Pub Date : 2025-10-17DOI: 10.1016/j.rset.2025.100129
Yoon Lin Chiew , Elisabeth Wetterlund , Anders Lagerkvist
This study investigates hydrothermal carbonisation (HTC) of pulp-and-paper mill sludge to produce hydrochar and enable industrial symbiosis with steelmaking in Sweden. The assessment combines life cycle assessment (LCA) and techno-economic analysis (TEA) to evaluate environmental impacts, production costs, and national-scale implementation potential. The results show that HTC-derived hydrochar reduces the climate impact compared to use of fossil coal in electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking, particularly in mill-integrated scenarios that exploit onsite energy and wastewater treatment synergies. Economic viability, however, hinges on CO₂ pricing and hydrochar quality. Without a significant cost penalty for fossil CO2 emissions, hydrochar can be costlier than its fossil counterpart due to lower carbon content. Several pulp mills or mill clusters, in mid- and southern Sweden could support industrial symbiosis arrangements with local steel industries. The nationwide hydrochar production potential, estimated at less than 15% of the projected future carbon demand in Swedish EAFs, indicates a limited role, amplified by substantial regional variations in both supply and demand. Overall, the findings highlight that the suggested industrial symbiosis concept can help mitigate pulp and paper industry waste issues while contributing to reduced fossil coal dependence in steelmaking, forming part of a defossilisation strategy. However, strategic policy frameworks, multi-feedstock approaches, and further optimisation of hydrochar quality will be crucial for realising large-scale adoption.
{"title":"Industrial symbiosis via hydrothermal carbonisation: An environmental and techno-economic assessment in Sweden","authors":"Yoon Lin Chiew , Elisabeth Wetterlund , Anders Lagerkvist","doi":"10.1016/j.rset.2025.100129","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rset.2025.100129","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigates hydrothermal carbonisation (HTC) of pulp-and-paper mill sludge to produce hydrochar and enable industrial symbiosis with steelmaking in Sweden. The assessment combines life cycle assessment (LCA) and techno-economic analysis (TEA) to evaluate environmental impacts, production costs, and national-scale implementation potential. The results show that HTC-derived hydrochar reduces the climate impact compared to use of fossil coal in electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking, particularly in mill-integrated scenarios that exploit onsite energy and wastewater treatment synergies. Economic viability, however, hinges on CO₂ pricing and hydrochar quality. Without a significant cost penalty for fossil CO<sub>2</sub> emissions, hydrochar can be costlier than its fossil counterpart due to lower carbon content. Several pulp mills or mill clusters, in mid- and southern Sweden could support industrial symbiosis arrangements with local steel industries. The nationwide hydrochar production potential, estimated at less than 15% of the projected future carbon demand in Swedish EAFs, indicates a limited role, amplified by substantial regional variations in both supply and demand. Overall, the findings highlight that the suggested industrial symbiosis concept can help mitigate pulp and paper industry waste issues while contributing to reduced fossil coal dependence in steelmaking, forming part of a defossilisation strategy. However, strategic policy frameworks, multi-feedstock approaches, and further optimisation of hydrochar quality will be crucial for realising large-scale adoption.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101071,"journal":{"name":"Renewable and Sustainable Energy Transition","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100129"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145465153","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-16DOI: 10.1016/j.rset.2025.100128
Tlotlollo Sidwell Hlalele, Ephraim Nhlanhla Mbuli
The rapid adoption of electric vehicles necessitates comprehensive charging infrastructure development on university campuses. This study evaluates the technical, economic, and environmental feasibility of implementing EV charging infrastructure at the University of South Africa Florida Campus through advanced modeling and multi-criteria analysis. A hybrid simulation approach was employed using HOMER Pro for microgrid optimization, PVsyst for solar PV modeling, and Monte Carlo analysis for uncertainty assessment. Primary data from campus electrical systems and user surveys (n = 847) were integrated with national EV adoption projections and international best practices. Technical analysis indicates optimal deployment of 6 Level 2 charging stations (22 kW each) integrated with a 60 kW solar PV system and 150 kWh battery storage. Economic modeling demonstrates a Net Present Value of R2.3 million with an 11.2% Internal Rate of Return over 20 years. The solar-integrated solution achieves payback in 4.2 years compared to 6.8 years for grid-only alternatives. Monte Carlo simulation confirms 89% probability of positive NPV under varying utilization and cost scenarios. Environmental analysis reveals annual carbon emission reductions of 28.5 tons CO₂ (75% reduction compared to conventional vehicles), achieving 82% renewable energy fraction. The system provides quantifiable social benefits through enhanced campus sustainability profile and educational opportunities. Implementation is technically viable with strong economic returns and significant environmental benefits. The phased approach beginning with 4–6 charging stations provides risk mitigation while establishing foundation for campus-wide EV adoption supporting UNISA's sustainability framework.
