Publications
10 results found
Ortega-Arriaga P, Babacan O, Nelson J, et al., 2021, Grid versus off-grid electricity access options: A review on the economic and environmental impacts, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol: 143, Pages: 1-17, ISSN: 1364-0321
This research reviews the economic and environmental impacts of grid-extension and off-grid systems, to inform the appropriate electrification strategy for the current population without electricity access. The principal technologies reviewed are centralised conventional fossil-fuel grid-extension and off-grid systems mainly based on solar PV and batteries. It finds that relatively few studies explicitly compare grid-extension electricity costs against off-grid systems costs and that there is a lack of consistency in the methodologies used to determine the least-cost solution. Nevertheless, the studies reviewed show a range of around $0.2–1.4/kWh for off-grid electricity access, compared to a range of below $0.1/kWh to more than $8/kWh for grid access, pointing to a number of cases in which off-grid access may already be the more cost-effective option. Existing literature on the environmental impacts primarily focuses on greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation, with off-grid (solar PV and storage) systems’ emissions in the range of 50–130 gCO2-eq/kWh and grid generation from close to 0 gCO2-eq/kWh (for renewables and nuclear sources) to over 1,000 gCO2-eq/kWh (for coal). Emissions impacts stemming from transmission and distribution grids suggest a range of 0–30 gCO2-eq/kWh. Assessments of other environmental impacts such as water use, land use, biodiversity and e-waste are often absent in studies, whilst few studies explicitly compare the environmental impacts of grid versus off-grid systems. Further research should focus on comparing the costs of electricity access options using consistent metrics, expanding the scope of environmental impacts analysis, and integrating environmental and economic impacts into a comprehensive sustainability assessment of different options.
Cilio L, Babacan O, 2021, Allocation optimisation of rapid charging stations in large urban areas to support fully electric taxi fleets, APPLIED ENERGY, Vol: 295, ISSN: 0306-2619
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- Citations: 1
Moss B, Babacan O, Kafizas A, et al., 2021, A review of inorganic photoelectrode developments and reactor scale-up challenges for solar hydrogen production, Advanced Energy Materials, Vol: 11, Pages: 1-43, ISSN: 1614-6832
Green hydrogen, produced using solar energy, is a promising means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting devices can produce hydrogen using sunlight and integrate the distinct functions of photovoltaics and electrolyzers in a single device. There is flexibility in the degree of integration between these electrical and chemical energy generating components, and so a plethora of archetypal PEC device designs has emerged. Although some materials have effectively been ruled out for use in commercial PEC devices, many principles of material design and synthesis have been learned. Here, the fundamental requirements of PEC materials, the top performances of the most widely studied inorganic photoelectrode materials, and reactor structures reported for unassisted solar water splitting are revisited. The main phenomena limiting the performance of up‐scaled PEC devices are discussed, showing that engineering must be considered in parallel with material development for the future piloting of PEC water splitting systems. To establish the future commercial viability of this technology, more accurate techno‐economic analyses should be carried out using data from larger scale demonstrations, and hence more durable and efficient PEC systems need to be developed that meet the challenges imposed from both material and engineering perspectives.
Abdulla A, Hanna R, Schell KR, et al., 2021, Explaining successful and failed investments in US carbon capture and storage using empirical and expert assessments, ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS, Vol: 16, ISSN: 1748-9326
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- Citations: 6
Babacan O, De Causmaecker S, Gambhir A, et al., 2020, Assessing the feasibility of carbon dioxide mitigation options in terms of energy usage, Nature Energy, Vol: 5, Pages: 720-728, ISSN: 2058-7546
Measures to mitigate the emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) can vary substantially in terms of the energy required. Some proposed CO2 mitigation options involve energy-intensive processes that compromise their viability as routes to mitigation, especially if deployed at a global scale. Here we provide an assessment of different mitigation options in terms of their energy usage. We assess the relative effectiveness of several CO2 mitigation routes by calculating the energy cost of carbon abatement (kilowatt-hour spent per kilogram CO2-equivalent, or kWh kgCO2e–1) mitigated. We consider energy efficiency measures, decarbonizing electricity, heat, chemicals and fuels, and also capturing CO2 from air. Among the routes considered, switching to renewable energy technologies (0.05–0.53 kWh kgCO2e–1 mitigated) offer more energy-effective mitigation than carbon embedding or carbon removal approaches, which are more energy intensive (0.99–10.03 kWh kgCO2e–1 and 0.78–2.93 kWh kgCO2e–1 mitigated, respectively), whereas energy efficiency measures, such as improving building lighting, can offer the most energy-effective mitigation.
Babacan O, Abdulla A, Hanna R, et al., 2018, Unintended Effects of Residential Energy Storage on Emissions from the Electric Power System, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, Vol: 52, Pages: 13600-13608, ISSN: 0013-936X
Babacan O, Ratnam EL, Disfani VR, et al., 2017, Distributed energy storage system scheduling considering tariff structure, energy arbitrage and solar PV penetration, Applied Energy, Vol: 205, Pages: 1384-1393, ISSN: 0306-2619
We develop a new convex optimization (CO)-based charge/discharge scheduling algorithm for distributed energy storage systems (ESSs) co-located with solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. The CO-based scheduling algorithm minimizes the monthly electricity expenses of a customer who owns an ESS and incorporates both a time-of-use volumetric tariff and a demand charge tariff. Further, we propose the novel idea of a “supply charge” tariff that incentivizes ESS customers to store excess solar PV generation that may otherwise result in reverse power flow in the distribution grid. By means of a case study we observe the CO-based daily charge/discharge schedules reduce (1) peak net demand (that is, load minus PV generation) of the customer, (2) power fluctuations in the customer net demand profile, and (3) the reliance of the customer on the grid by way of promoting energy self-consumption of local solar PV generation. Two alternate methods for behind-the-meter ESS scheduling are considered as benchmarks for cost minimization, peak net demand reduction, and mitigation of net demand fluctuations. The algorithm is tested using real 30-min interval residential load and solar data of 53 customers over 2-years. Results show that the CO-based scheduling algorithm provides mean peak net demand reductions between 46% and 64%, reduces mean net demand fluctuations by 25–49%, and increases the mean solar PV self-consumption between 24% and 39% when compared to a customer without an ESS. Introduction of a supply charge reduces the maximum solar PV power supply to the grid by 19% on average and does not financially impact ESS owners.
Bright JM, Babacan O, Kleissl J, et al., 2017, A synthetic, spatially decorrelating solar irradiance generator and application to a LV grid model with high PV penetration, SOLAR ENERGY, Vol: 147, Pages: 83-98, ISSN: 0038-092X
Babacan O, Torre W, Kleissl J, 2017, Siting and sizing of distributed energy storage to mitigate voltage impact by solar PV in distribution systems, SOLAR ENERGY, Vol: 146, Pages: 199-208, ISSN: 0038-092X
Tuncer D, Babacan O, Guiazon R, et al., Engineering data-driven solutions for future mobility: perspectives and challenges
The automotive industry is currently undergoing major changes. These includea general shift towards decarbonised mode of transportation, the implementationof mobility as an end-to-end service, and the transition to vehicles thatincreasingly rely on software and digital tools to function. Digitalisation isexpected to play a key role in shaping the future of mobility ecosystems byfostering the integration of traditionally independent system domains in theenergy, transportation and information sectors. This report discussesopportunities and challenges for engineering data-driven solutions that supportthe requirements of future digitalised mobility systems based on three usecases for electric vehicle public charging infrastructures, services andsecurity.
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