Renewable Energy Development Research Articles

Renewable Energy Development Through the Utilization of Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) in Indonesia

Abstract This study aims to analyze renewable energy development through the utilization of palm oil waste. Indonesia has significant potential for energy development, particularly from palm oil processing waste, including biomass and biogas energy sources. This study used the qualitative method to provide an overview of the development of scientific research with the theme of renewable energy through the utilization of palm oil waste. The data source was obtained by accessing journals in the Scopus database between 2015 and 2024, with a total of 342 articles. The data is then evaluated with VOS viewer. It was found that palm oil has great potential as renewable energy resources, alternative fuels, electric generator, and for sustainable energy. However, the challenge is related to the understanding of the technology and existing policies. Indicates limitations in the adoption of POME for renewable energy in Indonesia. This study was limited to the articles only from Scopus database. Future studies need to take a comparative analysis approach that uses the Web of Science (WoS) database.

Future pathways for green hydrogen: Analyzing the nexus of renewable energy consumption and hydrogen development in Chinese cities

Hydrogen energy offers a promising pathway for achieving zero-carbon urban energy consumption. This study quantitatively analyzes the patterns of hydrogen energy development and its linked to electricity consumption in China's urban areas. It investigates the spatial relationships between hydrogen energy expansion, the potential for green hydrogen production, and overall energy use. Utilizing a coupling coordination degree (CCD) model and a panel vector autoregressive (PVAR) model, the research explores the dynamic interactions between urban hydrogen energy development and the transition to renewable energy sources. In line with Chinese government policy, the study also conducts a scenario analysis of green hydrogen production by 2030, proposing a consumption strategy that balances environmental sustainability with economic growth. The key conclusions are as follows: (1) There is a spatial mismatch between the locations where hydrogen energy is being developed and where the potential for green hydrogen production is greatest. Cities with higher electricity consumption demonstrate stronger synergies in the coordinated development of hydrogen and renewable energy. (2) The development of hydrogen energy significantly accelerates the transition to renewable energy consumption in urban areas, with this impact being more substantial than that of the utilization capacity alone. (3) Hydrogen production in the Plan Scenario is significantly higher than in the Pessimistic Scenario, underscoring the critical importance of implementing renewable hydrogen projects in provinces with high production potential. Future trends in green hydrogen consumption at the provincial level indicate that addressing the challenges of efficient inter-provincial transportation of hydrogen energy remains essential.

The Legal Construction of New and Renewable Energy in Indonesia Towards Net Zero Emissions: A Normative Study on the Policy Development and Utilisation of Renewable Energy in New Zealand

The Legal Construction of New and Renewable Energy in Indonesia Towards Net Zero Emissions: A Normative Study on the Policy Development and Utilisation of Renewable Energy in New Zealand

Exploring the Design of Financial Instruments and Tax Incentives to Upscale Renewable Energy Generation in South Africa

South Africa is at the precipice of an existential energy crisis. Notably, the country’s endowment comprises vast stores of biomass, wind and solar energy potential that provide the country with a comparative advantage. Transiting from coal to renewable energy sources can stimulate the green economy and mitigate the country’s power shortages. Moreover, by advocating for the decarbonization of the energy sector, a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, this research underscores the potential for advancing South Africa’s decarbonization objectives. This paper explores the design of financial instruments and tax incentives to promote the upscale of renewable energy development in South Africa. A qualitative appraisal is conducted on South Africa’s incentive regime. The study contributes to the scholarship on policy design to stimulate renewable energy generation.

Design of Microhydro Power Plant Prototype by Utilizing Irrigation Water in Rice Fields Based on IoT

With increasing energy consumption where energy use still comes from fossil energy sources, so that renewable energy development efforts are needed. Utilization of renewable energy with seasonal conditions in Indonesia where rainfall is quite high, besides that there are also many rivers, waterfalls, irrigation water available in Indonesia and almost spread throughout the region. So this condition can be utilized in the water sector where flowing water is used to drive a turbine connected to a DC generator to produce a DC power source. The generating system used is the Micro Hydro Power Plant (MHP) by utilizing irrigation water in rice fields. The methods used in this research are literature study, site observation, system design, testing and data collection. In the data collection and observations made, the river flow is mathematically calculated regarding the water discharge, and also monitors the results using the IoT application.

