| 1. |
- Petersson, Jesper, 1974
(författare)
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Blurring the shoreline: De- and re-infrastructuring and the changing colors of European flood policy
- 2021
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Ingår i: Environment and Planning E: Nature and Space. - : SAGE Publications. - 2514-8494 .- 2514-8494 .- 2514-8486. ; 4:2, s. 623-644
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper provides a genealogy of the emergence of a common EU flood policy, including the scope and direction of this policy. Noticing how EU policy proposes green infrastructure (associated with using nature as a buffer zone in managing floods) as an alternative to grey infrastructure (implying fixed installations of concrete and cement), this paper adopts the theoretical lens of the so-called infrastructural turn, which advocates a relational investigation of infrastructure. By engaging this approach, the paper shows how flood infrastructure can contain very different compositions of (unruly) water and (settled) land. A narrative of a historically strong focus on guarding society from the powerful forces of nature through a fixed line of defense is increasingly giving way to more muddy states—quite literally—where society is expected to learn to live with flooding and show ecological consideration. To capture the EU’s, and especially the European Commission’s efforts to establish a pan-European flood infrastructure that accommodates this turn, the concepts of de- and re-infrastructuring are developed. These concepts act as heuristic devices to capture how policy performs some combinations between water and land as constituting an attractive and functional flood infrastructure, but constitutes other infrastructural relations of the aquatic and the terrestrial as undesirable and, hence, as malfunctioning. This performative act of distinguishing between what constitutes “good and proper” versus “bad and undesirable” infrastructure is referred to as a politics of infrastructure.
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| 2. |
- Thomas, Jean-Baptiste, et al.
(författare)
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A comparative environmental life cycle assessment of hatchery, cultivation, and preservation of the kelp Saccharina latissima
- 2021
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Ingår i: Ices Journal of Marine Science. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1054-3139 .- 1095-9289. ; 78:1, s. 451-467
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Seaweed cultivation and processing industries could contribute to sustainable blue growth and the European bioeconomy. This article contributes a case study evaluation of environmental sustainability of preserved brown seaweed Saccharina latissima by means of environmental life cycle assessment of a pilot facility in Sweden. The study accounts for nutrient bioremediation and carbon capture and includes two alternative hatchery processes, a 2-ha longline cultivation, and four alternative preservation methods (hang-drying outdoors, heated air-cabinet drying, ensiling, and freezing). The study found that as a result of carbon capture and nitrogen and phosphorus uptake (bioremediation) by seaweed, more CO2 and PO4 equivalents are (temporarily) absorbed than emitted by the supply chain. The extent of emissions is most affected by preservation methods undertaken. Impact profiles of the supply chain show that the greatest impact shares result from freezing and air-cabinet drying, both the two most energy-intensive processes, followed by the cultivation infrastructure, highlighting strategic optimization opportunities. Hatchery processes, harvesting, and the low-energy ensilage and hang-drying outdoors were found to have relatively small impact shares. These findings presage the environmentally friendliness of seaweed-based products by documenting their potential to mitigate eutrophication and climate change, even when taking a life cycle perspective.
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| 3. |
- Englund, Oskar, 1982, et al.
(författare)
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Large-scale deployment of grass in crop rotations as a multifunctional climate mitigation strategy
- 2023
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Ingår i: GCB Bioenergy. - : Wiley. - 1757-1707 .- 1757-1693. ; 15:2, s. 166-184
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The agriculture sector can contribute to climate change mitigation by reducing its own greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, sequestering carbon in vegetation and soils, and providing biomass to substitute for fossil fuels and other GHG-intensive products. The sector also needs to address water, soil, and biodiversity impacts caused by historic and current practices. Emerging EU policies create incentives for cultivation of perennial plants that provide biomass along with environmental benefits. One such option, common in northern Europe, is to include grass in rotations with annual crops to provide biomass while remediating soil organic carbon (SOC) losses and other environmental impacts. Here, we apply a spatially explicit model on >81,000 sub-watersheds in EU27 + UK (Europe) to explore the effects of widespread deployment of such systems. Based on current accumulated SOC losses in individual sub-watersheds, the model identifies and quantifies suitable areas for increased grass cultivation and corresponding biomass- and protein supply, SOC sequestration, and reductions in nitrogen emissions to water as well as wind and water erosion. The model also provides information about possible flood mitigation. The results indicate a substantial climate mitigation potential, with combined annual GHG savings from soil-carbon sequestration and displacement of natural gas with biogas from grass-based biorefineries, equivalent to 13%–48% of current GHG emissions from agriculture in Europe. The environmental co-benefits are also notable, in some cases exceeding the estimated mitigation needs. Yield increases for annual crops in modified rotations mitigate the displacement effect of increasing grass cultivation. If the grass is used as feedstock in lieu of annual crops, the displacement effect can even be negative, that is, a reduced need for annual crop production elsewhere. Incentivizing widespread deployment will require supportive policy measures as well as new uses of grass biomass, for example, as feedstock for green biorefineries producing protein concentrate, biofuels, and other bio-based products.
