Minimize CO2 Emissions Research Articles

Forest productivity and carbon stock analysis from vegetation phenological indices using satellite remote sensing in Indonesia

Indonesia has the highest forest density in the world, and the productivity of its forests can potentially be maximized to minimize CO2 emissions. However, due to anthropogenic activities, phenological properties are subject to risk to ensure productivity and carbon exchange in the different forest ecosystems in Indonesia. Early prediction of carbon values could indicate a declining trend of forest quality with reference to vegetation levels. Thus, the purpose of this research is to evaluate forest productivity and carbon stock using phonological properties for different forests. The vegetation phenology was used to assess the level of forest productivity with different classifications to estimate carbon stock in six types of forest in south Sumatera using gross primary productivity (GPP) approaches. The vegetation phenologies were analyzed to develop a system dynamics model under two scenarios: first, a changing trend of normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and second, a changing trend of area, considering either increasing or decreasing solar radiation in both scenarios. This system was run through the GIS environment to develop a database and to simulate results for future predictions. Verification was performed to test the simulation model by comparing the results with the IPCC reference. NDVI showed good correlations with GPP using MODIS MOD13Q1 for convertible production forest (CPF R2 = 0.97), permanent production forest, PPF (R2 = 0.99), limited production forest (LPF, R2 = 0.98), tourism recreation forest (TRF, R2 = 0.95), and wildlife reserve forest (WRF, R2 = 0.95), nature reserve forest (NRF, R2 = 0.99). The explicit differential function was used to estimate net primary productivity (NPP), which was related to the changes in area and productivity over time. Productivity and carbon stock analysis was performed via the proposal of five levels referring to Indonesian forest policy planning, considering resilience classified as high forest productivity (V1), moderate forest productivity (V2), marginal forest productivity (V3), very low forest productivity (N1), and no forest productivity (N2). TRF was found fall below the IPCC levels from 2015 to 2017, and NRF fall below the IPCC standards from 2015 to 2018. Therefore, the satellite-based remote sensing, system dynamics model can be implemented in the Indonesian forest policy system for assessing forest productivity and carbon stocks.

Surface Treatments Solutions to Green Tribology

The objective of this paper is to highlight the need to combine lifecycle environmental assessment with durability evaluation (tribology and engine tests) to evaluate the potential of surface technologies to contribute to the green deal, in order to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent. Tribology is a scientific discipline that allows one to understand the system reaction to friction and wear. Tribological testing machines are prepared to measure friction at the laboratory level to minimize the wear and heat dissipation of two bodies in relative movement, thus improving the energy efficiency and minimizing CO2 emissions. In this paper, different surface technologies, such as high-velocity oxyfuel (HVOF), physical vapor deposition (PVD), and clean Cr electrolytic processes, are analyzed as promising surface technology solutions from both performance and environmental impact perspectives to replace harmful Cr(VI) coatings. The tribology simulates the working conditions of the real system at the laboratory level, reproducing the failure mechanism and facilitating the laboratory screening of the energy efficiency and durability of materials solutions for certain tribological systems—in this case, engine components. The tribological test results give information about the behavior of materials, while the engine tests gives information about the behavior of components. In this paper, the environmental impact of the production process of the coatings is also analyzed. Two hard chrome processes are compared, demonstrating that by controlling the production process it is possible to significantly reduce the environmental impact of the chrome-plated process, minimizing the environmental impact to that of PVD coatings. The environmental impact of the tested HVOF process is lower than traditional Cr(VI)-plated coatings but higher than PVD coatings. Combining the information from the lifecycle assessment (LCA) and tribological studies, it is possible to assess both the performance and the environmental impact of the surface treatments. This methodology is a tool to that can be used minimize CO2 emissions at the design phase to improve the energy efficiency of products and processes.

