Energy Infrastructure Development Research Articles

An Evaluation of People’s Acceptability of Rural Household Energy: A Study of Kaski District, Nepal

Rural energy infrastructure development is essential for promoting holistic and sustainable advancement in emerging nations. This effort seeks to address poverty, improve quality of life, protect the environment, and strengthen resilience against external disruptions. The involvement of governments, development organizations, the private sector, and local communities is essential to ensuring the widespread availability of modern energy services for rural people. The effective implementation of rural energy initiatives hinges on the pivotal issue of popular acceptance. We utilized Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) techniques to determine the public's view of the suitability of various resources (Firewood, LPG, Kerosene, Electricity, and Biogas) for household cooking in local communities. This assessment was based on eight distinct criteria. The criteria have been derived from prior research and a preliminary survey conducted in the rural Kaski area of Nepal. Moreover, the fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) will be employed to determine individuals' preferences for various energy sources. Based on the input from customers and impartial experts, the study determined that the most sustainable sources of energy in the rural Kaski area of Nepal are electricity and biogas, notwithstanding their limited usage. According to the study, firewood is the optimal choice for cooking in rural areas attributable to its exceptional effectiveness concerning food preparation, availability, and friendliness. Although the LPG is widely acknowledged as a most dependable energy source, it is not favored by users due to concerns of safety, friendly, and cost. Rural users regard electric cooking as unreliable, with safety concerns and food quality testing, but people generally embrace it as a healthy and ecologically friendly option. The utilization of biogas is influenced by factors such as cost, reliability, and sensory perception of food.

The windfall of green finance: Advancing environmental sustainability through wind energy

Green finance plays a pivotal part in driving sustainable wind energy projects by facilitating the expansion and development of wind energy infrastructure. It reduces reliance on fossil fuels and mitigates climate change by providing funding mechanisms that prioritize eco-conscious and socially accountable investments. The existing investigation checks the nonlinear effect of green finance on wind energy in the top 10 wind energy producer economies (USA, China, France, Spain, Germany, Brazil, Canada, UK, India, and Turkey). The prior works have implemented panel data tools to study the bond between green finance and wind energy. However, it is frequently needed to account for the divergences in this relationship among various economies. Conversely, the existing investigation employs a unique instrument, 'Quantile-on-Quantile', to scrutinize the relationship on an economy-particular level. This approach provides a holistic worldwide view while also providing customized perceptions that are specific to each country. The findings intimate that green finance contributes to the growth of wind energy across various data quantiles in the selected economies. Likewise, the outcomes emphasize that our variables' asymmetries vary from country to country. These insights emphasize policymakers' need to manage strategies interrelated to green finance and wind energy generation thoroughly.

Community participation in the electricity network development project in Bekasi from ecological citizenship perspective

This research explores the role of community participation in the electricity network construction project in Bekasi Regency, by viewing it through the lens of ecological citizenship. Ecological citizenship provides a framework for understanding the link between community participation and ecological responsibility in the context of energy infrastructure development. This research adopts a qualitative approach with a focus on in-depth understanding of the dynamics of community participation, influencing factors, and its impact on environmental sustainability. It is hoped that the research results will provide in-depth insight into the extent to which community participation can increase the sustainability of electricity network development projects. In addition, this research also aims to identify factors that influence community ecological participation in the project. Policy implications and recommendations will be generated to guide the development of similar infrastructure projects in the future by considering the ecological citizenship perspective.

Beyond ownership: assessing diverse housing typologies and policy interventions for affordable housing in Dilla, Ethiopia

AbstractThis research addresses global housing crisis, a secondary city of Dilla in Ethiopia as a case study. This study seeks to fill the empirical knowledge gap in popular housing typologies and tenure types in urban development in the Global South outside metropolitan areas. Drawing from an in-depth study of 18 households, the focus is on housing choices of middle- and low-income households in a secondary city of Dilla, Ethiopia. Such cities so far have been less in the focus of researchers, compared to capital regions. The studied housing types are tenures of homeownership, private rental and a rent-free model as housing types, with informal arrangements playing a role in the last two types. Our study underlines the necessity of not only acknowledging, repairing and formalizing the existing semi- and informal housing developments but also of proactively planning for peripheral housing developments and future expansion, a strategy with broader applicability to the region and the Global South. Such anticipating measures include the development of water and energy infrastructure, land earmarking for much-needed public rental housing, and the establishment of robust tenant rights through legislative foresight.

