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Abstract This paper proposes a new methodology for determining the geometrical parameters and the optimal distribution of small-scale linear Fresnel reflectors on flat roofs of urban buildings. This engineering problem is highly complex as it involves 21 variables; in contrast to present-day studies available in the literature, our method provides a global solution. The algorithm involves several stages, in which it uses multiple objective functionals: maximization of the used area of the roof, minimization of the cost, minimization of losses. The solution found by this method combines all the relevant aspects from the technical and/or economic point of views and obtains, as the final objective, the maximization of the absorbed annual energy for the stated problem.

[Abstract] This research aims to quantify and to compare the effect of the energy mix of 150 countries on the waste products generated by an eco-neighbourhood. To perform this comparison, the same neighbourhood design is applied to in 150 countries, but four parameters are adapted to each country: energy mix, local climate, building materials and occupants’ mobility. The life cycle of the neighbourhood was assessed over 100 years. This environmental impact was evaluated by the Pleiades simulation software under four phases (construction, use, renovation, and demolition). Among the four local parameters (energy mix, local materials, climate, and transport), the energy mix has the most significant effect on the waste product emission. In this sense, the results showed that the most important quantity of waste products (35.3% of the total) is generated during the demolition phase. What is more, the application of photovoltaic panels in eco-neighbourhood increases up to 12% of the total waste product emission over 100 years. Globally, in the 150 Countries, 80% of waste products come mainly from building materials and domestics and the waste product emission per occupant was between 10 and 20% higher in developed countries (USA, Japan, Canada, France, Germany, etc.) than in poor or developing countries (Madagascar, Cameroon, Vietnam, Haiti, Costa Rica, Afghanistan, etc.). Finally, the waste generation concentration of an occupant of an eco-neighbourhood was estimated to be around of 322 kg per year.

This study focuses on formulating the most sustainable concrete by incorporating recycled concrete aggregates and other products retrieved from construction and demolition (C&D) activities. Both recycled coarse aggregates (RCA) and recycled fine aggregates (RFA) are firstly used to fully replace the natural coarse and fine aggregates in the concrete mix design. Later, the cement rich ultrafine particles, recycled glass powder and mineral fibres recovered from construction and demolition wastes (CDW) are further incorporated at a smaller rate either as cement substituent or as supplementary additives. Remarkable properties are noticed when the RCA (4–12 mm) and RFA (0.25–4 mm) are fully used to replace the natural aggregates in a new concrete mix. The addition of recycled cement rich ultrafines (RCU), Recycled glass ultrafines (RGU) and recycled mineral fibres (RMF) into recycled concrete improves the modulus of elasticity. The final concrete, which comprises more than 75% (wt.) of recycled components/materials, is believed to be the most sustainable and green concrete mix. Mechanical properties and durability of this concrete have been studied and found to be within acceptable limits, indicating the potential of recycled aggregates and other CDW components in shaping sustainable and circular construction practices. The authors wish to acknowledge the financial support from EU Horizon 2020 Project VEEP ‘‘Cost-Effective Recycling of C&DW in High Added Value Energy Efficient Prefabricated Concrete Compo-nents for Massive Retrofitting of our Built Environment” (No.723582).

Abstract Preliminary studies demonstrate the availability of significant renewable energy potential in Spanish waters. Its use could contribute to achieving the recently updated national objectives for the generation of clean energy in the future National Energy and Climate Plan 2021–2030. Despite the different initiatives that were unsuccessfully proposed at the end of the 2000s, the current implementation of blue energy is practically zero in Spain due to the characteristics of the marine space, which limits the technical and economic viability of the projects. There are other factors, such as a complex regulatory framework, inadequate administrative processes, limited availability of information as well as social rejection of this type of facility. Like other Member States of the European Union, Spain is currently developing a process of maritime spatial planning (MSP) that should be concluded, according to RD 363/2017, with the approval of a maritime spatial plan (POEM) for each of the five existing marine demarcations. This planning will have consequences for the uses and activities of the marine environment, including marine renewable energies. It also provides an opportunity to address existing non-technical barriers and promote the deployment of blue energy facilities. This investigation studies the MSP landscape in Spain from a holistic perspective and analyzes the repercussions of future POEMs in the offshore wind sector and other marine renewable energies. It concludes by proposing a set of recommendations, based on previous experiences in other regions, aimed at facilitating the integration of clean energy policies in the future uses of this marine space.

In this study, our aim was to explore the potential energy savings obtainable from the recycling of 1 tonne of Construction and Demolition Waste (C&DW) generated in the Metropolitan City of Naples. The main fraction composing the functional unit are mixed C&DW, soil and stones, concrete, iron, steel and aluminium. The results evidence that the recycling option for the C&DW is better than landfilling as well as that the production of recycled aggregates is environmentally sustainable since the induced energy and environmental impacts are lower than the avoided energy and environmental impacts in the life cycle of recycled aggregates. This LCA study shows that the transition to the Circular Economy offers many opportunities for improving the energy and environmental performances of the construction sector in the life cycle of construction materials by means of internal recycling strategies (recycling C&DW into recycled aggregates, recycled steel, iron and aluminum) as well as external recycling by using input of other sectors (agri-food by-products) for the manufacturing of construction materials. In this way, the C&D sector also contributes to realizing the energy and bioeconomy transition by disentangling itself from fossil fuel dependence.

Abstract This paper presents REACT-DECARB, an energy planning decarbonisation platform employing renewable energy sources coupled with storage for islands. The paper implements the energy scenario creation and economic evaluation steps of the platform on eight geographic islands in seven countries within the EU. Twenty-one technologically feasible energy scenarios, applicable to the specific conditions of each island, are specified and their economic assessment via a levelized cost of energy (LCOE) calculation is then performed. The main aim of this application is to verify the noted steps of the platform as well as to test its flexibility across geographically, socially and dimensionally disparate islands with various scenario generation methods. The results of the economic analysis show a wide variation of LCOE depending primarily on whether full island autonomy is assumed. In some cases the islands’ scenarios’ costs approach current market prices but are never below them; some scenarios are, however, below the current price of the island’s thermal generation. The sensitivity and uncertainty of the economic performance results’ and the variables used to calculate them are evaluated and discussed for two of the islands. The overall analysis and application has shown that the REACT-DECARB platform is suitable for different islands, regardless of location and size and can be useful for island energy planners.

In the context of our project, we organised a webinar at which almost 200 participants assisted. It was aimed at everyone who cares about a greener and more sustainable future. The development of sustainable and resource-saving processes is a major focus of R&D&I work, also supported heavily by the European Commission as part of the Green Deal and the sustainability efforts. In this context, biotechnology is already acting as a facilitator to achieve a circular economy and a bioeconomy. We aim to achieve these goals with the identification, optimisation, production and application of innovative enzymes to support the transformation of various industrial sectors and their consumer products. In this webinar, we wanted to present the competences and topics we acquire or work on in FuturEnzyme to an interested international audience. With this CLIB Forum event, we want to emphasise and promote the need for collaboration between researchers, entrepreneurs, and manufacturers for a greener and more sustainable future. Furthermore, our webinar was also of interest for policy makers, funding bodies, investors and consumers. The FuturEnzyme project partners CSIC, Barcelona Supercomputing Center and the University of Hamburg presented their activities in the project and beyond to a wide range audience.