Energy Reports最新文献

{"title":"Real-world performance of solar water heating systems in West Africa: a multi-site study of domestic and tertiary installations","authors":"Kokouvi Edem N’Tsoukpoe,&nbsp;Claude Sara Lekombo","doi":"10.1016/j.egyr.2025.07.024","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.egyr.2025.07.024","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Solar water heaters (SWHs) have the potential to reduce electricity demand and support energy transitions in sub-Saharan Africa. However, their real-world performance and economic viability remain underexplored, particularly in West African cities, where energy usage patterns and climate conditions are heterogeneous. This study evaluated the technical, economic, and environmental performance of SWHs installed in four distinct urban settings: a hospital laundry and a hotel in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso), and two households—one in Ouagadougou and one in Lomé (Togo). The systems represent both Sahelian and humid tropical climates, as well as different solar thermal technologies (flat-plate, integrated collector storage, and water-in-glass evacuated tube collectors). Using year-long monitoring data (four years for the hotel), system performance was assessed in terms of solar efficiency, annual energy yield, and CO₂ emissions avoided. A life-cycle cost analysis was conducted under various scenarios to estimate payback periods. System efficiency ranged from 19 % to 41 %, with the evacuated tube collector in Lomé performing best. For household SWHs that replace electric water heaters, the simple payback period was short (2.4 years in Lomé and 2.7 years in Ouagadougou) making them the most economically attractive. In contrast, SWHs replacing gas or charcoal had longer simple payback periods, up to 7.6 years. The highest annual emission savings, 0.98 tCO₂·m⁻², were observed for household applications. Even in challenging environments, thermosiphon-based SWHs have demonstrated substantial energy and environmental benefits. Their broader adoption in West Africa will require improved maintenance, incentive schemes, and adaptation to local fuel prices and context-specific system design.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11798,"journal":{"name":"Energy Reports","volume":"14 ","pages":"Pages 1080-1094"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144678740","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Production and characterization of briquettes from Panicum maximum Jacq. (guinea grass) and cassava peel waste","authors":"Jacques Imaniraguha ,&nbsp;Theophile Mushimiyimana ,&nbsp;Calros Lucas ,&nbsp;Adolfo Condo","doi":"10.1016/j.egyr.2025.07.033","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.egyr.2025.07.033","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The heavy dependence on wood-derived fuels for both domestic and commercial applications, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, has significantly accelerated deforestation as trees are cut down to meet energy demands. To address this issue, the conversion of biomass residues into biofuels has been explored. Therefore, this study aims to examine the effects of combining Panicum maximum Jacq. (guinea grass) with cassava peel waste as available biomass resources in the region for briquette production and its potential use as a solid fuel. Key analyses included density, proximate analysis, calorific value, and combustion test. Briquettes were produced with varying ratios of cassava peel to guinea grass (100:0, 80:20, 60:40, and 0:100), where cassava peel was the main material. Briquettes were densified using a manual press with a stainless-steel mold measuring 50 mm in diameter and 70 mm in height. Optimal densification conditions were determined to be a compaction pressure of 10 MPa, a temperature of 120°C, and a moisture content of 10–12 %. The results indicated that increasing guinea grass content lowers calorific value but improves mechanical strength. The 80:20 ratio yielded a higher heating value of 17.10 MJ/kg with a friability of 0.7 %, while the 60:40 ratio had a value of 16.91 MJ/kg and a friability of 0.45 %. The results of the combustion test indicated that briquettes made from a combination of cassava peel waste and guinea grass are viable and provide better fuel efficiency than firewood.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11798,"journal":{"name":"Energy Reports","volume":"14 ","pages":"Pages 1043-1050"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144662814","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Design and optimization of solar photovoltaic microgrids with adaptive storage control for residential standalone systems","authors":"Qinglin Meng ,&nbsp;Ying He ,&nbsp;Sheharyar Hussain ,&nbsp;Jinghang Lu ,&nbsp;Josep M. Guerrero","doi":"10.1016/j.egyr.2025.06.048","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.egyr.2025.06.048","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Direct Current (DC) microgrids are increasingly vital for integrating solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems into off-grid residential energy networks. This paper proposes a design methodology for standalone solar PV DC microgrids, focusing on Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) optimization and adaptive power