This paper evaluates the initiatives undertaken by research and policy institutions in Morocco regarding energy efficiency in buildings. It explores the potential of thermal insulation materials derived from bio-based composites and textile waste, as circularly, sustainable, economical and high-performance solutions. To meet this objective, a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology has been used with over 133 studies and 10 projects to analyse quantitatively and qualitatively the efforts made to integrate recycled and bio-based materials for more energy efficient buildings. The quantitative side has shown that over 30 different types of eco-friendly materials were experimentally and numerically characterised in Morocco during the last 25 years. The qualitative side was conducted through a U-value and thickness based evaluation and a classification by thermal conductivity and volumetric heat capacity to specify the most suitable materials. A critical analysis of the research methodology and the national policy strategy towards building energy efficiency has been carried out. The findings have highlighted the main challenges facing the integration of these insulation materials in the construction sector, particularly in terms of regulations, awareness and market access. Finally, recommendations were proposed to encourage the adoption of these innovative materials and strengthen public policies in favour of the energy transition.
{"title":"Systematic review on bio-based insulation in Morocco: Research progress and policy challenges","authors":"Omar Iken , Oussama Rahmoun , Oumaima Imghoure , Mohamed Touil , Salma Ouhaibi , Miloud Rahmoune , Naoual Belouaggadia , Rachid Saadani","doi":"10.1016/j.nxener.2025.100487","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nxener.2025.100487","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper evaluates the initiatives undertaken by research and policy institutions in Morocco regarding energy efficiency in buildings. It explores the potential of thermal insulation materials derived from bio-based composites and textile waste, as circularly, sustainable, economical and high-performance solutions. To meet this objective, a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology has been used with over 133 studies and 10 projects to analyse quantitatively and qualitatively the efforts made to integrate recycled and bio-based materials for more energy efficient buildings. The quantitative side has shown that over 30 different types of eco-friendly materials were experimentally and numerically characterised in Morocco during the last 25 years. The qualitative side was conducted through a U-value and thickness based evaluation and a classification by thermal conductivity and volumetric heat capacity to specify the most suitable materials. A critical analysis of the research methodology and the national policy strategy towards building energy efficiency has been carried out. The findings have highlighted the main challenges facing the integration of these insulation materials in the construction sector, particularly in terms of regulations, awareness and market access. Finally, recommendations were proposed to encourage the adoption of these innovative materials and strengthen public policies in favour of the energy transition.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100957,"journal":{"name":"Next Energy","volume":"10 ","pages":"Article 100487"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145736376","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-12-09DOI: 10.1016/j.nxener.2025.100486
Jemal Worku Fentaw, Elvin Hajiyev, Abdul Rehman Baig, Hossein Emadi
CO2-based enhanced geothermal system (CO2-EGS), also known as CO2 plume geothermal, has emerged as a promising avenue to address the growing global energy demand and mitigate global climate concerns by exploiting renewable energy from geothermal reservoirs while concurrently sequestering CO2. In this method, CO2, in a supercritical state or dissolved in brine, is used as a working fluid to harness the geothermal energy held in hot reservoir rocks, with part of the CO2 being trapped in the reservoir. Despite their rapidly growing popularity, the integration assessment of CO2-EGS studies, fragmented into various subjects such as thermodynamics, heat transfer, multiphase flow, reservoir hydraulics, geomechanics, and geochemistry, remains insufficiently explored. Thus, a critical review that consolidates conducted studies, identifies gaps, and directs future research in this coupled technology is crucial. This review aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of CO2-EGS, emphasizing its significance, the major challenges affecting its performance and mitigation strategies, the thermophysical properties of CO2 as a working fluid, and CO2 storage while extracting geothermal energy. The study revealed the key benefits of CO2-EGS, including reducing corrosion and scaling effects in the wellbore, maintaining reservoir pressure, storing CO2, increasing sweep efficiency of the reservoir, lowering pumping power, and addressing water scarcity for geothermal systems. Despite its significance, CO2-EGS encounters major challenges, such as cost, drilling and operating wells in harsh geological conditions, CO2 leakage, lost circulation, premature thermal breakthrough, lower specific enthalpy, and incomplete heating. Key factors influencing its performance include properties of the reservoir, natural fractures and faults, geochemical and geomechanical factors, well design, type of thermodynamic cycle used, and CO2-related factors such as injection rate, injection pressure, temperature, and impurities. Overall, this review provides insights into significant advancements achieved and highlights future research to leverage CO2-EGS for reducing CO2 emissions while extracting geothermal energy.
