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Global fossil fuel reserves are declining due to differential uses, especially for power generation. Everybody can help to do their bit for the environment by using solar energy. Geographically, Bangladesh is a potential zone for harnessing solar energy. In March 2021, the renewable generation capacity in Bangladesh amounted to 722.592 MW, including 67.6% from solar, 31.84% from hydro, and 0.55% from other energy sources, including wind, biogas, and biomass, where 488.662 MW of power originated from over 6 million installed solar power systems. Concurrently, over 42% of rural people still suffer from a lack of electricity, where solar energy can play a vital role. This paper highlights the present status of various forms of solar energy progress in Bangladesh, such as solar parks, solar rooftops, solar irrigation, solar charging stations, solar home systems, solar-powered telecoms, solar street lights, and solar drinking water, which can be viable alternative sources of energy. This review will help decision-makers and investors realize Bangladesh’s up-to-date solar energy scenario and plan better for the development of a sustainable society.

The heat generation from recent advanced computer chips is increasing rapidly. This creates a challenge in cooling the chips while maintaining their temperatures below the threshold values. Another challenge is that the heat generation in the chip is not uniform where some chip components generate more heat than other components. This would create a large temperature gradient across the chip, resulting in inducing thermal stresses inside the chip that may lead to a high probability to damage the chip. The locations in the chip with heat rates that correspond to high heat fluxes are known as hotspots. This research study focuses on using thermoelectric modules (TEMs) for cooling chip hotspots of different heat fluxes. When a TEM is used for cooling a chip hotspot, it is called a thermoelectric cooler (TEC), which requires electrical power. Additionally, when a TEM is used for converting a chip’s wasted heat to electrical power, it is called a thermoelectric generator (TEG). In this study, the TEMs are used for cooling the hotspots of computer chips, and a TEC is attached to the hotspot to reduce its temperature to an acceptable value. On the other hand, the other cold surfaces of the chip are attached to TEGs for harvesting electrical power from the chip’s wasted heat. Thereafter, this harvested electrical power (HEP) is then used to run the TEC attached to the hotspot. Since no external electrical power is needed for cooling the hotspot to an acceptable temperature, this technique is called a sustainable self-cooling framework (SSCF). In this paper, the operation principles of the SSCF to cool the hotspot, subjected to different operating conditions, are discussed. As well, considerations are given to investigate the effect of the TEM geometrical parameters, such as the P-/N-leg height and spacing between the legs in both operations of the TEC mode and TEG mode on the SSCF performance.

Alkali activated concretes have emerged as a prospective alternative to conventional concrete wherein diverse waste materials have been converted as valuable spin-offs. This paper presents a wide experimental study on the sustainability of employing waste sawdust as a fine/coarse aggregate replacement incorporating fly ash (FA) and granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS) to make high-performance cement-free lightweight concretes. Waste sawdust was replaced with aggregate at 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 vol% incorporating alkali binder, including 70% FA and 30% GBFS. The blend was activated using a low sodium hydroxide concentration (2 M). The acoustic, thermal, and predicted engineering properties of concretes were evaluated, and the life cycle of various mixtures were calculated to investigate the sustainability of concrete. Besides this, by using the available experimental test database, an optimized Artificial Neural Network (ANN) was developed to estimate the mechanical properties of the designed alkali-activated mortar mixes depending on each sawdust volume percentage. Based on the findings, it was found that the sound absorption and reduction in thermal conductivity were enhanced with increasing sawdust contents. The compressive strengths of the specimens were found to be influenced by the sawdust content and the strength dropped from 65 to 48 MPa with the corresponding increase in the sawdust levels from 0% up to 100%. The results also showed that the emissions of carbon dioxide, energy utilization, and outlay tended to drop with an increase in the amount of sawdust and show more the lightweight concrete to be more sustainable for construction applications.

