Renewable Energy Solutions Research Articles

Utilization of Sengon Wood Sawdust as Bio-Pellet Feedstock: Characteristics, Potential, and Feasibility for Renewable Energy

The pellet-making process involves stages of drying, compaction, cooling, and size separation. Considering that Indonesia has great potential for biomass supply, this research aims to identify the characteristics of bio-pellets produced from sengon wood sawdust based on the pellet standard SNI8675:2018. The results showed that the highest calorific value at the Dry Basis (DB) condition was 4703 Kcal/kg, meeting national and international standards. The moisture content in the As Received (AR) condition was recorded at 10.36%, while the lowest ash content was 1.72%. The highest combustion rate was found in sample 3, with a value of 0.174 gr/min, indicating good combustion performance. The utilization of sengon wood sawdust as bio-pellets can be an efficient and environmentally friendly renewable energy solution, and has the potential to be further developed to support diversification and national energy security.

Enhancing sustainable energy production through biomass gasification gas technology: a review

This proposed research investigates the sustainable and innovative use of biomass gasification for generating electricity. Biomass gasification is a versatile and eco-friendly technology that converts organic materials, such as agricultural residues, forestry waste, and even municipal solid waste, into a valuable source of clean energy. This research delves into the various aspects of this technology, including its processes, efficiency, environmental impact, and potential applications in power generation. Biomass gasification gas, often referred to as syngas, presents a promising avenue for addressing the rising energy demand while lowering greenhouse gas emissions and preventing climate change. This research seeks to offer a thorough insight into the principles and practices behind biomass gasification, highlighting its role in the transition towards a sustainable and renewable energy future. The research will investigate the technical and economic feasibility of utilizing biomass gasification gas for electricity generation, examining the benefits, challenges, and opportunities associated with this alternative energy source. By addressing critical issues such as feedstock availability, gasifier technology, gas cleaning processes, and power plant integration, this study seeks to offer valuable insights into the potential of biomass gasification gas as a clean and renewable energy solution.

Overcoming Obstacles of Tesla: Strategies for Problem-Solving

This study aims to explore the key issues currently faced by Tesla Inc. and its potential solutions, further proposing recommendations that have significant impacts on business operations and sustainable development. As a leading electric vehicle and clean energy company, Tesla's innovative models and challenges reflect the major trends in today's automotive industry and new energy sector. It also plays a pivotal role in advancing electric vehicles and renewable energy solutions as the global demand for reducing carbon emissions and improving energy are continuously growing. However, the company faces a series of challenges in production process, market competition and the safety concerns. By thoroughly analyzing these problems and challenges this study aims to provide solutions to help it overcome existing obstacles. By using a comprehensive research methodology to examining Tesla's practices and challenges in various aspects, this paper could identify core issues and provide strategic recommendations to help it mitigate the problems.

Advancing Nigeria's Energy and Environmental Policy: The Urgency For Sustainable and Renewable Energy Solutions

Advancing Nigeria's Energy and Environmental Policy: The Urgency For Sustainable and Renewable Energy Solutions

The dual impact of AI and renewable energy in enhancing medicine for better diagnostics, drug discovery, and public health

This review paper discusses how Artificial Intelligence (AI) and renewable energy are shaping the field of medicine. It focuses on improving accuracy speeding up drug discovery and enhancing health efforts. AI technologies are changing diagnostics by identifying patterns that may be missed by human doctors leading to better clinical decisions and outcomes, for patients. At the time incorporating energy into healthcare facilities is promoting sustainability cutting costs and ensuring a reliable power supply essential for uninterrupted medical operations. The paper also explores how machine learning models are used in drug discovery to streamline target identification improve trials and reduce development timelines and expenses. Additionally, it looks at how AI can enhance health by using analytics for early disease detection and efficient resource allocation while supporting these technologies with renewable energy solutions. By combining the advancements in AI with the benefits of energy this approach presents an sustainable perspective, on medicine that emphasizes innovation and environmental responsibility. It stresses the importance of research and ethical considerations to harness its potential.

