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The global energy transition is an uneven process, fundamentally related to the level of economic development of countries and their access to energy resources (renewable and non-renewable) to a large extent. The global climate is interconnected, and all nations impact it through their products and services. The six countries discussed—China, Brazil, Germany, Japan, Russia, and India—account for 44.8% of global primary energy consumption and 49% of global CO2 emissions. Each of them has its own strategy for achieving carbon neutrality, based on different decarbonization scenarios, which, according to the authors, depend on geopolitical factors, national economy characteristics, and the established pragmatic goals and objectives. However, the "green agenda" itself may not always be among the top priorities when formulating energy strategies. The study objective is to analyze the feasibility of the stated goals in these countries using a combined logistic curve-based forecasting tool for predicting solar and wind production as well as investment volumes. It aims to justify the relation between solar and wind energy production and investment policies using a calculated technological coefficient. Results show similar, but time-shifted fluctuating investment dynamics in solar and wind energy trends in Japan, Germany and China, with Germany and Japan outperforming investment forecasts when considering the technology efficiency coefficient. Furthermore, the findings highlight the overwhelming appreciation of the unevenness of the green transition process, which will consequently make it impossible to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement until 2050. Taking these factors into consideration, exploratory decarbonization scenarios for these six major world economies alongside two dimensions, namely, the pace of green transition versus green technology and versus resources, are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The popularity of nuclear power as a high-availability energy source is increasing in countries that currently rely on coal-based energy. The growing use of renewable energy sources emphasizes the need for greater energy supply security and grid stability. However, nuclear reactors remain the most expensive commercially available power-generation technology, which limits investment in this field. This paper explores the feasibility of investing in Coal-to-Nuclear conversion at selected coal-fired power plant sites in Poland. By converting coal-fired infrastructure, it is possible to reduce the financial cost of constructing a nuclear power plant. The study included an analysis of hydrological conditions from 2010 to 2023 at selected locations, which determined the potential for siting high-power nuclear reactors. An analytical model was used to calculate the required water intake for cooling, and the results were compared with actual river flow measurements. The findings suggested that constructing an inland nuclear power plant in Poland is feasible while complying with legal standards regarding maximum cooling water temperature. The assessment of the four sites allowed appropriate recommendations to be made concerning further research into the implementation of Generation III reactors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: This review subscribes to the MiDiNA project as a part of the European Union-African Union partnership for renewable energy, 'LEAP-RE'. This review will shed light on the energy transition in North African countries and the resilient controls for improving power availability in microgrids. It seeks to draw attention to the advantages and drawbacks of each type of control as well as discuss the specifications for resilient controls that are necessary for microgrids in the North African environment. The ambition of making North Africa a hub for renewable energies and green hydrogen has prompted local governments and the private sector to work together towards boosting the growth of locally available, sustainable energy resources. Numerous climate and energy challenges can be addressed by microgrid technologies, which enable cost-effective incorporation of renewable energy resources and energy storage systems through smart management and control infrastructures. This paper discusses the ongoing energy transition in the countries of North Africa, highlighting the potential for renewable energy sources as well as regional obstacles and challenges. Additionally, it explores how robust and stable controls and advanced management strategies can improve microgrids' performances. Special attention is given to assessing the advantages and disadvantages of conventional and advanced controllers, with an emphasis on resilience needed within the harsh North African environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the share of variable renewables in the power system generation mix increases, meeting capacity requirements becomes challenging. In this context, hydropower reservoirs can play a vital role in integrating renewable energy due to their storage potential, contributing to meeting power supply criteria. However, given that reservoirs serve multiple purposes, various constraints can limit their capacity potential. This article introduces an analytical methodology that is designed to evaluate the maximum available power of hydro plants in critical scenarios. By applying concepts related to hydropower production calculations for the peak power demand and metrics evaluating the compliance with supply criteria, this study distinguishes itself from region-specific investigations. It conducts a generalized analysis of power availability across all regions of Brazil, with a focus on identifying the reasons for the most significant power losses and their specific locations. The results of this analysis demonstrate the feasibility of enhancing the available power of reservoirs, effectively addressing demand fluctuations, and sustainably improving energy security. This is particularly crucial in countries that are heavily reliant on renewables, including hydropower, for a huge portion of their electricity. The findings underscore the feasibility of increasing the penetration of variable renewable generation by optimizing the operation of existing hydropower plants. This optimization not only enhances energy security but also contributes to a more resilient and sustainable future, benefiting policy makers, energy planners, and stakeholders in the field of hydropower with reservoirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Positive Energy Districts can be defined as connected urban areas, or energy-efficient and flexible buildings, which emit zero greenhouse gases and manage surpluses of renewable energy production. Energy storage is crucial for providing flexibility and supporting renewable energy integration into the energy system. It can balance centralized and distributed energy generation, while contributing to energy security. Energy storage can respond to supplement demand, provide flexible generation, and complement grid development. Photovoltaics and wind turbines together with solar thermal systems and biomass are widely used to generate electricity and heating, respectively, coupled with energy system storage facilities for electricity (i.e., batteries) or heat storage using latent or sensible heat. Energy storage technologies are crucial in modern grids and able to avoid peak charges by ensuring the reliability and efficiency of energy supply, while supporting a growing transition to nondepletable power sources. This work aims to broaden the scientific and practical understanding of energy storage in urban areas in order to explore the flexibility potential in adopting feasible solutions at district scale where exploiting the space and resource-saving systems. The main objective is to present and critically discuss the available options for energy storage that can be used in urban areas to collect and distribute stored energy. The concerns regarding the installation and use of Energy Storage Systems are analyzed by referring to