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This document is a compilation of research papers that explore the topics of Smart Cities and Positive Energy Districts (PEDs). The papers cover a range of subjects including energy efficiency, renewable energy communities, smart urban management, and financial schemes for sustainable neighborhoods. The findings emphasize the importance of energy renovation, potential energy and financial savings, and the need for collaborative approaches and policy direction to achieve sustainable urban development. The papers also provide insights into innovative solutions and technological advancements that can contribute to the realization of carbon-neutral and sustainable cities. This document serves as a valuable resource for library patrons conducting research on energy efficiency and sustainable building practices. [Extracted from the article]

The transition towards renewable energy is not as impressive as expected when considering the wide array of efforts undertaken. Energy-abundant countries do not have sufficient stimuli to curb the use of fossil fuels; some of them even work on increasing international supply. Greenhouse gas emissions remain high. As the world population grows, more attention must be devoted to the transition towards renewables. This transition requires additional resources and leaves behind waste that must be recycled. Without a circular economy, the transition towards renewable energy will require extra power, resulting in a spiral that is very detrimental to the environment of our planet. This paper provides a picture of the current situation, discusses tendencies, and systemizes issues that must be tackled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of solar energy is now a common and modern alternative that many countries throughout the world have adopted. Different studies on PV systems have been documented in the literature; however, several reviews focus excessively on particular facets of solar modules. In this paper, the literature on PV systems published between 2000 and 2023 was reviewed thoroughly. This review is structured in three main parts. Primarily, the main factors impacting dust deposition on solar modules are discussed. These include temperature, wind speed, inclination angle, location, climatic conditions, photovoltaic module surface characteristics, and dust characteristics. Many methods for mitigating and reducing dust as well as approaches to cleaning PV modules are also reviewed in this study. The many types of solar modules, together with their most important characteristics and operational effectiveness, are presented. As more solar photovoltaic panels expand their end of life (EOL), solutions are required to recycle and dispose of solar photovoltaic panels at the lowest economic cost and with the least environmental damage through reduced carbon emissions and greenhouse gases. Subsequently, this paper further reviews solar PV energy for a green environment and PV waste recycling and its costs. Moreover, integrating solar energy with other clean energy constituting an energy source for hard-to-reach areas and an alternative to fuel are discussed. Therefore, this comprehensive review of the use of photovoltaic systems for green energy production is helpful in an increased share of clean energy for various energy sectors in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current applications in the energy sector are based largely on fossil fuels which release greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere. To face the issue of global warming, the energy sector has to transfer to and develop sustainable energy solutions that do not release carbon emissions. This is one of the primary motivators for the SDEWES conference as well as for this review, and previous ones, examining the most recent works based on sustainable and green energy production in such fields. The 17th Conference on the Sustainable Development of Energy, Water, and Environment Systems (SDEWES) was held on 6–10 November 2022 in Paphos, Cyprus. The SDEWES conference aims at solving complex and ongoing concerns that approach a long-term perspective and supporting innovative solutions and continuous monitoring and evaluation. This review paper aims at collecting the main presented papers focused on the following hot topics: low-carbon technologies based on renewable and clean-energy systems, including mainly biomass, solar, and wind energy applications; energy storage systems; hydrogen-based systems; energy-saving strategies in buildings; and the adoption of smart management strategies using renewable energy systems. These topics are investigated in order to propose solutions to address the issues of climate change, water scarcity, and energy saving. From the analyzed works, we note that some key issues for sustainable development remain to be further addressed: such as novel and advanced energy storage systems, green hydrogen production, novel low-temperature district heating and cooling networks, novel solar technologies for the simultaneous production of power and high temperature heat, solar desalination for hydrogen production systems, and agrivoltaic systems for the production of power and food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Egypt has the potential to generate a significant amount of energy from renewable technologies, in particular solar PV, concentrated solar power (CSP), and onshore and offshore wind. The energy sector is reliant on fossil fuels, particularly natural gas, for