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Carbon Neutrality through Green Innovations – the Role of the Renewable Energy II

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2023) | Viewed by 8006

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Magdalena Radulescu

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Department Finance, Accounting and Economics, University of Pitesti, 110040 Pitesti, Romania
Interests: economic growth; energy consumption; environmental pollution; environmental taxation
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Prof. Dr. Mirela Panait

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Faculty of Economic Sciences, Petroleum-Gas University of Ploieşti, 100680 Ploieşti, Romania
Interests: energy transition; corporate social responsibility; sustainable development; international finance
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Dr. Daniel Balsalobre-Lorente

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Department of Political Economy and Public Finance, Economic and Business Statistics and Economic Policy, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Rectorado UCLM, Calle Altagracia, 50, 13001 Ciudad Real, Spain
Interests: energy transition; environmental degradation economic growth; tourism; public finances
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Dr. Umer Shahzad

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School of Statistics & Applied Mathematics, Anhui University of Finance & Economics, Bengbu 233030, China
Interests: energy economics and sustainability
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Dr. Abdul Rehman

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Guest Editor

College of Economics and Management, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
Interests: energy economics; environmental economics; sustainable development; agricultural economics; health economics; energy finance; regional rural development; regional agricultural development; food economics; economics and pollution; climate change
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Economic development and environmental sustainability play essential roles in the energy field. Demand for energy has risen in many nations as a result of increasing industrialization, agricultural modernization, urbanization, and globalization and better transportation. However, promoting economic growth, without harming the climate, is a requirement for sustainable development.

Carbon neutrality means having a balance between emitting and absorbing carbon from the atmosphere. It is critical for achieving the global climate change targets. The European Union recently reaffirmed its commitment to become the world’s first climate-neutral region by 2050, but there are also many other large economies such as the UK, Japan, or South Korea that aim for this goal. Carbon neutrality has become an important part of the corporate and public climate mitigation policies, but the details for this process need further research.

Some significant directions on the path for achieving carbon neutrality are represented by green innovations that rely on a higher renewable energy production and consumption. Fossil fuel energy sources remain the primary energy sources worldwide, although renewables’ contributions significantly increased. Green innovation refers to innovation related to green products and processes, leading to fossil fuel energy decreases, pollution management, waste recycling, product design and environmental management (Chen et al., 2006).

This Special Issue aims to investigate how carbon neutrality can be achieved by the economies that aim for this goal, what benefits are gained from this energy transition, how can green innovation be accelerated and what the adverse outcomes are that may arise during this process.

Prof. Dr. Magdalena Radulescu
Prof. Dr. Mirela Panait
Dr. Daniel Balsalobre-Lorente
Dr. Umer Shahzad
Dr. Abdul Rehman
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

carbon neutrality
climate change
carbon footprint
carbon reduction
sustainable development
renewable energy
clean technologies
green innovations
energy efficiency improvements
ESG issues
CSR and non-financial performance
energy poverty
energy transition
nuclear energy

Related Special Issue

Carbon Neutrality through Green Innovations—the Role of the Renewable Energy: 3rd Edition in Energies

Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 3308 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dynamic of H₂NG in Distribution Systems

by Cristian Nicolae Eparu, Doru Bogdan Stoica, Adrian Neacsa, Renata Radulescu, Dragos Chiritescu, Alina Petronela Prundurel and Bogdan Ionete

Energies 2024, 17(2), 391; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17020391 - 12 Jan 2024

Viewed by 514

Abstract

The reduction in GHG emissions has become one of the most important objectives in Europe. One of these clean technologies in the quest for large-scale decarbonisation is the blending of hydrogen and natural gas (H₂NG). The significance of this article lies in conducting a technical–economic analysis that relies on simulating annual consumption patterns. This study focuses on the utilization of H₂NG at different proportions within a distribution network in Bucharest, Romania’s largest city. The paper is a fallow up of another paper and presents a case study for the injection through all four entry points in the city of different percentages of hydrogen and the dynamic of the mix through the gas distribution network. The study found that the variation in H₂ in the network is high and depends on the entry point levels and consumption. An economic analysis was conducted on seasonal real consumption, which confirmed the investment’s profitability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon Neutrality through Green Innovations – the Role of the Renewable Energy II)

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23 pages, 5678 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Seasonal Analysis and Capacity Planning of Solar Energy Demand-to-Supply Management: Case Study of a Logistics Distribution Center

by Akihiko Takada, Hiromasa Ijuin, Masayuki Matsui and Tetsuo Yamada

Energies 2024, 17(1), 191; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17010191 - 29 Dec 2023

