Electricity Generation Research Articles

Optimum carbon tax rate for emission targets of electricity generation system by life cycle techno-economic-environmental optimization model

Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from the electricity sector is of special interest for decarbonization of energy systems. Optimum carbon tax as a powerful policy tool is here studied by integrated techno-economic-environmental life cycle analysis in a unit commitment problem. The present model is formulated as a bi-level optimization problem to reach the optimum carbon tax rates for different emission targets. The total life cycle CO2 emissions are estimated to be 20333.90 tons/hr in a real case study of Iran's electricity sector for the peak demand hour. The carbon tax rate for a 2% and a 3% emissions reduction is equal to 15.87 and 24.65 $/ton, respectively. In the business-as-usual scenario, higher carbon taxes will be required each year to meet the same emission target. However, developing the electricity sector with cleaner technologies and strategic plans may decrease the carbon tax rate. The extent of this reduction depends on the type of development program implemented in the green revolution scenario. Therefore, policy makers play a direct role in ensuring the sustainable development of the electricity sector. The present model provides a robust framework to analyze the real carbon tax rates for the whole life cycle of electricity generation dispatch.

Simplified dynamic modeling and Fuzzy gain scheduled PID control of woodward-governor controlled grid-interactive twin-shaft gas turbine plants

Biomass-integrated gas turbines for electricity generation are competitive with coal and nuclear energy production. Gas turbine-based power generation system looks to be an excellent solution amid the emerging environmental conditions and the increased energy crisis. This paper presents a simplified dynamic analysis model for biomass-based, Woodward governor-controlled, twin-shaft heavy-duty gas turbine (HDGT) plants, alongside an intelligent controller for stability enhancement. Grid-connected HDGTs can become unstable under load disturbances, potentially causing system shutdowns. A simplified model for twin-shaft gas turbines, rated from 18.2 MW to 106.7 MW, has been identified based on control characteristics during startup. The speed controller is dominant, while the acceleration controller is only active at startup, and the temperature controller's effect is minimal during normal operation. This model suits all dynamic studies of twin-shaft gas turbines, regardless of varying power ratings and rotor time constants. For improving the grid stability, a Takagi-Sugeno-Kang (TSK) fuzzy gain scheduling PID controller has been proposed in this work and its behavior is validated with 5001M, 7001Ea, and 9001Ea models. Step response of fuzzy PID controller under load disturbances and set-point variations are compared with fixed gain PID controllers tuned by Ziegler-Nichols (ZN) and performance index-based tuning using the typical gas turbine model. Further the controller behavior is validated with field test-based model parameters as derived from the real-world combustion turbines used in Alaskan Railbelt system. Extensive research simulation and validation results reveal that the fuzzy self-tuning PID controller showed superior adaptability for grid-interactive twin-shaft HDGTs under load variations and set-point variations. Time domain specifications and the performance indices confirms that the proposed fuzzy tuned PID controller ensure reliable and stable operation for the energy management in grid-operative mode. The proposed simplified model and intelligent control logic enable various dynamic studies in grid-connected environments for both simple cycle and combined cycle operations.

Modeling Electricity Generation and Consumption in Cameroon

Currently, there is a significant gap between electricity generation and consumption in Cameroon. Research has shown that electricity consumption in the country is estimated to increase by 965.7 GWh in five years, from 2020 to 2024 due to demographic and economic growth. Hence, this study aims to find methods that can be useful in developing strategies to balance the energy supply and demand in the country. This is done by developing models that can predict future electrical power consumption and generation. Correlation analysis and regression analysis were performed by using data obtained from various databases, and related models were developed accordingly. The model parameters were carbon dioxide emissions, electricity consumption per capita, final consumption expenditures, electricity installed capacity, fossil fuel installed capacity, labor force, and GDP. The models' results demonstrated excellent performance coefficients with RMSE of 0.17041, 0.23893, 0.27571, and 0.2465 for hydroelectricity generation, fossil fuel electricity generation, net electricity generation, and net electricity consumption respectively. Also, hydroelectricity generation, net electricity generation, and net electricity consumption models showed very good RRMSE performance indicating that the models can make predictions with only 4.26%, 5.26%, and 5.77% deviation from the mean values of hydroelectricity generation, net electricity generation, and net electricity consumption, respectively.

