2,539 research outputs found

    Nexus between agriculture and photovoltaics (agrivoltaics, agriphotovoltaics) for sustainable development goal: A review

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    This is the final version. Available on open access from Elsevier via the DOI in this recordThe coexistence of agricultural land and solar photovoltaics (PV) can be named Agriphotovoltaics (APV). APV concept was developed two decades ago however its actual implementation is happening nowadays. APV directly solves SDGs 7, and 11 by generating benevolent renewable energy without damaging the land and keep producing food for people. In this work, a comprehensive review of the APV system is documented. Currently available software tools, field experiment results, and PV for APV are described in this work which identified that for forecasting APV, a more robust tool is required. Vertically placed Bifacial PV, transparent, and semitransparent tilted PVs can be suitable for shade-intolerant crops whereas opaque PVs are appropriate for shade-tolerant crops. The knowledge gap between various stakeholders such as solar PV researchers, agricultural researchers, and land users needs to be more rigorous. Economic and policymakers should share dialogue to improve the growth of APV which not only solves SDG 7, and 11 but also meets the target for SDG 5, 8, 9,12, and 15

    Graduate Catalog of Studies, 2023-2024

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    A framework for conceptualising hybrid system dynamics and agent-based simulation models

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    The growing complexity of systems and problems that stakeholders from the private and public sectors have sought advice on has led systems modellers to increasingly use multimethodology and to combine multiple OR/MS methods. This includes hybrid simulation that combines two or more of the following methods: system dynamics (SD), discrete-event simulation, and agent-based models (ABM). Although a significant number of studies describe the application of hybrid simulation across different domains, research on the theoretical and practical aspects of combining simulation modelling methods, particularly the combining of SD and ABM, is still limited. Existing frameworks for combining simulation methods are high-level and lack methodological clarity and practical guidance on modelling decisions and elements specific to hybrid simulation that modellers need to consider. This paper proposes a practical framework for developing a conceptual hybrid simulation model that is built on reviews and reflections of theoretical and application literature on combining methods. The framework is then used to inform and guide the process of conceptual model building for a case study in controlling the spread of COVID-19 in care homes. In addition, reflection on the use of the framework for the case study led to refining the framework itself. This case study is also used to demonstrate how the framework informs the structural design of a hybrid simulation model and relevant modelling decisions during the conceptualisation phase

    Organizing sustainable development

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    The role and meaning of sustainable development have been recognized in the scientific literature for decades. However, there has recently been a dynamic increase in interest in the subject, which results in numerous, in-depth scientific research and publications with an interdisciplinary dimension. This edited volume is a compendium of theoretical knowledge on sustainable development. The context analysed in the publication includes a multi-level and multi-aspect analysis starting from the historical and legal conditions, through elements of the macro level and the micro level, inside the organization. Organizing Sustainable Development offers a systematic and comprehensive theoretical analysis of sustainable development supplemented with practical examples, which will allow obtaining comprehensive knowledge about the meaning and its multi-context application in practice. It shows the latest state of knowledge on the topic and will be of interest to students at an advanced level, academics and reflective practitioners in the fields of sustainable development, management studies, organizational studies and corporate social responsibility

    Graduate Catalog of Studies, 2023-2024

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    Proceedings of the 10th International congress on architectural technology (ICAT 2024): architectural technology transformation.

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    The profession of architectural technology is influential in the transformation of the built environment regionally, nationally, and internationally. The congress provides a platform for industry, educators, researchers, and the next generation of built environment students and professionals to showcase where their influence is transforming the built environment through novel ideas, businesses, leadership, innovation, digital transformation, research and development, and sustainable forward-thinking technological and construction assembly design

    Corporate social responsibility and climate change: the case of oil and gas industry of Nigeria

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    The thesis contributes to the literature on social accounting, accountability, and reporting by providing insights into the perspectives of multinational and indigenous oil and gas corporations in Nigeria regarding climate change, particularly the link between gas flaring and its impact on the environment and local communities. The use of interpretive research methods and the application of climate justice theory provide a unique theoretical lens to challenge existing policies and practices and engage with stakeholders holistically and transparently. The study highlights the inadequacy of current corporate social and environmental responsibility (CSER) practices in addressing climate change challenges and the need for corporations to adopt an ethics or climate justice approach in their actions and reporting, supported by policy instruments to ensure compliance. Empirical evidence shows that corporations in this industry ride on increasing demand for fossil fuels, lax regulation and monitoring of the industry, vulnerability and powerlessness of local communities to take undue advantage of the communities. However, they use some CSR programmes, remote from real solutions to gas flaring or climate change challenges, to pacify community stakeholders and sustain or improve corporate legitimacy. An intentional commitment by the corporations, including imbibing ethics or climate justice lens, and backed by strict and mandatory policy instruments is essential for addressing gas-flaring-induced climate challenges