{"title":"The feasibility and impact of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in university campuses: A case study of UNISA Florida campus","authors":"Tlotlollo Sidwell Hlalele, Ephraim Nhlanhla Mbuli","doi":"10.1016/j.rset.2025.100128","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rset.2025.100128","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The rapid adoption of electric vehicles necessitates comprehensive charging infrastructure development on university campuses. This study evaluates the technical, economic, and environmental feasibility of implementing EV charging infrastructure at the University of South Africa Florida Campus through advanced modeling and multi-criteria analysis. A hybrid simulation approach was employed using HOMER Pro for microgrid optimization, PVsyst for solar PV modeling, and Monte Carlo analysis for uncertainty assessment. Primary data from campus electrical systems and user surveys (<em>n</em> = 847) were integrated with national EV adoption projections and international best practices. Technical analysis indicates optimal deployment of 6 Level 2 charging stations (22 kW each) integrated with a 60 kW solar PV system and 150 kWh battery storage. Economic modeling demonstrates a Net Present Value of R2.3 million with an 11.2% Internal Rate of Return over 20 years. The solar-integrated solution achieves payback in 4.2 years compared to 6.8 years for grid-only alternatives. Monte Carlo simulation confirms 89% probability of positive NPV under varying utilization and cost scenarios. Environmental analysis reveals annual carbon emission reductions of 28.5 tons CO₂ (75% reduction compared to conventional vehicles), achieving 82% renewable energy fraction. The system provides quantifiable social benefits through enhanced campus sustainability profile and educational opportunities. Implementation is technically viable with strong economic returns and significant environmental benefits. The phased approach beginning with 4–6 charging stations provides risk mitigation while establishing foundation for campus-wide EV adoption supporting UNISA's sustainability framework.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101071,"journal":{"name":"Renewable and Sustainable Energy Transition","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100128"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145361536","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-15DOI: 10.1016/j.rset.2025.100127
Mehrnoosh Heydari, Philip Mitchell, Luke Cullen, Baptiste Andrieu, André Cabrera Serrenho, Jonathan Cullen
As the global economy shifts towards decarbonization, the demand for critical minerals (CMs), essential to low-carbon energy technologies, continues to rise. Yet, CM supply chains remain exposed to serious risks, including geopolitical tensions, resource depletion, and environmental disruptions. This review provides a novel, multidimensional synthesis of CM supply chain resilience by reviewing 327 peer-reviewed studies through a systematic PRISMA framework, enhanced with large language models (LLMs). The review focuses on potential disruptions and mitigation strategies across the entire CM supply chain, from mining and processing ores (upstream), through product manufacturing (midstream), to end-use sectors (downstream). Our analysis reveals four key insights which are poorly addressed in the literature. First, an imbalance is revealed in the literature, where resilience strategies mainly target upstream disruptions, such as geopolitical location of facilities and processing constraints, while midstream and downstream vulnerabilities remain underexplored, including demand volatility, refining and manufacturing bottlenecks, and logistical fragilities. Second, a significant underrepresentation of technological innovations is identified, such as advanced mining equipment and process routes, across exploration, mining, and refining, despite their proven capacity to mitigate structural supply constraints and reduce environmental risk. Third, circular economy concepts, such as recycling and recovery, while widely promoted as mitigation strategies, face systemic and technical barriers that compromise their effectiveness and deployment in practice. Fourth, a critical conceptual gap is uncovered, showing that few studies systematically apply classical risk theory to link hazards, exposure, and vulnerability, limiting the predictive and operational value of current resilience assessments. By addressing these strategic blind spots, our review reframes CM resilience as a system-level challenge that requires integrated innovation, targeted policy, and cross-stage coordination over the entire value chain. It equips decision-makers with actionable insights to anticipate, absorb, and adapt to future disruptions, ensuring that critical mineral supply chains remain resilient in the face of mounting pressure from global energy transitions.
