In recent years, energy harvesters using pendulum systems have often been applied in ultra-low-frequency environments, such as ocean waves, human motion, and structural vibration. To illustrate the research progress in pendulum-type energy harvesting, a comprehensive review is provided in the present study. Specifically, single- and double-pendulum energy harvesters based on different energy-conversion mechanisms are separately grouped. In addition, different improvement techniques and design schemes used in studies on pendulum energy harvesters are summarized. Theoretical studies have explored the dynamic characteristics of single and double pendulums. Various key aspects, including the fundamental mechanisms, optimization methods, core structures, and applications, to improve the performance of single- and double-pendulum energy harvesters are discussed. Finally, several potential research directions and applications are proposed.

The installed capacity of PVs in the distribution grid is affected not only by network constraints, but also by the economic viability of the related investments. Depending on the market participation models, this is determined critically by the Day Ahead Market (DAM) prices. Increasing RES installations in a country usually results in a long term drop in the market prices and, as a consequence, a reduction in the income of the PVs investors and possible market cannibalization. This paper models the effect of large-scale penetration of PVs on the market prices and identifies the optimal penetration level for the viability of PV projects. The optimal penetration is highly related to the installation of new PVs and this is a parameter for the analysis. Therefore, the paper identifies different penetration costs for the different installation cost. Furthermore, the PV network hosing capacity can be increased by distribution network reinforcements. Therefore, in the paper, the investments... [more]

According to data provided by the International Energy Agency, buildings consume more than one-third of the energy produced globally and represent a major source of carbon dioxide-related emissions [...]

The emergence of new transformational technology, known as the fourth industrial revolution, has crucially opened a new window to green economic growth. The transition to low carbon, green economy, and green sustainability has gained momentum simultaneously in developed and developing countries. The greening policy echoes the pending climate change and its entrenching disruptions. Financial technology, or FinTech seems to be a promising direction in unlocking the green dilemma; to be concrete, FinTech and the green economy are separately documented in the literature. Against this background, the current study investigates the intersection between green economic growth and FinTech by conducting a systematic-cum-bibliometric analysis of published papers in the Scopus database with the goal of first examining the role and opportunities of implementing green FinTech as a stimulus for transition towards green economic growth in African countries and, second, identifying knowledge gaps and f... [more]

From the late 1900s onward, hydrocarbon exploitation has led to severe environmental footprints in the Khuzestan province, Iran. However, no comprehensive study has been conducted to evaluate such issues. In this research, an inclusive analysis was performed to investigate these environmental impacts. To do this, first, two datasets related to a 15-year period (2006−2021) were collated: the satellite data from the Sentinel-1 mission and the seismic data recorded by the National Iranian Geophysics Institute as well as the catalog of the global Centroid Moment Tensor project (CMT). These datasets were processed using generic mapping tools (GMT), differential synthetic aperture radar (D-InSAR) techniques, and multiple processing algorithms using a specific toolbox for oil spill application in the sentinel application platform (SNAP) programming, respectively. The results revealed three critical footprints, including regional earthquakes, land subsidence, and oil spill issues in the area.... [more]

A complex method developed to assess quality within a proposed framework and at a certain scope of measurement for circular economy (CE) quality indicators is presented. This was used to compare three different scenarios for municipal waste management systems: 1—incineration; 2—recycling and reuse of separated municipal waste and the transformation of the organic fraction into biodiesel and bio-coal; and 3—an upgraded Scenario 2 including decreased recycling of waste streams and the bioprocessing of paper/cardboard and processing the non-recycled fraction into bio-diesel, bio-coal, and second-generation biofuel. For the evaluation of the CE quality indicator, a set of technical, environmental, economic, and social elements was selected by a panel of experts, who also assigned them a qualitative assessment and weighting on the basis of the factors identified. The calculated Relative Increase in the CE indicator for the scenarios analyzed showed that Scenarios 3 and 2 are much more benef... [more]

With an expected annual increase of 1.2%, the industrial sector already consumes over 54% of all the energy generated globally. The majority of industrial sectors presently relies on fossil fuels to fulfil their needs for heat energy, but renewable sources, especially solar energy, can be substituted for them. For an underdeveloped country such as Pakistan, its industrial sector is important for the country’s economic development and long-term growth. The use of solar thermal energy potentially offers a significant and cheap alternative to fossil fuels. The current study focuses on a process heating system based on flat-plate solar collectors, developed to provide low to moderate temperature process heat. The innovative model’s thermal efficiency and economic feasibility have undergone a thorough investigation and analysis through TRNSYS simulations. The system portrayed a 79% thermal energy efficiency and 4.31% exergy efficiency during peak hours. The optimized system for three differ... [more]

