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Direct vs. indirect coupling in PV-driven hydrogen generation ◾ Scientists from Spain’s Technical University of Madrid have conducted a comparative study of direct and indirect coupling configurations for PV and electrolyzers in the production of green hydrogen (H2). The study was based on numerical simulations performed on the software MATLAB, with weather conditions based on a typical meteorological year in Madrid. ◾ PV-powered hydrogen systems in which the electrolyzer input is connected to the electrical output of the PV generator without an intermediate power stage are often referred to as having a direct coupling configuration. ◾ Systems with indirect configuration, by contrast, incorporate electronics to bias the PV generator at its maximum power and use maximum power point tracking (MPPT) ensuring the maximization of PV power generation as meteorological conditions vary, with a DC-DC converter matching the output power provided by the MPPT to the input power of the electrolyzer. ◾ “The indirect configuration involves a power stage (PS) with a maximum power point tracker and a DC-DC converter, maintaining an optimal power transfer from PV to electrolyzers but incurs losses at the PS. ◾ “In defense of direct coupling, several authors state that this configuration could be sufficiently good to have the electrolyzer working near the MPP if the PV array and electrolyzer are correctly designed; others declare that direct coupling configuration is economically advantageous, since the costs of electronic coupling systems are entirely avoided.” ◾ The research group conducted a series of simulations on an experimental setup consisting of a 100 W solar module and a proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer with a maximum current density of 4 A-cm2. In the case of the indirect system, the DC-DC converter efficiency is assumed to be 95%, while in the case of the direct system, the number of solar cells connected in series and cell area were optimized while preserving the power of the PV module for a fair comparison. ◾ “This higher PV power translates also into an increased amount of electric power transferred to the electrolyzer and, therefore, into a larger H2 production.” ◾ Through this analysis, the scientists found that, thanks to the PS, the indirect coupling configuration may inject 223 kWh per year of electric energy, which is 39.4% more than the direct configuration, into the electrolyzer. This would be enough to produce 5.79 kg of H2 in a year, which would be 37.5% more than the amount produced in the direct coupling system. ◾ The direct system was also found to achieve an energy efficiency of 5%, while the indirect one showed an efficiency of 6.9%. The source: PV Magazine #energyticslimited #renewableenergy  #pvpower #pvdrivenhydrogengeneration

Norway sovereign wealth fund commits $1 bln to renewable energy fund ◾ Norway's sovereign wealth fund said, it will commit 900 million euros ($1.01 billion) to the latest renewable energy fund of investment firm Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP). ◾ Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM) committed the sum to CIP's fifth flagship fund CI V, which invests in offshore and onshore wind, solar farms, grid and distribution, as well as storage, the world's largest sovereign wealth fund said in a statement. ◾ NBIM, which has assets of $1.7 trillion, invests revenue from Norway's oil and gas industry in global stocks, fixed income, real estate and renewable energy assets. ◾ CIP expects to conclude fundraising for CI V above the target fund size of 12 billion euros. It reached a first close at 5.6 billion euros in capital commitments in June last year, according to its website. ◾ "The commitment underlines that our ability to deliver attractive risk-adjusted returns, while providing clean, affordable energy and creating local growth and jobs, is attractive to the world's largest and most ambitious investors," CIP said in an emailed statement. ◾ The investments will be equally split between the three regions of North America, Western Europe and developed countries in the Asia Pacific region, NBIM said. The source: Reuters #energyticslimited #renewableenergy #sovereignwealthfund

