Treatment of hydrazine-containing wastewater remains challenging due to the combined constraints of high energy demand, operational complexity, and the risk of secondary pollution. An integrated treatment system coupling boron-doped diamond Electrocatalytic Oxidation (ECO) with Disc-Tube Reverse Osmosis (DTRO) was developed, with particular attention to thermal regulation and system-level performance. The study departs from conventional equipment-oriented design by addressing the interplay between structural reliability, process integration, and heat dissipation during operation. The mechanical integrity of the supporting framework, welded joints, and lifting components was evaluated through finite element analysis under static and transport-induced loading conditions. In parallel, the thermal behavior of the reactor was examined through the design of an internal cooling system, enabling controlled removal of heat generated during electrochemical reactions. The results demonstrate that the optimized configuration satisfies strength requirements while maintaining stable thermal conditions within the reactor. The incorporation of internal salt circulation further reduces auxiliary input and contributes to more stable process operation. The proposed system provides a technically feasible approach for the treatment of hydrazine-containing wastewater, while offering a design framework in which structural performance and thermal management are addressed in a unified manner.
This study examines the effect of inserting an anisotropic porous layer on flow and heat transfer in a channel partially filled by this layer. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the influence of the porous layer’s anisotropy parameters, specifically: the anisotropic permeability ratio and the anisotropy orientation angle, as well as the permeability (related to the Darcy number $D a$) and thickness of the porous layer. Other parameters affecting flow and heat transfer, such as the Forchheimer inertia coefficient (Forchheimer drag coefficient) and the ratio of the thermal conductivities of the porous layer and the fluid, are also considered. The results, expressed in terms of velocity profiles, temperature profiles, Nusselt number, friction coefficient, and overall thermohydraulic performance, reveal several significant physical trends. The influence of the Forchheimer inertia coefficient on the Nusselt number becomes negligible when $Da$ is low ($Da$ $\ll$ 1), a regime where viscous effects dominate and attenuate the contribution of inertial forces to momentum transport. Conversely, the anisotropic permeability ratio and the anisotropy orientation angle in the porous layer strongly affect the flow structure and thermal response by altering the preferred direction of transport within this layer. The thickness of this layer induces an explicit compromise between improving heat transfer and increasing hydraulic resistance. Indeed, an intermediate thickness allows increasing the Nusselt number without disproportionately increasing pressure drops. Furthermore, in partially filled configurations, an effective thermal conductivity of the porous layer lower than that of the solid wall tends to concentrate the thermal gradient at the interface fluid/porous layer, which can locally intensify heat transfer compared to the case of a fully filled channel. Taken together, these results demonstrate how permeability, structural anisotropy parameters (anisotropic permeability ratio and anisotropy orientation angle), and porous layer thickness jointly control the thermal and hydraulic performance of the channel, and provide useful selection criteria for the design of partially porous channel thermal systems, in which intensifying heat transfer and minimizing pressure drop are competing objectives that must be achieved simultaneously.
Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) are increasingly recognized as decentralized energy systems capable of improving renewable energy integration, enhancing local self-consumption, and supporting the transition toward low-carbon energy infrastructures. However, the effective deployment of RECs still faces significant challenges related to the integration of spatial analysis, energy modelling, operational optimization, and socio-economic assessment within a unified framework. This study investigates an integrated multi-objective framework for the design, evaluation, and operational support of RECs through the combination of geospatial analysis, energy performance modelling, and digital decision-support tools developed within the ENEA Smart Energy Communities (SEC) platform. The proposed methodology was developed by integrating spatially explicit territorial datasets, renewable resource assessments, electricity demand profiles, and multidimensional key performance indicators (KPIs) within a coordinated analytical framework. Three complementary tools were implemented and evaluated: the geoCER geoportal for territorial-scale renewable energy planning and REC scenario modelling, the DHOMUS platform for residential load monitoring and self-consumption optimization, and the Local Token Economy (LTE) system for token-based user engagement and energy-aware behavioral incentives. The results showed that the integrated framework effectively supported the assessment of REC configurations under different territorial and operational conditions. In the Anguillara Sabazia case study, the REC configuration increased the Self-Consumption Index (SCI) from 30% to 65% and the Self-Sufficiency Index from 36% to 79%, while reducing the Energy Surplus Index from 70% to 35%. In the Sardinia case study, the scenario-based analysis demonstrated that renewable energy integration and coordinated energy sharing significantly improved territorial self-sufficiency under optimized REC configurations. The geospatial modelling approach also enabled the identification of suitable renewable deployment scenarios while considering environmental and territorial constraints. The results indicate that the integration of energy modelling, digital monitoring systems, and spatially explicit planning tools provides an effective pathway for improving the operational performance, flexibility, and scalability of RECs. The proposed framework offers practical support for decentralized energy planning, distributed renewable energy management, and data-driven decision-making processes in future community-based energy systems.
