Energy Development Research Articles

Injected phase change seismic source construction and monitoring experiment

Scientific assessment of the transport channels and distribution of oil, gas, water, and other fluids is the key to enhancing oil and gas production capacity and ensuring the safe and efficient development of mineral resources. Traditional microseismic monitoring has been suffering from limitations such as ambiguous attribute characteristics of the seismic source and low signal-to-noise ratios of the data, leading to poor location accuracy and large uncertainties. We develop a phase change seismic source monitoring method that allows for a detailed characterization of the spatial distribution of subsurface fluid transport by accurately locating the equivalent seismic source within supportive fractures. A phase change seismic source is developed and constructed based on the phase change material, enabling control over phase change temperature, source energy, and source scale through the principle of phase change energy storage. The source introduces an active approach to seismic signal generation, diverging from the conventional passive method reliant on rock rupture. Then, 3D homogeneous models are constructed for ground monitoring and in-well monitoring using impulse source propagation theory. The numerical simulation of the wavefield uses the finite-difference method, and the equivalence of discrete sources is confirmed using the Pearson correlation function. The reliability of the monitoring method is verified through a seismic monitoring experiment and comprehensive feasibility analysis.

Efficient recovery of Pd(II) from nuclear wastewater using a functionalized covalent organic frameworks with uniform spherical structure: Size control, performance and mechanism insight

The efficient recovery of palladium from the spent nuclear fuel was of great significance to the sustainable development of nuclear energy. Herein, the uniform spherical COFs were constructed by a facile approach at room temperature, which were further surface functionalized by a thiol-ene “click” reaction to recover Pd(II). Microscopic and spectroscopic studies manifested that the formation mechanism and size of spherical COFs were greatly affected by the amount of catalyst and solvent type. The TAPB-BPTA-DTT and TAPB-BPTA-S-β-CD exhibited high Pd(II) recovery efficiency due to the introduction of sulfhydryl groups, and the maximum adsorption capacities were 489.3 and 234.3 mg/g, respectively. Meanwhile, the water environmental condition played an important role in the separation process, and the classical adsorption models demonstrated that monolayer chemisorption was the dominant removal mechanism. Mechanism analysis showed that the excellent adsorption performance was mainly attributed to the electrostatic interaction, physical absorption and chelation of N, O, and S groups with Pd(II). Thus, it is expected that this work could provide more insight into COFs materials, thereby promoting palladium removal advancements in the spent nuclear fuel.

Optimal Dispatch of Coal-fired Power Units with Carbon Capture Considering Peak Shaving and Ladder-type Carbon Trading

In the context of the low-carbon transformation of the power system, carbon markets, and carbon capture technologies have become important means to promote energy conservation and emission reduction. The rapid development of renewable energy poses a challenge to the regulation capability of the power system, and energy storage technology is currently an important means to enhance the regulation capability of the power grid. To reduce the carbon emission level of the power system, improve the system economy and the ability to consume renewable energy, this paper proposes a multi-energy complementary system (MECS) with carbon capture power plant (IFCCPP) considering ladder-type carbon trading (LCT) and energy storage. The optimal dispatch model was developed with the objective of minimizing the overall operating cost. The results indicated that the integration of IFCCPP and LCT has better economic and environmental benefits than separate applications. The integration of the two modes can reduce the total cost by 504.33 k$ and carbon emission by 39232.63 t, which verifies the rationality of integrating the two modes. The LCT produces more significant emission reduction effects due to its higher benefits when carbon emissions are lower. The traditional carbon trading mechanism reduces 4779.88 t of carbon emissions, and LCT reduces 38574.45 t.

Utilization of High-Salinity Crude Glycerol Byproduct from Biodiesel Production for Biosynthesis of γ-Aminobutyric Acid in Engineered Halomonas elongata

