Heat pumps in Europe: perspectives and innovation challenges

Heat pumps play a crucial role in the transition toward sustainable energy. This review draws on an extensive range of resources to analyse advancements in heat pump technologies and their contribution to achieving the European Union’s (EU) goals on clean and secure heating/cooling. First, it provides a comprehensive overview of the status and trajectories of heat pump penetration, recent regulations, market growth projections, and supply chain challenges within the EU. Then, the report highlights state-of-the-art technological advancements and innovation trends in areas such as refrigerant and component development, optimal operation, and smart integration with other technologies, including alternative heating and cooling systems, thermal and electrical storage, and solar energy. These insights are based on recent reports, literature, and market updates. Following this analysis, this review leverages data from a large number of projects related to emerging heat pump innovations supported by the European Innovation Council, to summarise the direction of research and innovation, showcasing real-world examples of projects and startups shaping the future of heat pump technology. Finally, the review identifies non-technical barriers and policy actions needed to accelerate innovation in the field. Heat pumps are essential to achieve to net-zero targets in Europe and enhance European energy autonomy, and this review aims to provide policymakers with evidence-based insights to foster the widespread implementation of heat pumps in energy systems.publishedVersio

Investigating the characteristics of stakeholder identification and engagement: a systematic review of the marine and coastal restoration literature

Introduction: Stakeholder engagement is a principle that underpins ecological restoration. However, how stakeholder engagement processes are conducted in large part determines the success of their outcomes. Objectives: In this systematic review, we investigate how stakeholders are identified and subsequently engaged in the marine and coastal restoration peer-reviewed literature. Methods: To conduct this systematic review, we selected articles from two electronic databases with broad coverage relevant to the topic of marine restoration: Scopus and Web of Science. Following the PRISMA framework, we analyzed 538 articles, deeming 54 of them relevant for the review. Results: Two bodies of literature emerged from our analysis: articles where scholars investigate stakeholders' perceptions of restoration or aspects of restoration (e.g. techniques, governance) and articles where scholars describe stakeholders' participation in restoration projects and planning. Across these two bodies of literature, we found key similarities and differences with respect to stakeholder identification and engagement practice. Importantly, we found that scholars investigating stakeholders' perceptions of restoration are more likely to provide information about stakeholder identification and engagement methods than scholars describing stakeholders' participation in restoration. Conclusions: As stakeholder engagement is a key principle underpinning restoration, it is important for scholars to be transparent about how stakeholders are identified and engaged. Transparency highlights how inclusive a process is and promotes learning for future restoration projects working to engage stakeholders.acceptedVersio

Critical Infrastructures in the Cloud

Cloud computing is increasingly being used not only to support critical infrastructure applications, but actually forms a vital part of them. This paper discusses challenges faced by custodians of critical infrastructures when moving to the cloud, and outlines some security requirements that are relevant to apply to critical infrastructure cloud applications.acceptedVersio

Non-contact interactance NIR spectroscopy for estimating TSS and sensory sweetness in conveyor-belt transported cherry tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum ’Piccolo’)

Sweetness in tomatoes is a crucial quality feature, especially for high-cost varieties. Without efficient measurements, producers cannot guarantee sweetness, which may lead to low repurchase rates and increased food waste. In this article we report how total soluble solids (TSS), a measure for total sugar content, can be measured in cherry tomatoes using non-contact near-infrared (NIR) interactance spectroscopy. A prototype system working in the wavelength range 760–1080 nm was tested and compared with a commercial handheld NIR reflection instrument operating in the range of 909–1676 nm. The instruments were calibrated using data collected from 200 tomatoes and tested on 5 independent sets harvested over the next 14 months, a total of 611 single tomatoes and 22 tomato trusses. TSS for single tomatoes was in the range 5.3–14 %. NIR interaction obtained typical standard errors of prediction in the range 0.38–0.52 %, significantly lower (p < 0.05) compared to NIR reflection (0.70–0.98 %). Approximately the same accuracy was obtained by interaction measurements on tomatoes moving on a conveyor belt, both in lab (0.47–0.53 %) and in industry (0.39 %). Whole tomato trusses were measured in movement, and TSS could successfully be measured in each tomato on the truss. Three of the test sets were subjected to sensory analysis performed by a trained panel of 10 assessors, revealing high correlations (0.88 – 0.99) between sensory sweetness and NIR estimated TSS. The results demonstrate that a carefully designed NIR interaction instrument can be used for rapid and non-contact monitoring and sorting of cherry tomatoes according to sweetness.publishedVersio

Ultrasonic pulse-echo dataset from numerical modelling for oil and gas well integrity investigations

The ultrasonic pulse-echo (PE) measurement is a crucial measurement technique to determine the integrity of oil and gas wells. Oil companies use various analysis techniques and corrections to derive the pipe thickness and impedance of the material behind the pipe from PE measurements that are carried out inside the pipe. While some field measurements are publicly available, they have no corresponding ground truth. We therefore simulated a dataset of PE measurements with ground truth. The dataset was generated using axisymmetric models and 3D models in COMSOL Multiphysics. The base geometry was based on common parameters from the field: oil-based mud on the inside of a 9.625 in pipe and cement on the outside of the pipe. From this base geometry, variations in the model parameters were introduced, for example, plate/pipe wall thickness, different materials on both sides of the wall, different pipe diameter, different annulus thicknesses, eccentering. The generated dataset allows detailed investigations of existing PE analysis algorithms, comparison of those and development of new PE analysis techniques.publishedVersio

