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I study if industrial decarbonisation yields elevated perceptions of political and economic unfairness. Decarbonising industry is central for the Green Transition, but it will disproportionately affect regions where brown sectors, which have been made uncompetitive, are concentrated. I contribute to studies on political consequences of the Green Transition by exploring perceived unfairness as one outcome from these uneven effects. In regions where industrial decarbonisation and employment declines in brown sectors have been greater than in other regions, residents may feel that they have disproportionately borne the economic costs of industrial decarbonisation for their country, and may consider their governments to have neglected their interests. I test these expectations in 60 West European regions using past (2013–2018) employment and CO2 emissions trends from the three most carbon-polluting sectors, as proxies for industrial decarbonisation accompanied by employment declines in brown sectors, and combined them with micro-level data from the European Social Survey (2018). I find that regions exhibit elevated perceptions of economic and political unfairness only when they experience both relative CO2 emissions and employment decline in these sectors. As perceived unfairness underpins some of the political discontent observed today, this finding highlights the need for Green Transition policies that minimise labour market disruptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon mitigation and net-zero targets have an important place on the political agenda for all countries. Countries have been seeking to decouple economic growth and carbon emissions to achieve decarbonization. However, there is a cost of the decarbonization of economies, which can be called as Green Sacrifice Ratio (GSR), and this is critical for developing countries because they have been in the growing stage. By considering the critical role of GSR in achieving net-zero emissions by decarbonizing economies, the study comparatively examines how much environmental quality should be sacrificed for per capita economic growth in China and India. In line with this purpose, the study uses the Fourier-Shin cointegration test and various time series estimators with Fourier approximations for the period from 1989/Q1 to 2022/Q4. Estimation results are as follows: (i) all variables follow the non-stationary process, (ii) the long-run relationship exists between variables, and (iii) Estimation results show that GSR is 0.65% for China and 0.78% for India. Therefore, China and India sacrifice a significant amount of environmental quality for a 1% increase in per capita income level. Also, the ecological cost of increasing economic welfare in India is higher with regard to China. Besides, the results are robust according to the alternative method. Thus, the study recommends that both Chinese and Indian policymakers should revise the economic expansion structure with green growth strategies to prevent irreversible environmental degradation due to higher economic growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China's numerous resource-based cities have confronted severe environmental and economic problems, which were substantial impediments to the regional sustainable development. In 2013, China started to implement its 'National Sustainable Development Plan of Resource-Based Cities', in order to transform the previous development patterns. This study employs the difference-in-differences (DID) method to evaluate the policy's impact on the city-level carbon dioxide (CO2) emission intensity. CO2 intensity is defined as the scale of CO2 emitted per unit of GDP. The research sample covers 326 Chinese cities during 2008—2017. Research results indicate that the policy significantly increased the CO2 intensity in resource-based cities. Moreover, it is found that the policy dampened resource-based cities' innovation levels and these cities did not strengthen their environmental regulations, which can be provided as the explanations of why the policy effect on carbon intensity was positive. Furthermore, this study reports the discrepancies in policy effects when cities have different development stages, spatial locations and marketization levels. Overall, this research discovers an undesirable policy effect. More actions should be taken to reduce the carbon intensity during the structural transformation in resource-based cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reaction of the amine‐stabilized alane (NMe3) ⋅ AlH31 with the backbone‐saturated N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) SIDipp (SIDipp=1,3‐bis‐{2,6‐di‐iso‐propyl‐phenyl}‐imidazolidin‐2‐ylidene) at 0 °C yielded the NHC alane adduct (SIDipp) ⋅ AlH32. Reaction at elevated temperatures or prolonged reaction at room temperature gave the product of a ring expansion reaction (RER) of the NHC, (NMe3) ⋅ AlH(RER‐SIDippH2) 3 ⋅ (NMe3). Subsequent reaction of the latter with sterically less hindered NHCs (IMeMe {=1,3,4,5‐tetramethyl‐imidazolin‐2‐ylidene}, IiPrMe {=1,3‐di‐iso‐propyl‐4,5‐dimethyl‐imidazolin‐2‐ylidene}, and IiPr {=1,3‐di‐iso‐propyl‐imidazolin‐2‐ylidene}) afforded the NHC‐stabilized RER‐products (NHC) ⋅ AlH(RER‐SIDippH2) 3 ⋅ (NHC) (NHC=IMeMe, IiPrMe, IiPr), while no reaction was observed with the sterically more demanding NHCs IDipp (=1,3‐bis‐{2,6‐di‐iso‐propyl‐phenyl}‐imidazolin‐2‐ylidene), SIDipp and ItBu (=1,3‐di‐tert‐butyl‐imidazolin‐2‐ylidene). The compounds 3 ⋅ (NHC) were also obtained starting from (SIDipp) ⋅ AlH32 and NHC at room temperature. Heating solutions of (SIDipp) ⋅ AlH32 without additional base to 95 °C resulted in decarbonization of the NHC and substitution of the carbene carbon atom with aluminum hydride under loss of ethene. Subsequent dimerization afforded cis‐[AlH{μ‐N(Dipp)CH2CH2N(Dipp)}]24_dimer. Heating solutions of the NHC‐ligated aluminum alkyls (SIDipp) ⋅ AlR32R (R=Me, Et) to 145 °C instead led to complete scission of the NHC backbone with evolution of ethene and isolation of the dialkylaluminium(III) amidinates {DippNC(R)NDipp}AlR25R (R=Me, Et). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochemical CO2 reduction is of tremendous interest for storing chemical energy from renewable sources while reducing CO2 emissions. While copper is one of the most effective catalysts, it suffers from low selectivity and limited long‐term durability. Here, these limitations are overcome by engineering Nafion coatings on CuO nanoparticle‐based catalysts supported on glassy carbon. By tuning the Nafion thickness and internal structure, it is shown that both the selectivity to multicarbon (C2+) products and long‐term stability can be dramatically enhanced. Optimized catalyst layers reach Faradaic efficiencies for C2+ products of 86% during long‐term testing for 200 h, with no evidence for performance degradation. Indeed, the C2+ Faradaic efficiency increases during testing, which is attributed to favorable in situ electrochemical fragmentation of catalytic nanoparticles. Finally, the optimized Nafion/Cu catalytic coatings are utilized to create scalable membrane electrode assemblies for CO2 electrolysis, yielding significantly enhanced C2H4 selectivity (≈58%) and activity at technologically‐relevant currents of 1–2 A. These results highlight the potential for creating multi‐functional Nafion coatings on CO2 reduction catalysts to favorably tune the reaction environment, while also promoting in situ transformations to active and selective nanoscale structures and morphologies, not just on model surfaces but also in state‐of‐the‐art gas diffusion electrodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dry reforming of acetic acid (DRA) was first-time investigated on 10%Ni/Al 2 O 3 at varied temperatures within 923–973 K employing several CO 2 :CH 3 COOH ratios of 1.5:2; 1:1; and 2:1. Depending on NiO particle size and location on support surface or inside the porous support structure, the H 2 reduction of NiO phase to active metallic Ni0 form was evidenced at different reduction temperatures within 550–950 K and the estimated degree of reduction was about 73.68%. Weak, medium, and strong basic centres were evidenced on 10%Ni/Al 2 O 3 via CO 2 desorption measurement. Increasing DRA temperature improved both CH 3 COOH and CO 2 conversions with the corresponding apparent activation energy of 100.71 