Energy Mix Of Country Research Articles

Sustainable Energy Solutions: Utilising UGS for Hydrogen Production by Electrolysis

Increasing the share of renewable energy sources (RESs) in the energy mix of countries is one of the main objectives of the energy transition in national economies, which must be established on circular economy principles. In the natural gas storage in geological structures (UGSs), natural gas is stored in a gas reservoir at high reservoir pressure. During a withdrawal cycle, the energy of the stored pressurised gas is irreversibly lost at the reduction station chokes. At the same time, there is a huge amount of produced reservoir water, which is waste and requires energy for underground disposal. The manuscript explores harnessing the exergy of the conventional UGS reduction process to generate electricity and produce hydrogen via electrolysis using reservoir-produced water. Such a model, which utilises sustainable energy sources within a circular economy framework, is the optimal approach to achieve a clean energy transition. Using an innovative integrated mathematical model based on real UGS production data, the study evaluated the application of a turboexpander (TE) for electricity generation and hydrogen production during a single gas withdrawal cycle. The simulation results showed potential to produce 70 tonnes of hydrogen per UGS withdrawal cycle utilising 700 m3 of produced field water. The analysis showed that hydrogen production was sensitive to gas flow changes through the pressure reduction station, underscoring the need for process optimisation to maximise hydrogen production. Furthermore, the paper considered the categorisation of this hydrogen as “green” as it was produced from the energy of pressurised gas, a carbon-free process.

Unraveling causal dynamics: Exploring resource efficiency and biomass utilization in Malaysia's context

Industrial activities in Malaysia continue to exert significant environmental pressures, resulting in notable impacts on both its biocapacity and ecological footprint. Policymakers are actively seeking strategies to mitigate this environmental degradation. The Load Capacity Factor (LCF) serves as a comprehensive indicator of environmental deterioration, and an examination of its determinants may offer insights into the effectiveness of these policy measures. As a result, this study investigates the impact of biomass energy, resource efficiency, and economic growth on Malaysia. Additionally, this study assesses the validity of the load capacity curve (LCC) hypothesis. The study employs the ARDL estimator and reveals that biomass energy and resource efficiency positively influence LCF in Malaysia. Furthermore, it confirms the presence of the LCC hypothesis. In addition, the study employs bootstrapped time-varying causality analysis, which observes a bidirectional causality between LCF and its regressors (biomass energy, resource efficiency, and economic growth) in Malaysia. The study underscores the necessity for Malaysian policymakers to support the implementation of the circular economy policies and increase the biomass energy in the country's energy mix.

Review of the policies and development programs for renewable energy in Malaysia: Progress, achievements and challenges

In 2022, Malaysia was ranked 28th worldwide in terms of its energy oil consumption. Energy consumption in Malaysia has been predominantly reliant on natural gas and coal in both the past and present. Oil and gas in Malaysia are predicted to be depleted in 14 years due to the high energy consumption, especially from petroleum sources. Thus, the Malaysian government aims to expand renewable energy (RE) in the country's energy mix as an alternative source of energy. As of 2022, Malaysia has generated roughly 2% of its electricity from various renewable sources, which is still far from the initial target of reaching 20% RE penetration by 2030. However, since 2017, RE has started to contribute to energy mix generation. Several policies, including an act, have been implemented in Malaysia to achieve the target in RE, but many challenges and difficulties have hindered the progress. Thus, the present study explored the current status and challenges for RE in Malaysia and discussed the effectiveness of the available energy policies and programs. The outcomes are potentially valuable to Malaysian policymakers, industries and researchers to improve their current practices for achieving the initial national RE target by 2030 as well as to move forward towards net zero emissions by 2050. This study provides a crucial roadmap for Malaysia to achieve its RE objectives and contribute significantly to the international transition towards a more environmentally friendly and sustainable future.

