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The pulp and paper industry consumes enormous quality of freshwater, leading to wastewater. It must be treated to remove pollutants, particularly residual dyestuffs, before releasing them to water bodies to avoid adverse environmental effects. The traditional wastewater treatment methods used for the pulp and paper industry are less efficient in colour and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal. The current study is aimed at developing a novel catalyst for the catalytic ozonation of pulp and paper wastewater with better colour and COD removal for sustainable resources of clean water. The proposed catalyst is impregnated by iron on natural zeolites. Various parameters such as catalyst dose, pH, ozone dose, initial COD concentration, and reaction time are studied and optimized. The performance was evaluated by comparing the results with the single ozonation process (SOP) and catalytic ozonation process (COP). The highest COD and colour reduction efficiencies have been achieved, i.e., 71%, and 88% at a natural pH of 6.8. The proposed process achieved higher COD and colour efficiencies than the single ozonation process and catalytic ozonation process using raw zeolites. The improvement in efficiencies are 23% and 29% for SOP and 17% and 19% for COP, respectively. Hence, the results proposed the sustainability and applicability of COP to treat paper and pulp sector effluent. [Display omitted] • A novel Fe-zeolite catalyst was developed for catalytic ozonation process. • Performance of single ozonation process and catalytic ozonation process was evaluated. • Under optimized condition the catalyst remains efficient even after 5 cycles. • 71% of COD were eliminated using Fe/NZ as catalyst in catalytic ozonation process. • The optimum ozone dose for COD and color removal was 0.3 mg/ml of wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Property rights granted by land and water policies are not always identical with the claims – meaning perceived rights - people base their actions on. A high discrepancy between both resembles an ineffective policy implementation and bears the risk of unsustainable decision-making. Furthermore, perceived rights to land and its corresponding resource water can vary significantly. In this paper, we operationalize the property rights concepts and empirically assess, by specifying and quantifying, the difference between property rights and farmers’ customary claims to both, land and water resources. With regard to land, actors tend to base their decisions on customary claims, and override property rights. In contrast, regarding water, we find that the full benefits of property rights granted by a policy reform are often not recognized. Whereas in the first case political control and monitoring mechanisms seems to fail, in the latter a lack of information sharing let the farmers not exploit their full investment potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Paper-based integrated evaporation device (IED) was designed. • Self-hardening polyurethane foam was used for thermal insulation. • The IED exhibited thermal conversion efficiency of 88.1% at 1 sun. • Excellent reusability was demonstrated by a 10-cycle experiment. The all-in-one solar steam generation device renders a feasible technical support for freshwater supply in arid areas, where traditional large-scale desalination cannot be applied. In this work, we designed and assembled a paper-based integrated evaporation device (IED) for efficient solar steam generation, in which the self-hardening polyurethane foam was ingeniously fixed on the carbon nanotube (CNT) loaded filter paper connecting with four paper belts to perfectly integrate light absorption, water supply and thermal insulation into one device. Moreover, the effects of CNT concentration and illumination intensity on evaporation performance were experimentally investigated. The results showed that the maximum thermal conversion efficiency of the IED was as high as 88.1% at 1 kW m−2. Our research indicated that the IED as an easily-enlarged and all-in-one evaporation device was one of the ideal choices for applications in solar steam generation and provided a new resource for seawater desalination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recycled paper industry produces tons of waste whose disposal is a cost for industry and the environment. This research examines the suitability of de-inked paper sludge (DPS), after pelletization, as a sustainable alternative component to a peat-based growing media, creating ideal root conditions for tree development (e.g. high water storage, low compaction). DPS, tested on Lepidium sativum L. germination, did not show toxicity effects. Three species, Quercus ilex L., Lagerstroemia indica L. and Prunus serrulata "Kanzan", were planted in 40 cm Ø pots filled with a control (peat, pumice and zeolite) and the experimental substrate (compost, DPS pellets, pumice and zeolite). After two years in the nursery, the trees were planted in situ. The physical and chemical properties of substrates were analyzed. Plant morphological and physiological parameters were monitored: trunk diameter, leaf dry matter, leaf nitrogen, chlorophyll, and photosynthetic efficiency. The new substrate showed higher C org (+135%), total N (+73%) and easily available water (+19%), compared to the control substrate used in the nursery. In this new substrate, the trees showed similar radial growth values to the control in the nursery and after transplanting in situ improved their photosynthetic performance in terms of quantum yield of photosystem II (+36%, and +29% in P. serrulata and L. indica , respectively) and electron transport rate (+39%, +25%, and +32% in P. serrulata , Q. ilex and L. indica , respectively). Pelletization represents an attractive amendment for growing media, which enhances the plant's physiological health status. This study proposes alternative recovery methods for paper industry waste with low environmental impact. As the process is developed locally, it should also contribute to reducing energy-related CO 2 emissions from transport. Pelletization represents an attractive novelty in the use of DPS as amendment for growing media, which enhances the plant's physiological health status. This study proposes alternative recovery methods for paper industry waste with low environmental impact. As the process is developed locally, it should also contribute to reducing energy-related CO 2 emissions from transport. Image 1 • De-inked paper sludge and mature compost mixed were tested as a new substrate. • The new substrate showed high organic carbon, nitrogen and water availability. • Holm oak, Crape myrtle and Kanzan cherry grew healtlhy in the new substrate. • The new substrate is suitable for tree growth to overcome transplanting stress. • The study proposes alternative recovery methods for paper industry waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relay node placement algorithm in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) for water supply distribution control and monitoring is an important requirement. The researchers have used the connectivity-aware approximation algorithm for relay node placement in WSN. This paper discusses about implementation results of existing Local Search Approximation Algorithm (LSAA). The experimentations have been carried out for varying number of nodes Relay Node Single Cover (RNSC) problem to remove implemented local search approximation algorithm (LSAA). In LSAA algorithm, N number of sensor nodes and M number of relay nodes to allocated for a set cover (SC) for each group. Main contribution of this paper to discuss this work in algorithm form and to make easy and better to related work. To find out the different and approachable result increases the nodes with 100,150,200etc. Mat lab clearly to explain the result in the graphically form. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A simple composite enhanced system (CES) was proposed for solar steam generation. • Highly efficient solar steam generation could be realized under 1 sun irradiation. • The rGO can enhance the capillary transport of the filter paper. • The CES can improve steam generation efficiency obviously compare to the membrane. Solar steam generation, as a high efficiency photo-thermal conversion method, has enormous potential for many industrial applications. In this work, a reduced graphene oxide (rGO) composite membrane with high light absorption was prepared to enhance the steam generation of water successfully. Through different experimental tests, the evaporation rate and efficiency reached 0.9 kg·h−1·m−2 and 45.1% at 1 sun, even with a small amount of rGO (0.76 g/m2). Furthermore, a simple composite enhanced system (CES) based on the rGO composite membrane was fabricated to further improve the evaporation efficiency. The evaporation rate and efficiency reached 1.37 kg·h−1·m−2 and 85.6% at 1 sun when the same amount of rGO was used in our novel CES. This was due to the decrease in the thermal conductivity and capillary enhancement of the supply water. Comparing the different methods of steam generation, it was observed that the evaporation efficiency of CES was higher than that of other systems, due to the decreased thermal loss. Finally, an integrated distillation and power generation device was assembled to demonstrate the practical application of CES and it exhibited great performance. It was of great significance for large-scale steam generation in distillation, sewage treatment, and other applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Extension of single contaminant material Cascade Table to multi-contaminants. • New ways of arranging the sources/sink in the Cascade Table are proposed. • Pre-targeting procedure to determine the source prioritisation for a specific sink • Problems of fixed flowrate and fixed load operations are explored. • Sequential sink targeting directly determines the source allocation. Process Integration tools have served the process industries by identifying resource conservation solutions that minimise process waste, reducing the environmental impacts and costs. For dealing with water and wastewater minimisation, Pinch-based targeting and network design approaches are well established to handle single-quality water conservation problems. The Cascade Table Analysis, which has been an extension of the method used for targeting and designing single-quality material recycling networks, has evolved to handle multiple qualities. Based on previous analysis, multiple cascades with individual contaminant/quality indicators are analysed sequentially. Each contaminant is assigned a cascade table. Each sink is classified into the proper contaminant cascade based on their limiting contaminant, and the sources are prioritised based on the contaminant. This work also proposes a new way of arranging the Cascade Table streams to adapt for the multiple contaminants, which is by determining whether they belong to the high quality (Below the Pinch) region and the probable Pinch-causing source. The overall framework has been first identifying preliminary resource targets for each sink, followed by specific heuristics for additional reduction of the fresh resource. The proposed algorithm could yield an accurate minimum resource target and the associated network design. This work also explores