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Advances in Solar Thermal Energy Storage Technologies

A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "A2: Solar Energy and Photovoltaic Systems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2023) | Viewed by 36097

Special Issue Editor

Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Group; Department of Infrastructure Engineering, School of Electrical, Mechanical and Infrastructure Engineering (EMI); Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology (FEIT); The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
Interests: solar energy; thermal energy storage; district heating and cooling; building energy; solar geothermal; zero energy; greenhouse gas emissions; climate chaange

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

I would like to extend a warm invitation to all colleagues who would like to submit their research papers to the Special Issue of Energies, "Advances in Solar Thermal Energy Storage Technologies ". This is a topical issue dedicated to the recent advances in this very broad field—the main criteria for paper acceptance, being academic excellence, originality and novelty of applications, methods or fundamental findings. All types of research approaches are equally acceptable: experimental, theoretical, simulation, optimisation and their mixtures; the papers can be both of fundamental or applied to nature, including industrial case studies. With such a wide brief, it is naturally very difficult to define a finite list of relevant disciplines. However, it is broadly anticipated that the authorship and ultimate readership would come from the fields of civil, mechanical, architecture, renewable energy, energy resources, earth, and environmental—that is everywhere where “Advances in Solar Thermal Energy Storage Technologies” phenomena may play an important role or be a subject of worthy research pursuits. Cross-disciplinary research and development studies will also be most welcome.

Dr. Sheikh Khaleduzzaman Shah
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Energies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Solar energy
  • Thermal energy storage
  • Building energy
  • District heating and cooling
  • Zero energy
  • Solar thermal
  • Solar geothermal

