Search Results (20)

Many electric vehicle (EV) batteries will retire in the next 5–10 years around the globe. These batteries are retired when no longer suitable for energy-intensive EV operations despite having 70–80% capacity left. The second-life use of these battery packs has the potential to address the increasing demand for battery energy storage systems (BESSs) for the electric grid, which will also create a robust circular economy for EV batteries. This article proposes a two-layered energy management algorithm (monthly layer and daily layer) for demand charge reduction for an industrial consumer using photovoltaic (PV) panels and BESSs made of retired EV batteries. In the proposed algorithm, the monthly layer (ML) calculates the optimal dispatch for the whole month and feeds the output to the daily layer (DL), which optimizes the BESS dispatch, BESSs’ degradation, and energy imported/exported from/to the grid. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is tested as a case study of an industrial load using a real-world demand charge and Real-Time Pricing (RTP) tariff. Compared with energy management with no consideration of degradation or demand charge reduction, this algorithm results in 71% less degradation of BESS and 57.3% demand charge reduction for the industrial consumer. Full article

This study investigates the hydrothermal synthesis of calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) from photovoltaic (PV) waste glass and carbide sludge as a strategy for resource recovery and sustainable chromium removal from wastewater. Waste-derived precursors were co-ground, blended at controlled Ca/Si molar ratios (0.8, 1.0, 1.2), and hydrothermally treated at 180 °C for 96 h to yield C-S-H with tunable morphology and crystallinity. Comprehensive characterization using XRD, FT-IR, SEM-EDX, and UV-Vis spectroscopy revealed that a Ca/Si ratio of 1.0 produced a well-ordered tobermorite/xonotlite structure with a high surface area and fibrous network, which is optimal for adsorption. Batch adsorption experiments showed that this material achieved rapid and efficient Cr(III) removal, exceeding 90% uptake within 9 h through a combination of surface complexation, ion exchange (Ca²⁺/Na⁺ ↔ Cr³⁺), and precipitation of CaCrO₄ phases. Morphological and structural evolution during adsorption was confirmed by SEM, FT-IR, and XRD, while EDX mapping established the progressive incorporation of Cr into the C-S-H matrix. These findings highlight the viability of upcycling industrial waste into advanced C-S-H sorbents for heavy metal remediation. Further work is recommended to address sorbent regeneration, long-term stability, and application to other contaminants, providing a foundation for circular approaches in advanced wastewater treatment. Full article

The swift global proliferation of solar photovoltaic (PV) technology has significantly contributed to the acceleration of the transition to renewable energy. Projections indicate a significant rise in installed capacity by 2050, suggesting that the extensive implementation of solar panels is transforming energy systems while simultaneously highlighting important issues regarding end-of-life waste management and long-term sustainability. The environmental advantages of photovoltaic (PV) systems are overshadowed by the prevalent reliance on landfilling and inadequate recycling practices, revealing a substantial deficiency in sustainable waste management, especially in areas with underdeveloped policy frameworks. This research study examines the solar panel supply chain, highlighting critical stages, sources of waste generation, existing management practices, and potential areas for enhancement. Waste is classified into four categories, solid, hazardous, electronic (WEEE), and environmental, each necessitating specific management strategies. Regions such as Europe exhibit comprehensive legal frameworks and advanced recycling technologies, whereas others, including Latin America and certain areas of Asia, continue to encounter deficits in policy and infrastructure. The research highlights the implementation of the 6R principles—Recycle, Recover, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, and Refine—within a circular economy framework to improve sustainability, optimize resource utilization, and reduce environmental impact. The findings highlight the necessity for coordinated policies, technological innovation, and international collaboration to ensure a sustainable future for solar energy. This study offers important insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers focused on enhancing circularity and sustainability within the photovoltaic sector. Full article

