Health Impacts of Air Pollution in Chinese Coal-Based Clean Energy Industry: LCA-Based and WTP-Oriented Modeling

Abstract The evolution of energy system occupies an important position in economic development and quality of life. Influenced by the energy endowment in China, developing the coal-based clean energy industry has been regarded as a guaranteed path to realizing the clean and efficient use of coal resources. However, an evaluation paradigm could systematically assess the health impacts of airborne pollution in this industry is still lack, which is our concern. Combining with life cycle analysis, probabilistic risk models, and health impacts models, this study proposes a series of models which are consistent enough to unite pollutant concentration, health risk, and health impact, and equip assessment results with more intuitive significance using life and economic loss. Further, case studies for three typical coal-based clean energy processing, namely, coal mining, coal-fired power generation, and coal liquefaction are presented to verify the reliability of these models. It is proved that this evaluation paradigm can help to find out the worksite, substage, and airborne pollutant with the most severe impact, and more importantly, the application of evaluation indicators with life and economic meaning is more profitable to provide references for minimizing or eliminating the health impacts, moreover, explicit the developing directions of the national energy industry.

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Multi-Criteria Optimal Design of Hybrid Clean Energy System with Battery Storage Considering Off- and On-Grid Application

Journal of Cleaner Production ◽

10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.125808 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 125808

Author(s):

Saber Arabi-Nowdeh ◽

Shohreh Nasri ◽

Parvin Barat Saftjani ◽

Amirreza Naderipour ◽

Zulkurnain Abdul-Malek ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Optimal Design ◽

Clean Energy ◽

Energy System ◽

Battery Storage ◽

Grid Application

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A qualitative evaluation of Southwark Council’s public health response to mitigating the mental health impact of the 2017 London bridge and borough market terror attack

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-11447-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Sandra Jumbe ◽

Adrienne Milner ◽

Megan Clinch ◽

Jonathan Kennedy ◽

Richard J. Pinder ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Qualitative Evaluation ◽

Health Impact ◽

Health Needs ◽

Health Impacts ◽

Terror Attack ◽

Terror Attacks ◽

Physical Injuries ◽

Community Stakeholders ◽

Health Response

Abstract Background Over recent years there have been several major terror attacks in cities across Europe. These attacks result in deaths, physical injuries, and pose long-term threats to mental health and wellbeing of large populations. Although psychologists have completed important work on mental health responses to disaster exposure including terrorist attacks, the mental health impacts of such attacks have been comparatively less examined in academic literature than the acute health response to physical injuries. This paper reflects on Southwark Council’s pioneering public mental health response to the June 2017 terror attack at London Bridge and Borough Market. It aims to explore perceptions of the mental health impact of the incident by those living and working in the borough. Methods A rapid qualitative evaluation informed by the logic underpinning Southwark Council’s response was conducted. Seven formative interviews were undertaken with individuals involved in the response planning and/or delivery, enabling the evaluation team to establish the response’s theoretical basis. Subsequently, nineteen semi-structured interviews with consenting Council employees, residents, business owners, and workers from the Borough were conducted to understand perceived mental health impacts of the attack and the success of the Council response. Thematic analysis of transcribed interviews was undertaken to evaluate the extent to which the response was implemented successfully. Results Participants reported feeling the attack had a wide-reaching negative impact on the mental health of residents, those working in the borough and visitors who witnessed the attack. Delivering the response was a challenge and response visibility within the community was limited. Participants suggested a comprehensive systematic approach to health needs assessment informed by knowledge and relationships of key Council workers and community stakeholders is imperative when responding to terrorist incidents. Improved communication and working relationships between statutory organisations and community stakeholders would ensure community groups are better supported. Prioritising mental health needs of terror attack responders to mitigate persisting negative impacts was highlighted. Conclusions This article highlights a potential public health approach and need for developing robust practical guidance in the aftermath of terror attacks. This approach has already influenced the response to the Christchurch mosque shooting in 2019.

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Recent advances on biomass-fueled microbial fuel cell

Bioresources and Bioprocessing ◽

10.1186/s40643-021-00365-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Jamile Mohammadi Moradian ◽

Zhen Fang ◽

Yang-Chun Yong

Keyword(s):

Fuel Cell ◽

Microbial Fuel Cell ◽

Electric Energy ◽

Clean Energy ◽

Biomass Energy ◽

Energy Resources ◽

Energy Industry ◽

Renewable Energy Resources ◽

Future Perspectives ◽

The Earth

AbstractBiomass is one of the most abundant renewable energy resources on the earth, which is also considered as one of the most promising alternatives to traditional fuel energy. In recent years, microbial fuel cell (MFC) which can directly convert the chemical energy from organic compounds into electric energy has been developed. By using MFC, biomass energy could be directly harvested with the form of electricity, the most convenient, wide-spread, and clean energy. Therefore, MFC was considered as another promising way to harness the sustainable energies in biomass and added new dimension to the biomass energy industry. In this review, the pretreatment methods for biomass towards electricity harvesting with MFC, and the microorganisms utilized in biomass-fueled MFC were summarized. Further, strategies for improving the performance of biomass-fueled MFC as well as future perspectives were highlighted.