This study addresses the growing role of Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) in supporting decentralized renewable energy integration and improving local energy self-sufficiency within the European energy transition framework. The work aimed to evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of a municipal REC in Pattada, a small municipality located in Sardinia, Italy, through an energy balance analysis based on distributed photovoltaic generation and shared electricity consumption. A techno-economic assessment framework was developed by combining the estimated electricity production of municipally owned photovoltaic systems with the load profiles of municipal, commercial, and residential users participating in the REC. The photovoltaic energy production was estimated using the Photovoltaic Geographical Information System (PVGIS) simulation platform, while the shared energy within the REC was evaluated by considering the simultaneity between electricity generation and demand under different residential participation scenarios. The results showed that the municipal photovoltaic systems achieved an annual electricity production of approximately 506.41 MWh, while direct physical self-consumption remained limited to 3.10 MWh/year due to the mismatch between municipal demand and photovoltaic generation profiles. The analysis further showed that the REC reached an energy equilibrium condition with the participation of 285 residential users, corresponding to nearly 23% of the households within the municipality, allowing virtually shared energy to reach 425.92 MWh/year. The economic evaluation demonstrated that the municipal administration obtained the highest share of the overall economic return, mainly driven by electricity exported to the grid and incentive revenues associated with shared energy. The results indicate that the integration of municipally owned photovoltaic systems within REC configurations provides an effective approach for improving local energy sharing and enhancing the economic viability of distributed renewable energy systems in small municipalities. The proposed framework offers practical support for local administrations in planning renewable energy investments and optimizing REC configurations under real operating conditions.
Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) play an increasingly important role in decentralized energy systems by improving local renewable energy utilization, enhancing energy flexibility, and supporting low-carbon energy transitions. However, the integration of distributed energy resources (DERs), flexible electrical loads, and energy sharing mechanisms continues to create operational and management challenges for REC-based systems. This study investigates the energy management and optimization of a residential REC in Italy composed of photovoltaic (PV) generation, battery storage systems, and flexible air-conditioning loads. A detailed optimization framework was developed to coordinate DERs and flexible demand with the objective of maximizing shared energy utilization and related economic incentives while maintaining user comfort and avoiding additional electricity costs. The regulatory framework and operational structure of RECs in Europe and Italy were also examined to support the development of the proposed management strategy. The optimization process was conducted under different operating conditions to evaluate the influence of coordinated load management on REC performance. The results showed that the coordinated control of battery storage systems and air-conditioning units improved shared renewable energy utilization and increased the economic return associated with energy sharing. The optimized operation strategy also reduced electricity costs for users while improving the operational efficiency of the community energy system. The findings indicate that advanced energy management and load coordination strategies provide an effective approach for enhancing the performance of distributed renewable energy systems and supporting the practical implementation of REC-based energy infrastructures.
