Search Results (2,653)

To promote the green and low-carbon transition and achieve sustainable development in the transportation sector, virtual calibration technology was employed for the efficient and precise control of emissions from heavy-duty diesel engines and aftertreatment systems. A data-driven, semi-empirical and semi-physical simulation modeling method was proposed. By constructing core modules based on physical mechanisms and refining empirical parameters using experimental data, the method improves computational efficiency while maintaining the prediction accuracy of key parameters. Additionally, a collaborative architecture combining physical actuators and virtual sensor signals was introduced, laying the foundation for the validity of virtual calibration. By innovatively introducing a closed-loop system with real actuators and virtual sensors, the dynamic response characteristics of the control system are faithfully reproduced, providing a reliable environment for validating the results of virtual calibration. Under steady-state conditions, the results demonstrated an average relative error of 1.7% for brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC) and 6.1% for NOx emissions. An open-loop system for the virtual calibration testing platform was constructed for steady-state calibration. Using the main injection timing and common rail pressure as independent variables, a D-optimal design was utilized to generate 43 sets of experimental points, from which a polynomial regression model was established (R² ≥ 98%). Under the constraints of NOx and pre-turbine temperature, fuel consumption in the low-load range is reduced by 0.5–3 g/kW·h, aftertreatment NOx emissions are reduced by 0.5–3 g/kW·h, and exhaust temperature is increased by 10 °C. This study establishes a complete development workflow consisting of “operating condition design-virtual optimization-bench validation,” significantly enhancing calibration efficiency and engineering applicability. This method shortens the calibration cycle and reduces the number of physical bench tests, providing the industry with a comprehensive calibration methodology tailored to engine operating conditions that is both reproducible and scalable. Full article

In the new development stage, promoting the integration of innovation–industry–talent chains (three chains) is an important measure to achieve low-carbon transformation and development. This study analyzes the internal logic of integration of three chains from the perspective of the triple helix theory. Based on panel data of 282 Chinese cities from 2003 to 2022, this paper adopts the composite system synergy model to measure the level of integration of three chains and further identifies its comprehensive impact and underlying mechanisms on urban carbon productivity. The results show that the integration of three chains can significantly improve urban carbon productivity, with this conclusion validated by multiple robustness and endogeneity tests. Heterogeneity analysis indicates that the positive effect of the integration of three chains on carbon productivity is more pronounced in low-carbon pilot cities, key environmental protection cities, non-resource-based cities, and innovative cities. Mechanism tests reveal that three-chain integration indirectly enhances urban carbon productivity by facilitating industry agglomeration, stimulating technology innovation, and accelerating energy transition. Compared with prior studies, this paper has extended the research boundaries of three-chain integration and provides policy recommendations for improving urban carbon productivity through multi-chain synergy. Full article

[Objective] This study aims to reveal the spatiotemporal evolution and transition patterns of green utilization efficiency of cultivated land (GUECL) across Chinese provinces and to identify multidimensional configurational pathways for improving efficiency. [Method] Carbon emissions and total carbon sinks were incorporated into the evaluation index system of GUECL. The super-efficiency SBM model was used to measure GUECL. A three-dimensional analytical framework of “driving forces–external foundations–internal conditions” was then constructed. Exploratory Spatio-Temporal Data Analysis and the fsQCA method were combined to examine the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics and multiple configurational pathways. [Results] (1) From 2013 to 2023, GUECL showed a fluctuating upward trend, with the mean value increasing from 0.550 to 0.835. Spatially, it presented a pattern of high efficiency in Northeast China and low efficiency in Southwest China. (2) The local spatial structure of GUECL was generally stable, although its spatiotemporal transition paths fluctuated to some extent. The cooperative effects in northeastern and western provinces were stronger than the competitive effects. The spatiotemporal evolution showed strong path dependence and lock-in effects, and the spatial association pattern was mainly positive, indicating a high degree of spatial integration. (3) Efficiency improvement was driven by the coupling of multiple factors. Four specific configurations were identified and further summarized into three typical pathways: a socially driven and economic-foundation-led pathway assisted by resource conditions; an economic- and technological-foundation-led pathway dominated by resource conditions and assisted by policy support; and a multi-factor synergistic pathway. [Conclusion] GUECL is driven by the combined and synergistic effects of driving forces, external foundations, and internal conditions. Therefore, differentiated regional strategies should be adopted to promote the precise matching and coordinated governance of multiple factors, thereby supporting the green and high-quality development of agriculture. Full article

