Search Results (39)

Carbon taxes and credits (CT&C) accelerate global deployment of carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) technologies to enable energy transition. This study investigates the economic performance and resilience of floating gas-to-wire with CCUS (f-GTW-CCUS), deployed at the wellhead of stranded CO₂-rich offshore oil and gas reservoirs. The f-GTW-CCUS platform integrates a natural gas combined cycle power plant with monoethanolamine post-combustion capture (PCC-MEA), producing low-carbon electricity (23 kgCO_2e/MWh, competitive with renewables) while monetizing captured CO₂ via enhanced oil recovery (EOR). The mass and energy balance data from the proposed process configuration were obtained in the literature. Critically, f-GTW-CCUS operates on wellhead-sourced in situ-associated gas, eliminating exposure to volatile natural gas markets, and achieves a levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of USD 67.15/MWh. Monte Carlo analysis (10,000 Gaussian iterations, 30-year lifetime, 10% discount rate, three CT&C scenarios, namely, low/medium/high) is used to quantify economic feasibility across three stochastic variables: oil, natural gas, and electricity prices, starting in the 5th year. The results demonstrate the following: (1) Case A (f-GTW without CCUS) remains economically infeasible (NPV < 0) under all price volatility scenarios due to insufficient electricity-only revenue and carbon taxation penalties; (2) Case B (f-GTW-CCUS with immediate CCUS deployment) maintains positive NPV across all scenarios, with EOR monetization contributing 43% of total revenue; (3) the critical CCUS deployment-delay threshold is 6 years under high carbon taxation, extending to 10 years when carbon credits are included. Gate-to-gate environmental assessment (carbon intensity, water footprint, land transformation) shows f-GTW-CCUS superiority versus alternative power systems, with minimal water–land nexuses due to offshore desalination. An empirical consistency assessment based on the 2026 geopolitical energy crisis demonstrates the structural resilience of the f-GTW-CCUS plant: the wellhead sourcing provides resilience to global natural gas price shocks, while the concurrent crude price escalation amplifies EOR revenues by 43–57%, improving project feasibility during commodity disruptions. These findings position f-GTW-CCUS as a critical decarbonization pathway for O&G producers exploiting stranded gas reserves. The technology combines carbon intensity reduction with economic resilience under volatile energy market conditions and mandatory climate policies. Full article

This paper investigates the integration of hydropower and solar energy within the Lower Olt River cascade as a pathway toward sustainable energy generation in Romania. The study focuses on the conceptual design of future hybrid power plants consisting of existing hydropower facilities where floating photovoltaic panels are proposed to be installed on the reservoir’s surfaces. An estimation of electricity production from both sources was performed, followed by the formulation of a trading strategy for the July–September 2025 period. The paper also explores the interaction between tactical and strategic management in hydropower operation and planning, describing how forecasting and decision-making processes are structured within the institutional framework. Finally, results for the selected hydropower plants demonstrate the positive influence of floating photovoltaic deployment on company performance, the national energy mix, and the overall sustainability of energy generation in Romania. Full article

The escalating global demand for electricity, coupled with environmental concerns and economic considerations, has driven the exploration of alternative energy sources, creating competition for land with other sectors. A comprehensive analysis of a 10 MW floating photovoltaic (FPV) system deployed across different Köppen climate zones along with techno-economic analysis involves evaluating technical efficiency and economic viability. Technical parameters are assessed using PVsyst simulation and HOMER Pro. While, economic analysis considers return on investment, net present value, internal rate of return, and payback period. Results indicate that temperate and dry zones exhibit significant electricity generation potential from an FPV. The study outlines the payback period with the lowest being 5.7 years, emphasizing the system’s environmental benefits by reducing water loss in the form of evaporation. The system is further integrated with hydrogen generation while estimating the number of cars that can be refueled at each location, with the highest amount of hydrogen production being 292,817 kg/year, refueling more than 100 cars per day. This leads to an LCOH of GBP 2.84/kg for 20 years. Additionally, the comparison across different Koppen climate zones suggests that, even with the high soiling losses, dry climate has substantial potential; producing up to 18,829,587 kWh/year of electricity and 292,817 kg/year of hydrogen. However, factors such as high inflation can reduce the return on investment to as low as 13.8%. The integration of FPV with hydropower plants is suggested for enhanced power generation, reaffirming its potential to contribute to a sustainable energy future while addressing the UN’s SDG7, SDG9, SDG13, and SDG15. Full article

