Search

In the present study, Ti3C2Tx type MXene was prepared by selective etching of Al from Ti3AlC2 with mesh size of 200. The powder form of raw material was used to fabricate Ti3C2Tx by in-situ HF etching method. The MXene is further coated on non-woven paper by simply dip coating method. The detailed structural, morphology and elemental content study of as prepared Ti3C2Tx MXene have demonstrated. The MXene (Ti3AlC2) powders show compact, layered morphology as expected for bulk layered ternary carbide. The detailed elemental analysis has carried out for Titanium carbide based MXene coated and uncoated woven paper. The lower conducting property obtained for paper coating due less amount of coating in the surface of paper instead of coating on glass substrate. The electrical property characterization of MXene coated non-woven paper and glass substrate have also been studied. Hence, the conductive coating of MXene-in water formulation achieved through simple dip coating methods is promising for low cost sensor, wearable shielding device fabrication towards renewable energy and healthcare applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pulp and paper industry (PPI) has several opportunities to contribute to meeting prevailing climate targets. It can cut its own CO2 emissions, which currently account for 2% of global industrial fossil CO2 emissions, and it has an opportunity to produce renewable energy, fuels, and materials for other sectors. The purpose of this study is to improve understanding of the decarbonization prospects of the PPI. The study provides insights on the magnitude of needed annual renewal rates for several possible net-zero target years of industrial fossil CO2 emissions in the PPI and discusses decarbonization opportunities, namely, energy and material efficiency improvement, fuel switching, electrification, renewable energy production, carbon capture, and new products. The effects of climate policies on the decarbonization opportunities are critically evaluated to provide an overview of the current and future business environment of the European PPI. The focus is on Europe, but other regions are analyzed briefly to widen the view. The analysis shows that there are no major technical barriers to the fossil-free operation of the PPI, but the sector renovates slowly, and many new opportunities are not implemented on a large scale due to immature technology, poor economic feasibility, or unclear political environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this framework, experimental tests on different battery technologies, BMS and cooling systems are extremely important to extend the battery life and BEV performance (Sehil et al. [[13]]). Electrical machines and magnetic components, high-voltage voltage power converters, and battery storage systems are some basic bricks to build an effective and efficient energy conversion environment. Electrical Machines and Power Converters The electrical power conversion from renewable energy sources plays a crucial role in the development of a sustainable society. Finally, the fil rouge of every contribution in this section is oriented to investigate the power converters, electrical machines, magnetic components, and battery storage systems in actual energy conversion applications for renewable energy sources integration by a modelling approach. [Extracted from the article]

The pulp-paper industry is one of the main industrial sectors that produce massive amounts of residual sludge, constituting an enormous environmental burden for the industries. Traditional sludge management practices, such as landfilling and incineration, are restricted due to mounting environmental pressures, complex regulatory frameworks, land availability, high costs, and public opinion. Valorization of pulp-paper industry sludge (PPS) to produce high-value products is a promising substitute for traditional sludge management practices, promoting their reuse and recycling. Valorization of PPIS for biorefinery beneficiation includes biomethane, biohydrogen, bioethanol, biobutanol, and biodiesel production for renewable energy generation. Additionally, the various thermo-chemical technologies can be utilized to synthesize bio-oil, hydrochar, biochar, adsorbent, and activated carbon, signifying potential for value-added generation. Moreover, PPIS can be recycled as a byproduct by incorporating it into nanocomposites, cardboard, and construction materials development. This paper aims to deliver a comprehensive overview of PPIS management approaches and thermo-chemical technologies utilized for the development of platform chemicals in industry. Substitute uses of PPIS, such as making building materials, developing supercapacitors, and making cardboard, are also discussed. In addition, this article deeply discusses recent developments in biotechnologies for valorizing PPIS to yield an array of valuable products, such as biofuels, lactic acids, cellulose, nanocellulose, and so on. This review serves as a roadmap for future research endeavors in the effective handling of PPIS. [Display omitted] • Valorization of pulp-paper industry sludge is a sustainable option for getting waste to wealth. • Pre-treatment of pulp-paper industry sludge helps in yielding platform chemicals in the biorefinery scenario. • Pulp-paper industry sludge is a sustainable feedstock for renewable energy production. • Biochars derived from pulp-paper industry sludge exhibited excellent adsorption performance for metals removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arid areas account for more than 20% of Earth's surface. Many of these arid areas suffer from harsh climates where energy consumption is high and production coexists with high hydrological stresses. In such areas, the production of water is directly linked to the production of electricity, bringing the Energy–Water nexus to a higher level [Heggy et al., Sustainable Energy-Water-Environment Nexus in Deserts (Springer, 2022)]. Under the current energy transition from a fossil-based economy to a renewable energy-based system, arid areas are seen as potential reservoirs for electricity production due to their high solar potential, thereby helping to achieve global decarbonation targets. This energy production transition will strongly affect the Energy–Water nexus as it will contribute to the decoupling of electricity from water production. The International Conference on Sustainable Energy–Water–Environment Nexus 2019 (ICSEWEN19) conference was the first to address the Sustainable Energy–Water Nexus in Deserts, bridging the gap between research and industry and highlighting the research capabilities relevant to Qatar, the region, and internationally. The Invited Papers from the International Conference on Sustainability, Energy, Water, and Environment Nexus in Desert Climates Special Collection in Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy presents articles covering the main elements of the conference with respect to solar photovoltaic implementation in desert environments as a key element to succeed in this global energy transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high‐efficiency conversion of water drop mechanical energy into electrical energy has always been an urgent issue in the development and utilization of raindrop energy. In this work, a novel drum‐like triboelectric nanogenerator (D‐TENG) with robust self‐cleaning superhydrophobic features is developed to harvest water drop energy. An elastic superhydrophobic cellulose paper is created by spray‐coating nanofumed silica dispersed in a thermoplastic elastomer solution, followed by treatment with triethoxy‐1H,1H,2H,2H‐tridecafluoro‐n‐octylsilane. When raindrops hit the D‐TENG surface, the superhydrophobic cellulose paper will vibrate and periodic contact and separation with polytetrafluoroethylene will occur to generate electricity. The results demonstrate that when a 6 mm water drop falls from a height of 2.5 m and hits the D‐TENG, the generated voltage output can reach a peak of 21.6 V and charge transfer of 10 nC. The output power of the D‐TENG can reach 16 µW per droplet, which is more than 13.3 times that generated from the previous TENGs based on the electrostatic induction of water droplets. These results indicate that the superhydrophobic cellulose paper‐based D‐TENG is potentially a strong candidate for harvesting energy from raindrops, thereby making it a promising sustainable energy source for next‐generation electronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing levels of variable renewable energy require additional flexible resources in the global energy system. In countries with energy-intensive industries, flexibility may be increased through industrial demand side management (IDSM). In most studies, the potential of IDSM is estimated from a technical or theoretical viewpoint. However, IDSM capacity is only utilized if the industry finds it profitable, and thus the economic potential should also be assessed. The focus of this paper is on the intra-day IDSM potential of a paper mill site that is active in the Nordic power market. An optimization model is built to estimate the costs that occur when the paper mill executes regulating power bids, if the original production schedule has been optimized against a spot price forecast. The costs are estimated for different sizes of bids and a marginal cost curve is provided for pricing them. Using this marginal cost curve, the market potential