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In order to increase energy supply reliability, a regulation was issued by the Turkish Energy Market Supervisory Authority. According to this regulation, operation hydroelectric power plants are allowed to add solar power plants with the power calculated according to certain conditions. Herewith will increase electricity generation by utilizing the existing facilities of the operating hydroelectric power plant. Thus, the hydroelectric power plant will be operated more efficiently and effectively. In this study, a real case study on the hybridization of an operating hydroelectric power plant in Turkey with a solar power plant was conducted. The study investigated the amount of energy increase of the power plant, the financing need for additional investment, and the feasibility of this investment. According to the results of the study, the payback period of the additional investment in the Turkish energy market is 4 years and the annual revenue of the hybrid power plant increases by 20%. In conclusion, this study has shown that the hybrid power plant is technically and economically feasible. [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]

The high‐temperature solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are the most efficient and green conversion technology for electricity generation from hydrogen‐based fuel as compared to conventional thermal power plants. Many efforts have been made to reduce the high operating temperature (>800 °C) to intermediate/low operating temperature (400 °C

In the period 2006-2018, just over 6 000 km of gas pipelines were installed in Mexico to form a gas-electricity chain, using private investment attracted by a business model based on the extraction of public resources. Successive neoliberal governments hastily promoted, without planning criteria or risk minimization, a large market for private companies that provided natural gas transportation services for electricity generation, resulting in an overcapacity whose budgetary dimensions and costly flaws have been evidenced by the State's public documentation. This article provides an interpretation of the extractivist-based privatization process in the Mexican natural gas sector and details the mechanisms of the business model of the well-known Energy Reform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Brazil, 65% of the electric power production comes from hydroelectric power plants (HPPs). In some cases, these power plants divert the course of rivers, resulting in regions impacted by the absence of water, which are known as reduced flow sections (RFS). These sections are regulated by legislation and aim to maintain the minimum flow necessary to preserve the fauna, flora, fish, and human consumption in the region. Depending on the time of year, this minimum flow, also known as ecological flow (residual flow), can reach significant values, resulting in the interruption of power generation in these HPPs. This article presents a study case of two hydroelectric power plants located in different Brazilian states. The objective of this study is to explore the feasibility of implementing auxiliary generator groups that can operate uninterruptedly at different drop heights while ensuring the preservation of residual flow during low flow periods or taking advantage of the overflow flow by spillways during high flow periods. This auxiliary system would use the same set of structures and transmission systems as the main power plant, minimizing environmental impacts and implementation costs, allowing this solution to be implemented in HPPs that face this type of problem in Brazil. The results obtained indicate that HPPs with larger reservoirs have a greater ability to maintain residual flows with minimal generation loss and that run-of-the-river power plants are the most impacted by the maintenance of residual flow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mahabad dam was constructed to supply drinking water, irrigation, and electricity generation on the Mahabad river located West Azerbaijan, Mahabad. In this research, bacterial contamination of the water of mahabad dam was investigated. According to the geographical properties of the reservoir, 3 stations (near the dam crest, Koter branch, and Bitas branch) were selected and samples were taken via Rottner from different depths of the reservoir during 12 months. Bacterial contamination (Total Coliforms, Fecal Coliforms, and Fecal Streptococci) were studied after transferring the samples to laboratory. Results indicated that values of Total Coliforms, Fecal Coliforms, and Fecal Streptococci were varied between 2.33 ± 1.20 and 1166.67 ± 33.33, 0.0 and 30.33 ± 6.74 and 0.0 ± 16.67 ± 6.33 MPN/100 ml respectively during over all the year. These values were in the allowed range according to the drinking water and recreation standards of Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Greenhouse gas emissions are related to non-renewable sources. For this reason, the methodological guide for the estimation of methane and carbon dioxide emissions in flooded lands was published in 2006 by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Since 2016, several studies have been carried out in temperate and tropical zones reservoirs. Costa Rica is a Central American country known for its large hydroelectric resources and its highly renewable electricity generation matrix. This work represents the first study for 11 of 24 hydroelectric