Search

Recently, there have been several advancements in the field of sustainable energy solutions, particularly in the selection of solar window film sheets. In this research, a multi-criteria decision-making approach was applied to compare three different types of window film sheets, Silver 35, TrueVue 15, and Sterling 40, to aid in selecting the most suitable window film based on the United Arab Emirates market. The primary aim of this work is to provide decision-makers with a structured approach to enhance their choices for selecting window film sheets. The methodology employed involves evaluating various criteria, including visible light transmittance, solar energy rejected, energy transmittance, energy absorptance, cost, glare reduction, visible light reflectance interior, and fade reduction. These criteria are assessed using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). The results demonstrate that Sterling 40 is the best choice followed by Silver 35. Based on the final TOPSIS results, the difference between the scores of these two window film sheets was not significant, while they were far from the score of TrueVue 15. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research paper presents a comprehensive review of the literature on microgrid development in the UAE, focusing on the socio-economic costs and benefits, policy frameworks, market dynamics, and environmental implications. The analysis encompasses publications from 2011 to 2021, with a particular emphasis on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. A total of 33 papers were identified and classified, revealing gaps in comprehensive valuation models, consideration of environmental and social governance factors, and research informing policy and investment decisions. The findings highlight the significance of microgrid technology in the UAE, its limited adoption and commercialization, and its predominant usage in remote areas and academic testbeds. The paper underscores the UAE's vision for net-zero emissions by 2050 and the potential of microgrids in supporting its realization. Recommendations include the development of a comprehensive valuation framework to drive effective investments in microgrid technology, aligning with the UAE's sustainable energy goals. The study contributes to the understanding of microgrid development in the UAE, offering insights into its socio-economic, policy, market, and environmental dimensions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) are promising form of energy conversion technology that have the potential to take the role of lithium-ion batteries in portable electronics and electric cars. To increase the efficiency of DMFCs, many operating conditions ought to be optimized. Developing a reliable fuzzy model to simulate DMFCs is a major objective. To increase the power output of a DMFC, three process variables are considered: temperature, methanol concentration, and oxygen flow rate. First, a fuzzy model of the DMFC was developed using experimental data. The best operational circumstances to increase power density were then determined using the beetle antennae search (BAS) method. The RMSE values for the fuzzy DMFC model are 0.1982 and 1.5460 for the training and testing data. For training and testing, the coefficient of determination (R2) values were 0.9977 and 0.89, respectively. Thanks to fuzzy logic, the RMSE was reduced by 88% compared to ANOVA. It decreased from 7.29 (using ANOVA) to 0.8628 (using fuzzy). The fuzzy model's low RMSE and high R2 values show that the modeling phase was successful. In comparison with the measured data and RSM, the combination of fuzzy modeling and the BAS algorithm increased the power density of the DMFC by 8.88% and 7.5%, respectively, and 75 °C, 1.2 M, and 400 mL/min were the ideal values for temperature, methanol concentration, and oxygen flow rate, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a green hydrogen system was studied to provide electricity for an office building in the Sharjah emirate in the United Arab Emirates. Using a solar PV, a fuel cell, a diesel generator, and battery energy storage; a hybrid green hydrogen energy system was compared to a standard hybrid system (Solar PV, a diesel generator, and battery energy storage). The results show that both systems adequately provided the power needed for the load of the office building. The cost of the energy for both the basic and green hydrogen energy systems was 0.305 USD/kWh and 0.313 USD/kWh, respectively. The cost of the energy for both systems is very similar, even though the capital cost of the green hydrogen energy system was the highest value; however, the replacement and operational costs of the basic system were higher in comparison to the green hydrogen energy system. Moreover, the impact of the basic system in terms of the carbon footprint was more significant when compared with the green hydrogen system. The reduction in carbon dioxide was a 4.6 ratio when compared with the basic system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fuel cells (FCs) have received huge attention for development from lab and pilot scales to full commercial scale. This is mainly due to their inherent advantage of direct conversion of chemical energy to electrical energy as a high-quality energy supply and, hence, higher conversion efficiency. Additionally, FCs have been produced at a wide range of capacities with high flexibility due to modularity characteristics. Using the right materials and efficient manufacturing processes is directly proportional to the total production cost. This work explored the different components of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) and their manufacturing processes. The challenges associated with these manufacturing processes were critically analyzed, and possible mitigation strategies were proposed. The PEMFC is a relatively new and developing technology so there is a need for a thorough analysis to comprehend the current state of fuel cell operational characteristics and discover new areas for development. It is hoped that the view discussed in this paper will be a means for improved fuel cell development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geothermal Energy is a very attractive source of naturally-occurring green renewable energy. Exploiting this natural resource is straightforward and causes almost no ill effects to the environment. But, while geothermal does not suffer the intermittence of other renewable sources, its extraction efficiency is fairly