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The European Union, in pursuit of the goal of reducing emissions by at least 55% by 2030 and achieving climate neutrality by 2050, is deploying different actions, with industry decarbonization as a key strategy. However, increasing electricity demand requires an intensification of energy generation from clean technologies, and the energy system's expansion is hindered by renewable generation's climatic dependencies and the imperative for substantial electrical infrastructure investments. Although the transmission grid is expected to grow, flexibility mechanisms and innovative technologies need to be applied to avoid an overwhelming growth. In this context, this paper presents a thorough assessment, conducted within the FLEXINDUSTRIES project, of the flexibility potential across seven energy-intensive industries (automotive industry, biofuel production, polymer manufacturing, steel manufacturing, paper mills, pharmaceutical industry, and cement production). The methodology followed during the analysis entails reviewing the state-of-the-art existing flexibility mechanisms, industries' energy markets engagement, and technical/operational readiness. The results highlight the feasibility of the proposed actions for enabling energy market flexibility through demand-response programs, quantifying energy opportunities, and pinpointing regulatory and technical barriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent statistics indicate that as of 2023, the global renewable energy capacity has reached new heights, with Saudi Arabia significantly contributing to this growth through its strategic initiatives. The kingdom is particularly focusing on harnessing solar power, given its abundant sunlight, and is also exploring wind energy, leveraging its vast desert landscapes. These efforts are part of Saudi Arabia's broader strategy to become a global leader in renewable energy. This paper provides a detailed exploration of Saudi Arabia's ambitious journey from a fossil-fuel-dominated energy sector to a more sustainable, renewable-energy-driven future. Anchored in the broader context of global energy trends, the study emphasizes the critical shift toward renewable resources, with a particular focus on Saudi Arabia's unique position in this global movement. Key to this transition is Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, a strategic framework that guides the country's renewable energy policies and initiatives. A comprehensive review of these policies, including other governmental and international collaborations that support renewable energy development, is offered. The current state of renewable energy in Saudi Arabia is assessed, including an overview of existing projects and production statistics. The paper also explores emerging technologies such as energy storage systems and smart grid solutions, emphasizing their role in Saudi Arabia's energy transition. An impact assessment is conducted to understand the environmental, economic, and social effects of this energy shift. The paper also includes a comparative analysis of other countries' renewable energy transitions, extracting lessons and best practices applicable to the Saudi context. Strategic recommendations and reflections on Saudi Arabia's future role in the global energy landscape are provided for stakeholders in energy policy, environmental planning, and sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a thorough examination of methane capture from Polish coal mines, contextualized within the framework of the European Union's (EU) climate policy objectives. Through a strategic analysis encompassing the interior of coal mines, the surrounding environment, and the macro environment, this study elucidates the complex dynamics involved in methane emissions and capture initiatives. The key findings include a declining trend in absolute methane emissions since 2008, despite fluctuations in coal extraction volumes, and a relatively stable level of methane capture exceeding 300 million m3/year since 2014. The analysis underscores the critical role of government support, both in terms of financial incentives and streamlined regulatory processes, to facilitate the integration of methane capture technologies into coal mining operations. Collaboration through partnerships and stakeholder engagement emerges as essential for overcoming resource competition and ensuring the long-term success of methane capture projects. This paper also highlights the economic and environmental opportunities presented by methane reserves, emphasizing the importance of investment in efficient extraction technologies. Despite these advancements, challenges persist, particularly regarding the low efficiency of current de-methanation technologies. Recommendations for modernization and technological innovation are proposed to enhance methane capture efficiency and utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mining production, being one of the most energy-intensive industries globally, consumes substantial amounts of fossil fuels and contributes to extensive carbon emissions worldwide. The trend toward electrification and advanced developments in battery technology have shifted attention from diesel power to battery alternatives. These alternatives are appealing, as they contribute to decarbonisation efforts when compared to conventional diesel trucks. This paper presents a comprehensive review of recent technological advancements in powertrains for Mining Haulage Truck (MHT). It also compares these configurations based on mining system-level considerations to assess their future potential. The evaluated configurations include Diesel-Electric Truck (DET), Trolley Assist Truck (TAT), Battery-only Truck (BOT), Battery Trolley with Dynamic charging truck (BT-D), and Battery Trolley with Stationary charging truck (BT-S). According to the analysis, the energy demand for on-board diesel or battery power (excluding trolley power) in these alternative options is as follows: DET—681 kWh, BOT—645 kWh, TAT—511 kWh, BT-S—471 kWh, and BT-D—466 kWh. The paper also illustrates the theory of battery size design based on the current battery technology, battery material selection, battery package design, and battery size selection methods. In the case of tailored battery size selection, BOT, BT-D, and BT-S configurations require LiFePO4 (LFP) battery masses of 25 tonnes, 18 tonnes, and 18 tonnes, respectively. Based on a techno-economic assessment of battery MHT alternatives with a future perspective, it has been determined that BT-D requires the lowest amount of on-board battery energy. Furthermore, over a span of 20 years, BT-S has demonstrated the lowest on-board battery cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amid rising global demand for sustainable energy, wind energy emerges as a crucial renewable resource, with the aerodynamic optimization of wind turbine blades playing a key role in enhancing energy efficiency. This systematic review scrutinizes recent advancements in blade aerodynamics, focusing on the integration of cutting-edge aerodynamic profiles, variable pitch and twist technologies, and innovative materials. It extensively explores the impact of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) on blade design enhancements, illustrating their significant contributions to aerodynamic efficiency improvements. By reviewing research from the last decade, this paper provides a comprehensive overview of current trends, addresses ongoing challenges, and suggests potential future developments in wind turbine blade optimization. Aimed at researchers, engineers, and policymakers, this review serves as a crucial resource, guiding further innovations and aligning with global renewable energy objectives. Ultimately, this work seeks to facilitate technological advancements that enhance the efficiency and viability of wind energy solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The advent of Industry 4.0 has ushered in a new era of technological advancements, particularly in integrating information technology with physical devices. This convergence has given rise to smart devices and the Internet of Things (IoT), revolutionizing industrial processes. However, despite the push towards predictive maintenance, there still is a significant gap in fault prediction algorithms for electrical machines. This paper proposes a signal spectrum-based machine learning approach for fault prediction, specifically focusing on bearing faults. This study compares the effectiveness of traditional neural network algorithms with a novel approach integrating fuzzy logic. Through extensive experimentation and analysis of vibration spectra from various mechanical faults in bearings, it is demonstrated that the fuzzy-neuro network model outperforms traditional neural networks, achieving a validation accuracy of 99.40% compared to 94.34%. Incorporating fuzzy logic within the neural network framework offers advantages in handling complex fault combinations, showing promise for applications requiring higher accuracy in fault detection. While initial results are encouraging, further validation with more complex fault scenarios and additional fuzzy layers is recommended to fully explore the potential of fuzzy-neuro networks in fault