Energy Projects' Financial Feasibility Study Course - Energytics Limited 🔴 Energy projects' financial feasibility studies serve as a roadmap, guiding companies toward optimal energy utilization while considering the financial implications. 🔴 They provide a comprehensive assessment of potential energy projects, energy-saving initiatives, and renewable energy investments. By evaluating the costs, and benefits, these studies empower decision-makers to prioritize projects that align with their financial and sustainability goals. 🔴 Energytics Limited will be organizing an online training course in Energy Projects' Financial Feasibility Study. 🔴 The Energytics Training course is designed to provide trainees with hands-on experience conducting feasibility studies for energy projects. It begins by explaining the different types of feasibility studies and establishing the basics of financial and economic terms. It will also cover project finance and include hands-on exercises. The course will start with simple exercises and then progress to real-life projects to give participants practical experience. 🔔 The course will cover: 🔸   Importance of feasibility studies 🔸   Project cash flow construction 🔸   Comparison of different projects with different characteristics 🔸   Assess the project feasibility using different KPIs 🔸  Analyse the feasibility study results 🔸  Carry on sensitivity analysis and different scenarios for the energy project 🔸  How to assess different scenarios for one project 🔸  Project finance vs. balance sheet finance ➡ Course Details ❇ Course mode: Interactive Online ❇ Course duration: 10 hours ❇ Dates: 4 - 5 - 6 October ❇ Course fees: 150 USD, 100 USD, early bird (2 weeks before the course starts) and Energyics Alumni are eligible for a discounted fee of 100 USD   ⭐ It will be an opportunity to widen your knowledge of financial concepts related to energy projects and to work on real-life case studies. ⭐ Feel free to reach out to us for additional information through Email: [email protected]   #energyticslimited #energy #energyefficiency #energymanagement #energyindustry #energyengineering #energyinnovation #energytransition #energysecurity #energytechnology #energyexperts #renewableenergy #feasibilitystudy #capacitydevelopment #trainingcourse #onlinetrainingcourse #traininganddevelopment

Uniper to Test Underground Hydrogen Storage Facility by the North Sea as Germany Advances Its Energy Transformation ◾ German energy giant Uniper is set to begin testing an underground hydrogen storage facility in Krummhörn, located in the northern district by the North Sea. This initiative marks a significant step in Germany's ambitious plan to transform its energy system towards carbon neutrality. ◾ The facility, situated 1,700 meters below ground, features a storage chamber with a diameter of 16 meters, a height of 30 meters, and a volume of approximately 3,000 cubic meters. ◾ The primary objective of this test facility is to assess how materials and technology interact with hydrogen, a gas expected to play a pivotal role as a green fuel for various industries. As Germany aims to lead the global shift towards a sustainable energy future, the demand for hydrogen storage facilities is anticipated to surge.  ◾ Lower Saxony, with its strategic location on the North Sea and existing energy infrastructure, is poised to become a central hub in Germany's energy transition. ◾ The storage chamber is conveniently located near the planned hydrogen pipeline network, making it an ideal site for future hydrogen distribution. Green hydrogen will be delivered to the facility by tanker, and the storage chamber is expected to be filled in late September. ◾ Over the next two years, Uniper will evaluate the economic viability of hydrogen storage. If successful, the company plans to expand the chamber for commercial use, with the potential to increase its capacity to around 250 gigawatt hours. This expansion could take three to five years and require an investment of up to €500 million ($558 million). ◾ In addition to the test facility, Uniper owns three other chambers in Krummhörn that were previously used for natural gas storage. These chambers, currently filled with water, could be converted for hydrogen storage if the tests prove successful. ◾ Furthermore, Uniper has plans to develop up to six new hydrogen storage chambers in the area, potentially achieving a total storage capacity of up to 600 gigawatt hours by 2030. The company is also exploring additional locations for hydrogen storage in Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia. ◾ While Uniper's project is groundbreaking, it is not the first of its kind in Germany. The Oldenburg-based energy company EWE has already been testing hydrogen storage in a facility in Rüdersdorf, near Berlin. ◾ As Germany continues to pioneer the hydrogen economy, projects like Uniper's underground storage facility are crucial in establishing a robust and sustainable energy infrastructure that can meet the growing demands of the future. The source: HDEX Group #energyticslimited #renewableenergy #hydrogenstorage #sustainableenergy

        🔷 Training Schedule for the second half of 2024 🔷 ❇ Energytics Limited strongly believes that knowledge plays a crucial role in promoting the sustainable development of clean and secure energy supplies. ❇ In Energytics Limited, Capacity Development courses are designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of organizations and individuals regarding various energy systems and solutions that can be developed and implemented. ❇ Ultimate goal of Energytics Limited is to disseminate expertise and know-how through training and capacity building to meet the growing demand for skilled professionals in the green energy markets, including industry, financial institutions, and policy-making bodies. ✴ Energytics Limited offers a variety of courses for the second half of the year 2024, They are as follows: 🔸 Energy Projects' Financial Feasibility Study 🔸 Fundamentals of Co-generation - system Design 🔸 Introduction to Energy Policy 🔸 Introduction to Energy Regulation 🔸 PtX Technology 🔸 Energy Transition 📝 For registration or inquires contact us at [email protected] #energyticslimited #energy #energyefficiency #energymanagement #energyindustry #energyengineering #energyinnovation #energytransition #energysecurity #energytechnology #energyexperts #renewableenergy #capacitydevelopment #trainingcourse #onlinetrainingcourse #traininganddevelopment #greenhydrogentenolgy #ptXtechnology #fundamentalsocogenerationdesign #energystorage #energytransition #energyeconomicsfundamentals #introductiontoenergypolicy

