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Abstract Renewable energy has a more important role to play in China’s power sector, especially at the regional level. Renewable electricity in China has made great progress on the basis of national policies. However, the promotion of renewable electricity sector at the regional level is still hampered by local issues. China needs to solve some challenging barriers related to implementation of polices for the development of renewable electricity. These barriers stem largely from availability and reliability constraints. Systematic planning techniques are needed to fully utilize abundant renewable energy resources. In this work, an improved graphical pinch analysis-based approach is presented, which considers carbon-constrained regional electricity planning and supply chain synthesis of biomass energy at the regional level in rural China. The minimum renewable energy target is identified by Carbon Emissions Pinch Analysis (CEPA). Next, a demand-driven approach is applied to synthesize the biomass supply chain network to meet the established target in a given region. A detailed case study of Laixi County in China is used to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed approach for policy-making to promote utilization of renewable electricity at the regional level.

Abstract Renewable energy has a more important role to play in China’s power sector, especially at the regional level. Renewable electricity in China has made great progress on the basis of national policies. However, the promotion of renewable electricity sector at the regional level is still hampered by local issues. China needs to solve some challenging barriers related to implementation of polices for the development of renewable electricity. These barriers stem largely from availability and reliability constraints. Systematic planning techniques are needed to fully utilize abundant renewable energy resources. In this work, an improved graphical pinch analysis-based approach is presented, which considers carbon-constrained regional electricity planning and supply chain synthesis of biomass energy at the regional level in rural China. The minimum renewable energy target is identified by Carbon Emissions Pinch Analysis (CEPA). Next, a demand-driven approach is applied to synthesize the biomass supply chain network to meet the established target in a given region. A detailed case study of Laixi County in China is used to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed approach for policy-making to promote utilization of renewable electricity at the regional level.

Abstract This study proposes a design of polygeneration system based on solid oxide fuel cell to supply electricity, hot water, cooling, and hydrogen. This system also integrates the stationary supply for electric and hydrogen cars. The polygeneration system is developed based on energy, economic and environment simulation models by taking into account its application for the residential building. Four system configurations were designed based on the grid connection and the vehicle type and subsequently evaluated to determine the performance of the system in regard to the criteria such as efficiency, reliability, primary energy saving, cost saving as well as carbon dioxide reduction. Moreover, a strategy of selling the available hydrogen was also considered to analyze the competitiveness of the proposed system with the conventional separated system. Depending on these criteria, analysis of fuel cell size with respect to the coverage of demands was also conducted. The proposed system achieved primary energy savings, cost saving and emission reduction of about 73%, 50% and 70% respectively. The hydrogen selling strategy has a significant effect in reducing energy cost close to 51% for the configuration with electric vehicle station.

Abstract This study proposes a design of polygeneration system based on solid oxide fuel cell to supply electricity, hot water, cooling, and hydrogen. This system also integrates the stationary supply for electric and hydrogen cars. The polygeneration system is developed based on energy, economic and environment simulation models by taking into account its application for the residential building. Four system configurations were designed based on the grid connection and the vehicle type and subsequently evaluated to determine the performance of the system in regard to the criteria such as efficiency, reliability, primary energy saving, cost saving as well as carbon dioxide reduction. Moreover, a strategy of selling the available hydrogen was also considered to analyze the competitiveness of the proposed system with the conventional separated system. Depending on these criteria, analysis of fuel cell size with respect to the coverage of demands was also conducted. The proposed system achieved primary energy savings, cost saving and emission reduction of about 73%, 50% and 70% respectively. The hydrogen selling strategy has a significant effect in reducing energy cost close to 51% for the configuration with electric vehicle station.

