Search

Conducting energy audits is pivotal in assessing industrial plant efficiency and formulating effective energy management plans. It identifies opportunities for efficient energy use, reducing costs and environmental impact. This study employs a techno-economic approach to analyze electricity cost reduction in an industrial facility. Through energy auditing, it explores economic benefits and improved energy quality, yielding favorable outcomes. Focused on a plastic derivative manufacturing plant, the study reveals critical audit findings. The main aim is to identify avenues for electric energy savings, cutting production costs, and enhancing product competitiveness. The audit involves a detailed analysis of consumption patterns, signal quality, and potential energy management strategies, culminating in a cost-cutting plan. The results of an economic assessment of the suggested energy-saving strategies, provide a comprehensive evaluation of their financial implications. It reveals significant cost reduction opportunities, estimating annual energy savings of $45,824.56, which represents a 23.68% decrease in expenses. These initiatives not only boost the plant's financial performance but also strengthen its competitive edge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT During this period of rising energy demand, scientific circles and energy stakeholders have paid close attention to electrochemical energy storage. In order to improve the functioning of charge storage systems, the BaS3:Sb2S3:LaS2 tri‐chalcogenide is produced with a diethyldithiocarbamate ligand as a chelator. The BaS3:Sb2S3:LaS2 semiconductor, which was produced sustainably, has a 3.65‐eV energy band gap and high photoactivity due to light absorption. Having heterogeneous crystalline states and a mean crystallite dimension of 17.58 nm, the resulting chalcogenide had excellent crystallinity. In addition, infrared spectroscopy was utilized to analyze metallic sulfide associations, and the results showed that they ranged from 550 to 951 cm−1. This chalcogenide expressed filiform rod‐like morphology with an abundance of the sites available for electrochemical activity. The electrochemical performance of BaS3:Sb2S3:LaS2 was assessed with a conventional three‐electrode configuration. BaS3:Sb2S3:LaS2 has been shown to have been a superior substance for electrodes for storing electricity, with a power density of 7910.18 W kg−1 with a particular capacitance of as high as 961.39 F g−1. The exceptional electrochemical performance was supported with a comparable series resistance (Rs) at 0.71 Ω. Following electrocatalysis, the electrode exhibited an OER overpotential and an equivalent Tafel slope of approximately 416 mV and 126 mV/dec, respectively. Conversely, the Tafel slope and overpotential of the HER activity were 117 mV/dec and 233 mV, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ensuring the stability of power systems is essential to promote energy sustainability. The integrated operation of these systems is critical in sustaining modern societies and economies, responding to the increasing demand for electricity and curbing environmental consequences. This study focuses on the optimization of energy system stability through the coordination of power system stabilizers (PSSs) and power oscillation dampers (PODs) in a single-machine infinite bus energy grid configuration that has flexible AC alternating current transmission system (FACTS) devices. Intelligent control strategies using PSS and POD techniques are suggested to increase power system stability and generate supplementary control signals for both the generator excitation system and FACTS device switching control. An intelligent optimal modal control framework equipped with deep learning methods is introduced to control the generator excitation system and thyristor-controlled series capacitor (TCSC). By optimally choosing the weighting matrix Q and implementing close-loop pole shifting, an optimal modal control approach is formulated. To harness its adaptive potential in fine-tuning controller parameters, an auxiliary deep learning-based optimization algorithm with actor–critic architecture is implemented. This comprehensive technique provides a promising path to effectively reduce electromechanical oscillations, thereby enhancing voltage regulation and transient stability in power systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global challenges related to sustainable development are increasingly focusing on the use of digital twin technology as a universal tool for optimizing and monitoring renewable energy installations. This article discusses digital twin technology as a support for sustainable development based on the analysis of microgrid structures. Digital twins allow the creation of virtual models of physical systems. This capability facilitated the accurate replication of the microgrid model at Kielce University of Technology using ETAP (Electrical Transient Analyzer Program) software (version 22.5). The operational parameters of the microgrid structure were analyzed for the examined power range of the photovoltaic installation to determine the possibilities of expanding the existing installation. The impact of the photovoltaic installation's power on the operational parameters of the microgrid structure was visualized, and final conclusions were formulated. Moreover, the integration of digital twin technology into renewable energy systems not only enhances operational efficiency but also plays a pivotal role in advancing sustainability objectives. Through real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance, digital twin technology facilitates the optimization of energy production and distribution, thereby reducing waste and contributing to the overall sustainability of energy systems. This technology enables the simulation of various scenarios, such as fluctuations in energy demand or the integration of new renewable sources, which can inform more sustainable decision-making processes. In the context of microgrids, digital twin technology ensures that energy production is closely aligned with consumption patterns, minimizing energy losses and enhancing grid resilience. Furthermore, digital twin technology supports the sustainable expansion of renewable installations by providing detailed insights into potential environmental impacts and the long-term sustainability of various energy configurations. As the demand for clean energy continues to grow, digital twin technology will be indispensable in achieving a balance between energy needs and environmental stewardship, ensuring that the expansion of renewable energy sources contributes positively to global sustainability objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents an analysis of the relationship between the servitization process and energy sustainability in the years 2015–2020. The research refers to 164 selected countries, also divided into two regimes: developed and developing. The transformation of the manufacturing process, and as a result, the economy's structure, towards servitization, is observed in most countries worldwide. The positive influence of the servitization of production by individual manufacturers on sustainability is widely known. In this research, this relationship is considered on a macroeconomic scale, which is one of the novelties of the study. Particularly, sustainability in the energy sector, indicated as an achievement of the 7th goal of Sustainable Development, is discussed. Energy sustainability is evaluated using a synthetic measure by Perkal. This part of the research shows the problem of the low level of energy sustainability in developing countries (particularly in Africa) compared with developed ones. Moreover, spatio-temporal sensitivity models are estimated and verified. The sensitivity parameter in these models shows the impact of the progress in the servitization process on energy sustainability. The models have been enriched with the effects of spatial dependence between countries, taking into account two types of proximity matrices based on (1) the common border criterion and (2) the similarity of the development levels measured by the Human Development Index. Additionally, the differences in sensitivity between developed and developing countries are considered. The results of