• Energy Research
• 7. Clean energy close

AbstractLarge‐scale integration of solar energy technologies in Rome's built environment epitomizes the needed general adoption of distributed generation via functionalization of buildings of all size and end use across the world, to become active energy generators and no longer energy users only. This essay identifies selected technology solutions and critical policy and educational initiatives to effectively achieve within the next decade (2018–2027) the widespread uptake of decentralized solar energy systems in the built environment on a global scale.

Driven by the rapid uptake of battery electric vehicles, Li-ion power batteries are increasingly reused in stationary energy storage systems, and eventually recycled to recover all the valued components. Offering an updated global perspective, this study provides a circular economy insight on lithium-ion battery reuse and recycling.

Today's solar street LED lights are able to provide reliable, quality lighting both in developing and developed countries, thereby reducing light poverty and the economic and environmental costs of electric outdoor lighting. Rapid technical innovation and dramatic price reduction in the LED, PV module, and battery components, which has occurred in the last 5 years, will accelerate the penetration of solar street LED lights across the world. Applications will not be limited to countries with significant insolation only but will extend to Northern regions as well. This study provides a critical overview of a technology that will play an important role en route to global sustainability. WIREs Energy Environ 2017, 6:e218. doi: 10.1002/wene.218This article is categorized under: Photovoltaics > Systems and Infrastructure Solar Heating and Cooling > Economics and Policy Solar Heating and Cooling > Systems and Infrastructure

Solar green roofs, namely, rooftops functionalized with properly selected living vegetation and photovoltaic modules, achieve an ideal symbiotic relationship in which the promotion of biodiversity and onsite renewable energy production are enhanced, while the roof provides a range of environmental, health, aesthetic, and economic benefits. This study provides a unified outlook of this important sustainability technology before its large‐scale uptake across the world, especially in polluted urban areas.

AbstractDuring the first half of 2015, for the first time, the zonal electricity price in Sicily decreased below than the national wholesale price in Italy. Showing the unique pattern of electricity consumption in Italy's largest region at different time scales, we identify the effectiveness of the impact of renewable power generation on utility‐scale in Sicily upon the whole of Italy's electricity market. Increasing the electrification of the energy end uses, as it is happening despite prolonged reduction in electricity demand, will lead to further benefits for power consumers throughout the whole country.

AbstractThe battery powered electric bus is the first electric vehicle whose market share in the world's leading industrial economy has surpassed the 80%. Within the next decade (2019–2026), the authors argue, electric buses powered by Li‐ion batteries and hydrogen fuel cells will become ubiquitous across the world, displacing bus and coaches powered by fossil fuels burned in the internal combustion engine. Critically reviewing the economic, health, and environmental benefits of the electric bus, this essay offers an updated outlook in a key area of the global energy transition.

AbstractThe achievements of the last two decades in using solar energy for naturally ventilating and heating buildings of any size and scope across the world are remarkable, though comprising a niche market and being generally poorly known to this point. Air quality, thermal and hygrometric comfort, and reduced energy costs are some of the benefits provided by solar ventilated spaces. We identify the remaining hurdles to be addressed prior to forthcoming widespread adoption of this technology in the building environment across the world, well beyond the cold‐climate countries.