Adoption Of Renewable Energy Technologies Research Articles

INTEGRATING RENEWABLE ENERGY SOLUTIONS IN THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES: A REVIEW

Integrating renewable energy solutions into the manufacturing industry presents a critical pathway towards achieving sustainability and reducing carbon footprints. This review paper aims to explore the challenges and opportunities associated with the adoption of renewable energy technologies in manufacturing settings. Through a comprehensive analysis of existing literature and case studies, the paper identifies key barriers to integration, including high initial costs, technological limitations, and the need for skilled workforce. Additionally, it examines the role of policy frameworks, financial incentives, and technological advancements in facilitating the transition towards renewable energy. The methodology involves a systematic review of peer-reviewed articles, industry reports, and governmental policies related to renewable energy adoption in the manufacturing sector. The paper highlights the importance of strategic planning, investment in research and development, and collaboration between stakeholders as essential components for successful integration. Key findings suggest that while challenges remain significant, the opportunities for cost savings, improved energy efficiency, and enhanced corporate reputation make a compelling case for the shift towards renewable energy. The paper concludes that with supportive policies, continuous technological innovation, and stakeholder engagement, the manufacturing industry can overcome existing hurdles and significantly contribute to global sustainability goals. The review calls for further research into scalable and sector-specific renewable energy solutions to facilitate wider adoption across the manufacturing industry.
 Keywords: Renewable Energy, Technological Innovation, Policy and Regulatory Support, Financial Mechanisms, Capacity Building, Infrastructure Development, Market Development.

The inferiors imitate the superiors: the government’s low-carbon concerns and the renewable energy technology of firms

AbstractExisting research has focused mainly on the technological effects of rigid constraints such as low-carbon policies, but there has been little exploration of flexible constraints such as the government’s low-carbon concerns. To explore the role of flexible low-carbon constraints and effective paths for achieving low-carbon development, this paper theoretically and empirically investigates the influence of the government’s low-carbon concerns on local firms’ innovation in renewable energy technology and the underlying mechanism. Benchmark analysis shows that the government’s low-carbon concerns can improve renewable energy technology among firms in an area. Mechanism analysis reveals that low-carbon concerns promote firms’ renewable energy technology adoption by increasing the amount of research and development (R&D) investment and government subsidies and energy use costs of firms in the area. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that heterogeneity exists across technologies, firms, industries and locations in terms of the incentive impact of the government’s low-carbon concerns on the level of renewable energy technology innovation. Extensive analysis indicates that the government’s low-carbon concerns have a long-term incentive impact on the renewable energy technology of local firms and a positive demonstration impact on the renewable energy technology of neighboring firms. This study is helpful in that it explores the major driving factors behind the creation of a low-carbon economy and the achievement of climate targets.

State of the Art Review of Islanding Detection Methods for Integrated Distributed Generation System

Renewable energy technologies (RET) are expanding over the globe to fulfill the world’s overall energy requirement. The main issue following the adoption of RET into power system network is an electrical islanding. It causes voltage, frequency, current, phase angle, power and harmonic content deviation outside the allowable limits, which may be hazardous to both connected apparatus and customers. It should be noticed within 2 s, according to Distributed Generation (DG) IEEE 1547 interconnection specifications. This research examines several islanding recognition strategies for improving the solidity of utility-connected DG. It will assist potential scholars in choosing the optimum islanding recognition technique with less non-detection zone (NDZ). The comparative assessment of various detection parameters analyzed in terms of NDZ, power quality issues and number of DG networks used. Finally, the sensitivity analysis of twenty passive methods carried out for low power mismatch cases like load switching and different fault cases, and the best methods for future islanding detection are recommended.

Effect of green taxation on renewable energy technologies: an analysis of commonwealth and non-commonwealth countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.

