Renewable Energy Strategies Research Articles

Domain-Specific Large Language Model for Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Deployment Strategies

Recent advances in large language models (LLMs) have shown promise in specialized fields, yet their effectiveness is often constrained by limited domain expertise. We present a renewable and hydrogen energy-focused LLM developed by fine-tuning LLaMA 3.1 8B on a curated renewable energy corpus (RE-LLaMA). Through continued pretraining on domain-specific data, we enhanced the model’s capabilities in renewable energy contexts. Extensive evaluation using zero-shot and few-shot prompting demonstrated that our fine-tuned model significantly outperformed the base model across renewable and hydrogen energy tasks. This work establishes the viability of specialized, smaller-scale LLMs and provides a framework for developing domain-specific models that can support advanced research and decision-making in the renewable energy sector. Our approach represents a significant step forward in applying LLMs to the renewable and hydrogen energy sector, offering potential applications in advanced research and decision-making processes.

Advanced Solar Energy Potential Assessment in Malawi: Utilizing High-Resolution WRF Model and GIS to Identify Optimal Sites for Photovoltaic Generation

Solar PV technology offers a promising electricity alternative in developing countries like Malawi, which face limited electricity access and increased vulnerability to climate change. This study assesses solar resources using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model's high-resolution capabilities. A two-year simulation helped compute solar PV's technical potential, focusing on annual energy generation, capacity factor, and global horizontal irradiance (GHI) variation. GIS and expert-based fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) identified optimal solar PV sites, considering eight key constraints. Findings show an annual average daily peak GHI of 1106.45 W/m2 and a daily energy inflow of 6.76 kWh/m2/day, with a peak in October and a diffuse fraction of 10.61%, indicating clear skies ideal for solar PV. The average annual energy yield is about 14.11 TWh with a 21.48% capacity factor. Notably, the most suitable lands for solar PV, covering 10,288.2 km2 or 15.6% of acceptable land, are predominantly in the southern region. Thus, these solar PV potentials offer the possibility to significantly reduce CO2 emissions, placing Malawi in agreement with worldwide sustainability goals. Generally, this research lays a crucial foundation for Malawi's renewable energy strategies, highlighting the opportunity for improved electrification and more effective climate change mitigation endeavors.

FEASIBILITY STUDY OF A FIXED OFFSHORE OTEC PLANT FOR COST-EFFECTIVE POWER GENERATION IN MALAYSIA

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) is a renewable energy technology that harnesses the temperature differential between warm surface water and cold deep ocean water to generate electricity and freshwater. Technological advancements have made OTEC increasingly viable, positioning it as a potential solution for sustainable energy generation in Malaysia. Despite its promise, OTEC development in Malaysia is challenged by the need for suitable sites and the high capital costs associated with traditional floating OTEC platforms. Additionally, efforts to attract anchor partners for OTEC projects have been met with limited success, slowing progress in implementation. This study assessed the feasibility of OTEC plant development in Malaysia through the analysis of sea temperature profiles, identifying five potential sites. A multi-criteria analysis was conducted considering factors such as cold water intake pipe length, proximity to power transmission lines, and environmental impact. The study also proposes a fixed offshore OTEC platform with a single-legged caisson structure, incorporating a braced substructure and dual-level production decks to optimize space for equipment and reduce CAPEX. Kuala Baram (Location C) was identified as the most favorable site due to its optimal conditions for cold water intake and proximity to transmission infrastructure. The proposed fixed platform design offers significant CAPEX reductions compared to floating alternatives, enhancing OTEC’s economic potential. The study’s findings support the immediate application of OTEC in Malaysia, particularly in ongoing projects off the coast of Sabah. Further research, including modeling and testing of the platform design, is necessary to advance commercialization and establish OTEC as a key component of Malaysia's renewable energy strategy.

