Article
Business
Yiming Li, Zhaohua Wang, Weijun He, Yuandong Zhao, Ming Xu, Bin Zhang
Summary: This study identifies critical transmission sectors for CO2 emissions in China in 2012, such as the Chemical industry, Metallurgy, and Electricity production sectors. Improving production efficiency in these sectors has the potential to significantly reduce CO2 emissions downstream and upstream in their supply chains.
TECHNOLOGICAL FORECASTING AND SOCIAL CHANGE
(2021)
Article
Thermodynamics
Cuiyang Feng, Liyan Dong, Muhsen Adbiat, Lixiao Xu, Ao Yu
Summary: The transition of energy supply system is crucial for achieving carbon neutrality as carbon emissions are mostly caused by fossil fuel consumption. Previous studies focused on proposing sector-specific strategies for energy conservation, mainly targeting sectors that directly or indirectly drive significant energy usage at both ends of the supply chain. However, intermediate transmission centers, which transmit substantial energy use, are often overlooked. This study uses a betweenness-based method to identify critical transmission sectors for different energy types at the inter-provincial level in China. The results show that certain provinces like Shandong and Jiangsu, as well as sectors such as smelting and processing of metals and manufacture of chemical products, play crucial roles in energy transmission, with raw coal having the highest transmission volume. Some critical transmission sectors, like the production and distribution of electric power and heat power in Beijing, receive less attention from production-based or consumption-based perspectives. Additionally, the development of renewable energy is changing energy transmission patterns, and the betweenness-based results should be considered as complementary strategies for energy sustainable development to promote a low-carbon economy.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Ke Li, Cuiyang Feng, Yuhan Liang, Jianchuan Qi, Yumeng Li, Hui Li, Sai Liang, Zhifeng Yang
Summary: Food and water resources are closely interconnected through economic supply chains, with some critical sectors acting as transmission centers. Improving the production efficiency of these sectors could indirectly reduce water usage in the entire supply chain. The study identifies agricultural sectors in Shandong, Heilongjiang, and Hubei as the top three transmission sectors, emphasizing the importance of inter-regional and inter-sectoral cooperation.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lin Yang, Yiming Li, Dong Wang, Zhuonan Wang, Yuantao Yang, Haodong Lv, Xian Zhang
Summary: This study used MRIO analysis to examine water-energy usage in the supply chain in China and identify critical sectors. Results showed direct WEN pressure from production activities mainly in traditional resource-intensive sectors, while indirect WEN pressure from final consumption was found in the construction industry. Recommendations for regional sustainable development in China were drawn from the findings.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Economics
Keitaro Maeno
Summary: Based on recent events, global supply chain restructuring has become an important issue in industries worldwide. This study investigates the impacts of GSC restructuring in a specific sector on the global carbon footprint and develops a practical framework for CO2 reduction.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Daoping Wang, Ottar N. Bjornstad, Tianyang Lei, Yida Sun, Jingwen Huo, Qi Hao, Zhao Zeng, Shupeng Zhu, Stephane Hallegatte, Ruiyun Li, Dabo Guan, Nils C. Stenseth
Summary: Ensuring equitable distribution of vaccines globally is crucial for controlling global pandemics and supporting economic recovery. Our analysis shows that an equitable vaccine distribution can increase global economic benefits by 11.7% ($950 billion per year) compared to a scenario where vaccines are first given to vaccine-producing countries and then distributed to non-producing countries. Prioritizing high-risk groups and international collaboration can improve vaccine equity and accessibility globally, leading to better protection and economic growth.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Arunima Malik, Mengyu Li, Manfred Lenzen, Jacob Fry, Navoda Liyanapathirana, Kathleen Beyer, Sinead Boylan, Amanda Lee, David Raubenheimer, Arne Geschke, Mikhail Prokopenko
Summary: Disasters resulting from climate change and extreme weather events have negative impacts on crop and livestock production. While the direct impacts are well-known, the indirect supply-chain repercussions are still unclear. This study estimates the social and health impacts of disruptions in food supply chains and finds that the effects are wide-ranging due to the interconnected nature of supply chains.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Wenhuan Wang, Yi He, Yu Lei, Wenqi Gao, Yineng Li, Hanlin Lan, Shiheng Zhuang, Mikael Hook
