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Microgrids are increasingly being used as a platform to integrate distributed generation such as renewable energy sources and (RESs) conventional sources in both grid-connected and isolated power systems. Due to the inherent intermittent nature of RESs, energy storage systems (ESSs) that can absorb fluctuations have become inevitable. Nevertheless, large capacities of ESSs increase the initial cost while small capacities lead to instabilities and increase in the cost of conventional fuels. Therefore, finding the optimal size of the ESS for a given application is essential for the reliable, efficient and economical operation of a microgrid. Once the battery size is decided, maintaining its energy at appropriate levels is essential to ensure stable and safe operation of the microgrid. This paper presents a novel expert fuzzy system - grey wolf optimization (FL-GWO) based intelligent meta-heuristic method for battery sizing and energy management. The proposed energy management operation is carried out by a Grey Wolf Optimiser (GWO) that is helped to set the membership functions and rules of the fuzzy logic expert system. The unit commitment (UC) issue, which is essential for the proper operation of the isolated microgrid, has been additionally considered in this paper. To verify the performance of the proposed method, results are compared with the rules-based method and traditional GWO algorithm. It has been proven from the results that the FL-GWO has a significant convergence property and capability to minimize the Levelized Cost Of Electricity (LCOE) by 14.13% and 24.15% compared with conventional GWO algorithm and rules-based method, respectively. The weather conditions for different climates is used to verify the performance of the intelligent energy management method under different operating scenarios. The results show that the intelligent online multi-objective energy management strategy is capable of managing a smooth power flow with the same optimal configuration in the isolated microgrid, minimising the fossil fuel utilisation and reducing the CO2 emission level.

Seagrass systems of the Western Pacific region are biodiverse habitats, providing vital services to ecosystems and humans over a vast geographic range. SeagrassNet is a worldwide monitoring program that collects data on seagrass habitats, including the ten locations across the Western Pacific reported here where change at various scales was rapidly detected. Three sites remote from human influence were stable. Seagrasses declined largely due to increased nutrient loading (4 sites) and increased sedimentation (3 sites), the two most common stressors of seagrass worldwide. Two sites experienced near-total loss from of excess sedimentation, followed by partial recovery once sedimentation was reduced. Species shifts were observed at every site with recovering sites colonized by pioneer species. Regulation of watersheds is essential if marine protected areas are to preserve seagrass meadows. Seagrasses in the Western Pacific experience stress due to human impacts despite the vastness of the ocean area and low development pressures.

The experimental study is conducted to investigate the public opinion on how immigration leads to overpopulation and in turn might damage the sustainable development and environmental protection.

Abstract An alkaline earth boro-aluminosilicate glass (Eagle XG), a soda-lime glass, and a light-weight polyethylene-terephthalate (PET) foil, used as typical substrates for photovoltaics, were treated by an energetic proton beam (3 MeV, dose 106–107 Gy) corresponding to approx. 30 years of operation at low Earth orbit. Properties of the irradiated substrates were characterized by atomic force microscopy, optical absorption, optical diffuse reflectance, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and terahertz (THz) spectroscopy. Minimal changes of optical and morphological properties are detected on the bare Eagle XG glass, whereas the bare PET foil exhibits pronounced increase in optical absorption, generation of photoluminescence, as well as mechanical bending. On the other hand, the identical substrates coated with Indium-tin-oxide (ITO), which is a typical material for transparent electrodes in photovoltaics, exhibit significantly higher resistance to the modifications by protons while ITO structural and electronic properties remain unchanged. The experimental results are discussed considering a potential application of these materials for missions in space.

Highly efficient nanocatalysts which can selectively decompose hydrous hydrazine for hydrogen production are introduced.