Nanoparticles, phase-change materials in PVT systems Researchers from Bangladesh and Australia have explored hybrid nano-phase change materials (HNPCMs) for PVT applications. They used paraffin wax as the phase-change material (PCM), incorporating various levels of aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles. They also developed a prediction model.  “In this investigation, Al2 O3 and ZnO are incorporated in different concentrations with PCM to enhance its thermal conductivity and then used in the PVT system to examine the impact on their performance (electrical and thermal),” said the group. They incorporated the Al₂O₃-ZnO mixture into the wax at 0.5%, 1%, and 2% loads. The mixture was added to the wax at 70°C and stirred for two hours, using an ultrasonic vibration machine to maintain the beaker above the melting point. Finally, they cooled the samples at room temperature. “Scanning electron microscope (SEM) test was conducted for the morphological analysis of the samples, and the test results show that 2% of hybrid nanoparticles mixed with PCM exhibited better connection with base paraffin wax without having any agglomeration … 2% of hybrid nano-PCM shows higher thermal conductivity of 2.18 W/mK than pure paraffin wax (1.54 W/mK),” the group said. “The outcome shows the gradual increment of thermal conductivity by the addition of hybrid nanoparticles having mass fractions 0.5, 1, and 2%.” The researchers built an experimental setup combining HNPCMs with a PVT system. They attached a 20 W polycrystalline PV module to a serpentine copper pipe containing the HNPCMs on the rear side, with copper tubes below circulating water at 0.0021 kg/s. Hot water was stored in a tank for thermal energy. The system was installed on the rooftop of Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology in Bangladesh. They also installed two reference systems with the same 20 W PV module: one with just the PV panel, and the other with paraffin wax PCM only. Measurements were taken in late April 2022, with irradiation ranging from 400 W/m² to 900 W/m² and an ambient temperature of around 26°C. “Experimental results showed that compared to only PCM, the thermal conductivity of HNPCM increased by 24.68%, 28.57%, and 41.56% for the inclusion of 0.5%, 1%, and 2% hybrid nanomaterial, respectively,” the researchers said. “The electrical efficiency of the PVT/HNPCM and PVT/PCM system enhanced by 31.46 % and 28.70 %, respectively, compared to the conventional PV system in this study.” The group has also developed a response surface methodology (RSM) model to “predict and optimize the interaction of operating factors (independent variable) with the response factors (dependent variable).” RSM uses statistics and mathematical models, typically, to improve and optimize experimental systems. The source: PV Magazine #energyticslimited #renewableenergy #hybridnanophasechangematerials #pcm

