Good governance and energy security in OECD countries: The mediating role of environmental policy stringency

Energy security, climate policy uncertainty, and climate transition risk: A mixed-frequency multi-dimensional spillover analysis

This article presents household-level socioeconomic data on food-water-energy nexus consumption collected through a survey conducted during the first quarter of 2020 in the urban areas of the Pune Metropolitan Region, India. The dataset includes 1872 observations from households residing in both formal and informal settlements. Data were collected via door-to-door interviews in the local language using a comprehensive, structured questionnaire administered through a computer-assisted web interviewing mobile application developed by the World Bank. Quality control was ensured through digital data capture, daily monitoring during fieldwork, and post-collection data validation. The dataset comprises 606 variables, including consumption data for water, energy, and food, alongside socioeconomic factors such as household composition, income, housing conditions, migration history, and household-level strategies to cope with intermittent water supply. The dataset can be used for econometric modeling of household demand, parameterization of multi-agent models, comparative analyses across regions, and empirical studies examining household challenges related to water, energy, and food security.

This project focuses on designing an agrivoltaic system integrated with smart irrigation to promote sustainable agriculture and efficient resource management. The system combines solar photovoltaic (PV) panels with agricultural land to generate renewable energy while cultivating crops, thereby achieving dual land utilization. The solar panels provide electricity for powering irrigation pumps and IoT based sensors, which monitor soil moisture, weather data, and crop conditions in real time. A smart irrigation mechanism uses this data to automate water distribution, ensuring crops receive the right amount of water at the right time, minimizing waste and reducing water consumption. Additionally, the shading effect of solar panels reduces soil evaporation and heat stress on crops, leading to improved crop yield and resilience against climate variability. Surplus solar energy can be stored or sold back to the grid, creating an extra source of income for farmers. This project aims to demonstrate an energy efficient, water saving, and climate smart agricultural model that is scalable for both small and large farming operations, addressing the pressing challenges of food security, water scarcity, and sustainable energy production.

On April 9, 2025, the international forum entitled “Towards a New World Order”, jointly organized by the Center for the Analysis of International Relations and ADA University at ADA University, held significant importance in terms of discussing the pressing issues of the contemporary international relations system. Representatives from more than 80 countries, as well as experts from think tanks and leading institutes, participated in the forum and exchanged views on global security, regional stability, energy and transportation projects, as well as interstate cooperation. The programmatic speech delivered by President Ilham Aliyev at the forum stood out with its strategic theses concerning both regional and global politics. He presented a comprehensive position on Azerbaijan’s international initiatives, the new geopolitical realities in the South Caucasus, the normalization of relations with Armenia, the challenges of the post-conflict period, the strengthening of unity in the Turkic world, and Azerbaijan’s contributions to global energy security. The President’s views provided practical directions for both regional integration and prospects of international cooperation. The article analyzes the analytical significance of the forum, Azerbaijan’s mediation initiatives, the principled position demonstrated during its chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement, the integration initiatives within the framework of the Organization of Turkic States, as well as the steps taken towards the signing of a peace agreement with Armenia. The analysis of the forum shows that Azerbaijan has become an important actor at both the global and regional levels, consolidating its role as an initiator of political dialogue and security cooperation.

ABSTRACT Amid global efforts to address climate change and ensure energy security, renewable energy’s large-scale development is key to energy transition. However, grid-connected photovoltaic power generation has volatile output due to dynamic weather, endangering grid stability. Thus, improving solar radiation prediction accuracy and generalization is a research focus. This paper proposes a physics-informed neural network (PINN) for solar irradiance prediction, embedding a physical loss function into traditional neural networks to boost performance. Taking Tianjin Port as the study area, it calculates solar azimuth and altitude via geometric principles, combines them with measured meteorological data as PINN inputs, and uses the physical coupling between solar irradiance and surface temperature as constraints to build the model. The results show that the PINN outperforms DNN and BPNN in terms of R2 on both the training set (0.974) and the test set (0.972) (its performance on the validation set is slightly weaker but still acceptable). On the test set, it achieves a MAPE of 4.01%, an MAE of 28.41, and an RMSE of 45.79, with a higher proportion of relative errors falling within the [−10%, 10%] range. Moreover, it maintains the highest R2 in cross-year seasonal tests, demonstrating its enhanced generalization capability.