Summary: The rapid growth of the digital economy has caused a significant CO2 emission problem in China, due to the massive demand for electricity and the coal-based power generation. This study assessed CO2 emissions in the digital economy sectors, identified key transmission centers, and suggested measures to decarbonize and reduce CO2 emissions.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Economics
Juan-Juan Hou, Zhen Wang, Jiu-Tian Zhang, Shi-Wei Yu, Lan-Cui Liu
Summary: Using the environmentally extended multiregional input-output and structural path analysis method, this study identified the top 15 CO2 supply chains in each province in China and analyzed their impact on energy and water resources. The findings showed that these critical CO2 supply chains accounted for 24% of the total national final consumption of CO2 emissions, as well as 17% and 5% of the total national consumption of energy and water resources, respectively. The study also highlighted the tradeoff in energy and water resources during the low-carbon transition and the potential for synergy in the downstream sector. Shifting investment towards new infrastructure with lower energy and water consumption was seen as beneficial for sustainable resource and environmental development.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tianding Zhang, Lixia Wei, Jingwen Liu
Summary: China needs to address environmental costs for sustainable participation in global value chains. Digitization has the potential to improve energy efficiency in global production networks by overcoming information barriers. However, the impact of digital technology on GVC-related carbon intensity in China has not been systematically studied.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Jing Zhang, Qiumeng Zhong, Yadong Yu, Jetashree, Xuechun Yang, Cuiyang Feng, Hui Li, Sai Liang
Summary: This study examines the interference of human activities on the natural phosphorus cycle. By studying mainland China, the research finds that phosphate rock is the main source of P emissions in China's P supply chain, and food crops and livestock are important initial suppliers of P. The change in primary input level is the largest driver of P emission increments from 1949 to 2012, while changes in production structure reduce P emissions.
ECOSYSTEM HEALTH AND SUSTAINABILITY
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Emmanuel Aramendia, Matthew K. Heun, Paul E. Brockway, Peter G. Taylor
Summary: Physical Supply Use Tables provide a new framework that overcomes the limitations of Energy Extended Input Output Analysis, allowing for better description of energy conversion chains and tracking of energy flows. It has important applications in energy security analysis and disaggregation of greenhouse gas emissions.
Article
Thermodynamics
Quanzhi Xia, Mengyao Han, Shihui Guan, Xiaofang Wu, Bo Zhang
Summary: This study utilizes a multi-scale model to analyze the energy usage of China's four megacities at urban, national, and global scales. The findings reveal that Shanghai has the highest per capita energy usage, while fixed capital formation is the leading source of energy demand in Chongqing. Furthermore, over 20% of Beijing's energy requirements are imported from foreign economies, and approximately 10% of Shanghai's energy usage is exported to other countries.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Simone Della Bella, Burak Sen, Ciprian Cimpan, Matteo Vincenzo Rocco, Gang Liu
Summary: An integrated dynamic model combines dynamic material flow analysis and input-output modeling to assess the demand-supply balance and recycling potentials of critical materials for green transition. The study shows that cobalt, lithium, neodymium, and dysprosium are likely to experience strong growth in demand by 2050, with cobalt having higher cumulative demand than known reserves. Recycling efforts are urgently needed to supplement primary supply and support global green transition.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Ruifang Ma, Xinqi Zheng, Chunxiao Zhang, Jiayang Li, Yin Ma
Summary: With the development of the economy and increased resident consumption levels, carbon emissions from resident consumption in China are increasing. There are significant regional differences in consumption-based carbon dioxide emissions, with a decreasing trend from southeast to northwest. Housing and transportation are the major contributors to carbon emissions.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yuhan Liang, Yumeng Li, Sai Liang, Cuiyang Feng, Lixiao Xu, Jianchuan Qi, Xuechun Yang, Yafei Wang, Chao Zhang, Ke Li, Hui Li, Zhifeng Yang
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Sai Liang, Xuechun Yang, Jianchuan Qi, Yutao Wang, Wei Xie, Raya Muttarak, Dabo Guan
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Hui Li, Sai Liang, Yuhan Liang, Ke Li, Jianchuan Qi, Xuechun Yang, Cuiyang Feng, Yanpeng Cai, Zhifeng Yang
