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The number of Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) in circulation has undergone a significant increase in recent years. This trend is foreseen to be stronger in the near future. In correlation with the FCEVs market increase, the hydrogen delivery infrastructure must be developed. With this aim, many countries have announced ambitious projects. For example, Spain has the objective of increasing the number of Hydrogen Refuelling Stations (HRS) with public access from three units in operation currently to about 150 by 2030. HRSs are complex systems with high variability in terms of layout design, size of components, operational strategy, hydrogen generation method or hydrogen generation location. This paper is focused on on-site HRS with electrolysis-based hydrogen production, which provides interesting advantages when renewable energy is utilized compared to off-site hydrogen production despite their complexity. To optimize HRS design and operation, a simulation model must be implemented. This paper describes a generic on-site HRS with electrolysis-based hydrogen production, a cascaded multi-tank storage system with multiple compressors, renewable energy sources, and multiple types of dispensing formats. A modelling approach of the layout is presented and tested with real-based parameters of an HRS currently under development, which is capable of producing 11.34 kg/h of green H 2 with irradiation at 1000 W/m2. For the operation, an operational strategy is proposed. The modelled system is tested through several simulations. A sensitivity analysis of the effects of hydrogen demand and day-ahead hydrogen production objective on emissions, demand satisfaction and variable costs is performed. Simulation results show how the operational strategy has achieved service up to 310 FCEVs refuelling events of heavy duty and light duty FCEVs, bringing the total H 2 sold up to almost 7200 H2kg in one month of winter. Additionally, considering variable costs of the energy from the utility grid, the model shows a profit in the range of 21–50 k€ for a daily demand of 60 H2kg/day and 100 H2kg/day, respectively. In terms of emissions, a year simulation with 60 H2kg/day of demand shows specific emissions in the production of H 2 in Spain of 6.26 kgCO2eq/H2kg, which represents a greenhouse gas emission intensity of 52.26 gCO2eq/H2MJ. • Modelling approach of hydrogen refuelling station with on-site hydrogen production. • Operational strategy with day-ahead scheduled grid-connected hydrogen production. • Finite-state machine online control of a multi-tank and multi-compressor plant. • Sensitivity analysis of hydrogen demand magnitude and frequency. • A trade-off between demand satisfaction, profits and emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deploying renewable hydrogen presents a significant challenge in accessing off-takers who are willing to make long-term investments. To address this challenge, current projects focus on large-scale deployment to replace the demand for non-renewable hydrogen, particularly in ammonia synthesis for fertiliser production plants. The traditional process, involving Steam Methane Reformers (SMR) connected to Haber-Bosch synthesis, could potentially transition towards decarbonisation by gradually integrating water electrolysis. However, the coexistence of these processes poses limitations in accommodating the integration of renewable hydrogen, thereby creating operational challenges for industrial hubs. To tackle this issue, this paper proposes an optimal dispatch model for producing green hydrogen and ammonia while considering the coexistence of different processes. Furthermore, the objective is to analyse external factors that could determine the appropriate regulatory and pricing framework to facilitate the phase-out of SMR in favour of renewable hydrogen production. The paper presents a case study based in Spain, utilising data from 2018, 2022 and 2030 perspectives on the country's renewable resources, gas and electricity wholesale markets, pricing ranges, and regulatory constraints to validate the model. The findings indicate that carbon emissions taxation and the availability and pricing of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) will play crucial roles in this transition - the carbon emission price required for total phasing out SMR with water electrolysis would be around 550 EUR/ton CO 2. • Addressing the co-existence of steam methane reformers and electrolysers. • Novel power dispatch model addressing the flexibility of co-existential pathways. • PPA availability and pricing and ETS taxation as key enablers of renewable hydrogen. • Carbon intensity constraints heavily impact the project's sizing and feasibility. • Techno-environmental study of the carbon intensity of ammonia production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Significant reduction (18.44%) in overall Spanish GHG emissions from 2008 to 2018, highlighting some differences depending on the considered phase of the crisis. • The total intensity effect has been noticeable negative, especially in Agriculture, Transport, and Other Services. • The total carbonization effect has contributed to increase GHG emissions by 5.86%, being particularly negative in the case of Industry. • Per capita production effect was strongly negative in Industry and slightly positive in the rest of the economic sectors. • R&D, more eco-friendly technologies, green energies, circular economy and consumer green attitudes: the best strategies to reduce GHG emissions. The reduction of GHG emissions to reverse the greenhouse effect is one of the main challenges in this century. In this paper we pursue two objectives. First, we analyze the evolution of GHG emissions in Spain in 2008–2018, at both the global and sectoral levels, with the variation in emissions decomposed into a set of determining factors. Second, we propose several actions specifically oriented to more tightly controlling the level of emissions. Our results showed a remarkable reduction (18.44%) in GHG emissions, mainly due to the intensity effect, but also to the production-per-capita effect. We detected somewhat different patterns among the various sectors analyzed. While the intensity effect was the most influential one in the agricultural, transport, and others sectors, the production-per-capita effect was predominant in the case of industry. The carbonization effect was revealed as crucial in the commerce sector. The above findings highlight the importance of the energy efficiency measures taken in recent years in the Spanish economy, also pointing to the need to deepen those strategies and to propose new measures that entail greater efficiency in emissions. Additional efforts in areas like innovation, R&D, diffusion of more eco-friendly technologies, and a greater use of greener energies all prove to be essential reduction actions to fight the greenhouse effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

So far in the literature, the two-parameter Weibull distribution and its other extensions are frequently implemented to analyze the wind speed energy data sets. However, based on our study of the literature, there is no published work about analyzing the wind speed energy data sets using new probability distributions that are developed via trigonometric functions. In this paper, I attempt to cover this amazing and interesting research gap. Therefore, I incorporate a trigonometric function, especially, the sine function to introduce a new statistical distributional method. The proposed method is called a new modified sine- G family of distributions. Some distributional properties of the new modified sine- G method are obtained. Using the new modified sine- G method, a new extension of the Weibull distribution called a new modified sine-Weibull distribution is studied. The new modified sine-Weibull distribution is applied to analyze four wind speed energy data sets. All three data sets are taken from the weather station at Sotavento Galicia in the Canary Islands, Spain, located at 43.3544 North and 7.8812 West. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electricity production from Renewable Energy (RE) in isolated locations requires long-term energy storage systems. To that end, Hybrid Energy Storage Systems (HESS), through a combination of hydrogen and batteries, can benefit from the different advantages of both technologies. This paper presents a hybrid Power-to-Power (PtP) Optimal Power Dispatch (OPD) model for isolated systems with no electric grid access. Currently, the electricity supply in such cases is usually based on a mix of RE as the primary energy source sustained by a diesel genset acting as a backup generator. In this context, the model delivers the hourly energy flows between renewable production sources, energy storage devices and the electrical load, which minimises costs and Green House Gases (GHG) emissions. For validation purposes, the model was tested through its application to a case study in an isolated area in the Canary Islands, Spain. The results show that the algorithm calculates the hourly OPD successfully for a given plant sizing, considering the defined operational states of the different assets. These operational constraints showed a decrease in the PtP round-trip efficiency of 5.4% and a reduction of the hydrogen production of 9.7%. Finally, the techno-economic analysis of the results proves that the combination of hydrogen and batteries with RE production is a feasible alternative to phasing out fossil fuels for the selected case study – reducing the diesel generator usage down to 1.2% of the yearly energy supply. • Novel multi-state optimal power dispatch model for power-to-power energy systems. • Multi-year techno-economic evaluation of an off-grid case study. • Phasing out fossil fuels with renewable energy-based hybrid energy storage systems. • Hydrogen technology contributes to a lower levelized cost of energy. • High initial investment cost was a significant entry barrier to deploying hydrogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The EU has set itself demanding objectives to achieve complete decarbonisation by 2050. The building sector plays an important role for this purpose, hence monitoring its progress towards decarbonisation is essential to identify measures that work and to readjust policies when necessary. However, collecting information to monitor the building sector is a complex task due to the scarcity and low quality of available data. The European digital building logbook (DBL) has great potential in this regard because it allows the collection of data at the building scale, which could be combined at a national level. Thus, this paper proposes a new functionality for the DBL -as an enabler for the collection of data for the assessment of the progress of the main EU policy objectives related to the building sector decarbonisation-, and it evaluates the potential of the DBL for it. To do so, the main policy objectives were associated to a set of progress indicators –mandatory and optional- and matched to DBL indicators. Mandatory indicators are for all Member States and they have been included in the 2023 amended version of the proposal for the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive recast. Optional indicators are considered country-specific in this paper and are sourced from various literature references. Here we have studied the optional progress indicators for the case of Spain. Results show that the DBL has great potential to contribute to the collection of more than half of the mandatory indicators and a very high share of the optional ones for Spain. • Monitoring the decarbonisation progress of national building sectors is crucial. • Mandatory and optional indicators are needed to monitor buildings decarbonisation. • The DBL has great potential for monitoring national building stocks decarbonisation. • The DBL will provide the majority of the decarbonisation progress indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small-holder agriculture and rural societies are often presented as declining and deteriorating contexts in media as well as national and international policies. The solutions aimed at addressing this decline often is framed in terms of external (market and policy) interventions while simultaneously presenting agrarian-rural societies as static and impoverished. This essentialist view of agrarian-rural societies is based on a modernist knowledge politics that functions by creating asymmetries of power through the practices of definitions and categorizations of understanding and engaging with the world. Binary oppositional categories, such as the rural and the urban, knowledge and experience, and nature and culture, is one route through which this knowledge politics unfolds. Rather than providing sustainable solutions, approaches based on these binaries have often exacerbated the vulnerabilities and challenges of agrarian-rural societies in terms of resource depletion, loss of biodiversity and livelihoods, deterioration of social ties, and challenges to food, nutrition, and health. In this paper, we present a comparative study of two Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) from India and Spain, which are engaged in the constructive practices of building relational connections across these binaries in order to re-envision agrarian-rural societies beyond modernist knowledge politics. Additionally, the paper brings together the cases from India and Spain to reflect on the binary of global south and north to build relationality and solidarity. • Agrarian-rural societies are often presented as declining and deteriorating in media and policies. • This is based on a modernist knowledge politics that functions by creating power asymmetries through binaries (such as urban and rural). • We study two CSOs engaged in practices that build relationality, interdependence, and care across modernist binaries. • The cases from India and Spain enable reflection on the political South-North binary and the possibility of building global solidarity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Per-poly fluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a group of synthetic fluorine compounds used in food packaging materials to repel water and fats. This study assessed the chemical migration of PFAS from different food contact materials, including cardboard, recycled cardboard, biopolymer, paper and Teflon trays, from various markets. Migration assays were conducted using Tenax® as a food simulant, which was optimized by subjecting it to three consecutive extractions with 3 mL of ethanol within an hour. The resulting extractions were combined and concentrated to 0.5 mL using a nitrogen stream. The analysis was performed using ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) coupled with ion-mobility (IMS) quadrupole-time-of-flight (QTOF) mass spectrometry, which provided a powerful and novel tool for identifying a library of targets containing collision cross section values (CCS) and increasing confidence in subsequent identifications. Eleven PFAS compounds belonging to the family of perfluorocarboxylic acid, perfluorosulfonic acid and perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid substances (PFCAs, PFSAs and FOSAAs) were found in packaging samples obtained from China, with migrant concentrations ranging 3.2 and 22.3 μg/kg. In contrast, no detectable levels of PFAS were observed in packaging samples obtained in Spain. All trays tested were deemed to be suitable for use as food contact materials due to the fact that their migrant values were lower than 0.025 mg/kg for PFOA and its salts, and lower than a maximum concentration of 1 mg/kg for PFOA-related compounds. [Display omitted] • A novel Ion-mobility QTOF mass spectrometry technique applied to migration of per and poly fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). • Enabling a library of (PFAS) with their CCS values and characteristics fragments. • Migration study of thirteen food contact materials such as cardboard, recycled cardboard, biopolymer, paper and Teflon trays. • Eleven PFAS compounds were found in packaging samples obtained from China. • Migration values concentrations between 3.2 and 22.3 μg/kg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an analysis of the evolution of the legislation on coasts in Spain using the methodology of the cycle of public policies. This made it possible to recognize important differences in how the issue of coasts entered into the government agenda, the definition of the problem to be addressed and the design of each of the laws analyzed, mainly due to the influence of the political and economic context. The entry into the government agenda ranges from the need to take advantage of the coast to promote tourism, the recovery of State ownership of the maritime-terrestrial public domain (MTPD) and the attempt to recover private ownership of properties released from the MTPD. In the design, two important elements have been maintained in all three cases: the definition of public domain (PD) goods, and the establishment of easements on privately owned land. In the 1988 and 2013 Laws, the publicist and conservationist legal principles have been maintained, as well as the techniques of the PD and the impact on private rights over properties adjoining the MTPD. The implementation of the laws has been very contrasting. The first law was hardly implemented at all, while the two subsequent laws have been resolutely implemented by the state administration. Finally, the most important elements that are recognized in the evolution of the Coastal Laws is the protection of the PD and the affectation of private property through easements. However, that the legal framework is confusing as two current Laws coexist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Commission and EU Member States have recently promoted legislation (under the REPower EU Plan) to accelerate renewable energy projects by allowing the elimination or reduction of environmental assessment and public participation in the approval procedure. To avoid adverse effects on the environment, these regulations propose the exclusion of certain areas (identified through available information on protected and/or environmentally sensitive areas) from the procedure. This paper aims to evaluate whether such measures are effective to avoid damage to biodiversity from the implementation of photovoltaic energy. To this end, we studied the distribution and abundance of a threatened bird species, the Black-bellied Sandgrouse, at two geographic scales: i) regional: Andalusia (southern Spain); ii) local: Campo de Tabernas (an excellent example of the semi-arid ecosystems of southeastern Spain) and evaluated the quality of the information that Administrations have on the species by comparing it with own censuses. We also assessed the effectiveness of the environmental impact procedure for photovoltaic plants planned in Campo de Tabernas. Data from the regional Administration reveal that Andalusian protected areas cover a minimal part (17.7%) of the species' range. Moreover, neither the regional nor the national Administration have reliable and updated information on the distribution of the species in Campo de Tabernas (only 17% of the current distribution area is known). The wrong choices made by developers about where to locate the photovoltaic plants together with wrong decisions of the regional Administration (with land-use planning competences, including the planning of power plant locations) have led to the loss of 630 ha of the species' range in Campo de Tabernas. Public participation of experts prevents, through allegations to the projects, an important part of the impact on the species. Policy implications: the information that the Administrations have on this species does not allow them to make proper decisions on where to apply renewable acceleration. Obtaining complete and updated information on the distribution of endangered species to elaborate detailed wildlife sensitivity areas is essential and urgent before implementing measures to accelerate renewables. • The new EU renewable acceleration directives are analysed here for the first time. • A threatened species becomes locally extinct due to solar power plants' poor planning. • Involving experts in EIA procedure greatly reduces the impact on a threatened species. • The design of renewable go-to areas demands specific research on threatened species. • Current EU legislation to accelerate renewables will negatively affect biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increased penetration of renewable energy sources (RESs) as an effective mechanism to reduce carbon emissions leads to an increased weather dependency for power and energy systems. This has created dynamic operation and degradation phenomena, which affect the lifetime estimation of the assets operated with RESs. For the reliable and efficient operation of RES it is crucial to monitor the health of its constituent components and feature selection is a crucial step for building robust and accurate health monitoring approaches. In this context, this paper presents a probabilistic feature selection approach, which probabilistically weights and selects features through a heuristic and iterative process for an improved asset lifetime estimation. Power transformers are key power grid assets and they are used to demonstrate the validity and impact of the proposed approach. The approach is tested on two different photovoltaic power plants operated in Spain and Australia. Results consistently show that the proposed feature-selection approach reduces the prediction error and consistently selects relevant features. The approach has been applied to transformer lifetime estimation, but it can be generally applied to assist in the lifetime estimation of other components operated in RESs. Part of the studies presented here as well as source codes are all open-source under the GitHub repository https://github.com/iramirezg/FeatureSelection. • Probabilistic feature selection approach for improved asset lifetime estimation. • Integration of environmental features for improved renewable-operated asset lifetime. • Systematic and robust feature weighting methodology. • Improved transformer lifetime estimation including sensor and environmental data. • Validated on two real photovoltaic power plant case studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of the explorations carried out in the western sector of the Iberian Central System (western Gredos, Béjar, Gata and Estrela mountain ranges). The macroremains found allow detailing the model of the landscape transformation, the composition and extension of their vegetal formations throughout the Holocene. Ninety-nine woody macroremains, 3 bark remains and 8 pinecones were located from eight sites between 875 and 1860 m above sea level, among which 15 radiocarbon dates were made. The taxonomic identification of two trunks found in Estrela allows us to document the local presence of Pinus cf. sylvestris ca. 6600 cal BP in this site. The same taxon also appears at the western end of Gredos between ca. 1700–2800 cal BP at approximately 1300 m. These remains expand the Holocene distribution of P. cf. sylvestris in the Central System known to date, both temporally and geographically. In parallel, the macroremains analysed document the composition of high mountain scrub (Cytisus type, Erica cf. arborea) in Béjar (ca. 1860 m), as well as mixed scrub-woodland formations in Gata (975–1180 m), which included deciduous Quercus , Betulaceae and Ericaceae. The presence of P. pinaster at ca. 6200 cal BP and 1180 m in this mountain range constitutes the earliest palaeobotanical evidence of this species recorded in Gata. The main results support the continuous persistence of plant formations in which P. sylvestris , P. nigra , and P. pinaster would have formed part throughout the Iberian Central System during the Holocene in a wide altitudinal range (1100–1840 m). • Above one hundred Holocene macrofossils from eight different sites were analysed. • Pinus sylvestris recently disappeared from the western Central System. • P. gr. sylvestris remained in Serra da Estrela until ˜6650 years ago. • First evidence of Pinus pinaster has been found in Gata ˜6200 years ago. • Betula , Quercus , Alnus and Ericaceae Holocene macroremains were found in Gata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying the main drivers of the household carbon footprint (HCF) is a priority to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and move towards a more sustainable economy. Among the multiple factors that explain the HCF, some previous research has confirmed the relevance of gender. In this paper, we calculate the HCF of individual Spanish households using an environmentally extended multi-regional input-output model (EEMRIO) that quantifies the emissions embedded in the supply chain of goods and services that households consume. We assess the differences in consumption and emissions patterns, measuring the gender effect by a new variable, the female share of the household. This represents a remarkable improvement over previous literature that used simpler approaches. Moreover, we assess the partial effect of gender on HCF using multivariate regressions for total and sectoral