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Understanding Technology, Fuel, Market and Policy Drivers for New York State’s Power Sector Transformation

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13010265 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. 265

Author(s):

Mine Isik ◽

P. Ozge Kaplan

Keyword(s):

New York ◽

Electricity Generation ◽

System Modeling ◽

New York State ◽

Clean Energy ◽

Energy System ◽

Offshore Wind ◽

Power Sector ◽

Reduce Emissions ◽

Energy System Modeling

A thorough understanding of the drivers that affect the emission levels from electricity generation, support sound design and the implementation of further emission reduction goals are presented here. For instance, New York State has already committed a transition to 100% clean energy by 2040. This paper identifies the relationships among driving factors and the changes in emissions levels between 1990 and 2050 using the logarithmic mean divisia index analysis. The analysis relies on historical data and outputs from techno-economic-energy system modeling to elucidate future power sector pathways. Three scenarios, including a business-as-usual scenario and two policy scenarios, explore the changes in utility structure, efficiency, fuel type, generation, and emission factors, considering the non-fossil-based technology options and air regulations. We present retrospective and prospective analysis of carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide emissions for the New York State’s power sector. Based on our findings, although the intensity varies by period and emission type, in aggregate, fossil fuel mix change can be defined as the main contributor to reduce emissions. Electricity generation level variations and technical efficiency have relatively smaller impacts. We also observe that increased emissions due to nuclear phase-out will be avoided by the onshore and offshore wind with a lower fraction met by solar until 2050.

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Hydrogen Storage in Magnesium-Based Alloys

MRS Bulletin ◽

10.1557/s0883769400053446 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 24 (11) ◽

pp. 40-44 ◽

Cited By ~ 53

Author(s):

R.B. Schwarz

Keyword(s):

Energy Density ◽

Hydrogen Storage ◽

Alternative Energy ◽

Distribution Systems ◽

Electrical Energy ◽

Clean Energy ◽

Energy System ◽

Liquid Hydrogen ◽

Rechargeable Batteries ◽

Oil Crisis

Magnesium can reversibly store about 7.7 wt% hydrogen, equivalent to more than twice the density of liquid hydrogen. This high storage capacity, coupled with a low price, suggests that magnesium and magnesium alloys could be advantageous for use in battery electrodes and gaseous-hydrogen storage systems. The use of a hydrogen-storage medium based on magnesium, combined with a fuel cell to convert the hydrogen into electrical energy, is an attractive proposition for a clean transportation system. However, the advent of such a system will require further research into magnesium-based alloys that form less stable hydrides and proton-conducting membranes that can raise the operating temperature of the current fuel cells.Following the U.S. oil crisis of 1974, research into alternative energy-storage and distribution systems was vigorously pursued. The controlled oxidation of hydrogen to form water was proposed as a clean energy system, creating a need for light and safe hydrogen-storage media. Extensive research was done on inter-metallic alloys, which can store hydrogen at densities of about 1500 cm3-H2 gas/ cm3-hydride, higher than the storage density achieved in liquid hydrogen (784 cm3/cm3 at –273°C) or in pressure tanks (˜200 cm3/cm3 at 200 atm). The interest in metal hydrides accelerated following the development of portable electronic devices (video cameras, cellular phones, laptop computers, tools, etc.), which created a consumer market for compact, rechargeable batteries. Initially, nickel-cadmium batteries fulfilled this need, but their relatively low energy density and the toxicity of cadmium helped to drive the development of higher-energy-density, less toxic, rechargeable batteries.

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Micro Hydrogen Gas Sensor Based on Bi-Te Film Couples and Pt/ACC

First International Conference on Integration and Commercialization of Micro and Nanosystems, Parts A and B ◽

10.1115/mnc2007-21607 ◽

2007 ◽

Author(s):

Hu Huang ◽

Jian-Song Zhang ◽

Weiling Luan ◽

Shan-Tung Tu ◽

Shang-Kuo Yang

Keyword(s):

Gas Sensor ◽

Hydrogen Oxidation ◽

Exothermic Reaction ◽

High Sensitivity ◽

Clean Energy ◽

Rf Magnetron Sputtering ◽

Energy System ◽

Hydrogen Gas ◽

Activated Carbon Fiber ◽

Thin Glass

TE (Thermoelectric) materials have been widely used in clean energy system as low-power generator and Peliter cooler, due to its salient features of being compact, light-weighted, noiseless in operation, highly reliable, and environment friendly. Recently, another application has been explored on TE materials as gas sensors based on Seebeck effect and exothermic reaction of hydrogen oxidation on catalyst. In this paper, a TE hydrogen gas sensor with a simple structure, low energy consumption and a high sensitivity was reported. Bi-Te (bismuth telluride) with a high Seebeck coefficient at room-temperature was deposited onto thin glass substrates by RF magnetron sputtering technology. Four pairs of PN film couples were connected in series to improve the output voltage. Pt/ ACC (Activated Carbon Fiber Cloth) was mounted at the joint of PN couples, acting as catalyst so as to accelerate the oxidation of hydrogen. The influences of reduction temperature and Pt content on the generated temperature difference were investigated. The voltage output and selectivity to combustible gas mixture were measured. Experimental results showed that when exposed to 3vol% H2/ air, as-prepared sensor gave out a high output signal of 33.1mV, and the response time was about 50s with recovery time of 50s.

