Search Results (30)

The representation and assessment of static liquefaction in mine tailings is a significant challenge due to the severe environmental and social damage it can cause. This phenomenon, known for its catastrophic nature, is triggered when the undrained shear strength is exceeded by a static loading stress. In this study, the constitutive models HSS and NS were evaluated to calibrate the experimental curves from an isotropically consolidated undrained (CIU) triaxial test on a low-plasticity silt derived from mine tailings. An axisymmetric model was developed in Plaxis 2D for calibration, followed by a sensitivity analysis of the parameters of both constitutive models, using the RMSE to validate their accuracy. The results indicate that the proposed methodology adequately simulates the experimental curves, achieving an RMSE of 8%. After calibration, a numerical model was implemented to evaluate the propagation of the PFS of a mine tailings storage facility using both models, in terms of excess pore pressures, shear strains, and p’-q diagrams at three control points. The results show that both models are capable of representing the PFS; however, the HSS model reproduces the experimental curves more accurately, establishing itself as an ideal tool for simulating undrained behavior and, consequently, the phenomenon of static liquefaction in mine tailings. Full article

The Magallanes region, in southern Chile, is positioned as a strategic hub for the production of green hydrogen (GH2), green ammonia, and synthetic fuels, thanks to its exceptional wind potential and commitment to sustainability. This article analyzes the opportunities and challenges of these energy vectors in the context of global decarbonization, highlighting the key role of the Magallanes region in the energy transition. Green hydrogen production, through wind-powered electrolysis, takes advantage of the region’s constant, high-speed winds, enabling competitive, low-emission generation. In turn, green ammonia, derived from GH2, emerges as a sustainable alternative for the agricultural industry and maritime transport, while synthetic fuels (e-fuels) offer a solution for sectors that are difficult to electrify, such as aviation. The sustainability approach addresses not only emissions reduction but also the responsible use of water resources, the protection of biodiversity, and integration with local communities. The article presents the following structure: (i) introduction, (ii) wind resource potential, (iii) water resource potential, (iv) different forms of hydrogen and its derivatives production (green hydrogen, green ammonia, and synthetic fuels), (v) pilot-scale demonstration plant for Haru Oni GH2 production, (vi) future industrial-scale GH2 production projects, (vii) discussion, and (viii) conclusions. In addition, the article discusses public policies, economic incentives, and international collaborations that promote these projects, positioning Magallanes as a clean energy export hub. Finally, the article concludes that the region can lead the production of green fuels, contributing to global energy security and the fulfillment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, advances in infrastructure, regulation, and social acceptance are required to guarantee a balanced development between technological innovation and environmental conservation. Full article

Brazil has emerged as one of the global leaders in adopting renewable energy, standing out in the implementation of onshore wind energy and, more recently, in the development of future offshore wind energy projects. Onshore wind energy has experienced exponential growth in the last decade, positioning Brazil as one of the countries with the largest installed capacity in the world by 2023, with 30 GW. Wind farms are mainly concentrated in the northeast region, where winds are constant and powerful, enabling efficient and cost-competitive generation. Although in its early stages, offshore wind energy presents significant potential of 1228 GW due to Brazil’s extensive coastline, which exceeds 7000 km. Offshore wind projects promise greater generating capacity and stability, as offshore winds are more constant than onshore winds. However, their development faces challenges such as high initial costs, environmental impacts on marine ecosystems, and the need for specialized infrastructure. From a sustainability perspective, this article discusses that both types of wind energy are key to Brazil’s energy transition. They reduce dependence on fossil fuels, generate green jobs, and foster technological innovation. However, it is crucial to implement policies that foster synergy with green hydrogen production and minimize socio-environmental impacts, such as impacts on local communities and biodiversity. Finally, the article concludes that by 2050, Brazil is expected to consolidate its leadership in renewable energy by integrating advanced technologies, such as larger, more efficient turbines, energy storage systems, and green hydrogen production. The combination of onshore and offshore wind energy and other renewable sources could position the country as a global model for a clean, sustainable, and resilient energy mix. Full article