and 58.50 kJ mol−1. As CO 2 partial pressure was increased from 0 to 40 kPa, the initial CH 3 COOH conversion was noticeably enhanced from 30.5% to 97.8% whilst H 2 /CO ratio always remained less than unity (0.73–0.77). Notably, DRA was a two-step process and barely negligible CH 4 intermediate product was evidenced since it was promptly reformed by CO 2 into syngas. The Ni0 active form was not susceptible to oxidation during DRA and carbon deposited on spent catalyst surface was heterogeneous in nature with the evident co-existence of amorphous and graphitic carbons. [Display omitted] • For the first time, acetic acid dry reforming was conducted for H 2 production. • Apparent activation energy for CH 3 COOH conversion was about 100.71 kJ mol−1. • H 2 /CO ratio was 0.73–0.77 preferred for downstream Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. • Filamentous and graphitic carbons co-existed on spent catalyst surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, we have observed the dynamic development of bio-heating plants that use wood biomass for heating or energy purposes. The result of this process is a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions as well as in the production of biomass ash (BA). Despite the waste nature of BA, it should be carefully analyzed and assessed for various applications, including environmental ones. Due to the features attributed to BA, including its alkaline reaction, the high capacity of its sorption complex, relatively low salinity, and significant content of macro- and microelements, a hypothesis was put forward in this work undertaken about the positive role of BA as an immobilizing factor for Cd-, Pb-, and Zn-contaminated soils. This research was based on a pot experiment in which four series were considered: (1) BA; (2) BA + Cd; (3) BA + Pb; and (4) BA + Zn. BA was used at doses of 30, 60, and 90 mg pot−1, and metals at doses of 2 mg Cd, 100 mg Pb, and 300 mg Zn kg−1 of soil. The test plant was corn grown for green mass. The study took into account the influence of BA on the content of the total forms of heavy metals (Metot) and their available forms (Meav). In the soil without the addition of metals, a significant increase in the content of Cdtot and Cdav, and a decrease in the content of Zntot were observed due to the application of BA. The addition of metals against the background of the BA used resulted in a significant increase in Cdtot, Pbtot, and Zntot, as well as an increase in the available forms of Pbav but a decrease in Znav. However, there was no significant increase in the Cdav content. The obtained results may indicate the potentially immobilizing role of BA only in the case of zinc. They may constitute the basis for further, more detailed research aimed at determining the role of BA in the immobilization of various metals in soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of alternative catalytic systems toward high‐performance CO2 photoreduction is considered to be a promising approach to address the future energy demand and reduce the CO2 emissions. However, CO2 molecules are thermodynamically stable in nature, and thus the adsorption and activation of CO2 on the surface of catalysts are the key factors to determine the conversion efficiency. Herein, a porous liquid (NH2‐UIO‐66 PL) is demonstrated for efficiently facilitating the adsorption and activation of CO2 by modification of metal–organic framework (NH2‐UIO‐66) with ionic liquid via amide bonds. CdS/NH2‐UIO‐66 PL exhibits high‐performance CO2‐to‐CO photoreduction with CO yield of 71.37 µmol g−1 h−1 and selectivity of 100%. Experiments and theoretical calculations show that the introduced amide moieties not only enriched the electron density at Zr4+ active sites but also stabilize *COOH intermediate. The achievements provide an effective strategy for the development of metal–organic frameworks for energy catalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the advancements and future prospects of biosensors, which are devices used for monitoring healthcare, environmental safety, and food quality. It discusses the history and evolution of biosensors, emphasizing the need for sustainable and environmentally friendly options. The article also mentions the potential of additive manufacturing techniques and the integration of biosensors with IoT technology and machine learning. It provides valuable insights into the current state and future directions of biosensor technology. Additionally, the document includes references to scientific articles and books on related topics, such as achieving net-zero emissions in global food systems and wearable sensors for personalized predictions of clinical laboratory measurements. [Extracted from the article]

To offer a fresh angle on the state capacity to advance decarbonization, this article brings into dialog political economies of scale and the Mannian notion of state infrastructural power, animating this conceptual cross-fertilization with an analysis of China's evolving policy framework for decarbonization. This article begins with building the conceptual construct of scalar practice as a source of state infrastructural power and categorizing three key scalar practices, namely, interscalar rearranging, interregional reshuffling, and urban‒rural scalar mixing. Building upon this, the article critically evaluates China's policy framework and state actions against the notion of infrastructural power: the Chinese state applies noncoercive means to elicit support, extract resources, and coordinate actions while transitioning to decarbonization-driven accumulation regimes, and these noncoercive means are mobilized together with coercive means through the art of scalar structuration that (re)defines central–local, urban‒rural, and interregional relations. Overall, this study elucidates how state-orchestrated processes of (re)territorialization for the decarbonization agenda give rise to the expansion of the state's autonomous power in relation to civil society, albeit in a manner that manifests contested power struggle and conflicting internal logics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incorporating large amounts of woody biomass into soil, such as in whole orchard recycling (WOR), can promote carbon sequestration, nutrient recycling, and ecosystem health in agricultural fields. Yet uncertainty regarding the effects of WOR on soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) dynamics influences management decisions. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effects of woodchip (WC) size and interaction with N fertilization on carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. An 8‐month incubation experiment incorporating WC (4% w/w, equivalent to ∼40 tons per acre) in four sieved sizes (0.2–1.6, 1.6–3.2, 3.2–6.4, and 6.4–12.7 mm) with and without N applications was conducted. All treatments with WC showed that CO2 emission peaked within the first week, then decreased drastically afterward. The CO2 peak delayed as the peak value decreased (WC size increased). The finest WC (<1.6 mm) yielded the lowest total CO2 emissions and resulted in the greatest increase in soil C at the end of incubation. Nitrogen application reduced total CO2 emissions by 1% in the smallest WC size and by 8%–9% for those larger than 1.6 mm. The N2O emissions spiked following each fertilizer application with lowest total emissions from the smallest WC size, suggesting substantial N immobilization. The results imply that larger WC sizes can delay C mineralization and reduce initial N immobilization risks, but the smallest WC size may have stabilized and increased soil organic carbon. This research increased our understanding on WC mineralization that can be used in WOR management. Core Ideas: There is a significant interaction between woodchip size and N application on both CO2 and N2O emissions.Smallest woodchip size gave highest initial CO2 emissions, but lowest total loss while increasing soil organic carbon.N application with woodchips resulted in significantly lower CO2 emissions.Woodchip size showed different impact on peak N2O emissions with time but no impact on total loss and soil N.Larger woodchip sizes showed delay in C mineralization, minimizing the initial N immobilization risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen has emerged as one of the focal points of international interest on decarbonization. Many countries formulated strategies for the hydrogen economy. South Korea established its hydrogen policy framework in 2005, which outlined specific visions, objectives, tactics, and expected outcomes. However, following fourteen years of modest advancement, the government adopted a revised policy direction, culminating in the " 2019 Hydrogen Economy Roadmap." This new roadmap adjusted goals and strategies to better align with contemporary demands. With this compelling case, we aim to analyze the evolution of South Korea's hydrogen policy over this period, highlighting the key drivers behind the renewed emphasis on hydrogen, utilizing the multi-level perspective framework. The outcomes of this comparative study are poised to contribute in understanding of energy transition efforts for traditional industries. [Display omitted] • South Korea's two national strategies for hydrogen economy in 2005 and 2019 are compared from the multi-level perspective. • The '05 and '19 strategies show a discontinuous evolution. • There found persisted and shared visions such as sustainability, economic perspectives, and energy security. • The '19 Roadmap is more realistic and concrete, due to technological maturity and industrial readiness, which lacked in 2005. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both copper and lithium act as strong fluxes and lower the temperature of the clinker melt formation. Sulphur promotes the stabilisation of more hydraulically active modification of alite M1. It is expected that this combination could produce an alite clinker at significantly lower temperatures with high quality technological parameters. In this paper, the effect of combined oxides of copper, lithium and sulphur addition on the phase composition and clinker structure of Portland cement was investigated. The reference raw meal was prepared from common cement raw materials. Each of the mentioned oxides was added to the reference raw meal in two different concentrations, and 8 combinations were prepared. Chemically pure compounds (NH4)2SO4, CuO and Li2CO3 were used as a source of these oxides. The raw meals were burned to equilibrium at 1450°C. Their phase composition was determined by X‐ray diffraction analysis, the microstructure was monitored by optical microscopy, and the microchemistry of the clinker phases was observed by electron microscopy with EDS analysis. It was found that in samples with high lithium or copper content, there is an increase in belite and free lime at the expense of alite. The combination of Cu + Li has the most negative effect, followed by Li alone and Cu alone. The higher SO3 content slightly offsets this negative effect. LAY DESCRIPTION: Clinker is the main intermediate in the production of Portland cement. It is formed at high temperatures in a rotary kiln and its main component is the mineral alite – tricalcium silicate. Alite crystallises in several polymorphic modifications, and sulphur stabilises the modification that increases cement strength. Both copper and lithium act as strong fluxes and lower the temperature of the clinker melt formation. The addition of a combination of these 3 elements to the raw meal for clinker burning is expected to lower the melt formation temperature, and clinker with a high alite content will be formed at lower temperatures than normal. This would both save energy consumption for burning and reduce CO2 emissions in cement production. In this paper, the effect of combined of copper, lithium, and sulphur addition on the phase composition and clinker structure of Portland cement was investigated. The reference raw meal was prepared from common cement raw materials, two limestones, clay shale and Fe correction. Each of the mentioned elements was added to the reference raw meal in two different concentrations, and 8 combinations were prepared. Chemically pure compounds (NH4)2SO4, CuO, and Li2CO3 were used as a source of these elements. The raw meals were burned at 1450°C. Their phase composition was determined by X‐ray diffraction analysis, the microstructure was monitored by optical microscopy, and the microchemistry of the clinker phases was observed by electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy. It was found that in samples with high lithium or copper content, there is an decrease in alite. The combination of Cu + Li has the most negative effect, followed by Li alone and Cu alone. The higher sulphur content slightly offsets this negative effect. Finally, a clinker was prepared with the addition of these 3 dopants at a temperature of 1325°C, 125°C lower than in conventional industrial production, which had a high quality phase composition with a high alite content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intensified attention to health, the growth of an elderly population, the changing lifestyles, and the medical discoveries have increased demand for natural and nutrient‐rich foods, shaping the popularity of microalgae products. Microalgae thanks to their metabolic versatility represent a promising solution for a 'green' economy, exploiting non‐arable land, non‐potable water, capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) and solar energy. The interest in microalgae is justified by their high content of bioactive molecules, such as amino acids, peptides, proteins, carbohydrates, polysaccharides, polyunsaturated fatty acids (as ω‐3 fatty acids), pigments (as β‐carotene, astaxanthin, fucoxanthin, phycocyanin, zeaxanthin and lutein), or mineral elements. Such molecules are of interest for human and animal nutrition, cosmetic and biofuel production, for which microalgae are potential renewable sources. Microalgae, also, represent effective biological systems for treating a variety of wastewaters and can be used as a CO2 mitigation approach, helping to combat greenhouse gases and global warming emergencies. Recently a growing interest has focused on extremophilic microalgae species, which are easier to cultivate axenically and represent good candidates for open pond cultivation. In some cases, the cultivation and/or harvesting systems are still immature, but novel techniques appear as promising solutions to overcome such barriers. This review provides an overview on the actual microalgae cultivation systems and the current state of their biotechnological applications to obtain high value compounds or ingredients. Moreover, potential and future research opportunities for environment, human and animal benefits are pointed out. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Deserts represent key carbon reservoirs, yet as these systems are threatened this has implications for biodiversity and climate change. This review focuses on how these changes affect desert ecosystems, particularly plant root systems and their impact on carbon and mineral nutrient stocks. Desert plants have diverse root architectures shaped by water acquisition strategies, affecting plant biomass and overall carbon and nutrient stocks. Climate change can disrupt desert plant communities, with droughts impacting both shallow and deep‐rooted plants as groundwater levels fluctuate. Vegetation management practices, like grazing, significantly influence plant communities, soil composition, root microorganisms, biomass, and nutrient stocks. Shallow‐rooted plants are particularly susceptible to climate change and human interference. To safeguard desert ecosystems, understanding root architecture and deep soil layers is crucial. Implementing strategic management practices such as reducing grazing pressure, maintaining moderate harvesting levels, and adopting moderate fertilization can help preserve plant–soil systems. Employing socio‐ecological approaches for community restoration enhances carbon and nutrient retention, limits desert expansion, and reduces CO2 emissions. This review underscores the importance of investigating belowground plant processes and their role in shaping desert landscapes, emphasizing the urgent need for a comprehensive understanding of desert ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial intelligence technology is constantly developing and changing. Due to the continuous development of technology and production of carbon emissions, various problems have occurred, forcing various regions to start promoting low‐carbon work. What kind of method can effectively and quickly improve the performance of carbon emissions has become one of