Clean Energy Integration Research Articles

Real-Time Pricing and the Cost of Clean Power

Solar and wind power are now cheaper than fossil fuels but are intermittent. The extra supply-side variability implies growing benefits of using real-time retail pricing (RTP). We evaluate the potential gains of RTP using a model that jointly solves investment, supply, storage, and demand to obtain a chronologically detailed dynamic equilibrium for the island of Oahu, Hawai‘i. We find that, holding demand assumptions fixed, RTP reduces costs in high-renewable systems by roughly 6 to 12 times as much as in fossil systems, markedly lowering the cost of clean energy integration. (JEL G31, L94, L98, Q42, Q48)

Harmonic absorption method for cement kiln power supply system under clean energy integration

Abstract To maintain the normal operation of the power supply system, a method for harmonic absorption in the cement kiln power supply system under clean energy access is proposed. We design a data acquisition structure for the cement kiln power supply system and extract the harmonic current signal of the power supply system through variational mode decomposition, harmonic compensation for the cement kiln power supply system under clean energy integration, and harmonic absorption of cement kiln power supply system through the current equivalent model. The experimental results show that the harmonic signal extraction accuracy of this method is high, and the difference between the consumed discharge power and the power demand is minimal. It can achieve a balance between power supply and demand through harmonic compensation, which is conducive to the stable operation of the power supply system.

Composite Harmonic Source Detection with Multi-Label Approach Using Advanced Fusion Method

With the integration of clean energy and new power electronic devices into the power grid, the superposition of harmonic sources has become increasingly apparent and common. There is an urgent need to effectively identify composite harmonic sources in the new energy grid. This article proposes a multi-label composite harmonic source classification method that integrates knowledge representation with the transformer model. First, triplets from harmonic monitoring data are extracted and TransR models are used to train time-frequency feature representation vectors. Then, the transformer model is trained to learn the data features of different harmonic sources. Finally, based on the multi-label classification method, composite harmonic sources are identified. This article integrates the semantic information of time-frequency features into the data samples, increasing the interpretability of the model while expanding the inter-class features, which is conducive to the classification and recognition of the model. Compared with other deep learning recognition methods, verification based on simulation data and measured data shows that this method has low training complexity and higher recognition accuracy.

Rational modulation of electronic structure in PtAuCuNi alloys boosts efficient electrocatalytic ethanol oxidation assisted with energy-saving hydrogen evolution

Compared to conventional electrocatalytic water splitting, electrocatalytic ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) along with hydrogen production is considered a more energy-efficient strategy. Herein, we prepared a type of novel quaternary alloy catalyst (PtAuCuNi@NF) that exhibits excellent activity for EOR (0.215 V at 10 mA cm−2) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) (7 mV at 10 mA cm−2). Experimental results demonstrated that both Cu and Ni modulated the electronic environment around Pt and Au. The electron-rich active center facilitates the rapid adsorption and dissociation of reactants and intermediates for both EOR and HER. Impressively, in the ethanol-assisted overall water splitting (E-OWS), a current density of 10 mA cm−2 was achieved at 0.28 V. Moreover, an advanced acid-base self-powered system (A-Bsps) that can achieve a self-powered voltage of 0.59 V was assembled. Accordingly, the self-driven hydrogen production with zero external power supply was realized by integrating A-Bsps with the E-OWS equipment. The interesting results can provide a feasible strategy for designing and developing advanced nanoalloy-based materials for clean energy integration and use in various fields.

Long and short-term power supply and demand forecasting based on time series analysis under high proportion clean energy integration

This paper focuses on the prediction of power supply and demand in the electric power system under a high proportion of clean energy integration using time series analysis. Firstly, the impact of clean energy integration on power supply and demand is analyzed, taking into account factors such as the volatility and seasonality of renewable energy sources. A case study is conducted in Region A, which comprises four areas in China, to forecast the power supply and demand in the electric power system. In terms of power demand, we employ two commonly used methods in time series analysis, namely SARIMAX and factor decomposition, to establish a comprehensive forecasting model. These methods are applied from both short-term and long-term perspectives to analyze the monthly maximum electricity demand of users, aiming to accurately predict power demand under a high proportion of clean energy integration. As for power supply, we utilize the least squares method to regressively fit the installed capacity of energy sources and analyze future trends. Through the predictions of both demand and supply, the stable operation of the power system is ensured.

