Open Access Article
Harnessing Offshore Wind Energy along the Mexican Coastline in the Gulf of Mexico—An Exploratory Study including Sustainability Criteria
Viewed by 354
Abstract
Mexico has more than 40 years of researching, investing, and obtaining electric power through wind energy. Within the country, there are highly windy areas, such as the Isthmus of Tehuantepec or the state of Tamaulipas, and there are about 2500 MW installed and [...] Read more.
Mexico has more than 40 years of researching, investing, and obtaining electric power through wind energy. Within the country, there are highly windy areas, such as the Isthmus of Tehuantepec or the state of Tamaulipas, and there are about 2500 MW installed and 70,000 MW tested, all onshore. There are still no offshore wind farms in Mexico, despite having two main coasts, the East and the West, with the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean, respectively. Although the Mexican coastal states of the Gulf of Mexico are Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Tabasco, Campeche, and Yucatán, this work focuses on the study and feasibility of offshore wind energy use on the coasts of the states of Tabasco, Campeche, and Yucatán. This is because of the availability of data in that region; however, sustainability criteria that can be used in other regions are also presented. MERRA-2 and ERA5 data were used employing WAsP and Windographer software. It was found that the capacity factor in the area of Tabasco, Campeche, and Yucatán is 32%, 37%, and 46%. It can be noted that, in the WF100% scenario, each of the wind farms could contribute more than 35% of the region's electricity consumption; those of Campeche and Yucatán stand out with contributions of more than 70%. Full article
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Open Access Article
Analysis of Wave Energy Behavior and Its Underlying Reasons in the Gulf of Mexico Based on Computer Animation and Energy Events Concept
Viewed by 287
Abstract
The complexity and variability of ocean waves make wave energy harvesting very challenging. Previous research has indicated that wave energy was mainly generated and transferred by wind, but the detailed correlation between wind and wave energy has not been discovered. Wave energy in [...] Read more.
The complexity and variability of ocean waves make wave energy harvesting very challenging. Previous research has indicated that wave energy was mainly generated and transferred by wind, but the detailed correlation between wind and wave energy has not been discovered. Wave energy in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) has high variability with distinct seasonal behavior. However, the underlying reasons for this unique behavior have not been discussed and discovered yet. In this paper, a computer animation-based dynamic visualization method was created to conduct exploratory and explanatory analyses of 36 years of meteorological data in the GoM from the WaveWatch III system to identify preliminary patterns and underlying reasons for the unique behavior of wave energy in the GoM. These preliminary patterns and underlying reasons were further analyzed using Energy Events and Breaks concepts. During both high and low levels wave energy periods, the detailed correlation between wave energy and the wind was analyzed and determined. High level wave power in the GoM was mainly generated by the local inland wind from northern weather patterns, while low level wave power was mainly generated by swells from the Caribbean and the Atlantic oceans, which entered the GoM through the two narrow pathways, the Straits of Yucatan and the Florida Straits. The results from this paper will also be able to help the design, placement, and operation of future wave energy converters to improve their efficiency in harvesting wave energy in the GoM. Full article
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Open Access Article
Feasibility Analysis of Promoting Wind and Solar Energy in Texas Farms
Viewed by 506
Abstract
Since the 1970s, agricultural lands have served as useful locations for the installation of renewable energy generators, such as wind turbines, photovoltaic modules, biodigesters, and others. Likewise, agriculture is one of the five industries with the highest annual energy consumption in the US. [...] Read more.
