Alternative Renewable Energy Sources Research Articles

Electrochemical investigation of cubic structured Fe-doped-SrCoO3 nano-structured cathode for SOFC synthesized via sol-gel route

Renewable alternative energy sources are required due to rapidly depletion of fossil fuels in the current scenario. Low temperature-solid oxide fuel cell (LT-SOFC) is one of the best alternative energy conversion devices. The commercialization of LT-SOFC requires a highly efficient, oxygen permeable, good electro-chemically performing cathode. The Sr0.3Co0.6Fe0.1 oxide (SCF) composite cathode was prepared by environmentally friendly sol-gel method. The crystal structure of prepared material was analyzed by x-ray Diffractometry, while structural characteristics were studied by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. The particle size was calculated by Scherer’s formula and found to be 36 nm. The results were also confirmed by SEM images. The prepared material showed porous coral reef like surface morphology in recorded scanning electron micrograph (SEM). The activation energy was calculated by Arrhenius curve that is 0.3 eV and highest electronic conductivity measured and calculated was 4.201 Scm−1. SCF oxide cathode was tested for potential LT-SOFC between the range of 450 °C–650 °C temperature. The maximum current density and power density obtained at 650 °C was 887 mAcm−2 and 110 mWcm−2 respectively.

Microfluidic tools for lipid production and modification: a review

Microfluidics has great potential as an efficient tool for a large range of applications in industry. The ability of such devices to deal with an extremely small amount of fluid has additional benefits, including superlatively fast and efficient mass and heat transfer. These characteristics of microfluidics have attracted an enormous amount of interest in their use as a novel tool for lipid production and modification. In addition, lipid resources have a close relationship with energy resources, and lipids are an alternative renewable energy source. Here, recent advances in the application of microfluidics for lipid production and modification, especially in the discovery, culturing, harvesting, separating, and monitoring of lipid-producing microorganisms, will be reviewed. Other applications of microfluidics, such as the modification of lipids from microorganisms, will also be discussed. The novel microfluidic tools in this review will be useful in applications to improve lipid production and modification in the future.

Effect of Zn(O,S) Synthesis Temperature to Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Performance

About 80% of global energy demands had been fulfilled with the utilization of fossil fuels and accordingly, CO2 amount in the air had been increased to 406 ppm (∼40% higher than pre-industrial level). Therefore, to find clean, renewable, and carbon-free alternative energy sources such as hydrogen energy is greatly needed. In this work, hydrogen was photo-catalytically evolved with Zn(O,S) nanoparticles (NPs) in 10% ethanol as a hole scavenger reagent without Pt as a co-catalyst under low UV light illumination. To find out the optimum processing temperature, Zn(O,S) NPs were prepared in three different temperatures (50, 70, and 90 °C) with 4-h reactions in aqueous solution. The as-prepared catalysts were tested for their capabilities to evolve hydrogen and the experimental data revealed the produced hydrogen amounts were enhanced as the processing temperature increased. It was also found that the as-prepared catalysts were reusable and stable, although the colour of catalyst was changed from white to grey during the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and was changed back to white colour after HER was accomplished. The change in catalyst colour indicated the formation of oxygen vacancy on catalyst which further enhanced the HER. The highest amount of evolved hydrogen achieved 2.7 mmol/gh.

Estudos prospectivos do biogás: uma fonte de energia para o desenvolvimento sustentável

This article consists of a technological survey on the use of biogas as a sustainable energy source to reduce the environmental impacts caused by the scarcity of non-renewable energy, carried out on the bases of INPI, USPTO and EPO patents and on the bases of Web of Science and Scopus. The results achieved reveal that in the early years from 1980 to 1985 19 patents were published and from 2010 to 2016, 59 patents in the Brazilian patent base INPI, in which the country with the highest number of publications is Germany with 18 publications and superior results for based on American (USPTO) and European (EPO) patents. In the database of article publications, it was observed that in the period from 2010 to 2016, 2,586 articles were published on biogas in the Web of Science, since Germany published 490 articles between 1980 and 2016, while in Scopus it was observed a growth with 4,811 published with China leading with 1127 articles published on biogas as an alternative source of renewable energy and sustainability.

