**Part 1**

**Sustainable Energy: Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency** 

**1** 

*Spain*

**Albedo Effect and Energy Efficiency of Cities** 

The United Nations, by means of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), establishes in the Fourth Assessment Report, Working Group I, that warming of the climate system is unequivocal and that most of the observed increment in global average temperatures since the mid-20th century is very likely due to the observed increase in

European Union considers that the average surface temperature of the Earth should not be exceeded in more than 2ºC with respect to preindustrial levels in order to avoid negative consequences of global warming. With this purpose, CO2 concentration should be kept

The International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts an important increment of primary energy demand until 2030. The electricity generation sector expects that world's demand gets duplicated, which would mean the installation of new plants up to an additional global capacity of 5,000 GWe. This huge increment of the demand, together with other economic

The IPCC Third and Fourth Assessment Reports state that no individual measure by itself will be able to reduce the necessary amount of greenhouse gases emissions, but a global approach will be required. In this context, energy efficiency is considered the most relevant

Despite energy efficiency shows the highest potential as a mitigation measure, the influence of the albedo of cities on global warming is not mentioned in IPCC reports, focusing on other aspects such as: thermal envelope, heating systems, co-generation and efficiency lighting

Looking backwards into History, we can fix the first human energy revolution when human beings abandoned the caves where they lived and set up stable settlements where new houses were built. Inside caves, the temperature was almost constant independently from the external temperature and acclimatization needs were negligible. However, new houses

systems, which are also of paramount importance, but no as powerful as albedo effect.

required new measures to keep their temperature acceptable for life.

factors, will give fossil fuels (coal, gas and oil) a key role within the energy field.

**1. Introduction** 

below 450 ppmv.

**2. Albedo effect 2.1 Background** 

measure to achieve the objectives.

anthropogenic greenhouse gas concentrations.

Aniceto Zaragoza Ramírez1 and César Bartolomé Muñoz2

*1Polytechnic University of Madrid 2Spanish Cement Association* 
