Energy Goals Research Articles

Neutronics design of shutdown and control systems for a Zero Power Experiments of chloride-based molten salt fast reactor.

Nuclear power's role as a reliable, baseload, low-carbon source and its importance in achieving clean energy goals are being increasingly recognized with growing urgency around decarbonization of the global energy systems. However, to deliver a long-term sustainable solution, it is essential to develop innovative nuclear technologies for improving the fuel utilization and reducing the nuclear waste disposal challenge. Zero Power Reactors (ZPR) are an essential initial step for developing new nuclear technologies because they allow for testing and refinement in a safe environment before large-scale deployment. This paper discusses the design of a ZPR experiments for the development of iMAGINE, a novel chloride-based molten salt reactor technology. The paper presents a detailed analysis of the neutronic design for the shutdown and control systems of an experimental ZPR based on the iMAGINE molten salt reactor technology. The study concludes that a split-core design with a lower corner reflector as an extension of the lower annular reflector offers the most robust ZPR configuration, offering optimum operational margins and maneuverability. This design ensures safety, regulatory compliance, and sufficient control and shutdown performance for the successful development of the iMAGINE technology.

Can Technological Advancement Empower the Future of Renewable Energy? A Panel Autoregressive Distributed Lag Approach

Energy is pivotal in achieving sustainable development’s economic, social, and environmental objectives. However, to attain this crucial goal, it is essential to focus on the type of energy we generate and the methods by which we use them. The availability, accessibility, and use of green technologies have improved significantly since the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). This paper applies the pooled mean group Autoregressive Distributed Lag (PMG ARDL) model from 2000 to 2021 to 11 countries that, according to the Climate Council, are most affected by environmental degradation issues and are taking new initiatives to reduce their emissions. The results indicate a significant relationship between renewable energy consumption and technological advancements in the short and long term. However, there needs to be more of the literature about the negative impact of research and development on renewable energy consumption. The findings of this paper can assist policymakers in determining effective strategies in the renewable energy sector, as any technological advancement is an innovative way to transform the renewable energy industry completely. By optimizing energy production and reducing costs, technological advancement can help a country achieve its renewable energy goals.

Directions for Increasing Green Energy Capacity of Uzbekistan

General background: The global transition to renewable energy is essential for mitigating climate change and ensuring energy security, and Uzbekistan, with its abundant natural resources, holds significant potential. Specific background: Despite progress, Uzbekistan still relies heavily on fossil fuels, and challenges remain in integrating renewable energy into the national grid. Knowledge gap: Previous studies have focused on the technical and economic benefits of green energy, yet there is limited research on the interplay between market reforms and renewable energy adoption in developing nations like Uzbekistan. Aims: This research aims to assess the current renewable energy policies and propose strategies to enhance Uzbekistan’s capacity, particularly in solar and wind energy. Results: The findings reveal that while Uzbekistan has made strides, substantial reforms in market liberalization and increased investment are necessary to meet its 2030 green energy targets. Novelty: This study offers new insights by integrating a market-based approach to energy reforms with the need for targeted subsidies and international investment, filling a critical gap in the literature on green energy transitions in developing economies. Implications: The results suggest that further policy adjustments, enhanced international cooperation, and financial incentives are vital for accelerating Uzbekistan’s green energy transition, providing a model for similar economies. Highlights: Uzbekistan needs substantial market reforms to increase green energy capacity. Solar and wind energy are key to meeting the 2030 renewable energy goals. Targeted subsidies and international investment are essential for sustainable energy development. Keywords: Solar Energy, Wind Energy, Energy Subsidies, Energy Investments, Market Liberalization

Evaluating the levelized costs and life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of electricity generation from rooftop solar photovoltaics: a Swiss case study

