Energy Generation Technologies Research Articles

FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC PROSPECTS FOR CREATING GREEN ENERGY PROJECTS IN THE UKRAINE-POLAND COLLABORATION

This paper examines the economic and financial advantages of improving international collaboration between Ukraine and Poland in the development of alternative energy projects. It conducts a thorough evaluation of existing and forthcoming renewable energy generation technologies, using expert, Delphi, and methods based on statistics to identify the most promising and universally applicable solutions. The calculation of the payback period for small-scale green energy projects pays particular attention to the actual duration of the period in the case of small business ventures. The findings are summarized with a vision for the future Ukrainian-Polish cooperation in the scope of green energy cooperation and specific instruments and processes that could contribute to the success of the collaboration.The article outlines the potential approach that involves the isolation of the cooperation between Ukraine and Poland in green energy relying on the creation of investment and venture funds, public support for the manufacturing of a renewable energy component, and the establishment of non-volatile industrial complexes. Additionally, measures such as independent small alternative power plants and the initiatives for the development of the Ukrainian-Polish joint network of alternative energy are mentioned.The current war between Ukraine and Russia has drawn attention to the crucial need for energy security and diversification, making Ukraine-Poland collaboration on green energy projects all the more important. Ukraine may minimize its reliance on the Russian energy supply by focusing on renewable energy programs, while Poland can invest in sustainable energy to boost regional stability and economic progress. The article points out that the continuation and advancement of green energy initiatives require international cooperation. The paper offers detailed guidance on how the financial, economic, and technological opportunities and relations between Ukraine and Poland may be enhanced.

Modeling the hydrodynamic wake of an offshore solar array in OpenFOAM

Offshore solar is seen as a promising technology for renewable energy generation. It can be particularly valuable when co-located within offshore wind farms, as these forms of energy generation are complementary. However, the environmental impact of offshore solar is not fully understood yet, and obtaining a better understanding of the possible impact is essential before this technology is applied at a large scale. An important aspect which is still unclear is how offshore solar affects the local hydrodynamics in the marine environment. This article describes the hydrodynamic wake generated by an offshore solar array, arising from the interaction between the array and a tidal current. A computational fluid dynamic (CFD) modeling approach was used, which applies numerical large eddy simulations (LES) in OpenFOAM. The simulations are verified using the numerical model TUDFLOW3D. The study quantifies the wake dimensions and puts them in perspective with the array size, orientation, and tidal current magnitude. The investigation reveals that wake width depends on array size and array orientation. When the array is aligned with the current, wake width is relatively confined and does not depend on the array size. When the array is rotated, the wake width experiences exponential growth, becoming approximately 30% wider than the array width. Wake length is influenced by factors such as horizontal array dimensions and current magnitude. The gaps in between the floaters decrease this dependency. Similarly, the wake depth showed similar dependencies, except for the current magnitude, and only affected the upper meters of the water column. Beneath the array, flow shedding effects occur, affecting a larger part of the water column than the wake. Flow shedding depends on floater size, gaps, and orientation.

Exfoliated g-C3N4-CdS-MXene an efficient all-solid-state Z-type heterojunction serving as efficient photo/electro/photoeletro catalyst for oxygen evolution reaction and dye degradation under visible light at low bias voltage

The rational design of highly active catalysts for the photo/electro/photoelectro catalytic O2 evolution reaction (OER) and water treatment plays a crucial role in the development of sustainable energy generation and environment remediation technologies. Catalysts which are effective in solar light at a low external bias potential are in great demand. Herein, a novel catalyst consisting of all-solid-state Z-scheme g-C3N4-CdS-MXene heterojunction has been designed for photo/electro/photoelectro catalytic reactions. g-C3N4-CdS-MXene exhibited excellent photocatalytic efficiency towards Methylene Blue degradation under simulated solar light irradiation and superb electrocatalytic and photoelectron catalytic efficiency for OER. This catalyst showed high OER performance with an early onset potential of 1.58 V, a low overpotential of 350 mV (at 10 mA cm−2), and low value of Tafel slope (98 mV dec−1). When OER was combined with the photoelectro catalytic reaction for Methylene Blue degradation, g-C3N4-CdS-MXene demonstrated an exceptional photoelectro catalytic performance by degrading 100 % Methylene Blue within 4 min under solar light irradiation at a very low bias of 350 mV. This catalyst also exhibited its capability to degrade various dyes used in textile industries. This work provides an interesting strategy for simultaneous O2 production and efficient dye degradation for environmental and energy engineering.