Egypt's national low carbon hydrogen strategy - Details Egypt launched its National Low Carbon Hydrogen Strategy mapping out how the country can achieve ambitious goals to potentially capture between 5-8% of the global hydrogen market and increasing GDP by USD 10-18 bn by 2040. The strategy puts forward two scenarios and a pathway for the country to exploit the export market and renewable energy capacity. THE SCENARIOS The “central” scenario: In this less ambitious pathway, the country would produce 1.5 mn tons of green hydrogen annually by 2030, with 1.4 mn tons pegged for export, and 5.8 mn tons by 2040 with 3.75 mn tons pegged for export. By the numbers: The capacity needed to reach those goals will require 19 GW of installed renewables capacity by 2030 and 72 GW by 2040, as well as 13 GW of electrolyzer capacity by 2030 and 48 GW by 2040. If achieved, Egypt would capture 5% of the anticipated tradable market in low carbon hydrogen by 2040. The “green” scenario: In this more ambitious scenario, the country would produce 3.2 mn tons of green hydrogen annually by 2030, with 2.8 mn tons marked for export, and 9.2 mn tons by 2040, with 5.6 mn tons pegged for export. By the numbers: The capacity needed to reach those goals will require 41 GW of installed renewables capacity by 2030 and 114 GW by 2040, as well as 27 GW of electrolyzer capacity by 2030 and 76 GW by 2040. If achieved, Egypt would capture 8% of the anticipated tradable market in low carbon hydrogen by 2040. THE PATHWAY The strategy suggests a three-phase plan to develop the country’s hydrogen economy. The pilot phase, which will last until 2030, will see the government offer close support for initial projects and establish a fit-for-purpose governance structure. A scale up phase will be implemented between 2030 to 2040 focusing on lowering the cost of production to scale up to GW production capacity. WHO WILL FINANCE ALL THIS? The strategy outlined a three-pronged approach which includes: Concessional finance: Assistant schemes offered by EU institutions are among the potential donors and international financial institutions that could offer concessional finance channeled within the framework of the Economic Investment Plan for the Southern Neighbours . Building partnerships: Financing could be mobilized through the proposed Mediterranean Green Hydrogen Partnership which is under development between the EU and Egypt to boost hydrogen trade between Europe, Africa and the Gulf. MDB-friendly funds: The European Bank for Reconstruction & Development (EBRD)’s loans and assistance for the energy sector constitutes another potential source of funding, as well as the European Investment Bank, the IMF and World Bank. Foreign investment: Egypt has signed 23 MoUs and nine partnership agreements with a range of low carbon hydrogen project developers and investors to pave the way for Egypt’s launch into the sector. #energyticslimited #renewableenergy #lowcarbonhydrogen #egypt

Britain.. A company that seeks to produce "super" small particles to capture carbon ◾Carbon capture technology has been touted as a crucial solution for removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. However, the large size, high cost, and lengthy construction time of these plants have hindered their widespread adoption. ◾A Nottingham-based climate tech company has come up with a novel solution to fight the global climate crisis. Promethean Particles is harnessing the power of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to capture and store greenhouse gases. ◾What makes them special is their extremely large internal surface area. According to the BBC, a single teaspoon of these particles has the same surface area as two tennis courts. ◾The company has recently secured an £8 million investment to produce large quantities of these nanoparticles. ◾These super-absorbent MOFs are materials made of metal ions linked together by organic molecules to create a porous, lattice-like structure. ◾The internal surfaces of MOFs can be modified to attract or “become sticky” for different gases for different uses. ◾Notably, MOFs can be customized to have different pore sizes. This allows them to capture and store gases and even liquids at higher rates, making them ideal for applications like gas storage, separation, carbon capture, and catalysis. ◾Interestingly, these tiny particles could capture carbon at its point of origin, like a cement manufacturing plant. ◾Reportedly, these MOF particles are currently being tested in a prototype carbon capture unit at Drax power station in Yorkshire. Promethean has developed a new manufacturing process that dramatically reduces the cost of producing MOFs. ◾The company has created a unique continuous-flow reactor to improve the efficiency of MOF production. Moreover, this also ensures consistent quality. As per the press release, this new funding will be used to develop a larger MOF production facility. ◾Moreover, they plan to use inexpensive, readily available metals like zinc and magnesium to produce the nanoparticles and reduce production costs. ◾Apart from carbon storage, Promethean’s MOF products are used in a variety of applications, including biogas upgrading, water harvesting, and gas separation and storage. ◾MOFs can act as both mini-sponges and mini-sieves, capturing and storing large volumes of greenhouse gases. This could be a game-changer for carbon capture and storage, a technology essential to achieving a carbon-neutral future. ◾As per BBC, the UK has committed to capturing and storing between 20 and 30 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually by 2030. To achieve this, they have announced several carbon capture projects. However, CCS has proven to be expensive and energy-intensive, and no large-scale projects have been implemented yet. The source: Interesting Engineering #energyticslimited #energyefficiency #capturecarbon #globalclimatecrisis #MOFs