Abstract The transition to renewable energy sources is pivotal in addressing global climate change challenges, with rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems playing a crucial role. For informed decision-making in energy policy, it is important to have a comprehensive understanding of both the economic and environmental performance of rooftop solar PV. This study provides a high-resolution analysis of existing rooftop solar PV systems in Switzerland by assessing the robustness of the potential estimation to properly derive the amount of electricity generated by individual systems, and subsequently quantify the levelized cost of electricity and life cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of electricity generation from PV and compare them with those of grid electricity supplies. Our results indicate substantial geographical variations between potential estimations and real-world installations, with notable underestimations of approximately 1.3 Gigawatt-peak, primarily for systems around 10 kWp in size, mainly due to the quality of input data and conservative estimation. The study finds that in many regions and for most of the installed capacity, electricity generated from rooftop PV systems is more economical than the grid electricity supply, mainly driven by factors including high electricity prices, larger installations and abundant solar irradiance. The GHG emissions assessment further emphasizes the importance of methodological choice, with stark contrasts between electricity certificate-based approaches and others that are based on the consumption mix. This study suggests the need for more accurate geographical potential estimations, enhanced support for small-scale rooftop PV systems, and more incentives to maximize the potential of their roof area for PV deployment. As Switzerland progresses towards its renewable energy goals, our research underscores the importance of informed policymaking based on a retrospective analysis of existing installations, essential for maximizing the potential and benefits of rooftop solar PV systems.

Can Renewable Energy Be a Driving Factor for Economic Stability? An In-depth Study of Sector Expansion and Economic Dynamics

India has emerged as one of the world's most appealing locations for renewable energy development. It has set lofty renewable energy goals to reach 450 gigawatts (GW) capacity by 2030. These aims indicate India's determination to move to greener and more sustainable energy sources. India has been investing in R&D to promote technological innovation in renewable energy. This includes improvements to solar photovoltaic technology, wind energy, energy storage technologies, and smart grid systems. Innovation is critical for improving efficiency, lowering prices, and increasing the reliability of renewable energy sources. This paper aims to analyse the linkages between economic growth and renewable energy usage in India. For this, the Granger Causality technique is adopted, and it is found that no short-run causality exists among the economic growth and RE installed capacity. However, Industrial Production Granger Causes both GDP and Renewable Energy Capacity. When the stock price data of the last five years of top renewable energy companies was also collected, it was found that all the companies are showing an upward trend. While renewable energy is growing rapidly, especially solar and wind power, it is insufficient to meet the bulk of India's energy demands. Renewables contribute to reducing carbon emissions and diversifying the energy mix, but they still account for a smaller percentage compared to thermal power.

Preserving competition and economic welfare in Israel's PV market

Despite global efforts, many countries struggle to meet renewable energy targets. In 2022, Israel's renewable energy accounted for only 10% of its electricity generation despite its abundant solar resources. This study analyzes the outcomes of three tenders for photovoltaic (PV) facilities aimed at advancing national renewable energy goals. The results reveal lower production costs but increased market concentration, with a 50% reduction in the number of winning firms, consolidating around major players. While efficiency has improved, the exit of smaller, less competitive firms raises concerns about long-term dominance. Cournot oligopoly simulations predict rising concentration and market power.

Voluntary Planning and City Networks: A Systematic Bibliometric Review Addressing Current Issues for Sustainable and Climate-Responsive Planning

Over the years, energy saving and climate change have sparked a challenge in developing innovative spatial and urban planning tools, methods, and approaches for urban areas and territorial management. This challenge has pointed out a gap in the traditional planning framework in tackling energy and climate issues, highlighting the need for renovated spatial planning practices. The current effective measures carried out by the complex network of stakeholders (public and private) are fragmented, and the role of city networks in shaping decisions and interventions has emerged. In particular, among the approaches for urban and territorial planning and the development of climate-responsive measures, this research adopts a specific focus on voluntary planning. The authors, through a literature review and an analysis of nine city networks, investigated how this approach addresses energy and climate issues and how it is linked to the city networks in designing investments and interventions within the urban context. From the authors’ perspective, city networks are the operative component in designing local experiences and applications, contributing to achievement of the global energy and climate targets according to the current policies. In this context, successful results with respect to climate and energy challenges is expressed in the degree of the awareness and the commitment achieved by the local communities. Moreover, reaching the climate and energy goals is a representation of the outcome of the interaction between the (public or private) actors involved and the degree of a city’s climate-responsiveness, rather than from a normative constraint or an institutional framework.

