Energy Generation Technologies Research Articles

Modeling the impact of innovation in marine energy generation-related technologies on carbon dioxide emissions in South Korea

South Korea has invested extensively in developing revolutionary marine and ocean technologies to accomplish renewable energy goals. Despite that, the available literature offers no insight into the environmental benefits of innovation in marine energy generation, distribution, or transmission-related technologies (IMET). This study examines the nexus between carbon dioxide emissions (CO2e) and IMET in South Korea (1990Q1-2018Q4). Control variables include international collaboration in green technology development (ICGD), gross domestic product (per capita) (GDPPC), expansionary commercial policy (ECP), and renewable energy use (REC). First, the findings validated the long-run relationship among ICGD, GDPPC, ECP, REC, IMET, and CO2e. Second, the findings asserted that increasing IMET assisted in the generation of low-carbon renewable energy, thereby contributing to the improvement of environmental quality. Third, the estimates revealed that an increase in GDPPC and ECP was positively associated with an upsurge in CO2e. Fourth, the data depicted that ICGD facilitated co-green technologies development, which de-escalated CO2e. Fifth, REC was negatively associated with a decrease in CO2e. Based on current estimates, this article recommended that governments implement policies that encourage companies and academia to participate in IMET to promote the green economy.

N, F Codoped FeOOH Nanosheets with Intercalated Carbonate Anions Rich in Oxygen Defects for Enhanced Alkaline Electrocatalytic Water Splitting

Alkaline water splitting is a highly efficient and clean technology for hydrogen energy generation. However, in alkaline solutions, most catalysts suffer from extreme instability. Herein, a cross-nanostructured N, F, and CO32- codoped iron oxyhydroxide composite (N,F-FeO(OH)-CO3-NF) rich in oxygen defects is designed for water splitting in the alkaline solution. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations show that the introduction of F and CO32- can induce electron redistribution around the active center Fe, accelerate the four-electron transfer process, and optimize the d-band center, thereby improving the efficiency and stability of HER and OER. In a 1 M KOH solution, N,F-FeO(OH)-CO3-NF only needs the overpotential of 248 mV for OER and the overpotential of 199 mV for HER to reach the current density of 10 mA·cm-2. Meanwhile, it can reach 100 mA·cm-2 current density at 1.55 V vs RHE and maintains a current density of 10 mA·cm-2 for 120 h in a two-electrode electrolytic water device. Compared with bulk hydroxides, the heteroatom and anion codoped composite hydroxides are more stable and have dual functions in the electrolyte solution. This is of great significance for designing a new stable water-splitting electrocatalyst.

A Review of the Life Cycle Analysis Results for Different Energy Conversion Technologies

Technologies that use renewable energy sources (RES) are crucial to achieving decarbonization goals, but a significant number of studies show their relatively high environmental impact during the production phase. Therefore, technologies need to be compared in terms of their life-cycle environmental impact. The life cycle analysis (LCA) methodology is well known and widely employed. However, problems related to the methodological choices prevent taking full advantage of the LCA, as the results of numerous studies are often incomparable. The presented review aims to critically compare the impact of different energy generation technologies—RES (as well as non-RES) energy generators and co-generators. The numeric results are structured and analyzed in terms of the global warming potential (GWP) and non-RES primary energy consumption. The results show that RES technologies are superior compared to conventional fossil-fuel-based systems in most cases, and the high impact during the production and installation phases is compensated in the operational phase. The high variations in GWP from similar technologies result from different methodological choices, but they also show that the wrong choice of the technology in a certain location might cause serious environmental drawbacks when the impact of the RES technology exceeds the impact of fossil fuel-based technologies. Cogeneration technologies using waste as a fuel may even have a negative GWP impact, thus showing even higher potential for decarbonization than RES technologies.

