Financing energy transformation: The role of renewable energy equity indices

The support of financial markets for the transformation of the energy system to a low carbon society seems critical for its success. But will they support this transformation on the basis of market incentives alone? This study analyses how equity indices that try to capture renewable energy investments perform compared to conventional benchmark indices. Especially financial market investors—such as pension funds, insurance companies, and mutual funds—use these to assess and guide their renewable energy investments. As such, we take the perspective of financial market participants, which mainly only indirectly invest in renewable energy. We also analyze whether renewable energy indices are to be regarded as an example of market environmentalism. We find that the renewable energy indices’ risk-adjusted return is very poor and suggests renewables is not a financially attractive portfolio investment yet. We also argue that renewable energy equity indices can be regarded as an example of market environmentalism, especially with respect to commodification and frame-shifting.     

The impact of the electricity tariff reform on renewable energies and energy efficiency investments: The case of the Italian residential market

This article investigates the impact that the electricity tariff reform is likely to have on investments in renewable energies (i.e., photovoltaics) and the adoption of energy efficiency measures (i.e., installation of heat pumps and efficient home appliances) in the residential market in Italy. The study develops detailed cost comparisons and simulations considering two different investment scenarios (before and after the reform) to conclude that the reform will: (i) have a negative impact on investments in photovoltaic systems; (ii) favor the adoption of energy efficiency measures, such as efficient home appliances.     

The effects of pulverized refuse fines (PRF) as a soil material on plant growth

Pulverized refuse fines (PRF) are the residual fine screenings from refuse-derived fuel plants after the removal of metals and oversize material from domestic refuse, and the extraction of the light fraction as fuel. It appears to be a potential soil amendment, but currently it is disposed of by landfilling. The glasshouse experiment described in this paper therefore evaluated its effectiveness as a soil amendment or soil material for plant growth.PRF had a slightly alkaline pH and was high in organic carbon and soluble salts. Unamended PRF supported significantly higher yields of ryegrass than PRF mixed with a sandy soil at 2 and 10% (w/w), and was comparable to that of sewage sludge and sludge-amended PRF. On the other hand, PRF supplemented with inorganic nitrogen or phosphorus resulted in better yields than PRF alone. Despite the high C/N ratio of PRF, nitrogen recovery in ryegrass suggested that mineralization was sufficiently high to allow adequate plant uptake and sustained plant growth, although there was initial inhibition. Tissue contents of zinc, copper and cadmium from pure PRF treatment were not excessive and were lower than those from sewage sludge.High rate applications of PRF, which are desirable from the viewpoint of disposal, should not cause environmental degradation. PRF is not as good as commercial fertilizers or potting media, but it can be an excellent soil substitute in horticulture and land reclamation.     

黄磷厂废渣作水泥混合材的研究

本文较系统地研究了影响黄磷渣作水泥混合材的因素；推荐了提高黄磷渣作水泥混合材的掺量必须控制的条件；按推荐的控制条件，黄磷渣作水泥混合材的掺量可高达４０％以上。     

Coconut oil as a fuel in the Pacific Islands

The steadily increasing world market prices for fossil fuels in the past years have significantly increased interest in the development of indigenous sources of energy in the Pacific islands. As an import substitution strategy, many Pacific island Governments are looking into the use of local biomass resources to replace traditionally imported fuels such as petrol and diesel by biofuels. An overview of biofuel activities is given, with experiences and key achievements in Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Kiribati and Marshall Islands with regard to efforts to develop alternative fuels. There are strong linkages between developments in the various Pacific island countries and lessons to be learned from experiences and policies implemented among Governments in the Pacific region. The paper concludes that there is a need for standardization, quality control and testing facilities for biofuels in the region. Governments need to investigate further the level of support that is required to make biofuel operations viable and maximize macroeconomic and environmental benefits.     

