Pub Date : 2025-12-29DOI: 10.1016/j.esd.2025.101923
Yuanyuan Ge , Pengcheng Xiang , Xiang Hao
Human activities in resource exploitation have inevitably led to irreversible environmental impacts, among which abandoned salt caverns from salt mining are a representative case. Driven by the “dual carbon” goals, low-carbon hydrogen energy has attracted growing interest. In this context, the utilization of abandoned salt caverns for hydrogen storage has become a key area of investigation. Firstly, salt cavern hydrogen storage (SCHS) is still in its infancy, and it is crucial to identify key risks and implement preventive measures to minimize unnecessary losses. Secondly, relying on a single model has proven insufficient for risk assessment in this emerging domain. In response, this paper considers the fuzziness of information and the risk attitude of experts in the evaluation process and establishes a new assessment framework. Finally, taking the SCHS project in China as a case study, the effectiveness and robustness of the framework are verified through sensitivity and comparative analysis. The findings indicate that the critical risks of SCHS projects are volume shrinkage, injection and withdrawal pressure, and public acceptance. The overall risk is 0.5524, corresponding to a medium risk level. Decision-making managers can take focused actions to mitigate risks, reduce potential losses, and enhance the stability of SCHS project operations.
{"title":"Risk assessment of salt cavern hydrogen storage projects based on spherical fuzzy sets and cumulative prospect theory - TOPSIS","authors":"Yuanyuan Ge , Pengcheng Xiang , Xiang Hao","doi":"10.1016/j.esd.2025.101923","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.esd.2025.101923","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Human activities in resource exploitation have inevitably led to irreversible environmental impacts, among which abandoned salt caverns from salt mining are a representative case. Driven by the “dual carbon” goals, low-carbon hydrogen energy has attracted growing interest. In this context, the utilization of abandoned salt caverns for hydrogen storage has become a key area of investigation. Firstly, salt cavern hydrogen storage (SCHS) is still in its infancy, and it is crucial to identify key risks and implement preventive measures to minimize unnecessary losses. Secondly, relying on a single model has proven insufficient for risk assessment in this emerging domain. In response, this paper considers the fuzziness of information and the risk attitude of experts in the evaluation process and establishes a new assessment framework. Finally, taking the SCHS project in China as a case study, the effectiveness and robustness of the framework are verified through sensitivity and comparative analysis. The findings indicate that the critical risks of SCHS projects are volume shrinkage, injection and withdrawal pressure, and public acceptance. The overall risk is 0.5524, corresponding to a medium risk level. Decision-making managers can take focused actions to mitigate risks, reduce potential losses, and enhance the stability of SCHS project operations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49209,"journal":{"name":"Energy for Sustainable Development","volume":"91 ","pages":"Article 101923"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-12-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145884710","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-29DOI: 10.1016/j.esd.2025.101918
Yubraj Dahal , Sandhya Babel
Municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills play a big role in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, especially methane, contributing to global warming. However, this methane is also a promising renewable energy source. This study is the first to estimate the amount of landfill gas (LFG) emissions and the potential for energy recovery at three major landfill sites (LFSs) in Nepal: Sisdole, Pokhara, and Karaute Dada, using the Landfill Gas Emissions Model (LandGEM). The results showed that Sisdole emits between 57.86 and 60.21 million cubic meters (m3) of methane, Pokhara between 2.8 and 2.94 million m3, and Karaute Dada between 1.47 and 1.49 million m3. For 2025, the total revenue potential was estimated at 32.72–34.04 million United States Dollars (USD) for Sisdole, 1.59–1.66 million USD for Pokhara, and 0.83–0.84 million USD for Karaute Dada from energy generation and carbon credit. These findings highlight the vast renewable energy potential of Nepal's landfills. The study reveals that default LandGEM methane generation constant (K) values underestimate methane generation, especially in areas with high rainfall like Pokhara. It underscores the need for using a locally derived K value. Using locally calculated K values gives more accurate results and is important for better planning of methane recovery and energy projects.
