Artificial intelligence-based solar radiation forecasting for efficient use of renewable power plants

In this work the degradation of a solution 2.0 μmol L-1 of the antibiotic chloramphenicol (CAP) by the photo-Fenton process in deionized water, river water and effluent from sewage treatment plant (STP) using different iron species was evaluated. The experiments were performed in tank-type reactors and the CAP degradation efficiency was based on the decay of the CAP concentration determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) as well as the H2O2 consumption and determination of the acute toxicity to the Vibrio fischeri bacteria. Degradation products (DPs) in deionized water were also identified by HPLC coupled with high resolution mass spectrometry. Initially, in deionized water and under artificial radiation, different salts and iron complexes (FeSO4.7H2O – Fe2+, Fe(NO3)3.9H2O – Fe3+, C6H11FeNO7 - FeCit and K3Fe(C2O4)3.3H2O - FeOx) and concentrations (2, 8, 16 and 32 μmol L-1) were evaluated using 44 μmol L-1 of H2O2 at initial pH 2.7. In sequence, the influence of the H2O2 concentration (22, 44 and 88 μmol L-1) was evaluated using 32 μmol L-1 of FeOx at pH 2.7. Using the best iron species – FeOx and concentrations of iron and H2O2, 32 μmol L-1 of FeOx and 44 μmol L-1 of H2O2, CAP degradation was evaluated at different pH values (2.7; 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 7.0 and 8.0), with 100% degradation of CAP at pH 2.7. However, at initial pH 6.0 it was possible to achieve 74% CAP degradation after 60 min. It was also observed that at initial pH 6.0, multiple additions of the oxalate complexing during the experiment allow 100% CAP degradation. Then, at initial pH 6.0, experiments were performed under solar and artificial radiation, aiming to identify the DPs and to monitor the evolution of the acute toxicity to V. fischeri bacteria, as well as to compare both sources of radiation. A faster decay of CAP degradation occurred under solar radiation, which is related to the larger spectrum provided by solar radiation. It was also observed that the initial CAP solution showed no toxicity to V. fischeri, as well as the formation of low toxicity DPs using both sources of radiation. HPLC-MS-Q-TOF analyzes allowed to identify three major DPs (DP1, DP2 and DP3) of m/z 337; 166 and 335. DP1 derives from the hydroxylation of the CAP aromatic ring, the DP2 from HO• attacks on benzyl radicals and DP3 from the addition of the HO• radical to the α-carbonyl radical. Following the application of the photo-Fenton process in real matrices, the CAP degradation was evaluated in surface waters: river water and STP effluent. Initially, the influence of the FeOx concentration (16, 32, 48 e 64 μmol L-1) on the degradation of CAP in river water at initial pH 5.8 (natural river water) in the presence of 44 μmol L-1 of H2O2 was evaluated. Subsequently, the influence of H2O2 concentration (44, 60 and 88 μmol L-1) on CAP degradation was evaluated using the best concentration of FeOx - 48 μmol L-1. Better results were obtained with 48 μmol L-1 of FeOx and 44 μmol L-1 of H2O2. Under such experimental conditions, it was also observed that the replacement of the oxalate complexing during the experiment increases the efficiency of CAP degradation from 90 to 100%. The influence of the concentration of FeOx (48, 96, 144 and 192 μmol L-1) in the presence of 1500 μmol L-1 of H2O2 at initial pH 6.0 during the CAP degradation to the STP effluent matrix, was also evaluated. The concentration of CAP was below the limit of quantification of the equipment (QL < 0.42 μmol L-1) in the presence of 192 μmol L-1 of FeOx after 25 min of treatment. Then, under the best experimental conditions obtained for each matrix, experiments were performed under artificial and solar radiation, and toxicity to V. fischeri was monitored. Better results of CAP degradation in river water and STP effluent were obtained under solar radiation, with the generation of a low toxicity effluent for V. fischeri bacteria. These results show the viability of the solar photo-Fenton process as an alternative for the treatment of matrices containing this type of pollutant.

The photodegradation of cloramphenicol (CAP) in ultrapure water (UW), untreated surface water (USW), and treated effluent from sewage treatment plant (TESTP) in laboratory scale and pilot scale, was evaluated using solar and artificial radiation. The results show, in all cases, that the CAP degradation occurs according to pseudo-first order kinetics, with the apparent degradation rate constants (kapp) following the order UW ≡ USW > TESTP. The kapp and half-life were strongly influenced by the radiation source. Mono- and di-hydroxyl transformation products were identified in UW after 40 min of solar irradiation, while the acute toxicity to Artemia salina increased from 35% to 100%, respectively after 180 and 1440 min of artificial and solar irradiation (94 and 132 kJ L-1), when 99.2 and 97.7% of CAP degradation occurred. The transformation products did not present antimicrobial activity.

