Prospects and Challenges of Sustainable Energy Future: Policy and Technology Perspectives

The increasing demand for efficient and sustainable energy solutions has accelerated the development of smart grid systems by integrating different types of advanced energy storage technologies. Among various available solutions hydrogen storage is emerging as a key solution for addressing the variability of renewable energy sources while enhancing grid stability and energy efficiency. This research study investigates the design and optimization of smart grid systems with integrated hydrogen storage. The goal is to improve energy efficiency, enhance system resilience, and support the transition to near-zero energy buildings (NZEBs). The proposed system combines hydrogen storage with battery energy storage systems (BESS) to mitigate fluctuations in solar and wind power generation. A cloud-based monitoring and control system enables real-time data access, predictive maintenance, and optimal energy dispatch. The study also evaluates the environmental impact, energy efficiency, and economic feasibility. Results indicate that properly designed smart grid systems with hydrogen storage significantly enhance energy sustainability and reliability. The integration of hydrogen as a long-term storage solution reduces dependence on fossil fuels, accelerates NZEB development, and supports carbon neutrality goals. Hydrogen storage plays a crucial role in advancing renewable energy systems. The research provides insights into its potential as a key enabler in smart grid infrastructures, contributing to a more sustainable and resilient energy future. Nevertheless, this method has several drawbacks, such as a poor conversion rate and expensive infrastructure. Hydrogen synthesis through electrolysis usually has an efficiency of less than 70%, with further energy losses taking place during storage and fuel cell reconversion to electricity. Furthermore, a major obstacle to broad adoption is still the high upfront expenditures of fuel cells, storage tanks, and electrolysers. Notwithstanding these drawbacks, continued developments in electrolysis technology, better techniques for compressing hydrogen, and fuel cell cost reductions should increase viability. To support a more robust and sustainable energy future, this research addresses the present issues with hydrogen while also shedding light on its potential as a major facilitator in smart grid systems.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the field of energy efficiency optimization by enabling advanced analysis and control of energy systems. This review provides a concise overview of the role of AI in enhancing energy efficiency. AI technologies, such as machine learning and neural networks, are being increasingly applied to optimize energy consumption in various sectors, including buildings, transportation, and industrial processes. These technologies analyze vast amounts of data to identify patterns and trends, enabling more precise control of energy systems and the prediction of energy demand. One of the key advantages of AI in energy efficiency optimization is its ability to adapt and learn from data, leading to continuous improvement in energy-saving strategies. AI algorithms can optimize energy consumption based on factors such as weather conditions, occupancy patterns, and energy prices, resulting in significant cost savings and environmental benefits. Furthermore, AI enables the integration of renewable energy sources into existing energy systems by predicting renewable energy generation and optimizing its use. This integration helps reduce reliance on fossil fuels and mitigates greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to a more sustainable energy future. However, the implementation of AI in energy efficiency optimization is not without challenges. These include data privacy concerns, the need for specialized skills to develop and deploy AI solutions, and the complexity of integrating AI systems into existing energy infrastructure. Addressing these challenges will be crucial for realizing the full potential of AI in energy efficiency optimization. In conclusion, AI holds great promise for enhancing energy efficiency by enabling more intelligent control and optimization of energy systems. By leveraging AI technologies, organizations can achieve significant energy savings, reduce costs, and contribute to a more sustainable and resilient energy future. Keywords: Role, AI, Energy, Efficiency, Optimization.

Shaping a sustainable energy future for India: Management challenges

The global energy sector is now undergoing a major transformation towards sustainability. Despite efforts to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and promote renewable energy (RE), fossil fuels remained dominant in 2022 and 2023. In 2022, fossil fuels accounted for approximately 63.5% of global power generation, while renewable sources, including hydropower, made up around 29%. By 2023, the share of fossil fuels slightly decreased to 62%, with renewables increasing to 30%. The broad use of RE sources such as solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and other technologies underscore this transition. Sunlight, a steady energy source, is critical to satisfying the world’s ever-increasing energy needs. This thorough analysis investigates the technical breakthroughs in these RE sources as well as their critical significance as environmentally beneficial alternatives to traditional energy sources. It also dives into the symbiotic link between smart technology and RE, demonstrating how innovation is altering energy generation, distribution, and consumption. Aside from technology, the article assesses the far-reaching socioeconomic consequences, such as major job creation, economic growth, and equal energy access. In conclusion, this study provides vital insights into the diverse road towards a sustainable energy future, emphasizing its importance in reducing climate change and building a cleaner, more sustainable energy environment.

