The Viability of Nanotechnology-based InGaN Solar Photovoltaic Devices for Sustainable Energy Generation

2013 ◽  
Vol 1558 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua M. Pearce ◽  
Chenlong Zhang ◽  
Joseph Rozario ◽  
Jephias Gwamuri
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Anthropogenic Impacts ◽  
Spectral Response ◽  
Solar Photovoltaic ◽  
Bandgap Engineering ◽  
Energy Demands ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Future Work

ABSTRACTThe unrestrained combustion of fossil fuels has resulted in vast pollution at the local scale throughout the world, while contributing to global warming at a rate that seriously threatens the stability of many of the world's ecosystems. Solar photovoltaic (PV) technology is a clean, sustainable and renewable energy conversion technology that can help meet the energy demands of the world’s growing population. Although PV technology is mature with commercial modules obtaining over 20% conversion efficiency there remains considerable opportunities to improve performance. The nearly global access to the solar resource coupled to nanotechnology innovation-driven decreases in the costs of PV, provides a path for a renewable energy source to significantly reduce the adverse anthropogenic impacts of energy use by replacing fossil fuels. This study explores several approaches to improving indium gallium nitride-based PV efficiency with nanotechnology: optical enhancement, microstructural optimization for electronic material quality and increasing the spectral response via bandgap engineering. The results showing multibandgap engineering with InGaN and impediments to widespread deployment and commercialization are discussed including technical viability, intellectual property laws and licensing, material resource scarcities, and economics. Future work is outlined and conclusions are drawn to overcome these limitations and improve PV device performance using methods that can scale to the necessary terawatt level.

The Role of Renewable Energy Sources in a Sustainable World

1992 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 430-443 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruud Pleune
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Energy Conservation ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
World Energy ◽  
World Concept

Present energy use - largely dependent on fossil fuels - is incompatible with the sustainable world concept. In a sustainable world, energy sources are renewable and used in a way that damage to the environment is minimalized. This study investigates the possibility of a sustainable world using renewable energy sources. It appears that - when strict energy conservation is applied - such a sustainable world seems to be attainable. This requires, however, drastic changes in most parts of society.

scholarly journals The contribution of bioethanol to sustainable development in Serbia

2013 ◽  
pp. 397-404
Author(s):  
Stevan Popov ◽  
Sinisa Dodic ◽  
Damjan Vucurovic ◽  
Jelena Dodic ◽  
Jovana Grahovac
Keyword(s):  
Energy Source ◽  
Renewable Energy Source ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Environmental Issues ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Plant Origin ◽  
Energy Demands ◽  
The Republic

The pollution caused by the use of fossil fuels for the production of mechanical or electrical energy is one of the most important environmental issues nowa?days. In this respect, biofuels represent a viable source of energy. Bioethanol as a renewable energy source is derived from organic material of plant origin, so-called biomass, thus reducing environmental pollution. The aim of this study was to analyze the potential of bioethanol in meeting future energy demands in the Republic of Serbia.

Rethinking Energy at the Crossroads

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen Araújo
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Internal Combustion Engines ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Energy Estimates ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Fuel Prices ◽  
New Energy ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Co2

The discovery of oil in Pennsylvania in 1859 was a relatively inconspicuous precursor to what would become an epic shift into the modern age of energy. At the time, the search for “rock oil” was driven by a perception that lighting fuel was running out. Advances in petrochemical refining and internal combustion engines had yet to occur, and oil was more expensive than coal. In less than 100 years, oil gained worldwide prominence as an energy source and traded commodity. Along similar lines, electricity in the early 1900s powered less than 10% of the homes in the United States. Yet, in under a half a century, billions of homes around the world were equipped to utilize the refined form of energy. Estimates indicate that roughly 85% of the world’s population had access to electricity in 2014 (World Bank, n.d.b). For both petroleum and electricity, significant changes in energy use and associated technologies were closely linked to evolutions in infrastructure, institutions, investment, and practices. Today, countless decision-makers are focusing on transforming energy systems from fossil fuels to low carbon energy which is widely deemed to be a cleaner, more sustainable form of energy. As of 2016, 176 countries have renewable energy targets in place, compared to 43 in 2005 (Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century [REN21], 2017). Many jurisdictions are also setting increasingly ambitious targets for 100% renewable energy or electricity (Bloomberg New Energy Finance [BNEF], 2016). In 2015, the G7 and G20 committed to accelerate the provision of access to renewables and efficiency (REN21, 2016). In conjunction with all of the above priorities, clean energy investment surged in 2015 to a new record of $329 billion, despite low, fossil fuel prices. A significant “decoupling” of economic and carbon dioxide (CO2) growth was also evident, due in part to China’s increased use of renewable energy and efforts by member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to foster greater use of renewables and efficiency (REN21, 2016).

