Afroza Nahar

Bio: Afroza Nahar is an academic researcher from American International University-Bangladesh. The author has contributed to research in topics: Photovoltaic system & Heat transfer. The author has an hindex of 7, co-authored 12 publications receiving 596 citations. Previous affiliations of Afroza Nahar include University of Malaya.

Global Prospects, Progress, Policies and Environmental Impact of Solar Photovoltaic Power Generation

Abstract: Global energy demand and environmental concerns are the driving force for use of alternative, sustainable, and clean energy sources. Solar energy is the inexhaustible and CO2-emission-free energy source worldwide. The Sun provides 1.4 � 10 5 TW power as received on the surface of the Earth and about 3.6 � 10 4 TW of this power is usable. In 2012, world power consumption was 17 TW, which is less than 3.6 � 10 4 TW. Photovoltaic (PV) cells are the basic element for converting solar energy into electricity. PV cell technologies, energy conversion efficiency, economic analysis, energy policies, environmental impact, various applications, prospects, and progress have been comprehensively reviewed and presented in this paper. This work compiles the latest literature (i.e. journal articles, conference proceedings, and reports, among others) on PV power generation, economic analysis, environmental impact, and policies to increase public awareness. From the review, it was found that PV is an easy way to capture solar energy where PV based power generation has also rapidly increased.

Global Renewable Energy-Based Electricity Generation and Smart Grid System for Energy Security

Abstract: Energy is an indispensable factor for the economic growth and development of a country. Energy consumption is rapidly increasing worldwide. To fulfill this energy demand, alternative energy sources and efficient utilization are being explored. Various sources of renewable energy and their efficient utilization are comprehensively reviewed and presented in this paper. Also the trend in research and development for the technological advancement of energy utilization and smart grid system for future energy security is presented. Results show that renewable energy resources are becoming more prevalent as more electricity generation becomes necessary and could provide half of the total energy demands by 2050. To satisfy the future energy demand, the smart grid system can be used as an efficient system for energy security. The smart grid also delivers significant environmental benefits by conservation and renewable generation integration.

World energy outlook

Abstract: This chapter discusses leading problems linked to energy that the world is now confronting and to propose some ideas concerning possible solutions. Oil deserves special attention among all energy sources. Since the beginning of 1981, it has merely been continuing and enhancing the downward movement in consumption and prices caused by excessive rises, especially for light crudes such as those from Africa, and the slowing down of worldwide economic growth. Densely-populated oil-producing countries need to produce to live, to pay for their food and their equipment. If the economic growth of the industrialized countries were to be 4%, even if investment in the rational use of energy were pushed to the limit and the development of nonpetroleum energy sources were also pursued actively, it would be extremely difficult to prevent a sharp rise in prices. It is evident that it is absolutely necessary to pursue actively the development of coal, natural gas, and nuclear power if a physical shortage of energy is not to block economic growth.

Active Materials for Aqueous Zinc Ion Batteries: Synthesis, Crystal Structure, Morphology, and Electrochemistry

Abstract: Aqueous zinc ion batteries (ZIBs) are truly promising contenders for the future large-scale electrical energy storage applications due to their cost-effectiveness, environmental friendliness, intri...

Progress in solar PV technology: Research and achievement

Abstract: The development in solar PV technology is growing very fast in recent years due to technological improvement, cost reductions in materials and government support for renewable energy based electricity production. Photovoltaic is playing an important role to utilize solar energy for electricity production worldwide. At present, the PV market is growing rapidly with worldwide around 23.5 GW in 2010 and also growing at an annual rate of 35–40%, which makes photovoltaic as one of the fastest growing industries. The efficiency of solar cell is one of the important parameter in order to establish this technology in the market. Presently, extensive research work is going for efficiency improvement of solar cells for commercial use. The efficiency of monocrystalline silicon solar cell has showed very good improvement year by year. It starts with only 15% in 1950s and then increase to 17% in 1970s and continuously increase up to 28% nowadays. The growth in solar photovoltaic technologies including worldwide status, materials for solar cells, efficiency, factor affecting the performance of PV module, overview on cost analysis of PV and its environmental impact are reviewed in this paper.

Photovoltaic solar energy: Conceptual framework

Abstract: The purpose of this article is to understand the state of art of photovoltaic solar energy through a systematic literature research, in which the following themes are approached: ways of obtaining the energy, its advantages and disadvantages, applications, current market, costs and technologies according to what has been approached in the scientific researches published until 2016. For this research, we performed a qualitative and quantitative approach with a non-probabilistic sample size, obtaining 142 articles published since 1996–2016 with a slitting cut. The analysis result of this research shows that studies about photovoltaic energy are rising and may perform an important role in reaching a high-energy demand around the world. To increase the participation of photovoltaic energy in the renewable energy market requires, first, to raise awareness regarding its benefits; to increase the research and development of new technologies; to implement public policies a programs that will encourage photovoltaic energy generation. Although crystal silicon solar cells were predominant, other types of cells have been developed, which can compete, both in terms of cost reduction of production, or in terms of greater efficiency. The main applications are dominated by telecommunications, water pumping, public lighting, BIPV, agriculture, water heating, grain drying, water desalination, space vehicles and satellites. The studies found on photovoltaic solar energy are all technical, thus creating the need for future research related to the economic viability, chain supply coordination, analysis of barriers and incentives to photovoltaic solar energy and deeper studies about the factors that influence the position of such technologies in the market.

Potential of solar energy in developing countries for reducing energy-related emissions

Abstract: The growing global demand for energy from fossil fuels plays a key role in the upward trend in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and air pollutants. Rapid population growth and increasing energy demand in the developing countries have brought many concerns such as poverty, pollution, health and environmental problems. While for these countries, particularly the poorest ones, modern energy is necessary to stimulate production, income generation and social development plus reduce the serious health issues that are caused by the use of fuelwood, charcoal, animal dung and agricultural waste. Solar energy is the best answer to energy poverty and it can provide excellent opportunities for reduction of GHG emissions and indoor air pollution through substituting kerosene for lighting and firewood for cooking. Solar photovoltaic (PV) can be an appropriate technology for a source of renewable electricity in developing nations especially in remote rural areas where grid extensions are financially or technically not viable. PV can also be used to reduce demand for fossil fuels and associated emissions, including carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur dioxide (SO2). The use of PV systems can reduce 69–100 million tons of CO2, 126,000–184,000 t of SO2 and 68,000–99,000 t of NOx by 2030. In case countries use concentrating solar power (CSP) systems, each square meter of concentrator surface is enough to save about 200–300 kg (kg) of CO2 emissions annually. Although there are excellent renewable opportunities in many developing countries, several key barriers have prevented large-scale deployment of solar energy technologies in these countries. This study reviews the sources of energy-related emissions, risks of climate change, global solar energy potential, sustainability indicators of renewable energies, environmental impacts of fossil fuels and renewable energies, benefits of solar energy utilization. It also discusses barriers to widespread use of solar energy.