Viewed by 638

Abstract

In recent years, global warming and environmental problems have become more serious due to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Harvesting solar energy for production and logistic activities in supply chains, including factories and distribution centers, has been promoted as an effective means to reduce GHG emissions. However, it is difficult to balance the supply and demand of solar energy, owing to its intermittent nature, i.e., the output depends on the daylight and season. Moreover, the use of large-capacity solar power generation systems and batteries incurs higher installation costs. In order to maintain low costs, demand-to-supply management of solar energy, based on appropriate seasonal analysis of power generation and consumption and the capacity planning for power generation and the storage battery, is necessary. In this study, the on-demand cumulative control method is applied to actual power consumption data and solar power generation data estimated at a distribution center. Moreover, the monthly, seasonal, and temporal characteristics of power generation and consumption at the distribution center are analyzed. Additionally, the total amount of power purchased is investigated for solar energy demand-to-supply management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon Neutrality through Green Innovations – the Role of the Renewable Energy II)

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13 pages, 4451 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Energy Management Model for a Remote Microgrid Based on Demand-Side Energy Control

by Dario Benavides, Paul Arévalo, Antonio Cano Ortega, Francisco Sánchez-Sutil and Edisson Villa-Ávila

Energies 2024, 17(1), 170; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17010170 - 28 Dec 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 638

Abstract

The internet of things is undergoing rapid expansion, transforming diverse industries by facilitating device connectivity and supporting advanced applications. In the domain of energy production, internet of things holds substantial promise for streamlining processes and enhancing efficiency. This research introduces a comprehensive monitoring and energy management model tailored for the University of Cuenca’s microgrid system, employing internet of things and ThingSpeak as pivotal technologies. The proposed approach capitalizes on intelligent environments and employs ThingSpeak as a robust platform for presenting and analyzing data. Through the integration of internet of things devices and sensors, the photovoltaic system’s parameters, including solar radiation and temperature, are monitored in real time. The collected data undergo analysis using sophisticated models and are presented visually through ThingSpeak, facilitating effective energy management and decision making. The developed monitoring system underwent rigorous testing in a laboratory microgrid setup, where the photovoltaic system is interconnected with other generation and storage systems, as well as the electrical grid. This seamless integration enhances visibility and control over the microgrid’s energy production. The results attest to the successful implementation of the monitoring system, highlighting its efficacy in improving the supervision, automation, and analysis of daily energy production. By leveraging internet of things technologies and ThingSpeak, stakeholders gain access to real-time data, enabling them to analyze performance trends and optimize energy resources. This research underscores the practical application of internet of things in enhancing the monitoring and management of energy systems with tangible benefits for stakeholders involved. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon Neutrality through Green Innovations – the Role of the Renewable Energy II)

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13 pages, 1866 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Economic Viability Investigation of Mixed-Biomass Briquettes Made from Agricultural Residues for Household Cooking Use

by Bill Vaneck Bot, Petros J. Axaopoulos, Evangelos I. Sakellariou, Olivier Thierry Sosso and Jean Gaston Tamba

Energies 2023, 16(18), 6469; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16186469 - 07 Sep 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1147

Abstract

This paper presents a theoretical evaluation of the prices of mixed briquettes produced from coconut shells (CCS), banana peels (BNP), rattan waste (RWT), and sugarcane bagasse (SGC) and, on the other hand, an analysis of the economic viability of their use as a replacement for conventional household fuels (liquefied petroleum gas, fuelwood, and wood charcoal) in households in Cameroon. The investigation was carried out using the life cycle cost method on a typical household over a ten-year period with annual cooking energy requirements of 950 kWh_th. The SGC–CCS and SGC–RWT mixed briquettes with ratios higher than 7.75% and 11.1%, respectively, have prices lower than EUR 0.063/kWh_th. The Present Value of the Net Benefit is positive for the use of SGC–CCS and SGC–RWT mixed briquettes. The results show that by making the right mixes of residues, it is possible to obtain biomass briquettes that are less expensive than conventional fuels. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon Neutrality through Green Innovations – the Role of the Renewable Energy II)

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15 pages, 2177 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Examining the Role of Renewable Energy, Technological Innovation, and the Insurance Market in Environmental Sustainability in the United States: A Step toward COP26 Targets

by Ahmed Samour, Usman Mehmood, Magdalena Radulescu, Radu Alexandru Budu and Rares Mihai Nitu

Energies 2023, 16(17), 6138; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16176138 - 23 Aug 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 987

Abstract

Investigating the determinants of environmental sustainability has become a very attractive and popular area of research in response to the United Nations’ sustainable development goals (SDGs) and COP26 targets. Against this backdrop, this paper aims to explore the effects of renewable energy, technological innovation, and the insurance market on environmental sustainability in the United States (US). This work contributes to the extant body of knowledge by exploring the effect of the insurance market on the load capacity factor (LC), specifically regarding the US. The LC tracks a certain ecological threshold by simultaneously comparing biocapacity and ecological footprint (EF), thereby providing a comprehensive empirical analysis of ecological sustainability determinants. However, this proxy includes the combined attributes of the demand and supply sides of ecological sustainability. Using the recently developed autoregressive distributed lag method, this research reveals that the insurance market adversely affects the LC in the US. The overall outcomes highlight the positive role of renewable energy, technological innovation, and the insurance market in achieving the SDGs and COP26 targets. Policy recommendations for policymakers concerning promoting renewable energy, green innovation activities, the green insurance market, and ecological regulations are also discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon Neutrality through Green Innovations – the Role of the Renewable Energy II)

