Energy Crisis Research Articles

The carbon stability and energy characteristics of tea waste-derived biochar: Effects of pyrolytic temperature and co-pyrolysis with nanoscale zero-valent iron

Pyrolytic temperature and Fe addition are two typical factors widely used for modifying the characteristic of biochar, however, their co-effect on the C emission reduction (enhancing C stability) and fuel features of tea waste biochar remain unclear. Hence, this study systematically investigated the effects of pyrolytic temperature (300–900 °C) and nanoscale zero-valent iron (Fe) co-pyrolysis on the C stability and fuel features of TBC. Herein, H/C, (O + N)/C, FTIR spectrum, XRD spectrum, Ig/(Id + Ig) and DOC release suggested that pyrolytic temperature improvement decreased the aliphaticity, polarity and DOC content, but increased the aromaticity and graphitic degree for TBC. Meanwhile, Fe co-pyrolysis decreased the polarity and enhanced the graphitic degree of TBC at 800–900 °C. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that Fe co-pyrolysis lowered the thermostability of C. Differently, H2O2 oxidization method indicated Fe co-pyrolysis significantly enhanced the chemical stability of C. Furthermore, Uv–vis and fluorescence spectrum indicated that pyrolytic temperature improvement decreased the aromaticity and molecular size of biochar-derived DOC. Fe co-pyrolysis increased the release of large molecular humic-like matters rather than small molecular protein-like matters. All the results suggested high pyrolytic temperature and Fe co-pyrolysis could improve the environmental (physico-chemical) C stability of TBC and the C emission reduction. Additionally, TBC presented a considerable energy densification ratio (EDR) ranges (1.355–1.450) of wood- and straw-derived biochars, indicating TBC could be a potential high-performance biofuel to alleviate the energy crisis. This study provides important information to optimize pyrolysis conditions to re-use of tea waste for C emission reduction and fuel substitute.

The European energy crisis and the US natural gas market dynamics: a structural VAR investigation

The Russian invasion of Ukraine triggered severe disruptions in the European energy market, causing also significant shifts in global natural gas flows. We investigate how this European shock has affected the dynamics and altered the estimates of the elasticities on the US natural gas market. We use the Bayesian Structural Vector Autoregression framework proposed by Baumeister and Hamilton (Am Econ Rev 109(5):1873–1910, 2019, BH) for the crude oil market and applied by Rubaszek et al. (Energy Econ 103:105526, 2021, RSU) to analyze the dynamics of the US natural gas market. By extending the RSU model for natural gas exports and imports and deriving model’s posterior using most recent data, we approximate the impact of the European energy crisis on the US natural gas market. We show that the estimates of the US natural gas market elasticities change due to our modification, while simply updating the same prior beliefs with most recent data impacts the posterior estimates to a very limited extent. We also find that a shock even as major as the European energy crisis has only marginally affected the US natural gas market, thus confirming the results from the literature that the EU and US natural gas markets evolve independently.

Public Policies for the Energy Efficiency of Buildings in Mexico

In Latin America, the energy crisis has worsened due to the dependence on energy services and fossil fuel imports from highly industrialized countries at prices established by the international market; this is particularly relevant to the construction industry, which presents a significant deficit in optimal energy consumption. Hence, some governments have established public policies to maximize the efficiency of these services and, at the same time, minimize the carbon footprint. In this research study, we reviewed the public policies, strategies, and incentives for energy efficiency (EE) implementation in the residential sector established by the Mexican government. A scoping review methodology was chosen and implemented in the following steps: 1. Research inquiry identification. 2. Determination of the relevant literature and studies. 3. The literature selection. 4. Data graphing. 5. Results collection, overview, and submission. In this systematic review, we identified five mandatory standards (NOM-008-ENER-2001, NOM-009-ENER-2014, NOM-018-ENER-2011, NOM-020-ENER-2011, and NOM-024-ENER-2012), six optional standards, four strategies (Green Mortgage, Integral Sustainable Improvement in Existing Housing, ECOCASA, and NAMA), and three kinds of incentives (green bonds, credit and interest rates (Green Mortgage, FIDE, and Ecocasa), and taxes (Income Tax Reduction)). As a result of the implementation of the above, as of December 2020, NAMA financed 5106 developers of 38 projects in 15 states; contributed to a reduction of 126,779 tons of CO2; and aided 19,913 people. From 2013 to December 2023, EcoCasa subsidized 71,440 households for a total of 224 projects in 25 states; contributed to a reduction of 2.6 million tons of CO2; aided 285,760 Mexicans; and issued EcoCasa certificates for 3,473,556 m2. The results of the EE indicators in residential buildings showed an increase in the housing unit number as well as an increase in household appliances, with those based on power consumption prevailing. The residential sector ranks third in power consumption in Mexico, consuming an estimated 790 pj, of which 76% corresponds to thermal energy and 24% to electric power. Among countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, Mexico has achieved an Energy Transition Index of 62%.

