Environmentally Friendly Fuel Usage: Economic Margin of Feasibility

Abstract In the world there are two main problems concerning energy and ecology. Despite the crude oil price fluctuation, it has tended to increase. Moreover fossil fuel burning emits hazard compounds, including greenhouse gas. To solve them alternative fuels for vehicle have to be used. In due to properties, their usage impacts on the engine efficiency. The alternative fuel usage needs additional investment costs on the vehicle engines adaptation and fuel supply infrastructure. So, decisions must be based on mathematical apparatus. Three submodels were used in the suggested mathematical model: energy and economic indicator for fuels; energy and economic indicator for vehicles; criteria for…

Agricultural Residue Management for Sustainable Power Generation: The Poland Case Study

The European Union has set targets for renewable energy utilization. Poland is a member of the EU, and its authorities support an increase in renewable energy use. The background of this study is based on the role of renewable energy sources in improving energy security and mitigation of climate change. Agricultural waste is of a significant role in bioenergy. However, there is a lack of integrated methodology for the measurement of its potential. The possibility of developing an integrated evaluation methodology for renewable energy potential and its spatial distribution was assumed as the hypothesis. The novelty of this study is the integration of two renewable energy sources: crop residu…

Fossil Fuel and Biofuel Boilers in Ukraine: Trends of Changes in Levelized Cost of Heat

An increase in the share of renewables in heat supply systems is a promising direction to reach sustainable development goals and decarbonization. Decision makers should consider various factors, including energy market prices, the availability of biofuels, boiler and auxiliary equipment costs, logistic costs, and the taxation system. In the European Union, the energy crisis causes a rapid increase in fossil fuel prices. Moreover, the use of fossil fuels results in greenhouse gas emissions, which threatens the achievement of sustainable development goals. We studied the influence of the delivery cost and the value of environmental tax rates on the levelized cost of heat. Low-capacity boiler…

Sustainable Energy Supply Based on Sunflower Seed Husk for Oil mills

The use of biomass, including sunflower husk, for in-situ energy generation has undergone a development in Ukraine last decades. Within this work, four combined heat and power technologies based on oil utilization, husk combustion, gasification, and methanization have been investigated. Their electricity and heat potential has been determined. Criteria for techno-economical assessment of CHP technologies have been suggested. Husk biogas and gasification technologies are not mature. CHP plants based on husk combustion are competitive. Steam turbine generators with a nominal electric capacity higher 1.5 MW may be profitable too.

Ground-Mounted Photovoltaic and Crop Cultivation: A Comparative Analysis

Human civilization depends on energy sources, mainly fossil fuels. An increase in the prices of fossil fuels and their exhaustibility limit economic growth. Carbon dioxide emission causes global environmental problems. Global crises (including COVID-19) have sharpened food and energy supply problems. The decentralized energy supply systems as well as the expedition of the application of renewable energy may solve these challenges. The economic shift to renewable power generation intensifies the competition between food crop production and green energy for land. This paper applied an open-source spatial-based model to quantify the solar power generation (the ground-mounted photovoltaic panel…

Life Cycle Energy Consumption and Carbon Dioxide Emissions of Agricultural Residue Feedstock for Bioenergy

The depletion of fossil fuels and climate change concerns are drivers for the development and expansion of bioenergy. Promoting biomass is vital to move civilization toward a low-carbon economy. To meet European Union targets, it is required to increase the use of agricultural residues (including straw) for power generation. Using agricultural residues without accounting for their energy consumed and carbon dioxide emissions distorts the energy and environmental balance, and their analysis is the purpose of this study. In this paper, a life cycle analysis method is applied. The allocation of carbon dioxide emissions and energy inputs in the crop production by allocating between a product (g…

Sunflower Residues-Based Biorefinery: Circular Economy Indicators

Fossil fuel price increases, their uneven distribution, environmental issues from their incineration, and lack of guarantees of their energy security are the main drivers for the development of green energy. Agricultural waste is an abundant resource for energy bioprocessing, which improves the functioning of the circular economy. In this study, the following were used as the main indicators: the share of renewable energy and the benefit from it, the coefficient of cyclical use of biomass, and the reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. The ways in which sunflower waste is applied for energy purposes are emphasized. The highest comprehensive ecological and economic effects are shown to be ac…

Some Features of Modeling Ultrasound Propagation in Non-Destructive Control of Metal Structures Based on the Magnetostrictive Effect

A method and mathematical models of direct and inverse problems of ultrasonic testing and diagnostics of complex metal structures for defects were developed and tested. A prototype of a system for magnetostrictive control of elements of the objects under study was manufactured and experimentally tested. Mathematical simulation of ultrasonic testing processes using MATLAB and the COMSOL Multiphysics software environment was carried out. The adequacy of the mathematical models was verified by the results of their comparison with real physical experiments. Information support and a methodology that implements it was developed, which ensure the functioning of the control facilities for these ob…

