Renewable Technologies Research Articles

Siting Analysis of a Solar-Nuclear-Desalination Integrated Energy System

Nuclear power is typically deployed as a baseload generator. Increased penetration of variable renewables motivates combining nuclear and renewable technologies into Integrated Energy Systems (IES) to improve dispatchability, component synergies and, through cogeneration, address multiple markets. However, combining multiple energy resources heavily depends on the proper selection of each system’s location and design limitations. In this paper, co-siting options for IES that couple nuclear and concentrating solar power (CSP) with thermal desalination are investigated. A comprehensive siting analysis is performed that utilizes global information survey data to determine possible co-siting options for nuclear and solar thermal generation in the United States. Viable co-siting options are distributed across the Southwestern U.S., with the greatest concentration of siting options in the southern Great Plains, although siting with higher solar direct normal irradiance is possible in other states such as Arizona and New Mexico. Brackish water desalination is also attractive across the southwest U.S. due to high water stress, but for brackish water desalination reverse osmosis (an electricity driven process) is most cost- and energy-efficient, which does not require co-siting with the thermal generator. The most attractive state for nuclear and thermal desalination (which is more attractive when using seawater) is Texas, although other areas may become attractive as water stress increases over the coming decades. Co-siting of all CSP and thermal desalination is challenging as attractive CSP sites are not coastal.

Boosted Near-Infrared Photothermal Conversion in Rare Earth Ions-Doped 2D SnSe Nanosheets for Solar-Powered Water Evaporation Systems.

Solar-powered water evaporation as a clean and abundant renewable energy-efficient desalination technology provides a promising strategy to solve the shortage of freshwater resources. However, the development and application of solar vapor technology are hindered by the relatively low near-infrared photothermal conversion efficiency of existing materials and the lack of effective improvement strategies. In this work, the conductivity characteristics of 2Dsemiconductors are capitalized on the high visible light absorption and ultra-low thermal. Specifically, rare-earth ion dopants into SnSe nanosheets, significantly boosting their near-infrared photothermal conversion efficiency and solar water evaporation performance are introduced. Remarkably, the photothermal conversion efficiency of the doped SnSe nanosheets surged from 51.56% to 82.11%, surpassing many previously reported photothermal materials. Furthermore, leveraging these nanosheets with enhanced photothermal conversion efficiency, a solar interfacial evaporation system is constructed. The evaporation rate of 2.17kgm-2h-1 and the efficiency of 96.5% can be achieved at one solar irradiance, and it also has good salt-resistance properties. The findings demonstrate the potential of rare earth ion-doped 2D semiconductor nanosheets in solar water evaporation, paving the way for future sustainable desalination solutions.

Comparative investigation for sustainable freshwater production in hybrid multigrid systems based on solar energy

Energy storage systems are decisive players in the sustainable performance of the energy market for more beneficial outcomes from technical and economic points of view. Renewable energy-powered desalination technologies are attractive options for sustainable freshwater production for household applications. Two configurations based on the chemical and electrochemical energy storage systems are introduced to discover an effective system for this goal of sustained potable water production throughout the day. These systems' technical and economic performances present their superiorities over each other. The estimated exergy destruction for the battery and fuel cell-based systems are around 6.4 and 7.1 MW, respectively. The calculated parameters declared that the fuel cell-powered system offers higher round-trip efficiency by 16.48%. Moreover, the fuel cell-contained system has an interesting superiority in economic parameters by a lower payback period. Another captivating fact lies in the provision of the designed products. In this case, the fuel cell offers more sustainable electrical power in the discharge times for freshwater and hydrogen production. The obtained outcomes confirm that while the required investment cost for the fuel cells is relatively higher, the obtained chemical energy through the processes involved in the fuel cells can compensate for the financial stresses.

