Since the Paris Agreement in COP21, many countries around the world, including Ghana and Thailand, have established a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with first update recently in COP26. With Ghana’s ongoing effort at COP26 to change its baseline to 2019, this study established a detailed Ghana vehicle ownership model with necessary transport parameters to construct an energy demand model to provide insight for reducing GHG emission contributions from road transport through biofuel (both bioethanol and biodiesel) potential by recourse to a Low Emission Analysis Platform (LEAP), with two scenarios of development from Thailand’s best practice for policy recommendation, which are alternative (ALT), with up to E20/B20, and extreme (EXT), with up to E85/B50, for new vehicles. In each case, energy demand and GHG emissions were analyzed from detailed data on Ghana’s transport sector to show potential benefit from biofuel usages. From Ghana’s... [more]

Permafrost monitoring should be organized in different ways within undisturbed landscapes and in areas with technogenic impacts. The state and dynamics of permafrost are described by special indicators. It helps to characterize seasonal and long-term tendencies and link them with permafrost hazards estimation. The risk is determined by the hazard probability and the vulnerability of infrastructure elements. The hazard does not have integral indicators, but is determined by separate spatial and temporal characteristics. The spatial characteristics include the ground’s physical and cryolithological features that are linked with the history of the permafrost. The temporal characteristics are associated with the future evolution of the climate and anthropogenic pressures. The geocryological monitoring content and geocryological forecasting are interdependent and should be implemented together. The adaptation recommendations are based on the analytical algorithms and use the results of perm... [more]

Consequent pole hybrid excitation synchronous (CPHES) machines have the advantage of symmetrical bidirectional magnetomotive force increments. Compared with a traditional hybrid excitation motor (HEM), a CPHES machine improves the disadvantage of asymmetry in the adjustment range when magnetization and demagnetization occur. The calculation and analysis of the cogging torque of the CPHES machine are complex due to the complicated structure. This paper proposes an analytical method for calculating the cogging torque of a CPHES machine. This analytical method converts the complex three-dimensional magnetic field problem into a two-dimensional magnetic circuit problem and, through the accumulation method, can quickly and accurately calculate the cogging torque of the CPHES machine. In contrast with the finite element method, the calculation results basically follow each other, but the analytical method is more efficient and omits complicated meshing. This is of great significance to the p... [more]

In the oil and gas industry, which is the basis of the Russian energy market, a significant and urgent question arises: How to distribute companies according to their investment attractiveness? Accordingly, quantitative indicators are needed. Lacking extensive experience in the practical implementation of fundamental rating tools, work is needed to develop methodologies of weighting coefficients and lists, built on the experience of the “big three” rating agencies. The article proposes an algorithm for forming an integral rating of companies based on financial reporting indicators and the author’s rules of fuzzy logic based on the principle of “circular convolution”, from the best to the slave, deepening the analysis to the center, when all companies are exhausted and places in the rating are distributed. The problem of assessing and integrally indexing the indicators of large companies in leading sectors of the economy (e.g., oil and gas, banks, electricity) is becoming manifest, whil... [more]

In the current conditions of sharp change in demand and instability of markets, there is a need to develop a method and evaluation criterion that would meet the sustainable scenario of a supplying goods system including the consumer-driven concept. The analysis of goods distribution methods showed that to assess the integrated efficiency between the supply system and its end-consumers, it is advisable to apply integrated criterion efficiency—generalized distribution utility. The developed indicator takes into account the profit of the distribution channel (or its participants) and the generalized costs of end users during shopping activity. Based on the proposed indicator, the feasibility of using vehicle capacity is substantiated, which provides the maximum generalized distribution costs value and corresponds to the optimal sustainable distribution in consumer-driven logistics.

