Energy Reserves Research Articles

MECHANISMS AND MEASURES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ENERGY SOURCES IN ALGERIA IN LIGHT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Objective: The aim of this study is to examine the sustainable use of energy sources in Algeria, focusing on the need to improve the efficiency of managing non-renewable resources in light of increasing global energy consumption and its environmental impacts. Given that Algeria heavily relies on non-renewable energies, the research addresses the importance of enhancing the sustainability of these sources to align with global development goals. Theoretical Framework: The theoretical framework discusses the role of energy in global economies, particularly emphasizing the environmental challenges posed by non-renewable energy sources. It explores concepts related to sustainable development, resource management, and the importance of aligning national energy policies with global sustainability standards. Methodology: The study utilizes a comprehensive review of existing literature and energy consumption data in Algeria. It assesses current resource management practices, explores policy frameworks, and identifies opportunities for improving energy efficiency and sustainability. The methodology includes both qualitative and quantitative analyses to provide a holistic understanding of the issue. Findings: The results indicate that Algeria's heavy reliance on non-renewable energy sources necessitates immediate action to improve resource management efficiency. The study highlights key areas where policy improvements can lead to more sustainable use of energy, ultimately contributing to long-term economic and environmental stability. Research, Practical & Social Implications: The study has significant implications for energy policy development in Algeria, offering insights into how the country can better manage its non-renewable energy resources. Practically, it suggests actionable strategies for improving energy efficiency and aligning with global sustainability goals. Socially, the research emphasizes the importance of addressing energy consumption patterns to reduce environmental harm and ensure sustainable development. Originality/Value: The value of the study lies in its focus on Algeria, providing context-specific insights into sustainable energy management. It highlights the urgent need for improving the efficiency of non-renewable resource use in a country that heavily depends on such sources, while offering practical recommendations for policy makers to foster sustainable development in the energy sector.

Innovative Strategies for Thermal Energy Optimization and Renewable Energy Integration in Net-Zero-Energy Buildings: A Comprehensive Review

The thermal performance and energy efficiency of buildings are critical factors in achieving sustainable energy systems as energy needs for heating and cooling are expected to represent more than 50% of global final energy consumption. This study analyzes conventional renewable energy systems for heating and cooling in buildings, focusing on strategies for developing net-zero-energy buildings. This review covers the integration of renewable energy, the use of intelligent energy management systems, and the optimization of thermal processes. It also compares various systems based on their advantages and limitations and analyzes emerging trends in the thermal management of buildings in different climate zones. The synthesis of recent literature highlights practical recommendations for achieving high thermal performance in buildings, including the importance of selecting appropriate energy systems based on local climatic conditions, optimizing system efficiency, and taking advantage of new materials and advanced technologies. This review aims to contribute to promoting sustainable construction practices with the integration of renewable energy sources and improving the energy efficiency of buildings.

Nanomaterials in Smart Energy-Efficient Coatings

Temperature is a key manifestation of energy, with about 51% of global energy consumption occurring in the form of heat annually [...]

Epidermal maintenance of Langerhans cells relies on autophagy-regulated lipid metabolism.

Macroautophagy (often-named autophagy), a catabolic process involving autophagy-related (Atg) genes, prevents the accumulation of harmful cytoplasmic components and mobilizes energy reserves in long-lived and self-renewing cells. Autophagy deficiency affects antigen presentation in conventional dendritic cells (DCs) without impacting their survival. However, previous studies did not address epidermal Langerhans cells (LCs). Here, we demonstrate that deletion of either Atg5 or Atg7 in LCs leads to their gradual depletion. ATG5-deficient LCs showed metabolic dysregulation and accumulated neutral lipids. Despite increased mitochondrial respiratory capacity, they were unable to process lipids, eventually leading them to ferroptosis. Finally, metabolically impaired LCs upregulated proinflammatory transcripts and showed decreased expression of neuronal interaction receptors. Altogether, autophagy represents a critical regulator of lipid storage and metabolism in LCs, allowing their maintenance in the epidermis.

