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Researchers and policymakers are seeking alternatives to oil products. Hydrogen and electricity could be the answer. This review compares both carriers and their technologies across the production chain. This study indicates electricity is more mature and advanced on a large scale. It also presents greater Energy Returns on Investment (EROI) over hydrogen, which portends a viable alternative to oil products. Hydrogen is not adaptable to traditional uses and comes with significant transportation losses, so it's recommended as an energy storage option instead of a carrier. It is a competitive option in areas where grid extension is not feasible and is hard to abate industries. The primary resource of carriers is crucial for their energy and environmental sustainability. Therefore, clean energy and carbon capture and storage technologies and their hybridization across the production chain could define the future energy landscape. • Electricity present greater maturity, energy and environmental advantages. • Hydrogen is proposed as an energy storage medium rather than a carrier. • Energy source of alternatives critical determinant of sustainability. • Renewables, nuclear energy, CCS and technology hybrids define the future of energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nicaragua is an underdeveloped Central American country of 130, 373 km 2 with a population of 6.2 million inhabitants, 90% electricity access and 672 MW of peak demand. Currently, the electricity mix is nearly 50% renewable but the entire energy system is highly dependent on fossil fuels and biomass. This work aims to show potential for a renewable transformation of the Nicaraguan energy system. With a substantial renewable energy potential (geothermal, wind, solar, etc.) and no proven reserves of oil, coal and gas, neither in Nicaragua nor in Central America, an Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) for the electric sector was developed. The potential renewable transformation of the entire electric sector would create positive technical and economic conditions to the penetration of electric mobility. The results of this work indicate that optimal integrated renewable expansion mix will require prioritize the development of geothermal (high capacity factor to meet the base load with the lowest cost), wind, hydro and biomass sources and energy-efficiency programs. Although the potential use of electrical vehicles brings positive environmental impacts, from consumers' perspective electric vehicles are not cost-effective with current oil prices and relative high prices of electric vehicles. Thus, it will be necessary national and regional public policies in order to trigger the energy mix transformation and the introduction of electric mobility. This seminal work is the base for a further detailed research and proposing a regional energy transition initiative to be extended for Central American countries with similar characteristics and interconnected by a regional network; gaining scale for regional electric mobility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This article develops an ecological economic interpretation of the Jevons effect. Moreover, it is argued that under the neoclassical paradigm there are no elements with which to foresee the long-term existence of this phenomenon. The objective of these arguments is to demonstrate that the Jevons effect can be used to compare the ability of neoclassical and ecological economics describing the social appropriation of nature. This is elaborated in two steps. First, we show the importance of the thesis that the economy cannot be cut off from the biophysical materiality of what is produced to give consistency to the so-called Khazzoom–Brookes postulate. It is made clear that this supposition is exogenous to the neoclassical paradigm. Second, the supposition of the biophysical materiality of what is produced is utilized to make an ecological economic interpretation of the Jevons effect. Afterwards, a comparison is made between the neoclassical and the ecological economic perspectives. This comparison leads to the following conclusions: (i) the persistent presence of the Jevons effect in the long run is an anomaly in the neoclassical paradigm; (ii) the observation of the non-existence of the Jevons effect is a refutation of the supposition that economic growth and biophysical materiality are not separable, a central thesis defended by ecological economists. This situation makes possible to use the Jevons effect as a ‘laboratory test’ to compare the ability of neoclassical and ecological economic paradigms to describe the social appropriation of nature. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract Despite generally having significant renewable energy potential, islands tend to depend on imported fossil fuels with volatile prices. This paper aims to provide technical inputs for reorganizing the energy planning for Ometepe Island. The result of the wind and solar resource assessments indicates wind power densities of 147 W/m2 and 178 W/m2 at elevations of 80 m and 120 m, respectively, and an irradiation level of 5.3 kWh/m2/day. The estimated wind LCOEs are significantly lower than current diesel plant operating prices. Photovoltaic systems will probably become cost-effective 15 years from now for all non-subsidized end customers. However, it would be necessary to store energy to phase out diesel generation, and analyses were conducted to determine the possibility of a pumped-storage hydro plant. The annual biogas potential was estimated as ∼550,000 Nm3, and in conjunction with electric stoves, it could be used to replace other fuels for cooking. Electric buses are an option for replacing the current diesel-run public buses, but advantageous financial conditions and reorganization of the bus schedules would be required. Also, a street lighting program was found to be cost-effective. The renewable energy transformation of the island might act as a role model for energy transition in Nicaragua. Highlights • A low-medium wind potential and a high-medium solar potential are found. • The possibility of a hydro-pumped storage plant in the island is shown. • The energy and economics aspects of a public electric mobility are analyzed. • LPG-wood/electric stoves-biogas for cooking are considered. • A street lighting retrofit is cost-effective and helps to integrate renewable sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]