In light of globalization and escalating environmental concerns, society is increasingly confronted with the challenge of implementing the concept of a circular economy, which promotes the recycle of waste materials and offers a promising solution. Aluminum dross, a byproduct of the aluminum production process, poses environmental issues when not properly managed. Therefore, this study examined the technical and financial feasibility of implementing an industrial process for the recovery and transformation of aluminum dross into raw materials for use in cementitious materials. From a technical perspective, two processes were evaluated: washing and the grindability of the material. An X-ray diffraction analysis allowed to verify an approximately 88% reduction in AlN (a compound that produces ammonia gases when reacting with water) after washing the material. The most efficient grinding process was achieved using an impact mill. The financial feasibility study was carried out through cash flow forecasting, which revealed that a minimum selling price of USD 0.12 per kilogram of processed material could generate a return rate of 9.7% over a five-year period. These results present opportunities for the metal and construction industries to develop products with low CO₂ emissions by reintegrating aluminum dross into a productive cycle. Moreover, this work serves as a valuable reference for policymakers and environmental authorities seeking to formulate new legislation or incentives that encourage companies to invest in environmentally focused projects.

The motorcycle market has experienced an upward trend. That growth brings along mobility, accidents, and environment-related issues; nevertheless, there is a scarcity of literature on evaluating the impact of motorcycle market policies. Consequently, it has been challenging for researchers and policymakers to develop evidence-based strategies to promote or control the growth of this market. This paper aims to review and analyze the scientific literature about motorcycle market policies, using tech-mining techniques and a cluster analysis of keywords, to provide insights about the most relevant world trends in this research area. For this purpose, the bibliographic information of publications in the field was retrieved from the Scopus database. As a result, three thematic clusters (sustainability, mobility, and electric motorcycles) were identified and explained. According to our findings, greenhouse gas emissions, sustainability, environmental impact, and developing countries are the hot research topics. The research leader countries on said topics are the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom. This study can, therefore, be used as a reference to define a future research agenda in the area. Consequently, it permits researchers and policymakers to identify trending topics and gaps in knowledge, as a baseline to include motorcycles in sustainable and affordable transport systems design.

This paper introduces an agent-based simulation model aimed at understanding urban commuters' mode choices and evaluating the impacts of transport policies to promote sustainable mobility. Crafted for developing countries, where utilitarian travel heavily relies on motorcycles, the model integrates sociocultural factors that influence transport behavior. Multinomial models and inferential statistics applied to survey data from Cali, Colombia, inform the model, revealing significant influences of sociodemographic factors and travel attributes on mode choice. Findings highlight the importance of cost, time, safety, comfort, and personal security, with disparities across socioeconomic groups. Policy simulations demonstrate positive responses to interventions like free public transportation, increased bus frequency, and enhanced security, yet with modest shifts in mode choice. Multifaceted policy approaches are deemed more effective, addressing diverse user preferences. Outputs can be extended to cities with similar sociocultural characteristics and transport dynamics. The methodology applied in this work can be replicated for other regions.

La autogeneración de electricidad con fuentes solares, se ha dinamizado a nivel mundial en varias regiones, las cuales han implementado esquemas de ventas de electricidad de los hogares a la red. Este artículo, evalúa el ahorro que representa para los hogares, la implementación de estos esquemas con autogeneración de electricidad a partir de fuentes solares, en territorios con costos de electricidad moderados y alta radiación solar. Lo cual, amplía el entendimiento de las nuevas tecnologías de autogeneración, para los hogares en territorios de América Latina. Asimismo, cuantifica el impacto de las reglamentaciones de ventas de electricidad en los territorios, empleadas en la masificación de los sistemas fotovoltaicos. Se desarrolló un modelo financiero que proyecta los flujos de caja de la implementación de un sistema fotovoltaico en un hogar promedio, y los compara con los flujos de caja al satisfacer la demanda a través de las compras de electricidad a la red nacional. Los resultados se analizan con tres indicadores financieros: costo nivelado de la electricidad, tasa interna de retorno y período de recuperación de inversión. Adicionalmente, se calcula la disminución de emisiones de dióxido de carbono, al reemplazar la electricidad generada con la fuente solar. La implementación de esquemas de ventas a la red, incrementa los ahorros de los hogares con la autogeneración de electricidad con fuentes solares. Para el caso de Medellín, la nueva reglamentación permitió un 20% de ahorros adicionales y alcanzar la paridad de red para configuraciones sin baterías, con una capacidad de generación de 0,7kW. La autogeneració d'electricitat amb fonts solars, s'ha dinamitzat a nivell mundial en diverses regions, les quals han implementat esquemes de vendes d'electricitat de les llars a la xarxa. Aquest article, avalua l'estalvi que representa per a les llars, la implementació d'aquests esquemes amb autogeneració d'electricitat a partir de fonts solars, en territoris amb costos d'electricitat moderats i alta radiació solar. La qual cosa, amplia l'enteniment de les noves tecnologies d'autogeneració, per a les llars en territoris d'Amèrica Llatina. Així mateix, quantifica l'impacte de les reglamentacions de vendes d'electricitat en els territoris, emprades en la massificació dels sistemes fotovoltaics. Es va desenvolupar un model financer que projecta els fluxos de caixa de la implementació d'un sistema fotovoltaic en una llar mitjana, i els compara amb els fluxos de caixa en satisfer la demanda a través de les compres d'electricitat a la xarxa nacional. Els resultats s'analitzen amb tres indicadors financers: cost anivellat de l'electricitat, taxa interna de retorn i període de recuperació d'inversió. Addicionalment, es calcula la disminució d'emissions de diòxid de carboni, en reemplaçar l'electricitat generada amb la font solar. La implementació d'esquemes de vendes a la xarxa, incrementa els estalvis de les llars amb l'autogeneració d'electricitat amb fonts solars. Per al cas de Medellín, la nova reglamentació va permetre un 20% d'estalvis addicionals i aconseguir la paritat de xarxa per a configuracions sense bateries, amb una capacitat de generació de 0,7kW. The self-generation of electricity from solar sources has been boosted worldwide in several regions, which have implemented electricity sales policies from households to the grid. This paper aims at evaluating household savings by implementing these policies. The auto-generation of electricity from solar sources is evaluated in territories with moderate electricity costs and high solar radiation. A financial model forecasts the cash flows for a photovoltaic system in a typical household. The model compares it to the cash flows of buying the electricity from the national grid, by analyzing three financial indicators: the levelized cost of electricity, the internal rate of return of the project, and the recovery period of the investment. Furthermore, the possible scenario of carbon dioxide emission reduction is analyzed. The implementation of grid sales schemes increases the savings of households with the self-generation of electricity from solar sources. In the case of Medellín city, the new regulation for sales allowed an additional 20% savings. Medellín achieves network parity for configurations with a generation capacity of 0,7kW without batteries. This article broadens the understanding of new self-generation technologies for households in Latin American territories. Furthermore, it quantifies the impact of electricity sales regulations in the territories, used for the popularization of photovoltaic systems.