RES Technologies Research Articles

Hybridization of Concentrated Solar Thermal, Geothermal, and Biomass: Case Study on Kizildere-2 Geothermal Power Plant

The usage of fossil fuel in the energy sector is the primary factor for global GHG emissions, so it is crucial to better utilize RE sources. One way to do that is to hybridize RE technologies to make up for their deficiencies while enabling a more synergistic power production. This study utilizes such an approach to hybridize the KZD-2 Geothermal Power Plant (GPP) with CST and biomass in the southwest region of Turkiye. The main motivation is to address the two main issues of GPPs—excess turbine capacities happening over the operating years and decreasing performance during hot summer months—while also increasing the flexibility of KZD-2. A topping cycle of CST–biomass is added utilizing a PTC field as the CST technology and olive residual biomass combustion as the biomass technology. The hybrid plant is simulated on TRNSYS, and the energetic data show that it is possible to generate more than 20 MWe of additional power during sunny and clear sky conditions while also increasing the Capacity Factor (CF) from 69% to 74–76%. Moreover, the financial results show that the resulting LCOAE is 81.19 USD/MWh, and the payback period is five or nine years for using the YEKDEM incentive or the spot market prices, respectively.

The role of internet of things adoption on the sustainability performance of the renewable energy supply chain: A conceptual framework

To effectively integrate clean energy resources into the supply chain (SC) and optimize energy consumption, the digitalization of renewable energy supply chain (RESC) plays a vital role in the future. Nonetheless, society must accept these emerging RE technologies to transition successfully into mainstream energy resources. The Internet of Things (IoT) technology can resolve the challenges facing RESC (solar energy) to achieve sustainable development strategies. This study examines how IoT adoption affects the sustainability of the RESC. The sample size consisted of 175 active companies in the RESC in Iran, and a standard questionnaire is distributed among them using a simple random method. Structural equation modeling was used to investigate the hypothesis. We evaluated the questionnaire's discriminative validity, computed composite reliability, and computed Cronbach's alpha to determine its validity and reliability. The results revealed that our research validates six hypotheses about the relevance between lean and eco-friendly actions, SC integration, performance perceived benefit, expenses, peers and government support, and IoT adoption. The findings also suggest adopting IoT technology as a broad-based strategy to attain sustainability in the energy context. As a result of its transparency, immutability, and security features, IoT presents a viable option for RESC sustainability.

The Methods of Assessing the Efficiency of a Virtual Power Plant—Case Study

In the case of new investment in RES technology, there are two issues related to efficiency assessment. The first one is how to join technical, financial and economic efficiency assessments in one. An investment feasibility study is usually conducted through a financial analysis to obtain the internal rate of return and the net present value. However, a new RES investment is typically financially unprofitable unless the environmental and social aspects are included. The second one is a lack of required financial data. The new RES investment is often innovative and neither the owner nor other entities have financial data on the operating costs and expenditure for the last periods. Therefore, in this paper, we proposed two methods of efficiency assessment. The first one is based on the avoided costs theory. Furthermore, the second one belongs to heuristic methods and is based on the experts’ assessment of different kinds of parameters. The purpose of this study is to assess the efficiency of the pilot project of VPPs using two recommended methods. This paper emphasizes the advantages and disadvantages of each method. The actual technical and financial data for the period of six months from the pilot study were calculated.

Sector-Specific Pathways to Sustainability: Unravelling the Most Promising Renewable Energy Options

Energy consumption across industries accounts for more than seventy-five per cent of total greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union. Energy is a top priority for achieving climate goals and low greenhouse gas emission levels. The comparison of sustainable development patterns in renewable energy sources is carried out for all the different sectors analysed for the study, such as industry, services, agriculture, transport, and households. Specifically, researchers examined trends in each of these sectors. This study aims to create a model that combines qualitative and quantitative research approaches to obtain the most objective and descriptive data on RES technologies used in different sectors of the economy. According to the results, both solar energy and biomass have strong development potential overall, which is reflected in the higher average values of the overall results. This is also the case when looking at the impacts individually.

