• Energy Research

The Chinese electric power industry, including its coal industry and other energy industries that are not efficient, contributes to China’s serious energy shortages and environmental contamination. The governing authority considers energy conservation to be one of the most prominent national targets, and has formulated various plans for decarbonizing the power system. Applying the trans-log cost function, this paper examined the trans-log cost function to analyze the potential inter-factor substitution among energy, capital and labor. We also investigated what role human capital played in energy substitution for the electric power sector during the period from 1981 to 2017. Three key results were derived: (1) energy is price-insensitive, (2) there exists large substitution sustainability between both capital and labor with energy, and (3) human capital input not only enhances the extent of energy substitutability with capital and labor but also is a substitute to energy itself. These findings imply that the liberalization of the electric price mechanism is conducive to lessening energy use and augmenting non-energy intensiveness, and that energy conservation technology could become more sustainable by investing more capital in the electricity sector, thereby achieving a capital–energy substitution and a decrease of CO2 emissions. We further suggest that the priority for the Chinese electric power industry should be to attach more importance to increasing human capital input.

Abstract The methodology, the site and the dataset as well as the emissions scenario considered in the weather file definition influence the numerical evaluation of efficiency measures resilience. With a complete statistical and critical approach, the paper analyzes the importance of these aspects by means of a residential case study simulated in Benevento, a city of south Italy. Using data monitored from 2015 to 2020, a current weather file is built with different methodologies. The comparison indicates that there is not repeatability of the year chosen as a reference for the various months and thus the resolution of the building energy balance could bring different results. Some future climate projections are also generated on medium (2050 s) and long (2080 s) term considering different emission scenarios. With long term projection, the heating degree days are reduced also of − 21% meanwhile the cooling degree days are more than double compared with the current condition. This suggests a remarked transition towards a dominant cooling climate for Benevento. Moreover, when the climate change is considered, the insulation intervention and the installation of double glazed low emissive window is not resilient because the heating energy need decreases also of −56%, but the cooling energy need increases of + 62% (2080 s). If the efficiency measures include also the cool roof and the external shadings, the cooling demand could be reduced until –33% in some scenarios (e.g. RCP 4.5-50th percentile) and increased (+31%) in some others (e.g. 2080 s).

This research aims to present a standardized evaluation system to review and further enhance users’ levels of satisfaction with technologies, facilities, and services of a modern smart city at a time when the smart city paradigm has shifted from the focus of its infrastructural features to citizens. The study also seeks to verify the standardized system, so as to explore the possibility of its future application. For the goals, this research established the Structural Equation Model (SEM) based upon the basic structure of the Customer Satisfaction Index, which is a widely used ex-post assessment model, and upon implications of related studies. To verify the SEM, this study chose two cities, which are located far away from one another and employ different business methods, and conducted a survey of 212 and 197 residents, respectively, with the results being applied to the model for analysis to ascertain if the SEM is reliable and adequate. The analysis results showed that the model secures explanatory power in statistical terms, partially proving that it can be developed into a post-evaluation system for a citizens-centric smart city down the road. However, as meaningful differences were spotted in accordance with characteristics of each urban project, this study tried to come up with the background information of and reasons for such variations, to present implications for urban planning.

Tsunamis pose a significant threat to the construction of Nuclear Power Plants. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out a comprehensive study regarding the potential threat of tsunamis and mitigation measures using detailed data at prospective locations. This assessment is a prerequisite for effective environmental impact planning and analysis. To determine the suitability of a prospective location, careful consideration of natural factors, including earthquakes as triggers for tsunamis, is essential. The main objective of this tsunami research is to assess the level of safety of potential locations against tsunami hazards and develop appropriate mitigation strategies. This research uses the Cornell Multigrid Coupled Tsunami (COMCOT) tsunami modeling technique. This modeling approach utilizes topographic and bathymetric data obtained through extensive field surveys. In addition, this research aims to determine the maximum tsunami height in the inundation area and identify potential tsunami hazards arising from various scenarios related to the active tectonic potential of the Philippine Manila Trench. The Bengkayang Gosong Beach area and West Kalimantan are among the candidate locations that may be affected with the estimated tsunami height being between 0.48 meters and 0.62 meters. The tsunami arrival time was between 9 hours 10 minutes to 9 hours 24 minutes. These findings play an important role in conducting comprehensive risk assessments for nuclear power plant development, ensuring that necessary steps are taken to reduce potential hazards associated with tsunamis.