A Review on the Influence of CO2/Shale Interaction on Shale Properties: Implications of CCS in Shales

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a developed technology to minimize CO2 emissions and reduce global climate change. Currently, shale gas formations are considered as a suitable target for CO2 sequestration projects predominantly due to their wide availability. Compared to conventional geological formations including saline aquifers and coal seams, depleted shale formations provide larger storage potential due to the high adsorption capacity of CO2 compared to methane in the shale formation. However, the injected CO2 causes possible geochemical interactions with the shale formation during storage applications and CO2 enhanced shale gas recovery (ESGR) processes. The CO2/shale interaction is a key factor for the efficiency of CO2 storage in shale formations, as it can significantly alter the shale properties. The formation of carbonic acid from CO2 dissolution is the main cause for the alterations in the physical, chemical and mechanical properties of the shale, which in return affects the storage capacity, pore properties, and fluid transport. Therefore, in this paper, the effect of CO2 exposure on shale properties is comprehensively reviewed, to gain an in-depth understanding of the impact of CO2/shale interaction on shale properties. This paper reviews the current knowledge of the CO2/shale interactions and describes the results achieved to date. The pore structure is one of the most affected properties by CO2/shale interactions; several scholars indicated that the differences in mineral composition for shales would result in wide variations in pore structure system. A noticeable reduction in specific surface area of shales was observed after CO2 treatment, which in the long-term could decrease CO2 adsorption capacity, affecting the CO2 storage efficiency. Other factors including shale sedimentary, pressure and temperature can also alter the pore system and decrease the shale “caprock” seal efficiency. Similarly, the alteration in shales’ surface chemistry and functional species after CO2 treatment may increase the adsorption capacity of CO2, impacting the overall storage potential in shales. Furthermore, the injection of CO2 into shales may also influence the wetting behavior. Surface wettability is mainly affected by the presented minerals in shale, and less affected by brine salinity, temperature, organic content, and thermal maturity. Mainly, shales have strong water-wetting behavior in the presence of hydrocarbons, however, the alteration in shale’s wettability towards CO2-wet will significantly minimize CO2 storage capacities, and affect the sealing efficiency of caprock. The CO2/shale interactions were also found to cause noticeable degradation in shales’ mechanical properties. CO2 injection can weaken shale, decrease its brittleness and increases its plasticity and toughness. Various reductions in tri-axial compressive strength, tensile strength, and the elastic modulus of shales were observed after CO2 injection, due to the dissolution effect and adsorption strain within the pores. Based on this review, we conclude that CO2/shale interaction is a significant factor for the efficiency of CCS. However, due to the heterogeneity of shales, further studies are needed to include various shale formations and identify how different shales’ mineralogy could affect the CO2 storage capacity in the long-term.

Parametric analysis of a zero-energy building aiming for a reduction of CO2 emissions for warm climate.

Considering the reduction of fossil fuel resources and the increase of environmental pollutions, everyone is aware of the importance of saving on consumption of energies generated from fossil fuels. Global statistics demonstrates that 30-40% of the energy across different countries worldwide is used in residential buildings. Therefore, one way of efficiency and optimization of energy consumption is to construct buildings that consume the least energy for heating and cooling. Aiming for the analysis of the total amount of annual energy required for heating and cooling, this research was conducted in a combined novel method (simulation and descriptive-analytic) on four samples of a two-story building, simulated in Design Builder Software in the four main directions of north, east, south, and west by using the weather data of warm climate, seeking the optimum orientation and ranking of the said buildings based on CO2 emissions. The research results show that among the four sample buildings, the east-facing building ranked first with the minimum CO2 emissions and the west-facing building won second place in the window to wall ratio (WWR) of 40%. Also, the building in a hot climate was considered, since it produced CO2 annually 12,633kg. No significant change is observed in the amount of CO2 emissions in southeast, south, and southwest orientations, although smaller WWR (30% and 20%) is recommended for these three orientations.

Testing the Environmental Kuznets Curve Hypothesis in North America’s Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Countries