The LNG maritime industry started to anticipate offshore LNG production in tandem with increasing demand for FLNG platforms as offshore gas resources were developed further. The rapid expansion of FLNG deployment demands equipment and procedures that handle challenges associated with weight and space constraints. The chemical composition of LNG will result in slightly fewer CO₂ emissions. While not significant, another crucial aspect is that LNG predominantly comprises methane, which is acknowledged as a greenhouse gas and is more harmful than CO₂. This requires investigation into clean energy fuel supply for power generation systems, carbon emissions from the process, and thermodynamic analysis and optimisation. Focus on supplying fuel for FLNG power generation to reduce the essential management of boil-off fuel gas, which can be researched on the direct reforming method of hydrogen as a marine fuel gas to support the power generation system. The principal reason for choosing hydrogen over other energy sources is its exceptional energy-to-mass ratio (H/C ratio). The most effective method for hydrogen production is the methane reforming process, recognised for generating significant quantities of hydrogen. To optimise the small-scale plant with a carbon capture system (CCS) as integrated into the reforming process to produce blue hydrogen fuel with zero carbon emissions, this research selection focuses on two alternative processes: steam methane reforming (SMR) and autothermal reforming (ATR). Furthermore, the research article will contribute to other floating production platforms, such as FPSOs and FSRUs, and will be committed to clean energy policies that mandate the support of green alternatives in substitution of hydrocarbon fuel utilisation. Full article

This study demonstrates that small-scale liquefied natural gas (SS LNG) is a viable and cost-effective alternative to High-Speed Diesel (HSD) for power generation in remote areas of Indonesia. An integrated supply chain model is developed to optimize total costs based on LNG inventory levels. The model minimizes transportation costs from supply depots to demand points and handling costs at receiving terminals, which utilize Floating Storage Regasification Units (FSRUs). LNG distribution is optimized using a Multi-Depot Capacitated Vehicle Routing Problem (MDCVRP), formulated as a Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) problem to reduce fuel consumption, CO₂ emissions, and vessel rental expenses. The novelty of this research lies in its integrated cost optimization, combining transportation and handling within a model specifically adapted to Indonesia’s complex geography and infrastructure. The simulation involves four LNG plant supply nodes and 50 demand locations, serving a total demand of 15,528 m³/day across four clusters. The analysis estimates a total investment of USD 685.3 million, with a plant-gate LNG price of 10.35 to 11.28 USD/MMBTU at a 10 percent discount rate, representing a 55 to 60 percent cost reduction compared to HSD. These findings support the strategic deployment of SS LNG to expand affordable electricity access in remote and underserved regions. Full article

Nuclear energy inherently possesses both immense utility and significant risks. To ensure global safety, designers of floating nuclear power plants (FNPPs) must thoroughly consider the influence of the marine environment on the reactor pressure vessel (RPV). Wave loads act on the hull of an FNPP, causing structural deformation, which is subsequently transferred to the RPV. Additionally, wave-induced forces generate six degrees of freedom (6-DOF) motion in the hull, resulting in inertial loads. Consequently, the RPV is subjected to both deformation loads transmitted from the hull and inertial loads associated with the 6-DOF motion. To accurately account for the effects of the marine environment while minimizing the computational cost of RPV fatigue analysis, it is essential to identify the primary influencing factors. This study determined that the predominant factors affecting RPV fatigue in an FNPP were the hull’s pitch, roll, and yaw motions. In mechanical analyses of the RPV, including ultimate strength and fatigue assessments, only rotational inertial loads need to be considered, while the influence of translational inertial loads and hull deformation can be neglected. Full article

