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1 – 10 of 104Guoyu Zhang, Honghua Wang, Tianhang Lu, Chengliang Wang and Yaopeng Huang
Parameter identification of photovoltaic (PV) modules plays a vital role in modeling PV systems. This study aims to propose a novel hybrid approach to identify the seven…
Abstract
Purpose
Parameter identification of photovoltaic (PV) modules plays a vital role in modeling PV systems. This study aims to propose a novel hybrid approach to identify the seven parameters of the two-diode model of PV modules with high accuracy.
Design/methodology/approach
The proposed hybrid approach combines an improved particle swarm optimization (IPSO) algorithm with an analytical approach. Three parameters are optimized using IPSO, whereas the other four are analytically determined. To improve the performance of IPSO, three improvements are adopted, that is, evaluating the particles with two evaluation functions, adaptive evolutionary learning and adaptive mutation.
Findings
The performance of proposed approach is first verified by comparing with several well-established algorithms for two case studies. Then, the proposed method is applied to extract the seven parameters of CSUN340-72M under different operating conditions. The comprehensively experimental results and comparison with other methods verify the effectiveness and precision of the proposed method. Furthermore, the performance of IPSO is evaluated against that of several popular intelligent algorithms. The results indicate that IPSO obtains the best performance in terms of the accuracy and robustness.
Originality/value
An improved hybrid approach for parameter identification of the two-diode model of PV modules is proposed. The proposed approach considers the recombination saturation current of the p–n junction in the depletion region and makes no assumptions or ignores certain parameters, which results in higher precision. The proposed method can be applied to the modeling and simulation for research and development of PV systems.
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Mohammed Jawad Abed and Anis Mhalla
The paper aims to present a grid-connected multi-inverter for solar photovoltaic (PV) systems to enhance reliability indices after selected the placement and level of PV solar.
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to present a grid-connected multi-inverter for solar photovoltaic (PV) systems to enhance reliability indices after selected the placement and level of PV solar.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, the associated probability is calculated based on the solar power generation capacity levels and outages conditions. Then, based on this probability, dependability indices like average energy not supplied (AENS), expected energy not supplied and loss of load expectations (LOLE) are computed, also, another indices have been computed such as (customer average interruption duration index (CAIDI), system average interruption frequency index (SAIFI) and system average interruption duration index (SAIDI)) addressing by affected customers with distribution networks reliability assessment, including PV. On the basis of their dependability indices and active power flow, several PV solar modules installed in several places are analyzed. A mechanism for assessing the performance of the grid's integration of renewable energy sources is also under investigation.
Findings
The findings of this study based on data extracted form a PV power plant connected to the power network system in Diyala, Iraq 132 kV, attempts to identify the system's weakest points in order to improve the system's overall dependability. In addition, enhanced reliability indices are given for measuring solar PV systems performance connected to the grid and reviewed for the benefit of the customers.
Originality/value
The main contributions of this study are two methods for determining the reliability of PV generators taking into consideration the system component failure rates and the power electronic component defect rates in a PV system which depend on the power input and the power loss using electrical transient analysis program (ETAP) program.
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Switching to green energy is a crucial step in achieving carbon neutrality. This study aims to explore what motivates people to use green energy and how much more people are…
Abstract
Purpose
Switching to green energy is a crucial step in achieving carbon neutrality. This study aims to explore what motivates people to use green energy and how much more people are willing to pay for green energy.
Design/methodology/approach
Grounded on the value–attitude–intention hierarchy, this study proposes that environmental consciousness as a human value influences attitudes including attitude toward environmental issues and attitude toward ecosocial benefits while attitudes, information and knowledge about green energy and quality and price of green energy influence people’s intention to use green energy. Data were collected from 342 Chinese adults.
Findings
Results showed that environmental consciousness significantly and positively influenced attitudes while attitude toward environmental issues had the greatest effect on people’s intention to use green energy, followed by quality and price of green energy. About 44% respondents were willing to pay 2.5% to <5% more money for green energy.
Originality/value
This study extended the use of value–attitude–intention hierarchy to investigate what motivates people to use green energy. Specifically, this study demonstrated that quality and price, and knowledge and information also significantly shaped people’s intention to use green energy significantly.
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Adela Bâra and Simona Vasilica Oprea
This paper aims to investigate and formulate several business models (BM) for various energy communities (EC) members: prosumers, storage facilities, electric vehicle (EV…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate and formulate several business models (BM) for various energy communities (EC) members: prosumers, storage facilities, electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, aggregators and local markets.