Renewable energy policies: A comparative analysis of Nigeria and the USA

This paper presents a comprehensive comparative analysis of renewable energy policies between Nigeria and the United States of America. It delves into the different approaches and strategies employed by these two nations in promoting and implementing renewable energy initiatives. The analysis begins by exploring the current energy landscapes in both countries, highlighting their respective energy demands, sources, and challenges. Special emphasis is laid on the policy frameworks, including governmental regulations, incentives, and subsidies that have been instrumental in driving the growth of renewable energy sectors in Nigeria and the USA. The study further examines the impact of these policies on renewable energy development, particularly in terms of increased capacity, technological advancements, and environmental sustainability. It evaluates the effectiveness of various renewable energy programs and projects, including solar, wind, hydro, and biomass, by analyzing their contributions to each country's energy mix and their role in reducing carbon emissions. Moreover, the paper contrasts the socio-economic and political factors influencing renewable energy policy-making in Nigeria and the USA. It discusses how these factors shape the commitment and ability of each country to transition towards a more sustainable energy future. The challenges and barriers faced by both countries in implementing their renewable energy policies are also scrutinized. Finally, the paper proposes recommendations for policy enhancements, based on the lessons learned from this comparative analysis. It suggests ways in which Nigeria and the USA can refine their strategies to overcome existing hurdles and effectively capitalize on the opportunities presented by renewable energy technologies. This comparative study aims to provide valuable insights for policymakers, stakeholders, and researchers interested in the global pursuit of sustainable and clean energy solutions.

The Relationship Between Key Financial Ratios To The Revenue Growth And Financial Performance Benchmarking Analysis Of Oil & Gas Companies Listed In The Indonesian Stock Exchange

The global oil and gas sector, a crucial driver of economic vitality, remains a focal point for investors navigating the dynamic energy market. According to the Handbook of Energy and Economic Statistics of Indonesia, the oil and gas industry constitutes a significant portion, approximately 43.5%, of the country's energy mix in 2022, equivalent to about 797 million barrels of oil equivalent (BoE). Projections from Indonesia’s Long-Term Strategy for Low Carbon and Climate Resilience (LTS-LCCR) 2050 anticipate an increase to 1.4 billion BoE in 2050, even under the strictest emission scenarios. Given the pivotal role of oil and gas in Indonesia's energy landscape, it is imperative to examine investor interest in companies within this industry. Regarding the oil & gas companies in the Indonesian Stock Exchange (IDX), investors' attention has been drawn to only a few stocks in particular due to the attractiveness of profitable prospects in the oil and gas sector, which brings up the question: do these “popular” oil and stocks really perform admirably financially? Overall, this research uses the quantitative method. This research has the purpose to identify and analyze the financial ratios that have a significant impact on the revenue growth of Indonesian oil & gas companies, to determine which Indonesian oil & gas companies with significant ratios exhibit high potential and possess a high market capitalization, to identify Indonesian oil & gas companies with significant ratios that demonstrate high potential and have a low market capitalization, to evaluate Indonesian oil & gas companies with significant ratios that exhibit low potential but possess a high market capitalization, and to compare the financial performance of the high potential Indonesian oil & gas companies with highly reputable oil & gas companies that are not listed on the Indonesian Stock Exchange. To complete the first objective, this research uses regression analysis, which resulted in Asset Turnover and Assets Growth as the significant ratios to the Revenue Growth. Using these significant ratios to measure the potential, the High Potential – High Market Cap category included AKRA, RAJA, ELSA, and HITS while in the High Potential – Low Market Cap category, this research has found out KOPI is qualified into this category. In the Low Potential – High Market Cap category, TAMU and BULL are included. Lastly, when compared to worldwide industry leaders, the IDX-listed oil & gas companies which are marked as High Potential have found some interesting findings: AKRA have much better Asset Turnover ratio than industry leaders, ELSA’s Assets Growth are observably better than Halliburton and Schlumberger, and HITS’ profitability (Gross Profit Margin) is still better than the spectacularly growing Pertamina International Shipping.

