• Energy Research
• 2016-2025close
• 7. Clean energy close
• 11. Sustainability close
• 15. Life on land close
• 2. Zero hunger close
• DE close
• CD close

Facile sol–gel synthesis of Mo:BiVO4 thin films with optimized morphology results in reduced surface recombination and enhanced hole transfer efficiency.

Abstract The price effect of the rising share of renewable electricity, which is called ‘merit-order-effect’, leads to noticeable changes in the German power industry and debates about the electricity market design. This paper estimates the merit-order-effect induced by variable renewable energy in the German-Austrian electricity sector with a multivariate regression model. The research focus lies on the impact of the estimated effects on the marketability of variable renewable electricity generation. The results show a systematic decline of the average market revenues for wind and photovoltaic plants in the period from January 2011 to December 2013. Current market data shows a continuation of this trend into 2016. According to the German long term goals for the use of renewables, wind and solar power will play a crucial role in the future electricity generation mix. If investments in these technologies will be profitable without any regulatory remuneration mechanisms in addition to the market revenues, depends on the further cost degression and the development of the merit-order-effect.

Lithium-ion batteries exhibit a dynamic voltage behaviour depending nonlinearly on current and state of charge. The modelling of lithium-ion batteries is therefore complicated and model parametrisation is often time demanding. Grey-box models combine physical and data-driven modelling to benefit from their respective advantages. Neural ordinary differential equations (NODEs) offer new possibilities for grey-box modelling. Differential equations given by physical laws and NODEs can be combined in a single modelling framework. Here we demonstrate the use of NODEs for grey-box modelling of lithium-ion batteries. A simple equivalent circuit model serves as a basis and represents the physical part of the model. The voltage drop over the resistor–capacitor circuit, including its dependency on current and state of charge, is implemented as a NODE. After training, the grey-box model shows good agreement with experimental full-cycle data and pulse tests on a lithium iron phosphate cell. We test the model against two dynamic load profiles: one consisting of half cycles and one dynamic load profile representing a home-storage system. The dynamic response of the battery is well captured by the model.

Abstract Electricity markets in Europe become increasingly interconnected due to new grid connections and market coupling regulations. This paper examines the interdependencies between the Swiss electricity market and those of neighbouring countries. The Swiss market serves as a good example for a smaller electricity market which is increasingly affected by developments in the large neighbouring countries. To study these cross-border effects, especially those on Swiss electricity prices, we apply two different methodologies, an econometric and a Nash-Cournot equilibrium model. The analyses show that the Swiss electricity price correlates strongly with the German electricity price in the summer, but tends to follow the French electricity price in the winter. Another finding is that gas prices and the electricity load of neighbouring countries have a significant influence on prices. In particular, the load of France and Italy is driving up Swiss prices in the winter, while the German electricity demand and renewable energy generation have a larger influence on Swiss prices in the summer.

This article makes the central argument that basic democratic values such as justice, autonomy and participation run the risk of being neglected when designing ‘nudges’ (i.e., indirect suggestions to influence individual behaviour) for sustainable behaviour change in the context of food governance, potentially complicating a democratisation of the food system. ‘Nudges’ uphold freedom of choice while simultaneously advocating a non-coercive soft force of paternalism to help people realise their preferences, maximise societal well-being and meet macro-sustainability goals. While the promises of the ‘nudge’ approach are widely echoed, nudging is also being contested because of its possible anti-democratic effects, such as individualisation, depoliticization and the emphasis of the status of citizens as ‘consumer-citizens.’ From a food democracy perspective, these dangers may undermine efforts to organise collective political action and impede alternative visions of a future food system. Empirically, the article examines specifically how behavioural-economic approaches imagine transitions to a more sustainable food system. By using the “COOP Supermarket of the Future” as a case study, the following analysis will illustrate how private actors are increasingly involved in steering consumer choice towards socially desirable actions. The analysis suggests that the design of choice environments may under specific circumstances increase the susceptibility of individuals to the influence of corporate preferences and simultaneously decrease the prospects for democratic legitimation and decision-making. The article therefore critically assesses whether reforming the food system by altering consumers’ choice-sets and the attribution of personal responsibility, may in fact point towards implicit anti-democratic tenets underlying the ‘will to nudge’ citizens.

Since the invention of fluorescent light sources, there is strong interest in Eu3+ activated phosphors as they are able to provide a high color rendering index (CRI) and luminous efficacy, which will also hold for phosphor converted light emitting diodes. Due to an efficient U6+ to Eu3+ energy transfer in Gd3Li3Te2O12:U6+,Eu3+, this inorganic composition shows red photoluminescence peaking at 611 nm. That means Eu3+ photoluminescence can be nicely sensitized via excitation into the U6+ excitation bands. Therefore, photoluminescence properties, such as temperature dependent emission and emission lifetime measurements, are presented. Charge transfer bands were investigated in detail. Additionally, density functional theory calculations reveal the band structure of the pure, i.e., non-doped host material. Obtained theoretical results were evaluated experimentally by the aid of diffuse UV reflectance spectroscopy.

Исследование ландшафтов всегда было традиционным научным направлением географии. В России подобная направленность исследований остаётся актуальной, несмотря на то, что термины «геоэкология» и «ландшафтная экология» сегодня более распространены в англоязычном научном сообществе. Наш краткий обзор показывает значительное ускорение антропогенных ландшафтных изменений в Европе, Центральной Азии и азиатской части России за последние пять десятилетий. Ландшафтные исследования в антропоцене должны быть направлены на достижение и сохранение устойчивости ландшафта при его высокой производительности, что включает в себя прекращение деградации ландшафтов, развитие культурных и сохранение природных ландшафтов. Чистая вода и чистый воздух, плодородные и здоровые почвы для производства продуктов питания и других экосистемных услуг, а также биологически разнообразная зеленая среда являются атрибутами ландшафтов, обеспечивающих выживание и благополучие населения. Дисциплинарные и междисциплинарные исследования должны генерировать знания, инновации и правила принятия действенных решений. Генерация знаний в глобализованном мире основана на сборе больших массивов данных и моделировании сценариев. Международные длительные полевые опыты и системы агроэкологического мониторинга будут предоставлять данные для экосистемных моделей и систем поддержки принимаемых решений. Landscape research has been a traditional scientific discipline of geography. This is still the case in Russia, whilst the terms geo-ecology and landscape ecology have become established in the English speaking scientific community. Our short review reveals huge and accelerating anthropogenic landscape transformations in Europe, Central Asia and Asian Russia since the end the 1960s. Landscape research in the Anthropocene has to focus on achieving landscape sustainability at high productivity. This includes halting landscape degradation, developing cultural landscapes, and maintaining semi-natural landscapes. Clean water and air, fertile and healthy soils for food and other ecosystem services and a green and bio-diverse environment are attributes of landscapes for the survival and well-being of humans. Research has to generate knowledge, innovations and decision rules by disciplinary, interdisciplinary and trans-disciplinary work. Knowledge generation in a globalized world is based on big data gathering and scenario modelling. International long-term experiments and agri-environmental monitoring systems will deliver data for ecosystem models and decision support systems.