Search Results (597)

In response to the significant increase in cooling needs for the built environment due to climate change, hybrid air conditioning units can provide energy efficient alternatives to vapor compression systems. This paper reviews the reported energy performance of integrated air conditioning systems consisting of three types of hybrid options: direct expansion (DX) combined with evaporative cooling, DX with desiccant, and evaporative cooling combined with desiccant. In addition, the reported analyses of integrating these hybrid systems with phase change materials (PCMs) and/or photovoltaic (PV) systems are considered. The evaluated analyses generally confirm that integrated air conditioning systems offer substantial energy saving potential compared to traditional vapor compression cooling units, resulting in substantial economic and environmental benefits. Specifically, hybrid systems can reduce the annual energy consumption for space cooling by 87% compared to traditional air conditioning units. This review analysis indicates that hybrid systems can have a coefficient of performance (COP) ranging from 6 to 16 compared to merely 3 to 5 for conventional systems. Additionally, liquid desiccant cooling systems have reported notable improvements in dehumidification efficiency and energy savings, with payback periods as low as three years. Future work should focus more on real-building applications and on conducting more comprehensive cost–benefit analyses, especially when integrating more than two technologies together. Full article

The article designs a home photovoltaic installation equipped with energy storage using PVSyst software 7.4. The aim of the research was to design and select an energy storage for a household that uses an average of 396.7 kWh per month. The designed PV installation system was characterised by a significant share of stored energy—at the level of 32%, which allows the household to reduce energy consumption from the power grid. The results of the analysis showed that the use of energy storage increases leads to a reduction in energy losses and improves the energy self-sufficiency of the facility. The article also compared, using the IPCC 2013 GWP 100a and IMPACT World+ methods, three variants of households with different energy sources. It was shown that a household using the national energy mix generates a significant carbon footprint, higher compared to variants powered by renewable energy. The study showed that obtaining energy from renewable sources reduces the potential negative impact of energy consumption on the environment. Full article

Leymus chinensis is a grass species in the family Triticeae that is found in the Eurasian grassland region and is known for its outstanding ecological advantages and economic value. However, the increasing adoption of photovoltaic agriculture has modified the light environment for the grass, markedly inhibiting its photosynthesis, growth, and yield. This study used physiological and transcriptomic analyses to investigate the complex response mechanisms of two L. chinensis genotypes (Zhongke No. 3 [Lc3] and Zhongke No. 5 [Lc5]) under shading stress. Growth phenotype analysis revealed the superior growth performance of Lc3 under shading stress, evidenced by enhanced plant height and photosynthetic parameters. Additionally, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were predominantly enriched in starch and sucrose metabolism and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis pathways, which were the most consistently enriched in both L. chinensis genotypes. However, the flavonoid biosynthesis and galactose metabolism pathways were more enriched in Lc3. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis identified the LcGolS2 gene, which encodes galactinol synthase, as a potential hub gene for resistance to shade stress in comparisons across different cultivars and shading treatments. The use of qRT-PCR analysis further validated the genes involved in these pathways, suggesting that they may play critical roles in regulating the growth and development of L. chinensis under shading conditions. These findings provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the growth and development of L. chinensis under different shading stress conditions. Full article

In the context of the accelerated global energy transition, power fluctuations caused by the integration of a high share of renewable energy have emerged as a critical challenge to the security of power systems. The goal of this research is to improve the accuracy and reliability of short-term photovoltaic (PV) power forecasting by effectively modeling the spatiotemporal coupling characteristics. To achieve this, we propose a hybrid forecasting framework—GLSTM—combining graph attention (GAT) and long short-term memory (LSTM) networks. The model utilizes a dynamic adjacency matrix to capture spatial correlations, along with multi-scale dilated convolution to model temporal dependencies, and optimizes spatiotemporal feature interactions through a gated fusion unit. Experimental results demonstrate that GLSTM achieves RMSE values of 2.3%, 3.5%, and 3.9% for short-term (1 h), medium-term (6 h), and long-term (24 h) forecasting, respectively, and mean absolute error (MAE) values of 3.8%, 6.2%, and 7.0%, outperforming baseline models such as LSTM, ST-GCN, and Transformer by reducing errors by 10–25%. Ablation experiments validate the effectiveness of the dynamic adjacency matrix and the spatiotemporal fusion mechanism, with a 19% reduction in 1 h forecasting error. Robustness tests show that the model remains stable under extreme weather conditions (RMSE 7.5%) and data noise (RMSE 8.2%). Explainability analysis reveals the differentiated contributions of spatiotemporal features. The proposed model offers an efficient solution for high-accuracy renewable energy forecasting, demonstrating its potential to address key challenges in renewable energy integration. Full article

