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Renewable Energy Systems: Optimal Planning and Design

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A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy Science and Technology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 August 2022) | Viewed by 44891

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Prof. Dr. Yosoon Choi

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Department of Energy Resources Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea
Interests: smart mining; renewables in mining; space mining; AICBM (AI, IoT, cloud, big data, mobile) convergence; unmanned aerial vehicle; mine planning and design; open-pit mining operation; mine safety; geographic information systems; 3D geo-modeling; geostatistics; hydrological analysis; energy analysis and simulation; design of solar energy conversion systems; renewable energy systems
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

With growing concerns about greenhouse gas emissions, security of conventional energy supplies, and environmental safety of conventional energy production techniques, renewable energy systems are becoming increasingly important and are receiving high levels of political attention all over the world. There have been great advances in technology to develop sustainable, economically and environmentally acceptable renewable energy systems using distributed energy resources, such as wind, geothermal, biomass, and solar. Despite these advances, there is not enough information for optimal planning and the design of renewable energy systems among installers and consumers, financial groups that broker large installations, policymakers enabling technology deployment, and even scientists and engineers from other complementary disciplines, except for a few developed countries. This lack of knowledge amongst various social groups has become a formidable barrier to the extensive dissemination of renewable energy systems.

Optimal planning and design are the most fundamental efforts required for the successful deployment of renewable energy systems. This Special Issue (SI) aims to encourage scientists, engineers, researchers, educators, and students to address the current state-of-the-art technologies, models, and solutions for the optimal planning and design of renewable energy systems. Original research contributions and reviews dealing with resource assessments, site evaluations, system designs, production forecasting, and feasibility studies in all areas of renewable energy are welcome in this SI.

Prof. Dr. Yosoon Choi
Guest Editor

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Keywords

Distributed energy resources
Hybrid renewable energy systems
Renewables in remote areas
Microgrids
Grid integration
Strategic planning for renewable energy deployment
Optimization under uncertainty
Artificial intelligence
Geographic information systems

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

3 pages, 178 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Renewable Energy Systems: Optimal Planning and Design

by Yosoon Choi

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(6), 3986; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13063986 - 21 Mar 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1354

Abstract

Renewable energy systems have emerged as a key solution to mitigate the impacts of climate change and meet the growing demand for energy in a sustainable way [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Systems: Optimal Planning and Design)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review

18 pages, 6139 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Community Battery Storage Systems Planning for Voltage Regulation in Low Voltage Distribution Systems

by Musaed Alrashidi

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(18), 9083; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12189083 - 9 Sep 2022

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3198

Abstract

The regulation of the grid voltage within operational limits becomes increasingly challenging as residential photovoltaic (PV) adoption rises. Therefore, this study proposes a method for the efficient planning of multiple community battery energy storage systems (BESS) in low voltage distribution systems embedded with high residential rooftop PV units. A bi-level optimization method based on a Neural Network Optimization Algorithm is developed to regulate the voltage in grid-connected solar PV. Since BESS characteristics are crucial for the reliable operation of the distribution networks, the objective of the bi-level optimization problem is to optimally place and operate BESS collectively at a distributed system level. The charging/discharging protocol of the batteries management system is obtained utilizing linear programming that minimizes the daily voltage signal. Simulations were carried out on a modified IEEE low voltage test feeder to examine the impact of PV integration and BESS installation on the voltage profile. Experimental results show the efficacy of the proposed method in enabling the utility to determine the optimal location, capacity, and number of BESS in the distribution system to keep the network voltage magnitude within acceptable bounds. In addition, results demonstrate that the network topology, load profiles, and amount of PV power highly influence the BESS characteristics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Systems: Optimal Planning and Design)

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23 pages, 786 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Power System Inertia Dispatch Modelling in Future German Power Systems: A System Cost Evaluation

by Henning Thiesen

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(16), 8364; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12168364 - 21 Aug 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2481

Abstract

Increasing the share of grid frequency converter-connected renewables reduces power system inertia, which is crucial for grid frequency stability. However, this development is insufficiently covered by energy system modelling and analysis as well as related scientific literature. Additionally, only synchronous inertia from fossil fuel-emitting power plants is represented, although renewable generators are a source of synthetic inertia, thus resulting in increased must-run capacities, CO₂ emissions and system costs. The work at hands adds an analysis of the future German power system considering sufficient inertia to the literature. Therefore, results of an novel open-source energy system model are analysed. The model depicts minimum system inertia constraints as well as wind turbines and battery storage systems as a carbon-dioxide-free source for a synthetic inertial response. Results indicate that integrating system inertia constraints in energy system models has a high impact on indicators such as system costs. Especially when investments in additional storage units providing an inertial response are necessary. With respect to researched scenarios, system cost increases range from 1% up to 23%. The incremental costs for providing additional inertia varies between 0.002 EURO/kg·m² and 0.61 EURO/kg·m². Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Systems: Optimal Planning and Design)

