Implementation Of Renewable Energy Projects Research Articles

Geotechnical assessments for renewable energy infrastructure: Ensuring stability in wind and solar projects

Geotechnical assessments are crucial for ensuring the stability and longevity of renewable energy infrastructure, particularly in wind and solar projects. This review explores the significance of geotechnical assessments in these projects, highlighting key considerations and challenges. Geotechnical assessments play a critical role in the design, construction, and operation of renewable energy infrastructure, providing essential information about the subsurface conditions that can impact the stability and performance of wind and solar projects. These assessments involve the evaluation of soil, rock, and groundwater conditions to assess their suitability for supporting renewable energy structures. In wind energy projects, geotechnical assessments are essential for determining the foundation design of wind turbines. The soil and rock conditions at the site can significantly impact the stability and load-bearing capacity of the foundation, affecting the overall performance and safety of the turbine. Similarly, in solar energy projects, geotechnical assessments are necessary for designing the foundation of solar panels and support structures, ensuring they can withstand environmental loads and maintain their efficiency over time. One of the key challenges in geotechnical assessments for renewable energy projects is the variability of subsurface conditions. Soil and rock properties can vary significantly over short distances, requiring detailed site investigations to accurately characterize the subsurface conditions. Additionally, the presence of natural hazards such as landslides, earthquakes, and floods can further complicate geotechnical assessments, necessitating robust risk mitigation strategies. Despite these challenges, geotechnical assessments are essential for ensuring the long-term stability and performance of renewable energy infrastructure. By providing valuable insights into subsurface conditions, these assessments help developers and engineers make informed decisions about site selection, foundation design, and risk management, ultimately contributing to the successful implementation of renewable energy projects. In conclusion, geotechnical assessments are vital for ensuring the stability and longevity of renewable energy infrastructure, particularly in wind and solar projects. By providing crucial information about subsurface conditions, these assessments help mitigate risks and ensure the safe and efficient operation of renewable energy projects. Keywords: Geotechnical Assessments, Renewable Energy, Infrastructure, Stability, Wind and Solar Projects.

Conceptualizing sustainable offshore operations: integration of renewable energy systems

This paper conceptualizes sustainable offshore operations through the integration of renewable energy systems, focusing on the adoption of solar-powered systems for remote applications. Drawing on Osayi's experience in this field, the paper proposes frameworks for the adoption of renewable energy in offshore operations, highlighting key considerations and strategies for successful implementation. The integration of renewable energy systems in offshore operations is essential for reducing environmental impact, increasing energy efficiency, and ensuring long-term sustainability. Osayi's experience with solar-powered systems for remote applications provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities associated with this integration. The proposed frameworks for the adoption of renewable energy in offshore operations encompass several key elements. Firstly, a thorough assessment of energy needs and resources is essential to determine the feasibility and potential benefits of integrating renewable energy systems. Secondly, careful planning and design are crucial to ensure that renewable energy systems are integrated seamlessly into existing offshore operations, taking into account factors such as location, energy demand, and system compatibility. Furthermore, the paper highlights the importance of stakeholder engagement and collaboration in the adoption of renewable energy systems. Effective communication and collaboration between industry stakeholders, regulators, and local communities are essential for overcoming barriers and ensuring the successful implementation of renewable energy projects in offshore operations. Overall, the paper provides valuable insights and frameworks for the adoption of renewable energy in offshore operations, drawing on Osayi's experience with solar-powered systems for remote applications. By integrating renewable energy systems into offshore operations, companies can reduce their carbon footprint, improve energy efficiency, and contribute to a more sustainable future for the offshore industry.

Linking Renewable Energy Projects at Municipal Level with NECP Planning and Reporting

Regarding the National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) according to EU Governance Regulation, there is a disconnect between the federal and municipal levels that hinders effective planning and reporting, especially in the area of renewable energy sources (RES) where availability depends on the regional spatial conditions. The project transFORMAT-LINK addresses this challenge based on case studies and stakeholder discussions. Main results are (1) the LINK-Guideline for municipal development concepts/plans to support RES project implementation and NECP planning and reporting; (2) the LINK-Software prototype for developing and monitoring municipal development concepts/plans according to LINK-Guideline. This contribution presents an overview of preliminary results, with a focus on minimum requirements for municipal development concepts/plans under the regional spatial planning laws and how they will facilitate the implementation of renewable energy projects.