plants managed by the Costa Rican Electricity Institute. Methane emissions, energy density and emission factors for electricity generation are determined. Furthermore, a static mathematical model is used to determine these factors with little input data. It is estimated that the greatest contribution to methane emissions corresponds to the Arenal reservoir, which has the largest surface area and the lowest energy density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work elaborates on the simulation and techno-economic analysis of a proposed MW-scale hybrid scheme that enables the production of different marketable products (i.e., electric energy and bio-oil) from the thermochemical exploitation of olive kernel residual biomass. In this regard, detailed calculations for mass and energy balances, process simulation in Aspen Plus and economic analysis with complementary sensitivity scenarios were conducted, with the aim to model and assses the feasibility of an integrated process for electricity and crude bio-oil co-generation via subsequent stages of biomass pyrolysis, bio-char gasification, syngas-fed SOFC and steam turbine. Notably, it was demonstrated that the provision of 20 tn/day of raw olive kernel resulted in a net electricity generation of 1685 kW el as well as production of 3.4 tn/day of bio-oil, without the need for external heating. Equally importantly, the overall electric efficiency and the combined bio-oil/power co-generation efficiency of the integrated process were equal to 46.8% and 77.0%, respectively, being amongst the highest values reported in relevant works. Moreover, economic analysis revealed that syngas clean-up and SOFC units account for 75% of the total fixed capital investment as well as for 62% of the annual operation costs. Nonetheless, increased unit cost is largely counterbalanced by the fact that electricity generation accounts for ∼85% of total profits. Also, it was found that the proposed venture is not profitable considering current market values for electricity and bio-oil. However, sensitivity analysis revealed that a main equipment cost reduction of 70% is a prerequisite for the break-even electricity price to attain the current market values. Moreover, profitability can be marginally improved further by accounting for a state subsidization of more than half of the initial investment and by the increase of the crude bio-oil price at 700 €/tn. • Simulation of a biomass co-generation process (1.68 MW el , 140 kg bio-oil/h). • Net electrical and overall efficiency of 47% and 77%, respectively. • SOFC and syngas clean-up units account for 3/4 of total equipment cost. • High break-even price for electricity between 0.890 and 0.915 €/kWh. • Competitive electricity price for 50% MEC reduction and CAPEX subsidy. [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]

Solar energy has received great interest in recent years, for electric power generation. Furthermore, photovoltaic (PV) systems have been widely spread over the world because of the technological advances in this field. However, these PV systems need accurate monitoring and periodic follow-up in order to achieve and optimize their performance. The PV systems are influenced by various types of faults, ranging from temporary to permanent failures. A PV system failure poses a significant challenge in determining the type and location of faults to quickly and cost-effectively maintain the required performance of the system without disturbing its normal operation. Therefore, a suitable fault detection system should be enabled to minimize the damage caused by the faulty PV module and protect the PV system from various losses. In this work, different classifications of PV faults and fault detection techniques are presented. Specifically, thermography methods and their benefits in classifying and localizing different types of faults are addressed. In addition, an overview of recent techniques using different artificial intelligence tools with thermography methods is also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hexagonal distributed embedded energy converters, also known as hexDEECs, are centimeter-scale energy transducers that leverage variable capacitance to generate electricity when their hyperelastic structure is dynamically deformed. To better understand, characterize, and optimize hexDEEC designs, a series of numerical methods and techniques were developed to model the hyperelastic mechanics of hexDEECs, electrostatic properties, and electricity generation characteristics. The numerical methods developed for the hyperelastic structural analysis were corroborated by empirical results from another study, and the models and equations for capacitance, electrostatic forces, and electrical potential energy were derived from fundamental electrostatic equations. These methods and techniques were implemented within the STAR-CCM+ multiphysics software Version 2020.3 (15.06.008) environment. Results from this analysis revealed methodologies and techniques necessary to model the energy converters, which will enable future exploration and optimization of more specific designs and corresponding applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently used TEG modules have low efficiency of about 5%. The energy generated by the TEG module depends on the temperature difference between the module surfaces. Heat exchange between the heat source and the module surface takes place through the contact between two rough solid