CO2 capture and storage from a bioethanol plant: Carbon and energy footprint and economic assessment

Biomass energy and carbon capture and storage (BECCS) can lead to a net removal of atmospheric CO₂. This paper investigates environmental and economic performances of CCS retrofit applied to two mid-sized refineries producing ethanol from sugar beets. Located in the Region Centre France, each refinery has two major CO₂ sources: fermentation and cogeneration units. “carbon and energy footprint” (CEF) and “discounted cash flow” (DCF) analyses show that such a project could be a good opportunity for CCS early deployment. CCS retrofit on fermentation only with natural gas fired cogeneration improves CEF of ethanol production and consumption by 60% without increasing much the non renewable energy consumption. CCS retrofit on fermentation and natural gas fired cogeneration is even more appealing by decreasing of 115% CO₂ emissions, while increasing non renewable energy consumption by 40%. DCF shows that significant project rates of return can be achieved for such small sources if both a stringent carbon policy and direct subsidies corresponding to 25% of necessary investment are assumed. We also underlined that transport and storage cost dilution can be realistically achieved by clustering emissions from various plants located in the same area. On a single plant basis, increasing ethanol production can also produce strong economies of scale.     

The experience of waste minimization at a nitrocellulose manufacturing plant

This article describes how Taiwan nitrocellulose industrial company (TNC) applies the structured methodology developed by the U.S. environmental protection agency (USEPA) to reduce, recycle and recover the wastes generated at its Taoyuan plant. The company has generated significantly less amounts of wastes, improved the competitiveness in the international market and met more stringent environmental regulations since conducting the minimization program in the late 1980s. The experience gained at the Taoyuan plant is being applied to other plants in China and Philippines.     

The proton exchange membrane fuel cell systems using methanolysis of sodium borohydride as a hydrogen source with cobalt catalysts

Constant hydrogen generation via a hydrogen generator is evaluated from the methanolysis of sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) using Co/Al₂O₃ and MnO_x/Al₂O₃ catalysts. Chemical borohydrides coupled with catalysts can be used for compact storage and to create efficient generation systems. Thus, we first report the catalytic activity of MnO_x/Al₂O₃, which is synthesized using the simple wet-impregnation method, for the methanolysis reaction. The results indicate that both catalysts can effectively accelerate the methanolysis reaction and provide constant hydrogen generation rates. Thus, we integrate this hydrogen generation system into a proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack (PEMFC) to determine whether it can be used as a portable power supply. As a result, this fuel cell system operates at 40 W for 1 hr using the hydrogen source supplied from the catalytic methanolysis reaction.     

The Wild Animal as a Research Animal

Most discussions on animal experimentation refer to domesticated animals and regulations are tailored to this class of animals. However, wild animals are also used for research, e.g., in biological field research that is often directed to fundamental ecological-evolutionary questions or to conservation goals. There are several differences between domesticated and wild animals that are relevant for evaluation of the acceptability of animal experiments. Biological features of wild animals are often more critical as compared with domesticated animals because of their survival effects. An important issue is what is called here “natural suffering”: the suffering from natural circumstances. Should this type of suffering be taken into account when suffering from experimentation is evaluated? As an answer, it is suggested that ``natural functioning'' should be considered as an additional standard in the evaluation of wild animal experimentation. Finally, two topics related to the ecological context are considered. Firstly, the often inevitable involvement of non-research animals in wild animal experimentation, and secondly, the eco-centric approach to nature conservation. According to the latter position, animals are subordinated to ecosystems. All these aspects make the evaluation of wild animal experiments much more complex than experiments with domesticated animals. Preliminary scores are proposed to deal with these aspects. It is argued that this should not lead to a more complex governmental regulation, since an effective maintenance and control are hard to realize and one may loose the cooperation of researchers themselves. In addition, non-governmental professional organizations such as research societies and funding organizations play a pivotal role.     