European ports transition to carbon-neutral energy: A multiple regression analysis

This paper focuses on sustainable initiatives in the maritime industry, specifically energy transition in EU ports. Our research aims to apply the stakeholder theory in port contexts, to examine the influence of different actors on the adoption of carbon–neutral energy generation technologies, from a port-employee perspective. To that aim, the proposed conceptual model is empirically tested through a survey among port employees, following the identification of applicable technologies via a literature review. Specifically, six types of energy generation technologies that advance the goal of carbon neutrality are identified, and likewise, following the stakeholder theory approach, we identified six categories of relevant stakeholders, perceived as external or internal. By means of a multiple regression analysis, we assess the influence of stakeholders identified regarding the carbon–neutral generation technologies. The results corroborate the suitability of the stakeholder approach for assessing port environments. The findings suggest the existence of different perceptions among port employees regarding the various technologies, while stakeholder influence can be either positive or negative depending on the type of technology. Among the stakeholders involved, customers and competitors appear as most influential. The main contribution of our results derive of tackling the differences in perception of carbon neutrality within the European Ports, and the carbon–neutral technologies in ports contributing towards carbon neutrality. By providing a more thorough understanding regarding the influence of diverse stakeholders in promoting carbon neutral energy generation technologies, this study can serve as a guideline for future research and be of value for practitioners in the field.

Frequency Coordination Control Strategy for Large-Scale Wind Power Transmission Systems Based on Hybrid DC Transmission Technology with Deep Q Network Assistance

Wind power is currently the most mature representative of sustainable energy generation technology, which has been developed and utilized on a large scale worldwide. The random and fluctuating nature of wind power output poses a threat to the secure and stable operation of the system. Consequently, the transmission of wind power has garnered considerable attention as a crucial factor in mitigating the challenges associated with wind power integration. In this paper, an artificial-intelligence-aided frequency coordination control strategy applicable to wind power transmission systems based on hybrid DC transmission technology is proposed. The line commutated converter (LCC) station at the sending end implements the strategy of auxiliary frequency control (AFC) and automatic generation control (AGC) to cooperate with each other in order to assist the system frequency regulation. The AFC controller is designed based on the variable forgetting factor recursive least squares (VFF-RLS) algorithm for system identification. First, the VFF-RLS algorithm is used to identify the open-loop transfer function of the system. Then, the AFC controller is designed based on the root locus method to achieve precise control of the system frequency. The DC line power modulation quantity is introduced in the AGC to automatically track the active power fluctuation and frequency deviation of the system. The AGC utilizes the classical proportional-integral (PI) control. By selecting the integrated time absolute error (ITAE) performance index to construct the reward function, and using a deep Q-network (DQN) for controller parameter optimization, it achieves improved regulation performance for the AGC. The voltage source converter (VSC) station at the receiving end implements an adaptive DC voltage droop control (ADC)strategy. Finally, the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed frequency control strategy are verified through simulation experiments.

Effect of electron acceptors on electricity production and desalination of caspian sea water using microbial desalination cells

ABSTRACT The Microbial Desalination Cell (MDC) stands out as an innovative and a sustainable technology for both renewable energy generation and water treatment. The choice of electron acceptor significantly influences the efficiency of electricity flow. This study focuses on exploring the MDC performance under different conditions, including variations in cathode electron acceptors, initial pH levels, and hydraulic retention time (HRT). The investigation assesses simultaneous reduction of TDS and power generation from Caspian Sea water, a prominent saline water source in northern Iran, in both open-circuit (OC) and closed-circuit (CC) modes. The findings reveal that sodium hypochlorite, potassium permanganate, and potassium bromate as catholyte achieved TDS reduction rates of 84%, 77%, and 72%, respectively, under CC conditions at pH 5. Furthermore, it was observed that increasing HRT and pH levels lead to a decrease in desalination efficiency and power generation. Notably, the study highlights that the maximum power density was attained using permanganate, hypochlorite, and bromate as catholyte in both OC and CC configurations. By showcasing the adaptability of MDC performance with different cathode electron acceptors under varying conditions, this research offers valuable insights for optimizing MDC efficiency when treating real saline water sources.

