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Power generation comprises high environmental and ecological impacts. The global power industry is under pressure to develop more efficient ways to operate and reduce the impacts of inherent process variability. With the rapid development of technologies within the energy sector, large volumes of data are available due to in-time operational measurements. With increased computer processing capabilities, machine learning is applied to explore these in-time operational measurements for improved process understanding. This research paper investigates machine learning algorithms for energy efficiency improvement at coal-fired thermal power plants by conducting a systematic literature review. This research is essential since it provides guidelines for applying machine learning towards sustainable energy supply and improved decision-making. Subsequently, efficient processes result in the reduction of fuel usage, which results in lower emission levels for equivalent power generation capacity. Furthermore, this study contributes towards future research by providing valuable insights from academic and industry-related studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The overwhelming effects of climate change on the living environments has prompted several countries, including India into rolling out different carbon neutrality agenda. On this background, this study activated policy framework towards the attainment of India's 2070 net-zero emission target via energy efficiency. The roles of green-technology, affluence and population were also rectified. With quarterly series spanning 1997Q1–2021Q4 and estimates of the novel wavelet quantile correlation technique, the following insights sufficed. Energy-intensity generated significant carbon de-escalation effects mainly in the medium and long term. There were evidence of long-term asymmetric effects between them. Carbon intensity as well as green technology aggravated carbon emissions in both short and medium term, however, over the long term, they generated carbon neutrality effects. The empirical estimates also validated the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) ideology given the long-term environmental quality enhancing attributes of GDP. India's population represents a major challenge for the net-zero emission target. But this can be curtailed through adequate orientations as prescribed in the LiFE progrmme. Among other considerations, India's net-zero target is realisable if the country extends its low-carbon energy profiles and deploy more green technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The decarbonisation strategy of the building sector, which accounts for 24% of national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, is important to achieve climate neutrality in Korea by 2050. In this study, a bottom-up model and four scenarios were developed for examining scenarios for the decarbonisation of the residential building by 2050. A comparative analysis of energy consumption, GHG emissions, and investment cost was performed. The result showed that building energy performance improvement and heating fuel electrification are key measures for decarbonisation. We concluded that an investment of KRW 6.2 trillion per year would be required to achieve the 2050 decarbonisation scenario. Policy strategies were proposed for increasing investment in accelerating building retrofit, mandating zero-energy building (ZEB), and prohibiting gas boilers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, there is no official green or sustainable built environment evaluation system in Turkey. When a certification is required for a building or a site, various certification systems are employed. To meet the demand, the Turkish Green Building Council released an evaluation system called B.E.S.T. in 2013. In this paper, the B.E.S.T. evaluation system is introduced as well as a sample application. The evaluation of the Yalova University Engineering Faculty Building using the B.E.S.T. evaluation system is presented. Field research was conducted and evidentiary documents were gathered in preparation. The study employed both analytical and field research methodologies in this regard. As a result of the study, Yalova University Engineering Faculty Building was assessed to be eligible for the lowest level certificate, the 'Approved' degree of the B.E.S.T. evaluation system. Furthermore, the results achieved with the B.E.S.T. were compared to those acquired previously with other green or sustainable building evaluation systems. HIGHLIGHTS - An exemplary set of the evaluation was performed for university campus buildings with the B.E.S.T. certification system. - The conducted case study is one of the earliest samples of B.E.S.T. evaluations. - A comparison of B.E.S.T. with LEED and BREAM is provided. - The importance of establishing a local certification system has been discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The continuous increase in energy demand has led to the gradual depletion of fossil fuels and the corresponding environmental degradation. As a result, the implementation of energy efficiency measures, as well as the integration of Renewable Energy Sources systems, are a challenge on the road towards Nearly-Zero Energy Buildings. Within the framework of this study, an extensive literature review was carried out on the existing Photovoltaic/Thermal collector technologies, their energy, environmental and economic efficiency. Furthermore, a solar combi system with photovoltaic/thermal collectors installed in a residential building was studied. The system was evaluated for its energy and environmental efficiency. Finally, the results in terms of thermal efficiency and carbon footprint were compared with those of a solar combi system with a flat plate collector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrial energy audit is one of the main strategies to improve energy efficiency. Usually, as an energy audit output, several improvement alternatives are provided. Choosing the best alternative has been detected as one of the main barriers in adopting energy efficiency projects. This work contributes to this decision-making process with a case study from an Argentine industrial plant. The project includes the installation of a micro-turbine within the steam system to generate electricity. To address the decision-making process, the historical records of steam system flows associated with energy consumption and costs were analysed. The project allows to reduce the annual energy consumption of the whole industrial plant by 6%. Furthermore, the investment needed for the project is recovered in around 4 years, and after a 10-year period, the project will refund more than 240,000$ plus the discount rate. The project reduces CO2 emissions by over 1000 tons per year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A major barrier to the widespread adoption of energy efficiency is the lack of understanding of the benefits - the investment opportunity (the returns), the cost savings, and environmental. We assess the potential of retrofits in commercial buildings in Bangkok using case studies and existing property information. The aim is to provide insights for policy makers, building owners, and investors on the potential to reduce energy consumption and costs, and greenhouse gas emissions. Our findings suggest that by undertaking energy efficiency retrofits in Bangkok, there is the potential to reduce energy costs by approximately US123 million and reduce over 500,000 tons of CO2 emissions per year, presenting an investment opportunity of approximately US300 million, with a payback of 3.49 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]