Energy-intensive Sectors Research Articles

Energy Price Distortions and Urban Carbon Emission Efficiency: Evidence from China’s Energy-Intensive Sectors

With a primary focus of achieving carbon neutrality, the energy-intensive industrial sectors (EIIs) contribute to more than half of China’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. During the process of China’s rapid economic development, distorted energy prices gradually became the main obstacle to energy conservation and emission reductions in the EIIs. Therefore, this study focused on determining the mechanisms affecting the energy price distortions of carbon emission efficiency (CEE) in China’s EIIs. Based on a stochastic frontier analysis, the changing trend of CEE in China’s EIIs was evaluated. The channels impacting the energy price distortions of CEE were further analyzed by a mediating effect and moderated mediating effect model. The main contributions and findings include the following: energy price distortions have a significant negative impact on CEE by suppressing technological innovations and hindering the restructuring of energy consumption; governmental environmental regulatory policies mitigate their suppressing effect on technological innovations and reduce the preventing effect by improving the energy consumption structure. The results suggest that market-based price reforms and moderate environmental regulation by the government could help to improve CEE in China’s EIIs. These findings are of great significance for promoting the sustainable development of the energy-intensive industrial sectors and achieving carbon neutrality.

Quantitative assessment of PM2.5-related human health impacts at the provincial level in China and analysis of its heterogeneity affected by economic structural transformation

Rapid economic development has led to massive fossil energy consumption and emissions of air pollutants such as PM2.5, which have severely impacted human health and the environment. By uncovering the primary regions and pivotal sectors of PM2.5-related human health impacts (PM2.5-HHI) and evaluating the influence of economic structural factors on them, we can facilitate a more targeted strategy for managing PM2.5 pollution sources. This study employs a structural decomposition analysis method based on input–output analysis to evaluate the impact of China’s provincial economic structural transformation and changes in final demand on PM2.5-HHI in the years 2012, 2015, and 2017. Results indicated that PM2.5-HHI is primarily concentrated in economically developed provinces (e.g., Shandong and Guangdong), which is compared to Shanghai, Heilongjiang, Liaoning, and Hebei experienced negative growth in PM2.5-HHI during 2007–2017. The production-based PM2.5-HHI is primarily driven by energy-intensive sectors such as the production and distribution of electric power and heat power. By contrast, the building sector is key to driving consumption-based PM2.5-HHI. An increasing number of regions are reducing PM2.5-HHI by implementing production structure changes. Moreover, the driving effect of production structure changes on PM2.5-HHI growth is strengthening in Beijing and Tianjin. Changes in the final demand structure mainly led to the growth of PM2.5-HHI in areas with higher economic development levels, such as Beijing and Shandong, but this driving effect is weakening. The final demand–driven PM2.5-HHI shows an evolutionary trend of an increasing share driven by fixed capital formation and exports and a decreasing share driven by household consumption. Changes in emission intensity play a key role in decreasing PM2.5-HHI in each region. Alternatively, changes in the structure of emission sources have a relatively minor impact on PM2.5-HHI. To mitigate PM2.5-HHI, regional economic and resource endowment advantages should be used to promote regional coordinated development and strengthen green production-process innovation in energy-intensive industries. Meanwhcile, it is necessary to optimize urban construction planning and improve the energy efficiency of buildings.

Solar-powered modern poultry farm: a case study BAYAT complex Ouargla, Algeria

Energy consumption in poultry farming systems has a direct impact on the thermoregulation of the chickens, the ventilation of the house, and the quality of the air to provide a suitable indoor environment for chicken health. This makes the poultry industry an energy-intensive sector, with gas and electricity as major expenses. Therefore, the integration of solar photovoltaic systems can enhance energy saving in poultry farming, and reduce the emission of greenhouse gases. Accordingly, this study conducts thermal analysis to predict heat losses in winter and heat gains in summer according to the method described in the Regulatory Technical Documents (DTR). Our industrial poultry farm is the BAYAT Complex located in the Wilaya of Ouargla. The results obtained show that the total heating power is about 117.67 kW for a livestock building of 120x14 m² area containing 16000 chickens, while the cooling power for the same building is 553.92 kW. In the case of heating, the greatest heat loss comes from losses by transmission, about 88%. In the case of cooling, the internal thermal contributions represent 81% of that which enters through the structure of the building, of which 40% are latent internal contributions while 41% are sensitive.