Prospects of electricity generation through the use of alternative sources such as waste tires processing products

The object of this study is a hybrid energy system that integrates the processes of recycling used tires with the use of alternative energy sources to design a sustainable and environmentally safe power generation system. The problem addressed in this study is to find effective methods for recycling waste tires for electricity generation, as traditional recycling methods are energy-intensive and lead to the loss of valuable resources. Three methods of tire processing have been considered: pyrolysis, thermal degradation, and mechanical grinding. The method of electricity generation using pyrolysis has demonstrated high environmental performance due to a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and a high rate of renewable energy (80 %). According to the results of the study, the use of 5 MW pyrolysis furnaces in combination with 500 kW solar panels provides a reduction in dependence on fossil sources, reducing CO2 emissions to 50.0 kg/year. The method has high capital costs (NPC USD 4.2 million), but the cost of energy production (COE USD 0.18/kWh) makes this method competitive in the long run. Thermal degradation provides a balanced approach in terms of energy efficiency (75 %) and environmental performance. Although its CO2 emissions are higher than in pyrolysis, the method makes it possible to obtain additional products that could be used in other industries, thereby increasing economic efficiency. Mechanical shredding has the lowest average energy costs (USD 0.12/kWh) and the lowest CO2 emissions (30.0 kg/year), making it ideal for cost-conscious businesses. The study confirms the possibility of effective integration of renewable sources with tire recycling methods. The practical use of the research results is possible during the implementation of grant projects for the recycling of used tires, and in the work of relevant government structures for devising a policy for the disposal of used tires

Electricity Generation by Waste Material

The mighty growth in the amount of waste materials produced in India and their potentially dangers in the environment and human health which have led to create several disease in Human bodies. This is an novies idea of generating electricity Using waste material idea of Waste to Energy in India. Firstly, a map plan was carried out for research to collect the fact of total waste generation in India. During this research it was found that some locals were generating electricity using this process ago which encouraged the researchers to carry forward this Project.

Power Quality State Estimation for Distribution Grids Based on Physics-Aware Neural Networks—Harmonic State Estimation

In the transition from traditional electrical energy generation with mainly linear sources to increasing inverter-based distributed generation, electrical power systems’ power quality requires new monitoring methods. Integrating a high penetration of distributed generation, which is typically located in medium- or low-voltage grids, shifts the monitoring tasks from the transmission to distribution layers. Compared to high-voltage grids, distribution grids feature a higher level of complexity. Monitoring all relevant nodes is operationally infeasible and costly. State estimation methods provide knowledge about unmeasured locations by learning a physical system’s non-linear relationships. This article examines a new flexible, close-to-real-time concept of harmonic state estimation using synchronized measurements processed in a neural network. A physics-aware approach enhances a data-driven model, taking into account the structure of the electrical network. An OpenDSS simulation generates data for model training and validation. Different load profiles for both training and testing were utilized to increase the variance in the data. The results of the presented concept demonstrate high accuracy compared to other methods for harmonic orders 1 to 20.

Harvesting the sun twice: Energy, food and water benefits from agrivoltaics in East Africa

Food, energy and water insecurity are concomitant challenges facing many communities in East Africa. Agrivoltaic systems – agriculture integrated with photovoltaic panels – address all three challenges, providing low carbon electricity, food production and water conservation on the same land area. Agrivoltaics have proven benefits for the food-energy-water nexus in the USA, Europe and Asia, but research is lacking in sub-Saharan Africa, where energy access remains low, and climate change and water scarcity threaten food systems. This study presents evidence for concomitant electricity generation, food production and water conservation from agrivoltaic systems in Tanzania and Kenya, demonstrating the viability of these systems for both grid-tied agribusinesses and rural, off-grid communities. Performance of some crops improved under agrivoltaics, generating higher incomes for farmers and agribusinesses while reducing energy bills and/or enhancing energy supply. Crop survivability during a warm period was greater under the agrivoltaic system, indicating potential for climate change resilience. Panel shading reduced irrigation demand, thus some crops achieved greater yields while needing less water input. Rainwater harvesting from panel runoff further reduced irrigation needs. Combining energy infrastructure with agriculture enhanced land productivity for all crops at both sites. Agrivoltaics, whether grid-tied or off-grid, could address multiple Sustainable Development Goals in East Africa simultaneously by contributing to energy security, climate change-resilient food production, and water conservation in the region.