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

28 pages, 9772 KiB  
Article
The Solar Energy Potential of Greece for Flat-Plate Solar Panels Mounted on Double-Axis Systems
by Harry D. Kambezidis, Konstantinos Mimidis and Kosmas A. Kavadias
Energies 2023, 16(13), 5067; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en16135067 - 30 Jun 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 886
Abstract
The aim of the present work is to investigate the efficiency of flat-plate solar panels in Greece for delivering solar energy. In this study, the solar panels are mounted on a two-axis tracker, which follows the daily path of the sun. In this [...] Read more.
The aim of the present work is to investigate the efficiency of flat-plate solar panels in Greece for delivering solar energy. In this study, the solar panels are mounted on a two-axis tracker, which follows the daily path of the sun. In this context, the annual energy sums are estimated on such surfaces from hourly solar horizontal radiation values at forty-three locations, covering all of Greece. The solar horizontal radiation values are embedded in the typical meteorological years of the sites obtained from the PVGIS tool. All calculations use near-real surface-albedo values for the sites, and isotropic and anisotropic models are used to estimate the diffuse-inclined radiation. The analysis provides non-linear regression expressions for the energy sums as a function of time (month, season). The annual energy sums are found to vary between 2247 kWhm−2 and 2878 kWhm−2 under all-sky conditions with the anisotropic transposition model. Finally, maps of Greece showing the distribution of the annual and seasonal solar energy sums under all- and clear-sky conditions are derived for the first time, and these maps constitute the main innovation of this work. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Solar Thermal Energy Storage Technologies)
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16 pages, 3337 KiB  
Article
Multicriteria Design and Operation Optimization of a Solar-Assisted Geothermal Heat Pump System
by Leonidas Zouloumis, Angelos Karanasos, Nikolaos Ploskas and Giorgos Panaras
Energies 2023, 16(3), 1266; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en16031266 - 25 Jan 2023
Viewed by 1257
Abstract
This work focuses on the determination of the design and operation parameters of a thermal system depending on the optimization objective set. Its main objective and contribution concern the proposal of a generalized methodological structure involving multiobjective optimization techniques aimed at providing a [...] Read more.
This work focuses on the determination of the design and operation parameters of a thermal system depending on the optimization objective set. Its main objective and contribution concern the proposal of a generalized methodological structure involving multiobjective optimization techniques aimed at providing a solution to a practical problem, such as the design and dimensioning of a solar thermal system. The analysis is based on system operation data provided by a dynamic simulation model, leading to the development of multiple surrogate models of the thermal system. The thermal system surrogate models correlate the desired optimization objectives with thermal system design and operation parameters while additional surrogate models of the Pareto frontiers are generated. The implementation of the methodology is demonstrated through the optimal design and operation parameter dimensioning of a solar-assisted geothermal heat pump that provides domestic hot water loads of an office building. Essentially, energy consumption is optimized for a desired domestic hot water thermal load coverage. Implementation of reverse-engineering methods allows the determination of the system parameters representing the optimized criteria. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Solar Thermal Energy Storage Technologies)
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18 pages, 4430 KiB  
Article
Effect of Rotational Speed on the Structural, Morphological, and Optical Properties of Biosynthesized Nickel Oxide Thin Films for Selective Solar Absorber Nanocoatings
by Henok G. Gebretinsae, Meresa G. Tsegay, Giday G. Welegergs, Malik Maaza and Zebib Y. Nuru
Energies 2022, 15(23), 8960; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15238960 - 27 Nov 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1313
Abstract
This article presents a simple and low-cost green synthesized single-layer NiO selective solar absorber nanocoating prepared by spin coating on a Cu substrate at different rotational speeds (RS). The effects of substrate RS on the structural, morphological, chemical, and optical properties of the [...] Read more.
This article presents a simple and low-cost green synthesized single-layer NiO selective solar absorber nanocoating prepared by spin coating on a Cu substrate at different rotational speeds (RS). The effects of substrate RS on the structural, morphological, chemical, and optical properties of the NiO nanocoatings were thoroughly investigated. The XRD results reveal the formation of pure diffraction peaks indexed to face-centered cubic NiO nanocoatings. SEM confirmed the uniform distribution of the NiO thin films with a nanosphere-like structure and the influence of RS variation on the formation of NiO nanostructures. EDS and XPS confirmed the presence of Ni and O in the green synthesized NiO coatings. AFM showed homogeneous nanopillar-like NiO thin films with the average surface roughness decreasing from 13.6 to 9.06 nm as the RS increased from 700 to 1300 RPM. Raman