Aili Amupolo, Sofia Nambundunga, Daniel S. P. Chowdhury et al.

Energies • 2022

This paper examines different off-grid renewable energy-based electrification schemes for an informal settlement in Windhoek, Namibia. It presents a techno-economic comparison between the deployment of solar home systems to each residence and the supplying power from either a centralized roof-mounted or ground-mounted hybrid microgrid. The objective is to find a feasible energy system that satisfies technical and user constraints at a minimum levelized cost of energy (LCOE) and net present cost (NPC). Sensitivity analyses are performed on the ground-mounted microgrid to evaluate the impact of varying diesel fuel price, load demand, and solar photovoltaic module cost on system costs. HOMER Pro software is used for system sizing and optimization. The results show that a hybrid system comprising a solar photovoltaic, a diesel generator, and batteries offers the lowest NPC and LCOE for both electrification schemes. The LCOE for the smallest residential load of 1.7 kWh/day and the largest microgrid load of 5.5 MWh/day is USD 0.443/kWh and USD 0.380/kWh, respectively. Respective NPCs are USD 4738 and USD 90.8 million. A sensitivity analysis reveals that variation in the fuel price and load demand changes linearly with system costs and capacities. However, reducing the PV module price in an energy system that includes wind and diesel power sources does not offer significant benefits. Furthermore, deploying an energy system that relies on fossil fuels to each residence in an informal settlement is not environmentally responsible. Unintended negative environmental impacts may result from the mass and simultaneous use of diesel generators. Therefore, a microgrid is recommended for its ability to control the dispatch of diesel generation, and its scalability, reliability of supply, and property security. A roof-mounted microgrid can be considered for piloting due to its lower initial investment. The electricity tariff also needs to be subsidized to make it affordable to end-users. Equally, government and community involvement should be prioritized to achieve long-term economic sustainability of the microgrid.

Hassan M. H. Farh, A. A. Al‐Shamma'a, A. Al-Shaalan et al.

Sustainability • 2022

In this study, a novel bonobo optimizer (BO) technique is applied to find the optimal design for an off-grid hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) that contains a diesel generator, photovoltaics (PV), a wind turbine (WT), and batteries as a storage system. The proposed HRES aims to electrify a remote region in northern Saudi Arabia based on annualized system cost (ASC) minimization and power system reliability enhancement. To differentiate and evaluate the performance, the BO was compared to four recent metaheuristic algorithms, called big-bang–big-crunch (BBBC), crow search (CS), the genetic algorithm (GA), and the butterfly optimization algorithm (BOA), to find the optimal design for the proposed off-grid HRES in terms of optimal and worst solutions captured, mean, convergence rate, and standard deviation. The obtained results reveal the efficacy of BO compared to the other four metaheuristic algorithms where it achieved the optimal solution of the proposed off-grid HRES with the lowest ASC (USD 149,977.2), quick convergence time, and fewer oscillations, followed by BOA (USD 150,236.4). Both the BBBC and GA algorithms failed to capture the global solution and had high convergence time. In addition, they had high standard deviation, which revealed that their solutions were more dispersed with obvious oscillations. These simulation results proved the supremacy of BO in comparison to the other four metaheuristic algorithms.

Chinna Alluraiah Nallolla, Vijayapriya P

Sustainability • 2022

Due to the lack of grid power availability in rural areas, hybrid renewable energy sources are integrated with microgrids to distribute reliable power to remote locations. This optimal hybrid system is created using a solar photovoltaic system, wind turbine, diesel generator, battery storage system, converter, electrolyzer and hydrogen tank to provide uninterrupted power and meet different load demands of different communities in Doddipalli village, Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh, India. Optimization and techno-economic analysis are performed to design the proposed system using HOMER Software. Various configurations are obtained from the software among which the best four combinations are considered for case studies. This research article aims to design the optimal hybrid renewable energy system, wherein the design consists of PV/BS (1476 kW-solar PV, 417 batteries, electrolyser-200 kW, hydrogen tank-20 kg and 59.6 kW-converter) by comparing the minimum net present cost (NPC: $7.01 M), levelized cost of energy (LCOE: 0.244 $/kWh), and the high renewable fraction (RF: 84.1%). In this research, the proposed system would be more economical when solar energy becomes the primary source and is integrated with the battery. This research also presents a sensitivity analysis of the off-grid HRES system with various electrical load demands, project lifetime, and derating factors.

Gautam Rituraj, G. C. Mouli, P. Bauer

IEEE Open Journal of the Industrial Electronics Society • 2022

In recent years, the research interest in off-grid (standalone mode) and hybrid (capable of both standalone and grid-connected modes) charging systems for electric vehicles (EVs) has increased. The main reason is to provide a seamless charging infrastructure in urban and rural areas where the electrical grid is unreliable or unavailable so that EV adoption can be increased worldwide. In this regard, this article reviews the state-of-the-art architectures of the off-grid and hybrid charging systems and investigates their various subsystems, such as single or multiple energy sources, power electronics converters, energy storage systems, and energy management strategies. These subsystems should be optimally integrated and operated to achieve low-cost and efficient EV charging. Moreover, each subsystem is explored in detail to find the current status and technology trends. Furthermore, EV charging connectors, their power level, and standards for all kinds of EVs (ranging from one-wheeler to four-wheelers) are reviewed, and suggestions are discussed related to the non-standardization of charging plugs. Finally, conclusions show the continuous efforts of the researchers in improving the systems in various aspects, such as cost reduction, performance improvement, longevity, negative environmental effect, system size minimization, and efficient operation, and highlight challenges for both charging systems.

S. K. Prince, Shaik Affijulla, G. Panda

IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications • 2023

The DC microgrid is an effective platform for integration of renewable energy sources, energy storage systems, and smart electronic loads. However, the integration of distributed generators can result weak fault currents with change in its direction during fault conditions, which lead to failure of conventional over-current relays with poor coordination. The above scenario may exhibits relay mal-operation and force the DC microgrid into blackout mode which is extremely undesirable. Thus, this paper proposes an complex power concept (real and imaginary), which can be extracted using Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) to construct the effective protection schemes for rapid short-circuit fault detection and fault isolation in a DC microgrid. To achieve fault isolation, solid-state DC circuit breakers are used in conjunction with proposed real and imaginary power, which is extracted from the total FFT power signal (i.e. by using bus voltage and line current). Further, the relay trip threshold value for real and imaginary power is also determined under various pole-pole (P-P) and pole-ground (P-G) fault scenarios in the DC microgrid. The proposed protection scheme is validated on simple and modified IEEE 9-bus DC microgrids under various P-P and P-G fault scenarios during On/Off-Grid modes through MATLAB/Simulink software. The simulation results reveal that the proposed protection scheme based on real and imaginary power has accurately identified the fault in the simulated DC microgrids. Thus, the proposed complex power based fault identification approach can be quite effective for protection of DC microgrids during On/Off-Grid scenarios.

