Search Results (454)

This paper proposes a contingency-aware, sensitivity-based criterion for the optimal placement of shunt compensation in transmission power systems under N–1 security constraints. Conventional approaches typically rely on post-contingency voltage severity or heuristic optimization techniques, which may fail to capture the system-wide impact of reactive power support during the planning stage. The proposed method integrates contingency severity assessment with a system-wide sensitivity index to support structured and physically interpretable planning decisions. First, a global contingency index is used to identify the most critical operating condition under N–1 scenarios. Based on this condition, a reduced set of candidate buses is selected according to post-contingency voltage magnitudes. These candidates are then ranked using a sensitivity metric defined as the derivative of the contingency index with respect to reactive power injection ($𝜕J/𝜕Q_k$), which quantifies the global effect of local reactive support on system performance. The selected compensation locations are validated through AC optimal power flow simulations, enabling the evaluation of voltage profiles and active power losses under both normal and contingency conditions. The methodology is tested on the IEEE 14-, 30-, and 57-bus transmission systems to assess its scalability and consistency across networks of different sizes. Results show that the bus with the lowest post-contingency voltage is not necessarily the optimal compensation location. Instead, the proposed sensitivity-based criterion identifies buses that provide greater system-wide benefits, including reductions in active power losses and improved voltage recovery. The approach provides a transparent and reproducible planning-oriented decision criterion, supporting improved operational efficiency and aligning with sustainability-oriented objectives in modern power systems. The proposed method provides a reproducible and planning-oriented decision criterion that complements conventional optimization-based approaches. Full article

Achieving sustainable development requires decoupling economic growth from environmental degradation. In this context, this study examines the effects of tourism arrivals on CO₂ intensity and energy intensity, two key indicators of environmental sustainability aligned with SDGs 7 and 13. Panel autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) and nonlinear ARDL models are employed using a balanced panel of 54 countries over the period 1996–2023. In addition, Wald tests for long-run asymmetry, dynamic multiplier analysis, and Dumitrescu–Hurlin causality tests are applied. The results confirm the existence of stable long-run relationships between tourism arrivals and both CO₂ intensity and energy intensity. In the symmetric framework, tourism growth is associated with significant long-run reductions in CO₂ and energy intensity, while short-run effects are negative and significant only for CO₂ intensity. In the asymmetric framework, positive tourism shocks generate stronger and more persistent reductions in both intensity measures, whereas negative shocks lead to weaker environmental efficiency gains. Moreover, the Wald test shows the existence of long-run asymmetry between positive and negative tourism shocks. In addition, the dynamic multiplier analysis confirms that environmental intensity adjusts gradually over time following tourism shocks. Finally, Dumitrescu–Hurlin causality tests indicate bidirectional Granger causality relationships between tourism arrivals and environmental intensity indicators. The findings are robust to dynamic endogeneity, the COVID-19 shock, and country heterogeneity. Overall, the findings indicate that tourism arrivals contribute to lowering long-term environmental intensity, consistent with relative decoupling and the goals of sustainable tourism development. Full article

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are diseases of chronic inflammation and intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) death that affect an estimated 7 million people worldwide. Intestinal barrier restoration is the most important determinant of remission in IBD, yet there are very few existing therapies that protect IECs from damage or support epithelial repair. The goal of this study was to develop a model system and tools that can be used to identify therapeutics that promote IEC survival in IBD. We developed a Beclin-1 cleavage reporter (BICR) that detects calpain-mediated Beclin-1 cleavage and the switch from autophagy to programmed cell death. We modified BICR with the HIV Tat peptide (BICR-Tat) and tested it in a model of live bacterial stress using commensal E. coli and IEC. BICR sensitively and specifically detected calpain activity in cell-free assays, and BICR-Tat successfully detected Beclin-1 cleavage and autophagy failure in IEC. Achieving IEC survival in the microbe-challenged IBD gut would be an important advance toward intestinal barrier restoration in this intractable disease. The BICR-Tat reporter coupled with the model of microbial stress developed in this study could enable high-throughput screening approaches to identify therapeutics with the potential to achieve barrier healing and sustained remission in IBD. Full article

