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Goal, Scope and Background. The environmental sustainability is one of the current priorities of the Portuguese pulp and paper industry. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was the methodology chosen to evaluate the sustainability of the printing and writing paper production activity. This paper grade represents about 60% of the total production of paper in Portugal and its production is expected to increase in the near future. The main goal of this study was to assess the potential environmental impacts associated with the entire life cycle of the printing and writing paper produced in Portugal from Eucalyptus globulus pulp and consumed in Germany, in order to identify the processes with the largest environmental impacts. Another goal of this study was to evaluate the effect on the potential environmental impacts of changing the market where the Portuguese printing and writing paper is consumed: German market vs. Portuguese market. Methods. The main stages considered in this study were: forestry, pulp production, paper production, paper distribution, and paper final disposal. Transports and production of chemicals, fuels and energy in the grid were also included in these stages. Whenever possible and feasible, average or typical data from industry were collected. The remaining data were obtained from the literature and specialised databases. A quantitative impact assessment was performed for five impact categories: global warming over 100 years, acidification, eutrophication, non-renewable resource depletion and photochemical oxidant formation. Results. In the German market scenario, the paper production stage was a remarkable hot spot for air emissions (non-renewable CO2, NOx and SO2) and for non-renewable energy consumption, and, consequently, for the impact categories that consider these parameters: global warming, acidification and non-renewable resource depletion. These important environmental impacts are due to the energy requirements in the printing and writing paper production process, which are fulfilled by on-site fuel oil burning and consumption of electricity from the national grid, which is mostly based on the use of fossil fuels. The pulp production stage was identified as the largest contributor to water emissions (COD and AOX) and to eutrophication. Considering that energy consumed by the pulp production processes comes from renewable fuels, this stage was also the most contributing to renewable energy consumption. Discussion. The paper distribution stage showed an important contribution to NOx emissions, which, however, did not result in a major contribution to acidification or eutrophication. The final disposal stage was the main contributor to the photochemical oxidant formation potential due to CH4 emissions from wastepaper landfilling. On the other hand, paper consumption in Portugal was environmentally more favourable than in Germany for the parameters/impact categories where the paper distribution stage has a significant contribution (non-renewable CO2, NOx, non-renewable energy consumption, acidification, eutrophication and non-renewable resource depletion) due to shorter distances needed to deliver paper to the consumers. For the remaining parameters/impact categories, the increase observed in the final disposal stage in the Portuguese market was preponderant, and resulted from the existence of significant differences in the final disposal alternatives in the analysed markets (recycling dominates in Germany, whereas landfilling dominates in Portugal). Conclusions. The pulp and paper production stages were found to be of significance for almost all of the inventory parameters as well as for the impact assessment categories. The paper distribution and the final disposal stages were only of importance for some of the inventory parameters and some of the impact categories.… [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the implementation of environmental aspects of social responsibility by trade enterprises in Ukraine. An analysis of environmental aspects, financial and non-financial reporting, and websites of large trade enterprises was carried out in relation to the display and provision of openness and availability of information about environmental aspects and enterprise costs. The composition of costs and their influence on the financial and economic indicators of the enterprise were studied. The implementation of one's own environmental policy and environmental initiatives, the implementation of projects, technologies, programs, and management methods used by trade enterprises of Ukraine were considered. The socially responsible enterprises' compliance with the requirements of current legislation, national and international standards, requirements for environmental standards of product quality and safety, preservation and protection of the environment, and the use of correct approaches to ensure the positive impact of their business activities on the environment were analyzed. The introduction of environmentally safe, resource- and energy-saving technologies, ecological containers and packaging, development of renewable energy sources, reduction of own greenhouse gas emissions, modern methods of utilization and recycling of PET bottles, plastic, waste paper, and waste, holding eco-actions on greening territories and charitable actions, motivate suppliers and carry out other measures that reduce the negative impact on the environment, contribute to the preservation of people's health, restoration of the environment and take care of the future of the planet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the perspective of using wood waste, especially the one that resulted from the construction and demolition activities, to produce sustainable bioenergy. The context of this research is characterized by a more accelerated need for development, a growing need for energy to fuel all human activities, and a greater awareness of the pressure on the environment and the negative effects produced. One of the major challenges for environmental protection is the issue of mitigating CO2 emissions, and among the biggest contributors to the CO2 emissions is the construction industry. Given the current rhythm of society development, a decrease in construction activities is not possible so a solution can be better management of the waste produced in various stages. If the need for better waste management is joined with the need for more sustainable energy, then using waste to produce bioenergy seems like a good solution. This study focuses mainly on wood waste and to respond to the research purpose it uses bibliometric literature search, scientometric analysis, and in‐depth discussions. The data were obtained by interrogating the ISI Web of Science database using the keywords "bioenergy", "wood waste" and "construction and demolition" as search criteria. The extraction of data was done using the PRISMA method and processed with VOSviewer and Bibliometrix software. The processing of the data was done so to obtain information related to the importance of the research topic given by the number of publications, the most studied topics revealed by a keywords co‐occurrence analysis and a trend topic plot, as well as the world scientific productions on the studied topics. The main results indicate a significant increase, in the last years, of the interest in the studied topics, all over the world. Wood waste is considered as a direct combustion fuel or as a raw material for components of fuels used to produce energy, as well as components for new building materials. Given the limitations of other renewable energy sources, wood biomass is a subject that must be considered more in the future. The use of wood waste as biomass for the production of bioenergy can be a very good solution that will bring the advantage of both ensuring a renewable source of energy and at the same time decreasing the impact of the building industry on the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the possibility of converting waste toilet paper (WTP) into electricity. WTP is a waste stream with continuous availability and negative cost, but it is difficult to handle, as it contains fecal matter. The process we explored had two stages: WTP gasification followed by direct conversion into electricity in a high-temperature solid-oxide fuel cell (SOFC). The process was studied on a 10 ktpa scale by using real-life parameter values obtained from industrial sources. We presented the basic system design, as well as its electricity yield and overall efficiency on the basis of detailed mass- and energy-balance calculations. By explorative technoeconomic analysis and sensitivity analysis, we found an electric efficiency of 57 %, which is similar to that of a natural gas combined cycle plant. The levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) was 20.3 ¢ kWh−1, which is comparable at present to that of residential photovoltaic installations. The system's capital costs are relatively high, mainly as a result of SOFC investment costs, but we expect these costs to decrease as the market of cells develops. The operating costs are relatively low, partly thanks to the high thermodynamic efficiency (≈70 %). Currently, the fuel costs are negative (because we use waste as a raw material), yet this could change if the value of WTP would increase as a result of this process. Learning effects could make the system more competitive in the future with an LCOE of approximately 11 ¢ kWh−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aims to present the need and the importance of using