scholarly journals Eco-Efficiency of the English and Welsh Water Companies: A Cross Performance Assessment

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 2831
Author(s):  
Ramon Sala-Garrido ◽  
Manuel Mocholi-Arce ◽  
Maria Molinos-Senante ◽  
Michail Smyrnakis ◽  
Alexandros Maziotis
Keyword(s):  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Water Utilities ◽  
Data Envelopment ◽  
Regression Techniques ◽  
Water Companies ◽  
Large Water ◽  
Treatment Complexity ◽  
First Time

Analyzing costs and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions could be of great importance for the water utilities to supply water services in a healthy and sustainable manner. In this study, we measured the eco-efficiency of several water utilities in England and Wales by incorporating GHG as an undesirable output. For the first time, we evaluated the eco-efficiency of the water production process using robust cross-efficiency data envelopment analysis (DEA) techniques. The further use of clustering and regression techniques allowed us to better understand the drivers of eco-efficiency. The results showed that the mean eco-efficiency of the water sector was 0.748, which indicates that costs and GHG emissions could be reduced by 25.2% to generate the same level of output. Large water companies with high energy costs and levels of GHG emissions belonged to the less eco-efficient group. Environmental factors related to density, topography, and treatment complexity further impacted eco-efficiency. Finally, we linked our results to the regulatory cycle and discuss some policy implications.

scholarly journals Comparing Operational, Environmental and Eco-Efficiency of Water Companies in England and Wales

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (12) ◽  
pp. 3635
Author(s):  
Ramón Sala-Garrido ◽  
Manuel Mocholí-Arce ◽  
María Molinos-Senante ◽  
Alexandros Maziotis
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Data Envelopment ◽  
Gas Emissions ◽  
Several Variables ◽  
Measure Model ◽  
Water Companies ◽  
Treatment Complexity

The assessment of performance of water companies is essential for their regulation. In doing so, several variables and models can be employed. This study evaluates and compares the performance of a sample of English and Welsh water companies from the operational, environmental and eco-efficiency perspectives by applying the non-radial data envelopment analysis range adjusted measure model. This methodological approach allows integrating greenhouse gas emissions as undesirable output. The results indicated that the water industry performed well from an operational perspective. However, environmental inefficiency considerably exists which illustrates the difficulties of the water companies in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The average eco-efficiency was 0.783 which means that while expanding water services, water companies could further reduce costs and carbon emissions by 11.7% on average. Other factors such as water treatment complexity and population density significantly affect water companies’ eco-efficiency. Several policy implications are finally discussed.

scholarly journals Measuring operational and quality-adjusted efficiency of Chilean water companies

2022 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramon Sala-Garrido ◽  
Manuel Mocholí-Arce ◽  
Maria Molinos-Senante ◽  
Alexandros Maziotis
Keyword(s):  
Water Cycle ◽  
Water Utilities ◽  
Data Envelopment ◽  
Undesirable Outputs ◽  
Operational Quality ◽  
Average Water ◽  
Water Companies ◽  
Analysis Models ◽  
Mixed Water ◽  
Scale Of Operation

AbstractThe path to a sustainable management of the urban water cycle requires the assessment of both operational and quality-adjusted efficiency in a unified manner. This can be done by the use of non-radial Data Envelopment Analysis models. This study used Range Adjusted Measure models to evaluate the operational, quality-adjusted, and operational & quality-adjusted efficiency (O&QAE) scores of the Chilean water industry including water leakage and unplanned interruptions as undesirable outputs. It was found that on average water utilities presented large O&QAE scores over time. The mean O&QAE score was 0.964 which means that water utilities could further reduce costs and undesirable outputs by 3.6% on average, while trying to expand the scale of operation. This finding suggests that excellent quality-adjusted efficiency at an efficient expenditure could be feasible. It was also evidenced that customer density, mixed water resources, and ownership influenced the O&QAE of Chilean water companies.