electricity production and is at risk of locking itself into a high carbon pathway. Globally, reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with national energy sectors is a target outlined in the UN's Paris Agreement. To reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions associated with a higher dependence on fossil fuels, Egypt must consider upscaling renewable energy technologies (RETs) to achieve a clean energy transition (CET). This research modelled six scenarios using clicSAND for OSeMOSYS to identify the technologies and policy target improvements that are needed to upscale RETs within Egypt's energy sector. The results showed that solar PV and onshore wind are key technologies to be upscaled to contribute towards Egypt's CET. The optimal renewable target is the International Renewable Energy Agency's (IRENA) target of 53% of electricity being sourced from RETs by 2030, which will cost USD 16.4 billion more up to 2035 than Egypt's current Integrated Sustainable Energy Strategy (ISES) target of 42% by 2035; it also saves 732.0 MtCO2 over the entire modelling period to 2070. Socio-economic barriers to this transition are considered, such as recent discoveries of natural gas reserves combined with a history of energy insecurity, political instability impacting investor confidence, and a lack of international climate funding. The paper concludes with policy recommendations that would enable Egypt to progress towards achieving a CET. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores business models for community energy storage (CES) and examines their potential and feasibility at the local level. By leveraging Multi Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) approaches and real-world case studies in Europe and India, it presents insights into CES deployment opportunities, challenges, and best practices. Different business models, including community energy cooperatives, utility–community partnerships, demand response, energy services, and market mechanisms, are analyzed. The proposed method combines the MCDM method PROMETHEE II with the fuzzy set theory to obtain a complete CES business model ranking, addressing project uncertainties. The analysis emphasizes CES's role in balancing local renewable energy supply and demand, facilitating energy sharing, and achieving energy independence. Findings prioritize models like Community Cooperative, Energy Arbitrage, and Energy Arbitrage Peak Shaving for CES with renewables. Environmental benefits include reduced diesel use and greenhouse gas emissions. Efficient cooperatives are advocated to recover costs and enable competitive energy prices. The paper highlights the need for novel value propositions to boost the energy transition in local communities. This research contributes to the discourse on CES business models, fostering knowledge exchange and promoting effective strategies for sustainable energy systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to the pressing global challenges around climate change and the imperative of transitioning the energy market towards sustainability, this paper presents a comprehensive review starting from the late 18th century. The study examines the pivotal role of Transmission System Operators (TSOs) and Distribution System Operators (DSOs) in shaping the evolving energy landscape, with a specific emphasis on the C+++ Framework. This framework emphasizes coordination, cooperation, and collaboration between TSOs and DSOs to achieve sustainable energy systems through the integration of renewable energy technologies, storage systems, and efficient energy demand management. In addition, the review provides a historical overview of global warming from 1800 to the present, highlighting key events and developments related to greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, the paper delves into the significance of international agreements such as the Paris Agreement and the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions for a sustainable future. Recognizing the vital role of the C+++ Framework, the paper concludes with a discussion of future hybrid sustainable technologies incorporating various storage and efficient lighting technologies that can optimize energy management and reduce carbon emissions. This research aims to contribute valuable insights to inform energy policy and decision-making processes for a reliable, efficient, and sustainable energy delivery system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In most countries energy needs are satisfied using fossil fuels. Fossil fuel combustion involves environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The effect of the depletion of natural resources and the growing awareness of the need to protect the environment are the reasons that clean energy and alternative energy sources have been significant research issues. One of the most important technologies enabling efficient generation of low-emission energy is the gasification process of synthesis gas production. Syngas is primarily composed of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, but depending on the feedstock, it can also contain smaller concentrations, e.g., of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrogen. Because synthesis gas contains flammable and toxic substances, it may pose hazards to humans and the environment at every stage of gas production, storage, transport or final utilization if released uncontrollably. This paper presents the results of analyses related to hazards created by an uncontrollable