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Intro -- Preface -- Contents -- About the Editor -- Hydrocarbon System and Characterization -- 1 Hydrocarbon Cycle for Sustainable Future: Clean Energy and Green Environment of the Earth -- 1 Introduction -- 2 Clean Coal Technology -- 2.1 Conventional Use of Coal -- 2.2 Clean Coal Technology for Future -- 3 Processing of Heavy Hydrocarbons -- 3.1 Downhole in Situ Upgrading -- 3.2 Radiation-Thermal Upgrading -- 3.3 Most Recent Upgrading Concepts -- 3.4 Concluding Remarks -- 4 Conversion of Biomass -- 4.1 Biofuels from Biomass -- 4.2 Chemicals from Biomass -- 5 CO2 Capture and Sequestration (CCS) -- 5.1 CO2 Capture -- 5.2 Geological Carbon Storage (GCS) -- 5.3 Bioenergy with CCS (BECCS) -- 6 Methanol-The 'Chemical Link' Between Present and Future -- 7 Concluding Remarks -- Acknowledgements -- References -- 2 Exploration of Molecules in Hydrocarbons with an Interdisciplinary Approach: Current Status and Future Implications -- 1 Introduction -- 2 Molecules in Hydrocarbon System -- 2.1 Fossil Fuel System -- 2.2 Biomass System -- 3 Characterization of Hydrocarbon Components: Conventional Techniques for Structural and Molecular Profiling -- 4 Optical to IR Spectroscopic Approach -- 4.1 UV-Visible Absorption Spectroscopy -- 4.2 UV-Visible Fluorescence Spectroscopy -- 4.3 Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy -- 5 Combinations of Optical Study for Exploration of Hydrocarbon Molecules in Crude Oil and Coal -- 6 Concluding Remarks for Future Implications -- Acknowledgements -- References -- Crude Oil -- 3 Challenges in Mature Field Redevelopment -- 1 Introduction -- 2 Mature Field Management -- 2.1 Managing Production Decline and Increasing Recovery -- 2.2 Management and Integration of Process Facilities -- 2.3 Produced Water Management -- 3 Indian Scenario -- 4 Journey Ahead -- 4.1 Onshore -- 4.2 Offshore -- 5 Conclusion -- Acknowledgements -- References.