Changes in the Global Structure of Energy Consumption and the Energy Transition Process

The global energy transition represents a pivotal aspect of the pursuit of sustainable development and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The objective of this study was to examine the dynamic relationships between global primary energy consumption and the consumption of individual energy sources (nuclear, oil, coal, natural gas, renewables) from 2011 to 2023. To examine both long-run and short-run relationships between variables, advanced econometric methods were employed, including the Johansen cointegration test and the Vector Error Correction Model (VECM). Furthermore, an Index of Sustainable Energy Transformation (ISTE) was devised to quantify the advancement of the transition to low-carbon energy sources. The analysis confirms the existence of long-term equilibrium relationships between global primary energy consumption and the consumption of individual energy sources. The analysis revealed that renewable energy consumption exerts a considerable influence on primary energy consumption, both in the short and long term. The ISTE index demonstrated a notable increase over the period of 2011 to 2023, indicative of advancement in the global energy transition. The results confirm the existence of a stable long-term equilibrium between global primary energy consumption and the consumption of individual energy sources. The observed increase in the ISTE index indicates progress towards low-carbon energy sources, which has important implications for energy policy and sustainable development. The results can support policymakers in monitoring the progress of the energy transition and shaping policies to accelerate the development of renewable energy sources.

Using micro-CT to explore bone density variations in the skulls of the vulnerable Opsariichthys uncirostris uncirostris (Three-lips fish) during reproductive migration to a Lake Biwa tributary.

Not much is known about the changes in bone density due to fish reproductive migration. We used micro-CT and inferential statistics to determine whether the relative bone density in the skulls of adult Three-lips fish, that seasonally upstream migrated to a Lake Biwa tributary, changed across their known reproductive season. The relative bone density significantly decreased as standard length and condition factor (K) increased in both sexes. This negative relationship is likely due to age and hormonal effects in the fish. Results from the bone density analysis also revealed that male Three-lips fish had potentially lower relative bone density (although not significantly different) than females during peak reproductive migration, i.e., July to August. On average, male Three-lips fish are larger in length and weight than females, and in many species, females prefer larger males to smaller males, viewing their size as an indicator of genetic fitness and their ability to provide protection. Resources in the skulls of Three-lips males may be distributed in such a way that increases reproductive success, i.e., size at the expense of quality. In addition, individuals with slightly less dense bones, particularly males, appeared later than those with denser bones during the peak of the reproductive season. The high energy demands involved with aggression in males, often requires resource mobilization from various tissue compartments and could explain the slightly lower density in the latter half of the peak migration. Furthermore, Three-lips individuals that migrated earlier and later during the reproductive season may have more energy reserves than those that had been in the river for some time, hence the variable bone density between individuals. This study serves as a foundation for future studies on the effects of migration, changes in physiology and age on bone density analysis of Three-lips fish and other species in various ecosystems.

Small green housing makes a big difference: the impact of natural environmental uncertainty on consumers' willingness to purchase green housing

PurposeThe residential sector is a principal contributor to global energy consumption, underscoring the critical importance of promoting green housing initiatives to mitigate energy use and environmental degradation. The prevalence of uncertainty in the natural environment, exemplified by phenomena like extreme weather events, highlights the urgent need for adaptive strategies and sustainable practices to mitigate the impact on human communities and ecosystems. Against this backdrop, this paper presents a theoretical framework examining the influence of natural environmental uncertainty on consumers' willingness to purchase green housing.Design/methodology/approachThrough three experiments, this study modeled the mechanism by which the natural environment uncertainty affects consumers' willingness to purchase green housing, and then verified the mediating effect of the threat of ontological security and the moderating effect of the degree of consumers' natural connectedness.FindingsThis paper concludes (1) natural environmental uncertainty exerts a significant positive impact on the willingness to purchase green housing, with the threat to ontological security serving as a pivotal mediating variable; (2) the degree of natural connectedness significantly moderates the effect of ontological security threats on the purchasing intent for green housing.Originality/valueThis research contributes to the marketing literature by offering a novel perspective on the impact of natural environmental uncertainty on consumer behavior, augmenting the body of knowledge concerning the determinants of green housing purchase intentions, and provides new ideas for marketers.

Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells: Unveiling Barriers to Enhanced Performance

Global energy consumption is steadily increasing, and the world's reliance on non-renewable energy sources such as hydroelectric and thermoelectric power is unsustainable due to their diminishing availability. The photovoltaic (PV) devices have been developed through various methods for various applications, and among these, Dye- Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs) have emerged as a cost-effective and easily implementable technology. This comprehensive review paper offers an in-depth overview of DSSCs, aiming to provide insights into their construction, working principles, applications, and the significant challenges they face, primarily related to their low efficiency and stability. To fully commercialize DSSCs and compete with existing energy technologies, it is imperative to continue addressing and overcoming the efficiency challenges outlined in this review. KEYWORDS: TiO2, Dye Sensitized Solar Cell, Electrolyte, Photoanode, Counter Electrode

An Overview of Tidal Power in China

Abstract. Tidal energy is a renewable, clean and non-polluting renewable energy source with huge reserves, which is of great significance to alleviate the energy tension in coastal areas. The eastern coast of China is dotted with many economically developed cities such as Shanghai, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, etc. The energy consumption of these cities is very high and growing at a very high rate year by year. Although China has constructed the "West-East Electricity Transmission" project to alleviate the problem of electricity tension in the eastern coastal cities, it cannot fundamentally reduce the dependence on traditional fossil energy. Therefore, on the basis of extensive data collation, this paper further explores the possibility of utilizing tidal energy for power generation in China by studying China's tidal energy reserves, and analyzes the difficulties in developing tidal energy in China as well as puts forward suggestions for the future development of tidal energy.

Optimal operating strategy of hybrid heat pump − boiler systems with photovoltaics and battery storage

The growing need to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions is driving the search for more efficient heating solutions in buildings. Hybrid heating systems, which combine air-to-water heat pumps (AWHP) with traditional gas boilers, are a common solution after refurbishment investments. However, managing these systems effectively, particularly when integrated with photovoltaic (PV) panels and battery energy storage systems (BESS), remains a complex task. For instance, heat pumps perform poorly in very cold conditions, making boilers a more efficient option; however, it might be advantageous to use it to increase electricity self-consumption. Optimal management depends on multiple factors, including future forecast data. In this paper, a daily optimization program is developed by means of a brute-force approach using forecast data. The core innovation of this paper is the use of an artificial neural network (ANN) that, trained on predictive optimization results, can determine the optimal solution in real-time without the need for future forecasts. The ANN achieved a 99.16% accuracy in new scenarios, successfully optimizing costs, CO2 emissions, and primary energy use. Results indicate up to 19% cost savings in colder cities, a 12% reduction in CO2 emissions, and a 3% decrease in primary energy consumption. This approach holds significant potential for enhancing the integration of renewable energy sources, contributing to long-term sustainability goals.

Multi-Scale Analysis of Carbon Emissions in Coastal Cities Based on Multi-Source Data: A Case Study of Qingdao, China

Coastal cities, as centers of economic and industrial activity, accommodate over 40% of the national population and generate more than 70% of the GDP. They are critical centers of carbon emissions, making the accurate and long-term analysis of spatiotemporal carbon emission patterns crucial for developing effective regional carbon reduction strategies. However, there is a scarcity of studies on continuous long-term carbon emissions in coastal cities. This study focuses on Qingdao and explores its carbon emission characteristics at the city, county, and grid scales. Data from multi-source are employed, integrating net primary production (NPP), energy consumption, and nighttime light data to construct a carbon emission estimation model. Additionally, the Tapio model is applied to examine the decoupling of GDP from carbon emissions. The results indicate that the R2 of the carbon emission inversion model is 0.948. The central urban areas of Qingdao’s coastal region are identified as hotspots for carbon emissions, exhibiting significantly higher emissions compared to inland areas. There is a notable dependence of economic development on carbon emissions, and the disparities in economic development between coastal and inland areas have resulted in significant geographical differentiation in the decoupling state. Furthermore, optimizing and transitioning the energy structure has primarily contributed to carbon reduction, while exceptional circumstances, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, have led to passive fluctuations in emissions. This study provides a scientific reference for coastal cities to formulate targeted carbon reduction policies.

