Multi-Country Scale Assessment of Available Energy Recovery Potential Using Micro-Hydropower in Drinking, Pressurised Irrigation and Wastewater Networks, Covering Part of the EU

Studies have shown micro-hydropower (MHP) opportunities for energy recovery and CO2 reductions in the water sector. This paper conducts a large-scale assessment of this potential using a dataset amassed across six EU countries (Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Spain, and Portugal) for the drinking water, irrigation, and wastewater sectors. Extrapolating the collected data, the total annual MHP potential was estimated between 482.3 and 821.6 GWh, depending on the assumptions, divided among Ireland (15.5–32.2 GWh), Scotland (17.8–139.7 GWh), Northern Ireland (5.9–8.2 GWh), Wales (10.2–8.1 GWh), Spain (375.3–539.9 GWh), and Portugal (57.6–93.5 GWh) and distributed across the drinking water (43–67%), irrigation (51–30%), and wastewater (6–3%) sectors. The findings demonstrated reductions in energy consumption in water networks between 1.7 and 13.0%. Forty-five percent of the energy estimated from the analysed sites was associated with just 3% of their number, having a power output capacity >15 kW. This demonstrated that a significant proportion of energy could be exploited at a small number of sites, with a valuable contribution to net energy efficiency gains and CO2 emission reductions. This also demonstrates cost-effective, value-added, multi-country benefits to policy makers, establishing the case to incentivise MHP in water networks to help achieve the desired CO2 emissions reductions targets.

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Water demand forecasting for the optimal operation of large-scale drinking water networks: The Barcelona Case Study.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes ◽

10.3182/20140824-6-za-1003.01343 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 47 (3) ◽

pp. 10457-10462 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Ajay Kumar Sampathirao ◽

Juan Manuel Grosso ◽

Pantelis Sopasakis ◽

Carlos Ocampo-Martinez ◽

Alberto Bemporad ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Drinking Water ◽

Water Demand ◽

Large Scale ◽

Demand Forecasting ◽

Optimal Operation ◽

Water Networks ◽

Water Demand Forecasting

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Biotechnological Valorization of Pectinolytics and Their Industrial Applications: A Review

Natural Product Communications ◽

10.1177/1934578x1400901129 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 9 (11) ◽

pp. 1934578X1400901 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Muhammad Irshad ◽

Muhammad Asgher ◽

Zahid Anwar ◽

Aftab Ahmad

Keyword(s):

Large Scale ◽

Value Added ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Industrial Applications ◽

Green Biotechnology ◽

A Value ◽

Physico Chemical ◽

Target Yield ◽

High Yields ◽

Agricultural Materials

In the last several years, in serious consideration of the worldwide economic and environmental issues there has been an increasing research interest in the value of naturally occurring bio-sourced materials. Agro-industrial based biomass comprised of pectin is an inexpensive, renewable, abundant natural resource that could be utilized for large-scale and cost-effective production of natural products i.e., pectinolytics. Pectinolytics are one of the most widely distributed enzymes in bacteria, fungi and plants. From ancient times to date, many methods have been introduced to improve the optimization of pectinolytics to obtain high yields of maximal purity. To expand the range of natural bio-resources the rapidly evolving tools of biotechnology can lower the conversion costs and also enhance target yield of the product of interest. This green biotechnology presents a promising approach to convert most of the agricultural materials into a value-added product with multiple applications. Major advances have already been achieved in recent years in order to obtain high levels of purity with optimal yields. The present review begins with an overview of pectinolytics and their physico-chemical features, and their specific role with classification based on pectic materials. Information is also given on the culture influences and potential sources of pectinolytics, followed by a brief summary of various industrial and biotechnological applications and future considerations.

