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17 pages, 4121 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Techno-Environmental Evaluation and Optimization of a Hybrid System: Application of Numerical Simulation and Gray Wolf Algorithm in Saudi Arabia

by Hisham Alghamdi and Aníbal Alviz-Meza

Sustainability 2023, 15(18), 13284; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151813284 - 05 Sep 2023

Viewed by 972

Abstract

Renewable energy systems have the potential to address increasing energy demand, mitigate environmental degradation, and decrease reliance on fossil fuels. Wind and solar power are examples of renewable energy sources that are characterized by their cleanliness, environmental friendliness, and sustainability. The combination of [...] Read more.

Renewable energy systems have the potential to address increasing energy demand, mitigate environmental degradation, and decrease reliance on fossil fuels. Wind and solar power are examples of renewable energy sources that are characterized by their cleanliness, environmental friendliness, and sustainability. The combination of wind and solar energy is motivated by each energy source’s inherent variability. The objective of this study is to assess the technical, economic, and environmental aspects of a hybrid system designed to provide energy. This study utilizes numerical simulation and develops a novel model using the gray wolf optimization (GWO) algorithm to assess the technical, economic, and environmental consequences of adopting a hybrid system. The evaluation focused on determining the optimal configuration of a greenhouse unit in Najran, Saudi Arabia, over a period of 20 years. The results showed that the diesel generator produced 42% of the required energy when combined with photovoltaic generators, while photovoltaics produced 58%. The wind turbine generated 23% of the required power while the remaining 77% was produced by the diesel generator. Finally, diesel generators, photovoltaics, wind turbines were observed to generate 37%, 48%, and 15% of the required energy, respectively. This outcome is consistent with current knowledge because solar and wind systems reduce pollution. However, the diesel generator–photovoltaic–wind mode is the preferred method of reducing emissions. Finally, the rate of return on investment for diesel generators is 3.4 years, while for diesel-photovoltaic generators and the triple array it is 2.5 and 2.65 years, respectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Technologies and Systems: Development, Challenges and Opportunities)

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26 pages, 7571 KiB

Open AccessArticle

4E Transient Analysis of a Solar-Hybrid Gas-Turbine Cycle Equipped with Heliostat and MED

by Ramin Ghasemiasl, Hossein Dehghanizadeh, Mohammad Amin Javadi and Mohammad Abdolmaleki

Sustainability 2023, 15(11), 8792; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15118792 - 30 May 2023

Viewed by 878

Abstract

The current study investigates a cogeneration cycle of power and freshwater integrated with a solar system. The solar system is of the heliostat type, which is considered to preheat the inlet air in the combustion chamber of a 25-MW gas turbine. The waste [...] Read more.

The current study investigates a cogeneration cycle of power and freshwater integrated with a solar system. The solar system is of the heliostat type, which is considered to preheat the inlet air in the combustion chamber of a 25-MW gas turbine. The waste heat of the turbine output stream is used to produce freshwater. Parameters such as the ambient temperature and solar irradiance significantly affect the system’s performance; hence, all analyses, including those pertaining to energy, exergy, economics, and environment, were conducted transiently, with a one-hour time step throughout the year so that the impacts of these effective parameters could be examined. Besides the analysis assuming a constant mass flow rate for the air entering the compressor, the calculations were repeated with the assumption of a constant volumetric flow rate to evaluate the cycle in the same conditions as those of natural gas power plants. Given the constant volumetric flow rate, for every 10-degree increase in temperature, the compressor power consumption decreased by approximately 2%. Moreover, a sensitivity analysis of the cycle performance in terms of ambient temperature was performed, and the corresponding results are presented. Finally, some correlations are presented to estimate variations in compressor power consumption and net turbine power due to temperature variations. The results demonstrate that in Bushehr, Iran, every one-degree increase in ambient temperature leads to an approximately 0.67 percentage decrease in net-generated power. In the end, the performance of the cycle was investigated under climatic conditions and solar irradiation intensities in several cities in Iran and some cities in different countries in which heliostat power plants have already been established. The results obtained in these cities were compared; it was concluded that the lowest annual cost of electricity generation is related to Isfahan in Iran, which reduces the cost of electricity generation by more than 20% (2.32 Cents/kWh) compared to the base cycle. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Technologies and Systems: Development, Challenges and Opportunities)

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15 pages, 2786 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Internet of Things Energy Consumption Optimization in Buildings: A Step toward Sustainability

by Wen-Cheng Wang, Ngakan Ketut Acwin Dwijendra, Biju Theruvil Sayed, José Ricardo Nuñez Alvarez, Mohammed Al-Bahrani, Aníbal Alviz-Meza and Yulineth Cárdenas-Escrocia

Sustainability 2023, 15(8), 6475; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15086475 - 11 Apr 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1912

Abstract

The internal components of a smart building interact through a compatible fabric and logic. A smart building integrates systems, structure, services, management, and their interrelationships to create a dynamic and cost-efficient environment. Smart buildings reduce the amount of cooling and heating load required [...] Read more.

