Open Access Journals at Aalborg University
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Is This the End? Lifetime of Electrical and Electronic Equipment
Full text linkThe rapid advancement of technology, coupled with global digitalisation and the growing demand for innovative consumer electronics, has led to a dramatic increase in the production and consumption of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). This trend has raised significant concerns regarding the sustainability of EEE usage, particularly in terms of their obsolescence, disposal, and environmental impact. Addressing these concerns, this study surveyed 600 undergraduate students, who reported on 14 different types of EEE, to explore the reasons for obsolescence (RQ1), the most common methods of managing obsolete devices based on their types (RQ2), and students’ awareness of alternative waste management methods (RQ3). Results were reported using frequencies and percentages. Findings reveal that obsolescence is mainly driven by “broken beyond repair,” “worn-out technology,” “outdated technology,” and “lack of required functions,” indicating that absolute and technical obsolescence are the primary factors. The most common way of dealing with obsolete devices is to “keep it” across all device types, with “throwing away” emerging as another frequent method for electrical devices. More than half of the students are aware of accessible alternatives, such as “online sales” and “charity donations,” though irregular or infrequent options tend to have lower awareness levels. This study highlights the behavioural trends and gaps in awareness among students regarding EEE obsolescence and disposal, emphasising the importance of promoting sustainable practices and raising awareness about accessible waste management alternatives. 
Heating Sector Strategies in Climate-Neutral Societies
Full text linkThis paper investigates how the heating sector can best support the green transition into climate-neutral societies. In order to do so, the heating sector must be considered and analysed as an integral part of the entire energy system as well as be coordinated with other greenhouse gas emitting sectors. Consequently, in this study with Denmark as a case, we establish the context of a full transition of all sectors into a climate-neutral society. Using such context, we investigate the role of the heating sector with a focus on excess heat potentials, energy savings vs. supply, district heating vs. individual heating as well as the ability to recycle low-temperature excess heat and to provide flexibility and support the integration of variable renewable energy sources also in other subsectors of the energy system. The results of the analyses show (1) a feasible reduction level of around 36% in end-use heat demand in buildings, with higher potential in older buildings and lower in new buildings, (2) expanding district heating to areas with a density of 15-10 kWh/m2 is feasible, resulting in a district heating share of 63-70% of the heat demand compared to the current level of 51%, (3) a large unexploited potential to use heat sources such as industrial excess heat, geothermal heat, data centres and power-to-X, reducing the need for biomass in the heating sector, and (4) increased use of variable renewable energy and combined heat and power production increasing gas export and thus replacing biomass consumption outside the country
High-Quality Geodata Is Crucial for Shaping the Land Use Puzzle of a Green Future in Denmark
No full textMed aftalen om Grønt Danmark er det fra politisk side besluttet, at der skal ske en markant omlægning af arealerne i Danmark. 15% af landbrugsarealerne skal omdannes til vådområder eller skov, men præcist hvilke arealer, denne omlægning skal ske på, er endnu ikke fastlagt. Vi står overfor en stor og kompleks opgave i forhold til udpegning af omlægningsarealer, og i den forbindelse har KL igangsat et projekt med fokus på, hvordan geodata og GIS-kort kan bruges til at få den store arealkabale til at gå op.With the agreement on Green Denmark, a political decision has been made to significantly restructure Denmark's land use. Fifteen percent of agricultural land is to be converted into wetlands or forests, but exactly which areas will undergo this transformation has yet to be determined. We face a large and complex task in identifying the areas for conversion, and in this context, KL (Local Government Denmark) has launched a project focusing on how geodata and GIS mapping can be used to solve this extensive land-use puzzle
LCOE at risk in different locations in Colombia
Full text linkThe development of renewable energy (RE) projects is closely tied to the financial attractiveness of these investments. Despite the extensive literature, most studies focus on a static analysis, which is no longer adequate for dealing properly with the uncertainty associated with RE projects. This study proposes a stochastic model based on the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) and the application of VaR (value at risk) and CvaR (conditional value at risk) measures for risk assessment. Using a hypothetical case consisting of a solar farm with a rated capacity of 10 MWp, the analysis was conducted for nine Colombian municipalities. The irradiation levels at each site were considered the sole source of uncertainty. In addition, the Colombian regulatory framework was considered, represented by accounting and tax benefits. The results obtained from this work made it possible to evaluate the effect of resource behavior on the financial risk level of PV projects. The results provide a ranking of the nine assessed municipalities from a financial point of view and highlight the influence of considering solar resources as a risk factor on the project´s financial expected performance
A Spatiotemporal analysis of photovoltaic electricity storage potential in electric vehicles
