Is Nuclear Power Generation a Viable Alternative to the Energy Needs of Pakistan? SWOT-RII Analysis

Pakistan has faced a severe energy crisis for the last two decades. With the considerable power generation expansion, the country still faces power outages with an unsustainable energy mix. Successive energy policies emphasized thermal power deployment which has proved to be a part of the problem. Therefore, the present study has attempted to evaluate and investigate the prospects of nuclear power as a viable alternative in terms of energy security, reliability, and environmental sustainability with the SWOT tool. To further quantify the main drivers and barriers of nuclear energy, a Relative Importance Index (RII) analysis has been done. The results reveal that Pakistan has decades of experience running nuclear power plants satisfactorily. The regulatory framework for nuclear power generation is adequate to expand nuclear power generation. The opportunities are enormous to meet Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), as nuclear is a carbon-free source of energy. The main barriers are global suspicion of nuclear proliferation and less social acceptance.Keywords: SWOT, Delphi, RII Analysis, Nuclear Power GenerationJEL Classifications: P4, Q4DOI: https://doi.org/10.32479/ijeep.11122</p

Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development

XVI, 352 p.online resource

Exergy Analysis of a Subcritical Reheat Steam Power Plant with Regression Modeling and Optimization

In this paper, exergy analysis of a 210 MW SPP (Steam Power Plant) is performed. Firstly, the plant is modeled and validated, followed by a parametric study to show the effects of various operating parameters on the performance parameters. The net power output, energy efficiency, and exergy efficiency are taken as the performance parameters, while the condenser pressure, main steam pressure, bled steam pressures, main steam temperature, and reheat steam temperature isnominated as the operating parameters. Moreover, multiple polynomial regression models are developed to correlate each performance parameter with the operating parameters. The performance is then optimizedby using Direct-searchmethod. According to the results, the net power output, energy efficiency, and exergy efficiency are calculated as 186.5 MW, 31.37 and 30.41%, respectively under normal operating conditions as a base case. The condenser is a major contributor towards the energy loss, followed by the boiler, whereas the highest irreversibilities occur in the boiler and turbine. According to the parametric study, variation in the operating parameters greatly influences the performance parameters. The regression models have appeared to be a good estimator of the performance parameters. The optimum net power output, energy efficiency and exergy efficiency are obtained as 227.6 MW, 37.4 and 36.4, respectively, which have been calculated along with optimal values of selected operating parameters

Thermodynamic Analysis of Simple Gas Turbine Cycle with Multiple Regression Modelling and Optimization

In this study, thermodynamic and statistical analyses were performed on a gas turbine system, to assess the impact of some important operating parameters like CIT (Compressor Inlet Temperature), PR (Pressure Ratio) and TIT (Turbine Inlet Temperature) on its performance characteristics such as net power output, energy efficiency, exergy efficiency and fuel consumption. Each performance characteristic was enunciated as a function of operating parameters, followed by a parametric study and optimization. The results showed that the performance characteristics increase with an increase in the TIT and a decrease in the CIT, except fuel consumption which behaves oppositely. The net power output and efficiencies increase with the PR up to certain initial values and then start to decrease, whereas the fuel consumption always decreases with an increase in the PR. The results of exergy analysis showed the combustion chamber as a major contributor to the exergy destruction, followed by stack gas. Subsequently, multiple regression models were developed to correlate each of the response variables (performance characteristic) with the predictor variables (operating parameters). The regression model equations showed a significant statistical relationship between the predictor and response variables

Energy and Exergy Analysis of 210 MW Jamshoro Thermal Power Plant

In this paper, thermodynamic analysis of 210 MW dual-fire, subcritical, reheat steam power plant, situated near Jamshoro, Pakistan has been performed. Firstly, the plant is modeled by EES (Engineering Equation Solver) software. Moreover; a parametric study is performed to assess the impacts of various operating parameters on the performance. The net power output, energy efficiency and exergy efficiency are considered as performance parameters of the plant whereas, condenser pressure, main steam pressure and main steam temperature are nominated as operating parameters. According to the results, the net power output, energy efficiency and exergy efficiency are determined as 186.5 MW, 31.37% and 30.41% respectively, under design operating conditions. The condenser contributed a major share in the total energy loss i.e. 280 MW (68.7%) followed by boiler with 89 MW (21.8%). The major exergy destructing area is found in the boiler with 350 MW (82.11%) of the total exergy destruction followed by turbine with 43.1 MW (10.12%) and condenser 12 MW (5.74 %). According to the parametric study, variation in operating parameters had great influence on the plant performanc

Thermal Modeling and Performance Investigation of Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell

Abstract This research paper presents analysis of heat generation problem in Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell using COMSOL Multiphysics software. PEM fuel cells are widely recognized for their high electrical power output and environmental sustainability. However, in a PEM fuel cell around 50 to 60 % of energy generated from chemical reactions is dissipated as heat energy. To address this issue PEM fuel cell stack model is designed and thermal modeling is carried out to evaluate its performance. Based on thermal modeling of surface temperature distribution of cell it is found that the cathode side of PEM fuel cell is warmer and generates more heat as compared to other parts due to the exothermic reactions,slow reaction rate,joule heating effect and material properties.Moreover, it is also found that there is uniform temperature distribution across the cell due to rapid heat conduction from cathode side to the surface of the cell.The results of this study show that due to more heat generation on cathode side temperature will tend to increase.This increasing temperature enhancesthe average cell current density but as the average cell current density increases it reduces the average cell voltage thus declining the efficiency of PEM fuel cell. Hence ,there should be an optimal temperature range between 60 to 80°C for the better performance of a PEM fuel cell. Findings of this study can serve as a valuable resource for understanding heat generation process in PEM fuel cell for the development of efficient and reliable fuel cell technology in future

Simulation Study on the Effect of Cover Tilt Angle of SolarStill on its Productivity

Survival hinges on access to water, serving as both the foundation for human existence and its continuous sustenance. Developing nations grapple with the significant challenge of ensuring clean drinking water availability. One solution is the utilization of solar stills, which harness solar energy for desalination to produce potable water, all without relying on high-energy sources. Solar stills remain a viable choice for providing safe drinking water to remote regions lacking reliable energy access. In this research, a comprehensive multi-phase 3D Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model was employed to investigate single-slope solar still with glass cover angles of 200 and 250This model accurately depicts temperature variations within the solar still during different phases of operation. The simulation results presented herein reveal that the efficiency is notably superior in solar stills equipped with copper plates, achieving an output of 1.24 when inclined at 200 compared to other inclinations.  It becomes evident that the tilt angle of the cover has a substantial impact on the output.  Additionally, the most suitable water depth for a 200 angle is found to be 18mm. This cost-effective innovation is designed to provide rural populations with an efficient method to transform brackish water into potable drinking water