Achieve Climate Goals Research Articles

Comparative Performance of Sentinel-2 and Landsat-9 Data for Raw Materials’ Exploration Onshore and in Coastal Areas

The demand for Critical Raw Materials (CRM) is increasing due to the need to decarbonize economies and transition to a sustainable low-carbon future achieving climate goals. To address this, the European Union is investing in the discovery of new mineral deposits within its territory. The S34I project (Secure and Sustainable Supply of Raw Materials for EU Industry) is developing Earth observation (EO) methods to support this goal. This study compares the performance of two satellites, Sentinel-2 and Landsat-9, for mineral exploration in two geologically distinct areas in northern Spain. The first area, Ria de Vigo, contains marine placer deposits of heavy minerals, while the second, Aramo, hosts Co-Ni epithermal deposits. These sites provide exceptional case studies to improve EO-based methods for CRM exploration onshore and coastal regions, focusing on deposits often overlooked in remote sensing studies. Standard remote sensing methods such as RGB combinations, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and band ratios were adapted and compared for both satellites. The results showed similar performance in the Ria de Vigo area, but Sentinel-2 performed better in Aramo, identifying a higher number of zones of mineral alterations. The study highlights the advantages of Sentinel-2’s higher spatial resolution, especially for mapping smaller or more scattered mineral deposits. These findings suggest that Sentinel-2 could play a larger role in mineral exploration. This research provides valuable insights into using EO data for diverse CRM deposits.

Enhancing Infrastructure Competitiveness in Alignment With COP-29 Climate Goals

Climate change has put more pressure on infrastructure development worldwide, especially in terms of meeting various international commitments such as those dictated by COP-29. In this context, aligning infrastructure projects with climate goals without compromising competitiveness, or in other words, enhancing competitiveness, has become one of the most important challenges for all governments and industries worldwide. It formulates the inclusion of climate resilience and sustainability in infrastructure development while addressing competitiveness based on the COP-29 goals. The main point of the analysis is to identify and analyze the different ways in which infrastructure becomes climate resilient and at the same time contributes to economic growth, maintaining a competitive advantage in the global market. It uses a mixed-methods approach, combining case studies of successful infrastructure projects with a review of the supporting policy framework and technological innovations to support climate-aligned competitiveness. The results of this study show that, in addition to achieving climate goals, infrastructure projects with integrated sustainability practices deliver long- term economic benefits such as cost savings, improved public health, and increased investor confidence. The implication of these findings is that integrating climate considerations at all levels of infrastructure planning and implementation is essential for competitiveness in a world that is rapidly changing both economically and environmentally. It is therefore an essential requirement for environmental sustainability, as well as a strategic opportunity to enhance competitiveness. The article argues that policymakers and industry leaders, in collaboration with other stakeholders, must ensure that infrastructure projects contribute to both climate resilience and economic prosperity through a well-coordinated mechanism.

Provincial Climate Action Index and Its Use for Assessing Dual Carbon Policy of 31 Provinces in China

ABSTRACTDual carbon goals ushered in a new era of Chinaʼs climate policies. Provinces play a crucial role in translating climate goals into specific, detailed, and implementable policies, and they are key to Chinese commitments to carbon neutrality. We examine dual carbon policies at the provincial level to better understand the new landscape of local mitigation efforts in China. This research develops a Provincial Climate Action Index based on five policy categories: communication and knowledge sharing, planning guidance, mandatory regulations, funding, and governmental resources. We calculate the index scores of 31 Chinese provinces and identify 3 clusters: leaders, followers, and laggards in dual carbon policy, demonstrating both differences and similarities in provincial‐level actions to achieve climate goals. Provinces such as Shanghai, Beijing, and Anhui are pioneering, nearly half of provinces including Shandong and Shanxi, exhibit medium commitments to the goals, while 10 underperforming provinces such as Qinghai and Xizang lag behind.

