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This paper aims to analyze the individual's socioeconomic and demographic determinants of financial inclusion and its barriers among for South Asian countries in the lens of existing financial inclusion policy, using World Bank Global Findex database for the period 2011, 2014, 2017, and 2021. We use the Probit regression model to explore the main objective of this study. In addition, we also analyze the trend, pattern, and barriers of financial inclusion for the period 2011- 2021 to identify differences among south Asian countries. Our results reveal that Sri Lanka is the best performer in the inclusivity of financial products as well as removing barriers to financial inclusion in all four periods. While Pakistan and Afghanistan are the least financially included countries, also they failed to remove barriers to financial inclusion. Moreover, our empirical results suggest that individuals who are male, older, wealthier, and more educated are more likely to access financial services, with income and education exerting a higher influence. Further, age shows a non-linear (inverted U-shaped) relationship with financial inclusion indicators. Additionally, we found that individuals having a formal account are the most important indicators of financial inclusion. And the reasons for financial exclusion (i.e., not having an account) are mainly voluntary among South Asian individuals. In fact, it is found that policies like Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana for India and National Financial Inclusion Strategy across all South Asian countries play a significant role in accelerating financial inclusion and helping in removing its barriers with different magnitudes. Therefore, our finding stresses the importance of heterogeneous integrated policy measures for the targeted groups of the population, particularly the most vulnerable group among South Asian countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In continuation of the previous part, this paper comprehensively focuses on energy, exergy, exergo-economic, and environmental (4E) analyses of two prioritized clean hydrogen (H 2) supply chains pathways. The first scenario relies on domestic demand , involves blue H 2 production and storage using steam methane reforming coupled with carbon capture and storage through H 2 conversion to hydrogen carriers in liquid form (ammonia and methanol) aligned with the existing infrastructure. The second scenario involves green H 2 production from photovoltaic panels as the power source follows by storing H 2 in liquid form which is more suitable to export. The findings indicate that the blue H 2 system outperforms the green H 2 system in terms of energy and exergy, boasting 41.38% and 22.15% compared to 12.16% and 12.75%, respectively. However, when examining economic parameters, the blue H 2 system shows a total cost rate of 1976 US$/h, a net profit of $747.2 million (mn) at the end of its lifetime, and a payback period of approximately nine years. Conversely, the green H 2 system demonstrates economic indicators of a 125.2 $/h as a total cost rate, $1.26 billion (bn) net profit, and an 8.17 year payback period. Moreover, the production cost rates for blue and green H 2 are 1.32 $/kg and 2.55 $/kg, respectively; while the CO 2 emissions rate in the blue H 2 system is 10.71 kg/s. The green H 2 system prevents 19.84 kg/s of CO 2 emissions resulted a significant environmental cost reduction of 2.28 $/kg H 2. This analysis facilitates a thorough comparison of these two clean H 2 production and storage systems, offering insights for policymakers across performance, economic, and environmental dimensions. • A comprehensive 4E analysis was applied for the selected H 2 value chain scenarios. • Blue H 2 scenario is superior economically while environmentally the green one takes precedence. • Carbon credit makes the green H 2 scenario emerges frontrunner utilizing PV solar technology. • Methanol was recognized as the most cost-effective H 2 carrier for storage in Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• ADA learns preferences from market data and predicts price of newly generated building design. • Integrate ADA with 3D building simulation to study price gain and value at risk. • Changes to Visual Capital identify the exposure and financial sensitivity to land-use change. • Blueprint for integrating economic evaluation within site-selection, design optimization. Uncertainty of spillover effects – including property devaluation - from proposed land-use change elicits opposition to local development. This hinders cities' ability to implement land-use policy aimed at housing affordability and environmental sustainability. The uncertainty arises from the limitation of current methods to quantify both the physical exposure and financial sensitivity to changes in urban environmental characteristics and amenities. Hence, this paper introduces an integrated approach to quantify the direct and indirect effects of a proposed urban development, using parametric modeling, building performance simulation and automated design appraisal (ADA). ADA, a novel aspect of this study, predicts the market price of a generated building design concept within a local urban context. To demonstrate its practical utility, this paper examines property value at risk due to nearby development associated with changes to visual landscape quality. The results shed light on the importance and spatial variability of the price-amenity gradient, identifying properties that are financially at risk to the visual impacts of local development. Beyond building-specific risk modeling for the development planning stage, this work serves as a blueprint for architectural design optimization procedures, in which economic performance is evaluated based on learned preferences derived from financial market data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Economic inequality, in terms of income or wealth, is one of the most complex and perplexing challenges of our current capitalist economic system. While the dynamic relationship between income inequality and economic growth has been extensively investigated (since the beginning of the last century), the dynamic link between wealth inequality (or wealth concentration) and economic growth has been largely ignored in the literature, taking more attention in recent years. This paper asserts that the accumulation of non-productive assets/luxury goods is an important determinant of wealth inequality, as well as a determinant of the relationship between wealth inequality and economic growth. In this paper our aim is to show that an increase in wealth inequality is associated with a slowdown in economic growth. In particular, the paper shows that there is a negative relationship between wealth inequality and economic growth in France because poor households own a relatively large fraction of non-productive luxury goods. Nevertheless, this is not the case in the US, which is what explains that such negative relationship is not observed there. We conclude that a redistribution of wealth (from the rich to the poor) is important for attaining a sustained economic growth performance. • This paper contributes to the analysis