Green hydrogen from photocatalytic water-splitting and photocatalytic lignocellulosic reforming is a significant proposition for renewable energy storage in global net-zero policies and strategies. Although photocatalytic water-splitting and photocatalytic lignocellulosic reforming have been investigated, their integration is novel. Furthermore, biosynthesis can store the evolved hydrogen and fix the atmospheric carbon dioxide in a biocathode chamber. The biocathode chamber is coupled to the combined photocatalytic water-splitting and lignocellulose oxidation in an anode chamber. This integrated system of anode and biocathode mimics a (bio)electrosynthesis system. A visible solar radiation-driven novel hybrid system comprising photocatalytic water-splitting, lignocellulose oxidation, and atmospheric CO2 fixation is, thus, investigated. It must be noted that there is no technology for reducing atmospheric CO2 concentration. Thus, our novel intensified technology enables renewable and su... [more]

In this study, the performance evaluation of a semi-type floating offshore wind turbine system according to the direction of the incoming waves is investigated. The target model in this this study is a DTU 10 MW reference wind turbine and a LIFES50+ OO-Star Wind Floater Semi 10 MW, which is the semisubmersible platform. Numerical simulation is performed using FAST developed by National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), which is an aero-hydro-servo-elastic fully coupled simulation tool. The analysis condition used in this study is the misalignment condition, which is the wind direction fixed at 0 degree and the wave direction changed at 15 degrees intervals. In this study, two main contents could be confirmed. First, it is confirmed that sway, roll, and yaw motions occur even though the direction of the incoming waves is 0 degree. The cause of the platform’s motion such as sway, roll and yaw is the turbulent wind and gyroscope phenomenon. In addition, the optimal value for the nacelle... [more]

Electro-mechanical transmission is the best choice for the transmission system of military, engineering and other heavy special vehicles. The scheme design is fundamental and key to realize the original innovation of the electro-mechanical transmission. Therefore, a novel design method of a planetary-gear scheme is proposed for electro-mechanical transmission. According to the distribution of mechanical points and the speed continuous condition of mode switching, the mode combination law of a dual-mode electro-mechanical transmission is obtained, i.e., the input split mode based on the scheme of three-degree-of-freedom (3-DOF) and the compound split mode based on the scheme of 2-DOF. Moreover, a design method for an electro-mechanical transmission scheme is proposed based on the mode combination law. Two single-mode schemes are combined to form a dual-mode scheme, and then mode jointing, control logic, isomorphism and other screening conditions are in turn used to screen schemes; there... [more]

This work is focused on the numerical determination of Shannon probabilistic entropy for MEMS devices exhibiting some uncertainty in their structural response. This entropy is a universal measure of statistical or stochastic disorder in static deformation or dynamic vibrations of engineering systems and is available for both continuous and discrete distributions functions of structural parameters. An interval algorithm using Monte Carlo simulation and polynomial structural response recovery has been implemented to demonstrate an uncertainty propagation of the forced vibrations in some small MEMS devices. A computational example includes stochastic nonlinear vibrations described by the Duffing equation calibrated for some micro-resonators, whose damping is adopted as a Gaussian, uniformly and triangularly distributed input uncertainty source.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) implementation represents an important contribution to circular economy (CE). In recent months, these goals have been modified given the significant changes resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Research shows increasing interests in revealing the efficiency of design in order to pursue new business models as sources of innovation that can contribute to SDGs. Nevertheless, the realization of SDGs is not easy on the level of enterprises and regions. Here, our research goal was to describe the role of design in business model re-design for SDGs implementation. It was presumed that during the pandemic, entrepreneurs significantly modified business models, emphasizing aspects of sustainable development. In order to verify this assumption, desk research was combined with qualitative research. Data were gathered from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and experts. The research raises the point of the underestimated role of design as a determinant o... [more]

In recent decades, it has become quite clear that the dynamics of the environmental matrix have been subjected to notable changes [...]