prediction for electrical machines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, HTS magnets cannot operate in the real closed-loop persistent current mode due to the existence of joint resistance, flux creep, and AC loss of the HTS tape. Instead of using a current source, HTS flux pumps are capable of injecting flux into closed HTS magnets without electrical contact. This paper presents a practical superconducting DC dynamo for charging a conduction-cooled HTS magnet system based on a flux-pumping technique. To minimize heat losses, the rotor is driven by a servo motor mounted outside the vacuum dewar by utilizing magnetic fluid dynamic sealing. Different parameters, such as air gap and rotating speed, have been tested to investigate the best pumping effect, and finally, it successfully powers a 27.3 mH HTS non-insulated double-pancake coil to the current of 54.2 A within 76 min. As a low-cost and compact substitute for the traditional current source, the realization of a contactless DC power supply can significantly improve the flexibility and mobility of the HTS magnet system and could be of great significance for the technological innovation of future HTS magnets used in offshore wind turbines, biomedical, aerospace, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sustainability of the transport sector is targeted by various policies adopted by the European Union, and their impact must be constantly monitored in order to maximize the desired objective. This paper, through a two-stage investigation, aims to present a systemic approach of the sustainability dimensions in transport and to introduce an innovative technique to analyze the interdependencies between them. In the first stage, relevant indicators were selected from the Eurostat database for the content of four dimensions: economic, environmental, social and technological. The robustness of the developed dimensions was assessed and validated through a confirmatory factor analysis. In the second stage, a Gaussian graphical model was estimated as a technique integrating graphical and statistical modeling to identify complex structures of linkages between variables (as components of each dimension of sustainability). The structure of the network clearly highlights the dependence of transport on fossil fuel consumption as the main determinant of pollution in the sector (CO2 emissions). In addition, the central role of railways in decarbonizing transport is highlighted, in contrast to the limited, and isolated at one end of the network, role of electric vehicles. The findings support that affordability of this new technology plays an important role in its impact on zero-emission transition. Concentrating on the period 2013–2022, at EU27 level, the results are relevant in the context of decarbonization policies, offering useful insights both for future research and policy makers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid development of the new energy industry, supercapacitors have become key devices in the field of energy storage. To forecast the remaining useful life (RUL) of supercapacitors, we introduce a new technology that integrates variational mode decomposition (VMD) with a bidirectional long short-term memory (BiLSTM) neural network. Firstly, the aging experiments of supercapacitors under various temperatures and voltages were carried out to obtain aging data. Then, VMD was implemented to decompose the aging data, which helped to eliminate disturbances, including capacity recovery and test errors. Then, the hyperparameters of BiLSTM were adjusted, employing the sparrow search algorithm (SSA) to improve the consistency between the input data and the network structure. After obtaining the optimal hyperparameters of BiLSTM, the decomposed aging data were input into BiLSTM for prediction. The experimental results showed that the VMD-SSA-BiLSTM model proposed in this paper has high prediction accuracy and high robustness under different temperatures and voltages, with an average RMSE of 0.112519, a decrease of 44.3% compared to BiLSTM, and a minimum of 0.031426. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Behind the meter (BTM) distributed energy resources (DERs), such as photovoltaic (PV) systems, battery energy storage systems (BESSs), and electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructures, have experienced significant growth in residential locations. Accurate load forecasting is crucial for the efficient operation and management of these resources. This paper presents a comprehensive survey of the state-of-the-art technologies and models employed in the load forecasting process of BTM DERs in recent years. The review covers a wide range of models, from traditional approaches to machine learning (ML) algorithms, discussing their applicability. A rigorous validation process is essential to ensure the model's precision and reliability. Cross-validation techniques can be utilized to reduce overfitting risks, while using multiple evaluation metrics offers a comprehensive assessment of the model's predictive capabilities. Comparing the model's predictions with real-world data helps identify areas for improvement and further refinement. Additionally, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) has recently announced its plan to collect electricity consumption data from identified U.S.-based crypto mining companies, which can exhibit abnormal energy consumption patterns due to rapid fluctuations. Hence, some real-world case studies have been presented that focus on irregular energy consumption patterns in residential buildings equipped with BTM DERs. These abnormal activities underscore the importance of implementing robust anomaly detection techniques to identify and address such deviations from typical energy usage profiles. Thus, our proposed framework, presented in residential buildings equipped with BTM DERs, considering smart meters (SMs). Finally, a thorough exploration of potential challenges and emerging models based on artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models (LLMs) is suggested as a promising approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving the energy efficiency of enterprises is one of the key means to solve the problem of energy shortage. It is of great significance to investigate how environmental information disclosure (EDI) promotes the green total factor energy efficiency (GTFEE) of enterprises. Based on this, this study calculates the GTFEE of enterprises by combining the database of Chinese manufacturing and the pollutant emission of industrial enterprises and investigates the impact of EDI on the GTFEE of manufacturing industries by using a difference-in-difference model. The following is found: (1) EDI can significantly promote the manufacturing enterprises' GTFEE, and the results are still valid after a series of robustness tests; (2) Mechanism analysis shows that EDI can improve the GTFEE of manufacturing enterprises by promoting technological innovation and optimizing energy structure; (3) The heterogeneity analysis shows that EID is more positive on firms' GTFEE in the eastern than western regions. The positive impact is greater for non-state-owned, low-energy consumption, export, and polluting enterprises. The findings of this paper provide a theoretical basis and practical enlightenment for the government to promote the green development transformation of enterprises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From powering our homes to driving our economies, energy lies at the heart of humanity's complex challenges in the modern era. This paper reviews the evolution of smart energy systems, examining their technological advancements and societal implications while proposing a future design framework emphasizing four key pillars: holistic resource optimization, adaptive intelligence, environmental harmony, and human-centered design. While they offer numerous benefits, such as enhanced energy efficiency and reduced carbon emissions, smart energy systems also face challenges. These include cybersecurity risks, the complexity of integrating diverse energy sources seamlessly, high upfront costs, and potential compatibility issues arising from evolving technologies. Overcoming these challenges will be crucial for unleashing the full potential of smart energy systems and facilitating their global adoption. Abundant opportunities for further research and development exist in this domain, awaiting exploration and advancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Outphasing power amplifiers (OPAs) can be used in wireless information and power transfer systems due to their excellent conversion efficiency. With the rapid advancement of technology, there is a strong demand for OPAs to achieve wideband and multi-band operations to enhance frequency coverage. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the research progress on the development of broadband and multi-band board-level OPAs. Firstly, the paper introduces the fundamental components of an OPA. Then, the paper delves into a detailed analysis of the load modulation of OPAs. Subsequently, previous works on the circuit topology and design methods for broadband and multi-band OPAs are discussed and compared. The paper highlights various design strategies and their respective advantages and disadvantages. Finally, the paper explores some potential design methods for broadband and multi-band OPAs, discussing emerging technologies and highlighting potential research directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithuania is located on the East of Baltic sedimentary basin and has a geothermal anomaly situated in the southwestern region of the country. There are two primary geothermal complexes within the anomaly, composed of Cambrian and Devonian aquifers. The Cambrian formation is composed of sandstones that have a reservoir temperature reaching up to 96 °C (depth > 2000 m). The Devonian aquifer is composed of unconsolidated sands of Parnu–Kemeri and has a reservoir temperature of up to 46 °C (depth > 1000 m). Historically, both formations have been investigated for geothermal energy production. In this article, we present a detailed literature review of the geothermal work carried out on both formations, including past, present, and some possible future studies. The study presented in this paper highlights the key findings of previous research work, summarizes the research gaps, and then elaborates on the possible applications of emerging technologies to bridge the research gaps and improve our understanding of geothermal complexes in Lithuania. Although it is not the main aim of this article, this article also touches upon the important need to develop 2D/3D numerical models, to quantify uncertainties, in the evaluation of the geothermal potential in Lithuania for commercial development. This study also highlights possibilities of extending geothermal development to depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs through repurposing the high-water-production wells. Moreover, from the literature review, it can be concluded that the Lithuanian geothermal aquifers are hyper-saline in nature and temperature changes lead to the deposition of salts both upstream and downstream of the reservoir. Therefore, there is a need for developing multiphysics thermo-mechanical–chemical (THMC) models for evaluation of reservoir behavior. The literature also describes the potential use and development of the THMC model as a part of future work that must be carried out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the European Energy Efficiency Directive for Buildings, member states are required to develop long-term strategies to adopt more sustainable, secure, and decarbonized energy systems in buildings by 2050. In this line of approach, an optional common regime has been established to define and calculate the smart readiness of buildings and assess their ability to adapt their operation to the needs of the occupants and the network. Thus, the smart readiness indicator (SRI) emerged, which assesses technological readiness by examining the presence and evaluation of the functionality level of various smart services, aiming at energy savings, the ability of the building to respond to users' needs, and energy flexibility. This paper focuses on examining the SRI calculation methodology's application to an office building, which is currently being deeply renovated. Initially, there is an analysis of the SRI, its calculation methodology, and its goals. This is followed by the practical calculation part of the SRI for a typical office building located in Greece and belonging to the climate zone of southern Europe. The results indicate that the SRIs application is not a straightforward issue since parameters that need to be considered are not regulated to the same degree. On the other hand, SRI can provide a stimulus for exploiting the renovation potential of buildings, precisely by integrating the various aspects and linking those to the use of innovative technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0 have introduced a lot of innovative technologies in industrial plants, transforming them into complex digital systems. On the other hand, the importance of Energy Management Systems in industrial plants is growing for both sustainability and economic reasons, but the opportunity of Industry 4.0/5.0 technologies in enhancing energy management systems is not fully understood. Thus, this paper analyzes how Industry 4.0/5.0 technologies can be applied to meet the requirements of Energy Management Systems, focusing on each aspect such as design, monitoring, control, and budget planning. It identifies additional opportunities that arise with different levels of technological implementation, suggesting organic implementation steps. The final aim is to provide a comprehensive framework for fostering a strategic and conscious implementation approach of these tools in the Energy Management Systems of industrial plants, giving clear and comprehensive suggestions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today's energy challenges are multifaceted. Over the past 30–40 years, energy issues have been discussed and published on an extensive scale. The green transition involves concrete actions related to increasing energy efficiency, replacing fossil fuels with alternative fuels, producing energy using renewable resources, creating various means of transport that use electric motors, identifying technical solutions that generate an increased energy yield in the case of buildings, and waste reduction, reuse and recycling. In order to attain a climate-neutral environment, it is mandatory to impose regulations, measures and actions to help decarbonize the energy sector. The analysis of published articles on these issues is the subject of this large and information-dense review. Concretely, the transition to climate neutrality will generate obvious advantages at an economic, social and technological level, for example, the opportunity for economic growth, new business models and new markets, and the generation of new jobs or technological development. At the same time, this paper underscores the need for a multifaceted approach, integrating technological innovation, policy intervention and global cooperation for an effective energy transformation. The review suggests future issues and research directions, focusing on viable strategies for energy transition and its socio-economic environmental impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transformation of Chinese coal power firms is crucial for achieving carbon emission reduction (CER) goals, and promoting green technology innovation (GTI) is the key for the achievement. To examine the interactive mechanism of central and local government regulatory behavior and coal power firms' GTI behavior under China's dual-regulatory system, this paper introduces environmental impact coefficients and develops a tripartite evolutionary game model (EGM) from the perspective of CER. The influencing factors and interactive relationships among them are analyzed. Additionally, through numerical simulation, the impacts of changes in central and local government S&P (subsidies and penalties) on the evolution of the system are also obtained. The findings indicate the following: (1) Enhancing the initial willingness can accelerate the system's attainment of an optimal state. The local government exhibits a slower pace of evolution. Coal power firms are more sensitive to changes in the initial willingness of the central government. (2) The local government is more sensitive to changes in the central government's S&P intensity rather than changes in the central government's initial willingness. Low levels of central government S&P and high penalties are ineffective, while high subsidies can lead to a sudden decrease in the local government's willingness. (3) Local government penalties have a positive correlation with their effectiveness in promoting GTI, whereas high subsidies are ineffective. (4) The separate implementation of subsidies or penalties by either the central or the local government is detrimental to achieving the optimal state. Such an approach renders the fluctuant or negative behavior of the local government and coal power firms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides a comprehensive review of the integration of advanced power management systems and learning techniques in the field of robotics. It identifies the critical roles these areas play in reshaping the capabilities of robotic systems across diverse applications. To begin, it highlights the significance of efficient power usage in modern robotics. The paper explains how advanced power converters effectively control voltage, manage current and shape waveforms, thereby optimizing energy utilization. These converters ensure that robotic components receive the precise voltage levels they require, leading to improved motor performance and enabling precise control over motor behavior. Consequently, this results in extended operational times and increased design flexibility. Furthermore, the review explores the integration of learning approaches, emphasizing their substantial impact on robotic perception, decision-making and autonomy. It discusses the application of techniques such as reinforcement learning, supervised learning and unsupervised learning, showcasing their applications in areas like object recognition, semantic segmentation, sensor fusion and anomaly detection. By utilizing these learning methods, robots become more intelligent, adaptable