Sustainable Heat Generation in Flow from a Molecular Solar Thermal Energy Storage System

As the global deployment of renewable technologies accelerate, finding efficient ways to store energy will aid in responding to shifting energy demands. A prospective option not only in harvesting solar energy but also in emission‐free heating is MOlecular Solar Thermal (MOST) energy storage. A central part of MOST applications is to develop methods to release the stored energy. Herein, the Quadricyclane (QC)‐to‐Norbornadiene catalyzed back reaction is explored in a specially designed packed‐bed reactor. Four distinctly sized and purposely synthesized platinum on activated carbon catalysts are studied to trigger the heat release from the energy‐dense QC isomer. The catalysts are fully characterized using a variety of structural, surface, and spectroscopic techniques. Parameters to optimize catalytic conversion and heat release in flow conditions are explored including particle size and packing behavior, flow rates, and molecular residence times. Moreover, using CO pulse chemisorption technique, site time yield values and a turnover number are reported. Complementary to the flow reactions, computational fluid dynamic simulations applying lattice Boltzmann methods to two catalytic packed beds of different size ranges are done to evaluate fluid‐dynamic behavior within the reactor bed to ascertain the ideal particle size and packing density for catalysis in MOST applications.

Optimization of the Design and Operation of Hybrid CSP-PV-Wind Plants

This work investigates potential benefits deriving from the integration of CSP plants with other renewable technologies, such as PV and Wind. An optimization tool, based on mixed-integer linear programming, is used to derive the optimal design of a hybrid plant located in the south of Italy (Sicily) with the objective of satisfying a fraction of the national-shaped, hourly variable, electrical load. A sensitivity analysis is performed to explore the Pareto front of solutions satisfying different dispatchability requirements in terms of demand coverage. As expected, increasingly oversized and expensive plant designs, characterized by high Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE), are necessary to satisfy larger fractions of the imposed load. Subsequently, the benefits of hybrid plants with respect to conventional standalone or partially integrated solutions are investigated: in particular, the results of this analysis clearly demonstrated that integrated CSP+PV+Wind configurations can reach the same or higher dispatchability level (i.e. 80%) at a much lower electricity cost with respect to (i) separate production (stand-alone PV, Wind and CSP) and (ii) configurations characterized by a lower level of integration (36% and 12% reduction of LCOE with respect to CSP+PV and CSP+Wind, respectively).

Optimization of Recovery of Nutrients from Pig Manure Slurry through Combined Microbial Fuel Cell and Microalgae Treatment

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) and microalgae–bacteria consortia represent two renewable and promising technologies of growing interest that enable wastewater treatment while obtaining high-value-added products. This study integrates MFCs and microalgae production systems to treat animal slurry, aiming to remove and recover organic and inorganic components while generating energy and producing biomass. The MFCs effectively eliminated Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), organic nitrogen, and a portion of the suspended solids, achieving a maximum voltage of 195 mV and a power density of 87.03 mW·m−2. After pre-treatment with MFCs, the slurry was diluted to concentrations of 10%, 50%, and 100% and treated with microalgae–bacteria consortia. The results showed a biomass production of 0.51 g·L−1 and a productivity of 0.04 g·L−1·day−1 in the culture fed with 10% slurry, with significant removal efficiencies: 40.71% for COD, 97.76% for N-NH4+, 39.66% for N-NO2−, 47.37% for N-NO3−, and 94.37% for P-PO4−3. The combination of both technologies allowed for obtaining a properly purified slurry and the recovery of nutrients in the form of bioelectricity and high-value biomass. Increasing the concentration of animal slurry to be treated is essential to optimize and scale both technologies.

Influence of technology-related factors on zero-carbon building development in Lagos Nigeria

PurposeThe development of zero-carbon buildings (ZCBs) is beneficial to the society and biodiversity. Despite the benefits of ZCBs, there are challenges limiting its development in construction industry. The current study seeks to examine the technology-related factors affecting the development of ZCB in Lagos Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachThe study designed a questionnaire to achieve the main objective. Data were collected using non-probability and snowballing sampling methods. Questionnaires were distributed, and 272 valid responses were collected. Thereafter, data were analysed using mean value, percentage, frequency distribution, normality test, Kruskal Wallis test and Kendall’s coefficient of concordance.FindingsThe results from data analysis showed that, “less technical expertise in new technological advancements”, “research outcomes are not translated effectively into technology innovations”, “high cost of maintenance on ZCB”, “poor knowledge on renewable technologies” and “industry’s ability to embrace ZCB technologies (policy initiatives and industry practices)” were the topmost five technology-related factors hindering development of ZCBs in Lagos, Nigeria. Also, the results from the study show a statistically significant degree of agreement between various groups of construction organisations in Lagos, Nigeria concerning the technology-related factors hindering the development of ZCBs.Originality/valueThe study contributed to more effective ZCB studies by drawing attention to technology-related factors hindering the development of ZCBs in construction industry. An understanding of these challenges can help construction stakeholders, organisations, policymakers and governments in devising strategies targeted at minimising these challenges and fostering the development of ZCBs in the construction sector. The identified results on technological barriers to ZCBs development can guide targeted interventions and policy adjustments, promoting more effective implementation of ZCBs in Lagos Nigeria and serving as a model for addressing similar challenges in other developing countries. Recommendations for future research on ZCBs were also highlighted.