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19 pages, 1492 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analyzing the Impact of Renewable Energy and Green Innovation on Carbon Emissions in the MENA Region

by Abdullah Albaker, Kashif Raza Abbasi, Akram Masoud Haddad, Magdalena Radulescu, Catalin Manescu and Georgiana Tatiana Bondac

Energies 2023, 16(16), 6053; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16166053 - 18 Aug 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1208

Abstract

The rising carbon dioxide emissions from the MENA region constitute a severe danger to the environment, public health, and the execution of the United Nations SDGs. Substantial steps are required to solve this problem and maintain the region’s sustainable future. Hence, the current study focused on distinct factors, including renewable energy, energy intensity, green innovation, GDP, and CO₂ emissions from 1990 to 2021. The research determines the multifarious variables in various quantiles, including the novel Method of Moments Quantile Regression (MMQR) approach, Fully Modified Ordinary Least Square (FM-OLS), Dynamic Ordinary Least Square (D-OLS) and Driscoll-Kraay Standard Errors (DKS) applied. The findings reveal that renewable energy significantly reduces carbon emissions in all quantiles, while energy intensity, green innovation, and GDP lead to carbon emissions in lower, middle, and upper quantiles. For robust outcome confirmed by FM-OLS, D-OLS, and DKS methods. Also, Granger heterogeneous causality applied that confirmed the bidirectional causality among the variables. The study’s findings imply that authorities should emphasize the emergence of renewable energy and green innovation while adopting energy-efficient technologies to minimize carbon emissions and accomplish SDGs 7, 9, and 13 to secure the MENA region. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon Neutrality through Green Innovations – the Role of the Renewable Energy II)

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Review

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25 pages, 389 KiB

Open AccessReview

Catch and Cover Crops’ Use in the Energy Sector via Conversion into Biogas—Potential Benefits and Disadvantages

by Alicja Słomka and Małgorzata Pawłowska

Energies 2024, 17(3), 600; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17030600 - 26 Jan 2024

Viewed by 637

Abstract

The development of civilization is related to an increase in energy demand, while its production is still based mainly on fossil fuels. The release of carbon into the environment, which disturbs the balance of the global system, is the consequence of using these fuels. One possible way to reduce the carbon footprint of the energy sector is the widespread use of cover crops’ biomass for energy production. The aim of this paper is to critically review the knowledge on the dissemination of catch and cover crops’ cultivation in different regions of the world, and the yield, chemical composition and biomethane potential of their biomass. Additionally, the environmental benefits, as well as the challenges and opportunities associated with this biomass use in the energy sector, are considered. The review showed that the aboveground biomass of cover and catch crops is a valuable source for the production of bioenergy in biogas plants. However, the key role of these crops is to prevent soil degradation. Therefore, changes in biomass target use must be preceded by a multi-aspect analysis that allows their impact on the environment to be assessed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon Neutrality through Green Innovations – the Role of the Renewable Energy II)

38 pages, 5404 KiB

Open AccessReview

Hydrogen–Natural Gas Mix—A Viable Perspective for Environment and Society

by Adrian Neacsa, Cristian Nicolae Eparu, Cașen Panaitescu, Doru Bogdan Stoica, Bogdan Ionete, Alina Prundurel and Sorin Gal

Energies 2023, 16(15), 5751; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16155751 - 01 Aug 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1306

Abstract

The increase in demand, and thus the need to lower its price, has kept C-based fuels as the main source. In this context, the use of oil and gas has led to increased climate change, resulting in greenhouse gases. The high percentage of eissions, over 40%, is due to the production of electricity, heat, or/and energy transport. This is the main reason for global warming and the extreme and increasingly common climate change occurrences, with all of nature being affected. Due to this reason, in more and more countries, there is an increased interest in renewable energies from sustainable sources, with a particular emphasis on decarbonisation. One of the energies analysed for decarbonisation that will play a role in future energy systems is hydrogen. The development of hydrogen–natural gas mixtures is a major challenge in the field of energy and fuel technology. This article aims to highlight the major challenges associated with researching hydrogen–natural gas blends. Meeting this challenge requires a comprehensive research and development effort, including exploring appropriate blending techniques, optimising performance, addressing infrastructure requirements, and considering regulatory considerations. Overcoming this challenge will enable the full potential of hydrogen–natural gas blends to be realised as a clean and sustainable energy source. This will contribute to the global transition to a greener and more sustainable future. Several international, European, and Romanian studies, projects, and legislative problems are being analysed. The mix between H2 and natural gas decreases fugitive emissions. In contrast, using hydrogen increases the risk of fire more than using natural gas because hydrogen is a light gas that easily escapes and ignites at almost any concentration in the air. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon Neutrality through Green Innovations – the Role of the Renewable Energy II)

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