efficiently the energy and finding new ways to improve the transport based on renewable energy. The paper is based on a large number of official information sources which are structured and presented in the author's opinion. The main results emphasize that the Danube region is a large river basin and ecological corridor requiring a regional approach to nature conservation, spatial planning and water management. The environmental impact of transport links, tourist constructions or new energy production facilities must also be considered. Transport policy has been given a new direction: achieving a 'sustainable through flexibility' system, which means organizing transport in such a way as to optimize energy consumption. The development of the national transmission system shall be carried out in accordance with the requirements of conservation and environmental protection and the rational use of energy. The protection of human life and the environment is a priority in all transport-related relations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People's increasing demand for fossil fuels not only leads to environmental pollution but also highlights their non-renewable nature. Therefore, the urgency of developing renewable energy sources is evident. Tree branches and leaves undergo cycles of growth and decay with the changing seasons, showcasing their renewable potential. Despite this, they remain underutilized as new energy materials, particularly in the realm of high-energy-density lithium batteries. While this paper did not directly explore the utilization of various branches and leaves as raw materials for lithium–sulfur battery (LSB) cathodes, it revealed promising findings: they not only demonstrate good battery capacity but also boast considerable cycle life. The carbonized material from the leaves of Acer buergerianum can be used as the electrode of LSBs and could achieve 318.8 mA h g−1 at 4C and a decay rate of only 0.03% at 1C for 400 cycles., respectively. Therefore, the innovative method of turning decaying leaves into energy contributes significantly to the future of renewable energy and environmental protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global trend of reducing the "carbon footprint" has influenced the dynamic development of projects that use renewable energy sources, including the development of solar energy in large solar power plants. Consequently, there is an increasingly pronounced need in scientific circles to consider the impact these projects have on space and the environment. The fact that international financial institutions consider environmental effect to be a significant factor when funding solar energy projects is one of the main reasons this topic is so important in professional circles, particularly among solar energy investors. This paper highlights the fact that solar power plants can have both positive and negative impacts on space and the environment. Those impacts need to be defined in order to choose optimal spatial and territorial solutions that ensure preventive planning and active environmental protection. In the process, the application of strategic environmental assessment (SEA) in the planning and spatial organization of solar power plants becomes important. SEA is characterized by a holistic approach where complex interactions and correlations in the location of planned implementation of the solar power plant can be understood at the earliest stage of project development. By doing this, it is possible to prevent all potential risks that may emerge in the project's later stages of implementation, which is favorable both from the aspect of effective environmental protection and from the point of view of investors investing in solar power plant projects. Optimal solutions that bring about the basic role of SEA are sought primarily in the analysis of the spatial relations of the solar power plant with regard to land, biodiversity, landscape, and basic environmental factors, which is particularly highlighted in the paper. Also, the basic methodological concept applied in SEA is demonstrated, combining different methodological approaches and methods for impact assessment, as part of a unique semi-quantitative method of multi-criteria evaluation of planning solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review paper addresses the escalating operation and maintenance costs of nuclear power plants, primarily attributed to rising labor costs and intensified competition from renewable energy sources. The paper proposes a paradigm shift towards a technology-centric approach, leveraging mobile and automated robots for physical security, aiming to replace labor-intensive methods. Focusing on the human–robot interaction principle, the review conducts a state-of-the-art analysis of dog robots' potential in infrastructure security and remote inspection within human–robot shared environments. Additionally, this paper surveys research on the capabilities of mobile robots, exploring their applications in various industries, including disaster response, exploration, surveillance, and environmental conservation. This study emphasizes the crucial role of autonomous mobility and manipulation in robots for diverse tasks, and discusses the formalization of problems, performance assessment criteria, and operational capabilities. It provides a comprehensive comparison of three prominent robotic platforms (SPOT, Ghost Robotics, and ANYmal Robotics) across various parameters, shedding light on their suitability for different applications. This review culminates in a research roadmap, delineating experiments and parameters for assessing dog robots' performance in safeguarding nuclear power plants, offering a structured approach for future research endeavors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, renewable energy has received extensive attention due to its advantages of sustainability, economy, and environmental protection. However, with the rapid development of renewable energy, the problem of curtailment is becoming increasingly serious. Studying the calculation method and establishing a quantitative evaluation system of renewable energy accommodation capacity are important means to solve this problem. This paper comprehensively considers the factors affecting the accommodation of renewable energy, establishes a accommodation calculation model with the maximum accommodation of renewable energy as the optimization target based on the time series production simulation method, and uses the hybrid particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm to solve it. The model is verified with historical data such as load, photovoltaic (PV), and wind power in a certain region throughout the year. The experimental results verify the rationality of the renewable-energy accommodation-capacity model proposed in this paper and the correctness of the theoretical analysis. The calculation results have important reference and guiding significance for the operation and control of power-grid planning and dispatching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasingly serious problems of energy shortage and environmental degradation, countries around the world are actively developing safe, environmentally friendly, and renewable energy. Biomass energy has become an ideal substitute for fossil fuels due to its abundant reserves, good renewable performance, and zero carbon emissions. This paper discusses the importance and potential of biomass energy as a renewable energy source for China's energy development, mainly including the three biomass conversion methods of physics, chemistry, and biology, seven utilization technologies, such as direct combustion, gasification, and pyrolysis, and five application approaches, such as biomass power generation, biomass gas fuel, biomass liquid fuel, and bio-based materials. This review systematically analyzes the challenges faced by China's development of biomass energy and discusses the future development direction of biomass. The utilization of biomass resources should take a comprehensive and high-value path. China is actively looking for new energy utilization paths, and biomass energy has become a key measure to cope with carbon emission reduction, climate change, and ecological environment protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research study aims to develop a system which ensures the mobility of a floating dock and its stability in position during docking operations. The dock is designed for operation in a river canal. In order to dock a ship, it is moved away from the quay over a dock trench. Initial requirements and design criteria for the system were determined. The most important of them include docking in the maximum weather conditions, corresponding to a wind speed of 5° Beaufort (5°B), and a zero-emission target for the power supply system (use of a renewable energy source). A wire and winch system was designed to move the dock and stabilise it in position during docking operations. The system comprises mooring wires which are tied to bollards on both quays, and wire winches mounted on both sides of the dock. The wire winches are hydraulically driven, and the hydraulic pumps, run by electric motors, are powered with batteries charged using photovoltaic panels. Statistical environmental parameters (wind, river current) were analysed and the probability of certain mooring wire loads and the corresponding wire winch power output were quantified. Based on these calculations, the power of photovoltaic panels and capacity of the batteries required to power the dock moving system were determined. This paper discusses the system design as well as the results of trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This section offers news briefs related to environmental protection and sustainable energy resources in the U.S. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized the rulings to the Clean Air Act which focused on smokestack emissions that travel long distances through the air. Ford Motor Co. has partnered with Recycled Polymeric Materials (RPM) to recycle used tires into sustainable gaskets and seals. The paper industry has shown strong recovery rates from 2000 to 2009.

