Design Of Energy Systems Research Articles

Application of Distributed Collaborative Optimization in Building Multi-Energy Complementary Energy Systems

This article investigates the application and physical mechanism exploration of distributed collaborative optimization algorithms in building multi-energy complementary energy systems, in response to the difficulties in coordinating various subsystems and insufficient dynamic control strategies. On the basis of modeling each subsystem, the Dual Decomposition algorithm is used to decompose the global optimization problem of the system into several independent sub problems, achieving independent optimization of each subsystem. Through an adaptive dynamic scheduling strategy, real-time data and predictive information are continuously updated and controlled, effectively allocating system resources. The experimental results show that compared to the original system before optimization, the improved algorithm in this paper reduces the total energy consumption of the system by 6.9% and 2.8% on typical summer and winter days, respectively. The conclusion shows that the algorithm proposed in this paper can effectively solve the problem of system coordination difficulties, improve system resource allocation and overall operation level, and provide a new perspective for the optimization design and operation control of energy systems.

Optimal Design of an Off-Grid Solar Energy System Integrated with a Diesel Generator for Urban Areas in Pakistan

The growing energy demand in Pakistan, coupled with the challenges posed by reliance on imported fossil fuels, necessitates the exploration of alternative energy solutions. This study presents the design and techno-economic analysis of an off-grid hybrid energy system tailored for a residential neighborhood in Karachi, Pakistan. The system integrates individual solar energy solutions for seven housles, supplemented by a shared diesel generator to ensure a reliable power supply, particularly during load-shedding and grid outages. The study utilizes HOMER Pro software to model and optimize various configurations, taking into account local solar insolation levels and seasonal variability in energy demands. The optimized system includes photovoltaic (PV) panels, battery storage, and a shared diesel generator with individual connections and meters, with each house receiving a customized solution based on its specific energy requirements, ranging from 15 kWh/day to 45 kWh/day. The shared diesel generator is designed to reduce the need for large battery banks, thereby minimizing both capital and operational costs. The results demonstrate a cost-effective solution with a Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) of $0.2959/kWh and a Net Present Cost (NPC) of $15,562.55 over a 25-year period. This research highlights the potential for implementing such systems in urban areas of Pakistan, offering a sustainable, reliable, and economically viable alternative to conventional energy sources.

Ocean current turbine power take-off design using fluid dynamics and towing tank experiments

This study investigates the performance and power generation capabilities of a small-scale hydrokinetic turbine by comparing numerical simulations with experimental measurements. The key difference between the two models comes from the initial numerical analysis which focused only on the permanent magnet DC motor (PMDC) motor’s parameters and did not account for the gear-head reduction that leads to discrepancies in current and torque predictions, especially at lower input voltages. In practice, friction losses within the gear-head increased the required current and torque, highlighting inefficiencies in the motor gear-head system. A modified experimental setup incorporated a magnetic coupling to address leakage issues and enhance system reliability. While the magnetic coupling resulted in a slight reduction in speed, current, and torque, it improved the overall integrity of the system which is essential for marine applications. The comparison between experimental results and Blade Element Momentum (BEM) simulations showed good agreement at lower speeds, but the simulations under-predicted power at higher speeds, likely due to the model’s limitations in capturing complex hydrodynamic phenomena. This shows the need for comprehensive analysis, integrating both numerical and experimental approaches to optimize turbine performance. Future research will focus on refining experimental methodologies and further improving turbine design and efficiency for hydrokinetic energy systems.

Integration of disamenity costs and equality considerations regarding onshore wind power expansion and distribution into energy system optimization models