of economic growth and wealth inequality in France and the United States. • We propose a macroeconomic model that includes both productive and non-productive assets. • Economic growth slows as the aggregate stock of non-productive assets increases as wealth inequality increases. • Redistribution will enrich the poorest households and therefore decrease their propensity to own unproductive assets. • Wealth inequality and economic growth may have a non-linear relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The medium- and long-term operation strategy of the hybrid power system needs to adapt to the continuous changes in the market. This paper presented a medium-term (monthly) operational simulation model and nested it into a long-term (yearly) optimization model. It was solved by the genetic algorithm (GA) to maximize yearly revenue. The planned delivered-electricity to power process constraints were present to improve the optimization efficiency. Using penalty price factor (α) and threshold of exempted punishment for the supply shortage δ to characterize the punishment for supply shortage risk. This framework was applied for a new hybrid power system so-called LCHES-WP (large-scale cascade hydropower energy storage system, wind power, PV power). It can participate in the electricity trading market with a bundled output pattern. The real cascade hydropower stations in Qinghai Province, China, are selected as the case study. In the baseline scenario, the current time of use (TOU) electricity price and punishment level (α = 0.05, δ = 5%) were considered. It reveals that (1) the revenue (baseline scenario, 6.15351 billion CNY) in the bundled output pattern is higher by 45.6% than in the separate output pattern. (2) the economic and technical indicators are sensitive to α , but not to δ. α increases make the punishment stricter, supply shortage risk was significantly reduced due to the probability of the shortage event, the maximum monthly supply shortage ratio and punishment electricity are reduced by up to 22.5 percentage points, 26.7 percentage points, and 1880.1 GWh, respectively. The yearly revenue is reduced by up to 4.7%. the reason is the yearly curtailment is increased and the penalty amount does not change dramatically with the changes in punishment. (3) The α = 0.6 and α = 1.8 can be regarded as demarcation point and upper boundary point for the case of hybrid power system, respectively. It is proposed that when planning a capacity scheme, stakeholders should consider that the demarcation point is higher than the current α. In general, this paper provides a reference for the medium- and long-term operation optimization of the LCHES-WP hybrid power system in the future. • Electricity settlement rule in medium and long term electricity trading is considered. • The monthly operational simulation model was nested in the yearly optimization model. • Bundled output pattern can rise by 45.6% of revenue than the separate output pattern. • The supply shortage risk is significantly reduced by increasing the punishment level. • The penalty amount does not change obviously with the changes in the punishment level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional flat PV heat pumps has low irradiation density, large PV area, and the PV evaporators are always fixed, causing large area occupation and lots of irradiation missing, which limit the application and system efficiency. To solve the problems, a novel concentrated PV-air dual-source heat pump system (CPV-DSHP) was proposed in the previous paper, but the annual performance and economic comparison with flat PV-DSHP (FPV-DSHP) are still blank, which are extremely concerning to researchers. Besides, the paper also fills related content about the impact of irradiation composition on the system performance and economics, as well as the irradiation comparison on tracking CPV and fixed FPV surface. From the calculation of the validated model, it's found that the CPV-DSHP system could capture 6098 MJ and 2213 MJ more solar energy, and produce 282.21 kWh and 100.16 kWh more electricity in Garze and Hefei in a year. The annual concentration efficiency is 82.73 % in Garze where direct irradiation accounts for 68.89 %, which is only 73.15 % in Hefei with 39.84 %.The COP PVT is annually lifted by 0.40 in Garze. Although the two systems could both get payback in 5∼6 years, the CPV-DSHP only shows economic advantages in places with good direct irradiation conditions like Garze. • A novel concentrated PV-air dual-source heat pump system (CPV-DSHP) is presented. • The annual performance and economic comparison in different cities are supplemented. • The CPV-DSHP could produce 282.21 kWh more electricity in Garze in a year. • The annual concentration efficiency is 82.73 % in Garze with better direct irradiation. • Payback time is 5∼6 years but CPV-DSHP only shows economic advantage in Garze. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent technological developments make perovskite solar cells (PSCs) particularly suitable for building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) applications on vertical building envelopes, but the relatively short lifespan of PSCs requires frequent replacement, thereby generating substantial waste. Careful consideration of circularity credentials of this novel technology is therefore essential prior to the extensive implementation of vertical PSCs in building envelopes. This paper provides a circular economy approach for the implementation of PSCs in vertical envelopes and assesses its economic feasibility by life cycle cost analysis in Europe. The process of recycling PSC is developed. The economic performance of PSC envelopes is provided and compared to that of the conventional rigid BIPV system. Uncertainty analysis and sensitivity analysis of economic indicators are then performed to identify the influential parameters. The findings indicate that the PSC envelope has a significant potential for circular BIPV components and that PSCs applied on vertical envelope are economically viable. • LCCA of vertical PSC envelopes with recycling strategy is analyzed in Europe. • Recycling strategy of PSC is explored before diffusion to overcome PSC's short lifespan. • PSC price is the most influential factor for the deviation of LCOE. • PSC envelope has potential to achieve profitability in most regions of Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food systems are dominated by multiple risks inflicted by their surrounding environments that pose pressures on the continuous and efficient supply of food products. Market dynamics represented by competitive and cooperative behaviors of the system's main players is one of the uncertainties that influence the availability and affordability of food products. Efficient modeling of these risks can assist decision-makers in simulating and predicting future actions that mitigate the impact that market dynamics have on the provision of food products. This paper suggests an Agent-based model-based framework that simulates the behavior and tracks the economic and environmental performances of the tomato supply system in the State of Qatar. It considers three different scenarios representing the current situation of the market in addition to a