Diagnosis of GHG Emissions in an Offshore Oil and Gas Production Facility

This work presents a diagnosis of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) platforms for oil and gas production offshore, using calculation methodologies from the American Petroleum Institute (API) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). To carry out this analysis, design data of an FPSO platform is used for the GHG emissions estimation, considering operations under steady conditions and oil and gas processing system simulations in the Aspen HYSYS® software. The main direct emission sources of GHG are identified, including the main combustion processes (gas turbines for electric generation and gas turbine-driven CO2 compressors), flaring and venting, as well as fugitive emissions. The study assesses a high CO2 content in molar composition of the associated gas, an important factor that is considered in estimating fugitive emissions during the processes of primary separation and main gas compression. The resulting information indicates that, on average, 95% of total emissions are produced by combustion sources. In the latest production stages of the oil and gas field, it consumes 2 times more energy and emits 2.3 times CO2 in terms of produced hydrocarbons. This diagnosis provides a baseline and starting point for the implementation of energy efficiency measures and/or carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies on the FPSO in order to reduce CO2 and CH4 emissions, as well as identify the major sources of emissions in the production process.

Use of Sustainable Energy Systems in Educational Institutions

Educational institutions like other public and private organizations should try to eliminate their carbon footprint for the achievement of the ambitious 2050 target of net-zero carbon emissions. Several mature, reliable and cost-effective sustainable energy technologies can be used in these institutions replacing the use of fossil fuels and reducing their carbon emissions. Solar energy, wind energy and biomass can be used for heat and electricity generation replacing the use of oil, gas and grid electricity. Additionally, various low-carbon emission technologies including heat pumps, co-generation systems, fuel cells, district heating systems and power storage technologies can be also used in them. The combined use of these technologies in schools, colleges and universities can replace the current use of conventional energy sources reducing or completely eliminating their carbon emissions. The abovementioned benign energy technologies are already used commercially in several sectors proving their reliability and cost-effectiveness. It has been indicated that a plethora of green energy technologies can be used in educational institutions eliminating their carbon footprint achieving the desired global 2050 target of net-zero carbon emissions. Our results could be useful to policy makers and to the authorities of schools, colleges and universities who are willing to promote their environmental sustainability, achieving economic benefits and offering valuable educational opportunities to students.

Methods for determining scattered solar radiation in order to increase the accuracy of forecasting hourly electricity generation by solar power plants

Relevance. А simple and up-to-date methodology is needed to assess the potential of electricity that can be obtained from solar power plants installed in different regions. The difficulty in assessing the potential of solar energy lies in the presence of some factors that affect electricity generation and depend on random events. Such factors include, first of all, the sky clarity, the direction of photovoltaic panels strictly to the Sun, dustiness, and ambient temperature. The literature uses different approaches to assess the potential of solar energy. This paper presents a methodology for evaluating the generation of electricity by a solar panel having a continuous solar tracking system, taking into account the dustiness and temperature of photovoltaic panels. The technique has been tested on an existing physical model. Aim. To study the existing methods for assessing the potential of solar energy and to select the most suitable ones for the central part of Russia. Object. Solar power plants. Methods. Empirical and analytical methods. Using data obtained from an operating solar station, the adequacy of the proposed methodology was assessed. Results. The selected methods take into account the hourly sky clarity index, which made it possible, with sufficient accuracy for engineering techniques, to determine the daily power generation of a solar station with different angles of inclination of solar panels. This will improve the accuracy of estimating the potential of electricity generated by solar power plants, both with stationary photovoltaic panels and with solar tracking systems. Based on the conducted computational experiments and the analysis of data obtained from an operating solar station, the authors concluded that the technique presented in this paper allows us to determine with high enough accuracy the potential of electricity that can be produced in Russia by solar stations.

