Search Results (1,176)

In the coming decades, anticipated population growth is projected to escalate the demand for essential resources such as NaCl, KCl, and LiCl, which are critical for human consumption, agriculture, and battery production. A substantial proportion of these salts is produced from brines using solar evaporation ponds. This article presents a one-dimensional surrogate mathematical model of an ideal solar evaporation pond working at a steady state. The ideal pond considers only water evaporation, with a uniform evaporation rate per unit area. The model’s equation, or the ideal solar evaporation law, allows calculating the ion concentration profile in an ideal pond just given the feed and discharge concentrations. The validation of the law was conducted with industrial data collected in the year 2023 in a lithium recovery plant throughout 15 ponds in series at the Salar de Atacama, Chile. The results verified that the model could accurately predict the monthly concentration profiles (R² in the range 0.9646 to 0.9864) if lithium does not precipitate in the pond. The model provides accurate values of pond inventories and area requirements for designing stages. The model’s relevance extends beyond the lithium industry to encompass any solar evaporation processes for salt recovery or solution concentration. Full article

The forest food industry, as a typical low-carbon green ecological industry, holds strategic significance in addressing global food security challenges. This review takes forest protein resources as an example to analyze the current development status, opportunities, and challenges from a global industrial perspective. Research indicates that forests, as a vital food treasure for humanity, can provide diverse protein sources such as insects, plants, microorganisms, and bio-manufactured proteins. Currently, numerous technological innovations and market practices have emerged in fields such as insect protein (e.g., there are over 3000 edible insect species globally, with a market size of approximately USD 3.2 billion in 2023, projected to reach USD 7.6 billion by 2028), plant-based alternative protein (e.g., plant-based chicken nuggets by Impossible Foods in the United States), microbial fermentation protein (e.g., the production capacity of Solar Foods’ production base in Finland is 160 tons per year), and cell-cultured meat (e.g., cell-cultured chicken is sold in Singapore), demonstrating significant potential in alleviating food supply pressures and reducing environmental burdens. However, industrial development still faces practical challenges including insufficient resource exploration, incomplete nutritional and safety evaluation systems, low consumer acceptance, high costs of core technologies (e.g., the first cell-cultured meat burger in 2013 cost over 1 million USD/lb, and current costs need to be reduced to 17–65 USD/kg to achieve market competitiveness), and imperfect regulatory mechanisms (e.g., varying national standards lead to high compliance costs for enterprises). In the future, it is necessary to achieve efficient development and sustainable utilization of forest protein resources by strengthening resource exploration, clarifying the basis of nutrients, promoting multi-technology integration and innovation, and establishing a sound market access system, thereby providing solutions for global food security and high-quality development of the food industry. Full article

The term SHIP (solar heat for industrial processes) or SHIPs (solar heat for industrial plants) refers to the use of collected solar radiation for meeting industrial heat demands, rather than for electricity generation. The global thermal capacity of SHIP systems at the end of 2024 stood slightly above 1 GWth, which is comparable to the electric power capacity of a single power station. Despite this relatively small presence, SHIP systems play an important role in rendering industrial processes sustainable. There are two aims in the current study. The first aim is to cover various types of SHIP systems based on the variety of their collector designs, operational temperatures, applications, radiation concentration options, and solar tracking options. SHIP designs can be as simple as unglazed solar collectors (USCs), having a stationary structure without any radiation concentration. On the other hand, SHIP designs can be as complicated as solar power towers (SPTs), having a two-axis solar tracking mechanism with point-focused concentration of the solar radiation. The second aim is to shed some light on the status of SHIP deployment globally, particularly in 2024. This includes a drop during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings of the current study show that more than 1300 SHIP systems were commissioned worldwide by the end of 2024 (cumulative number), constituting a cumulative thermal capacity of 1071.4 MWth, with a total collector area of 1,531,600 m². In 2024 alone, 120.3 MWth of thermal capacity was introduced in 106 SHIP systems having a total collector area of 171,874 m². In 2024, 65.9% of the installed global thermal capacity of SHIP systems belonged to the parabolic trough collectors (PTCs), and another 22% of this installed global thermal capacity was attributed to the unevacuated flat plate collectors (FPC-Us). Considering the 106 SHIP systems installed in 2024, the average collector area per system was 1621.4 m²/project. However, this area largely depends on the SHIP category, where it is much higher for parabolic trough collectors (37,740.5 m²/project) but lower for flat plate collectors (805.2 m²/project), and it is lowest for unglazed solar collectors (163.0 m²/project). The study anticipates large deployment in SHIP systems (particularly the PTC type) in 2026 in alignment with gigascale solar-steam utilization in alumina production. Several recommendations are provided with regard to the SHIP sector. Full article