With the transformation of the world’s energy structure and the promotion of clean energy, nuclear power has come to the fore as an efficient and environmentally friendly form of energy. As critical components in the operation of nuclear power plants (NPPs), suction and transportation devices for thermal traps—designed to prevent and control floating bodies—are directly linked to the safety of power generation, the stability of operations, and the reliability of the power grid in NPPs. Technical research and advancements in these devices play a crucial role in enhancing their effectiveness. In view of the intrusion and blockage of floating bodies in the sewage network pocket of the water intake with the cold-source system for coastal NPPs, the key technologies to prevent and control floating bodies that may impair cooling resources in NPPs’ thermal traps is discussed. This paper introduces the safety risks and social impacts associated with water intake, highlights the importance of the water-intake system, and discusses the interception and transportation mechanisms in NPPs. The progress of explosive floating bodies’ interception, cleaning, suction, transportation, and intelligent monitoring technology is introduced through the technical progress in the types of floating bodies, as well as cutting, crushing, suction, and transportation devices. The technical progress of efficient treatment is realized, which provides reference for the research and practice of the key technologies for suction and transportation devices to prevent and control floating bodies’ suction and transportation devices in NPPs’ thermal traps. Full article

A growing interest in offshore wind energy in the Mediterranean Sea has been recently observed thanks to the potential for scale-up and recent advances in floating technologies and dynamic cables: in the Italian panorama, the offshore wind connection requests to the National Transmission Grid (NTG) reached almost 84 GW at the end of September 2024. Starting from a realistic estimate of the offshore wind power plants (OWPPs) to be realized off the southern coasts in a very long-term scenario, this paper presents a novel optimization procedure for meshed AC offshore network configuration, aiming at minimizing the offshore wind generation curtailment based on the DC optimal power flow approximation, assessing the security condition of the whole onshore and offshore networks. The reactive power compensation aspects are also considered in the optimization procedure: the optimal compensation sizing for export cables and collecting stations is evaluated via the AC optimal power flow (OPF) approach, considering a combined voltage profile and minimum short circuit power constraint for the onshore extra-high voltage (EHV) nodes. The simulation results demonstrate that the obtained meshed network configuration and attendant re-active compensation allow most of the offshore wind generation to be evacuated even in the worst-case scenario, i.e., the N1 network, full offshore wind generation output, and summer line rating, testifying to the relevance of the proposed methodology for real applications. Full article

This paper presents an economic feasibility analysis for constructing a 100 MW floating solar power plant in Korea aimed at utilizing idle water spaces to mitigate geographical limitations for large-scale renewable energy projects. Employing both Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) analysis and Real Options Analysis (ROA), the study evaluates the economic viability and strategic flexibility of the project under future market uncertainties. The DCF method reveals an NPV of 11,863,000 USD and a B/C ratio of 1.1, indicating baseline feasibility. However, the ROA demonstrates the value of adaptive strategies, with real option values showing that plant expansion (to 200 MW) is economically advantageous under favorable conditions. This approach supports strategic decision-making aligned with Korea’s renewable energy targets. The study emphasizes the importance of incorporating market uncertainties into feasibility assessments and proposes detailed strategies for expanding renewable energy generation. Full article

Indonesia is currently revising some Government Regulations regarding the licensing process of the nuclear power plant. In the current revision process, the latest technology such as small modular reactors and floating nuclear power plants are also considered to be regulated specifically. In current regulations, regardless of the type and technology, the licensing for nuclear power plants is regulated generally. Considering its unique nature and character, the floating nuclear power plant should have more specific requirements for the licensing process. This paper is carried out to analyze the specific requirements that should be considered for the licensing process of the floating nuclear power plant in Indonesia. The results of this study are expected to be a suggestion for the Government Regulations revision. Full article