José Eduardo Tafula, Constantino Dário Justo, Pedro S. Moura et al.

Energies • 2023

Given the constraints associated with grid expansion costs, limited access to reliable electricity, and priorities in addressing the climate agenda and Sustainable Development Goals in low-income countries, microgrids and off-grid solar projects represent a viable solution for rural electrification. This type of solution has the advantage of being less expensive than conventional technologies, is rapidly scalable, affordable, environmentally sustainable, and can play a critical role in empowering rural communities. In this context, this study proposed a spatial framework for off-grid solar energy planning based on a Geographical Information System and Boolean logic, Fuzzy logic, and Analytic Hierarchy Process Multicriteria Decision-Making methods. The results of the applied methodology show that the selection of optimal locations for off-grid solar photovoltaic microgrid projects in Mozambique is significantly influenced by the following order of criteria: climatology, orography, technical and location, social, and institutional criteria. Geographically, about 49% or 344,664.36 km2 of the total study area is initially suitable for an off-grid solar photovoltaic microgrid project; 4% is low suitable, 14% is moderately suitable, 18% is suitable, and 13% is highly suitable. However, 51% of the ranked areas fall into the not feasible and restricted areas, mainly in conservation areas, protected areas, and areas at high risk of flooding and cyclones, covering a total of 387,005.5 km2 within the study area. In general, the approach helps to reduce uncertainty and increase flexibility to identify appropriate sites and strengthen indicators of sustainable development impacts of decentralized rural electrification.

Stoica Dorel, Mohammed Gmal Osman, Cristian-Valentin Strejoiu et al.

Batteries • 2023

This paper presents a comparative analysis of different battery charging strategies for off-grid solar PV systems. The strategies evaluated include constant voltage charging, constant current charging, PWM charging, and hybrid charging. The performance of each strategy is evaluated based on factors such as battery capacity, cycle life, DOD, and charging efficiency, as well as the impact of environmental conditions such as temperature and sunlight. The results show that each charging strategy has its advantages and limitations, and the optimal approach will depend on the specific requirements and limitations of the off-grid solar PV system. This study provides valuable insights into the performance and effectiveness of different battery charging strategies, which can be used to inform the design and operation of off-grid solar PV systems. This paper concludes that the choice of charging strategy depends on the specific requirements and limitations of the off-grid solar PV system and that a careful analysis of the factors that affect performance is necessary to identify the most appropriate approach. The main needs for off-grid solar photovoltaic systems include efficient energy storage, reliable battery charging strategies, environmental adaptability, cost-effectiveness, and user-friendly operation, while the primary limitations affecting these systems encompass intermittent energy supply, battery degradation, environmental variability, initial investment costs, fluctuations in energy demand, and maintenance challenges, emphasizing the importance of careful strategy selection and system design to address these factors. It also provides valuable insights for designing and optimizing off-grid solar PV systems, which can help to improve the efficiency, reliability, and cost-effectiveness of these systems.

Taofeek Afolabi, Hooman Farzaneh

Sustainability • 2023

This study focuses on a technical and economic analysis of designing and operating an off-grid hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) in a rural community called Olooji, situated in Ogun state, Nigeria, as a case study. First, a size optimization model is developed on the basis of the novel metaheuristic particle swarm optimization (PSO) technique to determine the optimal configuration of the proposed off-grid system on the basis of the minimization of the levelized cost of electricity, by factoring in the local meteorological and electricity load data and details on the technical specification of the main components of the HRES. Second, a fuzzy-logic-controlled energy management system (EMS) is developed for the dynamic power control and energy storage of the proposed HRES, ensuring the optimal energy balance between the different multiple energy sources and the load at each hour of operation. The result of the size optimization model showed that an LCOE for implementing an HRES in the community would be 0.48 USD/kWh in a full-battery-capacity scenario and 1.17 USD/kWh in a half-battery-capacity scenario. The result from this study is important for quick decision-making and effective feasibility studies on the optimal technoeconomic synopsis of implementing minigrids in rural communities.

Yufeng Xu, Qian Li, Wenhao Li et al.

2024 6th International Conference on Energy, Power and Grid (ICEPG) • 2024

Offshore oil and gas platforms produce a large amount of carbon dioxide, this paper introduces a carbon capture device combined with new energy output to reduce carbon dioxide and environmental pollution. The stability of power supply is especially important after the new energy is connected to the platform, so additional land energy terminals are installed to ensure the power supply, and energy storage devices and hydrogen fuel cells are used to smooth out the fluctuation of new energy output and reduce the abandonment of wind and photovoltaic. Then an off-grid microgrid integrated energy system model integrating offshore oil and gas platform group and land energy terminal is established, and the internal energy flow of the system is analyzed. Finally, a low-carbon optimization model for microgrids is developed, and the example shows that the proposed model reduces carbon emissions and improves economic efficiency at the same time.

Diogo Santos, PM Fonte, Rita Pereira et al.

2024 12th International Conference on Smart Grid (icSmartGrid) • 2024

The increase of electric vehicles creates several challenges to the electric grid, mainly in those with weak power or off-grid. DC microgrids are becoming more and more important in the context of renewable energy sources, where solar PV systems are dominant. In this paper is proposed the design of a DC system to charge electric vehicles using PV generation and a battery storage system. A single DC-DC converter is used to operate the solar PV array with maximum power point tracking method and controls power flow from PV to storage battery and to the EV, operating as DC EV charger. The operation under various loading conditions is discussed. The performance of the proposed solution was simulated using MATLAB/Simulink software.

Oluleke Babayomi, Babatunde Olubayo, I. Denwigwe et al.