Research and Applications of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles

Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) technology has been developed in the field of underwater surveying over the past decades. Today as climate change and the energy crisis becoming increasingly urgent matters. Simultaneously, as technology is moving towards data-driven digitization, AUV technology is expanding into several other fields. This paper provides an overview of the current development of AUVs. It discusses the strength of AUV technology, such as high survey accuracy, large operational range and low operational costs compared to other surveying methods. It also addresses limitations, including battery technology constrains and wireless communication challenges. This paper will also introduce future areas of development based on the limitations, such as fuel cell, underwater scanning and mapping, underwater autonomous navigation, and bio-mimicry technology. Finally, based on the currently technology developments of AUVs, discuss the currently fields of application such as oceanography, underwater mapping and imaging and future fields of applications such as fisheries and use in underwater industrial inspections.

Sustainable internal communication and digital trends amidst an energy crisis: can a middle ground be found in South Africa?

PurposeThis study aims to explore the impact of current trends like the development of digital communication channels and a greater focus on sustainability, together with external pressures such as a growing electricity crisis on how internal communication is practiced, by using South African internal communication as context.Design/methodology/approachTwo rounds of qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with senior internal communication practitioners and consultants to provide a robust view of the research problem.FindingsIt was found that external pressures and trends were viewed as more important than incorporating the broader definition of sustainability into the practice of internal communication. It became clear that internal communication must negotiate seemingly opposing demands like moving to digital communication, while facing electricity shortages and balancing economic pressures with stakeholder inclusion in messages. The findings suggest that internal communication cement organisational survival but should embody the environmental and social elements of sustainability.Originality/valueThe study contributes new insights to the importance of internal communication during crisis times, like the energy crisis in this study. Internal communication should embody the wider sustainability discussion during periods when challenging external forces are at work.

Energizing the future: Unleashing the potential of innovative waste-to-energy technologies for energy development and sustainability within Zimbabwe's tourism sector.

Zimbabwe's tourism industry, renowned for its natural wonders and cultural heritage, faces a looming energy crisis rooted in the detrimental over-reliance on fossil fuels and the underutilization of substantial waste resources that lie dormant. The article investigates multifaceted relationship between six independent variables: landfill gas recovery and anaerobic digestion, pyrolysis and gasification, incineration, biogas production, biodiesel production, ethanol production and syngas fermentation and one dependent variable: energy development and sustainability. In this study, a quantitative methodology was adopted, involving the gathering of data from 519 stakeholders in the tourism supply chain through a simple random sampling technique, with the sample size determined using the Krejcie and Morgan table. The distribution of questionnaires was facilitated through Google Forms, and the data analysis was conducted using Smart PLS. Statistical findings indicate direct significant relationship between variables, and t-statistic values all hypotheses were all greater than the threshold of 1.96, ranging from a minimum of 2.911 to a maximum of 9.431. These findings underscore the robustness of the relationships between the waste-to-energy technologies and energy development and sustainability within Zimbabwe's tourism sector. This empirical evidence highlights the substantial potential for these innovative technologies to play a pivotal role in mitigating the energy crisis and fostering sustainable energy development.