SnowPole Detection: A comprehensive dataset for detection and localization using LiDAR imaging in Nordic winter conditions

The SnowPole Detection dataset is a comprehensive collection of labeled LiDAR images, specifically designed for snow pole detection in road environments. This dataset was collected using a high-resolution OS2-128 LiDAR sensor mounted on an autonomous vehicle research platform, covering diverse environments such as mountainous, open, and forested areas. The SnowPole Detection dataset supports applications in computer vision, with a particular focus on snow pole detection and localization. he OS2-128 LiDAR sensor captures point clouds, which are processed using the Ouster SDK to generate 360-degree images in four modalities: Near-IR, Signal, Reflectivity, and Range. To enhance usability, color images were generated by assigning the first three modalities (Near-IR, Signal, and Reflectivity) to the blue, green, and red channels, respectively, excluding the Range modality. Initial labeling was conducted using Roboflow, with further refinement in CVAT, resulting in high-quality annotations. The dataset comprises a total of 1,954 manually labeled images, divided into 1,367 training images, 390 validation images, and 197 test images, following a 70/20/10 split. Since the images across all modalities are pixel-aligned, the labels for the color images are also applicable to each modality individually. This structure allows researchers to directly use the dataset for snow pole detection tasks, whether focusing on color or individual LiDAR modalities. The SnowPole Detection dataset is publicly available at Mendeley1.publishedVersio

A new method for placental volume measurements using tracked 2D ultrasound and automatic image segmentation

Background: Placental volume measurements can potentially identify high-risk pregnancies. We aimed to develop and validate a new method for placental volume measurements using tracked 2D ultrasound and automatic image segmentation. Methods: We included 43 pregnancies at gestational week 27 and acquired placental images using a 2D ultrasound probe with position tracking, and trained a convolutional neural network (CNN) for automatic image segmentation. The automatically segmented 2D images were combined with tracking data to calculate placental volume. For 15 of the included pregnancies, placental volume was also estimated based on MRI examinations, 3D ultrasound and manually segmented 2D ultrasound images. The ultrasound methods were compared to MRI (gold standard). Results: The CNN demonstrated good performance in automatic image segmentation (F1-score 0.84). The correlation with MRI-based placental volume was similar for tracked 2D ultrasound using automatically segmented images (absolute agreement intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] 0.58, 95% CI 0.13–0.84) and manually segmented images (ICC 0.59, 95% CI 0.13–0.84). The 3D ultrasound method showed lower ICC (0.35, 95% CI −0.11 to 0.74) than the methods based on tracked 2D ultrasound. Conclusions: Tracked 2D ultrasound with automatic image segmentation is a promising new method for placental volume measurements and has potential for further improvement.publishedVersio

FME HighEFF Final Report, Appendix 4: HighEFF innovations

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Framework for Combined Life Cycle Environmental, Economic, and Social Assessment of Reclaimed Construction Products

A relevant approach to limit virgin materials consumption and waste in the construction industry is to use reclaimed construction products. Their sustainability performance depends on various parameters, including the activities needed to reuse them. Currently, the life cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA) of reclaimed products is conducted following various methods and assumptions, which are not always transparently communicated. There is also limited consideration of other sustainability indicators beyond initial cost and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Therefore, we developed a harmonized Excel-based LCSA framework for evaluating and comparing side-by-side the life cycle environmental (LCA), economic (LCC), and social (S-LCA) impacts of reclaimed and new construction products. This chapter presents the LCSA framework and how it can be applied in practice, with the comparative evaluation of a pavement in Oslo, Norway, with new and reclaimed paving stones. The LCSA framework shows it is possible to harmonize the various assessment methods and expand the scope of product assessment from purely GHG emissions to overall sustainability. The results of the pavement assessment show that reuse can bring lower environmental and social impacts, although it currently costs more to the user. The LCSA framework can be tested by experts in one or more life cycle approaches to guide different actors in the reuse value chain (e.g., product resellers and architects).publishedVersio

Effect of Concentration of Lithium Bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide on the Performance of Silicon Anodes for Li-Ion Batteries

The conventional electrolytes for Li-ion batteries are based on the LiPF6 salt and carbonate solvents. Due to challenges with the stability, alternative salts are sought, and lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (LiFSI) is an interesting candidate. In this work, we investigate the performance of concentrated electrolytes based on LiFSI (range 1–10 M) and carbonate solvents, in combination with low-cost, micron-sized silicon anodes. LiFSI has an excellent solubility, and by use of concentrated electrolytes, corrosion of the aluminium current collector on the cathode side can be avoided, which is otherwise a challenge. The 5 M LiFSI electrolyte (molar salt to solvent ratio of 1:2.5) shows a similar ohmic resistance and rate performance as the 1 M LiFSI electrolyte. The solid electrolyte interphase formed in 5 M LiFSI is thin and dominated by inorganic compounds, in particular LiF. For long-term galvanostatic cycling with a lower cut-off potential of 50 mV, the 1 M LiFSI electrolyte shows the best stability. However, by limiting the lithiation, and thus the expansion of the silicon by increasing the cut-off voltage to 120 mV, the cycling performance is similar for all electrolytes and electrodes deliver > 1000 mAh/g for more than 300 cycles.publishedVersio