An Evolving Blue Economy: Exploring the Future for Marine Renewable Energy

Abstract Offshore energy generation is one of the fastest-growing U.S. marine sectors, ranging from expanding deployment of offshore wind to rapid development and testing of technologies for energy conversion from waves, tides, ocean currents, and gradients in temperature, salinity, and pressure. Generating energy from the offshore environment creates expanded opportunities to improve upon the collection of ocean and coastal-derived data and information that will support economic and maritime growth, the management of resources, and solutions to address societal and climate issues. Despite its many promises and challenges, barriers remain for widespread implementation of offshore energy generation technologies that address the nation's energy needs and climate change. A town hall was convened to present a vision of the changing ocean-scape through the lens of marine renewable technologies and to explore innovative solutions that these technologies might offer to support the New Blue Economy.

PEMBERDAYAAN MASYARAKAT MELALUI PENERAPAN ALAT PEMBERI PAKAN IKAN OTOMATIS DENGAN TENAGA PANEL SURYA BERBASIS IOT

This community service activity aims to develop and implement an automatic fish feeder based on IoT and solar panel power in Cikolelet Village, Cinangka District, Serang Regency. This tool is designed to improve feeding efficiency and productivity of fish farmers by utilizing renewable technology. The service process includes prototype design, installation, and evaluation of tool performance in the field. The implementation results show that this tool is able to provide feed automatically and regularly, making it easier for fish farmers to manage their aquaculture. Follow-up assistance and maintenance are carried out to ensure the tool continues to function properly and provide long-term benefits. This initiative is expected to provide practical and sustainable solutions for fish farmers and promote the utilization of modern technology in local communities.

Epoxy composite materials filled with rice husk ash

The present research responds to two current tendencies, such as circular economy, involving reuse of industrial waste, and green chemistry, presupposing application of renewable resources and technologies, which minimize the negative environmental impact. The present article is dedicated to the study of the application of rice husk and its ash as a filled for epoxy composite materials. Rice husk represents a multi-tonnage agricultural by-product, subject to recycling, and at the same time, is a valuable source of amorphous silica. Temperature regime of rice husk ash (RHA) production, optimum content and particle size of filler providing maximum modifying effect were determined. The influence of modifying fillers on the complex of operational properties of filled epoxy compositions including hardness, wear resistance, adhesion to steel and aluminium and antifriction properties of epoxy coatings has been established. A comparative analysis of the properties of modified compositions with non-filled ones and with compositions filled with fully amorphous silica, including industrial analogue Aerosil 300, has been carried out. It has been established that the best compatibility with polymer epoxy matrix is possessed by rice husk ash obtained at the combustion temperature of 500оC introduced in the amount of 10 mass parts per 100 mass parts of epoxy polymer.

Understanding the Influence of Wind and Solar PV on Socioeconomic and Environmental Trends: A Non-causality Perspective

This paper investigates the non-causality perspective of economic growth, investment, social well-being, employment, GHG emissions on renewable energy sources (RES) (wind and solar PV), providing a comprehensive overview of renewable technologies that effect on socio-economic and environmental drivers. The analysis and enhancing linear regression techniques, addressing cross-country RES installed capacity heterogeneity, and applying time-lags techniques to better understand the temporal effect of RES´s investment. The study tested: I. economic growth in a country is related to the development of RESs, employment, investment. II. Increased RESs share positively impacts social well-being. III. RESs implementation reduces GHG emissions. Our findings suggest that RES positively influenced economic growth over time for countries with higher installed capacity. However, this statistically significant is not observed across countries with lower installed capacity nor across all indicators, like social well-being, employment, investment, which show modest growth trend over time. GHG emissions also showed an inverse trend, suggesting the needs the renewable electricity´s expansion accompanied by additional mitigation measures to reduce emissions. One limitation is the temporal restriction, which limits the assessment of long-run trends. Future research should focus on gathering a larger dataset for long-run trends analysis.