and capable of autonomous operation across various domains. By examining the interaction between advanced power management and learning integration, this review anticipates a future where robots operate with increased efficiency, adapt to various tasks and drive technological innovation across a wide range of industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Commission has recently announced two guiding principles for EU product policy: First, product policy shall ensure that the performance of front-runner products in terms of sustainability becomes the norm, and second, the effectiveness of the current Ecodesign legislative framework is going to be significantly improved. Within this paper, already existing front-runner approaches and recent and ongoing product policy-making processes were reviewed. Based on the results, an EU front-runner approach is outlined. The presented approach (i) refers to performance levels of the best products already available on the market, (ii) aggregates information in existing databases, and (iii) works semi-automated. Together, all three attributes have a high potential to facilitate and accelerate the specification of appropriate minimum requirements for products at the EU level. This way, EU policymakers can deliver on the core objectives of the Ecodesign legislative framework much better. The basic mechanism and its legal entrenchment of the approach are illustrated for the energy efficiency of energy-related products. In addition, the Front-Runner Approach can be applied to any product group in the scope of the upcoming Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation and to a wide range of product-related minimum requirements, such as durability, reparability, or recycled content. The study's objective is to suggest a tailor-made and dynamic approach to keep the EU product legislation up to date using innovative technology based on the investigation of current regulations and identify the gap. Experiences from three international case studies suggest that a front-runner approach to setting energy-performance standards can drive innovation and reduce energy consumption via promoting energy-efficient products; transparency about available products is one of the key factors and can be established by a database. The EU front-runner approach comprises extending the existing energy label database (or making use of the digital product passport) and introducing a legislative procedure that triggers changes in the energy efficiency requirements in the specific EU regulations if the database shows that a certain threshold value is reached. Challenges such as limited EU staff capacities and opportunities such as increased dynamic are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This text mining study delves into the multifaceted contributions of the energy sector to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By analyzing 363 papers, we uncover key themes, trends, and challenges shaping the intersection of energy and sustainability. The findings reveal that the energy sector plays a pivotal role in achieving SDGs such as affordable and clean energy (SDG 7) and climate action (SDG 13). Critical issues encompass governance, policy frameworks, and technological innovations. This research underscores the need for interdisciplinary collaboration and holistic approaches in addressing complex energy-related sustainability challenges. The insights derived here provide guidance to policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders seeking to harness the energy sector's potential for a more sustainable and equitable future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Greenhouse gas emission into the atmosphere is considered the main reason for the rise in Earth's mean surface temperature. According to the Paris Agreement, to prevent the rise of the global average surface temperature beyond two degrees Celsius, global CO2 emissions must be cut substantially. While a transition to a net-zero emission scenario is envisioned by mid-century, carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) will play a crucial role in mitigating ongoing greenhouse gas emissions. Injection of CO2 into geological formations is a major pathway to enable large-scale storage. Despite significant recent technological advancements, mass deployment of these technologies still faces several technical and non-technical difficulties. This paper provides an overview of technical milestones reached thus far in CO2 capture, utilization, geological storage, monitoring technologies, and non-technical aspects such as regulatory frameworks and related policies in the US and the rest of the world. This paper describes different injection methods to store CO2 in various subsurface formations, the use of foams and the resulting potential gains in CO2 storage capacity, the role of nanoparticles for foam stabilization, and ensuring long-term storage safety. This work also addresses several safety-related aspects of geological storage and subsurface monitoring technologies that may mitigate risks associated with long-term storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyzes Green Jobs (GJs) in the energy sector. GJs are naturally created in the processes related to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); this is especially visible in the 7th and 8th SDGs. There is currently a green transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources in the energy sector, and this mainly technological change also influences GJ creation. Despite this, there is a research gap related to green self-employment and GJ definitions. The goal of this paper is to explore the scientific literature collected from the Scopus database using a qualitative approach to present areas and keywords related to GJs in the energy sector. The adopted method is a Structured Literature Review (SLR), with the original query Q1. The retrieved data results of the SLR method were analyzed in the form of bibliometric maps of co-occurring keywords generated by the VOSviewer software, together with tables showing clusters of keyword features. As a result, the pivotal keywords and their clusters were identified. In this study, the most important scientific areas of GJ research in the energy sector were also indicated. This paper presents the current state of knowledge and the evolution of the subject of GJs in the energy sector, which can be useful for both researchers and practitioners. In the last section of this paper, possible new directions of future studies on the subject of GJ creation in the energy sector are identified. The limitations of this research and its practical implications are also addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the world becomes more concerned about carbon emissions, the Chinese government, which is a large contributor to carbon emissions, has also begun to pay attention to the issue of carbon emissions. Environmental regulatory policies have been implemented to improve the environment, but are these policies really conducive to improving firms' eco-innovation performance? This paper empirically investigates the relationship between environmental regulation policies and firms' eco-innovation performance in China and finds that: firstly, environmental regulation in China is inadequate and that manufacturing eco-innovation performance is generally low; secondly, there is a U-shaped relationship between environmental regulation policies and firms' eco-innovation performance; thirdly, there is significant industry and regional heterogeneity in the induced effects of environmental regulation tools; and fourthly, there is a mediating effect of industrial agglomeration on the promotion of firms' eco-innovation performance. The conclusions of this paper are: firstly, that the Chinese government should continue to improve environmental regulations and strictly enforce them so that green becomes the colour of 'economic recovery'; secondly, that the Chinese government should develop scientific and reasonable environmental regulatory policies according to local conditions; thirdly, that Chinese companies should increase their spending on research and development; and fourthly, that the Chinese government needs to optimise the industrial layout and support mechanisms. The Chinese government should play an active role in industrial agglomeration in technological innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of global warming and climate change has attracted global attention, and reducing the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere is an important step towards solving the problem. This paper mainly introduces the current development status, research hotspots, challenges and some emerging technologies of carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS). Among CO2 capture technologies, solvent absorption technology is currently the most mature and widely used technology, among which ionic liquid technology has great application prospects because its molecular structure can be designed and different functional groups can be connected. The surface functionalization of metal–organic frameworks in the adsorption method endows them with excellent CO2 adsorption capacity. In CO2 transportation, temperature and pressure