ABSTRACT Amid rising global energy demand and rapid green transition, LNG’s strategic role in international energy systems underscores the criticality of maritime LNG shipping safety for energy security. This paper analyzed the topological structure and network resilience of the Global LNG Shipping Network (GLSN), which exhibits a hybrid ‘scale-free-small-world’ structure characterized by extreme sparsity and asymmetry, with core export hubs dominating global resource flows. Through multidimensional centrality analysis, significant functional differentiation among ports is identified. A principal component analysis (PCA)-based Node Importance Index (NII) is developed to quantify node significance. Furthermore, an enhanced resilience assessment model is proposed by introducing the largest strongly connected component (SSC) as a connectivity metric. Simulation results demonstrate that targeted attacks, which represent threats such as terrorism or piracy and are simulated via strategic node failures, cause substantial network disruption, while priority recovery strategies based on NII significantly improve restoration efficiency. The findings provide theoretical foundations and decision-making support for enhancing the resilience of global LNG shipping networks and development strategy of critical ports.

Abstract As global power structures shift and energy security becomes increasingly politicized, tracing the cross-border transmission of uncertainty between economically and strategically linked nations has become crucial. This study investigates the dynamic interdependence of economic policy uncertainty (EPU) and energy-related uncertainty (EUI) between Germany and Russia over 2001–2023. We first examine bilateral linkages between the EPU and EUI indices using static and dynamic correlation measures. Standard and time-varying Granger causality tests reveal a persistent unidirectional influence from German to Russian EPU, while reverse causality remains weak. In the EUI domain, the causal structure is more volatile and bidirectional, with Russia influencing Germany before the 2022 Russo-Ukrainian War, but Germany becoming the dominant driver afterward. To isolate the role of energy in the transmission of policy uncertainty, we orthogonalize each country's EPU with respect to its own EUI. The results show that much of the bilateral EPU correlation is energy-driven; however, Germany's EPU component, unrelated to energy, still significantly affects Russian EPU in the post-war period. These findings highlight the strategic importance of energy policy in shaping macroeconomic uncertainty and highlight the need for its explicit integration into international economic policymaking.

This article examines in detail the technological processes, operating parameters and technical characteristics of pump-compressor stations used in the "Garadagh" and "Galmaz" underground gas storage facilities of Azerbaijan. Underground gas storage facilities are vital infrastructure facilities for seasonal and strategic storage of natural gas. The efficient operation of these storage facilities plays an important role in ensuring the country's energy security. The article analyzes the technical problems encountered in the operation of pump-compressor stations, the operating modes of equipment, the impact of pressure changes on the system and ways to increase energy efficiency. Also, technological solutions that ensure optimal operation of pump and compressor units in the processes of pumping and extracting gas from storage facilities are considered. The results of the study show that the application of modern automation systems, systematic monitoring of the technical condition of equipment and planning of preventive maintenance work significantly increase the reliability of pump-compressor stations. The article is intended for specialists and researchers working in the field of operation of underground gas storage facilities. The purpose of the article is to analyze in detail the technological processes, operational parameters, technical problems, and ways to increase energy efficiency of the pump-compressor stations used in the "Garadagh" and "Galmaz" underground gas storage facilities. Keywords: underground gas storage, pump-compressor station, compressor units, pressure regime, energy efficiency, technical operation, automation systems, Garadagh, Galmaz.

Underground gas storage facilities are strategically important complex engineering facilities used for seasonal storage of natural gas resources, ensuring energy security and increasing the reliability of gas supply systems. During the injection of gas under high pressure into the deep layers of the earth's crust and its subsequent extraction for production purposes, a significant anthropogenic impact is exerted on environmental components - soil cover, groundwater and surface water horizons, atmospheric composition, as well as local biocenoses. These processes are accompanied by the risks of deformation of the earth's surface, disruption of the groundwater balance, emission of greenhouse gases and damage to ecosystems. The presented article systematically studies and classifies modern analytical methods applied for a comprehensive assessment of the ecological situation in the areas of operation of underground gas storage facilities. The research covers geophysical monitoring technologies - recording microseisms using seismoacoustic stations, measuring variations in the gravity field with high-precision gravimeters and mapping the electrical conductivity of soil layers using electromagnetic methods. Various systems allow for early detection of environmental changes, ensuring compliance of the operation of underground gas storage facilities with national and international safety standards, and proactive minimization of potential environmental risks. The article also discusses the principles of integration of various analysis methods, their synergistic mechanisms, advantages, and practical application areas in a scientifically and technically justified manner. Keywords: underground gas storage, environmental monitoring, geophysical methods, satellite data, geochemical analysis, hydrogeological parameters, environmental risk, safety, environment, mathematical modeling.

