Current Production Capacity Research Articles

Mariculture in Croatia: A Spatial Perspective

Croatia has a highly indented coastline, favourable ecological conditions, proximity to the markets, and potential for further mariculture development. This research aims to determine the status of Croatian mariculture considering: distribution of fish and bivalve farms, total mariculture area, buffer zone, Internal Waters Utilization, nominal intensity, number of registered operators, and employees in the industry. The spatial database was created using manual vectorization from recent (2022/2024) Google Earth satellite imagery. The results show that marine farms in Croatia occupy 0.056% of the area of internal marine waters. Out of this, 53 % of the surface is dedicated to bivalve and 47% to fish farming. Croatia’s total nominal intensity is 3.3 t/km of coastline in 2022. Farms are located in all coastal counties, with the largest occupied area in Zadar County (38.1%) and Dubrovnik-Neretva County (37.5%). Most of the national fish farming area is located in Zadar County (71%), while the largest area of bivalve farming (68%) is found in Dubrovnik-Neretva County. In Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, despite having the largest area of internal marine waters, only 4.3% of the total mariculture area is present. The analysis indicates that mariculture currently occurs in a tiny portion of internal marine waters and has generally lower nominal intensity than other Mediterranean countries. Although mariculture is present in all coastal counties, the distribution and productivity of farms is uneven. For future development, we suggest focusing on optimizing current production capacities and exploring innovative aquaculture practices to enhance sustainability and economic viability.

Can Lithium OPEC be Realized? Feasibility Analysis of South America’s Lithium Cartel

Global warming has driven the historical shift towards clean energy, with lithium playing a crucial role in this green transition and becoming a focal point of global competition. Due to its high performance and widespread application in manufacturing lightweight energy storage batteries, lithium is at the forefront of electrification, which is essential for achieving zero emissions. Latin America, home to over half of the world’s lithium resources, sees an extraordinary opportunity in this monumental transition. Lithium-producing countries in Latin America are currently proposing a lithium OPEC to influence pricing and enhance profitability. This study evaluates the feasibility of such a cartel and examines the challenges using the framework of commodity cartels, analyzing factors such as demand, supply, production, market structure, and synergies. The paper concludes that resource-rich countries in Latin America are correct in their assessment of the prospects for developing their lithium industry amidst the global energy transition. However, the proposal of a lithium OPEC might be too radical given the current production capacity and market influence of the involved countries. Latin America should seek more practical approaches to develop lithium resources through various regional collaborations and the adoption of new technologies.

Effects of technical advance on cobalt supply and its supply trends: A perspective of the whole industrial chains

By coupling dynamic material flow analysis and econometric models, the effects of technical advance on cobalt supply in the whole industrial chains are explored. Then, its supply trends are investigated at the global and national levels. The results show that: (1) the impact of technical advance on cobalt supply in the mining stage is inverted U-shape, while in the other stages, they are linear promotions. (2) Technical advance could increase global primary supply by up to 10 % from current production capacity. By 2030, secondary and total supplies will reach 79 kt and 251 kt or even more. (3) Refined cobalt supply share of China is expected to be 76 % by 2030. The European Union will produce the largest secondary supply, followed by China, the United States and Japan. (4) With the simultaneous development of technologies in each stage, supply-demand balance could be realized under some ideal scenarios. The above findings help intuitively recognize the roles of technical advance and strengthen the determination to do it.

Study of Influence of Product Range on Production Capacity Indicators of Precast Construction Plants

The paper presents the results of research of the influence of product range parameters on the indicators of development of the design capacities of precast construction plants. The quantity and concrete consumption of products in terms of 1 m2 of total area, as well as the circulation of products, have been taken as the analyzed parameters of product range. It is noted that calculations of production capacity and basic technical and economic indicators of production at the stage of technological design are based on the product range of a typical block section of a house series. At the same time, architectural individuality, flexibility of planning and design solutions of prefabricated houses buildings in industrial design require a variety of modifications of block sections, which is inextricably linked with the growth of the range of manufactured products. Expansion of the range of products for modifications of block sections in the production program of plants is an objective regularity that should be taken into account in the technological design of new or reconstruction of existing precast constructions plants and planning production programs for housing construction. Significant fluctuations in the parameters of the product range in the production programs of plants have been recorded. A regression analysis of the parameters of the range products of production programs of precast construction plants has been carried out. The dependence of product range on the share of dotted houses in housing construction programs has been established. The main parameters of houses determining fluctuations in the range of products have been identified, which include the number of storeys and the number of sections in the house configuration. Taking into account the fact of the significant influence of the product range on the production capacity of plants, the dependence of the indicator of compliance of the concrete capacity of products with 1 m2 of total area on the production capacity indicators has been established. The reliability of the obtained mathematical models is confirmed by the results of statistical processing of research results and verification of models in calculations of the current production capacity of plants.

