Renewable Energy Technologies and Systems: Technical, Environmental, Economic, Social, and Cultural Challenges

A special issue of Processes (ISSN 2227-9717). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy Systems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 March 2022) | Viewed by 38166

Special Issue Editors

ALGORITMI Research Center, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
Interests: energy; renewable engery; sustainable energy;sustainability; energy planning; environmental performance indicators
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Due to increasing pressures on the environment felt in the last few decades derived from the intensive use of energy, policy decision-makers are increasingly aware of the need to design new energy policies capable of addressing those negative impacts on the environment. However, the implementation of these new policies (related to, for example, the deployment of renewable energy sources, adoption of energy efficiency programs, and implementation of energy conservation measures) faces important challenges, namely technical, environmental, economic, social, and cultural ones.

Although a vast number of papers has been published around this topic, they tend to focus either on a particular type of challenge or policy or technology. Therefore, in this Special Issue, departing from the idea that the sustainability of energy policy interventions does not stand alone but derive from changes in the techno-socio-economic structures, we aim to bring together contributions from scholars working in different but energy-related topics in order to provide a holistic view on how to overcome those challenges and to attain sustainable energy systems. This would allow a more informed energy policy design, contributing to achieve a more sustainable and inclusive development as well as to reach a just energy transition, where a more participatory approach from citizens and communities in this transition process is deemed essential.

Dr. Jorge Cunha
Prof. Dr. Paula Varandas Ferreira
Dr. Wei Cai
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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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. Processes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 2400 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

  • Renewable energy projects
  • energy consumption
  • climate change
  • carbon emissions
  • energy efficiency
  • energy savings
  • energy storage
  • energy management
  • energy policy
  • incentive schemes
  • just transition
  • investment decision

Published Papers (16 papers)

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Editorial

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6 pages, 195 KiB  
Editorial
Special Issue on “Renewable Energy Technologies and Systems: Technical, Environmental, Economic, Social, and Cultural Challenges”
by Jorge Cunha, Paula Ferreira and Wei Cai
Processes 2023, 11(4), 1201; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11041201 - 13 Apr 2023
Viewed by 702
Abstract
Due to the increasing pressures on the environment derived from the intensive use of energy, policy-makers are increasingly aware of the need to design new energy policies capable of addressing those negative impacts on the environment [...] Full article

