Will Coal Price Fluctuations Affect Renewable Energy Substitution and Carbon Emission? A Computable General Equilibrium-Based Study of China

Changes in the energy price system will determine the direction of evolution of the energy industry structure.As a country where coal is the dominant energy source,what is the effect of coal price fluctuations on China’s industry development costs and energy consumption structure?To investigate this problem,this paper utilized an economy–energy–environment computable general equilibrium model.In this study,four aspects were analyzed:Energy supply side,proportion of renewable energy consumption,macroeconomy,and changes in CO_(2) emissions.The results of this study show that an increase of 10%–20%in coal prices contributes to a shift into using renewable energy,which leads to energy saving and emission reduction.Renewable energy and clean energy rose by 0.57%–4.47%in the energy structure,but this has a certain negative impact on the macroeconomy.The gross domestic product(GDP)fell by 0.07%–0.18%.As a result,the decline in coal prices became an obstacle to renewable energy substitution and energy conservation.In addition,we put forward policy suggestions according to the results in energy,economic,and environmental effects.

China's climate socialization and renewable energy coalition building

Against the backdrop of a heavy carbon lock-in energy structure,China has made considerable progress in renewable energy(RE)development and become a world leader in this area within a decade.Although existing research suggests that rapid RE growth is mainly due to the convergence of economic growth,green industry competition,and energy security concerns under a unique state-led model,they oversimplify the difficulty inherent in RE policy shifting supported by formerly weak pro-RE actors in China's historical trajectory of a low-carbon transition.By exploring the interaction between international and domestic actors by means of a socialization-based coalition-building framework,this paper aims at analyzing how the capacity building of the RE coalition gets enhanced via institutional anchoring and resource reallocation in the climate socialization process and how the strengthened RE coalition has spurred transformation in China's RE policy and the challenges they are confronted with.

Influences of Financial Development and Energy Price on Renewable Energy:An Italian Case

Global climate change has created substantial difficulties in the areas of sustainability,development,and environmental conservation due to the widespread dependence on fossil fuels for energy production.Nevertheless,the promotion of renewable energy programs has the potential to significantly expedite endeavors aimed at tackling climate change.Thus,it is essential to conduct a thorough analysis that considers the financial aspects to fully understand the main hurdles that are preventing the advancement of renewable energy initiatives.Italy is a leading country in the worldwide deployment of renewable energy.The objective of this research is to assess the impact of financial growth,economic progress,and energy expenses on Italy’s adoption of renewable energy sources.By employing the Auto-Regressive Distributed Lag(ARDL)technique,we analyzed annual data spanning from1990 to 2022.Findings revealed that a 1%increase in financial and economic development would boost renewable energy consumption in the long run by 0.29%and 0.48%,respectively.Instead,a 1%increase in energy prices might reduce consumption of renewable energy by 0.05%in the long run.This study’s primary significance lies in furnishing actionable strategies for Italy to augment green finance for renewable energy,fostering sustained social and economic progress.Moreover,the analytical insights gleaned from this research offer valuable insights for energy-importing nations worldwide.

Enhancing Renewable Energy Integration:A Gaussian-Bare-Bones Levy Cheetah Optimization Approach to Optimal Power Flow in Electrical Networks

In the contemporary era,the global expansion of electrical grids is propelled by various renewable energy sources(RESs).Efficient integration of stochastic RESs and optimal power flow(OPF)management are critical for network optimization.This study introduces an innovative solution,the Gaussian Bare-Bones Levy Cheetah Optimizer(GBBLCO),addressing OPF challenges in power generation systems with stochastic RESs.The primary objective is to minimize the total operating costs of RESs,considering four functions:overall operating costs,voltage deviation management,emissions reduction,voltage stability index(VSI)and power loss mitigation.Additionally,a carbon tax is included in the objective function to reduce carbon emissions.Thorough scrutiny,using modified IEEE 30-bus and IEEE 118-bus systems,validates GBBLCO’s superior performance in achieving optimal solutions.Simulation results demonstrate GBBLCO’s efficacy in six optimization scenarios:total cost with valve point effects,total cost with emission and carbon tax,total cost with prohibited operating zones,active power loss optimization,voltage deviation optimization and enhancing voltage stability index(VSI).GBBLCO outperforms conventional techniques in each scenario,showcasing rapid convergence and superior solution quality.Notably,GBBLCO navigates complexities introduced by valve point effects,adapts to environmental constraints,optimizes costs while considering prohibited operating zones,minimizes active power losses,and optimizes voltage deviation by enhancing the voltage stability index(VSI)effectively.This research significantly contributes to advancing OPF,emphasizing GBBLCO’s improved global search capabilities and ability to address challenges related to local minima.GBBLCO emerges as a versatile and robust optimization tool for diverse challenges in power systems,offering a promising solution for the evolving needs of renewable energy-integrated power grids.

