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Modeling and Utilization of Solar Energy and Biomass for Sustainable Development

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2024) | Viewed by 3532

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Chigueru Tíba

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Renewable Energy Center, Nuclear Energy Department, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife 50740-550, PE, Brazil
Interests: solar radiation resource (measurement; mapping; and modeling); photovoltaic and thermal solar electricity generation; solar concentration; PV grid integration; location studies of thermal and PV plants using GIS and AHP; industrial heat process generation with solar energy; integration of renewable energies in distribution and transmission grid
Dr. Olga De Castro Vilela

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Renewable Energy Center, Nuclear Energy Department, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife 50740-550, PE, Brazil
Interests: solar radiation resource (site-adaptation) and forecasting (time series and satellite images); reverse-osmosis water desalination; photovoltaic and thermal solar electricity generation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

It is our pleasure to announce a new Special Issue on “Modeling and Utilization of Solar Energy and Biomass for Sustainable Development”.

The reality of extreme events clearly demonstrates the need for a reduction in the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs). These emissions derive mainly from the use of fossil fuels for transportation, use in industrial heat processes, and electricity production. Renewable energies can and already contribute decisively to the reduction in the use of fossil fuels in these three processes. Regarding the generation of PV electricity, it has been estimated that in 2050, 100% or a very high fraction of electricity production will become carbon-free. Regarding transportation and industry sectors, there are still many scientific, technical, and economic challenges to overcome so that renewable energies can contribute significantly to the decarbonization process. A possible roadmap for the decarbonization of these sectors consists of the implementation of electric efficiency, industrial electrification (change in the production process of thermal energy use for electricity), use of low-carbon fuels (biofuel or H2 combustion), and CO2 sequestration. All these actions still demand intensive scientific and technological research, and even in the case of PV generation, we can only ensure its significant and effective contribution if research in some specific areas, such as storage, integration, and polygeneration at the solar cell level with the increase in lifespan or some disruptive technological innovations, takes place.

Within this context, we invite the submission of high-quality and innovative articles, focusing on the topics above, or related to similar topics. Experimental studies, modeling, or extensive reviews (state of the art) of a theme and regional or global case studies will be accepted, and may cover the following topics:

  • Renewable energy complementarity;
  • Biofuel;
  • Agro voltaic;
  • Thermal solar system;
  • Photovoltaic and thermal solar desalination;
  • Solar concentration;
  • Combined use of heat pump and PV generation;
  • Floating PV;
  • Industrial heat process generation with solar energy;
  • H2 generation with PV solar energy;
  • Electrification with renewable energies;
  • Decarbonization of land, air, and sea transport;
  • Integration of renewable energies in distribution and transmission grid;
  • Integration of solar energy (thermal and electric) and biomass in industrial processes;
  • Modeling of solar and wind resources;
  • Location studies of thermal and PV plants using GIS and AHP;
  • Modeling of separation and transposition of solar global irradiation;
  • Bifacial PV system;
  • Electrification of the industrial sector with PV generation.

Prof. Dr. Chigueru Tíba
Dr. Olga De Castro Vilela
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

  • solar thermal energy
  • solar photovoltaic energy, biomass
  • modeling and utilization of solar energy and biomass
  • sustainable development goals (SDGs)

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 3919 KiB  
Article
Drying Performance of a Combined Solar Greenhouse Dryer of Sewage Sludge
by Fatiha Berroug, Yassir Bellaziz, Zakaria Tagnamas, Younes Bahammou, Hamza Faraji, El Houssayne Bougayr and Naaila Ouazzani
Sustainability 2024, 16(22), 9925; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16229925 - 14 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1163
Abstract
The solar drying of sewage sludge in greenhouses is one of the most used solutions in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). However, it presents challenges, particularly in terms of efficiency and drying time. In this context, the present study explores the drying performances of [...] Read more.
The solar drying of sewage sludge in greenhouses is one of the most used solutions in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). However, it presents challenges, particularly in terms of efficiency and drying time. In this context, the present study explores the drying performances of an innovative Combined Solar Greenhouse Dryer (CSGD) for sewage sludge. The system integrates rock bed storage (RBS), a solar air collector (SAC), and a solar greenhouse dryer (SGD). A numerical model, developed using TRNSYS software, predicts the drying kinetics of sewage sludge through hourly dynamic simulations based on the climatic conditions of Marrakesh, Morocco. Experimental validation confirmed the accuracy of the model. The results reveal that integrating the SAC with the SGD during the day and the RBS with the SGD at night significantly enhances the drying efficiency of the sewage sludge. During daylight hours, the SAC generates hot air, reaching maximum temperatures of 64 °C in January and 109 °C in July. Concurrently, the outlet air temperature of the RBS rises notably during the day, corresponding to the charging phase of the storage unit. Moreover, during the night, the RBS air temperature exceeds ambient temperatures by approximately 7–16 °C in January and 11–37 °C in July. This integration leads to a substantial reduction in drying time. The reduction in sewage sludge water content from 4 kg/kg of dry solid (20% dry solid content) to 0.24 kg/kg of dry solid (80% dry solid content) is related to a decrease in the drying time from 121 h to 79 h in cold periods and from 47 h to 27 h in warm periods. The drying process is significantly enhanced within the greenhouse, both during daylight and nocturnal periods. The CSGD system proves to be energy-efficient, offering an effective, high-performance solution for sewage sludge management, while also lowering operational costs for WWTPs. This innovative solar drying system combines a thermal storage bed and a solar collector to enhance drying efficiency, even in the absence of sunlight. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modeling and Utilization of Solar Energy and Biomass for Sustainable Development)
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14 pages, 11129 KiB  
Article
The Catalytic Effect of Pt on Lignin Pyrolysis: A Reactive Molecular Dynamics Study
by Weiming Zhan, Kejiang Li, Rita Khanna, Yuri Konyukhov, Zeng Liang, Yushan Bu, Zhen Sun, Chunhe Jiang and Jianliang Zhang
Sustainability 2024, 16(8), 3419; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16083419 - 19 Apr 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1907
Abstract
Lignin is the second-largest renewable resource in nature, second only to cellulose. Lignin is one of the most significant components of biomass, and it determines the behaviour of biomass in many thermochemical processes. However, limited studies have focused on the influence of metal [...] Read more.
Lignin is the second-largest renewable resource in nature, second only to cellulose. Lignin is one of the most significant components of biomass, and it determines the behaviour of biomass in many thermochemical processes. However, limited studies have focused on the influence of metal catalysts on lignin pyrolysis. This study aims to develop a sustainable lignin catalytic pyrolysis technology to improve biomass energy-conversion efficiency, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and promote the development of clean energy. In this study, the impact of Pt catalyst on the pyrolysis process of hardwood lignin was simulated by using reactive force field (ReaxFF) molecular dynamics. Through the comparison of the system without catalysts, the catalyst exhibited evident attraction to lignin macromolecules, prompting their decomposition at lower temperatures. Additionally, the catalyst has the strongest adsorption capacity for H radical. The activation energy of the reaction was calculated by kinetic analysis. It was found that the addition of catalysts significantly reduced the activation energy of the reaction. By revealing the effect of Pt catalyst on the lignin pyrolysis process, it provides a theoretical basis for biomass pyrolysis and the utilization of metal catalysts in industry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modeling and Utilization of Solar Energy and Biomass for Sustainable Development)
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