The current linear production model based on fossil fuel resources, coupled with an increasing consumption generated by population growth have overstretched the pressure on the environment. Understanding the path to environmental and socio-economic sustainability is the main goal of the literature in sustainability transitions, which are long-term, multi-dimensional and fundamental transformation processes through which established socio-technical systems shift to more sustainable modes of production and consumption. This PhD thesis engages in this literature with the aim to enrich the analysis on sustainability transitions; particularly, assessing the influence of policy on innovation niches' maturity process and network structure, as well as scrutinizing the role of the spatial dimension of innovation niches on their maturity process. Identifying the importance of policy on transition patterns and systemising the role of space on niche maturity are of great interest for the comprehension of a socio-technical system and consequently of the mechanisms influencing its transition process. Having this in mind, this thesis is built on three main stand-alone chapters that apply different research methodologies and data elaboration, providing new findings and discussion. The first of the main chapters investigates the role of policy in fostering/hindering the development of the clean energy niche and the complete deployment of clean energy technologies in the Boston area. Using an Argumentative Discourse Analysis based on official documents and qualitative interviews with key stakeholders, this work shows that the clean energy niche in the Boston area is generally perceived as strong and well developed. However, it has not been able yet to overcome the incumbent energy regime. The analysis of both public legitimizing and de-legitimizing narratives identified three gaps related more generally to three major pitfalls of the public strategy in support of the clean energy niche: (1) the policy at the State level has engaged more in adopting new laws rather than achieving a harmonized regulation, (2) policy intervention has not yet fully succeeded in crowding-in private investments into the clean energy sector causing a dependent relation between public funding and niche development and deployment, and (3) by occasionally offering infrastructures (e.g. facilities for market-level prototype tests) the policy action has not yet succeeded in building an effective commercialization programme reflected in a limited deployment of clean energy technologies in the Boston area – hindering the clean energy niche breakthrough. Two important aspects emerged from this study: (i) the spatial dimension of innovation development does not always coincide with the one of innovation deployment, and this may influence niches maturity processes and their ability to overcome the incumbent regime, and (ii) policy intervention may determine the playground and actors involved in an innovation niche, thus emphasising the role of policy in shaping the social network structures of innovation niches. For instance, the role of the spatial dimension of niches in their transition process is scrutinized in a second chapter. The idea behind this chapter is to understand the influence of the spatial dimension of actors' network in the niche creation, maturity and overall performance; establishing either a local niche a global niche able to break through the incumbent regime. To accomplish this goal, an agent-based model (ABM) is developed, which allows investigating the interactions and behaviours of heterogeneous agents within and beyond the local dimension of a niche. In this model, agents are located in a geographical space in order to show how local niches building on spatially bounded ties with geographically proximate partners perform differently from global niches building on spatially unbounded ties with relational proximate partners, in terms of timing of niche creation and velocity of niche maturation, average profit, environmental uncertainty, network power and knowledge. Taking into account the divergences between local and global niches, a spatial dimension of the niche should be considered as a new mechanism within the niche management framework. Additionally, in a third chapter is assessed the influence of different policy strategies in shaping the social network structure of an innovative bioplastics niche. A comparative analysis, looking at Italy and Germany, is conducted since both countries have enacted divergent policies in support of the bioplastics industry. The comparison is based on a Social Network Analysis, which provides with some interesting insights on the maturity level of the two respective niches as well as on the emerging architectural properties of the underling social networks. The results obtained on the emerging architectural properties of the two niches are linked, in a retrospective way, to the different policy strategies in support of the bio-based economy enacted by the respective national governments, under the common umbrella of the EC policy for the bio-based economy. Indeed, the German policy strategy characterized by large public investments in R&D, whereas the Italian case mostly characterized by demand side policy which effectively created a market for bioplastics. In this thesis, the effort has been to deepen the analysis of particular aspects in the complex transitions studies: i) systematization of the spatial dimension of innovative niches, ii) the role of policy intervention in niche architecture and path breaking processes, iii) environmental issues as landscape pressure for transition, and iv) the extension of the concepts of Multi-Level Perspective (MLP) and Strategic Niche Management (SNM) in bio-based economy. The interesting findings emerged from these analyses, by means of various qualitative and quantitative methodologies, help enriching the sustainability transitions framework by refining the aspects mentioned above.

Cover -- Half Title -- Title -- Copyright -- Contents -- Illustrations -- Preface -- About the Editors -- About the Contributors -- Abbreviations -- 1 Introduction: The Imperative of Sustainable Development* -- Abbreviations -- Business as usual is not an option -- A transformative technological revolution is needed -- This book -- Are green energy investments affordable? -- 2 A New Philosophical Approach to Social Transformation for a "Green Economy" -- Context -- Chasing progress -- Limits to growth -- Making room for growth -- The dilemma of growth -- The arithmetic of growth -- The dynamics of transformation -- Steps toward the green economy -- Green economy and sustainable development -- 3 Historical Characteristics and Scenario Analysis of Technological Change in the Energy System -- Introduction -- Historical dynamics of technological change in the energy system -- Scenario representations of future technological change -- Implications for clean energy technology and innovation policy -- Conclusions -- 4 Clean Energy for Sustainable Development* -- A major technological transformation in energy is needed for sustainable development -- Are current efforts in the right direction? Are they enough? -- The limitations of current approaches to the energy transformation challenge -- Moving forward -- Conclusion -- 5 Achieving Sustainable Development: -- Introduction -- Policy, technology, and energy investments for sustainability -- Public policies for development -- Conclusion -- 6 Key Determinants of Technological Capabilities for a "Green Economy" in Emerging Economies -- Introduction -- Environmental technological capabilities in emerging economies: The case of China -- Technology transfer, indigenous R&D, and technical progress -- National innovation system and technology acquisition, adaptation, and development -- Conclusion.