Progress of silicon and graphene composites in lithium-ion battery anodes

As society progresses, the need for high-power, long-life energy supply devices gradually increases. Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) with large energy reserves and high power have recently become the preferred choice. The anode of LIBs plays a crucial role in battery performance, safety, and cycle life. Typically, graphite materials are used for LIBs anodes. Still, they have drawbacks such as low first-time Coulombic efficiency, capacity degradation, safety issues, short cycle life, insufficient gram capacity, and purity and side reactions, which limit the application of LIBs. Therefore, new harmful electrode materials are in demand. Graphene and silicon are both environmentally friendly and sustainable materials. They both have the advantages of high theoretical capacity and high energy density, which are critical materials for developing LIBs. Combining the two can exert a synergistic effect and jointly improve the cycle stability of the battery. In this paper, we review the preparation methods of graphene and silicon composites in recent years, including mechanical ball milling and hydrothermal and thermal reduction methods. In addition, graphene and silicon composites have been explored for LIBs applications.

Research on Changes in International Energy Trade Pattern under the Russia-Ukraine Conflict

The impact of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine on world energy markets has received great attention. Some researchers have found that the Russia-Ukraine conflict has caused an energy crisis to a certain extent. However, there is a lack of overview of the changes in the trade pattern and the scope of its impact. Therefore, through a comprehensive analysis of changes in policies and economic data, this study analyzes the different response measures taken by countries in different regions such as Europe and Asia to deal with the reduction in Russia's exports of major energy products and the fluctuations in international energy prices. This study also analyzes how the mutual sanctions between Russia and Western countries have contributed to the shift of Russia's energy export focus to the Asia-Pacific region and the diversification of Western countries' energy supply. Research results show that energy trade is at risk of being affected by geopolitical factors such as regional conflicts and mutual sanctions. The Russia-Ukraine conflict has strengthened the attention of countries on energy security issues. The research also highlights the implications for future policies and actions, providing an understanding of emerging trends in the future. Economically, this study, based on past data, emphasizes the inevitability of the Russia-Ukraine conflict affecting energy fluctuations and affirms that the Russia-Ukraine conflict is conducive to global new energy transformation and sustainable development in the long term.

How does parental diet affect offspring locomotor capacity in the bean bug, Riptortus pedestris?

AbstractParental environments have profound consequences for offspring fitness through transgenerational transmission of resources and epigenetic factors. Locomotor activity is a functional trait of considerable ecological importance, as it determines the ability of animals to find food and mates and to disperse to more favourable environments. Although there have been studies demonstrating that animals can plastically increase their locomotor capacity in response to nutritionally stressful environments, it remains largely unexplored whether and how parental diet can adjust offspring locomotor capacity and its related traits. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the parental intake of a nutritionally suboptimal diet would induce hyperactivity in the offspring and that this transgenerational effect could lead to improved offspring performance in an insect herbivore, the bean bug (Riptortus pedestris Fabricius) (Hemiptera: Alydidae). We compared the locomotor activity, metabolic phenotype and performance traits of two groups of R. pedestris nymphs born to parents raised on soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr, Fabaceae; standard diet] or peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L., Fabaceae; high‐fat diet). Despite being smaller at birth, the offspring of peanut‐fed parents moved faster and more frequently than those of soybean‐fed parents during their early development. The newly hatched offspring born to peanut‐fed parents had higher relative energy reserves in somatic tissues than those born to soybean‐fed parents, indicating that differential parental provisioning could underpin this parental effect on offspring locomotor activity. Possibly through increased foraging activity, the hyperactive offspring of peanut‐fed parents grew faster into heavier adults than the offspring of soybean‐fed parents, implying that parentally induced increase in offspring locomotor activity is adaptive. This study provides experimental evidence for diet‐mediated transgenerational plasticity of locomotor activity in invertebrates and sheds novel insights into the role of parental diet history in shaping offspring phenotype.

