Abstract: The steadily growing ageing population and the development of the silver economy means that older people will be an increasingly large group of energy system users. Their behavioural patterns and beliefs may determine the effectiveness of concerted action towards the energy transition. This is why it is so important to understand the conditions and constraints affecting older people in order to better refine solutions to encourage them to participate in the energy transition. The aim of this work is to identify the challenges faced by older people within the context of the energy transition. The study was based on a systematic literature review using the Scopus database. Based on the conducted review, four main areas of challenges for older people in the context of the energy transition were identified: (i) economic, (ii) health and well-being, (iii) social and community, and (iv) policy and regulatory challenges. The identified variables in each group provide a better understanding of the challenges faced in the energy transition by older people. This enables better design of policies and support tools to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Abstract: To be updated

Abstract: To achieve the net-zero greenhouse gas emissions goal by 2050, it is essential for local municipalities to clarify the current state of renewable energy (RE) development, energy balance, and future development directions. Thus, an optimal energy supply system scheme with a coordination function between municipalities has been designed for Fukuoka Prefecture. We initially examined the spatial distribution of current RE supply and energy balance at the municipality level and estimated the total supply potential of Agri-Voltaic to be approximately 4145 GWh year⁻¹. In our analysis, we found that in 2020 (the current scenario), the share of RE supply by municipalities relative to demand ranged from 3 % to 267 %, with an average of 32 %. Grid power accounted for 84 % of the total demand. However, considering factors like a declining birth rate, an aging population, and energy saving initiatives assumed for 2050 (the future scenario), we estimate a decrease in total energy demand from the current level of 30,950 to a future level of 24,339 GWh year⁻¹. From an emissions perspective, optimizing the promotion of additional RE sources and coordinating RE usage between municipalities in the future will help achieve the goal of 100 % RE supply, meet the future energy demand at the prefecture level, and support regional decarbonization efforts (emission reductions: 7871 GgCO₂).

Abstract: Water scarcity has become a prominent global issue in recent times. The availability of freshwater is crucial for economic development in small communities located in remote areas where naturally occurring freshwater is scarce. Atmospheric water generation is a suitable issue to address the water scarcity. Traditional water extraction methods are marked by high power usage, large size, non-potable water output, and potential noise issues. Adsorption techniques offer a more cost-effective alternative for atmospheric water extraction. The present hybrid system comprises of multiple components: a blower, adsorption unit, heating unit, condenser, and TEC unit. The blower supplies air to both the adsorbent bed and the TEC unit, where cooling occurs, leading to water vapour condensation. Peltier modules in the TEC unit convert electrical energy to facilitate cooling. A dedicated cooling water circuit and external DC fan dissipate system heat. Dehumidified air from the TEC outlet pre-cools air in the adsorption chamber. Air from the blower combines with this dehumidified air in the adsorption unit, where water vapour is adsorbed until saturation. Vacuum pressure induced by a vacuum pump initiates desorption, elevating relative humidity within the chamber. The condenser, at lower pressure than the adsorbent bed, facilitates water condensation. Solar power sources, including a solar panel and solar collector, minimize system power requirements. The proposed hybrid system utilises adsorption and Peltier effects to produce potable water. The system is designed for 3 L/hr is fabricated and the experimental investigations are conducted at the Energy Research Lab TKM College of Engineering Kollam. The effect of heat source temperature, evaporator temperature and condenser temperature on water yield are studied and compared with the theoretical value. The system is combined with the thermal collector of 7m2 area with a secondary reflector, to combined with the thermal compressor. The Therminol 55 is the working fluid circulated across the solar thermal collector. The hybrid system produces an actual water output of 1.12 L/hr under standard atmospheric conditions, characterized by a relative humidity of 75% and a temperature of 28°C. The proposed system produces 57% better water yield when compared to the system with adsorption alone. The proposed hybrid system proves to be an efficient and economically viable solution for addressing the water scarcity in remote and rural areas of the country.

Abstract: The biomass resources monitoring system is based on a comprehensive analysis of the agricultural biomass supply potential using the broad definition of biomass formulated by the European Commission, i.e. biomass processed or capable of being processed for all purposes: food, feed, industrial bioproducts, energy.
The agricultural biomass monitoring system includes:
• Plant production: cereals, potatoes, industrial plants, vegetables, fruits, others; more detailed divisions possible, if justified by the significance of the results and the availability of data;
• Animal production - cattle, pigs, sheep, poultry, others; more detailed divisions possible, if justified by the significance of the results and the availability of data; (example pictures 1,2)
• Agricultural and food industry: processing of products from the above; agricultural production; mapping of divisions - the detail of the analysis will depend on the availability of data, mainly from BDO (database on products and packaging and waste management)
The system was developed as a decision support tool. It uses the latest geoinformatics technologies - it was programmed in a geographic information system (GIS) environment. Work on creating a decision support and biomass management system began in 2012 and has been continued as part of various national and international projects. Currently, the system is a ready to use geoinformatics tool that enables decision support for the development of the bioeconomy, on the scale of EU, Poland.