regulations, and technical and environmental requirements, as part of broader distribution systems, or as separate parts. Electricity, heat energy, and hydrogen are the most favorable types of storage. However, most of them need new regulations, technological improvement, and dissemination of knowledge to all people with the aim of better understanding the benefits provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is no doubt that the transition towards renewable energies is generating many changes on different continents, some with greater impacts than others, but the development that has occurred is recognized and widely accepted. The progress has been significant but it is necessary to analyze the roadmaps that have been proposed so far at the island level so that decision makers have sufficient tools to commit the much-needed economic resources to transform their energy systems into 100% renewable ones. These approaches are not simple and the hard work of the authors who have disseminated their research is recognized. The roadmaps are planned based on the energy potential available in the territories and the future energy demand. Within countries, it is important to increase the economic resources to allocate to investments in environmentally friendly renewable energies. In this review of 100% renewable smart systems on islands, the situation of the American continent, its challenges and its long-term approaches in the different geographical areas facing 2050 are analyzed. This article shows that research into the design of 100% renewable energy systems in scientific articles is fairly new but has gained more and more attention in recent years. In total, 175 articles published since 2002 were identified and analyzed. Many of these articles have a predominant focus on the electricity sector. As a general result, it has been determined that although there has been significant progress towards an orderly energy transition, this has not been consistent with the international agreements signed since the Paris Summit, which is a real challenge in complying with the new commitment of the COP28 of Dubai in tripling the participation of renewables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of hydrogen-based dense energy carriers (DECs) has been proposed as a combined solution for the storage and dispatch of power generated through intermittent renewables. Frameworks that model and optimize the production, storage, and dispatch of generated energy are important for data-driven decision making in the energy systems space. The proposed multiperiod framework considers the evolution of technology costs under different levels of promotion through research and targeted policies, using the year 2021 as a baseline. Furthermore, carbon credits are included as proposed by the 45Q tax amendment for the capture, sequestration, and utilization of carbon. The implementation of the mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) framework is illustrated through computational case studies to meet set hydrogen demands. The trade-offs between different technology pathways and contributions to system expenditure are elucidated, and promising configurations and technology niches are identified. It is found that while carbon credits can subsidize carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration (CCUS) pathways, substantial reductions in the cost of novel processes are needed to compete with extant technology pathways. Further, research and policy push can reduce the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) by upwards of 2 USD/kg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantifying the co-benefits of renewable energy investments can aid policymakers in identifying technologies capable of generating significant social, economic, and environmental benefits to effectively offset mitigation costs. Although there has been a growing body of work evaluating co-benefits, few studies have compared the potential co-benefits of several technologies across different regions in key countries. This study fills this gap by formulating a new modeling structure to assess the environmental–health–economic co-benefits of hybrid renewable energy systems (HRESs) in different parts of Indonesia. The proposed model is unique in that it incorporates various techno-economic activities to assess air quality, health, and economic benefits and then presents results as part of a cost–benefit analysis. From the intervention scenario, the modeling results show that installing 0.5 GW grid-connected solar PV, 100 MW of wind turbines, and a 100 MW biomass generator to cover a total of 1.64 million residential load units in the Bali province can avoid GHGs, PM2.5, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and provide health savings of 1.73 Mt/y, 289.02 t/y, 1648, and 6.16 million USD/y, respectively. In addition, it shows that the payback period is enhanced by one year, while the net present value is increased by 28%. In Jakarta, a 3 GW solar PV plant and a 100 MW biomass generator that supply 5.8 million residential load units can deliver 32,490 averted DALYs and 652.81 million USD/y of health care savings. Nationally, the contribution of renewable energy to the electricity supply mix could grow from the 2020 baseline of 18.85% to 26.93%, reducing dependence on oil and coal contribution by 5.32%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy transformation in Poland, including the need to accelerate the shift away from hard coal and lignite in the power system, has been taking place in the face of the energy crisis. Ambitious climate and economic goals force the development of renewable energy sources, but they require legislative changes for the benefit of socially vulnerable consumers. This is important from the point of view of counteracting energy poverty. Energy transformation is not only a change in the fuel used, but most of all, the path and basis of low-carbon development that changes many socio-economic systems. The aim of this study is to link the development and environmental challenges in the studied subject matter with social challenges. The analyses show that it is necessary to strengthen the use of local energy potential and resources, and to activate local communities. The construction of nuclear power plants is also crucial. The results of the presented theoretical and empirical studies can be the basis for a revision of the energy policy in Poland in the area of the social dimension of the energy sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective is to propose a calculation method for assessing the benefits of individual domestic prosumers in self-consumption and economic savings when managing their own energy resources. The paper applies the demand-side management concept in the residential sector from the individual domestic perspective so that customers can understand the value of their own sustainable energy resources, conducting self-generation and demand management. The novelty lies in allowing the prosumer to manage their own energy resources to their benefit at a reasonable cost, instead of participating in automated large residential demand-side-management programmes that respond to the means of the grid system operator or other energy service companies, such as aggregators. A methodology for calculating the self-consumption rate and the economic benefit for the consumer is proposed, including three different cases: consumer demand is higher than self-generation, and consumer demand is equal to self-generation, and consumer demand is lower than self-generation. The methodology is validated with actual data from a household in Valencia (Spain) during a complete year, obtaining an average reduction in the annual electricity bill of 70% and a demand coverage with the self-renewable system reaching values of 80% throughout the year. The significance of this methodology goes beyond the economic revenue of the individual consumer; it also aims to guide consumers towards efficient practices in the use of their available energy resources and raise awareness on their energy behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]