Reliable and comprehensive choice of a suitable domestic heat pump for a common dwelling house is discussed in the paper. The application of common and freely available market information about possible heat pump options is considered in this regard. The intangibility, imperfect nature, and overload of available information, as well as a common issue amongst interested homeowners—scarce critical resource availability, e.g., financial means—are also dealt with. A specific, universal multistage decision support procedure is proposed in the paper to help a houseowner to make an informed heat pump choice. At first, a concept of a pairwise comparison and a notion of dominance under imperfect information are utilized to build a kind of option hierarchy. A particular heat pump device is then recommended by means of exploring consecutive option hierarchy levels and an actual houseowner’s critical resource capacity in a non-commensurable manner. It seems that this joint application of common im... [more]

This article proposes a review of the modeling approaches for floating offshore wind turbines (FOWTs) for nonlinear control design. The aerodynamic, hydrodynamic and mooring line dynamic modules for the FOWT have been reviewed to provide an overview of several modeling approaches with their respective features. Next, three control-oriented models from the literature are revisited by presenting their methodological approaches to modeling and identification. These three models cover the three most popular types of FOWTs. Then, the performances of these models are validated with the open fatigue, aerodynamics, structures, and turbulence (OpenFAST) code, and their performances are evaluated according to several criteria. Finally, one of the three models is used to illustrate a nonlinear second-order sliding mode control based on the twisting algorithm to optimize the performance of the FOWT in terms of energy extraction and reduction in the platform pitch oscillation.

Before carbon capture and storage technologies can truly be promoted and applied, and nuclear or renewable energy power generation can become predominant, it is important to further develop more efficient and ultra-low emission USC units on the basis of leveraging the strengths of CFB technology. In view of this complex system with strong nonlinearity such as the boiler-turbine unit of a thermal power unit, the establishment of a model that is suitable for control is indispensable for the operation and the economics of the process. In this study the form of the nonlinear model after linearization at the steady-state point has been fully considered and an improved subspace identification method, which is based on the steady-state point deviations data, was proposed in order to identify a piecewise affine model. In addition, the construction of the excitation signal in practical applications has been fully considered. The identification results demonstrate that this method has a better a... [more]

Integrating inverter-based generators in power systems introduces several challenges to conventional protection relays. The fault characteristics of these generators depend on the inverters’ control strategy, which matters in the detection and classification of the fault. This paper presents a comprehensive machine-learning-based approach for detecting and classifying faults in transmission lines connected to inverter-based generators. A two-layer classification approach was considered: fault detection and fault type classification. The faults were comprised of different types at several line locations and variable fault impedance. The features from instantaneous three-phase current and voltages and calculated swing-center voltage (SCV) were extracted in time, frequency, and time−frequency domains. A photovoltaic (PV) and a Doubly-Fed Induction Generator (DFIG) wind farm plant were the considered renewable resources. The unbalanced data problem was investigated and mitigated using the... [more]

The ongoing energy transformation, which is fueled by environmentally cautious policies, demands a full synergy with existing back-up gas turbines (GTs). Renewable energy sources (RESs), such as wind and solar, are intermittent by nature and present large variations across the span of the day, seasons, and geographies. The gas turbine is seen as an essential part of the energy transition because of its superior operational flexibility over other non-renewable counterparts, such as hydro and nuclear. Besides the technical aspects, the latter are less popular due to controversies associated with safety, ecological, and social aspects. GTs can produce when required and with acceptable reaction times and load ranges. This allows a balance between the energy supply and demand in the grid, mitigating the variations in RESs. The increased cycling due to operational flexibility has adverse effects on GT components and the unit efficiency. The latter dictates how well GTs make use of the burned... [more]

The Urban Heat Island (UHI) has a detrimental impact on human thermal comfort and the health of city dwellers through raising average temperatures. Urban geometry is one of the factors that affect the intensity of the UHI phenomena. The purpose of this research is to evaluate and compare traditional vs. modern urban forms with respect to temperature and thermal comfort in the United Arab Emirates. Three of each were chosen based on their densities and form. Traditional buildings in the UAE differ from others in the Middle East in that they are primarily single-story, while in the surrounding countries of the region, such as Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia, they are mainly two stories. The UAE climate also has its distinct characteristics. Each configuration was investigated using the ENVI-met urban microclimate simulation software. The comparisons were made for three seasons: summer, winter, and spring. Each configuration was evaluated through four parameters: building shape, street geome... [more]

The well-being of human populations and their sustainable development are strongly predicated on energy and food security. This is even more true of Africa due to often suboptimal food production, undernourishment, and extreme poverty. This article researches the relationship between energy and food security using Cobb−Douglas production functions based on the World Development Indicators data for 28 African countries. The methodological approach includes cross-sectional dependence and unit root tests, instrumental variables two-stage least-squares and generalized method of moments, and panel Driscoll−Kraay standard errors. Results suggest that the promotion of energy security promotes food security. This is possible because food production and distribution are energy-intensive. Therefore, energy is fundamental to achieving food security and zero hunger. The availability, affordability, accessibility, and acceptability of energy can thus help to fix the growing agricultural production... [more]