of the case mill site is assessed. It is found that this potential is greatly influenced by the costs of executing regulating power bids. The results indicate that transmission system operators and policy makers should account for economic factors when assessing the potential of market based IDSM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Waste office paper was utilized as a substrate for microbial lipid production. • A detailed optimization study has been conducted for biomass and lipid yield. • Optimization results in10.55 g/L biomass, 6.13 g/L lipid with 58% lipid content. • Biodiesel properties of the produced lipids met with the international standards. • A solution to mitigate the hazardous effects caused by waste and fossil fuel. Environmental issues caused by fossil fuel and its rapid depletion demand the need to produce biofuel from renewable energy resources. The disposal of waste paper in landfills causes air pollution and contaminates groundwater. Hence, exploiting paper waste as a renewable resource for microbial lipid production can solve these environmental issues in a greener way. Further, these microbial lipids are a reliable source for biodiesel production. In this study, waste office paper was utilized as a substrate to produce microbial lipids through fermentation by the oleaginous yeast, Rhodosporidium toruloides, using a biorefinery approach. The production conditions were optimized using the Box-Behnken design; a fermentation time of 116.16 h, a C/N ratio of 60, and an inoculum concentration of 9.67% yielded a biomass of 10.55 g/L and a lipid yield of 6.13 g/L with a total lipid content of 58%. The major lipids produced were oleic acid (42%), palmitic acid (36%), stearic acid (9.8%), and myristic acid (8%), which clearly indicates the suitability of the lipids produced by R. toruloides for biodiesel production. The predicted biodiesel properties of the transesterified product met the international standard specifications. Hence, utilizing waste office paper for biodiesel production will be an effective way of mitigating the environmental pollution caused by waste paper and the harvesting of fossil fuels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the global trend to establish smart distributed-generation grids, the level of AC-voltage harmonics is significantly increasing due to power electronic converters interfacing renewable energy sources with the grid. Such harmonics will not only degrade the power quality and increase the losses in the electricity grids but will also have a severe impact on oil impregnated paper (OIP) in power transformer bushings. While much attention has been given to investigate the deterioration of OIP under thermal and electrical stresses, the impact of voltage harmonics on the OIP structure is still uncertain and calls for more investigations. Therefore, this paper is aimed at investigating the variations of the multilevel structure of an OIP aged under high levels of AC-voltage harmonics. In this context, degree of polymerization of the aged OIP is measured to reveal the changes of OIP secondary structure. Also, X-ray diffraction, deuteration treatment and Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy are conducted to analyze the changes of the OIP aggregate structure during the aging process. Further experiments are performed to investigate the variation of the microscopic appearance, thermal behavior and dielectric properties, including scanning electronic microscopy, thermal gravity analysis, differential scanning calorimetry and frequency domain spectroscopy. This investigation on the variation of the multilevel structure of aged OIP not only promotes further understanding to the aging behavior and mechanism of OIP under AC-voltage harmonics, but also proposes crystallinity and accessibility as two new effective aging indicators for the OIP structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of renewable energy sources minimizes the burning of fossil fuels for clean and green environment. Electrochemical energy storage/conversion device pays a way towards sustainable development that concludes an emerging field in the trends of the research community. Prominently, the functional materials with suitable structure and property determine the performance and durability of the devices. In recent times, graphene with its tremendous properties play a major role in electrochemical energy device applications. Meanwhile, the graphene-based electrodes were fabricated by various coating techniques on existing electrodes that utilized for energy device fabrication. Apart from these, it is also fabricated in a paper like a form (self-supported or free-standing) with its remarkable high conductivity, flexibility, robustness and electrochemical behavior which have been nominated for fabrication of flexible energy devices. Paper-like electrodes become an emerging field to fabricate a light-weight and flexible electronic devices for future prospects. Thus, we have summarized a synthetic strategy of graphene paper and its properties that potentially focused on flexible device fabrication in both the energy storage and conversion system. Hence, this review boosts up the forthcoming researchers to enhance the device performance with interrelating free-standing graphene and other host material. Number of publications from 2009 to 2018 based on free-standing graphene-paper in energy device applications gathered from Web of Science database search engine. Image 10612 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anaerobic digestion is a well-established biological process for converting biomass in waste streams into a renewable energy source, and it also contributes to the treatment of these waste streams. In this introductory mini-review, some fundamental aspects of anaerobic digestion for use in the pulp and paper industry and other sectors are briefly summarized. The contents include the basics of anaerobic digestion, feedstocks, key process parameters, and typical anaerobic digesters/reactors and their representative manufactures. Fostering the more efficient and widespread commercial use of anaerobic digestion technologies would be a critical strategy to address the issues of energy, the environment, and sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulp and paper mills generate large amounts of waste organic matter that may be converted to renewable energy in form of methane. The anaerobic treatment of mill wastewater is widely accepted however, usually only applied to few selected streams. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal rates in full-scale reactors range between 30 and 90%, and methane yields are 0.30–0.40 m 3 kg −1 COD removed. Highest COD removal rates are achieved with condensate streams from chemical pulping (75–90%) and paper mill effluents (60–80%). Numerous laboratory and pilot-scale studies have shown that, contrary to common perception, most other mill effluents are also to some extent anaerobically treatable. Even for difficult-to-digest streams such as bleaching effluents COD removal rates range between 15 and 90%, depending on the extent of dilution prior to anaerobic treatment, and the applied experimental setting. Co-digestion of different streams containing diverse substrate can level out and diminish toxicity, and may lead to a more robust microbial community. Furthermore, the microbial population has the ability to become acclimated and adapted to adverse conditions. Stress situations such as toxic shock loads or temporary organic overloading may be tolerated by an adapted community, whereas they could lead to process disturbance with an un-adapted community. Therefore, anaerobic treatment of wastewater containing elevated levels of inhibitors or toxicants should be initiated by an acclimation/adaptation period that can last between a few weeks and several months. In order to gain more insight into the underlying processes of microbial acclimation/adaptation and co-digestion, future research should focus on the relationship between wastewater composition, reactor operation and microbial community dynamics. The potential for engineering and managing the microbial resource is still largely untapped. Unlike in wastewater treatment, anaerobic digestion of mill biosludge (waste activated sludge) and primary sludge is still in its infancy. Current research is mainly focused on developing efficient pretreatment methods that enable fast hydrolysis of complex organic matter, shorter sludge residence times and as a consequence, smaller sludge digesters. Previous experimental studies indicate that the anaerobic digestibility of non-pretreated biosludge from pulp and paper mills varies widely, with volatile solids (VS) removal rates of 21–55% and specific methane yields ranging between 40 and 200 mL g −1 VS fed. Pretreatment can increase the digestibility to some extent, however in almost all reported cases, the specific methane yield of pretreated biosludge did not exceed 200 mL g −1 VS fed. Increases in specific methane yield mostly range between 0 and 90% compared to non-pretreated biosludge, whereas larger improvements were usually achieved with more difficult-to-digest biosludge. Thermal treatment and microwave treatment are two of the more effective methods. The heat required for the elevated temperatures applied in both methods may be provided from surplus heat that is often available at pulp and paper mills. Given the large variability in specific