Evaluation of the potential power generation resources in SAARC region for sustainable energy trade

AbstractThis article presents a comprehensive review on the contemporary condition of electrical energy in the SAARC countries with particular focus on conventional as well as renewable resources. The region lies at the center of the Asia with a dense population where demand and supply gap has always been a challenging factor for the governments. In addition, the region has observed enormous industrial growth during past two and half decades whose sustainability is totally dependent upon the continuous supply of energy. A bulk of valuable literature has been published in recent years that addresses the challenges, infrastructure improvements margins and several schemes to mitigate the energy deficiency in the region but most of it focuses upon either generation or transmission. This article covers this gap and presents to‐the‐point data that can be used for future forecasting, cross‐border trade possibilities and indigenous energy generation for remote and islanded regions within and across the SAARC mainland. A detailed review on electrical power generation potential by exploiting the renewable energy resources (RERs), generation capacity, installed capacity, energy short fall and transmission and distribution (T&D) losses is presented for each SAARC country and the results are presented in forms of tables and graphs. It can be inferred from the data presented in this paper that the energy crisis of the SAARC region can be overcome by mutual trade among the land‐connected countries by transporting the electrical energy, generated through RERs, across the borders. The paper concludes that the region has enormous potential for renewable energy available in form of hydal, solar, wind and biomass that, if maturely harnessed, can only not fulfil the local demands of the region but also be exported to establish the framework of cross‐border energy trade in future for sustainability of industrial and domestic utilization.

Mg bulk and surface modification on Ni/Y2Ti2O7 catalyst for dry reforming of methane

Dry reforming of methane (DRM) can simultaneously convert two greenhouse gases, CH4 and CO2, into high value-added synthetic gas, which can effectively alleviate the energy crisis and optimize the human ecological environment. In this work, the effect of Mg addition method on the activity of the Y2Ti2O7 pyrochlore supported Ni catalysts was investigated in DRM. The H2-TPR and XPS results showed that Mg modification enhanced the interaction between Ni and Y2Ti2O7 pyrochlore support. Thus, much smaller Ni grains with better thermal stability could be achieved on the Mg doped Ni/Y2Ti2O7 catalyst, as evidenced by the XRD, H2-TPD and TEM results. CO2-assistant CH4-TPSR demonstrated that Mg surface modification can facilitate the reaction between the activated CO2∗ and the H∗ produced by CH4 dissociation. Mg incorporation increased the basic site of the Ni/Y2Ti2O7 catalyst, as evidenced by CO2-TPD-MS results, which was conducive to the adsorption and activation of CO2 to promote the removal of coke deposition. Consequently, Ni/Y1·5Mg0·5Ti2O7 and Ni–MgO/Y2Ti2O7 catalysts exhibit higher stability and more potent coke resistance than the unmodified Ni/Y2Ti2O7 sample. It is concluded that higher Ni0 dispersion and more mobile active oxygen species are the main reasons for the improvement of activity and coke resistance of the Ni/Y2Ti2O7 catalysts. In addition, in situ DRIFTS results confirmed that CO2 activation of all catalysts followed the formate intermediate species path.

Polyoxometalate‐Derived Photocatalysts Enabling Progress in Hydrogen Evolution Reactions

AbstractPhotocatalytic water splitting is capable of converting abundant solar energy into environmentally friendly and renewable chemical energy, presenting a promising solution to alleviate the energy crisis and combat environmental pollution. The development of high‐performance photocatalysts is crucial for significantly improving the efficiency of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) involved. Polyoxometalate (POM)‐derived materials, known for their tunable compositions, diverse structures, electron storage/release capabilities, as well as quasi‐semiconductor photochemical properties, serve as highly efficient catalysts in sustainable photosynthesis. This comprehensive review navigates the latest advancements in the assembly strategies and HER performance of POM‐based crystalline materials. It also discusses the composite materials formed by infiltrating POM into metal‐organic frameworks (MOF) and examines the roles of transition metal compounds derived from polyoxometalates, such as sulfides and carbides, in photocatalytic HER. Emphasis is placed on the prospects for the future development of POM‐based compounds as photocatalysts, along with several strategies and outlooks that could facilitate their progress. POM‐derived materials are believed to have significant potential to enhance hydrogen production efficiency while maintaining thermal stability in HER processes.

