Search Results (582)

The demand for land monitoring information continues to increase, but the range and diversity of the available products to date have made their integrated use challenging and, at times, counterproductive. There has therefore been a growing need to enhance and harmonise the practice of land monitoring on a pan-European level with the formulation of a more consistent and standardised set of modelling criteria. The outcome has been a paradigm shift away from a “paper map”-based world where features are given a single, fixed label to one where features have a rich characterisation which is more informative, flexible and powerful. The approach allows the characteristics to be dynamic so that, over time, a feature may only change part of its description (i.e., a forest can be felled, but it may remain as forestry if replanted) or it can have multiple descriptors (i.e., a forest may be used for both timber production and recreation). The concept proposed by the authors has evolved since 2008 from first drafts to a comprehensive and powerful tool adopted by the European Union’s Copernicus programme. It provides for the semantic decomposition of existing nomenclatures, as well as supports a descriptive approach to the mapping of all landscape features in a flexible and object-oriented manner. In this way, the key move away from classification towards the characterisation of the Earth’s surface represents a novel and innovate approach to handling complex land surface information more suited to the age of distributed databases, cloud computing and object-oriented data modelling. In this paper, the motivation for and technical approach of the EAGLE concept with its matrix and UML model implementation are explained. This is followed by an update of the latest developments and the presentation of a number of experimental and operational use cases at national and European levels, and it then concludes with thoughts on the future outlook. Full article

This study investigates the short- and long-run drivers of natural gas consumption in the European Union using an ARDL bounds testing approach. The analysis incorporates GDP per capita, liquid fuel use, and solid fuel use as explanatory variables. Augmented Dickey–Fuller tests confirm mixed integration orders, allowing valid ARDL estimation. The results reveal a statistically significant long-run relationship (cointegration) between gas consumption and the energy–economic system. In the short run, the use of liquid fuel exerts a strong positive influence on gas demand, while the effects of GDP materialise only after a two-year lag. Solid fuels show a delayed substitutive impact, reflecting the ongoing transition from coal. An error correction model confirms rapid convergence to equilibrium, with 77% of deviations corrected within one period. Recursive residual and CUSUM tests indicate structural stability over time. These findings highlight the responsiveness of EU gas demand to both economic and policy signals, offering valuable insights for energy modelling and strategic planning under the European Green Deal. Full article

The recycling of post-consumer plastics for food-contact applications is subject to stringent regulatory requirements, particularly with regard to the removal of potentially harmful non-intentionally added substances (NIAS). While polyethylene terephthalate (PET) recycling processes are already approved by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), there is a lack of guidance for other polymers like polystyrene (PS). This study aims to provide a scientific basis for assessing the decontamination efficiency required for recycled post-consumer PS in food-contact applications. As one of the first studies to propose a framework for PS decontamination assessment based on EFSA food-consumption data and conservative diffusion modeling, it contributes to filling this regulatory gap. First, European food-consumption data were analyzed to identify critical scenarios of the age-group-dependent intake of PS-packaged food. Based on this, a conservative migration model was applied using a one-dimensional diffusion simulation to determine the maximum allowable initial concentrations of NIAS in PS. The calculated values were then compared with published reference contamination levels to calculate the required cleaning efficiency. The combination of food-consumption values and the migration process showed that trays for fruits and vegetables are the most critical food-contact application for post-consumer PS recycling. The most stringent assumptions resulted in necessary decontamination efficiencies ranging from 92% for the smallest molecule, toluene (92.14 g/mol), to 42% for the largest molecule, methyl stearate (298.50 g/mol). The results provide a methodological basis for regulatory assessments and offer practical guidance for designing safe recycling processes, thereby supporting the circular use of PS in food packaging and building the basis for future regulatory assessments of other polymers, in line with the European Union Plastics Strategy and circular economy objectives. Full article