Urbanization in large cities has altered the urban thermal balance, creating urban heat islands. In this context, green areas are crucial in regulating the urban climate. This study uses remote sensing data to evaluate their performance using the fractional vegetation cover (FVC) and its impact on land surface temperature (LST) in Metropolitan Lima, Peru, between 1986 and 2024. The spatial and temporal relationship between FVC and LST is analyzed, and districts are classified based on their effectiveness in thermal regulation. The Mann–Kendall test was applied to identify trends along with a Spearman correlation analysis and a clustering analysis to group districts according to the cooling effectiveness of their urban green areas. The results show that urban expansion has increased LST by an average of 6.43 °C since 1990, and there is a significant negative correlation (p < 0.001) between FVC and LST, indicating positive impacts of vegetation regulating LST at a spatial level. However, it does not reduce LST at a temporal level. This suggests that, while effective locally, green areas are insufficient to counteract the overall warming of LST over time. Based on FVC and LST characteristics, the districts have been classified into four groups: those with well-preserved green areas, such as La Molina and San Isidro, which have a lower LST, compared to areas where urbanization has replaced vegetation, such as Carabayllo and Lurigancho (Chosica). Finally, this study highlights the importance of integrating green area management into urban planning to mitigate urban warming and promote sustainable development. Full article

The Peruvian coast covers more than 3000 km along the Pacific Ocean, being one of the richest seas in terms of biodiversity, productivity, fishing, and renewable energy potential. Marine renewable energy (MRE) in both offshore and coastal environments of Peru is, currently, a huge reserve of practically unused renewable energy, with inexhaustible potential. In this context, renewable energies from hydroelectric, biomass, wind, and solar sources have been applied in the country, but geothermal, waves, tidal currents, and tidal range sources are currently underdeveloped. This article presents the enormous source of sustainable blue energy for generating electrical energy that exists in Peru from waves and tidal resource potential. In addition, this article presents the main opportunities, gaps, and key issues for the implementation of marine renewable energy (MRE), with emphasis on: (i) showing the available potential in the northern, central, and southern Pacific Ocean territories of Peru, (ii) characterizing the marine energy best available technologies to implement, (iii) the environmental and socio-economic impacts of marine renewable energy, and (iv) discussion of challenges, opportunities, and future directions for developments in the marine energy sector. Finally, the article concludes that the greatest possibilities for exploiting the abundant marine renewable energy (MRE) resource in Peru are large spaces in both offshore and coastal environments on the Pacific Ocean that can be considered for harvesting energy. These issues will depend strongly on the implementation of regulations and policies for the strategic use for planning of marine resources, encouraging research and development (R&D) for creating sustainable innovations, incentives for project finance mechanisms, and developing specialized local human capital, considering the sustainability of livelihoods of coastal communities and ecosystems. Full article

Peru is one of the most diverse countries from a geographical and climatic point of view, where there are three large ecosystem regions called coast, Sierra, and jungle. These characteristics result in the country having many hydrographic basins, with rivers of significant dimensions in terms of the width and length of the channel. In this sense, there is a permanent need to provide connectivity and promote trade between communities through road bridge infrastructure. Thus, Peru historically developed a road network and bridges during the Inca Empire in the Tawantinsuyu region, building a cobblestone road network and suspension bridges with rope cables made of plant fibers from vegetation called Coya-Ichu. This is how bridges in Peru have evolved to meet contemporary vehicular demands and provide structural stability and functionality throughout their useful life. This article presents the following sections: (a) an introduction to the evolution of bridges, (b) the current typology and inventory of bridges, (c) the characterization of the largest bridges, (d) a discussion on the architecture, engineering, construction, and structural health monitoring (AECSHM) of bridges in the face of climate change, earthquakes, and material degradation, and (e) conclusions. Finally, this article presents opportunities and challenges in terms of Peru’s architecture, engineering, construction, and structural health monitoring of road bridges. Special emphasis is given to the use of technologies from the era of Industry 4.0 to promote the digital construction and structural health monitoring of these infrastructures. Finally, it is concluded that the integration of technologies of sensors, the IoT (Internet of Things), AI (artificial intelligence), UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), remote sensing, BIM (Building Information Modeling), and DfMA (Design for Manufacturing and Assembly), among others, will allow for more safe, reliable, durable, productive, cost-effective, sustainable, and resilient bridge infrastructures in Peru in the face of climate change. Full article