This study presents pedagogical innovations in the undergraduate course Postharvest Technology and Quality Management at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), where project-based learning (PBL) is used to integrate academic quality assurance and sustainability education, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study adopts a descriptive multiple-case approach to analyze five representative student projects and their alignment with the SDGs. The projects address real-world postharvest challenges, including quality preservation, renewable energy use, and food loss reduction. A qualitative cross-case analysis based on SDGs mapping criteria was used to evaluate project alignment and societal outcomes. Representative student projects demonstrate how inquiry-driven learning enhances technical competence and research skills. Quantitative outcomes include a reduction in weight loss from 27.1% to 18.8% in coated tomatoes, increased weight loss up to 46.37% under severe mechanical damage in zucchini, and significant firmness reduction in bruised apples (53.23 N to 21.64 N). Hybrid infrared–hot air drying improved drying efficiency by reducing drying time and enhancing moisture removal, while banana coating experiments showed reduced moisture loss and delayed ripening. The analysis shows that all five projects align with at least two SDGs, with SDG 12 addressed in 100% of the cases. The curriculum is explicitly aligned with SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and 13 (Climate Action). The study highlights the societal relevance of course-based projects through their contribution to SDG-related challenges and emphasizes the role of mentorship, teamwork, and experiential learning infrastructure in sustaining effective PBL implementation. Cross-case comparison highlights common sustainability contributions, including a reduction in postharvest losses, adoption of natural preservation methods, and improvements in energy-efficient processing. The findings highlight the potential of course-based PBL as a context-specific approach for integrating sustainability into undergraduate education. Full article

Biogas from municipal solid waste is a promising pathway for renewable energy production while mitigating environmental pollution and public health risks. In this study, biogas emissions from a sanitary landfill in Maringá, southern Brazil, were evaluated using three models (IPCC, LandGEM, and CETESB tool) to estimate methane generation and energy recovery potential. Experimental analysis revealed methane concentrations from 51.10 ± 8.89% to 57.06 ± 1.19% across collection drains, indicating favorable conditions for energy utilization. Methane generation was estimated under different scenarios, reaching up to 1.30 × 10⁴ tonnes of CH₄, with peak production projected over 25–26 years depending on the model. Beyond energetic relevance, controlled biogas recovery can substantially reduce methane emissions, a key precursor of tropospheric ozone, and limit hazardous trace gas release, improving air quality and reducing population exposure to harmful pollutants. These findings are particularly relevant in developing countries, where insufficient waste management infrastructure leads to uncontrolled emissions, posing elevated environmental and health risks. This study supports integrating landfill biogas recovery into waste management and climate strategies, contributing to Sustainable Development Goals related to clean energy (SDG 7), climate action (SDG 13), and health (SDG 3), demonstrating it as a scalable solution for sustainable urban development. Full article

Vibration energy harvesting has emerged as a sustainable solution for powering low-energy devices such as wireless sensors and wearable electronics. However, conventional vibration energy harvesters often suffer from narrow operational bandwidth and limited output performance under ultra-low excitation conditions. To overcome these limitations, this study proposes an asymmetric tristable vibration energy harvester integrated with an elastic magnifier (EM), hereafter referred to as the asymmetric TVEH with EM, to enhance energy conversion efficiency under weak excitation. A nonlinear two-degree-of-freedom electromechanical model is developed to describe the coupled dynamics between the cantilever beam and the EM, incorporating nonlinear restoring forces and electromechanical coupling effects. The system performance is investigated using the harmonic balance method (HBM) and time-domain numerical simulations. In addition, parametric studies are conducted to examine the influence of the EM mass and stiffness ratios on the dynamic response and energy harvesting performance. The numerical results demonstrate that the inclusion of the EM significantly amplifies the system response under ultra-low excitation $(f=0.055)$, enabling improved inter-well motion and enhancing energy conversion efficiency by up to 45%. To validate the analytical and numerical findings, an experimental prototype is fabricated and tested. The experimental results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed design, achieving a root mean square voltage of $V_{\mathrm{rms}}=5\mathrm{V}$ across a load resistance of $R_L=100\mathrm{k}\mathrm{\Omega }$ under a base acceleration of $1.4{\mathrm{m}/\mathrm{s}}^2$ at 14 Hz, measured over a 30 s window with a low-pass filter cut-off frequency of 100 Hz. The proposed asymmetric TVEH with EM consistently outperforms both the symmetric TVEH with EM and the asymmetric configuration without EM. Overall, the results highlight the pivotal role of the elastic magnifier in enhancing the dynamic response and harvesting performance under weak excitations, demonstrating strong potential for powering low-power electronic devices in practical applications. Furthermore, this work supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) by promoting decentralized and renewable vibration-based energy harvesting technologies. Full article

