Energy Availability Research Articles

Deliberative mini-publics as learning schools for democracy? Examining deliberation impact on dissatisfied and radical participants of a citizens’ assembly in Poland

ABSTRACT In a global context of democratic challenges such as dissatisfaction and social polarization, research on Western European democracies suggests that deliberative democracy instruments like deliberative mini-publics (DMPs) may provide a solution with their positive impact on participants’ attitudes towards politics and democracy. Despite the proliferation of citizens’ assemblies, especially locally, little is known about DMPs in newer democracies in Central and Eastern Europe, and it is uncertain whether the findings about the virtues of deliberation would hold. This study assesses the impact of a mini-public in Poland, focusing on the Citizens’ Assembly on Energy Poverty, the country's first national-level deliberative initiative. Poland has faced heightened political dissatisfaction due to eight years of right-wing populist governance and the rise of radical ideologies, raising questions about deliberation's impact on dissatisfied and radical participants. Our results confirm the positive impact of deliberation on participants, improving their percepetion of knowledge, political interest, efficacy, and support for mini-publics. However, we find no significant differences of deliberation between dissatisfied, radical participants, and other groups highlighting the universal benefits of deliberation. These inconclusive findings may be due to a common recruitment bias in DMPs, specifically enrolling politically engaged citizens, thus limiting the potential for a learning curve.

The effect of energy poverty on gender inequality in Southern Asian countries

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between gender inequality and energy poverty in Southeast Asian countries from 2000 to 2020. The study aims to assess the long-term impact of gender inequality on energy poverty by considering factors such as per capita gross domestic production (GDP), population growth and gross capital formation. By analyzing these variables, the research seeks to shed light on the disproportionate burden women face in energy-poor regions and to provide insights into how addressing energy poverty can promote gender equality and sustainable development in the region. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a dynamic generalized method of moments (GMM) model to analyze the long-term cointegration between gender inequality and energy poverty in Southeast Asian countries. The data, sourced from World Data Indicators, spans from 2000 to 2020, including variables such as GDP, population growth and gross capital formation. Proxy measures for energy poverty and gender inequality were developed using access to electricity, clean cooking technologies and female employment statistics. Stationarity tests and cointegration analyses were conducted to ensure the validity of the results, confirming the relationships among the variables for the region studied. Findings The study finds a significant positive relationship between gender inequality and energy poverty in Southeast Asian countries. Higher levels of gender inequality are associated with increased energy poverty, with women disproportionately affected due to reliance on traditional cooking methods. The dynamic GMM model confirms this long-term cointegration, showing that economic growth initially increases energy poverty but reduces it as nations invest in sustainable energy. Population growth has a negative association with energy poverty, suggesting that development and infrastructure improvements mitigate its effects. These findings highlight the need for gender-sensitive energy policies in the region. Originality/value This study offers a novel contribution by empirically examining the long-term relationship between gender inequality and energy poverty in Southeast Asian countries, an underexplored area in existing literature. Using a dynamic GMM approach, it highlights the disproportionate burden women face due to energy poverty, particularly through traditional cooking methods. The research provides valuable insights into how addressing energy poverty can promote gender equality, offering practical policy recommendations for sustainable development. Its findings serve as a foundation for policymakers to craft gender-sensitive energy interventions that enhance both social equity and economic growth in developing regions.

Housing conditions and COVID-19 in Barcelona: do they change by gender?

Evidence has linked poor housing conditions to negative health outcomes. However, in urban contexts characterized by social vulnerability and population-level inequalities, the gender perspective is often overlooked, despite evidence showing that housing conditions impact men and women differently in terms of health. This study aimed to describe the association between housing conditions and the prevalence of COVID-19 among men and women in Barcelona, Spain. An observational cross-sectional study was conducted using the 2021 Barcelona Health Survey. The study population consisted of non-institutionalized residents over 14 years of age in Barcelona. The survey was administered to a sample of 3,545 participants during the COVID-19 pandemic, between February 2021 and February 2022. Crude and adjusted prevalence ratios of COVID-19 (aPR), along with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), were estimated using multivariate Poisson regression models with robust variance. The analysis was stratified by gender. A significant gradient was observed across age groups for both men and women, with higher COVID-19 prevalence in younger categories. The prevalence was notably higher among individuals born in low-income countries, particularly for women (aPR 1.62). We also identified a significant association between housing conditions, vulnerability factors, and COVID-19 prevalence in both men and women. Living with four or more cohabitants was associated with higher prevalence (aPR 1.96 for women and 1.89 for men), as was the presence of dampness in the home (aPR 1.34 for women and 1.27 for men). Additionally, energy poverty was significantly associated with higher COVID-19 prevalence in women (aPR 1.36), but not in men. This study highlights the association between housing conditions and COVID-19 in Barcelona, with a pronounced impact on young people, women from low-income countries, and women experiencing energy poverty.