{"title":"Coupling geothermal energy with geological carbon storage: A holistic review of enhanced geothermal systems using CO₂ as a working fluid","authors":"Jemal Worku Fentaw, Elvin Hajiyev, Abdul Rehman Baig, Hossein Emadi","doi":"10.1016/j.nxener.2025.100486","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nxener.2025.100486","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>CO<sub>2</sub>-based enhanced geothermal system (CO<sub>2</sub>-EGS), also known as CO<sub>2</sub> plume geothermal, has emerged as a promising avenue to address the growing global energy demand and mitigate global climate concerns by exploiting renewable energy from geothermal reservoirs while concurrently sequestering CO<sub>2</sub>. In this method, CO<sub>2</sub>, in a supercritical state or dissolved in brine, is used as a working fluid to harness the geothermal energy held in hot reservoir rocks, with part of the CO<sub>2</sub> being trapped in the reservoir. Despite their rapidly growing popularity, the integration assessment of CO<sub>2</sub>-EGS studies, fragmented into various subjects such as thermodynamics, heat transfer, multiphase flow, reservoir hydraulics, geomechanics, and geochemistry, remains insufficiently explored. Thus, a critical review that consolidates conducted studies, identifies gaps, and directs future research in this coupled technology is crucial. This review aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of CO<sub>2</sub>-EGS, emphasizing its significance, the major challenges affecting its performance and mitigation strategies, the thermophysical properties of CO<sub>2</sub> as a working fluid, and CO<sub>2</sub> storage while extracting geothermal energy. The study revealed the key benefits of CO<sub>2</sub>-EGS, including reducing corrosion and scaling effects in the wellbore, maintaining reservoir pressure, storing CO<sub>2</sub>, increasing sweep efficiency of the reservoir, lowering pumping power, and addressing water scarcity for geothermal systems. Despite its significance, CO<sub>2</sub>-EGS encounters major challenges, such as cost, drilling and operating wells in harsh geological conditions, CO<sub>2</sub> leakage, lost circulation, premature thermal breakthrough, lower specific enthalpy, and incomplete heating. Key factors influencing its performance include properties of the reservoir, natural fractures and faults, geochemical and geomechanical factors, well design, type of thermodynamic cycle used, and CO<sub>2</sub>-related factors such as injection rate, injection pressure, temperature, and impurities. Overall, this review provides insights into significant advancements achieved and highlights future research to leverage CO<sub>2</sub>-EGS for reducing CO<sub>2</sub> emissions while extracting geothermal energy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100957,"journal":{"name":"Next Energy","volume":"10 ","pages":"Article 100486"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145736378","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2026-01-09DOI: 10.1016/j.nxener.2025.100506
Naeem Ullah, Tufail Ahmad, Asad Ullah, Sufaid Khan, Muhammad Nafees, Mehboob Ali, Yousra Noor, Fawad Ahmad Khan, Baseena Sardar, Majid Khan
Supercapacitors (SCs) are critical for sustainable energy storage due to their high power density and rapid charge-discharge capabilities, making them essential for renewable energy integration and electric vehicle applications. This study explores the solvothermal synthesis of spinel ferrites XFe2O4 (X = Mn, Co, Ni) as electrode materials for SCs. Structural characterization through X-ray diffraction confirmed phase-pure cubic structures with lattice parameters of 0.851 nm (MnFe2O4), 0.839 nm (CoFe2O4), and 0.834 nm (NiFe2O₄), and crystallite sizes of 13.72 nm, 20.72 nm, and 11.86 nm, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy revealed agglomerated nanoparticles for MnFe2O4 and CoFe2O4, and densely packed aggregates for NiFe2O4. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy identified a conductive carbonaceous layer from residual ethylene glycol, while UV-Vis spectroscopy determined bandgaps of 2.7 eV (CoFe2O4), 3.12 eV (MnFe2O4), and 3.7 eV (NiFe2O4). Electrochemical assessments using cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge-discharge, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy showed CoFe2O4 achieving a specific capacitance of 1518 F/g at 0.5 A/g with 99.9% retention after 5000 cycles, outperforming MnFe2O4 and NiFe2O4. Symmetric devices based on CoFe2O4 delivered a specific capacitance of 668 F/g at 1 A/g, an energy density of 33.38 Wh/kg, and a power density of 150 W/kg. These results position CoFe2O4 as a promising material for next-generation SCs, advancing energy storage for sustainable systems.