This study focuses on the photocatalytic degradation of a textile dye pollutant (Sandocryl Red: BR46) by using solar an Artificial UV irradiation. The influence of some factors on the photodegradation kinetic such as the initial concentration of pollutant, and the concentration of the catalyst was examined in the presence of solar and UV radiation. The results show that the kinetics of degradation of the organic molecules follows approximately the pseudo-first-order by applying the Langmuir-Hinshelwood model. By increasing the pollutant and catalyst concentrations the speed and performance degradation of this pollutant are highly influenced. The BR46 elimination ratio reached more than 97 % after 160 min of solar radiation and the same ratio was obtained after 190 min of UV radiation.

The effects of solar radiation and artificial UV irradiation on motility and pigmentation were studied in the flagellate system Cyanophora paradoxa. Both percentage of motile cells and average velocity decreased drastically after a solar exposure of a few hours. This effect was not due to an overheating since the cells were exposed under temperaturecontrolled conditions. Partial reduction of the UV-B radiation by cut-off filters or by insertion of an artificial ozone layer increased the tolerated exposure times. Artificial UV radiation also induced the same effects. Under both solar and artificial UV irradiation the photosynthetic pigments within the cyanelles were bleached also within short exposure times. Kinetics of pigment destruction showed that the accessory phycobilins are lost with a half life of 1.3 h while the chlorophylls had a half life of 33 h and a carotenoid with an absorption maximum at 480 nm of 17.3 h.

This work assessed the effectiveness of several methods on degradation of microcystin-LR (MC-LR) by different Advanced Oxidation Processes, like solar photo-Fenton, UV-A/photo-Fenton and UV-C/H2O2. UV-C/H2O2 and UV-A/photo-Fenton processes were carried out in a bench scale photochemical apparatus and the solar photo-Fenton treatment was performed in a CPC photoreactor. MC-LR degradation was monitored by LC-ESI-MS/MS and kinetic parameters were calculated for all systems evaluated. The results demonstrated that UV-C/H2O2 was the most efficient method, showing a reduction of over 90% of initial MC-LR after 5 min of reaction. Solar and photo-Fenton/UVA had a rate decrease of 88 and 76% after the same time, respectively. The kinetic study indicated that the solar photo-Fenton and artificial radiation (UV-A) processes were very similar in their efficiency. The use of sunlight instead of artificial UV radiation significantly reduced the cost of photocatalytic treatment systems; it is also an environmentally friendly method, since it utilizes renewable energy.

In this study, nitrogen-doped mesoporous titania was synthesized by templating method using chitosan. This biopolymer chitosan plays the dual role of acting as a template (which imparts mesoporosity) and precursor for nitrogen. BET-SA, XRD, UV-DRS, SEM, and FTIR were used to characterize the photocatalyst. The doping of nitrogen into TiO2lattice and its state was substantiated and measured by XPS. The photocatalytic activity of the prepared N-doped mesoporous titania for phenol ando-chlorophenol degradation was investigated under solar and artificial radiation. The rate of photocatalytic degradation was observed to be higher foro-chlorophenol than that of phenol. The photodegradation ofo-chlorophenol was 98.62% and 72.2%, while in case of phenol, degradation to the tune of 69.25% and 30.58% was achieved in solar and artificial radiation. The effect of various operating parameters, namely, catalyst loading, pH, initial concentration and the effect of coexisting ions on the rate of photocatalytic degradation were studied in detail.

Effects of artificial and solar UV-B radiation on the gravitactic orientation of the dinoflagellate, Peridinium gatunense

Energy supply chain resilience and sustainability are essential for dependable, ecologically responsible energy availability, reducing disruptions, and creating a sustainable future. In this regard, this study explores the resilience and sustainability of a single energy supply chain through two distinct scenarios. The focus is on a manufacturer capable of sourcing products from renewable and non-renewable power plants. Although the renewable power plant is the preferred clean option, disruptions may occur. On the other hand, the fossil fuel power plant offers reliability at the cost of environmental impact. The manufacturer employs two sourcing strategies based on disruption probabilities: single sourcing from just the renewable power plant and dual sourcing from fossil and renewable power plants. In the second scenario, a collaboration between the power plants is introduced. If a disruption occurs at the renewable power plant, it orders the fossil fuel power plant to generate electricity on its behalf. Using a game-theoretic approach, the research examines the effects of dual-sourcing techniques, and the efficacy of cooperation in minimising disruptions. It also examines the trade-offs between energy supply chain resilience and environmental sustainability. The results shed light on sourcing strategy decision-making and add to the literature on sustainable and resilient energy supply chains.