The growing population and increasing urbanization have led to a surge in domestic wastewater generation, posing significant challenges for effective and sustainable treatment. The present study demonstrates a novel and sustainable approach for the onsite treatment of domestic wastewater using an integrated settler-based biofilm reactor (ISBR) with efficient biogas generation. The ISBR provides an optimized environment for the growth of biofilm, facilitating the removal of organic pollutants and pathogens. Moreover, the ISBR enables the recovery of a valuable resource in the form of biogas, thus enhancing the overall utility of the treatment process. The performance of the ISBR was comprehensively evaluated at laboratory scale through treating the actual domestic wastewater generated from the hostel of Manipal University Jaipur. The ISBR system was operated under an ambient environment at a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 24 h. The results demonstrated remarkable efficiency in terms of chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS), and coliforms removal, with average removal efficiency being more than 90%. According to the COD mass balance analysis, 48.2% of the influent COD was recovered as bioenergy. The chromatogram revealed a high percentage of methane gas in the collected biogas sample. The field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) analysis of the accumulated sludge in the ISBR system depicted the morphology of methanogenic bacteria. Both the experimental and theoretical results confirmed the feasibility and sustainability of the ISBR system at the onsite level.

En los países del sur de Asia, incluidos Bangladesh, India y Pakistán, el escenario energético actual se considera no sostenible debido a diversas cuestiones, como las opciones económicas, ambientales, geopolíticas y tecnológicas para la explotación de la energía y el volumen insignificante del comercio regional de energía. Sin embargo, dentro de la región, India está liderando una fase de transición energética y transformación económica a través del desarrollo de energías renovables. Los países deben mostrar buenos resultados en el desarrollo de sus fuentes renovables siguiendo el rápido ritmo de las energías renovables en todo el mundo. Este artículo ofrece una visión general del escenario energético, el crecimiento de las energías renovables, la evolución y el enfoque de la política energética al resaltar los desafíos y barreras clave para la combinación energética ecológica de los países. Es importante destacar que el documento evalúa la combinación energética actual en el sur de Asia, destacando la anomalía de sus perspectivas futuras basadas en combustibles fósiles, sus ambiciones de avanzar hacia una menor contaminación ambiental y una combinación energética sostenible a través de un análisis FODA de herramientas estratégicas; fortalezas, debilidades, oportunidades y amenazas (FODA). En particular, este estudio examina las políticas gubernamentales para expandir la implementación de fuentes renovables con una visión de la estructura regulatoria existente del sector energético. Los hallazgos de la investigación presentada sugieren que para lograr el ambicioso objetivo de reducir la descarga de emisiones hasta en un 30% para el año 2030 en el marco de las Contribuciones Previstas Determinadas a Nivel Nacional (INDC), los gobiernos de los tres países deben tomar medidas preventivas. Incluye la reducción gradual de los subsidios a los combustibles fósiles, la integración del mercado dentro de la región y la rápida realización de las iniciativas existentes a través de una fuerte voluntad política, una buena gobernanza, la adopción de las últimas tecnologías y un plan de acción pragmático, y la cooperación energética en toda la región. Dans les pays d'Asie du Sud, y compris le Bangladesh, l'Inde et le Pakistan, le scénario énergétique actuel est considéré comme non durable en raison de divers problèmes tels que les options économiques, environnementales, géopolitiques et technologiques pour l'exploitation de l'énergie et le volume négligeable du commerce régional de l'énergie. Bien que, dans la région, l'Inde mène une phase de transition énergétique et de transformation économique grâce au développement des énergies renouvelables. Les pays doivent bien montrer dans le développement de leurs sources renouvelables à la suite du rythme rapide des énergies renouvelables dans le monde entier. Cet article offre un aperçu du scénario énergétique, de la croissance des énergies renouvelables, de l'évolution et de l'approche de la politique énergétique en soulignant les principaux défis et obstacles pour le mix énergétique