Abstract

The Journal of Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems (JSDEWES) is an international journal dedicated to the improvement and dissemination of knowledge on methods, policies and technologies for increasing the sustainability of development by decoupling growth from natural resources and replacing them with knowledge-based economy, taking into account its economic, environmental and social pillars, as well as methods for assessing and measuring sustainability of development, regarding energy, transport, water, environment and food production systems and their many combinations. In total, 80 manuscripts were published in Volume XIV, all of them reviewed by at least two reviewers. The Journal of Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems would like to thank reviewers for their contribution to the quality of the published manuscripts.

Abstract

The article identifies the minerals that cause salt deposition in various industrial sectors and provides information on reagents used to prevent salt deposition, emphasising a preference for reagents that are multifunctional, environmentally friendly and economically viable. Sodium and potassium salts of mono-, di-, and triisobutylamides of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid were synthesised for testing as corrosion and scale-forming inhibitors in water systems at 50 ^oC. The structures of the synthesised compounds were confirmed by infrared spectroscopy, and their 10% solutions were prepared to determine the main physicochemical parameters. Inhibition of corrosion and salt deposition experiments were carried out at concentrations of 50, 100 and 150 mg L^-1. At 50 mg L^-1, the trisodium salt of the amide, synthesised from ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and isobutylamine at a 1:1 molar ratio, exhibited the highest performance, providing 90% protection of the Steel-3 metal plates against corrosion and achieving 90% effectiveness against salt precipitation. Anti-corrosion and anti-scaling evaluations showed that increasing the salt concentration to 100 and 150 mg L^-1 led to a proportional increase in effectiveness. Analysis of the results also indicated that the mono-, di-, and trisodium salts exhibited greater inhibitory activity than their corresponding potassium salts. In terms of activity, both the sodium and potassium salts followed the order: mono- < di- < tri-. It has been established that the inhibition mechanism of steel corrosion in the presence of synthesised salts is due to chemisorption, following the classical Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Additionally, calculations were performed to correlate the electronic properties of the inhibitors with their experimental performance, identifying the carboxylate and amide groups as the primary active centres for adsorption. The theoretical results, including frontier molecular energy-level analysis and electron-transfer fractions, provided a convincing explanation for the superior efficiency of the trisodium salt, consistent with the experimentally observed activity order of mono- < di- < tri-.

Abstract

This paper introduces the Development Compression Trap, a condition in which rapid macroeconomic progress outpaces institutional, social, and ecological capacity, producing fragile development. Unlike the middle-income trap, the Development Compression Trap captures structural misalignments between quantitative expansion and qualitative depth across institutions, human capital, and environmental governance. A multi-dimensional framework combining compression indicators, European Union benchmarking, and Data Envelopment Analysis is applied across four domains: human capital, growth, environment and energy, and infrastructure and institutions. Macedonia is used as the primary case study, complemented by a comparative assessment of Serbia, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Slovenia, the European Union average, and Denmark. The results reveal persistent compression, including education expansion without quality, Gross Domestic Product growth without productivity gains, and environmental reforms without enforcement. Data Envelopment Analysis results confirm that outcomes underperform relative to inputs, indicating systemic inefficiencies.

Abstract

Improving energy and water efficiency in irrigation pumping systems is essential for sustainable resource management in irrigation-dependent regions. Although variable frequency drives are widely used, their overall impact on energy-water performance under real-world irrigation operating conditions remains insufficiently quantified. Laboratory and full-scale field experiments were conducted, including testing at the Teshiktosh-1 irrigation pumping station in Uzbekistan. Pump, electric drive, and overall unit efficiencies were evaluated using dimensionless indicators normalised to nominal rotational speed. Statistical analysis was used to derive empirical efficiency-frequency relationships. Pump and drive efficiencies decrease nonlinearly as rotational speed decreases. At moderate speed reductions (up to ~50% of nominal speed), electric drive losses dominate, whereas at lower speeds, pump losses become the primary contributor to total energy losses. The obtained relationships differ from classical affinity-law assumptions. Field validation confirmed their applicability. Variable frequency drives implementation enabled water savings of about 313.6 thousand m³ (≈16%) and seasonal energy savings of about 107,700 kWh (≈14%). The findings demonstrate that variable-speed control improves overall energy-water performance despite a partial reduction in efficiency at lower rotational speeds.