Levels of Renewable Energy Use in Selected European Union Countries – Statistical Assessment of Changes and Prospects for Development

The search for and use of green energy sources is an important course of action for the European Union (EU). The paper compares the 13 EU countries that acceded to the EU in 2004 and afterwards in terms of the level of renewable energy use. The primary indicator used to assess the use of renewable energy sources (RES) was the share of renewable energy in gross final energy consumption from 2007 to 2021. Statistical data were sourced from the Eurostat database. The results of the study confirm that between 2007 and 2021, there were positive changes in the use of renewable energy in most of the countries. The prospects for renewable energy development in these countries were assessed by constructing forecasts of the indicator concerning the share of renewable energy in gross final energy consumption for 2022–2024. For most of the countries, the forecasts were highly and sufficiently precise, meaning the countries have a chance of meeting the RES targets set out in EU directives.

Determinants of carbon emissions in Kenya and policy implications

Carbon dioxide emissions are the primary greenhouse gasses behind global climate change and its associated effects. Climate change adversely impacts the environment, biodiversity, and human health. The ability to tame carbon dioxide emissions will help in the fight against climate change. However, the recent pace of rising carbon dioxide emissions raises concerns about winning the war against climate change. World leaders are determined to take actions that will lower emissions. Thus, there is a worldwide effort to achieve net-zero emissions. Consequently, it is crucial to comprehend the specific factors that contribute to carbon emissions of specific economies so that countries can develop and enforce effective strategies for reducing carbon output, mitigating the effects of climate change, and improving recovery programs. Despite many empirical studies conducted in Africa on the determinants of carbon emissions, the results remain inconclusive and inadequate, leaving a void for further research. This study seeks to fill this knowledge gap by modeling the relationship between Kenya's carbon emissions (which have been increasing since the early 2000s), and mobile technology adoption, renewable energy mix, tourism development, development assistance, income, and global financial crises, utilizing the most current data from 1995 to 2021 from the World Bank's database. The ARDL, FMOLS, CCR, and DOLS analysis results reveal that mobile technology, tourism, development aid, and global financial crises increase Kenya's carbon emissions in the long run. At the same time, income and renewable energy reduce short- and long-term impacts. The significant insight from these results is that enhancing renewable energy development, mobile technology, and development assistance can promote a sustainable environment. From these findings, the study proposes many policy recommendations to help decision-makers, communities, companies, and the government in Kenya allocate resources and implement resilience and mitigation policies and programs in the areas most susceptible to the effects of climate change.

Retraction Note: Drivers of China’s geographical renewable energy development: evidence from spatial association network structure approaches

Retraction Note: Drivers of China’s geographical renewable energy development: evidence from spatial association network structure approaches

Soc Trang residents’ willingness to payfor renewable energy development projects

In Vietnam, electricity production has been growing strongly and is expected tocontinue increasing in the future. However, heavy reliance on fossil fuels is putting significant pressure on the environment and national energy security. The public's awareness of the potential and benefits of renewable energy is still limited. The lackof understanding about the positive impacts of renewable energy compared to fossil fuels may lead to a lack of community support for the green energy transition process.This studyappliesthe approachof choice modelling (CM) or choice experiment (CE) toevaluatethe willingness to pay (contribute) of residents in Soc Trang province for renewable energy development projects. The results indicate that the majority of Soc Trang residents have some knowledgeabout common renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and biomass energy. They demonstrate a willingness to contribute to the benefits that renewable energydevelopment projectscan bring, includingimproving the environmental landscape, protecting wildlife habitats, reducing air pollution, and creating new job opportunities. Among these benefits, they are particularly interested in the potential for job creation through renewable energydevelopment projects

An Experimental Methodology for Automated Detection of Surface Turbulence Features in Tidal Stream Environments

Tidal stream environments are important areas of marine habitat for the development of marine renewable energy (MRE) sources and as foraging hotspots for megafaunal species (seabirds and marine mammals). Hydrodynamic features can promote prey availability and foraging efficiency that influences megafaunal foraging success and behaviour, with the potential for animal interactions with MRE devices. Uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) offer a novel tool for the fine-scale data collection of surface turbulence features and animals, which is not possible through other techniques, to provide information on the potential environmental impacts of anthropogenic developments. However, large imagery datasets are time-consuming to manually review and analyse. This study demonstrates an experimental methodology for the automated detection of turbulence features within UAV imagery. A deep learning architecture, specifically a Faster R-CNN model, was used to autonomously detect kolk-boils within UAV imagery of a tidal stream environment. The model was trained on pre-existing, labelled images of kolk-boils that were pre-treated using a suite of image enhancement techniques based on the environmental conditions present within each image. A 75-epoch model variant provided the highest average recall and precision values; however, it appeared to be limited by sub-optimal detections of false positive values. Although further development is required, including the creation of standardised image data pools, increased model benchmarking and the advancement of tailored pre-processing techniques, this work demonstrates the viability of utilising deep learning to automate the detection of surface turbulence features within a tidal stream environment.