South America is a place on the planet that stands out with enormous potential linked to renewable energies. Countries in this region have developed private investment projects to carry out an energy transition from fossil energies to clean energies and contribute to climate change mitigation. The sun resource is one of the more abundant sources of renewable energies that stands out in South America, especially in the Atacama Desert. In this context, South American countries are developing sustainable actions/strategies linked to implementing solar photovoltaic (PV) and concentrated solar power (CSP) facilities and achieving carbon neutrality for the year 2050. As a result, this systematic review presents the progress, new trends, and the road to a sustainable paradigm with disruptive innovations like artificial intelligence, robots, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for solar energy facilities in the region. According to the findings, solar energy infrastructure was applied in South America during the global climate change crisis era. Different levels of implementation in solar photovoltaic (PV) facilities have been reached in each country, with the region being a worldwide research and development (R&D) hotspot. Also, high potential exists for concentrated solar power (CSP) facilities considering the technology evolution, and for the implementation of the hybridization of solar photovoltaic (PV) facilities with onshore wind farm infrastructures, decreasing the capital/operation costs of the projects. Finally, synergy between solar energy infrastructures with emerging technologies linked with low-carbon economies like battery energy storage systems (BESSs) and the use of floating solar PV plants looks like a promising sustainable solution. Full article

Underground mines are considered one of the riskiest facilities for human activities due to numerous accidents and geotechnical failures recorded worldwide over the last century, which have resulted in unsafe labor conditions, poor health outcomes, injuries, and fatalities. One significant cause of these accidents is the inadequate or nonexistent capacity for the real-time monitoring of safety conditions in underground mines. In this context, new emerging technologies linked to the Industry 4.0 paradigm, such as sensors, the Internet of Things (IoT), and LoRaWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network) wireless connectivity, are being implemented for planning the efficient, safe, and sustainable performance of underground mine labor environments. This paper studies the implementation of an ecosystem composed of IoT sensors and LoRa wireless connectivity in a data-acquisition system, which eliminates the need for expensive cabling and manual monitoring in mining operations. Laying cables in an underground mine necessitates cable support and protection against issues, such as machinery operations, vehicle movements, mine operator activities, and groundwater intrusion. As the underground mine expands, additional sensors typically require costly cable installations unless wireless connectivity is employed. The results of this review indicate that an IoT LoRaWAN-based wireless sensor network (WSN) provides real-time data under complex conditions, effectively transmitting data through physical barriers. This network presents an attractive low-cost solution with reliable, simple, scalable, secure, and competitive characteristics compared to cable installations and manually collected readings, which are more sporadic and prone to human error. Reliable data on the behavior of the underground mine enhances productivity by improving key performance indicators (KPIs), minimizing accident risks, and promoting sustainable environmental conditions for mine operators. Finally, the adoption of IoT sensors and LoRaWAN wireless connectivity technologies provides information of the underground mine in real-time, which supports better decisions by the mining industry managers, by ensuring compliance with safety regulations, improving the productive performance, and fostering a roadmap towards more environmentally friendly labor conditions. Full article

South America is a region that stands out worldwide for its biodiversity of ecosystems, cultural heritage, and potential considering natural resources linked to renewable energies. In the global crisis due to climate change, South American countries have implemented actions to carry out a progressive energy transition from fossil energies to renewable energies and contribute to the planet’s sustainability. In this context, South American countries are implementing green strategies and investment projects linked to wind farms to move towards achieving the sustainable development goals for the year 2030 of the UN agenda and achieving low-carbon economies for the year 2050. This article studies the advances in wind energy implementation in South America, highlighting progress and experiences in these issues through a review of the scientific literature considering the year 2023. The methodology applied in this article was carried out through the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and the generation of scientific maps. As a result, this article presents the main developments, lessons learned/gaps, and future sustainable prospects on the road to 2050. According to the results, renewable wind energy infrastructure was applied in South America during the global climate change crisis era. Different levels of development in on-shore wind farms have been reached in each country. Also, a promising future exists for off-shore wind energy considering the highest potential. Finally, this article concludes that implementing emerging technologies like the production of green hydrogen and synthetic e-fuels looks like a synergetic clean energy solution combined with wind energy, which may transform the region into a world-class sustainable territory. Full article