BackgroundSocial acceptance of energy infrastructure projects affects public support for the energy transition and is essential for the transition’s sustainability and success. Despite extensive research focusing on the social acceptance of renewable energy, and on the acceptance of onshore wind power in particular, energy system models have largely prioritized techno-economic aspects. This focus has created a gap between model results and decision-makers’ needs. In this study, we offer recommendations for integrating disamenity costs and equality considerations—two critical social aspects related to onshore wind power—into energy system optimization. To achieve this, we use a spatially distributed model from a climate-neutral Germany and explore various implementations and trade-offs of these two social aspects.ResultsWe identified effective linear formulations for both disamenity costs and equality considerations as model extensions, notably outperforming quadratic alternatives, which exhibit longer solution times (+ 50–115%). Our findings reveal that the endogenous consideration of disamenity costs in the optimization approach can significantly reduce the human population’s exposure to wind turbines, decreasing the average disamenity per turbine by 53%. Drawing on notions of welfare economics, we employ two different approaches for integrating equality into the optimization process, permitting the modulation of the degree of equality within spatial distributions in energy system models. The trade-offs of the two social aspects compared to the cost-optimal reference are moderate, resulting in a 2–3% increase in system costs.ConclusionsDisamenity costs emerge as a predominant factor in the distribution of onshore wind power in energy system optimization models. However, existing plans for onshore wind power distribution in Germany underscore equality as the driving factor. The inclusion of social aspects in energy system models facilitates the identification of socially superior wind turbine locations. Neglecting disamenity costs and equality considerations leads to an overestimation of the practical solution space for decision-makers and, consequently, the resulting energy system designs.

The costs of hydrogen and conventional energy carriers: temporal evolutions and mutual price correlations – global insights with a focus on Belgium

ABSTRACT Energy systems design is challenged by uncertainties in energy carrier costs. This study explores hydrogen and conventional energy carrier costs, providing global insights with a focus on Belgium. Over two years, European natural gas prices surged 55-fold, while solid biomass prices varied only 1.8-fold over 13 years. Regression analysis (adjusted R 2 >0.9) reveals mutual correlations among energy carriers, allowing for cost ranking relative to the natural gas price. The relationship between electricity and natural gas prices underscores financial challenges for heat pumps in Belgium. Hydrogen cost estimations for 2024 are 43.7, 48.8, 16.4, and 17.5 €/GJH2,LHV for green, yellow (grid), grey and blue hydrogen, respectively. Achieving cost parity between blue and grey hydrogen requires a carbon tax of 67.5–123 €/tonCO2. Present approach incorporates uncertainties in energy carrier costs by varying natural gas price scenarios, facilitating prompt identification of cases for in-depth evaluation in future energy systems.

The effects of fair allocation principles on energy system model designs

Abstract What constitutes socially just or unjust energy systems or transitions can be derived from the philosophy and theories of justice. Assessments of distributive justice and utilising them in modelling lead to great differences based on which justice principles are applied. From the limited research so far published in the intersection between energy systems modelling and justice, we find that comparisons between the two principles of utilitarianism and egalitarianism dominate in assessments of distributive justice, with the latter most often considered representing a 'just energy system'. The lack of recognition of alternative and equally valid principles of justice, resting on e.g. capabilities, responsibilities and/or opportunities, leads to a narrow understanding of justice that fails to align with the views of different individuals, stakeholders and societies. More importantly, it can lead to the unjust design of future energy systems and energy systems analysis. 
 
In this work, we contribute to the growing amount of research on distributive justice in energy systems modelling by assessing the implications of different philosophical views on justice on modelling results. Through a modelling exercise with a power system model for Europe (highRES), we explore different designs of a future (2050) net-zero European electricity system, and its distributional implications based on the application of different justice principles. In addition to the utilitarian and egalitarian approach, we include, among others, principles of 'polluters pay' and 'ability-to-pay', which take historical contributions of greenhouse gas emissions and the socio-economic conditions of a region into account. 
 
We find that fair distributions of electricity generating infrastructure look significantly different depending on the justice principles applied. The results may stimulate a greater discussion among researchers and policymakers on the implications of different constructions of justice in modelling, expansion of approaches, and demonstrate the importance of transparency and assumptions when communicating such results.

A New Three‐Port DC–DC Converter: Analysis, Design, and Verification for Hybrid Energy Systems

ABSTRACTA research study on the three‐port DC–DC converters is done in this article. The proposed converter is a power electronic unit with a low‐voltage, high‐voltage, and battery port. The power of the input ports can be transferred to the output port simultaneously and individually. In this converter, the power can flow bidirectional. In other words, the battery can be charged not only by the low‐voltage port but also by the returned energy from the high‐voltage port. Hence, the proposed converter can operate in step‐up and step‐down modes. Continuous input current, the low voltage stress on semiconductors, and the low count of the devices are other advantages of the converter. These features and the benefits mentioned above make the proposed converter proper for hybrid energy systems. This converter is analyzed in continuous conduction mode, resulting in mathematical equations. To validate these theoretical analyses, a laboratory scale of the converter performs at 50 kHz, 200 W, and 115 V.