The management of spent foundry sand (SFS) presents environmental and operational challenges for foundries. According to the European Union, European foundries generate approximately 9 million tonnes of SFS annually, mainly from the production of ferrous castings (iron and steel). Nowadays, around 25% of the spent foundry sand in Europe is recycled for specific applications, primarily in the cement industry. However, the presence of chemical residues limits the application of this solution. A possible alternative for reusing the spent foundry sand is its employment as a raw material in the production of compost. Studies in the literature indicate that the amount of chemical residue present in the sand can be reduced through the composting process, making the final product suitable for different purposes. However, information about the implementation of this technology in industrial contexts is lacking. To address this issue, this paper proposes a techno-economic analysis to assess the feasibility of composting SFS on a large scale, using information gathered during the testing phase of the Green Foundry LIFE project. This project explored the reuse of sand from organic and inorganic binder processes to create compost for construction purposes, which allowed for the final product. Since the new BREF (Best Available Techniques Reference Document) introduced by the European Union at the start of 2025 recommends composting SFS as a way to reduce solid waste from foundries, this initial study can represent practical guidance for both researchers and companies evaluating the adoption of this technology. Full article

The Holby–Morgan model of electrochemical degradation in platinum on a carbon catalyst is studied with respect to the impact of particle size distribution on aging in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. The European Union harmonized protocol for testing by non-symmetric square-wave voltage is applied for accelerated stress cycling. The log-normal distribution is estimated using finite size groups which are defined by two parameters of the median and standard deviation. In the non-diffusive model, the first integral of the system is obtained which reduces the number of differential equations. Without ion diffusion, it allows to simulate platinum particles shrank through platinum dissolution and growth by platinum ion deposition. Numerical tests of catalyst degradation in the diffusion model demonstrate the following changes in platinum particle size distribution: broadening for small and shrinking for large medians with tailing towards large particles; the possibility of probability decrease as well as increase for each size group; and overall, a drop in the platinum particle size takes place, which is faster for the small median owing to the Gibbs–Thompson effect. Full article

The “carbon neutral power generation” policy of the European Union requires the phasing out of fossil fuel power plants. These plants still play a crucial role in the energy mix in many countries; therefore, efforts are put forward to lower their CO₂ emissions. The available solution for an existing coal plant is the implementation of biomass co-firing, which allows it to reduce twice its carbon footprint in order to achieve the level of natural gas plants, which are preferable on the way to zero-emission power generation. However the side effect is a significant increase in the bulk fuel volumes that are acquired, handled, and finally supplied to the power plant units. A necessary extension of the complex logistic system for unloading, quality tagging, storing, and transporting biomass may increase the plant’s noise emissions beyond the allowed thresholds. For a comprehensive assessment of the concept of expanding the power plant’s biofuel supply system (BSS), a discrete simulation model was built to dimension system elements and verify the overall correctness of the proposed solutions. Then, a dedicated noise emission model was built for the purposes of mandatory environmental impact assessment procedures for the planned expansion of the BSS. The noise model showed the possibility of exceeding the permissible noise levels at night in selected locations. The new simulations of the BSS model were used to analyze various scenarios of biomass supply with regard to alternative switching off the selected branches of the whole BSS. The length of the queue of unloaded freight trains delivering an average quality biomass after a period of 2 weeks is used as a key performance parameter of the BSS. A queue shorter than 1 freight train is accepted. Assuming the rising share of RESS in the Polish energy mix, the thermal plant’s 2-week average power output shall not exceed 70% of its maximum capacity. The results of the simulations indicate that under these constraints, the biofuel supplies can be sufficient regardless of the nighttime stops, if 50% of the supplied biomass volumes are delivered by trucks. If the trucks’ share drops to 25%, the plant’s 2-week average power output is limited to 45% of its maximum power. The use of digital spatial simulation models for a complex, cyclical-continuous transport system to control its operation is an effective method of addressing environmental conflicts at the design stage of the extension of industrial installations in urbanized areas. Full article