In the last two decades, Peru has experienced a process of transformation in the sources of its energy matrix, increasing the participation of clean energy such as solar photovoltaic (PV), on-shore wind, biomass, and small hydro. However, hydropower and natural gas remain the main sources of electricity, whereas off-shore wind, biogas, waves, tidal, and geothermal sources are currently underdeveloped. This article presents the enormous potential of Peru for the generation of electrical energy from a solar source equivalent to 25 GW, as it has in one of the areas of the world with the highest solar radiation throughout the year. In addition, this article presents the main advantages, benefits, and considerations of the implementation of solar photovoltaic technology, with emphasis on (i) the potential of solar energy, showing the available potential and an installed capacity by the year 2024 equivalent to 398 MW, (ii) current solar energy sources, characterizing existing industrial solar photovoltaic (PV) energy plants, and (iii) future solar energy facilities projections, stating the portfolio of solar renewable energy plant projects to be implemented in the future considering an installed capacity of 7.2 GW by 2028. Additionally, lessons learned, challenges, and directions for the future development of solar energy in the country are presented. Finally, the article concludes that if Peru takes advantage of solar potential by considering a sustainable future perspective and implementing strategic land-use planning, the southern region will be transformed into a world-class territory for renewable energy development considering the hybridization of concentrated solar power (CSP) systems with solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and solar energy storage systems. Full article

The recent tailings storage facility (TSF) dam failures recorded around the world have concerned society in general, forcing the mining industry to improve its operating standards, invest greater economic resources, and implement the best available technologies (BATs) to control TSFs for safety purposes and avoid spills, accidents, and collapses. In this context, and as the era of digitalization and Industry 4.0 continues, monitoring technologies based on sensors have become increasingly common in the mining industry. This article studies the state of the art of implementing sensor technologies to monitor structural health and safety management issues in TSFs, highlighting advances and experiences through a review of the scientific literature on the topic. The methodology applied in this article adheres to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and utilizes scientific maps for data visualization. To do so, three steps were implemented: (i) a quantitative bibliometric analysis, (ii) a qualitative systematic review of the literature, and (iii) a mixed review to integrate the findings from (i) and (ii). As a result, this article presents the main advances, gaps, and future trends regarding the main characteristics of the sensor technologies applied to monitor TSF structural health and safety management in the era of digitalization. According to the results, the existing research predominantly investigates certain TSF sensor technologies, such as wireless real-time monitoring, remote sensors (RS), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), unmanned survey vessels (USVs), artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing (CC), and Internet of Things (IoT) approaches, among others. These technologies stand out for their potential to improve the safety management monitoring of mine tailings, which is particularly significant in the context of climate change-related hazards, and to reduce the risk of TSF failures. They are recognized as emerging smart mining solutions with reliable, simple, scalable, secure, and competitive characteristics. Full article

Peru is one of the most diverse countries in the world, and its climatic characteristics, biodiversity, cultural heritage, and location on the planet give it a vast potential for wind energy, both on its coast and within the 200 miles which comprise the Peruvian coastline on the Pacific Ocean. Likewise, the northern and central areas of the country represent the regions with the greatest potential for wind energy use. In this context, wind energy is a viable alternative to mitigate the effects of climate change in local territories and, thus, meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outlined in the 2030 United Nations (UN) Agenda. This article presents the potential for generating wind-type electrical energy both on-shore with 20.5 GW and off-shore with 347 GW. In addition, the main advantages, benefits, and restrictions in the implementation of this type of energy plants in Peru are presented, considering the following: (i) the mitigation of climate change considering the insertion of renewable energies in the energy matrix; (ii) the potential of the available wind resource; (iii) the characterization of seven existing wind power plants, considering a total installed capacity of 668 MW; and (iv) the implementation of future wind power plants considering a portfolio of 31 projects for 7429 MW of total installed capacity projected. Finally, recent advances, challenges linked to territorial implementation, and future perspectives in developing the renewable energy sector from wind resources to address climate change are discussed. Full article

