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Renewable energy sources (RES) are the key element of sustainable energy systems. To accommodate the intermittency of wind (and solar) electricity generation, energy storage is critical. The aim of the study was to evaluate the potential of wind energy storage in the existing hydropower plant reservoirs in Latvia with the pumped hydroelectric energy storage (PHES) technology, considering the current and projected future wind energy capacities. An algorithm was developed and used for data aggregation and analysis, calculations, and forecasting. The three River Daugava hydroelectric power plants are the largest electricity producers in Latvia, and their generation capacity depends on seasonal variations. Currently, Latvia's electricity generation from RES is the highest during the spring season when maximum hydropower potential is utilized. However, wind energy has a potential to grow and could supplement hydropower throughout the year. Decreasing the existing administrative procedure heaviness to faster achieve the climate neutrality targets and energy autonomy by increasing RES development in Latvia is a way to create sustainable energy production. A rational future scenario in Latvia is to expand wind parks and integrate pumped hydroelectric energy storage systems in the existing cascade hydropower plants.

Peatlands can become valuable resources and greenhouse gas sinks through the use of different management practices. Peatlands provide carbon sequestration; however, they are also among the greatest greenhouse gas emissions sources. The estimated annual carbon dioxide equivalent emissions from peat worldwide are 220 million tons. Novel strategies, methods, and technologies must be developed to enhance the sustainable use of peatlands and achieve climate targets by 2050, as set forth by the European Commission. There is no consensus in the scientific literature on which strategies included in the policy documents are more fruitful for reducing emissions. There are uncertainties and knowledge gaps in the literature that summarise the cons and benefits of each strategy regarding the potential of GHG emission reduction. Currently, peat is undervalued as a resource in the bioeconomy and innovation—a way that could save costs in peatland management. This review paper aims to analyse existing and potential strategies to minimise greenhouse gas emissions from peatlands. Studies show significant debates in the literature on whether the rewetting of peatlands and afforestation of previously drained peatlands can be defined as restoration. A more effective management of peatland restoration should involve combining restoration methods. The rewetting of peatlands should be realised in combination with top-soil removal to minimise methane emissions. The rewetting of peatlands should be used only in combination with revegetation after rewetting. One of the promising solutions for methane emission reduction could be paludiculture using sphagnum species. Products from paludiculture biomass can reduce GHG emissions and store long-term emissions in products. Paludiculture can also be the solution for further income for landowners and innovative products using the biomass of harvested paludiculture plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]