Search Results (185)

The social acceptance of Renewable Energy Sources (RESs) is a decisive factor in the successful implementation of clean energy projects. This study explores the attitudes, demographic profiles, and common misconceptions of citizens in the Region of Epirus, Greece, toward photovoltaic and wind energy installations. Special attention is given to the role of education, age, and access to information—as well as spatial factors such as visual exposure—in shaping public perceptions and influencing acceptance of RES deployment. A structured questionnaire was administered to 320 participants across urban and rural areas, with subdivision between regions with and without visual exposure to RES infrastructure. Findings indicate that urban residents exhibit greater acceptance of RES, while rural inhabitants—especially those in proximity to installations—express skepticism, often grounded in esthetic concerns or perceived procedural injustice. Misinformation and lack of knowledge dominate in areas without visual contact. Statistical analysis confirms that younger and more educated participants are more supportive and environmentally aware. The study highlights the importance of targeted educational interventions, transparent consultation, and spatially sensitive communication strategies in fostering constructive engagement with renewable energy projects. The case of Epirus underscores the need for inclusive, place-based policies to bridge the social acceptance gap and support the national energy transition. Full article

Urban areas are facing increasing traffic congestion, pollution, and infrastructure strain. Traditional urban transportation systems are often fragmented. They require users to plan, pay, and travel across multiple disconnected services. Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) integrates these services into a single digital platform, simplifying access and improving the user experience. This review critically examines the role of MaaS in fostering sustainable mobility ecosystems. MaaS aims to enhance user-friendliness, service variety, and sustainability by adopting a customer-centric approach to transportation. The findings reveal that successful MaaS systems consistently align with multimodal transport infrastructure, equitable access policies, and strong public-private partnerships. MaaS enhances the management of routes and traffic, effectively mitigating delays and congestion while concurrently reducing energy consumption and fuel usage. In this study, the authors examine MaaS as a new mobility paradigm for a sustainable transportation system in smart cities, observing the challenges and opportunities associated with its implementation. To assess the environmental impact, a sustainability index is calculated based on the use of different modes of transportation. Significant findings indicate that MaaS systems are proliferating in both quantity and complexity, increasingly integrating capabilities such as real-time multimodal planning, dynamic pricing, and personalized user profiles. Full article

Accurately estimating the energy consumption of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in real-world delivery scenarios remains a critical challenge, particularly when UAVs operate in complex urban environments and are coupled with public transportation systems. Most existing models rely on oversimplified assumptions or static mission profiles, limiting their applicability to realistic, scalable drone-based logistics. In this paper, we propose a physically-grounded and scenario-aware energy sizing methodology for UAVs operating as part of a last-mile delivery system integrated with a city’s bus network. The model incorporates detailed physical dynamics—including lift, drag, thrust, and payload variations—and considers real-time mission constraints such as delivery execution windows and infrastructure interactions. To enhance the realism of the energy estimation, we integrate computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations that quantify the impact of surrounding structures and moving buses on UAV thrust efficiency. Four mission scenarios of increasing complexity are defined to evaluate the effects of delivery delays, obstacle-induced aerodynamic perturbations, and early return strategies on energy consumption. The methodology is applied to a real-world transport network in Belfort, France, using a graph-based digital twin. Results show that environmental and operational constraints can lead to up to 16% additional energy consumption compared to idealized mission models. The proposed framework provides a robust foundation for UAV battery sizing, mission planning, and sustainable integration of aerial delivery into multimodal urban transport systems. Full article

This study presents community-specific modeling approaches for simulating power injection from photovoltaic and wind energy systems in a German metropolitan region. Developed within the EMN_SIM project and based on openly accessible datasets, the methods are broadly transferable across Germany. For PV, a cluster-based model groups systems by geographic and technical characteristics, using real weather data to reduce computational effort. Validation against measured specific yields shows strong agreement, confirming energetic accuracy. The wind model operates on a per-turbine basis, integrating technical specifications, land use, and high-resolution wind data. Energetic validation indicates good consistency with Bavarian reference values, while power-based comparisons with selected turbines show reasonable correlation, subject to expected limitations in wind data resolution. The resulting high-resolution generation profiles reveal spatial and temporal patterns valuable for grid planning and targeted policy design. While further validation with additional measurement data could enhance model precision, the current results already offer a robust foundation for urban energy system analyses and future grid integration studies. Full article