Frontiers in Energy Research • 2023

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is home to 75% of the world’s unelectrified population, and approximately 500 million of these live in rural areas. Off-grid mini-grids are being deployed on a large scale to address the region’s electrification inequalities. This study aims to provide a comprehensive review of the research on the off-grid renewable mini-grids in SSA. The study covers the current status of the level of deployment of off-grid mini-grids. It also reviews multi-criteria decision-making models for optimizing engineering, economics, and management interests in mini-grid siting and design in SSA. The statuses of financing, policy, and tariffs for mini-grids in SSA are also studied. Finally, the current status of energy justice research in respect of mini-grids in SSA is reviewed. The study shows the important role of decentralized renewable technologies in the electrification of SSA’s rural population. Within a decade since 2010, the rural electrification rate of SSA has increased from 17% to 28%, and 11 million mini-grid connections are currently operational. Despite these gains, the literature points to several injustices related to the present model by which SSA’s renewable mini-grids are funded, deployed, and operated. Hence, several recommendations are provided for the effective application of the energy justice framework (EJF) for just and equitable mini-grids in SSA.

Arizeo C. Salac, Jairus Dameanne C. Somera, Michael T. Castro et al.

Smart Cities • 2024

Universal access to electricity is beneficial for the socio-economic development of a country and the development of smart communities. Unfortunately, the electrification of remote off-grid areas, especially in developing countries, is rather slow due to geographic and economic barriers. In the Philippines, specifically, many electrified off-grid areas are underserved, with access to electricity being limited to only a few hours a day. This is mainly due to the high dependence on diesel power plants (DPPs) for electrifying these areas. To address these problems, hybrid renewable energy systems (HRESs) have been considered good electrification alternatives and have been extensively studied for their techno-economic and financial feasibility for Philippine off-grid islands. In this work, articles published from 2012 to 2023 focusing on off-grid Philippine rural electrification were reviewed and classified based on their topic. The taxonomical analysis of collected studies shows that there is a saturation of works focusing on the technical and economic aspects of off-grid electrification. Meanwhile, studies focusing on environmental and socio-political factors affecting HRES off-grid electrification are lagging. A bibliographic analysis of the reviewed articles also showed that there is still a lack of a holistic approach in studying off-grid electrification in the Philippines. There are only a few works that extend beyond the typical techno-economic study. Research works focusing on environmental and socio-political factors are also mainly isolated and do not cross over with technical papers. The gap between topic clusters should be addressed in future works on off-grid electrification.

Xi Luo, Fang Zhang, Jia Liu et al.

Environmental Science & Technology • 2014

The utilization of bioelectrochemical systems for methane production has attracted increasing attention, but producing methane in these systems requires additional voltage to overcome large cathode overpotentials. To eliminate the need for electrical grid energy, we constructed a microbial reverse-electrodialysis methanogenesis cell (MRMC) by placing a reverse electrodialysis (RED) stack between an anode with exoelectrogenic microorganisms and a methanogenic biocathode. In the MRMC, renewable salinity gradient energy was converted to electrical energy, thus providing the added potential needed for methane evolution from the cathode. The feasibility of the MRMC was examined using three different cathode materials (stainless steel mesh coated with platinum, SS/Pt; carbon cloth coated with carbon black, CC/CB; or a plain graphite fiber brush, GFB) and a thermolytic solution (ammonium bicarbonate) in the RED stack. A maximum methane yield of 0.60 ± 0.01 mol-CH4/mol-acetate was obtained using the SS/Pt biocathode, with a Coulombic recovery of 75 ± 2% and energy efficiency of 7.0 ± 0.3%. The CC/CB biocathode MRMC had a lower methane yield of 0.55 ± 0.02 mol-CH4/mol-acetate, which was twice that of the GFB biocathode MRMC. COD removals (89-91%) and Coulombic efficiencies (74-81%) were similar for all cathode materials. Linear sweep voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy tests demonstrated that cathodic microorganisms enhanced electron transfer from the cathode compared to abiotic controls. These results show that the MRMC has significant potential for production of nearly pure methane using low-grade waste heat and a source of waste organic matter at the anode.

Pau Batlle-Vilanova, S. Puig, R. Gonzalez-Olmos et al.

RSC Advances • 2015

Biogas upgrading is an expanding field dealing with the increase in methane content of the biogas to produce biomethane. Biomethane has a high calorific content and can be used as a vehicle fuel or directly injected into the gas grid. Bioelectrochemical systems (BES) could become an alternative for biogas upgrading, by which the yield of the process in terms of carbon utilisation could be increased. The simulated effluent from a water scrubbing-like unit was used to feed a BES. The BES was operated with the biocathode poised at −800 mV vs. SHE to drive the reduction of the CO2 fraction of the biogas into methane. The BES was operated in batch mode to characterise methane production and under continuous flow to demonstrate its long-term viability. The maximum methane production rate obtained during batch tests was 5.12 ± 0.16 mmol m−2 per day with a coulombic efficiency (CE) of 75.3 ± 5.2%. The production rate increased to 15.35 mmol m−2 per day (CE of 68.9 ± 0.8%) during the continuous operation. Microbial community analyses and cyclic voltammograms showed that the main mechanism for methane production in the biocathode was hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis by Methanobacterium sp., and that electromethanogenesis occurred to a minor extent. The presence of other microorganisms in the biocathode, such as Methylocystis sp. revealed the presence of side reactions, such as oxygen diffusion from the anode compartment, which decreased the efficiency of the BES. The results of the present work offer the first experimental report on the application of BES in the field of biogas upgrading processes.

Dilip Mishra, Angesh Chandra

Solar Energy Systems and Smart Electrical Grids for Sustainable Renewable Energy • 2025

<jats:p>The rapid integration of renewable energy sources into modern power grids necessitates the development of advanced inverter technologies that enhance grid stability, reliability, and efficiency. Smart inverters, enabled by Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven control mechanisms, play a pivotal role in optimizing power conversion, voltage regulation, and frequency stabilization in both grid-connected and off-grid solar energy systems. The incorporation of AI and machine learning algorithms allows predictive control strategies to enhance inverter performance, improve power dispatch, and mitigate fluctuations caused by intermittent renewable energy generation. The implementation of IoT-based smart inverter networks facilitates real-time data exchange, remote monitoring, and adaptive energy management, ensuring seamless integration with distributed energy resources (DERs) and smart grid infrastructures. Despite these advancements, challenges related to interoperability, standardization, cybersecurity, and scalability must be addressed to maximize the efficiency of smart inverters in diverse grid environments. This chapter explores the latest innovations in inverter technologies, emphasizing AI-powered optimization techniques, IoT-based connectivity solutions, and the role of edge computing in enabling decentralized energy management. Standardization frameworks, cybersecurity protocols, and future trends in smart inverter applications are also analyzed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the evolving landscape of power electronics for renewable energy integration.</jats:p>

Yang Xing, Hui Wang, Tao Zhang et al.