A Comprehensive Review of Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) Techniques Used in Solar PV Systems

Renewable Energy technologies are becoming suitable options for fast and reliable universal electricity access for all. Solar photovoltaic, being one of the RE technologies, produces variable output power (due to variations in solar radiation, cell, and ambient temperatures), and the modules used have low conversion efficiency. Therefore, maximum power point trackers are needed to harvest more power from the sun and to improve the efficiency of photovoltaic systems. This paper reviews the methods used for maximum power point tracking in photovoltaic systems. These methods have been classified into conventional, intelligent, optimization, and hybrid techniques. A comparison has also been made of the different methods based on criteria such as tracking speed, efficiency, cost, stability, and complexity of implementation. From the literature, it is clear that hybrid techniques are highly efficient compared to conventional methods but are more complex in design and more expensive than the conventional methods. This review makes available useful information that can be exploited when choosing or designing MPPT controllers.

Modeling of MPPT-Based Solar Eco-System Using Fuzzy Logic Controller

Due to the depletion of fossil fuel reserves, renewable sources are now one of the most important sources of generating electricity. As far as reachable RE technologies are concerned, wind and photovoltaic sources offer the best potential, since they are omnipresent, free, and environmentally friendly. PV (photovoltaic) energy from the sun is an incredibly valuable renewable energy source on this planet. Because of varying climatic conditions, the energy generated directly from sunlight through PV panels is not steady. Environmental conditions are not every time favourable to generate electricity through solar. One of the solutions to this problem is to utilize optimization methods like P&O (Perturbation and Observation) with Maximum Power Point (MPPT) controllers. In this paper the main objective is to enhance the power capabilities of systems by utilizing maximum environmental conditions with Maximum Power Point Tracker to extract the maximum power from sunrays present in the environment. To improve the efficiency and accuracy of this MPPT tracking, a Fuzzy Logic Control technique has also been used in this paper. Simulations of the suggested method are carried out using MATLAB/Simulink.

Decarbonisation Strategy for Renewable Energy Integration for Electrification of West African Nations: A Bottom-Up EnergyPLAN Modelling of West African Power Pool Targets

Limited access to electricity and endemic power shortages are huge problems in West African countries, as the lack of sufficient power impedes the socio-economic development in the region. Improving access to and reliability of electricity in West Africa will require close cooperation among neighboring countries, and this was one of the aims for the creation of the West African power pool (WAPP). In this study, a sustainable and economically viable pathway to achieve 100% electricity access and 48% renewable energy sources share in the region by the year 2030 set by WAPP was presented by considering environmental, geographical, technical and economic factors. The technologies of both renewable and non-renewable sources are considered in the model development. Simulation analysis was carried out on individual countries within the region and also as a unified synchronous electricity grid network. The most feasible results were discussed in terms of the initial investment cost, total annual cost, electricity production capacities, carbon emissions and renewable energy sources shared using EnergyPLAN computer software. The integration of natural gas (42,000 MW) with the three RES technologies with the following capacities, wind (13,000 MW), PV (13,000 MW) and hydro (29,000 MW), was shown to be the most feasible, suitable and reliable case scenario for meeting the lofty set target as a unified synchronous grid. This will reduce carbon emissions by almost 50%, from 150 to 77.8 Mt per year, and incur a total investment cost and a total annual cost of USD 250.37 billion and USD 14.71 billion, respectively.