PENINGKATAN KAPASITAS PRODUKSI DAN BRANDING CAMILAN COKLAT CHIPS PADA BEEMA BROWNIES

BEEMA Brownies, a snack manufacturer, has started producing snacks in the form of Brownies-flavored Choco Chips and several other flavors made from good quality ingredients without artificial sweeteners and preservatives. Even though in the middle of a pandemic, we are still optimistic that we can capture a sufficient consumer market because the market need for healthy snacks is still very much needed. With the implementation of Phase 1 activities, namely the provision of production equipment, namely ovens, product packaging tools and 2 sets of baking sheet equipment, the current production capacity of Beema Brownies has increased from a maximum of 150/package per day with an average product requirement of around 100-200 packs/sold. day to 300/pack per day using the 2 ovens that you already have. Training on the use of the equipment provided has also been carried out so that BEEMA production employees are able to use the newly provided oven equipment and packaging equipment. The amount of production has been able to meet the average demand every day. BEEMA Chocochips has also increased the HR capabilities of 2 employees who help produce in an effort to increase the amount of Chocochips production. By having a website for UKM BEEMA Chocchips, they already have the means for digital identity and digital promotional content for their products so that they are known to the wider community. Keywords: Brownies, Production, Website

Navigating discrepancies in macaque trade reporting: A response to Kolby et al. (2024) and a call for enhanced transparency

We extend our gratitude to the commentators for engaging with our article [1] and offering valuable insights. While we welcome constructive criticism, we find it necessary to assertively address the points raised to ensure a clear understanding of our work.1)Importance of the Long-Tailed Macaque Trade: Our article aims to underscore the conservation and public health implications associated with the long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis) trade. We identified discrepancies in CITES reporting, raising concerns about the efficiency and reliability of the current system. The urgency lies in monitoring the legal wildlife trade, considering conservation, welfare, and safety aspects to safeguard biodiversity and prevent potential pandemics.2)Data Availability, Analysis, and Interpretation: Acknowledging valid concerns regarding CITES data, we concur that a comprehensive investigation into the disparities in live macaque trade reports from involved parties, including the United States and China, is imperative. The highlighted discrepancies in reported trade volumes, as depicted in Fig. 1 of the source article, emphasize potential issues in reporting accuracy, underscoring the necessity for a meticulous evaluation of CITES reporting practices. It is crucial to clarify that our intent is not to undermine the reporting system, but to draw attention to its inherent shortcomings, particularly when significant parties such as the United States display inconsistencies. Emphasizing the significance of timely reporting, our article endeavours to stimulate a thorough examination of the underlying reasons for delays in reporting by signatory parties.3)Statement about the Macaque Trade to the United States of America: Contrary to interpretations made by the commentary authors, our focus extends beyond the United States trade; rather, we delve into the global landscape of the long-tailed macaque trade. Our article highlights the shifting trends among exporting countries, notably the transition from China to Cambodia, prompting us to scrutinize current production capacities. While acknowledging recently released data detailing macaque movements between China and the United States, it is essential to note that these additions neither alter established trends nor provide conclusive answers to the queries posed in our original article.In conclusion, our article seeks to contribute to the improvement of wildlife trade data accuracy and reporting practices. We value the discourse sparked by the commentators and emphasize our commitment to transparent and evidence-based discussions for the betterment of global conservation and public health efforts.

