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Electrogen is a microbial group that plays an important role as anodic biocatalyst of microbial fuel cells (MFCs), one of the most extensively studied microbial-based technologies for bioelectricity generation. The aims of this research were to isolate potential electrogenic bacteria from aquaculture pond sediments and conduct a thorough evaluation on the MFCs' electricity production and efficiency parameters. A total of 18 electrogenic bacteria having various electrochemical abilities was successfully isolated using thioglycollate solid media enriched with Fe3+. Five isolates (namely KCf1, KCf2, KCf4, KCf10, and KCf14) were non-pathogenic electrogens and able to produce relatively stable and high open-circuit voltage values (690–810 mV) on glucose-fed MFCs. Further evaluations on electricity production in close-circuit mode (fixed resistor technique, polarization tests, and analysis of power overshoot phenomenon) and efficiency parameters (Coulombic and energy efficiencies) showed that KCf2, molecular identified as Bacillus altitudinis AC11.2, was the most potential MFC biocatalyst among all isolates. It produced an MPP value of 67.11 mW m−2, current density of 333.03 mA m−2, and Coulombic and energy efficiency of 53.86% and 63.27%, respectively. Efforts to increase the MFC's electrical output have been done by assembling four reactors in series and parallel circuits, obtaining the maximum total voltage of 1.6–2.0 V (for series configuration). This potential output was higher than a portable zinc–carbon battery (1.5 V) and a Ni–Cd battery (1.2 V). However, the voltage reversal suffered in series circuits was another challenge in the development of MFCs for bioelectricity production, since the existence of this phenomenon due to biological factors (microbial metabolism dynamics) are not easy to be controlled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing integration of renewable energy sources into distribution and transmission networks, the efficiency of cascade H-bridge multilevel inverters (MLIs) in power control applications has become increasingly significant for sustainable electricity generation. Traditionally, obtaining optimal switching angles of MLIs to minimize total harmonic distortion (THD) requires solving the selective harmonic elimination equations. To this end, this research aims to use two recently developed intelligent optimization algorithms, dandelion optimizer and gold rush optimizer, to solve this problem. To evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms, an eleven-level cascaded H-bridge MLI (CHB-MLI) was considered in the study. Simulation results for different modulation indices were obtained, and the accuracy and solution quality were compared with genetic algorithm and particle swarm optimization algorithms. MATLAB/Simulink-based models were used to verify numerical computations, ensuring the reliability of the findings. This research contributes to the field by providing insights into obtaining optimal switching angles and minimizing THD in MLIs by applying intelligent optimization algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Greenhouse gas emissions, including CO2 emissions, are an issue in the energy sector that must be addressed urgently. The energy sector, including electricity, has been given a global aim of net zero emissions (NZE). This article examines three scenarios for reaching net-zero emissions in power supply. These scenarios are baseline, NZE1, and NZE2. The baseline scenario represents power plant capacity planning based on existing regulations in the base year. The net zero emissions consisting of the NZE1 and NZE2 scenarios aim to achieve net zero emissions by 2060. The NZE1 and NZE2 scenarios differ in the usage of nuclear power plant technology. The NZE1 scenario employs advanced costs for small modular reactors and large reactors technology, whilst the NZE2 scenario employs the low cost of small modular reactors and large reactors. The three scenarios were implemented and examined using the low emissions analysis platform software. The analytical results demonstrate that the NZE1 and NZE2 scenarios can meet the net zero emission objective by 2058. The baseline scenario results in power plant capacity planning with an average annual CO2 emission growth rate of 3.58%. On the other hand, the baseline scenario has the lowest investment expenses, at only 44 billion USD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paying close attention to the environmental risks associated with traditional forms of energy, particularly the serious issue of global warming caused by the release and concentration of greenhouse gases, has become a paramount concern. This growing awareness has prompted governments worldwide to prioritize the benefits of alternative energy sources and develop comprehensive plans accordingly. Moreover, it is crucial to thoroughly consider and explore existing potentials in our quest for sustainable energy solutions. One such potential lies in the energy loss experienced due to gas pressure reduction in urban gas reduction stations. Furthermore, as we increase the amount of natural gas preheating, we observe a corresponding rise in the temperature within the expansion turbine, ultimately resulting in a significant boost in power generation. In this paper, we delve into the exciting possibility of harnessing electricity generation by utilizing a turbo expander within a municipal gas pressure reduction station. To maximize the work generation capacity, we propose preheating the gas input to the turbo expander using geothermal energy. Our study reveals that the turbo expander exhibits optimal performance, boasting an impressive isentropic efficiency of 92.3%, when the inlet temperature is maintained at 84 °C and the amount of preheating reaches 192.3 kJ/kg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global concern over socioeconomic activities' environmental impact is undeniable, given their implications for climate and human welfare. In our study, we analyze Pakistan's landscape, with emphasis on the effects of electricity generation and consumption (both symmetric and asymmetric), energy trade, and the role of information and communication technology (ICT). We harnessed data from 1993 to 2020, sourced from World Development Indicators, Climate Watch, and the USA EIA. Our analysis involved application of the Nonlinear Autoregressive Distributed Lag model and the Autoregressive Distributed Lag bounds testing methods. Our results reveal that electricity consumption, whether experiencing positive or negative shocks, exhibits a tendency to elevate emissions over the long term. Similarly, shocks in electricity generation from fossil fuels, whether positive or negative, have adverse environmental consequences both in the short and long run. A negative shock in electricity generation from renewable and alternative sources triggers environmental degradation. Remarkably, nuclear energy plays a pivotal role in bolstering environmental sustainability in Pakistan. Conversely, we identified factors contributing to ecological degradation, including imports of coal, crude oil, metallurgical coke, and ICT usage, in the long run. Equally, trade and natural resources rent emerge as mitigating factors over time. Ultimately, our study underscores the importance of diversifying the energy mix, with a particular emphasis on expanding the renewable sources for reducing emissions and fostering environmental sustainability in Pakistan. Additionally, our research suggests that leveraging natural resources rent and trade capabilities can pave the way for an eco-friendlier future in the country. This study assesses the environmental impact of electricity generation by source, electricity consumption, energy trade, and ICTs in Pakistan. The findings confirm that both positive and negative shocks in fossil fuel electricity generation and consumption detrimentally affect the environment. Coal, crude oil, metallurgical coke imports, and ICTs degrade the environment, while nuclear electricity generation, natural resources rent, and trade improve it. Integrating energy diversification with focus on promoting renewable energy sources has the potential to significantly reduce emissions and advance long-run environmental sustainability. Strategically utilizing natural