Estimation of SAM for India: An Application for India’s Energy Transition Targets

The social accounting matrix (SAM) for India was historically constructed based on the input–output table (IOT). However, since 2011–2012, the Government of India has been publishing the supply–use table, instead of the IOT. While the erstwhile IOT, published by the Government of India, had the same number of products and industries, the supply–use table provides one ‘supply matrix’ and one ‘use matrix’, each of which is a rectangular table with 140 products and 66 industries (for 2018–2019). Converting the supply–use table to a square IOT and subsequently extending it to SAM require the utilisation of various data sources, numerous steps and adjustments. Despite the usefulness of both IO and SAM matrices in macroeconomic policy design, not much literature is available on these. This study aims to bridge the gap by constructing IOT and SAM for India from the supply–use table incorporating information from many other sources and describing the method of construction of the matrices. Our IO and SAM also focus on various energy sectors, including different sources of power generation, biomass and so on, and disaggregate energy-intensive sectors like cement or aluminium, considering the immense usefulness of the energy-extended macro-structure to the research of energy and environment policies. The study focuses on the construction of a 59 × 59 SAM for India, with the base year of 2021–2022 incorporating three factors of production and ten categories of households. As an application of the newly constructed SAM, we have analysed the employment implication of India’s Nationally Determined Contribution emission commitments. JEL Codes: E16, C67, D57

Fabrication and Thermal Analysis of Nano-structured Heat Transfer Medium and Novel Conical-shaped Solar Greenhouse Device

The solar device that acts on the principle of greenhouse effect is a solar greenhouse device and it is a feasible option for photothermal applications. Its optical characteristics, thermal properties, and thermal performances are to be improved for its effective utilization in application sectors. From these perspectives, the initial part of the present research was devoted to preparing, characterizing, and evaluating the nano-based heat transfer medium. The central part of the present research was devoted to fabricating the novel conical-shaped solar greenhouse device integrated with the nano-based heat transfer medium; the final part was devoted to experimentally evaluating the thermal performances of the fabricated solar greenhouse device. In the present research work, the carbon nanotube and nano-tungsten carbide-coated heat transfer medium and novel solar greenhouse device were developed and they were experimentally analyzed. The characterization studies showed that the chemical constituents in the coating affecting the heat transfer medium were in nano-sizes. The thermal studies showed that the maximum temperature enhancement on heat transfer medium with nano-coating was in the range of 49.0 to 76.2 °C. The performance study showed that the maximum drying efficiency of the conical-shaped solar greenhouse device varied from 63.9 to 66.7% for drying the leaves of medicinal plants. The novelty of the present work was not only the preparation of a nanostructured heat transfer medium but also the fabrication and utilization of a novel solar greenhouse device. Since the physical characteristics of the components and devices were found to be satisfactory, it could be concluded that the components and conical-shaped greenhouse devices would effectively be utilized in energy-intensive sectors.

Retrofit of a Marine Engine to Dual-Fuel Methane–Diesel: Experimental Analysis of Performance and Exhaust Emission with Continuous and Phased Methane Injection Systems

Shipping is a highly energy-intensive sector, and fleet decarbonization initiatives can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In the short-to-medium term, internal combustion engines will continue to be used for propulsion or as electricity generators onboard ships. Natural gas is an effective solution which can be used to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from the marine sector. Considered to be a transitional fuel, it can provide a potential reduction in CO2 emissions of around 20–30%, compared with conventional marine fuels. This work investigated the influence of diesel-injection strategies on the performance and emissions of a single-cylinder prototype compression-ignition engine for marine applications, retrofitted to run as a Low-Pressure Dual-Fuel Engine using natural gas. Two different injection systems were used: a mass flow controller enabling continuous-mode gas feeding, and a Solenoid-Operated Gas Admission Valve for marine applications, the latter allowing phased natural-gas injection. Experimental tests were focused on partial-load conditions, which are critical for dual-fuel engines, with a natural gas/diesel mass ratio of 4:1. Phased injection resulted in reductions in fuel consumption, compared to continuous mode, of up to 11%. Further experiments demonstrated reductions in fuel consumption of up to 20.7% (in equivalent diesel); on the other hand, the unburned hydrocarbon emissions which resulted were an order of magnitude larger than the reference values for full diesel, reducing the benefits in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, with a reduction in Global Warming Potential of only 3% compared to full diesel.

