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Towards Energy Sustainability: Thermal Analysis and Renewable Energy Studies

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2025 | Viewed by 5682

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College of Engineering and Computer Science, University of Tennessee, 615 McCallie Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37403-2598, USA
Interests: solar thermal processes; alternative fuels; CO2 capture & utilization; materials and catalysis
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Thermal analysis is a powerful technique used to study the thermal behavior of materials under different conditions. It involves the measurement and analysis of changes in temperature, heat flow, and other related properties of a material as a function of time and temperature. This analysis plays a significant role in various fields, such as material science, engineering, and chemistry, as it helps us to understand the thermal stability, performance, and behavior of materials. It provides critical insights into the physical and chemical changes that occur in materials as a result of temperature changes, which is important for designing and optimizing various industrial processes. Overall, thermal analysis is an essential tool for researchers and engineers to develop innovative materials and products with improved performance and reliability.

Renewable energy studies are focused on exploring and developing alternative sources of energy that are sustainable and environmentally friendly. This field encompasses a wide range of research areas, such as solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and bioenergy, among others. The goal is to find ways to harness these energy sources efficiently and economically to reduce our reliance on nonrenewable resources like fossil fuels. Renewable energy studies are critical for the development of a sustainable energy future and the mitigation of climate change. They involve the development of new technologies, processes, and materials to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of renewable energy sources. This includes energy storage systems, energy efficiency measures, and alternative fuels. With continued research and development, renewable energy has the potential to provide a clean, reliable, and affordable source of energy for generations to come.

Dr. Rahul R. Bhosale
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • thermal analysis
  • thermal science and energy
  • thermal properties of materials
  • thermogravimetric analysis
  • differential scanning calorimetry
  • material science
  • thermochemical processes
  • heat capacity
  • thermal conductivity
  • renewable energy
  • solar energy
  • wind energy
  • hydrothermal energy
  • bioenergy
  • biofuels
  • geothermal energy
  • energy storage
  • energy efficiency
  • energy economics
  • alternative fuels

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 7269 KiB  
Article
The Geochemical Characteristics and Genesis Mechanisms of the Zaozigou Geothermal Field
by Yuang Wang, Baozhu Li and Aibing Chen
Sustainability 2024, 16(16), 6790; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16166790 - 8 Aug 2024
Viewed by 822
Abstract
Geothermal resources have become one of the crucial clean energy sources worldwide. The Gansu Province is renowned in China for its abundant geothermal resources. The Zaozigou area features prominent geothermal outcrops, indicating untapped geothermal potential. However, the level of geothermal resource development in [...] Read more.
Geothermal resources have become one of the crucial clean energy sources worldwide. The Gansu Province is renowned in China for its abundant geothermal resources. The Zaozigou area features prominent geothermal outcrops, indicating untapped geothermal potential. However, the level of geothermal resource development in this region remains low, coupled with a lack of comprehensive research on its hydrochemical characteristics and formation mechanisms. This study conducted an in-depth hydrochemical analysis of six geothermal water groups and two surface water groups within the collection area, along with collecting hydrogen and oxygen isotope data from nine geothermal water sources. Piper trigram and Na-K-Mg diagram were utilized to investigate the origin of the subsurface hot water. Various analyses, including characteristic coefficients, correlation analysis, hydrochemical types, recharge elevation, reservoir temperature, and circulation depth, were conducted on the geothermal water. The study proposes a preliminary conceptual model of the Zaozigou geothermal system, providing a theoretical basis for the rational utilization of geothermal resources and promoting sustainable resources. Full article
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20 pages, 5222 KiB  
Article
Assessing the Viability of GeO2/GeO Redox Thermochemical Cycle for Converting CO2 into Solar Fuels
by Rahul R. Bhosale, Shelby Adams, Zachary Allen, Gabrielle Bennett, Edvinas Berezniovas, Taylor Bishop, Michael Bonnema, Sequoia Clutter, Ryan Fagan, Jordan Halabrin, Mason Hobbs, Daniel Hunt, Miguel Ivarra, Mattigan Jordan, Pooja Karunanithi, Julianna Mcreynolds, Valerie Ring, Samuel Smith and Jonathan West
Sustainability 2024, 16(6), 2553; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16062553 - 20 Mar 2024
Viewed by 989
Abstract
The solar thermochemical process of splitting CO2, known as CDS, is studied here using a redox cycle involving GeO2/GeO. The required thermodynamic data for a second-law-efficiency analysis is obtained from the HSC Chemistry software. The goal of this study [...] Read more.
The solar thermochemical process of splitting CO2, known as CDS, is studied here using a redox cycle involving GeO2/GeO. The required thermodynamic data for a second-law-efficiency analysis is obtained from the HSC Chemistry software. The goal of this study is to investigate how different parameters, such as the operating temperatures and molar flow rate of the inert sweep gas, as well as the inclusion of separation units, heat exchangers, heaters, and coolers, can affect the solar-to-fuel energy conversion efficiency of the GeO2/GeO cycle. All calculations assume a constant gas-to-gas heat recovery effectiveness of 0.5. The analysis shows that the solar-to-fuel energy conversion efficiency is lower at a thermal reduction temperature of 1600 K (11.9%) compared to 2000 K. This is because high energy duties are required for heater-2, heater-3, and separator-1 due to the need for a higher inert gas flow rate. After conducting a comparative analysis of the three CDS cycles, it can be inferred that the GeO2/GeO cycle exhibits a significantly higher solar-to-fuel energy conversion efficiency in comparison to the ZnO/Zn and SnO2/SnO cycles across all thermal reduction temperatures. According to the comparison, it is confirmed that the GeO2/GeO CDS cycle can achieve a reasonably high solar-to-fuel energy conversion efficiency of 10% at less than 1600 K. On the other hand, ZnO/Zn and SnO2/SnO CDS cycles require a thermal reduction temperature of more than 1850 K to achieve a solar-to-fuel energy conversion efficiency of 10%. Full article
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Review