Design and optimization of a modular hydrogen-based integrated energy system to maximize revenue via nuclear-renewable sources

Design and optimization of a modular hydrogen-based integrated energy system to maximize revenue via nuclear-renewable sources

A tri-level hybrid stochastic-IGDT dynamic planning model for resilience enhancement of community-integrated energy systems

In this paper, a resilience-oriented dynamic planning framework is developed for optimal sizing of the community-integrated energy system components, including photovoltaic system, wind turbine, boiler, power to gas technology, combined heat and power, and storage devices. The proposed framework is formulated as a tri-level linear programming that performs Community-Integrated Energy Systems design under normal conditions at the first level while evaluating system operation during disastrous conditions at the second level. In the third level, re-planning is done based on information-gap decision theory to enhance community-integrated energy systems’ resilience against various natural disasters. Stochastic programming is also employed at all levels to address the uncertainty of electricity market price, energy demand, solar radiation, and wind speed. A detailed P2G system including, a methanation device, electrolysis, and hydrogen storage is designed to improve the resilience of the system. In addition, the power to gas proposed in this model is coupled with a carbon capture unit to mitigate carbon emission by reusing emitted carbon from the flue gas of the boiler and combined heat and power. Various economic metrics and technical constraints are also considered to achieve a realistic design. Numerical simulation results demonstrate that the positive interplay of renewable energy resources and energy storage technologies, specifically P2G, assisted the CIES in maintaining a stable and uninterrupted energy supply during extreme events. The results exhibit that increasing only 10 % of the resilience budget can decrease >93 % of unserved demand and helps reduction of >37 % of carbon emissions.

Enhancing shipboard waste heat management with advanced technologies

The complexity of the energy systems onboard ships, combined with the different operating/weather conditions and the availability of cutting-edge technologies, makes analyses for improving the energy and environmental performances of ships time consuming and challenging. From this point of view, this article provides new criteria for the sustainable design and management of energy systems of existing or new ships. In particular, the impact of the adoption of organic Rankine cycle units, wet steam volumetric expanders, and single or double effect absorption chillers is here investigated. Two types of ships are examined as suitable case studies, evaluating the impact of each technology and their combinations by varying the shipping cruises. By using a dynamic simulation approach, potential savings and optimal solutions are assessed for different energy system layouts by also comparing their economic, energy and environmental impact performance. Results are reported in specific performance matrices for helping stakeholders in preliminary energy efficiency analyses.In particular, outcomes show that high cooling demands of ships in the Caribbean Sea enable primary energy savings close to 4.5 %, compared to 3.5 % in the Mediterranean Sea and 3 % in the North Sea. In the latter case, cooling needs can be almost fully balanced through the examined energy recovery technologies. Screw expanders integrate best in all operating conditions with short paybacks, whilst organic Rankine cycles (with electrical efficiency above 8%) are advantageous especially in cold climate routes. Benefits on environmental impact are significant, with avoided CO2 emissions around 6 kt/y, depending on the selected ship cruise.

Optimizing a hybrid wind-solar-biomass system with battery and hydrogen storage using generic algorithm-particle swarm optimization for performance assessment

This paper investigates the optimal design of a hybrid renewable energy system, integrating wind turbines, solar photovoltaic systems, biomass, and battery and hydrogen storage to ensure a reliable energy supply at the lowest annual cost for a residential load in Kern County, USA. The hybrid generic algorithm particle swarm optimization (GAPSO) algorithm was adopted to determine the optimal configuration of parameters and cost-effectiveness, considering technical, economic, environmental, and social performance indicators. The generic algorithm (GA) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) validate the effectiveness of the proposed technique, showcasing its efficiency in system optimization. The findings indicate that GAPSO outperforms GA and PSO due to its rapid convergence, lowest final fitness value, and stable optimization process. The hybrid GAPSO's performance, combined with the different capacities of wind turbines (4,561 kW), solar PV (8,480 kW), biomass (2,261 kW), battery banks (8,000 kWh), and fuel cells (2,392 kW), resulted in an annual cost of $6,239,193; energy cost and net present value of $0.48/kWh and $101,333,937. The system maintained a supply loss of 0.8 %, achieved an availability index of 99.2 %, a renewable energy fraction of 88.87 %, GHGs emission of 953,615 kg, land use of 3,842,875 m2, and water consumption 528,678 L respectively. GAPSO achieved a 2.17 % and 0.01 % improvement in cost-effectiveness and 11.11 % increase in reliability compared to GA and PSO.

