Renewable energy resource utilisation is becoming more prevalent in society and can be a sustainable method to meet rising energy demand and consumption. The International Renewable Energy Agency reports that presently, approximately 33% of total electricity output around the world is from renewable energy sources. However, in Nigeria, the World Bank reported this figure as 18.2% in 2015. It is important to understand how Nigeria can raise this average as the world moves towards less use of fossil fuels. Therefore, the aim of this work was to provide a review of the established literature, which can then be used to support the development of renewable energy systems in Nigeria. The methodology employed for the study of the literature involved a systematic review method, including identification, screening, eligibility and inclusion criterium steps. Understanding the national energy landscape is essential to support potential projects, and consequently, energy supply, demand and consump... [more]

The cogeneration of power and heat was investigated for Biomass Boiler−Organic Rankine Cycle (BB−ORC) plants with the characteristics of typical units, such as the 1 MWel Turboden ORC 10 CHP. The thermodynamic analysis of the ORC unit was undertaken considering forty-two (42) dry and isentropic candidate pure working fluids. Only subcritical Rankine cycles were considered, and the pinch point temperature differences for the evaporation and condensation heat exchangers were kept constant at 10 °C in all cases. The study provides an original and unique screening of almost all pure working fluids that are considered appropriate in the literature under the same operation and optimization conditions and compiles them into a single reference. In its conclusions, the study provides useful fluid selection and design guidelines, which may be easily followed depending on the optimization objective of the ORC designer or operator. In general, hydrocarbons are found to lie in the optimum middle ra... [more]

The common design of thermal power plants is fundamentally oriented towards achieving a high-process performance, with market demands necessitating enhanced operational stability as a result of ongoing global support for renewable energy sources. Indeed, dynamic simulation represents one useful and cost-effective choice for optimizing the flexibility of parabolic trough power plants (PTPP) in a range of transient operating conditions, such as weather changes, resulting again in variations of the output load as well as varying start-up times. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of steady-state and dynamic modelling for PTPP design, development, and optimization. This gives us a greater opportunity for a broad understanding of the PTPPs subjected to a variety of irradiance solar constraints. The most important features of the steady-state and their uses are reviewed, and the most important programs used in steady-state modelling are also highlighted. In addition, the sta... [more]

Faults of mechanical transmission systems generally occur in the rotating bearing part at high speeds, which causes problems such as performance degradation of transmission, generation of noise or vibration, and additional damage to connected adjacent systems. In this way, faults cause adverse effects to the entire system, such as deterioration and damage. The early detection and correction of bearing problems allows for improved system safety and the reduction of maintenance costs, resulting in efficient system operation. As a result, a variety of methods have been developed by many researchers in order to diagnose bearing mechanical defects, and one of the most representative methods is applying various signal processing techniques to vibration data. Wavelet packet transform (WPT) and kurtogram were used in this study to identify the frequency band that contained the fault component, and the enhanced kurtogram technique was used to analyze the fault. A technique for minimizing the ef... [more]

The purpose of this paper is to identify the antecedence of business models for the renewable energy sector, characterise their concepts and structure, and assess the importance of innovation in the creation of value for the customer and for the business in the examined business models. According to the concept of K. Prahalad and M. S. Krishnan, an operational business model consists of three basic components. The first two are social architecture and technical architecture that represent specific resources. The third component comprises business processes. The operating business model according to the principles of the New Era of Innovation was used. The business models were presented as case studies of the following: a photovoltaic farm, a passive building and a local (communal) biogas plant. A desk research method was employed as well as triangulation of the research methods of non-participant observation, unstructured interview and business documentation review, in order to develop... [more]

After a large number of electric vehicles (EVs) are connected to the integrated energy system, disorderly charging and discharging of EVs will have a negative impact on the safe and stable operation of the system. In addition, EVs’ uncertain travel plans and the stochastic fluctuation of renewable energy output and load power will bring risks and challenges. In view of the above problems, this paper establishes a hierarchical stochastic optimal scheduling model of an electric thermal hydrogen integrated energy system (ETH-IES) considering the EVs vehicle-to-grid (V2G) mechanism. The EVs charging and discharging management layer aims to minimize the variance of the load curve and minimize the dissatisfaction of EV owners participating in V2G. The multi-objective sand cat swarm optimization (MSCSO) algorithm is used to solve the proposed model. On this basis, the daily stochastic economic scheduling of ETH-IES is carried out with the goal of minimizing the operation cost. The simulation... [more]

