Search results for "Energy engineering"
showing 9 items of 1099 documents
Towards to Sustainable Tourism – Framework, Activities and Dimensions
2013
Abstract The tourism sector is most often associated with the attractive places worth to visit, sights to be seen or entertainment. In the general opinion, tourist sector does not have any negatives - it causes hundreds of tourists coming to the country who leave money, provide jobs and disseminate local space. On the other hand, heavy tourist traffic causes a significant damage, not only to the environment, which may lead to its degradation, but it also has a negative impact on the local community - for example, tourists bring a Coke or McDonalds’, the things unknown for one region, for example and they can lead to tooth decay or obesity. Fortunately, for many years many attempts have been…
Bilevel heat exchanger network synthesis with an interactive multi-objective optimization method
2012
Abstract Heat exchanger network synthesis (HENS) has been an active research area for more than 40 years because well-designed heat exchanger networks enable heat recovery in process industries in an energy- and cost-efficient manner. Due to ever increasing global competition and need to decrease the harmful effects done on the environment, there still is a continuous need to improve the heat exchanger networks and their synthesizing methods. In this work we present a HENS method that combines an interactive multi-objective optimization method with a simultaneous bilevel HENS method, where the bilevel part of the method is based on grouping of process streams and building aggregate streams …
Is there a Nordic model of final disposal of spent nuclear fuel? Governance insights from Finland and Sweden
2017
This paper explores citizen participation in Swedish and Finnish regulatory processes for final disposal of spent nuclear fuel (SNF). Finland and Sweden are considered the most advanced worldwide in term of SNF disposal plans. Our aim is to analyze the institutional waste management frameworks, focusing on the role of civil society organizations (CSOs); how lay-people and civil society organizations have been able to participate and contribute to radioactive waste licensing processes; and the nature of radioactive waste risk debates. We review official documents of the waste companies and nuclear safety authorities, plus information from civil society organizations and laypeople. Our theore…
Realizing the social acceptance of community renewable energy: A process-outcome analysis of stakeholder influence
2014
This study shows how stakeholders influence the development of community renewable energy (CRE) schemes and how they are influenced by their outcome. It relies on information collected during 41 structured interviews with local people involved in CRE initiatives in seven regions of Europe. The interviews were thematically analyzed to identify different types of stakeholder influence. The findings show that stakeholder influence on CRE schemes take place at three distinct levels: macro, intercommunity and intracommunity. In addition, key stakeholders can support or hinder the development of a project according to whether or not they perceive that the output of the project may benefit or harm…
Performance of Lead-Acid Batteries with Nanostructured Electrodes at Different Temperature
2018
In this work we present innovative lead-acid batteries with nanostructured electrodes, which are cycled in a wide range of temperatures typically of lead-acid commercial batteries (EN 61427-1: 2013). In comparison to parameters usually used to commercial batteries, much more stressful conditions in terms of cut-off, charge/discharge rate and discharge were imposed.
Vacuum-Deposited Cesium Tin Iodide Thin Films with Tunable Thermoelectric Properties
2022
Most current thermoelectric materials have important drawbacks, such as toxicity, scarceness, and peak operating temperatures above 300 °C. Herein, we report the thermoelectric properties of different crystalline phases of Sn-based perovskite thin films. The 2D phase, Cs2SnI4, is obtained through vacuum thermal deposition and easily converted into the black β phase of CsSnI3(B-β CsSnI3) by annealing at 150 °C. B-β CsSnI3is a p-type semiconductor with a figure of merit (ZT) ranging from 0.021 to 0.033 for temperatures below 100 °C, which makes it a promising candidate to power small electronic devices such as wearable sensors which may be interconnected in the so-called Internet of Things. T…
Stationary, Second Use Battery Energy Storage Systems and Their Applications: A Research Review
2021
The global demand for electricity is rising due to the increased electrification of multiple sectors of economic activity and an increased focus on sustainable consumption. Simultaneously, the share of cleaner electricity generated by transient, renewable sources such as wind and solar energy is increasing. This has made additional buffer capacities for electrical grids necessary. Battery energy storage systems have been investigated as storage solutions due to their responsiveness, efficiency, and scalability. Storage systems based on the second use of discarded electric vehicle batteries have been identified as cost-efficient and sustainable alternatives to first use battery storage syste…
Rural Population in Romania. Development and Tendencies (2000 – 2010)
2013
Abstract Demography is among the top factors which exert an undeniable influence upon the economic environment. Therefore, the populace - through its dynamics and characteristics - leaves an imprint upon the social and economic landscape, being a keen barometer and contributing to economic progress. The relationship demography-economy is extremely tight, since the populace is perceived as being a true representation of what characterizes our economy. Romania originated as a country with an agriculture-based economy – a fact which translated in its major rural population; nowadays, due to a sum of various developments, the rural populace is undergoing a decreasing trend. The situation is all…
IEA EBC Annex83 Positive Energy Districts
2021
At a global level, the need for energy efficiency and an increased share of renewable energy sources is evident, as is the crucial role of cities due to the rapid urbanization rate. As a consequence of this, the research work related to Positive Energy Districts (PED) has accelerated in recent years. A common shared definition, as well as technological approaches or methodological issues related to PEDs are still unclear in this development and a global scientific discussion is needed. The International Energy Agency’s Energy in Buildings and Communities Programme (IEA EBC) Annex 83 is the main platform for this international scientific debate and research. This paper describes the challeng…