• Energy Research
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With the fast growth of the global economy, energy supply and demand have a strong impact on social, economic, and environmental aspects. As a consequence, this has pushed the decision-makers to formulate objectives, guiding economic policies toward sustainable goals. The process is known as Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that have been proposed by the United Nations. This being said, the energy sector is a vital domain with a vast potential for improvments in terms of technologies and ligistalations. Solar energy is among the most efficient solutions proposed to reduce the economic and environmental footprints of energy. In this frame, the current paper aims to localize solar energy within SDGs and analyze the contribution of the solar energy towards the achievement of the SDGs. Moreover, the current work highlights the contributions of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (MBR) Solar Park in the United Arab Emirates to achieving the SDGs. Indeed, the MBR Solar Park concept offers valuable insights of environmental impacts by deploying clean and affordable energy sources in place of conventional fossil fuel power plants that are still heavily used in the region. The MBR Solar Park operation has already mitigated 6.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent and this number will likely rise when all phases are installed and operational. Moreover, it has been shown that MBR Solar Park achieve several SDGs such SDG 8: decent work and economic growth, SDG 9: industry, innovation and infrastructure, SDG 11: sustainable cities and communities, and SDG 15: life on land.

Abstract This article examines and conceptualizes the implications of the adoption of circular economy (CE) business models on operations management (OM) decision-making processes, in the areas of product design, production planning and control, and logistics/supply chains. A systematic literature review was conducted in order to identify and examine the following key areas: (1) the new demands faced by OM decision-making regarding changes in capability, work procedures, intra- and inter-organizational relationships and technologies; (2) the specific changes OM decision-making must make in order to support CE business models (based on the ReSOLVE framework); and (3) guidelines which will help designers and operations and logistics/supply chain managers develop the necessary skills to meet society and the global market's emerging demands. The findings of this research will allow operations managers to foresee the unfolding needs for capacity building in CE, and scholars can build on the results of this article to develop new research themes. Furthermore, this is the first article to describe the ways in which OM knowledge can support the transition towards the circular economy based on the perspective of dynamic capabilities.

Achieving carbon-neutrality has become a global agenda following the ratification of the Paris Agreement. For the developing countries, in particular, attaining a low-carbon economy is particularly important since these economies are predominantly fossil-fuel dependent, to which Bangladesh is no exception. Therefore, this study specifically aimed at evaluating the environmental impacts associated with energy consumption and other key macroeconomic variables in the context of Bangladesh over the 1975-2016 period. As opposed to the conventional practice of using carbon dioxide emissions to proxy environmental quality, this study makes a novel attempt to use the carbon footprints to measure environmental welfare in Bangldesh. The outcomes from this study are expected to facilitate the carbon-neutrality objective of Bangladesh and, therefore, enable the nation to comply with its commitments concerning the attainment of the targets enlisted under the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals declarations. The econometric analysis involved the application of methods that are suitable for handling the structural break issues in the data. The overall findings from empirical exercises reveal that aggregate energy consumption, fossil fuel consumption, and natural gas consumption boost the carbon footprint figures of Bangladesh. In contrast, nonfossil fuel consumption and hydroelectricity consumption are witnessed to abate the carbon footprint levels. Besides, economic growth and international trade are also evidenced to further increase the carbon footprints. Hence, these findings suggest that a clean energy transition within the Bangladesh economy can be the panacea to the nation's persitently aggravating environmental hardships. Furthermore, the causality analysis confirmed the presence of unidirectional causalities stemming from total energy consumption, fossil fuel consumption, natural gas consumption, hydroelectricity consumption, economic growth, and international trade to the carbon footprints. On the other hand, nonfossil fuel consumption is found to be bidirectionally associated with carbon footprints. In line with these aforementioned findings, several key policy suggestions are put forward regarding the facilitation of the carbon-neutrality agenda in Bangladesh.

Dubai government has shown great interest in integrating sustainable principles into the different phases of construction. In 2011, the Green Buildings Regulations and Specification (GBRS) were issued to form a market shift toward a Green Economy for Sustainable Development. This research is to evaluate the effectiveness of the different building regulations in effect in Dubai, as well as assessing the benefits of raising the bar to the PassivHaus (PH) standards. The thermal impact of the building envelope on the energy performance and cooling load reduction are the core focus of this study. Hence, a case study villa in Jumeirah Park was selected to be analyzed, modified and simulated using the IESVE energy modeling software. The impact of each building envelope element was assessed individually based on current Dubai regulations, as well as the PH specifications. Cooling load savings of 5.9%, 8.67%, 1.55%, 11% and 20% were achieved when using the new Dubai GBRS glazing, roof, floor, green roof specifications and the best combination of all three elements, respectively. Upgrading the design to the PH specifications resulted in a 48% reduction in the cooling load. The addition of Monocrystalline and Thin Film PV systems reduced the electricity consumption from the grid by 73% and 57%, respectively. Enhancing HVAC efficiency was also identified as a potential approach to save on the electricity used to provide the required cooling load, around 30% reduction when increasing the HVAC′ EER from the minimum current value of 8.53–12.2 (at T1 conditions). The economic analysis showed that the only viable solutions, based on simple payback period analysis, are upgrades to the floor (case 17 and SPP of 6.5 years) and windows (case 24 and SPP of 7 years). The results of this study could help in future development of Dubai's GBRS based on the technical, as well as the economic, viability of upgrading different building elements. . Keywords: Green building regulations, Building envelope, Cooling load, PassivHaus, Dubai-UAE