Ligand-engineered Fe(II)-metallo-supramolecular polymer with benzothiadiazole: Boosting electrochromic energy storage efficiency

The development of intelligent electrochromic energy storage devices that visually display color changes to indicate their charging and discharging status while offering high energy and power densities is gaining interest as a renewable energy solution. Our research engineered a bisterpyridine ligand (BTZ) with a benzothiadiazole spacer and its metallo-supramolecular polymer (Fe-BTZ) via Suzuki coupling and complexation reactions. Spectroscopic, morphological, and structural characterizations revealed nano-rod morphology due to higher aggregation of 1D Fe-BTZ metallo-supramolecular polymer. Quasi-solid-state electrochromic devices with Fe-BTZ as the active layer exhibited significant color changes (matte purple to dirty yellow), an optical contrast of 65.2 % at 567 nm, high coloration efficiency (518.2 cm2/C), quick coloration (0.5 s) and bleaching (1.8 s), and exceptional electrochromic durability compared with commonly used Poly-Fe metallo-supramolecular polymer. Conjugated ridged benzothiadiazole spacers enhanced electron mobility between the Fe-center during electrochemical transitions, increasing coloration efficiency, durability, and electrochromic speed. The Fe-BTZ and Prussian blue (PB)-based quasi-solid-state energy storage device also showed fast response times (1.1 s and 1.9 s), high CE (1077 cm2/C), 6500-cycle durability, high volumetric capacitance (70.1 ± 4 F/cm3) with a specific capacity of 10.96 mAh/g at 0.14 A/g current density and 74 % capacitance retention over 20,000 galvanostatic charge–discharge cycles. The device’s ability to power 18 red LEDs demonstrates its practical applicability.

Multi-Objective and Multi-Variable Optimization Models of Hybrid Renewable Energy Solutions for Water–Energy Nexus

A new methodology, called HY4RES models, includes hybrid energy solutions (HESs) based on the availability of renewable sources, for 24 h of water allocation, using WaterGEMS 10.0 and PVGIS 5.2 as auxiliary calculations. The optimization design was achieved using Solver, with GRG nonlinear/evolutionary programming, and Python, with the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II). The study involves the implementation of complex multi-objective and multi-variable algorithms with different renewable sources, such as PV solar energy, pumped hydropower storage (PHS) energy, wind energy, grid connection energy, or battery energy, and also sensitivity analyses and comparisons of optimization models. Higher water allocations relied heavily on grid energy, especially at night when solar power was unavailable. For a case study of irrigation water needs of 800 and 1000 m3/ha, the grid is not needed, but for 3000 and 6000 m3/ha, grid energy rises significantly, reaching 5 and 14 GWh annually, respectively. When wind energy is also integrated, at night, it allows for reducing grid energy use by 60% for 3000 m3/ha of water allocation, yielding a positive lifetime cashflow (EUR 284,781). If the grid is replaced by batteries, it results in a lack of a robust backup and struggles to meet high water and energy needs. Economically, PV + wind + PHS + grid energy is the most attractive solution, reducing the dependence on auxiliary sources and benefiting from sales to the grid.

Determining Payback Period and Comparing Two Small-Scale Vertical Axis Wind Turbines Installed at the Top of Residential Buildings

In recent years, residential buildings have seen a notable increase in energy consumption. To address this, it is crucial for researchers to invest in renewable energy technologies, aiming to develop highly sustainable and nearly-zero energy buildings. Many countries are started to commit to this goal, seeking to phase out fossil fuels due to their harmful environmental effects. Wind energy stands out as a promising renewable resource, especially in areas with strong wind patterns. This study focuses on a case in Karaburun, Izmir province, Türkiye, where annual wind speeds range from 6 to 8 m/s and evaluates the performance of two types of small-scale Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWTs) in reducing energy consumption in a three-story residential building, along with associated costs. Utilizing advanced simulation tools like ANSYS Fluent and DesignBuilder Software, the study examines Ice-Wind VAWTs and Savonius VAWTs. The findings reveal that installing 15 Ice-Wind VAWTs on the building's roof can reduce energy consumption by approximately 22.5%, with each turbine costing about $2000 and a payback period of around 14.57 years. Conversely, using 15 Savonius VAWTs can reduce energy consumption by 36%, with each turbine costing about $2300 and a payback period of around 8.93 years. These results indicate that the Savonius turbine offers a faster return on investment compared to the Ice-Wind turbine under the specified conditions. Overall, this study highlights the significant benefits and cost implications of integrating renewable energy solutions like VAWTs into residential buildings.