This article presents an empirical evaluation of the technical and economic performance of a building-integrated photovoltaic (PV) system implemented at the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism of the University of Cuenca, Ecuador. This study explores both stages of deployment, beginning with a 7.7 kWp pilot system and later scaling to a full 75.6 kWp configuration. This hourly monitoring of power exchanges with utility was conducted over several months using high-resolution instrumentation and cloud-based analytics platforms. A detailed comparison between projected energy output, recorded production, and real energy consumption was carried out, revealing how seasonal variability, cloud cover, and academic schedules influence system behavior. The findings also include a comparison between billed and actual electricity prices, as well as an analysis of the system’s payback period under different cost scenarios, including state-subsidized and real-cost frameworks. The results confirm that energy exports are frequent during weekends and that daily generation often exceeds on-site demand on non-working days. Although the university benefits from low electricity tariffs, the system demonstrates financial feasibility when broader public cost structures are considered. This study highlights operational outcomes under real-use conditions and provides insights for scaling distributed generation in institutional settings, with particular relevance for Andean urban contexts with similar solar profiles and tariff structures. Full article

With rising energy costs and the need for sustainable power solutions in urban South African settings, grid-tied renewable energy systems have become viable alternatives for reducing dependence on traditional grid supply. This study investigates the techno-economic feasibility of a grid-connected hybrid photovoltaic (PV) and battery storage system designed for a commercial facility located in Johannesburg, South Africa—an area characterized by a subtropical highland climate. We conducted the analysis using the HOMER Grid software and evaluated the performance of the proposed PV/battery system against the baseline grid-only configuration. Simulation results indicate that the optimal systems, comprising 337 kW of flat-plate PV and 901 kWh of lithium-ion battery storage, offers a significant reduction in electricity expenditure, lowering the annual utility cost from $39,229 to $897. The system demonstrates a simple payback period of less than two years and achieves a net present value (NPV) of approximately $449,491 over a 25-year project lifespan. In addition to delivering substantial cost savings, the proposed configuration also enhances energy resilience. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the impact of variables such as inflation rate, discount rate, and load profile fluctuations on system performance and economic returns. The results affirm the suitability of hybrid grid-tied PV/battery systems for cost-effective, sustainable urban energy solutions in climates with high solar potential. Full article

Underground cast-in-place pipes (CIPP, Diameter of 2’–5’) are used to transport water for the Phoenix, AZ area. These pipes have developed leaks due to their age and changes in the environment, resulting in a significant waste of water. Currently, leaks can only be identified when water pools above ground occur and are then manually confirmed through the inside of the pipe, requiring the shutdown of the water system. However, many leaks may not develop a puddle of water, making them even harder to identify. The primary objective of this research was to develop an inspection method utilizing drone-based infrared imagery to remotely and non-invasively sense thermal signatures of abnormal soil moisture underneath urban surface treatments caused by the leakage of water pipelines during the regular operation of water transportation. During the field tests, five known leak sites were evaluated using an intensive experimental procedure that involved conducting multiple flights at each test site and a stringent filtration process for the measured temperature data. A detectable thermal signal was observed at four of the five known leak sites, and these abnormal thermal signals directly overlapped with the location of the known leaks provided by the utility company. A strong correlation between ground temperature and shading before sunset was observed in the temperature data collected at night. Thus, a shadow and solar energy model was implemented to estimate the position of shadows and energy flux at given times based on the elevation of the surrounding structures. Data fusion between the metrics of shadow time, solar energy, and the temperature profile was utilized to filter the existing points of interest further. When shadows and solar energy were considered, the final detection rate of drone-based infrared imaging was determined to be 60%. Full article

