• Energy Research
• 2025-2025close
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• 13. Climate action close
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Creating and delivering products and services that promote sustainability is increasingly important in today’s economy. Novel services based on digital technologies and infrastructure can significantly contribute to sustainable development, as demonstrated by digitally enabled car-sharing services where increased asset utilization reduces production-related greenhouse gas emissions. However, there is still limited knowledge on how digital service innovation can purposefully be applied to promote sustainability. To address this gap, we conduct a systematic literature review and perform a qualitative inductive analysis of 50 articles on the impact of digital service innovation on social, environmental, and economic sustainability. We provide a comprehensive overview of real-world applications and identify five underlying mechanisms through which innovation with digital services can drive sustainable development. In doing so, we aim to pave the way to purposefully conceive, design, and implement digital services for sustainability.

Oxy-fuel carbon capture in power plants is a relatively new concept aiming at reducing carbon dioxide emissions from the plants. This is achieved by burning the fossil fuel using oxygen as oxidizer with no nitrogen, thereby rendering the exhaust gases very rich in carbon dioxide (after condensing water vapor by cooling), which facilitates its capture for environmental or commercial purposes. Despite the worldwide interest in oxy-fuel carbon capture, its progress is at risk given the large energy needed to separate oxygen from air in order to provide the oxidizer, thereby hindering further progress of this concept toward large-scale applications. This paper focuses on alleviating this drawback of oxy-fuel combustion by making it more attractive through combining it with another concept, namely magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) power generators. The end product is a power plant operating on a combined cycle composed of a topping MHD ultra-high-temperature cycle with direct electricity extraction from plasma, followed by a bottoming steam cycle with conventional turbo-generators. Different design aspects and simplified technical analysis for the MHD generator are presented.

Predicted changes in rainfall intensity due to climate change are likely to influence key soil health parameters, especially structural attributes and crop growth. Variations in rainfall intensity will impact crop production negatively. It is therefore imperative to investigate the interaction between predicted increases in rainfall intensity and key soil health parameters, particularly in relation to soil structural attributes and plant growth. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of rainfall intensity on soil crust formation and mode of seedling emergence in soils dominated by primary minerals. Soil samples were collected from the top 200 mm, air dried and then packed uniformly into plastic pots, which were perforated at the bottom. Three maize seeds of equal size were planted in a triangular pattern in each pot at a depth of 30 mm, after which the pots were pre-wetted by capillary. The samples were then subjected to simulated rainfall at 3 intensities, i.e., 30, 45 and 60 mm/h, for 5 min. Rainfall intensity significantly (P < 0.05) affected crust strength and mean emergence day (MED), but not emergence percentage (EMP) and shoot length (P > 0.05). The 60 mm/h rainfall intensity resulted in the highest crust strength and MED. The strength of crust for all three rainfall intensities was influenced by quartz content, soil organic matter, clay and hematite. Most seedlings emerged through cracks, which resulted in rainfall intensity having no significant effects on seedling EMP and shoot length. We concluded that any increase in rainfall intensity is likely to increase the severity of crusting in these soils. However, soils with extensive cracking are likely to have higher EMP and lower MED and more vigorous seedlings despite the strength of the crust. As a result, post-planting tillage methods that enhance crust cracking may be employed to enhance seedling emergence and growth in these soils.