Over the years, anaerobic digestion (AD) has evolved as a competent technology to retrieve energy potential from various organic substrates, including wastewater. However, the energy metabolisms of anaerobic microorganisms, biochemical reactions, and biogas production are affected by various parameters, including heavy metals. It is important to understand the interaction of heavy metals with anaerobes and their potential influence on the process to enhance energy potential. This review methodically outlines the occurrence and role of heavy metals in the AD process. Additionally, the repercussions of the most common heavy metals (i.e., Cu, Zn, Cd, Fe, and Ni) on each stage of AD (i.e., hydrolysis, acidogenesis, and methanogenesis) have been discussed. We found that traces of heavy metals can endorse anaerobic digestion, but inhibition increases with increasing concentration. Methanogenic archaea are more susceptible to heavy metal inhibition than hydrolytic and acidogenic archaea. An i... [more]

In agricultural production, it is important to determine where input usage saving can be implemented by taking energy use into consideration and to analyze the greenhouse gas emissions of agricultural activities. This study has been conducted to review orange (Citrus sinensis L.) production in terms of energy balance and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study was carried out during the 2015/2016 production season in Adana, a province in Turkey. Energy balance and GHG emissions have been defined by calculating the inputs and outputs of agricultural nature used in orange production. The findings of the study indicate that the distribution of energy inputs in orange production are 11,880 MJ ha−1 (34.10%) of electricity, 10,079.75 MJ ha−1 (28.93%) of chemical fertilizer energy, 7630 MJ ha−1 (21.90%) of chemical energy, 3052 MJ ha−1 (8.76%) of diesel fuel energy, 1348.91 MJ ha−1 (3.87%) of human labor energy, 378 MJ ha−1 (1.09%) of irrigation water energy, 351.22 MJ ha−1 (1.01%) of mach... [more]

This paper assesses the use of gas from a landfill located in Kiełcz for energy purposes, considering energy, environmental and socioeconomic aspects. The literature review contains information on waste management methods in various regions of the world and the legal acts regulating them. The reference was also made to the methods of degassing landfills and the methods of reducing pollutants from this process. The research methodology describes, among other things, the method of measuring exhaust gas quality and temperature or gas composition. This section also presents the catalyst that was used as a reducer of flue gas emissions. The use of a catalyst in the flue gas duct allowed for the reduction in CO emissions by 85%, NOX by 53%, SO2 by 95%, and PM by 82%. For the socio-economic analysis, formulas and quantities were given that allow for the parameterization of profits. Three leading indicators were selected, i.e., the impact of the energy produced on the producer, the reduction i... [more]

The global renewable energy landscape is changing rapidly. Green energies reduce greenhouse gas emissions, diversify the energy supply, and lower dependence on volatile and uncertain fossil fuel markets. The future looks promising for green energy sources, which are taking on an increasingly important role, especially in the current context, as governments are trying to identify viable solutions to the energy crisis and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Worldwide, there is a growing interest in and support for green energy sources, a factor that could help accelerate the current energy transition. Despite these positive developments, much remains to be done globally to make the energy transition a reality. In this respect, the European Union member states have committed to a wide neutrality target by establishing an increase in the total share of energy from renewable sources to 55% (by 2030) and, at the same time, reducing the net greenhouse gas effect emissions by at least 55% until... [more]

As one of the most promising thermal management solutions, spray cooling has the advantages of high heat-transfer coefficient and maintaining a low temperature of the cooling surface. By summarizing the influential factors and practical applications of spray cooling, the current challenges and bottlenecks were indicated so as to prompt its potential applications in the future. Firstly, this paper reviewed the heat-transfer mechanism of spray cooling and found that spray cooling is more advantageous for heat dissipation in high-power electronic devices by comparing it with other cooling techniques. Secondly, the latest experimental studies on spray cooling were reviewed in detail, especially the effects of spray parameters, types of working fluid, surface modification, and environmental parameters on the performance of cooling system. Afterwards, the configuration and design of the spray cooling system, as well as its applications in the actual industry (data centers, hybrid electric ve... [more]

The paper presents an innovated method for territorial zoning and its implementation in the territory of the Zdíkovský stream catchment area. The basis for projecting is ananthropo-ecological approach to the territory and the proposition of determining the new GES (geo-ecological units). Four essential territorial zones differing by anthropo-ecological burden and the degree of protection are suggested. A procedure for determining ecocritical lines (situations) in the territory, their regime, and possible solutions is suggested in the spirit of sustainability for future generations. The formulae and procedure for calculating the CES (coefficient of ecological stability) or ZSES (essential degrees of ecological stability), which divide the tested territory into appropriate zones, are also suggested. A comparison of zoning prior to 1989 and following was carried out, and it was proven that the significant presence of agricultural and forest subsystems in the territory with the extensive f... [more]

