Energy Conservation Strategies Research Articles

Electric energy consumption (EEC) in groundwater-based drinking water supply system: analysis and comparison of seven Italian case studies

ABSTRACT Drinking water and wastewater services depend on energy: electric energy consumption (EEC) of this sector amounts to 2–3% of global EEC. The attention of the scientific community and of water utilities about this topic is focused on energy optimization of wastewater treatment plants and pumping stages in drinking water supply systems (DWSSs). However, because of increasingly stringent regulations and because of more and more extended water-source pollution, the need for ‘unconventional’ drinking water treatment systems, which are very energy-intensive, will bring treatment to be a key factor in this scenario. Analyzing EEC in seven full-scale DWSSs, we wanted to control EEC in every single stage of the DWSS (withdrawal, drinking water treatment plant (DWTP) and distribution) and to identify opportunities for reducing energy consumption in DWSS, with a special focus on each drinking water treatment process. The most energy-intensive unconventional treatment turns out to be membrane filtration by reverse osmosis (for which specific consumption per cubic meter of pumped water is equal to 0.243 Wh/m3), whereas the most energy-intensive conventional treatment turns out to be air oxidation (specific EEC from 0.012 to 0.087 kWh/m3). The main strategies for energy conservation can be applied both in management and in the design phase.

Effect of addition of Ce and accumulative roll bonding on structure-property of the Mg-Ce-Al hybrid composite and its prediction and comparison using artificial neural network (ANN) approach

Abstract Light alloys play a crucial role in realizing the national strategy for energy conservation and emission reduction, as well as promoting the upgrading of manufacturing industries. Mg/Al composite laminates combine the corrosion resistance and ductility of aluminium alloy with the lightweight characteristics of magnesium alloy. The addition of Ce (rare earth elements) can improve the mechanical properties of magnesium via grain refinement and improve the ductility of the hybrid composites. In the present work, an investigation on addition of Ce into the Mg/Al matrix through Accumulative Roll Bonding (ARB) has been presented. The Mg/Ce/Al hybrid composite consists of Mg-4%Zn alloy and Al 1100 alloy with 0.2% Ce particles added between the dissimilar layers. The changes occurred in the evaluation of microstructure, corrosion and mechanical properties of the Mg/Ce/Al hybrid composite as a result of deformation process and also the addition of Ce have been explicated. The ARB parameters: temperature, rolling speed, percentage reduction, and aging time, have been studied. An increase of about 2.36 times in strength and hardness of the hybrid composite, has been reported. Further, the structure–property relations in the Mg/Ce/Al hybrid composites were aslo predict and compare using machine learning models: Decision Tree and Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) models.

Comparison of energy conservation strategies for 5G NR RedCap service in industrial environment

The recently standardized reduced capability (RedCap) type of user equipment (UE) for 5G New Radio (NR) systems offers a useful option for energy-constrained devices. By utilizing a combination of discontinuous reception (DRX), wake-up signal (WUS), and radio resource management (RRM) relaxation functions, RedCap UE may provide excellent power efficiency for a large set of applications. In this study, we investigate power efficiency and battery lifetime for RedCap UEs for different types of applications and various combinations of energy conservation mechanisms. We utilize extended virtual reality (X-VR) and web browsing as applications of interest. To this aim, we develop a versatile mathematical framework representing the sought metrics as a function of time, accounting for specifics of millimeter wave (mmWave) propagation, micro- and macro-mobility of UEs, human body blockage, and type of application. Numerically, we show that higher micro- and macro-mobility speeds lead to worse power efficiency and the loss can be quite substantial amounting up to 30%. Antenna arrays with worse directivity show better performance in the presence of micro- and macro-mobilities when RRM Relaxation is utilized, with a difference between 15×15 and 4×4 arrays reaching 1.5 bit/J/KHz, which is approximately 40%. The energy conservation mechanisms produce no noticeable impact on the power efficiency and battery lifetime for rate-greedy applications such as X-VR. Low-data-rate applications with long pauses between transmission cycles, such as web browsing, may benefit from utilizing WUS and RRM Relaxation in addition to conventional DRX. However, their impact is rather small at a scale of 5%–10%.