African nations encounter difficulties enforcing regulations and providing incentives for using renewable energy sources. However, several nations are making efforts to encourage renewable energy through financial and tax advantages. Therefore, a shift to renewable energy is essential for African nations to experience sustainable growth and lessen environmental deterioration. Similarly, the extant literature examining green taxes' influence on renewable energy technology has documented equivocal findings. Hence, there is a need for a more thorough investigation. This study, therefore, explores the influence of green taxation on renewable energy technologies of emerging countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. We employed data from a sample of 28 countries of 54 African countries spanning 21years from 2001 to 2021, providing a panel of 588 country-year observations. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the World Bank Dataset provided all the study's data. A heterogeneous dynamic panel data modelling using the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) has been adopted. The study found that green taxes might be used to mitigate the adverse effects of non-renewable energy activities on the environment in Africa. Considering the findings of the components of green taxes, it was recognised that an increase in energy-related tariffs would lead to a growth in Africa's use of renewable energy. It was further established that an increase in transport taxes increases the adoption of renewable energy technologies in Africa. A comparative analysis between the commonwealth and non-commonwealth countries showed that green taxes of commonwealth countries in Africa significantly contribute to the growth of renewable energy technologies compared to non-commonwealth countries in Africa. Primarily, the results of this study can be a valuable resource for African governments and policymakers as they develop policies and evaluate legislation about the usage of renewable energy sources and other green practices. Finally, the study can shed light on creating and using efficient tax laws that support renewable energy sources.

Renewable energy sources acceptability for decentralized energy system in Nigeria: Issues, challenges and prospects

The increasing awareness of environmental concerns, coupled with the need to enhance energy security and alleviate the impacts of climate change, has fast-tracked an intensive exploration of renewable energy technologies. The development has indeed recorded remarkable growth in most developed countries like China, USA, Brazil, and China. However, this is not the same as most developing countries in Africa. This work carried out a comprehensive review of the available Renewable Energy Sources (RES) in Nigeria, assessed its level of utilization, identified the challenges, and suggested effective ways of ensuring the adoption of a decentralized energy system through the use of RES. A critical analysis of public opinions on the acceptability of RES as a decentralized energy system in the country was carried out. The work sampled the opinions of people in the adoption of RES for a decentralized energy system using southwest, Nigeria as a case study. The population involves power stakeholders, rural dwellers, RES experts, and policymakers across the six states of southwest, Nigeria. A well-structured questionnaire was designed to capture nuanced responses on a range of key parameters, including awareness levels, acceptance, and perceived benefits and challenges associated with decentralized renewable energy systems. The research findings (through the use of questionnaires) showed a very low level of awareness and acceptability of RES and provided valuable insights into the potential barriers and possible facilitating conditions for the adoption of renewable energy technologies.

Bibliometric Analysis of Renewable Energy Research on the Example of the Two European Countries: Insights, Challenges, and Future Prospects

Renewable energy sources, encompassing wind, solar, hydro, and geothermal options, are assuming an increasingly crucial role in the global energy landscape. They present a sustainable substitute for fossil fuels, effectively reducing greenhouse gas emissions and significantly contributing to the ongoing efforts against climate change. The widespread adoption of renewable energy technologies has undergone rapid expansion on a global scale, propelled by governmental policies, technological advancements, and decreasing costs. Despite their numerous advantages, renewable energy sources encounter challenges such as intermittent energy supply, storage solutions, and integration into existing power grids. Nevertheless, with sustained investment and innovation, renewable energy sources have the potential to become the predominant energy source of the future. This article conducts a bibliometric analysis of research on renewable energy sources in Poland and Germany. The analysis is grounded in publications catalogued in the Web of Science database, spanning the years from 1990 to 2023. The investigation delves into research topics related to renewable energy sources and scrutinizes the most frequently cited publications authored by individuals from these two countries. This bibliometric analysis stands out through its unique value proposition compared to other similar studies by placing a distinctive emphasis on critical research gaps, such as energy storage, smart grid technologies, and renewable energy in transportation. Additionally, the study’s focus on the specific trajectories of Poland and Germany in renewable energy adoption, coupled with the identification of key institutions with the highest centrality index, provides unparalleled insights into the evolving landscape of sustainable energy research. The findings from this study can serve as a valuable source of information for policymakers, researchers, and other stakeholders interested in promoting the advancement and utilization of renewable energy sources.