Wind is a renewable and green energy source that is vital for sustainable human development. Wind variability implies that wind power is random, intermittent, and volatile. For the reliable, stable, and secure operation of an electrical grid incorporating wind power systems, a multi-hour ahead wind power forecasting system comprising a physics-based model, a multi-criteria decision making scheme, and two artificial intelligence models was proposed. Specifically, a Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model was used to produce wind speed forecasts. A technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) scheme was employed to construct a 5-in-1 (ensemble) WRF model relying on 1334 initial ensemble members. Two adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) models were utilised to correct the wind speed forecasts and determine a power curve model converting the improved wind speed forecasts to wind power forecasts. Moreover, three common statistics-based forecasting... [more]

Improving the control of flexible assets in distribution grids, e.g., battery storages, electric vehicle charging points, and heat pumps, can balance power peaks caused by high renewable power generation or load to prevent overloading the grid infrastructure. Renewable energy communities, introduced as part of the recast of the Renewable Energy Directive, provide a regulatory framework for this. As a multi-site energy management method, they can tap flexibility potential. The present work quantifies stimulus for renewable energy communities to incentivize the grid-friendly operation of flexible assets, depending on the shares of participants in rural, suburban, and urban grid topologies. Results indicate that an operation of the community, driven by maximizing the economic benefits of its members, does not clearly reduce the annual peak load at the low-voltage substation, while the operation strategy of a grid-friendly renewable energy community achieves a peak power reduction of 23−55... [more]

Vernier permanent-magnet machines have been attracted more and more attention because of their high torque density. In this paper, the sensorless control strategy of the novel axially magnetized Vernier permanent-magnet (AMVPM) machine is presented. First, the inductance non-linearity is investigated under different load conditions. Second, the mathematical model is established in cooperation with the finite element method. After that, the back electromotive force based sensorless control strategy is developed according to the state equation of the motor. In the sensorless drive, the model reference adaptive system (MRAS) technique incorporated with the inductance non-linearity is used for the speed estimation. The modified control strategy not only increases the stability but also improves the dynamic response of the system. Finally, the simulation results show that the modified MRAS is of high estimation precision, and the AMVPM machine can be well controlled, and the experimental re... [more]

The increasing use of fossil fuels as an energy source has resulted in a serious problem regarding two of their main drawbacks: (i) the exhaustion of these resources and (ii) the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with their use [...]

There is much interest in alternative energy sources for greenhouse heating and cooling, due to the impact of severe climatic conditions and increasing fossil fuel prices. The main objective of this study was to experimentally evaluate the performance of an air-to-water heat pump (AWHP) system to fulfil the cooling and heating energy requirements of a three-spanned greenhouse under local weather conditions in Daegu, South Korea. For this purpose, a system comprising three air-to-water heat pumps, a water storage tank, and fan coil units (FCU)s was designed. Experiments were conducted extensively during the summer and winter seasons. The maximum heating and cooling energy supply to the greenhouse was 210 kcal∙h−1∙m−2 and 230 kcal∙h−1∙m−2, respectively. Based on the outcomes of this study, the AWHP system can provide heating during the winter season. During the summer season, the FCU capacity was insufficient to provide the desired cooling to achieve the setpoint air temperature inside t... [more]

A three-phase voltage source converter (VSC) is the most common power electronic device in power systems, but its inherent nonlinearity leads to complex AC-DC harmonic coupling phenomena. Existing studies focus on the harmonic coupling characteristics of three-phase VSCs under three-phase symmetrical conditions, but the problem under asymmetrical conditions is rarely investigated. This paper proposes a practical modeling method for harmonic state space (HSS) modeling of the VSC topology, together with a classic T/4-delay-based decoupled double synchronous reference frame (DDSRF) control system. The steady-state phase shift characteristics of the T/4 delay link for each frequency component are first analyzed, and the expansion method of the DDSRF controller in the HSS frame is derived. Compared with the conventional method, the proposed technique can provide an accurate description of the steady-state effect of the delay link without introducing additional state variables and, therefore... [more]