超级电容器（SCs）由于其高功率密度和快速充放电能力，对可持续能源存储至关重要，使其成为可再生能源集成和电动汽车应用的必要条件。本研究探讨了溶剂热合成尖晶石铁氧体XFe2O4 （X = Mn, Co, Ni）作为SCs电极材料的方法。通过x射线衍射表征，确定了相纯立方结构，晶格参数分别为0.851 nm （MnFe2O4）、0.839 nm （CoFe2O4）和0.834 nm （NiFe2O₄），晶粒尺寸分别为13.72 nm、20.72 nm和11.86 nm。扫描电镜显示，MnFe2O4和CoFe2O4为球状纳米颗粒，而NiFe2O4为密集堆积的团聚体。傅里叶变换红外光谱在残余乙二醇中发现了导电碳质层，紫外可见光谱测定了2.7 eV （CoFe2O4）、3.12 eV （MnFe2O4）和3.7 eV （NiFe2O4）的带隙。利用循环伏安法、恒流充放电法和电化学阻抗谱进行的电化学评价表明，在0.5 a /g下，CoFe2O4的比电容达到1518 F/g，循环5000次后保持率达到99.9%，优于MnFe2O4和NiFe2O4。基于CoFe2O4的对称器件在1 a /g时的比电容为668 F/g，能量密度为33.38 Wh/kg，功率密度为150 W/kg。这些结果将CoFe2O4定位为下一代超导材料的有前途的材料，推进可持续系统的能量存储。
{"title":"High-performance spinel ferrites for supercapacitors: Solvothermal synthesis and electrochemical evaluation","authors":"Naeem Ullah, Tufail Ahmad, Asad Ullah, Sufaid Khan, Muhammad Nafees, Mehboob Ali, Yousra Noor, Fawad Ahmad Khan, Baseena Sardar, Majid Khan","doi":"10.1016/j.nxener.2025.100506","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nxener.2025.100506","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Supercapacitors (SCs) are critical for sustainable energy storage due to their high power density and rapid charge-discharge capabilities, making them essential for renewable energy integration and electric vehicle applications. This study explores the solvothermal synthesis of spinel ferrites XFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> (X = Mn, Co, Ni) as electrode materials for SCs. Structural characterization through X-ray diffraction confirmed phase-pure cubic structures with lattice parameters of 0.851 nm (MnFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>), 0.839 nm (CoFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>), and 0.834 nm (NiFe<sub>2</sub>O₄), and crystallite sizes of 13.72 nm, 20.72 nm, and 11.86 nm, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy revealed agglomerated nanoparticles for MnFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> and CoFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>, and densely packed aggregates for NiFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy identified a conductive carbonaceous layer from residual ethylene glycol, while UV-Vis spectroscopy determined bandgaps of 2.7 eV (CoFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>), 3.12 eV (MnFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>), and 3.7 eV (NiFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>). Electrochemical assessments using cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge-discharge, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy showed CoFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> achieving a specific capacitance of 1518 F/g at 0.5 A/g with 99.9% retention after 5000 cycles, outperforming MnFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> and NiFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>. Symmetric devices based on CoFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> delivered a specific capacitance of 668 F/g at 1 A/g, an energy density of 33.38 Wh/kg, and a power density of 150 W/kg. These results position CoFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> as a promising material for next-generation SCs, advancing energy storage for sustainable systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100957,"journal":{"name":"Next Energy","volume":"10 ","pages":"Article 100506"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145924258","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-12-01DOI: 10.1016/j.nxener.2025.100484
Simo Pekkinen , Mikko Muoniovaara , Eira Seppälä , Pekka Pirhonen , Mikael Rinne , Annukka Santasalo-Aarnio
The decarbonization of industrial processes will require large quantities of green hydrogen produced with renewable energy. The use of variable renewable energy for hydrogen production will, in turn, necessitate large-scale hydrogen storage to ensure the constant availability of hydrogen. In existing energy models, hydrogen storage is typically included as a ‘black box’ unit that simplifies the behavior of hydrogen during the operation of a storage cycle. In this study, a high-fidelity hydrogen gas storage model is developed. The model considers the behavior of hydrogen as a real gas during storage operations, a defining advancement compared to previous studies, and utilizes hourly data sets of renewable energy production. The model is first demonstrated on a baseline case located in Finland, where 121 MW of wind power capacity supplies an annual hydrogen demand of 6000 tonnes, mandating a hydrogen storage capacity of 575 tonnes. Next, a sensitivity analysis reveals that increasing wind power capacity or adding solar power to the energy mix decreases the storage requirement significantly. On the other hand, increasing the minimum storage pressure or reducing the electrolyzer capacity both increase the required storage capacity. Finally, the baseline case was used to compare storage technologies available in the Finnish context, and lined rock caverns were found to be the most cost-efficient option with a reasonable storage volume. Overall, the study concludes that significant storage capacities and thus investments are required for the industrial utilization of green hydrogen. Therefore, it is essential that the behavior of hydrogen as a real gas is considered when sizing storage systems.
