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Special Issue "Energy Conversion and Storage in Fuel Cells, Batteries and Hybrid Electric Systems"

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A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "D2: Electrochem: Batteries, Fuel Cells, Capacitors".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2023 | Viewed by 7109

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Alexandre De Bernardinis

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Guest Editor

LMOPS, IUT Thionville-Yutz, Université de Lorraine, 54052 Nancy, France
Interests: electronics of components and systems for renewable energies; numerical simulation modeling and design of electronic architectures; wide-gap semiconductor components; fuel cell energy storage management; electrical energy storage; energy recovery; stationary and transportation applications

Dr. Khaled Itani

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Guest Editor

Conservatoire national des arts et métiers, SATIE (UMR 8029), F-75141 Paris, France
Interests: power electronics; power management; control; hybrid electric vehicles; electrical systems

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Fuel cells, batteries and, more widely, energy storage systems are gaining attractiveness in stationary (microgrids and charging; EV-charging plants) and transportation (electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles) applications, with the aim of improving their efficiency, reliability and cost-effectiveness for real near-future deployments in buildings, downtown cities and urban areas. Power electronics conversion plays a major and key role in the power management and reliability of conversion interfaces. Novel and innovative semiconductor technologies, wide-band-gap semiconductors, silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) are of great interest in the design and improvement of dynamic performances of electronics power conversion, also considered to be an answer to main energetic challenges. This Special Issue aims to collate experimental/numerical/field-scale investigations with novel solutions and review papers with state-of-the-art findings able to deliver a significant contribution to energy conversion and the energy storage community. Even though this Special Issue is open to all contributions related to energy conversion and storage in fuel cells and battery systems, potential focus areas include, but are not limited to, the following: stationary applications (renewable energies for cities, urban areas, smart microgrids) and transportation (electric and hybrid electric vehicles).

Prof. Dr. Alexandre De Bernardinis
Dr. Khaled Itani
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Energies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

batteries
fuel cells
energy storage
hybrid electrical systems
power electronics
energy management
braking energy recovery

Prof. Dr. Alexandre De Bernardinis
Dr. Khaled Itani
Guest Editors

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Fabrication of Planar Perovskite Solar Cells Using Ternary Metal Oxide Nanocomposite as Hole-Transporting Material

K. P. Muthukumaran

V. Arjun

A. Nithya

Sadhasivam Thangarasu

Tae Hwan Oh

and

S. Karuppuchamy

Energies 2023, 16(9), 3696; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16093696 - 25 Apr 2023

Viewed by 441

Abstract

This work uses a hole-transporting copper cobaltite/copper oxide nanocomposite to fabricate carbon-based MAPbI₃ PSCs. The copper cobaltite/copper oxide HTM-based PSC results show the highest power conversion efficiency (PCE = 7.32%) compared with an HTM-free device. The highest photocurrent density (J_sc = 15.17 mA/cm²), open-circuit voltage (V_oc = 0.82 V), and fill factor (FF = 0.59) are achieved for the PSC fabricated with hydrothermally synthesized copper cobaltite/copper oxide nanocomposites. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy is used to analyze the charge transfer resistance (Rs) and the capacitive behavior of copper cobaltite/copper oxide nanocomposite. The maximum electron lifetime of 35.16 μs is witnessed for the PSCs fabricated with 3 mg mL⁻¹ of copper cobaltite/copper oxide (H1). The efficiency of the copper cobaltite/copper oxide-based PSC remains unchanged, showing no further perovskite layer degradation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Conversion and Storage in Fuel Cells, Batteries and Hybrid Electric Systems)

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Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Electrothermal Multicriteria Comparative Analysis of Two Competitive Powertrains Applied to a Two Front Wheel Driven Electric Vehicle during Extreme Regenerative Braking Operations

Khaled Itani

and

Alexandre De Bernardinis

Energies 2022, 15(22), 8506; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15228506 - 14 Nov 2022

