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Context: Colombia consumes natural gas in different sectors, especially in the ones that are residential and vehicular transport. Gas consumption serves as backup for power generation in situations of reduced hydroelectric capacity. Nowadays, gas reserve levels have been reduced and it is essential to ensure the uninterrupted supply of the resource. To achieve such objective, there are some alternatives which are difficult to implement at the same time, given the limited financial budget and implementation times that they demanded. In this way, several studies have advanced in the application of models to prioritize alternatives for both supplying power and reducing emissions in the generation, especially regarding the evaluation of energy sources and technology selection for supply. Method: The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) based in the Delphi method to define preferences according to the experts judgment, was applied to evaluate the selection of alternatives supply of natural gas in Colombia, considering technical, environmental and social criteria, which is reliable and policy oriented to guarantee supply of resources in the country. Results: Once the model was applied, we evaluated the criteria and alternatives for infrastructure to support gas supply, finding that reliability is the most relevant criterion as well as alternative of building the ‘Regasification Pacific Plant’ followed by the construction of the ‘Buenaventura-Cali pipeline’ and the ‘Storage Plant in Bogotá'. Conclusions: As the results indicate, in Colombia efforts should be focus on imports of the resource through the construction of regasification plants and pipelines to facilitate transport inland to demand points. The latter may help decision makers facing various alternatives to ensure the supply of this resource, which is relevant to various economic sectors, including generation of electricity in the country. Language: Spanish

La generación de electricidad en Venezuela está dominada por los combustibles fósiles y las hidroeléctricas a gran escala, predominado sobre otras fuentes energéticas. El objetivo de esta investigación es determinar el potencial solar fotovoltaico y eólico y plantear escenarios de sistemas híbridos de energía eléctrica para la Isla de Toas, Estado Zulia. En una primera parte se realizó una investigación documental sobre dicho potencial, luego con datos obtenidos de irradiación solar y velocidad del viento, mediante Global Solar, NASA Power y el uso de la aplicación Homer se presenta un proyecto factible de una micro red aplicado a la Isla de Toas, Municipio Almirante Padilla, Edo. Zulia. Demostrando así que el escenario fotovoltaico, eólico, batería e interconexión es la opción que mejor aplica, con un costo nivelado de electricidad de 0,3 $/kWh, ofrece mayor confiabilidad y disponibilidad, con posibilidad de transmitir los excedentes a la red eléctrica. // Electricity generation in Venezuela is dominated by fossil fuels and large-scale hydroelectric plants, predominating over other energy sources. The objective of this research is to determine the solar photovoltaic and wind potential and to propose scenarios of hybrid electric energy systems for Toas Island, Zulia State. In the first part, a documentary research on this potential was carried out, then with data obtained from solar irradiation and wind speed, through Global Solar, NASA Power and the use of the Homer application, a feasible project of a micro grid applied to Toas Island, Almirante Padilla Municipality, Zulia State, was presented. Thus demonstrating that the photovoltaic, wind, battery and interconnection scenario is the best applicable option, with a levelized cost of electricity of 0.3 $/kWh, offering greater reliability and availability, with the possibility of transmitting surpluses to the electric grid.

