International Scientific Journals
of Scientific Technical Union of Mechanical Engineering "Industry 4.0"

Nowadays, the decrease of CO2 concentration in the atmosphere and/or its utilization need urgent resolution. At the same time, preparation of advanced graphene-based composites through effective environmentally benign procedures remains in the focus of intensive research. In the present work, composites consisted of reduced graphene oxide and nanocarbons (rGO/nC) were prepared by simultaneous reduction reaction of solid graphite oxide and CO2 gas over alkaline earth reductant. The structure and the morphology of the prepared composite material were examined employing X-ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy. It was revealed that the characteristic narrow peak of the graphite oxide (GtO) at low 2θ (~11o) was not present in the pattern of the composite suggesting its successful reduction. Instead, a broad one positioned at 26o was recorded which was attributed to the formed nanocarbons. The observed accordion-like morphologies typical for reduced-graphene-oxide type of graphene evidenced the detachment of the graphene layers during the thermal treatment, while the formed nanocarbons were with irregular shape. The rGO/nC composite exhibited specific surface area (485 m2/g) higher than the pure nanocarbons (417 m2/g) obtained without addition of GtO. The outcome was attributed to the influence of the layered rGO which hinders the aggregation of the nanocarbons and facilitates their homogeneous distribution. The prepared composite can be considered as candidates for gas and energy storage applications, while the suggested environmentally benign preparation method can be scaled up to industrial extent due to simplicity.

A lot of techno-economic analyses have been conducted to seek the most cost-effective solution for irrigation purposes applied in the interval time of 25 years of project life. The possible benefits outlined by the PVWP system implementation have been identified, as well as the effects of the most sensitive parameters, such as installation price, incentives and other credit options such as carbon credit rate or feed in tariff. The output carried out from the simulation shows that PVWP system represents the best solution to provide free carbon and costless electricity to run the water pump for sprinkler irrigation in the agriculture sector in Albania. The environmental benefits have been also addressed, evaluating the CO2 emissions saving achievable from the PVWP system operation and some financial aspects such as simple payback period (SPP), NPV and the carbon footprint reduction per ha. As a conclusion replacement of diesel-powered water pumping used only for irrigation purposes results in an annual net reduction of CO2 emissions by 1.9416 ton per year which is equivalent to 861 litres of gasoline not burned. The net specific GHG reduction results 0.09708 kgCO2/m2, simple payback period results 5.7 year and Net Present Value (NPV) 4961.74€ and by applying a Feed-in tariff 0.0600 €/m³ then the water sale income results 19 817 € for the entire project life of 25 years starting from 2022.

Albania has a significant potential of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) and therefore represents a promising energy source for Albania. The use of PV for electricity generation supports the long-term objective of the country’s energy policies set out in the national energy strategy 2018-2030, including support for the development of economic sectors, increasing security of energy supply and environmental protection. The use of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) will help reduce dependence on energy imports and increase the security of energy supply, with quality and without interruption. The possible benefits generated by the PV system implementation for the selected region should be highlighted, as well as the effects of the most sensitive parameters. The solar potential in Tërbuf-Divjakë showed that PV can be the best solution to provide electricity installed on saline non-agricultural lands near the Adriatic coast.

A lot of techno-economic analyses have been conducted to seek the most cost-effective solution for electricity generation applied in the interval time of 25 years of project life. The actual benefits taken from small PV plants up to 2MW have been identified, as well as the effects of the most sensitive parameters, such as installation price, incentives and other credit options such as carbon credit rate or feed in tariff. The output carried out from the simulation performed in RETScreen Expert tool shows that PV system represents the best solution to provide free carbon and costless electricity to run the water pump for sprinkler irrigation in the agriculture sector in Albania. The environmental benefits have been also addressed, evaluating the CO2 emissions saving achievable from the PV system operation and some financial aspects such as simple payback period (SPP), NPV, IRR. The annual electricity production from PV plant located in the village of Tërbuf, Divjaka Municipality with an installed capacity of 2MW results 3319MWh and would avoid 3253 tCO2. The effects of ETS schemes on the LCOE from small PV plants are highlighted.

In locations where electricity is not available and distribution lines are far away from the connection point, than other means are necessary to provide water for different applications especially in agriculture sector. Using a diesel pump to deliver water account economic and environmental problems. Fuel prices affect the overall costs of diesel-powered water pumping system thereby reducing the incomes from the sale of vegetables or other planted crops. In addition, the use of a diesel-powered water pump system can lead to considerable amount of CO2 released to the surrounding which cause global warming. A possible solution to these problems is using renewable energy source like solar power, which is environmentally friendly and available for free. This paper focus on the identification of sector energy consumption and the possibility of application of PVWP system in the agriculture sector. Several economic analyses have been conducted to establish the best cost-effective solution for irrigation in agriculture sector. The possible benefits generated by the PVWP system implementation for the selected region should be highlighted, as well as the effects of the most sensitive parameters. The solar potential in the site showed that PVWP can be the best solution to provide water for irrigation compared to other traditional water pumping technologies and also can reduce the dependency from fossil fuel powered water pumps and can help the diversification of the agriculture sector especially.

