TY - JOUR A1 - Mehta, Kedar A1 - Ehrenwirth, Mathias A1 - Missall, Siegmund A1 - Degembaeva, Nadira A1 - Akmatov, Kuban A1 - Zörner, Wilfried T1 - Energy Profiling of a High-Altitude Kyrgyz Community: Challenges and Motivations to Preserve Floodplain Ecosystems Based on Household Survey JF - Sustainability N2 - The floodplain areas along the Naryn River in Kyrgyzstan are essential as they hold the riparian (local) ecosystems because they provide firewood, pastureland, and areas for recreation and protection against erosion. Due to limited access to adequate, reliable, and sustainable energy services, the rural population usually derived their energy needs from multiple natural energy resources (i.e., firewood, charcoal, agricultural residues, animal dung, and wood branches). This is considered a common and predominant practice in rural Kyrgyzstan. This situation leads to a negative impact on local ecosystem services. In addition to that, the reliance on solid fuels contributes to indoor and outdoor air pollution, which is partially threatening the local ecosystem services. By contrast, the employment of renewable-based energy supply systems would substantially reduce the burden on the environment, which is mainly untapped. To integrate renewable energies, it is important to understand the energy behavior of floodplain communities. In that response, the presented article is the first attempt to capture the energy identity of the floodplain community of Kyrgyzstan based on a quantitative energy-based (on-site) household survey. Furthermore, the present research article synthesizes the driving factors that have a (direct or indirect) impact on the energy and local ecosystem services. In addition, the present article proposes a brief pathway for the sustainable energy transition. The article records the recommendation to integrate renewable energies to preserve the local ecosystems of Kyrgyzstan. UR - https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313086 KW - Central Asia KW - ecosystem services KW - energy pattern KW - energy profiling KW - floodplain community KW - high-altitude KW - household survey KW - Kyrgyzstan KW - renewable energies KW - sustainability Y1 - 2021 UR - https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313086 UR - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:573-10895 SN - 2071-1050 N1 - This article belongs to the Special Issue "Floodplain Ecology and Sustainable Restoration with Regard to Ecosystem Services" VL - 13 IS - 23 PB - MDPI CY - Basel ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Mehta, Kedar A1 - Ehrenwirth, Mathias A1 - Trinkl, Christoph A1 - Zörner, Wilfried A1 - Greenough, Richard T1 - The energy situation in Central Asia BT - a comprehensive energy review focusing on rural areas JF - Energies N2 - The northern part of the globe is dominated by industrialisation and is well-developed. For many years, the southern part of the world (South Asia, Africa etc.) has been a target of research concentrating on access to energy (mainly electricity) in rural regions. However, the Central Asian region has not been a focus of energy research compared to South East Asia and Africa. Despite plentiful domestically available energy resources, the energy supply in Central Asia is very unevenly distributed between urban and rural areas. Almost half of the total population of Central Asia lives in rural areas and there is a lack of access to modern energy services to meet primary needs. To analyse the energy situation (i.e., electricity, heating, hot water consumption, cooking, etc.) in rural Central Asia, this paper reviews residential energy consumption trends in rural Central Asian regions as compared to urban areas. Furthermore, the paper illustrates the potential of renewable energies in Central Asia. To perform the study, a qualitative comparative analysis was conducted based on a literature review, data, and statistical information. In summary, the presented article discusses the rural energy situation analytically and provides in-depth insights of Central Asian energy infrastructure. UR - https://doi.org/10.3390/en14102805 KW - Central Asia KW - energy resources KW - rural energy supply KW - energy services KW - renewable energy Y1 - 2021 UR - https://doi.org/10.3390/en14102805 UR - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:573-10908 SN - 1996-1073 VL - 14 IS - 10 PB - MDPI CY - Basel ER - TY - INPR A1 - Chaturvedi, Pushpendra Kr. A1 - Kumar, Nand A1 - Lamba, Ravita A1 - Mehta, Kedar T1 - Multi-objective optimization of glazing and shading configurations for visual, thermal, and energy performance of cooling dominant climatic regions of India T2 - Research Square N2 - Climate adaptive passive design features such as glazing and shading configurations, often exhibit conflicting behaviour to maintaining indoor visual and thermal environment while minimizing energy consumption. This study employed the MOO approach through SPEA-II and HypE algorithms to find the efficient glazing and shading configurations