Special Issue Information

Dear colleagues,

The main goal of this Special Issue is to uncover capabilities of the “new and innovative clean technologies” for reducing/eliminating different forms of waste from economic development activities. More specifically, demonstrating significance of using innovative technologies to improve energy efficiency, promote sustainable use of resources, and design of sustainable manufacturing systems. This Special Issue primarily aims to demonstrate how new and innovative clean technologies could be used to promote sustainable use of energy, reduction in carbon footprints of the buildings, industrial manufacturing processes, and service industries. Papers suggesting innovative environmental policy instrument designs and/or pioneering financial models that could promote design of energy-efficient and carbon-neutral products/processes/technologies are also of special interest.

Dr. Nasrin R. Khalili
Guest Editor

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Keywords

innovative technologies
cleaner production
manufacturing industry
service industry
sustainable products
carbon footprints
energy efficiency
environmental policy
financial models
sustainable development

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 1325 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Community Based Pollution Prevention for Two Urban Cities—A Case Study

by Jay N. Meegoda, Daniel Watts, Hsin-Neng Hsieh and Bruno Bezerra de Souza

Clean Technol. 2021, 3(1), 59-78; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/cleantechnol3010004 - 20 Jan 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 6325

Abstract

Pollution prevention is an approach for generating less waste using fewer toxic chemicals while conserving water and energy. Even though pollution prevention practices have been encouraged for over thirty years, many smaller businesses have not considered or adopted such techniques. This study examines the effect of a community-based approach designed to emphasize the benefits to the health and economic well-being of urban communities when source reduction practices are implemented by businesses in the community. Partnering with existing community groups in Newark and Jersey City, NJ, technical assistance was provided to small and medium-sized businesses under grant funding from Region 2 of the US Environmental Protection Agency. In this research, 32 small and medium-sized businesses were evaluated for source reduction opportunities and implementation plans were drawn up. After these businesses implemented operational changes, emission and cost savings were determined and reported back to respective small business owners as well as to the communities during community meetings designed to encourage additional participation. Based on 32 case studies, several measurable benefits were achieved, including the yearly saving of 932 pounds of hazardous waste, 3917 pounds of non-hazardous waste, 13.62 metric tons of carbon equivalent (MTCE) of greenhouse gases and $5335 USD. The initial findings suggest that community-based programs such as this can be beneficial but must be sustained over a period of time. One issue that was repeatedly observed, and is likely widely believed, is the concern of small business operators that cooperation with any group funded by a government program may lead to the assessment of fines or penalties for environmental violations. This concern limits the willingness of many smaller businesses to participate. The findings of this study suggest that a sustained community-based program may overcome that concern through demonstration of the benefit to the business and the community, and through credibility building achieved by regular community reporting and the absence of official intervention. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pollution Prevention and Clean Production Strategies)

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12 pages, 1746 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparison of Small-Scale Wind Energy Conversion Systems: Economic Indexes

by Muhammad Shahzad Nazir, Yeqin Wang, Muhammad Bilal, Hafiz M. Sohail, Athraa Ali Kadhem, H. M. Rashid Nazir, Ahmed N. Abdalla and Yongheng Ma

Clean Technol. 2020, 2(2), 144-155; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/cleantechnol2020010 - 03 Apr 2020

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 4635

Abstract

Wind energy is considered as one of the most prominent sources of energy for sustainable development. This technology is of interest owing to its capability to produce clean, eco-friendly, and cost-effective energy for small-scale users and rural areas where grid power availability is insufficient. Wind power generation has developed rapidly in the past decade and is expected to play a vital role in the economic development of countries. Therefore, studying dominant economic factors is crucial to properly approach public and private financing for this emerging technology, as industrial growth and energy demands may outpace further economic studies earlier than expected. In this study, a strategy-focused method for performing economic analysis on wind energy based on financial net present value, levelized cost of energy, internal rate of return, and investment recovery period is presented. Numerical and simulation results depict the most optimal and economical system from a 3 and a 10 kW wind energy conversion system (WECS). Moreover, the aforementioned criteria are used to determine which WECS range is the most suitable investment with the shortest payback period. Finally, an economically viable and profitable wind energy system is recommended. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pollution Prevention and Clean Production Strategies)

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