surfaces. This creates contact resistance. It can be reduced by using a substance filling the empty spaces between the contact surfaces and applying pressure. During the tests, the efficiency of electricity generation with a thermoelectric generator was measured (TEG) at various pressure forces. The tests were carried out at a pressure force of 250 N, 500 N, 750 N and 1000 N. The selected values of pressure do not exceed the limit value arising from the thermoelectric generator (TEG) design. A copper element constituting the heat source was heated in a furnace. Next, it was pressed at an adequate force to the generator, which was placed on a water cooler. The impact of conductive materials placed between the faces of the heat source and the TEG on the generation of electricity was examined. At low forces, the use of a thermal pad as an intermediary substance does not result in improved heat transfer in the heat source—TEG generator system. Better filling of voids is provided by thermally conductive paste due to its properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The indirect benefits of battery energy storage system (BESS) on the generation side participating in auxiliary service are hardly quantified in prior works. Nevertheless, the configuration of BESS could be affected by its indirect benefits. In this paper, the authors purpose a quantitative economic evaluation method of BESS considering the indirect benefits from the reduction in unit loss and the delay in investment. First, the authors complete further the cost model of BESS for frequency and peak regulation based on the whole life cycle theory. Second, the authors quantify the indirect benefits of BESS in thermal power plants based on the theory of rotor fatigue life loss and establish a benefits model that considers the unit loss reduction during frequency regulation and the delay in investment during peak regulation. Finally, the authors propose a set of indexes for economic evaluation of the thermal power plant with BESS. The simulation results show that the total benefits of BESS can be improved effectively by considering the indirect benefits from unit loss reduction and the delay in investment, proving the effectiveness of the proposed approach which can be meaningful for the future investment in BESS on the generation side. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Color chemicals contaminate pure water constantly discharged from different points and non-point sources. Physical and chemical techniques have certain limitations and complexities for bioenergy production, which motivated the search for a novel sustainable production approaches during dye wastewater treatment. The emerging environmental problem of dye decolorization has attracted scientist's attention to a new, cheap, and economical way to treat dye wastewater and power production via fungal fuel cells. Ganoderma gibbosum was fitted in the cathodic region with laccase secretion in the fuel cell. At the same time, dye water was placed in the anodic region to move electrons and produce power. This study treated wastewater using the oxidoreductase enzymes released extracellularly from Ganoderma gibbosum for dye Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR) degradation via fungal-based fuel cell. The maximum power density of 14.18 mW/m2 and the maximum current density of 35 mA/m2 were shown by the concentration of 5 ppm during maximum laccase activity and decolorization of RBBR. The laccase catalysts have gained considerable attention because of eco-friendly and alternative easy handling approaches to chemical methods. Fungal Fuel Cells (FFCs) are efficiently used in dye treatment and electricity production. This article also highlighted the construction of fungal catalytic cells and the enzymatic performance of fungal species in energy production during dye water treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental destruction, water crisis, and clean energy are among the very important challenges worldwide based on sustainable development goals. Photocatalytic fuel cell, a potential candidate for converting chemical energy into electrical energy through a pollution-free method, holds promise in addressing these challenges. In this regard, we investigated the response of a photoanode covered with UiO66-NH2-TiO2/NiF on a porous nickel foam as an attractive electrochemical response to remove antibiotics from aqueous solution and simultaneously produce electricity using a one-step hydrothermal synthesis. Nickel foam with its fine structure provides a suitable space for the interaction of light, catalyst, and efficient mass transfer of reactive molecules. It appears that it can be used as a competitive electrode in fuel cells. In order to investigate the properties of the photocatalyst, structural analyses including XRD, FESEM, FTIR, and UV–vis DRS were utilized. Additionally, polarization and electrochemical tests such as chronoamperometry and EIS were measured to further examine the electrochemical features of the PFC photoanode system. The obtained results under optimal conditions (SMZ concentration = 20 ppm, pH = 6, irradiation time = 120 min) were as follows: removal efficiency of 91.7%, Pmax = 16.98 μW/cm2, Jsc = 96.75 μA/cm2, Voc = 644 mV. The light-induced current flow in UiO66-NH2-TiO2/NiF exhibited prominent and reproducible photocurrent responses, indicating efficient and stable charge separation in TiO2/NiF composite materials, which is a promising strategy for pollutant removal and simultaneous electricity generation. [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]