Mechanical properties and energy evolutions of burst-prone coal samples with holes and fillings

During the mining process of impact-prone coal seams,drilling pressure relief can reduce the impact propensity of the coal seam,but it also reduces the integrity and strength of the coal mass at the side of the roadway.Therefore,studying the mechanical properties and energy evolution rules of coal samples containing holes and filled structures has certain practical significance for achieving coordinated control of coal mine rockburst disasters and the stability of roadway surrounding rocks.To achieve this aim,seven types of burst-prone coal samples were prepared and subject to uniaxial compression experiments with the aid of a TAW-3000 electro-hydraulic servo testing machine.Besides,the stress–strain curves,acoustic emission signals,DIC strain fields and other data were collected during the experiments.Furthermore,the failure modes and energy evolutions of samples with varying drilled hole sizes and filling materials were analyzed.The results show that the indexes related to burst propensity of the drilled coal samples decline to some extent compared with those of the intact one,and the decline is positively corelated to the diameter of the drilled hole.After hole filling,the strain concentration degree around the drilled hole is lowered to a certain degree,and polyurethane filling has a more remarkable effect than cement filling.Meanwhile,hole filling can enhance the strength and deformation resistance of coal.Hole drilling can accelerate the release of accumulated elastic strain energy,turning the acoustic emission events from low-frequency and high-energy ones to high-frequency and low-energy ones,whereas hole filling can reduce the intensity of energy release.The experimental results and theoretical derivation demonstrate that hole filling promotes coal deformability and strength mainly by weakening stress concentration surrounding the drilled holes.Moreover,the fillings can achieve a better filling effect if their elastic modulus and Poisson’s ratio are closer to those of the coal body.

Enhanced properties of stone coal-based composite phase change materials for thermal energy storage

Phase change materials (PCMs) can be incorporated with low-cost minerals to synthesize composites for thermal energy storage in building applications.Stone coal (SC) after vanadium extraction treatment shows potential for secondary utilization in composite preparation.We prepared SC-based composite PCMs with SC as a matrix,stearic acid (SA) as a PCM,and expanded graphite (EG) as an additive.The combined roasting and acid leaching treatment of raw SC was conducted to understand the effect of vanadium extraction on promoting loading capacity.Results showed that the combined treatment of roasting at 900℃ and leaching increased the SC loading of the composite by 6.2%by improving the specific surface area.The loading capacity and thermal conductivity of the composite obviously increased by 127%and 48.19%,respectively,due to the contribution of 3wt% EG.These data were supported by the high load of 66.69%and thermal conductivity of 0.59 W·m^(-1)·K-1of the designed composite.The obtained composite exhibited a phase change temperature of 52.17℃,melting latent heat of 121.5 J·g^(-1),and good chemical compatibility.The SC-based composite has prospects in building applications exploiting the secondary utilization of minerals.

Lightweight innovation ADIs help development of renewable energy and new technology industries in China

The world is undergoing profound changes in energy and technology.Countries are vigorously developing new sustainable energy sources and technologies.Renewable energy sources encompass various technologies such as wind turbines,solar energy,nuclear energy,and bioenergy.Additionally,emerging technology fields include new energy vehicles,robots,and artificial intelligence devices,among others.The renewable energy industries and implementation of new technologies necessitate the development and adoption of new equipment and components.Austempered ductile iron(ADI)is renowned for its unique microstructure and superior properties.By utilizing ADI,lightweight and innovative castings can be designed to not only reduce weight but also save energy and decrease emissions.More importantly,these castings enhance the efficiency and reliability of new energy equipment and emerging technology installations.This paper describes the development,applications,and future prospects of lightweight and innovative ADI castings within sectors such as solar photovoltaic(PV),wind power generation,industry robots,and trucks in China.

