RECYCLING BIOSOLIDS TO IMPROVE MARGINAL LANDS FOR BIOENERGY FEEDSTOCK PRODUCTION IN UKRAINE

Energy independence is one of the national priorities facing Ukraine today. Plant-based feedstocks have the potential to diversify Ukraine’s energy independence by decreasing dependence on petroleum-based energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, expanding renewable fuel industries and creating job opportunities. However, biofeedstock needs to be competitive on availability, performance, and price to produce, market, and produce fuels. We hypothesize that domestically produced feedstocks from sweet sorghum, using proactive recycling of nutrient-rich biosolids on vast areas of degraded and marginal lands, could be a win-win energy independence strategy in Ukraine. Our goal is to create for generating a steady-state source of biofeedstock and disseminate science-based knowledge and training to the clientele. Specific objectives are to: (1) establish research studies to evaluate growth and feedstock productivity, nutrient removal, and feedstock characteristics of sweet sorghum fertilized with biosolids on degraded and marginal lands in Rivne, Kherson, Dnipro, and Kyiv regions of Ukraine; and (2) determine the impact of biosolids and sweet sorghum on soil quality. Data collected on growth, feedstock production, feedstock characteristics, fuel potential, and high-value co-products (biochar) of sweet sorghum and soil quality will be evaluated by multivariate statistics. Input, output, and outreach data will be subject to techno-economic analyses to evaluate the economically viability, environmentally compatibility, and social acceptability of the project. Traditional and electronic outlet activities will be utilized to disseminate outcomes and outputs and to evaluate project impacts.

Application of Solar-Powered Irrigation System

This article deals with the issue of solar-powered irrigation, specifically, by connecting a solar power source to a drip irrigation system. Thanks to an independent energy source the irrigation system is able to work anywhere. In addition to energy independence, thanks to the drip mode of irrigation, another benefit is water saving, which is up to 70% compared to conventional irrigation. The simplicity of this system allows use both in small gardens and in agriculture. Another advantage of the system is its expandability with various sensors (e.g. soil moisture monitoring), which will help with more efficient management of watering.

Financial Consideration of Energy and Environmental Nexus with Energy Poverty: Promoting Financial Development in G7 Economies

Energy and environmental concepts have been extensively studied in the past. However, these studies often lacked integrated analysis of energy, monetary, public, and ecological aspects to assess energy and environmental issues. This article provides analyzation of the G7 nations’ qualitative, social, cultural, and health achievement in the energy poverty indexes. These include the energy economics and climate change of energy poverty, by using DEA like a composite indicator. The G7 countries’ combined energy consumption is equal to 34% of the world’s total, whereas the GDP is 50% of the global total. As a result, this article develops a comprehensive series of energy, financial, societal, and environmental indicators that are up to date. Such indicators are utilized to assess energy financial, societal, and EPI using a mathematical composite indicator. Canada has the greatest EPII score, indicating that it can deal better than the other G7 countries with energy independence, productivity expansion, and social impact, and France’s and Italy’s the second tier. While Japan has a 0.50 EPI grade and the United States will have the lowest, the G7 countries are growing faster. Finally, we propose a policy framework for enhancing the research area. The energy, societal, and EPI were created by combining these elements. In terms of energy independence, economic growth, and sustainability practices, Canada beats the other G7 countries according to the data. France and Italy are in the 2nd and 3rd places, respectively. Despite having a higher level of economic development than the G7 countries, Japan has a 0.50 Environmental Performance Index rating, whereas the United States has a minimum average Environmental Performance Index rating. Finally, in order to improve the study’s subject, we propose a policy framework.