Charting the complexities of a post-COVID energy transition: emerging research frontiers for a sustainable future

This paper delves into the implications of the global COVID-19 pandemic for the low-carbon transition in the post-pandemic era. The pandemic’s repercussions on global economies and societies have been extensive, characterized by uncertainty, economic slowdown, and disruptions in global supply chains and trade. Furthermore, it has unveiled vulnerabilities within energy and economic structures, underscoring the intrinsic link between public health, the environment, and the socioeconomic and political dimensions. Within this framework, this perspective pinpoints critical strands of research necessitating further exploration in the post-COVID energy transition landscape. These areas encompass the need for long-term scenarios, the influence of political dynamics on coordinated climate initiatives, the worldwide adoption of renewable energy technologies, the social and economic repercussions of energy transition policies on marginalized communities, the development of innovative financial mechanisms to bolster sustainable initiatives, and the influence of societal attitudes, behaviors, and culture on the adoption of renewable energy technologies. The analysis emphasizes the essential roles of resilient energy systems, climate policies, risk management frameworks, and sustainable finance in constructing a resilient and sustainable future. Finally, the paper underscores the significance of interdisciplinary collaboration and an all-encompassing strategy to tackle the challenges posed by the post-COVID energy transition effectively.

Comprehensive Analysis of Renewable Energy Technologies Adoption in Remote Areas Using the Integrated Delphi-Fuzzy AHP-VIKOR Approach

Comprehensive Analysis of Renewable Energy Technologies Adoption in Remote Areas Using the Integrated Delphi-Fuzzy AHP-VIKOR Approach

Smart energy technology: A survey of adoption by individuals and the enabling potential of the technologies

Smart energy technologies are considered to expedite our energy system transition, which is required to meet the zero-carbon emission goals by 2050. These technologies offer new possibilities to manage energy demand and supply, especially considering the increasing share of renewable energy sources and the ongoing emergence of decentralized energy concepts. Whilst previous studies have predominantly investigated drivers for and barriers to individuals' intention to adopt smart energy technologies, the present study was carried out to investigate drivers and barriers that influence the individuals’ actual decision to adopt these technologies and explores the role of co-adoption of related technologies (renewable energy technologies and electric vehicles). Therefore, an extended version of Technology Acceptance model (i.e. encompassing the perceived risk and the adoption of renewable energy technologies and electric vehicles) was included in an online survey with a national quota-representative sample (n = 521). A binary logistic regression analysis of data collected in this survey shows that the adoption of renewable energy technologies and electric vehicles, as well as perceived ease of use and attitude, encourage individuals to adopt smart energy technologies, whereby the adoption of electric vehicles has the strongest effect on their decision to adopt smart energy technologies. Our results indicate that the process of co-adopting energy-related technologies is ongoing, increasing the enabling potential to support an energy system transition.

Sustainability and Renewable Energy in the UAE: A Case Study of Sharjah

In 2023, the UAE adapted its National Energy Strategy to accommodate several new goals, including doubling renewable energy (RE) capacity to 14 GW by 2030. This development further highlights the significance of transitioning towards RE sources. This study focuses on examining and assessing the utilization of RE technologies in Sharjah, an emirate in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It offers an overview of Sharjah’s current energy scenario and investigates the factors influencing the adoption of RE technologies in the area. Furthermore, it provides an evaluation of RE installations, energy production capacity, and future prospects for RE in Sharjah. These findings contribute to a deeper comprehension of the transition towards RE and its potential in Sharjah. The analysis uncovers a growing inclination towards adopting RE in Sharjah. Solar energy installations are experiencing an upswing, driven by advancements in technology, cost reductions, and supportive policies. However, wind energy installations remain limited due to lower wind potential in the region. The adoption of RE technologies in Sharjah yields several advantages, including a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, diversification of energy sources, and the potential for economic expansion. Nevertheless, challenges like intermittency, grid integration, and initial investment costs require attention to further expedite adoption. The outlook for RE in Sharjah appears promising. Sustained government backing and ongoing research and development efforts, in addition to collaborations between public and private sectors, can facilitate the wider implementation of RE technologies. Implementing policies that encourage the uptake of RE, such as feed-in tariffs and net metering, should be considered. Additionally, partnerships with international organizations and the exchange of best practices can enhance knowledge transfer and capacity building.