resources rent and trade capabilities can aid in establishing an environmental sustainability in Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research presents a renewable energy system that takes advantage of the energy potential available in the territory. This study emerges as a relevant option to provide solutions to geological risk areas where there are buildings that, due to emergency situations at certain times of the year during deep winter, are a target of danger and where its inhabitants would find it difficult to abandon their properties. The record of mass movements covering the city of Cuenca-Ecuador and part of the province has shown that the main triggering factor of this type of movement comprises the geological characteristics of tertiary formations characterized by lithological components that become unstable in the presence of water and due to their slopes being pronounced. Hybrid systems are effective solutions in distributed electricity generation, especially when it comes to helping people and their buildings in times of great need and the required electricity generation is basic. A hybrid photovoltaic, wind and hydrokinetic system has been designed that supplies electrical energy to a specific area on the opposite geographical side that is completely safe. The renewable energy system is connected to the public electricity grid available on site; however, in the event of an emergency the grid is disconnected for safety and only the hybrid system will work with the support of a battery backup system. In this study, the Homer Pro simulation tool was used and its results indicate that renewable systems that include PV, HKT and WT elements are economically viable, with a COE of USD 0.89/kWh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wave energy, as a significant renewable and clean energy source with vast global reserves, exhibits no greenhouse gas or other pollution during real-sea operational conditions. However, throughout the entire lifecycle, wave energy convertors can produce additional CO2 emissions due to the use of raw materials and emissions during transportation. Based on laboratory test data from a wave energy convertor model, this study ensures consistency between the model and the actual sea-deployed wave energy convertors in terms of performance, materials, and geometric shapes using similarity criteria. Carbon emission factors from China, the European Union, Brazil, and Japan are selected to predict the carbon emissions of wave energy convertors in real-sea conditions. The research indicates: (1) The predicted carbon emission coefficient for unit electricity generation ( E F co 2 ) of wave energy is 0.008–0.057 kg CO2/kWh; when the traditional steel production mode is adopted, the E F co 2 in this paper is 0.014–0.059 kg CO2/kWh, similar to existing research conclusions for the emission factor of CO2 for wave energy convertor (0.012–0.050 kg CO2/kWh). The predicted data on carbon emissions in the lifecycle of wave energy convertors aligns closely with actual operational data. (2) The main source of carbon emissions in the life cycle of a wave energy converter, excluding the recycling of manufacturing metal materials, is the manufacturing stage, which accounts for 90% of the total carbon emissions. When the recycling of manufacturing metal materials is considered, the carbon emissions in the manufacturing stage are reduced, and the carbon emissions in the transport stage are increased, from about 7% to about 20%. (3) Under the most ideal conditions, the carbon payback period for a wave energy convertor ranges from 0.28 to 2.06 years, and the carbon reduction during the design lifespan (20 years) varies from 238.33 t CO2 (minimum) to 261.80 t CO2 (maximum). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial fuel cell (MFC), a bio-electrochemical device that exploits electroactive microbes, has gained more attention in developing countries, such as Indonesia. Unfortunately, studies related to bio-electrochemistry are often constrained due to the need for precise and high-cost instrumentation, such as data logger/acquisition or data logging-multimeter for continuously monitoring electricity generation of MFCs in the rigid time interval. This present work aimed at two issues: (1) to evaluate the use of a low-cost microcontroller-based data logger, the developed multi-channels Arduino UNO-based data logging system, for monitoring the electricity generation of ten MFC bioreactors simultaneously, and (2) to evaluate the electrochemical performance of MFCs biocatalysts by ten electroactive microbes isolated from aquaculture pond sediment in Indonesia. The monitoring system worked with a multi-channels Arduino UNO, a multiplexer, an external 16-bit ADC (analogue to digital converter) ADS1115, and a RTC (real time clock) module. The MFC performance was evaluated in the terms of open circuit voltage and close circuit voltage (polarization curve, power density, and losses). Statistical analysis confirmed the high accuracy of the developed system with the average of absolute and relative error values of 1.21 mV and 1.26%, respectively, comparable to traditional multimeter utilized for MFC electricity measurement. These results suggested that the developed data logging system could be a considerable option as a low-cost monitoring device for electrochemical studies of MFCs. Electrochemical performances of ten anodic biocatalysts were also evaluated, suggesting that there were three effective bacteria (isolate KCf2, KCf4, and KCf10) for producing relatively stable bioelectricity in the reactor of MFCs. These three electroactive microbes can produce power density of 0.069 W m−2, 0.021 W m−2, and 0.010 W m−2, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrical power generation in Oman depends mainly on natural gas, while in rural areas it is based mainly on diesel fuel. Oman has committed to net-zero emissions by 2050, in line with the Paris Agreement's goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. The objective of this paper is to propose an optimal energy mix model for electricity generation from various energy sources, such as gas, diesel, wind, and photovoltaic, that considers more renewable sources in the energy mix. The optimization model minimizes various costs such as construction cost, operation cost, fuel cost, and carbon emissions, while satisfying the load demand. In this paper, Masirah Island is selected to perform our analysis. Several scenarios are contemplated, including grid extension to the island. The results found that gas-powered generators with 20% PV and storage are the best option in terms of the levelized cost of electricity. The grid extension is an economically feasible option if the existing load is more than doubled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Due to the energy crisis and environmental concerns, wind power has seen a considerable increase in use over the past 10 years as a source of renewable energy. Since wind is intermittent and variable, it is obvious that as penetration levels rise, the influence of wind power generation on the electric power system must be considered. Wind power forecasting is essential because large‐scale wind power integration will make it more difficult to plan, operate, and control the power system. An accurate forecast is an efficient way to deal with the operational problems brought on by wind variability. To better utilize wind energy resources, it is essential to increase prediction accuracy. Frequently, the noise in the dataset causes the ramp events to be misclassified or overestimated. The main emphasis of this study is the pre‐processing of wind power data that produces precise time‐series data while reducing noise or artifact content and maintaining the swing feature of the original data. For this task, the data augmentation approach is proposed, where the augmented data (synthetic data) will be added up with the training data, in such a way as to make the strategy useful for real‐time applications. As the next step, the significant features, such as higher‐order statistical features and lower‐order statistical features are extracted. The extracted features act as the input to the recurrent neural network (RNN) classifier, the weights of which are tuned using the proposed honey badger crow (HBCro) optimization algorithm. The proposed HBCro