1. Defining a sustainable supply chain for buildings Off-Site envelope thermal insulation solutions : proposal of a methodology to investigate opportunities based on a context analysisMiriam Benedetti, Carlos Herce, Matteo Sforzini, Tiziana Susca, Claudia Toro, 2024, review article Abstract: External wall thermal insulation is one of the most effective solutions on the market to increase energy efficiency in the built environment. Off-Site Construction (OSC), through better control of the various parameters involved, can bring important advantages, such as the reduction of construction time, the improvement of product and process quality, etc. In the last years, the rapidly growing demand for thermal insulation systems, stimulated also by tax incentives, has generated a unique situation in Italy compared to the rest of Europe, also leading to a considerable fragmentation of the supply chain with several players involved (component and system manufacturers, distributors, and installers). The complexity of such context makes Italy an extremely challenging and insightful case study for a supply chain and sustainability study, also considering the fact that the energy efficiency of the Italian building stock represents a crucial challenge to achieve the country's energy saving goals since 40% of final energy consumption derives from buildings and 75% of the building stock presents a low energy performance (energy labels E, F and G). This article presents both an analysis of the Italian market of manufacturers of building envelope thermal insulation solutions, highlighting the different players in the supply chain in terms of number, type, and marketed products and solutions, and a focus on sustainable and recycled materials. The study also aims to define a methodology to investigate the state of play and opportunities for industrialisation of this market and its bottlenecks. In the article, a questionnaire is proposed to collect information and opinions on the spread of OSC and the perception of companies and professionals regarding the advantages and disadvantages of industrializing the sector. A first validation of the survey is presented in the form of industrial focus groups. Keywords: supply chain sustainability, industrial energy efficiency, off-site construction, construction industrialisation, sustainable building materials, modular buildings Published in DKUM: 01.10.2024; Views: 0; Downloads: 3
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2. A conceptual framework to establish and operate a global logistics energy hubMahmoud A. Hammad, Sara El Gazzar, Marjan Sternad, 2021, original scientific article Abstract: Energy-consuming countries are affected by obstructions in supplies or conflicts that mayoccur along the energy transit path. Hence, the presence of a global logistics hub for energy acting as a connecting bridge between energy-supplying and energy-consuming countries can overcome suchtroubles, support the sustainable flow of energy, and achieve the overall operational efficiency of theenergy supply chain. However, establishing a global energy hub is a complicated issue, especiallyin the absence of a clear approach for this. Through conducting a systematic literature review on 36 papers over the past two decades, we identified the key determinants for each player in theenergy supply chain and proposed a leading and integrated conceptual framework for establishing and operating a global logistics energy hub, with a particular focus on oil and gas. This article contributes to knowledge by providing a comprehensive review targeting energy hubs from a logistics perspective, as previous studies have addressed energy hubs from other perspectives suchas political, legal, and security perspectives, while the logistics perspective has not been tackled comprehensively. Moreover, the suggested framework can be then used by further researchers to develop the performance of energy hubs. Practically, this framework can be employed to identify the requirements for a country to become a global energy hub. Keywords: global logistics energy hub, energy supply chain, energy transit corridor, oil, gas, conceptual framework, supply chain management, logistics Published in DKUM: 19.08.2024; Views: 78; Downloads: 9
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3. Requirements for establishing energy hubs : practical perspectiveMahmoud A. Hammad, Sara El Gazzar, Borut Jereb, Marjan Sternad, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: The global economy has barely begun to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, only to be thrown into a new crisis because of the Russian-Ukrainian war. The war exacerbated the energy problem by causing a shortage of energy supplies for the EU and other countries, affecting quality of life. As a result, establishing energy hubs for collecting, processing, storing, and transiting energy resources between producing and consuming countries has become imperative to manage energy supplies efficiently. However, previous studies have not yet addressed the requirements for setting up energy hubs from a practical point of view. Therefore, this paper investigates the requirements for the establishment of energy hubs, particularly for oil and gas, from a practical perspective. The researchers conducted 13 semi-structured interviews with different energy stakeholders. Using the SWOT analysis matrix tool, the findings assessed the current state of the global oil and gas market, and the main practical requirements for the establishment of energy hubs were identified, along with the elements for implementation. Furthermore, the article highlighted the most pressing practical issues confronting the establishment of energy centres. Finally, the paper laid out a comprehensive practical framework based on the industry practitioners’ views to help establish energy hubs. The framework provides a possible guide for countries to establish energy hubs based on the main requirements outlined in this study. It can also improve the diversity, flexibility, and security of energy supply, especially for countries that rely on sole suppliers, such as the EU. Keywords: energy hubs, energy stakeholders, diversification of energy supplies, security and sustainability of energy supply, European Union countries, Russian-Ukrainian war Published in DKUM: 19.04.2024; Views: 296; Downloads: 12
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4. Integrating social dimensions into future sustainable energy supply networksMatevž Obrecht, Yigit Kazancoglu, Matjaž Denac, 2020, original scientific article Abstract: Environmental protection and sustainable development have become an inevitable trend in many areas, including the energy industry. The development of energy supply networks is strongly correlated with the economics of energy sources as well as ecological and socio-political issues. However, the energy supply network is often distant from the social perspective. This paper therefore combines examination of perceptions and awareness of general public (web-based questionnaire) and top energy experts (a Delphi survey) on the energy supply network and identifies their potential integration in energy supply decision making processes. The results showed that public should be better informed as well as integrated into designing energy supply network as the prosumers gain power and the energy suppliers will no longer dominate the market. Public actors are ready to shape sustainable energy supply and also willing to pay 5.8% more for a sustainable energy supply. The majority are prepared to invest in renewable energy supply network close to their place of residence. Another result is that the public is calling for a shift in priority towards more sustainable and socially friendlier energy supply rather than focusing mainly on the economic and technical perspectives. Keywords: energy supply, supply networks, sustainable energy, public perception, social integration, supply chain management Published in DKUM: 19.02.2024; Views: 306; Downloads: 23
