The development of a multi‐functional solar‐driven interfacial evaporation (SDIE) system remains a significant challenge for its large‐scale applications. By taking advantage of high surface area, ...excellent young's moduli, anchoring/coupling capability, large absorption surface, strong absorption in the broadband solar spectrum, and efficient photothermal conversion efficiencies of 2D emerging materials (Xenes, Mxenes, etc.), hybrid SDIEs are developed to increase the use of solar energy beyond water production. This work aims to offer a systematic review of the recent advancement in 2D emerging materials except for graphene and their significant role in hybrid SDIEs to stimulate both fundamental and applied research on utilizing the underutilized auxiliary energy sources for future integrated water, energy, and environmental systems. For this purpose, first, the most recent progress in 2D photothermal materials is discussed, mainly including emerging Xenes, MXenes, and TMDs‐inspired hybrid SDIEs. Second, structural optimization strategies and modulation of the intrinsic photothermal performances of 2D emerging materials are highlighted. Third, the cutting‐edge conceptual designs developed in many hybrid applications such as thermoelectricity, salt recovery, and hydrogen production are broadly presented. Lastly, the current challenges and perspectives of 2D emerging materials and their hybrid evaporation structures are also mentioned.
Hybrid solar‐driven evaporation systems drive much research enthusiasm due to their potential for solving the global water‐fuel‐energy crisis. This review summarizes the recent progress in terms of emerging 2D material exploration and multifunctional device system design and provides a systemic generalization for various strategies in this field. The potential challenges and future perspectives are also elaborated.
Full text
Available for:
BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
•Required average annual installation of 400 MW of PV and 200 MW of wind power generation capacity.•In district heating systems annual installation of 60 MW of heat pumps and electric heaters, as ...well as 165 MW of solar collectors.•Average of 85 MW of heat pumps, 132 MW of electric heaters and 1250 MW of solar thermal collectors need to be annually installed in individual heating systems.•An average of 82 MW of electrolysers and 600 MWh of hydrogen storage have to be annually installed.•Transition scenario is cheaper in all years except for 2028 and 2029 due to the higher capital investments in the transition scenario for that period.
The energy system in Europe faces significant challenges. Though, the transition to renewable energy is under way, still a significant portion of energy is supplied from fossil fuels, mainly natural gas. In the second half of 2021, the supply of natural gas and consequently the rate of replenishment of the reserves dwindled. The scarcity of natural gas has resulted in record-high energy prices as well as an increase in goods prices. Especially hit are the industry sectors highly dependent on natural gas such as the petrochemical industry.
This research investigates the strategies to mitigate the crisis in the European Union energy system while simultaneously ensuring low energy system cost and fulfilment of energy transition goals. The system analysis and simulations are carried out in the liner optimization model − H2RES.
The results display that the system opts for accelerated fulfilment of energy transition goals. Therefore, the dependency on the stable supply of natural gas is decreased. Also, the total cost of an energy system that undergoes transition as compared to the business as usual scenario is 33 % lower even when accounting for the necessary investments by 2050.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Excessiveness can be actually measured in many ways, but it is always time sensitive, and path dependent. As the Global financial crisis in 2008 has clearly demonstrated, excessive profits by banks ...in the first decade of the century were by far offset with the immense losses coming after, and the Governments were urged to grant subsidies and grants to the very same companies they overtaxed just some years before. The conclusion in this respect is that any judgment of excessiveness depends on the timespan considered. Both the Italian and the European legislator seem to have forgotten this aspect.
Cholestasis and accumulation of cytotoxic molecules (e.g., hydrophobic bile acids) are connected to a wide range of organ injury. Reproductive organs in both males and females could be affected by ...cholestasis. The data collected in the current study represent severe oxidative stress and mitochondrial impairment as fundamental mechanisms of cholestasis-associated reproductive toxicity.
Display omitted
•Cholestasis and accumulation of cytotoxic molecules (e.g., hydrophobic bile acids) affects several organs.•The reproductive system could be affected by several diseases as well as toxic insults.•We found that cholestasis significantly affected the reproductive system in both male and female cholestatic animals.•Oxidative stress and mitochondrial impairment play a primary role in cholestasis-associated reproductive toxicity in males and females.