in four cooling dominant climatic zones of India such as hot and dry, composite, warm and humid, and temperate. A residential building situated in Jaipur city (India) was chosen for the analysis and to demonstrate the effectiveness and reliability of the optimization process. Twenty-six design variables including wall window ratio, louvers depth, louvers count, fin depth and fins count of each orientation, window height, sill height, glazing U-value, solar heat gain coefficient, and visual light transmittance were imported into the Octopus to investigate their interactive impact on the Useful Daylight Illuminance (UDI), Thermal Discomfort Percentage (TDP) and Energy Use Intensity (EUI). The optimized trade-off solutions represented a considerable improvement; UDI increased by 24.61%, 21.90%, 14.91% & 26.41%, and TDP reduced by 10.38%, 1.5%, 13.95%, & 17.68%, and EUI decreased by 10.10%, 1.9%, 15.82%, & 19.19% compared to initially generated solutions for Ahmedabad, Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore cities respectively. Finally, the Bayesian machine learning technique has been used for sensitivity analysis to identify the correlation between the design variables and performance objectives. The outcomes of this research can help architects in selecting optimal glazing and shading features for both new building design and retrofitting of existing buildings in the tropical climatic conditions of India. UR - https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-4983831/v1 Y1 - 2024 UR - https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-4983831/v1 UR - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:573-57621 SN - 2693-5015 PB - Research Square CY - Durham ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Mehta, Kedar A1 - Zörner, Wilfried T1 - Optimizing Agri-PV System: Systematic Methodology to Assess Key Design Parameters JF - Energies N2 - Agrivoltaic (Agri-PV) systems face the critical challenge of balancing photovoltaic energy generation with crop productivity, yet systematic approaches to quantifying the trade-offs between these objectives remain scarce. In this study, we identify nine essential design indicators: panel tilt angle, elevation, photovoltaic coverage ratio, shading factor, land equivalent ratio, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) utilization, crop yield stability index, water use efficiency, and return on investment. We introduce a novel dual matrix Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to evaluate their relative significance. An international panel of eighteen Agri-PV experts, encompassing academia, industry, and policy, provided pairwise comparisons of these indicators under two objectives: maximizing annual energy yield and sustaining crop output. The high consistency observed in expert responses allowed for the derivation of normalized weight vectors, which form the basis of two Weighted Influence Matrices. Analysis of Total Weighted Influence scores from these matrices reveal distinct priority sets: panel tilt, coverage ratio, and elevation are most influential for energy optimization, while PAR utilization, yield stability, and elevation are prioritized for crop productivity. This methodology translates qualitative expert knowledge into quantitative, actionable guidance, clearly delineating both synergies, such as the mutual benefit of increased elevation for energy and crop outcomes, and trade-offs, exemplified by the negative impact of high photovoltaic coverage on crop yield despite gains in energy output. By offering a transparent, expert-driven decision-support tool, this framework enables practitioners to customize Agri-PV system configurations according to local climatic, agronomic, and economic contexts. Ultimately, this approach advances the optimization of the food energy nexus and supports integrated sustainability outcomes in Agri-PV deployment. UR - https://doi.org/10.3390/en18143877 Y1 - 2025 UR - https://doi.org/10.3390/en18143877 UR - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:573-61136 SN - 1996-1073 VL - 18 IS - 14 PB - MDPI CY - Basel ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Mehta, Kedar A1 - Wright, Andrew A1 - Brown, Neil A1 - Zörner, Wilfried T1 - Transitioning to Low-Carbon Heating: Decision-Making Approach for Cold Communities JF - Clean Energy N2 - Selecting a sustainable heat energy supply system for high-altitude, cold-climatic communities in developing countries is essential for both decision-makers and the scientific community. However, no comprehensive guide or framework exists to address this issue and decarbonize cold communities sustainably. This research aims to fill that gap by identifying and developing a methodology for selecting a suitable heat energy supply system, using Kyrgyzstan as a case study. The approach takes into account renewable energy sources, local conditions, and specific criteria necessary for designing a sustainable energy supply. The paper introduces a decision-making framework based on 17 