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Abstract: Compared to the Feed-in tariff in China, the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) could not only help to change the driving force of renewable energy industry development, but also provide the renewable energy industry with incentives to achieve the governments' planned goal. This paper first compares the features of RPS of the major industrialized countries. Second the barriers of implementing the Renewable Portfolio Standard in China are analyzed from five aspects. Finally, based on the above analysis, this paper puts forward relative institutional arrangements for the implementation of Renewable Portfolio Standard in China making recommendations for the development of renewable energy industry. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Following typical phases of any technology development, initially there have been research works focusing mainly on the solar hot water systems’ (SHWS) technology development then followed by economic aspects. This has resulted in techno-economically feasible standardized solar hot water systems. Owing to these favourable features, SHWS in general and Domestic SHWS (DSHWS) in particular attracted several promotional measures with a view to make them as the alternative for conventional water heating options in India. However, even after the implementation of these measures for more than two decades in India, the potentials-achievements difference remains to be extremely large, the reasons for which are attributed to the so-called “barriers for dissemination”. This paper presents a consolidated review of solar water heating related issues covering these technological developments, techno-economics, promotional measures, present dissemination status and barriers for dissemination, all with a special reference to the Indian context. Also presented in this paper is the identified need for “viability” studies of DSHWS and “essentials for viability evaluations of DSHWS” in multi-dimensional environment that aid in developing decision making tools to improve dissemination of DSHWS. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The management of indoor microclimates is an important function of museum operations, a topic that has recently received growing attention. The way in which museum microclimates are specified is still not well documented universally, particularly in developing countries where a significant part of the global 'movable' heritage is situated. Most of the current contributions come from scholars covering climate control practices in developed nations. The bibliography related to museum environmental and climate management in other regions is comparatively limited. Heritage institutions have varying levels of resources, funding mechanisms, management protocols and expertise. In the absence of shared best practices, great variability in the environmental management practice exists across different institutions and countries. This paper brings together 96 studies that were selected and critically evaluated to review publications in the field over the last two decades and trace the variations in climate control practice across regions. The findings of the review confirmed the gaps in research in the field and identified the relevance to the implementation of regulatory frameworks particularly in regions where little or no research of museums' indoor environments is taking place. The paper also shows that the fragmentation of tools and methods to assess the indoor environment in museums has contributed to variations in practices across the sector. Moreover, the paper provides evidence of the struggle to comply with the strict, and in cases exaggerated requirements, that aim at satisfying a varying range of conflicting criteria to provide indoor comfort to visitors while continuing to protect artefacts. • The paper reviews current research in visitor comfort and preventive conservation requirements in museum environments. • It explores research gaps in the literature relating to the global distribution of case studies and authorship of the work. • The paper examines the call to revise the various current standards that govern the indoor environment of museums. • The authors highlight the importance of localisation of standards to carefully reflect comfort and conservation needs. • It provides an insight into current trends and possible future directions for research on museum environmental management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we explain the effectiveness of green policies on the basis of development stage of countries. The analysis conducted on developing and developed countries in the time span 2004–2011, following a two-step approach: in the first step, we consider the green policy sectors (regulatory policies, fiscal incentives, and public investments) while in the second step we analyze individually the policies adopted by countries. Results confirm that not all policies promote the investments in Renewable sources and their effectiveness depend by the stage of development of the countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electronic waste or e-waste is one of the global rising problems in developing countries like India and developed countries. E-waste comprises material that is valuable as well as toxic and has shoddier health and environment impact. This review paper presents an overview of global e-waste stats, health concerns of e-waste components along with the waste management, recycling, legislative polices and recommendations related to e-waste. Existing and future initiatives of e-waste management have been addressed by explaining the developed countries initiatives towards e-waste management. The key to success in terms of e-waste management such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) initiatives have been presented in a lucid manner. E-waste arena is a platform for business initiative for energy production (hydrogen and electricity) and precise metal recovery (gold, silver and platinum) through biotechnological approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to analyze and compare the driving forces of the carbon dioxide emissions of the six highest emitters of the world, namely, China, the United States of America, the European Union, India, Russia, and Japan, which are responsible for more than the 67% of the emissions, during the period 1990–2018. The analysis is based on an enlarged Kaya-LMDI decomposition, considering five driving forces and a Granger causality study. Both techniques allow us to disentangle the relationship among the different driving forces and how they change from country to country. The main conclusion from the Kaya-LMDI analysis is that economic growth has been the main driving force that increases CO 2 emissions, and to a much lesser extent, the increase in population in most of the six analyzed economies. On the other hand, energy intensity is the main factor for reducing CO 2 emissions. Surprisingly enough, the end-use fuel-mix term seldom contributes to the decrease of the emissions, which proves that the use of renewable energy should still be actively promoted. It is worth highlighting the different behavior observed between the four developed countries and the two most populous developing ones, China and India. The Granger-causality analysis suggests that energy intensity Granger causes GDP in the developed countries, energy intensity also Granger causes CO 2 emissions in half of the countries and, GDP Granger causes CO 2 emissions only in one case, Japan. [Display omitted] • China and India should greatly improve their energy intensity and energy mix contributions to reduce their CO 2 emissions. • The USA and the EU shown promising trends concerning energy intensity and energy mix contributions capable of reducing their global CO 2 emissions. • Granger causality analysis suggests that energy intensity Granger causes most of the rest of driving forces. • Emission