The study analyses at the information level the impact of the main economic indicators on migration and access to services in the European Union, using methods specific to intelligent information systems. The research is based on the correlations between gross value added (GVA), gross fixed capital formation (GFCF), greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE), health expenditure (SHA11), and migration rates (MIGR). The applied methodology includes attribute distribution analysis, identification of hidden patterns through clustering algorithms (K-Means and Expectation-Maximisation) and training of classifiers using regression decision trees with linear leaf models (M5P) corresponding to interdependent data processing and integration modules, exploratory analysis module, machine learning and decision-making modules, oriented to support public policies through explainable scenarios and predictive-evaluative structures. The results highlight the superiority of the EM model in detecting relevant clusters and the usefulness of M5P trees in highlighting complex economic influences on population mobility. The study proposes the integration of these methods into an intelligent analysis framework aimed at reducing disparities and optimising socio-economic sustainability. The EM model demonstrated a superior ability to detect subgroups within the dataset, revealing four distinct clusters with specific characteristics. Furthermore, the M5P tree analysis allowed the extraction of significant non-linear relationships between economic variables and the migration phenomenon. The study emphasises the importance of public policies aimed at reducing regional economic disparities and increasing social and economic sustainability. By integrating these results into a well-structured information system, it provides a robust analytical framework that supports policy makers and researchers in designing effective public policies on population mobility and its related economic impact in the EU Member States. Full article

The development of renewable energy in recent years has become an important factor supporting the global shift towards sustainable mobility, particularly in the context of electromobility. This article explores the relationship between the share of renewable energy in the energy mix of the 27 EU countries and the development of electromobility in their area. The objective of the conducted research is to classify the European Union countries into groups that are homogeneous in terms of the level of installed electricity capacity of renewable energy sources, as well as into groups that are homogeneous with respect to the development of electromobility. Cluster analysis was used to achieve this objective. The study will be performed in two main steps. In the first step, clusters of similar European Union countries will be identified in terms of installed electricity capacity and clusters of similar countries in terms of electromobility development. The second step will be based on a comparison of whether the clusters of countries are similar according to the adopted criteria. The cluster analysis method will make it possible to identify groups of countries with similar levels of development in both sectors, which allows the patterns and challenges faced by countries with different development dynamics to be understood. Full article

Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions depends mostly on urban transport electrification. However, the role of trolleybus systems in this process is still under discussion. The objective of this study was to analyze the viability of trolleybus buses in relation to diesel buses regarding environmental and economic aspects. The research was conducted in Vilnius, Lithuania using an extended CO₂ emission methodology incorporating physicochemical fuel properties and real-world operational data that allowed us to estimate CO₂ emissions and economic impacts. The findings indicate that the Vilnius trolleybus system prevents 84,996.32 kg of CO₂ emissions monthly compared to diesel buses (gross avoided emissions). After accounting for emissions from electricity generation (based on Lithuania’s 2023 grid mix), the net avoided emissions are approximately 61,569 kg of CO₂ per month, equivalent to EUR 4284 in carbon credits. The system also significantly reduces local air pollutants. Moreover, the new In-Motion Charging (IMC) technology improves system flexibility by decreasing dependence on overhead wires and maintaining low emission levels. IMC trolleybuses represent a cost-efficient option compared to battery-electric buses (BEBs) and hydrogen fuel cell buses (FCEBs). Our findings support the European Union’s decarbonization goals and provide essential insights for policymakers considering public transportation electrification efforts. Full article

