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Topic Review
Compound Parabolic Concentrator-Based Hybrid Solar Photovoltaic/Thermal Collectors
The compound parabolic concentrating (CPC) collectors belong to a class of concentrators called non-imaging concentrators. These concentrators allow the design of optical systems that can attain maximum geometric concentrations permitted by laws of physical conservation for a given angular field. As opposed to imaging or focusing concentrators, the concentrators based on non-imaging optics are capable of achieving moderate levels of concentration without tracking the sun.
  • 2.4K
  • 23 May 2022
Topic Review
Evaluating Geothermal Systems through Life Cycle Assessment
In these days of heightened environmental consciousness, many countries are shifting their focus towards renewable energy sources for both large-scale uses (such as power plants that generate electricity) and smaller-scale applications (e.g., building heating and cooling). Taking into account a holistic method, LCA on the one hand allows to display the whole life cycle of a system from the extraction of raw materials, its creation to the production phase and finally to its disposal. On the other hand, it reveals through multiple environmental impact categories, the hot spots that account for the different stages of the cycle defining the environmental identity of the system and consequently driving policy makers on taking final decisions. Geothermal energy is an extremely viable alternative that, combined with other renewable energy systems, may mitigate the negative effects of the existing energy mix worldwide.
  • 2.4K
  • 18 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Pyrolysis Technology
Pyrolysis technology is a thermo-chemical route for converting biomass to many useful products (biochar, bio-oil, and combustible pyrolysis gases). The composition and relative product yield depend on the pyrolysis technology adopted. 
  • 2.4K
  • 24 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Supercritical Carbon Dioxide(s-CO2) Power Cycle
Supercritical CO2 power cycles have been deeply investigated in recent years. However, their potential in waste heat recovery is still largely unexplored. This paper presents a critical review of engineering background, technical challenges, and current advances of the s-CO2 cycle for waste heat recovery. Firstly, common barriers for the further promotion of waste heat recovery technology are discussed. Afterwards, the technical advantages of the s-CO2 cycle in solving the abovementioned problems are outlined by comparing several state-of-the-art thermodynamic cycles. On this basis, current research results in this field are reviewed for three main applications, namely the fuel cell, internal combustion engine, and gas turbine. For low temperature applications, the transcritical CO2 cycles can compete with other existing technologies, while supercritical CO2 cycles are more attractive for medium- and high temperature sources to replace steam Rankine cycles. Moreover, simple and regenerative configurations are more suitable for transcritical cycles, whereas various complex configurations have advantages for medium- and high temperature heat sources to form cogeneration system. Finally, from the viewpoints of in-depth research and engineering applications, several future development directions are put forward. This review hopes to promote the development of s-CO2 cycles for waste heat recovery.
  • 2.4K
  • 25 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Liquid Hydrogen in the Transportation Sector
The European Green Deal aims to transform the EU into a modern, resource-efficient, and competitive economy. The REPowerEU plan launched in May 2022 as part of the Green Deal reveals the willingness of several countries to become energy independent and tackle the climate crisis. Therefore, the decarbonization of different sectors such as maritime shipping is crucial and may be achieved through sustainable energy. Hydrogen is potentially clean and renewable and might be chosen as fuel to power ships and boats. Hydrogen technologies (e.g., fuel cells for propulsion) have already been implemented on board different types of vehicles mainly during demonstration projects.
  • 2.3K
  • 08 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Cooling Methods for Standard and Floating PV Panels
Energy and water poverty are two main challenges of the modern world. Most developing and underdeveloped countries need more efficient electricity-producing sources to overcome the problem of potable water evaporation. At the same time, the traditional way to produce energy/electricity is also responsible for polluting the environment and damaging the ecosystem. Notably, many techniques have been used around the globe, such as a photovoltaic (PV) cooling (active, passive, and combined) process to reduce the working temperature of the PV panels (up to 60 °C) to improve the system efficiency. For floating photovoltaic (FPV), water cooling is mainly responsible for reducing the panel temperature to enhance the production capacity of the PV panels, while the system efficiency can increase up to around 30%. 
  • 2.3K
  • 12 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Blockchain Technology
The blockchain is a new technology targeted at storing and managing sensitive data, where pieces ('blocks') of information are entered in a dedicated system by independent users and linked by cryptographic keys (forming the 'chain'). The particularities of a blockchain system are enhanced data security through encryption, anonymization, and immutability; decentralization through peer-to-peer operation, and transparency through open access. The main applications of blockchain are cryptocurrency mining, smart trading and contracts, secure information transfer.
  • 2.3K
  • 27 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Potential Contamination in Fuel Ethanol Production
Ethanol can be produced from sugary, starchy, and lignocellulosic feedstocks. Each feedstock requires different procedures for its conversion to fermentable sugar. Lignocellulosic biomass requires extra pretreatment compared to sugar and starch feedstocks to disrupt the structure and improve enzymatic hydrolysis efficiency. However, the greatest concern regarding the pretreatment process is inhibitor formation, which might retard enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation. In addition to the inhibitors from pretreatment, chemicals used during the pretreatment and fermentation of byproducts may remain in the final product if they are not removed by ethanol distillation and dehydration. Maintaining the quality of ethanol during storage is another concerning issue. Initial impurities of ethanol being stored and its nature, including hygroscopic, high oxygen and carbon dioxide solubility, influence chemical reactions during the storage period and change ethanol’s characteristics (e.g., water content, ethanol content, acidity, pH, and electrical conductivity).