Circular economy and social life cycle assessment: The role of corporate renewable energy strategies, environmental justice, and environmental impacts

Circular economy and social life cycle assessment: The role of corporate renewable energy strategies, environmental justice, and environmental impacts

Systematic review of mitigation approaches in Ethiopia's energy sector: Strategies for sustainable development and climate resilience

Abstract The global energy sector is a primary contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, predominantly through fossil fuel combustion for electricity, heating, and transportation (IEA, 2021). This study systematically reviews Ethiopia’s energy sector mitigation approaches, focusing on renewable energy strategies and energy efficiency initiatives. While Ethiopia has made significant progress in hydropower, accounting for over 90% of its electricity generation, challenges remain in diversifying its energy mix to include geothermal and wind energy (Ethiopian Ministry of Water, Irrigation, and Energy (2019) and African Development Bank, 2020). The Climate Resilient Green Economy (CRGE) strategy sets ambitious targets for achieving carbon neutrality by 2030, challenges remain in diversifying its energy mix to include geothermal and wind energy (Benti, Woldegiyorgis, et al., 2023 and Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, 2011), yet its implementation faces barriers, including financial constraints, technological gaps, and weak institutional capacity (Silitonga et al., 2020). The study highlights the potential of Ethiopia’s vast renewable energy resources, such as geothermal and wind, to enhance energy security and foster economic growth through job creation. Despite the hurdles, opportunities exist for scaling up mitigation efforts, particularly through public-private partnerships and improved policy frameworks. This review underscores the importance of addressing barriers to achieve a sustainable energy transition in Ethiopia, contributing to local and global climate mitigation goals. Thus, the policymakers should boost investments in solar, wind, and geothermal energy, reduce reliance on hydropower through incentives, and establish an inter-agency task force for policy alignment. And also, exploring green bonds and fostering human capital development through training and partnerships are essential. A strong monitoring and evaluation framework is crucial for tracking progress towards energy sustainability goals.

Indo-American Relations during Narendra Modi’s Era: A Critical Analysis

The administration of Narendra Modi in India has been active in signing agreements on clean energy and focusing on advancing renewable energy strategies in India. Narendra Modi's clean energy initiative has boosted his image in public. Under Narendra Modi India's economy has seen significant development which contributed to the satisfactory political standing of the Bhartiya Janata Party(BJP). Narendra Modi's efforts to develop friendly relations with the President of the United States Donald Trump were aimed at balancing trade relations as well as security concerns in Asia. Diplomatic ties between India and America have grown significantly under Modi through several collaborations and high-profile events. The joint visit of Modi and Trump to Motera Stadium in India highlighted their growing Diplomatic and personal relations. They focused on Tackling terrorism, securing a safer 5G network, and enhancing energy partnerships. Despite collaborations, there were challenges in their relations regarding trade issues and deviating priorities.

Multi-criteria decision analysis using GIS in assessing suitability for a solar-powered biomass briquetting plant in the Gambella region, Ethiopia

Biomass briquetting presents a promising avenue for alternative cooking energy, enhancing livelihoods, and fostering sustainable development. This study underscores the abundant biomass resources in the Gambella region, primarily composed of savanna and woody savanna, which encompass 77 % of the land area, consisting mainly of forest and agricultural waste. Leveraging these resources can ensure a renewable and sustainable cooking energy supply, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to clean energy and environmental conservation. Consequently, this thesis endeavors to identify optimal sites for establishing solar-powered non-wooden biomass briquetting plants across the region. Various spatial and non-spatial datasets, including solar radiation, slope, land use/land cover (LULC), and proximity to roads, rivers, and towns, were utilized for area delineation and mapping. Parameters such as solar radiation, slope, and river streams were derived from 30 m resolution digital elevation models (DEMs). The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was employed to calculate criteria weights for overlay analysis, resulting in a suitable solar farm site map. The study reveals that land use/land cover exerts the most significant influence, with a weight of 46.58 %, followed by solar radiation strength (20.42 %), slope (15.52 %), proximity to roads (8.26 %), proximity to rivers (5.46 %), and proximity to towns (3.77 %). By integrating parameter suitability and weight assignment in ArcGIS spatial analysis, a suitability map was generated, highlighting highly suitable areas predominantly along the North-South axis through central Gambella. This area covers approximately 12,094.49 km², constituting 47 % of the study area. These findings have practical implications, as they can inform local policymakers and actors in strategically addressing the region's dire need for sustainable cooking energy. This contribution can support the development of localized renewable energy strategies and promote long-term energy security in line with local energy policies.