Social and Economic Value in Emerging Decentralized Energy Business Models: A Critical Review

In recent years, numerous studies have explored the opportunities and challenges for emerging decentralized energy systems and business models. However, few studies have focussed specifically on the economic and social value associated with three emerging models: peer-to-peer energy trading (P2P), community self-consumption (CSC) and transactive energy (TE). This article presents the findings of a systematic literature review to address this gap. The paper makes two main contributions to the literature. Firstly, it offers a synthesis of research on the social and economic value of P2P, CSC and TE systems, concluding that there is evidence for a variety of sources of social value (including energy independence, local benefits, social relationships, environmental responsibility and participation and purpose) and economic value (including via self-consumption of renewable electricity, reduced electricity import costs, and improved electricity export prices). Secondly, it identifies factors and conditions necessary for the success of these models, which include willingness to participate, participant engagement with technology, and project engagement of households and communities, among other factors. Finally, it discusses conflicts and trade-offs in the value propositions of the models, how the three models differ from one another in terms of the value they aim to deliver and some of the open challenges that require further attention by researchers and practitioners.

Asta-Ja and Energy Security in Nepal

Energy independence and sustainable renewable energy sources are the two main components of energy security for Nepal. More than 2/3rd of energy consumed in Nepal comes from biofuels and waste and about 1/4th of energy consumed comes from coal and petroleum products. With increasing number of motor vehicles and rising demand for cooking gas, Nepal’s coal and petroleum import bills in recent years have reached over Rs. 200 billion. With its vast water resources, Nepal has a great potential for energy independence and sustainability and achieve energy security. Nepal’s current 1,689 MW hydroelectricity capacity is expected to reach over 5,000 MW in next three to five years, which means Nepal will have a large amount of clean energy in the market. This increased hydropower production will also require an increased domestic consumption by making hydroelectricity affordable, reliable, and high-quality energy by improving its distribution system. Nepal also has a very high potential for solar power, which need to be harnessed and brought to the national grid. Nepal needs to harness all energy sources, which consist of hydropower, solar power, wind power, biofuels, and biogas, in a sustainable way for its energy independence and security. Because Nepal is in a geologically active and natural disasters prone area, it is critical to ensure ecological balance of Asta-Ja elements, Nepali letter, Jal (water), Jamin (land), Jungle (forest), Jadibuti (medicinal and aromatic plants), Janashakti (manpower), Janawar (animal), Jarajuri (crop plants) and Jalabayu (climate) while developing energy resources. Asta-Ja Framework serves as the connecting bridge between the energy resources and the end users. Strategic planning for comprehensive energy development considering ecological balance of Asta-Ja resources, decarbonization and electrification of energy end uses, improvement of energy infrastructures, continuous monitoring and evaluation of energy sector, and development of hydropower plants and alternative energy sources such as solar and wind is suggested for energy security in Nepal.

Green Energy in Ukraine: State, Public Demands, and Trends

The main purpose of this paper is to analyze and address the challenges of implementing green energy in Ukraine, in particular, to identify its advantages and disadvantages. The implementation of solar renewable sources—stations, panels, and batteries—is emphasized. The results of sociological surveys of Ukrainian public opinion on environmental issues, in particular, energy issues, are presented. The existence of public demand for renewable energy and the readiness of the population to use renewable energy sources are identified. A strategy for strengthening the country’s energy independence in the face of new globalization challenges is defined. General scientific methods as well as special methods were used in this paper: statistical analysis, secondary analysis of data from sociological studies of public institutions, and desk analysis of documents and reports from public services. In this paper, it is concluded that Ukraine is geographically and territorially attractive for green energy development and investment. It is important that there is a public and state demand in the country to strengthen the country’s energy security, in particular, through the introduction of renewable energy sources. Therefore, despite drawbacks and obstacles, green energy in Ukraine has great prospects.