Shifting from techno-economic to socio-ecological priorities: Incorporating landscape preferences and ecosystem services into the siting of renewable energy infrastructure.

This study examines the siting scenarios for renewable energy installations (REI) in a mountainous region of Europe (Switzerland), incorporating the external costs of ecosystem services and, innovatively, social preferences. This approach challenges the prevalent techno-economic siting paradigm, which often overlooks these externalities. To minimize the external costs of the scenarios while maximizing energy yield, Marxan, an optimization software, was employed. The energy target for all scenarios is set at 25 TWh/a, stemming from the energy gap anticipated due to the phase-out of Swiss nuclear reactors by 2050. This target is met using renewable energy infrastructure such as wind, roof-mounted photovoltaic, and ground-mounted photovoltaic systems. By integrating social preferences into the optimization, this study showcases a promising implementation that transcends the software's intended applications. It complements techno-economic approaches and offers alternative decision-making avenues. The conventional "roof first" strategy proved ineffective in preventing extensive land use for the development of new renewable energy infrastructure. Strategies incorporating ground-mounted photovoltaic infrastructure were more spatially, ecologically, and socially efficient than those without. The strategy optimized for energy yield exhibited the highest spatial efficiency but incurred significant ecosystem service costs and, surprisingly, had low social costs. In contrast, the strategy prioritizing ecosystem services was the most efficient in terms of ecosystem service costs but had elevated social costs and was spatially less efficient than other strategies. The strategy optimized for social preferences incurred the lowest social costs and excelled in spatial efficiency and ecosystem service costs. Notably, this strategy employed a limited number of planning units linked to both high ecosystem service and social costs. The findings underscore that incorporating social preferences significantly enhances the evaluation of siting options. This inclusion allows for the social acceptance of investments to be factored into costs, facilitating more informed and inclusive decisions.

Tracking data highlight the importance of human-induced mortality for large migratory birds at a flyway scale

Human-induced direct mortality affects huge numbers of birds each year, threatening hundreds of species worldwide. Tracking technologies can be an important tool to investigate temporal and spatial patterns of bird mortality as well as their drivers. We compiled 1704 mortality records from tracking studies across the African-Eurasian flyway for 45 species, including raptors, storks, and cranes, covering the period from 2003 to 2021. Our results show a higher frequency of human-induced causes of mortality than natural causes across taxonomic groups, geographical areas, and age classes. Moreover, we found that the frequency of human-induced mortality remained stable over the study period. From the human-induced mortality events with a known cause (n = 637), three main causes were identified: electrocution (40.5 %), illegal killing (21.7 %), and poisoning (16.3 %). Additionally, combined energy infrastructure-related mortality (i.e., electrocution, power line collision, and wind-farm collision) represented 49 % of all human-induced mortality events. Using a random forest model, the main predictors of human-induced mortality were found to be taxonomic group, geographic location (latitude and longitude), and human footprint index value at the location of mortality. Despite conservation efforts, human drivers of bird mortality in the African-Eurasian flyway do not appear to have declined over the last 15 years for the studied group of species. Results suggest that stronger conservation actions to address these threats across the flyway can reduce their impacts on species. In particular, projected future development of energy infrastructure is a representative example where application of planning, operation, and mitigation measures can enhance bird conservation.