Factors influencing consumers' willingness to adopt renewable energy technologies: A paradigm to alleviate energy poverty

Energy poverty is a persistent issue in India, impeding environmental and socio-economic progress. The transition from conventional to renewable energy technology offers the optimal alternative solution to alleviate this significant issue. However, successful adoption of these technologies heavily depends on the consumers' willingness. This study aims to evaluate the factors influencing consumers' willingness to adopt renewable energy technologies to alleviate energy poverty. Additionally, this study added a further novel factor (crime concern) with the existing factors (belief about renewable technology benefits expectation, renewable energy technology cost, environmental concern, subjective norms) to the extended theory of planned behavior. The analysis confirmed that consumers' strong belief system, environmental concerns and subjective norms positively impact the consumers' willingness to adopt reliable and affordable renewable energy. Cost and crime concern negatively influence consumers' willingness to use this optimal technology. Interestingly, the findings of this study indicate that the consumers' willingness to adopt renewable energy technologies has a notable impact on alleviating energy poverty. This study provides significant insights for governments, renewable energy technology manufacturers, and other relevant stakeholders to enhance the widespread uptake of renewable energy technology among consumers to achieve sustainable energy development goals in the context of energy poverty alleviation.

Climate policy uncertainty and its impact on energy demand: An empirical evidence using the Fourier augmented ARDL model

Global climate change and its subsequent impact on energy demand present pressing issues for policymakers. Existing literature presents various determinants of energy demand, but the intricate relationship between energy demand and climate policy uncertainty (CPU) remains underexplored. Utilizing the Fourier-augmented ARDL (FA-ARDL) model and drawing from monthly data spanning March 1995 to August 2022, we investigate the impact of CPU on energy demand in China. Our study finds a significant long-run co-integration between climate policy uncertainty (CPU) and renewable energy demand. The FA-ARDL analysis shows that CPU negatively impacts renewable energy demand in both the short and long term, as it leads to higher renewable energy prices. These increased prices deter stakeholders from investing in or adopting renewable technologies, making renewables less competitive compared to traditional energy sources. Our findings are helpful for policymakers to communicate the climate objectives since mitigating climate-related uncertainties would substantially drive renewable energy consumption.

Demonstrating clean energy transition scenarios in sector-coupled and renewable-based energy communities.

Energy communities facilitate several advantages, including energy autonomy, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, poverty mitigation, and regional economic development. They also empower citizens with decision-making and co-ownership prospects in community renewable projects. Integrating renewable energy sources and sector coupling is a crucial strategy for flexible energy systems. However, demonstrating clean energy transition scenarios in these communities presents challenges, including technology integration, flexibility activation, load reduction, grid resilience, and business case development. Based on the system of systems approach, this paper introduces a 4-step funnel approach and a 4-step reverse funnel approach to systematically specify and detail demonstration scenarios for energy community projects. The funnel approach involves four steps. First, it selects demonstration scenarios promoting energy-efficient state-of-the-art renewable technologies and storage systems, flexibility through demand side management techniques, reduced grid dependence, and economic viability. Second, it lists all existing and planned project technologies, analysing energy flows. Third, it plans actions at different levels to implement the demonstration scenarios. Fourth, it validates the strategies using key performance indicators (KPI) to quantify the effectiveness of the planned measures. Furthermore, the reverse funnel approach delves deeper into the demonstration scenarios. The four steps involve identifying stakeholder perspectives, describing scenario scopes, listing conditions for realisation, and outlining business models, including value chains and economic assumptions. This approach provides a detailed analysis of the demonstration scenarios, considering actors, objectives, boundary conditions, and business assumptions. The methodologies are exemplified in three diverse European energy communities extending across residential, commercial, tertiary, and industrial establishments, allowing power-to-x and sector coupling opportunities. The paper also suggested thirteen KPIs for validating renewable-focused energy community projects. Finally, the paper recommends increased collaboration between energy communities, knowledge sharing, stakeholder engagement, transparent data collection and analysis, continuous feedback, and method improvement to mitigate policy, technology, business, and market uncertainties.