Advanced Modeling of Hydrogen Turbines Using Generalized Conformable Calculus

This article addresses critical challenges in the transition to clean energy sources by highlighting the importance of advanced mathematical modeling and computational techniques in turbine design and operation. Specifically, we extend and generalize the work of Camporeale to advance the modeling of hydrogen turbine systems. By utilizing conformable calculus, we develop dynamic equations that analyze key aspects of turbine performance, including temperature variations in turbine blades, angular velocities of rotating shafts, and mass--energy balances within the plenum and combustion chamber. Furthermore, we incorporate Kirchhoff's equation in its generalized conformable integral form, enhancing the precision of energy balance calculations and improving the representation of heat transfer processes in the combustion chamber. This methodology introduces novel perspectives in hydrogen turbine research, contributing to the advancement of sustainable and efficient technologies. Our comprehensive approach aims to provide more accurate and efficient predictions of turbine behavior, thereby impacting the design and optimization of hydrogen-based clean energy systems.

Design and evaluation of a hybrid offshore wave energy converter and floating photovoltaic system for the region of Oran, Algeria

Introduction. This paper presents the novel design and analysis of a hybrid renewable energy system that combines a wave energy converter (WEC) with a floating photovoltaic (FPV) system for offshore installation, with a specific focus on Oran as a case study. The purpose of integrating these two technologies is to harness both wave and solar energy, thereby maximizing energy output and enhancing the reliability of renewable energy sources in offshore environments. The goal of this study is to develop a hybrid system that leverages the complementary nature of WEC and FPV technologies to maximize energy output and improve reliability. By integrating these technologies, the system aims to overcome the limitations of standalone energy systems. The methodology includes selecting suitable WEC and FPV technologies, optimizing their configurations, and analyzing their combined performance under various environmental conditions. To assess the energy production potential, structural stability, and economic feasibility of the hybrid system, computational simulations and data analysis are employed. This comprehensive approach ensures rigorous testing and optimization for real-world applications. The results demonstrate substantial improvements in energy yield and system resilience compared to standalone WEC or FPV systems. The hybrid system shows enhanced performance, particularly in consistent energy output and structural robustness. These findings indicate that combining WEC and FPV technologies can lead to more reliable and efficient offshore renewable energy solutions. The practical values are significant, providing insights into efficient and sustainable offshore renewable energy solutions. By focusing on Oran, it offers a localized perspective that can be adapted to similar coastal areas globally, contributing to the advancement of renewable energy technologies. The hybrid system’s enhanced reliability and efficiency support the broader goal of sustainable energy development in marine environments, highlighting its potential for widespread application and impact. References 23, tables 4, figures 17.

Thermodynamic and economic analysis of a novel solid oxide fuel cell, two level thermoelectric generator and double effect parallel absorption chiller integrated system

This study presents a comprehensive thermodynamic and economic analysis of a novel hybrid energy system integrating a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) with a Two-Level Thermoelectric Generator (TTEG) and a Double-Effect Parallel Absorption Chiller (DEPAC) for enhanced waste heat recovery. The primary objective is to maximize energy utilization and overall efficiency by leveraging the synergetic effects of these components. Unlike previous studies, this research uniquely evaluates the effectiveness of the integrated system and examines the impact of different Absorption Chiller configurations and the number of TTEG elements, filling a critical gap in the literature. The proposed system achieves a net electrical efficiency of 42.88 %, an energy efficiency of 44.61 %, and an exergy efficiency of 57.16 % under optimal conditions. This marks a significant improvement compared to standalone SOFC systems, with the TTEG effectively harnessing waste heat and contributing an additional 0.680 kW/m2 to the overall power output. The integration of the DEPAC system further enhances performance by providing cooling with a Coefficient of Performance (COP) of 1.351. The economic analysis reveals a positive Net Present Value (NPV) of $1,993,136, a Dynamic Payback Period (DPP) of 6.7 years, and a Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) of $59/MWh, underscoring the system's financial viability. These findings demonstrate that the hybrid system offers a sustainable and efficient solution for power generation and waste heat recovery, aligning with the broader goals of advancing renewable energy technologies and setting a new benchmark in hybrid energy system design and optimization.

