Sumba Island has been dubbed as the Iconic Island of renewable energy (RE). However, the realisation of such title has yet to go smoothly and optimally, and it has been faced with manifold hurdles, espe- cially those in relation to the programme continuity; even the electrification rate realised fell short of the rate target. This research aimed to analyse the RE with the highest potential that could be developed to strengthen the energy security of the Sumba Timur–Sumba Island zone. This research employed a hard system approach, namely, the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method. Primary data were collected from fill- ing out expert-justified questionnaire. The experts were selected on purpose based on the criteria that they should have full understanding of the conditions and potential of renewable energy sources in Sumba Timur, be sufficiently experienced and be professional. The TOPSIS method was employed for the purpose of determining which RE source has the most potential according to the renewable energy security index. This study involved 30 experts and practitioners, comprising 11 government officials (G), eight businessmen (B), five academics/researchers (A), four community members (C) and two finance agency employees. The results showed that solar energy is the most promising and pos- sible energy source to be developed in East Sumba in the context of strengthening renewable natural resource–based energy source, while other potential alternative energy sources are hydro energy and wind energy.

In order to utilise energy-rich solid waste, its liquid conversion into valuable hydrocarbon (HC) chains is one of the ways followed worldwide to decrease the oil processing and waste landfilling at the same time. The unique fixed bed updraft gasification reactor with an oscillating circular grate, situated in VŠB – Technical University of Ostrava, Czech Republic, can generate up to 90 m3·h−1 of CO and H2-rich synthetic gas. Such valuable mixture is suitable for the gas to liquid conversion in Fischer– Tropsch Micro Catalyst Bed (F-T MCB) unit, where more complex substances of higher temperature and pressure form in the environment. This article focuses on solid-recovered fuel (SRF) gained as a mixture of industrial and communal waste sources. Gasification of such material in the fixed bed reactor can produce approximately 600 and 250 m3 of CO and H2, respectively, per ton of SRF in the abided gasification conditions. The gas, retrieved from the process, undergoes a thermochemical reaction on the surface of a catalyst within the reactor of the Fischer–Tropsch unit. As a result, a highly valued HC liquid is achieved from the suitable, non-recyclable waste treatment. Cobalt and iron catalysts in their plain form, as well as the catalysts enriched with Mn/K enhancers are put in comparison in this study. The quality and quantity of the synthesis product are examined and the technological aspects of both units are described. The amount of HC synthesis product ranges from 18 to 45 kg per ton of fuel. The composition tends to form HC chains in favour of groups of alcohols and alkanes.

The efficiency of a gasification process is directly related to the rate of biomass conversion into product gas. The rate of fuel conversion depends on the interaction of fuel with the bed material, the gasifying agent, and the residence time of fuel particles. The interactions and the residence time depend on the fuel feeding positions along the height of the reactor. Thus, the fuel feeding position in a gasification reactor is an important parameter that influences the efficiency of the gasification process; longer residence time of the fuel particles in the bed enables efficient carbon conversion and less tar formation. In this work, in-bed and on-bed feed positions of the fuel particles have been investigated using a computational particle fluid dynamics (CPFD) model. The model is developed and validated against experimental data obtained from a bubbling fluidized bed gasification reactor. Experiments were carried out in a 20 kW pilot scale bubbling fluidized bed gasification reactor. Wood pellets of 3–30 mm length and 5 mm diameter are fed into the reactor at a mass flow rate of 2.4 kg/h. The molar flow rate of the producer gas, which typically consists of CH₄, CO, CO₂, and H₂ for both the in-bed and on-bed cases, is calculated by the CPFD model. The results show that CO and CH4 concentrations increase in the product gas when the biomass is fed at the location near to the bottom of the bed, while CO₂ and H₂ increase in the case of on-bed feed. The fuel particles segregate, followed by partial combustion of the smaller fuel particles on the bed surface in the case of on-bed feed. The total mass of the bed including unreacted char is higher for on-bed feed, indicating that the char is consumed slowly. The CPFD model can predict the product gas compositions, the fuel conversion, changes in the bed hydrodynamics, and the product gas yield at different feeding positions of the fuel particles. Thus, the model can be useful for design purposes.

