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Research methodology This compact case study was developed from secondary sources readily available in the public domain. These included company websites, videos, social media and news articles. Case overview/synopsis Hallmark had a strong history of supporting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. During the 2019 holiday season, Hallmark Channel was suddenly caught in the middle of a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) ad controversy that attracted media attention. Critics of the ad claimed it went too far and was “inappropriate” to air. LGBTQ advocacy groups quickly rebuked that argument. Ultimately, the media frenzy was short-lived and Hallmark Channel continued to dominate the holiday programming landscape. This case evaluates the marketing aspects of the dilemma including customer segmentation, targeting and positioning (STP) strategy issues. Culture and industry analysis is also provided as a way for the reader to understand the complexity associated with marketing strategy. One underlying question is what role does STP play in understanding how to develop marketing strategies that build customer loyalty and help organizations compete in the marketplace? Complexity academic level This case should be used in marketing and management classes at the undergraduate level. Applicable concepts include segmentation, targeting, positioning, advertising, brand strategy and DEI issues. This case could also be taught in a DEI course or a segmentation special topics class that discusses the differences between customer groups.

Balancing electricity demand and supply remains a significant challenge for the power systems in developing countries, such as Nigeria. In Nigeria, there is a shortage of adequate power supply, and demand-side management (DSM) plays a minor role in the power balancing mechanism with load shedding being widely used. The paper aims to review and compare various existing and emerging DSM strategies in developing countries. An extensive and systematic review was conducted to evaluate potential solutions using DSM to increase the overall energy efficiency in the Nigerian electricity market. This study found that, although the technical and economic potentials of DSM vary in developed countries, the uptakes of DSM have been severely hampered hence preventing the full exploitation and utilisation of the full potential of DSM. The initiatives of a DSM model in Nigeria and other developing countries can play a significant role in addressing demand and supply challenges but an upgrade of the energy infrastructures, a reform of the market structure and the provision of financial incentives are required to allow for wide implementations of DSM strategies in developing countries.

Private investments are critical enablers to achieving energy access for over 770 million people worldwide. Despite decreasing capital costs, investments in renewable energy (RE) projects in developing countries are low due to unattractive risk-return profiles. Through understanding key risks drivers and their interactions, actionable insights can be drawn to mitigate investment risks, making energy more accessible. This paper reviews RE risks and methods used for risk assessment and mitigation for developed and developing countries with a focus on Sub-Saharan Africa countries (SSA). The review finds that while risk analysis and evaluation mainly employed semi-quantitative multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) and system dynamics (SD) methods for developing countries, qualitative methods were used to identify mitigations. The methods assessed technical and economic risks at a minimum, while MCDA and SD methods can assess social, political, and policy risks. The efficacies of mitigations were tested using SD and quantitative methods such as agent-based modelling and Monte Carlo simulation. The paper further introduces a ‘holistic multi-dimensional investor risk management framework’ which can be used to identify actions to improve investment risks in a structured manner. The framework addresses four fundamental limitations observed in the existing literature, recognising that RE risks are complex and involve multidisciplinary perspectives having interactions and feedbacks with other risks, actors, and their actions. This review provides a valuable reference to investors, policymakers, and researchers, providing a catalogue of risks, methods deployed in literature, including a framework to identify impactful actions to improve risk levels.

This paper investigates from a structural reliability assessment (SRA) perspective the fatigue reliability using the S-N curve approach compared with the fracture mechanics (FM) approach for a typical welded offshore wind turbine (OWT) jacket support structure. A non-intrusive formulation was developed for an OWT jacket support structure in 50 m deep water, consisting of a sequence of steps. First, stochastic parametric 3D (three-dimensional) Finite Element Analysis (FEA) simulations are performed, taking into account stochastic variables such as wind loads, wave loads and soil properties using facilities within the software package ANSYS. Secondly, the FEA results are post-processed using an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) response surface modelling technique deriving the performance functions expressed in terms of stochastic variables. Finally, the First Order Reliability Method (FORM) is applied in calculating the reliability index values of components. The developed framework was applied to elucidate the fatigue damage process, including the small to long crack transition amongst other stages, for structural steels used for OWT jacket applications. The FM formulation investigated includes a crack growth formulation based on the bilinear crack growth law, considering both segments of the crack growth law as non-correlated and correlated in calculating the reliability index (RI). Sensitivity analysis results showed a strong dependence of the structure's reliability levels on the uncertainties of the crack growth law constants measured in terms of coefficient of variation (COV). Also investigated, was the reliability of the structure reassessed and updated in the presence of assumed structural health monitoring/ condition monitoring (SHM/CM) data. The results from the case study revealed that fracture reliability is highly sensitive to the initial crack size. It is recommended to apply the S-N curve method at the design stage while the FM approach applied towards the end of the design life as the structure approaches failure.