methane yield of non-pretreated biosludge, future research should focus on the links between anaerobic digestibility and sludge properties. Research should also involve mill-derived primary sludge. Although biosludge has been the main target in previous studies, primary sludge often constitutes the bulk of mill-generated sludge, and co-digestion of a mixture between both types of sludge may become practical. The few laboratory studies that have included mill primary sludge indicate that, similar to biosludge, the digestibility can range widely. Long-term studies should be conducted to explore the potential of microbial adaptation to lignocellulosic material which can constitute more than half of the organic matter in pulp and paper mill sludge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This work demonstrates an innovative Al-air battery made of paper, which can inhibit Al corrosion, simplify battery system and reduce electrolyte storage. One major advantage of it is its minimum cost of fabrication. The corrosion inhibition effect originates from the high porosity and tortuosity of paper, which restricts the diffusive transport of hydroxyl ions to the Al surface. In this manner, low-grade Al can be directly utilized. Targeted for different application fields, three battery subtypes are proposed. The mechanically-rechargeable battery can be used repeatedly by refreshing its Al anode, providing relatively high power for charging portable electronics. The flexible battery employs embedded Al inside paper as anode and oxygen reduction ink as cathode, which is suitable for various single-use and flexible devices. Lastly, a printable battery is proposed by developing a successful Al ink for anode fabrication. Combined with existing printing techniques, this design may lead to a much smarter and more economic battery application in the future. Highlights • A low-cost and green paper-based Al-air battery technology is developed. • It can achieve simplified system, reduced liquid storage and inhibited Al corrosion. • A mechanically-rechargeable battery is designed for portable electronic recharge. • A flexible battery is designed for powering single-use and flexible devices. • A printable battery is also tentatively explored for smarter battery utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The escalating demand for renewable energy solutions and the imperative for efficient energy storage mechanisms have catalyzed the evolution of Power-to-X (PtX) technologies. Germany has the most PtX projects, accounting for 44% of all projects that have been reported. PtX encompasses a spectrum of processes engineered to convert surplus renewable energy into versatile energy carriers or chemical commodities, such as hydrogen, methane, or synthetic fuels. The Paramount to this domain is to synergistically harness renewable energy sources and hydrogen carriers to curtail waste and bolster sustainability. Central to achieving this synergy is the effective control of PtX processes, ensuring optimal performance, cost efficiency, and seamless integration within existing energy frameworks. This paper delves into the control processes and environmental prerequisites within the PtX landscape, elucidating key challenges, and strategies within this dynamic realm. While providing an initial overview of fundamental PtX process chains, this paper accentuates the critical role of geographical considerations. Subsequently, it conducts a thorough analysis of equipment modeling challenges, addressing performance metrics, operational requisites, and capital investments, particularly focusing on methanol and hydrogen production and storage. Through holistic examination, this paper endeavors to delineate the evolving landscape of PtX control processes and conditions, advancing our understanding of this expanding field. [Display omitted] • Comprehensive overview of PtX control process, challenges, strategies, and advancements. • Overview of PtX process chains and geographical conditions. • Analysis of equipment modeling challenges for methanol and hydrogen. • Addressing crucial storage challenges in PtX system. • Exploration of diverse influences on PtX control processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the potential of solar and hydrogen (H 2) energy-based hybrid energy systems for residential applications. The growing need for energy and the demand for sustainable energy sources have led to the development of integrated energy systems that combine renewable energy resources to meet energy needs. This paper overviews recent studies on hybrid energy systems for on-grid and off-grid residential utilizations. It discusses the system configuration and components of hybrid energy systems, including solar panels, electrolyzers, fuel cells (FC), and batteries. It also covers the technical optimization of integrated energy systems, including sizing, control strategies, and economic analysis. The key findings of this review paper indicate that hybrid energy systems can offer dependable and sustainable energy for residential applications. Through numerical analyses, the optimal dimensioning of the system elements and control strategies can significantly enhance the system's performance and lower the cost of energy. This study also highlights the challenges and opportunities for integrating hybrid energy systems within residential applications. Overall, it provides in-depth perspectives on the possibilities inherent in solar and hydrogen energy-based hybrid energy systems for residential applications. The findings can guide future research and the advancement of hybrid energy systems for sustainable energy solutions. • Comprehensive review on solar and hydrogen-based residential applications. • Holistic approach to system configuration, optimization, and economics. • Detailed analysis of interconnected components enhancing system efficiency. • Unique focus on real-world residential applications and scenarios. • Broad applicability across diverse geographical regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transitioning to a sustainable energy future necessitates innovative storage solutions for renewable energies, where hydrogen (H₂) emerges as a pivotal energy carrier for its low emission potential. This paper explores unlined rock caverns (URCs) as a promising alternative for underground hydrogen storage (UHS), overcoming the geographical and technical limitations of UHS methods like salt rock caverns and porous media. Drawing from the experiences of natural gas (NG) and compressed air energy storage (CAES) in URCs, we explore the viability of URCs for storing hydrogen at gigawatt-hour scales (>100 GWh). Despite challenges such as potential uplift failures (at a depth of approximately less than 1000 m) and hydrogen reactivity with storage materials at typical conditions (below temperatures of 100°C and pressures of 15 MPa), URCs present a flexible, scalable option closely allied with green hydrogen production from renewable sources. Our comprehensive review identifies critical design considerations, including hydraulic containment and the integrity of fracture sealing materials under UHS conditions. Addressing identified knowledge gaps, particularly around the design of hydraulic containment systems and the interaction of hydrogen with cavern materials, will be crucial for advancing URC technology. The paper underscores the need for further experimental and numerical studies to refine URC suitability for hydrogen storage, highlighting the role of URCs in enhancing the compatibility of renewable energy sources with the grid. • Detailed exploration of unlined rock cavern (URC) technology. • Analysis of URCs' potential for large-scale hydrogen storage. • Insights from historical use of URCs in compressed gas storage. • Examination of the opportunities and challenges in using URCs for hydrogen storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global energy system is in transition. It is attempting to reach net‐zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The systemic changes mean that the role of bioenergy will change. The potential of bioenergy to make a flexible contribution to the energy system is key for the achievement of global emission reduction ambitions and the functioning of the low‐carbon energy system and economy. As the volume of sustainably available biomass resources is limited, defining the contributions from bioenergy to a low‐carbon energy system and finding balances – and ideally synergies – between the different possible energy and climate system services that biomass can provide will be very important. The recognized system services include, among others, the flexible operation of bioenergy plants to integrate variable renewable energy sources and to provide negative carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Interest in flexible operation of bioenergy value chains, bioenergy with carbon capture and utilization as well as synergies with renewable hydrogen‐based value chains has increased recently. The objective of this paper is to present a holistic definition of flexible bioenergy as a system service based on the work conducted in International Energy Agency (IEA) Bioenergy Technology Collaboration Programme's Task 44 Flexible Bioenergy and System Integration, and to provide some practical examples. The paper also presents the different bioenergy system services and considers their definitions and interactions, as this is important in