Cholestasis is a significant decrease in bile flow. The liver is the primary organ affected by cholestasis. Chronic cholestasis could entail to tissue fibrotic changes and liver cirrhosis. Other organs, including heart, kidneys, nervous system, skeletal muscles, as well as the reproductive system, might also be affected during cholestasis. Although the cholestasis-associated pathological and biochemical alterations in organs such as liver have been widely investigated, there is little information about complications such as cholestasis-induced reproductive toxicity. The current study aimed to evaluate the pathologic effects of cholestasis on reproductive organs in both male and female animals. Rats underwent bile duct ligation (BDL) surgery. Markers of reproductive toxicity, including serum hormonal changes, tissue histopathological alterations, biomarkers of oxidative stress, and markers of mitochondrial impairment, were evaluated. Increased serum markers of liver injury and elevated level of cytotoxic molecules such as bile acids and bilirubin were evident in BDL animals. On the other hand, the serum level of hormones such as testosterone was suppressed in BDL rats. Significant histopathological alterations were also evident in the testis and ovary of BDL animals. A significant increase in oxidative stress markers, including ROS formation, lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation, and depleted glutathione and antioxidant reservoirs were also detected in BDL rats. Moreover, mitochondrial depolarization decreased dehydrogenases activity, and depleted ATP content was detected in sperm isolated from the BDL group. These data indicate that cholestasis-associated reproductive toxicity in male and female rats is restrictedly coupled with severe oxidative stress and mitochondrial impairment.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Food policy should serve humanity by advancing the humane goals of eradicating extreme poverty and hunger. However, these goals have recently been challenged by emerging forces including climate ...change, water scarcity, the energy crisis as well as the credit crisis. This paper analyses the overall role of these forces and population growth in redefining global food security. Specifically, global water supply and demand as well as the linkages between water supply and food security are examined. The analysis reveals that the water for food security situation is intricate and might get daunting if no action is taken. Investments are needed today for enhancing future food security; this requires action on several fronts, including tackling climate change, preserving land and conserving water, reducing the energy footprint in food systems, developing and adopting climate resilient varieties, modernising irrigation infrastructure, shoring up domestic food supplies, reforming international food trade, and responding to other global challenges.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
The role of energy transition amidst the energy crisis and how policymakers can drive down emissions while focusing on energy security are critical. Given the geo-political situation, energy crisis ...volatility, energy shortage and climate change all affect the green transition and the short-term priorities for energy companies and policymakers. Energy security is not an isolated issue but has widespread implications as various sectors depend on energy supply to function properly. Governments around the world are faced with this trilemma, how to balance energy security with energy sustainability while also considering energy affordability. Sustainability has been in focus for about a decade. However, energy security is suddenly becoming one of the most important priorities that policymakers need to consider. Unfortunately, the renewable energy infrastructure is not yet ready to replace the growing volume of energy demand from hydrocarbon, which the world has been dependent on. This means, for now, a surge in energy generation through hydrocarbon to meet the existing energy demand deficit. However, it is important not to lose focus on the challenge of energy sustainability and climate change adaption and mitigation. Where trends like carbon capture and storage; solar, wind, hydro, green hydrogen, etc.; renewable energy infrastructure and integrations, with supply chain and engineering services consideration in aspect for the growing market in this space need better attention with regards to investment and full-scale implementation. This paper aims to analyze this 1st energy crisis of green transition with a priori on energy poverty with consideration of major influences and associated impacts. Furthermore, it proposes a specific framework for inclusive investigations, which considers the entire energy ecosystem with consideration of major influences, to enable the policymakers to better drive the green transition. This involves formulating energy policies that are not entirely conservative towards renewable energy sources but instead promote investments in both green and relatively more environmentally benign energy sources compared to high emission hydrocarbons. In this regard, this paper renders exhaustive prospects and recommendations.