criteria, covering geographical, environmental, economic, technical, and social aspects, derived from the opinions of over 20 experts. This framework serves as a guide for selecting and designing an appropriate heat energy supply system. Five heat supply options are analyzed in Kyrgyzstan’s high-altitude, cold rural setting to demonstrate the framework's potential. The analysis reveals that centralized district heating is the most suitable solution, scoring 79% for system selection. This methodology is partially or fully transferable to regions or countries with similar climates and local circumstances, offering a valuable resource for the development of sustainable heat energy solutions in cold, high-altitude communities. UR - https://doi.org/10.1093/ce/zkaf010 Y1 - 2025 UR - https://doi.org/10.1093/ce/zkaf010 UR - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:573-58214 SN - 2515-396X VL - 9 IS - 4 PB - Oxford University Press CY - Oxford ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Beringer, Jakob A1 - Mehta, Kedar A1 - Ehrenwirth, Mathias A1 - Zörner, Wilfried ED - Söllner, Matthias ED - Pirkl, Gerald T1 - Sustainable materials for insulating high-altitude rural Kyrgyz residential houses: A parametric economic study T2 - Applied Research Conference 2021, Conference Proceedings Y1 - 2021 UR - https://www.oth-aw.de/files/oth-aw/Aktuelles/Veroeffentlichungen/Applied_Research_Conference_ARC2021_Proceedings.pdf SP - 183 EP - 188 PB - Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule Amberg-Weiden CY - Amberg ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Bugaje, Aminu A1 - Yadav, Akhilesh A1 - Mehta, Kedar A1 - Ojinji, Felicia A1 - Ehrenwirth, Mathias A1 - Trinkl, Christoph A1 - Zörner, Wilfried ED - Schulz, Detlef T1 - Influence of input parameters on artificial neural networks for off-grid solar photovoltaic power forecasting T2 - NEIS 2021 KW - solar power forecast KW - off-grid solar system KW - artificial neural networks KW - mean squared error KW - correlation coefficient KW - mean absolute error Y1 - 2021 UR - https://www.vde-verlag.de/proceedings-en/565651017.html SN - 978-3-8007-5651-3 SN - 978-3-8007-5652-0 N1 - Auch veröffentlicht auf IEEE: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9698257 SP - 135 EP - 141 PB - VDE Verlag CY - Berlin ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Mehta, Kedar A1 - Ehrenwirth, Mathias A1 - Trinkl, Christoph A1 - Zörner, Wilfried A1 - Greenough, Richard T1 - A parametric study on the feasibility of solar-thermal space heating and hot water preparation under cold climates in Central Asian rural areas T2 - EuroSun 2020 Proceedings UR - https://dx.doi.org/10.18086/eurosun.2020.04.03 KW - cold climate KW - building KW - solar-thermal energy KW - space heating KW - domestic hot water Y1 - 2020 UR - https://dx.doi.org/10.18086/eurosun.2020.04.03 PB - International Solar Energy Society CY - Freiburg ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Mehta, Kedar A1 - Ehrenwirth, Mathias A1 - Trinkl, Christoph A1 - Zörner, Wilfried A1 - Greenough, Richard T1 - Impact of locally available thermal insulation structures on space heating demand of high-altitude rural buildings BT - a case study of Kyrgyzstan T2 - EuroSun 2020 Proceedings UR - https://dx.doi.org/10.18086/eurosun.2020.04.04 KW - domestic space heating KW - energy efficiency KW - cold climate KW - high-altitude KW - thermal insulation Y1 - 2020 UR - https://dx.doi.org/10.18086/eurosun.2020.04.04 PB - International Solar Energy Society CY - Freiburg ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Lauermann, Magdalena A1 - Betz, Florian A1 - Mehta, Kedar A1 - Thevs, Niels A1 - Ehrenwirth, Mathias A1 - Zörner, Wilfried A1 - Cyffka, Bernd T1 - Preservation of Selected Ecosystem Services in the Floodplains of the Naryn River (Kyrgyzstan): Introducing the ÖkoFlussPlan Project T2 - Beiträge zum 50. und 51. Jahrestreffen des Arbeitskreises Hydrologie 2018 in Koblenz und 2019 in Heidelberg Y1 - 2020 UR - https://www.uni-augsburg.de/de/fakultaet/fai/geo/forschung/geographicaaugustana/ SP - 47 EP - 53 PB - Institut für Geographie, Universität Augsburg CY - Augsburg ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Mehta, Kedar A1 - Mingaleva, Ekaterina A1 - Zörner, Wilfried A1 - Degembaeva, Nadira A1 - Baibagyshov, Ermek T1 - Comprehensive analysis of the energy legislative framework of Kyrgyzstan BT - Investigation to develop a roadmap of Kyrgyz renewable energy sector JF - Cleaner Energy Systems N2 - Kyrgyzstan – a Central Asian country – faces a high degree of energy insecurity. Especially the Kyrgyz power sector suffers from outdated infrastructure and is not capable of fulfilling the growing and fluctuating inter-seasonal energy demand. On the contrary, the country is endowed with an abundant amount of renewable energies, which can significantly contribute to bringing stability to the energy sector. The current energy policy is considered as one of the key barriers to the developing the renewable energy sector in Kyrgyzstan. Hence, there