Water resource assessment is crucial in the face of growing energy and environmental security challenges. This study focuses on the feasibility of installing a pumped-storage hydroelectric system in Boma, Democratic Republic of Congo, in response to frequent power outages. Objectives include modeling the river of the Kalamu and Congo Rivers to determine the project's viability. To do this, historical data on river levels, collected between 1960 and 2017, as well as precipitation and evaporation data collected between 1992 and 2023, were analyzed, taking into account the lack of flow data on the Kalamu River, using artificial intelligence methods, including the Random Forest approach. The results show significant fluctuations in flow rates, with periods of prolonged drought affecting water availability for the project. The study highlights significant challenges related to water resource management, including flow variability, which may compromise the effectiveness of the proposed system. It is recommended that Congo River flows be considered as a viable alternative while integrating sustainable water resource management strategies to meet local needs.

Wastewater treatment plants increasingly rely on anaerobic digestion and biogas utilization to reduce operational costs, enhance energy self-sufficiency, and support circular-economy objectives. This study provides a comprehensive, year-round assessment of sludge production, sludge characteristics relevant to digestion, biogas generation, and energy performance at a municipal wastewater treatment plant. The plant generated on average 68.0 m3/d of thickened primary sludge and 24.0 m3/d of excessive sludge (total 92 m3/d), with low daily variability throughout the year. Biogas production remained highly stable, with an annual average of approximately 1300 m3/d and limited daily variation. Although monthly averages ranged from 1004 to 1728 m3/d, within-month variability was low to moderate, indicating that digestion processes responded consistently to changes in sludge quantity and composition. The weak correlation between sludge volume and biogas output (r = 0.29) showed that, besides sludge quantity, factors such as organic content and digester operating conditions also influence biogas yield. Energy performance indicators demonstrated strong self-sufficiency potential: the facility produced 1,095,047 kWh of electricity, covering 56.72% of its annual demand. The high coefficient of determination for self-sufficiency (R2 = 0.871) confirmed a strong linear relationship between biogas-derived energy production and reduced grid dependence. Operational correlations further highlighted system coherence, with cogenerator and boiler usage strongly inversely related (r = −0.85) and biogas production positively associated with heat output (r = 0.66). Overall, the results demonstrate a stable and efficient sludge-to-energy system and provide a detailed dataset supporting future optimization of anaerobic digestion processes.

Aim . This work aimed to substantiate a target-based approach to developing a system of national energy security indicators that indicate alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This will allow for comparison of energy security levels across different countries, which ensures conceptual unity in assessing the energy security of national economies and achieving consensus in addressing sustainable development challenges at all levels of the economy. Objectives . The work seeks to systematize national energy security indicators, regulated by authorized international bodies and federal agencies of the Russian Federation, according to the Sustainable Development Goals; to compare indicators proposed by international bodies and federal agencies of the Russian Federation. Methods . The study is based on principles of economic systems theory, security theory, and the concept of sustainable development. The author utilized systems and target approaches, a logical method, comparison, and content, semantic, and normative analysis. Results . The study revealed the absence of a uniform system of energy security indicators for the national economy. A targeted approach to developing a system of indicators for assessing the level of national energy security, based on the concept of sustainable development of national socio-economic systems, is proposed and substantiated. Conclusions . In order to determine the achievement of energy security within the national economy and to ensure cross-country comparability, it is important to develop a unified conceptual approach which can be based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Application of this approach will facilitate harmonization of the sustainable development goals of national social and economic systems and the operational objectives of national energy complexes. The results obtained can serve as the basis for further theoretical research in the field of sustainable development and energy security for mega-, macro-, and meso-level systems.

This study aimed to develop SPHERESCUE, a low-cost, remotely controlled spherical search and rescue robot with integrated first aid storage, live video, and GPS capabilities. Through remote operation and AI-enhanced human detection, the project seeks to address the danger rescuers face in hazardous terrain by providing a safer means to locate and assist survivors. The prototype was designed and constructed using Arduino Uno, ESP32-CAM, NEO-6M GPS, and a servo-controlled hatch for first aid deployment. Its spherical body, inspired by DOST’s Project Sphere and Star Wars’ BB-8, was made from papier-mâché reinforced with lightweight internal support. Programming was done in C++ via Arduino IDE to control movement, navigation, and detection systems. The prototype was tested on various terrains to measure stability, navigation efficiency, and accuracy of live video and GPS telemetry. The first aid delivery mechanism was also tested through multiple trials to assess success rates in opening, accessibility, and security of stored supplies. SPHERESCUE’s results showed efficiency in navigating flat and uneven terrains. Although with minimal errors in identifying targets in transmitted live video using AI-assisted detection, it also lacks maintaining stability on inclined areas. The first aid hatch achieved a 60% success rate, indicating functionality with room for improvement. SPHERESCUE demonstrates strong potential as a low-cost, accessible robotic aid for safer and faster disaster response. As a prototype, limitations such as terrain adaptability and hatch precision are expected.

