3rd International Conference on Innovation in Renewable Energy and Power

This study introduces three approaches for environmental assessment based on the data envelopment analysis (DEA), which is a popular method to examine the production efficiency of decision-making units. We also explain the basic concepts and application examples of these approaches. Specifically, we present three types of DEA environmental assessment (DEA-EA). In previous studies, DEA-EA has been classified into radial model and non-radial model. This study presents the intermediate approach and intermediate model as a third option and discusses the characteristics of each. Although DEA-EA is originated from DEA, it differs in terms of model structure and application targets. Given that environmental issues and energy issues are closely related, energy and environmental problems and the energy industry itself can be the main subjects of DEA-EA. The energy industry provides the infrastructure that is directly linked to people’s lives, but on the other hand, it emits greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2) through the combustion of fossil fuels. In the case of the electricity industry, for instance, electricity is produced as a desirable output, while the combustion of fossil fuels emits CO2 as an undesirable output. In order to achieve a balance between the economy and the environment, we present that DEAEA is a promising approach to assess production efficiency that takes both of these aspects into account.

TThe disparity in energy accessibility and affordability is a critical societal challenge, creating barriers to development, prosperity, and equity. This study investigates energy poverty within Greece, pursuing an understanding of the elements shaping its prevalence. Using data from the 2022 Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC) household survey provided by ELSTAT (Hellenic Statistical Authority), the research applies statistical and binary logistic regression analyses to examine the impact of socioeconomic, dwelling, and climatic determinants on household energy poverty. Additionally, the study focuses on people experiencing severe material deprivation to uncover the underlying causes of poverty among the most vulnerable groups. The empirical results reveal that structural elements such as income, urbanization, educational background, household size, tenure status, age, and cooling degree days significantly contribute to energy poverty risk. These insights offer a foundation for targeted policy recommendations, encouraging authorities to implement effective and inclusive measures to alleviate energy poverty.

Wind and solar energy provide health and environmental benefits as they reduce emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) by replacing fossil-fuel power plants. Although it is intuitive to think regions with the best wind and solar resources would be most effective in emission displacement, this process also depends on the number and scale of conventional generators in each region. The current literature on the emissions implication of renewable energy has touched on the emission reduction of different technologies, the estimated emission savings, and the life cycle analysis of renewable energy. However, few studies have systematically compared a country’s regional variations in emissions displacement from renewable energy, especially in a developing country where access to high-quality data is scarce. This paper aims to evaluate the effects of wind and solar energy on reducing emissions in the Northern, Central, and Southern regions of Vietnam. For instance, given its proximity to the coast and exposure to ample sunlight, Central Vietnam has significant potential for wind and solar energy. Yet, the health and environmental benefits of renewable energy may not be substantial in this region because the number of conventional generators here is much less than in Northern Vietnam. We compile the emission profiles of conventional generators from credible governmental sources, use regressions of hourly emissions and generation data to calculate the damages of marginal electricity production, and estimate the reduction in these damages when wind and solar energy replace conventional generators across three regions.

The global race to Net Zero has accelerated the shift toward sustainable energy systems that reduce humanity’s impact on natural ecosystems. Renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydropower, natural gas, and waste-to-energy solutions offer environmentally friendly alternatives to fossil fuels. However, large-scale investment in these systems requires significant initial capital, public awareness, and rigorous environmental impact assessments to balance economic feasibility with sustainability objectives. Emerging technologies like Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) present innovative solutions for enhancing transparency, efficiency, and risk management in energy systems. By providing real-time visibility into energy production, distribution, and consumption, Blockchain can help track and mitigate potential risks to society and the environment. Additionally, smart contracts and decentralized energy trading can optimize energy use, ensuring it is allocated efficiently where and when it is needed most. Despite existing challenges, integrating Blockchain and DLT into sustainable energy infrastructure has the potential to drive greater accountability, resilience, and trust in the transition toward a low-carbon economy.

Hailstorms pose a significant and growing risk to solar energy projects, causing severe physical damage to photovoltaic modules, leading to costly repairs, financial losses, and higher insurance premiums. With the increasing deployment of large-scale solar farms across diverse geographic regions, understanding and mitigating hail-related risks has become a critical concern for developers, asset owners, and insurers. This paper presents a tool designed to estimate hail risk based on geographic location, leveraging historical storm data, meteorological records, and statistical analysis to identify high-risk areas for solar installations. By integrating this tool into site selection and project planning, stakeholders can proactively assess hail-related vulnerabilities and implement design or operational strategies to enhance system resilience. The study also discusses case studies of solar projects affected by hailstorms, highlighting instances where severe weather events led to substantial damage and financial setbacks. By improving environmental risk assessment, this research aims to enhance decision-making in solar energy development, ensuring long-term project viability and sustainability in the face of extreme weather events.

As the demand for safer and more sustainable energy storage solutions for renewable energy sources grows, sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) emerge as a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to their lower cost and resource abundance [1]. However, thermal runaway (TR) hazards remain a major challenge for both battery technologies, affecting their safety, reliability, and commercialization potential [2]. This review provides a comprehensive comparison of thermal runaway risks in SIBs and LIBs, analyzing their thermal stability, failure mechanisms, and safety characteristics. The discussion covers key factors influencing thermal hazards, including cathode and anode materials, electrolyte decomposition, gas evolution, separator integrity, and heat generation behaviors. Recent advancements in electrode design, electrolyte formulations, thermal management strategies, and next-generation materials are also reviewed, highlighting ongoing efforts to mitigate safety risks in SIBs. Despite notable improvements in the thermal stability of SIBs, challenges remain in achieving the same level of safety performance as commercial LIBs. By summarizing current research progress and identifying critical areas for future innovation, this review aims to guide the development of safer, thermally stable, and commercially viable sodium-ion batteries to meet the growing needs of renewable energy sources.

This paper examines the implementation of industrial heat pumps in the food and beverage sector, showcasing their potential as an efficient and sustainable energy solution. Heat pumps demonstrate exceptional efficiency, generating up to 3 kW of output energy for every 1 kW of input energy. This high-performance ratio makes them particularly suitable for the food and beverage industry, where many processes require steam and heat within the 150°C to 200°C range. The study highlights how heat pumps can effectively utilize waste energy, which is abundant in food and beverage manufacturing, further enhancing their appeal. Additionally, the research reveals that in most U.S. states, industrial heat pumps offer a favorable payback period of 4-5 years, with minimal infrastructure upgrades required for installation. This combination of efficiency, adaptability, and economic viability positions heat pumps as an ideal renewable energy source for the sector. The paper explores current applications, potential energy savings, and environmental benefits, supported by industry-specific case studies. It concludes with an analysis of future prospects and potential challenges, providing valuable insights for industry professionals and policymakers considering the adoption of this technology.

Agriculture is undergoing a transformative phase with the integration of solar energy, offering farmers sustainable, cost-effective, and efficient solutions to address critical challenges. This paper explores the convergence of Information Technology (IT) and solar energy in agriculture, focusing on the deployment of IT-driven solar technologies in the region of Maharashtra, India. The study highlights the role of solar-powered irrigation systems, automated climate control, and intelligent data analytics in optimizing farming practices. Advanced IT solutions, such as IoT-enabled sensors, AI-driven predictive analytics, and cloud-based monitoring systems, are examined for their potential to enhance agricultural efficiency and ensure sustainable energy utilization. Government initiatives and subsidy programs promoting solar energy adoption are also analyzed, along with a case study demonstrating the tangible benefits of IT-enabled solar solutions. The findings underscore the scalability and adaptability of these technologies in diverse agricultural landscapes, offering a pathway to sustainable and efficient farming practices.