Abstract: A feasibility study for erosion measurements under extreme environmental conditions inside the ITER Tokamak is described. The ITER project is the next step in the transition from experimental studies of plasma physics to full-scale electricity-producing fusion power stations. It fuses the hydrogen isotopes deuterium and tritium into helium thereby releasing a high energy neutron. In order to start the fusion reaction the temperature has to be about 150 million Kelvin, creating a plasma. Because there is no material that could withstand such high temperatures, the plasma is guided, contactless, by magnetic fields within the vacuum chamber. However, these fields are not fully closed, resulting in partial plasma contact particularly in the divertor region. This leads to wear effects, affecting the overall performance and reliability of the Tokamak and potentially generating metallic dust. Thus, there is a need for the regular measuring of the erosion and deposition at the wall once the Tokamak starts operating. An erosion and deposition monitor able to measure the changes in the surface shape with a depth resolution of 10 μm is planned. The measurement will be done not on the whole internal surface of the Tokamak but on two surfaces of the divertors that endure high rates of erosion and deposition, each of a size of 10x30 cm². Due to the high temperature and radiation it will not be possible to have the measuring system inside the Tokamak, for this reason the measurements will be performed remotely. Hence the opto-electronic instruments (detector, laser, controlling electronics) will be located at a distance of about 40 m from the surface to be measured. It will be shown that long distance shape measurements in challenging environmental conditions (vibrations and long distance) can be done by two wavelength digital holography and thus this technique could be used for the future erosion monitoring inside the Tokamak.
In addition a method for residual stress analysis of ceramic coatings by applying a laser for quasi nondestructive material removal and measuring the 3D displacement around the machined area by means of high-resolution digital holography is described. The residual stresses are retrieved by numerical calculations using the finite element method (FEM) from the measured 3D displacements, the profile of the machined hole and the material parameters of the coating and substrate. Experimental results on thermal spray coatings together with discussion of the difficulties, work in progress, potential of the method, and comparative measurements by the hole-drilling method are presented.

Abstract: A series of organic conjugated oligomers and viologen derivatives are synthesized, their photovoltaic (OPV), electrochromic (OEC) properties and corresponding flexible electrochromic devices (FOECD) were investigated. The research results of OPV showed that the hydrogen bond interaction between electron donor and electron acceptor, and photovoltaic materials with liquid crystal and crystal properties, can improve the photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) of organic photovoltaic devices. The research results of OEC showed that these oligomers and viologen derivatives exhibit reversible color changes upon electrochemical doping and dedoping. The FOECD has high optical contrast is 75.2% at 700 nm. Furthermore, FOECD driven by solar cells demonstrated good stability.

1. P. Liu*, Q. Li, M.S. Huang, W.Z Pan, W.J. Deng, Applied physics letters, 89 (2006) 2135013.
2. X. Q. Zhao, L. Guan, Y. P. Zhong, P. Liu*, W. J. Deng, Solid State Phenomena, 181-182 (2012) 320.
3. J.H. Hu, L.S. Liang, T.H. Chen, P. Liu*, W. J. Deng, Dyes and Pigments, 100 (2014) 158.
4. X.Y. Zhang, Y.Q. Xia, L.Zhou, P. Liu*, W.J. Deng，Tetrahedron, 73 (2017) 558.
5. Z.J. Wan, J.M. Zeng, H. Li, P. Liu*, W.J. Deng, Macromol. Rapid Commun., 39 (2018) 1700886.
6. J.M. Zeng, H. Li, Z.J. Wan, L.H. Ai, P. Liu*, Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 195 (2019) 89.
7. J.M. Zeng, Z. J. Wan, M. M. Zhu, L.H. Ai, P. Liu*, Mater. Chem. Front., 3 (2019) 2514.
8. J.M. Zeng, H. Yang, P. Liu*, T. X. Liang, Chemical Engineering Journal, 404(2021) 126402.
9. W.J. Ye , X. Guo , X.J. Zhang , P. Liu*, Synthetic Metals 287 (2022) 117076.
10. X.J. Zhang , J.M. Zeng, P. Liu*, New J. Chem., 46 (2022), 20801
11. X. Guo , X.J. Zhang , P. Liu*, New J. Chem., 46 (2022), 20801
12. C. Qian, P. Liu*, Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells, 266 (2024) 112669
13. P. Wang, P. Liu*, ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 16, (2024), 2522

Abstract: Thermal power plants in India are operating at low Utilization Factors. The average national Utilization Factor has come down to 68.24 % in 2023-24 from the level of 77.5% in 2009-2010, registering a drop of about 9.3 %. There are many reasons behind such drop, including substantial addition of renewables in the grid. The situation is putting immense technical and financial pressure on thermal plants. The aim of this research is to find out what are the major factors affecting Capacity Utilisation Factor of thermal power plants, future outlook, how this situation is likely to impact Revenue and ROE of the thermal power plants, and finally suggest remedial measures. This issue needs immediate attention because, coal-based generation is likely to play a very critical role in the foreseeable future for meeting the rising power demand and for safe and stable operation of the grid. Until renewable energy and large-scale storage facilities are ready to takeover, both in terms of scale and affordability, the coal-based generation cannot simply be wished away. The findings are of interest to power plant developers, policymakers, lenders, academicians, researchers, and regulators. This research uses Factor Analysis and Hypothesis Testing to determine the major factors affecting Capacity Utilisation of Thermal Power Plants. Multiple Hierarchical Regression and Partial Least Square (PLS) Regression techniques have been used for projection of Capacity Utilisation Factor for the next five years. Finally, the likely impact of changes in Capacity Utilisation Factor on Revenue and ROE has been worked out based on the two-part electricity tariff system prevalent in India. Recommendations have been validated using Delphi.