Les énergies renouvelables nous permettent de réduire notre dépendance vis-à-vis des combustibles fossiles et les émissions de gaz à effet de serre. Dans ce travail, une méthodologie appropriée pour la conversion de biomasses humides en carburants a été établie en utilisant le procédé de carbonisation hydrothermale (HTC). Les hydrochar obtenus dans le procédé de l’HTC ont montré de meilleures propriétés en tant que combustibles par rapport aux biomasses brutes pendant la gazéification. L'utilisation de la modélisation et des simulations de procédés nous a permis de trouver les meilleures conditions pour la conversion de la biomasse humide en énergie. En outre, le résultat de la simulation a montré que le procédé HTC est économiquement réalisable pour produire des hydrochar sous forme de pellets et qu'il pourrait concurrencer les pellets de pin en vrac. Las energías renovables nos permiten reducir nuestra dependencia de los combustibles fósiles y las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero. En este trabajo, se estableció una metodología adecuada para la conversión de biomasas húmedas en combustibles, utilizando el proceso de la carbonización hidrotermal (HTC). Los hidrocarbones obtenidos en el proceso de HTC mostraron mejores propiedades como combustibles en comparación con las biomasas brutas durante la gasificación. La utilización de modelado y simulaciones de proceso nos permitió encontrar las mejores condiciones de conversión de biomasa humedad en energía. Además, el resultado de la simulación mostro que el proceso de HTC es económicamente factible para producir hidrocarbones como pellet y podría competir con el pellet de pino a granel. Renewable energies allow us to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions. In this study, a suitable methodology for the conversion of wet biomass into fuels was established by using the hydrothermal carbonization process (HTC). The hydrocarbons obtained in the HTC process show better fuel properties compared to those of the raw biomasses during gasification. The use of modeling and process simulations allowed us to determine the optimum conditions for converting biomass moisture into energy. Furthermore, the simulation results show that the HTC process is economically feasible for producing hydrocarbons as pellets and could compete with bulk pine pellets.

AMADEUS es un proyecto europeo que investiga materiales y dispositivos de estado sólido para almacenar energía a muy alta temperatura. Usando aleados de silicio como materiales de cambio de fase se alcanzan calores latentes superiores a 1000 kWh/m3, propiciando la obtención de altísimas densidades energéticas. Dichos aleados suponen temperaturas de almacenamiento por encima de los 1000 ºC, muy por encima de las de los sistemas actuales de acumulación térmica. El artículo describe las actividades del proyecto y sus primeros resultados, explicando los principales retos de este nuevo sistema que combina la acumulación de energía en forma de calor en silicio fundido con dispositivos de estado sólido termiónicos y termofotovoltaicos para la posterior conversión en electricidad. AMADEUS is a H2020 project that researches on materials and solid-state devices for very high temperature energy storage and conversion. By exploring silicon-based alloys as new phase change materials (PCMs), latent heat higher than 1000 kWh/m3 is achievable, which implies a very high energy density. In addition, silicon-based PCMs lead to storage temperatures well beyond 1000 ºC, well beyond that of current state-of-the-art thermal energy storage (TES). This paper describes the project R&D activities and first results, and comments on challenges towards a new kind of systems combining latent heat energy storage in molten silicon with thermionic and thermophotovoltaic solid state heat-to-power conversion.

In this issue we address the practice of rainwater harvesting in different settings, presenting experiences from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, and Paraguay. Some of the papers were originally presented at the IX International Meeting of the WATERLAT-GOBACIT Network“Water, Rights, and Utopias: priorities in the process of democratization of water politics“, João Pessoa, Paraiba, Brazil, 3-7 September 2018. Article 1 was authored by David Sauri, from the Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain, co-editor of this issue. The article provides an overall introduction to the topic of rainwater harvesting. Article 2, by Martin Sanzana Calvet, Institute of Strategic Studies for Human Development (INEDH), Concepción, Bio-Bio, Chile, addresses the practice of fog catching in arid and semi arid regions of Chile. In Article 3, Daniel Tagle-Zamora, University of Guanajuato, Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico, presents findings from research on the implementation of public policies oriented at the provision of rainwater catchment technologies, mostly for domestic use ,in several municipalities of the semi arid State of Guanajuato, Mexico. Article 4 was co-authored by Roberto de Sousa Miranda, Federal University of the interior of Pernambuco and Federal University of Campina Grande, Paraiba, Brazil, and Laiany Tassila Ferreira, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Brazil.The article discusses the implementation of a national plan to provide rainwater cisterns in the semi arid region of North eastern Brazil, with emphasis on the experience of the State of Paraiba. Finally, Article 5, by Ana Maria Attias Sole and Ricardo Lombardo Lopez, from the North-eastern National University, Resistencia, Chaco, Argentina, provides an overview of the historic legacy of water practices and technologies inherited fromthe“syncretism”between indigenous communities (Tupi-Guarani), and the Jesuit territorial expansion that took place between the early seventeenth and the mid eighteenth centuries in a large region of South America encompassing parts of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. The article focuses mainly on examples from Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay, and provides insights into the significance of historical-cultural research in the production of knowledge about rainwater technologies and the associated culture and practices, which also contributes to our network’s Thematic Area 7, Water-related Art, Communication, Culture, and Education.