Hydroelectric and Hydrogen Storage Systems for Electric Energy Produced from Renewable Energy Sources

Renewable energy sources are essential formitigating the greenhouse effect and supplying energy to resource-scarce regions.However,their intermittent nature necessitates efficient storage solutions to enhance system efficiency and manage energy costs.This paper investigates renewable and clean storage systems,specifically examining the storage of electricity generated from renewable sources using hydropower plants and hydrogen,both of which are highly efficient and promising for future energy production and storage.The study utilizes extensive literature data to analyze the impact of various parameters on the cost per kWh of electricity production in hybrid renewable systems incorporating hydropower and hydrogen storage plants.Results indicate that these hybrid systems can store electricity efficiently and cost-effectively,with production costs ranging from 0.126 to 0.3$/kWh for renewablehydropower systems and 0.118 to 0.42$/kWh for renewable-hydrogen systems,with expected cost reductions over the next decade due to technological advancements and increased market adoption.The novelty of this study lies in its comprehensive comparison of hybrid renewable systems integrating hydropower and hydrogen storage,providing detailed cost analysis and future projections.It identifies key parameters influencing the cost and efficiency of these systems,offering insights into optimizing storage solutions for renewable energy.Moreover,this research underscores the potential of hybrid systems to reduce dependency on fossil fuels,particularly during peak demand periods,and emphasizes the importance of seasonal and geographic considerations in selecting energy sources.The study highlights the importance of policy support and investment in hybrid renewable systems and calls for further research into optimizing these systems for different seasonal and geographic conditions.Overall,the integration of renewable energy sources with hydropower and hydrogen storage offers a promising pathway to a sustainable,economical,and resilient energy future.

Optimization of capacity configuration and comprehensive evaluation of a renewable energy electrolysis of water for hydrogen production system

The global green hydrogen industry is experiencing rapid growth,but the high production costs are hindering its widespread adoption.To address this challenge,it is particularly important to rationally configure a renewable energy hydrogen production system.For this purpose,the study proposes a model for capacity optimization configuration of a renewable energy hydrogen production system,which integrates wind power,photovoltaic(PV)power,and concentrating solar power(CSP)with alkaline electrolyzer.It conducts capacity optimization configuration and comprehensive evaluations of the hydrogen production system across various scenarios.To minimize the total daily consumption cost,the CPLEX solver is utilized to solve the objective function and determine the capacity configuration of the renewable energy electrolysis of water hydrogen production system generator set under various scenarios.This approach achieves a utilization rate of over 99%for renewable energy.Through comprehensive evaluation,research has found that renewable energy-coupled hydrogen production significantly reduces generator capacity and electricity generation costs compared to separate hydrogen production,enhancing the economic efficiency of the system.The Wind-PV-CSP coupling hydrogen production system has the smallest generator assembly capacity and the lowest hydrogen production cost,which is 18.84 CNY·kg^(-1),significantly lower than the cost of PV-CSP coupling hydrogen production(25.78 CNY·kg^(-1))and wind-PV coupling hydrogen production(25.86 CNY·kg^(-1)).It has good development prospects and plays an important role in exploring the development path of large-scale on-site consumption of new energy.

Intelligent Fractional-Order Controller for SMES Systems in Renewable Energy-Based Microgrid

