Energy Supply Chain Research Articles

An Analysis of the Energy Crisis under the Ukraine Conflict

The Ukraine Conflict has had far-reaching implications for energy security, geopolitical dynamics, and various sectors. This study examines the impact of the conflict on Russias energy supply chain to Europe, specifically in terms of natural gas, oil, and coal. Before the conflict, Russia played a crucial role in supplying Europe with natural gas, oil, and coal through pipeline networks, maritime transportation, and export routes. However, the conflict disrupted these supply chains and resulted in significant price fluctuations. The conflict led to economic and energy sanctions imposed on Russia by the United States, the European Union, and Japan, causing a decline in Russias oil exports. The natural gas supply faced disruptions, leading to increased prices and supply shortages in Europe and globally. The coal market also experienced price hikes and supply disruptions. In response to the energy crisis, countries implemented measures to diversify their energy sources, reduce dependence on Russian imports, and accelerate the transition to renewable energy. The European Union, in particular, introduced the REPowerEU plan to enhance energy independence and promote green energy. The conflict also had implications for various sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, and defense. Additionally, the US dollar strengthened as it became a safe haven currency during the conflict. Looking ahead, the Ukraine conflict will continue to shape the global energy landscape and geopolitical relationships, influencing strategies for energy resilience, security, and sustainability.

Assessing fossil energy supply security in China using ecological network analysis from a supply chain perspective

Fossil energy plays a critical role as a global energy source, underscoring the utmost importance of ensuring its supply security. As a prominent global energy consumer, China possesses vast coal resources; however, it heavily depends on oil and natural gas imports. Given the formidable challenges posed by environmental constraints and resource scarcity, investigating the security of China's fossil energy supply emerges as a pivotal research concern. This study adopts an innovative energy supply chain perspective, dividing the energy supply system into distinct links, including upstream energy supply, midstream energy conversion, and downstream energy consumption. Through ecological network analysis, the safety levels of China's coal, oil, and gas supply systems were meticulously assessed, considering network structure, sustainability, and network utility. The research findings indicated a relatively stable security level for China's fossil energy supply system during the period from 2010 to 2020, focusing on key aspects such as coal processing and conversion, oil inventory, and foreign-sourced natural gas supply. Moreover, scenario analysis results offer valuable insights and recommendations to bolster the security of China's fossil energy supply. The application of the ecological network model as a comprehensive assessment tool provides a fresh approach to evaluating the energy security of countries from the perspective of energy supply chains.

Assessment of Commercially Available Hydrogen Supply Chains for Gas-Fired Boilers

Hydrogen energy is a clean and efficient secondary energy source, and hydrogen derived from renewable sources is regarded as the key to achieving a low-carbon clean energy supply. Currently, the hydrogen energy supply chain is still in its development stage and requires a comprehensive comparative analysis of various hydrogen production technologies as well as storage and transportation methods to ensure the optimal application route for hydrogen energy. In this study, GaBi 10 software is used to conduct a comparative and evaluative analysis of the potential environmental impact associated with hydrogen energy application. The life cycle assessment encompasses all stages of the hydrogen supply chain, including production, transportation and utilization. The results indicate that hydrogen production from wind power has the lowest global warming potential (GWP), acidification potential (AP), eutrophication potential (EP) and photochemical ozone creation potential (POCP). Due to the high energy consumption of the liquefaction process, liquid hydrogen transportation is currently associated with the largest carbon emissions among all modes of hydrogen transport. However, if renewable energy sources are utilized to power hydrogen liquefaction, significant reductions in carbon emissions can be achieved. An evaluation of the carbon footprint associated with the completed hydrogen supply chain indicates that hydrogen produced from renewable sources is cost-effective for use in gas-fired boilers from an environmental perspective.

Nature-inspired solutions for energy sustainability using novel optimization methods.

