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Industrial production and domestic discharge produce a large amount of oily wastewater, which seriously affects the stability of the ecological environment. Membrane separation technology provides another path to treating oily wastewater. And appropriate surface modification of the membrane helps to achieve high efficiency of treating oily wastewater. With green, economy and stability been more concerned. The focal research reports a completely biodegradable all cellulose composite filter paper (ACCFP) composed of I-cellulose macrofibers and II-cellulose matrix. It is a simple one-step impregnation method to adjust the surface microstructure of the pristine filter paper (PFP), and it does not involve with chemical reaction. The pre-wetted ACCFP consist of II-cellulose hydrogel and I-cellulose reinforcement in the process of oil-water separation. This layer of hydrogel is the fundamental to underwater superoleophobicity, which determines their eligibility for applications of efficient oil-water mixture or oil-in-water (oil/water) emulsion separation. The separation efficiency of oil-water mixture and oil/water emulsion exceed 95% and 99.9%, respectively. In addition, excellent mechanical properties of ACCFP in dry and wet conditions ensure its stability in service and prolong service life in applications. The focal study provides a new method for high-performance oil-water separation and it is more in line with sustainable chemistry.

In this research, I established an energy benchmark for the pulp and paper industry of Vietnam. I, therefore, focus on three major paper product families, including packaging paper, printing and writing paper, and tissue paper. In this research, I use specific energy consumption (SEC) as the energy performance indicator (EnPI) for computing energy benchmarks for the main sub-sectors in the pulp and paper industry of Vietnam. The factories in the pulp and paper industry of Vietnam are divided into three production scales, and the energy benchmarks are specified by production scales. Energy surveys and energy audits have been used to calculate energy benchmarks. Here, I establish the energy benchmark for the main sub-sectors in the pulp and paper industry of Vietnam according to the three production scales. I also estimate the energy saving potential for the pulp and paper industry of Vietnam based on surveying and auditing results.

Low-cost, flexible and safe battery technology is the key to the widespread usage of wearable electronics, among which the aqueous Al ion battery with water-in-salt electrolyte is a promising candidate. In this work, a flexible aqueous Al ion battery is developed using cellulose paper as substrate. The water-in-salt electrolyte is stored inside the paper, while the electrodes are either printed or attached on the paper surface, leading to a lightweight and thin-film battery prototype. Currently, this battery can tolerate a charge and discharge rate as high as 4 A g−1 without losing its storage capacity. The charge voltage is around 2.2 V, while the discharge plateau of 1.6–1.8 V is among the highest in reported aqueous Al ion batteries, together with a high discharge specific capacity of ∼140 mAh g−1. However, due to the water electrolysis side reaction, the faradaic efficiency can only reach 85% with a cycle life of 250 due to the dry out of electrolyte. Benefited from using flexible materials and aqueous electrolyte, this paper-based Al ion battery can tolerate various deformations such as bending, rolling and even puncturing without losing its performance. When two single cells are connected in series, the battery pack can provide a charge voltage of 4.3 V and a discharge plateau as high as 3–3.6 V, which are very close to commercial Li ion batteries. Such a cheap, flexible and safe battery technology may be widely applied in low-cost and large-quantity applications, such as RFID tags, smart packages and wearable biosensors in the future.

The increased demand for energy due to industrialisation and a steadily growing population has placed greater strain on the development of eco-friendly energy storage devices in recent years. Current methods with high efficiency are limited by high costs and waste. As a result, greater importance has been placed on the development of low-cost, lightweight, flexible, and biodegradable energy storage systems developed from paper and paper-like substrates. This study reviews recent advances in paper-based battery and supercapacitor research, with a focus on materials used to improve their electrochemical performance. Special mention is made of energy-storage configurations ranging from metal-air and metal-ion batteries to supercapacitors. Furthermore, methods of fabrication, functional materials, and efficiency are reviewed to offer prospects for future research into the field of paper-based Na-ion batteries. The review provides an updated discussion of recent research conducted in the field of paper-based energy systems published over the last five years and highlights the challenges for their commercial integration prospects.

Energy viability and waste disposal have been the two significant global complication. The consumption of paper and, subsequently, recycling are increasingly growing, contributing to vast quantities of paper sludge. Therefore, in waste disposal and environmental remediation, coping with massive volumes of paper sludge has received tremendous attention worldwide. Our purpose was to assess leading study advancements globally of paper sludge based on articles published, authors intra/inter-collaborations and accumulations of keywords. Throughout entire 1967–2019 duration, 2096 publications in paper sludge topic were mined using Scopus database. The findings revealed that the number of publications was less than 30 between 1967 and 1995, less than 60 between 1996 and 2005, less than 90 between 2006 and 2010 and more than 90 between 2011 and the recent year. Consequently, the yearly publishing is forecast to keep to expand. In a total of 125 journals, a total of 217 Canadian scholars from 155 universities lead to 263 papers, comprising 10.8 % total publications, where 261 (99.2 %) of 263 total English-language publications dominate the other countries/territories, while 0.8 % in French language. Also, from each of the 15 top countries, among the most productive universities, Université Laval was ranked 251st in World University Rankings 2021. In review, the following present developments in paper sludge comprise of: (i) cement, cellulose, bioethanol/biogas and concrete; (ii) phytoremediation and vermicompost and (iii) modelling (e.g., response surface methodology).