energy system design. The definition of flexible bioenergy shows that the flexibility provision from bioenergy goes far beyond the traditional definition of providing short‐term flexibility in the power sector. Indicators to demonstrate the value of services as well as further quantitative assessment of synergies and trade‐offs are needed to valorize the different services from bioenergy and create viable business cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Union, in pursuit of the goal of reducing emissions by at least 55% by 2030 and achieving climate neutrality by 2050, is deploying different actions, with industry decarbonization as a key strategy. However, increasing electricity demand requires an intensification of energy generation from clean technologies, and the energy system's expansion is hindered by renewable generation's climatic dependencies and the imperative for substantial electrical infrastructure investments. Although the transmission grid is expected to grow, flexibility mechanisms and innovative technologies need to be applied to avoid an overwhelming growth. In this context, this paper presents a thorough assessment, conducted within the FLEXINDUSTRIES project, of the flexibility potential across seven energy-intensive industries (automotive industry, biofuel production, polymer manufacturing, steel manufacturing, paper mills, pharmaceutical industry, and cement production). The methodology followed during the analysis entails reviewing the state-of-the-art existing flexibility mechanisms, industries' energy markets engagement, and technical/operational readiness. The results highlight the feasibility of the proposed actions for enabling energy market flexibility through demand-response programs, quantifying energy opportunities, and pinpointing regulatory and technical barriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Power system protection and asset management present persistent technical challenges, particularly in the context of the smart grid and renewable energy sectors. This paper aims to address these challenges by providing a comprehensive assessment of machine learning applications for effective asset management in power systems. The study focuses on the increasing demand for energy production while maintaining environmental sustainability and efficiency. By harnessing the power of modern technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and deep learning (DL), this research explores how ML techniques can be leveraged as powerful tools for the power industry. By showcasing practical applications and success stories, this paper demonstrates the growing acceptance of machine learning as a significant technology for current and future business needs in the power sector. Additionally, the study examines the barriers and difficulties of large‐scale ML deployment in practical settings while exploring potential opportunities for these tactics. Through this overview, insights into the transformative potential of ML in shaping the future of power system asset management are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to increasing load demand and the energy crisis, microgrids (MGs) have attracted more attention. The idea and technology of microgrids (MGs) have undergone significant advancements largely aimed at enabling the automation of distribution systems and enhance the integration of renewable energy sources (RESs). In this paper, the MG is a combined form of various distributed generations (DGs), battery energy storage system (BESS), and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). A novel approach is introduced to minimize the operational expenses of the grid-connected low-voltage microgrid by leveraging a probabilistic expert optimization technique. This methodology takes into account various factors such as power supply costs, power dissipation, PHEV charging requirements, and the optimal capacity of BESS. Three charging techniques are proposed in this paper to control the PHEVs' charging demand at homes and public charging stations. This study employs a comprehensive model to simulate a whole day, accounting for the stochastic charging requirements of PHEVs, load profiles, RESs outputs, and variations in energy price. To address the inherent nonlinearity of the optimization problem, the energy management within the MG is tackled using the slime mould algorithm, a population-based stochastic optimizer. The primary goal is to minimize operational costs in the microgrid by optimizing the efficient utilization of available resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How to effectively utilize renewable energy and improve the economic efficiency of microgrid system and its ability to consume renewable energy has become one of the main problems facing China at present. In response to this challenge, this paper establishes a multiobjective capacity optimization model with the minimum levelized cost of energy, the maximum proportion of renewable energy consumption, and the minimum comprehensive system cost. Based on this model, a new improved beluga whale optimization algorithm is proposed to solve the multiobjective optimization problem in the capacity allocation process of wind–solar–storage microgrid system with the goal of ensuring that the microgrid can meet the maximum load demand at different moments throughout the year. In this paper, opposition‐based learning, artificial bee colony, dynamic opposite, and beluga whale optimization are combined to improve the population diversity and convergence accuracy, thereby enhancing the optimization performance of the algorithm. Finally, after finding the optimal Pareto front solution, the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution is used to help decision‐makers select the optimal solution. Using real load data and meteorological data, the results of this paper show that the multiobjective capacity allocation optimization method of grid‐connected scenic storage microgrid system based on the improved beluga whale optimization algorithm can improve the economics of the wind–solar–storage microgrid system and promote the photovoltaic consumption simultaneously, providing a solution for the realization of low‐carbon power and regional economic development. The best‐found levelized cost of energy for the wind–solar–storage microgrid system is 0.192 yuan/kWh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transition process from fossil fuels to environmentally friendly renewable energy sources carries the risk of creating new environmental damages. Photovoltaic technology represents one of the alternatives with the least risk of harmful environmental impact. However, this technology has two important drawbacks: the significant land occupation for the installation of PV systems and the uncontrollability of production. By constructing floating photovoltaic plants on hydroelectric reservoirs, both of these problems can be reduced to an acceptable level. Some artificial reservoirs, originally built for hydroelectric power plants, have acquired a significant secondary function as recreational areas and fish breeding sites. Therefore, there is justified resistance from the local community to change the existing appearance and purpose of such reservoirs. This paper proposes a completely new concept of integrating the interests of the local community into such objects. In addition to preserving existing uses, the concept also offers new features. This can make the entire system environmentally friendly and sustainable. This paper details the technology behind the construction of floating photovoltaic power plants on artificial reservoirs and emphasizes their various advantages. These benefits include the non-utilization of cultivable land, the ease of assembly and construction, integration into existing power grids, and the potential to address electricity storage issues. For instance, Buško Lake, covering an area of 55.8 km2, may host 2.93 km2 of installed floating photovoltaic (FPV) facilities, enabling a total installed capacity of 240 MW. With an average of 5.5 h of daily sunshine, this totals 2007 annual hours, equivalent to a 55 MW thermal power plant. An analysis showed that, with losses of 18.2%, the average annual production stands at 302 G W h , translating to an annual production value of 18 million € at 60 €/MWh. The integration of this production into an existing hydroelectric power plant featuring an artificial reservoir might boost its output by 91%. The available transmission line capacity of 237 MW is shared between the hydroelectric power plant (HPP) and FPV; hence during the FPV maximum power generation time, the HPP halts its production. HPP Orlovac operates a small number of hours annually at full capacity (1489 h); therefore in combination with the FPV, this number can be increased to 2852 h. This integration maintains the lake's functions in tourism and fishing while expanding its capabilities without environmental harm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Full- and reduced-order observers have been used in many engineering applications, particularly for energy systems. Applications of observers to energy systems are twofold: (1) the use of observed variables of dynamic systems for the purpose of feedback control and (2) the use of observers in their own right to observe (estimate) state variables of particular energy processes and systems. In addition to the classical Luenberger-type observers, we