European industrial energy intensity: innovation, environmental regulation, and price effects

We investigate the direct role of technological innovation and other factors influencing industrial energy intensity across 17 EU countries over 1995–2009. We develop an innovative industry-level patent dataset and find compelling evidence that patent stock negatively influences industrial energy intensity. In particular, we find a much stronger effect of patent stock on energy-intensive industries with an estimated coefficient of -0.138 which almost double that of less energy-intensive industries (estimated at -0.085). While our results show that energy price remains the major determinant of energy intensity, the chemicals industry, which is not covered by the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) during the sample period, appears more susceptible to energy prices relative to other energy-intensive industries that are covered by the EU ETS. Exploring regional differences in carbon taxation, we find a significant decline in energy intensity in Northern Europe owing to the carbon tax policy implemented in the early 1990s across the Nordic countries.EPSRC EP/N024567/

European Industrial Energy Intensity: The Role of Innovation 1995-2009

We investigate the direct role of technological innovation and other influencing factors on industry-level energy intensity based on a sample of 12 industries across 17 EU countries over 1995–2009. We develop an innovative industry-level patent dataset and find compelling evidence that patent stock negatively influences industrial energy intensity. Using a fixed effects estimator, we find a much stronger effect on energy-intensive industries with an estimated coefficient of -0.138 almost double that of less energy-intensive industries (estimated at -0.085). While our results show energy price remains the major determinant of energy intensity, the chemicals industry appears to be more susceptible to energy prices relative to other energy-intensive industries that are covered by the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). Our study reveals that asymmetric response of energy intensity to energy prices in which price rises between 2004 and 2008 accounts for more change in efficiency than when prices fall. We also explore regional differences, notably that carbon tax policy in Northern European countries, which began in the early 1990s, is responsible for a significant fraction of the decline in energy intensity in Northern Europe

'BioNessie(G) - a grid enabled biochemical networks simulation environment

The simulation of biochemical networks provides insight and understanding about the underlying biochemical processes and pathways used by cells and organisms. BioNessie is a biochemical network simulator which has been developed at the University of Glasgow. This paper describes the simulator and focuses in particular on how it has been extended to benefit from a wide variety of high performance compute resources across the UK through Grid technologies to support larger scale simulations

BioNessie - a grid enabled biochemical networks simulation environment

The simulation of biochemical networks provides insight and understanding about the underlying biochemical processes and pathways used by cells and organisms. BioNessie is a biochemical network simulator which has been developed at the University of Glasgow. This paper describes the simulator and focuses in particular on how it has been extended to benefit from a wide variety of high performance compute resources across the UK through Grid technologies to support larger scale simulations

Feasibility and techno-economic assessment of stand-alone and hybrid RE for rural electrification in selected sites of south eastern Nigeria

The study assessed the feasibility and economic viability of solar and wind energy resources as sustainable electrical source for rural communities unconnected to the grid. Rural communities made up of 200 homes, a school and health centre were conceived. Specific electric load profile of 358 kWh per day, with 46 kW primary peak load and 20 kW deferrable peak load, was formulated to match the rural communities. The assessment of the design that will optimally meet the daily load demand with a loss of load probability of 0.01 was carried out by considering three stand-alone applications of photovoltaic (PV), wind, diesel, and a hybrid design of wind-PV. The result showed that a cost-effective alternative for power generation at the different sites surpassed the conventional diesel stand-alone system. Also, the embedded generation analysis showed that 5 of the 6 configurations yielded profits for a 10-year project life in line with the present national tariff orde

Potential and economic viability of standalone hybrid systems for a rural community of Sokoto, North-west Nigeria

