Sustainable Electric Power Generation Research Articles

A SWOT Analysis for a Roadmap towards Sustainable Electric Power Generation

During the last decade, the abundance of wind, solar, and conventional energy sources have been widely utilized in Sindh, Pakistan, to meet the energy demand-supply gap of the country. Some of these energy projects have been approved, are under constructional and operational phases and have connected to the National grid successfully. However, these energy sources are being influenced by several constraints, which keep the project developmental phases away from their technological upgradation. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to perform a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis of existing energy projects in Sindh to examine its current conditions and future roadmap to promote its valuable utilization. The outcomes of the study have identified several socio-economic and environmental impacts on the sustainable development of renewable energy sources. The study concludes that energy strategic policy must contain financial profits, energy security, and environmental protection. This SWOT study will encourage local and foreign investors, researchers, and engineers to invest their financial and technical abilities towards Sindh to get benefit from the hub of energy sources. They can initiate independent power generation and distribution companies on stated sites and can provide cost-effective tariffs from green energy sources with more revenue and less payback period. It can ultimately increase profitable business as well as can boost the state’s economy efficiently.

Regression model for predicting the speed of wind flows for energy needs based on fuzzy logic

Renewable energy integration becomes an important criterion for the sustainable generation of electrical power. The high introduction of wind power plants into the power system leads to some inconveniences in the power system operators’ work due to the unpredictable and variable nature of the wind speed and the power generated by wind farms. Even though the power generated at the wind power plants is not regulated by the system operator, the accurate predicting of the wind speed and the angle of its direction could solve such problems leading to improving the reliability of power supply systems.This paper considers the prediction of both the speed and direction of wind flows for the Far East coast. It is proposed to use autoregression based on the fuzzy systems concept. The goal of this study is to find a regression model that satisfies all observable fuzzy data within the specified optimality criterion. Thus, the regression coefficients are fuzzy numbers that can be expressed as interval numbers with membership values. As result, the electric power generated by wind power plants could provide additional energy accumulation function, if the wind flow velocity fluctuations will be considered.

A conceptual review of sustainable electrical power generation from biogas

AbstractHigh‐energy demand with rapid industrialization and mechanization combined with environmental pollution due to the burning of fossil fuels has driven a shift toward renewable energy. Biogas derived from biomass is a potential renewable energy source that can be used in different sectors such as transportation sector, electricity generation, heat production, combined heat and power (CHP) systems, and fuel cells. Moreover, the upgraded biogas can be applied as transportation fuel via an internal combustion chamber (for internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles), and electricity station (for electric vehicles). In the present work, a conceptual review of biogas‐based electrical power production systems is presented. It is clear that the conventional types of biomass contain a high amount of pollutants and unwanted constituents, which lower the lower heating value (LHV) of biogas fuel. Moreover, the energy and exergy efficiencies of biogas applications are influenced by these components. Consequently, several biogas‐upgrading technologies have been elaborated to increase the LHV of biogas fuel by removing biogas pollutants. So, the energy and exergy analyses of biogas‐driven plants are discussed in this regard. Also, the economic analysis of biogas‐fueled systems is measured through the connection between biogas production, purchased electrical power, and selling of an additional amount of biogas. Biogas represents an important source of renewable energy as shown before, and it helps in waste management and W‐to‐E (waste to energy) conversion, which allows utilizing huge amounts of wastes instead of disposal or landfill procedures. However, handling of biogas from production to utilization has an impact on the environment. Therefore, the assessment of the environmental impacts of biogas plants is presented. In addition, a combination of the biogas energy with other sources, especially renewable energy sources (eg, solar‐biogas, geothermal‐biogas, wind‐biogas, CHP, CCHP, and concentrated photovoltaic‐biogas), and reusing waste energy for other tasks (eg, employing the waste heat from a gas turbine) are examined.