The rapid expansion of photovoltaic (PV) technology as a source of renewable energy has resulted in a significant increase in PV panel waste, creating environmental and economic challenges. A promising strategy to address these challenges is the reuse of glass waste from decommissioned PV panels as a component of cementitious materials. This review explores the potential of integrating glass waste from PV panels into cementitious materials, focusing on its impact on their mechanical, thermal, and durability properties. This analysis includes various methods of processing PV glass waste, such as crushing and grinding, to obtain the desired particle size for cementitious applications. It goes on to analyze how advances in cementitious materials can facilitate the incorporation of PV glass waste, helping to improve properties such as compressive strength, workability, and setting time. In addition, this review makes a detailed analysis of the long-term sustainability and environmental benefits of PV glass waste, highlighting its potential to reduce the carbon footprint of cementitious materials. Incorporating PV glass waste can improve certain properties of cementitious materials, resulting in increased durability and improved thermal insulation, while contributing to waste reduction and resource conservation. This review highlights the importance of developing standardized recycling methods and integration processes and identifies areas for further research to optimize the use of PV glass waste in cement formulations. Ultimately, the sustainable integration of PV glass panel waste into cementitious materials is a viable approach to promote green building practices and support a circular economy in the construction industry. Full article

Many challenges emerge in the life cycle of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels throughout the processes of their deployment and use in residential, commercial, industrial and transportation sectors. There is a growing need for total product recovery by recycling and reusing the solar panel base and other components in a way that is economically efficient and environmentally sound. This study highlights the urgency to develop and implement a suitable system for the collection and management of photovoltaic systems at their end-of-life cycle and the need for professional implementation of circular strategies in the solar PV value chain. To achieve this goal, a systematic literature review of 81 peer-reviewed articles, published in English between 2013 and 2023, was conducted. The main purpose of the analysis is to examine the value chain of the solar panels covering the period of design, construction, use, end of life, recovery or landfill. The two processes that are investigated include the extent of end-of-life management of PV panels and the extent of circular strategies to reach a sustainable and comprehensive business model. It is argued that the current obstacles faced by solar energy businesses create new opportunities and challenges for innovation within a circular PV industry, and appropriate policies and trained professionals are needed for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG12, in the solar PV value chain. Full article

Battery energy storage systems (BESSs) can overwhelm some of the environmental challenges of a low-carbon power sector through self-consumption with standalone photovoltaic (PV) systems. This solution can be adapted for different applications such as residential, commercial, and industrial uses. Furthermore, the option to employ second-life batteries derived from electric vehicles represents a promising opportunity for preserving the environment and improving the circular economy (CE) development. Nowadays, the industrial sector is progressively applying CE principles in their business strategies, and focusing on the potential positive consequences of CE eco-innovations on climate change mitigation. With the aim to promote the transition to an open-loop circular economy for automotive batteries, this study assesses and quantifies the potential environmental benefits resulting from the integration of a second-life battery-based BESS (SL-BESS) connected to an industrial machine. For this purpose, various scenarios involving the use of BESS, SL-BESS, and a standalone PV system are compared with a base case, where the machine is entirely powered by electricity from the grid. The examination of life cycle stages follows the life cycle assessment (LCA) cradle-to-grave methodology as outlined in ISO 14040:2006 and ISO 14044:2006/Amd 1:2017. Simapro^® 9 is utilized as the software platform. Results demonstrate that the combination of the SL-BESS with a standalone photovoltaic (PV) system represents the optimal solution in terms of global warming potential (GWP) reduction, with a saving of up to −74.8%. However, manufacturing and end-of-life stages of PV and batteries contribute to abiotic depletion and human toxicity, resulting from the use of chemicals and the extraction of resources essential for their manufacture. Indeed, when BESS is made of new batteries, it demonstrates the most significant impacts in terms of AD at 1.22 × 10⁻¹ kg Sb eq and human toxicity (HT) at 3.87 × 10³ kg 1,4-DB eq, primarily attributable to the manufacturing stages of both BESS and PV systems. The findings represent a significant breakthrough, highlighting the substantial capacity of incorporating SL-BESS alongside renewable energy sources to mitigate GWP resulting from industrial applications, and the criticality of repurposing decommissioned batteries from the automotive industry for secondary use. Full article

