270
BCHP 400 912700 8500 2500GPP 10 22800 215 60
SCHP 144 97000 1050 300Total 783 1555000 14645 4285
Table 9 Emission reduction from the use of RES
Based on the forecast of the renewable energy penetration, it is
calculated the quantity of GHG (Green House Gases) that can be
avoided as shown in the following graphics.
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55
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
1999 2002 2005 2008 2011 2014 2017 2020 2023
[hundred ton SO2]
SWHS and PVP SHPP WPP
BCHP GPP SCHP
0200400600800
10001200140016001800
1999 2002 2005 2008 2011 2014 2017 2020 2023
[thousands ton CO2]
SWHS and PVP SHPP WPP
BCHP GPP SCHP
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
4500
5000
1999 2002 2005 2008 2011 2014 2017 2020 2023
[ton NOx]
SWHS and PVP SHPP WPP
BCHP GPP SCHP
Figure 28 GHG emitting avoided from RES usage
6.3 Kyoto Protocol and Clean Development Mechanisms Projects
The Protocol of Kyoto is established in December 1997 in Kyoto,
Japan. It includes legal
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56
obligations for 40 industrialized countries, comprising 11
countries of Central and Eastern Europe and aims in the reduction
of the green house gas of 5 % lower than in 1990, as an average for
the first obligation period: 2008-2012. The Protocol of Kyoto
includes the cooperation mechanisms compiled to enable the
industrialized countries (Parties of Annex I) in order to reduce
the achievement costs through the reduction of the emitting of GHG
in other countries, where the cost is lower than own countries.
These mechanisms ten