scholarly journals Mechanochemical Synthesis and Nitrogenation of the Nd1.1Fe10CoTi Alloy for Permanent Magnet

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (13) ◽  
pp. 3854
Author(s):  
Hugo Martínez Sánchez ◽  
George Hadjipanayis ◽  
Germán Antonio Pérez Alcázar ◽  
Ligia Edith Zamora Alfonso ◽  
Juan Sebastián Trujillo Hernández
Keyword(s):  
Mechanochemical Synthesis ◽  
Applied Field ◽  
Volume Fraction ◽  
Synthesis Method ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Direction Parallel ◽  
Best Value ◽  
Heat Treated ◽  
Bcc Phase ◽  
First Time

In this work, the mechanochemical synthesis method was used for the first time to produce powders of the nanocrystalline Nd1.1Fe10CoTi compound from Nd2O3, Fe2O3, Co and TiO2. High-energy-milled powders were heat treated at 1000 °C for 10 min to obtain the ThMn12-type structure. Volume fraction of the 1:12 phase was found to be as high as 95.7% with 4.3% of a bcc phase also present. The nitrogenation process of the sample was carried out at 350 °C during 3, 6, 9 and 12 h using a static pressure of 80 kPa of N2. The magnetic properties Mr, µ0Hc, and (BH)max were enhanced after nitrogenation, despite finding some residual nitrogen-free 1:12 phase. The magnetic values of a nitrogenated sample after 3 h were Mr = 75 Am2 kg–1, µ0Hc = 0.500 T and (BH)max = 58 kJ·m–3. Samples were aligned under an applied field of 2 T after washing and were measured in a direction parallel to the applied field. The best value of (BH)max~114 kJ·m–3 was obtained for 3 h and the highest µ0Hc = 0.518 T for 6 h nitrogenation. SEM characterization revealed that the particles have a mean particle size around 360 nm and a rounded shape.

scholarly journals Insights on forming N,O-coordinated Cu single-atom catalysts for electrochemical reduction CO2 to methane

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanming Cai ◽  
Jiaju Fu ◽  
Yang Zhou ◽  
Yu-Chung Chang ◽  
Qianhao Min ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Barrier ◽  
Active Sites ◽  
Theoretical Calculations ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Single Atom ◽  
Faradaic Efficiency ◽  
High Energy Barrier ◽  
Catalytic Sites ◽  
Electron Reduction ◽  
First Time

AbstractSingle-atom catalysts (SACs) are promising candidates to catalyze electrochemical CO2 reduction (ECR) due to maximized atomic utilization. However, products are usually limited to CO instead of hydrocarbons or oxygenates due to unfavorable high energy barrier for further electron transfer on synthesized single atom catalytic sites. Here we report a novel partial-carbonization strategy to modify the electronic structures of center atoms on SACs for lowering the overall endothermic energy of key intermediates. A carbon-dots-based SAC margined with unique CuN2O2 sites was synthesized for the first time. The introduction of oxygen ligands brings remarkably high Faradaic efficiency (78%) and selectivity (99% of ECR products) for electrochemical converting CO2 to CH4 with current density of 40 mA·cm-2 in aqueous electrolytes, surpassing most reported SACs which stop at two-electron reduction. Theoretical calculations further revealed that the high selectivity and activity on CuN2O2 active sites are due to the proper elevated CH4 and H2 energy barrier and fine-tuned electronic structure of Cu active sites.

scholarly journals Influence of the Water Source on the Carbon Footprint of Irrigated Agriculture: A Regional Study in South-Eastern Spain

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 351
Author(s):  
Bernardo Martin-Gorriz ◽  
Victoriano Martínez-Alvarez ◽  
José Francisco Maestre-Valero ◽  
Belén Gallego-Elvira
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Footprint ◽  
Carbon Balance ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Water Source ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Irrigated Agriculture ◽  
Regional Study ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Hypothetical Scenario ◽  
Co2 Sink