Energy conservation strategies on academic buildings using interpretive structural modeling to develop energy sustainability

Effective energy conservation strategies are required to be implemented in academic buildings as they consume significant energy while considering the convenience and function of the buildings. However, the influencing factors are interrelated and complex, requiring an appropriate approach to unravel the complexity. Therefore, this study aims to identify, analyse, and map the interaction relationship between factors affecting energy conservation in academic buildings. This study used Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) procedure starting from developing the Structural Self Interaction Matrix (SSIM), converting SSIM into a Reachability Matrix, revising the matrix, and categorizing the factors by using MICMAC analysis. This study involved 9 factors, including architectural design, illumination technology, education and awareness, energy monitoring and management, renewable energy use, efficient HVAC system, energy-saving equipment, institutional policies, and campus community participation. The study found that renewable energy use at level 3 was the factor that was not influenced by and did not interact with any other factors. Meanwhile, the illumination technology was a factor that interacted with the efficient HVAC System factor which was at level 1 where these two factors were influenced by other seven factors. This study aligns with current developments in energy conservation, including an increased focus on renewable energy and energy efficiency in academic buildings, supported by global and national policies aimed at achieving sustainability goals. It provides a comprehensive understanding on developing sustainable energy conservation strategies in academic buildings.

Developing Energy Conservation Strategies in Agricultural Enterprises

The article emphasizes that agriculture has specific aspects, particularly regarding energy consumption. The research reveals that some agricultural enterprises are capable of generating their own energy. These characteristics are associated with various types of energy used in the production process: fossil energy, solar energy, and soil energy. The authors highlight the need for special attention to the development of energy-saving strategies in agriculture, as these enterprises often face high energy costs and have significant potential for enhancing energy efficiency. It has been established that reducing the use of fossil energy sources and maximizing the use of renewable sources, such as solar energy and soil energy potential, can substantially contribute to energy conservation in the agricultural sector. The considerable dispersion of agricultural enterprises leads to high costs and differences in energy consumption principles: fossil energy is primary for industry, while in agriculture, it serves a supplementary role, where natural energy forms biological mass (crops, livestock). The importance of management aspects in developing an effective energy-saving strategy, which promotes sustainable development and economic benefit in the agricultural sector, is highlighted. The authors propose key steps for ensuring energy conservation, which should form the basis for creating a comprehensive energy-saving strategy in agriculture.

Diverse non-canonical electron bifurcating [FeFe]-hydrogenases of separate evolutionary origins in Hydrogenedentota.

The phylum Hydrogenedentota is widely distributed in various environments. However, their physiology, ecology, and evolutionary history remain unknown, primarily due to the limited availability of the genomes and the lack of cultured representatives of the phylum. Our results have increased the knowledge of the genetic and metabolic diversity of these organisms and shed light on their diverse energy conservation strategies, especially those involving electron bifurcation with a non-canonical mechanism, which are likely responsible for their wide distribution. Besides, the organization and phylogenetic relationships of gene clusters coding for BfuABC in Hydrogenedentota provide valuable clues to the evolutionary history of group A3 electron bifurcating [FeFe]-hydrogenases.

Microbial assemblages and associated biogeochemical processes in Lake Bonney, a permanently ice-covered lake in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica

BackgroundLake Bonney, which is divided into a west lobe (WLB) and an east lobe (ELB), is a perennially ice-covered lake located in the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica. Despite previous reports on the microbial community dynamics of ice-covered lakes in this region, there is a paucity of information on the relationship between microbial genomic diversity and associated nutrient cycling. Here, we applied gene- and genome-centric approaches to investigate the microbial ecology and reconstruct microbial metabolic potential along the depth gradient in Lake Bonney.ResultsLake Bonney is strongly chemically stratified with three distinct redox zones, yielding different microbial niches. Our genome enabled approach revealed that in the sunlit and relatively freshwater epilimnion, oxygenic photosynthetic production by the cyanobacterium Pseudanabaena and a diversity of protists and microalgae may provide new organic carbon to the environment. CO-oxidizing bacteria, such as Acidimicrobiales, Nanopelagicales, and Burkholderiaceae were also prominent in the epilimnion and their ability to oxidize carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide may serve as a supplementary energy conservation strategy. In the more saline metalimnion of ELB, an accumulation of inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus supports photosynthesis despite relatively low light levels. Conversely, in WLB the release of organic rich subglacial discharge from Taylor Glacier into WLB would be implicated in the possible high abundance of heterotrophs supported by increased potential for glycolysis, beta-oxidation, and glycoside hydrolase and may contribute to the growth of iron reducers in the dark and extremely saline hypolimnion of WLB. The suboxic and subzero temperature zones beneath the metalimnia in both lobes supported microorganisms capable of utilizing reduced nitrogens and sulfurs as electron donors. Heterotrophs, including nitrate reducing sulfur oxidizing bacteria, such as Acidimicrobiales (MAG72) and Salinisphaeraceae (MAG109), and denitrifying bacteria, such as Gracilimonas (MAG7), Acidimicrobiales (MAG72) and Salinisphaeraceae (MAG109), dominated the hypolimnion of WLB, whereas the environmental harshness of the hypolimnion of ELB was supported by the relatively low in metabolic potential, as well as the abundance of halophile Halomonas and endospore-forming Virgibacillus.ConclusionsThe vertical distribution of microbially driven C, N and S cycling genes/pathways in Lake Bonney reveals the importance of geochemical gradients to microbial diversity and biogeochemical cycles with the vertical water column.

Atypical Facio-Scapulo-Humeral Dystrophy with facial sparing: a case report

Facio-Scapulo-Humeral Dystrophy (FSHD) is an autosomal dominant and third most common inherited muscular dystrophy. Typical phenotype of FSHD initially affects the muscles of the face and upper arm. Atypical FSHD refers to genetically confirmed FSHD with phenotypic variations. Scapulo-Humeral Dystrophy (SHD) is the most common atypical form of FSDH characterized by no facial muscle weakness on clinical examination, while other signs remain consistent with FSHD. We report a 31-year-old male who presented with foot drop and had an unexpected presentation as SHD. Provisional diagnosis of SHD was based on careful medical history, physical examination findings, modest rise in muscle enzymes, and needle electromyography findings of myopathy. Muscle biopsy suggested dystrophic changes which supported the diagnosis of FSHD with facial sparing. Rehabilitation plan included patient and family counseling/education, lifestyle modifications, energy conservation strategies, right ankle foot orthosis, and therapeutic exercises with regular follow-up for monitoring of the disease.

Prediction of residential building occupancy using Machine learning with integrated sensor and survey Data: Insights from a living lab in Morocco

Building occupancy information is essential for effective energy management in buildings through the adoption of energy conservation and occupant-centric control strategies. These strategies endeavor to contribute to optimizing energy consumption while ensuring occupant comfort. This study focuses on advanced occupancy modeling techniques to enhance energy efficiency in residential buildings, utilizing various data-driven techniques. Various Machine Learning models, such as Random Forest, Bayesian Network, Decision Trees, Support Vector Machines, K-Nearest Neighbors, eXtreme Gradient Boosting, and Regularized Greedy Forest, have been evaluated for predicting and classifying building occupancy. Employing a living lab approach within a residential setting, the research evaluates model performance using two ground truth datasets: IoT sensor and survey data. Experimental tests use Accuracy and F1_score as evaluation criteria, demonstrating accuracy rates ranging from 70% to 95.96%. The results highlight the performance of these models in predicting residential occupancy, offering valuable insight into two approaches to occupancy modeling. The Random Forest model performs exceptionally well in capturing occupancy trends, while the Bayesian Network model, combined with expert knowledge, provides detailed predictions of occupancy types and zones. The research also addresses challenges related to data collection, including privacy concerns. It presents effective occupancy modeling strategies for residential energy management.

