Search Results (7,561)

The design of battery modules for Electric Vehicles (EVs) and stationary Energy Storage Systems (ESSs) plays a pivotal role in advancing sustainable energy technologies. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of the critical considerations in battery module design, including system requirements, cell selection, mechanical integration, thermal management, and safety components such as the Battery Disconnect Unit (BDU) and Battery Management System (BMS). We discuss the distinct demands of EV and ESS applications, highlighting trade-offs in cell chemistry, form factor, and architectural configurations to optimize performance, safety, and cost. Integrating advanced cooling strategies and robust electrical connections ensures thermal stability and operational reliability. Additionally, the paper describes a prototype battery module, a BDU, and the hardware and software architectures of a prototype BMS designed for a Hardware/Model-in-the-Loop framework for the real-time monitoring, protection, and control of battery packs. This work aims to provide a detailed framework and practical insights to support the development of high-performance, safe, and scalable battery systems essential for transportation electrification and grid energy storage. Full article

Photo-responsive microencapsulated phase-change materials (MEPCMs) are attracting growing interest for their significant potential in solar energy applications and advanced intelligent thermal management systems, owing to their exceptional capacity for thermal energy storage, efficiency for photothermal conversion, and capability for multifunctional integration. This review provides a systematic summary of the advancements in photo-responsive MEPCMs containing photothermal, photocatalytic, and luminescent materials in the past five years, highlighting their potential in energy conversion, pollutant degradation, and intelligent sensing applications. Moreover, perspectives for future research are provided to enhance the practical application of photo-responsive MEPCMs. Full article

Integrated Energy Systems (IESs), which leverage the synergistic coordination of electricity, heat, and gas networks, serve as crucial enablers for a low-carbon transition. Current research predominantly treats energy storage as a subordinate resource in dispatch schemes, failing to simultaneously optimise IES economic efficiency and storage operators’ profit maximisation, thereby overlooking their potential value as independent market entities. To address these limitations, this study establishes an operator-autonomous management framework incorporating electrical, thermal, and hydrogen storage in IESs. We propose a joint optimal dispatch model for hybrid energy storage systems in low-carbon IES operation. The upper-level model minimises total system operation costs for IES operators, while the lower-level model maximises net profits for independent storage operators managing various storage assets. These two levels are interconnected through power, price, and carbon signals. The effectiveness of the proposed model is verified by setting up multiple scenarios, for example analysis. Full article

Traditional symmetric voltage multiplier-based structures offer low current stress and high scalability. However, the equalization current flowing into each energy storage cell must overcome four diode voltage drops per switching cycle, significantly degrading energy transfer efficiency. A compact integrated equalizer based on multi-stacked buck-boost converters for large-scale energy storage systems is proposed. By replacing diodes with inductors, the design achieves high-efficiency cell balancing even at low cell voltages. The integrated design leverages the boost circuit’s inherent current ripple for driving the balancing system, eliminating extra switches and minimizing size and cost. Additionally, it provides independent balancing channels for each cell, eliminating equalization current superposition. This reduces cell current stress while enabling large-scale system balancing. Experimental validation on an eight-cell setup demonstrated successful balancing with 87.5% system efficiency. Full article

The transformation of transport towards solutions based on renewable energy sources (RES) and energy storage systems represents a response to global climate and regulatory challenges. The integration of electric vehicles with charging infrastructure and the power grid reduces emissions and enhances system flexibility; however, it simultaneously introduces new areas of risk and should therefore be subject to significance assessment. This study applies an integrated methodology for assessing the significance of changes, combining FMEA-based analysis with risk registers and sustainability indicators (six criteria). The transport system and associated storage infrastructure were compared before and after the implementation of RES, considering criteria such as the effects of system failure, complexity, innovation, monitoring, reversibility, and additionality. The results indicate that traditional risks associated with fossil fuels (e.g., exhaust emissions, pipeline failures) are eliminated, but new risks emerge. The highest increases in Risk Priority Numbers (RPN) were observed for cyber threats, charging infrastructure overloads, and the cyclic degradation of energy storage systems. Environmental and organizational risks also intensified, including those related to battery recycling as well as the lack of regulatory frameworks and procedures. The integration of transport with RES and energy storage should be regarded as a significant change. In addition to environmental and energy benefits, it introduces new, complex risk areas that require in-depth risk analysis, the implementation of monitoring systems, and adequate regulatory and preventive measures. At the same time, the proposed methodology enables the identification of changes critical to power system stability, the improvement of energy efficiency, and the advancement of the transition towards climate neutrality. Full article

