Identifying the challenges of implementing a European bioeconomy based on forest resources: Reality demands circularity

Jedna od najvažnijih smernica Evropske Unije je smanjivanje gasova koji su uzrok stvaranja efekta 'staklene bašte'. Istraživanje prirodnih zajednica i ekosistema zahteva primenu sistema cirkularne ekonomije u kome bi sirovine prirodnog porekla bile u konstantnoj cirkulaciji ka ponovnom korišćenju otpada. S tim u vezi postavlja se pitanje da li bioekonomija kao jedna od važnih grana realno vodi ka zaštit životne sredine. Pitanja koja dalje proistiću vezana su za to da li je put ka bioekonomiji, koji promoviše Evropska Unija zapravo održiv. Korišćenjem literature, prema Delfi metodi, iz dokumenata Evropske Unije i naučnih publikacija koje su proistekle iz istih, ukazujemo na značaj održivog upravljanja bioresursima, jer deluje da je samo ograničeno smanjenje emisija gasova sa efektom staklene bašte očekivane.Greenhouse gas emission reduction is strongly advocated within the European Union (EU). Biomass has emerged as a renewable energy source and as manufacturing raw material with ecological credentials to mitigate carbon imbalance. The EU has defined the bioeconomy encompassing these material sources as a basis for technological and economic development. Biocenology, describing the study of natural communities, however, additionally demands inclusion of a circular economy, in which it needs to be assumed that endless renewable products are kept in continuous circulation of use and reuse. Thus, there arises the question whether the bioeconomy route alone, promoted by the EU, is sustainable. Using research literature, based on the Delphi method, and EU documents, we discuss the importance of sustainable management of bioresources. Short term solutions may remain necessary to ensure economic stability but, without embracing the circular economy, only limited mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions can be expected

Identifying the challenges of implementing a European bioeconomy based on forest resources: Reality demands circularity

Jedna od najvažnijih smernica Evropske Unije je smanjivanje gasova koji su uzrok stvaranja efekta 'staklene bašte'. Istraživanje prirodnih zajednica i ekosistema zahteva primenu sistema cirkularne ekonomije u kome bi sirovine prirodnog porekla bile u konstantnoj cirkulaciji ka ponovnom korišćenju otpada. S tim u vezi postavlja se pitanje da li bioekonomija kao jedna od važnih grana realno vodi ka zaštit životne sredine. Pitanja koja dalje proistiću vezana su za to da li je put ka bioekonomiji, koji promoviše Evropska Unija zapravo održiv. Korišćenjem literature, prema Delfi metodi, iz dokumenata Evropske Unije i naučnih publikacija koje su proistekle iz istih, ukazujemo na značaj održivog upravljanja bioresursima, jer deluje da je samo ograničeno smanjenje emisija gasova sa efektom staklene bašte očekivane.Greenhouse gas emission reduction is strongly advocated within the European Union (EU). Biomass has emerged as a renewable energy source and as manufacturing raw material with ecological credentials to mitigate carbon imbalance. The EU has defined the bioeconomy encompassing these material sources as a basis for technological and economic development. Biocenology, describing the study of natural communities, however, additionally demands inclusion of a circular economy, in which it needs to be assumed that endless renewable products are kept in continuous circulation of use and reuse. Thus, there arises the question whether the bioeconomy route alone, promoted by the EU, is sustainable. Using research literature, based on the Delphi method, and EU documents, we discuss the importance of sustainable management of bioresources. Short term solutions may remain necessary to ensure economic stability but, without embracing the circular economy, only limited mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions can be expected

Challenges of implementing a European bioeconomy based on forest resources: need for circularity

Greenhouse emission reduction is strongly advocated within the European Union. The study of natural communities (biocenology), additionally demands inclusion of a circular economy, in which renewable products are kept in continuous circulation of use and reuse. In light of this, there arises the question whether the bioeconomy route alone, promoted by the EU, is sustainable. Using literature, based on the Delphi method, from EU documents and related scientific literature , we highlight the importance of sustainable management of bioresources. It seems that only limited mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions can be expected

