Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Nikolajs Vedernikovs, Galina Khroustalyova, Indrikis Muiznieks, Alexander Rapoport
Summary: Studies have shown that the differential catalysis of hemicellulose, leading to its depolymerization and pentose dehydration, can be applied to produce furfural. This process increases furfural yield while decreasing cellulose destruction. The remaining lignocellulosic residue can be enzymatically hydrolyzed to glucose and fermented to ethanol, while the lignin can be used to produce various value-added products. Based on these findings, an innovative concept for the waste-free use of lignocellulose to obtain valuable products is proposed.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Chunjie Gong, Liping Cao, Donglai Fang, Jiaqi Zhang, Mukesh Kumar Awasthi, Dongsheng Xue
Summary: This paper reviewed the potential and importance of using lignocellulosic waste as a raw material for bioethanol production. It discussed the genetic manipulation strategies for transforming lignocellulose into ethanol, including gene editing and synthetic genomics. The application prospects of bioethanol were also introduced.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hailong Lu, Lili Zhang, Ming Yan, Jun Ye, Kui Wang, Jianchun Jiang
Summary: The traditional strategy for isolating cellulose nanomaterials requires various chemicals and a high energy input, while achieving a low product yield owing to lignin removal during pulping and bleaching. Here, we propose a green ethanol pretreatment process with a synergistic effect using ultrasound and FeCl3 to produce lignocellulose nanofibrils (LCNF) with a high yield (over 67 %) from thermomechanical pulp. In general, FeCl3-catalyzed ethanol pretreatment can serve as a sustainable and environmentally friendly approach for converting sustainable lignocelluloses into high value-added nanomaterials. Moreover, the obtained LCNF can be applied in diverse fields.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Rhulani N. Ntimbani, Somayeh Farzad, Johann F. Gorgens
Summary: This study investigated the techno-economics of two-stage and one-stage furfural production integrated with ethanol co-production, showing that the two-stage furfural biorefineries are more profitable than the one-stage furfural biorefineries.
BIOFUELS BIOPRODUCTS & BIOREFINING-BIOFPR
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Applied
Tianran Zheng, Jianxin Jiang, Jianfeng Yao
Summary: Adding surfactants in bioethanol production process can reduce production costs and increase fermentable sugars yield. Utilizing natural surfactants and lignosulfonate from waste materials can bring significant economic and environmental benefits in the production of cellulosic ethanol.
FUEL PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Thermodynamics
Chongzhen Du, Tianhua Yang, Bingshuo Li, He Cao, Zheng Liu, Shengzhao Huang
Summary: In this study, glucose, xylan, and lignin were liquefied in ethanol to investigate the effect of alkali and alkaline earth metals (AAEMs) on biomass liquefaction. Alkaline earth metals (AEMs) showed a positive catalytic effect on xylan liquefaction, with MgCl2 significantly increasing the yield of bio-oil. AAEMs inhibited the formation of glucose and lignin bio-oil and altered the yield order, while also affecting the composition and quality of the bio-oil.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Zhao Yan, Jian Zhang, Jie Bao
Summary: Through 198 days of laboratory adaptive evolution, researchers successfully increased the tolerance of Zymomonas mobilis strain to phenolic aldehydes and ethanol fermentability, as well as identified a potential candidate gene for synthetic biology applications.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Chunyun Qu, Kaiqun Dai, Hongxin Fu, Jufang Wang
Summary: The study found that ArgR(1864) is a negative regulator for chaperonin synthesis in Thermoanaerobacterium aotearoense SCUT27. Knocking out argR(1864) resulted in a mutant with enhanced antioxidant capacity, better growth and metabolic product generation abilities, as well as advantages in ethanol production.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
S. Kavitha, T. Gajendran, K. Saranya, P. Selvakumar, V Manivasagan, S. Jeevitha
Summary: This study investigates the use of a consortium of cellulolytic and ethanogenic bacteria for consolidated bioprocessing of bioethanol production. The pre-treatment conditions for Allium ascalonicum leaves were optimized to achieve efficient removal of hemicellulose and recovery of cellulose. By screening and optimizing the essential medium components, the bioethanol yield was maximized.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Rhulani N. Ntimbani, Somayeh Farzad, Johann F. Gorgens
Summary: The study investigated the co-production of furfural and ethanol in a biorefinery connected to a sugar mill, comparing scenarios of furfural-only, ethanol-only, and integrated furfural-ethanol production. The integrated biorefinery showed higher profitability compared to ethanol-only production, with furfural-only production being the most profitable due to lower capital investments and bypass. Economic benefits of furfural and ethanol co-production were limited by process energy demands and feedstock availability.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Wen Wang, Mengxuan Zhang, Shijun Liu, Qiong Wang, Yunzi Hu, Cuiyi Liang, YunYun Liu, Hui Liu, Wei Qi