Carbon-free energy optimization in intelligent communities considering demand response

With the gradual improvement in people’s quality of life, intelligent communities are received widespread attention and research. However, the massive use of various smart appliances causes a rapid increase in energy demand and carbon emissions. Therefore, in this paper, the novel carbon-free energy optimization method under the designed energy structure suitable for an intelligent community is proposed to deal with energy depletion and environmental pollution. First, the energy supply side makes full use of clean energy generation technologies to provide users with adequate energy, which is composed of photovoltaic (PV), wind turbine (WT) and hydrogen steam turbines. Second, considering the demand response (DR) of the load side, household appliances are modeled according to the working characteristics. Then, the energy treatment mode of renewable energy sources (RESs) grid-connected reverse transmission is changed. The power to hydrogen (P2H) technology is introduced into the energy structure of intelligent residential quarters to increase the proportion of hydrogen energy in the region. Moreover, the energy storage device and electrification technology are combined to realize the production and application of regional hydrogen and achieve the goal of non-carbonization of regional energy structure. Finally, in simulation part, the optimal solution in the scheduling cycle is obtained by YALMIP solver, and time-of-use (TOU) electricity prices are used to calculate the final electricity cost. It is displayed that carbon emissions and energy consumption cost can be reduced, and the pressure of peak power consumption relieved based on the designed non-carbonization energy structure and energy optimization method.

Discovery of Discrete Stages in the Oxidation of exo-Tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene (C10H16) Droplets Doped with Titanium-Aluminum-Boron Reactive Mixed-Metal Nanopowder.

Titanium (Ti), aluminum (Al), and boron (B) reactive mixed-metal nanopowders (Ti-Al-B RMNPs) represent attractive additives to hydrocarbon fuels such as exo-tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene (C10H16; JP-10) enhancing the limited volumetric energy densities of traditional hydrocarbons, but fundamental mechanisms and combustion stages in the oxidation have been obscure. This understanding is of vital significance in the development of next-generation propulsion systems and energy-generation technologies. Here, we expose distinct oxidation stages of single droplets of JP-10 doped with Ti-Al-B-RMNP exploiting innovative ultrasonic levitator technology coupled with time-resolved spectroscopic (UV-vis) and imaging diagnostics (optical and infrared). Two spatially and temporally distinct stages of combustion define a glow flame stage in which JP-10 and nanoparticles combust via a homogeneous gas phase (Al) and heterogeneous gas-surface oxidation (Ti, B) and a slower diffusion flame stage associated with the oxidation of JP-10. These findings enable the development of next-generation RMNP fuel additives with superior payload delivery capabilities.

IoT-based intelligent source–load–storage coordination scheme for prosumer campus microgrids

Electrical energy is very necessary for human life in the modern era. The rising energy prices, depletion of fossil fuels, and instability of the grid are alarming situations. So, it needs a smart solution to ensure the balance between pricing and saving natural resources. Some other issues like environmental change, limitations on installation of new transmission lines, reliability concerns, and considering the expansion in distributed energy generation technologies promise the implementation of distributed generation extensively. The integration of two or more energy supplies in a power system is known as distributed energy resource system. In this study, a university campus is taken as a case study to reduce the energy cost while considering the aforementioned issues. The intelligent source–load–storage coordination scheme is proposed to utilize the available renewable energy resources with storage systems. The proposed linear model is solved in MATLAB using the exact method technique considering the economic parameters. The campus microgrid analysis is not addressed considering the Internet-of-Thing (IoT)-based building, especially in the scenario of Pakistan. The results show the efficacy of the proposed model and can be implemented on the existing campus for source–load–storage coordination as an economical solution.