In force since 1994, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is still the most comprehensive agreement ever developed, conforming to the world’s largest trade market. However, the environmental impacts cannot be neglected, particularly greenhouse gas emissions. The environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis is revisited, studying Canada, Mexico, and the U.S.A. in relation to carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, gross domestic product (GDP), energy, and exergy consumption. Ordinary least squares, vector autoregression, and Granger causality tests are conducted. Additionally, exergy indicators and the human development index (HDI) are proposed. Results for Mexico and the U.S.A. describe similar and interesting outcomes. In the search of the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC), the EKC hypothesis is confirmed for Mexico and the U.S.A. However, for Canada, the EKC hypothesis does not stand. The Granger causality test displays the existence of a uni-directional causality running from CO2 emissions to economic growth; a similar behavior was observed while testing the for the exergetic control variables. The most intriguing Granger causal results are those from the U.S.A. A bidirectional relation was observed between exergy intensity and CO2 emissions. Moreover, the EKC curve was plotted by both variables. Furthermore, Mexico’s outcomes reveal that increasing renewable exergy share will decrease CO2 emissions. On the contrary, increasing HDI will grow CO2 emissions. Policy implications arise for NAFTA countries to minimize CO2 emissions by means of the growing renewable energy share. Exergy tools offer an appealing insight into energetic and environmental strategies.

Use of municipal solid waste incineration ash in 3D printable concrete

Concrete 3D printing is an application of 3D printing technology for the construction of concrete structural and non-structural elements. It is a rapid method of construction without the use of formwork, with minimum labor involvement and reduced material wastage. Curved walls and complex structures can be constructed by modifying the print path and controlling the rheological properties of concrete. The fusion of this technology with waste materials is necessary to reduce the problems associated with the recycling of wastes and to minimize CO2 emissions associated with the production of cement. In this study, two different municipal solid waste (MSW) incineration ashes (fly ash and bottom ash) were used to develop a concrete having rheological and hardened requirements of concrete used in 3D printing. Waste incinerator ashes were added as a substitute of ordinary Portland cement in concrete mix proportions. Flow table test and Gilmore needle test were used to measure the flow and setting time of concrete, respectively. Yield stress was measured by shear vane test. The buildability of ash containing printable concrete was simulated by comparing the vertical stresses due to the printing of concrete layers with the increase in the strength of the first stacked layer. Workability, open time, and buildability of the mix proportions were related to yield stress. The effect of adding waste incinerator ash upon the compressive strength was measured. The bond strength between layers at different printing time gaps was evaluated using bi-surface direct shear test. Experimental results showed that setting time promoting effect and initial yield stress enhancement by incinerated fly ash allows for a rapid construction speed with concrete 3D printing. This study concludes that incinerated fly ash can be successfully recycled in 3D printable concrete due to its favorable effects on rheology which are favorable for printing concrete.

Life Cycle Assessment of PV Systems: Integrated Design Approach for Affordable Housing in Al-Burullus Graduates Villages

the integration of renewable energy techniques with building industry is a significant approach for the development of remote areas, which helps to create self-sustaining communities in terms of energy consumption; particularly in housing planning and design. To the North of Al-Burullus Lake, three villages have been built by the Egyptian government in mid 90s to develop this vital region of the Egyptian north coasts. The optimal integration of affordable renewable energy techniques with these low income villages is the scope of a research project funded by Mansoura University as a part of the university vision to improve the quality of life and develop remote areas. This paper tackles the environmental impacts of Building Integrated Photo-Voltaics [BIPV], and employs a case analysis comparison of possible systems in terms of Life Cycle Assessment [LCA]. To reach its goal, the study examines the scientific bases of life cycle assessment, PV life cycle analysis, basic LCA Indicators for PV Performance; all to be tested by an LCA software as a quantitative method to evaluate the proposed cases. The study concluded that Mono-crystalline PV has the minimum energy payback time [2.15 years for case 2]. While Mono-crystalline PV has the minimum CO2 emissions rate [58 gCO2eq/kWh for case 1]. The study provides recommended guidelines for which type to be preferably used as an integrated affordable housing design system.

Performance of concrete with the incorporation of waste from the process of stoning and polishing of glass as partial replacement of cement

Abstract The incorporation of waste glass as a partial replacement for cement in concrete can provide an alternative destination for the waste, reduce the consumption of cement (minimizing CO2 emissions and consumption of natural resources), and improve the concrete performance. Thus, this research evaluated the performance of concrete incorporating waste glass sludge (GS), resulting from the process of stoning and polishing of soda-lime flat glass, as a supplementary cementing material. Mechanical strength and durability properties were assessed through compressive strength, alkali-silica reactivity, electrical resistivity and chloride permeability, diffusivity and migration tests. Mixtures containing metakaolin (ME) were also evaluated. The results indicated that the use of the waste ground to an adequate size can replace up to 20% of cement. At this content, it caused a reduction of chloride penetration of over 80%, reduced ASR and conserved compressive strength. The combination of waste with metakaolin replacing 20% of cement also improved all the concrete properties, increasing the compressive strength up to 12% at 28 days.

