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Purpose: Energy consumption and renewable energy sources are included in the goals for the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) agenda, and target buildings are the biggest electricity consumers. In turn, Netzero energy buildings (NZEB) contribute to achieve SDG7 goals. This paper aims to identify which Brazilian higher education institutions (HEIs) practices contribute to developing the NZEB concept. Design/methodology/approach: Case studies were selected to identify which implanted practices applied by HEIs in Brazil, listed in the UI GreenMetric 2020 Ranking, are related to the NZEB concept. The implemented sustainable practices were also analyzed to evaluate the connections and impact between universities and the local community. Findings: Results show the lighting and air conditioning retrofit were among the most common practices related to energy efficiency to reduce consumption. For renewable energy generation, photovoltaic solar energy is the most common practice used by HEIs. Research limitations/implications: Only Brazilian HEIs listed in the UI Green Metric Ranking were analyzed. No standard regulation or formal reports support the wide dissemination of the strategies adopted by HEIs in Brazil. Practical implications: The strategies adopted by HEIs related to Netzero buildings can reduce emissions, optimize operating costs and improve building comfort conditions, which connect all SDGs. Social implications: HEIs can promote awareness related to energy use and clean energy generation within the local community. Originality/value: This paper presents the most common strategies adopted by Brazilian HEIs. However, limitations related to lack of strategies, data transparency and specific Netzero energy regulation were also found. These issues can hinder other HEIs to adopt similar strategies and contribute to the promotion of SDG7 in Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista em Agronegócio e Meio Ambiente is the property of Revista em Agronegocio e Meio Ambiente and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Sustainability in Debate / Sustentabilidade em Debate is the property of University of Brasilia, Center for Sustainable Development and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper aims to analyze the information about protection of technologies related to distributed generation (DG) of electric energy, available in the Brazilian patent bank, in the period between 2011 and 2020. Considering that the energy sector has strategic role for companies and countries, analyzing technological trends in the area can help management and decision making. As a methodological procedure, (1) data were collected from the national database of the Instituto Nacional de Propriedade Industrial - INPI (National Institute of Industrial Property) -- in July 2020, (2) associated with keywords and the Classificação Internacional de Patentes - IPC (International Patent Classification) for research and (3) treated with the aid of Microsoft Excel and IBM SPSS Statistics version 25 software. The variables found and analyzed were: nature of the patent; order status; international classification; year of filing; publication of request; countries of origin of depositors; main depositors; state of origin of depositors; electrical system structure; and types of energy sources. The results demonstrated that the number of patent filings fluctuated over the years; that there was a significant growth in the number of deposits in the years that normative resolution n° 482/2012, responsible for regularizing DG in Brazil, was published or revised and that most of the technologies deposited are intended for power generation, with emphasis on that use wind energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a result of the "Belt and Road" and "Going Global" policies, a growing number of Chinese power companies are expanding overseas, implementing global development strategies, and making investments in the overseas power industry. Several countries are undergoing an energy transition because of the rapid development of the world economy. This is being done to address the climate change issues that are a result of the overuse of fossil fuels. Brazil is also accelerating its pace of power transformation in its position as a major power generating country in Latin America. In addition to being the largest economy in South America, Brazil is also the country in which China has made the most investments. Additionally, Brazil is increasing its development efforts in wind power, photovoltaics, and other renewable energy sources in response to a large demand for renewable energy sources. Brazil's renewable energy sector offers a great deal of potential for investment based on solid foundations for cooperation between China and Brazil. The Grey Prediction Model was used for this research to forecast Brazil's renewable energy generation installed capacity, and the results show a positive trend in Brazil's renewable energy generation. There is a rapid growth in wind and photovoltaic power generation over the next 5 years, with growth rates reaching 50.39% and 182.99%, respectively, suggesting that there is potential for a broad range of development. Following this, the research applies factor analysis to assess investment risks associated with Brazil's renewable energy sector from 2000 to 2020. Based on the results of the study, Chinese power companies investing in Brazil's renewable energy sector face the greatest political risk, while other risks gradually decrease. To avoid political risks