Energy Availability Research Articles

Body fat and circulating leptin levels in the captive short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus).

It is possible that the reproductive strategy of the short-beaked echidna is related to seasonal changes in fat deposition and energy availability, regulated by seasonal changes in endocrine function. We predicted that circulating leptin levels would be directly proportional to adiposity during most of the year, but that a change in this relationship would occur during the pre-breeding season to allow increased fat deposition. To test this hypothesis, we made use of a captive colony of echidnas to describe and quantify changes in fat distribution and the adipostatic hormone leptin. First we assessed seasonal changes in circulating leptin levels, body mass and adiposity for three male and three female adult echidnas maintained on a standard diet. Second, we explored the relationship between circulating leptin levels and increased caloric intake for an additional five adult female echidnas that were provided with supplemented nutrition. Third we visualised fat distribution in male and female adult echidnas using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before and after the breeding season, to determine where fat is deposited in this species. For echidnas maintained on the standard diet, there were no seasonal changes in body mass, body fat or plasma leptin levels. However, female echidnas provided with supplemented nutrition had significantly elevated plasma leptin levels during the breeding season, compared to the pre-and post- breeding periods. MRI showed substantial subcutaneous fat depots extending dorso-laterally from the base of the skull to the base of the tail, in both sexes. Pre-breeding season, both sexes had considerable fat deposition in the pelvic/rump region, whilst the female echidna accumulated most fat in the abdominal region. This study shows that male and female echidnas accumulate body fat in the pelvic/rump and the abdominal regions, respectively and that circulating leptin may promote fattening in female echidnas during the breeding season by means of leptin resistance. However, further research is required to evaluate the precise relationship between seasonal changes in leptin and adiposity.

Optimization of off-grid hybrid renewable energy systems for cost-effective and reliable power supply in Gaita Selassie Ethiopia

This paper explores scenarios for powering rural areas in Gaita Selassie with renewable energy plants, aiming to reduce system costs by optimizing component numbers to meet energy demands. Various scenarios, such as combining solar photovoltaic (PV) with pumped hydro-energy storage (PHES), utilizing wind energy with PHES, and integrating a hybrid system of PV, wind, and PHES, have been evaluated based on diverse criteria, encompassing financial aspects and reliability. To achieve the results, meta-heuristics such as the Multiobjective Gray wolf optimization algorithm (MOGWO) and Multiobjective Grasshopper optimization algorithm (MOGOA) were applied using MATLAB software. Moreover, optimal component sizing has been investigated utilizing real-time assessment data and meteorological data from Gaita Sillasie, Ethiopia. Metaheuristic optimization techniques were employed to pinpoint the most favorable loss of power supply probability (LPSP) with the least cost of energy (COE) and total life cycle cost (TLCC) for the hybrid system, all while meeting operational requirements in various scenarios. The Multi-Objective Grey Wolf Optimization (MOGWO) technique outperformed the Multi-Objective Grasshopper Optimization Algorithm (MOGOA) in optimizing the problem, as suggested by the results. Furthermore, based on MOGWO findings, the hybrid solar PV-Wind-PHES system demonstrated the lowest COE (0.126€/kWh) and TLCC (€6,897,300), along with optimal satisfaction of the village's energy demand and LPSP value. In the PV-Wind-PHSS scenario, the TLCC and COE are 38%, 18%, 2%, and 1.5% lower than those for the Wind-PHS and PV-PHSS scenarios at LPSP 0%, according to MOGWO results. Overall, this research contributes valuable insights into the design and implementation of sustainable energy solutions for remote communities, paving the way for enhanced energy access and environmental sustainability.

Understanding the energy poverty in China: chronic measurement and the effect of the digital economy

Understanding the energy poverty in China: chronic measurement and the effect of the digital economy

Solar potential for social benefit: Maps to sustainably address energy poverty utilizing open spatial data in data poor settings

