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In this paper, the performances of two iron-based syngas-fueled chemical looping (SCL) systems for hydrogen (H2) and electricity production, with carbon dioxide (CO2) capture, using different reactor configurations were evaluated and compared. The first investigated system was based on a moving bed reactor configuration (SCL-MB) while the second used a fluidized bed reactor configuration (SCL-FB). Two modes of operation of the SCL systems were considered, namely, the H2 production mode, when H2 was the desired product from the system, and the combustion mode, when only electricity was produced. The SCL systems were modeled and simulated using Aspen Plus software. The results showed that the SCL system based on a moving bed reactor configuration is more efficient than the looping system with a fluidized bed reactor configuration. The H2 production efficiency of the SCL-MB system was 11 % points higher than that achieved in the SCL-FB system (55.1 % compared to 44.0 %). When configured to produce only electricity, the net electrical efficiency of the SCL-MB system was 1.4 % points higher than that of the SCL-FB system (39.9 % compared to 38.5 %). Further, the results showed that the two chemical looping systems could achieve >99 % carbon capture efficiency and emit ~2 kg CO2/MWh, which is significantly lower than the emission rate of conventional coal gasification-based plants for H2 and/or electricity generation with CO2 capture.

Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 116 + (2013) 176-181. doi:10.1016/j.solmat.2013.04.019

ON 16 NOVEMBER 2000, the final report of the World Commission on Dams (WCD) was launched in London, in the presence of South Africa’s former president Nelson Mandela. This represented a remarkable milestone in the history of dam policy and politics. During its two-year existence, WCD had conducted the most extensive review of research and evidence regarding the planning, impacts, and management of large dams. It had engaged with numerous stakeholders around the globe. It also made comprehensive recommendations about how to improve dam planning and management.

Wood biomass is turned into industrial fuel through chipping. The efficiency of chipping depends on many factors, including chipper knife wear. Chipper knife wear was determined through a long-term follow-up study, conducted at a waste wood recycling yard. Knife wear determined a sharp drop of productivity (>20%) and a severe decay in product quality. Dry sharpening with a grinder mitigated this effect, but it could not replace proper wet sharpening. Increasing the frequency of wet sharpening sessions determined a moderate increase of knife depreciation cost, but it could drastically enhance machine performance and reduce biomass processing cost. Since benefits largely exceed costs, increasing the frequency of wet sharpening sessions may be an effective measure for reducing overall chipping cost. If the main goal of a chipper operator is to increase productivity and/or decrease fuel consumption, then managing knife wear should be a primary target. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

With the concept of climate services rapidly climbing research and research-funding agendas worldwide, the time is ripe for a debate about the objectives, scope and content of such services.

The transition to a low carbon future is starting to affect landscapes around the world. In order for this landscape transformation to be sustainable, renewable energy technologies should not cause critical trade-offs between the provision of energy and that of other ecosystem services such as food production. This literature review advances the body of knowledge on sustainable energy transition with special focus on ecosystem services-based approaches and methods. Two key issues emerge from this review: only one sixth of the published applications on the relation between renewable energy and landscape make use of the ecosystem service framework. Secondly, the applications that do address ecosystem services for landscape planning and design lack efficient methods and spatial reference systems that accommodate both cultural and regulating ecosystem services. Future research efforts should be directed to further advancing the spatial reference systems, the use of participatory mapping and landscape visualizations tools for cultural ecosystem services and the elaboration of landscape design principles.

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