Original Article
Photovoltaic Systems
Williams S. Ebhota; Pavel Tabakov
Abstract
This research provides concise insights into fossil fuel consumption challenges, and the factors contributing to global warming, and evaluates the significance of photovoltaic (PV) materials in achieving net-zero-CO2 emissions. The article categorizes constraints in the development of PV cells into four ...
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This research provides concise insights into fossil fuel consumption challenges, and the factors contributing to global warming, and evaluates the significance of photovoltaic (PV) materials in achieving net-zero-CO2 emissions. The article categorizes constraints in the development of PV cells into four main areas: technical factors, leadership impact, political instability, and financial aspects. Primarily, the study delves into technical factors, focusing on the power conversion efficiency (PCE) and power density of PV cells. Theoretically, approximately 67% of solar energy is dissipated in various forms - 47% as heat, 18% as photons, and 2% in local combination loss. Commercially available mono-crystalline silicon (c-Si) and poly-crystalline silicon (poly-c-Si) PV cells typically demonstrate a range of PCEs between 15% to 22% and 13% to 18%, respectively, presenting an efficiency considerably lower than the potential maximum of 100%. The study highlights organic photovoltaic cells (OPVs) as promising third-generation PV modules due to their relatively high power conversion efficiency (HPCE) and eco-friendly attributes. However, their commercial feasibility is under scrutiny owing to constraints such as a limited lifespan, high production costs, and challenges in mass production. Ongoing research and development (R&D) in PV cell technologies aim to enhance PCE and power density, establish cost-effective production methods, and create more reliable and sustainable supply chains. Additionally, the study explores the role of nanotechnology in developing high-power conversion efficiency cells, identifies research gaps and priorities in engineered organic material PV cells, and discusses the potential of OPVs in the R&D of high-efficiency, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly PV cells.
Original Article
Electricity Generation by Green Energy Sources
Rahmat Adiprasetya Al Hasibi; Bagustama Hamka
Abstract
The implementation of on-grid PV systems was conducted to ensure a continuous supply of electricity. This article discusses implementing an on-grid PV system in a fish farm that requires a continuous electricity supply. Continuous electricity is used to power the aeration system. The aeration system ...
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The implementation of on-grid PV systems was conducted to ensure a continuous supply of electricity. This article discusses implementing an on-grid PV system in a fish farm that requires a continuous electricity supply. Continuous electricity is used to power the aeration system. The aeration system is critical in determining whether or not fish farmers can harvest well. An electric motor drives the water wheel in the aeration system, circulating oxygen in the fishpond. Based on the design, operation, and economic parameters, a comparison is made between the proposed system, namely the PV system, and the current system, namely the grid with a diesel generator as a backup. The nominal discount rate, diesel fuel price, and grid reliability level have all been subjected to sensitivity analysis. The Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Energy Resources software was used for the study. The results show that the on-grid PV system can continuously provide electricity to meet the demand for fish farming. The proposed system has a net present cost that is 20% lower than the net present cost of the current system. The cost of energy generated by the on-grid PV system is also 27% less than the cost of energy generated by the current system. Changes in fuel prices do not result in changes in net present cost for all levels of grid reliability to produce continuity in electricity supply. The nominal discount rate strongly influences the net present cost, the higher the nominal discount rate, the lower the resulting net present cost.
Original Article
Geothermal Energy Systems
Prabin Haloi; Ankit Kumar; Joyshree Dutta; Desire Fadzi Makunike
Abstract
The application of a geofluid is primarily characterized by its geofield conditions and locations. One such application of geofluid is in power generation using suitable energy conversion systems. In this study, a thermodynamic model of a double-flash geothermal power plant (DFGPP) has been developed ...
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The application of a geofluid is primarily characterized by its geofield conditions and locations. One such application of geofluid is in power generation using suitable energy conversion systems. In this study, a thermodynamic model of a double-flash geothermal power plant (DFGPP) has been developed to evaluate its performance which is mainly based on the geofluid of the Puga valley of Ladakh region in the Indian peninsula. The present study investigates the possible use of the DFGPP in the region through application of the exergy tool of the second law of thermodynamics. Under the Puga geofluid conditions, the energy and exergy rates, thermal losses, exergy destruction, and thermal and exergetic efficiencies are evaluated. From the thermal analysis results of the DFGPP, the condenser has the maximum energy loss with 97.08% of the overall loss, followed by low pressure turbine (LPT) and the high pressure turbine (HPT) with minimal energy rate losses of 2.28 % and 0.63 % respectively. However, negligible losses in energy are found to occur in the mixing devices, pump and the fluid separators. The maximum rate of exergy destruction occurs in the LPT with 38.95 % and least in the low pressure separator (LPS). The DFGPP operated with energy and exergy efficiencies of 9.52% and 48.39% approximately, producing a net output work of 3.9 MW. The overall cycle exergy destruction is found at 5.4% of the total energy losses. The use of DFGPP systems in the Puga geofield can be a suitable option in power generation.