The control strategy is crucial for the effective and safe operation of the ORC system. A transient model of the ORC system was developed in the present work and validated by the experimental data of a 4 kW ORC prototype. Then, the effect of heat source temperature on the dynamic response and operation characteristics of the ORC system were analyzed. Five control strategies were compared: the constant working fluid mass flow rate mode, constant vapor superheat mode, constant vapor temperature mode, constant evaporation pressure mode and constant output power load mode. Under the constraint that the working fluid at the expander inlet should be superheated, we found that the constant vapor superheat mode enabled the safe operation with the largest range of heat source temperature, while the other four modes were only available for a certain temperature range. Apart from the constant output power mode, the constant evaporation pressure mode can also provide a relatively stable performanc... [more]

A CFBC (Circulating Fluidized Bed Combustor) boiler for combusted SRF (Solid Refused Fuel) is designed for solid waste combustion and power generation. The boiler consumes about 200 tons/day of SRF and generates 60 ton/h of steam or 10 MWe in electricity. The boiler is designed to burn pelletized waste fuel made of municipal solid waste collected from a town with a population of 400,000. Heat and mass balance calculations over the combustor and at each boiler section were performed and compared between the designed and measured data to analyze the boiler’s performance. After-combustion, the most significant phenomenon in low-density waste-derived fuel combustion in a CFBC boiler was monitored. The heat and mass balance were the most appropriate tools to analyze the boiler performance. The flow rate of spray water at the de-superheater was a reliable indicator to quantify the after-combustion. The design modification of the boiler unit for after-combustion control in the existing boiler... [more]

This paper develops a capped barrier option model to examine how a cap-and-trade mechanism affects an insurer’s guaranteed rate-setting behavior and policyholder protection in a financial gray rhino environment. Toward sustainability, the insurer explicitly captures the credit risk from the borrowing firms, participating in the cap-and-trade scheme to reduce carbon emissions, an essential issue of carbon emission and environmental protection when facing gray rhino threats. In addition, the energy economics and policy analysis are from the fund-providing insurer’s perspective. Green lending policies and life insurance policy loans (i.e., disintermediation related to insurance stability) are crucial to managers and regulators, particularly bridging the borrowing-firm carbon transactions for carbon emission reductions toward sustainability. We show that the shrinking regulatory cap of the cap-and-trade scheme harms policyholder protection, adversely affecting insurance stability. The harm... [more]

To enhance the control performance of a permanent magnet linear synchronous motor (PMLSM) and to improve its dynamic response performance and steady-state accuracy, a PMLSM model predictive integrated control (MPC) system based on a super-twisting sliding mode observer (ST-SMO) is proposed. According to the mathematical model of a PMLSM, this paper designs a three-step model to predict the comprehensive control correction factor, optimize the prediction speed and current, reduce the response time, and enhance the system’s stability. Meanwhile, in order to solve the problem of the PMLSM’s high dependence on mechanical sensors, the ST-SMO is introduced to observe the rotation speed of PMLSM, which has better tracking performance and observation accuracy than a traditional sliding mode observer (SMO). Finally, the experimental verification is carried out on the PMLSM experimental platform. The software simulation and hardware experiment results show that the control system designed in thi... [more]

One of the strategic goals of developed countries is to significantly increase the share of renewable energy sources in electricity generation. However, the process may be hindered by, e.g., the storage and transport of energy from renewable sources. The European Union countries see the development of the hydrogen economy as an opportunity to overcome this barrier. Therefore, since 2020, the European Union has been implementing a hydrogen strategy that will increase the share of hydrogen in the European energy mix from the current 2 percent to up to 13−14 percent by 2050. In 2021, following the example of other European countries, the Polish government adopted the Polish Hydrogen Strategy until 2030 with an outlook until 2040 (PHS). However, the implementation of the strategy requires significant capital expenditure and infrastructure modernisation, which gives rise to question as to whether Poland is likely to achieve the goals set out in the Polish Hydrogen Strategy and European Gree... [more]