is an immediate need to evaluate the formulated energy policy to investigate gaps and uncertainties. In response to that, the presented study is the first attempt that provides an in-depth assessment of Kyrgyzstan's current energy legislative framework. It determines the primary mechanisms for the operation and conduction of renewable energy sources in terms of legal and economic aspects. Furthermore, it provides detailed insight into the current Feed-in tariff calculation methodology and scrutinizes the special provisions for private investors. Based on the in-depth assessment, the article recapitulates the shortfall in the existing energy policies. The article found that there is huge potential available for the renewable energy market. To unlock that, the presented article emahsised on synergestic policy making approach to overcome barriers and expand the Kyrgyz renewable energy sector. The article further showcased how the improvements in the regulatory framework would raise the interest of the private investors / local energy players to promote the installation of renewable energy technologies over the county. UR - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cles.2022.100013 KW - Central Asia KW - Energy policy KW - Energy legislation KW - Energy security KW - Kyrgyzstan KW - Renewable energies KW - Solar energy KW - Sustainable energy Y1 - 2022 UR - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cles.2022.100013 UR - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:573-29165 SN - 2772-7831 VL - 2022 IS - 2 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Mehta, Kedar A1 - Ehrenwirth, Mathias A1 - Trinkl, Christoph A1 - Zörner, Wilfried T1 - Mapping Potential for Improving Rural Energy Services in Kyrgyzstan: Factors for Achieving Sustainable Development Goals in the Community Context JF - World N2 - Energy is a pivotal element for overall development. Therefore, affordable and clean energy for all (Sustainable Development Goal 7) is one of the important elements. Despite a suitable approach, Kyrgyzstan lags behind to achieve its Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Improving access to energy can significantly impact the progress of many other sustainable development targets. However, access to reliable, sustainable, and adequate energy is a crucial task in rural Kyrgyzstan. Taking into consideration the energy situation and the importance of the availability of energy services, the overarching aim of the presented article is to map the potential of improving rural energy services to foster overall sustainable development goals. The article presents the most relevant information about rural energy usage behaviour based on three primary pillars: energy demand, energy carrier, and energy sources. In addition, the presented research article synthesises the key driving factors which have a direct or indirect impact on the energy services in rural areas. The summarised data displays a deep insight into a variety of complex and dynamic household energy consumption patterns. The article provides a potential solution nexus to foster improved energy services in rural Kyrgyzstan and therefore to foster the overall sustainable development in Kyrgyzstan. The findings of the article help to formulate a strategy to design rural energy services for policy makers and stockholders. UR - https://doi.org/10.3390/world3030032 KW - energy need KW - rural livelihood KW - energy poverty KW - energy services KW - sustainable energy transition KW - sustainable development goals KW - Kyrgyzstan KW - Central Asia Y1 - 2022 UR - https://doi.org/10.3390/world3030032 UR - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:573-29518 SN - 2673-4060 VL - 3 IS - 3 SP - 586 EP - 606 PB - MDPI CY - Basel ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Mehta, Kedar A1 - Zörner, Wilfried A1 - Greenough, Richard T1 - Residential Building Construction Techniques and the Potential for Energy Efficiency in Central Asia: Example from High-Altitude Rural Settlement in Kyrgyzstan JF - Energies N2 - Building construction in rural Kyrgyzstan is heavily dominated by earthen buildings. Old and inappropriate residential building structures contribute significantly to high domestic space heating energy consumption. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the relevant building construction techniques. However, the scant information on Kyrgyz building techniques, especially for high-altitude rural settlements, was the prime motivation to perform the presented study. The key objective of the study is to investigate residential building construction techniques in high-altitude rural Kyrgyzstan, and this was to be achieved by house visits during field trips, literature review, and pilot interviews with local people. The analysis enabled the detailed identification of individual building envelopes as well as predominant building materials to be recorded. Based on the assessment, a housing profile was created that represents the typical characteristics of