ABSTRACT The European Union (EU) promotes rural participatory development through Local Action Groups (LAGs), which create Local Development Strategies (LDSs) supported by EU funds. These strategies exemplify neo-endogenous development, blending top-down support with bottom-up initiatives. This study evaluates how the LDSs prepared in Poland during the 2014–2020 EU funding period reflected issues important for the supranational Europe 2020 Strategy targets. Using a content analysis of 293 strategies, we find alignment with the pan-European objectives on employment, education, and poverty reduction, but a limited focus on greenhouse gas reduction and renewable energy. Although the need for ‘innovation’ was frequently mentioned in LDSs, it was rarely related to real R&D actions. Statistical and spatial analyses suggest that local goals were shaped by access to funds, which is consistent with the assumptions of neo-endogenous development and top-down Europeanisation. However, achieving consistency between EU-wide eco-friendly targets and local income security needs is challenging.

The growing global population and climate crisis demand expanding non-animal protein options. Single-cell protein biomass, referred to as "Solein", is produced by the hydrogen-oxidising bacterium Xanthobacter sp. SoF1 and is a promising, sustainable source of protein and dietary fibre, especially when created using renewable energy. This study investigates Solein protein powder (SPP) for its composition and techno-functional properties, comparing it to pea protein isolate (PPI). SPP had a lower fat content and higher dietary fibre, while matching the protein content of PPI. SPP met all indispensable amino acid requirements for adults over the age of three, as outlined by the FAO in 2013. A milk alternative resembling semi-skimmed cow's milk was produced from SPP and PPI. These emulsions were fermented with a commercial starter culture containing Streptococcus thermophilus. The fermentation process was monitored by tracking pH, total titratable acidity, and microbial growth. The resulting yoghurt alternative (YA) underwent textural and rheological analysis. Solein protein powder yoghurt alternative (SPP-YA) exhibited faster acidification, greater microbial growth, improved water retention, and a texture similar to dairy yoghurt. Static in vitro digestion revealed moderate protein digestibility of the non-fermented SPP emulsion (63.8-67.5%), based on total amino acids, free amino groups, and total nitrogen, with an in vitro Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Score (DIAAS) of (51.0±6.1%). Fermentation slightly reduced digestibility (57.8-59.6%) and DIAAS (48.3±1.4%), with isoleucine as the limiting amino acid. This work provides the first insight into the structural and nutritional performance of hydrogen-oxidising bacterial protein in non-dairy YA.

EPformer: Unlocking day-ahead electricity price forecasting accuracy using the time–frequency domain feature learning strategy considering renewable energy

Renewable energy and climate change mitigation: A legal framework for sustainable transitions in Nigeria and beyond

This study was conducted to quantitatively evaluate the performance and characteristic behavior of leakage detection sensors under controlled laboratory conditions, motivated by potential organic solvent leakage incidents in renewable energy and secondary battery applications. Three types of sensors—film-type, separate point-type, and integrated point-type—were tested using target substances including organic carbonate electrolytes such as dimethyl carbonate (DMC) and ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), as well as sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide. The evaluation focused on changes in capacitance and the reusability of each sensor. Unlike previous capacitance-based solvent detection studies that relied on laboratory-prepared samples or novel sensing materials, this work provides a systematic comparison of commercially available sensor architectures under realistic industrial carbonate-solvent leakage scenarios.The integrated point-type sensor demonstrated reliable capacitance-based detection and formed a consistent capacitance range for each type of organic solvent. Specifically, DMC and EMC showed stable values around 83.0 pF and 80.5 pF, respectively, which reflects differences in their dielectric-related behavior and indicates potential applicability for qualitative material identification. Moreover, this sensor maintained performance within ±5% deviation after drying, thereby verifying excellent reusability.In contrast, the film-type sensor could only detect changes in resistance and was not reusable. The separate point-type sensor did not provide quantitative measurements but proved feasible for repeated leakage alerts through buzzer alarms. However, the capacitance response rapidly saturated after initial wetting (k → 0), indicating that the method is inherently suitable for qualitative identification rather than quantitative leakage estimation.These results indicate that the integrated point-type sensor is a promising option for qualitative detection of organic solvent leakage. By comparing the capacitance response ranges, repeatability, precision, and stability of each sensor type, this study provides foundational data for developing future alarm systems based on qualitative material identification and supporting the future development and validation of sensor-based leakage monitoring technologies.

India’s rapid rise as a global renewable energy producer is occurring alongside a significant economic transformation. The present study explores the relationship between renewable energy production (REN) and key economic drivers, namely, Gross Domestic Product (GDP), foreign direct investment (FDI), trade openness, patents, oil production, and public-private participation in energy over the period from 1990 to 2021. Using a Bayesian Vector Autoregression (BVAR) framework, we uncover nonlinear and time-varying effects: patents stimulate renewable output but with diminishing returns, FDI consistently suppresses growth in renewables, GDP exhibits an inverted U-shaped relationship, and trade openness follows a U-shaped trajectory. Oil production initially supports but later crowds out renewable generation, while private investment shows delayed positive effects after an initial drag. Variance decomposition highlights a shift from self-driven dynamics in the short run toward macroeconomic and structural determinants in the long run, with GDP, FDI, and R&D increasingly explaining variation in REN over time. The findings posit that renewable energy in India is both a driver and a product of wider economic shifts, calling for policies that synchronise innovation, trade, finance, and energy governance to ensure a resilient low-carbon transition.

