The electricity utility industry is undergoing rapid and irreversible changes resulting from volatile fuel costs, transmission access, less predictable load growth and a more complex regulatory environment. Due to the rising importance of renewable (and variable) energy sources, power systems are now more vulnerable to uncertainties and intermittent in supply. Hydropower plays an important role in the energy mix and power market, helping in providing base and peak load power as well as being the ‘fuel’ (water) not subject to fluctuations in the market; these paving the way toward a clean energy by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050 as part of de-carbonization agenda. All production and conversion processes in the energy sector require Water for nearly including fuel extraction and processing (fossil and nuclear fuels as well as biofuels) and electricity generation (thermoelectric, hydropower, and renewable technologies). This paper’s objective is to analyze cross-border trade in SEE through economic electricity exchange, while also exploring reasons for promoting Hydroelectricity. This is achieved through the following objectives: first, an overview is made of the available energy and economic data in the region; second, a model is developed for regional least cost expansion planning when allowing for cross-border trade. These aim to assess electricity supply and demand in the region with the purpose of making a comparative analysis regarding energy resource endowments.

The escalating demand for solar thermal energy, coupled with the current inefficiencies in existing systems, underscores the critical need for innovative advancements in thermal storage solar collectors. The efficiency of solar collectors relies not solely on design effectiveness but also on the thermophysical properties, such as heat capacity and thermal conductivity, inherent in the working fluid. This study investigates a novel solar collector with a gross area of 0.36 m², operating on the principle of direct absorption. Experimental investigations were done at various tilt angles (15°, 20°, and 30°) with respect to the horizontal, considering different flow rates and nanofluid settlement within the base fluids. The use of Al₂O₃ nanoparticles into the base fluid as water, exhibits significant positive effects on the thermophysical properties of the nanofluids, with a volume concentration of 0.003%. The efficiency of the solar collector was calculated across three mass flow rates (0.5, 1, and 1.33 L/min) at each tilt angle. Notably, the study reveals that the efficiency peaks at a 15° tilt due to an optimal flow configuration for maximum energy harvest across all three mass flow rates. Increasing the mass flow rate yields efficiency increments for all tilt angles (15°, 20°, and 30°), with 1 L/min emerging as the optimal mass-flow rate in most cases. This research not only addresses the immediate need for improved solar thermal technologies but also aligns with global sustainability goals, contributing to the IEA Net Zero Emissions initiative and supporting UN Sustainable Development Goals 7, 9, and 11. The paper also includes a critical literature review on the use of nanofluids in solar thermal collectors to improve thermo-physical properties and enhance solar efficiency. Additionally, the key findings regarding the influence and tilt angle on solar efficiency are discussed.

Cavitation wear and hydraulic efficiency decrease in hydroelectric power plants have frequently been the subject of various research and studies. A hydroelectric power plant built on the Kızılırmak River in Türkiye started operating in 1960 and has not been subjected to any large-scale rehabilitation work other than general maintenance until today. The power plant has 4 Francis-type turbines, each with a power of 32 MW. Due to cavitation wear of turbine runners over the years, performance loss, vibration, and noise problems have arisen. Moreover, the maximum turbine hydraulic efficiency, which was 92% in 1960, the year the power plant was commissioned, decreased to 87.9% according to the efficiency measurements carried out at the power plant in 2020. In this study, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analyses were accomplished with Reynolds averaged Navier Stokes (RANS) calculations for the redesign of the Francis-type turbine runner and finally checked by a model test according to IEC 60193. It was observed that the model test and CFD results were close to each other, especially at the best efficiency point. The maximum turbine hydraulic efficiency, which was calculated as 94.95% as a result of CFD analysis at the nominal head, was calculated as 95.19% by the model test. The x-blade shape created in the redesigned turbine runner blades ensured homogeneous pressure distribution and increased the hydraulic efficiency significantly.

CaSrFe_0.75Co_0.75Mn_0.5O_6-δ, an oxygen-deficient perovskite, had been reported for its better electrocatalytic properties of oxygen evolution reaction. It is essential to investigate different properties such as the thermal conductivity of such efficient functional materials. The thermal conductivity of CaSrFe_0.75Co_0.75Mn_0.5O_6-δ is a critical parameter for understanding its thermal transport properties and potential applications in energy conversion and electronic devices. In this study, the authors present an investigation of the thermal conductivity of CaSrFe_0.75Co_0.75Mn_0.5O_6-δ at room temperature for its thermal insulation property study. Experimental measurement was conducted using a state-of-the-art thermal characterization technique, Thermtest thermal conductivity meter. The thermal conductivity of CaSrFe_0.75Co_0.75Mn_0.5O_6-δ was found to be 0.724 W/m/K at 25 °C, exhibiting a notable thermal insulation property i.e., low thermal conductivity.