the study show that in both cases, the economic servitization positively influences energy sustainability, but the strength of the relationship is stronger in the group of developed countries. This can be, for example, the result of the individual characteristics of the given countries, where African countries mainly benefit from agricultural development. Only after reaching a certain level of economic growth will they be able to obtain sustainability faster through economic servitization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Workload migration among cloud data centers is currently an evolving task that requires substantial advancements. The incorporation of fuzzy systems holds potential for enhancing performance and efficiency within cloud computing. This study addresses a multi-objective problem wherein the goal is to maximize the interpretability and the percentage of renewable energy consumed by a fuzzy meta-scheduler system in cloud scenarios. To accomplish this objective, the present research proposes a novel approach utilizing a multi-objective Knowledge Acquisition with a Swarm Intelligence Approach algorithm. Additionally, it takes advantage of a framework built on CloudSim, which includes virtual machine migration capabilities based on an expert system. Furthermore, a hierarchical fuzzy system is employed to assess rule base interpretability, along with another multi-objective algorithm, named Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II. The framework and hierarchical system are employed to perform various simulation results concerning renewable energy and interpretability, while the algorithms aim to enhance the system's performance and interpretability. Empirical results demonstrate that it is possible to improve the performance of cloud data centers while improving the interpretability of the corresponding fuzzy rule-based system. The proposed multi-objective algorithm shows comparable or superior performance to the genetic algorithm across diverse scenarios. The simulation results indicate that improvements in cloud data center performance can be achieved while enhancing system interpretability. The average improvement in the interpretability index ranges from 0.6 to 6%, with a corresponding increase in renewable energy utilization ranging from 5 to 6%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using single‐source precursor route, this work reports the synthesis of the novel chalcogenide heterosystem, i.e., BaS:CoS:La2S3 trichalcogenide heterosystem. With the narrowed band gap energy, BaS:CoS:La2S3 expresses excellent photonic response with 3.47 eV of tailored band gap resulting from chemical synergism. This chalcogenide is marked by superior crystallinity and possessed an average crystallite size of 18.29 nm. Morphologically, BaS:CoS:La2S3 exists in the form of the roughly spherical grains arranged in the irregular manner. The developed chalcogenide is assessed for charge storage by fabricating the electrode using a nickel form as a support. In a 0.1 m KOH background electrolyte, the BaS:CoS:La2S3 adorns electrode excelled in achieving a specific capacitance of 967.24 F g−1. In addition, this trichalcogenide expresses the specific power density of 1659 W kg−1. Fabricated electrode retains original capacitance after different cycles. Regarding electrode–electrolyte interactions, the fabricated electrode shows minimal resistance, with an equivalent series resistance (Rs) of 1.42 Ω as indicated by impedance studies. Additional circuit elements, including CPE (Yo = 2.17 × 10−04, n = 0.71) and Rct (6.97 Ω cm−2), are obtained after circuit fitting for the BaS:CoS:La2S3 trichalcogenide decorated electrode. Exhibiting stable behavior for 43 h, the synthesized material demonstrates profound durability and functionality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The scientific community and energy stakeholders have placed a great deal of emphasis on electrochemical energy storage in the current era of increased energy demand. Using the unique BaS:NiS:Gd2S3 semiconductor chalcogenide, which is produced using diethyldithiocarbamate ligand as a chelating agent, the current work aims to improve the functionality of charge storage devices and water splitting for energy production. The light absorption of the sustainably produced BaS:NiS:Gd2S3 semiconductor rendered it an excellent photoactive material with the 2.93 eV of the energy band gap. The produced chalcogenide's average crystallite size, with the mixed crystalline phases, was 17.61 nm, demonstrating exceptional crystallinity. Moreover, metallic sulfide linkages were explored using infrared spectroscopy, and they were located between 400 and 1000 cm−1. Particles with variable shapes and a roughly rod-shaped fusion indicated a higher volume-surface area ratio and the presence of several sites. The BaS:NiS:Gd2S3 electrochemical performance was evaluated using a standard three-electrode setup with a background electrolyte of 1 M KOH. BaS:NiS:Gd2S3, with a specific power density of 5674.08 W kg−1 and a specific capacitance of up to 745.55 F g−1, is a great electrode material for energy storage applications. The comparable series resistance (Rs) of 1.14 Ω further supported this significant electrochemical performance. In terms of the electrochemical water splitting, the OER Tafel slope value is 87 mV/dec, respectively, suggested by the electrochemical data for the OER activity. This electrode produced a Tafel slope of 281 mV/dec and a HER overpotential value of 276 mV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrokinetic tidal energy is one of the few marine renewable energy resources with sufficiently mature technology for commercial exploitation. However, several parameters affect its exploitability, such as the minimum speed threshold, ambient turbulence levels, or tidal asymmetry, to name but a few. These parameters are particularly important in regions with lower mean speeds than those in first-generation sites, such as the North Sea. The Gulf of California is one of those regions. In this paper, a Delft3D Flexible Mesh Suite (Delft3D FM) model in barotropic configuration is set up over the Gulf of California using a flexible mesh with resolution varying from O (500 m) in the deep regions to O (10 m) in the coastal regions. A simulation is run over the year of 2020, with a tidal forcing of 75 components. The model is validated at four tidal gauge locations and four Acoustic Doppler Current profiler (ADCP) locations. The speed, U, and tidal power density ( T P D ) indicators used for the validation were the annual means, the annual means for speeds above the 0.5 m s−1 threshold, the annual means of the spring tide maxima, and the annual maxima. The contour maps of the annual means, that is, the annual means for speeds above the 0.5 m s−1 threshold, allow us to identify tidal energy hot spots throughout the Gulf of California, particularly in the Great Island region (GIR). In this region, these hot spots have higher U and T P D values, in agreement with previous studies. The patterns of circulation around Tiburón Island and San Esteban Island on the East, and Ángel de la Guarda Island and San Lorenzo Island on the West, the four islands in the region with the highest tidal energy potential, are also discussed while recognizing that Tiburón Channel, between Tiburón Island and San Esteban Island, has proved to be the best siting location, based on the technical results obtained so far. The hot spots sites are further characterized by computing the tidal asymmetry in these small regions, showing the locations of the sites with smallest asymmetry, which would be the best for tidal energy exploitation. The hot spots around San Esteban Island are particularly important because they have the largest T P D in the GIR, with the model predicting a T P D on the order of 500–1000 W m−2. Here, complementary field measurements obtained with two ADCPs, close to San Esteban Island, one at 15 m depth, SEs (shallow region), and the other at 60 m depth, SEd (deep region), produced T P D s of 1200 W m−2 and 400 W m−2, respectively. The analysis of the vertical profiles and the tidal asymmetry over the vertical shows the importance of developing 3D models in future investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy is an indispensable resource for economic development and the well‐being of society. Due to heterogeneity in socioeconomic conditions, households consume direct energy and produce emissions differently. Analysing energy emissions from heterogeneous socioeconomic groups helps to identify foci for intervention and create policies for sustainable cities. This study aimed to measure household emissions in Varanasi city and investigate the impact of heterogeneous socioeconomic variables on household emissions. Varanasi represents a million‐plus rapidly urbanising city. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and non‐parametric regression revealed the relationship between end‐use energy emissions and socioeconomic variables for five income classes. Biomass‐based fuels constituted a significant proportion of energy (about 16%–20%) in low‐ to middle‐income groups, however, electricity consumption dominated in upper‐middle‐ and high‐income groups. A fuel‐stacking pattern was found, particularly in cooking activities. LPG was critical to replace solid biomass‐based fuels. To meet the present needs and absorb the impact of a growing population, energy policies and infrastructure should focus on accessibility and efficiency. An inclusive low‐carbon policy with a specialised focus on socioeconomic differences is needed for energy sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The post-pandemic period, military conflicts, and geopolitical instability have all contributed to concerns regarding the world's sustainable and stable development, and small national economies are particularly vulnerable to these challenges. The five countries of the Western Balkan region (Republic of Serbia, Republic of North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Albania) have established their national interests and formulated security policies in line with their strategic commitment to the green transition and integration into the European Union. The region has been grappling with a multitude of challenges for several decades, and further instability may be expected beyond 2022. This paper aims to analyze the impact of sustainable development politicization on the security policies of Western Balkan countries and identify critical challenges to the region’s sustainable development. Main text The main research findings suggest that the security strategy of the Western Balkan countries was distinct from their economic and energy development until the beginning of the twenty-first century. Sustainable development is a strategic commitment of the Western Balkan countries, but it necessitates intricate changes, particularly in energy and economy. However, the Western Balkan countries have been confronted with new challenges due to the intricate geopolitical developments that emerged after 2022. The following are particularly noteworthy: frequently conflicting regional initiatives, the usage of energy resources and essential minerals, and significant impacts on how individuals form their opinion on these matters. The factors mentioned above are distinct security threats that require the Western Balkan countries to pursue solutions. Conclusions A politicized approach to sustainable development is a novel phenomenon that has to be incorporated into current security policy. Specifically, the present approach, which prioritizes the state's security, often conflicts with the emerging concept of individual security (which focuses on the stability of the economy and the environment). This situation adds a layer of complexity to the position of the Western Balkan countries. They have a limited capacity to impact geopolitical developments, and in order to make progress, maintain stability, and foster social peace, they must make concessions and cooperate with influential economies that frequently have conflicting geopolitical interests.

In this paper, I set out to present the results of the analysis of the energy sector of the Republic of Moldova, and particularly the field of electricity, natural gas and petroleum products. Although I do not claim exclusivity in terms of the aspects researched through this paper, I consider that these aspects have been insufficiently analyzed over time, which is why I express my hope that the conclusions of the undersigned presented in this paper will bring a certain level of usefulness both theoretically and, as well as practice. In this sense, the scientific novelty and originality of the obtained results is embodied in the making of a clear opinion regarding the development of future strategies regarding the sustainability of the energy sector

Background: The post-pandemic period, military conflicts, and geopolitical instability have all contributed to concerns regarding the world's sustainable and stable development, and small national economies are particularly vulnerable to these challenges. The five countries of the Western Balkan region (Republic of Serbia, Republic of North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Albania) have established their national interests and formulated security policies in line with their strategic commitment to the green transition and integration into the European Union. The region has been grappling with a multitude of challenges for several decades, and further instability may be expected beyond 2022. This paper aims to analyze the impact of sustainable development politicization on the security policies of Western Balkan countries and identify critical challenges to the region's sustainable development. Main text: The main research findings suggest that the security strategy of the Western Balkan countries was distinct from their economic and energy development until the beginning of the twenty-first century. Sustainable development is a strategic commitment of the Western Balkan countries, but it necessitates intricate changes, particularly in energy and economy. However, the Western Balkan countries have been confronted with new challenges due to the intricate geopolitical developments that emerged after 2022. The following are particularly noteworthy: frequently conflicting regional initiatives, the usage of energy resources and essential minerals, and significant impacts on how individuals form their opinion on these matters. The factors mentioned above are distinct security threats that require the Western Balkan countries to pursue solutions. Conclusions: A politicized approach to sustainable development is a novel phenomenon that has to be incorporated into current security policy. Specifically, the present approach, which prioritizes the state's security, often conflicts with the emerging concept of individual security (which focuses on the stability of the economy and the environment). This situation adds a layer of complexity to the position of the Western Balkan countries. They have a limited capacity to impact geopolitical developments, and in order to make progress, maintain stability, and foster social peace, they must make concessions and cooperate with influential economies that frequently have conflicting geopolitical interests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the geological and geomechanical characteristics of the MIP 1S geothermal well in the Appalachian Basin to optimize drilling and address the wellbore stability issues encountered. Data from well logs, sidewall core analysis, and injection tests were used to derive elastic and rock strength properties, as well as stress and pore pressure profiles. A robust 1D-geomechanical model was developed and validated, correlating strongly with wellbore instability observations. This revealed significant wellbore breakout, widening the diameter from 12 ¼ inches to over 16 inches. Advanced technologies like Cerebro Force™ In-Bit Sensing were used to monitor drilling performance with high accuracy. This technology tracks critical metrics such as bit acceleration, vibration in the x, y, and z directions, Gyro RPM, stick-slip indicators, and bending on the bit. Cerebro Force™ readings identified hole drag caused by poor hole conditions, including friction between the drill string and wellbore walls and the presence of cuttings or debris. This led to higher torque and weight on bit (WOB) readings at the surface compared to downhole measurements, affecting drilling efficiency and wellbore stability. Optimal drilling parameters for future deep