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• Sunbelt countries can develop reliable solar-dominant grids in the absence of wind. • Policymakers should be highly sceptical of low solar technical potential estimates. • Zero energy emissions Malaysia requires about 0.7 TW solar, 2 TWh pumped hydro. • Sarawak-Peninsular Malaysia interconnection reduces storage needs, but not costs. • Inclusion of about 0.4% hydrogen or synthetic methane reduces storage needs and cost. Three-quarters of the global population lives in the sunbelt region (±35o latitude) with excellent access to solar resources. Wind resources at the equator are very limited, while supply chain and permitting delays are slowing wind deployment at a global scale. This paper investigates the potential for solar photovoltaic-dominant 100% renewable grids to be developed in sunbelt countries through a case study of Malaysia. It was expected that the technical potential for solar photovoltaics and off-river pumped hydro would be far in excess of what is required to decarbonise Malaysia's electricity grids. A Geographic Information System analysis determined that Malaysia has the potential to deploy approximately 8.5 Terawatts of terrestrial photovoltaics and 25 Terawatts of marine floating solar on calm oceans. There are roughly 450 Terawatt-hours of energy storage available in the form of off-river (closed-loop) pumped hydro energy storage. A least-cost, 16-year hourly energy balance model was used to determine that an affluent, fully electrified, highly interconnected Malaysia could greatly reduce emissions through the deployment of 660 Gigawatts of photovoltaics and 2200 Gigawatt-hours of pumped hydro, supported by small amounts of hydrogen-based gas peaking. All-in costs for such a fully decarbonised energy system were modelled to be in the range of 95–103 USD per Megawatt-hour. A Sarawak-Peninsular Malaysia interconnected grid could produce a similar electricity cost to two separate grids while reducing the long-term energy storage needs by approximately 33%. Inclusion of about 3 Terawatt-hours (0.1% of average annual generation at 20 Megawatt-hours/capita/year demand) of hydrogen, synthetic methane, or legacy fossil fuels could further reduce long-term energy storage needs by about 30% by helping to ride through occasional prolonged cloudy periods. Policymakers in sunbelt countries should be highly sceptical of technical potential estimates that suggest limited area for solar photovoltaics. Sunbelt countries can comfortably proceed with the development of cheap, reliable solar-dominant grids primarily supported by pumped hydro energy storage and inter-regional transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Two hybrid models for wind power forecasting MWSO-RBFNN and MWSO-GRNN are proposed. • Six cases of Turkey and Malaysia are analyzed by RE, MAE, RMSE, NSC and R 2 correlation. • Comparisons with SOTA models confirm the performance superiority of the proposed models. In order to combat the global warming, much stress is put on integrating non-conventional energy resources, such as wind power plants and solar energy systems, into standard electricity generation systems. The stochastic nature of wind energy at a large scale requires precise forecasting in short and medium terms to manage electricity demands for regional grids because the safety and control of electricity systems are highly sensitive to voltage drop. Unfortunately, the existing forecasting models achieve less desirable performance in short term power forecasting. To resolve this issue, based on hybrid stochastic algorithm based intelligent models, which are proven to be a highly effective predictive tool, this paper proposes two new hybrid models using modified white shark optimization (MWSO) algorithm based GRNN and RBFN. To enhance the forecasting performance, the parameter mv is projected as a function of time to enforce the convergence by accelerating computation as well for effective exploration and exploitation to reinforce features of data. The supervised control and data acquisition (SCADA) data provide the input metrics to the system. A hybrid decomposition model is used to prep data for feature enhancement. Six case studies are formulated from Turkey and Malaysia to validate the forecasting performance of our technically advanced models. Recommended modifications allow MWSO for enhanced training. The results are compared with four hybrid ANN topologies in combinations with PSO and BMO stochastic optimization algorithms. Seasonal results are compared graphically and statistically through 15 min ahead forecasting. The results show that the proposed MWSO-RBFNN model outperforms the classic models in all cases for point forecasting and interval forecasting with higher convergence rate and lower stochastic error. The point and interval forecasting accuracy is extremely important to ensure power systems' stability, efficiency, and safety. Our model achieves Nash-Sutcliffe constant score of 0.99 and exhibits superior performance with the least RMSE, RE, R2, and MAE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• GCAOA is applied for parameter extraction