management. The system architecture includes PV arrays with Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) via a perturbation and observation algorithm, a bidirectional converter-linked BESS for DC bus voltage stabilization, and control strategies for transitioning between three battery operational modes: charge (State of Charge, SOC &lt; High Threshold, SOCH), discharge (SOC &gt; Low Threshold, SOCL), and idle (SOC &gt; SOCH). A load distribution analysis informs BESS sizing for small households, balancing energy reliability and battery longevity. MATLAB/Simulink simulations and experimental validation demonstrate the system’s ability to maintain stable DC bus voltage, regulate SOC within defined thresholds, and minimize power losses under variable solar irradiance and load conditions, as evidenced by solar irradiance, DC voltage, SOC, and power profiles. This work provides a practical framework for deploying solar-powered DC microgrids in remote residential applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11798,"journal":{"name":"Energy Reports","volume":"14 ","pages":"Pages 989-997"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144654232","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Performance analysis and applicability evaluation of electrochemical energy storage under the high percentage of renewable energy penetration","authors":"QI Guo ,&nbsp;Junhui Li ,&nbsp;Qiang Li ,&nbsp;Yue Sun ,&nbsp;Fan Li ,&nbsp;Li Yan ,&nbsp;Jianguo Shi ,&nbsp;Xingxu Zhu ,&nbsp;Cuiping Li","doi":"10.1016/j.egyr.2025.07.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.egyr.2025.07.007","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Electrochemical energy storage is considered a key solution for addressing frequency regulation in power systems with high proportions of renewable energy. However, the varying costs of different energy storage types complicate the effective evaluation of electrochemical energy storage’s role in frequency regulation, hindering its widespread adoption. Addressing this challenge, this paper proposes a comprehensive system frequency regulation control strategy from the perspective of source-load interaction. The frequency deviation signal is used to categorize regions based on deviation severity, enabling coordinated operation of frequency regulation capacity across zones. Building upon this control strategy, the paper analyzes the performance of electrochemical energy storage by factoring in electricity benefits, compensation, environmental benefits, maintenance costs, penalties, and more, creating a comprehensive economic benefit and cost model for frequency regulation. Additionally, the paper establishes performance, technical, and economic indicators for various operational conditions of electrochemical energy storage, integrating subjective and objective weighting methods to develop a comprehensive evaluation and scoring system for its applicability. Finally, the proposed strategy’s effectiveness is validated through simulations, with results indicating that lithium iron phosphate batteries achieve the highest comprehensive evaluation score among electrochemical energy storage options.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11798,"journal":{"name":"Energy Reports","volume":"14 ","pages":"Pages 978-988"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144654228","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exposing the limits in the residential building energy performance certification model","authors":"Constantinos Vassiliades ,&nbsp;Ioannis Vardopoulos ,&nbsp;Giovanni Barone ,&nbsp;Mattheos Santamouris ,&nbsp;Soteris Kalogirou","doi":"10.1016/j.egyr.2025.07.011","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.egyr.2025.07.011","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study examines the energy performance of residential buildings in Cyprus, focusing on the accuracy of the iSBEM-Cy Energy Performance Certification (EPC) system. Cyprus presents a unique context due to its Mediterranean climate and aging building stock, constructed mostly between 1980 and 2000 without energy efficiency regulations. This research investigates the discrepancies between simulated and actual energy consumption in typical Cypriot homes. Previous studies have highlighted the limitations of current EPC models, often showing significant variances between predicted and real-world energy usage. Using a comparative analysis, this study collects data from 15 residential units, examining heating, cooling, lighting, and hot water energy use. The results reveal notable differences, particularly in cooling loads, suggesting the need for improved modelling of user behaviour and local climate conditions. This research underscores the importance of accurate EPCs for effective policy-making and sustainable building practices, contributing to enhanced energy efficiency and reduced greenhouse gas emissions in the building sector. Future endeavours should prioritize integrating granular behavioural and climate-specific data to refine energy certification models further.