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Health and Economic Impacts Assessment of O3 Exposure in Mexico

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph182111646 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (21) ◽

pp. 11646

Author(s):

José Texcalac-Sangrador ◽

Magali Hurtado-Díaz ◽

Eunice Félix-Arellano ◽

Carlos Guerrero-López ◽

Horacio Riojas-Rodríguez

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Economic Valuation ◽

Ambient Air ◽

Health Impact ◽

Ambient Air Pollution ◽

World Health ◽

Health Impacts ◽

Uncertainty Interval ◽

Avoidable Deaths

Health effects related to exposure to air pollution such as ozone (O3) have been documented. The World Health Organization has recommended the use of the Sum of O3 Means Over 35 ppb (SOMO35) to perform Health Impact Assessments (HIA) for long-term exposure to O3. We estimated the avoidable mortality associated with long-term exposure to tropospheric O3 in 14 cities in Mexico using information for 2015. The economic valuation of avoidable deaths related to SOMO35 exposure was performed using the willingness to pay (WTP) and human capital (HC) approaches. We estimated that 627 deaths (95% uncertainty interval (UI): 227–1051) from respiratory diseases associated with the exposure to O3 would have been avoided in people over 30 years in the study area, which confirms the public health impacts of ambient air pollution. The avoidable deaths account for almost 1400 million USD under the WTP approach, whilst the HC method yielded a lost productivity estimate of 29.7 million USD due to premature deaths. Our findings represent the first evidence of the health impacts of O3 exposure in Mexico, using SOMO35 metrics.

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Health Impact Assessment and City Council Policy: Identifying Opportunities to Address Local Social Determinants of Health & Place-Health Relationships, 10 Years Later

Chronicles of Health Impact Assessment ◽

10.18060/24320 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ryan Petteway ◽

Shannon Cosgrove

Keyword(s):

Impact Assessment ◽

Social Determinants ◽

Health Impact Assessment ◽

Health Impact ◽

City Council ◽

Health Impacts ◽

Potential Health ◽

Baltimore City ◽

Local Public Health ◽

Health Related

Background: Health Impact Assessment (HIA) can be used to assess any type of policy/program related to social determinants (SDH). However, local public health departments (LHDs) have been slow to adopt formal use of HIA in efforts to address local SDH, even with growing evidence linking SDH and place-health relationships. Ten years ago we completed a review of Baltimore City Council policies to advance this conversation within the LHD. Our goal here is to revisit this review and, again, outline a process by which LHDs can: a) monitor local policies in regard to SDH and b) identify opportunities for potential HIA use. Methods: We reviewed all policies introduced into Baltimore City Council in calendar years 2008 and 2009. We reviewed each policy to identify those with potential health impacts. We then categorized these policies as: a) “explicitly health-related” or b) “related to SDH.” We then tabulated the number and sub-types of these policies that were referred for LHD review. Results: We identified and reviewed 597 total policies. 89 policies (15%) were identified as “explicitly health-related,” 34 (38%) of which were referred for LHD review. 208 policies (35%) were identified as “related to SDH,” 13 (6%) of which were reviewed. Overall, 297 (50%) policies were identified as having potential health impacts, 47 (16%) of which were reviewed. Conclusion: This work represents a potentially replicable process to identify HIA opportunities, and potential launch point for health-in-all-policies efforts. In Baltimore, it facilitated dialogue with Baltimore City officials and led to the LHD’s first HIA grant.

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Information Technology-Based Smart Energy System

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.524-527.3815 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 524-527 ◽

pp. 3815-3818

Author(s):

Qing Dong Feng ◽

Hong Yu Wu

Keyword(s):

Information Technology ◽

Energy Savings ◽

Energy System ◽

Energy Industry ◽

Lean Management ◽

Green Development ◽

Total Amount Control ◽

Domestic Energy

Abstract. This paper proposes China’s information technology-based smart energy system. The development in international and domestic energy industry is firstly analyzed in this paper. The definition, characteristics and architecture of the smart energy system is then presented. Smart energy system is featured with diversification, intensification, cleanness and lean management and its objective is to achieve total amount control of energy, green development, comprehensive transportation, intelligent configuration and energy savings.

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