Over the years, several achievements have been made in power generation and optimising hybrid renewable energy systems (HRES) to achieve nature conservation, achieve energy security, and reduce carbon emissions. However, there are many complexities in Renewable energy (RE) conversion, sizing, design, and implementation, that require optimisation techniques to achieve optimal results in terms of reliability, cost, and environmental protection over time. This paper presents an overview of research trends in Optimization methods in HRES which are classified into modern and conventional methods. These two classifications are further divided into control methods, Artificial intelligence, Iterative and mathematical operations. However, all mentioned techniques have inherent advantages and disadvantages which will be discussed in this survey. In addition, the review paper explored different types of research in computing intelligence (CI), an aspect of Artificial Intelligence (AI) that involves the development of nature-inspired algorithms for optimisation. Finally, general optimisation criteria, system sizing methods used in RES, Mathematical modelling of RES, and gaps for future work to achieve sustainability were also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our world needs to develop clean energy to reach the target of carbon peak and carbon neutralization. As one of clean energy, wind energy should contribute to energy conservation and emission reduction. Wind power generation is an important field of wind energy application. However, the fluctuation and intermittency of wind can affect the safety of power system. Therefore, prediction of wind power accurately for wind power safety, dispatching, and power grid development is significant. This paper proposes a prediction model of wind power, and predicts the wind power of two wind farms. For the complex wind speed series, the variational modal decomposition (VMD) method is used to reduce its volatility before prediction. And this paper presents an improved method to improve the prediction efficiency when least square support vector machine (LSSVM) predicts stationary series. The prediction result shows that the proposed model improves the prediction of wind power effectively, provides an effective method for wind farm to predict the wind power, and makes contributions to reducing carbon emissions and environmental protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The constant attention to sustainability aimed at reconciling economic and social development with environmental protection is the driving force of the continuous growth of renewable energy in the energy sector. Among the numerous actions taken by the European Commission (EC) in this direction, an important initiative towards the complete decarbonization is represented by the Renewable Energy Communities (RECs). According to the EC, "energy communities enable collective and citizen-driven energy actions to support the clean energy transition. They can contribute to increasing public acceptance of renewable energy projects and make it easier to attract private investments in the clean energy transition". At the European level, numerous energy communities are emerging, although they are all based on photovoltaic production and, consequently, focus only on electricity flows. The aim of this paper is to define a thermal energy community in which thermal energy sharing can be achieved by exploiting the concept of the smart district heating network. Starting from a small existing district heating network, its conversion into a smart one will be analyzed and optimized with the aim of studying the sharing of thermal energy between the various prosumer and non-prosumer users connected to the district heating network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper evaluates and discusses the proposed design for a low carbon environmental village in Al-Baha region. It considers its viability in view of local renewable energy sources, climatic conditions and local vernacular architectural identity. Five areas were targeted when designing the village: (a) low carbon architectural design strategies; (b) on-site renewable energy strategies; (c) selection of local construction materials; (d) exploitation of rain water harvesting and greywater recycling; and (e) waste disposal recycling and management. The used approach is to design a sustainable village with its facilities in prospective of environmental requirements social needs. The design follow application five roles' strategies from the literature and depending on local site challenges, available of natural in a location of Al-Baha gate from the airport. The site selected is located along the main highway that connects Al-Baha city to its nearest airport. The chosen area is 4,945,000 m2 and has a flat topography with mountains located relatively close by. The findings present in the study plans for comprehensive sustainable low carbon energy village, which meet the climatic requirements and exploiting natural resources operated by natural renewable energy. This village is designed for typical Saudi families, and will be built from local construction materials. The design includes more than 6150 residential units powered by photovoltaic (PV) panels, and local services using wind energy. The energy requirements for the whole village were calculated based on macro and micro energy generation. Local regulatory standards and sustainability criteria have also been met for the proposed village. Five experts also evaluated the five-purpose design proposition. The impact of designing sustainable villages will lead in protection of environment improved the life and health quality as well as economic benefits. The benefits of addressing five aims are highlighted and the study concluded with some recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to the challenges of global warming and the development of A low-carbon economy, the integrated electricity and natural gas energy system (IEGES) is known as an important structure for future energy supply; thus, its planning and design must take low-carbon and environmental protection factors into account. Regarding carbon emissions as an optimization criterion, this paper built life-cycle carbon emission models of IEGES components. Then, taking the capacities of the energy resources, storage and conversion units of IEGES as the optimization variables, a multi-objective optimization configuration model was established considering the annual investment operation cost and the life-cycle carbon emissions. The multi-objective model was transformed into a single-objective one by an ε-constraint approach and the polynomial fitting method was employed to obtain the value of ε for obtaining uniformly distributed Pareto sets. Based on the fuzzy entropy weight method and the fuzzy affiliation degree approach, the obtained Pareto sets were ranked and the solution with the highest ranking value was selected as the optimal solution for the original problem. Finally, the configuration schemes were analyzed from the perspectives of economy, carbon emission and renewable energy utilization, and the effectiveness and rationality of the proposed optimization method were verified through MATLAB simulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a review of Indigenous engagement in renewable energy projects is conducted and the main elements of energy partnerships between stakeholders and Indigenous partners are discussed. In recent years, Canada has witnessed more significant Indigenous involvement in economic and energy development projects than ever before. For large-scale energy partnerships, the focus is on engagement, financial capital, community buy-in (readiness, and entrepreneurial and business skills), and benefits-sharing with community partners. Equity-ownership, reconciliation, and self-determination intersect with and impact the benefits and sustainability of energy projects, as they are interrelated in the framework of most energy partnerships. This paper illustrates policy disconnects in connection with partnership-making, social outcomes, and decision-making among Indigenous communities. Furthermore, findings from relevant literature explore the nuanced discourse on social implications and capacity challenges that interlink with climate adaptation and reconciliation when promoting large-scale renewable energy partnerships with Indigenous communities. Through a systematic review and a meta-analysis of the literature, we found 80 relevant studies during the screening process, of which 33 were selected for the synthesis. Findings demonstrate that the Crown, energy companies, and community partners need to coordinate and collaborate closely to achieve energy security and sustainable renewable energy. The review suggests that Indigenous engagement in energy partnerships supports positive outcomes for social development and environmental protection among Indigenous communities. The literature suggests that when government and industry mentor in the project implementation