  • 2.3K
  • 12 May 2022
Topic Review
Classification of Waste Biomass and Biogenic Materials
Waste biomasses such as oil seed crops, lignocellulosic materials (e.g., agricultural and forest residues), microalgae, energy crops, manure, food waste and organic fraction of municipal solid waste have a huge potential to provide energy and value-added products via different conversion technologies.
  • 2.3K
  • 16 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Mapping Renewable Energy among Antarctic Research Stations
The Antarctic is one of the last frontiers on Earth, and habitation and research in the region are challenging and dangerous owing to its harsh environmental conditions. The provision of sufficient infrastructure to researchers engaged in seasonal or year-round research in the Antarctic is essential. Energy is a crucial element of supportive infrastructure, needed to support space heating—required in living areas to prevent sensitive areas from freezing—electricity, water treatment, and fresh-water generation.
  • 2.3K
  • 04 Jun 2024
Topic Review
Fabrication Techniques of Perovskite Solar Cells
Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are gaining popularity due to their high efficiency and low-cost fabrication. Researchers are exploring new materials and fabrication techniques to enhance the performance of PSCs under various environmental conditions. The mechanical stability of flexible PSCs is another area of research that has gained significant attention. 
  • 2.3K
  • 22 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Thermochemical Heat Storage Based on CaO/CaCO3 Cycles
Thermochemical heat storage (TCHS) based on CaO/CaCO3 cycles has broad application prospects due to many advantages, such as high heat storage density, high exothermic temperature, low energy loss, low material price, and good coupling with CSP plants.
  • 2.3K
  • 04 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Applications of Heat Exchanger in Solar Desalination
Solar desalination is a process to convert saline water into potable water by the application of solar energy. The enhancement of the distillate output of the solar desalination is low, so it is not considered as a method to produce potable water. A heat exchanger is an important device used for heat transfer applications.
  • 2.3K
  • 31 Mar 2022
Topic Review
R1234yf in Organic Rankine Cycle
ORC technology is one of the most promising technologies for the use of residual energy in the generation of electrical energy, offering simple and environmentally friendly alternatives. In this field, the selection of working fluids plays an important role in the operation of the cycle, whether in terms of the energy efficiency or the minimization of environmental impacts. 
  • 2.3K
  • 09 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Methanol Economy—Fuel Cell Route
It explores the renewable ways of obtaining methanol and its use in efficient energy systems for a net zero-emission carbon cycle, with a special focus on fuel cells. It investigates the different parts of the carbon cycle from a methanol and fuel cell perspective. In recent years, the potential for a methanol economy has been shown and there has been significant technological advancement of its renewable production and utilization. Even though its full adoption will require further development, it can be produced from renewable electricity and biomass or CO2 capture and can be used in several industrial sectors, which make it an excellent liquid electrofuel for the transition to a sustainable economy. By converting CO2 into liquid fuels, the harmful effects of CO2 emissions from existing industries that still rely on fossil fuels are reduced. The methanol can then be used both in the energy sector and the chemical industry, and become an all-around substitute for petroleum. 
  • 2.3K
  • 09 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Battery Thermal Management Systems
In the current context of transition from the powertrains of cars equipped with internal combustion engines to powertrains based on electricity, there is a need to intensify studies and research related to the command-and-control systems of electric vehicles. One of the important systems in the construction of an electric vehicle is the thermal management system of the battery with the role of optimizing the operation of the battery in terms of performance and life.
  • 2.3K
  • 28 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Organic Piezoelectric Biomaterials
The past decade has witnessed significant advances in medically implantable and wearable devices technologies as a promising personal healthcare platform. Organic piezoelectric biomaterials have attracted widespread attention as the functional materials in the biomedical devices due to their advantages of excellent biocompatibility and environmental friendliness. Biomedical devices featuring the biocompatible piezoelectric materials involve energy harvesting devices, sensors, and scaffolds for cell and tissue engineering. This paper offers a comprehensive review of the principles, properties, and applications of organic piezoelectric biomaterials. How to tackle issues relating to the better integration of the organic piezoelectric biomaterials into the biomedical devices is discussed. Further developments in biocompatible piezoelectric materials can spark a new age in the field of biomedical technologies.
  • 2.3K
  • 30 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Cryogenic Carbon Capture Process
The cryogenic carbon capture (CCC) process is a promising post-combustion CO2 removal method. This method is very novel compared with conventional and well-developed methods. However, cryogenic carbon capture is not yet commercially available despite its techno-economic benefits. Thus, a model-based design approach for this process can provide valuable information. 
  • 2.2K
  • 15 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Hybrid Renewable-Energy System for Green Buildings
A hybrid system, such as solar and wind, may be more successful than nonhybrid systems in accelerating the transition from conventional to renewable power sources. These new energy sources have several challenges, such as intermittency, storage capacity, and grid stability.
  • 2.2K
  • 16 May 2023
Topic Review
CPC with a Tubular Absorber
The compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) is a highly interesting solar collector technology for different low-concentration applications due to no tracking requirement. The CPC with a tubular absorber is the most common type of CPC. 
  • 2.2K
  • 27 Sep 2021
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