District heating (DH) systems in Europe predominantly belong to the second and third generations, operating at temperatures often exceeding 100℃, which poses challenges for integrating renewable energy sources (RES). The feasibility of incorporating large-scale groundwater heat pumps into such systems was explored in this study, with a focus on adjusting the supply water temperature to thermal substations. This adjustment, achieved by lowering the temperature below design values in response to rising outdoor temperatures, facilitated the integration of RES and improved system efficiency. Additionally, groundwater or geothermal heat pumps enabled the effective utilisation of waste heat (WH) from industrial processes or excess heat from renewable sources, particularly during periods when the thermal demand of the DH system was insufficient to justify direct supply. This excess heat, once collected, can be stored in the ground and later retrieved for use during the heating season, contributing to the system's overall sustainability. The integration of seasonal thermal storage further enhances the operational flexibility of DH systems by allowing for the balancing of supply and demand over extended periods. The findings underscore the technical viability and environmental benefits of such integration, providing a pathway for the modernisation of DH infrastructure and the advancement of energy transition goals.
The European Union has introduced Renewable Energy Communities as a key component of its strategy to transform the energy sector, aiming to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. This study presents case studies of Renewable Energy Communities based on numerical and experimental investigations across various application fields in Italy, highlighting different types of stakeholders and energy configurations. The implementation of RECs is subject to a range of challenges, including diverse procedural requirements, stakeholder roles, and legal and technical constraints, which must be addressed to secure approval from national authorities. The first case study examines a photovoltaic-based energy community in Southern Italy, designed to mitigate energy poverty by supporting families unable to meet their essential energy needs. A second case study explores the benefits of a Renewable Energy Community in the industrial area of Benevento (South of Italy), which integrates a mixed-use building with an industrial wastewater treatment plant, focusing on energy sharing and environmental sustainability. The final case study investigates a Renewable Energy Community that incorporates electric vehicle charging stations, demonstrating its potential to enhance their diffusion on the territory and increase the community's self-consumption rate. Overall, the establishment of a Renewable Energy Community provides superior outcomes compared to conventional configurations of end-users regardless of the application field or the typology of members, from an energy, environmental and economic viewpoint, with additional positive outcomes possible depending on local circumstances.
The development and implementation of a national geoportal designed to optimize the planning and management of integrated Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) is presented in this study. This innovative tool facilitates the identification of optimal energy system configurations by selecting available renewable resources and technologies and determining community membership based on assigned input parameters. These parameters include electrical load profiles, energy prices, renewable resource availability, technological characteristics, socio-economic conditions, and territorial constraints. A multi-objective optimization framework was employed to address energy, economic, environmental, and social priorities simultaneously. The methodology adopts a place-based approach, enabling the application of energy management and optimization models tailored to the specific characteristics of each case study and the corresponding input data. The proposed geoportal incorporates features such as flexibility, scalability, and applicability to real-world territorial contexts, while providing decision support to regional planners and stakeholders. Scalability was achieved through the integration and management of spatial and temporal datasets across varying scales. The study evaluates five scenarios, including the maximum renewable energy potential utilizing solar, wind, and biomass renewable energy sources (RES) technologies, and two REC scenarios emphasizing photovoltaic (PV) energy sharing between sectors, residential prosumers, and consumers. Performance metrics and indexes were employed to assess the energy, economic, environmental, and social benefits of RES generation, distribution, and sharing. The findings indicate that REC scenarios featuring energy sharing achieve higher levels of self-consumption and self-sufficiency compared to isolated configurations. Future iterations of the geoportal aim to extend its application to additional territories, thereby enhancing the self-sufficiency of Territorial Energy Communities (TECs) and advancing sustainable energy practices on a broader scale.
Open Access
emilio sessa 
, lorenza di pilla , roberta rincione , alberto brunetti , francesco guarino , maurizio cellura , sonia longo , eleonora riva sanseverino |
Available online: 12-29-2024
Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) represent a crucial component of the energy transition and the development of climate-neutral urban environments. Given their significance, ongoing refinement in the definition and implementation of PEDs is essential. An in-depth analysis of the key characteristics of PEDs and the central role of stakeholders in their planning and modelling was presented in this study. The analysis encompasses five primary technological domains: energy efficiency, energy flexibility, e-mobility, soft mobility, and low-carbon generation. Both the enablers and barriers within a holistic framework, which integrates sustainability, as well as both tangible and intangible quality attributes, were identified. Key enabling factors, such as financial, social, innovation, and governance aspects, were examined to illustrate their impact on the successful implementation of PEDs. A co-creation process, highlighted as an essential outcome, contributes to a more refined understanding of the state of the art in PED design and implementation. In addition to the technical dimensions, the social, ecological, and cultural factors were shown to play a significant role, underscoring the importance of stakeholder engagement in achieving urban decarbonization. It can be concluded that a multidimensional approach, which incorporates not only technological innovations but also socio-ecological considerations, is necessary to effectively address the challenges inherent in the deployment of PEDs.
