Search Results (76)

The growth in the adoption of circular economy principles in the construction industry has given rise to material passports as a critical implementation tool. Given the existing problems of high resource use and high waste generation in the construction industry, there is a pressing need to adopt novel strategies and tools to mitigate the adverse impacts of the built environment. However, research on the application of material passports in the context of construction waste management remains limited. The aim of this paper is to identify the contextual uses, stakeholders, requirements, and challenges in the application of material passports for managing waste generated from building construction and demolition processes through a systematic review approach. Comprehensive searches in Scopus and the Web of Science databases are used to identify relevant papers and reduce the risk of selection bias. Thirty-five (35) papers are identified and included in the review. The identified key contexts of use included buildings and cities as material banks, waste management and trading, and integrated digital technologies. Asset owners, waste management operators, construction and deconstruction teams, technology providers, and regulatory and sustainability teams are identified as key stakeholders. Data requirements related to material, components, building stock data, lifecycle, environmental impact data, and deconstruction and handling data are critical. Moreover, the key infrastructure requirements include modeling and analytical tools, collaborative information exchange systems, sensory tracking tools, and digital and physical storage hubs. However, challenges with data management, costs, process standardization, technology, stakeholder collaboration, market demand, and supply chain logistics still limit the implementation. Therefore, it is recommended that future research be directed towards certification and standardization protocols, automation, artificial intelligence tools, economic viability, market trading, and innovative end-use products. Full article

This study analyzes the economic impacts of integrating floating offshore wind farms with a Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) unit to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The idea is to replace the use of natural gas for power supply with an offshore wind farm, considering the effects of carbon pricing. Results show that wind integration reduces emissions by 23% to 76%, depending on the installed capacity. However, higher wind capacity increases total system costs, initial investment, electricity and operational expenses. The Brazilian carbon credit market adversely impacts existing FPSO units as a result of the compulsory carbon trading costs necessary to mitigate their emissions. In contrast, wind-integrated scenarios benefited from carbon pricing, improving financial indicators such as payback period and Return on Investment. Wind shares of 30% and 70% yielded the best financial results for carbon prices between 10 and 50 United States Dollars per ton, with higher penalties further improving viability. These findings elucidate the significance of carbon pricing in mitigating emissions and enhancing the economic feasibility of offshore wind farms within the context of the Brazilian national FPSO decarbonization strategy. Full article

Intensive fish farming worldwide has increased reliance on antibiotics to control bacterial pathogens, raising concerns about antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in aquaculture. These resistant bacteria can persist and pass through the food supply chain, from farms to consumers. Despite this risk, antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) in aquaculture environments and fish products have not been elucidated. This study aimed to detect ARGs found in the Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer), an economically important fish in Thailand, collected from farms, fish container vehicles, and markets, using Nanopore metagenomic sequencing. We detected multiple ARGs in all sample types. Water samples harbored the rpsL gene conferring streptomycin resistance. Container samples exhibited the highest diversity of ARGs, including multiple beta-lactamases and the rsmA gene, conferring resistance to fluoroquinolones, diaminopyrimidines, and phenicol antibiotics. Fish samples generally lacked ARGs, except for one sample harboring rsmA. Non-metric multidimensional scaling revealed distinct microbial communities in water, compared with those found in container and fish samples, indicating potential cross-contamination during handling or storage. Our findings emphasize that containers could be critical control points for minimizing AMR spread. Overall, this study highlights the interconnection between environmental, fish, and human health, highlighting the importance of integrated AMR surveillance and management in aquaculture systems. Full article

The purpose of this paper is to explore the possibilities of bringing house development to a more sustainable and ecological level using the idea of the circular economy (CE) in the construction industry. Housing is an essential aspect of the economy and the building industry. The development of this sector is driven by an increasing urban population and the need to modernize existing residential buildings. Contemporary home situations should address reducing their detrimental impact on the natural environment. This is achievable by minimizing the consumption of natural resources and construction waste. This assumption is part of the core CE work, which allows for the recirculation of building materials. To discuss the underlying topics, this assumption was explored by employing a non-reactive desk research method. The review of scientific articles and studies covered the following topics: (i) the definition of CE, (ii) the shearing layers concept in building, and (iii) design for disassembly (DfD) in home construction. The second stage of evaluating the project “Domus Ex Machina” includes the following: (i) modular dimensions, (ii) prefabricated production, and (iii) adaptive designs and systems. In the discussion, this research identified several barriers to efficient CE adoption in the construction industry. The discussion highlights potential impediments to the application of the CE in housing contexts, including (i) storage and logistics issues, (ii) cost concerns and implementation challenges, (iii) policy inconsistencies across regions, and (iv) market demand and supply chain restrictions. The final paper conclusions demonstrate the significance of implementing the CE idea in housing building, hence reducing the negative impact on the environment. Full article