The Kraken computational framework is a new modular calculation system designed for coupled core physics calculations. The development started at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland in 2017, with the aim to replace VTT’s outdated legacy codes used for the deterministic safety analyses of Finnish power reactors. In addition to conventional large PWRs and BWRs, Kraken is intended to be used for the modeling of SMRs and emerging non-LWR technologies. The main computational modules include the Serpent Monte Carlo neutron and photon transport code, the Ants nodal neutronics solver, the FINIX fuel behavior module and the Kharon thermal hydraulics code, all developed at VTT. The core physics solution can be further coupled to system-scale simulations. In addition to development, significant effort has been devoted to verification and validation of the implemented methodologies. The reduced-order Ants code has been successfully used for steady-state, transient and burnup simulations of PW... [more]

Microalgae are promising sources of fuels and other chemicals. To operate microalgal cultivations efficiently, process control based on monitoring of process variables is needed. On-line sensing has important advantages over off-line and other analytical and sensing methods in minimizing the measurement delay. Consequently, on-line, in-situ sensors are preferred. In this respect, optical sensors occupy a central position since they are versatile and readily implemented in an on-line format. In biotechnological processes, measurements are performed in three phases (gaseous, liquid and solid (biomass)), and monitored process variables can be classified as physical, chemical and biological. On-line sensing technologies that rely on standard industrial sensors employed in chemical processes are already well-established for monitoring the physical and chemical environment of an algal cultivation. In contrast, on-line sensors for the process variables of the biological phase, whether biomass... [more]

Reasonable regional integrated energy planning is an important prerequisite for the construction of a Near-Zero Carbon Emission Demonstration District (NCEDD). An integrated energy planning scheme that is based on a three-step planning method with the objective of achieving an NCEDD is proposed in this paper. First, the planning objectives should be determined. After that, the planning strategies should be established. Finally, the planning approaches should be proposed according to the previously determined objectives and strategies. A case study considering the integrated energy planning of the Meishan International Near-Zero Carbon Emission Demonstration District (MINCEDD) is investigated to explain the planning method. In addition, the planning results, which are indicated as indexes, are explained, analyzed, and compared to the ones of other districts. The indexes include a proportion of renewable energy to primary energy (73% by 2030 and 108% by 2050), a proportion of renewable p... [more]

Jute is a cheap, eco-friendly, widely available material well-known for its cooling properties. In electric vehicles (EVs), dissipating a huge amount of the heat generated from lithium-ion batteries with an efficient, light, and low-power consumption battery thermal management system (BTMS) is required. In our previous study, jute fibers were proposed and investigated as a novel medium to enhance the cooling efficiency of air-based battery thermal management systems. In this paper, as the first attempt, jute was integrated with a phase change material (PCM) passive cooling system, and the thermal performance of a 50 Ah prismatic battery was studied. Temperature evolution, uniformity, and cooling efficiency were investigated. A comparison between the thermal behavior of the air-based BTMS and PCM-assisted cooling system was performed. The results indicated that adding jute to the BTMS increased the cooling efficiency and especially decreased the temperature development. Furthermore, the... [more]

Hydropower stations have supplied most of the green electricity in various parts of the world. Nonetheless, the economic profit of hydro-electricity lies beyond its social costs in many cases. Despite the short-term economic benefits of large dams, their sustainable pros and cons are doubted. This study aims to investigate the long-term profitability of large hydropower stations by considering the nexus between the environmental, economic, and social aspects. Much progress has been made in simplifying feasibility studies of hydropower stations by developing comprehensive software and models according to the United Nations Sustainable development goals. Developed by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the SimPacts has become one of the most frequently-used simple models to estimate the external costs of electricity generation since 2003. Hydropower’s Environmental Costs Analysis Model (HECAM) is a popular user-friendly version of the model that includes more details for benefits... [more]

