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Innovations-Sustainability-Modernity-Openness in Energy Research 2020

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2020) | Viewed by 30003

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Dorota Anna Krawczyk

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Faculty of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences, Bialystok University of Technology, Wiejska Street 45A, 15-351 Bialystok, Poland
Interests: energy efficiency; sustainable buildings, renewable energy sources; heating; HVAC; DHW; energy consumption
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Prof. Dr. Antonio Rodero Serrano

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Department of Physics, School of Engineering Sciences of Belmez, University of Córdoba, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
Interests: water treatment; water used in energy production; renewable energy for application in hot domestic water and heating; activation of water by plasma technology; application of activated water
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Prof. Dr. Iwona Skoczko

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Faculty of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences, Bialystok University of Technology, Wiejska 45A, 15–351 Białystok, Poland
Interests: water and wastewater treatment; water and wastewater quality; water pollution monitoring; filtration; activated sludge
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Special Issue Information

Dear colleagues,

The Special Issue “Innovations-Sustainability-Modernity-Openness” (ISMO’20) provides an opportunity for scientists, engineers, managers, and professionals from all over the world to sum up the scientific achievements and to highlight outstanding problems in the area of environmental and energy engineering. We invite experienced researchers, engineers, as well as young scientists who are taking their first steps towards innovations and to present their results. We focus on proposals of applications that can reduce energy consumption in different sectors, especially construction, for both new and existing buildings. We search for high-efficiency and environmentally friendly solutions, allowing the use of renewable energy sources. The Special Issue will feature topics that reflect the diversity of energy problems, such as energy sources, energy storage, the energy efficiency of HVAC and DHW systems, sustainable energy systems, energy policy, energy conversion systems, and domestic and industrial use of energy or environmental pollution; however submissions are not limited to these issues provided they are connected to the Special Issue theme.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dorota Anna Krawczyk
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Antonio Rodero Serrano
Assoc. Prof. Iwona Skoczko
Guest Editors

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Keywords

renewable energy
wind turbines
solar energy
hydroelectricity
biomass
heat pumps
energy use in buildings
energy efficiency
energy storage
HVAC systems
DHW system
sustainable energy systems
planning of RE investments

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 11490 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Determination of Heat Losses from the Pipeline in SDHW System during the Continuous Change of the Supply Temperature

by Miroslaw Zukowski

Energies 2021, 14(1), 90; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14010090 - 26 Dec 2020

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1746

Abstract

In this article, the research object is the solar domestic hot water (SDHW) heating system that has been in operation since 2015 and is located on the campus of the Bialystok University of Technology (Poland). The thermal performance of solar collectors are thoroughly investigated so far. Therefore, special attention was paid to the issue of the heat loss from pipes. The measurements showed that the heat transfer in circulation pipes is quite complex due to continuous fluctuations in water temperature at the supply of this loop. As it turned out, the application of the classical method of energy balancing and the readings from heat meters gave inaccurate results in this case. The main aim of this study was to develop a different approach to solving the problem of determination of heat losses. The method presented in this article is based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and measurement results as the input data. The practical result of this study was the development of two relationships for calculating the heat loss from pipes. A separate issue, that is discussed in this paper, concerns the impact of the time intervals used in numerical simulations on the accuracy of calculation results. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations-Sustainability-Modernity-Openness in Energy Research 2020)

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21 pages, 7351 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Estimation of the Influence of Household Appliances on the Power Quality in a Microgrid System

by Vojtech Blazek, Michal Petruzela, Tomas Vantuch, Zdenek Slanina, Stanislav Mišák and Wojciech Walendziuk

Energies 2020, 13(17), 4323; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13174323 - 20 Aug 2020

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2696

Abstract

This article presents the analysis of the influence of household appliances on the quality of the energy consumed by the end-user. The results of the research, then, concern the final consumer (the lowest level of the power grid). The research was conducted on 120 combinations of electrical appliances connected into a grid. Each combination consisted of three devices working simultaneously in a micro-grid. The obtained and statistically analyzed data proved that there are several types of appliances that have a great influence on the power quality (PQ) parameters changes. The results of the conducted experiments indicate the devices which influenced significantly the total harmonic distortion of voltage (THDV), the voltage frequency (FREQ) and the voltage fluctuation (V). Specific features of particular devices were examined in terms of their significance for the power quality deviation. This showed the most important features which should be considered while working out the prediction model. The future of smart grids resides in data analysis, predictive models and real-time optimization. One of the key characteristics is the reducing energy consumption generated by renewable energy sources. This phenomenon, namely looking for problems connected with sustainable power quality and their appropriate solution, is described in this article. We performed an extended analysis of the smart home appliances influence of individual quantities on a real model. Furthermore, we explored devices with a high impact on chosen power quality indicators. In the end, we discuss their specific behavior and relevance to the above-described phenomenon to improve the predictive model utility. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations-Sustainability-Modernity-Openness in Energy Research 2020)