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Decentralised Hierarchical Multi-rate Control of Large-Scale Drinking Water Networks

Critical Information Infrastructures Security - Lecture Notes in Computer Science ◽

10.1007/978-3-319-31664-2_6 ◽

2016 ◽

pp. 45-56

Author(s):

Ajay Kumar Sampathirao ◽

Pantelis Sopasakis ◽

Alberto Bemporad

Keyword(s):

Drinking Water ◽

Rate Control ◽

Large Scale ◽

Water Networks

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A Reanalysis of the Effects of Teacher Replacement Using Value-Added Modeling

Teachers College Record ◽

10.1177/016146811311501202 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 115 (12) ◽

pp. 1-35

Author(s):

Stuart S. Yeh

Keyword(s):

Student Achievement ◽

Large Scale ◽

Reliability And Validity ◽

Value Added ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Large Numbers ◽

Cost Effective Approach ◽

Need To Evaluate ◽

Value Added Modeling ◽

Lifetime Earnings

Background In principle, value-added modeling (VAM) might be justified if it can be shown to be a more reliable indicator of teacher quality than existing indicators for existing low-stakes decisions that are already being made, such as the award of small merit bonuses. However, a growing number of researchers now advocate the use of VAM to identify and replace large numbers of low-performing teachers. There is a need to evaluate these proposals because the active termination of large numbers of teachers based on VAM requires a much higher standard of reliability and validity. Furthermore, these proposals must be evaluated to determine if they are cost-effective compared to alternative proposals for raising student achievement. While VAM might be justified as a replacement for existing indicators (for existing decisions regarding merit compensation), it might not meet the higher standard of reliability and validity required for large-scale teacher termination, and it may not be the most cost-effective approach for raising student achievement. If society devotes its resources to approaches that are not cost-effective, the increase in achievement per dollar of resources expended will remain low, inhibiting reduction of the achievement gap. Objective This article reviews literature regarding the reliability and validity of VAM, then focuses on an evaluation of a proposal by Chetty, Friedman, and Rockoff to use VAM to identify and replace the lowest-performing 5% of teachers with average teachers. Chetty et al. estimate that implementation of this proposal would increase the achievement and lifetime earnings of students. The results appear likely to accelerate the adoption of VAM by school districts nationwide. The objective of the current article is to evaluate the Chetty et al. proposal and the strategy of raising student achievement by using VAM to identify and replace low-performing teachers. Method This article analyzes the assumptions of the Chetty et al. study and the assumptions of similar VAM-based proposals to raise student achievement. This analysis establishes a basis for evaluating the Chetty et al. proposal and, in general, a basis for evaluating all VAM-based policies to raise achievement. Conclusion VAM is not reliable or valid, and VAM-based polices are not cost-effective for the purpose of raising student achievement and increasing earnings by terminating large numbers of low-performing teachers.

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Sub-Pilot-Scale Autocatalytic Pyrolysis of Wastewater Biosolids for Enhanced Energy Recovery

Catalysts ◽

10.3390/catal8110524 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (11) ◽

pp. 524 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Zhongzhe Liu ◽

Simcha Singer ◽

Daniel Zitomer ◽

Patrick McNamara

Keyword(s):

Energy Recovery ◽

Large Scale ◽

Value Added ◽

Product Yield ◽

Pilot Scale ◽

Gas Production ◽

Mixing Condition ◽

Bench Scale ◽

Readiness Level

Improving onsite energy generation and recovering value-added products are common goals for sustainable used water reclamation. A new process called autocatalytic pyrolysis was developed at bench scale in our previous work by using biochar produced from the biosolids pyrolysis process itself as the catalyst to enhance energy recovery from wastewater biosolids. The large-scale investigation of this process was used to increase the technical readiness level. A sub-pilot-scale catalytic pyrolytic system was constructed for this scaled-up study. The effects of configuration changes in both pyrolytic and catalytic reactors were investigated as well as the effect of vapor-catalyst contact types (i.e., downstream, in-situ) on product yield and quality. The sub-pilot-scale test with downstream catalysis resulted in higher py-gas yields and lower bio-oil yields when compared to results from a previous batch, bench-scale process. In particular, the py-gas yields increased 2.5-fold and the energy contained in the py-gas approximately quadrupled compared to the control test without autocatalysis. Biochar addition to the feed biosolids before pyrolysis (in-situ catalysis) resulted in increased py-gas production, but the increase was limited. It was expected that using a higher input pyrolyzer with a better mixing condition would further improve the py-gas yield.

