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This paper demonstrates the application of hybrid energy system (HES) that comprises of photovoltaic (PV) array, battery storage system (BSS) and stand-by diesel generator (DGen) to mitigate the problem of load shedding. The main work involves techno-economic modelling to optimize the size of HES such that the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) is minimized. The particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is used to determine the optimum size of the components (PV, BSS). Simulations are performed in MATLAB using real dataset of irradiance, temperature and load shedding schedule of the small residential community situated in the city of Quetta, Pakistan. The LCOE for the HES system under study is 8.32 cents/kWh—which is lower than the conventional load shedding solution, namely the uninterruptable power supply (UPS) (13.06 cents/kWh) and diesel and generator system (29.19 cents/kWh). In fact, the LCOE of the HRES is lower than the grid electricity price of Pakistan (9.3 cents/kWh). Besides that, the HES alleviates the grid burden by 47.9% and 13.1% compared to the solution using the UPS and generator, respectively. The outcomes of the study suggests that HES is able to improve reliability and availability of electric power for regions that is affected by the load shedding issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electric power shortfalls driven by inadequate generation, electrification, and lack of clarity on the planning side have worsened Pakistan's power crises that deformed economic growth. This study focuses on the estimation of the electricity supply and demand in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) perspective and on the main reasons that motivate a transition to green resources. This paper estimated the demand-supply gap (1990–2015) and forecasted it (2016–2035), including CPEC projects using the System Dynamics model. The results show that the power demand will be met by 2021, fact highlighted also by a battery of robustness tests. We find that the CPEC efforts will increase energy growth from 4.5% (1990–2015) to 14.6% (2016–2035). The capacity growth will increase from 4.9% to 12.3% during 2016–2035. Moreover, the current renewable energy production and investment (Wind & Solar Power) will not help achieve policy targets. A total investment of $4806.69 million is required to meet policy targets, while a value of $57,683 million is needed for a complete conversion to green energy. The study highlights the challenges on the green energy path and discusses policies needed to overcome these problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low‐head turbines are becoming an agricultural imperative due to their high efficiency, low cost, ability to operate at low flow rates and minimal environmental impact. Therefore, the Archimedes screw turbine (AST) can play a leading role for producing electric power, especially in Pakistan's rural areas where most of the places have less than 1 m head. In this research work, performance evaluation of AST was carried out at different flow velocities in terms of power coefficient and torque generated. Design parameters such as blade width, blade pitches, and blade rotational angles are also used for performance evaluation. For this purpose, computational fluid dynamic (CFD) analyses of AST blades were conducted at different water flow velocities (e.g., 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, and 3.5 m/s). ANSYS FLUENT was used for AST blade simulations using three different design parameters such as blade width, blade pitch, and blade rotational angles. Additionally, CFD simulations have inherent errors and uncertainties that may lead to findings and deviations from their exact or real values. To prevent these uncertainties and errors, an experimental study was also conducted to provide validation for the CFD simulation results. The results revealed from CFD simulations for optimized design parameters were then compared with experimental data. From the results, it was examined that the numerical findings were in good agreement with the experiment data. The highest power coefficient and power output values were obtained under optimized design parameters such as inner and outer diameter, blade pitch, blade width, blade rotation angles and shaft length (e.g., 40 mm, 120 mm, 130 mm, 2 mm, 60°, and 850 mm respectively). The findings can be useful to implement the AST unit for those places where the available water head is ranging from 1 to 6.5 m and a flow rate of 0.2–6.5 m3/s, especially for rural areas of Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Power generation from fossil fuels is the biggest challenge in the next half of the century. Alternative power generation techniques such as solar photovoltaic (PV) show potential to act as a future fuel with a challenge to efficiently convert the harvested solar energy into electrical power. This investigation conclusively focused on setting a 2.160-kW solar PV system capable of working at a higher efficiency by developing a mechanical structure that optimizes power production and minimizes energy losses. In addition to that, solar PV system efficiencies at various tracking positions, performance coefficients during rainy and sunny days, and system degradation rates have also been investigated. The PVsyst v6.8 simulation tool was used to obtain the simulated results, which were compared with the actual experimental results. The parameters considered for the investigations include ambient temperature, irradiance, solar PV module surface temperature, solar PV voltage and current, wind velocity, and atmospheric turbidity. The solar PV system was evaluated based on two modes, namely, M1 (no tracking/fixed type) and M2 (manual tracking by changing the position of the solar PV system every hour). The predictive results obtained using PVsyst v6.8 concluded that total energy production from the installed system was 3,242 kWh/yr and 3,984 kWh/yr for M1 and M2, respectively. The performance ratio (PR), obtained from simulation, was 72% and 78% for M1 and M2, respectively, which was consistent with the experimental results, i.e., 70% and 72% for M1 and M2, respectively. Similarly, the power conversion efficiencies under standard temperature and conditions for both modes, simulated and experimental, were found to be 16.50% and 12.75%, respectively. The estimated degradation rate was observed in the range of -0.6% to -5.0%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional methods of producing electricity