Qualitative evaluation of an intervention to reduce energy poverty / Evaluación cualitativa de una intervención para reducir la pobreza energética

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To evaluate the " Energía, la justa " program, aimed at reducing energy poverty in the city of Barcelona, from the point of view of the target population and the workers involved in the intervention. METHODS A qualitative, descriptive and exploratory pilot study was carried out, with a phenomenological approach. Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted: to three users, three energy agents who performed interventions in the homes, and six professionals who participated in the program coordination. A thematic content analysis was carried out using Atlas-ti software . Interviews were conducted between October 2016 and March 2017. RESULTS Trust in a contact person (e.g. social workers) facilitated the participation, although there were difficulties reaching people who had illegal energy supplies, immigrant women or immigrants who subrent properties. Regarding implementation, home visits, energy efficiency advice and the relationship with energy agents were the best assessed aspects. However, not being able to carry out reforms in deteriorated dwellings was considered a limitation. The program also contributed to raise awareness on energy rights, to save on utility bills and to generate tranquility and social support. CONCLUSIONS Programs such as this one can promote energy empowerment and improve psychosocial status. However, strategies with a gender and equity perspective should be considered to reach other vulnerable groups.

RESUMEN OBJETIVO Conocer las valoraciones del programa "Energía, la justa" orientado a reducir la pobreza energética en la ciudad de Barcelona, desde la perspectiva de las personas destinatarias y de las personas trabajadoras involucradas en la intervención. MÉTODOS Estudio piloto realizado con metodología cualitativa, de tipo descriptivo y exploratorio, analizado desde un enfoque fenomenológico. Se realizaron 12 entrevistas semi-estructuradas: a tres personas destinatarias, a tres agentes energéticos que realizaron intervención en los hogares y a seis profesionales que participaron en la coordinación del programa. Se realizó un análisis de contenido temático mediante el software Atlas-ti. Las entrevistas se realizaron entre octubre de 2016 y marzo de 2017. RESULTADOS La confianza con una persona de contacto (por ejemplo, trabajadoras sociales) facilitó la participación, pero hubo dificultad para acceder a personas que tenían los suministros ilegales, mujeres inmigrantes o inmigrantes que subalquilaban pisos. Respecto a la implementación, las visitas domiciliarias, el asesoramiento en materia de eficiencia energética y la relación con los agentes energéticos, fueron los aspectos mejor valorados. Sin embargo, se consideró como limitación no poder realizar reformas en viviendas muy deterioradas. A nivel de impacto, el programa contribuyó al conocimiento de los derechos energéticos, a ahorrar en las facturas de los suministros y a generar mayor tranquilidad y soporte social. CONCLUSIONES Programas como este fomentan el empoderamiento en materia energética y producen mejoras a nivel psicosocial. No obstante, se deberían desarrollar estrategias con perspectiva de género y de equidad para llegar a otros colectivos especialmente vulnerables.

Bioenergetics potential of RR2 PRO transgenic soybean subjected to application of herbicides isolated and in combination

ABSTRACT In Brazil, there are several crops producing oil for biofuel production, such as canola, sunflower, peanut, cotton, castor bean, soybean, among others. There are parameters that indicate the energetic and economic viability for the production of biofuels, and that can be applied, for example, in transgenic soybeans. The present study aimed to evaluate the energetic viability of Intacta RR2 PROTM soybean for biofuel production.Experiments were conducted in the municipalities of Palotina and Marechal Cândido Rondon, both in the State of Paraná. Energy balance calculations were carried out from the production system, estimating energy expenditure, including the agricultural and industrial stages. The inputs used were considered as input of energy, while grain production, as output of energy. The energy balance of soybean biofuel showed positive values in the treatments with lower doses up to the recommended doses, highlighting the treatment glyphosate at 720 g.e.a. per hectare, which reached a positive energy balance (1: 1.11) for both municipalities. However, the Intacta RR2 PRO TM soybean was sensitive to treatments with high doses of glyphosate, which impaired productivity and consequently generated low economic returns.

Proposal for a Monitoring and Dispatch System for Distributed Micro-Generation of Renewable Energy in Virtual Energy Centers

ABSTRACT The creation and updating of ANEEL (National Electricity Regulatory Agency) regulatory resolution on distributed generation provided a new business environment for the electricity sector, as well as enabling consumers to generate energy. In this context, distributed microgeneration plants management is a challenge, mainly for electric power distributors and for the entire supply chain and services. In this sense, it is urgent to develop a monitoring and dispatch system in microgeneration plants, in order to optimize the capacity factor of the enterprises and to enable the creation of Virtual Power Plants (VPP). VPPs are part of a new dynamic of the energy sector's strategic environment, which strengthens distributed generation through smart meters capable of communicating with operational centers and thus influencing new business models already diffused by the known smart grids. Included in this scenario, this paper presents a proposal for a monitoring and dispatch system for distributed micro-generation of renewable energies, as well as the engineering solution for a final product focused on market expectations.