Advancing Economical and Environmentally Conscious Electrification: A Comprehensive Framework for Microgrid Design in Off‐Grid Regions

AbstractThe design of renewable energy systems traditionally emphasizes life cycle costs, often focusing primarily on emissions rather than a comprehensive life cycle impact assessment. This research proposes a four‐tier methodology to balance cost‐effectiveness and sustainability in the electrification of remote areas. Tier 1 focuses on understanding the community context by analyzing electrical load profiles, meteorological data, and component specifications for microgrid design. Tier 2 evaluates the feasibility of various systems, optimizing them through cost analysis and Multi‐Criteria Decision‐Making (MCDM) to rank alternatives. Tier 3 assesses environmental impacts using life cycle assessment, ranking alternatives based on environmental criteria. Tier 4 integrates cost and environmental rankings to determine the most suitable energy configurations, followed by sensitivity analysis to ensure robust decision‐making. The methodology is validated through a case study of an unelectrified remote community, demonstrating that the PV‐Wind Turbine‐Biomass Generator‐Converter configuration is the most robust alternative, proving to be the optimal choice in 50% of the analyzed scenarios, achieving a Cost of Energy of 0.213 USD/kWh while minimizing environmental impact across all 18 criteria considered over a 25‐year life cycle. This novel framework offers a scalable approach to designing renewable energy systems, enhancing sustainable electrification efforts in developing regions.

Towards Sustainable Biomass Conversion Technologies: A Review of Mathematical Modeling Approaches

The sustainable utilization of biomass, particularly troublesome waste biomass, has become one of the pathways to meet the urgent demand for providing energy safety and environmental protection. The variety of biomass hinders the design of energy devices and systems, which must be highly efficient and reliable. Along with the technological developments in this field, broad works have been carried out on the mathematical modeling of the processes to support design and optimization for decreasing the environmental impact of energy systems. This paper aims to provide an extensive review of the various approaches proposed in the field of the mathematical modeling of the thermochemical conversion of biomass. The general focus is on pyrolysis and gasification, which are considered among the most beneficial methods for waste biomass utilization. The thermal and flow issues accompanying fuel conversion, with the basic governing equations and closing relationships, are presented with regard to the micro- (single particle) and macro-scale (multi-particle) problems, including different approaches (Eulerian, Lagrangian, and mixed). The data-driven techniques utilizing artificial neural networks and machine learning, gaining increasing interest as complementary to the traditional models, are also presented. The impact of the complexity of the physicochemical processes and the upscaling problem on the variations in the modeling approaches are discussed. The advantages and limitations of the proposed models are indicated. Potential options for further development in this area are outlined. The study shows that efforts towards obtaining reliable predictions of process characteristics while preserving reasonable computational efficiency result in a variety of modeling methods. These contribute to advancing environmentally conscious energy solutions in line with the global sustainability goals.

Analyzing the effects of shading on power output in curved photovoltaic array on airship

This study investigates the use of photovoltaic (PV) arrays on airships, focusing on challenges due to the curved structure that affects solar radiation distribution. A novel Photo-Thermal-Electric Model (PTEM), developed in MATLAB/Simulink, is introduced to simulate PV array behavior under various conditions, including the impact of solar altitude, laying angle, and airship flight attitude on power generation. PTEM's effectiveness is demonstrated through detailed power output graphs, revealing that radiation gradients significantly affect power generation, often leading to overestimations in the Photo-Thermal Model (PTM) model by 3 %–30 %. Comparative analysis shows that PTEM provides more accurate energy output estimates for individual PV modules, especially in areas with pronounced radiation gradients, differing from PTM estimates by hundreds of watts. These findings offer valuable insights for enhancing PV module lifespan and optimizing energy system designs, contributing to more efficient renewable energy solutions for long-endurance aircraft.

