In the search for renewable energy sources, solar energy appears, among others, as a powerful alternative;mainly for those countries located at Earth’s equatorial region. This is the case of a Fresnel device that use...In the search for renewable energy sources, solar energy appears, among others, as a powerful alternative;mainly for those countries located at Earth’s equatorial region. This is the case of a Fresnel device that uses solar radiation to warm-up the air;for instance, within saunas. Authors coined the term sustainable technological innovation to refer to a technological innovation in accordance to the principles of sustainability. The object of this research was comparing the sustainability of a Fresnel Lens Solar Concentration (FLSC) against the sustainability of other twelve alternatives to generate heat. This article assesses the sustainability of fourteen technological options for heat generation and transfer to saunas in the northwest region of Mexico where temperatures often reach above 45 C and where there is a greater potential for exploiting solar energy. Emergy accounting, economic analysis, and global warming potential are the three indicators considered in quantifying sustainability. Results show that infrared ceramic photovoltaic, infrared carbon photovoltaic and infrared metal photovoltaic are the most sustainable systems. The Fresnel device reached the fourth and tenth position, using electricity from photovoltaic and from grid respectively, among all fourteen assessed devices, respectively. Although Fresnel equipment does not release any global warming gases into the atmosphere, or even it demands low amount of non-renewable resources, 1.40 and 4.47 E17 seJF/yr. it requires high economic investment, 20,800 and 79,600 USD/yr, for the implementation and operation phases, which decrease its sustainability performance compared to twelve other evaluated devices.展开更多
One of the biggest challenges for organizations, cities and countries is waste management. Currently, 1.3 million tons of solid wastes are generated in the cities and by 2025 it is estimated that this volume will incr...One of the biggest challenges for organizations, cities and countries is waste management. Currently, 1.3 million tons of solid wastes are generated in the cities and by 2025 it is estimated that this volume will increase up to 2.2 billion tons. Considering this, it is clear that strategies for the reduction of waste generation are needed. In order to achieve this arduous and critic task changes in education, culture and public policy are required and one of the strategies that emerge as one of the most effective is the “zero waste” programs. This paper shows the foundation of a zero waste program based on previous and successful experiences in institutions of higher education. It presents the characterization and quantification of waste, as well as the valorization of it and potential environmental and economic benefits of the implementation of this kind of programs in higher education institutions. Results show that reduction and valorization of waste generation is possible in academic sectors while other outcomes emerge, such as the generation of human capital for the implementation of this kind of programs in different sectors of society and, in that way, contribute in the transition towards sustainable development.展开更多
In the face of the climate change, energy consumption is one of the main issues to be solved. Energy audits are useful tools that may contribute to develop energy efficiency initiatives. The purpose of this paper is t...In the face of the climate change, energy consumption is one of the main issues to be solved. Energy audits are useful tools that may contribute to develop energy efficiency initiatives. The purpose of this paper is to provide insights into how energy audits, with a scope on air conditioning (AC) systems, contribute to develop energy efficiency options for a government building in the city of Hermosillo, Mexico. The methodology is based in the energy audit framework proposed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). Results show that, in a typical day of maximum consumption, AC represents 64% of the total electrical consumption, while office equipment accounted for 22%, and lighting 14%. Additionally, AC system has a yearly consumption of 54,419.40 kWh with an emission estimate of 24.92 tons of CO2-eq/year. Three approaches for energy efficiency proposals were addressed through AC systems: Improvement of the operation and consumption habits, maintenance and reconditioning of facilities, and replacement of AC units. While Mexico has international commitments through environmental treaties related to contribute to climate change mitigation, this study shows that, at least one government building still produces potential impacts that can be deterred by addressing structural and behavioral changes related to AC operation. Finally, this study may be used as reference for energy efficiency practitioners or decision-making authorities in the public administration field for developing better energy policies for government buildings.展开更多
