The Role of Renewable Energy Systems in the Modern Societies

A special issue of Processes (ISSN 2227-9717). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy Systems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 January 2024) | Viewed by 19638

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia (UNM), Selangor, Malaysia
Interests: biomass and biofuel; renewable energy sources; energy management

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Civilization owes a great deal to energy, and our contemporary world has been developed around the notion of energy. Fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and natural gas are ancient sources of energy. Nowadays, a remarkable quota of global energy is supplied from fossil fuels and their derivatives. Coal and oil have been used for heating buildings for many years and as sources to drive the first generations of electric generators in the world. Anthropogenic pollution of the atmosphere and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are the major repercussions of depleting fossil fuels to produce heat and electricity. The dominant alternative replacement for fossil fuels is renewable energy sources. Today, the growing interest in harnessing energy from clean and unlimited sources, such as in the examples of solar, wind, hydro, tidal, wave, biomass, and geothermal energy, has persuaded industry and research centers alike to invest in this section of the energy sector. The purpose of this Special Issue is to scrutinize recent technological innovations and improvements, energy policies, decarbonization in a climate-friendly scenario, CO2 removal technologies, and the application of power electronics and artificial intelligence (AI) in the renewable energy sector. Moreover, studies related to the technoeconomic analysis of hybrid energy systems, smart grids, energy forecasting, and energy trading are of interest.

We invite researchers to submit their original and unique articles as well as their critical review papers. Topics include, but are not limited to, the following areas:

  • Renewable energy sources
  • Biomass and biofuel
  • Hybrid renewable energy systems
  • Power systems
  • Energy management
  • Energy saving devices
  • Energy policy
  • Robotic applications in renewable energy systems
  • Electric vehicles
  • Power electronics in renewable energy systems
  • Energy forecasting
  • Atmospheric pollution
  • Energy in buildings
  • Artificial intelligence in energy systems