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25 pages, 6164 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Offshore Wind–Wave Energy Station Location Analysis by a Novel Behavioral Dual-Side Spherical Fuzzy Approach: The Case Study of Vietnam

by Minh-Tai Le and Nhat-Luong Nhieu

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(10), 5201; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12105201 - 20 May 2022

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 2324

Abstract

Despite the high capital requirements, offshore wind and wave energy integrated stations (WWS) are an emerging and potential solution to optimize efficiency in renewable energy development. Decisions about installation location significantly influence their efficiency. This study examines and determines highly efficient and sustainable locations based on quantitative indicators and qualitative criteria. For this purpose, a novel dual-side behavioral spherical fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach was developed and applied for the case study of Vietnam. In the first stage, the behavioral Data Envelopment Analysis (B-DEA) model, constructed based on prospect theory, is applied to analyze locations according to quantitative indicators under decision makers’ psychological behavior consideration. In the second stage, a spherical fuzzy extension of the integration composed of the DEMATEL (decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory) and the EDAS (evaluation based on distance from average solution) methods helped to evaluate the locations. Based on the convergence in qualitative and quantitative analysis results, efficiency–sustainability positioning maps are established. The research provides recommendations for appropriate WWS locations from that visualization. The research compared findings with current development projects, plans, and policies in Vietnam for validation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Systems: Optimal Planning and Design)

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17 pages, 6688 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Boat-to-Grid Electrical Energy Storage Potentials around the Largest Lake in Central Europe

by Gábor Pintér, András Vincze, Nóra Hegedűsné Baranyai and Henrik Zsiborács

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(16), 7178; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11167178 - 4 Aug 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3364

Abstract

With the dynamic growth in both the global hunger for electrical energy and the share of variable renewable energy sources in the energy mix, distribution networks are facing new challenges where conventional solutions may not be the best ones. The increase in load in distribution grids is routinely countered by network development and expansion, in a great part to supply for on-peak load demand, which could also be done by utilizing supplementary technologies to lessen the need for or defer such expansion. Vehicle-to-grid technology could efficiently contribute to handling this issue, as electric vehicles can potentially function as storage capacities to mitigate the fluctuations of power generation. The battery energy storage systems of hybrid or completely electric watercraft, which are becoming increasingly popular, are no exception, either. These vehicles represent a considerable potential to create more complex vehicle-to-grid solutions for countries with significant inland or seaport networks, for example, Hungary, with the largest lake of Central Europe. Since there is only deficient information on the topic, the main goal of this study was to explore the energy storage capacities of small electric boats in the context of Lake Balaton, Hungary. By this example, the paper presents the potential utilization of Europe’s significant network of sea and inland recreational ports for the purpose of energy storage. Similarly to other European countries, Hungary’s energy strategy for 2030 also includes the promotion of virtual production integration, local energy communities and micro-grid solutions. At the beginning of 2021, the small electric boats in the sailing marinas of Lake Balaton represented a cumulative energy storage capacity of 4.8 MWh, which may reach even 15.6 MWh by 2030, by the promotion of micro-grid solutions. The innovative novelty of this study is that it regards small fully electric boats not just as vehicles, but also explores their energy storage potentials. The novel goal of these examinations is to explore the volume of the energy storage potentials of the small fully electric boats around Lake Balaton, the knowledge of which may facilitate the creation of new types of flexibility services related to energy storage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Systems: Optimal Planning and Design)

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22 pages, 799 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A New Affinely Adjustable Robust Model for Security Constrained Unit Commitment under Uncertainty

by Juan Esteban Sierra-Aguilar, Cristian Camilo Marín-Cano, Jesús M. López-Lezama, Álvaro Jaramillo-Duque and Juan G. Villegas

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(9), 3987; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11093987 - 28 Apr 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2776

Abstract

Currently, optimization models for the safe and reliable operation of power systems deal with two major challenges: the first one is the reduction of the computational load when considering

N - 1

contingencies; the second one is the adequate modeling of the uncertainty [...] Read more.