process, important positive impacts on energy transitions, and self-sufficiency can be realized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this paper is to reconsider the necessity for the green transition and the key preconditions for the implementation of a circular economy in Western Balkan countries. With the objective of the research in mind, the method of analysis and synthesis was applied to determine (1) regulatory and institutional prerequisites for the green transition; (2) the need for the Western Balkan countries to redefine the model of sustainable economic growth towards the green transition; (3) the development opportunities for recovery defined in the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans; and (4) the possibility of implementing the circular economy in the Western Balkans. Main text: The main findings of the research indicate that: (1) the countries of the Western Balkan region, following the example of the EU, should define a national strategic approach to the green transition with an accompanying action plan and regulatory framework; (2) the biggest challenge of the green transition is the reform of the energy sector and the restructuring of the energy-intensive economy; (3) the countries have untapped potential in renewable energy sources and report the improvement of energy efficiency; (4) the circular economy can boost the green transition, because the countries of the region have a five-time lower value of resource productivity than the average of the EU, while the generation of waste (excluding major mineral wastes) per GDP unit is lower compared to the EU; (5) cross-sectoral governance should be more coordinated. Conclusions: The green transition might be a development opportunity for the Western Balkans, which should enable sustainable economic growth as well as energy security and environmental protection. However, the implementation of the Green Agenda is not easy, because the region faces the problem of underdeveloped regulatory and institutional capacities that might provide not only the base for long-term planning but also financial resources for the efficient implementation of projects. In addition, it is essential to understand the principles of the Green Agenda and the interaction of all activities that should enable the achievement of defined goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The subject dealt with in this paper is a sensitive one due to the energy crisis whose presence is already felt and which will certainly deepen with the approach of the cold season. The current work represents only the first part of a study related to the analysis of the current state of the energy market and system services and will be continued with a second work that will propose a solution in cogeneration to counterbalance the system problems we are facing. Thus, the subject discussed is not that of energy production for domestic and industrial consumers, but that of the production necessary for the optimal functioning of the National Energy System (NES). Of course, from the point of view of the environmental protection all the electrical energy, even that required for system services, should be 100% produced from renewable energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper is aimed at studying the methodological aspects of assessing the features and advantages of implementing climate-neutral investment projects in the context of environmental protection and energy security. For this purpose, investigation is focused on the performance of investment projects in nature resource sectors (agriculture, forestry, etc.) that provide renewable resources (biomass) for the generation of green energy. The paper identifies the peculiarities of the transition to low-carbon economy and creation of carbon markets as platforms for the development of a system for managing climate-neutral investment projects. The scientific novelty of this research lies in the improvement of approaches to substantiating the economic feasibility of investments in nature resource sectors in view of the climate change. Namely, a comprehensive approach to comparing alternative variants of investment project solutions in climate- neutral projects is suggested. Moreover, the developed methodological recommendations account for the variable meteorological factors in calculating economic indicators. The paper's practical value can be seen in the determination of the benefits from the implementation of climate-neutral projects using the example of production and processing of the agro-biomass for the development of renewable energy based on the circular use of resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper is aimed at identifying the prospects for improving the quality based on industrial and manufacturing engineering, as well as developing recommendations to improve the quality management of environmental protection in the activity of supreme audit institutions in various states based on industrial and manufacturing engineering. The originality of the research is attributable to the focus on the quality and prospects for improving it in environmental protection in the activity of supreme audit institutions in various states. The paper not only justifies the need for improving the quality, but also identifies accurate quantitative benchmarks (reference values of quality indicators and their factors), gives applied recommendations to improve the quality of environmental protection in the activity of supreme audit institutions in various states based on industrial and manufacturing engineering. The authors’ recommendations are oriented toward a realistic (feasible) scenario and involve ensuring the beneficial effect of industrial and manufacturing engineering by increasing the degree of beneficial effect of industrial and manufacturing engineering factor to 100 points (+31.19 %). This will cause an increase in the strength of auditing and accounting standards to 15.95% and an increase in the degree of renewable energy regulation to 11.19%. As a result, this allows decreasing the level of environmental pollution by 42.08% and increasing the Climate Index to 5.39%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of the paper is to present the factors that shape the quality of the services provided by the operators of mass public transport in the Tri-City from the point of view of people using that transport. Design/methodology/approach: The main method used for the research was Kano. Thanks to this method, factors shaping the quality of services provided by public transport entities were examined. Findings: It was established that the main factors shaping the transport service are: factors directly oriented to the customer – adaptation of means of transport to the transport of disabled people, communication on changes in timetables, information on schedules, as well as environmental factors – adaptation of means of transport to sustainable energy sources, transport infrastructure. Research limitations/implications: Research may be developed in the future with further factors adapted to the strategies of public entities after 2024. Practical implications: The factors shaping the transport service are included in the development strategy of the company providing public transport. As a result of the research, it was proved that respondents actually pay attention to the same factors. Hence the conclusion for companies that these factors should continue to be strengthened and invested in modern means of transport. Originality/value: The article examines the social feelings of factors partially included in the strategy of companies providing public transport. Factors focused on the customer, on the relationship between the employee and the customer, on environmental protection. The feelings of transport users as to the hierarchy of these factors and the importance of their occurrence were examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies that consider all dimensions of sustainable development (well-being of communities, protection of natural environment, and the competitive economy) are scarce. The main objective of this paper is to evaluate relationships between socio-eco-financial inputs and outputs and investigate high-tech companies' dynamic efficiency. Relationships were assessed by estimating Spearman as well as canonical correlations. Changes in socio-eco-efficiency through 2010–2016 were calculated using the panel data variant of data envelopment analysis – Malmquist index. High-tech companies were split into manufacturing (HTM) and knowledge-intensive services (HTKIS) sectors and, for additional insights, into Europe, North America, Asia & Pacific, and other regions. Findings indicate tight interrelatedness of socio-eco aspects and their weak relationship to the financial situation, where undesirable socio-eco situation reduces sales and return on assets only in HTM sector. Technological changes reveal post-crisis market recovery with increasing competition bringing fluctuating socio-eco-efficiency changes during the period analyzed. Pharmaceuticals in HTM and renewable energy in HTKIS had the highest efficiency changes of 0.73% and 0.81% on average, respectively, but these changes were not statistically significant. Meanwhile, for a few NACE categories significantly negative changes were found. North America featured a non-significantly positive socio-eco-efficiency change on average (only in HTM), whereas the Asia & Pacific region featured the most stable efficiency dynamics. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first research that recognizes all three dimensions of sustainable development to investigate high-tech companies' correlation patterns and dynamic efficiency throughout different sectors and world regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The attainment of the clean energy transition in the EU requires substantial additional investment in renewable energy projects. In this regard, Member States have been and still are using support schemes, regulatory instruments that financially support such investments in different ways. However, since support schemes constitute an intervention in the market, their legality and compatibility with the internal market is not self-evident but needs to be assessed under State aid law. This assessment is typically conducted on the basis of soft law conditions that the Commission adopts with its Guidelines. The latest relevant body of Guidelines is the CEEAG of 2022, and this paper critically presents and analyses the conditions of the CEEAG that involve the promotion of renewable energy sources. It interprets the conditions, shows how priorly applicable conditions have evolved and have found a new expression in the CEEAG, and highlights grey areas and weak points of the CEEAG. In addition, this paper weighs the CEEAG against the most recent uncertainties, particularly the ones posed by the effects of the energy price and security crises that have challenged the prevalent modus operandi for the promotion of renewable energy sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Increased awareness of the society in the field of environmental protection and support programs addressed to prosumers encourage investment in renewable energy sources. This paper presents selected aspects of the operational, utility and economic analysis of a photovoltaic installation, based on the example of a selected single-family building located in a rural area of Mazowieckie Prowince. Design/methodology/approach: The basis of the research was an analysis carried out in two variants of technical solutions, data obtained from the Photovoltaic Geographical Information System program and data from energy meter readings. Findings: Photovoltaics covered 100% of the energy demand in the analyzed case and the actual energy production from photovoltaic panels (6,069 kWh) exceeded the theoretical yield (5,431 kWh). The analysis of energy collected from the power grid and that returned to the grid enabled making a balance, which, combined with the energy produced by the photovoltaic installation, was used to calculate the energy consumed by residents. It was therefore possible to present the relationship between the energy consumed and the energy supplied by the PV (photovoltaic) system in individual months. Research limitations/implications: As part of the technical analysis for the case study, there were limitations in the selection of both a specific model of photovoltaic panels and the number of pieces thereof. This was due to the prosumer's participation in a program that supports the development of photovoltaics in a given area (the "Clean Air" Program implemented in 2018- 2030). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the constant growth of the world's population, the amount of generated wastewater is also constantly increasing. One of the devices that can use wastewater as a raw material for energy production is a microbial fuel cell (MFC). MFCs technology is constantly evolving. However, to increase its use, it is necessary to improve its efficiency. There are various possibilities to ensure this, such as the use of new electrode materials, new cell designs, or the use of wastewaters from different sources. In this paper the analysis of MFC operation (cell voltage, power, and current density) fed by mixed municipal and industrial wastewaters was shown. Moreover, the change in time of COD was analyzed. Due to cost reduction the membrane-less microbial fuel cell (ML-MFC) was chosen. It was noted that the addition of concentrated process wastewater increases the COD reduction time in the MLMFC. An increase of generated bioelectricity during fed ML-MFC by mixed municipal and industrial (process wastewater from yeast production) wastewater was demonstrated. The highest values of average cell voltage (598 mV), maximum power (4.47 mW) and maximum current density (0.26 mA·cm-2 ) were obtained for a 10% share of yeast process wastewater in the mixed wastewater, which fed the ML-MFC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The current research examines the interlink within G-20 economies. Advanced econometrics methods were employed in the panel data collected from 1990 to 2019. Within an employed method, co-integration, panel unit tests, and vector error models were considered, unveiling long-term interactions and the casual interlink between proposed variables. This method is essential to highlight the complicated relationship between energy usage and economic factors. It also supports the global efforts to minimize environmental degradation and fossil fuel usage to achieve the Paris Agreement goals. The current study's findings show a significant and robust long-term equilibrium between primary energy consumption, financial growth, price of energy, and trade openness. The findings further suggest that fluctuations in primary energy consumption directly impact financial growth, with trade openness being essential to this relationship. Renewable energy sources also play a vital role in mitigating carbon emissions that precisely explain sustainable financial growth without comprising the protection of environmental integrity. For the member countries of the G-20, the findings emphasize improving energy efficiency, funding for renewable energy, and maintaining stable energy prices to promote sustainable financial growth. This paper contributes to the existing literature examining the co-integration between renewable energy consumption, financial growth, and trade openness for the long run, stresses the necessity of comprehensive energy policies, and employs superior econometric estimation techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study how the implementation of emissions trading systems (ETSs) impacts emissions reductions and the usage of renewable energy using a panel sample of the largest 100 countries worldwide. Exploiting cross-country variations in ETS implementations, we show that ETS adoption materially reduced greenhouse gas (carbon dioxide) emissions by 12.1% (18.1%). Moreover, ETSs reduced overall emissions by cutting the usage of fossil fuels such as coal by 23.70% while boosting the usage of renewable energy by 61.59%, on average. In contrast, introducing carbon taxes has a less effective impact on emissions reduction. It fails to boost the usage of renewable energy, though elevating tax rates and expanding tax coverage may help enhance the efficacy of carbon taxes. This paper was accepted by Victoria Ivashina, finance. Funding: H. Ru thanks the financial support from the Nanyang Technological University, and Ministry of Education, Singapore, under its Tier 1 RG134/20. Supplemental Material: The online appendix and data files are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2023.03143. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In today's socio-economic context where environmental protection and sustainable development are equally important, how renewable energy enterprises can achieve sustainable development has become a topic of academic interest in recent years. This paper investigates the link between sustainable growth (SG) of renewable energy firms, resource endowment (RE), and environmental regulatory (ERs) issues through a fixed-effects model and a GMM model. Through empirical analysis, it was found that economical environmental regulations have the greatest positive impact on sustainable growth, followed by legal environmental regulations and supervised environmental regulations. Resource endowment is positively related to sustainable growth for non-state-owned renewable energy enterprises, but the negative impact on sustainable growth reflects the effect the of "resource curse". In addition, resource endowment has a negative moderating effect on environmental regulations and sustainable growth. Thus, the most significant effect is on the relationship between economical environmental regulations and sustainable growth, followed by legal environmental regulations and supervised environmental regulations. Therefore, the flexible and concurrent application of multiple environmental policies is an important way to ensure effective regulations and promote sustainable business growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the face of ongoing climate changes and the current geopolitical situation, Renewable Energy Sources (RES) are continuously gaining popularity in many countries. Objectives related to environmental protection and the use of RES set by different countries all over the world, as well as by the European Union (EU), are becoming priorities for many. The increase in the installed capacity of photovoltaic systems has been growing steadily for several years, leading to the creation of new systems accompanying PV installations; this phenomenon has also been observed in Poland. This paper presents a photovoltaic system in the form of a bicycle shed next to a school building as an example of building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) without connection to the power grid. It was shown that the energy consumption profile should be properly correlated with the production profile, otherwise significant losses occur. Alternative methods to improve the correlation of production and