Assessing the bioenergy potential of abandoned cropland in China: Toward an optimal distribution of bioenergy crops

Bioenergy has gained wide attention due to its potential to reduce fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Abandoned cropland is a promising option for cultivating bioenergy crops, as it does not compete with food production. The vast amount of abandoned cropland in China provides extensive opportunities for the development of bioenergy. However, the bioenergy potential of China's abandoned cropland remains unclear. In this study, we identified abandoned cropland in China for the period of 2000–2020. Based on this, we estimated the bioenergy potential from conventional food crops (maize and wheat), and perennial bioenergy crops (miscanthus and switchgrass), on the abandoned cropland in China. We optimized the planting of conventional food and two perennial bioenergy crops by maximizing crop yield and accounting for water limits. The results show that 29.49 Mha of abandoned cropland was found in the past twenty years. Spatially, it was mainly located in eastern China with relatively high soil quality, in contrast to that in the U.S. and Europe. By optimizing the crop distribution on abandoned cropland, the bioenergy potential primarily shows a spatial distribution of higher potential in the south and lower potential in the north, with a total yield reaching 9.52 EJ. This is approximately 1.43 times higher than that of solely cultivating miscanthus and 8.28 times that of wheat. This potential accounts for 6 % of China's total primary energy consumption in 2022 and 7.66 % of the carbon emission peak target for 2030. It holds significant importance for the national emission reduction strategy. These findings highlight the immense bioenergy potential of abandoned cropland, providing support for the development of bioenergy.

Cooperative energy and reserve trading strategies for multiple integrated energy systems based on asymmetric nash bargaining theory

To tackle the issues of cooperative energy and reserve trading as well as fair cooperative benefit allocation among multiple integrated energy systems (IESs), this paper proposes a two-stage cooperative energy and reserve trading model for multiple integrated energy systems (MIESs). Specifically, at day-ahead stage, MIESs aim to maximize their overall profit through cooperative electricity and heat trading. At real-time stage, MIESs trade demand response (DR) reserve to minimize the overall wind power deviation compensation cost. To reduce the complexity in model solution, we transform the model into two sub-problems. In sub-problem 1, we determine the energy and DR reserve trading volumes. Here, distributionally robust optimization (DRO) is utilized to manage the severe uncertainties in wind power distribution. In sub-problem 2, based on the outcomes from sub-problem 1, we settle the energy and DR reserve trading prices. To ensure the fairness of benefit allocation, asymmetric Nash bargaining theory is applied to assess each IES's contributions in trading volumes and profit growth. Interval adaptive alternating direction method of multipliers (IA-ADMM) is used to preserve each IES's privacy. Finally, simulation results demonstrate that, compared with independent operation, cooperative trading among MIESs increases profits for all IESs, thereby motivating their participation in cooperative trading.

Implementation of thermoelectric wall systems for sustainable indoor environment regulation in buildings through numerical and experimental performance analysis

With buildings representing a substantial portion of global energy consumption, exploring alternatives to traditional fossil fuel-based heating and cooling systems is critical. Thermoelectricity offers a promising solution by converting temperature differentials into electrical voltage or vice versa, enabling efficient indoor thermal regulation. This paper presents a comprehensive investigation into the integration of thermoelectric wall systems for sustainable building climate control through numerical simulations and experimental analyses. Numerical simulations using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) techniques were conducted to model fluid flow and heat transfer within the thermoelectric wall systems under various operating conditions. These simulations provided insights into the system’s thermal behavior, which were validated through experimental setups designed to measure temperature differentials, airflow rates, and power consumption. The results showed that power consumption is directly correlated with electrical current, ranging from 0.19 W to 77.4 W as the current increased from 0.1 A to 2 A. Additionally, the heat absorbed by the system increased significantly with electrical current, by 706–1044%, depending on the air velocity. The thermal energy released from the hot side of the thermoelectric modules also rose substantially, ranging from 9850 to 5285% with increasing electrical current, and from 275 to 51% with higher air velocities. Moreover, increasing air velocity led to a 6.78–9.37% reduction in power consumption for currents between 0.1 A and 2 A. The coefficient of performance (COP) analysis revealed that optimizing both electrical current and air velocity is essential for maximizing system efficiency. While fan power consumption reduces COP at higher air velocities, neglecting fan power consumption results in COP improvements ranging from 6.5 × 10⁻⁴ to 49.0%. These findings highlight the potential of thermoelectric wall systems to enhance indoor comfort and energy efficiency in buildings.