As electric vehicles (EVs) become increasingly integrated into urban mobility, the load on electrical grids increases, prompting innovative energy management strategies. This paper investigates the deployment of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) services at the University of Rome Tor Vergata, leveraging high-resolution floating car data (FCD) to forecast and schedule energy transfers from EVs to the grid. The methodology follows a four-step process: (1) vehicle trip detection, (2) the spatial identification of V2G in the campus, (3) a real-time scheduling algorithm for V2G services, which accommodates EV user mobility requirements and adheres to charging infrastructure constraints, and finally, (4) the predictive modelling of transferred energy using ARIMA and LSTM models. The results demonstrate that substantial energy can be fed back to the campus grid during peak hours, with predictive models, particularly LSTM, offering high accuracy in anticipating transfer volumes. The system aligns energy discharge with campus load profiles while preserving user mobility requirements. The proposed approach shows how campuses can function as microgrids, transforming idle EV capacity into dynamic, decentralised energy storage. This framework offers a scalable model for urban energy optimisation, supporting broader goals of grid resilience and sustainable development. Full article

For a given timetable in urban rail transit systems, this paper presents a practical energy efficiency optimization problem that carries out adjustments to the timetable, with the goal of energy saving. We propose two strategies to address this challenge, including adjusting the section running time by selecting a speed profile and improving the utilization of regenerative braking energy by adjusting the trains’ departure time. Constraints on the range of adjustment for energy-efficient time elements are constructed for maintaining the stability of elements of the given timetable. An energy efficiency optimization model is then established to minimize the total net energy consumption of the timetable, and a solution algorithm based on a genetic algorithm is proposed. We make small-scale adjustments to trains’ running trajectories to optimize the overlap time of braking and traction conditions among multiple trains. The case of the Guangzhou Metro Line 8 in China is presented to verify the effectiveness and practicality of our method. The results show that the consumption of traction energy is reduced by 0.95% and the use of regenerative braking energy is increased by 8.18%, with an improvement in energy efficiency of 6.78%. This method can achieve relatively significant energy efficiency results while ensuring the stable service quality of the train timetable and can provide support for an energy-efficient train timetable for urban rail transit operation enterprises. Full article

This study presents a comprehensive methodology for evaluating electric vehicle (EV) energy consumption by integrating coast down testing with standardized chassis dynamometer protocols under WLTP Class 3b and EPA driving cycles. Coast down tests were conducted to determine road load coefficients—critical for replicating real-world resistance profiles on a dynamometer. Energy usage data were measured using On-Board Diagnostics II (OBD-II) and dynamometer measurements to assess power flow from the battery to the wheels. The results reveal that OBD-II consistently recorded higher cumulative energy usage, particularly under urban driving conditions, highlighting limitations in dynamometer responsiveness to transient loads and regenerative events. Notably, the WLTP low-speed cycle exhibited a significantly lower efficiency of 62.42%, with nearly half of the battery energy consumed by non-propulsion systems. In contrast, the EPA cycle demonstrated consistently higher efficiencies of 84.52% (low-speed) and 93.00% (high-speed). Interestingly, high-speed efficiencies between WLTP and EPA were nearly identical, despite differences in total energy consumption. These findings underscore the importance of aligning test protocols with actual driving conditions and demonstrate the effectiveness of combining coast down data with real-time diagnostics for robust EV performance assessments. Full article

The rapid development of electric transport necessitates efficient energy storage and redistribution in traction systems. A key challenge is the utilization of regenerative braking energy, which is often dissipated in resistors due to network saturation and limited consumption capacity. The paper addresses the problem of inefficient energy utilization in electric rail vehicles due to the absence of effective energy recovery mechanisms. A specific challenge arises when managing energy recuperated during regenerative braking, which is typically lost if not immediately reused. This study proposes the integration of on-board energy storage systems (ESS) based on supercapacitor technology to temporarily store excess braking energy. A mathematical model of a traction drive with a DC motor and supercapacitor-based ESS is developed, accounting for variable load profiles and typical urban driving cycles. Simulation results demonstrate potential energy savings of up to 30%, validating the feasibility of the proposed solution. The model also enables system-level analysis for optimal ESS sizing and placement in electric rail vehicles. Full article