The implementation of certain European Union (EU) directives into Italian national legislation through several legislative decrees has catalyzed the establishment of energy communities in Italy. In this context, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), in its capacity as a public research body, has developed a model of support aimed at facilitating the involvement of national stakeholders in the formation of energy communities. Smart Energy Communities (SECs), representing the evolution of both energy and smart communities, are seen as a convergence of these paradigms and as an enhancement of their proactive components. This study examines several technological solutions proposed by the ENEA model, which are instrumental in supporting the advancement of SECs. It also provides an overview of the key tools—either operational or under development—designed to fulfill the objectives of the model. The ENEA model places particular emphasis on fostering citizen engagement in energy-related matters, as well as on evaluating the progress of energy communities through both energy-specific metrics and broader social and environmental considerations. Through these innovations, the role of SECs as drivers of local energy transitions is reinforced, ensuring that the socio-economic and environmental benefits extend beyond the mere technical infrastructure of energy systems.
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) represent a promising bio-electrochemical technology with the potential for sustainable energy generation and environmental remediation. These systems exploit the metabolic processes of microorganisms to directly convert organic substrates into electrical energy, providing an environmentally benign alternative to traditional energy sources. The operation of MFCs relies on intricate biological and electrochemical interactions, where microorganisms transfer electrons to electrodes, generating an electric current. MFCs can be classified based on their configuration, electron transfer mechanisms, and operational conditions, each offering distinct advantages and limitations in different contexts. Recent developments in MFC technology have focused on improving power density, stability, and scalability. Innovations in electrode materials, biocatalysts, and reactor design have enhanced energy output, making MFCs more viable for real-world applications. Notably, MFCs show promise in wastewater treatment, as they can simultaneously degrade organic pollutants and generate electricity, thus offering a dual-function solution that contributes to both sustainable energy production and environmental cleanup. Despite these advances, several challenges persist, including the high cost of materials, limited power output, and the need for better integration into existing infrastructure. These issues hinder the widespread adoption of MFCs. Future research must focus on the development of cost-effective materials, the optimization of reactor design, and scaling the technology to achieve commercial feasibility. With continued innovation and refinement, MFCs hold the potential to play a transformative role in renewable energy systems and integrated waste management strategies, contributing to the broader goals of sustainable development.
The Weibull distribution (WD) is widely recognized as an effective statistical tool for characterizing wind speed (WS) variability. This study investigates the applicability of the WD to analyze WS data from a selection of African stations, with data spanning from 2000 to 2023, obtained from the Power Data archive in comma- separated values (CSV) format. The analysis aimed to assess the distribution's ability to represent the variations in WS across different regions in Africa. The results reveal significant spatial variability in the Weibull parameters across the selected stations. wind direction patterns were analyzed, with the highest frequency recorded from the east-north-east (ENE) direction, reaching a value of approximately 400 at certain locations. The lowest wind direction frequencies were observed in Abuja, where the predominant directions were north-northwest (NNW) and north (N). The probability distribution of WS demonstrated a considerable range, with Abuja exhibiting the highest values (exceeding 0.5), while Tunis recorded the lowest values (approximately 0.2). The mean WS for each location varied over the year, with Nairobi experiencing the highest recorded mean WS in October (5.72 m/s), accompanied by a standard deviation of 1.22 m/s. In contrast, the lowest mean WS was observed in Luanda during September (1.72 m/s), with a standard deviation of 0.46 m/s. The maximum and minimum wind power density (PDw) recorded across the selected station are ($>100 \mathrm{~W} / \mathrm{m}^2$) and ($>18 \mathrm{~W} / \mathrm{m}^2$). These findings highlight the considerable potential for wind energy across Africa, emphasizing the importance of incorporating wind energy into the region's renewable energy strategy. The results underscore the need for region-specific energy policies and further research to optimize the utilization of wind resources for sustainable development in Africa.
