Search Results (5,535)

Within a substantial segment of renewable energy systems, the production of wind energy and solar panels heavily relies on natural resources and weather conditions. The production of fresh energy could persist at a minimal level, leading to a scarcity of power and pushing the system into severe operational states, potentially triggering grave impacts on both production and functioning. Current studies typically employ novel energy production levels or weather benchmarks to assess extreme situation risks, making it challenging to delineate the risk variance in these scenarios from a supply-demand balance viewpoint. For this purpose, we suggest a method to evaluate risks in extreme operational situations. Initially, utilizing the ‘source-load’ random mismatch approach, this technique uncovers the distribution patterns of power supply and demand equilibrium in large-scale renewable energy systems, elucidating the variance in the intensity of diverse extreme situations. Next, the ALARP (As Low As Reasonably Practicable) standard is employed to categorize the risk associated with extreme operational situations, while the CVaR (Conditional Value at Risk) index characterizes the anticipated loss when the risk surpasses a specified limit. The likelihood of losing tail risk in areas of high risk is measured to establish a precise foundation for making risk-related decisions. Ultimately, a sample analysis is conducted, focusing on a substantial segment of the renewable energy power system. The findings indicate that the suggested technique is capable of precisely assessing the risk of imbalances in supply and demand due to severe operational situations. In contrast to a risk classification-based evaluation approach, this method more accurately mirrors the distribution traits of extreme situations in high-risk regions, offering practical assistance for adaptable system resource distribution and operational decision-making. Full article

Organic–inorganic hybrid perovskites (OIHPs) have been widely used in fields such as solar cells, photodetectors, and light-emitting diodes due to their simple preparation by solution methods and excellent optoelectronic properties. In recent years, numerous scholars have delved deeply into the magneto-optical properties of perovskites and explored their potential applications in the magneto-optical field. Herein, we present the Faraday rotation characteristics of formamidinium lead bromide (Fabri₃) single crystals within the visible spectrum range. Firstly, FAPbBr₃ single crystals with high transparency and a size of 5.5 × 5.6 × 2 mm³ were prepared using the modified inverse temperature crystallization (MITC) method. The experimental results showed that the Verdet constant of FAPbBr₃ single crystal at 565 nm was up to 531.6 rad/(T·m). Furthermore, the FAPbBr₃ single crystal showed similar or an even higher Verdet constant when compared with the mature magneto-optical material TGG single crystal commonly used in the industry. The thermal simulation results of the FAPbBr₃ single crystal show low temperature dependence which achieves about 90% isolation transparency with a magnetic field of 0.35 T for 625 nm. This study demonstrates the outstanding Faraday rotation properties of FAPbBr₃ single crystals, thereby offering promising prospects for the development of perovskite materials in non-reciprocal devices such as optical isolators and optical circulators. Full article

Agrivoltaics is a promising technique, especially in view of the rapid population growth associated with the expansion of cultivated areas to satisfy the food demands of the population, and the increase in solar power plants, which require considerable space to supply the population with energy. Thus, the transition from agricultural to agrivoltaics systems and the transition from PV power plants to agrivoltaics systems can enable more efficient use of land for energy and agricultural production. However, the configuration of agrivoltaics systems, namely panel elevation, spacing between panels and between rows of panels, and panel size, defines the amount of material used. As a result, configuration can have a major impact on the environment. The aim of this study is to highlight the environmental impact from converting 1 ha of land used entirely for agricultural production to 1 ha of an agrivoltaic system, and from converting 1 ha of land used entirely for solar photovoltaic energy production to 1 ha of an agrivoltaic system through a life cycle assessment. Three different configurations of agrivoltaics systems are considered to assess the environmental potential of agrivoltaics configurations. This analysis is performed with SimaPro 9.4 software, using the ReCiPe Midpoint (H) method and the Eco-invent database. The study determined impacts on global warming, stratospheric ozone depletion, ionizing radiation, ozone formation, mineral resource scarcity, fossil resource scarcity, water consumption, and land use through the determination of the Land Equivalent Ratio (LER). The results show that impacts are highest for PV power plants, followed by the agrivoltaic system with the largest PV panels for all indicators, except for stratospheric ozone depletion, where impacts are highest for agrivoltaics and agricultural use systems. The results of the land evaluation showed that the agrivoltaic system Case 3 gave the best performance, with a Land Equivalent Ratio of 148.7%. Full article

