1
|
Fu X, He F, Liu X, Ge B, Zhang D, Chang Q, Gao J, Li X, Huang C, Li Y. Direct solar energy conversion on zinc-air battery. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2318777121. [PMID: 38547057 PMCID: PMC10998616 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2318777121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024] Open
Abstract
A concept of solar energy convertible zinc-air battery (SZAB) is demonstrated through rational design of an electrode coupled with multifunction. The multifunctional electrode is fabricated using nitrogen-substituted graphdiyne (N-GDY) with large π-conjugated carbonous network, which can work as photoresponsive bifunctional electrocatalyst, enabling a sunlight-promoted process through efficient injection of photoelectrons into the conduction band of N-GDY. SZAB enables direct conversion and storage of solar energy during the charging process. Such a battery exhibits a lowered charge voltage under illumination, corresponding to a high energy efficiency of 90.4% and electric energy saving of 30.3%. The battery can display a power conversion efficiency as high as 1.02%. Density functional theory calculations reveal that the photopromoted oxygen evolution reaction kinetics originates from the transition from the alkyne bonds to double bonds caused by the transfer of excited electrons, which changes the position of highest occupied molecular orbital and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital, thus greatly promoting the formation of intermediates to the conversion process. Our findings provide conceptual and experimental confirmation that batteries are charged directly from solar energy without the external solar cells, providing a way to manufacture future energy devices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinlong Fu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), CAS Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100190, China
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
| | - Feng He
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), CAS Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100190, China
| | - Xin Liu
- School of Energy Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin150001, China
| | - Binghui Ge
- Information Materials and Intelligent Sensing Laboratory of Anhui Province, Key Laboratory of Structure and Functional Regulation of Hybrid Materials of Ministry of Education, Institutes of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei230039, China
| | - Deyi Zhang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), CAS Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100190, China
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
| | - Qian Chang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), CAS Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100190, China
| | - Jingchi Gao
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), CAS Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100190, China
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
| | - Xiaodong Li
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), CAS Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100190, China
| | - Changshui Huang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), CAS Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100190, China
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
| | - Yuliang Li
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), CAS Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100190, China
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Cerullo G, Worthington T, Brancalion P, Brandão J, d'Albertas F, Eyres A, Swinfield T, Edwards D, Balmford A. Conflicts and opportunities for commercial tree plantation expansion and biodiversity restoration across Brazil. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2024; 30:e17208. [PMID: 38441414 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.17208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Substantial global restoration commitments are occurring alongside a rapid expansion in land-hungry tropical commodities, including to supply increasing demand for wood products. Future commercial tree plantations may deliver high timber yields, shrinking the footprint of production forestry, but there is an as-yet unquantified risk that plantations may expand into priority restoration areas, with marked environmental costs. Focusing on Brazil-a country of exceptional restoration importance and one of the largest tropical timber producers-we use random forest models and information on the economic, social, and spatial drivers of historic commercial tree plantation expansion to estimate and map the probability of future monoculture tree plantation expansion between 2020 and 2030. We then evaluate potential plantation-restoration conflicts and opportunities at national and biome-scales and under different future production and restoration pathways. Our simulations show that of 2.8 Mha of future plantation expansion (equivalent to plantation expansion 2010-2020), ~78,000 ha (3%) is forecast to occur in the top 1% of restoration priority areas for terrestrial vertebrates, with ~547,500 ha (20%) and ~1,300,000 ha (46%) in the top 10% and 30% of priority areas, respectively. Just ~459,000 ha (16%) of expansion is forecast within low-restoration areas (bottom 30% restoration priorities), and the first 1 Mha of plantation expansion is likely to have disproportionate impacts, with potential restoration-plantation overlap starkest in the Atlantic Forest but prominent in the Pampas and Cerrado as well. Our findings suggest that robust, coherent land-use policies must be deployed to ensure that significant trade-offs between restoration and production objectives are navigated, and that commodity expansion does not undermine the most tractable conservation gains under emerging global restoration agendas. They also highlight the potentially significant role an engaged forestry sector could play in improving biodiversity outcomes in restoration projects in Brazil, and presumably elsewhere.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Pedro Brancalion
- Department of Forest Sciences, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Joyce Brandão
- Department of Geography, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Francisco d'Albertas
- International Institute for Sustainability, Estrada Dona Castorina, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Alison Eyres
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - David Edwards
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Andrew Balmford