Nexus between foreign direct investment, gross capital formation, financial development and renewable energy consumption: evidence from panel data estimation

This research examines the correlation between foreign direct investment (FDI), gross capital formation (GCF), financial development, and renewable energy consumption (REC). The research utilizes the CS-ARDL and NARDL estimates to identify a strong and statistically significant connection, both in the long-term and short-term, between Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Gross Capital Formation (GCF), financial development, and Regional Economic Cooperation (REC). More precisely, a 10% alteration in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) leads to a 1.545% augmentation in Research and Development Expenditure (REC) over an extended period of time, and a 0.735% boost in the immediate term. Likewise, favorable (unfavorable) advancements in foreign direct investment (FDI) hasten (diminish) the pace of economic growth in the long term. The analysis also demonstrates a strong and statistically significant relationship between GCF and REC, highlighting the advantageous impact of domestic capital creation on the integration of clean energy. Moreover, it reveals a favorable correlation between financial development and REC, indicating that the financial incentives enabled by financial development have a crucial impact on encouraging the use of renewable energy. These results are consistent with previous research and have important consequences for the connection between foreign direct investment (FDI), gross capital formation (GCF), financial development, and sustainable energy. Nonetheless, the study highlights the importance of taking into account the nature and caliber of foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows, the influence of fair and sustainable growth in the renewable energy sector on the environment and society, and the possible environmental and social consequences of renewable energy projects fueled by domestic capital expansion. Furthermore, it emphasizes the need of well-rounded policy frameworks and governance mechanisms to guarantee that foreign direct investment (FDI), green climate fund (GCF), and financial development effectively contribute to equitable and sustainable growth in the consumption of renewable energy. The study's findings offer valuable insights on how to effectively use foreign direct investment (FDI), global climate finance (GCF), and financial development to increase the use of renewable energy. However, it also emphasizes the importance of carefully evaluating the wider consequences and related factors in order to develop sustainable strategies for promoting renewable energy consumption.

Multimodal hierarchical distributed multi-objective moth intelligence algorithm for economic dispatch of power systems

The issue of economic dispatch in the context of environmental sustainability is more challenging with the integration of clean energy into the grid and the increase in the size of power systems. Power engineers have a responsibility to seek a novel algorithm that can hierarchically simplify the problem, enhance the diversity of solutions, balance economic and environmental goals, reduce the environmental footprint, and increase economic efficiency. In this paper, a multimodal hierarchical distributed multi-objective moth intelligence algorithm is proposed, combines the hierarchical distributed method with the moth algorithm, introduces the loose equivalence of multimodality, and adopts the Pareto curve partition processing and the extraction of objective points. The proposed method converts the information exchange of the adjacent regions of each layer and the optimization of each layer to be performed in the bottom layer, achieving the coordinated optimization of the whole system through the parallel optimization of the bottom layer regions. The simulation results show that: (1) the computational efficiency is improved. In the 118-bus system, the proposed algorithm reduces 0.13% cost and 5.76% carbon emission than distributed optimization; the proposed algorithm reduces 0.53% cost and 3.81% carbon emission than centralized optimization; (2) the speed of computation is accelerated. In the 1139-bus system, three-layer distributed optimization and two-layer distributed optimization of the proposed algorithm reduce the time by 62.64% and 37.22% than distributed optimization, respectively; (3) the performance metrics of the proposed method demonstrate superiority.

Review on measurement-based frequency dynamics monitoring and analyzing in renewable energy dominated power systems

The massive integration of clean energy and renewable energy source (RES) is one of the most important trends in the low carbon energy transition toward carbon neutrality. Such an important goal significantly alters the power system dynamic behavior. Consequently, monitoring and analyzing the complex frequency dynamic of RES-dominated power systems play an essential role in ensuring power system security and stability. The measurements, especially those supported by wide area measurement systems (WAMSs), can enable full state awareness and deep informatization of the power system and therefore provide effective solutions for monitoring and analyzing system frequency dynamic behaviors with complex features. This paper focus on the application of measurements in monitoring and modeling analysis technologies for the features of frequency dynamics of RES-dominated power systems. We summarize related research on online monitoring of frequency dynamic behavior features based on the information from measurements. Further, for system frequency security assessment, measurements can improve the traditional methods and promote new data-driven methods for more accuracy and effective frequency dynamics analysis. Finally, future directions and possible solutions for measurement-based frequency dynamics monitoring and analyzing are prospected.