Smart grid is an idea of upgradation of the traditional electric grid infrastructure. The efficiency of the existing electrical grid can be automated by integrating with innovative technical equipment such as: high-tech forecasting system, digital sensors, advanced two-way communication and two-way power flow systems. Smart grid establishes an interface between utility and consumer which helps to use energy, based on the preferences of price, eco-friendly and without technical system issues. It empowers the grid to be more secure, reliable and efficient. The peer-reviewed articles and published government reports have been reviewed, based on the analysis of technical characteristics of power generation systems, eco-friendly sources of power generations, cost reduction, functionality and design of traditional grid versus smart grid. Furthermore, the innovative technologies that enable the grid to integrate with decentralized power generation system efficiently have been considered. This paper claims that in this modern era, it is arduous for traditional grid to fulfill the rising demand of electricity, along with sustainable, eco-friendly and stable power supply, as it cannot be efficiently integrated with decentralized and localized power generation systems and renewable energy sources. The result of this paper shows that decentralized and localized power generation systems are located close to end-users which decrease the transmission and supply cost of electricity. Innovative technologies allow the decentralized and localized power generation systems to be integrated with renewable energy sources which help to reduce the cost of utility services and provide clean energy. Moreover, technological advancement played a decisive role in enabling the electrical system to be more efficient. Electrical reliability can be improved, greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced, renewable energy sources can efficiently be integrated, and rising demand for electricity can be met by embedding advanced applications and ...

Unsustainable budgetary cost of selling oil, gas, and coal at low prices has propelled energy subsidy reform in developing Asian economies. This report measures the size of associated subsidies on these fossil fuels including direct transfers, tax exemptions, subsidized credit, and losses of state enterprises in India, Indonesia, and Thailand. An analysis of complex interactions between economic, social, energy, and environmental issues shows that the initial rise in energy prices due to a reduction or removal of the subsidies will nudge households and businesses to shift to alternative fuels, make investment in clean energy attractive, increase energy supply, reduce energy shortages, and cut greenhouse gas emissions. Using the money freed up from subsidies to compensate poor households and to increase government budgets will offset the negative effects of the initial price rise, promote sustainable energy use, and help allay the fears of reform.

An overview -- Setting the scene, some historical background -- Economic development since the late 20th century -- China's new consumerism -- What's happening to China's air? -- Water contamination and water scarcity -- Soil pollution and agriculture -- Pollution and public health -- China's pollution/environment and the world -- Pollution and the Chinese public -- The state and environmental pollution -- The search for cleaner energy.

Artificial intelligence that helps us solve problems such as generating vast amounts of affordable clean energy to enable a less chaotic climate or creating technology to prevent an asteroid impact would also help us live longer and healthier as a species.
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Previous research on the diffusion of solar PV in Africa has mainly focused on solar home systems (SHS) in individual countries and thus overlooked developments in other PV market segments that have recently emerged. In contrast this paper adopts a regional perspective by reviewing developments in supportive policies, donor programs and diffusion status in all PV market segments in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, as well as identifying the key factors put forward in the literature to explain differences in the diffusion of SHS in these three countries. The paper finds two emerging trends: (i) a movement from donor and government-based support to market-driven diffusion of solar PV; and (ii) a transition from small-scale, off-grid systems towards mini-grids and large-scale, grid-connected solar power plants. The paper points out three generic factors that have contributed to encouraging SHS diffusion in all three countries: (i) the decline in world market prices for PV modules; (ii) the prolonged support from international donors; and (iii) conducive framework conditions provided by national governments. The paper also identifies five key factors that have been elaborated in the literature to explain the higher level of SHS diffusion in Kenya compared to Tanzania and Uganda: (i) a growing middle-class; (ii) geographical conditions; (iii) local sub-component suppliers; (iv) local champions; and (v) business culture. Finally, the paper discusses the lack of attention in the literature given to analysing the amount, nature and timing of donor and government support across countries, processes of learning and upgrading in local PV industries and the interaction between the different explanatory factors.