{"title":"A systematic review of resilience in the critical minerals supply chains, needed for the low-carbon energy transition","authors":"Mehrnoosh Heydari, Philip Mitchell, Luke Cullen, Baptiste Andrieu, André Cabrera Serrenho, Jonathan Cullen","doi":"10.1016/j.rset.2025.100127","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rset.2025.100127","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>As the global economy shifts towards decarbonization, the demand for critical minerals (CMs), essential to low-carbon energy technologies, continues to rise. Yet, CM supply chains remain exposed to serious risks, including geopolitical tensions, resource depletion, and environmental disruptions. This review provides a novel, multidimensional synthesis of CM supply chain resilience by reviewing 327 peer-reviewed studies through a systematic PRISMA framework, enhanced with large language models (LLMs). The review focuses on potential disruptions and mitigation strategies across the entire CM supply chain, from mining and processing ores (upstream), through product manufacturing (midstream), to end-use sectors (downstream). Our analysis reveals four key insights which are poorly addressed in the literature. First, an imbalance is revealed in the literature, where resilience strategies mainly target upstream disruptions, such as geopolitical location of facilities and processing constraints, while midstream and downstream vulnerabilities remain underexplored, including demand volatility, refining and manufacturing bottlenecks, and logistical fragilities. Second, a significant underrepresentation of technological innovations is identified, such as advanced mining equipment and process routes, across exploration, mining, and refining, despite their proven capacity to mitigate structural supply constraints and reduce environmental risk. Third, circular economy concepts, such as recycling and recovery, while widely promoted as mitigation strategies, face systemic and technical barriers that compromise their effectiveness and deployment in practice. Fourth, a critical conceptual gap is uncovered, showing that few studies systematically apply classical risk theory to link hazards, exposure, and vulnerability, limiting the predictive and operational value of current resilience assessments. By addressing these strategic blind spots, our review reframes CM resilience as a system-level challenge that requires integrated innovation, targeted policy, and cross-stage coordination over the entire value chain. It equips decision-makers with actionable insights to anticipate, absorb, and adapt to future disruptions, ensuring that critical mineral supply chains remain resilient in the face of mounting pressure from global energy transitions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101071,"journal":{"name":"Renewable and Sustainable Energy Transition","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100127"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145320147","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-13DOI: 10.1016/j.rset.2025.100126
Munawir , Mahidin , Yuwaldi Away , Azwar , Wan Izhan Nawawi Wan Ismail
Aceh Province, Indonesia, possesses substantial potential in new and renewable energy (NRE) sources that can support a sustainable and low-carbon energy transition. This study integrates Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping, SWOT analysis, and HOMER Pro simulations to assess technical feasibility, economic viability, and strategic enablers and barriers for implementing biomass, hydro, solar, and wind energy technologies. Results indicate that Aceh's biomass resources, primarily from palm oil waste, could generate up to 1.5 GW, with 500 MW deemed economically viable. Micro-hydro potential is estimated at 200 MW, supported by year-round river flow consistency. Solar energy resources show an average radiation of 4.8–5.2 kWh/m²/day, and coastal wind speeds average 5 m/s, suitable for small-scale installations. Simulation results reveal that renewable energy-based hybrid systems in rural Aceh could achieve a levelized cost of energy (LCOE) as low as $0.09/kWh and reduce grid dependency by over 60 %. If planned projects are implemented, the estimated greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction potential exceeds 1.2 million tons of CO₂ annually. However, key challenges remain, including inadequate infrastructure, limited investment, and fragmented regulatory support. This study recommends increasing green financing, streamlining permitting processes, and enhancing energy storage infrastructure. The findings offer a strategic roadmap for leveraging Aceh’s renewable resources, contributing to Indonesia’s 23 % renewable energy target by 2025 and serving as a model for other regions with similar energy profiles.
