Low Carbon Technologies for Sustainable Environment

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2022) | Viewed by 15452

Special Issue Editors

Energy Institute, University College London, London WC1H 0NN, UK
Interests: resource nexus (water–energy–land–food–materials); governance; scenarios analysis; sustainability; systems modelling
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Department of Management and Innovation Systems, University of Salerno, 84084 Salerno, Italy
Interests: smart grids; energy management; power systems; demand response
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Low carbon technologies (LCT) are key for further economic progress and stronger climate change mitigation ambition. Therefore, it is important to monitor progress towards LCT deployment and understand technological development and gaps.

This Special Issue of Applied Sciences aims at bringing together the most recent research activities in the area of low carbon technologies deployment in various sectors (industry, services, transport, etc.) and application of technologies to the challenges created by climate change.

The topics of interest for this Special issue include but are not limited to:

  • Innovative and emerging new technologies;
  • Hybrid technologies (e.g., solar thermal power and solar desalination; biogas and solar);
  • Process optimization with carbon reduction in industry;
  • Advancements in key components;
  • Waste and electricity management;
  • Techniques to improve efficiency and its reliability;
  • Simulation, optimization, and analysis tools;
  • Integrated approaches;
  • Low carbon practices in the service and industrial sectors;
  • Environmental impact mitigation;
  • Low carbon power system (e.g., fuel cell power, advanced gas turbine power system);
  • Waste to energy cycle system.
Prof. Dr. Catalina Spataru
Prof. Dr. Pierluigi Siano
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Low carbon technologies
  • Energy conversion and management
  • Practices
  • Environmental impact
  • System modelling
  • Energy conversion