This research centres on developing a Home Electricity Management (HEM) system, a pivotal component within the modern supply chain for home electrical power. The system optimizes the scheduling of intelligent home gadgets through advanced meta-heuristics, specifically the Social Spider Algorithm (SSA) and Strawberry Algorithm (SWA), to efficiently manage home energy consumption. Within the supply chain context, HEM acts as a crucial link in the distribution and utilization of electricity within households, akin to optimizing resource allocation and demand balancing within a supply chain for efficient operation and cost-effectiveness. Simulations and comparisons demonstrate that SWA excels in cost savings, while SSA is more effective in reducing peak-to-average power ratios. The proposed solution reduces costs for residences by up to 3.5 percent, highlighting the potential for significant cost savings and efficiency improvements within the home electricity supply chain. It also surpasses existing cost and Peak Average (PAR) ratio meta-heuristics, indicating superior performance within the overall energy supply and consumption framework. Moreover, implementing the HEM system contributes to reducing carbon emissions, aligning with sustainability goals in the energy supply chain. It promotes energy efficiency, integrates renewable sources, and facilitates demand response, mirroring the emphasis on sustainability in supply chain practices. Overall, this research offers a practical and sustainable approach to home energy management, bringing substantial cost savings and environmental benefits to the modern supply chain for residential electricity.

Energy consumption and carbon emission assessment of battery swapping systems for electric motorcycle

This work investigated different conceptual models for electric motorcycles, which are electric motorcycles with a home charging system, electric motorcycles using a battery swapping system, and electric motorcycles with battery swapping and photovoltaic systems, in four Southeast Asia countries. The current research focused on analyzing the impact of factors such as the number of battery packs in a swapping station, variation in battery swapping demand, the season, and photovoltaic panel size on energy utilization and carbon emissions associated with the entire energy supply chain. The objective of the current study was to evaluate and compare the well-to-wheel emissions using these different conceptual models, considering the varying energy mixes in four countries with a significant prevalence of motorcycle ownership, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia. The results revealed that by using a 3 kW photovoltaic system, the dependency on grid energy can be significantly reduced and thus provide the highest benefits in terms of reduction of fossil fuel use and CO2 emissions. Although switching from internal combustion engine motorcycles to electric motorcycles could substantially reduce carbon emissions, it is only feasible when the primary resources used for generating electricity are sufficiently clean or battery swapping stations are equipped with a 3 kW photovoltaic system. In these four countries, electric motorcycles with battery swapping systems could accelerate the transition to a net-zero carbon emission society by reducing CO2 emissions by around 2.6–3.0 Mt-CO2 per year in the right environment. Prioritizing the decarbonization of power generation should be the primary focus, considering its critical role as a bottleneck within the system. The findings of this research hold significant value for decision-makers and investors who are actively pursuing smart city development and aiming to harness the potential of renewable energy sources.

Enhancing Urban Sustainability: Unravelling Carbon Footprint Reduction in Smart Cities through Modern Supply-Chain Measures

The worldwide Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for smart cities and communities focus significant attention on air quality and climate change. Technology and management can reduce fossil fuel dependence in smart cities’ energy supply chains (SC). A sustainable smart city and reduced carbon emissions require coordinated technology and management with appropriate infrastructure. A systematic review of smart city SC management literature that reduces the carbon footprint (C.F) inspired this study. The study shows how each attribute reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The Introduction highlights the subject matter and principal goal, which is to investigate how SC management strategies could assist smart cities in lowering their C.F. The Methods and Materials section provides a succinct description of the refining process in Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses in Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) relevant to C.F mitigation in smart city (SC) management. Significant works are described in the Results and Findings section, which exposes how smart cities and SC measurements reduce C.F. The Discussion section examines and scientifically debates the research findings. The Conclusion provides a scientific analysis based on the presented insights and features to enhance how policies must be coordinated to achieve the goal of this research study in a comprehensive way. Furthermore, it provides suggestions for practitioners and governments, and proposals for future research. The main contribution of this paper is conducting and proposing a framework for a better understanding of how the novel digital SCs, their components, and their management practices can help smart cities reduce their C.F.