will review some papers on functional, fractional, and disturbance observers, as well as sliding-mode observers used for energy systems. Observers have been applied to energy systems in both continuous and discrete time domains and in both deterministic and stochastic problem formulations to observe (estimate) state variables over either finite or infinite time (steady-state) intervals. This overview paper will provide a detailed overview of observers used for linear and linearized mathematical models of energy systems and review the most important and most recent papers on the use of observers for nonlinear lumped (concentrated)-parameter systems. The emphasis will be on applications of observers to renewable energy systems, such as fuel cells, batteries, solar cells, and wind turbines. In addition, we will present recent research results on the use of observers for distributed-parameter systems and comment on their actual and potential applications in energy processes and systems. Due to the large number of papers that have been published on this topic, we will concentrate our attention mostly on papers published in high-quality journals in recent years, mostly in the past decade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the high proportion of renewable energy sources and power electronic devices accessed in the distribution network, the harmonic pollution problem has become increasingly serious. The traditional centralized harmonic mitigation strategy has difficulty in effectively dealing with these scattered and random harmonics. Therefore, a distributed harmonic mitigation strategy based on the dynamic points incentive of blockchain communities is proposed in this paper. Firstly, a comprehensive voltage sensitivity partitioning method with harmonic weight differentiation is proposed to realize the reasonable partitioning of each control node and controlled node in the distribution network concerning variability in harmonic components and their distribution. Then, a harmonic mitigation strategy based on the dynamic integral excitation of self-learning algorithms is constructed to promote self-organized optimization and active distributed coordinated control of mitigation devices. The strategy ensures that the total harmonic voltage distortion rate of each node meets the requirements by adjusting the partitioned collaboration to realize optimal harmonic mitigation. By setting optimized partitions in different scenarios and conducting simulation verification, the results demonstrate the effectiveness of the strategy in this paper. It stimulates synergy between devices through a dynamic incentive mechanism and significantly reduces the total harmonic voltage distortion rate across various test scenarios, reflecting the adaptability of the harmonic mitigation method presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates whether renewable energy influences economic growth and happiness. Using panel data from 25 European Union countries for the period 2012–2022, this study employs a panel model for estimation with fixed and random effects, and robust HAC standard errors. According to the research results, in general, the growing share of renewable energy in the energy mix has a positive impact on economic growth and the happiness of citizens. However, detailed research has shown that this effect depends on the type of energy; a significant positive impact was recorded only in solar share energy, wind share energy and economic growth. However, almost all types of renewable energy were included, i.e., biofuel, hydro, solar and other renewable share energy, and all had a significantly positive impact on the level of happiness. The exception was wind share energy, which showed a significant negative impact. The research findings of this paper provide empirical support for promoting renewable energy, which is positive both for economies and the happiness of citizens. It is one of the main aspects of sustainable economic growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of renewable generation presents a promising venue for displacing fossil fuels, yet integration remains a challenge. This paper investigates Demand Response (DR) as a means of economically integrating Renewable Energy Resources (RERs). We propose Incentive-Based DR (IBDR) programs, particularly suitable for small customers. The uncertainties in the electricity market price pose a challenge to IBDR programs, which is addressed in this paper through a novel and robust IBDR approach that considers both the electricity market price uncertainties and customer responses to incentives. In this paper, scenarios are simulated premised on the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) 240-bus system in which coal-fired power plants become inactivated, while the RER contribution increases in the span of one year. The simulation results indicate that the proposed IBDR program mitigates the issues associated with renewable expansion, such as utility benefit loss and market price volatility. In addition, the proposed IBDR effectively manages up to 30% of errors in day-ahead wind forecasts that significantly reduce financial risks linked to IBDR programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aiming at the problem of source-load uncertainty caused by the increasing penetration of renewable energy and the large-scale integration of electric vehicles (EVs) into modern power system, a robust optimal operation scheduling algorithm for regional integrated energy systems (RIESs) with such uncertain situations is urgently needed. Based on this background, aiming at the problem of the irregular charging demand of EV, this paper first proposes an EV charging demand model based on the trip chain theory. Secondly, a multi-RIES optimization operation model including a shared energy storage station (SESS) and integrated demand response (IDR) is established. Aiming at the uncertainty problem of renewable energy, this paper transforms this kind of problem into a dynamic robust optimization with time-varying parameters and proposes an improved robust optimization over time (ROOT) algorithm based on the scenario method and establishes an optimal scheduling mode with the minimum daily operation cost of a multi-regional integrated energy system. Finally, the proposed uncertainty analysis method is verified by an example of multi-RIES. The simulation results show that in the case of the improved ROOT proposed in this paper to solve the robust solution of renewable energy, compared with the traditional charging load demand that regards the EVs as a whole, the EV charging load demand based on the trip chain can reduce the cost of EV charging by 3.5% and the operating cost of the multi-RIES by 11.7%. With the increasing number of EVs, the choice of the starting point of the future EV trip chain is more variable, and the choice of charging methods is more abundant. Therefore, modeling the charging demand of EVs under more complex trip chains is the work that needs to be studied in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen is a relatively new source of sustainable energy resources; presently, its usage ranges from direct energy generation in mixed-cycle thermal power plants to its usage in the internal combustion engine. If the generation of hydrogen is coupled with renewable energy resources, the use of hydrocarbons can be substantially reduced in both energy generation and transportation. In this paper, we conducted a national-level assessment to identify the hydrogen generation capacity of Pakistan. The methodology used in this study is a combination of spatial multi-criteria analysis and density-based clustering in a geographical information systems environment. Based on the analysis, the national clusters capable of producing green hydrogen were identified. The results shows that the hydrogen generation capacity for Pakistan is approximately 7 million tons per year using solar photovoltaic energy. The Surab-Gwadar alignment, N-25 national highway, and Quetta-to-D-I-Khan alignment offer potential hydrogen generation sites with water resources. Most of the identified sites for the production of hydrogen in the country were found to be near the national electricity transmission networks. The Best-Worst Method was further employed to provide policymakers with a road map for prioritizing the development of these capacities based on their proximity to the national networks, their terrain suitability, and their generation capacities. • This paper assesses the suitable sites for solar-based green hydrogen production in Pakistan. • The methodology used involves a combination of spatial multicriteria analysis, clustering, and the best-worst method. • Pakistan's theoretical annual hydrogen generation capacity is around 7 million tons annually. • The Surab-Gwadar alignment presents promising hydrogen generation opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper is devoted to the development of a device for protecting facilities with turn-to-turn insulation, namely transformers and wind generators in order to increase the reliability of operation of electrical power systems, renewable energy installations and energy storage systems. The paper presents the results of experimental studies of the parameters of a prototype frequency-dependent device, as well as an assessment of the effectiveness of suppression of high-frequency surge voltages by the proposed device. The results of four groups