écologique des pays. Il est important de noter que le document évalue le bouquet énergétique actuel en Asie du Sud, en soulignant l'anomalie de ses perspectives d'avenir basées sur les combustibles fossiles, ses ambitions de réduire la pollution environnementale et son bouquet énergétique durable grâce à une analyse SWOT d'outil stratégique ; forces, faiblesses, opportunités et menaces (SWOT). En particulier, cette étude examine les politiques gouvernementales visant à étendre la mise en œuvre des sources renouvelables avec un aperçu de la structure réglementaire existante du secteur de l'énergie. Les résultats de recherche présentés suggèrent que pour atteindre l'objectif ambitieux de réduire les rejets d'émissions jusqu'à 30 % d'ici 2030 dans le cadre des contributions prévues déterminées au niveau national (CPDN), les gouvernements des trois pays doivent prendre des mesures préventives. Il comprend la réduction progressive des subventions sur les combustibles fossiles, l'intégration du marché dans la région et la réalisation rapide des initiatives existantes grâce à une forte volonté politique, à une bonne gouvernance, à l'adoption des dernières technologies, à un plan d'action pragmatique et à une coopération énergétique dans toute la région. In the South Asian countries, including Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan, the current energy scenario is considered non-sustainable due to diverse issues such as economic, environmental, geopolitical, technological options for energy exploitation, and negligible volume of regional energy trade. Though, within the region, India is leading a phase of energy transition and economic transformation through renewable energy development. The countries need to exhibit well in the development of their renewable sources following the rapid pace of renewable energies worldwide. This article offers an overview of the energy scenario, growth of renewable energies, evolution, and approach for energy policy by highlighting key challenges and barriers for the ecological energy mix of the countries. Importantly, the paper assesses the current energy mix in South Asia, highlighting the anomaly of its fossil fuel-based future outlook, its ambitions to move towards less environmental pollution, and sustainable energy mix through a strategic tool SWOT analysis; strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT). In particular, this study examines the government policies to expand the implementation of renewable sources with an insight into the existing regulatory structure of the energy sector. The presented research findings suggest that to achieve the ambitious target to reduce emission discharge by up to 30% by the year 2030 under Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs), the Governments of the three countries must take preemptive measures. It includes the stage-wise reduction of subsidies on fossil fuels, market integration within the region, and swift realization of the existing initiatives through strong political will, good governance, adoption of the latest technologies, and a pragmatic action plan, and energy cooperation across the region. في بلدان جنوب آسيا، بما في ذلك بنغلاديش والهند وباكستان، يعتبر سيناريو الطاقة الحالي غير مستدام بسبب قضايا متنوعة مثل الخيارات الاقتصادية والبيئية والجيوسياسية والتكنولوجية لاستغلال الطاقة، وحجم ضئيل من تجارة الطاقة الإقليمية. على الرغم من أن الهند، داخل المنطقة، تقود مرحلة انتقال الطاقة والتحول الاقتصادي من خلال تطوير الطاقة المتجددة. تحتاج البلدان إلى أن تظهر أداءً جيدًا في تطوير مصادرها المتجددة بعد الوتيرة السريعة للطاقات المتجددة في جميع أنحاء العالم. تقدم هذه المقالة لمحة عامة عن سيناريو الطاقة، ونمو الطاقات المتجددة، والتطور، ونهج سياسة الطاقة من خلال تسليط الضوء على التحديات والحواجز الرئيسية لمزيج الطاقة البيئية للبلدان. والأهم من ذلك، تقوم الورقة بتقييم مزيج الطاقة الحالي في جنوب آسيا، مع تسليط الضوء على الشذوذ في توقعاتها المستقبلية القائمة على الوقود الأحفوري، وطموحاتها للتحرك نحو تلوث بيئي أقل، ومزيج الطاقة المستدامة من خلال تحليل SWOT الاستراتيجي للأداة ؛ نقاط القوة والضعف والفرص والتهديدات (SWOT). على وجه الخصوص، تبحث هذه الدراسة في السياسات الحكومية لتوسيع تنفيذ مصادر الطاقة المتجددة مع نظرة ثاقبة على الهيكل التنظيمي الحالي لقطاع الطاقة. تشير نتائج البحث المقدمة إلى أنه لتحقيق الهدف الطموح المتمثل في الحد من تصريف الانبعاثات بنسبة تصل إلى 30 ٪ بحلول عام 2030 بموجب المساهمات المقررة المحددة وطنيًا (INDCs)، يجب على حكومات البلدان الثلاثة اتخاذ تدابير وقائية. ويشمل ذلك التخفيض التدريجي للإعانات على الوقود الأحفوري، وتكامل الأسواق داخل المنطقة، والإدراك السريع للمبادرات القائمة من خلال الإرادة السياسية القوية، والحكم الرشيد، واعتماد أحدث التقنيات، وخطة عمل عملية، والتعاون في مجال الطاقة في جميع أنحاء المنطقة.