competitive and a cooperative trade network. Interactions between trade partners are modeled using two game theoretic approaches counting Cournot competition and Cartel collusion. Based on the research findings, a competitive global market can bring economic benefits to Qatar as an importing nation, but this approach also entails substantial water consumption and results in significant environmental emissions. Conversely, collaboration among exporting countries demonstrates a potential 20% reduction in water usage and a 15% decrease in environmental emissions compared to the competitive scenario, offering enhanced environmental performance albeit at higher economic costs. This study provides a prescriptive analysis that enables policymakers to quantify the trade-offs between economic efficiency and environmental sustainability. These insights are crucial for guiding strategic planning for food supply security and environmental conservation. By understanding the implications of market structure changes, policymakers can navigate potential challenges more effectively and develop targeted policy interventions that enhance the resilience of the food supply system against market volatility and environmental impacts. This analysis supports proactive policy-shaping that aligns with their desired outcomes, ensuring a balanced approach to managing economic benefits and environmental considerations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Novel ammonia blended natural gas GT-STCC based on dual-temperature CO 2 turbines. • Effect of fuel ammonia blending ratio etc. on thermodynamic performance is studied. • Power generation cost and pollutant emission including CO, CO 2 , NO x are evaluated. • Energy, economic, environment performance trade-off via tri-objective optimization. • GT-STCC shows a 2% higher thermal efficiency, a 12.8% lower cost than GT-sCO 2 -tCO 2. In order to solve the temperature interference problem, this paper proposes a novel ammonia-blended natural gas fueled gas turbine − split transcritical CO 2 cycle (GT-STCC) combined system based on dual-temperature CO 2 turbines. One split stream of CO 2 is pumped to CO 2 heater for recovering GT waste heat, while the other stream is pumped to CO 2 regenerator for utilizing high-temperature CO 2 turbine (HCT) waste heat and driving low-temperature CO 2 turbine (LCT). The sensitivity analysis of system thermodynamic performance with respect to fuel ammonia blending ratio, compressor pressure ratio, heat exchanger effectiveness, LCT CO 2 split ratio, CO 2 evaporation pressure is performed under the same total fuel heat input. In addition, the impacts of key operation parameters on power generation cost (PGC) and pollutant emission, including CO, CO 2 , NO x , are clarified. Energy, environmental and economic performance trade-off is achieved through a tri-objective optimization based on genetic algorithm. The results show that a 50 % increase of fuel ammonia molar blending ratio results in a 1.29 % decrease of total thermal efficiency, a 24.66 % decrease of total normalized pollutant emission, and a 35.71 % increase of power generation cost (PGC) for novel GT-STCC. As compressor pressure ratio or heat exchanger effectiveness changes, the normalized CO 2 and NO x emissions show opposite trends. The PGC and total normalized pollutant emission reach minimums under the same LCT CO 2 split ratio of 0.4, while they obtain minimums at different CO 2 evaporating pressures of 250 bar and 350 bar, respectively. The tri-objective optimization shows that the optimal total system thermal efficiency, total pollutant emission and PGC are 54 %, 0.3149 × 10-1 t/MWh and 0.05176 $/kWh, respectively. Compared to the GT − supercritical CO 2 − transcritical CO 2 cascade system, the novel GT-STCC system is a more promising power system due to its simpler configuration, 2 % higher overall thermal efficiency and 12.8 % lower PGC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contribution of good governance to development has been extensively examined; however, the effects of good governance on innovation, a critical factor for achieving sustainable development in the volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity environment, have received limited attention. This study examines the effects of good governance on innovation and its channel mechanisms. Thus, using a two-way fixed effects regression model, we analyse data from a sample of 112 economies worldwide over the period 2011–2021. We determine that good governance, measured using the worldwide governance indicators, has positive effects on innovation. Moreover, based on the shaping effect of good governance on the external environment, we identify that economic freedom serves as a channel mechanism through which good governance impacts innovation. Furthermore, we observe that compared with advanced economies, the positive effects of good governance on innovation are more significant in samples of emerging markets and developing economies. These findings underscore the mechanisms through which good governance impacts innovation, drawing attention to the shaping effect of good governance on the external environment and offering empirical evidence for economies to enhance economic freedom and promote innovation. • Examining the effects of good governance on innovation • Good governance has a shaping effect on the external environment. • Economic freedom is a channel mechanism for good governance to impact innovation. • The findings of this paper support the scepticism towards the Popper hypothesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yemen witnesses a heinous war and continual conflict that devastates its fragile infrastructure. The country's development indicators devolve significantly, and, among other sectors, higher education and its quality have been imperiled. The objective of this paper is to explore the effects of war on the quality of higher education in Yemen from the standpoint of Yemeni scholars. This qualitative study is based on grounded theory design and used semi-structured in-depth interview methods to collect data from Yemeni scholars within and outside Yemen. The core questions focused on the impact of war, the actions taken by scholars, and the prospects of higher education quality. Seventeen diverse scholars were included in the study. The analysis of data outlined six war-related factors that affect the quality of higher education: attacks on scholars, financial constraints, corruption, human capacity shortage, poor research performance, and lack of physical capacity. Realities are reconstructed through descriptions of the trajectory of the war and its negative consequences on scholars and their endeavors. Quality as a sign of the good functioning of higher education institutions is not an exclusively sectorial issue. Actions and prospects need to fit within frameworks of national reconciliation, regional peace, and frameworks of international cooperation. Further research tackling other dimensions of education quality and including other stakeholders is needed. Rethinking and reforming Yemen's higher education system in its different aspects and challenges, are paths to peacebuilding and the recovery of the country. A roadmap prioritizing this