emissions. Our results show that households with a majority of men have a higher HCF and carbon intensity. Even when controlling for economic, sociodemographic, and regional factors there are differences in the sectoral emissions according to gender. Female households spend more (and generate more emissions) on housing and food products, while male households show that pattern for restaurants and transport. These results can help orientate environmental campaigns and demand-side mitigation policies. • We calculate HCF for individual Spanish households using HBS data and EEMRIO. • We introduce the gender effect through the new indicator "female share in households." • Households with a majority of men have a higher HCF and carbon intensity. • The higher the proportion of women in a household, the higher the HCF in housing and food. • The higher the proportion of women in a household, the lower the carbon footprint in restaurants and transportation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a climatological study focused on the analysis of atmospheric aerosols properties over Burjassot and Aras de los Olmos AERONET sites, located at Eastern Spain, is performed. Computed mean values for Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD 440), Ångström exponent (α 440 − 870) and columnar water vapor (w) in Burjassot (Aras de los Olmos) are 0.19 ± 0.08 (0.10 ± 0.02), 1.21 ± 0.16 (1.18 ± 0.25) and 1.87 ± 0.68 cm (0.94 ± 0.10 cm), respectively. From the monthly statistics of w and AOD , it is concluded that summer months are characterised by higher humidity and turbidity, being the latter favoured by particle stagnation, recirculation, secondary aerosol formation, hygroscopic processes and North African dust intrusions. Regarding the volume size distribution, well developed fine and coarse modes are found in summer. On the other hand, the spectral dependence of the asymmetry parameter (g) describes a decrease in λ up to 870 nm , and then a slight increase due to the influence of dust particles. The computed mean values for the asymmetry parameter (g 440) are 0.700 ± 0.013 (0.709 ± 0.016) for Burjassot (Aras de los Olmos). With respect to the Single Scattering Albedo (SSA) and the complex refractive index, an additional analysis using Level 1.5 data is performed, as relatively few data points pass the filters imposed by the Level 2.0 conditions. In the case of SSA, which is found to be larger in spring and summer months, the obtained mean annual values at 440 nm are 0.94 ± 0.03 (0.95 ± 0.03) for Burjassot (Aras de los Olmos). Finally, regarding the complex refractive index, the mean values of the real part (m 440) are 1.50 ± 0.03 (1.49 ± 0.03), and for the imaginary part (∣ k 440 ∣) are 0.007 ± 0.004 (0.004 ± 0.003) in Burjassot (Aras de los Olmos). The present study is complemented with three analyses based on the distinction between the different aerosol types. To begin with, these are classified according to their nature, being the most abundant continental clean aerosols. Next, Gobbi diagrams are plotted for both sites, depicting a clustered region of coarse aerosols, as well as particle growth traces. Finally, the different air masses affecting the measurement sites are studied, reaching to the conclusion that these originated in the European and the African continents are the most turbid ones. To conclude this study, a seasonal Mann-Kendall test is applied to AOD, α , w and SSA measurements in order to study possible trends. Hence, a statistically significant (> 80 %) decreasing trend in AOD is observed for most months; whereas α , w and SSA do not show statistically significant long-term trends, only for a few months of the year. • 20 (6) years AERONET data studied for Burjassot (Aras de los Olmos) in Eastern Spain. • Continental clean aerosols are dominant over Burjassot and Aras de los Olmos. • AOD, α and ω higher at Burjassot than Aras de los Olmos due to its urban character. • European and African air masses are responsible for high turbidity measurements. • AOD decreases with 80% confidence level; but α and SSA trends are not statistically significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meat consumption by early hominins is a hotly debated issue. A key question concerns their access to large mammal carcasses, including megafauna. Currently, the evidence of anthropic cut marks on proboscidean bones older than -or close to- 1.0 Ma are restricted to the archaeological sites of Dmanisi (Georgia), Olduvai (Tanzania), Gona (Ethiopia), Olorgesailie (Kenya) and La Boella (Spain). During an inspection of the almost complete carcass of Mammuthus meridionalis (FN3-5-MPS) from the Oldowan site of Fuente Nueva 3 (Orce, Spain, c. 1.2 Ma), a few traces compatible with human-made cut marks and carnivore tooth marks were found. From this finding and previous interpretations the following questions arise: When and under what conditions was FN3-5-MPS deposited? What is the nature of the marks found on the surface of the bones of this mammoth? To answer, we have conducted a high-resolution analysis of these remains, combining both taphonomic and microstratigraphic data. Our results, using microstratigraphic and micromorphological analyses of sediments based on thin-sections, show that this individual was deposited in a marshy environment. Subsequently, the carcass was exploited by hominins and large felids that left their marks on the surface of some of its bones. For this purpose, the identification and characterisation of both cut marks and tooth marks were performed using high-resolution 3D modelling, geometric morphometrics, and artificially intelligent algorithms. Based on the anatomical position of both the cut and tooth marks, we propose that both the hominins and the saber-toothed cats had early access to the animal. Finally, this paper shows how an interdisciplinary approach can shed detailed light on the particular story regarding the death and processing of the carcass of a female mammoth, deposited at Fuente Nueva 3. • Original contextual approach combining taphonomy and microstratigraphy. • Proboscidean found in FN3 (FN3-5-MPS) died in a watery environment. • Cut and tooth marks reveal proboscidean exploitation by felids and Homo. • Earliest evidence of cut marks on proboscideans bones in western Eurasia. • New insights into the behaviour of the first inhabitants of western Eurasia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, an innovative framework is introduced for assessing the impact of climate change on coastal structures, with a primary emphasis on modeling future climate conditions. The framework encompasses several key components: the development of a new climate emulator to facilitate multivariate extreme value analysis; a hybrid statistical–numerical wave propagation strategy; and the integration of a novel compound modeling approach specific to coastal structure sites. These advancements are designed to effectively manage multiple climate scenarios and models within the context of high uncertainty. The methodology is applied and validated for a coastal structure located on the Mediterranean coast in Spain. Focusing on compound wave and sea-level events, the projections indicate an increase in the frequency and severity of extreme conditions, exacerbating coastal impacts such as wave overtopping. For instance, the present-day 500-year coastal flooding level would be associated with a return period of 50 years by mid-century under a stabilization scenario and would be further reduced to 25 years under a high-emission global warming scenario, resulting in important consequences for structure performance if no adaptation is implemented. • Develops a framework for assessing the impact of climate change on coastal structures. • It develops a new climate emulator to facilitate multivariate extreme value analysis. • It encompasses a hybrid statistical–numerical wave propagation strategy. • It integrates a novel compound modeling approach specific to coastal structures sites. • It has been applied and validated for a coastal structure in Spain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents the characterization and chronology of the Quaternary terrace sequence developed in the confluence zone of the Júcar and Cabriel river valleys. The study area covers a radius of 10 km from the confluence of the two valleys near the locality of Cofrentes (Valencia). It is located in the northern zone of the Ayora-Cofrentes Graben in the northeastern sector