AbstractAs global temperatures, ocean heat and greenhouse gases reach record levels, transitioning to renewable energy systems offers hope for climate stabilisation. Globally, renewable capacity rose by 50% from 2022 to 2023. Clean hydrogen is attracting strong investment, yet its development is challenging as it requires supply chain‐wide innovation. Sustainably transitioning to hydrogen will require thinking and acting systemically, as opposed to current business‐as‐usual innovation. Whilst hinting at non‐linear relations and feedback loops, prevailing representations of innovation theories remain largely devoid of the feedback structures evident in transitioning socio‐technical systems. In this paper, generational innovation theories are recast as causal loop diagrams (CLDs), and the Success to the Successful archetype is modified to reflect the multi‐level perspective on transition theory. The outcome is twofold: to promote thinking systemically when innovating and diagnosing issues, and to show how CLDs can help elucidate the factors and interactions influencing hydrogen's trajectory.

Legislative efforts for renewables-based energy decarbonisation hinge upon the support and commitment from different stakeholders holding often conflicting positions regarding disruptive processes of socio-technical transformation. However, the evolving acceptance of market actors on the policy-driven promotion of renewables over time remains under-scrutinised. Simultaneously, despite growing attention to power and politics in sustainability transitions, limited efforts remain invested for elucidating the political-economic nature of the market-based selection environments they are operationalised through, highlighting the need for a more systematic comprehension of the "politics of selection". To address these shortcomings, this paper provides a more refined understanding of the role of policy-driven markets and its participating agents in facilitating/hindering innovation diffusion and broader (system-wide) sustainability transitions. To do so, it showcases a longitudinal case study of the politics underlying Germany's evolving feed-in policy support framework for orchestrating a market-mediated diffusion of renewables (1980s–2020). Based on policy analysis and semi-structured interviews, the study traces the changing acceptance and ensuing strategic (re)actions of market actors to the emergence and evolution of Germany's market for electricity from renewable energy sources. Results show how different market participants effectively shape the selection environments they operate in by proactively contesting/deluding the design features of the support policies organising their economised relations (e.g., market entry conditions, exchange rules, remuneration levels, pricing schemes, etc.). Such efforts are undertaken through legal means and market framing strategies targeting the affordability of policy support costs, coupled with the strategic use of policy instrumentation as a vehicle to further expand/retain their market shares to the detriment of competing actors.

The Clean Cooking Alliance (CCA) has been active in Bangladesh since 2012. In 2013, they convened stakeholder consultations to develop and launch the Bangladesh Country Action Plan for Clean Cookstoves (CAP) led by the Power Division of the government's Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources. In May 2018, the government held a CAP review workshop to ensure the realignment of CAP 2013 with the new changes and developments in Bangladesh. As a result, a renewed CAP, the National Action Plan for Clean Cooking (2020–2030) was launched with the goal of achieving hundred percent clean-cooking adoption throughout Bangladesh by 2030. This assessment brings together learning from recent studies and experiences and expects to help CCA and the World Bank look at prospective strategies with a focus of access to finance and incentive options for scaling up clean cooking in Bangladesh. In chapters 1 and 2, the report first reviews the current state of the clean-cooking market in Bangladesh, covering a variety of fuels and technologies based on the significance of market penetration in Bangladeshi households, including natural gas, LPG and Improved Cookstoves (ICSs). Other solutions discussed in the report include electric/induction stoves, solar cookers, and biogas. Chapter 3 discusses the stakeholders who played important roles in moving the 2013 Country Action Plan forward, the consumer segmentation, and the prevailing culture of stove stacking within the segments. The subsequent chapters (chapters 4–6) then explore strategies and business models in which ICSs can be distributed across the country following a market-based approach through Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL's) ICS program, with a focused discussion on access to finance and community engagement. Finally, chapter 7 puts forward specific recommendations to address ways in which the IDCOL ICS program can be improved and optimized.