#green hydrogen production process

[africanhydrogenpartnership]

Shifting to Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology: Step to a Better World

The rising fuel crises across the world are alarming. The way it has been leading to everyday issues is getting out of hand. One of the biggest concerns is imagining life without fuel. The dependency on fuel for domestic uses, transportation, electricity, agriculture, production, etc., is already high. On the other hand, the lower availability raises concerns. Uneven demand and supply have been leading to escalated fuel prices. What do underdeveloped and developing nations do in this situation? Should they continue to pay high prices or shift to hydrogen fuel cell technology?

The Fuel Crises:

Diesel, petrol, and CNG are some of the most prevalent fuels in the world. However, the rising demands and prices have been pushing underdeveloped and developing countries to take tough calls. Continents like Africa, where development and infrastructure are already at stake, need more support. Dealing with fuel crises is challenging for Africa. However, the introduction of alternatives turns out to be a game changer.

Considering the Alternative:

Fuel crises may not be resolved until addressed wisely. Exploiting resources, over-digging the grounds to extract fuels, etc., is not a solution to address the rising demand. Instead, it is time to introduce alternatives and shrewdly shift to them. Hydrogen fuel cell technology is one of the most efficient alternatives available. The production of this alternative is easy. Water simply goes through a hydrogen electrolysis process, where water molecules break into independent hydrogen and oxygen molecules. The alternative is a great asset to the world.

Benefits of This Alternative:

Hydrogen fuel cell technology is currently one of the finest solutions. And the reason is being a "green" fuel. Hydrogen is a natural and green fuel. As a green fuel, this alternative reduces carbon emissions to a great extent. Reduced carbon emissions directly benefit biodiversity and everything surrounding it. Hydrogen fuel cell technology is the real solution as it is an enormous renewal energy solution. The rising fuel prices and low availability are already a setback. But hydrogen fuel cell technology can take over. Hence, it is an excellent alternative available.

About African Hydrogen Partnership:

Sustainable energy alternatives seemed inaccessible at times. However, African Hydrogen Partnership may contribute and help you get introduced to the green hydrogen production process. This NGO has been working to address energy requirements in Africa with the help of hydrogen cell fuel technology. The initiative can enhance power generation and fulfil everyone's needs.

Check out more at https://ahp.africa/

Original Source: https://bit.ly/3ze5hhH

[priteshwemarketresearch]

Green Ammonia Market Statistics, Segment, Trends and Forecast to  2033

The Green Ammonia Market: A Sustainable Future for Agriculture and Energy

As the world pivots toward sustainable practices, the green ammonia market is gaining momentum as a crucial player in the transition to a low-carbon economy. But what exactly is green ammonia, and why is it so important? In this blog, we'll explore the green ammonia market, its applications, benefits, and the factors driving its growth.

Request Sample PDF Copy:https://wemarketresearch.com/reports/request-free-sample-pdf/green-ammonia-market/1359

What is Green Ammonia?

Green ammonia is ammonia produced using renewable energy sources, primarily through the electrolysis of water to generate hydrogen, which is then combined with nitrogen from the air. This process eliminates carbon emissions, setting green ammonia apart from traditional ammonia production, which relies heavily on fossil fuels.

Applications of Green Ammonia

Agriculture

One of the most significant applications of green ammonia is in agriculture. Ammonia is a key ingredient in fertilizers, and its sustainable production can help reduce the carbon footprint of farming. By using green ammonia, farmers can produce food more sustainably, supporting global food security while minimizing environmental impact.

Energy Storage

Green ammonia can also serve as an effective energy carrier. It can be synthesized when there is surplus renewable energy and later converted back into hydrogen or directly used in fuel cells. This capability makes it an attractive option for balancing supply and demand in renewable energy systems.

Shipping Fuel

The maritime industry is under increasing pressure to reduce emissions. Green ammonia has emerged as a potential zero-emission fuel for ships, helping to decarbonize one of the most challenging sectors in terms of greenhouse gas emissions.

Benefits of Green Ammonia

Environmental Impact

By eliminating carbon emissions during production, green ammonia significantly reduces the environmental impact associated with traditional ammonia. This aligns with global efforts to combat climate change and achieve sustainability goals.

Energy Security

Investing in green ammonia can enhance energy security. As countries strive to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels, green ammonia offers a renewable alternative that can be produced locally, minimizing reliance on imported fuels.

Economic Opportunities

The growth of the green ammonia market presents numerous economic opportunities, including job creation in renewable energy sectors, research and development, and new supply chain dynamics. As demand increases, investments in infrastructure and technology will drive innovation.

Factors Driving the Growth of the Green Ammonia Market

Regulatory Support

Governments worldwide are implementing policies and incentives to promote the adoption of green technologies. These regulations often include subsidies for renewable energy production and carbon pricing mechanisms, making green ammonia more competitive.

Rising Demand for Sustainable Solutions

With consumers and businesses becoming increasingly aware of their environmental impact, the demand for sustainable solutions is on the rise. Green ammonia aligns with this trend, providing an eco-friendly alternative to traditional ammonia.

Advancements in Technology

Ongoing advancements in electrolysis and ammonia synthesis technologies are making the production of green ammonia more efficient and cost-effective. As these technologies mature, they will further enhance the viability of green ammonia in various applications.

Conclusion

The green ammonia market represents a promising avenue for sustainable development across agriculture, energy, and transportation sectors. As technology advances and regulatory support strengthens, green ammonia is poised to become a cornerstone of the global transition to a greener economy. Investing in this market not only contributes to environmental preservation but also opens up new economic opportunities for innovation and growth.

[batboyblog]

Things Biden and the Democrats did, this week #9

March 9-15 2024

The IRS launched its direct file pilot program. Tax payers in 12 states, Florida, New Hampshire, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wyoming, Arizona, Massachusetts, California and New York, can now file their federal income taxes for free on-line directly with the IRS. The IRS plans on taking direct file nation wide for next year's tax season. Tax Day is April 15th so if you're in one of those states you have a month to check it out.

The Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights opened an investigation into the death of Nex Benedict. the OCR is investigating if Benedict's school district violated his civil rights by failing to protect him from bullying. President Biden expressed support for trans and non-binary youth in the aftermath of the ruling that Benedict's death was a suicide and encouraged people to seek help in crisis

Vice President Kamala Harris became the first sitting Vice-President (or President) to visit an abortion provider. Harris' historic visit was to a Planned Parenthood clinic in St. Paul Minnesota. This is the last stop on the Vice-President's Reproductive Rights Tour that has taken her across the country highlighting the need for reproductive health care.

President Biden announced 3.3 billion dollars worth of infrastructure projects across 40 states designed to reconnect communities divided by transportation infrastructure. Communities often split decades ago by highways build in the 1960s and 70s. These splits very often affect communities of color splitting them off from the wider cities and making daily life far more difficult. These reconnection projects will help remedy decades of economic racism.

The Biden-Harris administration is taking steps to eliminate junk fees for college students. These are hidden fees students pay to get loans or special fees banks charged to students with bank accounts. Also the administration plans to eliminate automatic billing for textbooks and ban schools from pocketing leftover money on student's meal plans.

The Department of Interior announced $120 million in investments to help boost Climate Resilience in Tribal Communities. The money will support 146 projects effecting over 100 tribes. This comes on top of $440 million already spent on tribal climate resilience by the administration so far

The Department of Energy announced $750 million dollars in investment in clean hydrogen power. This will go to 52 projects across 24 states. As part of the administration's climate goals the DoE plans to bring low to zero carbon hydrogen production to 10 million metric tons by 2030, and the cost of hydrogen to $1 per kilogram of hydrogen produced by 2031.

The Department of Energy has offered a 2.3 billion dollar loan to build a lithium processing plant in Nevada. Lithium is the key component in rechargeable batteries used it electric vehicles. Currently 95% of the world's lithium comes from just 4 countries, Australia, Chile, China and Argentina. Only about 1% of the US' lithium needs are met by domestic production. When completed the processing plant in Thacker Pass Nevada will produce enough lithium for 800,000 electric vehicle batteries a year.

The Department of Transportation is making available $1.2 billion in funds to reduce decrease pollution in transportation. Available in all 50 states, DC and Puerto Rico the funds will support projects by transportation authorities to lower their carbon emissions.

The Geothermal Energy Optimization Act was introduced in the US Senate. If passed the act will streamline the permitting process and help expand geothermal projects on public lands. This totally green energy currently accounts for just 0.4% of the US' engird usage but the Department of Energy estimates the potential geothermal energy supply is large enough to power the entire U.S. five times over.

The Justice for Breonna Taylor Act was introduced in the Senate banning No Knock Warrants nationwide

A bill was introduced in the House requiring the US Postal Service to cover the costs of any laid fees on bills the USPS failed to deliver on time

The Senate Confirmed 3 more Biden nominees to be life time federal Judges, Jasmine Yoon the first Asian-America federal judge in Virginia, Sunil Harjani in Illinois, and Melissa DuBose the first LGBTQ and first person of color to serve as a federal judge in Rhode Island. This brings the total number of Biden judges to 185

[mindblowingscience]

Electrolysis is a process that uses electricity to create hydrogen and oxygen molecules from water. The use of proton exchange membrane (PEM) and renewable energy for water electrolysis is widely regarded as a sustainable method for hydrogen production. However, a challenge in advancing PEM water electrolysis technology is the lack of efficient, low-cost, and stable catalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in acidic solutions during PEM water electrolysis.

Continue Reading.

[shaythempronouns]

The Helix Nebula / Eye of God

A planetary nebula in Aquarius

I got another 2 hours of exposure time on the Helix Nebula in the Aquarius constellation and integrated it with my data from last year (about another 2h) to produce this shot. This is a narrowband image made from captured hydrogen and oxygen emissions.

The Helix Nebula is an absolutely gorgeous target specifically because of its rarity. Most planetary nebulae (the products of stars collapsing into white dwarfs) are extremely small because they're far away. The Helix isn't any bigger than them, but it's incredibly close to us, at just under 700 Ly from Earth, which makes it appear 20 times the linear size of other planetary nebulae (e.g. the Crab Nebula or the Ring Nebula).

Musings on the acquisition process after the cut.

This is easily the hardest target I've ever shot. From the USA, it barely rises above 20 degrees, giving a pretty short window to shoot it each night and more atmosphere to shoot through, magnifying the effects of poor seeing. Aquarius has a relatively low density of bright stars, which makes guiding frustrating at poor focal ratios (which are unavoidable at high focal lengths on any kind of budget). And, of course, the Helix is fairly dim and diffuse, requiring lots of exposure time to capture good enough signal for an image. All that together meant that the two hours of data I captured for this shot took five clear nights to pull together. An absolute mess.

I achieved the gold effect at the borders with some slight hue shifting - that area isn't quite synthetic, but is instead the place where the oxygen emissions at the core overlap with the hydrogen emissions of the edges. By slightly bumping the green channel and then stretching the hue to push green toward its adjacent colors (yellow and blue), you get a golden color from the edge of the hydrogen.

[solarpunkbusiness]

Steel production contributes over 7% of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions worldwide. Green steel plants can achieve almost zero emissions, enabling sustainable steelmaking processes and constructing a cleaner, brighter future for the planet.

The search for green steel has led to significant breakthroughs in technology. Advances in carbon capture technologies, electric arc furnaces, and hydrogen-based direct reduction are changing the face of steel production and setting the stage for a more sustainable future.

Digitalization in the steel sector reveals opportunities for systemic optimization, yield and product enhancement, reduced CO2 and greenhouse gas emissions, improved safety, and effective order processing.

Adopting predictive maintenance techniques is one intriguing potential for the steel sector. Steel manufacturing plants can optimize production processes by utilizing advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), deep learning algorithms, and Internet of Things (IoT) sensors. Some of how these technological advancements make green steel plants effective are:

Predictive maintenance facilitates the early detection of equipment faults, reducing unexpected downtime and enhancing overall efficiency.