The large-scale adoption of renewable energy sources, while environmentally beneficial, introduces significant frequency fluctuations due to the inherent variability of wind and solar output. Electric vehicle (EV) integration with substantial battery storage and bidirectional charging capabilities offers potential mitigation for these fluctuations. This study addresses load frequency regulation in multi-area interconnected power systems incorporating diverse generation resources: renewables (solar/wind), conventional plants (thermal/gas/hydro), and EV units. A hybrid controller combining the proportional–integral–derivative with second derivative (PIDD²) and tilted derivative (TD) structures is proposed, with parameters tuned using an innovative optimization method called the Tianji’s Horse Racing Optimization (THRO) technique. The THRO-optimized PIDD²-TD controller is evaluated under realistic conditions including system nonlinearities (generation rate constraints and governor deadband). Performance is benchmarked against various combination structures discussed in earlier research, such as PID-TID and PIDD²-PD. THRO’s superiority in optimization has also been proven against several recently published optimization approaches, such as the Dhole Optimization Algorithm (DOA) and Water Uptake and Transport in Plants (WUTPs). The simulation results show that the proposed controller delivers markedly better dynamic performance across load disturbances, system uncertainties, operational constraints, and high-renewable-penetration scenarios. The THRO-based PIDD²-TD controller achieves optimal overshoot, undershoot, and settling time metrics, reducing overshoot by 76%, undershoot by 34%, and settling time by 26% relative to other controllers, highlighting its robustness and effectiveness for modern hybrid grids. Full article

To address wind power fluctuations causing curtailment and high costs, this study proposes an integrated method combining wind power forecasting with substation optimization. An enhanced Bidirectional Gated Recurrent Unit (BiGRU) model is developed by incorporating chaotic features (maximum Lyapunov exponent) and sliding-window statistical features (mean, standard deviation), significantly improving short-term prediction accuracy. Based on these high-precision forecasts, a dynamic transformer switching optimization model is established to maximize the wind farm’s net profit. This model finely balances power generation revenue, wind curtailment penalties, and transformer losses (no-load and load) at a 15 min timescale. Experimental results from a wind farm in Xinjiang demonstrate that the proposed method effectively enhances the economic efficiency of wind farm operations. The study provides a valuable framework for optimizing energy storage configuration and improving profitability by leveraging accurate forecasting. Full article

Background: Exposure to heat is a growing health concern in the context of climate change. Older adults (people aged 600 years or older) are particularly vulnerable due to age-related physiological changes that compromise thermoregulation. Objective: To systematically review the evidence on thermoregulatory alterations in older adults exposed to heat and their association with adverse clinical outcomes. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Scopus. Twenty-four original studies met the inclusion criteria, including experimental studies in controlled environments and epidemiological studies on heat-related outcomes. Data on study characteristics, thermophysiological responses, clinical outcomes, and methodological quality (assessed with JBI tools) were extracted and synthesized. Results: Experimental studies showed that older adults exhibit reduced sweating and cutaneous vasodilation, attenuated cardiovascular and autonomic adjustments, impaired hydration status, and altered thermal perception. These limitations resulted in greater heat storage, faster increases in core temperature, and a higher risk of dehydration and fatigue compared with younger adults. Epidemiological evidence confirmed a significant association between high ambient temperatures and increased hospitalizations and mortality among older populations, particularly at advanced ages, in women, and in those with comorbidities or socioeconomic vulnerability. Conclusions: Heat exposure and climatic conditions—particularly high ambient temperatures, humidity, and poor air quality—reduce thermoregulatory efficiency and increase risks of dehydration, cardiovascular strain, and mortality in older adults. Integrated public health actions addressing both environmental and physiological factors are essential for preventing heat-related illness among older adults. Full article