2020 IEEE/IAS Industrial and Commercial Power System Asia (I&amp;CPS Asia) • 2020

This paper proposes an improved nearest level modulation (NLM) strategy for the modular multilevel converter (MMC) station to realize emergency power control. The sending-end MMC station whose ac side is connected to the islanded renewable power plant must control the ac voltage amplitude and frequency. The power flowing into the MMC station is uncontrolled. Power surplus situation (ac input power is greater than dc output power) will occur and dc voltage will rise to a damage value when the receiving end station blocks. This paper analyzes the working principle of MMC and introduces the traditional NLM strategy. Then proposes an improved NLM strategy. With the target of stabilizing dc voltage, the proposed strategy reduces the number of working MMC submodules according to the surplus power. The submodule capacitors absorb the surplus power by increasing their voltage within a proper range. The surplus energy is stored in MMC itself. The simulation results shows that this strategy can balance the input and output power of the MMC, and stabilize the dc/ac voltage. This strategy can buy time for the islanded renewable power plant decreasing output power without extra hardware addition. It’s convenient and effective to apply in MMC.

Oguz Kagan Keles, Ibrahim Hakyemez, Mustafa Bagriyanik et al.

2025 7th Global Power, Energy and Communication Conference (GPECOM) • 2025

The increasing emphasis on environmental sustainability and energy efficiency in aviation has led to the development of concepts such as More Electric Aircraft (MEA), Hybrid Electric Aircraft (HEA), and All Electric Aircraft (AEA). A fundamental characteristic of these solutions is the increased utilization of electrical energy. While batteries are among the primary solutions, their low energy density has driven to the exploration of alternative energy sources. Therefore, hydrogen fuel cells have emerged as a feasible solution. In scope of this study, the examination evaluates the integration of a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell instead of Ram Air Turbine (RAT) generator in the emergency power architecture of the Global 6000 aircraft. The study evaluates the impact of system weight and proposes a control algorithm for a hybrid battery-fuel cell system.

W. Tong, Shaojun Zhang

2023 Asia-Europe Conference on Electronics, Data Processing and Informatics (ACEDPI) • 2023

Microbial fuel cell technology has a very broad development prospect in the field of marine emergency power supply, focusing on the impact of environmental factors of electron transfer of microbial fuel cell on the output voltage. Based on the BBD response surface method, the individual and interaction of environmental factors of electron transfer such as anode area, inoculation amount, GO/PANI content were investigated, and the mathematical model of output voltage was established. The results showed that the order of significance of the influencing factors was anode area > GO/PANI content > inoculation amount. In addition, there was a certain interaction among the three influencing factors, but the interaction was not significant, and the regression of the mathematical model was good. When the anode area is 4.55 cm2, the inoculation amount is 3.13% and the GO/PANI content is 0.21 mg/mL, the predicted output voltage of the microbial fuel cell reaches 822.695 mV. Four parallel experiments were used for verification. The average output voltage of the microbial fuel cell is 821.725 mV, the relative standard deviation is as low as 0.12%, indicating that the model is more accurate and reliable in optimizing the environmental conditions of MFC electron transmission and predicting the output voltage.

J. Winfield, L. D. Chambers, J. Rossiter et al.

Journal of Materials Chemistry A • 2015

The adaptability and practicality of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are highly desirable traits in the search for alternative sources of energy. An innovative application for the technology could be to power portable emergency locator transmitters (ELTs). Such devices would ideally need to be lightweight, robust and fast-in terms of response. Urine is an abundant resource, and with MFCs, could be the ideal fuel for powering ELTs, with the compelling advantage of also indicating proof of life. We developed novel origami tetrahedron MFCs (TP-MPFCs) using photocopier paper to test different urine-based inoculants. When inoculated with urine extracted from the anode chambers of working MFCs a stack of 6 abiotic MFCs produced a usable working voltage after just 3 h 15 min; enough to energise a power management system. The anodes of established TP-MFCs were then removed and air-dried for 7 days before being inserted into new paper reactors and refrigerated. After 4 weeks, these MFCs displayed an immediate response to fresh urine and achieved a functional working voltage in just 35 minutes. Two paper MFCs connected in parallel were able to transmit 85 radio signals and in a series configuration 238 broadcasts over 24 hours. These findings demonstrate that simple, inexpensive, lightweight paper MFCs can be employed as urine-activated, “proof of life” reporting systems.

R. Peixoto, C. Voolstra, Lisa Y. Stein et al.

Nature Communications • 2024

This paper is a call to action. By publishing concurrently across journals like an emergency bulletin, we are not merely making a plea for awareness about climate change. Instead, we are demanding immediate, tangible steps that harness the power of microbiology and the expertise of researchers and policymakers to safeguard the planet for future generations.

Rong Junjie, Zhou Ming, Zhang Zhi et al.

IET Renewable Power Generation • 2024

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>In recent years, frequent occurrence of extreme weather events has caused great losses to the power system. Meanwhile, the high penetration of renewable energy has brought new challenges to the safe operation of the system. Coordination of various measures against different stages of disaster can effectively reduce the overall loss and enhance system's resilience. This paper proposed a methodology to coordinate preventive and emergency dispatch stages based on the defender–attacker–defender model, in which various dispatching measures are modelled as defenders, whereas the extreme weather event and wind power's uncertainty are modelled as attackers. Specifically, a two‐stage three‐layer robust optimal dispatching model is established, in which conventional generator's output, wind farm's grid‐connected planning, and load shedding are taken as the main dispatching measures. To solve this model, the column and constraint generation algorithm is used to transform the three‐layer optimization model into a mixed integer linear problem . The effectiveness of the proposed model is verified in the modified IEEE RTS‐79 test system, and the results show that the coordination of preventive and emergency dispatch can effectively reduce the load outage cost under extreme weather, thus enhancing the ability of power system to cope with extreme scenarios.</jats:p>

Mohammed Amroune, Tarek Bouktir, Ismail Musirin

Protection and Control of Modern Power Systems • 2019

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>In recent years, due to the economic and environmental issues, modern power systems often operate proximately to the technical restraints enlarging the probable level of instability risks. Hence, efficient methods for voltage instability prevention are of great importance to power system companies to avoid the risk of large blackouts. In this paper, an event-driven emergency demand response (EEDR) strategy based on whale optimization algorithm (WOA) is proposed to effectively improve system voltage stability. The main objective of the proposed EEDR approach is to maintain voltage stability margin (VSM) in an acceptable range during emergency situations by driving the operating condition of the power system away from the insecure points. The optimal locations and amounts of load reductions have been determined using WOA algorithm. To test the feasibility and the efficiency of the proposed method, simulation studies are carried out on the IEEE 14-bus and real Algerian 114-bus power systems.</jats:p>