{"title":"Rethinking default ‘K’ values in landfill greenhouse gas emission modeling: A case study from Nepal using LandGEM","authors":"Yubraj Dahal , Sandhya Babel","doi":"10.1016/j.esd.2025.101918","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.esd.2025.101918","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills play a big role in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, especially methane, contributing to global warming. However, this methane is also a promising renewable energy source. This study is the first to estimate the amount of landfill gas (LFG) emissions and the potential for energy recovery at three major landfill sites (LFSs) in Nepal: Sisdole, Pokhara, and Karaute Dada, using the Landfill Gas Emissions Model (LandGEM). The results showed that Sisdole emits between 57.86 and 60.21 million cubic meters (m<sup>3</sup>) of methane, Pokhara between 2.8 and 2.94 million m<sup>3</sup>, and Karaute Dada between 1.47 and 1.49 million m<sup>3</sup>. For 2025, the total revenue potential was estimated at 32.72–34.04 million United States Dollars (USD) for Sisdole, 1.59–1.66 million USD for Pokhara, and 0.83–0.84 million USD for Karaute Dada from energy generation and carbon credit. These findings highlight the vast renewable energy potential of Nepal's landfills. The study reveals that default LandGEM methane generation constant (K) values underestimate methane generation, especially in areas with high rainfall like Pokhara. It underscores the need for using a locally derived K value. Using locally calculated K values gives more accurate results and is important for better planning of methane recovery and energy projects.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49209,"journal":{"name":"Energy for Sustainable Development","volume":"91 ","pages":"Article 101918"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-12-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145884711","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cooking energy in rural Democratic Republic of Congo relies entirely on biomass, generating severe health, economic, and labor burdens, while clean alternatives remain absent from policy priorities. This study investigates biomass dependence and assesses the potential of cassava-based ethanol—now used only as an artisanal beverage—as a cooking fuel. A mixed-methods design (n = 287) combined a household survey, participant observation of artisanal ethanol production, a laboratory production of ethanol, its replication in rural conditions using local equipment, and comparative cooking experiments. Multinomial logistic regression assessed determinants of fuel dependence across seasons. Results show that biomass reliance is reinforced by distance, seasonality, income constraints, and the physical effort required to obtain fuel. Health impacts, especially respiratory and gastric problems, are strongly associated with woodfuel use. Experimental findings indicate that cassava ethanol can deliver clean combustion and competitive cooking performance, though technical bottlenecks currently limit its viability as a household fuel.
{"title":"Biomass lock-in and a niche innovation: A socio-technical analysis of cooking energy in rural Kinshasa","authors":"Theresia Besala Tshimungu , Berdi Nondi Mola , Keiichi Ishii , Bienvenu Lokonda Mopendo , Déogracias Bodi Mava","doi":"10.1016/j.esd.2025.101920","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.esd.2025.101920","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cooking energy in rural Democratic Republic of Congo relies entirely on biomass, generating severe health, economic, and labor burdens, while clean alternatives remain absent from policy priorities. This study investigates biomass dependence and assesses the potential of cassava-based ethanol—now used only as an artisanal beverage—as a cooking fuel. A mixed-methods design (<em>n</em> = 287) combined a household survey, participant observation of artisanal ethanol production, a laboratory production of ethanol, its replication in rural conditions using local equipment, and comparative cooking experiments. Multinomial logistic regression assessed determinants of fuel dependence across seasons. Results show that biomass reliance is reinforced by distance, seasonality, income constraints, and the physical effort required to obtain fuel. Health impacts, especially respiratory and gastric problems, are strongly associated with woodfuel use. Experimental findings indicate that cassava ethanol can deliver clean combustion and competitive cooking performance, though technical bottlenecks currently limit its viability as a household fuel.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49209,"journal":{"name":"Energy for Sustainable Development","volume":"91 ","pages":"Article 101920"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-12-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145841430","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-25DOI: 10.1016/j.esd.2025.101917
Swarnendu Bhattacharya, Priyanka Sarkar