Sustainable electric power generation from live anaerobic digestion of sugar industry effluents using microbial fuel cells

Design and operation of microbial fuel cells for sustained electric power generation from sugar industry effluents.

Enhanced oxygen reduction reaction through Ca and Co Co-doped YFeO3 as cathode for protonic ceramic fuel cells

Protonic ceramic fuel cells offer the potential for environmentally sustainable and cost-effective electric power generation. However, the power outputs of protonic ceramic fuel cells are far from the requirements due to the lack of active cathodes. In this work, porous thin sheets CaxY1-xFe0.5Co0.5O3-δ (x = 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5) are synthesized by a modified pechini method and investigated as cathode materials for protonic ceramic fuel cells. CaxY1-xFe0.5Co0.5O3-δ show high electrical conductivities and excellent chemical compatibility with Ba(Zr0.1Ce0.7Y0.2)O3 electrolyte. The maximum electrical conductivity of Ca0.3Y0.7Fe0.5Co0.5O3-δ reaches 202 S cm−1 in air at 750 °C. The detailed mechanism for oxygen reduction reaction reveals that the rate-limiting step of oxygen reduction reaction is transformed from charge transfer to O2 adsorption-dissociation with temperature rising or Ca doping. The composite cathode Ca0.3Y0.7Fe0.5Co0.5O3-δ-Ba(Zr0.1Ce0.7Y0.2)O3 presents a relatively low polarization resistance of 0.07 Ω cm2 at 750 °C in air. The power density of the anode-supported cell of NiO Ba(Zr0.1Ce0.7Y0.2)O3∣Ba(Zr0.1Ce0.7Y0.2)O3∣Ca0.3Y0.7Fe0.5Co0.5O3-δ-Ba(Zr0.1Ce0.7Y0.2)O3 is 798 mW cm−2 as the electrolyte thickness is about 150 μm. The prepared CaxY1-xFe0.5Co0.5O3-δ oxides are promising candidates as high-performance cathodes for protonic ceramic fuel cells.

Exceptional power density and stability at intermediate temperatures in protonic ceramic fuel cells

Over the past several years, important strides have been made in demonstrating protonic ceramic fuel cells (PCFCs). Such fuel cells offer the potential of environmentally sustainable and cost-effective electric power generation. However, their power outputs have lagged behind predictions based on their high electrolyte conductivities. Here we overcome PCFC performance and stability challenges by employing a high-activity cathode, PrBa_(0.5)Sr_(0.5)Co_(1.5)Fe_(0.5)O_(5+δ) (PBSCF), in combination with a chemically stable electrolyte, BaZr_(0.4)Ce_(0.4)Y_(0.1)Yb_(0.1)O_3 (BZCYYb4411). We deposit a thin dense interlayer film of the cathode material onto the electrolyte surface to mitigate contact resistance, an approach which is made possible by the proton permeability of PBSCF. The peak power densities of the resulting fuel cells exceed 500 mW cm^(−2) at 500 °C, while also offering exceptional, long-term stability under CO_2.

Large eddy simulation of the tidal power plant deep green using the actuator line method

Tidal energy has the potential to provide a substantial part of the sustainable electric power generation. The tidal power plant developed by Minesto, called Deep Green, is a novel technology using a ‘flying’ kite with an attached turbine, moving at a speed several times higher than the mean flow. Multiple Deep Green power plants will eventually form arrays, which require knowledge of both flow interactions between individual devices and how the array influences the surrounding environment. The present study uses large eddy simulations (LES) and an actuator line model (ALM) to analyze the oscillating turbulent boundary layer flow in tidal currents without and with a Deep Green power plant. We present the modeling technique and preliminary results so far.