of the External Prebetic Zone adjacent to southern Iberian Chain. This N-S graben is an inherited tectonic feature with an axial salt wall subject to different periods of fluvial dissection and refilling since at least the end of the Messinian Salinity Crisis (MSC). Regional isostatic uplift and local uplift and subsidence processes related to salt flow and dissolution during the Quaternary period, favored by fluvial entrenchment and terrace development. The terrace system and the previous pre-incision erosional and depositional surfaces are analyzed from a geomorphological point of view. The terrace system only develops within the soft Mio-Pliocene sedimentary fill of the graben, whilst upstream and downstream this zone the studied valleys develop important gorges (canyons) carved in the Cretaceous tablelands (Caroch Massif) and Mio-Pliocene deposits (Llanura Manchega). The geochronological control is established from 20 numerical ages obtained by different dating methods, such us Electron Spin Resonance (ESR), Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) in detrital sequences and Th/U series in calcareous tufa deposits. Additionally, four K/Ar dates available for volcanic materials disrupting the upper and oldest terrace have been considered. A total of 14 terrace levels were identified between +130–135 m (T1) and +3–4 m (T14) of relative height above the river thalwegs. The T1 has an approximate age of c. 1.6–2.0 M.a. as indicate the age of the volcanic materials from the Agras Volcano intruded in the terrace, marking the onset of Quaternary fluvial dissection in the zone. The obtained geochronological data indicate that the Lower-Middle Pleistocene boundary is slightly above T6 (+60–65 m), which has an ESR age of 577 ± 43 ka. This terrace also documents the onset of the most important period of rise of the salt within the graben interfering drainage development. The geochronological data indicate the occurrence of a second eruptive event during the second half of the Middle Pleistocene related to the terraces T7 (+50 m) and T8 (+35–40 m), updating the volcanic activity in the zone. The beginning of the Upper Pleistocene is recorded by the top sequences of the T9 terrace (+25–30 m) where numerous OSL and Th/U data have been obtained with ages between ca. 105 and 81 ka (MIS 5). However, these young terraces (T8 to T13) are thickened (8–10 m) recording Middle Pleistocene sediments in their basal sequences with ages between ca. 193 and 137 ka (MIS 6). The study provides important data on valley evolution under the interference of volcanic activity, salt –related deformation (diapirism, solution subsidence) and fluvial incision fostered by the rise of the axial diapir (salt wall) protruding the graben since at least the Brunhes-Matuyama boundary. The analyzed fluvial evolution documents interesting cases of river capture, drainage antecedence and tectonic adaptation of the drainage throughout the Quaternary Period. The paper also poses interesting geochronological data on the long-term Quaternary evolution of Mediterranean valleys in the Iberian Peninsula, poorly explored to the date. [Display omitted] • The evolution of the Júcar Fluvial system (Spain) is addressed for first time supported. • The catchment contains a complex sequence of 14 terrace levels up to +135 m • Terrace sequence is dated within the last 2.0 Ma using K/Ar, Th/U, OSL and ESR data. • Phreatomagmatic activity disrupts valley evolution during the Lower-Middle Pleistocene • Cases of river capture, drainage antecedence and tectonic superposition are documented [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The operation of solar photovoltaic installations for many years may lead to problems such as reduced energy efficiency and aging of components. Under this framework, replacing certain components in the facility to extend the service life of the power plant is viewed, in some cases, as a feasible strategy. However, despite its enormous strategic interest for the solar PV industry, we find that revamping PV installations has been the focus of very few scientific publications, and even less so when it comes to analyzing real facilities. Thus, this paper performs a techno-economic analysis of three revamping strategies at a real PV power plant located in the south-east of Spain. The strategies consist of substituting, in each case, the PV modules, the inverter, and both components. The simulated results show that the highest production value by installed power is obtained when both the modules and the inverter are replaced. In the same vein, the economic analysis reveals this scenario as the most favorable in terms of profitability. Based on the results obtained, an interesting future line of research would be focused on the extension of the analysis at country level to study the joint impact of numerous revamping actions. • Techno-economic analysis of revamping projects of a real solar PV power plant. • Replacing modules and inverter emerges as the most feasible strategy. • Study's applicability extends to other revamping initiatives and geographical regions. • Economic outcomes allow the most cost-effective alternatives to be determined. • This research can contribute to efficient and sustainable energy planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Product development is often an important component in increasing demand for successful aquaculture species. However, this topic has not received much attention due to limited data availability. In this paper, we investigate how the composition of salmon sales differ by product form by comparing the four largest European countries in terms of salmon consumption: France, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom. The composition of salmon products varies significantly across countries, with unprocessed products dominating in Spain and highly processed products being the most important in the United Kingdom. We also find a high degree of price transmission for the less processed consumer products in all markets, while the price transmission is zero for most highly processed products. This is important since it implies that the more processed consumer products are largely are insulated from the high price volatility of salmon at the producer level. • The composition in terms of product forms being sold varies significantly between major European salmon markets • Price transmission is high for relatively unprocessed products and low for processed products in all markets • Demand is more stable in markets with a higher market share for processed product forms • More processed consumer products are largely are insulated from the high price volatility of salmon at the producer level [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In smart agriculture, the accurate prediction of evapotranspiration plays a crucial role in optimizing water usage and maximizing crop yield. However, the increasing adoption of IoT sensor technologies has resulted in the accumulation of large amounts of data, which are frequently contaminated by noise and pose a significant challenge to extract reliable knowledge through data modeling. This research addresses the problem of noisy IoT sensor data and its impact on evapotranspiration prediction, an essential aspect of agricultural practices. The effect of noise on sensor variables and evapotranspiration is extensively analyzed by simulating different noise levels in evapotranspiration datasets collected from various agricultural areas in Spain, enabling a comprehensive evaluation of its impact on the performance of data science models. Despite the potential consequences of this type of errors, a noise preprocessing stage is often overlooked in existing literature in this field, which is necessary to improve data quality prior to modeling. In order to address this challenge, this paper proposes the usage of regression noise filters as approach to mitigate the detrimental effects of noisy IoT sensor data on evapotranspiration prediction. Additionally, we introduce the rgnoisefilt R package, which offers a practical and efficient implementation of noise filtering techniques for regression datasets, providing a valuable solution for handling noisy data in smart agriculture applications. The experimental results obtained emphasize the negative impacts of noise on evapotranspiration prediction performance and highlight the importance of an appropriate data treatment to mitigate system deterioration. Furthermore, the