To improve the flexibility and carbon reduction performance of coal-fired power plants, a solar-aided power generation (SAPG) system integrated with parabolic trough collectors and thermal energy storage (TES) was proposed and investigated using a combined Aspen Plus and System Advisor Model (SAM) framework. Two different integration schemes, namely SAPG-1 and SAPG-2, were evaluated under 100%, 75%, and 50% load conditions with a solar multiple of 2 and a TES duration of 6 h. The thermodynamic, economic, and environmental performances of the systems were comprehensively analyzed. The results show that TES significantly improves solar energy utilization, annual solar contribution, and system dispatchability. Compared with SAPG-2, SAPG-1 demonstrates superior thermodynamic and economic performance due to its lower boiler heat demand and more effective feedwater integration. At full load, the solar contribution of SAPG-1 with TES reaches 16.04%, while the annual solar energy production increases to 190.35 GWh with a capacity factor of 21.75%. In addition, TES integration effectively reduces the levelized cost of electricity and shortens the payback period under both CO₂ pricing and non-CO₂ pricing scenarios. The proposed SAPG framework demonstrates considerable potential for enhancing renewable energy utilization, operational flexibility, and economic feasibility in large-scale solar–coal hybrid power generation systems. Full article

Europe’s solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity is expanding rapidly, raising a key question: how much PV can each national electricity system actually absorb? Most existing assessments rely on annual or seasonal averages, which overlook the hour-by-hour match between PV generation and demand that ultimately limits feasible deployment. This study quantifies the demand-constrained PV potential of 38 European countries and how it varies across regions. Hourly PV generation is simulated in PVsyst and matched against national hourly demand from ENTSO-E. Feasible capacity is defined as the largest installation whose output never exceeds demand in any hour of the year. This system-level, time-resolved method yields operationally constrained estimates rather than purely physical potential. The 38 countries could feasibly deploy about 614 GWp of PV, generating around 678 TWh per year without exceeding hourly demand. Regional differences are pronounced: southern Europe benefits from superior solar resources, while northern and eastern regions face seasonal and infrastructural challenges. These findings underline the importance of grid modernization, energy storage, and cross-border integration. The estimates form a conservative baseline; they exclude drivers such as electric-vehicle (EV) deployment, demand-side flexibility, battery energy storage, latent demand growth, power export, and building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), whose inclusion would expand the feasible potential. This study offers a transparent comparative framework to guide policy, investment, and system planning for Europe’s carbon-neutral energy transition. Full article

Vegetation change in cryosphere-affected mountain basins reflects interacting climate and human pressures but their relative influence remains uncertain in the Upper Indus Basin. The novelty of this study is the integration of satellite vegetation, climate variables, human pressure indicators, residual attribution and diagnostic validation in a data-scarce high-mountain basin. We evaluated growing-season Normalized Difference Vegetation Index dynamics and associated drivers from 2001 to 2023 using trend analysis, correlation, Random Forest diagnostics, Sentinel 2 validation, and residual trend analysis. The results showed widespread greening across 96.59% of the basin, with stronger improvement in the lower and central areas. Significant greening covered 69.94% of the basin, while only 1.55% showed significant browning. Precipitation and temperature were predominantly positive drivers of vegetation change, whereas potential evapotranspiration and solar radiation were mostly negative. Soil moisture played a strong regulatory role along elevation gradients. Residual trend analysis provided approximate and method-dependent estimates of the possible anthropogenic influence on vegetation change at 73.09% and climatic drivers at 26.91% rather than direct causal decomposition. These values are approximate and method-dependent estimates, not direct causal decomposition. The findings highlight human-related greening in lower valleys and climate-controlled vegetation responses in high-mountain areas. Full article

Ground-surface temperature (GST) in maritime Antarctic ice-free areas is influenced by atmospheric forcing, snow cover, surface energy and topography. Previous PERMATHERMAL studies in Livingston and Deception Islands have shown changes in air and ground-surface thermal regimes, with fewer cold conditions, greater thawing influence and strong snow-cover modulation. However, the interval in which GST responds effectively to radiative and topographic forcing remains poorly explored. We characterize the station- and season-specific timing of the thermally effective GST thawing period and evaluate topographic and modeled potential controls on its thermal intensity and cumulative effect around the Spanish Antarctic Station Juan Carlos I, Hurd Peninsula, Livingston Island. Onset and end were objectively delimited by using three consecutive days with daily mean GST > 0.5 °C and daily thermal amplitude > 1.0 °C. Hourly GST records from six PERMATHERMAL stations were combined with potential radiation, potential insolation and topographic variables derived from a high-resolution UAV-based DEM. Accumulated thawing degree days were strongly influenced by period duration. Mean thermal intensity was primarily associated with elevation, while mean modeled potential radiation provided additional explanatory power only when combined with elevation. This UAV–GIS–GST approach provides a simple framework for assessing local surface–atmosphere coupling in remote Antarctic ice-free areas. Full article

