Alternative Clean Energy Research Articles

Thermal Conversion of Microalgae into Biochar: A Review on Processes, Properties, and Applications

AbstractGlobal energy consumption has drastically increased over the years due to population growth and industrialization. This has prompted an exploration for clean and renewable energy alternatives. Microalgae are widely recognized as a promising third‐generation energy source because they have the capability to generate biofuels, including biochar. The utilization of microalgal biomass has been gaining traction because of their advantages, such as fast growth, a high rate of production, and high carbon‐fixing efficiency. Thermochemical methods like hydrothermal carbonization, torrefaction, and pyrolysis can be employed to harness energy from microalgae. The different thermochemical methods employed for converting microalgal biomass into biochar have been discussed, as well as the factors affecting these methods. In addition, a dedicated section covered the components and properties of the generated biochar, including its thermal and surface properties. Furthermore, the economic analysis of the production of biochar from microalgae as well as the applications of microalgae‐derived biochar were presented and discussed, along with suggestions for further research.

Elucidating the reaction kinetics of hydrogen generation via ethanol steam reforming using a nickel-based catalyst

Abstract The continuous rise in CO2 emissions from fossil fuel consumption has intensified the search for alternative clean energy sources. Hydrogen produced from renewable sources like ethanol offers a promising alternative to fossil fuels, mitigating CO2 emissions. This study investigates the kinetics of hydrogen production via ethanol steam reforming using a nickel-based catalyst, specifically the Ar-401 catalyst. Characterization techniques, including scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller method, temperature-programmed reduction, and powder X-ray diffraction, were used to analyze the catalyst properties. Under optimal conditions of 973 K, atmospheric pressure, and a steam-to-ethanol ratio of 9, we achieved 100% ethanol conversion, 74.8% hydrogen selectivity, and 85% hydrogen yield. Kinetic experiments were conducted under kinetically controlled conditions, examining the effects of temperature (473–673 K) and weight hourly space velocity ranging from 1 to 15 (g·h/mol). A power law kinetic model was developed, yielding an activation energy of 11.17 kJ/mol and a reaction order of 0.46, with an absolute average deviation of 3.23% between predicted and experimental rates. This study provides key insights into the reaction mechanisms and highlights the effectiveness of the nickel-based catalyst, providing valuable insights for the design of efficient chemical reactors for sustainable hydrogen production.

Legislating Sustainability for Renewable Energy in Malaysia and Iceland

The global society has relied on fossil fuels as a lifestyle due to the support and development of technologies and economies that promoted their usage. Due to this, a total reliance towards that lifestyle has been established. This dependence has deeply permeated various facets of life, posing significant challenges in transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. During the transition process, there are some substantial obstacles, namely the inefficiency of policies, limited enforcement capacity, and lack of sufficient financial incentives. This research focuses on conducting a comprehensive comparative analysis of the efficiency and sustainability of implementing renewable energy initiatives in Malaysia and Iceland. Specifically, this research critically examines the correlation between the effectiveness of legal frameworks and policies, particularly in Iceland, and their impact on fostering renewable energy production. This investigation yields valuable insights into refining Malaysia’s renewable energy implementation, enhancing its efficiency and sustainability, and driving the transition towards cleaner energy alternatives.

Smart energy: application of the photovoltaic system using genetic algorithms for decision making in industry 4.0

The growing demand for sustainable solutions and the digitalization of industrial processes have driven the adoption of photovoltaic systems and advanced decision-making technologies. In the context of Industry 4.0, where automation and artificial intelligence are fundamental, these systems stand out as a clean energy alternative, promoting savings and reducing pollutant emissions. This study aims to develop a photovoltaic energy control model that uses genetic algorithms to optimize energy efficiency in industrial environments, reducing costs and dependence on non-renewable sources. The methodology included the computational modeling of a photovoltaic system and the application of genetic algorithms to optimize parameters such as panel angle and operating hours, adapting the system in real time to variable consumption and generation conditions. The results showed that the use of genetic algorithms increased the system's efficiency by up to 20% compared to traditional methods, as well as minimizing consumption from the electricity grid at peak times. This study reinforces the importance of artificial intelligence in optimizing renewable resources, contributing to energy efficiency and sustainability in Industry 4.0.