findings of this research emphasize the efficacy of the regression noise filters implemented in the rgnoisefilt software, enhancing the performance of the models built and providing a valuable tool for improving data quality in smart agriculture. • Noisy IoT sensor data in evapotranspiration prediction are addressed. • This research analyzes the impact of different types of noise in the data. • Regression noise filters are proposed as a tool to improve data quality. • The rgnoisefilt R package provides efficient solutions for noisy sensor data. • The effectiveness of filters with noisy evapotranspiration data is shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (known as the Istanbul Convention) imposes on States Parties the need to address holistically all forms of violence against women, including honour-based violence not only by prosecuting such conduct, but also by preventing it and, above all, protecting its victims. While some northern European countries have addressed it, this form of violence against women has not yet received the attention it deserves in some Mediterranean European countries. This paper uses Spain as a case study to expose its deficient institutional and regulatory approach and lack of visibility of this form of violence against women. It analyses this reality phenomenologically, examines the legal and institutional response to it from a victim-centred perspective, and proposes ways to overcome this situation. • Honour-based violence is a form of gender violence requiring a cultural approach. • It should be holistically addressed according to the Council of Europe • Southern European countries have not yet paid attention to this form of violence. • Spain is an example of deficient institutional and regulatory attention to it. • Measures to be taken to address this lack of visibility are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we explore ways of improving the field performance of oak plantations for the regeneration of open woodlands in Mediterranean environments. Using the evergreen, sclerophyllous holm oak species (Quercus ilex L. subsp. ballota (Desf.) Samp.), we analyzed the effects of the outplanting date (October vs. February), vegetation competition (weeding vs. untreated), the environmental conditions imposed by the outplanting site, and the interactions between all these factors. For test purposes, 3 blocks of 200 one-year-old holm oak nursery-grown seedlings were set up in four sites in SE Spain (Becerra, Mágina, Jarosa and Hinojosa). Half of each block (plot) was weeded to prevent competition from other vegetation. In each plot (weeded or not) half of the seedlings were outplanted in October 2019 and the other half in February 2020. In total, 2400 holm oak seedlings were planted to be monitored over the course of two growing seasons. Survival and growth-related parameters such as height, root collar diameter, number of leaves and total and fractional aerial biomass were recorded. Weeding was shown to be the most important factor affecting both survival and seedling growth, especially in sites with a milder autumn and winter, and a long, intense summer, such as Jarosa and Hinojosa. In colder locations, however, October outplanting was more advantageous, especially if accompanied by weeding (Becerra and Mágina). In cases where competition from native species is not controlled, it would be advisable to plant in October, in terms of both survival and development of the seedlings, especially in colder sites. In general terms, the best option was outplanting in October plus weeding, while the worst option was outplanting in February with no weeding. This study provides new tested recommendations on how to improve the success of oak plantations in different Mediterranean environments. [Display omitted] • Oak plantations (Quercus spp.) have a poor field performance in the Mediterranean. • Weeding, outplanting date and site were evaluated over two growing seasons. • Weeding is highly recommended, especially in warmer sites. • October outplanting showed better results than February outplanting. • Interactions between weeding and outplanting date and site were found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyses the effects of occupational mobility on biological well-being from a long-term perspective. While it is well known that occupation and heights were closely related in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, our analysis shows that variations in the occupational status of parents and social mobility relative to grandparents also help to explain the evolution of biological well-being in subsequent generations. Drawing on data on height and socio-economic status for almost 4000 individuals born between 1835 and 1959, this paper analyzes the effects of occupational changes on statures over three generations in a period when opportunities for access to land improved in rural Spain. Our results indicate that (1): there was a strong positive relationship between fathers' occupational status and children's biological well-being; (2) improvements in the parental socioeconomic status had a rapid impact on the height of the male children if this improvement occurred during the period when the sons were growing up, and (3) the social mobility of parents in relation to grandparents also had a noticeable effect on the height of their children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pertinent literature presents no evidence of the simultaneous effects of leader task-, relations-, or change-oriented behaviors on employee proactivity and extra-role customer service. Nor does it of cultural tightness-looseness as a moderator of the effect of proactivity on extra-role customer service. We propose and test the mediating impact of proactivity in the association between three types of leadership behaviors and extra-role service. We also test cultural tightness-looseness as a moderator of the impact of proactivity on extra-role service. Data obtained from hotel frontline employees in Spain were utilized to gauge the proposed relationships via the partial least squares structural equation modeling. Our findings reveal that proactivity mediates the influences of leader task- and relations-oriented behaviors on extra-role service. We have verified that cultural tightness-looseness strengthens the link between proactivity and extra-role service. The paper subsequently discusses the implications for theory and practice. • Leader-oriented behavior has contradictory implications for extra-role service. • Proactivity mediates the relationships above. • Cultural tightness moderates the proactivity -> extra-role service relationship. • The study shows how leader-oriented behavior influences hotels' service quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extreme Wind Speed events (EWS) are responsible for the worst damages caused by wind in wind farms. An accurate estimation of the frequency and intensity of EWS is essential to avoid wind turbine damage and to minimize cut-out events in these facilities. In this paper we discuss how generative Data Augmentation (DA) techniques improve the performance of Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL) algorithms in EWS prediction problems. These problems are usually tackled as classification tasks, which are highly unbalanced due to the small number of EWS events in wind farms. Different versions of Variational AutoEncoders (VAE) are proposed and analysed in this work (VAEs, Conditional VAEs (CVAEs) and Class-Informed VAEs (CI-VAE)) as generative DA techniques to balance the data in EWS problems, leading to better performance of the prediction systems. The proposed generative DA techniques have been compared against traditional DA algorithms in a real problem of EWS prediction in Spain, considering ERA5 reanalysis data as predictive variables. The results showed that the CI-VAE with a Convolutional Neural Network approach obtained the best results, with values of Precision 0.62, Recall 0.74 and F1 score 0.67, improving up to 4% the results of the method without data augmentation techniques. [Display omitted] • Generative data augmentation techniques can improve extreme wind prediction. • Variational Autoencoders modifications are used to generate synthetic wind extreme samples. • Experiments on real wind speed data from a Spanish wind farm are presented. • Comparisons with traditional data augmentation techniques show prediction