Artificial intelligence (AI)-powered predictive analytics can examine real-time data from devices and operations to find areas where energy can be saved, lowering carbon emissions and energy use.

Predictive maintenance extends equipment life and minimizes the need for expensive new parts manufacturing by monitoring the condition of essential components and enabling prompt repairs and replacements.

Automated maintenance detects and corrects manufacturing process inefficiencies and can decrease material waste and related environmental effects.

[materialsscienceandengineering]

Team describes how to produce 'green' steel from toxic red mud

The production of aluminum generates around 180 million tons of toxic red mud every year. Scientists at the Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung, a center for iron research, have now shown how green steel can be produced from aluminum production waste in a relatively simple way. In an electric arc furnace similar to those used in the steel industry for decades, they convert the iron oxide contained in the red mud into iron using hydrogen plasma. With this process, almost 700 million tons of CO2-free steel could be produced from the 4 billion tons of red mud that have accumulated worldwide to date—which corresponds to a good third of annual steel production worldwide. As the Max Planck team shows, the process would also be economically viable. According to forecasts, demand for steel and aluminum will increase by up to 60% by 2050. Yet the conventional production of these metals has a considerable impact on the environment. Eight percent of global CO2 emissions come from the steel industry, making it the sector with the highest greenhouse gas emissions. Meanwhile, aluminum industry produces around 180 million tons of red mud every year, which is highly alkaline and contains traces of heavy metals such as chromium.

Read more.

[zvaigzdelasas]

Steel is usually made in a process that starts with blast furnaces. Fed with coking coal and iron ore, they emit large quantities of carbon dioxide and contribute to global warming.

The production of steel is responsible for around 7% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions. But in Boden, the new plant will use hydrogen technology, designed to cut emissions by as much as 95%.

Although the first buildings have yet to go up on the remote site, the company behind the project, H2 Green Steel, believes it's on course to roll out the first commercial batches of its steel by 2025.[...]

The centrepiece of the new steel plant will be a tall structure called a DRI tower (DRI means a direct reduction of iron). Inside this, hydrogen will react with iron ore to create a type of iron that can be used to make steel. Unlike coking coal, which results in carbon emissions, the by-product of the reaction in the DRI tower is water vapour.

All the hydrogen used at the new green steel plant will be made by H2Green Steel. Water from a nearby river is passed through an electrolyser - a process which splits off the hydrogen from water molecules.

The electricity used to make the hydrogen and power the plant comes from local fossil-free energy sources, including hydropower from the nearby Lule river, as well as wind parks in the region.

17 Feb 23

[rjzimmerman]

Excerpt from this story from Anthropocene Magazine:

Nearly ten times as many people in America now work at Starbucks than dig for coal. Coal mining has long been a canary of America’s energy transition—it lost hundreds of thousands of workers in the 20th century, and has shrunk in half again since 2012. 

Losing dirty, dangerous coal jobs is one thing, but the wholesale dismantling of our fossil fuel economy promises to be far more disruptive. True, but there’s a huge caveat. The bright light on the horizon is that most estimates of new clean energy jobs dwarf even the largest oil refineries and auto plants. 

Winners

1. Everyone (on average). 2021 was a big year for energy jobs globally—it was the first time that more people around the world were working in clean energy jobs than fossil fuels, according to the International Energy Authority (IEA). While the US is still lagging behind that curve, clean energy jobs here are growing at twice the rate of the rest of the energy sector, says the Department of Energy (DOE). And the future looks rosy. Researchers at Dartmouth College calculate that a low carbon economy in the US would create two or even three green energy jobs for every fossil fuel job lost. (That fits with an earlier study out of Berkeley, which found that renewable and sustainable power sources inherently require more people per gigawatt hour of electricity generated, compared to fossil fuel plants).

2. Solar installers and battery makers. Photovoltaic and energy storage companies have been on a tear, adding tens of thousands of workers last year in the US. When considered along with wind, EVs, heat pumps and critical minerals supply, solar power and batteries accounted for over half of all job growth in global energy production since 2019. And the IEA expects these sectors to add tens of millions more jobs by the end of the decade.

3. Some surprise hires. Don’t count out Big Oil and Big Auto just yet. Both the IEA and the DOE expect the fossil fuel industry (particularly natural gas) to hire more workers in the immediate future, albeit at slower rates than clean energy jobs and tailing off in years to come. The IEA notes that if fossil fuel companies could successfully transition to hydrogen, carbon capture, geothermal and biofuels processing, they could almost offset decreases in core oil and gas employment all the way to 2030. It also expects car makers to pivot to EV production, retraining workers and safeguarding many jobs.

Losers

1. Oil workers. Changing careers means more than just a quick retraining session. Morgan Frank at the University of Pittsburgh went down the rabbit hole of what transferring US fossil fuel employment to green jobs would actually mean, and the answer isn’t pretty. His team’s paper in Nature found that green energy jobs are not co-located with today’s oil and gas workers, leading them to predict that almost 99% of extraction workers would not transition to green jobs. And any workers that do make the change face a financial hit. The IEA notes that workers moving from oil and gas to wind, solar and hydrogen today would see pay cuts of 15 to 30%.

2. Petro-states. The shift to green energy will be difficult for economies that rely heavily on fossil fuel extraction and processing. Consultancy EY has an illuminating, interactive webpage allowing you to compare employment in regions around the world, under different decarbonization scenarios. Spoiler alert—oil producing nations in the Middle East and Australia are likely to see employment slump, and even Africa could experience a destabilizing wobble unless it accelerates production of green hydrogen and EV battery materials. “Due to the transition, socio-economic sustainability risks will likely increase as the employment rate drops,” warns author Catherine Friday.

3. Homer Simpson. Some low-carbon energy sectors aren’t exactly booming. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects the employment of nuclear technicians to decline 6% from 2023 to 2033. The US hit peak nuclear power stations in 2012 and has been declining ever since, as facilities age into decommissioning without being replaced. Meanwhile, a planned new generation of safer, cheaper and more efficient fission reactors continues to suffer cost overruns, red tape and delays, and commercial nuclear fusion remains a decades-distant dream. D’oh!

