AIMS EnergyPub Date : 2022-01-01DOI: 10.3934/energy.2022024
Akthem Mohi Al-Abdali, H. Ammari
{"title":"Thermal energy storage using phase-change material in evacuated-tubes solar collector","authors":"Akthem Mohi Al-Abdali, H. Ammari","doi":"10.3934/energy.2022024","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3934/energy.2022024","url":null,"abstract":"The use of phase change materials in solar thermal collectors improves their thermal performance significantly. In this paper, a comparative study is conducted systematically between two solar receivers. The first receiver contains paraffin wax, while the other does not. The goal was to find out to which degree paraffin wax can enhance the energy storage and thermal efficiency of evacuated tubes solar collectors. Measurements of water temperature and solar radiation were recorded on a few days during August of 2021. The experimental analysis depended on two stages. The first stage had a flow rate of 7 L/hr, and the second stage had no flow rate. A flow rate of 7 L/hr gave an efficiency of 47.7% of the first receiver with phase-change material, while the second conventional receiver had an efficiency rate of 40.6%. The thermal efficiency of the first receiver during the day at which no flow rate was applied was 41.6%, while the second one had an efficiency rate of 35.2%. The study's significant results indicated that using paraffin wax in solar evacuated tube water-in-glass thermal collectors can enhance their thermal energy storage by about 8.6% and efficiency by about 7%. Moreover, the results revealed that the solar thermal collector containing paraffin wax had an annual cost of 211 USD/year. At the same time, the receiver's yearly fuel cost was 45 USD. Compared to an electrical geyser, the annual cost reached 327 USD, with an annual fuel cost equaled 269 USD. The first receiver's payback period was 5.35 years.","PeriodicalId":45696,"journal":{"name":"AIMS Energy","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70226612","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
AIMS EnergyPub Date : 2022-01-01DOI: 10.3934/energy.2022053
M. F. Aziz, N. E. Safie, M. Azam, T. Adaham, Tan Jun Yu, A. Takasaki
{"title":"A comprehensive review of filler, plasticizer, and ionic liquid as an additive in GPE for DSSCs","authors":"M. F. Aziz, N. E. Safie, M. Azam, T. Adaham, Tan Jun Yu, A. Takasaki","doi":"10.3934/energy.2022053","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3934/energy.2022053","url":null,"abstract":"<abstract> <p>Low ionic conductivity in gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) affects low dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) performance is a crucial issue. Generally, the GPEs contain polymer (act as solvent holder), solvent, and salt (as ions provider). Usually, the GPE-based DSSCs are assembly with three necessary compartments: working electrode, GPE, and platinum electrode. The DSSCs parameters are included open-circuit voltage, <italic>V</italic>oc; short-circuit current density, <italic>J</italic>sc; fill factor, <italic>ff</italic> and efficiency, %. This review's main objective was to explore an additive such as plasticizer, filler, and ionic liquid effects on the ionic conductivity in GPEs by improving ions mobility and expanding the free volume of the GPE. The impact of additives in the GPE is also expected to enhance the DSSCs performance by increasing the <italic>J</italic><sub>sc</sub>, <italic>V</italic><sub>oc</sub>, <italic>ff</italic>, and efficiency. This comprehensive review discussed the latest progress of GPE utilizing the additive by listing the literature from the recent ten years.</p> </abstract>","PeriodicalId":45696,"journal":{"name":"AIMS Energy","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70230058","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
AIMS EnergyPub Date : 2022-01-01DOI: 10.3934/energy.2022006
A. D. Hailu
{"title":"Ethiopia hydropower development and Nile basin hydro politics","authors":"A. D. Hailu","doi":"10.3934/energy.2022006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3934/energy.2022006","url":null,"abstract":"Ethiopia, one of the countries in the Horn of Africa, has an abundance of hydroelectric resource potential that can meet the country's energy demand. However, this energy resource has been underutilized, and the country has one of the lowest per capita consumption rates of electricity. Recognizing that energy access and security are critical factors in economic growth, the country has launched a number of hydroelectric projects to meet rising energy demand, as well as a plan to export electricity to neighboring countries. As a result, this paper provides an in-depth review of the country's hydropower potential and current development status. The article then discusses hydro-politics in the context of the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Finally, it discusses the role of hydropower in meeting energy needs.","PeriodicalId":45696,"journal":{"name":"AIMS Energy","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70225789","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
AIMS EnergyPub Date : 2022-01-01DOI: 10.3934/energy.2022008
P. Moriarty
{"title":"Electric vehicles can have only a minor role in reducing transport's energy and environmental challenges","authors":"P. Moriarty","doi":"10.3934/energy.2022008","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3934/energy.2022008","url":null,"abstract":"Many governments have supported the introduction of electric vehicles (EVs) through purchase subsidies or waiving fuel taxes. The key findings of this paper are that the benefits of EVs may have been overstated, at least for some countries, as their energy savings and climate mitigation advantages depend on such factors as annual kilometres travelled per vehicle, electricity fuel mix, vehicle size and even local conditions. Because serious climate change has already arrived in the form of increasing frequency and severity of extreme events, we do not have the decades required for electricity production to be predominantly from non-carbon sources. Further, there are a variety of other challenges facing private transport—EVs just as much as conventionally powered vehicles. These include traffic casualties, non-engine air and noise pollution, light pollution, land requirements for roads and parking, and the intrusion of roads into natural habitats. With the promotion of EVs, these other transport problems run the risk of being downplayed. If all the environmental challenges facing road vehicles are to be effectively and quickly tackled, significant reductions in road vehicular travel are needed.","PeriodicalId":45696,"journal":{"name":"AIMS Energy","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70225862","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