Methodology for choosing a hydrogen source based on a point system

The article examines the usage of hydrogen in gas transmission pipes as one of the measures to achieve the criteria of sustainable development and reduction of carbon emissions. Regarding choosing an appropriate kind, hydrogen sources have been analyzed. Due to the multifactorial nature of the task, such as raw material, price, efficiency, popularity, and the availability of many studies, a point system was developed to evaluate the alternatives with significant criteria. On its basis, it was established that the cheapest and gentlest natural method is the electrolysis of water. For this purpose, electrolysis methods have been evaluated, and efficiency depends on the energy source. Given the dependence of the price of energy on the country's energy mix, a point system is proposed based on the parameters: hydrogen's levelized cost LCOH and levelized cost of electricity (LCOE). The newest criterion is the citation rating which gives popularity and an opportunity for new research.

Quantifying the Saved Social Costs of the Solar Energy Projects Funded by the EBRD in Egypt

The world is changing into a village due to the common need to meet the population’s energy demands. Scholars link such transformation with energy’s relevance in meeting economic and social development and improving human welfare. This paper aims to evaluate the social cost savings of solar energy projects funded by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in Egypt. The paper provides an overview of the EBRD's involvement in promoting renewable energy in Egypt and its impact on the country's energy mix. The paper analyzes the three solar energy projects funded by the EBRD and their contribution to reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable development. Through calculating the avoided carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and the saved social costs of these projects, the study concludes that the contribution of the EBRD is substantial, which highlights the importance of partnering in renewable energy to achieve sustainable development goals and mitigate climate change.

Renewable Energy Integration in Bangladesh: Opportunities and Challenges for Thermoelectric and Thermoionic Systems

This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the potential of thermo electric and thermo ionic power generation technologies in Bangladesh, with a focus on utilizing the heat generated from industry, thermal power stations, and solar irradiance. The study assesses the current energy landscape in the country and highlights the need for alternative and sustainable sources of energy to meet the increasing demand. The paper reviews the relevant literature and discusses the principles and working mechanisms of thermo electric and thermo ionic power generation technologies. It also examines the feasibility of these technologies in the context of Bangladesh and provides recommendations for their implementation. The paper concludes that thermo electric and thermo ionic power generation have the potential to significantly contribute to the country's energy mix, reduce its dependence on non-renewable sources, and promote sustainable development. The recommendations offered in this study are expected to help policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers in making informed decisions towards a sustainable and resilient energy future in Bangladesh.

RETRACTED: Impact of international trade on crude oil in political unstable economies: Evidence from quantile regression

The current study examined the relationship between crude oil and political stability. The study relied on the global crude oil network from 2000 to 2020 for 100 countries. The underlying premise is that oil dependence can lead to political instability. We distinguish between two types of oil dependence: economic dependence, which occurs when crude oil is the primary source of income, and energy dependence, which occurs when oil dominates a country's energy mix. In the second case, countries that rely on oil imports to meet domestic oil demand are much more reliant on energy sources and, as a result, are indirectly exposed to the instability of oil-exporting nations. Using a simultaneous quantile regression approach and the concepts of out-degree and in-degree centrality, the empirical results show that reliance on oil for both economic and energy needs can be dangerous to internal stability. The findings support the resource curse hypothesis for both oil-exporting and oil-importing countries. The latter import political unrest alongside oil, especially when crude oil is primarily used to meet their energy needs.

The important factors of Saudi Arabian policymaking in renewable energy resources

There is no doubt that Saudi Arabia exports the most oil. The country has considered notable investments in Renewable Energy to diversify its economy and decrease dependence on oil export. The research aims to analyze the key factors that have influenced Saudi Arabia's renewable energy policy. The main question of our article is: What are the influential factors in Saudi Arabia's energy policy on renewable energy sources? In response, the research hypothesizes that the growing energy consumption of Saudi Arabia and its favorable geographical location for renewable energy production caused the country to invest in renewable energy for its energy mix, economy, and carbon emission reductions. To investigate the research hypothesis, we have used the theoretical framework of energy security by Benjamin Sovacool. The findings show that Saudi Arabia’s capital investments in renewable energy provide opportunities for the government to create a modern industry that creates jobs and revenue with the support of the private sector. Furthermore, industries and residences use renewable energy for electricity. Therefore, renewable energy has decreased fossil fuel dependence and diversification of the country's energy mix consumption. Data are collected through the library method. The analysis method is descriptive.

