Search Results (96)

The Union of the Comoros, located in the Indian Ocean, faces persistent energy challenges due to its geographic isolation, heavy dependence on imported fossil fuels, and underdeveloped electricity infrastructure. This study investigates the techno-economic optimization of a hybrid microgrid designed to supply electricity to a rural village in Grande Comore. The proposed system integrates photovoltaic (PV) panels, wind turbines, a diesel generator, and battery storage. Detailed modeling and simulation were conducted using HOMER Energy, accompanied by a sensitivity analysis on solar irradiance, wind speed, and diesel price. The results indicate that the optimal configuration consists solely of PV and battery storage, meeting 100% of the annual electricity demand with a competitive levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of 0.563 USD/kWh and zero greenhouse gas emissions. Solar PV contributes over 99% of the total energy production, while wind and diesel components remain unused under optimal conditions. Furthermore, the system generates a substantial energy surplus of 63.7%, which could be leveraged for community applications such as water pumping, public lighting, or future system expansion. This study highlights the technical viability, economic competitiveness, and environmental sustainability of 100% solar microgrids for non-interconnected island territories. The approach provides a practical and replicable decision-support framework for decentralized energy planning in remote and vulnerable regions. Full article

The integration of Electric Vehicles (EVs) with solar power generation is important for decarbonizing the economy. While electrifying transportation reduces Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, its success depends on ensuring that EVs are charged with clean energy, requiring significant increases in photovoltaic capacity and robust Demand-Side Management (DSM) solutions. EV charging patterns, such as home, workplace, and public charging, need adapted strategies to match solar generation. This study analyzes a system designed to meet a unitary hourly average energy demand (8760 MWh annually) using an optimization framework that balances PV capacity and battery storage to ensure reliable energy supply. Historical solar data from 22 years is used to analyze seasonal and interannual fluctuations. The results show that solar PV alone can cover around 30% of the demand without DSM, rising to nearly 50% with aggressive DSM measures, using PV capacities of 1.0–2.0 MW. The optimization reveals that incorporating battery storage can achieve near 100% coverage with PV power of 8.0–9.0 MW. Moreover, DSM reduces required storage from 18 to about 10 MWh. These findings highlight the importance of integrating optimization-based energy management strategies to enhance system efficiency and cost-effectiveness, offering a pathway toward a more sustainable and resilient EV charging infrastructure. Full article

Addressing the urgent need for sustainable energy transitions in rural development while achieving the dual carbon goals, this study focuses on resolving critical challenges in agricultural photovoltaic (PV) applications, including land-use conflicts, compound energy demands (electricity, heating, cooling), and financial constraints among farmers. To tackle these issues, a dual-mode cost–benefit analysis framework was developed, integrating two distinct investment models: self-invested construction (SIC), where farmers independently finance and manage the system, and energy performance contracting (EPC), where third-party investors fund infrastructure through shared energy-saving or revenue agreements. Then, an integrated photovoltaic-storage agricultural greenhouse (PSAG) microgrid optimization model is established, synergizing renewable energy generation, battery storage, and demand-side management while incorporating operational mode selection. The proposed model is validated through a real-world case study of a village agricultural greenhouse in Gannan, China, characterized by typical rural energy profiles and climatic conditions. Simulation results demonstrate that the optimal system configuration requires 27.91 kWh energy storage capacity and 18.67 kW peak output, with annualized post-depreciation costs of 81,083.69 yuan (SIC) and 74,216.22 yuan (EPC). The key findings reveal that energy storage integration reduces operational costs by 8.5% compared to non-storage scenarios, with the EPC model achieving 9.3% greater cost-effectiveness than SIC through shared-investment mechanisms. The findings suggest that incorporating an energy storage system reduces costs for farmers, with the EPC model offering greater cost savings. Full article

In response to the greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets set by the Paris Agreement, green hydrogen has become a key solution for global decarbonisation. However, research on the design of green hydrogen production facilities remains limited, particularly in Brazil. This study bridges this gap by developing a comprehensive design for a green hydrogen production plant powered by an 81 MW photovoltaic (PV) system in Ceará, Brazil. The facility layout, equipment sizing, and resource requirements were determined using the Systematic Layout Planning (SLP) method, based on the available energy for daily hydrogen production. The design also integrates safety regulations, including local standards in Ceará, as well as raw material needs and production capacity. This study delivers a detailed facility layout, specifying equipment placement and capacity based on the PV plant’s output while ensuring compliance with safety protocols. This research contributes to the green hydrogen literature by providing a structured methodology for facility design, serving as a reference for future projects, and fostering the advancement of green hydrogen technology, particularly in developing countries. Full article