Current discourses on the exploitation of energy sources, sustainability, and the possibility to keep increasing production and growth in global advanced capitalism are embedded within the neoliberal geopolitics of the energy-militaryindustrial-complex and generate social conflicts around the dominant dynamics of capitalist exploitation of human and environmental energy resources. Exploring this issue, in this article, I report the experience of ‘Energy Independent Caroline Town' as the pilot case of a broader research project of 18 month between Calabria (Italy) and US. Trying to understand critical aspects, reasons and self-narrations for defining as a ‘success' or a ‘failure' a local energy transition initiative, I looked at this experiment, which is considered in literature and by most of the participants as a case of successful communitarian energy transition, bringing attention to the participation of inhabitants in energy sustainable local plans. Thus, considering participation as the key dimension for successful initiatives of local energy transition, the main questions that organize the work are: ‘who decides' in local energy policy, and can ‘the local' decide its own energy independency'? What can enable the local to decide its own energy autonomy and so, like little David(s), try to fight, and even break free of, giant Goliath(s)?

El siglo XXI es el siglo de la sostenibilidad ambiental y de la lucha contra el cambio climático. El cambio climático va a condicionar políticas públicas y acciones privadas en todo el mundo para alcanzar el objetivo de reducción de emisiones establecidos en los acuerdos internacionales (Kyoto, París). El objetivo de este trabajo es llevar a cabo una revisión de los efectos ya constatados del cambio climático en la región mediterránea, así como las medidas de adaptación y mitigación a corto-medio plazo para hacer frente al calentamiento global, como son la adaptación de los espacios urbanos (escala local), y la mejora de la enseñanza sobre este fenómeno. Según la Agenda 2030, y concretamente los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible, el nº13 (“Acción por el clima”), establece dos acciones principales que los países deben culminar en 2030: la aprobación de leyes y planes de mitigación y adaptación, y la puesta en marcha de programas educativos. Finisterra, Vol. 58 N.º 122 (AOP) (2023)

WIPO High-Level Policy on Environmental Responsibility 2022

Nos últimos trinta anos, a produção de etanol da cana-de-açúcar no Brasil avançou para 17 milhões de metros cúbicos, com perspectivas de atingir 35,7 milhões de metros cúbicos em 2012-2013. Esse crescimento ocorreu com grande aporte de tecnologia, por meio de geração, importação, adaptação e transferência interna. Uma análise das diferentes fases desse desenvolvimento é apresentada, com a evolução dos parâmetros tecnológicos e a grande competitividade atingida. A visão atual é que o setor poderá continuar a evoluir com melhorias contínuas ainda de modo importante, mas grandes "saltos" tecnológicos são possíveis mediante o desenvolvimento de tecnologias para o melhor uso da biomassa residual da cana (cerca de dois terços da biomassa total). Os estudos em curso indicam que a contribuição da cana para o suprimento de energia poderá ser muito superior (e diversificada) que a atual, e poderá ocorrer em paralelo com o desenvolvimento de biorrefinarias, levando a produtos de maior valor agregado.In the last 30 years, the production of ethanol from sugar cane in Brazil reached 17 million cubic meters and it is expected to achieve 35.7 million cubic meters by 2012-2013. This growth has taken place due to great technological support by means of production, imports, adaptations and internal transferences. An analysis of the different phases of this development, with the evolution of its technological parameters and the great competition of the sector, is presented in the article. Nowadays, foresights state that the sector may keep evolving with continuous improvements, but sudden technological boosts are also possible through the development of technologies directed towards a better use of the residual biomass of sugar cane (which represents about two thirds of the total biomass). Studies in progress indicate that the sugar cane contribution to energy supply may be superior and more diversified than the current one. They also affirm that this may happen together with bio-refinery development, which will result in products of higher aggregate values.