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11798,"journal":{"name":"Energy Reports","volume":"14 ","pages":"Pages 1008-1019"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144654229","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Performance evaluation of photovoltaic self-consumption systems on industrial rooftops under continental Mediterranean climate conditions with multi-string inverter topology","authors":"J.L. Sánchez-Jiménez ,&nbsp;G. Jiménez-Castillo ,&nbsp;C. Rus-Casas ,&nbsp;A.J. Martínez-Calahorro ,&nbsp;F.J. Muñoz-Rodriguez","doi":"10.1016/j.egyr.2025.06.047","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.egyr.2025.06.047","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study analyses the performance and grid integration of seven photovoltaic self-consumption systems installed on industrial rooftops under real operating conditions. The analysed systems feature different orientations and peak power capacities, allowing to evaluate their behaviour through different indices and metrics proposed in the IEC 61724 and the literature, such as the Performance Ratio (PR), Final Yield (Y_f) or Capacity Utilisation Factor (CUF), among others. Additionally, the interaction of these systems with the load and the electrical grid is examined and proposed, providing a better view of their operation. The results reveal that, although most systems operate close to expectations, with PR, Y_f and CUF annual averages of 0.81, 1555.51 h/y and 0.19 respectively, factors such as partial shading, capture losses, and inverter configurations without grid injection affect their efficiency. The proposed Equivalent Capacity Utilisation Yield (Y_L), Load Ratio Yield (Y_GL), Load Ratio To Grid Yield (Y_GL,TG) and Load Ratio From Grid Yield (Y_GL,FG) are introduced to characterise the interaction between local demand and electrical grid constraints, providing a comprehensive assessment of system performance and grid use. A reduction in the full-load equivalent hours during which the interconnection node operates at its nominal capacity is observed following the integration of rooftop photovoltaic systems, as the values of Y_GL are consistently lower than those of Y_L. The results also indicate that the indices and metrics proposed in the literature, together with real data monitoring, are effective tools for evaluating the performance of photovoltaic systems and optimising their integration into electrical grids.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11798,"journal":{"name":"Energy Reports","volume":"14 ","pages":"Pages 1020-1042"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144662813","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"MgCl2-silica gel mixture as a sustainable liquid desiccant for humidity control","authors":"P.D. Ajay,&nbsp;H.S. Arunkumar,&nbsp;N. Madhwesh,&nbsp;Shiva Kumar","doi":"10.1016/j.egyr.2025.07.025","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.egyr.2025.07.025","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Despite the growing demand for efficient dehumidification systems, limited research has explored the potential of magnesium chloride (MgCl₂) combined with silica gel as a composite liquid desiccant. The primary objective of this study is to systematically investigate and quantify the dehumidification performance enhancement achieved by incorporating silica gel (10 % and 20 % by weight) into MgCl₂ solution under varying operational conditions. Specifically, this work aims to: (1) evaluate the hygroscopic properties and moisture absorption capacity of MgCl₂-silica gel composits compared to pure MgCl₂, (2) determine the optimal operating parameters including air velocity (5–7 m/s) and desiccant flow rates (1–3 LPM), and (3) establish relationship between silica gel concentarion and dehumidification efficinency.</div><div>The key contribution of this research is the development and performance characterization of a novel MgCl₂-silica gel composite liquid desiccant that demonstrates significantly enhanced moisture removal capabilities. Experimental results reveal that MgCl₂+ 20 % silica gel achieves the highest moisture removal (ΔW=0.00196 kg/kg) at 2 LPM flow rate, representing a substantial improvement over pure MgCl_2. At optimal air velocity (7 m/s), the composite desiccant achieves a moisture removal rate of 0.00110 kg/s, a 22 % enhancement over pure MgCl₂. The dehumidification efficiency ranges from 35 % at 5 m/s to 41.5 % at 7 m/s, with the 20 % silica gel composite showing 22 % higher efficiency than pure MgCl₂ at maximum air velocity. For desiccant flow rates, peak efficiency of 67 % is achieved at 2 LPM.</div><div>This study makes a significant contribution to the field by demonstrating that silica gel incorporation creates a synergistic effect, where the high surface area and porosity of silica gel complement the hygroscopic properties of MgCl₂, resulting in enhanced moisture absorption across broader humidity ranges. The findings provide a foundation for developing more sustainable and energy-efficient liquid desiccant systems for air conditioning applications, addressing both environmental and economic sustainability goals.