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Search Results (346)

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Keywords = greenhouse forecasting

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28 pages, 1070 KB  
Article
Weather Routing Optimisation for Ships with Wind-Assisted Propulsion
by Ageliki Kytariolou and Nikos Themelis
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2026, 14(2), 148; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse14020148 - 9 Jan 2026
Abstract
Wind-assisted ship propulsion (WASP) has gained considerable interest as a means of reducing fuel consumption and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, with further benefits when combined with weather-optimized routing. This study employs and extends a National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) weather-routing optimization tool [...] Read more.
Wind-assisted ship propulsion (WASP) has gained considerable interest as a means of reducing fuel consumption and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, with further benefits when combined with weather-optimized routing. This study employs and extends a National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) weather-routing optimization tool to more realistically assess WASP performance through integrated modeling. The original tool minimized fuel consumption using forecasted weather data and a physics-based performance model. A previous extension to account for the WASP effect introduced a 1-Degree Of Freedom (DOF) model that accounted only for longitudinal hydrodynamic and aerodynamic forces, estimating the reduced main-engine power required to maintain speed in given conditions. The current study incorporates a 3-DOF model that includes side forces and yaw moments, capturing resulting drift and rudder deflection effects. A Kamsarmax bulk carrier equipped with suction sails served as the case study. Initial simulations across various operating and weather conditions compared the two models. The 1-DOF model predicted fuel-saving potential up to 26% for the tested apparent wind speed and the range of possible headings, whereas the 3-DOF model indicated that transverse effects reduce WASP benefits by 2–7%. Differences in Main Engine (ME) power estimates between the two models reached up to 7% Maximum Continuous Rating (MCR) depending on the speed of wind. The study then applied both models within a weather-routing optimization framework to assess whether the optimal routes produced by each model differ and to quantify performance losses. It was found that the revised optimal route derived from the 3-DOF model improved total Fuel Oil Consumption (FOC) savings by 1.25% compared with the route optimized using the 1-DOF model when both were evaluated with the 3-DOF model. Full article
16 pages, 1441 KB  
Article
Optimized Evolving Fuzzy Inference System for Humidity Forecasting in Greenhouse Under Extreme Weather Conditions
by Sebastian-Camilo Vanegas-Ayala, Julio Barón-Velandia and Daniel-David Leal-Lara
AgriEngineering 2026, 8(1), 24; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriengineering8010024 - 9 Jan 2026
Abstract
Precision agriculture has increasingly adopted controlled agricultural microclimates, particularly smart greenhouses, as a strategy to enhance crop yields while maintaining environmental conditions within suitable ranges for each crop. Among the variables that govern the water balance in these systems, air humidity plays a [...] Read more.
Precision agriculture has increasingly adopted controlled agricultural microclimates, particularly smart greenhouses, as a strategy to enhance crop yields while maintaining environmental conditions within suitable ranges for each crop. Among the variables that govern the water balance in these systems, air humidity plays a critical role; therefore, accurate humidity forecasting is essential for implementing timely control actions that support productivity levels. However, greenhouse conditions are frequently perturbed by extreme weather events, which lead to nonlinear and non-stationary humidity dynamics. In this context, the aim of this study was to design an optimized evolving fuzzy inference system for humidity forecasting that can adapt to changing and unforeseen situations in agricultural microclimates. A prototyping-based methodology was followed, including phases of communication, quick planning, modeling and quick design, construction of the prototype, and deployment. A hybrid genetic algorithm was used to optimize the parameters of an evolving Mamdani-type fuzzy inference system, extended to handle missing values in online data streams. Thirty independent optimization runs were performed, and the best configuration achieved a mean squared error of 1.20 × 10−2 in humidity forecasting using one minute of data for three months. The resulting model showed high interpretability, with an average number of 1.35 rules, tolerance for missing values, imputing 2% of the data, and robustness to sudden changes in the data stream with a p-value of 0.01 for the Augmented Dickey–Fuller test at alpha = 0.05. In general, the optimized evolving fuzzy inference system obtained an effectiveness rate greater than 90% and demonstrated adaptability to extreme weather conditions, suggesting its applicability to other phenomena with similar characteristics. Full article
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23 pages, 942 KB  
Article
Who Wins the Energy Race? Artificial Intelligence for Smarter Energy Use in Logistics and Supply Chain Management
by Blanka Tundys and Tomasz Wiśniewski
Energies 2026, 19(2), 305; https://doi.org/10.3390/en19020305 - 7 Jan 2026
Viewed by 97
Abstract
Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly regarded as a transformative enabler of sustainable logistics and supply chain management, particularly in the context of global energy transition and decarbonization efforts. This study provides a comprehensive conceptual and exploratory assessment of the multidimensional role of AI, [...] Read more.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly regarded as a transformative enabler of sustainable logistics and supply chain management, particularly in the context of global energy transition and decarbonization efforts. This study provides a comprehensive conceptual and exploratory assessment of the multidimensional role of AI, highlighting both its potential to enhance energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as well as its inherent environmental costs associated with digital infrastructures such as data centers. The findings reveal the dual character of digitalization: while predictive algorithms and digital twin applications facilitate demand forecasting, process optimization, and real-time adaptation to market fluctuations, they simultaneously generate additional energy demand that must be offset through renewable energy integration and intelligent energy balancing. The analysis underscores that the effectiveness of AI deployment cannot be captured solely through economic metrics but requires a holistic evaluation framework that incorporates environmental and social dimensions. Moreover, regional disparities are identified, with advanced economies accelerating AI-driven green transformations under regulatory and societal pressures, while developing economies face constraints linked to infrastructure gaps and investment limitations. The analysis emphasizes that AI-driven predictive models and digital twin applications are not only tools for energy optimization but also mechanisms that enhance systemic resilience by enabling risk anticipation, adaptive resource allocation, and continuity of operations in volatile environment. The contribution of this study lies in situating AI within the digital–green synergy discourse, demonstrating that its role in logistics decarbonization is conditional upon integrated energy–climate strategies, organizational change, and workforce reskilling. By synthesizing emerging evidence, this article provides actionable insights for policymakers, managers, and scholars, and calls for more rigorous empirical research across sectors, regions, and time horizons to verify the long-term sustainability impacts of AI-enabled solutions in supply chains. Full article
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25 pages, 1579 KB  
Article
Projecting Türkiye’s CO2 Emissions Future: Multivariate Forecast of Energy–Economy–Environment Interactions and Anthropogenic Drivers
by Beyza Gudek, Fatih Gurcan, Ahmet Soylu and Akif Quddus Khan
Sustainability 2026, 18(1), 471; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18010471 - 2 Jan 2026
Viewed by 259
Abstract
Global warming has become a top priority on the international environmental policy agenda. The recent rise in CO2 emissions observed in Türkiye has further emphasized the country’s critical role in addressing climate change. This study aims to estimate Türkiye’s CO2 emissions [...] Read more.
Global warming has become a top priority on the international environmental policy agenda. The recent rise in CO2 emissions observed in Türkiye has further emphasized the country’s critical role in addressing climate change. This study aims to estimate Türkiye’s CO2 emissions through 2030 and identify the key socioeconomic and environmental factors driving these emissions, using multiple linear regression (MLR) and time series analysis methods. Six primary variables are examined: population, gross domestic product (GDP), CO2 intensity, per capita energy consumption, total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and forest area. This study introduces a new multivariate forecasting framework that integrates time series projections with multiple linear regression and elasticity-based sensitivity analysis, providing novel insight into the relative influence of key emission drivers compared to prior research. The results suggest that, if current policy trends persist, Türkiye’s CO2 emissions will increase substantially by 2030. Variables such as GHG emissions, energy consumption, and population growth are found to have an increasing effect on emissions, while the limited expansion of forest areas is insufficient to offset this trend. In contrast, the negative correlation between GDP and CO2 emissions suggests that economic growth can occur in alignment with environmental sustainability. The model’s validity is supported by a high R2 (0.99) value and low error rates. The findings indicate that Türkiye must reassess its current strategies and strengthen policies targeting renewable energy, energy efficiency, and carbon sinks to achieve its climate goals. The proposed framework provides a transparent basis for climate planning and policy prioritization in Türkiye. Full article
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18 pages, 3568 KB  
Article
Hybrid Recurrent Neural Network in Greenhouse Microclimate Prediction
by Axel Escamilla-García, Genaro Martin Soto-Zarazúa, Carlos A. Olvera-Olvera, Manuel de Jesús López-Martínez, Manuel Toledano-Ayala, Gobinath Chandrakasan and Said Arturo Rodríguez-Romero
AgriEngineering 2026, 8(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriengineering8010004 - 1 Jan 2026
Viewed by 237
Abstract
This study presents a hybrid recurrent neural network (RNN) approach for greenhouse microclimate prediction, combining a mechanistic model with an Elman network. The research addresses the gap in systematic comparisons between hybrid RNN and feedforward neural network (FFNN) architectures for greenhouse climate forecasting. [...] Read more.