optimization algorithm acts as the major contribution of the proposed model, and it is modeled with the integration of the concepts of the crow search optimization (CSO) algorithm and the honey badger optimization algorithm (HBA). The proposed system is simulated in MATLAB and the effectiveness of the proposed method is validated by comparison with other conventional methods in terms of Error measures. Furthermore, the developed HBCro‐based RNN obtained efficient performance in terms of MSE, MAE, RMSE, RMPSE, MAPE, MARE, MSRE, and RMSRE of 0.1578, 0.0442, 0.2102, 123.238, 124.72, 0.9944, 1.1799, and 1.0732, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renewable energy production is one of the most important strategies to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases. However, wind and solar energy especially depend on time-varying properties of the environment, such as weather. Hence, for the control and stabilization of electricity grids, the accurate forecasting of energy production from renewable energy sources is essential. This study provides an empirical comparison of the forecasting accuracy of electricity generation from renewable energy sources by different deep learning methods, including five different Transformer-based forecasting models based on weather data. The models are compared with the long short-term memory (LSTM) and Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) models as a baseline. The accuracy of these models is evaluated across diverse forecast periods, and the impact of utilizing selected weather data versus all available data on predictive performance is investigated. Distinct performance patterns emerge among the Transformer-based models, with Autoformer and FEDformer exhibiting suboptimal results for this task, especially when utilizing a comprehensive set of weather parameters. In contrast, the Informer model demonstrates superior predictive capabilities for onshore wind power and photovoltaic (PV) power production. The Informer model consistently performs well in predicting both onshore wind and PV energy. Notably, the LSTM model outperforms all other models across various categories. This research emphasizes the significance of selectively using weather parameters for improved performance compared to employing all parameters and a time reference. We show that the suitability and performance of a prediction model can vary significantly, depending on the specific forecasting task and the data that are provided to the model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the potential for renewable energy-based electricity generation using existing wave, wind, and solar energies in Türkiye. A significant part of Türkiye's energy needs is still met using fossil fuels. Considering the country's resources, renewable energy sources appear as an alternative source to meet these needs. The objective of this study is to find an effective, efficient, economical, environmentally friendly, and sustainable way to produce electricity to reach net-zero targets and transition towards low-carbon and carbon-free energy systems. To be able to make a deep investigation about the relevant issue, six provinces from different regions of Türkiye (Antalya, Çanakkale, İstanbul, İzmir, Kırklareli, and Muğla) are assessed in terms of wave, wind, and solar energy potential, including wave data, wind speeds, sunshine duration, and global radiation values. Wind, wave, and solar energy data of the selected regions were taken from the ERA5 database, which is the weather forecast model of the European Center for Medium-Term Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), and the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources of the Republic of Türkiye and the General Directorate of Meteorology. Calculations were made using monthly data for the last 5 years. Considering the coastal lengths in the determined regions, the annual total electrical power produced from wave, solar, and wind energies was calculated. In these calculations, the coastal length parameter was assumed to be uniform across all cities, and the electrical power potential from these energy sources was analyzed. Within the framework of these analyses, the number of houses in the selected regions whose electricity needs can be met was calculated. As a result, the potential electrical power and the amount of affordable housing units in the selected regions were compared. As an important result of the studies, it was determined that the characteristic features of the selected regions, such as wavelength, wave height, and wind speed, were directly related to the applicable coast length. The power obtained from wave energy was higher than that from other renewable energy sources, considering the determined coast lengths. Wave energy was followed by parabolic solar collector, wind, and photovoltaic solar energy systems. According to the model, the power obtained from renewable energy systems was at the highest level in the Kırklareli/Demirköy province compared to other locations. Kırklareli was followed by İstanbul, Antalya, İzmir, Muğla, and Çanakkale. It was also found that the electricity needs of 763,578 houses were met in the Kırklareli/Demirköy region, and the electricity needs of 470,590 houses were met in the Çanakkale/Ayvacık region. The statistically optimized factors using the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) for wind, photovoltaic, parabolic solar collector, and wave power were reported as 995.278, 4529.743, 2264.546, and 276,495.09, respectively. The optimal factors aim to achieve a total electricity generation rate of 2.491 × 109 (kWh/year), a total number of houses of 682,590.55 (number/year), and a total cost of USD 813,940,876. In line with the results obtained, the Kırklareli/Demirköy region becomes favorable when considering wave and wave-integrated wind and solar energies. The proposed system has the potential to meet the entire electricity demand of the Kırklareli province based on data from the Republic of Türkiye Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EMRA). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To achieve sustainable development, the energy transition from lignite burning to renewable energy resources for electric power generation is essential for Greece. Wind and solar energy have emerged as significant sources in this transition. Surprisingly, numerous studies have examined the potential for onshore wind based on land eligibility, while few studies on open-field photovoltaic (PV) installations have been conducted. Therefore, based on the Specific Framework for Spatial Planning and Sustainable Development for Renewable Energy Sources (SFSPSD-RES), along with insights from previous relevant studies, this work conducts a land eligibility analysis of onshore wind and open-field PV installations in Greece using the software Geospatial Land Availability for Energy Systems (GLAES 1.2.1) and ArcGIS 10.2. Additionally, through an in-depth exploration of wind and solar PV energy potential in decommissioned lignite mines integrated with wind power density (WPD) and global horizontal irradiation (GHI) maps, this study compares the suitability of wind versus solar as energy sources for the decarbonization of Greece. Overall, despite the greater spatial eligibility for onshore wind turbines compared to open-field PV power plants, the relatively lower wind energy potential and operational limitations of wind turbines lead to the study's conclusion that solar energy (PV) is more suitable for the decarbonization of Greece. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of sustainable electricity technology is of utmost importance in addressing the increasing energy demand while mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Fossil fuel-based electricity generation is the primary contributor to air pollution and climate change, necessitating a shift towards renewable energy sources. The efficient production, distribution, and utilization of energy resources, along with ensuring affordable energy access and environmental sustainability, are key policy objectives for any country’s energy sector. However, assessing sustainable electricity technologies is a complex task due to the diverse range of evaluation criteria and impacts associated with the practical implementation of these solutions. To overcome this challenge, this study proposes a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach to select the optimal solution for the development of sustainable electricity technology. The study employs several reliable methods, including MAIRCA, SPOTIS, COMET, and the CRITIC weighting method, to perform ranking evaluations. Based on this, an evaluation Table of criteria using linguistic variables is constructed. Furthermore, a ranking of methods for developing sustainable electricity technology is established by combining MCDM optimization methods. The results indicate that future energy policies should prioritize sustainable energy technologies, particularly water and solar thermal solutions. These findings have significant implications for development policymakers as the transition towards a sustainable energy system becomes increasingly crucial. In the future, the findings of this research can be further developed on a regional level, enabling the identification of the most appropriate energy technologies for specific regions based on their unique characteristics and requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides a theoretical background for how renewable energy credits (REC) act as property rights to assist policymakers to craft more effective policy. It discusses the use of REC in state renewable portfolio standards, which are programs that require electricity sellers to derive a set percentage of generation portfolio from renewable energy resources, and the purchase of REC by private, nonutility actors. It explains the application of the principle of accession related to REC.

In the age of energy transition that we are going through today, many research studies discuss how to develop various approaches to making forecasts aimed at obtaining quantitative assessments of the technical and economic indicators of the energy industry. This paper considers the adaptation of a comprehensive approach to forecasting the structure of energy generation based on the factor and trend approach and using autoregressive and multifactor models that apply a linear regression tool with ridge regularization. To implement this approach, we propose a tool for automated selection of the factors that have the most significant impact on the change in the structure of energy generation. This approach allows us to forecast the dynamics of electricity generation by different types of generating facilities as affected by the key factors in energy transition in the short, medium, and long term. As a result, we obtained quantitative relationships for the energy generation structure. Over the next 10 years, the share of generation using renewable energy sources will increase to 10%, and the share of thermal power plants, on the contrary, will decrease to 50%, despite the growth in demand for electricity. Also, greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced by 30%. We have also provided scientific justification for the sufficient reliability of the forecasts we present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The government has set an ambitious target of renewable energy development in Malaysia. As a promising renewable energy source, wind energy plays an important role in the Malaysia renewable energy roadmap. Compared to onshore wind energy, offshore wind resources with better quality can be provided in the areas away from the coast, which has greater potential to contribute to electricity generation. Wind and bathymetry conditions are two important factors that determine the feasibility and economics of offshore wind turbines. In this paper, an investigation is conducted on wind and bathymetry conditions around Malaysia. The data source mainly originates from the Global Wind Atlas. The conditions of the coastal areas in different states and federal territories of both Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia are analysed, with a specific focus on wind speed, wind energy density, and bathymetry conditions in high-wind-speed regions. The data and survey are verified and compared with the past published literature. This paper aims to investigate the wind and bathymetry conditions around Malaysia, assess the potential of offshore wind energy, discuss the feasibility of offshore wind turbines, and provide references for offshore wind development in Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In connection with renewable energy sources, the courtyards of the buildings provide space for the installation of agrivoltaics for sustainable development. This paper proposes the use of courtyards of low-rise buildings for agrivoltaics. This will increase the area for installing photovoltaic systems, which have so far only been installed on roofs or facades or on open fields. The advanced design of the photovoltaic systems will enable the dual use of the area both for the cultivation of crops and for the production of electricity at the same time. The increased amount of electricity produced in photovoltaic systems also contributes to reducing the carbon footprint. On the courtyard as well as on the open fields, it is possible to grow agricultural crops between rows of photovoltaic panels. The partial shading of seedlings during summer sunny days reduces their heat stress and slows down soil drying. Solar eclipses are rare, but their impact on electricity generation is significant. We evaluated the measured data and we assessed the electricity production and the influence of a solar eclipse on the electricity production in photovoltaic power plants in the Czech Republic. The daily loss in production depends on the size of the eclipse. A comparison of the annual electricity production in two selected PV power plants with the expected values according to PVGIS testifies to the quality of the construction and the PV panels used in both power plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Expanding energy demands and to tackle with greenhouse gas emissions require new research on the carbon-free energy conversion system, which are renewable energy sources and also hydrogen. Especially, in the coming years, green hydrogen, which is produced using renewable energy sources, will become increasingly significant. This current study presents the design and evaluation of compressed hydrogen generation and beneficial outputs, which are electricity, freshwater, heating, and cooling, with a solar-driven integrated plant. Comprehensive thermodynamic performance evaluation is conducted on the multigeneration plant through energetic and exergetic efficiency methodologies. The proposed study comprises a solar heliostat field, a supercritical Brayton plant, a transcritical Rankine plant, an ejector refrigeration cycle, a desalination process, and a hydrogen generation-compression plant. Furthermore, the innovation and importance of this work are that carbon dioxide fluid is used in the Brayton and Rankine cycle. After conducting the analysis, the findings show that the net power production capacity of the developed system is 653.4 kW. Also, net hydrogen and freshwater production capacities are determined as 2.821 k g h − 1 and 2.951 k g s − 1 . The energetic and exergetic performances of the examined research are determined as 43.77% and 19.61%, respectively. In conclusion, the maximum exergy destruction rate between the plant's sub-units is computed in the solar heliostat field with 4044 k W. • A novel solar energy-based multigeneration plant is designed. • A comprehensive thermodynamic investigation of the multigeneration plant is performed. • Supercritical and transcritical C O 2 -based power plants are used for electricity generation. • The examined plant generated 2.951 kg/s freshwater and 2.821 kg/h hydrogen. • The overall energy and exergy efficiencies are 43.77% and 19.61%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid development of science and technology, there is an increasing demand for sustainable energy sources. Although triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) can realize self‐powered supply by using various weak mechanical energy, the device's robustness and reliability are seriously affected by frequent, direct, and long‐term mechanical shocks, as well as negative environmental factors during equipment operation. Therefore, researchers have developed non‐contact triboelectric nanogenerators (NC‐TENGs) based on the principle of electrostatic induction. This