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Circular Business Models and Circular Economy in Energy Production and Consumption

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A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "C: Energy Economics and Policy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2024 | Viewed by 12798

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Inese Mavlutova

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Guest Editor

Department of Economics and Finance, BA School of Business and Finance, Riga, Latvia
Interests: business models; circular economy; sustainable development; financial sector

Prof. Dr. Luísa Cagica Carvalho

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Guest Editor

Instituto Politécnico de Setúbal, Setúbal, Portugal
Interests: energy economic; business models; sutainable development
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue is focused on the wide-ranging topic of “Circular Business Model and Circular Economy in Energy Production and Consumption” and related to the implementation of the Green Deal Strategies in sectors of the economy and raw materials to ensure clean energy, sustainable industry, construction and renovation, sustainable mobility, pollution reduction, and climate action. This Special Issue covers a wide range of topical issues of sustainable natural resource management, circular economy, environmental management, and renewable energy. More specifically, the Special Issue will cover all the major and minor topics which help to find solutions for circular economy and sustainable development problems, such as climate protection, sustainable natural resource management, regulation around sustainable investments, energy economics, environmental economics, environmental management, inclusive nature of green transition, renewable energy, smart energy materials sustainability and development, knowledge economy, and management and financing of the green transition. Manuscripts on interdisciplinary research are especially welcome.

Prof. Dr. Inese Mavlutova
Prof. Dr. Luísa Cagica Carvalho
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Energies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

circular economy business models
environmental economics and corporate social responsibility
environmental management
new business models and innovation management of energies
inclusive nature of green transition
knowledge economy
green growth for energy (financial factors)
rational use of nature resources
energies and sustainability development in smart cities
renewable energy
sustainable business models
sustainable natural resources management
business performance and circular economy
energy efficiency
circular economy and waste management
energy consumption and urban areas
zero waste and green economy

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 836 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Balancing Portfolios with Metals: A Safe Haven for Green Energy Investors?

by Rui Manuel Dias, Mariana Chambino, Nuno Teixeira, Paulo Alexandre and Paula Heliodoro

Energies 2023, 16(20), 7197; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16207197 - 22 Oct 2023

Viewed by 1018

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between energy metals and precious metals to assess their suitability as safe haven assets in clean energy investment portfolios. This study aims to conduct an effect analysis of the events that occurred during the years 2020 and 2022, characterized by substantial investments in the field of clean energy. The analysed period encompasses the period from 13 July 2018 to 11 July 2023. The study is carried out in multiple stages with the aim of investigating a highly tumultuous period in the global economy. To assess long-term relationships, the econometric methodology proposed by Gregory and Hansen will be employed. The research shows a positive association between energy metals (excluding nickel futures) and clean energy indexes, suggesting their potential as secure investments for green investors diversifying their portfolios. Additionally, the study confirms the reliability of precious metals, such as gold, silver, and platinum as safe havens for clean energy stock indexes. These findings highlight the stability that both energy and precious metals can offer within clean energy portfolios during market volatility, emphasizing their value in such investment strategies. In brief, this study affirms that energy and precious metals are invaluable pillars in the structure of clean energy portfolios, offering unwavering support during market turbulence. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Circular Business Models and Circular Economy in Energy Production and Consumption)

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24 pages, 3556 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Clean Energy Stocks: Resilient Safe Havens in the Volatility of Dirty Cryptocurrencies

by Rui Dias, Paulo Alexandre, Nuno Teixeira and Mariana Chambino

Energies 2023, 16(13), 5232; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16135232 - 07 Jul 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 984

Abstract

Green investors have expressed concerns about the environment and sustainability due to the high energy consumption involved in cryptocurrency mining and transactions. This article investigates the safe haven characteristics of clean energy stock indexes in relation to three cryptocurrencies, taking into account their respective levels of “dirty” energy consumption from 16 May 2018 to 15 May 2023. The purpose is to determine whether the eventual increase in correlation resulting from the events of 2020 and 2022 leads to volatility spillovers between clean energy indexes and cryptocurrencies categorized as “dirty” due to their energy-intensive mining and transaction procedures. The level of integration between clean energy stock indexes and cryptocurrencies will be inferred by using Gregory and Hansen’s methodology. Furthermore, to assess the presence of a volatility spillover effect between clean energy stock indexes and “dirty-classified” cryptocurrencies, the t-test of the heteroscedasticity of two samples from Forbes and Rigobon will be employed. The empirical findings show that clean energy stock indexes may offer a viable safe haven for dirty energy cryptocurrencies. However, the precise associations differ depending on the cryptocurrency under examination. The implications of this study’s results are significant for investment strategies, and this knowledge can inform decision-making procedures and facilitate the adoption of sustainable investment practices. Investors and policy makers can gain a deeper understanding of the interplay between investments in renewable energy and the cryptocurrency market. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Circular Business Models and Circular Economy in Energy Production and Consumption)

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21 pages, 2880 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Connection between Clean and Dirty Energy: Implications for the Transition to a Carbon-Resilient Economy

by Rui Dias, Nuno Teixeira, Paulo Alexandre and Mariana Chambino

Energies 2023, 16(13), 4982; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16134982 - 27 Jun 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 930

