Search

Abstract: The main aim of this paper is to review of the current state of energy systems in the Western Balkans countries. The paper gives a review of the individual parameters relating to energy development, defines the current state of the achieved level of sustainable energy development as a whole and defines possible strategic directions for energy development in the region. The paper also examines the possibility for implementation of the adopted EU target of 20% RES energy production. The main characteristics in the region are high energy consumption, high values of carbon emission, fossil fuels import dependency, constant production and electric energy supply, and high potential but minimal RES energy production. Further development of regulation framework and market liberalization is are basic preconditions of demanding energy reform in all countries. Increasing energy the second energy development priority. The third long term strategic goal is increasing the amount of the energy obtained from hydro and transition to clean coal technologies. Intensifying RES production is currently the fourth strategic priority. The analysis shows that production of energy from wind is priority for the region, but currently it is constrained by too great investment requirements for developing countries. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Envisioning a sustainable biorefinery requires reliable information on the sustainable availability of biomass, optimal plant location and delivered cost. In this paper, we have developed an integrated Geographic Information System (GIS) based sustainable biomass assessment, site optimization and supply logistics cost model to assess the spatial and temporal availability of crop residues, to identify optimal plant sites and to calculate the delivered cost. The grid-level (30 × 30 m) assessment model was developed for crop residues using three primary sustainability indicators: (1) Soil Erosion (SE), (2) Soil Conditioning Index (SCI) and (3) Crop residue yield ⩾2.5 dry Mg/ha. The Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) prediction models for each indicator were developed and implemented in the GIS platform to assess sustainably available crop residues. A multi-criteria geospatial analysis was used to identify suitable plant sites. GIS-based location-allocation model was used to site biorefineries/plants at optimal locations and generate feedstock supply curves. The developed model was demonstrated with the sustainable assessment of cotton stalk (CS) to produce fuel pellets in the study region (Georgia, USA). The model has estimated that about 1.6 million dry Mg of CS is available annually to support seven pellet plants with an average annual plant capacity of 200,000 dry Mg. The average delivered cost of CS ranged between 68 and 75 $/dry Mg delivered as large rectangular bales with the transport radii ranged from 31 to 60 km. The spatial and temporal variations in the topology and crop yield directly influenced the sustainable availability of CS, the optimal plant location and its capacity and the delivered cost. However, the changes in the optimal plant location and delivered cost were minimal for large capacity plants (>400,000 dry Mg). The developed model can be used to assess multiple crop residues, to manage and control feedstock supply risks and delivered cost variations for a sustainable biorefinery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy storage is a cutting edge front for renewable and sustainable energy research. In fact, a massive exploitation of intermittent renewable sources, such as wind and sun, requires the introduction of effective mechanical energy storage systems. In this paper we introduce the concept of a trigenerative energy storage based on a compressed air system. The plant in study is a simplified design of the adiabatic compressed air energy storage and accumulates mechanical and thermal (both hot and cold) energy at the same time. We envisage the possibility to realize a relatively small size trigenerative compressed air energy storage to be placed close to the energy demand, according to the distributed generation paradigm. Here, we describe the plant concept and we identify all the relevant parameters influencing its thermodynamic behavior. Their effects are dissected through an accurate thermodynamic model. The most relevant technological issues, such as the guidelines for a proper choice of the compressor, expander and heat exchangers are also addressed. Our results show that T-CAES may have an interesting potential as a distributed system that combines electricity storage with heat and cooling energy production. We also show that the performances are significantly influenced by some operating and design parameters, whose feasibility in real applications must be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy sectors of all the countries around the world are faced with a big challenge: the energy transition under the imperative of continuous reduction of carbon dioxide emissions. The energy transition and the sustainability constraints pose a significant challenge for engineers, researcher and scientists developing new and clean energy-efficient technologies. Energy production and transformations, along with its storage, distribution and consumption, are achieved by utilising new and clean energy technologies, with the goal of the continuous increase of energy efficiency, the growth of renewable energy sources utilisation, the uninterrupted switch from fossil fuels to alternative energy sources, and the continued reduction of CO2 emissions. This editorial paper addresses the latest progress and the findings in research and developments in the sustainable energy technologies, energy and environment systems from selected papers of the conference on Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems held in 2019. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrated community energy systems (ICESs) are a modern development of local energy systems by integrating distributed energy resources and local communities. Cost allocation is one of the key issues affecting the success of ICESs. Costs should be allocated to those who cause them, and benefits to those who make the investments. A well-designed cost allocation approach will therefore contribute to a successful implementation and sustainable development of ICESs. This paper presents a general framework for designing cost allocation schemes in ICESs. Various cost allocation methods are proposed to compute the energy bills for local community members in an ICES. In addition, the cost reflectiveness of different cost allocation methods has been computed based on a case study of an ICES to gain insights into how well the costs are allocated. Next to this, the same is also done for the cost predictability to investigate how the energy costs would change in the long term. The results showed that methods with a single energy charging component perform the best in terms of the two criteria. Our assessment can facilitate local community members in selecting a method that satisfies their requirements. Overall, this research contributes to a successful implementation of cost allocation in an ICES. • A framework is designed for cost allocation in ICESs. • Various methods are proposed for cost allocation in ICESs. • Cost allocation methods are assessed by cost reflectiveness and predictability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A metaheuristic-based model is proposed to optimally size a hydrogen-based microgrid. • The microgrid system is equipped with an innovative hydrogen refuelling station. • The performances of eight metaheuristics are studied in terms of accuracy and speed. • The moth-flame optimizer is found to outperform the popular algorithms in this area. • The system's levelized costs of electricity and hydrogen are $0.09/kWh and $4.61/kg. There has been growing interest in the development of sustainable energy systems using the potential of renewable energy sources. However, due to the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources, they must be accompanied by appropriate storage devices to be optimally integrated into so-called smart micro-grid systems. The optimal design problem of sustainable micro-grids is associated with several nonlinearities and non-convexities, and therefore is not amenable to exact methods of optimization. Accordingly, this paper proposes a metaheuristic-based approach for optimizing the size and typology of the components of an off-grid hydrogen-based micro-grid, backed up with super-capacitors and stationary fuel cell systems, in the presence of a hydrogen refuelling station. The paper also compares the performance of six recent metaheuristics. The simulations are carried out for the climatic conditions of the Feilding area, New Zealand using MATLAB. Based on the comparative results, the moth-flame optimization algorithm is found to result in a significant reduction in the total net present cost of the system in comparison with other investigated algorithms. Notably, it outperforms the genetic algorithm and the particle swarm optimization in terms of solution quality by ~2.1% and ~3.2% (equating to cost savings of $123,910 and $188,129 from the target system). The results also demonstrate both the technical feasibility and cost-effectiveness of the proposed stand-alone micro-grid architecture. Particularly, the levelized costs of electricity and hydrogen of the conceptualized system are found to be $0.09/kWh and $4.61/kg, respectively, which are well below the current tariffs in New Zealand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: EU directives RESD (2001/77/EC) and WFD (2000/60/EC) can be considered as partially conflicting. Achieving a good qualitative and quantitative status of waters, what presumes “non-deterioration principle” of the existing ecological status in line with WFD, is conflicting with the construction of new hydropower plants that are promoting renewable energies, what is in line with RESD. Several projects have been developed in order to minimize conflicts between the two Directives, often providing a list of key criteria to be taken into consideration when deciding on the impact minimization of new ones or certification to existing plants. One example is CH2OICE, aiming at developing a technically and economically feasible certification procedure for hydropower generation facilities of high environmental standard. This paper aims to evaluate applicability of multicriteria decision aid to decision makers during the design process, decisions on site selection and plant technical and operational parameters, based on both economic and environmental criteria selected. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Energy poverty is a global threat to sustainable development and improved livelihoods hence the availability of clean, affordable, reliable and sustainable energy is a central issue to Kenya’s national development objectives. Biogas technology in Kenya has been earmarked as one of the main drivers towards the elimination of energy poverty in majority of rural households and to this end different biogas digester models are actively promoted. Consequently, assessing the sustainability of the biogas systems in Kenya is one of the topical issues driving the discussion on biogas development. Hence developing an assessment technique capable of reliably screening the different alternatives and highlighting the sustainability hot spots is of critical essence in decision making for all biogas stake holders in the country. This paper comparatively analyses the common biogas production systems in Kenya by linking the biogas energy with infrastructures of production. A multi criteria perspective is employed for the analysis focusing on technical, economic and environmental sustainability dimensions. The evaluation in the work follows the Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA) methodology based on the ISO 14040 and 14044 environmental management principles. It is observed that the tubular and the fixed dome digesters with respective cumulative multi criteria sustainability scores of 70% and 57% are the most sustainable with respect to animal manure as the predominant feedstock. The multi criteria sustainability assessment approach as presented in this study can constitute a vital tool for interventions in the biogas energy sector. The biogas multi-criteria sustainability assessment approach as presented in this work might be a very vital tool for biogas policy formulation in Kenya and a wide range of developing countries. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Community-based trading structures play important roles in the development of local energy market (LEM). In this paper, a decentralized optimization model for the trading community formation is proposed based on the Lp-box consensus alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM), where the network features of the physical systems are explicitly represented by power loss and wheeling charging in local and regional trading level, respectively. The framework for multi-level hybrid trading network construction is introduced involving three different trading modes, i.e , traditional trading mode, agent-based trading mode and peer-to-peer (P2P) trading mode, and two hybrid trading networks, namely Traditional trading & Agent based trading (TA) and Traditional trading & Peer-to-peer trading & Agent based trading (TPA), are developed based on the trading community formation results. The corresponding profit allocation schemes are also presented for the TA and TPA hybrid trading networks respectively. A set of complex network indices is applied to analyze the network characteristics of the TA and TPA trading topologies, while the link entropy (LE) index is used to evaluate the edge significance of the communication relationship network in maintaining global connectivity. Finally, the proposed models are validated via a test system with six IEEE 33-bus systems connected through the IEEE 9-bus system. The results show that the agent-based strategy can benefit all entities compared with the SDR and contribution-based strategies, while the REO (renewable energy output)-first strategy proposed for P2P pairing is more stimulating for the selling entities with larger REOs than distance-first mode. In addition, the entities' prices in the bi-level trading are significantly improved compared with those of the single-level trading both for agent-based trading and P2P trading. The complex index values of TA are all slightly greater than those of TPA, and a feeder with fewer managers is likely to have a larger LE value. The proposed models for trading community formation and trading network formation provide significant means for the development of sustainable LEMs. • A decentralized trading community formation model is proposed for local energy market. • A framework for multi-level hybrid trading network construction is introduced involving different trading modes. • Two hybrid trading networks are developed with the corresponding profit allocation schemes. • A set of complex network indices is applied to analyze the network characteristics of hybrid trading networks and corresponding communication network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Industrial demand-side flexibility holds unique potentials for system stability. • Hereby, it may be an engine for sustainable and inclusive industrial development. • We illustrate guidelines of a corresponding flexibility transition pathway. • We develop a first monitoring approach for a country's flexibility transition. • Our monitoring approach indicates mis-developments and needed countermeasures. In many countries, industry is one of the largest consumers of electricity. Given the special importance of electricity for industry, a reliable electricity supply is a basic prerequisite for further industrial development and associated economic growth. As countries worldwide transition to a low-carbon economy (in particular, by the development of renewable energy sources), the increasing fluctuation in renewable energy production requires new flexibility options within the electricity system in order to guarantee security of supply. It is advanced in this paper that such a flexibility transition with an active participation of industry in general has unique potential: It will not only promote green industrial development, but also become an engine for inclusive industrial development and growth as well as delivering a just transition to a low-carbon economy. Given the high potential of industrial demand-side flexibility, a first monitoring approach for such a flexibility transition is illustrated, which bases on a flexibility index. Our flexibility index allows for an indication of mis-developments and supports an appropriate implementation of countermeasures together with relevant stakeholders. Hence, it holds various insights for both policy-makers and practice with respect to how industrial demand-side flexibility can ensure advances towards an inclusive, just, and sustainable industrial development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This special issue of Applied Energy contains scientific articles presented at the 1st Latin American edition of the SDEWES conference conducted in 2018 in Rio de Janeiro, the 3rd South East Europe edition of SDEWES conference conducted in 2018 in Novi Sad, and the 13th SDEWES conference conducted in 2018 in Palermo. The SDEWES conferences are international scientific conferences that gather scientists and professionals from the field of sustainable development. These conferences have brought together 770 scientists, researchers, and experts in the field of sustainable development of energy and environment. This editorial is based upon 20 papers selected from among 700 contributions presented at the SDEWES conferences in 2018. The topics covered in this special issue include the advances in research and development in the energy sytems and technologies and its environmental impact within the framework of sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]