Abstract

Wind turbine systems are designed to produce renewable energy and minimize fossil fuel dependency, thus bringing operational carbon emissions to the minimum. However, their sustainability goes beyond power generation as they also integrate materials such as steel, concrete, and non-recyclable composites. Therefore, circular economy concepts focusing on the use of recyclable materials, efficient manufacturing processes and innovative end-of-life solutions are important to ensure sustainability. Thus, a circular economy point of view on the state-of-the-art of such systems is of interest. However, despite abundant research conducted over the years, there is a lack of comprehensive quantitative studies relating circular economy strategies and components used in wind turbines. To fill this gap, this study presents a systematic literature mapping using an automated text analysis tool developed by the authors. The process quantifies the frequency (appearances per 10000 words) and correlation (Pearson) of circular economy indicators, environmental impacts, materials and wind turbine components, complemented by manual review of 540 research articles. The findings show that recycling and blades are the most quoted concepts with 9.7 and 8.7 appearances per 10000 words respectively, and significantly higher correlation than other indicators. Higher-tier circular economy strategies, such as reuse and reduce are less discussed which have 2.7 and 1.9 appearances per 10000 words respectively. Results also show a clear gap between current research focus and comprehensive circular economy implementation. In order to fill this gap, this study emphasizes prioritising higher-tiered economy strategies, and the necessity of better integrating design-for-disassembly, secondary material markets, policy support, social aspects and life cycle assessment approaches.

Abstract

This study hierarchizes the importance of technological, environmental, social, and policy factors on the energy efficiency of domestic refrigerators in Colombia, utilizing the Analytic Hierarchy Process method to prioritize determinants under real-life conditions and in low-income contexts. Through a systematic literature review and expert consultation, a hierarchical model of criteria and sub-criteria was developed to evaluate the relative impact of variables, including ambient temperature, door opening frequency, and regulatory standards, on electricity consumption. The results show that environmental criteria (58.57%) and social criteria (30.63%) jointly account for 89.20% of the expert-derived priority weight, exceeding the relative weights assigned to techno-thermodynamic and policy criteria. The importance of adapting regulations and educational programs to local conditions to improve energy performance is emphasized. This comprehensive prioritisation provides decision-support evidence for designing context-specific public and technological strategies to promote energy sustainability in the Colombia residential sector.

Abstract

Produced water from oil and gas extraction poses a major environmental challenge due to its high boron content and associated risks to ecosystems and human health. Traditional boron removal methods suffer from high costs, limited efficiency, and the generation of secondary pollutants. This study presents a comprehensive assessment of strontium chloride as a precipitating agent in an optimised chemical oxo-precipitation process for removing boron from produced water. Through systematic variation of critical operational parameters, including pH, reagent dosages, and mixing speed, the treatment achieved nearly 85% boron removal under optimal conditions. Toxicity evaluation using Lactuca sativa L. lettuce seeds revealed a 133% increase in the median lethal dose after treatment, demonstrating substantial mitigation of ecological risk. The process embodies key principles of green chemistry by minimising hazardous byproducts, employing safer chemicals, and reducing sludge generation compared with barium-based methods, thereby improving safety for both workers and the environment. Therefore, this methodology directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by advancing water quality improvement, promoting the reuse of treated water, minimising pollutant discharges, and supporting the protection of terrestrial ecosystems and public health through sustainable innovation.

Abstract

Cold storage systems represent a substantial electricity burden for food-processing micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. This study developed a smart monitoring and multicriteria operational evaluation system to support energy-aware cold storage management. The system integrated room temperature, operating setpoint, door status, and electrical power data, and was evaluated on a 15 m³ cold storage unit operated predominantly at a −20 °C setpoint. Electrical parameters were measured using a power meter, while operational performance was assessed using weighted criteria comprising energy performance, temperature stability, and door-opening disturbance. The unit exhibited an average active power of 2.14 kW and an average daily energy consumption of 50.92 kWh/day, corresponding to an estimated electricity cost of 73,568 IDR/day or 2.21 million IDR/month. The multicriteria operational score ranged from 0.290 to 0.720, indicating that all evaluated operating days were suboptimal, primarily because of limitations in temperature stability. These findings show that cold storage performance cannot be assessed from energy consumption alone and that integrated monitoring with multicriteria evaluation can provide practical decision-support information for improving energy management in micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises cold storage operations.