The reservoir physical properties, pore types, diagenetic characteristics and reservoir quality controlling effect of the Xishanyao formation coal measure sandstone in the southern margin of the Junggar basin were discussed in this study based on thin section observation, high pressure mercury injection, low-temperature nitrogen adsorption and scanning electron microscope observation. The result shows that the porosity and permeability of the sandstone are generally low with a medium-high texture maturity and low compositional maturity. The sandstone storage space is mainly composed of residual intergranular pores, secondary dissolution pores, inter-crystalline pores and micro-fractures. The diagenetic stage of coal measure sandstone is in the mesodiagenesis A1-A2 stage, and their diagenetic interaction types mainly include compaction, cementation and dissolution. The reservoir quality of the coal measure sandstone deteriorates by compaction due to high matrix content and plastic debri... [more]

Use of nanoparticles as a method for enhancing oil recoveries has become an attractive prospect. Experimental evidence has shown that this technique possesses the ability to improve recoveries via wettability alteration and interfacial tension reduction amongst other strategies. In this study, we analyze the potential of nanoparticles employed in coreflood experiments. Low concentration acid was added to aid in the dispersion of the nanoparticles in the brine by protecting them from being aggregated, while enhancing the stimulation of the tight porous media. Electrokinetics was also implemented following a sequential as well as a simultaneous approach to further stimulate the fluids injected, controlling their mobility, and therefore, increasing the depth of penetration within the porous media. Several coreflood experiments were carried out on highly heterogeneous carbonate samples of Middle Eastern origin with permeabilities of around 0.1 mD. Zeta potential measurements were conducted... [more]

The date assumed as the beginning of the pandemic in Poland is 4 March 2020, the date of the first confirmed case of the virus. This article presents the actions undertaken by the management of underground hard coal mining plants concerning the risk of epidemic related to SARS-CoV-2. This work shows a set of implemented recommendations, guidelines and decisions, which were established after the appearance of the first wave of cases in Poland. What is more, it discusses measures aiming at reducing the risk of spreading the coronavirus among the mineworkers. The suggestions for different variants of the decision-making process concerning the pandemic and which have an enormous impact on the operating expenses of the company are also made. The paper presents the results of the study on actions taken in individual mining companies and good work practices recommended to be applied.

This paper mainly focuses on the investigation and analysis of a novel consequent-pole flux-intensifying memory machine (CP-FIMM). The proposed CP-FIMM exhibits the advantages of a satisfactory flux-regulation range, reduction of the required magnetizing current magnitude, as well as similar torque with much less PM utilization compared to its conventional counterpart. By designing the q-axis flux barriers, the flux-intensifying structure can be realized to enhance the demagnetization withstand capability of the CP-FIMM. The machine topology and operating principle are described. Moreover, the equivalent magnetic circuit model is developed to highlight the performance improvement of the proposed CP-FIMM. Finally, the electromagnetic performance of the proposed CP-FIMM is compared with that of a benchmark conventional FIMM by 2-D and 3-D finite element analysis.

Coal samples having the same diameter (50 mm) and different length-diameter ratios (l/d), i.e., 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, and 1.0 were tested under dynamic uniaxial impact compression using the Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) experimental system. This study evaluates: (a) The effects of l/d on the energy consumption law and fractal characteristics of coal crushing; (b) The effects of l/d and stress balance on energy dissipation; (c) The effects of l/d and energy consumption density on the fractal characteristics of coal crushing. The findings under different l/d are as follows: (1) The coal samples show similar stress−strain curve shapes in stages including elastic, plastic, and failure stage, which is an “open” shape, the proportion of plastic stage increases, and strain-softening occurs; (2) The dynamic compression dissipation energy and energy consumption ratio of coal shows the same trend, showing two stages with the increase of length-diameter ratio, which increases l... [more]

For high-voltage (HV) and partial discharge (PD) tests on high-voltage equipment, a resonant power frequency converter has recently been developed. A single-phase power frequency converter with a resonant tuning and filter circuit and an HV testing transformer comprise the developed system. A difficulty in the tuning and filter circuit design is the unknown testing system circuit parameters, including unknown parasitic inductance, capacitance, and internal resistance. In this paper, a system with a voltage rating of 75 kVrms, apparent power of 40 kVA, and an operating frequency from 50 Hz to 200 Hz is considered for determination of the equivalent circuit parameters. From the determined circuit parameters, the appropriate resonant tuning and filter circuit was designed effectively. The transfer functions of the input and output testing voltages, along with the transfer impedance of the input voltage and signal voltage of the PD measuring port, were analyzed. The system design was verif... [more]