Techno-economic assessment of the Dethridge waterwheel under sluice gates in a novel design for pico hydropower generation

The world is increasingly shifting toward low-head hydropower as a sustainable form of renewable energy in response to the negative socioeconomic impacts of large hydroelectric plants. In this context, the article presents a novel design involving retrofitting the gates of existing dam structures with Dethridge waterwheel technology. This innovative solution installs the wheel under the gate to harvest the untapped potential energy resulting from the head difference at these already-existing facilities while simultaneously reducing the need for costly civil work and preventing new installations in freshwater systems. The El-Reah El-Tawfiqy barrage in Egypt served as the model case study for evaluating the implementation of the proposed design. According to the results, the plant's levelized cost is 29 USD/MWh, less expensive than traditional hydropower projects and achieves grid parity. With an estimated 140 MWh of electricity produced annually, the project is expected to cut around 1460 tons of CO2 equivalent over its 25-year lifespan. This study includes several novelties, including modifying hydraulic structure gates for pico power generation. Additionally, a thorough numerical analysis was performed to estimate the output power instead of relying on theoretical approaches for the economic viability study. These results can guide policymakers and stakeholders in implementing affordable and sustainable renewable energy solutions.

Highly efficient broadband solar thermal absorber for domestic renewable energy solutions

With the invention of the photonics techniques, a new structural design for thermal energy absorber is designed which uses the multilayer structure to absorb the solar energy and this solar energy is converted to thermal energy which is possible to be utilized in industrial heating applications. The use of solar energy makes it a sustainable option to meet the high growing industrial output energy. Materials like Titanium (Ti), Titanium Carbide (TiC), Silicon (Si) are used for this purpose. The use of these materials makes it more cost-friendly compared to the other similar options. The higher absorption rate is achieved by optimizing the design layers. The flowchart for the optimization in materials as well as design is also shown in this research. The optimization makes the design more compact and handy for industrial use. The advantage of these designs over the other designs is the choice of materials as well as their compact size. The results are also analyzed for the wide angle of incidence and polarization. All the results obtained show that the design is highly efficient in the solar spectral range and can be a renewable energy option for industrial and domestic heating applications.

M (M=Mn, Fe, and Cu)-doped Ni3S2@Co9S8 grown on Ni foam with different heterostructures as catalysts for overall seawater splitting

The increasing global energy demand and the environmental impact of fossil fuels have prompted scientists to seek clean and renewable energy solutions. Hydrogen energy, known for its efficiency and environmental benefits, is considered an ideal choice. Given the limited availability of freshwater resources, this study uses abundant seawater as the feedstock for water electrolysis. Our research focuses on developing non-precious metal electrocatalysts to enhance the efficiency and economic viability of water electrolysis for hydrogen production. Using Ni3S2@Co9S8 as the base material, we regulate the catalytic performance by doping with transition metals such as Mn, Fe, and Cu. The Mn-Ni3S2@Co9S8/NF electrode exhibits excellent hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) (overpotential of 76 mV @10 mA cm−2) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) (overpotential of 261 mV @10 mA cm−2) activity in seawater electrolytes, significantly reducing the overpotential requirements. Density Functional Theory (DFT) assessments reveal that Co9S8 possesses optimal gibbs free energy capabilities and Mn-Ni3S2 possesses more electron distribution, explaining its high catalytic efficiency. This study provides an in-depth analysis of the catalyst structure and performance, offering valuable insights for developing efficient and stable electrocatalysts for water electrolysis, thereby contributing to the sustainable development of the hydrogen economy and advancements in clean energy technology.

Application and prospect analysis of microbial fuel cell technology

As global energy demand grows and environmental problems intensify, the search for clean, renewable energy solutions becomes especially urgent. This article reviews microbial fuel cell (MFCs) technology, a new type of clean energy technology that uses microbial metabolic activity to convert organic matter into electricity. Compared with traditional fossil fuel power generation methods, MFCs have significant advantages such as low pollution, low noise, and renewable. The working principle of MFCs, including the reaction process of anode and cathode, as well as the key factors affecting the performance of MFCs, such as the choice of anode and cathode materials, are discussed. In addition, the coupling applications of MFCs with other technologies, such as photocatalysis, electrofenton technology, microbial electrolysis (MEC) and constructed wetland technology, are discussed, which provide new possibilities for improving wastewater treatment efficiency and expanding the application field of MFC. Finally, the challenges and future development direction of MFCs technology are prospected, and key research directions such as improving energy conversion efficiency, reducing cost and enhancing system stability are pointed out.