A Study on Utilization of Co-Digested Citronella Oilmeal Cake, Cow Dung and Poultry Dropping for Enhancement of Biogas Yield

Abstract: Power plays a pivotal role in the industrial, economic and infrastructural development of the country’s growth. India is on the exponential growth paradigm and is playing a leadership role in the implementation of renewable energy projects for achieving the INDC’s committed in the Paris agreement and meeting the net carbon zero economy by 2070. The present research work attempts to utilize the co-digested agriwaste and livestock to enhance the biogas productivity. The experimental study considered a co-digested feedstock of cow dung (CD), poultry dropping (PD) and Citronella grass oilmeal cake (CG) using different ratios of each in five different digesters. Amongst all five digesters R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5; R4 having a co-digested feedstock of CD: PD: CG in the ratio of 20% : 55% : 25% respectively. The cumulative biogas yield for an experimental period was observed to 41.26 litres whereas the methane percentage in the biogas was 74%. The feedstock quantity required for 1 m3 biogas production was found to be 18.9 kg which was observed to be lower than the cowdung based monodigester which is 25 kg. Thus, co-digestion of the Citronella grass oilmeal cake along with poultry dropping using cow dung as substrate showed promising results which can be scaled up to commercial level biogas plants in villages where these feedstocks are easily available.

Barriers to Solar PV Adoption in Developing Countries: Multiple Regression and Analytical Hierarchy Process Approach

The globe is transitioning from traditional methods of electricity generation to renewable resources in order to achieve sustainable goals. Solar energy is a promising and abundant renewable resource that shows great potential as a viable alternative to traditional energy. Furthermore, the production of electricity from solar energy is the most cost-effective compared to other kinds of renewable energy. Nevertheless, the execution of solar initiatives in underdeveloped nations is encountering several obstacles. Identifying the most significant obstacles in the execution of solar projects is of utmost importance. This study uses a linear regression model (LRM) and an analytical hierarchical process (AHP) to determine the main barriers to the implementation of renewable energy projects in a developing economy, i.e., Pakistan. By conducting an extensive review of the relevant literature and consulting with experts, the most significant categories of obstacles were determined. A survey based on 429 responses was collected from the participants working at solar projects. Subsequently, the responses were subjected to processing and analysis using the relative importance index (RII), AHP, and linear regression modeling techniques. The linear regression analysis revealed several significant variables that hinder progress, including financial conditions, policies, technological awareness, institutional support, social and environmental awareness, market stability, and other miscellaneous factors. The AHP analysis revealed the key factors that have the greatest impact, which include effective policies, financial stability, technological expertise, institutional support, market stability, various aspects, and social and environmental awareness. The study’s conclusions are beneficial for all stakeholders and project managers in enhancing the project management of solar initiatives. It would also facilitate prompt decision-making regarding policy formulation and implementation.

Nexus between FDI, Financial Development, Capital Formation and Renewable Energy Consumption; evidence from Bangladesh

This paper examines the interplay among foreign direct investment (FDI), financial development, capital formation, and renewable energy consumption in the context of Bangladesh. The study uses empirical evidence to shed light on the nexus between these variables. Panel data analysis techniques investigate the relationship over a specific period. This research provides insights into Bangladesh's dynamic interactions among FDI, financial development, capital formation, and renewable energy consumption. The study reveals significant positive associations between FDI and renewable energy consumption, indicating that FDI inflows contribute to the growth and utilization of renewable energy sources. Moreover, the analysis uncovers a positive relationship between financial development and renewable energy consumption, suggesting that a well-developed financial sector facilitates the financing and implementation of renewable energy projects. Additionally, the study highlights the role of capital formation in promoting renewable energy consumption. The positive relationship between capital formation and renewable energy consumption indicates that investment in physical infrastructure and productive assets supports the expansion and utilization of renewable energy sources. This analysis provides empirical evidence of the interdependencies among FDI, financial development, capital formation, and renewable energy consumption in Bangladesh. Overall, the findings suggest that fostering FDI, improving financial sector development, and promoting capital formation are crucial for enhancing renewable energy consumption in Bangladesh. The study's conclusions have implications for policymakers and stakeholders in designing and implementing strategies to promote sustainable and renewable energy sources in the country.