Socio-Economic Impacts of Energy Poverty on Households in Ikorodu Communities, Lagos State, Nigeria

The study investigated the Ikorodu community's energy poverty status by adopting the Multidimensional Energy Poverty Index to assess each sub-community, as it centers on energy poverty. The study used both quantitative and qualitative assessments of data obtained from primary and secondary sources. The primary data was sourced from a questionnaire administered to households while secondary data was sourced mostly from the National Bureau of Statistics’ Nigeria Living Standard Survey (NLSS) dataset. Additional secondary data was obtained from the Lagos State socio-economic data survey which included the Ikorodu subset. The result showed that about half (42%) of the community was energy-poor while more than half (58%) were energy-non-poor. The study revealed energy poverty has a huge impact on the economic development of the studied communities, as there was a positive and significant correlation between energy poverty and educational, health, and economic activities. More specifically, energy poverty reduces social inclusion, diminishes the education level of the residents of the communities, lessens the quality of life and healthcare, and discourages business activities and the establishment of new businesses in the area. Given these findings, the study emphasizes the need for government intervention and public awareness to increase access to electricity through renewable energy sources. Additionally, it recommends promoting- clean and cost-effective energy alternatives to address the pressing issue of energy poverty within the community.

ALD Synthesis of Transition Metal Phosphides

The ever-increasing global energy demand together with the environmental issue originated from the use of fossil fuel, has triggered an intense search for sustainable and clean energy alternatives, such us hydrogen energy, biomass and solar energy among others. In this context, a pivotal key to deliver sustainable and superior energy systems lies on the rational design and development of high-quality and cost-effective catalyst offering enhanced stability, activity and selectivity. Consequently, intense efforts have been devoted in the search and synthesis of new catalyst materials to replace the scarce and expensive traditional noble metals (e.g. Pt, Pd, Au and Ru) for energy conversion and energy storage applications.Among the recently explored novel catalyst materials, metal phosphides (MPs) have emerged in recent years, attracting significant attention thanks to their intriguing properties [1]. In particular transition metal phosphides (TMPs) exhibit striking properties. The moderately strong M−P bonds lend outstanding mechanical properties, high thermal stability and outstanding chemical resistance to chemical attack and oxidation in acidic and alkaline solutions. Additionally, Co, Ni, Mo-based phosphides demonstrated excellent catalytic and bifunctional properties, in particular towards water splitting as both hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) [2,3].Herein, we present the synthesis of TMPs by thermal Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) based on the use of different transition metal precursors and tris(trimethylsilyl)phosphine. The physical and chemical properties of the resulting TMPs thin films were extensively characterized by different methods, including atomic force microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-Ray diffraction. The presentation will introduce and describe the synthesis of the TMPs and the corresponding physical and electrochemical characterization toward electrocatalytic application.[1] Z. Pu, T. Liu, I. S. Amiinu, R. Cheng, P. Wang, C. Zhang, P. Ji, W. Hu, J. Liu, S. Mu, Transition-metal phosphides: activity origin, energy–related electrocatalysis applications, and synthetic strategies, Adv. Funct. Mater., 2020, 30, 2004009.[2] C.C. Weng, J.T. Ren, Z.Y. Yuan, Transition Metal Phosphide-Based Materials for Efficient Electrochemical Hydrogen Evolution: A Critical Review, ChemSusChem, 2020, 13, 3357-3375.[3] C.-J. Huang, H.-M. Xu, T.-Y. Shuai, Q.-N. Zhan, Z.-J. Zhang, G.-R. Li, A review of modulation strategies for improving catalytic performance of transition metal phosphides for oxygen evolution reaction, Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 2023, 325, 122313.