Since the 1970s, agricultural lands have served as useful locations for the installation of renewable energy generators, such as wind turbines, photovoltaic modules, biodigesters, and others. Likewise, agriculture is one of the five industries with the highest annual energy consumption in the US. Energy is a vital component in farms' daily activities, which is involved in the harvesting of crops and the growth of livestock. Due to the current rapidly growing energy consumption trends, renewable energy sources have become a potential solution for energy generation. This paper focuses on the feasibility analysis of promoting the utilization of solar and wind energy generation to provide power for the operational activities involved in diverse agricultural processes through the performance of a geospatial analysis and an in-depth numerical analysis to study the patterns in the estimation of energy potential across the 254 counties located in the state of Texas. Furthermore, different patterns surrounding the thousand farms are analyzed, such as the distance to the largest cities and the location of heavily populated areas with higher energy potential. The results show that farms in several regions in Texas have significant potential to utilize wind and solar energy for their farm operations, and to supply electricity to the nearby population. Full article
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Open Access Article
Trends in Renewable Electricity Generation in the G20 Countries: An Analysis of the 1990–2020 Period
Viewed by 601
Abstract
The use of electricity from non-renewable sources increases environmental impacts. Therefore, several countries have committed to increase the use of renewable sources. Considering the importance of the Group of Twenty (G20), this article aims to identify trends in renewable electricity supply in these [...] Read more.
The use of electricity from non-renewable sources increases environmental impacts. Therefore, several countries have committed to increase the use of renewable sources. Considering the importance of the Group of Twenty (G20), this article aims to identify trends in renewable electricity supply in these countries. The data collected are from the International Energy Agency (IEA) between 1990 and 2020. The methods measured the production of each type of electricity in the G20 matrices and identified the influence of the population, Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and CO2 emissions in renewable electricity production using multiple linear regression. In terms of results, Brazil and Canada have the most renewable electricity matrices and higher per capita renewable production than non-renewable. Saudi Arabia presented the smallest renewable matrix throughout the analyzed period. All 20 countries have varied electrical production, with different amounts of solar, wind, hydro, biomass, geothermal, and tidal energy. Countries with the highest GDP are not necessarily the largest producers of renewable electricity. Hydroelectric energy, the biggest highlight in renewable production, is making room for other sources such as wind and solar, which grew the most in terms of participation in the electrical matrices. The waste, geothermal, and tidal energy participation have shown a timid but constant growth. Full article
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Open Access Article
Wave Power Density Hotspot Distribution and Correlation Pattern Exploration in the Gulf of Mexico
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 387
Abstract
Wave energy has been studied and explored because of its enormous potential to supply electricity for human activities. However, the uncertainty of its spatial and temporal variations increases the difficulty of harvesting wave energy commercially. There are no large-scale wave converters in commercial [...] Read more.
Wave energy has been studied and explored because of its enormous potential to supply electricity for human activities. However, the uncertainty of its spatial and temporal variations increases the difficulty of harvesting wave energy commercially. There are no large-scale wave converters in commercial operation yet. A thorough understanding of wave energy dynamic behaviors will definitely contribute to the acceleration of wave energy harvesting. In this paper, about 40 years of meteorological data from the Gulf of Mexico were obtained, visualized, and analyzed to reveal the wave power density hotspot distribution pattern, and its correlation with ocean surface water temperatures and salinities. The collected geospatial data were first visualized in MATLAB. The visualized data were analyzed using the deep learning method to identify the wave power density hotspots in the Gulf of Mexico. By adjusting the temporal and spatial resolutions of the different datasets, the correlations between the number of hotspots and their strength levels and the surface temperatures and salinities are revealed. The R value of the correlation between the wave power density hotspots and the salinity changes from −0.371 to −0.885 in a negative direction, and from 0.219 to 0.771 in a positive direction. For the sea surface temperatures, the R values range from −0.474 to 0.393. Certain areas within the Gulf of Mexico show relatively strong correlations, which may be useful for predicting the wave energy behavior and change patterns. Full article
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Open Access Article
Applying Solar Energy in the Combination of Solar Dryer with Olive Harvesting Machine to Reduce Energy Losses
Viewed by 311
Abstract
In recent years, leveraging the amount of energy loss occurring in different fields of human activity has captured the attention of researchers. Harvesting and drying processes can be integrated in order to reduce energy losses. The present research work seeks to pinpoint the [...] Read more.