In the decarbonization process, the solar energy sector will play a crucial role, representing one of the key technologies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In Italy, photovoltaics stands out as the fastest-growing energy sector, thanks to the combination of favorable climatic conditions, supportive policies, and a growing interest in renewable energy sources. In this context, renewable energy communities (RECs) emerge as potential strategic tools for promoting the development of photovoltaics nationally and at the European level. Therefore, this study aims to examine the policy and regulatory frameworks governing RECs in Europe and Italy, highlighting their impact on the establishment, operation, and evolution of these communities. Through a critical analysis of legislative documents at both the European and national levels, this research identifies the key factors shaping the growth and functionality of RECs, such as governance structures, economic incentives, and social inclusivity. This study underscores the dual influence of comprehensive regulation and a certain degree of flexibility in fostering RECs’ adaptability to diverse contexts. Additionally, it identifies existing challenges, including regional implementation disparities, legal ambiguities, and potential conflicts with other renewable energy policies. The findings contribute to the ongoing discourse on decentralized energy systems, providing insights for policymakers to refine frameworks and maximize RECs’ contributions to sustainable energy transitions. Full article

This research paper examines how to assess potential locations for wind turbines and photovoltaic modules by combining Geographic Information Systems (GIS) with multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM). These potential locations depend on the current legislation, where many areas are buffer zones due to limitations. The study area is Karpathos, which faces energy and water scarcity. The need to increase the penetration rate of renewable energy sources (RES) by 2030 can help this island to fulfill both its energy and water needs through RES. To apply the weighted linear combination technique, this approach considers all eligibility criteria according to the legislation. After classifying them into four zones, the MCDM results in a suitability map that displays the spatial distribution of the final score, ranging from sites that are not appropriate to areas that are highly suitable. In the photovoltaic module scenario, the buffer zone corresponds to 61% of the island, while in the wind turbine scenario, this number increases to 85%, highlighting the difficulty of finding suitable sites. A sensitivity analysis is performed to determine the impact of the criteria on the suitability of a site for both scenarios. Full article

An increasing trend towards the installation of photovoltaic (PV) solar energy generation capacity is driven by several factors including the desire for greater energy independence and, especially, the desire to decarbonize industrial economies. While large ‘solar farms’ can be installed in relatively open areas, urban environments also offer scope for significant energy generation, although the heterogeneous nature of the surface of the urban fabric complicates the task of forming an area-wide view of this potential. In this study, we investigate the potential offered by publicly available airborne LiDAR data, augmented using data from OpenStreetMap (OSM), to estimate rooftop PV generation capacities from individual buildings and regionalized across an entire small city. We focus on the island of Tromsøya in the city of Tromsø, Norway, which is located north (69.6° N) of the Arctic Circle, covers about 13.8 km², and has a population of approximately 42,800. A total of 16,377 buildings were analyzed. Local PV generation potential was estimated between 120 and 180 kWh m⁻² per year for suitable roof areas, with a total estimated generation potential of approximately 200 GWh per year, or approximately 30% of the city’s current total consumption. Regional averages within the city show significant variations in potential energy generation, highlighting the importance of roof orientation and building density, and suggesting that rooftop PV could play a much more substantial role in local energy supply than is commonly assumed at such high latitudes. The analysis method developed here is rapid, relatively simple, and easily adaptable to other locations. Full article