This study presents an integrated methodology to assess and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in institutional buildings by combining organizational carbon footprint (CFO) analysis with rooftop photovoltaic (PV) system simulation. The HM Building at King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL), Thailand, was selected as a case study to evaluate carbon emissions and the feasibility of solar-based mitigation strategies. The CFO assessment, conducted in accordance with ISO 14064-1:2018 and the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (TGO) guidelines, identified total emissions of 1841.04 tCO₂e/year, with Scope 2 electricity-related emissions accounting for 442.00 tCO₂e/year. Appliance-level audits revealed that classroom activities represent 36.7% of the building’s electricity demand. These findings were validated using utility data totaling 850,000 kWh/year. A rooftop PV system with a capacity of 207 kWp was simulated using PVsyst software (version 7.1), incorporating site-specific solar irradiance and technical loss parameters. Monocrystalline modules produced the highest energy output of 292,000 kWh/year, capable of offsetting 151.84 tCO₂e/year, equivalent to 34.4% of Scope 2 emissions. Economic evaluation indicated a 7.4-year payback period, with a net present value (NPV) of THB 12.49 million and an internal rate of return (IRR) of 12.79%. The integration of verified CFO data with empirical load modeling and derated PV performance projections provides a robust, scalable framework for institutional carbon mitigation. This approach supports data-driven Net Zero campus planning aligned with Thailand’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and carbon neutrality policies. Full article

Green hydrogen is increasingly recognized as a sustainable energy vector, offering significant potential for the industrial sector, buildings, and sustainable transport. As countries work to establish infrastructure for hydrogen production, transport, and energy storage, they face several challenges, including high costs, infrastructure complexity, security concerns, maintenance requirements, and the need for public acceptance. To explore these challenges and their environmental impact, this study proposes a hybrid sustainable infrastructure that integrates photovoltaic solar energy for the production and storage of green hydrogen, with PEMFC fuel cells and a hybrid Power-to-Electricity (PtE) and Power-to-Gas (PtG) configurations. The proposed system architecture is governed by an innovative energy optimization and management (EMS) algorithm, allowing forecasting, control, and supervision of various PV–hydrogen–Grid transfer scenarios. Additionally, comprehensive daily and seasonal simulations were performed to evaluate power sharing, energy transfer, hydrogen production, and storage capabilities. Dynamic performance assessments were conducted under different conditions of solar radiation, temperature, and load, demonstrating the system’s adaptability. The results indicate an overall efficiency of 62%, with greenhouse gas emissions reduced to 1% and a daily production of hydrogen of around 250 kg equivalent to 8350 KWh/day. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the biocontrol activity of rhizosphere isolates against late blight disease of tomatoes caused by the fungus Phytophthora infestans. A total of 30 rhizospheric bacterial isolates were evaluated for their antagonistic activity against P. infestans in vitro and in vivo. The results demonstrated that among the 30 isolates tested, six (RS65, RP6, RS47, RS46, RP2, and RS61) exhibited a highly significant inhibitory effect (p < 0.001) on the mycelial growth of P. infestans in vitro, with the inhibition rate exceeding 67%. Among the isolates, RS65 exhibited the highest inhibition rate at 78.48%. For antagonistic mechanisms, the results demonstrated that the six isolates exhibited significant enzymatic activity, including proteolytic, lipolytic, and chitinolytic activity, as well as the production of HCN, cellulase, and pectinase. Isolate RS65, which showed the highest inhibition rate, was further evaluated under greenhouse conditions. This investigation revealed significant differences in the severity of late blight between the control and the RS65 treatment. The control showed a severity level of 31.26%, whereas the RS65 treatment achieved the lowest severity of 16.54%. Molecular identification results indicated that the RS65 isolate (accession numbers PV208381) is a Bacillus genus with 99% proximity to Bacillus velezensis. This finding suggests that the Bacillus RS65 treatment could provide effective protection against P. infestans infection in tomato plants. These findings highlight the potential of Bacillus RS65 as a biocontrol agent in integrated disease management for tomato late blight. Full article