A continuous increase in artificial intelligence (AI)-based functions can be expected for future aviation systems, posing significant challenges to traditional development processes. Established systems engineering frameworks, such as the V-model, are not adequately addressing the novel challenges associated with AI-based systems. Consequently, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) introduced the W-shaped process, an advancement of the V-model, to set a regulatory framework for the novel challenges of AI Engineering. In contrast, the agile Development Operations (DevOps) approach, widely adopted in software development, promotes a never-ending iterative development process. This article proposes a novel concept that integrates aspects of DevOps into the W-shaped process to create an AI Engineering framework suitable for aviation-specific applications. Furthermore, it builds upon proven ideas and methods using AI Engineering efforts from other domains. The proposed extension of the W-shaped process, compatible with ongoing standardizations from the G34/WG-114 Standardization Working Group, a joint effort between EUROCAE and SAE, addresses the need for a rigorous development process for AI-based systems while acknowledging its limitations and potential for future advancements. The proposed framework allows for a re-evaluation of the AI/ML constituent based on operational information, enabling improvements of the system’s capabilities with each iteration. Full article

The energy transition from fossil fuels to renewable sources is a key goal for the European Union, among others. Despite significant progress, Italy lags far behind the EU’s target of generating 55% of its electricity from renewables by 2030. The Apulia region in Italy needs to achieve an additional 7.4 GW of installed renewable energy capacity compared to 2021. Renewable energy installations, particularly photovoltaic systems, require land that may compete with other uses like agriculture. This can lead to land-use changes that disrupt agricultural activities. Agrivoltaics (AV) offer a possible solution by allowing energy production and food growing on the same land, which can help alleviate conflicts between energy and food needs, although concerns about landscape impact remain. This study emphasizes the need for effective spatial planning to manage these risks of land use changes and quantify possible agricultural land occupation. A GIS-based analysis was conducted in Apulia using a three-step approach to assess land use and potential AV opportunities: (a) the land protection system identified by the Apulian Landscape Plan was used to obtain a Constraint Map; (b) the agricultural land use and capability classification together with land slope and exposure was used to obtain the AV Availability Map; and (c) agricultural land conversion scenarios were developed to quantify the potential capacity of future AV installations. The results showed that a 0.25% occupation of utilized agricultural land would allow a regional installed AV capacity of 1.3 GW, while doubling this percentage would double the installed capacity to 2.6 GW. The areas potentially involved by AV installations would be 3.25 and 6.50 thousand hectares, reaching 17.5% and 35.0% of the 2030 total renewable energy target. These figures should be considered a reasonable range of AV development in the region, which can contribute both to the energy transition and the support of the agricultural sector, especially in marginal areas. Full article

One of the main reasons for migration is the search for a better quality of life. The concept of quality of life is very broad, encompassing economic, social, political, and cultural factors. According to the World Migration Report 2022, 3.6 percent of the world’s population are migrants. This number is growing due to geopolitical reasons. Increasing migration flows affect the growth of the part of the population living in urban areas, that is, urbanisation. The scale of migration is growing along with the search for a better life. In Lithuania, according to the Department of Statistics, as well as throughout the world, the number of people living in cities is constantly growing; for comparison, a 3% growth has been observed over 4 years, in the European Union, according to the World Bank, 1%, and in the world—1%. The term urbanisation also describes social changes that are determined by the concentration of the population. To ensure quality of life, cities face challenges such as ensuring security, integration of migrants into society and the labour market, the functioning of the health and education system, and sustainable development of cities. Despite growing interest, the impact of migrant flows on the quality of life in cities has not been sufficiently studied in the world scientific literature. Most research is focused on the causes of migration, migrant integration, demographic changes, or labour market interactions. However, less attention is paid to how the dynamics of migrant flows affect the quality of life in cities. Comprehensive assessment is lacking. The goal is to assess the link between quality of life and the dynamics of migration flows in urbanised areas. The article, which conducted a systematic and comparative analysis of concepts published in the scientific literature, formed the concept of quality of life in urban areas, identified the factors that determine quality of life, and studied the link between the quality of life in the city and the dynamics of migration flows. This assessment will allow us to combine the factors that determine quality of life in terms of changes in migrant flows into a common system. To achieve this goal, statistical processing, correlation analysis, and CRITIC methods will be applied. Full article