•The nexus between energy transition, energy poverty and their impacts are investigated.•Influence of climate change, COVID-19, geo-politics, and energy infrastructure on energy transition.•Exhaustive prospects and recommendations are rendered.•Requirement for inclusive investigations and recognition of energy poverty.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Nepal has been suffering from a serious energy crisis for decades. It has severely affected its economic, social and political developments. Owing to the continuously evolving energy situation in ...Nepal, and the recent progress in renewable energy technologies, this study aims to provide an up to date perspective on the current energy crisis in Nepal. In particular, the current energy production and consumption profiles are reviewed, and the main factors contributing to a widening gap between the energy supply and demand are identified. These factors concern delayed and overpriced hydropower projects, outdated and insufficient energy infrastructure, transmission and distribution losses, energy theft, deficient energy management, lack of energy conservation, low efficiency of equipment, unsustainable energy pricing strategies and unsatisfying energy market regulations. Other essential factors worsening the energy crisis can be attributed to specific geographical and geopolitical problems, the strong dependence on energy imports, and inadequate exploitation of the vast amounts of renewable energy resources. The status of existing and planned large hydropower projects is summarized. The recent policies and investment initiatives of the Nepalese government to support green and sustainable energy are discussed. Furthermore, a long-term outlook on the energy situation in Nepal is outlined using the energy modeling software LEAP in order to show how to exploit the tremendous renewable energy resources in Nepal. Our findings suggest that renewable resources are crucial not only for mitigating the present energy crisis, but also to ultimately provide energy independence for Nepal by establishing reliable and secure sources of energy.
•An up to date view on the current energy situation in Nepal is presented.•Plenty of energy and other relevant data are summarized in tables and figures.•Renewable energy sources are considered for solving the energy crisis in Nepal.•The recent rapid developments in renewable energy technologies are considered.•The relevant energy policies of the Nepalese Government are discussed.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
•This study develops energy security and environmental sustainability index for South Asia.•We select comprehensive, meaningful, and most relevant set of energy and environmental ...indicators.•Mathematical programming approach is adopted for weighting and aggregation of indicators.•Results reveal Bhutan as more energy secure and environmentally sustainable country in South Asia.•Maldives obtained lowest ESESI score.
The concept of energy security has received significant attention in studies. However, most of the studies often ignored to integrate environmental aspect in the energy security assessment. Therefore, to measure the energy security and environmental sustainability of South Asian countries, this study develops a new index, i.e., Energy Security and Environmental Sustainability Index (ESESI), which combines energy and environmental indicators. The study presents an analysis of the period 2006–2017. The results show that Bhutan outperforms the rest of the countries in South Asia based on different indicators. Likewise, the overall ESESI score reveals Bhutan as more secure regarding energy security and environmental sustainability. India comes second in the region with a stable score followed by Sri Lanka, which substantially increased its performance over time. Pakistan is ranked fourth; however, the country experienced a decreasing trend of ESESI score. Nepal, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan follow the list with reduced scores. Maldives obtained the lowest ESESI score during the study period 2006–2017. Lowest ESESI implies that the Maldives is the least energy secure and environmentally sustainable country in the region. Based on the above findings, this paper recommends cross-border energy trade and increase in trans-regional renewable energy investments for long-term energy security and environmental sustainability in the region.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Energy crisis is ready to whack, according to the fact that about 66% of the earth's fuel comes from fossils. Urgency for alternative fuels discovery is increasing, one of which is natural rubber ...latex. This material has potential as an alternative fuel because of its high hydrocarbon content. This study was to determine rubber latex activity as biokerosene. In this study, distillation of fresh natural rubber latex was performed and process produces an average of 0.196 L of distillate per 0.5 kg of latex. The distillate was separated to obtain pure biokerosene. From latex biokerosene analysis, it shows yellow color, strong odor, nonpolar properties, flammability, yellow flame color and black smoke, 0.87399 g/cm3 density, Rf=0.641 (4% methanol as mobile phase) and Rf=0.883 (N-hexane and acetone as mobile phase) of the thin layer chromatography. It can be concluded that latex has the potential as a biokerosene and can be an alternative solution against national energy crisis.
PDF