Indirect impact of public expenditures and inflation on energy poverty: empirical evidence from 32 developing countries

ABSTRACT Energy poverty (EP) is an important barrier to environmental sustainability, and many studies have addressed its causes and linkages with various macroeconomic variables. However, there has been insufficient analysis of the indirect effects of public expenditures and inflation on EP, particularly through income. This study analyses the effects of public expenditures and inflation on EP for 32 developing countries using Panel GMM and 3SLS methods. The findings indicate that public expenditures are an important public policy instrument in combating EP. Conversely, the study reveals that inflation negatively affects energy poverty. Moreover, the study concludes that there is a U-shaped relationship between inflation and income inequality and that a decline in inflation over time will positively affect EP through income inequality.

From semi-starvation to the stage: a case report on indicators of low energy availability in a drug-free bodybuilder during contest preparation and peak week

Natural bodybuilding competitions involve periods of low energy availability (EA) combined with resistance training and high-protein diets to achieve extreme leanness. This study tracked a drug-free bodybuilder adopting evidence-based nutrition practices during 18 weeks of contest preparation. We measured endocrine function, resting energy expenditure, respiratory exchange ratio, body composition, resting heart rate, oral temperature, mood, and strength performance. Endocrine function was remeasured after 2 days of energy repletion. From baseline to week 18, free triiodothyronine (T3) and total testosterone (TT) fell into clinically low (2.7 pmol/L−1) and sub-clinically low (9.1 nmol/L−1) ranges. Resting energy expenditure decreased by −519 kcal (REEratio 0.78), and respiratory exchange ratio decreased from 0.95 to 0.85. Body mass reduced by −5.1 kg, with a sum of eight skinfold loss of −15.7 mm. Correlations were observed between body mass and decreases in oral temperature (r = 0.674, p = 0.002) and resting heart rate (r = 0.560, p = 0.016). Mood remained stable until the final 2 weeks and relative one-repetition maximum decreased in the squat (−5.4%), bench (−2.6%), and deadlift (−3.6%). Following 2 days of modest energy repletion, free T3 increased (18.5%), returning to sub-clinically low values (3.2 pmol/L−1), whereas TT fell (−20.9%), reaching clinically low values (7.2 nmol/L−1). These results offer insight into the dynamics of T3 and TT following a short-term period of modest energy repletion and further information on indicators of low EA during chronic energy restriction.

“Addressing energy poverty in BRICS economies: insights from panel data analysis and policy implications for sustainable development goals”

“Addressing energy poverty in BRICS economies: insights from panel data analysis and policy implications for sustainable development goals”

The whole-body and skeletal muscle metabolic response to 14 days of highly controlled low energy availability in endurance-trained females.

This study investigated the effects of 14 days low energy availability (LEA) versus optimal energy availability (OEA) in endurance-trained females on substrate utilization, insulin sensitivity, and skeletal muscle mitochondrial oxidative capacity; and the impact of metabolic changes on exercise performance. Twelve endurance-trained females (V̇O2max 55.2 ± 5.1 mL × min-1 × kg-1) completed two 14-day randomized, blinded, cross-over, controlled dietary interventions: (1) OEA (51.9 ± 2.0 kcal × kg fat-free mass (FFM)-1 × day-1) and (2) LEA (22.3 ± 1.5 kcal × kg FFM-1 × day-1), followed by 3 days OEA. Participants maintained their exercise training volume during both interventions (approx. 8 h × week-1 at 79% heart rate max). Skeletal muscle mitochondrial respiratory capacity, glycogen, and maximal activity of CS, HAD, and PFK were unaltered with LEA. 20-min time trial endurance performance was impaired by 7.8% (Δ -16.8 W, 95% CI: -23.3 to -10.4, p < .001) which persisted following 3 days refueling post-LEA (p < .001). Fat utilization was increased post-LEA as evidenced by: (1) 99.4% (p < .001) increase in resting plasma free fatty acids (FFA); (2) 270% (p = .007) larger reduction in FFA in response to acute exercise; and (3) 28.2% (p = .015) increase in resting fat oxidation which persisted during submaximal exercise (p < .001). These responses were reversed with 3 days refueling. Daily glucose control (via CGM), HOMA-IR, HOMA-β, were unaffected by LEA. Skeletal muscle O2 utilization and carbohydrate availability were not limiting factors for aerobic exercise capacity and performance; therefore, whether LEA per se affects aspects of training quality/recovery requires investigation.

