Energy, Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment, Agronomy and Crop Science, Fuel Technology
21
Scopus Publications
Scopus Publications
Geological Storage of CO2 and H2: A Bibliometric Synthesis of General and Laboratory-Scale Research Evolution Sara Roces, Jhon Caicedo‐Potosí, Timea Kovács, Berta Ordóñez‐Casado, Sergio Llana‐Fúnez, Edgar Berrezueta Greenhouse Gases Science and Technology, 2026 Underground gas storage is a cornerstone technology for addressing climate change and advancing the clean energy transition. By managing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing energy system resilience, it supports global sustainability goals. This study presents a comparative bibliometric analysis and review of geological CO 2 and H 2 storage research based on publications indexed in Scopus till December 31, 2024. For CO 2 storage, 21,996 publications were identified, including 8447 focused on laboratory‐scale experiments (38.4%), with sandstones being the most studied lithology. Key topics include monitoring (1.25%), enhanced oil recovery (1.24%) and injection (0.99%), whereas key parameters that govern CO 2 –rock–fluid interactions are porosity, permeability, adsorption–desorption and density. H 2 storage research, comprising 4229 publications, 1541 of which are related to laboratory‐scale experiments (36.43%), has exhibited exponential growth since 2020. Major areas of focus include CO 2 ‐related studies (1.8%), wettability (1.29%) and cushion gas (0.97%); and key parameters are porosity and permeability, together with geomechanical and microbial parameters. Across all laboratory‐scale studies, pH measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), computed tomography (CT), x‐ray diffraction (XRD) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) are the most frequently applied techniques to characterize fluid–rock interactions. A total of 546 papers address combined laboratory studies on CO 2 and H 2 storage. The co‐occurrence analysis of keywords within these studies highlights emerging thematic interconnections and research synergies between both storage technologies. Results of both research domains underscore the critical role of experimental methodologies in advancing understanding of reservoir behaviour and storage capacity. These findings highlight the need for interdisciplinary innovation and international collaboration to overcome technical challenges and accelerate the deployment of geological gas storage applications.
Analysis of Decentralized Energy Systems in Rural Communities: A Focus on Accessibility and Sustainability Gricelda Herrera-Franco, Eduardo Alarcón-Rodríguez, Lady Bravo-Montero, Jhon Caicedo-Potosí, Edgar Berrezueta Challenges in Sustainability, 2025 [EN] Limited access to energy in rural areas undermines the quality of life and hinders the short-term economic growth in a community. It is therefore essential to identify the evolution of technological tools, the social factors, and the current development in the forms of energy commercialization. Using a bibliometric approach and systematic review, this study aimed to conduct case studies in rural communities that implemented decentralized and sustainable energy systems. The methodology involved: i) A bibliometric analysis under the mapping of co-occurrence by keywords and trend topics using scientific databases like Scopus and Web of Science (WoS); ii) The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) method; and iii) A systematic review using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). A total of 259 articles from rural communities were analyzed from year 1979 to 2024 to prove that biomass, prevailing throughout history, is the most feasible source of energy generated during implementation; the analysis also provided a better understanding of its utilization mechanisms. Bioenergy accounted for 36% of the scientific contribution, primarily out of its widespread availability and the diversity of methods for harnessing energy from this resource. The energy transition of the last two decades was reflected in renewable energy sources (29%), energy mix (18%), and solar energy (9%), relegating conventional energy to only 2%. This study discovered that the research areas of hydropower and wind energy were influenced by the feasibility and social acceptability of their respective projects. Meanwhile, the use of blockchain, exerting an impact on the traceability of decentralized energy trading, advocated a proposal for change in current markets to strengthen the sustainability of projects, streamline processes, and back up information. To sum up, this study examined the utilization and implementation of renewable energy in decentralized energy projects, thereby contributing to energy autonomy and optimized resource utilization.