Abstract

A laboratory–scale mechanical draft cooling tower equipped with eight sections of perforated inclined plates was designed to determine the effect of operating conditions on the volumetric mass transfer coefficient between water and air. A three–factor, three–level design of experiments was implemented, considering liquid mass flow rate (120, 240, and 360 kg/h), gas mass flow rate (36, 57, and 75 kg/h), and top water temperature (50, 60, and 70 °C). A total of 54 runs were performed, and the global volumetric mass transfer coefficient was calculated by combining energy and mass balances with the Mickley method. The experimental data were fitted to a power–law correlation using multivariable regression. The analysis of variance showed that top water temperature is the dominant factor, followed by liquid mass flow rate, whereas the influence of gas mass flow rate is comparatively small in the studied range. The selected correlation, based on the nominal gas flow rate, achieved a coefficient of determination of 0.869 and a root mean square error of 5.93×10³ kg/m³h. The volumetric mass transfer coefficient values were found in the range from 4.6×10³ to 6.2×10⁴ kg/m³h. Vertical temperature profiles of water and air along the column revealed that, for high liquid flow rates, most of the cooling occurs in the lower stages, suggesting that the upper sections are underutilized.

Abstract

The paper investigates the design and performance of humidifiers used in low-grade heat-driven desalination systems. It reviews the advantages and limitations of common humidifier types and presents an experimental study of a film-type humidifier configured as a vertical acrylic tube. Experiments examined hydrodynamics and heat and mass transfer over air mass flow rates of 7.4–35 kg/h, water mass flow rates of 10–80 kg/h, inlet water temperatures of 28–59 °C, air pressure drops of 19–324 Pa, water pressure losses of 22.3 kPa, and heater power inputs of 90–554 W. Optimal operating conditions were identified to maximize system performance and energy efficiency. A thermodynamic model based on heat and mass transfer equations was developed and validated. Compared with other humidifier designs, the film-type humidifier achieved the highest evaporation rate at equivalent operating conditions while maintaining minimal aerodynamic and hydraulic resistance, thereby reducing electricity consumption for air and water circulation without performance losses.

Abstract

This study introduces a computational tool developed to identify the most sustainable alternative for integrating a hybrid renewable energy system. The approach brings together a fuzzy optimisation model, focused on minimising both the Net Present Value and carbon dioxide emissions, with the Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process, incorporating economic, technical, environmental, and social criteria. To enhance usability, the tool includes an Excel-based module that allows users to adjust quantitative parameters, while qualitative aspects can be modified through editable comparison matrices in the main graphical interface. This flexibility makes it adaptable to a wide range of geographical and contextual scenarios. The proposed framework was applied in a pilot-scale case study in the municipality of Tona, Colombia. The selected energy mix consists of 57.56% photovoltaic solar energy, 35.42% biomass-based generation, and 7.02% diesel generation, achieving a Net Present Value of USD 1,765.68 and total emissions of 1,216.08 kg of carbon dioxide.

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Abstract

Meeting climate targets requires sustainable energy systems and proactive municipal heat planning. This paper aims to investigate how different spatial aggregation levels impact the accuracy of heat demand prediction. For this purpose, the energy demand calculated by a state-provided and publicly available urban building energy model is compared with a comprehensive high-resolution consumption dataset from the city of Krefeld in Germany. The latter includes detailed consumption data for district heating, natural gas, heat pumps, and night storage heaters. Box plot diagrams and statistical performance indicators are applied to evaluate the precision of various spatial aggregation levels. The results demonstrate that aggregations at the level of postcode areas, statistical districts and cadastral sectors can provide a reliable foundation for planning purposes. Aggregation at the level of building blocks and heat lines provides an improvement compared to individual parcels, but it should be applied in planning practice with due consideration of the remaining uncertainty. This paper also examines the model deviation between simulated and measured data based on building age class, building type and heat carrier. Furthermore, this paper identifies an underestimation by the state-provided Urban Building Energy Model of around 25%.

