Search Results (86)

The rapid advancement of energy collection and storage systems (ECSSs) is fundamentally reshaping global energy markets and accelerating the transition toward low-carbon energy systems. This study provides a comprehensive assessment of the economic benefits and systemic effects of advanced ECSS technologies, including photovoltaic-thermal (PV/T) hybrid systems, advanced batteries, hydrogen-based storage, and thermal energy storage (TES). Through a mixed-methods approach combining techno-economic analysis, macroeconomic modeling, and policy review, we evaluate the cost trajectories, performance indicators, and deployment impacts of these technologies across major economies. The paper also introduces a novel economic-mathematical model to quantify the long-term macroeconomic benefits of large-scale ECSS deployment, including GDP growth, job creation, and import substitution effects. Our results indicate significant cost reductions for ECSS by 2050, with battery storage costs projected to fall below USD 50 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) and green hydrogen production reaching as low as USD 1.2 per kilogram. Large-scale ECSS deployment was found to reduce electricity costs by up to 12%, lower fossil fuel imports by up to 25%, and generate substantial GDP growth and job creation, particularly in regions with supportive policy frameworks. Comparative cross-country analysis highlighted regional differences in economic effects, with the European Union, China, and the United States demonstrating the highest economic gains from ECSS adoption. The study also identified key challenges, including high capital costs, material supply risks, and regulatory barriers, emphasizing the need for integrated policies to accelerate ECSS deployment. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers aiming to design effective strategies for enhancing energy security, economic resilience, and environmental sustainability through advanced energy storage technologies. Full article

The industrialization of using crop straw as energy is currently hindered by systemic bottlenecks, including high collection and storage costs, a poorly coordinated industrial chain, and underdeveloped market mechanism. This study takes Guangdong province as a case study to construct a tripartite evolutionary game model on the transition of straw to energy among the government, enterprises, and farmers. Different from previous studies that focused on the strategy of penalizing the open burning of straw by farmers, this work investigated the cooperation of farmers for straw removal from field, the operational strategies of enterprises for straw utilization as energy, and the selection of government-guided incentive policies. It analyzes the behavioral evolution of these stakeholders under various incentive policies and cooperative scenarios. Numerical simulations were performed to identify the system’s evolutionary stable strategies and assess the potential of expanding straw for energy utilization. It indicated that mild government intervention could lead to a stable equilibrium through facilitating the removal of straw from fields and the utilization of straw as energy by enterprises. Farmers were sensitive to the fluctuation of acquisition price, and their willingness to cooperate would be negatively impacted by a large-scale price reduction. Enterprise expansion was exposed to significant risk under intensive policy intervention. The feasible pathway to increase the proportion of straw utilization as energy in Guangdong began at a small scale. Under mild incentive policies, a scenario targeting a 20% increase was more likely to achieve a market equilibrium for large-scale production than that targeting a 55% increase. The government should draw up positive incentive policies to promote the utilization of straw as energy. By guiding farmers in straw removal from the field and improving the energy enterprises’ competitiveness, the government should curb irrational industry expansion and corporate speculation, and shift from investment support to incentive policies. Meanwhile, the ecological construction of industry and supply chains should be enhanced, and the scale should be used to reduce the high supply-side costs of the straw. It would overcome the central barrier to the commercialization of straw utilization as energy. This work sets an example for conducting dynamic analysis of multi-stakeholder interactions for straw utilization. Full article

This study assesses the feasibility and profitability of marine hybrid clusters, combining wave energy converters (WECs) and offshore wind turbines (OWTs) to power households and marine aquaculture. Researchers analyzed two coastal sites: La Serena, Chile, with high and consistent wave energy resources, and Ensenada, Mexico, with moderate and more variable wave power. Two WEC technologies, Wave Dragon (WD) and Pelamis (PEL), were evaluated alongside lithium-ion battery storage and green hydrogen production for surplus energy storage. Results show that La Serena’s high wave power (26.05 kW/m) requires less hybridization than Ensenada’s (13.88 kW/m). The WD device in La Serena achieved the highest energy production, while PEL arrays in Ensenada were more effective. The PEL-OWT cluster proved the most cost-effective in Ensenada, whereas the WD-OWT performed better in La Serena. Supplying electricity for seaweed aquaculture, particularly in La Serena, proves more profitable than for households. Ensenada’s clusters generate more surplus electricity, suitable for the electricity market or hydrogen conversion. This study emphasizes the importance of tailoring emerging WEC systems to local conditions, optimizing hybridization strategies, and integrating consolidated industries, such as aquaculture, to enhance both economic and environmental benefits. Full article