Energy Efficiency Assessment: A Path to Sustainability in Housing, Santa Elena Canton, Ecuador Aminullah, Sri Rahayu Lestari, Fatchur Rohman, Dwi Listyorini, Mimien Henie Irawati Al-Muhdhar International Journal of Sustainable Development and Planning, 2025 Energy efficiency helps mitigate climate change, while energy efficiency assessment promotes sustainability in the building sector.Santa Elena, a province of Ecuador, is a region facing climate challenges due to high temperatures and scarce energy resources.Therefore, energy efficiency assessment is a crucial factor in promoting conservation strategies aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).The objective of this research is to evaluate the energy efficiency of homes in the Santa Elena province of Ecuador through energy modelling, considering energy consumption and material types to propose sustainability measures.This study adopted a three-phase approach: the first phase consisted of establishing a baseline through surveys of homes in the area; the second phase evaluated housing types based on their materials, aligning with international standards, using Open Studio energy modelling software.The third phase involved a technical comparison of energy consumption and thermal comfort to propose sustainability strategies that focus on reducing carbon dioxide emissions (CO2).Based on the results obtained, the most common housing types in Santa Elena were evaluated: brick (52.74%), concrete (13.58%), and bamboo (12.27%).When modelling these housing types without HVAC systems, an annual energy consumption of 1639 kWh was obtained for the brick and concrete home and 1556 kWh for the bamboo.However, with the implementation of HVAC systems, particularly in brick and concrete homes with thermal conductivities of 1.13 W/m and 0.72 W/m , respectively, consumption rose to 5392.09 kWh for the brick home and 5686.56 kWh for the concrete home.These results prove that materials with greater thermal insulation capacity contribute to energy conservation strategies in homes.In conclusion, this research highlights the significance of evaluating energy efficiency in various housing types to promote sustainable strategies that prioritise the use of natural resources, efficient thermal insulation, and reduced energy consumption and CO2 emissions.It is worth noting that this line of research aligns with the SDGs (7, 11, and 13), promoting education and culture to ensure a sustainable future for generations.
Artificial intelligence applications in hydrological studies and ecological restoration of watersheds: A systematic review Fernando Morante-Carballo, Mirka Arcentales-Rosado, Jhon Caicedo-Potosí, Paúl Carrión-Mero Watershed Ecology and the Environment, 2025 Water resources management is fundamental to the sustainability of river basins. Water quality is affected by pollution caused by human activities. In this context, the restoration of degraded watersheds helps soil recovery, sustainable water management, reforestation, biodiversity conservation and mitigation of human impacts. Artificial intelligence (AI) innovates data management and analysis processes by optimising decision-making and data analysis in hydrological studies and ecological restoration. This research aims to analyse scientific information related to the integration of AI in studies on hydrogeology and ecological restoration of watersheds by analysing scientific databases for knowledge of the intellectual structure, lines and trends of research. The methodology includes three phases: i) search criteria and data processing (Scopus-Web of Science); ii) analysis of the intellectual and conceptual structure; and iii) application of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) method. The results indicate that there is a total of 171 records, with a 4.49% growth in scientific production in the last four years, focusing on artificial neural networks (10.53%), artificial intelligence (3.51%), genetic algorithms (1.17%) and machine learning (1.17%). This increase is due to the climatic variation generated in recent years, driven by anthropogenic pressures, especially in the agricultural sector due to the high demand for fertiliser and pesticide pollution. This problem has prompted the search for more far-reaching environmental management technologies, making it a potential niche for study. China (72.51%) and the United States (25.73%) are the most outstanding contributors to production in this area. On the other hand, there is less research in this area in developing countries such as South Africa (2.92%), Colombia (1.17%), and Argentina (0.58%), among others. This analysis identifies opportunities and challenges in applying AI for water resource optimisation and water quality prediction, providing an innovative conceptual framework for sustainable watershed management.
Impact of the construction of sports centres in urban areas, La Libertad-Ecuador Gricelda Herrera Franco, Diego Saltos Ventura, Jhon Caicedo Potosí, Paúl Carrión Mero, José Tumbaco Quinde Proceedings of the Laccei International Multi Conference for Engineering Education and Technology, 2025 The construction of sports centres in urban areas represents a key strategy to improve the quality of life of the population, encouraging the practice of sports and promoting socio-economic development. This study analyses the feasibility and impact of the implementation of a sports centre in San Vicente, canton La Libertad, Ecuador. Through a methodology structured in three phases: preliminary research, environmental assessment and urban impact analysis, local needs, existing demand and development opportunities were identified. The results indicate that 78% of respondents practice some sport, with a high preference for football, volleyball and basketball. However, access to adequate sports infrastructure is limited, highlighting the importance of new facilities. In addition, the market study reveals a significant deficit between the supply and demand of sports facilities, highlighting the feasibility of the project. From an economic, social and environmental perspective, the construction of a sports centre would contribute to the revitalisation of local commerce, the generation of employment and the reduction of sedentary lifestyles. However, the study also considers the associated challenges, such as maintenance costs, sustainability and adverse effects on the surrounding community.