Table grapes suffer significant losses due to issues such as fungal infections, cracking, and berry shattering, which affect them both in the vineyard during ripening and throughout postharvest storage. Current control methods, such as sulfur dioxide (SO₂) treatments, are increasingly constrained by potential fruit damage and regulatory limitations, prompting a search for sustainable alternatives. This comprehensive review synthesizes the current scientific understanding and recent studies regarding calcium dynamics and proposes sorbitol as an innovative preharvest solution to enhance table grape quality through improved calcium (Ca) transport. Ca is a vital macronutrient for cell wall integrity and fruit resistance; however, its inherent low mobility in the phloem restricts its effective delivery to developing fruits, particularly after the veraison stage. This review thoroughly discusses the mechanistic hypotheses by which sorbitol, a naturally occurring sugar-alcohol, acts as a “vector” by forming stable, soluble complexes with Ca, thereby facilitating its crucial translocation to fruit tissues. Preharvest foliar applications of these calcium-sorbitol complexes have demonstrated numerous benefits, improving fruit firmness, reducing the incidence of cracking and shattering, mitigating fungal decay, and boosting antioxidant activity. These effects collectively enhance overall fruit quality and extend storability. Finally, we outline future directions for investigation, aiming to further clarify the molecular mechanisms involved and explore the potential of sorbitol to form complexes with other poorly mobile nutrients and plant elicitors, opening new avenues for sustainable crop management. Full article

Spain’s accelerating renewable deployment has exposed growing challenges of intermittency, market volatility, and system stability, underscoring the urgency of energy storage integration. This paper examines the economic and regulatory viability of lithium-ion battery storage when hybridized with photovoltaic and run-of-river hydro generation. By analyzing captured price trends, intraday spreads, and feedback effects on market dynamics, we assess how battery storage enhances revenue certainty and system resilience. Results indicate that stand-alone arbitrage is insufficient under current conditions, whereas PV–BESS hybridization emerges as the most viable near-term pathway. Additional revenues from capacity mechanisms and ancillary services are identified as critical to ensure long-term investment feasibility. The April 2025 blackout highlighted Spain’s systemic vulnerability and reinforced the strategic importance of storage deployment. Our findings demonstrate that the success of the Spanish energy transition depends not only on continued cost reductions in battery technology but also on coherent regulatory design and infrastructure planning to secure large-scale integration. Full article

Gansu Province, as a core region for the development of renewables in China, has significant research value in the synergistic pathway of its power supply–demand structure and pollution and carbon emission reduction goals. This study focuses on the pollution and carbon reduction challenges faced by Gansu Province and the current situation of power supply and demand. Based on scenario-setting methods, it couples the GCAM-China model with the DPEC model to construct a pathway for pollution reduction and carbon emission reduction in Gansu’s power system and predicts the future change in pollution and carbon emission reduction. It provides important support for the sustainable development of Gansu Province. Research indicates that by significantly increasing the share of renewable energy in the short term (2025–2040)—with installed capacity growing by 1–2 times and electricity generation reaching 148.6 billion kWh—the power sector can achieve carbon neutrality and near-zero pollution emissions by 2060. And the provincial carbon emissions will be 92.8% lower than in 2020, SO₂ emissions will be 93.9% lower, and NO_x emissions will be 92.3% lower, thus the synergistic benefits of pollution reduction and carbon reduction will be significantly enhanced. Additionally, the lower costs of production, energy dispatch, and renewable energy storage will increase industrial electrification rates by about 40% between 2020 and 2040. Gansu Province should vigorously promote the transformation of its energy structure while improving the flexibility of the power system to facilitate the integration and absorption of renewable energy. Promoting the development of clean and low-carbon technologies from both supply and demand sides, facilitating the substitution of traditional fossil fuels, and providing clean, reliable, and economical power assurance for the sustainable development of Gansu Province. Full article