Abstract

Nature-Based Solutions are contemporary approaches to restoring spatially defined urban and landscape areas. An important requirement is that restoration is carried out using green (vegetation) and/or blue (water) infrastructure, including green-blue combinations and hybrid solutions with a modest share of grey infrastructure, for example, concrete and metals. Defining the societal challenges that the restoration should address and respect is essential. The European Commission defines Nature-Based Solutions as nature-inspired, cost-effective solutions that support both biodiversity and human wellbeing. Within the European Commission project "Ecosystem-based governance with Danube lighthouse Living Lab for sustainable Innovation processes", the task was set to develop a methodology for assessing Nature-Based Solutions relevant to the European Union Mission Ocean and Waters in the Danube River Basin. This article reviews a comprehensive body of publications on Nature-Based Solutions and synthesises them into a structured framework for restoration projects. The synthesis can be useful for future practitioners by reducing working time and costs. In addition to the assessment procedure, the framework is extended with a toolbox for practitioners and implementers. It is structured using a flowchart that includes descriptions of activities, the related documents, and relevant decision points. The framework should be treated as a baseline that can be readily upgraded and adapted to specific restoration cases. It incorporates participatory planning and governance, involving stakeholders and participatory democracy, as well as citizen engagement, especially in the monitoring and evaluation phase, which is grounded in deliberative democracy.

Abstract

Industrial incineration is widely used to treat potentially toxic waste, but the resulting bottom ash poses environmental and economic challenges. This study was motivated by the need to assess the potential reuse of bottom ash in sustainable applications. The working hypothesis was that quenching could influence ash homogeneity, trace metal distribution, and valorisation potential. Bottom ash samples were analysed for chemical composition, trace metal content, organic carbon, particle size, density, and mineralogical structure. Results show that the ash is mainly composed of iron, aluminium, silicon, and calcium oxides, with moderate organic content. Quenched bottom ash exhibited a more uniform particle size distribution, reduced variability in several trace metal concentrations, and higher particle density compared with dry bottom ash. Statistical analysis showed reduced variability of chromium, nickel, cadmium, lead, and zinc after quenching. However, the results should be interpreted with caution due to the limited sample size and ash heterogeneity. Mineralogical analysis revealed ceramic fragments, glass phases, ferrous materials, and residual carbonaceous fractions. Quenching improved material homogeneity and indicates potential for reuse in construction applications. However, no leaching tests were performed; thus, environmental stability and mobility remain unconfirmed.

Abstract

This study evaluated two low-cost technologies for groundwater extraction in the high Andean community of Chachapoyas, Peru: the rope pump and the manual volumetric pump. The rope pump, constructed from local materials and operated by pedalling, showed a progressive increase in flow rate from 48.79 L/min (1 m) to 69.56 L/min (5 m), associated with greater immersion and stability of the water column. In contrast, the manual volumetric pump exhibited a decrease in flow rate as the discharge height increased, from 21.97 L/min (2 m) to 11.68 L/min (10 m), reflecting the hydraulic limitations inherent in positive displacement systems. Both technologies are viable for domestic and agricultural water supply in rural communities with limited energy resources. The results highlight the need to adapt their design and maintenance to local hydrogeological conditions to ensure their operational sustainability.

Abstract

This study presents an integrated framework combining thermal pinch analysis and life cycle assessment to evaluate energy-intensive industrial processes, addressing the need to capture both operational efficiency and environmental impacts. The goal is to determine whether energy savings from process integration justify associated environmental burdens. The method links utility targets and heat exchanger network designs to life-cycle inventory data, while explicitly including heat exchanger manufacturing impacts. Three industrial cases - ammonia, bioethanol, and hydrogen production from biomass-based resources - were analysed. Results show energy use reductions of 62.27–76.05% and cost savings of 45.81–65.38%. Environmental impacts, including global warming and resource depletion, decreased significantly, although minor trade-offs appeared in ozone depletion and mineral resource use due to added equipment. The framework reveals hidden burden shifting and supports transparent decision-making for industrial decarbonization strategies.