With the fast-growing implementation of renewable energy projects, Morocco is positioned as a pioneer in green and sustainable development, aiming to achieve 52% of its electricity production from renewable sources by 2030. This ambitious target faces challenges due to the intermittent nature of renewable energy, which impacts grid stability. Hydrogen offers a promising solution, but identifying the most cost-effective production configurations is critical due to high investment costs. Despite the growing interest in renewable energy systems, the techno-economic analysis of (Concentrating Solar Power-Photovoltaic) CSP-PV hybrid configurations remain insufficiently explored. Addressing this gap is critical for optimizing hybrid systems to ensure cost-effective and scalable hydrogen production. This study advances the field by conducting a detailed techno-economic assessment of CSP-PV hybrid systems for hydrogen production at selected locations in Morocco, leveraging high-precision meteorological data to enhance the accuracy and reliability of the analysis. Three configurations are analyzed: (i) a standalone 10 MW PV plant, (ii) a standalone 10 MW Stirling dish CSP plant, and (iii) a 10 MW hybrid system combining 5 MW from each technology. Results reveal that hybrid CSP-PV systems with single-axis PV tracking achieve the lowest levelized cost of hydrogen (LCO_H2), reducing costs by up to 11.19% and increasing hydrogen output by approximately 10% compared to non-tracking systems. Additionally, the hybrid configuration boosts annual hydrogen production by 2.5–11.2% compared to PV-only setups and reduces production costs by ~25% compared to standalone CSP systems. These findings demonstrate the potential of hybrid solar systems for cost-efficient hydrogen production in regions with abundant solar resources. Full article

Building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems present a promising avenue for integrating renewable energy generation into urban environments. However, they pose unique challenges, including higher planning efforts and reduced yield generation compared to conventional rooftop systems. Despite these challenges, the double use of area and the high potential in urban landscapes offer compelling advantages. Modules have become highly customizable to fit architect’s requirements in sustainable yet also aesthetic building material. This paper discusses the results of a “living laboratory” in Berlin, which is both a typical building with a ventilated curtain wall and a unique showcase for BIPV technology. Through careful analysis of various factors, including module positioning, ventilation, and shading, this study demonstrates the feasibility and practicality of BIPV integration. The “living lab” not only highlights the technical viability of BIPV systems but also underscores their potential to enhance architectural aesthetics and promote sustainability and carbon-neutrality in urban landscapes. Full article

The post-use management of plastic films, including shrink films, poses a significant environmental and technological challenge for the industry. Due to their durability and difficulty in degradation, these wastes contribute to environmental pollution, generating microplastics and greenhouse gas emissions during improper disposal. This paper examines different post-use management methods for shrink wrap, such as recycling, landfilling, and incineration, and assesses their impact on the environmental impact of the bottle packaging process using a life-cycle analysis (LCA). This study shows that the recycling option has the lowest potential environmental impact. Compared to other post-use management options, recycling reduces the potential environmental impact by more than 50%. The analysis also shows that the tested scenario using recycled film and photovoltaic energy has the lowest potential environmental impact. Using recycled film and powering the process with renewable energy reduces the potential environmental impact by about 95% compared to Scenario 1 and by about 85% in Scenario 3. Full article

This paper shows an impact assessment of second-life batteries (SLBs) and local photovoltaics (PV) for decarbonizing enterprises through system digitalization and energy management. SLBs from electric vehicles offer a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable energy storage solution for enterprises. These systems can significantly reduce fossil fuel dependence coupled with local PV installations. This paper proposes a methodology for developing the complete digital twin of an enterprise in combination with an optimization algorithm for energy management. This methodology can be applied to a wide range of enterprises across different sectors, both industrial and non-industrial, with diverse consumption patterns. A sensitivity analysis has been carried out to evaluate the potential of this methodology for enterprises in different contexts, where different battery sizes, PV installations, consumption types, and environmental prioritization policies are encountered. Findings indicate that combining SLBs and PV installation, supported by digital energy management, can substantially reduce carbon footprints and operational costs. Full article