Curbing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to combat climate change is a major global challenge. Although irrigated agriculture consumes considerable energy that generates GHG emissions, the biomass produced also represents an important CO2 sink, which can counterbalance the emissions. The source of the water supply considerably influences the irrigation energy consumption and, consequently, the resulting carbon footprint. This study evaluates the potential impact on the carbon footprint of partially and fully replacing the conventional supply from Tagus–Segura water transfer (TSWT) with desalinated seawater (DSW) in the irrigation districts of the Segura River basin (south-eastern Spain). The results provide evidence that the crop GHG emissions depend largely on the water source and, consequently, its carbon footprint. In this sense, in the hypothetical scenario of the TSWT being completely replaced with DSW, GHG emissions may increase by up to 50% and the carbon balance could be reduced by 41%. However, even in this unfavourable situation, irrigated agriculture in the study area could still act as a CO2 sink with a negative total and specific carbon balance of −707,276 t CO2/year and −8.10 t CO2/ha-year, respectively. This study provides significant policy implications for understanding the water–energy–food nexus in water-scarce regions.

scholarly journals Pioneer Legislation on Second Order of Sexual Harassment: Sociolegal Innovation in Addressing Sexual Harassment

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Vidu ◽  
Gema Tomás ◽  
Ramon Flecha
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Harassment ◽  
Women's Studies ◽  
Legal System ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Second Order ◽  
Bystander Intervention ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Women’S Studies ◽  
Key Innovation ◽  
First Time

Abstract Backgroud Countless efforts to combat sexual harassment have been proposed, and for the first time in history, the second order of sexual harassment (SOSH) has been legislated under the term second-order violence (SOV) by a unanimous vote of the Catalan Parliament. Advances in preventing and responding to sexual harassment contribute to highlighting the intervention as being crucial to supporting survivors against retaliation. A lack of support provides a general explanation on why bystanders tend not to intervene and highlights the reality that reprisals are suffered by those who support victims. Methods From the existing knowledge about sexual harassment prevention and response mechanisms, this paper analyzes scientific evidence through a review of the literature published in databases, as well as legislation, reports, and other materials. Results The context that enables SOV legislation is grounded in three realms: (1) bystander intervention and protection, (2) the role of support networks in protecting survivors, and (3) awareness and legislation of SOSH. An active bystander refers to the involvement of someone who is aware of potential sexual harassment situations. Conclusions The lack of legislation against SOSH limits bystander intervention and support; therefore, legislating protection for supporters has become urgent and necessary. Legislating SOSH has great social implications because gender equality cannot be fully achieved if bystander protection is not legally considered. Policy Implications: As no legal system has previously contemplated SOSH, its pioneering parliamentarian approval and establishment by Catalan law constitute a legal key innovation for the field of gender and women’s studies. In fact, evidence reported here are important in developing further regulations and policy. Policy Implications As no legal system has previously contemplated SOSH, its pioneering parliamentarian approval and establishment by Catalan law constitute a legal key innovation for the field of gender and women’s studies. In fact, evidence reported here are important in developing further regulations and policy.

Benchmarking the efficiencies of Indonesia’s municipal water utilities using Stackelberg data envelopment analysis