Access to affordable sustainable energy is a significant challenge for many lowincome countries experiencing energy poverty. The United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 aims to “ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.” Simultaneously, the European Union (EU) seeks to reduce emissions by 55 % by 2030. Decarbonization policies must be carefully considered to avoid adverse effects on vulnerable groups experiencing energy poverty. Solar technology offers a viable solution to decarbonize the building sector, reduce energy dependence on fossil fuels, and provide financial benefits to the public. Mapping solar potential is crucial to determine where investment in solar photovoltaic (PV) technology is most advantageous to the populations who stand to benefit the most. We combine a solar potential mapping approach incorporating socio-economic indicators indicative of energy poverty, using off-the-shelf Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools that are easily replicated across cities facing energy poverty. Utilizing lowest common denominator data and analysis approaches, we offer creative and innovative mapping solutions. The socio-economic factors help to contextualise the benefits of distributed PV systems and highlight the need for mapping solar potential, in combination with energy poverty indicators for sustainable planning and policymaking. Our results for a case study in the city of Plovdiv, Bulgaria, demonstrate high solar energy potential that could meet 29 % of the city's electricity needs, save citizens about M€ 43.84 annually, and pinpoint where to invest first for the highest gains. Finally, we offer suggestions on how to use these results to inform decarbonization policies to benefit low-income populations that are often missed in existing energy policies.

Photo-Stimulated Zn-based Batteries: Progress, Challenges, and Perspectives.

Solar energy, as a renewable energy source, dominates the vast majority of human energy, which can be harvested and converted by photovoltaic solar cells. However, the intermittent availability of solar energy restricts the actual utilization circumstances of solar cells. Integrating photo-responsive electrodes into an energy storage device emerges as a dependable and executable strategy, fostering the creation of photo-stimulated batteries that seamlessly amalgamate the process of solar energy collection, conversion, and storage in one system. Endowed by virtues such as cost-effectiveness, facile manufacturing, safety, and environmental friendliness, photo-stimulated Zn-based batteries have attracted considerable attention. The progress report furnishes a brief overview, summarizing various photo-stimulated Zn-based batteries. Their configurations, operational principles, advancements, and the intricate engineering of photoelectrode designs are introduced, respectively. Through rigorous architectural design, photo-stimulated Zn-based batteries exhibit the ability to initiate charging by saving electricity usage, and in certain instances, even without the need for external electrical grids under illumination. Furthermore, the compensation of solar energy can be explored to improve the output electric energy. At last, opportunities and challenges toward photo-stimulated Zn-based batteries in the process of development are proposed and discussed in the hope of expanding their application scenarios and accelerating the commercialization progress.

A novel development of a new single switch inductor coupled DC-DC converter for PV system with two-leg inverter

From the power generation history, the nonrenewable power sources utilization is falling extremely because of their demerits are high atmospheric pollution, more expensive, more catchment area for development, high fossil fuel transportation cost, less flexibility, and reliability. So, the sunlight systems are utilized in this work for feeding the power to the central grid. On the earth, the sunlight energy availability is more and it is more flexible for the installation. However, the sunlight photovoltaic (PV) module’s power production is very low. To improve the power generation of the PV network, a modified slider maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controller is proposed in the first objective and it is interfaced with the sunlight system for capturing more sunlight insolation thereby moving the functioning point of the solar system from local MPP place to required global MPP place. The features of this sliding controller are continuous peak power production, easy development, less power dissipation losses, plus good dynamic system response. In the second objective, the available voltage of the PV is low which improved from low level to high level by utilizing the Wide voltage supply-inductor coupled converter. The development of this circuit needed very less inductive, plus capacitive components. Also, it is developed by selecting a single switch. As a result, the entire network power production cost is reduced. In the third objective, a two-leg inverter is proposed for the transformation of the DC voltage supply into three-phase powers. The MATLAB/Simulink tool is used to investigate the overall system.

Analyzing the influence of university support and entrepreneurial culture on solar entrepreneurial intentions among Indian students

The involvement of students in entrepreneurial activities related to solar energy has the potential to have a major impact on expanding energy access. Nevertheless, there is an absence of research on the dynamics and knowledge of solar entrepreneurship, specifically from an Indian perspective. The main aim of this study is to highlight the significance of solar energy entrepreneurship and its capacity to motivate and encourage university students towards entrepreneurship, thereby fostering sustainable development. The study intends to analyze several individual-level characteristics that influence university learners' intentions to engage in solar entrepreneurship. The goal of this study is to shed light on how students' career choices in the field of solar entrepreneurship are influenced by their personal passion, self-efficacy, personality traits, and social norms. A stratified random selection technique was employed to gather a representative sample of 279 university students who are currently enrolled in both public and private universities situated in the northwest region of India. The study employed partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to examine the relationship between individual-level factors and entrepreneurial attitude. The analysis indicated that all individual-level factors, except entrepreneurial passion, were significant predictors of entrepreneurial attitude. Furthermore, the findings demonstrated a positive association between student entrepreneurial attitudes and solar entrepreneurial intentions. The research also examines the managerial implications, limitations, and future scope of the research.