An autonomous microgrid that runs on renewable energy sources is presented in this article.It has a supercon-ducting magnetic energy storage(SMES)device,wind energy-producing devices,and an energy storage battery.However,because such microgrids are nonlinear and the energy they create varies with time,controlling and managing the energy inside them is a difficult issue.Fractional-order proportional integral(FOPI)controller is recommended for the current research to enhance a standalone microgrid’s energy management and performance.The suggested dedicated control for the SMES comprises two loops:the outer loop,which uses the FOPI to regulate the DC-link voltage,and the inner loop,responsible for regulating the SMES current,is constructed using the intelligent FOPI(iFOPI).The FOPI+iFOPI parameters are best developed using the dandelion optimizer(DO)approach to achieve the optimum performance.The suggested FOPI+iFOPI controller’s performance is contrasted with a conventional PI controller for variations in wind speed and microgrid load.The optimal FOPI+iFOPI controller manages the voltage and frequency of the load.The behavior of the microgrid as a reaction to step changes in load and wind speed was measured using the proposed controller.MATLAB simulations were used to evaluate the recommended system’s performance.The results of the simulations showed that throughout all interruptions,the recommended microgrid provided the load with AC power with a constant amplitude and frequency.In addition,the required load demand was accurately reduced.Furthermore,the microgrid functioned incredibly well despite SMES and varying wind speeds.Results obtained under identical conditions were compared with and without the best FOPI+iFOPI controller.When utilizing the optimal FOPI+iFOPI controller with SMES,it was found that the microgrid performed better than the microgrid without SMES.

Characteristics of Biopellets Manufactured from Various Lignocellulosic Feedstocks as Alternative Renewable Energy Sources

The increased valorization of renewable and cost-effective lignocellulosic feedstocks represents a viable,sustainable,and eco-friendly approach toward the production of biopellets as alternative energy sources.The aim of this research work was to investigate and evaluate the feasibility of using various lignocellulosic raw materials,i.e.,raru(Cotylelobium melanoxylon),mangrove(Rhizophora spp.),sengon(Paraserianthes falcataria),kemenyan toba(Styrax sumatrana),oil palm(Elaeis guineensis),manau rattan(Calamus manan),and belangke bamboo(Gigantochloa pruriens)for manufacturing biopellets with different particle sizes.The raw materials used were tested for their moisture content,specific gravity,ash,cellulose,and lignin content.In addition,thermal analyses,i.e.,calorific values,thermogravimetric analysis(TGA),and differential scanning calorimetry(DSC),were performed.The following properties of the biopellets produced were investigated:moisture content,volatile matter,ash content,fixed carbon,density,and thermal analyses.Based on an analysis of the raw materials,raru had the lowest moisture content(12%)and ash content(1.5%)and the highest specific gravity(1.2).Markedly,palm oil stem had the highestα-cellulose(55%)and lignin(37%)content.In accordance with the SNI 8675:2018 standard requirements,biopellets with optimal properties(moisture content of 1.4%,ash content of 0.79%,density of 1.09 g/m^(3),calorific value of 4672 cal/g,and TGA residue of 13.9%),were manufactured from raru wood.

Estimation of Landfill Gas and Its Renewable Energy Potential from the Polesgo Controlled Landfill Using First-Order Decay (FOD) Models

Methane generation in landfills and its inadequate management represent the major avoidable source of anthropogenic methane today. This paper models methane production and the potential resources expected (electrical energy production and potential carbon credits from avoided CH4 emissions) from its proper management in a municipal solid waste landfill located in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. The modeling was carried out using two first-order decay (FOD) models (LandGEM V3.02 and SWANA) using parameters evaluated on the basis of the characteristics of the waste admitted to the landfill and weather data for the site. At the same time, production data have been collected since 2016 in order to compare them with the model results. The results obtained from these models were compared to experimental one. For the simulation of methane production, the SWANA model showed better consistency with experimental data, with a coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.59 compared with the LandGEM model, which obtained a coefficient of 0.006. Thus, despite the low correlation values linked to the poor consistency of experimental data, the SWANA model models methane production much better than the LandGEM model. Thus, despite the low correlation values linked to the poor consistency of the experimental data, the SWANA model models methane production much better than the LandGEM V3.02 model. It was noted that the poor consistency of the experimental data justifies these low coefficients, and that they can be improved in the future thanks to ongoing in situ measurements. According to the SWANA model prediction, in 27 years of operation a biogas plant with 33% electrical efficiency using biogas from the Polesgo landfill would avoid 1,340 GgCO2e. Also, the evaluation of revenues due to electricity and carbon credit gave a total revenue derived from methane production of US$27.38 million at a cost of US$10.5/tonne CO2e.