2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 588-609 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Wibowo ◽  
Hans Wilhelm Alfen
Keyword(s):  
Data Envelopment Analysis ◽  
The Body ◽  
Water Utilities ◽  
Data Envelopment ◽  
Two Stage ◽  
Restrictive Assumption ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Second Stage ◽  
Municipal Water ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a yardstick efficiency comparison of 269 Indonesian municipal water utilities (MWUs) and measures the impact of exogenous environmental variables on efficiency scores. Design/methodology/approach – Two-stage Stackelberg leader-follower data envelopment analysis (DEA) and artificial neural networks (ANN) were employed. Findings – Given that serviceability was treated as the leader and profitability as the follower, the first and second stage DEA scores were 55 and 32 percent (0 percent = totally inefficient, 100 percent = perfectly efficient), respectively. This indicates sizeable opportunities for improvement, with 39 percent of the total sample facing serious problems in both first- and second-stage efficiencies. When profitability instead leads serviceability, this results in more decreased efficiency. The size of the population served was the most important exogenous environmental variable affecting DEA efficiency scores in both the first and second stages. Research limitations/implications – The present study was limited by the overly restrictive assumption that all MWUs operate at a constant-return-to-scale. Practical implications – These research findings will enable better management of the MWUs in question, allowing their current level of performance to be objectively compared with that of their peers, both in terms of scale and area of operation. These findings will also help the government prioritize assistance measures for MWUs that are suffering from acute performance gaps, and to devise a strategic national plan to revitalize Indonesia’s water sector. Originality/value – This paper enriches the body of knowledge by filling in knowledge gaps relating to benchmarking in Indonesia’s water industry, as well as in the application of ensemble two-stage DEA and ANN, which are still rare in the literature.

scholarly journals A High Capacity, Room Temperature, Hybrid Flow Battery Consisting of Liquid Na-Cs Anode and Aqueous NaI Catholyte

Batteries ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caihong Liu ◽  
Leon Shaw
Keyword(s):  
Room Temperature ◽  
Electrochemical Impedance ◽  
Coulombic Efficiency ◽  
High Capacity ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Flow Battery ◽  
Membrane Interfaces ◽  
Number Of Cycles ◽  
Novel Concept ◽  
First Time

In this study, we have proposed a novel concept of hybrid flow batteries consisting of a molten Na-Cs anode and an aqueous NaI catholyte separated by a NaSICON membrane. A number of carbonaceous electrodes are studied using cyclic voltammetry (CV) for their potentials as the positive electrode of the aqueous NaI catholyte. The charge transfer impedance, interfacial impedance and NaSICON membrane impedance of the Na-Cs ‖ NaI hybrid flow battery are analyzed using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The performance of the Na-Cs ‖ NaI hybrid flow battery is evaluated through galvanostatic charge/discharge cycles. This study demonstrates, for the first time, the feasibility of the Na-Cs ‖ NaI hybrid flow battery and shows that the Na-Cs ‖ NaI hybrid flow battery has the potential to achieve the following properties simultaneously: (i) An aqueous NaI catholyte with good cycle stability, (ii) a durable and low impedance NaSICON membrane for a large number of cycles, (iii) stable interfaces at both anode/membrane and cathode/membrane interfaces, (iv) a molten Na-Cs anode capable of repeated Na plating and stripping, and (v) a flow battery with high Coulombic efficiency, high voltaic efficiency, and high energy efficiency.

On sinterability of nanostructured W produced by high-energy ball milling

2007 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 1200-1206 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Malewar ◽  
K.S. Kumar ◽  
B.S. Murty ◽  
B. Sarma ◽  
S.K. Pabi
Keyword(s):  
Sintered Density ◽  
Sintering Temperature ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Deformation Bands ◽  
Dramatic Decrease ◽  
Powder Charge ◽  
Grinding Media ◽  
Energy Ball ◽  
High Level ◽  
First Time

The present investigation reports for the first time a dramatic decrease in the sintering temperature of elemental W from the conventional temperature of ≥2500 °C to the modest temperature range of 1700–1790 °C by making the W powder nanostructured through high-energy mechanical milling (MM) prior to sintering. The crystallite size of the initial W powder charge with a particle size of 3–4 μm could be brought down to 8 nm by MM for 5 h in WC grinding media. Further milling resulted in a high level of WC contamination, which apparently was due to work hardening and the grain refinement of W. A sintered density as high as 97.4% was achieved by sintering cold, isostatically pressed nanocrystalline (8 nm) W powder at 1790 °C for 900 min. The microstructure of the sintered rods showed the presence of deformation bands, but no cracks, within a large number of W grains. The mechanical properties, when compared with the hardness and elastic modulus, of the sintered nano-W specimen were somewhat superior to those reported for the conventional sintered W.

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