The Tanshan area is located in the southern section of the west margin of the Ordos basin. The Middle Jurassic Yan’an Formation is relatively thick and rich in coal and oil shale layers, having positive potential for energy development. In order to explore the sedimentary environment of oil shale and the controlling factors of organic matter accumulation, 18 oil shale samples collected from two boreholes (Guyou-3 and Guyou-4) in the Tanshan area were selected as the research objects, and organic geochemical and elemental geochemical tests were carried out systematically. The results show that oil shales have the characteristics of medium oil content, medium ash, high calorific value, low sulfur and low maturity stage, which constitutes good hydrocarbon generation potential. The organic matter is mainly humic type, resulting from terrigenous debris and higher plant debris. The indictors of C-value (mean 81.90), Th/U ratio (mean 3.44), CaO/(MgO·Al2 O3) ratio (mean 0.07), δEu (mean 0.71),... [more]

The energy industry has a major impact on the sustainability level of global economies, from job creation to resource efficiency and environmental impact. The aim of our study was to examine the phenomenon of energy production and its main determinants in 37 European economies during the period of 2011−2021. The methodological approach entailed the use of the panel first-difference generalized method of moments (GMM). The empirical results show that the relationship between energy production and predictors such as imports, energy prices, energy productivity, and energy efficiency was monotonic. At the same time, our results indicate a relationship between energy supply and energy production, imports, productivity, and prices. Moreover, energy production depends significantly on the energy productivity, primary energy consumption, and energy imports.

The use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the transportation sector is increasing, and boil-off gas (BOG) management systems are considered viable options to increase economic efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions at LNG refueling stations. The present study proposed an economically optimized method by investigating four refueling station scenarios, including different BOG management systems. Among the four scenarios, the scenario in which compressed natural gas was produced from BOG had the lowest minimum selling price (MSP) and was the most economical. Sensitivity and uncertainty analyses were conducted for the economically optimal scenario, which identified the factors with the most influential impact and their uncertainties on the MSP. Finally, to determine the feasibility of the business through profitability analysis, the net present value, discounted payback period, and present value ratio due to changes in the discount rate were presented, and the discounted cash flow... [more]

Aluminum AA5052 is an inexpensive and lightweight metal that has been used in a variety of applications, including the Bipolar Plate in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (BPs PEMFC). The alloy has good electrical conductivity and low corrosion. Corrosion rate (CR) increases during PEMFC operation with increasing temperature. Inorganic dyes, such as chromate, are commonly used to reduce metal corrosion. Unfortunately, they are toxic and have a negative impact on the environment. Chitosan, which is a green, cheap, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly organic solvent, can be used to solve this problem. Electrophoretic Deposition (EPD) technique was used to coated the surface of AA5052 with chitosan. CR was measured using electrochemical and weight loss methods (in 0.5 M H2SO4). The best research results are as follows. The lowest CR values were obtained at the EPD time of 20 min at a chitosan concentration of 0.5% wt. The results of the study using the weight loss method indicated th... [more]

This review is devoted to an overview of the prospects for the development of the global hydrogen market and the strategies of individual countries aimed at transforming energy systems in favor of decarbonization and greening through the use of hydrogen. Special attention is paid to the prospects for the development of the Russian hydrogen market. The authors of the review used the method of comparative analysis and analytical generalization of publications, programs and regulatory documents from different countries. The results of the comparative analysis led to the conclusion that most of the publications currently focus on the technical and technological aspects of hydrogen energy, solving the problem of increasing the efficiency of methods for the production, transportation, distribution and storage of hydrogen fuel. The results of the analytical generalization led to the conclusion that in all countries of the world, the technology for the production of highly environmentally frie... [more]

Rock mass has typical pore structure, and the induced coupling effects of fluid and solid matrix appear in the disaster evolution process of deep energy exploitation and overground rock hydration. As a representative case, influenced by the water absorption environment, the surrounding rock and murals of Mogao Grottoes produce hydration diseases, which may be related to unclear interaction mechanisms between the surrounding rock and water. In this study, the self-developed physical experimental system for real-time experimental monitoring was applied to test the water absorption evolution behaviors of sandstone. The experimental results showed that the water evaporation of the rock sample during the process of water absorption could be measured through this well-designed physical experimental system, and the actual water absorption of the rock sample is the difference between the decrease of water in the water storage bucket, measured by the balance and the water evaporation in the pro... [more]