What To Keep An Eye On

1. Labor shortages. Workers skilled in green energy jobs won’t just appear from nowhere. Projects are already facing delays in the EU and the US from labor shortages. Biden’s omnibus Inflation Reduction Act included incentives for partnering with apprentice programs and other funding that could be used to train maintenance workers, and installers for clean energy projects. But millions of workers will be needed, and in short order.

2. Carbon capture. The IPCC estimates that between 350 and 1200 gigatons of CO2 will need to be captured and stored this century. No one really knows yet what the technologies needed to achieve that will look like, but they will likely involve a lot of new workers. Climate research firm Rhodium Group estimated that each gigaton captured could translate to 1.5 million construction and 500,000 operation jobs.

3. Chat (and other) bots for hire. Any predictions about the future workplace should be taken with a large pinch of AI and robotics. The BLS just issued a report that shows dozens of occupations employing hundreds of thousands of Americans are likely to shrink in the years ahead. Top of the list are clerks and supervisors, but there are plenty of manufacturing and production roles at risk, too, that could affect the green energy roll-out.

[allthebrazilianpolitics]

Hydrogen could spark a new economic cycle for Brazil and benefit ports, experts say

Investments in green hydrogen could represent a new economic cycle for Brazil, according to experts interviewed by A Tribuna. Land and maritime transport are included in this context.

Rosana Santos, Director of the Instituto E+ Transição Energética, states that the possibility arises from the abundance of high-quality renewable resources available in the country, coupled with the high demand for low-carbon emission products.

The National Policy on Low-Carbon Hydrogen, also known as the Green Hydrogen Framework, signed into law by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) earlier this month, aligns with this proposal.

“There is efficiency in the process, and this hydrogen comes at a naturally lower cost compared to our international competitors,” Rosana explains.

Continue reading.

[formulatrash]

never in my LIFE have I opened up the newsletter composer faster than when faced with Cara Delevingne's industrial runoff face mist

buckle up for a read about skincare, steel production, green hydrogen and industrial process influencing

[africanhydrogenpartnership]

Time to Switch to Alternative Fuel Sources: The Hydrogen Energy Saga!

If you hadn’t noticed the climate’s crazy behaviour before this year, then you certainly must have noticed it now. The heatwave, like the recent one, is relatively rare. With the scorching temperatures, stepping outside is almost like stepping into a burning furnace. The biggest factor responsible for causing such extreme conditions is the growing usage of fossil fuels that leads to an increment in the atmosphere's internal temperature.

Therefore, it is now more important for organizations and individuals to shift to alternative fuels like hydrogen. Hydrogen is a source of exceptional renewable energy as it leaves no harmful residue and has only water as its by-product. Continue reading to learn about the green hydrogen production process and its unwavering benefits to human life.

Green Hydrogen Production Process

The core principle behind the production of green hydrogen is as simple as it can get. One simply has to split water into its constituent parts, hydrogen and oxygen. It is merely the process involved in splitting water that constitutes hydrogen being green. Certainly not in colour, but rather the process behind the curtains.

A simple electrolysis process powered by renewable sources like solar or wind energy contributes to producing green hydrogen. Otherwise, a thermochemical method involving the heat concentrated from renewable sources also does the trick.

How does switching to hydrogen as a renewable energy source benefit us?

The best thing about hydrogen fuel cells and hydrogen renewable energy is that they have absolutely no harmful by-products or residue. Unlike fossil fuels that release carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, green hydrogen produces only water vapour. No toxic gases and residue in the atmosphere means stable internal temperature and no extreme change in climatic conditions.

Moreover, access to cleaner air is like a dream for most of us. The best step forward in that direction is to use hydrogen as an alternative fuel.

Challenges in the journey

The biggest challenge in incorporating hydrogen as a general fuel source is the integration process. The large-scale production and integration of Hydrogen fuel relies on the availability of renewable energy sources. It usually requires larger physical space than traditional fuel cells, which is why dedicated organizations are putting efforts into making the integration more feasible. Doing so would lead to a significant reduction in storage and transportation worries.

Additionally, people, along with the leading hydrogen energy associations in the world, have to get out of their comfort zones and take stricter measures to ensure that we have a sustainable future for our coming generation.

For more information, visit https://ahp.africa/ now.

Original source: https://bit.ly/4aYBmHv

[tinyreviews]

Rabbit Hole: Fiber and Health

The difference between soluble and insoluble fiber

Soluble and insoluble fibers are both essential components of a healthy diet, particularly for gut health, but they differ in their properties and how they function in the digestive system.

Soluble Fiber:

Dissolves in water to form a gel-like substance.

Fermentable by gut bacteria.

Benefits for Gut Health:

Feeds Gut Bacteria: Acts as a prebiotic, promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut.

Regulates Blood Sugar: Slows down digestion, leading to a more gradual release of glucose into the bloodstream.

Lowers Cholesterol: Binds with bile acids, helping to lower blood cholesterol levels.

Improves Digestion: Softens stool, making it easier to pass and helping to prevent constipation.

Insoluble Fiber:

Does not dissolve in water.

Adds bulk to stool.

Benefits for Gut Health:

Promotes Regularity: Adds bulk to stool and helps it pass more quickly through the intestines, reducing the risk of constipation.

Prevents Diverticulitis: Helps prevent small pouches from forming in the colon, which can become inflamed or infected.

Supports Weight Management: Adds bulk to the diet without adding calories, which can help with feeling full and reducing overall food intake.

What are good common sources of fiber?

Soluble Fiber: Oats, barley, nuts, seeds (e.g., chia seeds, flaxseeds), beans and legumes (e.g., lentils, chickpeas), fruits (e.g., apples, oranges, pears), vegetables (e.g., carrots, Brussels sprouts).