Manglaralto River-Aquifer System Geosite (Ecuador): Cartography for Water Sustainability Gricelda Herrera-Franco, Lady Bravo-Montero, Jhon Caicedo-Potosí, Edgar Berrezueta, Paúl Carrión-Mero International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium IGARSS, 2025 Sites of geological interest (geosites) provide spaces for recreation, connection with nature, inspiration, geo-education and ecosystem services. In Santa Elena province, Ecuador, the Manglaralto Coastal Aquifer Geosite stands out for its educational, scientific (geological) and touristic relevance. In addition, this geosite has provided an invaluable ecosystem service by supplying water to a rural community for more than a decade. This work aims to map the Manglaralto coastal aquifer geosite using geographic information systems (GIS) tools for water management and local community empowerment. The results reflect the interaction between the watershed, surface-groundwater sources and the socio-economic activities of the community. The coastal geosite aquifer provides drinking water to 4234 direct users, 38,212 people, and a significant floating population. The analysis identified impacts on the geosite and degradation risks, highlighting the need to implement sustainable strategies for its conservation. The aquifer is also essential as a vital source of water and a key element for the community's sustainable development and environmental resilience
Laboratory Studies on Underground H2 Storage: Bibliometric Analysis and Review of Current Knowledge Edgar Berrezueta, Timea Kovács, Gricelda Herrera-Franco, Jhon Caicedo-Potosí, María Jaya-Montalvo, Berta Ordóñez-Casado, Paúl Carrión-Mero, Júlio Carneiro Applied Sciences Switzerland, 2024 The global demand for energy and the need to mitigate climate change require a shift from traditional fossil fuels to sustainable and renewable energy alternatives. Hydrogen is recognized as a significant component for achieving a carbon-neutral economy. This comprehensive review examines the underground hydrogen storage and, particularly, laboratory-scale studies related to rock–hydrogen interaction, exploring current knowledge. Using bibliometric analysis of data from the Scopus and Web of Science databases, this study reveals an exponential increase in scientific publications post-2015, which accounts for approximately 85.26% of total research output in this field and the relevance of laboratory experiments to understand the physicochemical interactions of hydrogen with geological formations. Processes in underground hydrogen storage are controlled by a set of multi-scale parameters, including solid properties (permeability, porosity, composition, and geomechanical properties) and fluid properties (liquid and gas density, viscosity, etc.), together with fluid–fluid and solid–fluid interactions (controlled by solubility, wettability, chemical reactions, etc.). Laboratory experiments aim to characterize these parameters and their evolution, simulating real-world storage conditions to enhance the reliability and applicability of findings. The review emphasizes the need to expand research efforts globally to comprehensively address the currently existing issues and knowledge gaps.
Experimental geochemical assessment of a seal-reservoir system exposed to supercritical CO2: A case study from the Ebro Basin, Spain Berta Ordóñez, José Mediato, Timea Kovacs, Javier Martínez-Martínez, Paula Fernández-Canteli, Luis González-Menéndez, Sara Roces, Jhon Caicedo-Potosí, Begoña del Moral, Edgar Berrezueta International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, 2024 This paper studies the effects of exposure to CO2-rich brine on sandstones and marls considered potential deep storage reservoir and seal in the Ebro Basin, Spain. The experiment was conducted in a reactor under conditions of deep saline formations (pressure 8 MPa, temperature 313 K, exposure time 30 days, and CO2-supersaturated seawater ≈0.80 Mol). Both exposed and non-exposed samples were characterised by means of Optical Microscopy, Scanning Electronic Microscopy, X-ray Diffraction and Digital Image Analysis. Furthermore, powdered samples were analysed chemically trough X-ray Fluorescence, and brine samples were subjected to chemical analysis. The petrographic study of adjacent sandstone samples before and after the exposure to CO2-rich brine indicates an increase in porosity (≈3 %). These changes in pore structure are the result of mineral dissolution (e.g., siliceous cement) and intergranular matrix detachment and its partial removal from the rock sample, representing the initial effects induced by the CO2-rich brine. The chemical analysis of the brine reveals an increase in Ca2+ and SiO2 composition (29 % and 6670 %, respectively). After marl exposure, the brine also exhibited increased Ca2+and SiO2 content (95 % and 11,250 %, respectively), indicating the prevalence of dissolution processes. These results suggest that in environments where CO2 enriches the brine the mixture primarily induces localized chemical adjustments in the rocks (evidenced by dissolutions in the brine). The proposed methodology can be adapted for similar experimental batch tests in other storage structures.
