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Sustainability Assessment of the Energy Generation Systems
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Sustainability Assessment of the Energy Generation Systems

A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "A: Sustainable Energy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (22 May 2024) | Viewed by 22910

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Shahjadi Hisan Farjana

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Alfred Deakin Postdoctoral Research Fellow, School of Engineering, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, Australia
Interests: sustainability; energy and resources; systems engineering; circular economy

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Energy recovery from waste, industrial process heating, and electricity generation from renewable and non-renewable energy resources have all increased significantly in recent years due to increasing energy demand. It is vital to understand the impact of increased energy generation on the environment, as well as human health, ecosystems, and resources, both for the environment and for society and the economy. This Special Issue welcomes articles on the sustainability assessment of energy generation systems. Energy generation can be in the form of electricity, process heat, etc. The sources of energy can be renewable, non-renewable, or waste. The topics covered by this Special issue include (but are not limited to) the following: sustainability assessment, triple-bottom-line aspects, sustainability indicators, energy generation systems, circular economy, and waste management.

Dr. Shahjadi Hisan Farjana
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Energies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • renewable energy
  • energy from waste
  • sustainability
  • life cycle assessment
  • energy management
  • techno-economic analysis
  • social responsibility
  • systems simulation

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 3028 KiB  
Article
Thermoecological Cost Analysis of Hydrothermal Carbonization for Valorization of Under-Sieve Fraction from Municipal Solid Wastes
by Barbara Mendecka, Klaudia Czerwińska, Lidia Lombardi, Maciej Śliz and Małgorzata Wilk
Energies 2024, 17(16), 4090; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17164090 - 17 Aug 2024
Viewed by 588
Abstract
Municipal solid waste (MSW) management poses significant challenges due to the generation of organic waste materials, including the under-sieve fraction (USF), which contains high moisture and organic content. Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) has emerged as a promising technology for converting USF into hydrochar (HC), [...] Read more.
Municipal solid waste (MSW) management poses significant challenges due to the generation of organic waste materials, including the under-sieve fraction (USF), which contains high moisture and organic content. Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) has emerged as a promising technology for converting USF into hydrochar (HC), a valuable energy-rich material with improved combustible properties. Despite the potential of HTC for waste valorization, comprehensive studies on the thermoecological cost (TEC) and environmental implications of applying HTC to USF are limited. In this study, a detailed analysis of the TEC associated with the HTC process applied to USF from MSW was conducted. The TEC assessment was conducted considering varying dilution ratios (DS/W), operational temperatures (180–220 °C), and reaction times (1–8 h) to evaluate the energy efficiency, resource utilization, and environmental impact of the HTC process. Comparative assessments were made with alternative USF treatment methods, such as bio-stabilization, landfilling, and wastewater treatment. The results indicate that the optimal conditions for minimizing TEC are a temperature of 180 °C, a reaction time of 1 h, and a dilution ratio of 0.15, achieving a TEC value of approximately 9.25 GJ per ton of USF. This represents a significant reduction compared to the conventional treatment methods, which showed a TEC of 14.9 GJ/ton of USF. This study provides a comprehensive comparison of HTC with alternative USF treatment methods, such as bio-stabilization and landfilling, highlighting HTC’s superior energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. These findings offer valuable insights into the energy consumption, resource utilization, and environmental impact of HTC, emphasizing its potential for sustainable waste valorization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability Assessment of the Energy Generation Systems)
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22 pages, 3402 KiB  
Article
DeepVELOX: INVELOX Wind Turbine Intelligent Power Forecasting Using Hybrid GWO–GBR Algorithm
by Ashkan Safari, Hamed Kheirandish Gharehbagh and Morteza Nazari Heris
Energies 2023, 16(19), 6889; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16196889 - 29 Sep 2023
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 1731
Abstract
The transition to sustainable electricity generation depends heavily on renewable energy sources, particularly wind power. Making precise forecasts, which calls for clever predictive controllers, is a crucial aspect of maximizing the efficiency of wind turbines. This study presents DeepVELOX, a new methodology. With [...] Read more.