Formation of the alternative food sector: advanced foreign experience and opportunities for energy-efficient food production

The article considers innovative directions of food production, which are actively researched in foreign science and mastered in practice in order to achieve food, energy, climate and environmental goals. The spheres of appli cation and the main producers of alternative food products are determined, the sources of energy efficiency improvement of agro-food systems arising from the replacement of traditional industries by alternative ones are identified. The key factors determining the formation and development of the alternative food sector have been identified, and the common features and distinctive features of the directions that have become widespread have been established. The prospects of alternative food products application in the Republic of Belarus are highlighted.

Developing microalgae harvesting: Enhanced efficiency with magnetite-urea nanocomposites for sustainable astaxanthin biorefinery

Harvesting costs, accounting for 15–30 % of total expenses, are a major bottleneck in microalgae biorefinery due to low cell density and energy-intensive processes. This study investigates Fe3O4-Urea (Fe@urea) nanocomposites (NCs) to replace conventional methods and improve the harvesting efficiency (HE) of Chlorella zofingiensis, known for its high lipid and astaxanthin content. Urea-coated magnetite nanoparticles (NPs) with additional functional groups significantly improved harvesting performance across all pH levels compared to conventional Fe3O4 NPs. HE was evaluated using both optical density and cell counting methods, with the latter proving superior results by eliminating interference from unreacted salts and debris. Optimization of nanocomposite concentrations and culture pH with Fe@urea achieves 95 % HE at 800 mg L−1 and pH 3–4. The Langmuir and Freundlich models confirmed the nanocomposite's multifaceted capabilities. Characterization techniques included SEM, FTIR, EDX, zeta potential analysis, and TEM. This innovative approach can revolutionize large-scale microalgae biorefineries, enhancing sustainable biofuel and bioproduct production and supporting the Sustainable Development Goal of Affordable and Clean Energy (SDGs 7).

CURRENT TRENDS IN PHOTOVOLTAIC THERMAL (PVT) SYSTEMS: A REVIEW OF TECHNOLOGIES AND SUSTAINABLE ENERGY SOLUTIONS

This systematic review explores advancements and challenges in photovoltaic thermal (PVT) systems, focusing on efficiency improvements, cooling mechanisms, material innovations, Internet of Things (IoT) integration, and cost and environmental considerations. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, 45 articles were analyzed to provide a comprehensive understanding of current trends and future directions in PVT technology. Findings reveal that cooling mechanisms, particularly liquid-based and nanofluid-based systems, are essential for maintaining high PVT efficiency under diverse environmental conditions. Material advancements, including phase change materials (PCMs) and nanotechnology, have enhanced thermal management and energy storage capabilities, yet their high costs and environmental impacts remain significant barriers to broader adoption. IoT and smart grid integration have transformed PVT system functionality by enabling real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and energy flow adjustments within connected energy networks. However, persistent challenges—including high initial investment costs, environmental concerns related to materials, and the need for adaptable designs—highlight areas for future research. Advancements in adaptive materials, sustainable cooling solutions, and digital automation are essential for developing cost-effective, resilient PVT systems that contribute to global renewable energy goals. This review provides a foundation for future research to address the identified challenges and maximize the potential of PVT systems in sustainable energy production.

A high-performance all-day vertical thermoelectric generator based on a double-sided reflective structure

Harvesting environmental energy sources is crucial for achieving renewable energy generation and net-zero emissions. However, ensuring uninterrupted electricity generation from environmental energy sources remains challenging. In this study, we present a simple, compact, and expandable all-day vertical passive thermoelectric generator (V-TEG) with a double-sided reflective structure that simultaneously harnesses solar and space cold energy. Outdoor experimental measurements, combined with finite element simulation analysis, revealed that the optimal angles of the solar reflector relative to the TEG range from 30° to 50°. Additionally, the TEG placed in the north–south orientation was found to enhance its daytime performance. The use of low-cost black paint combined with the solar reflector achieved equivalent spectral selectivity, effectively minimizing the infrared heat loss of the hot end of the TEG. During a 48-h outdoor test, the V-TEG achieved an average daytime power of 112.00 mW/m2 and a peak of 363.42 mW/m2. Comparative experiments demonstrated that the V-TEG outperformed horizontally placed TEG during the daytime. Furthermore, scaling the system by connecting three TEGs in series significantly increased the daily power output. This compact V- TEG system offers a promising solution for long-term power generation in low-power sensors and off-grid communities, supporting renewable energy and carbon neutrality goals.