This study presents a hybrid recurrent neural network (RNN) approach for greenhouse microclimate prediction, combining a mechanistic model with an Elman network. The research addresses the gap in systematic comparisons between hybrid RNN and feedforward neural network (FFNN) architectures for greenhouse climate forecasting. Different network structures with 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 hidden layers were evaluated using mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), mean square error (MSE), and coefficient of determination (R2). Results demonstrate that hybrid RNNs significantly outperform FFNNs in predicting indoor temperature, with the 2-hidden-layer configuration achieving the best performance (R2 = 0.897). For relative humidity prediction, both networks showed comparable results. The hybrid RNN with 3 hidden layers exhibited optimal performance during training, while simpler configurations proved more effective during testing. The integration of mechanistic knowledge with neural networks enhances prediction accuracy, providing a reliable tool for greenhouse climate control systems. These findings contribute to smart agriculture by offering an efficient computational approach for microclimate management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Digital Agriculture, Smart Farming and Crop Monitoring)
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18 pages, 1609 KB  
Article
Resource-Efficient Nutrient Dosing for Sustainable Aquaponics: Analysis System for Nutrient Requirements in Hydroponics (ASNRH) Using Aquaculture Byproducts and Neural Networks
by Surak Son and Yina Jeong
Sustainability 2026, 18(1), 247; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18010247 - 25 Dec 2025
Viewed by 197
Abstract
Aquaponics is a water-reusing, circular form of controlled-environment agriculture, but its sustainability benefits depend on reliable, constraint-aware nutrient dosing under delayed inflow effects. Aquaponics involves coupling hydroponics with aquaculture but is difficult to control because the greenhouse/crop state at the current time step [...] Read more.
Aquaponics is a water-reusing, circular form of controlled-environment agriculture, but its sustainability benefits depend on reliable, constraint-aware nutrient dosing under delayed inflow effects. Aquaponics involves coupling hydroponics with aquaculture but is difficult to control because the greenhouse/crop state at the current time step (t) must anticipate water-quality changes that arrive at the next time step (t+1), under hard EC–pH and dose constraints. We propose the Analysis System for Nutrient Requirements in Hydroponics (ASNRH), a two-module, constraint-aware framework that directly regresses next-step elemental supplementation (N, P, K; mg·L−1). First, the Fish-farm By-product Prediction Module (FBPM) uses a lightweight GRU forecaster to predict inflow chemistry at t+1 (e.g., NH4+/NO2/NO3, alkalinity) from standard aquaculture sensors. Second, the Nutrient Requirement Prediction Module (NRPM) encodes the current hydroponic and crop state at t in parallel with the FBPM inflow at t+1 via a dual-branch architecture and fuses both representations to produce non-negative dose recommendations while penalizing forecasted EC/pH violations and excessive actuation volatility. The data pipeline assumes low-cost greenhouse and aquaculture sensors with chronological, leakage-free splits. A protocol-first simulation evaluates ASNRH against time-series and rule-based baselines using accuracy metrics (MAE/RMSE/R2), EC/pH violation rates, and robustness under missingness/noise; ablations isolate the contributions of the inflow branch, constraint-aware losses, and lightweight physics priors. The framework targets deployability in decoupled or coupled aquaponics by structurally resolving t vs. t+1 asynchrony and internalizing domain constraints during learning; procedures are specified to support reproducibility and subsequent field trials. By operationalizing anticipatory dosing from reused aquaculture byproducts under EC/pH feasibility constraints, ASNRH is designed to support sustainability goals such as reduced nutrient wastage and fewer corrective water exchanges in coupled or decoupled aquaponics. Full article
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30 pages, 4360 KB  
Article
Development of a Reinforcement Learning-Based Ship Voyage Planning Optimization Method Applying Machine Learning-Based Berth Dwell-Time Prediction as a Time Constraint
by Youngseo Park, Suhwan Kim, Jeongon Eom and Sewon Kim
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2026, 14(1), 43; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse14010043 - 25 Dec 2025
Viewed by 322
Abstract
Global container shipping faces increasing pressure to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while still meeting strict port schedules under highly uncertain terminal operations and met-ocean conditions. However, most existing voyage-planning approaches either ignore real port operation variability or treat fuel [...] Read more.