Progress on Si‐based photoelectrodes for industrial production of green hydrogen by solar‐driven water splitting

AbstractSolar power has been regarded as the ultimate green‐energy source because of its inexhaustibility and eco‐friendliness. The solar‐driven water‐splitting technology for green hydrogen production is considered to be one of effective ways for solar energy harvesting and storage, which may provide solutions for the energy crisis and environmental issues. In the past decades, great progress has been achieved in this area. Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is especially promising for the production of solar fuels because of expected large‐scale industrial application. Silicon (Si), as an ideal candidate for the photoelectrode, is the most suitable material for the PEC device in industrial photocatalytic water splitting because of its abundance, mature fabrication technology, and suitable band gap. Here, we give a systematic review on the recent progress for Si‐based photoelectrodes for water splitting with a focus on the industrial application. Particularly, the strategies, such as band‐alignment control, morphology design, and surface engineering, are summarized to enhance the PEC performance and durability for practical application. Furthermore, the perspective for the design of commercial Si‐based PEC devices with high PEC performance, long‐term stability, large‐size, and low cost are given at the end, which shall guide the development of PEC water splitting for industrial application.

The European Energy Crisis and the Consequences for the Global Natural Gas Market

The Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 led to severe disruptions in the European gas market with significant repercussions on a global scale. The conflict caused a surge in energy prices, a major reshuffling of global natural gas flows, and a shift in the policy-makers’ agendas toward energy supply security. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the developments in the global gas market in the aftermath of the war in Ukraine, focusing in particular on the European gas market and on global LNG trade flows. We first review the characteristics of the gas market in terms of both pricing benchmarks and contractual terms. Next, we analyze the changes to LNG and natural gas production, consumption, and trade flows throughout the European energy crisis. Finally, we review the main policy response to the energy crisis and present some considerations on the gas market outlook. JEL Classification: L95, P28, Q35

Hospital design and planning in the line of foresight of health needs

Abstract The health needs of the population are increasingly difficult to plan and predict. Technological progress, artificial intelligence, new medicines, but also ecological disasters, humanitarian crises, energy crisis and other challenges (as a Covid 19 pandemic) represent the image of our time. New design of hospitals should be able to respond to the challenges of the future: comprehensive provision of health services taking into account the patient’s needs, working conditions taking into account the hospital staff, energy efficiency and construction in accordance with high standards and reduction of CO2 emissions (green hospitals), to ensure alternative sources of electricity and water supply bearing in mind potential emergencies. The big challenge of long-term construction in which advanced technologies and new procedures cannot simply fit into a rigid building structure that is several decades old (example Serbia), so it is necessary to apply precise planning and efficient and high-quality construction in the next generation hospitals, taking into account current modern equipment and that which will appear in the future. Designing hospitals involves anticipating future healthcare challenges, technological advancements, demographic shifts, and changes in patient expectations. Hospitals emphasis on patient-centered design principles, creating environments that prioritize comfort, privacy, and dignity for patients and their families, accessibility and inclusivity, infection control and prevention, sustainability and resilience. Modern hospitals should create collaborative spaces for interdisciplinary teamwork and communication among healthcare providers, research and innovation units, but also community engagement and health promotion activities. Future hospital design requires strong multidisciplinary and cross-sectional cooperation, in which priority is given to architects dedicated to this field and their cooperation with public health and health management experts.

Assessing Greece’s social vulnerability patterns in times of perma-crisis (2008–2022)

IntroductionThe study aims to map and analyse the development of social vulnerability patterns in Greece through a perma-crisis context (economic crisis, austerity, covid-19, energy, and inflation crisis) over the period 2008-2022.MethodsThe paper rests on the construction of a composite index of four key pillars of social vulnerability (employment, living conditions, health, and education) consisting of 15 selected variables obtained from the official Eurostat datasets and using PCA analysis.ResultsOur findings show that social vulnerability patterns in Greece demonstrate a considerable shift during the stated period where certain social groups (i.e., NEETs and precarious workers) seem to suffer the most. The first pattern (2008-2016) is largely characterized by the intensity and severity of the economic crisis and austerity measures, which contributed to the exacerbation of social vulnerability. The second pattern (2017-2022) presents a gradual decline mainly due to the recovery of the economy and a decrease in unemployment rates featuring a strong tendency to reach the pre-crisis levels in the years to come.DiscussionThe high levels of social vulnerability leading to social exclusion, poverty, and the widening of inequalities, impede the country’s resilience and recovery efforts and undermine social cohesion.