technology enables electricity generation via relative movement of friction layers even when they are not in direct contact, which consequently leads to enhance device robustness, prolonged service life, and broadened operation scenarios. In this review, the recent progress of NC‐TENG from fundamental theory to practical applications is systematically summarized. The basic structure and working principle of NC‐TENG are first introduced, followed by a discussion of the devices' structural construction and performance optimization methods. Furthermore, applications of NC‐TENG in automatic force position detection system, non‐contact human‐machine interface, and electrical energy harvesting are reviewed. Finally, a brief prospectus for the future development of NC‐TENG is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renewable energy sources (RES) are vital for environmental sustainability. With the depletion and damage of fossil fuels to nature, energy production from clean and inexhaustible RES has become widespread. Wind energy, one of the RES, is a clean energy source that does not emit any harmful waste to the environment. Wind energy is a low-cost energy source that is mostly used for electricity generation. Criteria such as wind speed, turbine structure and the characteristics of the areas where the wind turbines will be located are effective on the amount of energy to be produced. In this study, a comprehensive review of the studies using MCDM methods related to wind energy is made. In the manner of the statistical data obtained from the 97 studies examined, it has been observed that the wind energy investments and the scientific publications made in these countries do not progress linearly with each other. The fact that countries have different wind energy potentials and the difference in the countries' interest in RES is thought to be effective in this regard. While there are articles in the literature in which studies on RES are discussed together with MCDM methods, there is no comprehensive review study in which wind energy and MCDM methods are discussed together. According to our best knowledge, this is the first study to comprehensively evaluate wind energy studies in terms of MCDM methods. With this study, a framework has been presented for subsequent studies on the application of MCDM methods in wind energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transformation of the energy sector, based on the development of low-carbon technologies, is essential to achieve climate neutrality. The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a powerful methodology for assessing the environmental impact of energy technologies, which proves to be a useful tool for policy makers. The paper is a review of the main LCA studies of power generation systems performed over the past ten years aiming at comparing the energy technologies to identify those with the lowest impact on the environment, evaluated in terms of gCO2eq/kWh emissions. Screening criteria were established to include only studies of the highest qualitative significance. The authors decided to assign greater weight to emission values reported in more recent studies. For nuclear and renewable energy technologies, most of the emissions are related to the pre-operational phases. Notably, both nuclear and wind technologies, along with other renewable sources throughout their entire life cycle, exhibit significantly lower and less variable emissions compared with conventional gas- and coal-fired technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In light of the growing integration of renewable energy sources in power systems, the adoption of DC microgrids has become increasingly popular, due to its simple structure, having no frequency, power factor concerns. However, the dependence of DC microgrids on cyber-networks also makes them susceptible to cyber-attacks. Potential cyberattacks can disrupt power system facilities and result in significant economic and loss of life. To address this concern, this paper presents an attack-resilient control strategy for microgrids to ensure voltage regulation and power sharing with stable operation under cyber-attack on the actuators. This paper first formulates the cyber-security problem considering a distributed generation based microgrid using the converter model, after which an attack-resilient control is proposed to eliminate the actuator attack impact on the system. Steady state analysis and root locus validation illustrate the feasibility of the proposed method. The effectiveness of the proposed control scheme is demonstrated through simulation results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents a solution methodology for a dynamic electricity generation scheduling model to meet hourly load demand by combining power from large-wind farms, solar power using photovoltaic (PV) systems, and thermal generating units. Renewable energy sources reduce the coal consumption and hence reduce the pollutants' emissions. Because of uncertain wind velocity and solar radiation, the share of solar and wind units is restricted to certain limits of demand, considering ramping requirements. The solar and wind units start quickly, while the thermal units start slowly. The commitment to renewable energy units is made through a proposed optimistic optimizer to restrict the power generation share. Economic and environmental objectives of thermal units are unified using a price penalty factor, and the hybrid sine–cosine algorithm (HSCA) optimization method solves the problem. A forward approach is applied to handle the dynamic electricity generation scheduling optimization problem. HSCA incorporates local mutation and hill-climbing heuristics to reduce global operating costs and emission pollutants' while allocating generation to the devoted units. To handle the constraints, replacement and heuristic techniques are applied. The proposed method is verified on a system having solar PV units and wind power plants connected to 6, 13, and 40 thermal generating units, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodegradation is a commonly used method to treat seawater polluted by petroleum. In addition to its ability to selectively degrade pollutants, it is also important to investigate the effectiveness of degradation and the benefits of restoration. This study focused on selecting a group of bacteria that can degrade diesel from marine sediment. The bacterial consortium called MB11 was found to be the most effective in removing diesel, with a removal rate of 53.77 ± 0.59 %. The consortium MB11 consists mainly of 6 types of bacteria: Enterococcus faecalis, Proteus mirabillis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Raoutella planticola, Enterobacter soli and Oceanotoga teriensis. The effective bacterial consortium MB11 was integrated with the floating MFC for electricity generation. The maximal open circuit voltage (OCV) and power density (PD) of 676.88 ± 5.94 mV and 0.16 ± 0.02 W/m3, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electricity generation in Taiwan is mainly from thermal, nuclear, and renewable sources. With nearly four decades of monthly data (from January 1982 to January 2022) used in analytics, the forecasting results reveal the patterns of electricity generation in Taiwan. Exponential smoothing and Holt–Winters seasonal models are used for time‐series forecasting, and scenario analysis is applied to simulate possible paths for nuclear phase‐out in Taiwan by 2025. Taking the fact of Taiwan's lack of energy independence into account, transition for nuclear phase‐out may require a substantial leap to meet the demand. The feasibility of electricity generation using current thermal power capacity and renewable energy remain challenging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The transition towards renewable energy sources has become an imperative step to mitigate climate change, reduce carbon emissions and improve energy security and economic prosperity in a sustainable manner. Maximizing the cost effectiveness of electric power generation is crucial to making renewable energy sources viable and attractive options for clean energy production. The strategic allocation of wind, hydro and solar power systems is essential to achieving this goal. This paper attempts to demonstrate how the cost effectiveness of electrical power