of measurements are shown, which were compared with each other and with the results of previously showed computer simulations. The high efficiency of the proposed device when influencing the slope and amplitude of short high-frequency transients is shown. It is indicated that the parameters proposed earlier in the simulation allow the device to be used effectively. A brief analysis of alternative methods and means of protection is provided, and the prospects for using the device as protective equipment for wind power plants are also considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green hydrogen is crucial for society's access to peaceful, secure, and stable energy sources to flourish sustainably and get universal government support. To protect the environment and provide energy security, it is essential to use hydrogen as a sustainable fuel and energy source to cover the energy baseload. This paper investigates the developments of renewable energy (RE) and the potential for green hydrogen in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. There is a considerable chance to use RE because of the MENA region's excellent solar radiation. On the other hand, many countries in the MENA region are classified as one of the poorest in water resources and are known to have water-energy challenges. This paper focuses on the water needed to produce hydrogen in countries with water scarcity. A strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis was performed for green hydrogen generation in the MENA, where recommendations for countries with a water-energy nexus can be made. Additionally, this paper offers suggestions for creating a sustainable hydrogen economy, such as cutting back on the domestic use of fossil fuels, subsidizing the renewable production industry, and supporting hydrogen manufacturing. • Green hydrogen production is highly affected by water scarcity. • SWOT analysis was performed on green hydrogen generation in the MENA. • Recommendations were provided on a country-by-country basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses thermal infrared (TIR) remote sensing technology applied to the delineation of geothermal resources, a significant renewable energy source. The technical characteristics and current status of TIR remote sensing is discussed and related to the integration of geological structure, geophysical data, and geochemical analyses. Also discussed are surface temperature inversion algorithms used to delineate anomalous ground-surface temperatures. Unlike traditional geophysical and geochemical exploration methods, remote sensing technology exhibits considerable advantages in terms of convenience and coverage extent. The paper addresses the major challenges and issues associated with using TIR remote sensing technology in geothermal prospecting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid development of renewable energy and the increasing maturity of energy storage technology, microgrids are quickly becoming popular worldwide. The stochastic scheduling problem of microgrids can increase operational costs and resource wastage. In order to reduce operational costs and optimize resource utilization efficiency, the real-time scheduling of microgrids becomes particularly important. After collecting extensive data, reinforcement learning (RL) can provide good strategies. However, it cannot make quick and rational decisions in different environments. As a method with generalization ability, meta-learning can compensate for this deficiency. Therefore, this paper introduces a microgrid scheduling strategy based on RL and meta-learning. This method can quickly adapt to different environments with a small amount of training data, enabling rapid energy scheduling policy generation in the early stages of microgrid operation. This paper first establishes a microgrid model, including components such as energy storage, load, and distributed generation (DG). Then, we use a meta-reinforcement learning framework to train the initial scheduling strategy, considering the various operational constraints of the microgrid. The experimental results show that the MAML-based RL strategy has advantages in improving energy utilization and reducing operational costs in the early stages of microgrid operation. This research provides a new intelligent solution for microgrids' efficient, stable, and economical operation in their initial stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low carbon operation of power systems is a key way to achieve the goal of energy power carbon peaking and carbon neutrality. In order to promote the low carbon transition of energy and power and the coordinated and optimized operation of distributed energy sources in virtual power plants (VPP), this paper proposes a framework for collaborative utilization of pumped storage–carbon capture–power-to-gas (P2G) technologies. It also constructs a multi-time scale low carbon economic dispatch model for VPP to minimize the internal resource operation cost of VPP in each time period. During the intraday scheduling stage, the day-ahead scheduling results as the planned output and the energy flow is then dynamically corrected at a short-term resolution in the framework. This allows for the exploration of the low-carbon potential of each aggregation unit within the virtual power plant. The results of the simulation indicate that the strategy and model proposed in this paper can effectively encourage the consumption of renewable energy sources, promote the low-carbon operation of power system power, and serve as a valuable reference for the low-carbon economic operation of the power system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renewable energy sources like wind and solar have increased demand for surplus power capacity. The demand is primarily fueled by the growing impact of forecasting errors associated with these intermittent energy sources. Implementing advanced control methods for automatic generation control (AGC) is essential to integrate wind and solar power with conventional generation sources to balance the power system and reduce reliance on traditional reserves. Therefore, this paper comprehensively overviews solar and wind energy integration in the AGC framework to provide optimal grid ancillary services. Initially, the paper presents an overview of the basic equations used to integrate reserve power from the photovoltaic (PV) system by employing the de-loading strategy. Subsequently, a comprehensive review is conducted on integrating the PV system in AGC strategies to provide grid ancillary services. The study also analyzes the contribution of wind power in AGC services using relevant equations and past practices. The paper presents a real-time dynamic control strategy to optimize the dispatch of the AGC unit by integrating the operating reserves from wind energy systems in conjunction with thermal power systems. The study simulates an 8-bus, 5-machine model using the Dig-SILENT Power Factory. The findings reveal that utilizing operating reserves from wind power can significantly reduce large-scale forecasting errors in massively renewable energy resources (RES) integrated power systems, thereby ensuring the necessary system operational security and reducing the reliance on traditional generating units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under the background of green and low‐carbon transformation of industrial high‐energy‐consuming parks, in order to realize the coordinated development planning of energy and transportation under different peaking capacity requirements, this paper proposes a collaborative optimization model of industrial high‐energy‐consuming parks under green and low‐carbon. Firstly, by studying the energy balance mechanism between industrial load and new energy, an energy topology prior model of energy interaction in the next generation of industrial new energy power grid is constructed. Then, based on the probability characteristics of the equilibrium state of different regions in the high‐energy‐consuming industrial zone, combined with the prior knowledge of industrial load and low‐carbon power system, a collaborative development planning model of high‐energy‐consuming industrial parks is constructed. Finally, the proposed model is simulated. From the simulation results the authors can see the dynamic division model and solution algorithm of energy balance region established in this paper can effectively improve the energy balance ability of power grid, reduce peak shaving demand and use more renewable energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of gas and electricity networks has emerged as a promising approach to enhance the overall flexibility of energy systems. As the transition toward sustainable and decarbonized energy sources accelerates, the seamless coordination between electricity and gas infrastructure becomes increasingly crucial. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the state-of-the-art research and developments concerning the flexibility in the operation of low-carbon integrated gas and electricity networks (IGENs) as part of the whole system approach. Methods and solutions to provide and improve flexibility in the mentioned systems are studied and categorized. Flexibility is the system's ability to deal with changes and uncertainties in the network while maintaining an acceptable level of reliability. The presented review underscores the significance of this convergence in facilitating demand-side management, renewable energy integration, and overall system resilience. By highlighting the technical, economic, and regulatory aspects of such integration, this paper aims to guide researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders toward effective decision-making and the formulation of comprehensive strategies that align with the decarbonization of energy systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human activities overwhelm our environment with CO2 and other global warming issues. The current electricity landscape necessitates a superior, continuous power supply and addressing such environmental concerns. These issues can be resolved by incorporating renewable energy sources (RESs) into the utility grid. Thus, this paper presents an optimized hybrid fuzzy logic self-tuning PID controller to control the automatic generation control (AGC) of various renewable sources. This controller regulates the frequency deviations of the power system and governs the change in the tie-line load of a multi-area hybrid energy system composed of wind, biomass, and photovoltaic energy sources. MATLAB Simulink software was applied to design and test the system. The PID controller has been tuned using four algorithms, namely, genetic algorithm (GA), pattern search (PS), simulated annealing (SA), and particle swarm optimization (PSO), and we compared the results with the proposed novel optimized PID controller (GA-fuzzy logic self-tuning technique) to validate it. The results show the superiority of the proposed hybrid GA-fuzzy logic self-tuning algorithm over the other algorithms in bringing the power system back to its regular operation. The paper also proposes an operation strategy to lower the utilization of biomass energy in the presence of other renewable energy sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored the association between renewable energy uptake and digitalization in the sector by reviewing relevant literature (published 2010–2022), with the aim of identifying the existing utilization of digital technologies within the sector, challenges to adoption, and future prospects. Different search engines (SCOPUS, Web of Science, and Google Scholar) were used to locate relevant papers and documents. The results revealed the high significance of digital technologies in supporting the renewable energy sector, with high costs and security risks representing the key challenges. Most papers reviewed had a positive outlook, but recommended further research and development for effective energy transition and resilient infrastructure. The current drivers of the integration of digital technologies to support the diffusion of renewable energy sources appear to extend beyond energy demand and involve many aspects of sustainability and sustainable development. Compared with previous reviews, this work has unique scope and novelty since it considers the bigger picture of the coupling between digitalization and the renewable energy sector, with a greater focus on critical areas in these two interconnected bodies that need to be addressed. The relatively small sample of relevant papers (69 from 836 hits) located in the literature review confirms the need for more research covering the subject in greater depth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulp and paper industry is one of the most polluting, energy and water intensive industries in the world. Produced pulp and paper mill sludge (PPMS) faces a major problem for handling and its management. An anaerobic digestion has become an alternative source. This review provides a detailed summary of anaerobic digestion of PPMS – An overview of the developments and improvement opportunities. This paper explores the different pretreatment methods to enhance biogas production from the PPMS. First, the paper gives an overview of PPMS production, and then it reviews PPMS as a substrate for anaerobic digestion with or without pretreatment. Finally, it discuss the optimal condition and concentration of organic and inorganic compounds required for the anaerobic metabolic activity. Future research should focus on the combination of different pretreatment technologies, relationship between sludge composition, reactor design and its operation, and microbial community dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waste paper as a kind of biomass contains a great quantity of cellulose which is a renewable energy resource. However, complex cellulose supramolecular structure restricts the conversion of waste paper in near-critical water. This study aimed to investigate the change characteristics of cellulose supramolecular structure (hydrogen bond models and crystallinity) during hydrolysis and its effects on 5-HMF yield. Waste paper has been treated in near-critical water at 375 °C and 22.5 MPa for a reaction time (160–240 s) and correlation between 5-HMF yield and the supramolecular structure of cellulose residues has been built up. The 5-HMF yield was increased with the increase of intermolecular hydrogen bonds content in cellulose residues and was increased first and then decreased with the increase of crystallinity of cellulose residues. The rate of decrystallization was out of sync with that of depolymerization, which also influenced 5-HMF yield. Reaction time can be a macro method to adjust the supramolecular structure of cellulose during the conversion of waste paper to obtain more 5-HMF. It showed that 5-HMF yield reached maximum 9.41% ± 0.47% when the intermolecular hydrogen bonds content of cellulose in residue was 67.77% and the crystallinity of cellulose in residue was 57.14% at 200 s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An enormous gap exists between Africa's current electrification rate and the 2030 UN goal to ensure universal access to modern energy. A study by Sanoh et al. published in Renewable Energy in 2014 [1] is a rare example of finding a cost minimal solution for the Africa-wide generation and transmission network. Unfortunately, however, the paper exhibits a number of relatively serious flaws that demand attention given the alarming paucity of such research on Africa. Five issues of the study by Sanoh et al. are identified and discussed in this commentary paper. Specifically, the study does not account for capacity factors when deriving required capacity additions, misses transmission losses when sizing generation capacity, models country-level import constraints incorrectly, introduces a supply option redundancy, and reports optimisation results that can be shown to be mathematically sub-optimal. As a result of some of these issues, the Sanoh et al. significantly underreport the required capacity to meet additional African demand in 2025. In addition to discussing these flaws, this paper provides potential approaches to avoid each of the five issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The EU has set the ambitious target of raising the share of EU energy consumption produced from renewable resources to 32% by 2030, with a target of climate neutrality by 2050. The aim of this paper is to assess the role of biomass usage in the context of these targets. The paper identifies the progress made between 2013 and 2022 by focusing on a selection of EU countries. The largest bioenergy increments of 130, 77, and 60 PJ were reported for Poland, Sweden, and the Netherlands. This study evaluates the crucial role of co-generation and heat in EU regions, with biomass usage between 55 and 80% of the combined heat and power (CHP) energy in Nordic countries. The future perspectives for bioenergy based on EU policies, biomass resources, and technical issues were addressed. The EU possesses around 9% of the global biomass supply, ensuring a certain level of biomass resource dependence. Thus, the biomass usage demand in energy production, non-energy sectors, and transport is expected to rise, leading to increments of 13–76% on biomass imports. It appears that bioenergy development is mostly limited by economic issues and uneven support for bioenergy in different EU countries as well as environmental issues. The study shows a promising and sustainable potential of bioenergy in the EU as a renewable energy source while minimizing negative impacts on the environment and the economy. By 2050, liquid biofuels are likely to be increasingly used in the transport sector. Non-energy sector usage of biomass is still in an early stage of development, except for the pulp and paper industry, and significant use of biomass in non-energy sectors seems unlikely in the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renewable energy resources can potentially solve global warming issues that arise from the large amounts of CO2 emissions from currently used energy resources. Microbial fuel cells (MFC) can produce electrical energy from the environment, making them attractive for energy harvesting. The structures and mechanisms of MFC have been studied for a few decades, and the performance of MFC has constantly been improved using new materials in the devices or by interacting microbial species on the anode chamber of MFC. However, the ecological phenomena, especially inter‐species interactions, within the microbial community in MFC are still largely unknown. Analysis and control of the microbial community have high potential to improve the MFC performance. In this idea paper, I have provided ways to analyze the species interactions in the microbial communities