reform is urgently needed. • The devastating effects of war were examined from the perspective of Yemeni scholars. • The endurance of scholars to cope with the situation was exposed, analyzed, and compared with other countries in the region. • A prospect for national, regional, and international actions was suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we address the economic performance of Model Predictive Control (MPC) while operating at a backed-off operating point. Operating the plant at a constrained optimal point will often cause constraint violations due to uncertainties such as disturbances and measurement errors, etc. To ensure dynamic feasibility, the concept of economic back-off is used. In this work, we select the set point as the economic back-off point such that the dynamic operating region should have the least variability in the active constrained variables while ensuring the feasibility of other variables. In other words, the dynamic operating region is oriented by the proper design of a controller such that variability in active constrained variables is as low as possible. This controller design can be transformed into equivalent objective function weights of the MPC controller. In this study, we demonstrate that the determined back-off point is optimal for both linear controller and MPC controller when there are no unconstrained degrees of freedom. For the case with unconstrained degrees of freedom, the back-off point determined using the presented approach is optimal only for a linear controller but suboptimal for an MPC controller. Demonstrative case studies are presented to illustrate the economic performance of the MPC controller at the determined economic back-off point. • We proposed an economic back-off formulation for linear discrete-time systems. • We adopted a two-stage iterative solution strategy to determine optimal back-off. • We assess the economic performance of the MPC controller using inverse optimality. • We emphasize the role of unconstrained degrees of freedom in determining back-off. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Biform games can coordinate supply chains with competition and cooperation relation. • Carbon complementary is a beneficial way to organize the internal carbon trading. • The pareto improvement can be achieved under hybrid carbon trading schemes. • We incorporate the Minimax and Maximin principle and Shapley value into biform game. Cap-and-trade, Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) and Renewable Energy Consumption Obligation (RECO) are three regulatory instruments used by governments to decarbonize supply chains. Integrating these mechanisms creates a Carbon Complementary Supply Chain (CCSC), in which traditional energy manufacturers (TMs) with high emissions can offset their carbon footprint by trading CERs with renewable energy manufacturers (RMs) who develop the CER projects, and compete with RMs. In the downstream, retailers are incentivized to procure more renewable energy products to avoid RECO penalties. Given that all the CCSC members tend to cooperatively invest in the CER project, this paper proposes a novel biform game-based coordination mechanism combining noncooperative and cooperative games to promote CCSC's synergy. The findings show that this mechanism can induce CCSC members to cooperate, achieving Pareto improvement in social welfare, economic performance, and individual profits under specific regulatory intensity thresholds compared to the noncooperative scenario. Our findings contribute to the ongoing debate on the role of carbon regulations in enhancing supply chain performance by providing insights into the contractual relationships among supply chain members and the economic forces at play. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The central environmental protection inspection is an institutional innovation in China that aims to supervise enterprises by monitoring government environmental enforcement. This paper examines the effectiveness of central environmental protection inspection in improving enterprise environmental performance by using a quasi-natural experiment of the first round of central environmental protection inspection. The study reveals that the central environmental protection inspection improves enterprise environmental performance by strengthening local government environmental enforcement and environmental attention. This is evidenced by the increase in enterprise environmental capital expenditure and the decrease in pollution discharge fees. The impact of central environmental protection inspection on enterprise environmental performance is strengthened by local governments' environmental regulation and environmental fiscal expenditure, as well as by public participation. Under the pressure of central environmental protection inspection, heavily polluting enterprises engage in production process improvement and R&D investment, which can improve their economic performance. This can ultimately lead to a competitive advantage for enterprises, promoting a win-win situation for both environmental and economic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The manufacturing industry is facing a major challenge in balancing economic performance with environmental sustainability. To address this challenge, extant research has suggested that servitization could help align these objectives. However, the current evidence base is too scattered for policymakers to act on and support servitization in a targeted manner. Therefore, we conduct a systematic literature review to analyze over 120 research papers to establish the current understanding of the impact of servitization on the environmental and economic performance of a firm, and identify the contextual variables affecting this impact. The study identifies and critically appraises the body of literature that provides the current evidence base on the impact of servitization, the core areas of impact investigated and the methods that are used to establish this impact. Additionally, we conduct a thematic analysis of variables of impact to explore the theoretical perspectives that are used to explain the impact of servitization. Building on these theoretical perspectives we offer concrete propositions to further develop the research on the impact of servitization on environmental and economic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The final geometry of open stopes often diverges from the design, creating unintentional volumes of overbreak and underbreak. Tools, such as the Stability Chart, are used for predicting overbreak, but its limitations regarding the precision of the predictions and the exclusion of underbreak have constrained the benefits of a predictive tool at the design stage. Furthermore, the economic aspects are not integrated when addressing geomechanical stope design. This paper presents how understanding and predicting stope performance at a meter-scale resolution through a multivariate model can be used for assessing the geotechnical (overbreak and underbreak) and economic stope performance. These predictions estimate the magnitude and location of overbreak and underbreak across the design surface, and are used to resolve the expected geometry of the mined