Availability and access to safe drinking water and basic energy services remain a critical challenge in the rural and semi-urban areas, particularly in areas with unreliable grid connectivity. This research discusses the design and evaluation of an integrated hybrid solar-powered water purification system, using Ultrafiltration (UF) and Ultraviolet (UV) technologies and auxiliary facilities, including a light and USB charging facility. This system, powered by a 12 V polycrystalline solar panel and assisted by a 12 V sealed maintenance-free lead-acid battery, is optimized for households with overhead storage tanks, thereby eliminating the requirement of an energy-intensive booster pump, though there is provision for it, which is optional. This system has a 7-l water storage capacity, which fills within an hour, and is equipped with facilities like integrated light via a 5 W LED bulb and a charging facility through a USB port. It is designed for a 2-day autonomy, ensuring continued functionality even in adverse conditions, and features an in-built protection against overcharging, over-discharging, and short circuits. Provision for grid operation is included, with flexibility for users to select preferred power sources, ensuring reliability under varying weather conditions. This scalable and holistic system is also suitable for households in post-disaster situations when electricity is scarce, with or without the use of booster pumps. Durability was effectively demonstrated in case studies reflective of effective battery backup and reliable performance. The distinguishing features of the system that offer a competitive advantage over other conventional systems available in the market include a quantified output of 28 l per day of purified water and 5 h of combined power for 5 W load from a low-power SPV and battery based setup with a focus on hybrid system design, energy-efficient water purification and emphasis on affordability for the marginalized communities. This innovative system, offering a sustainable solution to human health, power connectivity and disaster preparedness in resource-constrained communities, aligns with the sustainable global development goals, particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy).
{"title":"Design and evaluation of a hybrid solar-powered water purification and energy system for rural and semi-urban households","authors":"Swarnendu Bhattacharya, Priyanka Sarkar","doi":"10.1016/j.esd.2025.101917","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.esd.2025.101917","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Availability and access to safe drinking water and basic energy services remain a critical challenge in the rural and semi-urban areas, particularly in areas with unreliable grid connectivity. This research discusses the design and evaluation of an integrated hybrid solar-powered water purification system, using Ultrafiltration (UF) and Ultraviolet (UV) technologies and auxiliary facilities, including a light and USB charging facility. This system, powered by a 12 V polycrystalline solar panel and assisted by a 12 V sealed maintenance-free lead-acid battery, is optimized for households with overhead storage tanks, thereby eliminating the requirement of an energy-intensive booster pump, though there is provision for it, which is optional. This system has a 7-l water storage capacity, which fills within an hour, and is equipped with facilities like integrated light via a 5 W LED bulb and a charging facility through a USB port. It is designed for a 2-day autonomy, ensuring continued functionality even in adverse conditions, and features an in-built protection against overcharging, over-discharging, and short circuits. Provision for grid operation is included, with flexibility for users to select preferred power sources, ensuring reliability under varying weather conditions. This scalable and holistic system is also suitable for households in post-disaster situations when electricity is scarce, with or without the use of booster pumps. Durability was effectively demonstrated in case studies reflective of effective battery backup and reliable performance. The distinguishing features of the system that offer a competitive advantage over other conventional systems available in the market include a quantified output of 28 l per day of purified water and 5 h of combined power for 5 W load from a low-power SPV and battery based setup with a focus on hybrid system design, energy-efficient water purification and emphasis on affordability for the marginalized communities. This innovative system, offering a sustainable solution to human health, power connectivity and disaster preparedness in resource-constrained communities, aligns with the sustainable global development goals, particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy).</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49209,"journal":{"name":"Energy for Sustainable Development","volume":"91 ","pages":"Article 101917"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-12-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145841433","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-25DOI: 10.1016/j.esd.2025.101921
Athithyan Ilangovan , Sri Bala Kameswari Kanchinadham
The volatile fatty acids (VFAs) build-up impedes the anaerobic digestion of food waste by lowering reactor pH and causing system instability. To address this, an abundant agricultural byproduct, banana peel (BP), and cruciferous vegetable waste (CL–cauliflower stem waste) were evaluated as co-substrates for food waste. Their alkaline nature offers buffering capacity, enhancing pH stability and mitigating acidification during digestion. Anaerobic co-digestion experiments were conducted using food waste with banana peel (FWBG) and food waste with cruciferous vegetable, cauliflower stem waste (FWC) to improve alkalinity and overall reactor stability. Results showed that, pH in both FWC and FWBG was acidic due to the rapid breakdown of food waste, but stabilized to an optimal range with improved alkalinity on co-substrate addition. The cumulative biogas generation was