This study presents an innovative approach to enhancing thermal management in satellite applications by utilizing an embedded aluminum-ammonia heat pipes honeycomb sandwich panel (HPA-PNL) as a high-performance heat sink. The study focuses on developing and evaluating this advanced heat sink technology, addressing the challenges associated with assessing its performance and suitability for satellite use. The research explores the selection of materials and testing methodologies, highlighting the significance of overcoming existing limitations in the absence of standardized testing methods. The results of the thermal conductivity in Z-directions (K_Z) indicated that the areas on top of the heat pipes show higher thermal conductivity than those on top of the honeycomb core. Also, the effect of background heat sources and different kinds of thermal interface material (TIM) on HPA-PNL performance is insignificant. The heat dissipation through the heat pipe is substantial, emphasizing the effective ability to dissipate heat for an HPA-PNL with many heat sources acting simultaneously. The outcomes of this study reveal promising testing methods for evaluating the K_Z of the HPA-PNL, proposing the potential of the embedded aluminum-ammonia heat pipes honeycomb sandwich panel as a highly effective and efficient heat sink for satellite systems, thus contributing to the advancement of satellite technology.

Consistent probing into building integrity has led to the exploration of clean energy options such as building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV). BIPV has proven to be aesthetically pleasing, architecturally feasible, and capable of making buildings energy producers instead of mere energy consumers. Despite the enormous benefits of BIPV, its adoption and diffusion have been relatively sluggish and remain far below expectations, especially in developing countries like Ghana. This empirical study aims to assess the impact of advertising on BIPV awareness in Ghana. It also highlights the aesthetic preferences of various respondents. The study uses online surveys to gather quantitative data from 412 respondents across all 16 regions of the country. An initial study conducted on the awareness of BIPV in Ghana indicated a low rate of awareness. Therefore, a sensitisation poster and architectural visualization (AV) were adopted to boost awareness across all 16 regions of the country. Awareness of BIPV increased from 18% to 79.5% after the introduction of the sensitisation poster. Also, 88.8% of the respondents preferred BIPV to Building Applied Photovoltaic (BAPV) mainly because of aesthetics (beauty) and the cost benefits. The respondents indicated that aesthetics is paramount when choosing solar panels for their homes. This study therefore recommends high investment in awareness creation, development of specific design guidelines for BIPV applications and establishment of demo projects in developing countries. The findings of this study contribute to the existing literature on BIPV adoption and may be useful for BIPV manufacturers, marketers, government, and other stakeholders as it provides evidence on the often-neglected approach to BIPV diffusion.

Community solar is a concept where a large number of entities (consumers, businesses, charitable foundations, investors, etc.) can participate with or without having 100% ownership of the solar hardware. The objective of this paper is to provide an in-depth review of community solar. Although we have kept the global picture in mind, the United States has been our focus. The authors have provided details of the overall role of photovoltaics and battery-based power networks in global electrical power generation. Based on published reviews and research papers, the authors have analyzed the operation of community solar, ownership models and business models used in community solar projects. Based on the published results, the authors found that community solar might grow exponentially. However, due to ultra-small scale power level, this concept has not played a significant role as compared to residential, commercial, industrial and utility-scale use of solar photovoltaics. For the growth of community solar, the authors have proposed a new concept where new constructions can provide large-scale use of community solar projects. The proposed concept is off-grid and can be implemented without the introduction of any new public policy. In conclusion, the proposed concept can play a major role in providing green electrical power for new loads that also include the charging of electrical vehicles.

Solar PV and wind energy conversion are now so economical that they compete head-on with all forms of fossil fuel and nuclear energy conversion. In view of climate change and the rising price of electricity due to wars, all governments are also facing popular policy pressures to rapidly switch to renewable energy. In this article, broad research questions are raised, and an attempt is made to provide answers in a logical manner. The questions may be categorized as being those related to the validation of fundamental data needed for the design of renewable energy (RE) systems, the long-term measured performance of those systems and the cost of RE electricity. Interest rates are rising rapidly in the current economic situation, and therefore, the present analysis is based on concurrent rates that are payable by borrowers. Measured data from a medium-sized solar PV and wind turbine facility that has been in operation for over a decade in Central Scotland has been used for this work. The main objectives of this article are: (a) to evaluate the manufacturer’s acclaimed performance, (b) to evaluate capacity factors for PV and wind conversion, and complementarily of solar and PV resources, and (c) to obtain the cost of electricity generation of PV and wind. The primary source for undertaking the above exercise was a decade long, measured dataset from an agricultural farm located in Central Scotland. Commercial PV design software was also used to cross check the presently undertaken analysis. The main conclusion was that a community-based wind/solar plant is much more economical than grid- purchased electricity. The novelty of the present work is that all conclusions that were drawn are based on long datasets of measured wind/solar plants.

To achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, Australia must decarbonise the energy sector and other sectors. The 'energy transition' is driven by policy-led construction of renewable infrastructure and regulation changes. However, no holistic analysis of the path forward currently exists. This research aims to develop a clear plan for Victoria's energy transition by evaluating three scenarios. A Business as Usual (BAU) scenario is compared against two alternative solutions. The alternates emulate two of Victoria's possible trajectories. Alternative 1 (ALT1) focuses on Victoria's reliance on imported interstate renewable energy, while Alternative 2 (ALT2) involves Victoria becoming self-sufficient through renewable generation. Each of the three scenarios is compared across four bottom lines: technical performance, social, economic, and environmental. Interviews among energy experts revealed that economic and social metrics were considered most important. Applying the n-bottom line (nBL) assessment framework delivers a result that finds ALT2 and ALT1 tied as the preferred solution. Hence, the construction of renewable infrastructure in Victoria and increased interstate transmission capacity should be built. Further research could include a deeper understanding of the embodied carbon in infrastructure built for the energy transition.