Unraveling the Sustainability Footprint: A Descriptive Analysis of Co-firing Technologies for Advancing Energy Transition in Indonesia

Abstract Indonesia has ambitious renewable energy goals of achieving 23% utilization of renewable energy in primary energy mix by 2025 and 31% by 2050. To reduce emissions, the government plans to phase out Coal-Fired Power Plants (PLTU) by 2030 and adopt co-firing technology to decrease coal usage. Co-firing involves burning renewable materials alongside fossil fuels to reduce carbon emissions. However, concerns have arisen regarding this method’s sustainability, considering the environmental impact of various biomass sources. This research utilizes a descriptive analysis method to examine and assess the critical sustainability factors related to co-firing in Indonesia. While biomass can help mitigate GHG emissions, a comprehensive assessment of net emissions from the biomass process is crucial. Careful planning and policies for co-firing implementation are essential to mitigate negative effects and promote a greener future for Indonesia.

From investment to impact: The role of green finance and technological innovation on German energy transition

Germany is a global leader in environmental protection and has embraced a fast-track transition towards renewable energy adaptation. To support the continuous energy transition, an approximate sum of EUR 3000 billion needs to be mobilized by 2050, making it an exemplary case for examining the influence of green finance on renewable energy consumption and technological innovation. The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of green finance and technological innovation on renewable energy consumption across 16 federal German states, utilizing panel data from 2008 to 2021. Two novel financial proxies, green investment and environmental protection-related sales, are introduced to capture the financial mechanisms underpinning the energy transition. MMQ (method of moments quantile) regression is employed to explore the short and long-run relationship among variables. The results reveal that while environmental protection-related sales consistently increase renewable energy consumption, the positive effects of green investment manifest only in the long term. Furthermore, the results indicate that solely increasing R&D funds does not necessarily boost renewable energy consumption. However, the positive interplay between R&D and patent applications significantly increases electricity generation from renewable sources. Indicating that integrated financial and technological strategies are essential for advancing Germany's renewable energy goals.

Efficient and durable OER electrocatalysts through vacancy engineering and core-shell structure design in acidic environment

The electrocatalytic conversion of water into green hydrogen energy through overall water splitting advances sustainable energy goals. However, it is limited by the slow kinetics of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and durability challenges at high potentials. Here, we rationally develop a series of Mn-doped RuO2-coated Ru (Mn-Ru@RuO2) catalysts involving unique core-shell structures and abundant lattice distortions induced by oxygen defects. The optimal Mn-Ru@RuO2 sample demonstrated robust activity, achieving a low overpotential of 220 mV at 10 mA cm−2. Notably, this sample exhibited minimal degradation after 220 h and a 25.5-fold increase in mass activity (1.37 A mgRu−1) compared to commercial RuO2 at an overpotential of 300 mV. These results suggest that regulated oxygen deficiencies and optimal Ru3+/Ru4+ ratios facilitate the lattice oxygen oxidation (LOM) mechanism and the formation of a high concentration of ∗OH radicals, enhancing acidic OER performance. Additionally, the unique core-shell structures effectively prevent over-oxidation of the RuO2 shell, ensuring superior durability. This research not only breaks the trade-off of electrochemical activity and durability, but also provides valuable insights into the design of highly efficient and stable electrocatalysts.

