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A Pathway to Trace the Sustainable Development with a Strong Focus on Energy Storage and Management

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2022) | Viewed by 26396

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Thiagarajar College of Engineering, Tamil Nadu 625015, India
Interests: sustainable development goals; energy storage; thermal energy storage; demand side management; techno-economic analysis of RE systems
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Guest Editor
School of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia
Interests: sustainable development goals; community energy storage; power system dynamics and stability; renewable energy integration; electric vehicles

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Ensuring sustainability in all aspects is the unprecedented challenge that humanity is witnessing in the pursuit of achieving Sustainable Development Goals. A selection of research highlights that sustainable energy is the primary foundational approach to underpin various resilient strategies. However, contemporary approaches to promote the penetration of clean energy into the core of society are hindered by conundrums including intermittency and geographical availability. Energy storage prevails as a burgeoning solution for the aforementioned problem; thus, contributions to this domain will, in turn, bolster the vision of energy sustainability.   

Hence, this Special Issue seeks to contribute to the Sustainable Development Agenda through enhanced scientific and multi-disciplinary knowledge for identifying robust, efficient, economical, and effective approaches that can buttress the role of energy storage systems in energy sustainability. We also plan to give some special attention to exploring the role of multi-criteria decision-making frameworks in renewable energy systems. We therefore invite papers on novel technical developments, reviews, case studies, analyses, as well as assessment papers from different disciplines, which can potentially foster the energy sustainability progress in the society. This Special Issue will accept original/review research pertaining to the novelty and innovative approach that addresses topics including (but not limited to):    

  1. Thermal energy storage systems in buildings;
  2. Energy storage systems for power plants;
  3. Energy storage materials;
  4. Novel energy management approaches;
  5. Photovoltaics and its integration with energy storage systems;
  6. Multi-criteria decision-making frameworks for RE assessment and load management;
  7. Electric Vehicles—efficiency enhancement, affordability analysis, and impact on various domains;
  8. Techno economic perspectives on sustainable and renewable energy transformations;
  9. Attainment of SDG 7 through promoting more energy relevant policies;
  10. Role of energy storage for sustainable development;
  11. Electric Vehicle and hydrogen fuels towards sustainable development;
  12. Role of Big data analytics and Deep learning Models in attaining sustainability.

Prof. Rajvikram Madurai Elavarasan
Prof. Dr. Mithulan Nadarajah
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. Sustainability 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 2400 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

  • sustainable development goal 7 (SDGs)
  • energy storage
  • sustainable energy
  • energy efficiency
  • demand side management
  • multi-criteria decision analysis frameworks

Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 17134 KiB  
Article
Forecasting Photovoltaic Power Generation with a Stacking Ensemble Model
by Abdallah Abdellatif, Hamza Mubarak, Shameem Ahmad, Tofael Ahmed, G. M. Shafiullah, Ahmad Hammoudeh, Hamdan Abdellatef, M. M. Rahman and Hassan Muwafaq Gheni
Sustainability 2022, 14(17), 11083; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141711083 - 5 Sep 2022
Cited by 35 | Viewed by 2824
Abstract
Nowadays, photovoltaics (PV) has gained popularity among other renewable energy sources because of its excellent features. However, the instability of the system’s output has become a critical problem due to the high PV penetration into the existing distribution system. Hence, it is essential [...] Read more.
Nowadays, photovoltaics (PV) has gained popularity among other renewable energy sources because of its excellent features. However, the instability of the system’s output has become a critical problem due to the high PV penetration into the existing distribution system. Hence, it is essential to have an accurate PV power output forecast to integrate more PV systems into the grid and to facilitate energy management further. In this regard, this paper proposes a stacked ensemble algorithm (Stack-ETR) to forecast PV output power one day ahead, utilizing three machine learning (ML) algorithms, namely, random forest regressor (RFR), extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), and adaptive boosting (AdaBoost), as base models. In addition, an extra trees regressor (ETR) was used as a meta learner to integrate the predictions from the base models to improve the accuracy of the PV power output forecast. The proposed model was validated on three practical PV systems utilizing four years of meteorological data to provide a comprehensive evaluation. The performance of the proposed model was compared with other ensemble models, where RMSE and MAE are considered the performance metrics. The proposed Stack-ETR model surpassed the other models and reduced the RMSE by 24.49%, 40.2%, and 27.95% and MAE by 28.88%, 47.2%, and 40.88% compared to the base model ETR for thin-film (TF), monocrystalline (MC), and polycrystalline (PC) PV systems, respectively. Full article
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22 pages, 72499 KiB  
Article
Comprehensive Study on Melting Process of Phase Change Material by Using Paraffin Coupled Finned Heating Plate for Heat Transfer Enhancement
by Lixi Zhang, Zhengyang Zhang and Hui Yin
Sustainability 2022, 14(5), 3097; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14053097 - 7 Mar 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1759
Abstract
Paraffin is a low-temperature phase change material, which is often used to recover and store heat in a solar thermal utilization system. This study aims to reveal the development and migration law of paraffin melting interface with time under the influence of a [...] Read more.
Paraffin is a low-temperature phase change material, which is often used to recover and store heat in a solar thermal utilization system. This study aims to reveal the development and migration law of paraffin melting interface with time under the influence of a finned heating plate, as well as the heat transfer mechanism, and obtain the ways and methods to enhance the heat transfer in phase change material through visual experiments and numerical simulation. The research shows that once the paraffin with a high liquid fraction connects the mushy zone between the fin and the top wall, the vortexes in the mushy zone increases rapidly, which enhances the natural convective heat transfer in it, resulting in the rapid increase of liquid fraction. The lower the position of the fin, the longer the time required to form a mushy zone with a high liquid fraction between the fin and the top wall, and the later the phenomenon of rapid increase of liquid fraction occurs. Compared with changing the fin position, increasing the fin length has a greater effect on the paraffin melting rate. When other conditions remain unchanged, the inclination of fin and the effective length of fin in the horizontal direction jointly determine the melting rate of paraffin. The melting effect of paraffin is the best when the fin is inclined upward by 15°. Full article
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29 pages, 36259 KiB  
Article
Optimal Design of a Hybrid Solar PV/BG-Powered Heterogeneous Network
by Md. Sanwar Hossain, Khondoker Ziaul Islam, Abdullah G. Alharbi, Md Shafiullah, Md. Rabiul Islam and Afef Fekih