Global container shipping faces increasing pressure to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while still meeting strict port schedules under highly uncertain terminal operations and met-ocean conditions. However, most existing voyage-planning approaches either ignore real port operation variability or treat fuel optimization and just-in-time (JIT) arrival as separate problems, limiting their applicability in actual operations. This study presents a data-driven just-in-time voyage optimization framework that integrates port-side uncertainty and marine environmental dynamics into the routing process. A dwell-time prediction model based on Gradient Boosting was developed using port throughput and meteorological–oceanographic variables, achieving a validation accuracy of R2 = 0.84 and providing a data-driven required time of arrival (RTA) estimate. A Transformer encoder model was constructed to forecast fuel consumption from multivariate navigation and environmental data, and the model achieved a segment-level predictive performance with an R2 value of approximately 0.99. These predictive modules were embedded into a Deep Q-Network (DQN) routing model capable of optimizing headings and speed profiles under spatially varying ocean conditions. Experiments were conducted on three container-carrier routes in which the historical AIS trajectories served as operational benchmark routes. Compared with these AIS-based baselines, the optimized routes reduced fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by approximately 26% to 69%, while driving the JIT arrival deviation close to zero. The proposed framework provides a unified approach that links port operations, fuel dynamics, and ocean-aware route planning, offering practical benefits for smart and autonomous ship navigation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Autonomous Ship and Harbor Maneuvering: Modeling and Control)
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22 pages, 1453 KB  
Article
The Economics of Sustainable Aviation Fuels: Market Trends and Policy Challenges in Selected EU Countries
by Laima Okunevičiūtė Neverauskienė, Eglė Sikorskaitė-Narkun and Manuela Tvaronavičienė
Sustainability 2026, 18(1), 127; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18010127 - 22 Dec 2025
Viewed by 527
Abstract
The aviation sector is one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions, and the European Union (EU) is calling for a rapid transition to sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs). This study aims to assess market dynamics and regulatory challenges of sustainable aviation fuels [...] Read more.
The aviation sector is one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions, and the European Union (EU) is calling for a rapid transition to sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs). This study aims to assess market dynamics and regulatory challenges of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) in the European Union, with emphasis on economic feasibility and the role of policy frameworks. Using econometric methods: Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) and Vector Autoregression (VAR) models, forecasts of SAF infrastructure development trajectories were produced, while regression analysis was applied to assess the relationship between national GDP and the scale of SAF deployment. The results revealed a statistically significant positive link between higher economic development and faster expansion of SAF infrastructure, highlighting the policy-driven nature of market dynamics. Germany and France demonstrate the greatest growth potential, while countries such as Italy and Denmark show slower progress. The findings confirm that clear regulatory frameworks and targeted economic incentives are essential to stimulate SAF uptake; however, additional investment and stronger policy harmonization across Member States are required to achieve large-scale commercialization and long-term sustainability. The empirical analysis utilizes data from 2015 to 2023 to estimate SAF infrastructure trajectories and policy effects, ensuring sufficient temporal coverage for robust econometric modeling and forecasting. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy and Environment: Policy, Economics and Modeling)
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28 pages, 9145 KB  
Article
The Spatiotemporal Characteristics and Prediction of Soil and Water Conservation as Carbon Sinks in Karst Areas Based on Machine Learning: A Case Study of Puding County, China
by Man Li, Lijun Xie, Rui Dong, Shufen Huang, Qing Yang, Guangbin Yang, Ruidi Ma, Lin Liu, Tingyue Wang and Zhongfa Zhou
Agriculture 2026, 16(1), 15; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16010015 - 20 Dec 2025
Viewed by 295
Abstract
Carbon sequestration by vegetation and soil conservation are vital components in balancing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing terrestrial ecosystem carbon sinks. They also represent an efficient pathway towards achieving carbon neutrality objectives and addressing numerous environmental challenges arising from global warming. Soil and [...] Read more.