This paper analyzes five optimization algorithms for solving microgrid energy management problems. Network reconfiguration has become prevalent due to increased power demand in modern society. Microgrid energy management system has become a part of essential strategies to mitigate the total generation cost and electricity payment in the advanced smart electrical network. This study compared the performance of the optimization algorithm with total generation cost minimization and the total number of demand response programs while selecting the best approach as a suggestion. The effectiveness of the applied method is evaluated with fitness value, convergence rates, and robustness. Numerical simulation results are presented in paper, the five different methods are evaluated based on their performance and the resulting demand response program from the viewpoint of system cost-minimizing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A prosumer is a consumer who uses tiny, renewable electricity generation units and, in addition to consumption, can also generate electricity. With the increase in the number of prosumers in a power grid, it is expected that the paradigm of network utilization, at least at the distribution level, would change from centralized to decentralized utilization. In this new paradigm, microgrids are essential in the operation of the whole grid. The decentralized control of a stable network of microgrids (i.e., minimal power outages and fluctuations) is a significant challenge. In this paper, we present an architecture for decentralized control that consists of intelligent agents that manage the distribution network provided by the microgrids at the highest level and houses and their devices at the lowest level. The agents, managed by different private companies, dynamically organize themselves in units called holons, follow their defined policies, and can most tolerate network disruptions. In this architecture, self-adaptive agents will play a key role in sustaining network performance by controlling energy consumption and exchange (i.e., in the event of a shortage in a part of the distribution network). In the end, by simulating the architecture, the capabilities are shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the potential of smart piezoelectric materials as a means of clean electricity generation through the conversion of mechanical stresses into electrical potential. A speed bump module outfitted with these materials serves as the experimental model. The materials are modeled and simulated using COMSOL software, and the output is assessed under a range of load states and other parameters. The findings provide a comparative analysis of various piezoelectric materials and their performance characteristics. The overarching aim is to harvest energy from typically inefficient sources such as footsteps, sound, pressure, and vehicular traffic. The practical implementation of these findings could lead to the reuse of power from the main grid for applications like street lighting and signboards, thereby reducing overall energy consumption and environmental impact. A secondary objective of this research is to evaluate the feasibility of implementing renewable energy systems based on smart materials in Libya. This study thereby contributes to the broader discourse on sustainable energy solutions and demonstrates the untapped potential of smart materials in energy harvesting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial fuel cells could be used as an alternative for wastewater treatment and electricity generation. Escherichia coli is a representative bacterium that has been widely studied as a model in laboratory assays despite its limited ability to transfer electrons. Although previous studies have employed glucose and methylene blue in electricity production using E. coli, there remains a lack of understanding on how current generation would impact the production of metabolites and what the most appropriate conditions for current production might be. To shed light on those issues, this manuscript used a 32 factorial design to evaluate the effect of the concentration of organic matter (glucose) and the concentration of the mediator methylene blue (MB) using E. coli DH5α as an anodic microorganism. It was found that as the concentration of glucose was increased, the production of electricity increased and at the same time, its degradation percentage decreased. Similarly, a 17-fold increase in current production was observed with an elevation in methylene blue concentration from 0 to 0.3 mM, though inhibition became apparent at higher concentrations. The maximum power generated by the cell was 204.5 µW m−2, achieving a current density of 1.434 mA m−2 at concentrations of 5 g L−1 of glucose and 0.3 mM of MB. Reductions in the production of ethanol, lactate, and acetate were observed due to the deviation of electrons to the anode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measuring and understanding the evolution of the electricity generation efficiency sector is a relevant task for policymakers. This study focuses on assessing the determinants of electricity generation efficiency across 24 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean between 2000 and 2020. A hurdle model was employed to account for the censored nature of the dependent variable. The findings