The dedieselization program is one of the PLN’s (Indonesia’s state-owned utility company) programs to reduce the greenhouse gas effect. The program manifestation is the integration of photovoltaic (PV) systems into isolated island networks by substituting diesel generators. This condition introduces challenges such as diminished system strength, specifically, decreased frequency and voltage stability. This study focuses on Panjang Island, one of the target locations for the PLN’s dedieselization program, which currently relies entirely on diesel generators for electricity. As part of the transition to a PV-based power supply, retired diesel generators are proposed for conversion into synchronous condensers (SCs) to enhance system stability by providing inertia and reactive power support. By employing system modeling, steady-state analysis, and dynamic simulations, this study evaluates the effects of SC penetration on Panjang Island. The findings demonstrate that SCs improve grid stability by offering voltage support, increasing short-circuit capacity, and contributing to system inertia. Furthermore, a system assessment flowchart is also proposed to guide SC deployment based on network characteristics. Short-circuit ratios (SCRs) and voltage drops are evaluated as key parameters to determine the feasibility of SC penetration in a system. Converting retired diesel generators into SCs provides a resilient, stable grid as renewable energy penetration increases, optimizing system performance and reducing network losses. Full article

Saudi Arabia relies heavily on fossil fuels for electricity generation, leading to significant environmental challenges, including high levels of greenhouse gas emissions. This study evaluates the environmental and financial impacts of integrating solar PV systems in public buildings, specifically mosques and schools, in the central region of Saudi Arabia. Using machine learning-based forecasting, we analyzed power consumption and solar generation patterns. The results show that the integration of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems could lead to a reduction of 1.02 million tons of CO₂ emissions annually and a 48% decrease in net present cost. These findings highlight the potential of solar PV to mitigate environmental harm while offering financial benefits in alignment with Saudi Arabia’s renewable energy objectives Full article

Large-scale renewable energy plants such as solar photovoltaic (PV) farms are vital to the global transition to a green energy economy. They reduce greenhouse gas emissions, mitigate climate change, and promote sustainable and resilient energy. However, large-scale solar PV farms need adequate planning and site selection for optimal performance. This study presents a geographic information system (GIS)-based multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework utilizing the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to identify optimal sites for utility-scale photovoltaic (PV) farms in Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria. By integrating critical environmental, technical, economic, and social factors, the model evaluates land suitability for solar energy projects across the study area. The finding indicates that 68.77% of the land is unsuitable for development, with only 17.78% classified as highly suitable and 12.67% as moderately suitable. Marginally suitable and most appropriate areas are minimal, at 0.73% and 0.04%, respectively. This study provides a replicable approach for stakeholders and policymakers aiming to implement sustainable energy solutions, aligning with national renewable energy targets. Future research could integrate dynamic factors such as community engagement, land use changes, and evolving environmental policies to enhance decision-making models. This framework offers valuable insights into renewable energy planning and contributes to advancing Nigeria’s transition to sustainable energy systems. Full article

A hybrid ship uses integrated generators, an energy storage system (ESS), and photovoltaics (PV) to match its propulsion and service loads, and together with optimal power and voyage scheduling, this can lead to a substantial improvement in ship operation cost, ensuring compliance with the environmental constraints and enhancing ship sustainability. During the operation, significant uncertainties such as waves, wind, and PV result in considerable speed loss, which may lead to voyage delays and operation cost increases. To address this issue, a distributionally robust optimization (DRO) model is proposed to schedule power generation and voyage. The problem is decoupled into a bi-level optimization model, the slave level can be solved directly by commercial solvers, the master level is further formulated as a two-stage DRO model, and linear decision rules and column and constraint generation algorithms are adopted to solve the model. The algorithm aims at minimizing the operation cost, limiting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and satisfying the technical and operational constraints considering the uncertainty. Extensive simulations demonstrate that the expected total cost under the worst-case distribution is minimized, and compared with the conventional robust optimization methods, some distribution information can be incorporated into the ambiguity sets to generate fewer conservative results. This method can fully ensure the on-time arrival of hybrid ships in various uncertain scenarios while achieving expected operation cost minimization and limiting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Full article

Photovoltaic (PV) and wind energy generation result in low greenhouse gas footprints and can supply electricity to the grid or generate hydrogen for various applications, including seasonal energy storage. Designing integrated wind–PV–electrolyzer underground hydrogen storage (UHS) projects is complex due to the interactions between components. Additionally, the capacities of PV and wind relative to the electrolyzer capacity and fluctuating electricity prices must be considered in the project design. To address these challenges, process modelling was applied using cost components and parameters from a project in Austria. The hydrogen storage part was derived from an Austrian hydrocarbon gas field considered for UHS. The results highlight the impact of the renewable energy source (RES) sizing relative to the electrolyzer capacity, the influence of different wind-to-PV ratios, and the benefits of selling electricity and hydrogen. For the case study, the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) is EUR 6.26/kg for a RES-to-electrolyzer capacity ratio of 0.88. Oversizing reduces the LCOH to 2.61 €/kg when including electricity sales revenues, or EUR 4.40/kg when excluding them. Introducing annually fluctuating electricity prices linked to RES generation results in an optimal RES-to-electrolyzer capacity ratio. The RES-to-electrolyzer capacity can be dynamically adjusted in response to market developments. UHS provides seasonal energy storage in areas with mismatches between RES production and consumption. The main cost components are compression, gas conditioning, wells, and cushion gas. For the Austrian project, the levelized cost of underground hydrogen storage (LCHS) is 0.80 €/kg, with facilities contributing EUR 0.33/kg, wells EUR 0.09/kg, cushion gas EUR 0.23/kg, and OPEX EUR 0.16/kg. Overall, the analysis demonstrates the feasibility of integrated RES–hydrogen generation-seasonal energy storage projects in regions like Austria, with systems that can be dynamically adjusted to market conditions. Full article