Improve carbon dioxide emission prediction in the Asia and Oceania (OECD): nature-inspired optimisation algorithms versus conventional machine learning

This paper investigates the application of three nature-inspired optimisation algorithms – SHO, MFO, and GOA – combined with four machine learning methods – Gaussian Processes, Linear Regression, MLP, and Random Forest – to enhance carbon dioxide emission prediction in the OECD – Asia and Oceania region. The study uses historical carbon dioxide emissions data, socioeconomic indicators such as GDP, population density, energy consumption, and urbanisation rates, and environmental indicators such as temperature, precipitation, and forest cover. Through comprehensive experimentation, the study evaluates the performance of each combination, revealing varying effectiveness levels. The MFO-MLP combination achieved the highest accuracy with R2 values of 0.9996 and 0.9995 and RMSE values of 11.7065 and 12.8890 for the training and testing datasets, respectively. The GOA-MLP configuration achieved R2 values of 0.9994 and 0.99934 and RMSE values of 15.01306 and 14.59333. The SHO-MLP combination, while effective, showed lower performance with R2 values of 0.9915 and 0.9946 and RMSE values of 55.4516 and 41.575. The findings suggest hybrid techniques can significantly enhance prediction accuracy compared to conventional methods. This research provides valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders, indicating that optimised machine learning models can support more informed and effective environmental policy-making and sustainability efforts in the OECD – Asia and Oceania region. Future research should explore additional optimisation algorithms and ensemble techniques to improve prediction robustness and accuracy. These findings offer a robust tool for policymakers to forecast emissions more accurately, aiding in developing targeted strategies to reduce carbon footprints and achieve climate goals.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Kenya’s National Green Finance Strategy in Achieving Sustainable Economy and Climate Goals.

Kenya acknowledges the imperative of integrating green finance into its financial systems to combat climate change and promote environmental sustainability. Despite its commitment to a comprehensive green finance strategy, there remains a significant gap in understanding its actual impact. This study assesses Kenya’s National Green Finance Strategy, focusing on its effectiveness in achieving climate goals by mobilizing green investments and influencing financial institutions to adopt sustainable practices. The primary variables studied include the alignment of financial policy and institutions with green finance principles and the mobilization of green investments. Grounded in Stakeholder Theory and the Theory of Sustainable Finance, the study employs a mixed-methods approach, integrating policy analysis, stakeholder interviews, and case studies. Initial findings highlight progress in fostering green finance while exposing deficiencies in regulatory frameworks, financial inclusion, and public awareness. Although the strategy has partially mobilized green investments, financial institutions have not fully embraced green finance principles. Regression analysis demonstrated high explanatory power (R² = 0.9992, Adjusted R² = 0.9962, F-statistic = 330.8, p = 0.04121), confirming the significant role of financial and institutional resources in mobilizing green investments. Granger causality tests revealed potential temporal dependencies between investment inflows and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, showing significant self-causality within GHG emissions data. However, GDP and renewable energy share showed no significant effects. The study concludes that addressing gaps in regulatory frameworks, enhancing financial inclusion, and raising public awareness are critical. Implementing these recommendations could fortify Kenya’s green finance mechanisms, contribute significantly to global climate goals, and provide a model for other developing nations striving to align their financial systems with sustainability principles. By tackling these challenges, Kenya can unlock its full potential in mobilizing green investments, fostering institutional change, and driving the transition to a low-carbon economy. The study further establishes that the development of stakeholder engagement frameworks is necessary, actively engaging local governments, the community, and private investors in the design and delivery of green finance projects and ensuring participatory processes underpin the projects, a precept of Stakeholder Theory.

The Role of Ecological Space Structure Optimization in Synergetic Sustainable Development: Evidence from the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area

Improving carbon sink capacity is critical for meeting energy conservation and emission reduction targets, along with low-carbon development goals. Although many researchers have recognized that urban space can significantly influence the capacity of carbon sinks in urban areas, few studies have quantified the impact of urban landscape patterns, particularly urban green space (UGS) morphology, on carbon sinks. This study quantitatively investigated the impact of UGS morphology on carbon sinks using panel data from nine cities in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), China, from 2000 to 2017. A series of landscape metrics and land-use data was first selected to quantify the four dimensions of UGS: scale, compactness, type diversity, and shape complexity. Subsequently, the impact of UGS morphology on carbon sinks was estimated using a panel data model. The main findings were as follows. (1) From the carbon sink results, the carbon sink in the GBA was found to be in an evolutionarily stable state, reflecting the relatively limited potential for carbon enhancement in the region. (2) From the landscape metrics results, the AREA_MD was mainly distributed between 0.18 and 0.27. The AI was mainly distributed between 80 and 97, with a concentration at 90. The PAFRAC was mainly distributed between 1.39 and 1.43, with a concentration at 1.41. PR was mainly distributed between 6 and 7. There was a large disparity in the scale of UGS morphology between GBA cities, with an irregular and complex pattern that became more compact over time. (3) From the panel data results, the AI (p < 0.001) had a significant positive impact on carbon sinks, while PR (p < 0.001) had a significant negative impact. The more compact the UGS morphology, the greater the total carbon sink, and the more complex the UGS morphology, the smaller the total carbon sink. The findings highlighted the importance of urban planning and UGS morphological optimization for increasing carbon sink capacity, as well as providing policy makers and urban planners with theoretical references and guidance for achieving climate goals.

