• Energy Research
• Heliyon close

Regional integration plays an important role in dicarbon reduction and sustainability development. Based on dynamic panel model and spatial econometric model, this study analyzes the impact of market integration (MI) on industrial green transformation (IGT). The study finds that: (1) MI has a nonlinear relationship with the IGT. With the increasing of MI degree, the IGT shows the characteristic of first rising and then declining. (2) MI plays a role in the IGT mainly through industrial agglomeration, resource mismatch and green technological progress, respectively. (3) The impact of MI on IGT exhibits spatial heterogeneity. Although MI significantly promotes IGT in core cities, its impact on the IGT in peripheral cities is not significant. (4) The IGT has spatial spillover effect, and the improvement of MI degree in adjacent regions can also promote the IGT in the cities.

In this paper we conducted an experimental study to evaluate the impact of soiling on the temperature and electricity production of two photovoltaic technologies (Poly-Si and CdTe) under a hot semi-arid climate of Morocco. For this purpose, two modules -from each technology-were exposed for one year where one is cleaned every day and the other is left to accumulate soiling on its surface. In parallel, the electrical parameters, the weather data and the modules temperature were monitored using high precision instruments. Results show that the Poly-Si technology is highly affected by soiling in comparison to the CdTe where the measured daily Soiling ratio (SR) can reach 0.70 and 0.73 respectively. This values lead to a drop on the energy production of 15% for the Poly-Si and 13%. Regarding the modules temperature (Tm) results show that soiling has an impact on increasing the temperature for both technologies, but the Poly-Si module is more affected than the CdTe one, where the daily average temperature difference between the clean and the soiled modules is around 1.5 °C and 1.3 °C for both technologies, respectively.

The study investigates the effect of ethanol and Moringa antioxidant on the performance and emission characteristics of a Soybean biodiesel blend (B15, B20, and B25) using a direct injection, four-stroke, naturally aspirated, water-cooled single-cylinder diesel engine equipped with SCADA software. The effect of reaction parameters on FAEE yield such as, time, catalyst concentration, molar ratio of alcohol to oil, and blending quality, was optimized using the one factor at a time experimental technique. The maximum yield of 97.8% biodiesel was produced at the ideal catalyst concentration, blending quality, alcohol to oil molar ratio, and time of 1 h, are 1%, 12:1, and 500 rpm, respectively. The Rancimat method was used to assess the oxidative stability of pure biodiesel after the natural antioxidant (extracted from Moringa leaf) was added at concentrations of 1500, 2500, 3500, and 4500 ppm. The addition of antioxidants to biodiesel significantly increased its induction time from 4.52 to 19.98 h. Brake-thermal efficiency increased by 4.4% whereas brake-specific fuel consumptions decreased by 4.6% for B15E2M (15% SB+2E + M) when compared to B15. Emission characteristics of B25E2M showed higher reduction of CO, HC and NOx by 20.27%, 8% and 7% as compared to the B25 respectively. The physicochemical qualities, performance, and emission characteristics of B15 blends with additive are generally comparable to those of diesel fuel. In conclusion, both additives significantly improved the combustion performance of soybean biodiesel blend.

the primary aim of this study is to analyse the energy parameters of patients with Down syndrome compared to a control group and secondly to verify whether the sport activity leads to differences in energy expenditure.3 groups of subjects were identified: 8 healthy subjects and 147 subjects with Down syndrome, of whom 14 played sports at least once a week. An energy index was calculated, given by the ratio between potential and kinetic energy. Next, kinetic ad potential energy parameters were extrapolated at 60% of the gait cycle (propulsion phase).Down syndrome group was compared with the control group and emerged that the energy index was higher in the first one. No changes were found between Down syndrome and Down syndrome Sport groups. The analysis of the energy parameters showed that all parameters, except the medio-lateral kinetic energy, were higher in the control than in the Down syndrome groups. The potential energy, medio-lateral kinetic energy, and vertical were higher in the Down syndrome Sport group than in the Down syndrome group. The kinetic energy and the mean velocity were higher in the control group than in Down syndrome Sport group while the medio-lateral kinetic energy was lower.sport modified the parameter of potential energy but not that of kinetic energy, which continued to be different compared to the healthy group and increased the oscillations in the medio-lateral plane, which were double compared to Down syndrome group. The increase in potential energy, found to be almost equal to that of control group, indicates an increase in vertical oscillations. This could be because subjects who practise sports have stronger muscles that allow a greater push-off ability, which therefore increases their potential energy.