Food waste containing meat and fish presents a considerable environmental challenge due to regulatory constraints preventing its use in industrial insect farming. Although substrates derived from meat and fish are not currently approved for industrial insect feed production due to regulatory constraints, this study explores their potential in bioconversion through Hermetia illucens larvae. In this study, five different former foodstuffs containing meat and/or fish were tested to evaluate their suitability for BSFL rearing. The substrates included pizza with salami (PIZZA), cheeseburger (CHB), pasta Bolognese with meat (PASTA), chicken salad (CHISA), and fish salad (FISA). Results showed that BSFL successfully developed on all tested substrates. The highest performance was observed for FISA, with a total larval weight of 35.21 ± 3.91 g, dry matter yield of 11.21 ± 0.45 g, survival rate of 96.63 ± 0.40%, and the most efficient feed conversion ratio (FCR, 4.11 ± 0.59). Heavy metal analysis revealed substantial bioaccumulation of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in larvae. In particular, larvae reared on PIZZA showed a Pb concentration of 4.68 μg/100 g, with a corresponding bioaccumulation factor (BAF) of approximately 1.5. Cadmium accumulation was most notable in larvae fed CHB, with a Cd concentration of 0.41 ± 0.33 μg/100 g and a BAF of about 2.1. Despite this bioaccumulation, all detected concentrations remained well below the regulatory limits set by the European Union for animal feed, indicating not only the feasibility of H. illucens larvae in sustainable waste management but also its use as a safe protein source in animal feed. This research highlights the viability of integrating such food waste into insect bioconversion systems. With appropriate risk management, this practice could significantly improve nutrient recycling, waste management, and the circular economy, urging a regulatory review to allow broader substrate utilization. These positive outcomes underscore the potential of integrating currently restricted animal-derived food waste streams into H. illucens-based bioconversion systems, unlocking additional value for the circular economy and contributing to more efficient waste management practices. Full article

Technological progress, digitalization and globalization of economic activity contribute to the growth of the use of information and communication technologies in enterprises. On the one hand, modern information technologies support pro-environmental activities, but on the other hand, they are a source of waste themselves. For this reason, their use in enterprises should be analyzed and controlled in the context of their multi-faceted impact on the natural environment. This article focuses on: (1) analyzing the relationship between variables defining the level of actions taken in the field of ICT to protect the natural environment and the level of digitalization of the enterprise and (2) identifying a synthetic measure of development defining the level of involvement of enterprises in digitalization and environmental protection. The analysis will be performed on data describing actions taken by enterprises grouped by European Union countries in the context of the use of ICT equipment for environmental protection and environmental values for 2022. Based on the chi-square test, it was found that statistically significant relationships are observed only for medium and large enterprises. The synthetic measure of development allowed for the indication of model countries due to the actions taken aimed at pro-environmental behavior in relation to ICT services and equipment. There were also no significant linear relationships between a high level of digitalization of enterprises and thinking in environmental categories in the context of actions taken in relation to ICT services and equipment. Full article

This study investigates the heterogeneous impact of bank automation on institutional performance, emphasizing the role of mechatronic systems like automated teller machines (ATMs) and artificial intelligence-based tools such as chatbots and robo-advisors. Using Method of Moments Quantile Regression (MMQR), the analysis examines how these technologies influence key performance indicators, including return on equity (ROE), in the European Union (EU) banking sector from 2017 to 2022. The MMQR method allows for the differentiation of the effects of automation technologies by distinguishing between hardware-based mechatronic systems and software-driven AI solutions, providing a nuanced perspective on the digital transformation within the banking sector. The results highlight the heterogeneous effects of economic, financial, and institutional factors on banking performance in the EU. They emphasize the need for differentiated policy interventions to reduce performance gaps between EU economies and ensure that banks across all member states can leverage financial and technological advancements to enhance profitability. The findings underline the importance of strategic interventions to address digitalization disparities, promote financial inclusion, and establish a regulatory framework that fosters transparency, cybersecurity, and equitable access to AI-driven financial services. Full article