sustainability-logo

Journal Browser

Journal Browser

Renewable Energy Conversion and Management

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (11 September 2022) | Viewed by 14423

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Renewable Energy Systems and Recycling Research Centre, Transilvania University of Brasov, Brașov, Romania
Interests: small hydropower; wind energy; conversion systems; hybrid systems; energy efficiency; product design and development
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Renewable Energy Systems and Recycling Research Centre, Transilvania University of Brasov, 500036 Brasov, Romania
Interests: wind power system; planetary speed increaser; counter-rotating wind turbine; dynamics; power flow; modeling; simulation; artificial intelligence; product design and development
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Design of Mechanical Elements and Systems R&D Centre, Transilvania University of Brasov, 500036 Brasov, Romania
Interests: renewable energy systems; counter-rotating wind turbines; dynamics of planetary speed increasers; solar tracking systems; product design and development
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to invite you to publish your latest research results in this Special Issue of the Sustainability journal on Renewable Energy Conversion and Management.

The climate change and the continuously increasing demand in the energy sector all over the world require urgent actions for the widespread use of renewable energy sources in the effort of nations to increase the total share of energy obtained from renewables. The efficient energy production and energy intelligent management are key issues in meeting the global goal of 100% energy from renewables by 2050. Consequently, the research in the renewable energy field is trying to identify solutions to respond to all the challenges that the world is facing nowadays and in the future in the energy sector. Thus, topics like better use of the renewable energy potential, accurate forecasting, increase of energy conversion efficiency, the use of computational intelligence techniques in energy management are several goals which definitely pose a major challenge to researchers and designers in the field. Besides, sun, wind, water, biomass and geothermal energies are the main sources of renewable energy, some of them being unpredictable and site-dependent. The research in the field of hybrid energy systems tries to overcome these disadvantages and to offer solutions both for on-grid and off-grid applications.

This Special Issue is aiming to gather new research results and future trends in the field of renewable energy conversion and management, covering a broad range of topics related to the renewable energy sources, the energy conversion system design and optimization and the energy management, but not limited at:

  • Renewable energy potential and forecasting
  • Design and optimization of renewable energy systems
  • Renewable hybrid energy systems
  • Renewable energy conversion efficiency
  • Energy management
  • Renewable energy communities.

Review papers and articles based on multidisciplinary research are also encouraged.

Prof. Dr. Codruta Jaliu
Prof. Dr. Mircea Neagoe
Prof. Dr. Radu Gabriel Săulescu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • solar energy
  • wind power
  • hydropower
  • tidal power
  • wave power
  • geothermal energy
  • biomass
  • biofuel
  • renewable municipal waste
  • forecasting
  • renewable energy potential
  • energy conversion system
  • hybrid systems
  • energy management
  • energy efficiency
  • optimization of energy systems
  • artificial intelligence
  • life cycle assessment
  • environmental impact assessments
  • modelling
  • simulation
  • experimental testing
  • energy supply security
  • energy storage
  • energy regulation
  • energy policy
  • integration of renewable energy
  • renewable energy communities