Engineered self-assembled protein nanosheets for in situ biosynthesis of peptide anchored protein-semiconductor hybrids for efficient hydrogen production

Catalytic hydrogen production using solar energy is of great significance in addressing the global energy crisis. Herein, an efficient artificial photocatalytic hydrogen production system based on hierarchical protein self-assembly is designed and developed by in situ biosynthesis of peptide-anchored protein-semiconductor hybrids. The self-grown protein-CdS quantum dot hybrids stabilize and array orderly by the predesigned bioengineered proteins assembled into monolayer nanosheets, perfectly mimicking both the structure and function of the natural photosynthetic system. By mild deposition of Pt nanoparticles, the photocatalytic hydrogen production performance of the system is further enhanced to 69100 μmolh−1 (Cd2+) g −1, 80 times the catalytic activity of free CdS. Remarkably, the protein 2D network effectively enhances the water solubility, dispersibility, and solution stability of the inorganic catalytic centers, affording efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. The system maintains 91.2 % catalytic efficiency after 30 days. Furthermore, its hydrogen production rate can be artificially regulated between 69100 and 52100 μmolh−1 (per g Cd2+) by the assembly-disassembly process of the protein templates. Thus, our work showcases the importance of the protein template and its assembly in maintaining the structural stability and high catalytic performance of the photocatalytic system and provides promising ideas for the simulation of natural photosynthetic systems.

Empowering marginalised communities: Leveraging indigenous knowledge for sustainable energy development in South Africa

AbstractAmidst South Africa's volatile energy landscape—characterised by political turbulence, economic instability and Eskom's chronic financial and operational challenges—the imperative for transformative reform is both urgent and indispensable. Municipalities are confronted with deteriorating infrastructure, recurrent power disruptions and widespread electricity theft, which collectively exacerbate the national energy crisis. This paper investigates the integration of indigenous knowledge systems within the country's energy sector as a strategic response to these persistent challenges, promoting the empowerment of marginalised communities and advancing environmental sustainability. Anchored in the theoretical frameworks of environmental justice and indigenous rights, the paper advocates for Afrocentric paradigms such as traditional resource governance and community‐driven energy solutions. Employing thematic analysis of secondary data, it evaluates the viability and prospective benefits of this paradigm shift. The paper posits that the inclusion of indigenous knowledge in energy practices not only presents tangible solutions to the energy crisis but also cultivates socio‐economic empowerment and reinforces environmental stewardship.

Metal Imidazole-Modified Covalent Organic Frameworks as Electrocatalysts for Alkaline Oxygen Evolution Reaction

Since the product contains no carbon-based substances and can be driven by non-carbon-based electricity, electrocatalytic water splitting is considered to be among the most effective strategies for alleviating the energy crisis and environmental pollution. This process helps lower greenhouse gas emissions while also supporting the shift toward renewable energy sources. The anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) involves a more complex multi-electron transfer process, which is the principal limiting factor in overall water splitting. Extensive research has demonstrated that the controlled design of effective electrocatalysts can address this limitation. In this study, a previously unreported covalent organic framework material (COF-IM) was synthesized via a post-synthetic modification strategy. Notably, COF-IM contains imidazole nitrogen metal active sites. Transition metal-coordinated COF-IM@Co can function as a highly effective electrocatalyst, exhibiting a lower overpotential (403.8 mV@10 mA cm−2) in alkaline electrolytes, thereby highlighting its potential for practical applications in energy conversion technologies. This study offers new perspectives on the design and synthesis of COFs, while also making substantial contributions to the advancement and application of OER electrocatalysts.