Role of energy efficiency in energy transition: A decomposition analysis of energy use

The use of energy-efficient technologies tends to reduce the overall energy use of a country and foster the energy transition pathways. However, a change in energy can occur either due to a change in activity effect, intensity effect, or structural effect. The objective of the study is firstly to examine and measure the magnitude of change in energy use and identify the factor responsible for the change in energy use in the selected sectors. Secondly, the paper aims to analyze the impact of the Norwegian economy on the three effects of energy use. The study contributes significantly to identifying the sector that experiences a reduction in energy use due to energy efficiency and examining the impact of the economy on energy use. The overall energy use between 1990 and 2017 is decomposed into three different effects for selected energy-intensive sectors by deploying the ‘Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index’ (LMDI) method. Further, the impact of the Norwegian economy is examined on the three effects of energy use. It is observed that in each Phase, the key driver for change in energy use in all three Phases is the transport sector. Post-recession, the energy use in the transport sector was due to structural effects. Consumer behavior and limitations of sources of finance are the challenges for the deployment of electric vehicles even after technological breakthroughs in energy efficiency. Finally, the policies to enhance energy efficiency in energy-intensive sectors, such as the transport, and services sector must be undertaken to efficiently visualize energy efficiency-driven energy transition.

Provincial-level analysis of electrification feasibility and climate policy interactions

Improving electrification feasibility is essential for reducing emissions from non-electric energy sources, thereby enhancing air quality and public health. Concurrently, climate mitigation actions, such as carbon pricing policies, have significant potential to alleviate increasing carbon dioxide (CO2) and other co-emitted air pollutants. However, the interactions between climate policy and the improvement of electrification feasibility at the provincial level remain unclear, collectively impacting the net-zero transition of energy-intensive sectors. Here we combine a technologically rich economic-energy-environment model with air quality modeling across China to examine the health, climate, and economic implications of large-scale upgrades in electrification feasibility and climate policies from 2017 to 2030. The results indicate that advancing electrification feasibility, coupled with adopting carbon pricing policies, is likely to facilitate a transition towards electricity-dominant energy systems. Improved electrification feasibility is projected to yield a 7–25% increase in nationwide climate benefits and a 5–14% increase in health benefits by 2030. These incremental benefits, coupled with reduced economic costs, result in a 22–68% increase in net benefits. However, regionally, improvements in electrification feasibility will lead to heightened power demand and unintended emissions from electric energy production in certain provinces (e.g., Nei Mongol) due to the coal-dominated power system. Additionally, in major coal-producing provinces like Shanxi and Shaanxi, enhanced electrification feasibility exacerbates the negative economic impacts of climate policies. This study provides quantitative insights into how improving electrification feasibility reshapes energy evolution and the benefit-cost profile of climate policy at the provincial level. The findings underscore the necessity of a well-designed compensation scheme between affected and unaffected provinces and coordinated emission mitigation across the power and other end-use sectors.

A game theoretic approach for tradable white certificates regarding energy rebound and government intervention

In recent decades, many government administrations have tracked energy efficiency programs (EEPs) against environmental concerns. This was done so that it could potentially be useful as a supportive mechanism for smart technologies applied under the smart city concept. To facilitate this, tradable white certificates (TWCs) have been implemented as popular financial instruments used by energy-intensive sectors to boost cleaner production. In this study, we address an industrial EEP development with a TWC instrument as a multi-agent problem. We study this problem for the first time in the context of a supply chain that includes a manufacturer, an energy producer, and household energy consumers. Furthermore, we explore a new monopolistic pricing model for energy services and energy-efficient products, regarding the rebound effect, energy consumption, and social welfare. Additionally, we discuss two revenue-cost-sharing contracts and compare them as contracts using a comprehensive parametric and experimental analysis. The results show that the second proposed contract has some advantages over the first one. However, the second contract leads to less production than the first one does, while at the same time leading to less social welfare. Also, the findings suggest that the second investigated contract is a more appropriate instrument for the obligated parties than the first one when the aim is to improve the performance of TWC schemes. These findings can provide better circumstances for governance to optimize the critical parameters’ level on TWC schemes with the lowest analytical cost.Graphical abstract