the water-using processes with fixed load and fixed flowrate operations. An illustrative study and a real case study from a Brazilian paper mill are used to demonstrate the approach. The fresh water resource identified for the case study is 2,822 kg/h. The developed approach provides an informative interface to the user for the exact allocation of sources to the sinks. The numerical approach also shows directly the location of the Pinch Point(s), the overall fresh resource intake and the waste generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green hydrogen can be the transitional solution required to reduce anthropogenic emissions and enhance energy independency from fossil fuel. To improve green hydrogen adoption, a cluster-based infrastructure, called a hydrogen hub, is devised taking into account the demand-supply interplay coupled with transport ease. In this paper, we have identified sites across states that are conducive for hydrogen hubs. It involves a multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) framework deployed to assign priorities within competing set of criteria. A comprehensive analytical hierarchy process (AHP) is used to rank criteria that are connected to establish a functioning hydrogen hub. These criteria include, but not limited to, proximity to refineries, fertilizer plants, substations, chlor-alkali units, steel manufacturing plants, water availability, access to gas pipelines, railway line access, and finally distance to highways. Our analyses indicate that proximity to refineries and fertilizers scored higher (scores directly proportional to importance) while railway line access scored the least. These prioritised scores are used to spatially locate sites using geographical information system. In a total of thirteen states identified, Gujarat had the largest parcel of most suitable land for setting up hydrogen hub followed by Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. For India to set up a functioning hydrogen economy and achieve green hydrogen goals, it is important to identify states that can drive the agenda forward. This paper illustrates a way (amongst many available ways) to identify states based on their strength and capability to fulfil the national goal of 5 million tons of green hydrogen by 2030. • The paper addresses setting up of green hydrogen hubs in India based on a multi-criteria site selection framework. • Nine selection criteria covering aspects of hydrogen ecosystem proposed to identify site(s) suitable for hydrogen hubs. • Integration of AHP and GIS is used to ascertain land parcels where hydrogen economy can sustain across states in India. • Zones in 13 states were identified as potential hydrogen hubs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Moon's polar regions have abundant water ice resources. The mining and utilization of lunar polar water ice could serve as a propellant and survival resource for human exploration of deep space. The concept of thermal mining has been proposed to extract water ice resources. There are advantages and disadvantages to different mining methods. The energy problems faced by in situ resource utilization on the Moon are of great concern. The electrolysis of water and the heating of weathered layers require a continuous supply of energy. Wired energy transfer at the lunar poles would be very costly for launching conductors from Earth to the Moon. Wireless energy transfer technology is also well-developed today and has promising applications in the energy supply of lunar thermal mining. This paper describes the different methods of thermal mining and the various ways of supplying energy using solar energy for thermal mining. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell - Mechanical Heat Pump - Combined Heat and Power (PEMFC-MHP-CHP) system is a reliable energy supply solution, which can operate independently of the grid during emergencies or be used for peak shaving and load leveling in renewable energy networks. This paper proposes two system structures, namely the separated and integrated systems and establishes MATLAB/Simulink models. Then, a sensitivity analysis is conducted, examining system design and operation. The results show that the separated system can satisfy basic heating and electricity demands without an external power supply at −14.5 °C. Increasing the number of cells by 20, reducing one room's heat load (36 m2), or increasing the current density by 0.1 A/cm2 results in reductions in compressor power consumption ranging from 1.76 % to 2.91 %, 7.42 %–10.57 %, and 6.52 %–16.88 %, respectively. On the other hand, the integrated system has higher power consumption but can operate smoothly at lower temperatures than the separated system. It is suitable for integration with auxiliary power devices in low-temperature environments. The PEMFC's heat output minimally affects system efficiency. Reducing the number of rooms improves system performance, with each reduction of one room decreasing compressor power consumption by 5.43 %–8.55 %. Meanwhile, two design options are identified based on the power supply and hot water demands. Further research and development can enhance the efficiency and performance of these systems, promoting their wider use in the future. • Established MATLAB/Simulink models for the PEMFC-MHP-CHP system. • Demonstrated better performance and stable heating capacity compared to conventional CHP systems. • Provided insights into advantages and limitations of separated and integrated systems. • Conducted a thorough performance analysis under load fluctuations for energy supply and peak shaving. • Proposed system design and operational options based on sensitivity analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrated Water Resource Management relies intensive coordination, vertically across different levels of government and horizontally across policy sectors, as many decisions affecting water resources are taken outside the water sector (e.g., in agriculture, industry). Coordination problems across levels and sectors may arise due to incompatibilities of governance modes – coordinative mechanisms ranging from hierarchy, network, to market mode – employed in the often fragmented water policy domain. This paper contributes to the discussion departing from the overarching hypothesis that synergistic interplay of governance modes rather than the dominance of a single mode supports coordination. This hypothesis is rooted in the assumption that given the plurality of state and non-state actors in water governance, who are entangled in formal and informal relationships, neither the dominance of hierarchical control, market competition, nor collaboration in networks alone is capable to ensure coordination results as different modes are appropriate for different relationships within the sector. Coordination processes and results, therefore depend on the synergistic interplay between the governance modes employed. The paper presents case studies from Germany, Mongolia, South Africa, and Spain, which face different cross-sector coordination challenges. Our findings suggest that despite policy reforms for integrated water and environmental governance, hierarchy prevails in formal provisions and practices to differing degrees. We find evidence that synergistic interplay between governance modes supports horizontal coordination, which is necessary for solving nexus governance challenges. However, synergistic interplay is not sufficient to translate coordination practices to coordination outcomes. Factors such as leadership and conflicts powerfully influence the translation as well. • Synergies between governance modes affect cross-sectoral coordination processes and results. • The article presents a rigorous comparative study on five river basins worldwide. • Despite integrated management approaches, hierarchy prevails in water governance. • Horizontal coordination requires synergistic interplay of governance modes. • Conflicts over water resources and power asymmetries may render coordination ineffective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to examine methods of artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) in Ghana, map their perceived impacts on water resources, and analyse the implications of these perceptions for meeting the targets related to Clean Water of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6). The paper draws on 74 interviews with artisanal and small-scale gold miners and other stakeholders to investigate communities' perceptions of the effects of ASM methods (alluvial mining, surface/open-pit mining, and underground mining) on water bodies. We find that different ASM methods impact surface and groundwater in distinct ways while concurrently having a synergistic negative effect on water bodies. Stakeholders – including community leaders – perceive that the mining methods employed in ASM cause various forms of environmental degradation – thus affecting progress towards SDG 6, target 6.3 (water quality) – and severely hinder the availability of clean water for domestic and agricultural purposes, thus endangering the livelihoods of communities and affecting progress towards SDG 6, target 6.4 (sustainable water use). The community perceived impacts of ASM activities on water resources have implications for community acceptance of formalisation efforts in Ghana. We contend that a better understanding of these perceived impacts can help shape the country's policy for achieving the targets of SDG 6 in relation to Clean Water by 2030. In particular, we propose that the integration of the Community Mining Scheme as part of formalisation efforts of informal gold mining in Ghana not only responds to SDG 6 target 6b (participation of local communities in water management) but also has the potential to reverse the current large-scale mining 'bias' in policy, while addressing the galamsey challenge that contributes to the increasing impact of informal gold mining on SDG 6, targets 6.3 and 6.4. • There is a nexus between ASM methods (alluvial, surface/open pit, and underground mining) and their impacts on water resources. • ASM methods impact surface and ground water in distinct ways. • Formalisation policy and ASM methods have implications for achieving the targets related to SDG 6, Clean Water and Sanitation. • The Community Mining Scheme (CMS) in Ghana has the potential to challenge the large-scale mining 'bias'. • The CMS provides directions for other African countries which face similar ASM concerns such as the formalisation hurdles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Megacities expansion around the globe have significantly increased the demand for resources to the point of depleting available reservoirs and requiring importing resources from nearby locations sometimes implementing major infrastructure projects for guaranteeing access to resources. This is particularly true for one of the largest Megalopolis in the world, Mexico City, that imports 40% of its water supply from neighboring states. Despite of being a city holding important hydric resources, the lack of strategies, technological innovation, user-centered service design, consistent data acquiring, and optimization tools have led to a poor water management that maintains the metropolis with a constant scarcity of the resource. Therefore, the aim of the current paper is to present a conceptual service design for