Using system dynamics approach to build policy scenario for reducing CO2 emission resulted from tourism travel to Karimunjawa

Purpose This study aims to create the causal relationship between transportation behavior to Karimunjawa, the number of tourists and the amount of CO2 produced; calculate the reduction of CO2 emissions from the transportation to Karimunjawa based on several proposed policy scenarios; and formulate the managerial implication and recommendation to support the implementation of several proposed policy scenarios. Design/methodology/approach This study develops a system dynamics‐based model by using three sub-systems, i.e. “the number of tourist sub-system,” “the switching behavior of tourist travel sub-system” and “the CO2 emission sub-system.” Findings The simulation results have shown that, under the current situation, tourist travel behavior should be changed to maximum condition to get the minimum CO2 emission. Improvement of the behavior of tourist in selecting the mode of transportation and the departure point of mini-tour bus and ferry are an effective way to reduce the CO2 emission. Research limitations/implications This study only considers limited variables as the driver of the level of change of the capacity of Karimunjawa and the road as well as the variables as the driver of tourism growth. This study only focuses on CO2 emission from the direct impacts of tourist travel; this study does not consider the indirect impact of tourism activity on CO2 emissions. International air travel is not included in the present study. Practical implications From a managerial perspective, this study demonstrates that change in the tourist travel behavior is generally not effective in triggering CO2 emission reduction, unless it is accompanied by the strict restriction policy related to the tourist route. Social implications This study has the potential to raise societal awareness that the causality of tourist growth and CO2 emissions should be seen as the impact of tourist travel behavior. In this case, to modify the travel behavior, tourist needs to change their mode of transportation to more sustainable transportation. Originality/value This paper intends to fill the literature gap of the effect of tourism growth from two perspectives, namely, tourist travel behavior and environmental. The modeling of tourist transport and CO2 emission will provide an overview of the selection of the problem-solving mode for tourist transport that can give a significant contribution to the greenhouse gas emissions reduction to the environmental.

A firefly algorithm for the environmental prize-collecting vehicle routing problem

In the present research, a new variant of the Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP), the Environmental Prize-Collecting Vehicle Routing Problem (E-PCVRP), is introduced. The E-PCVRP is a selective routing problem that focuses on the maximization of the aggregated prize values collected from the visited nodes while minimizing the fixed and variable cost of the formed routes. In terms of variable cost, the CO2 emissions of the vehicles performing the routes are considered as a load-distance function. The presented solution approach is based on the Firefly Algorithm (FA). The FA is an optimization algorithm, designed for the solution of continuous problems, while the proposed E-PCVRP, requires a discrete solution approach. Addressing the above discrepancy, the Firefly Algorithm based on Coordinates (FAC) is introduced, which incorporates the proposed “Coordinates Related” (CR) encoding/decoding process in the original FA scheme. The CR is a novel process that allows for algorithms designed for continuous optimization to by employed in the solution of discrete problems, such as the VRP. Specifically, the CR utilizes auxiliary vectors for solution representation, containing the Cartesian coordinates of each node, that allows for the original movement equation of the FA to be applied directly. The effectiveness of the FAC algorithm is showed over computational experiments and statistical analysis, in comparison to the performance of other bio-inspired algorithms and a mathematical solver. • The Environmental Prize-Collecting Vehicle Routing Problem is presented. • The objective function considers prize maximization and CO2 emissions minimization. • As the basis of the solution approach, the Firefly Algorithm has been chosen. • The novel CR encoding/decoding process is proposed and incorporated into FA's scheme. • Statistical analysis proves the significance of results obtained by the proposed FAC.