release of synthesis gas during storage. A failure of a syngas system may cause damage to other, subsequent technological systems and facilities located in the neighborhood and containing dangerous substances. The problem gains special significance if syngas is stored in many tanks, where a failure of one may result in damage to subsequent tanks due to the so-called domino effect. The conditions in which the domino effect may occur are analyzed and the effect occurrence probability is determined depending on the mutual location of the tanks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photovoltaic (PV) panels are prone to experiencing various overlays and faults that can affect their performance and efficiency. The detection of photovoltaic panel overlays and faults is crucial for enhancing the performance and durability of photovoltaic power generation systems. It can minimize energy losses, increase system reliability and lifetime, and lower maintenance costs. Furthermore, it can contribute to the sustainable development of photovoltaic power generation systems, which can reduce our reliance on conventional energy sources and mitigate environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in line with the goals of sustainable energy and environmental protection. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive survey of the existing detection techniques for PV panel overlays and faults from two main aspects. The first aspect is the detection of PV panel overlays, which are mainly caused by dust, snow, or shading. We classify the existing PV panel overlay detection methods into two categories, including image processing and deep learning methods, and analyze their advantages, disadvantages, and influencing factors. We also discuss some other methods for overlay detection that do not process images to detect PV panel overlays. The second aspect is the detection of PV panel faults, which are mainly caused by cracks, hot spots, or partial shading. We categorize existing PV panel fault detection methods into three categories, including electrical parameter detection methods, detection methods based on image processing, and detection methods based on data mining and artificial intelligence, and discusses their advantages and disadvantages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the problem of environmental pollution, especially the emission of greenhouse gases, has attracted people's attention to energy infrastructure. At present, the fuel consumed by transportation mainly comes from fossil energy, and the strong traffic demand has a great impact on the environment and climate. Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) use hydrogen energy as a clean alternative to fossil fuels, taking into account the dual needs of transportation and environmental protection. However, due to the low power density and high manufacturing cost of hydrogen fuel cells, their combination with other power supplies is necessary to form a hybrid power system that maximizes the utilization of hydrogen energy and prolongs the service life of hydrogen fuel cells. Therefore, the hybrid power system control mode has become a key technology and a current research hotspot. This paper first briefly introduces hydrogen fuel cells, then summarizes the existing hybrid power circuit topology, categorizes the existing technical solutions, and finally looks forward to the future for different scenarios of hydrogen fuel cell hybrid power systems. This paper provides reference and guidance for the future development of renewable hydrogen energy and hydrogen fuel cell hybrid electric vehicles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of geological formations, distinguished by natural porosity and permeability and protected by low-permeability caprock, has emerged as an effective strategy for carbon dioxide (CO2) storage. This method significantly contributes to mitigating anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions and addressing the challenges of climate change. Recent research has unveiled the potential of CO2 to enhance geothermal heat energy extraction in geothermal reservoirs by acting as a subsurface heat exchange fluid. This review paper explores the viability of CO2 in augmenting geothermal heat energy extraction, comparing it to conventional water-based geothermal systems. Special emphasis is placed on CO2 plume geothermal (CPG) systems, characterized by rapid deployment and long-term utilization of geothermal energy resources. With the overarching objective of establishing net-zero energy communities, the analysis of such systems offers a comprehensive understanding of their features, providing a fresh perspective on extracted energy within the context of energy supply in integrated, sustainable energy in built systems. Notably, these systems demonstrate efficacy in meeting the power requirements of an energy community, spanning both distinct heating and electricity needs. However, the key challenge lies in selecting suitable locations. This scientific review aims to comprehend the characteristics of CPG under specific temperature and pressure conditions while optimizing subsurface permeability. This insight is pivotal for identifying future locations for CPG operations with the intent of powering small energy communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the demand for electricity continues to grow in Saudi Arabia, finding ways to increase power generation becomes increasingly important. However, conventional power generation methods such as