Influence of Clean Energy and Financial Structure on China’s Provincial Carbon Emission Efficiency—Empirical Analysis Based on Spatial Spillover Effects

Clean energy is an essential means to limiting carbon emissions and improving economic transformation, and a market-oriented financial structure is the inevitable result of the deepening of supply-side financial reforms. Exploring whether clean energy enhances carbon emission efficiency (CEE) through financial structural adjustment is essential in formulating policies intended to achieve the dual goals of “carbon peaking” and “carbon neutrality”. As part of the evaluation of China’s provincial CEE using panel data of 30 provinces from 2000 to 2019, this paper adopts an improved nonradial directional distance function (NDDF), while empirically analyzing the influence of clean energy and a market-oriented financial structure on CEE using a spatial econometric model. The results indicate the following findings: (1) The provincial CEE in China is characterized by significant spatial autocorrelation. (2) A 1% increase in the integration of clean energy and a market-oriented financial structure leads to a 0.0032% increase in the local CEE and a 0.0076% increase in neighboring regions’ CEE through the spatial spillover effect. Clean energy can efficiently enhance CEE through the stock market, while it has a passive impact through bank credit. (3) The interactive effect between clean energy and a market-oriented financial structure varies according to the provincial CEE. From the 25th to the 90th quantiles, the role of clean energy in promoting CEE through the capital market is very significant, while clean energy inhibits CEE through bank credit in most provinces. Therefore, China’s clean energy development will bolster its competitiveness in the global market through a market-oriented financial structure that will bring economic development and environmental pollution into balance and provide a theoretical foundation for China’s double carbon reduction.

An Asymmetric Nexus between Urbanization and Technological Innovation and Environmental Sustainability in Ethiopia and Egypt: What Is the Role of Renewable Energy?

The present study investigates the nexus between urbanization, technological innovation, renewable energy consumption, and environmental quality in Egypt and Ethiopia from 1980 to 2020 by employing symmetric and asymmetric frameworks. Referring to symmetric assessment, the coefficient of renewable energy consumption and technological innovation revealed a negative and statistically significant tie with environmental sustainability, valid for both proxies. Study findings suggest that clean energy integration and technological innovations in the economy decrease environmental adversity by reducing carbon emissions and ecological blames. Although the elasticity of urbanization has documented a positive and statistically significant connection with environmental sustainability, the conclusion is valid for both models. Second, in the long run, the asymmetric shocks of renewable energy consumption and technological innovation have exposed a negative and statistically significant tie to environmental sustainability, whereas in the case of urbanization, the asymmetric shocks unveiled a positive and statistically significant association to environmental sustainability. Third, the study revealed that the feedback hypothesis explains the relationship between technological innovation and environmental sustainability [TI←→EF] in Egypt and ecological footprint and urbanization in Egypt and Ethiopia. Moreover, unidirectional causality runs from ecological footprint to renewable energy consumption in Egypt and Ethiopia.

Nexus Between Environmental Innovation, Energy Efficiency, and Environmental Sustainability in G7: What is the Role of Institutional Quality?

The motivation of this study is to evaluate the role of environmental innovation, energy efficiency, and institutional quality in achieving sustainable environmental improvement in the G7 economy for the period 1980–2020. The study has implemented several econometrical tools for gauging their empirical association, including cross-sectional autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) and directional causality with Dumitrescu-Hurlin. Study findings with cross-sectionally dependency test revealed that variables are sharing common dynamics, while the panel test of stationary documented all the variables were stationary after the first difference. Furthermore, the panel counteraction test established a long-run association among research variables. The variables coefficients with CS-ARDL revealed that renewable energy integration and environmental innovation expedite the scope of sustainability in the G7 economy in the long run. Furthermore, institutional quality assists in augmenting the process of ecological balance, that is, efficient institutional presence inductees affecting environmental policies implementation. Directional causality documented feedback hypothesis between renewable energy and environmental sustainability, environmental innovation and environmental sustainability. Moreover, the unidirectional causality was revealed between institutional quality and environmental sustainability. By considering the findings, a study has advocated that considerable time and efforts have to invest in formulating environmental policies to encourage clean energy integration for ensuring environmental quality and promoting environmental innovation.

Nexus between Economic Policy Uncertainty and Renewable Energy Consumption in BRIC Nations: The Mediating Role of Foreign Direct Investment and Financial Development

In recent literature, the impact of economic policy uncertainty (EPU) on macro aspects have been investigated, but the aspect of energy, precisely renewable energy still to explore. The motivation of the study is to produce fresh evidence regarding the nexus between EPU and renewable energy consumption (REC) with the mediating role of forcing direct investment (FDI) and financial development (FD) in BRIC nations for the period 1997q1–2018q4. The study applied unit root tests following Ng-Perron and Zivot and Andrews for detecting variable’s stationary properties. The long-run cointegration was evaluated by implementing Bayer, Hanck combined the cointegration test, Bound testing approach, and tBDM test. Both linear and non-linear ARDL were implemented to evaluate long-run and short-run shocks, and directional causality was assessed through a non-granger causality test. Furthermore, the study implemented robustness by implementing fully-modified OLS, dynamic OLS, and canonical cointegrating regression (CCR). Unit root test established the variables are stationary after the first difference; moreover, the Bayer and Hanck cointegration test confirmed the long-run association between EPU, FD, FD, and REC in BRIC nations. Accruing to ARDL estimation, adverse effects running from EPU to REC both in the long run and short run. Furthermore, the positive statistically significant linkage revealed for FDI and FD to REC implies that clean energy integration could be augmented with continual inflows of FDI and development of the financial sector. Model estimation with asymmetric assumption, the study documented asymmetric effects running from EPU, FDI, and FD to renewable energy consumption, especially in the long run. Finally, the directional causality revealed unidirectional causality between REC and EPU, whereas the feedback hypothesis was disclosed for FDI and REC] and FD and REC. Study findings postulated that the role of foreign direct investment and financial development is critically significant because technological advancement and capital investment augment clean energy integration through the application of renewable energy.

