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The global energy system is experiencing a transformation. An analysis of the dynamics of global energy production and consumption indicates that a paradigm shift is occurring toward more reliable and sustainable energy sources with the dominance of natural gas. Even though the reserves-to-production ratio for hydrocarbons is declining, it is natural gas that can ensure the sustainable development of the energy system to meet the growing energy needs of humankind. Natural gas can also significantly reduce the environmental burden. In the medium term, it will be the main source of energy along a gradual transition to renewable energy. Natural gas can serve as a transition fuel within a broader deployment of hybrid energy technologies. Hybridization-the generation of energy using both fossil fuels and renewable energy sources-is one of the most promising areas of energy system development, contributing to a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. In our opinion, hybridization based on natural gas is a \"bridge to the future\" for the world energy system.

Air pollution resulting from the use of unhealthy/unclean energy sources for cooking causes illnesses such as lung cancer, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and ischaemic heart disease. In Ghana, each year, about 18 000 deaths are recorded due to the use of unhealthy energy sources for cooking. While financial inclusion can influence the adoption of healthy energy sources for cooking, less attention has been paid to it. This study, therefore, investigates the effect of financial inclusion on the choice of healthy source of energy for cooking among households in Ghana. Doing so reveals whether financial inclusion can be employed as a tool to decrease the use of unhealthy sources of energy for cooking in Ghana. We employ the Ghana Living Standards Survey round 7 (GLSS7) as the data source for the study whiles the binary logistic regression is used as the estimation technique. The findings show that, households with financial inclusion (using a single indicator) are more likely to choose healthy sources of energy for cooking relative to those without financial inclusion (OR = 2.52, P < .01). Moreover, the effect of financial inclusion (using a single indicator) on choosing a healthy source of energy for cooking is greater among rural households (OR = 3.18, P < .01) relative to their urban counterparts (OR = 2.27, P < .01). The findings are robust even after using a different estimation technique and a combined index of financial inclusion. Thus, in the quest to improve the use of healthy sources of energy for cooking, enhancing financial inclusion among households, could be a useful strategy.

This article deals with the economic evaluation of biogas plants which are one of the most important renewable energy sources in the Czech Republic. They provide a stable supply of electricity and heat without polluting the environment by emissions. They significantly contribute to the environmental protection. For businesses, this renewable source of energy means financially a very profitable, safe and a fast repayable investment. These investments are a big opportunity mainly for a family type of business which especially in municipalities in rural areas performs a variety of other economic and non-economic objectives including the use of biomass. Opportunities of family businesses are in agreement between the parties, involvement of family members, knowledge of technology and know-how, flexibility in labor, time and money, long-term planning, stable corporate culture, speed in decision-making, proximity to local markets, pride and credibility, efficiency, productivity, focus on quality. In recent decades, corporate social responsibility has been at the forefront of marketing tools of businesses and is often associated only with the ethical standards that, among other things, seek to minimize negative impacts on the environment This article focuses on their basic characteristics, maps specific ways which the company can use for their financing and analyzes the profitability (yield) and return on these investment projects.

This Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Special Report (IPCC-SRREN) assesses the potential role of renewable energy in the mitigation of climate change. It covers the six most important renewable energy sources – bioenergy, solar, geothermal, hydropower, ocean and wind energy – as well as their integration into present and future energy systems. It considers the environmental and social consequences associated with the deployment of these technologies and presents strategies to overcome technical as well as non-technical obstacles to their application and diffusion. SRREN brings a broad spectrum of technology-specific experts together with scientists studying energy systems as a whole. Prepared following strict IPCC procedures, it presents an impartial assessment of the current state of knowledge: it is policy relevant but not policy prescriptive. SRREN is an invaluable assessment of the potential role of renewable energy for the mitigation of climate change for policymakers, the private sector and academic researchers.

Biofuels offer new opportunities for African countries. They can contribute to economic growth, employment, and rural incomes. They can become an important export for some countries and provide low-cost fuel for others. There is also a potentially large demand for biofuels to meet the rapidly growing need for local fuel. Abundant natural resources and low-cost labor make producing biofuel feedstock's a viable alternative to traditional crops; and the preferential access available to most African countries to protected markets in industrial countries provides unique export opportunities. Biofuels also bring challenges and risks, including potential land-use conflicts, environmental risks, and heightened concerns about food security. This book examines the potential of African countries to produce biofuels for export or domestic consumption and looks at the policy framework needed. It is part of the effort by the World Bank's Africa region to examine critical issues that affect the region and to recommend policies that effectively address these issues while providing an enabling environment for the private sector. The book is intended to inform policy makers and the larger development community of the global and domestic market opportunities facing biofuel producers, as well as the challenges of producing biofuels, in the Africa region.