Summary: High energy consumption is a major obstacle for the conversion of lignocellulose into biofuels and biochemicals. In this study, a self-designed pilot-scale device with recycling of black liquor and waste washing water was used for low-temperature pretreatment and high-solid enzymatic hydrolysis of sugarcane bagasse. The results showed that the enzymatic hydrolysis of the treated sugarcane bagasse achieved a high glucose concentration and glucan conversion. A low-energy strategy for cellulosic ethanol production with low emission was proposed.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Maryam Molaverdi, Safoora Mirmohamadsadeghi, Keikhosro Karimi, Mortaza Aghbashlo, Meisam Tabatabaei
Summary: This study investigates the production of high concentrations of ethanol from phosphoric acid-pretreated rice straw using filamentous fungus Mucor indicus. The research focuses on the impacts of enzyme loadings, solids loadings, and SSF time on ethanol production by simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF).
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Barbara Ribeiro Alves Alencar, Renan Anderson Alves de Freitas, Victor Emanuel Petricio Guimaraes, Rayssa Karla Silva, Carolina Elsztein, Suzyanne Porfirio da Silva, Emmanuel Damilano Dutra, Marcos Antonio de Morais Junior, Rafael Barros de Souza
Summary: In this study, a yeast strain called Meyerozyma caribbica URM 8365 was isolated and tested from soil irrigated with vinasse, which has high mineral content and acidic pH. The strain was able to ferment glucose and use xylose when oxygen was provided. It also showed tolerance to inhibitors and high ethanol production efficiencies in various substrates. A proposed metabolic model allowed for the calculation of carbon allocation for ethanol and/or xylitol production and could be used to design an industrial plant for combined production using different substrates.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Malgorzata Hawrot-Paw, Aleksander Stanczuk
Summary: Advanced biofuels can decrease the use of fossil fuels and harmful emissions during combustion. Lignocellulosic materials, specifically waste biomass, are suitable substrates for producing advanced biofuels. This study examined the effectiveness of enzymatic hydrolysis using Trichoderma viride fungi on waste lignocellulosic biomass materials, and observed the correlation between temperature and fungal activity. Ethanol was produced through separate hydrolysis and fermentation, with 94 mL of distillate containing 65% ethanol concentration obtained from barley straw.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chanhee Kang, J. Jay Liu, Namsub Woo, Wangyun Won
Summary: To address the increasing environmental pollution, researchers propose an integrated process for producing butyric acid from white birch. This process converts cellulose to butyric acid via fermentation and generates furfural and adipic acid as byproducts, reducing the selling price. Through heat integration, the designed process significantly lowers energy consumption while ensuring environmental and economic feasibility. Techno-economic analysis determines the minimum selling price of butyric acid to be $1570/ton, indicating its feasibility compared to the market price of $1000-1800/ton. Additionally, a life cycle assessment analyzes the use of lignin and its environmental impacts.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Thermodynamics
Fionnuala Murphy, Amanda Sosa, Kevin McDonnell, Ger Devlin
Article
Economics
Fionnuala Murphy, Kevin McDonnell
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Fionnuala Murphy, Kevin McDonnell
Article
Agricultural Engineering
John O'Loughlin, Kevin McDonnell, John Finnan
BIOMASS & BIOENERGY
(2018)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Joseph B. Sweeney, Cormac D. Murphy, Kevin McDonnell
ENZYME AND MICROBIAL TECHNOLOGY
(2018)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Mert Satir, Fionnuala Murphy, Kevin McDonnell
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2018)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Gary D. Gillespie, Aoife A. Gowen, John M. Finnan, John P. Carroll, Damien J. Farrelly, Kevin P. McDonnell
BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING
(2019)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Vinay Virupaksha, Mary Harty, Kevin McDonnell
Article
Energy & Fuels
Kevin McDonnell, Levente Molnar, Mary Harty, Fionnuala Murphy
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ciara Beausang, Kevin McDonnell, Fionnuala Murphy
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2020)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Gary D. Gillespie, Oyinlola Dada, Kevin P. McDonnell
Summary: Suppressed wool prices in Ireland have caused farmers to experience net losses per animal, as the cost of shearing exceeds the value of the wool. A study suggests that hydrolysed sheep wool could provide up to 15.8% of the nitrogen needed for Ireland's cereal crops, along with significant amounts of sulfur, zinc, and copper. The main cost associated with this process is purchasing wool at an economically favorable level. Based on the distribution of sheep, Athlone is identified as the most suitable location for a processing facility.