The Use of Natural Gas as The Means of The Green Energy Transition: Case-Study Romania

The European Green Deal, by its commitment towards greenhouse gas net-zero emissions by 2050, by reducing pollution and restoring biodiversity, transforms climate and environmental challenges into opportunities to change the current unsustainable context in the long term. In this respect, Romania has entered a path of replacing classic fuels with clean energy, which is very efficient and as safe as people are used to; and this is the main objective of this article. In carrying out this approach, in the first part of the paper, the problems related to how gases ensure the continuity of the energy system and the opportunities for the energy transition towards a green economy are addressed, while natural gas remains essential in this process. Therefore, beyond the challenges related to the security of energy supply, Romania must find and adopt a strategy to optimally cross this transition. In this context, the paper considers that gas remains essential to facilitate the integration of renewable and decarbonized energy, by replacing current coal-based energy production capacities, but also by contributing to the creation of hydrogen infrastructure at lower costs. Moving on with the research, in the second part of the paper, the main projects that make natural gas a “partner” for renewable resources are presented; it is mainly about the installation of new wind and photovoltaic energy capacities, and the use of hydrogen as an alternative fuel. In this respect, the paper points out that there are currently investors, but (yet) there is no market, nor sufficient demand for green hydrogen, although the potential is huge. Anyway, in the current context of energy paradigm changes, Romania’s major natural gas producers, Romgaz and OMV Petrom, have announced their intention to invest in a joint hydrogen production project in a wind farm in Dobrogea, a first for the Romanian market, which would determine that Dobrogea could become a real “Hydrogen Valley”. Finally, the paper concludes that for the energy sector and not only, natural gas represents the optimal solution in this process, while Romania is in the privileged position of owning its resources, and the versatility of natural gas can ensure a just energy transition.

Plot Size and Shape in Field Crops Cultivation in Türkiye

The size and shape of the agricultural parcel are important factors in improving the agricultural structure. These factors positively affect farmers, especially in matters such as the use of agricultural tools and machines in field crop cultivation, time saving and good soil cultivation. In this context, the size and aspect ratio of the existing parcels are directly linked to the income to be obtained from the unit area. Land consolidation projects are ongoing in approximately 30% of the total agricultural area in Türkiye. In addition, the state's efforts to give agricultural land to landless farmers continue in Türkiye. Considering our current agricultural production capacity, planning the new parcels to be created during these studies will significantly contribute to our field crop production. For this purpose, the average parcel size was determined by analysing the land distribution norm values of 4321 settlement units within the scope of the Agricultural Reform Law No. 3083 on Land Arrangement in Irrigation Areas, published in 1984, and the size of 1868 sufficient income lands within the scope of the Soil Conservation and Land Use Law No. 5403, published in 2014. As a result of this study, it was concluded that, on average, an agricultural parcel of 64 decares in irrigated lands and 157 decares in dry agricultural lands is the most suitable size for growing field crops. Likewise, it was concluded that the parcels were rectangular in shape and the aspect ratio was close to 1:2.

Stakeholder perspectives on the scale-up of green hydrogen and electrolyzers

Green hydrogen is a promising alternative to fossil fuels. However, current production capacities for electrolyzers and green hydrogen are not in line with national political goals and projected demand. Considering these issues, we conducted semi-structured interviews to determine the narratives of different stakeholders during this transformation as well as challenges and opportunities for the green hydrogen value chain. We interviewed eight experts with different roles along the green hydrogen value chain, ranging from producers and consumers of green hydrogen to electrolyzer manufacturers and consultants as well as experts from the political sphere. Most experts see the government as necessary for scale-up, by setting national capacity targets, policy support and providing subsidies. However, the experts also accuse the governments of delaying development through overregulation and long implementation times for regulations. The main challenges that were identified are the current lack of renewable electricity and demand for green hydrogen. Demand for green hydrogen is influenced by supply costs, which partly depend on prices for electrolyzers. However, one key takeaway of the interviews is the skeptical assessments by the experts on the currently discussed estimates for price reduction potential of electrolyzers. While demand, supply, and prices are all factors that influence each other, they result in feedback loops in investment decisions for the energy and manufacturing industries. A second key takeaway is, that according to the experts, current investment decisions in new production capacities are not solely dependent on short-term financial gains, but also based on expected first mover advantages. These include experience and market share which are seen as factors for opportunities for future financial gains.Summarized, the results present several challenges and opportunities for green hydrogen and electrolyzers, and how to address them effectively. These insights contribute to a deeper understanding of the dynamics of the emerging green hydrogen value chain.