THE CONCEPT OF «MEGASIENCE» CLASS PROJECTS: THE CASE OF ITER AND FAIR INSTALLATIONS

International scientific projects aimed at the creation and operation of megasiens class facilities and, accordingly, at obtaining breakthrough, innovative scientific results of global significance are called megascience class projects. Currently, there are several large-scale megasiens projects in the world, each of which is aimed at addressing the global challenge facing humanity. The next qualitative stage in the development of civilization is impossible without the elimination of bottlenecks that prevent such a progressive movement. One of the most pressing global problems is to increase energy efficiency and develop technologies for obtaining and using alternative renewable sources of electric and thermal energy, as well as gaining new knowledge about the structure of matter and the evolution of the Universe from the Big Bang to the present. The megascience projects of ITER and FAIR are called to solve these problems, an important role in the financing and technical implementation of which is played by the Russian Federation.

Feasibility study of municipal solid waste for producing refuse-derived fuel (RDF): A case study of Bangkok, Thailand

The objective of this study was investigated the potential of municipal solid waste (MSW) to produce refuse-derived fuel from Bangkok municipality. The composition, heating value and proximately content were analyzed. The amount of MSW in Bangkok generated was approximately 4.86 million tons or 13,327 tons/day in 2017. About 79.5% was disposed by landfill and 20.5% was recycled. The compositions of MSW were biodegradable (49.58%), combustible (36.32%) and non-combustible (14.10%) wastes. Moisture content was 59.5±8.6% (as received), volatile matter, fixed carbon and ash were 72.4±3.2%, 8.2±0.5% and 19.4±0.5% (as dry basis), respectively. Heating value was 20.03±0.52 MJ/kg. These results indicated that MSW from Bangkok municipality is potential to produce the refuse-derived fuel. To reduce the environmental impacts as well as energy recovery, the MSW might be alternative sources of renewable energy in the future.

Bioethanol from Sargassum sp Using Acid Hydrolysis and Fermentation Method Using Microbial Association

Sargassum sp is one of the abundant seaweed in Indonesian seas and it has the potential to be used as a renewable alternative energy source. Dry Sargassum sp contains 58.23% carbohydrate that can be used as bioethanol through a fermentation process. This research aims to determine the effect of fermentation time on the amount of ethanol content produced from Sargassum sp fermentation.The type of this study was laboratory experiment. The experiment was conducted by using microbial association namely Zymomonas mobilis, Tape Yeast and Bread Yeast with variation of fermentation duration of 4 days, 5 days, 6 days, and 7 days. Glucose test is done by using the DNS method. The measurement of ethanol content is done by using Gas Chromatography. In the data analysis the researcher uses correlation regression statistic method. The result of the research shows that the best treatment was 6 days fermentation duration with the amount of ethanol 24.67% with the reducing sugar content 54,570 ppm. The longer the fermentation time the higher the ethanol content produced except on the 7th day showing decline. The results of data analysis showed that the difference in fermentation time to ethanol content produced had a correlation coefficient that was positive and there was no significant relationship.

Development of a New Support Mechanism to Calculate Feed-in Tariffs for Electricity Generation from Renewable Energy Sources in Turkey

Turkish government agencies support capital investments in electricity generation from renewable energy sources. When making support decisions related with renewable electrical energy sources, the government agencies should consider various issues such as renewability, cleanliness, origin of the source, supply security, cost per kilowatt hour (kWh), and total electricity generation capacity. The tariff mechanism being used in Turkey provides constant rates per kWh of electricity generated from renewable energy sources. The levels of the rates are determined to stimulate renewable energy sources’ usage. In this paper, instead of a constant rate, a feed-in tariff is calculated for each individual electricity generation project using renewable energy source and its level is increased according to the source’s desirability with respect to other renewable energy sources. Various criteria are taken into account in determination of electrical energy sources’ desirability. Furthermore, a combination of two multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approaches (the fuzzy versions of the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS)) is used in obtaining a ranking among alternative renewable electrical energy sources. The developed support model’s applicability is illustrated in this paper. The new model developed in this paper has many key benefits. For example, for an individual renewable electrical energy project, final cost per kWh can be calculated and multiplied by new Support Constant to calculate feed-in tariff purchase price per kWh. In another key benefit of the developed model, only local instead of state-wide renewable electrical energy projects can be compared within the AHP-TOPSIS decision hierarchy.