This study presents a comprehensive assessment of the energy systems in eight Eastern European countries—Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia—focusing on their energy transition, security of supply, decarbonisation, and energy efficiency. Using principal component analysis (PCA) and clustering techniques, we identify three different energy profiles: countries dependent on fossil fuels (e.g., Poland, Bulgaria), countries with a balanced mix of nuclear and fossil fuels (e.g., the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary), and countries focusing mainly on renewables (e.g., Slovenia, Croatia). The sectoral analysis shows that industry and transport are the main drivers of energy consumption and CO₂ emissions, and the challenges and policy priorities of decarbonisation are determined. Regression modelling shows that dependence on fossil fuels strongly influences the use of renewable energy and electricity consumption patterns, while national differences in per capita electricity consumption are influenced by socio-economic and political factors that go beyond the energy structure. The Decarbonisation Level Index (DLI) indicator shows that Bulgaria and the Czech Republic achieve a high degree of self-sufficiency in domestic energy, while Hungary and Slovakia are the most dependent on imports. A typology based on energy intensity and import dependency categorises Romania as resilient, several countries as balanced, and Hungary, Slovakia, and Croatia as vulnerable. The projected investments up to 2030 indicate an annual increase in clean energy production of around 123–138 TWh through the expansion of nuclear energy, the development of renewable energy, the phasing out of coal, and the improvement of energy efficiency, which could reduce CO₂ emissions across the region by around 119–143 million tons per year. The policy recommendations emphasise the accelerated phase-out of coal, supported by just transition measures, the use of nuclear energy as a stable backbone, the expansion of renewables and energy storage, and a focus on the electrification of transport and industry. The study emphasises the significant influence of European Union (EU) policies—such as the “Clean Energy for All Europeans” and “Fit for 55” packages—on the design of national strategies through regulatory frameworks, financing, and market mechanisms. This analysis provides important insights into the heterogeneity of Eastern European energy systems and supports the design of customised, coordinated policy measures to achieve a sustainable, secure, and climate-resilient energy transition in the region. Full article

The integration of the industrial Internet and big data analytics is reshaping enterprise decision-making models and providing new momentum for the transformation and upgrading of traditional manufacturing industries. In this study, a decision support system based on multi-source heterogeneous data fusion was established. The system carries out data collection, storage, and processing, as well as visualization analysis. The system also performs time-series data feature extraction and unstructured data processing in a three-layer architecture model to train models and generate decision-making. In case studies, the effectiveness of the system in predictive maintenance of equipment, dynamic optimization of supply chains, and product quality traceability was verified. A fault prediction model was developed based on an improved random forest algorithm, and it showed a high level of accuracy. Optimization strategies, such as modular system design, dynamic knowledge base updating, and human–machine collaborative decision-making, can be formulated using the system. To evaluate the system, a three-dimensional evaluation index system was built, including technology maturity, application adaptability, and benefit–output ratio. The developed system effectively improved the efficiency of enterprise resource allocation, shortened abnormality response times, and enhanced market adaptability. By using edge computing and digital twin technologies, a more flexible distributed decision-making architecture can be created in the system, promoting data-driven and intelligent decision-making in manufacturing industry. Full article