Numerical Hydrodynamic Modelling As A Tool For Research And Use Of Tidal Rivers

Tidal estuaries play a crucial role, serving as major hubs for economic activities while also contributing to the preservation of natural diversity and bioproductivity. In Russia, these estuaries are primarily located in remote regions of the European North and the Far East, making them vital for energy and transportation usage as they essentially form the ‘cores’ of territorial development along the Northern Sea Route. To facilitate the development of energy and navigation infrastructure in tidal estuaries, as well as to plan and implement environmental protection measures, it is essential to have a comprehensive understanding of their hydrological regime. Unlike regular river flow, tidal estuaries exhibit more complex hydrodynamics, influenced by both river and marine factors. Due to the considerable challenges of conducting field hydrological studies in remote areas, numerical hydrodynamic modelling has emerged as a valuable method for obtaining information on the flow and water level regime in tidal estuaries. This paper presents an application of one-dimensional HEC-RAS and two-dimensional STREAM_2D CUDA numerical models to investigate the parameters of reverse currents in the hypertidal Syomzha estuary flowing into the Mezen Bay of the White Sea. The limitations and accuracy of the models are discussed, along with the potential for their improvement considering recent advancements in understanding the hydraulics of reverse currents.

Systems analysis for energy assets of Iraq influenced by water scarcity

AbstractWater security in arid and semi-arid Middle Eastern climates has been severely impacted by effects of climate change such as reduced precipitation, diminished storage, increased evapotranspiration, and prolonged heat waves. These climate effects are compounded in Iraq, where populations, agriculture, industry, and energy rely heavily on varying transboundary water flows to meet water demands. Iraq’s most profitable sector, energy, is especially threatened by insufficient water supply, which complicates government decision making in energy infrastructure development. The goal of this paper is to develop a scenario-based multi-criteria analysis framework to prioritize infrastructure investments in the context of climate change and scarcity of natural resources. Infrastructure facilities are evaluated against social, economic, climate, and hydrologic criteria across a set of disruptive climatological, economic, and social scenarios to identify robust initiatives and the most and least disruptive scenarios to the system. A particular innovation of this paper is the evaluation of hydrology data derived from satellites in determining water scarcity impact on individual energy facilities. The methods are demonstrated for a critical sector of Iraq’s economy: oil and natural gas. The demonstration includes 13 system-order criteria, 44 oil and gas initiatives within Iraq, and seven risk scenarios. The results include an accounting of the most and least disruptive scenarios to energy sector priorities and scenario-based system orderings to guide stakeholders in investment prioritization.

Examining the effects of solar energy Innovations, information and communication technology and financial globalization on environmental quality in the united States via Quantile-On-Quantile KRLS analysis

The development of renewable energy infrastructure is widely recognized as pivotal in solving ecological concerns. However, despite their significance in advancing ecological sustainability, researchers have given scant attention to the interplay between solar energy innovations, information and communication technology (ICT), and their impacts on ecological quality. Addressing this research gap, this study examines the impact of solar energy innovations, trade openness, ICT, economic growth and financial globalization on ecological quality in the United States context. To achieve this objective, the study employs the novel Quantile on Quantile Kernel-Based Regularized Least Squares (QQKRLS) approach proposed by Adebayo et al. [1], analyzing data from 2000 to 2020. The findings from QQKRLS analysis unveil several key insights: Firstly, solar energy innovations, economic growth and trade openness exhibit a significant positive association with ecological quality. Secondly, financial globalization and ICT demonstrate a positive impact on ecological quality. Drawing from these results, the study underlines the necessity for the United States to prioritize the promotion of solar energy innovations, financial globalization, trade openness and ICT adoption. By accentuating these strategic imperatives, the United States policymakers can work towards nurturing a more sustainable ecological route while advancing economic development objectives.