Optimal investment policy in sharing and standalone economy for solar PV panel under operational cost

The transition to sustainable energy sources, driven by the need to address climate change and resource depletion, has led to the increasing adoption of renewable energy technologies. Among these sustainable alternatives, solar energy stands out prominently. Harnessing the power of the sun aligns with various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by providing clean and affordable energy, promoting climate action, and supporting sustainable communities. Solar PV panels face challenges despite their advantages, including susceptibility to natural disruptions like hurricanes, hailstorms and extreme temperatures. In 2019, the solar energy sector experienced a stark contrast in losses, with average solar losses resulting from conventional natural disasters or severe weather conditions being nearly 24 times higher than the average losses unrelated to weather events. Furthermore, a significant 70% of solar losses within the past decade have emerged since 2017. Similarly, in 2019 hail storm damaged more than 400,000 solar panels and caused insurance losses totaling $70 million in Texas. The research addresses the effect of natural disruptions on investment decisions. It explores the viability of a sharing economy business model that allows multiple participants to collectively invest in solar PV systems and share the benefits to ensure the future expansion of solar PV installations. The study formulates the problem as a game theory model to strategize and find optimal solutions for both the standalone economy and sharing economy scenarios, considering operational costs, net metering and the unpredictability of natural disasters. By providing valuable insights into the dynamics of the PV market with the help of computational results, the research aims to enhance the resilience of solar installations and promote sustainable energy practices. Through this work, individuals and communities can make informed investment decisions, contributing to a cleaner, greener and more sustainable world.

Sustainable economic development in OECD countries: Does energy security matter?

AbstractGiven its versatility, energy security's importance to economic growth cannot be overstated. Existing empirical research has not, however, taken into account the significance of energy security in achieving sustainable economic and financial development. The objective of this study is to provide an empirical response to the question, “How can we exploit energy potentials without compromising the sustainable development agenda?”. Our research indicates that energy security enhances economic and financial sustainability. However, the influence varies between quantiles. Initially, energy security inhibited sustainable economic development; this may have been due to excessive reliance on fossil fuel as a source of energy generation; however, the energy transition to renewable energy mitigated this negative impact, thereby fostering sustainable economic development. Likewise, energy security promotes long‐term sustainable financial development. Energy security is the heart of sustainable economic and financial development hence, the need for diversification of energy sources by promoting the adoption of renewable energy technologies became necessary. Encourage investments in solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and other renewable sources to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and mitigate environmental impacts.

Towards increased social acceptability of marine renewable energy

The development and deployment of novel technologies, including those associated with marine renewable energy, are vital for the ongoing decarbonisation of our energy system. However, technology on its own is not sufficient to realise the energy transition away from fossil fuels. Non-technical barriers – such as regulatory, economic, environmental or social aspects – can be a substantial impediment to widespread adoption of renewable energy technologies. One such impediment, is public opposition to specific deployments of renewable energy and/or indeed to the use of particular technologies. Within the SafeWAVE project, we are cognisant of the importance of good community relations and the need to develop two-way communication with stakeholders to facilitate the successful scaling up of ocean energy device deployments. Accordingly we have worked to co-develop and demonstrate a framework for education and public engagement (EPE), specifically aimed at ocean literacy for communities in France, Ireland, Portugal and Spain. This EPE framework aims to go beyond social acceptance, which is often equated to acquiescence to a fait accompli, and is designed to contribute to the development of projects which exhibit inherent social acceptability.
 This paper presents the work within SafeWAVE project to develop the EPE framework with input from the communities. The first part of the paper reports on critical review of selected EPE programmes associated with marine energy test sites and infrastructure deployments, with methods adopted in each case analysed, key challenges faced identified, and best practices documented. Next a framework for public education and engagement is presented, which builds on this review and draws from literature across multiple disciplines – including sociology, psychology, political science, education. Finally, leveraging this developed knowledge the collaborative process of deriving tailored EPE programmes on ocean literacy around marine renewables for the four focal communities is outlined and described. These programmes are intended to reach out to, and engage with, local communities, interested stakeholders and the wider public on issues surrounding the deployment of ocean energy devices, including but not limited to: effects on local communities, implications for marine life, potential impacts for water users, etc.
 The paper concludes by discussing the experience of developing the bespoke programmes, outlining emergent feedback from trialling of key elements of the programmes, discussing experiences and proffering guidance based on lessons learned.