Evaluating China–Brazil bilateral engagements in climate change and energy: a true sustainability partnership or green appropriation?*,**

In recent years, China has emerged as a crucial trading partner for Latin America, particularly Brazil. Both countries are major greenhouse gas emitters striving to achieve climate goals and a net-zero future. In 2023, Brazil and China’s new Joint Statement on combating climate change reaffirmed their commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation in climate actions and sustainability. However, China has significant influence over agricultural practices and deforestation in the pan-Amazon region because of being a substantial importer of Brazilian beef and soybeans. Meanwhile, during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), Brazil’s State-owned oil company, Petrobras, entered into agreements with Chinese firms to accelerate its energy transition while paradoxically continuing significant investments in the oil sector. Dispute cases also reveal that, despite the outward appearance of harmonious bilateral cooperation between the two countries, local communities and indigenous peoples who rely on the Amazon Forest experience environmental degradation, habitat destruction, displacement and human rights violations. In light of the apparent contradictions mentioned earlier, this article aims to assess whether China and Brazil have genuinely established a sustainable partnership or if there is evidence of a phenomenon often referred to as ‘green grabbing’. By comparing their efforts with an ­advanced modern bilateral agreement in this field, the Singapore–Australia Green Economy Agreement, this article aims to create a conceptual framework that captures the key elements for sustainability and peacebuilding within the context of their bilateral engagement.

Investigating direct air capture of carbon dioxide using alkali dosed biochar-based adsorbent

Abstract As a response to the urgent need for global climate change mitigation, negative emissions technologies have gained widespread recognition as essential tools for achieving climate goals. Among these technologies, direct air capture (DAC) and biochar are considered promising methods for carbon capture, contributing to the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere. Biochar stands out as an environmentally friendly and cost-effective adsorbent for DAC. While both DAC and biochar technologies have undergone extensive research, limited attention has been given to the potential of using alkali-dosed biochar as a sorbent for DAC, with most validation conducted at laboratory level. This study focuses on the DAC of CO2 using a KOH-dosed biochar-based adsorbent and introduces a mobile prototype designed to accommodate a portable biochar filter. Our research explores the viability of this innovative approach for carbon capture, offering a possible solution for sectors with limited financial resources and the public.

REVIEW OF GREEN HYDROGEN TRANSFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR INCREASING BIOMETHANE PRODUCTION AT EXISTING PLANTS IN UKRAINE AND EUROPE

Objective: The objective of this review is to analyze the technologies for transforming green hydrogen to enhance biomethane production at existing plants in Ukraine and Europe, and to assess their potential in the context of achieving climate neutrality and energy independence. Tasks: Evaluate the European Union's strategies for achieving climate neutrality with an emphasis on the use of green hydrogen. Examine the technologies for integrating green hydrogen into biomethane production at operational biogas plants. Analyze the prospects and challenges of implementing such technologies in Ukraine and Europe. Research Methods: To achieve the objectives, methods of review analysis, comparison of existing technologies, and assessment of their economic and environmental effectiveness were used. Information was gathered from scientific publications, official reports of the European Union, as well as data on the current state and prospects of the biogas and biomethane market. Results: The article analyzes EU strategies aimed at achieving climate neutrality by 2050 through the active use of green hydrogen. Green hydrogen, produced from renewable energy sources, is a key component in the decarbonization of energy systems. Integrating green hydrogen into biomethane production allows for significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and enhances energy independence. European plants are already successfully employing water electrolysis and methane synthesis technologies to convert CO₂ into biomethane. These technologies provide additional opportunities for energy storage and reduction of CO₂ emissions. Technologies such as hydrogenotrophic CO₂ reduction have shown high potential in biomethane production using green hydrogen. In Ukraine, the development of biomethane and hydrogen infrastructure is also outlined in the "Memorandum of Understanding" with the EU. These investments are expected to contribute to the country's energy independence and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. However, achieving this potential requires overcoming regulatory barriers and securing appropriate investments. Thus, integrating green hydrogen into biomethane production is an important step towards clean energy and sustainable development both in Ukraine and in Europe. Further research and investment in this field will contribute to achieving climate goals and enhancing energy security.