Published Papers (5 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

17 pages, 1924 KiB  
Article
Identifying and Explaining Public Preferences for Renewable Energy Sources in Qatar
by Ahmed K. Nassar
Sustainability 2022, 14(21), 13835; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142113835 - 25 Oct 2022
Viewed by 1787
Abstract
As a major natural gas and oil producer, Qatar has made significant strides towards its energy transition. This paper uses a survey research design with statistical tests to investigate citizens’ preferences for a wide range of energy resources. In this study, participants were [...] Read more.
As a major natural gas and oil producer, Qatar has made significant strides towards its energy transition. This paper uses a survey research design with statistical tests to investigate citizens’ preferences for a wide range of energy resources. In this study, participants were asked to prioritize energy sources based on their environmental impact, price, benefits to Qatar’s economy, support of energy security, and ability to create jobs. The results showed that approximately two-thirds of the sample (n = 354) preferred renewable energy sources, particularly solar, which ranks first. Renewable energy sources were more likely to be favored by the group with greater knowledge of energy sources than those with limited knowledge, except for solar energy, which was preferred by both groups. Additionally, both natural gas and wind rank second in terms of preference, followed by hydropower. In contrast, nuclear power was not ranked, indicating a strong opposition to this type of energy. The study provides an evidence-based example of the tendency of citizens in a hydrocarbon-rich country to prefer renewable energy sources and natural gas. The energy policymakers need to collaborate with local communities so that citizens can participate in important future energy discussions to develop a personal connection to climate solutions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Conversion and Management)
Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 3298 KiB  
Article
Solar PV-Based Electric Vehicle Charging Station for Security Bikes: A Techno-Economic and Environmental Analysis
by Aqib Shafiq, Sheeraz Iqbal, Salman Habib, Atiq ur Rehman, Anis ur Rehman, Ali Selim, Emad M. Ahmed and Salah Kamel
Sustainability 2022, 14(21), 13767; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142113767 - 24 Oct 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4871
Abstract
Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming more attractive for a variety of reasons. One of the major advantages of EVs is that they emit fewer polluted gases. Other factors that must be addressed include an increase in fuel prices and a decline in energy [...] Read more.
Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming more attractive for a variety of reasons. One of the major advantages of EVs is that they emit fewer polluted gases. Other factors that must be addressed include an increase in fuel prices and a decline in energy resources such as fossil fuels. These characteristics have a greater impact on Pakistan’s clean and green image. Electric vehicles are becoming an attractive option for reducing global fossil fuel usage, as well as CO2 emissions, from road transportation. The electricity required to charge an EV’s battery is commonly sourced from the power grid. When EVs are charged by the electrical grid, there are significant power constraints in the system. To promote renewable energy consumption and reduce CO2 emissions, specific solar system-based charging stations should be designed. Other benefits of renewable energy generation include increased grid flexibility and reduced grid congestion. Moreover, the State of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan, has a huge potential for solar energy. This article investigates the possibility of designing a solar photovoltaic-based EV charging station for security bikes located in the State of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. Before installing a PV charging station, the charging station’s feasibility must be studied. The proposed study also analyzes the power reliability, energy cost, and CO2 emissions of a PV-powered charging station. The proposed system’s outcomes are compared to grid-based charging stations. In comparison to other existing approaches, there is a significant reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, including CO2, CO, SO2, and NOX. The proposed study anticipates the economic and environmental benefits of EV charging stations powered by renewable energy resources. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Conversion and Management)
Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 317 KiB  
Article
Pathways to Sustainable Deployment of Solar Photovoltaic Policies in 20 Leading Countries Using a Qualitative Comparative Analysis
by Yujie Lu, Fangxin Yi, Shaocong Yu, Yangtian Feng and Yujuan Wang
Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 5858; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14105858 - 12 May 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1551
Abstract
The paper investigates the pathways and combinations of factors for the sustainable development of solar photovoltaic policies using a QCA analysis of 20 leading countries. The main finding of this research is the causal relationship between the selected contributing factors and sustainability of [...] Read more.
The paper investigates the pathways and combinations of factors for the sustainable development of solar photovoltaic policies using a QCA analysis of 20 leading countries. The main finding of this research is the causal relationship between the selected contributing factors and sustainability of the policy outcomes, which is interpreted as high/low GDP with a high democracy level, high fossil-fuel consumption and high LCOE being related to the deployment of market-based policies which include target, FiT and others (subsidies, tax, loans, TGC/RPS); while high/low GDP, low level of PV penetration, high RE investment, and high R&D expenditure contributes to more successful technological-R&D-based policies which include R&D funding and demonstration programs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Conversion and Management)
15 pages, 2859 KiB  
Article
Energy Potential of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) Fiber from Subsequent Cultivation of Volvariella volvacea (Bull.) Singer
by Noor Azrimi Umor, Sumaiyah Abdullah, Azhar Mohamad, Shahrul Bin Ismail, Siti Izera Ismail and Azizah Misran
Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13008; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313008 - 24 Nov 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3098
Abstract
EFB and EFB-based mushroom compost (SMC) from Volvariella volvacea cultivation is a promising energy feedstock because it has adequate nutrient quality. The biochemical methane potential (BMP) and calorific value (CV) of this biomass are investigated. Other analyses such as proximate, compositional, and final [...] Read more.
EFB and EFB-based mushroom compost (SMC) from Volvariella volvacea cultivation is a promising energy feedstock because it has adequate nutrient quality. The biochemical methane potential (BMP) and calorific value (CV) of this biomass are investigated. Other analyses such as proximate, compositional, and final analysis; thermogravimetric analysis (TGA); and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) are also performed. The biomass samples consist of two types of EFB, namely fibers (F) and pellets (P) and SMC from the subsequent cultivation of Volvariella volvacea, with samples FS and PS from the first cultivation and FS2 and PS2 from the second cultivation. P produces the highest biological efficiency (BE) of 28% compared to 9.83% for F. Subsequent cultivation with FS and PS then produces only 2.9 and 6.83% of BE. A higher amount of methane is measured in samples P and PS2, while better biodegradability is observed in PS2 and FS2, suggesting that subsequent cultivation is a good pretreatment of the substrate for anaerobic digestion (AD). CV is highest in F (20.57 MJ/kg), followed by P (19.06 MJ/kg), which is comparable to commercial wood pellet. Samples F, FS, and FS2 have higher ash content, which is due to higher mineral content. The cellulose composition is reduced to almost 50% during cultivation due to fungal metabolism, which is also evidenced by FTIR analysis. TGA analysis revealed that EFB-based SMC exhibits higher weight loss during combustion compared to EFB, which reduces its thermal properties. SMC of EFB is a high potential biomethane feedstock, but not recommended as a fuel pellet. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Conversion and Management)
Show Figures

Figure 1

31 pages, 8600 KiB  
Article
Optimal Allocation of Multiple Types of Distributed Generations in Radial Distribution Systems Using a Hybrid Technique
by Ali Selim, Salah Kamel, Amal A. Mohamed and Ehab E. Elattar
Sustainability 2021, 13(12), 6644; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13126644 - 10 Jun 2021
Cited by 27 | Viewed by 2018
Abstract
In recent years, the integration of distributed generators (DGs) in radial distribution systems (RDS) has received considerable attention in power system research. The major purpose of DG integration is to decrease the power losses and improve the voltage profiles that directly lead to [...] Read more.
In recent years, the integration of distributed generators (DGs) in radial distribution systems (RDS) has received considerable attention in power system research. The major purpose of DG integration is to decrease the power losses and improve the voltage profiles that directly lead to improving the overall efficiency of the power system. Therefore, this paper proposes a hybrid optimization technique based on analytical and metaheuristic algorithms for optimal DG allocation in RDS. In the proposed technique, the loss sensitivity factor (LSF) is utilized to reduce the search space of the DG locations, while the analytical technique is used to calculate initial DG sizes based on a mathematical formulation. Then, a metaheuristic sine cosine algorithm (SCA) is applied to identify the optimal DG allocation based on the LSF and analytical techniques instead of using random initialization. To prove the superiority and high performance of the proposed hybrid technique, two standard RDSs, IEEE 33-bus and 69-bus, are considered. Additionally, a comparison between the proposed techniques, standard SCA, and other existing optimization techniques is carried out. The main findings confirmed the enhancement in the convergence of the proposed technique compared with the standard SCA and the ability to allocate multiple DGs in RDS. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Conversion and Management)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop