Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Sarah Hafner, Aled Jones, Annela Anger-Kraavi
Summary: With increasing concerns about climate change, calls for the adoption of net-zero carbon emissions targets are rising. Through simulation studies, it was found that retiring a certain amount of high-carbon energy infrastructure is crucial for the UK to achieve emission reductions, but the quantity should be carefully determined to manage electricity system costs and prices.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xining Yang, Mingming Hu, Chunbo Zhang, Bernhard Steubing
Summary: Decarbonizing the building stock is crucial for mitigating climate change. This study presents a comprehensive model that compares the decarbonization potential of different strategies for the building stock. The model can simulate the future evolution of the building stock and track the associated material flows, energy demand, and greenhouse gas emissions.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2022)
Article
Economics
Maciej M. Sokolowski, Raphael J. Heffron
Summary: The issue of energy policy failure lacks a clear definition and is complex. This paper proposes a new definition highlighting how energy policy fails to meet local, national, and international energy and climate goals, and does not deliver just outcomes. By analyzing the causes and consequences of energy policy failures, the paper aims to offer solutions that promote fairness, equality, equity, and inclusiveness in energy project decision-making.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Aparna Sawhney
Summary: India is transitioning to greater use of renewable energy through key policies, highlighting progress but also the need for more attention to waste management and policy consistency across sectors.
CLEAN TECHNOLOGIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
(2021)
Article
Economics
Emil Dimanchev, Christopher R. Knittel
Summary: A matter of debate in climate policy is whether to prioritize carbon pricing or regulations like low-carbon standards for emission reductions. By examining various policy mixes, researchers find that increasing reliance on carbon pricing can enhance cost-effectiveness. However, the marginal returns decrease as more reliance is placed on pricing. The results show that combining stringent standards with modest pricing can significantly improve cost-effectiveness, but trading off more standards for pricing results in diminishing gains.
Article
Economics
Gerrit Rentier, Herman Lelieveldt, Gert Jan Kramer
Summary: This paper compares the use of policy instruments and the deployment of offshore wind power in Denmark, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the Netherlands between 1990 and 2020. It finds that governments in Liberal Market Economies tend to use policy instruments that privatize investments and risk-taking, while those in Coordinated Market Economies use policy instruments that facilitate investments and shared risk-taking.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Marek Cala, Anna Szewczyk-Swiatek, Anna Ostrega
Summary: The ongoing energy transition in the mining regions of the European Union presents various challenges, with reducing greenhouse gas emissions being a key focus. Research project findings from the transition of Brzeszcze mining town in Poland have provided insights into the challenges faced by both the EU and local governments. The discussions highlighted the importance of Green Deal objectives and greenery in driving transformation and well-being in the regions.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Muzhou Zhang
Summary: Despite the growing threat of climate change, fossil fuels are not taxed adequately on a global scale. The policy diffusion mechanism, as well as domestic politics, play a role in this issue. Analysis of data from 29 OECD countries between 1990 and 2019 supports the argument that changes in gasoline excise tax in one country are positively correlated with changes in other countries, particularly among geographical or linguistic neighbors and trade or political partners. A reduction in gasoline tax in one country could spread negative effects to about 60% of other countries.
Article
Environmental Studies
Chiem W. Kraaijvanger, Trivik Verma, Neelke Doorn, Juliana E. Goncalves
Summary: This paper adopts an equity perspective to analyze the transition to solar energy in The Hague, the Netherlands. The study reveals inequalities in solar energy adoption and their overlap with existing socio-spatial inequalities. Current policies fail to provide equitable access to solar energy, leading to unequal adoption rates. The findings highlight the potential to address existing socio-spatial inequalities while harnessing untapped technical potential in The Hague.
ENERGY RESEARCH & SOCIAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Fateh Belaid, Aisha Al-Sarihi, Raed Al-Mestneer
Summary: Global energy markets are facing a confluence of events, leading to higher gas prices and emphasizing energy security. The article explores the factors behind the surge in natural gas prices and the role of green investment in advancing energy security and sustainable transition. It also discusses the short- and long-term implications of rising energy prices on global energy transition. The analysis shows that while renewables offer a promising solution, the current energy crisis has exposed the inadequacy of renewable energy investments, forcing countries to rely on fossil fuels such as coal and stalling the global energy transition. The paper concludes with policy recommendations for unlocking clean energy investments in a strained geopolitical context.