show a positive impact of opening up the electricity sector in fully efficient countries. Market liberalization and the involvement of privately owned power plants contribute to efficiency gains in inefficient countries. Additionally, the tariff protectionism level exhibits positive effects for completely efficient and inefficient countries. These results provide valuable insights, as less-efficient countries can glean strategies from their more efficient counterparts to enhance their electricity generation efficiency. [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 this paper, we present an analysis of the properties of the prototype three-phase Multichannel Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator (MCPMSG) prototype designed and constructed by the authors. Each channel of the generator has electrically separated windings, which allows us to create an island system of electricity generation. The analyzed MCPMSG is intended for critical applications, and it is designed for four-channel operation. The purpose of this work is to analyze various configurations of the generator channels to improve the redundancy of the electricity generation system. The MCPMSG operation with one or two independent sources of energy consumption in the case of a dual-channel or double dual-channel operation was investigated. For the analyzed cases, the original mathematical models of the three-phase MCPMSG were developed. On the basis of numerical and laboratory tests, the influence of individual configurations on the MCPMSG output parameters was determined. An original method for diagnosing the operation of the MCPMSG channels was developed. Numerical and laboratory tests of the proposed diagnostic method based on a single voltage signal were carried out. As part of the laboratory tests, selected operating states under conditions of full winding symmetry and internal asymmetry were analyzed. The advantage of the proposed diagnostic method is the control of the operating state of the channels both under load and in the de-energized state. The proposed diagnostic method for control of the individual channel requires measurement of only one voltage signal. [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]

Soil microbial fuel cells (SMFCs) are bioelectrical devices powered by the oxidation of organic and inorganic compounds due to microbial activity. Seven soils were randomly selected from Bergen Community College or areas nearby, located in the state of New Jersey, USA, were used to screen for the presence of electrogenic bacteria. SMFCs were incubated at 35–37 °C. Electricity generation and electrogenic bacteria were determined using an application developed for cellular phones. Of the seven samples, five generated electricity and enriched electrogenic bacteria. Average electrical output for the seven SMFCs was 155 microwatts with the start-up time ranging from 1 to 11 days. The highest output and electrogenic bacterial numbers were found with SMFC-B1 with 143 microwatts and 2.99 × 109 electrogenic bacteria after 15 days. Optimal electrical output and electrogenic bacterial numbers ranged from 1 to 21 days. Microbial DNA was extracted from the top and bottom of the anode of SMFC-B1 using the ZR Soil Microbe DNA MiniPrep Protocol followed by PCR amplification of 16S rRNA V3-V4 region. Next-generation sequencing of 16S rRNA genes generated an average of 58 k sequences. BLAST analysis of the anode bacterial community in SMFC-B1 demonstrated that the predominant bacterial phylum was Bacillota of the class Clostridia (50%). However, bacteria belonging to the phylum Pseudomonadota (15%) such as Magnetospirillum sp. and Methylocaldum gracile were also part of the predominant electrogenic bacterial community in the anode. Unidentified uncultured bacteria accounted for 35% of the predominant bacterial community. Bioelectrical devices such as MFCs provide sustainable and clean alternatives to future applications for electricity generation, waste treatment, and biosensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The safety and robustness of Deep Geological Repositories (DGRs) are of paramount importance for the long-term management of spent nuclear fuel from electricity generation. The introduction of a multi-barrier system, which includes the host rock formation and an engineered barrier system (including the bentonite buffer), has been a widely used approach to ensure the safety of DGRs. The assessment of the long-term safety of DGRs involves the mathematical modeling of the coupled thermal–hydraulic–mechanical–chemical (THMC) processes that occur in the near-field of the DGRs and their impact on the behaviour and engineering properties of the bentonite buffer. This paper presents a review of the THMC-coupled processes that arise in the bentonite buffer as well as a mathematical model governing such coupled processes. The model is verified against existing analytical solutions and validated against measured data of a thermal diffusion experiment in a sand bentonite column. Also, scoping analyses were performed to assess the influence of coupled THM processes on solute transport in clayrocks. The results of the numerical model closely matched those of the analytical solutions and experimental data demonstrating the capability of the provided mathematical model as well as the numerical approach in enhancing our comprehension of DGR behaviour. This enhanced comprehension will be valuable for safety prediction and assessment in