Biomass based bio-electro fuel cells based on carbon electrodes: an alternative source of renewable energy

The increasing concerns for sustainable economy and alarming environmental health are making researchers to pay serious attention to bio-fuels that too primarily synthesized from the biomass. An energy transforming machine extracting energy directly from biomass would be an idyllic condition. Regrettably, devices using sustainable energy resource have shown to have low output, not meeting the demands of practical appliances. Serious efforts are being dedicated to research on the prospects of bio-fuel powered fuel cells as green energy exchange tool. To comprehend this, scientists are working on the production and expansion biological fuel cell (BFC) which are electro-chemical devices utilizing electro-active bacteria for producing electricity through oxidation. The materials used for electrodes in BFCs, should have conductivity, porosity, biocompatibility, low in cost and recyclability. The materials tested for BFCs are principally metal-based, carbon-based or purposely built advanced materials. The research efforts over the last decade have positioned macro-porous and composite of carbon-based nanostructures with controllable surface and electronic characteristics to be used as a support-matrix for metallic electro catalysts or as proficient non-metallic electro catalysts in BFCs. This review article discusses about the present challenges and future prospects in the field of current progresses in the field of carbon based catalysis system for biomass based microbial fuel cells which extract energy from biomass resources either directly or indirectly.

Solar and wind energy: Challenges and solutions in desert regions

In desert regions, several environmental challenges have the potential to reduce solar energy production. These are the formation of thinly crusted mud and/or carbonates coatings caused from deposited dust aerosols during humid conditions and other weather conditions. These challenges that profoundly affect photovoltaic panel surfaces as well as wind turbines were delineated to conclude the potential feasibility to establish solar and/or wind energy systems in Kuwait. The study concluded that photovoltaic (PV) cells are not the most suitable energy source for Kuwait due to the above mentioned environmental challenges; therefore, alternative renewable energy sources are considered more feasible. After one year of operation at solar units and wind farms in Kuwait, the results clearly show that wind energy records energy production numbers that exceed the industry average. This was associated with high capacity factors throughout the year, resulting in an annual power production that is 2.3 times higher than that of PV; powering 450 homes compared to 199 homes for PV. West of the state of Kuwait and the Bubiyan Island are the recommended potential sites for wind farm establishment.

Catalytic Upgrading of Bio-oil Produced from Pyrolysis of Rice Husk

Rice husk is one of the most widely available agriculture residues. It was a promising eco-friendly alternative source of renewable energy in the context of current energy scenarios. Fast pyrolysis technologies can transform rice husk into bio-oil considering its physical and chemical properties. Catalytic pyrolysis experiments have been carried out on Japanese rice husk to obtain bio-oil using a fixed-bed pyrolysis reactor with the use of the catalyst and comparison was done to analyze the changes in the bio-oil properties and yield. The fast pyrolysis of rice husk has been performed in the temperature range of 400-600 °C using the experimental pyrolysis reactor. The objective of this research is to explore the possibility to upgrade bio-oil produced from rice husk. The catalytic cracking is the most promising bio-oil upgrading processes, and it can remove oxygenated compounds from bio-oil via H2O, CO and CO2. The result showed that by using two heating units, even without catalyst, the upgrading was achieved well. In this research, two heating units were employed so that the raw bio-oil will separate in the first heating unit and the cracking in the second heating unit. The raw rice husk bio-oil produced and the upgraded bio-oil were characterized by measuring their element content, water content and the chemical composition of its organic fraction. The catalysts used were HZSM-5 zeolite and other non-commercial catalyst like rice husk ash which were appropriately effective in the bio-oil crack upgrading to reduce cost.

Synthesis Biodiesel from Waste Cooking Oil with Microwave Irradiation Method as Alternative Renewable Energy Source

Biodiesel is a very potential fuel to replace diesel fuel. WCO can be used as raw material for making biodiesel. One method of making biodiesel is by using microwave irradiation. Microwave heating is more advantageous than conventional method heating, because conventional method heating is very slow and inefficient. This study aims to determine the effect of power, reaction time and physical properties of raw materials in the manufacture of biodiesel from waste cooking oil using microwave irradiation. The experimental stage consists of pretreatment, transesterification, separation, washing, and analysis of biodiesel yields. Transesterification of waste cooking oil takes place in a microwave oven by: (a) variations in microwave power (100, 180, 300, 450, and 600 Watt) at 5 min, and (b) reaction time variation (5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 minutes) at a fixed power of 100 Watt. From the research it is known that the operating conditions to produce the best yield of biodiesel yield on 100 watt microwave power and heating time for 10 minutes. The yield of biodiesel is 93.06%. The laboratory analysis results show five methyl ester compounds (biodiesel) such as methyl myristate, methyl palmitate, methyl linoleate, methyl oleate, and methyl stearate. The physical properties of biodiesel produced have met several criteria of Dirjen Migas no 13483K / 24 / DJM / 2006 for biofuel / biodiesel and SNI 04 - 7182 (2012).