The internal components of a smart building interact through a compatible fabric and logic. A smart building integrates systems, structure, services, management, and their interrelationships to create a dynamic and cost-efficient environment. Smart buildings reduce the amount of cooling and heating load required to cool and heat spaces, thereby lowering operating costs and energy consumption without sacrificing occupant comfort. Smart structures are an Internet of Things (IoT) concern. The Internet of Things is a global network that virtualizes commonplace objects. The Internet of Things infuses non-technical objects with technology. IoT development has led to the creation of new protocols based on architectures for wireless sensor networks. Energy conservation extends the life and improves the performance of these networks, while overcoming the limitations of IoT node batteries. This research seeks to develop a data transmission model for routing IoT data in smart buildings. Utilization of intelligent object clustering and particle swarm optimization (PSO), chaotic particle swarm optimization (CPSO), and fractional chaotic order particle swarm optimization (FCPSO) optimization methods. Using the proposed algorithm to minimize energy consumption in the IoT is possible due to the algorithm’s ability to mitigate the problem by considering the number of parameters that can have a significant impact on performance, which is the goal of many optimization approaches. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Technologies and Systems: Development, Challenges and Opportunities)

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19 pages, 2929 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Techno-Economic Assessment of a Second-Life Battery and Photovoltaics Hybrid Power Source for Sustainable Electric Vehicle Home Charging

by Aree Wangsupphaphol, Surachai Chaitusaney and Mohamed Salem

Sustainability 2023, 15(7), 5866; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15075866 - 28 Mar 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1955

Abstract

This study discusses the use of a retired battery from an electric vehicle for stationary energy storage electric vehicle charging in a residential household. This research provides a novel in-depth examination of the processes that may be necessary to investigate the life loss [...] Read more.

This study discusses the use of a retired battery from an electric vehicle for stationary energy storage electric vehicle charging in a residential household. This research provides a novel in-depth examination of the processes that may be necessary to investigate the life loss of a battery, whether new or used. The main contribution is to promote the feasibility of the application from both a technical and economic point of view. The semi-empirical models are then utilized to analyze the life fading that is used in economic studies. In terms of lower initial investment costs for the battery and solar photovoltaics, the numerical calculation demonstrates that the used second-life battery with a DOD of 85% has more advantages over a new battery in the same condition. Additionally, compared to a new battery, a second-life battery gradually loses life and benefits from recycling after a projected 10-year lifespan. These results support the feasibility of the project. A discussion of project hurdles is included in which the hybrid converter modification may be achieved. Policymakers are encouraged to keep this valuable scheme in mind for the sake of margin profit and environmental preservation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Technologies and Systems: Development, Challenges and Opportunities)

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14 pages, 2878 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Energy Consumption and Carbon Dioxide Production Optimization in an Educational Building Using the Supported Vector Machine and Ant Colony System

by Wongchai Anupong, Iskandar Muda, Sabah Auda AbdulAmeer, Ibrahim H. Al-Kharsan, Aníbal Alviz-Meza and Yulineth Cárdenas-Escrocia

Sustainability 2023, 15(4), 3118; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15043118 - 08 Feb 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1287

Abstract

Buildings account for sixty percent of the world’s total annual energy consumption; therefore, it is essential to find ways to reduce the amount of energy used in this sector. The road administration organization in Jakarta, Indonesia, utilized a questionnaire as well as the [...] Read more.

Buildings account for sixty percent of the world’s total annual energy consumption; therefore, it is essential to find ways to reduce the amount of energy used in this sector. The road administration organization in Jakarta, Indonesia, utilized a questionnaire as well as the insights of industry experts to determine the most effective energy optimization parameters. It was decided to select variables such as the wall and ceiling materials, the number and type of windows, and the wall and ceiling insulation thickness. Several different modes were evaluated using the DesignBuilder software. Training the data with a supported vector machine (SVM) revealed the relationship between the inputs and the two critical outputs, namely the amount of energy consumption and CO₂ production, and the ant colony algorithm was used for optimization. According to the findings, the ratio of the north and east windows to the wall in one direction is 70 percent, while the ratio of the south window to the wall in the same direction ranges from 35 to 50 percent. When the ratio and percentage of the west window to the west wall is between 60 and 70 percent, the amount of produced energy and CO₂ is reduced to negligible levels. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Technologies and Systems: Development, Challenges and Opportunities)

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15 pages, 3732 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Techno-Economic and Environmental Study of Optimum Hybrid Renewable Systems, including PV/Wind/Gen/Battery, with Various Components to Find the Best Renewable Combination for Ponorogo Regency, East Java, Indonesia

by Aoqi Xu, Lilik Jamilatul Awalin, Ameer Al-Khaykan, Habib Forootan Fard, Ibrahim Alhamrouni and Mohamed Salem

Sustainability 2023, 15(3), 1802; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15031802 - 17 Jan 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1561

Abstract

Nowadays, hybrid renewable systems can be the best solution for meeting electricity demand, especially where grid extension and environmental issues are important. This study aimed to find the best combination of the typical components used in East Java, Indonesia. In this regard, four [...] Read more.