Exploring the role of hydrogen in decarbonizing energy-intensive industries: A techno-economic analysis of a solid oxide fuel cell cogeneration system

Industry is nowadays one of the most energy-demanding sectors representing a major contributor of global greenhouse gas emissions. The simultaneous need for electricity and high-temperature heat is what makes some industrial processes difficult to decarbonize via current commercially available technologies. As the demand for materials and goods is expected to grow in the upcoming years, it is crucial to define which strategies and technologies will serve as the cornerstone of sustainable development. This study addresses the imperative need for emission reduction of energy-intensive sectors by proposing a novel hydrogen-based cogeneration system in the framework of the paper and pulp industry, with the aim of providing general insights relevant to a broader spectrum of similar applications. The comparative analysis presented in this work focuses on three cogeneration options aimed at satisfying the paper mill energy needs: a conventional natural gas-fuelled gas turbine, a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) fed with grey hydrogen produced via steam methane reforming, and a SOFC operating using green hydrogen produced on-site. The latter involves an integrated multi-energy system with photovoltaic panels, electrolyzers, compressors, and storage tanks. Indeed, the SOFC potential of supplying electricity and high-temperature heat in the form of pressurized steam for industrial applications has not been well investigated yet and represents one of the main objectives of this work. Building on the real consumption profiles of a paper mill facility, techno-economic analyses are carried out for many system configurations, varying components size and layout to assess their performance with respect to CO2 emissions and two key economic parameters, the Levelized Cost of Hydrogen (LCOH) and the net present cost. An in-house-developed flexible simulation framework is presented and expanded for the purposes of this study, including a detailed model that accounts for design and off-design performance of a SOFC cogeneration unit. Results demonstrate that integrating a SOFC with a heat recovery steam generator result in a 75% reduction in the mass flow of generable pressurized steam in comparison to a gas turbine. Additionally, in the cost-optimal scenario, CO2 emissions are 25% lower than the conventional gas turbine-based configuration, achieving complete independence from the electricity grid and an LCOH of 5.81€/kg without considering revenues from electricity sold.

Assessing the drivers of energy supply and demand in Sub-Saharan Africa

Ensuring reliable and sustainable energy access in sub-Saharan Africa requires exploring alternatives to traditional biomass and fossil fuels, crucial for overcoming challenges related to limited electricity and clean cooking energy access. Within this background and to assess the factors affecting energy supply and energy consumption, the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) was applied across 48 sub-Saharan countries and adapted to the regional context considering energy access indicators.Key results showed that economic activity significantly influences both supply and demand growth. However, this growth is restricted by outdated infrastructure, resulting in inefficiencies and increased conversion losses. Policymakers thus face a dual challenge of promoting economic growth while modernizing energy infrastructure to sustain development.Moreover, targeted policies are essential, particularly in energy-intensive in energy-intensive sectors like wholesale and retail, while advocating for a comprehensive approach in the residential sector. This approach involves socioeconomic considerations, energy access enhancement, and the promotion of energy-efficient and renewable technologies to meet rising demand amid population growth and evolving consumption patterns.Furthermore, the study underscores the importance of enhancing both energy access levels and energy efficiency in the residential sector. Unlike the industrial sector, energy intensity is crucial for improving efficiency without compromising the level of access. Enhancing energy efficiency can significantly reduce energy consumption in households, which is important given the high reliance on energy-intensive practices such as cooking with traditional biomass.