Renewable energy sources are essential to mitigating climate change, with biofuels offering a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Jatropha curcas, the best, non-edible, high-oil-yielding species, is a leading candidate for biodiesel production. However, ensuring a stable seed supply through effective storage is critical for biodiesel markets stability. This study evaluated the physiological and biochemical viability of J. curcas seeds stored at 4 °C with controlled humidity using 1.5 g of silica gel per gram of seed over 12 months. The results demonstrated that low-temperature, low-humidity storage significantly reduced metabolic activity, embryo respiration, and seed deterioration, preserving high germinability and oil quality. Despite a slight increase in mean germination time, seeds retained resilience in germination potential and viability. Additionally, preliminary assessments of salt tolerance revealed the potential of J. curcas seeds to germinate under saline conditions, supported by analyses of mineral nutrition and salt tolerance-related gene expression. These findings underscore the practicality of optimized storage conditions for maintaining seed quality and economic value, ensuring a consistent supply chain for biodiesel production. This study highlights the importance of integrating storage strategies into biodiesel systems to enhance sustainability and market resilience in the face of fluctuating production demands. Full article

To address the challenges in new power systems, such as wind and photovoltaic curtailment and insufficient energy storage incentives, caused by imbalances in the regulation of power supply and demand, the academic community has proposed the substitute power product (SPP) market, which is based on the trading of prescribed generation shapes over defined periods. However, there is currently no literature addressing the optimization strategies for market participants within the SPP market trading model. To fill this gap, this study introduces, for the first time, an energy storage planning and optimization operation strategy for wind and photovoltaic energy stations within this market framework. First, the basic trading process and related concepts of the SPP market are introduced. Then, based on the operational logic of the SPP market, a multi-stage energy storage planning and operation strategy is proposed for wind and photovoltaic stations. This strategy integrates a two-level model with a multi-scenario stochastic planning model to optimize the storage capacity and power allocation of renewable energy stations under uncertainty. Subsequently, relevant metrics for the SPP market are introduced, and these metrics are used to quantitatively analyze the feasibility of cooperation among different renewable energy stakeholders in the market. Finally, the impact of regulation power prices on the decision-making of renewable energy stations participating in the SPP market is explored. The findings of this study provide new energy producers with a preliminary optimization solution for energy storage configuration and operation under the new trading model, promoting their participation in the SPP market and contributing to the acceleration of the low-carbon transformation of power systems. Full article

As product diversity continues to expand in today’s market, there is an increasing demand from customers for unique and varied items. Meeting these demands necessitates the transfer of different sub-product components to the production line, even within the same manufacturing process. Lean manufacturing has addressed these challenges through the development of kitting systems that streamline the handling of diverse components. However, to ensure that these systems contribute to sustainable practices, it is crucial to design and implement them with environmental considerations in mind. The optimization of warehouse layouts and kitting preparation areas is essential for achieving sustainable and efficient logistics. To this end, we propose a comprehensive study aimed at developing the optimal layout, that is, creating warehouse layouts and kitting preparation zones that minimize waste, reduce energy consumption, and improve the flow of materials. The problem of warehouse location assignment is classified as NP-hard, and the complexity increases significantly when both storage and kitting layouts are considered simultaneously. This study aims to address this challenge by employing the genetic algorithm (GA) and Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) methods to design a system that minimizes energy consumption. Through the implementation of genetic algorithms (GAs), a 24% improvement was observed. This enhancement was achieved by simultaneously optimizing both the warehouse layout and the kitting area, demonstrating the effectiveness of integrated operational strategies. This substantial reduction not only contributes to lower operational costs but also aligns with sustainability goals, highlighting the importance of efficient material handling practices in modern logistics operations. This article provides a significant contribution to the field of sustainable logistics by addressing the vital role of kitting systems within green supply chain management practices. By aligning logistics operations with sustainability goals, this study not only offers practical insights but also advances the broader conversation around environmentally conscious supply chain practices. Full article