Enhancing Energy Solutions and Environmental Remediation: Piezocatalysis in Ferroelectric High-Entropy Oxides and 2D Materials

Hydrogen is the most abundant element on Earth, and it is a safe and efficient source of energy. Through electrocatalysis and photocatalysis water molecules can be split into O and H2, which can then be used for fuel. This has been widely studied as a promising approach to reduce CO2 emissions and reliance on fossil fuels. A solar-assisted electrochemical process that generates H2 without toxic byproducts is being investigated. Solutions involving the remediation of water pollutants, water splitting, and clean energy alternatives have been widely investigated. However, most semiconducting photocatalysts are not very efficient when used in water-based solutions, because they have a low quantum yield. This talk will report how the piezocatalyts and flexocatalysts can proceed with electrochemical reactions for highly efficient wastewater treatment and hydrogen production. Considering the piezophototronic effect in the visible range, we combined a ferroelectric component with a high entropy oxide (HEO) compound, which can significantly enhance the charge transfer of the HEO's surface, enhancing the catalytic activity (Figure 1). Theoretical calculations revealed that a ferroelectric component could create an inner electric field at interfacial phase boundaries and effectively moderate free carriers, strengthening the charge separation in the ferroelectric HEO catalyst. When an external mechanical force was coupled with photoirradiation, the photoinduced charge separation coupled with piezoelectric polarization enhanced the charge transport in trapping sites. In this talk, I will provide an overview of High Entropy Oxide (HEO) ferroelectric catalysts, along with advancements in piezocatalysts within 2D materials and ferroelectric domains. The concepts presented will pave the way for designing next-generation piezo-photocatalysts.References Y. T. Lin, S. N. Lai, J. M. Wu*, Advanced Materials 32 (34), 2002875, 2020.SC Chang, HY Chen, PH Chen, JT Lee, JM Wu*, Applied Catalysis B: Environmental 324, 122204, 2023. Figure 1

Electrodeposition of Tin Dioxide Films for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting Applications

To address the rising pollution issues and the eventual depletion of non-renewable energy sources there is a growing focus on discovering clean, reliable, and sustainable energy alternatives. Tin dioxide, due to its conductivity, chemical stability, and wide band gap, is considered a promising material for various energy-related applications [1]. Among these, photoelectrochemical water splitting stands out as a highly promising technique for converting solar energy into storable chemical energy in the form of hydrogen. This approach can offer a renewable pathway for generating clean fuel. Multiple methods have been employed to produce tin dioxide films, including spray pyrolysis, sol–gel processes, thermal plasma deposition, pulsed-laser deposition, and electrodeposition [2]. Within this range of techniques, electrodeposition stands out for its simplicity and cost-effectiveness making it a prime candidate for large-scale production [3]. Therefore, the aim of the research was a comprehensive study of the electrodeposition of SnO2 films with a focus on their application in photoelectrochemical water splitting systems.Nanostructured SnO2 films were successfully obtained by electrodeposition using various process conditions in an electrolyte containing tin(II) chloride dihydrate and nitric acid. The study explored the impact of deposition temperature and duration on the morphology, composition, and properties of the materials. Moreover, the influence of post-treatment variables including annealing time, temperature, and atmospheric conditions was thoroughly investigated. The crystal structure of the samples was analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), while their morphology was examined via scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Furthermore, their photoelectrochemical activity was verified by recording the photocurrents under illumination with both monochromatic and simulated solar light. As a result, it was found that the surface morphology, thickness and photoelectrochemical performance of the deposited SnO2 layers are closely associated with the conditions employed during electrodeposition and post-treatment. Photoelectrochemical measurements demonstrated that the obtained tin dioxide films could possibly serve as electrodes in photoelectrochemical water splitting systems.