Article
Agronomy
Isabella Donnelly, Kevin McDonnell, John Finnan
Article
Agronomy
Michael G. O'Flynn, John M. Finnan, Edna M. Curley, Kevin P. McDonnell
Article
Agricultural Engineering
John O'Loughlin, Kevin McDonnell, John Finnan
BIOMASS & BIOENERGY
(2017)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
John O'Loughlin, John Finnan, Kevin McDonnell
BIOMASS & BIOENERGY
(2017)
Article
Economics
Marie-Louise Arlt, David Chassin, Claudio Rivetta, James Sweeney
Summary: This paper examines the impact of real-time pricing and load automation on residential distribution systems. The study finds that implementing real-time pricing can result in an aggregate welfare gain of 39 USD per customer and year. However, it also notes that RTP and load automation may significantly increase peak system load. Introducing a market-based demand management system can further enhance welfare gains and reduce grid investment.
Article
Economics
Javier Jorquera-Copier, Alvaro Lorca, Enzo Sauma, Stefan Lorenczik, Matias Negrete-Pincetic
Summary: As countries update their climate ambitions, low-carbon hydrogen production and use present opportunities for emissions reductions and economic development. A case study for Chile shows that integrating hydrogen and electricity networks can lower system costs and enhance renewable integration, but policy support is needed to address concerns related to water and land use.
Article
Economics
Dawit Guta, Hisham Zerriffi, Jill Baumgartner, Abhishek Jain, Sunil Mani, Darby Jack, Ellison Carter, Guofeng Shen, Jennifer Orgill-Meyer, Joshua Rosenthal, Katherine Dickinson, Rob Bailis, Yuta Masuda
Summary: Household solid fuel use is detrimental to health and the environment. The Indian government's PMUY subsidy has successfully promoted the adoption of LPG by millions of households. However, there is limited understanding of the decision-making process to reduce solid fuel use after transitioning to cleaner fuels. This study found that factors such as household wealth, social status, education level, and the prevalence of LPG use in the village are positively associated with LPG consumption and the discontinuation of solid fuel use. On the other hand, factors such as distance to LPG refill delivery, household size, and the PMUY subsidy are negatively associated with the share of LPG use.
Article
Economics
Nicolas Morell-Dameto, Jose Pablo Chaves-Avila, Tomas Gomez San Roman, Pablo Duenas-Martinez, Tim Schittekatte
Summary: This paper assesses the performance of differently implemented forward-looking network tariff designs and proposes an innovative coordination mechanism to increase predictability in a future with many flexible customers. The study reveals that if large shares of customers synchronize their responses to highly time-varying and locational-specific network charges, it can lead to unexpected reinforcements.
Article
Economics
Alexandra Gritz, Guntram Wolff
Summary: Russia's weaponization of gas supplies shook the energy security of Central and Eastern Europe in 2022. The region responded by increasing alternative energy supplies and developing new gas supply routes. Renewable energy, nuclear energy, and hydrogen play important roles in the long-term. Mitigating the impact of this shock requires the EU to prioritize the integrity of its energy market.
Article
Economics
Jaroslaw Kantorowicz, Marion Collewet, Matthew DiGiuseppe, Hendrik Vrijburg
Summary: Economic costs are a major political obstacle to investing in climate change mitigation and adaptation measures. The method of financing plays a crucial role in determining public opposition to government green investments, with debt financing being less opposed than broad-based taxes. This study suggests that credit market tools, such as green bonds and debt for climate swaps, can be politically efficient in increasing support for green financing. Carbon taxes and wealth taxes are found to be the most preferred options.