State Management of Energy Efficiency Improvement in Agricultural Regions of the Russian Federation

The sustainable development of the Russian Federation and its subjects, associated with limiting the negative impact of economic entities on the environment and ensuring the rational use of natural resources of the territory, is not just following the modern trends of the international community to reduce the energy intensity of the national economy, but also economic expediency caused by increasing the competitiveness and energy efficiency of economic entities and regions of the country by reducing energy costs in production products. Agriculture as one of the energy-intensive sectors of the economy (the second after industry, which accounts for over 12% of electricity consumption in the country) is characterized by a significant diversity in the levels and rates of energy consumption in different regions of the country, which of course requires consideration in public administration and implementation of regional energy conservation policies. In this regard, the article proposes a typological grouping of agricultural regions of Russia, which is based on the growth rates of energy production, energy consumption, agricultural production and the share of agriculture in regional energy consumption. The originality of the study lies in the fact that on the basis of a geographically sectoral approach, the grouping of agricultural regions of the country is carried out not according to the actual volumes of agricultural products produced (as it is typical in such cases), but according to the amount of energy resources (electricity) consumed by agriculture in a particular subject of the Russian Federation, which allows obtaining more relevant data. The research results obtained in this way allow us to develop incident measures and additive mechanisms for improving energy efficiency, taking into account the specifics of the energy development of the industry and the trends of sustainable development of the region. The article contains elements of novelty in the formulation of the problem and the research methodology presented by the typology of agricultural regions of Russia. The article contributes to the evaluation of management decisions at the regional level in the framework of the implementation of energy conservation policy and the application of regional energy efficiency programs.

Energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emission reduction potential of solar PV and biomass-based systems for a food processing plant

The industrial sector is one of the most energy-intensive sectors, with a share of nearly 38 % (156 EJ) of all energy used globally in 2020. Historical energy demand and consumption data from a poultry processing plant have been analyzed to lower greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and reliance on traditional energy sources. The study includes energy, economic, and emissions analyses for (a) solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, (b) biomass fuels, and (c) coal-fired with wood. Fixed, single, and two-axis tracking solar PV systems that are company-owned and funded by banks are considered. The historical energy consumption data of the plant shows that 52.36 % of energy demand is met by electrical energy and 47.63 % by thermal energy. The yearly electricity demand is 9,938 MWh, costs $1,192,560, and emits 5117.6 tCO2. Thermal energy demand is based on an annual use of 898 tonnes of coal and 71.6 tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which costs $ 143,681 and emits 2977.7 tonnes of carbon dioxide (tCO2). Feasibility of 1.3 MW, fixed axis company-owned, solar PV plant shows an annual electricity production of 1876 MWh, GHG emission reduction of 965.9 tCO2 with a payback period of 3.4 years. Biomass system delivers yearly fuel cost savings of $25,724, reducing 2784 tCO2 with a 1.9-year payback period. Co-firing biomass offers a 3.58 % fuel cost saving and 557 tCO2 with a 0.93-year payback period. It concluded that the wood fuel feedstock biomass option is most suitable renewable energy resource for such large-scale poultry facilities.

Energy abundance, the geographical distribution of manufacturing, and international trade

AbstractOne of the main challenges of the current energy transition is how countries can deliver a low-carbon future while at the same time ensuring they can meet an ever growing demand for energy. This paper investigates how the spatial distribution of endowments of energy resources influences the location of firms and their subsequent exports. Employing a pseudo-endowment approach, we measure energy abundance using province-sector-year input data for Chinese provinces from 2006 to 2010. Our results suggest that energy abundance has a positive and significant impact on the location of industrial production, especially for energy intensive sectors. Nonetheless, the impact of energy abundance on trade flows is much smaller than on production shares, in terms of both the magnitude and significance. Further analysis explores how an uneven distribution of new coal mines, fuel prices, and policy-driven shocks affect the location of production and trade. Our study contributes to understanding the economic consequences of the energy transition, particularly regarding the phase-out of traditional energy sources such as coal and its impact on firm location and trade flows.