{"title":"Mapping and analysis of local potential for new and renewable energy and its conversion technology in Aceh-Indonesia","authors":"Munawir , Mahidin , Yuwaldi Away , Azwar , Wan Izhan Nawawi Wan Ismail","doi":"10.1016/j.rset.2025.100126","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rset.2025.100126","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Aceh Province, Indonesia, possesses substantial potential in new and renewable energy (NRE) sources that can support a sustainable and low-carbon energy transition. This study integrates Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping, SWOT analysis, and HOMER Pro simulations to assess technical feasibility, economic viability, and strategic enablers and barriers for implementing biomass, hydro, solar, and wind energy technologies. Results indicate that Aceh's biomass resources, primarily from palm oil waste, could generate up to 1.5 GW, with 500 MW deemed economically viable. Micro-hydro potential is estimated at 200 MW, supported by year-round river flow consistency. Solar energy resources show an average radiation of 4.8–5.2 kWh/m²/day, and coastal wind speeds average 5 m/s, suitable for small-scale installations. Simulation results reveal that renewable energy-based hybrid systems in rural Aceh could achieve a levelized cost of energy (LCOE) as low as $0.09/kWh and reduce grid dependency by over 60 %. If planned projects are implemented, the estimated greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction potential exceeds 1.2 million tons of CO₂ annually. However, key challenges remain, including inadequate infrastructure, limited investment, and fragmented regulatory support. This study recommends increasing green financing, streamlining permitting processes, and enhancing energy storage infrastructure. The findings offer a strategic roadmap for leveraging Aceh’s renewable resources, contributing to Indonesia’s 23 % renewable energy target by 2025 and serving as a model for other regions with similar energy profiles.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101071,"journal":{"name":"Renewable and Sustainable Energy Transition","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100126"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145361504","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-07-10DOI: 10.1016/j.rset.2025.100125
Sanni Kunnas , Sara Wallinger , Theresa Arnold , Evelina Trutnevyte
Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) are promising for low-carbon energy generation, but finding suitable EGS sites is challenging due to the technical complexity, induced seismicity risk, and controversial public perception. This paper presents a novel methodology of Risk-Cost-Benefit Analysis (RCBA) that integrates scientific-factual and socio-ethical judgments into the evaluation of various EGS locations and sizes in Switzerland and Utah. Concretely, the RCBA combines a techno-economic-environmental model of EGS with the value-based and informed preferences of risks, costs and benefits elicited in two representative population surveys. A Monte Carlo uncertainty analysis is also performed. The findings from the integrated RCBA underscore a strong preference for small to medium-sized EGS plants (25–75 l/s) in rural areas (1′000–10′000 inhabitants within 5 km radius) in both states. Based on the holistic judgement of the population, the findings show a greater willingness to accept larger EGS plants (above 100 l/s) if they remain in sparsely populated areas (<1′000 inhabitants within 5 km radius). Strong value-laden emphasis given by the population to risk factors, such as induced seismicity, partially offsets the perceived benefits of renewable energy and CO2eq emissions reductions. By simultaneously considering the scientific-factual and socio-ethical perspectives, RCBA demonstrates its utility over techno-economic evaluation tools by offering policymakers and project developers a more nuanced view on the potential of EGS.