spectroscopy of the nanocoatings showed normal modes related to longitudinal optical and transverse optical phonons, and a combination of both, which implies the presence of a defect-rich or anti-ferromagnetically ordered NiO film responsible for the occurrence of more scattering peaks. UV–Vis–NIR and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were employed to characterize the optical properties of the nanocoatings. The green synthesized NiO nanocoatings deposited at 700 RPM exhibited excellent solar absorptance (α) of 0.92 and low thermal emittance (ɛ) of 0.11. The optical properties of the selective materials obtained in the present work were correlated with the non-stoichiometric nature of the spin-coated sample, multiple reflections, and interference-induced light absorption on the green synthesized surface. These results suggest that the NiO thin films prepared through this simple and environmentally benign green synthesis method can be promising candidates for efficient solar selective absorbers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Solar Thermal Energy Storage Technologies)
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13 pages, 4775 KiB  
Article
Application of Artificial Intelligence to Improve the Thermal Energy and Exergy of Nanofluid-Based PV Thermal/Nano-Enhanced Phase Change Material
by Enas Taha Sayed, Hegazy Rezk, Abdul Ghani Olabi, Mohamed R. Gomaa, Yahia B. Hassan, Shek Mohammad Atiqure Rahman, Sheikh Khaleduzzaman Shah and Mohammad Ali Abdelkareem
Energies 2022, 15(22), 8494; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15228494 - 14 Nov 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1159
Abstract
Photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) technologies have demonstrated several attractive features, such as higher power and comparative efficiencies. Improving the thermal recovery from the PVT system would further improve the power output and the efficiency of the PVT system. This paper identifies the best operating factors [...] Read more.
Photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) technologies have demonstrated several attractive features, such as higher power and comparative efficiencies. Improving the thermal recovery from the PVT system would further improve the power output and the efficiency of the PVT system. This paper identifies the best operating factors of nanofluid-based PV thermal/nano-enhanced phase change material using artificial intelligence. The target is the maximization of thermal energy and exergy outputs. The suggested approach combines ANFIS modelling and particle swarm optimization (PSO). Four operating factors are taken into consideration: PCM (phase change material) layer thickness, HTF (heat transfer fluid) mass flow rate, MFNPCM (“mass fraction of nanoparticles in PCM”) and MFNfluid (“mass fraction of nanoparticles in nanofluid”). Using a dataset, an “adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system” (ANFIS) model has been established for simulating the thermal energy and exergy outputs in terms of the mentioned operating factors. Then, using PSO, the best values of PCM thickness, mass flow rate, MFNPCM and MFNfluid are estimated. The proposed model’s accuracy was examined by comparing the results with those obtained by response surface methodology and the experimental dataset. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Solar Thermal Energy Storage Technologies)
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12 pages, 4871 KiB  
Article
Photovoltaic/Thermal Module Integrated with Nano-Enhanced Phase Change Material: A Numerical Analysis
by Yuanlong Cui, Jie Zhu, Stamatis Zoras, Khalid Hassan and Hui Tong
Energies 2022, 15(14), 4988; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15144988 - 07 Jul 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1894
Abstract
Solar photovoltaic-thermal (PV/T) technology is the main strategy for harvesting solar energy due to its non-polluting, stability, good visibility and security features. The aim of the project is to develop a mathematical model of a PV/T module integrated with optical filtration and MXene-enhanced [...] Read more.
Solar photovoltaic-thermal (PV/T) technology is the main strategy for harvesting solar energy due to its non-polluting, stability, good visibility and security features. The aim of the project is to develop a mathematical model of a PV/T module integrated with optical filtration and MXene-enhanced PCM. In this system, a single MXene-enhanced PCM layer is attached between the PV panel and absorber pipe with solid MXene-PCM for storage and cooling purposes. Additionally, the thermal fluid is utilized in the copper absorber pipe and connected to the heat pump system for enhancing system thermal and electrical efficiency. Furthermore, the influences of the optical filtration channel height, concentration of the nanoparticles on PV surface temperature and overall system efficiency are also discussed. This study demonstrates that the annual thermal and electrical energy output can reach 5370 kWh per annum with 74.92% of thermal efficiency and 5620 kWh with 14.65% of electrical efficiency, respectively, compared to the traditional PV/T module. Meanwhile, when the optical filtration channel height and volume concentration are enhanced, they exert a negative influence on the PV surface temperature, but the overall thermal efficiency is enhanced due to low thermal resistance to heat losses and low radiation-shielding layers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Solar Thermal Energy Storage Technologies)
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Review