The Pannonian basin is an integral part of the convergence zone between the Eurasian and Nubian plates characterized by active subductions of oceanic and continental plates, and formation of backarc basins. The first part of this paper presents an overview of the evolution of the Alpine-Mediterranean region in order to understand the large scale crustal and upper mantle processes in and around the Pannonian basin, resulting a collage of terranes of Alpine and Adriatic origin. It will be followed by a summary of the history of sedimentation, volcanism and tectonic activity. As an illustration, three regional cross sections have been prepared on the base of seismic and borehole data. Reviewing current tectonic ideas and models, we come up with a speculative tectonic scenario depicting Alcapa and Tisza-Dacia as orogenic wedges detached from their mantle lithosphere in the Alpine and Adriatic/Dinaric collision zone during the Late Oligocene to Early Miocene. They suffered a dramatic thermal impact leading to crustal melting during extrusion, when these crustal flakes could have been directly superimposed on the asthenosphere in the Carpathian embayment. Since then, the large part of the Pannonian has been cooling and a new mantle lithosphere growing. Geothermal data show that the Pannonian basin with cessation of volcanic activity in the Late Miocene is still very hot and Miocene to Quaternary clastic basin fill, together with karstified Mesozoic carbonates form good geothermal reservoirs of regional extent. In addition to these gravity-driven aquifer systems, a strongly overpressured reservoir can be found below a regional pressure seal in synrift strata and fractured basement rocks. Eventually, we show maps of geothermal installations in the Pannonian basin and suggest that at the present level of knowledge and geophysical surveying it is easy to find additional resources, however proper water management is a critical issue to avoid harmful drawdown of the groundwater table.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to outline a comprehensive picture of the coverage of various certification schemes and sustainability principles relating to the entire value‐added chain of biomass and bioenergy and comparing them accordingly.Design/methodology/approachA tri‐dimensional approach (sustainability issues; technical biomass conversion routes; physical trade flows) was developed for testing the coverage of various sustainability dimensions in different phases of the value‐added chain with the chosen certification schemes and sustainability principles.FindingsUsing the tri‐dimensional approach, a comparison of the chosen schemes and principles demonstrated that the application of existing schemes and the development of new ones have placed a major emphasis on the primary production of biomass. Economic and social dimensions related to biofuels and bioenergy processing and trade were either emphasised less or they were covered inadequately. In view of this, the schemes sometimes seem to ignore that the utilisation of renewable energy as such guarantee no positive or neutral climate impact and may not be economically sustainable, especially when bioenergy can often be more expensive than energy generated from fossil energy sources.Originality/valueThe analysis showed that the tri‐dimensional model is an applicable framework that could facilitate policy makers to formulate policies that comprehensively take into consideration the various sustainability dimensions throughout the entire value‐added chain, now and in the future. It can be applied to the future outlining and completion of certification schemes and sustainability principles for biomass and bioenergy, as well as in the testing of their applicability in the implementation.

A field study was conducted on two texturally different soils to determine the influences of biosolids application on selected soil chemical properties and carbon dioxide fluxes. Two sites, located in Manildra (clay loam) and Grenfell (sandy loam), in Australia, were treated at a single level of 70 Mg ha-1 biosolids. Soil samples were analyzed for SOC fractions, including total organic carbon (TOC), labile, and non-labile carbon contents. The natural abundances of soil δ13C and δ15N were measured as isotopic tracers to fingerprint carbon derived from biosolids. An automated soil respirometer was used to measure in-situ diurnal CO2 fluxes, soil moisture, and temperature. Application of biosolids increased the surface (0-15 cm) soil TOC by > 45% at both sites, which was attributed to the direct contribution from residual carbon in the biosolids and also from the increased biomass production. At both sites application of biosolids increased the non-labile carbon fraction that is stable against microbial decomposition, which indicated the soil carbon sequestration potential of biosolids. Soils amended with biosolids showed depleted δ13C, and enriched δ15N indicating the accumulation of biosolids residual carbon in soils. The in-situ respirometer data demonstrated enhanced CO2 fluxes at the sites treated with biosolids, indicating limited carbon sequestration potential. However, addition of biosolids on both the clay loam and sandy loam soils found to be effective in building SOC than reducing it. Soil temperature and CO2 fluxes, indicating that temperature was more important for microbial degradation of carbon in biosolids than soil moisture.

Much of New South Wales and southern Queensland suffered from extreme drought from 2017 to 2019. This study models drought and bushfires impacts using VU‐TERM, a multi‐regional, dynamic CGE model. Prolonged drought pushed national real GDP to 0.7 per cent or more below base in 2018–2019 and 2019–2020. NSW’s real GDP fell relative to forecast by 1.1 per cent or $6.9 billion in 2018–2019 and 1.6 per cent or $10.2 billion in 2019–2020. These impacts reflect a severe diminution of farm output, given that agriculture accounts for around 1.6 per cent of NSW’s income. Bushfires exacerbated 2019–2020 losses. We assume that there is a full recovery in seasonal conditions in 2020. However, prolonged drought and bushfire destruction deplete farm capital through depressed investment and diminished herd numbers. Consequently, the income earning capacity of farms in recovery remains below that of a no drought base. The net present value of the national welfare loss is $63 billion, split between $53 billion in losses from drought and $10 billion from bushfires. The latter excludes any valuation of human lives lost, flora, fauna or forestry destruction. In the longer term, adaptation and policy responses will need to reflect the expectation of increased frequency of adverse climatic events.