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The current editorial summarized some of the scientific works presented in the Sustainable Energy and Environmental Protection (SEEP) conference-held at the University of the West of Scotland, UK, 2018. The selected work was directly related to the scope of the Renewable, Sustainable Energy Reviews (RSER) journal. During the conference activities, experts from all around the world in the subjects of: renewable energy, climate change, optimization, and economics presented and discussed the progress made in renewable energy sources, as well as the new strategies for protecting the environment from the hazards connected with fossil fuel utilization. The methods presented in the conference focused on several directions: the development of efficient energy conversion systems with low/no environmental impacts; the suggested policies to widespread renewable energies; the restriction in the emission of greenhouse gases, and the recent progresses in CO 2 capture. This editorial focused on the renewable energy developments and their positive effect on the climate change, and briefly summarized the accepted manuscripts in this issue. • Effects of renewable energy on climate change. • Background on the International Conference on Sustainable Energy and Environmental Protection SEEP. • Summary of selected papers of SEEP 2018. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrated photovoltaics are an emerging technology which can extend the range of electric vehicles. However, up to now there is a lack of a consensus method that would provide consumers with an estimate of the fraction of annual driving which could be covered by solar power generated onboard in different usage scenarios and locations. To address this, we assess the energy implications of vehicle integrated photovoltaics for a commuter car and light delivery van for six climatic regions and for typical daily usage profiles over a ten-year period. The analysis captures the energy needs for driving and cabin temperature control to an unprecedented level of detail. Our results reveal that the grid power needed to drive such vehicles on identical routes can vary by more than 44% between climate regions. In the best case the solar power generated can cover up to 35% of the driving range per year. This contribution can vary by a factor of 2.5 between different climates, from 1800 to 5100 km annually, considerably mitigating the effect of ambient conditions on electric range. We propose developing consumer labels for solar electric vehicles that would consider this variation according to climatic conditions. The method described in this paper could help to frame initial discussions for such labels. We identify further requirements for research and development, standardisation, and policy needs. • Above 5000 km solar range possible for commuter car and van with integrated PV. • Ten year simulation reveals solar range differences by factor 2.5 across climates. • Over 44% difference in grid electricity needs across six climates globally. • At the moment vehicle integrated PV not financially viable. • Consumer labels for PVEV may be needed to inform about performance variations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrated photovoltaics are an emerging technology which can extend the range of electric vehicles. However, up to now there is a lack of a consensus method that would provide consumers with an estimate of the fraction of annual driving which could be covered by solar power generated onboard in different usage scenarios and locations. To address this, we assess the energy implications of vehicle integrated photovoltaics for a commuter car and light delivery van for six climatic regions and for typical daily usage profiles over a ten-year period. The analysis captures the energy needs for driving and cabin temperature control to an unprecedented level of detail. Our results reveal that the grid power needed to drive such vehicles on identical routes can vary by more than 44% between climate regions. In the best case the solar power generated can cover up to 35% of the driving range per year. This contribution can vary by a factor of 2.5 between different climates, from 1800 to 5100 km annually, considerably mitigating the effect of ambient conditions on electric range. We propose developing consumer labels for solar electric vehicles that would consider this variation according to climatic conditions. The method described in this paper could help to frame initial discussions for such labels. We identify further requirements for research and development, standardisation, and policy needs. • Above 5000 km solar range possible for commuter car and van with integrated PV. • Ten year simulation reveals solar range differences by factor 2.5 across climates. • Over 44% difference in grid electricity needs across six climates globally. • At the moment vehicle integrated PV not financially viable. • Consumer labels for PVEV may be needed to inform about performance variations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current editorial summarized some of the scientific works presented in the Sustainable Energy and Environmental Protection (SEEP) conference-held at the University of the West of Scotland, UK, 2018. The selected work was directly related to the scope of the Renewable, Sustainable Energy Reviews (RSER) journal. During the conference activities, experts from all around the world in the subjects of: renewable energy, climate change, optimization, and economics presented and discussed the progress made in renewable energy sources, as well as the new strategies for protecting the environment from the hazards connected with fossil fuel utilization. The methods presented in the conference focused on several directions: the development of efficient energy conversion systems with low/no environmental impacts; the suggested policies to widespread renewable energies; the restriction in the emission of greenhouse gases, and the recent progresses in CO 2 capture. This editorial focused on the renewable energy developments and their positive effect on the climate change, and briefly summarized the accepted manuscripts in this issue. • Effects of renewable energy on climate change. • Background on the International Conference on Sustainable Energy and Environmental Protection SEEP. • Summary of selected papers of SEEP 2018. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renewable energy plays a crucial role in both climate change mitigation and adaptation in highly climate-vulnerable nations such as Nepal. This paper reviews various types of renewable energy technologies and their status, potential for adoption, relationship to climate change, and mitigative and adaptive roles in Nepal. Nepal has installed micro-hydro projects, solar power, improved cooking stoves, biogas technology, improved water mills, and wind energy to mitigate and adapt to climate change. There is a growing potential for renewable energy development in Nepal, such as hydropower, solar, wind energy, biogas, and improved cooking stoves. Roughly 70% of Nepal's energy consumption is generated from traditional energy sources while renewable energy accounts for approximately three percent. The gradual increase in the use of renewable energy has reduced greenhouse gas emissions and enhanced carbon sequestration. By adopting renewable energy technologies, Nepal has reduced emissions by 221,129 tCO 2 e from 2017 to 2018. Nepal's second Nationally Determined Contribution targets a 15% increase in national energy use from renewables with a reduction of 23% of CO 2 emissions by 2030 using biogas and improved cooking systems. Furthermore, a significant increase in the adoption of renewable energy has become a pivotal strategy in adaptation to climate change in social, health, and economic sectors resulting in time savings, alternative income sources, improved health and educational status, local job opportunities, and the promotion of social capital. The benefits of adapting to climate change and mitigating CO 2 emissions via renewable energy are significant at the local, national, and international levels. This study recommends that the government of Nepal focus work on energy policy reviews to address local energy demand and climate change issues by utilizing renewable energy resources at the local level, which has global implications. • Suitable, potential renewable energy technologies in Nepal. • The relationship between energy and climate change. • Relevant data on energy and climate change in tables and figures. • Social, economic, and environmental benefits of renewable energy. • Climate change adaptation and mitigation via renewable energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]