Novel Ag@C nanocables supported Pd anodes and its implication in energy conversion using direct liquid fuel cells

In this work, renewable ethylene glycol (EG) was developed as a potential fuel for direct liquid fuel cells (DLFCs) with Ag@C nanocables by immobilization of Palladium (Pd/Ag@C) anodes for sustainable electric power generation. The results confirm that the obtained nanocable is composed of a silver nanowire as a core and a carbonaceous layer as a shell. According to TEM, the resulting Pd nanoparticles are well-distributed on the surface of the Ag@C, and the mean size of the Pd nanoparticles is 4.4nm. Electrochemical behavior tests indicate that the Pd/Ag@C can achieve a maximum current density of 1027.4mAmg−1Pd based on a half-cell reaction on EG fuel, suggesting that EG is a suitable fuel for DLFCs. It is concluded that the as-prepared Pd/Ag@C would be a potential candidate as an anode in energy conversion using DLFCs. Furthermore, the current study confirmed the practical applicability of EG as a direct fuel with Pd/Ag@C anode applied in DEGFCs may have a great effect on future energy systems.

Ethylene glycol as a new sustainable fuel for solid oxide fuel cells with conventional nickel-based anodes

Abstract In this study, renewable ethylene glycol (EG) was exploited as a potential fuel for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) with conventional nickel yttria-stabilized zirconia (Ni–YSZ) cermet anodes for sustainable electric power generation. Carbon deposition behaviors over Ni–YSZ anodes under different carbon-containing atmospheres such as EG, glycerol, ethanol and methane were characterized through thermodynamic prediction, oxygen-temperature programmed oxidation and SEM–EDX analysis. EG was observed to be better than acetic acid and glycerol and much better than methane and ethanol in terms of carbon deposition. A calculation of the open-circuit voltages of EG-fueled SOFCs suggested that EG is a suitable fuel for SOFCs. A maximum power output of 1200 mW cm−2 at 750 °C was obtained from a cell operating on EG-steam fuel, which is only a little lower than that from a cell based on hydrogen fuel. The cell was further operated stably on an EG-steam gas mixture for 200 h with no apparent performance degradation, carbon deposition over the anode, Ni agglomeration, or change in the morphology of the anodes. The current study confirmed the practical applicability of EG as a direct fuel for SOFCs, which may have a great effect on future energy systems.

An Up-to-Date Technologies Review and Evaluation of Wave Energy Converters

– The potential of electric power generation from marine renewable energy is enormous. Ocean waves are being recognized as a resource to be exploited for the sustainable generation of electrical power. The high load factors resulting from the fluid properties and the predictable resource characteristics make ocean waves particularly attractive for power generation and advantageous when compared to other renewable energies. Regarding this emerging and promising area of research, this paper presents a complete review of wave energy technologies describing, analyzing and fixing many of the concepts behind wave energy conversion. The proposed review will specifically highlights the main wave energy conversion projects around the world at different levels (demonstration stage, in production, and commercialized projects). In particular, mooring will be discussed, as it is a key feature behind massive deployment of wave energy converters. Finally, a discussion will highlight challenges that wave energy converters need to overcome to become commercially competitive in the global energy market. Nomenclature WEC = Wave Energy Converter; PTO = Power TakeOff ; P w_f = Power per meter of wave front; P w_mcl = Power per meter crest length; ρ = Water density (approximately 1000 kg/m 3); g = Gravity acceleration; A = Wave amplitude; T = Wave period.

Mechatronic Platform with 12m2 Solar Thermal Concentrator for Rural Power Generation in Africa

Electrical power generation through Stirling type engines make use of concentrated solar radiation as the source of high- temperature heat. From a sustainable electrical power generation point of view, most rural African villages experience good concentrations of solar radiation, but rolling out reliable CSP solutions for tapping into this resource at rural African sites poses some system design challenges. This paper proposes a design for a 12m2 parabolic dish frame which includes novel modifications over to the latest lightweight solar concentrators and aims to simplify assembly and installation of the solar concentrator platform at remote rural sites with unskilled support. The paper details the mechanical and mechatronic design challenges, solutions and selected results achieved in the quest to develop a stand-alone electrical power supply system for off- grid rural communities, research which ultimately aims to produce a locally manufactured knock-down do-it-yourself CSP power generation kit, suitable for distribution throughout Africa.