Fabrication of CdIn2S4/ZnS S-scheme heterojunction via in-situ phase transformation for boosting photocatalytic conversion of organic compounds

Developing efficient photocatalysts is one of green and low cost tactic for addressing the environmental deterioration and energy crisis. Therefore, it remains a fantastic and important strategy to design an efficient junction between different semiconductors for harvesting solar light, boosting the redox capability. Herein, the fabrication of ZnS in situ decorated CdIn2S4 (referred to as CIS-Zx) were prepared by converting ZnS particles on Cd2In4S surface by a facile cation exchange method during solvothermal synthesis. According to a series of PEC measurements and DFT calculations, the bending of band edge as well as the establishing of built-in electric field in the interface of CIS/ZnS heterojunction were concluded, causing the formation of in-situ S-scheme heterojunctions in CdIn2S4/ZnS. The in-situ S-scheme heterojunctions can effectively ameliorate the migration behaviors of photo-generated charges. Compared with pure CdInS4, ZnS and physically mixed CdIn2S4/ZnS, the CIS-Zxin-situ S-scheme heterojunction exhibits efficient photocatalytic activity and stability in the selective reduction of aromatic nitro compounds and oxidation of aromatic alcohols, it is hoped that this work will open up a new avenue for innovative applications of in-situ S-scheme heterojunctions.

In situ composite of biomass derived carbon/porous carbon nitride and its enhanced performance in solar-driven photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction

Converting waste organic biomass into functional carbon materials is regarded as a sustainable development strategy to address environmental pollution and energy crisis. In this work, carbon/porous carbon nitride (PCN) composite photothermal catalysts were prepared via an in-situ method with urea and phragmites spikelets as raw materials for the solar-driven hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The biomass derived porous carbon, in close contact with PCN, not only acts as a charge transfer bridge facilitating the rapid separation and migration of photogenerated charges but also serves as a photothermal carrier to enhance the kinetic process of the photocatalytic reaction. Under simulated solar irradiation (AM 1.5 G), the optimal HER rate of the composite catalyst is 4.98 mmol g−1h−1, which is 2.1 times that of pure PCN. The physicochemical properties of the materials, including morphology, crystal structure, elemental composition and state, and energy band characteristics, were determined. Additionally, theoretical calculations were employed to explore the impact of biomass-derived porous carbon on the electronic structure and band structure of carbon nitride. This work not only broadens the range of raw materials for biomass-derived porous carbon but also provides a novel strategy for promoting photocatalytic HER through synergistic multifield effects, showing broad application prospects in the field of resource recovery and green catalysis.

Три уровня международного политико-экономического анализа: новая перспектива для исследования международных проблем в эпоху многополярности

One of the key issues in current international relations studies is the structure of knowledge. The epistemological foundations of political and economic theories of international development are losing their relevance as the influence of theory on the practice of international relations wanes. The declining ability of international analysis to predict the future of world politics and economics emphasizes the need for a broader, interdisciplinary approach to the study of international relations. This study aims to explore the possibility of creating a new, practical and interdisciplinary model of analysis to address the problems of the modern international system. This approach to the systemic analysis of international relations involves broadening the scope of the study by integrating international political and economic (IPE) analysis and including three analytical levels: explanatory, normative and critical. The article defines the terminology, structure, principles and criteria of such an analysis based on the problems of modern political science. The author also points out the main difficulties in the formation of theoretical and methodological basis of the three-level analysis. Examples of analyzing problems, namely the impact of trade barriers on the instability of global supply chains and the international dimension of the energy crisis of the Federal Republic of Germany (2022 – present) are given, demonstrating the quality and consistency of the results of such analysis.

Recent Advances in the Utilization of Chiral Covalent Organic Frameworks for Asymmetric Photocatalysis

The use of light energy to drive asymmetric organic transformations to produce high-value-added organic compounds is attracting increasing interest as a sustainable strategy for solving environmental problems and addressing the energy crisis. Chiral covalent organic frameworks (COFs), as porous crystalline chiral materials, have become an important platform on which to explore new chiral photocatalytic materials due to their precise tunability, chiral structure, and function. This review highlights recent research progress on chiral COFs and their crystalline composites, evaluating their application as catalysts in asymmetric photocatalytic organic transformations in terms of their structure. Finally, the limitations and challenges of chiral COFs in asymmetric photocatalysis are discussed, with future opportunities for research being identified.