An assessment of the potential and economic viability of standalone hybrid systems for an off-grid rural community of Sokoto, North-west Nigeria was conducted. A specific electric load profile was developed to suite the community consisting 200 homes, a school and a community health center. The data obtained from the Nigeria Meteorological Department, Oshodi, Lagos (daily mean wind speeds, and daily global solar radiation for 24 years from 1987 to 2010) were used. An assessment of the design that will optimally meet the daily load demand with a loss of load probability (LOLP) of 0.01 was performed, considering 3 stand-alone applications of photovoltaic (PV), wind and diesel, and 3 hybrid designs of wind-PV, wind-diesel, and solar-diesel. The diesel standalone system (DSS) was taken as the basis of comparison as the experimental location has no connection to a distribution network. The HOMER® software optimizing tool was engaged following the feasibility analysis with the RETScreen software. The wind standalone system (WSS) was found to be the optimal means of producing renewable electricity in terms of life cycle cost as well as levelised cost of producing energy at $0.15/(kW$h). This is competitive with grid electricity, which is presently at a cost of approximately $0.09/(kW$h) and 410% better than the conventional DSS at a levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of $0.62/kWh. The WSS is proposed for communities around the study site

Wind Energy Study and Energy Cost of Wind Electricity Generation in Nigeria: Past and Recent Results and a Case Study for South West Nigeria

The study assessed the wind energy potential of ten selected sites in the south western region of Nigeria and carried out a cost benefit analysis of wind power generation at those sites. Twenty four years’ (1987 to 2010) wind speed data at 10 m height obtained from the Nigerian meteorological agency were employed to classify the sites wind profiles for electricity generation. The energy cost analysis of generating wind electricity from the sites was also carried out. The outcome showed that sites in Lagos and Oyo States were adequately suited for large scale generation with average wind speeds ranged between 2.9 and 5.8 m/s. Those from other sites may be suitable for small scale generation or as wind farms, with several small turbines connected together, to generate large enough wind power. The turbine matching results shows that turbines cut-in and rated wind speeds of between 2.0 and 3.0 m/s, and between 10 and 12.0 m/s respectively will be very suited to all the sites, particularly those in locations outside Lagos and Oyo States. The energy cost analysis shows that generation cost can be as low as 0.02 €/kWh and as high as 5.03/kWh, depending on the turbine model employed

Risk assessment of adherence in hypertensives and diabetics in a subSaharan African outpatient clinic

Medication nonadherence is a significant burden to health care utilization[1], in addition to poor disease control. But there is a paucity of structured adherence counselling as a thematic area of care. We have used a modified adherence tool for patients living with HIV and AIDs which incorporates social background, treatment preparation, adherence habits, disclosure of illness, the use of treatment partners, and assessment of potential barriers to adherence. This form was designed only to explore known characteristics that are important for adherence, but patients were asked to make judgement on their own level of adherence. Of the one hundred and eighty one eighty six (47.5%) were males while 95(52.5%) were females. The mean age was 50.83 years (SD 12.54). Majority of the patients were married (81.8%) and had at least primary education. Most of the patients whom we interviewed were hypertensives (65%). One hundred and twelve (61.88%) were taking medications during a daily routine, such as eating. Most of the patients, 116(64.10%) had some knowledge about their illness and the medications they were taking by names. Majority of patients (72.4%) had disclosed their illness to their spouses. Many patients selfreport that their adherence is good

Physical characteristics of students’ residential environment in relation to dietary habits in University of Ilorin, Nigeria

The design of students’ residential environment has implication on their dietary habits. This study, which was conducted through a cross-sectional survey of students’ resident on-campus, describes the physical characteristics of students’ residential environment in relation to dietary habits in University of Ilorin, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was adopted and twelve (12) residence halls were purposively selected out of the twenty (20) residence halls on campus based on three criteria, namely: ownership, gender and design type. The systematic selection of 12% of students in each of the twelve (12) residence halls gave a total of 430 students that were used in the study. The data for the study were collected through the use of self-administered questionnaire and personal observation. Statistical analysis was done using the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) software. The analytical tools used for the study were mainly descriptive statistics such as frequency tables and percentages. The result of the data analysis revealed that most (67%) of the residence halls had kitchen en suite design and most (92%) had butteries and restaurants within them to enhance the cooking and eating habits of students. The result also revealed that most of the food outlets (72%) in the residential environment were mainly butteries and snack shops while few were restaurants (18%). The study recommends that developers and stakeholders in student housing should pay more attention to the provision of facilities such as kitchens and restaurants that would enhance the cooking and eating of students within the residential environment.Keywords: Students’ residential environment, Physical characteristics, University students, Cooking and eatin