There is currently a context of climate change due to the way modern cities are developed, and they are made up mainly of impermeable surfaces and concrete buildings that change the hydrological cycle, causing (i) an increase in temperatures, (ii) the accumulation of stormwater on different surfaces, (iii) overflow in drainage systems, and (iv) the alteration of ventilation patterns, among others. This article presents a case study on the implementation of a permeable interlocking concrete paving (PICP) system, and it develops physical–mathematical modeling using software for the design of a parking lot that currently does not have adequate paving and urban drainage, resulting in sporadic flooding due to heavy rainfall in the city of Temuco, La Araucanía region, Chile. This article’s contribution highlights the application of new technology in Chile, discussing road infrastructure solutions based on sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDSs), which seek to implement feasible alternatives in urban sectors to improve human livelihood. The factors studied include structural and hydrological properties, along with the infiltration analysis of the system according to historical rainfall records in the area. This research concludes that the permeable pavement system with a drainage pipe and smooth roughness coefficient performs satisfactorily for an extreme hydrometeorological event corresponding to 140 mm considering 24 h of rainfall with a return period of 100 years equivalent to an inflow of 673 m³/day. Finally, the results indicate that, at least in the conditions of the city of Temuco, the use of permeable interlocking concrete pavement (PICP) proves to be a sustainable and feasible alternative to implementing measures of adaptation and mitigation against climate change, reducing the city’s flooding zones and allowing the irrigation of urban green areas. Full article

Communities and authorities have been dismayed by globally recorded tailings storage facility (TSF) failures in recent years, which have negatively affected the safety of people and the integrity of the environment. In this context, obtaining the social and environmental license to operate TSFs has become a challenging process for mining companies. This has promoted the trend of using mine tailings dewatering technologies in the mining industry, with dry stacking of filtered mine tailings being recognized worldwide as one of the most acceptable, safe, and environmentally friendly solutions. This article presents a new paradigm in managing mine tailings, with disruptive and futuristic characteristics, considering the dry stacking of filtered mine tailings for large-scale industrial production rates over 100,000 metric tons per day (mtpd). Aspects of filtered tailings management are discussed, such as (i) dewatering process plant with thickening/filtering equipment, (ii) conveyance using fixed and movable conveyor belts, (iii) construction of dry stacking of filtered mine tailings facility, and (iv) implementation of Industry 4.0 technologies for automation of the mining processes. Finally, the article discusses how the large-scale filtered mine tailings solution is applied, considering the advances in the equipment’s performance and implementation of Industry 4.0 technologies as well as the experience gained worldwide in several mining operations. The future global trend is that mining operations with high daily production of mine tailings will apply dry stacking technology without dams to guarantee sustainability, promote continuity of the mining business, ensure the safety of communities, and conserve the environment. Full article

The high-Andean vegetation ecosystems of the Bombón Plateau in Peru face increasing degradation due to aggressive anthropogenic land use and the climate change scenario. The lack of historical degradation evolution information makes implementing adaptive monitoring plans in these vulnerable ecosystems difficult. Remote sensor technology emerges as a fundamental resource to fill this gap. The objective of this article was to analyze the degradation of vegetation in the Bombón Plateau over almost four decades (1985–2022), using high spatiotemporal resolution data from the Landsat 5, 7, and 8 sensors. The methodology considers: (i) the use of the atmosphere resistant vegetation index (ARVI), (ii) the implementation of non-parametric Mann–Kendall trend analysis per pixel, and (iii) the affected vegetation covers were determined by supervised classification. This article’s results show that approximately 13.4% of the total vegetation cover was degraded. According to vegetation cover types, bulrush was degraded by 21%, tall grass by 18%, cattails by 16%, wetlands by 14%, and puna grass by 13%. The Spearman correlation (p < 0.01) determined that degraded covers are replaced by puna grass and change factors linked with human activities. Finally, this article concludes that part of the vegetation degradation is related to anthropogenic activities such as agriculture, overgrazing, urbanization, and mining. However, the possibility that environmental factors have influenced these events is recognized. Full article