Deliberations on the just transition in South Africa have intensified and will continue to do so for the next few years and decades. Climate change, widening socio-economic inequality, the precarious ...future of work and emergent approaches to financing arrangements have brought new urgency to the issues. It therefore remains critical to interrogate how South Africa can ensure a just transition to a low carbon economy.
This book underlines the fact that the low carbon transition in South Africa has to grapple with complex historical, social, economic, cultural and political factors. The main message is that the transition to a low-carbon society is possible, but it can only succeed if it is just and handled collaboratively. In addition, the book aims to broaden the discourse on low carbon transition and explore the opportunities in and impediments to making the transition fair, affordable and socio-economically viable.
Deliberations on the just transition in South Africa have intensified and will continue to do so for the next few years and decades. Climate change, widening socio-economic inequality, the precarious future of work and emergent approaches to financing arrangements have brought new urgency to the issues. It therefore remains critical to interrogate how South Africa can ensure a just transition to a low carbon economy.
This book underlines the fact that the low carbon transition in South Africa has to grapple with complex historical, social, economic, cultural and political factors. The main message is that the transition to a low-carbon society is possible, but it can only succeed if it is just and handled collaboratively. In addition, the book aims to broaden the discourse on low carbon transition and explore the opportunities in and impediments to making the transition fair, affordable and socio-economically viable.
As the push for diversification of energy sources continues, this book provides a toolbox of techniques to enhance top-line as well as bottom-line results by successfully managing capital projects ...and operations & maintenance trade-offs across the value chain. Built on the foundations laid in Jacoby's previous books Optimal Supply Chain Management in Oil, Gas, and Power Generation and Guide to Supply Chain Management, it offers ground-breaking new ways to tap the power of supply chain management in conventional and emerging energy industries - from the small to the large project, and from solar to nuclear and everything in between. The organization of the book makes it a handy reference resource. It starts with a conceptual framework for value chain and supply chain management in the energy sector, laying out objectives, key business processes, and performance metrics that provide useful guideposts. It offers principles that should guide investments in the energy industry and explains how to organize the supply chain to maximize their results.
Wind energy is one of the supremely renewable energy sources and has been widely established worldwide. Due to strong seasonal variations in the wind resource, accurate predictions of wind resource ...assessment and appropriate wind speed distribution models (for any location) are the significant facets for planning and commissioning wind farms. In this work, the wind characteristics and wind potential assessment of onshore, offshore, and nearshore locations of India—particularly Kayathar in Tamilnadu, the Gulf of Khambhat, and Jafrabad in Gujarat—are statistically analyzed with wind distribution methods. Further, the resource assessments are carried out using Weibull, Rayleigh, gamma, Nakagami, generalized extreme value (GEV), lognormal, inverse Gaussian, Rician, Birnbaum–Sandras, and Bimodal–Weibull distribution methods. Additionally, the advent of artificial intelligence and soft computing techniques with the moth flame optimization (MFO) method leads to superior results in solving complex problems and parameter estimations. The data analytics are carried out in the MATLAB platform, with in-house coding developed for MFO parameters estimated through optimization and other wind distribution parameters using the maximum likelihood method. The observed outcomes show that the MFO method performed well on parameter estimation. Correspondingly, wind power generation was shown to peak at the South West Monsoon periods from June to September, with mean wind speeds ranging from 9 to 12 m/s. Furthermore, the wind speed distribution method of mixed Weibull, Nakagami, and Rician methods performed well in calculating potential assessments for the targeted locations. Likewise, the Gulf of Khambhat (offshore) area has steady wind speeds ranging from 7 to 10 m/s with less turbulence intensity and the highest wind power density of 431 watts/m2. The proposed optimization method proves its potential for accurate assessment of Indian wind conditions in selected locations.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
The utilization of CO2 via electrochemical reduction constitutes a promising approach toward production of value-added chemicals or fuels using intermittent renewable energy sources. For this ...purpose, molecular electrocatalysts are frequently studied and the recent progress both in tuning of the catalytic properties and in mechanistic understanding is truly remarkable. While in earlier years research efforts were focused on complexes with rare metal centers such as Re, Ru, and Pd, the focus has recently shifted toward earth-abundant transition metals such as Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni. By application of appropriate ligands, these metals have been rendered more than competitive for CO2 reduction compared to the heavier homologues. In addition, the important roles of the second and outer coordination spheres in the catalytic processes have become apparent, and metal–ligand cooperativity has recently become a well-established tool for further tuning of the catalytic behavior. Surprising advances have also been made with very simple organocatalysts, although the mechanisms behind their reactivity are not yet entirely understood. Herein, the developments of the last three decades in electrocatalytic CO2 reduction with homogeneous catalysts are reviewed. A discussion of the underlying mechanistic principles is included along with a treatment of the experimental and computational techniques for mechanistic studies and catalyst benchmarking. Important catalyst families are discussed in detail with regard to mechanistic aspects, and recent advances in the field are highlighted.