geothermal wells were determined based on these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Naturally occurring gas hydrates are established as an abundant reserve of natural gas. Production initiatives raised challenges such as low production rate, freezing problems, water, and sand production along with geomechanical concerns. Recent studies suggest that fracturing the sediment can significantly improve the conductivity and productivity of such reserves. This study is an initiative to verify the suitability of conventionally used polymer (guar) for fracturing at extremely low temperatures along with the integration of widely available gas hydrate inhibitors for efficient stimulation. Established inhibitors such as NaCl, CaCl 2 and KCl were introduced to linear and crosslinked gels to study their compatibility with the reference guar-based gels. The inhibitor integrated linear gel samples demonstrated similar performance trends to that of the reference gel establishing their compatibility with the polymer, whereas the inhibitor integrated crosslinked samples displayed deswelling nature. The low concentration inhibitor integrated linear gel samples performed superior to the reference gel whereas the high concentration sample inhibited the swelling performance of the polymer. Both the reference and inhibitor integrated linear gel samples gradually disintegrated after 48 h leaving behind soft cloudy residue, whereas the inhibitor integrated crosslinked samples rapidly released water and contracted into a solid residue which can cause serious flow related disruptions during operations and apparently damage the conductivity of the sediment for long term. This study delivers crucial understanding on how various salts interact with guar polymers at low temperatures and whether their presence can be a boon or bane during the design of a fracturing fluid. • Low temperature fracturing of hydrate-bearing sediments for improved gas recovery. • Integration of hydrate inhibitors with conventional gelling polymer used in hydraulic fracturing. • Inhibitor integrated linear gel samples demonstrated good integrity during tests. • Inhibitor integrated low concentration samples performed superiorly. • Inhibitor integrated crosslinked gels prone to deswelling and residue formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to its potential uses, including e‐vehicles, electrochemical energy storage has attracted a lot of interest from the scientific community and energy stakeholders. With the usage of the novel semiconductor chalcogenide BaS3:Cu2S:Mn2S, which is synthesized by chelating with diethyldithiocarbamate ligand, the current work seeks to enhance the performance of charge‐storage devices. An energy band gap of 2.57 eV was found for this semiconductor, which showed remarkable photoactivity. The chalcogenide that was produced had favorable crystallinity, with an average crystallite size of 26.92 nm and mixed crystalline phases. Additionally, metallic sulfide linkages were identified using infrared spectroscopy, and they were reported to range from 400 to 845 cm−1. Thermal breakdown in two steps was verified using thermogravimetric analysis. Particles with different forms and a rod‐like fusion suggested a higher volume–surface area ratio and many locations. The electrochemical performance of the BaS3:Cu2S:Mn2S was evaluated using a traditional three‐electrode setup with a background electrolyte of 1‐M KOH. BaS3:Cu2S:Mn2S is a great electrode material for energy storage applications, with a specific power density of 10 618 W kg−1 and a specific capacitance of up to 694 F g−1. The same series resistance (Rs) = 0.46 Ω further supported this remarkable electrochemical performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research background: Over the last ten years, a substantial amount of scholarly research has delved into energy communities (ECs) from diverse viewpoints. These ECs are extremely important in setting the pathway to a clean energy transition. Purpose of the article: Our objective is to glean valuable insights from publications indexed in the Web of Science (WoS) database to deepen our comprehension of ECs and their academic discourse. Methods: Data analytics, factorial analysis, and more complex natural language processing (NLP) techniques such as latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) are implemented to extract valuable insights from over 1000 WoS publications relevant in the EC field. The primary contribution of this study lies in furnishing details regarding the key contributors to the EC scholarly landscape, including authors, their affiliations, universities, and countries of origin. Additionally, we aim to elucidate the prevalent keywords and thematic approaches employed in their research endeavors. Findings & value added: Considering the extracted dataset, an annual growth rate of 21.15% has been recorded, highlighting the research community’s interest in the field of ECs. Furthermore, three topics are optimally obtained. Overall, a coherence score of 0.44 suggests that the LDA model performs adequately in terms of topic interpretation. Topic 1 relates to community- based energy initiatives. Topic 2, featuring terms like “grid,” “study” and “EU” alongside “energy” and “community,” suggests a focus on energy systems. Topic 3 includes terms such as “generation,” “analysis” and “consumption,” indicating a topic that is centered around the technical or analytical aspects of energy production and usage. This study underscores how the alignment between state laws and EU directives in supporting ECs can serve as a model for other regions. The findings suggest that similar policy frameworks could be effectively adapted to different national contexts, providing valuable insights for countries looking to enhance their renewable energy strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Against the backdrop of the digital technology revolution, smart energy offers significant opportunities to achieve the Energy Sustainable Development Goals (SDG7). However, the theoretical and empirical exploration of how smart energy can achieve SDG7 remains incomplete. This study investigates deeply into the influence and mechanism of smart energy on SDG7. Utilizing China's smart energy pilot policy, it adopts the synthetic difference-in-difference method and China's provincial data to estimate the influence of smart energy on SDG7. The results show the following: (1) Smart energy is beneficial to achieving SDG7, and smart energy promotes the realization of SDG7-1 by enhancing energy service accessibility, affordability, and reliability; SDG7-2 by enhancing the renewable energy absorption level and consumption ratio; and SDG7-3 by enabling real-time monitoring, accurate matching, and highly intelligent coordination to improve energy efficiency. (2) Among the quantitative findings, smart energy has notable implications for the SDG7, SDG7-1, and SDG7-3 indexes but has a more limited influence on the SDG7-2 index. (3) The single pilot tests indicate certain differences in effects due to the project scale and program design. Finally, this study provides a theoretical basis and empirical evidence for the region to search for a digital approach to realize SDG7 and smart energy construction planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Originating from furniture scraps, packaging, urban tree pruning, and construction waste, urban wood waste generates surprisingly large annual volumes. Due to its abundance and interesting physical–chemical characteristics for its use, it can be an excellent alternative for generating renewable energy for heat and electricity. In this context, urban wood waste's physical, chemical, and energetic properties were investigated, proposing alternative environmental routes for its introduction into the urban and industrial electricity sectors. Waste collected in Piracicaba (Brazil) was evaluated for physical and chemical composition, such as moisture, bulk density, particle size distribution, mineral contaminants, immediate chemical composition, chemical composition, and calorific value analysis. The waste studied presented potential characteristics for bioenergy generation, with ash and contaminant contents (such as metallic materials and sand) within the quality thresholds established by the energy