Assessment of the Impact of Direct Water Cooling and Cleaning System Operating Scenarios on PV Panel Performance

Among the various renewable energy-based technologies, photovoltaic panels are characterized by a high rate of development and application worldwide. Many efforts have been made to study innovative materials to improve the performance of photovoltaic cells. However, the most commonly used crystalline panels also have significant potential to enhance their energy yield by providing cooling and cleaning solutions. This paper discusses the possibility of introducing a dedicated direct-water cooling and cleaning system. As assumed, detailed schedules of the operation of the developed direct water cooling and cleaning system should be fitted to actual weather conditions. In this context, different cooling strategies were proposed and tested, including different intervals of opening and closing water flow. All tests were conducted using a dedicated experimental rig. 70 Wp monocrystalline panels were tested under laboratory conditions and 160 Wp polycrystalline panels were tested under real conditions. The results showed that introducing a scenario with a 1-min cooling and a 5-min break allowed for proving the panel’s surface temperature lower than 40 °C. In comparison, the temperature of the uncooled panel under the same operating conditions was close to 60 °C. Consequently, an increase in power generation was observed. The maximum power increase was observed in July and amounted to 15.3%. On the other hand, considering selected weeks in May, July, and September, the average increase in power generation was 3.63%, 7.48%, and 2.51%, respectively. It was concluded that the division of photovoltaic installation allows reasonable operating conditions for photovoltaic panels with a lower amount of energy consumed to power water pumps.

Prediction of Remaining Useful Life of Battery Using Partial Discharge Data

Lithium-ion batteries are cornerstones of renewable technologies, which is why they are used in many applications, specifically in electric vehicles and portable electronics. The accurate estimation of the remaining useful life (RUL) of a battery is pertinent for durability, efficient operation, and stability. In this study, we have proposed an approach to predict the RUL of a battery using partial discharge data from the battery cycles. Unlike other studies that use complete cycle data and face reproducibility issues, our research utilizes only partial data, making it both practical and reproducible. To analyze this partial data, we applied various deep learning methods and compared multiple models, among which ConvLSTM showed the best performance, with an RMSE of 0.0824. By comparing the performance of ConvLSTM at various ratios and ranges, we have confirmed that using partial data can achieve a performance equal to or better than that obtained when using complete cycle data.

FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC PROSPECTS FOR CREATING GREEN ENERGY PROJECTS IN THE UKRAINE-POLAND COLLABORATION

This paper examines the economic and financial advantages of improving international collaboration between Ukraine and Poland in the development of alternative energy projects. It conducts a thorough evaluation of existing and forthcoming renewable energy generation technologies, using expert, Delphi, and methods based on statistics to identify the most promising and universally applicable solutions. The calculation of the payback period for small-scale green energy projects pays particular attention to the actual duration of the period in the case of small business ventures. The findings are summarized with a vision for the future Ukrainian-Polish cooperation in the scope of green energy cooperation and specific instruments and processes that could contribute to the success of the collaboration.The article outlines the potential approach that involves the isolation of the cooperation between Ukraine and Poland in green energy relying on the creation of investment and venture funds, public support for the manufacturing of a renewable energy component, and the establishment of non-volatile industrial complexes. Additionally, measures such as independent small alternative power plants and the initiatives for the development of the Ukrainian-Polish joint network of alternative energy are mentioned.The current war between Ukraine and Russia has drawn attention to the crucial need for energy security and diversification, making Ukraine-Poland collaboration on green energy projects all the more important. Ukraine may minimize its reliance on the Russian energy supply by focusing on renewable energy programs, while Poland can invest in sustainable energy to boost regional stability and economic progress. The article points out that the continuation and advancement of green energy initiatives require international cooperation. The paper offers detailed guidance on how the financial, economic, and technological opportunities and relations between Ukraine and Poland may be enhanced.