Heterostructure CdS/ZnS nanoparticles as a visible light-driven photocatalyst for hydrogen generation from water

(CdS)_x/(ZnS)_1–x nanoparticles were synthesized as a visible light-driven photocatalyst using the stepped microemulsion technique with a series of the ratio factors (x). The photocatalytic test results showed that (CdS)_x/(ZnS)_1-x with x = 0.8 had the highest photo-reactivity for H₂ production from water under visible light. The composite (CdS)_0.8/(ZnS)_0.2 catalyst had a heterogeneous structure that exhibited a much greater photocatalytic hydrogen production activity than either pure CdS or the homogeneous Cd_0.8Zn_0.2S solid solution. ZnS deposition also was shown to largely improve the stability of CdS in the heterostructured CdS/ZnS catalyst. Thermal treatment of the catalyst, i.e., annealing (CdS)_0.8/(ZnS)_0.2 at 723 K, improved the crystallinity of the catalyst and increased its photocatalytic H₂ production rate by more than 36 times. Deposition of Ru on the surface of the catalyst particles by in situ photo-deposition further increased the photo-H₂ generation rate by 3 times. The photocatalyst of 0.5%Ru/CdS/ZnS achieved the highest H₂ production activity, at a rate of 12650 μmol/g-h and with a light to hydrogen energy conversion efficiency of 6.5%.     

The English football ground as a representation of home

Home refers to a number of locations and various meanings associated with it have been identified. However, research has been limited by a focus on house and traditional family. To expand our understanding, this study explored whether a secondary space, the English professional football ground, embodied the same meanings as other places called home. Web survey respondents confirmed, to some extent, their preferred football team's home stadium does represent home similarly. Three distinct aspects of the home emerged: general qualities of home, place attachment, and the importance of social interactions. Some aspects varied by length of team occupancy and season ticket holder status; but none differed by gender. Though the football stadium does represent some qualities of home, it was speculated this may be due to the unique connection to place that underlies English football. Future research should explore how the views of stadiums and other public spaces as home places vary across locales in order to identify how home differs from places to which we are attached.     

The Ethical Contract as a Tool in Organic Animal Husbandry

This article explores what an ethicfor organic animal husbandry might look like,departing from the assumption that organicfarming is substantially based in ecocentricethics. We argue that farm animals arenecessary functional partners in sustainableagroecosystems. This opens up additional waysto argue for their moral standing. We suggestan ethical contract to be used as acomplementary to the ecocentric framework. Weexpound the content of the contract and end bysuggesting how to apply this contract inpractice. The contract enjoins us to share thewealth created in the agroecosystem (by ourjoint contributions) by enjoining us to carefor the welfare and needs of the individualanimal, and to protect them from exploitation(just as human co-workers should not beexploited). The contract makes promoting goodanimal welfare a necessary condition forbenefiting farm animals. Animals for their partare guaranteed coverage under the contract solong as they continue to contribute to thesystem with products and services.     

北京市生态环保建设经验对南京的借鉴

北京以举办奥运为契机,全面改善了环境质量,兑现了“绿色奥运”的庄严承诺。后奥运期间,北京继续实施了一系列环境保护行动计划,大力推进生态文明建设,“绿色奥运”成果得到巩固提升。借鉴北京成功的做法和经验,特提出南京环境保护和生态建设的对策建议。     

The Interior-to-Edge Breakpoint Distance as a Guideline for Nature Conservation Policy

A method is proposed to quantify disturbance impact on isolated habitats. For every landscape patch, the breakpoint distance, defined as the penetration distance for which equality of interior and edge habitat is observed, can be calculated. Disturbance with equal impact at all patch sides is assumed. Effects of patch compactness, size, convolution, and perforation are discussed. The potential use of the measure for nature reserve design is discussed. The breakpoint distance follows the reserve design guidelines for individual patches, based on island biogeography and is consistent with the form and function principle. A large breakpoint distance is preferred for natural habitats. Small size, small compactness, intense convolution, and the occurrence of many gaps depress the breakpoint distance.     