Regulatory Paradigm and Challenge for Blockchain Integration of Decentralized Systems: Example—Renewable Energy Grids

Nowadays, fossil fuels are used in a clearly unsustainable way that can bring potentially catastrophic consequences. Electricity is currently delivered to end users by generation and energy transmission companies. Previous research shows that the development of modern circular economy sets a need for the re-orientation of socio and economic development of decentralized systems, including energy basis. In addition to being ecological, the use of renewable energy sources also has economic significance by contributing to energy independence. Citizens, industries, local and national authorities become interconnected within emerging novel renewable energy sourcing communities, through which they establish trade of energy and, most importantly, models of investing and reshaping the distribution of renewable energy. The modern portfolio management of renewable energy networking is aiming toward decentralized systems of trade, where the consumer becomes a producer (prosumer) within the network, itself managed by users. Excess energy produced in the micro-grid nets within the over-arching national and transnational energy grid should be accounted for and managed with blockchain technology for financial and structural security. The decentralization of the energy market requires the establishment of strict norms that will regulate the market and taxation of profits arising. The extensive literature review on blockchain in the energy sector reflects a very pragmatic and narrow approach to the topic, although it is evident that the distribution of energy within the blockchain would enable economic development through reducing cost and ensuring more secure energy trade. Blockchain technology embeds the related digital codes, in which information will be visible to all, but also secured from hacking and duplicating. However, there are challenges to this paradigm, not least the energy consumption of the extensive nodal mesh required to perform the necessary protocols. This paper aims to provide an overview of the application of blockchain technology and the need for the development of the regulatory system and of potential solutions to the challenges posed. By undertaking an energy consumption analysis of blockchain implementation from first electronic principles, which has not been constructed before in the literature, this paper’s conclusion stresses the future demand for reducing energy consumption and considers the latest findings in the quantum coupling of light signals as a potential for solving the enormous ledger duplication structure problem

Heterogeneous Hierarchical Self-Assembly Forming Crystalline Nanocellulose–CaCO3 Hybrid Nanoparticle Biocomposites

Nanocellulose is increasingly proposed as a sustainable raw material having strong interparticle bonding. However, cellulose alone has limited bending and impact resistance. We newly observe self-assembly between crystalline nanocellulose (CNC) and ultrafine ground chemical-free calcium carbonate nanoparticles (UGCC). The suspension displays an intrinsic gel-like state, and heterogeneous adsorption occurs under the specific conditions where Brownian motion of both species is arrested by application of ultralow shear (0.01 s−1). In contrast, simple static aging of the mixture leads to autoflocculation of each species independently. The heterogeneous adsorption results in compound particle self-assembly leading to multi-level hierarchical structures depending on relative species size and concentration ratio. Fine particles from species 1 adsorb onto the coarser complementary particles of species 2 and vice versa. Depending also on whether CNC or UGCC particles are in excess, the structural assembly occurs primarily through either CNC–CNC hydrogen bonding or CaCO3–CaCO3 autogenous flocculation, respectively. Controlling the hierarchical composite structure bonding in this way, the resulting morphology can express dual or predominantly single either mineralic or cellulosic surface properties. Novel complex hybrid biocomposite materials can therefore be produced having designable compatibility across a broad range of both natural and oil-based polymeric materials. Both CNC and UGCC are exemplified here via commercial products

Challenges of implementing a European bioeconomy based on forest resources: need for circularity

Greenhouse gas emission reduction is strongly advocated within the European Union (EU). Biomass has emerged as a renewable energy source with ecological credentials aimed at mitigating carbon imbalance. The EU has defined the bioeconomy encompassing these material sources as a basis for technological and economic development. The study of natural communities (biocenology), however, additionally demands inclusion of a circular economy, in which renewable products are kept in continuous circulation of use and reuse. In light of this, there arises the question whether the bioeconomy route alone, promoted by the EU, is sustainable. Using research literature, based on the Delphi method, and EU documents, we discuss the importance of sustainable management of bioresources. Although short term solutions may remain necessary to ensure economic stability, without embracing the circular economy, however, only limited mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions can be expected