Article
Economics
Bernard Swoczyna, Zbigniew Karaczun
Summary: Mitigating climate change requires a rapid reduction in coal usage, which may be challenging due to the concentration of the coal industry in certain areas. Poland, one of the most coal-dependent countries, shows the strongest reliance on coal in municipalities with coal mines or power plants.
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Juliet Homer
Summary: To prevent unnecessary power outages for millions of people, utility companies rely on data.
Article
Environmental Studies
Cas Bulder, Iain Todd, Darren McCauley, Mary-Kate Burns
Summary: While the world is still struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic, countries are exploring ways to revive their economies. This presents a unique opportunity to reexamine the governance of climate change in a sustainable manner. Based on interviews with experts from government, industry, and third sector organizations in the UK and the Netherlands, it is clear that a more hierarchical approach is desired, with a combination of market and hierarchy seen as the best way forward.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND GOVERNANCE
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Sylwia Mrozowska, Jan A. Wendt, Krzysztof Tomaszewski
Summary: The analysis of the energy transition problem in Poland is important for political, social, and technological reasons. The study found that despite the Polish government's announcements and strategies, effective implementation of the energy transition before 2050 may be very difficult or even impossible due to various conditions.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Magnus de Witt, Hlynur Stefansson, Agust Valfells, Joan Nymand Larsen
Summary: The Arctic currently relies on diesel as the dominant energy source for electricity generation, but its high cost presents a challenge for residents. Research suggests that renewable energy resources can provide a feasible and cost-competitive alternative in the Arctic, with the optimal mix varying for different communities. Stakeholder responses indicate a general acceptance of renewables in the case study communities.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Cameron Bracken, Nathalie Voisin, Casey D. Burleyson, Allison M. Campbell, Z. Jason Hou, Daniel Broman
Summary: This study presents a methodology and dataset for examining compound wind and solar energy droughts, as well as the first standardized benchmark of energy droughts across the Continental United States (CONUS) for a 2020 infrastructure. The results show that compound wind and solar droughts have distinct spatial and temporal patterns across the CONUS, and the characteristics of energy droughts are regional. The study also finds that compound high load events occur more often during compound wind and solar droughts than expected.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Ning Zhang, Yanghao Yu, Jiawei Wu, Ershun Du, Shuming Zhang, Jinyu Xiao
Summary: This paper provides insights into the optimal configuration of CSP plants with different penetrations of wind power by proposing an unconstrained optimization model. The results suggest that large solar multiples and TES are preferred in order to maximize profit, especially when combined with high penetrations of wind and photovoltaic plants. Additionally, the study demonstrates the economy and feasibility of installing electric heaters (EH) in CSP plants, which show a linear correlation with the penetration of variable energy resources.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
M. Szubel, K. Papis-Fraczek, S. Podlasek
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
J. Silva, J. C. Goncalves, C. Rocha, J. Vilaca, L. M. Madeira
Summary: This study investigated the methanation of CO2 in biogas and compared two different methanation reactors. The results showed that the cooled reactor without CO2 separation achieved a CO2 conversion rate of 91.8%, while the adiabatic reactors achieved conversion rates of 59.6% and 67.2%, resulting in an overall conversion rate of 93.0%. Economic analysis revealed negative net present worth values, indicating the need for government monetary incentives.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Yang Liu, Yonglan Xi, Xiaomei Ye, Yingpeng Zhang, Chengcheng Wang, Zhaoyan Jia, Chunhui Cao, Ting Han, Jing Du, Xiangping Kong, Zhongbing Chen
Summary: This study investigated the effect of using nanofiber membrane composites containing Prussian blue-like compound nanoparticles (PNPs) to relieve ammonia nitrogen inhibition of rural organic household waste during high-solid anaerobic digestion and increase methane production. The results showed that adding NMCs with 15% PNPs can lower the concentrations of volatile fatty acids and ammonia nitrogen, and increase methane yield.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Zhong Ge, Xiaodong Wang, Jian Li, Jian Xu, Jianbin Xie, Zhiyong Xie, Ruiqu Ma