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review

14 pages, 1808 KiB  
Article
Energy Analysis on Wheat Yield of Mongolian Agriculture
by Lyankhua Bayasgalankhuu, Sara Ilahi, Wenshan Wei and Yongchang Wu
Processes 2022, 10(2), 190; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr10020190 - 18 Jan 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2620
Abstract
Agricultural policies should be aimed at enhancing production per unit area and help to reduce the cultivated area. To that end, it is critical to conserve soil fertility, promote ecological agriculture, employ climate change adaptation technology, significantly enhance irrigated agriculture, and decrease agricultural [...] Read more.
Agricultural policies should be aimed at enhancing production per unit area and help to reduce the cultivated area. To that end, it is critical to conserve soil fertility, promote ecological agriculture, employ climate change adaptation technology, significantly enhance irrigated agriculture, and decrease agricultural production risks. Sustainable agricultural production requires optimized land usage, increased energy efficiency, reduced use of fossil fuels, and minimized environmental consequences. Energy has been used in agriculture in a dramatically increased manner, and the agri-food chain now accounts for 30% of the total global energy use. Energy analysis quantifies the amount of energy used in agricultural production, so it may be used to optimize energy consumption and boost energy efficiency, further propelling the sustainable development of agriculture. Recently, the Mongolian government has expressed concerns about how to realize food sustainability and self-sufficiency in wheat production and agriculture, while also maintaining environmental sustainability. However, there is a substantial study gap between agriculture and energy analysis in Mongolia. This study investigated energy consumption and the effects of energy inputs and energy types on the agricultural production of Mongolia from 2005 to 2018. The output was calculated based on the annual wheat equivalent for the 14 major provinces as a whole. The output level is given as a function of human labor, machinery, electricity, diesel fuel, fertilizers, pesticides, irrigation water, and seed energy, and the yield and different energy inputs are determined using the ordinary least squares of the Cobb–Douglas function. Total energy input grew from 2359.50 MJ ha−1 in 2005 to 3047.61 MJ ha−1 in 2018, while total output energy increased from 2312.08 MJ ha−1 to 4562.56 MJ ha−1. During this period, the energy use efficiency (input–output ratio), energy productivity, and net energy of wheat production were studied. The fertilizer inputs were statistically significant. The contribution of nitrogen, diesel, and irrigation water towards the production level was 3.52, 3.09, and 2.33, respectively. As a result, the data indicated that non-renewable, direct, and indirect energy sources all had a positive impact on the output level. Furthermore, non-renewable energy in Mongolian agriculture has been used in a significantly increased manner. Full article
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16 pages, 583 KiB  
Article
Towards Enterprise Sustainable Innovation Process: Through Boundary-Spanning Search and Capability Reconfiguration
by Ning Cao, Jianjun Wang, Yulu Wang and Li’e Yu
Processes 2021, 9(11), 2092; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr9112092 - 22 Nov 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2273
Abstract
In the open innovation environment, enterprise sustainable innovation is no longer the result of individual decision-making. Extensive contact with suppliers, customers, scientific research institutions, and other subjects for boundary-spanning knowledge search, absorption, and reconfiguration is considered a critical path to enterprise sustainable innovation. [...] Read more.
In the open innovation environment, enterprise sustainable innovation is no longer the result of individual decision-making. Extensive contact with suppliers, customers, scientific research institutions, and other subjects for boundary-spanning knowledge search, absorption, and reconfiguration is considered a critical path to enterprise sustainable innovation. Studying the process of “how boundary-spanning search affects enterprise sustainable innovation” has become an urgent and valuable task. Therefore, based on an innovation search perspective, this study explored the path and mechanism of boundary-spanning search affecting enterprise sustainable innovation, revealed the intermediary effect of capability reconfiguration, and clarified the regulatory role of information technology (IT) governance. We also proposed an integrated model promoting enterprise sustainable innovation process. Using questionnaire data from manufacturing companies in China, this study empirically tested the proposed model hypothesis. The results demonstrated that all boundary-spanning searches (supply-side, demand-side, and cross-regional searches) positively and significantly impacted enterprise sustainable innovation. However, the effects of the search types varied. Capability reconfiguration played a partial intermediary role between boundary-spanning search and enterprise sustainable innovation. IT governance positively moderated the relationship between boundary-spanning search and enterprise capability reconfiguration, particularly between cross-regional search and enterprise capability reconfiguration. This study enriches our understanding of the sustainable innovation process and provides theoretical guidance for enterprises to improve their sustainable innovation performance by effectively using boundary-spanning search strategies. Full article
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18 pages, 9054 KiB  
Article
Data-Driven Evaluation and Optimization of Agricultural Sustainable Development Capability: A Case Study of Northern Anhui
by Muchen Luo, Fan Liu and Jianqing Chen
Processes 2021, 9(11), 2036; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr9112036 - 14 Nov 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1806
Abstract
Human survival depends on the sustainable development of agriculture. This study constructs a data-driven evaluation and optimization method of agricultural sustainable development capacity, aiming to better cope with challenges such as environmental pollution and excessive consumption of resources and energy, as well as [...] Read more.