burning fossil fuels contribute significantly to environmental pollution and harm human health through the emissions of greenhouse gases. One potential solution to this problem is the use of solar energy, which has the advantage of being abundant in Saudi Arabia due to its location in the sun belt. When compared to conventional power generation methods, solar energy is a viable alternative, particularly when the indirect costs of fossil fuels, such as harm to the environment and human health, are considered. Using photovoltaic cells to convert sunlight into electrical energy is a key method for producing clean energy. Despite the initial cost of investing in solar energy infrastructure, it is ultimately less expensive than electricity derived from fossil fuels. In recognition of the potential of solar energy, the Saudi government has outlined an ambitious plan to install 41 GW of solar capacity and invest USD 108.9 billion by 2032. Additionally, financing and significant tax benefits have been provided to promote the development of the solar industry. This research article reviews the techno-economic analysis of PV power plants and examines previous policy papers and the existing research on the topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most important climate change mitigation strategies is to exploit the potential of individual behavioral changes in order to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and the insights of behavioral economics are proving helpful in this regard. This contributes to improving traditional instruments, developing new ones related to choice architecture (nudges), and combining them within behavioral decarbonization intervention strategies. It is important, in terms of their effectiveness and efficiency, whether the instruments of such interventions are supported by citizens. This paper presents the results of a survey of Polish respondents' (n = 1064) reactions to hypothetical nudges regarding the choice of a "green energy" supplier. The main research questions of the study are: how much civic support do these behavioral intervention tools have, and what is the importance of selected factors for their acceptance? The aim of the study is to present nudges as one of the strategies of pro-environmental behavioral change and to analyze selected factors of acceptance of these instruments by the Polish society. There are two main conclusions of the research: (1) Poles' support for the green nudges analyzed is comparatively high, like in other European countries; (2) statistically significant differences in support for one of them are age and individual political party preferences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taking into account factors such as unfavorable climate changes, shrinking fossil fuel resources, low energy efficiency, and the pace of population growth, the transformation towards green and renewable energy is one of the most important goals and challenges facing the world. The energy sector is the source of about 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions and energy-related emissions are reaching new record levels. For the energy transition to succeed, innovation at the level of technology, business processes and policies (local, national, and international) are necessary. Therefore, the aim of this article is to analyze the size, structure, and dynamics of research on innovations in the field of green and renewable energy in the last decade in order to identify the main topics and research trends in this field. The authors conducted a bibliometric review based on the PRISMA guidance together with visualization analysis based on the VOSviewer software. For this purpose, the Web of Science Core Collection (WoS CC) database was used, and based on defined inclusion criteria, the authors selected 1144 records for bibliographic analysis. The database was subjected to a performance analysis from the perspective of the number of publications per year, dominant countries, and journals. Further, science mapping was employed to analyze such features of the publications as co-citations, co-occurrences, and bibliometric coupling. Based on the results, gaps in green and renewable energy innovations were identified and issues for future research were defined and recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of biofuels represents a promising means of achieving a sustainable future and offers considerable economic and environmental benefits. Since they are derived from organic sources, such as vegetable oils and animal fats, biofuels can mitigate the effects of greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, support local agriculture, create employment opportunities, and enhance energy security by reducing dependence on fossil fuels. However, introducing these alternative fuels to the aviation sector remains a significant challenge. Thus, it is vital to investigate the potential of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and discover how to overcome the technological obstacles to its integration into mainstream aviation to attain broader decarbonization objectives. This article seeks to contribute to a discussion about SAF by examining how it has evolved and its connections to related patents. This article is a comprehensive study of biofuel innovation, highlighting the complex relationships between academia, industry, and other stakeholders. It is hoped that the findings from this study will provide a clearer understanding of the catalysts involved in SAF innovation and provide valuable