Insoluble Fiber: Whole grains (e.g., whole wheat, brown rice, bulgur), nuts and seeds (e.g., almonds, sunflower seeds), vegetables (e.g., cauliflower, green beans, potatoes with skin), fruits (e.g., apples with skin, berries, bananas), bran (e.g., wheat bran, corn bran).

Do gut bacteria break down fiber to produce beneficial compounds like vitamins? What other beneficial compounds do they produce?

Vitamins

Vitamin K: Certain gut bacteria synthesize vitamin K, which is essential for blood clotting and bone health.

B Vitamins: Some gut bacteria produce B vitamins, such as biotin (B7), folate (B9), and riboflavin (B2), which are crucial for energy metabolism and overall cellular function.

Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs)

Acetate, Propionate, and Butyrate: These SCFAs are produced when gut bacteria ferment soluble fiber. They have numerous health benefits:

Butyrate: Acts as a primary energy source for colon cells, helps maintain the integrity of the gut barrier, and has anti-inflammatory properties.

Propionate: Metabolized in the liver and can help regulate glucose production.

Acetate: Used in various metabolic processes and can influence fat storage and appetite regulation.

Other Beneficial Compounds

Gases: Such as hydrogen, methane, and carbon dioxide, which are normal byproducts of fermentation and usually harmless.

Phenolic Compounds: Fermentation of polyphenols (a type of antioxidant found in fruits and vegetables) by gut bacteria can produce bioactive phenolic compounds with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Conjugated Linoleic Acids (CLAs): Produced from the fermentation of certain fats, CLAs have been shown to have anti-carcinogenic and anti-inflammatory effects.

Health Benefits

Improved Gut Health: SCFAs, particularly butyrate, nourish the cells lining the colon, reducing the risk of gastrointestinal disorders.

Enhanced Immune Function: A healthy gut microbiome can help modulate immune responses, reducing inflammation and protecting against infections.

Metabolic Health: The production of SCFAs can influence metabolic health, helping regulate blood sugar levels and reducing the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Mental Health: There is emerging evidence that SCFAs and other metabolites produced by gut bacteria can influence brain function and mood, potentially impacting conditions like anxiety and depression.

Specific benefits of SCFAs

Digestive Health

Nourishment of Colonocytes: Butyrate serves as the primary energy source for colonocytes (cells lining the colon), promoting a healthy gut lining and reducing the risk of gastrointestinal disorders.

Gut Barrier Function: SCFAs enhance the integrity of the gut barrier, preventing the leakage of harmful substances from the gut into the bloodstream, which can lead to systemic inflammation.

Anti-inflammatory Effects: Butyrate has potent anti-inflammatory properties, helping to reduce inflammation in the gut, which is beneficial for conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Metabolic Health

Blood Sugar Regulation: Propionate can help regulate blood glucose levels by influencing gluconeogenesis (the production of glucose) in the liver.

Lipid Metabolism: Acetate and propionate are involved in lipid metabolism, which can influence cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Appetite Regulation: SCFAs can influence the release of hormones that regulate appetite and satiety, such as peptide YY (PYY) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), potentially aiding in weight management.

Immune Function

Immune Modulation: SCFAs play a role in modulating the immune system by influencing the activity of various immune cells, including T cells and macrophages, which helps maintain immune balance and reduce chronic inflammation.

Anti-carcinogenic Properties: Butyrate has been shown to induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) in cancerous cells in the colon, reducing the risk of colorectal cancer.

Brain Health and Mental Well-being

Neurotransmitter Production: SCFAs can influence the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin, which is involved in mood regulation.

Blood-brain Barrier Integrity: Butyrate can enhance the integrity of the blood-brain barrier, protecting the brain from harmful substances.

Anti-inflammatory Effects on the Brain: By reducing systemic inflammation, SCFAs can help protect against neuroinflammatory conditions, potentially lowering the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.

General Health Benefits

Reduction of Systemic Inflammation: SCFAs help reduce systemic inflammation, which is linked to numerous chronic diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and obesity.

Bone Health: Propionate may have a role in calcium absorption and bone health, although more research is needed in this area.

The above is the result of my curiosity going down the rabbithole with ChatGPT. I post my rabbithole curiosities to this blog.

[jcmarchi]

Study finds health risks in switching ships from diesel to ammonia fuel

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/study-finds-health-risks-in-switching-ships-from-diesel-to-ammonia-fuel/

Study finds health risks in switching ships from diesel to ammonia fuel

As container ships the size of city blocks cross the oceans to deliver cargo, their huge diesel engines emit large quantities of air pollutants that drive climate change and have human health impacts. It has been estimated that maritime shipping accounts for almost 3 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions and the industry’s negative impacts on air quality cause about 100,000 premature deaths each year.

Decarbonizing shipping to reduce these detrimental effects is a goal of the International Maritime Organization, a U.N. agency that regulates maritime transport. One potential solution is switching the global fleet from fossil fuels to sustainable fuels such as ammonia, which could be nearly carbon-free when considering its production and use.

But in a new study, an interdisciplinary team of researchers from MIT and elsewhere caution that burning ammonia for maritime fuel could worsen air quality further and lead to devastating public health impacts, unless it is adopted alongside strengthened emissions regulations.

Ammonia combustion generates nitrous oxide (N2O), a greenhouse gas that is about 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide. It also emits nitrogen in the form of nitrogen oxides (NO and NO2, referred to as NOx), and unburnt ammonia may slip out, which eventually forms fine particulate matter in the atmosphere. These tiny particles can be inhaled deep into the lungs, causing health problems like heart attacks, strokes, and asthma.

The new study indicates that, under current legislation, switching the global fleet to ammonia fuel could cause up to about 600,000 additional premature deaths each year. However, with stronger regulations and cleaner engine technology, the switch could lead to about 66,000 fewer premature deaths than currently caused by maritime shipping emissions, with far less impact on global warming.

“Not all climate solutions are created equal. There is almost always some price to pay. We have to take a more holistic approach and consider all the costs and benefits of different climate solutions, rather than just their potential to decarbonize,” says Anthony Wong, a postdoc in the MIT Center for Global Change Science and lead author of the study.