significantly enhanced in the co-digestion reactors, by 30 % in FWC and 22 % in FWBG, compared to food waste (FW) alone. The volatile fatty acid (VFA) profile indicated the presence of acetic, propionic, butyric, and valeric acids in the FW, whereas only acetic acid was dominant in FWC, suggesting more efficient VFA conversion to methane. Kinetic studies revealed FWC had the highest biogas production rate, Rm = 800.24 mL/day, with a minimal lag phase, λ = 0.0071 days. Metagenomic analysis showed that co-digestion enriched methanogenic archaea (e.g., Methanosarcinia) and syntrophic bacteria (e.g., Clostridia, Negativicutes), enhancing microbial resilience. Scaling up this approach to 1 t per day could reduce annual CO₂ emissions by 1062–1854 kg. This study provides a practical pathway to transform food and vegetable waste into clean energy, contributing to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by integrating biogas production with agricultural residue utilization.
{"title":"Enhancing anaerobic digestion of food waste using cauliflower stem-banana peel: Improved alkalinity and microbial stability—A case study in Chennai, India","authors":"Athithyan Ilangovan , Sri Bala Kameswari Kanchinadham","doi":"10.1016/j.esd.2025.101921","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.esd.2025.101921","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The volatile fatty acids (VFAs) build-up impedes the anaerobic digestion of food waste by lowering reactor pH and causing system instability. To address this, an abundant agricultural byproduct, banana peel (BP), and cruciferous vegetable waste (CL–cauliflower stem waste) were evaluated as co-substrates for food waste. Their alkaline nature offers buffering capacity, enhancing pH stability and mitigating acidification during digestion. Anaerobic co-digestion experiments were conducted using food waste with banana peel (FWBG) and food waste with cruciferous vegetable, cauliflower stem waste (FWC) to improve alkalinity and overall reactor stability. Results showed that, pH in both FWC and FWBG was acidic due to the rapid breakdown of food waste, but stabilized to an optimal range with improved alkalinity on co-substrate addition. The cumulative biogas generation was significantly enhanced in the co-digestion reactors, by 30 % in FWC and 22 % in FWBG, compared to food waste (FW) alone. The volatile fatty acid (VFA) profile indicated the presence of acetic, propionic, butyric, and valeric acids in the FW, whereas only acetic acid was dominant in FWC, suggesting more efficient VFA conversion to methane. Kinetic studies revealed FWC had the highest biogas production rate, Rm = 800.24 mL/day, with a minimal lag phase, λ = 0.0071 days. Metagenomic analysis showed that co-digestion enriched methanogenic archaea (e.g., <em>Methanosarcinia</em>) and syntrophic bacteria (e.g., <em>Clostridia</em>, <em>Negativicutes</em>), enhancing microbial resilience. Scaling up this approach to 1 t per day could reduce annual CO₂ emissions by 1062–1854 kg. This study provides a practical pathway to transform food and vegetable waste into clean energy, contributing to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by integrating biogas production with agricultural residue utilization.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49209,"journal":{"name":"Energy for Sustainable Development","volume":"91 ","pages":"Article 101921"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-12-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145840809","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-22DOI: 10.1016/j.esd.2025.101919
Ian B. Benitez , Shobhakar Dhakal
Achieving a just and accelerated renewable energy (RE) transition in the Philippines requires not only technological innovation but also coherent and cross-sectoral policy alignment. Non-energy policies can facilitate or hinder the RE development. Non-energy policies, particularly those governing land use, permitting, and environmental regulation, and other significantly shape the feasibility of RE deployment. However, the analyses and evidences on implications of the non-energy policies on RE development are scarce, especially in the context of developing countries. This study provides a comprehensive, stakeholder-informed assessment of 43 national-level policy instruments across five domains in the Philippines: Energy Policy and Regulation, Climate Change and Sustainability, Environmental and Natural Resource Conservation, Agriculture and Rural Development, and Land Use and Property Rights. In this study, using a modified Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) interaction framework, stakeholders from academia, government, industry, and non-governmental organizations evaluated each policy's influence on RE development using a seven-point scale. Weighted average (WA) scores were computed to determine whether policies act as enablers or constraints. Results show that energy and climate policies are strongly supportive due to clear mandates and institutional coordination, whereas land governance and agrarian reform policies are viewed as restrictive because of procedural uncertainty and tenure risks. Environmental policies are generally enabling but raise permitting concerns. Divergent stakeholder perceptions underscore the need for inclusive and transparent governance. The study concludes that accelerating the RE transition will depend on harmonizing institutional mandates, reforming land-use frameworks, enabling decentralized systems, and strengthening technical and governance capacity across all sectors.