Hydrogen refueling station location optimization under uncertainty

Hydrogen refueling stations (HRS) are essential for the growth of the hydrogen energy and fuel cell vehicle industry, making the strategic decision of their location and scale critical. This study advances the HRS location optimization problem by integrating network planning and hydrogen scheduling optimization, a novel approach that addresses both where and how big HRSs should be, alongside managing supply relations and hydrogen transportation scheduling. Uniquely, it incorporates uncertainty factors in hydrogen demand, using a two-stage multi-period stochastic programming model designed to minimize both construction and operational costs under variable demand scenarios, while also ensuring customer satisfaction. Our main contributions include the development of this comprehensive model and the introduction of an efficient metaheuristic algorithm to solve it, significantly enhancing computational efficiency. The effectiveness of our approach is demonstrated through numerical experiments, and a sensitivity analysis provides crucial insights, underlining the practical implications for HRS infrastructure development. The findings not only offer a methodological advancement in HRS location selection but also deliver tangible results that can guide industry stakeholders in strategic decision-making, marking a significant step forward in the sustainable development of hydrogen energy infrastructure.

Seq2Seq-Based-Day-Ahead Scheduling for SCUC in Islanded Power Systems with Limited Intermittent Generation

Due to their dependence on intermittent renewable energy sources, island power systems, which are generally located in remote places or on islands, offer particular issues for day-ahead scheduling. Using the capabilities of neural networks, we offer a Seq2Seq-based technique for day-ahead scheduling, which increases the precision and flexibility of unit commitment choices. The attention mechanisms in the Seq2Seq model are trained with historical data that includes projections for intermittent generation, demand, and unit commitment choices. The model is tested for its capacity to incorporate dynamic temporal relationships and deal with regenerative uncertainty. Seq2Seq models, a kind of deep learning approach, have shown impressive performance in several applications requiring sequence prediction. Uncertainty in renewable energy production, energy demand forecasts, and security limitations are all addressed in this work as Seq2Seq algorithms are applied to microgrid SCUC. In comparison to conventional scheduling approaches, the results show potential gains in prediction accuracy and operational efficiency. This study demonstrates how Seq2Seq models may be used to improve the longevity and dependability of isolated electrical grids and the way for the development of more effective, sustainable, and resilient energy infrastructure by contributing to the advancement of the area of microgrid optimization.

Renewable energy policies and wildlife conservation: A review of potential conflicts and coexistence strategies

The global push towards renewable energy sources as a response to climate change has led to an increasing overlap between renewable energy projects and critical wildlife habitats. This review explores the potential conflicts and synergies between renewable energy policies and wildlife conservation efforts. As nations strive to transition from fossil fuels to sustainable alternatives, the unintended consequences on biodiversity and ecosystems demand careful consideration. The analysis begins by examining the conflicts arising from the development of renewable energy infrastructure, such as wind and solar farms, in ecologically sensitive areas. These conflicts include habitat disruption, altered migration patterns, and the direct threat to endangered species. The paper also delves into the social implications of renewable energy projects, such as displacement of indigenous communities and the disruption of traditional land use. However, the review doesn't solely focus on conflicts but also explores coexistence strategies that can mitigate the adverse impacts of renewable energy development on wildlife. It highlights the importance of strategic project siting, wildlife-friendly design considerations, and effective mitigation measures. Additionally, the paper discusses the potential for incorporating ecological restoration efforts within renewable energy projects to enhance habitat quality and support biodiversity. Furthermore, the review addresses the role of policy frameworks in promoting sustainable coexistence between renewable energy development and wildlife conservation. It evaluates existing policies and proposes recommendations to strike a balance between the imperative of clean energy and the preservation of biodiversity. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the complex interplay between renewable energy policies and wildlife conservation, offering insights into potential conflicts and proposing coexistence strategies. Balancing the dual objectives of mitigating climate change and preserving biodiversity requires a nuanced understanding of the ecological, social, and policy dimensions involved. The findings presented contribute to a holistic approach that aims to harmonize renewable energy development and wildlife conservation for a sustainable future.

Fundamental Rethinking of Supply Chain Management

Labor disruptions, inflation, high interest rates, permitting delays, and long interconnection queues characterized the development and construction of new energy infrastructure in 2023. Terrestrial and offshore wind, solar, transmission, and hydrogen projects have been impacted most, and continued challenges are expected.

