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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]

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]

In order to cope with the problems of energy shortage and environmental pollution, carbon emissions need to be reduced and so the structure of the power grid is constantly being optimized. Traditional centralized power networks are not as capable of controlling and distributing non-renewable energy as distributed power grids. Therefore, the optimal dispatch of microgrids faces increasing challenges. This paper proposes a multi-strategy fusion slime mould algorithm (MFSMA) to tackle the microgrid optimal dispatching problem. Traditional swarm intelligence algorithms suffer from slow convergence, low efficiency, and the risk of falling into local optima. The MFSMA employs reverse learning to enlarge the search space and avoid local optima to overcome these challenges. Furthermore, adaptive parameters ensure a thorough search during the algorithm iterations. The focus is on exploring the solution space in the early stages of the algorithm, while convergence is accelerated during the later stages to ensure efficiency and accuracy. The salp swarm algorithm's search mode is also incorporated to expedite convergence. MFSMA and other algorithms are compared on the benchmark functions, and the test showed that the effect of MFSMA is better. Simulation results demonstrate the superior performance of the MFSMA for function optimization, particularly in solving the 24 h microgrid optimal scheduling problem. This problem considers multiple energy sources such as wind turbines, photovoltaics, and energy storage. A microgrid model based on the MFSMA is established in this paper. Simulation of the proposed algorithm reveals its ability to enhance energy utilization efficiency, reduce total network costs, and minimize environmental pollution. The contributions of this paper are as follows: (1) A comprehensive microgrid dispatch model is proposed. (2) Environmental costs, operation and maintenance costs are taken into consideration. (3) Two modes of grid-tied operation and island operation are considered. (4) This paper uses a multi-strategy optimized slime mould algorithm to optimize scheduling, and the algorithm has excellent results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scheduling workload is a demand response strategy for data centers to reshape electricity usage, which provides an opportunity for them to utilize renewable energy. Enhancing the flexibility of workload scheduling would promote the data center to integrate renewable energy. Considering that the improvement of flexibility in workload scheduling is tightly related to the Quality of Service (QoS) required by IT consumers (ITCs), it becomes desirable for the data center to collaborate with them to further facilitate renewable energy integration in demand response programs. This paper proposes a QoS‐based bi‐level demand response model for the data center, where game theory is adopted to resolve the conflict of interest in the collaboration between the data center and ITCs. At the upper level, the data center is a leader who provides differential monetary incentives to ITCs while dispatching workload to integrate renewable energy. At the lower level, ITCs act as followers who adjust the workload's QoS to enhance the flexibility of workload scheduling. Simulation results show that the proposed model can decrease the operating cost of the data center while increasing the utilization of renewable energy. © 2024 Institute of Electrical Engineer of Japan and Wiley Periodicals LLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy generation and pollutant emissions are two faces of the same coin, as the current energy sources i.e., fossil energy, are still considered to be major sources of greenhouse gases (GHG). Therefore, shifting to cleaner energy sources imposes itself as an inevitable solution to reduce this environmental cost. In this paper, a hybrid system based on the multi-agent approach and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) neural networks to forecast the energy production and its carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and simulate the potential emission reduction in case of switching to renewable energy sources is presented. The proposed system's architecture consists of combining LSTM models with the agent-based technology, where multiple LSTM forecasting models were trained to forecast the production of each type of the studied energies and then estimate the equivalent emitted CO2 and calculate the influence of the renewable energy inputs on the carbon emissions and the fossil fuels consumption. The simulation process consists of two phases: firstly, each forecasting agent uses a specific LSTM model to forecast short-term energy production. Secondly, these agents send the forecasted values to the coordination agent who is responsible for calculating the total CO2 emissions and the benefits of the renewable energy inputs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From powering our homes to driving our economies, energy lies at the heart of humanity's complex challenges in the modern era. This paper reviews the evolution of smart energy systems, examining their technological advancements and societal implications while proposing a future design framework emphasizing four key pillars: holistic resource optimization, adaptive intelligence, environmental harmony, and human-centered design. While they offer numerous benefits, such as enhanced energy efficiency and reduced carbon emissions, smart energy systems also face challenges. These include cybersecurity risks, the complexity of integrating diverse energy sources seamlessly, high upfront costs, and potential compatibility issues arising from evolving technologies. Overcoming these challenges will be crucial for unleashing the full potential of smart energy systems and facilitating their global adoption. Abundant opportunities for further research and development exist in this domain, awaiting exploration and advancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research introduces an innovative analytical framework for studying the behavior of electric vehicles (EVs) in power grids. The approach primarily examines the dynamic State of Charge (SOC) and energy reserves of EV batteries. By thoroughly examining patterns of EV charging demand and operational states (charging, discharging, idling, and waiting) across various time intervals, including day and night periods, this study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of EV dynamic behavior in power networks. The proposed model goes beyond traditional assessments by incorporating human behavioral patterns and responsiveness to economic signals, specifically investigating the impact of electricity pricing on user behavior. The core analysis centers on exploring the Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) concept, viewing EVs not only as energy consumers but also as potential contributors to grid stability and efficiency. The study delves into how the interplay of dynamic EV behavioral characteristics and owner responses to pricing influences the overall energy consumption curve of the grid, thereby shaping the capability of EVs in providing grid support services. To quantitatively validate the effectiveness of the model, a detailed case study is conducted, offering empirical evidence of its practical utility. The research findings are quantified, highlighting the significant implications for decision-makers, grid managers, and stakeholders in the energy sector. The paper emphasizes the main outcomes, demonstrating how the proposed analytical framework can empower stakeholders in making informed decisions about policy and infrastructure development. The robust methodological approach presented in this paper serves as a valuable tool for evaluating the impacts of adopting V2G, providing strategic insights for a more sustainable and economically viable paradigm [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To achieve a more ecologically friendly energy transition by the year 2050 under the European "green" accord, hydrogen has recently gained significant scientific interest due to its efficiency as an energy carrier. This paper focuses on large-scale hydrogen production systems based on marine renewable-energy-based wind turbines and tidal turbines. The paper reviews the different technologies of hydrogen production using water electrolyzers, energy storage unit base hydrogen vectors, and fuel cells (FC). The focus is on large-scale hydrogen production systems using marine renewable energies. This study compares