insights for policymakers, academics, and professionals in the field who are committed to shaping the trajectory of sustainable energy technologies in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Institutions of higher learning in South Africa are grappling with occasional power outages in lecture halls, leading to disruptions in academic activities and occasional loss of lecture hours. Therefore, this study presents a comprehensive evaluation of a grid-connected solar PV/Li-ion battery microgrid (μG) system aimed at maintaining a constant power supply to selected lecture halls at a university in the Western Cape, South Africa. The microgrid design, modelling, and simulations, conducted in the MATLAB/Simulink environment, include the solar PV, Li-ion battery, energy consumption of the lecture halls (load profile), boost converter, bidirectional converter, and grid. Using the detailed design, modelling, and simulation, the study evaluates the economic and environmental impacts of integrating μGs, focusing on enhancing energy reliability, reducing operational costs, and mitigating CO2 emissions. The results indicate that integrating the microgrid resulted in a significant 51% reduction in energy cost and a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions by 530 kgCO2e per hour. In Cases 2 and 4, where the battery supplied power, the annual battery degradation costs are 6.08% and 14.9% of the initial cost, respectively. The μG ensures an uninterrupted power supply and improves the overall reliability of the university's energy infrastructure. It promotes environmental sustainability goals of zero emissions and maintains continuous academic activities during grid outages. Furthermore, it fosters a conducive learning environment, supports innovation and creativity in sustainable energy technologies, and sets a standard for other higher education institutions to integrate renewable energy-powered μGs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electric vehicles (EVs) offer a viable technological solution for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation industry, addressing pressing societal concerns regarding climate change, air pollution, and sustainable energy consumption. To effectively promote widespread adoption of EVs, it is crucial to understand consumer preferences and evaluate market dynamics. In Nepal, where proven fossil fuel reserves are absent, the government is actively working towards accelerating EV adoption, leveraging the nation's significant hydroelectric power generation potential to fulfill EVs' charging demands. To gain insight into consumer preferences and evaluate market dynamics regarding EVs in Nepal, this study employs a comprehensive approach. Stated preference data are collected through a meticulously designed survey, and sophisticated analytical techniques, namely, the mixed logit model and latent class model, are applied for estimation purposes. The results of this study show that potential EV consumers with small family sizes, lower monthly travel distances, heightened environmental awareness, and substantial knowledge about electric vehicles are more inclined to embrace EV technology. Notably, the study highlights that a reduction in the purchase price exerts the most significant influence on increasing consumers' likelihood of adopting battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). Market simulation results suggest that a policy mix scenario, encompassing a combination of supportive measures, proves more effective in promoting EV adoption compared to relying on single policy initiatives. Furthermore, through latent class estimation, the study identifies three distinct classes of consumers within Nepal, each exhibiting significant variations in preferences. Recognizing and addressing these variations within policy frameworks is crucial for the successful promotion and widespread acceptance of EVs in Nepal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, the increase in global energy demand is notorious, a situation that, in turn, impacts the environment through the generation of pollutants that are harmful to the planet. In this sense, an energy transition towards clean energy sources, also known as renewable sources, is essential, as well as better energy management and a responsible use of available natural resources. In this context, the objective of this systematic review was to analyze the use of renewable energy sources in Latin America, in addition to the guidelines established for their use, and the consequences of the use of non-renewable sources. Therefore, the PRISMA method was applied, and 60 publications were selected, from which the existing interest in this region in combatting the increase in energy demand and the use of fossil fuels through renewable energies is evidenced. Finally, it is concluded that there is still a need for greater dissemination in the region regarding this problem, as well as greater actions on the part of industries and governments to make proper use of this type of energy source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Union (EU) has developed important efforts in enacting various clean energy policies in order to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the last decades. Both supply-side and demand-side changes are required in the energy systems in the period of 2020–2030 and going towards 2050. In this context, a better understanding of the effects of these specific clean energy actions on reducing GHG emissions may be especially of interest for