Energy Strategy Reviews最新文献

The Archimedes Screw Turbine (AST) is an innovative type of hydroelectric power plant that can be particularly useful in locations with very low-head sites (less than 10 m head). Compared to alternative hydroelectric turbines like Pelton, Francis, and Kaplan, the AST can provide a clean renewable energy source that is safer for fish and other aquatic species. While the AST is not universally superior to these other turbine technologies, it can offer unique advantages in certain low-head applications. Unlike Pelton, Francis, and Kaplan turbines, which typically require greater maintenance, debris collection systems, and continuous design improvements, the AST can operate effectively with fewer of these supporting requirements. To explore the potential of the AST in low-head hydropower generation, the present study conducted a comparative analysis of the AST against Pelton, Francis, Kaplan, bulb, and Vortex turbines. A meta-analysis was performed to synthesize data from various theoretical, experimental, and numerical studies, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, ensuring a rigorous and comprehensive review. The findings demonstrate that the AST can be a viable and advantageous option for power generation in sites with head heights below 10 m, generating between 4 kW and 140 kW of power with flow rates of 1–6 m³/s and efficiencies ranging from 72 % to 94 %. Additionally, this study provides an easy and quick method, along with analytical equations, for estimating the design parameters needed to predict screw power output. However, the suitability of the AST versus other turbines is highly dependent on the specific site characteristics and requirements. The analysis provides insights into the performance, maintenance needs, and environmental impacts of the AST compared to conventional hydroelectric turbines. These insights can inform decision-making on appropriate turbine selection for low-head hydropower projects.

During the last two decades, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have seen their population, economies and energy production growing steeply with a substantial increase in Gross Domestic Product. As a result of this growth, GCC consumption-based carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions increased from 540.79 Metric tons of CO₂ equivalent (MtCO₂) in 2003 to 1090.93 MtCO₂ in 2020. The assumptions and strategies that have driven energy production in the past are now being recast to achieve a more sustainable economic development. The aim of this study is to review and analyze ongoing energy transition strategies that characterize this change to identify challenges and opportunities for bolstering the effectiveness of current strategic orientations. The ensuing analysis shows that since COP26, GCC countries have been pursuing a transition away from carbon-based energy policies largely characterized by the adoption of solar PV with other emerging technologies including energy storage, carbon capture, and hydrogen generation and storage. While as of 2022 renewable energy adoption in the GCC only represented 0.15 % of global installed capacity, GCC countries are making strong efforts to achieve their declared 2030 energy targets that average about 26 % with peaks of 50 % in Saudi Arabia and 30 % in the UAE and Oman. With reference to solar energy, plans are afoot to add 42.1 GW of solar photovoltaics and concentrated solar power which will increase 8-fold the current installed renewable capacity (5.1 GW). At the same time, oil and gas production rates remain stable and fossil fuel subsidies have grown in the last few years. Also, there is a marked preference for the deployment of CCUS and utility-scale solar energy technology vs. distributed solar energy, energy efficiency and nature-based solutions. The pursuit of energy transition in the GCC will require increased efforts in the latter and other overlooked strategic endeavors to achieve a more balanced portfolio of sustainable energy solutions, with stronger emphasis on energy efficiency (as long as rebound effects are mitigated) and nature-based solutions. Increased efforts are also needed in promoting governance practices aimed to institutionalize regulatory frameworks, incentives, and cooperation activities that promote the reduction of fossil fuel subsidies and the transition away from fossil fuels.

This paper examines how the likelihood of a transition to net zero could play out on the UK's total factor productivity growth over the longer term. It does this in the context of a potential trade-off between net zero goals and productivity growth. We begin by discussing the concept of green growth and a green industrial revolution, and then relate the green economy to the circular economy, as well as GDP measurement and how this relates to productivity growth under climate policies. We use a simulation method for the projected growth under net zero of the electricity sector in Great Britain to provide a context on the consequences of increasing input growth as output growth declines, and the result shows that the 2020s are challenging decades as productivity declines by −3.24 % p.a. in the electricity sector due to the combination of high input and low output growth. However, our findings reveal that the 2030s and 2040s look more promising, with productivity growth of 3 % p.a. and 1.6 % p.a. respectively as electrification increases and fossil fuel and labour inputs decline. Overall, the analysis offers a glimpse of just how challenging raising even maintaining the level of TFP will be in that sector in the earlier years out to 2050.

Modern smart grids typically combine physical and communication networks for efficient information exchange and innovative applications. Aligned with digitalization and advancements in smart grids, the integration of photovoltaic (PV) systems comprises a variety of regulatory and technological aspects. However, no previous study has conducted an extensive and systematic analysis of the PV-grid integration framework, particularly for one country. To fill this gap, this paper uses Germany as an example to present a comprehensive, state-of-the-art analysis of integrating distributed PV systems into smart grids, focusing on the regulation and technical implementation of the German Smart Meter Infrastructure and PV control interfaces. Starting from a standardization perspective, this analysis utilizes the Smart Grid Architecture Model to identify crucial roles, components and processes specifically in Germany. Furthermore, it outlines the current implementation of PV integration into distribution networks at a national level. The results of this study show the overall complexity of PV integration in the smart grid context, confirm the feasibility of the German integration approach, and highlight the necessity of deploying standardized information models and communication technologies. These key findings can help market participants with different roles to identify potential technical bottlenecks or other critical points in the regulation and technical implementation. For instance, the proposed in-depth analysis framework provides an orientation for characterizing the PV integration or, more generally, the grid integration scenario of renewables in other countries.

This article provides a comprehensive framework for the studies of aged assets. All the studies conducted until the end of 2023 in managing aged assets have been summarized and categorized in the framework and model proposed in this article. The proposed comprehensive framework model shows research gaps and a road map can be developed. Aging asset management studies are categorized into aging detection, utilization of aging assets, resilience of asset life, outages caused by aging assets, and operator. This way, we can focus on the methods and applied studies subjects in each sub-section separately. The collection of studies and articles in this paper has been conducted using the Scopus database, and at the end, bibliometric maps are provided.