void. The incorporation of a predicted mined void with grade values from a block model allows for a comprehensive economic stope performance estimate. This work is a significant step towards a stope design and planning process that minimizes the stability issues, dilution and loss of ore across the stope. As designing for higher ore recovery increases the potential for dilution and vice versa, this approach allows for the value realised from mining a stope to be maximised by quantifying this inherent economic trade-off. The enhanced resolution of both data and predictions has allowed for a more comprehensive evaluation of the predicted stope performance and economic outcomes during the design phase. This marks a notable advancement in the ability to design and plan the optimal stope. • A new probabilistic stope design approach for assessing the expected mining void. • Utilises data at a meter scale resolution and a multivariate model. • A comprehensive evaluation of the predicted overbreak and underbreak. • Incorporation of grade to quantify the economic trade-off of different designs. • It marks a notable advancement in designing and planning the optimal stope. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposed an innovative hybrid system to generate electricity and fresh water with higher energy efficiency. A subsystem is employed by integrating DCMD and heat pump to recover waste heat of PEMFC to produce fresh water. The thermodynamic and exergoeconomic models are established to evaluate the system comprehensive performance. Compared with the PEMFC alone, the results demonstrated that the proposed hybrid system achieves a 42.07 % increase in energy efficiency and provides 177.86 kg/h of fresh water. The components with high exergy destruction are PEMFC, Relief value, Inverter, Separator 2 and DCMD with the exergy destruction rate of PEMFC stack accounting for 54.55 %. The parametric analysis results indicate that the variation of the membrane filament number, feed and permeate flow rates all have evident impacts on the thermodynamic and economic performances of the hybrid system. The multi-objective optimization is conducted by adopting NSGA-II and three decision-making methods. The optimal solution obtained by AHP-entropy-TOPSIS approach for the net power out, exergy efficiency, WPC, and total exergy cost rate are 96059W, 0.5293, 0.2995 $/m3, and 14.27 $/h, respectively. In addition, the obtained results shown that the simulation times of NSGA-II are significantly reduced from 89.30 to 11.20 h by introducing BP-ANN to improve the simulation efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper compares the performance of conventional and organic fruit farms in Spain, using a set of base indicators to assess their economic and environmental performance on a per hectare basis. Composite indicators are also calculated to measure the overall economic and environmental performance of both production systems. Comparisons are made using propensity score matching to minimize the non-randomization biases caused by structural differences between the samples of conventional (n = 552) and organic (n = 127) fruit farms sourced from the Spanish Farm Accountancy Data Network (RECAN). The results based on per hectare metrics point to modest changes in the performance of farms that converted to organic farming. This is mainly because most converted farms were former conventional farms characterized by lower profitability and less intensive input use, consequently minimizing the effects of the conversion process. Nevertheless, the conversion outcomes exhibit a degree of variability depending on the specific type of fruit production. Economic gains are only discernible in the case of nut farms, whereas fruit and tropical fruit farms tend to yield the most favorable results per hectare from an environmental perspective. • Changes in per hectare performance are assessed when fruit farms convert to organic. • A complete set of economic and environmental base and composite indicators is used. • A matching procedure is implemented to obtain unbiased difference estimators. • Small changes are found in the per hectare performance of farms after conversion. • Mixed results depending on the type of fruit production subsector considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a techno-economic model based on experimental and market data able to evaluate the profitability of vanadium flow batteries, which are emerging as a promising technology for specific stationary energy services. Models like this are very informative on the present and perspective competitivity of industrial flow batteries in operating specific services, but they have not yet been developed to an accurate grade. This model uses technical parameters which are taken from large-area multi-cell stacks, rather than from small single cell experiments, to better characterize the behavior of real industrial reactors, and from real financial market and economic patterns of some major manufacturers. The model yields economic performance indicators as the capital cost, the operative cost, the levelized cost of storage and the net present value. A prudential present-state and a perspective analysis are elaborated to show where the economic indicators are heading, and which parameters affect more the investment profitability, thus tracking a possible roadmap for system optimization. Perspective estimations indicate that technological and market evolutions are heading to much more competitive systems, with capital costs down to 260 € kWh−1 at a energy/power duration of 10 h, to be compared with a break-even point in the net present value of 400 € kWh−1, which suggests that flow batteries may play a major role in some expanding markets, notably the long duration energy storage. [Display omitted] • A techno-economic model for vanadium redox flow battery is presented. • The method uses experimental data from a kW-kWh-class pilot plant. • A market analysis is developed to determine economic parameters. • Capital cost and profitability of different battery sizes are assessed. • The results of prudential and perspective analyses are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Monitoring and forecasting performance is a main concern for most companies today. • Business Intelligence (BI) enables to monitor and forecast performance indicators. • There is a lack of approaches automatically dealing with usability indicators. • A BI approach for monitoring and forecasting usability indicators is proposed. • Users evaluated the approach with successful results on usability. Monitoring performance indicators has become a main concern for most organizations today. While much attention has been paid to developing economic, bioinformatics, health, and social media dashboards, little or no attention has been devoted to monitoring and forecasting usability indicators. This can be of interest for analyzing the degree of perceived satisfaction and usability of interactive software products designed or just developed, being also useful as general strategic indicators in human-centered organizations. This paper presents an approach including main measures, Key Performance Indicators, trends, and forecasts to deal with usability information