Photovoltaics (PV) is a key pillar of renewable energy supply. However, the climate and resource crisis make it necessary to implement further optimizations toward a circular economy in the PV industry. One strategy for saving resources and lowering carbon dioxide emissions is the reuse of modules (second-life PV). As part of this work, various tests were carried out with crystalline modules from two different manufacturers. The modules had already been transported to a recycling company and were originally intended for recycling. The measurements carried out provide a comprehensive assessment of the condition of the PV modules. In total, five different measurement methods were used, two of which related to short-term measurements under controlled laboratory conditions and three to long-term assessments under real conditions. The investigation illustrated that modules from the recycling company have potential for reuse. However, it also showed that a clearly differentiated classification system is necessary due to module age- and environmental conditions-related degradation. Qualification and further long-term measurements should be implemented using a combination of measurement methods. Full article

Solar photovoltaics (PV) has emerged as one of the world’s most promising power-generation technologies, and it is essential to assess its applications from the perspective of a material-energy-water (MEW) nexus. We performed a life cycle assessment of the cradle-to-grave MEW for single-crystalline silicon (s-Si) and CdTe PV technologies by assuming both PV systems are recycled at end of life. We found that the MEW network was dominated by energy flows (>95%), while only minor impacts of materials and water flows were observed. Also, these MEW flows have pyramid-like distributions between the three tiers (i.e., primary, secondary/sub-secondary, and tertiary levels), with greater flows at the primary and lower flows at the tertiary levels. A more detailed analysis of materials’ circularity showed that glass layers are the most impactful component of recycling due to their considerable weight in both technologies. Our analysis also emphasized the positive impacts that increased power-conversion efficiency and the use of recycled feedstock have on the PV industry’s circularity rates. We found that a 25% increase in power-conversion efficiency and the use of fully recycled materials in PV panel feedstocks resulted in 91% and 86% material circularity for CdTe and s-Si PV systems, respectively. Full article

In the next twenty years, the scarcity of food shortage and drinking water will appear in Egypt due to the growth of industries and agriculture. This paper develops a conceptual design of the new technologies in the field of water–energy–food in new cities. Border lines are the internal relationship, external influence, and linkage system evaluation for WEF nexus. The major problems of using fossil energy in desalination are emissions and non-renewability, as well as the preference for dispersed freshwater production instead of concentrated output. The design of a desalination system that is integrated with renewable energies is critical these days. This type of system can also reduce the production of environmental pollutants due to reduced energy consumption and transfer of freshwater. GIS data from the United Nations have confirmed the existence of an underground reservoir in Wadi-Dara that can cultivate 1000 acres using smart farming techniques to reach a circular economy for an integrated solution between the water–energy nexus. The possibility of cultivating a hundred acres in Wadi-Dara on the Red Sea coast exists, through which about one million people could be settled. In this comprehensive review, we conducted a deep study in order to establish a sustainable integrated lifestyle in the Dara Valley region in terms of the availability of potable water, clean energy, and agriculture. Sustainable integrated solutions were conducted for seawater desalination using beach sand filtration wells as a pretreatment for seawater using renewable energy, e.g., wind energy (18% wind turbines), and photovoltaic panels (77% PV panels). Strategic food will be cultivated using smart farming that includes an open ponds cultivation system of microalgal cells to synthesis (5.0% of bio-fuel (. Aqua agriculture and aquaponics will cultivate marine culture and integrate mangrove, a shrimp aquaculture. A municipal waste water treatment is conceived for the irrigation of shrubby forests and landscapes. Mixotrophic cultures were explored to achieve a sustained ecological balance. Food, poultry and animal waste management, as well as a cooker factory, were included in the overall design. The environmental impact assessment (EIA) study shows a low risk due to anticipated net zero emissions, a 75% green city, and optimal waste recycling. This research assists in combining research efforts to address the challenging processes in nexus research and build resilient and sustainable water, energy, and food systems. Full article