Currently, optimization models for the safe and reliable operation of power systems deal with two major challenges: the first one is the reduction of the computational load when considering

N - 1

contingencies; the second one is the adequate modeling of the uncertainty of intermittent generation and demand. This paper proposes a new affinely adjustable robust model to solve the security constrained unit commitment problem considering these sources of uncertainty. Linear decision rules, which take into account the forecasts and forecast errors of the different sources of uncertainty, are used for the affine formulation of the dispatch variables, thus allowing the tractability of the model. Another major novelty is that the evaluation of the

N - 1

security constraints is performed by incorporating a novel method, proposed in the literature, based on the user-cuts concept. This method efficiently and dynamically adds only the binding

N - 1

security constraints, increasing the computational efficiency of the model when transmission line contingencies are considered. Finally, Monte Carlo simulations on the post-optimization results were run to demonstrate the effectiveness, feasibility and robustness of the solutions provided by the proposed model. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Systems: Optimal Planning and Design)

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13 pages, 8921 KiB

Open AccessArticle

GIS-Based Site Suitability Analysis for Solar Power Systems in Mongolia

by Uranchimeg Munkhbat and Yosoon Choi

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(9), 3748; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11093748 - 21 Apr 2021

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 6257

Abstract

In this study, we employed a geographic information system (GIS)-based approach to identify sites suitable for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant installations in Mongolia. Accordingly, cells of 30 × 30 m were used, and data based on seven criteria, including annual global horizontal radiation, annual average temperature, elevation, slope, slope direction (aspect), and distances from main roads and major power lines, were collected for each cell. GIS layers for these seven criteria were then converted into rated value layers using four grades. The weightings applied to the seven criteria were determined, using an analytical hierarchy process, by ten solar field experts. By combining the seven rating value layers with the weightings, a site suitability map was developed, using good, fair, low, and poor suitability grades. The results showed that sites graded as good, fair, low, and poor accounted for 3.27%, 53.06%, 42.59%, and 1.08% of the total surface area, respectively. Good sites were predominantly located in the southern and central regions of Mongolia. As the current demand for electric power in southern and central regions is low and high, respectively, we concluded that the central region of Mongolia should be prioritized for installing PV power plants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Systems: Optimal Planning and Design)

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Review

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17 pages, 2620 KiB

Open AccessReview

Review of Renewable Energy-Based Charging Infrastructure for Electric Vehicles

by Gamal Alkawsi, Yahia Baashar, Dallatu Abbas U, Ammar Ahmed Alkahtani and Sieh Kiong Tiong

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(9), 3847; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11093847 - 24 Apr 2021

Cited by 85 | Viewed by 17268

Abstract

With the rise in the demand for electric vehicles, the need for a reliable charging infrastructure increases to accommodate the rapid public adoption of this type of transportation. Simultaneously, local electricity grids are being under pressure and require support from naturally abundant and inexpensive alternative energy sources such as wind and solar. This is why the world has recently witnessed the emergence of renewable energy-based charging stations that have received great acclaim. In this paper, we review studies related to this type of alternative energy charging infrastructure. We provide comprehensive research covering essential aspects in this field, including resources, potentiality, planning, control, and pricing. The study also includes studying and clarifying challenges facing this type of electric charging station and proposing suitable solutions for those challenges. The paper aims to provide the reader with an overview of charging electric vehicles through renewable energy and establishing the ground for further research in this vital field. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Systems: Optimal Planning and Design)

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31 pages, 6536 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Review of Smartphone Applications for Solar Photovoltaic Use: Current Status, Limitations, and Future Perspectives

by Heejin Seo and Jangwon Suh

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(5), 2178; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11052178 - 2 Mar 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4959

Abstract

Smartphones and tablets can be effectively used in the solar photovoltaic (PV) energy field for different purposes because of their versatile capabilities incorporating hardware and software functionalities. These multifarious capabilities enable new approaches for measuring and visualizing data that are seldom available in conventional computing platforms. In this study, 100 accessible smartphone applications (apps) developed in the solar PV energy sector were investigated. The apps were categorized based on their main function as follows: computation of sun position, PV system optimal settings, PV site investigation, potential assessment of PV systems, environmental and economic assessment of PV systems, monitoring and control of PV systems, and education and learning for PV system. Each of these categories was further divided based on principal features or functions. Exemplary apps were chosen for each category and their characteristics and usefulness were investigated. Moreover, the apps for roof or rooftops and those that require built-in or external sensors were organized and analyzed according to their topic and functionality. Limitations regarding app implementation in solar PV and implications for future improvement as an alternative solar design tools were discussed. This study has significance in that it has first presented the current applicability and future perspectives of solar PV smartphone apps. Furthermore, they can be effectively used by the energy prosumers as an analysis tool for energy design due to evolving smartphone sensor technologies current opportunity factors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Systems: Optimal Planning and Design)

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