Nowadays, hybrid renewable systems can be the best solution for meeting electricity demand, especially where grid extension and environmental issues are important. This study aimed to find the best combination of the typical components used in East Java, Indonesia. In this regard, four types of photovoltaic (PV) panels, four types of wind turbines, and two types of batteries were selected, and the HOMER software simulated all possible combinations of the systems, including 32 scenarios (Sen). Then, considering the most important 15 parameters, such as pollutant emissions and economic values, the results were analyzed and sorted by the multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) method to find the best scenario for the case-study region. The results showed that SunPower E20-327 as PV, Eocycle EO10 10 kW as wind turbine, and Generic 1 kWh Li-Ion as the battery could be the best selection to design a hybrid renewable system for the case-study region since it can fulfill both economic and environmental needs. The cost of energy (COE) of the best-designed system and net present cost (NPC) are 0.24 ($/kWh) and 1.64 million $, respectively, where the renewable fraction (RF) is 55.1% and the scaled annual average load is 1126 kWh/day. The results of the sensitivity analysis on the best scenario’s parameters (where the capital cost of PV, battery, and wind turbine changes from 0.6 to 1.2, from 0.7 to 1.2, and from 0.7 to 1.4 of the current price, and diesel price from 0.5 to 1.1 ($/L)) showed that the RF, COE, and NPC values ranged between 51% to 93%, 0.2 to 0.3 ($/kWh), and 1.4 to 2.1 (million $), respectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Technologies and Systems: Development, Challenges and Opportunities)

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13 pages, 1142 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Towards Net Zero: Modeling Approach to the Right-Sized Facilities

by Paul Plachinda, Julia Morgan and Maria Coelho

Sustainability 2023, 15(1), 163; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15010163 - 22 Dec 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1742

Abstract

As the concentration of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere increases, the concerns about carbon emissions are growing. Several net-zero initiatives are taking place around the globe to achieve a balance between the GHGs put into the atmosphere and those taken out. While [...] Read more.

As the concentration of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere increases, the concerns about carbon emissions are growing. Several net-zero initiatives are taking place around the globe to achieve a balance between the GHGs put into the atmosphere and those taken out. While most efforts present a sectorized approach, this paper describes the importance of integrating information across different sectors for effective modeling of carbon emissions and holistic reduction opportunity analysis. Using the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) campus as a test case, this work provides a web-based tool for INL stakeholders to use when engaging in strategic planning to achieve carbon emissions reduction. This net-zero engineering support tool (NEST) uses historical data as foundational information for applying the modeling framework. Prediction of CO₂ emissions throughout project completion integrates various approaches and schedules aimed at energy conservation, fleet decarbonization, and other GHG reduction activities. Using NEST, stakeholders can visualize carbon emissions, electricity consumption, and costs for decision making when planning the pathway for reaching carbon net zero. The INL’s initiative to transition into an EV fleet was used to demonstrate the developed framework and the advantages of using NEST. It was shown that electrifying different fossil-fueled campus vehicles before 2030 with aggressive replacement schedules require high annual capital expenditure (CAPEX), which may not be available. The tool allows decision makers to test different replacement schedules and prioritize those that yield CAPEX below a certain threshold while meeting target milestones. While the demonstration focused on vehicle electrification, the developed framework lays the foundation for further quantitative analysis of other GHG reduction activities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Technologies and Systems: Development, Challenges and Opportunities)

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14 pages, 2269 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Energy Simulation and Parametric Analysis of Water Cooled Thermal Photovoltaic Systems: Energy and Exergy Analysis of Photovoltaic Systems

by Oriza Candra, Narukullapati Bharath Kumar, Ngakan Ketut Acwin Dwijendra, Indrajit Patra, Ali Majdi, Untung Rahardja, Mikhail Kosov, John William Grimaldo Guerrero and Ramaswamy Sivaraman

Sustainability 2022, 14(22), 15074; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142215074 - 14 Nov 2022

Viewed by 1294

Abstract

It is generally agreed that solar energy, which can be converted into usable electricity by means of solar panels, is one of the most important renewable energy sources. An energy and exergy study of these panels is the first step in developing this [...] Read more.