Study of a Novel Updraft Tower Power Plant Combined with Wind and Solar Energy

This study presents a novel solar updraft tower power plant (SUTPP) system, which has been designed to achieve the simultaneous utilization of solar and wind energy resources in desert regions, in response to the pressing demand for sustainable and efficient renewable energy solutions. The aim of this research was to develop an integrated system that is capable of harnessing and converting these abundant energy sources into electrical power, thereby enhancing the renewable energy portfolio in arid environments. The methodology of this study involved the design and construction of a prototype SUTPP, comprising a 53 m high tower, a 6170 m2 collector, five horizontal-axis wind turbines, and a thermal energy storage layer made up of pebbles and sand. The experimental setup was meticulously detailed, and experiments were conducted to collect data on the system’s performance under various environmental conditions. Subsequently, three-dimensional numerical simulations were performed to explore the effects of ambient wind speed and solar radiation on the output power of the SUTPP. The results indicate that the output power of the system increases with the increase in ambient wind speed and solar radiation. The impact of solar irradiation on output power was observed to diminish as ambient wind speeds increased. Notably, as the inlet wind speed rose from 4 m/s to 12 m/s, the output power showed a substantial increase of 727%. The numerical simulations revealed that ambient wind speed has a more pronounced effect on power output compared to solar radiation. Furthermore, it was found that the influence of solar radiation is significant at low wind speeds, with its impact decreasing as wind speed increases. This research provides essential guidance for the design and engineering of highly efficient solar thermal energy utilization projects, representing a significant advancement in the field of renewable energy technology deployment in desert environments.

Intelligent Solar System for Effective Renewable Energy

Photovoltaic (PV) systems are gaining popularity as a sustainable and renewable energy solution. Charge controllers play a crucial role in maximizing the energy harvested from PV panels and ensuring efficient battery charging. This study presents a comprehensive comparison between Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) and Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) charge controllers, analyzing their performance, efficiency, and suitability for different PV system configurations. The analysis begins with an overview of PWM charge controllers, which regulate the charging process by rapidly switching the PV panel voltage on and off. PWM controllers are known for their simplicity, affordability, and reliability. However, their fixed voltage operation limits their ability to extract maximum power from the PV panels, especially in scenarios with varying solar irradiance and temperature conditions. In contrast, MPPT charge controllers employ advanced algorithms to continuously track the maximum power point (MPP) of the PV panels. By dynamically adjusting the operating voltage and current, MPPT controllers can optimize the power transfer from the PV panels to the battery bank. This capability results in higher energy harvesting, especially in situations with partial shading or non-ideal operating conditions.

A review of concentrated solar power status and challenges in India

Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) technology has emerged as a promising renewable energy solution, offering a sustainable and efficient means of electricity generation and thermal energy storage. India, endowed with abundant solar irradiance, has made significant strides in promoting CSP technology as part of its renewable energy portfolio. With a growing focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing energy security, the Indian government has initiated numerous policies, incentives, and projects to encourage CSP adoption. Parabolic trough collectors, a type of linear concentrating system, are currently in widespread use. Power or solar towers are the most common type of point concentrating CSP technology currently in use. India aims to achieve a renewable energy capacity of 175 GW by 2022, with solar power constituting 100 GW of the overall target. Concentrated solar power technology is slated to grow 87% during 2018–2023, 32% faster than in the previous five-year period 2012–2017 and reach 4.3 GW in 2023. In future, present review paper can be regarded as a valuable resource for researchers, policymakers and industry professionals seeking to comprehend the present condition of concentrated solar power in India. It can aid in the development of strategies to address obstacles and advance sustainable and efficient solar energy solutions.

Possibility of Renewable Energy Solutions Usage in Rural Areas of Western Balkans: Fuzzy-Rough Approach

Abstract Energy production, supply and consumption are global issue with many economic, environmental and social implications. Mentioned issue is even more expressed in remote rural areas, in particular in developing countries, as are the countries of the Western Balkans (WB). Renewable energy sources (RES) could represent optimal energy alternative for sustainable performing of agricultural and other activities, as well as for improving the current state of living conditions in rural communities. The main goal of research is to mark the most suitable RES alternative (six alternatives) for wider implementation in rural space of WB. The applied methodology framework implies experts’ opinion (engagement of eight experts) and the use of multi-criteria decision-making methods (MCDM), (specifically fuzzy-rough LMWA and fuzzy-rough CRADIS methods) under the predefined criteria (nine criteria). Derived results show that the implementation of the solar energy plants could play an optimal solution, while as the relatively unsuitable alternative could be marked the use of energy potential of watercourses. Gained final result, i.e. ranking order of the considered alternatives is additionally verified by the appliance of other MCDM methods, while the sensitivity analysis was also performed.