The transition to sustainable electricity generation depends heavily on renewable energy sources, particularly wind power. Making precise forecasts, which calls for clever predictive controllers, is a crucial aspect of maximizing the efficiency of wind turbines. This study presents DeepVELOX, a new methodology. With this method, sophisticated machine learning methods are smoothly incorporated into wind power systems. The Increased Velocity (IN-VELOX) wind turbine framework combines the Gradient Boosting Regressor (GBR) with the Grey Wolf Optimization (GWO) algorithm. Predictive capabilities are entering a new age thanks to this integration. This research presents DeepVELOX, its structure, and results. In particular, this study presents the considerable performance of DeepVELOX. With a MAPE of 0.0002 and an RMSPE of 0.0974, it gets outstanding Key Performance Indicator (KPI) results. The criteria of Accuracy, F1-Score, R2-Score, Precision, and Recall, with a value of 1, further emphasize its performance. The result of this process is an MSE of 0.0352. The significant reduction in forecast disparities is made possible by this system’s remarkable accuracy. Along with improving accuracy, the integration of machine learning algorithms, including GBR, the GWO algorithm, and wind turbine operations, offer a dynamic framework for maximizing power and energy capture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability Assessment of the Energy Generation Systems)
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22 pages, 3211 KiB  
Article
Environmental Impact Assessment of Waste Wood-to-Energy Recovery in Australia
by Shahjadi Hisan Farjana, Olubukola Tokede and Mahmud Ashraf
Energies 2023, 16(10), 4182; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16104182 - 18 May 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2522
Abstract
Wood is a renewable material that can store biogenic carbon, and waste wood can be recycled to recover bioenergy. The amount of energy recovery from the waste wood can vary depending on the type of wood and its chemical and structural properties. This [...] Read more.
Wood is a renewable material that can store biogenic carbon, and waste wood can be recycled to recover bioenergy. The amount of energy recovery from the waste wood can vary depending on the type of wood and its chemical and structural properties. This paper will analyse the life cycle environmental impact of energy recovery from waste wood, starting from the wood production stage. These are cradle-to-cradle systems, excluding the use phase and the waste collection phase. The types of waste wood considered in the current study are softwood, hardwood, medium-density fibreboard (MDF), plywood, and particleboard. The results showed that all waste wood has great potential to produce energy while reducing climate change impact. Hardwood and softwood products showed the most beneficial aspects in terms of energy recovery from waste wood and thus could help to reduce harmful environmental emissions. However, MDF and particleboard show the least potential for energy recovery as they contribute to the greatest emissions among all types of wood products. The outcomes of this study could be used as guiding principles for Australia to consider waste-to-energy recovery facility establishment to generate additional energy while reducing waste wood. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability Assessment of the Energy Generation Systems)
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18 pages, 5823 KiB  
Article
Isothermal Deep Ocean Compressed Air Energy Storage: An Affordable Solution for Seasonal Energy Storage
by Julian David Hunt, Behnam Zakeri, Andreas Nascimento, Diego Augusto de Jesus Pacheco, Epari Ritesh Patro, Bojan Đurin, Márcio Giannini Pereira, Walter Leal Filho and Yoshihide Wada
Energies 2023, 16(7), 3118; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16073118 - 29 Mar 2023
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4014
Abstract
There is a significant energy transition in progress globally. This is mainly driven by the insertion of variable sources of energy, such as wind and solar power. To guarantee that the supply of energy meets its demand, energy storage technologies will play an [...] Read more.
There is a significant energy transition in progress globally. This is mainly driven by the insertion of variable sources of energy, such as wind and solar power. To guarantee that the supply of energy meets its demand, energy storage technologies will play an important role in integrating these intermittent energy sources. Daily energy storage can be provided by batteries. However, there is still no technology that can provide weekly, monthly and seasonal energy storage services where pumped hydro storage is not a viable solution. Herein, we introduce an innovative energy storage proposal based on isothermal air compression/decompression and storage of the compressed air in the deep sea. Isothermal deep ocean compressed air energy storage (IDO-CAES) is estimated to cost from 1500 to 3000 USD/kW for installed capacity and 1 to 10 USD/kWh for energy storage. IDO-CAES should complement batteries, providing weekly, monthly and seasonal energy storage cycles in future sustainable energy grids, particularly in coastal areas, islands and offshore and floating wind power plants, as well as deep-sea mining activities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability Assessment of the Energy Generation Systems)
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Review