Biomass Energy: A Crucial Component in the Renewable Energy Mix

Abstract: This paper examines biomass energy’s essential role in the renewable energy sector as a sustainable and flexible solution to rising global energy demands. It reviews various biomass types, conversion technologies, and their environmental, economic, and social impacts while addressing the challenges limiting biomass adoption compared to other renewables. Prospects for biomass energy are also discussed, focusing on technological advances, policy trends, and its role in supporting global energy transitions. The analysis highlights biomass's potential as a critical contributor to a sustainable energy system, emphasizing that, with appropriate support, it could become a cornerstone of renewable energy strategies to reduce carbon emissions.

Boosting HER performance by using plasma prepared N-doped CNTs to support Pt nanoparticles

Developing highly-efficient and stable Pt-based catalysts towards alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) offers a promising strategy for future renewable energy. In this work, radio-frequency (RF) cold plasma-prepared N-doped MWCNTs were adopted to support Pt nanoparticles (NPs) (Pt/NCNTs) via pretreating MWCNTs with RF nitrogen plasma and combining with traditional thermal reduction method. The as-synthesized Pt/NCNT featured an ultra-small size of Pt NPs (1.5 nm) and plentiful doped nitrogen, exhibiting ultra-low overpotential of 28 mV@10 mA cm−2 and ultra-high mass activity of 3.2 A mg Pt−1@100 mA in 1 M KOH solution, which are superior to those of commercial 20 wt% Pt/C catalyst. This is because RF plasma can realize fast, high-efficient and specific N-doping structure of MWCNTs. The lone electron pairs of N species (mainly pyri-N and pyrr-N) on MWCNTs surface transfer to the empty orbitals of Pt NPs, forming a strong coordination effect between Pt and nitrogen, thereby boosting the alkaline HER catalytic performance.

Template-synthesized CdWO4/Cd0.5Zn0.5S hollow microsphere photocatalyst for high-efficient hydrogen evolution under visible light

Photocatalytic water splitting for hydrogen production is a promising strategy for renewable energy. While Cd1-XZnXS catalysts display high photocatalytic hydrogen evolution efficiency in pure water, they are limited by severe photocorrosion and rapid recombination of electron–hole pairs. In this study, HGM (hollow glass microspheres) was used as the support template, Cd0.5Zn0.5S and CdWO4 were successively coated on the template by hydrothermal method. The tightly packed heterojunction interface between the coatings ensures efficient electron transport and suppresses the recombination of electron-hole pairs. Under visible light irradiation, when the theoretical mass ratio of Cd0.5Zn0.5S to CdWO4 is 4:1, the Cd0.5Zn0.5S/CdWO4-25% hollow microsphere photocatalyst exhibits the highest hydrogen evolution rate, reaching 41.40 mmol g−1 h−1, which is approximately 3.4 times higher than the hydrogen evolution rate of pure Cd0.5Zn0.5S (12.31 mmol g−1 h−1). This research provides a novel approach for the design and synthesis of efficient and stable photocatalysts.

Optimising building performance for a resilient Future: A Multi-Objective approach to Net Zero energy strategies