This study reports a hierarchically structured quasi-three-dimensional (quasi-3D) hydrogel/feather fabric composite evaporator, with MXene integrated as the photothermal material, fabricated via an in situ freeze–thaw and mechanical interlocking strategy. Benefiting from the rational quasi-3D structural design, the evaporator effectively retains the intrinsic facile weaving and assembly advantages of textile substrates, while addressing the poor mechanical stability and disordered water transport channels inherent to conventional hydrogels. The synergistic coupling between the low-evaporation-enthalpy hydrogel network and vertically oriented feather yarns expands the channels for light reflection and absorption, thereby synergistically enhancing light harvesting, thermal regulation, water transport, and salt rejection. The as-prepared evaporator exhibits a light absorption efficiency of 97.6% and an evaporation rate of 2.13 kg m⁻² h⁻¹ under 1 sun illumination, while sustaining stable performance over 15 consecutive days of outdoor operation. The incorporation of a foam support layer further facilitates effective heat localization and self-flotation, effectively mitigating thermal losses. This work demonstrates an efficient, flexible, and scalable solar evaporator with great potential for sustainable freshwater production. Full article

Background/Objectives: Strategies to improve the Social Health Authority (SHA)’s equity can be identified by analyzing the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) 2022. This study reports evidence of determinants of health insurance coverage in Kenya. Methods: Household- and individual-level datasets from the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey conducted between February and July 2022 were combined to form the analyzed dataset. Proportions of individuals with and without health insurance were estimated. The associations between potential determinants and health insurance status were calculated using the Rao–Scott chi-square. Logistic regression was used to analyze the determinants of health insurance coverage. Results: Most of the 14,232 participants were literate (75%), relatively poor (56%), in good health (79%), connected to electricity (55%), and radio listeners (61%). About 34% had health insurance, with 93% of the insured covered by the NHIF. Twenty predictors (Adjusted F = 4.2–434.1, p < 0.0001) were included in the complex sample logistic regression model, but only nine were statistically significant predictors of health insurance coverage. The key predictors were education level; wealth index; ownership of a solar panel, television, smartphone, and computer; age; and recent outpatient care (11–80% differences in odds). Conclusions: Health insurance coverage remains low in Kenya due to low education levels, poor economic status, and disparities in access to media. The SHA can emphasize media campaigns in the informal sector to increase premium payments. Accelerating socioeconomic advancement and adopting tax-based funding could speed up Kenya’s progress towards UHC. Full article

Given the enormous span of potential strategies to address climate change, it is difficult to build consensus on what to prioritize. In 2021, we conducted 63 semi-structured interviews with climate change experts in the U.S. (N = 33) and India (N = 30). Experts indicated how they would address climate change through mitigation, adaptation, carbon dioxide removal (CDR), and solar geoengineering (SG). Our experts studied climate change from a variety of disciplines and were not necessarily subject matter experts in CDR or SG. Most experts stated that while more research is needed on CDR and SG, there is low appeal to deploying them in responding to climate change. Across our entire sample, we find that 44% of experts supported deploying CDR compared to 3% for SG. We also find that 17% of experts opposed the deployment of CDR, while twice as many (35%) opposed deploying SG. While there is far more support for traditional measures like mitigation and adaptation, most experts were hesitant to support technologies like CDR and SG to limit warming to 1.5 °C or 2 °C to prevent dangerous climate impacts, with statements tending toward a precautionary principle. Deep interdisciplinary engagement by climate change experts on CDR and SG is essential to understanding these technologies’ potential roles in addressing climate change and the perceptions of risk of these technologies held by experts who work on other areas of the climate problem. We highlight the potential for follow-up studies on broader expert opinions of CDR and SG, as well as evaluating whether perceptions and opinions are lagging behind fast-changing developments in the field. Full article

This review paper presents a comprehensive synthesis of current scientific knowledge on the integration of low-emission technologies into airport operational models. Attention is also given to the role of artificial intelligence techniques in predicting environmental risks, optimizing energy system design, and enhancing operational safety. The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the synergy between renewable energy sources (solar and wind energy) and emerging propulsion technologies in aviation (hydrogen and electrification) from the perspective of safety and operational stability. The methodology is based on a systematic review of 78 scientific studies identified in the Scopus and Web of Science databases. The analysis identifies critical technical and operational barriers, including electromagnetic interference caused by wind turbines, optical hazards associated with photovoltaic systems, and stability challenges in airport microgrids under peak loads resulting from the charging of electric aircraft. Particular attention is given to the safety of hydrogen infrastructure, where findings from the literature indicate the need to revise separation distances and highlight the potential reduction of airport stand capacity by 5% to 16%. The study synthesizes these findings into a strategic framework for “Smart Green Airports”, proposing solutions such as adaptive infrastructure design, the deployment of predictive models based on artificial intelligence, and the implementation of inherently safe energy storage systems. The paper concludes that achieving airport energy self-sufficiency while maintaining the integrity of flight operations is feasible only through the holistic integration of technical measures, simulation-based planning, and strict compliance with updated safety regulations. Full article