The pulp and paper industry (PPI) has several opportunities to contribute to meeting prevailing climate targets. It can cut its own CO2 emissions, which currently account for 2% of global industrial fossil CO2 emissions, and it has an opportunity to produce renewable energy, fuels, and materials for other sectors. The purpose of this study is to improve understanding of the decarbonization prospects of the PPI. The study provides insights on the magnitude of needed annual renewal rates for several possible net-zero target years of industrial fossil CO2 emissions in the PPI and discusses decarbonization opportunities, namely, energy and material efficiency improvement, fuel switching, electrification, renewable energy production, carbon capture, and new products. The effects of climate policies on the decarbonization opportunities are critically evaluated to provide an overview of the current and future business environment of the European PPI. The focus is on Europe, but other regions are analyzed briefly to widen the view. The analysis shows that there are no major technical barriers to the fossil-free operation of the PPI, but the sector renovates slowly, and many new opportunities are not implemented on a large scale due to immature technology, poor economic feasibility, or unclear political environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change as a matter had little attention of public debate, especially in developing countries, until the recent floods caused by the dragon storms in the Middle East and the forest fires in the Mediterranean. Egypt, being strategically crucial in Africa, the Mediterranean, and the Arab world, with strong connections to other countries, aimed to go from promises to action and to discover real answers to climate change by building on past COPs. The administration assumed a more prominent role by coordinating the 27th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP27). People started to realize that this is not something only happening elsewhere in the world. Egypt took the initiative; Challenges have been assessed to reach suitable mitigation approaches, and Egypt's first NDC has been issued to meet the global agenda. Egypt's vision was to accelerate global climate action at the UNFCCC 27th Conference of the Parties (COP 27) through emissions reduction, advanced adaptation, and enhanced flow of appropriate finance, prioritizing developing countries worldwide.

The insulation of an oil-filled transformer is based on materials of organic origin - oil and wood pulp. The state of insulation is a key factor in the reliable operation of a power equipment, and much attention is paid to the insulation state assessment by researchers. To assess the cellulose insulation state, indicators such as the degree of polymerization and paper moisture are deter-mined. The existing methods for determining the moisture content and the degree of polymeriza-tion of a paper insulation have disadvantages, as they require a complex process of sampling the insulation, which is a time-consuming operation. The purpose of the work is to develop new methods for determining the moisture content and the degree of polymerization of the paper in-sulation of a power transformer. This goal is achieved by obtaining the reflection spectra of the paper insulation samples and constructing two correlation lines to determine the degree of polymerization and humidity. The most significant result of the article is the establishment of the dependence of the reflection coefficient of the paper on the concentration of water exceeding 4% and the position of the minimum in the reflection spectrum of paper insulation on the degree of polymerization. The significance of the obtained results lies in the fact that the optical method for determining the moisture content and the degree of polymerization of paper insulation using the constructed correlation lines is highly accurate and does not require the use of additional re-agents and complex calculations.

In the present study, Ti3C2Tx type MXene was prepared by selective etching of Al from Ti3AlC2 with mesh size of 200. The powder form of raw material was used to fabricate Ti3C2Tx by in-situ HF etching method. The MXene is further coated on non-woven paper by simply dip coating method. The detailed structural, morphology and elemental content study of as prepared Ti3C2Tx MXene have demonstrated. The MXene (Ti3AlC2) powders show compact, layered morphology as expected for bulk layered ternary carbide. The detailed elemental analysis has carried out for Titanium carbide based MXene coated and uncoated woven paper. The lower conducting property obtained for paper coating due less amount of coating in the surface of paper instead of coating on glass substrate. The electrical property characterization of MXene coated non-woven paper and glass substrate have also been studied. Hence, the conductive coating of MXene-in water formulation achieved through simple dip coating methods is promising for low cost sensor, wearable shielding device fabrication towards renewable energy and healthcare applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green production of functional nano-oxides on a large scale is crucial for the modern manufacturing industries. Traditional hydrothermal methods and ball milling are usually time-consuming and require long-term energy input with undesired by-products. Herein, an ultrafast laser-induced high-pressure photochemistry manufacturing technique is developed to massively produce planar-aligned graphene-coated two-dimensional (2D) SnO2 nanoplatelet on carbon nanotube (CNT) paper under the green chemistry guidelines. The unique design of Z-axis confinement added to the ultrafast laser irradiation provides an exceptional high temperature of 1772 K and a high pressure of 24 GPa in the localized laser plasma plume. This transient nonequilibrium condition controls the formation of 2D SnO2, and the ablated C atoms cool down afterward as in-situ “glue” to intactly seal the oxides on the CNT substrate. The resultant hierarchical Graphene@2D SnO2@CNT paper anode for Li-ion battery has an outstanding capacity of 819 mAh g−1 (1637 mAh cm−3) at 0.5 A g−1 and retains 622 mAh g−1 (1245 mAh cm−3) at 5.0 A g−1. The high capacity at 0.5 A g−1 has a retention of 92% after 600 cycles. This work provides an environmental-friendly scalable manufacturing technique to produce functional nanocomposites in 1 step.

Abstract Freestanding films with high strength and conductivity are critical for flexible electronics, such as supercapacitors. Herein, inspired from the natural leaf, a freestanding paper is constructed through fast vacuum filtration by “mesophylls‐like” MXene (Ti3C2TX) nanosheets and “vein‐like” cellulose filaments and silver nanowires (Ag NWs). The produced nanocomposite paper with 25 wt% Ti3C2TX and 8 wt% Ag NWs (PMxAg25‐8) exhibits high conductivity (58 843 S m−1) and excellent mechanical properties (Tensile strength of 34 MPa and Young's modulus of 6 GPa), which arises from the synergistic effects of the interactions between cellulose and MXene and the three‐dimensional interpenetrating frameworks. This interpenetrating framework can further benefit the electrochemical performance of the nanocomposite papers and the foldable paper electrode presents a high capacitance of 505 F g−1 with only 25 wt% MXene. This work paves the way for the fast fabrication of strong and multifunctional MXene macro‐assembly for flexible electronics by conventional papermaking process.