As pivotal pillars of China's national energy security strategy, resource-based cities can leverage the data-sharing capabilities, real-time transmission features, and low marginal cost advantages inherent in digital-real integration to forge new pathways for overcoming the "resource curse" and "transition inertia" dilemmas. Based on panel data of China's resource-based cities from 2011 to 2022, this study constructs a multidimensional econometric framework incorporating two-way fixed effects models, mediation and moderation effect models, and threshold regression analysis to systematically deconstruct the operational impacts and mechanistic drivers of digital-real integration in propelling green and low-carbon urban transitions. The results showed that: ① Digital-real integration demonstrated statistically significant positive effects on green low-carbon transition in resource-based cities, with robustness confirmed through multiple empirical tests. ② Mechanism tests revealed that digital-real integration significantly facilitated green and low-carbon transition in resource-based cities through innovation-driven effects and environmental regulation effects, whereas industrial optimization effects demonstrated no significant driving force. Concurrently, government intervention exhibited a negative moderating effect on this transition process driven by digital-real integration. ③ Heterogeneity tests revealed significant differential effects across three dimensions: typology of resource-based cities, economic development levels, and digital technology innovation capacities. ④ Threshold effect tests confirmed that higher digital economy policy supply levels intensified the green and low-carbon transition effects of digital-real integration.

This study examines the evolution of the European Union’s (EU) energy security and import dependence over the period 2014–2023, shaped by global energy price shocks, the COVID-19 pandemic, and Russia’s war against Ukraine. This research aims to explore how the structure of energy imports, domestic production capacities, and the composition of electricity generation shape the vulnerability of EU Member States. It highlights that energy is not only an economic input but also a determinant of social stability and political space. The analysis is based on Eurostat data for 27 Member States. This study combines several methods: panel regression to explore the structural determinants of energy dependence, absolute and relative volatility indicators to measure exposure to shocks, and K-means clustering to map heterogeneity across Member States. The comparison between the pre-2020 and post-2020 periods serves as a robustness check. The results point to three main conclusions. First, natural gas and oil imports remain the primary source of dependency, while domestic electricity generation and balanced gas supply mitigate vulnerability. Second, based on volatility, smaller Member States—particularly the Baltic States and Malta—are disproportionately exposed to shocks. Third, Member States can be grouped into three clusters, although the post-2020 crisis has partly rearranged the grouping of countries. The policy lesson is clear: reducing energy dependency requires diversification, targeted support for smaller Member States, strengthening crisis management capacities, and accelerating the green transition. Energy security and sustainability are not contradictory but mutually reinforcing objectives that will determine the future resilience of the EU.

Holistic assessment of India's water security using coupled climate-human intervention models.

The power of recall: Physiological and epigenetic memory networks in plants.

Integrating large language models into Peer-to-Peer energy management for multi-tenant buildings: A guardrail approach to ensuring resilience.

Forest fires in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) are intensified by the accumulation of highly flammable Chir pine (Pinus roxburghii Sarg.) needles. This biomass, often treated as waste, represents both a hazard and an untapped renewable energy resource. Converting pine needles into biofuel offers a dual solution—reducing fire risk while contributing to rural energy security. However, systemic gaps in technology adoption, governance, and resource management have limited progress. This study develops an integrated, community-centric framework for sustainable deployment of pine-based biofuel systems in the IHR. Four objectives guided the research: (i) characterization of pine needle fuel properties to establish a baseline for harvest planning; (ii) techno-economic and sustainability analysis of decentralized conversion pathways, with briquetting emerging as most viable under current constraints; (iii) evaluation of a participatory governance model integrating local knowledge with institutional mechanisms to ensure equitable benefit-sharing and community ownership; and (iv) synthesis into a scalable framework aligned with national forest policy and climate goals. Results show community-managed biofuel systems can reduce forest fire fuel loads while fostering livelihoods. Briquetting was identified as the most feasible pathway, while pyrolysis and gasification showed promise for cluster-level deployment with targeted investment. The study provides a replicable blueprint for transforming hazardous pine needle waste into energy security, ecological resilience, and inclusive development in fragile mountain ecosystems.