Le carbone noir est une petite particule d'aérosol (ou aérienne) de courte durée de vie liée au réchauffement climatique et aux effets nocifs sur la santé. Il est rejeté par la combustion incomplète de carburants à base de carbone (c.-à-d. les combustibles fossiles, les biocarburants ou le bois) sous la forme de matière particulaire très fine. Le carbone noir n'est pas rejeté seul, mais en tant que composante d'une matière particulaire d'un diamètre inférieur ou égal à 2,5 micromètres (PM2,5). En tant que membre du Conseil de l'Arctique, le Canada est engagé à produire un inventaire annuel des émissions de carbone noir. Ces données serviront à informer les Canadiens au sujet des émissions de carbone noir et à fournir des renseignements inestimables pour l'élaboration de stratégies de gestion de la qualité de l'air. Les données utilisées pour la compilation du rapport proviennent des sections de l'Inventaire des émissions de polluants atmosphériques (IEPA) en particulier pour les émissions de matières particulaires fines (PM2,5) provenant de sources liées à la combustion Renseignements supplémentaires Pour un complément d'information sur l'Inventaire des émissions de carbone noir du Canada, consulter : https://Canada.ca/carbone-noir Pour les émissions canadiennes d'autres polluants atmosphériques, se reporter à l'Inventaire des émissions de polluants atmosphériques : https://www.canada.ca/fr/environnement-changement-climatique/services/polluants/inventaire-emissions-atmospheriques-apercu.html Outil d'interrogation interactif de l'IEPA et carbone noir : https://pollution-waste.canada.ca/air-emission-inventory/?GoCTemplateCulture=fr-CA Soutien aux projets : Inventaire des émissions de carbone noir au Canada 2013-2023 Black carbon is a short-lived, small aerosol (or airborne) particle linked to both climate warming and adverse health effects. It is emitted from incomplete combustion of carbon-based fuels (i.e., fossil fuels, biofuels, wood) in the form of very fine particulate matter. Black carbon is not emitted on its own, but as a component of particulate matter less than or equal to 2.5 micrometres in diameter (PM2.5). As a member of the Arctic Council, Canada has committed to producing an annual inventory of black carbon emissions. This data will serve to inform Canadians about black carbon emissions and provide valuable information for the development of air quality management strategies. The data used to compile the report originate from sections of the Air Pollutant Emission Inventory (APEI) specifically fine particulate matter (PM2.5) emissions from combustion-related sources. Supplemental Information For more information on Canada's Black Carbon Inventory, please visit: https://Canada.ca/black-carbon For Canada's emissions of other air pollutants, please reference the Air Pollutant Emission Inventory: https://Canada.ca/APEI APEI and Black Carbon Interactive Query Tool: https://pollution-waste.canada.ca/air-emission-inventory Supporting Projects: Canada's Black Carbon Inventory for 2013-2023

Temperature data from the Centre for Marine Applied Research's (CMAR) Coastal Monitoring Program. The original dataset includes data measured on intervals of 1 minute to 1 hour. The figure shows the daily average values for the waterbody, station, depth, time period, and quality control flags selected from the dropdown filters. The filtered dataset can be exported using the "Export" button on the right. To see other variables that were measured in this county, explore the original dataset (https://data.novascotia.ca/d/wpsu-7fer). To learn more about CMAR's Coastal Monitoring Program, visit https://cmar.ca/coastal-monitoring-program/