Carbon sequestration by vegetation and soil conservation are vital components in balancing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing terrestrial ecosystem carbon sinks. They also represent an efficient pathway towards achieving carbon neutrality objectives and addressing numerous environmental challenges arising from global warming. Soil and water conservation, as crucial elements of ecological civilisation development, constitute a key link in realising carbon neutrality. This study systematically quantifies and forecasts the spatiotemporal characteristics of carbon sink capacity in soil and water conservation within the study area of Puding County, a typical karst region in Guizhou Province, China. Following a research approach of “mechanism elucidation–model construction–categorised estimation”, we established a carbon sink calculation system based on the dual mechanisms of vertical biomass carbon fixation via vegetative measures and horizontal soil organic carbon (SOC) retention using engineering measures. This system combines forestry, grassland, and engineering, with the aim of quantifying regional carbon sinks. Machine learning regression algorithms such as Random Forest, ExtraTrees, CatBoost, and XGBoost are used for backtracking estimation and optimisation modelling of soil and water conservation as carbon sinks from 2010 to 2022. The results show that the total carbon sink capacity of soil and water conservation in Puding County in 2017 was 34.53 × 104 t, while the contribution of engineering measures was 22.37 × 104 t. The spatial distribution shows a pattern of “higher in the north and lower in the south”. There are concentration hotspots in the central and western regions. Model comparison demonstrates that the Random Forest and extreme gradient boosting regression models are the best models for plantations/grasslands and engineering measures, respectively. The LSTM model was applied to predict carbon sink variables over the next ten years (2025–2034), showing that the overall situation is relatively stable, with only slight local fluctuations. This study solves the problem of the lack of quantitative data on soil and water conservation as carbon sinks in karst areas and provides a scientific basis for regional ecological governance and carbon sink management. Our findings demonstrate the practical significance of promoting the realisation of the “double carbon” goal. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Soils)
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33 pages, 2339 KB  
Article
Transitioning to Hydrogen Trucks in Small Economies: Policy, Infrastructure, and Innovation Dynamics
by Aleksandrs Kotlars, Justina Hudenko, Inguna Jurgelane-Kaldava, Jelena Stankevičienė, Maris Gailis, Igors Kukjans and Agnese Batenko
Sustainability 2025, 17(24), 11272; https://doi.org/10.3390/su172411272 - 16 Dec 2025
Viewed by 223
Abstract
Decarbonizing heavy-duty freight transport is essential for achieving climate neutrality targets. Although internal combustion engine (ICE) trucks currently dominate logistics, they contribute substantially to greenhouse gas emissions. Zero-emission alternatives, such as battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (H2), provide different [...] Read more.
Decarbonizing heavy-duty freight transport is essential for achieving climate neutrality targets. Although internal combustion engine (ICE) trucks currently dominate logistics, they contribute substantially to greenhouse gas emissions. Zero-emission alternatives, such as battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (H2), provide different decarbonization pathways; however, their relative roles remain contested, particularly in small economies. While BEVs benefit from technological maturity and declining costs, hydrogen offers advantages for high-payload, long-haul operations, especially within energy-intensive cold supply chains. The aim of this paper is to examine the gradual transition from ICE trucks to hydrogen-powered vehicles with a specific focus on cold-chain logistics, where reliability and energy intensity are critical. The hypothesis is that applying a system dynamics forecasting approach, incorporating investment costs, infrastructure coverage, government support, and technological progress, can more effectively guide transition planning than traditional linear methods. To address this, the study develops a system dynamics economic model tailored to the structural characteristics of a small economy, using a European case context. Small markets face distinct constraints: limited fleet sizes reduce economies of scale, infrastructure deployment is disproportionately costly, and fiscal capacity to support subsidies is restricted. These conditions increase the risk of technology lock-in and emphasize the need for coordinated, adaptive policy design. The model integrates acquisition and maintenance costs, fuel consumption, infrastructure rollout, subsidy schemes, industrial hydrogen demand, and technology learning rates. It incorporates subsystems for fleet renewal, hydrogen refueling network expansion, operating costs, industrial demand linkages, and attractiveness functions weighted by operator decision