the context of DGRs. The work presented in this paper is part of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission's (CNSC) regulatory research to gain independent knowledge on the safety of the geological disposal of radioactive waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of solar‐driven interfacial evaporation and electricity co‐generation is considered a promising approach to simultaneously alleviate freshwater scarcity and the energy crisis. However, affected by intermittent solar irradiation/uncontrollable weather, the overall performance of solar‐driven evaporation in the real world is greatly reduced. Herein, inspired by antifreeze proteins in beetles that survive in extreme climates, all‐weather solar‐driven interfacial evaporators with a sandwich structure are designed. The top and bottom layers composed of MnO2‐modified cotton cloth are used for photothermal conversion and water transport, meanwhile, the middle layer made of a phase change microcapsule/hydrogel composite serves for heat storage and release. Under 1 kW m−2 irradiation, the evaporator exhibits a high evaporation rate of 2.67 kg m−2 h−1 and an efficiency of 89.5%. In the dark, the heat released from the phase change layer supports an evaporation rate of 0.43 kg m−2 h−1, 3.6 times that of pure water. Additionally, assembled with a thermoelectric module, the hybrid device achieves a stable output electricity power of 0.42 W m−2 under 1‐sun illumination and a prolonged output for 30 min in the dark. This work provides a novel approach for full‐time solar‐powered steam‐electricity co‐generation and a proof of concept for biomimetic steam generation/heat management integration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Policy-makers seeking to limit the impact of coal electricity-generating units (EGUs, also known as power plants) on air quality and climate justify regulations by quantifying the health burden attributable to exposure from these sources. We defined “coal PM2.5” as fine particulate matter associated with coal EGU sulfur dioxide emissions and estimated annual exposure to coal PM2.5 from 480 EGUs in the US. We estimated the number of deaths attributable to coal PM2.5 from 1999 to 2020 using individual-level Medicare death records representing 650 million person-years. Exposure to coal PM2.5 was associated with 2.1 times greater mortality risk than exposure to PM2.5 from all sources. A total of 460,000 deaths were attributable to coal PM2.5, representing 25% of all PM2.5-related Medicare deaths before 2009 and 7% after 2012. Here, we quantify and visualize the contribution of individual EGUs to mortality [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transition metal single atoms anchored on nitrogen‐doped carbon (M‐N‐C) matrix with M‐N‐C active sites have shown to be promising catalysts for both hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Herein, a hybrid catalyst with low‐level loading of atomic Pt and Co species encapsulated in nitrogen‐doped graphene (Pt@CoN4‐G) is developed. The Pt@CoN4‐G shows low overpotential for HER in wide‐pH electrolyte and manifests improved mass activity with almost eight times greater than that of Pt/C at an overpotential of 50 mV. The Pt@CoN4‐G also exhibits a top‐level ORR activity (half‐wave potential, E1/2 = 0.893 V) and robust stability (>200 h) in alkaline medium. Using theoretical calculations and comprehensive characterizations , the strong metal–support interactions between Pt species and CoN4‐G support and synergistical cooperation of multiple active sites are clarified. A flow alkali‐Al/acid hybrid fuel cell using Pt@CoN4‐G as cathode catalyst delivers a large power density of 222 mW cm−2 with excellent stability to achieve simultaneously hydrogen evolution and electricity generation. In addition, Pt@CoN4‐G endows a flow Zn‐air battery with high power density (316 mW cm−2), good stability under large current density (>100 h at 100 mA cm−2), and long cycle life (over 600 h at 5 mA cm−2). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increased innovation on finding new ways to generate energy from different sources to meet the growing demand of consumers has led to various challenges in controlling the power network when it faces different disruptions. To address these challenges, a new approach has been proposed in this research paper, which combines a controller with a soft computing technique called Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). The study considers a power system with four units, where three different energy sources are utilized and distributed across two areas. Each area has two power sources, with one area having a combination of thermal and gas power plants, and the other area consisting of a nuclear power plant and a gas power plant. Transmitting power from the nuclear power plant is particularly complex due to its high sensitivity to disturbances. Therefore, an intelligent and efficient controller is needed to ensure robust control in this type of power network that includes nuclear power. The paper also conducts a thorough analysis of the harmful emissions associated with electricity generation from the different power plants considered. The goal is to reduce the carbon footprint associated with power generation. The proposed work and analysis in the paper are implemented using the MATLAB/SIMULINK environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electric power is the basic industry of a modern country. The rapid