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Strategies to Produce Cost-Effective Third-Generation Biofuel From Microalgae

Frontiers in Energy Research ◽

10.3389/fenrg.2021.749968 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Nazifa Rafa ◽

Shams Forruque Ahmed ◽

Irfan Anjum Badruddin ◽

M. Mofijur ◽

Sarfaraz Kamangar

Keyword(s):

Large Scale ◽

Cost Minimization ◽

Value Added ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Global Market ◽

Production Costs ◽

Biodiesel Production ◽

Third Generation ◽

The Cost ◽

Generation Biofuel

Third-generation biofuel produced from microalgae is a viable solution to global energy insecurity and climate change. Despite an annual current global algal biomass production of 38 million litres, commercialization confronts significant economic challenges. However, cost minimization strategies, particularly for microalgae cultivation, have largely been excluded from recent studies. Therefore, this review provides essential insights into the technologies and economics of cost minimization strategies for large-scale applications. Cultivation of microalgae through aquafarming, in wastewater, or for biogas upgrading, and co-production of value-added products (VAPs) such as photo-bioreactors, protein, astaxanthin, and exopolysaccharides can drastically reduce biodiesel production costs. For instance, the co-production of photo-bioreactors and astaxanthin can reduce the cost of biodiesel production from $3.90 to $0.54 per litre. Though many technical challenges need to be addressed, the economic analysis reveals that incorporating such cost-effective strategies can make the biorefinery concept feasible and profitable. The cost of producing microalgal biodiesel can be lowered to $0.73kg−1 dry weight when cultivated in wastewater or $0.54L−1 when co-produced with VAPs. Most importantly, access to co-product markets with higher VAPs needs to be encouraged as the global market for microalgae-based VAPs is estimated to rise to $53.43 billion in 2026. Therefore, policies that incentivize research and development, as well as the production and consumption of microalgae-based biodiesel, are important to reduce the large gap in production cost that persists between biodiesel and petroleum diesel.

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Optimization of Xylose Reductase production from Citrobacter sp.

Research Journal of Biotechnology ◽

10.25303/168rjbt9021 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (8) ◽

pp. 90-97

Author(s):

Rashmi Niranjan ◽

Vishal Ahuja ◽

Arvind Kumar Bhatt

Keyword(s):

Large Scale ◽

Bacterial Isolate ◽

Healthy Lifestyle ◽

Xylose Reductase ◽

Value Added ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Xylitol Production ◽

Straight Chain ◽

Bone Demineralization ◽

Value Added Products

Xylitol is a poly-hydroxy straight-chain five-carbon alcohol that can replace sugar in daily uses without any side effects. Lowered risk of dental carries and bone demineralization further support its involvement in a healthy lifestyle. In addition, its role in the synthesis of various commercial products like glycol, ethanol, and resins etc. increases its market value and makes it one of the most valuable bio-products. Microbial fermentation is a cost-effective and eco-friendly method for xylitol production from agricultural residues as available xylose is reduced to xylitol by Xylose reductase (XR) using an equivalent amount of NADPH as a mediator for electron transfer. Previous literature emphasized the use of fungi and yeast for xylitol production rather than bacteria. In contrast to available reports, the potential of the bacterial isolate was evaluated for xylitol production. The effect of process parameters was observed on xylitol yield in terms of XR activity. Out of sixty-eight bacterial isolates obtained, XYLBV-05 was selected for XR production after screening and was identified as Citrobacter sp. based on morphological, microscopic, and biochemical characteristics. Parametric analysis increased the XR production by 4.12 folds (36.61 U/ml). Preliminary results also proved its efficiency in conversion of biomass hydrolysate to xylitol at lab scale but further efforts are needed for xylitol production using agro-industrial lignocellulosic biomass at a large scale which will not only aid in the generation of revenue as a result of value-added products but will also help in environment conservation.

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