preferences. Reinforcing and balancing feedback loops capture the dynamic interactions between fleet adoption and infrastructure availability. Inputs combine fixed baseline parameters with variable policy levers such as subsidies, elasticity values, and hydrogen cost reduction rates. Results indicate that BEVs are structurally more favorable in small economies due to lower entry costs and simpler infrastructure requirements. Hydrogen adoption becomes viable only under scenarios with strong, sustained subsidies, accelerated station deployment, and sufficient cross-sectoral demand. Under favorable conditions, hydrogen can approach cost and attractiveness parity with BEVs. Overall, market forces alone are insufficient to ensure a balanced zero-emission transition in small markets; proactive and continuous government intervention is required for hydrogen to complement rather than remain secondary to BEV uptake. The novelty of this study lies in the development of a system dynamics model specifically designed for small-economy conditions, integrating industrial hydrogen demand, policy elasticity, and infrastructure coverage limitations, factors largely absent from the existing literature. Unlike models focused on large markets or single-sector applications, this approach captures cross-sector synergies, small-scale cost dynamics, and subsidy-driven points, offering a more realistic framework for hydrogen truck deployment in small-country environments. The model highlights key leverage points for policymakers and provides a transferable tool for guiding freight decarbonization strategies in comparable small-market contexts. Full article
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28 pages, 11170 KB  
Article
Simulation and Assimilation of CO2 Concentrations Based on the WRF-Chem Model
by Wenhao Liu, Xiaolu Ling, Chenggang Li, Botao He and Haonan Xu
Processes 2025, 13(12), 4010; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13124010 - 11 Dec 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 389
Abstract
Accurate simulation and assimilation of CO2 concentrations are of great significance for global carbon cycle research, carbon emission monitoring, and climate policy formulation. In this study, we conducted simulation and assimilation of CO2 concentrations over central, eastern, and southern China from [...] Read more.
Accurate simulation and assimilation of CO2 concentrations are of great significance for global carbon cycle research, carbon emission monitoring, and climate policy formulation. In this study, we conducted simulation and assimilation of CO2 concentrations over central, eastern, and southern China from March to August 2020 using the WRF-Chem model (Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with Chemistry) coupled with the Ensemble Adjustment Kalman Filter (EAKF) assimilation method. We designed four progressive experiments (CTRL, MET_DA, CO2_DA, and FULL_DA) to evaluate the impacts of assimilating meteorological observations and multi-satellite fused XCO2 concentrations on CO2 simulation performance. Compared to the CTRL simulation, the MET_DA experiment shows that the correlation coefficients (R) for meteorological elements, including wind speed, temperature, and relative humidity, improved by approximately 9.68%, 2.03%, and 16.05%, respectively. The CO2_DA experiment showed improved accuracy in CO2 concentration simulation. The validation against WDCGG (World Data Centre for Greenhouse Gases) and TCCON (Total Carbon Column Observing Network) observations demonstrated that R increased to 0.970 and 0.830, respectively, with corresponding RMSEs reduced to 2.598 ppm and 2.042 ppm. Building upon the improvements of CO2_DA, the FULL_DA experiment achieved greater accuracy, with R reaching 0.972 and 0.875, and RMSE reduced to 2.309 ppm and 1.693 ppm, respectively. In addition, the bias was lowered by 46.74% and 77.58%. The results show that assimilation of both meteorological and multi-source fused XCO2 datasets achieves optimal performance in enhancing the accuracy of CO2 concentration simulations. This study employs an hourly, multi-source fused CO2 dataset that features an increased number of observations and greater spatial coverage. By assimilating this dataset, we achieve more accurate simulations of CO2 concentrations, thereby providing reliable support for carbon monitoring and emission estimation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Chemical Processes and Systems)
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32 pages, 3950 KB  
Article
Innovative Technologies for Building Envelope to Enhance the Thermal Performance of a Modular House in Australia
by Sathya Bandaranayake, Satheeskumar Navaratnam, Thisari Munmulla, Guomin Zhang and Lu Aye
Energies 2025, 18(24), 6485; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18246485 - 11 Dec 2025
Viewed by 543
Abstract
Buildings consume energy and are responsible for a significant portion of greenhouse gas emissions in Australia. Increased standards are being set for building thermal performance. Given the rising demand for energy-efficient housing solutions, this work explores the potential application of innovative technologies to [...] Read more.