Human survival depends on the sustainable development of agriculture. This study constructs a data-driven evaluation and optimization method of agricultural sustainable development capacity, aiming to better cope with challenges such as environmental pollution and excessive consumption of resources and energy, as well as improve agricultural economic level. Further, an evaluation index system was constructed based on comprehensive consideration of energy and resources utilization, environmental pollution, and agricultural economy. After simplifying and integrating the data, a data envelopment analysis model was constructed to quantitatively evaluate the capability for agricultural sustainable development and its changing trend. Moreover, its influencing factors were analyzed from the perspective of input, which provides accurate countermeasures for improving agricultural sustainable development ability, resource utilization efficiency, and process optimization. This study shows the realization process of the aforementioned method for the agricultural development of six cities in northern Anhui from 2010 to 2019. Our results suggest that the sustainable development ability of northern Anhui is weak, but overall, has a good development trend. Based on our results, some countermeasures were proposed to control production scale reasonably, reduce environmental load, and improve resource efficiency, which provides a reference for policymakers to guide and standardize the development of regional agriculture. Full article
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14 pages, 11381 KiB  
Article
Assessing Views towards Energy Sources with Social Media Data: The Case of Nuclear Energy in the UAE
by Davide Contu, Elgilani Eltahir Elshareif and Ikhlaas Gurrib
Processes 2021, 9(11), 1945; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr9111945 - 29 Oct 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2116
Abstract
Insights from the analysis of views towards energy sources are of paramount importance for the setting of successful energy policies, especially in instances where the public might be reluctant towards certain projects’ implementations. This work presents an analysis of social media comments data [...] Read more.
Insights from the analysis of views towards energy sources are of paramount importance for the setting of successful energy policies, especially in instances where the public might be reluctant towards certain projects’ implementations. This work presents an analysis of social media comments data given in response to posts around the connection to the grid of a nuclear plant reactor in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). We assessed comments on Facebook posts of local and international media, as well those written in response to a post of a social media influencer. We extracted the main themes and performed sentiment analysis. The results indicate the presence of mixed views towards nuclear energy when focusing on comments on international media’s posts as well as on the social media influencer’s post considered, whilst they were very positive when assessing comments to local media. All in all, nuclear waste and previous nuclear accidents appear to be as the top of the mind; at the same time, solar energy is often suggested in the comments as a viable energy source for the UAE. Implications for the communication of nuclear energy developments in social media are discussed. Full article
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22 pages, 7676 KiB  
Article
Numerical Study on Flow and Release Characteristics of Gas Extinguishing Agent under Different Filling Pressure and Amount Conditions
by Quanwei Li, Hui Ge, Renming Pan, Zhaojun Zhang and Ruiyu Chen
Processes 2021, 9(9), 1683; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr9091683 - 20 Sep 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1932
Abstract
The fire-extinguishing system is an indispensable fire-protection facility on the aircraft. In order to guide weight reduction of the aircraft’s fixed gas fire-extinguishing system by improving its release efficiency, so as to improve fuel economy and reduce carbon emissions, the influence of filling [...] Read more.
The fire-extinguishing system is an indispensable fire-protection facility on the aircraft. In order to guide weight reduction of the aircraft’s fixed gas fire-extinguishing system by improving its release efficiency, so as to improve fuel economy and reduce carbon emissions, the influence of filling pressures and filling amounts on the release efficiency of gas extinguishing agent along pipelines were studied based on numerical simulations. The release process of the fire-extinguishing system was analyzed. The effects of the filling pressure and filling amount of Halon 1301 agent on the release characteristics, such as release time, mass flow rate, and gasification ratio, were studied. Results show that the release process can be divided into three major phases, which are firstly the initial rapid filling of the pipeline, secondly the concentrated release of the liquid extinguishing agent, and thirdly the gas ejection along the pipeline. The second phase can also be subdivided into two stages: the outflow of the liquid extinguishing agent from the bottle, and the release of the residual liquid extinguishing agent along the pipeline. The release characteristics of the fire-extinguishing agent were obviously affected by the filling pressures and filling amounts. When the filling pressure was relatively low (2.832 MPa), increasing the filling pressure can significantly increase the mass flow rate, shorten the release time, and reduce the gasification ratio of the extinguishing agent during the release processes. Under the same filling pressure, with the increase of the filling amount of the extinguishing agent, the release times and the gasification ratio showed a linear increase trend, while the average mass flow rates showed a linear decrease trend. Full article
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12 pages, 2188 KiB  
Article
Study on the Choice of Wastewater Treatment Process Based on the Emergy Theory
by Cui Wang, Changyi Liu, Xiaoxiao Si, Cuixia Zhang, Fan Liu, Li’e Yu and Guohua Chen