A framework of examining the factors affecting public acceptance of nuclear power plant: Case study in Saudi Arabia

The Saudi National Atomic Energy project aims to adopt peaceful nuclear technologies and be part of the country's energy mix. As emerging nuclear energy, it is essential to understand public concerns and acceptability of nuclear energy, as well as the factors influencing acceptance to develop nuclear energy policy and implement nuclear energy programs. The purpose of this study is to analyze the public attitudes and acceptance of nuclear energy among Saudi Arabian citizens by utilizing protection motivation theory and theory of planned behavior. A total of 1,404 participants answered a questionnaire which was distribute by convenience sampling approach. A Structural Equation Modeling framework was constructed and analyzed to understand public behavior toward building the country's first Nuclear Power Plant (NPP). Before analyzing the data, the model was validated. The research concluded that the benefits of nuclear power plants were essential in determining people's acceptance of NPPs. Surprisingly, the effect of the perceived benefits was found higher than the effect of the perceived risks to the acceptance. Furthermore, the public's participation in this study revealed that the NPPs location has a significant impact on their acceptance. Based on the finding, several policy implementations were suggested. Finally, the study's model results would benefit scholars, government agencies, and the business sector in Saudi Arabia and worldwide.

Geospatial-assisted multi-criterion analysis of solar and wind power geographical-technical-economic potential assessment

Amid the increasing electricity demand, energy crisis and pollution, the transition to renewable energy (RE) is becoming a preoccupation and major global challenge due to the multidimensional and intricate problem of RE planning. In Egypt, about 90% of gross power generation comes from carbon-intensive power plants (natural gas and coal). Here, we propose a novel geospatial-decision-making model aimed at geographical-technical–economic potential mapping and assessment of solar photovoltaic (PV) and onshore wind turbine (WT) power plants at a high level of resolution (1 km2) in Egypt. We identify the locations suitable for PV and WT development considering sixteen restrictive and contradictory evaluation criteria. These locations have been further analyzed to estimate how much energy generation is available and at what energy cost.The analysis identifies Middle-Upper Egypt and Suez Canal as hosting the majority of highly suitable locations for PV and WT power plants, respectively. Our finding reveals that the proper planning on RE projects at the proposed optimum locations could support the country's energy mix with a sizable 32% share of the projected country’s electricity consumption from PV and 50% share from WT, by 2030. Furthermore, we show that the investment opportunities of PV and WT generation are potentially attractive with affordable competitive prices estimated at 57.84 $/MWh and 32.36 $/MWh, respectively, against conventional generation for today and the future.We anticipate that our results will provide valuable support in realizing Egypt’s vision for sustainable electricity generation and in keeping abreast of the global transformation in power systems being witnessed. Ultimately, the method’s relevance extends beyond the geographical boundaries of the present territory; it features a strategic, clear and reproducible approach that may be applied to a larger area or continent, provided the necessary input data and criteria are introduced.

Modelling the effects of energy diversification on ecological footprint: evidence from Côte d'Ivoire.

Energy diversification is a vital contribution to sustainable development. Many countries are accelerating the diversification of their energy mix to meet the challenges of the energy transition. This study aims to model and investigate the effects of energy diversification on the ecological footprint of production in Côte d'Ivoire. The study uses an autoregressive distributed lag model with structural breaks and covers the period 1971-2015. Energy diversification is measured by an "Energy Mix Concentration Index," a concentration indicator based on the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index. The results suggest that, in the short term, energy diversification reduces the ecological footprint of production in Côte d'Ivoire, and is conducive for environmental protection. In the long term, energy diversification also has a reducing effect on the ecological footprint of production up to a certain threshold where energy concentration increases the ecological footprint. The study finds that there is an optimal level of energy diversification that is ideal for achieving a lower impact of energy diversification activities and exploitation of energy production sources on the environment in Côte d'Ivoire. The commissioning of the Azito power plant in 1999, which produces electricity using natural gas, has also had a major impact, not only on the country's energy mix since then, but also on its ecological footprint of production.