Research on Network Loss of Distributed Energy Integration into Power System

At present, the integration of clean energy into the grid has led to excessive network losses. This paper proposes a method for optimizing clean energy power generation parameters. In view of the random characteristics of intermittent renewable energy power generation such as wind power and photovoltaic power generation, the maximum likelihood estimation method is used to optimize the clean energy power generation model parameters. Then, a P-Q equation based on the integration of clean energy into the system was established. Finally, the simulation verified that the optimized power generation model effectively reduces the grid loss.

A Review of Clean Electricity Policies—From Countries to Utilities

Due to the heavy stress on environmental deterioration and the excessive consumption of fossil resources, the transition of global energy from fossil fuel energy to clean energy has significantly accelerated in recent years. The power industry and policymakers in almost all countries are focusing on clean energy development. Thanks to progressive clean energy policies, significant progress in clean energy integration and greenhouse gas reduction has been achieved around the world. However, due to the differences in economic structures, clean energy distributions, and development models, clean energy policy scope, focus, and coverage vary between different countries, states, and utilities. This paper aims at providing a policy review for readers to easily obtain clean energy policy information on various clean energies in the U.S. and some other countries. Firstly, this paper reviews and compares some countries’ clean energy policies on electricity. Then, taking the U.S. as an example, this paper introduces the clean energy policies of some representative states and utilities in the U.S in perspectives of renewable energies, electric vehicles, and energy storage.

Environmental impact of electricity relocation: A quasi-natural experiment from interregional electricity transmission

Pollutants such as sulfur would concentrate in the source regions and thus the localized impacts are more obvious. Local balance of electricity by transporting coal has resulted in dense concentration of coal-fired power plants in load centers and caused severe environmental problems. Electricity relocation through interregional transmission is another choice for energy transportation to achieve electricity balance across regions and pollution mitigation. Using interregional electricity transmission (IRET) lines in China as a quasi-natural experiment, this paper assesses the environmental impact of electricity relocation. In the assessment, the grid organization of “province as executor” in China is considered because it affects the sphere of IRET's influence on pollution mitigation. Here we show the environmental benefits of electricity relocation. We find that, electricity relocation through interregional transmission leads to the growth rate of sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission decreasing 7% in landing areas and Sichuan province benefits most from electricity relocation. It is interesting that there is no significant increase of SO2 emission growth rate in sending areas compared to counterfactuals if there had no IRET due to more integration of clean energy and improved emission efficiency in sending areas. Placebo study and robustness check show that the results are quite convincing. Therefore, IRET provides an appealing choice for China's environmental control in eastern region, and it is not necessarily at the cost of pollution in western region. The methodology can be applied to assess the environmental impacts of other program or policy elsewhere.

Political Economy of Clean Energy Integration in West Africa

The appalling state of energy generation and distribution in virtually all African states has continued to plague the continent’s economic growth. Most African countries have not utilized effective...

Potential of Renewable Energies Integration in an Essential Oils Extraction Process

This paper presents an essential oil extraction process in accordance with sustainable development and environmental protection. The idea is to use vegetal plant after extraction as a source of energy for steam production and the condensation of steam containing essential oil is ensured by an air-cooled condenser. In this prospect, a biomass burner was designed and its efficiency was evaluated and compared to an electrical heating system. From the experiments it was found that biomass could supply the energy needed to produce steam for essential oil extraction process. The essential oil yield and composition are comparable to those obtained by a classical method using an electrical heating system and a water-cooled condenser. The industrial projection and innovation lays in the integration of renewable energy in existing mobile extraction units by using solid waste as a source of energy for steam production. The condensation of steam containing essential oil can be ensured by an air-cooled condenser with fans powered by photovoltaic solar energy. Possibilities of clean energy integration and water economy in such process unit are the major technological advance in this alternative approach for energy and water savings especially in agro-based industries.