over time and produce new knowledge based on historical data. Also, an instance has been implemented, including data obtained from real software evaluations. Target users have evaluated the approach to validate its suitability, obtaining successful usability results that denote the adequacy of the approach presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper takes a look at the impact of eco-control systems on the circular economy (CE) practices and economic and environmental performances of firms, taking in account the moderating role that environmental uncertainty can play in this regard. Based on data from a sample of 205 French manufacturing firms, and using hierarchical regressions analysis, the study reveals that eco-control systems improve CE practices as along with both ecological and economic performances. As such, this study provides novel insights challenging thus extant literature which argued that the influence of ecological control systems on economic performance may not be direct and may come about through specific organizational actions or initiatives. Research also reveals that the impact of eco-control systems as mediated by CE practices differs depending on the nature of the company's performance. More precisely, eco-control systems improve environmental performance through CE practices while no indirect effect was found with regard to economic performance. In doing so, this study provides novel insights to existing works by highlighting the positive role that CE plays in value creation of businesses. Moreover, environmental uncertainty was found to be a main contextual factor that positively moderates connection between ecological control systems and economic performance. As such, this study provides novel insights and broadens the literature in this area. This work generally offers an innovative view of the role that ecological control systems play in managing firms' CE practices to achieve better performance under environmental uncertainty conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing number of integrated energy system (IES) construction, a multi-agent system group composed of multiple IESs would be formed in a certain region. Moreover, complex uncertainties gradually existed in the IES which affect the system optimal situation and optimization results. In order to take full use of each agent's advantages and improve the performance of the whole region under uncertainty, this paper focuses on the multiple energy types' interaction of multi-agent IESs within the region to realize the stable operation, economic and environmental improvement of each agent and the whole region. To this aim, a multi-objective multiple energy types' multi-agent interactive optimization model considering energy demand and renewable energy output uncertainties was built. The model was based on Nash bargaining cooperative game theory and took economy, flexibility and carbon emission as objectives. Moreover, energy interaction scheduling and its corresponding price can be optimized through the model. The results of non-cooperative operation mode without interaction and cooperative operation mode with interaction were compared to analyze the superiority of interaction from the cost, carbon emission and flexibility aspects. The overall regional carbon emission and the economic cost has been reduced by 13.84% and 9.94%, for each IES, the carbon emission and economic cost could reduce by up to 41.5% and 44.5%. Moreover, the flexibility of the IES was correspondingly increased by nearly 47%. These results denoted that after multi-agent interaction, not only the overall region's energy, economic and environmental performance are improved, but also that of each agent are significantly improved. In addition, different energy types among multiple agents could be effectively used and regional joint energy storage is realized, improving the region flexibility level and resilience. • A multi-objective integrated energy systems interaction model is established. • The interaction model considers multiple energy types and uncertainties. • The model can improve economy and flexibility of each system agent and the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reshaping transportation offer in metropolitan and suburban areas plays a fundamental role in complying with environmental commitment. A sustainable public transportation system is crucial to reduce air pollution and the overall environmental impact of transportation sector, going beyond mere displacement solutions offered. This paper presents how to implement a sustainable transportation solution starting from green shift investments in a small citizen centre. Two new bus lines were examined and planned to adapt the actual service to a potentially-evolving demand. Electric vehicle types were selected to compare full-electric with hydrogen traction systems. Moreover, particular attention was paid to the energy supply chain through Well-To-Tank analysis. Battery vehicles appear to be preferred, at the moment, when reliance on the national grid is prevailing showing affordable costs 1.8 €/km, ＋0.5 €/km with respect to the actual Diesel operations. However, also hydrogen energy vector resulted a competitive choice. Uncertainty in the market demand plays a great role and if reduced progressively, it allows to recover the heavy investments, given the high cost of ownership of 2.8 €/km. The research is enriched by the collaboration of a managerial representative of Arriva Italia, operator of local public transportation and an exponent of the scientific community. • Public transportation systems have high impact on air pollution. • Design of a sustainable bus line in a small city to reduce pollution in the area. • Different energy vectors and supply chains assessed under economic indicators. • Comparison between electric traction and hydrogen fuel-cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a CdTe photovoltaic double-skin ventilated window integrated with vacuum glazing (VPV-DSV) is proposed. The mathematical model of VPV-DSV was developed and validated through tests in Hefei, China. Annual energy performance and the economic analysis of the VPV-DSV was evaluated and compared with the other two PV-DSVs and an insulating glazed window (IG) under climate conditions of five selected cities, including Changchun, Hefei, Kunming, Shenzhen, and Shijiazhuang. Moreover, effects of window design factors, including the window-to-wall ratio, PV coverage, and pillar spacing of the VG, were explored. Results indicated that: (1) the VPV-DSV produced the best energy saving results and the least energy consumption. (2) NECs of the VPV-DSV in the five cities above was 955.05 kW•h, 464.31 kW•h, 110.66 kW•h, 53.71 kW•h, and 443.14 kW•h, respectively. (3) Due to high cost of the VG, the VPV-DSV only had the best economic performance in Shenzhen and the NPV was 3931.47 CNY. (4) The WWR and PV coverage had obvious impacts on the overall performance of the VPV-DSV, while the pillar spacing only had a more significant impact on the air conditioning energy consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biophysical Economics is a school of thought in heterodox economics built on the premise of the primacy of energy in the economic