Thermal design of solar thermoelectric generator with phase change material for timely and efficient power generation

Solar thermoelectric energy-generation technology is being developed to mitigate the limitations of solar cells. Thermal management is essential to creating highly efficient and stable solar thermoelectric generators (STEGs). Phase change materials (PCMs) can be used to improve the performance of STEGs. In this study, we numerically investigate the heat transfer, thermal energy storage, and thermoelectric energy conversion in an STEG with PCMs (STEG-PCM). Based on a parametric study, we present thermal design guidelines for the configurations of an STEG-PCM and the thermal properties of PCMs by considering both the thermoelectric generation performance and thermal stability of the STEG-PCM. We also show that the PCM-impregnated structure is the most crucial component of the STEG-PCM in the thermal design based on a sensitivity analysis. To find the optimal design of a PCM-impregnated structure, topology optimization is performed for the STEG-PCM focused on daytime thermoelectric generation performance. The topology-optimized PCM-impregnated structure shows a thermoelectric generation performance close to that of an STEG-PCM whose PCM-impregnated structure is assumed to be an ideal mixture of PCM and framework material. This study explains how PCMs affect thermal energy transport and conversion in an STEG and sheds light on a highly efficient and stable STEG system.

Aspects Regarding Renewable Sources in the European Union

The use of renewable energy sources offers opportunities for regional and local development. Thus, it can be appreciated that the use of renewable sources can stimulate the development of local communities. An advantage is also given by an increased security in terms of local energy supply, but also by a reduction in energy transport losses. Recently, there has been some interest in investing in the development of energy generation technologies and especially in renewable sources. For the period 1990-2020, a comparative situation of gross electricity production and electricity production capacities for renewables is presented. Pollution and climate change can affect both the production and consumption of electricity. There has been interest in using more and more diverse sources. Given the interest in reducing energy consumption in transport, important measures are needed to increase the energy efficiency of transport. In the article, an analysis is made of the share of renewable energy in the final gross energy consumption, for the period 2004-2020, with particularization for the transport sector.

Energy-Economic Assessment of Islanded Microgrid with Wind Turbine, Photovoltaic Field, Wood Gasifier, Battery, and Hydrogen Energy Storage

Island energy systems are becoming an important part of energy transformation due to the growing needs for the penetration of renewable energy. Among the possible systems, a combination of different energy generation technologies is a viable option for local users, as long as energy storage is implemented. The presented paper describes an energy-economic assessment of an island system with a photovoltaic field, small wind turbine, wood chip gasifier, battery, and hydrogen circuit with electrolyzer and fuel cell. The system is designed to satisfy the electrical energy demand of a tourist facility in two European localizations. The operation of the system is developed and dynamically simulated in the Transient System Simulation (TRNSYS) environment, taking into account realistic user demand. The results show that in Gdansk, Poland, it is possible to satisfy 99% of user demand with renewable energy sources with excess energy equal to 31%, while in Agkistro, Greece, a similar result is possible with 43% of excess energy. Despite the high initial costs, it is possible to obtain Simple Pay Back periods of 12.5 and 22.5 years for Gdansk and Agkistro, respectively. This result points out that under a high share of renewables in the energy demand of the user, the profitability of the system is highly affected by the local cost of energy vectors. The achieved results show that the system is robust in providing energy to the users and that future development may lead to an operation based fully on renewables.

Metaheuristic-based isolated microgrid sizing and uncertainty quantification considering EVs as shiftable loads

Isolated microgrids are increasingly recognised as an effective platform for the optimal coordination of integrated distributed energy resources – including renewable energy generation and storage technologies – for remote, island, and peripheral communities. However, they require advanced off-grid microgrid capacity planning optimisation models to achieve the globally optimum sizing results. In this context, while considerable attention has been devoted to a range of off-grid microgrid sizing methods, leveraging the potential of metaheuristic optimisation algorithms is less well-explored. Furthermore, there is a general lack of electrified transportation interventions considered during long-term grid-independent microgrid planning phases. In response, this paper introduces a novel metaheuristic-based strategic off-grid microgrid capacity planning optimisation model that is applicable to associated integrated energy and e-mobility resource planning problems. To test the effectiveness of the proposed model, three independent microgrid development projects have been considered for three communities residing on Aotea–Great Barrier Island in Aotearoa–New Zealand. The sites of interest have different demand profiles and renewable energy potentials – with consequent changes in the technologies considered in the associate candidate pools. Moreover, to generate key insights into the impact of the forecast uncertainty of different variables on the costing and configuration of the associated microgrids, a number of scenario analyses have been performed. In addition, the numeric simulation results and the associated capital budgeting analyses have demonstrated the economic viability of the project proposals formulated based on the proposed off-grid microgrid planning method, especially with controlling the charging of electric vehicles. Particularly, the potential of the artificial hummingbird algorithm in reducing the total discounted costs of off-grid microgrids by at least ∼6% has been shown. Also, the importance of electric vehicle charging coordination in reducing the off-grid microgrid costs (by at least ∼9%) has been substantiated.