The increasing integration of intermittent renewable energy sources necessitates effective energy storage solutions, with battery energy storage systems (BESSs) emerging as promising candidates for energy arbitrage operations. This study conducted a comprehensive comparative analysis of 29 European electricity markets to identify optimal locations for utility-scale BESS-enabled energy arbitrage ventures. Using hourly wholesale electricity price data spanning January 2015 to December 2023, we employed statistical analysis techniques, 3D surface plots, and developed a novel energy arbitrage feasibility (EAF) score-based ranking system that integrates electricity market volatility metrics with regulatory and economic variables including gross domestic product per capita, index of economic freedom, and electricity supply-origin risk (ESOR). Five investor preference scenarios were analyzed: risk-averse, ESOR-sensitive, economy-sensitive, volatility-sensitive, and equally weighted approaches. Results demonstrated that Estonia ranked highest in three scenarios, achieving the maximum absolute EAF score of 0.558197 in the volatility-sensitive scenario, while Luxembourg led in the ESOR and economy-sensitive scenarios. Estonia’s market characteristics support single daily charge–discharge cycles, whereas Luxembourg enables dual cycles, offering different operational strategies. The EAF scoring methodology provides a standardized framework for cross-country investment decision-making in energy arbitrage ventures. These findings indicate that market selection significantly impacts the BESS arbitrage profitability, with Estonia and Luxembourg representing the most favorable investment destinations. Full article

The cement industry is a significant contributor to global carbon dioxide emissions, primarily due to the energy demands of its production process and its reliance on clinker, a material formed through the high-temperature calcination of limestone. Strategies to reduce emissions include the adoption of low-carbon fuels, the use of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies, and the integration of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) to reduce the clinker content. The effectiveness of these measures depends on a complex set of interactions involving technological feasibility, market dynamics, and regulatory frameworks. This study presents a system dynamics model designed to assess how various decarbonization approaches influence long-term emission trends within the cement industry. The model accounts for supply chains, production technologies, market adoption rates, and changes in cement production costs. This study then analyzes a number of scenarios where there is large-scale sustained investment in each of three carbon mitigation strategies. The results show that CCS by itself allows the cement industry to achieve carbon neutrality, but the high capital investment results in a large cost increase for cement. A combined approach using alternative fuels and SCMs was found to achieve a large carbon reduction without a sustained increase in cement prices, highlighting the trade-offs between cost, effectiveness, and system-wide interactions. Full article

The establishment of carbon capture, utilization, and storage supply chains at the national level is crucial for meeting global decarbonization targets: they have been suggested as a solution to maintain the global temperature rise below 2 °C relative to preindustrial levels. Optimizing these systems requires a balance of economic viability with environmental impact, but this is a challenge due to diverse operational limitations. This paper introduces an optimization framework that integrates life cycle assessment with a source-sink model while combining the geographical storage and conversion pathways of carbon dioxide into high-value chemicals. This study explores the economic and environmental outcomes of national carbon capture, utilization, and storage networks, considering several constraints, such as carbon dioxide reduction goals, product market demand, and renewable hydrogen availability. The framework is utilized in Germany as a case study, presenting three case studies to maximize overall annual profit and life cycle greenhouse gas reduction. In all analyzed scenarios, the results indicate a clear trade-off between profitability and emission reductions: profit-driven strategies are characterized by increased emissions, while environmental strategies have higher costs despite the environmental benefit. In addition, cost-optimal cases prefer high-profit utilization routes (e.g., gasoline through methane reforming) and cost-effective capture technologies, leading to significant profitability. On the other hand, climate-optimal approaches require diversification, integrating carbon dioxide storage with conversion pathways that exhibit lower emissions (e.g., gasoline, acetic acid, methanol through carbon dioxide hydrogenation). The proposed method significantly contributes to developing and constructing more sustainable, large-scale carbon projects. Full article