In Albania, prior to the 1990’s, the industrial sector was the leading energy consumption sector but actually, the main cause of pollution especially in urban areas, carcinogenic, respiratory and heart diseases come from road transport sector. The environmental situation in Albania after 30 years has undergone major changes due to factors that directly or indirectly influence the degree of its pollution which still remain an unresolved issue. Tirana’s fleet vehicle shares around 35% of the total car fleet registered in Albania. DCI vehicles constitute approximately 71% and the rest petrol powered engine, while the number of EV and other friendly fuel sources is almost zero. The proposed work aims at developing different transport scenarios contributing to the mitigation of GHG in Albania. Using EnergyPLAN model, 3 different scenarios are proposed, considering both most prominent national documents firstly: “Albanian Energy Strategy 2018- 2030” which requires a reduction level of CO2 by 11.5% in 2030 referring to 2006 to attain a RES share of 42% to the TPES and secondly to create a sustainable transport sector as foreseen in “National Sector Strategy for Transport 2016-2020”. This modelling framework analyse the actual transport situation and can address some beneficial values and solution which can be used from policy makers in the country to better assess the potential for a sustainable, environmentally friendly and cost-effective transport sector based on RES.

Renewable energy sources (RES) will continue to play a key role in the process of deep decarbonisation of the energy sector especially in the power branch. Effects of environmental, economic, social, political and technical factors condition the rapid deployment of various sources of renewable energy-based power generation. In this case study the optional GHG reduction credit per equivalent tonne of CO2 (tCO2) used in conjunction with the net GHG reduction to calculate the annual GHG reduction revenue of a 27MW wind farm located in Qafë-Thanë, Pogradec-Albania is analysed. As the future availability of renewable energy resources is not affected by their use, wind power can address many questions related to sustainability and flexibility of the existing fuel powered technologies. Hence, cutting carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in Albania should be fully in line with the Paris Agreement including power sector especially. The proposed action aims at developing a high-level promotion and market penetration strategy for RES, contributing to the mitigation of GHG in EU as well as in the candidate countries including Albania. Furthermore, special support should be given to candidate countries in creating policies and programmes to facilitate and promote RES technologies.

This work is focused on CO2 credit rate impact application as one of the most feasible technology to make the wind turbines cost effective for power generation. Wind energy is clean, infinite and environment friendly source of energy. However, wind energy systems, alone or hybrid systems have a high potential to reduce CO2 emissions, fuel and total cost of the system compared to the other options applied historically in power sector. Such systems are foreseen to play a key role in a stable, costless and emission-less way especially in large scale applications. The performance, availability, costs and carbon intensity of wind power indicate that CO2 credit rate can make a very substantial contribution to reduce carbon emissions and gain the security of investment of RES technologies. The other options applied would deliver only partial emission reductions, therefore, are not sufficient to attain the 2030 national energy goals so they have to rely on renewable energy technologies. Policy makers and interest parties/investors need to focus unerringly on scaling up the actual developed few options consistent with reaching the zero-emission goal.

In Poland, in 2018 there were 22044 fires of landfill and waste storage yards. Out of these, 79 covered area bigger than 300 m2. For comparison in the years 2010-2017 the number of such fires was not exciding 36 (only in 2015 this number was 47). During these fires, many pollutants are emitted into the atmospheric air. These pollutants are subject to meteorological conditions, especially to dispersion. There are few models which can be used for the calculation of dispersion of these substances in the atmosphere. Depending on the location of the fire, its size and duration, burned material, the concentrations of the pollutants have different spatial distribution. In the case of particulate matter (PM), which has a negative health impact regardless of the concentration, identification of any additional concentration of PM in ambient air is important. In the work, the dispersion of green-house gases and the other selected air pollutants from two fires from 2018, which has the biggest impact on air quality in the international scale, is presented

This work is focused to an off-grid PV-Genset-battery application as one of the most feasible technology to power internet access points antennas enabling to reduce GHG-s. Solar energy is clean, infinite and environment friendly source of energy. Remote areas especially in northern part of Albania is facing difficulties to the connection to the national electricity grid. Primarily diesel generators (Genset) are used for electricity power supply leading to negative effects into the surrounding. However, hybrid energy systems, such as PVGenset-battery systems have a high potential to reduce CO2 emissions, fuel costs and total cost of the system compared to the other options applied historically in telecommunication sector in Albania. Such systems are foreseen to play a key role in a stable, costless and emissionless way especially in off-grid applications. The performance, availability, costs and carbon intensity of photovoltaic power all indicate that this technology can make a very substantial contribution to reduce carbon emissions and gain carbon credits.

This paper present energy and exergy evaluation of CO2 closed-cycle gas turbine process. The most important operating parameters of the whole observed cycle, as well as of each of its constituent components are presented and discussed. In the observed process, produced useful mechanical power for the power consumer drive is equal to 5189.78 kW, while the energy efficiency of the whole cycle is equal to 36.6%. Heat Regenerator is a crucial component of the observed process – without its operation energy efficiency of the whole cycle will be equal to only 16.91%. From the exergy aspect, Turbocompressor (TC) and Turbine (TU) shows good performances because its exergy efficiencies are higher than 90%. Regenerator exergy efficiency could be increased by lowering the temperature of the ambient in which analyzed CO2 closed-cycle gas turbine operates.

E-mobility is generally regarded as a zero emission. This sentence can only be true in a very small scope, as only in relation to selected parameters and in a very limited its dimension. An example of this is the measurement of CO2 emissions from BEV (battery electric vehicle), which is known to be zero. The situation can change radically if it will be take into account the emissions in the production of electricity that is necessary for the movement of this type of vehicles. This paper presents this problem, taking into account the energy mix in various countries of the European Union. Simulation studies show that there are already countries in the EU in which the operation of electric vehicles makes sense. Especially when it concerns CO2 emissions. Emissions below the standards for 2025 can be obtained there. Unfortunately, in most EU countries, the operation of BEV is associated with an increase (in relation to today) of CO2 emissions. Without the change of energy policy, and in particular the energy mix, the introduction of e-mobility is problematic.