Processes 2021, 9(9), 1648; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr9091648 - 13 Sep 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1988
Abstract
With the increase in industrialization and urbanization, water pollution has become increasingly serious, and wastewater treatment has become a common step in preventing this. For a greater understanding of the sustainability of different wastewater treatment systems, two processes, Anaerobic Baffled Reactor + Anaerobic-Anoxic-Oxic [...] Read more.
With the increase in industrialization and urbanization, water pollution has become increasingly serious, and wastewater treatment has become a common step in preventing this. For a greater understanding of the sustainability of different wastewater treatment systems, two processes, Anaerobic Baffled Reactor + Anaerobic-Anoxic-Oxic and Anaerobic Baffled Reactor + Cyclic Activated Sludge System, were selected, and their sustainability was evaluated based on three indicators, namely emergy yield ratio, environmental load rate, and emergy sustainability development index, according to emergy theory. The results show that the emergy yield ratio and environmental load rate of the ABR + CASS process were lower than those of the ABR + A2/O process, and the emergy sustainability development index of the ABR + CASS process was higher than that of the ABR + A2/O process, showing better sustainability. The research methods and findings of this study play an important role for decision makers in selecting sustainable wastewater treatment processes. Full article
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15 pages, 3144 KiB  
Article
Comparative Thermal Degradation Behaviors and Kinetic Mechanisms of Typical Hardwood and Softwood in Oxygenous Atmosphere
by Xiaokang Xu, Renming Pan and Ruiyu Chen
Processes 2021, 9(9), 1598; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr9091598 - 06 Sep 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1935
Abstract
In order to utilize woody biomass effectively for bioenergy and chemical feedstocks, the comparative thermal degradation behaviors and kinetic mechanisms of typical hardwood (beech wood) and softwood (camphorwood) were studied at various heating rates in air. The Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose approach combined with the Coats-Redfern [...] Read more.
In order to utilize woody biomass effectively for bioenergy and chemical feedstocks, the comparative thermal degradation behaviors and kinetic mechanisms of typical hardwood (beech wood) and softwood (camphorwood) were studied at various heating rates in air. The Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose approach combined with the Coats-Redfern approach was employed to estimate the kinetic triplet. Softwood degradation began and ended at lower temperatures than hardwood. Compared with softwood, the maximal reaction rate of hardwood was greater and occurred in the higher temperature region. Two decomposition regions were determined by the variation of activation energy, and the dividing point was α = 0.6 and α = 0.65 for hardwood and softwood, respectively. Moreover, the average activation energy of hardwood was larger than that of softwood during the whole decomposition process. The thermal degradation process occurring in region 1 was dominated by the Avrami-Erofeev and 3D diffusion models for hardwood and softwood, respectively. Furthermore, the kinetic modeling results showed good consistency between the experimental and simulated curves under 5, 15, 20, and 40 K/min. It is noted that the thermogravimetric experimental profile under 20 K/min was not used for estimating the kinetic triplet. Besides, the combustion performance of hardwood is superior to softwood under the same external conditions (heating rate and atmosphere). Full article
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13 pages, 4493 KiB  
Article
Optimum Design of Blank Dimensions Guided by a Business Compass in the Machining Process
by Yongmao Xiao, Ruping Wang, Wei Yan and Lina Ma
Processes 2021, 9(8), 1286; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr9081286 - 26 Jul 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1996
Abstract
Blanks, an important raw material for the manufacturing industry, are semi-finished products for further processing. The energy consumption and processing efficiency in the process of blank production and use can be determined to a great extent in the blank design stage. The design [...] Read more.
Blanks, an important raw material for the manufacturing industry, are semi-finished products for further processing. The energy consumption and processing efficiency in the process of blank production and use can be determined to a great extent in the blank design stage. The design of appropriate blank dimensions is an important means of realizing ecological civilization. Current blank designs seldom consider the production conditions of enterprises. In order to design energy-saving and efficient blanks on the basis of the actual conditions of an enterprise, this paper establishes the blank dimension optimization design model from the perspective of a business compass. With energy savings and efficiency as the goals, and the blank production and use-process equipment parameters as variables, the blank dimensions were optimized by an NSGA-II algorithm, and the results showed that the energy efficiency and processing efficiency of the designed blank dimensions were significantly better than for the existing blank dimensions in the process of enterprise operation. Full article
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15 pages, 1565 KiB  
Article
Impact of Renewable Energy on Economic Growth and CO2 Emissions—Evidence from BRICS Countries
by Qinghua Fu, Susana Álvarez-Otero, Muhammad Safdar Sial, Ubaldo Comite, Pengfei Zheng, Sarminah Samad and Judit Oláh
Processes 2021, 9(8), 1281; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr9081281 - 25 Jul 2021
Cited by 35 | Viewed by 4718
Abstract
The global focus on the use of renewable energy resources was mainly reignited by the signing of the Kyoto Protocol Agreement in 1997. Since then, the world has seen a great deal of progress in terms of the production and consumption of renewable [...] Read more.