An Analysis of Renewable Energy Technology Integration Investments in Malaysia Using HOMER Pro

Renewable energy systems are technologies that can generate electricity from solar, wind, hydroelectric, biomass, and other renewable energy resources. This research project aims to find the best renewable energy technology combinations for several scenarios in Malaysia. The strategies are analysed by evaluating the investments in the renewable energy systems in each of the decided scenarios in Malaysia, Pekan, Pahang and Mersing, Johor, using HOMER Pro software. The finding shows that the PV–wind hybrid system has a better net present cost (NPC) than the other systems for both scenarios, which are USD −299,762.16 for Scenario 1 and USD −642,247.46 for Scenario 2. The PV–wind hybrid system has 4.86-year and 2.98-year payback periods in Scenarios 1 and 2. A combination of RE technologies yielded fewer emissions than one kind alone. The PV–wind hybrid system provides a quicker payback period, higher money savings, and reduced pollutants. The sensitivity results show that resource availability and capital cost impact NPC and system emissions. This finding reveals that integrated solar and wind technologies can improve the economic performance (e.g., NPC, payback period, present worth) and environmental performance (e.g., carbon dioxide emissions) of a renewable energy system.

Weaving an innovation network from the middle-out: the case of the renewable energy ecosystem

BackgroundRenewable energy (RE) systems are becoming a central component of the clean energy transition and are often seen as the way to combat climate change. Their establishment requires innovation, investments, and deployment policies for emerging technologies. Governments around the world are increasingly trying to create and support the energy-tech and climate-tech innovation ecosystems in their attempt to promote an innovation-supporting environment. However, energy innovation policies are often aligned with the dichotomous notion of technology-push and market-pull and overlook the social, political, and cultural contexts in which RE innovative technologies are embedded, and the multiple actors and interactions that are associated with their development. By combining the Middle-Out Perspective (MOP) and innovation literature, this paper argues that an innovation ecosystem could be weaved from the middle-out.MethodsThis paper analyzes the case of ‘Eilat-Eilot Renewable Energy Initiative’ and Israel’s RE innovation ecosystem creation through the lens of the MOP and applies a socio-technical interpretation to the push and pull terminology. Process tracing methodology was applied to trace a sequence of events to determine whether an actor was pushed or pulled, the formation of a network of actors, and its evolvement to an energy innovation ecosystem from the middle-out. Data for the analysis were collected from interviews, policy papers, media articles, and Governmental decisions.ResultsThe analysis demonstrates how middle actors push the implementation of RE technologies in Israel, and at the same time pull decision-makers and other middle actors to promote the low carbon transition. The push and pull forces and the interactions between actors lead to the engagement of new stakeholders in the innovation network, the adoption of more ambitious RE targets and supporting policies, and the creation of an effective RE innovation ecosystem.ConclusionsThis paper uses the MOP as an analytical framework and the push and pull terminology to demonstrate how a middle actor initiates and develops an actor-network by interacting with other actors. As this network broadens, it forms an effective innovation ecosystem. A network of actors has the potential to lead change, provide innovative ideas, initiate research, encourage investments, create employment possibilities, and promote regional sustainable development.

Techno-economic and financial analyses of hybrid renewable energy system microgrids in 634 Philippine off-grid islands: Policy implications on public subsidies and private investments

In line with one of the objectives of Sustainable Development Goal 7 to close energy poverty, the techno-economic feasibility of deploying hybrid renewable energy systems (HRES) in Philippine off-grid islands has been extensively studied to address reliance on diesel generators in these areas. Several works have analyzed HRES deployment at a nationwide level in terms of levelized costs, but the financial sustainability in terms of profits and subsidies of such schemes is largely unexplored. In this work, we analyzed the potential profits and subsidy requirements of HRES in 634 Philippine off-grid islands. First, we developed a database of inhabited off-grid islands containing their load profiles and solar and wind resources. A techno-economic analysis was then performed by sizing HRES with solar photovoltaics, wind turbines, lithium-ion batteries, and diesel generators in each island to minimize net present costs. A profitability analysis was then carried out by calculating profitability metrics, such as the net present value, internal rate of return, and payback period at various tariff rates. The techno-economic analysis revealed that larger islands had a higher proportion of RE technologies, which decreased long-term costs but increased capital costs. Meanwhile, the profitability analysis showed that HRES projects in larger islands become profitable at lower electricity rates but require larger subsidies to maintain when they are unprofitable. In this regard, we argue that government subsidies should be targeted towards smaller islands, while the private sector should be enticed to invest in larger islands. This work demonstrates that quantifying subsidies and profits, and not just the costs, of HRES can yield better insights on the economics of HRES deployment. Moreover, this work highlights the importance of government subsidies and private sector participation for achieving 100% energy access in the Philippines.