The escalating impacts of climate change on urban environments underscore the imperative for energy-efficient buildings. As the building sector constitutes approximately 40% of global energy consumption, the implementation of NZE designs is critical for emission reduction. This study utilised Building Performance Optimisation methodologies alongside a multi-stage optimisation framework to evaluate energy consumption, Life cycle cost and carbon emissions under various climate scenarios (RCP 2.6, 4.5, and 8.5) in three Algerian cities—Constantine (semi-arid), Algiers (Mediterranean), and Ghardaïa (arid).The results revealed that the integration of passive, active, and renewable energy strategies significantly curtailed energy consumption and CO2 emissions across different climatic contexts. Specifically, passive measures achieved reductions in energy use ranging from 39% in Ghardaïa to 15% in Constantine. Active systems, including high-efficiency HVAC technologies, resulted in energy savings of 59% in Ghardaïa, 52% in Algiers, and 47% in Constantine. Furthermore, renewable energy sources, with a focus on solar photovoltaics, contributed additional reductions: 44% in Algiers, 26% in Ghardaïa, and 20% in Constantine. The multi-stage optimisation approach also enhanced computational efficiency, significantly reducing simulation time and facilitating the rapid identification of optimal strategies.These findings highlight the efficacy of integrating a range of energy strategies to achieve NZE. Nevertheless, while these systems demonstrate robust performance under current conditions, their effectiveness diminishes under future climate scenarios, underscoring the necessity for adaptive and resilient design approaches. Ongoing optimisation and innovation will be essential to maintaining the efficacy of NZE strategies in the face of extreme future climate conditions.

Enhancing environmental quality and economic growth through potential effects of energy efficiency and renewable energy in Asian economies

This study examines the potential impacts of energy efficiency and renewable energy on economic growth proxies by gross domestic product and environmental quality proxies by carbon dioxide emissions across eight selected Asian countries from 2000 to 2020. This study contributes by calculating green total factor productivity and carbon total factor productivity based on the famous Solow’s residual via employing a modified extensive growth accounting model that internalized ignored factors such as energy efficiency and renewable energy. The employed panel cointegration techniques confirm that all variables are co-integrated with carbon dioxide emissions and economic growth. The pooled mean group/autoregressive distributed lag model analysis results indicate that energy efficiency is positively associated with both environmental quality and economic growth. Renewable energy hurts economic growth but has a positive effect on environmental quality which suggests the necessity of implementing an effective strategy for renewable energy alongside energy efficiency measures to enhance economic growth and environmental quality in the selected Asian countries. The findings from the fully modified ordinary least squares estimator are consistent with the environmental quality model. The average growth rate of green total factor productivity is positive despite negative contributions from energy efficiency and renewable energy. Similarly, the average growth rate of carbon total factor productivity is negative despite positive contributions from labor and capital. This discrepancy may be attributed to the beneficial effects of labor and capital as input productivity-driven. Embracing renewable energy sources can take significant steps toward improving environmental quality for future generations. Focusing on green technologies that enhance energy efficiency can substantially promote environmental quality and stimulate sustainable economic growth through innovation and climate change integration to achieve Sustainable Development Goals.

Analysing the Performance of Large-Scale Rooftop Solar PV System Using Helioscope, PVsyst and PV*SOL Photovoltaic Simulation Software: As a Renewable Energy Strategy

In Malaysia, government initiatives and policymakers play significant role in creating effective strategies aiming at enhancing the usage of residential, industrial and commercial solar PV systems. However, the most significant barrier to the widespread adoption of photovoltaic (PV) systems is their high installation costs; as a result, numerous studies on PV system modification are now being conducted. Several simulation tools are available for the efficient and extensive integration of solar energy. To predict energy output using climate data and assess performance ration in accordance, such software can be optimized in terms of parameters like PV module number, inverter, tilt angle, and module design structure. The accuracy of these figures fluctuates, though, because climate factors affect how productive photovoltaic systems are. In this current paper, the simulation and design of a 6.9 MW solar power plant in University Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, have been investigated using three popular software PVsyst v5.06, Helioscope and PV*SOL. This study's main objective is to assess the potential of solar renewable energy sources to produce electrical energy under the Supply Agreement of Renewable Energy (SARE) program using flexible solar system design modelling tools, PVsyst, Helioscope, and PV *SOL. The comparison results showed that Helioscope and PVsyst are considered to be the most dependable software. PVsyst appraised the definite energy production cost with lowermost relative error of 0.12 % and Helioscope estimated performance ratio with lowest relative error of 4.74%. In terms of energy losses, environmental element contributing to the most energy losses where PVsyst recorded 11.1% photovoltaic (PV) loss caused by irradiation and temperature changes. Whereby Helioscope clearly shows that environmental power loss of 8.4% represents the largest portion caused by irradiation and temperature changes. PV*SOL recorded an energy loss of 7.3% due to shading, temperature and reflection on module interface.