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| 4. |
- Shahroozi, Zahra, 1992-
(författare)
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Survivability control using data-driven approaches and reliability analysis for wave energy converters
- 2024
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Wave energy, with five times the energy density of wind and ten times the power density of solar, offers a compelling carbon-free electricity solution. Despite its advantages, ongoing debates surround the reliability and economic feasibility of wave energy converters (WECs). To address these challenges, this doctoral thesis is divided into four integral parts, focusing on optimizing the prediction horizon for power maximization, analyzing extreme waves' impact on system dynamics, ensuring reliability, and enhancing survivability in WECs.Part I emphasizes the critical importance of the prediction horizon for maximal power absorption in wave energy conversion. Using generic body shapes and modes, it explores the effect of dissipative losses, noise, filtering, amplitude constraints, and real-world wave parameters on the prediction horizon. Findings suggest achieving optimal power output may be possible with a relatively short prediction horizon, challenging traditional assumptions.Part II shifts focus to WEC system dynamics, analyzing extreme load scenarios. Based on a 1:30 scaled wave tank experiment, it establishes a robust experimental foundation, extending into numerical assessment of the WEC. Results underscore the importance of damping to alleviate peak forces. Investigating various wave representations highlights conservative characteristics of irregular waves, crucial for WEC design in extreme sea conditions.Part III explores the computational intricacies of environmental design load cases and fatigue analyses for critical mechanical components of the WEC. The analysis is conducted for hourly sea state damage and equivalent two-million-cycle loads. Finally, a comparison of safety factors between the ultimate limit state and fatigue limit state unfolds, illustrating the predominant influence of the ultimate limit state on point-absorber WEC design.Part IV, centers on elevating survivability strategies for WECs in extreme wave conditions. Three distinct controller system approaches leverage neural networks to predict and minimize the line force. Distinct variations emerge in each approach, spanning from rapid detection of optimal damping to integrating advanced neural network architectures into the control system with feedback. The incorporation of a controller system, refined through experimental data, showcases decreases in the line force, providing a practical mechanism for real-time force alleviation.This thesis aims to contribute uniquely to the goal of advancing wave energy conversion technology through extensive exploration.
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| 5. |
- Bjorn, A., et al.
(författare)
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Review of life-cycle based methods for absolute environmental sustainability assessment and their applications
- 2020
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Ingår i: Environmental Research Letters. - : IOP Publishing Ltd. - 1748-9326 .- 1748-9318. ; 15:8
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In many regions and at the planetary scale, human pressures on the environment exceed levels that natural systems can sustain. These pressures are caused by networks of human activities, which often extend across countries and continents due to global trade. This has led to an increasing requirement for methods that enable absolute environmental sustainability assessment (AESA) of anthropogenic systems and which have a basis in life cycle assessment (LCA). Such methods enable the comparison of environmental impacts of products, companies, nations, etc, with an assigned share of environmental carrying capacity for various impact categories. This study is the first systematic review of LCA-based AESA methods and their applications. After developing a framework for LCA-based AESA methods, we identified 45 relevant studies through an initial survey, database searches and citation analysis. We characterized these studies according to their intended application, impact categories, basis of carrying capacity estimates, spatial differentiation of environmental model and principles for assigning carrying capacity. We then characterized all method applications and synthesized their results. Based on this assessment, we present recommendations to practitioners on the selection and use of existing LCA-based AESA methods, as well as ways to perform assessments and communicate results to decision-makers. Furthermore, we identify future research priorities intended to extend coverage of all components of the proposed method framework, improve modeling and increase the applicability of methods. © 2020 The Author(s).
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| 6. |
- Despeisse, Mélanie, 1985, et al.
(författare)
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A systematic review of empirical studies on green manufacturing: eight propositions and a research framework for digitalized sustainable manufacturing
- 2022
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Ingår i: Production and Manufacturing Research. - : Informa UK Limited. - 2169-3277. ; 10:1, s. 727-759
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Manufacturers are facing increasing pressures to adapt their operations to meet sustainability goals. Research and developments on industrial digitalization (aka Industry 4.0) present new opportunities to create and capture value in ever-more complex and connected industrial systems. However, digitalization does not always align with sustainability, and case studies combining these two topics are still scarce. To address these gaps, we adopted a bottom-up approach to (1) identify existing environmental solutions and their implementation challenges by reviewing 208 empirical studies, and (2) formulate eight propositions to guide further work so that digitalization supports environmental improvements more systematically. Finally, a framework for Digitalized Sustainable Manufacturing consisting of four research themes is proposed, pointing to future research needed to align industrial development with sustainable development goals. The propositions and framework aim to structure and focus future research by targeting specifically the challenges encountered when implementing environmental solutions in manufacturing.
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| 7. |
- Petersson, Jesper, 1974, et al.