Development of an algorithm for creating RES-based facilities

Using various types of renewable energy sources, it is possible to generate electricity, thermal energy and mechanical energy, as well as to produce fuels that are able to meet needs in energy. Some renewable technologies (decentralized technologies) can be used in rural and urban areas, while other technologies (centralized technologies) are mainly used by large energy networks. While some RES technologies are technically developed and used on a large scale, other technologies are at an earlier stage of technical readiness and commercial application or occupy a specialized market niche. The energy produced by RES-based technologies can be variable and unpredictable on various time scales (from a few minutes to several years), variable but predictable, constant or controllable. The article analyzes peculiarities of the renewable sources used in isolated power supply systems, project selection criteria and mechanisms for their implementation. The article examines the rational use of renewable energy sources in the construction of energy facilities, and identifies problems complicating the development of power supply systems. The algorithm for creating RES-based facilities includes successive stages covering the entire scope of works in the region and allows the effective management of RES projects. Ways to ensure energy efficiency are analyzed.

The role of hydrogen in the optimal design of off-grid hybrid renewable energy systems

The optimal design of off-grid hybrid renewable energy systems (HRESs) is a challenging task, which often involves conflicting goals to be faced. In this work, levelized cost of energy (LCOE) and CO2 emissions have been addressed simultaneously by using the ε-constraint method together with the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. Cost-emissions Pareto fronts of different HRES configurations were developed to gain greater awareness about the potential of renewable-based energy systems in off-grid applications. Various combinations of the following components were investigated: photovoltaic panels, wind turbines, batteries, hydrogen and diesel generators. The hydrogen-based system comprises an electrolyzer to convert the excess renewable energy into hydrogen, a pressurized tank for H2 storage and a fuel cell for the reconversion of hydrogen into electricity during renewable energy deficits. Electrolyzer and fuel cell devices were modelled by means of part-load performance curves. Size-dependent costs and component lifetimes as a function of the cumulative operational duty were also considered for a more accurate techno-economic assessment. The proposed methodology was applied to the Froan islands (Norway), which were chosen as a reference case study since they are well representative of many other insular microgrid environments in Northern Europe. Results from the sizing simulations revealed that energy storage devices are key components to reduce the dependency on fossil fuels. In particular, the hydrogen storage system is crucial in off-grid areas to enhance the RES penetration and avoid a sharp increase in the cost of energy. Hydrogen, in fact, allows the battery and RES technologies not to be oversized, thanks to its cost-effective long-term storage capability. Concerning the extreme case with no diesel, the cheapest configuration, which includes both batteries and hydrogen, has an LCOE of 0.41 €/kWh. This value is around 35% lower than the LCOE of a system with only batteries as energy storage.

An Empirical Approach to Differences in Flexible Electricity Consumption Behaviour of Urban and Rural Populations—Lessons Learned in Germany

This article analyses two major trends of the 21st century. Firstly, the transition from fossil fuel-based energy production to renewable energy sources. Secondly, the inexorable urbanisation which can be witnessed all over the globe. The most promising renewable energy production technologies for the near future, i.e., wind and solar energy, are volatile by nature which makes matching supply and demand essential for a successful transition. Therefore, the aspects that determine the willingness of consumers to flexibilise their demand has gained growing attention. Initial research shows that different settings for (co-)ownership in terms of available prosumption options and used production technologies have a varying impact on demand flexibility. However, existing research has analysed flexibility drivers solely for the general population as an aggregate without any distinction regarding spatial, economic, or social factors. In this article, the authors go one step further and analyse whether those drivers for flexible consumption behaviour differ in rural or urban areas acknowledging differences in day-to-day life in both cases. This study is based on 2074 completed questionnaires from German consumers which were analysed using propensity score matching. The results show that people from rural and urban areas do not significantly differ in their willingness to be demand flexible in general. However, (co-)owners of RE installations from rural areas are generally significantly more demand flexible than (co-)owners of RE installations from urban areas. Further, when looking at different RE technologies, the results show that (co-)owners of solar installations are significantly more demand flexible if they are from rural areas. Lastly, when looking at usage options, people who solely consume produced electricity are more demand flexible if they are from rural areas as well.