Patterns of energy availability and carbohydrate intake differentiate between adaptable and problematic low energy availability in female athletes

BackgroundProblematic low energy availability (EA) is the underlying culprit of relative energy deficiency in sport (REDs), and its consequences have been suggested to be exacerbated when accompanied by low carbohydrate (CHO) intakes.ObjectivesThis study compared dietary intake, nutrition status and occurrence of REDs symptoms in groups of female athletes, displaying different patterns of EA and CHO intake.MethodsFemale athletes (n = 41, median age 20.4 years) from various sports weighed and recorded their food intake and training for 7 consecutive days via a photo-assisted mobile application. Participants were divided into four groups based on patterns of EA and CHO intakes: sufficient to optimal EA and sufficient to optimal CHO intake (SEA + SCHO), SEA and low CHO intake (SEA + LCHO), low energy availability and SCHO (LEA + SCHO), and LEA and LCHO (LEA + LCHO). SEA patterns were characterised by EA ≥30 and LEA by EA <30 kcal/kg fat free mass, and SCHO patterns characterised by CHO intake ≥3.0 and LCHO <3.0 g/kg body weight for most of the registered days. Body composition was measured with dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, resting metabolic rate with indirect calorimetry and serum blood samples were collected for evaluation of nutrition status. Behavioural risk factors and self-reported symptoms of REDs were assessed with the Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire, Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire Short (EDE-QS), Exercise Addiction Inventory, and Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder Inventory.ResultsIn total, 36.6% were categorised as SEA + SCHO, of which 5/16 were ball sport, 7/10 endurance, 1/7 aesthetic, 2/5 weight-class, and 0/3 weight-class athletes. Of LEA + LCHO athletes (19.5% of all), 50% came from ball sports. Aesthetic and endurance athletes reported the greatest training demands, with weekly training hours higher for aesthetic compared to ball sports (13.1 ± 5.7 vs. 6.7 ± 3.4 h, p = 0.012). Two LEA + LCHO and one SEA + LCHO athlete exceeded the EDE-QS cutoff. LEA + LCHO evaluated their sleep and energy levels as worse, and both LEA groups rated their recovery as worse compared to SEA + SCHO.ConclusionRepeated exposures to LEA and LCHO are associated with a cluster of negative implications in female athletes. In terms of nutrition strategies, sufficient EA and CHO intakes appear to be pivotal in preventing REDs.

Renewable energy and sustainable development goals: Insights from latent dirichlet allocation thematic and bibliometric analysis

AbstractThis research conducts a comprehensive analysis of the intricate relationship between renewable energy and the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Employing diverse methodologies including latent dirichlet allocation (LDA) topic modeling, bibliometrics, citation analysis, and regression modeling, the study explores the evolving landscape of renewable energy research and its implications for SDGs. The analysis identifies a pronounced scholarly interest in renewable energy, reflected in the escalating publication volumes and citations across environmental sciences, green technology, and energy studies. Through meticulous examination, it uncovers interconnected research themes; encompassing policy uncertainty, Environmental Kuznets Curve, and ecological footprint, elucidating the multifaceted impact of renewable energy on the SDGs. Geographical distributions underscore diverse regional focuses, emphasizing the need for nuanced, context‐specific approaches. Regression analysis highlights influential factors like carbon dioxide emissions and gross domestic product (GDP) growth, delineating their pivotal roles in shaping scholarly attention toward renewable energy research. Furthermore, the study delves into the economic, environmental, and social dimensions of renewable energy's influence. It reveals its contributions to employment generation, sustainable production, energy access, and infrastructure development while navigating challenges related to climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation. This comprehensive investigation offers crucial insights into the complex interplay between renewable energy and the SDGs. It predicts future research directions and highlights the urgency for interdisciplinary collaboration, international cooperation, and policy innovations to harness renewable energy's transformative potential for global sustainable development.