As the development of renewable energy has become imperative, biodiesel fuel (BDF) has been used as renewable biofuel with the advantage of having lower levels of greenhouse gas emissions. However, the transesterification reaction that produces BDF generates a high-salinity crude glycerol (CG) byproduct, which is difficult to recycle. Halomonas elongata is a moderately halophilic bacterium being used as a cell factory due to its ability to assimilate varieties of substrates for growth in high-salinity conditions. Previously, we engineered a recombinant H. elongata GOP-Gad to biosynthesize and accumulate γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) as a high-value product. Here, we tested the ability of H. elongata GOP-Gad to use CG as a substrate for cell growth and GABA production. The CG byproduct was obtained from a BDF facility in Unzen City, Nagasaki, Japan, where geothermal energy catalyzed BDF production from waste cooking oil and biomethanol. Prior to use as the sole carbon (C) source in culture media, the CG byproduct was partially purified to remove soap substances and other impurities. Finally, we showed that H. elongata GOP-Gad could grow and accumulate GABA up to 28 μmol/g cell fresh weight in a minimal M63 medium containing 7% w/v NaCl with 4% w/v glycerol from the partially purified CG as a C source and 15 mM (NH4)2SO4 as a nitrogen (N) source. This result demonstrates a new circulatory bioprocess of C and N, in which H. elongata GOP-Gad can use partially purified CG and (NH4)2SO4 as the sole C and N sources for growth and GABA production.

The role of hydrogen in the synthesis of High-entropy alloys and their hydrides

The aim of this work is to present the new technique processes of formation of stable hydrides of High-entropy alloys (HEAs) with high hydrogen content. The essence of the proposed method is the sequential use of self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) method for producing the metal hydrides, followed by the formation of alloys in the hydride cycle (HC) method. Preliminary, the hydrides of three compositions of metal mixtures were synthesized in SHS: 0.2TiH2+0.2ZrH2+0.2HfH2+0.2VH2+0.2NbH2, 0.3TiH2+0.15ZrH2+0.15HfH2+0.2VH2+0.2NbH2 and 0.3TiH2+0.1ZrH2+0.1HfH2+0.2VH2+0.2NbH2+0.1MgH2. From the synthesized mixtures of metal hydrides, the HEAs were produced in HC. The resultant hard alloys Ti0.2Zr0.2Hf0.2V0.2Nb0.2, Ti0.3Zr0.15Hf0.15V0.2Nb0.2 and Ti0.3Zr0.15Hf0.15V0.2Nb0.2Mg0.1 without crushing combusted in Н2 at РH2 = 5-30atm. in SHS mode. As a result, the hydrides of HEAs (Ti0.2Zr0.2Hf0.2V0.2Nb0.2)Н2.05, (Ti0.3Zr0.15Hf0.15V0.2Nb0.2)H2.05 and (Ti0.3Zr0.1Hf0.1V0.2Nb0.2 Mg0.1)H182 were synthesized with H2 content between 2.17-2.42wt.% and H/Me = 1.82-2.05. The repeating the hydrogenation-dehydrogenation processes for 1-3 times confirmed the exceptional cyclic stability of hydrides and the reversible high hydrogen storage capacity of the alloys. The regularities and the mechanism of formation of HEAs and their hydrides were elucidated. The applicability of combination of SHS and HC methods for synthesis of solid solutions of BCC structure HEAs and of their hydrogen-rich hydrides was demonstrated. The remarkable advantages of the developed efficient, low-energy consuming, waste-free and safe method for the synthesis of HEAs and their hydrides can be of commercial interest and attractive to industry, given the current needs for the development of renewable energy, in particular, the solid hydrogen storage facilities.

National goal, local resistance: How institutional gaps hinder local renewable energy development in Taiwan

In most countries, energy transitions are well supported by the public; however, the implementation of renewable energy policies at the local level is often beset with resistance. Previous research has mainly focused on factors influencing community acceptance and strategies to improve social acceptance. Meanwhile, there has been limited analysis of the institutional gaps that lead to local resistance and the dynamic effects of institutional factors on renewable energy implementation at the local level. This paper thus investigates Taiwan's regulations for renewable energy development, presenting a detailed case study from a local context. It examines the factors contributing to local resistance to the implementation of national renewable energy policy targets and explores the dynamics of these resistance actions. Furthermore, through the lens of multi-level governance, the study reveals the institutional gaps and interactions that influence the execution of national policy at the local level. Six major institutional gaps in Taiwan's renewable energy governance were identified, including the lack of energy governance authorizations for local governments, a lack of superordinate site selection criteria and evaluation mechanisms for development zones, lack of governance systems that can address multiple issues, lack of scientific and academic information, lack of information disclosure and public participation mechanisms, and the burden of carbon reduction responsibilities and costs on local communities with few or no benefits. Compounded together, these six institutional gaps lead to the buildup of negative experiences interacting with the government and the renewable energy industry and feelings of worry, panic, distrust, and injustice among the local populace. These ultimately trigger resistance attitudes and the adoption of protest actions, hindering solar farm developments from reaching national policy targets. This study highlights the critical role of multi-level governance in facilitating the energy transition, emphasizing that the successful development of renewable energy requires a robust institutional framework. Such a framework is essential for addressing the complex governance challenges that arise during this transition, particularly aspects supporting local engagement. The six institutional gaps identified from the Taiwan case can serve as policy references for countries or cities intending to promote ground-mounted solar power.