Full text linkDecarbonizing mobility and integrating more renewable sources in electricity production are necessary levers to meet the climate targets. Coupling electric vehicle (EV) charging with photovoltaic (PV) electricity generation could help to provide clean electricity for charging EVs and provide flexibility storage to PV installations. The batteries of the vehicles can then be discharged into the grid to support the electricity supply during periods of high demand. This study uses a GIS-based methodology to analyse the mobility needs of the European population and estimates the charging needs of an electrified vehicle fleet. Charging scenarios are then applied to distribute the charging needs between home, work, and point of interest to quantify the charging demand both in space by hectare and in time by hour. The charging load curves are then compared to a typical PV production to estimate the amount of PV electricity that can be stored locally in the EVs. Considering two charging scenarios (comfort and flexible charging) the spatio-temporal methodology was applied to three cities with varying solar irradiance and mobility patterns: Aalborg (Denmark), Bern (Switzerland), and Palermo (Italy). Results show that 10% of the building footprint covered with PV can cover from 53% (in Alborg) to 61% (in Bern) of the charging need over a year. EVs and PV electricity together can reduce the CO2 emission related to private cars of 17 to 28% by 2035 compared to the current fuel-based vehicle fleet
An infinite spectrum of colours 1: Teaching gender issues through Prisma
Full text linkThis article presents the research underpinning the video essay An Infinite Spectrum of Colours: Teaching Gender Issues through Prisma (also included in this special issue) and aims to explore the value of serial dramas as tools for discussing gender issues and enhancing media literacy in high school students.
Through interviews with industry professionals, textual analysis and analysis of promotional materials, this work explores Prisma (2022-2024), an Italian coming-of-age series co-produced by Amazon Prime Video and Cross Productions. Prisma builds on the “SKAM methodology,” which includes in-depth research, youth interviews, and consultant advice to engage viewers with authentic narratives around gender, identity, inclusivity, and disability. Its thoughtful and educational approach to gender-related topics makes it a valuable case study. In particular, the article focuses on the “coming out” theme, examining it through three lenses: a) narrative techniques that challenge stereotypes by subverting the viewers’ expectations; b) media literacy, comparing coming out scenes from other series; and c) gender insights, exploring how this theme resonates with non-binary and fluid identities
Measuring Physical Garment Durability: An assessment of 47 T-shirts
Full text linkDesigning for durability, both physical and emotional, has been identified as non-negotiable in the battle against overconsumption, underutilization and the devasting effects of climate change. There is currently no consistent method of measuring physical garment durability or the ability to compare garments on the market. This study presents a reproducible and novel method for measuring and ranking the physical durability of 47 t-shirts. Multiple durability factors were used to modulate the ranking whereas previous studies have only reported on single factors to evaluate durability. The benchmarking results reveal that price cannot be used as an indicator of durability and that fabric composition does influence the physical durability of a t-shirt. The garments in this study were donated by the signatories of the Waste Resource Action Programme’s (WRAP) Textile 2030 initiative as part of their strategy to reduce the environmental impact of UK fashion. 
Collaboration towards the design of sustainable and circular value chains: Reviewing the state-of-the-art in literature and practice
Full text linkThe transition to a circular economy (CE) is essential for extending product lifespans and maximizing resource use, contributing to resource efficiency and sustainability. Circular solutions demand extensive collaboration across the value chain, encompassing suppliers, distributors, and consumers. Based on a review of literature and existing frameworks for the design of circular value propositions, this study investigates key factors enabling collaboration within circular value chains and evaluates the extent to which existing frameworks address value chain collaboration. Nine key factors for collaborative circular value chains were identified: sustainability leadership, value mapping, shared vision building, trust-building, collaborative governance, collaborative processes, ecosystem perspectives and orchestration, and monitoring and evaluation. The analysis of 38 frameworks showed strong focus on value chain collaboration, but the ecosystem perspective and links to digitalisation and data sharing were underrepresented. The research highlights the role of collaborative governance and ecosystem orchestration in addressing challenges such as stakeholder engagement, data management, and balancing competitive and collaborative interests. Future research should focus on developing tools and frameworks that emphasize the intersection of sustainability, circularity, value chain collaboration, and digitalisation and data management. Comprehensive approaches are needed to help manufacturers develop capabilities for sustainable circular ecosystems, aligning roles and incentives between partners, facilitating collaboration and co-creation, and enhancing data sharing and management. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the factors necessary for sustainable collaborative circular value chains, providing a foundation for further research and practical guidance for industry. 