Economic Analysis of Large-Scale Renewable Energy (RE) Source Investment Incorporating Power System Transmission Costs

Recently, the proportion of renewable energy (RE) sources in a power system has been increasing worldwide to reduce carbon emissions. To effectively accommodate renewable energy, there is a growing need to develop integrated planning strategies for both renewable energy sources and transmission lines in a power system, taking into account the location-specific characteristics of renewable energy. Economically viable and rapid system expansion plans are required to resolve the problem of delayed integration of renewable energy into existing power system, which arises due to inadequate transmission facilities. To address these problems, this paper presents an integrated economic evaluation method that considers the inherently uncertain output characteristics of renewable energy, contingent on location, the costs associated with installing transmission lines, and environmental benefits. The case study is conducted using a modified power system in Korea. In the case study, it is assumed that by integrating solar power generators in a low-demand area and wind power generators in a high-demand area, wind power plants have higher construction costs than solar power generators. However, the transmission costs for wind power plants are lower than those for solar power generators due to the regional characteristics of the power grid in the installation areas because renewable energy in high-demand areas typically requires less additional power infrastructure than in low-demand areas. The results of this study show that the net benefit for the wind power plant is estimated at USD 225.4 M, while the solar power plant yields a net benefit of USD 22.9 M in the example system. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method, underscoring its potential to mitigate the challenges faced in the practical implementation of renewable energy projects.

The Renewable Energy Communities in Italy and the Role of Public Administrations: The Experience of the Municipality of Assisi between Challenges and Opportunities

The pressing necessity to address climate change calls for the reduction in carbon emissions in the energy sector. Renewable energy communities (RECs) provide environmental, financial, and societal advantages that facilitate the shift towards sustainable energy sources. This paper examines the development of RECs in Italy through a case study in the Municipality of Assisi, and investigates the pivotal role played by public administrations as catalysts in the formation of RECs. Despite facing unique challenges and constraints, Assisi leverages RECs and the proactive approach of the local government to overcome barriers hindering the implementation of renewable energy projects. A municipality-led REC of a total power of 2 MWp by 2030, using clusters of prosumers and consumers and including energy-intensive municipal facilities, is investigated. Through rigorous simulations and the resulting shared energy, the study conducts a comprehensive analysis encompassing technical, energy, and economic aspects. The results, including relevant energy indices, are presented and various scenarios are discussed as the energy shared varies. Finally, sensitivity analyses show that the profitability strongly depends on the cost of energy, the remuneration from the sale, and the value of the incentive earned on the shared energy: the simple payback time ranges from 8 to 14 years and NPV varies from EUR 0.8 to 4.5 M.

FINANCIAL RISKS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY: CURRENT SITUATION AND IMPLICATIONS FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

The study of the current state of the renewable energy sources (RES) sector as an important area for reducing harmful emissions into the atmosphere makes it possible to identify a circle of subjects – participants in the RES electricity market. The financial risks they take largely determine the present and future of this innovative market in terms of investment, financing, lending, insurance, regulation, and incentives. The renewable energy market is of particular interest to investors, financial institutions, the state setting the rules of the game and stimulating its development. The financial risks of market participants as the probability of monetary losses and losses are manifested at all stages of the development and implementation of renewable energy projects, from the development of technologies to public procurement of generated electricity. The analysis made it possible to identify the features of financing renewable energy projects, in particular, high initial financial costs, long payback periods for projects requiring long-term lending, sensitivity to regulatory and legal changes on the part of the state in terms of purchase prices for electricity, subsidies and incentive benefits for its producers and financial institutions – participants. Based on specific examples of renewable energy projects, the risks of banks, insurers in Vietnam and a number of developing countries in South Asia that provide green loans and green insurance products to companies implementing renewable energy projects, as well as households producing electricity from solar systems, are considered. Recommendations were formulated for national financial regulators, banking institutions, insurance companies to ensure acceptable financial conditions for renewable energy projects and adequately assess their own financial risks.