Original Article
Energy Policy
Nazlı Ersoy
Abstract
The article presents an MCDM model based on the Improved Entropy and PIV methods to analyze the development of renewable energy in Nordic-Baltic countries. The analysis was conducted on eight alternatives and ten criteria, and sensitivity analysis was applied to assess the model's suitability. The impact ...
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The article presents an MCDM model based on the Improved Entropy and PIV methods to analyze the development of renewable energy in Nordic-Baltic countries. The analysis was conducted on eight alternatives and ten criteria, and sensitivity analysis was applied to assess the model's suitability. The impact of 34 different variations in criterion weights on the results was examined. The findings demonstrate that Norway emerges as the most appropriate alternative, and the smallest weight change required to alter the current ranking is 18.93%.
Original Article
Photovoltaic Systems
Niti Agrawal
Abstract
Partial shading condition (PSC) has a detrimental effect on the output performance of a photovoltaic (PV) system. The output performance of a partially shaded PV array depends not only on the pattern, intensity and location of the shadow but also on its configuration. In this paper, the output performance ...
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Partial shading condition (PSC) has a detrimental effect on the output performance of a photovoltaic (PV) system. The output performance of a partially shaded PV array depends not only on the pattern, intensity and location of the shadow but also on its configuration. In this paper, the output performance of two configurations namely- series-parallel (SP), a commonly used configuration, and total-cross-tied (TCT), have been compared under diverse PSCs. A Lambert W-function-based technique has been developed to model, simulate and estimate the performance of both the configurations of the PV array. The developed program can evaluate the current, voltage and power for the arrays of different sizes under uniform and different PSCs. A detailed investigation has been carried out for the output performance of both configurations under nine diverse shading patterns and different sizes of arrays. Comparative analysis for the configurations is presented based on parameters such as maximum power obtained, partial shading power loss percentage, efficiency and fill factor. It has been found from the obtained results that the output performance of a PV array under PSC is enhanced by using TCT configuration compared to SP configuration.
Original Article
Photovoltaic Systems
Christopher T Warburg; Tatiana Pogrebnaya; Thomas Kivevele
Abstract
This study delves into the ongoing discourse surrounding the optimal tilt angles for solar panels to maximize solar PV power generation. Focused on seven equatorial regions in Tanzania; Dodoma, Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, Kigoma, Iringa, Mtwara, and Mwanza. Multiple mathematical models are employed to ...
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This study delves into the ongoing discourse surrounding the optimal tilt angles for solar panels to maximize solar PV power generation. Focused on seven equatorial regions in Tanzania; Dodoma, Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, Kigoma, Iringa, Mtwara, and Mwanza. Multiple mathematical models are employed to ascertain the most efficient panel tilts. Leveraging solar radiation data spanning from 2000 to 2017, we developed an algorithm specifically tailored for computing suitable tilt angles in the southern hemisphere. Our investigation reveals compelling insights into the variation of optimal panel tilts throughout the year. Notably, the monthly optimal tilt angles fluctuate significantly across the regions. June emerges as the month with the highest recorded monthly optimal tilt angle, ranging from 45 degrees in Mtwara to 31 degrees in Kilimanjaro. Conversely, December showcases the lowest tilt angles, spanning from -30 degrees in Mwanza to -26 degrees in both Kigoma and Iringa. Quarterly angles exhibit peaks during the second quarter of the year, reaching 39 degrees in Mtwara and 27 degrees in Kilimanjaro, while experiencing declines in the fourth quarter, plunging to levels between -19 and -24 degrees. Additionally, our study calculates annual optimal tilt angles, revealing a range from 2 degrees in Kilimanjaro to 11 degrees in Mtwara. Crucially, the deployment of monthly optimally tilted solar PV panels demonstrates a noteworthy enhancement, yielding a 6-11% gain in solar radiation compared to horizontally mounted panels. Our study advocates for the adoption of dynamic tilt adjustment strategies of periodic angle alterations to maximize solar PV power generation.