Gemma Reguera

Microbial Biotechnology • 2018

<jats:title>Summary</jats:title><jats:p>The reduction of iron oxide minerals and uranium in model metal reducers in the genus <jats:italic>Geobacter</jats:italic> is mediated by conductive pili composed primarily of a structurally divergent pilin peptide that is otherwise recognized, processed and assembled in the inner membrane by a conserved Type <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">IV</jats:styled-content>a pilus apparatus. Electronic coupling among the peptides is promoted upon assembly, allowing the discharge of respiratory electrons at rates that greatly exceed the rates of cellular respiration. Harnessing the unique properties of these conductive appendages and their peptide building blocks in metal bioremediation will require understanding of how the pilins assemble to form a protein nanowire with specialized sites for metal immobilization. Also important are insights into how cells assemble the pili to make an electroactive matrix and grow on electrodes as biofilms that harvest electrical currents from the oxidation of waste organic substrates. Genetic engineering shows promise to modulate the properties of the peptide building blocks, protein nanowires and current‐harvesting biofilms for various applications. This minireview discusses what is known about the pilus material properties and reactions they catalyse and how this information can be harnessed in nanotechnology, bioremediation and bioenergy applications.</jats:p>

Nicolette Broby, Jane H. Lassetter, Mary Williams et al.

Prehospital and Disaster Medicine • 2018

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:sec id="S1049023X18000225_abs1" sec-type="general"><jats:title>Purpose</jats:title><jats:p>The aim of this study was to assist organizations seeking to develop or improve their medical disaster relief effort by identifying fundamental elements and processes that permeate high-quality, international, medical disaster relief organizations and the teams they deploy.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec id="S1049023X18000225_abs2" sec-type="methods"><jats:title>Methods</jats:title><jats:p>A qualitative descriptive design was used. Data were gathered from interviews with key personnel at five international medical response organizations, as well as during field observations conducted at multiple sites in Jordan and Greece, including three refugee camps. Data were then reviewed by the research team and coded to identify patterns, categories, and themes.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec id="S1049023X18000225_abs3" sec-type="results"><jats:title>Results</jats:title><jats:p>The results from this qualitative, descriptive design identified three themes which were key characteristics of success found in effective, well-established, international medical disaster relief organizations. These characteristics were first, ensuring an official invitation had been extended and the need for assistance had been identified. Second, the response to that need was done in an effective and sustainable manner. Third, effective organizations strived to obtain high-quality volunteers.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec id="S1049023X18000225_abs4" sec-type="conclusion"><jats:title>Conclusion</jats:title><jats:p>By following the three key characteristics outlined in this research, organizations are more likely to improve the efficiency and quality of their work. In addition, they will be less likely to impede the overall recovery process.</jats:p><jats:p><jats:mixed-citation id="S1049023X18000225_ref1" publication-type="journal"><jats:name name-style="western"><jats:surname>Broby</jats:surname><jats:given-names>N</jats:given-names></jats:name>, <jats:name name-style="western"><jats:surname>Lassetter</jats:surname><jats:given-names>JH</jats:given-names></jats:name>, <jats:name name-style="western"><jats:surname>Williams</jats:surname><jats:given-names>M</jats:given-names></jats:name>, <jats:name name-style="western"><jats:surname>Winters</jats:surname><jats:given-names>BA</jats:given-names></jats:name>. <jats:article-title>Effective international medical disaster relief: a qualitative descriptive study</jats:article-title>. <jats:source>Prehosp Disaster Med</jats:source>. <jats:year>2018</jats:year>;<jats:volume>33</jats:volume>(<jats:issue>2</jats:issue>):<jats:fpage>119</jats:fpage>–<jats:lpage>126</jats:lpage>.</jats:mixed-citation></jats:p></jats:sec>

H. Chowdhury, T. Chowdhury, Ayyoob Sharifi et al.

Sustainability • 2022

Energy is an essential need of people; however, people living in displacement settings are often deprived of this basic need. Connecting refugee camps through the main grid is challenging due to their locations. Biogas is an energy source that can be implemented to address the energy need of refugee camps. Implementation of biogas technology can help to reach sustainable development goal-7 (SDG 7) and its synergies in refugee camps. Therefore, in this study, the contribution of biogas in achieving sustainable development goals is presented to address the current gap in the literature. For this, Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh were considered as a case study. The waste situation in Rohingya refugee camps is highlighted and considered. Generated biogas from the organic fraction municipal solid (OFMSW) was used to determine the LPG cylinder reduction potential in Rohingya refugee camps. Approximately 497,587 LPG cylinders can be replaced if biogas is used in cooking activities. Moreover, compared to wood fuel, biogas used in cookstoves emits 85% less greenhouse gas. This study underlines the importance of further research to determine the prospective use of biogas in clean cooking in refugee camps.

Zinan Lin, Anzhou Yang, Binbin Zhang et al.

Advanced Functional Materials • 2021

Both the monodispersed Pd/C (2–5 nm) and Fe‐NC single atoms (SAs) are promising non‐Pt catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), which belongs to precious metal and nonprecious metal camps, respectively. However, the poles apart of sub‐5 nm Pd/C and Fe‐NC SAs in synthesis and thermostability leave the challenge to integrate them together in one system. Herein, a 1‐naphthylamine protected pyrolysis mechanism is devised to couple the atomically dispersed Fe sites with sub‐5 nm Pd nanocrystals embedded in N‐doped carbon nanobelts (FeN3‐Pd@NC NBs). The FeN3 SAs represent the minimal surface blockage to tune the electronic structure of Pd, while the carbon frameworks are born with ultrathin, porous, and N‐doped feature's. As inspired, the FeN3‐Pd@NC NBs exhibit outstanding activity (E1/2 = 0.926 V) and durability (2 mV decay in E1/2 after 2000 cycles) for ORR, as well as achieving a maximum power density of 831.2 mW cm−2 in a microbial fuel cell operated for over 100 d. Density functional theory calculation reveals that the FeN3 SAs can shift the density of states of Pd toward the Fermi level, and their coupling can decrease the limiting reaction barrier with a value of −0.62 eV, thus greatly accelerating the ORR kinetics.