traditional rural Kyrgyz houses. Furthermore, the study demonstrates the potential for energy savings in rural Kyrgyz houses of 50–70%. However, local conditions prevent people from making improvements to all domestic energy efficiency parameters simultaneously. Therefore, the study developed a ‘sequential roadmap’ to reduce domestic space heating demand in different phases based on simulation studies. Existing low-income rural Kyrgyz habitations can use the presented roadmap to reduce domestic space heating demand sequentially to overcome financial barriers and, therefore, contribute to establishing sustainable buildings in Kyrgyzstan. These results may be partially replicated in other Central Asian rural communities depending on their location and building characteristics. UR - https://doi.org/10.3390/en15238869 KW - Central Asia KW - earthen high-altitude houses KW - building construction KW - vernacular buildings KW - energy efficiency KW - cold climate Y1 - 2022 UR - https://doi.org/10.3390/en15238869 UR - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:573-29752 SN - 1996-1073 VL - 15 IS - 23 PB - MDPI CY - Basel ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Mehta, Kedar A1 - Ehrenwirth, Mathias A1 - Trinkl, Christoph A1 - Zörner, Wilfried T1 - Towards Sustainable Community Development through Renewable Energies in Kyrgyzstan: A Detailed Assessment and Outlook JF - World N2 - In rural Kyrgyzstan, the energy need is usually derived from multiple natural energy resources such as firewood, charcoal, agricultural residues, animal dung, and wood branches, which are considered common and predominant practices. Because of the non-sustainable resources and heavy reliance on the environment, Kyrgyzstan is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change in Central Asia. On the contrary, the great renewable energy potential in Kyrgyzstan is untapped, which could be the most promising solution to ensuring sustainable energy supply in the country. However, because of the lack of scientific knowledge, current energy policies, and the lack of infrastructure, renewable resources are mainly untapped. To exploit the country’s renewable energy potential, there is a need for a systematic diagnosis to develop a strategy to explore renewables in Kyrgyzstan, which is currently missing in the existing literature. In that regard, the presented study aims to assess the current status of renewable energy sources by considering the local energy context from a potential point of view. Further to this, it provides a comparative overview through a matrix of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Such novel analysis would be the fundamental base for formulating policy advice and a national plan to enhance the utilization of renewable energy in Kyrgyzstan. The presented analysis was carried out based on the extensive literature review, the country’s national plan, and the existing energy policies of Kyrgyzstan. The article found out that there is huge potential available for the renewable energy market. As compared to other renewable energy sources, solar energy has great potential and can be considered one of the pioneer sustainable sources for integration into the country’s power generation framework. UR - https://doi.org/10.3390/world3020018 KW - Central Asia KW - energy services KW - high-altitude KW - Kyrgyzstan KW - renewable energy resources KW - sustainable energy Y1 - 2022 UR - https://doi.org/10.3390/world3020018 UR - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:573-28086 SN - 2673-4060 VL - 3 IS - 2 SP - 327 EP - 343 PB - MDPI CY - Basel ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Besner, Rebekka A1 - Mehta, Kedar A1 - Zörner, Wilfried T1 - How to Enhance Energy Services in Informal Settlements? BT - Qualitative Comparison of Renewable Energy Solutions JF - Energies N2 - More than half of the urban population of Sub-Saharan Africa lives in informal housing conditions. While urban areas are, in general, characterized by a high electrification rate, residents of informal settlements are still affected by energy poverty, the use of traditional energy sources and unreliable electricity supply. The aim of the study is to give an overview of different renewable-energybased solutions which are able to improve local energy provision. These are Solar Home Systems, Mini-Grids, and Energy-Hubs. The technologies are compared to another option for improving energy supply, namely Grid Expansion. The analysis is based on 24 Key Performance Indicators, which can be classified into technical, economic, environmental, social, and political dimensions. The selection of indicators is based on the challenges prevalent in informal settlements that impede a comprehensive, sustainable energy supply. The literature-based indices are used to determine which of the four technologies is a suitable solution for minimizing the challenges prevailing in informal settlements. The resulting matrix provides a holistic comparison and serves as a decision aid in selecting