must be considered in pipeline transportation, because they will affect the phase state of CO2 transportation. The impact of impurities on CO2 pipeline transportation is a challenge that affects pipeline design and transportation safety. In CO2 utilization, the key to enhanced oil recovery, gas recovery and displacement of coalbed methane is to increase the recovery rate and increase the storage capacity at the same time. Only by strengthening the research on the adsorption behavior between CO2 and CH4 and revealing the relevant mechanism can innovative technologies be developed. The chemical utilization of CO2 has formed many routes, but they all lack certain advantages. Most scholars are working on catalysts for CO2 conversion, especially copper-based catalysts that can convert CO2 into methanol. The conversion rate of CO2 can be effectively increased through doping or process improvement. The coupling of electrocatalytic technology and renewable energy is an important development direction in the future. In CO2 storage, geological storage is currently the most important method, especially in saline aquifers. There are currently critical issues concerning reservoir integrity and leakage potential that should be further investigated. CO2 leakage will cause serious environmental problems, and the common monitoring methods are reviewed and discussed in this paper. Finally, the research status, hotspots and cooperation networks of CCUS are summarized by using CiteSpace software in order to help the development of CCUS technology. In addition, through the review and analysis, it is found that CCUS is faced with challenges such as low capture efficiency, difficulties in transformation and utilization, high operating costs, lack of strong support policies, and lack of international cooperation, which restrict the further development of CCUS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Being one of the major energy consumers, cooking is a necessary part of daily life. Non renewable cooking fuel sources, such as wood or cow dung cause hazardous pollution and a poor ecosystem worldwide. Over the past few decades, solar-powered cooking has undergone numerous improvements. Solar cooking has been predominantly used as a substitute for reducing oil and gas dependence, increasing environmental sustainability, and reducing global warming threats. This paper talks about the recent development of the box-type solar cooker. The paper discusses the principles and classifications of various parameters that affect the performance, energy, and exergy related to the solar cooking system. In line with the sustainable development goals of the UN agenda 2030 and especially the heed to the accomplishment of SDG 7 and SDG 13, various economic factors, such as the payback period (PP), net present value (NPV), benefit–cost (B–C) ratios, internal rate of return (IRR), levelized cost of heat (LCOH), and levelized cost of cooking a meal (LCCM) have been discussed. The environmental analysis has also been presented to show the overall benefit of solar cooking. The review also focuses on the current development of a box-type solar cooker, its components, and its heat transfer characteristic. Various geometrical modifications, the use of reflectors, and transparent insulating materials that improve cooking have been discussed. The concept of energy storage in the form of Phase change material (Latent heat storage) with the latest studied designs improvements of solar cookers has been obtained to be efficient, which also help in late-evening cooking. It can be said that with better policy implications, the social and economic acceptability of the solar cooker can be achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the years, an increase in the traffic of electric and hybrid electric vehicles and vehicles with hydrogen cells is being observed, while at the same time, self-driving cars are appearing as a modern trend in transportation. As the years pass, their equipment will evolve. So, considering the progress in vehicle equipment over the years, additional technological innovations and applications should be proposed in the near future. Having that in mind, an analytical review of the progress of equipment in electromobility and autonomous driving is performed in this paper. The outcomes of this review comprise hints for additional complementary technological innovations, applications, and operating constraints along with proposals for materials, suggestions and tips for the future. The aforementioned hints and tips aim to help in securing proper operation of each vehicle part and charging equipment in the future, and make driving safer in the future. Finally, this review paper concludes with a discussion and bibliographic references. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the deepening of drilling depth, the difficulty of drilling engineering increases gradually due to the complex geological conditions. The traditional mechanical drilling method shows the problems of high energy consumption, low efficiency, long cycle and high cost. Because of the characteristics of rock, the high abrasiveness of rock causes great wear to the bit, which becomes an important factor affecting the drilling rate. High voltage electric pulse (Abbreviated as HVEP later in this paper) drilling technology is a new technology developed in the past several decades. The technology uses plasma channel, water jet or shock wave generated by high voltage electric pulse discharge to break rock. It has the characteristics of environmental protection, directional breaking, easy control of rock breaking process and fast speed in the face of complex hard rock. In this paper, the mechanism and technology of rock breaking by high voltage electric pulse method in deep drilling are studied, and the functional test is carried out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A conventional electric vehicle charger (EVC) charges only one EV concurrently. This leads to underutilization whenever the charging power is less than the EVC-rated capacity. Consequently, the cost-effectiveness of conventional EVCs is limited. Reconfigurable EVCs (REVCs) are a new technology that overcomes underutilization by allowing multiple EVs to be charged concurrently. This brings a cost-effective charging solution, especially in large car parks requiring numerous chargers. Therefore, this paper proposes an optimal planning strategy for car parks deploying REVCs. The proposed planning strategy involves three stages. An optimization model is developed for each stage of the proposed planning strategy. The first stage determines the optimal power rating of power modules inside each REVC, and the second stage determines the optimal number and configuration of REVCs, followed by determining the optimal operation plan for EV car parks in the third stage. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed optimal planning strategy, a comprehensive case study is undertaken using realistic car parking scenarios with 400 parking spaces, electricity tariffs, and grid infrastructure costs. Compared to deploying other conventional EVCs, the results convincingly indicate that the proposed optimal planning strategy significantly reduces the total cost of investment and operation while satisfying charging demands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The "smart grid" (SG) refers to an advanced electricity grid system that possesses the capability to effectively co-ordinate the activities of all its connected users, encompassing both energy producers and consumers, with the primary objective of ensuring the provision of a reliable, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable electricity supply while also prioritizing security measures. Research on the adoption of SG technology holds significant academic value as it addresses the crucial issue of user resistance, which can impede or postpone the progress of SG initiatives. In this paper, bibliographic data obtained from Web of Science and Scopus documents on SGs are analyzed with two complementary methods of bibliometric and thematic analysis. The findings revealed that academic production in the field is in step with renewable energy use but tends to diminish. The authors, publications, and countries that shape the field have been identified. The in-depth thematic analysis uncovered that safety concerns, artificial intelligence, and electric vehicles are the main areas of study, and economic benefits are found to be more effective than environmental concerns in SG technology's social adoption. Studies and policies on SGs should consider the shift in consumer and producer roles. By comprehensively examining the literature on the social aspects of SGs, which is an oft-neglected area, this study aimed to provide researchers and policymakers with fresh perspectives on how to expedite the adoption of this innovative technology, thereby facilitating the transition towards a sustainable, environmentally conscious, and fair energy system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering the negative effect of anthropological activities on climate in recent decades, all countries entailed a universal commitment to fight against climate change by boosting innovation and introducing new technologies. In this