Prognostics and Health Management of Wind Energy Infrastructure Systems

The improvements in wind energy infrastructure have been a constant process throughout many decades. There are new advancements in technology that can further contribute towards the Prognostics and Health Management (PHM) in this industry. These advancements are driven by the need to fully explore the impact of uncertainty, quality and quantity of data, physics-based machine learning (PBML), and digital twin (DT). All these aspects need to be taken into consideration to perform an effective PHM of wind energy infrastructure. To address these aspects, four research questions were formulated. What is the role of uncertainty in machine learning (ML) in diagnostics and prognostics? What is the role of data augmentation and quality of data for ML? What is the role of PBML? What is the role of the DT in diagnostics and prognostics? The methodology used was Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA). A total of 143 records, from the last five years, were analyzed. Each of the four questions was answered by discussion of literature, definitions, critical aspects, benefits and challenges, the role of aspect in PHM of wind energy infrastructure systems, and conclusion.

Multi-Criteria Decision Making Optimisation Framework for Positive Energy Blocks for Cities

The Positive Energy Block (PEBlock) is a new paradigm towards low-carbon cities. However, there is a paucity of literature about methods and tools to develop PEBlocks in practice. This study proposes a multi-criteria decision making optimisation framework for PEBlocks for cities. It explores PEBlock scenarios based on adaptable criteria and actions applied to a block composed of three school buildings, where only one acts as a positive node of the future energy network. Findings point out the flexibility of PEBlock scenarios; firstly, selecting a list of 21 potential positive energy scenarios among 300 possible combinations concerning the block analysed, secondly, individuating the optimal solution and finally, comparing it with others based on the weight assigned to the criteria. This study contributes to understanding the emerging properties concerning PEBlocks, discussing their features and stressing main peculiarities compared to other models (e.g., positive energy districts). It also emphasises the PEBlock as a feasible and reliable energy infrastructure to support new urban organisations (e.g., self-organised energy communities), drawing future developments and implications. Limitations associated with this study are also stressed in the conclusion.

A Systematic Methodology for Design of Sustainable Urban Neighborhood Energy Infrastructure

The growing share of global energy consumption by cities (currently over 65%) raises the requirements for a systematic holistic approach for designing urban energy infrastructure in order to ensure its sustainability. A literature review of state-of-the-art modeling of urban energy infrastructure design emphasized the incomprehensive sustainability of the performed evaluations, as they accounted for several aspects of sustainability but missed others. Omitting important aspects can have significant implications which can put the sustainability of the energy infrastructure at risk. In this study, we attempted to develop a comprehensive model for designing sustainable energy infrastructure for urban districts, which accounts for the four aspects of sustainability: social, technical, environmental, and economic. The model is based on a four-step methodology: district characterization, a technological survey for distributed generation and energy storage, selecting suitable technologies according to social and technical criteria, and simulations of different energy infrastructure configurations to find the most suitable configurations basing on economic and environmental criteria. The research includes a case study in which the model was implemented for the Technion campus in Haifa. The developed model proved to be a comprehensive, efficient, and versatile tool for designing urban energy infrastructure.

Cyber security as an important factor of ensuring the life of the domestic energy industry

The issue of cybersecurity of the domestic energy industry has been studied. The strategic principles of increasing the level of cyber resilience of communication and technological systems of energy industry enterprises are considered. The positive experience of the United States and the United Kingdom on the organizational and legal framework for preventing and minimizing encroachment on critical energy infrastructure is highlighted. The methodology of cyber threat analysis and risk assessment of cybersecurity violations of energy infrastructure facilities is detailed. The issue of cybersecurity of energy facilities and automated systems is generalized. The initiatives and directions of activity of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine for the purpose of development of cybersecurity of power systems are opened. The directions of the improvement to the formation of conceptual foundations for cybersecurity in the energy sector of Ukraine are identified.

Renewable Green hydrogen energy impact on sustainability performance

In today's world, the major source of energy is fossil fuels, which are nonrenewable and cannot be used once exhausted. At the start of the twenty-first century, main challenges with current energy infrastructure throughout the world were a finite supply of fossil fuels, ever-increasing energy use, and the growing environmental impact of greenhouse gas emissions. Fossil fuel energy is economical due to existing infrastructure, but it has significant downsides and has a severe impact on the environment. As a result, renewable energy sources are being investigated as potential contenders to supply the bulk of energy demands. Hydrogen is the least harmful to the environment of these fuels. Hydrogen is a clean, long-lasting fuel with the potential that is the source of future global energy. It may potentially be used to replace current fossil-fuel-based energy infrastructure. This is seen as a solution to the above-mentioned challenges, such as global warming and environmental degradation. It is impossible to overestimate the relevance of environmental and economic factors in the development of hydrogen infrastructure. This article discusses the many aspects of hydrogen, including as manufacturing, storage, and applications, with a focus on the environment and the economy.

Regional development through energy infrastructure: A comparison and optimization of Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) & Turkmenistan- Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipelines

Pakistan is working on two pipeline projects, namely, Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) and Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipelines, to meet its energy supply-demand gap. This study's aims to compare these two projects and identify the most suitable option for Pakistan. Furthermore, as the TAPI project is progressing faster than the IPI project, this study also aims to identify the critical activities associated with TAPI projects. Finally, a model is proposed to optimize the material and transportation costs related to the TAPI project. The study's contribution by using fuzzy set theory-based multi-criteria decision-making (Fuzzy MCDM) to compare two projects along with usage of the Fuzzy Critical Path Method (FCPM) for the identification of critical activities associated with the TAPI project. Finally, the Genetic Algorithm is applied to optimize the material and transportation costs of the TAPI project. The results show that IPI has advantages over TAPI in terms of power generation, transportation cost, transits fee, and gas prices. The critical path analysis of the TAPI gas pipeline shows that it will take approximately 75 to 330.5 weeks to complete. The study is useful for the managers who have to work in these projects, the policymakers considering these projects at various levels, and the researcher having an interest in applying Fuzzy set theory with MCDM, CPM, and in the context of the energy infrastructure.