modest as compared to other sources. As a result, there has been significant interest recently in hybrid systems that integrate geothermal and other forms of energy to increase the output efficiency. This work will survey the different possible integrations involving geothermal energy. A review of the literature shows that the most common hybrid systems implementation involve the integration of geothermal with solar (45% of systems) followed by the integration of a cooling tower into the geothermal system (30% of systems). This work will also investigate the applications for geothermal hybrids and show that 44% of systems are designed for heating applications. Another 44% are used for cooling while only 12% are designed for electrical power generation. Complexity of control remains as the main obstacle facing hybrid multi-source energy systems including those involving geothermal energy. Image 1 • Hybrid geothermal systems (HGS) have low initial and operating costs. • HGSs can supply all types of energy demands and decrease the effect of peak loads. • HGSs reduce negative environmental impact of energy systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the growing demand for green technologies, hydrogen energy devices, such as Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells and water electrolysers, have received accelerated developments. However, the materials and manufacturing cost of these technologies are still relatively expensive which impedes their widespread commercialization. Additive Manufacturing (AM), commonly termed 3D Printing (3DP), with its advanced capabilities, could be a potential pathway to solve the fabrication challenges of PEM parts. Herein, in this paper, the research studies on the novel AM fabrication methods of PEM components are thoroughly reviewed and analysed. The key performance properties, such as corrosion and hydrogen embrittlement resistance, of the additively manufactured materials in the PEM working environment are discussed to emphasise their reliability for the PEM systems. Additionally, the major challenges and required future developments of AM technologies to unlock their full potential for PEM fabrication are identified. This paper provides insights from the latest research developments on the significance of advanced manufacturing technologies in developing sustainable energy systems to address the global energy challenges and climate change effects. • The AM technologies relevant to PEM fabrication are reviewed. • Corrosion performance of AM materials in the PEM working environment is presented. • The challenges and prospects of AM for PEM fabrication are discussed. • AM has the potential to revolutionize the fabrication of PEM systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The world is moving towards renewable energies as an alternative to fossil fuels. The photovoltaic technologies have the highest capacity increase rate among all the renewable energy systems throughout the last decade. Therefore, the huge amounts of photovoltaic wastes from such significant global installations are inevitable and needs to be dealt with sooner than later to increase the potential of PVs being an affordable and clean energy source. This work is split into two parts with different models. The first one mathematically models the PV waste projection using the Weibull distribution and socio-environmental decision-making factors while connecting them to the power purchase agreements (PPAs). This model uses data from both c-Si and CdTe PV projects in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This model's results showed the possibility of increasing the PV projects operational age in UAE to 30 years for both technologies with 2030 being the best and latest year to start PV waste management procedures with the profitable reusability of PVs after projects' decommissioning. The second part is an optimization model for the PV waste and installations management by controlling the total future PV installations and possible PV replacements, while considering budget limitations and dismantling capacities. With a planning horizon until the year of 2100, this model's results suggest annually installing 670 MW of new PVs to achieve 50% of the country's consumption by 2030 and 100% by 2040 without any power shortage or outage. Finally, the models are flexible and extremely beneficial for future works for improvements, results comparison, and to design PV waste management centers or dismantling facilities. • Projected PV wastes through socio-environmental factors and Weibull distribution. • Built an optimization model to balance PV installations with waste replacements. • Unprecedently improved both c-Si and CdTe PV waste management plans in the UAE. • Install 670 MW of PVs annually to achieve 50% of the country's consumption by 2030. • Required annual replacements will start exceeding 100 MW by 2040. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Metal chalcogenides can perform selective catalysis for ORR, and low poisoning catalysis for fuel oxidation. • 3 electrodes system examines catalysts' activity for ORR or fuel oxidation, and in-situ tests mimic the cell's real time operation. • Various synthesis routes can tailor metal chalcogenides to fit desirable dimensions, sizes, stoichiometries, and morphologies. The shift in the energy sector toward green resources makes fuel cells increasingly relevant as a supplier of green and sustainable energy. However, factors such as expensive catalysts, anodic poisoning, and fuel crossover reduce the lifetime and performance of the fuel cells, necessitating catalysis improvement. This review article presents the unique capabilities of metal chalcogenides (MC) as tailored catalysts, elucidating their synthesis, testing techniques, and performance evaluations. MC catalysts are matured via various physical and chemical methods to control their morphology, quantity, dimension, and size. Upon synthesis, the catalyst performance is quantified using three-electrode cells, followed by tests in fuel-cell prototypes. As anodic catalysts, MCs oxidize various fuels such as methanol, ethanol, urea, and impure H 2 at high current densities and low onset potentials, while hindering the poisoning species. As cathodic catalysts, MCs exhibit current values similar to that exhibited by their noble metal counterparts while reducing oxygen selectively in the vicinity of the fuels via four electron transfers at a wide range of potentials. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]