STATUS AND PROBLEMS OF DEVELOPMENT OF “GREEN” ECONOMY IN AZERBAIJAN

According to domestic and international experts, the most promising areas for the development of the “green economy” in the Republic of Azerbaijan (AR) are energy, transport and agriculture [1]. In recent years, numerous studies have been carried out in the AR to study the existing potential in the field of development of alternative and renewable energy. As a result of the research, the presence of large wind, solar and hydropower potential, biogas and thermal energy resources in the republic was revealed. In general, the level of opportunities for the development of alternative and renewable energy infrastructure in Azerbaijan can be compared with such countries as Denmark and Germany. Keywords: green economy, sustainable development, energy, energy efficiency, renewable energy sources, transport, agriculture.

Theory of Constraints and Bitcoin: Introducing a New Fulcrum

Much of the attention on bitcoin relates to its ability to store value over time or whether you will one day by able to buy a cup of coffee with it. Much less attention is given to bitcoin’s potential role as a unit of account. This opinion piece proposes that bitcoin has potential to provide a consistent unit of account for organisations to adopt, but also to assist them in making and measuring meaningful business developments. The paper draws from the business improvement philosophy of Theory of Constraints to propose that unit of account, particularly within high inflation environments, is critical to consider. An illustrative case of a well-known publicly traded company, Microstrategy, provides an example and logic for a company choosing to integrate bitcoin into a business. The paper also gives attention to how the adoption of bitcoin can promote the development of renewable energy infrastructure and provide staff with opportunities for personal development to support their well-being. Opportunities for further research are identified to explore the integration of bitcoin within a business as well as with Theory of Constraints.

ENERGY SECURITY IN THE GLOBAL CONTEXT: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF GEOPOLITICAL DYNAMICS AND POLICIES

Energy security is a critical dimension in the contemporary global landscape, where the availability, affordability, and reliability of energy resources play a pivotal role in shaping geopolitical dynamics and national policies. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the intricate interplay between energy security, geopolitics, and policies on the global stage. The quest for energy security is inherently linked to the geopolitical landscape, as nations strategically position themselves to secure access to vital energy resources. The competition for control over key energy reserves, transit routes, and distribution networks often shapes international relations, leading to geopolitical tensions and conflicts. The study delves into the geopolitical dynamics surrounding major energy-producing regions, such as the Middle East, Central Asia, and the Arctic, analyzing the impact of these dynamics on global energy security. Policies and strategies employed by nations to enhance their energy security are critical aspects of this review. The analysis encompasses a range of policy dimensions, including diversification of energy sources, investments in renewable energy technologies, and the development of resilient energy infrastructure. Moreover, the study explores the role of international collaborations, agreements, and institutions in fostering energy security and addressing common challenges. The transition towards a sustainable and secure energy future is a key focus, considering the increasing importance of climate change mitigation and the imperative to reduce dependence on finite fossil fuel resources. The paper emphasizes the significance of policy frameworks that balance economic, environmental, and security considerations to achieve a holistic approach to energy security. This comprehensive review provides a nuanced understanding of energy security within the global context, offering insights into the complex interconnections between geopolitics and policies. It underscores the need for a collaborative and multifaceted approach to address the challenges and opportunities inherent in securing the world's energy future.
 Keywords: Energy Security, Policies, Geopolitical Dynamics, Energy, Review.