Environmentally friendly and energy saving treatment of black liquor (BL), a massively produced waste in Kraft papermaking process, still remains a big challenge. Here, by adopting a NiCaOCa12Al14O33 bifunctional catalyst derived from hydrotalcite-like materials, we demonstrate the feasibility of producing high-purity H2 (∼96%) with 0.9 mol H2 mol−1 C yield via the sorption enhanced steam reforming (SESR) of BL. The SESRBL performance in terms of H2 production maintained stable for 5 cycles, but declined from the 6th cycle. XRD, Raman spectroscopy, elemental analysis and energy dispersive techniques were employed to rationalize the deactivation of the catalyst. It was revealed that gradual sintering and agglomeration of Ni and CaO and associated coking played important roles in catalyst deactivation and performance degradation of SESRBL, while deposition of Na and K from the BL might also be responsible for the declined performance. On the other hand, it was demonstrated that the SESRBL process could effectively reduce the emission of sulfur species by storing it as CaSO3. Our results highlight a promising alternative for BL treatment and H2 production, thereby being beneficial for pollution control and environment governance in the context of mitigation of climate change.

Synthetic styrene-butadiene (SB) and styrene-acrylic (SA) latex binders used in paper coating formulations are common and based on unsustainable petroleum sources. Today's papermaking industry turns towards sustainable substitutes that do not compromise quality, and reduce carbon emission, toxic substance release and waste disposal concerns related to fossil fuel sources. In this study, colloidal starch-based latex nanoparticles that do not require cooking were used for pigment coating and coated on the paper surfaces. The effects of these new biobased binders on the structural and mechanical strength properties, liquid absorption, wetting and surface topography of the paper were investigated and compared with the properties of coated paper that SB latex was used as a coating binder. The results demonstrated that the biobased latex decreases the grammage of paper while maintaining an identical thickness relative to the SB latex samples. The porosity, permeability and roughness of biobased latex are found higher than the SB latex. The biobased latex successfully replaced SB latex at 1:1 ratio and enabled an equivalent of bursting, tear, tensile strength and structural properties.

Since dockless bicycle-sharing systems (DBSS) first arose in China in 2016, studies have examined their governance. However, there has been no comprehensive review of the literature on DBSS. This paper presents the first systematic review of the burgeoning literature on the governance of DBSS. It maps key research themes, identifies research trends and provides a deeper understanding of the governance literature on DBSS. We searched the Web of Science (WoS), Scopus and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases to identify 95 papers written in English or Chinese between 2016 and 2019 that address the governance of DBSS. A thematic coding of these papers was supported by bibliometric analysis and knowledge mapping using the VOSviewer. More papers are written in Chinese rather than English, focusing on Chinese cities. Although the time range of our literature search was between 2016 and 2019, the first paper was published in 2017. Four key themes in the governance of DBSSs were identified within the papers, and over time the papers shifted their focus from problem-finding and problem-defining to problem-solving. Discussion of the inherent characteristics of the sharing economy and the externalities underpinning the governance of DBSS (Theme 1) and rebalancing problems for DBSS (Theme 2) first arose in early 2017, whilst discussions of the government regulation of DBSS (Themes 3) and the cross-boundary governance models underpinning DBSS (Themes 4) first arose in mid-2017. This paper concludes with a discussion of the identified themes and trends in the context of the broader literature on bicycle sharing and identifies opportunities for further research.

Wastewater discharged from pulp and paper mills play a major role in environmental pollution and have significant effects on aquatic and terrestrial components. The main focus of this work is to study the potential laccase producing bacterium Bacillus cereus AKRC03 (accession no. MN720581.1) for the biodegradation and toxicity reduction from pulp paper mill wastewater. The isolated strain of Bacillus cereus AKRC03 exhibited up to 78.67% of decolorization and degradation capability for hazardous residual organic pollutants at different nutritional (glucose: 1.0%, peptone: 0.5%) and environmental conditions (pH: 7.0, temperature: 37 °C, agitation: 180 rpm, incubation period: 120 h). The absorption peak of the UV–Vis spectral scan identified the decolorization and degradation pattern for pollutants present in wastewater during treatment. Furthermore, the transformation of major pollutants was exhibited through GC-MS analysis. These were 1-dotriacontanol, 1-heptadecanol, tricosane, 1-(2-hydroxyethoxy) tridecane, and n-[(methylphenyl) methylene]-2-methyl-2-propanamine n-oxide. While silane, (dodecyloxy)trimethyl, (1á,3á,4à)-3,4-bis[dimethyl(4-methylphenyl)silyl]cyclo pentan-1-yl acetate, (2S,3R)-(3-tetradecyloxiranyl)methanol, hexadecanoic acid, 2,3-bis[(trimethylsilyl)oxy]propyl ester, and 2,4,6-tri[4,5-(methylenedioxy)phenyl]-s-triazine appeared as metabolic product after degradation of wastewater. The reduction of toxicity was measured up to 70% for treated wastewater with Phaseolus mungo L seeds and Tubifex tubifex worms. From these findings, it is concluded that the isolated bacterium may be used in the bioaugmentation process for the further detoxification and degradation of discharged pulp paper mill wastewater for environmental safety.

