Energy Environmental Impact Research Articles

Energy, economic, and environmental analysis of a novel combined cooling, heating, and power (CCHP) from infectious medical waste

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has led to an increase in infectious medical waste (IMW). Waste-to-energy (WtE) technologies are considered to manage IMW in the context of the COVID-19 situation and to reduce illegal dumping and landfill problems. This study focuses on managing IMW by using WtE technology. Energy, economic, and environmental (3E) impacts are considered as a single implication value of WtE technology. Combined cooling, heating, and power (CCHP) is a novel system for generating energy from a treated IMW by using a steam sterilization system. The moisture from sterilization waste is extracted by a drying process to create refuse-derived fuel type 3 (RDF-3). An RDF-3 of 81.98 kg/h at a low heating value of 26.29 MJ/kg is used for a combustion–incineration process of 236.56 kW. A net power from an organic Rankine cycle of 15.80 kWe, an absorption cooling capacity of 4.62 kW, and a drying room unit of 13.21 kW are found from the combined CCHP system. The energy index is calculated at an overall energy efficiency of approximately 13.40 %. The energy–environmental impact is summarized by a single score of 5.63E-04 Pt. The energy–economic impact is summarized by a levelized energy cost of 0.35 USD/kWh. The economic-environmental perspective is an energy costing per life cycle assessment of 0.73 USD/kg emission-eq. The 3E analysis reveals a single indicator of 1.95E-04 USD·Pt/kWh2, which is used in the decision to compare with other energy systems. The CCHP system shows advantages in terms of sustainability, quality, and efficiency. Consequently, a novel in this study promotes the sustainability of energy, avoiding environmental impact, and IMW management.

Exploring Symbiosis: Innovatively Unveiling the Interplay between the Cold Chain Logistics of Fresh Agricultural Products and the Ecological Environment

Cold chain logistics are crucial for reducing agricultural product loss, yet the environmental impact of energy and packaging consumption, among others, demands attention, making the search for eco-friendly development modes essential. Based on data from 30 provinces in China from 2015 to 2021, this study analyzes the basic correlation between the development of cold chain logistics of fresh agricultural products (CCLFAP) and the ecological environment (EE) by using a random forest regression model in comparison with the XGBoost model. Correlation heatmaps were used to analyze the relationships between the cold chain logistics of fresh agricultural products and various factors of the ecological environment. The generalized additive model was then used to establish the connection between cold chain logistics and the ecological environment, identifying significant factors impacting EE. The results demonstrate that a higher development level of cold chain logistics corresponds to a better development trend of EE. The economic efficiency and technical aspects of cold chain logistics for fresh agricultural products are closely related to ecological pressures and responses. The number of employees in the logistics industry, the trading volume of fresh agricultural products, the number of refrigerated vehicles, and the capacity of the cold room have significant positive correlations with the ecological environment, while the per capita consumption of fresh agricultural products, the number of cold chain logistics patent applications, and the road density had significant negative correlations with the ecological environment. The effects of the number of cold chain logistics enterprises and the freight turnover of agricultural products transported by the cold chain on the ecological environment fluctuated. These findings contribute to reducing climate and environmental emergencies throughout the life cycle, offering sustainable development solutions for the fresh agricultural product cold chain logistics industry.

Exploring energy transition in European firms: the role of policy instruments, demand-pull factors and cost-saving needs in driving energy-efficient and renewable energy innovations

ABSTRACT The transition toward more efficient and sustainable energy systems relies on the introduction by firms of innovations aimed at reducing the energy-environmental impact. In this paper, controlling for firms’ technological capabilities and taking into account the role of specific policy instruments, demand-pull factors and firms’ cost-saving needs, we carry out an in-depth analysis of the drivers motivating firms’ decision to engage in two main types of energy innovations, energy-efficient and renewable energy innovations, as compared to other environmental technologies. The empirical evidence, provided by using firm-level data from the Community Innovation Survey for different European countries, highlights the key role of firms’ cost saving needs as a motivation driving the introduction of both types of energy innovations, as well as of governmental subsidies and public procurement though only for renewable energy innovations. The influence of demand-pull factors is instead transversal between energy innovations and other eco-innovations.