Uma proposta de pesquisa: aproveitamento das ondas do mar no porto do Pecém-Ceará

Esse artigo tem como objetivo apresentar uma pesquisa sobre o andamento do projeto da usina das ondas do mar no porto do Pecém no Ceará, analisando os impactos econômicos, ambientais e sociais da implementação da usina como fonte de energia alternativa renovável. Durante a pesquisa, pretendemos estar diagnosticando em campo como a usina das ondas está funcionando, avaliando quais possíveis impactos ambientais ou não o módulo de usina poderá ocasionar na região. No artigo, Explanaremos sobre as principais características das ondas do mar e a relevância de se investir na geração de energias limpas. O uso da força das ondas é uma alternativa interessante como geração de energia, já que usa uma matriz renovável que não se esgotará e, portanto, promoverá o desenvolvimento sustentável daqueles que aderirem a essa forma de geração limpa de energia.

Slow Pyrolysis Temperature and Duration Effects on Fuel Properties of Food Rice Waste Bio-Char

In this study, to convert high moisture content waste into bio-char, slow pyrolysis of cooked rice waste was proposed. The effects of temperature and duration of slow pyrolysis of cooked rice waste on the fuel properties of the biochar produced were investigated, namely the carbon content and energy density. The cooked rice waste was dried overnight at 80°C prior to pyrolysis to reduce moisture content. The carbon content was measured by using Thermo Finnigan Flash EA 1112 Series Elemental Analyser CHNS-O. Energy density was measured by using IKA Works C—5000 Control bomb calorimeter. Results demonstrated that pyrolysed rice waste at 250°C and 4 hour duration had the highest carbon content (60.30%). Moreover, the calorific values for pyrolysed cooked rice wastes demonstrated that biochar derived from cooked rice waste could be a promising alternative renewable energy source.

Fruit and Vegetables as a Potential Source of Alternative Electrical Energy

From the total municipal organic waste, around 60% are vegetables and 40% are leaves, fruit peels and leftovers. In fruits contain substances such as ascorbic acid, citric acid and NADH (Nicotinamide Adenosine Dinucleotide Hydrogen, that produces cell energy), which under certain conditions these chemicals act as electrolytes. From the electrical properties that contain a lot of electrolytes from fruit and vegetable waste can be used as a renewable alternative energy source in the form of bio -batteries as a substitute for conventional batteries. The development of waste fruits and vegetables as bio-batteries will contribute greatly to the world of science in particular, and society in general. Data collection from previous studies was carried out and then analyzed based on existing parameters. There are various parameters related to the electrical properties of fruits and vegetables. Different types of fruits and vegetables produce different currents and voltages. Fruits and vegetables have different pH (acidity), where pH is inversely proportional to current and voltage. In addition, the type of electrode used also affects the electrical properties. The distance between electrodes is inversely proportional to current and voltage in fruit and vegetable waste. Installing bio-batteries in series and parallel can increase current and voltage. Bio-batteries with a higher voltage will produce longer LED flash times.

Effects of Process Parameters on Hydrothermal Liquefaction of Microalgae Biomass Grown in Municipal Wastewater

The emerging fuel crisis necessitates a shift in focus towards alternative renewable forms, so that sustainable development can be achieved. Bio-oil is a promising alternative renewable source of energy which is a third generation bio-fuel. Algae are a popular candidate for bio-fuel production due to their high lipid contents, ease of cultivation and rapid growth rate. In this study, Hydrothermal liquefaction of Scenedesmus obliques biomass cultivated in photo-bio-reactor (PBR) from wastewater was studied. The influence of process parameters on the bio-oil yield and bio-oil upgrading was analysed. Different S. obliques biomass to water ratios (0.025, 0.05, 0.075 and 0.1 g/ml) were liquefied at diverse temperatures ranging from 200 to 340°C under 5 MPa N2 gas atmosphere. The influence of catalyst on bio-oil upgradation was studied at varying catalyst loading of the range 1–5 wt %. Bio-oil was analysed using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Results showed a maximum bio-oil yield of 24.57 wt % at 300°C, 15 g/200 ml biomass load and 2.5 wt % NaOH at 60 min holding time. Also, it was found that the gas generated from liquefaction process contained 22 vol % Hydrogen gas, 18 vol % Carbon dioxide gas, 27 vol % Carbon monoxide gas, 22 vol % of methane gas and a small amount of other gaseous components (H2S). HTL bio-oil was upgraded and it resulted in 30.15 wt % yield with higher degree of C7−C21 range hydrocarbons in it.