Land use and climate change always induce significant changes in various parameters of the hydrologic cycle (e.g., surface runoff, infiltration, evapotranspiration). The Wadi El-Assiuti downstream area in the Eastern Desert of Egypt is one of the most promising areas for development that is suffering from insufficient water availability and inadequate water quality for different purposes. The main goal of this research is to evaluate the changes in groundwater quality, land use, and climate in association with geology and flooding during three periods within the years 1997–2019 in the downstream portion of Wadi El-Assiuti in the Eastern Desert of Egypt, using spatiotemporal variation associated with groundwater hydrochemical analysis and GIS techniques. About 133 groundwater samples were collected to examine groundwater quality changes over time. Different groundwater quality indices were calculated, and the results show that TDS levels of groundwater in the study area ranged between 1080–2780 mg/L, 672–4564 mg/L, and 811–6084 mg/L, while SAR levels varied within 6.15–15.34, 1.83–28.87, and 1.43–30.57 for the years 1997, 2007, and 2019, respectively. Both RSBC and SSP values exhibited significantly increasing trends over time. KR values were within 1.36–4.06 in 1997, 0.58–14.09 in 2007, and 0.35–14.92 in 2019; MAR values were within 6.9–45.2 in 1997, 20.79–71.5 in 2007, and 17.71–75.81 in 2019; and PI values were within 60.16–83 in 1997, 45.56–101.03 in 2007, and 42.51–148.88 in 2019. Across the entire study area, ongoing land use changes increased from 1.1% in 1997 to 4.1% in 2019. Findings pointed to the significant contribution of the deep Nubian Sandstone Aquifer to the groundwater aquifer at Wadi El-Assiuti through fractures and deep faults. Given the climatic conditions from 1997–2019, these changes may have affected water quality in shallow aquifers, especially with increasing evaporation. Realizing the spatiotemporal variation of the aquifer recharge system, land use development, and climate change clearly would help in water resource management. This study revealed that flooding events, deep-seated geologic structures, and land use development associated with human activities have the highest impact on groundwater quality.

The main target of this research work is to model the output performance of adsorption water desalination system (AWDS) in terms of switching and cycle time using artificial intelligence. The output performance of the ADC system is expressed by the specific daily water production (SDWP), the coefficient of performance (COP), and specific cooling power (SCP). A robust Adaptive Network-based Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) model of SDWP, COP, and SCP was built using the measured data. To demonstrate the superiority of the suggested ANFIS model, the model results were compared with those achieved by Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) based on the maximum coefficient of determination and minimum error between measured and estimated data in addition to the mean square error (MSE). Applying ANOVA, the average coefficient-of-determination values were 0.8872 and 0.8223, respectively, for training and testing. These values are increased to 1.0 and 0.9673, respectively, for training and testing thanks to ANFIS based modeling. In addition, ANFIS modelling decreased the RMSE value of all datasets by 83% compared with ANOVA. In sum, the main findings confirmed the superiority of ANFIS modeling of the output performance of adsorption water desalination system compared with ANOVA.