Journal of Solar Energy and Sustainable Development

Global trends in Electric Vehicle battery efficiency and impact on sustainable grid

Mehmet Şimşir — 2024-08-22

Over the past decade, transportation electrification has emerged as a pivotal focus of the article. Electric vehicles (EVs) have progressively gained traction in the market, displacing conventional internal combustion engine vehicles. This surge in EV popularity has led to a corresponding increase in the number of charging stations, thereby significantly influencing the power grid (PG). Various charging strategies and grid integration approaches are being devised to mitigate the potential negative impacts of EV charging while optimizing the advantages of integrating EVs with the grid. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of the EV market, standards, charging infrastructure, and the PG’s response to the impact of EV charging. The article provides a comprehensive assessment of how forthcoming advancements in EV technology, including connected vehicles, autonomous driving, and shared mobility, will intricately influence the integration of EVs with the PG. Ultimately, the article concludes by meticulously analyzing and summarizing both the challenges and recommendations pertinent to the prospective expansion of EV charging infrastructure and grid integration. The proliferation of venture capital investments in nascent start-up ventures specializing in EV and battery technologies has experienced a pronounced surge, reaching an impressive sum of nearly USD 2.1 billion in 2022. This notable increase represents a substantial uptick of 30% compared to the figures recorded in 2021. Furthermore, these investments have been directed towards two key areas: advancements in battery technology and the acquisition of critical minerals. This discernible shift in investment trends underscores the growing recognition of the strategic importance and potential profitability associated with innovations in EV and battery technologies. In 2022, global expenditures on EVs surpassed USD 425 billion, marking a substantial 50%
increase compared to the previous year, 2021. Remarkably, a mere 10% of these expenditures can be attributed to governmental support, with the bulk stemming from consumer investments.

Charging systems/techniques of Electric Vehicle: A comprehensive review

Alaa Mahmoud — 2024-08-22

Recent violent global climate change consequences necessities reducing the consumption of fossil fuel in different sectors. Electric Vehicles (EVs) are growing in popularity as eco-friendly and environmentally compatible solution in transportation industry. This article provides a thoroughly and comprehensive overview of the advancement of topologies and charging techniques for EV. The article is aimed to act as a guide for researchers/engineers in the field of EV and automotive industry. Charging circuits of EVs have been divided into several categories. Comprehensive comparisons are carried out and revealed in appropriate graphs/charts/tables. Moreover, a sufficient high number of recent and up-dated references are screened. Classifications of electric vehicle charging technologies based on their individual characteristics are provided.

Solar photovoltaic power prediction using a statistical approach based on analysis of variance

Muataz Al Hazza — 2024-08-22

With the increase in global demand for energy and the rise of environmental warnings supported by the United Nations and its sustainable development goals (SDGs) in 2015, transitioning from traditional energy systems to renewable ones, especially solar energy systems, has become necessary. However, this transition should be supported by prediction models that can help forecast these power outputs. This research aims to develop a data-driven model based on a statistical approach. Analysis of variance ANOVA and fit summary were the tools that were used in creating the model. Three input variables, namely Global Radiation, Ambient Relative Humidity, and Ambient Temperature, were utilized alongside one output variable, output power. The model utilized 360 readings during six hours from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Stat-ease software was used to develop the model. The quadratic statistical model shows significant results with five statistical terms. The Model’s F-value of 687.89 indicates that the model is highly significant, demonstrating only a small chance of 0.01% that such a large F-value could be caused by random variations. In addition, the P-values for the remaining model terms in the ANOVA table, all being less than 0.0500, confirm their significance. The developed model was validated by comparing the original experimental data with those obtained from the model. The validation showed an average percentage error of 7.35%.

Methods for improving the absorptive capacity of solar stills: A review of current technology

Ali F. Muftah — 2024-08-22

Solar still owns low distillate productivity. Many researchers enhanced the performance of solar still by variable the design of its components. The combination of internal/external reflectors, absorber materials (fins, sponge, pebbles), and external condensers had a substantial impact on the absorption, evaporation, and condensation processes of the classic basin type solar still. This paper is showing how existing methods for increasing solar still absorption, evaporation, and condensation may be used to improve solar still absorption, evaporation, and condensation. From this review, it is found that for solar still, that adjusting the internal/external reflectors might increase daily distillate yield by 70% to 100%. Added Absorbent materials improve the thermal performance of a still by increasing production by over 20%. In addition, the external condensers enhanced still freshwater yield by 62% more than the regular still.

Integration of photovoltaic cells in building shading devices: Enhancing energy efficiency and indoor environment in administrative building

Nesreen Ayad Aboudh — 2024-08-22

This study focuses on the thermal performance simulation of the CSERS administrative building. It proposed the integration of shading elements on the south façade of the building to enhance thermal comfort for office occupants. These shading elements incorporate photovoltaic cells, displaying the potential of utilizing photovoltaic in external shading devices. The main objective of this approach is effectively address issues related to high internal temperatures and excessive solar radiation exposure. Furthermore, it ensures the preservation of key functions of the building envelope, such as thermal insulation, provision of natural lighting, and prevention of internal thermal glare. Comparative analysis is conducted between the building equipped with shading devices and the one without, with a focus on measuring the total electrical energy generated by the photovoltaic panels. Simulation programs such as SketchUp and EnergyPlus are utilized for this purpose. The results of the simulations reveal that strategically designed shading on southfacing windows leads to 17.15% reduction in annual heat gains transmitted to the building. In addition, the integration of photovoltaic shading devices demonstrates outstanding performance characteristics, contributing a productive capacity of around 5916.388 MW/h to the building. This integration effectively harnesses solar energy to improve the indoor environment of the building.

Biomethane and green hydrogen production potential from municipal solid waste in Cape Coast, Ghana

Isiaka Alani — 2024-08-22

Biomethane and hydrogen are promising elements in the transition towards sustainable energy, due to their capacity to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. In Ghana, efforts to promote sustainable waste valorization for energy production are underway; however, organic waste conversion into biomethane and hydrogen still needs to be expanded. This study aims to evaluate the potential of producing biomethane and hydrogen from the municipal solid waste in Cape Coast, and their injection into the national gas grid. The upgrading biogas obtained from anaerobic digestion of food/organic wastes was used to generate biomethane. The modified Buswell Equation and data from literature were used to estimate the amount of biomethane and hydrogen. The environmental impact was assessed using the CO₂ equivalent emissions. The findings reveal that Cape Coast generated approximately 6,400 tons of food waste in 2021, with a projection to 11,000 tons by 2050. Biomethane and hydrogen quantities were estimated at 3,700,000 m³ and 784,000 kg in 2021, respectively. Their projection reaches to 6,600,000 m³ and 1,400,000 kg by 2050. Converting waste into biomethane and hydrogen is an eco-friendly method of their management and use for renewable energy in Ghana. Strategies can be integrated into Ghana national energy policies to encourage waste-to-energy projects.