Soil microbial fuel cells (SMFCs) are attractive for low-cost bioelectricity generation. In this study, a multiwalled carbon nanotube paper (MCNTP) was fabricated by a simple method for use as the anode and cathode electrodes in a stab-type membrane-less SMFC (SSMFC). Activated carbon powder, carbon fibers, and cellulose fibers were bound by multiwalled carbon nanotube paint to form the MCNTP. As a result, the MCNTP exhibited high conductivity, flexibility, and durability. In addition, the SSMFC was designed as a module mounted with three anodes in series and a floating air cathode. The SSMFC could be activated on demand by simply stabbing in the wet soil. Experimental results showed that the floating cathode outperformed the non-floating one. The SSMFC generated the output shortly after being plugged into the wet soil. The maximum power density was at the level of 60–70 mW/m2 for three separate experiment cycles. Additionally, a single SSMFC was used to power a clock as an example to demonstrate its practical use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous zinc (Zn) batteries with Zn metal anodes are promising clean energy storage devices with intrinsic safety and low cost. However, Zn dendrite growth severely restricts the use of Zn anodes. To effectively suppress Zn dendrite growth, we propose a bilayer separator consisting of commercial butter paper and glass fiber membrane. The dense cellulose-based butter paper (BP) with low zincophilicity and high mechanical properties prevents the pore-filling behavior of deposited Zn and related separator piercing, effectively suppressing the Zn dendrite growth. As a result, the bilayer separators endow the Zn||Zn symmetrical batteries with a superlong cycling life of Zn anodes (over 5000 h) at 0.5 mA cm−2 and the full batteries enhanced capacity retention, demonstrating the advancement of the bilayer separator to afford excellent cyclability of aqueous metal batteries.

[Display omitted] • Waste office paper was utilized as a substrate for microbial lipid production. • A detailed optimization study has been conducted for biomass and lipid yield. • Optimization results in10.55 g/L biomass, 6.13 g/L lipid with 58% lipid content. • Biodiesel properties of the produced lipids met with the international standards. • A solution to mitigate the hazardous effects caused by waste and fossil fuel. Environmental issues caused by fossil fuel and its rapid depletion demand the need to produce biofuel from renewable energy resources. The disposal of waste paper in landfills causes air pollution and contaminates groundwater. Hence, exploiting paper waste as a renewable resource for microbial lipid production can solve these environmental issues in a greener way. Further, these microbial lipids are a reliable source for biodiesel production. In this study, waste office paper was utilized as a substrate to produce microbial lipids through fermentation by the oleaginous yeast, Rhodosporidium toruloides, using a biorefinery approach. The production conditions were optimized using the Box-Behnken design; a fermentation time of 116.16 h, a C/N ratio of 60, and an inoculum concentration of 9.67% yielded a biomass of 10.55 g/L and a lipid yield of 6.13 g/L with a total lipid content of 58%. The major lipids produced were oleic acid (42%), palmitic acid (36%), stearic acid (9.8%), and myristic acid (8%), which clearly indicates the suitability of the lipids produced by R. toruloides for biodiesel production. The predicted biodiesel properties of the transesterified product met the international standard specifications. Hence, utilizing waste office paper for biodiesel production will be an effective way of mitigating the environmental pollution caused by waste paper and the harvesting of fossil fuels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Briquetted biomass, like sugarcane bagasse, a by-product of sugar mills, is a renewable energy source. This study aimed at the production and characterization of bagasse briquettes. The production of briquettes was carried out with different blending ratios (5, 10, and 15%) and average particle sizes (0.75, 2.775, and 4.8 mm) with various binders of cow dung, waste paper, and admixture (molasses and wastepaper). The bagasse underwent drying, size reduction, sieving, binder addition, and densification using a manual press during the briquetting process. Characterization of the physical and combustion parameters of briquettes, such as density, shatter resistance, proximate, and calorific value, followed the American Society for Testing and Materials procedures. The result shows that the maximum density of briquettes was 0.804 g/cm3, while shatter resistance varied from 83.051 to 94.975% (4.8mm, 5% cow dung and 0.75mm, 5% admixture binders respectively). ANOVA analysis showed that the factors and their interactions had a significant influence (p value < 0.05) on the physical properties. The optimum parameters of briquettes achieved were 14.953% admixture binder, 0.776 mm particle size, 0.805 g/cm3 density, and 95.811% shatter resistance. Bagasse briquettes with a 5% cow dung binder achieved a high calorific value of 39927.05 kcal/kg. The ultimate analysis revealed a composition of 47.49% carbon (C), 5.133% hydrogen (H), 1.557% nitrogen (N), 0.374% sulfur (S), and 45.446% oxygen (O). Therefore, bagasse has a high calorific value and can be used for briquetting to replace fossil fuel and firewood in different applications. In addition, due to its availability, utilizing as fuel source has economic advantage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this framework, experimental tests on different battery technologies, BMS and cooling systems are extremely important to extend the battery life and BEV performance (Sehil et al. [[13]]). Electrical machines and magnetic components, high-voltage voltage power converters, and battery storage systems are some basic bricks to build an effective and efficient energy conversion environment. Electrical Machines and Power Converters The electrical power conversion from renewable energy sources plays a crucial role in the development of a sustainable society. Finally, the fil rouge of every contribution in this section is oriented to investigate the power converters, electrical machines, magnetic components, and battery storage systems in actual energy conversion applications for renewable energy sources integration by a modelling approach. [Extracted from the article]