Since buildings account for more than one-third of final energy use, it is important to integrate renewable energy sources for new housing developments to reduce demand for grid energy and carbon emissions. This research investigates the potential of solar PV, energy storage, and electric vehicles in new housing developments and their associated grid impacts by taking the UK’s Cambridge, Milton Keynes, Oxford arc as a case study. Using published data on electrical loads for different types of dwellings, energy demands for new housing developments with and without renewable and low carbon technologies are analysed using techno-economic modelling frameworks. Technical analysis includes sizing and optimisation of PV and storage while economic analysis covers cost-benefit analyses, by considering a range of existing and future tariffs and subsidy schemes including Standard, Economy 7 (cheaper electricity for 7 h at night), Feed-in tariff, and the Smart Export Guarantee. Results show that installing PV panels and storage systems not only reduces the dwellings’ grid energy demand by 31% in January but also helps the dwellings to become net exporters of green electricity to the grid in July and hence saves a substantial amount of money by taking advantage of Feed-in and Economy 7 tariffs.

The structural integrity of offshore wind turbine (OWT) support structures is affected by one of the most severe damage mechanisms known as pitting corrosion‐fatigue. In this study, the structural reliability of such structures subjected to pitting corrosion‐fatigue is assessed using a damage tolerance modelling approach. A probabilistic model that ascertains the reliability of the structure is presented, incorporating the randomness in cyclic load and corrosive environment as well as uncertainties in shape factor, pit size and aspect ratio. A non‐intrusive formulation is proposed consisting of a sequence of steps. First, a stochastic parametric Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is performed using SMART© crack growth and Design Xplorer© facilities within the software package ANSYS. Secondly, the results obtained from the FEA are processed using an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) response surface modelling technique. Finally, the First Order Reliability Method (FORM) is used to calculate the reliability indices of components. The results reveal that for the inherent stochastic conditions, the structure becomes unsafe after the 18th year, before the attainment of the design life of 20 years. The FEA results are in very good agreement with results obtained from analysis steps outlined in design standard BS 7910 and other references designated as ‘theoretical analysis methods’ in this study. The results predict, for the case study, that the pit growth life is approximately 56% of the total pitting corrosion fatigue life. Sensitivity analysis results show that the aspect ratio of pits at critical size plays a significant role on the reliability of the structure.

In this study, membrane crystallization is compared to conventional gas-liquid crystallization for the precipitation of ammonium bicarbonate, to demonstrate the distinction in kinetic trajectory and illustrate the inherent advantage of phase separation introduced by the membrane to crystallization in gas-liquid systems. Through complete mixing of gas and liquid phases in conventional crystallization, high particle numbers were confirmed at low levels of supersaturation. This was best described by secondary nucleation effects in analogy to mixed suspension mixed product removal (MSMPR) crystallization, for which a decline in population density was observed with an increase in crystal size. In contrast, for membrane crystallization, fewer nuclei were produced at an equivalent level of supersaturation. This supported the growth of fewer, larger crystals which is preferred to simplify product recovery and limit occlusions. While continued crystal growth was identified with the membrane, this was accompanied by an increase in nucleation rate, which would indicate the segregation of heterogeneous primary nucleation from crystal growth, and was confirmed by experimental derivation of the interfacial energy for ammonium bicarbonate (?, 6.6 mJ m), which is in agreement with that estimated for inorganic salts. The distinction in kinetic trajectory can be ascribed to the unique phase separation provided by the membrane which promotes a counter diffusional chemical reaction to develop, introducing a region of concentration adjacent to the membrane. The membrane also lowers the activation energy required to initiate nucleation in an unseeded solution. In conventional crystallization, the high nucleation rate was due to the higher probability for collision, and the gas stripping of ammonia (around 40% loss) through direct contact between phases which lowered pH and increased bicarbonate availability for the earlier onset of nucleation. It is this high nucleation rate which has restricted the implementation of gas-liquid crystallization in direct contact packed columns for carbon capture and storage. Importantly, this study evidences the significance of the membrane in governing crystallization for gas-liquid chemical reactions through providing controlled phase separation.