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Wind Power Generation: Application of the Methodology and the Generator to Power System

ABSTRACT Sustainability and economics are current issues in the generation of electricity. The energy matrix is diversified and some forms have stood out, such as wind. Some tools have been developed to improve project efficiency, one of which is Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). This presents solidity when assisting projects financially and environmentally, evaluating materials and processes. The present study aimed to analyze the application of LCA in a wind power plant. After searching the main databases and using filters, the analysis was developed from the information of an article that described the application of the LCA to a wind power plant using computational simulation, providing an overview of the production and potential environmental impacts for the process manufacturing, parts maintenance, disposal and recycling at end of lifespan. The phases, steps and the threshold diagram of the LCA system were observed. The results showed a high rate of reuse/recycling of some materials and significant reductions in emissions, financial costs and abatement of environmental payback if the materials were recycled at the end of lifespan. Recycling has shown positive environmental aspects and a significant cost reduction, allowing the expansion of markets and optimization of wind projects.

Biodiesel production from marine cyanobacteria cultured in plate and tubular photobioreactors.

Carbon (neutral) based renewable liquid biofuels are alternative to petroleum derived transport fuels that contribute to global warming and are of a limited availability. Microalgae based biofuels are considered as promising source of energy. Lyngbya sp. and Synechococcus sp. were studied for the possibility of biodiesel production in different media such as ASNIII, sea water enrichment medium and BG11. The sea water enrichment medium was found superior in enhancing the growth rate of these microalgae. Nitrogen depletion has less effect in total chlorophyll a content, at the same time the lipid content was increased in both Lyngbya sp. and Synechococcus sp. by 1.4 and 1.2 % respectively. Increase in salinity from 0.5-1.0 M also showed an increase in the lipid content to 2.0 and 0.8 % in these strains; but a salinity of 1.5 M has a total inhibitory effect in the growth. The total biomass yield was comparatively higher in tubular LED photobioreactor than the fluorescent flat plated photobioreactor. Lipid extraction was obtained maximum at 60 ºC in 1:10 sample: solvent ratio. GC-MS analysis of biodiesel showed high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA; 4.86 %) than saturated fatty acid (SFA; 4.10 %). Biodiesel production was found maximum in Synechococcus sp. than Lyngbya sp. The viscosity of the biodiesel was closely related to conventional diesel. The results strongly suggest that marine microalgae could be used as a renewable energy source for biodiesel production.

Hydrothermal multivariable approach: full-scale feasibility study

A process configuration combining thermal hydrolysis (TH) and anaerobic digestion (AD) of sludge has been studied with the objective of analysing the feasibility of the technology for full scale installations. The study has been performed through pilot scale experiments and energy integration considerations, and a scheme of the most profitable option is presented: thermal hydrolysis unit fed with 7 percent total solids (TS) secondary sludge, anaerobic digestion of the hydrolysed sludge together with fresh primary sludge, and a cogeneration unit to produce green electricity and provide hot steam for the thermal hydrolysis process. From a technical and practical point of view, the process scheme proposed is considered to be feasible. Based on the results of the pilot plant performance and the laboratory studies, the process has proven to operate successfully at a concentration of 7-8 percent TS. After the thermal hydrolysis, sludge viscosity becomes radically smaller, and this favours the digesters mixing and performance (40 percent more biogas can be obtained in nearly half the residence time compared to the conventional digestion). From an economic point of view, the key factors in the energy balance are: the recovery of heat from hot streams, and the concentration of sludge. The article presents the main energy integration schemes and defines the most profitable one: an energetically self-sufficient process, with a cogeneration unit. The scheme proposed has proven to need no additional energy input for the sludge hydrolysis, generates more that 1 MW green electricity (246 kW surplus with respect to the conventional process), and produces 58 percent less volume of Class A biowaste. The study and balances here presented set the basis for the scale-up to a demonstration plant (hydrolysis + anaerobic digestion + cogeneration unit).

Investigation of energy recovery from poultry litter and municipal solid waste by thermochemical conversion method in India.

The waste disposal is becoming a major threat to environmental issues and to sustainable development of mankind. The rapid growth in population and enormous developmental activities are the main causes for the generation of waste in many forms. Hence there is need to redress the concern on environment and efforts to be made for effective collection and disposal of wastes. Most of the solid waste is a mix of household wastes, street wastes, commercial and institutional wastes containing organic as well as inorganic matter. This offers better opportunity to recover energy from organic fraction of wastes by adapting suitable processing and treatment technologies. This paper describes the various technologies need to be adopted for the disposal of poultry waste and municipal solid waste. More emphasis has been given on waste disposal technologies for better environment and economics. The advantages and disadvantages of each disposal technology have been briefed.

Antecedentes para una política gubernamental de energía que favorezca la salud, el ambiente, la economía y la soberanía nacional / Basis for a government policy on energy that may sustain health, the environment, the economy and national autonomy: use of non conventional renewable sources

Se presentan los peligros que las energías convencionales y la nuclear significan para la salud humana, el desarrollo económico y la sustentabilidad de la vida. Se ha calculado que la única solución efectiva es el pronto y definitivo cese del uso de combustibles fósiles, los cuales pueden y deben ser sustituidos por energías renovables no convencionales (ERNC): eólica, solar, geotermia y mareas. Son limpias, económicas e inagotables. Se describen algunas medidas complementarias útiles, pero que de por sí no solucionan la crisis. En Chile las ERNC son conocidas y se están ensayando. Pero el gobierno sigue otros caminos, que aquí se discuten por ser inefectivos y nocivos. Se propone aprovechar las oportunidades actuales para que se acuerde una política energética nacional moderna, bien informada e integral, con participación de la ciudadanía, de las profesiones de la salud y de todas las instituciones involucradas.