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wood Hansen O, van den Bergh J. Environmental problem shifting from climate change mitigation: A mapping review. PNAS NEXUS 2024; 3:pgad448. [PMID: 38205028 PMCID: PMC10776357 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgad448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Climate change mitigation will trigger major changes in human activity, energy systems, and material use, potentially shifting pressure from climate change to other environmental problems. We provide a comprehensive overview of such "environmental problem shifting" (EPS). While there is considerable research on this issue, studies are scattered across research fields and use a wide range of terms with blurred conceptual boundaries, such as trade-off, side effect, and spillover. We identify 506 relevant studies on EPS of which 311 are empirical, 47 are conceptual-theoretical, and 148 are synthetic studies or reviews of a particular mitigation option. A systematic mapping of the empirical studies reveals 128 distinct shifts from 22 categories of mitigation options to 10 environmental impacts. A comparison with the recent IPCC report indicates that EPS literature does not cover all mitigation options. Moreover, some studies systematically overestimate EPS by not accounting for the environmental benefits of reduced climate change. We propose to conceptually clarify the different ways of estimating EPS by distinguishing between gross, net, and relative shifting. Finally, the ubiquity of EPS calls for policy design which ensures climate change mitigation that minimizes unsustainability across multiple environmental dimensions. To achieve this, policymakers can regulate mitigation options-for example, in their choice of technology or location-and implement complementary environmental policies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Oskar Wood Hansen
- Institute of Environmental Science and Technology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, UAB Campus, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Jeroen van den Bergh
- Institute of Environmental Science and Technology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, UAB Campus, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
- ICREA, Pg. Lluís Companys 23, Barcelona 08010, Spain
- School of Business and Economics & Institute for Environmental Studies, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1105, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Tonelli D, Rosa L, Gabrielli P, Caldeira K, Parente A, Contino F. Global land and water limits to electrolytic hydrogen production using wind and solar resources. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5532. [PMID: 37684237 PMCID: PMC10491841 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41107-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Proposals for achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 include scaling-up electrolytic hydrogen production, however, this poses technical, economic, and environmental challenges. One such challenge is for policymakers to ensure a sustainable future for the environment including freshwater and land resources while facilitating low-carbon hydrogen production using renewable wind and solar energy. We establish a country-by-country reference scenario for hydrogen demand in 2050 and compare it with land and water availability. Our analysis highlights countries that will be constrained by domestic natural resources to achieve electrolytic hydrogen self-sufficiency in a net-zero target. Depending on land allocation for the installation of solar panels or wind turbines, less than 50% of hydrogen demand in 2050 could be met through a local production without land or water scarcity. Our findings identify potential importers and exporters of hydrogen or, conversely, exporters or importers of industries that would rely on electrolytic hydrogen. The abundance of land and water resources in Southern and Central-East Africa, West Africa, South America, Canada, and Australia make these countries potential leaders in hydrogen export.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Davide Tonelli
- Institute of Mechanics, Materials and Civil Engineering, UCLouvain, 1348, Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.
- Aero-Thermo-Mechanics Department, ULB, 1050, Brussels, Belgium.
- Department of Global Ecology, Carnegie Institution for Science, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
| | - Lorenzo Rosa
- Department of Global Ecology, Carnegie Institution for Science, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
| | - Paolo Gabrielli
- Department of Global Ecology, Carnegie Institution for Science, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Institute of Energy and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ken Caldeira
- Department of Global Ecology, Carnegie Institution for Science, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Breakthrough Energy, Kirkland, WA, 98033, USA
| | | | - Francesco Contino
- Institute of Mechanics, Materials and Civil Engineering, UCLouvain, 1348, Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Levin MO, Kalies EL, Forester E, Jackson ELA, Levin AH, Markus C, McKenzie PF, Meek JB, Hernandez RR. Solar Energy-driven Land-cover Change Could Alter Landscapes Critical to Animal Movement in the Continental United States. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:11499-11509. [PMID: 37498168 PMCID: PMC10591311 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c00578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
The United States may produce as much as 45% of its electricity using solar energy technology by 2050, which could require more than 40,000 km2 of land to be converted to large-scale solar energy production facilities. Little is known about how such development may impact animal movement. Here, we use five spatially explicit projections of solar energy development through 2050 to assess the extent to which ground-mounted photovoltaic solar energy expansion in the continental United States may impact land-cover and alter areas important for animal movement. Our results suggest that there could be a substantial overlap between solar energy development and land important for animal movement: across projections, 7-17% of total development is expected to occur on land with high value for movement between large protected areas, while 27-33% of total development is expected to occur on land with high value for climate-change-induced migration. We also found substantial variation in the potential overlap of development and land important for movement at the state level. Solar energy development, and the policies that shape it, may align goals for biodiversity and climate change by incorporating the preservation of animal movement as a consideration in the planning process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael O. Levin
- Department
of Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology, Columbia University, New York New York 10027, United States
| | - Elizabeth L. Kalies
- The
Nature Conservancy, North America Regional Office, Durham, North Carolina 27701, United States
| | - Emma Forester
- Department
of Land, Air & Water Resources, University
of California, Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
- Center
for Wild Energy, University of California,
Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | | | - Andrew H. Levin
- University
of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627, United States
| | - Caitlin Markus
- The
Nature Conservancy, North America Regional Office, Durham, North Carolina 27701, United States
| | - Patrick F. McKenzie
- Department
of Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology, Columbia University, New York New York 10027, United States
| | - Jared B. Meek
- Department
of Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology, Columbia University, New York New York 10027, United States
| | - Rebecca R. Hernandez
- Department
of Land, Air & Water Resources, University
of California, Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
- Center
for Wild Energy, University of California,
Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Aziz T. Accounting impacts of renewable energy expansions on ecosystem services to balance the trade-offs. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 879:162990. [PMID: 36963688 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Renewable energy systems and ecosystem services, both vital for human society, are often at odds. The land cover change brought about by renewable energy expansions tends to degrade ecosystem services. An effective approach for appraising the effects of renewable energy expansions on ecosystem services is therefore urgently needed. Faced with recent acute power shortages, Pakistan has embarked on renewable energy expansions to meet its future energy demands. These expansions, in turn, will degrade ecosystems in the country, leading to a further decline in the value of its already dwindling ecosystem services. To quantify this decline, I combine spatially explicit modeling and ecosystem services valuation techniques to monetize the impacts of the potential expansions of three energy systems: solar, wind, and hydro. The results show that 18.35 % of Pakistan's total area is suitable for potential renewable energy expansion, with 14.83 % of that total appropriate for solar, 3.48 % for wind, and 0.04 % for hydropower. The average value of ecosystem services from the areas of impact by potential expansions of solar, wind, and hydropower energy systems are respectively $2026, $2160, and $2824 per hectare per year (in 2020 U.S. dollars). Furthermore, the permanent loss of ecosystem services from the expansions decreases in the order of hydropower > solar > wind. The renewable energy expansions based on the potential energy mix for the year 2030 will cause a total impact of up to $9617 million per year thereafter, with a complete loss of $1259.4 million per year in ecosystem services values. These results can help achieve a finely balanced trade-off between renewable energy expansions and ecosystem services in the country. This novel approach for assessing the environmental footprints of energy expansions can be a trailblazer for countries and regions aiming at transitioning to renewable energy systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tariq Aziz
- Aquanty Inc., 600 Weber St. N., Unit B, Waterloo, ON N2V 1K4, Canada; Ecohydrology Research Group, Water Institute and Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Waterloo, N2L 3G1, ON, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Lin G, Zhao Y, Fu J, Jiang D. Renewable energy in China's abandoned mines. Science 2023; 380:699-700. [PMID: 37200436 DOI: 10.1126/science.adi1496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Gang Lin
- Institute of Geographic Science and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yanan Zhao
- Institute of Geographic Science and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jingying Fu
- Institute of Geographic Science and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Coupling Processes and Effects of Natural Resource Elements, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beijing, China
| | - Dong Jiang
- Institute of Geographic Science and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Coupling Processes and Effects of Natural Resource Elements, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Gorman CE, Torsney A, Gaughran A, McKeon CM, Farrell CA, White C, Donohue I, Stout JC, Buckley YM. Reconciling climate action with the need for biodiversity protection, restoration and rehabilitation. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 857:159316. [PMID: 36228799 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Globally, we are faced with a climate crisis that requires urgent transition to a low-carbon economy. Simultaneously, the biodiversity crisis demands equally urgent action to prevent further species loss and promote restoration and rehabilitation of ecosystems. Climate action itself must prevent further pressures on biodiversity and options for synergistic gains for both climate and biodiversity change mitigation and adaptation need to be explored and implemented. Here, we review the key potential impacts of climate mitigation measures in energy and land-use on biodiversity, including the development of renewable energy such as offshore and onshore wind, solar, and bioenergy. We also assess the potential impacts of climate action driven afforestation and native habitat rehabilitation and restoration. We apply our findings to Ireland as a unique case-study as the government develops a coordinated response to climate and biodiversity change through declaration of a joint climate and biodiversity emergency and inclusion of biodiversity in key climate change legislation and the national Climate Action Plan. However, acknowledgement of these intertwined crises is only a first step; implementation of synergistic solutions requires careful planning. We demonstrate how synergy between climate and biodiversity action can be gained through explicit consideration of the effects of climate change mitigation strategies, such as energy infrastructure development and land-use change, on biodiversity. We identify several potential "win-win" strategies for both climate mitigation and biodiversity conservation. For Ireland, these include increasing offshore wind capacity, rehabilitating natural areas surrounding onshore wind turbines, and limiting the development of solar photovoltaics to the built environment. Ultimately, climate mitigation should be implemented in a "Right Action, Right Place" framework to maximise positive biodiversity benefits. This review provides one of the first examples of how national climate actions can be implemented in a biodiversity-conscious way to initiate discussion about synergistic solutions for both climate and biodiversity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Courtney E Gorman
- School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland.
| | - Andrew Torsney
- School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | | | - Caroline M McKeon
- School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | | | - Cian White
- School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Ian Donohue
- School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Jane C Stout
- School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Yvonne M Buckley
- School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Renewable energy infrastructure impacts biodiversity beyond the area it occupies. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2208815119. [PMID: 36409906 PMCID: PMC9860302 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2208815119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
|
10
|
Reply to Niebuhr et al.: Infrastructure impacts must always be assessed locally. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2214469119. [PMID: 36409891 PMCID: PMC9860269 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2214469119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
|
11
|
Priority areas for conservation alone are not a good proxy for predicting the impact of renewable energy expansion. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2204505119. [PMID: 35878057 PMCID: PMC9388154 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2204505119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
|
12
|
Reply to Pérez-García et al.: Perfect is the enemy of good. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2206500119. [PMID: 35878055 PMCID: PMC9388092 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2206500119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
|