Optimal Configuration for Shared Electric-hydrogen Energy Storage for Multiple Integrated Energy Systems With Mobile Hydrogen Transportation

The flexible operation and storage of hydrogen and electric energy provide an effective path for the development of low-carbon energy and transportation systems. This paper introduces a configuration method for electric-hydrogen shared energy storage supporting the multiple energy and capacity demands of integrated energy systems (IESs). A Stackelberg game-based shared energy framework with gaseous hydrogen transportation by transportation network for shared energy storage operators (SESO) and IESs is established. In this framework, the electric power and electric storage sharing are accomplished by power lines, while the shared hydrogen is achieved by the transportation of mobile trucks. The target of the energy storage operator is to maximize its trading benefits with IESs and lower the life-cycle cost of the whole system, while the IESs aim to meet their energy demand and lower the operation cost via energy storage sharing. To solve this planning model, a two-level sine cosine based grey wolf optimizer (GWO-SCA)-bisectional method is provided to realize the system configuration, mobile hydrogen planning, and economic trading of the shared energy operator. A case study with 3 IESs, real-world geographic roads, and environmental conditions is carried out to verify the effectiveness of the method and the life-cycle configuration and operation economy of the shared energy storage. The comparisons show that the proposed energy storage sharing frame can achieve a higher energy utilization ratio of 92% and the proposed method can solve the two-level problem more efficiently, the calculation time is reduced by 80.2%.

Optimization Scheduling of Off-grid Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems Based on Dung Beetle Optimizer with Convergence Factor and Mathematical Spiral

With the rapid development of renewable energy and the increasing modernization demands in remote areas, off-grid hybrid renewable energy systems (HRES) have become a key technology for achieving sustainable development. This paper presents an improved Dung Beetle Optimization (DBO) algorithm that enhances step size by introducing six elementary functions as convergence factors. It combines polar coordinate expressions of three different mathematical spirals, multiplied by a zeroing factor related to the number of iterations, resulting in six distinct mathematical images that optimize the algorithm's dancing path, thereby enhancing global search capability. Experiments on the CEC2022 test functions demonstrate improved optimization performance of the algorithm. Furthermore, the algorithm is applied to the optimization design of off-grid HRES, integrating configurations such as photovoltaic panels, wind turbines, biomass generators and various battery types (Lead Acid battery/Lithium-Ion/Nickel-Iron), with lifecycle cost as the objective function while assessing energy costs. The results indicate that the nickel-iron battery system optimized by the improved DBO algorithm achieves the lowest lifecycle cost ($961,139) and energy cost ($0.3607/kWh), requiring a total of 1,329 PV panels, no wind turbines, and 268 nickel-iron battery units.

Design, construction and mechanism of highly efficient flame retardant, UV shielding and transparent thermoplastic polyurethanes

The rapid development of 5G communication and new energy poses great challenges to the fire safety, UV resistance, and transparent properties of TPU composites. In this study, a novel and multi-functional flame retardant ((diphenylphosphoryl)azanediyl)bis(ethane-2,1-diyl) bis(diphenylphosphinate) (DPEP) containing multiple flame retardant groups and polyaromatic structure was innovatively designed. The prepared TPU/DPEP composites exhibited excellent fire safety, UV shielding, mechanical and transparent properties. 4 wt% DPEP enabled TPU to pass the UL-94 V-0 rating and improved the LOI to 29.6 %. Compared to pure TPU, the heat release rate and total heat release of TPU/4 wt% DPEP were decreased by 29.06 % and 13.24 %. Meanwhile, TPU/DPEP composites achieved 100 % UV shielding at UV-B wavelengths and up to 68.77 % UV isolation at UV-A wavelengths. Due to the structural similarity and processing meltability, DPEP exhibited good dispersion and compatibility in TPU matrix. TPU/DPEP retained almost the same mechanical and transparent properties as pure TPU. The condensed and gas phase analysis indicated that the flame retardant mode of DPEP was mainly dominated by flame retardant inhibition and the barrier effect of the carbon layer. Compared with the reported flame retardant TPU composites, the TPU/DPEP composites achieved a relatively optimal balance between efficient flame retardant, mechanical, UV shielding, and transparent properties, demonstrating great application prospects in the emerging fields.

