https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/1182 2026-04-23T23:27:47Z 2026-04-23T23:27:47Z Dörnyei, Krisztina Rita Uysal-Unalan, Ilke Krauter, Victoria Weinrich, Ramona Incarnato, Loredana Karlovits, Igor Colelli, Giancarlo Chrysochou, Polymeros Camilleri Fenech, Margaret Kvalvåg Pettersen, Marit Arranz, Elena Marcos, Begonya Frigerio, Valeria Apicella, Annalisa Yildirim, Selçuk Poças, Fátima Dekker, Matthijs Johanna, Lahti Coma, Véronique Corredig, Milena https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/145824 2026-04-22T13:25:41Z 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Sustainable food packaging : an updated definition following a holistic approach Authors: Dörnyei, Krisztina Rita; Uysal-Unalan, Ilke; Krauter, Victoria; Weinrich, Ramona; Incarnato, Loredana; Karlovits, Igor; Colelli, Giancarlo; Chrysochou, Polymeros; Camilleri Fenech, Margaret; Kvalvåg Pettersen, Marit; Arranz, Elena; Marcos, Begonya; Frigerio, Valeria; Apicella, Annalisa; Yildirim, Selçuk; Poças, Fátima; Dekker, Matthijs; Johanna, Lahti; Coma, Véronique; Corredig, Milena Abstract: Food packaging solutions need to be redesigned to be more sustainable, but determining which solution is ‘more optimal’ is a very difficult task when considering the entire food product value chain. Previous papers paved the way toward a sustainable food packaging definition, but it is far from being commonly accepted or well usable in the broad food systems domain, which further results in uninformed choices for sustainable food packaging made by all stakeholders in the value chain: producers, distributors, practitioners and consumers. Therefore, this work aims first at giving a state-of-the-art overview of sustainable food packaging terms (38 similar terms were identified and grouped into four clusters: Sustainable, Circular, Bio and Other sustainable packaging) and definitions using systematic (narrative) review analysis and ‘controlled expert opinion feedback’ methodology. Second, it aims to offer an updated definition for sustainable food packaging, which is also specific to food packaging and be simple, coherent, easily understandable, and communicable to everybody. The applied holistic approach intends to include all aspects of the food-packaging unit, to consider food safety and packaging functionality, while taking into account different disciplines and challenges related to food packaging along the supply chain. Being a balancing act, a sustainable food packaging may not be a perfect solution, but contextual, suboptimal and in need of constant validation.

2023-01-01T00:00:00Z Aquilina, Luke Duane, Iain Faust, Wilian Sant, Tonio Farrugia, Robert N. https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/145062 2026-03-22T22:46:25Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Experimental analysis of a constant blade to jet speed ratio control for a micro-Pelton wheel turbine for use with an offshore hydro-pneumatic energy storage system Authors: Aquilina, Luke; Duane, Iain; Faust, Wilian; Sant, Tonio; Farrugia, Robert N. Abstract: Hydro-Pneumatic Energy Storage is a type of mechanical energy storage system being investigated for providing long duration energy storage which is becoming essential for integrating renewables on a wide scale. Pelton turbines are often being considered for converting the stored energy into electricity. This is due to the low specific speed requirements, resulting from the high pressure and low flowrates that characterise hydro-pneumatic systems. As opposed to conventional applications in hydro power, where variations in the operating head are small, hydro-pneumatic energy storage presents a more complex environment due to the relatively large variations in the head across the discharging cycle. This study implements a control scheme on a physical setup to maintain a constant blade-to-jet speed ratio for a grid-connected Pelton turbine. The proposed scheme increased the turbine’s overall efficiency from 62 % to 65 %, representing a 4.9 % relative improvement in recovered energy compared with the constant-speed control scheme.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Mifsud, Michael D. Farrugia, Robert N. Sant, Tonio La Fata, Davide Ellul, J. P. Mule’ Stagno, Luciano Lauri, A. https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/145061 2026-03-22T22:38:09Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Using measure-correlate-predict methodologies for offshore wind resources quantification in a Mediterranean island scenario Authors: Mifsud, Michael D.; Farrugia, Robert N.; Sant, Tonio; La Fata, Davide; Ellul, J. P.; Mule’ Stagno, Luciano; Lauri, A. Abstract: The accurate quantification of long-term wind resources is crucial for the design and optimization of offshore wind farms. This study explored the impact of highresolution Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) wind data on wind resources quantification in the central Mediterranean region, focusing on the generation of predicted long-term datasets and on offshore wind energy production. By correlating long-term wind datasets against measured short-term LiDAR data during two separate yet concurrent timeframes, researchers can improve wind speed predictions leading to better informed wind farm planning decisions. Four different Measure-Correlate-Predict (MCP) methodologies available in the windPRO® V4.0 software suite were employed to assess MCP method performance in predicting wind speeds at four specific locations outside Malta’s territorial waters and at one onshore location, where the LiDAR unit itself was situated. The results demonstrated a strong correlation between the long-term data and measured wind speeds during the concurrent time frames. The findings support the use of the MCP methodology and commercially-available long-term offshore wind data for wind farm planning and optimization decisions, particularly in the central Mediterranean region.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Axisa, Matthew Mule’ Stagno, Luciano Demicoli, Marija https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/144897 2026-03-13T11:00:10Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Correlating field experimentation and image analysis for the assessment of induced losses from thin object shading on photovoltaic sources Authors: Axisa, Matthew; Mule’ Stagno, Luciano; Demicoli, Marija Abstract: This research investigates the correlation between the size and intensity of both umbra and penumbra shadow formation and the resulting power loss, based on field experimention using various thin objects to cast shadows on a photovoltaic (PV) module. The results from the Spearman correlation matrix clearly demonstrate that the significance of both the umbra and penumbra size increases as the thickness of the shading object increases. Additionally, it has been noted that penumbra intensity plays a crucial role in power loss for thin objects ranging between 2.8 and 12mm in thickness. This study identifies the range of distances at which thin objects, ranging from 2.8 mm to 12 mm in thickness, produce zero power loss, indicating no observable effect on the performance of the PV module. By understanding these key aspects, other researchers and PV system owners can better assess the impact of shadow factors on their respective systems. Consequently, the findings from this study are also valuable for determining the impact of certain thin objects typically found on rooftops, helping to optimize the design of PV systems without compromising the functionality of the building.

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z