ENSURING ECONOMIC SECURITY: COMPARISON OF EU MEMBER STATES AND UKRAINE

The purpose of this paper is to conduct a comprehensive study of economic security in the EU Member States and Ukraine, to identify differences and to propose targeted policy interventions based on these differences. Methodology. The study uses a quantitative strategy that assigns numerical ratings to countries based on their performance against predefined thresholds for various economic security indicators. These indicators include industrial security, demographic security, energy security, foreign trade security, investment and innovation security, macroeconomic security, food security, social security and financial security. The study uses data from a variety of sources and applies a ranking system to reflect the level of economic security in each category. Results. The analysis revealed significant differences in the levels of economic security between EU Member States and Ukraine. The main findings include differences in agricultural efficiency, healthcare system efficiency, renewable energy consumption, trade balance, research and development expenditure, and socio-economic factors. For example, countries such as Belgium and Ireland have high yields, while Cyprus and Romania have much lower yields. Life expectancy and the quality of healthcare also vary: Spain and Sweden lead the way, while Bulgaria and Ukraine lag behind. Practical implications. The findings suggest the need for targeted policies and technological advances to improve economic security. For the younger generation, marketing strategies based on brand equity and exclusivity can continue even during economic downturns. For the older generation, strategies that focus on value for money or lower prices may be more effective. Understanding these metrics can help businesses align their strategies with national economic priorities and identify potential areas for investment and growth. Value / Оriginality. This study contributes to the existing literature by providing a detailed comparative analysis of economic security in the EU Member States and Ukraine, filling a gap in the understanding of the multifaceted aspects of economic security in these regions.

Thermal performance and Feasibility Study Using a Straw-Based Thermal Insulation in Geothermal systems

Straw is the part of the stem (or stubble) of certain grasses, known as "straw cereals", and is most often a by-product or waste product of cereal production. In northern Algeria, it is produced in all cereal growing regions. It is generally used for animal feed. In this study, straw waste is used as a bio-material for thermal insulation in bioclimatic constructions and especially in geothermal applications, and the thermal insulation needs in a geothermal system is discussed. Furthermore, thermal performance of wheat straw aggregates bio-based material is tested for several thicknesses until stable results are achieved, using conduction heat transfer tests or heating flat plate. This method is based on the temperature difference measuring across the sample (inlet and outlet) and finally, compared it with other commercial geothermal insulation materials. Obtained results give us an idea of the energy gains to be expected from the bio-based materials manufacture to be used in geothermal systems comparing to conventional materials. It is noted that, the optimum thickness of the insulation material based on straw is 2cm, giving a temperature gradient around 9°C versus 16°C for conventional materials. Straw organic waste material is a promising candidate as an alternative insulating material for low-carbon and green buildings targets. Which are in line with the objectives set by the Algerian government as part of the fight against climate change, in particular the development of renewable energies, the promotion of energy efficiency as well as clean technologies and waste recycling.

A global fairtrade partnership needed to address injustices in the supply chains of clean energy technology materials

Abstract Renewable sources produced close to one-third of the world’s electricity in 2023. However, a limited but growing body of research suggests rapid renewable energy development is leading to conflict and resource exploitation in energy-transitioning communities. Such injustices are attributable to the extractivist nature of renewable energy development, where raw materials, also known as Clean Energy Technology Materials (CETMs), are in limited quantities and often concentrated in resource-constrained zones in the Global South. In this perspective, we call for an urgent need for energy justice considerations in CETM’s supply chain. We used demand projection data from 2020 to 2040 to look into the effects of important CETMs like nickel, cobalt, and lithium on distributive justice. We also examined the potential of these effects to tackle systemic injustices such as conflict, labor exploitation, and transactional colonialism. Next, we analyzed global mining production data from the United States Geological Survey using a CETM life cycle lens and found that increasing demand for these materials is exacerbating restorative injustices, particularly in the Global South. Finally, building on the above evidence, we called for the creation of multi-stakeholder partnerships and the establishment of fair trade standards across the critical CETM supply chain. Graphical abstract Highlights Here, we analyzed the projected demand growth for selected clean energy technology materials by 2040 relative to 2020 levels using data from the International Energy Agency, visualized their global mining production using data from the United States Geological Survey, explained how the demand for these materials is exacerbating certain injustices, and recommended multi-stakeholder partnerships across the supply chain of these materials. Discussion The rapid growth of renewable energy technologies is creating injustices throughout the supply chain of clean energy technology materials (CETM). A lack of any energy justice framework across CETMs’ extraction, processing, decommissioning, and recycling is exacerbating restorative injustices, especially in the Global South. By examining the projected demands and geospatial patterns for the extraction of minerals, metals, and other materials essential for clean energy technology development, the inequities faced by impoverished, marginalized, and Indigenous communities become apparent. We argue that if coffee can have fair trade standards across its supply chain, why can’t we have similar considerations for the CETMs? There is a need to include transparency in the sustainability, ethics, and energy efficiency of CETM extraction and processing through global partnerships across its supply chain.

