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1 – 10 of 165Mohammad Fathi, Roya Amjadifard, Farshad Eshghi and Manoochehr Kelarestaghi
Photovoltaic (PV) systems are experiencing exponential growth due to environmental concerns, unlimited and ubiquitous solar energy, and starting-to-make-sense panel costs…
Abstract
Purpose
Photovoltaic (PV) systems are experiencing exponential growth due to environmental concerns, unlimited and ubiquitous solar energy, and starting-to-make-sense panel costs. Alongside designing more efficient solar panels, installing solar trackers and special circuitry for optimizing power delivery to the load according to a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm are other ways of increasing efficiency. However, it is critical for any efficiency increase to account for the power consumption of any amendments. Therefore, this paper aims to propose a novel tracker while using MPPT to boost the PV system's actual efficiency accounting for the involved costs.
Design/methodology/approach
The proposition is an experimental pneumatic dual-axis solar tracker using light-dependent resistor (LDR) sensors. Due to its embedded energy storage, the pneumatic tracker offers a low duty-cycle operation leading to tracking energy conservation, fewer maintenance needs and scalability potential. While MPPT assures maximum load power delivery, the solar PV's actual delivered power is calculated for the first time, accounting for the solar tracking and MPPT power costs.
Findings
The experiments' results show an increase of 37.6% in total and 35.3% in actual power production for the proposed solar tracking system compared to the fixed panel system, with an MPPT efficiency of 90%. Thus, the pneumatic tracking system offers low tracking-energy consumption and good actual power efficiency. Also, the newly proposed pneumatic stimulant can significantly simplify the tracking mechanism and benefit from several advantages that come along with it.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this work proposes, for the first time, a single-motor pneumatic dual-axis tracker with less implementation cost, less frequent operation switching and scalability potential, to be developed in future works. Also, the pneumatic proposal delivers high actual power efficiency for the first time to be addressed.
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Subbarama Kousik Suraparaju, Arjun Singh K., Vijesh Jayan and Sendhil Kumar Natarajan
The utilisation of renewable energy sources for generating electricity and potable water is one of the most sustainable approaches in the current scenario. Therefore, the current…
Abstract
Purpose
The utilisation of renewable energy sources for generating electricity and potable water is one of the most sustainable approaches in the current scenario. Therefore, the current research aims to design and develop a novel co-generation system to address the electricity and potable water needs of rural areas.
Design/methodology/approach
The cogeneration system mainly consists of a solar parabolic dish concentrator (SPDC) system with a concentrated photo-voltaic module at the receiver for electricity generation. It is further integrated with a low-temperature thermal desalination (LTTD) system for generating potable water. Also, a novel corn cob filtration system is introduced for the pre-treatment to reduce the salt content in seawater before circulating it into the receiver of the SPDC system. The designed novel co-generation system has been numerically and experimentally tested to analyse the performance at Karaikal, U.T. of Puducherry, India.
Findings
Because of the pre-treatment with a corn cob, the scale formation in the pipes of the SPDC system is significantly reduced, which enhances the efficiency of the system. It is observed that the conductivity, pH and TDS of seawater are reduced significantly after the pre-treatment by the corncob filtration system. Also, the integrated system is capable of generating 6–8 litres of potable water per day.
Originality/value
The integration of the corncob filtration system reduced the scaling formation compared to the general circulation of water in the hoses. Also, the integrated SPDC and LTTD systems are comparatively economical to generate higher yields of clean water than solar stills.
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Diyana Sheharee Ranasinghe and Navodana Rodrigo
Blockchain for energy trading is a trending research area in the current context. However, a noticeable gap exists in the review articles focussing on solar energy trading with…
Abstract
Purpose
Blockchain for energy trading is a trending research area in the current context. However, a noticeable gap exists in the review articles focussing on solar energy trading with blockchain technology. Thus, this study aims to systematically examine and synthesise the existing research on implementing blockchain technology in sustainable solar energy trading.