{"title":"A multi-stakeholder assessment of the implications of non-energy policies on renewable energy development in the Philippines","authors":"Ian B. Benitez , Shobhakar Dhakal","doi":"10.1016/j.esd.2025.101919","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.esd.2025.101919","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Achieving a just and accelerated renewable energy (RE) transition in the Philippines requires not only technological innovation but also coherent and cross-sectoral policy alignment. Non-energy policies can facilitate or hinder the RE development. Non-energy policies, particularly those governing land use, permitting, and environmental regulation, and other significantly shape the feasibility of RE deployment. However, the analyses and evidences on implications of the non-energy policies on RE development are scarce, especially in the context of developing countries. This study provides a comprehensive, stakeholder-informed assessment of 43 national-level policy instruments across five domains in the Philippines: Energy Policy and Regulation, Climate Change and Sustainability, Environmental and Natural Resource Conservation, Agriculture and Rural Development, and Land Use and Property Rights. In this study, using a modified Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) interaction framework, stakeholders from academia, government, industry, and non-governmental organizations evaluated each policy's influence on RE development using a seven-point scale. Weighted average (WA) scores were computed to determine whether policies act as enablers or constraints. Results show that energy and climate policies are strongly supportive due to clear mandates and institutional coordination, whereas land governance and agrarian reform policies are viewed as restrictive because of procedural uncertainty and tenure risks. Environmental policies are generally enabling but raise permitting concerns. Divergent stakeholder perceptions underscore the need for inclusive and transparent governance. The study concludes that accelerating the RE transition will depend on harmonizing institutional mandates, reforming land-use frameworks, enabling decentralized systems, and strengthening technical and governance capacity across all sectors.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49209,"journal":{"name":"Energy for Sustainable Development","volume":"91 ","pages":"Article 101919"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-12-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145840808","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-22DOI: 10.1016/j.esd.2025.101901
Tingting Zou , Yanrong Xu , Xudong Yang , Hengjie Xu , Ruolin Li , Entong Xia , Fei Chen
Under the driving forces of global energy structure transformation and carbon neutrality goals, solar tracking systems have emerged as a critical technology for enhancing the efficiency of photovoltaic and solar-thermal conversion. In recent years, these systems have attracted extensive research and application worldwide. This paper systematically reviews the technological development trajectory of solar tracking systems, providing a comprehensive analysis based on five dimensions: drive types (active/passive), degrees of freedom (single-axis/dual-axis), control algorithms (open-loop/closed-loop/hybrid), tracking motion (continuous/discontinuous), and the orientation of the tracking axes. Through a bibliometric analysis of the references, this research further explores the impact of various factors—including geographical location, climatic conditions, and tracking modes—on solar tracking accuracy. Additionally, it analyzes the engineering application potential of tracking systems in diverse fields such as industrial energy supply, drying distillation technology, and intelligent shading. Finally, based on the current research status of solar tracking device, this paper evaluates the deployment feasibility of solar tracking systems from technical, economic, environmental, and social perspectives. It also proposes theoretical insights and technical approaches to optimize advanced solar tracking technologies and guide future development directions.
