A new integral management model and evaluation method to enhance sustainability of renewable energy projects for energy and sanitation services

Autonomous systems based on the use of renewable energy (RE) have proven suitable for providing energy and sanitation services to isolated communities. However, most of these projects fail due to managerial weaknesses. Designing an appropriate management model is a key issue for sustainability and it is especially complex when includes different RE technologies. This paper is aimed at developing a novel management model for RE projects to provide energy and sanitation services with any kind of technology. Moreover, a new method to evaluate the sustainability is proposed regarding technical, economic, social/ethical, environmental and institutional/organisational dimensions. The case study of Pucara (Peru) is presented, in which a RE project with six different technologies was implemented and the integral community management model was designed in 2011. The project sustainability was evaluated in 2013 and results showed that the management model has succeeded to strengthen sustainability, especially in the institutional/organisational aspects.The authors would like to thank the anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments, which have helped to enhance this paper. The authors are grateful for all the assistance and support provided by Practical Action-ITDG from Peru.Lillo Rodrigo, P.; Ferrer-Martí, L.; Fernández-Baldor, Á.; Ramírez, B. (2015). A new integral management model and evaluation method to enhance sustainability of renewable energy projects for energy and sanitation services. Energy for Sustainable Development. 29:1-12. doi:10.1016/j.esd.2015.08.003S1122

Natural radionuclide of Po210 in the edible seafood affected by coal-fired power plant industry in Kapar coastal area of Malaysia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Po²¹⁰can be accumulated in various environmental materials, including marine organisms, and contributes to the dose of natural radiation in seafood. The concentration of this radionuclide in the marine environment can be influenced by the operation of a coal burning power plant but existing studies regarding this issue are not well documented. Therefore, the aim of this study was to estimate the Po²¹⁰concentration level in marine organisms from the coastal area of Kapar, Malaysia which is very near to a coal burning power plant station and to assess its impact on seafood consumers.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Concentration of Po²¹⁰was determined in the edible muscle of seafood and water from the coastal area of Kapar, Malaysia using radiochemical separation and the Alpha Spectrometry technique.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The activities of Po²¹⁰in the dissolved phase of water samples ranged between 0.51 ± 0.21 and 0.71 ± 0.24 mBql^-1whereas the particulate phase registered a range of 50.34 ± 11.40 to 72.07 ± 21.20 Bqkg^-1. The ranges of Po²¹⁰activities in the organism samples were 4.4 ± 0.12 to 6.4 ± 0.95 Bqkg^-1dry wt in fish (<it>Arius maculatus</it>), 45.7 ± 0.86 to 54.4 ± 1.58 Bqkg^-1dry wt in shrimp (<it>Penaeus merguiensis</it>) and 104.3 ± 3.44 to 293.8 ± 10.04 Bqkg^-1dry wt in cockle (<it>Anadara granosa</it>). The variation of Po²¹⁰in organisms is dependent on the mode of their life style, ambient water concentration and seasonal changes. The concentration factors calculated for fish and molluscs were higher than the recommended values by the IAEA. An assessment of daily intake and received dose due to the consumption of seafood was also carried out and found to be 2083.85 mBqday^-1person^-1and 249.30 μSvyr^-1respectively. These values are comparatively higher than reported values in other countries. Moreover, the transformation of Po²¹⁰in the human body was calculated and revealed that a considerable amount of Po²¹⁰can be absorbed in the internal organs. The calculated values of life time mortality and morbidity cancer risks were 24.8 × 10^-4and 34 × 10^-4respectively which also exceeded the recommended limits set by the ICRP.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The findings of this present study can be used to evaluate the safety dose uptake level of seafood as well as to monitor environmental health. However, as the calculated dose and cancer risks were found to cross the limit of safety, finding a realistic way to moderate the risk is imperative.</p