of the TD PV model to predict the output current of the PV model. • Non-dominated multi-objective principle is proposed for constructing sets of Pareto optimal solutions using three conflicting objectives. • A new integration based on MOO and MCDM aided by numerical methods are considered to choose the most desirable configuration. • MODA based on AHP-VICKOR-GDM method is used for validation of the proposed method. • Performance of optimum designs are evaluated using hourly meteorological data for one year. This paper presents a new optimum design for an off-grid hybrid solar photovoltaic (PV), wind turbine (WT), and battery storage system for power isolated dwellings in Malaysia and South Africa. Selecting a desirable design of the WT/PV/Battery system among a wide variety of configurations, particularly at a favorable level of reliability, lowering the total cost, and reducing the surplus energy, remains a challenging task. The procedure of this work is summarized as follows: First, the parameter of the three diode PV model is optimally extracted from datasheet information to forecast the output power of the Yingli PV module. Then, the upper and lower variables bounds of the WT/PV/Battery system are intuitively determined. Afterward, the numerical method is employed to identify every possible configurations inside the design space. The non-dominated multi-objective principle is then established to generate optimal sets of Pareto front solutions. Finally, an integration of the best worst method, technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution, and group decision making technique are employed to weight the objectives with complete consistency ratios and rank the optimal designs based on practical judgments. The performance results showed that the optimal designs are comprised of 1 WTs, 105 PV modules (21 in series and 5 in parallel), and 69 storage batteries with zero loss of load probability (LLP), 60185.47 ($) of life cycle cost (LCC), and 13548017.77 KWh of excess energy for Malaysian scenario. While the optimum configuration of the South African case study consists of 16 WTs, 80 PV modules (20 in series and 4 in parallel), and 69 storage batteries with a favorable LLP values of 0.00068, 59180.15 ($) of LCC, and 19174160.54 ($) of excess energy, respectively. It can be concluded that the proposed methodology for finding appropriate size of the WT/PV/Battery system is capable of operating with extremely confident dependability while minimizing the overall cost of the system and minimizing the surplus energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Using RGibbs, CSTR, and PFR block of Aspen Plus for gasification process simulation. • The relative error for syngas composition prediction at ER 0.15 is lower than 40%. • 10 kW on power and 110 kg/h on steam production were observed for the case study. • Higher efficiency in steam generation 15% than in electricity generation 1.9%. • 100% and 5.4% of electricity and steam consumption of the integrated process are covered. This paper proposes an improved model to predict the performance of sewage sludge updraft gasification more accurately by using Aspen Plus. The reaction rate of gas-gas and gas-solid reactions as well as the formation and destruction of tar composition were not adequately accounted for in the previous models. To solve that, a pair of Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor and Plug Flow Reactor blocks was configured for reaction zones of the gasifier. The number of tar compositions inserted in the model was increased to 6 components including benzene, toluene, phenol, naphthalene, acid palmitic, and indene. In comparison to the previous model, the accuracy of syngas composition prediction increased by 10–20%, particularly, the error of prediction was below 40% for all compositions at an equivalence ratio of 0.15. To make the first comprehensive study on energy production from sewage sludge treatment in Malaysia, the validated gasification model was applied to develop an integrated waste-to-energy with gasification model for Pantai 1 sewage treatment plant. There was a higher energy generating efficiency for the steam generation of 15.5–16.5% than for electricity generation of 1.4–1.9%. The electricity demand for sewage sludge treatment was fully satisfied, while 5.4% of the steam demand was met. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen is one of the most promising energy carriers for the future of the world due to its tremendous capability of pollution reduction. Hydrogen utilization is free of toxic gases formation as well as carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emission. Hydrogen production can be implemented using a wide variety of resources including fossil fuels, nuclear energy and renewable and sustainable energy (RSE). Amongst various RSE resources, biomass has great capacity to be employed for renewable hydrogen production. Hydrogen production from palm solid residue (PSR) via thermochemical process is a perfect candidate for waste-to-well strategy in palm oil mills in Malaysia. In this paper, various characteristics of hydrogen production from thermochemical