Investigating the Moderating Role of Political Factors on Internal Success Factors and Project Success: Empirical Evidence from Pakistan

The global collective actions of countries are insufficient to meet the goals agreed upon under the Paris Agreement. On one hand, countries are trailing behind in meeting their renewable energy targets. On the other hand, the implementation of renewable energy projects is affected by the political, regulatory, and policy challenges faced by engineering, procurement, and construction firms. Such issues force project firms to overlook their best practices and cause delays in connecting renewable energy plants to the national grid. This study investigates the relationship between two key project-level critical success factors and the project success of renewable energy projects in Pakistan with the moderating role of political factors. Using a data set of 238 respondents and Smart PLS 4 to analyze the data set, the results confirm the positive impact of communication and organizational factors on a project’s success. The findings also indicate that political factors are a major bottleneck that weakens the capability of project organizations to implement renewable energy projects in Pakistan. The current line of inquiry has implications for the ability of governments to effectively manage the power generation sector and support the transition to renewable energy. It also has significant theoretical implications for environmental contingency theory in terms of the adaptation of project firms to the external environment. The study concludes that project firms in the renewable energy sector need to be aware of political forces in the external environment to not only minimize their impact but to also provide timely completion of projects within and beyond Pakistan.

Rights or resources? Local actor roles in ‘participation’ and ‘co-creation’ in wind energy transitions

Co-creation has been heralded as a potential solution to the often controversial implementation of renewable energy projects. In this paper, we therefore investigate how such co-creation processes work in practice. We present a case study of an onshore utility-scale wind power project in Denmark that developed into a nexus of interaction among a range of actors seeking to materialize their preferred configuration of the project. By applying situational analysis, the paper demonstrates how citizens can assume different roles when engaging in co-creation and participation respectively. While the co-creation situation allows actors to become involved in new ways, it also produces tension with regard to other participatory formats employed in the governance of wind power projects. Local actors engaging in co-creation were able to shape the project more directly and materially than citizens involved in the standard procedural spaces typically offered in wind-energy transitions. However, the co-creation process did not manage to include all local perspectives and local citizens who did not engage with the co-creation format, but resorted to the standard procedural spaces of ‘hearings,’ making them feel increasingly marginalized during the process. Consequently, whether co-creation is a ‘better’ form of participation depends on the perspective one adopts.

Decision-Making Support Framework for Electricity Supply in Non-Interconnected Rural Areas Based on FAHP

The implementation of electrification programs in non-interconnected rural areas in Colombia is a challenge for the country in order to reduce the social gap in these regions. This task is responsibility of the Mining and Energy Planning Unit (UPME), which has as challenges the implementation of renewable energy projects that allow diversifying the national energy matrix. For this reason, this paper proposes a support framework for multicriteria decision-making in the electricity supply of non-interconnected rural areas for the Colombian Caribbean Region. The multicriteria method of the Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchical Process (FAHP) was used, which allows the incorporation of a fuzzy triangular scale to improve the imprecision in the judgments made by experts. A hierarchical structure with 6 renewable energy alternatives, 4 criteria and 16 sub-criteria was designed, which allowed the implementation of a paired comparison survey that was answered by 10 experts from the region. The results obtained show the relevance of all alternatives, which is evidenced by a percentage difference of less than 5% between all the options. The best alternative was solar PV (20,27%). Regarding the criteria, the most relevant were economic (39,6%) and environmental (30,8%). The most relevant sub-criterion was the renewable fraction, related to the possible reuse of equipment (20,2%).

Transition from traditional energy to renewable energy: assessment of the contribution of renewable energy in greenhouse gas emissions reduction on the example of the Yereimentau wind farm

Kazakhstan has a high potential for creating international-class green energy, but at the moment alternative energy resources are used in a small amount due to various technical, administrative, social and economic obstacles. This work is devoted to the analysis of the share of renewable energy generated in the total volume of electricity production in Kazakhstan, the amount of electricity produced by renewable energy facilities is estimated. Also in this paper, an assessment of greenhouse gas emissions reductions was carried out on the example of the largest wind power plant in Kazakhstan with a capacity of 45 MW in the city of Yerementau. The share of renewable energy sources in the country’s energy balance was estimated by comparison. The annual data on the generation of electric energy by renewable energy facilities for 2016-2021 are compared according to the statistical data of the Republic of Kazakhstan. A methodological approach to the calculation of greenhouse gas emissions reductions based on a baseline scenario is proposed, which can be used as a methodology for calculating greenhouse gas emissions reductions at renewable energy facilities. Assessment of reductions in greenhouse gas emissions as a result of the implementation of renewable energy projects is important both for calculating the national carbon balance of the country as a whole and for accurately calculating the units of reductions planned to be issued as a result of the implementation of these projects. The Yerementau wind power plant will help the Republic of Kazakhstan in achieving the goals set ahead – increasing the share of renewable energy sources and reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Key words: renewable energy sources (RES), emission reduction, wind power, greenhouse gases, emission factor.