In recent years, leveraging the amount of energy loss occurring in different fields of human activity has captured the attention of researchers. Harvesting and drying processes can be integrated in order to reduce energy losses. The present research work seeks to pinpoint the association between the harvesting and drying processes as well as to make optimal use of both processes so as to decrease the level of energy loss and apply the renewable energies to the food supply chain. The olive harvesting machine was designed and evaluated, and the olives harvested in the solar dryer were placed in the solar dryer as the input materials. To obtain the evaluation of the experimental tests' purpose, Mari cultivar was used. Following this trend was the evaluation of the olive harvesting machine and its comparison with the manual harvesting method. Having separated the olives from the tree through use of the harvesting machine designed and made, a solar dryer was used to accommodate the olives in order to make the final examination concerning any damage to olives. Findings of the study indicated up to 92% separation of the olive fruits by the olive harvester. It was also found that there is a 29.47 harvest efficiency for the olive harvester. In addition, evaluation of the solar dryer emphasized that an increase in the temperature and velocity of the inlet air results in a rapid decrease in the olive moisture. Full article
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Open Access Article
Overallocation and Correction of Carbon Emissions in the Evaluation of Carbon Footprint
Viewed by 861
Abstract
This paper points to several carbon footprint data distortions that overallocate carbon footprints to individual companies, and to several carbon data intricacies that lead to improved data integrity. Data distortion due to the same company being listed in multiple geographical jurisdictions or through [...] Read more.
This paper points to several carbon footprint data distortions that overallocate carbon footprints to individual companies, and to several carbon data intricacies that lead to improved data integrity. Data distortion due to the same company being listed in multiple geographical jurisdictions or through different share classes overstates Emissions Scope 1 by 4.6%, Emissions Scope 2 by 5.5%, Emissions Scope 3 by 10.6% and Reserves by 6.0%. Data distortion due to index construction by having different market capitalization in representative indices overallocates Emissions Scope 1 by 33.9%, Emissions Scope 2 by 27.6%, Emissions Scope 3 by 21.3% and Reserves by 57.2%. A significant amount of carbon data is not precise but is estimated by third-party providers through proprietary techniques. The estimated data for Scope 1 Emissions is 46.4% for the companies in the index. In addition, carbon data is stale, resulting in 94.5% of data being two years old or more. Usage of carbon data in a present format may incorrectly remove some companies from portfolios (negative screen, complete removal) or incorrectly reduce some companies' weight in a portfolio (partial screen, fractional removal). Full article
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Open Access Editor's Choice Article
Solar E-Cooking with Low-Power Solar Home Systems for Sub-Saharan Africa
Viewed by 649
Abstract
The e-cooking feasibility was evaluated for two of the main staple foods across rural Sub-Saharan Africa (rice and maize porridge) considering basic solar home systems (SHS) of 100–150 W and using inexpensive market available low-power DC cooking devices (rice cooker and slow cooker). [...] Read more.
The e-cooking feasibility was evaluated for two of the main staple foods across rural Sub-Saharan Africa (rice and maize porridge) considering basic solar home systems (SHS) of 100–150 W and using inexpensive market available low-power DC cooking devices (rice cooker and slow cooker). The coverage of e-cooking necessities was spatially evaluated for the African continent considering households of two, five, and eight people. While households of two people were able to be covered >95% of the days, the increase in e-cooking necessities implied that only larger PV generators (150 W) located in high irradiation sites (>2400 kWh/m
/year) were able to fulfill e-cooking, even in scenarios of households of five and eight people. Furthermore, the economic cost and the greenhouse gases emission factor (GHG) of e-cooking via small SHS were evaluated and benchmarked against traditional technologies with wood and charcoal considering three-stone and improved stoves and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cookers. The GHG for e-cooking was 0.027–0.052 kgCO
eq./kg·meal, which was strikingly lower than the other technologies (0.502–2.42 kgCO
eq./kg·meal). The e-cooking cost was in the range of EUR 0.022–0.078 person/day, which was clearly lower than LPG and within the range of the cost of cooking with wood and charcoal (EUR 0.02–0.48 person/day). The results provided a novel insight regarding market available technologies with a potential of changing cooking conditions in this region. Full article
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Open Access Article
Scheduling of Generation Stations, OLTC Substation Transformers and VAR Sources for Sustainable Power System Operation Using SNS Optimizer
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 540
Abstract
Typically, the main control on alternating current (AC) power systems is performed by the scheduling of rotary machines of synchronous generators and static machines of on-load tap changer (OLTC) transformers and volt-ampere reactive (VAR) sources. Large machines of synchronous generators can be managed [...] Read more.