Optimization of Solar PV System Efficiency in Bangladesh

This paper presents a comprehensive review and analysis of Sarishabari Engreen Solar Plant Ltd., a 3.3 MW grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) system located in Sarishabari, Jamalpur, Bangladesh. The study evaluates the plant's economic and operational performance, revealing a competitive payback period of 10.1 years and a levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of 0.11 USD/kWh. These metrics highlight the plant's financial viability, largely due to the low cost of public land used for construction. However, profitability may be challenged if similar projects require significant investments in private land acquisition. Key areas for improvement identified include optimizing the tilt angle and integrating smart automation systems. Additionally, the potential for hybrid renewable energy systems combining solar and wind power is discussed. The paper also provides actionable recommendations for future renewable projects, emphasizing the importance of advanced technologies, and supportive policies. These insights aim to inform the optimization of existing solar PV systems and guide the development of future renewable energy projects in Bangladesh, contributing to the country's sustainable energy goals.

A Deep Learning-Based Approach for Identifying Defects in Solar Panels

In the solar energy sector, the task of monitoring and maintaining large photovoltaic (PV) system portfolios is essential for ensuring optimal performance and reliability. Prominent solar energy companies face challenges with their current fault detection methods, which are inefficient and resource- intensive. This paper addresses the critical need for improved fault detection in solar PV systems to maximize uptime and minimize maintenance costs. We employed advanced data preprocessing and augmentation techniques using Roboflow and developed a YOLOv8 segmentation model in Google Colab with GPU. This model was then deployed using Streamlit, providing a robust solution for identifying faulty solar modules. The proposed approach significantly enhances fault detection accuracy, achieving a minimum accuracy rate of 85%, thus ensuring reliable operation of the PV systems. Additionally, the implementation of this model contributes to a 15% reduction in system downtime and a 10% reduction in maintenance costs. By leveraging advanced machine learning techniques, our solution transforms the maintenance process, making it more efficient and cost-effective. Consequently, this work not only improves the reliability and performance of solar PV systems but also supports the broader goal of sustainable energy through more efficient resource usage.

High-resolution parametric embodied impact configurator for PV and BIPV systems

To fully analyze the potential of PVs in achieving sustainable energy goals, careful consideration of the life cycle including the embodied impact is needed. Despite the existence of various life cycle inventories for PV modules, there remains a lack of structured and detailed data to enable easy comparison across different technology configurations. Such data is crucial for identifying the components with the highest environmental impact and further optimization. This data gap is an obstacle to informed decision-making processes when evaluating PV designs. The goal of this study is to develop a harmonized, modular database that captures the environmental impact of various PV systems in high resolution. It includes the selection of cell technology, electrical components, frame materials, and the location of production. The environmental assessment includes 14 impact categories. Additionally, a web-based configurator is available, allowing users to quickly estimate the environmental impact of custom PV panels. Through exhaustive sampling of different configurations, the study demonstrates that the Global Warming Potential of a PV panel can range from 10 to 380 kgCO2eq/sqm. The results of this study can support architects, engineers, and planners in estimating the embodied impact of the PV systems, leading to more informed and environmentally conscious design decisions.

Techno-Economic Analysis of Combined Production of Wind Energy and Green Hydrogen on the Northern Coast of Mauritania

Green hydrogen is becoming increasingly popular, with academics, institutions, and governments concentrating on its development, efficiency improvement, and cost reduction. The objective of the Ministry of Petroleum, Mines, and Energy is to achieve a 35% proportion of renewable energy in the overall energy composition by the year 2030, followed by a 50% commitment by 2050. This goal will be achieved through the implementation of feed-in tariffs and the integration of independent power generators. The present study focused on the economic feasibility of green hydrogen and its production process utilizing renewable energy resources on the northern coast of Mauritania. The current investigation also explored the wind potential along the northern coast of Mauritania, spanning over 600 km between Nouakchott and Nouadhibou. Wind data from masts, Lidar stations, and satellites at 10 and 80 m heights from 2022 to 2023 were used to assess wind characteristics and evaluate five turbine types for local conditions. A comprehensive techno-economic analysis was carried out at five specific sites, encompassing the measures of levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) and levelized cost of green hydrogen (LCOGH), as well as sensitivity analysis and economic performance indicators. The results showed an annual average wind speed of 7.6 m/s in Nouakchott to 9.8 m/s in Nouadhibou at 80 m. The GOLDWIND 3.0 MW model showed the highest capacity factor of 50.81% due to its low cut-in speed of 2.5 m/s and its rated wind speed of 10.5 to 11 m/s. The NORDEX 4 MW model forecasted an annual production of 21.97 GWh in Nouadhibou and 19.23 GWh in Boulanoir, with the LCOE ranging from USD 5.69 to 6.51 cents/kWh, below the local electricity tariff, and an LCOGH of USD 1.85 to 2.11 US/kg H2. Multiple economic indicators confirmed the feasibility of wind energy and green hydrogen projects in assessed sites. These results boosted the confidence of the techno-economic model, highlighting the resilience of future investments in these sustainable energy infrastructures. Mauritania’s north coast has potential for wind energy, aiding green hydrogen production for energy goals.