Low-emission hydrogen production from gasification of Australian coals – Process simulation and technoeconomic assessment

Although renewable energy-based technologies such as water electrolysis and biomass gasification for hydrogen production are cleaner than fossil energy-based routes, there are still prevailing challenges associated with the high cost and operational challenges in the scale-up of those technologies in the short term. Considering the abundance of coal as a current primary source of energy in Australia, the use of coal to produce hydrogen is not only in line with Australia's resource endowment but is also expected to become a supplement to the other hydrogen production pathways during the global energy transition period. This paper presents a comprehensive techno-economic assessment of low-emission hydrogen production from Australian coal gasification integrated with carbon capture and storage (CCS). The study explores four cases of hydrogen production, comparing Australian brown coal (Victorian brown coal) and black coal (Queensland black coal) gasification. Variations in gasifiers, gasification agents, and associated operating conditions contribute to differences in energy efficiency, costs, and CO2 emissions among the cases. The findings reveal a levelized cost of hydrogen from coal gasification ranging between A$4.12–4.90 per kg of hydrogen. Notably, entrained flow gasification of Victorian brown coal in a mixture of oxygen and steam environment demonstrates advantages under the current market conditions. However, less mature technologies like dual fluidized bed gasifiers could emerge as viable alternatives if deployed on a commercial scale. The study also addresses direct carbon emissions from the process, indicating a CO2 emission intensity range of 16.3–20.9 kg CO2/kg H2 without CCS and 0.1–1.1 kg CO2/kg H2 with CCS for the four cases. These insights contribute valuable information for decision-making in the pursuit of sustainable and economically feasible hydrogen production methods during the ongoing energy transition.

Developing an optimization framework for capacity planning of hydrogen-based residential energy hub

— This paper introduces a comprehensive modeling approach for optimizing the capacities of various energy converters and storage systems within a residential Energy Hub (EH). The model focuses on minimizing energy supply costs to customers while maximizing the utilization of renewable and hydrogen-based technologies. Through the optimization process, we determined that implementing CHP units in the EH could reduce total costs by approximately 78% with green tax incentives and by 46.7% without them. Additionally, the inclusion of an incentive to the EH resulted in a 27.2% reduction in total costs imposed on subscribers.The study also evaluates the impact of uncertainties in photovoltaic (PV) electricity generation, demonstrating the benefits of using stochastic optimization over deterministic methods. The results indicate that the economic advantage of this approach over deterministic methods is 86.75%–95.74% greater, depending on the scenario. Sensitivity analysis further reveals that the investment costs of fuel cells significantly influence the optimal capacity design and economic viability of the EH model.

Life cycle assessment of power-to-methane and renewable methane production technologies

The role of renewable energy, such as biogas or renewable methane is important for decarbonisation of the energy sector. This study analyses environmental impacts of renewable methane production from seven different technologies including wind- and solar-powered electrolysis and methanation with direct air-captured CO2, anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge, pig and dairy manure, and food waste, as well as landfill gas upgrade. Life cycle impact assessment using ReCiPe 2016 method found that sewage sludge system exhibited the highest global warming impact due to electricity consumption during digestate dewatering by centrifuge, whereas anaerobic digestion of pig manure in a covered lagoon with digestate dewatering in Geotube® demonstrated the lowest impact. When centrifuge and Geotube® were compared for the same production system, Geotube® had 78 % lower global warming impact than dewatering with centrifuge. Overall, less energy and resource requirements, and environmental credits assigned to avoided products, such as mineral fertiliser and air-captured CO2 led to lower impacts, where seven out of 11 production systems presented lower global warming impacts than natural gas, indicating potential reduction of emissions by substituting natural gas with renewable methane. Increasing efficiency of wind and solar electricity appeared to be more sensitive than increasing efficiency of electrolyser, while transport distance of the landfill gas had significant effect on the global warming impacts. Production of renewable methane from waste can be promoted by various supports, such as carbon credits, amendment of national gas standard, and waste management policies for energy recovery.