intensity of China, India and Russia is around four times greater than that of the USA, the EU and Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Turkey is a recently developed country, a regional power in the Middle East and an economic powerhouse of the region. Turkey's electricity demand is continuously increasing due to fast economic growth coupled with the country's vibrant young population. It is envisaged that this demand would keep on increasing almost exponentially in the next decade according to the recently avowed Vision 2023 agenda. According to which, the Turkish government ambitiously wants to provide 30.0% of the country's electricity demand from renewable energy sources by 2023. Turkey has vast renewable energy potential including hydro, geothermal, solar and wind. However, historically there is only one playmaker that is hydropower. Thus a detailed review of the current status and future prospects of Turkish hydropower market is urgently needed to generate a roadmap for the Vision 2023 agenda. This paper was intended to provide that vital information. Currently, more than 25.0% or 57.5TWh of the country's electricity demand is supplied from hydropower. According to official projections this would increase to approximately 116.0TWh in 2023. In this study, hydropower's supply rate of Turkey's annual electricity demand was assessed based on the official projections and a forecast was generated. Results showed that between 22.0% and 27.0% of Turkey's annual electricity demand should be supplied from hydropower in 2023. Therefore, between 22.5TWh and 45.0TWh of electricity should be generated from renewable energy sources other than hydropower to provide a total of 30.0% renewable energy based electricity generation in 2023. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Conventional Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) technologies have been mainly developed during the eighties. They can be considered as similar to conventional thermal power processes in which the boiler has been replaced, at least partially, by a concentrated solar field producing the heat. After more than 20 years of reduced activity, they have recently taken advantage of an impressive removal at the beginning of the new XXIst century and are subjected today to an increasing industrial interest. Based on the inherited technologies, companies build currently plants in the range of 10–20MWe for central receiver CSP and 50MWe for solar trough CSP. According to the IEA, at least 630GWe of CSP should be installed in 2050 for only 700MWe available today and preferably in areas of high solar potential (the so-called solar belt). Before this high potential, major issues have still to be overcome to enhance the performances and to adapt the technologies to the up to date constraints. In the present paper, the history and the technologies of the current CSP are presented, the major innovative issues described and the applicability to West African countries discussed. CSP standards proposed by developed countries are compared to the actual needs and potentials of West African countries. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Residential energy consumption is now an important component of total energy consumption and its related emissions. In addition, this consumption has significant potential for growth in both developed and developing countries, as average incomes increase, and domestic appliance numbers rise. Reduction in this energy use may be achieved both through conservation measures, and through increased efficiency in its use. This paper focuses on energy efficiency in appliances—those many devices through which household energy is consumed. The policy instruments available to promote the uptake of more efficient devices, and issues associated with their use, are reviewed, drawing on developed country experiences to date. The instruments available are more limited than in other energy applications, and largely comprise information dissemination, forms of subsidy, and regulation. The last is commonly used in the form of minimum energy performance standards. Assessment of the three instrument types and issues with their use suggests that regulation is the most important measure—albeit with several qualifications on the manner of its use. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Intensive explorations of different alternatives and renewable energy resources are currently being conducted worldwide. Pico-hydro power is at the forefront of these options because it is considered as the most cost-effective renewable energy option to provide electricity for rural areas, and to enable energy to be derived from extremely low head and flow streams of 1m and 1L/s, respectively. This review discusses the research and development aspects of pico-hydro and the factors influencing the success of the pico-hydro scheme in rural areas. These factors are also likely to increase the demand for pico in a rural energy market. This paper concurs with the view held by many researchers and experts that customs duty imposed on pico-hydro components is a major obstacle to the dissemination of renewable energy because it raises original cost by up to 40%. The future of the pico-hydro market looks prosperous because there is substantial availability of low head and flow hydroelectric sites in less developed countries. In the future, technology can play a crucial role in the lighting of houses in remote communities, with the energy source derived from domestic water supply. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The ability to discover and utilize a reliable source of renewable energy is vital in order to reduce the effects of global warming and to decrease and/or eliminate reliance on fossil fuel. Recently, countries around the world have been recognizing the immediate need to tackle the current energy problems. While the developed countries have been investing in renewable energy for the past two decades, developing nations now realize the importance of adopting such energy sourcing strategies . It has long been understood and it is very well-known that energy is the driving force behind economic and social development of a state and its population. The following paper presents an overview of the current renewable energy status in Lebanon. It focuses on barriers hindering improvements and proposes pertinent solutions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The integration of grid-connected PV systems into buildings or public areas is one of the most usual applications of the photovoltaic solar energy in developed countries and it is being highly promoted by several European governments. In this paper it has been evaluated the photovoltaic potential of the Campus of the University of Jaén and it has been defined possible areas where the PV systems could be installed according to power requirements, space possibilities, the electrical configuration of the Campus and some social integration requirements too. The definition of the PV potential, together with a technical analysis for the calculation of the energy generated, is the previous step for carrying out an economic and cost analysis in order to certify the profitability of these systems in general, particularizing the study for the case of this University located in Southern Spain. The PV electricity cost generated has been calculated through the concept levelised cost of electricity (LCOE), where in our case is estimated to be around 0.13–0.14€kWh−1. The results obtained in this economic analysis recommend the implementation of PV grid-connected systems (PVGCS) as the internal rate of return reaches a maximum value of 6.21%, the net present value is positive and the discounted payback time is around 16 years. An additional sensitive analysis shows the influence that some parameters have on the LCOE, specially the initial investment, the energy yield and the nominal discount rate. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]