Evaluation of Biogas Production and Usage Potential

Abstract The aim of the research is the development of theoretical and methodical bases for determining the feasibility of plant raw materials growing for its further bioconversion into energy resources and technological materials to maximize profit from business activities. Monograph, statistics, modelling and abstract logical methods have been used during the research. Directions of biogas usage have been examined. Biogas yields from different crops have been analyzed. It has been determined that high methane yields can be provided from root crops, grain crops, and several green forage plants. So, forage beet and maize can provide more than 5,500 m3 of biogas per hectare. Attention is pai…

The Acceptable Alternative Vehicle Fuel Price

Historically, petroleum fuels have been the dominant fuel used for land transport. However, the growing need for sustainable national economics has urged us to incorporate more economical and ecological alternative vehicle fuels. The advantages and disadvantages of them complicate the decision-making process and compel us to develop adequate mathematical methods. Alternative fuel (compressed natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, and ethanol fuel mixtures), the standard prices and their ratios were investigated. A mathematical model to determine a critical ratio between alternative and conventional fuel prices had already been developed. The results of this were investigated. The results sho…

Alternative Vehicle Fuel Management: Impact on Energy Security Indicators

Land transport consumes primarily oil products. Their use effects on climate change. A tendency of crude oil price increasing, uneven allocation, and exhaustibility forces to look for alternatives. Alternative vehicle fuel can to reduce energy dependence and meet ecological requirement. The aim of the study was to reveal the basic principles of the alternative vehicle fuel management and its influence on energy security indicators. The fundamental objectives and principles of alternative fuel management were reviewed. The energy security indicators which are affected by the use of alternative fuels were considered. The primary goal of the alternative vehicle fuel management is profit optimi…

Local Green Power Supply Plants Based on Alcohol Regenerative Gas Turbines: Economic and Environmental Aspects

Growing economies need green and renewable energy. Their financial development can reduce energy consumption (through energy-efficient technologies) and replace fossil fuels with renewable ones. Gas turbine engines are widely used in transport and industry. To improve their economic attractiveness and to reduce harmful emissions, including greenhouse gases, alternative fuels and waste heat recovery technologies can be used. A promising direction is the use of alcohol and thermo-chemical recuperation. The purpose of this study is to estimate the economic efficiency and carbon dioxide emissions of an alcohol-fueled regenerative gas turbine engine with thermo-chemical recuperation. The carbon …

THE IMPLEMENTATION OF MASSIVE OPEN ONLINE COURSES FOR TRAINING FUTURE ENGINEERS IN HIGHER EDUCATION

This paper investigates the features of the implementation, conduct, analysis and prospects for the use of massive, open online courses. The article deals with the main advantages and disadvantages of massive open online courses, presents a comparative analysis of research into implementation of massive, open online courses. The article outlines the basic course requirements. It contains an analysis of the current state of such courses in higher educational institutions. The article presents a number of recommendations for the development of the education system towards democratization of higher education

Husk Energy Supply Systems for Sunflower Oil Mills

Together with solar, wind, and hydro renewable energy sources (RES), biomass constitutes an integral part of the high-renewables electricity systems. Considerable feedstocks for electricity generation are process-based residues. Ukraine is the world leader in sunflower seed production, therefore, husk (a by-product of oil production) is a promising biofuel for combustion- based power plants. The plants consume primarily electricity and fossil fuels (natural gas or fuel oil) for steam production. Their usage affects the edible oil production cost and impacts on climate change. The above facts force us to look for alternatives. By-product (husk) utilization can reduce exhaustible energy consu…

Heat Recovery Systems for Agricultural Vehicles: Utilization Ways and Their Efficiency

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A Hybrid Power Supply with Variable Speed Drive for Automatically Move Irrigation Equipment: Margin of Feasibility

Center pivot irrigation systems are widely used in agriculture. Their water pumping systems are primary energy consumers. The use of photovoltaic power plants and variable speed drives of electric motors can reduce energy costs. The purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility of integrating variable speed drives and photovoltaic modules into water pumping systems. A novel architecture of a pumping system was suggested. Its features are no battery backup and the sale of electricity into the grid.

Development of students' language competencies in the modern competitive environment

The article highlights practical approaches to improving the language compe-tence of students in a changing socio-cultural and business environment. The article anal-yses the compulsory and optional components of the educational program on the example of Mykolayiv NationalAgrarian University in Ukraine. The authors describe the im-portance of the effective preparation of educational programs for the development of stu-dents’ professional linguistic competencies. Mykolayiv National Agrarian University in Ukraine is a great example of a combination of compulsory and optional components of educational programs. Students have the opportunity to improve their language competence in a professiona…

Commercial Biogas Plants: Lessons for Ukraine

Ukraine has enough biomass resources for biogas production. However, this energy potential is not used sufficiently. This research is aimed at examining the current experience of commercial biogas systems in the Europe Union and its adaptation for Ukraine. Special attention was paid to economic indicators, such as specific investment costs, production costs (biogas, biomethane, and electricity), and incentives. Using statistical data for the European Union and Ukraine, the biogas potential for Ukraine (based on European experience) was determined. The economic competitiveness of biogas production was evaluated compared to alternatives, such as photovoltaic, wind power, biomass, conventional…

Feasibility study of biogas project development: technology maturity, feedstock, and utilization pathway