Renewable Energy Integration
Integrating renewable energy into power systems is the cornerstone of global efforts to combat
climate change and ensure energy security. However, emerging economies face challenges,
including infrastructure deficits, intermittent energy supply, and policy discrepancies. Written
by Barrie et al. (2024), the paper provides insights into technological advances, case studies,
and policy frameworks, providing a comprehensive review of how machine learning (ML) can
address these challenges. This literature review synthesizes the main themes of the paper and
positions its contributions in the broader academic discourse on renewable energy and artificial
intelligence (AI).
This paper contributes significantly to the renewable energy discourse by synthesizing the
potential of machine learning (ML) to overcome systemic barriers in emerging economies, as
outlined in Barrie et al. (2024). The authors’ reviews effectively combine technical innovations
with socio-economic realities, providing actionable insights for policymakers and
technologists. Simultaneously, the paper underscores the unresolved challenges, such as data
accessibility and digital literacy, that necessitate further research. This study advances the
global agenda for sustainable energy transitions by advocating for inclusive and collaborative
strategies that ensure no community is marginalized by contextualizing ML within the unique
constraints of developing regions.
The integration of renewable energy into the traditional fossil fuel-dependent oil and gas sector
has emerged as a pivotal strategy for mitigating climate change, complying with regulatory
constraints, and fulfilling the energy transition objectives. Ekechukwu and Simpa’s (2024)
comprehensive article delve into the prevailing trends, advantages, challenges, and prospects
of renewable energy adoption within this sector. The present literature review contextualizes
the findings within the broader academic discourse on energy transition, institutional
sustainability, and technological innovation.
Ekechukwu and Simpa (2024) contextualize the integration of renewable energy within the
distinctive challenges and opportunities inherent in the oil and gas industry. Their analysis
underscores the potential for enhancing sustainability through technological advancements and
adherence to strategic policies. Addressing infrastructure deficiencies and regulatory
uncertainties remains paramount. By synthesizing case studies, identifying benefits, and
outlining future trends, the article presents a roadmap for oil and gas companies to navigate the
energy transition while preserving their competitiveness in a decarbonizing global environment.
The integration of renewable energy into water supply systems is increasingly recognized as a
crucial strategy to address global challenges such as climate change, energy scarcity, and water
security. Ani et al. (2024) present a comparative analysis of renewable energy initiatives in
African countries and the United States (US), highlighting technological, financial, policy, and
infrastructure dimensions. This literature review synthesizes the findings within the broader
academic discourse on sustainability, energy transitions, and water management.
Despite regional-specific challenges, Ani et al. (2024) emphasize the transformative potential
of renewable energy in water supply systems. Africa’s emphasis on decentralized solutions and
international assistance contrasts with the United States’ emphasis on technological innovation
and market mechanisms. Both regions share common sustainability and resilience objectives
that can be achieved through collaborative policy frameworks, technological advancements,
and equitable financing. Future success hinges on addressing scalability constraints, enhancing
stakeholder engagement, and prioritizing investments that align with Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs).
Under the Paris Agreement, he directed research to integrate renewable energy (RE) with
traditional energy production to balance decarbonization objectives with grid reliability. Coal-
fired power plants (CFPPs) remain critical in many regions due to their load tracking
capabilities, which assist in reducing the interval of RE sources such as solar and wind, despite
load carbon emissions. Recent studies have explored hybrid systems that combine CFPPs with
renewable energy sources and energy storage to enhance efficiency and reduce emissions.
Initial research focused on integrating concentrated solar energy (CSP) with CFPPs to preheat
feed water or produce steam, thereby reducing coal consumption (Han et al., 2015; Liu et al.,
2022). Others evaluated hybrid wind-thermal systems by demonstrating that thermal power
plants with deep shave capabilities enhance wind energy utilization (Liu et al., 2023). Tools
such as Energy PLAN have been utilized to model national-scale hybrid systems, uncovering
cost and emission reductions through heat pumps and thermal storage (Tahir et al., 2019). Non-
genetic sorting methods, such as genetic algorithms (NSGA-II), have optimized the
configurations of photovoltaic (PV), concentrated solar energy (CSP), and storage systems.
These methods are employed to minimize the cost of levelled electricity (LCOE) and power
supply probability loss (Liu et al., 2022; Yang et al., 2021).