Fabrication of Improvised Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells from Mangosteen Pericarp Extract

Recent researches are geared towards finding alternative sources of renewable energy and solar power seems to be an attractive avenue and currently, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) have gained worldwide attention. This study aimed to fabricate DSSC that makes use of an improvised conductive glass, with zinc oxide in nappy cream as photoanode and mangosteen pericarp extract as a sensitizer. It sought to find the effect of DSSC processing on the conductivity and performance in terms of current, voltage, and power density generated, and evaluate its stability. Ordinary 1/8" mirror was made conductive glass by stripping the gray coat with very fine sandpaper then heating to remove the orange coat. Conductivity was good (2.1 ohms) and etching with povidone-iodine provided transparency for the photoanode. The DSSCs were capable of producing a mean current of 0.0007 mA and mean voltage of 2.8670 mV that last for ninety minutes. The present study showed DSSCs could be constructed using indigenous materials. Further research is needed for finding ways to improve its efficiency and lifespan. By knowing the principles of the DSSCs, and enhancing the innovativeness and creativity of the current DSSC, researchers can overcome the lack of expensive materials and equipment for future studies.

Biomass - alternative renewable energy source and its conversion for hydrogen rich gas production

This paper presnts biomass as a renewable energy source and defines the resources as well as the ways through biomass energy is converted into fuels, the technologies used for extracting the energy from biomass as well as the advantages and disadvantages that appear by using of biomass as a energy source. In addition,it is known hydrogen is an important alternative energy vector and a bridge to a sustainable way fot the energy future. Hydrogen is an energy carrier and can be obtained by different production technologies from a large variety of primary energy sources. At present, many researches are focused on getting energy from biomass, a sustainable and non-polluting way to replace fossil fuels, because the biomass can be considered as the best option with high potential, which meets energy requirements and could insure fuel supply in the future. Biomass and residual biomass can be used to produce hydrogen rich gas sustainably. Biomass pyrolysis and gasification offers an efficiency and economical route for the renewable hydrogen production and this is also discussed in the paper.

Prospects for development of Ukraine and EU in the field of renewable energy sources

In article assessment of tendencies and prospects of cooperation between Ukraine and the European Union in the field of renewable energy sources was carried out. Over the past decades, the theme of climate change, especially caused by human activity, has become one of the most acute and most exploited in scientific disputes. Today, the problem of finding new sources of energy is more than acute, with a special place occupy non-traditional ones. The reduction of Ukraine's energy dependence on traditional fuel resources is possible only through the development and use own alternative energy, which uses local resources – bioenergy as a fuel or does not require a fuel component at all – solar, wind and small hydropower. The European Union is one of the leaders in the implementation of alternative energy and renewable energy sources and initiates the creation of many organizations that finance alternative energy projects. Ukraine should ensure the effective convergence of its own legislation with the European Union, since it defined the European integration vector as a priority area of foreign policy development. At the same time, within the framework of the Union, the mechanism of environmental protection and progressive approaches to the implementation of energy policy, including in the field of renewable energy, can serve as the most constructive benchmarks for Ukraine's development in this area. Ukraine signed the Paris Agreement, and undertook certain commitments, namely: in accordance with the National Action Plan on alternative energy up to 2020, the objective was to reach 11% of RES in gross final energy consumption. Achieving this goal is possible only in the case of international cooperation with the EU in the field of alternative energy. However, today, the study of the prospects of cooperation between Ukraine and the EU in this field is not developing sufficiently and there is a certain vacuum in solving strategic problems in this context, which determines the relevance of the topic.

Economic and Environmental Analysis of Pellets’ Production in Rio Pardo Watershed, Brazil

ABSTRACT Economic and environmental aspects of residues energetic use in Brazil are extremelly important. In one hand, the country is today a recognized bioenergy producer in a global scenario; on the other, it is still struggling to provide a reliable renewable energy supply to rural communities. Local demand could be supplied through small investments using local forest mill residues as feedstock to produce value-add bio-based energy fuels. Therefore, this work aims at evaluating wood pellets production as an alternative source for supplying regional heat demand for drying grains and tobacco in the Rio Pardo Watershed (RPW), Brazil. It presents techno-economic analysis and risk assessment for a pellet plant supplied by sawmill residues available at the RPW. The results showed the economic feasibility of pellets production in the RPW. The pellets can be a clean, renewable alternative energy source to firewood for supplying farms demand for drying grains and tobacco.