The increasing emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) and pollutants like particulate matter and nitrogen oxides (NOx) have led to environmental concerns. Hybrid and electric powertrains are being introduced as means to reduce pollutant emissions, especially at the local level. Additionally, the finite availability of fossil fuel sources, which are used to produce gasoline and diesel, highlights the need for alternative technical solutions. One approach to partly address these issues is lightweighting, which involves reducing the weight of vehicles to minimize their impact during the use phase. Mathematical models are employed to simulate the longitudinal dynamics of vehicles and estimate the energy required to accomplish driving missions. Appropriate metrics have been developed to quantify energy-saving effects that, in addition, can support the decision making, design, and development phase of future vehicles. To facilitate this process, it would be useful to build a database of ERV (Energy Reduction Value) and FRV (Fuel Reduction Value) figures derived through a unified procedure. Such a database would be useful in evaluating the effectiveness of vehicle lightweighting and its impact on energy consumption and pollutant emissions. The last phase of the analysis is the assessment of the overall reduction in the environmental impact of the vehicle throughout its life cycle by using the LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) approach. From this study, it was possible to conclude that lightweighting can be an appropriate solution to improve the energy efficiency of vehicles and that appropriate metrics, can support the development of new car models. The potential to integrate enhanced energy efficiency, lower emissions, and higher safety features into our everyday vehicles would represent a significant advancement in the automotive industry. There is a gap in the scientific literature on the effects of lightweighting on vehicle dynamics and energy usage which deserves to be investigated.

Given the alarming level of climate change, policymakers across the globe are seeking strategies to mitigate environmental pollution to achieve sustainable development. In this context, renewable energy and technological advancements have emerged as an effective way to lower pollution and attain sustainable development. This study evaluates the effect of financial inclusion, technological innovation, and renewable energy on the load capacity factor (LCF) in European countries from 2004 to 2018. LCF is considered the most comprehensive indicator of ecological sustainability, combining both the biocapacity factor and ecological footprint. Hence, the present work fills the literature gap by exploring, for the first time, the effect of financial inclusion on the LCF. Applying the advanced Method of Moment Quantile Regression (MMQR), the study demonstrates that technological innovation and economic growth have adverse effects on LCF while renewable energy and financial inclusion promote LCF. The study indicates that technological innovation and economic growth undermine ecological excellence in European nations while green energy and financial inclusion enhance it. Moreover, the findings of the causality analysis reveal a causal association between financial inclusion, renewable energy, and LCF. Our study recommends prioritizing financial inclusion alongside investments in renewable energy to enhance ecological sustainability.

This research focuses on achieving sustainable development in residential buildings with energy use. Under the influence of the energy crisis and related problems, research on residential buildings for less energy use has great potential. The literature review, according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses, and including VOSviewer analysis, shows the research is increasing and meaningful. Solar Decathlon buildings are used as the main objects in this research. The fifth Solar Decathlon Europe energy use technologies are examined through onsite investigation and online searching. The Analytic Hierarchy Process method for multi-criteria decision analysis is used for sustainability assessment. Moreover, the Ladybug and ClimateStudio plugins simulated respectively the annual solar radiation and the best angle for receiving it. The main findings show that 34 kinds of technologies used in these buildings can be classified into two categories in three directions. Passive technologies should be applied and prioritized, but generating renewable energy is also important. Some infrequently used technologies are not insignificant. The research shows that the combination of technologies decides sustainability performance, but the quantity used does not. Furthermore, energy use also needs to be balanced and coordinated in combination with architectural aesthetics. This research on energy use in residential buildings is beneficial for achieving sustainable development.