Future low-carbon systems with very high shares of variable renewable generation require complex models to optimise investments and operations, which must capture high degrees of sector coupling, contain high levels of operational and temporal detail, and when considering seasonal storage, be able to optimise both investments and operations over long durations. Standard energy system models often do not adequately address all these issues, which are of great importance when considering investments in emerging energy carriers such as Hydrogen. An advanced energy system model of the Irish power system is built in SpineOpt, which considers a number of future scenarios and explores different pathways to the wide-scale adoption of Hydrogen as a low-carbon energy carrier. The model contains a high degree of both temporal and operational detail, sector coupling, via Hydrogen, is captured and the optimisation of both investments in and operation of large-scale underground Hydrogen storage is d... [more]

In this work, nickel silicide was applied to tandem solar cells as an interlayer. By the process of thermal evaporation, a layer of NiOx, hole transport layer (HTL) was deposited on n+ poly-Si layer directly. Nickel silicide was simultaneously formed by nickel diffusion from NiOx to n+ poly-Si layer during the deposition and annealing process. The I−V characteristics of NiOx/n+ poly-Si contact with nickel silicide showed ohmic contact and low contact resistivity. This structure is expected to be more advantageous for electrical connection between perovskite top cell and TOPCon bottom cell compared to the NiOx/TCO/n+ poly-Si structure showing Schottky contact. Furthermore, nickel silicide and Ni-deficient NiOx thin film formed by diffusion of nickel can improve the fill factor of the two sub cells. These results imply the potential of a NiOx/nickel silicide/n+ poly-Si structure as a perovskite/silicon tandem solar cell interlayer.

The power demand on the electric grid varies according to the time of the day following users’ needs and so does the cost of electricity supply because the electricity mix is formed using different generators of varying capacities. Demand response (DR) is the modification of the consumption load curve following a signal from the electricity provider; it is mostly used for peak clipping. By reducing the short-term mismatch between generation and consumption, it helps to integrate intermittent renewables and new low-carbon technologies such as energy storage, electric vehicles, and power-to-gas. The present work is a literature survey based on the following keywords: demand response, demand technology, potential, power, and power dispatch, which aims to provide a summary of the state of the art regarding the potential for demand response implementation. Literature is either related to potential assessment or to implementation; less focus is given on non-dispatchable DR than on dispatchab... [more]

In the acceleration phase transitions often increase in depth and scope, and thereby create knock-on effects for wider system structures. In the renewable energy transition, for example, higher shares of intermittent renewable energy sources call for new grid technologies to increase flexible grid operation. At the same time, there are different ways of achieving renewable energy transitions and providing flexibility. In Europe, important tensions exist over how centralised or decentralised a renewable energy electricity system should be. This paper explores to what extent and how European framework programmes for research and development have addressed and supported innovation in transmission grid (centralised system) and distribution grid (decentralised) technologies. We analyse European R&D projects that studied electricity grid planning, development and innovation over 2002−2020. We apply social network analysis of the collaboration partners in these projects, and analyse the calls... [more]

To investigate primary breakup close to an injector, this paper presents both experimental and numerical research on high-pressure common-rail diesel injection. We propose a new method named SD-ELSA model to realize automatically identifying droplet features for high-pressure diesel spray based on the classic ELSA (Eulerian Lagrangian Spray Atomization) model; this method is suitable for varied injection operation conditions. The SD-ELSA first identifies the liquid bulk due to breakup of the continuous phase in near field, and then converts the Eulerian liquid bulk into Lagrangian particles to complete the calculation of the total spray atomization. The SD-ELSA model adopts two key criteria, i.e., the sphericity (S) and the particle diameter (D); the qualified liquid mass is transformed into Lagrangian particle, realizing the coupling of the Eulerian−Lagrangian model. The SD-ELSA model illustrates the total diesel spray atomization process from the breakup liquid column to the droplets... [more]