An inventory of UK mineral resources suitable for enhanced rock weathering

Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW), a technology based on amending soils with crushed calcium- and magnesium-rich silicate minerals has substantial CO2 removal potential. Evaluation of the available resources of these minerals and current production capacity is crucial for early-stage deployment of this approach. A robust understanding of the potential limitations in exploiting these resources is also required to ensure the scalability of ERW. This paper provides a spatial inventory of basic silicate rock resources in the UK along with current production capacity and permitted reserves. We also integrate spatial data to assess the potential environmental and social impacts of current rock extraction. 68 active and 100 inactive quarries were identified within outcrops of basic silicate rocks which are mainly distributed in Northern Ireland and in the central belt of Scotland. 14.8 Mt yr−1 of basic silicate rock are estimated to be extracted from which up to 3.7 Mt yr−1 of basic silicate waste fines is estimated to be produced which may be available for ERW in the UK. 490 Mt of permitted reserves is associated with active and inactive queries. Spatial distribution of artificial alkaline minerals including Construction and Demolition Wastes (CDW) and legacy slags in the UK have also been included in the inventory. Transport distances are calculated between all resources and the UK's croplands where these materials may be applied for ERW. The relative appropriateness of the UK's croplands for CDR are also calculated based on their proximity to mineral resources and climate parameters controlling the rate of EW.

Impact of cobalt recycling on China's electrification process: Assessing the potential reduction in cobalt demand from battery recycling

China is actively promoting the transition from conventional internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) to electric vehicles (EVs) to achieve its goal of carbon peaking and neutrality. However, this shift will result in a continuous increase in demand for lithium-ion batteries for EVs, leading to a significant rise in demand for cobalt, further exacerbating the risk of cobalt resource supply in China. The study considered three electrification levels, three battery technology routes, two battery capacities, two dynamic battery lifetimes, and two recycling efficiencies, resulting in 36 demand scenarios and 72 recycling scenarios while increasing the precision of the study to the inter-provincial level. The results indicate that China's cobalt demand will be huge, peaking around 2039, with annual demand ranging from 78.29 kt to 359.40 kt, and the current production capacity and reserves are completely inadequate to meet the growing cobalt demand. In some specific scenarios, secondary cobalt demand remains higher than or close to primary cobalt demand between 2035 and 2040, and secondary cobalt demand becomes a significant component affecting total cobalt demand. In terms of recycling, closed-loop recycling can cover 45.1%–59.3% of annual cobalt demand in 2039. With rapid recovery efficiency, cobalt recovery in multiple scenarios can already fully meet primary cobalt demand, and the recovery potential is enormous. Furthermore, adopting low-cobalt battery technology, which extends battery life and reduces battery replacement in EVs, can significantly reduce secondary cobalt demand. At the provincial level, cobalt demand and recycling in China are unevenly distributed, with provinces with high demand for cobalt showing a trend of shifting from inland areas in the northwest to central and eastern coastal areas. In contrast, the areas with the largest recycling volume remain in the north. Therefore, accelerating the promotion of low cobalt and long-life battery technology and improving recycling efficiency can greatly alleviate the cobalt supply risk in China's electrification process. Additionally, specific spatial layouts should be given attention to ensure the sound development of China's EV industry through national coordination so that the double carbon target can be accomplished on time or even ahead of schedule.

Attitudes toward Wind Power in Norway–Solution or Problem in Renewable Energy Development?

Wind power has become an increasingly important source of renewable energy in Norway. Current demand and production capacity have exceeded expectations stipulated in energy policies a few years back. Wind power affects landscape characteristics, and the rapid development has created considerable public conflict. However, knowledge to date about public attitudes toward wind power development in Norway is limited. We surveyed a representative sample of the Norwegian public to examine relationships between wind power development and place attachment, localization, and policies. We also examined if attitudes toward wind power are linked to broader environmental attitudes and meaning of place. Public attitudes range from strong support to strong opposition. We found limited support for NIMBY effects. Support versus opposition correlates with attitudes toward place attachment, localization of wind power plants and energy policies. We found evidence of a dichotomy between the more fundamental world views of eco-modernism versus de-growth influencing the more specific wind power attitudes. We argue that policy institutions have underestimated the power of attitude diversity in the wind power debate, and that social acceptability of future wind power development will depend on improved understanding of how social values of landscapes are impacted.