Knowledge of Energy Resources and Next Generation Energy Choice Behaviour: A Case Study of Kazakhstan

Renewable energy (RE) is key to averting the climate crisis, and public support is central to its successful implementation. In this study, we examined the impact that knowledge of energy policy and energy issues has on public support for different energy types. This was achieved through the use of an online survey of residents of Kazakhstan. As a resource-rich developing country with a history of nuclear testing, Kazakhstan provides an interesting case study. In this paper, we statistically analyze the effect of individual knowledge of energy policy on the choice behavior for next-generation energy, including RE, in Kazakhstan. First, those who support fossil fuel power generation knew that Kazakhstan has abundant natural gas reserves, and those who support wind and solar power generation were aware that Kazakhstan has huge potential for such forms of power generation. It was clear that knowledge of the positive and negative aspects of fossil fuel, nuclear, wind and solar power generation had an impact on the preferences of the respondents. Second, the reasons given for supporting RE included: unlike fossil fuels, there was no danger of them being exhausted; the rise in adoption of RE technology globally; reduction in carbon dioxide emissions; and, addressing climate change. Third, although many women were aware of the advantages and disadvantages of RE, there were high levels of both support and opposition. Respondents with lower income and lower educational attainment tended to oppose RE. People living in East Kazakhstan, the site of nuclear tests, tended to support RE, but due to the high rates of subsidy to the price of electricity, many people preferred the status quo. Finally, preference for next-generation energy in Kazakhstan was associated with higher awareness of the need to protect the global environment.

Renewable energy adoption and rural livelihoods in Ethiopia

AbstractThe introduction of new policies promoting decentralized energy technologies is likely to have profound effects across all the nexus activities, including agricultural production, input use, and labor allocations. Thus, this paper analyzes the potential synergies and trade‐offs created by the adoption of renewable energy technologies along the water–energy–food security nexus in Ethiopia. We use a mathematical programming‐based household model to compare the impacts of fossil‐based and renewable energy use on rural households’ livelihoods. Our findings show that only a 10% subsidy to the price of biogas digester considerably changes the energy mix of all types of households and increases the use of decentralized modern energy sources. Household crop production patterns are not changed substantially as a consequence of the biogas subsidy, despite the competition over resources between crop and energy production. Nonetheless, the subsidy policy can lead to family labor reallocation from collecting fuelwood to agricultural activities. Moreover, the biogas subsidy can improve household incomes. Specifically, the findings indicate that 10% biogas subsidy can lead to 0.93% and 3.44% increases in the net incomes of wealthier and poorer households, respectively, compared to the business‐as‐usual scenario, that is, also has a pro‐poor dimension. Sensitivity analyses are carried out and it appears among others that more subsidy of the price of biogas digester leads to an increase in the net income of the two household types. Overall, the benefits generated by the biogas subsidy in terms of increases in net household incomes outweigh the total costs of the subsidy program. The findings indicate the importance of the subsidy policy to improve rural households’ welfare.

Renewable energy technology adoption in building a sustainable circular supply chain and managing renewable energy-related risk

Renewable energy technology adoption in building a sustainable circular supply chain and managing renewable energy-related risk

Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation in Nepal and South Asia: Challenges, Progress, and Recommendations

This study examines the challenges and status of climate change mitigation and adaptation in South Asian countries, with a specific focus on Nepal. The study employs a purposive sampling approach, selecting countries based on the engagement of researchers in those regions and performing a comprehensive literature review. The analysis of the gathered literature provided valuable insights into the challenges of climate change mitigation and adaptation in South Asian countries, particularly Nepal. The study highlights the significant impacts of climate change on sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, and coastal regions. However, it also acknowledges the progress made through the implementation of climate change mitigation and adaptation measures. Despite the progress, challenges remain in effectively addressing climate change, with current measures falling short of the ambitious targets set by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement. To address these challenges, the study recommends strengthening regional collaboration and knowledge sharing, prioritizing the adoption of renewable energy technologies, investing in climate-resilient infrastructure, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, developing comprehensive policy frameworks, exploring innovative financing mechanisms, and enhancing capacity and awareness.