Unlocking sustainable development: Evaluating the impact of monetary and fiscal policies on ecological footprint in India

India's rapid economic growth underscores the increased necessity of pursuing the paradigms of sustainable development. However, concerns over environmental sustainability have risen in tandem with the country's aspirational goals for economic progress. Therefore, a crucial aspect of managing this is to create a balance between economic prosperity and environmental quality, wherein comprehending how fiscal and monetary policies affect India's ecological footprint becomes an utmost priority. In this vein, this study evaluates the impact of fiscal and monetary policies on India's ecological footprint while controlling for economic growth, squared economic growth, and renewable energy consumption between 1990 and 2022. Given the complexity of these links and well-suitability for examining both short-term dynamics and long-term relationships, this study employs the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model as its methodology for the empirical analysis. Thus, the findings indicate a significant long-term relationship between India's ecological footprint, fiscal policy, monetary policy, economic growth, squared economic growth, and renewable energy consumption while considering the ecological footprint as the dependent variable. Surprisingly, fiscal policy demonstrates insignificat negligible impacts on the ecological footprint in both the short and long run. Conversely, the result underscores that monetary policy effectively curbs the ecological footprint in both the short and long run. Furthermore, the study validates the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis in the long run. However, no evidence supports the EKC hypothesis in the short run. Besides, the outcome unveils that renewable energy consumption reduces the ecological footprint with no temporal differences. Hence, the policy implications derived from these findings emphasize the crucial role of monetary policy and integrating renewable energy strategies into policy frameworks for achieving sustainable development outcomes, in addition to the other policy interventions that prioritize ecological conservation alongside economic development, ensuring a balanced approach to solve environmental and economic challenges in India.

Integration and Characterization of Synthetic Biodegradable Polymer (PVA) with Graphite Oxide (GO) for Performance Assessment in Sustainable Electrochemical Devices

AbstractIn recent years, the demand for sustainable materials in electrochemical devices has driven the exploration of innovative composites. This study focuses on the integration and characterization of synthetic biodegradable polymer polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with graphite oxide (GO) to evaluate their performance in sustainable electrochemical applications. PVA, known for its biodegradability and biocompatibility, was combined with GO to leverage its excellent electrical conductivity and large surface area. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) represent a promising electrochemical biosynthesis technology that harnesses the enzymatic activities using microbes to produce energy from organic substrates. This renewable energy approach relies on the synergistic interaction between electrochemically active bacteria and electrode materials to facilitate electron transfer and power generation. Applications of MFCs range from wastewater treatment to sustainable power generation in remote or resource-limited settings. This study explores recent advances in MFC technology, challenges in scaling up for practical applications, and prospects for integrating MFCs into renewable energy strategies. The nano composite membrane was evaluated for structural, morphological, crystalline, and thermal properties by using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopic (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and UV- visible spectroscopy. Additionally, the biodegradability of the composite was assessed, confirming that it maintains its environmental benefits while offering improved performance for potential applications in sustainable energy storage and conversion devices. This work provides a promising avenue for the development of eco-friendly electrochemical devices with optimized performance characteristics.

Powering Growth: The Dynamic Impact of Renewable Energy on GDP in ASEAN-5

This study investigates the dynamic relationships between renewable energy consumption, labor force, gross fixed capital (GFC), and GDP across ASEAN-5 nations from 1984 to 2020. Utilizing data from the World Development Indicators (WDI), the Energy Information Agency (EIA), and national labor statistics, we employ unit root tests, ARDL bound testing for cointegration, and Toda-Yamamoto causality procedures. Our findings indicate significant long-term cointegration between the studied variables in Indonesia and the Philippines, suggesting persistent economic relationships, while results for Malaysia show no cointegration and remain inconclusive for Thailand. The economic analysis reveals that GFC robustly drives GDP growth across these countries, whereas the impacts from labor force and renewable energy consumption are more variable. Causality tests further demonstrate that renewable energy consumption significantly fosters GDP growth in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore, aligning with the growth hypothesis. Conversely, findings for the Philippines and Thailand support the neutrality hypothesis, indicating no direct causal impacts. These insights underline the crucial role of tailored renewable energy strategies to enhance economic growth and sustainability in ASEAN-5, providing valuable policy implications for regional energy governance.