The littoral zone of lake okeechobee as a source of phosphorus after drawdown

Following a period of prolonged drought or intentional lake level drawdown, large littoral areas that once contained submersed aquatic vegetation (SAV) are reinundated when lake levels rise. A complete assessment of the contribution made by decomposing SAV to the in-lake phosphorus (P) concentration is important in both the management of Lake Okeechobee and understanding basic P processes. The P contribution to the open waters of Lake Okeechobee from a rapid inundation of exposed SAV was calculated by four methods: cores of field-desiccated SAV, cores of lab-desiccated SAV in the presence and absence of sediments, in situ decomposition, and sequential macrophyte harvesting. P releases, given such an episodic event, were similar among the four methods, ranging from 116±48 to 384±528 mg/m² in the absence of sediment. When SAV is in contact with sediment, which is the realistic field situation, the amount of P released was four times less (30±14 mg/m²) than in the absence of sediment. The calculated P releases would result in total P concentration increases in the lake from 2 to 15 μg/liter (upper 95% CI=2–25 μg/liter) in the absence of sediment; only 1 μg/liter increase was predicted when SAV released P in contact with sediment. Thus it is unlikely that a significant rise in total P concentrations in the limnetic zone of the lake would occur from the export of P released during the desiccation of SAV in the littoral-marsh zone during a drawdown.     

The deep city: cultural heritage as a resource for sustainable local transformation

ABSTRACT

The sustainable city of the future is typically envisioned as smart, creative and disruptive, assuming that urban and local sustainability is achieved through new technology and innovation. However, considering that the built environments of our cities and surroundings are highly durable, there is also a need to focus on how resources brought from the past – histories, artefacts and places – may be used for promoting urban sustainability. We label this a “deep city” perspective on urban and local transformation. By looking at Røros, a World Heritage Site in central Norway with a dense and historic wooden urban centre, we investigate how its heritage protection facilitates the maintenance of a compact urban centre. We hold that a shared sense of place – the deepness– may serve as a resource against unsustainable sprawl and mall-oriented development.     

The Information Cycle as a Framework for Defining Information Goals for Water-Quality Monitoring

/ The necessity to tailor information becomes increasingly urgent as the information revolution continues to generate ever-increasing flows of data and so-called information. From European experiences, a new approach for monitoring system design is suggested in this paper. In this approach, careful and detailed specification of information needs is a major contributing factor to the effectiveness of information products. To develop better specifications for information products, the process of collecting and transforming data into useful information requires careful thought and guidance. A dialogue between information users on one hand and information producers on the other is essential. This dialogue can be based on the information cycle, describing the continuous process from specifying information needs for water management and a strategy to collect information through data collection and data analysis up to utilization of information by water management. By following the respective steps in the information cycle, the process of information gathering can be completed. The cyclic character provides a quantitative means of connecting monitoring system design and operations with the information expectations and/or products required by management.     

‘The good district’: Newbury as a seed‐bed for success

This study analyses the behaviour of high technology and new firms in the Newbury District of Berkshire in terms of employment, location, genealogy, and local economic impact. It finds that encouraged by good communications networks and a ‘resident electronics establishment’, the direct, as opposed to the indirect, employment consequences are generally encouraging, but not widely replicable. Moreover, the general picture of employment growth masks important differences in labour demand across occupations, particularly with respect to ‘traditional male’ skilled manual workers.     

Coping with Change: The Small Experiment as a Strategic Approach to Environmental Sustainability

The patterns of living, planning, and resource utilization as practiced in Western countries for decades are not sustainable; change of some sort is essential. But what changes are appropriate, and, perhaps more important, will people accept them? The small experiment framework provides a strategy for meeting the challenge of change. By encouraging participation, limiting the scale of initial change, and incorporating some aspects of the familiar, many of the difficulties that make change so problematic can be mitigated or even eliminated. An exploration, from a psychological perspective, of the characteristic difficulties surrounding potential change provides the context for a discussion of the components of the small experiment and an analysis of how these elements address these characteristic challenges. A comparison to adaptive management is drawn, and several concrete examples illustrate how the strategy has been used successfully to address a variety of environmental problems.