Viewed by 794

Abstract

The powertrain performance in an electric vehicle is fully dependent on the electrical and thermal constraints of the static converters ensuring the power transfer taking place between the energy storage systems and the electromechanical machines. These constraints depend on the architectures of the power converters, and their control strategies. Particularly, the maximal limits are reached in maneuvers such as hard regenerative braking circumstances. Indeed, braking recovery is a critical phase in the vehicle’s operation, and its duration and intensity may strongly impact the vehicle’s battery behavior or integrated hybrid storage system. The innovative objective of the paper is to propose an electrothermal multicriteria comparative study based on electrical and thermal criteria for two competitive powertrains. These semi-active power configurations (a 3-level DC/DC converter-based, and a Z-source converter-based) are implemented in a two-front wheel driven electric vehicle during extreme regenerative braking conditions. Open-loop and closed-loop controls were implemented in the Z-source using the maximal constant boost control with 3rd harmonic injection modulation technique. We considered two paralleled IGBT modules instead of the single shoot-through structure. Our approach is based on simulation during an extreme braking maneuver leading to heavy repercussions on the overall powertrain system. The aim is to investigate the challenging structure of the Z-source. Results showed that the proposed 3-level DC/DC-based topology has better performances in terms of power losses, efficiency, thermal behavior, and electromagnetic interference. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Conversion and Storage in Fuel Cells, Batteries and Hybrid Electric Systems)

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Figure 1

Open AccessArticle

Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ Coated by Biomass-Derived Carbon Quantum Dots as Anode Material with Enhanced Electrochemical Performance for Lithium-Ion Batteries

and

Energies 2022, 15(20), 7715; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15207715 - 19 Oct 2022

Viewed by 853

Abstract

Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ (LTO) is a promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to its stable reversibility, high-rate cyclability, and high operational potential. On the other hand, it suffers from poor electronic conductivity and low capacitance. To overcome these disadvantages, modification of the LTO surface is frequently undertaken. Considering this idea, the production of a biomass-derived carbon-coated LTO material (LTO/C) and its application as an anode in LIBs is described in this work. The carbon precursor was obtained from commercial carrot juice, which was degraded using microwaves. According to the UV studies, the carbon precursor revealed similar properties to carbon quantum dots. Then, it was deposited on LTO synthetized through a sol-gel method. The LTO/C electrode exhibited a high specific capacity of 211 mAhg⁻¹ at 0.1 C. Capacity retention equal to 53% of the initial value was found for the charge–discharge rate increase from 0.1 C to 20 C. The excellent electrochemical performance of LTO/C was caused by the carbon coating, which provided (i) short diffusion pathways for the Li⁺ ions into the LTO structure and (ii) enhanced electronic conductivity. The obtained results indicated that biomass-derived carbon quantum dot-coated LTO can be considered as a promising anode for LIBs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Conversion and Storage in Fuel Cells, Batteries and Hybrid Electric Systems)

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Review

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Open AccessReview

A Paradox over Electric Vehicles, Mining of Lithium for Car Batteries

John H. T. Luong

Cang Tran

and

Di Ton-That

Energies 2022, 15(21), 7997; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15217997 - 27 Oct 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4499

Abstract

Lithium, a silver-white alkali metal, with significantly high energy density, has been exploited for making rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (LiBs). They have become one of the main energy storage solutions in modern electric cars (EVs). Cobalt, nickel, and manganese are three other key components of LiBs that power electric vehicles (EVs). Neodymium and dysprosium, two rare earth metals, are used in the permanent magnet-based motors of EVs. The operation of EVs also requires a high amount of electricity for recharging their LiBs. Thus, the CO₂ emission is reduced during the operation of an EV if the recharged electricity is generated from non-carbon sources such as hydroelectricity, solar energy, and nuclear energy. LiBs in EVs have been pushed to the limit because of their limited storage capacity and charge/discharge cycles. Batteries account for a substantial portion of the size and weight of an EV and occupy the entire chassis. Thus, future LiBs must be smaller and more powerful with extended driving ranges and short charging times. The extended range and longevity of LiBs are feasible with advances in solid-state electrolytes and robust electrode materials. Attention must also be focused on the high-cost, energy, and time-demand steps of LiB manufacturing to reduce cost and turnover time. Solid strategies are required to promote the deployment of spent LiBs for power storage, solar energy, power grids, and other stationary usages. Recycling spent LiBs will alleviate the demand for virgin lithium and 2.6 × 10¹¹ tons of lithium in seawater is a definite asset. Nonetheless, it remains unknown whether advances in battery production technology and recycling will substantially reduce the demand for lithium and other metals beyond 2050. Technical challenges in LiB manufacturing and lithium recycling must be overcome to sustain the deployment of EVs for reducing CO₂ emissions. However, potential environmental problems associated with the production and operation of EVs deserve further studies while promoting their global deployment. Moreover, the combined repurposing and remanufacturing of spent LiBs also increases the environmental benefits of EVs. EVs will be equipped with more powerful computers and reliable software to monitor and optimize the operation of LiBs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Conversion and Storage in Fuel Cells, Batteries and Hybrid Electric Systems)

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