There are different standards and regulations outlining the requirements regarding building air quality as well as in nurseries. These requirements specify air stream supplies and carbon dioxide concentration levels, both of which ensure proper indoor air quality. Mechanical ventilation should be used to maintain acceptable carbon dioxide levels. This article analyses the use of ventilation equipped with decentralized units, which helps secure the well-being of children. This paper proposes and evaluates economically affordable ventilation units. An algorithm for selecting the size of the devices is described by the supplied air stream depending on the number of children present at the nursery. A method of transferring the investment costs related to the assembly of the given units to the parents is proposed. Air quality in terms of CO2 concentrations was based on the following levels: 750 ppm, 1000 ppm, 1500 ppm. This assessment also includes the investment costs resulting from device... [more]

Air pollution is one of the important environmental problems in Poland. The main cause of its occurrence is emissions associated with individual heating of buildings. The reduction of the primary energy demand in a building is influenced by its proper thermal modernization, including in particular insulating. In view of the above, this article presents the results of studies on the possible environmental benefits of thermal modernization of single-family houses for the area of Southern Poland. The analysis was limited to determining the impact of measures to reduce air pollution emissions by insulating the building envelope of single-family houses. The research was conducted for two voivodeships: Śląskie and Małopolskie. Its aim is to identify the financial costs and achievable ecological effects of the thermal modernization of single-family buildings. The geographical selection of the research area was based on the fact that it covers the most polluted region in Poland. This region is... [more]

This paper aims to review one of the least used, but no less important, approaches in the assessment of the environmental implications of electricity generation: the Economic Input-Output Life Cycle Assessment (EIO-LCA). This methodology is a top-down approach intertwined with the environmental satellite accounts provided by the national statistical office. Through the use of economic input-output (IO) tables and industrial sector-level environmental and energy data, the EIO-LCA analysis allows for broad impact coverage of all sectors directly and indirectly involved with electricity generation. In this study, a brief overview of this methodology and the corresponding assumptions is presented, as well as an updated review of the different applications of the EIO-LCA approach in electricity generation, suggesting a possible classification of the many studies developed in this context. The different ways of overcoming the problem of disaggregation in the electricity sector are also addre... [more]

The building sector has traditionally accounted for about 40% of global energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, as compared to other end-use sectors. Due to this fact, as part of the global effort towards decarbonization, significant resources have been placed on the development of technologies, such as active buildings, in an attempt to achieve reductions in the respective CO2 emissions. Given the uncertainty around the future level of the corresponding CO2 emissions, this work presents an approach based on machine learning to generate forecasts until the year 2050. Several algorithms, such as linear regression, ARIMA, and shallow and deep neural networks, can be used with this approach. In this context, forecasts are produced for different regions across the world, including Brazil, India, China, South Africa, the United States, Great Britain, the world average, and the European Union. Finally, an extensive sensitivity analysis on hyperparameter values as well as the applicati... [more]

As the world becomes more concerned about carbon emissions, the Chinese government, which is a large contributor to carbon emissions, has also begun to pay attention to the issue of carbon emissions. Environmental regulatory policies have been implemented to improve the environment, but are these policies really conducive to improving firms’ eco-innovation performance? This paper empirically investigates the relationship between environmental regulation policies and firms’ eco-innovation performance in China and finds that: firstly, environmental regulation in China is inadequate and that manufacturing eco-innovation performance is generally low; secondly, there is a U-shaped relationship between environmental regulation policies and firms’ eco-innovation performance; thirdly, there is significant industry and regional heterogeneity in the induced effects of environmental regulation tools; and fourthly, there is a mediating effect of industrial agglomeration on the promotion of firms’... [more]

An experiment was conducted to test the optical efficiency of the lenses of the Concentrating Photovoltaic Glazing (CoPVG) concept. The CoPVG is a seasonal glazing system consisting of longitudinal prismatic lenses. The lenses concentrate sunlight onto the focus where Photovoltaic (PV) cells are bonded, generating electricity while simultaneously preventing excessive glare indoors during summer. The system transmits sunlight for daylight purposes in winter. The experimental results were compared with an analytical model developed at Ulster University. Although there were discrepancies between the model and the experimental results, the model can still predict the optical performance of the lenses reliably, and can therefore still provide an overview of the concept’s optical performance. The model was then used to create a visual representation of the glazing’s annual optical performance, demonstrating how the glazing responds to changes in the sun’s position in the sky throughout the y... [more]