Design/methodology/approach
One of the flexibility drivers is triggered by avoiding the cost and maximizing value that consists of delivering a service such as increasing generation or reducing consumption when it is valued most. The transition to greener economies led to the emergence of aggregators that aggregate bits of flexibility and handle the interest of their providers, e.g. small entities such as consumers, prosumers and other small service providers. On one hand, the research method consists of formulating six BM and implementing a BM that includes several consumers and an aggregator, namely, scheduling the household electricity consumption (downstream) and using flexibility to obtain revenue or avoid the cost. This is usually performed by reducing or shifting the consumption from peak to off-peak hours when the energy is cheaper. Thus, the role of aggregators in EC is significant as they intermediate small-scale energy threads and large entities' requirements, such as grid operators or retailers. On the other hand, in the proposed BM, the aggregators' strategy (upstream) will be to minimize the cost of electricity procurement using consumers’ flexibility. They set up markets to buy flexibility that is valued as long as their costs are reduced.
Findings
Interesting insights are revealed, such as when the flexibility price doubles, the deficit coverage increases from 62% to 91% and both parties, consumers and retailers obtain financial benefits from the local market.
Research limitations/implications
One of the limitations of using the potential of flexibility is related to the high costs that are necessary to implement direct load control. Another issue is related to the data privacy aspects related to the breakdown of electricity consumption. Furthermore, data availability for scientific research is limited. However, this study expects that new BM for various EC members will emerge in the future largely depending on Information Communications and Technology developments.
Practical implications
An implementation of a local flexibility market (LFM) using 114 apartments with flexible loads is proposed, demonstrating the gains obtained from trading flexibility. For LFM simulation, this study considers exemplifying a BM using 114 apartments located in a multi-apartment building representing a small urban EC situated in the New England region in North America. Open data recorded in 2016 is provided by UMassTraceRepository.
Originality/value
As a novelty, six BM are proposed considering a bottom-up approach and including various EC members.
Srinivasan Vadivel, Boopathi C.S., Sridhar R. and Tarana Kaovasia
The aim of this research study is to mitigate shading impact on solar photovoltaic array. Photovoltaic (PV) array when getting shaded not only results in appreciable power loss…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this research study is to mitigate shading impact on solar photovoltaic array. Photovoltaic (PV) array when getting shaded not only results in appreciable power loss but also exhibits multiple power peaks. Due to these multiple power peaks, the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controllers’ performance will be affected, as most of the times it ends up in tracking the local maximum power peak and not the global power peak.
Design/methodology/approach
The PV panels in an PV array when getting shaded even partially would result in huge power loss. The pattern of shading also plays a crucial role, as it renders a cascaded impact on the overall power output because the cells/panels are connected in series and are parallel. Therefore, during shading, intelligent schemes are needed to appropriately connect and discard the unhealthy and healthy panels in right place with right combination. This research proposes one such scheme to mitigate the shading impact.
Findings
To mitigate the shading impact and also to have a smooth power-voltage (P-V) curve, a new series inducing switching scheme is introduced. The proposed scheme not only mitigates the shading impact and enhances the output power but also smoothens the P-V curve that facilitates the MPPTs to track the P-V appropriately.
Originality/value
The research findings are inventive in nature and not copied work. The reference works and the inspirations have been duly cited and credited.
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Vahid Zahedi Rad, Abbas Seifi and Dawud Fadai
This paper aims to develop a causal feedback structure that explains the dynamics of entrepreneurship development in Iran’s photovoltaic (PV) technological innovation system (TIS…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to develop a causal feedback structure that explains the dynamics of entrepreneurship development in Iran’s photovoltaic (PV) technological innovation system (TIS) to design effective policy interventions for fostering PV innovation.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopts the system dynamics approach to develop the causal structure model. The methodology follows a systematic method to elicit the causal structure from qualitative data gathered by interviewing several stakeholders with extensive knowledge about different aspects of Iran’s PV TIS.
Findings
Lack of technological knowledge and financial resources within Iranian PV panel-producing firms are the main barriers to entrepreneurship development in Iran’s PV TIS. This study proposes two policy enforcement mechanisms to tackle these problems. The proposed feedback mechanisms contribute to the domestic PV market size and knowledge transfer from public research organizations to the PV industry.
Practical implications
The proposed policy mechanisms aid Iranian policymakers in designing effective policy interventions stimulating innovation in Iran’s PV industry.
Originality/value
The main contributions of this study include conceptualizing the causal structure capturing entrepreneurship dynamics in emerging PV TIS and proposing policy mechanisms fostering entrepreneurship and innovation in PV sectors.
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This paper aims to explore the process of implementing solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in construction to contribute to the understanding of systemic innovation in construction.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the process of implementing solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in construction to contribute to the understanding of systemic innovation in construction.
Design/methodology/approach
The exploratory research presented is based on qualitative data collected in workshops and interviews with 76 construction- and solar-industry actors experienced in solar PV projects. Actor-specific barriers were identified and analysed using an abductive approach.