Optimal scheduling of Egyptian grid with pumped storage hydroelectric power plant

Egypt's national development plan aims at diversifying energy resources and expanding on renewable energy generation technologies. However, the Egyptian national grid needs energy-storage components to stabilize its power supply when coupled with renewable energy due to the intermittent and random nature of them. The optimal power expansion plan has been reached using a production and costing software package electric generation expansion analysis system (EGEAS). Although pumped storage hydroelectric power plants (PSHPPs) have potential to be constructed in Attaqa Mountain, Egypt, it has not been considered in Egypt's optimal power expansion plan. This study proposes an optimal scheduling of Egypt's grid, adding PSHPP as a committed power plant. First, a mathematic formulation of Attaqa PSHPP is presented. Then, to reach the goal of economic dispatch, an optimal scheduling model of national grid is established with the consideration of both respective operation constraints and load requirements. The results of EGEAS simulation module showed that PSHPP operation for 20 years achieves a net fuel cost saving of 795 M$ as calculated from with and without PSHPP conditions at domestic subsidized fuel prices. More than double of this saving, 7778 M$, could be achieved if the net fuel cost savings are calculated at international fuel prices.

Assessment of thermochemical technologies for wastewater sludge-to-energy: An advance MCDM model

In the recent past the tremendous growth of populace, industrial development, and urbanization adds to the inevitable production of wastewater sludge (WWS), needing more sludge disposal and renewable energy generation technologies. The thermochemical technologies namely combustion/or incineration, pyrolysis, and gasification have a great prospect of energy recovery with the possibility to be feasible when considering costs and efficiencies. This research paper seeks an investigation on the selection of the finest or feasible thermochemical conversion technology to treat, dispose and generate gas energy in turn heat and electric power. This can be achieved through an advance multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) model using analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and the technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) to form a AHP-TOPSIS focused on technical and economic criteria. Results show that combustion or/incineration is the most viable technology due to its ability to lessens enormous sludge volume, recuperate energy, demolish pollutants. Gasification is favourable due to benefits such as high efficiency, continual volumetrically heating, and fast thermal reaction. With regards to pyrolysis conversion technology, this process is regarded among of the most feasible thermochemical technologies with zero-waste production, it can gas recover energy and materials such as biogas, biochar, water, tar, etc. With the aforesaid advance thermochemical technologies, the sludge treatment and energy conversion difficulties are foreseen to be limited or lessened. • The conversion of wastewater sludge or sewage sludge to energy. • Thermochemical energy conversion techniques. • Multi-Criteria Decision Making. • Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). • Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (AHP).

Renewable energy substitution and energy technology impact in a transitional economy: A perspective from Pakistan

Almost 87.8% use of fossil fuel in its mixed energy, with only 12.1% coming from electricity, which has taken submerge environmental risk from CO2 emissions (CO2Es). Like many countries, Pakistan has set ambitious goals for a feasible transition towards clean energy sources. In this study, a trans-log production function is adopted to investigate the energy substitution possibility and then estimate the emissions reduction potential that comes through such a conversion. The results show that: (i) all the output elasticities and substitution elasticities contribute to economic development. The research leads towards evidence of efficiency for renewable electricity to add significantly to Pakistan's productivity. Though, it has the prospective to add a 5% growth-share if the capital investment is at least twice beyond present levels. (ii) Based on technological progress, energy substitutability, economy, and inter-fuel substitution are possible. Also, inter-fuel substitutability is limited in exercise because of the heavy costs linked to cleaner energy generation technologies. Moreover, two investment scenarios evidence marginal falls in non-clean energy (between 0.203 and 0.213%) and CO2Es when energy substitutability is conducted. Generally, existing outcomes have insinuations about Pakistan's economic progress, renewable development, and carbon emissions.