Wastes and by-products of plant origin are of particular interest to develop a circular economy approach, which attempts to turn them into resources. In this work, thirty-seven neglected plant matrices, including agricultural residues, pest plants, and by-products from the herbal and food industry were extracted and tested for their in vitro anti-tyrosinase, antioxidant, and antibacterial activity against the phytopathogens Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae ATCC 19310 and Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. nebraskense ATCC 27822. Antioxidant activity ranged from 0.3 to 5 mg of Tr. eq/mL of plant extract, and extract of Castanea sativa pericarp (Csp), Rosa damascena buds (post-distillation) (Rod), and Prunus amygdalus exocarp and mesocarp (Pam) were the most powerful ones. Csp was also capable of inhibiting tyrosinase (IC₅₀ = 16.5 µg/mL), as well as three distillation by-products, namely: Cupressus sempervirens (Css) (IC₅₀ = 95.5 µg/mL), Salvia officinalis (Sco) (IC₅₀ = 87.6 µg/mL), and Helichrysum italicum (Hei) (IC₅₀ = 90.1 µg/mL). Five residues from distillation showed antibacterial activity against C. michiganensis (MICs ranging from 0.125 to 1 mg/mL), namely: Salvia sclarea L. (Sas), Salvia rosmarinus Schleid (Sar), Sco, Hei, and Css. The ¹H NMR fingerprinting of the bioactive matrices was acquired, detecting primary and secondary metabolites (rosmarinic acid, shikimic acid, sclareol, and hydroxycinnamic acids). Full article

Global net-zero pledges are instigating a societal shift from a fossil-fuel-based economy to renewables. This change facilitates the use of batteries, solar photovoltaic (PV), wind turbines, etc., all of which are underpinned by critical metals. Raw metal extraction is not renewable and environmental pledges made by the government will not be met if this continues. Historic industrial sites contain vast waste stocks. These sites already have an established infrastructure for resource extraction. Applying green solvents and deep eutectic solvents (DES) to such sites for resource recovery alleviates pressure on existing raw extraction processes whilst generating more immediate stores of critical metal along with relatively insignificant environmental impacts. Existing remediation/recovery options have varying metal recovery efficiencies usually combined with high operating costs. Using novel green solvents, such as DES, on historic sites provides an opportunity to recover metals from waste that ordinarily would be looked over. Increased extraction of critical metals from waste material within the UK will reduce reliance on imported metals and improve critical metals security of supply to UK markets and the wider economy The use of these solvents provides an environmentally friendly alternative but also regenerates the legacy of waste from historic industrial sites and consequently implements a circular economy. Adopting the use of green solvents will meet EU environmental pledges, and boost the economy, by recovering metals from legacy sites to meet exponentially growing metal demand. Full article

Nowadays, when the supply chain of natural compounds for the production of value-added meat products is limited, the use of by-products from vegetable processing could become an attractive solution, contributing to the concept of circular economy. In this regard, our study investigated the effectiveness of yellow and red bell pepper processing by-products used in dried form (DYBPB, DRBPB) in the sausages recipe, instead of synthetic nitrites, to enhance their oxidative stability during cold storage (4 °C) for 20 days. Two types of nitrite-free sausages were obtained, such as smoked and dried sausages (I) and smoked and blanched sausages (II). Nitrite-free sausage formulations were designed by adding DYBPB and DRBPB at a dose to ensure a total phenolic compounds (TPC) level of 50, 90, 180, and 270 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/kg of processed meat. The formulations developed were compared with control samples of sausages obtained with added sodium nitrite or without any additive. The DYBPB and DRBPB were investigated for total and individual phenolic content, total flavonoid content and antioxidant activity. The obtained sausages were investigated in terms of proximate composition as well as lipid oxidation progression based on specific chemical indices such as peroxide value (PV), p-anisidine value (p-AV), TOTOX index, and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) test during cold storage for 1, 10, and 20 days. The antioxidant activity of DYBPB and DRBPB has been shown to be closely related to their total phenolic content and total flavonoid content. It was found that a higher inhibitory potential against oxidative damage was evidenced in smoked and scalded sausages compared to smoked and dried formulations when the same dose of bell pepper processing by-products was applied. Our results showed that the use of dried bell pepper processing by-products in a dose that provides a TPC of a minimum of 180 mg GAE/kg processed meat for DRBPB and 270 mg GAE/kg processed meat for DYBPB have the potential to ensure lipid oxidative stability during cold storage of sausages for 20 days and can be considered for obtaininginnovative nitrite-free sausage formulations. Bearing in mind that the meat industry is currently looking for natural and sustainable ingredients to replace synthetic ones, our research recommends bell pepper processing by-products as promising substitutes for sodium nitrite to develop value-added meat products. Full article