The management of European mountain landscapes is increasingly threatened by rural abandonment and escalating environmental risks. This study investigates an innovative Stewardship–Renewable Energy Communities model for the Central Apennines, exploring how post-seismic public reconstruction can serve as a financial engine for territorial maintenance. Utilizing Open Data Sisma administrative records and Photovoltaic Geographical Information System irradiation metrics, this research assesses the solar potential of 18 municipalities within the Sibillini seismic crater. To ensure a reliable baseline, a Building Suitability Coefficient was introduced as a conservative proxy for the public reconstruction sector. Results indicate that the implementation of a distributed network of 6.5 MWp across 325 public nodes, with a specific yield of 1390 kWh/kWp on the entire area, could generate 9 GWh/year. This translates to approximately EUR 1.08 million in annual revenue from energy incentives and sharing. This economic surplus provides a Stewardship Capacity sufficient to fund the active maintenance of 789.77 hectares per year through Nature-Based Solutions, based on a regional rate of 1200 EUR/ha. The novelty of this study lies in bridging post-disaster energy policy with landscape resilience, demonstrating that distributed rooftop solar portfolios represent a non-invasive, self-funding mechanism. By leveraging the reconstructed public stock, mountain territories can transition from passive neglect to active, energy-backed stewardship, offering a reproducible template for high-value cultural landscapes. Full article

The high energy consumption of water electrolysis is primarily limited by the sluggish oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Replacing the OER with thermodynamically favorable anodic reactions provides an effective strategy to improve energy efficiency. Among these reactions, the sulfide oxidation reaction (SOR) offers both low thermodynamic potential and environmental relevance. In this work, we develop a high-entropy metal sulfide catalyst, CuNiCoFeMnS, via a facile aqueous synthesis route, achieving homogeneous elemental dispersion and a highly disordered structure. The catalyst exhibits excellent SOR activity, delivering a low potential of 0.396 V to achieve a current density of 10 mA cm⁻². In addition, it enables a significant reduction of 1.05 V in cell voltage at 50 mA cm⁻² compared with conventional water electrolysis. Furthermore, by integrating solar energy, the system enables simultaneous upgrading of sulfide-containing wastewater and energy-efficient hydrogen production. These results demonstrate a promising pathway toward coupling waste remediation with sustainable hydrogen generation. Full article

Critical metals such as gallium and germanium are strategic mineral resources widely used in advanced technology, including semiconductors and solar cells. These metals are recovered as by-products from the processing of Zn–Pb and bauxite ores. In China, the Sichuan–Yunnan–Guizhou (SYG) region is abundant in Zn–Pb and bauxite ore deposits, such as the Huize Zn–Pb–Ge deposit and the Wuchuan–Zheng’an–Daozhen (WZD) area Al–Ga deposit. Although previous studies have proposed models to explain the enrichment mechanisms of critical metals in this area, the metal sources of these deposits remain controversial. In this study, samples were collected from the Paleoproterozoic Kunyang Group to the Permian Emeishan basalts, and the metal sources of these deposits were traced by comparing the Pb isotopic ratios and Zn/Cd ratios of potential source rocks and deposits. The findings indicate: (1) The Pb isotopic compositions of most samples are relatively homogeneous, but certain differences exist among strata from different geological periods. (2) The metal sources of the Yunnan and Guizhou bauxite may both have been controlled by the underlying carbonate rocks, but the specific source horizons differ significantly between the two regions. (3) Based on the Pb isotopic compositions of regional strata and Zn–Pb deposits, it appears that the regional basement and sedimentary cover likely contributed significantly to the ore-forming metals, whereas the Emeishan basalts may have played a relatively minor role. However, due to the complex lithology and substantial thickness of the basement and cover strata in the SYG region, there may be issues of sampling inadequacy. Nonetheless, this study provides important foundational data and insights for tracing the metal sources of deposits in this region using Pb isotopes and Zn/Cd ratios. Full article

The intermittent nature of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power poses significant challenges for grid stability and energy management. Accurate forecasting is crucial for mitigating these challenges, as traditional models such as Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) and Seasonal Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (SARIMA) often fail to capture the non-linear relationships between weather patterns and energy generation. To address this limitation, this research proposes a machine learning framework leveraging Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) for spatial pattern recognition and Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs) for time-series forecasting. By integrating system design parameters with meteorological data, the framework aims to enhance prediction accuracy. The potential outcomes of this framework are not just improved grid stability, optimized energy storage utilization, and reduced operational costs, but also a significant step towards the efficient integration of renewable energy into the power system, fostering a sense of optimism for the future of renewable energy forecasting. Full article