Summary: The grey water footprint (GWF) in China is significantly influenced by interregional trade, with traditional GWF quantification methods often overlooking the impacts of coexisting compounds. An improved GWF quantification method reveals that GWF in Chinese regions decreases by 19-35%, with up to 35% of the improved GWF related to commodities produced outside of the regions they are consumed. Sectors such as corn, cattle, swine, poultry, and other animal husbandry contribute the most to GWF outsourcing. This study provides region-specific and sector-specific results for more accurate policy decisions on water resource conservation in China.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Quanliang Ye, Edgar G. Hertwich, Maarten S. Krol, David Font Vivanco, Amanda W. Lounsbury, Xinzhu Zheng, Arjen Y. Hoekstra, Yutao Wang, Ranran Wang
Summary: This study quantifies the linkages between China's capital formation, environmental pressures, and consumption, showing that a significant portion of capital assets acquired by China from 1995 to 2015 have not yet been depreciated and will serve future production and consumption. Outsourcing of capital services also leads to considerable environmental pressures, ranging from 14% to 25% depending on the indicators. Without considering the linkages between capital and final consumption, calculations of China's environmental footprints related to the six environmental pressures could be significantly underestimated or overestimated.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Xiaohui Wu, Xuechun Yang, Jianchuan Qi, Cuiyang Feng, Sai Liang
Summary: This study examines the impact of economic structural factors on PM2.5-related human health impacts in China and finds that changes in production structure have a positive effect on reducing PM2.5-related health impacts, while changes in final demand structure lead to an increase in PM2.5-related health impacts.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sai Liang, Weicen Chang, Haifeng Zhou, Jianchuan Qi, Yumeng Li, Cuiyang Feng, Shuxiao Wang
Summary: This study reveals that the transition of global economic structures, particularly in foreign nations, plays a crucial role in driving changes in atmospheric Hg emissions in China. It emphasizes the significance of a greener global production structure for reducing anthropogenic atmospheric Hg emissions in China.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Qian Zhang, Jianchuan Qi, Baodong Cheng, Chang Yu, Sai Liang, Thomas O. Wiedmann, Yu Liu, Qiumeng Zhong
Summary: Achieving forest sustainability is a declared goal of sustainable development. Measuring global forests' safe operating space is crucial for sustainable forest management. Global timber harvests, mainly driven by developed nations and emerging economies, exceed national forestry boundaries in many countries.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zhihan Jiang, Chuke Chen, Nan Li, Heming Wang, Peng Wang, Chao Zhang, Fengmei Ma, Zhihe Zhang, Yuanyi Huang, Jianchuan Qi, Wei-Qiang Chen
Summary: UN Comtrade, a widely used data source for physical trade analysis, faces the issue of outliers that limit its application. To address this issue, researchers developed a framework using kernel density estimation and statistical models to detect and handle outliers, as well as a deviation index to assess their impacts, resulting in improved data quality.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Yuanyi Huang, Ruru Han, Jianchuan Qi, Huabo Duan, Chuke Chen, Xiaohui Lu, Nan Li
Summary: This study proposes an improved grey water footprint of industrial heavy metal emissions (GWFHMs) from the perspective of health risks, and estimates the water pollution level of GWFHMs (WPLHMs) to reveal the degree of aquatic industrial heavy metal pollution concerning health risks. The study uncovers critical periods and hotspot regions for heavy metal pollution in China, providing support for decision-making on control measures for industrial heavy metal emissions in Belt and Road Initiative (B&RI) countries.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kemeng Liu, Rong Ma, Kejia Yan, Bo Zhang, Simin Xu, Cuiyang Feng
Summary: This paper uses a multiregional input-output model and a complex network model to trace anthropogenic N2O emissions via global trade networks. In 2014, nearly one quarter of global N2O emissions were linked to international trade, with the top 20 economies contributing to 70% of the total N2O emissions. Different industries, such as cropland, livestock, chemistry, and others, were responsible for varying percentages of trade embodied N2O emissions. The clustering structure of the global N2O flow network was revealed through regional integration of 5 trading communities, with hub economies like mainland China and the USA acting as collectors and distributors.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sai Liang, Qiumeng Zhong, Haifeng Zhou, Yihan Liao, Jing You, Jing Meng, Cuiyang Feng, Chen Lin