Sustainability 2022, 14(4), 2201; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14042201 - 15 Feb 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1829
Abstract
The increased penetration of renewable energy sources (RESs) along with the rise in demand for wireless communication had led to the need to deploy cellular base stations powered by locally accessible RESs. Moreover, networks powered by renewable energy sources have the ability to [...] Read more.
The increased penetration of renewable energy sources (RESs) along with the rise in demand for wireless communication had led to the need to deploy cellular base stations powered by locally accessible RESs. Moreover, networks powered by renewable energy sources have the ability to reduce the costs of generating electricity, as well as greenhouse gas emissions, thus maintaining the quality of service (QoS). This paper examines the techno-economic feasibility of developing grid-tied solar photovoltaic (PV)/biomass generator (BG)-powered heterogeneous networks in Bangladesh, taking into account the dynamic characteristics of RESs and traffic. To guarantee QoS, each macro and micro-base station is supplied through a hybrid solar PV/BG coupled with enough energy storage devices. In contrast, pico and femto BSs are powered through standalone solar PV units due to their smaller power rating. A hybrid optimization model for electric renewables (HOMER)-based optimization algorithm is considered to determine the optimum system architecture, economic and environmental analysis. MATLAB-based Monte-Carlo simulations are used to assess the system’s throughput and energy efficiency. A new weighted proportional-fair resource method is presented by trading power consumption and communication latency in non-real-time applications. Performance analysis of the proposed architecture confirmed its energy efficiency, economic soundness, reliability, and environmental friendliness. Additionally, the suggested method was shown to increase the battery life of the end devices. Full article
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29 pages, 829 KiB  
Article
Techno-Economic Analysis of the Hybrid Solar PV/H/Fuel Cell Based Supply Scheme for Green Mobile Communication
by Md. Sanwar Hossain, Abdullah G. Alharbi, Khondoker Ziaul Islam and Md. Rabiul Islam
Sustainability 2021, 13(22), 12508; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132212508 - 12 Nov 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3056
Abstract
Hydrogen has received tremendous global attention as an energy carrier and an energy storage system. Hydrogen carrier introduces a power to hydrogen (P2H), and power to hydrogen to power (P2H2P) facility to store the excess energy in renewable energy storage systems, with the [...] Read more.
Hydrogen has received tremendous global attention as an energy carrier and an energy storage system. Hydrogen carrier introduces a power to hydrogen (P2H), and power to hydrogen to power (P2H2P) facility to store the excess energy in renewable energy storage systems, with the facts of large-scale storage capacity, transportability, and multiple utilities. This work examines the techno-economic feasibility of hybrid solar photovoltaic (PV)/hydrogen/fuel cell-powered cellular base stations for developing green mobile communication to decrease environmental degradation and mitigate fossil-fuel crises. Extensive simulation is carried out using a hybrid optimization model for electric rnewables (HOMER) optimization tool to evaluate the optimal size, energy production, total production cost, per unit energy production cost, and emission of carbon footprints subject to different relevant system parameters. In addition, the throughput, and energy efficiency performance of the wireless network is critically evaluated with the help of MATLAB-based Monte-Carlo simulations taking multipath fading, system bandwidth, transmission power, and inter-cell interference (ICI) into consideration. Results show that a more stable and reliable green solution for the telecommunications sector will be the macro cellular basis stations driven by the recommended hybrid supply system. The hybrid supply system has around 17% surplus electricity and 48.1 h backup capacity that increases the system reliability by maintaining a better quality of service (QoS). To end, the outcomes of the suggested system are compared with the other supply scheme and the previously published research work for justifying the validity of the proposed system. Full article
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Review