Photovoltaic energy (PV) is considered one of the pillars of the energy transition. However, this energy source is limited by a power density per unit surface lower than 200 W/m², depending on the latitude of the installation site. Compared to fossil fuels, such low power density opens a sustainability issue for this type of renewable energy in terms of its competition with other land uses, and forces us to consider areas suitable for the installation of photovoltaic arrays other than farmlands. In this frame, floating PV plants, installed in internal water basins or even offshore, are receiving increasing interest. On the other hand, this kind of installation might significantly affect the water ecosystem environment in various ways, such as by the effects of solar shading or of anchorage installation. As a result, monitoring of floating PV (FPV) plants, both during the ex ante site evaluation phase and during the operation of the PV plant itself, is therefore necessary to keep such effects under control. This review aims to examine the technical and academic literature on FPV plant monitoring, focusing on the measurement and discussion of key physico-chemical parameters. This paper also aims to identify the additional monitoring features required for energy assessment of a floating PV system compared to a ground-based PV system. Moreover, due to the intrinsic difficulty in the maintenance operations of PV structures not installed on land, novel approaches have introduced autonomous solutions for monitoring the environmental impacts of FPV systems. Technologies for autonomous mapping and monitoring of water bodies are reviewed and discussed. The extensive technical literature analyzed in this review highlights the current lack of a cohesive framework for monitoring these impacts. This paper concludes that there is a need to establish general guidelines and criteria for standardized water quality monitoring (WQM) and management in relation to FPV systems. Full article

Green hydrogen production is expected to play a major role in the context of the shift towards sustainable energy stipulated in the Fit for 55 package. Green hydrogen and its derivatives have the capacity to act as effective energy storage vectors, while fuel cell-powered vehicles will foster net-zero emission mobility. This study evaluates the potential of green hydrogen production in Power-to-Gas (P2G) systems operated in former mining sites where sand and gravel aggregate has been extracted from lakes and rivers under wet conditions (below the water table). The potential of hydrogen production was assessed for the selected administrative unit in Poland, the West Pomerania province. Attention is given to the legal and organisational aspects of operating mining companies to identify the sites suitable for the installation of floating photovoltaic facilities by 2050. The method relies on the use of GIS tools, which utilise geospatial data to identify potential sites for investments. Basing on the geospatial model and considering technical and organisational constraints, the schedule was developed, showing the potential availability of the site over time. Knowing the surface area of the water reservoir, the installed power of the floating photovoltaic plant, and the production capacity of the power generation facility and electrolysers, the capacity of hydrogen production in the P2G system can be evaluated. It appears that by 2050 it should be feasible to produce green fuel in the P2G system to support a fleet of city buses for two of the largest urban agglomerations in the West Pomerania province. Simulations revealed that with a water coverage ratio increase and the planned growth of green hydrogen generation, it should be feasible to produce fuel for net-zero emission urban mobility systems to power 200 buses by 2030, 550 buses by 2040, and 900 buses by 2050 (for the bus models Maxi (40 seats) and Mega (60 seats)). The results of the research can significantly contribute to the development of projects focused on the production of green hydrogen in a decentralised system. The disclosure of potential and available locations over time can be compared with competitive solutions in terms of spatial planning, environmental and societal impact, and the economics of the undertaking. Full article

The decarbonization goals of each country necessitate the utilization of renewable resources, with photovoltaic (PV) and wind turbine (WT) generators being the most common forms. However, spatial constraints, especially on islands, can hinder the expansion of PV and WT installations. In this context, wave energy emerges as a viable supplementary renewable source. Islands are candidate regions to accommodate wave power resources due to their abundant wave potential. While previous studies have explored the wave energy potential of the Aegean Sea, they have not focused on the electricity production and techno-economic aspects of wave power facilities in this area. This paper aims to fill this knowledge gap by conducting a comprehensive techno-economic analysis to evaluate the feasibility of deploying an offshore wave power facility in the Aegean Sea, Greece. The analysis includes a detailed sensitivity assessment of CAPEX and OPEX variability, calculating key indicators like LCOE and NPV to determine the economic viability and profitability of wave energy investments in the region. Additionally, the study identifies hydraulic efficiency and CAPEX thresholds that could make wave power more competitive compared with traditional energy sources. The techno-economic analysis is conducted for a 45 MW offshore floating wave power plant situated between eastern Crete and Kasos—one of the most wave-rich areas in Greece. Despite eastern Crete’s promising wave conditions, the study reveals that with current techno-economic parameters—CAPEX of 7 million EUR/MW, OPEX of 6%, a 20-year lifetime, and 25% efficiency—the wave energy in this area yields a levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of 1417 EUR/MWh. This rate is significantly higher than the prevailing LCOE in Crete, which is between 237 and 300 EUR/MWh. Nonetheless, this study suggests that the LCOE of wave energy in Crete could potentially decrease to as low as 69 EUR/MWh in the future under improved conditions, including a CAPEX of 1 million EUR/MW, an OPEX of 1%, a 30-year lifetime, and 35% hydraulic efficiency for wave converters. It is recommended that manufacturing companies target these specific thresholds to ensure the economic viability of wave power in the waters of the Aegean Sea. Full article