{"title":"Research progress and engineering applications of technology-driven strategies for solar tracking systems","authors":"Tingting Zou , Yanrong Xu , Xudong Yang , Hengjie Xu , Ruolin Li , Entong Xia , Fei Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.esd.2025.101901","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.esd.2025.101901","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Under the driving forces of global energy structure transformation and carbon neutrality goals, solar tracking systems have emerged as a critical technology for enhancing the efficiency of photovoltaic and solar-thermal conversion. In recent years, these systems have attracted extensive research and application worldwide. This paper systematically reviews the technological development trajectory of solar tracking systems, providing a comprehensive analysis based on five dimensions: drive types (active/passive), degrees of freedom (single-axis/dual-axis), control algorithms (open-loop/closed-loop/hybrid), tracking motion (continuous/discontinuous), and the orientation of the tracking axes. Through a bibliometric analysis of the references, this research further explores the impact of various factors—including geographical location, climatic conditions, and tracking modes—on solar tracking accuracy. Additionally, it analyzes the engineering application potential of tracking systems in diverse fields such as industrial energy supply, drying distillation technology, and intelligent shading. Finally, based on the current research status of solar tracking device, this paper evaluates the deployment feasibility of solar tracking systems from technical, economic, environmental, and social perspectives. It also proposes theoretical insights and technical approaches to optimize advanced solar tracking technologies and guide future development directions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49209,"journal":{"name":"Energy for Sustainable Development","volume":"91 ","pages":"Article 101901"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-12-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145841432","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Energy availability is critical to socio-economic development, yet slightly over half of Nigerias population has electricity access, far below the demand of over 200 million people. This study evaluates the techno-economic and environmental viability of distributed 20 MW hybrid energy systems capped at this level under regulatory limits for distributed generation across Nigeria's six geopolitical zones. Using 20 years (2003−2022) of NiMET hourly solar and wind data, six configurations (PSS, WSS, PV–Wind, PV–Wind–NG, NGSS, DSS) were modelled over a 20-year horizon. A full loss-stack approach captured conversion efficiency, fuel price escalation, PV/wind degradation, and grid/BOS/interconnection costs. Systems were assessed on LCOE, NPC, and minimum FiT for positive project value. Results show diesel-based-systems are most costly and carbon-intensive, while PV–Wind–NG hybrids consistently perform best. The lowest cost occurs at Jos with LCOE $0.13/kWh and NPC $14.8 m under 50:50 debt–equity financing. Across other zones, PV–Wind–NG hybrids yield LCOEs of $0.16–0.24/kWh and NPCs of $22–33 m, with natural gas shares ranging from 31 % (Jos) to 50 % (Port-Harcourt). However, the current Band-A FiT (₦134.08/kWh) falls short, as breakeven requires ₦185–334/kWh depending on location. Findings confirm that 20 MW distributed hybrid systems are technically feasible but not yet at grid parity. The Electricity Act 2023, which empowers state-level electricity markets, is therefore critical to enabling deployment. This study provides a data-driven framework to support Nigeria's Energy Transition Plan, SDG 7, and climate commitments, equipping policymakers and investors with actionable insights for decentralized, sustainable electrification.