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•Use of solar energy source in ground source heat pump applications.•Comparison of solar thermal collectors and photovoltaic hybrid panels.•Effects of climate on thermal and energy behaviour of the ...SAGSHP system.•The use of PVT panels increases the global COP of the system.•The multi-source energy system increases RES exploitation.
The use of multi-source energy systems is a promising technical solution for the reduction of greenhouse gases emissions and, at the meantime, for enhancing the exploitation of renewable energy sources.
The present paper analyses a Solar Assisted Ground Source Heat Pump system and tries to fill the gap in the literature, where a direct comparison between the consolidated solar thermal technology and the emerging and widely discussed photovoltaic thermal technology is missing. Indeed, the two different devices for the exploitation of solar energy have been analysed through dynamic simulations carried out in TRNSYS environment. Through this approach, it is possible to investigate and predict in detail the thermal and electrical behaviour of the energy system, composed by a water-to-water heat pump, which withdraws from two thermal reservoirs that are connected to a solar loop, composed either of solar thermal collectors or of photovoltaic thermal panels and to a ground loop.
The heat pump is used to provide space cooling and space heating to a residential building, through fan coil terminal units or radiant floor system. Furthermore, the heat pump system assists the solar field in the production of domestic hot water.
This study looks at the development of a flexible system able to work in different operating conditions. The model’s boundary conditions can be changed for simulating a variety of case studies as the weather condition, the building load and the domestic hot water profile can be easily changed, together with specific components’ parameters. The control strategy makes it possible to vary the setpoint temperatures for simulating different operating conditions and management choices. In this way, the user can easily adapt the model functions to a specific plant system.
The operating conditions of the two systems layouts have been compared and the energy performances evaluated for three case studies characterised by the weather conditions of the European cities of Berlin (mild-cold climate), Venice (mild climate) and Barcelona (mild-warm climate), and the corresponding thermal load profile of a two-storey building with a useful floor area of 170 m2.
The study shows the possibility to directly exploit the solar energy for the domestic hot water production and as a heat source for the heat pump. The results from the comparison between the two systems’ configurations, with photovoltaic thermal panels and with solar thermal collectors, prove that there is the possibility to obtain a relevant improvement in the efficiency of the heat pump using photovoltaic thermal panels. The investigated multi-source energy system, moreover, allows an optimal employment of the available renewable heat sources and could easily be applied to case studies characterized by different boundary conditions.
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Abstract
The detection of TeV gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) brought new opportunities for studying the physics of particle acceleration at relativistic shocks. The High Energy Stereoscopic System ...(H.E.S.S.) telescopes recently observed very-high-energy (VHE) emission from a nearby low-luminosity GRB, GRB 190829A. Follow-up observations with, e.g., Swift-XRT, revealed unusual flare activities at ∼10
3
s, which can be caused by a long-lasting central engine. We show that the VHE emission during the H.E.S.S. observation time is naturally produced in the external inverse-Compton (EIC) scenario, where seed photons supplied by the flares or other late-time dissipations are upscattered to VHE energies by the nonthermal electrons accelerated at the external forward shock. Our calculations show that the EIC flare nearly coincides with the late-prompt flare, but extends ∼3–4 times longer than the duration of the late-prompt flare. The preferred kinetic energy and initial Lorentz factor used in our model are ∼10
52
erg and ∼20, respectively. Understanding the mechanisms of the VHE emission from low-luminosity GRBs will help us constrain the properties of the outflow and the central engine activities, as well as the particle acceleration mechanism.
The use of high frequency power converters to enhance power density and energy efficiency has become widely used in grid-connected hybrid DC microgrids. This paper presents a new modularized high ...frequency DC-link integration methodology that connects multisource renewable energy sources involving battery energy storage system (BESS) to the AC-grid. A grid-tie-inverter with a line inductor is introduced to control the active-reactive power flow. To minimize the converter physical size with improved system efficiency, a high frequency-based front-end multisource bridgeless boost (MBB) architecture is proposed here. A direct-mount decoupling snubber capacitor and a soft switching are used to reduce the switching losses resulting from the high-frequency operation. The performance of the proposed system is investigated. A direct digital approach is used to design the system controller in MATLAB/Simulink R2022a environment. To validate the system performance, a 10 kW multi-source grid-connected experimental setup with dSPACE-1104 controller is constructed, tested, and compared with other conventional topologies. The test results verify the proposed topology effectiveness for hybrid grid-connected renewable energy resources integration.