Driven by the growing availability of funding opportunities, electrolyzers have become increasingly accessible, unlocking significant potential for large-scale green hydrogen production. The goal of this investigation is to develop a techno-economic optimization framework for the design of a stand-alone photovoltaic (PV)-driven hydrogen production and refueling station, with the explicit objective of minimizing the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH). The system integrates PV generation, a proton-exchange-membrane electrolyzer, battery energy storage, compression, and high-pressure hydrogen storage to meet the daily demand of a fleet of fuel cell buses. Results show that the optimal configuration achieves an LCOH of 11 €/kg when only fleet demand is considered, whereas if surplus hydrogen sales are accounted for, the LCOH reduces to 7.98 €/kg. The analysis highlights that more than 75% of total investment costs are attributable to PV and electrolysis, underscoring the importance of capital incentives. Financial modeling indicates that a subsidy of about 58.4% of initial CAPEX is required to ensure a 10% internal rate of return under EU market conditions. The proposed methodology provides a reproducible decision-support tool for optimizing off-grid hydrogen refueling infrastructure and assessing policy instruments to accelerate hydrogen adoption in heavy-duty transport. Full article

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are novel porous crystalline materials formed through the self-assembly of metal ions and organic ligands. They have various advantages, including tunable chemical and electronic structures, high porosity, and large specific surface areas. Owing to their unique structural and physicochemical properties, MOFs have been widely applied in the fields of catalysis, supercapacitors, sensors, and drug recognition/delivery. However, the intrinsic poor stability and low electrical conductivity of conventional MOFs severely hinder their practical implementation. Graphdiyne (GDY), a unique carbon allotrope, features a new structure composed of both sp²- and sp-hybridized carbon atoms. Its distinct chemical and electronic configuration endow it with exceptional properties such as natural bandgap, uniform in-plane cavities, and excellent electronic conductivity. Integrating MOFs with GDY can effectively overcome the intrinsic limitations of MOFs and expand their potential applications. As emerging hybrid materials, MOF/GDY composites and their derivatives have attracted increasing attention in recent years. This article reviews recent advances in the synthesis strategies of MOF/GDY composites and their derivatives, along with their performance and applications in catalysis, energy storage, and biological sensors. It also discusses the future opportunities and challenges faced in the development of these promising composite materials, aiming to inspire interest and provide scientific guidance. Full article

Pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.) is a globally important vegetable crop whose fruit glossiness serves as a key quality trait influencing consumer preference and market value. This review summarizes the measurement methods, influencing factors, and molecular regulatory mechanisms of pepper fruit surface glossiness, as well as the correlation between post-harvest changes in carotenoid content and fruit surface glossiness, aiming to provide references for the molecular breeding of high-gloss pepper cultivars. Pepper fruit glossiness is primarily determined by cuticle structure and composition. The content and arrangement of cuticular crystals significantly affect the specular reflection and diffuse reflection on the fruit surface. The ordered arrangement of long-chain alkanes enhances the anisotropy of specular highlights, reduces the contrast of diffuse reflection, and forms a high-gloss surface. In contrast, the imbalance of wax components or disordered accumulation of crystals leads to increased light scattering, resulting in a matte phenotype. Furthermore, carotenoid content strongly correlates with L*, a*, and b*, critically influencing fruit color intensity and hue. Currently, there are still several issues in the research on pepper glossiness, including the lack of standardized measurement methods, unclear gene regulatory networks, and unknown pathways related to post-harvest gloss maintenance and environmental responses. In the future, we should promote the combination of multiple technologies to establish unified measurement standards; integrate multi-omics to identify key genes; develop targeted preservation technologies based on the law of fruit gloss degradation; and breed pepper cultivars with high glossiness and good storage performance. Full article

Cement bond evaluation helps check wellbore integrity and zonal isolation in carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) projects. This overview describes various cement bond evaluation methods, focusing on acoustic logging and ultrasonic imaging tools supplemented by emerging data-driven interpretation techniques. Their advantages, limitations, and recent advancements are described with illustrative example on ultrasonic-image-based machine learning classifier that detect microannulus. Key research gaps remain in field-scale validation of long-term cement behaviour and in establishing comprehensive 3-D bond-strength benchmarks. To address these gaps, this review recommends (i) creating an open, standardised ML dataset for CCUS well logs, (ii) adopting best-practice pressure-monitoring protocols during and after injection, and (iii) integrating ML analytics with advanced modelling while exploring alternative binder systems. The next step is to test these ML models on real CO₂-storage well data, paving the way toward more reliable cement-bond integrity assessments in future CCUS projects. Full article