electrolyzers, energy storage units, and FC technologies, with the main factors considered being cost, sustainability, and efficiency. Furthermore, a review of aging models of electrolyzers and FCs based on electrical circuit models is drawn from the literature and presented, including characterization methods of the model components and the parameters extraction methods, using a dynamic current profile. In addition, industrial projects for producing hydrogen from renewable energies that have already been completed or are now in progress are examined. The paper is concluded through a summary of recent hydrogen production and energy storage advances, as well as some applications. Perspectives on enhancing the sustainability and efficiency of hydrogen production systems are also proposed and discussed. This paper provides a review of behavioral aging models of electrolyzers and FCs when integrated into hydrogen production systems, as this is crucial for their successful deployment in an ever-changing energy context. We also review the EU's potential for renewable energy analysis. In summary, this study provides valuable information for research and industry stakeholders aiming to promote a sustainable and environmentally friendly energy transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering the current world trends, the most challenging issue industry is facing revolves around how to reduce the power consumption of electronic systems. Since the invention of computers, electrical energy consumption has increased dramatically; this is due to the emergence of new systems in industry. Systems like industrial robots and autonomous vehicles—including electric vehicles (EVs) and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)—have had a great impact in making human life easier but have also led to higher energy consumption. At present, researchers and developers are actively seeking solutions and patents to optimize the energy consumption of the mentioned systems and generate savings, with the goal of reducing their environmental impact and improving their efficiency and effectiveness. From the literature review, papers related to energy optimization and energy consumption are considered vital, and a huge number of research publications and survey papers discuss it. This paper presents a systematic review of the classification and analysis of various methodologies and solutions that have been developed to enhance the energy performance of robotic systems, focusing on industrial robots, autonomous vehicles, and embedded systems. The aim of this research is to provide a reference point for the existing methods, techniques, and technologies that are available. It compares and evaluates different hardware and software methods related to industrial robots, autonomous vehicles, and embedded systems, highlighting the possible future perspectives in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the issues of global energy crisis and climate change are becoming increasingly prominent in the world, urban microgrids have received widespread attention as an effective way to improve energy utilization efficiency and reduce environmental pollution. Among them, the cogeneration of heat and power (CHP) system is considered as one of the key technologies to improve the energy efficiency of urban microgrids because it can provide both electricity and heat. However, how to optimize the energy flow scheduling for CHP systems, especially in the context of increasing renewable energy sources, has become a hot topic of current research. Existing studies usually rely on the traditional dualtime-scale scheduling strategies, namely day-ahead scheduling and real-time scheduling, but both have obvious limitations in dealing with the uncertainty and volatility of new energy sources. To address the above problems, this paper proposes a thermodynamic analysis-based scheduling method for optimizing the energy flow in the CHP system of urban microgrids. First, this paper introduces the concepts of rolling schedule and real-time schedule to improve the traditional time-scale scheduling method, so as to enhance the system's adaptability to new energy power fluctuations. Second, for the absorption CHP system, this paper proposes a thermal cycle performance optimization strategy, which significantly improves the utilization efficiency of thermal energy through the cascaded recycling of system waste heat. Through these two innovations, this study not only realizes a more accurate and efficient energy management, but also provides a new strategy for the sustainable development of urban microgrids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ageing of coal-fired power stations in South Africa has led to regular power outages. Therefore, the country will need to urgently increase its electricity capacity to meet further energy demand from growing urbanization and population growth. This challenge has increased interest in alternative energy sources, such as renewable energy (RE). South Africa is gradually implementing appropriate renewable energy practices, reducing carbon emissions, cleansing the air, and assuring a more sustainable future. This paper summarizes the availability, current state, and future potential of renewable energy choices in South Africa. This paper also evaluates specific policy measures and government actions aimed at eliminating barriers and increasing renewable energy deployment in the future. It also considers the South African network's specialized techno-economic analysis. The findings show that South Africa is still heavily reliant on coal, with 78% of the current installed capacity coming from coal power in 2022, compared to 9.3% for solar and wind energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Utilizing renewable energy (RE) sources can provide a realistic answer to the problem of many nations' energy needs. This paper reviews the current status of using RE to produce electricity in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The primary aim of the review is to identify and analyze the solar- and wind-energy utilization, problems, and future trends in KSA while taking into account all relevant aspects, associated development hurdles, and suggested solutions. All involved parties will receive useful results and conclusions from a thorough examination and analysis of the pertinent literature that can assist them in understanding the potential of solar and wind energy, considering all the linked issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes the impact of renewable energy consumption, total factor productivity (TFP), income, imports, and exports on consumption-based CO2 emissions in Turkey from 1990 to 2019, utilizing the Autoregressive Distributed Lagged (ARDL) method. The findings indicated that the use of renewable energy, total factor productivity and exports negatively influence CO2 emissions. On the other hand, the positive impact of income and imports on CO2 emissions was found. The negative impact of renewable energy consumption and total factor productivity highlights the importance of implementing environmentally friendly measures in the energy sector (particularly raising the proportion of renewable energy in overall energy consumption) and technological innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the continuous increase in global energy demand and growing environmental awareness, the utilization of renewable energy has become a worldwide consensus. In order to address the challenges posed by the intermittent and unpredictable nature of renewable energy in distributed power distribution networks, as well as to improve the economic and operational stability of distribution systems, this paper proposes the establishment of an active distribution network capable of accommodating renewable energy. The objective is to enhance the efficiency of new energy utilization. This study investigates optimal scheduling models for energy storage technologies and economic-operation dispatching techniques in distributed power distribution networks. Additionally, it develops a comprehensive demand response model, with real-time pricing and incentive policies aiming to minimize load peak–valley differentials. The control mechanism incorporates time-of-use pricing and integrates a chaos particle swarm algorithm for a holistic approach to solution finding. By coordinating and optimizing the control of distributed power sources, energy storage systems, and flexible loads, the active distribution network achieves minimal operational costs while meeting demand-side power requirements, striving to smooth out load curves as much as possible. Case studies demonstrate significant enhancements