The key direction of political actions in the field of sustainable development of the energy sector and economy is the process of energy transformation (decarbonization) and increasing the share of renewable energy sources (RES) in the supply of primary energy. Regardless of the indisputable advantages, RES are referred to as unstable energy sources. A possible solution might be the development of the concept of hydrogen supply chains, especially the so-called green hydrogen obtained in the process of electrolysis from electricity produced from RES. The aim of the research undertaken in the article is to identify the scope of research carried out in the area of hydrogen supply chains and to link this research with the issues of the operation of electricity distribution networks powered by RES. As a result of the scoping review, and the application of the text-mining method using the IRaMuTeQ tool, which includes the analysis of the content of 12 review articles presenting the current r... [more]

The purpose of the research is to study the aerodynamics and heat transfer in the duct of a high-temperature recuperation system. The object of the research is a flat duct with a thickness-to-height ratio a:b = 1:10, length c = 400·a with one-sided heat input to the duct surface, complicated heat transfer and mixed air movement in the duct. The objectives of the research are to determine: (a) average temperatures on the duct surfaces; (b) air temperature distribution along the length of the duct; (c) local and average integral temperature values along the length of the duct; (d) local and average integral heat flow densities on the duct surfaces; (e) local and average integral heat exchange coefficients and Nusselt numbers on the duct surfaces; and (f) pressure distribution along the length and total pressure drop in the duct. The research method is based on conducting a mathematical numerical experiment in a stationary three-dimensional Cartesian formulation and physical modeling of p... [more]

Evaporators used in organic Rankine cycles (ORC) are designed using existing flow boiling correlations that are mainly based on HVAC&R data. However, the ORC evaporators employed in the industry typically have larger diameters and operational conditions at higher reduced pressures compared to the HVAC&R applications. The present study presents the results of flow boiling heat transfer experiments in operational conditions that are representative for an industrial waste heat recovery low-temperature ORC’s evaporator tube, by being performed at high reduced pressures and in a large-diameter horizontal tube with R245fa as working fluid. The measurements are performed within a range of mass flux, saturation temperature and heat flux at 83−283 kg/m2s, 85−120 °C (8.9−19.2 bar) and 17−29 kW/m2, respectively. Test section is a round and plain horizontal carbon steel tube with 21 mm I.D., 2.5 m length. 513 local two-phase heat transfer coefficients are recorded. The experimental results are com... [more]

Recently, hydrogen (H2) has emerged as a superior energy carrier that has the potential to replace fossil fuel. However, storing H2 under safe and operable conditions is still a challenging process due to the current commercial method, i.e., H2 storage in a pressurised and liquified state, which requires extremely high pressure and extremely low temperature. To solve this problem, research on solid-state H2 storage materials is being actively conducted. Among the solid-state H2 storage materials, borohydride is a potential candidate for H2 storage owing to its high gravimetric capacity (majority borohydride materials release >10 wt% of H2). Mg(BH4)2, which is included in the borohydride family, shows promise as a good H2 storage material owing to its high gravimetric capacity (14.9 wt%). However, its practical application is hindered by high thermal decomposition temperature (above 300 °C), slow sorption kinetics and poor reversibility. Currently, the general research on the use of add... [more]

This paper proposes the Compound Inverse Rayleigh distribution as a proper model for the characterization of the probability distribution of extreme values of wind-speed. This topic is gaining interest in the field of renewable generation, from the viewpoint of assessing both wind power production and wind-tower mechanical reliability and safety. The first part of the paper illustrates such model starting from its origin as a generalization of the Inverse Rayleigh model by means of a continuous mixture generated by a Gamma distribution on the scale parameter, which gives rise to its name. Moreover, its validity for interpreting different field data is illustrated resorting to real wind speed data. Then, a novel Bayes approach for the estimation of such extreme wind-speed model is proposed. The method relies upon the assessment of prior information in a practical way, that should be easily available to system engineers. The results of a large set of numerical simulations—using typical v... [more]

