Energy is central to both the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the ParisAgreement and a prerequisite to the realization of human rights for billions of people.Yet the nexus between human... Show moreEnergy is central to both the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the ParisAgreement and a prerequisite to the realization of human rights for billions of people.Yet the nexus between human rights, climate change and energy remains underdevelopedin international law and practice. This article considers the potential and limitationsof a ‘human rights approach’ to energy to accelerate progress towards universalaccess to modern energy services while addressing climate change and inequalities. Itconsiders three distinct elements of a human rights approach to energy: a discursiveelement; a mainstreaming element; and a litigation element. In exploring the potentialcontributions of each of these elements to a just energy transition, it demonstrateshow a human rights approach to energy can help to address some of the shortcomingsof the Sustainable Development Goals related to energy and climate. Show less
China’s displacement of Russian economic influence in Central Asia is generating great interest in Western academic and policy circles, but this research has, as yet, yielded few analytical... Show moreChina’s displacement of Russian economic influence in Central Asia is generating great interest in Western academic and policy circles, but this research has, as yet, yielded few analytical nuances. This article attempts to shed light on the under-researched question of what explains Central Asian governments’ failure to more effectively capitalize on the growing Central-Asian rivalry between Russia, China, the United States, Turkey, Iran, South Korea, Japan and other regional powers that, since the early 1990s, have been overwhelmingly directed towards strategic energy considerations and hydrocarbon interests. Show less
The interfacing of biomolecules to nanostructures, electrode surfaces and/or optical components constitutes the new discipline of bioelectronics. It is based on electron transfer between a protein... Show moreThe interfacing of biomolecules to nanostructures, electrode surfaces and/or optical components constitutes the new discipline of bioelectronics. It is based on electron transfer between a protein and an electrode, and can be monitored by amperometric techniques. The integration of biomolecules with electronics has strong potential for applications in a variety of functional devices, ranging from biosensors to solar cells. In this thesis we explore the possibilities of constructing a bio-electronic device for solar energy conversion by surface-assembly of photosynthetic pigment-protein complexes on a gold electrode. Optical excitation of the photosynthetic pigments gives rise to charge separation in the so-called reaction center complex. Energy conversion is completed by subsequent electron transfer to the electrode, generating a light-induced electric current. The data shows that light-harvesting complexes can be immobilized directly on a gold surface and on various SAM surfaces whilst retaining their full optical functionality. All energy transferring reactions still take place and are similar to those observed for the detergent-solubilized proteins. Furthermore it is shown that LH1 complexes exhibit a remarkable photostability, even under ambient conditions. These findings demonstrate the possibility of interfacing a fully functional energy transferring protein complex to a conducting substrate in the presence of oxygen, with the capacity of converting light into electrical energy. Show less
This study analyses the economical and commercial development of Holland in the late Middle Ages, focusing on the fuel market and fuel trade. Energy was of vital importance to this society in which... Show moreThis study analyses the economical and commercial development of Holland in the late Middle Ages, focusing on the fuel market and fuel trade. Energy was of vital importance to this society in which industry, trade and export were expanding rapidly. The brisk commercial and industrial development of Holland between the 13th and 16th centuries coincided with demographic growth and increasing urbanisation. Fuel markets in Holland developed in the 15th and 16th century from local to regional and inter-regional markets. Transaction costs were low, partly as a result of a fairly well-developed justice system and partly because an excellent infrastructure minimised the transport costs of these high volume products. Fuels other than peat were preferred only because of certain technological requirements or superior properties. Fuel markets in 16th century Holland were well integrated due to the import and export processes and a well-developed transport infrastructure. Municipal autonomy in Holland had led to inefficiencies in measuring systems, trade restrictions and tax advantages for certain groups. However by the 16th century many such impediments were reduced or removed. Show less