Malaysia has abundant potentials of renewable energy resources mainly because of its rich agriculture that makes high potential in bio-power and its tropical climate, which provides sufficient sunlight for utilization of solar systems. Feed in Tariff mechanism has been applied since 2011 in Malaysia to expand utilization of renewable energy for electricity generation. In this study, a broad range of data is gathered to develop a comprehensive system dynamics model to evaluate the impacts of Feed in Tariff mechanism on the generation mix of Malaysia during a 20-year period between 2011 and 2030. Results demonstrate that although the policy may lead to a satisfactory level of target achievement but the Malaysian government may face an increasing shortage in its RE fund budget starting around 2019 unless it increases its income sources by rising the surcharges on electricity bills or decreases its expenditures by optimizing the amount of FiT payments in different periods. The sensitivity analysis illustrates that the more funding will not lead to a more sustainable generation mix unless it is paid in the right time and in the right direction. Using this model, policymakers can carry out analysis to determine the amount of money that must be collected from the electricity consumers through the surcharges on electricity bills as well as the amount of feed in tariff to be paid for different renewable resources in different periods.

Malaysia has abundant potentials of renewable energy resources mainly because of its rich agriculture that makes high potential in bio-power and its tropical climate, which provides sufficient sunlight for utilization of solar systems. Feed in Tariff mechanism has been applied since 2011 in Malaysia to expand utilization of renewable energy for electricity generation. In this study, a broad range of data is gathered to develop a comprehensive system dynamics model to evaluate the impacts of Feed in Tariff mechanism on the generation mix of Malaysia during a 20-year period between 2011 and 2030. Results demonstrate that although the policy may lead to a satisfactory level of target achievement but the Malaysian government may face an increasing shortage in its RE fund budget starting around 2019 unless it increases its income sources by rising the surcharges on electricity bills or decreases its expenditures by optimizing the amount of FiT payments in different periods. The sensitivity analysis illustrates that the more funding will not lead to a more sustainable generation mix unless it is paid in the right time and in the right direction. Using this model, policymakers can carry out analysis to determine the amount of money that must be collected from the electricity consumers through the surcharges on electricity bills as well as the amount of feed in tariff to be paid for different renewable resources in different periods.

The rapid advances in technology and improved living standard of the society necessitate abundant use of fossil fuels which poses two major challenges to any nation. One is fast depletion of fossil fuel resources; the other is environmental pollution. The porous medium combustion (PMC) has proved to be one of the feasible options to tackle the aforesaid problems to a remarkable extent. PMC has interesting advantages compared with free flame combustion due to the higher burning rates, the increased power dynamic range, the extension of the lean flammability limits, and the low emissions of pollutants. This article provides a comprehensive picture of the global scenario of applications of PMC so as to enable the researchers to decide the direction of further investigation. The works published so far in this area are reviewed, classified according to their objectives and presented in an organized manner with general conclusions.

The rapid advances in technology and improved living standard of the society necessitate abundant use of fossil fuels which poses two major challenges to any nation. One is fast depletion of fossil fuel resources; the other is environmental pollution. The porous medium combustion (PMC) has proved to be one of the feasible options to tackle the aforesaid problems to a remarkable extent. PMC has interesting advantages compared with free flame combustion due to the higher burning rates, the increased power dynamic range, the extension of the lean flammability limits, and the low emissions of pollutants. This article provides a comprehensive picture of the global scenario of applications of PMC so as to enable the researchers to decide the direction of further investigation. The works published so far in this area are reviewed, classified according to their objectives and presented in an organized manner with general conclusions.

Abstract Microgrid (MG) technologies exhibit attractive features such as high power quality, reliability, sustainability and environmental friendly energy to the consumers using control and energy management system (EMS). However, renewable energy sources integrated with MGs are intermittent due to their stochastic behavior. Therefore, a proper control technique is essential to ensure a smooth transition of MG power to sensitive loads and the main grid. This study comprehensively reviews MG control strategies and their classifications in terms of protection, energy conversion, integration, advantages, disadvantages, and EMS. It focuses on conventional and advanced control methods that are used in MG applications for sustainable energy utilization. The algorithms, advantages, and disadvantages of conventional and advanced control methods are explained, and possible improvements or hybridization for future grid control applications is highlighted. Maximum Power Point Tracking control algorithms are also highlighted to maximize the power generation of renewable sources in the MG system. The rigorous review indicates that existing control technologies can be used for MG operation; however, further technological development of control methods is needed to achieve sustainable MG operation and management in the future. This review also underscores many factors, challenges, and problems related to the sustainable development of MG control technologies in next-generation smart grid applications. Thus, this review will strengthen the efforts to develop economic, efficient, and long-lasting MGs for future smart grid use.