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31 pages, 4265 KiB  
Review
Overview of Model- and Non-Model-Based Online Battery Management Systems for Electric Vehicle Applications: A Comprehensive Review of Experimental and Simulation Studies
by Neha Bhushan, Saad Mekhilef, Kok Soon Tey, Mohamed Shaaban, Mehdi Seyedmahmoudian and Alex Stojcevski
Sustainability 2022, 14(23), 15912; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142315912 - 29 Nov 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2130
Abstract
The online battery management system (BMS) is very critical for the safe and reliable operation of electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy storage applications. The primary responsibility of BMS is data assembly, state monitoring, state management, state safety, charging control, thermal management, and [...] Read more.
The online battery management system (BMS) is very critical for the safe and reliable operation of electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy storage applications. The primary responsibility of BMS is data assembly, state monitoring, state management, state safety, charging control, thermal management, and information management. The algorithm and control development for smooth and cost-effective functioning of online BMS is challenging research. The complexity, stability, cost, robustness, computational cost, and accuracy of BMS for Li-ion batteries (LiBs) can be enhanced through the development of algorithms. The model-based and non-model-based data-driven methods are the most suitable for developing algorithms and control for online BMS than other methods present in the literatures. The performance analysis of algorithms under different current, thermal, and load conditions have been investigated. The objective of this review is to advance the experimental design and control for online BMS. The comprehensive overview of present techniques, core issues, technical challenges, emerging trends, and future research opportunities for next-generation BMS is covered in this paper with experimental and simulation analysis. Full article
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65 pages, 19195 KiB  
Review
A Review of Heat Batteries Based PV Module Cooling—Case Studies on Performance Enhancement of Large-Scale Solar PV System
by Karthikeyan Velmurugan, Rajvikram Madurai Elavarasan, Pham Van De, Vaithinathan Karthikeyan, Tulja Bhavani Korukonda, Joshuva Arockia Dhanraj, Kanchanok Emsaeng, Md. Shahariar Chowdhury, Kuaanan Techato, Bothaina Samih Abou El Khier and El-Awady Attia
Sustainability 2022, 14(4), 1963; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14041963 - 9 Feb 2022
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3525
Abstract
Several studies have concentrated on cooling the PV module temperature (TPV) to enhance the system’s electrical output power and efficiency in recent years. In this review study, PCM-based cooling techniques are reviewed majorly classified into three techniques: (i) incorporating raw/pure PCM [...] Read more.
Several studies have concentrated on cooling the PV module temperature (TPV) to enhance the system’s electrical output power and efficiency in recent years. In this review study, PCM-based cooling techniques are reviewed majorly classified into three techniques: (i) incorporating raw/pure PCM behind the PV module is one of the most straightforward techniques; (ii) thermal additives such as inter-fin, nano-compound, expanded graphite (EG), and others are infused in PCM to enhance the heat transfer rate between PV module and PCM; and (iii) thermal collectors that are placed behind the PV module or inside the PCM container to minimize the PCM usage. Advantageously, these techniques favor reusing the waste heat from the PV module. Further, in this study, PCM thermophysical properties are straightforwardly discussed. It is found that the PCM melting temperature (Tmelt) and thermal conductivity (KPCM) become the major concerns in cooling the PV module. Based on the literature review, experimentally proven PV-PCM temperatures are analyzed over a year for UAE and Islamabad locations using typical meteorological year (TMY) data from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) data source in 1 h frequency. Full article
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35 pages, 14242 KiB  
Review
A Comprehensive Review on Sustainable Aspects of Big Data Analytics for the Smart Grid
by Vinoth Kumar Ponnusamy, Padmanathan Kasinathan, Rajvikram Madurai Elavarasan, Vinoth Ramanathan, Ranjith Kumar Anandan, Umashankar Subramaniam, Aritra Ghosh and Eklas Hossain
Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13322; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313322 - 1 Dec 2021
Cited by 28 | Viewed by 5729
Abstract
The role of energy is cardinal for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the enhancement and modernization of energy generation and management practices. The smart grid enables efficient communication between utilities and the end- users, and enhances the user experience by monitoring [...] Read more.
The role of energy is cardinal for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the enhancement and modernization of energy generation and management practices. The smart grid enables efficient communication between utilities and the end- users, and enhances the user experience by monitoring and controlling the energy transmission. The smart grid deals with an enormous amount of energy data, and the absence of proper techniques for data collection, processing, monitoring and decision-making ultimately makes the system ineffective. Big data analytics, in association with the smart grid, enable better grid visualization and contribute toward the attainment of sustainability. The current research work deals with the achievement of sustainability in the smart grid and efficient data management using big data analytics, that has social, economic, technical and political impacts. This study provides clear insights into energy data generated in the grid and the possibilities of energy theft affecting the sustainable future. The paper provides insights about the importance of big data analytics, with their effects on the smart grids’ performance towards the achievement of SDGs. The work highlights efficient real-time energy data management involving artificial intelligence and machine learning for a better future, to short out the effects of the conventional smart grid without big data analytics. Finally, the work discusses the challenges and future directions to improve smart grid technologies with big data analytics in action. Full article
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38 pages, 4270 KiB  
Review
Optimized Energy Management Schemes for Electric Vehicle Applications: A Bibliometric Analysis towards Future Trends
by Md. Sazal Miah, Molla Shahadat Hossain Lipu, Sheikh Tanzim Meraj, Kamrul Hasan, Shaheer Ansari, Taskin Jamal, Hasan Masrur, Rajvikram Madurai Elavarasan and Aini Hussain
Sustainability 2021, 13(22), 12800; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132212800 - 19 Nov 2021
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 4137
Abstract
Concerns over growing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and fuel prices have prompted researchers to look into alternative energy sources, notably in the transportation sector, accounting for more than 70% of carbon emissions. An increasing amount of research on electric vehicles (EVs) and their [...] Read more.
Concerns over growing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and fuel prices have prompted researchers to look into alternative energy sources, notably in the transportation sector, accounting for more than 70% of carbon emissions. An increasing amount of research on electric vehicles (EVs) and their energy management schemes (EMSs) has been undertaken extensively in recent years to address these concerns. This article aims to offer a bibliometric analysis and investigation of optimized EMSs for EV applications. Hundreds (100) of the most relevant and highly influential manuscripts on EMSs for EV applications are explored and examined utilizing the Scopus database under predetermined parameters to identify the most impacting articles in this specific field of research. This bibliometric analysis provides a survey on EMSs related to EV applications focusing on the different battery storages, models, algorithms, frameworks, optimizations, converters, controllers, and power transmission systems. According to the findings, more articles were published in 2020, with a total of 22, as compared to other years. The authors with the highest number of manuscripts come from four nations, including China, the United States, France, and the United Kingdom, and five research institutions, with these nations and institutions accounting for the publication of 72 papers. According to the comprehensive review, the current technologies are more or less capable of performing effectively; nevertheless, dependability and intelligent systems are still lacking. Therefore, this study highlights the existing difficulties and challenges related to EMSs for EV applications and some brief ideas, discussions, and potential suggestions for future research. This bibliometric research could be helpful to EV engineers and to automobile industries in terms of the development of cost-effective, longer-lasting, hydrogen-compatible electrical interfaces and well-performing EMSs for sustainable EV operations. Full article
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