Typically, the main control on alternating current (AC) power systems is performed by the scheduling of rotary machines of synchronous generators and static machines of on-load tap changer (OLTC) transformers and volt-ampere reactive (VAR) sources. Large machines of synchronous generators can be managed by utilizing terminal voltage control when synchronized in parallel to the power system. These machines are typically terminal voltage regulated. In addition, substation on-load tap changer (OLTC) transformers improve system voltage management by controlling variable turn ratios that are adjusted in different levels known as taps along either the primary or secondary winding. Moreover, volt-ampere reactive (VAR) sources of static VAR compensators (SVCs), which are automated impedance devices connected to the AC power network, are designed for voltage regulation and system stabilization. In this paper, scheduling of these machines is coordinated for optimal power system operation (OPSO) using a recent algorithm of social network search optimizer (SNSO). The OPSO is performed by achieving many optimization targets of cost of fuel, power losses, and polluting emissions. The SNS is a recent optimizer that is inspired from users in social networks throughout the different moods of users such as imitation, conversation, disputation, and innovation mood. The SNSO is developed for handling the OPSO problem and applied on an IEEE standardized 57-bus power system and real Egyptian power system of the West Delta area. The developed SNSO is used in various assessments and quantitative analyses with various contemporary techniques. The simulated findings prove the developed SNSO's solution accuracy and resilience when compared to other relevant techniques in the literature. Full article
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Open Access Article
Volatility and Risk in the Energy Market: A Trade Network Approach
Viewed by 825
Abstract
This paper evaluates the effect of energy trade networks on the price volatility of coal, oil, natural gas, and electricity. This research conducts a longitudinal analysis using a time series of static coal trade networks to generate a dynamic trade network. It uses [...] Read more.
This paper evaluates the effect of energy trade networks on the price volatility of coal, oil, natural gas, and electricity. This research conducts a longitudinal analysis using a time series of static coal trade networks to generate a dynamic trade network. It uses the component causality index as a leading indicator of the price volatility of the energy market. This research finds out that the component causality index, based on degree centrality, anticipates or moves together with coal volatility and, to a lesser degree, with natural gas and electricity volatility for the period 1998–2014. The proposed index could be integrated into a risk management system for investors and regulators. The broad impact of this research lies in the understanding of mechanisms of the instability and risk of the energy sector as a result of a complex interaction of the network of producers and traders. Full article
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Open Access Article
A Framework for Integration of Smart and Sustainable Energy Systems in Urban Planning Processes of Low-Income Developing Countries: Afghanistan Case
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 824
Abstract
Population growth and city expansion in developing countries require traditional urban planning practices to be transformed in order to tackle climate change and follow Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agendas. Almost every expert in the urban sector believes that future cities should be sustainable, [...] Read more.
Population growth and city expansion in developing countries require traditional urban planning practices to be transformed in order to tackle climate change and follow Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agendas. Almost every expert in the urban sector believes that future cities should be sustainable, smart, and environmentally friendly, where energy is one of the most critical factors to achieve these goals. They also agree that smart and sustainable energy provision for cities requires a comprehensive and responsive legal and policy framework to be in place at the national level. However, this research's findings reveal a lack of such frameworks for this group of countries. Considering the challenges and unique nature of Low-Income-Developing (LID) countries, there should be a framework based on the realities in these countries. In this research, key challenges of urban and energy sectors of LID countries, specifically Afghanistan, are identified, and a framework for the integration of sustainable and smart energy in the urban planning processes for LID countries is proposed. To make it easily replicable and adaptable for LID countries, the proposed framework is studied and analyzed around Afghanistan's urban and energy sectors. This is one of the few frameworks of its kind for LID economies to the best of the authors' knowledge. This framework lays a solid foundation for sustainable and smart energy integration in the urban planning process of developing countries. This study highlights that sustainable and smart energy systems could ensure climate change mitigation and economic growth enhancement but require close cross-sectoral coordination and policy maker's commitments and involvement. This research will help many existing and emerging cities in the LID countries' worldwide use and benefit from the proposed framework in their urban planning processes. It also enables policymakers, urban planners and designers, municipalities leadership, and other stakeholders of the urban, energy, and environment sectors to work together and make smart and rational decisions for the future of their cities and lead them towards smart and sustainable cities. Full article
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Open Access Article
Implementation of Different MPPT Techniques in Solar PV Tree under Partial Shading Conditions
Viewed by 877
Abstract
This paper presents the design and analytical modeling of the proposed solar photovoltaic standalone system under varying environmental conditions. The proposed system consists of a unique structure of a solar PV-tree, maximum power point tracking (MPPT) technique, and DC–DC converter. The output voltage [...] Read more.