Droughts are increasingly threatening ecological balance, agricultural productivity, and socio-economic resilience—especially in semi-arid regions like the Inner Mongolia segment of China’s Yellow River Basin. This study presents a hybrid drought forecasting framework integrating machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) models with high-resolution historical and downscaled future climate data. TerraClimate observations (1985–2014) and bias-corrected CMIP6 projections (2030–2050) under SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios were utilized to develop and evaluate the models. Among the tested ML algorithms, Random Forest (RF) demonstrated the best trade-off between accuracy and interpretability and was selected for feature importance analysis. The top-ranked predictors—precipitation, solar radiation, and maximum temperature—were used to train a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) network. The LSTM outperformed all ML models, achieving high predictive skill (R² = 0.766, CC = 0.880, RMSE = 0.885). Scenario-based projections revealed increasing drought severity and variability under SSP5-8.5, with mean PDSI values dropping below −3 after 2040 and deepening toward −4 by 2049. The high-emission scenario also exhibited broader uncertainty bands and amplified interannual anomalies. These findings highlight the value of hybrid AI–climate modeling approaches in capturing complex drought dynamics and supporting anticipatory water resource planning in vulnerable dryland environments. Full article

The transition to sustainable electricity grids, particularly in countries with high renewable potential, such as Brazil, requires integrated assessments of hybrid and single-source configurations. This study analyzed the technical and economic feasibility of hybrid plants and isolated wind and solar systems in the Brazilian Northeast, focusing on Macaíba (RN) and Casa Nova (BA), regions characterized by high resource availability. The work addresses a gap in the literature by integrating detailed technical modeling and financial analysis of hybrid configurations, considering both local and operational constraints. Hourly simulations were performed using the HyDesign software (v1.1.0), with optimization based on the ratio between net present value (NPV) and invested capital (CAPEX), covering seven different scenarios by location, including hybrid combinations and systems with solar trackers. The results indicated that systems with solar tracking achieved superior economic performance. In Macaíba, the optimal configuration was the hybrid scenario with trackers, which increased the NPV/CAPEX by 27.69% compared to the relevant baseline. In Casa Nova, the best solution was the pure solar plant with trackers, which increased the NPV/CAPEX by 50.0% compared to fixed solar. Hybridization showed moderate gains in scenarios without tracking. It is concluded that while solar trackers are highly beneficial, the optimal plant configuration (pure solar or hybrid) is site-specific and depends on the local renewable resource profile. Notably, battery storage was not economically justified under the evaluated cost assumptions. The study contributes to the planning of renewable projects in contexts of high source complementarity. Full article

Hydrogen is increasingly recognized as a clean energy vector and storage medium, yet its viability and strategic role in the Western Balkans remain underexplored. This study provides the first comprehensive techno-economic, environmental, and strategic evaluation of hydrogen production pathways in Albania. Results show clear trade-offs across options. The levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) is estimated at 8.76 €/kg H₂ for grid-connected, 7.75 €/kg H₂ for solar, and 7.66 €/kg H₂ for wind electrolysis—values above EU averages and reliant on lower electricity costs and efficiency gains. In contrast, fossil-based hydrogen via steam methane reforming (SMR) is cheaper at 3.45 €/kg H₂, rising to 4.74 €/kg H₂ with carbon capture and storage (CCS). Environmentally, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) results show much lower Global Warming Potential (<1 kg CO₂-eq/kg H₂) for renewables compared with ~10.39 kg CO₂-eq/kg H₂ for SMR, reduced to 3.19 kg CO₂-eq/kg H₂ with CCS. However, grid electrolysis dominated by hydropower entails high water-scarcity impacts, highlighting resource trade-offs. Strategically, Albania’s growing solar and wind projects (electricity prices of 24.89–44.88 €/MWh), coupled with existing gas infrastructure and EU integration, provide strong potential. While regulatory gaps and limited expertise remain challenges, competition from solar-plus-storage, regional rivals, and dependence on external financing pose additional risks. In the near term, a transitional phase using SMR + CCS could leverage Albania’s gas assets to scale hydrogen production while renewables mature. Overall, Albania’s hydrogen future hinges on targeted investments, supportive policies, and capacity building aligned with EU Green Deal objectives, with solar-powered electrolysis offering the potential to deliver environmentally sustainable green hydrogen at costs below 5.7 €/kg H₂. Full article