The transition process from fossil fuels to environmentally friendly renewable energy sources carries the risk of creating new environmental damages. Photovoltaic technology represents one of the alternatives with the least risk of harmful environmental impact. However, this technology has two important drawbacks: the significant land occupation for the installation of PV systems and the uncontrollability of production. By constructing floating photovoltaic plants on hydroelectric reservoirs, both of these problems can be reduced to an acceptable level. Some artificial reservoirs, originally built for hydroelectric power plants, have acquired a significant secondary function as recreational areas and fish breeding sites. Therefore, there is justified resistance from the local community to change the existing appearance and purpose of such reservoirs. This paper proposes a completely new concept of integrating the interests of the local community into such objects. In addition to preserving existing uses, the concept also offers new features. This can make the entire system environmentally friendly and sustainable. This paper details the technology behind the construction of floating photovoltaic power plants on artificial reservoirs and emphasizes their various advantages. These benefits include the non-utilization of cultivable land, the ease of assembly and construction, integration into existing power grids, and the potential to address electricity storage issues. For instance, Buško Lake, covering an area of $55.8$ km², may host $2.93$ km² of installed floating photovoltaic (FPV) facilities, enabling a total installed capacity of 240 MW. With an average of $5.5$ h of daily sunshine, this totals 2007 annual hours, equivalent to a 55 MW thermal power plant. An analysis showed that, with losses of 18.2%, the average annual production stands at 302 $\mathrm{G}$$\mathrm{W}$$\mathrm{h}$, translating to an annual production value of 18 million € at 60 €/MWh. The integration of this production into an existing hydroelectric power plant featuring an artificial reservoir might boost its output by 91%. The available transmission line capacity of 237 MW is shared between the hydroelectric power plant (HPP) and FPV; hence during the FPV maximum power generation time, the HPP halts its production. HPP Orlovac operates a small number of hours annually at full capacity (1489 h); therefore in combination with the FPV, this number can be increased to 2852 h. This integration maintains the lake’s functions in tourism and fishing while expanding its capabilities without environmental harm. Full article

Solar photovoltaic (SPV) arrays are crucial components of clean and sustainable energy infrastructure. However, SPV panels are susceptible to thermal degradation defects that can impact their performance, thereby necessitating timely and accurate fault detection to maintain optimal energy generation. The considered case study focuses on an intelligent fault detection and diagnosis (IFDD) system for the analysis of radiometric infrared thermography (IRT) of SPV arrays in a predictive maintenance setting, enabling remote inspection and diagnostic monitoring of the SPV power plant sites. The proposed IFDD system employs a custom-developed deep learning approach which relies on convolutional neural networks for effective multiclass classification of defect types. The diagnosis of SPV panels is a challenging task for issues such as IRT data scarcity, defect-patterns’ complexity, and low thermal image acquisition quality due to noise and calibration issues. Hence, this research carefully prepares a customized high-quality but severely imbalanced six-class thermographic radiometric dataset of SPV panels. With respect to previous approaches, numerical temperature values in floating-point are used to train and validate the predictive models. The trained models display high accuracy for efficient thermal anomaly diagnosis. Finally, to create a trust in the IFDD system, the process underlying the classification model is investigated with perceptive explainability, for portraying the most discriminant image features, and mathematical-structure-based interpretability, to achieve multiclass feature clustering. Full article