A Two-Layer Active Power Optimization and Coordinated Control for Regional Power Grid Partitioning to Promote Distributed Renewable Energy Consumption

With the large-scale development and utilization of renewable energy,industrial flexible loads,as a kind of loadside resource with strong regulation ability,provide new opportunities for the research on renewable energy consumption problem in power systems.This paper proposes a two-layer active power optimization model based on industrial flexible loads for power grid partitioning,aiming at improving the line over-limit problem caused by renewable energy consumption in power grids with high proportion of renewable energy,and achieving the safe,stable and economical operation of power grids.Firstly,according to the evaluation index of renewable energy consumption characteristics of line active power,the power grid is divided into several partitions,and the interzone tie lines are taken as the optimization objects.Then,on the basis of partitioning,a two-layer active power optimization model considering the power constraints of industrial flexible loads is established.The upper-layer model optimizes the planned power of the inter-zone tie lines under the constraint of the minimum peak-valley difference within a day;the lower-layer model optimizes the regional source-load dispatching plan of each resource in each partition under the constraint of theminimumoperation cost of the partition,so as to reduce the line overlimit phenomenon caused by renewable energy consumption and save the electricity cost of industrial flexible loads.Finally,through simulation experiments,it is verified that the proposed model can effectively mobilize industrial flexible loads to participate in power grid operation and improve the economic stability of power grid.

ANovel Non-Isolated Cubic DC-DC Converter with High Voltage Gain for Renewable Energy Power Generation System

In recent years,switched inductor(SL)technology,switched capacitor(SC)technology,and switched inductor-capacitor(SL-SC)technology have been widely applied to optimize and improve DC-DC boost converters,which can effectively enhance voltage gain and reduce device stress.To address the issue of low output voltage in current renewable energy power generation systems,this study proposes a novel non-isolated cubic high-gain DC-DC converter based on the traditional quadratic DC-DC boost converter by incorporating a SC and a SL-SC unit.Firstly,the proposed converter’s details are elaborated,including its topology structure,operating mode,voltage gain,device stress,and power loss.Subsequently,a comparative analysis is conducted on the voltage gain and device stress between the proposed converter and other high-gain converters.Then,a closed-loop simulation system is constructed to obtain simulation waveforms of various devices and explore the dynamic performance.Finally,an experimental prototype is built,experimental waveforms are obtained,and the experimental dynamic performance and conversion efficiency are analyzed.The theoretical analysis’s correctness is verified through simulation and experimental results.The proposed converter has advantages such as high voltage gain,low device stress,high conversion efficiency,simple control,and wide input voltage range,achieving a good balance between voltage gain,device stress,and power loss.The proposed converter is well-suited for renewable energy systems and holds theoretical significance and practical value in renewable energy applications.It provides an effective solution to the issue of low output voltage in renewable energy power generation systems.

Application of Power Electronics Converters in Renewable Energy

Against the backdrop of global energy shortages and increasingly severe environmental pollution,renewable energy is gradually becoming a significant direction for future energy development.Power electronics converters,as the core technology for energy conversion and control,play a crucial role in enhancing the efficiency and stability of renewable energy systems.This paper explores the basic principles and functions of power electronics converters and their specific applications in photovoltaic power generation,wind power generation,and energy storage systems.Additionally,it analyzes the current innovations in high-efficiency energy conversion,multilevel conversion technology,and the application of new materials and devices.By studying these technologies,the aim is to promote the widespread application of power electronics converters in renewable energy systems and provide theoretical and technical support for achieving sustainable energy development.

Energy-limiting factor for coal and gas outburst occurrence in intact coal seam

This research reviewed the mechanics and gas desorption properties of intact coal,and tested the crushing work ratios of different intact coals,and then,studied the stress conditions for the failure or crushing of intact coal and the gas demand for the pulverization of intact coal particles.When a real-life outburst case is examined,the required minimum stress for intact coal outburst is estimated.The study concludes that the crushing work ratios of three intact coal samples vary from 294.3732 to 945.8048 J/m^(2).For the real-life case,more than 2300 MJ of transport work is needed,and 10062.09,7046.57 and 5895.47 m^(3) of gas is required when the gas pressure is 1,2 and 3 MPa,respectively.The crushing work exceeds the transport work and even reaches 13.96 times of the transport work.How to provide such an enormous crushing work is an energy-limiting factor for the outburst in intact coal.The strain energy is needed for the crushing work,and the required minimum stress is over 54.35 MPa,even reaching 300.44 MPa.These minimum stresses far exceed the in-situ vertical and horizontal stresses that can be provided at the 300–700 m mining depth range.