smart rainwater harvesting in urban settlements that provides an alternative source for citizens to reduce the local hydric stress, diminish aquifer overexploitation and increase water well recovery contributing to more sustainable cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under the background of increasing water pollution, the achievement of a harmonious development of human and water systems has become increasingly important to build an ecological civilization and achieve high-quality economic development. On this basis, this paper takes Chinese A-share listed companies as the research object, and examines whether environmental regulation of water resources can influence employment decisions of enterprises. The results showed that the environmental regulation of water resources reduced the number of workers absorbed by enterprises characterized by high pollution and water consumption. Mandatory innovation pressures imposed on high-pressure group by the environmental regulation of water resources prompted these industries to recruit more high-tech workers; while those industries that were not subjected to mandatory innovation pressures (i.e., the medium-pressure group) did not show an evident increase in demand for high-tech workers. The results of further analyses showed that, although the employment decisions of these two groups of enterprises differed, their enterprise values clearly improved after the implementation of this policy. This study provides important policy insights on how to achieve the protection of water resources and the optimization of the enterprise employment structure under the background of environmental regulation of water resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As stated in Sustainable Development Goals number 6 and 13, clean water and sanitation and energy-related carbon emissions as climate action issues have emerged as serious issues within the United Nations. Around 150 countries rely on seawater desalination plants as their water resource. Reverse osmosis membrane technology is the most widely used seawater desalination technology for water supply. Taking water resources, developing renewable energy, and recycling resources have become the United Nations' core sustainable development goal. Therefore, this paper aims to provide an overview of renewable energy in reverse osmosis, especially newly developed renewable energy such as wave power. This paper includes technical issues, environment, and economic impact. In addition, compared with other energy sources, photovoltaic and hydropower energy utilization leads to a lower carbon footprint. Both energy produce a carbon footprint of around 0.08 kg CO 2 eq/m3. Control systems and energy storage management are the challenges in developing integrated renewable energy with reverse osmosis. Suitable pretreatment and the effect of direct use of renewable energy on the reverse osmosis process, especially on membrane and pump lifetime, should also be considered in future studies. [Display omitted] • Fluctuations and intermittence in wind and PV would affect on the process performance. • Energy storage management helps to keep the system stable • Water storage can assist in having enough water and store extra • PV and hydropower energy produce carbon footprint around 0.08 kg CO 2 eq/m3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A novel joint optimal allocation model of regional water and land resources (JOAMRWLS). • A three-level unit division method of "basic units-computing units-hydrological response units". • Use of a two-layer nested algorithm involving successive approximation and nonlinear programming (SA-NLP). • The model improves the regional economy and water resource utilization efficiency. Water and land resources are indispensable prerequisites for the sustenance and advancement of human civilization. In recent decades, China has faced significant challenges in managing its water and land resources due to the intensifying competition resulting from rapid urbanization, industrialization, and population growth. The joint optimal allocation of water and land resources can effectively address these issues. However, there have been limited accomplishments in investigating the integrated water and land resources allocation system's interaction with social, economic, and environmental development. This paper develops a novel joint optimal allocation model of regional water and land resources (JOAMRWLS). The model integrates water and land resources for integrated allocation, taking into account the mutual feed relationship between them, and thereby achieving comprehensive utilization and coordination of water and land resources within the region. Then a two-layer nesting algorithm based on successive approximation and nonlinear programming (SA-NLP) is proposed to solve the model, obtaining the regional optimal land use pattern and optimal water allocation scheme. Subsequently, this paper uses Luoyang City in Henan Province, China, as a case study to verify the proposed JOAMRWLS. The results indicate that the water volume and area of each land use type tend to stabilize after the fifth iteration of the calculation with a consistent water volume of 18.65 × 108 m3. Compared with the conventional optimization model of water resources (COMWR), the JOAMRWLS encompasses five cities experiencing water scarcity, whereas the latter includes twelve such cities. Furthermore, the economic benefit of the JOAMRWLS is 2.65 × 1011 CNY, surpassing that of the former at 2.56 × 1011 CNY, highlighting its superiority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1998 Zimbabwe became one of the first countries in sub-Saharan Africa to adopt and implement IWRM. Twenty-five years later, IWRM principles are yet to be fully operationalised. More importantly, the principle of separating operational and regulatory aspects of water management is becoming more blurred due in part to a water development agenda that is eclipsing water management instead of being in tandem with it. This paper interrogates the merits of establishing a regulator in Zimbabwe's water sector, the only major sector that operates without a regulator, as a catalyst for a better-coordinated and integrated water sector, and an anchor for sustainable water resource management and water supply outcomes. The paper argues for a 'second generation' regulator that covers the entire water value chain in line with SDG 6, as opposed to a 'first generation' regulator, which exclusively focuses on water supply and sanitation. To enhance prospects for sustainability of the regulator, critical success factors, namely mandate, institutional form, financing model and reporting mechanisms should clearly be defined. The insights from Zimbabwe are relevant for other sub-Saharan African countries, which aim to increase prospects for achieving SDG 6 targets. • A minority of countries in sub-Saharan Africa have established water regulators. • Established regulators are 'first generation' as they exclusively focused on water supply and sanitation. • To achieve SDG 6, 'second generation' regulators are required. • The most appropriate mandate and functions, institutional form and financing model should be specified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper looks at a viable response to failed privatisation in Dar es Salaam in the wake of aborted privatisation in 2005. The city's experience highlights the inherent failings and the implicit assumptions that are central to the privatisation model. Set against an illustration of the global political economy of water supply privatisation as well as the specific political economy of that in Dar es Salaam, the paper reviews the evidence base for an alternative mechanism for strengthening water supply governance, the public-public partnership (PuP), through which technical and managerial expertise is mobilised among public and not-for-profit providers. This model is observed in Dar es Salaam at different scales, from CBOs and mitaa at the local level, to a contract arrangement between asset holder (DAWASA) and operator (DAWASCO), up to international partnerships with other public water utilities, governments, and NGOs. At these scales, PuPs have been able to channel investment in pro-poor access, knowledge exchange and capacity development, and to build public trust. Despite gains, issues such as the predominance of commercial normativity remained and undermined some of the core principles of PuPs. In 2018, the PuP contract was ended, and national policy once again targets private sector expansion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-energy laser beams have a powerful ability to induce rock fragmentation, but there is still a lack of suitable calculation methods to quantitatively predict the laser-induced rock cutting slit depth. This work aims to provide a new predictive model for the quantitative determination of the laser rock cutting slit depth. In this paper, based on the energy consumption model of laser-induced rock breaking, the prediction model of laser cutting slit depth is creatively established by comprehensively considering the factors affecting laser cutting slit depth, such as laser power, moving speed, and spot radius. Then, relying on the three kinds of rocks exposed in the second phase of the Xinjiang water supply project, which is the longest water conservancy tunnel in the world, the prediction model is verified by laboratory tests, and the variation rules of slit depth, width and specific energy with laser parameters are explored. The results show that the slit depth of laser rock cutting is directly proportional to the laser power and inversely proportional to the moving speed and the defocusing amount. The prediction error for cutting slit depth of the model is less than 10% for palimpsest alkali feldspar granite, and less than 15% for granitic shallow granulite and siliceous schist. Under the same laser condition, the cutting slit depth of siliceous schist is about 25% larger than that of the other two kinds of rocks for its high content of plagioclase. The prediction model and experimental rules proposed in this paper are expected to further promote the application of laser cutting technology in the field of auxiliary TBM rock breaking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Most of China still faces notable water poverty with obvious spatial variations. • Unconventional water use does not always have a positive impact on water poverty. • The impact shows an inverted U-shaped tendency as per capita GDP increases. • Sustainable water management plans should be tailored to local economy. Unconventional water serves as a bridge to water sustainability. However, many developing nations still have a long way to go in terms of unconventional water utilization. Different regional characteristics lead to different consumption capacities for unconventional water. Consequently, more unconventional water use (UWU) may not necessarily be positive for alleviating water poverty. However, there is a significant research gap in this field. This paper aims to answer three key questions: "Whether UWU consistently alleviates water poverty?" "Is this effect spatially heterogeneous?" and "What role do economic factors play in addressing water poverty?" For that, this paper focused on 30 provinces in China, with the sample period spanning from 2006 to 2021. To