{"title":"Techno-Economic assessment of distributed hybrid renewable energy systems across Nigeria's regions using measured resource data","authors":"O.D. Ohijeagbon , M.A. Waheed , O.O. Ajayi , S.O. Ismaila , I.A. Adejumobi","doi":"10.1016/j.esd.2025.101913","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.esd.2025.101913","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Energy availability is critical to socio-economic development, yet slightly over half of Nigerias population has electricity access, far below the demand of over 200 million people. This study evaluates the techno-economic and environmental viability of distributed 20 MW hybrid energy systems capped at this level under regulatory limits for distributed generation across Nigeria's six geopolitical zones. Using 20 years (2003−2022) of NiMET hourly solar and wind data, six configurations (PSS, WSS, PV–Wind, PV–Wind–NG, NGSS, DSS) were modelled over a 20-year horizon. A full loss-stack approach captured conversion efficiency, fuel price escalation, PV/wind degradation, and grid/BOS/interconnection costs. Systems were assessed on LCOE, NPC, and minimum FiT for positive project value. Results show diesel-based-systems are most costly and carbon-intensive, while PV–Wind–NG hybrids consistently perform best. The lowest cost occurs at Jos with LCOE $0.13/kWh and NPC $14.8 m under 50:50 debt–equity financing. Across other zones, PV–Wind–NG hybrids yield LCOEs of $0.16–0.24/kWh and NPCs of $22–33 m, with natural gas shares ranging from 31 % (Jos) to 50 % (Port-Harcourt). However, the current Band-A FiT (₦134.08/kWh) falls short, as breakeven requires ₦185–334/kWh depending on location. Findings confirm that 20 MW distributed hybrid systems are technically feasible but not yet at grid parity. The Electricity Act 2023, which empowers state-level electricity markets, is therefore critical to enabling deployment. This study provides a data-driven framework to support Nigeria's Energy Transition Plan, SDG 7, and climate commitments, equipping policymakers and investors with actionable insights for decentralized, sustainable electrification.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49209,"journal":{"name":"Energy for Sustainable Development","volume":"91 ","pages":"Article 101913"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-12-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145791481","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-17DOI: 10.1016/j.esd.2025.101914
Heather Price , Fred Orina , Moses Chamba , Tracy Chasima , Line Caes , Limbani Kalumbi , Lusizi Kambalame , Siân E. Lucas , Hellen Meme , Mary Nyikuri , Sean Semple , Isabelle Uny
Solid fuels are still used by over 3 billion people worldwide, including many residents of informal settlements. Most interventions designed to improve people's solid fuel-related health have failed or fallen short of their ambitions. Often, this is because implementers have not fully understood the contexts, cultures and behaviours of the places and people they are working within and with. To address this, our study used a food-energy nexus lens to explore people's experiences of the cooking journey, i.e., decision-making regarding which fuel to use, obtaining fuel and then cooking using that fuel. We videoed ‘go along’ interviews with residents of two African informal settlements during their cooking journeys. Interviews with 15 participants in Mukuru (Kenya) and 15 in Ndirande (Malawi) were analyzed using thematic analysis. Participants' decision-making regarding fuel use was complex, dynamic (considering short-to-long timescales) and context-specific. Participants were aware of some of the household air pollution (and other solid fuel-related) health risks, though there were some misconceptions. The use of waste materials in solid fuel cooking – particularly during ignition – was common. The ‘cooking journey’ framing in this study highlighted the range of risks and challenges experienced across the food-energy nexus beyond household air pollution, including terrain, the built environment and gender-based violence. Broader approaches to understanding the contexts, cultures and behaviours of fuel users in informal settlements, such as our ‘cooking journey’ approach, can support better intervention design, and therefore enable progress towards sustainable development goal 7 - access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.
