System-level effects of increased energy efficiency in global low-carbon scenarios: A model comparison

Supporting investments in energy efficiency is considered a robust strategy to achieve a successful transition to low-carbon energy systems in line with the Paris Agreement. Increased energy efficiency levels are expected to reduce the need for supply-side investments in controversial technologies, such as carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS...

Heart of light an assessment of enhanced electricity access in Africa

A large part of the population in many African countries lacks access to electricity, in contrast to the ambition of reaching universal energy access as expressed in the Sustainable Development Goals. Off-grid electricity technologies have been proposed as an important means to solve this challenge. It is uncertain, however, at what rate these...

Energy system developments and investments in the decisive decade for the Paris Agreement goals

The Paris Agreement does not only stipulate to limit the global average temperature increase to well below 2 ◦C, it also calls for ‘making finance flows consistent with a pathway towards low greenhouse gas emissions’. Consequently, there is an urgent need to understand the implications of climate targets for energy systems and quantify the...

Ranking of human risk assessment models for manufactured nanomaterials along the Cooper stage-gate innovation funnel using stakeholder criteria

The current work describes the interaction with various stakeholder groups to establish consensus on stage-gate specific criteria that human risk assessment (HRA) models for manufactured nanomaterials (MN) need to comply with. During the decisive steps in the innovation process, which can be described in a simplified way as stage-gates, it is...

When the Background Matters Using Scenarios from Integrated Assessment Models in Prospective Life Cycle Assessment

The effect of floating deck structures on underwater radiated noise

A concept for underwater machinery noise mitigation of future civil and military ships is the application of a common deck structure, supporting multiple machines, which is installed on resilient mounts on the ship's foundation structure. TNO is addressing the availability and testing of tools to be able to set realistic targets for the radiated...

The validity and applicability of using a generic exposure assessment model for occupational exposure to nano-objects and their aggregates and agglomerates

Background: Control banding can be used as a first-tier assessment to control worker exposure to nano-objects and their aggregates and agglomerates (NOAA). In a second tier, more advanced modelling approaches are needed to produce quantitative exposure estimates. As currently no general quantitative nano-specific exposure models are available,...

Modelling of accidental releases from a high pressure CO2 pipelines

In the near future large quantities of CO2 will be transported over a large distance from Carbon dioxide Capture plants to onshore and off-shore underground Storage (CCS) sites. The risk assessments for the existing CO2 pipelines show distances to harmful threshold concentrations from 1 to 7.2 km. Such large differences in safety distances are...

Concentrations of undeclared allergens in food products can reach levels that are relevant for public health

Food products can become contaminated with food allergens due to cross-contact. Precautionary 'may contain' labelling may alert to the possible presence of an allergen, but guidance for such labelling is lacking. As a result, allergy information on the packaging may not be reliable and allergic consumers might be at risk of allergic reactions...