The transition to a low-carbon economy is the cornerstone of global sustainability, requiring high-emission enterprises to shift from carbon-intensive production to genuine green innovation. However, this study uncovers a significant structural impediment to this transition: the “defensive greenwashing” response to climate stress. Focusing on listed companies in China’s high-emission industries (2009–2024), we employ a Debiased Machine Learning (DML) framework and Causal Forest analysis to capture the non-linear impacts of multi-dimensional climate risks. Our findings reveal a robust “threshold-trigger” mechanism: once climate pressures—whether physical shocks or policy-induced transition risks—exceed corporate endurance levels, firms aggressively pivot toward strategic “information arbitrage” rather than substantive decarbonization. We identify a profound “capability paradox” in sustainability governance, where firms with higher digital maturity and resource slack leverage their technical prowess to “calibrate” sophisticated narratives, thereby widening the monitoring gap and distorting green asset pricing. Furthermore, CEO risk preference acts as a psychological accelerator, amplifying strategic decoupling, particularly under transition-risk-induced uncertainty. By demonstrating how climate stress inadvertently incentivizes symbolic compliance over sustainable transformation, this research offers critical micro-level insights for policymakers. These findings are vital for refining sustainability oversight and ensuring that capital allocation fosters a resilient, equitable transition toward true ecological and economic decoupling. Full article

This study systematically investigated flow boiling characteristics within a novel three-layer microchannel heat sink with 3/4 open-ring pin fin arrays, designed for high-heat-flux thermal management of low-carbon metallurgical reactors. Two-phase flow regimes, pressure drop, and wall temperature responses were analyzed. To evaluate the impact of functional surface material properties on thermo-hydraulic behavior, a hydrophilic nano-coating modification was applied to the inner copper channel walls for comparison. Increasing the flow rate triggered a transition from a vapor-dominated confined slug flow to a liquid-dominated dispersed bubble flow, which effectively improved the thermo-hydraulic stability. Hydrophilic surface modification resulted in an average pressure drop reduction of 33% and significantly diminished the sensitivity of flow resistance to velocity variations. Through hydrophilic treatment, the localized vapor film effect at high velocities was suppressed, and temperature field homogenization was promoted, yielding a maximum convective heat transfer coefficient of 7760 W/(m²·°C), i.e., 72.9% enhancement over the baseline heat sink. The underlying mechanism is attributed to the formation of a stable near-wall thin liquid film and the promotion of high-frequency nucleate boiling. These results will be of high relevance for developing efficient cooling solutions for power electronics, thereby supporting the advancement of low-carbon metallurgical reactors. Full article

As the energy and power sector transitions toward clean and low-carbon development, the installed capacity of renewable energy sources such as wind and photovoltaic power has been rapidly increasing. Wind–solar hydrogen production via water electrolysis can enhance renewable energy utilization and enable the supply of green hydrogen. Meanwhile, the $H_2/C{O}_2$ molar ratio in the syngas produced by conventional biomass gasification generally cannot directly meet the 2:1 stoichiometric requirement for methanol synthesis. To address this issue, this paper proposes an off-grid coordinated system integrating wind–solar hydrogen production and biomass gasification for methanol synthesis. The system incorporates multi-operating-condition constraints of electrolyzers, coordinated regulation between electrochemical energy storage and hydrogen storage, and coordinated matching between biomass gasification and the water–gas shift reaction. Based on the system energy and material balance, a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model is formulated with the objective of minimizing the annualized total cost and is solved using the Gurobi solver in the MATLAB environment. To highlight the roles of HES and the WGS reaction, four comparative scenarios are designed for validation. The results show that the system with an annual methanol production capacity of 100,000 tons achieves an annualized total cost of 318 million CNY, with a wind–solar utilization rate of 98.86%. The system is configured with 12 electrolyzers of 5 MW each. The biomass consumption per ton of methanol is 3.06, and the $C{O}_2$ emissions per ton of methanol are 2.37. Finally, a sensitivity analysis of the levelized methanol cost (LCOM) was conducted, providing guidance for cost reduction in green methanol production. Full article