Study on sustained-release polycarboxylate superplasticizer prepared by EPEG macromonomer

Ethylene glycol monomer polyoxyethylene ether (EPEG) is a new macromonomer that has been introduced in recent years. Its special molecular structure enables it to form copolymers with acrylic acid (AA) that are closer to the ideal copolymerization structure. However, the current production capacity is relatively small, so there are not many related studies. Therefore, this paper uses EPEG as the main raw material to prepare a slow-release polycarboxylate superplasticizer SP-YH. By studying the effects of different reaction conditions on the properties of SP-YH, the optimum synthesis conditions were determined. The structure of the polymer was characterized by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). In addition, the concrete test and hydration heat test results show that it has better slump protection performance and compression resistance than the commercial slump protection polycarboxylic acid water reducer.

Energy Policy - Ethanol Production in INDIA: The Roles of Policy, Price and Demand

Achieving energy security and the transitioning to a thriving low carbon economy is critical for a growing nation like India. Blending locally produced ethanol with petrol will help India strengthen its energy security, enable local enterprises and farmers to participate in the energy economy and reduce vehicular emissions, The Government of India notified the National Policy on Bio-fuels –2018 (NPB–2018) on 4.06.2018 wherein, under the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Program, an indicative target of 20% blending of ethanol in petrol by 2030 was laid out.The current ethanol production capacity in India of 426 crore litres derived from molasses-based distilleries, and 258 cr. litres from grain based distilleries is proposed to be expanded to 760 cr.litres and 740 cr. litres respectively. This would be sufficient to produce 1016 cr. litres of ethanol required for EBP and 334 cr litres for other uses. This will require 60 lakh MT of sugar and 165 lakh MT of grains per annum in ESY 2025 to be used for producing ethanol, which the country can support. To get the ball rolling, MoP&NG should proclaim and lay out the target for 10% ethanol blending of gasoline fuel all over the country by April, 2022. MoP&NG should further initiate phased roll-out of 20% ethanol blending from April, 2023 onwards to enable action by all stakeholders, namely Oil Marketing Companies, vehicle manufacturers, service stations, distilleries, and entrepreneurs as per a detailed roll-out plan suggested (Figure 9.1). This should be supported by a simpler and quicker regulatory regime, preferably single window clearance by the States, MoEF&CC, PESO,DFPD and MoP&NG and the launch of educational campaigns for consumers. This study accelerate the adoption and transition to ethanol blended fuels,price incentives through tax relief at the retail level on ethanol blended fuel and tax incentives for vehicles compatible with E20 are suggested. The government may also encourage use of lower water consuming food grain crops like maize, and 2G feed stock for production of ethanol.

Technology Gap Efficiency of Small-Scale Rice Processors in Anambra State, Nigeria

This paper aims to examine the technology gap efficiency of small-scale rice processors in Anambra State, Nigeria. The research was conducted through a survey of 100 small-scale rice processors in Anambra State. Data were collected with structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive, stochastic frontier analysis, stochastic meta-frontier model, and inferential statistical techniques. The study revealed that important variables to rice processing present in the state are paddy, firewood, water, and huller. Concerning the economic-specific factors, the cost of grading and other processing assets contributes to inefficiency. The results equally showed that the technology gap efficiency of small-scale rice processors in the industry is tied to or tangential to the frontier output, meaning that the processors in Anambra State are making use of the best technology available. The average efficiency index for the processors in the industry was 0.506, implying that their output is below potential by 49.4%. The results also revealed the technology gap efficiency for the participating and non-participating processors as 0.924 and 0.983, respectively, meaning that the participants need to close an 8.0% gap, and the non-participants need to close a 2.0% gap. These gaps are caused by the high cost of processing equipment, high cost of input, and inadequate infrastructure, among others contributing factors. The paper concluded that the average meta-technical efficiency (0.498) of small-scale rice processors in Anambra State is low and needs to be improved through the provision of adequate technology, training, and infrastructure to bring the current industrial production capacity to 100.0%.