Renewable Energy Sources

2016 ◽  
pp. 238-269
Author(s):  
Mahmure Övül Arıoğlu Akan ◽  
Ayşe Ayçim Selam ◽  
Seniye Ümit Oktay Fırat
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
Global Energy ◽  
Global Organizations ◽  
Detailed Review ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Near Future

Sustainability concerns resulting from the consumption of natural resources, life-threatening levels of pollution, global warming, climate change and the ever-increasing worldwide energy use have brought renewable energy sources to forefront. Given the possibility of depletion of fossil fuels in the near future, the utilization of clean and renewable energy sources have become inevitable. Consequently, governments and global organizations adopted respective regulations to ensure the production and use of renewable energy and promote the respective new investments. In the light of these developments, the aim of this study is to conduct a detailed review and evaluation on the current literature and global energy statistics. The respective projects, binding regulations, incentives, and pricing mechanisms have also been studied to analyze and compare the renewable energy policies adopted worldwide. Ultimately, the goal is to make certain suggestions and lay out possible solutions regarding global energy problems.

Social, Environmental and Economic Impacts of Adopting Clean Energy Use

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 29-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Razi ◽  
Yousaf Ali
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
Crucial Issue ◽  
Per Capita ◽  
Social Environmental ◽  
Alternative Solutions

These days, the excessive industrialization, elevated levels of pollution, and the increased energy crisis has led nations towards the use of renewable energy sources. Through the use of renewable energy sources, global warming can also be decreased, which is currently the biggest environmental issue worldwide. Pakistan, being a developing country, relies on the use of fossil fuels for the generation of electricity. The alarming increase in population, energy consumption per capita and energy wastages lead to a shortfall. To resolve this crucial issue, the alternative solutions considered include the use of renewable sources of energy such as hydro, solar and wind. The use of these renewable energy sources is governed by various environmental, economic and social parameters. The influence of these parameters on the use of renewable energy sources is studied through the use of DEMATEL and revised DEMATEL techniques.

scholarly journals Impact of Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy on the Long-Term Planning of an Isolated Microgrid

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 3455
Author(s):  
Jean-Michel Clairand ◽  
Carlos Álvarez-Bel ◽  
Javier Rodríguez-García ◽  
Guillermo Escrivá-Escrivá
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Electric Vehicle Charging ◽  
Power Generation Planning ◽  
Smart Charging ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Ev Charging ◽  
Charging Strategy

Isolated microgrids, such as islands, rely on fossil fuels for electricity generation and include vehicle fleets, which poses significant environmental challenges. To address this, distributed energy resources based on renewable energy and electric vehicles (EVs) have been deployed in several places. However, they present operational and planning concerns. Hence, the aim of this paper is to propose a two-level microgrid problem. The first problem considers an EV charging strategy that minimizes charging costs and maximizes the renewable energy use. The second level evaluates the impact of this charging strategy on the power generation planning of Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos, Ecuador. This planning model is simulated in HOMER Energy. The results demonstrate the economic and environmental benefits of investing in additional photovoltaic (PV) generation and in the EV charging strategy. Investing in PV and smart charging for EVs could reduce the N P C by 13.58%, but a reduction in the N P C of the EV charging strategy would result in up to 3.12%.

scholarly journals Biomass Feedstocks for Liquid Biofuels Production in Hawaii & Tropical Islands: A Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-132
Author(s):  
Muhammad Usman ◽  
Shuo Cheng ◽  
Jeffrey Scott Cross
Keyword(s):  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Biomass Conversion ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Renewable Energy Resources ◽  
Tropical Islands ◽  
Tropical Regions ◽  
Biomass Feedstocks ◽  
Energy Demands ◽  
Conversion Technologies