Damage evolution in Plasma Facing Materials by a sequential multiscale approach

Abstract Describing the time evolution of Plasma Facing Materials (PFMs), through quantitative evaluations of erosion, roughness, and physical properties degradation, is one of the difficult challenges to reach the goal of efficient energy production by nuclear fusion. To follow all the aging-connected physical and chemical phenomena through their characteristic dimensional scale, and to estimate the PFM microstructural transformation over time, we propose a predictive sequential multiscale methodology, consisting of two database-provided coupled codes. The first is a time-dependent, volume-averaged, plasma simulator which describes completely this system in terms of thermodynamics, composition and evaluation of the sheath potential. Plasma solutions are geometrically rearranged by adding surface reactions and 3D geometric features. To increase sensitivity, plasma information is provided to the second code as an initial condition. Such a code is a 3D kinetic Monte Carlo in-cell algorithm for the nano-scale erosion simulation describing the PFM interactions through an extendable set of physical phenomena, such as sticking, sputtering, ion enhanced removals and ion penetration. In this paper, we perform simulations for the case of study of Hydrogen (H) plasmas produced in linear devices, reaching the quasi-atomic detail of the plasma induced material modification of tungsten (W) as PFM.

Simultaneous Production of Biogas and Electricity from Anaerobic Digestion of Pine Needles: Sustainable Energy and Waste Management.

Power scarcity and pollution can be overcome with the use of green energy forms like ethanol, biogas, electricity, hydrogen, etc., especially energy produced from renewable and industrial feedstocks. In hilly areas, pine needles are the most abundant biomass that has a low possibility of valorization due to high lignin content. On the other hand, anaerobic digestion (AD) of lignin and animal waste has low biogas yield due to poor conductivity. This study focuses on the simultaneous production of biogas and electricity through the co-digestion of cow dung and pine needles. The digester was initially established and stabilized in the lab to ensure a continuous supply of inoculum throughout the experiment. The optimization process involved the determination of an ideal cow dung-to-water ratio and selecting the appropriate conductive material that can enhance the energy generation from the feedstock. Afterward, both batch and continuous anaerobic digestion experiments were conducted. The results revealed that the addition of powdered graphite (5 mM), activated charcoal (15 mM), and biochar (25 mM) exhibited maximum voltage of 0.71 ± 0.013 V, 0.56 ± 0.013 V, and 0.49 ± 0.011 V on the 30th, 25th and 20th day of AD, respectively. The batch experiment showed that 5 mM graphite powder enhanced electron transfer in the AD process and generated a voltage of 0.77 ± 0.014 V on the 30th day, indicating an increase of ~1.5-fold as compared to the control (0.56 ± 0.019 V). The results from the continuous AD process showed that the digester with cow dung, pine needle, and a conductive material in combination exhibited the maximum voltage of 0.76 ± 0.012 V on the 21st day of AD, while the digester with cow dung only exhibited a maximum voltage of 0.62 ± 0.015 V on the 22nd day of AD, representing a 1.3-fold increase over the control. Furthermore, the current work used discarded plastic items and electrodes from spent batteries to emphasize waste management and aid in attaining sustainable energy and development goals.