Summary: This study evaluates the thermodynamic, exergy, and economic performance of a double-stage organic flash cycle (DOFC) using ten eco-friendly hydrofluoroolefins. The influences of key parameters on performance are analyzed, and the advantages of DOFC over single-stage type are quantified.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Nicolas Kirchner-Bossi, Fernando Porte-Agel
Summary: This study investigates the optimization of power density in wind farms and its sensitivity to the available area size. A novel genetic algorithm (PDGA) is introduced to optimize power density and turbine layout. The results show that the PDGA-driven solutions significantly reduce the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) compared to the default layout, and exhibit a convex relationship between area and LCOE or power density.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Chunxiao Zhang, Dongdong Li, Lin Wang, Qingpo Yang, Yutao Guo, Wei Zhang, Chao Shen, Jihong Pu
Summary: In this study, a novel reversible liquid-filled energy-saving window that effectively regulates indoor solar radiation heat gain is proposed. Experimental results show that this window can effectively reduce indoor temperature during both summer and winter seasons, while having minimal impact on indoor illuminance.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Alessandro L. Aguiar, Martinho Marta-Almeida, Mauro Cirano, Janini Pereira, Leticia Cotrim da Cunha
Summary: This study analyzed the Brazilian Equatorial Shelf using a high-resolution ocean model and found significant tidal variations in the area. Several hypothetical barrages were proposed with higher annual power generation than existing barrages. The study also evaluated the installation effort of these barrages.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Francesco Superchi, Nathan Giovannini, Antonis Moustakis, George Pechlivanoglou, Alessandro Bianchini
Summary: This study focuses on the optimization of a hybrid power station on the Tilos island in Greece, aiming to increase energy export and revenue by optimizing energy fluxes. Different scenarios are proposed to examine the impact of different agreements with the grid operator on the optimal solution.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Peimaneh Shirazi, Amirmohammad Behzadi, Pouria Ahmadi, Sasan Sadrizadeh
Summary: This research presents two novel energy production/storage/usage systems to reduce energy consumption and environmental effects in buildings. A biomass-fired model and a solar-driven system integrated with photovoltaic thermal (PVT) panels and a heat pump were designed and assessed. The results indicate that the solar-based system has an acceptable energy cost and the PVT-based system with a heat pump is environmentally superior. The biomass-fired system shows excellent efficiency.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Zihao Qi, Yingling Cai, Yunxiang Cui
Summary: This study aims to investigate the operational characteristics of the solar-ground source heat pump system (SGSHPS) in Shanghai under different operation modes. It concludes that tandem operation mode 1 is the optimal mode for winter operation in terms of energy efficiency.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
L. Bartolucci, S. Cordiner, A. Di Carlo, A. Gallifuoco, P. Mele, V. Mulone
Summary: Spent coffee grounds are a valuable biogenic waste that can be used as a source of biofuels and valuable chemicals through pyrolysis and solvent extraction processes. The study found that heavy organic bio-oil derived from coffee grounds can be used as a carbon-rich biofuel, while solvent extraction can extract xantines and p-benzoquinone, which are important chemicals for various industries. The results highlight the promising potential of solvent extraction in improving the economic viability of coffee grounds pyrolysis-based biorefineries.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Luiza de Queiroz Correa, Diego Bagnis, Pedro Rabelo Melo Franco, Esly Ferreira da Costa Junior, Andrea Oliveira Souza da Costa
Summary: Building-integrated photovoltaics, especially organic solar technology, are important for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the building sector. This study analyzed the performance of organic panels laminated in glass in a vertical installation in Latin America. Results showed that glass lamination and vertical orientation preserved the panels' performance and led to higher energy generation in winter.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Zhipei Hu, Shuo Jiang, Zhigao Sun, Jun Li
Summary: This study proposes innovative fin arrangements to enhance the thermal performance of latent heat storage units. Through optimization of fin distribution and prediction of transient melting behaviors, it is found that fin structures significantly influence heat transfer characteristics and melting behaviors.