Management of Hybrid Hydropower and Floating Solar Systems at Num Ngum 1 in Lao PDR

The integration of a hybrid hydro-floating solar power (HPP-FPV) system is covered in this study with the goal of improving energy management and producing more electricity. The production capacity of the hybrid system is almost twice as high as that of the original HPP system, demonstrating its potential for higher energy generation. Because it forecasts weather and modifies electricity generation accordingly. The analysis highlights how crucial it is to make sure that the hybrid system's electricity generation doesn’t go beyond the current power grid's maximum transmission capacity. This is essential to preserving the consistency and caliber of the power that is provided. The research's overall goal of increasing the output of renewable energy through creative system integration and practical management techniques is captured in the abstract.

Aspects of Developing an Innovative, Energy-Efficient, Low-Emission Co-Generator

Purpose. To develop a model and construct an experimental, innovative co-generator with high energy efficiency and low emissions. This involves developing a system that can efficiently generate both electricity and heat simultaneously while minimizing emissions, contributing to sustainability efforts, and addressing energy demands in a more environmentally friendly manner. Methodology. To achieve the goal, a system approach is utilized, enabling the selection of modelling types for the development of an experimental, cutting-edge co-generation system capable of efficiently producing both electricity and heat with superior energy efficiency and minimal emissions. For this purpose, the following steps were completed: processing and summarizing available literature and patent sources, analysing scientific and technical papers on the selection and application of modelling types in co-generation systems, and considering principles and individual approaches to input data formation for mathematical modelling. This process enables the selection of a mechanism and the creation of simulation models for effective energy production at various enterprises. Findings. Assessment is performed of the energy efficiency of the co-generator system under various operating conditions, comparing it with existing conventional methods of electricity and heat generation. Results are presented of performance testing to determine the system’s capability to simultaneously generate electricity and heat efficiently, considering factors such as output stability, load responsiveness, and overall reliability. Identification and evaluation are performed of innovative technologies and methodologies integrated into the co-generator design, highlighting their effectiveness in enhancing energy efficiency and reducing emissions. Insights into any operational challenges encountered during the construction, testing, and optimization phases, along with proposed solutions or improvements to solve these problems. The analysis of the overall environmental impact of deploying the co-generator showed potential benefits in terms of reduced greenhouse gas emissions and local air quality improvement. Originality. Using a combination of scientific approaches encompassing physics and heat transfer engineering, in accordance with the first law of thermodynamics, such as the conservation laws of energy and entropy, and principles of heat exchange employed to transfer heat between different mediums, gas kinetics have yielded values for the energy transformation coefficient, indicating qualitative characteristics of fuel thermolysis and power generation as the final product. Practical value. The results provide for developing a comprehensive model of an advanced co-generation system capable of efficiently producing both electricity and heat with superior energy efficiency and minimal emissions. It also entails determining the types of models for mathematical modelling at all management levels and establishing a new method for input data formation for both technologies and their subsystems, incorporating additional technological implementations.

A Comparative Study of Building Energy Consumption Prediction Methods

Continued usage of fossil fuel-based electricity generation is one of the main factors for the greenhouse effect. As the greenhouse effect increase, the ambient temperature of the earth will also increase. As the temperature increase, the usage of air conditioning in buildings is also expected to increase. Since that more than 50 % of building energy consumption goes to air conditioning, it is utterly important to look into the methods that can be used to predict the impact of variations in temperature towards building energy consumption. This paper hence tries to perform a conceptual review on the prevalent methods that have been used for prediction of energy consumption, grouped in the category known as the white box, grey box and black box. The comparison of the different methods used in forecasting of energy consumption is discussed in terms of application, input, specific approach, advantage and disadvantage. It is hoped that the work carried out in this paper will be the reference to jump start the research work of others in this field of study.