Electricity is an important part of our daily life. It is mainly generated from conventional energy sources. Conventional energy sources are diminishing day by day; whereas, energy demand increases significantly. Moreover, less land availability, low budget for energy, and weather‐dependent renewable sources result in poor energy management all over the world. Therefore, proper management of conventional energy and simultaneous finding of potential alternative energy sources are the prime concerns of energy‐related researchers. In this article, literature relating to less‐implemented energy sources is reviewed to demonstrate their current status and future prospects. This review shows that along with current renewable and conventional sources of energy, these less‐implemented energy sources can contribute substantially to overcome the energy scarcity in electricity production. Proper planning and improvement are required to get sufficient benefits from these less‐implement energy sources. In order to clarify the electricity generation from less‐applied energy sources, many figures are adapted using the concept and information of reviewed literature. In those figures and related text, several possible ways of electricity generation using these energy sources and their potential implementation techniques with related challenges have been outlined. The electricity generation rate and their corresponding applications are also depicted. Proper steps to popularize these less‐focused sources of energy would mitigate high energy demand all over the world and offers a cleaner environment for livelihood. Lack of conventional sources of energy, high demand for energy, less available land, and low budget for energy are some of the important factors that cause poor energy management all over the world. In this article, different potential less implemented sources of energy are analyzed along with their implementation techniques to mitigate high electricity demand in near‐future.

The rapid transition to electric-drive vehicles is taking place globally. Most automakers are adding electric models to their lineups to prepare for the new electric future. From the analysis of the automotive market, it is evident that there is a growing interest in such vehicles. They are expected to account for half the models released after 2030. Electric-drive vehicles include battery-electric vehicles. As indicated in the research literature and emphasized by experts, electric vehicles (EVs) are supposed to be an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional vehicles. The rising number and variety of EVs contribute to a better understanding of their performance. With more EVs on the market, there are problems to be solved and challenges to overcome. This article is the first part of a two-article series reviewing the strengths and weaknesses of EVs. The article analyzes the environmental effects of EVs at each stage of their life cycle, compares large- and small-scale recycling methods, and explores the potential applications of second-life batteries. This article is an attempt to find out how environmentally friendly EVs are.

The solar energy is widely used around the world for electricity generation and heating systems in municipal services. But its use is complicated in the number of territories with uneven receipts of solar radiation on the earth's surface and large number of cloudy days during a year. A hypothesis on the possibility of application of individual solar collectors for heating of houses in the number of cities of Russia has been tested. The existing designs of solar collectors and checking the possibility of their application in northern territories of Russia are investigated. The analysis was carried out taking into account features of relief and other climatic conditions of the Perm and Sverdlovsk regions. As the result of research, the basic recommended conditions for application of solar batteries in houses of the northern Russian cities have been resumed.

The wind regime in Colombia has been rated among the best in South America. However, under the current circumstances, and on its own, the interconnected system would not likely promote wind power. This report is targeted to analysts, planners, operators, generators and decision makers in Colombia and other countries in the region and provides a set of policy options to promote the use of wind power. The potential instruments assessed in this study include financial instruments, government fiscal mechanisms, and adjustments to the regulatory system. The single most effective policy instrument to promote wind power in Colombia consists on valuing the firm energy offered by wind, its potential complementarity to the hydrological regime and enabling wind power an access to reliability payments.

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is the presentation of a new source of energy, the so-called zero point energy (ZPE) of the quantum-vacuum. Same as thermal heat or as ponderable matter have been identified as a type of energy some centuries ago, space is now being identified a type of energy. The advantage of ZPE is its application, because it is an energy source with many practical advantages: clean, friendly to environment and health, extremely low cost, inexhaustible, available everywhere and at all time. It is not expected that this type of energy will be the main source for the future air transport system, which is topic of this special issue. However, if the ZPE technology is developed at a more advanced level, it might contribute as energy source for instance during taxing to a certain level. Design/methodology/approach – ZPE-converting engines can be constructed on the basis of the theory presented here, which is new. Findings – In the next steps, the technology needs to be further studied. For instance more powerful engines on the basis of his theory need to build and investigated, although the applications seem to be almost anywhere, it needs to be found out which applications are the most appropriate in the first step. Originality/value – ZPE engines exist already, but the theory of ZPE conversion is unique and new in the work presented here. It can be understood on the basis of the finite propagation speed of the interacting fields, similar to retarded potentials of Lienart and Wiechert. The experimental verification of this theory is also presented in the article here.