{"title":"Using a food-energy nexus lens to explore people's experiences of the cooking journey in African informal settlements","authors":"Heather Price , Fred Orina , Moses Chamba , Tracy Chasima , Line Caes , Limbani Kalumbi , Lusizi Kambalame , Siân E. Lucas , Hellen Meme , Mary Nyikuri , Sean Semple , Isabelle Uny","doi":"10.1016/j.esd.2025.101914","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.esd.2025.101914","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Solid fuels are still used by over 3 billion people worldwide, including many residents of informal settlements. Most interventions designed to improve people's solid fuel-related health have failed or fallen short of their ambitions. Often, this is because implementers have not fully understood the contexts, cultures and behaviours of the places and people they are working within and with. To address this, our study used a food-energy nexus lens to explore people's experiences of the cooking journey, i.e., decision-making regarding which fuel to use, obtaining fuel and then cooking using that fuel. We videoed ‘go along’ interviews with residents of two African informal settlements during their cooking journeys. Interviews with 15 participants in Mukuru (Kenya) and 15 in Ndirande (Malawi) were analyzed using thematic analysis. Participants' decision-making regarding fuel use was complex, dynamic (considering short-to-long timescales) and context-specific. Participants were aware of some of the household air pollution (and other solid fuel-related) health risks, though there were some misconceptions. The use of waste materials in solid fuel cooking – particularly during ignition – was common. The ‘cooking journey’ framing in this study highlighted the range of risks and challenges experienced across the food-energy nexus beyond household air pollution, including terrain, the built environment and gender-based violence. Broader approaches to understanding the contexts, cultures and behaviours of fuel users in informal settlements, such as our ‘cooking journey’ approach, can support better intervention design, and therefore enable progress towards sustainable development goal 7 - access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49209,"journal":{"name":"Energy for Sustainable Development","volume":"91 ","pages":"Article 101914"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-12-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145791479","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Integrated solid waste management (ISWM) based on waste valorization represents a shift toward more sustainable and resource-efficient practices. This study examined the effect of source separation programs, two bins (wet-dry (WD) and recyclable-nonrecyclable (R-nR)) and three bins, on biochemical, thermochemical, and hybrid ISWM strategies. A comparative techno-economic and environmental assessment was conducted to evaluate the proposed strategies in countries with various economic standards: high-, upper-middle-, lower-middle-, and low-income. The incineration-based strategies achieved the highest energy recovery, ranging from 430 to 708 kWh per ton of collected waste. On the other hand, the WD-AD and 3B-INC strategies had the lowest (37–81 kg CO2-eq per ton) and highest (140–208 kg CO2-eq per ton) carbon footprint, respectively, across all income levels. Moreover, the two- and three-bin hybrid strategies were the most profitable for all income levels. Overall, the WD-hybrid strategy was the optimum scenario for high-income countries, whereas the biochemical scenarios were the most eco-efficient for middle- and low-income countries. Regional validation was performed using country-specific inputs, confirming the applicability of the modeled outcomes across diverse economic conditions. The findings underscore the importance of tailoring ISWM strategies to various income levels, among other factors, providing valuable insights into sustainable and eco-efficient waste management practices worldwide.
{"title":"Integrated assessment of source separation programs coupled with waste-to-energy systems across diverse country income levels","authors":"Mohamed Dafalla , Abdulrahman Abdeljaber , Mohamed Abdallah , Wamidh Alsalem","doi":"10.1016/j.esd.2025.101912","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.esd.2025.101912","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Integrated solid waste management (ISWM) based on waste valorization represents a shift toward more sustainable and resource-efficient practices. This study examined the effect of source separation programs, two bins (wet-dry (WD) and recyclable-nonrecyclable (R-nR)) and three bins, on biochemical, thermochemical, and hybrid ISWM strategies. A comparative techno-economic and environmental assessment was conducted to evaluate the proposed strategies in countries with various economic standards: high-, upper-middle-, lower-middle-, and low-income. The incineration-based strategies achieved the highest energy recovery, ranging from 430 to 708 kWh per ton of collected waste. On the other hand, the WD-AD and 3B-INC strategies had the lowest (37–81 kg CO<sub>2</sub>-eq per ton) and highest (140–208 kg CO<sub>2</sub>-eq per ton) carbon footprint, respectively, across all income levels. Moreover, the two- and three-bin hybrid strategies were the most profitable for all income levels. Overall, the WD-hybrid strategy was the optimum scenario for high-income countries, whereas the biochemical scenarios were the most eco-efficient for middle- and low-income countries. Regional validation was performed using country-specific inputs, confirming the applicability of the modeled outcomes across diverse economic conditions. The findings underscore the importance of tailoring ISWM strategies to various income levels, among other factors, providing valuable insights into sustainable and eco-efficient waste management practices worldwide.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49209,"journal":{"name":"Energy for Sustainable Development","volume":"91 ","pages":"Article 101912"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-12-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145791480","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}