Retraction: Pollution halo impact in context of productive capacities, energy poverty, urbanization, and institutional quality.

Retraction: Pollution halo impact in context of productive capacities, energy poverty, urbanization, and institutional quality.

Transient transition from Stable to Dissipative Assemblies in Response to the Spatiotemporal Availability of a Chemical Fuel

AbstractThe transition from inactive to active matter implies a transition from thermodynamically stable to energy‐dissipating structures. Here, we show how the spatiotemporal availability of a chemical fuel causes a thermodynamically stable self‐assembled structure to transiently pass to an energy‐dissipating state. The system relies on the local injection of a weak affinity phosphodiester substrate into an agarose hydrogel containing surfactant‐based structures templated by ATP. Injection of substrate leads to the inclusion of additional surfactant molecules in the assemblies leading to the formation of catalytic hotspots for substrate conversion. After the local disappearance of the substrate as a result of chemical conversion and diffusion the assemblies spontaneously return to the stable state, which can be reactivated upon the injection of a new batch of fuel. The study illustrates how a dissipating self‐assembled system can cope with the intermittent availability of chemical energy without compromising long‐term structural stability.

Boston Marathon athlete performance outcomes and intra-event medical encounter risk associated with low energy availability indicators

ObjectiveTo determine the association between survey-based self-reported problematic low energy availability indicators (LEA-I) and race performance and intra-event medical encounters during the Boston Marathon.Methods1030 runners who were registered for the...

How grid reinforcement costs differ by the income of electric vehicle users

The simultaneous charging of many electric vehicles in future mobility scenarios may lead to peaks and overloads threatening grid stability. The necessary infrastructure investments vary by the number and model type of vehicles driven and the residents’ charging preferences. These attributes significantly depend on socio-economic factors such as income. Using power flow simulations based on real-life driving profiles, we predict massive cost asymmetries with an investment demand up to 33-fold in higher-income compared to lower-income neighborhoods. Many grid operators may redistribute these costs through an across-the-board electricity price increase for all households. In times of rising electricity prices, these unwanted inequitable costing allocations could lead to severe challenges and energy poverty. Policymakers should consider countermeasures like dynamic electricity pricing schemes, income-based electric vehicle subsidies, or improved charging network access to ensure energy equity in future mobility scenarios. Our analysis of the impact of socio-economic factors on electric vehicle grid infrastructure and their quantification contributes to the energy equity discussion.

Fish sensor network: WSN application for fishermen

The scarcity of marine life caused by shallow waters and pollution has pushed fishermen to venture up to 10 km offshore, where clearer waters offer richer fish resources, but at much higher fuel costs. This situation has caused increased unemployment, so many fishermen have changed professions. This is exacerbated by seasonal variations and resource limitations. This research introduces a fish sensor network (FSN), which is designed to equip floating fish houses (FADs) with network-connected fish sensors. The proposed network allows fishermen to find locations with high fish populations, thereby reducing fuel costs and increasing fishing efficiency. This article presents preliminary findings, identifies potential challenges including natural factors such as wind, waves, currents, corrosion, and radio propagation, as well as man-made obstacles such as traffic density and physical measurements at the research site in Belawan, Indonesia. Additionally, this paper briefly discusses the energy availability that poses further challenges.

The pathway to sustainable development: The roles of financial development, technological innovation, and educational development in energy poverty alleviation

AbstractThis paper investigates the dynamics of energy poverty by evaluating the roles played by financial development, technological innovation, and educational development, among other factors. It seeks to identify pathways for sustainable development in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) countries. Based on recent panel data from 2000 to 2020, this research classified the sample into various income groups for a comparative analysis. A multidimensional comprehensive index of energy poverty was then formulated through principal component analysis (PCA). This study assesses the relationships between variables using a novel panel quantile autoregressive distributed lag (QARDL), ordinary least squares (OLS), panel unit root tests, Kao cointegration tests, and Wald tests. The results of the Kao tests confirm the presence of cointegration among the variables across all income groups and the overall sample. The panel QARDL approach indicates a significant and negative long‐term relationship between financial development and energy poverty across all income groups other than the low‐income countries. Similarly, technological innovation has a negative long‐term association with energy poverty for most groups, with the exception being the upper‐to‐middle‐income countries. Furthermore, educational development negatively influences energy poverty in the long term for all groups other than lower‐middle‐income countries. The findings for the overall sample suggest that financial and educational development are negatively connected with energy poverty in both the long and short term, while technological innovation only has a negative connection in the short term. In addition, the Wald test results revealed time‐varying integration and parameter stability in both the long and short terms.