Numerical modelling of strength and energy release characteristics of pillar-scale coal mass

Coal burst is a manifestation of rapid energy release,which is considered as one of the most critical operational hazards in underground coal mines.This study numerically investigates the effects of discontinuities on the strength and energy release characteristics of coal mass samples under uniaxial compression.The universal distinct element code(UDEC)was used to model pillar-scale coal mass samples that were represented by an assembly of triangular deformable blocks,and pre-existing discontinuities such as bedding planes and cleats were also included in the models.It shows that cleat spacing can have a significant impact on compressive strength and energy release,with both strength and energy release(magnitude and rate)reducing as the number of cleats was increased.This work is one of the first attempts to numerically model and quantify the energy release which occurs during the failure of pillar-scale coal mass samples with varying cleat densities.The insights from the numerical modelling can help to understand the possible energy release mechanisms and associated coal burst potential in changing coal cleat conditions.

Ambient nanoparticles/nanominerals and hazardous elements from coal combustion activity:Implications on energy challenges and health hazards

Coal is the most abundant fossil fuel in the world. Because of the growth of coal mining, coal-fired power plants and coal-burning industries, the increase of the emission of particulates(coarse, fine or ultrafine)is of great concern. There is a relationship between increasing human morbidity and mortality and progressive environmental air pollution caused by these types of particles. Thus, the knowledge of the physico-chemical composition and ambient concentrations of coal-derived nanoparticles will improve pollution control strategy. Given the current importance of this area of research, the advanced characterization of this coal combustion-derived nanoparticles/nanominerals as well as hazardous elements is likely to be one of the hottest research fields in coming days. In this review, we try to compile the existing knowledge on coal-derived nanoparticles/nanominerals and discuss the advanced level of characterization techniques for future research. This review also provides some of aspects of health risks associated with exposure to ambient nanoparticles. In addition, the presence of some of the hazardous elements in coal and coal combustion activities is also reviewed.

A review of energy associated with coal bursts

A coal burst is defined as a rapid expulsion of coal(and potentially gas) from the boundary of the roadway. Rock and coal fractures together with micro seismic vibration is a common occurrence during mining, however, it is very uncommon for coal and rock to be propelled into the roadway. Irrespective, such occurrences do occur and appear to require significantly more energy than is available from strain energy release during coal cutting. The sources of energy which can contribute to the propulsion of coal from the face or ribs are typically strain energy from the surrounding ground, seismic energy from a rapid rupture of the ground in the vicinity, or rapid expansion of gas from within the burst source area. The aim of this paper is to briefly review the bursts which may be related to strain energy, seismic energy and gas energy.

A new criterion of coal burst proneness based on the residual elastic energy index

To evaluate the coal burst proneness more precisely,a new energy criterion namely the residual elastic energy index was proposed.This study begins by performing the single-cyclic loading-unloading uniaxial compression tests with five pre-peak unloading stress levels to explore the energy storage characteristics of coal.Five types of coals from different mines were tested,and the instantaneous destruction process of the coal specimens under compression loading was recorded using a high speed camera.The results showed a linear relationship between the elastic strain energy density and input energy density,which confirms the linear energy storage law of coal.Based on this linear energy storage law,the peak elastic strain energy density of each coal specimen was obtained precisely.Subsequently,a new energy criterion of coal burst proneness was established,which was called the residual elastic energy index(defined as the difference between the peak elastic strain energy density and post peak failure energy density).Considering the destruction process and actual failure characteristics of coal specimens,the accuracy of evaluating coal burst proneness based on the residual elastic energy index was examined.The results indicated that the residual elastic energy index enables reliable and precise evaluations of the coal burst proneness.