Article
Economics
Kun Guo, Liyuan Luan, Xiaoli Cai, Dayong Zhang, Qiang Ji
Summary: This paper investigates China's energy trade stability using a survival analysis approach. It finds that the energy trade linkages between China and 153 other countries are complex and unstable, with short periods of trade with many countries. Geopolitically risky regions, such as the Middle East and Africa, have the lowest trade stability. Climate risks have significant effects on energy trade stability. The paper proposes several policy options to improve energy trade stability in China, with special attention to increasing global climate risks.
Article
Economics
Simona Bigerna, Piyush Choudhary, Nikunj Kumar Jain, Silvia Micheli, Paolo Polinori
Summary: This study estimates the willingness to pay of Indian urban consumers for a continuous supply of electricity using contingent valuation method. The findings show that the amount consumers are willing to pay depends on the duration of power outages, with households preferring shorter outages. Income and environmental attitude also positively influence higher willingness to pay. These insights can inform policymakers in designing more reliable and customer-centric energy generation and distribution models.
Article
Economics
Temilade Sesan, Unico Uduka, Lucy Baker, Okechukwu Ugwu, Ewah Eleri, Subhes Bhattacharyya
Summary: This study examines the impact of the regulatory framework on rural electrification and universal energy access goals in Nigeria's mini-grid sector. The findings suggest that while the current framework has fostered sector growth, additional measures are necessary to ensure equitable distribution of access among rural populations.
Article
Economics
Rui Shan, Noah Kittner
Summary: Energy storage is a cornerstone in decarbonization planning as it reduces operational costs and greenhouse gas emissions, while enhancing resilience and renewables integration. However, storage developers in different regions have varying economic and environmental considerations, thereby requiring policy intervention to achieve long-term emission reductions.
Article
Economics
Tung Durmaz, Sevil Acar, Simay Kizilkaya
Summary: This study investigates the phenomenon of strategic capacity withholding in the Turkish electricity market and its relationship with the capacity remuneration mechanism. The empirical results provide strong evidence of strategic capacity withholding and show that the capacity mechanism contributes to the duration of failures. The study offers important insights for policymakers, including the implementation of a random verification mechanism and restructuring of the capacity mechanism in Turkey.
Article
Economics
Tii N. Nchofoung
Summary: The study finds that oil price shocks have a negative impact on Africa's energy transition, particularly in rural areas and net crude oil exporting countries. However, oil price shocks cannot explain the urban-rural differences in clean energy access. Therefore, increasing investment in clean energy and technologies in rural areas is necessary to enhance the resilience of the energy sector to oil price shocks.
Article
Economics
Najia Saqib, Muhammad Usman, Ilhan Ozturk, Arshian Sharif
Summary: This study examines the impact of environmental technologies, financial growth, and energy use on ecological footprint and green growth. Environmental innovation and renewable energy deployment contribute to green growth, while financial expansion and non-renewable energy use have negative effects on the environment. The study also identifies causal relationships between different factors.
Article
Economics
Yessica C. Y. Chung, Noxolo Kunene, Hung-Hao Chang
Summary: The Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) is considered an innovative technology for building a green society. This study investigates the impact of REC purchases on stock return and volume in Taiwan between 2017 and 2021. The findings suggest that REC purchases have a positive effect on stock returns of manufacturing firms but not service firms. The frequency of REC purchases is also an important factor in the relationship between REC purchase and firm value. Additionally, the study reveals that public attention to environmental pollution plays a crucial role in positive stock returns and volume, while ESG disclosure is negatively associated with returns and volume.
Article
Economics
Seife Ayele, Wei Shen, Yacob Mulugetta, Tadesse Kuma Worako
Summary: This paper addresses the challenges of governing energy procurement from a mix of non-hydropower renewable energy sources supplied by independent producers. Building on political economy analysis and five case studies of independent producer projects from Ethiopia, it seeks to understand the root causes of the protracted delays and limited extent of procurement by independent producers. The key contestations lie in managing long term contracts, risk, uncertainty and in developing the institutional and human capacity to transition.