when investing, companies should place a high priority on preventing them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work analyzes the Income and Energy Generation Program, authorized by the Brazilian National Energy Agency and implemented by Caixa Econômica Federal and Brasil Solair in two condominiums of popular housing. The method used is qualitative, applied, descriptive and exploratory. An extensive literature review was conducted as well as 18 interviews with specialists, agents from the electricity sector and representatives of the condominiums. Questionnaires were distributed to all residents to understand the energy consumption habits in the condominiums and the situation experienced throughout the program execution. For the data analysis, the triangulation method was used. In the results, the situation of the residents and five different opportunities to adapt the renewable energy system of the condominiums to current legislation are highlighted and analyzed. These include the rental of roofs and equipment or building a cooperative with other beneficiaries of social housing programs for remote energy compensation. In conclusion, the project could be improved to better fulfill the needs of the condominiums and their inhabitants, guaranteeing better use of investment in renewable energy and improving programs to alleviate poverty in Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is consensus that the use of renewable energy must be expanded. More and more restrictions on the use of fossil derived fuels may open the way for an increased consumption of biomass event those so far not perceived as feasible, such some biomass residue. Energy derived from biomass residues may provide even more benefits because it may replace other sources of higher-grade energy while providing proper destination for residues. Biomass from pruning residue has been overlooked as an energy resource due to many limitations. This paper addresses the issue and the means for energy valuation of pruning residues while provides final destination for them. It presents a framework to overcome most of today's challenges across the world. A case study was carried out to determine the main constraints and how they can influence the decision-making process. The variety of urban pruning residues and their rate of generation, handling, storage, logistics, economic and environmental issues, institutional regulations for a small city in Southern Brazil were taken into consideration in the analysis. Pruning residues were sampled in the field, then handled, shredded, dried, specified, stored and burnt in a concurrent woodburning furnace for testing. The diagnostics of the constraints and the lab tests were summarized and organized in a framework that aimed to assess the energy valuation of pruning residues. Results show that with proper assessment tools, projects, biomass analyses and burning technology energy valuation of pruning residues can be feasible. • Energy valuation of biomass pruning residues is feasible given proper conditions. • A novel assessment framework provides routes to overcome most of today's challenges. • A case study of energy valuation of urban pruning biomass residue in Brazil showed feasible to generate 1 to 1.5 MWe. • Information and data of bulk density, moisture content, heating value, of residues of five urban tree species. • Estimate of opportunity costs of disposal of biomass pruning residues in landfills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although several studies have recognized the challenges brought about the high integration of Renewable Energy Sources (RES), research has yet to systematically investigate the effects of different levels of Energy Efficiency Measures (EEMs) on power systems with a high share of RES. The primary aim of this paper is to quantitatively evaluate the economic impact of different levels of energy efficiency investments in systems with a high share of RES, based on the case of Brazil. Our review analysis revealed a lack of understanding of how to calculate the Long-term Average Cost of Saved Electricity (LACoSE). Therefore, the methodological contribution of this research also lies in the proposition of a step-by-step procedure to estimate this variable. Findings of this study suggest that EEMs may result in a reduction in the expected new installed capacity between 1.9% and 10.3%, and from 0.4% to 4.3% for the total CO 2 emissions (for reductions in the final electricity demand varying from 1% to 5% respectively). This comes with a decrease in the overall system costs between 1.9% and 7.7%. The results provide further support for the hypothesis that the economic impacts of energy efficiency investments and its cost-effectiveness are affected by the share of RES in the power system and these type of measures may provide holistic benefits including not only economic advantages but also environmental and social improvements. The proposed methodology largely extends beyond the case addressed as it may provide valuable lessons for other electricity systems. • Cost-effectiveness of energy efficiency measures is assessed for a renewable system. • A methodology is proposed to calculate the Long-term Average Cost of Saved Electricity (LACoSE). • The economic benefits are positive for the power system evaluated. • Results are not highly influenced by the estimated LACoSE. • Findings would support the development of effective energy efficiency policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Ciência e Natura is the property of Revista Ciencia e Natura and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)