Penyusunan Masterplan Desa Berbasis Mandiri-Wisata pada Desa Batulicin Irigasi, Kalimantan Selatan

The village master plan is a document that can be a guide in determining the direction and development of a village. With all the potentials that exist, Batulicin Irigasi Village does not yet have a master plan that can be a guide and development scheme in managing village potentials and minimizing existing obstacles. Preparation of the Batulicin Irigasi Village master plan is a form of community service from the Faculty of Engineering ULM. This Village master plan aims to help residents in understanding the potential values of the village and directing its development in realizing the aspirations and expectations of the residents. The concept raised in the Batulicin Irigasi Village master plan is independent tourism village. The independent village concept is based on food independence, economic independence, energy independence, water independence, and disaster preparedness. The concept of a tourist village through the Batulicin Irigasi Village development strategy can be implemented in the form of plantation and livestock arrangement, street furniture signage, yard guidelines, UMKM product marketing, village water reserves, mixed-use building, criteria for supporting buildings, village branding, regional landscapes, and tourist packages. It is hoped that the final result of the Batulicin Irigasi Village master plan can bring great benefits to the development of the local area and the surrounding community.

SYSTEMATIZATION OF INTERNATIONAL AND DOMESTIC EXPERIENCE IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT AIMED AT ADAPTING PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SUSTAINABLE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

European countries are recognized leaders in the use of public-private partnerships in project management for large-scale infrastructure projects, including those that contribute to energy efficiency in various sectors of the economy. Their experience is a useful example for Ukraine in its quest for energy independence and economic stability. Establishing partnerships with business will increase the resources of the state and promote the involvement of the private sector in the implementation of profitable and image projects for both stakeholders. The development of mechanisms and recommendations for the development of public-private partnership (PPP) should be preceded by an analysis of international experience in creating a favorable and attractive environment in which public-private partnerships can be intensified. Since energy efficiency is the key to the successful functioning of the economy of any state, it is necessary, creating the conditions for the successful functioning of public-private partnership, to develop programs and projects to improve energy efficiency, which will be implemented under the PPP on a priority basis.

Forecasting Solar Radiation

Renewable energy, such as solar and wind, has been increasing in popularity for over a decade. This is especially true in rural, underdeveloped areas, and urban households that desire energy independence. Renewable energy sources, such as solar, provide enhanced environmental benefits while simultaneously minimizing the carbon footprint. One popular technology that can capture solar energy is solar panels. The demand for solar panels has been on the rise due to increases in energy conversion efficiency, long-term financial advantages, and contributions to decreasing fossil fuel usage. However, solar panels need a steady supply of sunlight. This can be challenging in many situations, geographies, and environments. This paper uses multiple machine learning (ML) algorithms that can predict future values of solar radiation based on previously observed values and other environmental features measured without the use of complex equipment with methods that are computationally efficient so that forecasting can be done on consumer premises.

The Use of the Local and Regional Potential in Building Energy Independence—Polish and Ukraine Case Study

Biogas production in Poland and Ukraine seems to be a good way to both reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase energy self-sufficiency by supplementing conventional energy sources. The aim of the research was to assess the potential of biogas production and the possibility of increasing it at the regional level of both studied countries and was conducted in 2018. The study included an analysis of seasonal heat demand, and the results showed biogas heat surpluses and shortages in each region. The financial side of the investment discussed using the example of the selected administrative unit showed that the construction costs of the biogas plant would be paid back after 7~9 years. The presented results also showed that Polish regions have much higher variation of biogas production potential (0.14~1.09 billion m3) than Ukrainian regions (0.09~0.3 billion m3). The analysis of the possibilities of increasing the potential based on the cultivation of maize in wastelands showed that in this respect, the Ukrainian regions have better opportunities compared to Polish regions. In the case of 20 regions, the maximum use of the potential of biogas should result in an increase in the share of renewable sources in the energy mix to above the level of 25%. Poland and Ukraine have comparable biogas production potentials of ~10 billion m3 annually, which results in a comparable number of biogas plants needed to consume that potential as well as the number of new jobs. The above analyses were also carried out at the LAU level (powiats and raions) where the potential of regional cooperation for four border regions is discussed.