Many tropical islands, including Aruba, Seychelles, Mauritius, and Pacific Island countries, are entirely dependent on importing fossil fuels to meet their energy demands. Due to global warming, improving energy use efficiency and developing regionally available renewable energy resources are necessary to reduce carbon emissions. This review analyzed and identified biomass feedstocks to produce liquid biofuels targeting tropical islands, particularly focusing on Hawaii as a case study. Transportation and energy generation sectors consume 25.5% and 11.6%, respectively, of Hawaii's imported fossil fuels. Various nonedible feedstocks with information on their availability, production, and average yields of oils, fiber, sugars, and lipid content for liquid biofuels production are identified to add value to the total energy mix. The available biomass conversion technologies and production costs are summarized. In addition, a section on potentially using sewage sludge to produce biodiesel is also included. Based on a comparative analysis of kamani, croton, pongamia, jatropha, energycane, Leucaena hybrid, gliricidia, and eucalyptus feedstock resources, this study proposes that Hawaii and other similar tropical regions can potentially benefit from growing and producing economical liquid biofuels locally, especially for the transportation and electricity generation sectors

scholarly journals Meeting Energy Demands Through Mining

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Amosu C. O.* ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Electric Power ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Mining Industry ◽  
Energy Applications ◽  
Energy Demands ◽  
The Stability

The Mineral and Mining industry is a huge energy requiring sector which demands connections to a viable electric power origin and reference. With the upsurge of these mineral requests and decreasing valued grades of ores, energy aspiration is approximated to sky-rocket to 36% by the year 2035. It is even projected to accelerate geometrically from the fact that sophistication and powering of the mine locations speeds up the stability into the necessity of energy applications and its requirements derived from fossil fuels utilized to generate electricity. This paper discusses other fossilized fuel-based materials for generation of electricity

scholarly journals From Energy Blues to Green Energy: Options Before Pakistan

2014 ◽  
Vol 53 (4II) ◽  
pp. 309-325
Author(s):  
Rafi Amir-Ud-Din
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Green Energy ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
Energy Mix ◽  
Current Energy

Energy crisis in Pakistan had been brewing long before it became an important national issue with the potential to significantly affect the outcome of general elections of 2013. The looming crisis of depleting non-renewable energy sources combined with a feeble economy has lent a new urgency to the search for an energy mix which is sustainable, economically viable and environmentally least hazardous. Fossil fuels with their known adverse environmental impacts dominate the current energy mix of Pakistan. The renewable energy sources remain underutilised despite being cost effective and less hazardous for the environment. A substantial amount of literature has highlighted various dimensions of existing energy sources in Pakistan with a particular emphasis on the environmental impact, the sustainability and the efficiency of various energy sources [see Asif (2009); Basir, et al. (2013); Bhutto, et al. (2012); Mirza, et al. (2009, 2008, 2003); Muneer and Asif (2007); Sheikh (2010) for example]. This study analyses the environmental impact, economic feasibility and efficiency of various energy sources subject to various economic and noneconomic constraints. Section 2 discusses energy security by reviewing various tapped and untapped energy sources besides analysing current energy mix and its future prospects. Section 3 highlights the interaction of energy use and environment. Section 4 discusses two approaches to assess the feasibility of an energy mix: disaggregated and aggregated. The latter approach makes a multidimensional comparison of all the energy sources discussed in this study. Section 5 consists of discussion and concluding remarks.

scholarly journals PRODUCTION AND USE OF BIOENERGY IN POLAND IN THE CONTEXT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF BIOECONOMY

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jarosław GOŁĘBIEWSKI ◽  
Joanna RAKOWSKA
Keyword(s):  
Energy Source ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Municipal Waste ◽  
Gaseous Fuels ◽  
Solid Biofuels ◽  
Food And Feed ◽  
Solid Liquid

Growing demand for energy, along with the depletion of traditional fossil fuels and the development of civilization, raises interest in the use of bioenergy in all sectors of the economy, including electricity, transport, heating, cooling, and industry. In developed countries bioenergy is an alternative to traditional non-renewable energy from fossil fuels, as its resources renew in natural processes, making it practically inexhaustible. Due to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, bioenergy is also more environmentally friendly than fossil energy. Thus bioenergy sector is a key segment of bio-economy and determines its competitiveness and development. Increase in bioenergy production, resulting from both market and energy policies, leads to greater interdependence between energy and agricultural markets, affects food and feed prices and change in land use. The aim of this study was to identify changes in the bioenergy market in Poland in 2010-2015, present the role of bioenergy sector production in the structure of bio-economy, the changes in production and directions of biomass-based energy use and determine the importance of the major bioenergy markets in the structure of the energy market in Poland. The study was based on the aggregated statistical data on the acquisition and consumption of bioenergy in Poland, including energy from municipal waste, solid biofuels, biogas and liquid biofuels. Findings prove that bioenergy is the most important renewable energy source in Poland. It is also a diversified source of energy, as it can be converted into solid, liquid and gaseous fuels. Although solid biofuels and liquid biofuels dominate in Poland, the share of biogas and energy produced from municipal waste is small. Concluding, bioenergy in Poland changes its character from traditional and local energy source into modern, international commodity.

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