Buildings consume energy and are responsible for a significant portion of greenhouse gas emissions in Australia. Increased standards are being set for building thermal performance. Given the rising demand for energy-efficient housing solutions, this work explores the potential application of innovative technologies to enhance the thermal performance. Since modular construction is attracting popularity owing to numerous advantages, including its efficiency and cost-effectiveness, optimising the thermal performance is a way to further improve its popularity, particularly in diverse Australian climates. Smart materials are unique and have desirable properties when subjected to a change in the external environment. Integration of smart insulation materials in prefabricated buildings forecasts a potential to expand the horizon of thermal performance of prefabricated buildings and subsequently lead towards an enhanced energy performance. This work investigates the effects of aerogel, phase change materials (PCMs), and electrochromic glazing. To assess their potential to improve the thermal performance of a modular house, building energy performance simulations were conducted for three different climatic conditions in Australia. Individual implementation of innovative technologies and their combined effects were also quantified. The combination of the three innovative technologies has yielded total annual energy savings of 15.6%, 11.2%, and 6.1% for Melbourne, Perth, and Brisbane, respectively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section B3: Carbon Emission and Utilization)
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19 pages, 20161 KB  
Article
Evaluation of Air–Sea Flux Products Based on Observations in the Northern South China Sea
by Hui Chen, Xingjie He, Lifang Jiang, Qiyan Ji, Hao Jiang and Hailun He
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(12), 2358; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13122358 - 11 Dec 2025
Viewed by 403
Abstract
Quantifying the time and space scale variability in air–sea fluxes is challenging. This study adopts tower-based in situ observations in the northern South China Sea (SCS) to evaluate widely used reanalysis and CO2 flux products. For heat and momentum fluxes, three reanalysis [...] Read more.
Quantifying the time and space scale variability in air–sea fluxes is challenging. This study adopts tower-based in situ observations in the northern South China Sea (SCS) to evaluate widely used reanalysis and CO2 flux products. For heat and momentum fluxes, three reanalysis products were considered: the fifth-generation European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecast reanalysis (ERA5), the NCEP Climate Forecast System Version 2 reanalysis (CFSv2), and third-generation Japanese Meteorological Agency reanalysis (JRA55). Comparisons of surface state variables show that these three reanalysis products generally agree well with observations on both the daily and monthly scales. On the daily scale, the correlation coefficients between observations and ERA5 exceed 0.93 for wind, air temperature, relative humidity, and longwave radiation. On the monthly scale, seasonal variations in wind, air temperature, and relative humidity are well captured. Nevertheless, the three reanalysis products all overestimate (underestimate) the latent (sensible) heat flux, with a root mean square error above 90.50 (33.35) W/m2. For momentum fluxes, the three reanalysis datasets tend to underestimate 0.07∼0.08 N/m2 with a high correlation coefficient above 0.71. In terms of CO2 fluxes, the Multi-observation Carbon Assimilation System (MCAS), Surface Ocean CO2 Atlas (SOCAT), and Global ObservatioN-based system for monitoring Greenhouse GAs (GONGGA) inversion CO2 flux datasets were evaluated. SOCAT performs best with a correlation coefficient of 0.75, and GONGGA follows with 0.64, while MCAS demonstrates the lowest performance with a value of 0.36. In addition, the spatial patterns of the monthly mean surface CO2 flux in the northern SCS illustrate significant discrepancies between MCAS, SOCAT, and GONGGA. These results can provide valuable insights for reducing uncertainties in air–sea flux products over coastal areas in the future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Coastal Engineering)
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32 pages, 4849 KB  
Systematic Review
Artificial Intelligence in Solar-Assisted Greenhouse Systems: A Technical, Systematic and Bibliometric Review of Energy Integration and Efficiency Advances
by Edwin Villagran, John Javier Espitia, Fabián Andrés Velázquez, Andres Sarmiento, Diego Alejandro Salinas Velandia and Jader Rodriguez
Technologies 2025, 13(12), 574; https://doi.org/10.3390/technologies13120574 - 6 Dec 2025
Viewed by 807
Abstract
Protected agriculture increasingly requires solutions that reduce energy consumption and environmental impacts while maintaining stable microclimatic conditions. The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Deep Learning (DL) with solar technologies has emerged as a pathway toward autonomous and energy-efficient greenhouses [...] Read more.