This work explores the deposition of hexagonal (h-) LuMnO₃ thin films in the P6₃cm phase and investigates the conditions under which the synergy of ferroelectric and photoactive properties, can be achieved to confirm the potential of this material for applications in the development of next-generation photovoltaic devices. Single-phase h-LuMnO₃ was successfully deposited on different substrates, and the thermal stability of the material was confirmed by Micro-Raman spectroscopy analysis from 77 to 850 K, revealing the suitable ferro- to para-electric transition near 760 K. Optical measurements confirm the relatively narrow band gap at 1.5 eV, which corresponds to the h-LuMnO₃ system. The presence of domain structures and the signature of hysteresis loops consistent with ferroelectric behaviour were confirmed by piezoresponse force microscopy. In addition, light-dependent photocurrent measurements revealed the photoactive sensitivity of the material. Full article

Nowadays, renewable energy facilities are coming to the forefront in order to protect nature and prevent climate change. In this context, location-based analyses are carried out for the most optimal use of renewable energy resources. This study aims to identify suitable locations for photovoltaic (PV) farms in Gaziantep using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Geographic Information System (GIS) technologies. The research incorporates various criteria, including solar radiation, land use, slope, aspect, distance to road, fault line proximity, distance to powerlines, and wind speed to evaluate potential sites for solar energy production. The AHP method is applied to prioritize these criteria through a pairwise comparison matrix and to calculate the weight values for each factor. The analysis reveals that approximately 80% of Gaziantep’s land is suitable for PV farm installation, with the southern region being the most favorable. Furthermore, the comparison between existing PV installations and the identified suitable areas highlights a high degree of alignment, with most of the current PV farms located in areas classified as suitable or highly suitable. Additionally, it was determined that 92% of the existing PV farms have been established within suitable areas. This indicates a high alignment between the identified suitable zones and the locations of the current PV installations, reflecting an effective site selection process based on the applied criteria. The study concludes that GIS-based AHP is an effective tool for rapid and reliable decision-making in renewable energy site selection, offering a valuable approach for future solar energy projects in Gaziantep and similar regions. Full article

Perovskite materials have emerged as one of the most promising classes of compounds in recent years due to their unique combination of electrical, dielectric, and magnetic properties, which make them ideal candidates for a wide range of advanced technological applications. This comprehensive review explores the latest developments in the electrical, dielectric, and magnetic behavior of perovskites, providing an in-depth analysis of the underlying mechanisms and their potential for improving device performance. The review covers the fundamental aspects of charge transport, polarization, and magnetic interactions in perovskite structures including the impact of crystal symmetry, ion migration, and external stimuli on their properties. Moreover, it highlights the various strategies used to tailor these properties through compositional engineering, doping, and structural modifications, resulting in enhanced efficiency, stability, and multifunctionality in applications such as photovoltaics, capacitors, dielectric resonators, and spintronic devices. Additionally, the paper addresses the challenges associated with the practical implementation of perovskite materials including stability issues under harsh environmental conditions and scalability for industrial applications. The review concludes with an outlook on future directions, emphasizing the need for further research to overcome these challenges and unlock the full potential of perovskite materials in next-generation electronics, energy storage, and magnetic devices. Full article

This paper explores the development and optimization of a hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) integrated with a hybrid battery energy storage system (HBESS) to achieve energy autonomy for an e-Houseboat. The e-Houseboat is a floating residential unit equipped with advanced sustainable technologies, including photovoltaic panels, wind turbines, and a hybrid battery storage system consisting of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and lead-acid batteries. The primary goal of this study was to design an energy-autonomous e-Houseboat capable of sustaining energy demands for at least one month without external power sources, regardless of the season. This study included a comprehensive analysis of energy generation potential from renewable sources across different European locations, detailed simulations of the energy storage system, and the development of energy management function for a houseboat automation system. The results demonstrate the feasibility of achieving the desired energy autonomy by leveraging the synergistic benefits of multiple energy storage technologies and optimizing energy management strategies. The experiment demonstrated that the implemented solutions enabled the facility to achieve energy autonomy for a period of 7 months. Full article