Onion cultivation in South Korea faces a range of interconnected challenges, shaped by fluctuating supply and demand dynamics, the dominance of imported seed varieties, and the growing issue of fungal pathogens affecting stored onions. In recent years, significant shifts occurred within the onion industry, such as export volumes in 2023 declining to 106 tons compared to 99,506 tons in 2022, while import volumes surged to 113,902 tons to meet domestic demand through the Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) system. Concurrently, domestic production onion supply in 2023 estimates a total of 1.347 million tons, a 5.2% increase compared to the previous year, due to a 6.3% rise in domestic production. Despite this growth, South Korea’s onion seed market remains heavily dependent on imports, particularly from Japan, underscoring the need for the development of competitive domestic cultivars. Furthermore, environmental conditions such as microclimates in regions like Muan have proven to be critical, as they produce onions with superior nutritional profiles and storability. However, fungal diseases pose persistent threats to storage, resulting in substantial economic losses. However, the country’s reliance on imported varieties and the climate’s effects on cultivation call for more investment in domestic breeding programs and adaptive farming practices. To address these challenges, this review synthesizes historical data, current trends, and the future prospects of onion production, supply, and demand in South Korea. Comprehensive strategies are proposed, including the promotion of adaptive farming practices, investment in domestic breeding programs, and enhanced storage techniques to mitigate fungal pathogens. This work emphasizes the importance of integrated efforts among policymakers, researchers, and industry stakeholders to improve productivity, reduce reliance on imports, and secure a sustainable future for the South Korean onion industry. The findings offer actionable insights for enhancing market competitiveness and achieving agricultural sustainability. Full article

Hydrogen (H2) offers a green medium for storing the excess from renewables production instead of dumping it, thus being crucial to decarbonisation efforts. Hydrogen also offers a storage medium for the grid’s cheap electricity to be used during grid peak demand or grid power cutoffs. Funded by the Scottish Government’s Emerging Energy Technologies, this paper presents the design and performance analysis of a hydrogen uninterruptible power supply (H2GEN) for Cygnas Solutions Ltd., which is intended to enable continuity of supply in the residential sector while eradicating the need for environmentally and health risky lead–acid batteries and diesel generator backup. This paper presents the design, optimal sizing and analysis of two H2Gen architectures, one powered by the grid alone and the other powered by both the grid and a renewable (PV) source. By developing a model of each architecture in the HOMER space and using residential location weather data, the home yearly load–demand profile, and the grid yearly power outages profile in the developed models, the optimal sizing of each H2Gen design was realised by minimising the costs while ensuring the H2Gen meets the home power demand during grid outages To enable HOMER to optimise its selection, the sizes, technical specifications and costs of all the market-available H2GEN components were added in the HOMER search space. Moreover, the developed models were also used in assessing the sensitivity of the simulation outputs to several changes in the modelled system design and settings. Using a residential home with frequent power outages in New Delhi, India as a case study, it was found that the optimal sizing of H2Gen Architecture 1 is comprised of a 2 kW electrolyser, a 0.2 kg type-I tank, and a 2 kW water-cooled fuel cell directly connected to the AC bus, offering an operational lifetime of 14.3 years. It was also found that the optimal sizing of Architecture 2 is comprised of a 1 kV PV utilised with the same 2 kW electrolyser, 0.2 kg type-I tank and 2 kW water-cooled fuel cell connected to the AC bus. While the second design was found to have a higher capital cost due to the added PV, it offered a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly architecture, which contributes to the ongoing energy transition. This paper further investigated the capacity expansion of each H2GEN architecture to meet higher load demands or increased grid power outages. From the analysis of the simulation results, it has been concluded that the most feasible and cost-effective H2GEN system expansion for meeting increased power demands or increased grid outages can be realised by using the developed models for optimally sizing the expanded H2Gen on a case-by-case basis because the increase in these profiles is highly time-dependent (for example, an increased load demand or increased grid outage in the morning can be met by the PV, while in the evening, it must be met by the H2GEN). Finally, this paper investigated the impact of other environmental variables, such as the temperature and relative humidity, on the H2GEN’s performance and provided further insights into increasing the overall system efficiency and cost benefit through utilising the H2GEN’s exhaust heat in the home space for heating/cooling and selling the electrolyser exhaust’s O₂ as a commodity. Full article