Regulatory Paradigm and Challenge for Blockchain Integration of Decentralized Systems: Example—Renewable Energy Grids

Nowadays, fossil fuels are used in a clearly unsustainable way that can bring potentially catastrophic consequences. Electricity is currently delivered to end users by generation and energy transmission companies. Previous research shows that the development of modern circular economy sets a need for the re-orientation of socio and economic development of decentralized systems, including energy basis. In addition to being ecological, the use of renewable energy sources also has economic significance by contributing to energy independence. Citizens, industries, local and national authorities become interconnected within emerging novel renewable energy sourcing communities, through which they establish trade of energy and, most importantly, models of investing and reshaping the distribution of renewable energy. The modern portfolio management of renewable energy networking is aiming toward decentralized systems of trade, where the consumer becomes a producer (prosumer) within the network, itself managed by users. Excess energy produced in the micro-grid nets within the over-arching national and transnational energy grid should be accounted for and managed with blockchain technology for financial and structural security. The decentralization of the energy market requires the establishment of strict norms that will regulate the market and taxation of profits arising. The extensive literature review on blockchain in the energy sector reflects a very pragmatic and narrow approach to the topic, although it is evident that the distribution of energy within the blockchain would enable economic development through reducing cost and ensuring more secure energy trade. Blockchain technology embeds the related digital codes, in which information will be visible to all, but also secured from hacking and duplicating. However, there are challenges to this paradigm, not least the energy consumption of the extensive nodal mesh required to perform the necessary protocols. This paper aims to provide an overview of the application of blockchain technology and the need for the development of the regulatory system and of potential solutions to the challenges posed. By undertaking an energy consumption analysis of blockchain implementation from first electronic principles, which has not been constructed before in the literature, this paper’s conclusion stresses the future demand for reducing energy consumption and considers the latest findings in the quantum coupling of light signals as a potential for solving the enormous ledger duplication structure problem

Regulatory Paradigm and Challenge for Blockchain Integration of Decentralized Systems: Example—Renewable Energy Grids

Nowadays, fossil fuels are used in a clearly unsustainable way that can bring potentially catastrophic consequences. Electricity is currently delivered to end users by generation and energy transmission companies. Previous research shows that the development of modern circular economy sets a need for the re-orientation of socio and economic development of decentralized systems, including energy basis. In addition to being ecological, the use of renewable energy sources also has economic significance by contributing to energy independence. Citizens, industries, local and national authorities become interconnected within emerging novel renewable energy sourcing communities, through which they establish trade of energy and, most importantly, models of investing and reshaping the distribution of renewable energy. The modern portfolio management of renewable energy networking is aiming toward decentralized systems of trade, where the consumer becomes a producer (prosumer) within the network, itself managed by users. Excess energy produced in the micro-grid nets within the over-arching national and transnational energy grid should be accounted for and managed with blockchain technology for financial and structural security. The decentralization of the energy market requires the establishment of strict norms that will regulate the market and taxation of profits arising. The extensive literature review on blockchain in the energy sector reflects a very pragmatic and narrow approach to the topic, although it is evident that the distribution of energy within the blockchain would enable economic development through reducing cost and ensuring more secure energy trade. Blockchain technology embeds the related digital codes, in which information will be visible to all, but also secured from hacking and duplicating. However, there are challenges to this paradigm, not least the energy consumption of the extensive nodal mesh required to perform the necessary protocols. This paper aims to provide an overview of the application of blockchain technology and the need for the development of the regulatory system and of potential solutions to the challenges posed. By undertaking an energy consumption analysis of blockchain implementation from first electronic principles, which has not been constructed before in the literature, this paper’s conclusion stresses the future demand for reducing energy consumption and considers the latest findings in the quantum coupling of light signals as a potential for solving the enormous ledger duplication structure problem