Building-Integrated Photovoltaics in Existing Buildings: A Novel PV Roofing System

Among renewable energy generation technologies, photovoltaics has a pivotal role in reaching the EU’s decarbonization goals. In particular, building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems are attracting increasing interest since they are a fundamental element that allows buildings to abate their CO2 emissions while also performing functions typical of traditional building components, such as sealing against water. In such a context, since one of the main challenges to decarbonizing the building sector lies in the retrofitting of existing buildings, the current paper is focused on the design, development, and testing of a novel roofing BIPV system. The entire research was carried out as part of the Horizon 2020 HEART project. In more detail, the research analyzed the requirements of typical pitched tile roofs, which are currently the most common type in Europe, and developed a universal photovoltaic tile that can be easily and quickly integrated into such a type of roof. The research was also aimed at minimizing the embodied energy of the component and promoting disassembly and recycling at the end of life, fully in line with a circular economy perspective. The adopted design and development processes are described in detail in the present paper, along with the results of several tests performed in the field. In addition, further development prospects of the component, aimed at meeting the integration requirements in historic buildings, are finally presented.

Sustainable waste management solutions: Optimization of hybrid and gasification waste-to-energy plants

This study investigates an urban waste management model to integrate different energy generation technologies and waste processing routes in a megastructure with thermal, biological, and recyclable superstructures. The model was simulated for three metropolitan regions in Brazil, with waste transportation between existing landfills to improve energy generation efficiency and financial income. The gasification appears as a promising alternative to the originally modeled hybrid incineration configuration. Results suggest that the overall financial performance of plants benefits when the utilization of the thermal superstructure is restricted in smaller plants, with waste mass flow of less than 6 kg/s. Gasification is preferred for bigger plants, with paybacks of up to 11 years, net present value of 2 billion dollars, and an internal rate of return of 20.32 % in the most likely scenario without subsidies. The study shows significant increase in attractiveness by the utilization of waste-collecting taxes, for which a payback of 6 years was reached, demonstrating it as a financially interesting. The internal rate of return results confirms the economic feasibility of the business for scenarios with waste-collection taxes. Integrating gasification technology in municipal waste management into the megastructure model emerges as a promising approach for sustainable waste management and energy generation.

Возможности и проблемы энергогенерации в Республике Тыва

RELEVANCE. The energy sector forms the basis for functioning of other economic sectors and social services. Presentday technologies of energy generation are based on using coal, gas, oil, hydro, nuclear and renewable sources. PURPOSE. Analysis of the current state of energy generation in the Republic of Tyva, identification of drivers for development and optimization of its structure. RESULTS. A review is made of the current global trends in energy generation. Directions for diversifying energy generation sources are proposed, e.g. using both imported and coal seam gas as well as hydro resources along with coal. CONCLUSIONS. Focusing on only one energy source reduces the energy security of the region. Energy shortages and the presence of costly diesel-based power generation hinder the economic development of the Republic of Tyva. In the republic that has extensive coal reserves, coal generation has to introduce modern “clean coal” technologies. A high share of thermal power plants in the structure of the coal-fired generation capacity will allow the development of cogeneration using innovative, environmentally friendly Russian technologies. Options for solving the challenge of energy shortage in Tuva in the future until 2035 are proposed.

An avenue for providing the integration of distributed PV generation in low-income dwellings in Brazil

The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact on the income of families benefiting from the “Minha Casa Minha Vida” Brazilian Social Housing Program through the integration of photovoltaic (PV) generation systems into housing financing, as outlined by Law 14,620 enacted in July 2023. Given the novelty of this legislation, there is no existing database for analysis. Consequently, simulations of PV generation were carried out for the typical dwellings provided by the program across the five macro regions of Brazil. The simulation takes into account maintenance and equipment replacement costs, tariff rules, and standard adjustment rates in the country. Across all examined scenarios, the installation of residential rooftop PV systems yielded favorable outcomes, resulting in a reduction in electricity costs for the low-income population. Making provisions for a Sinking Fund in the program was identified as crucial to provide sustainability, long-term operation, maintenance and replacement. Additionally, it was observed that civil construction companies play a crucial role in popularizing the proposal. In conclusion, legislation incorporating PV generation into the national housing program represents merely the initial step toward realizing the widespread adoption of this energy generation technology in the country.