In response to the climate crisis, Colombia has committed to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030 through an energy transition strategy that promotes Non-Conventional Renewable Energy Sources (NCRES) and, increasingly, natural gas. Although natural gas is regarded as a transitional fuel with lower carbon intensity than other fossil fuels, existing reserves could be depleted by 2030 if no new discoveries are made. To assess this risk, a System Dynamics model was developed to project supply and demand under alternative transition pathways. The model integrates: (1) GDP, urban population growth, and adoption of clean energy, (2) the behavior of six major consumption sectors, and (3) the role of gas-fired thermal generation relative to NCRES output and hydroelectric availability, influenced by the El Niño river-flow variability. The novelty and contribution of this study lie in the integration of supply and demand within a unified System Dynamics framework, allowing for a holistic understanding of the Colombian natural gas market. The model explicitly incorporates feedback mechanisms such as urbanization, vehicle replacement, and hydropower variability, which are often overlooked in traditional analyses. Through the evaluation of twelve policy scenarios that combine hydrogen, wind, solar, and new gas reserves, the study provides a comprehensive view of potential energy transition pathways. A comparative analysis with official UPME projections highlights both consistencies and divergences in long-term forecasts. Furthermore, the quantification of demand coverage from 2026 to 2033 reveals that while current reserves can satisfy demand until 2026, the expansion of hydrogen, wind, and solar sources could extend full coverage until 2033; however, ensuring long-term sustainability ultimately depends on the discovery and development of new reserves, such as the Sirius-2 well. Full article

Previous studies have suggested that Earth’s annual cycle of modern climate provides information relevant to orbital-scale climate variability, since both are driven by solar insolation changes determined by orbital geometry. However, there has been no systematic assessment of the climate response to annual-scale insolation changes in climate models, leading to large uncertainty in orbital-scale simulation. In this study, we evaluate the Northern Hemisphere land surface air temperature response to the annual insolation cycle in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) models. A polynomial transfer framework reveals that CMIP6 models broadly capture the observed 20–30-day lag between insolation and temperature, indicating realistic land thermal inertia. However, CMIP6 models consistently overestimate temperature sensitivities to insolation, with particularly strong biases over mid-latitude and high-latitude regions in summer and winter, respectively. Applying the annual-scale polynomial transfer framework to the middle Holocene (~6000 years ago) shows that models with the highest sensitivity simulate significantly larger seasonal temperature anomalies than the lowest-sensitivity models, underscoring the impact of modern biases on orbital-scale paleoclimate simulations. The results highlight systematic overestimation of temperature–insolation sensitivity in CMIP6 models, emphasizing the importance of constraining seasonal sensitivity for robust orbital-scale climate modeling. Full article