Design and performance evaluation based on economics and environmental impact of a PV-wind-diesel and battery standalone power system for various climates in Turkey

Utilizing electricity from renewable resources is very attractive to decrease the dependence on fossil fuels. As a result, hybrid power systems are gaining more attention. This paper focuses on the optimal design and dynamic simulation of renewable-based, hybrid standalone power systems. The designed system is able to meet the energy need of a building with 5 kW peak electricity demand. Both the technical and economic feasibility of the system was investigated under various climatic conditions of Turkey. Diesel fuel consumption, energy cost and annual CO2 emissions were estimated and compared with the diesel generator-only system. A parametric analysis was also conducted to understand the impact of the capacity of the PV array, wind turbine and the battery on the CO2 emissions and the levelized cost of energy. The system in each location was optimized based on the minimum energy cost and CO2 emissions.

Multi-Scale Analysis of Integrated C1 (CH4 and CO2) Utilization Catalytic Processes: Impacts of Catalysts Characteristics up to Industrial-Scale Process Flowsheeting, Part II: Techno-Economic Analysis of Integrated C1 Utilization Process Scenarios

In the second part of this paper (Part II), the potentials and characteristics of an industrial-scale Oxidative Coupling of Methane (OCM) process integrated with CO2-hydrogenation, ethane dehydrogenation, and methane reforming processes are highlighted. This novel process concept comprises a direct conversion of methane to ethane and ethylene and further conversion of the resulted carbon dioxide and remaining unreacted methane, respectively, to methanol and syngas. In this context, the selected experimental results of the catalytic CO2-hydrogenation to methanol reported in the first part of this paper (Part I), were utilized to represent its industrial-scale performance. The experimental results of the mini plant-scale operation of an OCM reactor and CO2 removal units along with the experimental and industrial data available for representing the operation and performance of all process-units in the integrated process structures were utilized to perform a comparative techno-economic environmental analysis using Aspen-Plus simulation and an Aspen Economic Process Analyzer. The experimental procedure and the results of testing the sequence of OCM and CO2-hydrogenation reactors are particularly discussed in this context. It was observed that in the sequential operation of these reactors, ethylene will be also hydrogenated to ethane over the investigated catalysts. Therefore, the parallel-operation of these reactors was found to be a promising alternative in such an integrated process. The main assumptions and the conceptual conclusions made in this analysis are reviewed and discussed in this paper in the light of the practical limitations encountered in the experimentations. In the context of a multi-scale analysis, the contributions of the design and operating parameters in the scale of catalyst and reactor as well as in the process-scale represented by analyzing the type and operating conditions of the downstream-units and the process-flowsheets on the economic and environmental performance of the integrated process structures were studied. Moreover, the economic impacts of extra ethylene and methanol produced respectively via the integrated ethane dehydrogenation and CO2-hydrogenation sections were analyzed in detail. The required capital investment was found to be even smaller than the yearly operating cost of the plant. The environmental impacts and sustainability of the integrated OCM process were found to be enhanced by securing a minimum direct CO2-emission and energy-efficient conversion of CO2 and the unreacted CH4, respectively, to methanol and syngas. Besides producing such value-added by-products, efficient operation of downstream process-units was secured by minimizing the energy usage and ethylene losses. Under the considered conditions in this analysis, the specifications of the finally selected integrated OCM process structure, providing the fastest return of investments (less than 8 years), are highlighted.

An Optimal Sizing of Stand-Alone Hybrid PV-Fuel Cell-Battery to Desalinate Seawater at Saudi NEOM City