during off-peak periods, with an approximately 60% increase in the load power overall elevation of load factors during regular periods, as well as a reduction in grid loads during evening peak hours, with a maximum decrease of nearly 65 kW. This approach mitigates grid operational pressures and user expense, effectively enhancing the stability and economic efficiency in distribution network operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aiming at the problems of poor scheduling flexibility and insufficient carbon emission reduction capacity of the current integrated energy system, this paper proposes an optimization scheduling model of integrated energy demand response that combines source-load synergy with reward and punishment stepped carbon trading mechanism. Firstly, the integrated energy system operation architecture including electricity-heat-cooling energy was constructed to harmonize the energy generation side and consumption side and effectively improve the multi-energy complementary capability of the system. Secondly, the reward and punishment stepped carbon trading mechanism is established by combining the initial carbon quota allocation method and the actual carbon emission calculation theory, so that environmental friendliness and economic sustainability are effectively improved. Finally, to minimize the system operating cost, an integrated demand response optimal dispatch model that considers the characteristics of electric, thermal and cooling loads is constructed to determine the optimal dispatch scheme for the integrated energy system. The results of the calculation example indicate that the proposed integrated demand response model has the function of peak reduction and valley correction, energy conservation and carbon reduction, and provides a feasible solution for the integrated energy system optimal scheduling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today's energy challenges are multifaceted. Over the past 30–40 years, energy issues have been discussed and published on an extensive scale. The green transition involves concrete actions related to increasing energy efficiency, replacing fossil fuels with alternative fuels, producing energy using renewable resources, creating various means of transport that use electric motors, identifying technical solutions that generate an increased energy yield in the case of buildings, and waste reduction, reuse and recycling. In order to attain a climate-neutral environment, it is mandatory to impose regulations, measures and actions to help decarbonize the energy sector. The analysis of published articles on these issues is the subject of this large and information-dense review. Concretely, the transition to climate neutrality will generate obvious advantages at an economic, social and technological level, for example, the opportunity for economic growth, new business models and new markets, and the generation of new jobs or technological development. At the same time, this paper underscores the need for a multifaceted approach, integrating technological innovation, policy intervention and global cooperation for an effective energy transformation. The review suggests future issues and research directions, focusing on viable strategies for energy transition and its socio-economic environmental impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, an event-triggered distributed secondary control, along with an energy management algorithm, was developed to ensure the voltage stability and power management of a DC microgrid containing batteries and renewable energy sources, such as PV systems and wind turbines. The energy management algorithm, employing fuzzy logic control, governs power flow based on the generation status of sources and the charging rate of the battery. Consequently, the control algorithm shields the battery from overcharging and over-discharging situations, simultaneously ensuring energy quality within the microgrid. Sampled-data-based event-triggered control is integrated into the proposed distributed secondary control to alleviate communication burdens between controllers, effectively avoiding Zeno behavior. To demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed control algorithm, several experimental studies were conducted on a real DC microgrid prototype. The results obtained confirmed the controller's effectiveness. With the proposed control algorithm, autonomous control has been developed to ensure the safe and continuous operation of loads in island-mode microgrids, incorporating PV systems, wind turbines, and batteries, while also minimizing communication overhead. This control system adeptly manages power flow, safeguards the battery against overcharging and over-discharging, and optimizes the efficiency of intermittent energy sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the impacts of economic (in)stability on carbon emissions and the role of renewable energy in these effects at the crossroads of accelerated climate change and rising global economic instability. The paper hypothesizes that these implications should be examined not by direct impacts across variables, but rather via indirect effects serially mediated by renewable energy consumption and economic growth. This paper analyzes the United States from January 1980 and April 2022 using manifest structural equation modeling. The paper reaches two major conclusions. First, there are clear distinctions between (i) the direct and indirect effects of economic stability, surrogated by inflation and policy interest rate, on carbon emissions, (ii) the symmetric and asymmetric indirect effects, and (iii) the roles of aggregate renewable energy and its components, such as biomass and hydropower energy use, in mediating these symmetric and asymmetric indirect effects. Second, renewable energy significantly reduces the carbon-increasing effects of inflation and interest rates. The paper contains proper policy suggestions based on the findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews the fundamentals of the thermoeconomic diagnosis theory. Thermoeconomic diagnosis is one of the main applications of the exergy cost theory used to identify the causes of additional resource consumption of a system due to inefficiencies in its components, published in the late 1990s. Thermoeconomic diagnosis has usually been applied to diagnose power plants with high consumption of fossil fuels and fixed production. However, it does not consider the final production and waste generation variation. In this paper, Circular Thermoeconomics is applied to analyze in depth the effect of malfunctions on additional waste generation and changes in the final output of the system. This new formulation can be applied to polygeneration systems, where there is a simultaneous variation of final products, and to process integration and industrial symbiosis, where a part of the waste generated by a plant could be reused in other processes or plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aims to present the need and the importance of using efficiently the energy and finding new ways to improve the transport based on renewable energy. The paper is based on a large number of official information sources which are structured and presented in the author's opinion. The main results emphasize that the Danube region is a large river basin and ecological corridor requiring a regional approach to nature conservation, spatial planning and water management. The environmental impact of transport links, tourist constructions or new energy production facilities must also be considered. Transport policy has been given a new direction: achieving a 'sustainable through flexibility' system, which means organizing transport in such a way as to optimize energy consumption. The development of the national transmission system shall be carried out in accordance with the requirements of conservation and environmental protection and the rational use of energy. The protection of human life and the environment is a priority in all transport-related relations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Production of biomass briquettes of good strength and combustion characteristics usually requires the addition of a binder material to the feedstock. This study was aimed at developing a methodology for producing briquettes from water hyacinth at low compression pressures without using a binder material. Fresh water hyacinth was chopped to a maximum length of 3 cm, sun-dried to a moisture content of about 10%, mixed with shredded waste office paper in four water hyacinth to paper proportions on weight basis (100:0, 90:10, 80:20 and 70:30). The mixtures were soaked in water for three days and briquetted