A Concept for Solving the Sustainability of Cities Worldwide

Karmen Margeta, Zvonimir Glasnovic, Nataša Zabukovec Logar, Sanja Tišma and Anamarija Farkaš
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Karmen Margeta: The Institute for Development and International Relations, Lj. F. Vukotinovića 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Zvonimir Glasnovic: Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Tachnology, University of Zagreb, Savska cesta 16, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Nataša Zabukovec Logar: National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova ulica 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Sanja Tišma: The Institute for Development and International Relations, Lj. F. Vukotinovića 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Anamarija Farkaš: The Institute for Development and International Relations, Lj. F. Vukotinovića 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 2, 1-24

Abstract: Considering that more than half of the world’s population today lives in cities and consumes about 80% of the world’s energy and that there is a problem with drinking water supply, this paper presents a way to solve the problem of the sustainability of cities by enabling their complete independence from external sources of energy and drinking water. The proposed solution entails the use of Seawater Steam Engine (SSE) technology to supply cities with electricity, thermal energy and drinking water. The system would involve the seasonal storage of electricity and thermal energy, supported by geothermal heat pumps. The strategy of the distribution network would be based on the original concept of the “loop”. In cities that do not have enough space, SSE collectors would be placed above the lower parts of the city like “canopies”. The city of Zagreb (Croatia) was selected as a case study due to its size, climate and vulnerability to natural disasters. The results show that Zagreb could become sustainable in 30 years with the allocation of less than 2% of GDP and could become a paradigm of sustainability for cities worldwide. This paper encourages the development of the “Philosophy of Sustainability” because the stated goals cannot be achieved without a change in consciousness.

Keywords: sustainable city; climate change; Seawater Steam Engine; renewable energy sources; drinking water; heating and cooling; electricity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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