Economic material for large-scale H2 Storage and H2-CO2 separation

Hydrogen is a clean fuel that can potentially completely decarbonize the energy supply chain and mitigate global warming. Hydrogen – a highly volatile gas – however, needs to be separated from CO2 during H2 production, and also from cushion gas in H2 geo-storage projects; in addition, large-scale H2 storage is a key obstacle. We thus tested and chemically upgraded common sub-bituminous coal as a material for H2-CO2 separation and H2 storage.The coal adsorbed significant amounts of H2 and CO2 and demonstrated an excellent H2-CO2 separation efficiency if chemically modified. The work presented here thus provides fundamental data required for the economic production and storage of H2, so that an industrial-scale clean and sustainable energy supply can be established.

Spatial-successive transfer of virtual scarcity water along China's coal-based electric chain

Spatially unbalanced energy supply and demand drive energy transfer. However, the spatial impact of energy transfers on water resources throughout the energy chain remains unexplored. This gap is largely a result of the difficulty in modeling successive transfers of virtual scarcity water (VSW). Thus, a more detailed approach than single or discrete transfer modeling is required. Here, we integrated the water footprint, water stress index, and multi-flow and multi-node models into an analytical framework for a coal-based electric chain (CBEC) to link discrete VSW transfers owing to coal transport and electricity transmission. A case study in China was modeled to illustrate the building mechanism of successive VSW transfers along the CBEC. Our model shows that interprovincial coal transport leads to a VSW transfer of 280.95 Mm3, 8.8 % of which was inherited by a VSW transfer of 388.18 Mm3 for interprovincial electricity transmission. The two-stage transfer results in a 451.42 Mm3 of difference in provincial VSW and the water scarcity footprint. We propose to promote technical-level strategies of cleaner production and technical configuration adjustment, management-level patterns of energy supply chain optimization and power source diversification, and market-level incentives of interprovincial compensation and resource coordination to enhance energy-water co-benefits.

Techno-economic and carbon emission analyses of a methanol-based international renewable energy supply chain

To achieve a sustainable future, the adoption of renewable energies is crucial. The uneven global distribution of renewable energy necessitates efficient cross-border transportation methods. This study proposes an electricity-hydrogen-methanol-hydrogen-electricity system that utilizes methanol (MeOH) as a renewable energy carrier, facilitating the transport of green energy across borders. Our approach includes Aspen Plus plantwide simulation of MeOH synthesis, MeOH reforming, H2/CO2 separation and purification, and CO2 liquefaction processes. We evaluate each process's material balance, energy consumption, and economic evaluation, encompassing water electrolysis, MeOH/CO2 transportation, and fuel cells electricity generation. Our calculations of current, near future and sustainable future scenarios demonstrate that 10.3–8.5 MWhe of green electricity is required for electrolyzing water to produce 0.196 tonnes of hydrogen, which is then used for synthesizing MeOH (1 tonne). The imported MeOH is reformed in the importing country, recovering 94 % of hydrogen (0.184 tonnes), contributing 2.0–2.9 MWhe of electricity to the grid. The solar and wind supply chains have the CO2 emissions of 575-365 kg/MWhe and 385-257 kg/MWhe respectively. The cost ranges of imported renewable electricity, MeOH and H2 vary depending on the price of exporting renewable electricity, the capital costs, and the operating efficiencies of electrolyzers and fuel cells. These factors contribute to USD 494-106/MWhe for renewable electricity, USD 684-201/t for MeOH and USD 5,199-1,993/t for H2 in the importing countries.

Do industry 5.0 advantages address the sustainable development challenges of the renewable energy supply chain?