L'objectif de cette page est de décrire l'organisation du rapport d'inventaire des gaz à effet de serre et d'indiquer où trouver le matériel en ligne. Pour en savoir plus sur l'inventaire officiel des gaz à effet de serre du Canada, visitez la page principale : https://www.canada.ca/inventaire-ges Contactez-nous : https://www.canada.ca/fr/environnement-changement-climatique/services/changements-climatiques/emissions-gaz-effet-serre/coordonnees-equipe.html Documents disponibles en ligne : Le Rapport d'inventaire national (RIN) comprend trois parties. La Partie 1 du RIN comprend le Sommaire et les Chapitres 1 à 8. La Partie 2 comprend les Annexes 1 à 7. La Partie 3 comprend les Annexes 8 à 13. Le rapport complet se trouve à l'adresse suivante : https://publications.gc.ca/site/fra/9.506002/publication.html. Les fichiers de données des Partie 2 et Partie 3 sont accessibles en cliquant sur le bouton « Explorer », puis « Aller à la ressource » ci-dessous. Description du contenu de chaque répertoire: A-Secteur du GIEC : Contient divers fichiers d'émissions de gaz à effet de serre (GES) par secteur du Groupe d'experts intergouvernemental sur l'évolution du climat (GIEC) et par gaz, pour toutes les années, pour le Canada et pour les provinces et territoires. B-Secteur économique : Contient divers fichiers d'émissions de GES par secteurs économiques, pour toutes les années pour le Canada et pour la dernière année pour les provinces et les territoires. Dans le fichier FR_GES_Econ_Canada, un onglet contenant la relation entre les secteurs du GIEC et les secteurs économiques est également inclus. Les émissions sont également présentées par gaz pour le Canada et pour les provinces et territoires. C-Tableaux Électricité Canada Provinces Territoires : Contient un sommaire et des tableaux sur l'intensité des GES pour l'électricité au Canada. D-Coefficients d'émission : Contient des fichiers comprenant des informations sur les coefficients d'émission. E-ATCATF : contient des estimations de séries chronologiques pour le secteur de l'affectation des terres, du changement d'affectation des terres et foresterie (ATCATF), des fichiers géomatiques contenant des estimations attribuées à des unités spatiales, et un plan pluriannuel d'amélioration de la foresterie. F-Agriculture : Contient des estimations de séries chronologiques pour le secteur de l'agriculture et des fichiers géomatiques contenant des estimations attribuées à des unités spatiales. G-Annexes supplémentaires du RIN : Contient l'Annexe 1 (catégories clés), l'Annexe 2 (incertitude), l'Annexe 3 (méthodologies), l'Annexe 4 (approches sectorielles et de référence, et bilan énergétique national), l'Annexe 5 (exhaustivité), l'Annexe 7 (ozone et précurseurs d'aérosols) et l'Annexe 8 (protocole d'arrondissement) du Rapport d'inventaire national (RIN). The purpose of this page is to describe the organization of the greenhouse gas inventory report and to indicate where to find the online material. To learn more about Canada's official greenhouse gas inventory, visit the Main page: https://www.canada.ca/ghg-inventory Contact us: https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/climate-change/greenhouse-gas-emissions/contact-team.html Documents available online: The National Inventory Report (NIR) comprises three parts. Part 1 of the NIR includes the Executive Summary and Chapters 1 to 8. Part 2 consists of Annexes 1 to 7. Part 3 includes Annexes 8 to 13. The full report can be found at the following address: https://publications.gc.ca/site/eng/9.506002/publication.html. Part 2 and Part 3 data files can be accessed by clicking on the "Explore" button below, then "Go to resource". Description of the content of each folder: A-IPCC Sector: Contains various greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions files by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) sector and by gas, for all years, for Canada and for provinces and territories. B-Economic Sector: Contains various GHG emissions files by Economic sectors, for all years for Canada and for the latest year for provinces and territories. In the EN_GHG_Econ_Canada file, a tab containing the relationship between IPCC sector and Economic sector is also provided. Emissions are also presented by gas for Canada and for the provinces and territories. C-Tables Electricity Canada Provinces Territories: Contains summary and GHG intensity tables for Electricity in Canada. D-Emission Factors: Contains files with information on emission factors. E-LULUCF: Contains time-series estimates for the Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) sector, geomatics files containing estimates attributed to spatial units, and a multi-year forestry improvement plan. F-Agriculture: Contains time-series estimates for the Agriculture sector and geomatics files containing estimates attributed to spatial units. G-Additional NIR Annexes: Contains Annex 1 (key categories), Annex 2 (uncertainty), Annex 3 (methodologies), Annex 4 (sectoral and reference approaches, and national energy balance), Annex 5 (completeness), Annex 7 (ozone and aerosol precursors) and Annex 8 (rounding protocol) of the National Inventory Report (NIR).