Technical analysis for optimum hydrogen production using nuclear–renewable hybrid energy system

Efficient photoelectrocatalytic ammonia synthesis over graphene oxide-modified Fe-based metal-organic frameworks with high conductivity and photoresponsivity.

Maintenance scheduling optimization in renewable and conventional power systems: A review

The global energy crisis presents itself as an ongoing problem which photovoltaic (PV) panels address effectively by converting renewable solar power into electricity. The performance of PV panels suffers from operating temperature increases causing important decreases in electrical efficiency. A reliable cooling system needs implementation to preserve thermal stability along with maximizing energy conversion performance. A laboratory investigation evaluates the implementation of distilled thermoelectric heat sinks aimed at reducing PV panel surface temperatures for better overall performance enhancement. The laboratory experiment used closed-loop cooling with parallel-installed thermoelectric modules below and above PV panels to measure various configuration performances under controlled indoor testing. Tests took place at the college of technical engineering at University of Thi-Qar to identify the best thermal energy (TE) module layout which produced the minimum achievable base temperature of the PV panel. The study conducted a systematic analysis of different cooling setup configurations which helped identify the top performing design that simultaneously reduced energy losses and achieved maximum power output. The study’s findings show that proper positioning of TE modules creates substantial improvements for PV system thermal regulation. The best arrangement yielded substantial temperature reduction alongside enhanced energy efficiency which demonstrated TE-assisted cooling can be an effective solution for future solar power systems.

A review of floating renewable energy technologies for sustainable development

Grid assessment of community-driven renewable energy technology and storage integration in rural Yucatan, Mexico

Reclaiming the wind: Indigenous windmills in Iran and their lessons for renewable energy

Submarine power cables (SPCs) associated with offshore renewable energy developments emit electromagnetic fields (EMFs) that can influence aquatic biota. Although research on this topic has increased, a comprehensive, systematic synthesis of observed effects across taxa and life stages, and biological contexts has been lacking. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines (PROSPERO ID: 1138188), we systematically reviewed peer-reviewed and grey literature published between 1990 and 2024. Of 1637 records screened, 67 eligible field and laboratory studies were included. Significant behavioural and physiological responses to EMF exposure were reported in 66% of studies, with early life stages (embryos, larvae, juveniles) and magnetosensitive taxa, particularly fishes and crustaceans being most frequently affected. Effects occurred even at environmentally relevant intensities (<250μT). Laboratory experiments more frequently detected effects than field studies, which were generally fewer, shorter in duration, and methodologically heterogeneous. Sensitivity heatmaps identified developmental stages and freshwater species as particularly sensitive, with notable taxonomic disparities. EMFs from SPCs can elicit ecologically relevant responses in aquatic biota, particularly during sensitive developmental windows and in magnetically responsive taxa. Emerging evidence further indicates that sex specific responses represent an important and previously under recognised dimension of EMF sensitivity. However, major uncertainties persist regarding chronic, population and ecosystem level impacts. Future research should prioritise standardisation of exposure characterisation and reporting, routine inclusion of sex and life stage as biological variables and coordinated laboratory to field validation. Integrating EMF considerations into marine spatial planning, environmental regulation, and biodiversity conservation frameworks will be essential to support proportionate ecological risk assessment and management of offshore renewable energy infrastructure.

Optimal scheduling of hydropower and pumped storage hydropower for high renewable energy share in Thailand: A novel hybrid optimization approach with dimensionality reduction

Study of electronic, optical, and thermoelectric properties of stabilized novel Zintl-Phase BaCu2X2 (X = S, Se, Te) for renewable energy

Advancing perovskite-based solar and tandem devices: Strategies for efficient renewable energy harvesting and conversion

In this paper, a fully soft switched high step up three level converter based on a Quasi-impedance source is introduced for use in photovoltaic applications. In the proposed converter, since an active switch is used instead of the diode in the impedance network, conduction loss associated with the diode is reduced, and Zero-voltageswitching characteristics are provided in a wide range of output power for power switches, resulting in the improvement of efficiency. The proposed converter takes advantage of three level structure and it experiences much lower voltage stress on semiconductor elements compared to existing high step-up structures. This allows the use of MOSFETs with lower on the resistance, leading to reduced conduction losses and cost. Furthermore, the boost inductor in the input section not only maintains continuous input current, avoiding the need for bulky input capacitors, but also significantly optimizes power density and reduces cost. Other advantages of the proposed converter include high voltage gain with low duty cycle and the ability to turn off all diodes under ZCS condition. Experimental results from a 200-W laboratory prototype are provided to validate the proposed converter's performance.

Techno-Economic assessment of distributed hybrid renewable energy systems across Nigeria's regions using measured resource data

Cotemporal assessment of wind, wave, and current resources for ocean renewable energy device design and testing