Hybrid pasteurization strategy for energy conservation and quality preservation in cloudy apple juice processing

The study investigates the combination of microfiltration (MF) with traditional thermal pasteurization (TP), high-pressure processing (HPP), and electron beam irradiation (EBI) in the production of cloudy apple juice. Using 0.22 μm MF membranes instead of 0.45 or 0.1 μm, the highest flux was achieved, the permeate and retentate exhibited minimal deviation from raw apple juice (RAJ) in terms of physicochemical indicators. MF divided RAJ into a cloudy retentate containing microorganisms and a clarified permeate in a 1:4 vol ratio. The retentate was then pasteurized by HPP, TP, and EBI, after which it was mixed with the permeate to create cloudy apple juice. This innovative process reduced processed juice volume by 80% compared to single pasteurization method, decreased the loss of volatile compounds by 20.05%–33.52%, and cut energy consumption by 72.29%–75.35%. Overall, the hybrid pasteurization strategy approach shows great promise pasteurization technique for producing high-quality cloudy apple juice.

Exploring the nexuses between carbon dioxide emissions, material footprints and human development: An empirical study of 151 countries

In order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, it is necessary to actively promote a coordinated and balanced relationship between carbon dioxide emissions (CO2e), material footprints (MF) and human development, based on the economic and social development stages of different countries and their material resource endowments. However, the existing research results lack cross-country comparisons and overly focus on the single conclusion of quantifying decoupling while ignoring the impact of coupling coordination nexus. Thus, this study comprehensively evaluated the nexus between CO2e, MF, and human development index (HDI) in 151 countries from 1990 to 2019 based on the modified coupling coordination degree model and the improved decoupling index model. The results show that, both the global MF per capita and HDI have maintained an increasing trend, and the MF per capita has been increasing significantly faster than the HDI. The trend of CO2e per capita is slowly dropping, with very high HDI countries being the main contributors. Besides, global regional differences in CO2e per capita and MF per capita are still expanding. Worldwide differences in per unit of CO2e and per unit of MF for HDI variation are narrowing. Furtherly, there is a more general but short-lived trend of absolute decoupling for very high HDI and low HDI countries, while medium HDI countries show a significant trend of coupling. By combining the endowment characteristics of some typical countries, it can be observed that the net fossil energy importing countries with higher HDI have high degree of coupling coordination, but gradually evolve towards the state of relative decoupling. There is still a significant trend of recoupling between the MF and HDI in the net fossil energy exporting countries with higher HDI, but CO2e is gradually evolving towards decoupling. The coupling coordination state is deepening in some low HDI countries. Due to the huge differences in national endowment characteristics and development stages, targeted energy conservation and emission reduction strategies are important for achieving coordinated development between CO2e, MF and HDI.

Rapid Fabrication of Tungsten Oxide-Based Electrochromic Devices through Femtosecond Laser Processing

The sol-gel method is a widely adopted technique for the preparation of tungsten trioxide (WO3) materials, favored for its cost-effectiveness and straightforward production procedures. However, this method encounters challenges such as prolonged annealing periods and limited flexibility in fabricating patterned WO3 films. This study introduces a novel approach that integrates femtosecond laser processing with the sol-gel method to enhance the fabrication of WO3 films. By adjusting polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) concentrations during sol-gel synthesis, precise control over film thickness and optimized film properties were achieved. The innovative technique significantly reduced the annealing time required to achieve an 80% transmittance rate from 90 min to 40 min, marking a 56% decrease. Laser processing increased the surface roughness of the films from Sa = 0.032 to Sa = 0.119, facilitating enhanced volatilization of organics during heat treatment. Additionally, this method improved the transmittance modulation of the films by 22% at 550 nm compared to unprocessed counterparts. This approach not only simplifies the manufacturing process but also enhances the optical efficiency of electrochromic devices, potentially leading to broader applications and more effective energy conservation strategies.

Non-price energy conservation information and household energy consumption in a developing country: Evidence from an RCT

We use a randomized controlled trial in Bangladesh to test three types of non-price energy conservation strategies that influence electricity consumption of households: (i) advice on electricity conservation methods (knowledge treatment); (ii) (median) electricity consumption of others in the suburb (suburb comparison); and (iii) (median) electricity consumption of neighbors (neighbor comparison). We find that providing advice on saving energy could reduce households' electricity consumption and bills significantly. The effects are stronger for advice on electricity conservation methods than neighbor and suburb comparisons. The effects of providing information about own electricity consumption relative to neighbors’ electricity consumption is similar to the effects of giving information about own electricity consumption relative to electricity consumption of households in the same suburb. The effects among households who were inefficient users in neighbor and suburb comparison groups are almost as strong as those in the knowledge treatment group. The effects across all treatment groups become stronger over time as they receive repeated information.