Buildings in Hot Climate Zones—Quantification of Energy and CO2 Reduction Potential for Different Architecture and Building Services Measures

Reducing energy and associated greenhouse gas emissions in buildings is one of the key aspects of climate change on a global level. To put the building sector on a low carbon development path, policies and adequate financing play a crucial role in each region. In the global South, policies and regulations related to the decarbonization of the building stock are increasingly being implemented. For policy and decision makers, adequate data on the status quo of the building stock, as well as the quantification of energy reduction measures, are essential to make informed decisions on the building regulatory and funding framework. The objective of this study is to provide data-driven insights into the potential for energy and CO2 reduction in buildings across various hot climate zones in the Global South. A simulation-based approach was employed to model five different building types, ranging from residential homes to office buildings, under a variety of architectural and building services scenarios. The simulations were conducted using the dynamic building energy simulation tool EnergyPlus, which assessed the impact of various energy-saving measures under both current and projected future climate conditions. This study concludes that optimizing passive design features, such as improved windows, solar shading, and reflective surfaces, in conjunction with active systems like decentralized cooling units and renewable energy integration, can result in a notable reduction in energy demand and emissions. Our findings provide a robust basis for policymakers to develop targeted energy efficiency strategies for buildings in hot climate zones, which will play a crucial role in achieving climate goals in the Global South.

Міжнародні боргові метрики в контексті фінансування "зеленого" порядку денного

The article summarizes the public debt policy issues in the context of financing climate change measures, and suggests priorities and mechanisms of fiscal, debt and sectoral policies to ensure sufficient financing of the green agenda. Authors have emphasized the trilemma between achieving climate goals, maintaining fiscal sustainability, and ensuring political capacity. It has been found that even under favorable external financial conditions, climate-vulnerable countries face a constant premium to the cost of borrowing. As a result, developing countries with high levels of debt and climate vulnerability are caught in a vicious circle of growing investment needs for climate- sustainable structural transformation and significant dependence on increasingly expensive debt financing, which leads to a combination of deteriorating debt sustainability and insufficient funding for climate change challenges. Authors argue for a comprehensive multilateral policy aimed at reforming the international debt architecture and increasing the amount of available financing for climate change adaptation under a government-led framework. Achieving common goals requires a carefully calibrated combination of climate change mitigation instruments based on enhanced domestic revenue mobilization, in particular through carbon pricing, more efficient spending on transfers, green subsidies and investments, and regulatory measures. Authors propose a comprehensive approach to implementing climate change mitigation policies, including the implementation of a fiscal strategy, sectoral policies to prevent climate change, and stimulating private investment. Emphasized the importance of developing further tools for incorporating climate policy into debt sustainability analysis.

What drives the relationship between digitalization and energy demand? Exploring heterogeneity in German manufacturing firms

The growing use of information and communication technologies (ICT) has the potential to increase productivity and improve energy efficiency. However, digital technologies also consume energy, resulting in a complex relationship between digitalization and energy demand and an uncertain net effect. To steer digital transformation towards sustainability, it is crucial to understand the conditions under which digital technologies increase or decrease firm-level energy consumption. This study examines the drivers of this relationship, focusing on German manufacturing firms and leveraging comprehensive administrative panel data from 2009 to 2017, analyzed using the Generalized Random Forest algorithm. Our results reveal that the relationship between digitalization and energy use at the firm level is heterogeneous. However, we find that digitalization more frequently increases energy use, mainly driven by a rise in electricity consumption. This increase is lower in energy-intensive industries and higher in markets with low competition. Smaller firms in structurally weak regions show higher energy consumption growth than larger firms in economically stronger regions. Our study contributes to the literature by using a non-parametric method to identify specific firm-level and external characteristics that influence the impact of digital technologies on energy demand, highlighting the need for carefully designed digitalization policies to achieve climate goals.