using a 6-cylinder screw briquetting machine. The resulting briquettes were subjected to standard strength and combustion tests. A Completely Randomized Design with four treatments replicated five times was used as the experimental design. Results from the study indicate no significant differences in compressed density, relaxed density, relaxation ratio and calorific value between the briquettes. The results further indicate that briquettes made without a binder material have significantly low but adequate shatter resistance, low ignition time, high burning rate and take a longer time to bring water to boil. It can be concluded that good quality water hyacinth briquettes can be produced at low compression pressures without using a binder material. This methodology can potentially increase adoption of water hyacinth briquettes in areas with poor access to binder materials. The originality of the research is the development of a water hyacinth briquetting methodology that does not use binder materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The large-scale integration of renewable energy into the grid has led to a gradual diversification of power generation trading units on the power-side, with varying operational characteristics, costs, and trading needs among diverse power generation trading units. Traditional power system clearing models face challenges. Block order is a bidding type that allows for multiple volume–price combinations. At the same time, the randomness and volatility of renewable energy poses challenges to the safe and stable operation of the system. Building a power system clearing model that meets the diverse and flexible needs of the power system has become an important consideration. Therefore, this paper considers the design of three flexible energy blocks: a sustaining block, flux block, and adjustment block to meet the differential needs of diverse trading units and establishes a flexible block order clearing model. Secondly, it establishes a joint clearing model of electrical energy and frequency modulation (FM) to ensure the stable and reliable operation of the system, and solves the model based on relevant constraints to determine the winning electrical energy price and FM price. The CPLEX and Yalmip algorithms are used to solve the model. Finally, a case study was conducted based on an improved IEEE 14-bus system. The results showed that the model proposed in this paper can satisfy the differential needs of diverse trading units, effectively improve the renewable energy consumption capacity, and reduce the prices of the energy market and frequency modulation market. Also, the standard deviation of the net load of the system is relatively low, which improves the reliability of the power system's operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional energy resource problems made power system planners apply more renewable energy sources (RESs) in the power system. RESs have a significant impact on fulfilling the world's energy demand, protecting the environment at least in the exploration phase, and providing energy reliability as well as security for the new generation of power grids. In this regard, wind power generation is considered a promising solution. However, by increasing the share of wind power generation units in the power sector, some challenges, such as voltage problems, transient stability, increasing system losses, and line congestions can occur. Consequently, an alternative solution is required to accelerate wind power units' connections to the grid by preventing the problems caused by the penetration of wind power. In this regard, Flexible Alternating Current Transmission Systems (FACTS) devices can play an important role while they can improve power grid dynamic performance. This paper presents a review of the optimization techniques applied to accelerate the penetration of wind energy by exploiting FACTS devices. The topic identifies the objectives and optimization formulations, as well as schemes and models available in the published literature. This survey gives noteworthy insights to the researchers to cover available solutions in these regards. The literature in the field is summarized in different aspects, such as FACTS technology, objective functions, constraints, optimization methods, planning or operation purposes, and load flow types. At each aspect, a comparison is derived to recognize the most important issues. The result of the review is the finding of future work and contributions which can be done in the field of wind energy integration acceleration using FACTS devices and the output of the paper can be used as a guide for researchers to find a new path for research in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additive manufacturing (AM) offers unique capabilities in terms of design freedom and customization, contributing to sustainable manufacturing. However, energy efficiency remains a challenge in the widespread adoption of AM processes. In this paper, we present a comprehensive review of the current research on energy efficiency in AM, addressing challenges, opportunities, and future directions. Our analysis reveals a lack of standardization in the measurement and reporting of energy consumption, making it difficult to evaluate and compare the energy performance of various systems. We propose a holistic framework to address energy efficiency throughout the entire life cycle of the AM process, highlighting the importance of design optimization, material selection, advanced control systems, and energy management strategies. The paper also emphasizes the need for further research on the interactions between process parameters, along with the potential of integrating renewable energy sources into AM systems. This review offers valuable insights for both academics and industry professionals, calling for standardized methodologies and a focus on energy management to optimize energy efficiency in AM processes, ultimately enhancing competitiveness and sustainability in modern manufacturing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present energy scenario, wind energy is the fastest-growing renewable energy resource on the globe. However, wind-energy-based generation systems are also associated with increasing demands for power quality and active power control in the power network. With the advancements in power-electronics-based technology and its use in non-conventional energy conversion systems, it has witnessed tremendous growth in wind energy conversion systems (WECSs). At the same time, integrating wind farms into the grid system also results in many power quality issues in the power system that involve these renewable energy sources feeding power networks. This paper reports the effectiveness of grid-connected doubly fed induction generator (DFIG)-based WECS with a battery energy storage system (BESS) under variable wind conditions. In this study, a rotor side converter (RSC) is controlled to achieve the optimal torque for a given maximal wind power. The control scheme is simulated using MATLAB for a 2 MW-rated DFIG used in a WECS. Additionally, in this paper, a new fraction order proportional integral derivative (FOPID) controller is introduced into the system's RSC, and its performance is also observed. The BESS technique is used with a DC link to improve the overall performance of the DFIG-based WECS under different wind conditions. To control the BESS, a proportional integral (PI) controller is introduced to increase the charging and discharging rates. Two models are developed in MATLAB/Simulink: one model is a basic model, and other model is equipped with a BESS and a PI controller in the BESS. The results validate the effectiveness of the proposed PI-controller-equipped BESS at improving the overall performance of the WECS system under study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent times, the research in sustainable energy resources was integrated with the control approaches of various hybrid renewable energy systems for balancing the electricity generation. The accelerated hybrid energy storage systems and steadily growing energy consumption make the variability and the predictable behavior occur in the renewable energy sources, which requires an energy management system. This paper aims to control hybrid renewable energy systems for power management. The systems consist of photovoltaic (PV) arrays, diesel generators, wind systems with boost converter DC-DC, and inverters. The optimum of the real-time process is less due to prediction errors of multiple renewable sources, which track the output voltage and load current. Model predictive control (MPC) is proposed for problem-solving time operation to address this issue and compensate for the prediction error. The major impact factors, such as optimal split power, stability, reliability of energy, and desired dynamic responses, have been identified by applying the MPC technique. A simulation model has been constructed using MATLAB/Simulink environment to confirm the effectiveness of the MPC technique model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biogas has garnered increasing interest as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. However, due to the complexity of generating biogas, it is crucial to adopt adequate methodologies that aid planning, building, and running operations. Mathematical models have proven to be useful for assisting in the production of biogas, and they are applicable in different stages of the process. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to investigate how mathematical models can contribute to enhancing the efficiency and optimizing the biogas generation process. The Methodi Ordinatio methodology was used to conduct a systematic review of the literature. The VOSviewer software and the bibliometrix package in R were used to generate visual maps. The results revealed that mixed integer linear programming (MILP) models are the most common, accounting for 27% of the studies, followed by simulation models (SIM) with 14%, and hybrid models (HYB) and nonlinear programming models (NLP) in equal proportions, both at 13%. These models are useful for predicting and simulating biogas production. The analysis also revealed a significant trend toward integrating biogas production with the agricultural sector. Continuous advancements and applications of mathematical models are expected to increasingly facilitate biogas generation, thereby propelling global energy usage toward a sustainable energy source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we argue using smart technologies beyond the grid disrupts the access and use of existing energy sources, with profound impacts on everyday social life. We show how off‐grid smart energy solutions constitute their own politics when considering existing conceptualisations of urban infrastructures in geography and the social sciences. To expose its politics, or "micropolitics", we consider how tensions occur at the interface between infrastructures, where there are additions and modifications. We draw on an empirical example of Qandu‐Qandu, an informal settlement in South Africa, to highlight how the placement, technical capabilities, and flexible financing options associated with off‐grid solar energy create micropolitics with profound implications for everyday life. To conclude, we reflect on the value of using disruptions for understanding and enhancing equity in off‐grid settings, contributing to the broader sustainability transitions narrative, and its "liveliness". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental product declarations (EPD) to EN 15804 provide information about the embodied carbon dioxide of construction products – their life cycle greenhouse gas emissions – alongside reporting the use of renewable and non-renewable primary energy and secondary fuels, among the other environmental indicators. As the number of EPD to EN 15804 increases, they become a useful data resource to consider these impacts. In moving towards a reduction in the embodied carbon of products, it is necessary to use renewable energy resources efficiently to allow the transition to net zero; this is because of the increasing demands on renewable energy to decarbonise industry, transport and domestic energy consumption and the limited capacity to expand renewable generation. This paper reviews published EPD data for structural and reinforcing steels, cement, bricks and structural timber products, and considers, for the cradle to gate 'product' life cycle stage, exploring the relationship of embodied carbon with embodied energy (total energy used), the balance of renewable and non-renewable energy, and the efficient use of energy. It is found, for bricks and timber, that EPD show products that use a greater percentage of renewable energy have higher embodied energy, suggesting a less efficient use of renewable energy for these products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research paper aims to design a solar-powered boat and analyze the effects of environmental and form-related factors on power consumption and battery duration by utilizing a system dynamics approach-based simulation. The boat form is designed as the planing hull and its hull resistance analysis was ensured in Maxsurf package program. PV panels with 548 W power output and two battery packs with 4660 Wh capacity were placed on the hull body to employ an electric motor with a 10-kW nominal power output. Two MPPTs were implemented in the system to increase solar system efficiency. The relationships between all system components were modelled in Vensim software to observe battery endurance changes under different conditions. Results demonstrated that the ideal vessel speed is calculated to be around 7 knots with roughly 8 hours of battery duration for the designed boat. A critical stage of charge for sailing is 40% since 1.63 hours of cruising time may be achieved while maintaining a speed of 5 m/s (9.72 knots). Indeed, the boat's rising trim angle shortens the battery discharge time; thus, navigation by no trim angle is the most effective usage for the vessel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomass is abundantly present in diverse ecosystems, and is considered to be a highly valuable energy source worldwide due to its high diversity. Agricultural residues contribute substantially to the overall biomass potential. Although all agricultural residues can be used as fuel, their range is limited in practice by the possibilities of production, compaction, transport and use. The present paper presents a technology and the associated technical equipment developed and tested by INMA Bucharest for processing Miscanthus biomass that can be used for various energy purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing renewable energy has become a major strategy for China to accelerate the energy transition and combat climate change. Accordingly, a guarantee mechanism for renewable energy consumption with renewable portfolio standards (RPS) has been set in China. However, currently, the top-down allocation of regional renewable energy consumption targets often has issues of unfairness and inefficiency. It is necessary to investigate the issue of how to stimulate the renewable energy consumption potential on the demand side and reasonably formulate the consumption responsibility weights of various market entities. This paper aimed to develop a new methodology for the weight allocation of renewable energy consumption responsibilities. In doing so, an integrated model of an evolutionary game and stochastic optimization was constructed between market entities and governments. Then, the equilibrium strategies of market entities and governments were obtained through the evolutionary game. Furthermore, based on the equilibrium strategies, this paper optimized the renewable energy consumption weight of each market entity, which constitutes the optimal allocation scheme of renewable energy consumption responsibility weights. Finally, using the data of 7069 market entities in Hubei Province in 2021, this study simulated the model to verify its effectiveness and practicability. The results indicate that the willingness of market entities to assume more consumption responsibility is positively correlated with the government's incentives and the maturity of the green electricity trading market. This study provides important implications for optimizing government regulations and promoting renewable energy consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Energy consumption and renewable energy sources are included in the goals for the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) agenda, and target buildings are the biggest electricity consumers. In turn, Netzero energy buildings (NZEB) contribute to achieve SDG7 goals. This paper aims to identify which Brazilian higher education institutions (HEIs) practices contribute to developing the NZEB concept. Design/methodology/approach: Case studies were selected to identify which implanted practices applied by HEIs in Brazil, listed in the UI GreenMetric 2020 Ranking, are related to the NZEB concept. The implemented sustainable practices were also analyzed to evaluate the connections and impact between universities and the local community. Findings: Results show the lighting and air conditioning retrofit were among the most common practices related to