sector. Among the waste materials analyzed, plywood, chipboard, wood, and OSB stood out for their high energy density (averaging 2.97 GJ/m3) and low ash content (averaging 1.13%). In contrast, MDF and hardboard exhibited lower calorific values and energy densities due to the wood cooking step in their manufacturing process, which could result in the loss of extractives and volatile materials. When categorizing the residues based on their characteristics, three distinct groups emerged, each associated with MDF, hardboard, or a combination of chipboard, OSB, wood, and plywood. This study's findings support the creation of public policies aimed at valorizing and reusing urban wood waste, contributing to solid waste management in cities of different countries while sustainably generating energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current context of economic development requires paying close attention to the energy industry. Since 2022, European countries has been facing specific problems due to energy crises against the background of the geopolitical conflict and the measures provided by European forums in order to reduce dependence on energy imports from Russia. In this context, we aim to define a new model of energy consumption and the function of energy sustainability at the European level, aspects that will lead to highlighting the position of the 27 European member states in the period 2005--2022 in terms of their energy sustainability. The methodology used is based on the study of literature, the consolidation of databases, econometric modelling, and procedures for testing the validity of modelling results. The results of the study are useful to European energy policy decision-makers in view of the necessary adjustments to achieve the objectives of the 2030 and 2050 Agenda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the policy text from 1999 to 2022, this paper quantitatively analyzes photovoltaic power, wind power and new energy policies in mainland China by keyword capture and policy strength and establishes a spatial Durbin model to study the carbon reduction effects. The results show the following: (1) The development of new energy is primarily project-based and concentrated in rural areas. (2) Financial support is a double-edged sword. (3) After the implementation of the Renewable Energy Law in 2015, the change trend in policy quantity, total policy intensity, and average policy intensity is generally consistent. (4) The increase in the strength of new energy policies has effectively reduced the intensity of provincial carbon dioxide emissions. (5) New energy policies introduced in a single region are less effective in reducing carbon emissions than joint regional regulation. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the quality and coordination of new energy policies through the effective convergence of policies and regular evaluations to enhance the positive guidance of the policies. Policy measures for new energy are refined in three areas: improving the amount and quality of new energy policies, strengthening new energy policies and establishing cooperation mechanisms for the cross-regional consumption of new energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emerging of the Internet of Things (IoT) enables the interconnection among everything. With edge computing serving low-latency services, IoT makes intelligent energy management become a possibility, thereby enhancing the energy sustainability for energy systems. Currently, renewable energy is widely applied in energy systems to alleviate the carbon footprint. However, the instability and discontinuity of renewable generation decrease the quality of service (QoS) of edge servers. To address the challenge, a renewable prediction-driven service offloading method, named ReSome, is proposed. Technically, a deep-learning-based approach is designed for renewable energy prediction firstly. Next, the service offloading process is abstracted to a Markov decision process (MDP). With the predicted renewable energy amount, asynchronous advantage actor-critic (A3C) is leveraged to determine the optimal service offloading strategy. Finally, by utilizing a real-world solar power generation dataset, the experimental evaluation validates the capability and effectiveness of ReSome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrical networks consist of generation plants, transmission, and distribution substations of electrical energy. Power is transmitted through towers and lines that span hundreds or even thousands of kilometers. To ensure the health, the stability of ecosystems, and our quality of life, we must protect the environmental areas where transmission lines intersect. Given the global challenges related to sustainability, the conservation of natural resources, and the mitigation of climate change, these studies are imperative. Through graph algorithms, especially vertex degree search and depth-first search, we identify alternative routes, avoiding sensitive regions such as conservation areas within the 440 kV transmission networks of São Paulo, Brazil. By reallocating energy transport, we can ensure network maintenance and reduce environmental impacts from potential accidents. The results highlight the sustainable planning of transmission lines, aligning energy needs with Brazilian environmental conservation efforts, including the Rio do Peixe State Park, Aguapeí State Park, Itapetinga State Park, and Itaberaba State Park. Combining existing environmental laws with the promotion of sustainable technologies and practices, can lead to the promotion of more efficient use of resources while protecting the environment and fostering economic growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change and global warming, driven by CO2 emissions from fossil fuel consumption, are critical issues. In Malaysia, while the energy mix is sustainable, the industry and transportation sectors heavily rely on fossil fuels. To address this, energy conservation is essential to modify behaviors and reduce energy usage, as reliance on conventional energy sources is no longer viable. This study aims to determine the current energy conservation practices among Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) students and investigate the relationship between these practices and students' energy conservation perspectives. Focusing on UUM students from academic session A221 (semesters 1 to 7), researchers used quantitative methods, distributing a questionnaire via Google Forms on social media and gathering responses from 377 students. Data analysis using SPSS revealed that the mean attitude score of 31.87 is higher than the levels of awareness, energy conservation knowledge, and subjective norms, indicating that attitude significantly influences students' perspectives on energy conservation. Additionally, there is a positive correlation between awareness levels, energy conservation knowledge, attitudes, and subjective norms. Based on these findings, energy-saving intervention strategies are proposed for student accommodations. The government is urged to implement educational programs and campaigns to enhance awareness and promote energy conservation practices among students. The study highlights the importance of attitudes in shaping energy conservation behaviors and the need for comprehensive educational efforts to foster sustainable practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Climate modeling suggests that achieving international climate goals requires a reduction in current CO2 emissions by over 90%, with any remaining emissions to be addressed through carbon dioxide removal (CDR) solutions. Sixteen CDR strategies are evaluated by integrating technical potential, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria, along with sequestration permanence. This evaluation, conducted by ENGIE’s scientific council using an interdisciplinary Delphi panel methodology, proposes a “quality” measure for each technology. This measure combines ESG scores and sequestration timescales to rank and select the most promising solutions. The findings highlight the necessity for further research to understand and mitigate ESG impacts, aiming to inform both future research and current decision-making to support the effective and legitimate use of CDR strategies.