Financial levers and carbon emissions: analysing the debt-emission nexus in the European Union

ABSTRACT This paper examines the intricate relationship between the national debts of EU-27 member countries and their CO2 emissions, employing the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index additive model to dissect the impacts of different financial and economic factors on environmental sustainability. To thoroughly explore the evolution of CO2 emissions and influencing factors, the 27 economies analysed were classified into two categories (advanced economies and emerging economies). Furthermore, three sub-periods for analysis were set (1995–2007, 2008–2016, and 2017–2022). The study identifies significant correlations between debt structures, economic growth, energy consumption patterns, and CO2 emissions. The findings reveal that Economic Growth is the largest contributor to the CO2 emissions increase, followed by Total Debt Level. A powerful and constant counterbalancing effect of CO2 emissions reduction is assured by Fossil Fuel Financing. The results underscore the complex interplay between financial and environmental policies in the EU, emphasizing the need for balanced approaches to achieve climate goals. It suggests that investment in green technologies and renewable energy sources, alongside innovative financing mechanisms for green technologies, enhanced energy efficiency, and fiscal policies aimed at reducing national debts, can have the dual benefit of mitigating climate change while also enhancing economic stability within the EU.

Estimating Total Methane Emissions from the Denver-Julesburg Basin Using Bottom-Up Approaches

Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas with a 25 times higher 100-year warming potential than carbon dioxide and is a target for mitigation to achieve climate goals. To control and curb methane emissions, estimates are required from the sources and sectors which are typically generated using bottom-up methods. However, recent studies have shown that national and international bottom-up approaches can significantly underestimate emissions. In this study, we present three bottom-up approaches used to estimate methane emissions from all emission sectors in the Denver-Julesburg basin, CO, USA. Our data show emissions generated from all three methods are lower than historic measurements. A Tier 1/2 approach using IPCC emission factors estimated 2022 methane emissions of 358 Gg (0.8% of produced methane lost by the energy sector), while a Tier 3 EPA-based approach estimated emissions of 269 Gg (0.2%). Using emission factors informed by contemporary and region-specific measurement studies, emissions of 212 Gg (0.2%) were calculated. The largest difference in emissions estimates were a result of using the Mechanistic Air Emissions Simulator (MAES) for the production and transport of oil and gas in the DJ basin. The MAES accounts for changes to regulatory practice in the DJ basin, which include comprehensive requirements for compressors, pneumatics, equipment leaks, and fugitive emissions, which were implemented to reduce emissions starting in 2014. The measurement revealed that normalized gas loss is predicted to have been reduced by a factor of 20 when compared to 10-year-old normalization loss measurements and a factor of 10 less than a nearby oil and production area (Delaware basin, TX); however, we suggest that more measurements should be made to ensure that the long-tail emission distribution has been captured by the modeling. This study suggests that regulations implemented by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment could have reduced emissions by a factor of 20, but contemporary regional measurements should be made to ensure these bottom-up calculations are realistic.

Changing carbon footprints and the consequent impacts of carbon taxes and cash transfers on poverty and inequality across years: A Peruvian case study

Carbon taxes are key policies to achieve climate goals. Yet, they increase prices especially in the short term, and can affect households’ income depending on their carbon footprints. Cash transfer programs can be used to address adverse social impacts and protect the poorest. However, because carbon footprints, and the consequent tax impacts, may change over time it is important to understand how to design and adapt such cash transfer programs accordingly. As the existing studies focus on single years, we address the gap in the literature in two steps. First, we estimate changes in carbon footprints and their drivers over time; second, we simulate the effects of a carbon tax in combination with cash transfers on poverty and inequality for the years 2004, 2007 and 2011 in Peru. We combine a bottom-up household carbon footprint estimation, and multiple scenarios simulation. We show that, in a context of rapid economic growth, footprints increase over time, particularly for lower deciles. Most importantly, the distributional impacts of a reform combining carbon tax and cash transfers change by year. The paper concludes that, to maximize poverty and inequality reduction, the design of cash transfer programs and tax levels need to be adapted over time.

Investigation of the ageing behaviour of multiple reused polypropylene binding twines

AbstractClimate change is one of the significant challenges of the 21st century. To achieve climate goals a change in plastic waste management needs to be implemented. This research examines the potential of thermo‐mechanical recycling of plastic waste, focusing on agricultural binding twines made from polypropylene. Old binding twines from agriculture were collected and recycled with a twin screw extruder. The ageing behaviour of the recyclate in terms of multiple recycling is examined in detail with tensile tests and melt volume rate measurements. The findings indicate a general degradation in mechanical properties and a decrease in viscosity due to molecular chain scission. Despite these degradations, the material remains processable, indicating the potential for continued recycling loops.