energy efficiency to reduce consumption. For renewable energy generation, photovoltaic solar energy is the most common practice used by HEIs. Research limitations/implications: Only Brazilian HEIs listed in the UI Green Metric Ranking were analyzed. No standard regulation or formal reports support the wide dissemination of the strategies adopted by HEIs in Brazil. Practical implications: The strategies adopted by HEIs related to Netzero buildings can reduce emissions, optimize operating costs and improve building comfort conditions, which connect all SDGs. Social implications: HEIs can promote awareness related to energy use and clean energy generation within the local community. Originality/value: This paper presents the most common strategies adopted by Brazilian HEIs. However, limitations related to lack of strategies, data transparency and specific Netzero energy regulation were also found. These issues can hinder other HEIs to adopt similar strategies and contribute to the promotion of SDG7 in Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing global warming is largely attributable to human activities. International strategies have already been implemented to reduce emissions to zero, thus reducing energy consumption. Given the current world situation and the rising costs of raw materials (gas and oil), it is incumbent on us to find savings solutions that can also be implemented in our own small way; there are many solutions, especially in the domestic sphere. In this paper, the focus is on building energy savings that can be achieved using modern technologies and starting with the simplest solutions. In particular, this paper shows how the conscious use of natural lighting can lead to significant electricity savings. Moreover, it describes the effect of innovative building insulation materials and the effect due to the installation of a local photovoltaic power generation system; at the end, it illustrates the new horizons that are opening with the introduction of new building control techniques. Some studies are also reported where the extent of achievable savings can be understood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The energy use of residues from agriculture, forestry, and solid waste can foster the transition towards a more renewable energy supply. This paper analyzes the energy potential of the above-mentioned sources for energy applications in Kosovo. The analysis is based on statistical data from different studies and reports, analyzing and calculating them to determine the theoretical and energy biomass potential. Kosovo can increase its self-sufficiency by taking advantage of its rich but under-utilized potential of biomass energy sources. This is a novelty study in this area, considering Kosovo lignite-dominated heat energy and electricity consumption and the available special literature. According to our estimates, the theoretical potential is 6.13 million tons/year, while the biomass energy potential should be around 4.57 million tons/year, including approximately 74.6% of biomass, which can be used for energy needs (heating and electricity). Based on the data and calculations, the available and usable potential shows biomass as an energy source with high potential in Kosovo; its share is very low, but it is reasonable to grow for both environmental and economic reasons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The exponential growth of population and industries has brought about an increase in energy consumption, causing severe climatic and environmental problems. Therefore, the move towards green renewable energy is being ever more intensified. This study aims at estimating the rooftop solar power production for Tehran, the capital city of Iran, using a Geospatial Information System (GIS) to assess the big data of city building parcels. Tehran is faced with severe air pollution due to its excessive fossil fuel usage, and its electricity demand is increasing. As a result, this paper attempts to provide the quantified solar power potential of city roof tops for policymakers and authorities in order to facilitate decision-making in relation to integrating renewable energies into the power production infrastructure. The results shows that approximately 3000 GWh (more than 14% of the total electric energy consumption) of solar power can be produced by the rooftop PV installations in Tehran. The potential nominal power of rooftop PV installations is estimated to be more than 2000 MW, which is four times the current installed PV capacity of the whole country. The findings of the study suggest that there is great potential hidden on the rooftops of the city, which can be utilized to assist the power systems of the city in the longer run for a more sustainable future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To overcome its reliance on burning fossil fuels for energy generation and water desalination, Kuwait has pioneered research and cutting-edge projects in renewable energy since the 1980s. This paper examines the power sector in Kuwait and emphasizes the government’s keenness to diversify the country’s electric power supply. It provides a comprehensive overview of Kuwait’s efforts, to emerge as a leading example in the region, fostering collaboration and matchmaking within renewable energy industries. The country’s goal is to meet 15% of the demand for power from renewable energy by 2030, including a reduction in energy use in the building sector by 12% and a decrease in CO2 emissions by 33%. The country’s initiatives revolve around harnessing renewable sources, particularly emphasizing the exploration of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. Challenges and opportunities are presented to provide information for international institutions, technology companies, designers, researchers, and decision makers, aiming to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of PV project implementation in the country and the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smart energy networks provide an effective means to accommodate high penetrations of variable renewable energy sources like solar and wind, which are key for the deep decarbonisation of energy production. However, given the variability of the renewables as well as the energy demand, it is imperative to develop effective control and energy storage schemes to manage the variable energy generation and achieve desired system economics and environmental goals. In this paper, we introduce a hybrid energy storage system composed of battery and hydrogen energy storage to handle the uncertainties related to electricity prices, renewable energy production, and consumption. We aim to improve renewable energy utilisation and minimise energy costs and carbon emissions while ensuring energy reliability and stability within the network. To achieve this, we propose a multi-agent deep deterministic policy gradient approach, which is a deep reinforcement learning-based control strategy to optimise the scheduling of the hybrid energy storage system and energy demand in real time. The proposed approach is model-free and does not require explicit knowledge and rigorous mathematical models of the smart energy network environment. Simulation results based on real-world data show that (i) integration and optimised operation of the hybrid energy storage system and energy demand reduce carbon emissions by 78.69%, improve cost savings by 23.5%, and improve renewable energy utilisation by over 13.2% compared to other baseline models; and (ii) the proposed algorithm outperforms the state-of-the-art self-learning algorithms like the deep-Q network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Collective self-consumption is called to be a crucial part of the current energy transition. In addition to the advantages of individual self-consumption, the possibility of improving economic feasibility exists. This paper shows how matching production and consumption loads increase the rate of self-consumption. Still, how the electricity is distributed among a renewable energy community's prosumers would reduce the total costs of self-consumed energy. Possible criteria for the allocation of the generated electricity among shareholders are analysed. The study also evaluates the use of static and dynamic distribution coefficients, observing their results and applicability and sorting them to maximise self-consumption participants' savings. The results are questioned against them and a reference scenario without shared self-consumption installation. As the exploitation of renewable energy for self-consumption is closely linked to the energy market and regulations, the analysis is based on a territorial case study. It is shown