Exploring the impact of awareness on public acceptance of emerging energy technologies: An analysis of the oil palm industry

The adoption of renewable energy technology and the resolution of sustainability challenges hinge on public acceptance. This study explored the public's acceptance of power generation utilizing recycled oil palm waste, a nascent and innovative technology, to discern the impact of increased public awareness on the approval of potentially contentious scientific technology. Through a combined conjoint survey and information treatment experiment, participants from three Northeast Asian countries, Japan (n = 1513), China (n = 1565), and South Korea (n = 1514) were randomly exposed to various sets of potentially controversial information. Results indicated that the public's acceptance of this technology was comparable to solar power in Japan and South Korea and surpassing other energy sources in China at a general knowledge level. The findings reveal that acceptance was higher at a general knowledge level as opposed to when participants were more informed, though well-informed participants did not necessarily reject the emerging controversial technology. Raising public awareness about palm oil generally reduced acceptance of the utilization of recycled oil palm waste. Public support increased with multiple pieces of information rather than single pieces of information. Unexpectedly, the information provisions increased public support of other non-fossil fuel sources such as nuclear and solar power. These results suggest that the nature and volume of information significantly impact public support, and that the public engages in careful deliberation before making decisions.

Developing sustainable power systems by evaluating techno-economic, environmental, and social indicators from a system dynamics approach

The transition from fossil fuel-based energy systems to renewable energy systems (RES), especially in fossil-fuel-rich countries, is a challenging process requiring consideration of numerous factors, including technological feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and public acceptance. As governments play a crucial role in determining energy and environmental policy, developing practical policymaking tools encourages them to stimulate the adoption of renewable energy technology. This study proposes a novel framework to model an energy system transition focused on the power generation and its dynamic behavior of fossil-fuel-rich countries using the System Dynamics (SD) approach and then assesses the techno-economic and environmental impacts of various economic, technical, and environmental policies using the Multi-Criteria Decision-Analysis technique (MCDA). This study aims to compare the development of renewable technologies development versus improving the current technology efficiency under three different “business as usual,” “basic development,” and “advanced development” scenarios by assessing economic, environmental, and social indicators over the horizon of 2016–2040 in fossil-rich-fuel countries. The proposed framework was applied to Iran, a fossil-fuel-rich country. According to the case study results, in all of the defined policies under three scenarios, the improvement of fossil fuel technologies received the highest score indicating that improvement in the efficiency of the current energy system by utilizing combined cycle systems is an inevitable step. Taking into account the water shortage in Iran, the second crucial stage is the implementation of water-efficient renewable technologies.

Influence of social-cultural practices on the adoption of Renewable Energy Technologies (RETs) in Uganda

The desired widespread adoption of renewable energy technologies is yet to be achieved partly due to the different ways people appreciate and use energy depending on the local culture and practices. In order to improve our understanding of this behavior, the current study set out to examine the influence of social-cultural practices on the adoption of renewable energy technologies in Uganda using the theoretical foundations of the energy culture framework- ECF. A total of 439 households from three urban districts in central Uganda participated in the study. The data were analyzed using Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) with Smart PLS 3.0 data management tool. The findings indicate that social practices such as TV watching, phone charging, use of solar-powered appliances, and routine -habitual energy usage positively influence the adoption of renewable energy technologies. However, cooking practices such as traditional cooking methods, use of smoke and fire in food preparation and preservation, and preference for traditional cook-places do not influence the adoption of renewable energy technologies. These results contribute to the spread and usage of renewable energy technologies by highlighting that social practices and habits need to be considered in policy formulation and promotional campaigns that encourage more renewable energy usage.