His co-authors include Noelle Selin, an MIT professor in the Institute for Data, Systems, and Society and the Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences (EAPS); Sebastian Eastham, a former principal research scientist who is now a senior lecturer at Imperial College London; Christine Mounaïm-Rouselle, a professor at the University of Orléans in France; Yiqi Zhang, a researcher at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology; and Florian Allroggen, a research scientist in the MIT Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics. The research appears this week in Environmental Research Letters.

Greener, cleaner ammonia

Traditionally, ammonia is made by stripping hydrogen from natural gas and then combining it with nitrogen at extremely high temperatures. This process is often associated with a large carbon footprint. The maritime shipping industry is betting on the development of “green ammonia,” which is produced by using renewable energy to make hydrogen via electrolysis and to generate heat.

“In theory, if you are burning green ammonia in a ship engine, the carbon emissions are almost zero,” Wong says.

But even the greenest ammonia generates nitrous oxide (N2O), nitrogen oxides (NOx) when combusted, and some of the ammonia may slip out, unburnt. This nitrous oxide would escape into the atmosphere, where the greenhouse gas would remain for more than 100 years. At the same time, the nitrogen emitted as NOx and ammonia would fall to Earth, damaging fragile ecosystems. As these emissions are digested by bacteria, additional N2O  is produced.

NOx and ammonia also mix with gases in the air to form fine particulate matter. A primary contributor to air pollution, fine particulate matter kills an estimated 4 million people each year.

“Saying that ammonia is a ‘clean’ fuel is a bit of an overstretch. Just because it is carbon-free doesn’t necessarily mean it is clean and good for public health,” Wong says.

A multifaceted model

The researchers wanted to paint the whole picture, capturing the environmental and public health impacts of switching the global fleet to ammonia fuel. To do so, they designed scenarios to measure how pollutant impacts change under certain technology and policy assumptions.

From a technological point of view, they considered two ship engines. The first burns pure ammonia, which generates higher levels of unburnt ammonia but emits fewer nitrogen oxides. The second engine technology involves mixing ammonia with hydrogen to improve combustion and optimize the performance of a catalytic converter, which controls both nitrogen oxides and unburnt ammonia pollution.

They also considered three policy scenarios: current regulations, which only limit NOx emissions in some parts of the world; a scenario that adds ammonia emission limits over North America and Western Europe; and a scenario that adds global limits on ammonia and NOx emissions.

The researchers used a ship track model to calculate how pollutant emissions change under each scenario and then fed the results into an air quality model. The air quality model calculates the impact of ship emissions on particulate matter and ozone pollution. Finally, they estimated the effects on global public health.

One of the biggest challenges came from a lack of real-world data, since no ammonia-powered ships are yet sailing the seas. Instead, the researchers relied on experimental ammonia combustion data from collaborators to build their model.

“We had to come up with some clever ways to make that data useful and informative to both the technology and regulatory situations,” he says.

A range of outcomes

In the end, they found that with no new regulations and ship engines that burn pure ammonia, switching the entire fleet would cause 681,000 additional premature deaths each year.

“While a scenario with no new regulations is not very realistic, it serves as a good warning of how dangerous ammonia emissions could be. And unlike NOx, ammonia emissions from shipping are currently unregulated,” Wong says.

However, even without new regulations, using cleaner engine technology would cut the number of premature deaths down to about 80,000, which is about 20,000 fewer than are currently attributed to maritime shipping emissions. With stronger global regulations and cleaner engine technology, the number of people killed by air pollution from shipping could be reduced by about 66,000.

“The results of this study show the importance of developing policies alongside new technologies,” Selin says. “There is a potential for ammonia in shipping to be beneficial for both climate and air quality, but that requires that regulations be designed to address the entire range of potential impacts, including both climate and air quality.”

Ammonia’s air quality impacts would not be felt uniformly across the globe, and addressing them fully would require coordinated strategies across very different contexts. Most premature deaths would occur in East Asia, since air quality regulations are less stringent in this region. Higher levels of existing air pollution cause the formation of more particulate matter from ammonia emissions. In addition, shipping volume over East Asia is far greater than elsewhere on Earth, compounding these negative effects.

In the future, the researchers want to continue refining their analysis. They hope to use these findings as a starting point to urge the marine industry to share engine data they can use to better evaluate air quality and climate impacts. They also hope to inform policymakers about the importance and urgency of updating shipping emission regulations.

This research was funded by the MIT Climate and Sustainability Consortium.

[globalgreening]

Global Greening Flagship Projects for Desalination, Energy Storage and Hydrogen Production

As many people know the integration of solar, water and wind energy is essential for sustainable living, production and working future. Everyone should consider how these solutions can be tailored to fit various contexts and address specific regional challenges – especially efficient and intelligent energy consumption and energy storage. By adapting technologies and strategies to meet local needs, we can maximize the impact and sustainability of renewable energy initiatives. Global Greening Deserts project developer have been developing world-leading concepts and projects for many years. Agrovoltaik, Energy Storage Park, Greenhouse Ship, Greening Camps and RecyclingShip are some of the flagship projects. Urban Greening Camps are another outstanding large-scale developments, especially for megacities and regions that need better, faster and more efficient greening or re-greening. Solar cities with more water storage capacity through sponge city concepts, brighter and greener spaces, modular and mobile greening, more biodiversity and diverse green spaces with healthy soils that reduce heat, emissions and disaster risks.

Rural Development: Enhancing Livelihoods and Sustainability

Solar Water Pumping for Agriculture: In rural areas, access to reliable water sources can significantly impact agricultural productivity. Solar-powered water pumps can provide a cost-effective and sustainable solution for irrigation, enabling farmers to grow more crops and improve their livelihoods.

Community Water Projects: Developing community-managed water projects that use solar energy for purification and distribution can ensure access to clean water in remote areas. These projects can reduce waterborne diseases and improve overall health and wellbeing.