(författare)
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Defend, Retreat and Attack: Urban Waters and Valuation Practices
- 2022
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Ingår i: Water Alternatives. - : Water Alternatives Association. - 1965-0175. ; 15:1, s. 175-192
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper explores the river landscapes and concomitant values resulting from tensions between flood management and visions of a River City. The aim is to contribute to an understanding of the management of urban waters as valuation practices. We regard valuation practices as co-constitutive of current and future river landscapes. Sweden’s second-largest city, Gothenburg, is located next to the sea, and the Göta River, Sweden’s largest water system, runs through it. Our empirical focus is on how this city approaches increasing risks of flooding. We explore three approaches that have been formulated in relation to flood management: defend, retreat and attack. We ask how these approaches are applied in the management of Göta River flooding and in the city’s vision of a future Gothenburg that embraces the river as a genuinely positive aspect of urban life. We present the case as a journey that takes us upstream from the river’s sea inlet port and through Gothenburg. During our kilometre by kilometre journey, the river’s appearance shifts. The varied river landscape mirrors the diversity in how its waters are valuated, both historically and in present times. The perception of urban waters is shaped by practices of valuation. These valuations are generative. They connect the value of water to other entities, actors, plans, activities and buildings, and they are thus key to the river landscapes that will eventually be realised. By way of conclusion, we identify a number of governance challenges that are particularly relevant to urban rivers.
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| 8. |
- Chen, Xiaoxia, 1983, et al.
(författare)
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Enabling the twin transitions : Digital technologies support environmental sustainability through lean principles
- 2023
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Ingår i: Sustainable Production and Consumption. - : Elsevier B.V.. - 2352-5509. ; 38, s. 13-27
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Manufacturing companies seek innovative approaches to achieve successful Green and Digital transitions, where adopting lean production is one alternative. However, further investigation is required to formulate the strategy with practical inputs and identify what digital technologies could be applied with which lean principles for environmental benefits. Therefore, this study first conducted a case study in three companies to collect practice-based data. A complementary literature review was then carried out, investigating the existing frameworks and complementing practices of digitalized lean implementations and the resulting environmental impact. Consequently, the Internet of Things and related connection-level technologies were identified as the key facilitators in lean implementations, specifically in visualization, communication, and poka-yoke, leading to environmental benefits. Furthermore, a framework of DIgitalization Supports Environmental sustainability through Lean principles (DISEL) was proposed to help manufacturing companies identify the opportunities of digitalizing lean principles for Environmental sustainability, thus enabling the twin transitions and being resilient. © 2023 The Authors
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| 9. |
- Liu, Yu, et al.
(författare)
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Linking Simulation-Based LCA to Manufacturing Decision Support : An Iron Foundry Case Study
- 2022
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Ingår i: Advances in Manufacturing Technology XXXV. - : IOS Press. - 9781643683300 - 9781643683317 - 9781614994398 ; , s. 325-333
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- In recent years, an increasing number of legislations have mandated environmental impact evaluations of products from a life cycle perspective. This study applies a discrete-event simulation-based life cycle assessment to study the environmental consequences that respond to system configuration changes in production processes. The proposed method allows capturing the dynamic links in production processes, which is lacking in conventional static LCA modelling. This approach is demonstrated via a real-world case study of a Swedish foundry production line, where its environmental impacts’ hotspots are identified. These environmental consequences are further analyzed to link to the respective production decision domains for providing suggestions on potential improvements. This study demonstrates the value of combining DES and LCA for revealing the hidden environmental consequences of production processes that are difficult to uncover with traditional LCA studies. Moreover, the strengths and difficulties of the proposed method are also discussed.
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| 10. |
- Lee, Christina, 1992
(författare)
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A Life Cycle Approach to Environmental Sustainability in Aggregate Production Systems
- 2024
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Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Rock materials, such as sand, gravel, and crushed rock, serve as the foundation of our society. Known collectively as aggregates, these materials are essential for building foundations, concrete, and roads, making them the second most extracted material globally after water. Since these materials are often extracted directly from nature, responsible production is crucial to ensure long-term environmental sustainability. Meeting sustainability objectives requires comprehensive environmental reporting to fulfil Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) demands. In response to this need, Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) have gained prominence in the construction sector. However, EPDs, based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), do not fully capture all relevant environmental aspects for aggregate extraction and production facilities, often referred to as quarries. This highlights the need for a holistic perspective when it comes to environmental management. EPDs can also cause challenges for producers who may face resource constraints, data collection difficulties, and limitations in environmental knowledge during the process of producing an EPD. Moreover, regarding EPDs solely as communication tools overlooks a value creation opportunity to identify environmental improvements in production systems. Therefore, integrating LCA with production simulations can enhance environmental management, necessitating the development of tools that simplify and support producers in this endeavour. This thesis proposes a tool structure based on the development work of an industry-specific EPD software tool, and explores its integration into environmental management practices for quarries, with the aim of improving environmental performance. By identifying potential industry-specific environmental impacts, the thesis highlights knowledge gaps and delineates the limitations of LCA tools when combined with production simulations aiming towards a more holistic perspective of environmental performance. Additionally, it offers recommendations for best practices in combining LCA tools into quarry environmental management to overcome limitations, and identifies key areas where industry improvements can be achieved.
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