Summary: Short-term planning of myopic decision-makers jeopardizes the long-term energy transition, especially since constraints in deploying clean energy technologies further inhibit their rapid scale-up. Here, we show that the European energy transition followed myopic decision-making in the past and investigate how policy-based tools can secure the energy transition against myopic planning. Short-term decision-making in the European energy transition may fail to comply with climate goals and lead to substantial over-capacities. Carbon prices can only effectively internalize long-term climate goals if they account for constrained technology deployment, increasing to around 400 EUR/tCO2 in 2050. Idealized carbon prices, conversely, fail to incentivize the decarbonization of those sectors that stand at the beginning of their transition, such as renewable heating or carbon sequestration. Our exploration of myopic decision-making contributes to the understanding of the inhibiting barriers and bridges the gap between short-term decision-making and the long-term energy transition.

Summary: Constructing electric vehicle charging piles (EVCPs) is crucial for promoting electric vehicle (EV) sales. Yet, empirical evidence on the bidirectional relationship between EV sales and public EVCPs is limited, with most related works relying on simulations. We empirically investigate this relationship using panel vector autoregression (PVAR) across 95 Chinese cities from 2018 to 2022. Results show EVCPs significantly boost EV sales, especially in colder regions. Higher air pollution and purchase subsidies inhibit the promoting impact of EV sales on EVCPs. The propelling effect of EVCPs on EV sales is impaired in higher housing prices regions. A significant and positive bidirectional relationship exists between EVCPs and battery electric vehicles (BEVs) sales exists, but not with plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) present. Our findings have implications for stakeholders, such as the construction of fast charging infrastructure under lower temperatures, and differentiated charging demands of EVs with different powertrains need to be addressed.

Summary: China’s pursuit of photovoltaic (PV) power, particularly rooftop installations, addresses energy and ecological challenges, aiming to reduce basic energy consumption by 50% by 2030. The northwest region, with its solar potential, is a focal point for distributed PV growth, which has already exceeded 50% of the energy mix by 2021. This study assesses the rooftop PV potential in five northwestern capitals, finding favorable conditions such as ample space, dense populations, and high sunlight exposure. Cities like Yinchuan and Xining are highlighted for their high projected annual PV yields. Although there is a negative correlation between surface temperature and vegetation coverage, the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) numerical simulation found that large-scale deployment of rooftop photovoltaics will not have a significant impact on the vegetation ecology of the area. The research underscores the significant role of rooftop PV in achieving China’s energy and climate goals in its northwestern urban centers.

Summary: Rooftop photovoltaics (RPVs) are crucial for decarbonizing the power sector and achieving carbon neutrality, with expected future capacity increases. The growth of RPVs necessitates substantial aluminum (Al) resources, contributing significantly to carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from Al production. Given China’s bauxite shortage, recycling Al from waste RPV panels presents an effective solution to enhance resource security and mitigate CO2 emissions. We developed a framework to project waste RPV quantities and assess the recycling potential of Al and its impact on CO2 emissions from 2020 to 2060. Our findings indicate potential waste flows of 95–221 million tonnes (Mt) and recycled Al ranging from 5 to 28 Mt, with a primary Al supply gap of 25–43 Mt. Recycling could reduce CO2 emissions by 35–207 Mt over the period. This research underscores the importance of Al resource security and sustainable RPV industry development in China’s pursuit of carbon neutrality.

Desalination using renewable energy offers a route to transform our incumbent linear consumption model to a circular one. This transition will also shift desalination from large-scale centralized coastal facilities toward modular distributed inland plants. This new scale of desalination can be satisfied using solar energy to decarbonize water production, but additional considerations, such as storage and inland brine management, become important. Here, we evaluate the levelized cost of water for 16 solar desalination system configurations at 2 different salinities. For fossil fuel-driven plants, we find that zero-liquid discharge is economically favorable to inland brine disposal. For renewable desalination, we discover that solar-thermal energy is superior to photovoltaics due to low thermal storage cost and that energy storage, despite being expensive, outperforms water storage as the latter has a low utilization factor. The analysis also yields a promising outlook for solar desalination by 2030 as solar generation and storage costs decrease.