{"title":"Hydrogen storage model for decarbonization of constant industrial processes","authors":"Simo Pekkinen , Mikko Muoniovaara , Eira Seppälä , Pekka Pirhonen , Mikael Rinne , Annukka Santasalo-Aarnio","doi":"10.1016/j.nxener.2025.100484","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nxener.2025.100484","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The decarbonization of industrial processes will require large quantities of green hydrogen produced with renewable energy. The use of variable renewable energy for hydrogen production will, in turn, necessitate large-scale hydrogen storage to ensure the constant availability of hydrogen. In existing energy models, hydrogen storage is typically included as a ‘black box’ unit that simplifies the behavior of hydrogen during the operation of a storage cycle. In this study, a high-fidelity hydrogen gas storage model is developed. The model considers the behavior of hydrogen as a real gas during storage operations, a defining advancement compared to previous studies, and utilizes hourly data sets of renewable energy production. The model is first demonstrated on a baseline case located in Finland, where 121 MW of wind power capacity supplies an annual hydrogen demand of 6000 tonnes, mandating a hydrogen storage capacity of 575 tonnes. Next, a sensitivity analysis reveals that increasing wind power capacity or adding solar power to the energy mix decreases the storage requirement significantly. On the other hand, increasing the minimum storage pressure or reducing the electrolyzer capacity both increase the required storage capacity. Finally, the baseline case was used to compare storage technologies available in the Finnish context, and lined rock caverns were found to be the most cost-efficient option with a reasonable storage volume. Overall, the study concludes that significant storage capacities and thus investments are required for the industrial utilization of green hydrogen. Therefore, it is essential that the behavior of hydrogen as a real gas is considered when sizing storage systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100957,"journal":{"name":"Next Energy","volume":"10 ","pages":"Article 100484"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145684607","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-12-04DOI: 10.1016/j.nxener.2025.100481
Pedro Henrique de Lima Gomes , Vivian Carvalho de Araujo , Carla Freitas de Andrade , Daniel Silveira Serra , Mona Lisa Moura de Oliveira
Renewable energies are gaining ground in the global energy matrix due to their potential to decarbonize the economy. Currently, water electrolysis is one of the main commercial routes used to obtain green hydrogen, and there is a growing interest in alternative water sources to avoid competition between human and animal consumption and fuel production. In this context, a brief bibliometric analysis on "Green hydrogen via effluent electrolysis" was conducted, followed by a literature review aimed at answering the following guiding questions: (i) Are there green hydrogen production systems via effluent electrolysis?; (ii) What renewable energy sources are used by existing systems, and what is their configuration and production scale?; (iii) What electrolysis technologies are used in these systems?; (iv) What are the effluent sources used by existing systems, and what methods are employed for effluent treatment?; (v) What are the applications for hydrogen, oxygen, and residual heat obtained during effluent electrolysis? The results show that: (i) various types of effluent electrolysis systems have been reported; (ii) the main renewable energy source used in these systems is photovoltaic solar energy; (iii) the most commonly used electrolysis technology is the proton exchange membrane type; (iv) the most frequent effluent source is from municipal effluent treatment plants; and (v) the applications of green hydrogen, oxygen, and residual heat can meet the same demands as those of fossil origin hydrogen. Finally, it is evident that research involving effluent electrolysis for green hydrogen production is still in its early stages, indicating a wide field yet to be explored.