of MFC: (a) empirical dynamic modeling for detecting species interactions in MFC, and (b) network analysis to explore the core microbe species in the MFC. The interaction analyses of the microbial communities in MFC devices can potentially contribute to improving the performance of MFC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deploying renewable energy to unit design energy-efficient technologies may fulfill the additional demand of various energy-intensive industries for their sustainability and resiliency. Multiple Stage Evaporator (MSE) is one of the most energy-intensive units used to extract the water content of the weak liquor in various industries, including the paper industry. This energy intensiveness may be reduced by integrating various Energy Reduction Schemes (ERSs). Hence, this work proposes a ERSs integrated MSE model to analyze its energy efficiency. These ERSs includes Thermo-Vapor Compressor, Steam-, Feed- Split, Feed Preheater, and Flash Tanks. Further, the performance of the proposed model is investigated under two important real-time plant complexities: Boiling Point Elevation and Fouling to achieve more realistic results. The performance analysis is initiated with the formulation of a nonlinear constrained optimization problem to increase the steam economy (SE). Also, the simulation is extended to validate at two different product concentrations (52% and 65%) by employing state-of-art optimization algorithms: CONOPT, and SCA in GAMS and MATLAB respectively. The simulated results shows an increment 1.64% and 1.37% of SE for both 52% and 65% concentration of weak liquor respectively in case of CONOPT than SCA. Also, the waste heat of the condensate, feed, and product may be further utilized for the heat recovery by incorporating the flash tanks which leads to a countable energy saving. Eventually, integrating the solar fields: PTC and LFR ensures a notable reduction in conventional heat utilization by 85.96% and 92.85%, respectively and hence, enhance the energy efficiency. • Expounded energy modeling of ERSs based MSE with BPE and Fouling. • Implementation of NLP and metaheuristic approaches for performance optimization. • Reutilization of waste heat to maximize the energy efficiency. • Integration of solar fields (PTC and LFR) to reduce conventional fuel utilization. • Prospecting the challenges and direction of energy management optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hydrolytic stability and sizing behavior of a new paper sizing agent based on renewable vegetable oils (maleated sunflower oil, high oleic: MSOHO) was compared to two conventional alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA) specimens, a commercial sample, and a reagent-grade ASA sample. At various pH conditions as well as upon addition of Ca2+ ions, MSOHO was more stable than both ASA samples. This superior stability of MSOHO was also supported by zeta potential measurements over 1 week. Whereas for sizing of paper higher dosages of MSOHO were needed to gain certain water repellency as compared to the ASA samples, the addition of alum had a pronounced positive effect on the sizing efficiency of MSOHO. The higher stability of MSOHO made it possible to size with an MSOHO-starch emulsion that was aged for one day at room temperature, when conventional ASA-starch emulsion had long lost any sizing efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid growth of environment pressures and fast depletion of fossil fuels compel public to pay more attention on developing affordable and efficient catalysts for renewable energy production. Metal (Co, Fe, Ni, etc.) phosphide nanoparticles uniformly encapsulated in porous N,P-codoped nanofibrous carbon coated on carbon paper (MeP@NPC/CP) are prepared through one-pot carbonization-phosphorization strategy, which are potential for effective electrocatalytic water reduction/oxidation reactions. The well-designed self-supported structure and the abundant accessible active centers together contribute to the high electrocatalytic performance for hydrogen and oxygen evolution. Remarkably, an alkaline electrolyzer assembled from CoP@NPC/CP as cathode and anode can afford the current density of 10 mA cm −2 at the voltage of 1.67 V for overall water splitting in alkaline media with excellent stability. The easily prepared route with suitable structural and textural properties endows this self-supported materials with versatile function as abundant metal catalysts for realistic energy conversion and storage systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maleated oils derived from high oleic sunflower oil (MSOHO) have promising applications in paper sizing as a green alternative to conventional reactive sizing agents, such as alkenyl succinic anhydride. In this study, MSOHO was comprehensively characterized analytically by attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy, 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy with full resonance assignment, and mass spectrometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of microgrids arises from the growing integration of Renewable Energy Resources (RES) and Energy Storage Systems (ESSs) into Distribution Networks (DNs). Effective integration, coordination, and control of Multiple Microgrids (MMGs) whereas navigating the complexities of energy transition within this context poses a significant challenge. The dynamic operation of MMGs is a challenge faced by the traditional distributed hierarchical control techniques. The application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques is a promising way to improve the control and dynamic operation of MMGs in future smart DNs. In this paper, an innovative hybrid optimization technique that originates from Cheetah Optimization (CHO) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) techniques is proposed, known as HYCHOPSO. Extensive benchmark testing validates HYCHOPSO's superiority over CHO and PSO in terms of convergence performance. The objective for this hybridization stems from the complementary strengths of CHO and PSO. CHO demonstrates rapid convergence in local search spaces, while PSO excels in global exploration. By combining these techniques, the aim is to leverage their respective advantages and enhance the algorithm's overall performance in addressing complex optimization problems. The contribution of this paper offering a unique approach to addressing optimization challenges in microgrid systems. Through a comprehensive comparative study, HYCHOPSO is evaluated against various metaheuristic optimization approaches, demonstrating superior performance, particularly in optimizing the design parameters of Proportional-Integral (PI) controllers for hierarchical control systems within microgrids. This contribution expands the repertoire of available optimization methodologies and offers practical solutions to critical challenges in microgrid optimization, enhancing the efficiency, reliability, and sustainability of microgrid operations. HYCHOPSO achieves its optimal score within fewer than 50 iterations, unlike CHO, GWO, PSO, Hybrid-GWO-PSO, and SSIA-PSO, which stabilize after around 200 iterations. Across various benchmark functions, HYCHOPSO consistently demonstrates the lowest mean values, attains scores closer to the optimal values of the benchmark functions, underscoring its robust convergence capabilities.the proposed HYCHOPSO algorithm, paired with a PI controller for distributed hierarchical control, minimizes errors and enhances system reliability during dynamic MMG operations. Using HYCHOPSO framework, an accurate power sharing, voltage/frequency stability, seamless grid-to-island transition, and smooth resynchronization are achieved. This enhances the real application's reliability, flexibility, scalability and robustness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of distributed energy resources and smart grid technologies has increased the vulnerability and complexity of modern power systems, especially in the face of extreme events. Enhancing the resilience of power systems is crucial to ensure continuous and reliable electricity supply during and after such events. This paper proposes a preventive framework to enhance the resilience of networked microgrids (NMGs) during extreme events. The framework integrates optimal energy management strategies and preventive resilience enhancement measures, focusing on the coordination and utilization of hydrogen (H2) energy systems and controllable distributed generators (CDGs). The framework leverages capacity‐based signals to prompt H2 system owners and CDG operators to prepare for disruptions by fully charging H2 storage tanks and pre‐scheduling CDG commitments. By utilizing this proactive energy scheduling, critical loads can be supplied through stationary fuel cells and CDGs, improving overall network resilience. The proposed resilient energy management approach combines optimization techniques to improve the resilience of NMGs and reduce their dependence on the main grid. Numerical simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed linear model in enhancing the resilience of NMGs and improving their operational performance during extreme events. The contributions of this paper include advancements in understanding NMGs, the development of a preventive framework, integration of H2 energy systems and CDGs, and proposal of effective signalling models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]