It is generally agreed that solar energy, which can be converted into usable electricity by means of solar panels, is one of the most important renewable energy sources. An energy and exergy study of these panels is the first step in developing this technology. This will provide a fair standard by which solar panel efficiency can be evaluated. In this study, the MATLAB tool was used to find the answers to the math problems that describe this system. The system’s efficiency has been calculated using the modeled data created in MATLAB. When solving equations, the initial value of the independent system parameters is fed into the computer in accordance with the algorithm of the program. A simulation and a parametric analysis of a thermal PV system with a sheet and spiral tube configuration have been completed. Simulations based on a numerical model have been run to determine where precisely the sheet and helical tubes should be placed in a PV/T system configured for cold water. Since then, the MATLAB code for the proposed model has been developed, and it agrees well with the experimental data. There is an RMSE of 0.94 for this model. The results indicate that the modeled sample achieves a thermal efficiency of between 43% and 52% and an electrical efficiency of between 11% and 11.5%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Technologies and Systems: Development, Challenges and Opportunities)

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13 pages, 2907 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigating the Index of Sustainable Development and Reduction in Greenhouse Gases of Renewable Energies

by Vadim V. Ponkratov, Alexey S. Kuznetsov, Iskandar Muda, Miftahul Jannah Nasution, Mohammed Al-Bahrani and Hikmet Ş. Aybar

Sustainability 2022, 14(22), 14829; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142214829 - 10 Nov 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1299

Abstract

Considering the limited resources of fossil energy and the problems caused by the emission of greenhouse gases, it is necessary to pay more attention to renewable energies, because in this way, the goals of sustainable development can be achieved. The importance of renewable [...] Read more.

Considering the limited resources of fossil energy and the problems caused by the emission of greenhouse gases, it is necessary to pay more attention to renewable energies, because in this way, the goals of sustainable development can be achieved. The importance of renewable energies in sustainable development, reducing greenhouse gases and increasing energy security on the one hand, and the need for financial resources and large investments for renewable energy projects on the other hand, doubles the role and importance of financial development in the development of renewable energies. Considering the importance of this issue, the present study examines the impact of the development of modern facilities and renewable energy technology. In this study, dynamic interactions in the Sustainable-Energy-Energy Development Pattern of carbon dioxide are investigated using the Bayesian Vector Auto Regression (BVAR) method. One of the most important indicators for evaluating sustainable development is the modified pure arrangement (GS). For this purpose, this index was used as a sustainable development index. The results indicate that the effect of positive impulse on renewable and renewable energy consumption on sustainable development in Uganda is positive. In addition, the positive shock of renewable and renewable energy consumption increases the emissions of carbon dioxide pollutants to a different extent. In addition, the effect of the growth of sustainable development index on renewable energy consumption and renewal energy consumption is (CO₂) negative. The research results show that based on the RMSE criterion, the former SSVS-Full function was used to investigate the impact of renewable energy consumption on sustainable development and the independent Normal-Wish art function was used. Therefore, in this research, the dynamic relationships between sustainable development, energy consumption (separately from renewable and non-renewable energy) and CO₂ emissions are investigated. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Technologies and Systems: Development, Challenges and Opportunities)

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14 pages, 12269 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Analysis of Urban Block Initiatives Influencing Energy Consumption and Solar Energy Absorption

by Ngakan Ketut Acwin Dwijendra, Untung Rahardja, Narukullapati Bharath Kumar, Indrajit Patra, Musaddak Maher Abdul Zahra, Yulia Finogenova, John William Grimaldo Guerrero, Samar Emad Izzat and Taif Alawsi

Sustainability 2022, 14(21), 14273; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142114273 - 01 Nov 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1955

Abstract

Population growth and urbanization cause developing-country cities to create energy-intensive buildings. Building energy efficiency can be improved through active and passive solar design to reduce energy consumption, increase equipment efficiency, and utilize renewable energy, converting renewable energy into thermal energy or electricity. In [...] Read more.

Population growth and urbanization cause developing-country cities to create energy-intensive buildings. Building energy efficiency can be improved through active and passive solar design to reduce energy consumption, increase equipment efficiency, and utilize renewable energy, converting renewable energy into thermal energy or electricity. In this study, passive architecture was evaluated for both urban block and building energy usage. When reliable information and analysis of signs and parameters impacting energy consumption are available, designers and architects can evaluate and passively design a building with higher precision and an accurate picture of its energy consumption in the early stages of the design process. This article compares the location of Baku’s building mass to six climate-related scenarios. Three methodologies are used to determine how much solar energy the models utilize and the difference between annual heating and cooling energy consumption. The structure’s rotation has little effect on the energy utilized in most forms. Only east-west linear designs employ 6 to 4 kWh/m² of area and are common. Most important is the building’s increased energy consumption, which can take several forms. The building’s westward rotation may be its most important feature. Any westward revolution requires more energy. Building collections together offers many benefits, including the attention designers and investors provide to all places. Having an integrated collection and a sense of community affects inhabitants’ later connections. Dictionary and encyclopedia entries include typology discoveries. These findings will inform future research and investigations. An architect must know a variety of qualities and organizations to define and segregate the environment because architecture relies heavily on the environment. This research involves analyzing the current situation to gain knowledge for future estimations. The present will determine the future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Technologies and Systems: Development, Challenges and Opportunities)

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21 pages, 4348 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Building a Sustainable Energy Community: Design and Integrate Variable Renewable Energy Systems for Rural Communities

by Jawed Mustafa, Fahad Awjah Almehmadi, Saeed Alqaed and Mohsen Sharifpur

Sustainability 2022, 14(21), 13792; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142113792 - 24 Oct 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2096

Abstract

This study proposes a decentralized hybrid energy system consisting of solar photovoltaics (PV) and wind turbines (WT) connected with the local power grid for a small Najran, Saudi Arabia community. The goal is to provide the selected community with sustainable energy to cover [...] Read more.