{"title":"Green hydrogen production from industrial effluent electrolysis: A brief bibliometric analysis and literature review","authors":"Pedro Henrique de Lima Gomes , Vivian Carvalho de Araujo , Carla Freitas de Andrade , Daniel Silveira Serra , Mona Lisa Moura de Oliveira","doi":"10.1016/j.nxener.2025.100481","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nxener.2025.100481","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Renewable energies are gaining ground in the global energy matrix due to their potential to decarbonize the economy. Currently, water electrolysis is one of the main commercial routes used to obtain green hydrogen, and there is a growing interest in alternative water sources to avoid competition between human and animal consumption and fuel production. In this context, a brief bibliometric analysis on \"Green hydrogen via effluent electrolysis\" was conducted, followed by a literature review aimed at answering the following guiding questions: (i) Are there green hydrogen production systems via effluent electrolysis?; (ii) What renewable energy sources are used by existing systems, and what is their configuration and production scale?; (iii) What electrolysis technologies are used in these systems?; (iv) What are the effluent sources used by existing systems, and what methods are employed for effluent treatment?; (v) What are the applications for hydrogen, oxygen, and residual heat obtained during effluent electrolysis? The results show that: (i) various types of effluent electrolysis systems have been reported; (ii) the main renewable energy source used in these systems is photovoltaic solar energy; (iii) the most commonly used electrolysis technology is the proton exchange membrane type; (iv) the most frequent effluent source is from municipal effluent treatment plants; and (v) the applications of green hydrogen, oxygen, and residual heat can meet the same demands as those of fossil origin hydrogen. Finally, it is evident that research involving effluent electrolysis for green hydrogen production is still in its early stages, indicating a wide field yet to be explored.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100957,"journal":{"name":"Next Energy","volume":"10 ","pages":"Article 100481"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145684605","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Renewable energy sources (RESs) hold a significant share in modern electrical networks, particularly in Microgrids (MGs). The inertia of the MG is significantly reduced due to the substitution of traditional synchronous generators with RESs. Frequency control of MG integrated with RESs is a challenging task. This research proposes a robust solution to enhance the frequency stability of an islanded MG by applying virtual inertia control (VIC) and damping strategies. A multistage proportional integral derivative (PID) ([PDF]-[1+PI]) controller optimized through a modified golf optimization algorithm (mGOA) in coordination with an energy storage system (ESS) is implemented as VIC. The mGOA algorithm performance is compared using various standard benchmark test functions with the original golf optimization algorithm (GOA) and with 10 other well-known optimization algorithms, particle swarm optimization, gravitational search algorithm, and genetic algorithm. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed mGOA algorithm, it is compared with the original GOA, grey wolf optimization (GWO), and whale optimization algorithm (WOA). It is demonstrated that the objective function value decreases by 53.07%, 56.01%, and 60.53% when compared with the original GOA, WOA, and GWO, respectively. The performance of the proportional derivative with filter (PDF)-(1+PI) controller was compared with that of conventional proportional integral (PI) controllers and PID controllers based on mGOA for random load fluctuation, parametric uncertainty, reduced capacity of ESS, and various renewable generation scenarios. The simulation result indicates that the mGOA-tuned multistage controller offers improved performance of 85.65% and 82.62% in terms of minimum objective function value in comparison to the mGOA-tuned PI and PID controllers, respectively. The performance of the proposed controller is evaluated under cyber attacks like false data injection attacks and denial of service attacks, as well as time latency. Performance of the proposed controller is tested by Hardware-In-The-Loop simulation, in OPAL-RT platform.
{"title":"Virtual inertia control for enhanced frequency stability in islanded microgrids: A multistage PID and modified golf optimization approach","authors":"Mihira Kumar Nath , N. Bhanu Prasad , Asini Kumar Baliarsingh","doi":"10.1016/j.nxener.2025.100503","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nxener.2025.100503","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Renewable energy sources (RESs) hold a significant share in modern electrical networks, particularly in Microgrids (MGs). The inertia of the MG is significantly reduced due to the substitution of traditional synchronous generators with RESs. Frequency control of MG integrated with RESs is a challenging task. This research proposes a robust solution to enhance the frequency stability of an islanded MG by applying virtual inertia control (VIC) and damping strategies. A multistage proportional integral derivative (PID) ([PDF]-[1+PI]) controller optimized through a modified golf optimization algorithm (mGOA) in coordination with an energy storage system (ESS) is implemented as VIC. The mGOA algorithm performance is compared using various standard benchmark test functions with the original golf optimization algorithm (GOA) and with 10 other well-known optimization algorithms, particle swarm optimization, gravitational search algorithm, and genetic algorithm. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed mGOA algorithm, it is compared with the original GOA, grey wolf optimization (GWO), and whale optimization algorithm (WOA). It is demonstrated that the objective function value decreases by 53.07%, 56.01%, and 60.53% when compared with the original GOA, WOA, and GWO, respectively. The performance of the proportional derivative with filter (PDF)-(1+PI) controller was compared with that of conventional proportional integral (PI) controllers and PID controllers based on mGOA for random load fluctuation, parametric uncertainty, reduced capacity of ESS, and various renewable generation scenarios. The simulation result indicates that the mGOA-tuned multistage controller offers improved performance of 85.65% and 82.62% in terms of minimum objective function value in comparison to the mGOA-tuned PI and PID controllers, respectively. The performance of the proposed controller is evaluated under cyber attacks like false data injection attacks and denial of service attacks, as well as time latency. Performance of the proposed controller is tested by Hardware-In-The-Loop simulation, in OPAL-RT platform.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100957,"journal":{"name":"Next Energy","volume":"10 ","pages":"Article 100503"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145883693","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-11-06DOI: 10.1016/j.nxener.2025.100453
Aniket A. Dhavale , Mandar M. Lele
In the context of rising global temperatures and the urgent need for low-Global Warming Potential (GWP) alternatives, enhancing the climate adaptability of domestic refrigeration systems is essential for sustainable cooling. Tropical regions like India regularly experience ambient temperatures exceeding 35 °C, yet conventional energy rating protocols evaluate refrigerators under fixed and moderate conditions, which poorly reflect real-world usage. This discrepancy highlights a critical gap: the lack of performance data under dynamic, high-stress thermal environments that influence system efficiency, refrigerant behavior, and energy consumption. Addressing this, the present study experimentally investigates the thermodynamic behavior of a modified 190 L refrigerator using R600a, a natural hydrocarbon refrigerant with low global warming potential, under varying cabinet temperatures (0–15 °C) and ambient conditions (30–40 °C) that simulate tropical environments. Performance metrics such as evaporator heat absorption (Qₑᵥₐₚ), condenser heat rejection (Qcond), power consumption, compressor discharge temperature, and coefficient of performance (COP) were measured and analyzed. Results showed up to 17% and 20% increases in Qₑᵥₐₚ and Qcond, respectively, with rising cabinet temperatures. A 10 °C ambient temperature rise caused an 11.2% COP drop and a ∼16% increase in discharge temperature, indicating considerable thermal stress. Findings were validated against IMST-ART simulations with deviations within ±5–7%. By shifting away from idealized, static test conditions, this study offers climate-responsive insights into the real-world performance of R600a systems. Academically, it introduces climate responsive coefficient of performance and sustainaibility index as advanced performance indicators that address both engineering and sustainability goals. Socio-economically, the study underscores the potential for carbon savings, energy-efficient appliance policy reform, and better refrigerant selection for developing nations. Academically, it introduces performance mapping techniques that integrate thermal efficiency with environmental and economic metrics. Socio-economically, the study underscores the potential for carbon savings, energy-efficient appliance policy reform, and better refrigerant selection for developing nations. This work calls for an urgent transition toward climate-adaptive testing standards and supports the development of cooling systems engineered for high-heat environments bridging the gap between lab performance and field realities in the global pursuit of sustainable refrigeration.
{"title":"Climate-adaptive performance and environmental benchmarking of R600a refrigeration systems under tropical operating conditions","authors":"Aniket A. Dhavale , Mandar M. Lele","doi":"10.1016/j.nxener.2025.100453","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nxener.2025.100453","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In the context of rising global temperatures and the urgent need for low-Global Warming Potential (GWP) alternatives, enhancing the climate adaptability of domestic refrigeration systems is essential for sustainable cooling. Tropical regions like India regularly experience ambient temperatures exceeding 35 °C, yet conventional energy rating protocols evaluate refrigerators under fixed and moderate conditions, which poorly reflect real-world usage. This discrepancy highlights a critical gap: the lack of performance data under dynamic, high-stress thermal environments that influence system efficiency, refrigerant behavior, and energy consumption. Addressing this, the present study experimentally investigates the thermodynamic behavior of a modified 190 L refrigerator using R600a, a natural hydrocarbon refrigerant with low global warming potential, under varying cabinet temperatures (0–15 °C) and ambient conditions (30–40 °C) that simulate tropical environments. Performance metrics such as evaporator heat absorption (Qₑᵥₐₚ), condenser heat rejection (Q<sub>cond</sub>), power consumption, compressor discharge temperature, and coefficient of performance (COP) were measured and analyzed. Results showed up to 17% and 20% increases in Qₑᵥₐₚ and Q<sub>cond</sub>, respectively, with rising cabinet temperatures. A 10 °C ambient temperature rise caused an 11.2% COP drop and a ∼16% increase in discharge temperature, indicating considerable thermal stress. Findings were validated against IMST-ART simulations with deviations within ±5–7%. By shifting away from idealized, static test conditions, this study offers climate-responsive insights into the real-world performance of R600a systems. Academically, it introduces climate responsive coefficient of performance and sustainaibility index as advanced performance indicators that address both engineering and sustainability goals. Socio-economically, the study underscores the potential for carbon savings, energy-efficient appliance policy reform, and better refrigerant selection for developing nations. Academically, it introduces performance mapping techniques that integrate thermal efficiency with environmental and economic metrics. Socio-economically, the study underscores the potential for carbon savings, energy-efficient appliance policy reform, and better refrigerant selection for developing nations. This work calls for an urgent transition toward climate-adaptive testing standards and supports the development of cooling systems engineered for high-heat environments bridging the gap between lab performance and field realities in the global pursuit of sustainable refrigeration.