energy consumption by using SCADA systems or building automation to properly manage the electricity generation and consumption installation were also proposed. Furthermore, it was shown that adopting a fixed discount rate in financial analyses can distort the picture of real profits. An analysis of the changes in the NPV ratio using variable discount rates was carried out when analyzing the entire life of the solar plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy is a key driver of all modern economies. Sustainable development is playing an increasingly important role both at regional and local levels. It is a compromise between social and economic needs and the preservation of nature. In the policy of the European Union, the idea of sustainable development and environmental protection is of decisive importance for the implemented programs and economic activities. Contemporary challenges require the transformation of the energy market towards greater use of renewable sources. According to Directive 2009/28/EC of the European Parliament and European Council on promoting energy from renewable sources, Poland has committed itself to achieving a 23% share of renewable energy in gross final energy consumption by 2030. This goal considers total energy consumption in terms of power, engineering, heating, refrigeration, and transport. The aim of this paper was, firstly, an analysis of the share of renewable energy in the European Union over an 18-year period (2004–2021), with particular emphasis on the position of Poland. The second objective was the analysis of renewable energy at the local level in Poland, i.e., at the local government unit (LAU) level. Changes in the share of renewable energy in Poland compared to other European countries were also examined. The study utilized functional analysis of principal components and cluster analysis based on the data from the Central Statistical Office and EUROSTAT. The study found that while Poland does not differ significantly from other countries in using renewable energy, it does fall below the European average. Principal component analysis suggests that Poland responds adequately to European changes in the share of renewable energy in total energy consumption. This dynamic is stable (over 95% explained by the first component) and applies to most countries surveyed. In addition, the authors sought to answer questions relating to the current status of renewable energy sources in Poland, the barriers and challenges facing the introduction of renewable energy in the country, a comparative analysis of Poland's progress in renewable energy with other global counterparts, and an exploration of the future prospects and potential for the development of renewable energy in Poland. The study found that the potential for renewable energy is greatest in the northern areas of Poland, with photovoltaics and wind power plants providing the greatest capacity. Poland's renewable energy potential is very high and will be determined by technological development, political, economic, and social issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electricity is certainly the noblest form of energy that humanity has learned to create, control, and use. Its production represents an important economic activity, as well as the most important factor for the socio-economic development of a country, while production capacities, i.e., the largest production capacity, the company JSC "ESM", represents the most important segment of the power system. Accordingly, the issue that has been elaborated on is very actual because it addresses the capital projects of JSC "ESM", which are of great economic and environmental importance. After all, investing in growing electricity production, especially from renewable energy sources, has a large impact on the economic development of the country as a whole, as well as on environmental protection. In this context, the analysis in this paper is mainly focused and aims to address the importance and impact of the construction of the capital projects of JSC "ESM" in the development strategy and the creation of sustainable company competitiveness. Therefore, JSC "ESM" as a serious company, should strive and make a great contribution to the implementation of capital projects, due to the great impact, and to be the most important and leading factor in the liberalized market, especially in times of energy crisis in the country and beyond. For this purpose, the data that are carefully selected and processed, form the basic thesis for the specificity, importance, and actuality of the capital projects for the development and competitiveness of the company. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of renewable energy has become an important measure for countries worldwide to improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and achieve sustainable development. This trend may have implications for green total factor productivity (GTFP), which represents the economic growth efficiency in terms of resource and energy use. However, the current research on the impact of renewable energy development (RED) on GTFP based on China's provincial data is still insufficient, and it has not yet integrated multiple factors such as economic, social, environmental, and technological aspects to jointly analyze potential nonlinear effects. This paper first calculates the GTFP of 30 provinces in China using a global super-efficiency slack-based measure model. Then, a two-way fixed effects model and a panel threshold regression (PTR) model were used to explore the linear and nonlinear effects of RED on GTFP. The results show that: First, RED has a significant positive effect on GTFP, which remains in effect after a sequence of robustness tests including endogenous treatment. For every 1% increase in RED, GTFP increases by 0.025%–0.039%. Second, the contribution of RED to GTFP shows a clear characteristic of diminishing marginal benefits, with the impact coefficient decreasing from 0.058% to 0.022%. Third, the higher the level of economic activity, social conditions, environmental protection, and technological advancement, the greater the favorable impact of RED on GTFP. The range of coefficient changes under the influence of economic- and social-level factors reaches 0.012%–0.143%, while the range of coefficient changes at the technological and environmental levels is only 0.026%–0.057%. Based on the above conclusions, some policy implications related to the development of renewable energy are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The significance of enhancing business models within the energy sector has markedly increased in recent years due to the growing demand for sustainable energy sources and the requirements created by regulations and imposed on companies in relation to environmental protection. The purpose of this research is to provide suggestions for the development of business models corresponding to the present, which take into account the principles of sustainable development, in a competitive environment characterized by heightened volatility. By analyzing the literature and industry examples, it is argued that business models in the energy sector have to adapt in three main directions: adopting green technologies, rethinking production using digital platforms and tools, but also based on knowledge-based services. In order to generate a comprehensive analysis, the PRISMA methodology was used and the Web of Science database was queried by scanning all the publications on the business models in energy. The basic idea in the case of business models in the field of energy forces companies to a permanent and flexible adaptation of the business to the developments in the economic, social, legal, technological and ecological spheres by promoting energy efficiency solutions and the large-scale use of energy renewable sources, but also in relation to the realities already present regarding high energy prices, uncertain long-term supply and the huge environmental impact of fossil energy consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the various aspects of climate change and the growing demand for energy, energy efficiency and environmental protection have become major concerns worldwide. If not taken care of, energy demand will become unmanageable due to technological growth in cities and nations. The solution to the global energy crisis could be an advanced two-way digital power flow system that is capable of self-healing, interoperability, and predicting conditions under various uncertainties and is equipped with cyber protections against malicious attacks. The smart grid enables the integration of renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and energy storage into the grid. Therefore, the perception of the smart grid and the weight given to it by researchers and policymakers are of utmost importance. In this paper, the studies of many researchers on smart grids are examined in detail. Based on the literature review, various principles of smart grids, the development of smart grids, functionality of smart grids, technologies of smart grids with their characteristics, communication of smart grids, problems in the implementation of smart grids, and possible future studies proposed by various researchers have been presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