Scholars assert that the fifth industrial revolution has the potential to go beyond Industry 4.0's efficiency and advance supply chain objectives for sustainable development, including adaptability, a human-centered orientation, and the durability of social and environmental issues. According to Industry 5.0-based solution methodologies, sustainable development challenges (SDCs) can be addressed in the renewable energy supply chain (solar energy). This study provides a distinct set of 23 SDCs and 19 Industry 5.0 advantages. Moreover, A hybrid fuzzy best worst method and fuzzy weighted aggregated sum product assessment technique are utilized in the renewable energy supply chain context. To determine the weight of SDCs, preliminary data are gathered based on experts' opinions. The outcomes indicate that the most significant SDCs in the renewable energy supply chain are “non-consideration of human factors,” “Inadequate regulation and implementation of environmental standards,” “Commitment of inadequate management for adopting sustainability,” “non-uniform alignment of sustainability, organization,” and “goal and customer expectation.” For overcoming the SDCs, “supply chain modularity,” “research and innovation in social and human problems,” and “building safer and more complicated hyper-connected networks” are the most prominent Industry 5.0 advantages. The study findings will give the most critical advantages for creating sustainability in the continued industry expansion–society engagement and more sustainable renewable energy supply chain, as well as creating a more resilient energy industry and society.

STUDY ON THE DISPOSAL OF WASTE FROM THE HYDROGEN GENERATION BY ALUMINUM OXIDATION IN ALKALINE SOLUTION

In face of the current high energy consumption and demand worldwide, a change to a sustainable energy matrix became one of the pillars for global sustainability. The use of renewable energy has been one of the most attractive subjects in recent years. Several public policies in this matter have been suggested and there are ongoing efforts toward their implementation. The United Nations (UN) proposed what is called the 2030 Agenda, which considers 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) to be achieved by the year 2030. In support of the 2030 Agenda, research on the production of fuels from clean and sustainable sources is being conducted by the scientific community around the world. Fossil fuels are finite and also a major source of environmental pollutants, therefore the choice of using renewable sources of energy tends to be an increasingly growing and attractive alternative. Hydrogen is a fuel with a high heating value and is known as the most abundant gaseous element and simplest in chemical structure. The scientific community researching fuel cells has given much attention to the generation and storage of hydrogen. Besides the electrolytic hydrogen production and the reforming of fossil fuels (e.g., natural gas), hydrogen can be generated by metallic means, for example, by oxidation of aluminum in an alkaline solution. The use of recyclable metals, such as aluminum in this study, is an option for sustainable hydrogen generation processes. Nevertheless, like any chemical reaction, part of the products generated are waste, and some are even harmful to the environment, which makes the production of sustainable fuels unfeasible in case of not finding an appropriate technological industrial destination for such waste. The herein study comprises the investigation of the industrial and technological applications of the products of the hydrogen generation reaction from aluminum. Mastering the chemical reaction parameters of that reaction is paramount for the optimal design of a hydrogen generation system. The disposal of the waste is relevant since it makes the energy supply chain complete and sustainable.

Verifiable proofs for the energy supply chain: small proofs brings you a long way

We describe a solution for secure and verifiable handling of energy certificates. Such certificates are increasingly used to claim and prove responsible use of green energy, and there is a strong need for transparency and public verifiability. While the proposed solution is designed for handling electricity it applies to different types of energy as well and the concepts may also be applied to other domains. Transmission System Operators are trusted to record consumption and production of electricity. The movement from volume-based MWh yearly certificates to spot-market aligned hourly or 15 min time-volume based intervals, creates challenges in relation to handling large amounts of data and subsequent transactions. Small discrete intervals gives the certification increased accuracy of energy consumption, as a means to prevent greenwashing, with the cost of higher amounts of transactional data and complexity. To ensure trust in the certification, these certificates must in addition be unique and publicly verifiable. This paper describes how blockchain technology can be used to create the required transparency and public verifiability. We show how large amounts of data can be efficiently handled on blockchains and how confidential data such as the amount of used energy in the certificates can be protected, ensuring privacy and correctness of the certificates.