G. Kaburu, Rosemary James, K. Mortimer

Journal of Poverty, Investment and Development • 2019

Purpose: To investigate the influence of social determinants on uptake of solar cooking projects in Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya. Methodology: A cross-sectional study of 122 systematically sampled households in Kakuma Refugee Camp was done. Questionnaires were completed to collect information about social norms, family size, security and safety, education level and beneficiary participation. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the findings. Findings: All the 122 questionnaires completed by respondents had a mean age (SD) 37.8 (8.6); 85% female. Households in Kakuma mainly acquire their domestic fuel via different means within the camp such as firewood collection, purchases from local vendors or donations from aid agencies. Firewood on open fires was the modal cooking practice at 83.6%, followed by charcoal at 15.6% and solar cooking at 0.8%, while use of alternative fuels like gas, ethanol or kerosene was found to be insignificant. Adoption of solar cooking was observed to be under influence of social norms, family size and education. A greater uptake of solar cooking was noted among respondents with higher education levels and lower uptake among large families.   Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Firewood is given to refugees for domestic fuel in Kakuma Refugee Camp; however, getting adequate supplies for the sprawling camp population is getting increasingly difficult, and environmentally damaging. Solar cooking projects have been implemented as possible solutions albeit with little success. There is a need for humanitarian agencies to make refugees aware and conversant with use of the free, sustainable solar fuel to cook and cognizant of benefits of shifting from wood-based cooking to the cleaner solar cooking option. Household cooking is such a socio-culturally embedded practice in Kakuma that context-specific solar cookers that can fry, boil, and bake using ordinally cooking styles of refugees would be key to a wider-spread solar cooking uptake. In addition, there is a gap between the refugees’ preferred fuel option and their ability to pay. To get solar cooking to scale, more investment is needed and agencies should explore working with local businesses to subsidize cost of solar cookers in camps. Finally, the Kenya and the ISO standards for clean cookstoves need developing since there is a gap and the existing standards mainly focus on solid fuel, biomass or ethanol cookstoves.

Sian White, Jessica F Petz, Kifle Desta et al.

PLOS ONE • 2019

Background Diarrhoeal diseases are a major contributor to morbidity and mortality in humanitarian crises. Handwashing with soap may reduce diarrhoea by up to 47%, however, the circumstances associated with displacement make it challenging for crisis-affected populations to be able to wash their hands with soap. The Supertowel is an alternative hand-cleaning product, proven to be as efficacious as handwashing with soap. The Supertowel is a micro-fibre towel with an anti-microbial treatment. When dipped in water it is capable of removing and killing pathogens from hands. This study aims to assess whether the Supertowel could be an acceptable and feasible product for crisis-affected populations. Methods The study took place in an Eritrean refugee camp located in Tigray state in Ethiopia. We used a mix of qualitative methods to understand use and acceptability, including baseline observations (n = 13), behaviour trials involving interviews at three time points (n = 19) and focus group discussions (n = 3). We thematically analysed data from interviews and discussions. Results Participants indicated that the Supertowel was convenient, easy to use and saved them water and money. All households participating in the behaviour trials had at least one Supertowel in use at the end of the trials (follow-up visit two). In discussions participants reported that the Supertowel was more desirable than comparable hand cleaning products. In interviews, trial participants explained that the product enabled them to clean their hands at times when they might not normally bother. The research also identified some issues with the smell of the Supertowel and its intuitive use. Conclusions The Supertowel was found to be an acceptable and useful hand-cleaning product that could complement soap use in crisis contexts. This pilot study also identified areas of future research including the need to compare different distribution models for the Supertowel (distribution in hygiene kits compared to distribution with an accompanying communication package) and to evaluate its use at scale over a longer time period.

Asiful Islam, Md. Sajjad-Ul Islam, Md. Minhaj Hossain et al.

2024 International Conference on Advances in Computing, Communication, Electrical, and Smart Systems (iCACCESS) • 2024

Solar power is an excellent, environmentally friendly, and dependable option for meeting our energy needs in the future. The program is based on a policy from the Department of Energy (DoE) that encourages the expansion of solar renewable energy appliances and their positive impact on both the national economy and the global environment. This study takes advantage of the recent market advantage of induction cooking technologies to apply more efficient and cost-effective ways that align with future energy sector desires. Induction cookers have been demonstrated to transport at least 80% of the power generated to the cookware, whereas electric stoves and gas burners create more power to compensate for the power that is passed to the atmosphere in the form of heat (i.e. roughly 55% efficient). At the moment, the induction cooker is the most advanced form of cooking technology that has been developed. Although all appliances, including induction cookers, are entirely reliant on grid electricity. According to studies, solar energy might replace our dependence on non-renewable resources. The product is self-sufficient, easy, dependable, fuel-free, and adaptable. The study proposed a refugee camp induction cooker that is renewable and carbon-free. For this research, the induction stove was mostly powered by solar energy. Pulse width modulation increases solar power and system efficiency. Ultimately, this energy is used to charge the battery. This solves the renewable-based cooking system's intermittency issue.

Majd Al-Homoud, Ola Samarah

Urban Science • 0

<jats:p>The Zaatari Camp in Jordan exemplifies how Syrian refugees transform a planned grid settlement into an organic urban environment through socio-spatial adaptation, reflecting their cultural identity and territorial practices. This study investigates the camp’s morphological evolution, analyzing how refugees reconfigure public and private spaces to prioritize privacy, security, and community cohesion. Using qualitative methods—including archival maps, photographs, and field observations—the research reveals how formal public areas are repurposed into private shelter extensions, creating zones of influence that mirror traditional Arab-Islamic urban patterns. Key elements such as mosques, markets, and hierarchical street networks emerge as cultural anchors, shaped by refugees’ prior urban experiences. However, this organic growth introduces challenges, such as blocked streets and undefined spaces, which hinder safety and service delivery, underscoring tensions between informal urbanization and structured planning. The findings advocate urban resilience and participatory planning frameworks that integrate socio-cultural values, emphasizing defensible boundaries, interdependence, and adaptable design. Refugees’ territorial behaviors—such as creating diagonal streets and expanding shelters—highlight their agency in reshaping urban systems, challenging conventional top-down approaches. This research focuses on land-use dynamics, sustainable cities, and adaptive urban systems in crisis contexts. By bridging gaps between displacement studies and urban theory, the study offers insights into fostering social inclusion and equitable infrastructure in transient settlements. Future research directions, including comparative analyses of refugee camps and cognitive mapping, aim to deepen understanding of socio-spatial resilience. Ultimately, this work contributes to global dialogues on informal urbanization and culturally responsive design, advocating for policies that align with the Sustainable Development Goals to rebuild cohesive, resilient urban environments in displacement settings.</jats:p>