No one denies the importance of renewable energy sources in modern power systems in terms of sustainability and environmental conservation. However, due to their reliance on environmental change, they are unreliable systems. This paper uses a Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC) to enhance the reliability and performance of grid-tied renewable energy systems. This system consists of two renewable sources, namely photovoltaic cells (PV) and wind turbines (WTs). The UPFC was selected for its unique advantage in both active and reactive power control. The UPFC is controlled with an optimized Fractional Order Proportional–Integral–Derivative (FOPID) controller. The parameters of this controller were tuned using an Atomic Search Optimization (ASO) algorithm. Simulation results confirm the efficiency of the suggested controller in supporting the reliability and performance of the hybrid power system during some disturbance events including voltage sag, swell, and unbalanced loading. In addition, power quality can be improved through reducing the total harmonic distortion. It is worth mentioning that two maximum point tracking techniques had been included for the PV and WT systems separately. MATLAB/SIMULINK 2021a software was used to model the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protection of the natural environment is one of the most significant global challenges for the international community. World problems arising as a result of the incineration of fossil fuels, excessive CO2 emissions, erosion and soil degradation, as well as air pollution with the accelerating greenhouse effect and changes to the climate condition, make it necessary to take action at many levels. Environmental protection and the protection of natural resources need to follow the principles of sustainable development. Looking for alternative energy sources is appropriate but not sufficient and should be conducted in various areas since natural environmental changes are accelerating with many consequences. Therefore, there is demand for implementation of applications aimed at protecting air, and soil, preventing waste formation and combating the greenhouse effect. Therefore, the multi-directional use of various biocarbon substances for activities related to renewable energy, land reclamation, and carbon dioxide capture from the atmosphere is a promising and significant direction. This paper presents multidirectional analysis related to the use of biocarbon obtained from biomass and MSW waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growth of renewable energy actively takes part in decarbonizing the fossil-fuel-based energy system. It reduces carbon emissions, carbon footprint, and greenhouse gas emissions and increases clean energy. The usage of renewable resources reduces and solves several problems, such as increasing temperature, carbon footprint, greenhouse gas emissions, and energy waste. Every sector contributes to increasing the above-mentioned factors in the environment. One of the main reasons for this biodegradation and climate change is energy resources. Using renewable energy instead of fossil fuel can solve the problem. This paper aims to find open research problems about the application of renewable energy and to initiate new innovative ideas regarding renewable energy. A detailed state of the art includes trends for renewable energy resources, their theoretical evolution, and practical implementations. Methodologies used for decision analysis in renewable energy are discussed in detail. The time frame for this analysis of renewable energy is 2010 to >2022. An extensive literature review finds a huge research scope in applying renewable energy in other research, such as logistics, smart production management, and advanced inventory management. Then, major changes in the profit/cost of that system due to renewable energy can be analyzed. This research proposes some innovative new ideas related cost formulas for renewable energy for the corresponding open problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Numerical modeling of thermoacoustic devices can be classified into 1-D linear and 2-D/3-D non-linear models. • Linear thermoacoustic models lose their utility, in the high amplitude and high frequency regime. • CFD modeling has proven to be an effective tool in capturing the nonlinearities associated with standing wave thermoacoustic devices. • Flow dominance in a 2-D plane inside SWTADs has allowed the performance evaluation of these devices utilizing 2-D CFD models. • CFD modeling of standing wave thermoacoustic devices primarily focus on stack and the region around it. Global environmental concerns have brought the challenge of developing renewable energy technologies to cope up with the world energy needs. Thermoacoustic devices present themselves as a viable alternative to replace conventional refrigeration and power systems due to their minimal carbon footprint. These devices involve complex flow physics encompassing transient phenomenon and conversion of acoustic and thermal energies for their efficient performance. With the rapid advancement in computational capabilities, extensive numerical work is carried out to gain detailed understanding of the thermoacoustic devices. In this paper, a detailed review of the numerical modeling techniques that have been applied in the field of Standing Wave Thermoacoustic Devices (SWTAD) is carried out. At first, a brief review of analytical method is presented and the need for numerical modeling is highlighted. Numerical modeling techniques ranging from simplified linear to detailed Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models are reviewed in detail. Model configurations, capabilities and tools developed and utilized so far in the research area are summarized. Challenges associated with SWTAD and applications modeled using CFD are discussed. The paper concludes with some useful recommendations regarding the numerical modeling of thermoacoustic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines Ethiopia's efforts, strategies, and programs for sustainable development, with an emphasis on the Oromia regional state. The economy of Ethiopia is growing at one of the fastest rates on the continent, and it has made significant progress towards achieving the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals. The country has initiated several policies, agreements, and initiatives to promote sustainable development for the Oromia people. The development of sustainable farming practices, land-use planning, renewable energy sources, and forest preservation are all prioritized in the majority of the government's projects, decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and strengthening resistance to climate change as a result. The initiatives have also been successful in promoting economic growth, improving food security, and reducing poverty. A number of noteworthy projects that have been implemented in the Oromia region. Through the promotion of renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, these projects aim to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate the consequences of climate change. In order to ensure the population's general development and well-being, efforts have also been undertaken to increase access to healthcare and education. The Oromia region has many obstacles in the way of achieving sustainable development, despite boasting a diverse population and an abundance of natural resources. This paper examines the initiatives undertaken by the federal government, state and local governments, and other stakeholders to address these problems and promote sustainable development. The research findings enhance comprehension of the challenges faced by the Ethiopian government in defending its long-term objectives for both the country's citizens and the global community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of the research paper is to determine environmental sustainability and anthropogenic load in the territories of the united territorial community. Methodological basis of the research are general theoretical methods of scientific cognition, in particular dialectic method, system analysis, fundamental provisions of general economic theory. Methods of comparative and structural analysis, statistic groups were also used to analyze the level of ecologically sustainable development of regions; tabular method - for a visual representation of the dynamics of indicators. The methodology is aprobated on the territory of the Chernivtsi region. It is substantiated that the basis of sustainable development is the combination of economic, social and environmental sustainability. It has been established that the environmental factor is of the greatest concern at the moment. The reform of decentralization, which has been initiated, is partly directed at addressing environmental issues; at the same time, this process is long-term and requires significant resources. Determination of environmental sustainability and anthropogenic load on the territory of united territorial communities is important for ensuring sustainable development of rural territories. The research paper contains the calculations of the summarized values of regional environmental indicators of sustainable development and evaluates the natural and anthropogenic unsustainability of the environment. Ecologically safe, balanced and systematic development of territories is an integral part of spatial development of the region. It is the basis for solving the problem of harmonizing the goals of socio-economic development of certain territories with the principles of ecological safety of the country as a whole. Ensuring environmental sustainability and reducing anthropogenic load on the territory of the united territorial community may be due to the development of alternative energy and bioenergy. In the context of the study of this article, the