How renewables are transforming electricity grids: an analysis of Australia’s integrated system plan

Most countries will require mega programmes of investment to support the transition to higher shares of renewable energy. Large increases in roof-top solar and other grid-scale renewables are changing the way that electricity grids operate and are designed. This paper focuses on the case of Australia, where the Australian Energy Market Operator develops a bi-annual Integrated System Plan (ISP) to provide advice on the development of the electricity grid. The ISP is based on modelling of the future energy system and, accordingly, accounts for a rise in distributed energy generation and other technologies, such as batteries and electric drive vehicles. There are many lessons that can be learned from regions with high shares of renewables, including the importance of grid interconnectivity and storage. This example of rapid change has occurred in a country that did not have a robust national decarbonisation policy, but does have excellent wind and solar resources.

Toward next-generation green solar cells and environmental sustainability: impact of innovation in photovoltaic energy generation, distribution, or transmission-related technologies on environmental sustainability in the United States

Photovoltaic is emerging as a cost-competitive source of energy generation and has experienced a decade of substantial cost decline. Recognizing that innovation in sustainable technologies can substantially contribute to the sustainable generation of energy, the federal government, universities, and industries in the USA have invested considerably in innovative solar technologies involving photovoltaic energy generation. However, the association between innovations in photovoltaic energy generation, distribution, or transmission-related technologies (IPVEGRT) and carbon dioxide emissions is unclear. The present study significantly contributes to energy economics by inspecting the nexus between IPVEGRT and carbon dioxide emissions, renewable energy consumption, the expansionary monetary policy, international collaboration in green technology development, gross domestic product per capita, and trade openness in the USA from 1990Q1 to 2018Q4. The results indicate that IPVEGRT helps reduce carbon dioxide emissions. International collaboration in green technology development and renewable energy consumption was negatively associated with carbon dioxide emissions, while expansionary monetary policy, gross domestic product per capita, and trade openness were positively associated with carbon dioxide emissions. The two-way causality between IPVEGRT and carbon dioxide emissions and between international collaboration in green technology development and carbon dioxide emissions was validated. Finally, a one-way causality between expansionary monetary policy, carbon dioxide emissions, gross domestic product per capita, and carbon dioxide emissions was validated.

Review of wave power system development and research on triboelectric nano power systems

With its huge energy storage and high energy density, ocean wave energy is one of the most promising marine renewable resources. Traditional wave energy generation technology, on the other hand, has a high maintenance cost, a bulky construction, and a low conversion efficiency, which limits its application. Due to its low cost, simple construction, and ease of fabrication, wave energy generating technology based on triboelectric nanogenerators has emerged as a potential new power generation technology in recent years. This paper elaborates on the power generation principle, working mode, and the latest research status of wave energy harvesting using different types of triboelectric nanogenerator structures, and finally summarises the current problems and challenges of this technology, and innovatively combines some current examples to propose future research trends, which can help relevant reseach. This will assist researchers in swiftly grasping the present state of wave energy harvesting research and promoting the field’s progress.