In the context of conflicting empirical evidence regarding the effectiveness of green bonds on renewable energy investment, this study posits that the inconsistency in prior findings may stem from overlooking the role of the institutional environment. Accordingly, the study aims to examine the direct association between green bonds and renewable energy investment while analyzing the moderating role of political stability in this relationship. Using a panel dataset of 236 country-year observations from 16 emerging Asian economies over the 2010–2024 period, the study employs a Fixed Effects Model (FEM) with interaction terms and Driscoll-Kraay standard errors, complemented by robustness checks using System Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimation. The results reveal that green bonds are positively associated with renewable energy investment ($\beta_1$ = 0.158; $p$ $<$ 0.01). More importantly, the positive interaction coefficient ($\beta_3$ = 0.092; $p$ $<$ 0.10) suggests that political stability amplifies the association between green bonds and renewable energy investment. While this interaction effect is only marginally significant in the main specification, it gains further support from the System GMM estimation ($\beta_1$ = 0.145; $p$ $<$ 0.05; $\beta_3$ = 0.105; $p$ $<$ 0.05) and from subsample analysis, which reveals that the association between green bonds and renewable energy investment is statistically insignificant in politically unstable countries but strongly positive in stable ones. The study concludes that political stability appears to be an important enabling condition for realizing the potential of green finance in accelerating decarbonization, implying that green bond market development should go hand in hand with institutional reform and environmental governance strengthening.
Sustainable transformation within food and beverage (F&B) small and medium-sized industries (SMIs) in developing countries continues to be constrained by high levels of food loss and waste (FLW), inefficient resource utilization, limited technological capability, and weak organizational preparedness for digital and circular transition. Although the integration of Circular Economy (CE) principles and Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies has increasingly been recognized as a strategic pathway toward sustainable industrial development, limited empirical attention has been devoted to the assessment of organizational readiness for such transformation, particularly within resource-constrained SMIs. In response to this gap, a data-driven readiness assessment framework was developed to evaluate the preparedness of F&B SMIs for CE and I4.0 adoption. Survey data obtained from 150 F&B SMIs were analysed through a method integrating Principal Component Analysis (PCA), CRITIC method, and the TOPSIS. PCA was employed to identify latent readiness dimensions and reduce indicator redundancy, while the CRITIC method was utilized to derive objective indicator weights based on contrast intensity and inter-criteria conflict. Subsequently, the TOPSIS was applied to calculate composite readiness scores and classify firms according to their readiness levels. Eleven readiness dimensions were identified, among which sustainable sourcing and circular procurement, environmental value internalization, and human-centric managerial capability were found to exert the strongest influence on readiness performance. The findings further revealed that most participating SMIs were positioned within the developing readiness category, indicating that sustainability-oriented and digital transformation practices have been initiated but remain insufficiently institutionalized and operationally integrated. The results suggest that readiness for CE and I4.0 adoption is shaped not solely by technological infrastructure, but also by organizational culture, strategic procurement practices, managerial orientation, and workforce-related capabilities. The proposed framework contributes to the sustainability and industrial transformation literature by providing a robust and transferable decision-support instrument capable of supporting evidence-based managerial interventions and policy formulation aimed at accelerating sustainable industrial transition within F&B SMIs in developing economies.
The reliability and interpretability of the Complex Proportional Assessment (COPRAS) method in multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) have been critically re-evaluated. Although COPRAS has frequently been promoted as a method capable of separately assessing the influence of benefit and cost criteria without requiring explicit inversion of cost attributes, it is demonstrated that these claims are not fully supported by the mathematical structure of the method. A theoretical analysis reveals that COPRAS inherently relies on Sum normalization, through which hidden attribute prioritization and rating distortion may be introduced. Furthermore, it is shown that, in the presence of a single cost criterion, COPRAS becomes mathematically equivalent to the Weighted Sum Model (WSM) implemented with Sum normalization and a nonlinear inverse-sum transformation of cost criteria. Consequently, the purported methodological distinction between COPRAS and conventional additive aggregation approaches is substantially reduced. Particular attention is drawn to the nonlinear inversion embedded in the COPRAS formulation for cost criteria aggregation. Because the inverse transformation is applied to the total contribution of cost criteria rather than to individual criterion values, the resulting influence of cost attributes on the final utility score is shown to be only indirectly represented. Under certain conditions, significant discrepancies are produced between the nominal and actual contribution of cost criteria, thereby affecting both rating stability and ranking consistency. Through numerical demonstrations and comparative analyses, distortions in alternative ratings and rank reversals are identified when COPRAS results are compared with those obtained from the conventional WSM framework. The analysis further indicates that the observed inconsistencies are primarily associated with the combined effects of Sum normalization and nonlinear cost treatment. To address these limitations, the WSM integrated with a linear cost-transformation procedure based on the Reverse Sorting (ReS) algorithm is proposed as a more transparent and mathematically consistent alternative. The findings suggest that the application of COPRAS in practical MCDM problems should be approached with caution, particularly in decision environments where ranking sensitivity and interpretability are of critical importance.