The place of the climate agenda in modern global communications

The subject of our research is the climate agenda as part of the environmental policies of states. The author's attention to this issue is due to the instability of the international system, which is influenced by current crises and conflict relations between countries. It was important for us to consider how strongly the processes of instability affect the fulfillment of their obligations by global players. We also identified key factors influencing the adoption of current strategic documents. We analyzed the main documents approved at the UN on climate change, adopted in 2021-2023. Scientific novelty manifests itself in several key aspects. First of all, decisions are considered from the point of view of making political decisions and building communication processes. The second aspect is related to the identification of factors influencing the implementation of environmental policy. And finally, we looked at how global crises affected the climate agenda and whether it was transformed on a global scale. The result of the study is the conclusion that the problem of climate change remains key. Moreover, attempts are being made to strengthen the “natural resources – climate change – responsibility” link, which is reflected in plans to introduce a complete phase-out of fossil fuels. Serious steps are being taken to involve developing countries in this process through the provision of financial and other support. Young people have been identified as the main driver of the fight against climate change, which indicates the long-term nature of key decisions. Moreover, international agreements involve further transformation of the existing system through adjustments to national goals, diversification of the energy sector, economic reforms and changes to existing financial systems aimed at achieving climate goals.

Unraveling the complexity: A taxonomy for characterizing and structuring smart energy services in the building sector

Achieving climate goals requires restructuring the current energy systems, which, among other things, involves decentralizing energy systems. This entails new challenges, e.g., a high degree of coordination and information exchange. Especially the building sector, being the largest energy consumer, offers great improvement potential to reduce emissions. Smart energy services promise various benefits in overcoming these challenges, e.g., through optimized energy generation, demand control, and more efficient energy control systems. Although smart energy services are crucial to transitioning to a more sustainable, reliable, and intelligent energy (eco)system, research lacks a holistic perspective of their essential characteristics and configuration options due to their novelty and heterogeneity. Nevertheless, this perspective is crucial as service providers, service innovators (e.g., business development and start-ups), and researchers face problems developing and deploying value-adding and sustaining smart energy services. Consequently, this work identifies the essential characteristics of building-related smart energy services by reviewing scientific and practitioner literature. It structures them by developing a taxonomy and organizing them in 15 dimensions and 54 characteristics, along smart energy service structure, value creation, delivery, and energy-related data input. The taxonomy and the derived theoretical and managerial implications support researchers and practitioners in designing and conceptualizing future smart energy service innovations.

Modelling and analysis of nuclear reactor system coupled with a liquid metal battery

AbstractTraditionally, nuclear power plants in the U.S. provide baseload power to the power grid because they have less flexibility for ramping their output power than natural gas peaking plants. However, achieving climate goals to reduce the consumption of fossil‐based natural gas places pressure on nuclear power plants and other power generators to ramp up their power output to balance grid generation with demand. This paper presents the modelling and performance analysis of a nuclear reactor system (NRS) coupled to a liquid‐metal battery (LMB) to improve its dynamic response and enable its black start capability. The NRS and LMB thermal behaviour are modelled in Dymola, while the electrical dynamics of the LMB and power grid are modelled in RTDS‐RSCAD. Both simulation platforms are coupled and share their thermal and electrical data using a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) communication protocol. The dynamic performance of the NRS‐LMB integration is tested on the IEEE 9 bus, which demonstrates its ability to respond and provide frequency and voltage regulation. The black start capability of the NRS‐LMB is also evaluated by simulating a grid outage and using the LMB to supply the auxiliary loads required to bring the NRS back online as soon as possible. The results show that coupling an NRS to an LMB improves the system dynamic performance and enables it to black start after being disconnected from the grid for several days.

Assessing the relative contribution of various anthropogenic sources to atmospheric methane in Rivers State, Nigeria: A multi-criteria decision analysis approach

Methane is a significant greenhouse gas, with a global warming potential many times greater than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. Its release from sources like landfills, agriculture, and the energy sector exacerbates climate change, making it crucial to monitor and reduce methane emissions to mitigate global warming and achieve climate goals. This research utilized the Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) method, specifically the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), to analyze the sources of atmospheric methane in Rivers State, Nigeria. It addressed the challenge of assessing the contributions of various anthropogenic sources such as fossil fuels, landfills, agriculture, wetlands, and oceans to atmospheric methane emissions. By incorporating expert opinions, literature reviews, and surveys, the study constructed a hierarchical model to prioritize these sources based on their impact. Findings identified fossil fuels and landfills as the main contributors. The study demonstrated MCDA's effectiveness in environmental analysis and provided a replicable framework for similar assessments in other regions, contributing to targeted emission mitigation and policy formulation efforts.