AbstractInfluence of adding CuO nanoparticles in the base fluid on flow and heat transfer in an inclined half-annulus was studied considering constant heat flux as boundary condition of hot wall. Control Volume based Finite Element Method (CVFEM) is applied in order to simulate procedure. Pressure gradient source terms are eliminated by using vorticity stream function formulation. Influences of CuO volume fraction, inclination angle and Rayleigh number on hydrothermal manners are presented. Results indicate that inclination angle makes changes in flow style. The strength of eddies reaches to its minimum value when the upper wall is hot. Temperature gradient enhances with rise of buoyancy forces while it reduces with augment of inclination angle.

This report, the eighth such annual report, was prepared in response to a congressional mandate laid out in 49 U.S.C. 111(j). The report discusses the extent and condition of the transportation system; its use, performance, security, and safety record; transportation's economic contributions and costs; and its energy and environmental impacts. All modes of transportation are covered in the report. Because it relies on annual data, the most recent data available for the report covered 2000 and, in some cases, only 1999. Two events significantly affected transportation in 2001 while this report was being prepared: a downturn in the U.S. economy that became apparent in late 2000 and the terrorist attacks in September 2001. Because of the importance of terrorism impacts on transportation, special attention has been given in the report to provide data covering 2001 where possible. 310p. in various pagings

Climate change is a global problem, which affects the various geographical regions at different levels. It is also associated with a wide range of human health problems, which pose a burden to health systems, especially in regions such as Africa. Indeed, across the African continent public health systems are under severe pressure, partly due to their fragile socioeconomic conditions. This paper reports on a cross-sectional study in six African countries (Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Namibia, Ethiopia, and Kenya) aimed at assessing their vulnerabilities to climate change, focusing on its impacts on human health. The study evaluated the levels of information, knowledge, and perceptions of public health professionals. It also examined the health systems’ preparedness to cope with these health hazards, the available resources, and those needed to build resilience to the country’s vulnerable population, as perceived by health professionals. The results revealed that 63.1% of the total respondents reported that climate change had been extensively experienced in the past years, while 32% claimed that the sampled countries had experienced them to some extent. Nigerian respondents recorded the highest levels (67.7%), followed by Kenya with 66.6%. South Africa had the lowest level of impact as perceived by the respondents (50.0%) when compared with the other sampled countries. All respondents from Ghana and Namibia reported that health problems caused by climate change are common in the two countries. As perceived by the health professionals, the inadequate resources reiterate the need for infrastructural resources, medical equipment, emergency response resources, and technical support. The study’s recommendations include the need to improve current policies at all levels (i.e., national, regional, and local) on climate change and public health and to strengthen health professionals’ skills. Improving the basic knowledge of health institutions to better respond to a changing climate is also recommended. The study provides valuable insights which may be helpful to other nations in Sub-Saharan Africa.

This paper proposes a new concept of a passive safety system for small modular reactors as a heat pipe type double-containment vessel. The proposed system configures an additional vessel outside the existing one and functions as a heat pipe that utilizes phase change heat transfer to reduce the requirement of a large pool design. The double-containment vessel features a design consisting solely of the evaporation and condensation sections for heat pipe function with compactness. The ultimate heat sink only serves as a condenser part for the double-containment vessel, therefore significantly reducing the volume of stored fluid. The study numerically evaluates several postulated accidental cases to compare the performance of the double-containment vessel using the thermal hydraulic system code, MARS-KS. Even for serious conditions such as multiple failure accidents without safety systems operation, the double-containment can secure extra golden time to core damage by more than 2,090 sec compared to the original design. This study highlights the feasibility and potential of the heat pipe-based double-containment vessel as a passive safety system, enhancing the safety and reliability of small modular reactors. This kind of design can provide the advantages of safety and economics in the construction of small modular reactors.