identify the mechanisms through which UWU alleviates water poverty, this paper employed a panel fixed-effects model using the Water Poverty Index (WPI) as the dependent variable and the square of UWU amount as an independent variable. The results indicate a non-linear impact of UWU on WPI, with the significance of impact influenced by GDP per capita (PGDP). Furthermore, threshold regressions were conducted with PGDP as the threshold variable. The results revealed a double-threshold effect of PGDP in the impact of UWU on WPI, displaying "U" or inverted "U" shape as PGDP develops: When PGDP is less than or equal to RMB 13,574, UWU demonstrates a negative effect on WPI; when PGDP ranges from RMB 13,574 to RMB 53,653, the effect turns positive; however, when PGDP exceeds RMB 53,653, the effect turns back to negative. The findings confirm that more UWU is not always better. Sustainable utilization plans of water resources must be tailored to local conditions, especially considering the unique characteristics of the regional economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to effectively study the regional soil and water ecological environment and its ecological restoration in China's key ecological protection regions. This paper discusses the ecological problems of soil and water resources from the two research fields of vegetation degradation and soil erosion, and analyzes the causes and effects of ecological restoration measures in recent years. Then, the collected data and the SWAT model were used to study the ecological restoration performance of water and soil resources and the coupling degree of land resource utilization rate and water and soil resources from four aspects, respectively water resource quantity, water resource development utilization rate, land resource utilization rate and coupling degree of water and soil resources. This paper analyzes the coordinated relationship between regional economic development and ecological environment through coupling analysis method, evaluates the level of regional coordinated development at the same time, and puts forward the coupling index of regional coordinated development between regional economy and ecological environment. From 2009 to 2019, the index in Tianshui, Longnan, Baoji and Hanzhong showed a trend of first increasing, then decreasing and then increasing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Independent cooling performance and system economy of A-CAES systems were studied. • Three A-CAES systems were proposed for chilled water, cold air, and hybrid supply. • Improved cooling capacity can reach 20.33, 40.05, and 45.05GJ in cooling season. • A-CAES hybrid system was the optimum system for cooling supply. The adiabatic compressed air energy storage (A-CAES) system can realize the triple supply of cooling, heat, and electricity output. With the aim of maximizing the cooling generation and electricity production with seasonal variations, this paper proposed three advanced A-CAES refrigeration systems characterized by chilled water supply, cold air supply, and hybrid supply systems, respectively. Corresponding system models were established with a storage capacity of 5000 m3 and an operating pressure range of 4.6–10 MPa. After validating the simulation model with literature data, a parametric study and following economy analysis were conducted in different seasons. The optimal expansion unit configurations of the three systems were confirmed based on their cooling and electricity production under different configurations. Results showed that the maximum cooling capacity of the three systems under optimal configurations are 20.33GJ, 40.05GJ, and 45.05GJ, which can supply 100, 197, and 213 households, respectively. The enhanced cooling capacity of the three systems indicated promising alternatives for refrigeration equipment in the residential area, reducing investment and peak power consumption simultaneously. In addition, the static payback periods of the three systems presented in this study are 21.45 years, 11.88 years, and 16.50 years, respectively. The expansion unit configuration of the hybrid cooling system was confirmed to be the most suitable configuration for cooling maximization. This study can provide a reference for the system design integrated with A-CAES technology for cooling supply and cost savings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrial symbiosis (IS) involves sharing waste, by-products, heat, and logistics streams. Participating entities are benefitted by reducing resource utilization and waste disposal cost, improving reuse, and creating job opportunities. Hence, countries have used it to ensure clean and sustainable economic growth. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has initiated a few IS-related approaches that focus mainly on the power sector. However, the role of IS in Saudi industries is still limited, and there is significant potential for the enhancement of the major sectors, including oil and gas, petrochemicals, iron and steel, power generation, desalination, cement, and paper and pulp industries. This study investigated 11 successful IS cases and proposed a symbiotic exchange framework. A roadmap for IS implementation is also developed by considering the enablers and the barriers and by outlining the framework, initial steps, and policy levels. However, to deploy IS activities in KSA, technological, economic, and regulatory obstacles must be overcome and the enablers should be enhanced to conserve resources, reduce environmental impacts, and improve social well-being. The future studies should focus on unique challenges of the Kingdom including availability of energy resources at low price, dependency on fossil-fuels, dispersed development, limited availability of water resources, and limited R&D focus on IS. • Saudi industries have been growing but the role of industrial symbiosis is limited. • Petroleum, utility, and metal industries have potential for symbiotic exchanges. • A roadmap for industrial symbiosis implementation is proposed. • Significant barriers and enablers are identified. • Obstacles include petroleum dependence, dispersed development, and little research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper introduces a transformer-based deep reinforcement learning (T-DRL) approach designed to address the multiobjective multihydropower reservoir operation optimization (MMROO) problem. Unlike existing literature that primarily focuses on maximizing power generation from individual reservoirs, the MMROO model in this study considers the broader context of multiple reservoirs, encompassing total power generation, ecological protection, and residential area water supply. The computational challenges posed by the numerous constraints and nonlinearities of multiple reservoirs render conventional multiobjective evolutionary algorithms both expensive and lacking in generalization capabilities for solving the MMROO problem. To overcome these challenges, the paper proposes a T-DRL approach that leverages the multihead attention mechanism within the encoder module to adeptly extract complex information from reservoirs and residential areas. The two-stage encoder effectively processes diverse information separately. The multireservoir network of the decoder then generates optimal decisions based on contextual information. The case study focusing on Lake Mead and Lake Powell in the Colorado River Basin demonstrates the efficacy of the T-DRL approach, producing operation strategies that outperform a state-of-the-art method. Specifically, the proposed approach yields a 10.11% increase in electricity generation, a 39.69% reduction in amended annual proportional flow deviation, and a 4.10% rise in water supply revenue. Overall, the T-DRL approach emerges as an effective method for the multiobjective operation of multihydropower reservoir systems. • A multiobjective multihydropower reservoir operation problem is addressed. • A T-DRL method is proposed to deal with the multiobjective optimization. • The T-DRL method outperforms current methods in the quality of the obtained PFs. • The proposed strategies obtain more electricity and water supply revenue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A model for multi-objective optimization operation of multiple water sources under uncertainties was proposed. • Uncertainties in inflow and water demand forecasts can be considered simultaneously, and the correlation between uncertainties can be considered quantitatively. • The impact of inflow-water demand forecast uncertainties and their correlations on water resource operations are explored for water resources managers. Uncertainties in inflow and water demand forecasts bring risks to water resources management. Therefore, the research on multi-objective optimization operation of multiple water sources under uncertainties holds critical research significance and application value. This paper proposes a model for the multi-objective optimization operation of multiple water sources that can consider the inflow and water demand forecast dual uncertainties. In handling uncertainties, this paper adopts a scenario generation method based on joint distribution-Monte Carlo (JDMC), which allows for a quantitative consideration of the correlation between uncertainties. Moreover, the variable weight method and LINGO 20.0 are employed for solving multi-objective optimization issues to obtain stable Pareto frontiers. The proposed model is applied to the water receiving area inside Jiangsu Province of the South-to-North Water Transfer East Route Project (SNWTERP) in China. The main findings are as follows: 1) The impact of the inflow and water demand forecast uncertainties on the operation results is synergistic rather than antagonistic. Considering only a single uncertainty may result in water receiving area facing more severe water shortages or purchasing spot water at high prices. 2) There is a strong spatial correlation between uncertainties. If we ignore or only qualitatively consider the correlation between uncertainties, the impact of uncertainties on operation results will be underestimated or overestimated. 3) The Pareto frontiers are convex functions, indicating that decision-makers should choose a solution in the middle part. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The CBSS for the first time is proposed to locate multiple leaks. • In the CBSS model, the LS cost function is established using multiple decorrelation. • The feasibility of the CBSS to locate multiple leaks is analyzed. • The effectiveness of the method is verified from simulations and experiments. • The effect of the leak locations and the noise on the algorithm is investigated. In acoustic-based methods for water pipeline leak localization, there are few studies on complex multi-leak localization since these sources mix with and affect each other during propagation. In this paper, a novel multi-leak localization method based on the convolutional blind source separation (CBSS) algorithm is proposed, in which the time delays are estimated by the quadrature filter of the demixing matrix or the cross-correlation function between the separated signals and the measured signals, and then the leakage locations are found by linear localization formula. In theory, this paper analyzes the basic principle of the algorithm for locating multiple leaks. In simulation results, the algorithm's feasibility is verified. In addition, it is obtained that the location distribution of the leakage sources will affect the location of the peak of the delay, and that strong noise will reduce the applicability of the algorithm. In prototype experiments, the algorithm is verified to locate the leaks effectively. This paper is the first to apply CBSS to multi-leakage localization, providing a feasible solution to this complex problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes the impact of water and emission limitations on expansion planning of thermal power plants (TPPs), in Iran. TPPs need considerable amount of water for their cooling system. In Iran, water crisis of recent years has made it impossible to operate existing steam power plants in some areas, during summer season. This paper considers water availability and cost in generation expansion planning (GEP) of Iran. There are different types of water resources such as rivers, dams, treated wastewater, seawater, seawater transmission line, saline groundwater, and groundwater. Considering available capacity of water resources in each area and sorting their extraction cost in ascending order, some water consumption cost curves are derived. For this purpose, data of about 200 water resources located in different regions of Iran are analyzed. Provided GEP model includes a 15-years planning horizon and analyzes several scenarios of water availability. Although, in low water price scenarios, air temperature and height above sea level have more impact on placement of TPPs, it is different for high water price scenarios. Also, the effect of emission-related policies on GEP decisions is analyzed by considering various fuel types of TPPs, penalties for emissions, and global restrictions on greenhouse gas production. • Proposes an optimization model for generation expansion planning (GEP) that considers environmental constraints. • Analyzes the availability and price of different water resources in Iran and their effects on GEP decisions. • Examines the impact of temperature and height above sea level, on the siting of thermal power plants in Iran. • Considers decarbonization policies in the expansion planning of power plants in Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Paper explores the local state, a framework to connect analyses of state, market and civil society in communities below the national level. • The local state concept is employed here to assess climate change adaptation (CCA), focusing on a case study of water resources in Tucson, AZ. • The Tucson case examines rainwater harvesting and the role of the water industry, local government organizations and civil society groups. • Barriers to CCA can be explained in the context of pre-existing policies and the complex dynamics of the local state. As climate change becomes a more obvious existential threat to many communities, sharper tools are needed to analyze policymaking and especially the variations in effective adaptive planning. While policy creation, preparedness and disaster management are essentially local activities, much analysis simply focuses on cities and overlooks robust tools to understand what happens within communities of all types. This paper explores the local state, an analytical framework which can connect our understanding of state, market and civil society within communities below the level of the nation state. The local state concept is resurgent within the academic literature and this paper shows the potential of this analysis, drawing on empirical examples of climate change adaptation from Tucson AZ and New Orleans, coupled with broader discussion from several countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water, energy and food (WEF) are experiencing significant stress due to an increase in their demand and scarcity, and this situation will worsen in the coming years. For this reason, this paper proposes a WEF nexus index, which consists of 6 indicators of availability and accessibility to measure water, energy and food security. The proposed methodology, based on indicators and a scoring system, allows decision-makers to evaluate the nexus security and implement actions to achieve the sustainability of the three resources by 2050. Models based on deep learning are developed for the projection of the production and consumption of resources for the case study of Mexico. The Long Short-Term Memory and Gated Recurrent Unit networks are considered. Projections for 2050 resulted in water consumption of 121,679 hm3, electricity generation of 772,486 GWh and electricity consumption of 932,764 GWh, while food production will reach 351,802,080 tons. This represents an increase of 51.7% in water consumption, 180.33% in electricity generation, 254.54% in electricity demand and 103.05% in food production, compared to 2010. The WEF nexus index has an upward trend because the accessibility of water and energy will increase by 2050, but their availability will decrease; the opposite is the case in the food sector, where availability will increase and access will decrease. [Display omitted] • Deep learning models were developed for water, energy and food resource forecasting. • An index was developed with 6 indicators of resource availability and accessibility. • A case study from Mexico was addressed. • The predicted data were used in the WEF nexus security assessment towards 2050. • Water and energy availability decrease, while accessibility increases by 2050. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Persistent challenges in dealing with water management problems arise from complex interdependencies of diverse water uses. Water-related crises, such as prolonged droughts or extreme floods, may have severe impacts across scales and in different sectors. At the same time, numerous, largely independent decisions in different sectors affecting water resources and water-dependent ecosystems introduce further uncertainties. Conceptual consideration and empirical evidence suggest that polycentric governance systems have a high capacity to deal with such challenges. Polycentric governance systems combine decentralization of authority and decision-making with some kind of coordination of the different (semi-)autonomous governance units. However, the nature of and pathways towards polycentric governance are still quite poorly understood. This paper analyses requirements (1) for governance systems to become polycentric and (2) for such systems to effectively tackle water management challenges. The analyses are based on a data set of 26 cases from developed and less developed countries. Results from Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) confirm the hypothesis that polycentric governance systems are characterized by high performance in supporting effective coordination. Fragmented as well as centralized, not coordinated (rent-seeking) regimes show poor performance. The QCA analyses highlight further the importance of high institutional capacity for the effectiveness of formal coordination instruments. Results show as well a strong interdependence between vertical coordination and horizontal coordination. The results from QCA analyses are substantiated with findings from in-depth studies of selected cases from the larger data set. • Comparative case study analyses combining QCA and in depth analyses. • Polycentric governance systems are essential for dealing with complex cross-sectoral coordination challenges in water management. • Horizontal and vertical coordination are interdependent. • Institutional capacity is a requirement for implementation and effectiveness of formal coordination instruments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability of Bayesian networks (BNs) to model complex systems and uncertainties makes it a perfect tool for the research on subfields related to climate change. In fact, in the past 30 years, BNs have been widely used in this field, with 1502 articles in total. Quantitatively understanding influential researchers, institutions, mainstream topics and research trends will help us quickly go deeper into this field. Thus, a scientometric method was conducted. In this paper, we identified the influential authors, journals, countries, institutions, topics and disciplines, key articles and research trends by collaboration network analysis, keyword co-occurrence network and document co-citation network analysis. As a result, we found that environmental sciences technology and water resources were the most popular research subfields, followed by energy fuels and meteorological atmospheric sciences. While as time goes on, research focuses have gradually shifted. Public environmental occupational health will become one of the most popular research subfields in the future. • We review papers of Bayesian networks in the subfields of climate change. • Influential journals, institutions, landmark papers, citation bursts are identified. • Recent topics focus on environmental sciences technology. • Public environmental occupational health will become new hot issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural microgrid propounds a tailored and cost-effective platform for multi-energy supply in rural areas but also faces the challenge of supply outages because of the fragile grid structure. This paper proposes an electricity–heat–water based multi-energy hub (EHWbMEH) to enhance the resilience of agricultural microgrid, with the objectives of minimization of operation cost and maximization of resilience. To this end, the stochastic characteristics and coupling relationship of photovoltaic and solar thermal outputs are first investigated by introducing expected power not served and expected power curtailment. Subsequently, the EHWbMEH consisting of energy conversion, storage, and distribution devices is developed to ensure the resilience of the agricultural microgrid during supply outages. On this basis, a multi-objective resilience-economic operation model for EHWbMEH considering irradiation intensity uncertainty is presented, and the Pareto frontier is derived by applying the multiple preys based evolutionary predator and prey strategy. According to the simulation results, when the electricity, heat, and water supply are interrupted, the total operation cost of the optimal trade-off solution is $3740.141, while the electricity, heat, and water load resilience can reach 63.37%, 84.72%, and 80.55%, respectively. Case studies demonstrate the effectiveness and performance of the proposed method. • The concept of electricity–heat–water based multi-energy hub is proposed for agricultural microgrid. • The paper highlights the EHWbMEH's objectives of minimizing operation costs and maximizing resilience in rural areas. • The paper investigates stochastic characteristics and coupling relationship of photovoltaic and solar thermal system. • The paper develops a multi-objective optimization to balance resilience and cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the water supply network system, the placement of pressure sensors is crucial to the optimization of the monitoring effect of the system running condition. Most of the existing studies select the placement of sensors according to the hydraulic state of the water distribution network, but do not fully consider and analyze the connectivity between nodes and the topology of the water distribution network. Aiming at the shortcomings