The Cambrian Qiongzhusi Formation shale in southern Sichuan is a promising new marine shale gas exploration target, often considered the next major potential source following the Silurian Longmaxi Formation. Clarifying its reservoir characteristics of shale is crucial for identifying shale gas sweet spots. As the most distinctive structure feature in shale, laminae development plays a vital role in the formation and evolution of shale reservoirs. Based on core samples, thin sections, and a variety of test data, this study investigates the laminae development characteristics and reservoir significance of the Qiongzhusi Formation shale in the southern Sichuan Basin, yielding the following conclusions: (1) A three-level classification and nomenclature system for shale laminae in the Qiongzhusi Formation is proposed based on mineral composition and stacking patterns, dividing laminae into single laminae, lamina sets, and lamina series. The study area exhibits diverse lamina types, including four types of single laminae, three types of lamina sets, and seven types of lamina series. (2) The vertical heterogeneity in lamina series is pronounced. Within the organic-rich interval, the lithology transitions upward from organic-rich massive shale, through organic-rich argillaceous–felsic laminae, to organic-lean argillaceous–felsic laminae. In the low-TOC interval, increasing water depth corresponds to a transition from massive sandstone to predominantly organic-lean argillaceous–felsic–calcareous laminae and organic-lean argillaceous–felsic laminae. (3) Lamina development exerts a significant control over reservoir properties, with marked differences observed between various lamina series and massive shale. Among them, the organic-rich argillaceous–felsic lamina series exhibits the most favorable reservoir characteristics, including the highest total organic carbon (TOC) content, porosity, and gas content, representing the optimal shale reservoir type. Full article

Against the backdrop of China’s dual carbon goals, cross-regional low-carbon power transmission from large-scale clean energy bases is a pivotal direction for energy transition. Formulating their power delivery curves requires precise alignment with the load demand characteristics of receiving provinces and the coordinated operation of hydropower, wind power, photovoltaic (PV) power, and pumped-storage hydropower (PSH). To address the limitations of existing methods, such as the lack of linearized modeling for core operational constraints, low solution efficiency and inadequate integration of multi-energy coupling constraints, this paper proposes a tailored linearized optimization modeling approach. By adopting auxiliary variables, binary variables and the Big M method, core constraints including PSH pumping power supply, stepwise power delivery and multi-energy coordinated operation are linearized. A monthly rolling linear optimization model is constructed with triple objectives: minimizing the renewable curtailment rate and the absolute error between delivery and load curves, and maximizing delivered electricity volume. Multi-objective coordinated optimization is realized via the linear weighted summation method, and the model is solved with the Gurobi solver. Case validation on an integrated hydro–wind–solar clean energy base in Southwest China and its corresponding receiving provincial power grid shows that the proposed method effectively improves the curve matching degree, controls the wind–PV curtailment rate within around 12% (engineering tolerance), and strictly meets engineering safety constraints such as PSH operation and HVDC transmission requirements. Comprehensive optimization of the three objectives is achieved when the weight coefficients for curtailment rate, load matching error and delivered electricity volume are set to 0.3–0.8, 0.1–0.2 and 0.1–0.6, respectively. This method resolves the problems of traditional nonlinear models being disconnected from engineering practice and low solution efficiency, providing a reliable technical reference for the refined dispatching of cross-regional power transmission and scientific formulation of power delivery curves for clean energy bases. Full article