Improving ambient noise crosscorrelations using a polarization-based azimuth filter

Seismic interferometry is widely used to image and monitor earth structures at different scales by extracting an empirical Green’s function (EGF) from the crosscorrelation of ambient noise under the assumption of diffuse wavefields or energy equipartitioning. However, EGFs may be incorrectly estimated and lead to a misunderstanding of subsurface structures because the distribution of ambient noise sources is neither isotropic nor stationary. To extract reliable EGFs from the nonideal ambient noise data, we develop a polarization-based azimuth filter (PAF) to attenuate the ambient noise energy of nonstationary sources to improve the quality of crosscorrelation functions. The PAF is a time-frequency domain azimuth filter for 3C seismic data, which uses time-frequency polarization analysis to measure the azimuths of ambient noise signals and then filters the 3C data to obtain the signals from desired directions. Based on the stationary-phase theory, we use the PAF to extract the ambient noise signals from stationary-phase zones, which improves the quality of the crosscorrelation function and eliminates the requirement for long observations. A synthetic test and two short-time engineering examples demonstrate that uneven source distributions might cause serious spurious signals in EGFs, and we demonstrate the improvement in EGFs using our method. In addition, the PAF may allow for the complete separation of the fundamental and higher modes of Rayleigh waves, which uncovers more information implicit in the ambient noise data.

Membrane reformer technology for sustainable hydrogen production from hydrocarbon feedstocks

Hydrogen (H2) is receiving growing interest as a clean energy carrier as the world’s energy system transitions towards net zero. Today, H2 is primarily produced from hydrocarbons using the steam methane reforming (SMR) process. This well-established method converts methane-rich gas into syngas, which is further treated with steam to increase H2 yield via the water-gas-shift (WGS) process. However, this conventional route results in high carbon intensity of 10 tons CO2/ton of H2. Therefore, there is a growing need for sustainable H2 production technologies that utilize existing fossil energy sources and infrastructure while minimizing carbon emissions and costs.Membrane reactors (MR) are a promising technology for sustainable H2 production from hydrocarbons. A H2-selective palladium-alloy (Pd–Au) membrane is integrated within the catalyst bed, creating a system where H2 production and separation occur simultaneously in a single unit. This integration offers several advantages over the conventional system; process intensification allows thermodynamic equilibrium conversion limitations to be overcome while producing high purity (>99%) H2 at milder operating temperatures of ∼550 °C compared to 800–1000 °C in conventional packed bed reactors. Downstream processes such as WGS reactors and pressure swing adsorption are eliminated, resulting in reduced capital and operating costs. Moreover, the by-product stream remains pressurized at 25–40 bar and contains CO2 at concentrations above 60%, enabling CO2 capture at reduced cost.

Assessing the Role of Sharia-Compliant Investments in Promoting Clean Energy and Sustainable Economic Development: A Study of Asia’s Financial and Renewable Energy Sectors

Assessing the Role of Sharia-Compliant Investments in Promoting Clean Energy and Sustainable Economic Development: A Study of Asia’s Financial and Renewable Energy Sectors

Economic growth and environmental sustainability: The role of foreign direct investment and technological innovation on carbon emissions in Ghana

Debates on foreign direct investment, technological innovation and carbon emission seem unsettling in the literature. We contribute to the literature by investigating the relationships between foreign direct investment, technological innovation, and carbon emissions in Ghana. Using the Autoregressive Distributive Lag (ARDL) method, the analysis reveals that foreign direct investment contributes to reduced emissions in the short run but significantly increases carbon emissions in the long run, aligning with the pollution haven hypothesis. This indicates that Ghana may have a robust environmental regulation that ensures eco-friendly foreign direct investments in the short run, with weak enforcement of regulations resulting in high emissions in the long term. Technological innovation in the Ghanaian context contributes to increased CO2 emissions. However, the interaction effect of foreign direct investments and technological innovation reduces carbon emissions, emphasizing the importance of aligning foreign investments with sustainable technological advancements in Ghana. The study also identifies the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) effect, where emissions rise with economic growth but decelerate at higher GDP levels. The findings underscore the need for stronger environmental regulations and a shift towards sustainable, cleaner energy and technological development to mitigate the environmental impacts of economic growth in Ghana and similar developing countries.

Energy Poverty Alleviation in the Era of Energy Transition—Case Study of Poland and Sweden

The energy transition, aimed at significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions to combat climate change, presents both opportunities and challenges in addressing energy poverty. This article explores the differing approaches of Poland and Sweden in energy poverty alleviation within the context of this transition. Poland, with its historical dependence on coal, faces considerable obstacles as it seeks to shift towards cleaner energy sources while minimizing the impact on vulnerable populations. Conversely, Sweden, supported by its advanced energy infrastructure and strong welfare systems, has implemented effective strategies that have largely mitigated energy poverty, though challenges persist for low-income households, especially in rural areas. The article delves into the definitions, drivers, and alleviation strategies of energy poverty in both countries. Through a comprehensive literature review and the analysis of key initiatives such as Poland’s Clean Air Program and Sweden’s Warm Rent scheme, the study underscores the potential for policy interventions to address energy poverty. It concludes with recommendations on how both countries can further reduce energy poverty, highlighting the critical role of energy efficiency, social support systems, and the integration of renewable energy in achieving a fair and equitable energy transition.

How to build a powerline: Fast policies for decarbonization, the slow work of public participation, and the profitability of energy capital

Community opposition to new low-carbon energy infrastructure – and resulting project delays and cancellations – is increasingly taken by some climate activists, policymakers, and scholars as evidence of the incompatibility between urgent decarbonization and expanded public participation. This paper argues that too narrow a focus on this duality risks overlooking an additional mandate: the profitability of energy capital. This paper intervenes in the ‘rapid vs. just transitions’ debate by arguing that building low-carbon energy infrastructure requires a balancing of trade-offs between speed, local support, and profit for private developers. Using a case study of a controversial transmission project in the northeastern United States, I argue that project delays are attributable not (just) to uncooperative publics, but to energy capital's drive for profit, which discourages compromises with host communities that would increase project costs but cultivate local support. By treating the social legitimacy of low-carbon energy infrastructure as contingent on its ability to meet criteria for public acceptability, this paper argues that the slow work of public participation can in fact be the route to ‘fast policies’ for decarbonization when it fosters developer norms in line with community expectations for projects.

A comprehensive analysis of wind power integrated with solar and hydrogen storage systems: Case study of Java's Southern coast

Wind and solar energy are vital to the global transition toward sustainable energy systems, driven by the need to reduce fossil fuel dependence, mitigate climate change, and enhance energy security. This study aims to optimize system performance by integrating hydrogen technology and addressing capacity shortages and excess energy. First, a comprehensive analysis of wind characteristics in a strategically important area to meet unaccomplished Indonesia's 2023 wind energy targets, focusing on Java's southern coast using wind speed data from the System Advisor Model (SAM), was conducted. Four scenarios are then evaluated: wind turbine (WT)-battery energy storage system (BESS), WT-photovoltaic (PV)-BESS, WT-fuel cell (FC)-electrolyzer (EL)-hydrogen tank (H2T), and WT-PV–FC–EL-H2T. Key metrics analyzed include excess energy, Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE), Net Present Cost (NPC), capacity shortage (CS), and electrolyzer full-load hours (EFH). Results show that average wind speeds reach 4.2 m/s in Pandeglang, with the WT–FC–EL-H2T system being the most reliable, exhibiting a 5% capacity shortage and 68.5% excess electricity. The WT-PV–FC–EL scenario is the most cost-effective, with a COE of $0.508/kWh and an NPC of $2.6 million. These findings provide valuable insights for improving sustainable energy infrastructure in the region.