AIMS EnergyPub Date : 2022-01-01DOI: 10.3934/energy.2022009
T. Paula, Maria de Fatima Marques
{"title":"Recent advances in polymer structures for organic solar cells: A review","authors":"T. Paula, Maria de Fatima Marques","doi":"10.3934/energy.2022009","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3934/energy.2022009","url":null,"abstract":"High energy dependence on fossil fuels and an increase in greenhouse gas emissions are factors that highlight the need for alternative energy sources. Photovoltaic technology is a strong candidate that uses the most abundant resource, solar energy, but what makes its wide use difficult is the high cost of the commercially available devices. Thus, research has been devoted to developing new low-cost photovoltaic systems that are easier to manufacture with high efficiency and durability, such as the third-generation solar cells. According to this study, organic solar cells (OPV) with polymers in the active layers are more prominent concerning power conversion efficiency associated with durability, resulting in great research interest. Furthermore, polymer solar cells are easier to process and can be manufactured on a large scale achieving high efficiencies and stability. This review aims to raise the state of the art about these solar cells, discourse their architectures, current developments on polymer structures, and most relevant challenges for OPV devices, as a search for increased efficiency and stability.","PeriodicalId":45696,"journal":{"name":"AIMS Energy","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70226194","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
AIMS EnergyPub Date : 2022-01-01DOI: 10.3934/energy.2022017
Emmanuel Arthur
{"title":"Energy development: A global perspective and advances in Ghana","authors":"Emmanuel Arthur","doi":"10.3934/energy.2022017","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3934/energy.2022017","url":null,"abstract":"Climate change, population increase, and urbanisation present severe threats to energy security throughout the world. As a result, governments all over the world have made significant investments in diversifying and developing local energy systems, notably in the renewable energy sector. In this light, this review was conducted to analyse the production trends of fossil energy, renewable energy and nuclear energy, as well as the impact of renewable energy production on fossil energy production, between 2000 and 2021. Using correlation and regression analysis, the relationship between these energy sources and the impact of renewable energy on fossil energy production were studied and then measured against similar studies in the literature. The findings showed an increasing trend in fossil energy and renewable energy production and a slightly decreasing trend in nuclear energy production from 2000 to 2021. In addition, there was a significant impact of renewable energy production on fossil energy production in the last two decades. In Ghana, it was found that the addition of solar energy generation to the national grid significantly influenced thermal energy generation. On the whole, renewable energy production has significantly increased over the last decades, and it has the potential to reduce the dependence on fossil energy if effectively developed and managed. Therefore, future energy development should focus on more research and development in the area of smart and efficient renewable energy technologies.","PeriodicalId":45696,"journal":{"name":"AIMS Energy","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70226414","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
AIMS EnergyPub Date : 2022-01-01DOI: 10.3934/energy.2022033
M. Pablo-Romero, Antonio Sánchez-Braza, M. Romero
{"title":"Renewable energy in Latin America","authors":"M. Pablo-Romero, Antonio Sánchez-Braza, M. Romero","doi":"10.3934/energy.2022033","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3934/energy.2022033","url":null,"abstract":"Since the signing of the Paris Agreement in 2015, signatory countries have been adopting commitments to promote the use of renewable energy. Among the signatory countries, those of Latin America have stood out for the high percentage of renewables in their energy mix and their commitment to continue advancing towards energy decarbonization. This commitment implies the need to adequately recognize the starting point of renewable energy consumption in the region, and its relationship with the population and regional production. This study analyzes the evolution of renewable energy consumption in the Latin American region and its member countries, in relation to the Worldwide position, from 1993 to 2018. For this, the direct consumption of renewable energies and the energy used to generate electricity and heat, have been considered. These values are analyzed in Worldwide per capita and per unit production terms. The results show that the Latin American region has a higher percentage of renewables in its energy mix than Worldwide, with this percentage being even higher when considering only the consumption of renewable energies of indirect origin. Brazil stands out for the share of its renewable consumption. In terms of per capita renewable energy consumption, Latin America presents higher values than those achieved Worldwide, with a growing trend throughout the studied period. The renewable energy intensity is also higher in Latin America, with a decreasing trend, as experienced Worldwide.","PeriodicalId":45696,"journal":{"name":"AIMS Energy","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70226426","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