A novel methodology for hybrid energy management in aquaculture is introduced, aimed at enhancing self-sufficiency and optimizing grid-related cash flows. Wind and solar energy generation are modeled using calibrated turbine performance curves and PVGIS data, respectively, with a photovoltaic capacity of 120 kWp. The system also incorporates a 250 kW small hydroelectric plant and a wood drying kiln that utilizes surplus wind energy. This study conducts a comparative analysis between HY4RES, a research-oriented simulation model, and HOMER Pro, a commercially available optimization tool, across multiple hybrid energy scenarios at two aquaculture sites. For grid-connected configurations at the Primary site (base case, Scenarios 1, 2, and 6), both models demonstrate strong concordance in terms of energy balance and overall performance. In Scenario 1, a peak power demand exceeding 1000 kW is observed in both models, attributed to the biomass kiln load. Scenario 2 reveals a 3.1% improvement in self-sufficiency with the integration of photovoltaic generation, as reported by HY4RES. In the off-grid Scenario 3, HY4RES supplies an additional 96,634 kWh of annual load compared to HOMER Pro. However, HOMER Pro indicates a 3.6% higher electricity deficit, primarily due to battery energy storage system (BESS) losses. Scenario 4 yields comparable generation outputs, with HY4RES enabling 6% more wood-drying capacity through the inclusion of photovoltaic energy. Scenario 5, which features a large-scale BESS, highlights a 4.7% unmet demand in HY4RES, whereas HOMER Pro successfully meets the entire load. In Scenario 6, both models exhibit similar load profiles; however, HY4RES reports a self-sufficiency rate that is 1.3% lower than in Scenario 1. At the Secondary site, financial outcomes are closely aligned. For instance, in the base case, HY4RES projects a cash flow of 54,154 EUR, while HOMER Pro estimates 55,532 EUR. Scenario 1 presents nearly identical financial results, and Scenario 2 underscores HOMER Pro’s superior BESS modeling capabilities during periods of reduced hydroelectric output. In conclusion, HY4RES demonstrates robust performance across all scenarios. When provided with harmonized input parameters, its simulation results are consistent with those of HOMER Pro, thereby validating its reliability for hybrid energy management in aquaculture applications. Full article

Second-, third-, and fourth-generation biofuels represent an important response to the challenges of clean energy supply and climate change. In this context, the Horizon 2020 “TO-SYN-FUEL” project aimed to produce advanced biofuels together with phosphorus from municipal wastewater sludge through a combination of technologies including a Thermo-Catalytic Reforming system, Pressure Swing Adsorption for hydrogen separation, Hydrodeoxygenation, and biochar gasification for phosphorous recovery. This article presents the environmental performance results of the demonstrator installed in Hohenberg (Germany), with a capacity of 500 kg per hour of dried sewage sludge. In addition, four alternative scenarios are assessed, differing in the source of additional thermal energy used for sludge drying: natural gas, biogas, heat pump, and a hybrid solar greenhouse. The environmental performance of these scenarios is then compared with that of conventional fuel. The comparative study of these scenarios demonstrates that the biofuel obtained through wood gasification complies with the Renewable Energy Directive, while natural gas remains the least sustainable option. Heat pumps, biogas, and greenhouse drying emerge as promising alternatives to align biofuel production with EU sustainability targets. Phosphorus recovery from sewage sludge ash proves essential for compliance, offering clear environmental benefits. Although sewage sludge is challenging due to its high water content, it represents a valuable feedstock whose sustainable management can enhance both energy recovery and nutrient recycling. Full article

The availability of properly analyzed energy resource potential data is a prerequisite in energy planning and development. However, this was sparsely applied in Ethiopia’s renewable energy turnkey project development strategies. This study focuses on developing a solar energy resource map of Tigray to accelerate the expansion of solar energy to improve electricity access through on-grid and off-grid development schemes. This study uses monthly sunshine hour data from sixteen meteorological stations, measured at a 2 m height, and average yearly solar radiation data from twenty-two satellite stations, validated by solar radiation data and measured at three sites at 10 and 30 m heights. The solar energy potential was analyzed by taking relevant atmospheric and meteorological factors to produce solar radiation components. Accordingly, the average annual solar radiation of Tigray was found to be 6.1 kWh/m²/day and 5.3 kWh/m²/day based on meteorological and satellite data, respectively. The meteorological result gave a closer estimate to Ethiopia’s ESMAP Global Solar result of 5.83 kWh/m²/day. Finally, monthly and annual average solar radiation maps of the region were developed using ArcGIS10.5. The study’s results could contribute to assisting various solar energy developers in preparing better solar energy development plans to alleviate the chronic energy poverty of the region. Full article