Abstract Today, the microgrid is not a new concept, and its diverse benefits for the grid and also consumers have been proven. One of the effective ways to enhance penetration level of the microgrids is to improve economic affordability. This can be achieved by defining an optimal investment plan which has been studied for the several past decades. Previous researches have been proposed a model which used a set of typical values as input parameters of the components. As a result, the optimization results may not be fully implementable in practice. In this regard, this paper proposes a new planning model for a hybrid AC–DCmicrogrid which selects the best technology from a set of commercial models already available in the market in addition to optimally selecting the size (number) of each equipment. Among the microgrid equipment, this capability is considered for storage batteries and wind turbines considering their variety of parameters and market models. The proposed model, while linear, takes into account the various parameters of the equipment in addition to the reliability and emission constraints. Results of implementing the proposed model on a test case demonstrated that outputs of the proposed model are more applicable to real practical projects.

Le développement multidisciplinaire, innovant et à haute valeur ajoutée de systèmes de séparation à haute performance, rentables et respectueux de l'environnement est hautement souhaitable pour relever les défis de durabilité auxquels est confrontée la technologie actuelle de dessalement. En raison de leur polyvalence et de leur immense potentiel d'évolution des innovations scientifiques et techniques, la nanotechnologie est probablement l'une des stratégies les plus importantes qui a acquis une reconnaissance scientifique et publique croissante pour fournir des solutions qui peuvent repousser les limites de la durabilité dans la technologie de dessalement à membrane. Cette brève revue fournit un bref aperçu des rôles et des perspectives de la nanotechnologie, en particulier de la technologie des membranes nano-activées, pour servir d'élément clé afin de proposer des solutions réalisables pour le développement durable de la technologie de dessalement des membranes. La contribution met également en évidence les stratégies de transformation des risques et des défis de cette technologie de pointe en avantage concurrentiel afin de générer rapidement et efficacement des valeurs dans l'amélioration des performances de dessalement, des bénéfices et de la durabilité. Les applications des nanomatériaux et des nanocomposites dans le dessalement membranaire devraient favoriser des initiatives inexploitées et l'innovation dans les sciences fondamentales, l'ingénierie et la technologie pour diriger la nouvelle vague de technologie de pointe de dessalement membranaire durable. El desarrollo multidisciplinario, innovador y de altos valores de sistemas de separación de alto rendimiento, rentables y ambientalmente aceptables es muy deseado para abordar los desafíos de sostenibilidad que enfrenta la tecnología de desalinización actual. Debido a su versatilidad y su inmenso potencial para desarrollar innovaciones científicas y técnicas, la nanotecnología es probablemente una de las estrategias más destacadas que ha ganado un creciente reconocimiento científico y público para proporcionar soluciones que puedan ampliar los límites de la sostenibilidad en la tecnología de desalinización por membrana. Esta breve revisión proporciona una breve visión de los roles y las perspectivas de la nanotecnología, en particular la tecnología de membrana nanohabilitada, para servir como un elemento clave para ofrecer soluciones viables para el desarrollo sostenible en la tecnología de desalinización por membrana. La contribución también destaca las estrategias para transformar el riesgo y los desafíos de esta tecnología de vanguardia en una ventaja competitiva con el fin de impulsar de manera oportuna y eficiente los valores para mejorar el rendimiento, las ganancias y la sostenibilidad de la desalinización. Se prevé que las aplicaciones de nanomateriales y nanocompuestos en la desalinización por membrana fomenten iniciativas e innovaciones sin explotar en ciencia, ingeniería y tecnología fundamentales para encabezar la nueva ola de tecnología de desalinización por membrana sostenible de vanguardia. Multidisciplinary, innovative and high values development of high performance, cost-effective and environmentally acceptable separation systems is highly desired to tackle the sustainability challenges that facing current desalination technology. Owing to their versatility and immense potentials to evolve scientific and technical innovations, nanotechnology is probably one of the most prominent strategies that has gained growing scientific and public recognition to provide solutions that can extend the limits of sustainability in membrane desalination technology. This short review provides a brief insight into the roles and prospective of nanotechnology, particularly the nano-enabled membrane technology, to serve as a key element to render feasible solutions for sustainable development in membrane desalination technology. The contribution also highlights the strategies of transforming risk and challenges of this cutting edge technology into competitive advantage in order to timely and efficiently drive values in enhancing the desalination performance, profits and sustainability. The applications of nanomaterials and nanocomposite in membrane desalination are anticipated to foster untapped initiatives and innovation in fundamental science, engineering and technology to spearhead the new wave of leading edge sustainable membrane desalination technology. هناك رغبة كبيرة في تطوير أنظمة فصل عالية الأداء وفعالة من حيث التكلفة ومقبولة بيئيًا متعددة التخصصات ومبتكرة وذات قيم عالية لمعالجة تحديات الاستدامة التي تواجه تكنولوجيا تحلية المياه الحالية. بسبب تنوعها وإمكاناتها الهائلة لتطوير الابتكارات العلمية والتقنية، ربما تكون تقنية النانو واحدة من أبرز الاستراتيجيات التي اكتسبت اعترافًا علميًا وعامًا متزايدًا لتوفير حلول يمكن أن توسع حدود الاستدامة في تكنولوجيا تحلية المياه الغشائية. توفر هذه المراجعة القصيرة نظرة موجزة على أدوار وآفاق تكنولوجيا النانو، وخاصة تكنولوجيا الأغشية التي تدعم النانو، لتكون بمثابة عنصر رئيسي لتقديم حلول مجدية للتنمية المستدامة في تكنولوجيا تحلية المياه بالغشاء. كما تسلط المساهمة الضوء على استراتيجيات تحويل مخاطر وتحديات هذه التكنولوجيا المتطورة إلى ميزة تنافسية من أجل دفع القيم في الوقت المناسب وبكفاءة في تعزيز أداء تحلية المياه والأرباح والاستدامة. من المتوقع أن تؤدي تطبيقات المواد النانوية والمركبات النانوية في تحلية المياه بالغشاء إلى تعزيز المبادرات غير المستغلة والابتكار في العلوم الأساسية والهندسة والتكنولوجيا لقيادة الموجة الجديدة من تكنولوجيا تحلية المياه بالغشاء المستدامة الرائدة.