In this paper, the optimal design of a hybrid energy system (HES), consisting of photovoltaic technology integrated with fuel cells (HPV/FC) and relying on hydrogen storage, is performed to meet the annual demand of a residential complex to find the minimum total net present cost (TNPC), while observing the reliability constraint as the energy-not-supplied probability (ENSP) and considering real meteorological data of the Kuala Lumpur city in Malaysia. The decision variables include the size of system components, which are optimally determined by an improved artificial ecosystem-based optimization algorithm (IAEO). The conventional AEO is improved using the dynamic lens-imaging learning strategy (DLILS) to prevent premature convergence. The results demonstrated that the decrease (increase) of the reliability constraint leads to an increase (decrease) in the TNPC, as well as the cost of electricity (COE). For a maximum reliability constraint of 5%, the results show that the TNPC and COE... [more]

A countermeasure to global warming is removing high CO2 amounts from the atmosphere and locating the emitted CO2 into long-term stable carbon storage sites. The sequestration technologies must be reliable, long-lasting, and environmentally friendly. An alternative and innovative approach that may meet the sequestration requirements is CO2 storage as clathrate hydrates in marine environments. Extensive research has been devoted to CO2-CH4 replacement in natural gas hydrates. Another option is the direct formation of CO2 hydrates into deep ocean water or into marine underfloor sediments. This article deals with the positioning of direct hydrate-based CO2 storage among the other traditional geological options and the discussion of new, by-far, state-of-the-art knowledge required for the development of a hydrate-based CO2 storage pathway that is reliable, stable, durable, efficient, and environmentally benign.

Policymakers and environmental scientists have proposed numerous measures toward achieving a sustainable environment. Some of these measures include the efficient use of energy and a clean energy transition. This study empirically investigates the role of non-renewable energy efficiency and renewable energy utilization in driving environmental sustainability in India over the period from 1965 to 2018. Using the approach of the Dynamic Autoregressive Distributed Lag (DyARDL) simulations, the empirical evidence shows that non-renewable energy efficiency and renewable energy utilization promote environmental sustainability through an increase in the load capacity factor. The effects of financial development and trade impede environmental sustainability through a decrease in the load capacity factor. The results further show that the relationship between income and load capacity factor is characterized by an inverted U-shape. This suggests that the load capability curve (LCC) hypothesis is... [more]

With the development of urban underground space and increased infrastructure functions, both the scale of engineering construction and engineering difficulties have increased globally. In the construction of structures in soft strata, especially in coastal areas, the limited bearing capacity of the foundations poses a significant challenge. The composite pile technologies employing an organic combination of the rigid pile andthe flexible column can enable efficient soft ground treatment. In light of prominent global environmental issues, low-carbon energy-saving curing technologies have been rapidly developed for application in geotechnical engineering. This paper discusses progress in research on the mechanical properties of the efficient and low-carbon pile technologies, including the stiffened deep mixing (SDM) column, squeezed branch pile, pre-bored grouting plated nodular (PGPN) pile, precast cement pile reinforced by cemented soil with a variable section (PCCV), and carbonized co... [more]

Electric vehicle (EV) batteries, i.e., currently almost exclusively lithium-ion batteries, are removed from the vehicle once they no longer meet certain requirements. However, instead of being disposed of or recycled, the removed batteries can be used in another, less demanding application, giving them a “second life”. Research in the field of second-life batteries (SLBs) is still at an early stage and, to better understand the “second life” concept and the related challenges, potential second-life applications need to be identified first. Using a detailed study of the scientific literature and an interview with field experts, a list of potential second-life applications was drafted. Afterwards, a technical, economic, and legal evaluation was conducted to identify the most promising options. The findings of this research consisted of the identification of 65 different mobile, semi-stationary and stationary second-life applications; the applications selected as most promising are automa... [more]

Sustainable development requires a holistic approach to natural resources and ecosystems to avoid their degradation. Cooling water—water used for cooling in industrial or manufacturing processes and then returned at elevated temperature to a local river or lake—is a common cause of thermal pollution. The purpose of the analysis was to assess how much cooling water is currently abstracted to generate electricity in Poland, what the dynamics of this abstraction in the last 20 years (2000−2019) were, and to what extent this abstraction affects the available freshwater resources in the country and in individual river basins. Moreover, the latest plans for the development of the electricity sector in Poland were analyzed to determine how the implementation of these plans may affect cooling water abstractions and the condition of Poland’s freshwater resources. Trend analysis was performed in order to assess the strength of linear trends in the studied time series. The results show that in Po... [more]