Optimizing the integration of renewable energy in existing buildings

This paper presents the development of a novel optimization model for optimizing the use of RE measures in existing buildings to satisfy an owner-specified target reduction in energy consumption while minimizing the required building upgrade costs. The model performance was evaluated using a real-life case study of an educational building with a total area of 20,717 m2. The optimization model was used to identify an optimal combination of RE technologies that minimize the upgrade cost for this case study while satisfying its specified 80% energy reduction goal. The model minimized the building upgrade cost by making a number of optimal selections, such as locating the majority of solar RE technologies in building segments facing south due to their higher exposure to the sun radiations. The results of this analysis highlight the original contributions of the model in identifying an optimal set of RE measures that minimize the building upgrade cost while satisfying all owner-specified requirements, providing a detailed description of the optimal building integration plan of RE technologies, and complying with practical functional requirements, and constructability constraints. These capabilities are expected to support building owners and decision-makers in their efforts to integrate cost-effective RE measures in existing buildings.

Humanity Can Still Stop Climate Change by Implementing a New International Climate Agreement and Applying Radical New Technology

There is a broad consensus worldwide that anthropogenic climate change is a scientific fact. Likewise, the fact is that the UN’s efforts to address climate change over the last 28 years have not been successful enough. It is evident that the global average temperature is on the rise (1.1 °C above pre-industrial levels in 2019). A particular concern comes from the fact that the Paris Agreement on keeping increases in the global average temperature to below +2 °C is an unenforceable ambition, since the focus is more on consequences than causes. In addition, economic policies regarding global taxes, as well as adaptation and mitigation measures, are questionable, as there is no evidence that changes in the climate system will proceed at the same rate in the coming years. This paper proposes an engineering approach that considers all relevant aspects of the climate change problem and proposes a new policy, named the “Climate New Deal”. It deals with: (i) Reorientation from a high-carbon economy to a green economy; (ii) The intensive use of radically new technology, e.g., “Seawater Steam Engine” technology for the simultaneous production of thermal and electric energy and drinking water; and (iii) The intensive use of energy efficient technologies and RES technologies, especially in transport.

Gross Employment Effects in the Renewable Energy Industry in Germany—An Input–Output Analysis from 2000 to 2018

The purpose of this paper is to provide detailed insights into an approach to measure gross employment of the renewable energy (RES) industry in Germany in order to improve transparency and comparability. The method applied for the assessment of gross employment figures follows the input–output (IO) modeling approach and covers direct as well as indirect employment effects. All-in-all, four different approaches of applying the IO-methodology are described. The analysis includes 11 different RES technologies. It provides information on employment in manufacturing and installation, operation and maintenance (O&M), as well as the provision of biogenic fuels. The results show the relevance of the manufacturing and installation sector as well as the influence of foreign trade on this sector. On the other hand, it reveals the growing importance of O&M as well as the provision of biogenic fuels and their role in providing a more stable development of employment in the RES industry. Our main methodological conclusions are as follows: (1) data availability is a major challenge in assessing employment effects of specific technologies; (2) there are many different ways to apply the IO-modeling approach to specific technologies and services; (3) the transfer of results to other countries is limited.