The cement industry is one of the most energy- and emission-intensive sectors and plays a crucial role in achieving climate neutrality and sustainability objectives. This study examines waste management practices in cement production within the framework of the circular economy and low-carbon transition, with particular emphasis on Polish cement plants operating under EU environmental regulations. Particular attention is given to the use of waste as alternative fuels and secondary raw materials, as well as to the economic and environmental implications of EU climate policy instruments. The research methodology includes an analysis of key emission sources such as clinker production, fuel combustion, and raw material transport and an evaluation of technological and organizational measures aimed at improving energy efficiency and reducing emissions. The empirical analysis is based primarily on operational observations from selected Polish cement plants operating under EU ETS conditions and combines plant-level operational evidence with comparative sectoral data and scenario-based techno-economic assessments related to selected low-carbon technologies. The results suggest that increasing the use of waste-derived fuels and materials may contribute to emission reduction, lower reliance on non-renewable resources, and improved circularity in cement production systems operating under advanced regulatory conditions. Furthermore, the findings highlight the potential for synergies between environmental performance and economic competitiveness. The study underscores the importance of coherent regulatory frameworks and continued investment in low-emission and circular technologies to ensure the long-term sustainability and viability of the cement industry. Full article

With the growing severity of water pollution, conventional treatment technologies are increasingly unable to satisfy the demand for deep purification. Catalytic wastewater treatment has emerged as an effective strategy for degrading refractory pollutants because of its high efficiency, mild operating conditions, and environmentally friendly nature. This review systematically summarizes recent progress in catalytic materials for wastewater treatment, covering four major categories: metal-based materials, carbon-based materials, multicomponent composites, and photo/electrocatalytic systems. Particular attention is given to their design strategies, structural characteristics, and performance advantages. On this basis, the full mechanistic chain is discussed, from interfacial adsorption and activation to reactive-species generation, including both radical and non-radical pathways, intermediate transformation, and macroscopic reaction kinetics. The review also highlights representative applications in practical wastewater streams, including textile dyeing and pharmaceutical, chemical, landfill leachate, and municipal tailwater treatment, thereby demonstrating the engineering potential of catalytic technologies. At the same time, several critical challenges remain, including insufficient long-term material stability, incomplete mechanistic understanding in complex water matrices, limited adaptability to real wastewater, and the high cost of large-scale preparation. Future research should therefore focus on the development of highly stable, low-cost, and interference-resistant catalytic materials, deeper mechanistic elucidation through in situ characterization and theoretical calculations, stronger integration with membrane separation, biological treatment, photovoltaic or electrochemical processes, and the establishment of standardized evaluation protocols and life-cycle assessment frameworks. These efforts will accelerate the transition of catalytic wastewater treatment toward greener, smarter, and more practical engineering applications. Full article

As climate change worsens, irrigation modernization has become critical for better water distribution and maintaining rice production in the face of increasing water constraints. However, there remains a gap in quantification regarding the environmental trade-offs between pump-managed and gravity-based irrigation systems, especially in integrated assessments that relate economic performance, carbon emissions, and water use. This study used an integrated framework of water productivity (WP), consumptive water footprint (WF), carbon footprint, and eco-efficiency to compare gravity-based and pump-managed systems in the Don Chedi Operation and Maintenance Project, Thailand, from 2021 to 2023. The results showed no significant differences in WP and WF between systems. WP averaged 0.39 kg m⁻³ during the wet seasons and 0.54 kg m⁻³ during the dry seasons, while the WF averaged 2517 m³ t⁻¹ and 1854 m³ t⁻¹, respectively. These findings indicate that pump-managed irrigation enhanced operational flexibility and yield stability but did not substantially improve water use efficiency. However, compared with the gravity-based system, the pump-managed system produced much greater carbon emissions, with total carbon footprints ranging from 1.252 to 1.333 tCO₂eq t⁻¹, or five times higher in the irrigation process. Eco-efficiency metrics rose by up to 8.11% despite this environmental burden, indicating enhanced economic resilience amid fluctuating water conditions. These results show a recurring trade-off between low-carbon agricultural development and irrigation modernization. The study therefore emphasizes the importance of integrating renewable energy and low-carbon technologies into pump-based irrigation systems to support climate-resilient and sustainable agricultural transitions. Full article