Algae are photosynthetic organisms which can be cultivated and produced in photo-bioreactors; therefore, choosing the design parameters and conditions are critical in order to achieve high efficiency and maximum productivity. Algae are of interest to biochemical industries because of their diverse species. This project seeks to build a photo-bioreactor tank to maximize Ulva lactuca non-seasonal survival to produce biodiesel from its biomass. The chosen design was because of the ease of monitoring, and the tank design effectively kept Ulva lactuca alive and fresh. Biodiesel was accomplished using an alkaline esterification for 50 g of dry mass of Ulva lactuca giving a relatively limited yield of approximate 13% of Ulva lactuca oil (4 ml) that was converted to (0.5 ml) biodiesel, compared with other oils such as soybean (42%), corn oil (60%) and cooked corn oil (40%). The yield of Ulva lactuca oil was statistically significantly lower than the other three types of oil (p-value = 0.0032). However, this project still aids in the economics of Jordan, as Ulva lactuca is grown locally in the Gulf of Aqaba. Ulva lactuca investment is worth considering because of its natural exposure, high yield, low cost, reduced algae contamination risk, and space requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today, energy sustainability, which is one of the most significant concerns in the energy industry, is of utmost importance. In this context, investments and interest in renewable energy sources are growing. As a nation with vast wind energy potential, Türkiye is at the forefront of expanding investments in this sector. This study highlights the significance of wind power plants in electricity market and the relevance of wind energy forecasts, as well as the significance of ensuring the imbalance in energy supply and enhancing electricity market stability. Parallel to this, the transient system simulation (TRNSYS) model was used to determine annual energy generation of a wind power plant in Izmir with a capacity of 18 MW, and the obtained results were compared with the real-time generation data from EPİAŞ transparency platform. The model had two approaches, one based on standard data from the second generation of a typical meteorological year (Plan (1)), and the other on actual field data collected in the plant (Plan (2)). The numerical findings indicate that the annual energy generation values for Plan (1) and Plan (2) are 24,018.1 MWh and 61,699.1 MWh, respectively. Additionally, the real-time production yields a total of 60,176.2 MWh. In a meantime, Plan (1) generated a positive imbalance value of 45,726.7 MWh, whereas Plan (2) has 6,651.3 MWh over the course of one year. In contrast, the annual sum of negative imbalance values was determined to be 9,475.9 MWh for Plan (1) and 8,368.6 MWh for Plan (2). The analysis yielded annual figures of 2,379,110.4 TL and 351,318.3 TL for positive and negative imbalance penalties, respectively, for Plan (1). For Plan (2), the corresponding amounts were 310,875.9 TL and 337,186.4 TL. Consequently, the total penalty payments for Plan (1) amounted to 2,730,428.8 TL, while for Plan (2) it reached 648,062.3 TL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To ensure the sustainable development of energy supply, there is a continuous increase in demand for deep coal mining, making safe and efficient extraction a crucial area of research. However, with the increasing depth, rising ground temperatures pose new challenges for safe and sustainable mining operations. Among these challenges, coal and gas outburst dynamic hazards stand out as significant issues. Therefore, it is necessary to assess the impact of temperature variations on coal and gas outburst disaster prevention and control. To investigate this effect, we conducted an analysis based on outburst-triggering mechanisms and adsorption–desorption processes. Temperature was considered as the primary controlled variable, while gas expansion energy served as the criterion for assessing outburst hazards. Kilometer-deep coal samples were selected for measurement, focusing on indicators such as Langmuir adsorption constants (a,b), gas content (Q), gas pressure (P) and drilling cutting desorption indices (K1, Δh2). The results indicate that, under the same gas pressure, there is a slight decreasing trend in gas expansion energy with increasing temperature, although the overall change is minimal. Hence, the sole influence of temperature on the gas's ability to perform work during outbursts is limited. Temperature exerts varying degrees of influence on gas parameters such as gas content and drill cutting desorption indices. The fluctuation amplitudes of these indicators range from large to small in the following order: Δh2 > ΔP > Q > K1 > P. Additionally, their correlation with gas expansion energy decreases in the following order: P > Q > Δh2 > K1 > ΔP. Thus, the influence of temperature on the indicators used in various prediction methods exhibits inconsistency, emphasizing the importance of considering temperature effects on predicted values. Gas pressure emerges as the optimal indicator for outburst determination, while gas content and drill cutting desorption indices are preferable as predictive indicators. These results will provide valuable references for the sustainable and safe development, risk assessment and prediction of deep coal mining. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the energy sector, governments seek, through various public policies, to achieve a balance between greater economic growth, social well-being, and a minimum impact on the environment. In Mexico, sovereignty and security were promoted to the top of the energy policy guidelines in the current government, and efforts have been made to strengthen public organizations, such as the Federal Electricity Commission (known as CFE for its name in Spanish) and Petróleos Mexicanos (known as Pemex for its name in Spanish), putting aside private investments; that is, it is based on an energy model with a nationalist approach instead of a global one and with more openness like that of its predecessors. This article analyzes the impact of this new approach on the sustainability of the energy sector. Although the current administration has managed to recover energy sovereignty, has guaranteed energy supply in the country, and has kept the increase in gasoline prices and electricity rates below inflation, Mexico still has marked energy poverty, and national consumption of energy continues to depend almost completely on fossil fuels. A bittersweet panorama is concluded that tends to prolong the decline in sustainability since a notable lag can be observed in the incorporation of clean energies in addition to a notable slowdown in the energy transition that environmental crises are urgently demanding. It is necessary to maintain energy security and sovereignty without undermining efforts to accelerate the transition toward a more sustainable energy sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper assesses key factors that influence the environmental energy sustainability of the Municipality of Bayamo, Granma province, Republic of Cuba, particularly its energy component, which is its driving force. In the area of Energy Management, there is a lack of tools capable of quantifying the level of energy sustainability. On the other hand, the use of available renewable resources, the cleanliness of the energy consumed, the efficiency of the energy transformation systems, and the capacity for self-sufficiency in energy constitute for the factors that influence energy sustainability. A calculation procedure is proposed whereby the level of energy sustainability can be determined using a sustainability index function; this procedure was used for evaluating the energy sustainability in the municipality of Bayamo, Granma province, Republic of Cuba. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) stands at the forefront of advancing energy sustainability. Effective monitoring, control, diagnosis, and prognosis are crucial for optimizing the PEMFC system's sustainability, necessitating a dynamic model that can capture the transient response of the PEMFC. This paper uses a dynamic fractional-order model to describe the behaviors of a stationary micro combined heat and power (mCHP) PEMFC stack. Based on the fractional-order equivalent circuit model, the applied model accurately represents the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and the dynamic voltage response under transient conditions. The applied model is validated through experiments on an mCHP PEMFC stack under various fault conditions. The EIS data is analyzed under different current densities and various fault conditions, including the stoichiometry of the anode and cathode, the stack temperature, and the relative humidity. The dynamic voltage response of the applied model shows good correspondence with experimental results in both phase and amplitude, thereby affirming the method's precision and solidifying its role as a reliable tool for enhancing the sustainability and operational efficiency of PEMFC systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper examines the strategic and practical aspects of integrating renewable distributed generation into the energy supply system of Ukraine, which faces challenges related to increasing the reliability, safety, and efficiency of the energy system in the context of global decarbonization trends and military threats. The key role of distributed renewable energy generation in increasing the stability of the energy system and reducing dependence on centralized energy sources has been established. An analysis of world experience has been carried out, which emphasizes the economic benefit and increased flexibility in the management of energy resources due to the implementation of distributed generation. Examples of successful implementation of distributed renewable energy generation projects in different countries and analysis of the potential for the development of renewable energy sources in Ukraine, in particular, solar, wind and small hydropower, are given. The completed review allows to draw a conclusion about the need for an integrated approach to the development of distributed renewable energy generation. Special attention is paid to the study of technical, economic, legal and regulatory aspects that determine opportunities and limitations for attracting investments in distributed renewable energy. Emphasis is also placed on the need to develop and implement innovative management systems and the latest technological solutions that will allow maximum use of the potential of distributed generation to ensure reliable, safe and efficient operation of the power system. Aspects of integration of energy storage systems are taken into account, allowing to smooth out peak loads and ensure the stability of system operation. It was concluded that it is necessary to improve financial support mechanisms that stimulate the development of small producers of electricity from renewable energy sources. Particular attention is paid to the study of international experience and its adaptation to Ukrainian realities, which allows to take into account the specifics of the national energy market and maximizing the effectiveness of the introduction of the latest technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current context of economic development requires paying close attention to the energy industry. Since 2022, European countries has been facing specific problems due to energy crises against the background of the geopolitical conflict and the measures provided by European forums in order to reduce dependence on energy imports from Russia. In this context, we aim to define a new model of energy consumption and the function of energy sustainability at the European level, aspects that will lead to highlighting the position of the 27 European member states in the period 2005–2022 in terms of their energy sustainability. The methodology used is based on the study of literature, the consolidation of databases, econometric modelling, and procedures for testing the validity of modelling results. The results of the study are useful to European energy policy decision-makers in view of the necessary adjustments to achieve the objectives of the 2030 and 2050 Agenda.

Energy storage is one of the hot points of research in electrical power engineering as it is essential in power systems. It can improve power system stability, shorten energy generation environmental influence, enhance system efficiency, and also raise renewable energy source penetrations. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the most popular energy storage systems including electrical energy storage systems, electrochemical energy storage systems, mechanical energy storage systems, thermal energy storage systems, and chemical energy storage systems. More than 350 recognized published papers are handled to achieve this goal, and only 272 selected papers are introduced in this work. A comparison between each form of energy storage systems based on capacity, lifetime, capital cost, strength, weakness, and use in renewable energy systems is presented in a tabular form. Selected studies concerned with each type of energy storage system have been discussed considering challenges, energy storage devices, limitations, contribution, and the objective of each study. The integration between hybrid energy storage systems is also presented taking into account the most popular types. Hybrid energy storage system challenges and solutions introduced by published research are summarized and analyzed. A selection criteria for energy storage systems is presented to support the decision-makers in selecting the most appropriate energy storage device for their application. For enormous scale power and highly energetic storage applications, such as bulk energy, auxiliary, and transmission infrastructure services, pumped hydro storage and compressed air energy storage are currently suitable. Battery, flywheel energy storage, super capacitor, and superconducting magnetic energy storage are technically feasible for use in distribution networks. With an energy density of 620 kWh/m3, Li-ion batteries appear to be highly capable technologies for enhanced energy storage implementation in the built environment. Nonetheless, lead-acid batteries continue to offer the finest balance between price and performance because Li-ion batteries are still somewhat costly. The applications of energy storage systems have been reviewed in the last section of this paper including general applications, energy utility applications, renewable energy utilization, buildings and communities, and transportation. Finally, recent developments in energy storage systems and some associated research avenues have been discussed. Academics and engineers interested in energy storage strategies might refer to this review.

Summary: Bioenergy development is critical for achieving carbon neutrality. Biomass residues from agriculture, forest, and livestock manure provide substantial bioenergy resources in China, but their availability, climate, and economic impacts have not been evaluated systematically. Here we assess biomass sustainability, bioenergy potential, greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) reduction, and cost-effectiveness using an integrated data-modeling approach. Nationally, only 27% of biomass can be used for sustainable bioenergy production, but can contribute to significant climate change mitigation with optimized regional utilization. The annual GHG reduction can reach 1.0 Gt CO2e for bioenergy, or 1.4 Gt CO2e for bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS), which is comparable to total terrestrial ecosystem carbon sinks in China. The abatement cost varies regionally but is lower than many other carbon removal technologies. Our findings reveal region-specific bioenergy pathways that contribute to carbon neutrality, and encourage future assessments to explore factors including technological advances and carbon markets.