Ali Adil

Bio: Ali Adil is an academic researcher from University of Texas at Arlington. The author has contributed to research in topics: Renewable energy & Energy policy. The author has an hindex of 3, co-authored 3 publications receiving 200 citations. Previous affiliations of Ali Adil include National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

Socio-technical evolution of Decentralized Energy Systems: A critical review and implications for urban planning and policy

Abstract: The growth of Decentralized Energy Systems (DES) signals a new frontier in urban energy planning and design of local energy systems. As affordability of renewable energy technologies (RET) increases, cities and urban regions become the venues, not only for energy consumption but also for generation and distribution, which calls for systemic and paradigmatic change in local energy infrastructure. The decentralizing transitions of urban energy systems, particularly solar photovoltaic and thermal technologies, require a comprehensive assessment of their sociotechnical co-evolution – how technologies and social responses evolve together and how their co-evolution affects urban planning and energy policies. So far, urban planning literature has mainly focused on the impact of physical urban forms on efficiency of energy consumption, overlooking how the dynamics of new energy technologies and associated social responses affect local systems of energy infrastructure, the built environments and their residents. This paper provides an interdisciplinary review on the co-evolving technical and social dynamics of DES focusing on Distributed Generation (DG), MicroGrids (MG), and Smart MicroGrids (SMG), in order to draw insights for their integration in urban planning and policy, in particular reference to climate change mitigation and adaptation planning.

How can visits from international plastic surgery teams cater for the demands and needs of partners in low and middle income settings?

Abstract: Many surgical teams from high income countries visit hospitals and clinics in lower income settings. The vast majority of papers written on Global Surgery are concerned with clinical care and 80% are written exclusively by authors from a high income country (HIC). 1 Grant CL Robinson T Al Hinai A Mack C Guilfoyle R Saleh A Ethical considerations on global surgery: a scoping review. BMJ Glob Health. 2020; 5e002319 Crossref PubMed Scopus (19) Google Scholar We have focused on the educational, cultural and economic impact of hosting a visiting team, by asking our long term collaborators abroad about their experiences.

Outcome of Buried Versus Exposed Kirchner Wires in Terms of Infection in Fractures of Phalanges and Metacarpal Bones of Hand

Abstract: Introduction and objective The fracture of hand bones is very common among manual hand workers and a fractured hand imparts a great effect on a person’s productivity both socioeconomically and from a body image point of view. The most common method of hand fractures fixation is with the help of Kirschner wires. Kirchner wires can be inserted in exposed or in buried manner. There are a few studies that provide a comparative analysis of rate of infection between these two techniques. This study aimed to assess the rate of infection in buried versus exposed Kirschner (K)-wires for hand fractures. Material and method The study was designed as a randomized controlled trial with consecutive non-random sampling. It was conducted in the Department of Plastic Surgery, Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, and lasted from June to December 2019. Blinding was not possible as both the operating surgeon and patient were aware of the procedure being done; however, the assessor was blinded and was not aware which group got which treatment. Total 122 patients with fractures of metacarpals and phalanges of hand were included in the study and were divided into two groups with 61 patients in each. Group A was treated with buried K-wires and group B with exposed K-wires. The patients were followed for one month for the outcomes in terms of infection in the patients. Results Group A had 24 females (39.3%) and 37 males (60.7%). Group B had 16 females (26.2%) and 45 males (73.8%). In group A, nine (14.8%) patients had ages between 10 and 20 years, 18 (29.5%) patients between 21 and 30 years, 14 (23.0%) patients between 31 and 40 years, 11 (18.0%) patients between 41 and 50 years, and nine (14.8%) were between 51 and 60 years. The mean duration of surgery was 35.16 minutes for group A and 27.30 minutes for group B. Based on modified Oppenheim scoring system for pin site infection, out of 61 patients, seven (11.5%) with buried K-wires while 14 (23%) with exposed K-wires developed pin site infection. Conclusion Rate of infection is low in buried K-wires as compared to exposed K-wires though not statistically significant (p>0.05) for the fractures of metacarpals and phalangeal fractures of hand.

World energy outlook

Abstract: This chapter discusses leading problems linked to energy that the world is now confronting and to propose some ideas concerning possible solutions. Oil deserves special attention among all energy sources. Since the beginning of 1981, it has merely been continuing and enhancing the downward movement in consumption and prices caused by excessive rises, especially for light crudes such as those from Africa, and the slowing down of worldwide economic growth. Densely-populated oil-producing countries need to produce to live, to pay for their food and their equipment. If the economic growth of the industrialized countries were to be 4%, even if investment in the rational use of energy were pushed to the limit and the development of nonpetroleum energy sources were also pursued actively, it would be extremely difficult to prevent a sharp rise in prices. It is evident that it is absolutely necessary to pursue actively the development of coal, natural gas, and nuclear power if a physical shortage of energy is not to block economic growth.

A blockchain-based smart grid: towards sustainable local energy markets

Abstract: The increasing amount of renewable energy sources in the energy system calls for new market approaches to price and distribute the volatile and decentralized generation. Local energy markets, on which consumers and prosumers can trade locally produced renewable generation directly within their community, balance generation and consumption locally in a decentralized approach. We present a comprehensive concept, market design and simulation of a local energy market between 100 residential households. Our approach is based on a distributed information and communication technology, i.e. a private blockchain, which underlines the decentralized nature of local energy markets. Thus, we provide energy prosumers and consumers with a decentralized market platform for trading local energy generation without the need of a central intermediary. Furthermore, we present a preliminary economic evaluation of the market mechanism and a research agenda for the technological evaluation of blockchain technology as the local energy market’s main information and communication technology.

City-integrated renewable energy for urban sustainability

Abstract: To prepare for an urban influx of 2.5 billion people by 2050, it is critical to create cities that are low-carbon, resilient, and livable. Cities not only contribute to global climate change by emitting the majority of anthropogenic greenhouse gases but also are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change and extreme weather. We explore options for establishing sustainable energy systems by reducing energy consumption, particularly in the buildings and transportation sectors, and providing robust, decentralized, and renewable energy sources. Through technical advancements in power density, city-integrated renewable energy will be better suited to satisfy the high-energy demands of growing urban areas. Several economic, technical, behavioral, and political challenges need to be overcome for innovation to improve urban sustainability.

Socio-technical evolution of Decentralized Energy Systems: A critical review and implications for urban planning and policy

Abstract: The growth of Decentralized Energy Systems (DES) signals a new frontier in urban energy planning and design of local energy systems. As affordability of renewable energy technologies (RET) increases, cities and urban regions become the venues, not only for energy consumption but also for generation and distribution, which calls for systemic and paradigmatic change in local energy infrastructure. The decentralizing transitions of urban energy systems, particularly solar photovoltaic and thermal technologies, require a comprehensive assessment of their sociotechnical co-evolution – how technologies and social responses evolve together and how their co-evolution affects urban planning and energy policies. So far, urban planning literature has mainly focused on the impact of physical urban forms on efficiency of energy consumption, overlooking how the dynamics of new energy technologies and associated social responses affect local systems of energy infrastructure, the built environments and their residents. This paper provides an interdisciplinary review on the co-evolving technical and social dynamics of DES focusing on Distributed Generation (DG), MicroGrids (MG), and Smart MicroGrids (SMG), in order to draw insights for their integration in urban planning and policy, in particular reference to climate change mitigation and adaptation planning.