Bursting into the Public Eye: Analyzing the Development of Renewable Energy Research Interests

Renewable energies (RE) are rapidly reforming the power sector because they have become more economically competitive, thereby enabling nations to overcome high dependence on energy imports (i.e. reducing energy security concerns), as well as reducing their negative environmental footprints. Therefore, both the public and private sectors need to uncover the future technological trajectory of renewable energy. As part of an entity-linking approach, this paper examines REs developments from 2000 to 2021 and explores high-potential topics by analyzing hot topics during the period to identify evolutionary trends of relevant research interests (using published research papers). The results are analyzed and classified to determine how and when RE development issues “burst” into the public eye. The article tells the story of RE development from the past, the present, and the likely future hot topics for research. We analyze the results and cluster them into five categories: (1) energy sources, (2) sustainable development, (3) technological developments, (4) supply chains, and (5) energy management systems.se Findings reveal signals about the potential future energy market shifts and how REs evolve and contribute to the market. Signals are converted to policies and future market interpretations using an expert-based process. Analysis and methodology outcomes reveal that digital technologies have become an important factor in market changes. The findings of the study highlight how sustainable development actions and digital technologies will likely transform RE supply and management.

Industry 4.0 Driven Green Supply Chain Management in Renewable Energy Sector: A Critical Systematic Literature Review

This paper is aimed at systematically reviewing the literature on the interface of Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM), Industry 4.0 and renewable energy. The aims of this review are to ascertain current state of the art in GSCM practices, to critically examine the role of industry 4.0 technologies in GSCM adoption, to examine sustainability and supply chain issues within the renewable energy sector, and to critically discuss tackling these issues using industry 4.0 driven GSCM. A total of 215 review and empirical papers from 2004 to 2023 gathered from three databases (ScienceDirect, Scopus and Web of Science) were reviewed. This research found several GSCM practices and succinctly categorized those based on their respective positions along any given value chain. The practices were categorized as related to: procurement and sourcing, product design, corporate relationship, organizational structure/strategy, logistics and transportation, waste and pollution management and manufacturing. We have found that the ten most mentioned GSCM practices are: Green purchasing, Eco-design, Cooperation with customers, Internal Environmental Management, Reverse logistics, Investment recovery, Green manufacturing, Green design, Collaboration with suppliers and Remanufacturing. Various Industry 4.0 technologies including blockchain, Internet of Things, Big Data and Artificial Intelligence were identified and their role in successful GSCM implementation is highlighted. Sustainability and supply chain related challenges within the renewable energy supply chain were found that include material sourcing and end-of-life management challenges. Finally, a perspective is given on the role of Industry 4.0 driven GSCM in tackling the renewable energy supply chain and sustainability challenges. This article concludes with a presentation of managerial implications and future research directions for managers within different sectors, especially the renewable energy industry.

Exploring Sustainability and Economic Growth through Generation of Renewable Energy with Respect to the Dynamical Environment

Due to rapid population growth and industrialization, the demand for electrical energy and its consumption has reached a critical point where it is no longer sustainable or stable. Therefore, it is imperative to explore new and reliable energy generation alternatives considering technical and economic perspectives, regardless of whether the community is isolated or urbanized. The research introduces a mixed-integer non-linear programming model of an energy supply chain that combines the roles of a manufacturer and retailer within a dynamic solar energy framework. The study highlights the manufacturer’s significant efforts to sustain itself in a competitive market and emphasizes the importance of government subsidies to support this approach. To meet the demands of a dynamic environment, a non-continuous demand function is utilized to generate and transmit energy at a highly sustainable level, promoting ecological balance. The model’s validity is confirmed through experimental evaluation using two case studies. Furthermore, by increasing the demand by 50%, this study demonstrates the potential for economic growth, resulting in a 20% profit for the manufacturer in the retail sector. This research ensures improved energy efficiency and greener consumption practices and addresses the optimal distribution of renewable energy to minimize imbalances. Finally, it reveals a pathway to sustainable development that promotes technological advancements while minimizing costs, offering a cost-effective scenario for the foreseeable future.