Strategic Integration: Fostering Sustainability in Low-Income Country through Poverty Alleviation, Carbon Efficiency, Energy and Economic Resilience

This study emphasizes the critical importance of strategic integration for sustainable development goals (specifically Goals 1 and 2) in low-income countries (LICs). The research uses econometric models to focus on poverty reduction, economic resilience, energy use, and carbon emissions in Indonesia from 1996 to 2022. The study reveals a long-run co-integration among the estimated parameters, with a significant speed of adjustment at a 1.04% level. ECM models highlight a positive relationship between energy use, poverty, and carbon emissions while indicating a negative association between economic growth and carbon emissions. Robustness checks support these findings, including Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS) and Canonical Co-Integrating Regression (CCR). Granger causality analysis reveals a unidirectional causality from energy use to carbon emissions and economic growth, along with one-way causation from carbon emissions to economic growth and poverty. Diagnostic tests affirm the model's reliability. The study's outcomes contribute valuable insights to the discourse on strategic integration, offering policymakers and stakeholders guidance in formulating sustainable development strategies tailored to the unique challenges encountered by low-income countries.

What Drives Clean Cooking Solutions in Africa? An Empirical Study in Kenya and Nigeria

Improved cookstoves and clean cooking solutions have been garnering increasing attention in Africa owing to their carbon credits. The energy ladder theory indicates that the utilisation rate of clean cooking solutions increases when the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita increases. This study analyses other factors that may influence the utilisation rate of clean cooking solutions, such as population, women household heads, electricity utilisation, and improved water. The results show that GDP per capita correlated more highly with clean cooking solutions than with other factors. This study also determined that higher electricity access rates did not lead to high utilisation of electric cookstoves in Africa, likely due to the greater influence of traditional cooking methodologies and government policies. Through interviews, the study found that certain policies influence Kenya's high adaptability and Nigeria's low adaptability to clean cooking solutions.

Exploring policy coherence to understand limited progress of gender and social inclusion in the energy sector: The case of Nepal

Goal 7 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all by 2030 but securing universal access to energy supplies remains a challenge worldwide. There is increased recognition that gender and social inclusion (GESI) is critical for the transition towards low-carbon energy.Nepal's inclusive 2015 Constitution, and its 2021 federal-level Gender Equality Policy translate this commitment. Likewise, Nepal is committed to SDG 7. Yet energy policy includes only limited provisions for ensuring energy access by marginalized groups and women. This paper focuses on energy policy coherence to identify cohesion between policies and policy instruments at different levels of governance to identify bottlenecks to GESI. Using a policy coherence and feminist policy approach within an energy justice context, it traces the coherence of GESI policy through time and in relation to overall GESI policy objectives. Horizontal and internal coherence are assessed through the parallels/disjoints between energy-related periodic plans, policies, budgets, and GESI aims. The evolution of GESI in energy investments has been slow in part because of a narrow conceptualization of the policy problem and a lack of coherence and synchronization across documents, which undermines implementation of the GESI agenda.

A Review on the Recent Advances in Battery Development and Energy Storage Technologies

Energy storage is a more sustainable choice to meet net-zero carbon foot print and decarbonization of the environment in the pursuit of an energy independent future, green energy transition, and uptake. The journey to reduced greenhouse gas emissions, increased grid stability and reliability, and improved green energy access and security are the result of innovation in energy storage systems. Renewable energy sources are fundamentally intermittent, which means they rely on the availability of natural resources like the sun and wind rather than continuously producing energy. Due to its ability to address the inherent intermittency of renewable energy sources, manage peak demand, enhance grid stability and reliability, and make it possible to integrate small-scale renewable energy systems into the grid, energy storage is essential for the continued development of renewable energy sources and the decentralization of energy generation. Accordingly, the development of an effective energy storage system has been prompted by the demand for unlimited supply of energy, primarily through harnessing of solar, chemical, and mechanical energy. Nonetheless, in order to achieve green energy transition and mitigate climate risks resulting from the use of fossil-based fuels, robust energy storage systems are necessary. Herein, the need for better, more effective energy storage devices such as batteries, supercapacitors, and bio-batteries is critically reviewed. Due to their low maintenance needs, supercapacitors are the devices of choice for energy storage in renewable energy producing facilities, most notably in harnessing wind energy. Moreover, supercapacitors possess robust charging and discharging cycles, high power density, low maintenance requirements, extended lifespan, and are environmentally friendly. On the other hand, combining aluminum with nonaqueous charge storage materials such as conductive polymers to make use of each material’s unique capabilities could be crucial for continued development of robust storage batteries. In general, energy density is a key component in battery development, and scientists are constantly developing new methods and technologies to make existing batteries more energy proficient and safe. This will make it possible to design energy storage devices that are more powerful and lighter for a range of applications. When there is an imbalance between supply and demand, energy storage systems (ESS) offer a way of increasing the effectiveness of electrical systems. They also play a central role in enhancing the reliability and excellence of electrical networks that can also be deployed in off-grid localities.

