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The green methanol - playing a role in sustainable energy management
249-258Views:243Global energy demand is constantly increasing, so the energy sources we use, and the efficiency of energy use are of paramount importance for the future of humanity. Methanol can play a key role in the sustainable use of natural resources, in the efficient and smooth transition from a fossil oil-based energy system as well as in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Long-term thinking will result in an increase in the use of renewable energy sources, which will favour the spread of green methanol technology and thus the use of a carbon-neutral fuel. The raw materials for the production of green methanol may include municipal solid waste, agricultural waste, renewable hydrogen and carbon dioxide and the methanol has many uses, both as fuel and chemical feedstock. It also provides an opportunity to chemically store excess renewable energy from intermittent sources, thereby reducing dependence on fossil fuels. The price of electricity used for electrolysis is the main determinant of the economical production of green methanol, so the reduction of the cost of solar and wind energy greatly contributes to the competitiveness of carbon-based production.
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Role of Biomass in Urban Energy Management
62-76Views:251When making decisions on the use of energy, both on building and on city level, biomass plays certainly a role in looking for sustainable solutions. This study starts with highlighting some key points regarding urban energy management, including world urbanization trends, heat island effect of big cities and energy hierarchy in energy management. With these in mind, it is worth considering, how the shading effect of surrounding biomass can mitigate the heating needs as a wind barrier in the winter or decrease the cooling load as shadowing element in the summer, both for buildings and whole cities. These can be further enhanced by biomass integrated in the buildings’ envelope: green roofs and green walls can have significant energy conservation effects, according the characteristics of their different types. Lastly, urban disposal of biomass can lead to renewable energy generation, both in case of biogas production and waste incineration. These shading, covering and fuel possibilities all underline the importance of biomass in urban energy management.
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Modern use of geothermal energy in Nagyszénás (Case Study)
106-115Views:325A project based on geothermal energy use in Nagyszénás, Békés County, Hungary, was finished on December 20, 2015. The construction investments were realized with the support of the European Union from tender funds won in the financial cycle of 2007-2013 in the total value of HUF 1.578 billion. The thermal water utilization investment was realized with unique technical solutions in the country, and as a result, a modern, economical heating system using green energy source was built, and now provides energy for the public institutions of the settlement and for the newly established bath complex. During construction and operation, several unforeseen technical problems arose, which could only be solved by using new technical elements. The high salinity and high temperature of the extracted thermal water required special engineering solutions. During operation, modifications and changes in technological elements were required at several points for the safe operation. The purpose of this article is to present these technical interventions, which made the reliable operation possible, thus the system provides a suitable alternative to natural gas-based heating.
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Global and Domestic Status and Prospects of Green Biomass Utilization
85-105Views:233Nowadays, the energy consumption of global population is depending on fossil fuels, but the role of renewable energies has been increasing rapidly, primarily due to the depletion of fossil fuels, the appreciation of environmental problems and climate policies. Biomass is the fourth most important energy resource in the world, provided an estimated 70% of global renewable energy supply. However, the annual growth rate of biomass is lagging behind modern renewable energy sources. The type of biomass is very diverse and can be processed and utilised by different methods. Currently, in the "green chemistry" industry (the replacement of petroleum-based, synthetic chemical raw materials with bio-based compounds from plant biomass), the importance of combustion, pyrolysis, biogas, bioethanol, biodiesel and basic chemical compounds production have been increasing. The objectives of the present research is to analyse the global and domestic status of renewable energies and biomass production, furthermore the possibilities of utilization of perennial, herbaceous biomass plant, the giant reed (Arundo donax L.), with which has been conducting research for numerous years at the University of Debrecen.
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Case Study of Unilever's Zero-Emission Target Realization
16-36Views:603This paper presents a detailed case study of Unilever’s strategy and progress toward achieving zero carbon emissions, focusing on Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. The study analyzes a 10-year time series of both financial and non-financial data to assess the relationship between sustainability indicators, such as greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, total and renewable energy use, and the company’s operating profit. Forecasting techniques were applied to project future emission levels based on historical data, while correlation analysis was used to evaluate the relationships between key variables. The results show a strong positive correlation between total energy use and CO₂ emissions, highlighting the importance of energy efficiency in emission reduction efforts. However, no significant correlation was found between operating profit and CO₂ emissions or energy use, suggesting that sustainability initiatives have not yet had a measurable direct impact on profitability. Despite this, Unilever has demonstrated substantial progress toward its climate targets, including a 91% reduction in CO₂ emissions per ton of production (compared to a 2008 baseline) and the transition to 100% renewable electricity in many of its facilities. The study concludes that while sustainability measures may not immediately influence profit margins, they are essential for long-term competitiveness and corporate responsibility. This case provides valuable insights for firms aiming to integrate environmental performance into strategic decision-making.
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Sustainability in Urban Waste Management: The Efficiency of Electric Waste Transport Vehicles
1-18.Views:207This study evaluates the long-term economic feasibility of electric waste collection vehicles (EVs) as a sustainable alternative to diesel-powered counterparts in urban municipal services. Using real operational data from a Hungarian waste management company, we developed a total cost of ownership (TCO) model spanning 10 years, which incorporates investment costs, energy consumption, maintenance, depreciation, and battery replacement. Our analysis reveals that although EVs require a significantly higher upfront investment (€350,000 vs. €183,200), their lower operational and maintenance costs result in a break-even point around year 8. When accounting for a €50,000 battery replacement in year 6, the total 10-year cost of the EV remains lower (€431,769 vs. €450,914) than the diesel vehicle, resulting in a net saving of €19,145. The study emphasizes the significance of local energy prices and service structures in assessing fleet electrification. While the findings are based on Hungarian data, the proposed methodology can be adapted internationally to support data-driven decision-making in sustainable waste logistics.