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100957,"journal":{"name":"Next Energy","volume":"10 ","pages":"Article 100453"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145442683","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-11-08DOI: 10.1016/j.nxener.2025.100476
Harish Kumar , Rahul Sharma , Ashok K. Malik , Ashok K. Sharma , Parvin Kumar , Devender Singh
The escalating atmospheric CO₂ concentration arising from fossil fuel combustion and industrial activities necessitates immediate mitigation strategies to address global warming and environmental degradation. Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) technologies have emerged as a pivotal approach to transforming CO₂ from a greenhouse gas into a valuable feedstock for fuels and chemicals. This review critically examines recent advancements in CO₂ capture techniques—including absorption, adsorption, membrane separation, and mineral carbonation—and their integration with various conversion routes such as thermocatalytic hydrogenation, electrochemical and photocatalytic reduction, and biological fixation. Particular emphasis is placed on the synthesis of methanol, ethanol, methane, syngas, cyclic carbonates, and biofuels, discussing their catalytic systems (Cu-, Ni-, and Ti-based catalysts, metal–organic frameworks, and nanostructured semiconductors), reaction mechanisms, and process efficiencies. The review also evaluates techno-economic feasibility, energy input–output ratios, and net CO₂ reduction potentials, highlighting strategies for coupling renewable hydrogen and solar-driven systems to improve sustainability. Finally, it outlines the current technology readiness levels (TRLs), life-cycle assessment (LCA) outcomes, and research priorities needed to accelerate the industrial implementation of CCU technologies toward a low and circular carbon economy.
{"title":"Advancements in carbon capture and utilization technologies: Transforming CO2 into valuable resources for a sustainable carbon economy","authors":"Harish Kumar , Rahul Sharma , Ashok K. Malik , Ashok K. Sharma , Parvin Kumar , Devender Singh","doi":"10.1016/j.nxener.2025.100476","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nxener.2025.100476","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The escalating atmospheric CO₂ concentration arising from fossil fuel combustion and industrial activities necessitates immediate mitigation strategies to address global warming and environmental degradation. Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) technologies have emerged as a pivotal approach to transforming CO₂ from a greenhouse gas into a valuable feedstock for fuels and chemicals. This review critically examines recent advancements in CO₂ capture techniques—including absorption, adsorption, membrane separation, and mineral carbonation—and their integration with various conversion routes such as thermocatalytic hydrogenation, electrochemical and photocatalytic reduction, and biological fixation. Particular emphasis is placed on the synthesis of methanol, ethanol, methane, syngas, cyclic carbonates, and biofuels, discussing their catalytic systems (Cu-, Ni-, and Ti-based catalysts, metal–organic frameworks, and nanostructured semiconductors), reaction mechanisms, and process efficiencies. The review also evaluates techno-economic feasibility, energy input–output ratios, and net CO₂ reduction potentials, highlighting strategies for coupling renewable hydrogen and solar-driven systems to improve sustainability. Finally, it outlines the current technology readiness levels (TRLs), life-cycle assessment (LCA) outcomes, and research priorities needed to accelerate the industrial implementation of CCU technologies toward a low and circular carbon economy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100957,"journal":{"name":"Next Energy","volume":"10 ","pages":"Article 100476"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145469085","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-12-11DOI: 10.1016/j.nxener.2025.100489
Theodore Azemtsop Manfo
Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells are emerging as critical technology for clean and efficient energy conversion, providing a path to worldwide decarbonization and renewable power generation. Their successful integration into renewable and hybrid systems necessitates a thorough understanding of the interconnected electrochemical, thermal, and fluid processes that regulate performance. However, many existing models oversimplify these dynamic interactions, resulting in an inadequate understanding of system-level behavior and control optimization. This study fills that gap by creating a dynamic MATLAB/Simulink-based model of a PEM fuel cell to investigate how integrated thermal and fluid management affect efficiency, gas usage, and operational stability under changing loads. The model includes several critical subsystems, including the membrane electrode assembly, gas flow routes, heat regulation, and purge control. Simulation findings show a peak electrical output of 95 kW with a power density of 1.116 W cm⁻². This highlights the need for active cooling and purging strategies in reducing hydrogen loss and preserving stack performance. The findings aid sustainable PEM fuel cell design and real-time control development.