Kenya's nuclear energy dilemma

Energy is a critical component of human existence, without which no man can survive on Planet Earth. All aspects of human life have an energy input and this has become more so in today's world where technological discoveries have brought various gadgets that bring convenience to life but can only be functional if they are 'energised'. The eagerness to 'leap-frog' and attain Middle Income Status has led to great demand for more energy in Kenya. This has forced the government to explore different ways of widening the nation's energy mix, including green energy. Nuclear power can contribute to a country's energy mix and enable the bridging of existing energy gaps and thereby provide a sustainable solution to energy poverty. However, the current social-economic dynamics in Kenya may not be conducive for the country to realise its nuclear ambition.

Green growth and sustainable development: dynamic linkage between technological innovation, ISO 14001, and environmental challenges.

Over the last two decades, the phenomenon of green growth has gained much attention from academics and policymakers striving to find a sustainable solution to environmental problems worldwide. Technological innovation serves as a tool to abate the acute environmental crisis and continuously promote sustainable development by converting traditional economies into green economies. Pakistan is among the developing countries relying on conventional technology and energy resources to meet population and economy demands, which has led toasurge in greenhouse gases and other hazardous air pollutants. The literature exploring green growth in the Pakistani context is scant; the present study will therefore fill this gap and explore the dynamic linkage between technological innovation and ISO 14001 with green growth in Pakistan in the presence of environmental challenges such as energy consumption and population growth. A novel grey relational analysis model approach is employed to examine the interrelationship between the study parameters. Results indicate that technological innovation is significantly correlated with green growth, and ISO 14001 also shows a substantial relationship with green growth. However, among the environmental challenges, energy consumption poses a barrier to green growth development as the country's energy mix is dominated by fossil fuels as compared to renewables. The research findings produce a much-needed policy suggestion to address the environmental challenges by promoting green growth development in Pakistan.

Availability of Renewable Energy Sources in Mauritania: Potential, Current Status and Mitigation Potential

For decades, Mauritania's economy has been fueled by thermal power. As a developing economy, Mauritania's electricity demand has long been relatively low, though it has increased recently due to economic growth, urbanization, and industrial activities. The rapid growth in demand is making the country more dependent on oil and gas-based generation power plants, which a resultant drain on the national economy. However, Mauritania has abundant renewable energy potential. the deployment of renewable energy can be an alternative solution to reduce the dependence on fossil resources. In this paper, we have reviewed the situation of the power generation sector, the potential of renewable energy, the integration of renewable energy in Mauritania's energy mix and the mitigation potential. The installed capacity in 2018 is 415.5 MW. The percentage of thermal power plants is 59.8% and 40.2% of the integrated capacity is provided by renewable energy. In 2018, the total electric power generation was 1958.5 GWh, the contribution of renewable energy was 979.75 GWh. The IPCC 2006 methodology was used to estimate GHG emissions. The results showed that the integration of renewable energy into the country's energy mix reduced emissions by approximately 212.58 Gg CO2eq.

Assessment of the barriers of natural gas market development and implementation: A case of developing country

Natural gas considers as the fuel for the 21st century and is expected to play an important role in the developing countries' energy mix due to clean fuel, environmental, climate goals and sustainability issues. India too is striving for increasing the natural gas share from 6.2% in 2019 to 15% by 2030. Government of India is also stressing to boost natural gas share in the country's energy mix, which is still below the desired level and presence of the barriers makes it difficult to establish natural gas as preferred fuel in this country. Therefore, it is imperative to analyze the criticality of the barriers to understand how they impact on the natural gas market of India. The study employs a two-phase methodology to identify and analyze the critical barriers restricting the natural gas demand in India by employing novel hybrid best-worst method (BWM). The results indicate that operational and supply related barriers are the two most critical out of the identified categories. The findings of the developed framework could be used by the policymakers, strategists and the managers, which will help them to reduce and eliminate the barriers and promote natural gas as the preferred fuel.