Evaluating energy economic security and its influencing factors in China

For all countries worldwide, energy economic security is an issue that needs extensive attention, even though the related focus areas might be different. Each country should ensure energy economic security and promote sustainable development according to its own specific situation. Nevertheless, the energy economic security of different countries have some common aspects. This paper discusses the connotation of energy economic security and the construction of an evaluation index system of regional energy economic security from the following four dimensions: energy industry development, energy supply capacity, energy utilization level, and energy environmental impact. Based on panel data of 30 provinces in China from 2009 to 2017, the global principal component analysis method is used to measure the level of regional energy economic security and the performance of each dimension in China. The results show that the energy economic security of China and its regions improved between 2009 and 2017. In the short term, improvement in China’s regional environmental regulation levels will reduce its energy economic security level, but the implementation of environmental policies can promote the green development of China’s regional economy. High-quality development of the economy, improvement in urbanization levels, increases in population density, the promotion of scientific and technological levels, and the upgrading of industrial structures jointly contribute to the advancement of regional energy economic security. In addition, the elevation of urbanization, population density, and energy economic security levels in other regions are also conducive to the energy economic security of the region being studied.

Sunlight to Sustainability: A Comprehensive Analysis of Solar Energy's Environmental Impact and Potential

The study navigates the intricate landscape of solar energy, examining its historical foundations, environmental implications, economic viability, and transformative innovations. The study begins by elucidating the fundamentals of solar energy, exploring the principles of photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies. Subsequent chapters delve into the environmental footprint of photovoltaic technologies, revealing life cycle assessments and considerations for sustainability. The economic dynamics of solar energy are scrutinized, assessing market forces, government policies, and financial metrics. Innovation takes center stage in the final chapter, exploring advancements shaping the solar landscape. Major findings underscore the promising trajectory of solar energy, positioning it as a dynamic force in the global pursuit of sustainability. The study concludes by emphasizing the need for ongoing research, technological innovation, and strategic planning to fully unlock solar energy's potential in the transition towards a sustainable future.

Preface

The National Conference on Thermodynamics with International Participation (NACOT2019) held in Galaţi is the 22nd meeting of a series of conferences initiated in 1990 by the Romanian Society of Thermotechnics (SRT).NACOT2019 was organized by the Department of Thermal Systems and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering from “Dunărea de Jos” University of Galati in collaboration with the Romanian Association of Frigotehnists and Cryogenics (AFCR).More than 80 academicians, researchers, industry professionals, experts in thermodynamics from 14 countries participated and presented papers at the event. The conference topics included: applied thermodynamics, heat and mass transfer, fluid mechanics and CFD, refrigeration and heat pumps, power plants and CHP, internal combustion engines, renewable energy, energy use and storage, environmental impact of energy conversion.The conference offered participants the opportunity to present new research, discuss the results, exchange ideas and establish links between different research directions in the field.The format of the conference was based on plenary presentations, oral presentations, poster presentations, and presentations of equipment and technologies.The NACOT2019 organizing committee thanks the reviewers, plenary speakers and sponsors.NACOT2019 organizing committee

Exploring the environmental impact of China’s exploitation and utilization of mineral resources

With the development of economy, China has become one of the largest exploitation and utilization of mineral resources in the world. The exploitation and utilization of mineral resources also bring great destruction to the ecological environment while effectively supporting the rapid development of China’s economic society. How to avoid the environmental impact caused by the exploitation and utilization of mineral resources is an important breakthrough in the construction of ecological civilization in China. This paper USES the panel data model, from the industrial structure, technological progress and the government management three dimensions of theoretical analysis and empirical test, inspected the China environmental impacts of exploitation and utilization of mineral resources. The results show that the environmental pollution of China’s mineral resources exploitation and utilization has obvious effect on the environmental impact of the current period. For different kinds of mineral resources, the environmental impact of energy and mineral exploitation and utilization is the largest, and the metal mineral is second. At the same time, in the development and utilization of mineral resources in the process of the formation of the environmental impact of industrial structure is the important cause of environmental pollution, and advances in technology have a positive effect in the control environmental pollution. In terms of government management, government management in the eastern region has a strong inhibitory effect on environmental pollution, while the effect in the central and western regions is not obvious.