the current research topics that has attracted much attention. In response to this problem, it is of great significance to study in the field of carbon emission performance improvement methods. With the in‐depth research on carbon emissions, the research on the intervention of water conservancy policies in carbon emissions has gradually been carried out, and its functional effects are of great significance to solve the problem of improving carbon emissions performance. This paper has aimed to study the impact and mechanism of water conservancy policy on carbon emission performance in the context of artificial intelligence. Through the analysis and research of the water conservancy policy under artificial intelligence, the double difference model (DID) is used to evaluate it, so that it can show the impact and mechanism on carbon emission performance, so as to solve the problem of improving carbon emission performance. This paper has analysed water policy, carbon emission performance and DID model under artificial intelligence. Its influence and mechanism have been experimentally analysed, and related theoretical formulas have been used to explain. The results have shown that the water conservancy policy has a significant and continuous driving effect on the reduction of carbon emission intensity, and its interaction coefficient under the control variable is −0.934, which is significantly negative. Further analysis of variables has shown that the energy intensity coefficient is 0.714, and the secondary industry coefficient is 0.924, which are both positive and significant. Water conservancy policies mainly reduce carbon intensity through the improvement of energy efficiency and industrial structure upgrading. It can be seen that water conservancy policies under artificial intelligence can meet the needs of improving carbon emission performance, and the level of economic growth and green development has been greatly improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Light emitting diodes (LEDs) play an essential role in lighting, and green earth activities because of their high efficiency, longevity, and reduction of carbon dioxide emissions during illumination. However, the brightness level of LED light sources must be adjusted appropriately for the backlight source or illumination; therefore, pulse amplitude modulation (PWM) is a commonly used method of LED control. This article experimentally investigated human interaction with the visual comfort effect of the light obtained using different PWM frequencies on an object in a sensor-based intelligent lighting system. Critical light frequencies are vital for the eye to distinguish light stimuli according to time. Histograms of the object were created according to the light frequency, and the results are discussed. The eye's response to light frequencies changing over time is important for visual comfort, and examining light frequencies in the range of 25–250 Hz was sufficient to conclude the study. It has been experimentally shown that light frequencies around 160 Hz, and above this value provide visual comfort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, the main component of most U.S. consumers' electricity bills is based on a constant price per kWh consumed. As intermittent renewable resources and flexible loads that can be shifted within days (such as electric vehicle charging) gain prominence in the electricity system, the efficiency gains to be realized from basing bills instead on wholesale spot prices increase. There is little political support for this change, however. We focus on second-best alternatives: time-of-use (TOU) rates and critical peak pricing (CPP). We introduce alternative assessment criteria that focus on intra-day load shifting. Using historical data, we find that TOU rates can reasonably replicate the intra-day load-shifting incentives provided under spot pricing. Thus, TOU rates, especially when complemented with CPP involving load control during infrequent scarcity price events, can be considerably more socially valuable than previously estimated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The REpowerEU plan prioritizes combining electrification with low-carbon hydrogen for a green energy shift. However, uncertainties surrounding the future hydrogen market and its supply costs impede the establishment of its value chain. Without definite plans for hydrogen production and infrastructure, investing in low-carbon hydrogen industrial processes is risky. Simultaneously, the absence of solid market interest poses challenges in deploying a hydrogen backbone. In recent years, European gas Transmission System Operators (TSOs) in Belgium, Netherlands, and Germany, have introduced various roadmaps for their prospective national hydrogen network. Despite the infrastructure proposals, detailed quantitative scenario analysis for the future hydrogen supply chain is still missing. This paper presents a hydrogen infrastructure model that employs Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) for investment and operational cost optimization at detailed spatiotemporal resolution. A regionalization method is proposed to allocate the potential hydrogen consumption in different industrial sectors across various clusters within a country, represented as the prospective hydrogen demand nodes. The model assesses extreme supply scenarios to examine the robustness of the resulting network infrastructure and compare the system-levelized cost of hydrogen. A real-life case study focusing on the potential Belgian hydrogen supply chain showcases the model's capabilities and outputs. • Regionalization of the industrial hydrogen consumption derived from a national-scale energy system model. • MILP cost optimization model for hydrogen infrastructure design. • Comparative analysis of diverse extreme low-carbon hydrogen supply scenarios. • In-depth case study focusing on the prospective Belgian hydrogen backbone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates Joule (resistive) heating as a potential method to electrify the heating process in steam‐methane reforming. The significance and relevance of this research are driven by three factors: (1) increasing global demand for hydrogen as feedstock for chemical manufacturing and refining; (2) expanding hydrogen as a carbon‐free energy carrier; and (3) decarbonizing the production sector of the hydrogen value chain. FeCrAl metal wire coils coated uniformly with Ni/ZrO2 catalyst were used in the Joule heating experiments. The resistive power was supplied in the range 50–90 W by varying voltage across the wire. Results show a notable, sharp increase in methane conversion at a power exceeding 60 W (750 °C estimated wire temperature). The results are compared with those for a conventionally‐heated coated wire as well as Joule‐heated uncoated ZrO2‐only wires to elucidate the roles of Ni and ZrO2 and differences in the heating methods. For a range of power the methane conversion obtained with the Joule‐heated Ni/ZrO2‐coated wire is higher than the conventionally‐heated Ni/ZrO2‐coated wire. The results demonstrate that Joule heating of a catalyst‐coated wire is effective for steam‐methane reforming under the experimental conditions examined in our study. Underlying causes for the interesting conversion features are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing comprehensive scenarios for the shipping sector has been a challenge for the Integrated Assessment Model (IAMs) community, influencing how attainable decarbonization is in the sector, and for Earth System Models (ESMs), impacting the climate contribution of shipping emissions. Here we present an approach to develop spatially explicit energy demand projections for shipping in alignment with the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways framework and IAMs projections of global fossil fuel demand. Our results show that shipping could require between 14 and 20 EJ by 2050, corresponding to a 3% and 44% increase from 2018 for the SSP1-1.9 and SSP3-7.0 scenarios. Furthermore, the energy projections we present in this publication can be combined with different fuel mixes to derive emission inventories for climate modeling and, thus, improve our understanding of the various challenges in mitigating emissions for shipping. Through that, we aim to present a framework to incorporate detailed spatial shipping inventories and increase