A growing literature highlights the presence of spatial differences in solar photovoltaic (PV) adoption patterns. Central to forward planning is an understanding of what affects PV growth, yet insights into the determinants of PV adoption in the literature are limited. What factors do drive the adoption at local level? Are the effects of these factors geographically uniform or are there nuances? What is the nature of these nuances? Existing studies so far use aggregate macro datasets with limited ability to capture the role of peer effects. This paper considers some established variables but also broadens the base of variables to try to identify new indicators relating to PV adoption. Specifically, it analyses domestic PV adoption in the UK at local level using data on the number of charities as a proxy to capture the opportunities to initiate social interactions and peer effects. A geographically weighted regression model that considers the spatially varying relationship between PV adoption and socio-economic explanatory variables reveals significantly more variability than the global regression. Our results show that charities and self-employment positively influence PV uptake while other socio-economic variables such as population density has bidirectional impacts.

The feasibility of gas-liquid hollow fibre membrane contactors for the chemical absorption of carbon dioxide (CO2) into ammonia (NH3), coupled with the crystallisation of ammonium bicarbonate has been demonstrated. In this study, the mechanism of chemically facilitated heterogeneous membrane crystallisation is described, and the solution chemistry required to initiate nucleation elucidated. Induction time for nucleation was dependent on the rate of CO2 absorption, as this governed solution bicarbonate concentration. However, for low NH3 solution concentrations, a reduction in pH was observed with progressive CO2 absorption which shifted equilibria toward ammonium and carbonic acid, inhibiting both absorption and nucleation. An excess of free NH3 buffered pH suitably to balance equilibria to the onset of supersaturation, which ensured sufficient bicarbonate availability to initiate nucleation. Following induction at a supersaturation level of 1.7 (3.3 M NH3), an increase in crystal population density and crystal size was observed at progressive levels of supersaturation which contradicts the trend ordinarily observed for homogeneous nucleation in classical crystallisation technology, and demonstrates the role of the membrane as a physical substrate for heterogeneous nucleation during chemically reactive crystallisation. Both nucleation rate and crystal growth rate increased with increasing levels of supersaturation. This can be ascribed to the relatively low chemical driving force imposed by the shift in equilibrium toward ammonium which suppressed solution reactivity, together with the role of the membrane in promoting counter-current diffusion of CO2 and NH3 into the concentration boundary layer developed at the membrane wall, which permitted replenishment of reactants at the site of nucleation, and is a unique facet specific to this method of membrane facilitated crystallisation. Free ammonia concentration was shown to govern nucleation rate where a limiting NH3 concentration was identified above which crystallisation induced membrane scaling was observed. Provided the chemically reactive membrane crystallisation reactor was operated below this threshold, a consistent (size and number) and reproducible crystallised reaction product was collected downstream of the membrane, which evidenced that sustained membrane operation should be achievable with minimum reactive maintenance intervention.

During a period of transition towards decarbonised energy networks, maintaining a reliable and secure energy supply whilst increasing efficiency and reducing cost will be key aims for all energy supply chain (ESC) networks. Renewable energy sources, such as biomass, will play an important role in future ESCs as climate change mitigation becomes an increasingly important priority. This paper seeks to address these requirements by presenting an optimisation model for the design and planning of biomass integration into the ESC networks. A supply chain model was derived and the governing equations were solved using the General Algebraic Modelling System software (GAMS) to achieve an optimal solution. The results of the study indicate that a reduction in the emissions cost of up to 4.32% is achievable on integration of 5–8% of biomass into the ESC network. However, a 4.57% increase in the total cost of the ESC network was recorded at the biomass fraction in the mixed fuel of 7.9%, with the fixed assets cost having the largest impact on the total cost of the ESC network. It has been shown that the cost increment in the assets and operational costs of a biomass and coal co-fired combined heat and power plant can be offset by the cost reductions obtained from reduced carbon dioxide emissions. Economic arguments for dual-fuel plants, therefore, require the introduction of effective carbon pricing legislation. It is concluded that such policy implementations can be effective at mitigating the effects of climate change and would assist in achieving a global carbon neutral economy.