A Design and Safety Analysis of the “Electricity-Hydrogen-Ammonia” Energy Storage System: A Case Study of Haiyang Nuclear Power Plant

With the development of modernization, traditional fossil energy reserves are decreasing, and the power industry, as one of the main energy consumption forces, has begun to pay attention to increasing the proportion of clean energy generation. With the deepening of electrification, the peak-valley difference of residential electricity consumption increases, but photovoltaic and wind power generation have fluctuations and are manifested as reverse peak regulation. Thermal power plants as the main force of peak regulation gradually reduce the market share, making nuclear power plants bear the heavy responsibility of participating in peak regulation. The traditional method of adjusting operating power by inserting and removing control rods has great safety risks and wastes resources. Therefore, this paper proposes a new energy storage system that can keep the nuclear power plant running at full power and produce hydrogen to synthesize ammonia from excess power. A comprehensive evaluation model of energy storage based on z-score data standardization and objective parameter assignment AHP (analytic hierarchy process) analysis method was established to evaluate energy storage systems according to a multi-index system. With an AP1000 daily load tracking curve as the input model, the simulation model built by Aspen Plus V14 was used to calculate the operating conditions of the system. In order to provide a construction basis for practical engineering use, Haiyang Nuclear Power Plant in Shandong Province is taken as an example. The system layout scheme is proposed according to the local environmental conditions. The accident tree analysis method is combined with ALOHA 5.4.1.2 (Areal Locations of Hazardous Atmospheres) hazardous chemical analysis software and MARPLOT 5.1.1 geographic information technology. A qualitative and quantitative assessment of risk factors and the consequences of leakage, fire, and explosion accidents caused by hydrogen and ammonia storage processes is carried out to provide guidance for accident prevention and emergency rescue. The design of an “Electric-Hydrogen-Ammonia” energy storage system proposed in this paper provides a new idea for zero-carbon energy storage for the peak shaving of nuclear power plants and has a certain role in promoting the development of clean energy.

Energy consumption, technological innovation, and economic growth in BRICS: A GMM panel VAR framework analysis

The growing interdependence between environmental resources, financial development, technological advancements, and energy consumption poses significant challenges for sustainable growth in emerging economies. This study investigates these dynamics in the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) from 1990 to 2023 using the GMM panel VAR framework, with the aim of understanding how these factors interact and shape economic outcomes. The analysis shows that environmental rents positively impact financial growth, countering the traditional "resource curse" belief. Technological innovation is negatively linked to both economic growth and environmental sustainability, while energy consumption is positively correlated with economic growth and exhibits a weak correlation with the environment. Furthermore, primary energy consumption is strongly connected to resource utilization and financial growth, although technological advancements negatively affect this relationship. Causality tests reveal mutual influences between energy consumption and technological innovation, alongside unidirectional effects of natural resources on financial and technological growth. Policy implications underscore the need for BRICS nations to balance resource management and technological progress to foster sustainable economic and environmental development.

Cobalt-based Molecular Electrocatalyst-Mediated Green Hydrogen Generation: A Potential Pathway for Decarbonising Steel Industry

Amid the climate change crisis, researchers are investigating the transformative potential of green hydrogen produced by renewable energy electrolysis to decarbonize the steel sector, a significant contributor to global carbon emissions. It aims to lower the carbon footprint of the steel industry by showcasing green hydrogen's potential as a cleaner substitute for traditional fossil fuels in the production process. Despite its potential, issues such as high costs, restricted availability, and infrastructural alterations must be addressed. Cobalt-based synthetic catalysts, especially cobaloximes, are being considered as a key electrocatalytic component for hydrogen production via water-splitting. Cobaloximes, noted for their efficiency and stability in catalysing hydrogen evolution, have made considerable advances in the field of molecular catalysis. Recently, advanced immobilisation procedures have appreciably enhanced their overall catalytic output and application. This article discusses several electrolyser technologies, such as proton exchange membrane (PEM) and alkaline electrolysis, highlighting the benefits of multi-stacked electrolyser systems for boosting hydrogen generation efficiency. These encouraging results are vital for unravelling a durable catalytic material that can be scaled up without much financial stringency. In light of the global climate pledges, the document concludes that green hydrogen might provide 24% of the world's energy needs by 2050, resulting in a considerable reduction in CO2 emissions.