development of environmental safety in a separate region is proposed as a systemic category that combines social, economic and environmental components, whose interaction involves the transition to environmentally sustainable production and consumer structures, increasing the efficiency of nature management, development of ecological infrastructure. The ecological dimension of sustainable development of rural areas is proposed to be determined using the following indicators: air quality, biodiversity, land resources, green zones, provision of the population with water, renewable energy sources, energy resources, atmospheric emissions, load on land resources, load on water resources, state of the system of drainage, radiation and ecological danger, generation of waste, waste management, participation of business entities in the formation of revenues from ecological dues, public participation in environmental protection, greenhouse gas emissions, satisfaction of the population with the state of the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Przegląd Elektrotechniczny is the property of Przeglad Elektrotechniczny and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Driven by economic development and environmental protection, vehicles are gradually renovating their power to renewable energy. As an essential part of renewable energy, photovoltaic (PV) energy is highly valued and studied worldwide. Future social development is inseparable from it when facing the current situation of exhausting fossil energy and highly polluting. To solve the problem of the low utilization of converting solar power to electrical energy, this paper proposes a wavelet-improved fuzzy logic (W-IFL) maximum power point (MPP) control model. The W-IFL designs a wavelet network for predicting the MPP and fuzzy rules for tracking the MPP, which achieves full online control on the basis of a neural-fuzzy structure. Comparative analysis indicates that W-IFL outperforms other widely used MPP tracking (MPPT) methods, which reduces oscillation at MPP, prediction error, and tracking time, and improves training efficiency and controlling ability, thus making it more rational to promote the development of the vehicle industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renewable energy provides an effective solution to the problem existing between energy and environmental protection. Tidal energy has great potential as a form of renewable energy. Tidal current generation (TCG) technology is the earliest renewable energy power generation technology. The advancement of science and technology has led to TCG rapidly developing since its emergence in the last century. This paper investigates the development of TCG in recent years based on the key components of TCG systems, both in terms of tidal energy harvesting research and power generation unit research. A summary of tidal energy harvesting is presented, investigating the main tidal energy harvesting units currently available. In addition, research on generators and generator control is summarized. Lastly, a comparison between horizontal and vertical axis turbines is carried out, and predictions are made about the future trends in TCG development. The purpose of this review is to summarize the research status and research methods of key components in tidal energy power generation technology and to provide insight into the research of tidal energy-related technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People are increasingly using clean energy sources, contributing to environmental protection according to the general trend of the world. In the form of renewable energy, solar energy has contributed to solving current pressing problems, such as environmental pollution and air pollution, improving people's quality of life. The design of solar power projects in Vietnam is mainly based on meteorological data sources from Meteonorm and NASA. However, the accuracy assessment of two data sources compared to the actual solar power data in Vietnam is not available, so there is no basis to determine better meteorological data source quality to serve the design of rooftop solar power projects. The content of this paper analyzes the simulation results of a typical rooftop solar power station at the Electric Power University, Hanoi city based on meteorological data sources from Meteonorm and NASA. After that, the simulation results will be compared with the actual operating data of a rooftop solar power station near the Electric Power University and other real PV systems in the world. The study results showed that the amount of electricity production using the Meteonorm meteorological data was closer to the actual data than the NASA data source. Therefore, solar power projects in Vietnam should use Meteonorm data source for the design process to determine the best economic and technical efficiency for investors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the further increase of domestic oil demand, the diversification strategy of energy supply represented by alternative energy sources, such as alcohol fuel which has become a direction of China's energy policy. Alcohol fuel can reduce conventional engine emissions by replacing conventional gasoline and diesel, but their unconventional emissions -- formaldehyde -- tend to have higher concentrations than conventional engines. Based on this, this paper analyzed the physical and chemical properties of mixture of methanol and gasoline and its feasibility as an energy fuel, and conducted experiments on formaldehyde emission of gasoline and methanol gasoline respectively, and then obtained a large number of experimental data that studied and analyzed the experimental results and methods, and drew relevant research conclusions. The results show that the high ratio of alcohol fuel can replace the use of chemical fuel and has good energy saving and environmental protection characteristics. When the same fuel is tested, the formaldehyde emission increases first and then decreases with the increase of power. In this paper, a large amount of formaldehyde emission data from alcohol fuel engines are obtained through bench experiments, which provides a scientific basis for the future development of alcohol fuel vehicle combustion system and the formulation of environmental emission standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Women in India are playing a crucial role in protection and conservation of environment. Women in our country have brought a different perspective to the environment debate, because of their different experience base. In India about approximately 96% of rural household are estimated to be using bio fuels. One of the important features of rural energy is the dependence on locally available biomass resources. Fuel wood is the primary energy source for cooking used by rural households. Mostly village women spent 3 to 6 hr a day for collection of fuel wood. They understand clearly that economics and environment are compatible. Their experience reveals to them that soil, water and vegetation, necessary for their day-today living, requires care and good management. Environmental degradation is related not only to the biosphere alone, but to the social sphere as well. Women are also the active members of most of the community forests. women are providing an important role in sustainable development of community forests. However, their role is neither properly identified nor explored. A study was done in remote villages of central Chhattisgarh, India to examine the relationship between fuel consumption pattern and certain influencing factors. To formulate a systematic approach for studying about women's participation an elaborate exercise was taken for data collection. It was observed that enhanced use of alternative sources of energy can balance the increasing demand of fuel wood and make use of fuel more economic. Utilization of non conventional sources of energy as solar cooker and bio gas and energy saving devices, promotion of the fuel wood plantation system near the villages not only reduce the biotic pressure from vegetation but also promote the green cover which could support the environment. This paper explores and analyzes women's role in development and conservation of forest for through sustainable energy management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renewable energy has the characteristics of low carbon and environmental protection compared to traditional water and thermal power, but it also has the intermittency and uncertainty that traditional water and thermal power does not have. These characteristics make the inertia of the power system increase, which greatly affects the frequency stability of the grid. To solve such problems, the participation of demand-side resources (DSRs) in the dispatch of power systems has become a viable solution.However, unlike generation-side resources, DSRs have their own unique characteristics. In this paper, by taking into account a load frequency control system (LFC) with intermittent demand-side resources, the robust H∞ load frequency control problem are discussed in detail.A robust controller to coordinate the load side with the resource side is introduced. A critical stability criterion and robust performance evaluation of the new LFC system was carried out. Finally, simulation results based on the new LFC system are provided to demonstrate that the proposed control strategy can effectively improve the stability and robustness of the grid under large disturbances, thus allowing the grid frequency to return to the reference value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]