Solar Energy's Role in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals in Agriculture

The adoption of solar energy in agriculture has the potential to significantly contribute to achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to clean energy access (SDG 7), sustainable economic growth (SDG 8), responsible consumption and production (SDG 12), and climate action (SDG 13). This review article examines the various applications of solar energy in agricultural practices, including irrigation, crop drying, greenhouse heating, and powering farm machinery. It analyzes the economic, environmental, and social benefits of transitioning to solar-powered agriculture, such as reduced reliance on fossil fuels, lower greenhouse gas emissions, improved energy security, and increased income for farmers. The article also discusses the challenges and barriers to widespread adoption, including high upfront costs, lack of awareness and technical expertise among farmers, and inadequate policy support. Through a comprehensive review of existing literature and case studies, this article highlights the immense potential of solar energy in transforming the agricultural sector and contributing to sustainable development. It concludes by emphasizing the need for concerted efforts from governments, international organizations, and the private sector to promote and facilitate the integration of solar energy in agriculture, particularly in developing countries where access to clean energy and sustainable farming practices are most crucial for achieving the SDGs.

Original Investigation: Manipulating energy availability in male endurance runners: a randomised controlled trial.

This study investigated the effect of four days low energy availability (LEA) on physiological markers and mood states in male endurance runners. Twelve participants (mean (standard deviation)); age: 25.8 (3.8) years; fat free mass (FFM): 52.8 (5.5) kg) completed three 4-day conditions: Adequate Energy Availability, AEA: 45 kcal/kgFFM/day; LEA1: 30 kcal/kgFFM/day; and LEA2: 15 kcal/kgFFM/day), in a randomized order. Participants ran on a treadmill at 65% of V̇O2max until they expended 15 kcal/kg FFM/day of energy. Energy intake was adjusted to achieve the desired EA. Pre- and post- measurements of bone turnover, metabolism, testosterone and estradiol (plasma), resting metabolic rate (indirect calorimetry), and mood states (Brunel Mood Scale) were assessed. The results reported a significant decrease in testosterone (condition × time interaction, p=0.03) occurred on LEA2 (Pre: 23.8 (7.0) nmol/L vs Post: 20.3 (7.7) nmol/L) compared with AEA (Pre: 22.9 (5.5) nmol/L vs Post: 23.3 (6.1) nmol/L) or LEA1 (Pre: 23.6 (8.6) nmol/L vs Post: 20.9 (8.8) nmol/L). Fatigue level significantly increased (condition × time interaction, p=0.02) in LEA2 (Pre: 3.5 (1.7) vs Post: 6.5 (2.9)) but did not change in AEA (Pre: 2.8 (1.5) vs Post: 2.5 (2.7)) or LEA1 (Pre: 2.8(2.4) vs Post: 2.9 (2.0)). Other measures were unaffected by the interventions. In conclusion, this study suggests testosterone and fatigue may serve as early indicators of LEA in male runners. However, other physiological markers and mood states appeared largely unaffected, aligning with existing literature indicating minimal disruption of physiological functions during acute LEA in male athletes.

Cow age, resilience and productivity of cow–calf systems

Context The energy availability for cow–calf systems is related to climate disturbances, and energy use is influenced by the age of the cows. Both factors determine the productivity and resilience of herds after climate disruption. Aims Identify the time needed for the herds composed of cows of a varying age to achieve resilience after energy restriction in the pre- and postpartum. Methods The resilience of systems was compared by deterministic dynamic simulation and herds were considered initially stable but different in (1) energy availability for all herd in the first year of production, namely at 50% (low, L), 75% (medium, M) of 100% (high, H) of the requirements according to the NRC (2000, 2016), with these energy levels being restricted to 60 days before and 60 days after the birth, and (2) the maximum age of the cull cow (lifetime, LT), namely 4 (LT4L, LT4M, LT4H), 6 (LT6L, LT6M, LT6H) of 11 (LT11L, LT11M, LT11H) years. From the second year, availability returned to meet the energy requirements of all animals. The availability of energy for the herd was simulated in natural and cultivated pasture. The productivity was determined as the relation between the kilograms of animals sold and the area used for production over a productive cycle. The system model was considered resilient when 95% of the standard productivity was reached (prior to energy restriction). Key results The time required to return to stability was 2 years in the LT6 and LT11, whereas LT4 required 3 years. Furthermore, LT6 had a higher productivity than did the other herds. The older the culled cow was, the greater was the change in the composition of the product commercialised. Conclusions Cows with an intermediate culling age allowed a sustainable intensification of the system, because they showed better productivity than did older cull cows. Furthermore, after climate disturbance, they presented more resilience than did younger cull cows. The level of energy restriction did not directly influence the time to resilience within each evaluated discard-age group. Implications Herds that culled females before reaching adult age are less resilient after disturbances, such as changes in climate or changes of any nature that interfere with reproductive rates.