The power of digitalization: A study of the effect of the digital economy on household energy poverty

Severe energy poverty is one of the major challenges hindering the achievement of sustainable development in developing countries, while the current rapid advances in the digital economy offer new ways to alleviate energy poverty, the household-level effects of which urgently need to be supported by more empirical research. Using Chinese household-level panel data from 2010 to 2020, we identify the causal effects of the digital economy on household energy poverty by employing the "Broadband China" pilot policy and applying the difference-in-differences (DID) method. Research shows that the digital economy can significantly mitigate household energy poverty, especially among low earning and low educational inputs households. Improving energy accessibility through increased Internet use and promoting energy affordability through increased employment and income are the main channels through which the digital economy can exert an energy poverty reduction effect. Moreover, welfare analyses indicate that the power of digitalization not only reduces household energy poverty, but also further enhances the residents' welfare and improves local carbon reduction welfare performance. This study will provide new ideas from the viewpoint of digital economy development to improve household energy poverty governance in developing countries.

Assessing Energy Availability and Glucose Dynamics in Adolescent Cyclists: Implications for Nutritional Interventions During the Competitive Season

Background: The risk of developing a state of low energy availability (LEA) (&lt;30 kcals/kg free-fat mass) in endurance athletes is known and recommendations for nutrition are available. However, information on male adolescent cyclists and the influence of hot temperatures is limited. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact on energy availability of two 4-day nutritional intervention strategies: (1) supplementary carbohydrate (CHO) intake during exercise and (2) designing and implementing individual nutritional interventions. Methods: Each intervention was preceded by a 4-day basal assessment. Eight competitive male junior road cyclists (aged 16–17 years) were investigated using a 4-day diet and activity records, alongside bioelectric impedance analysis. Their real-time power output, interstitial glucose, and temperature were recorded via sensors and a bike computer. Their energy intake (EI) was estimated from daily, self-reported food diaries. Results: Overall, 100% and 71% of the cyclists were in a state of LEA during the baseline assessment of the supplementary CHO and nutritional interventions, respectively. LEA prevalence, not modified by supplementary CHO intake alone (from 100% to 87%, ns), was markedly reduced by the individual nutritional intervention (from 71% to 14%, p &lt; 0.05). When considering all the data as a whole, LEA was positively influenced by the training load (OR 1.06; 95% Cl 1.03 to 1.09) and free-fat mass (OR 1.46; 1.04 to 2.04) and was negatively affected by EI (OR 0.994; 0.991 to 0.997). A hot environment (air temperature) failed to influence the LEA or glucose dynamics. Conclusions: the nutritional intervention, but not the supplementary CHO intake, markedly reduced the prevalence of LEA in adolescents, who often fail to match their energy expenditure with their energy intake during the competitive season. Nutritional education is essential for adolescent endurance cycling teams.

Digital Gig Work Under Unstable Energy Infrastructures: Invisible Workarounds and Alternative Imaginaries

Digital upskilling and remote work are frequently presented as pathways for displaced communities who face political, economic crises and employment barriers. The viability and stability of available energy infrastructures for these communities is critical to the long-term success of these proposed job trajectories. In this paper, we investigate how 17 Syrian refugees living in Lebanon navigate their local unstable energy infrastructures to conduct digital gig work and receive digital training. We found that digital gig work and training are workarounds to the political and social inaccessibility of local labor markets for refugees and that participants rely on a series of material energy strategies to optimize their electricity access. We argue that to support refugees conducting digital gig work and training, we must recognize and account for ecological, social, and technological limitations and frailties in the development of technological solutions and draw our attention to how infrastructures are perpetually undergoing processes of breakdown, repair, and renewal. We argue that this attention to ongoing transformation and renewal creates new opportunities for productive and creative reconfiguration as well as modes through which CSCW may intervene in unstable energy contexts. From this perspective, we emphasize the importance of better resourcing displaced communities with information regarding energy access and supporting them in establishing and strengthening their own visions for alternative energy systems and employment pathways.