transparency for the scientific community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To reach climate neutrality by 2050, a goal that the European Union set itself, it is necessary to change and modify the whole EU's energy system through deep decarbonization and reduction of greenhouse-gas emissions. The study presents a current insight into the global energy-transition pathway based on the hydrogen energy industry chain. The paper provides a critical analysis of the role of clean hydrogen based on renewable energy sources (green hydrogen) and fossil-fuels-based hydrogen (blue hydrogen) in the development of a new hydrogen-based economy and the reduction of greenhouse-gas emissions. The actual status, costs, future directions, and recommendations for low-carbon hydrogen development and commercial deployment are addressed. Additionally, the integration of hydrogen production with CCUS technologies is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To reduce global CO2 emissions in line with EU targets, it is essential that we replace fossil-derived plastics with renewable alternatives. This provides an opportunity to develop novel plastics with improved design features, such as better reusability, recyclability, and environmental biodegradability. Although recycling and reuse of plastics is favoured, this relies heavily on the infrastructure of waste management, which is not consistently advanced on a worldwide scale. Furthermore, today's bulk polyolefin plastics are inherently unsuitable for closed-loop recycling, but the introduction of plastics with enhanced biodegradability could help to combat issues with plastic accumulation, especially for packaging applications. It is also important to recognise that plastics enter the environment through littering, even where the best waste-collection infrastructure is in place. This causes endless environmental accumulation when the plastics are non-(bio)degradable. Biodegradability depends heavily on circumstances; some biodegradable polymers degrade rapidly under tropical conditions in soil, but they may not also degrade at the bottom of the sea. Biodegradable polyesters are theoretically recyclable, and even if mechanical recycling is difficult, they can be broken down to their monomers by hydrolysis for subsequent purification and re-polymerisation. Additionally, both the physical properties and the biodegradability of polyesters are tuneable by varying their building blocks. The relationship between the (chemical) structures/compositions (aromatic, branched, linear, polar/apolar monomers; monomer chain length) and biodegradation/hydrolysis of polyesters is discussed here in the context of the design of biodegradable polyesters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China currently has the highest acid deposition globally, yet research on its status, impacts, causes and controls is lacking. Here, we compiled data and calculated critical loads regarding acid deposition. The results showed that the abatement measures in China have achieved a sharp decline in the emissions of acidifying pollutants and a continuous recovery of precipitation pH, despite the drastic growth in the economy and energy consumption. However, the risk of ecological acidification and eutrophication showed no significant decrease. With similar emission reductions, the decline in areas at risk of acidification in China (7.0%) lags behind those in Europe (20%) or the USA (15%). This was because, unlike Europe and the USA, China's abatement strategies primarily target air quality improvement rather than mitigating ecological impacts. Given that the area with the risk of eutrophication induced by nitrogen deposition remained at 13% of the country even under the scenario of achieving the dual targets of air quality and carbon dioxide mitigation in 2035, we explored an enhanced ammonia abatement pathway. With a further 27% reduction in ammonia by 2035, China could largely eliminate the impacts of acid deposition. This research serves as a valuable reference for China's future acid deposition control and for other nations facing similar challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The maritime industry is a significant component of the transportation sector. Ships are the major element of the maritime industry, and propulsion power comes from fossil fuels, such as heavy fuel oil or marine diesel oil. These fossil fuels are used in conventional marine diesel engines and result in high levels of harmful emissions. These emissions contribute to the greenhouse effect and global warming, which is why efforts have been made to regulate and limit them within specific boundaries through various rules and regulations. However, with current technology, it is not possible to stay within these regulations. Therefore, the maritime sector has embarked on the quest for alternative power sources, and as a result, alternative fuels and fuel cells have gained importance. Hydrogen, one of these alternative fuels, is a promising solution with a carbon-free structure for the maritime industry to move toward sustainability. However, ships are considered high-risk areas, which is why specific standards need to be established for the use of hydrogen and fuel cell technology in ships. Hydrogen bunkering, onboard storage, and power system design, limits, and operational aspects must be properly elaborated. Although there are several substantial international standards and regulations for gas, liquid, and dangerous cargo, there is a lack of specific and detailed regulations for the use of fuel cells and hydrogen fuel onboard ships. This paper reviews the relevant regulations and standards while showing the regulatory gap concerning hydrogen and fuel cells by discussing the main barriers and highlights the current and future agenda of the industry toward decarbonization vision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The decarbonisation of the maritime sector is one of the world's priorities to reduce the volume of polluting emissions. The basis of this decarbonisation is the adaptation of existing ships to emission control regulations by means of transformations, installation of new equipment, development of new low-emission fuels and development of the infrastructure that makes the supply of this new generation of fuels feasible. In addition, hydrogen is the energy vector for all these new technologies, and its role over the next 30 years needs to be addressed. In a changing global situation such as the one we are currently experiencing; this article has the objective of making a review paper on the different fuels currently being used in the maritime sector and the existing alternatives. It also discusses the situation and the impact the current environmental situation has on the world ship order book, both in terms of legislation and economics. As a conclusion, the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) will have a very important role to play as a bridge between the current situation and the development of hydrogen technology. Hydrogen is an energy vector that can achieve the decarbonisation objectives by 2050. Storage problems, lack of infrastructures to supply it and the development of technology and regulations are the major challenges it will have to face. Biofuels also present a serious proposal for the decarbonisation of the sector, and the role of hydrogen in their composition, is essential to achieve green fuel generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The environmental impact of holding in-person academic conferences and continuing medical education (CME) programs can be significant. In-person conferences provide a unique social and professional platform to engage in networking and foster professional development; however, there is an opportunity for hybrid and virtual platforms to provide CME for broader audiences looking to improve their clinical skills and strengthen their knowledge base. This study seeks to describe the reduction in carbon emissions associated with a webinar hosted by an online dermatology-focused medical education platform. Methods: This cross-sectional study used the location of deidentified virtual attendees of a webinar to predict the carbon emissions produced if attendees had instead traveled to the location of the most recent Integrative Dermatology Symposium (Sacramento, CA). Following collection of each