Wave energy is a renewable energy source with the potential to contribute to the global electricity demand, but a remaining challenge is the survivability of the wave energy converters in harsh offshore conditions. To understand the system dynamics and improve the reliability, experimental and numerical studies are usually conducted. However, these processes are costly and time-consuming. A statistical model able to provide equivalent results is a promising approach. In this study, the digital twin of the CFD solution is developed and implemented for the prediction of the force in the mooring system of a point-absorber wave energy converter during extreme wave conditions. The results show that the digital twin can predict the mooring force with 90.36% average accuracy. Moreover, the digital twin needs only a few seconds to provide the solution, while the CFD code requires up to several days. By creating a digital analog of a wave energy converter and showing that it is able to predict... [more]

The imbalance between the supply and demand of electricity is becoming expansive due to the increase in renewable energy penetration. Consequently, the time-varying electricity price is proposed as a tool to manage the mismatch. To cope with the electricity price difference across time and to extract the benefit to the limit, an energy storage system (ESS) can be a good tool to smooth out electricity usage. Nevertheless, ESS can be expensive due to the high installation cost and centrally managed system. In this paper, we propose a distributed ESS installed in each home appliance. Separately installed batteries can avoid sizeable initial investment costs. We calculated the benefit of the system that mainly stemmed from the electricity price difference and compared the benefits across various sizes of the battery system. In addition, the charging/discharging schedule depends on the power consumption profile and electricity price distribution. Decreasing battery prices and rising electri... [more]

This study focuses on the empirical verification of the influence of rural specificity on energy poverty across European Union countries, in the period 2010−2020. The research aimed at specifying the role of the agricultural character of a country, as well as economic disparities between rural and urban areas, in inducing problems of energy affordability. Based on the literature consensus about the most important determinants of energy poverty, namely income, energy prices, energy productivity, quality of dwellings, and climate conditions, a standard model was constructed concerning the role of the rural character of an economy, with its traditional features such as agricultural employment, and indices of rural−urban divide, in terms of median income and material poverty. Models for panel data with fixed effects were estimated. The results indicate agricultural employment as a factor increasing the subjective energy poverty of households. However, the scale of rural settlement cannot b... [more]

Photovoltaic (PV) plants can be built rapidly when compared with other conventional electrical plants; hence, they are a competent candidate for supplying the electricity grid. The output power of the PV modules can be used in plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) DC charging stations to reduce the burden on the electricity grid, particularly during peak load hours. To integrate PV modules and electric vehicles (EVs) with the electricity grid, the modular multilevel converters (MMCs) topologies producing staircase voltage waveforms are preferred as they are able to deliver less total harmonic distortion (THD) and higher efficiency in addition to lower voltage stress on semiconductor switches. In conventional centralized MMC topologies, a direct connection to a high-DC-link input voltage is required which is not appropriate for PV plants. A new MMC topology for PV/EV/grid integration is proposed in this paper, where the individual PV arrays are directly connected to each phase of the AC grid... [more]

Energy transformation in the European Union countries is progressing. Its scope is defined by formal and legal regulations and its effectiveness by the position of decision-makers, legitimised by public support for a particular type of challenge. Both issues are the focus of this article. The promotion of environmental protection measures is currently strongly promoted globally. Hence the widespread acceptance in principle of the changes associated with the implementing of the Green New Deal in the energy sector is not surprising. However, to what extent is knowledge of the solutions constituting the mainstream transition (renewable energy sources) ingrained among communities? Does the level of public awareness influence individual consumer choices, modelling the market? The threads outlined above inspired deliberations focused on analysing the assumptions behind energy transition in the EU, with particular reference to the countries directly bordering the line of the ongoing conflict... [more]

Metal-Organic Frameworks have attracted profound attention the latest years for use in environmental applications. They can offer a broad variety of functions due to their tunable porosity, high surface area and metal activity centers. Not more than ten years ago, they have been applied experimentally for the first time in energy storage devices, such as batteries. Specifically, MOFs have been investigated thoroughly as potential materials hosting the oxidizing agent in the cathode electrode of several battery systems such as Lithium Batteries, Metal-Ion Batteries and Metal-Air Batteries. The aim of this review is to provide researchers with a summary of the electrochemical properties and performance of MOFs recently implemented in battery cathodes in order to provide fertile ground for further exploration of performance-oriented materials. In the following sections, the basic working principles of each battery system are briefly defined, and special emphasis is dedicated to MOF-based... [more]