improvements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Late Pliocene fossil locality of Las Higueruelas (central Spain) has been known for many decades; however, in this paper, we describe the fauna of small-sized vertebrates (fish, amphibians, squamate reptiles, and rodents) for the first time based on pre-existing collections in the Museo Provincial de Ciudad Real. In addition to updating the taxonomical nomenclature of previously-published faunal lists, we also report the new occurrences of four fish taxa, a lizard (Lacertidae indet.), and several snakes (Malpolon gr. monspessulanus-mlynarskii , cf. Zamenis scalaris , and a large-sized indetermined viperid, probably from the Oriental vipers group or genus Daboia). The only rodent is identified as Stephanomys minor. Overall this assemblage indicates the predominance of open, dry environments and shrubby vegetation close to more grassy and riparian woodland under warm (15.1 ± 1.8 °C) and semi-arid (556 ± 40 mm) conditions. There was 4-month period of summer aridity similar to a modern Mediterranean climate. Most of the aquatic taxa (Pleurodeles , Pelophylax , and Natrix) were able to tolerate brackish environments, and the amphibians suggest the presence of deep and stable water bodies, with a long hydroperiod and aquatic vegetation, necessary for reproduction. Las Higueruelas is confirmed as being assigned to subchron 2An.1r (3.116–3.032 Ma) like the Camp dels Ninots Konservat-Lagerstätten (Girona, Spain). Palaeoclimate reconstruction for both localities is consistent with the later stages of the mid-Piacenzian Warm Period. Palaeontological comparison between the two sites may support either a small difference in age, or most probably, varied climate zonations within the Iberian Peninsula, with a north-eastern area allowing a local survival of Early Pliocene taxa that are absent from Las Higueruelas. [Display omitted] • The small vertebrates from Las Higueruelas (Spain) are described for the first time. • Fish, herpetofauna, and rodent represent up to 18 different taxa. • Stephanomys minor and palaeomagnetism constrain to the cron 2An.1r (3.03–3.11 Ma). • Predominance of open environments under temperate and dry climate conditions. • Central Spain does not seem to allow local survival of early Pliocene taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fossil plant Montsechia vidalii is well known from the Barremian of Spain and was identified as an early angiosperm. It is interpreted as an aquatic plant that thrived in freshwater wetlands, with very limited or no connection with the marine realm, and under a seasonal semi-arid tropical climate. This research paper reports the youngest known occurrence of the genus Montsechia , in upper Albian amber-bearing strata from the Maestrazgo Basin (NE Spain), demonstrating the broad adaptation and evolutionary stability of the genus during the Early Cretaceous. The studied upper Albian material is identified as M. aff. vidalii since it differs from the Barremian Montsechia vidalii in having a medium-thick cuticle and paracytic stomata on the abaxial leaf cuticle. In addition, associated seeds, fruit and pollen grains have been found. The fruit is indehiscent and ascidiate in shape with a single seed inside. The seeds are orthotropous and have been identified as Spermatites sp. The pollen grains were found adhering to a sterile twig. They are monocolpate and assigned to Transitoripollis sp., reinforcing the early angiosperm hypothesis. Unlike its Barremian relative, the late Albian M. aff. vidalii developed under predominantly arid conditions in a fore-erg setting characterised by an interaction of aeolian dune and tide-dominated coastal deposits that reflected general eustatic rise conditions of the mid-Cretaceous. In this regard, the studied remains were found as a minor component of a supratidal coastal plant association largely dominated by conifers of the genera Frenelopsis and Dammarites. • Montsechia cf. vidalii from upper Albian strata of the Maestrazgo Basin, Spain. • Mid-Cretaceous supratidal plant communities of the Western Tethys coast. • Early angiosperm expansion into coastal environments during the mid-Cretaceous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 pandemic led to significant changes in domestic water use in many cities. One important question is whether and to what extent the pandemic stressed the resilience of the water supply system. Another question examined in the paper is whether changes in water use during confinement differed according to the sociospatial configuration of cities. We examine these questions in the context of a medium size city of Northern Spain characterized by a mix of residential land uses, and internal variations in education, age composition, and income, producing step gradients in water use. First, we select and analyze influencing factors in domestic water consumption. Second, using statistical regression tests, we assess whether or not and to what extent the same factors influenced consumption during the COVID 19 lockdown. Results indicate that COVID-19 related confinement increased work and study from home and reinforced WASH habits, leading to more water consumption. However, this increase was larger in medium and low-income neighborhoods than in high-income neighborhoods, showing the relevance of sociodemographic factors but also of other variables more relevant for outdoor water use such as precipitation. Despite this rise in consumption, the water supply system was able to withstand the shock caused by confinement showing a robust resilience both in physical and in social terms. However, more challenging scenarios such as the coincidence of a pandemic with a severe drought should be taken into account in future resilience development. • Sociodemographic and urban factors played an important role in explaining domestic water consumption patterns during COVID-19 lockdowns. • Households in multifamily buildings or apartment blocks with medium-low incomes and significant presence of young people recorded the largest relative increases of water consumption during these lockdowns. • Weather conditions are key in domestic water consumption during the COVID 19 lockdown especially in areas with a large presence of single houses. • The water supply system was resilient and could withstand the increase in consumption caused by confinement as well as provide for financial assistance to vulnerable households. Policies should take into account the possible coincidence in time of unexpected phenomena such as COVID-19 with droughts already stressing urban resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We present a novel integration for reducing CO 2 emissions in blast furnaces. • It combines top gas recycling, oxy-fuel regime, power to gas and biomass pyrolysis. • The integration was modelled using the extended operating line methodology. • The best performance was found for pyrolysis at 700 °C. • The CO 2 emissions were reduced by 58% (9.8 MJ/kg CO2 energy consumption) The paper introduces a novel approach for mitigating CO 2 emissions in blast furnaces by integrating top gas recycling, an oxy-fuel regime, power to gas, and biomass pyrolysis. Various case studies were conducted, involving the adjustment of pyrolysis temperatures (300 °C, 500 °C, 700 °C, and 900 °C) and varying the quantity of blast furnace gas directed to methanation for carbon recycling. Pinus radiata, abundant and cost-effective in Chile and Spain, was chosen as the biomass source. The integration was modeled using the extended operating line methodology and evaluated through 12 key performance indicators, such as flame temperature, coke consumption, CO 2 emissions, and specific primary energy consumption per unit of CO 2 avoided. Optimal performance was observed with pyrolysis at 700 °C and no blast furnace gas recycled through methanation. This configuration achieved a 58 % reduction in CO 2 emissions, with an energy consumption of 9.8 MJ/kg CO2 , and obviated the need for geological storage. Comparing this innovative proposal with other oxygen blast furnace approaches from the literature revealed a 13 percentage point improvement in CO 2 reduction over the second-best alternative. Additionally, the required electrolysis capacity, influencing capital expenditure, was 57 % lower, and energy consumption was reduced by 44 %. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the prevalence of co-residence of adult children and their parents across Europe, there is only limited empirical evidence on the impact of such living arrangements on well-being. This paper investigates the impact of adult children living in the household on the well-being of Spanish parents aged 50-75. Using three waves of panel data from the Spanish Survey of Household Finances we assess whether the impact on parental well-being differs depending on the age of the child, and whether the effect depends on the gender of the parent. We find that there is a negative impact on parents' well-being of older adult children (aged 30 or over) living in the household, while cohabitation with younger children (aged 18-29) is not found to affect parental well-being. When analysing the impact on mothers and fathers separately we find that the negative effect of older children living in the household is driven by a significant reduction in the well-being of mothers, with no evidence of a corresponding effect on fathers. The negative effect on mothers' well-being seems to be related to co-residence with older sons rather than older daughters. • Co-residing with older adult children is found to lower Spanish parents' well-being. • This effect is driven by a negative impact on the well-being of mothers. • The negative impact appears to be related to co-residence with older sons. • Co-residing with younger adult children is not found to affect well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Inclusion of temporal data can improve detection F 1 -Score by 8% • Infrared bands provide about 4% more F 1 -Score than visible bands despite lower resolution • Using over 80 features provides an increase of about 12% F 1 -Score over using less than 10. • The proposed method successfully detects all test plots with nearly 90% F 1 -Score • A dataset of recent manure application, verified through on-site validation, is made public. The use of manure in agricultural fields during the wet season can lead to environmental pollution by releasing nitrates into nearby water sources. To address this issue, authorities may impose closed periods during which manure application is prohibited. However, ensuring compliance with these regulations can be challenging, as it is difficult to monitor all fields in a country. To tackle this problem, a solution has been proposed that involves employing machine learning techniques in conjunction with satellite imagery to automatically identify freshly manured fields. This paper investigates the relationship and effectiveness of the Sentinel-2 satellite bands and 51 frequently utilized multispectral indices in the context of precision agriculture, by exploring different feature selection methods. The proposed method achieves nearly 90% F 1 -Score and detects all test plots of the northern Spanish region, showing its potential for large-scale use in precision agriculture and environmental monitoring. This method incorporates temporal data, resulting in an 8% improvement in the detection F 1 -Score. Despite their lower spatial resolution, infrared bands have proven to be more effective than visible bands, enhancing the F 1 -Score by 4%. Furthermore, the use of over 80 features contributes to a 12% increase in the F 1 -Score compared to using fewer than 10 features. For further research and future studies, a dataset of recently manured plots, verified on-site, has been developed and made publicly available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficiency is a fundamental element of the transition towards a sustainable use of natural resources among which water has a prominent role. Spain is among the European countries facing considerable water shortage problems, particularly within its southern regions. The current paper introduces an efficiency evaluation model based on Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). The model incorporates a subset of outputs as undesirable inputs to account for the circularity of the production process by means of treated and reused water. The main differences existing between the circular approach proposed, a standard two-stage DEA model and a dynamic Slacks-Based Measure process will be carefully illustrated. In particular, the drawbacks faced by these latter techniques to consistently incorporate circularity into their optimization structures will be demonstrated both formally and numerically. The malleability of the current approach and its capacity to generate consistent identifiable categories among the regions evaluated within a circular production setting will be studied in detail. The analysis performed demonstrates significant structural differences in production capacity and efficiency across regions, with the inefficient ones displaying a considerable subpar use of resources through their production processes. The prevalence of inefficiency in several northern regions is partially compensated through their treatment and reutilization of water. However, this is not the case for the southern ones, which face stricter constraints and more inefficient production processes. The subsequent implications for efficiency are examined and policies aimed at enhancing the structural quality of the corresponding production systems suggested. [Display omitted] • We define a circular Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) efficiency evaluation model. • Undesirable inputs implement the production circularity generated by treated water. • Two-stage and dynamic Slacks-Based Measure DEA are inapplicable to our setting. • Significant differences in production efficiency are found across Spanish regions. • Southern regions remain inefficient even with water treatment and reutilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a model for optimizing the life cycle economic and environmental impacts of a hybrid renewable energy and battery storage system – as energy supply technologies (EST) for off-grid farms. Micro-hydropower and photovoltaics represent the primary renewable energy (RE) sources, with batteries and a diesel generator considered as possible back-up systems. A modified Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA-II) was developed and applied to a case study farm in Southern Spain and provided different EST solutions to optimize a design based on economic (life cycle costing or LCC) and environmental (life cycle assessment or LCA) constraints. The results highlighted that cases with a strong dependence on batteries could achieve minimum costs and lower impacts for climate change and energy resources (non-renewable fuels). In contrast, the optimal system for minimizing the consumption of material resources (metals/minerals) resulted in higher fuel use, which was up to 25% more expensive. The optimal EST solutions used up to 37% of the total energy generated; however, the results were sensitive to energy production-demand distributions. This methodology can help identify the most cost-effective solutions with the lower environmental impacts for decarbonizing the agricultural sector. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to analyze at what extent the connectivity of small localities is a determinant of their demography. Specifically, we pay attention to three factors: the evolution of the population; the distance, measured both in kilometres and travel time, to the province capital, the usual city where the largest set of services is available; and finally, the coverage of different kinds of broadband services (from ADSL or 3.5 G to the fastest ones FTTH) in rural areas. An econometric model was estimated where the dependent variable captures the increase of inhabitants along 2017–2020 of the 5955 Spanish municipalities with a population between 101 and 10,000 inhabitants (73.3 % of all municipalities). The results point out to the following facts: digital connectivity of small localities is a determinant of their demography, whatever the technology used, but physical distance remains being a significant factor on the population growth (both if it is measured of physical distance or travelling time) to explain the population growth of each locality. • Digital connectivity of small localities is a determinant of their demography. • Internet connections are a new communication channel to promote/deter depopulation in rural areas. • Internet access is positively correlated with population growth in small/medium populations. • The distance to the provincial capital continues to be a factor that slows down population growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]