process. Despite significant progress made in the methodology of net-energy analysis, the literature on the relationships (if any) between the biophysical properties of energy sources, such as net-energy ratios, and financial indicators (price, cost, etc.) is scant. Are the biophysical qualities of energy sources reflected by market signals? As such, can the latter guide decision-making in the context of the ongoing depletion of non-renewable energy resources? The paper examines the relationships between the net-energy ratios and price, cost of production and price-to-cost ratios of the Canadian oil sands produced via open-pit mining from 1997 to 2016. A simple econometric model is developed to estimate the correlation between the standard Energy Return on Energy Invested (EROIst) with the price, cost of production and price-to-cost ratio of diluted bitumen and synthetic crude over a 20-year period. Preliminary results suggest the absence of correlation between any pair of biophysical and financial variables. No discernable correlation is identified between the EROIst and financial indicators of either crude stream, suggesting biophysical and financial properties to be sui generis realities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Employing LCA to provide opportunities for ecological improvements of PTL/PTG systems. • Identifying the influence of different water electrolysis technologies on the systems' performances. • Indicating the formations of monetary cost and environmental impact based on the exergy streams. • Providing optimization suggestions for PTL/PTG systems from the perspective of components. In the past decades, Power-to-Liquid (PTL) and Power-to-Gas (PTG) technologies, which utilize the captured CO 2 and surplus renewable electricity to produce sustainable fuels and chemicals, have attracted much attention. In our previous study, four PTL/PTG process cases coupled with different water electrolysis technologies (i.e., AWE, PEM, SOEC, and AEM) have been proposed to simultaneously produce syncrude and SNG. To comprehensively examine their technical, economic, and environmental performances, this paper carried out an exergy-based (i.e., exergoeconomic and exergoenvironmental) analysis. Firstly, a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was plotted with the material and energy flows data to evaluate the tangible and potential environmental impacts. Secondly, an exergoeconomic and exergoenvironmental analysis that integrate exergy analysis with economic analysis and LCA was suggested to calculate the integrated technical–economic and technical-environmental performances. The formation of exergoeconomic cost and exergoenvironmental impacts in the four cases are illustrated by Sankey diagrams. The results revealed that the case coupled with AEM electrolysis technology has the lowest exergoeconomic product cost and exergovironmental potential emissions. In the certain cases, the components with considerable energy consumption and temperature changes are the main contributors for the total exergoeconomic cost and exergoenvironmental impacts. Regarding the results, this work intends to provide optimization suggestions, aiming at achieving a balance among the better technical and economic performances and less environmental impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper tries to simulate and discuss the possible solutions that improve the economic and technical performances of a battery-less renewable energy-powered BWRO system according to the real climate conditions. The systems are considered in two capacities (50 and 100 m3/day) and are powered using photovoltaic panels, wind turbines, or both. Four scenarios are considered to couple the RO unit with renewable energy (RE) sources: simple; elevated brackish water tank; variable frequency drive; and a combination of the latter two. First, the simple approach is optimized for the lowest levelized cost of water, and then the other three scenarios are analyzed based on the optimized results of the first scenario. Results indicate that the hybrid system can provide more water (13,500 and 24,900 m3/year). However, due to its homogenous nature and fewer fluctuations, the PV-based system shows better results from several viewpoints, such as specific energy consumption (1.08 kWh/m3 for both capacities) and unused energy ratio (0.32 and 0.28 for 50 and 100 m3/day devices). Also, the suggested scenarios improve the economic performance of the systems. With the modifications of scenario 4, the PV-based system enhances more and shows the lowest value of levelized cost of water (1.09 $/m3). • It is tried to present feasible methods for standalone BWRO units. • Technical and economic analyses are conducted for the systems. • The case study is a water-deprived region in Iran. • A system with an elevated BW tank with VFD-aided pump shows the best result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As manufacturing processes transition towards digitalization, data-driven process control is emerging as a key area of interest in future artificial intelligence technology. A crucial aspect in implementing data-driven process control is "What should we learn from the data?". In general, the data-driven control method can be categorized into two main approaches: Learning the model and learning the value. To assist in selecting the more suitable approach, this paper applies six different control methods, with three falling under each approach, to three distinct manufacturing process systems. The simulation results indicate that the model-learning approaches display higher data efficiency and exhibit lower variance in total cost. These methods prove to be particularly advantageous for addressing the regulation problems. Conversely, value-learning approaches show competitive potential in closed-loop identification and in managing economic cost problems. The remaining challenges associated with each technique are discussed, along with practical considerations for their implementation. • What should we learn, model or controller, with the collected data? • Quantitatively compare the model-based and model-free control approaches. • Model-based methods were superior in tackling regulation problems. • Model-free methods show competitive performance in optimizing economic cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green financing is essential because it guarantees that initiatives that seek to reduce the world's reliance on fossil fuels receive the necessary funding to be successful. Green financial metrics can be simultaneously made possible by specialized technological innovation and natural resource rent, thereby encouraging the adoption of sustainable energy. In this paper, we investigate the mediating mechanisms underlying the relationship between green financial indicators and renewable energy consumption RNEC and we contribute to the ongoing discussion surrounding this relationship. Our observational example is derived from data collected for 66 countries between 2004 and 2019 using a panel threshold regression model defined with the difference generalized method of moments (GMM). We find that green funding initiatives have accelerated the adoption of renewable energy sources by encouraging