TransHyDE‐Sys: An Integrated Systemic Approach for Analyzing and Supporting the Transformation of Energy Systems and Hydrogen Infrastructure Development

In addition to the long‐term goal of mitigating climate change, the current geopolitical upheavals heighten the urgency to transform Europe's energy system. This involves expanding renewable energies while managing intermittent electricity generation. Hydrogen is a promising solution to balance generation and demand, simultaneously decarbonizing complex applications. To model the energy system's transformation, the project TransHyDE‐Sys, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, takes an integrated approach beyond traditional energy system analysis, incorporating a diverse range of more detailed methods and tools. Herein, TransHyDE‐Sys is situated within the recent policy discussion. It addresses the requirements for energy system modeling to gain insights into transforming the European hydrogen and energy infrastructure. It identifies knowledge gaps in the existing literature on hydrogen infrastructure‐oriented energy system modeling and presents the research approach of TransHyDE‐Sys. TransHyDE‐Sys analyzes the development of hydrogen and energy infrastructures from “the system” and “the stakeholder” perspectives. The integrated modeling landscape captures temporal and spatial interactions among hydrogen, electricity, and natural gas infrastructure, providing comprehensive insights for systemic infrastructure planning. This allows a more accurate representation of the energy system's dynamics and aids in decision‐making for achieving sustainable and efficient hydrogen network development integration.

Energy poverty in the face of stringent environmental policies: An analysis of mitigating role of energy storage in China

This study aims to investigate the links between China's energy poverty and environmental rules, emphasizing the role of energy storage capacity and energy infrastructure development in alleviating energy poverty. The research emphasizes that implementing tighter environmental regulations increases the cost of living of the household depending on non-renewable energy sources, causing energy poverty. The household survey data collected in China from 2010 to 2020. Moreover, the research emphasizes the energy storage mechanism. In this paper, we examine the potential implications of environmental regulations on residential EE and the mechanism by which such environmental constraints affect energy efficiency, using the passage of China's most recent ecological preservation legislation as an example. Our results show that the most recent environmental preservation regulation has less effect on families that rely on pure electricity. In contrast, it produces higher power loads and more severe EE for families' dependent on impure power. The research further suggests the necessity for considering the environmental and energy impact for policymakers while implementing these policies and these could help handle energy poverty while maintaining ecological integrity.

Energy complexes based on small hydropower plants of factory readiness

This article covers the role and potential of small hydroelectric power plants (SHPP’s) of factory readiness as part of the energy complex in the context of sustainable development of energy infrastructure and environmental safety. Attention is paid to the capabilities of the SHPP, as a key element in the strategies of reliable and environmentally friendly energy supply, especially in remote, decentralized and hard-to-reach areas. The SHPP effectiveness study requires an integrated approach covering the analysis of technological and environmental aspects. The article presents the results of the analysis of the SHPP projects implemented, emphasizing their contribution to the development of sustainable energy and highlighting both the advantages and challenges faced by these projects. The conclusion summarizes the results that indicate the importance of the SHPP as a tool for achieving the goals of renewable energy and sustainable development of the electric power industry as a whole.

Self-Sustainability for green energy in megacities: A case Study of Shanghai towards Net-Zero Goal

China’s ambitious 2060 net-zero carbon emission goal places increasing pressure on megacities to transition towards green energy self-sustainability. This paper delves into the feasibility of this target using a case study of Shanghai, the largest city in the world’s highest emitting nation. In the study, both quantitative and qualitative evaluations involving literature review, ArcGIS, and approximation analysis were applied to calculate the total amount of electricity that local could generate and maximize for renewable energy in order to fulfill the percentage of Shanghai’s energy demand. Through discussing various renewable methods such as solar, wind, tidal, and geothermal power, it projects the city’s potential for renewable energy self-sufficiency from now to 2060. The outcome of this study aims to: (1) Evaluate the vicinity and feasibility of green energy self-sustainability in megacities, considering the trade-off between ideal scenarios and real-world limitations; (2) Determine the necessity and potential volume of imported electricity under different renewable energy scenarios for Shanghai; (3) Provide a practical reference for other cities to benchmark their own renewable energy infrastructure development and assess their progress towards net-zero emissions; (4) Identify existing gaps and challenges that need to be addressed to achieve green energy self-sustainability in large urban centers. By offering a detailed analysis of Shanghai’s renewable energy potential and its implications for China’s national target, this study is expected to contribute to the broader discourse on urban decarburization and paves the way for a greener future for megacities worldwide.