This paper presents the design and analytical modeling of the proposed solar photovoltaic standalone system under varying environmental conditions. The proposed system consists of a unique structure of a solar PV-tree, maximum power point tracking (MPPT) technique, and DC–DC converter. The output voltage acquired from the solar PV tree is low. A DC–DC boost converter is utilized to step-up the required amount of voltage level. In this paper, the appropriate duty cycle is obtained for extracting the optimum power from the solar PV tree by using various MPPT mechanisms such as perturb and observe (P&O), incremental conductance (INC), and a radial basis function network (RBFN)-based neural network (NN). The proposed solar photovoltaic tree-based energy harvesting system is designed and validated by using MATLAB/SIMULINK software and real-time application. The simulation results of the above-mentioned three techniques are compared with each other in order to show the effectiveness of the proposed system with RBFN. The RBFN-MPPT provides a significant improvement in tracking efficiency of 6.0% and 5.72% as compared with the P&O method and the INC method at 1000 W/m2 irradiance condition. From the simulation and real-time results, it is concluded that the RBFN-based NN provides better tracking efficiency and less oscillation as compared with the other two algorithms. Full article
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Open Access Article
Optimization of the Biomethane Production Process by Anaerobic Digestion of Wheat Straw Using Chemical Pretreatments Coupled with Ultrasonic Disintegration
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1056
Abstract
Biomass is an attractive energy source that can be used for production of heat, power, and transport fuels and when produced and used on a sustainable basis, can make a large contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a suitable [...] Read more.
Biomass is an attractive energy source that can be used for production of heat, power, and transport fuels and when produced and used on a sustainable basis, can make a large contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a suitable technology for reducing organic matter and generating bioenergy in the form of biogas. This study investigated the factors allowing the optimization of the process of biogas production from the digestion of wheat straw (WS). The statistical analysis of the experiments carried out showed that ultrasonic processing plays a fundamental role with the sonication density and solids concentration leading to improved characteristics of WS, reducing particle size, and increasing concentration of soluble chemical oxygen demand. The higher the sonicating power used, the more the waste particles are disrupted. The optimality obtained under mesophilic conditions for WS pretreated with 4% w/w (weight by weight) H2O2 at temperature 36 °C under 10 min of ultrasonication at 24 kHz with a power of 200 W improves the methane yield by 64%. Full article
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Open Access Editor's Choice Article
CFD Investigation of Vehicle's Ventilation Systems and Analysis of ACH in Typical Airplanes, Cars, and Buses
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1377
Abstract
The simulation of the ventilation and the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems of vehicles could be used in the energy demand management of vehicles besides improving the air quality inside their cabins. Moreover, traveling by public transport during a pandemic is [...] Read more.