Although the adoption of renewable energy is perceived as a means to enable delivery of emission-free solutions, its penetration into the energy market has not been timely and significant enough to make a material impact on the structure of the global energy system. Using backcasting as a policy tool for developing a view of a sustainable energy future, this Chapter aims to explore some of the critical hurdles as the policy makers continue to formulate and advance environmentally friendly energy consumption in order to mitigate the impacts of climate change. We illustrate the nature of the challenges to reach a wider adoption of alternative energy resources and build on the need for renewal of the energy “delivery” infrastructure through the “smart grid” as a means for transition to a sustainable economy in the longer term. While there is now engagement with the public about a sustainable future, alignment of stakeholders’ economic interests and absorption capacity of emerging technologies remain as the two main challenges in mitigating the underlying systemic hurdles to be overcome. As the public at large realize the need for a future of sustainable energy despite lack of a global consensus about definitive targets, the policy makers may seek to provide a combination of approaches that build on optimal investment incentives in the near-term, liberalization of the electricity grids in the medium term and a dynamic policy framework that induce continuous technological innovation in the longer term. Observing the current responses to the externalities by the policymakers in a number of jurisdictions we articulate such forthcoming initiatives to mitigate the systemic hurdles embedded in the existing energy infrastructure. We also articulate measures to enable deployment of integrative sustainable energy solutions over a transformed infrastructure, namely smart grid.

Examining the advances, obstacles, and achievements of tin-based perovskite solar cells: a review

The global energy landscape is undergoing a transformation driven by rising energy demand, diminishing fossil fuel supplies, deregulation of energy industry, and growing concern about climate change. While fossil fuels will continue to play a dominant role in meeting the current and future energy needs, there is worldwide interest in developing renewable and alternative energy sources to meet the growing energy demand and address concerns about the emission of greenhouse gases and hazardous pollutants. In this context, hydrogen is viewed as a viable renewable energy carrier due to its abundant supply, superior emission characteristics, and flexibility in harnessing its energy through a variety of technologies. There are, however, many technological and scientific issues pertaining to its production, storage, and utilization. This chapter provides an overview of such issues and discusses research dealing with hydrogen combustion and emissions in the context of sustainable energy future. Studies concerning laminar flames, including non‐premixed, premixed, and partially premixed flames in various configurations, and also those dealing with ignition and extinction phenomena, are reviewed. High‐pressure phenomena including explosions/ignition limits are discussed, and an overview of detonation and turbulent combustion is provided. Issues pertaining to hydrogen combustion and emissions in practical systems are also discussed. Further technological advances and fundamental research needed for hydrogen to play a major role in the sustainable energy future are identified.

Abstract: Globally, renewable energy has grown remarkably. In the upcoming years, significant growth in the use of renewable energy is anticipated in India. With the majority of installations, solar energy led the renewable energy market, followed by wind energy. This demonstrates India's dedication to making the switch to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future. This research article discusses the design and fabrication of a prototype of a smart solar electricity generator flower i.e., the Smart Solar Flower (SSF), a unique and effective solar energy solution. It examines the features, advantages, and design of the SSF. The SSF, which was designed after flowers, autonomously tracks the sun to maximize energy harvesting. Photovoltaic panels, a solar tracking system, energy storage, a smart control unit, a self-cleaning mechanism, and sensors are some of its parts. The scalable and adaptive SSF may support energy-dependent systems, charge electric vehicles, power devices, and provide lighting. Intelligent sensor technology, machine learning, and Internet of Things connectivity enable autonomous adjustment based on the weather and energy consumption. Reduced reliance on fossil fuels, lower carbon emissions, and a sustainable future are all advantages for the environment. Installation expenses, energy savings, and money production are taken into account for economic viability. Efficiency, durability, and cost are explored along with challenges and prospects for the future. The SSF has significant promise for generating sustainable energy and revolutionizing the use of solar power to tackle global energy concerns.