In the last decades, the amount of municipal sewage sludge generation rate has drastically increased due to population growth, spatial sewerage system development, and implementation of new treatment techniques. Nowadays, it is considered a globally prominent issue. Municipal sewage sludge contains pathogenic bacteria and viruses along with heavy metals, poorly biodegradable organic compounds, pharmaceuticals, and microplastics, which make its utilization management quite difficult. Landfill placement of sewage sludge is the most widely used technique worldwide, but is obsolete and inefficient, and accompanied by significant risk of environmental pollution with high logistics expenditure. Moreover, landfill placement means that all residual energy and potential material reuse applications are lost. The introduction of modern treatment techniques can solve the problem with sewage sludge generation, but it results in strong energy consumption increase of energy consumption. Moderniza- tion and operational policies based on circular economy principles are focused on relevant sewage sludge utilization issues with the potential use of waste-to-energy and recycling applications. The paper presents a methodological approach of cradle-to-grave assessment of sewage sludge treatment process based on energy and material flow analysis. The proposed methodology is studied within the real operational activities of big-scale wastewater treatment plants of two of the largest cities of Russia – Ekaterinburg and Perm. This investigation provides an efficient managerial tool for sustainable development that can be used by wide range of stakeholders.

NPP Goesgen developed a full-scope probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) model, allowing for an estimate of the risk of offsite consequences. The model considers all operational modes of the plant, power operation, low power operation and shutdown conditions and all risk-relevant initiating events that may lead to a plant accident. The model allows computing different risk metrics starting from core damage frequency, frequency of a large offsite release to detailed plant damage states, activity release categories as well as the risk of offsite consequences expressed in radiological health effects. The risk model is programmed in the software system RISKMAN™ in the format of a set of linked event trees with associated fault trees. Analysis tools for the estimation of accident progression and offsite conse- quences support the model. A plant-specific simulator for severe accidents is in use, which is based on the MELCOR code. Off-site consequences in terms of dose levels are calculated using the MACCS 2.0 code. The full power models are used to support emergency planning by providing information on the possible consequences of hypothetical accidents in dependence on weather conditions. In cooperation with the responsible governmental agencies, this allows to support evacuation actions in case of severe accidents. Simple cartographic aids are available for emergency planning accounting for a possible loss of offsite power during an emergency, preventing the use of computational tools.

The paper presents the methodology and key insights of the risk assessment of offsite consequences for NPP Goesgen and demonstrates the use of the results in emergency planning.

Since the introduction of the International Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) directive and of the Best Available Techniques Reference (BREF) documents, the best available techniques (BATs) have become a reference both for policies and for companies to compare performance and to identify investment opportunities. Due to the environmental core of the IPPC and the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED), energy efficiency (EE) BATs are not always detailed and often lack energy-performance indicators. The H2020 EU-MERCI project is aimed at fostering and facilitating the implementation of EE projects in the manufacturing industry sectors by selecting and disseminating technological and policy best practices. A set of EE ‘Good Practices’ (GPs) was developed considering both BREF indications and literature analysis, and as innovative approach the outcomes of EE obligation and support mea- sures aimed at the industrial sector. This was implemented through an in-depth analysis of the existing schemes in four countries (Austria, Italy, Poland and UK) and a thorough activity to normalise and compare the data made available by the different schemes. The outcome is available through the European Industrial Energy Efficiency good Practices platform implemented by EU-MERCI Partners. On the platform, a database of EE projects implemented in industry under the existing schemes is available. The database is searchable by country, sector, supporting scheme, implementation year and company size. The complete list is also downloadable as Excel file. Besides, a library divided by sectors is available, in which it is possible to look for the available GPs (both BATs and projects implemented under the national schemes) for each phase of the manufacturing processes. Sectoral and national analyses are finally available. This article will illustrate the methodology used for the project and the main outcomes.

This article presents the results of studies that the authors conducted proceeding from a hypothesis that an increase of crises phenomena in the global economy, uncertainty, and higher risk along with the growing use of digital smart technology apply radically new requirements on knowledge-intensive services in the energy sector. The sector of management consulting and engineering services, which constitute the backbone of knowledge-intensive services, is faced with a new role of providing a mix of services addressing the tasks of devising anticipatory actions amid uncertainty and crisis based on forecasting. Analysis of changes in business models and the content of services indicate their strong capacity for smart logistics of complex projects, knowledge transfer in cooperation with universities and innovation institutions, managing the development of flexible technological and product solutions, and competency development in network teams. This article offers a detailed elaboration of an up-to-date conceptual framework of engineering and management consulting; provides an overview of global trends; and presents a case study of collaboration problems that emerge in cross-disciplinary teams working on smart grid projects and projects of energy supply in cities based on smart grid technology. A model of proactive management and anticipatory personnel training in energy companies is proposed. This article describes the skillset needed for implementing a concept of integrated knowledge-intensive services for technological modernization and digitalization of the energy sector.