This article presents a study of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) at a slaughterhouse located in north-western Mexico with the purpose of testing the premise of a low degree of institutionalization of Industrial Ecology in...This article presents a study of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) at a slaughterhouse located in north-western Mexico with the purpose of testing the premise of a low degree of institutionalization of Industrial Ecology in Mexico. The article aims at analyzing the current role played by the Mexican academia in increasing the degree of institutionalization of the concept of LCA in northwestern Mexico. There was conducted a life cycle analysis study according to the standards ISO 14040: 2006, NMX-SAA-14040-IMNC-2008NOM in a Federally Inspected Type (TIF by Spanish acronym) Slaughterhouse in the state of Sonora in Northwest Mexico. The slaughter process was characterized by observing the production tasks during several walkthroughs the production lines and by having short interviews with workers, supervisors, and the manager. The CH4 emissions were calculated using the guidelines suggested by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC 2006). The present LCA case study revealed opportunities for improving the environmental performance of the slaughterhouse by taking measures such as the reduction of CH4 from enteric fermentation since methane was one of the main greenhouse gases responsible for climate change. Although, the LCA generated reliable information in terms of climate change or water eutrophication, the chances of implementing sustainable initiatives were unlikely because the benefits to reduce the impacts to climate change or to reduce the water crisis would be unnoticeable and unaffordable for companies. Findings in this study also confirmed the importance of Mexican universities for promoting and conducting more LCA studies among private and public organizations in order to guide firms towards this tool. The case study here presented gives insights to LCA stakeholders in Mexico to implement or improve the effectiveness of their potential LCA initiatives through the identification of strategies, opportunities, and barriers.展开更多
The meat processing industry, due to its high energy consumption, needs to be assessed in an energy usage basis. This paper reports the results and implications of an energy audit in a meat processing industry. In add...The meat processing industry, due to its high energy consumption, needs to be assessed in an energy usage basis. This paper reports the results and implications of an energy audit in a meat processing industry. In addition, this work provides a comprehensive and practical approach to energy saving measures in the assessed company to recognize factors that can determine a possible transition to sustainable patterns of electricity consumption. The paper described the application to energy auditing, developed by AFNOR (2014) for efficient energy management along with ISO 50001 (energy management systems). For a more specific energy auditing the guide described by Dall “O” (2013) was used. In this case, a study of an integrative characterization of the company’s energy consumption is made. The research has been divided in two main sections: the first includes an analysis about the characterization of the energy consumption within a meat processing company in the three sustainable approaches such as economical, societal and mainly environmental implications;second, a proposal for strategic energy management measures focusing on high consumer types of facilities. The results obtained allow the identification of main processes with significant correlations in terms of energy consumption within the company. This data has the potential for energy savings. The data acquisition process prompts the development of practical and accessible energy efficiency measures. In addition, a benchmarking analysis with several tools is performed. Altogether, this work gives guidance on the implementation of energy auditing in industries within its geographical and industrial sector limitations.展开更多
文摘In the search for renewable energy sources, solar energy appears, among others, as a powerful alternative;mainly for those countries located at Earth’s equatorial region. This is the case of a Fresnel device that uses solar radiation to warm-up the air;for instance, within saunas. Authors coined the term sustainable technological innovation to refer to a technological innovation in accordance to the principles of sustainability. The object of this research was comparing the sustainability of a Fresnel Lens Solar Concentration (FLSC) against the sustainability of other twelve alternatives to generate heat. This article assesses the sustainability of fourteen technological options for heat generation and transfer to saunas in the northwest region of Mexico where temperatures often reach above 45 C and where there is a greater potential for exploiting solar energy. Emergy accounting, economic analysis, and global warming potential are the three indicators considered in quantifying sustainability. Results show that infrared ceramic photovoltaic, infrared carbon photovoltaic and infrared metal photovoltaic are the most sustainable systems. The Fresnel device reached the fourth and tenth position, using electricity from photovoltaic and from grid respectively, among all fourteen assessed devices, respectively. Although Fresnel equipment does not release any global warming gases into the atmosphere, or even it demands low amount of non-renewable resources, 1.40 and 4.47 E17 seJF/yr. it requires high economic investment, 20,800 and 79,600 USD/yr, for the implementation and operation phases, which decrease its sustainability performance compared to twelve other evaluated devices.