Summary: This study reveals the rebound and mitigation effects of efficiency-related technological progress in global value chains on greenhouse gas emissions. The study shows that different sectors in the value chains have different potentials for emission mitigation, with upstream sectors having stronger rebound effects and trailing end sectors having greater potential for emission reduction.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Long Chen, Sai Liang, Haoran Zhang, Xingrui Cai, Yuanchen Chen, Maodian Liu, Huiming Lin, Yumeng Li, Jianchuan Qi, Yindong Tong, Wei Zhang, Xuejun Wang, Jiong Shu
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yumeng Li, Long Chen, Sai Liang, Jianchuan Qi, Haifeng Zhou, Cuiyang Feng, Xuechun Yang, Xiaohui Wu, Zhifu Mi, Zhifeng Yang
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
M. Genovese, F. Piraino, P. Fragiacomo
Summary: This research proposes the concept of a hydrogen valley in southern Italy, where hydrogen is produced centrally and delivered via fuel cell hybrid trains to refueling stations, providing transportation services. The analysis from both technical and economic perspectives shows that the cost of hydrogen and energy efficiency reached competitive levels, and hydrogen rail transport offers significant benefits in terms of emissions reduction and economic gains compared to conventional diesel trains and fully electric trains.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2024)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Miaomiao Liu, Payam Nejat, Pinlu Cao, Carlos Jimenez-Bescos, John Kaiser Calautit
Summary: This article provides a critical review of the performance of windcatchers, pointing out the current research gaps and issues, and proposing directions for further investigation and market prospects.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2024)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Solomon Boadu, Ebenezer Otoo
Summary: Despite Africa's vast energy resources, including wind energy, the continent faces challenges in developing its wind energy industry. Northern African countries and South Africa currently dominate the wind energy sector in Africa. To uplift Africa's socio-economic status, strong political will, supportive policies, and institutional frameworks are needed to drive the development of wind energy and overcome existing challenges.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2024)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
E. K. Grubbs, S. M. Gruss, V. Z. Schull, M. J. Gosney, M. V. Mickelbart, S. Brouder, M. W. Gitau, P. Bermel, M. R. Tuinstra, R. Agrawal
Summary: As the global population grows, the demand for food, energy, and water will increase significantly. However, limited land availability and competition for solar resources pose challenges to resource generation technologies. In the United States, both agriculture and solar energy production have adopted densification schemes to improve yields and energy output per unit of land. This research proposes an Agrivoltaic food and energy coproduction architecture that optimizes power generation while maintaining crop productivity by implementing ideal anti-tracking during critical growth periods. This technology offers a viable pathway for widespread solar implementation throughout the contiguous United States.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2024)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Han Shao, Rui Henriques, Hugo Morais, Elisabetta Tedeschi
Summary: The integration of offshore wind energy into the electric grid provides opportunities in terms of environmental sustainability and cost efficiency, but poses challenges to power quality. This survey offers a deeper understanding of disturbance detection and classification tools, exploring root causes, disturbance locations, and algorithmic solutions. It highlights synchronized waveform measurement and discusses evaluation metrics for detection and classification algorithms. Additionally, a novel system-wide monitoring framework is proposed.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2024)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Eleni Davidson, Yair Schwartz, Joe Williams, Dejan Mumovic
Summary: A continued upward trend in global greenhouse gas emissions poses risks to global infrastructure and built assets. Maintaining high indoor environmental quality standards is a challenge for higher education institutions under future climates. Passive cooling mechanisms may be insufficient to tolerate predicted temperature increases. Different building typologies have varying energy demand projections.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2024)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Kexin Pang, Jian Zhou, Stamatis Tsianikas, David W. Coit, Yizhong Ma