system could be maximized through the integration of wind, solar and hydropower systems and comparison at different penetration levels of 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% on cost effectiveness of electric power generation. The different generator technologies were designed based on their electrical output attributions. Results: The cost of electric generation for the integration of each generator at the various buses were calculated at different penetration level for fair comparison. The results indicate that the minimum money loss for the integration of solar power was $743.90 at bus 4 and at 50% penetration level, the minimum money loss for the integration of wind power was $999.00 at bus 4 and at 25% penetration level while the minimum amount loss for the integration of hydropower was $546.50 at bus 4 and at 75% penetration level. Conclusions: The magnitude to which the integration of the different generator affects the cost effectiveness of power production hinges on the type of generator, the penetration level and the location of the generator in the grid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The idea of renewable resource integration influences the demand-supply balance significantly. The effort taken to diminish the deviation in demand-supply balance is greatly influenced by demand response (DR) strategy. In this analysis, the concept of DR is incorporated via the approach of load management. The optimal scheduling of the load considering the available energy helps to avoid unessential load shedding. The DR strategy of load shifting is suggested at different levels in accordance with the nature of load and real-time price. The profit of the utility is enhanced by providing the customer the flexibility to schedule their load. The curtailment of load can be avoided by increased customer participation in the suggested DR programs. The operating system is designed to be both efficient and effective by utilizing the real-time tariff profile of electricity to plan the generation of renewable energy, energy storage systems that include electric vehicles, and the utilization of grid power. The scalability and generalization of the proposed DR approach make it suitable for large-scale power systems that integrate renewable energy sources. The validation of the proposed method using reliability analysis ensures the effectiveness of the formulated DR. The proposed method is tested under two different scenarios and topologies on the IEEE-33 bus system and the results accomplished are promising. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in the number of small renewable energy sources (RES) power plants and the volume of generated energy in the years 2016–2020, with an outlook to year 2025. The study covered the area of Poland, including the division into provinces and different sources of renewable energy. Absolute values of electric power production and sale were presented, in addition to calculated structure indices. Moreover, the number and structure of small power plants using different renewable energy sources was determined for every Polish province. A classification of the provinces was made, where four classes were distinguished depending on the number of RES plants operating in the provinces. The research results allowed us to diagnose the current situation and make a prognosis for the future, which may translate into support for the development of particular types of installations, depending on the natural and economic characteristics of each area. The added value of the study stems from the fact that previous reports focused mainly on micro or large power plants and the time span covered data before and during the pandemic. This made it possible to assess the impact of the pandemic on the development of small renewable energy sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: In light of the increasing share of renewable energy sources (RES) in electricity generation, the research community is directing their attention toward developing highly efficient DC‐DC high‐gain step‐up converters. These converters are designed to exhibit reduced voltage stress on the switching devices (semiconductors). This paper presents a comprehensive study of a switch voltage stress‐reduced step‐up converter that offers a range of additional features, including the availability of a common ground point, continuous input current, simple two‐mode continuous conduction mode (CCM) operation, wide duty cycle range, and quadratic boosting factor. To achieve the aforementioned features, the converter utilizes two switches with the same operating modes, eliminating the need for complex switching circuitry. Operational modes, steady‐state analysis, and design considerations have been presented in detail. Comparative analysis indicates that the voltage conversion ratio per number of devices in the proposed topology is significantly higher than that of similar topologies. In addition, the voltage stress of switches is considerably less than the topologies addressed in the literature. The study further includes detailed mathematical and experimental analyses, small signal analysis, and hardware implementation to support the theoretical findings. The converter's efficiency has been thoroughly analyzed along with thermal analysis to ensure its reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the main factors for changes in the structure of the energy mix in Poland is the development of renewable energy sources, in particular wind generation. In 2009–2020, the installed capacity of wind sources in Poland increased more than ninefold. At the same time, new legislation significantly curbed the development of onshore wind farms. Further development of wind energy in Poland will rely largely on offshore wind farms. The current state of development of wind power in Poland allows for analyses of the onshore part of wind energy development in Poland. The paper aims to conduct a detailed analysis of the Polish wind sector from an electric power generation perspective. This article presents a comprehensive discussion of the development of onshore wind generation in Poland. In particular, analyses address the production of electric power from wind. Various time horizons are taken into account, as well as the correlation of wind generation with demand for power in the Polish Power System (PPS). The results of the analysis indicate a high variability of wind generation throughout the month or year. The largest wind generation occurred during the night valley, which makes it difficult to operate the power system. In the winter months, wind generation is much greater than in the summer months. Monthly average values of the capacity factor for onshore wind farms (WFs) vary from 0.14 in August to 0.48 in February. Moreover, the coefficient of determination R2 close to zero shows a lack of correlation between offshore wind power generation and real power demand in the PPS. The studied high variability of wind generation in PPS can be mitigated by the wide use of electricity storage systems. Moreover, the obtained results can be part of a model to describe the energy mix in Poland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To overcome its reliance on burning fossil fuels for energy generation and water desalination, Kuwait has pioneered research and cutting-edge projects in renewable energy since the 1980s. This paper examines the power sector in Kuwait and emphasizes the government’s keenness to diversify the country’s electric power supply. It provides a comprehensive overview of Kuwait’s efforts, to emerge as a leading example in the region, fostering collaboration and matchmaking within renewable energy industries. The country’s goal is to meet 15% of the demand for power from renewable energy by 2030, including a reduction in energy use in the building sector by 12% and a decrease in CO2 emissions by 33%. The country’s initiatives revolve around harnessing renewable sources, particularly emphasizing the exploration of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. Challenges and opportunities are presented to provide information for international institutions, technology companies, designers, researchers, and decision makers, aiming to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of PV project implementation in the country and