To support or oppose renewable energy projects? A systematic literature review on the factors influencing landscape design and social acceptance

The local implementation of renewable energy projects often faces opposition. The landscape transformation that comes with the transition to renewables is one of the key counter-arguments of local stakeholders. In this article, we examine the relation between research on ‘designing landscape transformations’ and ‘acceptance of renewable energy projects’; whether and how these bodies of knowledge may complement each other. The systematic literature review revealed that acceptance studies and landscape design studies describe 25 similar factors that influence acceptance. The majority of these factors are somewhat general in nature, such as economic benefits, visual impact, and aesthetics. Additionally, we found 45 unique factors in acceptance studies and sixteen unique factors in landscape design studies. Furthermore, we found differences in distribution of factors when categorizing and comparing them by means of two conceptual frameworks. Moreover, the emphasis in peer-reviewed literature differs significantly from laypersons, which is challenging the current research agenda on landscape transformation and acceptance of renewable energy. The findings and the knowledge lacunas provide clear avenues for a shared research agenda. Future research needs to examine the influence of involving landscape designers on the acceptance of renewable energy projects and the effects of more inclusive design processes on factors such as trust.

Addressing energy injustice in rural landscapes: Community leadership, indigenous villages, and micro-hydro diffusion in Indonesia

The rapid development of renewable energy projects provides opportunities to livelihood around protected forests in rural areas. Living remotely with limited access to electrification has compelled villagers to establish renewable energy projects based on available resources. However, few studies have investigated actors' roles at the science-policy interface of such community-based renewable energy projects. This article describes the successful implementation of renewable energy projects in an indigenous village, Kasepuhan Ciptagelar, in Mount Halimun Salak National Park, Indonesia. Expert interviews and document analysis using the theoretical framework of the research-integration-utilization model revealed the role of various actors in the development of renewable energy projects in this indigenous village. Combining scientific research with indigenous information increased the villagers' acceptance of and willingness towards sustainably managing micro-hydro projects. Furthermore, grassroots community leaders successfully introduced the use of micro-hydro projects. Based on these results, we suggest employing a collaborative approach involving actors at different levels of energy and forest governance (local, regional, national, and international) as a promising tool to tackle energy and environmental injustice.

Procedural injustices in large-scale solar energy: a case study in the Mayan region of Yucatan, Mexico

ABSTRACT There is a clear need for improving justice and sustainability in the implementation of renewable energy projects. Assessing energy justice in contexts with high cultural and ecological diversity as well as high levels of marginalisation, and a post-colonial history (of domination and resistance to it), requires taking into account the local contextual understandings of justice. Current literature, however, has been mostly developed under the evidence and concepts of Global North contexts, which tend to build in universal ideas of justice, often inappropriate for policy application in the Global South. To contribute to closing this gap, the paper qualitatively analyses the implementation of a large-scale photovoltaic project in Yucatan, Mexico, examining how neighbouring indigenous communities and other key actors perceive, experience and react to procedural and socio-environmental justice issues in the project's implementation. Results show that commonly-used concepts such as consent, participation and inclusion -as currently applied in the siting of renewable infrastructure- are now mostly perceived as legitimation of projects that align with the developer and governmental priorities. Emphasising self-determination over and above the aforementioned concepts is seen as a priority among affected communities for achieving a more socially just energy transition.