Energy storage systems (ESS) are crucial in addressing the variability of RE. Battery storage
(BESS) and thermal storage (TESS) have been demonstrated to enhance reliability and reduce
constraints, particularly when paired with flexible traditional facilities (Li et al., 2020; Ding et
al., 2019). Yang et al. (2021) emphasized the role of BESS in lowering the LCOE and
improving grid stability. However, Li et al. (2020) proposed stochastic optimization for sizing
hybrid RE-storage systems. Current studies frequently lack comprehensive evaluations and
narrowly focus on metrics such as LCOE without analyzing temporal operational patterns or
subsystem synergies. Seasonal fluctuations in real-world systems, particularly in renewable
energy (RE) output and demand, are often overlooked in their critical role in system
management.
Furthermore, the comparative analysis of hybrid systems against cleaner fossil alternatives,
such as natural gas combined cycle (NGCC) plants, has not received sufficient research
attention. NGCC facilities, which exhibit 46% lower CO emissions and superior flexibility
compared to conventional combined cycle power plants (CFPPs), are frequently treated as
isolated entities rather than comparative criteria (Shao et al., 2024; Adams & Mac Dowell,
2016). Previous studies have also limited the operational health of storage systems or the
practical feasibility of refurbished CFPPs by neglecting dynamic load-tracking strategies.
This study addresses these gaps by proposing an integrated CFPP-PV-WT-ESS system that
compares emissions with NGCC while optimizing costs. It provides a time analysis framework
to unveil seasonal and daily operational characteristics, such as CO emission variability and
storage charge state dynamics. By employing mixed integer linear programming (MILP)
combined with genetic algorithms, the study advances both technical and economic
assessments, offering actionable insights to migrate traditional fleets to low-carbon hybrid
systems.
The integration of renewable energy into the construction sector has emerged as a critical
strategy to address the challenges of climate change, energy security, and urbanization. Chen
et al. (2024) provide a comprehensive review in the Environmental Chemistry Letters,
analyzing renewable energy technologies, policy frameworks, and case studies for the
construction industry.
This review advocates for global advancements in solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass energy
applications. It emphasizes its role in reducing carbon emissions in buildings and improving
energy efficiency, decentralizing energy production and energy self-sufficiency through
microgrids and smart building technologies, leveraging real-time demand management, and
requiring cyclical economic principles such as carbon-neutral targets, biomass waste reuse, and
geothermal system retrofits. However, high pre-costs, technological gaps in energy storage, and
fragmented policy frameworks hinder progress. Chen et al. call for interdisciplinary
collaboration to harmonize architectural design, energy systems, and policy, providing scalable
and flexible solutions.
Chen et al. provide a holistic analysis of renewable energy, intersecting technical, economic,
and policy dimensions. This analysis makes a remarkable contribution compared to narrowly
focused studies. However, the study underrepresents socio-cultural barriers such as public
acceptance and the aesthetics of urban wind turbines. Additionally, while emphasizing
developed economies, insights into the challenges of low-income regions (e.g., financing and
infrastructure) are limited. Future research should explore demand-side management and
community engagement strategies to complement technological and policy advancements.
This review underscores the transformative potential of renewable energy in the construction
sector driven by innovation, policy synergy, and cross-sector collaboration. By addressing cost,
technical, and regulatory barriers, the vision of carbon-neutral, energy-sufficient buildings
becomes achievable in line with global sustainability goals.
References
Barrie Ibrahim, Agupugo Chijioke Paul, Iguare Happy Omoze, Folarin Abisade, Leveraging
machine learning to optimize renewable energy integration in developing economies, Global
Journal of Engineering and Technology Advances, 2024, 20(03), 080–093
Ekechukwu Darlington Eze, Simpa Peter, Trends, insights, and future prospects of renewable
energy integration within the oil and gas sector operations, World Journal of Advanced
Engineering Technology and Sciences, 2024, 12(01), 152–167
Ani Emmanuel Chigozie, Olajiga Oladiran Kayoade, Sikhakane Zamathula Queen, Olatunde
Tosin Michael, Renewable Energy Integration For Water Supply: A Comparative Review Of
African And U.S. Initiatives, Engineering Science & Technology Journal P-ISSN: 2708-8944,
E-ISSN: 2708-8952 Volume 5, Issue 3, P.No. 1086-1096, March 2024
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