A tremendous amount of fossil fuel is utilized to meet the rising trend in the world’s energy demand, leading to the rising level of CO2 in the atmosphere and ultimately contributing to the greenhouse effect. Numerous CO2 mitigation strategies have been used to reverse this upward trend since large-scale decarbonization is still impractical. For multiple reasons, one of the optimal and available solutions is the usage of old depleted oil and gas reservoirs as objects for prospective CO2 utilization. The methods used in CO2 underground storage are similar to those used in oil exploration and production. However, the process of CO2 storage requires detailed studies conducted experimentally and numerically. The main goal of this paper is to present an overview of the existing laboratory studies, engineering and modeling practices, and sample case studies related to the CCS in oil and gas reservoirs. The paper covers geological CO2 storage technologies and discusses knowledge gaps and pote... [more]

This study aims to present the processes and mechanisms of creating smart city ecosystems by examining the complex strategic choices and interactions among stakeholders operating at different levels of governance and engagement. Based on the literature review and in-depth analyses of a case study (Lublin, Eastern Poland), we demonstrate that the implementation of tailored strategic thinking using adaptation to global trends, exploitation of development potentials and niches, and stakeholders’ involvement allows for coordination and mobilization of development processes leading to the creation of effective smart city ecosystems. In line with the defined smart city challenges, with the application of a three-stage research program, we create an implementable Smart City Ecosystem Model (SCEM). The contributions of the study are as follows: (1) it provides new insights into smart governance, leadership in creating a sustainable and human smart city; (2) it analyzes strategic choices in the... [more]

This study looks at the short- and long-term effects of fossil fuels, renewable energy, and nuclear energy on CO2 emissions in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries from 1982 to 2021. We assess the impacts of SAARC’s current and anticipated use of nuclear, fossil, and alternative energies by testing the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis. The study applied the second-generation unit root test, cointegration test, and the newly introduced AMG technique to handle the presence of cross-sectional dependence. The results indicate that EKC does not hold in SAARC, and a U-shaped quadratic link exists between GDP and environmental pollution. The findings also reveal that the environmental pollution in the SAARC is caused by fossil fuel, whereas using renewable (REN) and nuclear energy can cut long-term pollution. While renewable energy is critical to minimizing environmental deterioration in SAARC, empirical findings also show that more than rising na... [more]

Sustained casing pressure (SCP) is a common problem during an entire life span of oil and gas wells. When conventional methods are deployed to resolve the issue, the methods seem to have some setbacks by being unable to seal microcracks in the wellbores. A new solid-free resin sealant was developed by increasing the amount of active hydrogen in the curing agent. This low-temperature cure results in low viscosity, excellent mechanical properties, and chemical stability. The experimental results show that the resin sealant can be used at temperatures ranging from 20 to 50 °C, and the curing time can be controlled within 0.25 to 20 h by increasing the curing agent content. The viscosity of the resin is reduced from 35.7 Pa·s to less than 0.065 Pa·s with the addition of the viscosity reducer, which can greatly promote resin penetration into the microcracks of the cement sheath. After 24 h of curing, the compressive strength can reach 55 Mpa, which is significantly higher than conventional... [more]

Environment control systems in broiler houses utilize non-renewable electricity and fuels as energy sources, contributing to the increase in greenhouse gases, while not providing optimal conditions. The heat pump (HP) is an energy-efficient technology that can continuously regulate the indoor temperature and relative humidity by combining different operation modes (heating, cooling, and dehumidifying). The current study presents an analytical numerical model developed in Simulink, capable of simulating the thermal loads of a broiler house and the dynamic operation of three heat pumps to cover its needs. Outdoor climatic conditions and broilers’ heat production are used as inputs, while all the heat exchange mechanisms with the external environment are considered. The study investigates the energy use and performance of each HP mode under different environmental conditions. A total of 7 different production periods (PPs) are simulated for a 10,000-broiler house in northern Greece, showi... [more]

Dramatic climate change has been well-observed for several years, mainly due to the effects of pollution caused by the burning of fossil fuels [...]