AN AHP-GIS BASED APPROACH FOR SITE SUITABILITY ANALYSIS OF SOLAR-WIND PROJECTS IN SANTA MARTA, COLOMBIA

This paper presents an analysis to determine the suitable areas for the implementation of solar-wind projects in Santa Marta, Colombia. For this, an approach that integrates the decision-making tool of the Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP) with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) was used. To identify the selection criteria, the existing literature and the renewable resources available in the study area were considered. Seven sub-criteria were identified (solar irradiation, wind speed, protected areas, armed conflict, indigenous reservations, populated zones and roads), which were weighted with the AHP by 15 experts with experience in projects with renewable energies. After performing a consistency analysis, it was found that 5 experts were consistent, while another 5 were discarded for being highly inconsistent. A consistency correction method was implemented for the remaining 5 experts, in order to have 10 experts for the weighting process. Each sub-criterion represents a map of the study area, which were superimposed in a GIS environment to implement the weighting obtained with the experts. A global map for the implementation of renewable energy projects, considering environmental, social and local infrastructure criteria was obtained. The map was classified into five categories: not suitable, marginally suitable, moderately suitable, highly suitable and optimally areas.Keywords: Renewable Energy, Analytical Hierarchical Process, Energy Planning, Geographic Information SystemsJEL Classifications: Q20, D70, Q42, D81DOI: https://doi.org/10.32479/ijeep.11266

Višekriterijumska ocena obnovljivih izvora energije u Srbiji

The development of today's economies is inconceivable without energy. However, fossil fuel reserves are declining, climate change is accelerating and some changes in the energy sector are needed. Renewable energy sources are a potential solution for many scientists and practitioners. However, the planning and implementation of renewable energy projects requires consideration of a number of criteria, which is why multicriteria decision-making methods are often used to evaluate renewable energy sources/technologies. Goal of this paper is to evaluate four types of renewable energy sources (photovoltaic, hydro, biomass and wind energy) in Serbia. Analytical hierarchical process and seven criteria were applied. Based on the obtained results, hydro sources are ranked the best. Also, a sensitivity analysis was conducted to determine whether changes in the priority of criteria would cause changes in the range of alternatives. It was found that major changes in priorities are needed for changes to occur, so it can be concluded that the results obtained are relevant.

The empirical failures of attaining the societal benefits of renewable energy development projects in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract The number of renewable energy (RE) projects that have been implemented in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has soared over the past couple of years. The number of projects to be implemented within the coming years is expected to rise considerably. However, the societal benefits of RE projects implemented in SSA have not been studied thoroughly. This study attempts to: (i) uncover the differences between the expected and the realized societal benefits of utilizing renewable energy technologies (RETs) in SSA, (ii) reveal any empirical failures in realizing those benefits and (iii) create awareness towards the sustainable implementation of RE projects. Within the realm of publicly-funded projects, we aim to provide solutions that assist these and future projects to meet their societal benefits. We investigate 29 projects that have been implemented in ten SSA countries taking into account direct experiences of the local users and project developers. We find that most of the projects investigated in this study have few to no societal benefits within a short period of time after the “cutting the ribbon” event. To counteract this, we present corresponding recommendations.

Effect of Taiwan's energy policy on unit commitment in 2025

This study presents the effect of Taiwan's energy policy on its unit commitment in the year 2025. Taiwan's energy policy has been changing since 2005, since when it has required the decommissioning of nuclear power plants in response to the crisis in Fukushima, the adoption of the Kyoto Protocol, and the increase of renewable sources of power generation to 20% of its energy mix. The paper models the unit commitment for the Taiwan power system under Taiwan's energy policy. The study compares unit commitments in 2018, summer 2025, and winter 2025 using AMPL Software with the CPLEX 12.9.0 Solver. The results show that the net demand curve will change by 2025, forming a “duck – curve” model due to the high penetration of renewable energy. The daily carbon dioxide emission in 2018 for five percent (5%) spinning reserve is 392,151,000 kg. The said amount is larger than in winter 2025 when it will be 311,314,000 kg indicating the importance of the full implementation of renewable energy projects in helping to reach Taiwan's goal to limit carbon dioxide emission by 2025. Pumped storage scheduling changes from conventional pumping in the early morning to pumping from around noon to late afternoon due to the high penetration of renewable energy. The construction of combined-cycle units will have a critical role in the achieving of the spinning reserve capacity goal set by the Taiwan government, to avoid the importation of energy and to maintain the energy security of the country.