Investigation on High Stable Ordered Ptｍ (M=Fe, Co, Ni, Cu) Catalysts Via Operando X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy Analysis

In the development of society, energy stands as the cornerstone for human survival and progress. Historically, traditional fossil fuels served as the primary energy source; however, the widespread utilization of fossil fuels exacerbates issues like climate change and environmental pollution and necessitates the development of new, clean, and efficient energy alternatives to supplant conventional fossil fuels. Hydrogen, with its high energy density and emission-free properties, emerges as a promising alternative energy carrier, particularly in fuel cell technology. 1 However, the widespread adoption of fuel cells is hindered by challenges, notably the high cost associated with platinum catalysts used in oxygen reduction reactions (ORR). Addressing this challenge requires innovative approaches to enhance catalytic performance while reducing cost concern. 2 This has led to the exploration of alloying Pt with non-noble metals (Fe, Co, Ni, Cu), which improves the ORR activity than benchmark Pt/C and simultaneously solves the high catalyst cost issues. 3 Previous analyses of these alloys show that the significant improvement in ORR activity is due to optimized Pt 5d orbital vacancy, which shortens the Pt-Pt bond distance and weakens the binding of intermediates. The Pt-Pt bond distance has been widely regarded as a crucial factor in analyzing the structure-activity relationship.This research aimed to explore the relationship between catalytic performance and Pt-Pt bond distance, combining electrochemical performance with the operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy analysis during ORR conditions. In this study, various ordered PtM (M=Fe, Co, Ni, Cu) alloys were synthesized by thermal treatment under NH3 atmosphere using mesoporous carbon supports, which restrict particle growth during thermal treatment. The morphological attributes analyzed by TEM images clearly show that Pt-M alloys is located inside the pores of the mesoporous carbon layer. The detailed electrochemical investigation by Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and Linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), shows three times superior activity than benchmark Pt/C. The Operando HERFD-XAS analysis, conventional EXAFS combined with electrochemical investigations shows a positive correlation between specific activity and the Pt-Pt bond, which indicated that contracted lattice structure would contribute to less formation of the Pt oxide species and ultimately results in superior ORR activity and durability. Therefore, our results demonstrate the importance of the Pt-Pt bond length in assessing ORR activity and validate that structural changes during operation can be a key enabling factor in predicting catalytic performance and durability. Acknowledgment This work is supported by the PEFC and the NEDO FC-Platform commissioned by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO). Reference: A. Risco-Bravo, C. Varela, J. Bartels and E. Zondervan, Renewable Sustainable Energy Rev., 2024, 189, 113930. J. Wang, W. Ding and Z. Wei, Acta. Phys. Sin., 2021, 37, 2009094. C. Kim, F. Dionigi, V. Beermann, X. Wang, T. Moeller and P. Strasser, Adv. Mater., 2019, 31, 1805617. Figure 1

Comprehensive thermodynamic, environmental, and economic analyses of a modified waste heat recovery process for a gas turbine cycle producing power, cooling, and hydrogen

Gas turbine cycles generate significant waste heat, and recovering this heat can lead to higher efficiency and valuable by-products. The current study introduces an effective trigeneration setup for power and hydrogen production, along with the gasification of liquid natural gas. This setup includes a gas turbine cycle integrated with a transcritical CO2 power cycle, an organic Rankine cycle, and a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer. The setup’s performance is analyzed using energy, exergy, environmental, and economic approaches. The exergy analysis brings out a total exergy destruction rate of 138592 kW, and reveals that the highest irreversibility occurs in the gas turbine cycle, accounting for about 70.6 % of the total exergy destruction. The overall energy and exergy efficiencies of the setup are 46.69 % and 40 %, respectively. The cost of hydrogen production is estimated at about 4.35 $/kg, while the energy production cost is 21.81 $/GJ. From an environmental perspective, the setup’s CO2 footprint is about 0.423 kg/kWh, which is 56.18 % lower compared to hydrogen production via coal. The findings of this study underscore the significant potential of integrating advanced cycles and systems for enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of energy production. The proposed trigeneration setup not only improves energy and exergy efficiencies but also offers substantial environmental benefits, aligning with the goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting cleaner energy alternatives.

