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Germany has not yet made significant progress toward achieving SDGs 7 and 13. This challenge can be attributed to the underlying financialization problem in Germany, as well as implementation issues related to energy efficiency, particularly in coal and gas, and renewable energy consumption. Given these circumstances, Germany is facing challenges in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Addressing this issue may necessitate a policy realignment, which is the primary focus of this study. In this context, our study employs various wavelet-based tools, including wavelet coherence, multivariate wavelet coherence, and wavelet-based causality, to delve into the co-movements, causality, and direction of causality between the load capacity factor (LF) and key factors such as energy efficiency (gas and coal), technological innovation, renewable electricity, and financial development, focusing on Germany during the period from 1990Q1 to 2020Q4. The results from wavelet coherence, corroborated by wavelet cohesion, indicate that in the short and medium term, improvements in coal efficiency, gas efficiency, financial development, and renewable energy are associated with an increase in LF, thereby contributing to ecological quality. Furthermore, the multivariate wavelet coherence results underscore the significant impact of considering or not considering the effect of a third variable in the interrelationship between LF and its determinants, with the effect being more pronounced when the third variable is taken into account. Although this policy framework primarily targets the objectives of SDG 13 and 7, its applicability extends to other EU nations. The primary significance of this study is its proposal of an SDG-focused policy framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Limiting CO2 emissions is crucial for sustainable development, environmental protection, and climate change mitigation, ensuring a more resilient and cleaner future. Prioritizing sustainable urbanization renewable energy, and energy efficiency is vital for achieving this prosperous and sustainable future. As a result, we adopt the Fourier testing approach for stationary, cointegration, estimator, and causality, to scrutinize the role of renewable energy, energy efficiency, and urbanization on CO2 emissions in Finland over the period between 1990 and 2020, controlling economic growth and trade openness. The empirical analysis of the Fourier ARDL estimator establishes that energy efficiency measures such as gas and oil efficiency exhibit an adverse effect on CO2 emissions, so energy efficiency mitigates CO2 emissions. Similarly, the study also found that urbanization and renewable energy reduce CO2 emissions. Conversely, economic growth and trade openness induce CO2 emissions. Additionally, the Fourier-Toda-Yamamoto method provides robust evidence regarding the long-term implications of the examined factors. Based on this result, the study emphasizes that implementing a regulatory framework to enhance energy efficiency, promote renewable energy adoption, and support sustainable urban development will be an essential strategy in the global effort to attain the net-zero emissions target, which offers valuable insights to other countries seeking to transition towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research study presents a novel approach to enhance the efficiency and performance of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESSs) within microgrids, focusing particularly on the integration of wind energy. The inherent inconsistency and unpredictability of Renewable Energy Resources (RERs) necessitate the development of effective integration solutions to accommodate them. Our article provides a customized iteration of the metaheuristic algorithm referred to as the Contracted fitness-dependent optimizer. The proposed methodology involves the adaptive adjustment of migration rates based on habitat suitability indices, while also considering variations in perturbations. The incorporation of Lévy flight and an elimination phase significantly enhances the algorithm’s efficacy in problem-solving. In order to establish the superiority of our strategy over alternative optimization approaches, we conduct simulations across diverse conditions and subsequently compare the outcomes. It was calculated that the daily scheduling cost was 235.2$ and the daily operational cost was USD 268$. In Scenario 3, the total operating expenses and arranging costs for 1 day, respectively, were determined to be 165$ and 115$. Further, the highest depth of discharge level was around 77%. Moreover, a −9.18 kW and 23.02 kW maximum charging and discharging power adjustment was made. The findings of our study emphasize the economic and operational benefits associated with appropriately sized BESSs within microgrid contexts. These advantages have the potential to enhance battery longevity and promote the development of more sustainable energy systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to analyse the connection between energy efficiency and renewable energy consumption in the emerging seven (E7) economies during the period 1990–2020. This study also examines the impact of economic growth, carbon emissions and technological innovation on renewable energy. This study employs various panel data approaches that validate the irregular distribution of data and the heterogeneous slopes coefficients. The cross-section dependence test confirms that cross-section dependence is present in the study variables. While these variables are cointegrated. Using non-parametric panel data approaches, the moments' quantile regression results unveil that economic growth is positively associated with