The three-dimensional (3D) structure of clouds is a key factor in atmospheric processes, profoundly influencing solar radiation transfer, weather patterns, and climate dynamics. However, accurately representing this complex structure in radiative transfer models remains a significant challenge. As part of the Deep 3D Scattering of Solar Radiation in the Atmosphere due to Clouds (D3D) project, we conducted a comprehensive study on the role of all-sky imagers (ASIs) in reconstructing observational 3D cloud fields and integrating them into advanced 3D cloud modeling. Since November 2022, a network of four ASIs has been operating across the broader Patras region in Greece, continuously capturing atmospheric measurements over an area of approximately 50 km². Using simultaneously captured images from the ASIs within the network, a 3D cloud reconstruction was performed utilizing advanced image processing techniques, with a primary focus on cumulus cloud scenarios. The Structure from Motion (SfM) technique was employed to reconstruct the 3D structural characteristics of clouds from two-dimensional images. The resulting 3D cloud fields were then integrated into the MYSTIC three-dimensional radiative transfer model to simulate and reconstruct solar irradiance fields. Full article

Jordan Vision prioritizes the utilization of domestic resources, particularly renewable energy. The transportation sector, responsible for 49% of national energy consumption, remains central to this transition and accounts for around 28% of total greenhouse gas emissions. Electric vehicles (EVs) offer a promising solution to reduce waste and pollution, but they also pose challenges for grid stability and charging infrastructure development. This study addresses a critical gap in the planning of renewable-powered EV charging stations along Jordanian highways, where EV infrastructure is still limited and underdeveloped, by optimizing the design of a hybrid energy charging station using HOMER Grid (v1.9.2) Software. Region-specific constraints and multiple operational scenarios, including rooftop PV integration, are assessed to balance cost, performance, and reliability. This study also investigates suitable locations for charging stations along the Sahrawi Highway in Jordan. The proposed station, powered by a hybrid system of 53% wind and 29% solar energy, is projected to generate 1.466 million kWh annually at USD 0.0375/kWh, reducing CO₂ emissions by approximately 446 tonnes annually. The findings highlight the potential of hybrid systems to increase renewable energy penetration, support national sustainability targets, and offer viable investment opportunities for policymakers and the private sector in Jordan. Full article

As states within the United States respond to future grid development goals, there is a growing demand for reliable and resilient nighttime generation that can be addressed by low-cost, long-duration energy storage solutions. This report studies the potential of including concentrating solar power (CSP) in the technology mix to support California’s goals as defined in Senate Bill 100. A joint agency report study that determined potential pathways to achieve the renewable portfolio standard set by the bill did not include CSP, and our work provides information that could be used as a follow-up. This study uses a capacity expansion model configured to have nodal spatial fidelity in California and balancing-area fidelity in the Western Interconnection outside of California. The authors discovered that by applying current technology cost projections CSP fulfills nearly 15% of the annual load while representing just 6% of total installed capacity in 2045, replacing approximately 30 GWe of wind, solar PV, and standalone batteries compared to a scenario without CSP included. The deployment of CSP in the results is sensitive to the technology’s cost, which highlights the importance of meeting cost targets in 2030 and beyond to enable the technology’s potential contribution to California’s carbon reduction goals. Full article

Recently, there has been a surge in the popularity of renewable energy systems due to their lucrative and sustainable attributes. Among these, photovoltaic (PV) systems stand out as prominent examples. Nevertheless, it is imperative to ascertain the management of waste produced by these systems in order to mitigate environmental pollution and harness their economic potential. This study aims to assess the present status and forecast the accumulation of waste generated by PV power plants in Chile. Utilizing openly available public data, a database is constructed to track the accumulation of waste. Two scenarios, namely, early-loss and regular-loss scenarios are employed to estimate the projected accumulation of PV waste. The findings indicate that by the years 2035 and 2043, the accumulation of waste is estimated to reach 100,000 tons under the early-loss scenario and regular-loss scenario. The total anticipated waste from solar PV modules is projected to be 284,906 tons, with c-Si PV modules contributing 175,595 tons to this total in Chile. Remarkably, it is determined that more than 235,000 tons of materials from this waste is recoverable, amounting to nearly USD 781 million in economic value. Silver is projected to bring the most economic value, with nearly USD 379 million, while lead, tin, cadmium, and zinc are each valued at less than USD 1 million. This study highlights the importance of promoting the sustainable development of PV systems, particularly in alignment with Sustainable Development Goals 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and 13 (Climate Action). Future research is expected to place greater emphasis on eco-design approaches in PV module production. Full article