Jump to: Research

31 pages, 2148 KiB  
Review
Solar and Wind Energy Integrated System Frequency Control: A Critical Review on Recent Developments
by Md. Shafiul Alam, Tanzi Ahmed Chowdhury, Abhishak Dhar, Fahad Saleh Al-Ismail, M. S. H. Choudhury, Md Shafiullah, Md. Ismail Hossain, Md. Alamgir Hossain, Aasim Ullah and Syed Masiur Rahman
Energies 2023, 16(2), 812; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en16020812 - 10 Jan 2023
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 4693
Abstract
A paradigm shift in power systems is observed due to the massive integration of renewable energy sources (RESs) as distributed generators. Mainly, solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and wind generators are extensively integrated with the modern power system to facilitate green efforts in the [...] Read more.
A paradigm shift in power systems is observed due to the massive integration of renewable energy sources (RESs) as distributed generators. Mainly, solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and wind generators are extensively integrated with the modern power system to facilitate green efforts in the electrical energy sector. However, integrating these RESs destabilizes the frequency of the modern power system. Hitherto, the frequency control has not drawn sufficient attention due to the reduced inertia and complex control of power electronic converters associated with renewable energy conversion systems. Thus, this article provides a critical summary on the frequency control of solar PV and wind-integrated systems. The frequency control issues with advanced techniques, including inertia emulation, de-loading, and grid-forming, are summarized. Moreover, several cutting-edge devices in frequency control are outlined. The advantages and disadvantages of different approaches to control the frequency of high-level RESs integrated systems are well documented. The possible improvements of existing approaches are outlined. The key research areas are identified, and future research directions are mentioned so that cutting-edge technologies can be adopted, making the review article unique compared to the existing reviews. The article could be an excellent foundation and guidance for industry personnel, researchers, and academicians. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Solar Thermal Energy Storage Technologies)
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31 pages, 6438 KiB  
Review
Progress in Solar Thermal Systems and Their Role in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals
by Abdul Ghani Olabi, Nabila Shehata, Hussein M. Maghrabie, Lobna A. Heikal, Mohammad Ali Abdelkareem, Shek Mohammod Atiqure Rahman, Sheikh Khaleduzzaman Shah and Enas Taha Sayed
Energies 2022, 15(24), 9501; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15249501 - 14 Dec 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2021
Abstract
The use of solar thermal systems (STSs) has recently reached a significant edge. The increasing research on developing an alternative power supply for limiting fossil fuel usage and climate change are the driving forces of STSs. The current work explores the recent progress [...] Read more.
The use of solar thermal systems (STSs) has recently reached a significant edge. The increasing research on developing an alternative power supply for limiting fossil fuel usage and climate change are the driving forces of STSs. The current work explores the recent progress in STSs’ applications, including PV/T or “photovoltaic/thermal” systems, zero-energy buildings, greenhouse solar thermal applications, solar thermal for pumping water, solar thermal refrigerators, solar chimneys, water desalination, and solar collectors, along with the benefits and challenges of these applications. Then, the potential contribution of STSs in achieving the various SDGs or “Sustainable development goals”, including barriers and research gaps, are elaborated. In brief, STSs significantly contribute to the seventeen SDGs’ achievement directly and indirectly. Recent developments in the engineering applications of STSs are strongly based on the materials of construction, as well as their design, process optimisation, and integration with multidisciplinary sciences and technologies such as modelling, nanoscience/nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Solar Thermal Energy Storage Technologies)
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28 pages, 6562 KiB  
Review
Spectral Radiation Characteristic Measurements of Absorption and Scattering Semitransparent Materials—A Review
by Meng Liu, Shenghua Du, Qing Ai, Jiaming Gong and Yong Shuai
Energies 2022, 15(23), 9013; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15239013 - 28 Nov 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1200
Abstract
The obtainment of spectral radiation characteristics of semitransparent materials mainly includes the use of a theoretical method or experimental method. As the experimental method can better characterize the real radiation transmission results inside the material, it is generally considered more reliable and used [...] Read more.
The obtainment of spectral radiation characteristics of semitransparent materials mainly includes the use of a theoretical method or experimental method. As the experimental method can better characterize the real radiation transmission results inside the material, it is generally considered more reliable and used as the basis for the verification of theoretical results. In this paper, the absorbing and scattering semitransparent materials are taken as the analysis object to illustrate the research status and future development direction in the field of measurement and identification of spectral radiation characteristics. According to the physical quantities measured and the temperature range, research status is discussed for the spectral radiation characteristic measurements of absorbing and scattering semitransparent materials, which specifically involves the measurement principle, measuring system, measuring physical quantity, identification model and application range. This research will have guiding significance for the following research directions in the field of the acquisition of spectral radiation characteristic parameters of other new materials in the future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Solar Thermal Energy Storage Technologies)
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32 pages, 5061 KiB  
Review
Advances in Indoor Cooking Using Solar Energy with Phase Change Material Storage Systems
by Selvaraj Balachandran and Jose Swaminathan
Energies 2022, 15(22), 8775; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15228775 - 21 Nov 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3503
Abstract
One of the key areas of the UN’s sustainable development goals is growing affordable and clean energy. Utilizing solar energy that is now accessible will significantly lessen the demand for fossil fuels. Around the world, cooking is a crucial activity for homes and [...] Read more.
One of the key areas of the UN’s sustainable development goals is growing affordable and clean energy. Utilizing solar energy that is now accessible will significantly lessen the demand for fossil fuels. Around the world, cooking is a crucial activity for homes and uses a lot of non-renewable energy. Uncontrolled firewood usage results in deforestation, whereas using biomass-related fuels in inefficient stoves can result in smoke emanating from the kitchen and associated health issues. The benefits of solar cooking include reducing smoke-related problems and saving on fossil fuels and firewood. Applying thermal storage systems in cooking helps households have all-day cooking. This review article presents the research and development of a solar cooking system that transfers solar energy into the kitchen and integrates with the thermal energy storage system, finding the factors affecting indoor solar cooking performance. Adding portable cooking utensils helps in improved solar indoor cooking. Multiple phase change materials arranged in cascaded to store thermal energy helps in quick heat transfer rate, thus enabling better and faster cooking. A novel indoor solar cooker with an innovative arrangement of evacuated tube-based compound concentrating parabolic (CPC) collectors with a cascaded latent heat thermal energy storage system is proposed and needs to be tested under actual meteorological conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Solar Thermal Energy Storage Technologies)
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46 pages, 21397 KiB  
Review
Metal-Air Batteries—A Review
by Abdul Ghani Olabi, Enas Taha Sayed, Tabbi Wilberforce, Aisha Jamal, Abdul Hai Alami, Khaled Elsaid, Shek Mohammod Atiqure Rahman, Sheikh Khaleduzzaman Shah and Mohammad Ali Abdelkareem
Energies 2021, 14(21), 7373; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14217373 - 05 Nov 2021
Cited by 56 | Viewed by 16691
Abstract
Metal–air batteries are a promising technology that could be used in several applications, from portable devices to large-scale energy storage applications. This work is a comprehensive review of the recent progress made in metal-air batteries MABs. It covers the theoretical considerations and mechanisms [...] Read more.
Metal–air batteries are a promising technology that could be used in several applications, from portable devices to large-scale energy storage applications. This work is a comprehensive review of the recent progress made in metal-air batteries MABs. It covers the theoretical considerations and mechanisms of MABs, electrochemical performance, and the progress made in the development of different structures of MABs. The operational concepts and recent developments in MABs are thoroughly discussed, with a particular focus on innovative materials design and cell structures. The classical research on traditional MABs was chosen and contrasted with metal–air flow systems, demonstrating the merits associated with the latter in terms of achieving higher energy density and efficiency, along with stability. Furthermore, the recent applications of MABs were discussed. Finally, a broad overview of challenges/opportunities and potential directions for commercializing this technology is carefully discussed. The primary focus of this investigation is to present a concise summary and to establish future directions in the development of MABs from traditional static to advanced flow technologies. A systematic analysis of this subject from a material and chemistry standpoint is presented as well. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Solar Thermal Energy Storage Technologies)
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