Renewable Energy Cooperatives: Establishing cooperatives where community members collectively invest in and manage solar energy systems can promote local ownership and sustainability. These cooperatives can generate income, reduce energy costs, and empower communities to take charge of their energy needs.

Urban Renewal: Transforming Cities into Green Hubs

Solar Rooftop Programs: Encouraging the installation of solar panels on rooftops of residential, commercial, and public buildings can transform cities into green energy hubs. Incentive programs, such as subsidies and tax credits, can motivate property owners to adopt solar energy.

Integrated Water Management: Urban areas can benefit from integrated water management systems that use solar energy to power water treatment, recycling, and desalination processes. These systems can enhance water security and support sustainable urban growth.

Green Infrastructure: Incorporating green infrastructure elements like green roofs, solar-powered street lighting, and water recycling systems into urban planning can reduce the environmental footprint of cities. These features can also improve air quality, reduce urban heat islands, and enhance the quality of life for residents.

Disaster Resilience: Enhancing Preparedness and Recovery

Portable Solar Solutions: In disaster-prone areas, portable solar power systems can provide critical energy for emergency response and recovery efforts. These systems can power communication devices, medical equipment, and temporary shelters, ensuring that affected communities have the resources they need.

Water Purification in Emergencies: Solar-powered water purification units can be deployed quickly in disaster areas to provide clean drinking water. These units can reduce the risk of waterborne diseases and support the health of affected populations.

Resilient Infrastructure: Building resilient infrastructure that integrates solar and water energy systems can enhance the ability of communities to withstand and recover from natural disasters. This includes designing buildings and facilities that can operate independently of the main grid and ensure continuous access to essential services.

Strategies for Scaling Up: Replication and Adaptation

To maximize the impact of solar and water energy integration, it’s crucial to develop strategies for scaling up successful projects. This involves replicating proven models, adapting them to different contexts, and ensuring that they are sustainable in the long term.

Replication Frameworks: Developing frameworks that outline the key components and best practices of successful projects can facilitate replication in other regions. These frameworks can include technical specifications, implementation guidelines, and lessons learned.

Adaptation to Local Conditions: Adapting projects to local environmental, cultural, and economic conditions is essential for their success. This may involve customizing technology, engaging with local stakeholders, and addressing specific challenges unique to the area.

Sustainability Planning: Ensuring the long-term sustainability of projects requires comprehensive planning, including maintenance, funding, and capacity building. Establishing local management structures and securing ongoing support can help projects remain viable and effective over time.

The integration of solar, water and wind energy offers a transformative pathway towards a sustainable future. By harnessing the power of these renewable resources, we can address critical challenges related to energy access, water scarcity, and environmental degradation. The efforts of Suns Water and similar initiatives are vital in driving this transformation.

As we project developers continue to explore and implement renewable energy solutions, it is critical to foster collaboration, innovation and community engagement. By working together, we can create a world where clean energy and safe water are accessible to all, where environmental sustainability is prioritized, and where artistic expression continues to inspire and mobilize change. Suns Water innovative, creative and advocatory style of working brings many good results, hope and inspiration in the developments. The future is bright, and with the collective effort of individuals, communities, and organizations worldwide, we can achieve a sustainable and resilient planet for generations to come. Together, we can turn the vision of a world powered by solar and water energy into a reality, ensuring a prosperous and harmonious future for all.

Education and Sustainable Development

Empowering young people and future future generations through better education, environmental awareness and commitment to real sustainable goals. One of the most important aspects is promoting a sense of responsibility for the environment and providing the tools and knowledge needed to make a difference - also to ensure that the legacy of sustainable practices continues.

Educational Programs and Curricula

School Partnerships: Partnering with schools to integrate renewable energy and water management topics into their curricula can inspire students from a young age. Interactive lessons, field trips to solar and water energy sites, and hands-on projects can make learning about sustainability engaging and impactful.

University Collaborations: Collaborating with universities to offer courses, research opportunities, and internships focused on renewable energy and water management can prepare students for careers in these fields. Universities can also serve as testing grounds for innovative technologies and approaches.

Online Learning Platforms: Developing online courses and resources that cover various aspects of solar and water energy can reach a global audience. These platforms can provide accessible education for people of all ages, from students to professionals looking to expand their knowledge.

Community Engagement and Awareness Campaigns

Workshops and Seminars: Hosting workshops and seminars on topics related to renewable energy and water management can raise awareness and provide practical knowledge to community members. These events can be tailored to different audiences, from homeowners to local business owners.

Public Awareness Campaigns: Running public awareness campaigns that highlight the benefits and importance of solar and water energy can foster community support. Using various media, such as social media, local newspapers, and community radio, can help reach a wide audience.

Community Events: Organizing community events such as clean energy fairs, art festivals, and sustainability expos can engage the public in a fun and educational way. These events can showcase local projects, provide demonstrations, and offer opportunities for community members to get involved.

Engagement and Leadership

Mentorship Programs: Creating mentorship programs that connect students and young professionals with experienced leaders in the fields of renewable energy and water management can provide valuable guidance and support. These programs can help young people navigate their career paths and develop their skills.

Innovation Challenges and Competitions: Hosting innovation challenges and competitions that encourage young people to develop creative solutions for renewable energy and water issues can stimulate interest and innovation. These events can offer prizes, scholarships, and opportunities for further development of winning ideas.

Technology and Innovation: The Next Frontier

The field of renewable energy is constantly evolving, with new technologies and innovations emerging that have the potential to revolutionize the way we generate and use energy. Staying at the forefront of these developments is crucial for maximizing the impact of solar and water energy integration.

Advanced Solar Technologies

Perovskite Solar Cells: Perovskite solar cells are a promising technology that offers higher efficiency and lower production costs compared to traditional silicon solar cells. Research and development in this area are rapidly advancing, with potential for widespread adoption in the near future.

Bifacial Solar Panels: Bifacial solar panels can capture sunlight from both sides, increasing their efficiency. These panels can be particularly effective in areas with high levels of reflected light, such as snowy or desert regions.