Evaluation of the potential power generation resources in SAARC region for sustainable energy trade

AbstractThis article presents a comprehensive review on the contemporary condition of electrical energy in the SAARC countries with particular focus on conventional as well as renewable resources. The region lies at the center of the Asia with a dense population where demand and supply gap has always been a challenging factor for the governments. In addition, the region has observed enormous industrial growth during past two and half decades whose sustainability is totally dependent upon the continuous supply of energy. A bulk of valuable literature has been published in recent years that addresses the challenges, infrastructure improvements margins and several schemes to mitigate the energy deficiency in the region but most of it focuses upon either generation or transmission. This article covers this gap and presents to‐the‐point data that can be used for future forecasting, cross‐border trade possibilities and indigenous energy generation for remote and islanded regions within and across the SAARC mainland. A detailed review on electrical power generation potential by exploiting the renewable energy resources (RERs), generation capacity, installed capacity, energy short fall and transmission and distribution (T&D) losses is presented for each SAARC country and the results are presented in forms of tables and graphs. It can be inferred from the data presented in this paper that the energy crisis of the SAARC region can be overcome by mutual trade among the land‐connected countries by transporting the electrical energy, generated through RERs, across the borders. The paper concludes that the region has enormous potential for renewable energy available in form of hydal, solar, wind and biomass that, if maturely harnessed, can only not fulfil the local demands of the region but also be exported to establish the framework of cross‐border energy trade in future for sustainability of industrial and domestic utilization.

Cheese whey generation, management and potential for biogas production in Mexico and the State of Jalisco

ABSTRACT Pollution of water bodies and process upset in treatment plants in Mexico by cheese whey discharges is a matter of concern where scant inspection and law enforcement may aggravate the situation. This study analyzes the current state of environmental regulatory compliance and the impacts of whey discharges with particular emphasis on the country’s leading dairy-producing state, Jalisco. Subsequently, cheese whey characteristics and current valorisation volume and uses are discussed in detail. From there, anaerobic digestion is presented as a key technology for cheese whey treatment mainly to comply with wastewater regulations, with recovery of biogas as bonus. From there, the volume of cheese whey discharged to the environment and potential equivalence in biogas and electricity production is calculated considering both the technologies commonly used in industrial applications and for farms and small producers. Also, the potential electricity generation and prevented atmospheric impact are calculated and framed against the current Mexican energy and emissions inventory. Finally, a review of past efforts to disseminate the use of anaerobic digesters to produce biogas from organic waste in Mexico is undertaken, followed by a discussion of the basic requirements for a strategy to sustainably manage and treat whey discharges.

Constructing Long and Stable Ag‐Al2O3 Core–Shell Nanowires for Humidity Sensing and Triboelectric Energy Generation

Silver nanowires (AgNWs) are a promising alternative material to indium tin oxide as flexible transparent electrodes owing to their excellent optoelectrical properties and mechanical performance. However, the main challenge is the poor stability under diverse environments, ranging from high humidity, chemical exposure, and dynamic mechanical deformation. Herein, ultralong AgNWs (≈100 μm) have been synthesized via controlling growth kinetics by a facile acetic acid‐assisted solvothermal method, further decorated with a thin Al2O3 layer by electrodeposition to form a core–shell architecture. The resultant films based on Ag‐Al2O3 core–shell nanowires (NWs) possess a higher conductivity while preserving the optical transparency due to the enhanced NWs contact. More importantly, the constructed films exhibit strong resistance to various conditions, such as exposure to high temperature/humidity and immersion in NaCl, HCl, and Na2S solutions. The laser‐etched interdigital electrodes based on the chemically stable AgNWs are further integrated with graphene oxide layer for humidity sensing and respiration monitoring. Furthermore, the developed NWs with superior mechanical stability are constructed as triboelectric nanogenerators for electricity generation, and reliable output performance has been demonstrated. This work provides a convenient, scalable, and cost‐effective solution that offers great potential for designing robust, transparent electrodes for next‐generation flexible electronics.