Hydrogen produced with net zero CO₂ (H₂NZ) has a significant role to play in a sustainable energy transition. Often overlooked are the different means of producing H₂NZ with different trade-offs that will impact communities in diverse ways. Science and engineering need to be part of the dialogue so the nuances of these technologies can be understood and just solutions generated. However, there is little direct engagement with science and engineering in the energy justice literature. To address this gap, a workshop of expert engineers and social scientists is used to analyse four developing H₂NZ technologies with justice issues. The results propose a way forward to integrate engineering with the energy justice discourse and, at the same time, encourage social science to reach out to engineering. The outcome and novelty are a suite of questions that integrate disciplinary perspectives and offer a means of encouraging context and technologically sensitive outcomes. Full article

Food systems are currently challenged by a difficult balance: they rely heavily on natural resources while simultaneously generating significant volumes of waste, all under increasing pressure to decarbonize operations and close material loops. In this context, this study proposes strategic pillars for circular practices in the food industry, with an emphasis on the transformation of waste and by-products into high value-added resources through bio-based processes supported by biorefineries, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To underpin this proposal, a PRISMA-guided content analysis of the literature published between 2019 and 2024 (Scopus) identified 30 recurrent CE elements. These elements were systematized into five strategic pillars: valorization of residues and by-products; digitalization of the food supply chain; sustainable education and stakeholder engagement; strategic partnerships for circular business; and regenerative practices based on renewable resources. Together, these pillars point to practical pathways, including the reuse of residues to produce functional ingredients and nutraceuticals, the creation of innovative, sustainable packaging, the generation of renewable energy from biomass, the strengthening of local supply networks, and the use of digital technologies to enhance traceability and transparency. By integrating and organizing fragmented evidence, the proposed framework delivers effective guidance to food industry actors, helping overcome economic and operational barriers to circular practices while supporting collaboration with local partners and research institutions. In doing so, it additionally contributes to advancing key SDGs, particularly SDGs 2, 7, 9, 12, 13, and 17. Full article

The Brazilian residential sector is one of the largest consumers of electricity, making residential energy consumption a critical component of national energy systems. Electricity consumption patterns in this sector are closely associated with household appliance ownership and, consequently, with socioeconomic status. For residential energy planning to operate more equitably and efficiently, it is essential that consumption analyses be aligned with the socioeconomic conditions of the population. This study examines the role of socioeconomic variables in residential energy planning through the application of supervised machine learning algorithms within a data-driven socioeconomic segmentation framework. Decision trees, support vector machines, and artificial neural networks were implemented using data from the Brazilian residential sector to evaluate model performance and to determine the extent to which household socioeconomic status can be inferred from variables related to appliance ownership and electricity consumption characteristics. The results showed that household appliances, such as refrigerators, microwave ovens, and air conditioners, exhibited substantial predictive power in relation to socioeconomic status, thus improving the interpretation and understanding of residential energy consumption from a multidimensional perspective. The neural network model achieved the highest predictive performance. By enabling data-driven socioeconomic segmentation based on observable electricity consumption patterns, this approach provides relevant insights for residential energy planning and contributes to more targeted and equitable energy policy design, supporting Sustainable Development Goal 7 on Affordable and Clean Energy and Sustainable Development Goal 10 on Reduced Inequalities. Full article