The concept of “oil to electricity” is crucial for expanding the share of electricity in final energy consumption as well as for encouraging energy efficiency and emission reduction. Initially, a multidimensional strategy analysis is conducted for the government, ports, and ships concerned. From an economics perspective, a mathematical model of electricity substitution benefit analysis based on multiagent cooperative game theory under cap and trade and carbon tax policies is constructed, and the effect of carbon emissions caused by ships on the environment and society is converted into economic value. How several variables, such as transformation costs, ship electricity consumption, subsidy rates, carbon tax prices, and the ratio of shore power usage time to berthing time, affect the functioning of shore power is analyzed. The best electricity price under various circumstances is determined while considering the benefits of the three parties to maximize social welfare. The reduction in... [more]

Wastewater has high potential as an energy source. Therefore, it is important to recover even the smallest part of this energy, e.g., in microbial fuel cells (MFCs). The obtained electricity production depends on the process rate of the electrodes. In MFC, the microorganisms are the catalyst, and the cathode is usually made of carbon material (e.g., with the addition of Pt). To increase the MFC efficiency (and reduce costs by reducing use of the noble metals), it is necessary to search the new cathode materials. In this work, the electricity production from yeast wastewater in membrane-less microbial fuel cells with Cu-Ag cathode was analyzed. In the first place, the measurements of the stationary potential of the electrodes (with Cu-Ag catalyst obtained by the electrochemical deposition technique) were performed. Because the cathode is constantly oxidized during the operation of ML-MFC, it was necessary to pre-oxidize the cathodes. Without pre-oxidation, there is a risk of changing th... [more]

Green development and the high-quality economic growth model have replaced the extensive growth model in an effort to reduce the large amounts of energy consumption and pollution emissions. Green total factor productivity has become an important indicator to more accurately measure the quality of economic growth. Transportation infrastructure is a fundamental component that may effectively integrate regional resources, increase regional cooperation, and encourage the sensible use of resources, and is a key factor in increasing productivity. At present, transportation infrastructure should focus on the speed of construction and the quality level, expand the radiation range of the transportation system, improve the service level of transportation facilities, and promote the spatial coordination between transportation facilities and resources and the environment in each province. Therefore, it is of great significance to study the spatial effect of the transport infrastructure on green to... [more]

Owing to residual biomass availability, the share of advanced biofuels produced from secondary biomass is forecasted to increase and significantly contribute towards achieving net-zero emissions. The current work investigates bio-methanol production through a new process configuration designed to improve the environmental performance when compared to the state-of-the art technologies (Base Case). The environmental evaluation is conducted according to the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology. ReCiPe was employed as an impact assessment method with the aid of GaBi software. Depending on the plant geographical location, wooden biomass and exhausted olive pomace were evaluated as biomass sources. A scenario analysis targeting different energy sources was performed as well. The outcome of the environmental evaluation highlights a better performance in eight of a total of nine impact categories studied in the wooden biomass scenarios compared to the exhausted olive pomace. Moreover, two o... [more]

The technical supply potential of biomass and the associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are widely studied in the literature. However, relatively few studies have examined the role of biomass co-firing for future electricity in China by integratedly considering the economic supply potential and GHG effects. To fill this gap, we choose the Jiangsu Province in China as a case study and build up a partial equilibrium model with multiple agricultural commodities. Using this model combined with a life cycle assessment, we jointly determine the economic potential of the biomass supply for a biomass co-firing purpose and social benefits, including the agricultural producers’ surplus and GHG mitigation potential. The simulation incorporates the county-level biomass market of various crop residues as well as endogenous crop prices and transportation costs. We find that 0.7−12.5 M MT of residue-based biomass are economically viable for co-firing in coal-based power plants (up to 20%) at biom... [more]

Decarbonization of the aviation sector relies on deployment of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) at commercial scale. Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) has been recognized as a promising technology to help supply the increasing projected SAF demand. High availability of agro-industrial residues, combined with a well-established biorefinery system, makes the sugarcane industry in Brazil a good option for HTL technology deployment. Moreover, challenges regarding the economic feasibility of SAF from HTL could be partially addressed by the RenovaBio policy, a market-driven incentive mechanism of carbon credits implemented in Brazil. This study investigated both the techno-economic and life cycle assessment of SAF production from sugarcane lignocellulosic residues, considering HTL integrated to a first-generation ethanol distillery and a HTL stand-alone facility. The evaluated scenarios showed great climate mitigation potential, reaching a reduction of up to 73−82% when compared to fossil jet... [more]

Cities need to make themselves energy self-sufficient by exploiting renewable sources and, above all, to evaluate the potential and constraints that each city can express by virtue of its own characteristics. This study focused on how the realisation of a renewable energy community could be approached in urbanised contexts. The methodology involved the selection of three case studies in Rome analysing the feasibility, programming and design scale, and the implications of planning RECs. Through simulation at three levels of detail, this study identifies elements to assess the feasibility of RECs and to elaborate scenarios to support their planning and dimensioning. The practical importance is to identify a possible methodological path and relevant factors which public or private stakeholders can consider at different levels in setting up RECs in an urban context. The research conclusions of these simulations point out that the specificities of a context affect many factors, among which... [more]