the appropriate technology for future projects in informal settlements, depending on local conditions and the needs of the population. The results show that the Energy-Hub is a valid alternative for energy supply improvement in Informal Settlements. UR - https://doi.org/10.3390/en16124687 KW - informal settlements KW - energy access KW - Sub-Saharan Africa KW - Energy-Hub KW - Mini-Grid Y1 - 2023 UR - https://doi.org/10.3390/en16124687 UR - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:573-37319 SN - 1996-1073 VL - 16 IS - 12 PB - MDPI CY - Basel ER - TY - JOUR A1 - El Makroum, Reda A1 - Khallaayoun, Ahmed A1 - Lghoul, Rachid A1 - Mehta, Kedar A1 - Zörner, Wilfried T1 - Home Energy Management System Based on Genetic Algorithm for Load Scheduling: A Case Study Based on Real Life Consumption Data JF - Energies N2 - This paper proposes a home energy management system able to achieve optimized load scheduling for the operation of appliances within a given household. The system, based on the genetic algorithm, provides recommendations for the user to improve the way the energy needs of the home are handled. These recommendations not only take into account the dynamic pricing of electricity, but also the optimization for solar energy usage as well as user comfort. Historical data regarding the times at which the appliances have been used is leveraged through a statistical method to integrate the user’s preference into the algorithm. Based on real life appliance consumption data collected from a household in Morocco, three scenarios are established to assess the performance of the proposed system with each scenario having different parameters. Running the scenarios on the developed MATLAB script shows a cost saving of up to 63.48% as compared to a base scenario for a specific day. These results demonstrate that significant cost saving can be achieved while maintaining user comfort. The addition of supplementary shiftable loads (i.e., an electric vehicle) to the household as well as the limitations of such home energy management systems are discussed. The main contribution of this paper is the real data and including the user comfort as a metric in in the home energy management scheme. UR - https://doi.org/10.3390/en16062698 KW - home energy management KW - load scheduling KW - genetic algorithm KW - user comfort Y1 - 2023 UR - https://doi.org/10.3390/en16062698 UR - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:573-32284 SN - 1996-1073 VL - 16 IS - 6 PB - MDPI CY - Basel ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Mehta, Kedar A1 - Shah, Meeth Jeetendra A1 - Zörner, Wilfried T1 - Agri-PV (Agrivoltaics) in Developing Countries: Advancing Sustainable Farming to Address the Water–Energy–Food Nexus JF - Energies N2 - The escalating demand for water, energy, and food, coupled with the imperative for sustainable development, necessitates innovative solutions to address the complex interdependencies within the water–energy–food nexus. In this context, agriculture and photovoltaics (Agri-PV or Agri–voltaics) systems have emerged as a promising approach to promoting sustainable agricultural practices while enhancing energy efficiency and food production. However, limited research, especially on the technical aspects of Agri-PV, has resulted in a knowledge gap regarding how to model and determine the suitability of Agri-PV for different crops based on local conditions. This study presents a novel approach to modeling and simulating Agri-PV systems for various major crops in developing countries, using Uzbekistan as a case study. It provides a blueprint for selecting suitable Agri-PV systems. The research investigates the technical feasibility of Agri-PV technology tailored to Uzbekistan’s agricultural landscape, with broader implications for Central Asia. Employing a systematic methodology, the study begins by selecting appropriate sites and crops for Agri-PV system testing, ensuring the relevance and applicability of the research findings to the local context. Using advanced software tools such as PVSyst, the study accurately calculates photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) values specific to selected crops, bridging a significant knowledge gap and providing empirical data essential for informed decision making. The methodology further incorporates an in-depth analysis of economic and technical considerations in selecting PV modules and inverters, enhancing the scientific accuracy of the study. By strategically modeling Agri-PV systems based on parameters like row density, module distance, and tilt angle, this research aims to optimize the integration of photovoltaic technology with agricultural practices in Uzbekistan. Moreover, this study helps to understand the impact of Agri-PV systems on the water–energy–food nexus, providing valuable insights into the potential benefits and challenges specific to the region. The study identifies the positive impact of Agri-PV on major crops and provides a suitable design and modeling approach for sustainable