The pulp-paper industry is one of the main industrial sectors that produce massive amounts of residual sludge, constituting an enormous environmental burden for the industries. Traditional sludge management practices, such as landfilling and incineration, are restricted due to mounting environmental pressures, complex regulatory frameworks, land availability, high costs, and public opinion. Valorization of pulp-paper industry sludge (PPS) to produce high-value products is a promising substitute for traditional sludge management practices, promoting their reuse and recycling. Valorization of PPIS for biorefinery beneficiation includes biomethane, biohydrogen, bioethanol, biobutanol, and biodiesel production for renewable energy generation. Additionally, the various thermo-chemical technologies can be utilized to synthesize bio-oil, hydrochar, biochar, adsorbent, and activated carbon, signifying potential for value-added generation. Moreover, PPIS can be recycled as a byproduct by incorporating it into nanocomposites, cardboard, and construction materials development. This paper aims to deliver a comprehensive overview of PPIS management approaches and thermo-chemical technologies utilized for the development of platform chemicals in industry. Substitute uses of PPIS, such as making building materials, developing supercapacitors, and making cardboard, are also discussed. In addition, this article deeply discusses recent developments in biotechnologies for valorizing PPIS to yield an array of valuable products, such as biofuels, lactic acids, cellulose, nanocellulose, and so on. This review serves as a roadmap for future research endeavors in the effective handling of PPIS. [Display omitted] • Valorization of pulp-paper industry sludge is a sustainable option for getting waste to wealth. • Pre-treatment of pulp-paper industry sludge helps in yielding platform chemicals in the biorefinery scenario. • Pulp-paper industry sludge is a sustainable feedstock for renewable energy production. • Biochars derived from pulp-paper industry sludge exhibited excellent adsorption performance for metals removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates carbon and energy mix risk in the equity prices of EU-Taxonomy orientated and renewable European electric utility companies. We calculate carbon intensity and energy mix factors to measure possible carbon and energy mix premia while investigating the performance of portfolios of EU-Taxonomy orientated and renewable European electric utilities. We use a unique dataset to extend the three-factor model presented by Fama and French (1993) and find evidence of a positive renewable energy mix premium for portfolios of EU-Taxonomy orientated firms and firms with a high level of renewable energy in the energy mix. A positive low-carbon premium is also found for these same portfolios. Lastly, based on the three-factor model, an EU-Taxonomy orientated portfolio outperforms both a non-orientated portfolio and a non-reporting portfolio while a renewable energy portfolio outperforms a conventional energy portfolio. Our results are important for regulators, investors and European electric utilities in assessing the impact environmental regulations have on a firm's cost of capital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arid areas account for more than 20% of Earth's surface. Many of these arid areas suffer from harsh climates where energy consumption is high and production coexists with high hydrological stresses. In such areas, the production of water is directly linked to the production of electricity, bringing the Energy–Water nexus to a higher level [Heggy et al., Sustainable Energy-Water-Environment Nexus in Deserts (Springer, 2022)]. Under the current energy transition from a fossil-based economy to a renewable energy-based system, arid areas are seen as potential reservoirs for electricity production due to their high solar potential, thereby helping to achieve global decarbonation targets. This energy production transition will strongly affect the Energy–Water nexus as it will contribute to the decoupling of electricity from water production. The International Conference on Sustainable Energy–Water–Environment Nexus 2019 (ICSEWEN19) conference was the first to address the Sustainable Energy–Water Nexus in Deserts, bridging the gap between research and industry and highlighting the research capabilities relevant to Qatar, the region, and internationally. The Invited Papers from the International Conference on Sustainability, Energy, Water, and Environment Nexus in Desert Climates Special Collection in Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy presents articles covering the main elements of the conference with respect to solar photovoltaic implementation in desert environments as a key element to succeed in this global energy transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The EU has set the ambitious target of raising the share of EU energy consumption produced from renewable resources to 32% by 2030, with a target of climate neutrality by 2050. The aim of this paper is to assess the role of biomass usage in the context of these targets. The paper identifies the progress made between 2013 and 2022 by focusing on a selection of EU countries. The largest bioenergy increments of 130, 77, and 60 PJ were reported for Poland, Sweden, and the Netherlands. This study evaluates the crucial role of co-generation and heat in EU regions, with biomass usage between 55 and 80% of the combined heat and power (CHP) energy in Nordic countries. The future perspectives for bioenergy based on EU policies, biomass resources, and technical issues were addressed. The EU possesses around 9% of the global biomass supply, ensuring a certain level of biomass resource dependence. Thus, the biomass usage demand in energy production, non-energy sectors, and transport is expected to rise, leading to increments of 13–76% on biomass imports. It appears that bioenergy development is mostly limited by economic issues and uneven support for bioenergy in different EU countries as well as environmental issues. The study shows a promising and sustainable potential of bioenergy in the EU as a renewable energy source while minimizing negative impacts on the environment and the economy. By 2050, liquid biofuels are likely to be increasingly used in the transport sector. Non-energy sector usage of biomass is still in an early stage of development, except for the pulp and paper industry, and significant use of biomass in non-energy sectors seems unlikely in the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Having been generated with a tremendous amount annually, paper waste (PW) represents a large proportion in municipal solid waste (MSW) and also a potential source of renewable energy production through the application of anaerobic digestion (AD). However, the recalcitrant lignocellulosic structure poses obstacles to efficient utilization in this way. Recently, anaerobic and microaerobic pretreatment have attracted attention as approaches to overcome the obstacles of biogas production. This study was set out to present a systematic comparison and assessment of anaerobic and microaerobic pretreatment of PW with different oxygen loadings by five microbial agents: composting inoculum (CI), straw-decomposing inoculum (SI), cow manure (CM), sheep manure (SM), and digestate effluent (DE). The hints of microbial community evolution during the pretreatment and AD were tracked by 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing. The results demonstrated that PW pretreated by DE with an oxygen loading of 15 ml/gVS showed the highest cumulative methane yield (CMY) of 343.2 ml/gVS, with a BD of 79.3%. In addition to DE, SI and SM were also regarded as outstanding microbial agents for pretreatment because of the acceleration of methane production at the early stage of AD. The microbial community analysis showed that Clostridium sensu stricto 1 and Clostridium sensu stricto 10 possessed high relative abundance after anaerobic pretreatment by SI, while Bacteroides and Macellibacteroides were enriched after microaerobic pretreatment by SM, which were all contributable to the cellulose degradation. Besides, aerobic Bacillus in SI and Acinetobacter in SM and DE probably promoted lignin degradation only under microaerobic conditions. During AD, VadinBC27 , Ruminococcaceae Incertae Sedis , Clostridium sensu stricto 1 , Fastidiosipila , and Caldicoprobacter were the crucial bacteria that facilitated the biodegradation of PW. By comparing the groups with same microbial agent, it could be found that changing the oxygen loading might result in the alternation between hydrogenotrophic and acetoclastic methanogens, which possibly affected the methanogenesis stage. This study not only devised a promising tactic for making full use of PW but also provided a greater understanding of the evolution of microbial community in the pretreatment and AD processes, targeting the efficient utilization of lignocellulosic biomass in full-scale applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emerging global environmental pollution issues have caused a reduction in coal utilization, leading to an increased research focus on biomass use as an alternative. However, due to the low heat values of biomass, studies in this field are still in progress. Biomass primarily comprises cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. To determine the composition of these three components, the measurement methods recommended by TAPPI (Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry) and NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory) are typically employed involving equipment such as HPLC. However, these methods are time consuming. In this study, we proposed a model for predicting cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin contents based on elemental and industrial analyses. A dataset comprising 174 samples was used to develop this model. This was validated using 25 additional samples. The R2P values for cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin were 0.6104–0.6362, 0.4803–0.5112, and 0.7247–0.7914, respectively; however, the R2CV values obtained from the validation results were 0.7387–0.7837, 0.3280–0.4004, and 0.7427–0.7757, respectively. The optimal models selected for cellulose, lignin, and hemicellulose were C1, L2, and 100-(C1-L2) or H2, respectively. Our predictions for woody and herbaceous biomass, including torrefied samples, should be applied with caution to other biomass types due to the potential accuracy limitations. To enhance the prediction accuracy, future research should broaden the range of biomass types considered and gather more data specifically related to woody and herbaceous biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deploying renewable energy to unit design energy-efficient technologies may fulfill the additional demand of various energy-intensive industries for their sustainability and resiliency. Multiple Stage Evaporator (MSE) is one of the most energy-intensive units used to extract the water content of the weak liquor in various industries, including the paper industry. This energy intensiveness may be reduced by integrating various Energy Reduction Schemes (ERSs). Hence, this work proposes a ERSs integrated MSE model to analyze its energy efficiency. These ERSs includes Thermo-Vapor Compressor, Steam-, Feed- Split, Feed Preheater, and Flash Tanks. Further, the performance of the proposed model is investigated under two important real-time plant complexities: Boiling Point Elevation and Fouling to achieve more realistic results. The performance analysis is initiated with the formulation of a nonlinear constrained optimization problem to increase the steam economy (SE). Also, the simulation is extended to validate at two different product concentrations (52% and 65%) by employing state-of-art optimization algorithms: CONOPT, and SCA in GAMS and MATLAB respectively. The simulated results shows an increment 1.64% and 1.37% of SE for both 52% and 65% concentration of weak liquor respectively in case of CONOPT than SCA. Also, the waste heat of the condensate, feed, and product may be further utilized for the heat recovery by incorporating the flash tanks which leads to a countable energy saving. Eventually, integrating the solar fields: PTC and LFR ensures a notable reduction in conventional heat utilization by 85.96% and 92.85%, respectively and hence, enhance the energy efficiency. • Expounded energy modeling of ERSs based MSE with BPE and Fouling. • Implementation of NLP and metaheuristic approaches for performance optimization. • Reutilization of waste heat to maximize the energy efficiency. • Integration of solar fields (PTC and LFR) to reduce conventional fuel utilization. • Prospecting the challenges and direction of energy management optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Pulp refining is an energy consuming, but integral part of paper production with the aim to increase tensile strength and smoothness of paper sheets. Commercial enzyme formulations are used to lower the energy requirements by pre-treatment of pulp before refining. However, a high number of different commercial enzyme products are available on the market containing enzymes of varying origin and composition, which complicates the prediction of their behavior, especially using different pulp types. Results Endoglucanase-rich enzyme formulations were characterized regarding enzyme activity at different temperatures, resulting in a significant decrease of activity above 70 °C. Some enzyme preparations additionally contained arabinosidase, xylanase and β-glucosidase activity consequently resulting in a release of xylose and glucose from pulp as determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Interestingly, one enzyme formulation even showed lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase (LPMO) activity of 3.05 nkat mg−1. A correlation between enzyme activity using the endoglucanase specific derivatized cellopentaose (CellG5) substrate and enzyme performance in laboratory PFI (Papirindustriens forskningsinstitut) refining trials was observed on softwood pulp resulting in a maximum increase in the degree of refining values from 27.7°SR to 32.7°SR. When added to a purified endoglucanase enzyme (31.6°SR), synergistic effects were found for cellobiohydrolase II (34.7°SR) or β-glucosidase enzymes (35.7°SR) in laboratory refining. Comparison with previously obtained laboratory refining results on hardwood pulp allowed differences in enzyme performance based on varying pulp types to be elucidated. Conclusions Interestingly, the individual enzymes indeed showed different refining effects on softwood and hardwood pulp. This difference could be predicted after development of an adapted enzyme activity assay by combination of the derivatized cellopentaose CellG5 substrate with either softwood or hardwood sulfate pulp.