the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Politicians and the public alike doubt the ability of nuclear power in the United States to compete as a significant low-carbon emission contributor to electricity production in a fully decarbonized electricity sector. Establishing whether or not these doubts are justified is challenged by the complexity of the highly disaggregated US electricity markets, including the highly varied mix of subsidies, production credits, and power purchase mandates that exist at the individual state level. The authors focus on answering the question of nuclear power's competitiveness by examining the electricity market of Sweden, a nation which has already fully decarbonized its electricity sector, basing its electricity generation entirely on a mix of hydroelectric power, nuclear power, and the use of biofuels, with much smaller contributions from renewables such as solar PV and wind-generated power. In this market, nuclear power is an effective competitor against renewable power generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the face of ongoing climate changes and the current geopolitical situation, Renewable Energy Sources (RES) are continuously gaining popularity in many countries. Objectives related to environmental protection and the use of RES set by different countries all over the world, as well as by the European Union (EU), are becoming priorities for many. The increase in the installed capacity of photovoltaic systems has been growing steadily for several years, leading to the creation of new systems accompanying PV installations; this phenomenon has also been observed in Poland. This paper presents a photovoltaic system in the form of a bicycle shed next to a school building as an example of building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) without connection to the power grid. It was shown that the energy consumption profile should be properly correlated with the production profile, otherwise significant losses occur. Alternative methods to improve the correlation of production and energy consumption by using SCADA systems or building automation to properly manage the electricity generation and consumption installation were also proposed. Furthermore, it was shown that adopting a fixed discount rate in financial analyses can distort the picture of real profits. An analysis of the changes in the NPV ratio using variable discount rates was carried out when analyzing the entire life of the solar plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The EU power sector is under increasing pressure due to rising electricity demand and the need to meet decarbonisation targets. Member states have been active in investing in renewables and building capacity to increase their share of renewables in electricity generation. However, it is important to examine what progress each member state has made in the deployment of renewable energy for electricity generation and what factors influence gross electricity generation from renewable energy. In this study, logarithmic mean Divisia index (LMDI) analysis was used to examine the changes in EU-27 countries' gross electricity generation from renewable energy sources (RES), wind, and solar PV from 2012 to 2021. The results show that the RES deployment per capita effect and the RES share effect were the main positive factors for the total gross electricity generation from RES in the EU. In contrast, the RES capacity productivity effect and the energy intensity effect had negative contributions. Population growth had a positive influence but was less significant than the other factors. The deployment of RES per capita effect was the main factor in the overall growth of gross electricity generation from RES in Northern Europe, Central Western Europe, and Central Eastern Europe, according to comparisons between the regional groups. RES share effect was the main driver in Southern Europe. The decrease in RES capacity productivity was the second most important factor influencing the variation in the amount of energy generated by RES in Northern Europe and Central Western Europe. The results could be used to develop more effective and tailored renewable energy policies that take into account the existing main drivers of RES, wind, and solar energy in each of the EU-27 member states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a bio-electrical energy generator that uses respiring microbes to transform organic matter present in sludge into electrical energy. The primary goal of this work was to introduce a new approach to the green electricity generation technology. In this context a total of 6 bacterial isolates were recovered from sludge samples collected from El-Sheikh Zayed water purification plant, Egypt, and screened for their electrogenic potential. The most promising isolates were identified according to 16S rRNA sequencing as Escherichia coli and Enterobacter cloacae, promising results were achieved on using them in consortium at optimized values of pH (7.5), temperature (30°C) and substrate (glucose/pyruvate 1%). Low level red laser (λ = 632.8nm, 8mW) was utilized to promote the electrogenic efficiency of the bacterial consortium, maximum growth was attained at 210 sec exposure interval. In an application of adding standard inoculum (107 cfu/mL) of the photo-stimulated bacterial consortium to sludge based MFC a significant increase in the output potential difference values were recorded, the electricity generation was maintained by regular supply of external substrate. These results demonstrate the future development of the dual role of MFCs in renewable energy production and sludge recycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the potential impact of recent legislation, specifically the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022, on the electrical power structure of the Great Plains region in the U.S. It discusses how these legislative measures aim to reduce carbon emissions from electricity generation, particularly from fossil fuel sources, and promote the development of renewable energy resources.

• Analyzes the development of power generation systems in the Galapagos Islands. • Describes the island's energy matrix and RES-based power generation proposals. • Presents a state-of-the-art analysis carried out to introduce RES in the Islands. • Analyzes the regulations and policies governing RES installation on the islands. The sources of electricity generation in the Galapagos Islands have been diversified due to the high risk represented by the use and transportation of fossil fuels and the application of the Zero Fossil Fuels initiative. This has increased the implementation of projects using different renewable energy sources. Despite being a World Heritage Centre, very little research has been carried out that presents the current situation of the electrical system in the Galapagos Islands. Therefore, this study reviews the current electricity sector situation in the Galapagos Islands. The characteristics of generation, distribution, and demand in the Galapagos Islands are presented. Also, the research studies and the regulations to be met for designing and implementing electric power generation projects based on renewable energy sources are detailed. In addition, this study presents the changes in the energy matrix of the Galapagos Islands in recent years, where the generation capacity and investment in hybrid systems (photovoltaic, wind, biomass, and vegetable oil - Jatropha) have been diversified and increased, encouraging research into new sources such as geothermal, biomass, waves, tides and green H2. Finally, the central policies and regulations that govern the installation of renewable generation systems in the Galapagos Islands are analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A wastewater treatment system has been established based on sulfate-reducing and sulfide—oxidizing processes for treating organic wastewater containing high sulfate/sulfide. The influence of COD/SO42− ratio and hydraulic retention time (HRT) on removal efficiencies of sulfate, COD, sulfide and electricity generation was investigated. The continuous operation of the treatment system was carried out for 63 days with the optimum COD/SO42− ratio and HRT. The result showed that the COD and sulfate removal efficiencies were stable, reaching 94.8 ± 0.6 and 93.0 ± 1.3% during