Solar Panel Shading ....1 ◾ Partially shaded solar panels can result in a significant decline in performance. Panels contain internal bypass diodes that help mitigate the effects of shading. ◾ However, in certain conditions, years of regular shading can lead to accelerated diode failure and permanent damage to the solar panel. If left in a damaged state for a long time, it can result in overheated cells, leading to more severe consequences. ◾ Most solar systems use standard string solar inverters, which are connected to groups (strings) of 3 to 14 solar panels. This configuration is used because panels connected in series generate a higher voltage, optimising the efficiency of the solar inverter in converting the DC solar power to AC electricity. In such systems, partial shading over one or more solar panels will result in a noticeable decline in overall system performance. ◾ Understanding why shading poses such a problem requires a basic understanding of how solar cells (and bypass diodes) function when shaded. Nevertheless, if any panel within a string encounters significant shading, it can adversely impact the performance of the entire string due to significantly reduced power flow from the shaded panel. This is where bypass diodes can help. ◾ Bypass diodes can improve performance when areas of shading occur. It is worth noting that solar systems with microinverters do not suffer from the same performance issues when shading is a problem, as these systems allow each panel to operate independently. ◾ Types of shading Shading can result from trees, nearby buildings or fixed obstructions like chimneys and evaporative cooling systems, plus natural elements like dust accumulation or bird droppings. ◾ When a panel is shaded, it significantly reduces the amount of sunlight reaching solar cells, decreasing energy production. However, shading is generally not uniform, and depending on the amount of shading encountered, there can be very different outcomes. ◾ Shading can be over the entire solar array (across all panels), partial shading across some panels, or shade can happen in a small area over some of the cells on individual panels. While shading across a whole array will severely reduce performance, partial shading on one or more panels may not have much impact on the overall performance. However, partial shading is potentially more damaging if it occurs regularly in the exact location. ◾ For example, if a rooftop cooler or chimney is located next to or in front of a solar panel. Regular permanent shading can lead to the formation of hot spots (hot cells) and failure of the bypass diodes, which can significantly decrease solar generation and even develop into a potentially dangerous situation after several years. The source: Cleanen Eergy Reviews #energyticslimited #renewableenergy #solarpanelshading #bypassdiodes #hotcells

6 ways Latin America can accelerate its hydrogen economy A new report from the World Economic Forum, in partnership with Accenture, finds that Latin America could meet 25-33% of global hydrogen demand. Countries across the region are pursuing diverse strategies to develop their hydrogen economies, according to ‘Accelerating the Clean Hydrogen Economy in Latin America’. These approaches can be broken down into three pathways: Net exporters: Countries like Chile and Argentina aim to become globally competitive players, focusing on international markets and developing trade infrastructure and certification schemes. Local decarbonizers: Nations such as Brazil, Colombia and Mexico prioritize using hydrogen to decarbonize their domestic economies, with exports as a longer-term goal. Focused players: Countries like Panama and Uruguay are taking a targeted approach, developing hydrogen for specific applications such as shipping or particular industrial sectors. The Forum’s report outlines six key areas where targeted action could help to overcome the challenges and accelerate Latin America's hydrogen economy. 1: Standards and certification Countries should define technical standards for the entire hydrogen value chain, from production to end-use. By aligning domestic standards with international ones, Latin American countries can boost the legitimacy of their hydrogen production and remove barriers for potential customers. 2: Cost reduction To make clean hydrogen price-competitive with conventional alternatives, Latin America must reduce costs related to hydrogen conversion, storage and transport through dedicated support mechanisms. 3: Technology and talent development  The report recommends redirecting R&D investment to clean hydrogen and establishing dedicated research centres. Developing strategies to ensure a highly qualified workforce will be crucial as the industry grows. 4: Demand creation Different strategies are needed depending on a country's focus. For potential net exporters like Chile and Argentina, the priority is developing international demand through global collaboration and long-term offtake agreements.Countries focused on domestic markets should drive local demand through industrial clusters and incentives for high-energy sectors. 5: Infrastructure development Dedicated hydrogen infrastructure is essential, but needs vary by country. Net exporters should focus on export infrastructure like ports and shipping. Countries prioritizing domestic use need centralized infrastructure like hydrogen hubs. 6: Accelerating development pace Coordinating ecosystem actors is vital to drive economies of scale. For exporters, this means automating production, providing innovative financing and promoting international knowledge exchange. Domestically-focused countries should orchestrate different actors across the value chain through industrial clusters. The source: World Econmic Forum #energyticslimited #renewableenergy #hydrogeneconomy