AIMS EnergyPub Date : 2022-01-01DOI: 10.3934/energy.2022034
Zubairu Ismaila, O. Falode, C. Diji, Omolayo M. Ikumapayi, A. Awonusi, S. Afolalu, E. Akinlabi
{"title":"A global overview of renewable energy strategies","authors":"Zubairu Ismaila, O. Falode, C. Diji, Omolayo M. Ikumapayi, A. Awonusi, S. Afolalu, E. Akinlabi","doi":"10.3934/energy.2022034","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3934/energy.2022034","url":null,"abstract":"Population expansion and increased industrialization are driving up global energy demand. Similarly, the most populous African country, Nigeria generates and transmits electricity far less than is required to meet her basic residential and industrial demands. Alternative means such as fossil fuel-powered generators to complement these demands are still not sufficient to meet these demands with notice to their limitation such as high lifecycle cost and carbon dioxide emission. Renewable energy resources are suitable substitutes for existing electricity sources to fulfil growing demand. Extensively in this paper, a review on the research progress of Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (HRESs) and Integrated Renewable Energy Systems (IRESs) in the different continents of the world was presented considering methodologies, approaches, and parameters such as technical, economic, and emission limitation in determining the optimal renewable energy system in their present locality. According to the study's findings, about 63% and 22% of the research were conducted in Asia and Africa respectively, from which the research is mostly conducted in rural and remote areas of these continents.","PeriodicalId":45696,"journal":{"name":"AIMS Energy","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70226435","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
AIMS EnergyPub Date : 2022-01-01DOI: 10.3934/energy.2022022
Md. Mehadi Hasan Shamim, Sidratul Montaha Silmee, M. Sikder
{"title":"Optimization and cost-benefit analysis of a grid-connected solar photovoltaic system","authors":"Md. Mehadi Hasan Shamim, Sidratul Montaha Silmee, M. Sikder","doi":"10.3934/energy.2022022","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3934/energy.2022022","url":null,"abstract":"Growing energy demand has exacerbated the issue of energy security and caused us to necessitate the utilization of renewable resources. The best alternative for promoting generation in Bangladesh from renewable energy is solar photovoltaic technology. Grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are becoming increasingly popular, considering solar potential and the recent cost of PV modules. This study proposes a grid-connected solar PV system with a net metering strategy using the Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Electric Renewables model. The HOMER model is used to evaluate raw data, to create a demand cycle using data from load surveys, and to find the best cost-effective configuration. A sensitivity analysis was also conducted to assess the impact of differences in radiation from the solar (4, 4.59, 4.65, 5 kWh/m2/day), PV capacity (0 kW, 100 kW, 200 kW, 300 kW, 350 kW, 400 kW, 420 kW), and grid prices ($0.107, $0.118, $0.14 per kWh) upon that optimum configuration. Outcomes reveal that combining 420 kW of PV with a 405-kW converter and connecting to the utility grid is the least expensive and ecologically healthy configuration of the system. The electricity generation cost is estimated to be 0.0725 dollars per kilowatt-hour, and the net present value is 1.83 million dollars with a payback period of 6.4 years based on the system's 20-year lifespan. Also, compared to the existing grid and diesel-generator system, the optimized system, with a renewable fraction of 31.10%, provides a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions of 191 tons and 1,028 tons, respectively, each year.","PeriodicalId":45696,"journal":{"name":"AIMS Energy","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70226592","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
AIMS EnergyPub Date : 2022-01-01DOI: 10.3934/energy.2022055
Navid Majdi Nasab, J. Kilby, Leila Bakhtiaryfard
{"title":"Integration of wind and tidal turbines using spar buoy floating foundations","authors":"Navid Majdi Nasab, J. Kilby, Leila Bakhtiaryfard","doi":"10.3934/energy.2022055","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3934/energy.2022055","url":null,"abstract":"Floating platforms are complex structures used in deep water and high wind speeds. However, a methodology should be defined to have a stable offshore structure and not fail dynamically in severe environmental conditions. This paper aims to provide a method for estimating failure load or ultimate load on the anchors of floating systems in integrating wind and tidal turbines in New Zealand. Using either wind or tidal turbines in areas with harsh water currents is not cost-effective. Also, tidal energy, as a predictable source of energy, can be an alternative for wind energy when cut-in speed is not enough to generate wind power. The most expensive component after the turbine is the foundation. Using the same foundation for wind and tidal turbines may reduce the cost of electricity. Different environment scenarios as load cases have been set up to test the proposed system's performance, capacity and efficiency. Available tidal records from the national institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) have been used to find the region suitable for offshore energy generation and to conduct simulation model runs. Based on the scenarios, Terawhiti in Cook Strait with 110 m water height was found as the optimized site. It can be seen that the proposed floating hybrid system is stable in the presence of severe environmental conditions of wind and wave loadings in Cook Strait and gives a procedure for sizing suction caisson anchors.","PeriodicalId":45696,"journal":{"name":"AIMS Energy","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70229670","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}