This study proposes a decentralized hybrid energy system consisting of solar photovoltaics (PV) and wind turbines (WT) connected with the local power grid for a small Najran, Saudi Arabia community. The goal is to provide the selected community with sustainable energy to cover a partial load of the residential buildings and the power requirements for irrigation. For this, a dynamic model was constructed to estimate the hourly energy demand for residential buildings consisting of 20 apartments with a total floor area of 4640

m^{2},

and the energy requirements for irrigation to supply a farm of 10,000

m^{2}

with water. Subsequently, HOMER software was used to optimize the proposed hybrid energy system. Even considering the hourly fluctuations of renewable energies, the artificial neural network (ANN) successfully estimated PV and wind energy. Based on the mathematical calculations, the final R-square values were 0.928 and 0.993 for PV and wind energy, respectively. According to the findings, the cost of energy (COE) for the optimized hybrid energy system is $0.1053/kWh with a renewable energy penetration of 65%. In addition, the proposed system will save 233 tons of greenhouse gases annually. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Technologies and Systems: Development, Challenges and Opportunities)

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19 pages, 3619 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Thermal Management of Solar Photovoltaic Cell by Using Single Walled Carbon Nanotube (SWCNT)/Water: Numerical Simulation and Sensitivity Analysis

by Mohsen Sharifpur, Mohammad Hossein Ahmadi, Jaroon Rungamornrat and Fatimah Malek Mohsen

Sustainability 2022, 14(18), 11523; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141811523 - 14 Sep 2022

Cited by 30 | Viewed by 1735

Abstract

Despite the attractiveness of Photovoltaic (PV) cells for electrification and supplying power in term of environmental criteria and fuel saving, their efficiency is relatively low and is further decreased by temperature increment, as a consequence of absorption of solar radiation. In order to [...] Read more.

Despite the attractiveness of Photovoltaic (PV) cells for electrification and supplying power in term of environmental criteria and fuel saving, their efficiency is relatively low and is further decreased by temperature increment, as a consequence of absorption of solar radiation. In order to prevent efficiency degradation of solar cells due to temperature increment, thermal management is suggested. Active cooling of solar cells with use of liquid flow is one of the most conventional techniques used in recent years. By use of nanofluids with improved thermophysical properties, the efficiency of this cooling approach is improvable. In this article, Single Walled Carbon Nano Tube (SWCNT)/water nanofluid is used for cooling of a PV cell by considering variations in different factors such as volume fraction of solid phase, solar radiation, ambient temperature and mass flow rate. According to the findings, use of the nanofluid can lead to improvement in performance enhancement; however, this is not significant compared with water. In cases using water and the nanofluid at 0.5% and 1% concentrations, the maximum improvement in the efficiency of the cell compared with the cell without cooing were 49.2%, 49.3 and 49.4%, respectively. In addition, sensitivity analysis was performed on the performance enhancement of the cell and it was noticed that solar radiation has the highest impact on the performance enhancement by using the applied cooling technique, followed by ambient temperature, mass flow rate of the coolants and concentration of the nanofluid, respectively. Moreover, exergy analysis is implemented on the system and it is noticed that lower ambient temperature and solar radiation are preferred in term of exergy efficiency. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Technologies and Systems: Development, Challenges and Opportunities)

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21 pages, 1200 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Business Model for Developing Distributed Photovoltaic Systems in Iran

by Hossein Heirani, Naser Bagheri Moghaddam, Sina Labbafi and Seyedali Sina

Sustainability 2022, 14(18), 11194; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141811194 - 07 Sep 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1815

Abstract

The necessity of increasing the utilization of renewable energies and lowering the dependence on fossil energies for power generation has been increasingly regarded worldwide. Thanks to its desirable solar radiation potential, Iran can lower its level of dependence on fossil fuels for power [...] Read more.