TACIT EVASION OR A MISPLACED POLICY GAZE: A POLITICAL ECOLOGY OF THE DEFORESTATION AND CHARCOAL CONUNDRUM IN MALAWI

ABSTRACT Although banned in many countries, charcoal production remains a key driver of deforestation in Africa, yet a livelihood source for many, with evidence showing the practice has risen to unprecedented levels. While rural poverty is often framed as the driver, the rise in charcoal consumption among a burgeoning urban population suggests a multiplicity of drivers. Using in-depth interviews with diverse stakeholders in Malawi, this paper examined the underlying drivers of the charcoal conundrum. Although poverty is indeed a driver, our findings suggest the charcoal conundrum is rooted in complex sociopolitical dynamics and class relations at multiple scales. Charcoal production, a highly stigmatized economic activity at the rural scale, is the key source of fuel for a burgeoning urban population lacking affordable alternative energy sources. Our findings further reveal what we theorize as “hierarchical corruption,” featuring an elite class of “big charcoal dealers” who pay bribes to freely transact charcoal while rural people continue to be disproportionately targeted with draconian forest laws. These dynamics suggest a tacit evasion of the real drivers of deforestation and a misplaced policy gaze in forest governance. Contemporary forest policy must look “beyond forest” to address both production and consumption side drivers of deforestation, particularly poverty, and the lack of clean energy alternatives.

Geothermal system lifetime with fracture heterogeneity and thermal nonequilibrium impact

Geothermal energy is a clean and sustainable alternative energy, and enhanced geothermal systems are an essential technology offering an industrial-scale method to tap geothermal energy. This technology stimulates numerous reservoir fractures, creating primary flow channels for fluids to extract heat. The important question of how the permeability of fracture swarm evolves during fluid circulation and how this evolution potentially affects the geothermal system life remains to be further answered. To address this, we develop and validate a fully coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical model based on the discrete fracture network. Results show a positive feedback mechanism between pore pressure/temperature changes and fracture permeability evolution, leading to monotone permeability-increasing in a limited number of specific fractures, indicating uneven permeability evolution of fracture swarm is crucial in shortening reservoir lifetime. Furthermore, we conduct a comparative analysis of multiple factors to determine what most significantly affects reservoir lifetime, including fracture heterogeneity, the local thermal non-equilibrium effect, and layout strategies. Results indicate the strong heterogeneity of the fracture network is dominant, and the inherent heterogeneity of hydraulic fractures is further exacerbated during geothermal production. Neglecting fractures’ mechanical response leads to an overestimated outcome. A simplified thermal-hydraulic analysis indicates a 34 % higher temperature and a 6 % higher heat extraction rate than the coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical modeling. In contrast, the impact of the local thermal non-equilibrium effect is negligible, with comparable results between equilibrium and non-equilibrium models. We further find the multi-well layout can effectively suppress the heterogeneity impact and prevent preferential flow paths. Compared to dual-well systems, the multi-well scheme has a 24 % higher temperature and a 6 % higher heat extraction rate.

Design and Performance of High-Capacity Magnesium–Air Battery for Power Generator System

Efforts to achieve carbon neutrality, which aims to reduce the net carbon emissions to zero by decreasing carbon emissions from human activities and increasing carbon absorption, are actively underway. Additionally, the search for clean energy alternatives to fossil fuels has become a global research trend. This paper presents research on metal–air batteries, focusing on the development of energy supply technologies that do not generate carbon emissions during power generation and require less space for power generation compared to existing renewable energy sources. The proposed Mg–air battery (MAB) in this study uses magnesium as the metal anode and theoretically offers a maximum open-circuit voltage of 3.1 V and a high energy density of 6.8 kWh/kg. While previous research has primarily focused on designing small-capacity cells and maximizing the performance of metal anodes, this study differentiates itself by designing a large-capacity MAB cell and optimizing its electrical performance. For the large-capacity cell design, the weight, shape, and size of the anode were designed based on MAB performance factors, and research was conducted on manufacturing methods to optimize the performance of the air cathode. Furthermore, to enhance usability and extend the lifespan of the MAB cell, it was designed to allow electrolyte circulation, and the electrolyte circulation performance was verified through simulations of fluid flow within the cell. Based on the study of the power performance of the newly designed large-capacity MAB cell, the feasibility of constructing a kW-class system using multiple Mg–air battery cell stacks was confirmed.