The global focus on the use of renewable energy resources was mainly reignited by the signing of the Kyoto Protocol Agreement in 1997. Since then, the world has seen a great deal of progress in terms of the production and consumption of renewable energy. This in turn is rapidly powering economic growth and social development around the globe. Contrary to popular belief, the use of renewable energy is not limited to developed countries only. The developing countries are also rapidly endorsing renewable energy as a vital engine of economic growth and societal development. In this regard, even though renewable energy production and consumption are in their infancy in BRICS, these countries are taking concrete steps towards the development of renewable energy resources. The results of previous studies have indicated that with an increase in the GDP of a country its carbon footprint also tends to increase; the Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) countries are no exception in this regard. One of the main challenges in research related to measuring the contribution of renewable energy towards economic growth is the use of a singular model or techniques that may not be appropriate for the generalization of the results. This study intends to overcome this challenge by application of multiple econometric-based models which include the “Cross Dependency” test, the unit root test, and “CIPS” (cross-sectional augmented IPS). Besides these the second generation, stochastic models based upon econometrics, such as the DOLS test (dynamic ordinary least square) and the FMOLS (fully modified ordinary least square) are also applied for verification of the contribution of renewable energy towards the economic growth of the BRICS countries. The novelty of the study mainly stems from fact that these models are seldom applied in tandem and especially in the BRICS countries. The results of the study indicate that the existence of the bi-directional relationship between the use of renewable energy and economic growth is mainly indicated by the increase in GDP, thus lending support to the feedback hypothesis. Moreover, the conservation hypothesis was proven by the existence of a unidirectional causality relationship between the use of renewable energy and CO2 emissions. Alongside these, the study also included sensitivity analysis to gauge the impact of the growth of GDP on the CO2 emissions of BRICS countries, and regression analysis was performed to create an EKC curve which was used to gauge not only the sensitivity but also to help in highlighting the impact of using renewable energy in controlling and reducing CO2 emissions, thus proving the EKC theory. Thus, it can be deduced that increase in CO2 emissions is of major concern for the BRICS countries, which has led them to increase the production of renewable energy. Based upon the findings of the present study it is recommended that policymakers should encourage the use of renewable energy by offering incentives in financial terms, such as interest-free or low-interest loans, subsidies and feed-in tariffs. Full article
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12 pages, 236 KiB  
Article
The Influence of Urban Sprawl on Air Pollution and the Mediating Effect of Vehicle Ownership
by Aiping Tao, Qun Liang, Peng Kuai and Tao Ding
Processes 2021, 9(8), 1261; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr9081261 - 21 Jul 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3189
Abstract
Based on the panel data of 224 prefecture-level and above cities in China from 2003 to 2016, this paper empirically studies the impact of urban sprawl on air pollution and introduces a mediating effect model to test the mediating role of vehicle ownership [...] Read more.
Based on the panel data of 224 prefecture-level and above cities in China from 2003 to 2016, this paper empirically studies the impact of urban sprawl on air pollution and introduces a mediating effect model to test the mediating role of vehicle ownership concerning the impact of urban sprawl on air pollution. The research in this paper arrives at three conclusions. First, urban sprawl has a significant positive effect on air pollution, and this conclusion is still valid after solving the endogeneity problem and conducting a robustness test. Second, the results of mediating effect test show that urban sprawl indirectly affects air pollution through the partial mediating effect of vehicle ownership. By removing the mediating effect, urban sprawl has a significant negative impact on air pollution, indicating that the mediating effect of vehicle ownership is higher concerning the impact of urban sprawl on air pollution. Third, further panel quantile regression results show that the higher the level of air pollution, the weaker the mediating effect of vehicle ownership and the stronger the direct effect of urban sprawl on air pollution. These conclusions can provide some empirical support for solving the air pollution problems caused by urban sprawl in China. Full article
23 pages, 2202 KiB  
Article
Health and Housing Energy Expenditures: A Two-Part Model Approach
by Fátima Lima, Paula Ferreira and Vítor Leal
Processes 2021, 9(6), 943; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr9060943 - 27 May 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2503
Abstract
Interest in the interaction between energy and health within the built environment has been increasing in recent years, in the context of sustainable development. However, in order to promote health and wellbeing across all ages it is necessary to have a better understanding [...] Read more.
Interest in the interaction between energy and health within the built environment has been increasing in recent years, in the context of sustainable development. However, in order to promote health and wellbeing across all ages it is necessary to have a better understanding of the association between health and energy at household level. This study contributes to this debate by addressing the case of Portugal using data from the Household Budget Survey (HBS) microdata database. A two-part model is applied to estimate health expenditures based on energy-related expenditures, as well as socioeconomic variables. Additional statistical methods are used to enhance the perception of relevant predictors for health expenditures. Our findings suggest that given the high significance and coefficient value, energy expenditure is a relevant explanatory variable for health expenditures. This result is further validated by a dominance analysis ranking. Moreover, the results show that health gains and medical cost reductions can be a key factor to consider on the assessment of the economic viability of energy efficiency projects in buildings. This is particularly relevant for the older and low-income segments of the population. Full article