Shafiq Ahmed, M. Anisi

IEEE Transactions on Industrial Cyber-Physical Systems • 2024

The rapid advancement of intelligent transportation systems and the growing demand for sustainable energy solutions have elevated the Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) paradigm in Industrial Cyber-Physical Systems (ICPS). This paper presents an AI-Enhanced Secure Protocol for V2G Energy Management, integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) through Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks with advanced cryptographic techniques for optimizing energy distribution between smart grids and electric vehicles. This protocol enhances system security and device integrity, effectively countering cyber threats and physical tampering. Emphasizing practical applicability, it demonstrates scalability and versatility across various smart grid environments, marking a significant step in AI-integrated cybersecurity for sustainable energy management. Comparative analysis reveals reductions in computation and communication costs by 49.79% and 23.24%, respectively, highlighting the efficiency of the protocol and its potential to enhance smart grid security frameworks.

Jinbo Wen, Jiawen Kang, D. Niyato et al.

IEEE Transactions on Industrial Cyber-Physical Systems • 2024

Industrial Cyber-Physical Systems (ICPSs) are an integral component of modern manufacturing and industries. By digitizing data throughout product life cycles, Digital Twins (DTs) in ICPSs enable a shift from current industrial infrastructures to intelligent and adaptive infrastructures. Thanks to data process capability, Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) can drive the construction and update of DTs to improve predictive accuracy and prepare for diverse smart manufacturing. However, mechanisms that leverage Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) devices to share sensing data for DT construction are susceptible to adverse selection problems. In this paper, we first develop a GenAI-driven DT architecture in ICPSs. To address the adverse selection problem caused by information asymmetry, we propose a contract theory model and develop a sustainable diffusion-based soft actor-critic algorithm to identify the optimal feasible contract. Specifically, we leverage dynamic structured pruning techniques to reduce parameter numbers of actor networks, allowing sustainability and efficient implementation of the proposed algorithm. Numerical results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme and the algorithm, enabling efficient DT construction and updates to monitor and manage ICPSs.

J. Gilbert, G. Dick, B. Jenkins et al.

Standards in Genomic Sciences • 2014

The National Science Foundation’s EarthCube End User Workshop was held at USC Wrigley Marine Science Center on Catalina Island, California in August 2013. The workshop was designed to explore and characterize the needs and tools available to the community that is focusing on microbial and physical oceanography research with a particular emphasis on ’omic research. The assembled researchers outlined the existing concerns regarding the vast data resources that are being generated, and how we will deal with these resources as their volume and diversity increases. Particular attention was focused on the tools for handling and analyzing the existing data, on the need for the construction and curation of diverse federated databases, as well as development of shared, interoperable, “big-data capable” analytical tools. The key outputs from this workshop include (i) critical scientific challenges and cyber infrastructure constraints, (ii) the current and future ocean ’omics science grand challenges and questions, and (iii) data management, analytical and associated and cyber-infrastructure capabilities required to meet critical current and future scientific challenges. The main thrust of the meeting and the outcome of this report is a definition of the ’omics tools, technologies and infrastructures that facilitate continued advance in ocean science biology, marine biogeochemistry, and biological oceanography.

Venkanna Udutalapally, S. Mohanty, Vishal Pallagani et al.

IEEE Sensors Journal • 2021

Agriculture Cyber-Physical System (A-CPS) is becoming increasingly important in enhancing crop quality and productivity by utilizing minimum cropland. This paper introduces the innovative idea of the Internet-of-Agro-Things (IoAT) with an explanation of the automatic detection of plant disease for the development of ACPS. Majority of the crops were infected by microbial diseases in conventional agriculture. Also, the constantly mutating pathogens cannot be known to the knowledge of the farmer, due to which, there arises a demand to develop a disease prediction system. To prevent this, we use a trained Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) model to perform an analysis of the crop image captured by a health maintenance system. The image capturing along with continuous sensing and intelligent automation is performed by the solar sensor node. The sensor node houses a developed soil moisture sensor which has a high longevity compared to its peers. A real time implementation of the proposed system is demonstrated using a solar sensor node with a camera module, a microcontroller and a smartphone application using which a farmer can monitor the field. The prototype was deployed for three months and has achieved a robust performance by remaining rust-free and sustaining the varied weather conditions. An accuracy of 99.24% is achieved by the proposed plant disease prediction framework.

Jiang Wan, Anthony Lopez, Mohammad Abdullah Al Faruque

ACM Transactions on Cyber-Physical Systems • 2019

<jats:p>Modern automotive Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) are increasingly adopting wireless communications for Intra-Vehicular, Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V), and Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) protocols as a promising solution for challenges such as the wire harnessing problem, collision detection, and collision avoidance, traffic control, and environmental hazards. Regrettably, this new trend results in new security challenges that can put the safety and privacy of the automotive CPS and passengers at great risk. In addition, automotive wireless communication security is constrained by strict energy and performance limitations of electronic controller units and sensors. As a result, the key generation and management for secure automotive CPS wireless communication is an open research challenge. This article aims to help solve these security challenges by presenting a practical key generation technique based on the reciprocity and high spatial and temporal variation properties of the automotive wireless communication channel. Accompanying this technique is also a key length optimization algorithm to improve performance (in terms of time and energy) for safety-related applications constrained by small communication windows. To validate the practicality and effectiveness of our approach, we have conducted simulations alongside real-world experiments with vehicles and RC cars. Last, we demonstrate through simulations that we can generate keys with high security strength (keys with 67% min-entropy) with 20× reduction in code size overhead in comparison to the state-of-the-art security techniques.</jats:p>

Seyed Hamid Reza Hosseini, Adib Allahham, Charlotte Adams

IET Smart Grid • 2021

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>This study presents an evaluation framework for the techno‐economic‐environmental (TEE) performance of the integrated multi‐vector energy networks (IMVENs) including geothermal energy. Geothermal energy storage (GES) offers huge potential for both energy storage and supply and can play a critical role in decarbonising the heat load of smart multi‐energy grids. The two most common types of GES, that is, high‐temperature GES (HTGES) and low‐temperature GES (LTGES), were modelled and integrated within the framework. This framework evaluates the impact of different low carbon energy sources including HTGES, LTGES, wind and Photovoltaics (PV) on the amount of energy imported from upstream, operational costs and emissions of IMVENs to meet the heat load of a region. The evaluation framework performs TEE performance analysis of any configuration of IMVEN representing future energy system pathways to provide a basis for well‐informed design choices to decarbonise heat. The TEE evaluation framework was tested on a real‐world case study, and several IMVEN configurations were designed and analysed. The results reveal that the most efficient, cost effective and least carbon‐intensive configurations for meeting the heat load of the case study are the configurations benefitting from HTGES, from high penetration of heat pumps and from LTGES, respectively.</jats:p>