Protected agriculture increasingly requires solutions that reduce energy consumption and environmental impacts while maintaining stable microclimatic conditions. The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Deep Learning (DL) with solar technologies has emerged as a pathway toward autonomous and energy-efficient greenhouses and solar dryers. This study analyzes the scientific and technological evolution of this convergence using a mixed review approach bibliometric and systematic, following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. From Scopus records (2012–2025), 115 documents were screened and 79 met the inclusion criteria. Bibliometric results reveal accelerated growth since 2019, led by Engineering, Computer Science, and Energy, with China, India, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom as dominant contributors. Thematic analysis identifies four major research fronts: (i) thermal modeling and energy efficiency, (ii) predictive control and microclimate automation, (iii) integration of photovoltaic–thermal (PV/T) systems and phase change materials (PCMs), and (iv) sustainability and agrivoltaics. Systematic evidence shows that AI, ML, and DL based models improve solar forecasting, microclimate regulation, and energy optimization; model predictive control (MPC), deep reinforcement learning (DRL), and energy management systems (EMS) enhance operational efficiency; and PV/T–PCM hybrids strengthen heat recovery and storage. Remaining gaps include long-term validation, metric standardization, and cross-context comparability. Overall, the field is advancing toward near-zero-energy greenhouses powered by Internet of Things (IoT), AI, and solar energy, enabling resilient, efficient, and decarbonized agro-energy systems. Full article
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67 pages, 14448 KB  
Article
Driving Sustainable Development from Fossil to Renewable: A Space–Time Analysis of Electricity Generation Across the EU-28
by Adriana Grigorescu, Cristina Lincaru and Camelia Speranta Pirciog
Sustainability 2025, 17(23), 10620; https://doi.org/10.3390/su172310620 - 26 Nov 2025
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Abstract
The transition to renewable energy is crucial in order to attain sustainable development, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and secure long-term energy security. This study examines spatial–temporal trends in electricity generation (both renewable and non-renewable) across EU-28 countries using monthly Eurostat data (2008–2025) at [...] Read more.
The transition to renewable energy is crucial in order to attain sustainable development, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and secure long-term energy security. This study examines spatial–temporal trends in electricity generation (both renewable and non-renewable) across EU-28 countries using monthly Eurostat data (2008–2025) at the NUTS0 level. Two harmonized Space–Time Cubes (STCs) were constructed for renewable and non-renewable electricity covering the fully comparable 2017–2024 interval, while 2008–2016 data were used for descriptive validation, and 2025 data were used for one-step-ahead forecasting. In this paper, the authors present a novel multi-method approach to energy transition dynamics in Europe, integrating forecasting (ESF), hot-spot detection (EHSA), and clustering (TSC) with the help of a new spatial–temporal modeling framework. The methodology is a step forward in the development of methodological literature, since it regards predictive and exploratory GIS analytics as comparative energy transition evaluation. The paper uses Exponential Smoothing Forecast (ESF) and Emerging Hot Spot Analysis (EHSA) in a GIS-based analysis to uncover the dynamics in the region and the possible production pattern. The ESF also reported strong predictive performance in the form of the mean Root Mean Square Errors (RMSE) of renewable and non-renewable electricity generation of 422.5 GWh and 438.8 GWh, respectively. Of the EU-28 countries, seasonality was statistically significant in 78.6 per cent of locations that relied on hydropower, and 35.7 per cent of locations exhibited structural outliers associated with energy-transition asymmetries. EHSA identified short-lived localized spikes in renewable electricity production in a few Western and Northern European countries: Portugal, Spain, France, Denmark, and Sweden, termed as sporadic renewable hot spots. There were no cases of persistent or increase-based hot spots in any country; therefore, renewable growth is temporally and spatially inhomogeneous in the EU-28. In the case of non-renewable sources, a hot spot was evident in France, with an intermittent hot spot in Spain and sporadic increases over time, but otherwise, there was no statistically significant activity of hot or cold spots in the rest of Europe, indicating structural stagnation in the generation of fossil-based electricity. Time Series Clustering (TSC) determined 10 temporal clusters in the generation of renewable and non-renewable electricity. All renewable clusters were statistically significantly increasing (p < 0.001), with the most substantial increase in Cluster 4 (statistic = 9.95), observed in Poland, Finland, Portugal, and the Netherlands, indicating a transregional phase acceleration of renewable electricity production in northern, western, and eastern Europe. Conversely, all non-renewable clusters showed declining trends (p < 0.001), with Cluster 5 (statistic = −8.58) showing a concerted reduction in the use of fossil-based electricity, in line with EU decarbonization policies. The results contribute to an improved understanding of the spatial dynamics of the European energy transition and its potential to support energy security, reduce fossil fuel dependency, and foster balanced regional development. These insights are crucial to harmonize policy measures with the objectives of the European Green Deal and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (especially Goals 7, 11, and 13). Full article
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