Assessing the reliability of a ship energy performance simulation tool through on-board data

To mitigate the environmental impact of shipping on climate change, it is nowadays urgent to explore energy efficiency and cost-effective measures by means of reliable digital tools. These are becoming essential for assisting the design of new ships and the refurbishment of the existing ones, as well as for assessing and optimizing the energy performance of a ship during its entire life-cycle. This paper focuses on the verification of the reliability of a novel ship energy dynamic simulation tool, developed for the calculation of the energy, economic, and environmental performance of large ships, the design and optimization of energy system layouts and operational logics, as well as the definition of design and management guidelines for ships. The reliability of the developed model was verified through the use of data measured onboard an existing sample cruise ship. The verification procedure is conducted for assessing the reliability and for exploiting the potentiality of dynamic analysis for a more precise evaluation of ships energy loads, temperature levels, and necessary sizes of possible saving technologies. The validated tool will enable reaching two different goals: i) to evaluate different energy system layouts and to define the optimal one for achieving the present imposed targets and constraints, ii) to obtain a large amount of data for allowing the implementation of the digital twin approach in the maritime sector. The model validation was successfully achieved and very low or negligible deviations, lower than 4%, of numerical data vs. measurements were observed. Through the validated simulation tool approximately 23.4 GWh of primary energy from polluting fuels over two weeks is computed. In addition, the model provided insights into the flow rate, temperature levels, and energy flows of the ship energy system, necessary for identifying the amount of thermal energy to be recovered as well as potential solutions to enhance the energy efficiency of the entire system.

Determination of hydrogen fuel production from GIS-based selected ponds using hybrid renewable energy systems in Kayseri

This study offers the feasibility study of large-scale hydrogen production to establish environmentally friendly hybrid energy facilities based on wind and solar energy resources in the vicinity of lakes and rivers within the Kayseri region of Türkiye. The ultimate objective is to enable hydrogen production from lakes and rivers and identify optimal locations for the installation of hydrogen fuel stations. The precise selection of locations for the designated province is based on geographical, environmental, and infrastructural considerations by utilizing GIS technology which allows spatial analysis and superimposition of various layers. The methodology also involves the utilization of the HOMER software to facilitate the integration of wind and solar power, along with hydrogen production, providing a platform for environmentally friendly energy system design and optimization. A comprehensive evaluation has been conducted for the sizing and placement of renewable energy systems based on microgrid analysis, the design of hydrogen production facilities, and the establishment of hydrogen refueling infrastructure. The study also incorporates a financial analysis to assess the economic viability of the project over its lifecycle. Among the five water sources considered, the highest annual hydrogen production is 830 tons in Zamantı River, while Kızılırmak River has the lowest value according to LCOE and LCOH values, 0.030 $/kWh and 3.85 $/kgH2, respectively.

Techno-economic analysis of solar, wind and biomass hybrid renewable energy systems in Bhorha village, India

The present study investigates the potential use of Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (Solar photovoltaic, wind, biomass, and diesel), both with and without the inclusion of battery/supercapacitor storage in the Bhorha village, Bihar, India. A comprehensive assessment of different possible system configurations is conducted using hybrid optimization model for electric renewable (HOMER) software to determine the most economically viable and efficient system for the designated place. The current analysis is focused on six distinct cases in the village community, in view of sufficing the daily energy requirement of 615.625 kWh and a peak demand of 86.47 kW, pertaining to major factors viz. system efficiency, financial viability, and ecological consequences. The primary aim of the research is to elucidate the comparative analysis of energy generation for different proposed designs of hybrid renewable energy systems. Detailed techno-commercial assessments are also carried out to examine the energy production, consumption, and financial impacts of each HRES configuration. The research outcome of this study obtained from HOMER software reveals that the optimized hybrid system comprises 86.7 kW solar photovoltaic, 30 kW wind turbine, 5 kW biogas generator, a 50 kW diesel generator, 280 kWh battery bank with nominal capacity, and 38.8 kW converter to sustain the for energy needs of the nominated place. This system has a minimum cost of energy of 0.309 $/kWh with a net present cost of $854894 along with operating cost 51847 $/year and net carbon dioxide emission of 56728 kg/yr. The research offers useful insights for designers, scholars, and policymakers on the existing design constraints and policies of biomass-based hybrid systems for a safe, sustainable and independent green future for the generations to come.