Technological innovations in agricultural bioenergy production: A concept paper on future pathways

This review paper explores the current state, emerging trends, and future pathways of technological innovation in agricultural bioenergy production. It examines key developments in biomass conversion technologies, genetic engineering, precision farming, and biorefineries, highlighting their potential applications, benefits, and challenges. The importance of continued research and innovation in advancing bioenergy technologies is underscored, emphasizing their potential contributions to sustainability, energy security, and rural development. By harnessing renewable biomass resources and leveraging cutting-edge technologies, agricultural bioenergy holds promise as a sustainable and renewable energy solution. This paper calls for collaborative efforts and informed decision-making to realize the full potential of bioenergy in mitigating climate change, promoting environmental stewardship, and enhancing energy resilience.'

Multivariate Imputation Chained Equation on Solar Radiation in Automatic Weather Station

Solar radiation is one of the crucial weather observation variables Its variable has a role in renewable energy solutions, agriculture, meteorology, and hydrology. AWS is one of instrument that use to observing weather especially solar radiation. AWS has a pyranometer sensor used to measure solar radiation. Unfortunately, the instrument has problem like the igh cost of supplying, installing, maintaining, and calibrating the equipment. Due to this, there is a lot of empty data, and the actual data cannot be properly measured. Imputation of solar radiation data using MICE algorithm can be solution. This study using BLR, NRR and RFR estimator to estimating solar radiation data. AWS Staklim Banten as target and other AWS as input. The period from January 1, 2018 - February 12, 2024. The performance evaluation of the solar radiation imputation estimator is still according to WMO operational requirements for solar radiation measurements, which can be seen from the resulting MAPE value < 8%.

Long‐Durability, Surfactant‐Free, and Bifunctional Ir‐Doped Pt3Co/MWCNTs Electrocatalysts towards ORR and OER in Acidic Media

AbstractDeveloping cost‐effective, high‐performance, and durable electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is pivotal for advancing hydrogen energy conversion and storage technologies. Simultaneously, establishing scalable methods for their production is essential for the widespread adoption of these renewable energy solutions. In this study, we present a successful large‐scale synthesis of surfactant‐free iridium‐doped Pt−cobalt nanoparticles supported on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (Ir−Pt3Co/MWCNTs). This composite demonstrates significantly enhanced ORR and OER activity compared to commercial Pt/C and IrO2 in acidic environments. The Ir−Pt3Co/MWCNTs catalyst composite exhibits a low overpotential of 357 mV at 10 mA cm−2 and a remarkable mass activity of 0.594 A/mgPt. Investigating the influence of Ir doping content on ORR and OER, we found that Pt3Co0.6Ir0.4/MWCNTs showcased the most superior activity in both reactions. We present a reproducible protocol for the synthesis of surfactant‐free Ir−Pt3Co nanoparticles supported on MWCNTs, yielding a bifunctional catalyst capable of efficiently catalyzing both ORR and OER with outstanding efficiency and stability in acidic media. Detailed X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis elucidates the electron transfer between atoms, optimizing the electronic structure and adjusting the position of the d‐band. This optimization enhances the electrocatalytic activity and structural stability of the catalysts, contributing to their superior performance in ORR and OER.

The Impact of Brand Value Perception on Consumer Adoption Behavior of Distributed Energy Systems (DERs)

Consumer perceptions of brand value significantly influence the adoption of Distributed Energy Systems (DERs), a topic often overlooked due to insufficient information. This study investigates the impact of brand value perception on consumers' intention to adopt DERs using regression equations. It involves a comprehensive analysis considering factors like popularity and quality of service. Data was collected through structured surveys, and results indicated that higher consumer confidence and acceptance of DERs are directly linked to positive brand valuation. The SEM technique helped identify both direct and indirect consequences, revealing a strong relationship between brand value perception and DER adoption behavior, with a path coefficient of 0.65 and a p-value of less than 0.01. This statistically significant relationship underscores the critical role of brand perception in consumer behavior. Additionally, the model accounts for 54% of variations in customer acquisition behaviors, highlighting the importance that DERs place on their brand values. These findings provide valuable insights for enhancing consumer adoption strategies by emphasizing brand strength and trust in renewable energy solutions.