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 5060 KiB  
Article
Influence of the Thermal State of Vehicle Combustion Engines on the Results of the National Inventory of Pollutant Emissions
by Katarzyna Bebkiewicz, Zdzisław Chłopek, Hubert Sar, Krystian Szczepański and Magdalena Zimakowska-Laskowska
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(19), 9084; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11199084 - 29 Sep 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1212
Abstract
The article presents the results of studies on the influence of the thermal state of vehicle combustion engines on pollutant emissions. This influence was analyzed based on data from Poland’s inventory of pollutant emissions for the years 1990–2017. The results show that during [...] Read more.
The article presents the results of studies on the influence of the thermal state of vehicle combustion engines on pollutant emissions. This influence was analyzed based on data from Poland’s inventory of pollutant emissions for the years 1990–2017. The results show that during engine warm-up, carbon monoxide emission constitutes the largest share (up to 50%) in the national annual total emission. Volatile organic compounds are next in the ranking, whereas the share of nitrogen oxides is the lowest (less than 5%). Under the model traffic conditions, close to those in Poland’s cities in winter, simulation tests regarding additional pollutant emissions from passenger cars during engine warm-up were also carried out. As a result of the cold-start emissive behavior of internal combustion engines, emissions of carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds showed a considerably greater impact on national pollutant emission, as compared to carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. This is particularly evident for the results of the inventory of pollutant emissions from road transport. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Low Carbon Technologies for Sustainable Environment)
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17 pages, 2469 KiB  
Article
A Set Covering Model for a Green Ship Routing and Scheduling Problem with Berth Time-Window Constraints for Use in the Bulk Cargo Industry
by Apichit Maneengam and Apinanthana Udomsakdigool
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(11), 4840; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11114840 - 25 May 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2026
Abstract
This paper presents a set covering model based on route representation to solve the green ship routing and scheduling problem (GSRSP) with berth time-window constraints for multiple bulk ports. A bi-objective set covering model is constructed with features based on the minimization of [...] Read more.
This paper presents a set covering model based on route representation to solve the green ship routing and scheduling problem (GSRSP) with berth time-window constraints for multiple bulk ports. A bi-objective set covering model is constructed with features based on the minimization of the total CO2 equivalent emissions and the total travel time subject to a limited number of berths in each port, berthing time windows, and the time window for each job. The solutions are obtained using the ε-constraint method, after which a Pareto frontier is plotted. This problem is motivated by the operations of feeder barges and terminals, where the logistics control tower is used to coordinate the routing and berthing time of its barges. We show that the proposed method outperforms the weighted sum method in terms of the number of Pareto solutions and the value of the hypervolume indicator. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Low Carbon Technologies for Sustainable Environment)
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14 pages, 5986 KiB  
Article
Design and Fabrication of a Novel Window-Type Convection Device
by Han-Tang Lin, Yunn-Horng Guu and Wei-Hsuan Hsu
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(1), 267; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11010267 - 29 Dec 2020
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1830
Abstract
Global warming, climate change, and ever-increasing energy demand are among the pressing challenges currently facing humanity. Particularly, indoor air conditioning, a major source of energy consumption, requires immediate improvement to prevent energy crises. In this study, various airfoil profiles were applied to create [...] Read more.
Global warming, climate change, and ever-increasing energy demand are among the pressing challenges currently facing humanity. Particularly, indoor air conditioning, a major source of energy consumption, requires immediate improvement to prevent energy crises. In this study, various airfoil profiles were applied to create a window-type convection device that entrains air to improve convection between indoor and outdoor airflows and adjust the indoor temperature. How the geometric structure of the convection device affects its air entrainment performance was investigated on the basis of various airfoil profiles and outlet slit sizes of the airflow multiplier. The airfoil profiles were designed according to the 4-digit series developed by the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. The results revealed that airfoil thickness, airfoil camber, and air outlet slit size affected the mass flow rate of the convection device. Overall, the mass flow rate at the outlet of the convection device was more than 10 times greater than at the inlet, demonstrating the potential of the device to improve air convection. To validate these simulated results, the wind-deflector plate was processed using the NACA4424 airfoil with a 1.2 mm slit, and various operating voltages were applied to the convection device to measure the resulting wind speeds and calculate the corresponding mass flow rates. The experimental and simulated results were similar, with a mean error of <7%, indicating that the airfoil-shaped wind-deflector plate substantially improved air entrainment of the convection device to the goal of reduced energy consumption and carbon emissions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Low Carbon Technologies for Sustainable Environment)
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23 pages, 1036 KiB  
Article
A Multistage Sustainable Production–Inventory Model with Carbon Emission Reduction and Price-Dependent Demand under Stackelberg Game
by Chi-Jie Lu, Tian-Shyug Lee, Ming Gu and Chih-Te Yang
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(14), 4878; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10144878 - 16 Jul 2020
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 2282
Abstract
This paper investigated a multistage sustainable production–inventory model for deteriorating items (i.e., raw materials and finished goods) with price-dependent demand and collaborative carbon reduction technology investment under carbon tax regulation. The model was developed by first defining the total profit of the supply [...] Read more.
This paper investigated a multistage sustainable production–inventory model for deteriorating items (i.e., raw materials and finished goods) with price-dependent demand and collaborative carbon reduction technology investment under carbon tax regulation. The model was developed by first defining the total profit of the supply chain members under carbon tax regulation and, second, considering a manufacturer (leader)–retailer (follower) Stackelberg game. The optimal equilibrium solutions that maximize the manufacturer’s and retailer’s total profits were determined through the method analysis. An algorithm complemented the model to determine the optimal equilibrium solutions, which were then treated with sensitivity analyses for the major parameters. Based on the numerical analysis, (a) carbon tax policies help reduce carbon emissions for both the manufacturer and retailer; (b) most carbon emissions from supply chain operations negatively impact the total profits of both members; (c) the retailer may increase the optimal equilibrium selling price to respond to an increase in carbon emissions from supply chain operations or carbon tax; and (d) autonomous consumption positively affects both members’ optimal equilibrium policies and total profits, whereas induced consumption does the opposite. These findings are very managerial and instructive for companies seeking profits and fulfilling environmental responsibility and governments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Low Carbon Technologies for Sustainable Environment)
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24 pages, 2918 KiB  
Article
Carbon-Efficient Virtual Machine Placement Based on Dynamic Voltage Frequency Scaling in Geo-Distributed Cloud Data Centers
by T. Renugadevi, K. Geetha, Natarajan Prabaharan and Pierluigi Siano
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(8), 2701; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app10082701 - 14 Apr 2020
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2120
Abstract
The tremendous growth of big data analysis and IoT (Internet of Things) has made cloud computing an integral part of society. The prominent problem associated with data centers is the growing energy consumption, which results in environmental pollution. Data centers can reduce their [...] Read more.
The tremendous growth of big data analysis and IoT (Internet of Things) has made cloud computing an integral part of society. The prominent problem associated with data centers is the growing energy consumption, which results in environmental pollution. Data centers can reduce their carbon emissions through efficient management of server power consumption for a given workload. Dynamic voltage frequency scaling (DVFS) can be applied to control the operating frequencies of the servers based on the workloads assigned to them, as this approach has a cubic increment relationship with power consumption. This research work proposes two DVFS-enabled host selection algorithms for virtual machine (VM) placement with a cluster selection strategy, namely the carbon and power-efficient optimal frequency (C-PEF) algorithm and the carbon-aware first-fit optimal frequency (C-FFF) algorithm.The main aims of the proposed algorithms are to balance the load among the servers and dynamically tune the cooling load based on the current workload. The cluster selection strategy is based on static and dynamic power usage effectiveness (PUE) values and the carbon footprint rate (CFR). The cluster selection is also extended to non-DVFS host selection policies, namely the carbon- and power-efficient (C-PE) algorithm, carbon-aware first-fit (C-FF) algorithm, and carbon-aware first-fit least-empty (C-FFLE) algorithm. The results show that C-FFF achieves 2% more power reduction than C-PEF and C-PE, and demonstrates itself as a power-efficient algorithm for CO2 reduction, retaining the same quality of service (QoS) as its counterparts with lower computational overheads. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Low Carbon Technologies for Sustainable Environment)
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14 pages, 1900 KiB  
Article
Study on the Carbon Emissions in the Whole Construction Process of Prefabricated Floor Slab
by Aisan Kong, Haibo Kang, Siyuan He, Na Li and Wei Wang
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(7), 2326; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app10072326 - 28 Mar 2020
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 4055
Abstract
The construction industry is characterized by high energy consumption and high carbon emissions. With growing concern about climate change, environmental protection is becoming increasingly important. In this paper, the whole construction process of prefabricated floor slab (PFS) is divided into three stages: production, [...] Read more.
The construction industry is characterized by high energy consumption and high carbon emissions. With growing concern about climate change, environmental protection is becoming increasingly important. In this paper, the whole construction process of prefabricated floor slab (PFS) is divided into three stages: production, transportation, and construction stages. Carbon emissions are calculated based on the life cycle assessment (LCA) method. A case study of PFS construction in Shaoxing city, China, was examined, and the calculation results were compared and evaluated with the traditional construction methods, which showed that in the production stage, carbon emissions increased due to mechanical operations during the prefabrication process. In the transportation stage, carbon emissions also increased due to the heavier prefabricated components during the transportation process. During the on-site construction stage, carbon emissions considerably decreased due to the lower hoisting frequency and less on-site pouring. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Low Carbon Technologies for Sustainable Environment)
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