NEOM City in Saudi Arabia is planned to be the first environmentally friendly city in the world that is powered by renewable energy sources minimizing CO2 emissions to reduce the effect of global warming according to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. In recent years, Saudi Arabia has had a problem with water scarcity. The main factors affecting water security are unequal water distribution, wrong use of water resources and using bad or less efficient irrigation techniques. This paper is aimed to provide a detailed feasibility and techno-economic evaluation of using several scenarios of a stand-alone hybrid renewable energy system to satisfy the electrical energy needs for an environmentally friendly seawater desalination plant which feeds 150 m−3 day−1 of freshwater to 1000 people in NEOM City, Saudi Arabia. The first scenario is based on hybrid solar photovoltaic PV, fuel cells (FC) with a hydrogen storage system and batteries system (BS), while the second and third scenarios are based on hybrid PV/BS and PV/FC with a hydrogen storage system, respectively. HOMER® software was used to obtain the optimal configuration based on techno-economic analysis of each component of the hybrid renewable energy systems and an economic and environmental point of view based on the values of net present cost (NPC) and cost of energy (COE). Based on the obtained results, the best configuration is PV/FC/BS. The optimal size and related costs for the optimal size are 235 kW PV array, 30 kW FC, 144 batteries, 30 kW converter, 130 kW electrolyzer, and 25 kg hydrogen tank is considered the best option for powering a 150 m3 reverse osmosis (RO) desalination plant. The values of net present cost (NPC) and the cost of energy (COE) are $438,657 and $0.117/kWh, respectively. From the authors’ point view, the proposed system is one among the foremost environmentally friendly systems to provide electric energy to the seawater desalination plant, especially when connecting to the utility grid, because it is ready to reduce a large amount of greenhouse gas emissions due to using oil/nature gas in utility generation stations to reduce the effect of global warming.

Optimization of the Emissions Profile of a Marine Propulsion System Using a Shaft Generator with Optimum Tracking-Based Control Scheme

Nowadays, marine propulsion systems based on thermal machines that operate under the diesel cycle have positioned themselves as one of the main options for this type of applications. The main comparative advantages of diesel engines, compared to other propulsion systems based on thermal cycle engines, are the low specific fuel consumption of residual fuels, and their higher thermal efficiency. However, its main disadvantage lies in the emissions produced by the combustion of the residual fuels, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur oxide (SOx), and nitrogen oxide (NOx). These emissions are directly related to the operating conditions of the propulsion system. Over the last decade, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has adopted a series of regulations to reduce CO2 emissions based on the introduction of an Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) and an Energy Efficiency Operational Indicator (EEOI). In this context, adding a Shaft Generator (SG) to the propulsion system favoring lower EEDI and EEOI values. The present work proposes a selective control system and optimization scheme that allows operating the shaft generator in Power Take Off (PTO) or Power Take In (PTI) mode, ensuring that the main engine operates, always, at the optimum fuel efficiency point, thus ensuring minimum CO2 emissions.

Closing the residential energy loop: Grey-water heat recovery system for domestic hot water production based on heat pumps

Passive houses linked to more efficient heating and cooling technologies have been one of the focus in last years. However, to close the loop of the building sector, there is still one open source: wasted heat from grey water. This paper addresses the potentiality of the wasted heat from grey water as a heat source to produce domestic hot water (DHW) based on a heat pump system (HP). A heat pump optimized for these applications, a heat recovery heat exchanger and two variable volume storage tanks compose the system. The main objective of this work is to determine the potential recovery of the wasted heat in order to minimize the building energy consumption. Design guidelines of the components and the analysis of an optimum operation algorithm of the system have been performed in order to minimize CO2 emissions. In addition, an evaluation of the potential heat recovery of the wasted heat is included. As an example, that methodology has been applied to 20 dwellings. Based on that case, the obtained results demonstrate that by recovering 80% of the available recovery heat, the total demand of DHW is satisfied with high levels of comfort and efficiency.

Enhancing the operational flexibility of thermal power plants by coupling high-temperature power-to-gas

The increasing penetration of intermittent renewable power challenges the stability of the electrical grid, thus coal power plants are usually required to extend the operation range by reducing the minimum load. This work proposes a concept of coupling solid-oxide cell stack based power-to-gas with coal power plants to allow for dual functions of (1) storing excess renewable electricity and (2) reducing the minimum load of coal power plants by combustion stabilization with oxygen-rich air from power-to-gas. The performance and operating strategy of such an integrated plant are evaluated with detailed off-design characteristics of the considered coal power plants. The results show that the integration of power-to-gas affects the distribution of the heat absorbed by radiative and convective heat exchangers in the boiler, stabilizes coal combustion, and reduces the superheat degree of live/reheated steam. It allows the power plant for operating at a significantly low load of down to 22% of the nominal load, compared with 40% before the coupling; meanwhile, a very limited penalty is caused with the plant efficiency reduced from 34.4% down to 34.1% (with 13% of the normalized power-to-gas capacity). Minimizing the power-to-gas contribution to the accommodated renewable power is advantageous for a minimal CO2 emission; nevertheless, maximizing the power-to-gas contribution with the coal power plant at high load allows for a maximal system efficiency.

