Egypt has the potential to generate a significant amount of energy from renewable technologies, in particular solar PV, concentrated solar power (CSP), and onshore and offshore wind. The energy ...sector is reliant on fossil fuels, particularly natural gas, for electricity production and is at risk of locking itself into a high carbon pathway. Globally, reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with national energy sectors is a target outlined in the UN’s Paris Agreement. To reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions associated with a higher dependence on fossil fuels, Egypt must consider upscaling renewable energy technologies (RETs) to achieve a clean energy transition (CET). This research modelled six scenarios using clicSAND for OSeMOSYS to identify the technologies and policy target improvements that are needed to upscale RETs within Egypt’s energy sector. The results showed that solar PV and onshore wind are key technologies to be upscaled to contribute towards Egypt’s CET. The optimal renewable target is the International Renewable Energy Agency’s (IRENA) target of 53% of electricity being sourced from RETs by 2030, which will cost USD 16.4 billion more up to 2035 than Egypt’s current Integrated Sustainable Energy Strategy (ISES) target of 42% by 2035; it also saves 732.0 MtCO2 over the entire modelling period to 2070. Socio-economic barriers to this transition are considered, such as recent discoveries of natural gas reserves combined with a history of energy insecurity, political instability impacting investor confidence, and a lack of international climate funding. The paper concludes with policy recommendations that would enable Egypt to progress towards achieving a CET.
Citizen Science Susanne Hecker, Muki Haklay, Anne Bowser, Zen Makuch, Johannes Vogel, Aletta Bonn / Susanne Hecker, Muki Haklay, Anne Bowser, Zen Makuch, Johannes Vogel, Aletta Bonn
2018, 2019, 2018-10-15
eBook
Odprti dostop
Citizen science, the active participation of the public in scientific research projects, is a rapidly expanding field in open science and open innovation. It provides an integrated model of public ...knowledge production and engagement with science. As a growing worldwide phenomenon, it is invigorated by evolving new technologies that connect people easily and effectively with the scientific community. Catalysed by citizens’ wishes to be actively involved in scientific processes, as a result of recent societal trends, it also offers contributions to the rise in tertiary education. In addition, citizen science provides a valuable tool for citizens to play a more active role in sustainable development. This book identifies and explains the role of citizen science within innovation in science and society, and as a vibrant and productive science-policy interface. The scope of this volume is global, geared towards identifying solutions and lessons to be applied across science, practice and policy. The chapters consider the role of citizen science in the context of the wider agenda of open science and open innovation, and discuss progress towards responsible research and innovation, two of the most critical aspects of science today.
The Ecosystem Services concept has been developed in recent decades through both academic and international institutions. Nowadays, most of the literature agrees that ecosystem services constitute a ...crucial contribution to human well-being. Most studies focus on final ecosystem services which are directly identifiable amongst society’s consumption habits. Ecosystem services generally named “Provisioning Services” seem to be the masterpiece of ecosystem services provided by nature, and their contribution to human well-being is linked to their economic relevance. In most cases this can be easily determined as there are markets already developed to evaluate these services. Nonetheless, final ecosystem services are supported by often-overlooked Intermediate Ecosystem Services, which do not have a structured market and yet hold an economic relevance that could directly affect society. Similarly, cultural ecosystem services are often difficult to economically assess as it is very difficult to put a price on intrinsic values. T hough Regulating and Cultural Ecosystem Services are difficult to value, they are of vital importance to society and must be evaluated when making any assessment locally or regionally. In order to yield a better understanding of the importance of all ecosystem service categories, we propose a spatial-temporal limited study to pinpoint the synergies and trade-offs between Ecosystem services, Biodiversity conservation, and Commodity production in Allpahuayo Mishana National Reserve, and to highlight the possible environmental and economic outcomes according to different management scenario
Abstract The main issue in this century were the increasing greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions after the industrial cycle, and it became international concerns related to climate mitigation challenges. ...Thus, our focus is to discuss a historical view between climate change diagnosis and how carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology may contribute to mitigate climate change challenges. Our methodology is a literature review of technical and economic questions of CCS and the analysis based on geological data. Results show anthropogenic GHG sources’ geological view from chronologic era highlighted how human interaction with the environment climate conditions, and international climate agreements may encourage changes in new legal, institutional, and normative frameworks under jurisdictions and deal with the challenges for implementing CCS technology via soft power. Therefore, we conclude that governments are responsible for arbitrating and establishing the available resources, the interests between the groups, adjusting costs over time to those they will fund.