This study reviewed and summarized the literature regarding the use of alcohols during hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) of algal biomass feedstocks. The use of both pure alcohols and alcohol-water co-solvents were considered. Based upon this review, laboratory experiments were conducted to investigate the impacts of different alcohol co-solvents (ethanol, isopropanol, ethylene glycol, and glycerol) on the HTL treatment of a specific saltwater microalga (Tetraselmis sp.) at two temperatures: 300 °C and 350 °C. Based on their performance, two co-solvents, isopropanol and ethylene glycol, were selected to explore the effects of varying solvent concentrations and reaction temperatures on product yields and biocrude properties. The type and amount of added alcohol did not significantly affect the biocrude yield or composition. Biocrude yields were in the range of 30–35%, while a nearly constant yield of 21% insoluble products was observed, largely resulting from ash constituents within the algal feedstock. The benefits of using alcohol co-solvents (especially isopropanol) were the reduced viscosity of the biocrude products and reduced rates of viscosity increase with biocrude aging. These effects were attributed mainly to the physical properties of the co-solvent mixtures (solubility, polarity, density, etc.) rather than chemical processes. Under the reaction conditions used, there was no evidence that the co-solvents participated in biocrude production by means of hydrogen donation or other chemical processes. Recovery and recycling of the co-solvent present various challenges, depending upon the type and amount of the co-solvent that is used. For example, glycol solvents are recovered nearly completely within the aqueous product stream, whereas simple alcohols are partitioned between the biocrude and aqueous product streams. In commercial applications, the slight benefits provided by the use of co-solvents must be balanced by the challenges of co-solvent recovery and recycling.

The background of this article is how the challenge to accomplish a sustainable energy transition—in service of various objectives, such as environmental and geopolitical concerns—has recently brought the development of smart heat infrastructures to the public agenda. Especially in Metropolitan regions, with more closely knit combinations of urban functions, establishing smart heat infrastructures and possibly connections between infrastructures, to form a heat infrastructure, is regarded as a serious option for developing an alternative energy market next to electricity and natural gas. Orchestration seems key to overcome a stalemate in the realization of heat infrastructures (context) through concerted energy infrastructure planning. This conceptual article aims to support such orchestration by presenting a legal governance typology for heat infrastructures that combines the nature of the infrastructure-regime with the complexity of the infrastructure-functionality. Thus, four ideal-type positions are defined, each with a particular dominant/lead actor position, as standard types of legal governance orchestration, with many in between hybrid positions. Orchestration is further discussed in the context of levels of action situations, contrasting top-down and bottom-up mechanisms influencing orchestration in collective choice towards establishing heat infrastructures. In the conceptualization of this typology in context, the article addresses the example of (considered) changes in Dutch Heat Energy Policy to support multilateral public orchestration, with the ambition of especially promoting the establishment of smart, open heat infrastructures, and avoiding failure of uni- or multilateral private orchestration. The proposed model is presented as a first step towards developing a policy-implementation tool to support the development of smart heat infrastructures.