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46 pages, 1647 KiB  
Review
Nanotechnology-Based Lithium-Ion Battery Energy Storage Systems
by George Adu Asamoah, Maame Korsah, Parimala Gnana Soundari Arockiam Jeyasundar, Meraj Ahmed, Sie Yon Lau and Michael K. Danquah
Sustainability 2024, 16(21), 9231; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16219231 - 24 Oct 2024
Viewed by 2659
Abstract
Conventional energy storage systems, such as pumped hydroelectric storage, lead–acid batteries, and compressed air energy storage (CAES), have been widely used for energy storage. However, these systems face significant limitations, including geographic constraints, high construction costs, low energy efficiency, and environmental challenges. Among [...] Read more.
Conventional energy storage systems, such as pumped hydroelectric storage, lead–acid batteries, and compressed air energy storage (CAES), have been widely used for energy storage. However, these systems face significant limitations, including geographic constraints, high construction costs, low energy efficiency, and environmental challenges. Among these, lead–acid batteries, despite their widespread use, suffer from issues such as heavy weight, sensitivity to temperature fluctuations, low energy density, and limited depth of discharge. Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have emerged as a promising alternative, offering portability, fast charging, long cycle life, and higher energy density. However, LIBs still face challenges related to limited lifespan, safety concerns (such as overheating), and environmental impact due to resource extraction and emissions. This review explores the introduction of nanotechnology as a transformative approach to enhance efficiency and overcome the limitations of LIBs. We provide an in-depth overview of various nanotechnology-based solutions for LIBs, focusing on their impact on energy density, cycle life, safety, and environmental sustainability. Additionally, we discuss advanced thermal analysis techniques used to assess and improve the performance of nanotechnology-enhanced LIBs. Finally, we examine the role of nanoparticles in the environmental remediation of LIBs, offering insights into how they can mitigate the ecological footprint of battery disposal and recycling. This review aims to highlight the potential of nanotechnology to revolutionize energy storage systems and address the growing demand for efficient and sustainable energy solutions. Full article
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