Regulatory Paradigm and Challenge for Blockchain Integration of Decentralized Systems: Example—Renewable Energy Grids

The work was partly supported by Omya International AG, Group Sustainability and MESTD Serbia, grant no. 451-03-68/2022-14/200105Nowadays, fossil fuels are used in a clearly unsustainable way that can bring potentially catastrophic consequences. Electricity is currently delivered to end users by generation and energy transmission companies. Previous research shows that the development of modern circular economy sets a need for the re-orientation of socio and economic development of decentralized systems, including energy basis. In addition to being ecological, the use of renewable energy sources also has economic significance by contributing to energy independence. Citizens, industries, local and national authorities become interconnected within emerging novel renewable energy sourcing communities, through which they establish trade of energy and, most importantly, models of investing and reshaping the distribution of renewable energy. The modern portfolio management of renewable energy networking is aiming toward decentralized systems of trade, where the consumer becomes a producer (prosumer) within the network, itself managed by users. Excess energy produced in the micro-grid nets within the over-arching national and transnational energy grid should be accounted for and managed with blockchain technology for financial and structural security. The decentralization of the energy market requires the establishment of strict norms that will regulate the market and taxation of profits arising. The extensive literature review on blockchain in the energy sector reflects a very pragmatic and narrow approach to the topic, although it is evident that the distribution of energy within the blockchain would enable economic development through reducing cost and ensuring more secure energy trade. Blockchain technology embeds the related digital codes, in which information will be visible to all, but also secured from hacking and duplicating. However, there are challenges to this paradigm, not least the energy consumption of the extensive nodal mesh required to perform the necessary protocols. This paper aims to provide an overview of the application of blockchain technology and the need for the development of the regulatory system and of potential solutions to the challenges posed. By undertaking an energy consumption analysis of blockchain implementation from first electronic principles, which has not been constructed before in the literature, this paper’s conclusion stresses the future demand for reducing energy consumption and considers the latest findings in the quantum coupling of light signals as a potential for solving the enormous ledger duplication structure problem.Peer reviewe

Filtering Efficiency of Pollutants in Heavy-Duty Vehicle Cabins

Quality of air in the cabin of transportation vehicle is of high importance due to increase in globalization that hinders rise of transportation of goods worldwide. The largest source of streets pollution in urban areas is vehicular combustion, constituted mainly of gaseous pollutants such as CO2, CO, oxides of nitrogen (NOx), ozone, and particles such as ultra-fine particulate matter (UFP). Drivers of heavy-duty vehicles (HDV) are spending both their working and free time in vehicle cabins, making then highly exposed to toxic gases and hazardous aerosols. Intensive industrial development is more concentrated in metropolitan areas, and since it still relies on fossil fuels energy, it results in high pollution of air with traf- fic-related air pollutants (TRAPs). Primary sources of UFPs in the urban environment near road sites are caused by HDV, and they enter cabin air through windows, accumulating in the cabin air and on the surfaces, resulting of up to three times higher concentration of TRAPs in cabin than outdoor air. Exposures to high CO2, NOx and UFP can significantly reduce decision-making performance and is main cause of premature deaths of HDV drivers. Sedimentation of UFP onto filter surfaces, long filter exposure times, and high temperatures within cabins cause decrease of air-flow within the filter and drastic decrease of filtering efficiency. By combining experimental results obtained from in-filed measurements performed in the city of Belgrade, during peak traffic hours, for filtration systems (AFS) placed at different positions within the cabins, obtained master present role of air filtration systems. Using analytical approach of experimental results, we propose mathematical model that describes AFS efficiency on cabin pollution mitigation. Predicted results are in close agreement with the experimental data showing that outdoor to cabin pollutants concentration is possible to estimate as it depends on and terrain design, filtration time and thermodynamic parameters within cabin. We hope that this research rises organizational attention to the health and welfare of HDV drivers