文摘One of the biggest challenges for organizations, cities and countries is waste management. Currently, 1.3 million tons of solid wastes are generated in the cities and by 2025 it is estimated that this volume will increase up to 2.2 billion tons. Considering this, it is clear that strategies for the reduction of waste generation are needed. In order to achieve this arduous and critic task changes in education, culture and public policy are required and one of the strategies that emerge as one of the most effective is the “zero waste” programs. This paper shows the foundation of a zero waste program based on previous and successful experiences in institutions of higher education. It presents the characterization and quantification of waste, as well as the valorization of it and potential environmental and economic benefits of the implementation of this kind of programs in higher education institutions. Results show that reduction and valorization of waste generation is possible in academic sectors while other outcomes emerge, such as the generation of human capital for the implementation of this kind of programs in different sectors of society and, in that way, contribute in the transition towards sustainable development.
文摘In the face of the climate change, energy consumption is one of the main issues to be solved. Energy audits are useful tools that may contribute to develop energy efficiency initiatives. The purpose of this paper is to provide insights into how energy audits, with a scope on air conditioning (AC) systems, contribute to develop energy efficiency options for a government building in the city of Hermosillo, Mexico. The methodology is based in the energy audit framework proposed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). Results show that, in a typical day of maximum consumption, AC represents 64% of the total electrical consumption, while office equipment accounted for 22%, and lighting 14%. Additionally, AC system has a yearly consumption of 54,419.40 kWh with an emission estimate of 24.92 tons of CO2-eq/year. Three approaches for energy efficiency proposals were addressed through AC systems: Improvement of the operation and consumption habits, maintenance and reconditioning of facilities, and replacement of AC units. While Mexico has international commitments through environmental treaties related to contribute to climate change mitigation, this study shows that, at least one government building still produces potential impacts that can be deterred by addressing structural and behavioral changes related to AC operation. Finally, this study may be used as reference for energy efficiency practitioners or decision-making authorities in the public administration field for developing better energy policies for government buildings.
文摘This article presents a study of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) at a slaughterhouse located in north-western Mexico with the purpose of testing the premise of a low degree of institutionalization of Industrial Ecology in Mexico. The article aims at analyzing the current role played by the Mexican academia in increasing the degree of institutionalization of the concept of LCA in northwestern Mexico. There was conducted a life cycle analysis study according to the standards ISO 14040: 2006, NMX-SAA-14040-IMNC-2008NOM in a Federally Inspected Type (TIF by Spanish acronym) Slaughterhouse in the state of Sonora in Northwest Mexico. The slaughter process was characterized by observing the production tasks during several walkthroughs the production lines and by having short interviews with workers, supervisors, and the manager. The CH4 emissions were calculated using the guidelines suggested by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC 2006). The present LCA case study revealed opportunities for improving the environmental performance of the slaughterhouse by taking measures such as the reduction of CH4 from enteric fermentation since methane was one of the main greenhouse gases responsible for climate change. Although, the LCA generated reliable information in terms of climate change or water eutrophication, the chances of implementing sustainable initiatives were unlikely because the benefits to reduce the impacts to climate change or to reduce the water crisis would be unnoticeable and unaffordable for companies. Findings in this study also confirmed the importance of Mexican universities for promoting and conducting more LCA studies among private and public organizations in order to guide firms towards this tool. The case study here presented gives insights to LCA stakeholders in Mexico to implement or improve the effectiveness of their potential LCA initiatives through the identification of strategies, opportunities, and barriers.
文摘The meat processing industry, due to its high energy consumption, needs to be assessed in an energy usage basis. This paper reports the results and implications of an energy audit in a meat processing industry. In addition, this work provides a comprehensive and practical approach to energy saving measures in the assessed company to recognize factors that can determine a possible transition to sustainable patterns of electricity consumption. The paper described the application to energy auditing, developed by AFNOR (2014) for efficient energy management along with ISO 50001 (energy management systems). For a more specific energy auditing the guide described by Dall “O” (2013) was used. In this case, a study of an integrative characterization of the company’s energy consumption is made. The research has been divided in two main sections: the first includes an analysis about the characterization of the energy consumption within a meat processing company in the three sustainable approaches such as economical, societal and mainly environmental implications;second, a proposal for strategic energy management measures focusing on high consumer types of facilities. The results obtained allow the identification of main processes with significant correlations in terms of energy consumption within the company. This data has the potential for energy savings. The data acquisition process prompts the development of practical and accessible energy efficiency measures. In addition, a benchmarking analysis with several tools is performed. Altogether, this work gives guidance on the implementation of energy auditing in industries within its geographical and industrial sector limitations.