The rapid advancement of photovoltaic (PV) technologies has transformed solar energy systems into intelligent, high-efficiency platforms. This review systematically examines next-generation PV materials, hybrid system architectures, and intelligent control strategies. Key technologies include perovskite-based tandem cells, N-type TOPCon, bifacial, heterojunction (HJT), and photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) systems. These innovations overcome the intrinsic limitations of conventional P-type silicon panels by reducing recombination losses, mitigating light- and temperature-induced degradation, and enhancing energy yield under real-world operating conditions. At the system level, AI-enabled inverters, adaptive maximum power point tracking (MPPT), predictive maintenance, and real-time grid interaction enable dynamic optimization under variable irradiance, thermal stress, and load fluctuations. A critical comparison across diverse deployment environments highlights current challenges, including manufacturing complexity, material stability, and AI data-quality limitations. Despite higher upfront costs and system complexity, these advanced PV systems offer superior long-term performance, improved reliability, and reduced levelized cost of electricity through lower degradation rates and enhanced operational resilience. Collectively, intelligent, material-optimized PV technologies represent a scalable, sustainable, and grid-compatible solution for solar energy deployment across diverse climates, supporting the global transition toward low-carbon energy infrastructures. Full article

This paper focuses on developing reinforced self-healing supramolecular resins that meet both functional and structural needs for industrial use. The formulated advanced nanocomposites are made from compounds that allow for reversible self-healing interactions. The self-healing molecules bond with the toughened epoxy matrix using hydrogen bonding. To enhance the epoxy’s typical insulating properties, electrically conductive carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were added to achieve an electrical percolation threshold (EPT) with a low amount of nanofiller. This study found that self-healing efficiency can reach nearly 99%. The addition of healing compounds significantly raises the glass transition temperature to over 200 °C. Tunneling Atomic Force Microscopy (TUNA), which is an innovative tool for correlating local topography with electrical properties, reveals the structural properties and compatibility of these materials, mapping conductive pathways at the micro- and nanoscale. Full article

The urban housing sector plays a significant role in global energy consumption and carbon emissions, making the sustainable transformation of domestic buildings essential to achieving climate goals. Urban housing is also linked to the energy transition, social equity, public health, and environmental resilience. The UK’s Warm Homes Plan (WHP) is seen as a key policy initiative that aims to improve energy efficiency and living conditions, and to promote the transition to a low-carbon future. This study provides an integrated review of retrofit assessment, policy mechanisms, and socio-environmental factors in the context of urban housing decarbonization. This study adopts a structured critical review approach to analyze retrofit strategies, low-carbon heating systems, renewable energy integration, and smart control technologies. The study highlights that retrofit assessment is not limited to technical performance but also includes social acceptability, affordability, and urban infrastructure compatibility. Furthermore, case study comparisons show that decarbonization outcomes are improved when technical measures are integrated with effective governance, stakeholder engagement, and local policy support. This study presents an integrated conceptual framework that links technical retrofit measures, policy coordination, and socio-environmental indicators. The results show that isolated technical solutions are insufficient for decarbonizing urban housing. Rather, a multi-dimensional planning approach is necessary to enable a sustainable, resilient, and socially inclusive housing transition. Full article

Global climate governance and corporate low-carbon transition have made carbon information disclosure important for assessing firms’ environmental governance and climate-risk responses. This study develops an industry-specific carbon information disclosure quality (CIDQ) framework for Chinese A-share listed petroleum and petrochemical firms, using 45 firm-year observations from 15 firms during 2022–2024. The framework includes 7 primary, 15 secondary, and 33 tertiary indicators. Disclosure texts were scored by the DeepSeek-V3.2 large language model (LLM) under predefined rule-based criteria, with temperature set to 0. Reliability was assessed against manual scoring of 15 reports, yielding an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.974. The full-sample mean score is 34.02, accounting for only 51.55% of the theoretical maximum of 66, indicating that the overall disclosure level remains relatively low. The annual mean score increased from 29.07 in 2022 to 37.60 in 2024, representing a cumulative rise of 8.53 points, or 29.34%. Substantial inter-firm differences are also observed: Sinopec recorded the highest three-year average score of 52.67, whereas Yunnan Yunwei recorded the lowest at 10.67. This study may provide a methodological reference for structured CIDQ evaluation and disclosure improvement in high-emission industries. Full article