virtual attendee's location, the mode of transportation was predicted on the basis of each participant's distance to the conference. Results: The estimated carbon emissions were calculated for 576 participants. The total estimated, unadjusted carbon emissions for both attendees predicted to fly or drive was 370,100 kg CO2. The emissions produced per participant from those expected to fly to an in-person CME after adjusting for all additional passengers on every flight were 4.5 kg CO2. The emissions produced per participant from those expected to drive were 42.7 kg CO2. Conclusion: The use of a virtual CME webinar led to a significant reduction in travel-related carbon dioxide emissions when compared to running the same program in-person event. When accounting for all passengers traveling via plane on any flight, driving to an event produced more emissions per participant than flying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the article, the author discusses how to restore lands in Texas used for oil and gas production, particularly the use of emission reduction credits by producers to plug abandoned and orphaned wells. Also cited are the well plugging program of the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC), the RRC's Oil & Gas Regulation and Cleanup Fund (OGRC), and the blanket bond requirement for permit approvals.

To vigorously reduce CO2 emission in the energy sector is an inevitable choice to achieve world's carbon emission reduction and to accelerate the construction of a modern energy system. The development of CO2 capture, utilization, and storage technology (CCUS) is of great significance for promoting low carbon utilization of traditional energy and realizing the low carbon transformation of coal power industry. The joint development of biomass combustion integrated with new energy technology and consideration of fuel conversion CO2 capture from the source is a technical solution with high efficiency and low energy consumption in coordination, which will bring new development opportunities for conventional thermal power industry. In this study, a low carbon system of collaborative renewable energy CO2 source capture is constructed. Numerical simulation method of multiphase flow coupled with thermal mass transfer and chemical reaction of the combustion mathematical model is employed to study the combustion characteristics in the biomass combustion system. The combustion efficiency, carbon conversion, and pollutant emissions are calculated compared with the conventional coal combustion system. Hydrogen production and CO2 emissions are analyzed based on life cycle assessment method. The energy integration full‐chain system of geological storage and CCUS is optimized, which is committed to achieving nearly zero carbon emission in the thermal power industry, contributing to the global low CO2 emission work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The decarbonization of European economies is an established reality that has been accelerating in recent years. The focus of EU policy is on the dynamic transformation of the energy balances of Member States, which most significantly impacts economies reliant on coal. In the context of emerging megatrends, this study sets out to determine the extent of changes occurring in the economies of European Union countries in relation to the Green Deal paradigm. The objective of this article is to introduce a comprehensive method developed by the authors for assessing the dynamics of energy transformation in the European Union countries under study. This method is divided into two phases. Initially, countries are classified according to the energy transformation dynamics matrix. Subsequently, the actual assessment of energy transformation dynamics is conducted using a novel composite indicator, the ETPI (Energy Transition Progress Index), based on analyses for 2022 and 2013 using Eurostat data. The results identify leaders in energy transformation, such as Sweden, Germany, Denmark, France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Finland, and the Netherlands, while highlighting significant challenges facing Poland and Bulgaria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reductions of carbon dioxide emissions from the building sector are mandatory for climate protection. This calls for both a reduction of the construction material and energy as well as a reduction of the operational energy. Against this background, a novel facade-integrated adsorption system for solar cooling of lightweight buildings is proposed and theoretically investigated in this work. For this purpose, a detailed simulation model is developed to analyze both the processes in the single components as well as the overall system behavior. The proposed system consists of the three components adsorber, condenser and evaporator, which are connected vacuum-tight and are coupled by vapor transfer. The simulation results of a defined reference case yield cooling rates of 54   W per installed square meter of adsorber facade. The cooling power can be maintained for 12 h, confirming the applicability of the proposed system. Furthermore, a comprehensive parametric study is carried out in order to identify an optimum set of parameter values for maximum cooling rate under the assumed conditions. The results reveal that controlled constant cooling rates of 105   W per square meter of adsorber facade can be reached and a maximum peak power of 145   W per square meter of adsorber facade is possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen is an emerging technology changing the context of heating with cleaner combustion than traditional fossil fuels. Studies indicate the potential to repurpose the existing natural gas infrastructure, offering consumers a sustainable, economically viable option in the future. The integration of hydrogen in combined heat and power systems could provide residential energy demand and reduce environmental emissions. However, the widespread adoption of hydrogen will face several challenges, such as carbon dioxide emissions from the current production methods and the need for infrastructure modification for transport and safety. Researchers indicated the viability of hydrogen in decarbonizing heat, while some studies also challenged its long-term role in the future of heating. In this paper, a comprehensive literature review is carried out by identifying the following key aspects, which could impact the conclusion on the overall role of hydrogen in heat decarbonization: (i) a holistic view of the energy system, considering factors such as renewable integration and system balancing; (ii) consumer-oriented approaches often overlook the broader benefits of hydrogen in emission reduction and grid stability; (iii) carbon capture and storage scalability is a key factor for large-scale production of low-emission blue hydrogen; (iv) technological improvements could increase the cost-effectiveness of hydrogen; (v) the role of hydrogen in enhancing resilience, especially during extreme weather conditions, raises the potential of hydrogen as a flexible asset in the energy infrastructure for future energy supply; and finally, when considering the UK as a basis case, (vi) incorporating factors such as the extensive gas network and unique climate conditions, necessitates specific strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar photovoltaic (PV) generation technology stands out as a scalable and cost-effective solution to enable the transition toward decarbonization. However, PV solar output, beyond the daily solar irradiance variability and unavailability during nights, is very sensitive to weather events like hurricanes. Hurricanes nucleate massive amounts of clouds around their centers, shading hundreds of kilometers in their path, reducing PV power output. This research proposes a spatiotemporal method, implemented in MATLAB R2023b coding, to estimate the shading effect of hurricanes over a wide distribution of PV solar plants connected to a high-voltage power infrastructure called the U.S.–Caribbean–South America super grid. The complete interconnection of the U.S., the Caribbean, and South America results in the lowest power valley levels, i.e., an overall percentual reduction in PV power output caused by hurricane shading. The simulations assess the impact of hurricanes in 10 synthetic trajectories spanning from Texas to Florida. The Caribbean would also experience lower power valleys with expanded interconnectivity schemes. The U.S.