Summary: This study proposes a new framework for long-term microgrid expansion planning, using deep reinforcement learning method to consider various uncertainties and constraints. The framework aims to enhance the effectiveness of microgrid expansion planning from the perspectives of economy, resilience, and greenhouse gas emission reduction.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2024)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Jun Zhao, Kangyin Dong, Xiucheng Dong
Summary: The continuous growth of global electricity penetration has provided modern energy for alleviating energy poverty, but its impact on carbon neutrality has been overlooked. The research reveals that clean electricity from traditional fossil energy and renewable energy has a positive influence on the greenhouse effect. Eradicating energy poverty can effectively alleviate the greenhouse effect, especially in non-Belt and Road Initiative (B&RI) nations.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2024)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Hossein Shahbeik, Hamed Kazemi Shariat Panahi, Mona Dehhaghi, Gilles J. Guillemin, Alireza Fallahi, Homa Hosseinzadeh-Bandbafha, Hamid Amiri, Mohammad Rehan, Deepak Raikwar, Hannes Latine, Bruno Pandalone, Benyamin Khoshnevisan, Christian Sonne, Luigi Vaccaro, Abdul-Sattar Nizami, Vijai Kumar Gupta, Su Shiung Lam, Junting Pan, Rafael Luque, Bert Sels, Wanxi Peng, Meisam Tabatabaei, Mortaza Aghbashlo
Summary: This review explores the production of biocrude oil from biomass feedstocks through the process of hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL). It discusses the impact of process parameters on the quality, quantity, cost, and environmental impacts of biofuels. The review also highlights the challenges and prospects for the future development of biocrude oil.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2024)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Meysam Majidi Nezhad, Mehdi Neshat, Georgios Sylaios, Davide Astiaso Garcia
Summary: Digital twins promise innovation for the marine renewable energy sector by using modern technological advances and the existing maritime knowledge frameworks. This research presents critical aspects of digital twin implementation challenges in marine energy digitalization approaches that use and combine data systems.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2024)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Yeganeh Sharifian, Hamdi Abdi
Summary: This paper discusses the background and objectives of the multi-area economic dispatch problem, as well as various techniques and methods applied in this field. It also covers comprehensive formulations of the problem and important issues in the field of probabilistic MAED, along with some related concepts and suggestions.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2024)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
J. G. B. Churchill, V. B. Borugadda, A. K. Dalai
Summary: The increasing global energy demand and the need to reduce fossil fuel reliance have created a demand for renewable and sustainable fuel sources. This review explores the potential of tall oil, a by-product of the pulping industry, as a feedstock for biofuels. The review provides an overview of tall oil production, purification, and treatment, and investigates recent trends and barriers towards tall oil-derived biofuels.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2024)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
David C. Broadstock, Xiangnan Wang
Summary: This study provides a general review of research on district cooling, identifying key topics and themes and highlighting potential research priorities for future studies.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2024)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
L. Scharnhorst, D. Sloot, N. Lehmann, A. Ardone, W. Fichtner
Summary: This study investigates and analyzes the barriers to demand response in industrial and commercial sectors, highlighting their significance. Concerns about diminished product quality, disruptions to production processes, human resource management, and revenue uncertainty are identified as the most frequently cited barriers. Overcoming these barriers requires bridging knowledge gaps, allocating sufficient resources, and adapting external incentives and policies.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2024)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Tong Feng, Yuechi Sun, Yating Shi, Jie Ma, Chunmei Feng, Zhenni Chen
Summary: Air pollution is a significant global challenge, and policymakers have implemented policies to reduce it. Evaluating the effectiveness of these policies is critical, and our study reveals trends and gaps in air pollution policy research. We found that research has shifted from focusing solely on air pollutants to including methodologies, policies, and health implications. China has emerged as a major contributor in this field of research.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2024)