context, our paper aimed to investigate the impact of innovation input in terms of research and development (R&D) costs and technology expressed as technical equipment and machinery (TEM) on the reported greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in chemical industry companies in five Central and Eastern European countries. This study employed a panel regression model with fixed effects and covered data from 2015 to 2020. The empirical results emphasize a negative relationship between R&D costs and GHG emissions, indicating the companies' commitment to developing innovative solutions that contribute to lower destructive emissions. Additionally, the findings related to the influence of TEM on GHG emissions reveal a positive impact, highlighting the need to improve manufacturing technologies. The practical implications of our findings can be meaningful for both policymakers and businesses operating in the chemical industry in developing countries. Policymakers should offer financial incentives to support research and investments in clean technologies, while businesses should prioritise such investments to mitigate GHG emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The water-energy-food (WEF) nexus has emerged as a crucial framework for addressing the interdependencies and trade-offs between these vital resources. In the context of a just energy transition, where the pursuit of sustainable and equitable energy systems is paramount, understanding the WEF nexus becomes even more critical. We explore the evolving concept of the WEF nexus and its relevance to achieving a sustainable energy transition that considers social equity, environmental sustainability, and economic development. This paper highlights key challenges and opportunities in implementing a just energy transition within the context of the WEF nexus, with a focus on promoting social inclusion, ensuring water and food security, and optimizing energy production and consumption. Additionally, we discuss the importance of integrated policymaking, cross-sectoral collaboration, and innovative technologies in addressing the complex interactions between water, energy, and food systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of a polymer composite material in electric vehicles (EVs) has been extensively investigated, especially as a substitute for steel. The key objective of this manuscript is to provide an overview of the existing and emerging technologies related to the application of such a composite, especially for battery pack applications, in which its high strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, design flexibility, and durability are advantageous compared to any metal in general. This study explores the key considerations in the design and fabrication of composites, including base material selection, structural design optimization, reinforcement material, manufacturing processes, and integration with battery systems. The paper also discusses the performance characteristics of composite battery pack structures, such as mechanical properties, thermal management, safety aspects, and environmental sustainability. This study aims to contribute to sharpening the direction of future research and innovations in the area of composite battery pack technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigating the determinants of environmental sustainability has become a very attractive and popular area of research in response to the United Nations' sustainable development goals (SDGs) and COP26 targets. Against this backdrop, this paper aims to explore the effects of renewable energy, technological innovation, and the insurance market on environmental sustainability in the United States (US). This work contributes to the extant body of knowledge by exploring the effect of the insurance market on the load capacity factor (LC), specifically regarding the US. The LC tracks a certain ecological threshold by simultaneously comparing biocapacity and ecological footprint (EF), thereby providing a comprehensive empirical analysis of ecological sustainability determinants. However, this proxy includes the combined attributes of the demand and supply sides of ecological sustainability. Using the recently developed autoregressive distributed lag method, this research reveals that the insurance market adversely affects the LC in the US. The overall outcomes highlight the positive role of renewable energy, technological innovation, and the insurance market in achieving the SDGs and COP26 targets. Policy recommendations for policymakers concerning promoting renewable energy, green innovation activities, the green insurance market, and ecological regulations are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The well-known dispatcher training simulator (DTS), as a good tool to train power system dispatchers, has been widely used for over 40 years. However, with the high-speed development of the smart grid, the traditional DTSs have struggled to meet the power industry's expectations. To enhance the effectiveness of dispatcher training, technical innovations in DTSs are becoming more and more demanding. Meanwhile, the ever-advancing artificial intelligence (AI) technology provides the basis for the design of intelligent DTSs. This paper systematically reviews the traditional DTS in terms of its origin, structure, and functions, as well as limitations in the context of the smart grid. Then, this paper summarizes the AI techniques commonly used in the field of power systems, such as expert systems, artificial neural networks, and the fuzzy set theory, and employs them to develop intelligent DTSs. Regarding a less studied aspect of DTSs, i.e., intelligent training control, we introduce the Adaptive Learning System (ALS) to develop a personalized training program, which will also be an important aspect of future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reducing the embodied and operational energy of buildings is a key priority for construction and real estate sectors. It is essential to prioritize materials and construction technologies with low carbon footprints for the design of new buildings. Off-site constructions systems are claimed to have the potential to deliver a low carbon build environment, but at present there are a lack of data about their real environmental impacts. This paper sheds lights on the environmental performance of two offsite technologies: cold formed steel and cross laminated timber. Specifically, the environmental impacts of a CFS technology are discussed according to six standard impact categories, which includes the global warming potential and the total use of primary energy. The study is based on a detailed cradle to gate life cycle analysis of a real case study, and discusses the impacts of both structural and non-structural components of CFS constructions. As a useful frame of reference, this work compares the environmental impacts of 1 m2 of walls and floors of CFS technology with those of cross laminated timber, which is spreading as innovative off-site technology for the development of nearly zero energy buildings, and a conventional reinforced masonry technology, which is largely adopted in the Italian construction sector. The paper concludes with the necessity to optimize structural systems to reduce the overall embodied carbon impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electrification of the transportation sector contributes to a cleaner environment in non-interconnected island (NII) systems or standalone islands. Moreover, e-mobility can significantly contribute to achieving very high renewable energy source (RES) penetration levels in islands, allowing a reduction both in the emissions due to the conventional generation and the system's cost. Ιncreased RES penetration, however, can pose technical challenges for an island's system. In order to overcome these challenges, new technologies like grid-forming converters are important. Moreover, the provision of new ancillary services in relation to battery storage systems might be considered, while novel control and protection schemes are needed to ensure secure operation. E-mobility can also contribute to solving technical problems that arise from very high RES penetration by providing frequency containment reserves or reactive power compensation. Since EV charging demand introduces modifications in the system's load curve, e-mobility may affect the power grid for long-term planning and short-term operation, i.e., line loading and voltages. The application of specifically developed smart charging methodologies can mitigate the relevant grid impact, while effective exploitation of EV–RES synergies can achieve higher RES penetration levels. This paper examines how e-mobility can contribute to increasing RES penetration in islands while considering the technical issues caused. In particular, this paper takes into account the distinct characteristics of NIIs towards the identification of solutions that will achieve very high RES penetration while also addressing the relevant technical challenges (voltage control, frequency control, short circuit protection, etc.). The effect of e-mobility in the power grid of NII systems is evaluated, while smart charging methodologies to mitigate the relevant impact and further increase RES penetration are identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditionally, electric power systems are subject to uncertainties related to equipment availability, topological changes, faults, disturbances, behaviour of load, etc. In particular, the dissemination of distributed generation (DG), especially those based on renewable sources, has introduced new challenges to power systems, adding further randomness to the management of this segment. In this context, stochastic analysis could support planners and operators in a more appropriate manner than traditional deterministic analysis, since the former is able to properly model the power system uncertainties. The objective of this work is to present recent achievements of one of the most important techniques for stochastic analysis, the Monte Carlo Method (MCM), to study the technical and operational aspects of electric networks with DG. Besides covering the DG topic itself, this paper also addresses emerging themes related to smart grids and new technologies, such as electric vehicles, storage, demand response, and electrothermal hybrid systems. This review encompasses more than 90 recent articles, arranged according to the MCM application and the type of analysis of power systems. The majority of the papers reviewed apply the MCM within stochastic optimization, indicating a possible trend. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrial revolution 4.0 has enabled the advent of new technological advancements, including the introduction of information technology with physical devices. The implementation of information technology in industrial applications has helped streamline industrial processes and make them more cost-efficient. This combination of information technology and physical devices gave birth to smart devices, which opened up a new research area known as the Internet of Things (IoT). This has enabled researchers to help reduce downtime and maintenance costs by applying condition monitoring on electrical machines utilizing machine learning algorithms. Although the industry is trying to move from scheduled maintenance towards predictive maintenance, there is a significant lack of algorithms related to fault prediction of electrical machines. There is quite a lot of research going on in this area, but it is still underdeveloped and needs a lot more work. This paper presents a signal spectrum-based machine learning approach toward the fault prediction of electrical machines. The proposed method is a new approach to the predictive maintenance of electrical machines. This paper presents the details regarding the algorithm and then validates the accuracy against data collected from working electrical machines for both cases. A comparison is also presented at the end of multiple machine learning algorithms used for training based on this approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrical power distribution is the most important division in the power supply chain. However, its sustainability in terms of efficiency is very important for the growth of every country. This main objective of the paper is to assess the productivity dynamics of this process using the data envelopment analysis (DEA) methodology to analyse the effectiveness of the electricity distribution regions (EDRs) over a period of 7 years. The paper adapts the biennial Malmquist productivity index by infusing it with the slacks-based measure (SBM) to assess the productivity dynamics of EDRs in Ghana. Productivity dynamics were assessed by decomposing the SBM-BMPI productivity scores into the efficiency, technology, and scale change. It was discovered that the productivity of EDRs in Ghana progressed by 16.23% per annum over the sample period. Productivity was driven mainly by technological change and not the efficiency changes and scale changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of new transformational technology, known as the fourth industrial revolution, has crucially opened a new window to green economic growth. The transition to low carbon, green economy, and green sustainability has gained momentum simultaneously in developed and developing countries. The greening policy echoes the pending climate change and its entrenching disruptions. Financial technology, or FinTech seems to be a promising direction in unlocking the green dilemma; to be concrete, FinTech and the green economy are separately documented in the literature. Against this background, the current study investigates the intersection between green economic growth and FinTech by conducting a systematic-cum-bibliometric analysis of published papers in the Scopus database with the goal of first examining the role and opportunities of implementing green FinTech as a stimulus for transition towards green economic growth in African countries and, second, identifying knowledge gaps and future policy and research directions by developing an integrated framework to help African countries in the transition to green economic growth and green FinTech. The results illustrate an increasing trend in research attention towards the green FinTech concept and its relationship with green economic growth, climate change, and greening rules and standards. A deep inspection of the mined papers indicates that future research trajectories are oriented into five different mainstreams: technology and instruments in digital finance; regulation, policies, and green FinTech; climate risk mitigation through FinTech; FinTech and environmental quality; green finance and climate change mitigation. Based on these research directions, an integrated framework was conceptualised that aims to deliver green economic growth using FinTech as a vehicle of transition for African countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to its high functionality, the solid state transformer (SST) represents an emerging technology with huge potential to replace the conventional low-frequency transformer (LFT) in a wide range of applications, including railway traction, smart grids, and others. On the other hand, model predictive control (MPC) has proven to be a highly promising control approach for several power electronics systems, especially those based on multiple power converters. Considering these facts, over recent years, different MPC techniques have been proposed for different types of SSTs. In addition to that, numerous MPC strategies have also been investigated for various power converters topologies that can be used in SSTs. However, a paper summarizing and discussing MPC strategies in the framework of SSTs has not yet been proposed in the literature, being the main goal of this work. In this paper, all the existing MPC techniques in complete SST topologies will be presented and discussed. In addition, for the sake of the example, an overview of MPC strategies in converter topologies typically used in SSTs will also be presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to identify the dynamic capabilities required for electrical energy service providers to transform toward a digital and platform-based business models in the context of the current energy transition. The paper contributes to two fields: Information systems in the domain of platforms ecosystems and digital services innovation through the usage of dynamic capabilities theoretical lens and the field of energy informatics in the domain of digital business models and service innovation. Through the case study approach we investigate the case of Norwegian electrical energy provider TrønderEnergi and how the company is moving toward a fully digital business model and how the company build the dynamic capabilities required for the digitalization era. Through semi-structured interviews, the study managed to identify several activities related to each capability and then classified these activities under three main activities, which are: sensing, seizing, and transforming, and then classified them into sub-capabilities and identified activities related to each sup capability. The paper concludes with managerial implications for practitioners and initiates an empirical extension for the dynamic capabilities theoretical lens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional outage management practices in distribution systems are tedious and complex due to the long time taken to locate the fault. Emerging smart technologies and various cloud services offered could be utilized and integrated into the power industry to enhance the overall process, especially in the fault monitoring and normalizing fields in distribution systems. This paper introduces smart fault monitoring and normalizing technologies in distribution systems by using one of the most popular cloud service platforms, the Microsoft Azure Internet of Things (IoT) Hub, together with some of the related services. A hardware prototype was constructed based on part of a real underground distribution system network, and the fault monitoring and normalizing techniques were integrated to form a system. Such a system with IoT integration effectively reduces the power outage experienced by customers in the healthy section of the faulted feeder from approximately 1 h to less than 5 min and is able to improve the System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI) and System Average