increases in the proportion of renewable energy in the fuel supply. Multiple analyses of reliability corroborate the existence of this link. Green funding has been shown to have an encouraging effect on the transition to renewable energy, and our findings indicate that technological advancement and natural resource leasing serve to mitigate this effect. To assist policymakers in reducing the world's reliance on polluting energy, our study demonstrates how green financial markets can be established through improved technological innovation and natural resource management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fifth-generation district heating and cooling (5GDHC) systems have the potential to provide simultaneous heating and cooling, allowing for energy exchange between users with different needs. However, their viability in mild climates with a higher share of cooling demand remains unclear. In this paper, we propose a framework for assessing the engineering, economic and environmental performance of a 5GDHC system compared to a state-of-the-art business-as-usual solution and demonstrate it through a practical case study for a university campus in Melbourne, Australia. When accessible heat sources and sinks are available, the 5GDHC system provides a cost-effective solution, with annual cost savings between 9 and 29 % and GHG emissions reduction between 25 and 58 % compared to an already advanced business-as-usual system. Additionally, by using peak off-peak tariffs and an hourly emission factor for the electricity consumed, we demonstrate the 5GDHC operational flexibility in pursuing different objectives, such as minimising cost or emissions, respectively. The results suggest that 5GDHC systems are an economically and environmentally viable solution in milder climates, and a successful implementation of 5GDHC in Australia can create new market opportunities and pave the way for its adoption in other countries with similar climatic conditions and no established history of district heating systems. • 5GDHC systems are analysed in a new context with a milder climate. • A multi-dimensional assessment framework is proposed. • The framework is demonstrated through a practical case study in Melbourne, Australia. • Flexibility is assessed through varying electricity tariffs and emission factors. • The strong performance of the 5GDHC system offers insights into similar contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigated the combined energy, economic and carbon performances of energy piles used for heating and cooling buildings, an issue that has received limited interest in the past. To address this knowledge gap, a 30-year numerical simulation, calibrated using field data, was conducted for variable building thermal loads, pile spacing, pile length and number of energy piles for a six-storey residential building in Melbourne, Australia. The energy pile system in the annual heating-only mode demonstrated a 75 % reduction in energy consumption and a 5 % reduction in energy costs compared to a natural gas boiler. The energy piles performances in the annual heating-and-cooling mode were significantly higher than in the heating-only mode, demonstrating a 39 % reduction in energy consumption, carbon emissions and energy costs compared to an air-source heat pump. Increasing the pile spacing from 2.05 m to 6.4 m, pile length from 10 m to 20 m, and number of energy piles from 38 to 114 increased the energy, economic and carbon benefits of energy piles by 76 %, 77 % and 119 %, respectively. The results highlight the importance of building thermal loads and pile configuration on assessing the energy, economic and carbon performances of energy piles during early design stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Develop a mathematical model for the PCS of the Pb-Bi micro reactor and coordinated control strategies. • In order to make the code easy to implement and converge quickly, different modules choose different algorithms flexibly. • The steady-state calculation results are in good agreement with the design values. • The transient code can realize the "load following" operation mode. Lead-bismuth cooled reactor offers substantial potential in terms of safety, design simplification, proliferation resistance and economic performance. A Pb-Bi micro reactor was studied in this paper, and the primary coolant system models including the horizontal helical-coil once-through steam generator (S/G) model based on four-equation drift-flux, the annular gas tank pressurizer model and the core model, and the control model based on "load following" mode were established. Adopting the fully implicit scheme, Gear algorithm, quasi-Newton method, Steffensen method and first-order Taylor polynomial expansion method were flexibly selected in each module for numerical solution. The steady-state results show that the proposed model can successfully simulate the characteristics of the Pb-Bi micro reactor, and the steady-state calculation results are in good agreement with the design values. The transient results show that the proposed model can successfully simulate the dynamic process under different loads, and can realize the "load following" operation mode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Proposed method to evaluate PV + BESS economic landscape for brazilian dwellings. • Positive impact of adopting a BESS in the PU from the energy perspective. • BESS costs impact economic viability and need government incentive. • Method can be adapted to other scenarios. This paper proposes a methodology to assess the energy and economic impact of adopting small-scale residential photovoltaic (PV) systems paired with lithium-ion battery energy storage (BESS) systems in single-family homes, under the current energy feed-in legislation. The suggested methodology was applied to a case study of a prosumer unit (PU) in Brazil. Data from energy bills, measured PV generation, BESS behaviour, and energy consumption were analysed to compare different viewpoints and estimate key economic indicators. As a result, the PV + BESS combination increases residential users' energy self-consumption and self-sufficiency, resulting in respective increases of 15 % and 2 %. Under the conventional tariff, adopting the PV + BESS system led to an average 29 % reduction in electricity costs compared to scenarios without PV + BESS. Furthermore, by transitioning to the white tariff mode in conjunction with PV + BESS, the PU achieved a 49 % reduction. This result emphasizes the advantages of time-of-use adoption for PV + BESS consumers. A greater discrepancy between tariff periods enhances the feasibility of storing off-peak energy for use during peak periods. Currently, BESS implementation costs impede competitiveness, with attractive LCOS metrics achieved only at costs below $600.00/kWh and MRAs below 9 %. BESS + PV lowers generation costs compared to off-peak rates, increasing the viability of shared usage. Integrating PV + BESS systems with rate switching significantly diminishes electricity expenses. The substantial BESS implementation cost necessitates a noteworthy rate differential for viability, which could potentially impact non-PV and non-BESS consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]