process of PSR includes pyrolysis and gasification are reviewed. The annual oil palm fruits production in Malaysia is approximately 100 million tonnes which the solid waste of the fruits is capable to generate around 1.05 × 10 10 kgH 2 (1.26 EJ) via supercritical water gasification (SCWG) process. The ratio of energy output to energy input of SCWG process of PSR is about 6.56 which demonstrates the priority of SCWG to transform the energy of PSR into a high energy end product. The high moisture of PSR which is the most important barrier for its direct combustion, emerges as an advantage in thermochemical reactions and highly moisturized PSR (even more than 50%) is utilized directly in SCWG without application of any high cost drying process. Implementation of appropriate strategies could lead Malaysia to supply about 40% of its annual energy demand by hydrogen yield from SCWG of PSR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a result of rapid economic growth in the past, the usage of residential electrical appliances for the last two decades has increased rapidly in Malaysia. Like other developing countries with hot and humid climates, she has been experiencing dramatic growth in the number of air conditioners from 13,251 units in 1970 to 253,399 in 1991, and it will be about 1,511,276 in the year 2020. In order to reduce energy consumption in the residential sector, the Department of Electricity and Gas Supply considers implementing energy labels for household electrical appliances, including room air conditioners, sometime in the coming year. The purpose of the energy labels is to provide consumers a guideline to compare the energy efficiency of the appliances. This paper attempts to calculate the potential electricity savings by implementing energy labels for room air conditioners in this country. The potential electricity savings is predicted based on three scenarios, namely, minimum expected, nominal and maximum expected. The study found that in the energy savings view point, introducing energy labels for this appliance is very beneficial in this country. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Because of the rapid economic growth in the past, the usage of residential electrical appliances for the last two decades has increased rapidly in Malaysia. Like other developing countries with hot and humid climates, she has been experiencing dramatic growth in the number of air conditioners used from 13,251 units in 1970 to 253,399 in 1991, and it will be about 1,511,276 in the year 2020. In order to reduce energy consumption in the residential sector, the Department of Electricity and Gas Supply, Malaysia, considers implementing energy labels for household electrical appliances, including room air conditioners, sometime in the coming year. The purpose of the energy labels is to provide consumers a guideline to compare the size, features, price and efficiency of the appliance. This paper attempts to propose an energy label for room air conditioners in this country based on survey data. This label is also suitable for other appliances without major modification. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The achievement of low or zero greenhouse gas and particulate matter emissions such as sulfur oxides, optimized water-energy nexus, and a well-protected environment are challenges that have become increasingly significant for the biomass industry. There is a need to conduct evaluation and analyses of the greenhouse gas and particulate emissions, water use and energy consumption of biomass process and delivery, from "cradle to gate". Therefore, to fill this noted gap in the literature, this study aims to develop a combined life cycle and dynamic simulation model to examine water-energy nexus in the biomass industry, particularly under uncertainties, as well as estimation of greenhouse gas and particulate matter emissions of the biomass supply chain by 2050. The dynamic modelling of material, energy, and water flows was used to perform those tasks. An in-depth analysis of environmental issues during the production, processing, conversion and delivery of empty fruit bunches biomass supply and production system is conducted. The model was tested and implemented through a case study of three main biomass suppliers in Malaysia. Comparison of environmental performance of the production stages of 31 products through pre-processed, intermediate, and final productions in the biomass supply chain shows that bio-compost, activated-carbon, and cellulose are the highest water users and energy consumers as well as the highest emitters of greenhouse gas and sulfur oxides for all the three suppliers. Sensitivity analysis was also conducted for these critical products based on recent governmental land and demand policies. The main finding of this paper indicates a need for a well-planned management of water-energy nexus in pre-processed production compared to intermediate and final production of biomass supply chain. This finding provides valuable insights to the government agencies and stakeholders to pursue sustainable bioenergy development strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]