The political economy of gender mainstreaming in energy access in Sierra Leone

Abstract In 2017, the Economic Community of West African States launched its Policy for Gender Mainstreaming in Energy Access with each member state tasked to create a National Action Plan (NAP). This study explores the case of Sierra Leone, to understand how stakeholders have influenced the NAP process, and what that might mean for implementation. Using the Actor-Objective-Context framework with interview data from key gender and energy actors. We find elements that make Sierra Leone’s NAP unique; such as addressing systematic barriers, explicitly promoting solar energy and heavily relying on civil society. The study finds that a policy focus on gender reflects both a push from international donor organisations and the national efforts of civil society. Sierra Leone’s NAP reflects the tension between the high priority of gender politics at the national and international level and more immediate interest from the Ministry of Energy and government actors on economic development. It affirms the uneasy co-existence of the liberal and liberating view of women in international development with some evidence that the liberal view prevails. Still, despite the government focus on economic development, poor engagement with the private sector and cultural barriers are likely to hamper the inclusion of women into the energy industry.

Energy Poverty and Poor Buildings: A Brief Literature Review to Promote New Topics for Future Studies

The topic of energy poverty is a vast and complex one warranting extensive research. During the XX century, numerous research articles, books, and documents were published with the aim of defining energy poverty, measuring it, and proposing solutions to tackle it. The phenomenon of energy poverty can be studied using a variety of research methods, including the usual economic and econometric analyses, as well as energy policy. Research can also be conducted on the measurement of energy poverty and its social and health impact on disadvantaged communities. This can be explored in depth within specific subject areas, such as engineering, energy, environmental science, and social science. This brief review of literature focuses on energy poverty and poor buildings, thermal comfort, and the phenomenon of cooling poverty. The aim of this brief literature review is to show to a young researcher a previous framework and, through some keywords, that it is useful to drive future research using keywords.

Multi-scenario flexibility requirement analysis of high proportion of new energy access to power system

Abstract To address climate change, the proportion of renewable energy integration into the grid system is gradually increasing, leading to higher demands for flexibility. Current research typically employs methods such as dynamic system modeling, the construction of flexibility indicators, and scenario analysis to measure the flexibility requirements of the power system across different time scales. The use of frequency decomposition algorithms to explore flexibility requirements from the perspective of net load curves is relatively rare. This study utilizes net load data from the Western Inner Mongolia Power Grid to explore the distribution patterns of net load across different time scales under various seasonal and penetration scenarios using frequency decomposition algorithms. The results reveal that renewable energy output exhibits significant fluctuations and distinct diurnal variations, while net load also shows notable patterns and considerable volatility and seasonality. The analysis of flexibility requirements on typical seasonal days highlights the differences in demand distribution at various frequencies, with long-time-scale components primarily reflecting the overall trend of net load, while the medium-to-long time scale components characterize smaller, more frequent fluctuations. Additionally, the uncertainty associated with wind and solar output significantly affects the diurnal fluctuations of net load, with seasonal changes mainly represented in short-time-scale components. The study also emphasizes the impact of different penetration levels on flexibility requirements, indicating that as penetration decreases, the midnight requirement peak diminishes, suggesting differences in flexibility requirements based on renewable energy integration levels. Furthermore, the paper proposes corresponding solution technologies for “generation–grid–load–storage” across different time scales of flexibility requirements, ensuring the stable operation of the grid amidst climate change and rising electricity demand.

Patterns of household electricity consumption in Norway as a function of psychological factors, socio-economic constellations and access to electric appliances

To explore the complexity of household living conditions and their relation to electricity consumption, the socio-technical constellations they create for themselves and the perceived ease of saving electricity, we conducted a clustering analysis to categorise Norwegian participants in an electricity-saving programme based on environmental concerns, personal norms and socio-economic parameters. We also explored if the household clusters differed in perceived risk of energy poverty. A sample of 1,135 Norwegians participated in the study in 2023. A two-step cluster analysis resulted in five distinct clusters which we named: (1) older couples with moderate environmental concern; (2) eco-ease in midlife; (3) middle-aged females in medium-sized households; (4) growing families with moderate concerns; and (5) moderate advocates with adolescents. Analysis of variance indicated significant variations in mean scores of environmental concerns, access to energy appliances and perceived behavioural control implement energy-saving tips across clusters (p&lt;0.01), but no difference in perceived risk of energy poverty. The results show that changes in the living situation, especially children moving out, seems to have strong effects on per capita electricity consumption, if the housing infrastructure is not adapted to the new family size. Lower environmental concern particularly impacts electricity consumption negatively in the time after children leave the household, and the same can be concluded for gender roles with females being more motivated to save electricity. Based on these results we recommend to more actively support these transitions of living situations, but also support existing sustainable energy use practices or connect electricity saving to other motivations (like supply security) for clusters where environmental concern is low.