One-third of all greenhouse gas emissions come from the world's building stock while accounting for 40% of global energy use. There is no way to combat global warming or attain energy independence without addressing the inefficiency of the building sector. This sector is the second consumer of electricity after the industrial sector in Morocco and is ranked third emitter after the energy sector and transportation sector. Using Ifrane as a case study, this paper examines and reviews the city's energy use and the initiatives taken to improve building efficiency. The findings showed that, during the analyzed period, i.e., from 2014 to 2022, Ifrane's annual electricity consumption climbed steadily from 35 to 43 GWh. The government of Morocco has implemented effective laws, guidelines and regulations, as well as publicized ways to reduce energy consumption and increase energy efficiency. However, gathered data and survey results revealed opportunities and challenges for enhancing Ifrane's efficient energy use. The study also evaluates government programs, codes/standards and related actions for the improvement of household energy efficiency. As part of the review, the available literature was analyzed to assess the effectiveness of energy behavior and awareness, the impact of an economical and sustainable building envelope, the impact of building retrofitting programs, the importance of energy-performing devices and appliances, the adoption of smart home energy management systems, the integration of renewable energies for on-site clean energy generation and the role of policies and governance in the building sector in Ifrane. A benchmark evaluation and potential ideas are offered to guide energy policies and improve energy efficiency in Ifrane and other cities within the same climate zone.