The necessity of increasing the utilization of renewable energies and lowering the dependence on fossil energies for power generation has been increasingly regarded worldwide. Thanks to its desirable solar radiation potential, Iran can lower its level of dependence on fossil fuels for power generation significantly by developing distributed solar photovoltaic (DSPV) systems. The present research began with identifying, through a literature review, relevant business models in terms of ownership and control and the barriers encountered by the PV industry. Continuing with the research, semi-structured interviews were performed with elites in the power industry to explore different barriers hindering the development of DSPV in Iran and weigh them appropriately. Next, according to the elites’ opinions, three business models differing in ownership and control were compared and scored in terms of their ability to address the identified barriers. According to the results, the business model with customer/third party ownership and utility control was identified as the most appropriate business model in Iran. As a final discussion, the business canvas and the roles and associations of all players of this industry in relation to the development of DSPV in Iran were explained. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Technologies and Systems: Development, Challenges and Opportunities)

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27 pages, 8390 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Magnetic Baffles and Magnetic Nanofluid on Thermo-Hydraulic Characteristics of Dimple Mini Channel for Thermal Energy Applications

by Basma Souayeh, Suvanjan Bhattacharyya, Najib Hdhiri, Fayçal Hammami, Essam Yasin, S. Suresh Kumar Raju, Mir Waqas Alam, Tarfa Alsheddi and Muneerah Al Nuwairan

Sustainability 2022, 14(16), 10419; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141610419 - 22 Aug 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1265

Abstract

The combined effect of a magnetic baffle and a dimple turbulator on the heat transfer and pressure drop is investigated computationally in a mini channel. Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanofluid is used as a working fluid. The Reynolds number (Re) is varied [...] Read more.

The combined effect of a magnetic baffle and a dimple turbulator on the heat transfer and pressure drop is investigated computationally in a mini channel. Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanofluid is used as a working fluid. The Reynolds number (Re) is varied from 150 to 210 and the magnetic field intensities range from 1200 G to 2000 G. Finite-volume based commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solver ANSYS-Fluent 18.1 was used for the numerical simulations. A laminar viscous model is used with pressure-velocity coupling along with second-order upwind discretization and QUICK scheme for discretizing the momentum and energy equations. The results show that there is an increase of 3.53%, 10.77%, and 25.39% in the Nusselt numbers when the magnetic fields of 1200 G, 1500 G and 2000 G, respectively, are applied at x = 15 mm, as compared to the flow without a magnetic field when the pitch = 10 mm. These values change to 1.51%, 6.14% and 18.47% for a pitch = 5 mm and 0.85%, 4.33%, and 15.25% for a pitch = 2.5 mm, when compared to the flow without a magnetic field in the respective geometries. When the two sources are placed at x = 7.5 mm and 15 mm, there is an increase of 4.52%, 13.93%, and 33.08% in the Nusselt numbers when magnetic fields of 1200 G, 1500 G, and 2000 G are applied when the pitch = 10 mm. The increment changed to 1.82%, 8.16%, and 22.31% for a pitch = 5 mm and 1.01%, 5.96%, and 21.38% for a pitch = 2.5 mm. This clearly shows that the two sources at the front have a higher increment in the Nusselt numbers compared to one source, due to higher turbulence. In addition, there is a decrease in the pressure drop of 10.82%, 16.778%, and 26.75% when magnetic fields of 1200 G, 1500 G, and 2000 G, respectively, are applied at x = 15 mm, as compared to flow without magnetic field when the pitch = 10 mm. These values change to 2.46%, 4.98%, and 8.54% for a pitch = 5 mm and 1.62%, 3.52%, and 4.78% for a pitch = 2.5 mm, when compared to flow without magnetic field in the respective geometries. When two sources are placed at x = 7.5 mm and 15 mm, there is an decrease of 19.02%, 31.3%, and 50.34% in the pressure drop when the magnetic fields of 1200 G, 1500 G and 2000 G are applied when the pitch = 10 mm. These values change to 4.18%, 9.52%, and 16.52% for a pitch = 5 mm and 3.08%, 6.88%, and 14.88% for a pitch = 2.5 mm. Hence, with the increase in the magnetic field, there is a decrease in pressure drop for both the cases and the pitches. This trend is valid only at lower magnetic field strength, because the decrease in the pressure drop dominates over the increase in pressure drop due to turbulence. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Technologies and Systems: Development, Challenges and Opportunities)

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33 pages, 4665 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Analysis of Five Widely-Used Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Methods to Evaluate Clean Energy Technologies: A Case Study

by Saeed Khojaste Effatpanah, Mohammad Hossein Ahmadi, Pasura Aungkulanon, Akbar Maleki, Milad Sadeghzadeh, Mohsen Sharifpur and Lingen Chen

Sustainability 2022, 14(3), 1403; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14031403 - 26 Jan 2022

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 3183

Abstract

Over the last decade, the total primary energy consumption has increased from 479 × 10¹⁵ BTU in 2010 to 528 × 10¹⁵ BTU in 2020. To address this ever-increasing energy demand, as well as prevent environmental pollution, clean energies are presented [...] Read more.