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between clean and dirty energy markets, specifically focusing on clean energy stock indexes and their potential as hedging assets and safe havens during periods of global economic uncertainty. The research analyzes five clean energy indexes and four dirty energy indexes from May 2018 to May 2023, considering events such as the global pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The main objective is to examine the causal relationship among different stock indexes pertaining to dirty and clean energy by using the Granger causality test (VAR Granger Causality/Block Exogeneity Wald Test) to determine whether clean energy indexes can predict future prices of dirty energy indexes. However, the findings reveal that clean and dirty energy indexes do not exhibit hedging characteristics or serve as safe havens during times of economic uncertainty, rejecting the research question. These results have important implications for investment strategies, as assets lacking safe haven characteristics may not preserve portfolio efficiency in uncertain times. The study’s insights provide valuable guidance for investors, policymakers, and participants in energy financial markets. It highlights the need to adapt investment approaches and seek alternative options to navigate uncertain economic conditions effectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Circular Business Models and Circular Economy in Energy Production and Consumption)

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18 pages, 5376 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Clean Energy Action Index Efficiency: An Analysis in Global Uncertainty Contexts

by Rui Dias, Nicole Horta and Mariana Chambino

Energies 2023, 16(9), 3937; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16093937 - 06 May 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1885

Abstract

Climate change, the scarcity of fossil fuels, advances in clean energy, and volatility of crude oil prices have led to the recognition of clean energy as a viable alternative to dirty energy. This paper investigates the multifractal scaling behavior and efficiency of green finance markets, as well as traditional markets such as gold, crude oil, and natural gas between 1 January 2018, and 9 March 2023. To test the serial dependency (autocorrelation) and the efficient market hypothesis, in its weak form, we employed the Lo and Mackinlay test and the DFA method. The empirical findings showed that returns data series exhibit signs of (in)efficiency. Additionally, there is a negative autocorrelation among the crude oil market, the Clean Energy Fuels Index, the Global Clean Energy Index, the gold market, and the natural gas market. Arbitration strategies can be used to obtain abnormal returns, but caution should be exercised as prices may increase above their actual market value and reduce the profitability of trading. This work contributes to the body of knowledge on sustainable finance by teaching investors how to use predictive strategies on the future values of their investments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Circular Business Models and Circular Economy in Energy Production and Consumption)

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Review

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27 pages, 476 KiB

Open AccessReview

Strategies of Climate Change Mitigation in Agriculture Plant Production—A Critical Review

by Cezary A. Kwiatkowski, Małgorzata Pawłowska, Elżbieta Harasim and Lucjan Pawłowski

Energies 2023, 16(10), 4225; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16104225 - 20 May 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2217

Abstract

Agriculture is the second-highest, after energy use, source of greenhouse gas emissions, which are released from soils and animal digestion processes and as a result of energy consumption at various stages of agricultural production. However, changes in the management of agricultural systems may mitigate the negative impact of this sector on the atmosphere and climate. This paper presents a literature review on energy consumption in agriculture and the potential of agricultural crop production to assist in mitigation of global warming by increasing absorption of CO₂ from the atmosphere. The issue was considered in the context of managing the cultivation of main, catch and cover crops. The potential of carbon sequestration in the above- and below-ground biomass of selected crops was analyzed. It was stated that, depending on the species, main crops can sequester up to 113 CO₂ ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ in whole biomass, while catch or cover crops can sequester up to 14.80 CO₂ ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ and 0.17 CO₂ ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ in the above- and below-ground biomass, respectively. The benefits of the spread of catch or cover crops, such as improvement of soil quality (leading to an increase in primary crop yield by even as much as 65%) and a phytosanitary effect, as well as the barriers that limit the use of catch crops, including the problems with matching crop species to climate and soil conditions and the risk of reducing farmers’ income, were considered. The results of the review show that catch crops can assimilate an additional amount of 4 to 6 tonnes CO₂ ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹, and thus, spreading of catch crops is an effective way to reduce the climate impact of agriculture. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Circular Business Models and Circular Economy in Energy Production and Consumption)

16 pages, 1397 KiB

Open AccessReview

Urban Transportation Concept and Sustainable Urban Mobility in Smart Cities: A Review

by Inese Mavlutova, Dzintra Atstaja, Janis Grasis, Jekaterina Kuzmina, Inga Uvarova and Dagnija Roga

Energies 2023, 16(8), 3585; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16083585 - 21 Apr 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4272

Abstract

In order to create a sustainable future for the urban environment in s=Smart cities, it is necessary to develop a concept of urban transport, partially reduce the use of traditional transport, primarily cars, as well as the environmental pressure on society, which is essential to move to a sustainable urban future. In the latest discussions on the future of the urban transport system, the quality of the environment, and the possibility of its improvement are discussed, this issue became especially relevant with the onset of the pandemic, when the lockdowns were introduced. The problem of sustainable transport in urban areas has been recognized in academic studies, searching for appropriate models and solutions. The article presents the latest literature review and illustrates the newest trends with several examples. VOS Viewer software has been used to classify the different keywords, according to their co-citation, following clustering techniques. By analyzing the research conducted by other researchers, it has been possible to structure the ecosystem and trends in the Urban Transportation Concept, also mentioning likely future trends. Based on the literature analysis of the Sustainable Urban Transport, the authors of the study found that a large group of researchers deal with technical solutions and innovative business models, while the essential behavioral aspects are examined in less detail. Extensive literature analysis allowed the authors to select several solutions to achieve the transformation towards sustainable transportation in urban areas: new vehicle technologies and their environmental factors’ analysis, geographic information systems, the analytic hierarchy process method, the time series analysis of road traffic accidents using multiplicative models, electrification and use of Friedman Analysis of Variance by Ranks, as well as innovations in sharing mobility. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Circular Business Models and Circular Economy in Energy Production and Consumption)

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