Title: Picturing China’s photovoltaic energy future: Insights from CMIP6 climate projections

Journal: Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2023.114026

Abstract: Vigorous development of solar photovoltaic energy (PV) is one of the key components to achieve China’s “30•60 Dual-Carbon Target”. In this study, by utilizing the outputs generated by CMIP6 models under different shared socioeconomic pathways (SSPs) and a physical PV model (GSEE), future changes in PV power generation across China are provided for the outlined carbon neutralization period (2051–2070). The results reveal distinct spatiotemporal characteristics in the changes in PV output across China. Overall, compared to the historical period, annual PV power generation is projected to decrease in northern regions and Tibet Plateau with a maximum decrease of ∼4 % under the high emission scenario (SSP585), while southern and central regions exhibit significant increases. Remarkably, under the green development pathway (SSP126), PV power generation is expected to rise by over 10 % in these regions. The magnitude of decrease in the north and increase in the south is projected to become more pronounced with the continuous increase of future carbon emissions. It is anticipated that the three northern regions of China will experience greater decreases in PV power generation in winter compared to other seasons, especially under SSP585. Additionally, the southeast region shows the smallest increase in summer PV generation out of all seasons. Moreover, under SSP126 trajectory, most regions in China exhibit reduced inter-annual and intra-annual variability in PV generation compared to the historical levels. This suggests that pursuing a sustainable path could substantially mitigate potential risks associated with PV generation fluctuations in China.

The following paper about the China’s photovoltaic energy has been recently accepted for publication by Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews.

Guo, J., X. Wang, J. Meng, H. Zheng, Y. Fan, L. Ji, and X. Liang. Picturing China’s photovoltaic energy future: Insights from CMIP6 climate projections. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, accepted on October 25, 2023.

More details will come soon once the paper is published.

Title: Assessing the Potential Impacts of Climate Change on Current Coastal Ecosystems—A Canadian Case Study

Journal: Remote Sensing

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/rs15194742

Abstract: Understanding how climate change affects coastal ecosystems is one of the most important elements in determining vulnerability and resilience for long-term ecosystem management in the face of the increasing risk of coastal hazards (e.g., sea level rise, coastal flooding, and storm surge). This research attempts to undertake a study on the ecosystem–climate nexus in the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island (PEI). Cloud-based remote sensing techniques with Google Earth Engine (GGE) are utilized to identify ecosystem changes over time. In addition, the effects of coastal flooding and storm surge ecosystems under different climate scenarios are examined. The results suggest a reduction in the forest (3%), open water or marsh component (9%), salt water (5%), no open water or marsh component (3%), and salt or brackish marsh (17%) ecosystems from 2013 to 2022. Dune and beach exhibit a non-uniform distribution across the period because of variations in natural processes, with an upward trend ranging from 0% to 11%. Approximately 257 km² (9.4%) of PEI’s ecosystems would be affected by extreme coastal flooding (scenario 4), compared to 142 km² (5.2%), 155 km² (5.7%), and 191 km² (7%) in scenarios 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Under a 4 m storm surge scenario, around 223 km² (8.2%) of PEI’s ecosystems would be flooded, compared to 61 km² (2.2%), 113 km² (4.1%), and 168 km² (6.1%) under 1 m, 2 m, and 3 m scenarios, respectively. The findings from this research would enable policymakers to take necessary actions to sustain ecosystem services in PEI while confronting the impacts of climate change.

The following paper about the mapping of crop evapotranspiration using remote sensing technologies has been recently accepted for publication by Frontiers in Remote Sensing.

Imtiaz, F., A. Farooque, X. Wang, F. Abbas, H. Afzaal, T. Esau, B. Acharya, and Q. Zaman. Mapping Crop Evapotranspiration with High-Resolution Imagery and Meteorological Data: Insights for Sustainable Agriculture in Prince Edward Island. Frontiers in Remote Sensing, accepted on September 29, 2023.

More details will come soon once the paper is published.

The following paper about the potential impacts of climate change on PEI’s ecosystems has been recently accepted for publication by Remote Sensing.

Dau, V. Q., X. Wang, A. Shah, P. Kinay, and S. Basheer. Assessing the Potential Impacts of Climate Change on Current Coastal Ecosystems – A Canadian Case Study. Remote Sensing, accepted on September 25, 2023.

More details will come soon once the paper is published.