Effect of Cobalt Composition on Electrochemical Behavior of Platinum-Based Catalyst towards Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

The hydrogen production from water electrolysis is of interest as a renewable energy generation technology. However, the high price of noble platinum (Pt) catalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is a big challenge to use it. Herein, we fabricate cost-effective CoPt bimetallic alloys and explore the effect of Co composition on the electrochemical behavior of such alloys, which has been rarely reported. A series of Co1-xPtx (x = 0.25; 0.5; 0.75) alloys are prepared via a room-temperature chemical reduction route without using any surfactants/stabilizers that exhibit a uniform distribution in small particle sizes (ca. 3 nm) on the carbon surface. In terms of the HER, the incorporation of a suitable Co proportion into the Pt lattices enhance significantly the HER performance in an acidic environment. For instance, the Co0.5Pt0.5 NPs/C catalyst displays a low onset potential (16.67 mV) and a small Tafel slope (19.60 mV dec-1), which is different from other Co1-xPtx catalysts and commercial C-supported Pt (NPs) catalyst. This research result not only supplies a facile strategy to synthesize alloys but also guides the choice of a suitable proportion of transition metal into Pt lattice for electrochemical reactions in green energy storage and conversion technologies.

Design and Analysis of Wave Energy Converter Technologies

Energy from renewables is the demand of the future. This is due to the fact that majority of the current energy generation technologies pose serious environmental hazards. Among the renewables, hydro, solar and wind power are utilized extensively, and its power plants have been installed as well in various parts of the world. However, wave power technologies are still immature in various parts of the world. This paper reviews and discusses the current state of the art of wave power technologies. Also, it a amalgamates the main concerns in the design of wave energy converters.

MnO2@Co3O4 nanocomposite based electrocatalyst for effective oxygen evolution reaction

For large-scale energy applications, conceiving low-cost and simple earth-abundant electrocatalysts are more difficult. By using an aqueous chemical technique, MnO2 was added into Co3O4 with varying concentrations to prepare MnO2@Co3O4 nanocomposite (CM). In an aqueous solution of 1 M KOH, the electrocatalyst with a greater concentration of MnO2 outperforms in terms of OER. To confirm the composition, crystalline structure, and morphology of the electrocatalyst, analytical methods such as X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used. At 20 mA/cm2 current density, the electrocatalyst had a lowest overpotential of 310 mV verses Reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE). The CM-0.4 electrocatalyst has a small Tafel slope value and charge transfer resistance of approximately 72 mV/dec and 74 Ω which confirm its high catalytic activity. The electrocatalyst reveals a double layer capacitance (Rct) of 18 µF/cm2 and an electrochemical active surface area (ECSA) of 450 cm2, demonstrating that addition of MnO2 impurities into Co3O4 enhances the active catalyst sites. These findings contribute to the knowledge of these kind of catalysts, that will assist in the development of novel electrocatalysts which are feasible for prospective energy generation technologies.

The roles of carbon capture, utilization and storage in the transition to a low-carbon energy system using a stochastic optimal scheduling approach

Decarbonizing energy sector through deploying the technology of carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) is required to keep global temperature rise below 1.5 °C by 2060. The true roles of CCUS have to be validated from the perspective of integrated energy system with features of high penetration of uncertain renewable power and strong interactions among multiple energy generation, conversion and storage technologies. To this end, this paper proposes a stochastic power-heat-gas-carbon scheduling approach for the wind-solar-thermal-battery energy mix integrated with CCUS (WSTB-CCUS) to manage the operation of energy conversion devices and CCUS in a coordinated manner. Coal/biomass co-fired and natural gas fired cogeneration units integrated with carbon capture system are built to reflect complex relationship between fuel, power, heat and carbon. A stochastic optimization model based on chance-constrained programming is presented to fully consider the uncertainties of renewable power and load demands. Case study shows that the stochastic scheduling can reduce 7.25% of average total operating costs compared with the deterministic scheduling by providing a more robust solution for the WSTB-CCUS. Discussions are then carried out to explore the roles of CCUS in carbon reduction, flexibility enhancement, negative emission and robustness improvement from the perspective of energy system operation through stochastic scheduling. The influences of other low carbon technologies on the operation of carbon capture are further discussed to provide more insight on the low carbon transformation of energy system.