Browse Topic: Renewable energy
Why smart electrical distribution is the new frontier in sustainable manufacturing. From transitioning to renewable energy, embracing the circular economy and pursuing carbon offsets, today's automakers are actively working to become more sustainable. Many OEMs have big goals to become fully carbon-neutral by 2050. Some believe they can get there even earlier. But look past the cars and sources of energy right into the factories in which the vehicles of today and tomorrow are born and focus on a key question: how can carmakers make significant strides inside their plants to cut waste and improve sustainability?
An Army-funded research project has led to the development of more efficient materials for developing thermoelectric generators that convert waste heat to clean energy for a variety of applications. The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA Thermoelectric generators that can convert waste heat to clean energy could soon be as efficient as other renewable energy sources, like solar, according to a team led by Penn State scientists. Using high-entropy materials, the researchers created more efficient thermoelectric materials than previously possible, an advancement that they said could even help make long-distance space exploration possible. In a study partially funded by the U.S. Army with results published in the journal Joule last year, the researchers demonstrated how thermoelectric devices - including the radioisotope thermoelectric generators that produce energy for NASA's space exploration vehicles - can convert differences in temperature to electricity. When they are
Thermoelectric generators that can convert waste heat to clean energy could soon be as efficient as other renewable energy sources, like solar, according to a team led by Penn State scientists. Using high-entropy materials, the researchers created more efficient thermoelectric materials than previously possible, an advancement that they said could even help make long-distance space exploration possible.
To create the new batteries needed for EVs, mobile devices, and renewable energy storage, researchers have explored new materials, new designs, new configurations, and new chemistry. But one aspect — the texture of the metals used — has been historically overlooked.
Recent advances are reducing the cost of space launch, high specific power solar cells, and the production of satellite systems. Modular architectures with no moving parts and distributed power systems would minimize assembly and maintenance costs. Together, this may enable space-based solar power to provide decarbonized dispatchable power at a lower cost than equivalent technologies such as nuclear power stations. Space-based Solar Power for Instantaneously Dispatchable Renewable Power on Earth discusses the advances in emerging technologies, like thin film solar cells, reusable launch vehicles, and mass-produced modular satellite systems that would make economic space power feasible. Click here to access the full SAE EDGETM Research Report portfolio.
Letter from the Guest Editors
Efuels, synthetic gasolines made from captured carbon dioxide and renewable energy (usually wind and solar power), are “a valuable part of the solution,” said Aston Martin CEO Adrian Hallmark at a press briefing in New York on January 31. He described the process of creating the fuel as “really clean,” but also cited a rather off-putting price: $31 a gallon in the U.S. Still, Hallmark thinks eFuels could be a way for Aston to continue producing at least a few V12-powered cars in the coming electric future. Other automakers agree, but the battle over eFuels has by no means reached a cease-fire.
This research explores the use of salt gradient solar ponds (SGSPs) as an environmentally friendly and efficient method for thermal energy storage. The study focuses on the design, construction, and performance evaluation of SGSP systems integrated with reflectors, comparing their effectiveness against conventional SGSP setups without reflectors. Both experimental and numerical methods are employed to thoroughly assess the thermal behavior and energy efficiency of these systems. The findings reveal that the SGSP with reflectors (SGSP-R) achieves significantly higher temperatures across all three zones—Upper Convective Zone (UCZ), Non-Convective Zone (NCZ), and Lower Convective Zone (LCZ)—with recorded temperatures of 40.56°C, 54.2°C, and 63.1°C, respectively. These values represent an increase of 6.33%, 11.12%, and 14.26% over the temperatures observed in the conventional SGSP (SGSP-C). Furthermore, the energy efficiency improvements in the UCZ, NCZ, and LCZ for the SGSP-R are
Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) make their marks in energy storage and electric vehicles due to their abundant reserves, cost-effectiveness, environmental resilience, and high safety. However, maintaining high battery performance in intricate operating conditions is challenging, which necessitates precise control based on timely and accurate acquisition of operation parameters, especially for the state of charge (SOC). Equivalent circuit model (ECM) is the most widely used in the evaluation of SOC. In this work, a 2nd-order resistor-capacitor ECM (2ORC-ECM) is chosen because of its balance between accuracy and computational efficiency. Furthermore, dynamic parameters in the 2ORC-ECM are accurately identified online by introducing an enhanced recursive least squares method with a forgetting factor. Finally, the proposed method is carried out based on the measured data of commercial SIBs. The results show that the proposed method can mitigate data saturation effectively while ensuring high
PEM electrolysis system has characteristic of excellent performance such as fast response, high electrolysis efficiency, compact design and wide adjustable power range. It provides a sustainable solution for the production of hydrogen, and is well suited to couple with renewable energy sources. In the development process of PEM electrolysis controller, this article originally applied the V-mode development process, including simulation modeling, RCP testing, and HIL testing, which can provide guidance in the practical application of electrolytic hydrogen production. In this paper, we present modeling and simulation study of PEM water electrolysis system. Model of electrolytic cell, hydrogen production subsystem and thermal management subsystem are constructed in Matlab/Simulink. Controller model was designed based on PI control strategy. A rapid prototyping controller with MPC5744 chip was used to develop the control system of electrolytic hydrogen production system. Hardware in the
In recent trends, renewable energy has gained significance in worldwide applications due to avail from nature, low cost, and pollution-free. Based on the world population, a large volume of municipal and sewage water waste affects the environmental water sources, resulting in pollution. To save the earth and maintain a green environment, the present investigation aims to produce bio-hydrogen from municipal and sewage waste through a gasification process with a pyrolysis reactor. The temperature and time of the gasification process were varied by 600-900°C and 60 min. The impact of gasification temperature (600-900°C) and 60 min on molar fraction, gas yield, and gasification efficiency behaviour has to be investigated, and higher temperature (900°) with 60 min gasification process showed the superior molar fraction with 18.4 mol/kg hydrogen yield and improved gasification efficiency of 72%. The gained bio-hydrogen suggested energy storage applications.
ERRATUM
The goal of this research is to better understand the methodologies for manufacturing biodiesel worldwide and the main raw materials used in its production. We aim to compare the solutions established by relevant countries with those used in Brazil, identifying their advantages and disadvantages. Our primary areas of interest include the United States, Indonesia, and Europe, where we will analyze the solutions and, whenever possible, understand the commercial and political interests involved. We will highlight aspects related to sustainability in the production, transportation, and use of biodiesel. The methodology is based on research from recent publications and news, organized into graphs to facilitate analysis and comparison. Next, we will also examine the consequences of the solutions adopted in Brazil, envisioning future scenarios and recommended paths. In the short term, biodiesel is expected to be replaced by renewable diesel (also known as green diesel in some regions
As we move towards sustainable transportation, it is essential to look for alternative powertrain technologies that might reduce emissions and depend less on fossil fuels. This paper offers a thorough analysis and comparison of several viable solutions along with their benefits, cost and conclusion for hydrogen fuel cells, solar cells, electric hybrid systems, compressed natural gas (CNG) and CNG hybrid systems alongside the latest proposal of using nuclear batteries. Hydrogen cars have zero emissions from their exhaust and can be refueled quickly, however there are some drawbacks like hydrogen production, storage, and infrastructure. The efficiency, affordability, and scalability of various hydrogen production techniques, fuel cell stack designs and storage technologies (compressed gas, liquid, and metal hydrides) are evaluated in this paper. Solar FCEVs on the other hand, are designed to utilize solar energy like Solar EVs but are very different in their operation and fundamentals
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