Green Hydrogen as a Sustainable Future Energy: Technologies and Challenges

The energy sector provides fuel for much of everyday life, particularly economically and socially. Fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic, a well-functioning and resilient energy sector is vital for maintaining the operation of critical infrastructures, including, most importantly, the health sector, and timely economic recovery. Notwithstanding its importance in everyday life and crises, the energy sector itself is currently in a complex and far-reaching transformation to combat climate change whilst supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy and society, mainly through the development of variable renewable energy sources (RES) such as wind and solar photovoltaics. This paper highlights the need for energy resilience as countries face the triple challenge of the COVID-19 health crisis, the consequent economic crisis, and the climate crisis. Focusing on Europe, it is advanced here that with the ability to balance fluctuating electricity generation and demand, flexibility allows the energy sector to utilise low-carbon RES reliably, ensuring a more resilient and sustainable energy future. This paper derives five urgent policy recommendations for Europe that address possible impacts of COVID-19 on the economic and societal prerequisites for flexibility in energy systems.

Solar photovoltaic (PV) technology is a cornerstone of the global effort to transition towards cleaner and more sustainable energy systems. This paper explores the pivotal role of PV technology in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combatting the pressing issue of climate change. At the heart of its efficacy lies the efficiency of PV materials, which dictates the extent to which sunlight is transformed into electricity. Over the last decade, substantial advancements in PV efficiency have propelled the widespread adoption of solar PV technology on a global scale. The efficiency of PV materials is a critical factor, determining how effectively sunlight is transformed into electricity. Enhanced efficiency, achieved through a decade of progress, has driven the global expansion of solar PV. Multi-junction photovoltaic materials have now exceeded 40% efficiency in lab tests. China leads the world in solar PV installations, boasting over 253 GW of installed capacity by the end of 2021. Other prominent countries in this sector are the United States, Japan, Germany, and India. Photovoltaic (PV) cell technologies are rapidly improving, with efficiencies reaching up to 30% and costs falling below $0.50/W, making PV a competitive source of energy in many countries around the world. Solar PV technology holds immense potential for creating a cleaner, reliable, scalable, and cost-effective electricity system. To expedite its deployment and foster a more sustainable energy future, continued investment in research and development along with supportive policies and market mechanisms is essential. This paper underscores the pivotal role of solar PV technology in the global energy transition and advocates for a concerted effort to unlock its full potential in achieving a more sustainable and resilient energy future.

ESG factors are essential for determining an equitable and sustainable energy future. Using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag approach, this study investigates the effect of ESG performance on Indonesia's energy transition. The results show that the governance index has a positive effect on energy transition, while the environmental and social indices have a negative impact in the short run. In the long run, however, all three ESG indexes support the transition to clean energy. ESG must be given top priority by Indonesian authorities in energy transition initiatives to enable a smooth transition and support a sustainable and secure energy future for the nation.

The integration of renewable energy sources into smart grid systems is crucial for achieving a sustainable and efficient energy future. However, this integration presents various challenges due to the intermittent and variable nature of renewable energy, grid stability and reliability issues, infrastructure limitations, and regulatory hurdles. This article explores these challenges and discusses potential solutions and opportunities for successful integration. Advanced forecasting techniques, flexible grid management strategies, energy storage systems, smart grid technologies, and supportive policy frameworks are identified as key enablers. The article also presents case studies of successful integration projects and highlights ongoing research and pilot initiatives. Future research directions, including emerging technologies like blockchain and artificial intelligence, interdisciplinary collaboration, and recommendations for policymakers and industry stakeholders, are discussed. The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of continued research and innovation in driving the transition towards a sustainable energy future through the successful integration of renewable energy sources into smart grid systems. The article analyses the market development strategies of renewable energy enterprises in Vietnam. Using primary and secondary research data, the article pointed out the shortcomings in the strategic stages of market development of enterprises. From there, the article proposes some solutions to complete the market development strategy to improve operational efficiency of the renewable energy business. In addition, a number of macro-level policies are also proposed to improve the general situation of the industry so that enterprises thereof can implement their own development direction in accordance with their own actual situation.

Sustainable futures using nuclear energy

Fueling Mexico: Energy and Environment, 1850–1950