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Renewable energy (mainly hydroelectric power plants) has a significant share in energy generation sector in Brazil. Recent climate changes, however, resulted in lower rainfall indexes and acted as a driving factor for the increasing interest in biomass applications. Therefore, having the land available for forest planting and a critical need for a new source of renewable energy, Brazil has the potential to further increase the energy generation from biomass. Due to the diverse nature of biomass materials, their properties range widely and exhibit different behaviors in thermal processes. To choose the most efficient way for production of energy, it is required to know the energy potential of the biomass samples. This study focuses on the physical-chemical characterization of nine lignocellulosic biomasses widely available in Brazil: five types of eucalyptus wood chips, sugarcane bagasse, elephant grass, bamboo, and coconut husk. Some characteristics regarded as important to thermochemical conversion are evaluated, such as: biomass chemical composition - polisacharides (glucans, xylans, galactans, mannans, arabinans), total uronic acids, acetyl groups, lignin, chloride, elementary analysis of the ash (Cu, Fe, Ca, Mn, Mg and K), silica and extractives, heating value, ultimate and proximate analyses. Moreover, the studied samples were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TG and DTG). The evaluation of these characteristics is important for understanding the processes of the thermochemical conversion of biomasses. Proceedings of the 23rd European Biomass Conference and Exhibition, 1-4 June 2015, Vienna, Austria, pp. 294-298

Dielectric and anelastic spectroscopies are complementary techniques and their combination allows valuable information to be obtained in the field of multifunctional materials. Whereas the dielectric spectroscopy measures the dielectric susceptibility ?(?,T) and it is sensitive to fluctuations of electric dipoles, the anelastic spectroscopy measures the elastic compliance or elastic susceptibility s(?,T) and it is sensitive to fluctuations of elastic dipoles. Both susceptibilities are complex, their immaginary part being due to the delayed response of the mobile defects coupled to the electric field/stress. The great advantage of using a combination of both techniques is that the anelastic measurements are insensitive to free charges, therefore it is possible to measure the dynamics of ions also in the presence of free charges. Two main types of investigations have been pursued by the combination of these techniques: the study of structural phase transitions and the study of microscopic mechanisms associated with the presence of defects, both important for the knowledge and development of multifunctional materials. We have applied this approach for different functional materials with perovskite framework: multiferroic, ferroelectric and relaxor ferroelectric ceramics, and organic-inorganic perovskite photovoltaics. Thanks to the combination of the two spectroscopies, it has been possible to probe more accurately the structural transitions involving the antiferrodisortive tilt modes of the octahedra in PZT [1] and NBT-BT [2]. It was also possible to evidence incipient phase separation in lead titanate-based multiferroics [3]. Moreover, since the elastic response is insensitive to free charges, it has been used to probe the piezoelectric response even in unpoled ceramics [4] and for the study of coexisting ferroelectric and metallic states [5]. The combination of the two techniques allowed also new features to be revealed on the reorientation dynamics of the organic molecules in MAPbI3 photovoltaic organic-inorganic perovskites and the hindrance of their ferroelectric order by coupling with the tilt modes [6]. 1. F. Cordero, F. Trequattrini, F. Craciun, C. Galassi, Phys. Rev. B, 87 (2013) 094108 2. F. Cordero, F. Craciun, F. Trequattrini, et al., Phys. Rev. B, 81 (2010) 144124 3. F. Craciun, F. Cordero, B. Vasile, et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 20 (2018) 14652 4. F. Cordero, F. Craciun, F. Trequattrini, C. Galassi, Phys. Rev. B, 93 (2016) 174111 5. F. Cordero, F. Trequattrini, F. Craciun, et al., Phys. Rev. B, 99 (2019) 064106 6. F. Cordero, F. Craciun, F. Trequattrini, et al., J. Phys. Chem. Lett., 9 (2018) 4401

How will carbon source-sink relations of 35-yr-old larch trees (Larix decidua) at the alpine treeline respond to changes in atmospheric CO(2) and climate? We evaluated the effects of previously elevated CO(2) concentrations (9 yr, 580 ppm, ended the previous season) and ongoing soil warming (4 yr, + 4°C). Larch branches were pulse labeled (50 at% (13)CO(2)) in July 2010 to trace fresh assimilates through tissues (buds, needles, bark and wood) and non-structural carbon compounds (NCC; starch, lipids, individual sugars) using compound-specific isotope analysis. Nine years of elevated CO(2) did not lead to increased NCC concentrations, nor did soil warming increase NCC transfer velocities. By contrast, we found slower transfer velocities and higher NCC concentrations than reported in the literature for lowland larch. As a result of low dilution with older carbon, sucrose and glucose showed the highest maximum (13)C labels, whereas labels were lower for starch, lipids and pinitol. Label residence times in needles were shorter for sucrose and starch (c. 2 d) than for glucose (c. 6 d). Although our treatments showed no persistent effect on larch carbon relations, low temperature at high altitudes clearly induced a limitation of sink activities (growth, respiration, root exudation), expressed in slower carbon transfer and higher NCC concentrations.