–Caribbean–South America super grid reduces Caribbean variability from 37.8% to 8.9% in the case study. The proposed spatiotemporal method for PV power profile estimation is a valuable tool for future solar power generation expansion, transmission planning, and system design considering the impact of hurricanes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global steel industry is rapidly transitioning towards energy decarbonization to address the climate crisis. Sintering is one of the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions from steel mills. Traditional sintering processes use straight inclined chutes to feed raw materials into the sinter machine. However, this design suffers from insufficient horizontal momentum, resulting in poor segregation of the layered materials. This study proposes an improved charging chute design profile that uses a cycloid curve and rolls to enhance segregation, thus reducing coal consumption and increasing productivity. To achieve this, we first modeled a charging chute using the cycloid curve. Secondly, building upon the cycloid concept, we created a roll-type chute by strategically placing rollers along the cycloid trajectory. Finally, the cycloid roll-type charging chute, integrating the cycloid trajectory with the roll-shaped charging chute, was simulated. Pilot tests comparing the cycloid roll-type and straight chute models demonstrated a significant increase in dispersion for the cycloid roll-type design, with a 65% improvement in the Strand-ward segregation (Sw) index compared to the straight chute. Furthermore, actual filed implementation in a sintering process achieved a 2.9% increase in operational productivity and a 6% reduction in fuel consumption. This study is significant not only for proposing an optimal chute design, but also for successfully implementing it in a full-scale steel mill, contributing to a reduction in fuel consumption and carbon reduction in steel mills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Membrane filtration is a major process used in the energy, gas separation, and water treatment sectors, yet the efficiency of current membranes is limited. Here, we review the use of machine learning to improve membrane efficiency, with emphasis on reverse osmosis, nanofiltration, pervaporation, removal of pollutants, pathogens and nutrients, gas separation of carbon dioxide, oxygen and hydrogen, fuel cells, biodiesel, and biogas purification. We found that the use of machine learning brings substantial improvements in performance and efficiency, leading to specialized membranes with remarkable potential for various applications. This integration offers versatile solutions crucial for addressing global challenges in sustainable development and advancing environmental goals. Membrane gas separation techniques improve carbon capture and purification of industrial gases, aiding in the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Producing green carbon fiber from lignin is not only attractive to biorefineries for valorizing lignin but also contributes to the decarbonization of multiple industries. However, the difficulty of obtaining high-quality lignin-based carbon fibers at low cost remains the bottleneck and barrier to its commercial application. Previous approaches for chemically modifying lignin or blending with co-precursors were ineffective in delivering the carbon fiber with the desired quality. We discovered that introducing thermo-mechanochemistry of lignin to carbon fiber processing is a facile and green approach to overcome this challenge. Thermo-mechanochemistry can be introduced by properly integrating thermal heating and mechanical tension force applied to the spun fiber, which can manipulate the ordinary lignin chemistry to control the microstructure evolution from lignin. Under the influence of this newly known chemistry, lignin can transform into an oriented structure that can easily be graphitized at low temperatures. In this work, three precursors consisting of lignin or lignin blends were used to produce the carbon fibers with average tensile strength and modulus of 2.45 GPa and 236 GPa, 2.11 GPa and 215 GPa, 2.2 GPa and 225 GPa, respectively, using a surprisingly low carbonization temperature of only 700 °C. The preliminary techno-economic analysis suggests a low production cost. The discovery of the thermo-mechanochemistry of lignin will alter perceptions of lignin-based carbon fibers and provide opportunities to produce commercially viable low-cost green carbon fibers, advancing lignin valorization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work is designed to study the thermodynamic equations of groundwater source heat pump in hot summer and cold winter, and to determine the optimal operating conditions of groundwater source heat pump by means of the thermodynamic analysis of source heat pump, flow, unit, pump power, evaporation side and condensation side. Practice has proved that the equipment runs stably and with high efficiency. By comparison, the ground source heat exchangers were compared with conventional chillers and boiler. The results showed that the underground heat pump had higher energy consumption, lower primary energy consumption, reduced CO2 emissions, and reduced environmental pollution during operation, proving that the underground heat pump had obvious advantages over the conventional cooling and heating system. Meanwhile, this also shows that the long-term operation of ground heating system has caused the instability of ground heating system, the accumulation of cold and heat in ground-water, and the variation of ground temperature, which not only reduces the system efficiency, but it also affects the physical properties of soil itself and the soil heat flow, and will also cause changes in soil microbial environment and vegetation ecological environment, thus affecting the whole ecological environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is a well-known issue that the 2050 target of carbon emissions neutrality will be reached only with the co-operation of all the interested sectors, and the construction sector could be one of the main contributors to this change. With the built environment globally responsible for about 40% of annual global energy-related CO2 emissions, the construction sector offers an important opportunity to drive transformative change and presents the most challenging mitigation potential among all industrial sectors, which also brings opportunities for adopting sustainability practices and increasing resilience. This paper presents a systematic literature review of those two pivotal concepts to reach the decarbonization goal: sustainability and resilience. Starting from an extensive literature review (2536 scientific documents) based on the PRISMA statement, the definitions and assessment methodologies of those concepts for the construction sector have been studied. The methodological approach followed for their analysis has been conducted on a first selection of 42 documents, further reduced to 12 by using clear inclusion criteria to identify the integrated assessment procedures. The main goal of this study is to clarify the correlation between sustainability and resilience concepts for constructions and their integrated assessment, in line with the latest regulations and market needs. The results show that, currently, sustainability and resilience are mainly evaluated in a distinct way to obtain building energy performance certificates, as well as to quantify the building market value and its complementary contribution to the 'energy efficiency first' principle and energy-saving targets towards the emergent issue of climate change. Few works focus on the integrated assessment of both concepts considering the construction industries' point of view about materials and/or systems for buildings. The novelty of this study is the critical review of the current sustainability and resilience integrated assessment methods used for the construction value chain, declined for four main target groups. Researchers, policymakers, industries, and professionals could gain dedicated insights and practical suggestions to put in practice the elements of circular economy, ecological innovation, and cleaner production, which are essential in order to drive the