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23 pages, 7660 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Temperature Analysis of the Stand-Alone and Building Integrated Photovoltaic Systems Based on Simulation and Measurement Data

by Adam Idzkowski, Karolina Karasowska and Wojciech Walendziuk

Energies 2020, 13(16), 4274; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13164274 - 18 Aug 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3236

Abstract

Sunlight is converted into electrical energy due to the photovoltaic effect in photovoltaic cells. Energy yield of photovoltaic systems depends on the solar array location, orientation, tilt, tracking and local weather conditions. In order to determine the amount of energy produced in a photovoltaic system, it is important to analyze the operation of the photovoltaic (PV) arrays in real operating conditions and take into account the impact of external factors such as irradiance, ambient temperature or the speed of blowing wind, which is the natural coolant of PV panels. The analysis was carried out based on mathematical models and actual measurement data, regarding the dependence of the average temperature of PV arrays on variable and difficult to predict ambient conditions. The analysis used standard (nominal operating cell temperature (NOCT)), King, Skoplaki, Faiman and Mattei thermal models and the standard model for flat-plate photovoltaic arrays. Photovoltaic installations PV1, PV2a and PV2b, being part of the hybrid power plant of the Bialystok University of Technology, Poland, were the objects of the research. In the case of a free-standing solar system, the Skoplaki model proved to be the best method for determining the average temperatures of the PV arrays. For building-integrated PV systems, a corrected value of the mounting coefficient in the Skoplaki model was proposed, and the original results were compared. The comparison of the accuracy measures of the average operating temperatures for three micro-power plants, differently mounted and located, is presented. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations-Sustainability-Modernity-Openness in Energy Research 2020)

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15 pages, 2559 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of Primary Energy Factors from Photovoltaic Systems for a Nearly Zero Energy Building (NZEB): A Case Study in Lithuania

by Rokas Tamašauskas, Jolanta Šadauskienė, Dorota Anna Krawczyk and Violeta Medelienė

Energies 2020, 13(16), 4099; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13164099 - 7 Aug 2020

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3125

Abstract

Following a new climate and energy plan, the European Union (EU) gives big attention to energy savings. The overall assessment of energy saving measures is very important. Thus, it is crucial to estimate in a proper way the primary energy factor, which is used in calculations of primary energy consumption from renewable energy (RE) sources in a Nearly Zero Energy Building (NZEB). The conduced studies of the literature and national regulations showed that different methods to determine energy from photovoltaic (PV) systems are used. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the primary energy factors of energy from photovoltaics and determine the average value. To achieve this aim, the data of 30 photovoltaic systems from Lithuania were analyzed. The results show a 35% diversification in the values of non-renewable primary energy factor, depending on the PV systems’ capacities, with the average on a level of 1.038. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations-Sustainability-Modernity-Openness in Energy Research 2020)

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16 pages, 5760 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sustainability of Steel Office Buildings

by Filip Broniewicz and Miroslaw Broniewicz

Energies 2020, 13(14), 3723; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13143723 - 20 Jul 2020

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3338

Abstract

Sustainable construction is an important part of sustainable development because of its contribution to the economy as well as the environmental and social impact of buildings on our lives. Steel is one of the most basic materials, both in the structures and for the finishes. It enables efficiency, durability, and recyclability, especially for office buildings. All these features of steel show its sustainable potential. Consumers are becoming increasingly concerned about the environment. They need to be able to make informed decisions about the impact of their actions. This publication is aimed at setting out key themes for the design and construction of sustainable buildings. Examples of office building environmental analyses are presented to illustrate how this is being achieved in steel construction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations-Sustainability-Modernity-Openness in Energy Research 2020)

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21 pages, 3325 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fatty Acid Methyl Esters from the Herbal Industry Wastes as a Potential Feedstock for Biodiesel Production

by Aneta Sienkiewicz, Alicja Piotrowska-Niczyporuk and Andrzej Bajguz

Energies 2020, 13(14), 3702; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13143702 - 18 Jul 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3373

Abstract

Due to thegrowing awareness of fossil fuel depletion and environmental issues, biodiesel alternative fuel is currently of substantial interest. This research assessed herbal industry wastes as a potential resource for biodiesel production for the first time. Fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs), obtained in the transesterification reaction, were extracted from the herbal samples by ultrasound-assisted extraction and identified withgas chromatography-mass spectrometry in the selected ion monitoring mode. The presence of at least 20 (e.g., in chamomile and chicory) FAMEs, up to 31 in nettle and senna, was reported. The unsaturated FAMEs were found in higher amounts than saturated. Linoleic acidwas the major polyunsaturated FAME in herbal wastes, while palmitic acid was the major saturated FAME. The highest content of FAMEs was identified in rye bran, Figure tea, and chicory. According to the cetane number prediction, BS EN 14214:2012+A2:2019, and hierarchical clustering on principal components (HCPC)wastes from, e.g., nettle, sage, and senna, are the most suitable in biodiesel production with fuel properties acceptable by the EuropeanStandards.Principal component analysis and HCPC allowed to classify and groupsimilar plants according to their FAMEs content; however, additional studies of herbal biofuel properties are needed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations-Sustainability-Modernity-Openness in Energy Research 2020)