{"title":"Preferably safe and small: Findings from a risk-cost-benefit analysis on enhanced geothermal systems in Switzerland and Utah","authors":"Sanni Kunnas , Sara Wallinger , Theresa Arnold , Evelina Trutnevyte","doi":"10.1016/j.rset.2025.100125","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rset.2025.100125","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) are promising for low-carbon energy generation, but finding suitable EGS sites is challenging due to the technical complexity, induced seismicity risk, and controversial public perception. This paper presents a novel methodology of Risk-Cost-Benefit Analysis (RCBA) that integrates scientific-factual and socio-ethical judgments into the evaluation of various EGS locations and sizes in Switzerland and Utah. Concretely, the RCBA combines a techno-economic-environmental model of EGS with the value-based and informed preferences of risks, costs and benefits elicited in two representative population surveys. A Monte Carlo uncertainty analysis is also performed. The findings from the integrated RCBA underscore a strong preference for small to medium-sized EGS plants (25–75 l/s) in rural areas (1′000–10′000 inhabitants within 5 km radius) in both states. Based on the holistic judgement of the population, the findings show a greater willingness to accept larger EGS plants (above 100 l/s) if they remain in sparsely populated areas (<1′000 inhabitants within 5 km radius). Strong value-laden emphasis given by the population to risk factors, such as induced seismicity, partially offsets the perceived benefits of renewable energy and CO<sub>2eq</sub> emissions reductions. By simultaneously considering the scientific-factual and socio-ethical perspectives, RCBA demonstrates its utility over techno-economic evaluation tools by offering policymakers and project developers a more nuanced view on the potential of EGS.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101071,"journal":{"name":"Renewable and Sustainable Energy Transition","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100125"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144654636","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-07-07DOI: 10.1016/j.rset.2025.100124
Dita Puspita , Pranda M.P. Garniwa , Dhavani A. Putera , Fadhilah A. Suwadana , Ahmad Gufron , Indra A. Aditya , Hyun-Jin Lee , Iwa Garniwa
Understanding solar radiation is vital for optimizing the integration of solar energy systems, particularly in regions with diverse topographical features. West Java Province in Indonesia, characterized by its varied topography and substantial solar potential, serves as an ideal case study for advanced predictive modelling. This study investigates the potential for solar energy development in West Java Province by estimating solar radiation using Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and hybrid methods to identify the optimal configuration model and analyze its spatial distribution. Solar radiation measurements were collected from five locations, with the two best locations selected for data processing using data from January to December 2022. The dataset was divided into 70 % training data and 30 % testing data. The optimal ANN configuration for the Lowland location was 6-30-1, yielding an RMSE of 135.8 W/m², rRMSE of 54.8 %, MBE of 15.9 W/m², and rMBE of 0.064 %. For the Highland location, the optimal configuration was 5-40-1, with an RMSE of 156.7 W/m², rRMSE of 49.29 %, MBE of 7.75 W/m², and rMBE of 0.024 %. The model's overall estimation error ranged from 48–50 %. Integrating the ANN model with WRF improved accuracy in the Highland area by 2 %. Spatial distribution analysis indicated that lower-altitude areas experience higher solar radiation intensity, while higher-altitude areas receive lower radiation due to specific atmospheric conditions influenced by the province's varying altitudes.
{"title":"Hybrid ANN WRF solar radiation forecasting in data limited tropical region","authors":"Dita Puspita , Pranda M.P. Garniwa , Dhavani A. Putera , Fadhilah A. Suwadana , Ahmad Gufron , Indra A. Aditya , Hyun-Jin Lee , Iwa Garniwa","doi":"10.1016/j.rset.2025.100124","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rset.2025.100124","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Understanding solar radiation is vital for optimizing the integration of solar energy systems, particularly in regions with diverse topographical features. West Java Province in Indonesia, characterized by its varied topography and substantial solar potential, serves as an ideal case study for advanced predictive modelling. This study investigates the potential for solar energy development in West Java Province by estimating solar radiation using Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and hybrid methods to identify the optimal configuration model and analyze its spatial distribution. Solar radiation measurements were collected from five locations, with the two best locations selected for data processing using data from January to December 2022. The dataset was divided into 70 % training data and 30 % testing data. The optimal ANN configuration for the Lowland location was 6-30-1, yielding an RMSE of 135.8 W/m², rRMSE of 54.8 %, MBE of 15.9 W/m², and rMBE of 0.064 %. For the Highland location, the optimal configuration was 5-40-1, with an RMSE of 156.7 W/m², rRMSE of 49.29 %, MBE of 7.75 W/m², and rMBE of 0.024 %. The model's overall estimation error ranged from 48–50 %. Integrating the ANN model with WRF improved accuracy in the Highland area by 2 %. Spatial distribution analysis indicated that lower-altitude areas experience higher solar radiation intensity, while higher-altitude areas receive lower radiation due to specific atmospheric conditions influenced by the province's varying altitudes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101071,"journal":{"name":"Renewable and Sustainable Energy Transition","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100124"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144925776","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-07-04DOI: 10.1016/j.rset.2025.100123