A novel water electrolysis hydrogen production system powered by a renewable hydrovoltaic power generator

The acceleration of eco-friendly energy generation technologies has been driven by pressing environmental issues such as global warming. Among the promising approaches is electricity generation from infinite moisture. Water evaporation-based power generation has garnered significant attention due to its capability for continuous power generation. However, existing devices face challenges in maintaining long-term generation and producing sufficient voltage and current. In this study, we introduce a cellulose sponge-based hydrovoltaic power generator (CHPG) as a power source for hydrogen production. A single CHPG (3.0 × 1.0 × 0.7 cm3) achieves an open-circuit voltage of approximately 0.47 V and a short-circuit current of approximately 477 μA under relative humidity of 45–50 % at 25 °C. To enhance water electrolysis for hydrogen production, we optimized and scaled up the CHPGs into modules (six CHPGs in series) and packages (six CHPG modules in parallel). Consequently, the generator with three packages connected in parallel produces 2.09 V and 3.11 mA. This configuration enabled hydrogen gas generation at a rate of 81.0 μmol h−1 from the electrode. This study lays the groundwork for future research aimed at hydrogen gas production through hydrovoltaic electricity.

Multi-Criteria Decision Support System for Automatically Selecting Photovoltaic Sets to Maximise Micro Solar Generation

Technological advancements have improved solar energy generation and reduced the cost of installing photovoltaic (PV) systems. However, challenges such as low energy-conversion efficiency and the unpredictability of electricity generation due to shading or climate conditions persist. Despite decreasing costs, access to solar energy generation technologies remains limited. This paper proposes a multi-criteria decision support system (MCDSS) for selecting the most suitable PV set (comprising PV modules, inverters, and batteries) for microgrid installations. The MCDSS employs two multi-criteria decision-making methods (MCDM) for analysis and decision-making: AHP and TOPSIS. The system was tested in two case studies: Barreiras, with a global efficiency of 14.4% and an internal rate of return (IRR) of 56.0%, and Curitiba, with a worldwide efficiency of 14.8% and an IRR of 52.0%. The research provided a framework for assessing and selecting PV sets based on efficiency, cost, and return on investment. Methodologically, it integrates multiple MCDM techniques, demonstrating their applicability in renewable energy. Managerially, it offers a practical tool for decision-makers in the energy sector to enhance the feasibility and attractiveness of microgeneration projects. This research highlights the potential of MCDSS to improve the efficiency and accessibility of solar energy generation.

Environmental Impact Assessment of a 1 kW Proton-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell: A Mid-Point and End-Point Analysis

Proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are highly regarded as a promising technology for renewable energy generation; however, the environmental burden in their life cycle is a subject of concern. This study aimed to assess the environmental impact of producing a 1 kW PEMFC by a well-detailed cradle-to-gate evaluation, using mid-point and end-point impact assessment methods. The environmental impacts are related to the extraction of raw materials, consumption of energy, and transportation processes. Mid-point analysis shows that raw materials extraction and processing have a significant share in some impacts, including freshwater eutrophication, human carcinogenic toxicity, and terrestrial acidification. On the other hand, the energy consumed in fuel cell production plays a significant role in the impact categories of fossil resource depletion and global warming. The highest impact is attributed to the human health end-point analysis (0.000866 DALY), followed by the damage to ecosystems (1.04 × 10−6 species/yr) and resources (USD2013 6.16844). Normalization results further strengthen the importance of human health impacts and the necessity to solve problems regarding toxicity. The results of this work can provide directions toward enhancing the environmental sustainability of PEMFC technology and present a case for adopting a holistic approach to sustainability by looking across the life cycle of the technology.