Food loss and waste are critical challenges in Taiwan’s agri-food supply chain, deteriorating security and resource efficiency. By employing the best–worst method (BWM), a multi-criteria decision-making model was developed in this study to evaluate the severity of losses and wastes. Combining literature review results with expert survey analysis results, key loss points, and mitigation strategies were identified to enhance sustainability and efficiency in Taiwan’s agricultural food system. Among the seven stages of the agricultural food supply chain, supermarket waste (16.95%) was identified as the severest, followed by government policies (16.63%), restaurant waste (15.35%), processing loss (14.71%), production site loss (13.64%), household waste (11.93%), and logistics/storage/distribution loss (10.79%). In the subcategories of each supply chain stage, the eight severe issues were identified as “Inadequate planning and control of overall production and marketing policies” under government policies, “Adverse climate conditions” and “Imbalance in production and marketing” under production site loss, “Inaccurate market demand forecasting” and “Poor inventory management at supermarkets” under supermarket waste, and “Improper storage management of ingredients leading to spoilage” as well as “Inability to accurately forecast demand due to menu diversity” under restaurant waste. The least severe issues included “Poor production techniques” under production site loss. Other minor issues included “Inefficient use of ingredients due to poor cooking skills”, “Festive culture and traditional customs”, and “Suboptimal food labeling design”, all of which contributed to household waste. Based on these findings, we proposed recommendations to mitigate food loss and waste in Taiwan’s agricultural food supply chain from practical, policy, and academic perspectives. The results of this study serve as a reference for relevant organizations and stakeholders. Full article

Weather-dependent, volatile energy sources, such as wind power and solar photovoltaics (PV), contribute considerably to the German electric energy supply. The current German government aims to substantially increase their market share. Using high-resolution time-series data from energy production and demand measurements, we replicate and analyze scenarios from the “Klimaneutrales Deutschland 2045” (KND2045) study. KND2045 was the basis for the German Government’s 2021 decision to move the abolition of CO₂ emissions from 2050 to 2045. The primary question in KND2045 is whether security of supply can be maintained by relying primarily on an effective duopoly of wind and solar power. We simulate scenarios for 2023, 2030, and 2045 using 15-min time-resolved measurements of wind and solar energy production and demand from 2023 and 2024, incorporating battery and gas storage systems into our model. We assess the overall economic costs for these scenarios. Our calculations demonstrate that the KND2045 scenarios are infeasible, as significant supply gaps persist during dark wind lulls, compromising security of supply. Instead, we propose improvements to these scenarios by incorporating nuclear energy as a backup to address KND2045’s shortcomings. Full article

The growth in the adoption of circular economy principles in the construction industry has given rise to material passports as a critical implementation tool. Given the existing problems of high resource use and high waste generation in the construction industry, there is a pressing need to adopt novel strategies and tools to mitigate the adverse impacts of the built environment. However, research on the application of material passports in the context of construction waste management remains limited. The aim of this paper is to identify the contextual uses, stakeholders, requirements, and challenges in the application of material passports for managing waste generated from building construction and demolition processes through a systematic review approach. Comprehensive searches in Scopus and the Web of Science databases are used to identify relevant papers and reduce the risk of selection bias. Thirty-five (35) papers are identified and included in the review. The identified key contexts of use included buildings and cities as material banks, waste management and trading, and integrated digital technologies. Asset owners, waste management operators, construction and deconstruction teams, technology providers, and regulatory and sustainability teams are identified as key stakeholders. Data requirements related to material, components, building stock data, lifecycle, environmental impact data, and deconstruction and handling data are critical. Moreover, the key infrastructure requirements include modeling and analytical tools, collaborative information exchange systems, sensory tracking tools, and digital and physical storage hubs. However, challenges with data management, costs, process standardization, technology, stakeholder collaboration, market demand, and supply chain logistics still limit the implementation. Therefore, it is recommended that future research be directed towards certification and standardization protocols, automation, artificial intelligence tools, economic viability, market trading, and innovative end-use products. Full article

This study analyzes the economic impacts of integrating floating offshore wind farms with a Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) unit to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The idea is to replace the use of natural gas for power supply with an offshore wind farm, considering the effects of carbon pricing. Results show that wind integration reduces emissions by 23% to 76%, depending on the installed capacity. However, higher wind capacity increases total system costs, initial investment, electricity and operational expenses. The Brazilian carbon credit market adversely impacts existing FPSO units as a result of the compulsory carbon trading costs necessary to mitigate their emissions. In contrast, wind-integrated scenarios benefited from carbon pricing, improving financial indicators such as payback period and Return on Investment. Wind shares of 30% and 70% yielded the best financial results for carbon prices between 10 and 50 United States Dollars per ton, with higher penalties further improving viability. These findings elucidate the significance of carbon pricing in mitigating emissions and enhancing the economic feasibility of offshore wind farms within the context of the Brazilian national FPSO decarbonization strategy. Full article