Abstract

Solid biomass is expected to remain a relevant option for heat decarbonisation in Serbia. Yet, its environmental performance depends heavily on supply chain design, including non-road machinery, logistics, and the electricity mix used in processing. This study provides a comparative life cycle assessment of two technically feasible supply chains operating under Serbian conditions: (i) beech (Fagus sylvatica L) wood chips produced in high natural forests using a tree-length system (felling and processing, extraction, chipping, and long-distance trucking), and (ii) Miscanthus giganteus briquettes produced from a perennial energy crop (harvesting, baling and loading, short-distance tractor hauling, electricity-driven briquetting, and trucking to market). The primary functional unit is one tonne of processed biomass delivered to the market or end user, consistent with operation-level foreground data (productivity and fuel use per tonne). In addition, results are expressed per unit of useful heat delivered by combining the as-delivered lower heating value with an assumed end-use efficiency, to support screening across household, district-heating, and industrial heat applications. Midpoint impacts are quantified for climate change, ozone depletion, terrestrial acidification, freshwater eutrophication, photochemical ozone formation, and particulate matter formation. Per tonne delivered biomass, climate change impacts are comparable: 35.0 kg CO₂ equivalent for beech wood chips and 33.5 kg CO₂ equivalent for Miscanthus briquettes. On an energy-service basis, using the derived as-delivered lower heating values and a representative district-heating efficiency η = 0.88, climate change impacts are 3.43 kg CO₂ equivalent per GJ useful heat for beech wood chips and 2.75 kg CO₂ equivalent per GJ useful heat for Miscanthus briquettes, indicating a clearer separation than on a mass basis due to differences in delivered energy per tonne. Non-climate categories show pronounced trade-offs: beech wood chips exhibit higher ozone depletion and photochemical ozone formation, whereas Miscanthus briquettes exhibit higher terrestrial acidification and particulate matter formation under the current Serbian electricity mix due to electricity demand during briquetting. The results are intended for screening-level hotspot identification and prioritisation of improvement levers, rather than for product declarations or comparative marketing claims.

Abstract

Remote mangrove ecotourism sites, constrained by environmental sensitivity and limited grid access, rely on costly, polluting diesel generators. This study designs and validates hybrid renewable energy systems for sustainable tourism in the Sundarbans (Bangladesh), Can Gio (Vietnam), and Guaratiba (Brazil). Using HOMER Pro, system sizing and long-term costs are optimised on the basis of local solar, wind and biomass resources and multi-sector electricity demand, while DIgSILENT PowerFactory is used to verify steady-state and dynamic performance through load-flow and fault analyses. The optimised hybrid systems achieve 80–85% renewable penetration, with the Sundarbans leading due to strong wind and biomass resources, and reduce total energy costs by 22–35% and greenhouse gas emissions by more than 70% compared to diesel-only supply. Across the three sites, the levelized cost of energy falls in the range of approximately 0.11–0.21 USD/kWh, versus more than 0.30 USD/kWh for existing diesel-based generation, while the contribution of diesel generation is greatly reduced, consistent with the large decrease in associated emissions. Voltage deviations remain within ±5% of nominal levels, line loadings stay below thermal limits and fault recovery under 2 seconds, indicating that the proposed configurations can provide reliable and resilient power under disturbed operating conditions. Overall, the integrated HOMER–DIgSILENT framework offers a scalable model for planning low-carbon electrification of ecologically sensitive mangrove regions, supporting progress towards Sustainable Development Goals 7 (affordable and clean energy), 8 (decent work and economic growth), 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure), 13 (climate action) and 15 (life on land), while enhancing local energy security and sustainability.

Abstract

This study investigates meteorological drought patterns in the Balkhab Sub River Basin (BSRB) from Oct-1981 to Sep-2024 using satellite-based Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation with Stations (CHIRPS) precipitation data and four drought indices: Normal-SPI, Log-SPI, SPI-12, and PNPI. Data from eight selected points across the basin were analyzed to evaluate drought severity, identify critical drought years, and assess spatial-temporal drought distribution. The CHIRPS data showed strong correlation with ground observations (R² ≈ 0.91), confirming its reliability. The SPI-12 index effectively captured long-term droughts, while PNPI was sensitive to short-term variability. All indices identified 2001 as an extreme drought year across all points. Other significant drought years included 1985, 1986, 2022, and 2023. Spatial analysis indicated higher drought frequency in points R1, R2, R3, and R8. The study concludes that CHIRPS data, combined with multiple indices, offer a robust approach for drought monitoring in data-scarce regions, supporting future water resource planning and climate resilience strategies in BSRB.

Abstract

This work presents an analysis of the contributions of plant interception and evapotranspiration to the water balance of a bromeliad green roof, based on experimental tests conducted in a prototype. The objective is to calculate the volume of water intercepted by bromeliads and the volume of water that undergoes evapotranspiration, and to compare these volumes with the volume precipitated over the green roof and the volume retained, to improve understanding of the mechanism of interaction among the parts. The main purpose is to improve the efficiency of compensatory techniques in urban drainage, thereby minimising urban flooding across all major cities. A literature review was conducted on the hydrological cycle and its stages, along with a description of the history and advantages of green roofs, to improve understanding of the system’s operation. This work contributes to improving the efficiency of green roofs for rainwater retention.