Resumen El contemporáneo ha sido enfrentar el aumento de gases de efecto Invernadero (GEI) postindustrial, tema de los esfuerzos internacionales para mitigar efectos del clima. Este trabajo objetiva discutir el tema principal desde la perspectiva de los cambios geológicos a largo plazo, y cómo la tecnología de captura y almacenamiento de carbono (CCS) puede contribuir a resolver el desafío climático. La metodología se basa en una revisión literaria de CCS y datos geológicos. El resultado muestra que la actividad humana en materia de GEI ha sido vector para definir el Antropoceno como una era geológica, y ha generado inquietudes políticas y acuerdos climáticos internacionales, que fomentan mejoras legales, institucionales y normativas para enfrentar los desafíos de implementálo CCS. Concluye con la responsabilidad del poder público como agente que arbitra reglas y establece los recursos disponibles, los intereses involucrados y los ajustes de costos en el tiempo a los empleados remunerados
Resumo O principal desafio recente tem sido o problema das emissões de e gases de efeito estufa (GEE) pós-industrialização, e que se tornou objeto de esforços internacionais no intuito de mitigar os efeitos de mudança climática. Esse trabalho visa discutir o tema principal sob ótica das mudanças geológicas de longo prazo, e como a tecnologia de captura e armazenamento de carbono (CCS) pode contribuir para a resolução do desafio climático global. A metodologia baseia-se em revisão literária do CCS e de dados geológicos. O resultado mostra que a atividade humana quanto à GEE tem sido o vetor da definição do Antropoceno como era geológica, e acarretou preocupações políticas e acordos internacionais do clima, que encorajam aperfeiçoamentos legal, institucional e normativo para lidar com desafios da implementação do CCS. Conclui-se pela responsabilidade do poder público como agente que arbitra regras e estabelece recursos disponíveis, interesses envolvidos e ajustes de custo.
Carbon capture and storage update Boot-Handford, Matthew E; Abanades, Juan C; Anthony, Edward J ...
Energy & environmental science,
01/2014, Letnik:
7, Številka:
1
Journal Article
Recenzirano
In recent years, Carbon Capture and Storage (Sequestration) (CCS) has been proposed as a potential method to allow the continued use of fossil-fuelled power stations whilst preventing emissions of CO
...2
from reaching the atmosphere. Gas, coal (and biomass)-fired power stations can respond to changes in demand more readily than many other sources of electricity production, hence the importance of retaining them as an option in the energy mix. Here, we review the leading CO
2
capture technologies, available in the short and long term, and their technological maturity, before discussing CO
2
transport and storage. Current pilot plants and demonstrations are highlighted, as is the importance of optimising the CCS system as a whole. Other topics briefly discussed include the viability of both the capture of CO
2
from the air and CO
2
reutilisation as climate change mitigation strategies. Finally, we discuss the economic and legal aspects of CCS.
A comprehensive discussion of CCS technologies, deployment and prospects across the world.
Citizen science is growing as a field of research with contributions from diverse disciplines, promoting innovation in science, society, and policy. Inter- and transdisciplinary discussions and ...critical analyses are needed to use the current momentum to evaluate, demonstrate, and build on the advances that have been made in the past few years. This paper synthesizes results of discussions at the first international citizen science conference of the European Citizen Science Association (ECSA) in 2016 in Berlin, Germany, and distills major points of the discourse into key recommendations. To enhance innovation in science, citizen science needs to clearly demonstrate its scientific benefit, branch out across disciplines, and foster active networking and new formats of collaboration, including true co-design with participants. For fostering policy advances, it is important to embrace opportunities for policy-relevant monitoring and policy development and to work with science funders to find adequate avenues and evaluation tools to support citizen science. From a society angle it is crucial to engage with societal actors in various formats that suit participants and to evaluate two-way learning outcomes as well as to develop the transformative role of science communication. We hope that these key perspectives will promote citizen science progress at the science-society-policy interface.
The Water Footprint of Data Centers Ristic, Bora; Madani, Kaveh; Makuch, Zen
Sustainability,
08/2015, Letnik:
7, Številka:
8
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
The internet and associated Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) are diffusing at an astounding pace. As data centers (DCs) proliferate to accommodate this rising demand, their ...environmental impacts grow too. While the energy efficiency of DCs has been researched extensively, their water footprint (WF) has so far received little to no attention. This article conducts a preliminary WF accounting for cooling and energy consumption in DCs. The WF of DCs is estimated to be between 1047 and 151,061 m3/TJ. Outbound DC data traffic generates a WF of 1-205 liters per gigabyte (roughly equal to the WF of 1 kg of tomatos at the higher end). It is found that, typically, energy consumption constitues by far the greatest share of DC WF, but the level of uncertainty associated with the WF of different energy sources used by DCs makes a comprehensive assessment of DCs' water use efficiency very challenging. Much better understanding of DC WF is urgently needed if a meaningful evaluation of this rapidly spreading service technology is to be gleaned and response measures are to be put into effect.
In the post-industrial age, the realisation of inherent technical innovation potentials requires that stakeholders develop flexible, cooperation-based frameworks if first mover opportunities and ...advantages are to be realised. In the Paris Agreement5 implementation context, carbon capture and storage technologies have emerged as a complementary adjunct to climate change mitigation and a diversified energy mix. However, developing the technology is not without technical and financial risks. The challenge for key stakeholders, primarily (but not exclusively) government and industry counterparts is to develop mutually reinforcing strategies, regulations and policies for testing and commercialising Carbon Capture and Storage ("CCS") technologies and networks, as that will be determinative of their fate.