This repository contains VBA and ArcObjects code used to analyze plant distributions in digitized quadrats near Flagstaff Arizona, over the years 2002 - 2024. This code was used to produce the data presented in the Data Paper "Cover and density of southwestern ponderosa pine understory plants in permanent chart quadrats (2002-2024)" (Moore et al. 2025). There are 262 VBA functions used in this project, distributed over 13 modules and comprising 25,566 lines of code. The primary analytical master function is "RunAsBatch" in the module "H_WB_Analysis". This function runs several other functions that do the various steps of the analysis. In particular: The function "OrganizeData" in module "H_WB_Analysis" assembles all original datasets into a single workspace with a common naming convention, and adds verbatim fields to keep track of edits made to data. The function "ReviseShapefiles" in module "H_WB_Analysis" corrects species misspellings and misidentifications. The function "ConvertPointShapefiles" in module "H_WB_Analysis" converts point features to small polygons, deletes a few extraneous objects, adds a few observations that were missed in the digitizing, switches species designations from Cover to Density or vice-versa if necessary, and rotates quadrats if they were mapped with the wrong orientation. The function "AddEmptyFeaturesAndFeatureClasses" in module "H_WB_Analysis" adds empty feature classes if a survey was done on that quadrat in that year but no features were found. These empty feature classes distinguish these cases from times when no survey was conducted. The function "RepairOverlappingPolygons" in the module "More_Margaret_Functions" fixes cases when polygons for a single observation are digitized twice, or when separate polygons for a single species overlap. The function "RecreateSubsetsOfConvertedDatasets" in the module "More_Margaret_Functions" combines all newly-corrected feature classes into a new workspace, and creates two global feature classes containing all cover and all density observations. The function "AddEmptyFeaturesAndFeatureClassesToCleaned" in module "H_WB_Analysis" adds empty feature classes to the newly corrected feature classes if a survey was done on that quadrat in that year but no features were found. These empty feature classes distinguish these cases from times when no survey was conducted. The function "ShiftFinishedShapefilesToCoordinateSystem" in module "H_WB_Analysis" correctly georeferences all feature classes and saves to a new workspace. Prior to this step all plant locations were in a local 1-square-meter coordinate system based on the 1-square-meter quadrat. The function "ExportFinalDataset" in module "H_WB_Analysis" removes extraneous and verbatim fields, and exports the final version of the dataset to a new workspace. The function "SummarizeSpeciesBySite" in module "More_Margaret_Functions" analyzes all the feature classes to determine which species were observed at each site. The function "SummarizeSpeciesByCorrectQuadrat" in module "More_Margaret_Functions" analyzes all the feature classes to determine which species were observed at each quadrat. The function "SummarizeYearByCorrectQuadratByYear" in module "More_Margaret_Functions" analyzes all the feature classes to determine which quadrats were surveyed each year. The function "ExportSubsetsOfSpeciesShapefiles" in module "Margaret_Functions_3" extracts each species individually from the full dataset, and saves them in a series of nested folders suitable for Integral Projection Model functions in R. The function "CreateFinalTables" in module "H_WB_Analysis" produces the final summary tables intended for distribution with the data, including a list of plant species observed, a summary of the basal area per species by quadrat and year, summary data describing all quadrats and overstory plots, and tabular versions of the global cover and density feature classes. The primary map export function is "ExportImages" in the module "Margaret", and is run separately from the 14 functions run in the batch file above. This map-making function creates common plant species symbology that can be applied to all 1,877 maps, and exports individual maps for each quadrat and for each year. This function is best run from an ArcMap document with no data in it, which is why it is run separately from the other functions. Note: These functions are written in ArcObjects and VBA, and therefore can only be run in ArcMap. ArcGIS Pro cannot run them. Moore, M. M., J. S. Jenness, D. C. Laughlin, R. T. Strahan, J. D. Bakker, H. E. Dowling, and J. D. Springer. 2022. Cover and density of southwestern ponderosa pine understory plants in permanent chart quadrats (2002-2020). Ecology 103(5): e3661. https://doi.org/10.1002/ ecy.3661 Moore, M. M., Jenness, J. S, Laughlin, D. C., Strahan, R. T., Bakker, J. D., Dowling, H. E., and Springer, J. D. 2025. Cover and density of southwestern ponderosa pine understory plants in permanent chart quadrats (2002-2020+). Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. Updated February 2025.

Gas turbine (GT) power plants operating in arid climates suffer a decrease in output power during the hot summer months because of insufficient cooling. Cooling the air intake to the compressor has been widely used to mitigate this shortcoming. An energy analysis of a GT Brayton cycle coupled to a refrigeration cycle shows a promise for increasing the output power with a little decrease in thermal efficiency. A thermo-economics algorithm is developed and applied to an open cycle, Hitachi MS700 GT plant at the industrial city of Yanbu by the Red Sea in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Result shows that the enhancement in output power depends on the degree of chilling the air intake to the compressor (a 12 - 22 K decrease is achieved). For this case study, maximum power gain ratio (PGR) is 15.46%, at a decrease in thermal efficiency of 12.25%. The cost of adding the air cooling system is also investigated and a cost function is derived that incorporates time-dependent meteorological data, operation characteristics of the GT and the air intake cooling system and other relevant parameters such as interest rate, lifetime, and operation and maintenance costs. The profit of adding the air cooling system is calculated for different electricity tariff.