Discussion Elmond L. Claridge, Pearland, Texas I am a retired researcher in the enhanced-oil-recovery field (recognized by SPE as a pioneer in that field) and was Director of the Master's Degree Program in Petroleum Engineering at the University of Houston during the 1980s. I was stimulated by the Guest Editorial in your February 2007 issue by Peter M. Jackson of Cambridge Energy Research Associates (CERA) to write you concerning both issues that he addressed and those he did not address that are related to the general subject of peak oil. In Jackson's article, he points out, as has been long known, that King Hubbert's curves for discovery and production of petroleum were based on inadequate data. It was apparent, with the discovery of the Prudhoe Bay resources plus research on methods of additional oil recovery, that his assumptions about the total initial oil in place and the fraction of this oil that could be recovered were too low. Instead of a peak in production in about 1970 as Hubbert predicted, Jackson now predicts that the peak can occur no sooner than 2030, and may well be later. Hubbert's database was too small, but the prediction of eventual exhaustion of the world's supply of produced crude oil, as he was first to point out, is still correct. In my Introduction to Petroleum Engineering classes at the University of Houston, I had students calculate a date of the catastrophic exhaustion of petroleum production, using as base data an estimate of 6 trillion bbl of initial oil in place, of which 35% (2.1 trillion) could be recovered by primary and secondary production, plus the known world population and its exponential growth rate, and the historical rate of growth of oil products consumption per person. They calculated exhaustion dates in the 2040s. Of course, as I pointed out to the students, exhaustion would not occur catastrophically; the consumption of petroleum would decrease gradually. First would come a decrease in consumption as fuel, followed by long-term use only as a source for chemicals (plastic articles including clothing, medicines, fertilizers, etc.). I see that Jackson's estimate of total possible production is 4.8 trillion bbl yet to be produced, plus 1.1 trillion already produced, for a total of 5.9 trillion, compared to the 2.1 trillion I used in the class exercise. But this approximately three-fold increase in future-plus-past-production (based on better data than I had available in the 1980s) has in recent years been accompanied by a probable large increase in the per-person consumption rate due to the recent rapid industrialization of China and India with their very large populations. If new estimates of an increase in the growth rate of population and of an increase in consumption per person were included in a new calculation of the catastrophic exhaustion date, it would be very interesting to see how much further in the future this date would be than my students' calculated value.

Abstract Hydrocarbon discoveries in frontier regions distant from shore and/or deepwaterare in the main marginal oil reserves lacking sufficient lease gas to satisfylocal power demand. System designs for offshore (subsea) power delivery havenot changed much over the past 50 years; gas and diesel are still the fuels ofchoice for power generation. Given today's volatile commodity market and theuncertainty surrounding climate change regulations developing thesegas-constrained reserves will require a more critical look at powerprovisioning options. In general, these marginal reserves may support a 2–4 well project. And thebusiness economics dictate that the project's power demand is best served bylocal power generation as opposed to costly long-distance power transmissionfrom onshore. In select regions of the world, the operator can look to renewables technology- wind, wave, current and ocean thermal energy conversion- for power generationwith no carbon footprint. This paper focuses in on a wave energy technologysolution for energizing a marginal oil field off the coast of West Africa. Itwill address the present status of the technology, recent technologicaladvances and future trends for this wave energy technology solution. The outcome of this exercise indicates that in certain applications, waveenergy appears to be a cost-effective solution. A subsea asset without pumpinglargely has a peak end-load demand, so the intermittency of a renewable powerresource is tolerable. Where a pumping base load needs to be satisfied, theremay be a need for energy storage technology.