Bats serve as key ecological reservoirs of diverse microbial communities, including emerging viruses and antibiotic resistance genes. This study investigates the intestinal microbiota of two insectivorous bat species, Nyctalus noctula and Vespertilio murinus, at the Rostov Bat Rehabilitation Center in Southern Russia using whole metagenome shotgun sequencing. We analyzed taxonomic composition, functional pathways, antibiotic resistance genes, and virulence factors. Densoviruses, especially those closely related to Parus major densovirus, were the most dominant viral sequences identified. Metagenome-assembled densovirus genomes showed high sequence similarity with structural variations and clustered phylogenomically with viruses from mealworms and birds, reflecting both dietary origins and the potential for vertebrate infection. Functional profiling revealed microbial pathways associated with cell wall biosynthesis, energy metabolism, and biofilm formation. A total of 510 antibiotic resistance genes, representing 142 unique types, mainly efflux pumps and β-lactamases, were identified. Additionally, 870 virulence factor genes were detected, with a conserved set of iron acquisition systems and stress response regulators across all samples. These findings highlight the ecological complexity of bat-associated microbiota and viromes and suggest that synanthropic bats may contribute to the circulation of insect-associated viruses and antimicrobial resistance in urban settings. Full article

The voluntary basis on which recycling and energy saving are performed at households brings forward the need to better understand the profile of recyclers and non-recyclers and to make meaningful comparisons between them. Hence, the aim of this study is to compare recyclers’ and non-recyclers’ profiles and practices in order to detect areas that require policy and educational interventions. To achieve this aim, this study collected a representative sample of 384 citizens in a fast-growing urban center and compared recyclers and non-recyclers in terms of their environmental practices. The results showed that both groups identified environmental protection as their leading motive to recycle, while plastic and paper were the most recycled materials. An interesting difference between the two groups was that recyclers were more engaged in energy-saving, suggesting that recycling engagement may be associated with the adoption of energy-saving practices. The Internet was the leading information source across both groups, emphasizing the role it can play in spreading accurate and motivating messages about recycling and energy-saving. This study provides a useful and nuanced picture of recyclers’ and non-recyclers’ profiles and their differences, and as such, it can introduce new angles for the design of strategies for encouraging pro-environmental behavior. Full article

The study of Sustainability Transitions (STs) has emerged as an interdisciplinary research field aimed at understanding and guiding societal transformations toward sustainability. While significant advancements have been made in analyzing socio-technical, economic, and policy dimensions, spatial aspects of STs have been largely overlooked. This study contributes to the field by conducting a systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis of academic research on the Geography of Sustainability Transitions (GST). Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) framework, this study identified and analyzed 63 scientific publications indexed in SCOPUS (1995–2024) to examine trends, regional distribution, author profiles, thematic focuses, and main advances. Results highlight a concentration of research in the Global North, with major contributions from Europe and North America, while studies from the Global South remain scarce. The analysis also reveals six dominant transition themes: urban transitions, energy transitions, industrial transitions, transport transitions, circular economy, and agri-food transitions. Each of these themes is discussed in terms of spatial dynamics, governance mechanisms, and the role of regional contexts in shaping transition pathways. The study underscores the need for a more spatially inclusive approach in transition research, advocating for greater integration of geographical perspectives in sustainability studies. Future research should emphasize the role of local and regional factors in transition processes, addressing disparities in transition capabilities between different territories. By doing so, this work contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of how STs unfold across diverse spatial contexts. Identifying the observed research gaps, the study acts as a catalyst for interdisciplinary analytical reasoning and reinforces the geospatial effect within the broader field of STs. Full article

Next-generation networks, particularly 5G and beyond, face rising energy demands that pose both economic and environmental challenges. In this work, we present a traffic management scheme leveraging programmable data planes and an SDN controller to achieve energy proportionality, matching network resource usage to fluctuating traffic loads. This approach integrates flow monitoring on programmable switches with a dynamic power manager in the controller, which selectively powers off inactive switches. We evaluate this scheme in an emulated edge environment across multiple urban traffic profiles. Our results show that disabling switches not handling traffic can significantly reduce energy consumption, even under relatively subtle load variations, while maintaining normal network operations and minimizing overhead on the control plane. We further include a projected savings analysis illustrating the potential benefits if the solution is deployed on hardware devices such as Tofino-based switches. Overall, these findings highlight how data plane-centric, energy-aware traffic management can make 5G-and-beyond edge infrastructures both sustainable and adaptable for future networking needs. Full article