Findings
In light of established definitions of systemic innovation, the process of implementing solar PV systems in construction involves challenges regarding technical and material issues, competencies, and informal and formal institutions. The specificities of this case highlight the necessity of paying attention to details in the process and to develop knowledge of systemic innovation in construction since the industry’s involvement in addressing societal challenges related to the energy transition will require implementing such innovations much more in the future.
Practical implications
New knowledge of solar PV systems as an innovation in professional construction is collected, enabling the adaptation of management strategies for its implementation. This knowledge can also be applied generally to other challenges encountered in highly systemic innovation implementation. Solar industry actors can gain an understanding of solar-specific challenges for the construction industry, challenges for which they must adapt their activities.
Originality/value
The exploration of actor-specific experiences of solar PV projects has resulted in a novel understanding of this specific innovation and its implementation. The findings illustrate a case of a high level of systemic innovation and the need to use a finer-grained scale for classification when studying innovation in construction.
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This study aims to provide a new method for precisely sizing photovoltaic (PV) arrays for standalone, direct pumping PV Water Pumping (PVWP) systems for irrigation purposes.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to provide a new method for precisely sizing photovoltaic (PV) arrays for standalone, direct pumping PV Water Pumping (PVWP) systems for irrigation purposes.
Design/methodology/approach
The method uses historical weather data and considers daily variability in regional temperatures and rainfall, crop evapotranspiration rates and seasonality effects, all within a nonparametric bootstrapping approach to synthetically generate daily rainfall and crop irrigation needs. These needs define the required daily supply of pumped water to achieve a user-specified level of reliability, which provides the input to an intuitive approach for PV array sizing. An economic comparison of the costs for the PVWP versus a comparably powered diesel generator system is provided.
Findings
Pumping 22.8646 m³/day of water would meet the pasture crop irrigation needs on a one-acre (4046.78 m²) tract of land in South Florida, with 99.9% reliability. Given the specified assumptions, an 8.4834 m² PV array, having a peak power of 1.1877 (kW), could provide the 1.2347 (kWh/day) of hydraulic energy needed to supply this volume over a total head of 20 meters. The PVWP system is the low-cost option when diesel prices are above $0.90/liter and total installed PV array costs are fixed at $2.00/Watt peak power or total installed PV array costs are below $1.50/Watt peak power and diesel prices are fixed at $0.65/liter.
Originality/value
Because the approach is not dependent on the shapes of the sampling distributions for regional climate factors and can be adapted to consider different types of crops, it is highly portable and applicable for precisely determining array sizes for standalone, direct pumping PVWP systems for irrigating diverse crop types in diverse regions.
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Blerina Bylykbashi and Risto Vasil Filkoski
The purpose of this study is optimization of existing PV system and by making the optimization to reach the heights energy performance from the system.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is optimization of existing PV system and by making the optimization to reach the heights energy performance from the system.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology used in this work is analytical as well as software using PV*SOL premium software. Both methods are used to achieve a more realistic analysis of the results achieved at the end of the work.
Findings
After analyzing the optimization of the PV system in terms of certain atmospheric conditions, it is clear that the optimization of the system is necessary. Through the optimization of the systems, a better performance of the system is achieved, as well as in the case in question, it affects the increase of the energy generated annually up to 500 kWh.
Originality/value
This work is the original work of the author, which represents a part of the topic of the doctorate.
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The issue of energy efficiency is becoming increasingly prevalent globally due to factors such as the expansion of the population, economic growth and excessive consumption that…
Abstract
Purpose
The issue of energy efficiency is becoming increasingly prevalent globally due to factors such as the expansion of the population, economic growth and excessive consumption that is not sustainable in the long run. Additionally, healthcare facilities and hospitals are facing challenges as their operational costs continue to rise. The research aim is to develop strategic frameworks for managing green hospitals, towards energy efficiency and corporate governance in hospitals and healthcare facilities.
Design/methodology/approach
This research employs a qualitative case study approach, with a sample of ten hospitals examined through interviews with senior management, executives and healthcare facilities managers. Relevant data was also collected from literature and analysed through critical appraisal and content analysis. The research methodology is based on the use of grounded theory research methodologies to build theories from case studies.
Findings
The research developed three integrated conceptual strategic frameworks for managing hospitals and healthcare facilities towards energy efficiency, green hospital initiatives and corporate governance. The research also outlined the concepts of green hospitals and energy efficiency management systems and best practices based on the conclusions drawn from the investigated case studies.
Research limitations/implications
The study is limited to the initiatives and experiences of the healthcare facilities studied in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Originality/value
The research findings, conclusions, recommendations and proposed frameworks and concepts contribute significantly to the existing body of knowledge. This research also provides recommendations for hospital managers and policymakers on how to effectively implement and manage energy efficiency initiatives in healthcare facilities.
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