Solar-driven seawater desalination and electricity generation based on anisotropic graphene aerogel via unidirectional microfluidic transportation

Solar-driven seawater desalination and electricity generation based on anisotropic graphene aerogel via unidirectional microfluidic transportation

Light‐Assisted Polyproton Dissociated PAAm‐PA Hydrogel‐Based Moisture‐Driven Electricity Generator with a Broad Operating Range

AbstractDue to its widespread availability and spontaneity, moisture electricity generation (MEG) holds unique advantages in self‐powered systems. However, it faces challenges, including the limitations of relying on a single kind of power generation and insufficient output performance. Inspired by the mechanisms of water absorption of plants, this paper explores a light‐moisture coordinated electricity generating hydrogel (L‐MEGH) device with flexible, scalable, and highly efficient energy conversion performance, which is obtained through the UV polymerization of hydrophilic acrylamide (AAM) and phytic acid (PA) in the presence of photosensitizers. The obtained hydrogel demonstrates superior moisture absorption and remarkable electricity generation stability across a range of humidity conditions. Notably, the open‐circuit voltage (Voc) of the L‐MEGH increased from 0.675 to 0.838 V after the addition of photosensitizers (Erythrosin B, E) (the significant enhancement, up to 24%), and the short‐circuit current (Isc) reaching 635.543 µA. This L‐MEGH can realize stable electrical output even under extreme temperatures, producing 0.5 V at −20 °C for 45 h. The scalable L‐MEGHs (connected on‐demand in series/parallel) can power various commercial electronics, including nighttime illumination, mobile phones, and health monitoring sensors. This work pioneers a sustainable power generation pathway capable of enhancing performance through the hybrid collection of multiple natural energy sources.

Harnessing biomass waste-to-energy for sustainable electricity generation: prospects, viability, and policy implications for low-carbon urban development

AbstractBiomass waste-to-energy (WtE) generation is a potential pathway for green urban transition in developing countries which can contribute significantly to sustainable development goal 7: affordable and clean energy. However, unlike fossil fuel energy systems, the economic returns from WtE systems are low because WtE generation is capital-intensive and requires subsidies. This study examines the prospects of a sustainable biomass electricity generation from rice husk (RH) using a large dataset of rice milling activities in a fast paced urban transition economy. The study analyzes the viability of several RH biomass electricity generation scenarios using indicators such as net electricity output, economic returns (benefits), and levelized cost of electricity (LCOE). The results show that several mills/mill clusters generate sufficient daily RH that can power between 0.8 and 2.2 MW plant with a combined electricity output of about 500,000 MWh per annum. The economic analyses show that all RH biomass electricity generation scenarios return positive economic benefits under reduced social discount rates of 2–6%. Moreover, the LCOE of all scenarios are less than those of electricity generated from other sources. These results demonstrate that biomass waste-to-energy generation is viable for green urban development through low-carbon decentralized energy systems. Several policy implications of the findings are highlighted, including the need for policymakers and energy stakeholders to adopt sustainable biomass energy generation models such as “design, build, and operate” (DBO) to achieve sustainable WtE generation regimes that ensure green urban transition. Such a model will contribute to a circular economy and facilitates sustainable urban development that satisfies climate-related SDGs. Graphic abstract

Weather as Fuel — The Wicked Problem of Renewable Energy

Abstract A key component of mitigating climate change is reducing society’s dependence on fossil fuels, which will require replacing them with clean energy sources. The key strategy being pursued in the United States (and most other countries) is to rapidly scale up our use of renewable energy sources. Electricity generation provided by wind turbines and solar photovoltaic panels, in particular, has been growing rapidly, and most energy experts expect them to be the dominant forms of electricity generation in the future. Given the dependence these energy sources have on weather conditions (windiness and cloudiness, respectively), it is useful to view weather as the “fuel” for these renewables in the same way that coal or natural gas serves as the fuel in generating electricity in a fossil-fuel power plant. This paper uses a novel thought experiment to drive home this concept, while also exploring the complexity of providing reliable power on a grid dominated by renewable generation. The paper then shows how the transition to renewable energy falls into the class of problems known as “wicked problems,” and discusses approaches that will be needed to make progress. The current status of addressing these complex issues is reviewed through the lens of the wicked problem paradigm.