This paper proposes a novel hybrid algorithm combining chaotic Jaya (CJaya) and sequential quadratic programming (SQP), namely CJaya-SQP, for solving the coordinated design problem of static var compensator (SVC) and power system stabilizers (PSSs). The CJaya serves as a global optimizer and the SQP as a local optimizer for fine-tuning the solution. In the proposed algorithm, chaotic maps are used to generate the initial solutions and control the search process. In order to prove the performance of the CJaya-SQP, a set of benchmark optimization problems is used where the results are compared with those of the basic Jaya and other recognized algorithms. The proposed optimization method is then applied for the optimal tuning of PSSs and SVC controllers in such a way that damping ratios and damping factors of the electromechanical modes are optimally improved. To illustrate the robustness of the CJaya-SQP-based coordinated PSSs and SVC controllers, the four-machine, two-area system is use... [more]

Few studies have drawn on any systematic research into the energy demand to produce polymer-based nanocomposites. Regarding the problem, it is well-known that single screw extrusion is an energy-intensive process, so the incorporation of energy meters must be considered to examine the energy efficiency of the process. In this study, the effect of a nanoclay addition on the energy demand of the extrusion process was examined by extruding recycled high-density polyethylene (rHDPE) and recycled polypropylene (rPP) with a gradual compression screw with both dispersive and distributive mixers. The rHDPE/rPP was modified by adding commercial organoclay (OMMT) (3 wt%) and olefin block copolymer (OBC) (5 wt%) as compatibilizers. The energy consumption was measured on the total energy of the extruder machine. Mass throughput (MT) and specific energy consumption (SEC) were obtained at different screw speeds (10, 20, 30, 40, 50 RPM). The SEC of OMMT and OMMT/OBC nanocomposites was 25−50% lower th... [more]

Combined heat and power (CHP) generation plants are an assessed valuable solution to significantly reduce primary energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. Nevertheless, the primary energy saving (PES) and CO2 reduction potentials of this solution are strictly related to the accurate definition and management of thermal and electric loads. Data-driven analysis could represent a significant contribution for optimizing the CHP plant design and operation and then to fully deploy this potential. In this paper, the use of a bi-level optimization approach for the design of a CHP is applied to a real application (a large Italian hospital in Rome). Based on historical data of the hospital thermal and electric demand, clustering analysis is applied to identify a limited number of load patterns representative of the annual load. These selected patterns are then used as input data in the design procedure. A Mixed Integer Linear Programming coupled with a Genetic Algorithm is implemented to... [more]

Off-grid technologies, such as solar home systems (SHS), offer the opportunity to alleviate global energy poverty, providing a cost-effective alternative to an electricity grid connection. However, there is a paucity of high-quality SHS electricity usage data and thus a limited understanding of consumers’ past and future usage patterns. This study addresses this gap by providing a rare large-scale analysis of real-time energy consumption data for SHS customers (n = 63,299) in Rwanda. Our results show that 70% of SHS users’ electricity usage decreased a year after their SHS was installed. This paper is novel in its application of a three-dimensional convolutional neural network (CNN) architecture for electricity load forecasting using time series data. It also marks the first time a CNN was used to predict SHS customers’ electricity consumption. The model forecasts individual households’ usage 24 h and seven days ahead, as well as an average week across the next three months. The last s... [more]

The success of the energy transition in Europe depends on the engagement of citizens and the sustainable replacement of conventional generation with renewable production. Highlights of the PAN European Technology Energy Research Approach (PANTERA) project, a H2020 coordination and support action, are presented in this paper. In broad terms, PANTERA offers a forum for actors in the smart grid to support the expansion of activities in smart grid research, demonstration, and innovation, especially in the below-average spending member states in the European Union (EU). The focus of this paper is on those activities of the project consortium related to the identification of gaps and barriers in regulations, standards, and network codes that hinder the sustainable engagement of energy citizens in the energy transition. The paper summarises the challenges to citizen engagement in the energy transit and considers the enablers that make the engagement of citizens viable, e.g., demand response (... [more]