Design/methodology/approach
The study pursued a systematic literature review to achieve its aim. The data extraction process focussed on the Scopus and Web of Science (WoS) databases, yielding an initial set of 129 articles. Subsequent screening and removal of duplicates led to 87 articles for bibliometric analysis, utilising VOSviewer software to discern evolutionary progress in the field. Following the establishment of inclusion and exclusion criteria, a manual content analysis was conducted on a subset of 19 articles.
Findings
The results indicated a rising interest in publications on solar energy trading with blockchain technology. Some studies are exploring the integration of new technologies like machine learning and artificial intelligence in this domain. However, challenges and limitations were identified, such as the absence of real-world solar energy trading projects.
Originality/value
This study offers a distinctive approach by integrating bibliometric and manual content analyses, a methodology seldom explored. It provides valuable recommendations for academia and industry, influencing future research and industry practices. Insights include integrating blockchain into solar energy trading and addressing knowledge gaps. These findings advance societal goals, such as transitioning to renewable energy sources (RES) and mitigating carbon emissions, fostering a sustainable future.
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Ganesh Kumar and Jogendra Kumar Nayak
The adoption of residential rooftop solar panel systems (SPS) in India is at a nascent stage. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the factors affecting consumers’ intention to…
Abstract
Purpose
The adoption of residential rooftop solar panel systems (SPS) in India is at a nascent stage. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the factors affecting consumers’ intention to purchase SPS by expanding the theory of planned behavior (TPB) with three environmental psychology factors. The study was targeted at potential users’ intention to purchase SPS, thus it further explored the moderating role of perceived government subsidy policy (PGSP) in determining consumers’ purchase intention of SPS.
Design/methodology/approach
Using G*power software, the minimum sample size of 189 was calculated; accordingly, 292 valid responses were gathered from potential users of SPS from three Indian states, namely Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana, via an online questionnaire survey with the help of purposive sampling method. Structural equation modeling technique of partial least squares was employed to analyze the data.
Findings
Results demonstrated that attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, perceived consumer effectiveness (PCE) and PGSP significantly influence purchase intention of SPS. Green trust and green self-identity did not influence the purchase intention of SPS. Further, PGSP strengthens the effect of attitude, green trust, PCE on purchase intention of SPS while it weakens the effect of subjective norms on purchase intention of SPS.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the existing literature by integrating green trust, green self-identity, PCE and PGSP into the TPB model to better understand factors affecting consumers’ purchase intention towards SPS in India.
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Richard Nkhoma, Vincent Dodoma Mwale and Tiyamike Ngonda
This study aims to examine the impact of socioeconomic factors on electricity usage and assess the feasibility of implementing a mini-grid system in Kasangazi, Malawi. The primary…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the impact of socioeconomic factors on electricity usage and assess the feasibility of implementing a mini-grid system in Kasangazi, Malawi. The primary aim is to understand the community’s current and potential utilisation of electrical equipment.
Design/methodology/approach
A mixed-methods approach was used to collect quantitative and qualitative data. Information was gathered through structured questionnaires, and energy audits were conducted among 87 randomly selected households from 28 Kasangazi communities. Data analysis relied on descriptive statistics using IBM SPSS version 28.
Findings
The study indicates that every household in Kasangazi uses non-renewable energy sources: 60 households use disposable batteries for lighting, 20 for radios and all use firewood, freely sourced from local forests, for cooking and heating water. The study shows that firewood is the community’s preferred energy source, illustrating the challenges faced in the fight against deforestation. Most household income comes from farming, with smaller contributions from businesses, employment and family remittances. Access to higher education is scarce, with only one out of 349 family members receiving tertiary education. Despite the constraints of low education levels and income, there is a demand for larger electrical appliances such as stoves and refrigerators. This underscores the need for mini-grid solutions, even in less technologically advanced, agriculture-dependent communities.
Originality/value
This study underscores that in Sub-Saharan Africa, factors like household size, income and education levels do not significantly influence the electricity demand but should be taken as part of the fundamental human rights. Rural populations express a desire for electricity due to the convenience it offers, particularly for appliances like refrigerators and stoves. Mini-grids emerge as a viable alternative in regions where grid electricity provision is challenging. It is concluded from this paper that the issue of using renewable energy should not only be taken for environmental preservation but also to promote energy access, augmenting efforts in supplying electricity to the remotest parts of the country.