Sustainability evaluations on material consumption for terawatt‐scale manufacturing of silicon‐based tandem solar cells

AbstractHigh‐efficiency silicon‐based tandem solar cells will likely drive the push towards terawatt (TW) scale PV manufacturing on the pathway to net zero emissions by 2050. In this work, we provide a comprehensive analysis of material consumption and sustainability issues for future tandem solar cells. First, we analyse the material consumption and sustainable manufacturing capacity of a variety of potential candidates for the top cell in a silicon‐based tandem cell. We show that III‐V, CIGS and CdTe are not suitable to support TW‐scale manufacturing. Perovskites thus present the most sustainable approach, as long as indium is not required in the cell structure. Next, we turn our attention to the silicon bottom cell architecture by comparing PERC, TOPCon and SHJ. Although tandem cells can generally reduce silver consumption relative to single junction silicon cells due to the more favourable JMP/VMP ratio, the PERC cell architecture could allow for significantly reduced Ag consumption compared with both TOPCon and SHJ by relying on Al for the rear p‐type contact. In order to drive a rapid shift towards TW‐scale manufacturing, a rapid upscaling compared with the current production capacity is needed. The results presented herein highlight the need for careful consideration of sustainability issues when designing future high‐efficiency tandem cells that will help the world mitigate the dangers of climate change.

Increasing Maize Production and Advancing Rational Water Allocation and Usage Based on the Optimal Planting Density and Irrigation Levels in Northwest China

Increasing water-use efficiency by optimizing planting density and irrigation regimes in maize is crucial for food security under limited water resources. In this study, six plant densities (6.0, 7.5, 9.0, 10.5, 12.0, and 13.5 × 104 plants ha−1) and three irrigation amounts (300, 450, and 600 mm) were assessed to analyze the effects of planting density and irrigation amount on the yield and yield components. We also explored the combination of maize production capacity and maximizing economic returns in a planting region. The results demonstrated that as planting density increased, grain yield first increased and then decreased. The optimum planting density was 9 × 104 plants ha−1 when the irrigation amount was 300 mm, and 10.5 × 104 plants ha−1 under both 450 mm and 600 mm irrigation amounts. The relationship between planting density, irrigation amount, planting area, production capacity, and economic return showed that a current production capacity with 6.75 × 104 plants ha−1, 600 mm, and 1.066 million ha, could be achieved with 10.5 × 104 plants ha−1, 344 mm, and 1.1 million ha. The water-use efficiency of irrigation was increased by 74%. Current returns could be achieved with 10.5 × 104 plants ha−1, 405 mm, and 1.1 million ha, or by 9.0 × 104 plants ha−1, 449 mm, and 1.1 million ha. These observations demonstrated that appropriately increasing the planting area and reducing the irrigation amount per hectare under an optimal planting density could achieve a greater economic return and water-use efficiency than either increasing the planting density or reducing the irrigation volume alone in North Xinjiang. We concluded that concurrent optimization of the maize planting density, irrigation amount and plant area will not only meet the demand of food security but also achieve a rational use of water resources and farmland.

Line Balancing Analysis to Optimize Production line of Bushing Rubber Using Theory of Constraints and Heuristics Method with Promodel Simulation at PT. Madya Putera Tehnik

The development of manufacturing industry is currently experiencing very rapid development, although the Covid-19 pandemic is still ongoing, this development cannot be inhibited. PT. Madya Putera Tehnik is an industry-engaged automotive part manufacturer that produces bushings. The problem experienced is that the high demand for bushing rubber products makes companies have to optimize the performance of employees and their machines so that targets can be met on time. This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of the production line in the process of making rubber bushings as well as to provide suggestions regarding the balance of the track to increase productivity by using the Theory of Constraints and Heuristic methods. The Theory of Constraints method aims to identify bottlenecks at the outer pipe cutting, rubber roll, rubber clean, and packing work stations that are experiencing problems, and the Heuristic method aims to calculate the balance of the production line. The results obtained from data processing, namely the ranked positional weight and largest candidate rules method have the same results with the number of work stations as many as 14 work stations, track the efficiency of 70%, balance delay of 30%, smoothing index of 66.57, and total exits as many as 1145 units of rubber bushings. It can be interpreted that the two methods have proposed the most optimal trajectory conditions. The company should review the balance of the track and the current production capacity of the company.

