Global estimates of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions

A map depicting world energy consumption per capita based on 2003 data from the IEA. (c) International Energy Agency & SG
 

Muhammad Azhar Khan, Muhammad Zahir Khan, Khalid Zaman, Lubna Naz from Pakistan have written this review about energy consumption and greenhouse gas emission at global scale. The abstract follows.

The present study examines the long-run relationship between energy consumption and greenhouse gas emission for different groups of countries comprising lower middle income, upper middle income, and heavily indebted countries, East Asia and Pacific, East Europe and Central Asia, Latin America and Caribbean, Middle East and North Africa, South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa and for aggregate data of the world. The data has been analyzed by using various econometric techniques, specifically the Johnson cointegration, modified version of Granger causality and variance decomposition analysis from the period of 1975 to 2011. The results confirm that there is a long-run relationship between greenhouse gas emissions (i.e. agricultural methane emission, agricultural nitrous oxide emission and carbon dioxide emission) and energy consumption. The results of Granger causality indicate that energy consumption Granger causes greenhouse gas emission but not vice versa. The important finding is that energy consumption Granger causes GDP per unit energy use, which confirms the energy led growth hypothesis in the world. However, the vice versa relationship does not hold. The results imply that a policy to cut energy consumption tends to diminish greenhouse gas emission though affecting GDP of countries negatively.

More information about the article: Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews  Volume 29, January 2014, Pages 336–344

Authors and affiliations:

Department of Economics, University of Haripur, Khyber Pakhtoonkhawa, Pakistan
Muhammad Azhar Khan

Islamia university of Bahawalpur, Pakistan
Muhammad Zahir Khan

Department of Management Sciences, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Abbottabad, Pakistan
Khalid Zaman 

Department of Economics, Karachi University, Karachi, Pakistan

Lubna Naz

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Hybrid electric vehicles and their challenges: A review

Plug-in hybrid electric car near AFS Trinity Engineering Center in Livermore, CA.  (c)
AFS Trinity Power Corporation

The last issue of the prestigious journal Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews present a review article about the state of the art of the technology behind of hybrid electric vehicles. The authors are M.A. Hannan, F.A. Azidin and A. Mohamed from the University Kebangsaan Malaysia. The abstract follows.

There are numbers of alternative energy resources being studied for hybrid vehicles as preparation to replace the exhausted supply of petroleum worldwide. The use of fossil fuel in the vehicles is a rising concern due to its harmful environmental effects. Among other sources battery, fuel cell (FC), super capacitors (SC) and photovoltaic cell i.e. solar are studied for vehicle application. Combinations of these sources of renewable energies can be applied for hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) for next generation of transportation. Various aspects and techniques of HEV from energy management system (EMS), power conditioning and propulsion system are explored in this paper. Other related fields of HEV such as DC machine and vehicle system are also included. Various type models and algorithms derived from simulation and experiment are explained in details. The performances of the various combination of HEV system are summarized in the table along with relevant references. This paper provides comprehensive survey of hybrid electric vehicle on their source combination, models, energy management system (EMS) etc. developed by various researchers. From the rigorous review, it is observed that the existing technologies more or less can capable to perform HEV well; however, the reliability and the intelligent systems are still not up to the mark. Accordingly, this review have been lighted many factors, challenges and problems sustainable next generation hybrid vehicle.

The page of the article is: Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews Volume 29, January 2014, Pages 135–150

Authors and affiliations:

Department of Electrical, Electronic and Systems Engineering, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia

M.A. Hannan, F.A. Azidin and A. Mohamed

Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Hang Tuah Jaya, 76109, Durian Tunggal, Melaka, Malaysia

F.A. Azidin

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On wave energy focusing and conversion in open water

Ocean surface wave. (c) PDphoto

This article concerns wave energy. It has been written by Umesh A. Korde, R. Cengiz Ertekin and published on the journal Renewable Energy. Here the abstract.

This paper investigates wave energy conversion in open water where the goal is to utilize the wave-field focusing effect of a stationary disc submerged a short depth beneath the water surface. Dynamic interaction of the disc with additional coupled, submerged inertias is used to minimize its oscillation. The method used to enable and extend this favorable dynamic coupling is discussed here. An oscillating water column in a submerged duct attached under a small circular opening in the disc and driven by the wave-field over the disc is used for wave energy conversion. Non-real-time reactive control of the water column response to enhance energy absorption is examined. Added mass, radiation damping, and exciting force values for the submerged disc are computed, and the focusing effect of a submerged stationary disc is confirmed with numerical calculations of surface elevation over the disc. Calculations of hydrodynamic performance suggest that energy absorption from the oscillating water column is significantly greater under control holding the disc stationary, and can be improved further by applying reactive loads tuned to the optimal susceptance and conductance associated with the oscillating water column. Although the control forces involved in holding the disc stationary may be large at lower wave numbers, the maximum deflection amplitudes of the compensation system are found to be within reasonable limits.

Follow this link for more information about this article: Renewable Energy Volume 62, February 2014, Pages 84–99

Authors and affiliations:

Dept. of Mechanical Engr., South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Rapid City, SD 57701, USA

Umesh A. Korde

Dept. of Ocean and Resources Engr., University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA

R. Cengiz Ertekin

Predicting the costs of photovoltaic solar modules in 2020 using experience curve models

Photovoltaic array. (c) U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Nadine Y. Barclay

Arnaud de La Tour, Matthieu Glachant, Yann Ménière have published on the journal Energy an interesting article concerning the evolution of the cost of photovoltaic modules. Here below the abstract.