3D printing of phase change material-based Pickering emulsion gel for solar-thermal-electric conversion

The rapid global increase in the consumption of fossil energy had led to urgent environmental issues, thereby prompting vigorous efforts towards the development and application of renewable energy. The effective encapsulation of phase change materials (PCMs) is crucial and indispensable for achieving high-performance solar-thermal energy harvesting and storage. However, challenges persist in the manufacturing of PCMs encapsulations with customizable and intricate structures to meet diverse scenarios. Herein, a PCMs Pickering emulsion gel ink, based on lignocellulosic nanofibers (LCNFs)/graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets stabilized paraffin, has been prepared to fabricate customized PCMs using 3D printing techniques for solar-thermal-electric conversion applications. The micro-nano matrix consisting of LCNFs and GO nanosheets provides a stable oil/water (O/W) interface, limits movements and deformability of paraffin microsphere, thereby increasing the viscosity and stiffness of the PCMs Pickering emulsion gel ink to ensure its excellent rheological property. Moreover, the LCNFs enhance printability and shape fidelity of the ink as interfacial stabilizer and viscosity modifier, which facilitates the manufacture of various 3D geometries. As a result, the designed concave PCMs solar harvester not only exhibits exceptional solar-to-thermal conversion efficiency, but also effectively mitigates heat loss and enables efficient heat storage for electricity generation. Our work demonstrates a new way toward utilization of LCNFs as PCMs emulsion stabilizers and encapsulants in PCMs and the fabrication customized PCMs architectures for solar-thermal-electric conversion applications using 3D printing techniques.

Analysis of solution strategies for the transition to renewable energy in Saudi Arabia

The shift from fossil fuels to low-carbon energy solutions is crucial to mitigate the effects of climate change. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has formulated a policy framework to accelerate the development of renewable energy (RE) as part of Vision 2030. Therefore, the transition to RE is vital for reducing dependence on fossil fuels and mitigating climate change. Nevertheless, critical barriers hinder RE adoption in the KSA. This study identified several main barriers, sub-barriers, and solution strategies for the analysis. Therefore, the fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method was incorporated to evaluate seven barriers and twenty-eight sub-barriers. Later, the fuzzy Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method was used to prioritize the nine solution strategies for adopting RE technologies in the KSA. The fuzzy AHP results emphasize that technological, environmental, and market barriers obstruct RE adoption. Fuzzy TOPSIS indicates that public awareness campaigns, energy subsidy reforms, and modernization of the energy grid are the most suitable solutions for the adoption of RE technologies in the KSA. Consequently, this research will help governments, stakeholders, and policymakers expedite RE adoption by determining these barriers and strategies to achieve the Saudi Vision 2030 goal.

Assessing the Potential of Biomass Power Generation for Renewable Energy Transition in South Papua Province, Indonesia

This study aims to explore the potential for biomass-based power plant to accelerate the development of renewable energy to replace the role of fossil energy in Merauke district, South Papua Province. The method used in this study is, first, to collect data and analyze the load on the grid system and the portion of the energy mix as well as the availability of woody biomass from forest areas by making a simulation of the development of a 2 x 12 MW Biomass Power Plant. Second, by conducting experiments to obtain woodchip conversion, as the fuel of the Biomass Power Plant, from the wood log and conversion from Biomass Power Plant capacity to the required biomass plantation area. The results provide an overview of the big potency for developing biomass-based power generation by utilizing biomass from the local industrial plantation forest and show the energy transition towards energy independence. This study can be useful for policy makers and opportunities for entrepreneurs or suppliers of wood biomass, as well. For the future, in terms of fuel efficiency, it is necessary to reduce the plantation area as a source of biomass for power plants by reducing the moisture content of the woodchip to increase the calorific value and utilizing the forest residue. Furthermore, the comparison cost study between fossil power plant and biomass power plant, as well as the strategy for preserving the plantation to ensure a steady biomass supply is conducted.

