Green shipping: using AIS data to assess global emissions

Towards Shipping 4.0. A preliminary gap analysis

The maritime transport sector's reliance on fossil-based fuels remains a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable alternatives such as marine biofuels. Thermochemical pyrolysis of biomass and plastic waste represents a promising route for producing renewable and recycled marine fuel feedstocks. This review provides an integrated analysis of the full production and upgrading chain, encompassing pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass and polymer-derived resources, catalytic upgrading, and qualitative evaluation of product distribution and yield trends. Particular emphasis is placed on montmorillonite-based catalysts as naturally abundant, low-cost, and environmentally benign alternatives to conventional zeolites. The review systematically examines the influence of key montmorillonite modification strategies, including acid activation, pillaring, and ion-exchanged, on acidity, textural properties, and catalytic performance in catalytic cracking and hydrodeoxygenation processes. The analysis shows that catalyst modification strongly governs the yield, selectivity, and reproducibility of biofuels. By adopting this integrated perspective, the review extends beyond existing works focused on isolated upgrading steps or zeolitic catalysts. Key research gaps are identified, particularly regarding long-term catalyst stability, deep deoxygenation of real bio-oils, and compliance with marine fuel standards.

There is great interest in an alternative to the current rather expensive, high maintenance, weather sensitive, Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (CEMS) or Continuous Emission Rate Monitoring Systems (CERMS) for stationary power sources. This is particularly relevant for smaller sources (<10 MW), as well as sites in remote areas and sites subject to extreme ambient conditions. This paper describes the development of a predictive NOx monitoring system for industrial gas turbines. This type of system is currently being used as an alternative to in-stack CEMS or CERMS. This Predictive Emission Monitoring System (PEMS) utilizes a time-tested, proven mathematical model for NOx to verify the accuracy of a proven performance/emissions computer program which predicts NOx emissions from gas turbines based on measured ambient and turbine control parameters. The technical background of this predictive NOx monitoring system and relevant experience are reviewed. The system design, including input and output, is described. A comparison of some technical issues between this predictive monitoring system and an actual typical in-stack NOx emission monitoring systems is also presented. A manual verification of the principle of this predictive system is reported.

Machine learning models for dry matter and biomass estimates on cattle grazing systems

Against the background of the transformation of the global climate governance system, this study systematically examines the institutional practice of China's Energy Law in aligning with the goals of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) using the normative coordination theory as the analytical framework. The research shows that the Energy Law has established a strategic orientation for low-carbon transformation through the reconstruction of value goals, and constructed a legal framework to undertake NDC commitments by means of innovative mechanisms such as the dual control system for carbon emissions and the mandatory renewable energy consumption system. However, in practice, it still faces coordination dilemmas such as insufficient coordination among energy-specific laws, imperfect carbon emission monitoring and verification systems, and the impact of changes in international rules. To this end, it is necessary to promote the systematic revision of the energy legal system, strengthen the operational rules of key systems, enhance the ability to adapt to international rules, and improve the funding and technical guarantee mechanisms, ultimately realizing the transformation of NDC goals from international commitments to domestic governance effectiveness.

In view of the ongoing climate degradation, the article analyses and compares the most commonly used mechanisms for preventing negative environmental impacts resulting from human activities. In this respect, administrative and economic mechanisms are considered, which have a significantly different nature. Based on the consideration of the specific features of these approaches, the advantages of economic methods that provide incentives for individual enterprises to implement the necessary environmental protection measures, as opposed to purely administrative and restrictive measures inherent in command-and-control approach. Among the economic mechanisms of environmental management of climate change, as one of the most painful problem of our time, the main attention is paid to the principle of direct financial taxation and the method of market trading in emission quotas, which is commonly known as cap and trade systems. The advantages and disadvantages of these approaches to limiting anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions are presented and analysed, and the range of application of these basic economic instruments in different countries of the world is demonstrated. It is noted that the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union provides for the introduction in the coming years of a national greenhouse gas trading system adapted to the pan-European system that has been in place since 2005. In this regard current state of the national ETS system implementation is analysed with the first essential step of which being the putting in force a carbon emissions monitoring, reporting and verification system.

An effect of noise on mental health indicator using voice

Alternative sources of energy as marine fuels; the effect on the environment and the financial perspectives for a more sustainable future in the shipping industry

The maritime transportation sector is one of the main contributors to global emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs). The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has adopted a strategy to reduce these emissions from international shipping >50% by 2050, compared to 2008’s emissions. Therefore, ship owners need to adopt solutions to bring emissions within these and other future limits by means of environmentally friendly fuels (hydrogen or hydrogen carriers) and high efficiency propulsion technologies (fuel cells). This paper focuses on the replacement of the conventional Diesel genset installed on a hybrid small-size ferry, with an innovative system based on PEMFC technology. A real case scenario is investigated: the total energy/power demand of the vessel is determined basing on a typical operational profile. Then, a preliminary redesign of its powertrain configuration is proposed along with an energy management strategy. The analysis has allowed to define the hydrogen consumption for a daily operation. Finally, different storage technologies involving both compressed and liquefied hydrogen have been considered and compared, in order to identify ship’s weight and space requirements.

River pollution is becoming more and more serious with the development of industry in developing countries. So, water-quality monitoring has become an urgent problem to be solved. Although there have been a lot of valuable studies in recent years, there exists the drawbacks such as lack of intelligence, automotive or flexible and more monitoring system needing to manipulate the related devices. Therefore, a water-quality monitoring wireless Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) is designed to aim at these deficiencies. Meanwhile, based on 4G communication module, communication USV sub-system is designed to adapt to long-distance transmission with TCP and HTTP communication protocols. On the aspect of control, the smart ship is using data interface and TTL interface to realize data transmission between sensors and controls. The automatic cruise algorithms are provides considering GPS positioning and 9-axis sensor. Finally, through the real experiments, USV can automotive move according with presetting path and gathering the sensing data.

