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A significant amount of electricity in numerous regions worldwide is used for lighting roads, squares, and other public spaces. Renewable energy can contribute notably to electricity usage for public lighting. This paper focuses on the day‐ahead scheduling of a hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) exploiting solar–wind energy potential to meet the electrical energy needs of public lighting. The studied HRES provides electricity for a Wi‐Fi hotspot and a charging hotspot for the end users and has an energy storage system that ensures a reliable electricity supply without interruptions. The day‐ahead scheduling of the studied HRES is based on electricity generation forecasting by using a deep‐learning approach. Particularly, the long short‐term memory model is utilized, considering the fact that it is able to perceive long‐term dependencies among the time series. Moreover, the model's performance is investigated through the determination of diverse inputs: (a) historical data, (b) weather predictions, and (c) historical data with weather predictions. Multiple scenarios of energy consumption are assumed and applied to optimize the day‐ahead scheduling. A new recommendation method is proposed and applied for day‐ahead scheduling, utilizing the power forecasts to achieve optimum operation and energy savings. The results point out that the utilization of the proposed recommendation method controls loads when a shortage in power generation and battery capacity is forecasted for the day ahead, leading to significant energy savings and minimizing the power demand from the grid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) covers approximately 45% of European greenhouse gases (GHGs), 11,000 stationary installations as well as aircraft operators. The EU ETS particularly affects the energy-intensive industries while it imposes a significant risk of “carbon leakage,” i.e., the risk of EU industry departing to countries with weaker restraints on GHG emissions. The EU glass industry, being capital intensive and also requiring long investment cycles, is the world’s largest glass producer with a market share close to one third of global production. Therefore, it is of significant importance to view the position of the EU ETS glass industry in terms of energy conservation possibilities. The present paper utilizes a vertical approach to provide information on both ETS market evolution and specific technical information to support technological innovation to the glass industry. EU ETS glass industry is analyzed regarding the balance between allocated European Union emission allowances (EUAs), verified CO2 emissions, and potential shortfall in allowances so as to determine the situation of glass industries and the extent of urge for energy-saving activities towards the strengthening of their position within the requirements of the EU ETS phase III. The replication potential of waste heat recovery (WHR) through batch preheating is specifically addressed since it is considered a promising technology according to the latest Best Available Techniques (BAT) reference document for the glass industry under Directive IED 2010/75/EU. A case study for a container glass furnace based on simulation results is presented investigating the impact of different operating and design configurations on specific energy consumption and CO2 emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The long-term protection provided by venom immunotherapy (VIT) is related to the dose administered and to its long duration; the latter, however, becomes inconvenient for patients in countries like Greece, with many islanders or inhabitants of distant mountainous areas. Maintenance interval prolongation reduces the number of office visits – saving time and money – and as a consequence contributes to the patients’ compliance. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of VIT on a progressively prolonged maintenance interval (PPMI). Method: 450 venom-allergic patients were reviewed for participation in our study; all of them were initially treated with a modified rush or an ultrarush protocol using freshly reconstituted, pure venoms. Upon reaching the maintenance dose, the VIT interval was scheduled to be gradually prolonged – by 1 week each time – aiming at a maximal interval of 26 weeks. Results: 267/450 patients consented to participate in our VIT PPMI protocol: 98 were treated with vespid(s) venom, 142 with honeybee venom, and 27 with both. The mean duration of patient follow-up was 9.1 ± 4.2 years. The majority of systemic reactions due to VIT injections occurred up to the 8-weeks PPMI; few additional reactions were documented in a small fraction (2.9%) of our patient population beyond 9 weeks and up to 16 weeks; all were caused by honeybee VIT. No reactions were observed during VIT administration at the 26-week interval. Ninety-six patients reported 204 field sting occurrences by the culprit insect. Ten systemic reactions (8 mild and 2 moderate in severity) were registered between the 9- and 18-week PPMI; the honeybee was the culprit insect in all cases. 108 field stings by the offending insect were sustained beyond the 20- and up to the 26-week PPMI; there were no reactions at all. Conclusions: Progressively prolonging the VIT maintenance interval up to 26 weeks appears to be safe and efficacious. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A promising option to reduce the specific energy consumption and CO2 emissions at a conventional natural gas fired container glass furnace deals with the advanced utilization of the exhaust gases downstream the air regenerators by means of batch and cullet preheating. A 3-D computational model that simulates this process using mass and heat transfer equations inside a preheater has been developed. A case study for an efficient small-sized container glass furnace is presented dealing with the investigation of the impact of different operating and design configurations on specific energy consumption, CO2 emissions, flue gas energy recovery, batch temperature and preheater efficiency. In specific, the effect of various parameters is studied, including the preheater’s dimensions, flue gas temperature, batch moisture content, glass pull, combustion air excess and cullet fraction. Expected energy savings margin is estimated to 12-15%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]