Solar Windows and Building-Integrated Photovoltaics: Solar windows and building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) allow for the integration of solar energy generation into the design of buildings. These technologies can turn entire structures into energy producers without compromising aesthetics.

Innovative Water and Wind Technologies

Advanced Water Recycling: Technologies that enhance water recycling processes, such as membrane bioreactors and advanced oxidation processes, can make wastewater treatment more efficient and effective. These systems can be powered by solar energy to further reduce their environmental impact.

Atmospheric Water Generators: Atmospheric water generators (AWGs) extract water from humid air, providing a source of clean drinking water. Solar-powered AWGs can offer a sustainable solution for water-scarce regions.

Solar Thermal Desalination: Solar thermal desalination uses solar heat to evaporate and condense water, separating it from salts and impurities. This method can be more energy-efficient and sustainable compared to traditional desalination processes.

Rethinking traditional wind power generation and further developing Vertical Axis Wind Turbines, which are much more efficient, environmentally friendly and aesthetically pleasing. Some of the best systems are also part of Greening Camps concepts and Energy Storage Parks. Even the flagship projects like the Greenhouse Ship and the Recycling Ship can be powered by VAWTs and produce a lot of hydrogen. The concept papers were published many months ago.

Integrating Artificial Intelligence and IoT

Smart Energy Management Systems: Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies into energy management systems can optimize the use and distribution of solar energy. These systems can predict energy demand, monitor performance, and automate adjustments to improve efficiency.

Water Resource Monitoring: IoT sensors and AI can be used to monitor water resources in real time, providing data on water quality, usage, and availability. This information can be used to manage water resources more effectively and respond to issues promptly.

Predictive Maintenance: AI can predict maintenance needs for solar and water energy systems, reducing downtime and extending the lifespan of equipment. This proactive approach can save costs and improve the reliability of renewable energy systems.

Social Equity and Inclusion

Ensuring Access for All: Efforts must be made to ensure that renewable energy and clean water are accessible to all, regardless of socioeconomic status. This includes implementing policies and programs that support underserved and marginalized communities.

Community-Led Development: Empowering communities to lead their own renewable energy projects can promote social equity and inclusion. Providing resources, training, and support can help communities develop solutions that meet their specific needs and priorities.

Addressing Environmental Justice: Ensuring that the benefits of renewable energy and water projects are equitably distributed is crucial. This involves addressing environmental justice issues.

Long-Term Sustainability and Resilience

Climate Resilience: Developing renewable energy and water systems that can withstand and adapt to the impacts of climate change is essential for long-term sustainability. This includes designing infrastructure that is resilient to extreme weather events and changing environmental conditions.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Aligning renewable energy and water projects with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can provide a comprehensive framework for achieving sustainability. These goals address a wide range of social, economic, and environmental issues.

Global Collaboration: International collaboration and knowledge sharing are critical for addressing global challenges. By working together, countries and organizations can leverage their strengths, share best practices, and develop coordinated strategies for sustainable development.

Super Visions and Visionary Transformation: The Path Forward

As we move forward, let us continue to explore new frontiers, push the boundaries of what is possible, and work together to build a brighter, greener future for generations to come. The vision of a world powered by solar and water energy is within our reach, and with dedication, creativity, and collaboration, we can turn this vision into reality. Together, we can create a sustainable and resilient planet where all life can thrive. Suns Water is the original project or working title for the organization and future company SunsWater™.

The creator of this outstanding project believes in the good forces or powers of humanity, real nature, natural technologies, solar, water and wind energy. That's why he also found many great ideas, developed awesome concepts and projects. The founder and some real scientists believe that most of the water on planet Earth comes or came from the sun. There is a lot of research on how much space water was created in the early days of the formation of the solar system. Most of the water on planet Earth does not come from external sources such as asteroids or meteoroids. Planetary and solar researchers can confirm it. We scientific researchers hope that more people will discuss and exchange about such studies and theories.

The initiator of the Sun's Water Theory has spent many years researching and studying the sun, planets and moons in relation to water and ice. Large data sets and historical archives, internet databases and much more data have been analyzed to determine the actual reality. Mathematical and physical logic can prove that most of the water comes from the sun. Another great discovery made by the founder of the Suns Water project is a solid form of hydrogen, he calls it "Sun Granulate".

The journey towards a sustainable future powered by solar, water and wind energy is both challenging and inspiring. It requires a collective effort from individuals, communities, organizations, and governments worldwide. By embracing innovation, fostering collaboration, and prioritizing education and equity, we can create a world where clean energy and safe water are accessible to all. Through its projects, partnerships, and community initiatives, SunsWater can inspire a global shift towards sustainable practices and technologies.

The concepts and specific ideas are protected by international laws. The information in this article, contents and specific details are protected by national, international and European rights as well as by artists' rights, article, copyright and title protection. The artworks and project content are the intellectual property of the author and founder of the Global Greening and Trillion Trees Initiative. Any constructive and helpful feedback is welcome, as is any active and genuine support.

[solarpunkbusiness]

Recycling energy landscapes

Considering the thousands of square kilometres that we have carved, scraped and bulldozed to produce the energy we crave, it is past time we started figuring out how we can recycle energy landscapes and make them useful for new purposes.

In our over-crowded world, we can no longer justify exploiting our landscapes for the energy we need and then simply walking away.

We need to embrace a circular economy for our energy landscapes of the past and prepare to recycle the landscapes of the future.

Lignite pits in Germany have been converted to recreational lakes. A derelict, coal-burning power plant in London has been transformed into an exhibition, condominiums and retail space.

In Nova Scotia, a 14 MW wind farm was developed at the site of the province’s coal-fired Lingan power station, and newly proposed green hydrogen production facilities are to be built on the land of stalled liquefied natural gas projects.

Recycling in a clean energy transition will not only have great value in energy landscapes, but also in new clean energy technologies themselves. While we are already slowing the rise of climate change-fuelling emissions, we can go further if we advance the practice of recycling EV batteries and solar panels.

But we can’t stop there. We must also prepare to recycle the landscapes these technologies create.