Over the last decade, the total primary energy consumption has increased from 479 × 10¹⁵ BTU in 2010 to 528 × 10¹⁵ BTU in 2020. To address this ever-increasing energy demand, as well as prevent environmental pollution, clean energies are presented as a potential solution. In this regard, evaluating and selecting the most appropriate clean energy solution for a specific area is of particular importance. Therefore, in this study, a comparative analysis in Jiangsu province in China was performed by describing and implementing five prominent multi-criteria decision-making methods in the field of energy technology selection, including SAW, TOPSIS, ELECTRE, VIKOR, and COPRAS. The decision problem here consists of four clean energy options, including solar photovoltaic, wind, nuclear, and biomass, which have been evaluated by twelve basic and important criteria for ranking clean energy options. The obtained results, according to all five MCDM methods, indicate that solar photovoltaic was the optimal option in this study, followed by wind energy. The nuclear and biomass options placed third and fourth, respectively, except in the ELECTRE method ranking, in which both options scored the same and thus neither was superior. Finally, by conducting a comprehensive two-stage sensitivity analysis, in the first stage, it was found that changes in the weights of land use and water consumption criteria had the greatest impact on the performance of options, among which biomass and nuclear showed high sensitivity to variations in criteria weights. In the second stage, by defining five scenarios, the ranking of options was evaluated from different aspects so that the decision maker/organization would be able to make appropriate decisions in different situations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Technologies and Systems: Development, Challenges and Opportunities)

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34 pages, 5944 KiB

Open AccessReview

Inverted Solar Stills: A Comprehensive Review of Designs, Mathematical Models, Performance, and Modern Combinations

by Ahmed Kadhim Hussein, Farhan Lafta Rashid, Azher M. Abed, Mohammad Al-Khaleel, Hussein Togun, Bagh Ali, Nevzat Akkurt, Emad Hasani Malekshah, Uddhaba Biswal, Mudhar A. Al-Obaidi, Obai Younis and Aissa Abderrahmane

Sustainability 2022, 14(21), 13766; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142113766 - 24 Oct 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1554

Abstract

Fresh water is scarce, making it a worldwide issue. In order to address global freshwater demand, a filtration technique is needed. Solar distillation (SD) that purifies brackish and subterranean water has been proven to be a promising green technology. It produces distilled water [...] Read more.

Fresh water is scarce, making it a worldwide issue. In order to address global freshwater demand, a filtration technique is needed. Solar distillation (SD) that purifies brackish and subterranean water has been proven to be a promising green technology. It produces distilled water which can be used as potable water for drinking and other purposes. The designs, operations, and configurations of several inverted solar stills are thoroughly examined in this article. All techniques for solar water distillation to separate saltwater from freshwater have the same fundamental idea. It has been demonstrated that for a specified mass of water in the top basin, the daily output of an inverted absorber double-basin solar still (IASS) grows with increasing water depth in the bottom basin. Nevertheless, as the water depth in the bottom basin rises from 1 cm to 5 cm, the output of an inverted absorber double-basin solar system falls by about 27%. At water depths of 4, 6, and 8 cm, the daily yields from inverted absorber solar stills paired with a refrigeration cycle (RIASS) were 6.4, 10.08, and 9.5 L/day, respectively. The results also showed a substantial rise in water temperature in the inverted absorber solar still as a result of lower bottom heat loss and larger absorptivity. In this study, the emphasis on energy, efficiency, and environmental concerns remains with the modified multi-wick basin-type inverted absorber solar panel. The performance of the inverted trickling solar still was assessed with a 60 ppm average salinity under various sun radiation, feed water flow rate, and existence conditions for natural convection. It was found that the still could produce 2.55 L/day m² of fresh water, a 15% increase. Brackish water with a salinity of 6000 ppm was used to test the still in November at tilt angles of 47° and 32°. Condensate production at the specified angles was 2.8 and 2 L/d, respectively. A total output of 6.907, 5.681, and 4.650 kg/m²/day was also generated using the modified multi-wick basin-type inverted absorber solar still (MMWBIASS) at water depths of 1, 2, and 3 cm, respectively. With black cotton wicks, the MMWBIASS had a total thermal efficiency of 34.04%, 28.17%, and 23.61%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Technologies and Systems: Development, Challenges and Opportunities)

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16 pages, 2208 KiB

Open AccessReview

PV/Thermal as Promising Technologies in Buildings: A Comprehensive Review on Exergy Analysis

by Kamel Guedri, Mohamed Salem, Mamdouh El Haj Assad, Jaroon Rungamornrat, Fatimah Malek Mohsen and Yonis M. Buswig

Sustainability 2022, 14(19), 12298; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141912298 - 27 Sep 2022

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 1640

Abstract

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems are degraded in terms of efficiency by increment in their temperature. To keep away from efficiency degradation regarding the temperature increase, various thermal management techniques have been introduced to keep the temperature low. Besides improvement in electrical efficiency, the [...] Read more.