Enhancing production of hydrogen and simultaneous degradation of ciprofloxacin over Sn doped SrTiO3 piezocatalyst

The combination of hydrogen production from water and degradation of organic pollutants into a single reaction system is an attractive and promising solution for renewable energy generation and wastewater treatment. Herein, the piezocatalytic production of hydrogen coupled with simultaneous piezocatalytic degradation of organic antibiotic (ciprofloxacin) was successfully achieved using Sn doped SrTiO3 as the highly efficient and robust piezocatalyst through harvesting vibration energy. Results showed that 5 mol% Sn doped SrTiO3 (SrSn0.05Ti0.95O3) showed the highest piezocatalytic production rate of hydrogen (101.46 μmol g−1h−1) in water. And SrSn0.05Ti0.95O3 also exhibited remarkable piezocatalytic activity in solution containing ciprofloxacin with 151.03 μmol g−1h−1 of H2 evolution rate and 77.5 % of ciprofloxacin degradation efficiency within 60 min. In this process, the doping of Sn largely enlarged the distorted structure and conductivity of SrTiO3 to improve the piezocatalytic activity, and the organic ciprofloxacin mainly acted as the electron donors to synergistically improve the reduction process for H2 evolution. This work establishes the relationships between the piezoelectric property and the piezocatalyst structure, and provides an approach of advanced piezocatalytic technology for wastewater treatment and renewable energy generation.

Realizing the Tailored Catalytic Performances on Atomic Pt-Promoted Transition Metal Moieties Implanted Layered Double Hydroxides for Water Electrolysis.

High-performance production of green hydrogen gas is necessary to develop renewable energy generation technology and to safeguard the living environment. This study reports a controllable engineering approach to tailor the structure of nickel-layered double hydroxides via doped and absorbed platinum single atoms (PtSA) promoted by low electronegative transition metal (Mn, Fe) moieties (PtSA-Mn,Fe-Ni LDHs). We explore that the electron donation from neighboring transition metal moieties results in the well-adjusted d-band center with the low valence states of PtSA(doped) and PtSA(ads.), thus optimizing adsorption energy to effectively accelerate the H2 release. Meanwhile, a tailored local chemical environment on transition metal centers with unique charge redistribution and high valence states functions as the main center for H2O catalytic dissociation into oxygen. Therefore, the PtSA-Mn,Fe-Ni LDH material possesses a small overpotential of 42 and 288 mV to reach 10 mA·cm-2 for hydrogen and oxygen evolution, respectively, superior to most reported LDH-based catalysts. Additionally, the mass activity of PtSA-Mn,Fe-Ni LDHs proves to be 15.45 times higher than that of commercial Pt-C. The anion exchange membrane electrolyzer stack of PtSA-Mn,Fe-Ni LDHs(+,-) delivers a cell voltage of 1.79 V at 0.5 A·cm-2 and excellent durability over 600 h. This study presents a promising electrocatalyst for a practical water splitting process.

Improvement in stability of perovskite solar cells by adlayer of laser treated FAPbI3 quantum dots

Perovskite solar cells have emerged as a promising technology for renewable energy generation due to their potential of high-efficiency and low-cost fabrication. However, their stability under environmental stressors such as humidity and light exposure remains a critical challenge for widespread commercialization. This study investigates the use of FAPbI3 quantum dots (QDs) synthesized in a colloidal solution as adlayer on top of the FAPbI3 bulk light absorbing layer. Our main findings reveal that incorporating such an adlayer composed of FAPbI3 QDs significantly improves the stability of FAPbI3 films and devices against humidity and light-induced degradation. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that a femtosecond (fs) laser treatment in a colloidal solution provides significant surface modification of FAPbI3 QDs. By using such a treated FAPbI3 QDs as adlayer, the devices exhibit power conversion efficiencies exceeding 20 % with improved stability, highlighting their potential for practical applications. This study offers valuable insights into leveraging QDs and the post laser treatment to enhance the stability and efficiency of FAPbI3 perovskite solar cells within a monomaterial system, paving the way for the development of durable and high-performance photovoltaic devices.