Mahin R. Tawrat
This paper investigates the phenomenon of Urban Cool Islands (UCIs) in desert regions, focusing on highly Sustainable Design Feature (SDF) areas in Dubai and Sharjah. The research explores the role of sustainable architectural and urban design practices in mitigating the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect and fostering UCIs. The study combines remote sensing and survey data to analyze temperature variations, vegetation cover, and the influence of innovative architecture on UCIs. The results demonstrate that high SDF areas in Dubai, equipped with sustainable design elements and innovative architecture, exhibit cooler temperatures and negative UHI indices, supporting the hypothesis that sustainable practices enhance UCIs. In contrast, Sharjah's high SDF areas, despite abundant vegetation, experience higher temperatures and positive UHI indices. The study also reveals the positive impact of public awareness and education initiatives on adopting sustainable design practices. This research contributes valuable insights into the formation of UCIs in desert regions and highlights the importance of sustainable design in creating cooler, environmentally friendly urban environments. Future research directions are proposed, including expanded geographic scope, longitudinal data collection, and interdisciplinary collaboration to address the challenges of urban heat islands. The environmental and societal impact of UCIs, including improved air quality, enhanced biodiversity, energy savings, and sustainable development, underscores the significance of this research in promoting a healthier and more sustainable urban future.
{"title":"Urban Cool Island effect through innovative architecture and sustainable urban design","authors":"Mahin R. Tawrat","doi":"10.1016/j.rset.2025.100123","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rset.2025.100123","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper investigates the phenomenon of Urban Cool Islands (UCIs) in desert regions, focusing on highly Sustainable Design Feature (SDF) areas in Dubai and Sharjah. The research explores the role of sustainable architectural and urban design practices in mitigating the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect and fostering UCIs. The study combines remote sensing and survey data to analyze temperature variations, vegetation cover, and the influence of innovative architecture on UCIs. The results demonstrate that high SDF areas in Dubai, equipped with sustainable design elements and innovative architecture, exhibit cooler temperatures and negative UHI indices, supporting the hypothesis that sustainable practices enhance UCIs. In contrast, Sharjah's high SDF areas, despite abundant vegetation, experience higher temperatures and positive UHI indices. The study also reveals the positive impact of public awareness and education initiatives on adopting sustainable design practices. This research contributes valuable insights into the formation of UCIs in desert regions and highlights the importance of sustainable design in creating cooler, environmentally friendly urban environments. Future research directions are proposed, including expanded geographic scope, longitudinal data collection, and interdisciplinary collaboration to address the challenges of urban heat islands. The environmental and societal impact of UCIs, including improved air quality, enhanced biodiversity, energy savings, and sustainable development, underscores the significance of this research in promoting a healthier and more sustainable urban future.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101071,"journal":{"name":"Renewable and Sustainable Energy Transition","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100123"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144596778","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-06-19DOI: 10.1016/j.rset.2025.100122
Sydney Oluoch, Nirmal Pandit, Leticia Munoz Revelo, Cecelia Harner
Kentucky’s coal industry has faced a sharp decline due to global concerns about climate change, the environmental impact of coal extraction, diminishing coal deposits, environmental regulations, expansion of renewables, and competitive natural gas prices. This downturn has significantly impacted the state’s economy, resulting in job losses and economic instability. This study explores three key factors of Kentucky’s energy transition through a statewide survey of 675 residents from 28 mining counties and 89 non-mining counties. We assess public awareness of energy transition-related terms, environmental justice concerns, and attitudes towards energy transition. Our results show that Kentucky residents have a higher awareness of commonly recognized terms such as ‘Global warming,’ ‘Climate change, ‘ and ‘Energy efficiency.’ The most common environmental justice concerns reported were access to energy, flooding, and air pollution. Reduction in electricity costs emerged as the factor with the strongest associations, followed by improving the economy, replacing historical and cultural values, and addressing climate change. Overall, the study offers critical insights into Kentucky’s energy transition, highlighting key areas for consideration in policy making and public engagement.