The effect of UV radiation on photosynthetic rate and carbon uptake, estimated as carbonic anhydrase activity, was studied by incubating intertidal algae, Fucus spiralis (Phaeophyta) and Ulva olivascens (Chlorophyta), under both artificial and solar radiation. In these experiments, treatments excluding UV-B or UV-A + UV-B radiations were applied. Thalli of U. olivascens and F. spiralis showed completely different responses when exposed to artificial radiation and three different light treatments (PAR + UV-A + UV-B, PAR + UV-A, and only PAR). After exposure for 24 h, photosynthetic activity increased in F. spiralis, although the presence of UV-B slightly reduced the increase, whereas U. olivascens showed an inverse pattern, with decreasing photosynthetic rates in all the treatments and with the lowest decrease in the presence of UV-B radiation. Surprisingly, the presence of UV-B stimulated carbon uptake, though this effect was more clear in the case of F. spiralis, while a similar inhibitory effect of UV-A radiation was found in both species. Thalli of U. olivascens and F. spiralis were also exposed to solar radiation for daily and yearly periods. The photosynthetic rate was coupled to incident irradiance in F. spiralis, whereas in U. olivascens a significant decrease in the presence of both UV-A or UV-A + UV-B was found. A significant increase of carbon uptake in the presence of UV-B radiation was observed in U. olivascens, while no clear pattern was found in F. spiralis under any of the light treatments. During an annual cycle, carbon uptake in U. olivascens decreased in winter, compared with the initial levels, in the PAR and PAR + UV-A treatments. The high level of carbon uptake was maintained until the end of spring, when higher levels of incident energy might promote photoinhibition (in the presence of UV-B). The absence of a general response to UV radiation in the macroalgae studied may be due to their different photoprotection mechanisms, physiological-morphological characteristics, and acclimation to environmental conditions.

The effects of ultraviolet radiation on the gravitactic orientation of the freshwater flagellate, Euglena gracilis, were determined by a real time image analysis system. Both artificial UV radiation and solar radiation in a temperature-controlled growth chamber were employed. Histograms of gravitaxis showed that the degree of orientation decreased with increasing exposure time; this can be quantified using the Rayleigh test and upper quadrant summation. The effects of artificial UV radiation on the orientation are considerably stronger than those of solar radiation, probably because the radiation source emits higher fluence rates below 300 nm than found in solar radiation. The effects of monochromatic ultraviolet radiation on motility have been determined, and an action spectrum has been calculated.

The cost of electricity constitutes a significant part of municipal budgets. The decrease in renewable electricity generation costs allows municipalities to reduce their electricity costs and greenhouse gas emissions by investing renewable energy. A renewable energy transition facilitated by municipalities will positively affect and accelerate the energy transition in Turkey. In this study, the case of meeting the drinking water pumping station electricity consumption of Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality Water and Sewerage Administration (ISU) from renewable power plants owned by ISU is analyzed. The amount of avoided emissions from renewable power generation has been calculated. 37.06% of ISU's electrical energy in the drinking water supply is consumed in drinking water pumping stations. ISU has renewable power plants with a total installed capacity of 8.50 MW. The rate of meeting the electricity consumed by the electrical energy obtained from the renewable power plants owned by ISU and the electrical energy consumed in the drinking water pumping stations is increasing. While the ratio of electricity from renewable energy sources (RES-E) to meet the electrical energy consumed in drinking water pumping stations was 19.27% in 2019, this ratio reached 31.74% in 2022 with investments in renewable energy power plants. As a result of RES-E, 32,225 tons of CO2 emissions have been avoided.