Comparative life cycle assessment of two different SOFC-based cogeneration systems with thermal energy storage integrated into a single-family house nanogrid

This paper presents the life cycle assessment (LCA) of two different solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC)-based combined heat and power (CHP) systems with thermal energy storage, one based on a reversible solid oxide fuel cell (r-SOFC) and hydrogen storage, and the other on a natural gas-fed SOFC. Both systems have been included alternately into the same single-family house nanogrid, that also includes a photovoltaic (PV) system for renewable energy production. The hourly electrical and thermal demands over an entire year of the user are calculated by means of the commercial software TRNSYS 17, the simulation of the two CHP systems operation is performed using the commercial software HOMER PRO, and the life cycle assessment is performed by means of the software SimaPro 9 and Ecoinvent 3.3.The main finding of this study is that, in the considered Italian scenario, the r-SOFC-based CHP system has, in general, a more adverse environmental impact than the natural gas-fed one. This is essentially because the higher electricity production of the natural gas-fed SOFC, mainly due to its continuous operation, determines a higher self-consumption referred to the total alternating current (AC) load on a yearly basis. On the other hand, the r-SOFC with H2 storage shows a more adverse environmental impact, despite the higher power self-consumption from the PV system. Indeed, relatively to the r-SOFC system, in the cold seasons large part of the electrical energy necessary to power the H2 production and AC loads is taken from the Italian national grid, which has a relatively high share of electricity produced by fossil fuel thermal power plant. Moreover, the effects of an increased renewable energy (solar) share in the country energy mix are also reported and discussed, and the results of a Monte Carlo analysis aimed at evaluating the effects of the uncertainty relative to the input parameters for the LCA analysis are presented as well.

The Australian CCS roadmap – a reflection on lessons learned and considerations for future success

With the announcement of the Australian government’s technology roadmap ‘out of COVID’, we are on the cusp of potentially the next wave of carbon, capture and sequestration (CCS) project development. To date, Australia has just one operational large-scale CCS project. Before Australia embarks on a potential new wave of CCS developments, reflection on successes and the lessons learned both domestically and in a global context is required. Xodus has reviewed a range of CCS projects, taking into consideration project type, government policy, investment and country energy mix. From this, Xodus has assessed what is needed to enable deployment of large-scale CCS projects.

Energy Framework and Policy Direction Guidelines: Ghana 2017–2050 Perspectives

Ghana currently has no future energy strategic plan or framework for its generation system apart from the Energy Policy developed by the Energy Commission (EC). The EC based its research on the year 2000 parameters and estimated the energy system up to 2020, which cannot entirely address the current challenges facing the energy sector. The main objective of this paper is to develop an integrated energy planning (IEP) framework for Ghana as a guideline for addressing energy challenges, to promote energy efficiency in both demand and transmission, CO <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> emissions reduction, and the utilization of renewable energy sources (RES). The methods used are content analysis, multiple case study, and procedure for IEP framework development. The primary computer tool used for the analysis and future energy projections was Long-range Energy Alternative Planning. The demand forecast was performed using key input parameters, including Gross Domestic Product, population change and urbanization. The overall results of this study suggest 40% of non-conventional renewable energy resources into the country's energy mix, proposed energy efficiency promotion in both demand and transmission, and the utilization of RES integration to save the nation up to about 40% CO <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> emissions reduction. The paper recommends strategies to reduce losses in the transmission and distribution systems of Ghana. The paper again recommends the revenues accrued from the carbon tax for maintenance work on the existing equipment, and finally, an integrated energy planning framework was developed to serve as a roadmap for Ghana's energy sector up to the year 2050.