Present status and sustainable utilization of hydrothermal geothermal resources in Tianjin, China: a critical review

<abstract> <p>Tianjin, as one of the pioneering and most prominent cities in China, has a long history of harnessing geothermal energy. The geothermal resource available in Tianjin is primarily characterized as a low- to medium-temperature hydrothermal geothermal resource. This manuscript introduces the ongoing status and potential of geothermal utilization in China, with a particular focus on the characteristics and utilization status of geothermal resources in Tianjin, China. Moreover, the relevant strategies and challenges for cost-efficient sustainable utilization of Tianjin geothermal resources are identified. The formation parameters of heat storage characteristics of Tianjin geothermal resources are also discussed. In addition, the key paths, guidelines and challenges on how to solve the obstacles related to the geothermal resources development in Tianjin are also suggested. The summarized results indicate that the geothermal reservoirs exploited in Tianjin vary greatly, which include sandstone of Neogene Minghuazhen formation, Guantao formation, Ordovician and Cambrian and carbonate of Proterozoic Wumishan formation. Most of the exploitative geothermal resources (146 geothermal wells) in Tianjin have mainly been produced from the Wumishan formation of the Jixian system and the Guantao formation of the Neogene system. The current production capacity has been doubled, and a two-stage cascade utilization system has been established, incorporating geothermal power generation and geothermal heating. The geothermal utilization share in Tianjin is estimated to be 81.66% for heating, 16.6% for domestic hot water and 1.35% for bathing. In conclusion, notwithstanding the diversity of geothermal resources in Tianjin, it is difficult to guarantee the sustainable development and utilization of geothermal resources in Tianjin due to the unreasonable layout of geothermal wells, imbalance of production and reinjection. Hence, the integration of distributed temperature sensing and distributed strain sensing monitoring demonstrates significant promise and effectiveness in tracking water circulation and detecting flow localization problems as dynamic monitoring processes and smart thermal response tests should be recommended and established as a substantial feature required in the future utilization and development of geothermal resources in Tianjin.</p> </abstract>

Are Chilimira Fishers of Engraulicypris sardella (Günther, 1868) in Lake Malawi Productive? The Case of Nkhotakota District

An ecological shift has populated Engraulicypris sardella as a livelihood and economic drive among fishers in Malawi. However, the paucity of biological information regarding E. sardella limits the effective monitoring and sustainable management of the fishery. This has created a heavily invested fishery in terms of the effort put into fishing, but it is poorly managed. Moreover, the current production capacity from the fishery has a negligible impact on lessening the shortfall of the national fish demand, indicating its underperformance. Therefore, the productive efficiency of Lake Malawi Chilimira fishers in exploiting E. sardella was analysed. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to sample 355 Chilimira fishers between July and October 2021. Results from the translog stochastic frontier model revealed that Chilimira fishers had an overall mean technical efficiency of 60% that ranged between 21% and 92%. This indicates that Chilimira fishers are 40% technically inefficient in exploiting E. sardella. The fishing inputs of bunt area, light emitting diode (LED) bulbs, and mesh size significantly contributed to technical efficiency, whereas boat size, fishing depth, number of hauls, and mosquito net lining significantly reduced the technical inefficiency. On average, the Chilimira fishery is operating with increasing returns to scale with bunt area, the quantity of fuel (litres), and the number of LED bulbs having positive input–output elasticity. This means that new developments in the fishery, including LED bulbs, increased bunt area, and boat size, are key factors that will improve fishing efficiency for sustainable fishery exploitation. In contrast, illegal fishing units of small bunt mesh size and mosquito net lining at the bunt threaten the sustainability of the fishery. It is, therefore, important that relevant stakeholders put policy measures in place that promote sustainable fishing effort approaches in exploiting the virgin offshore fishery to maximise catch.