development of the power industry has promoted economic development and social progress. With the establishment of the carbon neutrality target of carbon peak, China's power industry is also facing new situations and new challenges. This paper innovatively introduces the concept of allometric growth in biology, and uses the data of provincial electricity consumption and economic development from 1972 to 2017, to study the allometric growth relationship between electricity consumption and economics in China at multiple scales. Combined with the spatial autocorrelation analysis method, the temporal and spatial characteristics of allometric growth between electricity consumption and economic development were researched based on the analysis of spatial correlation of GDP electricity consumption intensity. The results show that: (1) The provincial GDP electricity consumption intensity shows an aggregate distribution, and the local aggregate pattern changed significantly from 1972 to 2017. (2) The High-High Cluster gradually disappeared, and the Low-Low Cluster moved southward, appearing in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. (3) The differential growth coefficient of electricity consumption and economic development increased initially and decreased from 1972 to 2017. (4) GDP would increase by 7.4%, 20.1%, and 15.6% in the simulation of electricity consumption, increasing 10% at the three stages of China's economic development. (5) The allometric growth coefficients of electricity consumption and economic development are very different in the three economic belts, eight economic zones, and provinces with different characteristics at the different stages of economic development. Formulating differentiated regulation policies for regional economic development and electricity consumption will be conducive to the coordinated development of electric power production and the national economy. [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]

Introducing novel functionalities to state-of-the-art batteries has the potential to immensely enrich energy conversion chemistry. Here, we show a Zn-air battery concept wherein pollutant degradation is paired with electric power production facilitated by the in situ transformation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) produced on battery discharge to extremely reactive hydroxyl (˙OH) radical via Fenton's reaction. The battery delivered an open circuit voltage of nearly 1.3 V, a peak power density of nearly 55 mW cm−2 at a peak current density of ∼125 mA cm−2, while simultaneously degrading pollutants such as Acetaminophen and phenol during the delivery of electric power. The ability of batteries to couple pollutant degradation with electric power delivery adds a novel dimension to their chemistry to perform challenging tasks in the sustainable energy landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research presented in this paper introduces a novel environmental energy‐harvesting technology that harnesses electricity from the evaporation of water using porous structural materials. Specifically, a strategy employing paper‐based hydroelectric generators (p‐HEGs) is proposed to capture the energy produced during water evaporation and convert it into usable electricity. The p‐HEGs offer several advantages, including simplicity in fabrication, low cost, and reusability. To evaluate their effectiveness, the water evaporation‐induced electrical output performance of four different p‐HEGs are compared. Among the variants tested, the p‐HEG combining wood pulp and polyester fiber exhibits the best output performance. At room temperature, this particular p‐HEG generates a short‐circuit current and open‐circuit voltage of ≈0.4 µA and 0.3 V, respectively, thereby demonstrating excellent electrical stability. Furthermore, the electrical current and voltage generated by the p‐HEG through water evaporation are able to power an LED light, both individually and in series and parallel connections. This study delves into the potential of electricity harvesting from water evaporation and establishes it as a viable method for renewable energy applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Gallium-based room-temperature liquid metals (LMs) have unique physicochemical properties; however, their high surface tension, low flowability, and high corrosiveness to other materials limit their advanced processing (including precise shaping) and application. Consequently, LM-rich free-flowing powders, named "dry LMs" that offer the inherent advantages of dry powders, should play a critical role in expanding the application scope of LMs. A general method of preparing silica-nanoparticle-stabilized LMs in the form of LM-rich powders (>95 wt% LM) is developed. Dry LMs can be simply prepared by mixing LMs with silica nanoparticles in a planetary centrifugal mixer in the absence of solvents. As a sustainable dry-process route alternative to wet-process routes, this ecofriendly and simple method of dry LM fabrication has several advantages, e.g., high throughput, scalability, and low toxicity owing to the lack of organic dispersion agents and milling media. Moreover, the unique photothermal properties of dry LMs are used for photothermal electric power generation. Thus, dry LMs not only pave the way for the use of LMs in powder form but also provide a new opportunity for expanding their application scope in energy conversion systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]