Saving fresh water is a big challenge for the next generation due to enhanced living standards and population growth. In addition, the expansion of agricultural and industrial activities is causing unmatched demands for fresh water supplies across Egypt. The Nile River is Egypt’s main water resource, representing 69.4% of the total water resources, while rainwater, torrential water and groundwater, as well as recycled agricultural and sanitary drainage water and desalinated seawater, are estimated at about 30.6%. Smart drip irrigation systems are in great demand, especially in Upper Egypt. SDG’s of the circular economy and the WEF nexus lead to full implementation of drip irrigation systems, achieving ~6.6 BM³/year of direct saving from fresh water and/or doubling the cultivated area. In addition to PV tubes and other utilities, renewable energy, e.g, photovoltaic panels, will posses an important role in low-energy driven drip irrigation systems, reducing fossil-uses, CO₂ emissions and devolving more sustainable processes that are less dependent on conventional energy sources. The current research work is a case study of the substitution of flood with drip irrigation, and its positive advantages for the Egyptian agricultural economy and capital expenditures (capex), which depends on the country’s infrastructure and availability of utilities. Full article

The circular business model (CBM) is one of the main building blocks of circular economy (CE), and recycling is one of the main strategies for achieving it. CBM literature is currently evolving, and recycling-oriented discussion has been found in a scattered manner. This review article aims to identify critical components of the recycling-focused business model in CE and evaluate potential business and research opportunities in the area. Data collection was undertaken from the Web of Science (WoS) core collection and ScienceDirect database. Results of the study showed that efficiency of municipal solid waste management, reporting mechanism of recyclers cost of recycled materials, the establishment of a plastic hub, implementation of extended producer responsibility, strategic partnership, incentives, and product design were highlighted as critical requirements for efficient recycling operated business models, especially for waste solar PV panels, e-waste, textile waste, and vehicles and battery sector. It also identified the benefits of using recycled materials in reducing carbon footprint, energy consumption, and achieving low environmental impact. Three-dimensional printing, sensor-based RFID tags, digital twins, additive manufacturing, Industry 4.0, and the Internet of Things (IoT) were found as state-of-the-art technological innovations applied to recycling-oriented circular business models. This article provides critical practical solutions for new business model development and indicates vital future research directions along with a conceptual framework development, which would be helpful for policymakers, business entities, and research academics. Full article

Grape pomace (GP) is a by-product resulting from the winemaking process and its potential use as a source of bioactive compounds is well known. The GP bioactive compounds can be retained in the well-known polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP), industrially used in the clarification and stabilization of wine and other drinks. Thus, the polyphenolic compounds (PC) from the Chilean Carménère, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot GP were extracted, and their compositions and antioxidant capacities (ORAC-FL) were determined. In addition, the retention capacity of the PC on PVPP (PC-PVPP) was evaluated. The bioactivities of GP extracts and PC-PVPP were estimated by the agar plate inhibition assay against pathogenic microorganisms. Results showed a high amount of TPC and antioxidant capacity in the three ethanolic GPs extracts. Anthocyanins, flavan-3-ol, and flavonols were the most abundant compounds in the GP extract, with retentions between 70 and 99% on PVPP. The GP extracts showed inhibition activity against B. cereus and P. syringae pv. actinidiae but the GP-PVPP had no antimicrobial activity. The high affinity of the identified PCs from GPs on PVPP polymer could allow the design of new processes and by-products for the food or cosmeceutical industry, promoting a circular economy by reducing and reusing wastes (GPs and PVPP) and organic solvents. Full article