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21 pages, 9358 KiB  
Review
Optimizing Electric Vehicle Operations for a Smart Environment: A Comprehensive Review
by Mehrdad Tarafdar-Hagh, Kamran Taghizad-Tavana, Mohsen Ghanbari-Ghalehjoughi, Sayyad Nojavan, Parisa Jafari and Amin Mohammadpour Shotorbani
Energies 2023, 16(11), 4302; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16114302 - 24 May 2023
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2331
Abstract
The transportation sector is one of the main contributors to the emission of greenhouse gases globally, and the electrification of this sector can significantly reduce the emission of pollutants. The widespread connection of electric vehicles (EVs) to the power grid may bring challenges, [...] Read more.
The transportation sector is one of the main contributors to the emission of greenhouse gases globally, and the electrification of this sector can significantly reduce the emission of pollutants. The widespread connection of electric vehicles (EVs) to the power grid may bring challenges, such as increasing the peak load of the network. Therefore, the optimal use of EVs is necessary to improve the network’s economic, security, and stability indicators. This review article examines the deterministic control model and centralized control model, the types of EV models, and their tabular comparison. Additionally, expressing the communication standards to deal with compatibility challenges in charging stations, the effects of EV integration with the power grid, and various methods such as smart charging, dumb charging, and flexible charging are the main goals of this review article. In addition, since batteries play a crucial role in the electric vehicle industry, this research investigates the oldest type of rechargeable battery to the latest battery technology and the energy management system of these batteries. Finally, the authors have conducted studies on government incentives, the adverse effects of these incentives, and the combination of EVs with renewable energy sources. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability Assessment of the Energy Generation Systems)
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49 pages, 3983 KiB  
Review
Livestock Agriculture Greenhouse Gases for Electricity Production: Recent Developments and Future Perspectives
by Chrysanthos Maraveas, Eleni Simeonaki, Dimitrios Loukatos, Konstantinos G. Arvanitis, Thomas Bartzanas and Marianna I. Kotzabasaki
Energies 2023, 16(9), 3867; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16093867 - 1 May 2023
Viewed by 2536
Abstract
The focus of this review paper was to investigate innovations currently employed to capture and use greenhouse gases produced within livestock farms for energy production and expected future directions. The methods considered for data collection regarded a systematic review of the literature, where [...] Read more.
The focus of this review paper was to investigate innovations currently employed to capture and use greenhouse gases produced within livestock farms for energy production and expected future directions. The methods considered for data collection regarded a systematic review of the literature, where 50 journal articles were critically reviewed. The main findings identified that the conventional method used in transforming livestock agriculture greenhouse gases into energy regards the combustion of biogas. However, emerging methods encompass microbial fuel cells, dry biogas reforming, steam biogas reforming, auto thermal Chemical Looping Reforming (CLRa), and gas-to-liquid methods that convert methane to liquid hydrocarbons. The conclusions from the review are that there is a potential to integrate these methods in livestock agriculture in order to generate energy from greenhouse emissions and reduce the reliance on fossil fuels. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability Assessment of the Energy Generation Systems)
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28 pages, 5582 KiB  
Review
Virtual Power Plant with Renewable Energy Sources and Energy Storage Systems for Sustainable Power Grid-Formation, Control Techniques and Demand Response
by Jiaqi Liu, Hongji Hu, Samson S. Yu and Hieu Trinh
Energies 2023, 16(9), 3705; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16093705 - 26 Apr 2023
Cited by 41 | Viewed by 7977
Abstract
As the climate crisis worsens, power grids are gradually transforming into a more sustainable state through renewable energy sources (RESs), energy storage systems (ESSs), and smart loads. Virtual power plants (VPP) are an emerging concept that can flexibly integrate distributed energy resources (DERs), [...] Read more.
As the climate crisis worsens, power grids are gradually transforming into a more sustainable state through renewable energy sources (RESs), energy storage systems (ESSs), and smart loads. Virtual power plants (VPP) are an emerging concept that can flexibly integrate distributed energy resources (DERs), managing manage the power output of each DER unit, as well as the power consumption of loads, to balance electricity supply and demand in real time. VPPs can participate in energy markets, enable self-scheduling of RESs, facilitate energy trading and sharing, and provide demand-side frequency control ancillary services (D-FCAS) to enhance the stability of the system frequency. As a result, studies considering VPPs have become the focus of recent energy research, with the purpose of reducing the uncertainty resulting from RESs distributed in the power grid and improving technology related to energy management system (EMS). However, comprehensive reviews of VPPs considering their formation, control techniques, and D-FCAS are still lacking in the literature. Therefore, this paper aims to provide a thorough overview of state-of-the-art VPP technologies for building sustainable power grids in the future. The review mainly considers the development of VPPs, the information transmission and control methods among DERs and loads in VPPs, as well as the relevant technologies for providing D-FCAS from VPPs. This review paper describes the significant economic, social, and environmental benefits of VPPs, as well as the technological advancements, challenges, and possible future research directions in VPP research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability Assessment of the Energy Generation Systems)
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