allowing policymakers to know the strengths and weaknesses of various climate-related power sector policies. This paper adds to the literature by presenting the effects of both supply-side and demand-side policies and empirical evidence of the impact of these policies on the reduction in carbon emissions. This analysis was done by means of a panel data set and several regression models that contribute to explaining the link between clean energy policies applied in the EU and carbon emissions over the period of 2000–2019. The results show that while supply-side policies have shown a positive and effective impact on the reduction in GHG emissions, on the demand side, more aggressive policy efforts are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural gas hydrate is one of the most important clean energies and part of carbon cycle, due to the least carbon content. Natural gas hydrates depend on high pressure and low temperatures, located under seabed or permafrost. Small changes in temperature and pressure may lead gas hydrates to separate into water and gas, commonly as methane. As a powerful greenhouse gas, methane is much stronger than carbon dioxide. Therefore, it is necessary to detect the gas hydrates stable zone (GHSZ) before the methane gas escapes from GHSZ. Marine controlled source electromagnetic method (CSEM) is a useful tool to detect gas hydrate in offshore. The results from 3D CSEM method are a resistivity cube to describe the distribution of gas hydrates. In order to study the detectability of CSEM method, we simulate the sensitivity and resolution of marine CSEM synthetic data. By using the sensitivity and resolution, a simple statement may be quickly judged on the existence and occurrence range of the natural gas hydrate. In this paper, we compare the resolution of marine CSEM method with various transverse resistance. This information may help researchers find out whether the GHSZ exists or not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Along with the high growth rate of economy and fast increasing air pollution, clean energy, such as the natural gas, has played an important role in preventing the environment from discharge of greenhouse gases and harmful substances in China. It is very important to accurately forecast the demand of natural gas in China is for the government to formulate energy policies. This paper firstly proposes a combined forecasting model, name GM-S-SIGM-GA model, to forecast the demand of natural gas in China from 2011 to 2017, by constructing the grey model (GM(1,1)) and the self-adapting intelligent grey model (SIGM), respectively; then, it employs a genetic algorithm to determine the combined weight coefficients between these two models. Finally, using the tendency index (the annual changes of the share of natural gas consumption from the total energy consumption), which completely reveal the annual natural gas consumption share among the market, to successfully adjust the fluctuated changes for each data period. The natural gas demand data from 2002 to 2010 in China are used to model the proposed GM-S-SIGM-GA model, and the data from 2011 to 2017 are used to evaluate the forecasting accuracy. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed GM-S-SIGM-GA model is superior to other single forecasting models in terms of the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE; 4.48%), the root mean square error (RMSE; 11.59), and the mean absolute error (MAE; 8.41), respectively, and the forecasting performances also receive the statistical significance under 97.5% and 95% confident levels, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cheap and clean energy demand is continuously increasing due to economic growth and industrialization. The energy sectors of several countries still employ fossil fuels for power production and there is a concern of associated emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG). On the other hand, environmental regulations are becoming more stringent, and resultant emissions need to be mitigated. Therefore, optimal energy policies considering economic resources and environmentally friendly pathways for electricity generation are essential. The objective of this paper is to develop a comprehensive model to optimize the power sector. For this purpose, a multi-period mixed integer programming (MPMIP) model was developed in a General Algebraic Modeling System (GAMS) to minimize the cost of electricity and reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Various CO2 mitigation strategies such as fuel balancing and carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) were employed. The model was tested on a case study from Pakistan for a period of 13 years from 2018 to 2030. All types of power plants were considered that are available and to be installed from 2018 to 2030. Moreover, capacity expansion was also considered where needed. Fuel balancing was found to be the most suitable and promising option for CO2 mitigation as up to 40% CO2 mitigation can be achieved by the year 2030 starting from 4% in 2018 for all scenarios without increase in the cost of electricity (COE). CO2 mitigation higher than 40% by the year 2030 can also be realized but the number of new proposed power plants was much higher beyond this target, which resulted in increased COE. Implementation of carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) on new power plants also reduced the CO2 emissions considerably with an increase in COE of up to 15%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]