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10 pages, 3350 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

The Latest Method for Surface Tension Determination: Experimental Validation

by Tomasz Janusz Teleszewski and Andrzej Gajewski

Energies 2020, 13(14), 3629; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13143629 - 14 Jul 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2704

Abstract

The highest effectiveness of heat exchange is under boiling; hence, surface tension is an important parameter and should be determined when new liquid substances are created. The most popular methods are based on numerically solving the Young–Laplace equation by applying the Bashforth and Adams algorithm, which fails at the poles and at the inflection points. The newest algorithm is based on the closed-form expressions that define a drop or bubble. It gives the accurate solutions for the fully created drops or bubbles. To validate it, the surface tension value is determined for the air bubbles in water and compared with the reference data. Because the relative discrepancies are extremely small, the new method may be thought of as positively validated. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations-Sustainability-Modernity-Openness in Energy Research 2020)

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14 pages, 3566 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modeling of Humidity in Passenger Cars Equipped with Mechanical Ventilation

by Katarzyna Gładyszewska-Fiedoruk and Tomasz Janusz Teleszewski

Energies 2020, 13(11), 2987; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13112987 - 10 Jun 2020

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3369

Abstract

This paper presents research on humidity in a passenger car cabin with the use of supply ventilation without cooling the air. Based on the tests carried out and the humidity balance in the car, a model was developed for changing the humidity in the passenger car cabin as a function of time. The study of thermohumid conditions was carried out in two passenger cars. During the tests, the heating and cooling functions were turned off. The relative humidity and temperature were measured outside the car before and after driving the car and in the supply air duct and inside the passenger car cabin while driving the car. The tests were carried out for an average temperature range from 20 to 42.9 °C. In order to develop a model of humidity changes as a function of time, a humidity balance was prepared. Human-generated humidity in the car cabin depends mainly on the temperature inside the car and the age of the person and can range from 20 to 180 g/(h × person) for an adult in the temperature range of 20–43 °C, while for a child under six years old the humidity ranges from 8 to 19.5 g/(h × person) in the temperature range 22–34 °C. A formula of humidity generated by an adult and a child aged six years old was obtained as a function of temperature inside a passenger car. Based on the experimental research and the model developed, the humidity generated by a single adult and a six-year-old child in the car was determined. The developed model can be used in the automatic airflow adjustment systems in passenger cars. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations-Sustainability-Modernity-Openness in Energy Research 2020)

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Review

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14 pages, 3458 KiB

Open AccessReview

Production of Biosolids by Autothermal Thermophilic Aerobic Digestion (ATAD) from a Municipal Sewage Sludge: The Polish Case Study

by Izabela Bartkowska, Paweł Biedka and Izabela Anna Tałałaj

Energies 2020, 13(23), 6258; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13236258 - 27 Nov 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2453

Abstract

This manuscript analyzed the process of autothermal thermophilic aerobic digestion (ATAD) used in installations of municipal sewage treatment plants in Poland. Additionally, solutions for sludge management and the parameters of operating installations were presented. Attention was also put to the energy consumption of the process, where the energy consumption for 1 m³ of sludge treated was between 18.4 and 27.79 kWh. The amount of sewage flowing into the analyzed plants was between 1500 and 14,000 m³/d. On the basis of research carried out in the years 2003–2019 in the selected plants, the characteristics of sludge after the ATAD process were presented. The parameters that determine the usefulness of the sludge as an organic fertilizer were indicated above all. The content of total nitrogen, which was from 2.4 to 8.1% of dry matter, ammonium nitrogen, which was from 0.8 to 1.8% of dry matter, and total phosphorus, which was from 1.1 to 4.2% of dry matter, recommended using sludge for fertilization. It was also pointed out that sewage sludge should be regularly tested for the dynamics of changes in chemical composition and biological parameters. These are the factors that increase risk and limit the use of sludge for fertilization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations-Sustainability-Modernity-Openness in Energy Research 2020)

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17 pages, 4663 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

Energetic and Ecologic Heat Pumps Evaluation in Poland

by Sara Sewastianik and Andrzej Gajewski

Energies 2020, 13(18), 4980; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13184980 - 22 Sep 2020

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3223

Abstract

The purpose of the work is a comparison of indirect carbon dioxide emissions between the different heat pump types that operate in Polish climate conditions. The analysis embraces air-to-water heat pump, ground-to-water heat pump, water-to-water heat pump and water-to-water heat pump with separating heat exchanger in the selected towns one in each climatic zone in the country. The study starts from determining seasonal coefficient of performance in each location using heating degree days to estimate seasonal heat demand. Seasonal coefficient of performance values enable an assessment which kind of heat pump meets the European Union requirements in every location. Eventually, indirect CO₂ emissions that is caused by electrical energy production, are estimated for every heat pump in each location. Ground-to-water heat pump and water-to-water heat pump satisfy these requirements in each climatic zone in Poland. Air-to-water heat pump would be an energetic and ecological viable on a condition that substantial changes were done in Polish electrical energy mix. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations-Sustainability-Modernity-Openness in Energy Research 2020)

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