Interruption Frequency Index (SAIFI) in electric utility companies significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of emerging technologies not only has recently affected current industrial production but also has generated promising manufacturing opportunities that impact significantly on social and economic factors. Exploring upcoming renovation tendencies of technologies prematurely is essential for governments, research and development institutes, and industrial companies in managing strategies to achieve dominant advantages in business competitiveness. Additionally, the prospective changes, the scientific research directions, and the focus of technologies are crucial factors in predicting promising technologies. On the other hand, Industry 4.0 revolutionizes standards and models by accompanying significant technology developments in numerous sectors, including the sector of Smart energy. Moreover, asset performance management is always a prominent topic that has attained prevalence over the last decade because numerous challenges force all industrial companies to optimize their asset usability. However, to the best of our knowledge, no study reported an analysis of technology trends of asset performance management in the Smart energy sector by using proper data mining methods. Hence, this paper aims to fill in this gap and provide an analysis of technology trends of asset performance management in the Smart energy sector by structuring and exploring research subjects, considering problems, and solving methods with numerous experiments on scientific papers and patent data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate anomalies are affecting the world. How to reduce carbon emissions has become an important issue for governments and academics. Although previous researchers have discussed the factors of carbon emission reduction from environmental regulation, economic development, and industrial structure, limited studies have explored the carbon emission reduction effect of a city's spatial structure. Based on 108 Chinese cities from the Yangtze River Economic Belt between 2003 and 2017, this paper examines the impact of the city cluster policy on city carbon emissions using the difference-in-differences (DID) method. We find that: (1) The city cluster policy has significantly reduced the cities' carbon emissions by 7.4%. Furthermore, after a series of robust and endogenous tests, such as parallel trend and PSM-DID, the core conclusion still remains. (2) We further identify possible economic channels through this effect, and find that city cluster policy would increase city productivity, city technological innovation, and industrial structure optimization. The conclusions of this paper have important practical significance for China to achieve carbon neutrality and facilitate future deep decarbonization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Innovation is one of the successful and competitive advantage factors for SMEs in the dynamically changing environment of the RES industry. For SMEs, innovation is driven by a number of factors, such as the size of the enterprise, the scope of activity, innovation capability, strategy, and environmental conditions. Organizations' commitment to innovation is another important factor. This is especially true for SMEs with strong social bonds, meaning that every employee of the company is, to some extent, involved in the innovation process and influences the organization's opinion. The goal of the paper is to assess the impact of organizational determinants of commitment to innovation on innovative behavior in SMEs in the RES industry. The paper is both theoretical and empirical. The theoretical part explains the relevance of organizational determinants of commitment to innovation and how they translate to innovative behavior in SMEs. The empirical part presents an analysis of the results of a quantitative diagnostic survey that involved a questionnaire comprised mostly of closed-ended questions. The survey lasted from September 2020 to February 2021 on a sample of 186 companies from the RES industry. Production workers participated in the survey. The survey was conducted in Poland. The research problem is expressed in the following questions: (1) Do organizational determinants of commitment to innovation influence innovative behaviors undertaken and implemented in SMEs in the RES industry? (2) What are the key predictors of organizational commitment to innovation in SMEs in the RES industry? (3) Which predictors of organizational commitment to innovation have the most influence on innovative behaviors undertaken and implemented in SMEs in the RES industry? The research hypothesis was as follows: The organizational factors of commitment to innovation have a positive impact on the innovative behaviors of employees. In the course of the survey, all the research assumptions were confirmed. The statistical tests were used to verify the research hypotheses. The article includes an introduction, literature review, analysis of research results, conclusions, and a bibliography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Offshore Wind Power Systems (OWPS) offer great energy and environmental advantages, but also pose significant Operation and Maintenance (O&M) challenges. In this survey, we analyze these challenges and propose some optimization strategies and technologies for OWPS comprehensively. The existing literature review mainly focuses on a certain field of offshore wind power O&M, but lacks a comprehensive introduction to offshore wind power. We consider the energy efficiency, reliability, safety, and economy of OWPS from various aspects, such as offshore wind and wave energy utilization, offshore wind turbine components, and wind power operation parameters, and compare them with onshore wind power systems. We suggest that OWPS can benefit from advanced design optimization, digital twin, monitoring and forecasting, fault diagnosis, and other technologies to enhance their O&M performance. This paper aims to provide theoretical guidance and practical reference for the technological innovation and sustainable development of OWPS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The investment in hydrogen-refueling stations (HRS) is key to the development of a hydrogen economy. This paper focuses on the decision-making for potential investors faced with the thought-provoking question of when the optimal timing to invest in HRS is. To fill the gap that exists due to the fact that few studies explain why HRS investment timing is critical, we expound that earlier investment in HRS could induce the first mover advantages of the technology diffusion theory. Additionally, differently from the previous research that only considered that HRS investment is just made by one individual firm, we innovatively examine the HRS co-investment made by two different firms. Accordingly, we compare these two optional investment modes and determine which is better considering either independent investment or co-operative investment. We then explore how the optimal HRS investment timing could be figured out under conditions of uncertainty with the real options approach. Given the Chinese HRS case under the condition of demand uncertainty, the hydrogen demand required for triggering investment is viewed as the proxy for investment timing. Based on analytical and numerical results, we conclude that one-firm independent investment is better than two-firm cooperative investment to develop HRS, not only in terms of the earlier investment timing but also in terms of the attribute for dealing with the uncertainty. Finally, we offer recommendations including stabilizing the hydrogen demand for decreasing uncertainty, and accelerating firms' innovation from both technological and strategic perspectives in order to ensure firms can make HRS investments on their own. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current context of joint efforts towards the decarbonisation of buildings, integrating occupants' comfort and health with latest technological advancements for energy efficiency is at the center of the latest development of research, policies and professional practice. Radiant systems are encountering great success since the low-thickness systems can also be used in renovation projects for both heating and cooling, while guaranteeing optimal comfort. However, dehumidification is often required for optimal radiant cooling operation with no condensation risks, and the great potential of mechanical ventilation systems to optimally address the needs for dehumidification, air renewal, health and energy efficiency appears to be far from its full exploitation in the post-COVID-19 era. The present paper aims at providing a quantification of the energy and financial impacts of the implementation of a controlled mechanical ventilation system (CMV) coupled to a radiant system in a typical residential case study building in Italy. The results show that the sole CMV may decrease primary energy demand and energy costs by more than 30% and contribute to an increase in the smart readiness of the building by 8%, but further incentive policies must be developed to cover the still high investment and maintenance cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]