Research on integrated energy multi-body trading strategy under electricity market based on double-layer game

Abstract Driven by the energy revolution, the energy development method is developed in the direction of diversification, greening, and intelligence. To improve the efficiency of the interaction between integrated energy systems and electricity markets, a multi-constituent trading strategy for integrated energy under the power market based on a two-layer game is proposed, and an improved BAS algorithm is used to solve the two-layer model to obtain the optimal trading strategy. The optimal trading strategy is obtained by solving the two-layer model with the improved BAS algorithm. Taking an integrated energy system in a certain region as an example, three trading strategies are set up for the comparative analysis of the optimization results, and the results show that the proposed trading strategy based on the two-layer game model can effectively improve the interaction efficiency and interaction effectiveness between the system and the market and energy entities.

Can green trade development promote energy security in China? The role of financial development

Energy security is an essential component of overall national security. This paper investigates the impact of green trade (GRTR) on China's energy security and financial development's role in this nexus. The energy security evaluation index in this study is constructed from availability, applicability, acceptability, and affordability (the 4-As) and calculated by employing the Improved Entropy Method (IEM). Based on the two-step robust system-generalized method of moments (SYS-GMM) and data from China's 30 provinces between 2004-2020, this article investigates the impact of GRTR on energy security, the moderating effect of financial development and the impact mechanism of renewable energy development on the GRTR-energy security nexus. Our econometric analysis results indicate that increased GRTR can notably enhance energy security, and financial development can strengthen the positive impact of GRTR on energy security. The advancement of GRTR contributes positively to enhanced energy availability, acceptability, and affordability, but it could potentially decrease progress in the applicability of energy security; the promoting effect of GRTR on energy security in low-GRTR areas will be limited. The results of the mediating mechanism indicate that GRTR can accelerate energy security growth through renewable energy development. These insights provide policy implications for combining GRTR incentives to promote energy security.

Dynamic impact of green finance on renewable energy development: Based on scale, structure, and efficiency perspectives

Utilizing China's provincial panel data from 2003 to 2021, this paper employs a dynamic panel quantile regression model and mediating test model to investigate the dynamic evolution characteristics, type heterogeneity, and mechanism of green finance (GF) driving renewable energy development (RED) in China, considering the scale, structure, and efficiency of GF. The findings of this study are as follows. While the scale, structure, and efficiency of GF all contribute to the promotion of RED, the impact of green financial structure is particularly significant. As renewable energy continues to develop, the impact of green financial scale and green financial structure gradually diminishes, while the effect of green financial efficiency increases. In comparison to hydropower and solar power, GF has the strongest promotion effect on wind power, and the marginal effect of green financial scale and green financial structure on wind power follows a U-shaped trajectory. The driving of GF on RED is mainly through direct effect, supplemented by indirect effect. In the mechanism by which GF impacts RED, the channels associated with green attributes are relatively smooth. Based on these research conclusions, this paper offers policy recommendations aimed at enhancing RED through GF from perspectives encompassing scale, structure, and efficiency.

Utilizing cationic vacancies to enhance nickel-cobalt layered double hydroxides for efficient electrocatalytic urea oxidation reaction

Electrocatalytic urea oxidation reaction (UOR) is a promising approach for urea-rich wastewater splitting, which benefits for reducing energy consumption in hydrogen production accompanying environmental protection and sustainable energy development. To address the limitations posed by the self-oxidation of nickel-based catalysts on the activity of UOR, we here developed a NiCo LDH nanosheet catalyst with abundant Ni vacancies to initiate the UOR process prior to nickel oxidation. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and In-situ spectroscopic characterizations confirm that the UOR process primarily occurs on the surface of the catalyst, rather than being driven by nickel oxidation products. The favorable electronic structure modulation induced by Ni vacancies makes the catalyst more energetically favorable for the UOR compared to nickel self-oxidation. The catalyst exhibits excellent UOR activity, only requiring 1.27 V vs. RHE at 10 mA cm−2 and 1.34 V vs. RHE at 100 mA cm−2, with no significant decay observed after over 120 h of operation. Furthermore, it can function as a bifunctional catalyst, requiring only 1.66 V to achieve 100 mA cm−2 for the UOR||HER system. This study expands the pathway for the application of cationic vacancies in UOR.