Journal of Renewable Energy and Smart Grid Technology

Cell Temperature Determination based on IEC61215: Solar Photovoltaic Experimental Study of Tropical Malaysia

Hedzlin Zainuddin — 2024-11-04

Most commercial photovoltaic (PV) module data sheets include Nominal Operating Cell Temperature (NOCT) values, which assist PV system designers in estimating module temperatures under real outdoor conditions. However, the typical NOCT values of 45°C to 47°C do not account for tropical climates. This study seeks to develop an adjusted NOCT mathematical model and determine revised NOCT values suited for tropical conditions. The new proposed NOCT model follows the international standard IEC61215 but incorporates updated tropical Standard Reference Environment (SRE) parameters: solar irradiance (SI) of 800 W/m², ambient temperature (AT) of 31°C, and wind speed (WS) of 1 m/s. This modified NOCT model demonstrates improved accuracy over the existing model, with an average reduction of 2% in percentage error, root mean square error, and mean average percentage error. Outdoor NOCT testing conducted in Shah Alam, Malaysia, uncovered much higher NOCT values for various PV modules technology: 55°C for monocrystalline, 57°C for polycrystalline, and 59°C for thin film. These results emphasize the inadequacy of current NOCT values in commercial PV module data sheets, which do not accurately reflect conditions in tropical climates. The revised NOCT values from this study offer crucial thermal reference data for PV system designers, integrators, and researchers working in tropical regions, particularly Malaysia.

Thermal Evaluation of Solar Dryer’s Curve-Front utilized Heat Transfer Analysis

Sriwichai Susuk — 2024-11-04

The sun is most sustainable renewable energy, environmentally friendly and utilized for preservation of food and agricultural crops. The main objective of this experiment research work has focused on using renewable energy for evaporated moisture of foods fruit vegetables and herbs by drying system. The heat transfer equation are analyzed to effectively harness the temperature from the sun. Experimental data obtained were used to evaluate the properties of dry air on boundary region condition. Initial, testing was carried out under without load condition, and the result shows that the ambient and dryer’s internal temperature range between 29.3-40.2˚C and 37.4-60.3 ˚C, respectively, in Thailand a latitude of 14°0'48.46" North and longitude of 100°31'49.76" East (recorded average solar radiations and temperature on January 2023 - June 2024), average solar radiations range between 312 W/m² and 513 W/m². The indirect natural convection was design and calculated energy base on average temperature not higher than 55˚C, utilized sun daylight at 08:00 a.m. to 04:00 p.m. local time and clear sky or partially cloudy. Second, determination of design parameters; heat energy equation and steam table analysis. Final, utilization of the design under local time, solar radiation and the climatic local conditions and test with ginger slices (represent product in order to examine weight loss). The solar dryer’s curve front shape conduced on without load showed the heat transfer coefficient natural convections range between 3.7 and 4.5 W/m² ˚C, the energy of dry air analysis range between 54.7 and 155.2 J/s and performance of drying rate range between 0.06 and 0.82 g/s, under increasing and decreasing trends of solar radiations from the time, date and climatic local region condition.

The Potential of Biogas Production from Wastewater of Shredded Pork Processing with Cow Manure

Puwadon Chumpoochai — 2024-12-03

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) play a crucial role in driving the economy, especially in developing countries. Since they are essential employment resources and support local development, in SMEs relate to processed meat production, large amounts of wastewater containing blood, fat, and protein require high-efficiency treatment methods to prevent environmental pollution. If the wastewater is not treated appropriately, the impact will cause environmental pollution. Therefore, this research aims to study the potential of biogas production from wastewater of shredded pork processing (WSPP) to find the optimal substrate-to-inoculum ratio and evaluate its industrial application potential. The research also experimented following the biochemical methane potential method, where the total volume was 1000 mL, and the working volume was 400 mL. The experiment used the substrate-to-inoculum ratio (SIR) ratios, which were 1:2, 1:1, and 2:1 VS-based. The operating temperatures were 35 ± 2 °C in the mesophilic period. The study results showed that the most appropriate ratio for biogas production was 2:1 VS-based. During the 33 days of the experiment, it was found that the potential of the highest cumulative biogas and methane yield was 1640.19 ± 97.46 and 650.59 ± 48.04 N mL/g VS added, respectively, which contained a maximum methane content of 68.60%. Moreover, COD, TS, and VS removal efficiency were 57.57 ± 2.28, 57.30 ± 2.19, and 1.49 ± 0.16, respectively. The research results demonstrated that the wastewater from the WSPP was a high-potential substrate for biogas production and would continuously be developed at the industrial level.

Quantifying and Mitigating Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Egg-Laying Hen Farming: A Path Towards Carbon Neutrality

Putthadee Ubolsook — 2024-12-03

This study presents a comprehensive framework for assessing and mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in commercial egg-laying hen farming in Uttaradit Province, with the aim of achieving carbon neutrality within the poultry sector. Employing a detailed life cycle assessment (LCA) over a 450-day production period, this research identifies key sources of emissions, with feed consumption identified as the largest contributor, followed by water use and energy demands. To address these emissions, the study explores several innovative strategies: transitioning to solar photovoltaic systems for lighting and water pumping, shifting from diesel to biodiesel for fuel, and optimizing feed compositions. Additionally, advanced manure management practices are proposed to reduce methane and nitrous oxide emissions. Collectively, these interventions could significantly diminish the emissions associated with hen farming operations, thereby advancing environmental sustainability. This work not only provides actionable insights for poultry farms seeking to lower their emissions but also offers a scalable and adaptable model with broader implications for sustainable practices across the agricultural sector. The findings underscore the importance of renewable energy integration, feed optimization, and efficient waste management in mitigating the environmental impact of agriculture, thereby informing both policy and practice in the pursuit of carbon-neutral food production.

Development of a Long-Range IoT Air Quality Monitoring System Using LoRa Mesh Repeaters for Real-Time Pollution Tracking

Jarun Khonrang — 2024-12-04

Numerous researchers are currently presenting innovative methods to measure air quality in a cost-effective and real-time manner. The primary significance of the air quality monitoring system lies in its ability to facilitate communication via the Internet. This capability enables monitoring stations to measure air quality over extensive regions, spanning several kilometers. Presently, existing technology has constraints on transmitting data beyond distances of a few kilometers. This study introduces an air quality monitoring station capable of measuring NO2, SO2, CO2, CO, PM2.5, and PM10. To extend the transmission range, a LoRa mesh repeater was designed, utilizing point-to-point LoRa technology for extended data transmission. The signal strength between the air quality monitoring station and the repeater varies from -84 dBm to -92 dBm. The observed RSSI signal between the LoRa repeater and the LoRa gateway in the experimental results varies from -69 dBm to -112 dBm. The practical, effective operating distance is 1.7 km, making it suitable for potential utilization in long-distance IoT applications.