Photovoltaic (PV) and wind energy generation result in low greenhouse gas footprints and can supply electricity to the grid or generate hydrogen for various applications, including seasonal energy storage. Designing integrated wind–PV–electrolyzer underground hydrogen storage (UHS) projects is complex due to the interactions between components. Additionally, the capacities of PV and wind relative to the electrolyzer capacity and fluctuating electricity prices must be considered in the project design. To address these challenges, process modelling was applied using cost components and parameters from a project in Austria. The hydrogen storage part was derived from an Austrian hydrocarbon gas field considered for UHS. The results highlight the impact of the renewable energy source (RES) sizing relative to the electrolyzer capacity, the influence of different wind-to-PV ratios, and the benefits of selling electricity and hydrogen. For the case study, the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) is EUR 6.26/kg for a RES-to-electrolyzer capacity ratio of 0.88. Oversizing reduces the LCOH to 2.61 €/kg when including electricity sales revenues, or EUR 4.40/kg when excluding them. Introducing annually fluctuating electricity prices linked to RES generation results in an optimal RES-to-electrolyzer capacity ratio. The RES-to-electrolyzer capacity can be dynamically adjusted in response to market developments. UHS provides seasonal energy storage in areas with mismatches between RES production and consumption. The main cost components are compression, gas conditioning, wells, and cushion gas. For the Austrian project, the levelized cost of underground hydrogen storage (LCHS) is 0.80 €/kg, with facilities contributing EUR 0.33/kg, wells EUR 0.09/kg, cushion gas EUR 0.23/kg, and OPEX EUR 0.16/kg. Overall, the analysis demonstrates the feasibility of integrated RES–hydrogen generation-seasonal energy storage projects in regions like Austria, with systems that can be dynamically adjusted to market conditions. Full article

Smallholder farmers in South Africa face issues related to water shortages and poor irrigation water management. This study investigated barriers to improving water-use efficiency (WUE) in smallholder production practices in Numbi, South Africa. The objectives were to identify barriers in redesigning production practices for higher agricultural productivity and analyze the relationship between irrigation water supply and the adoption of WUE methods. From a population of 7696 people, 141 smallholder farmers were sampled using a simple random sampling technique through Taro Yamane’s sample size formula. The data were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and descriptive statistics. Unreliable water supply (M = 3.78, SD = 0.85), poor soil water retention (M = 3.78, SD = 0.85), lack of water-efficient irrigation systems (M = 3.91, SD = 0.71), lack of water storage facilities (M = 3.85, SD = 0.93), limited access to credit (M = 4.09, SD = 0.85), income instability due to market fluctuations (M = 3.96, SD = 0.91), inadequate knowledge of irrigation management (M = 4.00, SD = 0.84), and harsh climatic factors were identified. A positive correlation (r = 0.339, n = 141, p < 0.001) between irrigation water source and WUE techniques was evident, indicating that irrigation water source had an insignificant impact on WUE methods. Resolving these barriers requires a holistic approach focusing on investments in irrigation infrastructure and targeted education initiatives by extension agents and other stakeholders, as this can enhance agricultural productivity. Full article