Intensive fish farming worldwide has increased reliance on antibiotics to control bacterial pathogens, raising concerns about antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in aquaculture. These resistant bacteria can persist and pass through the food supply chain, from farms to consumers. Despite this risk, antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) in aquaculture environments and fish products have not been elucidated. This study aimed to detect ARGs found in the Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer), an economically important fish in Thailand, collected from farms, fish container vehicles, and markets, using Nanopore metagenomic sequencing. We detected multiple ARGs in all sample types. Water samples harbored the rpsL gene conferring streptomycin resistance. Container samples exhibited the highest diversity of ARGs, including multiple beta-lactamases and the rsmA gene, conferring resistance to fluoroquinolones, diaminopyrimidines, and phenicol antibiotics. Fish samples generally lacked ARGs, except for one sample harboring rsmA. Non-metric multidimensional scaling revealed distinct microbial communities in water, compared with those found in container and fish samples, indicating potential cross-contamination during handling or storage. Our findings emphasize that containers could be critical control points for minimizing AMR spread. Overall, this study highlights the interconnection between environmental, fish, and human health, highlighting the importance of integrated AMR surveillance and management in aquaculture systems. Full article

The purpose of this paper is to explore the possibilities of bringing house development to a more sustainable and ecological level using the idea of the circular economy (CE) in the construction industry. Housing is an essential aspect of the economy and the building industry. The development of this sector is driven by an increasing urban population and the need to modernize existing residential buildings. Contemporary home situations should address reducing their detrimental impact on the natural environment. This is achievable by minimizing the consumption of natural resources and construction waste. This assumption is part of the core CE work, which allows for the recirculation of building materials. To discuss the underlying topics, this assumption was explored by employing a non-reactive desk research method. The review of scientific articles and studies covered the following topics: (i) the definition of CE, (ii) the shearing layers concept in building, and (iii) design for disassembly (DfD) in home construction. The second stage of evaluating the project “Domus Ex Machina” includes the following: (i) modular dimensions, (ii) prefabricated production, and (iii) adaptive designs and systems. In the discussion, this research identified several barriers to efficient CE adoption in the construction industry. The discussion highlights potential impediments to the application of the CE in housing contexts, including (i) storage and logistics issues, (ii) cost concerns and implementation challenges, (iii) policy inconsistencies across regions, and (iv) market demand and supply chain restrictions. The final paper conclusions demonstrate the significance of implementing the CE idea in housing building, hence reducing the negative impact on the environment. Full article

Renewable energy sources are essential to mitigating climate change, with biofuels offering a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Jatropha curcas, the best, non-edible, high-oil-yielding species, is a leading candidate for biodiesel production. However, ensuring a stable seed supply through effective storage is critical for biodiesel markets stability. This study evaluated the physiological and biochemical viability of J. curcas seeds stored at 4 °C with controlled humidity using 1.5 g of silica gel per gram of seed over 12 months. The results demonstrated that low-temperature, low-humidity storage significantly reduced metabolic activity, embryo respiration, and seed deterioration, preserving high germinability and oil quality. Despite a slight increase in mean germination time, seeds retained resilience in germination potential and viability. Additionally, preliminary assessments of salt tolerance revealed the potential of J. curcas seeds to germinate under saline conditions, supported by analyses of mineral nutrition and salt tolerance-related gene expression. These findings underscore the practicality of optimized storage conditions for maintaining seed quality and economic value, ensuring a consistent supply chain for biodiesel production. This study highlights the importance of integrating storage strategies into biodiesel systems to enhance sustainability and market resilience in the face of fluctuating production demands. Full article