of the existing pressure monitoring point layout methods, this paper proposes a pressure sensor layout method based on the Embedding Graph Autoencoder (EGAE) clustering method. Firstly, the EGAE deep clustering algorithm is used to cluster the network nodes based on the topology structure and hydraulic characteristics of the network. According to the clustering results, the network nodes are divided into different regions. Then, by calculating the correlation between nodes in the region, the representative nodes of each region are selected and set as sensor layout nodes. By comparing and analyzing the performance of experiments with other schemes, the results show that the EGAE deep clustering network can effectively integrate the topological structure characteristics and hydraulic characteristics of the water distribution network. The sensor nodes laid out in the scheme proposed in this paper can effectively carry out accurate leakage positioning in subsequent positioning models, and have higher leakage pipe segment identification accuracy and smaller precise positioning errors compared with other schemes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Water diplomacy is multi-track with informal tracks involving foreign affairs and security actors • Informal water diplomacy has a role to inform and share knowledge on shared rivers • Informal water diplomacy can extend beyond the geographical scope of the river • The efficacy of water diplomacy is related to the political economy of water Water diplomacy is regarded as a means to prevent conflict and to enhance peace through the cooperative management of transboundary water resources. There have been calls for water diplomacy to be given further attention, especially by foreign policy and security specialists, and to be extended to non-state actors through informal dialogue processes. The paper critically questions the qualitative changes water diplomacy delivers and argues for further analytical scrutiny on its efficacy. Using a critical hydropolitics perspective, the paper advances understanding of the way power asymmetries presiding over contested waters are altered or maintained, particularly through informal diplomacy. To exemplify, the paper uses Track 2 diplomacy or an informal dialogue process between non-state actors. Drawing on the case study of the Track 2 process by the Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia Pacific, the paper examines how foreign affairs experts deliberated water security in the Mekong river basin in the face of rapid dam development. The analysis demonstrates that information was forwarded to officials within the ministry of foreign affairs and created alternative knowledge channels, differentiated from networks of water and environmental ministries. Informal diplomacy also enabled downstream states, usually considered to have less influence on issues of water allocation, to exercise power in agenda-setting and influencing the debate. However, flows of finance around dam development within the region made it difficult for informal diplomacy to provide alternatives to existing transboundary water arrangements such that it changes power relations manifested in formal diplomacy. The paper suggests attentive analysis on the links between state and non-state actors through informal diplomacy and the nuanced way resources and networks are mobilised to control water resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Climate adaptation policy in a large river basin is explored. • Empirical study of science and policy interactions during actual reforms. • Interviews with senior research policy professionals reveal dynamics of policy formulation. • Proposes legally prescribed procedures for utilising science in environmental policy formulation. Climate change has many disruptive consequences, particularly in large river basins experiencing drying trends and declining water availability. With pressure for more adaptive policies, understanding how institutions governing water are adapting to climate risks has broad international relevance. This paper examines the challenges of climate risk assessments in Australia's Murray Darling Basin, an economically and culturally important basin where national legislation mandates a Basin Plan based on the best available science. However, despite repeated scientific warnings about a drying climate, the current Basin Plan does not reduce estimates of water resources available, and its climate risk management relies on a bricolage of policy mechanisms, which appear insufficient for the magnitude of predicted changes. This paper outlines the findings of original research exploring why this occurred. It draws on interviews with 30 senior public policy professionals and researchers with deep experience in climate and water policy. The interview data indicate that minimising political risks were the principal reasons for abandoning proposed reductions in entitlements and for relying on historical averages for estimating water availability. As the reform process evolved, decisions about water-planning techniques became increasingly politicised, and the adoption of explicit climate adaptation measures became problematic. As a result, the Basin Plan neither reflects the broad scientific consensus about climate change nor makes specific allowances for declining water availability. Climate risks are downplayed while concerns about levels of scientific uncertainties appear overstated. Importantly, lessons emerge from this examination that could contribute to the revisions of the Plan, scheduled for 2026. More generally, the research finds that proactive climate adaptation policies for large river basins require sustained and well-designed institutional reforms, particularly the adoption of legally prescribed procedures for utilising science - and accounting for its use - in controversial environmental reforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For isolated islands and remote coastal and offshore areas, a multi-generation system based on ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) is one promising solution for electricity and water supply since it can exploit seawater resource and ocean thermal energy (OTE) simultaneously. In order to further improve the energy utilization efficiency, this paper proposes a novel combined cooling, desalination and power (CCDP) system consisting of open-OTEC cycle, dual-Kalina cycle, ejector refrigeration cycle (ERC) and reverse osmosis (RO) desalination. The integration of RO with OTEC can produce fresh water efficiently. A dual-pressure parallel Kalina cycle is introduced to utilize the ocean thermal energy in a stepwise manner. The adoption of an ejector can improve the power output. In addition, ERC is used to recover the exhausted heat from the turbine of the Kalina cycle. A detailed mathematical model is established, and a comparison with the stand-alone Kalina system under the same heat source conditions proves that the proposed CCDP system is more advantageous in terms of net power output, thermal efficiency and exergy efficiency. A parametric analysis is carried out with an emphasis on the effects of key parameters on the thermodynamic and exergoeconomic performance. Finally, a multi-objective optimization is executed based on non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-II (NSGA-II). For the ammonia concentration of the basic solution, with the terminal temperature difference of vapor generator 2 and heat exchanger within the investigated range, there exist optimum values which can maximize the thermal and exergy efficiency and minimize SUCP simultaneously. Meanwhile, for the other five parameters, namely generation pressure 1 and 2, flash pressure1, the terminal temperature difference of vapor generator 1 and the evaporation temperature, there are trade-offs among the three performance indicators. The results suggest that the thermal efficiency (49.32%), exergy efficiency (50.08%) and SUCP (215.37 $/GJ) of the preferred optimal solution are improved by 7.43%, 9.87%, and 12.12%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrial water supply networks can use multiple water resources (i.e., municipal water, surface water, municipal treated wastewater, groundwater, and seawater) with their respective pre-treatment technologies to meet the industrial water demand. The water quality of each water resource varies, and the associated pre-treatment technologies provide different technical and economic efficiencies that directly impact the overall cost of the water supply network. This paper proposed a superstructure-based mathematical modeling optimization to design the multi-resources industrial water supply network with optimal pre-treatment technologies. The established model includes the relative equations among different pre-treatment units and water sinks, flow rate constraints, property constraints, logic constraints, and cost constraints. These constraints are used to describe water treatment technologies selection through general disjunctive programming (GDP) and transform them into a mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) model for the problem solution. The minimum annualized cost of the water supply network is taken as an objective function. The optimization and comparison analysis of the coastal oil refinery water supply system is illustrated. The results show that an integrated water supply network of surface water and municipal treated wastewater has the lowest annualized cost of 12.3 million CNY/y. The cost is reduced by 7.44 million CNY/y compared to municipal water as the single water resource. This integrated water supply network saves freshwater resources, provides substantial economic gains, and encourages municipal treated wastewater reuse. • Industrial water supply network with multiple water resources is proposed. • General disjunctive programming is used for optimal selection of pretreatment techniques. • Total annualized cost reduction is achieved for coastal oil refinery. • Sustainable water supply system with non-conventional water resources is developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reliable supply of electricity and freshwater is linked to the living quality of local residents in remote islands. A renewable driven standalone combined power and water supply system with cascade electricity and heat storage is proposed in this paper. The hybrid wind-solar power system acts as the energy source and the humidification dehumidification (HDH) desalination is employed for freshwater production. The underwater compressed air energy storage (UW-CAES) is introduced to smooth the renewable fluctuations, whereas the heat storage system for heat addition purpose of HDH desalination is utilized to reduce dumped power during UW-CAES charging. The simulated results show that the suggested system can satisfy electricity and freshwater demand well. The lower loss of power supply probability (LPSP) or loss of water supply probability (LWSP) requires larger renewable installed capacity. At same threshold situation, the renewable configuration of LWSP is larger than that of LPSP. The performance comparison among different system structures implies that this system has lower renewable configuration and total dumped energy. Moreover, the coefficient of performance of heat pump (COP), the heat storage system capacity, the basic freshwater demand, the