The Role of Greenhouse Technology in Streamlining Crop Production

Greenhouse technology has revolutionized modern agriculture by enabling year-round crop production, optimizing resource utilization, and enhancing crop yields and quality. This comprehensive review explores the multifaceted role of greenhouse technology in streamlining crop production processes. It delves into the principles of greenhouse design, covering essential components such as structural materials, covering materials, and environmental control systems. The article discusses the advantages of greenhouse cultivation, including extended growing seasons, protection from adverse weather conditions, and reduced pest and disease pressure. It examines the use of advanced technologies like hydroponics, aeroponics, and aquaponics in greenhouse systems, highlighting their potential for maximizing resource efficiency and minimizing environmental impact. The review also addresses the integration of precision agriculture techniques, such as sensors, automation, and data analytics, for optimizing greenhouse operations. Furthermore, it explores the economic aspects of greenhouse crop production, including initial investment costs, operational expenses, and market opportunities. The article emphasizes the importance of sustainable practices in greenhouse agriculture, focusing on energy conservation, water management, and waste reduction strategies. It also discusses the challenges associated with greenhouse technology adoption, such as high initial costs, technical complexity, and the need for skilled labor. Finally, the review concludes by outlining future research directions and the potential for greenhouse technology to contribute to global food security and sustainable agricultural practices.

Unravelling the halophyte Suaeda maritima as an efficient candidate for phytostabilization of cadmium and lead: Implications from physiological, ionomic, and metabolomic responses

Cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) are among the most toxic heavy metals affecting human health and crop yield. Suaeda maritima (L.) Dumort is an obligate halophyte that is well adapted to saline soil. The inbuilt salinity tolerance mechanisms of halophytes help them to survive in heavy metal-contaminated rhizospheric soil. In the present study, growth and ionomic responses, reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, modulations of phytochelatins, antioxidative defense, and metabolomic responses were studied in S. maritima imposed to Cd and Pb stresses with an aim to elucidate Cd and Pb tolerance mechanisms and phytoremediation potential of this halophyte. Our results showed a reduction of biomass in S. maritima, which may serve as an energy conservation strategy for survival under heavy metal stress. The increased accumulation of ROS with concomitant higher expression of various antioxidative enzymes suggests the efficient scavenging of ROS. The metabolite profiling revealed significant up-regulation of sugars, sugar alcohols, amino acids, polyphenols, and organic acids under Cd and Pb stresses suggesting their possible role in osmotic balance, ionic homeostasis, ROS scavenging, and signal transduction for stress tolerance. In S. maritima, the translocation factors (Tf) are <1 in both Cd and Pb treatments, which indicates that this halophyte has high phytostabilization potential for Cd and Pb in roots and through restricted translocation of heavy metal ions to the aboveground part. The findings of this study offer comprehensive information on Cd and Pb tolerance mechanisms in S. maritima and suggest that this halophyte can detoxify the HMs through physiological, ionic, antioxidative, and metabolic regulations.

Closing the Efficiency Gap: Insights into curbing the direct rebound effect of residential electricity consumption in Saudi Arabia

The rebound effect refers to the phenomenon where energy efficiency improvements lead to increased energy consumption, offsetting some of the expected energy savings. This article aims to estimate the direct rebound effect of residential electricity consumption in Saudi Arabia and explores potential solutions to mitigate its impact. Understanding the magnitude of the rebound effect is crucial for policymakers to develop effective energy conservation strategies. This study employs a time-series modeling approach, using a dataset covering 31 years, 1990–2021, and four regions within Saudi Arabia, incorporating various socioeconomic and energy-related variables. The magnitude of the rebound effect in residential electricity consumption in the Kingdom, which varies across regions, ranges from 41% to 71%. Since the inception of the first wave of the energy price reform in 2016, the Kingdom has witnessed a power consumption rebound in the residential sector totaling 39.02 TWh (6.5 Twh per annum), and a total of 28.13 Mt. in CO2 equivalent emissions (4.69 Mt. in CO2 equivalent per annum) during the period of 2016–2021. These findings add to the existing literature on the rebound effect, further enriching our understanding of this complex phenomenon and its implications. They also provide valuable insights for policymakers and energy planners in Saudi Arabia, helping them develop effective strategies to minimize the rebound effect and promote energy conservation.