质子交换膜（PEM）燃料电池正在成为清洁、高效能源转换的关键技术，为全球脱碳和可再生能源发电提供了一条途径。将其成功集成到可再生能源和混合动力系统中，需要对调节性能的相互关联的电化学、热和流体过程有透彻的了解。然而，许多现有的模型过度简化了这些动态交互，导致对系统级行为和控制优化的理解不足。本研究通过创建基于MATLAB/ simulink的PEM燃料电池动态模型来填补这一空白，以研究集成的热和流体管理如何影响效率、气体使用和变化负载下的运行稳定性。该模型包括几个关键子系统，包括膜电极组件，气体流动路线，热量调节和吹扫控制。模拟结果显示，峰值电输出为95 kW，功率密度为1.116 W cm⁻²。这突出了主动冷却和净化策略在减少氢损失和保持堆性能方面的必要性。这些发现有助于PEM燃料电池的可持续设计和实时控制的发展。
{"title":"Dynamic simulation of a PEM fuel cell: Insights into efficiency, thermal, and fluid management","authors":"Theodore Azemtsop Manfo","doi":"10.1016/j.nxener.2025.100489","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nxener.2025.100489","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells are emerging as critical technology for clean and efficient energy conversion, providing a path to worldwide decarbonization and renewable power generation. Their successful integration into renewable and hybrid systems necessitates a thorough understanding of the interconnected electrochemical, thermal, and fluid processes that regulate performance. However, many existing models oversimplify these dynamic interactions, resulting in an inadequate understanding of system-level behavior and control optimization. This study fills that gap by creating a dynamic MATLAB/Simulink-based model of a PEM fuel cell to investigate how integrated thermal and fluid management affect efficiency, gas usage, and operational stability under changing loads. The model includes several critical subsystems, including the membrane electrode assembly, gas flow routes, heat regulation, and purge control. Simulation findings show a peak electrical output of 95 kW with a power density of 1.116 W cm⁻². This highlights the need for active cooling and purging strategies in reducing hydrogen loss and preserving stack performance. The findings aid sustainable PEM fuel cell design and real-time control development.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100957,"journal":{"name":"Next Energy","volume":"10 ","pages":"Article 100489"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145736525","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-11-14DOI: 10.1016/j.nxener.2025.100475
Kuntalika Das , Sankar Bhattacharya , Sandeep Kumar
The use of fossil fuels leads to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. At the same time, the finite reserves of crude oil, natural gas, and coal necessitate a shift to alternative energy sources. Apart from the typical non-conventional energy sources, waste-to-energy routes are gaining popularity. Non-biodegradable plastic waste, which possesses a high amount of energy, can be thermo-chemically treated (pyrolysis or gasification) to generate fuel. On the other hand, biomass (BM) thermochemical conversion has the potential to emerge as a green energy source with proper forest management. Co-pyrolysis and co-gasification of plastic and BM show the potential for further improvement in fuel quality and quantity. The available research works involve a range of BM and plastic types, making it difficult to conclude a generalised trend of product generation. The current work systematically reviews the recent research data by categorising the results as per the type of feedstock used and the conversion processes. A general trend of fuel yield for various feedstock types and relative contents is summarised. The effects of various parameters – operating temperature, gasifying agent, blending ratio, reactor type, and use of catalysts are also discussed, along with an insight into the catalytic conversion mechanism. The review will be beneficial to get a broad picture of the recent progress in BM-plastic co-pyrolysis and co-gasification, associated challenges, and potential applications.
{"title":"Co-pyrolysis and co-gasification of biomass and plastics for next-generation fuel production and the effect of various operating parameters on it: A review","authors":"Kuntalika Das , Sankar Bhattacharya , Sandeep Kumar","doi":"10.1016/j.nxener.2025.100475","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nxener.2025.100475","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The use of fossil fuels leads to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. At the same time, the finite reserves of crude oil, natural gas, and coal necessitate a shift to alternative energy sources. Apart from the typical non-conventional energy sources, waste-to-energy routes are gaining popularity. Non-biodegradable plastic waste, which possesses a high amount of energy, can be thermo-chemically treated (pyrolysis or gasification) to generate fuel. On the other hand, biomass (BM) thermochemical conversion has the potential to emerge as a green energy source with proper forest management. Co-pyrolysis and co-gasification of plastic and BM show the potential for further improvement in fuel quality and quantity. The available research works involve a range of BM and plastic types, making it difficult to conclude a generalised trend of product generation. The current work systematically reviews the recent research data by categorising the results as per the type of feedstock used and the conversion processes. A general trend of fuel yield for various feedstock types and relative contents is summarised. The effects of various parameters – operating temperature, gasifying agent, blending ratio, reactor type, and use of catalysts are also discussed, along with an insight into the catalytic conversion mechanism. The review will be beneficial to get a broad picture of the recent progress in BM-plastic co-pyrolysis and co-gasification, associated challenges, and potential applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100957,"journal":{"name":"Next Energy","volume":"10 ","pages":"Article 100475"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145521072","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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