Renewable acetic acid in combination with solid oxide fuel cells for sustainable clean electric power generation

The feasibility of renewable acetic acid as a direct fuel of SOFCs for sustainable electric power generation was investigated. To solve the problem of carbon deposition over conventional nickel cermet anodes, an advanced catalyst for acetic acid catalytic decomposition/internal reforming reaction was exploited. A comparative study of coke formation over Ni/Al2O3, Ni/MgO–Al2O3 and Ni–YSZ catalysts was conducted by oxygen-temperature programmed oxidation analysis. We found that the Ni/MgO–Al2O3 catalyst is much superior to the other two catalysts in suppressing carbon deposition, especially under the condition of the presence of steam in the acetic acid fuel. Various cells were fabricated and tested under different conditions. The differences in OCVs and power outputs of the cells caused by the usage of hydrogen and acetic acid as fuels were studied and explained based on the thermodynamic calculation and EIS measurement. After optimization, a peak power density of 1325 mW cm−2 at a furnace temperature of 800 °C was achieved for the cell with a catalyst layer operating on acetic acid fuel. The cell was successfully operated continuously on acetic acid–steam fuel for a period of at least 200 h without any noticeable performance degradation, delamination of the catalyst layer and carbon deposition. The promising results of this work show the possibility of better utilization of the abundant bio-mass or bio-oil for future energy generation.

The Efforts for Sustainable Steam Production and Electrical Power Generation in the Matsukawa Geothermal Field

The Efforts for Sustainable Steam Production and Electrical Power Generation in the Matsukawa Geothermal Field

Fundamentals applicable to the utilisation of marine current turbines for energy production

The potential of electric power generation from marine tidal currents is enormous. Tidal currents are being recognised as a resource to be exploited for the sustainable generation of electrical power. The high load factors resulting from the fluid properties and the predictable resource characteristics make marine currents particularly attractive for power generation and advantageous when compared to other renewables. There is a paucity of information regarding various key aspects of system design encountered in this new area of research. Virtually no work has been done to determine the characteristics of turbines running in water for kinetic energy conversion even though relevant work has been carried out on ship’s propellers, wind turbines and on hydro turbines. None of these three well established areas of technology completely overlap with this new field so that gaps remain in the state of knowledge. This paper reviews the fundamental issues that are likely to play a major role in implementation of MCT systems. It also highlights research areas to be encountered in this new area. The paper reports issues such as the harsh marine environment, the phenomenon of cavitation, and the high stresses encountered by such structures are likely to play a major role on the work currently being undertaken in this field.

Agricultural residues as a potential resource for environmentally sustainable electric power generation in Turkey

Agricultural residues as a potential resource for environmentally sustainable electric power generation in Turkey

Agricultural residues as a potential resource for environmentally sustainable electric power generation in Turkey

In this study major agricultural residues of Turkey were identified and characterized as a potential fuel source for electric power generation. The environmental cycle for impacts of biomass utilization were investigated in comparison to Turkish lignites. Based on the total production of cereals (26.9 million tonnes) and oil-seeds (4.0 million tonnes) it is estimated that 53–68 million tonnes of agricultural residues are produced annually in Turkey, 60 % of which can be used for energy purposes. The primary energy content of the recoverable agricultural residues is in the range of 525–700 PJ or about 25–30 % of Turkey's annual primary energy consumption. Agricultural residues have the potential to replace all the lignite (35.3 million tonnes) and bituminous coal (1.3 million tonnes) used in electric power generation plants. Agricultural residues can also play an important role in reducing the most important environmental impacts from thermal power plants. The benefits include the reduction of net emissions of CO 2 efficient carbon recycling and lower SO 2 and NO x emissions due to the relatively low sulphur and nitrogen content of agricultural residues as compared to those of lignite.