Dr. Shahabaldin Rezania
Dr. Kamyar Mehranzamir
Guest Editors

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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26 pages, 4991 KiB  
Article
Reliability Evaluation of DC/DC Converter in Direct Current Collection System of Wind Farm Considering the Influence of Control Strategy
by Junyi Liu, Yanfang Fan, Junjie Hou and Xueyan Bai
Processes 2023, 11(10), 2825; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11102825 - 25 Sep 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1376
Abstract
The DC collection system of wind farms can effectively solve the problems of harmonic resonance and reactive power transmission in large-scale wind power AC collection systems, and has broad development prospects. The DC/DC converter is critical equipment in the wind farm DC collection [...] Read more.
The DC collection system of wind farms can effectively solve the problems of harmonic resonance and reactive power transmission in large-scale wind power AC collection systems, and has broad development prospects. The DC/DC converter is critical equipment in the wind farm DC collection system, and its reliability is related to the entire collection system’s safe and stable operation. The reliability of DC/DC converters is affected by factors such as system operating conditions and control strategies. Based on this, a reliability evaluation model for boost full-bridge isolated (BFBIC) DC/DC converters is proposed from the device level to the submodule level and then to the equipment level, incorporating operating conditions and control strategies into reliability analysis. Firstly, in device-level reliability modeling, the impact of DC/DC converter operating conditions and control strategies on insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) module losses and junction temperature fluctuations are considered. Secondly, fault tree analysis (FTA) is used to establish the reliability model of the BFBIC submodule and DC/DC converter. In the end, we verify the effectiveness of the proposed model through a numerical example, and provide solid data support for analyzing the reliability of the wind farm DC collection system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Renewable Energy Systems in the Modern Societies)
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18 pages, 1830 KiB  
Article
Fostering a Sustainable Energy Future to Combat Climate Change: EESG Impacts of Green Economy Transitions
by Dicao Tang and Yasir Ahmed Solangi
Processes 2023, 11(5), 1548; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11051548 - 18 May 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2364
Abstract
The transition to a green economy for any country is crucial for the sustainability development of the economy, environment, society, and governance (EESG). A green economy is a sustainable approach to combating climate change and promoting sustainable development through the adoption of sustainable [...] Read more.
The transition to a green economy for any country is crucial for the sustainability development of the economy, environment, society, and governance (EESG). A green economy is a sustainable approach to combating climate change and promoting sustainable development through the adoption of sustainable energy. This research utilizes the Delphi and fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (AHP) methodologies to assess and rank the EESG criteria and policy options for transitions to a green economy. The factors and policy choices are identified using the Delphi approach for further analysis. These factors and policy alternatives for switching to a green economy for sustainable development are determined using the fuzzy AHP technique. According to the fuzzy AHP approach, environmental, social, and economic factors are best suited for green economy transitions. The findings also show that the most crucial policy options for the switch to a green economy are research and development, carbon pricing, and renewable energy targets. The findings are useful to guide the creation of policies and the selection of options for the implementation of a green economy. Finally, the conclusion can guide actions to combat climate change and develop a sustainable energy future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Renewable Energy Systems in the Modern Societies)
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20 pages, 2849 KiB  
Article
Energy Savings in the Heat Exchanger Network of an Oil Refinery Pre-Heat Train Unit Using a Path’s Combination at Different HRAT Values
by Abdelbagi Osman and Mousab Salaheldeen Mirghani
Processes 2022, 10(12), 2541; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr10122541 - 29 Nov 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2256
Abstract
Conservation of energy usage is essential in chemical process plants due to the expanded energy users and demands alongside the carry-on hike of energy prices. This study analyzed the performance of energy savings in a heat exchanger network (HEN). It is based on [...] Read more.
Conservation of energy usage is essential in chemical process plants due to the expanded energy users and demands alongside the carry-on hike of energy prices. This study analyzed the performance of energy savings in a heat exchanger network (HEN). It is based on decreasing utility usage while increasing process-to-process heat exchange in HEN using a path combination approach at different heat recovery approach temperatures (HRATs). The approach generates different combined path options for heat shifting from utilities to exchangers in a HEN. In terms of cost targeting, the optimal HRAT in a HEN is determined for each path’s combination option. The study focused on the HEN of crude oil preheat trains. Shifting heat load between utilities implies adding and subtracting loads to and from exchangers in a HEN. Therefore, a minor retrofit to compensate for the heat transfer area is required for some HEN exchangers. The optimum HRAT corresponding to the lowest total cost was determined for each option and ranged between 8 °C and 14 °C. Moreover, two out of five options in HEN with low capital investment and a short payback period were found to be promising. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Renewable Energy Systems in the Modern Societies)
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16 pages, 2150 KiB  
Article
Thermodynamic and Economic Analysis of a High Temperature Cascade Heat Pump System for Steam Generation
by Zhenneng Lu, Yuan Yao, Guangping Liu, Weibin Ma and Yulie Gong
Processes 2022, 10(9), 1862; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr10091862 - 15 Sep 2022
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2662
Abstract
A high temperature cascade heat pump (HTCHP) system using low-grade heat from waste water to generate steam for industrial processes is studied from the thermodynamic and economic view. The effects of intermediate temperature, heat source temperature, heat sink temperature, working fluids, and the [...] Read more.
A high temperature cascade heat pump (HTCHP) system using low-grade heat from waste water to generate steam for industrial processes is studied from the thermodynamic and economic view. The effects of intermediate temperature, heat source temperature, heat sink temperature, working fluids, and the pinch point temperature difference at the evaporator, condenser, and intermediate heat exchanger on the thermodynamic performance and cost-effectiveness of the HTCHP system are investigated. The PBP varying with the gas price and electricity price is evaluated as well. The results show that optimal intermediate temperatures exist under different operational conditions, not only for the COP, but also for the PBP. A high heat source temperature and low heat sink temperature are conducive to increasing the COP and shortening the PBP. Working fluid pair R1234Ze(E)-R1233zd(Z) shows a promising application in the HTCHP system for its relatively high COP, short PBP, and low GWP. A lower pinch point temperature difference will cause a higher COP and shorter PBP, but a higher SEC. The energy price has a great effect on the economic viability of the system. When the price ratio is lower than 1.81, the PBP is lower than 4.6 years. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Renewable Energy Systems in the Modern Societies)
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Review

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18 pages, 1103 KiB  
Review
Review on Waste-to-Energy Approaches toward a Circular Economy in Developed and Developing Countries
by Shahabaldin Rezania, Bahareh Oryani, Vahid Reza Nasrollahi, Negisa Darajeh, Majid Lotfi Ghahroud and Kamyar Mehranzamir
Processes 2023, 11(9), 2566; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11092566 - 27 Aug 2023
Cited by 25 | Viewed by 9908
Abstract
International interest in using waste-to-energy (WtE) technology toward a circular economy (CE) is developing, spurred by environmental challenges such as inefficient solid waste dumping, pollution, and resource depletion. Incineration, pyrolysis, gasification, landfill, and anaerobic digestion are standard WtE technologies. Although these methods have [...] Read more.
International interest in using waste-to-energy (WtE) technology toward a circular economy (CE) is developing, spurred by environmental challenges such as inefficient solid waste dumping, pollution, and resource depletion. Incineration, pyrolysis, gasification, landfill, and anaerobic digestion are standard WtE technologies. Although these methods have been used for many decades, all countries try to implement the best plans based on their technologies and capacities. Therefore, an up-to-date comprehensive study is needed to evaluate the existing barriers to draw a logical roadmap for WtE to CE. Therefore, this review addresses the recent policies adopted by developed and developing countries for WtE technologies. Based on the findings, most countries seek the most cost-effective and environmentally sustainable pathways in WtE to CE; meanwhile, international collaboration and governmental support are needed to overcome the existing barriers and find a sustainable and economically viable plan for both developed and developing countries in the future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Renewable Energy Systems in the Modern Societies)
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