Sawahlunto City is highly vulnerable to landslides due to steep topography, unstable soil conditions, and the legacy of former mining activities. These conditions pose risks not only to settlements and infrastructure but also to environmental sustainability. This study aims to analyze local government strategies in landslide disaster mitigation using James Brian Quinn’s strategic framework, focusing on goals, policies, and programs. This research employs a qualitative approach with data collected through interviews, observation, and document analysis. This study involved 15 key informants selected through purposive sampling, consisting of Regional Disaster Management Agency (Badan Penanggulangan Bencana Daerah, BPBD) officials, regional apparatus organizations, and local government representatives. Additional triangulation was conducted with community-based and external actors such as Disaster Resilient Village (Desa Tangguh Bencana, Destana), Disaster Preparedness Cadets (Taruna Siaga Bencana, Tagana), Tsunami Alert Community (Komunitas Siaga Tsunami, KOGAMI), Jemari Sakato, and BPBD of West Sumatra Province. Data were collected between December 2024 and January 2025 through interviews, field observations, and document analysis, and analyzed using data reduction, categorization, and thematic interpretation based on strategic dimensions. The findings indicate that although BPBD Sawahlunto has established strategic planning documents such as Disaster Risk Assessment (Kajian Risiko Bencana, KRB), Disaster Management Plan (Rencana Penanggulangan Bencana, RPB), and Contingency Plans (Rencana Kontinjensi, Rekon), their implementation remains constrained by limited budget and human resources. Programs such as Destana and Disaster Safe Education Unit (Satuan Pendidikan Aman Bencana, SPAB) contribute positively to community preparedness, although their coverage is still limited. The study concludes that strengthening inter-agency coordination, optimizing resources, and enhancing community participation are essential to improve the effectiveness and sustainability of landslide mitigation strategies in Sawahlunto City.
The poultry sector plays a critical role in food security, rural income generation, and economic development in South Africa. However, its rapid expansion has intensified environmental challenges such as waste accumulation, water contamination, greenhouse gas emissions, and pressure on natural resources. This study examines how poultry value chain financing influences environmental sustainability outcomes using a mixed methods approach. Primary data were collected from 45 respondents in Gauteng Province through structured questionnaires, complemented by 9 key informant interviews. Quantitative data were analysed using IBM SPSS version 26, while qualitative data were analysed using NVivo version 14. The results reveal a significant positive relationship between access to formal financing and the adoption of sustainable practices, including manure management, water efficiency, and energy-saving technologies. However, limited access to institutional credit constrains small-scale farmers, leading to continued reliance on environmentally harmful production methods. The study also highlights the role of governance frameworks and green financing mechanisms, including policy incentives, risk sharing instruments, and sustainability linked credit, in shaping environmental outcomes across the poultry value chain. The findings suggest that value chain financing plays an important role in promoting environmental sustainability and that targeted green financing instruments may facilitate the adoption of cleaner production systems. This study contributes empirical evidence to the growing discourse on sustainable agri-food systems and provides policy recommendations for strengthening environmentally responsible financing in the poultry sector.
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