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems are degraded in terms of efficiency by increment in their temperature. To keep away from efficiency degradation regarding the temperature increase, various thermal management techniques have been introduced to keep the temperature low. Besides improvement in electrical efficiency, the overall efficiency can be enhanced by using the extracted thermal energy from the cell. The extracted heat in these systems, known as PV/Thermal (PV/T), can be applied for some purposes including water or air heating. This article reviews the works on the PV/T systems exergy analysis and discusses their findings. Based on the findings of the reviewed works, different factors such as the system configuration, used components and elements, and working conditions affect the exergy efficiency of these systems. As an example, use of coolants with improved thermal features, i.e., nanofluids, can cause improvement in the exergy efficiency. In addition to the nanofluid, making use of the thermal energy storage unit can further enhance the exergy efficiency. Furthermore, it has been observed that the materials of nanostructures can be another element that influences the enhancement of exergy efficiency. Moreover, the usage of some components such as glazing can lead to avoidance of thermal energy loss that would be beneficial from an exergy point of view. Finally, according to the reviewed works and knowledge of the authors, some suggestions are represented for future works in this field. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Technologies and Systems: Development, Challenges and Opportunities)

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59 pages, 16563 KiB

Open AccessReview

Comprehensive Review on Solar Stills—Latest Developments and Overview

by Obai Younis, Ahmed Kadhim Hussein, Mohammed El Hadi Attia, Hakim S. Sultan Aljibori, Lioua Kolsi, Hussein Togun, Bagh Ali, Aissa Abderrahmane, Khanyaluck Subkrajang and Anuwat Jirawattanapanit

Sustainability 2022, 14(16), 10136; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141610136 - 16 Aug 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 5717

Abstract

This up-to-date and comprehensive literature study provides a rich overview of recent developments in several solar still types. This review examines a large number of theoretical, experimental, and computational studies connected to the single-slope, double-slope, solar still with a condenser, hybrid, and other [...] Read more.

This up-to-date and comprehensive literature study provides a rich overview of recent developments in several solar still types. This review examines a large number of theoretical, experimental, and computational studies connected to the single-slope, double-slope, solar still with a condenser, hybrid, and other limited types of solar stills. To make the work more relevant to readers, the authors provide a panoramic view of solar still varieties as well as a complete overview of the most recently published review papers in the solar stills field. The most important conclusions drawn from prior research are carefully discussed and outlined in a useful table to give interested researchers a good road map of many various sorts of solar stills and encourage them to pursue new research avenues in this field. The foremost key results of the evaluated work are presented in a table for readers’ convenience. The results indicated that the absorption in the basin was improved by adding charcoal, matt, sponge, jute and cotton clothes, dye, wick, porous or energy-storing material, black rubber, and floating absorber sheet. Moreover, the productivity of solar stills was significantly improved by using the inclined external flat-plate reflector, combined stills, condenser, sun tracking system, reflectors, greenhouse, hot water tank, solar collector, heat exchanger, and solar pond. Further, heat loss was minimized by re-utilizing the latent heat of condensation, cover cooling, and increasing the insulation thickness. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Technologies and Systems: Development, Challenges and Opportunities)

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17 pages, 1563 KiB

Open AccessReview

Advances in Thermo-Electrochemical (TEC) Cell Performances for Harvesting Low-Grade Heat Energy: A Review

by Igor Burmistrov, Rita Khanna, Nikolay Gorshkov, Nikolay Kiselev, Denis Artyukhov, Elena Boychenko, Andrey Yudin, Yuri Konyukhov, Maksim Kravchenko, Alexander Gorokhovsky and Denis Kuznetsov

Sustainability 2022, 14(15), 9483; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159483 - 02 Aug 2022

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3295

Abstract

Thermo-electrochemical cells (also known as thermocells, TECs) represent a promising technology for harvesting and exploiting low-grade waste heat (<100–150 °C) ubiquitous in the modern environment. Based on temperature-dependent redox reactions and ion diffusion, emerging liquid-state thermocells convert waste heat energy into electrical energy, [...] Read more.

Thermo-electrochemical cells (also known as thermocells, TECs) represent a promising technology for harvesting and exploiting low-grade waste heat (<100–150 °C) ubiquitous in the modern environment. Based on temperature-dependent redox reactions and ion diffusion, emerging liquid-state thermocells convert waste heat energy into electrical energy, generating power at low costs, with minimal material consumption and negligible carbon footprint. Recent developments in thermocell performances are reviewed in this article with specific focus on new redox couples, electrolyte optimisation towards enhancing power output and operating temperature regime and the use of carbon and other nanomaterials for producing electrodes with high surface area for increasing current density and device performance. The highest values of output power and cell potentials have been achieved for the redox ferri/ferrocyanide system and Co^2+/3+, with great opportunities for further development in both aqueous and non-aqueous solvents. New thermoelectric applications in the field include wearable and portable electronic devices in the health and performance-monitoring sectors; using body heat as a continuous energy source, thermoelectrics are being employed for long-term, continuous powering of these devices. Energy storage in the form of micro supercapacitors and in lithium ion batteries is another emerging application. Current thermocells still face challenges of low power density, conversion efficiency and stability issues. For waste-heat conversion (WHC) to partially replace fossil fuels as an alternative energy source, power generation needs to be commercially viable and cost-effective. Achieving greater power density and operations at higher temperatures will require extensive research and significant developments in the field. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Technologies and Systems: Development, Challenges and Opportunities)

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