renewable energy in all quantiles. Whereas energy efficiency and carbon emissions showed mixed results, negatively affect renewable energy consumption in the lower quantiles, insignificant in the medium quantiles and positive in the higher quantiles. On the other hand, technological innovation is found negatively related to renewable energy consumption. Bidirectional causal association is found between explanatory variables and renewable energy consumption. Based on the empirical findings, this study suggests policies to divert economic growth from fossil fuel energy consumption, enhancing investment in the renewable energy sector, promoting energy efficiency and investment in environmental-related technologies to promote renewable energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last few decades, the environmental degradation, global warming, and climate change remained the life-threatening issues across the globe. Specifically, the use of non-renewable fossil fuels is regarded as the most significant reason of such inclined issues. However, the policy-makers and scholars are now more concerned about the recovery of environmental quality, where renewable energy is considered as the primary solution to the existing issue. The developed economies and environment related international organizations rapidly enhances the use and promotion of renewable energy after the taking pledge in the Kyoto Protocol Agreement (1997). Nonetheless, the scholars are participating in analyzing the key drivers of renewable energy. Still, the proper drivers of renewable energy are not properly addressed in the existing literature. To fill this gap, current study analyzed the group of seven (G7) economies over the period 1990-2020. Using various panel data techniques such as slope heterogeneity, cross-section dependence, unit root, and cointegration test, the results indicates that the slopes are heterogeneous, and the cross-section dependence, as well as cointegration exists among the panel economies. Besides, the irregular distribution of data leads to the adoption of novel Method of Moments Quantile Regression accommodating four quantiles, i.e., ( Q 0.25 , Q 0.50 , Q 0.75 , and Q 0.90 ). The examined results asserted that economic growth and energy efficiency negatively and significantly affects renewable energy consumption ( REC). Whereas, developed environmental related technologies, environmental taxes, and composite risk index are positively affecting REC in the study panel. Besides, improved energy efficiency (energy efficiency squared) also contributed to the promotion of renewable energy consumption. The Granger causality test estimates reveals bidirectional and unidirectional causal association between the variables. Based on the empirical results, policies are provided that could help developed economies in the promotion of renewable energy consumption, improve economic growth, and enhances environmental sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined renewable energy, energy efficiency which is very essential to boost up environmental quality. This research also takes other factors which has impact on greenhouse gas emissions in the BRICS nations between 2000 and 2019. On the other hand, this research differs from previous research in that it considers the impact of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Electricity on greenhouse gas emissions in BRICS economies, despite the fact that Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Electricity have the greatest impact on greenhouse gas emissions in BRICS economies. The influence of GDP and political risk index on energy-related greenhouse gas emissions also comes under the scope of this study. Further, the order of unit root was determined using cross-sectional dependency and slope heterogeneity. The results were achieved utilising moment quantile regression (MMQ). The analysis shows that GDP causes an increase in Energy-Related Greenhouse Gases (ERGHG) at the 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th quantiles. At the 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th quantiles, however, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Electricity reduce Energy-Related Greenhouse Gases. Furthermore, political risk index reduces Energy-Related Greenhouse Gas emissions. Moreover, policymakers should investigate the asymmetric behaviour of Energy Efficiency, Electricity from Renewable Energy and GDP when adopting BRICS economies energy, environment and growth policies based on empirical data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental degradation is one of the main concerns for the countries across the globe, where energy efficiency (E.N.E.F.) is regarded as one of the substantial remedial measures. Still, the factors affecting E.N.E.F. is not extensively explored in the empirical literature. In this sense, the current study tends to analyse the influencing factors of E.N.E.F. in case of the G7 economies throughout 1990–2020. Since this study is dealing with the panel data, therefore, various panel data specifications are used, which validates the slope heterogeneity, panel cross-section dependence (C.D.), and the existence of cointegration between E.N.E.F., economic growth, renewable energy, energy related inflation, and political risk index (P.R.I.). Due to mixed integrating order, this study employed Cross-Sectional Autoregressive Distributed Lag (C.S.-A.R.D.L.) approach, which reveals that all the variables are significant and positive factors of E.N.E.F. in both short and long-run. Also, the results reveals the convergence of model towards the equilibrium with 83.7% speed of adjustment. To tackle the panel data issues such as slope heterogeneity and C.D., this study employed Dynamic Common Correlated Effects–Generalised Method of Moment (D.C.C.E.–G.M.M.), which also indicates the positive and significance influence of the selected variables on E.N.E.F. The estimated results are validated by Augmented Mean Group (A.M.G.) estimator. Moreover, bidirectional causal nexus is found between E.N.E.F. and regressors (economic growth, renewable energy, energy related inflation, and P.R.I.). This study also provides relevant policy measures at the end. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy efficiency and renewable energy strategies have been insufficient in achieving rapid and profound reductions of energy-related greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions. Consequently, energy sufficiency has gained attention as a complementary strategy over the past two decades. Yet, most research on energy sufficiency has been theoretical and its implementation in policy limited. This study draws on the growing sufficiency literature to examine the presence of sufficiency as a strategy for reducing energy-related GHG emissions in Sweden, a country often regarded as a "climate-progressive" country. By conducting a keyword and content analysis of energy policies and parliamentary debates during four governmental terms of office (2006–2022), this research explores the extent to which sufficiency is integrated into Swedish energy policy, as well as potential barriers to its adoption. The analyses revealed a scarcity of sufficiency elements. Although some policies could potentially result in energy savings, they are infrequent and overshadowed by the prevailing emphasis on efficiency and renewable energy. Furthermore, Sweden lacks a target for sufficiency or absolute energy reductions. The main impediments to sufficiency implementation include the disregard of scientific evidence in the policy-making process and the perceived contradiction between sufficiency and industrial competitiveness. This study thus concludes that sufficiency at best remains at the periphery of Swedish energy policy. Given the reinforced ambitions within the European Union, this raises questions regarding the validity of Sweden's reputation as a climate-progressive country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citrus residue is a large-scale agro-industrial biowaste that can become a source of renewable energy through drying. Drying demands high power consumption due to the low energy efficiency of this process in the industries. In this work, the energy performance of the drying process in a semi-industrial rotary drum of 2.7 m length and 0.45 diameter was analyzed. The main objective was to find the operational condition for the lowest energy consumption and also the highest energy, drying and exergetic efficiencies. The experiments were performed under different solid mass flow rates (0.2 and 0.4 kg/min) inlet air velocities (1 and 2 m/s) and temperatures (135, 145, and 155 °C). The average energy efficiency was 13.1% with 25.1% of drying efficiency, 37291.3 kJ/kg of specific energy consumption, and 37.3% of exergy efficiency. The results showed that the drying technique can be an interesting alternative to add value to the citrus residue. [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]

Many efforts have been made to enhance the hydrokinetic turbines' energy efficiency, extracting the energy from the flowing water in the canal and river. Savonius hydrokinetic turbine is one of the turbines producing mechanical power output using renewable energy sources of flowing water. It has good starting characteristics but has low energy efficiency. In the present investigation, an attempt is made toward the enhancement of the energy efficiency and load-carrying capacity of the Savonius turbine. The two dual-rotor Savonius turbine designs with deflector plates are proposed termed as Dual Rotor with Diverging Deflector Plate (DR-DDP) and Dual Rotor with Converging Deflector Plate (DR-CDP). The investigations are carried out with numerical simulations. The experiments are also performed for the validation of the methodology adopted in the presented numerical simulations. The results indicate the improved performance of the turbine units with both deflector plate designs. The power coefficient with the Savonius turbine unit's investigated design is enhanced from 0.135 of the conventional turbine to 0.16 with DR-DDP, and that up to 0.20 with DR-CDP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fossil fuel firing heating systems will be substantially abandoned in the near future due to the zero-carbon goals. They will be replaced with heating systems that use renewable energy sources. Since the investment costs and area requirements of the renewable energy systems are high, the developments of highly efficient electric fluid heating systems have critical importance for a sustainable, environmentally friendly and clean heating. Among the electrical heating systems, induction heaters offer quite easy to use and better adaptability to most heating systems by allowing fluid heating without the necessity for contact. In this paper, a comprehensive review of the evolution of the induction fluid heaters is given by presenting the historical background. The most important milestones of induction fluid heating systems are presented. The development strategies suggested by the different papers including patents are investigated. The findings revealed that induction fluid heating systems, which reach approximately 100% thermal efficiency. These systems are introduced as follows: clean, non-emitting fluid heating system. Because of this, the study concludes that induction fluid heaters are one of the most promising alternatives to other electric heating systems in the long run. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]