In the Paris Agreement implementation period, the UK, for example, has indicated a commitment to bold greenhouse gas reductions (57% by 2030), and investment in CCS, as part of the ambitious emissions reductions targets set forth by the European Union, the deployment of which is meant to count for 20% of the greenhouse gas emissions captured by 2030. This has subsequently resulted in plans for several pilot CCS plants on UK soil. The up-scaling of CCS to the demonstration level, however, is dependent not only on the presence of sufficient interest and funding - an ongoing issue in the UK both pre- and post-Brexit - but also on the existence of appropriate regulatory conditions and options for additional private financing by industrial stakeholders. Furthermore, it is important to note that the up-scaling of projects from pilot to demonstration, and further on to a commercial-scale, is materializing in the context of a global financial crisis and a dip in investment trust in high-risk ventures.
The development of CCS projects in individual states, is not only influenced by national regulatory regimes, policy developments, and fluctuations in financial markets, but is also dependent upon the legislative signals given from supra-national bodies and binding international agreements. In Europe, the CCS Directive's approach to long term environmental and related financial risk has led to the current state of regulatory and financial uncertainty, thereby, giving rise to potentially uninsurable liabilities which dis-incentivise private sector investment in CCS technology. This is in contrast with legislation in competing states including the United States, Norway, Canada and Australia.
There is every indication that the paramount issue standing in the way of CCS is uncertainty over regulated financial security requirements for site operators and the nature and attribution of liability arising from leakage. This uncertainty could be addressed by a combination of insurance for storage sites and a robust permitting process, which would minimize the likelihood of leakage to virtually zero. There are, therefore, excellent reasons for national and international law and policymakers to seriously consider a more careful and tailored legislative and policy mix, so that regulatory oversight is in balance with innovative financial, insurance and liability mechanisms. In addition to exploring this subject matter, the article offers a number of recommendations for flexible, stakeholder partner-based advancement of CCS technology potentials in climate change and related environmental regulation.
As things stand, there is currently no available commercial insurance for long-term liability of CCS projects. This makes investors shy away from such initiatives, even if the risk of the venture is ...assessed to be relatively small. A policy review was carried out to assess the risks involved in the CCS industry which identified uncertainties with regards to the risks associated with CCS that make policy making and insuring CCS projects very difficult. This paper presents a coherent understanding of the chain of events that could lead to major failures in a CCS project. This research project has looked into the potential risks involved in CO2 storage and the ways in which their criticality and importance as well as their probability and likelihood can potentially be calculated using Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) methods.
Resumo O principal desafio recente tem sido o problema das emissões de e gases de efeito estufa (GEE) pós-industrialização, e que se tornou objeto de esforços internacionais no intuito de mitigar os ...efeitos de mudança climática. Esse trabalho visa discutir o tema principal sob ótica das mudanças geológicas de longo prazo, e como a tecnologia de captura e armazenamento de carbono (CCS) pode contribuir para a resolução do desafio climático global. A metodologia baseia-se em revisão literária do CCS e de dados geológicos. O resultado mostra que a atividade humana quanto à GEE tem sido o vetor da definição do Antropoceno como era geológica, e acarretou preocupações políticas e acordos internacionais do clima, que encorajam aperfeiçoamentos legal, institucional e normativo para lidar com desafios da implementação do CCS. Conclui-se pela responsabilidade do poder público como agente que arbitra regras e estabelece recursos disponíveis, interesses envolvidos e ajustes de custo.
Resumen El contemporáneo ha sido enfrentar el aumento de gases de efecto Invernadero (GEI) postindustrial, tema de los esfuerzos internacionales para mitigar efectos del clima. Este trabajo objetiva discutir el tema principal desde la perspectiva de los cambios geológicos a largo plazo, y cómo la tecnología de captura y almacenamiento de carbono (CCS) puede contribuir a resolver el desafío climático. La metodología se basa en una revisión literaria de CCS y datos geológicos. El resultado muestra que la actividad humana en materia de GEI ha sido vector para definir el Antropoceno como una era geológica, y ha generado inquietudes políticas y acuerdos climáticos internacionales, que fomentan mejoras legales, institucionales y normativas para enfrentar los desafíos de implementálo CCS. Concluye con la responsabilidad del poder público como agente que arbitra reglas y establece los recursos disponibles, los intereses involucrados y los ajustes de costos en el tiempo a los empleados remunerados
Abstract The main issue in this century were the increasing greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions after the industrial cycle, and it became international concerns related to climate mitigation challenges. Thus, our focus is to discuss a historical view between climate change diagnosis and how carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology may contribute to mitigate climate change challenges. Our methodology is a literature review of technical and economic questions of CCS and the analysis based on geological data. Results show anthropogenic GHG sources’ geological view from chronologic era highlighted how human interaction with the environment climate conditions, and international climate agreements may encourage changes in new legal, institutional, and normative frameworks under jurisdictions and deal with the challenges for implementing CCS technology via soft power. Therefore, we conclude that governments are responsible for arbitrating and establishing the available resources, the interests between the groups, adjusting costs over time to those they will fund.
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