A comprehensive approach for the evaluation of the impact of blockchain on photovoltaic supply chain using hybrid data analytic method

Blockchain technology has emerged as a disruptive and transformative innovation, drawing significant interest from organizations for its potential advantages. This study employs an exploratory research approach, utilizing a hybrid data analytics method, to investigate the impact of blockchain on the photovoltaic supply chain. Our research employs a comprehensive methodology, combining both quantitative and qualitative techniques. The research journey begins with the identification of crucial indicators, followed by the collection of data through a carefully designed questionnaire and the utilization of the Delphi method for expert insights. Subsequently, we employ advanced data analytics techniques, specifically the fuzzy Analytic Network Process (ANP) and fuzzy Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) methods, to prioritize these indicators and unveil their intricate relationships. Our findings underscore the paramount importance of several key criteria among the twelve identified indicators. These include data security, effective data management, data quality assurance, robust system documentation, and streamlined access protocols. Notably, customer satisfaction emerges as a pivotal factor, exerting substantial influence within our model. Moreover, our analysis underscores that data security stands as the foundational element in this multifaceted framework. This study offers valuable insights for stakeholders in the photovoltaic supply chain, aiding in the strategic adoption of blockchain technology to enhance transparency, efficiency, and overall performance. It serves as a robust framework for organizations seeking to navigate the evolving landscape of sustainable energy supply chains while harnessing the potential of blockchain innovation.

Assessment of the energy-saving and environment effects of China's gasoline vehicle withdrawal under the impact of geopolitical risks

With the increasing number of geopolitical events, energy and economy have been affected in all regions of the world. Uncertain geopolitical risks have led to the instability of the energy supply chain, thus affecting the future planning of fuel vehicles. Accordingly, the environmental effects of “Banning gasoline vehicle sales policy” (BGVSP) will also be affected by geopolitical risks. Therefore, using life-cycle assessment and the Lotka–Volterra model, this study evaluated the environmental effects of BGVSP in terms of energy consumption, carbon emissions, human toxic potential (HTP), global warming potential (GWP), acidification potential (AP), air quality potential (AQP), and photochemical ozone creation potential (POCP). We further analyzed the effects of differences in policy timing on the energy-conservation and emission-reduction benefits of BGVSP under multiple scenarios. The results show that the implementation of BGVSP in 2025 reduces the energy consumption, carbon emissions, GWP and POCP of the Chinese passenger vehicle market by 17.2%, 18.6%, 17.9% and 46.2%, respectively. However, it may also enhance HTP, AQP, and AP impact by 5.3%, 5.6%, and 18.2%, respectively. Meanwhile, lightweight automobile development could also help reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions in the passenger vehicle market. In this situation, the environmental effects of BGVSP implementation are superimposed. Moreover, the emission-reduction effect of new-energy vehicles is linked to the energy structure in terms of the whole life cycle; thus, the environmental effect of BGVSP in the context of energy cleaning is “super additive”. Regarding environmental effects, 2030 would be the optimal time for China to implement BGVSP as it transitions to clean energy.

A data-driven viable supply network for energy security and economic prosperity

Developing countries face significant challenges in achieving energy stability due to disruptions in their energy supply chains, which jeopardise their sustainability and survivability. Addressing these issues requires careful consideration of public funding in the energy sector and the design of a robust electricity infrastructure. This study aims to identify long-term infrastructure investment strategies that can strengthen the viability of the energy supply network in developing countries, even with limited public funds. The research is underpinned by an empirical study that shows the successful development of energy infrastructure through the effective implementation of viable energy strategies in developing countries. By adopting these strategies, energy supply networks in developing countries can mitigate supply disruptions and avert economic losses. Further, this study evaluates the effectiveness of the viable energy supply network by incorporating a mix of energy resources based on actual data from Pakistan. The contributions of the study are as follows. We develop a viable energy supply network model that considers crucial elements, such as extraction, transportation, generation, transmission, and supply and facilities decision-making. Additionally, we show that the performance of the energy network is not only driven by electricity supply but also influenced by the overall economic growth of the country.