This paper addresses the assessment of woody biomass resources in Russia and the Baikal region. The analysis of the literature demonstrates that the Baikal region has considerable amounts of waste from the logging, timber processing, and pulp and paper industries (up to 220 PJ). A review of utilization technologies for woody biomass demonstrates that the existing technologies based on biomass gasification are promising for energy purposes. The gasification of biomass for small-capacity power plants has some advantages compared to its combustion. This paper considers an autonomous power system that consists of photovoltaic converters, wind turbines, storage batteries, a biomass gasification power plant, and a diesel power plant. A mathematical model used to optimize the system's structure finds the minimum of the total discounted costs for the creation and operation of the system with some constraints met. Based on mathematical modeling, the cost-effectiveness of such a power supply system is assessed for different climatic zones of the Baikal region and the coastal area of Lake Baikal. The findings indicate that the optimal solution is the integration of various renewable energy sources in hybrid power systems. The proportion of energy sources of different types in the installed capacities is found. The study demonstrates that the optimal structure of the power system can provide significant savings (the total discounted costs are reduced by almost 2.5 times compared to the option using a diesel power plant alone). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the implementation of environmental aspects of social responsibility by trade enterprises in Ukraine. An analysis of environmental aspects, financial and non-financial reporting, and websites of large trade enterprises was carried out in relation to the display and provision of openness and availability of information about environmental aspects and enterprise costs. The composition of costs and their influence on the financial and economic indicators of the enterprise were studied. The implementation of one's own environmental policy and environmental initiatives, the implementation of projects, technologies, programs, and management methods used by trade enterprises of Ukraine were considered. The socially responsible enterprises' compliance with the requirements of current legislation, national and international standards, requirements for environmental standards of product quality and safety, preservation and protection of the environment, and the use of correct approaches to ensure the positive impact of their business activities on the environment were analyzed. The introduction of environmentally safe, resource- and energy-saving technologies, ecological containers and packaging, development of renewable energy sources, reduction of own greenhouse gas emissions, modern methods of utilization and recycling of PET bottles, plastic, waste paper, and waste, holding eco-actions on greening territories and charitable actions, motivate suppliers and carry out other measures that reduce the negative impact on the environment, contribute to the preservation of people's health, restoration of the environment and take care of the future of the planet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for more environmentally friendly alternative renewable fuels is growing as fossil fuel resources are depleting significantly. Consequently, bioethanol has attracted interest as a potentially viable fuel. The key steps in second-generation bioethanol production include pretreatment, saccharification, and fermentation. The present study employed simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) of cellulose through bacterial pathways to generate second-generation bioethanol utilizing corncobs and paper waste as lignocellulosic biomass. Mechanical and chemical pretreatments were applied to both biomasses. Then, two bacterial strains, Bacillus sp. and Norcadiopsis sp., hydrolysed the pretreated biomass and fermented it along with Achromobacter sp., which was isolated and characterized from a previous study. Bioethanol production followed by 72 h of biomass hydrolysis employing Bacillus sp. and Norcadiopsis sp., and then 72 h of fermentation using Achromobacter sp. Using solid phase micro extraction combined with GCMS the ethanol content was quantified. SSF of alkaline pretreated paper waste hydrolysed by Bacillus sp. following the fermentation by Achromobacter sp. showed the maximum ethanol percentage of 0.734±0.154. Alkaline pretreated corncobs hydrolyzed by Norcadiopsis sp. yielded the lowest ethanol percentage of 0.155±0.154. The results of the study revealed that paper waste is the preferred feedstock for generating second-generation bioethanol. To study the possible use of ethanol-diesel blends as an alternative biofuel E2, E5, E7, and E10 blend emulsions were prepared mixing commercially available diesel with ethanol. The evaluated physico-chemical characteristics of the ethanol-diesel emulsions fulfilled the Ceypetco requirements except for the flashpoint revealing that the lower ethanol-diesel blends are a promising alternative to transport fuels. As a result, the current study suggests that second generation bioethanol could be used as a renewable energy source to help alleviate the energy crisis..