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11798,"journal":{"name":"Energy Reports","volume":"14 ","pages":"Pages 998-1007"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144654230","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Adaptive sliding mode controller design for islanded microgrid","authors":"Mimmithi Bhanu Prakash,&nbsp;Pradosh Ranjan Sahoo","doi":"10.1016/j.egyr.2025.06.046","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.egyr.2025.06.046","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper presents a robust adaptive control strategy for voltage regulation in an islanded microgrid comprising distributed generation (DG) units. The microgrid is supplied with combination of linear, nonlinear, and uncertain loads, resulting challenges such as load-induced nonlinearity and parametric uncertainties. To address these issues, an adaptive sliding mode controller (ASMC) is developed, enabling adjustment of control parameters in response to unknown load dynamics and external disturbances. The proposed ASMC ensures accurate voltage tracking even under uncertain and varying load conditions. Unlike the H-infinity controller, PID and Fuzzy PID which uses fixed parameters, the ASMC adapts to system changes, offering improved dynamic response and greater flexibility to disturbances. Comparative simulation results show efficacy in terms of dynamic response, robustness, and maintaining a stable and high-quality profile than the existing methods.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11798,"journal":{"name":"Energy Reports","volume":"14 ","pages":"Pages 969-977"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144653034","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of through-plane temperature gradient on water distribution in the anode gas diffusion layer for polymer electrolyte fuel cells","authors":"Wataru Yoshimune,&nbsp;Akihiko Kato,&nbsp;Tetsuichiro Hayakawa,&nbsp;Satoru Kato","doi":"10.1016/j.egyr.2025.07.009","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.egyr.2025.07.009","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Temperature gradients across the catalyst-coated membrane influence water accumulation in the anode gas diffusion layer (GDL) of polymer electrolyte fuel cells, yet experimental investigations remain limited. This study systematically examines the impact of a through-plane temperature gradient on water distribution using <em>operando</em> synchrotron X-ray radiography. Lowering the anode temperature relative to the cathode causes increased water saturation in the anode GDL. This behavior is mainly due to phase-transition effects, specifically enhanced condensation and suppressed evaporation. A water saturation of 0.168 is observed in the under-rib regions of the anode GDL, which is relatively high compared to commonly reported values. These findings support the growing recognition that anode water accumulation can occur under certain temperature gradients, highlighting the crucial role of temperature gradients and the need for improved anode GDL designs in effective water management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11798,"journal":{"name":"Energy Reports","volume":"14 ","pages":"Pages 964-968"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144654231","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Integrating technical assessment and stakeholder engagement: A case-based approach to explore thermal renewable energy communities","authors":"Paola Caputo ,&nbsp;Giulio Ferla ,&nbsp;Benedetta Mura ,&nbsp;Vanessa Gallo","doi":"10.1016/j.egyr.2025.07.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.egyr.2025.07.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper investigates the preliminary feasibility of a novel Thermal Renewable Energy Community (TREC) model centred on biomass-based district heating networks, through the EU Horizon 2020 project BECoop. Given the current regulatory gaps and limited implementation of TRECs compared to electrical ones, the study aimed to develop a participatory approach to co-design a biomass-fueled community heating system in the mountain area of Valtellina, northern Italy. The research methodology involved three key phases: pilot area selection, community co-creation processes, and a technical-economic pre-feasibility study. Initially, the pilot was selected based on biomass availability, climatic conditions, political support, and absence of natural gas networks. Subsequently, local stakeholders, including municipalities, citizens, and biomass suppliers were actively engaged through targeted workshops, surveys, and interviews, collaboratively defining a shared vision and roadmap for the TREC. The pre-feasibility assessment combined data from public regional energy databases, GIS tools and site-specific surveys to estimate local heat demand, biomass availability, and system sizing. A biomass Combined Heat and Power system coupled with an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) was proposed, highlighting substantial environmental benefits, around 70 % savings in primary energy and emissions, but also significant economic and governance challenges. Findings underline the necessity of clear regulatory frameworks, innovative financing schemes, and comprehensive stakeholder engagement to successfully implement TRECs. This participatory and integrated approach represents a replicable methodology to foster local bioenergy solutions, promoting citizen empowerment and sustainable community resilience.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11798,"journal":{"name":"Energy Reports","volume":"14 ","pages":"Pages 952-963"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144634144","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}