Sehee Bang, Jongseo Lee, Wonyoung Lee

ECS Meeting Abstracts • 2023

<jats:p> Solid oxide fuel cells are promising eco-friendly power generating devices directly utilizing various fuels such as hydrogen, methane, and carbon dioxide. However, a technical breakthrough is required for further commercialization by lowering the high operating temperature to the intermediate temperature regime. Introducing the anode functional layer (AFL) between the electrolyte and anode is one of the crucial methods in the development of high performance solid oxide fuel cells by maximizing the triple phase boundary (TPB) sites. To activate the TPB sites, ensuring the continuous oxygen ion conduction from the electrolyte to the TPB sites is essential to maximize their utilization for hydrogen oxidation reactions (HORs). In this study, we modify the connectivity of oxygen ion conduction pathways in the AFL by controlling the microstructure in AFLs. We calculated active reaction site using image processing of cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image and the strong correlation between the electrochemical performance and calculated active reaction site is revealed. The modified AFL with highly connected oxygen ion conduction pathways exhibits substantially higher maximum power density (MPD) compared with conventional AFL: ~1.7-fold higher MPD of 1.51 Wcm<jats:sup>-2</jats:sup> at 550 ℃ with hydrogen and ~3.5-fold higher MPD of 1.11 Wcm<jats:sup>-2</jats:sup> at 550 ℃ with methane and carbon dioxide, surpassing previously reported values. Moreover, excellent carbon tolerance is observed in the modified AFL, exhibiting nearly no degradation at 550 ℃ for 130 h. This result substantiates the role of connectivity of the oxygen ion conduction pathways in the HOR and carbon tolerance in AFLs.</jats:p> <jats:p> <jats:inline-formula> <jats:inline-graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="10fig1.jpg" xlink:type="simple"/> </jats:inline-formula> </jats:p> <jats:p>Figure 1</jats:p> <jats:p/>

Lin Zhao, Chuanyue Yang, Yu-chen Zhao et al.

Remote Sensing • 2023

The spatial and temporal characteristics of land use carbon emissions are relevant to the sustainable use of land resources. Although spatial and temporal studies have been conducted on land use carbon emissions, the spatial correlation of land use carbon emissions at the city level still requires further research. Here, we estimated the distribution of carbon emissions at the city level in Shandong Peninsula urban agglomeration in spatial and temporal terms based on land use remote sensing data and fossil energy consumption data during 2000–2019. The results showed that the land use change in the 16 cities in the study area was the conversion of cropland to construction land. Carbon emissions from land use had an upward trend for all 16 cities overall during the period of 2000–2019, but the incremental carbon emissions trended downward after 2010. Among them, Jinan and Qingdao had higher carbon emissions than other cities. In addition, we also found that land use carbon emissions at the city level were characterized by stochasticity, while per capita carbon emissions displayed geospatial aggregation. Among them, Yantai displayed a spatial pattern of high–high clustering of carbon emissions, while Jining presented a spatial pattern of low–low clustering in terms of land-average carbon emissions and carbon emissions per capita during 2000–2019. The results of the study are important for guiding the achievement of urban carbon emission reduction and carbon neutrality targets at the city level.

G. Sahbeni, Maurice Ngabire, P. Musyimi et al.

Remote Sensing • 2023

Meeting current needs without compromising future generations’ ability to meet theirs is the only path toward achieving environmental sustainability. As the most valuable natural resource, soil faces global, regional, and local challenges, from quality degradation to mass losses brought on by salinization. These issues affect agricultural productivity and ecological balance, undermining sustainability and food security. Therefore, timely monitoring and accurate mapping of salinization processes are crucial, especially in semi-arid and arid regions where climate variability impacts have already reached alarming levels. Salt-affected soil mapping has enormous potential thanks to recent progress in remote sensing. This paper comprehensively reviews the potential of remote sensing to assess soil salinization. The review demonstrates that large-scale soil salinity estimation based on remote sensing tools remains a significant challenge, primarily due to data resolution and acquisition costs. Fundamental trade-offs constrain practical remote sensing applications in salinization mapping between data resolution, spatial and temporal coverage, acquisition costs, and high accuracy expectations. This article provides an overview of research work related to soil salinization mapping and monitoring using remote sensing. By synthesizing recent research and highlighting areas where further investigation is needed, this review helps to steer future efforts, provides insight for decision-making on environmental sustainability and soil resource management, and promotes interdisciplinary collaboration.

Abhasha Joshi, B. Pradhan, Shilpa Gite et al.

Remote Sensing • 2023

Reliable and timely crop-yield prediction and crop mapping are crucial for food security and decision making in the food industry and in agro-environmental management. The global coverage, rich spectral and spatial information and repetitive nature of remote sensing (RS) data have made them effective tools for mapping crop extent and predicting yield before harvesting. Advanced machine-learning methods, particularly deep learning (DL), can accurately represent the complex features essential for crop mapping and yield predictions by accounting for the nonlinear relationships between variables. The DL algorithm has attained remarkable success in different fields of RS and its use in crop monitoring is also increasing. Although a few reviews cover the use of DL techniques in broader RS and agricultural applications, only a small number of references are made to RS-based crop-mapping and yield-prediction studies. A few recently conducted reviews attempted to provide overviews of the applications of DL in crop-yield prediction. However, they did not cover crop mapping and did not consider some of the critical attributes that reveal the essential issues in the field. This study is one of the first in the literature to provide a thorough systematic review of the important scientific works related to state-of-the-art DL techniques and RS in crop mapping and yield estimation. This review systematically identified 90 papers from databases of peer-reviewed scientific publications and comprehensively reviewed the aspects related to the employed platforms, sensors, input features, architectures, frameworks, training data, spatial distributions of study sites, output scales, evaluation metrics and performances. The review suggests that multiple DL-based solutions using different RS data and DL architectures have been developed in recent years, thereby providing reliable solutions for crop mapping and yield prediction. However, challenges related to scarce training data, the development of effective, efficient and generalisable models and the transparency of predictions should be addressed to implement these solutions at scale for diverse locations and crops.