This work reports an innovative simulation method for effectively utilizing paper-mill sludge based on the co-gasification approach for energy-enriched renewable fuel production. An Aspen plus-based co-gasification model was developed to simulate and examine the synergetic effects of biomass and paper-mill sludge co-gasification. Initially, the model was validated using experimental data from the reported literature and found good agreement regarding gasification and co-gasification approaches. Sensitivity analysis of biomass gasification revealed that the maximum H 2 content of 29.6% and CO (36.0%), LHV (7.8 MJ/Nm3), 72.2% (CCE) was obtained at optimal (850 °C: temperature; 1 bar: pressure; 0.2: ER) conditions. Further, the H 2 proportion enhanced, and CO declined to 38.8 and 30.7% at the same operating conditions, respectively, with a co-gasification ratio of 50% compared to 0% (H 2 : 29.6% and CO: 36.0%). However, with increasing the co-gasification ratio beyond 20%, the CO content started to follow upward trends; at the same CGR, the H 2 , LHV, and CCE observed were 36.0%, 7.76 MJ/Nm3, and 65.2%, respectively. Hence, the developed co-gasification model can provide vital information for large-scale gasifier design, operating decisions, and optimization using different biomass blends. • Biomass and PMS utilization to produce renewable fuel. • Co-gasification parametric effects evaluation on product yield. • Increasing the proportion of PMS in feedstock mixture increases H 2 content. • 20% PMS co-gasification provided consistency with reported literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for more environmentally friendly alternative renewable fuels is growing as fossil fuel resources are depleting significantly. Consequently, bioethanol has attracted interest as a potentially viable fuel. The key steps in second-generation bioethanol production include pretreatment, saccharification, and fermentation. The present study employed simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) of cellulose through bacterial pathways to generate second-generation bioethanol utilizing corncobs and paper waste as lignocellulosic biomass. Mechanical and chemical pretreatments were applied to both biomasses. Then, two bacterial strains, Bacillus sp. and Norcadiopsis sp., hydrolysed the pretreated biomass and fermented it along with Achromobacter sp., which was isolated and characterized from a previous study. Bioethanol production followed by 72 h of biomass hydrolysis employing Bacillus sp. and Norcadiopsis sp., and then 72 h of fermentation using Achromobacter sp. Using solid phase micro extraction combined with GCMS the ethanol content was quantified. SSF of alkaline pretreated paper waste hydrolysed by Bacillus sp. following the fermentation by Achromobacter sp. showed the maximum ethanol percentage of 0.734±0.154. Alkaline pretreated corncobs hydrolyzed by Norcadiopsis sp. yielded the lowest ethanol percentage of 0.155±0.154. The results of the study revealed that paper waste is the preferred feedstock for generating second-generation bioethanol. To study the possible use of ethanol-diesel blends as an alternative biofuel E2, E5, E7, and E10 blend emulsions were prepared mixing commercially available diesel with ethanol. The evaluated physico-chemical characteristics of the ethanol-diesel emulsions fulfilled the Ceypetco requirements except for the flashpoint revealing that the lower ethanol-diesel blends are a promising alternative to transport fuels. As a result, the current study suggests that second generation bioethanol could be used as a renewable energy source to help alleviate the energy crisis.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Under the dual pressure of energy consumption and environmental pollution, mankind hopes to develop clean and renewable alternative energy, and the rapid development of fuel cells meets people's demand for energy-efficient power systems. The emergence of portable micro energy systems represented by microfluidic fuel cells, such as paper-based microfluidic fuel cells, has greatly enriched the means of medical detection to better cope with the threat of disease transmission. In this work, the numerical simulation method is innovatively introduced to study the paper-based microfluidic fuel cells. Both transient and steady-state modes are employed to demonstrate the whole operation process of the paper-based microfluidic fuel cell. In addition, the different structural parameters, including electrode spacing, the distance between electrode and inlet, channel thickness, and electrode length, are also investigated their influence mechanisms on cell performance. Results show that the increase of most structural parameters decreases cell output power in different degrees. Even on the premise that increasing channel thickness has a positive impact on the output power, the fuel utilization still shows a downward trend. These conclusions provide theoretical support and reference for future optimization work and accelerate the development of microfluidic fuel cells. • Numerical simulation is employed to study paper-based microfluidic fuel cell. • The effects of structure parameters on cell performance are discussed. • Through fuel concentration distribution to reveal cell performance mechanism. • Fuel utilization is used to evaluate energy efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This review studies some of the existing ideas which create a fundamentally new direction for wave energy converter (WEC) development, obtaining energy from the elliptical motion of particles in water waves using a rotor. The review focuses on three main aspects of rotor‐based WECs: experimental study of the developed prototypes, derivation and development of the mathematical models, and control effectors and philosophies for the proposed devices. The range of developed small scale prototypes and their experimental studies are presented. The shortcomings of the current mathematical and hydrodynamic models are identified, while an overview of the proposed and new possible control effectors and strategies is conducted. This allows us to see the state of the development of the different concepts and problems to be solved in bringing wave energy rotors to operational reality.

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are widely used in self‐powered electronic devices and tactile sensors. Herein, for the first time, the facile, low‐cost, and universal electroless deposition (ELD) technology is used to fabricate nonconductive black Cu to enhance the electrical output performance and sensitivities of TENG‐based tactile sensor. The output performance and sensitivities of the equipment are significantly improved by the introduction of black Cu nanoparticles (NPs) coated cellulose filter paper (CFP) into the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) matrix. With an optimal load of black Cu NPs, the composite film‐based TENG produces the highest surface charge density exhibited by high sensitivities of 1.56 V N−1, 3.5 times of that obtained via PDMS‐based TENG under the same conditions. These properties facilitate the developed device to be competent at monitoring a kind of human movements, such as finger touching and bending. The proposed strategy not only demonstrates a promising potential of developing large‐scale practical self‐charging equipment and improving the output performance and sensitivities of TENG based tactile sensors but also provides a new perspective for applications in other fields.

The widely recognised Energiewende, ("energy transition") in Germany has lost its original momentum. We therefore address the question of how the transition process to a new energy system can be reignited. To do so, we developed the "5Ds approach", which lays the groundwork for a process analysis and the identification of important catalysts and barriers. Focusing on the five major fields required for the energy transition, we analyse the effects of: (1) Decarbonisation: How can efficiency and renewable energies be expanded successfully? (2) Digitalisation: Which digital solutions facilitate this conversion and would be suitable as sustainable business models? (3) Decentralisation: How can potential decentralised energy and efficiency opportunities be developed? (4) Democratisation: How can participation be strengthened in order to foster acceptance (and prevent "yellow vest" protests, etc.)? (5) Diversification of service: Which services can make significant contributions in the context of flexible power generation, demand-side management, storage and grids? Our paper comes to the conclusion that German policy efforts in the "5D" fields have been implemented very differently. Particularly with regard to democratisation, the opportunities for genuine participation among the different social actors must be further strengthened to get the Energiewende back on track. New market models are needed to meet the challenges of the energy transition and to increase the performance of "5D" through economic incentives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]