are expensive, pollute the environment, need a lot of maintenance, and eventually run out of power. Because of this, it is imperative to make use of the unrealized potential of renewable energy sources that are also ecologically beneficial. At the Institute of Southern Punjab (ISP), Multan, Pakistan, geographical location coordinates latitude 30° 17' 20" N and longitude 71° 30' 1" E. Current study developed an effective, long-lasting, and environmentally friendly Grid Tie PV System (GTPVS) to address this issue. One location where solar energy has enormous promise is Multan. At this location, the average yearly horizontal solar irradiance is 1861.8 kWh/m²/year, and the average diffuse horizontal solar irradiance is 898.9 kWh/m²/year. In this study, 'PVSyst Software' is used to calculate the performance ratio and various power losses, such as inverter, temperature-related losses, and losses from PV modules. Every day, 3026.26 kg of coal is saved, which is the same as growing 29062.87 Teak trees for a lifetime. According to the National Electric Power Regulation Authority (NEPRA) rule Tarif A3(66) is applied to universities and schools, where 60 Rs/kWh is a unit cost in the year 2024. The generated energy cost for the 'Longi Solar Cell' for the proposed location in ISP Multan, is 0.07 US dollars per kWh, while the standard energy pricing in Pakistan in 2024 is 0.21 US dollars per kWh. The simulation results show that the proposed Roof-Top Solar Photovoltaic System (RTSPVS) design energy production is 966.4 MWh/year. The Annual Performance Ratio (PR) for the proposed system is 85.8%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Optimized a solar PV-Fuel cell-Battery Storage system for four climatic zones. • The production, demand, and cost forecasting for optimized multi-generation system. • The oxygen produced over the year is 923,855 kg/yr and can be varied on demand. • Net hydrogen produced is 115,574 kg/yr for fuel cell and excess stored in a tank. • The optimum system has levelized COE of 0.3159 $/kWh and NPC of $27.16 million. The main aim of this paper is to analyze the standalone systems to meet the electrical power demand without experiencing a shortage/blackout situation in different climatic zones. The primary objective is the on-site continuous oxygen production. The energy system consists of solar photovoltaic (PV), battery storage (BS), proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell, PEM electrolyzer, hydrogen storage and oxygen storage are investigated. After designing systems architecture and simulations modelling, economic, energy and environmental assessments are performed with sensitivity analysis. The novel optimum system has power generation of 15.64 GWh/yr, from which solar PV generates 80.9% and fuel cell generates 19.1%. Furthermore, the oxygen production is 923,855 kg/yr and hydrogen production is 115,574 kg/yr. It has 27.16 million USD of net present cost (NPC), 0.3159 $/kWh levelized cost of energy (LCOE). The optimum system has less than 0.01% of carbon mission in comparison to natural gas-fuelled combustion system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigated the best economically viable power source with the least environmental impact and socially acceptable for the maize crop. Maize is one of the key economic crops in Pakistan. Solar-, electric-, and diesel-powered drip irrigation systems (DIS) were considered for comparative study. We selected 45 sites of maize crop to collect the data, with an area of 1–3 ha, from three divisions. For economic viability, the benefit:cost ratio, life cycle cost, and payback period were calculated, and CO2 emissions were calculated to assess the environmental impact. The SPSS model was used for one-way ANOVA followed by post hoc and chi-squared tests to check the significance level between all power sources. It was found that the B-C of electric power, solar, and diesel drip irrigation systems was 1.65, 1.52, and 1.44, respectively. Solar, diesel, and electricity power DIS have CO2 emissions of 0.02, 0.730, and 1.106 tons/ha, respectively. The research concludes that solar power and electric power are the best sources for the environment and economically, respectively. It is recommended that solar power DIS be subsidized, which will help to lower CO2 emissions and reduce the electricity shortfall in Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy is the driver of the socioeconomic growth and development of a country. In the pursuit of available and affordable sources of energy, nations around the world have forgotten the sustainability angle and are facing an energy crisis. The developing world has initiated development plans in an unsustainable way, causing a demand–supply gap and leading to very high energy prices. Renewable energy gives us a solution to this circular crisis. The recent world has seen significant investment in renewables, particularly in the wind energy sector. The investment was initiated as a government spending program, but is now taken up by the private sector. The current study presents a thorough analysis of the prospects for wind energy and the means and measures required to fully capacitate the sector in Pakistan. In Pakistan's three largest provinces, there is tremendous potential for wind energy, which requires proper utilization and exploration for sustained socioeconomic development. This study is based on the mixed-methods approach. In the first phase, content analysis was caried out using the systematic literature review (SLR) technique. Relevant content analysis was performed using the PRISMA diagram. A total of two hundred and thirty-nine (239) documents were scanned; however, only eighty-two (82) were included after the removal of duplications and irrelevant documents. Moreover, short interviews were conducted with entrepreneurs, and themes have been prescribed. The study found that commercially feasible wind energy potential is particularly abundant in Pakistan's Sindh and Balochistan regions. The country's diverse geography makes it ideal for wind turbine installations at various sites. The renewable energy policy should be revisited to incentivize the use of wind energy to ensure the nationally determined contributions (NDCs)' commitments are assured to achieve sustainable development by 2030. Pakistan has seen rapid development in the wind energy sector with around 4 percent of electric power being generated through wind farms in just over 13 years. In order to exploit the potential, there is a need for significant public and private joint efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]