The Republic of Azerbaijan is among the countries with a fairly high potential for renewable energy sources (RES). According to preliminary estimates, the total potential of the country's economically viable and technically usable BEMs is 26,940 MW, including 3,000 MW for wind energy, 23,040 MW for solar energy, 380 MW for bioenergy and 520 MW for mountain rivers[1]. At present, the country is using this potential to some extent. Over the past seven years, the production of energy from BEMs in Azerbaijan has increased many times. According to the Ministry of Energy, wind and solar power plants generated 408 million kWh of electricity in Azerbaijan in 2013-2019. Thus, in 2013, these stations produced only 1.6 million kWh of electricity. In 2019 this figure was 149 million. kWh, which is an increase of 93 times in the last 7 years. At present, Azerbaijan's total power generation capacity is 7,516 MW, and the capacity of renewable energy power plants, including large hydropower plants, is 1,278 MW, which is 17% of the total capacity, including 1,135 MW of hydropower capacity (22 HPP, 12 small hydroelectric power plants), wind power capacity 66 MW (5 plants, 1 hybrid), bioenergy capacity 38 MW (2 plants, 1 hybrid), solar power capacity 40 MW (9 plants, 1 hybrid). One hybrid power plant (Gobustan) is equipped with wind - 2.7 MW, solar - 3 MW and bioenergy - 1 MW. There are 2 solar power plants with a total capacity of 27 MW in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. The installed capacity of renewable energy sources, excluding large hydropower plants, in 2020 was 168.3 MW, which is 2.2% of the total electricity generation capacity. In 2020, the country's electricity production amounted to 25.8 billion kWh. During this period, electricity production was 24.3 billion kWh at thermal power plants and 1,069.5 million kWh at hydro power plants and 343.55 mln. kWh at other sources (WPP, SPP and Waste-to-Power). During the year, 96.1 mln. kWh of power generated at WPPs, 46.9 million kWh in solar power plants, 200.6 million kWh at the Solid Waste Incineration Plant. Electricity generated by RES accounted for about 6% of total production. In 2014, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the State Agency and the Ministry of Energy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, as well as in 2015 between the State Administration of Energy of the People's Republic of China. The main goal is to increase the country's renewable energy investment capacity to 30% by 2030 [3]. Within the framework of pilot projects on RES (wind and solar), the project "Strengthening the network to support renewable energy projects in Azerbaijan" was implemented with the involvement of an international consulting company in connection with the connection of power plants to the power grid and the integration of BEMs into the power grid. According to a report prepared by VPC, in order to achieve the 30% target, new renewable power plants with an installed capacity of 1,500 MW must be installed, which will increase the total capacity to 440 MW in 2020-2022 and 460 MW in 2023-2025. MW, 600 MW in 2026-2030, it was considered expedient to integrate into the network in 3 periods. At the same time, along with public investment, measures are being taken to launch new production facilities at the expense of private and foreign investment.. On January 9, 2021, the Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan and ACWA Power of Saudi Arabia and Masdar of the United Arab Emirates signed executive agreements on the implementation of pilot projects on renewable energy. According to the agreements, pilot projects will be implemented in Azerbaijan with ACWA Power for the construction of 240 MW wind farms, and with Masdar for the construction of 200 MW solar power plants. In total, about 1.4 billion kWh/year of electricity is forecasted to be produced by wind and solar energy projects. These companies will invest about $ 400 million in pilot projects in the field of renewable energy in Azerbaijan. The projects will take about 2 years to implement and will be implemented in stages. The commissioning of these production facilities will save 300 million cubic meters of gas per year, which is equal to 10% of gas consumption in Azerbaijan. The development of alternative energy sources will also increase the country's export potential due to the saved gas. Azerbaijan cooperates with the following international organizations on the application of BEMs: Azerbaijan State Agency for Alternative Renewable Energy Sources, European Economic Commission of the UN, UNDP, European Union, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, German KFW Bank, France's International Development Agency, US Development Agency, Economic Cooperation Organization, Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization, Japan International Cooperation Agency, Korea International Cooperation Agency, European Interstate Oil and Gas Transport Program, etc. as well as Germany, Turkey, France, Iran, Lithuania, UAE, Sweden and others. Keyswords: renewable energy sources (RES), wind power plant (WPP), solar power plant (SPP), bioenergy station, hybrid station, integration.

Model validation and control strategy of a heat recovery system integrated in a renewable hybrid power plant demonstrator

Location matters: The impact of renewable power on transmission congestion and emissions

Dispatchable renewable generation is essential for 100% renewables power system. It is in the interest of both power system operators and customers since it reduces the need for flexibility and reserve. To this end, battery energy storage systems (BESS) are proposed for integration in the renewable power plant. This paper presents the optimal dispatch unit for a dispatchable hybrid solar‐wind power plant with BESS framework. It achieves optimal dispatchable renewable generation (from dispatchable hybrid renewable (solar‐wind) power plant with BESS, DHRB, operator perspective), subject to operational limits, by exploiting the synergy of wind and solar energy and combining it with storage capability of BESS using two different operation strategies, maximisation of revenues and maximisation of renewables harvesting. A continuous BESS degradation model is incorporated in the proposed rolling‐algorithm‐based‐optimal dispatch unit to improve the accuracy of results. The applicability of the proposed methodology and the performance of the operation strategies are demonstrated using a case study and the operation strategies are compared. Further, the effect of BESS size on its degradation and dispatchable power in a hybrid solar‐wind power plant with BESS are investigated through BESS lifetime. An indicative economic analysis is carried out to provide ground for the extra investment on and sizing of BESS for a dispatchable hybrid renewable power plant.