The effects of deforestation and urbanization on sustainable growth in Asian countries.

This study aims to determine the effects of deforestation, economic growth, and urbanization on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions levels in the South and Southeast Asian (SSEA) regions for the 1990-2014 period. The data was divided into five sub-panels. Three of them are income-based groups (namely low-, middle- and high-income panels), and the remaining two are South and Southeast Asian regions. The Pedroni cointegration test confirms a long-run relationship between deforestation, economic growth, urbanization, and CO2 emissions in the SSEA regions. Further, empirical results reveal the existence of a U-shaped relationship between CO2 emissions and economic growth for all panels (excepting low-income countries). This means that these countries can grow in a sustainable path, but they must be aware of long-term risks of this economic growth, as this sustainable path could be compromised when reaching the turning point of the "U". Moreover, our results suggest that deforestation and urbanization can aggravate environmental pollution in these regions and can further affect sustainable development in the long run. Besides, the most appropriate and cost-effective method to minimize CO2 emissions is found to be through the improvement of forest activities.

Multi-objective optimisation of the operation schedule of POWER plants using artificial intelligence

This study describes a methodology for multi-objective optimisation of the day-ahead operation schedule of power plants. The methodology is aligned to systems with operational flexibility, such as combined heat and power plants and heat pumps that use heat storages. When optimising the operation schedule, the storage is used as a source of flexibility, taking into account the boundary conditions of the system, such as the fulfilment of the heat load and the compliance with minimum running times. As an algorithmic base, the multi-dimensional archive of phenotypic elites (MAP-Elites) optimisation algorithm is used. The optimisation goals considered for multi-objective optimisation are the reduction of plant wear, the minimisation of CO2 emissions in the electricity mix and the maximisation of the revenue on the electricity market.

The daily variance of CO2 and CH4 emission from shrimp ponds

Scientist and environmentalist highlight the negative impact of a shrimp farm. The last decade analyzed numerous greenhouse gas emissions and aquaculture activities previously discussed. However, there are limited studies that reveal the emission of CO2 and CH4 related to aquaculture activities. The purpose of this study, therefore, is to examine the daily dynamics of these gases flux across the water-air interface of the shrimp ponds using a 3-day observation method and by examining the environmental factors responsible. This research was carried out in TIR Karawang shrimp farm area, with the gas samples were taken six times daily every 4 hours and analyzed using the gas chromatography. The results of this study show that in 24 hours, the minimum CO2 emission (-0.15841+0.19220 mg m-2 minute-1) found at 00.00 – 02.00 local time, and the maximum (0.22544+0.18361 mg m-2 minute-1) at 12.00-14.00 local time. Conversely, the minimum CH4 emission (-0.00024+0.00023 mg m-2 minute-1) was at 00.00-02.00 local time and the maximum (0.00023+0.00017 mg m-2 minute-1) at 12.00-14.00 local time. The dominant environmental factor influencing both gas is temperature. The semi-intensive shrimp farm CO2-e calculated is 0.02707 g C m-2 day-1, for 2,500 m2 ponds within a 110-day of culture, with 7.44545 kg C emitted.

Mechanical properties and carbon footprint of 3D-printable cement mortars with biochar additions

This contribution focuses on the design and the characterization of innovative mix designs of high consistency mortars with biochar additions in different percentage with respect to the cement weight. Biochar is a by-product material that gives the cementitious mix a sustainable connotation from an environmental point of view. The mix designs presented here are characterized by a good dimensional stability in the fresh state, peculiarity that gives them the possibility to be extruded and so, to be used in automated construction processes. In addition to the mechanical properties (flexural and compressive strength), the assessment of the CO2 emission of representative mixes is presented. Different biochar content and maximum diameter of the aggregate are studied, obtaining interesting indications on these parameters to optimize mechanical properties. Finally, on the basis of the CO2 emission assessment, certain venues for future research work to minimize CO2 emissions are reported.