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This paper analyzes different policies that may promote the transition to sustainability, with a particular focus on the energy sector. We present a dynamic simulation model where three different strategies for sustainability are identified: reduction in GHG emissions, improvements in energy efficiency and the development of the renewable energy sector. Our aim is to evaluate the dynamics that those strategies may produce in the economy, looking at different performance indicators: rate of growth, unemployment, fiscal position, GHG emission, and transition to renewable energy sources.

Abstract In the last years, electric vehicles (EVs) are getting significant consideration as an environmental-sustainable and cost-effective alternative over conventional vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICEs), for the mitigation of the dependence from fossil fuels and for reduction of Green-House Gasses (GHGs) emission. However, many challenges are still ongoing to their large scale implementation. Among them, the negative impact on the electrical grid operation in case of an uncoordinated contemporary charging of a huge number of EVs. In the recent literature different solutions are proposed for handling the peak demand of EVs and the related problems. One answer is offered by the implementation of EV charging strategies, through aggregation agents, for containing the impact on the grid, guaranteeing the quality of the service. The implementation of a real charging strategy is strictly related to a deployment of smart-grid technologies, such as smart meters, Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and energy storage systems (ESSs). In particular ESSs are playing a fundamental role in the general smart grid paradigm, and can become fundamental for the integration in the new power systems of EV fast charging stations of the last generation: in this case the storage can have peak shaving and power quality functions and also to make the charge time shorter. In the present paper, an overview on the different types of EVs charging stations, in reference to the present international European standards, and on the storage technologies for the integration of EV charging stations in smart grid is reported. Then a real implementation of EVs fast charging station equipped with an ESS is deeply described. The system is a prototype, designed, implemented and now available at ENEA (Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development) labs. A wide experimental activity has been performed on the prototype system in order to test its functionalities in the integration in a smart grid available at the same ENEA lab, including a smart metering system. The integration has been possible thanks to the use of a customized communication protocol, developed by the researchers and here described. The results of the experimental tests show that the system has a good performance in the implementation of peak shaving functions, in respect of the main distribution grid, making the prototype like a network nearly zero-impact system.

Abstract A mathematical model for the optimal design of a supply chain for carbon capture, utilization and storage is developed. Carbon dioxide may be stored and/or utilized to produce methanol via methane dry reforming. The Mixed Integer Linear Program model is developed for ten major carbon dioxide emission sources in Germany. Three different cases are considered, according to hydrogen production route required to correct the syngas composition: hydrogen by external reforming, hydrogen by external water electrolysis, hydrogen by internal steam reforming. Results show that absorption is the preferred capture solutions at high flue gas flow rate. Results also show that the best option is providing hydrogen by water electrolysis, because a higher amount of carbon dioxide is used to produce the same amount of methanol with lower environmental impact. The proposed network produces 203 Mton/year of methanol, then Germany would be able to satisfy the world methanol demand in the next years. Carbon tax and economic incentives are required to reduce the methanol production cost to 340 €/ton: only in this case the process is economically feasible.

This paper investigates the factors affecting Italian provinces' separate collection rates from 2007 to 2016, as these rates are relevant environmental performance indicators in urban waste management. We observe data spanning this decade from 103 Italian provinces and use panel data regressions to explore if and how some relevant socio-economic factors-including convictions for crimes committed against the public administration and many indicators of equitable and sustainable well-being that describe the quality of life in Italy-significantly affect provinces' capability to reach European and national regulators' separate collection rate targets. The results reveal that the greater the prosecuted crime committed against the public administration, average income, expected age, number of people with a diploma or a degree, and the percentage of female municipal administrators, the greater the separate waste collection rate. In contrast, the greater the number of household members, youth employment rate, total waste produced per capita, and the recourse for landfills, the lower the separate waste collection rate. These results highlight for policy-makers and waste utility managers the need to implement different strategies to increase the ability to meet expected targets and increase environmental performance, and thus, further increasing the quality of life.

The management and exploitation of renewable energy sources is now recognised as central to sustainable development. Environmental concerns, recurring oil crises and market weaknesses, combined with the availability of power from natural resources and resulting possibilities for job creation and energy independence, have all pushed developed and developing countries towards new energy strategies that include RES. This paper analyses the profitability of potential investments in small, medium and large RE electrical power facilities, applying a Net Present Value (NPV) methodology. The proposed financial analysis permits strategic selection of an energy portfolio from among available sources and plant sizes. The paper then discusses potential constraints, and where possible applies the NPV methodology for estimating the necessary changes in decision-making. It defines the role of government incentive schemes in the financial results and evaluates the impact of variation in critical variables (subsidies, sale price of electricity, investment cost, operating cost and equivalent operating hours) on the estimation of NPV. Finally, the paper analyses the environmental impact of all the energy sources examined, examines the links with the financial results and proposes socio-economic policy considerations based on the entirety of the research results. While the methodology is applied to the Italian case, it could be modified to serve in other nations by adapting the input parameters to reflect the different regulatory and market contexts.

The solidarity economic networks: resilient communities. Are the network of businesses that aspire to a sustainable economic system (environmentally, socially and economically) able to evolve and resist in a non-facilitating if not averse framework? The research carried out in La Spezia between 2013 and 2014 indicates a positive response, especially if their activity is accompanied by flexible and targeted training models. Indeed, as the regional regulation show, the same context changes for the presence of solidarity networks, by issuing specific legislation or by innovating existing legislation.

Research on why firms should outsource and how they should do it has proliferated in the past two decades, but few consistent findings have emerged concerning the benefits of outsourcing. We argue that this is in part due to the lack of an adequate framework for measuring the effects of outsourcing. To address this, we present such a framework based upon the Cobb–Douglas productivity function. We explain how our framework can be used to unpack one component of the Cobb–Douglas productivity function, the ‘total factor productivity’, which represents the other numerous sub-variables that affect outsourcing productivity, beyond the capital and labour expenditures. We also demonstrate the framework using a simple illustrative example.