Energy for a Sustainable Development in Arab Countries: Facts and Perspectives

The energy sector in Arab countries plays an important and effective role in achieving economic and social development. Nevertheless, the environmental impact of energy uses are among the main challenges facing sustainable development, these environmental challenges call for the spread adoption of cleaner fuels and upgrading relevant technologies, in order to increment efficiencies and diminish pollution. Many Arab countries have taken measures over the past two decades aimed at controlling emissions for energy uses in various sectors, by improving fuel quality and by using less pollution of alternative fuels.

U.S. consumer attitudes and expectations about energy

Understanding public perceptions of energy is important for informing energy-related business, research and policy strategies. To this end, a new U.S. consumer survey probes core attitudes about the reliability, affordability and environmental impact of energy. Appended quarterly to the long-running monthly survey of 500 households that produces the Index of Consumer Sentiment, this instrument inherits the sample design and statistical rigor of that household economic survey. First-year results yield several notable findings. Home energy bills are viewed as unaffordable if they were to double for consumers in the lower income tercile but only if they were to triple for consumers in the upper income tercile. Regarding the cost increases deemed unaffordable, consumers report much greater sensitivity to higher gasoline prices than to higher home energy bills. Moreover, consumers express at least as much concern about the environmental impact of energy as they do about its affordability, a result that shows some regional variation but which holds across income brackets. Several other findings are of likely interest to energy researchers and policymakers, and the unique data series generated by this survey will enable deeper analyses of attitudinally related energy topics as time goes on.

Energy Requirements in Manufacturing: Lifecycle and Tribology Considerations

Energy sources, in the form of coal, oil, natural gas, solar or nuclear power, are global commodities, and as demand is projected to rise in the coming decades, so will costs. As such, an understanding of the energy needs of manufacturing processes and the ability to reduce the energy and carbon footprints are essential for sustainability reasons. This paper examines the global sources of energy, since the source used has a large effect on the cost and environmental impact of energy. Energy source effects are quantified in a number of measures. The theoretical approaches used to obtain a carbon footprint are explained and their shortcomining identified. Models of energy needs by manufacturing process are then examined, along with models incorporating the use of ancillary equipment such as pumps, filters, blowers, lighting, etc. Finally, the successful application of tribological principles to influence energy consumption is discussed.

Trying to develop Third World energy policy—the limits of intervention

This paper examines the difficulties in developing energy policy in the Third World. It emphasises that, despite the significant environmental impact of energy it is difficult to develop energy policy. Most significant decisions in the energy field are taken by Ministries of Finance not Ministries of Energy or Environment. The role of energy in production is examined together with the emerging nature of energy markets, with particular reference to the provision of electricity. The nature of energy institutions themselves are examined, including the minimalist role for government.

Energy, Politics and the Environment

Assesses the global trends in energy production and consumption. Instability in the Middle East and the disintregration of the Soviet Union; the United States′ increasing dependence on imported oil; and the suppressed demand for energy in the Third World as the developing countries become more energy‐intensive, all point to an increase in energy prices in the long term. The environmental impact of energy – global warming – is not just a national problem but a world problem, which will be intensified as the Third World countries, particularly China and India, continue developing. Developed nations must, therefore, set an example by limiting carbon dioxide emissions. The consumption of energy in buildings, transport and power stations must be controlled. Finally, reviews the present Government′s privatization of the gas and electricity industries, which has solved one problem – government interference – but created several others.