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17 pages, 3224 KiB  
Article
CO2 Emission and Energy Consumption from Automobile Industry in China: Decomposition and Analyses of Driving Forces
by Shaohua Hu, Jie Yang, Zhigang Jiang, Minda Ma and Wei Cai
Processes 2021, 9(5), 810; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr9050810 - 06 May 2021
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4393
Abstract
Despite the increasing contribution of the automotive industry to China’s national economy, CO2 emissions have become a challenge. However, the research about its energy consumption and carbon emissions is lacking. The significance of this study is to fill the research gap and [...] Read more.
Despite the increasing contribution of the automotive industry to China’s national economy, CO2 emissions have become a challenge. However, the research about its energy consumption and carbon emissions is lacking. The significance of this study is to fill the research gap and provide suggestions for China’s automotive industry to reduce its carbon emissions. In this paper, the extended logarithmic Division index (LMDI) method is adopted to decompose the factors affecting carbon emissions and determine the key driving forces. According to provincial statistical data in China in 2017, the annual emissions of six provinces exceeded five million tons, accounting for 55.44% of the total emissions in China. The largest source of emissions in China is in Jilin Province, followed by Jiangsu, Shandong, Shanghai, Hubei and Henan. The decomposition results show that investment intensity effect is the greatest factor for CO2 emissions, while R&D intensity and energy intensity are the two principal factors for emission reduction. After the identification of driving factors, mitigation measures are proposed considering the current state of affairs and real situation, including improving energy structure, accelerating product structure transformation, stimulating sound R&D investment activities, promoting energy conservation and new energy automobile industry development and boosting industrial cluster development. Full article
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19 pages, 6821 KiB  
Article
Modified Harmony Search Algorithm for Resource-Constrained Parallel Machine Scheduling Problem with Release Dates and Sequence-Dependent Setup Times
by Ibrahim M. Al-harkan, Ammar A. Qamhan, Ahmed Badwelan, Ali Alsamhan and Lotfi Hidri
Processes 2021, 9(4), 654; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr9040654 - 08 Apr 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1558
Abstract
This research focuses on the problem of scheduling a set of jobs on unrelated parallel machines subject to release dates, sequence-dependent setup times, and additional renewable resource constraints. The objective is to minimize the maximum completion time (makespan). To optimize the problem, a [...] Read more.
This research focuses on the problem of scheduling a set of jobs on unrelated parallel machines subject to release dates, sequence-dependent setup times, and additional renewable resource constraints. The objective is to minimize the maximum completion time (makespan). To optimize the problem, a modified harmony search (MHS) algorithm was proposed. The parameters of MHS are regulated using full factorial analysis. The MHS algorithm is examined, evaluated, and compared to the best methods known in the literature. Four algorithms were represented from similar works in the literature. A benchmark instance has been established to test the sensitivity and behavior of the problem parameters of the different algorithms. The computational results of the MHS algorithm were compared with those of other metaheuristics. The competitive performance of the developed algorithm is verified, and it was shown to provide a 42% better solution than the others. Full article
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19 pages, 2153 KiB  
Article
Achieving a Sustainable Development Process by Deployment of Solar PV Power in ASEAN: A SWOT Analysis
by Hengtian Wang, Xiaolong Yang, Qihe Lou and Xinxin Xu
Processes 2021, 9(4), 630; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr9040630 - 02 Apr 2021
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 5131
Abstract
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has experienced rapid social and economic development in the past decades, while energy shortage, environmental pollution, and climate change are the factors that prevent a sustainable development process. Deployment of solar photovoltaic (PV) power is one [...] Read more.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has experienced rapid social and economic development in the past decades, while energy shortage, environmental pollution, and climate change are the factors that prevent a sustainable development process. Deployment of solar photovoltaic (PV) power is one of the effective alternatives to overcome the above barriers and assist ASEAN to achieve the aspirational target of 23% renewable energy (RE) in the total primary energy supply (TPES). In this study, SWOT analysis is adopted to analyze the internal strengths and weaknesses and the external threats and opportunities tightly related to the development of solar PV power in ASEAN countries. Through the SWOT analysis, great potential for the development of solar PV power in ASEAN is found. As long as appropriate policies are implemented and proper actions are taken, huge space for deployment of solar PV power can be expected. Based on the SWOT analysis, countermeasures that emphasize further deployment of solar PV power in ASEAN countries are put forward. The tactics include arousing people’s awareness of a sustainable development process, government issue coherence and stable incentive policies, fostering a solar PV industry chain and master key technology, and seek opportunities via an international cooperation. Full article
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Review