Environmental Design on Site-Specific Energy Solidary Communities around Public High Schools in the Metropolitan Area of Naples (Italy)

Renewable energy communities (RECs) around photovoltaic systems on public buildings are optimal solutions to counter energy poverty, ensuring all stakeholders access to cheap, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy systems. As the neighborhood is the minimum suitable unit for the implementation of highly sustainable settlements, this article discusses the potential and criticality of RECs at this scale in southern Italy. Starting with the concept of RECs, this study presents a methodology to size sustainable urban communities around school buildings. It integrates practical energy indicators with those defining performance in vegetation and water management. The impact of these factors is analyzed to identify the ideal community size in terms of energy efficiency, economic value, and social cohesion. An interactive scorecard ranks high school sites suitable for transformation into community hubs, taking into consideration the scale of substation distribution. The findings provide empirically validated operational guidelines and best practices to support the transition to smart, efficient, and socially inclusive communities. At the urban scale, the analysis evaluates different urban morphologies, microclimates, characteristics and density of buildings, and population around each assumed community hub. The study provides valuable guidance to local designers, planners, and administrators for the implementation of sustainable technologies by preparing a map of potential RECs.

Energy Poverty and Health Expenditure: Empirical Evidence from Vietnam

Utilizing data from the 2016 Vietnam Household Living Standard Survey, we undertake an empirical investigation into the influence of energy poverty on the health expenditure of Vietnamese households. Employing a double-hurdle model, our empirical findings reveal a negative relationship between energy poverty and health expenditure. Specifically, our results indicate that for each incremental unit increase in energy poverty, there is a substantial reduction of 42.5 percentage points in the overall health expenditure of the households. Furthermore, as energy poverty deepens, we observe declines of 24.6 percentage points and 45.5 percentage points in the expenses incurred for inpatient/outpatient care and self-treatment, respectively. To validate the robustness of our results, we conduct several sensitivity analyses, including propensity score matching, double/debiased machine learning. Across all these methods, our findings consistently underscore the significant and persistent adverse impact of energy poverty on the examined outcome variables. Additionally, to examine the underlying pathways, we conduct a structural equation modeling analysis and find that the relationship between energy poverty and health expenses is mediated by household hospitalization and expenditures on essential items, such as food and daily necessities.

How does climate change risk affect energy poverty? International evidence.

Based on cross-country data from 2002 to 2019, we explore the impact of climate change risk (CCR) on energy poverty (EP), and the moderating role in the CCR-EP nexus is also discussed. The empirical results suggest that CCR can exacerbate EP, especially for rural areas. Moderating effect analysis shows that financial development, technological innovation, and adaptation readiness can modify the negative impacts of CCR on EP to some extent. Moreover, the impact of CCR on EP is heterogeneous, demonstrating that CCR is more likely to exacerbate EP in countries with low economic development, low economic freedom, high carbon intensity, and the Africa region. Our findings emphasize the challenge of balancing EP alleviation with climate change response and provide the policy guidance to promote coordinated development of CCR management and energy supply security.

Single-cell analysis reveals an active and heterotrophic microbiome in the Guaymas Basin deep subsurface with significant inorganic carbon fixation by heterotrophs.

The global subsurface is the largest reservoir of microbial life on the planet yet remains poorly characterized. The activity of life in this realm has implications for long-term elemental cycling, particularly of carbon, as well as how life survives in extreme environments. Here, we recovered cells from the deep subsurface of the Guaymas Basin and investigated the level and distribution of microbial activity, the physicochemical drivers of activity, and the relative significance of organic versus inorganic carbon to subsurface biomass. Using a sensitive single-cell assay, we found that the majority of cells are active, that activity is likely driven by the availability of energy, and that although heterotrophy is the dominant metabolism, both organic and inorganic carbon are used to generate biomass. Using a new approach, we quantified inorganic carbon assimilation by heterotrophs and highlighted the importance of this often-overlooked mode of carbon assimilation in the subsurface and beyond.