Tackling air pollution and extreme climate changes in China: Implementing the Paris climate change agreement

Considerable attention has been directed towards techniques and procedures which facilitate the high quality of field-collected ambient environmental data. This study addresses the quality control methods used to assure data quality after the data have been recorded. The two major elements associated with the validation of much of Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA's) environmental data are: (1) initial computer flagging of physically/chemically questionable and outlying data and (2) analyst review and feedback to field technicians to implement corrective actions. Examples of these procedures as applied to aerometric data will be discussed. The benefits of this approach include timely feedback to the field technicians to resolve potential problems with a monitoring system and assignment of quality code ratings and precision and accuracy to all archived and reported data.

At present, the environmental monitoring of the substation suffers from complex wiring, low intelligence, high staff work intensity, and a lack of information-based overall management. Moreover, the distribution of substations is relatively scattered, making it complex and costly to set up a dedicated communication network. In response to these problems, this paper combines modern communication technology, sensor technology, and mobile intelligent terminal development technology to study an overall information-based substation environmental monitoring system. The monitoring system proposed in this paper includes a main controller, a data collection terminal, and a mobile communication terminal. The environmental data collected by the main controller is sent to the server through the communication method of subscription and substation using wireless communication technology, and the interface of the mobile communication terminal can display indoor environmental monitoring data. When the environmental data of the Substation exceeds the set threshold value to issue an early warning alert, the user can control it remotely through the mobile communication terminal to improve the indoor environment of the Substation. The system has a simple operation interface, low power consumption, and strong expansion compatibility, which effectively realizes remote monitoring and control of the substation environment and has good engineering application value.

This paper presents a "Smart Shipping Container" which is a comprehensive overview of the Shipping Container with Environmental Monitoring and Location Tracking system. Which aims to revolutionize the safety and efficiency of shipping container logistics. This work entails the integration of advanced sensors and communication technologies within shipping containers to enable real-time monitoring and tracking capabilities. Key components of the system include fire sensors, water sensors, GPS modules, accelerometers, microcontrollers, LoRa transmitters, receivers, and displays. These elements work together to provide continuous surveillance of the container's environment and location throughout its journey. By leveraging these technologies, the system can detect critical incidents such as fires and water immersion remotely, allowing for immediate response and mitigation measures. Moreover, the transmitted data from the container to the control room enables stakeholders to monitor cargo conditions in real-time, enhancing safety measures and ensuring the integrity of goods during transportation. Overall, this project represents a significant advancement in the field of shipping logistics, offering unprecedented levels of security, monitoring, and control over containerized cargo. Through the implementation of cutting-edge technologies, it has the potential to revolutionize the industry by minimizing risks, optimizing logistics operations, and ensuring the safe and timely delivery of goods across the globe.

Energy management and reduction is one of the major challenges in the Cloud industry's data centres. The Uptime Institute's 2012 report, the industry's leading authority, highlighted the crisis in data centre energy management. 30% of data centres will run out of power, space and cooling in 2012. On average there's a 90% energy overhead in data centre operations, yet 55% of servers use less than 10% of their capacity. The 500,000 data centres worldwide have a server electricity consumption of 400 Billion kWh/year (approx $40 Billion ) which is growing at 12% CAGR, yet only 11% of the centres monitor their consumption. The global CO2 emissions of these centres, is equivalent to the airline industry, 2% of global emissions. It is expected that by 2020 20% of Europe's electrical energy will be data centre related. Data centre cooling requirements also have an enormous hydro footprint. A 1 MW data centre in a U.S-type climate has an annual hydro footprint of 99 million litres/annum Yet studies have shown that operational energy savings of 40% and substantial reductions in physical space, cooling requirements and water consumption can be achieved, where comprehensive and effective energy monitoring and management systems are employed. These can deliver a ROI within months, and further savings which extend over the centre's lifetime. The technologies which have the potential to deliver these benefits, DCIM (Data Centre Infrastructure Management) systems have only emerged in the last 3 to 4 years and are still in their infancy. Not surprisingly, a new global industry providing innovative, green, sustainable data centre technologies will be worth €45 Billion by 2016. The main barriers to effective monitoring/management is instrumentation and training. Vast volumes of data are gathered and must be competently analysed. Most monitoring systems, involve some form of physical metering and cabling and downtime, a major challenge when 10's thousands of servers are involved. Furthermore, all approaches physical and hybrid approaches limit the level of monitoring visibility to the server, individual processes cannot be monitored. A spin-out company from University College Dublin Ireland, Stratergia, has developed a unique data centre energy management system PAPILLON. It is totally software-based, measuring every server's energy consumption in real-time. It is intuitive to use, operates on any platform and can be installed in hours without any downtime or retrofitting. It uses a client-server type architecture. Software agents on servers communicate periodically, to a master server which has power models for each server type. Using the power models, the master computes in real-time and saves in a data base, all relevant energy information of the centre. In operation, Papillon identifies and quantifies energy saving actions that can be implemented, and coupled with electricity network data, more sustainable energy sources can be introduced into the power input of the centre. Papillon has been trialled at Swedish Compare Testlab and is one of the core tools being installed at state-of-the-art data centres at Kajaani, Finland and Cenit, Spain for a new international EU-funded Masters programme in green, sustainable data centre management.