    Evaluating the sustainability and resiliency of local food systems

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    With an ever-rising global population and looming environmental challenges such as climate change and soil degradation, it is imperative to increase the sustainability of food production. The drastic rise in food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic has further shown a pressing need to increase the resiliency of food systems. One strategy to reduce the dependence on complex, vulnerable global supply chains is to strengthen local food systems, such as by producing more food in cities. This thesis uses an interdisciplinary, food systems approach to explore aspects of sustainability and resiliency within local food systems. Lifecycle assessment (LCA) was used to evaluate how farm scale, distance to consumer, and management practices influence environmental impacts for different local agriculture models in two case study locations: Georgia, USA and England, UK. Farms were grouped based on urbanisation level and management practices, including: urban organic, peri-urban organic, rural organic, and rural conventional. A total of 25 farms and 40 crop lifecycles were evaluated, focusing on two crops (kale and tomatoes) and including impacts from seedling production through final distribution to the point of sale. Results were extremely sensitive to the allocation of composting burdens (decomposition emissions), with impact variation between organic farms driven mainly by levels of compost use. When composting burdens were attributed to compost inputs, the rural conventional category in the U.S. and the rural organic category in the UK had the lowest average impacts per kg sellable crop produced, including the lowest global warming potential (GWP). However, when subtracting avoided burdens from the municipal waste stream from compost inputs, trends reversed entirely, with urban or peri-urban farm categories having the lowest impacts (often negative) for GWP and marine eutrophication. Overall, farm management practices were the most important factor driving environmental impacts from local food supply chains. A soil health assessment was then performed on a subset of the UK farms to provide insight to ecosystem services that are not captured within LCA frameworks. Better soil health was observed in organically-farmed and uncultivated soils compared to conventionally farmed soils, suggesting higher ecosystem service provisioning as related to improved soil structure, flood mitigation, erosion control, and carbon storage. However, relatively high heavy metal concentrations were seen on urban and peri-urban farms, as well as those located in areas with previous mining activity. This implies that there are important services and disservices on farms that are not captured by LCAs. Zooming out from a focus on food production, a qualitative methodology was used to explore experiences of food insecurity and related health and social challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fourteen individuals receiving emergency food parcels from a community food project in Sheffield, UK were interviewed. Results showed that maintaining food security in times of crisis requires a diverse set of individual, household, social, and place-based resources, which were largely diminished or strained during the pandemic. Drawing upon social capital and community support was essential to cope with a multiplicity of hardship, highlighting a need to develop community food infrastructure that supports ideals of mutual aid and builds connections throughout the food supply chain. Overall, this thesis shows that a range of context-specific solutions are required to build sustainable and resilient food systems. This can be supported by increasing local control of food systems and designing strategies to meet specific community needs, whilst still acknowledging a shared global responsibility to protect ecosystem, human, and planetary health

    Contribution à l’amélioration des performances d’un système de dessalement d’eau alimenté par une source photovoltaïque

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    Cette thèse présente une étude visant à améliorer l'efficacité d'un système de dessalement d’eau en utilisant une source photovoltaïque. Cette amélioration a été réalisée en appliquant l’ESC côté PV, la DTC 12 sectors côté motopompe et l'optimisation côté membrane dans des conditions climatiques saines et ombragées. L'étude a impliqué la conception et la mise en oeuvre d’un prototype de système de dessalement d'eau qui utilise une source d'énergie photovoltaïque. Les performances du système ont été évaluées en mesurant son taux de rejet de sel et sa consommation d'énergie spécifique. Les résultats ont montré que l'augmentation du débit d'eau saumâtre et l'amélioration des contrôles sur le côté PV et motopompe a considérablement amélioré les performances du système. L'étude a conclu que l'utilisation d'une source d'énergie photovoltaïque pour un système de dessalement de l'eau est une approche prometteuse pour répondre aux défis de la pénurie d'eau, en particulier dans les zones où l'électricité n'est pas facilement disponible. Cette approche peut réduire l'empreinte carbone associée aux méthodes traditionnelles de dessalement de l'eau et avoir un impact positif sur l'environnement. La recherche fournit des indications précieuses pour la conception et l'optimisation des systèmes de dessalement d'eau alimentés par l'énergie photovoltaïque, contribuant à la gestion durable des ressources en eau
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