This research investigates the positive role developers and private investors play in preservation and restoration of historical buildings and important sites to national identity in Malta. The research also investigates the positive experience of energy conservation and its contribution to the environment. The role of foreign investors through direct investments, made a significant contribution to the restoration, preservation, and improvements to the tourism sector of the Maltese economy. Findings shows that this is the golden age in construction technology, whereby firms are experimenting with varying technologies, that includes 3D printing, VR, and other digitalized technologies that uses data to make better informed decisions regarding restoration and preservation of heritage buildings, as is the case with Sadeen Group, which showed that innovative practices were facilitated by the education arm of Sadeen, and affection of turning historical ruins into educational institution can make a significant difference to the local community. Proceedings of the 30th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition, 9-12 May 2022, Online, pp. 351-355

This paper conveniently skips any controversy associated with the science of climate change. On the assumption that greenhouse gas emissions are causing climate change that is detrimental to humanity, the paper focuses on some economic dimensions of the issue which seem to be poorly understood by Australian media commentators, policy analysts, interest groups and the political parties. Using a neoclassical welfare economics framework the paper explores the costs and benefits of greenhouse gas abatement with reference to the findings of the Stern Report, the setting of greenhouse gas targets by Australian political parties, the danger of the government “picking winners” and the emerging carbon theory of value. The paper concludes with a brief review of the relative merits of a carbon tax and a cap and trade approach. Key Words: This paper conveniently skips any controversy associated with the science of climate change. On the assumption that greenhouse gas emissions are causing climate change that is detrimental to humanity, the paper focuses on some economic dimensions of the issue which seem to be poorly understood by Australian media commentators, policy analysts, interest groups and the political parties. Using a neoclassical welfare economics framework the paper explores the costs and benefits of greenhouse gas abatement with reference to the findings of the Stern Report, the setting of greenhouse gas targets by Australian political parties, the danger of the government “picking winners” and the emerging carbon theory of value. The paper concludes with a brief review of the relative merits of a carbon tax and a cap and trade approach.

This Milestone, namely M3.3, is part of Task 3.3 “Downscaling of future climate projections at the case-study scale and their transfer to the Partners”. The aim of M3.3 is to outline the results of the climate change evaluation over the investigated pilot sites. For the future projections of the climate variables (precipitation and temperature), the data provided by EURO-CORDEX initiative under two emission scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) are used. The main information on the pilot sites, available data, analyses and results are presented. The data are freely downloadable from the web repository https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7247977. This project is part of the PRIMA Programme supported by the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement No 1923.

In this article, a large area bifacial solar cell on n-type silicon substrates using novel process and only industrial facilities is introduced. The boron emitter is formed by BCl3 precursor and the phosphorus BSF is made by ionimplantation followed by in-situ front and rear side passivation with silicon oxide. Meanwhile, the wafer source and cell series resistance affiliated to process control variability are analyzed. The resulting cell efficiency achieved 19.7% on 156 PSQ n-type Cz wafers. Moreover, such process was adopted on 156 inch n-type mono-like wafers and achieved cell efficiency up to 18.9%. 28th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition; 1053-1056

Lignite-fired power plants in Northern Greece produce about 50% of the electricity and account for nearly 60% of the allocated CO2 emissions. The implementation of biomass co-firing is considered a cost effective and efficient method for minimizing GHG emissions. However, despite a favorable legislative framework, co-firing in Greece has not progressed since low lignite costs and distance of power plants from harbor facilities limit access to internationally traded solid biomass. The improvement and optimization of local biomass supply chains is thus a strategic priority in the national context. The purpose of the present work is to present preliminary investigations of a wheat straw supply chain for a Greek lignite-fired power plant to be converted into biomass co-firing operation. On¬field demonstration data are analyzed in order to estimate costs for supply chains involving either pelletized straw or straw bales. Information of energy consumption is also presented for different cases and GHG emissions calculated according to the methodology of (COM 2010)11. Results indicate that the cost of straw delivered at the power plant varies depending on whether pelletization is included as a supply chain step. Overall, over short distances, transfer of baled biomass is more economic and results in lower GHG emissions, however the increase in the cost of the supply chain suggest that a pelletization step should be considered for longer distances. The transport cost of the supply chain also depends on whether the vehicles are assumed to return empty at their starting point or loaded. Also, compared to imported or domestic wood pellets, straw pellets have lower prices and could be more attractive to plant operators. Long-term fuel contracts are essential in order to ensure the financial viability of co-firing, especially if a reduction in the feed-in tariff is expected. Proceedings of the 20th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition, 18-22 June 2012, Milan, Italy, pp. 136-142

The Index of Sustainable Functionality (ISF) makes it possible to analyse domains and the sustainability of multiple systems from various perspectives. This paper uses available household wealth and income data to calculate the resource rich state of Western Australia's ISF from different wealth level perspectives. How wealth inequity may affect the stability of major systems including the social, terrestrial, water and mineral industry are discussed as are reasons behind recent changes in wealth distribution. The ISF results show that from the perspective of society's richest 20%, poorest 20%, mean wealth households and the environment, system decline has occurred over the past 20 years, even as the economy reached full functionality. Suggestions to improve functionality and long-term stability are made, with the major suggestion the introduction of a fund modelled on Norway's sovereign wealth fund.

Poplar is largely utilized in Short Rotation Forestry (SRF) plantations for energy purposes. Its cultivation can produce environmental benefits but requires the availability of water and nutrients. Because of environmental and energetic implications of production and use of water and fertilizers, it’s important to test the efficiency of yield also without these costly cultivation practices. Within SUSCACE Project (funded by MiPAAF) in 2009 a trial was established near Casale Monferrato, Italy, with Populus ×canadensis ‘Imola’, to compare SRC models and treatments: 2-year rotation, very high density (8333 trees·ha-1) - vSRC, and 5-year rotation, high density (1111 trees·ha-1) - SRC. Fertilization(F) and irrigation(I) effects were applied with two levels, fertilized – not fertilized, irrigated-not irrigated. Data of five years of growth are available. SRC is the model most productive during this period. Within treatments the difference in yield is due to irrigation, that increases the productions about of 120%; fertilization had no effect. The water availability remains the key factor for a good production. However, to reduce the costs of cultivation ensuring the availability of water, other studies are ongoing to improve the application of wastewater that combines the purification of water and the production of biomass. Proceedings of the 23rd European Biomass Conference and Exhibition, 1-4 June 2015, Vienna, Austria, pp. 214-218