decarbonization of the built environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water electrolysis to generate green hydrogen is the key to decarbonization. Tracking the state-of-health of electrolyzers is fundamental to ensuring their economical and safe operation. This paper addresses the challenge of quantifying the state-of-health of electrolyzers, which is complicated by the influence of operating conditions. The existing approaches require stringent control of operating conditions, such as following a predefined current profile and maintaining a constant temperature, which is impractical for industrial applications. We propose a data-driven method that corrects the measured voltage under arbitrary operating conditions to a reference condition, serving as a state-of-health indicator for electrolyzers. The method involves fitting a voltage model to map the relationship between voltage and operating conditions and then using this model to calculate the voltage under predefined reference conditions. Our approach utilizes an empirical voltage model, validated with actual industrial electrolyzer operation data. We further introduce a transfer linear regression algorithm to tackle model fitting difficulties with limited data coverage. Validation on synthetic data confirms the algorithm's effectiveness in capturing the true model coefficients, and application on actual operation data demonstrates its ability to provide stable state-of-health estimations. This research offers a practical solution for the industry to continuously monitor electrolyzer degradation without the need for stringent control of operating conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The shortage of water resources and the increase of greenhouse gas emissions from soil seriously restrict the sustainable development of agriculture. Under the premise of ensuring a stable yield of winter wheat through a reasonable irrigation scenario, identifying a suitable straw returning method will have a positive effect on agricultural carbon sequestration and emission reduction in North China Plain. RESULTS: Straw burying (SR) and straw mulching (SM) were adopted based on traditional tillage under in the winter wheat growing season of 2020–2021 and 2021–2022. Three irrigation scenarios were used for each straw returning method: no irrigation (I0), irrigation 60 mm at jointing stage (I1), and irrigation of 60 mm each at the jointing and heading stages (I2). Soil moisture, soil respiration rate, cumulative soil CO2 emissions, yield, water use efficiency (WUE) and soil CO2 emission efficiency (CEE) were mainly studied. The results showed that, compared to SM, SR improved the utilization of soil water and enhanced soil carbon sequestration. SR reduced soil respiration rate and cumulative soil CO2 emissions in two winter wheat growing seasons, and increased yield by increasing spike numbers. In addition, with an increase in the amount of irrigation, soil CO2 emissions and yield increased. Under SR‐I1 treatment, WUE and CEE were the highest. SR‐I1 increases crop yields at the same time as reducing soil CO2 emissions. CONCLUSION: The combination of SR and irrigation 60 mm at jointing stage is a suitable straw returning irrigation scenario, which can improve water use and reduce soil CO2 emission in NCP. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renewable energy is increasingly preferred over fossil fuels, but its unpredictable nature, especially in the case of wind power, makes consistent electricity generation difficult. To address this, power-to-gas (PtoG) technology has emerged as a promising method for utilizing excess renewable energy and advancing cleaner energy systems. This study proposes a mathematical framework for modeling the integration of a PtoG system with a gas combustion power station (GCPS) and wind farm by defining the operating zone of the whole system and utilizing the surplus wind power as input energy. Furthermore, the proposed PtoG system consists of various technologies, including an electrolyzer for hydrogen production, methanation for methane production, a carbon capture unit for carbon collection, and two tanks for methane and carbon preservation. To inoculate the proposed model against uncertainties, the proposed framework employs robust optimization for the optimal performance of the integrated system. The results from the simulation demonstrate that the integration of a PtoG system leads to a substantial 81 % decrease in wind power curtailment. Additionally, there is a noteworthy 39.88 % reduction in carbon dioxide emissions when compared to the standalone operation of the GCPS and wind producer, highlighting the significant environmental benefits of incorporating the PtoG facility. The results of the optimization analysis also highlight the hybrid system's sensitivity to the unpredictability of wind power. This highlights the need for robust modeling to precisely model wind energy production. • A linear optimization model for input-output relation of power-to-gas system. • Obtaining the operation zone of proposed model for power and heat outputs. • Considering the impacts of carbon and methane storage in proposed model. • Carbon reduction of combined cycle power plant using power-to-gas technology. • Uncertainty modeling of proposed system using robust optimization approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the global imperative for decarbonization gains momentum, the need for action in chemistry laboratories becomes increasingly apparent. This study examines the 2019 carbon footprint of three French chemistry laboratories encompassing energy, purchases, travels, and commutes. The average per capita carbon footprint stands at 5.6 teqCO2 per year, positioning chemistry laboratories slightly above the median calculated across all disciplines. Key contributors are purchases (31–42%) and heating (23–33%), driven by heavy equipment, consumables and fume hoods. Attainable mitigation strategies suggest a 40–50% reduction by 2030. Pivotal efforts involve transitioning heating sources to renewables, extending the equipment lifespan, collaborative resource management, as well as a limitation in the use of planes and combustion engine vehicles. Such changes imply actions at the level of the government, the university, the laboratory and the individual. We suggest fostering a sustainable research environment in chemistry laboratories by rationalizing experimental practices and dedicating time to consider the socio-environmental implications of research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar radiation modification (SRM) is increasingly being discussed as a potential tool to reduce global and regional temperatures to buy time for conventional carbon mitigation measures to take effect. However, most simulations to date assume SRM to be an additive component to the climate change toolbox, without any physical coupling between mitigation and SRM. In this study we analyze one aspect of this coupling: how renewable energy (RE) capacity, and therefore decarbonization rates, may be affected under SRM deployment by modification of photovoltaic (PV) and concentrated solar power (CSP) production potential. Simulated 1 h output from the Earth system model CNRM-ESM2-1 for scenario-based experiments is used for the assessment. The SRM scenario uses stratospheric aerosol injections (SAIs) to approximately lower global mean temperature from the high-emission scenario SSP585 baseline to the moderate-emission scenario SSP245. We find that by the end of the century, most regions experience an increased number of low PV and CSP energy weeks per year under SAI compared to SSP245. Compared to SSP585, while the increase in low energy weeks under SAI is still dominant on a global scale, certain areas may benefit from SAI and see fewer low PV or CSP energy weeks. A substantial part of the decrease in potential with SAI compared to the SSP scenarios is compensated for by optically thinner upper-tropospheric clouds under SAI, which allow more radiation to penetrate towards the surface. The largest relative reductions in PV potential are seen in the Northern and Southern Hemisphere midlatitudes. Our study suggests that using SAI to reduce high-end global warming to moderate global warming could pose increased challenges for meeting energy demand with solar renewable resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]