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Energy security concerns and regional economic interests are driving the construction of more coal mines and coal-fired power stations, though government mandates will set a cap…
Details
DOI: 10.1108/OXAN-DB286455
ISSN: 2633-304X
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Geographic
Topical
Katariina Juusola, Daniel Marco Stefan Kleber and Archana Popat
The study is positioned at the crossroads of transformative social marketing and social innovation literature through the lens of participatory design (PD). This exploratory study…
Abstract
Purpose
The study is positioned at the crossroads of transformative social marketing and social innovation literature through the lens of participatory design (PD). This exploratory study aims to explore how social enterprises in India engage economically marginalized people in transformative social marketing and innovation for sustainable development through PD.
Design/methodology/approach
The study includes a case study with a matched pairs analysis approach. The data analysis reports three themes depicting the role of PD in different stages of the social innovation process (codiscovery, codesign and scaling-up), the challenges faced in the process and the outcomes of the PD process.
Findings
The authors propose that social enterprises can act as sustainable development catalysts for more inclusive sustainable development through their proactive and creative uses of PD. Still, PD also has limitations for addressing the challenges stemming from marginalized contexts, which requires effective social marketing strategies to overcome.
Originality/value
The study contributes to the emerging dialogue on PD with marginalized users and widens the scope of studies on transformative social marketing and innovation. The findings also provide practical insights for PD practitioners on how designers can learn from diverse PD practices in the context of economically marginalized people.
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My-Linh Thi Nguyen and Tuan Huu Nguyen
This study examines the evidence of the impact of climate change on the financial performance of basic materials companies in Vietnam.
Abstract
Purpose
This study examines the evidence of the impact of climate change on the financial performance of basic materials companies in Vietnam.
Design/methodology/approach
The research sample includes eighty-two basic materials companies listed on the Vietnamese stock market from 2003 to 2022. This study used one-way and two-way fixed-effects feasible generalized least squares (FGLS) estimation methods.
Findings
Climate change, measured through variables including changes in temperature, average rainfall, greenhouse gas emissions and rising sea levels, has a negative impact on the financial performance of companies in this industry. The study also found that, with rising temperatures, the financial performance of steel manufacturing companies decreased less than that of coal mining and forestry companies, but increasing greenhouse gases and rising sea levels reduced the financial performance of steel companies. We did not find evidence of any difference in the impact of climate change on the financial performance of basic materials companies before and after the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 21). This is a new finding, which is consistent with empirical studies in Vietnam and different from previous studies in that it provides new evidence on the impact of climate change on the financial performance of basic materials companies in the Vietnamese market and cross-checks the impact of climate change by sector and over time.
Originality/value
To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the first articles on climate change and the financial performance of basic materials companies.
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Naveenkumar R., Shanmugam S. and Veerappan AR
The purpose of this paper is to understand the effect of basin water depth towards the cumulative distillate yield of the traditional and developed single basin double slope solar…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to understand the effect of basin water depth towards the cumulative distillate yield of the traditional and developed single basin double slope solar still (DSSS).
Design/methodology/approach
Modified single basin DSSS integrated with solar operated vacuum fan and external water cooled condenser was fabricated using aluminium material. During sunny season, experimental investigations have been performed in both conventional and modified DSSS at a basin water depth of 3, 6, 9 and 12 cm. Production rate and cumulative distillate yield obtained in traditional and developed DSSS at different water depths were compared and best water depth to attain the maximum productivity and cumulative distillate yield was found out.
Findings
Results indicated that both traditional and modified double SS produced maximum yield at the minimum water depth of 3 cm. Cumulative distillate yield of the developed SS was 16.39%, 18.86%, 15.22% and 17.07% higher than traditional at water depths of 3, 6, 9 and 12 cm, respectively. Cumulative distillate yield of the developed SS at 3 cm water depth was 73.17% higher than that of the traditional SS at 12 cm depth.
Originality/value
Performance evaluation of DSSS at various water depths by integrating the combined solar operated Vacuum fan and external Condenser.
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For several years, China has been the world’s leading manufacturer, installer and user of renewable energy. However, investment in coal mining and coal-fired power continues apace…