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To achieve green and low-carbon development in the logistics industry, logistics operators are promoting the electrification of logistics fleets, which imposes requirements for well-developed charging facilities and integrated renewable energy sources. Due to the specific characteristics of logistics activities, which are different from those of normal vehicles, the infrastructure planning for logistics delivery needs to be considered in coordination with the logistics system's operation. The coupling of planning and operation poses challenges for decision-making. This paper presents a planning–operation coupling optimization framework for low-carbon logistics delivery. The planning level optimizes the location and capacity of charging facilities, photovoltaic (PV), and energy storage systems (ESSs) based on the idea of charging demand matching. The operation level uses deep reinforcement learning (DRL) to simulate the logistics fleet's action patterns, optimize routes and charging behaviors, and extract charging demands. Benefiting from the advantages of DRL, planning and operation can interact well through charging demands, mutual coupling, and iterative adjustment. Numerical experiments based on real-world data show that the proposed framework effectively reduces charging costs and carbon emissions and also provides a benchmark for the cost evaluation of carbon reduction in logistics delivery activities. • A joint planning–operation framework suits the properties of logistics delivery. • The infrastructure planning model adopts the idea of charging demand matching. • DRL is used to extract charging demands and interact with the planning model. • Numerical experiments with real-world city data validate the method's effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The main aim of this paper is to review of the current state of energy systems in the Western Balkans countries. The paper gives a review of the individual parameters relating to energy development, defines the current state of the achieved level of sustainable energy development as a whole and defines possible strategic directions for energy development in the region. The paper also examines the possibility for implementation of the adopted EU target of 20% RES energy production. The main characteristics in the region are high energy consumption, high values of carbon emission, fossil fuels import dependency, constant production and electric energy supply, and high potential but minimal RES energy production. Further development of regulation framework and market liberalization is are basic preconditions of demanding energy reform in all countries. Increasing energy the second energy development priority. The third long term strategic goal is increasing the amount of the energy obtained from hydro and transition to clean coal technologies. Intensifying RES production is currently the fourth strategic priority. The analysis shows that production of energy from wind is priority for the region, but currently it is constrained by too great investment requirements for developing countries. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Renewable energy resources are currently being deployed on a large scale to meet the requirements of increased energy demand, mitigate the environmental pollutants, and achieve socio-economic benefits for sustainable development. The integration of such distributed energy sources into utility grid paves the way for microgrids. The microgrid concept is introduced to have a self-sustained system consisting of distributed energy resources that can operate in an islanded mode during grid failures. In microgrid, an energy management system is essential for optimal use of these distributed energy resources in intelligent, secure, reliable, and coordinated ways. Therefore, this review paper presents a comparative and critical analysis on decision making strategies and their solution methods for microgrid energy management systems. To manage the volatility and intermittency of renewable energy resources and load demand, various uncertainty quantification methods are summarized. A comparative analysis on communication technologies is also discussed for cost-effective implementation of microgrid energy management systems. Finally, insights into future directions and real world applications are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy sectors of all the countries around the world are faced with a big challenge: the energy transition under the imperative of continuous reduction of carbon dioxide emissions. The energy transition and the sustainability constraints pose a significant challenge for engineers, researcher and scientists developing new and clean energy-efficient technologies. Energy production and transformations, along with its storage, distribution and consumption, are achieved by utilising new and clean energy technologies, with the goal of the continuous increase of energy efficiency, the growth of renewable energy sources utilisation, the uninterrupted switch from fossil fuels to alternative energy sources, and the continued reduction of CO2 emissions. This editorial paper addresses the latest progress and the findings in research and developments in the sustainable energy technologies, energy and environment systems from selected papers of the conference on Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems held in 2019. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A metaheuristic-based model is proposed to optimally size a hydrogen-based microgrid. • The microgrid system is equipped with an innovative hydrogen refuelling station. • The performances of eight metaheuristics are studied in terms of accuracy and speed. • The moth-flame optimizer is found to outperform the popular algorithms in this area. • The system's levelized costs of electricity and hydrogen are $0.09/kWh and $4.61/kg. There has been growing interest in the development of sustainable energy systems using the potential of renewable energy sources. However, due to the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources, they must be accompanied by appropriate storage devices to be optimally integrated into so-called smart micro-grid systems. The optimal design problem of sustainable micro-grids is associated with several nonlinearities and non-convexities, and therefore is not amenable to exact methods of optimization. Accordingly, this paper proposes a metaheuristic-based approach for optimizing the size and typology of the components of an off-grid hydrogen-based micro-grid, backed up with super-capacitors and stationary fuel cell systems, in the presence of a hydrogen refuelling station. The paper also compares the performance of six recent metaheuristics. The simulations are carried out for the climatic conditions of the Feilding area, New Zealand using MATLAB. Based on the comparative results, the moth-flame optimization algorithm is found to result in a significant reduction in the total net present cost of the system in comparison with other investigated algorithms. Notably, it outperforms the genetic algorithm and the particle swarm optimization in terms of solution quality by ~2.1% and ~3.2% (equating to cost savings of $123,910 and $188,129 from the target system). The results also demonstrate both the technical feasibility and cost-effectiveness of the proposed stand-alone micro-grid architecture. Particularly, the levelized costs of electricity and hydrogen of the conceptualized system are found to be $0.09/kWh and $4.61/kg, respectively, which are well below the current tariffs in New Zealand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small Hydro Power (SHP) is one of the most important renewable energy generation sources. It is a cost-effective technology that is being used for rural electrification in the developing countries including India. The Indian government is providing attractive initiatives to the private investors to promote faster development of SHP. Until now, a lot has been written about assessment, potential, advantages and the technical aspects of the SHP plants. However, the important business sustainability perspective has not been yet subjected to empirical analysis. Sustainable development involves three interconnected dimensions: social, economic and environmental sustainability. This paper attempts to investigate whether SHP business in India is a sustainable business. The study is based on the analysis of qualitative data acquired through 28 in-depth interviews with various actors that are connected to the SHP industry in India which include Independent Power Producers (IPPs), manufacturers, designers, consultants and representatives of various government organizations. The empirical material was collected in four states of India namely New Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in February, 2013. The data was acquired by individual in-depth interviews, group discussions and direct observation of one SHP plant. The results show that all the three dimensions of sustainability are being realized to a certain extent. However, utmost efforts have to be undertaken in order to call this sector completely sustainable. Both benefits and challenges in all these dimensions are highlighted and recommendations towards a sustainable SHP sector are provided. Further, this study also proposes suggestions for the interested investors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green hydrogen is viewed as a promising energy carrier for sustainable development goals. However, it has suffered from high costs hindering its implementation. For a stakeholder who considers both renewable energy and electrolysis units, it is important to exploit the flexibility of such portfolios to maximize system operational revenues. To this end, an electrolyser model that can characterize its dynamic behavior is required in both electric and thermal aspects. In this paper, we develop a comprehensive alkaline electrolyser model that is capable of describing its hydrogen production properties, temperature variations and state transitions (among production, stand-by and off states). This model is further used to study the optimal dispatch of an electrolyser based on a real-world hybrid wind/electrolyser system. The results show the model can effectively capture the coupling between thermal–electric dynamics and on–off performance of an electrolyser. The flexible operation strategy based on this model is proven to significantly increase daily revenues under different spot price conditions for electricity. Comparing the model with the ones derived from conventional modeling methods reveals this model offers more operating details and highlights several operational features, such as the preference for working at partial load conditions, although at the expense of more computing resources. It is suggested to use this model in studies related to energy integration, operation planning and control scheme development, in which the multi-domain dynamic properties of electrolysers in electricity/gas/heat need to be properly characterized. A sensitivity analysis on key parameters of such electrolyser system is also introduced to connect the daily operation with long-term planning. • Comprehensive insights of the dynamic nature of electrolysers in operation planning. • Verification in a case study based on real-world application for both operational planning and design analysis. • Comparative analysis with state-of-the-art modeling methods. • Potential application for detailed control and operation studies of electrolysers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]