Jayapura City, Indonesia, presents significant potential for solar energy utilisation, driven by its high solar radiation levels. However, the presence of urban obstacles, such as buildings, trees, and varied topography, can obstruct the direct transmission of solar radiation to the ground, thereby reducing its efficiency for solar energy systems. This study aims to develop a methodology for predicting and assessing the shade projection of solar radiation intensity across Jayapura City. A quantitative descriptive approach was employed, involving the measurement of elevation and azimuth angles using Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. Data were analysed using RETScreen and Sun Locator Pro (SLP) software. The analysis of the collected data facilitated the generation of a detailed shade projection map, which can be utilised to optimise the placement of solar panels and enhance the performance of the city's Solar Power Generation System (SPGS). The findings indicated that the highest elevation angle occurred at 12:00 pm in March. In September, the sun's position was nearly directly above the equator, leading to a minimal shadow ratio (SR = 0.08), with the projection closely aligned with the object. The azimuth angle, measured at noon, exhibited an extreme angular shift, reflecting the standard reference towards the north (180° at noon). This study demonstrates the potential of this methodology to inform the strategic placement of solar infrastructure, improving the efficiency and efficacy of solar power systems in urban environments characterised by complex topographies.
The Energy Roadmap 2050 necessitates the active participation of all sectors—including energy, construction, industry, transport, and agriculture—in a transformative energy paradigm. Over the past decades, there has been a notable increase in energy-related regulations, directives, protocols, and communications, which underscore the urgency of infrastructure interventions. Intelligent networks and energy storage systems are recognized as pivotal elements in enhancing sustainability and efficiency. This study presents a comprehensive technical-managerial program aimed at improving energy performance and minimizing consumption at the University of Basilicata (UNIBAS) campus in Potenza, southern Italy. An initial energy audit identified various energy-saving techniques, while ISO 50001 standards were employed to facilitate the establishment of energy performance objectives and strategies for consumption reduction. A dynamic simulation model was developed to assess the potential integration of photovoltaic and solar thermal systems, in conjunction with heat pumps. An Energy Baseline was established to evaluate the impact of these technologies. The strategies proposed to optimize both technological and managerial practices for the major energy variables were examined, with the effects tracked over time using established energy performance indicators (EnPIs). An economic assessment of the proposed strategies was conducted to evaluate their viability. Communication initiatives aimed at enhancing awareness regarding light rationalization and systems shutdown represent immediate interventions, while more invasive efficiency improvements are classified as medium- and long-term strategies. Compliance with European and Italian legislation mandates advancements in building envelopes and distribution systems, as well as the incorporation of renewable energy sources for thermal and electrical applications, alongside automation of building-plant systems through smart grids and actuators. It is anticipated that experts in energy management processes will adapt and expand the planned actions to ensure the energy sustainability of the university throughout the period from 2022 to 2050.
Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have garnered significant attention in recent years due to their promising potential in photovoltaic applications. Ongoing research aims to enhance the efficiency, stability, and overall performance of PSCs. This study proposes the integration of copper-based metal-organic frameworks (Cu-MOFs) to address critical issues such as inadequate light absorption, instability, and suboptimal power conversion efficiency. Cu-MOFs, synthesized via the hydrothermal method at varying concentrations, have demonstrated an ability to mitigate defects in perovskite films and enhance charge transport. The structural versatility of Cu-MOFs allows for the development of new composites with improved stability and efficiency. By selecting the optimal MOF, hole transport layer (HTL), and counter-electrode materials, the performance of PSCs can be significantly improved. This research focuses on the functionalization of Cu-MOFs within PSCs to boost their efficiency. MOFs, which are porous materials composed of organic and inorganic components, are increasingly utilized in various fields including catalysis, energy storage, pollution treatment, and detection, due to their large surface area, tunable pore size, and adjustable pore volume. Despite their potential, the application of MOFs in aqueous environments has been limited by their poor performance. However, through techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-Vis spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), it has been confirmed that Cu-MOFs can be successfully modified. Post-hydrothermal treatment, SEM results indicate enhanced stability and functionality of Cu-MOFs. The integration of Cu-MOFs in PSCs is expected to reduce energy consumption and significantly enhance the efficiency of these solar cells.
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