Sleep Posture Influences Metabolic Rate And Vigilance in The Common Whitethroat (Curruca Communis).

Migration is an important life-history strategy that is adopted by a significant proportion of bird species from temperate areas. Birds initiate migration after accumulating considerable energy reserves, primarily in the form of fat and muscle. Sustained exercise, such as during the crossing of ecological barriers, leads to the depletion of energy reserves and increased physiological stress. Stopover sites, where birds rest and restore energy, play a fundamental role in mitigating these challenges. The duration of resting at stopover sites is influenced by environmental and physiological conditions upon arrival, and the amount of body fat reserves plays an important role. While sleep is recognized as essential for all organisms, its importance is accentuated during migration, where energy management becomes a survival constraint. Previous research indicated that individuals with larger fat reserves tend to sleep less and favor an untucked sleep posture, influencing energy recovery and anti-predatory vigilance. We explored the relationship between sleep behavior and posture, metabolic state, and energy conservation strategies during migration in the common whitethroat (Curruca communis). We were able to confirm that sleeping in a tucked position results in metabolic energy savings, at the cost of reduced vigilance. However, whitethroats did not show alterations of their sleep patterns as a response to the amount of stored reserves. This suggests that they may not be taking full advantage of the metabolic gains of sleeping in a tucked posture, at least at this stage of their migratory journey. We suggest that, to achieve optimal fuel accumulation and maximize stopover efficiency, whitethroats prioritize increased foraging over modulating their sleep patterns.

A Bibliometric Analysis of the Outdoor Thermal Environment Based on CiteSpace

The outdoor thermal environment (OTE) is closely related to sustainable urban development and human living, and related research has attracted widespread attention. The research hotspots and research frontiers were obtained using CiteSpace to analyze 4473 relevant studies published in English from the Web of Science (WOS) core database from 1998 to 2023. The results show that (1) Hong Kong Polytechnic University, National University of Singapore, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tsinghua University, and Harbin Institute of Technology are important in OTE research. China has the largest number of publications in the field of OTE, but the United States has the greatest centrality and significant influence. (2) The focus of OTE keyword clustering research is divided into four main categories: thermal environment perception, the thermal environment index, thermal environment quality, and thermal environment optimization. (3) The frontiers of OTE research have changed from focusing on environmental quality, thermal perception, numerical simulation, urban space, and thermal adaptation to thermal mitigation, energy conservation, energy consumption, and optimization strategies. Visualization research in the field of OTE helps to provide references for the direction of future research on improving climate change, human thermal comfort, urban planning, and pre-planning.

Strategies for energy conservation and sustainability

Strategies for energy conservation and sustainability

Magnetic biochar catalyst from reed straw and electric furnace dust for biodiesel production and life cycle assessment

A novel magnetic carbon-based catalyst was prepared from solid waste (reed straw and electric furnace dust) by coprecipitation and high temperature pyrolysis with excellent application potential. Single factor and response surface experiments were used to optimize the catalyst preparation process (mass ratio of reed straw/electric furnace dust of 5:1 at 500 °C in 4 h) and biodiesel production, respectively, with results of 99.89 wt% biodiesel yield in the first cycle (93.61 wt% after 11 cycles) obtained at 74.15 °C in 4.16 h with a 14.06:1 M ratio of methanol/oil and 7.75 wt% catalyst. The life cycle assessment of magnetic carbon-based catalysts for biodiesel production suggested that the soybean oil extraction stage had the greatest impact on the environment, mainly from the use of soybeans and electricity. Solid waste as raw material to prepare catalysts for biomass energy conversion was proven to be a good strategy for energy conservation and emission reduction. This study provides guidance sustainable biomass energy conversion with low cost, low energy consumption, and minimal negative environmental impact.