Towards a Reversible Calcium Anode through Electrolyte and Interface Engineering for Calcium Metal Batteries

Lithium-ion batteries have played an important role in decarbonizing the transportation sector, but broader utilization is currently limited by practically-attainable energy densities, safety concerns, and supply chain issues. Batteries based on calcium (Ca) metal anodes offer higher theoretical energy densities, as well as significant potential improvements in scalability and sustainability. The field of Ca metal batteries is currently in its early stages, however, due to a limited number of electrolytes that can reversibly plate and strip Ca. Two important challenges to overcome are (1) the formation of passivating solid electrolyte interphases (SEI) between Ca and the electrolyte that prevent Ca2+ transport, and (2) Ca2+-anion interactions in the electrolyte that promote cluster formation and hinder electrochemistry.1,2 This talk will explore research performed in both aspects of Ca battery development and identify strategies for future advancements. First, the electrochemical signatures of three model interfaces on Ca foil electrodes were investigated in a baseline electrolyte using cyclic voltammetry;3 the long-term cycling behavior was governed to a greater extent by electrolyte properties than the initial surface layers. Subsequent efforts have focused on electrolyte engineering, and specifically, on studying the impact that the Ca2+ coordination environment has on reversible Ca plating and stripping. For example, strong coordination between Ca2+ and the anion TFSI- has been demonstrated to deactivate Ca plating behavior via TFSI- decomposition.4,5 However, competition between coordinating molecules can be exploited to favor specific Ca2+ speciation; preferential coordination between Ca2+ and BH4 - displaces bidentate TFSI---Ca2+, unlocking Ca plating behavior in tetrahydrofuran.5 Further studies into preferential coordination are ongoing in order to better identify the connections between Ca2+ coordination, SEI formation, and anode performance. We hope to identify specific electrolyte design criteria that can advance the functionality of Ca electrolytes and ultimately examine the feasibility of Ca as a novel battery chemistry.1 Aurbach, D., Skaletsky, R. & Gofer, Y. The Electrochemical Behavior of Calcium Electrodes in a Few Organic Electrolytes. Journal of The Electrochemical Society 138, 3536-3545 (1991).2 Arroyo-de Dompablo, M. E., Ponrouch, A., Johansson, P. & Palacín, M. R. Achievements, Challenges, and Prospects of Calcium Batteries. Chemical Reviews (2019).3 Melemed, A. M. & Gallant, B. M. Electrochemical Signatures of Interface-Dominated Behavior in the Testing of Calcium Foil Anodes. Journal of The Electrochemical Society 167, 140543 (2020).4 Hahn, N. T. et al. Influence of Ether Solvent and Anion Coordination on Electrochemical Behavior in Calcium Battery Electrolytes. ACS Applied Energy Materials 3, 8437-8447 (2020).5 Melemed, A. M., Skiba, D. A. & Gallant, B. M. Toggling Calcium Plating Activity and Reversibility through Modulation of Ca2+ Speciation in Borohydride-Based Electrolytes. The Journal of Physical Chemistry C 126, 892-902 (2022).

Sustainability assessment of the solar energy supply chain in Colombia

Solar-generated energy supply has been applied as a solution to address the increasing global population, global warming challenges, and the search for alternative sources of renewable and clean energy supply. Regions such as Latin America and the Caribbean have a significant rural population that lacks access to electricity, impeding their development, and increasing unemployment rates. This paper presents a system dynamics model (SD) for assessing the implementation of a solar energy supply chain (SESC), combining the analysis with the national industry's development for the manufacture of solar modules used in the implementation of solar farms and individual solution projects, especially in the non-interconnected zones of Colombia. This case study examines three scenarios in Colombia: national government-implemented solar farm projects; development of national supply chain implementation; and development of the solar energy market. These scenarios are evaluated using performance indicators for supply chain variables, including coverage, diversification, emissions, and job creation. The results indicate that implementing a supply chain and developing solar module production in Colombia can positively impact the proposed indicators, resulting in improvements of 5.9% in coverage, 6.3% in diversification, 6.7% in emission reductions, and 13% in job creation.