The large net torque fluctuations in the reducer output shafts of conventional beam pumping units and the existence of negative torque are the decisive factors that lead to their low efficiency and high energy consumption. This study developed a positive torque modulation scheme for conventional beam pumping units, which was based on the principle of the follow-up secondary balance of the connecting rod. The CYJ10-4.2-53HF conventional beam pumping unit was selected as the research object. The kinematic and dynamic simulation analysis of the modified pumping unit was carried out using ADAMS software. The results showed that secondary balance torque curves could realize the function of “peak cutting and valley filling” for the curves after the primary balance and that the modified pumping unit could achieve a full-cycle positive value for the reducer output shaft and verify the feasibility of our modulation scheme. A secondary balance offset angle of 315° was the best choice as the ampl... [more]

The development of fully electric and hybrid electric aircraft using fuel cells and batteries has lately received much attention since the technology can contribute to achieving an emission-free world. For hybridisation of fuel cells and batteries, the challenge of integrating different voltage sources to supply power to different loads at different voltage levels has to be met. Presently, this is achieved by using a combination of complex passive circuitry and DC−DC converters. In this paper, a new galvanically isolated DC−DC converter topology is proposed; it integrates a battery and fuel cells as input sources and supplies power to a high voltage (HV) and a low voltage (LV) load simultaneously. The converter enables power flow from the sources to the load, as well as between the sources and power flow back towards the battery during recuperation for recharging the battery during flight. The functionality of the converter design is verified using a real-time (RT) hardware-in-the-loop... [more]

Against a background of the energy internet and low-carbon electricity, regional integrated energy system (RIES) has become a key way to achieve sustainable energy development, leading to reduced operating costs and system carbon emissions, and improved system operating efficiency. This paper puts forward a low-carbon economic dispatching optimization method for RIES with a heating network and power-to-gas (P2G). First, the heating network model and the mathematical model of P2G were constructed. Second, the carbon trading mechanism was introduced, the objective function being: to minimize the sum of the system operating cost and carbon trading cost; and ensure that the balance of cooling, heating, electric power, and the operating constraints—of RIES and the heating network—were comprehensively considered. Finally, the CPLEX optimization software simulation was used. The results show that the proposed method can take into account both low-carbon and economic factors, and can provide a... [more]

One of the key contemporary economic and social issues today is the global energy transition [...]

This paper presents a framework for photovoltaic (PV) fault detection based on statistical, supervised, and unsupervised machine learning (ML) approaches. The research is motivated by a need to develop a cost-effective solution that detects the fault types within PV systems based on a real dataset with a minimum number of input features. We discover the appropriate conditions for method selection and establish how to minimize computational demand from different ML approaches. Subsequently, the PV dataset is labeled as a result of clustering and classification. The labelled dataset is then trained using various ML models before evaluating each based on accuracy, precision, and a confusion matrix. Notably, an accuracy ranging from 94% to 100% is achieved with datasets from two different PV systems. The model robustness is affirmed by performing the approach on an additional real-world dataset that exhibits noise and missing values.

Over the past decade, hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) has emerged as a promising thermochemical pathway for treating and converting wet wastes into fuel, materials, and chemicals [...]

Finite-set model predictive controls have been widely used in inverter control because of the flexible target control and no need of a modulation unit. However, the mismatching of prediction model parameters produces prediction errors, resulting in a significant decline in the performance of finite-set model predictive controls. Aiming at the problem of model parameter mismatch, an extended-state observer was proposed to accurately estimate the disturbance of the system in this paper, and the obtained disturbance value was added to a finite-set model predictive control controller to compensate for the prediction error and achieve parameter robustness. By constructing a prediction model of the inverter output voltage in αβ coordinates, all the possible output voltage values were predicted by using different voltage vectors and system measurement values. A set of voltage vectors that minimized the cost function was selected, and its corresponding switching state was applied to the invert... [more]

The evolution of bio-based composites in the building industry is strongly linked with the growing demand for sustainable development, which is relevant nowadays. Hemp shives are a large group of organic residues that are obtained in the process of oil extraction as well as straw processing. These residues could be utilized along with a binder as constituents in the manufacture of bio-based building composites. This study is focused on the impact of density and relative humidity on the effective thermal conductivity of hemp shive-based bio-composites with a magnesium binder. For this reason, a series of samples with variable densities was manufactured and subjected to conditioning in a climatic chamber at a constant temperature and different relative humidity settings. As soon as samples were stabilized, the guarded hot plate method was applied to determine their thermal conductivities. Before each measurement, great care was taken during sample preparation to ensure minimum moisture l... [more]