Dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are widely studied for the safe and reliable energy supply. Due to its low fabrication cost, eco-friendly production and competitive efficiency, this is the promising technology. The components of DSSC which combine to form a photo conversion device are the conducting substrate, dye, photoanode, catalyst and electrolyte. Each component has its own importance but among them photoanode is probability the main component which determines the energy conversion efficiency. Various photoanode materials have been trialled to date. Among them Zn and TiO2 are widely recognized, researched and investigated. In this review attempt will be made to examine the strategies to improve the efficiency of TiO2 photoanode. This review is dedicated to the TiO2 photoanode, its properties, issues related to TiO2 photoanode, various improvement approaches, fabrication methods successfully trialled so far followed by market potential of the DSSC technology, conclusion and recommendations.

Advancements in the development of TiO 2 photoanodes and its fabrication methods for dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) applications. A review

Traditional power grids are being transformed into smart grids (SGs) to address the issues in the existing power system due to uni-directional information flow, energy wastage, growing energy demand, reliability, and security. SGs offer bi-directional energy flow between service providers and consumers, involving power generation, transmission, distribution, and utilization systems. SGs employ various devices for the monitoring, analysis, and control of the grid, deployed at power plants, distribution centers, and in consumers' premises in a very large number. Hence, an SG requires connectivity, automation, and the tracking of such devices. This is achieved with the help of the Internet of Things (IoT). The IoT helps SG systems to support various network functions throughout the generation, transmission, distribution, and consumption of energy by incorporating the IoT devices (such as sensors, actuators, and smart meters), as well as by providing the connectivity, automation, and tracking for such devices. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive survey on the IoT-aided SG systems, which includes the existing architectures, applications, and prototypes of the IoT-aided SG systems. This survey also highlights the open issues, challenges, and future research directions for the IoT-aided SG systems.

/pdf/internet-of-things-aided-smart-grid-technologies-4yuknxwd67.pdf

Internet of Things-Aided Smart Grid: Technologies, Architectures, Applications, Prototypes, and Future Research Directions

Understanding and changing household energy consumption behavior are considered as effective ways to improve energy efficiency and promote energy conservation. With the increasing penetration of conventional and emerging information and communication technologies (ICTs) in energy sector, traditional energy systems are being digitized. The energy big data provides a new way to analyze and understand individuals׳ energy consumption behavior, and thus to improve energy efficiency and promote energy conservation. We first propose a framework of the interdisciplinary research of energy, social and information science, which includes energy social science, social informatics and energy informatics. Then, different dimensions and different research paradigms of household energy consumption behavior are presented. Household energy consumption behavior can be analyzed in time dimension, user dimension and spatial dimension. The economic paradigm (including demand response) and the behavior-oriented paradigm (including intervention strategies) are two major research streams of household energy consumption behavior. Finally, the “4V” characteristics (i.e., volume, velocity, variety and value) of energy big data are discussed.

Understanding household energy consumption behavior: The contribution of energy big data analytics

https://www.vs.inf.ethz.ch/publ/papers/beckel-2014-energy.pdf

Revealing Household Characteristics from Smart Meter Data

Which factors affect the willingness of consumers to adopt renewable energies

The significant increase in energy consumption and the rapid development of renewable energy, such as solar power and wind power, have brought huge challenges to energy security and the environment, which, in the meantime, stimulate the development of energy networks toward a more intelligent direction. Smart meters are the most fundamental components in the intelligent energy networks (IENs). In addition to measuring energy flows, smart energy meters can exchange the information on energy consumption and the status of energy networks between utility companies and consumers. Furthermore, smart energy meters can also be used to monitor and control home appliances and other devices according to the individual consumer’s instruction. This paper systematically reviews the development and deployment of smart energy meters, including smart electricity meters, smart heat meters, and smart gas meters. By examining various functions and applications of smart energy meters, as well as associated benefits and costs, this paper provides insights and guidelines regarding the future development of smart meters.

Javier Campillo

Papers

A Comprehensive Review of Smart Energy Meters in Intelligent Energy Networks

Adoption barriers for electric vehicles: Experiences from early adopters in Sweden

Review of Application of Energy Storage Devices in Railway Transportation

Energy consumption feedback devices’ impact evaluation on domestic energy use

Increasing energy efficiency in low-income households through targeting awareness and behavioral change