Quality control at every stage of production in the textile industry is essential for maintaining competitiveness in the global market. Manual fabric defect inspections are often characterized by low precision and high time costs, in contrast to intelligent anomaly detection systems implemented in the early stages of fabric production. To achieve successful automated fabric defect identification, significant challenges must be addressed, including accurate detection, classification, and decision-making processes. Traditionally, fabric defect classification has relied on inefficient and labor-intensive human visual inspection, particularly as the variety of fabric defects continues to increase. Despite the global chip crisis and its adverse effects on supply chains, electronic hardware costs for quality control systems have become more affordable. This presents a notable advantage, as vision systems can now be easily developed with the use of high-resolution, advanced cameras. In this study, we propose a discrete curvature algorithm, integrated with the Gabor transform, which demonstrates significant success in near real-time defect classification. The primary contribution of this work is the development of a modified curvature algorithm that achieves high classification performance without the need for training. This method is particularly efficient due to its low data storage requirements and minimal processing time, making it ideal for real-time applications. Furthermore, we implemented and evaluated several other methods from the literature, including Gabor and Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), within a unified coding framework. Each defect type was analyzed individually, with results indicating that the proposed algorithm exhibits comparable success and robust performance relative to deep learning-based approaches. Full article

The aim of the study is to quantify the impacts of a possible transition to close-to-nature forestry in Slovakia and to compare the expected development of the total volume production, growing stock, merchantable wood increment and harvesting possibilities of forests in Slovakia with current conventional management using the FCarbon forest-growth model and available data from the Information System of Forest Management. The subject of the study was all forest stands available for wood supply (FAWS). The simulations were run in annual iterations using tree input data aggregated over 10-year-wide age classes. The calculation of wood increments was based on available growth models. In the business-as-usual (BAU) scenario, stock losses were based on the actual intensity of wood harvesting in the reference period 2013–2022. In the scenario of the transition to close-to-nature forest management, the losses were specifically modified from the usual harvesting regime at the beginning, to the target harvesting mode in selective forest at the end of the simulated period. With the modelling method used, a gradual increase in forest stocks occurred in both evaluated scenarios in the monitored period, namely by 10% in the case of BAU and by 23% in the case of close-to-nature forest management until 2050. In absolute mining volume, CTNF is by 5–10% lower than BAU management, with the difference gradually decreasing. The results show that the introduction of close-to-nature forest management will temporarily reduce the supply of wood to the market, but this reduction will not be significant and will be compensated by a higher total volume production, and thus also by increased carbon storage in forests. Full article

This paper addresses the need to contextualize sustainability standards and supply chain management in dairy value chains in East Africa, where milk perishability and limited cold storage significantly impact the industry. The study highlights the importance of localizing these standards, given the greater dependence on local supply chains following the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing on milk standards literature and various interventions aimed at promoting systemic change, this review analyses the capacity of marginalized stakeholders in East Africa’s dairy value chains to meet sustainability standards, focusing particularly on the social dimensions of these standards. The findings indicate that compliance with sustainability and safety standards is predominantly restricted to formal dairy networks, which process less than 20 percent of milk produced in the region. Most milk sales occur through informal or unorganized markets, which face significant barriers to meeting international sustainability benchmarks. The review advocates for the alignment of international sustainability standards with the unique conditions of the informal markets dominating East Africa’s dairy sector. It suggests enhancing stakeholder capabilities and addressing regulatory barriers as necessary steps for improving compliance with these standards. The co-operative model is highlighted as a promising approach to integrating farmers and marginalized value chain actors into the formal sector, thereby facilitating incremental adoption of sustainability standards. The paper identifies strategic entry points for organizing and upgrading the supply chain, including capacity building, certification, and catalyzing farmer groups to compliance and productivity. Full article

In recent years, the Chinese government has introduced a series of energy-saving, emission-reducing, and environmentally protective policies. These policies have gradually decreased the proportion of high carbon-emitting energy consumption, such as coal, in China’s energy structure. The proportion of natural gas consumption as a clean energy source has been increasing year by year. In the future, with the deepening decarbonization of the energy structure, the applied scope of natural gas utilization will expand, increasing demand. Therefore, this study first evaluated the development of China’s natural gas industry from the perspectives of development evolution, technological applications, and industry achievements. Secondly, based on the current situation of conventional and unconventional natural gas development, both resources and technological potential were analyzed. By taking several typical projects in the natural gas industry as examples, medium- and long-term prospects for natural gas development were planned and predicted. Building on this analysis, we employed the SWOT method to examine the development prospects of China’s natural gas industry and propose development goals. Finally, based on top-level design considerations and previous research analysis, suggestions and measures were proposed for technology implementation, regional layout, industrial chain collaboration, and support policies. These recommendations aim to provide planning support and management references for the development of China’s natural gas industry. Full article