Achieving thermal comfort in social housing under variable and changing climates presents a critical challenge for sustainable building design and energy efficiency. This study develops a simulation-based multi-objective optimization framework to support early-stage design of climate-resilient social housing in Brazil, aiming to reduce thermal discomfort and associated mechanical conditioning energy demands. The goal is to identify building envelope configurations that minimize total construction cost while maximizing annual thermal comfort hours, thereby reducing the need for active heating and cooling systems. A reference single-room prototype is simulated in EnergyPlus for five cities representing distinct climatic zones. A wide range of construction alternatives for walls, roofs, slabs, and glazing are evaluated, with costs derived from the national SINAPI database and comfort assessed using the ASHRAE adaptive model based on operative temperature. The optimization, performed with the NSGA-II algorithm (via PyMOO), generates city-specific Pareto fronts that quantify the inherent trade-off between cost and comfort. Results show that optimal solutions range from approximately R$4800 to R$8900 in cost, achieving between 1350 and 3550 annual comfort hours, heavily influenced by local climate. Frequency analysis reveals that wall and roof assemblies are the most influential design variables. The proposed framework provides a transparent, data-driven decision-support tool for defining cost-effective, climate-adapted construction standards, contributing directly to sustainable housing policy, energy poverty reduction, and the development of resilient, low-carbon built environments aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), particularly SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Full article

The increasing competition for land between agriculture and electricity generation has driven the implementation agrivoltaic systems (AVSs) as a strategy aligned with Sustainable Development Goals 7 and 13. This study systematically analyzes how AVS design influences agricultural yield (AY), energy yield (EY), and overall sustainability. A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA protocol, complemented by bibliometric analysis and an exploratory correlation analysis of design variables, productivity indicators, and environmental and economic metrics. From an initial set of 243 records, 79 studies published between 2018 and 2025 were included. The results identify general trends across heterogeneous studies, although these patterns should not be interpreted as universally applicable. Intermediate ground cover ratios (GCRs) (≈30–40%) are commonly associated with favorable trade-offs between AY and EY, often resulting in land equivalent ratios above 1.5 under specific conditions. Reported outcomes indicate that AVS can achieve increases in EY, improvements in water-use efficiency, reductions in CO₂ emissions, and competitive economic performance, although these results vary depending on crop type, climate, system configuration, and PV technology. Overall, the analysis highlights GCR as a key design parameter and underscores that AVS performance depends on multivariable and context-specific design rather than universally applicable thresholds, reinforcing its potential as a sustainable agri-energy solution. Full article

The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz on 28 February 2026 disrupted approximately 20 million barrels (bbl) per day of crude oil transit, constituting the largest supply shock in global oil market history. This study quantifies the resulting economic losses under three blockade-duration scenarios and evaluates the Northern Sea Route (NSR) as a partial mitigation mechanism through a novel framework integrating sustainable supply chain resilience (SSCR), the Triple Bottom Line (TBL), and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A 3 × 3 scenario matrix crossing three blockade durations with three NSR utilization levels estimates global and country-level impacts using data from the International Energy Agency (IEA), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the Centre for High North Logistics (CHNL). Even under maximum feasible NSR utilization, net environmentally adjustment mitigation offsets only 1.1–3.6% of total global losses, demonstrating that the Northern Sea Route functions as marginal insurance rather than a viable substitute for Hormuz-dependent supply chains. Global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) losses range from USD 330 billion to USD 2.2 trillion, with South Korea (68–70% Middle East crude dependency) and Japan (approximately 95%) disproportionately affected. After TBL environmentally adjustment monetizing CO₂, black-carbon, and icebreaker costs, the NSR mitigates 1.1–3.6% of total losses, functioning as insurance rather than substitution. The SDG assessment reveals a fundamental trade-off: the NSR offsets energy-security losses (SDGs 7, 9) but worsens climate and marine outcomes (SDGs 13, 14). Theoretically, this study proposes “alternative maritime route availability” as a conceptual extension of supply chain resilience (SCRes) capabilities and outlines a sustainability-adjusted resilience score (SARS) framework that, pending further validation, could serve as a replicable assessment tool. These findings underscore that accelerating the energy transition remains the most effective long-term response to chokepoint vulnerability. Full article

Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) strongly influences health, comfort, and learning performance in academic buildings, yet assessment practices remain fragmented and rarely aligned with sustainability goals. This study conducted a PRISMA 2020-guided systematic literature review to identify, screen, and map IEQ indicators for educational facilities and to develop a sustainability-aligned framework for classroom evaluation. Searches of Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science (2010–2025) yielded 365 records; after de-duplication and eligibility screening, 142 peer-reviewed studies were included. From these, 118 unique IEQ indicators were extracted and classified into six domains: thermal comfort, indoor air quality, acoustic quality, visual comfort, environmental quality, and spatial quality. Using sustainability-oriented screening criteria (measurability, relevance, reliability, data accessibility, understandability, and long-term applicability), 50 indicators (42%) were retained as methodologically robust, while 68 (58%) were excluded due to weak standardization or limited practical applicability. The retained indicators were systematically mapped to the environmental, social, and economic pillars and aligned with key SDGs (3, 4, 7, 11, and 13). The resulting Sustainability-Aligned IEQ Indicator Framework integrates quality-screened indicators with pillar/SDG alignment and a mixed-method pathway that combines objective monitoring and occupant perception, supporting context-sensitive evaluation, particularly for naturally ventilated and tropical learning environments. Full article

Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is a tropical infectious disease transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito and exhibits seasonal patterns with periodic increases in cases throughout the year. The control of vector-borne diseases such as DHF is very important for strengthening public health resilience against climate change, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for Good Health, Well-being, and Climate Action. Therefore, this study was focused on Bogor city, which experiences high rainfall and continues to face an elevated risk of DHF. The objective was to develop a time series forecasting model to predict DHF outbreaks using Singular Spectrum Analysis (SSA). This is a statistical method for identifying patterns in time series data. Lunar and Solar calendars were adopted to capture seasonal patterns and determine the optimal window length for prediction. The results showed that the Lunar calendar more accurately captured local seasonal variation related to DHF risk. Moreover, the SSA model with one component and a window length of 7 achieved the best performance with a Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) of 0.0757. The forecast accuracy decreased with longer horizons, but the model provided reliable predictions for short-term periods (approximately 1 month, i.e., up to 4 weeks ahead), which were considered useful for planning DHF mitigation. The results emphasized that the combination of SSA with appropriate calendar systems could improve the accuracy of epidemiological predictions and support vector control policymaking in tropical regions. Full article

Biomass pyrolysis has emerged as a flexible platform for converting low-value residues into higher-value energy carriers (bio-oil, biochar and gas) and carbon-rich materials, with realistic potential for negative emissions when biochar is deployed in long-lived sinks. Over the last decade, three developments have driven the field forward: first, a finer mechanistic understanding of devolatilization and secondary reactions; second, major improvements in analytical techniques for characterising feedstocks and products; and third, more rigorous techno-economic and life-cycle assessments that place pyrolysis in a broader energy-system context. Recent experimental work on forestry and agro-industrial residues has clarified how biomass composition, ash chemistry and operating conditions jointly govern product yields, energy content and stability. Parallel advances in GC×GC–MS, high-resolution mass spectrometry, NMR and thermogravimetric methods have shifted the discussion from bulk “bio-oil” and “char” to families of molecules and well-defined structural domains, which can be deliberately targeted by reactor and catalyst design. Data-driven models, ranging from support vector machines applied to TGA curves to ANFIS and random forests for yield prediction, are now accurate enough to support process screening and multi-objective optimisation. At the system level, commercial fast pyrolysis biorefineries report overall useful energy efficiencies on the order of 80–86%, while slow pyrolysis configurations centred on biochar can be economically viable when carbon storage and co-products are appropriately valued. Thermodynamic analyses confirm that indirect gasification via fast-pyrolysis oil sacrifices some energy and exergy efficiency relative to direct solid-biomass gasification but may offer logistical and integration advantages. This review synthesises recent work on (i) feedstock and process characterisation; (ii) state-of-the-art analytical methods for bio-oil, biochar and gas; (iii) modelling and machine-learning tools; and (iv) energy-system deployment of pyrolysis products. Throughout, the emphasis is on how characterisation and modelling inform concrete design choices and on the trade-offs that arise when pyrolysis is considered as part of a wider decarbonisation portfolio. By integrating laboratory-scale characterisation with system-level modelling, this review aligns biomass pyrolysis with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The optimisation of thermochemical conversion pathways for forestry and agro-industrial residues directly supports SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) by enhancing the efficiency of bio-oil and syngas production. Furthermore, the deployment of biochar as a stable carbon sink for negative emissions and soil amendment addresses SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land). By converting low-value waste streams into high-value energy carriers and chemicals within a circular bioeconomy framework, the research further contributes to SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure). Full article