Jump to: Editorial, Research

26 pages, 3053 KiB  
Review
Methods for Financial Assessment of Renewable Energy Projects: A Review
by Vanderson Delapedra-Silva, Paula Ferreira, Jorge Cunha and Herbert Kimura
Processes 2022, 10(2), 184; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr10020184 - 18 Jan 2022
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 8593
Abstract
The financial evaluation of renewable energy sources (RES) projects is well explored in the literature, but many different methods have been followed by different authors. Then, it is important to understand if and how these methods have been changing and what factors may [...] Read more.
The financial evaluation of renewable energy sources (RES) projects is well explored in the literature, but many different methods have been followed by different authors. Then, it is important to understand if and how these methods have been changing and what factors may have driven new approaches. Therefore, this article aims to explore the publications on the financial evaluation of RES projects from 2011 to 2020 and to present a critical analysis of the reviewed literature. The methods for evaluating RES projects were grouped into four categories: (i) traditional metrics based on net present value, internal rate of return, and payback period; (ii) levelized cost of electricity; (iii) return on investment approach; and (iv) real options analysis. A quantitative analysis was carried out considering aspects related to the relevance of the authors, productivity by country, and the most relevant journals for each of these groups. Then, a qualitative analysis of the main characteristics of the five most cited articles in each group was conducted. The results show that the more traditional methods are still widely used for the financial evaluation of RES projects. However, approaches based on the levelized cost and real options have been growing in importance to tackle the complex features of financial evaluation and comparison of RES projects. Full article
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