{"title":"Public awareness, concerns and attitudes towards energy transition in Kentucky","authors":"Sydney Oluoch, Nirmal Pandit, Leticia Munoz Revelo, Cecelia Harner","doi":"10.1016/j.rset.2025.100122","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rset.2025.100122","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Kentucky’s coal industry has faced a sharp decline due to global concerns about climate change, the environmental impact of coal extraction, diminishing coal deposits, environmental regulations, expansion of renewables, and competitive natural gas prices. This downturn has significantly impacted the state’s economy, resulting in job losses and economic instability. This study explores three key factors of Kentucky’s energy transition through a statewide survey of 675 residents from 28 mining counties and 89 non-mining counties. We assess public awareness of energy transition-related terms, environmental justice concerns, and attitudes towards energy transition. Our results show that Kentucky residents have a higher awareness of commonly recognized terms such as ‘Global warming,’ ‘Climate change, ‘ and ‘Energy efficiency.’ The most common environmental justice concerns reported were access to energy, flooding, and air pollution. Reduction in electricity costs emerged as the factor with the strongest associations, followed by improving the economy, replacing historical and cultural values, and addressing climate change. Overall, the study offers critical insights into Kentucky’s energy transition, highlighting key areas for consideration in policy making and public engagement.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101071,"journal":{"name":"Renewable and Sustainable Energy Transition","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100122"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144480585","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Green hydrogen has the potential to significantly contribute to the global energy transition toward sustainable and decarbonized energy systems. Produced through renewable-powered electrolysis, green hydrogen provides a viable pathway for decarbonizing challenging sectors, such as heavy industry and transportation, while simultaneously addressing renewable intermittency by enabling large-scale energy storage and grid flexibility. This study evaluates the geopolitical and economic implications of developing robust green hydrogen supply chains, particularly in renewable resource-rich regions. Despite its promise, significant barriers persist, including high production costs, infrastructural inadequacies, and policy uncertainty. Emerging technological innovations, coupled with supportive financial strategies and comprehensive policy frameworks, can help overcome these barriers. The given outcomes recommended a strengthening international cooperation and implementing harmonized regulatory standards to accelerate green hydrogen adoption globally, positioning it as a core component of achieving net-zero emissions, driving economic growth, and advancing equitable energy transitions.
{"title":"The green hydrogen role in the global energy transformations","authors":"Sameer Algburi , Omer Al-Dulaimi , Hassan Falah Fakhruldeen , Doaa H. Khalaf , Raad Naser Hanoon , Feryal Ibrahim Jabbar , Qusay Hassan , Ali Khudhair Al-Jiboory , Stella Kiconco","doi":"10.1016/j.rset.2025.100118","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rset.2025.100118","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Green hydrogen has the potential to significantly contribute to the global energy transition toward sustainable and decarbonized energy systems. Produced through renewable-powered electrolysis, green hydrogen provides a viable pathway for decarbonizing challenging sectors, such as heavy industry and transportation, while simultaneously addressing renewable intermittency by enabling large-scale energy storage and grid flexibility. This study evaluates the geopolitical and economic implications of developing robust green hydrogen supply chains, particularly in renewable resource-rich regions. Despite its promise, significant barriers persist, including high production costs, infrastructural inadequacies, and policy uncertainty. Emerging technological innovations, coupled with supportive financial strategies and comprehensive policy frameworks, can help overcome these barriers. The given outcomes recommended a strengthening international cooperation and implementing harmonized regulatory standards to accelerate green hydrogen adoption globally, positioning it as a core component of achieving net-zero emissions, driving economic growth, and advancing equitable energy transitions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101071,"journal":{"name":"Renewable and Sustainable Energy Transition","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100118"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144364609","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Corrigendum to “Spatial heterogeneity in deployment and upscaling of wind power in Swedish municipalities” [Renewable and Sustainable Energy Transition 7 (2025) 100104]","authors":"Yodefia Rahmad , Fredrik Hedenus , Jessica Jewell , Vadim Vinichenko","doi":"10.1016/j.rset.2025.100107","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rset.2025.100107","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":101071,"journal":{"name":"Renewable and Sustainable Energy Transition","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100107"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144314224","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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