The deployment of renewable energy in the construction industry has emerged as a crucial topic due to the building sector’s substantial energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) offers a promising solution, replacing conventional building materials with solar energy-generating components. Moreover, retrofitting commercial buildings with BIPV and kinetic façades present an innovative approach to improve energy efficiency and enhance occupant well-being. Adaptive façades, capable of responding to varying climatic conditions, play a pivotal role in reducing energy consumption while ensuring thermal and visual comfort for occupants. By integrating solar generation and shading capabilities, BIPV kinetic façades deliver dual benefits, optimizing energy performance and reducing lifecycle costs, compared to traditional PV systems. Furthermore, effective daylighting strategies not only contribute to energy savings but also positively impact occupant productivity and comfort. Despite predominant research focusing on energy aspects, there is a notable gap in comprehensive assessments that integrate environmental, economic, and daylighting considerations. Therefore, evaluating Australian commercial buildings’ energy and daylighting performance with BIPV kinetic façades provides valuable insights for advancing sustainable building designs and operations in the region. The implementation of kinetic BIPV façades in Melbourne reduced energy consumption by 18% and covered 26% of energy demand, achieving the target daylighting levels. Full article

This study explores the integration of photovoltaic (PV) shading devices and vertical farming (VF) in school buildings to optimize indoor daylight, thermal comfort, and energy performance across three different climate regions in China: Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. With rapid urbanization and increasing energy consumption in educational buildings, this research investigates the impact of innovative facade design on both energy efficiency and occupant comfort. Through parametric simulations and multi-objective optimization, various PV and VF facade prototypes were evaluated to determine the best configurations for reducing energy consumption while enhancing thermal and visual comfort. This study optimized facade systems integrating photovoltaic and vertical farming for school buildings in Shenzhen, Beijing, and Shanghai. Key findings include: In Shenzhen, Model B’s UDI increased by 5.1% and Model C by 19.02%, with glare areas reduced by 5.4% and 21.40% and stable thermal comfort (PMV 0.52–0.59) throughout the year. In Beijing, Model B’s UDI decreased by 0.2%, while Model C increased by 6.55%. Glare areas reduced by 2.92% and 14.35%, with improved winter comfort (PMV −0.35 to −0.1). In Shanghai, Model C’s UDI increased by 6.7%, but summer thermal discomfort was notable (PMV up to 1.2). The study finds that PV shading systems combined with vertical farming can provide significant energy savings, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and offer organic vegetable production within school environments. The findings suggest that integrating these systems into the building envelope can optimize the energy performance of school buildings while improving the comfort and well-being of students and staff. Full article

As more companies strive for net-zero emissions, mitigating indirect greenhouse gas emissions embedded in value chains—especially in logistics activities—has become a critical priority. In the European logistics sector, sustainability and energy efficiency are receiving growing attention, given the sector’s intersectional role in both transportation and construction. This transition toward low-carbon logistics design not only reduces carbon emissions but also yields financial benefits, including operational cost savings and new market opportunities. This study examines the impact of passive design strategies and low-carbon technologies in a Swedish logistics center, assessed using the low-carbon design criteria from the BREEAM International standard, version 6. The findings show that passive energy-efficient measures, such as the installation of 47 skylights for natural daylighting, reduced light power density in accordance with AHSHARE 90.1-2019 and the integration of free night flushing, contribute to a 23% reduction in total energy consumption. In addition, the integration of 600 PV panels and 480 batteries with a capacity of 268 ampere-hours and 13.5 kWh storage, operating at 50 volts, delivers a further 56% reduction in carbon emissions. By optimizing the interaction between passive design and active low-carbon technologies, this research presents a comprehensive feasibility analysis that promotes sustainable logistics practices while ensuring a future-proof, low-carbon operational model. Full article