Except in few locations, photovoltaic generated electricity remains considerably more expensive than conventional sources. It is however expected that innovation and learning-by-doing will lead to drastic cuts in production cost in the near future. The goal of this paper is to predict the cost of PV modules out to 2020 using experience curve models, and to draw implications about the cost of PV electricity. Using annual data on photovoltaic module prices, cumulative production, R&D knowledge stock and input prices for silicon and silver over the period 1990–2011, we identify a experience curve model which minimizes the difference between predicted and actual module prices. This model predicts a 67% decrease of module price from 2011 to 2020. This rate implies that the cost of PV generated electricity will reach that of conventional electricity by 2020 in the sunniest countries with annual solar irradiation of 2000 kWh/year or more, such as California, Italy, and Spain.
 
The link of the article website is: Energy  Volume 62, 1 December 2013, Pages 341–348  
Affiliations:

MINES ParisTech, CERNA, 60, boulevard St Michel, 75006 Paris, France
Arnaud de La Tour, Matthieu Glachant, Yann Ménière

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Analysis of renewable energy development to power generation in the United States

(c) Philipp Hertzog

This article has been published on the journal Renewable Energy. The authors are Alireza Aslani, Kau-Fui V. Wong.

Renewable energy resources have historically played a small role for electricity generation in the US. However, concerns such as security of energy supply, limitations and price fluctuations of fossil fuels, and threats of climate changes have encouraged US policy makers to think and debate about diversification strategy in the energy supply and promotion of renewables. The current paper discusses the role of renewable portfolio in the US energy action plan during 2010–2030. A system dynamics model is constructed to evaluate different costs of renewable energy utilization by 2030. Results show that while renewables will create a market with near 10 billion $ worth (in the costs level) in 2030, the total value of renewable energy promotion and utilization in the US will be more than 170 billion $(in the costs level) during 2010–2030.

Renewable Energy   Volume 63, March 2014, Pages 153–161

 

Affiliations:
Industrial Management Department, Faculty of Technology, University of Vaasa, Vaasa 65101, Finland

Alireza Aslani

Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33146, USA

Alireza Aslani, Kau-Fui V. Wong

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Oil palm biodiesel: Brazil's main challenges

The authors are Aldara da Silva César (Fluminense Federal University - Brazil),
Mário Otávio Batalha (Federal University of São Carlos - Brazil), André Luiz Miranda Silva Zopelari (National Institute for Space Research - Brazil).

The National Program for Production and Use of Biodiesel (PNPB), launched in Brazil, is based on the diversification of its feedstock and social inclusion. Among the various oilseeds, palm was identified as the ideal one for the Northern region. However, the participation of palm is still not representative in the Brazilian biodiesel matrix. The key industrial challenges to promote oil palm in the biodiesel sector (as well as surpass them) are represented in the data presented herein. The current level of production is not enough to meet the industry's needs. The use of this oil appears to be a viable possibility in the medium-term. However technological limitations, infrastructure, transaction costs and high investments are pivotal bottlenecks to promote palm in the biodiesel chain. Concerning social promotion, there are not enough results yet. The prolonged process of economic marginalization, which family farmers have undergone in the Northern region, results in companies having to engage in social activities that aim at deeper cultural changes.

Energy  Volume 60, 1 October 2013, Pages 485–491

Affiliations: 
Fluminense Federal University, Agribusiness Engineering Department, GASA – Grupo de Análise e Sistemas Agroindustriais, Av. dos Trabalhadores, 420, Vila Santa Cecília, Volta Redonda, RJ 27.255-125, Brazil
Aldara da Silva César

Federal University of São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil

Mário Otávio Batalha

National Institute for Space Research, São José dos Campos – SP, Brazil

André Luiz Miranda Silva Zopelari

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Thermodynamic analysis of biomass gasification with CO2 recycle for synthesis gas production

© Miroslav Vajdić

The authors are Paphonwit Chaiwatanodoma, Supawat Vivanpatarakijb, Suttichai Assabumrungrata, affiliated to Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok - Thailand.

Thermodynamic analysis of biomass gasification with recycled CO₂ was investigated in this work to determine optimum operation mode and CO₂/C ratio. Gasification System Efficiency (GSE), which takes into account the energy demand in the system, and CO₂ emission per syngas production (CO₂/Sg) were calculated to evaluate the performance of the gasification system. Considering the production of syngas at a H₂/CO ratio of 1.5, it was revealed that indirect gasification using biomass as fuel is the most efficient and environmental-friendly operation mode. The recycled CO₂ proves to increase syngas production. However, when considering the additional energy demand required for processing the CO₂ recycle, it was demonstrated that there are only some ranges of operating conditions (high pressure and low temperature) which offer the benefit of the CO₂ recycle. The optimum CO₂/C was reported to be around 0.1–0.2 for pressurized and low temperature gasification.

Applied Energy  Volume 114, February 2014, Pages 10–17

Affiliations:

Center of Excellence in Catalysis and Catalytic Reaction Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Phyathai Road, Wang Mai, Phatumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Paphonwit Chaiwatanodoma

Suttichai Assabumrungrata

Energy Research Institute, Chulalongkorn University, Phyathai Road, Wang Mai, Phatumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

Supawat Vivanpatarakijb

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