CRITIC-TOPSIS Method

The increasing demand for electricity has driven the development of hybrid renewable energy systems (HRES) in developing countries and remote areas. HRES combines various renewable energy sources to overcome the limitations of each source by utilizing their respective strengths. Although HRES has advantages such as flexibility and low pollution, the development of renewable energy needs to consider environmental impacts and principles of sustainable development. This study aims to find the optimal configuration of a hybrid renewable energy system in the new capital region of Indonesia, namely IKN Nusantara in East Kalimantan province. We conducted a geospatial approach and literature review to gather relevant information, such as solar radiation data, hydropower potential, and biomass potential. We utilized the hybrid optimization model for electric renewables (HOMER) software to design the HRES, and we optimized the results using the multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method. The experimental results show that the combination of PV and hydro is the optimal configuration in terms of energy and environmental aspects, with a relative closeness value of 0.675 compared to the ideal solution. Therefore, the implementation of MCDM to evaluate and determine the best configuration of HRES in the IKN Nusantara region is worth considering for further research and development.

Analysis of Innovation Trends in Energy Storage Safety Technology based on Patent Data

Against the backdrop of energy transition and the large-scale development of renewable energy, the significance of energy storage technology has become increasingly prominent. Based on the data of invention patents, this paper analyzes the innovation situation of global energy storage safety technology, providing a reference basis for future patent research and industrial planning in the field of energy storage safety. Through the global and Chinese patent application volumes, the research comparatively analyzes the application situations of the main source countries and main applicants of patents, and analyzes the innovation situation of energy storage safety technology by combining research methods such as technical structure comparison and value degree comparison. The study finds that global energy storage safety innovation is in a relatively active period. China takes the leading position in the total amount of patent applications, but the proportion of patents with high value is low, and it still lags behind South Korea and the United States. Currently, the main research directions in this field worldwide mainly include battery monitoring and status monitoring, battery protection, fire detection and alarm, fire extinguishing systems, and battery pack structure design.

Use of Triboelectric Nanogenerators in Advanced Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems for High Efficiency in Sustainable Energy Production: A Review

Renewable energy is the best choice for clean and sustainable energy development. A single renewable energy system reveals an intermittent disadvantage during the energy production process due to the effects of weather, season, day/night, and working environment. A generally hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) is an energy production scheme that is built based on a combination of two or more single renewable energy sources (such as solar energy, wind power, hydropower, thermal energy, and ocean energy) to produce electrical energy for energy consumption, energy storage, or a power transmission line. HRESs feature the outstanding characteristics of enhancing energy conversion efficiency and reducing fluctuations during the energy production process. Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) technology transduces wasted mechanical energies into electrical energy. The TENG can harvest renewable energy sources (such as wind, water flow, and ocean energy) into electricity with a sustainable working ability that can be integrated into an HRES for high power efficiency in sustainable renewable energy production. This article reviews the recent techniques and methods using HRESs and triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) in advanced hybrid renewable energy systems for improvements in the efficiency of harvesting energy, sustainable energy production, and practical applications. The paper mentions the benefits, challenges, and specific solutions related to the development and utilization of HRESs. The results show that the TENG is a highly potential power source for harvesting energy, renewable energy integration, application, and sustainable energy development. The results are a useful reference source for developing HRES models for practical applications and robust development in the near future.

Experimental study of a high-power generation platform for ocean thermal energy conversion

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) is a form of power generation that utilizes the temperature difference between the upper and lower layers of the ocean. This paper presents the design and construction of a land-based experimental platform for OTEC using R134a as the working fluid. Through experimental research, we investigated the performance of the thermal energy cycle system under varying external environmental conditions, such as temperature and flow rate. The results show that the net output power of the system increases with the temperature and flow rate of the warm seawater. Similarly, an increase in the cold seawater temperature and flow rate leads to an increase in net output, though the increase is less significant at higher power levels when compared to changes in warm seawater conditions. Adjusting the evaporation pressure to increase the turbine inlet and outlet pressure difference initially increases the output power but then remains constant. The highest recorded output power during testing was 48kW, with the turbine achieving an isentropic efficiency of 80%, and the maximum system efficiency reached 2%. This study provides theoretical basis and empirical data for system design, which can promote the application in the field of OTEC and contribute to the development of renewable energy.