Development of an electric hand tractor (e-Tractor) for agricultural operations

The development of an e-Tractor for agricultural operations was conducted in response to innovative and environment-friendly technologies utilizing non-fossil fuel as a source of energy. Design considerations were taken from the Needs and Design Assessment (NADA) of the intended beneficiaries such as transport of agricultural product and/or for human mobility requirement and for plowing operations. The e-Tractor was designed with a 3-kW direct current electric motor as prime mover and 5.76 kWh battery system as the power source. The machine was tested for transport with trailer attachment using three speed settings (low-2 kph, medium-5 kph, high-7 kph) and three load settings (0 kg, 200 kg, and 400 kg). Test results showed that the e-Tractor can operate at an optimum setting of 7 kph with 287.8 kg load resulting in an operational time of 127.5 minutes and a travel distance of 14.33 km. The obtained field efficiency for the plowing operation using three trials was about 92.29% with a theoretical field capacity of 0.11 ha/h. The development of an operational electric hand tractor facilitates agricultural product mobility as an alternative RE Technology for plowing operation with minimal negative environmental impact.

Radio-echo soundings on Icelandic temperate glaciers: history of techniques and findings

AbstractSince the mid-1970s radio-echo soundings have been conducted on Iceland's temperate glaciers. Since then, low-frequency radar technology has furthered the study of most of the island's ice caps. Their masses and volumes have been quantified and detailed subglacial topographic maps produced which demarcate glacial drainage basins and identify subglacial lakes and volcanoes. Even internal tephra layers have been charted. The resulting data have been used to force and validate models of past and future glacier evolution. Many practical applications in glacier hydrology have come into being, including hydropower management, road and bridge planning and the prediction of catastrophic flood paths from subglacial eruption sites. Finally, emerging landscapes can now be foreseen in places where glaciers may soon disappear. These achievements would not have been possible without the advances in RES technology.

Adapting Stand‐Alone Renewable Energy Technologies for the Circular Economy through Eco‐Design and Recycling

SummaryRenewable energy (RE) technologies are looked upon favorably to provide for future energy demands and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, the installation of these technologies requires large quantities of finite material resources. We apply life cycle assessment to 100 years of electricity generation from three stand‐alone RE technologies—solar photovoltaics, run‐of‐river hydro, and wind—to evaluate environmental burden profiles against baseline electricity generation from fossil fuels. We then devised scenarios to incorporate circular economy (CE) improvements targeting hotspots in systems’ life cycle, specifically (1) improved recycling rates for raw materials and (ii) the application of eco‐design. Hydro presented the lowest environmental burdens per kilowatt‐hour of electricity generation compared with other RE technologies, owing to its higher efficiency and longer life spans for main components. Distinct results were observed in the environmental performance of each system based on the consideration of improved recycling rates and eco‐design. CE measures produced similar modest savings in already low GHG emissions burdens for each technology, while eco‐design specifically had the potential to provide significant savings in abiotic resource depletion. Further research to explore the full potential of CE measures for RE technologies will curtail the resource intensity of RE technologies required to mitigate climate change.

Explore Novel Renewable Energy Generation via Applications of Thermoelectric Technology

This paper presents systematic studies of the renewabale energy [RE] technologies and focuses on thermoelectric (TE) technology. The invention of a new equipment is applied to thermoelectric modules (TEM) and demonstrates important capabilities such as in-situ characterization of I-V curve, P-V curves, and TE efficiency. Many variales are invetsigated in order to maximize the output of TE power. Experimental data show that the TE power output is scalable/ additive for multiple TE systems. Multi-stack structures are invetsigated in order to improve the TE efficiency. One of the hightlights of this paper is to generate a large output of TEPG system up to 1kW power. The TE technology is one of the most important RE technologies that has advantages of being renewable, possessing low-noise/ no-moving parts among other features, and having versatile and special applications with TEM. Several sets of the thermoelectric power generation (TEPG) systems are developed with various TEMs for many different applications. Finally, the TEPG is characterized for the experimental investigation and data analysis, followed by summaries and conclusion based on the data.