the operation. A power density level of 18.0 ± 1.6 mW/m2 was obtained with a sulfide removal efficiency of 93.0 ± 1.2%. However, the sulfide removal efficiency and power density decreased gradually after 45 days. The results from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with an energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) show that sulfur accumulated on the anode, which could explain the decline in sulfide oxidation and electricity generation. This study provides a promising treatment system to scale up for its actual applications in this type of wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Polish power system has been reducing its impact on the environment for a long time, mainly through modernization and investments in new generation capacities, including renewable energy technologies. However, its starting point is still more difficult compared to other less coal-dependent power systems in the European Union. The study was conducted in the direction of optimizing the Polish energy mix of electricity generation from the perspective of 2050. Two energy scenarios for the possible transformation of the Polish power system towards achieving at least a 95% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2050 with an increasing share of renewables were analyzed. The study was carried out with the use of the TIMES-PL model, which minimizes the total system cost over the analyzed time horizon. The model was calibrated according to data from 2018. The two scenarios show relatively similar pathways for CO2 emission reductions by 2050. In the case of no investment in nuclear power plants, power plants equipped with CO2 capture and storage systems are an alternative solution for achieving climate neutrality and increasing national energy security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, the International Energy Agency (IEA) released a comprehensive roadmap for the global energy sector to achieve net-zero emission by 2050. Considering the sizeable share of (Sub-Sahara) Africa in the global population, the attainment of global energy sector net-zero emission is practically impossible without a commitment from African countries. Therefore, it is important to study and analyze feasible/sustainable ways to solve the energy/electricity poverty in Africa. In this paper, the energy poverty in Africa and the high renewable energy (RE) potential are reviewed. Beyond this, the generation of electricity from the abundant RE potential in this region is analyzed in hourly timestep. This study is novel as it proposes a Sub-Sahara Africa (SSA) central grid as one of the fastest/feasible solutions to the energy poverty problem in this region. The integration of a sizeable share of electric vehicles with the proposed central grid is also analyzed. This study aims to determine the RE electricity generation capacities, economic costs, and supply strategies required to balance the projected future electricity demand in SSA. The analysis presented in this study is done considering 2030 and 2040 as the targeted years of implementation. EnergyPLAN simulation program is used to simulate/analyze the generation of electricity for the central grid. The review of the energy poverty in SSA showed that the electricity access of all the countries in this region is less than 100%. The analysis of the proposed central RE grid system is a viable and sustainable option, however, it requires strategic financial planning for its implementation. The cheapest investment cost from all the case scenarios in this study is $298 billion. Considering the use of a single RE technology, wind power systems implementation by 2030 and 2040 are the most feasible options as they have the least economic costs. Overall, the integration of the existing/fossil-fueled power systems with RE technologies for the proposed central grid will be the cheapest/easiest pathway as it requires the least economic costs. While this does not require the integration of storage systems, it will help the SSA countries reduce their electricity sector carbon emission by 56.6% and 61.8% by 2030 and 2040 respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electricity demand has increased to 240% during the last decade in the Sultanate of Oman due to population growth and industrial expansion. Solar energy can act as an alternate source of energy production to meet the surge in demand for electric power. Also, the government has planned to derive 30% of the electricity from renewables by 2030. Moreover, agreements have been made to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by decreasing 7% by 2030. The main objective of this paper is to design a grid-connected PV solar system based on the real-time data collected from the location called Nizwa, Oman using Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Electric Renewables (HOMER) software. The real-time data of average high and low temperature, solar radiation, estimated monthly average daily sunshine and peak hours of solar radiation of Nizwa has been collected from Meteorological Office Oman for January to December 2022. Nizwa recorded a temperature max of 43 °C during summer and 12 °C in January. Daily sun radiation in July averages between 5,500 and 6,000 Wh/m2, and the average sunshine is 9 hours per day at the selected project area (Nizwa). The collected data has been analyzed and designed using HOMER software. HOMER is used to model, optimize and analyze an integrated energy system that primarily utilizes renewable and non-conventional resources for both grid connected and autonomous systems. A 9-kW grid-connected PV solar panel has been designed and implemented in the proposed system. The proposed PV solar system worked perfectly and gave the results of an estimated number of hours of operation to be 4,362 hrs/year; the cost of energy per kilowatt is $ 0.044 and the annual energy saving cost of the hybrid system is $ 173.696. For the environmental feasibility of producing 14,765 kWh/yr, carbon dioxide emissions have decreased from 7,230,440 g to 4,396.001 g, with a difference of 7,226,043.9 g of carbon dioxide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A dependable and cost-effective energy distribution scheme is the need in the current scenario of distributed generation of electricity. In the recent past, different economic dispatch techniques are proposed to address this challenge of cost-effectiveness. The fossil fuels issue of pollutant emission and the limited stock has pushed the research community to focus on the direction of renewable energy generation. The aim of this paper is to present a multi-objective cost-emission-based dynamic economic dispatch (MOCEDED) algorithm, which includes thermal, solar, and wind-based power plants. Moreover, the uncertainty of solar and wind power in terms of curtailment is also included in the formulation of the algorithm. The formulated objective function is quadratic constrained programming, which is implemented in General Algebraic Modeling System software. Two paradigms, i.e. only cost-based DED and MOCEDED algorithm, have been analyzed. The outcome of the proposed MOCEDED algorithm shows more promising results than cost-based DED. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The share of renewable energy is expected to increase in South Africa's energy mix. Motivated by concerns about renewable energy sprawl, this study quantifies the current and future (2050) land requirements for electricity generation in South Africa and evaluates the likely impact on natural biomes. Currently, around 340 km2 has been transformed for electricity generation (mainly coal-powered) and an additional 1 400 km2 is used for spacing requirements. Direct land use is expected to increase to 755–1080 km2 by 2050, and spacing requirements will increase to 10 700–16 750 km2 (0.9–1.4% of South Africa's land area). South Africa has excellent potential for renewable energy generation, with 36% and 57% of the land area being suitable for solar and wind development, respectively. Assuming that future developments are built on the most suitable land in the Renewable Energy Development Zones, the Nama-Karoo Biome will be most affected. It is concluded that concerns about renewable energy sprawl should not limit South Africa's renewable energy capacity expansion plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]