Innovation and future development direction of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles

With the increasing problem of global climate change, reducing greenhouse gas emissions has become an urgent issue for all countries to solve. The pollution of the Earth is gradually becoming severe. The extensive use of fossil fuels is a major cause of this problem. In this critical situation, energy with the least carbon emissions should be used to minimize air pollution and the harm caused by it. Hydrogen energy is currently a clean energy alternative that can achieve low carbon emissions. As a new energy vehicle, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles have the advantages of being clean, efficient, and environmentally friendly. Compared with traditional fuel vehicles, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles only produce water and a small amount of oxygen during operation, and do not emit harmful substances such as carbon dioxide, which helps to significantly reduce carbon emissions in the transportation sector. So, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are a viable and clean solution. In this paper, the performance evaluation, cost analysis, and future impact of hydrogen-powered vehicles are analyzed, and the future development trend of hydrogen energy battery vehicles is discussed. As a new energy vehicle, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles have important strategic significance and market prospects. The purpose of this paper is to provide a useful reference for the development of China's new energy vehicle industry through the study of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

Techno-economic analysis of green hydrogen integration into existing pipeline infrastructure: A case study of Wyoming

While green hydrogen production technologies like electrolysis have reached commercial scale, the primary challenge centers on efficient, and economically viable transportation of hydrogen. This study proposes an integrated geospatial techno-economic modeling approach to optimize hydrogen transportation through blending in existing pipelines. The simulations strategically locate green hydrogen production and blending points. The paper evaluates blending ratios, flow dynamics, and operating parameters to optimize hydrogen blending in natural gas pipelines. A techno-economic analysis quantifies costs and revenues across the supply chain, identifying the most economically viable hydrogen blending locations. The approach is validated through a case study in Wyoming, providing insights for industry stakeholders considering hydrogen-natural gas blending as a transition strategy. This integrated method offers a robust decision support tool for leveraging existing infrastructure to realize hydrogen's potential as a sustainable energy vector contributing to the broader goal of cleaner energy alternatives.

Toward Environmental Sustainability: The Nexus between Agriculture, Renewable Energy, and Economic Growth in Mitigating CO2 Emissions in Somalia

This research investigates the intricate relationships between agriculture, renewable energy, economic growth, and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in Somalia from 1991 to 2022. This study uses the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model and Granger causality tests to understand their impact on environmental sustainability. ARDL results reveal a negative role of agriculture and renewable energy on CO2 in the short and long term. The country's reliance on fossil fuels and biomass further intensifies CO2 emissions. While economic growth is essential for improving living standards, it positively correlates with CO2 emissions in the short and long term, emphasizing the challenge of decoupling economic development from environmental degradation. Domestic investment has a short-run relation only to CO2 emissions. In Granger causality tests, the results indicated that Agriculture and domestic investment have bidirectional causality to carbon dioxide emissions. On the other hand, renewable energy, economic growth, and domestic investment have unidirectional causality to Agriculture in Somalia, while domestic investment has bidirectional causality to renewable energy and economic growth. The study recommends implementing comprehensive and integrated approaches to prioritize sustainable development strategies, clean energy alternatives, and efficient agricultural practices. Promoting economic growth while also focusing on capacity-building and awareness campaigns is essential. Collaborating with the international community on climate change mitigation and sustainable development initiatives can further support Somalia's journey toward environmental sustainability.