Prediction Model-Assisted Optimization Scheduling Strategy for Renewable Energy in the Microgrid

Prediction Model-Assisted Optimization Scheduling Strategy for Renewable Energy in the Microgrid

“Assessment of combined wind and wave energy in European coastal waters using satellite altimetry.”

In this study, the combined wind and wave energy potential assessment is presented for various locations in European coastal waters. The objective is to investigate the feasibility of satellite altimetry-based assessments of combined wind/wave renewable energy potential on the European shelf. The study is motivated by the potential reduction in energy supply variability by combining wind and wave. The method consists of using a homogenized multi-mission altimeter database available by the European Space Agency Sea State Climate Change Initiative (Sea_State_cci) that comprises 26 years of data, from January 1991 to December 2018, that allows extending the time range and spatial coverage to estimate site wind and wave power densities. An empirical model is used to estimate the wave energy period from the altimeter Ku band significant wave height and radar backscatter coefficient required to compute the wave power density. The results show that wind/wave energy is relatively correlated in the Mediterranean but not in the North Atlantic sites studied. Thus, the Western North Atlantic sites are the most adequate places for wind and wave farms, from the point of view of combined exploitation.The different characteristics of the studied sites show some correspondence between variability and mean wave power, which is an essential input to a marine renewable energy strategy in any jurisdiction. The level of overall variability decreases with an increase in mean wave power, related to the higher power swell waves are not highly correlated with the local wind.

A state‐of‐the‐art review on geothermal energy exploration in Morocco: Current status and prospects

AbstractIn the last few decades, addressing the global challenge of implementation of strategies for renewable energy and energy efficiency has become crucial. Morocco, since 2009, has made a steadfast commitment to sustainability, with a particular focus on advancing the development of renewable energy resources. A comprehensive strategy has been formulated, centering on utilizing the country's energy potential to drive progress in this vital sector. Morocco is considered a country with abundant thermal water, indicating deep reservoirs with significant hydrothermal potential. Geothermal zones were selected based on the abundance of hot springs where water temperatures were high and geothermal gradients were significant. The abundance and importance of hot springs, combined with recent volcanism and ongoing non‐tectonic activity linked to alpine orogeny, strongly suggest that these regions are promising reservoirs for geothermal energy. This great potential also extends to neighboring countries. In northeast and south Morocco, the temperature of thermal water ranges from 26 to 54°C. This study serves as an inclusive review of the geothermal potentialities in Morocco.

Energy efficiency in smart schools using renewable energy strategy

As smart schools increasingly rely on technology, achieving energy efficiency becomes crucial for cost reduction and sustainability. This study investigates energy efficiency strategies in smart schools, focusing on the integration of renewable energy technologies. A quantitative approach using numerical simulations and literature reviews establishes benchmarks for energy-efficient smart schools. The Design Builder software is employed to evaluate system performance, with validation achieved through analysis in the System Advisor Model software. The modeled smart school building in Design Builder consumes 75,385.63 kWh annually, based on the weather conditions of specific location. Further studies indicate that integrating photovoltaics and hot water collectors can generate approximately 86,635 kWh annually. This not only offsets the energy consumption of building but also produces an excess of 11,249 kWh, which can be transferred back to the grid for additional revenue. Validation using SAM software demonstrated a minimal difference (3.2%) in annual energy outputs, confirming the accuracy of the model. The findings suggest that photovoltaics and hot water collectors can significantly contribute to achieving net-zero energy consumption in smart school buildings. Additionally, a focus on rooftop installations promotes sustainability by minimizing land use.