The simulation of the ventilation and the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems of vehicles could be used in the energy demand management of vehicles besides improving the air quality inside their cabins. Moreover, traveling by public transport during a pandemic is a concerning factor, and analysis of the vehicle's cabin environments could demonstrate how to decrease the risk and create a safer journey for passengers. Therefore, this article presents airflow analysis, air changes per hour (ACH), and respiration aerosols' trajectory inside three vehicles, including a typical car, bus, and airplane. In this regard, three vehicles' cabin environment boundary conditions and the HVAC systems of the selected vehicles were determined, and three-dimensional numerical simulations were performed using computational fluid dynamic (CFD) modeling. The analysis of the airflow patterns and aerosol trajectories in the selected vehicles demonstrate the critical impact of inflow, outflow, and passenger's locations in the cabins. The CFD model results exhibited that the lowest risk could be in the airplane and the highest in the bus because of the location of airflows and outflows. The discrete CFD model analysis determined the ACH for a typical car of about 4.3, a typical bus of about 7.5, and in a typical airplane of about 8.5, which were all less than the standard protocol of infection prevention, 12 ACH. According to the results, opening windows in the cars could decrease the aerosol loads and improve the low ACH by the HVAC systems. However, for the buses, a new design for the outflow location or an increase in the number of outflows appeared necessary. In the case of airplanes, the airflow paths were suitable, and by increasing the airflow speed, the required ACH might be achieved. Finally, in the closed (recirculating) systems, the role of filters in decreasing the risk appeared critical. Full article
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Open Access Article
Multi-Attribute Decision-Making Approach for a Cost-Effective and Sustainable Energy System Considering Weight Assignment Analysis
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 938
Abstract
The need for inexpensive and sustainable electricity has become an exciting adventure due to the recent rise in the local population and the number of visitors visiting the Banana Islands. Banana Islands is a grid-isolated environment with abundant renewable energy, establishing a hybrid [...] Read more.
The need for inexpensive and sustainable electricity has become an exciting adventure due to the recent rise in the local population and the number of visitors visiting the Banana Islands. Banana Islands is a grid-isolated environment with abundant renewable energy, establishing a hybrid renewable energy-based power system may be a viable solution to the high cost of diesel fuel. This paper describes a dual-flow optimization method for electrifying the Banana Islands, a remote island in Sierra Leone. The study weighs the pros and cons of maintaining the current diesel-based power setup versus introducing a hybrid renewable energy system that takes backup component analysis into account. Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Energy Resources (HOMER) software is used in the first optimization to optimally design the various system configurations based on techno-economic and environmental characteristics. A Multi-Attribute Decision-Making (MADM) Model that takes into account in the second optimization, the Combinative Distance-based Assessment System (CODAS) algorithm, and various methods of assigning weights to the attributes is used to rank the best configuration. The results show that the hybrid renewable energy system is a better option for electrifying the Banana Islands than the current stand-alone system. The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method of weight assignment was found to be superior to the Entropy method. Biogas generator-assisted hybrid configurations outperformed diesel generator-assisted hybrid configurations. With an optimum design of 101 kW PV, 1 wind turbine, 50 kW biogas, 86 batteries, and a 37.8 kW converter, the PV-wind-biogas-battery system is rated as the best configuration. It has a net present cost (NPC) of $487,247, a cost of energy (COE) of $0.211/kWh, and CO2 emission of 17.5 kg/year. Sensitivity analyses reveal that changes in the rate of inflation and the cost of storage have a significant effect on the overall cost of the configuration. Full article
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Open Access Review
Carbon Capture Systems for Building-Level Heating Systems—A Socio-Economic and Environmental Evaluation
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 697
Abstract
The energy consumption of buildings contributes significantly to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Energy use for space and water heating in buildings causes a major portion of these emissions. Natural gas (NG) is one of the dominant fuels used for building heating, emitting [...] Read more.