There have been consequences regarding the increment of the greenhouse effect, such as the rise in the planet’s global temperature, and climate change. Refrigerants have an important contribution to the aforementioned environmental impact. In particular, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) contribute to the destruction of the ozone layer and the increase of the greenhouse effect. Protocols, international agreements, and legislation were developed to slow down the emission of greenhouse gases. Prohibition and definition of deadlines for the gradual elimination of various refrigerants have been proposed to replace them with others that are environmentally sustainable. Soon, the refrigeration sector will have to replace some refrigerants with others that are alternative and/or sustainable with minimal or zero environmental impact. A computational tool to support decision-making regarding the selection of alternative and/or sustainable refrigerant to replace the old one is developed to be used by re... [more]

The energy sector plays a crucial role in addressing the global challenges of achieving sustainability by using renewable energy sources as well as by increasing energy efficiency and conservation while gaining energy security and safety. Choosing an appropriate research method to investigate the energy sector’s management has become more complex, involving multiple factors such as technical, environmental, social, political and economic. Additionally, considering the important role of energy in modern society, it is imperative to study the current methods used in examining the energy sector and to create an appropriate theory of the managing energy sector enterprises in the future. The main purpose of this review paper is to explore which research methods and approaches are utilized by researchers studying the issues of the managing energy sector enterprises. This article presents a systematic review based on a qualitative synthesis of the accessible publications from the Scopus datab... [more]

The environmental regulations−ecological footprint nexus is occupying an important space in the current debate of energy economics. As a counter measure to environmental degradation, implementing environmental regulations remains on the agenda of scholars and policymakers alike, but whether these regulations have a reducing impact on the ecological footprint remains open since the literature on the topic, and empirical evidence, remains fragmented and dissimilar. The current approach aimed to investigate this for five member countries of the Union for the Mediterranean with panel data econometric techniques. Panel data from France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Türkiye were considered for 1992−2015 and were tested for cross-sectional dependence, unit roots, and cointegration. Panel fixed effect regression estimations were conducted, also with Newey-West and Driscoll-Kraay standard errors. In addition, a country-level analysis was conducted by using fully modified ordinary least squares e... [more]

Technologies that use renewable energy sources (RES) are crucial to achieving decarbonization goals, but a significant number of studies show their relatively high environmental impact during the production phase. Therefore, technologies need to be compared in terms of their life-cycle environmental impact. The life cycle analysis (LCA) methodology is well known and widely employed. However, problems related to the methodological choices prevent taking full advantage of the LCA, as the results of numerous studies are often incomparable. The presented review aims to critically compare the impact of different energy generation technologies—RES (as well as non-RES) energy generators and co-generators. The numeric results are structured and analyzed in terms of the global warming potential (GWP) and non-RES primary energy consumption. The results show that RES technologies are superior compared to conventional fossil-fuel-based systems in most cases, and the high impact during the producti... [more]

Supercritical geothermal resources are in the preliminary exploration stage as a new type of clean energy and there are no practical utilization projects. The IDDP-2 well at Reykjanes geothermal field in Iceland encountered supercritical geothermal conditions in 2017, with a maximum temperature of 535 °C. The system is still in the field experiment stage and no exploitation work has been carried out. Hence, a hypothetical doublet geothermal system was simulated based on IDDP-2 to study the power generation potential and favorable operating conditions for future development of supercritical geothermal resources. A multiphase flow model is established to predict the fluid and heat flow characteristics. Furthermore, sensitivity and economic analyses were performed to evaluate the expected commercial and environmental benefits of the supercritical geothermal system. The results show that the system’s evolution could be briefly divided into three stages according to the temperature variatio... [more]

Consistent accumulation of petroleum hydrocarbon (PH) in soil and sediments is a big concern and, thus, warrants a static technology to continuously remediate PH-contaminated soil. Bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) can offer the desired solution using the inimitable metabolic response of electroactive microbes without involving a physiochemical process. To date, a wide range of BES-based applications for PH bioremediations under different environmental conditions is readily available in the literature. Here, the latest development trend in BESs for PH bioremediation is critically analyzed and discussed. The reactor design and operational factors that affect the performance of BESs and their strategic manipulations such as designing novel reactors to improve anodic reactions, enhancing soil physiology (electrical conductivity, mass diffusion, hydraulic conductivity), electrode modifications, operational conditions, microbial communities, etc., are elaborated to fortify the understanding... [more]