flexible energy bag volume and the humidifier seawater inlet temperature have obvious effect on system performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low carbon technologies along with smart control have a role in residential demand side response (DSR) to shift the timing of household energy consumption away from peak times and align it with generation of renewable electricity. This paper empirically evaluates the impact of DSR trials on grid electricity import and resident experience regarding disruption to daily routines, thermal comfort and noise disturbance in 17 thermally efficient social housing dwellings (Barnsley, England). Four types of DSR trials were run through 22 interventions performed in March to April 2021. Each dwelling was equipped with a 5 kWh electro-chemical battery and air source heat pump, and all but one dwelling had solar photovoltaic (PV) panels (1.3–3.0 kWp). Interventions were applied against a flat (single) rate tariff as well as dynamic time-of-use tariffs. On average, secure turn-down interventions between 5 and 7 p.m. resulted in a reduction in grid electricity import of 1.2 kWh per household and a reduction in controllable load (heat pump plus battery energy) of 3.7 kWh per household. The batteries enabled 2.5 kWh per household of electricity to be exported to the grid for these interventions. On average, turn-up interventions between 1 and 3 p.m. resulted in an increase of 2.3 kWh per household in grid electricity import. Individual dwellings showed different levels of demand response depending on the levels and patterns of household electricity consumption. The resident experience was evaluated by means of a series of telephone surveys. Householders were generally accepting of the trials in terms of changes in indoor temperature, hot water availability, noise disturbance and disruption to household routines. However, some general concerns were raised about the energy systems relating to indoor temperature, hot water temperature and energy costs. The general acceptability of automated DSR, conditional on thermal comfort limits and manual override, is promising for the wider application of residential DSR driven by price signals, although ongoing household engagement in DSR schemes will require a continued focus on the householder experience with training and support in using new technologies. A routine period of inspection should be employed to identify any issues with energy system issues ahead of DSR initiation. • Empirical evaluation of residential demand response trials. • Homes equipped with heat pumps, solar photovoltaic panels and batteries. • General householder acceptance of demand response under automated smart control. • System issues can be a potential barrier to residential demand response. • Engagement requires continued focus on householder experience, training and support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A revised temperature model is built to study the thermal stratification. • The reservoir has a reverse thermal stratification and two overturning in a year. • Low water level can weaken the stability and lengthen the spring overturning. • High inflow volume can strength the stability and defer the spring overturning. Thermal structure plays a significant role in the aquatic ecosystem of reservoirs. In this paper, thermal structure of a large reservoir for water supply in northeast China has been studied. Considering the reservoir has a 150 days icebound period and the ice cover can affect the heat transfer process, we built a revised numerical simulation model based on EFDC to study the temporal and spatial variation of thermal stratification. The absolute mean error (AME) and mean absolute relative error (MARE) between modeled and observed water temperature are 0.40 °C and 7.15%, respectively. The results indicate that the validated model can successfully reproduce the temporal and spatial variation of water temperature. The model results indicate that the reservoir has a reverse thermal stratification in icebound season and there are two over-turning events in a year. Six hypothetical scenarios including the extreme change in the air temperature, inflow discharge, and the water level had been built to quantify the influences of changes in climate and hydrology conditions on the thermal structure. This paper provides a simplified method for the simulation of the water temperature in the reservoir with an icebound season, which can provide a reference for other reservoirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We decompose changes in industrial water demand in Scotland between 2012 and 2016. • Changes in sectoral water intensity a key factor explaining fall in water demand. • Role of electricity generation policies aimed at encouraging renewables important. • Future changes in water availability, demand and technologies important to examine. Future climate scenarios predict significant changes in the availability of water resources at global and regional scales. Knowledge of the possible economic consequences of this are limited by a shortage of data linking economic activity with physical water use. Matching a unique premise-level dataset to economic indicators at industrial/sector level, this paper undertakes a decomposition of changes in industrial water demand for Scotland between 2012 and 2016. Results highlight the importance of taking a sectoral approach, as changes in sectoral water intensity are significant. Furthermore, changes in the structure of the economy, i.e. a move away from water-intensive industries, highlight further reductions in overall water consumption. By considering future scenarios for Scottish water resources, this paper identifies key multi-disciplinary research challenges to address the major obstacles in developing a climate-ready water policy, which also captures the potential economic opportunities for Scotland from an awareness of the role of water in the economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• State control and marketisation in Chinese water governance are complementary rather than contradictory. • China's water reform mirrors its overall economic reform taking an experimental approach. • The state/market dichotomisation has little power to explain complexity of water governance. • Attention to the 'both-and' hybridisation helps better understand the roles of state and market in water governance. • Hybridisation of water governance takes diverse forms shaped by their particular political economies. State/market interactions in water governance have long been interpreted in terms of the contradiction between water as a commons and water as a commodity. Recent challenges to this dichotomisation claim that it cannot provide a useful lens through which to interpret the complexity of water resources and their management. This paper provides evidence from China to show that a dichotomous interpretation of state/market interactions has little power to explain the formulation and evolution of water governance regimes. Through an analysis of China's water policy development over the 1998–2018 period, the paper outlines how state control and marketisation are complementary rather than contradictory, collectively contributing to a governance regime that serves broader political and economic goals as much as water management ones. We argue that better understanding of the roles of state and market in water governance requires moving beyond an 'either-or' point of departure, and paying greater attention to the 'both-and' hybridisation increasingly observed in water management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Argues for unpacking of networked infrastructure to access multiple materialities and associated institutions. • Explains interactions and interdependencies between the material aspects, institutions and human agency. • Demystifies the technicalities of networked water infrastructure. • Reveals the role of engineers, planners and network operators in shaping water flows in cities. • Equips advocates of equitable flows to critically engage with technicalities of networked development and operations. Urban scholars striving for equitable distribution of resources have increasingly started paying attention towards a networked infrastructure, as it materialises inequity and shapes the socio-spatial pattern of a city. The paper advances the socio-technical understanding of networked water infrastructure by proposing a framework of unpacking that analytically disaggregates the network to various elements (pipes, pumps, valves etc.) and facilitates an investigation of multiple materialities of the network at a spatial and a temporal scale. The unpacking explains how differentiated water supply provisions are produced within a centralised water supply system of the city by explicitly focusing on materialities of network elements and associated institutions, such as norms, standards, design principles, regulations, standard operating procedures and practices that shape development and use of the networked water infrastructure during planning, designing and implementation and everyday practices of operation and maintenance. The paper applies this framework to the water distribution network of Lilongwe, Malawi to explain what is doable in the network and for whom , revealing engineering practices, inscribing and sustaining discriminatory provisions in the network. I believe this understanding is useful to critically engage with the technical of the networked water infrastructure, particularly for those advocating equitable flows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomass is a promising resource in Malaysia for energy, fuels, and high value-added products. However, regards to biomass value chains, the numerous restrictions and challenges related to the economic and environmental features must be considered. The major concerns regarding the enlargement of biomass plantation is that it requires large amounts of land and environmental resources such as water and soil that arises the danger of creating severe damages to the ecosystem (e.g. deforestation, water pollution, soil depletion etc.). Regarded concerns can be diminished when all aspects associated with palm biomass conversion and utilization linked with environment, food, energy and water (EFEW) nexus to meet the standard requirement and to consider the potential impact on the nexus as a whole. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the detail interactions between all the components in the nexus once intended to look for the best solution to exploit the great potential of biomass. This paper offers an overview regarding the present potential biomass availability for energy production, technology readiness, feasibility study on the techno-economic analyses of the biomass utilization and the impact of this nexus on value chains. The agro-biomass resources potential and land suitability for different crops has been overviewed using satellite imageries and the outcomes of the nexus interactions should be incorporated in developmental policies on biomass. The paper finally discussed an insight of digitization of the agriculture industry as future strategy to modernize agriculture in Malaysia. Hence, this paper provides holistic overview of biomass competitiveness for sustainable bio-economy in Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • The concept of inclusion measure for HFLTS is defined. • The relationships among distance measure, similarity measure, entropy measure, inclusion measure of HFLTS are discussed. • The clustering algorithms based on correlation measure and distance measure are proposed. • The clustering algorithms are applied to an example concerning water resource bearing capacity. Abstract Recently, the Hesitant Fuzzy Linguistic Term Sets (HFLTSs) have been widely used to address cognitive complex linguistic information because of its advantage in representing vagueness and hesitation in qualitative decision-making process. Information measures, including distance measure, similarity measure, entropy measure, inclusion measure and correlation measure, are used to characterize the relationships between linguistic elements. Many decision-making theories are based on information measures. Up to now, distance, similarity, entropy and correlation measures have been proposed by scholars but there is no paper focuses on inclusion measure. This paper dedicates to filling this gap and the inclusion measure between HFLTSs are proposed. We discuss the relationships among distance, similarity, inclusion and entropy measures of HFLTSs. Given that clustering algorithm is an important application of information measures but there are few papers related to clustering algorithm based on information measures in the environment of HFLTS, in this paper, we propose two clustering algorithms based on correlation measure and distance measure, respectively. After that, a case study concerning water resource bearing capacity is illustrated to verify the applicability of the proposed clustering algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Numerous science and policy debates occur over efficient aquifer protection measures. • This paper formulates a basin scale hydroeconomic optimization framework. • Its application is to North America's Middle Rio Grande Basin. • It discovers least cost aquifer protection measures for handling climate water stress. • Results are presented showing the marginal and total cost of aquifer protection. Where surface and groundwater are managed conjunctively, the stress on water supplies from climate change can significantly influence water use patterns as well as the economic value and sustainability of those uses. However, aquifer protection can be an expensive proposition because water uses that currently rely on aquifer pumping may produce considerable economic value that would be lost if protection measures are carried out. Evidence from climate-stressed regions has attracted research addressing the costs and benefits of aquifer protection plans. Despite these efforts, few peer-reviewed papers have examined water use patterns that minimize the economic costs of aquifer protection. This work presents an original approach to address that gap by developing and applying a basin scale hydroeconomic optimization model of North America's Middle Rio Grande Basin to explore impacts of new policies not yet implemented supporting aquifer protection. It also gives model access to readers or stakeholders to experiment with their own scenarios to assess impacts of alternative aquifer protection plans. The model accounts for surface and groundwater storage, irrigation, urban, environmental, and recreational demands, surface water inflows under various climate scenarios, groundwater pumping and recharge, substitute water prices, crop water use, evaporation, as well as institutional constraints governing water use. The objective is implemented by finding the optimized discounted net present value of economic benefits summed over uses, sectors, and regions from use of surface water and connected aquifers. Results are shown for each of six water supply scenarios, two substitute water prices, and two system operation rules. To address impacts of aquifer protection targets, groundwater sustainability targets are specified and enforced as constraints for each of the region's two major aquifers. We assess total and marginal cost of achieving two targeted aquifer protection levels by identifying optimized surface use and groundwater pumping for each of 24 scenarios. Results show that climate change, in the form of reduced and highly variable inflows, considerably drives up the cost of protecting aquifer sustainability, amplified by the conjunctive nature of the system. Future work points to a need to assess economic performance of various water conservation measures as well as reducing costs of substitute water through measures such as technical advance in desalination, recycling and reuse, substitution of other resources for water, better characterization of existing aquifers, and development of new groundwater supplies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A bootstrap-based algorithm is proposed for disclosing uncertainty of Budyko model. • Propagation of the parameter uncertainty to water availability assessment is derived. • There exists remarkable uncertainty in parameter w of Budyko model. • Impact of w uncertainty on Budyko output varies nonlinearly with climate. Parametric Budyko method has been widely used to assess water availability under changing environment. Its single parameter (w) controlling the shape of the Budyko curve, is of critical importance to water availability assessment (WAA). Here, the water availability is defined as the ratio of evapotranspiration to precipitation in the context of Budyko hypothesis. As an unobserved variable, w is generally estimated through incorporating the long-term water-balance model and Budyko hypothesis, i.e. estimating w as a function of precipitation, runoff, and potential evapotranspiration over a long-term time series of these variables. Inevitably, the estimated value of w is subject to uncertainty resulting from hydro-meteorological records with limited size. Further, this uncertainty affects WAA in context of Budyko hypothesis. The uncertainty and its propagation issue is often overlooked in past research. In this paper, we develop a bootstrap-based algorithm to reveal aforementioned uncertainty. Moreover, a partial derivative-based sensitivity analysis is performed for understanding the propagation of w uncertainty on WAA. Three catchments located in the Yellow River Basin, China, are used as case study sites. Results indicate that there exists remarkable uncertainty in parameter w , which varies with the data length. The impact of such uncertainty on WAA increases quickly under the humid condition, thereafter reaches a peak under the mild condition, and decreases slowly under the arid condition. The reason behind this phenomenon is the largest sensitivity of WAA to parameter w under the mild climate condition. Moreover, a general analytical expression for determining the critical value of climate condition which maximizes the impact of parameter w uncertainty on WAA is derived in this paper. Results of this study can enhance the reliability and robustness of Budyko-based models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Evaluate the comprehensive carrying capacity of water resources of 31 provinces in China. • Divides the comprehensive carrying capacity of water resources into three aspects. • Combine the classification method of system theory with pressure-state-response model. • Discuss the direct and indirect effects of different variables on the carrying capacity of water resources. There has been a series of water resource problems, such as imbalances of the water supply and demand and serious water pollution, in China. It is important for the Chinese government to formulate a sustainable development strategy for water resources and to effectively guarantee the national water resource security. This paper divides the comprehensive carrying capacity of water resources into the following three aspects: the water resource balance capacity, the water resource pressure and driving force, and the water resource development and utilization capacity. Taking 31 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions of China as research objects, the catastrophe progression method is adopted to evaluate the comprehensive carrying capacity of interprovincial water resources in China from 2010 to 2016. The direct effects and spatial spillover effects of different factors on water resources are discussed by constructing a spatial Durbin model (SDM). The results show that there are obvious spatial differences in the water resource balance ability, pressure and driving force, and development and utilization ability. The spatial distribution follows a decreasing trend from east to west and from south to north. The water supply, water demand, investment in environmental management, economic development and balance of the ecosystem have obvious direct effects on the carrying capacity of water resources. The spatial spillover effect of the water supply and demand, energy consumption, the proportion of protected areas and the newly increased areas of soil erosion control are significant and will have a strong impact on the water resource carrying capacity of surrounding areas. The conclusion of this paper can provide a reference for the government in making water resource management policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) paradigm is moving towards the so-called water resource recovery facilities in which sewage is considered a source of valuable resources. In particular, urban WWTPs are crucial systems to enhance phosphorus (P) recycling. This paper evaluates the implementation of a P-recovery system in Calahorra WWTP combining the operation of a new sludge line configuration coupled to a struvite crystallisation reactor at demonstration-scale. This new configuration consisted in the elutriation in the gravity thickener of the mixed sludge contained in the mixing chamber in order to reduce the phosphate load to the anaerobic digestion. The results indicated that the P available in the primary sludge overflow was nearly five times more than the obtained for the conventional configuration (1.88 vs. 0.39 gP/kg sludge treated), and the uncontrolled P precipitation inside the anaerobic digester was reduced by 43%. Regarding the total P entering the WWTP, 19% of the total P could be recovered with the new configuration proposed in comparison with 9% in the previous conventional configuration. The average recovery efficiency in the crystallisation plant was 86.9 ± 0.4%, yielding a struvite recovery of 8.0 ± 0.6 kg/d (0.67 ± 0.04 kg/m3 fed to the crystalliser). The potential struvite production with the new configuration would be around 41 kg/d (15 t/y) crystallising the thickener supernatant which could be increased up to around 103 kg/d (38 t/y) treating all the P-enriched streams (thickener supernatant and centrate streams). The paper demonstrates that WWTPs can contribute to reduce P scarcity, resulting in environmental and economic benefits. • The new sludge line configuration in WWTP reduces P precipitation in digesters by 43%. • About 103 kg/d (38 t/y) of struvite will be produced with the P-recovery system implemented. • 19% of the total P entering the WWTP could be recovered, contributing to reduce P scarcity. • The revenue of the recovery system implemented is about 4.74€/kg of P recovered. • The struvite obtained would fulfil the requirements for its use as fertiliser. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]