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5. Energy indicators and topics in food supply chains' life cycle assessmentPetra Vidergar, Rebeka Kovačič Lukman, 2019, original scientific article Abstract: Food supply chains have a significant impact on the environment, using large amounts of fossil energy resources and other non-renewable resources. Energy is directly and indirectly needed in all the steps along the food supply chain. This paper explores energy-related indicators in food supply chains and life cycle assessment within sixty-six research papers, gathered from the Web of Science database. Furthermore, a quantitative content analysis was carried out to assess the research trends and future opportunities regarding energy-related topics. The results revealed that a holistic perspective is needed, as energy-related indicators should be included in the use and end-of-life stages, not only in the production processes, and that the inclusion should follow the life cycle assessment methodology. The current research topics are energy issues related to production processes and environmental impacts. Improvements are possible in extending research areas to renewable resources, whole lifecycle perspectives, and socio-economic consequences. Keywords: energy, food supply chain, life cycle assessment, Leximancer Published in DKUM: 05.12.2023; Views: 368; Downloads: 6
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6. The development of ARM-based portable and adaptable power supply : magistrsko deloTomislav Brlek, 2019, master's thesis Abstract: This master’s thesis describes a development of a portable and adjustable power supply. The first part of the thesis introduces us to the working principle of power supplies in general. Next, we present a functional design of a portable and adjustable power supply and a list of its required functionalities. Chapter “switched-mode power supplies” introduces us to the theoretical basics of the said power supplies, while chapter “linear regulators” introduces us to different types of linear regulators and tells us more about how they work. Everything regarding which microcontroller was used and why it was used is described in the “ARM microcontroller” chapter. Besides microcontrollers, it also talks about which integrated development environment is used and how the microcontroller is programmed. A full and detailed description of each part of the analog circuitry can be found in the chapter “describing the development of the portable and adjustable power supply”. Lastly, the user interface is described in detail. Keywords: portable power supply, ARM processor, variable laboratory bench power supply, LCD touchscreen, energy efficient, lithium battery, battery charger, voltage control Published in DKUM: 13.11.2019; Views: 1164; Downloads: 143
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7. Analysis of the Energy Market Operator activity in eight European countriesFrance Križanič, Žan Oplotnik, 2015, original scientific article Abstract: The article aims to analyze the connection between economic development, energy consumption, and prices of electricity and gas on one side and of the operation of the Energy Market Operator on the other. For this purpose we use a sample of eight EU countries with well-functioning energy markets but quite diverse characteristics. The results show that Market Operators in more developed countries in the sample have above average activity (according to revenue), and their primary goal is to achieve external economies. A higher level of Market Operator activity (greater revenue) is influenced by the decrease of transaction costs in energy markets and improves the prospect for greater use of energy. An active Market Operator is characteristically associated with international openness in the energy market as well as with the development of gas use in the given country. We find that a better equipped (greater assets used by the Market Operator) and more active (according to revenues) Market Operator is related with relatively higher levels of electricity and natural gas prices. Keywords: energy, supply and demand, financial analysis, macroeconomics, international benchmark, comparison Published in DKUM: 06.07.2017; Views: 1426; Downloads: 366
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8. A fuzzy model of power supply system controlJanez Usenik, 2012, original scientific article Abstract: In this article, a mathematical model of control of a dynamic system is described; one such system could be a power supply system. Analytical approaches that have been developed to describe the influence of production and stock, i.e. additional capacities, require a hierarchical spatial pattern and demand. Demand is usually an inherently stochastic process, but in this article we simulate it as an output fuzzy variable in a fuzzy system, in which all the input variables are also fuzzy. Furthermore, an interesting use of neural sets is shown, which is presented as an efficient method for the optimisation of the fuzzy system. At the end, a numerical example is given. Keywords: power supply system, energy capacities, demand, fuzzy logic, neural net Published in DKUM: 10.07.2015; Views: 2472; Downloads: 32
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9. SYNTHESIS OF SUSTAINABLE BIOPROCESSES USING COMPUTER-AIDED PROCESS ENGINEERINGLidija Čuček, 2013, doctoral dissertation Abstract: This doctoral dissertation, which consists of four substantive wholes, presents several syntheses of sustainable bioprocesses using computer-aided process engineering. In the first part the synthesis of different integrated processes of ethanol production from the entire corn plant is presented. The synthesis of different processes is in the second part further extended to the simplified and more comprehensive synthesis of bioproducts in the whole production supply chain network. Synthesis is based on the generic optimisation model of biomass production and supply chain networks.
In the third part three methods for sustainable development assessment, suitable for multi-criteria optimisation, are presented: method of sustainability indexes, footprints and combined criteria, such as eco- and total profit. Methods are further upgraded with indirect effects in order to measure the unburdening the environment, associated with the use and replacement of environmentally-harmful products. Methods include the direct, indirect and total impacts on the environment.
In the last part the methodology for reducing a large number of criteria within multi-objective optimisation to a small number of representative criteria is presented. This method is presented on the case of environmental footprints. Keywords: Biomass energy generation, Supply chain networks, Synthesis of sustainable bioprocesses, Life Cycle Analysis, Sustainability assessment, Multi-objective optimisation, Dimensionality reduction, Representative Objectives Method Published in DKUM: 06.05.2013; Views: 2598; Downloads: 290
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