ЭНЕРГЕТИЧЕСКИЙ ПЕРЕХОД И ЭНЕРГОСБЕРЕЖЕНИЕ НА НОВОМ ЭТАПЕ РАЗВИТИЯ

The problem of increasing energy efficiency in the Russian Federation is considered. The USSR energy system was unique in size and efficiency; due to large interconnected energy facilities and the development of district heating, it made it possible to efficiently consume fuel, which resulted in annual savings of 40-60 million tons of standard fuel and 10-15 GW of capacity. After a period of decline in the 90s of the last century, over the past 15 years the country's energy consumption has increased by a third, and structural changes have occurred in the main energy-intensive sectors of the Russian economy. It is noted that industry accounts for about 45% of the Russian energy balance, which is many times more than thermal power engineering (21%). The country's reserves for energy saving and energy efficiency can be divided into two groups. System reserves, consisting of an increase in the capacity and load of “carbon-free” sources - hydroelectric power stations and nuclear power plants, active use of losses and heat from technological processes, optimization of heat supply schemes, account for more than two-thirds of the potential for increasing energy efficiency. The second group consists of the use of renewable energy sources, waste, and biofuels. The country’s energy strategy should not consist in the quick payback of energy-saving projects, but in working on the systemic, multiplier effects of industrial development and infrastructure projects, the growth of large and small cities, and the development of hard-to-reach areas.

Cellulase-assisted refining in a paperboard mill: Avoided emissions from energy savings. A case study of a Finnish paperboard mill

The 2023 being on its way to be the warmest year in the 174-year global surface temperature history it is becoming more and more evident how crucial it is to break the linkage between economic growth and greenhouse gas emissions.The pulp and paper industry is highly energy intensive industry sector. It is the fourth largest industrial energy user and currently produces approximately 1.3% of global greenhouse gas emissions. While the demand for paper and paperboard products keeps rising, it is essential for the industry to find energy efficient solutions for reducing the environmental impact of the pulp and paper products. 80% of the progress in energy efficiency in Finnish paper mills is due to improved technology and more optimal operational modes. Optimizing existing processes has bigger effect on energy efficiency than closing old and starting new paper mills.Pulp refining is one of the most energy intense steps in the paperboard production, representing 15%–18% of the total energy consumption of a paper mill. The effect of a commercial cellulase enzyme product was evaluated for energy savings and avoided emissions in the refining process of a paperboard mill. Data from a paperboard line using Bleached Softwood Kraft Pulp (BSKP) from a separate pulp mill was provided by a Finnish paperboard mill containing production runs both with and without commercial cellulase product ECOPULP® R. Data was collected from the mill automation system to evaluate and compare a refining capacity restricted run and a run that was not refining capacity restricted.Analysis of the data showed a reduction of refining energy by approximately 16%–17% when the cellulase enzyme was used. This corresponds to 2 kg of CO2 emissions avoided per tonne of pulp refined when calculated using the Finnish average electricity emissions intensity in 2022. Use of the cellulase enzyme enabled the refining results that could not have been reached with the bare mechanical refining capacity of the mill.Cellulases can be efficient processing aids in pulp refining. The reduction of required mechanical refining and electrical power to run the refiners to achieve the required freeness can significantly affect the carbon footprint of the paperboard products, whereas the negative impact of emissions from enzyme production is negligible. Reduction of CO2 emissions is especially significant in the areas where the electricity mix used for the production is based heavily on fossil fuels.

ASSESSING PREFERENCES AND WILLINGNESS TO PAY FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY INVESTMENT AMONG MANUFACTURING SECTORS IN MALAYSIA: A CHOICE EXPERIMENT METHOD

Green energy has become a hot debate among countries. Most countries prefer green energy over fossil resources that can violate the environment and health. The manufacturing sector was the most energy-intensive sector in Malaysia, and Johor was the fastest-growing industrial state and the biggest user of fuel energy. The cost factor has become one of the reasons why renewable energy is less used in this country. If not curbed, this situation will thwart the government’s target to reduce the dependency on non–renewable energy. Thus, participation from the manufacturing sector is important to support government efforts to empower renewable energy. Support from the manufacturing sector and their Willingness to Pay (WTP) for energy production from renewable energy resources remain key ingredients for a successful energy policy. This study aims to estimate the WTP for renewable energy investment attributes among the manufacturing sectors in Johor, Malaysia. A series of stated Choice Experiments (CE) was used in which the Multinomial Logit (MNL) model was valued to ascertain manufacturing sectors’ WTP based on their preferences for the attributes. The results revealed that the manufacturing sector values project location and annual GHG reduction.

Barriers to Adopting Digital Technologies to Implement Circular Economy Practices in the Construction Industry: A Systematic Literature Review

The construction industry is a resource- and energy-intensive sector, and, thus, it has been criticised due to rising environmental concerns. As a result, it has gained heightened interest in the concept of the circular economy (CE) over the last decade due to its ability to promote the slowing, reducing, and closing production and consumption cycles of materials and products used in construction projects. Current research studies suggest that digital technologies may enhance the construction industry’s ability to integrate the concept of CE into its practices. However, a clear understanding of digital technology (DT)-related barriers that hinder practical implementation of CE appears to be lacking within the sector. Thus, this study aims to identify the barriers to adopting DTs to implement CE practices in the construction industry. A systematic literature review was conducted by reviewing twenty-eight (28) relevant papers published until March 2024 in the Scopus and Web of Science databases. The VOS viewer software (version 1.6.11) was used to perform a co-occurrence analysis of keywords to identify new and popular study areas in the field. The content analysis was used to analyse the significant barriers to adapting DTs to implement CE in the construction industry; frequency and Pareto analyses were used to determine the most critical obstacles. This study identified thirty-seven (37) barriers to using DTs to implement CE, categorised into nine areas: organisational, infrastructure, regulatory, standardisation, investment, nature of the construction industry, technological, stakeholder, and data-related barriers. Of these thirty-seven barriers, nineteen were identified as critical barriers based on Pareto analysis. These findings will benefit construction practitioners and policymakers who want to adopt DTs to integrate CE practices in the construction industry.

Assessing Directions for Reducing Energy and Carbon Intensity of Manufacturing Large-Format Ceramic Stones

The article analyses the experience of enhancing energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the ceramic production. Calculations and assessments are made using the example of the industrial site of Wienerberger Brick LLC, located in the Vladimir region, where large-format ceramic stones are produced. Authors emphasize that ceramic production is a branch of energy and carbon intensive industrial sectors, for which in various countries and regions, programmes and projects aimed at reducing energy consumption and emissions of greenhouse gases are developed and implemented. The article presents estimated global average data and data obtained as a result of carbon intensity benchmarking conducted within the course of reviewing of the Russian national Reference Document on Best Available Techniques “Ceramic manufacturing industry”) ITS 4-2023. Authors analyse the energy efficiency enhancement programme implemented by Wienerberger Brick LLC, and calculate energy-related emissions of greenhouse gases for 2015–2022. They demonstrate that the enterprise managed to achieve a significant reduction in energy and carbon intensity. It attained parameters that are significantly lower than the industry average, as well as the so-called indicative greenhouse gas emissions indicators established to encourage Russian enterprises to implement green projects. Authors conclude that experience described can be replicated by other companies, including those applying for government support measures for projects aimed at the implementation of Best Available Techniques, enhancement of energy efficiency and reduction of greenhouse gases emissions.

A hybrid poly-generation system for power and hydrogen production by thermal recovery from waste streams in a steel plant: Techno-economic analysis

The steel industry stands as a prominent energy-intensive sector characterized by significant heat losses. In this research, a novel configuration of a poly-generation hybrid system, specifically tailored to explore the viable prospects of waste heat recovery within a steel manufacturing facility, is introduced. The proposed system comprises a steam Rankine cycle (SRC), a Kalina cycle, two organic Rankine cycles (ORC), and a proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer, collectively facilitating the recuperation of an impressive 262 MW of dissipated energy from the steel plant. A technical and economic assessment is conducted to evaluate the performance of the system. The proposed system demonstrates an energy efficiency of 25.76%, resulting in the concurrent production of power, heat, and hydrogen at rates of 48.39, 29.42 MW, and 8.12 tons/day, respectively. The system exhibits an exergy efficiency of 57.46%, with an exergy destruction magnitude of approximately 45 MW. It is revealed that the SRC cycle represents the primary contributor to the energy destruction portfolio of the proposed system, accounting for an impressive 67.83%. Furthermore, a comprehensive economic analysis has been conducted, revealing an initial capital cost of 36.6 MM$ for the implementation of this system. The revenue generated from the sale of electricity and hydrogen amounts to 3.6 and 3.8 MM$ per annum, respectively. Based on these financial considerations, the estimated return period for the investment is projected to be approximately 7 years.