The energy consumption of buildings contributes significantly to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Energy use for space and water heating in buildings causes a major portion of these emissions. Natural gas (NG) is one of the dominant fuels used for building heating, emitting GHG emissions directly to the atmosphere. Many studies have been conducted on improving energy efficiency and using cleaner energy sources in buildings. However, implementing carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) on NG building heating systems is overlooked in the literature. CCUS technologies have proved their potential to reduce GHG emissions in fossil fuel power plants. However, their applicability for building-level applications has not been adequately established. A critical literature review was conducted to understand the feasibility and viability of adapting CCUS technologies to co-function in building heating systems. This study investigated the technical requirements, environmental and socio-economic impacts, and the drivers and barriers towards implementing building-level CCUS technologies. The findings indicated that implementing building-level CCUS technologies has significant overall benefits despite the marginal increase in energy consumption, operational costs, and capital costs. The information presented in this paper is valuable to academics, building owners and managers, innovators, investors, and policy makers involved in the clean energy sector. Full article
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Open Access Review
A Comprehensive Review on Biofuels from Oil Palm Empty Bunch (EFB): Current Status, Potential, Barriers and Way Forward
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 889
Abstract
Biomass is an important renewable energy resource which primarily contributes to heating and cooling end use sectors. It is also a promising alternative source of biofuels to replace the depleting supply of fossil fuels. Surprisingly, few writers have been able to draw on [...] Read more.
Biomass is an important renewable energy resource which primarily contributes to heating and cooling end use sectors. It is also a promising alternative source of biofuels to replace the depleting supply of fossil fuels. Surprisingly, few writers have been able to draw on the feedstock significance for oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) as the biomass resource for biofuels compared to the other types of biomass waste. Therefore, this paper presents a comprehensive review of EFB as a biomass resource presented in four major parts. First, the introduction covers the demand for bio-oil and describes the different kinds of feedstock, the relevance and potential of EFB biomass. Second, the characteristics of biomass are explained before it is upgraded as biofuel, drawing similarities and contrasts between EFB and other sources of biomass. Pyrolysis processes and reactors used for EFB conversion are described, and the factors affecting the bio-oil yield and quality are discussed. Major reactor parameters are summarized and reactor optimization is discussed. Third, comparison on the properties of the bio-oil vs. petroleum in transportation, power generation, and heating are compared followed by prioritizing the bio-oil properties from the most to least critical, revealing the most promising methods for upgrading. Fourth, the environmental impact, including CO2 emission, of the use of EFB as a promising renewable energy resource and a cleaner alternative fuel is recommended. This paper has comprehensively reviewed the conversion of oil palm empty fruit bunches into biofuels, including the similarities and differences between biomasses, the best reactors, its comparison with fossil fuels, and bio-oil upgrading methods. The upgrading mapping matrix is created to present the best upgrading strategies for the optimum quality of biofuels. This paper serves as a one-stop center for EFB conversion into biofuels. Full article
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Open Access Review
Applications Characteristics of Different Biodiesel Blends in Modern Vehicles Engines: A Review
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1018
Abstract
Two main aspects of the transportation industry are pollution to the environment and depletion of fossil fuels. In the transportation industry, the pollution to the environment can be reduced with the use of cleaner fuel, such as gas-to-liquid fuel, to reduce the exhaust [...] Read more.
Two main aspects of the transportation industry are pollution to the environment and depletion of fossil fuels. In the transportation industry, the pollution to the environment can be reduced with the use of cleaner fuel, such as gas-to-liquid fuel, to reduce the exhaust emissions from engines. However, the depletion of fossil fuels is still significant. Biodiesel is a non-toxic, renewable, and biodegradable fuel that is considered an alternative resource to conventional diesel fuel. Even though biodiesel shows advantages as a renewable source, there are still minor drawbacks while operating in diesel engines. Modern vehicle engines are designed to be powered by conventional diesel fuel or gasoline fuel. In this review, the performance, emissions, combustion, and endurance characteristics of different types of diesel engines with various conditions are assessed with biodiesel and blended fuel as well as the effect of biodiesel on the diesel engines. The results show that biodiesel and blended fuel had fewer emissions of CO, HC, and PM but higher NOx emissions than the diesel-fuelled engine. In the endurance test, biodiesel and blended fuel showed less wear and carbon deposits. A high concentration of wear debris was found inside the lubricating oil while the engine operated with biodiesel and blends. The performance, emissions, and combustion characteristics of biodiesel and its blends showed that it can be used in a diesel engine. However, further research on long-term endurance tests is required to obtain a better understanding of endurance characteristics about engine wear of the diesel engine using biodiesel and its blends. Full article
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