that the highest savings occur when electricity is allocated following distribution coefficients that consider the customer's energy consumption better than investment participation or contracted power, even when the compensation of surpluses is added. These criteria can accomplish technical and economic objectives and are introduced in regulations that foster the requested changes in consumers' behaviour and prosumers for sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) into energy systems requires a meticulous assessment of various factors, spanning renewable energy potential, legal frameworks, technical considerations, community engagement, and consumer preferences. This article synthesizes a multifaceted discussion on the subject, focusing on the need for comprehensive analyses before deciding to implement SMRs. Drawing insights from geographic information systems (GIS) and lessons from renewable energy development in Poland, this paper underscores the significance of aligning energy strategies with local needs, emphasizing stakeholder participation. This study examines the factors influencing location attractiveness for various energy technologies, including small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs), wind, solar, and hydroelectric power plants, within Poland. Employing 17 indicators sourced from Statistics Poland and URE, coupled with the application of the k-means algorithm, we outline four distinct clusters that delineate the zones of location attractiveness for SMRs and other renewable energy sources. While large and medium-sized cities exhibit optimal location attractiveness, coastal counties in northern Poland emerge as more suitable for renewable energy sources than for SMRs. The study outlines four distinct energy development strategies based on typologies of regions, each tailored to maximize the utility of available resources and minimize environmental impact. The strategies encompass renewable energy utilization, energy efficiency enhancement, energy diversification, and adaptation through innovation. Emphasizing the interplay between renewable energy potential, energy demand, and local conditions, the research suggests the strategic deployment of SMRs as part of an energy mix in areas where renewable energy resources are limited. By leveraging SMRs' continuous energy production, these reactors can complement intermittent renewables, bolstering energy security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy is a key driver of all modern economies. Sustainable development is playing an increasingly important role both at regional and local levels. It is a compromise between social and economic needs and the preservation of nature. In the policy of the European Union, the idea of sustainable development and environmental protection is of decisive importance for the implemented programs and economic activities. Contemporary challenges require the transformation of the energy market towards greater use of renewable sources. According to Directive 2009/28/EC of the European Parliament and European Council on promoting energy from renewable sources, Poland has committed itself to achieving a 23% share of renewable energy in gross final energy consumption by 2030. This goal considers total energy consumption in terms of power, engineering, heating, refrigeration, and transport. The aim of this paper was, firstly, an analysis of the share of renewable energy in the European Union over an 18-year period (2004–2021), with particular emphasis on the position of Poland. The second objective was the analysis of renewable energy at the local level in Poland, i.e., at the local government unit (LAU) level. Changes in the share of renewable energy in Poland compared to other European countries were also examined. The study utilized functional analysis of principal components and cluster analysis based on the data from the Central Statistical Office and EUROSTAT. The study found that while Poland does not differ significantly from other countries in using renewable energy, it does fall below the European average. Principal component analysis suggests that Poland responds adequately to European changes in the share of renewable energy in total energy consumption. This dynamic is stable (over 95% explained by the first component) and applies to most countries surveyed. In addition, the authors sought to answer questions relating to the current status of renewable energy sources in Poland, the barriers and challenges facing the introduction of renewable energy in the country, a comparative analysis of Poland's progress in renewable energy with other global counterparts, and an exploration of the future prospects and potential for the development of renewable energy in Poland. The study found that the potential for renewable energy is greatest in the northern areas of Poland, with photovoltaics and wind power plants providing the greatest capacity. Poland's renewable energy potential is very high and will be determined by technological development, political, economic, and social issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is a known fact that fossil fuels will be depleted in the near future owing to the negative effects on the environment. The number of applications using renewable energy sources instead of fossil fuels to obtain energy has increased significantly. It is aimed to provide effective energy production with the proposed rotary energy system (RES) installation for regions with high wind energy and solar energy potential. In the paper, the design, manufacturing process, installation, and output power prediction of a novel RES are presented. In the proposed system, a hybrid system whose energy is derived from solar and wind energy is envisaged. The electrical characteristics of the solar panels with dimensions 140 × 60 × 2.5 mm mounted on the prototype are 6 V 100 mA. The prototype has been tested at different rotation speeds to evaluate the effect of wind energy. Moreover, the output power prediction based on Feedforward Neural Network (FFNN) and Particle Swarm Optimization trained Feedforward Neural Network (PSO-FFNN) has been performed with the data obtained from the prototype system. The three quantitative standard statistical performance evaluation measures, root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) and Theil's inequality coefficient (TIC) are employed to compare the performances of these architectures. FFNN architecture, the RMSE, MAPE and TIC values are calculated as 0.0690, 0.0455 and 0.0278, respectively. For the PSO-FFNN architecture, RMSE, MAPE and TIC values are 0.0530, 0.0383, and 0.0213, respectively. It has been proved that it will be produced energy more effectively thanks to the hybrid RES in meeting energy demand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We employed MRA to specify the authentic empirical effect based on 328 estimation results from 33 primary studies. • Financial development leads to higher renewable energy consumption / use / capacity / production according to the MRA. • There is no publication bias in the existing literature. • The authentic empirical effect may change depending on financial development or renewable energy indicators used, time period covered, the unit analyzed, and the estimation technique employed. • There is an omitted variable bias in the existing literature. The current paper tries to determine and quantify the authentic empirical effect of financial development on renewable energy beyond publication selection bias, if any, based on 328 estimation results from 33 primary studies that were published or presented over the period of 2009-2022. Bivariate and multivariate FAT-PET analyses were used as tools of meta-regression analysis. A positive significant authentic empirical effect of financial development on renewable energy is found as a first contribution. Hence the results support Hypothesis 1; by offering more reliable, efficient, and less costly funds to investors; whether private or public, financial development boosts renewable energy. An absence of publication bias is resulted regarding the overall findings of the primary studies or design characteristics (moderating variables) as a second contribution. Based on the results for moderating variables, the authentic empirical effect may change in direction and magnitude due to the financial development or renewable energy indicators used, the time period covered, the unit analyzed, and/or the estimation technique employed as a third contribution. Omitted variable bias is found in the existing literature analyzing this subject. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study intends to shed light on the environmental impacts of energy decisions in South Korea by analyzing the correlation between energy consumption patterns and environmental indicators such as carbon dioxide emissions. In 2021, global CO2 emissions increased by 6%—to the highest ever level of 36.3 billion tons—according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). This increase in CO2 emissions is a big problem for all countries around the world. The aim of this article is an analyze the impact of fossil fuels, renewable energy, and nuclear energy on South Korea's environment based on the STIRPAT (stochastic impact by regression on population, affluence, and technology) model. Exploring the intricate nexus between economic and energy indicators and environmental outcomes, this study employs the STIRPAT model to analyze the influence of GDP, population dynamics, fossil fuels, renewable energy, and nuclear energy on South Korea's environment. The yearly data from 1972 to 2021 are analyzed in this paper using an autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model. The reliability of this study is also examined by employing FMOLS (fully modified ordinary least squares) and CCR (canonical cointegrating regression) estimators. This study confirms the findings of previous research by showing that the rising South Korea GDP and population can lead to higher CO2 emissions and that a strategy switching to renewable energy can cut down on CO2 emissions in Korea, as it exhibits a coefficient of −0.085 *. The robustness results of FMOLS and CCR's findings support baseline ARDL findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In pursuit of energy self-sufficiency and meeting the growing energy demand, the Philippine government has formulated its Energy Road Map for the year 2040, aiming to strengthen, continue, and accelerate the adoption of renewable energy (RE) across the archipelago. This paper presents a proposed multiple microgrid system integrated into an existing distribution system, utilizing renewable energy sources. The proposed model involves the conversion of a section of the distribution system into a microgrid setup, comprising photovoltaic (PV) energy and fuel cell (FC) technologies connected to a 13.2 kV distribution grid. A modified three-phase three-level voltage-sourced converter (VSC) is employed to control the inverter. The proposed modifications result in improved operational efficiency compared to conventional approaches. Various operating cases are considered, each with a designated power source operating according to a predefined schedule. A unified controller is employed across all operating cases, ensuring system stability. Simulation and experimental results conducted through MATLAB/Simulink demonstrate the impact of VSC in terms of voltage regulation, frequency stability, and accumulated power losses. They revealed that voltage regulation for understudy cases ranged from 0.1 to 4.5%, microgrid frequencies were between 59.1 and 60.08 Hz, and power distribution losses were at 1.2–3.3% of the generated power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The energy revolution prioritizes efficiency, sustainability, practicality, and concreteness. Conventional energy processes remain crucial and will continue to be essential for a long time if they are based on renewable and clean sources. Biofuels, particularly biomethane, are gaining significant attention for their potential to replace fossil fuels and contribute to a greener energy landscape. This paper focuses on enhancing the energy efficiency of an anaerobic digestion plant for biomethane production. Oversizing issues in technical plants often result in excessive energy and economic costs. Therefore, this study aims to analyze plant sections that can be improved to enhance performance. An energy analysis quantifies the energy requirements for different sections and sub-sections, guiding the selection of energy interventions such as pipeline resizing, heat generator modifications, pump enhancements, and energy recovery opportunities. The methodology is applied to an existing biomethane plant, and graphical software is used for redesigning the heat generator, pumps, and pipelines. The results demonstrated that implementing energy efficiency measures improves system performance. The heat generator's capacity was successfully reduced by 100 kW, surpassing the initial design choice. Additionally, heat recovery from the biogas compression section has enhanced the overall thermal dynamics of the system. The estimated annual methane consumption in the boiler is approximately 12,000 Nm3, resulting in an expenditure of EUR 10600. These interventions have led to substantial savings, totaling EUR 133000 for the comprehensive thermal sustenance of the entire plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, stochastic synchronization of the wind and solar energy using energy storage system based on real-time pricing in the day-ahead market along with taking advantage of the potential of demand response programming has been analyzed. Since renewable energies, loads and prices are uncertain, and planning is based on real-time pricing, the optimal biding proposition considers the wind power, solar system, and energy storage system. Uncertainty is addressed to solve the bidding strategy in a day-ahead market for optimal wind and PV power and optimal charging for energy storage. Batteries are the most promising device to compensate for the fluctuations of wind and photovoltaic power plants to mitigate their uncertainty. In general, using MILP is a suitable approach to address uncertainty as long as a linear formulation is acceptable for modeling either with continuous variables or integer ones. By setting some scenarios to formulate market prices, imbalance of energy, wind and solar system, the uncertainty problems could be easily solved by MILP solver. The model created enables the retailer to realize the potentials of the demand response program and exploit high technical and economic advantages. To ensure fair prices, a set of regulating constraints is considered for sales prices imposed by the regulation committees. A model is presented to optimize the electricity trading strategy in the electricity market, considering the uncertainty in the wholesale market price and the demand level. The retailer considered in this paper is a distribution company that is the owner and operator of the networks and operates under real-time pricing regulations. To model demand response, the elasticity coefficient is used. The proposed solution is implemented on a standard 144-bus sample network using a nonlinear integer programming method. The presented method results provide helpful and valuable information based on the optimal method proposed by the retailers considering the demand response program and real-time pricing system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite their economic success, the BRICS countries have yet to achieve environmental sustainability. On the other hand, these countries will not be able to maintain their economic expansion if they do not protect the natural environment. In this regard, this paper intends to assess the effects of financial integration (globalization) on ecological footprint. The paper also considers other ecological footprint drivers, including economic expansion, urbanization, renewable energy and technological innovation. The research utilizes a dataset spanning from 1990 to 2018. The study employed the method of moments quantile regression (MMQR) approach, which is robust to cross-sectional dependence and slope homogeneity issues. The outcomes from the MMQR disclose that the effect of financial globalization on ecological footprint is positive across all quantiles (0.1–0.90), thus validating the pollution haven hypothesis (PHH) in the BRICS nations. Furthermore, both renewable energy and technological innovation curb ecological footprint across all quantiles (0.1–0.90). Moreover, technological innovation is proven to impact the environment positively across all quantiles (0.1–0.90) via the path of urbanization. As a result, technological innovation is projected to help the BRICS nations achieve sustainable urbanization. The DOLS, FMOLS, FE-OLS outcomes also validate the outcomes of MMQR. Based on these results, policies were proposed. • MMQR applied to integrate asymmetric effects. • Renewable energy consumption and technological innovation derive ecological sustainability. • Financial integration-led Pollution-haven-hypothesis is confirmed. • Economic growth and urbanization lead to higher ecological footprints. • Technology innovation neutralizes the negative impact of urbanization on ecological sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]