Numerical and experimental investigation of heat transfer of longitudinal fin with varying pitch length in flat plate solar air heater

Solar energy is a promising clean energy alternative, and consequently, the novel and innovative applications of solar energy in day-to-day life are expected to rise in the near future. The reason for limited applications of solar air heaters is their low thermal efficiency. This is due to inadequate heat transfer from the absorber plate to the air (working fluid). It has done various experiments with different pitch lengths and recorded the efficiencies corresponding to various pitch lengths. Numerical and Experimental Investigation of heat transfer of longitudinal fin with varying number of pitch length (1–5) in a flat plate solar air heater to improve the rate of heat transmission, thin and lengthy fins have been put underneath the absorber plate. The fin was intended to be square. The investigation included two different fluid masses at rates of 0.0252 and 0.10 kg/s with two distinct Reynolds numbers, 627.46 and 26585.55. The goal of the present study is to get an understanding of the effects of variations in air flow rate on the outlet temperature, heat transfer through the solar collector's thickness, and overall thermal efficiency. It has done a CFD simulation on Ansys to verify the experimental results with the simulation results.

Household residential energy choices in green transition: insights from a household survey in rural China.

It has been widely recognized that accelerating green residential energy transition from traditional solid fuels (biomass and coal) to clean and high-efficient energy sources is critical for rural sustainable development. However, little attention has been paid to estimate panel data discrete choice models to analyze the dynamic behavior information of individual households in the process of energy transition. Hence, this paper investigates green residential energy transition using a panel dataset from 3308 rural households in eight provinces of China in 2015 and 2018. The results show that although traditional solid biomass still plays a dominating role in rural residential energy choice, fuel switching from solid fuels to modern clean energy alternatives is taking place. Off-farm employment plays an important role in the transition towards more sustainable energy sources, as households with off-farm employed heads and higher off-farm income level are highly likely to choose superior energy alternatives other than traditional biomass. Besides, the educational level of the household head and household location are also important influencing factors of household residential energy choices. Based on these findings, this paper suggests that job creation in non-farm sectors should be given a priority in future policy design to promote rural green energy transition in residential sector. North-south differences should be taken into account, whereas more policy options for optimizing biomass energy use should be explored.

Analyzing School Bus Electrification in Richmond, Virginia

School buses are an essential component of the transportation infrastructure, serving as a lifeline for students across the globe. However, the widespread use of diesel school buses has raised concerns about the health impact on millions of students exposed to harmful emissions daily. Recognizing this issue, school districts worldwide are urgently seeking cleaner energy alternatives. Electric school buses emerge as an environmentally friendly and sustainable option, fostering a healthier environment for both students and communities. However, school bus electrification faces the challenges of high upfront cost, cumbersome charging management, and constraints from power grids. To help school bus operators address those challenges, this study presents a data-driven analysis for school bus electrification. This study considered a real-world school bus system in Richmond, VA, and developed a mathematical programming model to analyze the system design, charging strategies, and charging load profiles for the electrification scenario. The study evaluated different charging strategies based on model outcomes, aiming to optimize efficiency and effectiveness. Ultimately, this research generated electric school bus charging demand profiles under various scenarios, shedding light on the feasibility and implications of transitioning to electric-powered school buses.

Self-adhesive ionic cable derived from natural bark as osmotic energy generator

Osmotic energy conversion technology plays an increasingly important role as clean energy alternatives. However, the excessive use of non-renewable materials in osmotic energy harvesting can lead to serious environmental pollution. Herein, we design a low-cost, eco-friendly, and high-ion-conductance ionic cable directly from natural Eucommia ulmoides bark owing to its unique sandwich structure and abundant charged nanochannels within the well-aligned lignocellulose nanofibers. In the cable, the natural biopolymer E. ulmoides gum (EUG) acts as a bio-adhesive tightly holding cellulose fibers together, rendering it with high morphological stability. The as-prepared ionic cable shows excellent ion conductance of 3.36 × 10−3 S cm−1, far surpassing the performance of natural bark (2.58 × 10−4 S cm−1). This work utilizes the natural E. ulmoides bark components and its unique lignocellulose-EUG sandwich structure to construct fully biomass-based cable with high-ion-conductance and water-stable, providing a sustainable strategy to accelerate the implementation of clean osmotic energy harvesting and forest waste utilization.