The transition from non-renewable energy sources to renewable energy sources is considered a key solution for global warming and a sustainable environment. The eco-innovation is regarding as one of ...the important sources of this transition, however, the rate of adaptation of renewable energy remains uncomfortably low. The ambiguity still exists whether eco-innovation increases or decreases energy consumptions in both aggregate and disaggregate level. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effect of eco-innovation along with human capital, and trade openness on energy consumption at the aggregate (total) and disaggregate levels (renewable and non-renewable). For the above-mentioned objective, this study selects OECD countries' datasets between 1990 and 2017. The empirical investigation carries out using econometric techniques such as augmented mean group (AMG) and cross-section autoregressive distributed lag (CS-ARDL). The outcomes confirm that eco-innovation, human capital, and energy price play positive roles in increasing the consumption of renewable energy in the OECD region. In contrast, economic growth and trade openness still promote non-renewable energy consumption in this region. It is suggested that eco-innovation and high- skilled human capital growth be promoted to enhance the ratio of renewable energy consumption. This study further indicates that a sustainable environment could promote green growth through clean energy production and consumption.
•The role of eco-innovation, at the aggregate and disaggregate levels are explored.•Cross-Sectional Auto-Regressive Distributed Lags model is utilized.•Eco-innovation, human capital, and energy prices encourage renewable energy.•Economic growth and trade openness promote non-renewable energy.
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Agricultural non-point source pollution is threatening water environmental health of the Three Gorges reservoir. However, current studies for precision management of the agricultural non-point source ...pollution within this area are still limited. The objective of this study was identifying the critical areas and primary sources of agricultural non-point source pollution for precision management. Firstly, the inventory analysis approach was used to estimate the discharge amount of total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and chemical oxygen demand (COD) from farmland fertilizer, crop residues, livestock breeding, and daily activities. Afterwards, the deviation standardization method was applied to evaluate the emission intensity of TN, TP, and COD, as well as calculating the comprehensive pollution index (CPI) of each village, based on which the critical areas for agricultural non-point source pollution management could be distinguished. Moreover, the equivalence pollution load method was conducted to identify the primary pollution sources within each critical zone. The above methods were implemented to an emigrant town within the Three Gorges reservoir area named Gufu. Results showed that agricultural non-point source pollution in Gufu town has been alleviated to a certain extent since 2016. Nevertheless, in four areas of the town (i.e., Longzhu, Fuzi, Shendu, and Maicang), the agricultural non-point source pollution still deserved attention and improvement. For the mentioned critical areas, farmland fertilizer and livestock breeding were the primary sources causing agricultural non-point source pollution. The emission amount of TN and TP from farmland fertilizer accounted for 60% and 48% of the total, respectively. And those from livestock breeding were 29% and 46%. Our research could provide definite targets to relieve agricultural non-point source pollution, which had great significance to protect water environment while coordinating regional economic growth after emigrant resettlement.
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CEKLJ, EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
The penetration of renewable energy sources is expected to rapidly increase from 15% to 50% in 2050 due to their vital contribution to the global energy requirements, sustainability and quality of ...life in economical, environmental and health aspects. This huge rise highlights the necessity of development of energy storage systems, especially for intermittency renewable energies such as solar photovoltaic and wind turbine, in order to balance the energy network. In this study, renewable energy options including pumped hydro, pressurized air, flywheels, Li ion batteries, hydrogen and super-capacitors are compared based on a specific set of criteria. The criteria considered are energy/power density, ease of integration with the existing energy network, cost effectiveness, durability, efficiency and safety. Our study showed that storing renewable energy sources in the form of hydrogen through the electrolysis process is ranked as the most promising option considering the mentioned criteria. It brings about several benefits suggesting that hydrogen and fuel cells are promising contributors towards a more sustainable future, both in energy demand and environmental sustainability.
•Energy storage technologies provide the balance in modern energy networks.•Storing renewable energy in the form of hydrogen via the electrolysis process is concluded to be the most promising option.•Hydrogen energy provides high energy density, low capital cost and easy integration with the existing energy network.•Hydrogen and fuel cell contribute to a more sustainable future.
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