Prefeasibility Analysis of Different Anaerobic Digestion Upgrading Pathways Using Organic Kitchen Food Waste as Raw Material

Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a widely applied technology for renewable energy generation using biogas as energy vector. The existing microbial consortium in this technology allows for the use of several types of biomass as substrates. A promising alternative for the production of high-value products (e.g., mixed volatile fatty acids–VFAs, hydrogen) is the use of modified AD. There are several techniques to achieve this objective by modifying the operating conditions of the process. The literature has described the best AD routes for generating renewable energy or high-value products based on specific substrate types and operating conditions. Few studies have reported the integral fraction valorization of the AD process applying the biorefinery concept. This article provides an analysis of the different routes that favor the production of energy carriers and high-value products involving key issues related to operating conditions and substrates. Moreover, AD is addressed through the biorefinery concept. Finally, a case study is presented where renewable energy and mixed VFAs are generated by applying the biorefinery concept in a number of proposed scenarios using organic kitchen food waste (OKFW) as feedstock. The case study involves an experimental and simulation stage. Then, the economic feasibility of the proposed scenarios is evaluated. In conclusion, AD is a promising and economically feasible technology to produce valuable products from several types of waste materials.

Non-Darcian MHD flow of ternary-hybrid Cu-TiO2-Al2O3/H2O nanofluid over an inclined sheet with activation energy

This study has been carried out to understand the unsteady MHD slip flow of a water-based ternary hybrid nanofluid including spherical Cu, titanium dioxide TiO2 and cylindrical Al2O3 nanoparticles across an angled sheet. The complicated scenario above investigates how ternary-hybrid nanofluid behaves when it is stretched across an inclined surface in the existence of a magnetic field. In complex thermal systems such as energy-generating technologies and cooling mechanisms, an understanding of this relationship is essential. In the existence of first-order velocity slip, the heat transfer has been examined taking into account the non-Darcy Porous media, activation energy, and heat source. The study is more accommodating because of the Soret effect. The relevant similarity transformations are applied in primary equations and a built-in bvp4c program is employed for solutions. The effectiveness of the numerical approach is demonstrated by a thorough agreement with results that have been published in the past. The key conclusions are as follows: greater values of the first order slip parameter cause the flow to slow down; an increase in Soret number causes the flow to speed up; and in both scenarios—that is, with and without velocity slip, fluid movement drops caused by higher values of the chemical reaction. The Forchheimer parameter lowers fluid velocity while activation energy enhances the fluid concentration.

Exploring the enablers for building resilience in solar photovoltaic Energy supply chains

AbstractA solar photovoltaic energy supply chain (SPvESC) is a global network with several linkages, including mineral and metal mining, material processing, and module and panel manufacturing. Due to the wide range of uncertainties and the unfavorable environmental effects associated with current linear business models, this global network is vulnerable to disruptions. Strengthening the resilience of SPvESCs is crucial for addressing any disturbances. This requires identifying the key enablers of resilience in SPvESCs, an area that has been understudied in the existing literature. An enabler is an aspect that facilitates the achievement of a goal by another aspect. This research contributes to the existing literature by systematically investigating the enablers for SPvESCs to achieve resilience. Thus, the objective of this analysis is to identify enablers that have the potential to enhance the resilience of SPvESCs in Türkiye. This was done by applying the Nominal Group Technique (NGT) in conjunction with a review of the current literature. Neutrosophic (N)-DEMATEL was then utilized to determine the relationships between the identified enablers. Finally, the results were validated using N-DELPHI. The results revealed that sensing and seizing new business models, adaptability to changes in novel energy generation and information technologies, and business contingency plans for natural and man-made disasters were the most influential enablers. The findings provide implications for practitioners, policymakers, and researchers to help ensure improved resilience in SPvESCs.

Recent advances on control strategies for microgrid islanding operation

In order to achieve the national strategic goals of peaking carbon emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060, the electricity-energy-ecosystem is undergoing significant transformation, presenting new opportunities for the development of new energy generation technologies. With the widespread adoption of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind energy, microgrids have begun to play a prominent role as small-scale power systems. Microgrids, as small, autonomous power systems, have received significant attention in recent years. Microgrids can enhance energy sustainability by integrating renewable energy resources and energy storage systems, while also providing the capability to maintain power supply during main grid failures or planned maintenance. This article aims to review the advances in control strategy research for microgrid islanding operation, with a focus on the classification of control strategies, design principles, and their impact on microgrid stability. The article also explores potential directions for future research to enhance the efficiency and reliability of microgrid islanding operation, providing valuable references for future studies.