farming practices. UR - https://doi.org/10.3390/en17174440 Y1 - 2024 UR - https://doi.org/10.3390/en17174440 UR - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:573-51677 SN - 1996-1073 VL - 17 IS - 17 PB - MDPI CY - Basel ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Bazzi, Ahmed A1 - El Hafdaoui, Hamza A1 - Khallaayoun, Ahmed A1 - Mehta, Kedar A1 - Ouazzani, Kamar A1 - Zörner, Wilfried T1 - Optimization Model of Hybrid Renewable Energy Generation for Electric Bus Charging Stations JF - Energies N2 - This paper introduces a comprehensive approach for sizing grid-connected hybrid renewable energy systems tailored for electric bus fleet operations. The study involves two main steps. First, a mathematical model that optimizes the configuration of such systems by considering daily electric bus consumption, solar irradiance, wind speed, and biomass potential is formulated. The model utilizes Pareto frontier multi-objective optimization to minimize the net present cost, the cost of energy, and greenhouse gas emissions. Second, the model is rigorously applied and tested in a real-world case study in Fez, Morocco, using HOMER Pro; the case study centers on the daily energy requirements of the buses, estimated at 2.5 megawatt hours per day, with a peak demand of 345 kilowatts. Two scenarios are explored, revealing a discernible trade-off dilemma between the full hybrid renewable energy scenario (Scenario 1) and the grid-connected hybrid renewable energy scenario (Scenario 2). In Scenario 2, the grid-connected hybrid renewable energy system demonstrates a notable 42.8% reduction in the net present cost, totaling USD 984,624. Similarly, the levelized cost of energy experiences a significant decrease, reaching approximately 0.08 USD/kWh, marking a 38.1% reduction. However, this apparent economic advantage is juxtaposed with a critical consideration—an increase in greenhouse gas emissions from null to 330,418 kg/year. UR - https://doi.org/10.3390/en17010053 KW - electric buses KW - HOMER KW - on-site renewable energy generation KW - sustainable transport KW - hybrid renewable energy generation KW - grid-connected renewable energy system KW - electric bus charging station Y1 - 2023 UR - https://doi.org/10.3390/en17010053 UR - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:573-47109 SN - 1996-1073 VL - 17 IS - 1 PB - MDPI CY - Basel ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Lwakatare, Bertha A1 - Vyavahare, Priyanka A1 - Mehta, Kedar A1 - Zörner, Wilfried T1 - Electrification Planning for Off-Grid Communities in Sub-Saharan Africa: Advancing Energy Access JF - Energies N2 - Sub-Saharan Africa, especially its rural areas, faces significant challenges in achieving universal electrification despite its abundant renewable energy resources. The region has the highest population without access to electricity, largely due to economic, infrastructural, and geographical barriers. Energy poverty is a critical issue that hinders sustainable development and exacerbates inequalities. Namibia’s sustainable energy policy aligns with the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 7, which aims to provide affordable and reliable modern energy access for all. The policy emphasizes mini-grids and decentralized power systems as key strategies for rural electrification. However, despite increased deployment of mini-grids, these solutions often struggle with long-term sustainability. This research explores cost-effective electrification strategies through scenario-based modeling to reduce energy poverty and expand energy access in Namibia’s rural communities, focusing on the existing mini-grids in Tsumkwe and Gam. Using a comprehensive methodology that incorporates HOMER Pro for mini-grid capacity expansion and MS Excel for evaluating main-grid extensions, this study aims to identify the most feasible and economical electrification solutions. The analysis compares electricity supply, total net present cost, and the levelized cost of electricity across these systems. The findings will offer insights into addressing energy poverty in Namibia and provide recommendations for sustainable and scalable rural electrification across Sub-Saharan Africa. UR - https://doi.org/10.3390/en17235994 KW - off-grid communities KW - grid extension KW - mini-grid expansion KW - rural electrification KW - Sub-Saharan Africa KW - Namibia Y1 - 2024 UR - https://doi.org/10.3390/en17235994 UR - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:573-53771 SN - 1996-1073 VL - 17 IS - 23 PB - MDPI CY - Basel ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Mirzaqobulov, Jakhongirmirzo A1 - Mehta, Kedar A1 - Ilyas, Sana A1 - Salokhiddinov, Abdulkhakim T1 - The Role of Collector-Drainage Water in Sustainable Irrigation for Agriculture in the Developing World: An Experimental Study JF - World N2 - This study investigates the feasibility of using mineralized collector-drainage water (CDW) for irrigating maize crops on light gray soils in the Syrdarya region of Uzbekistan, an area facing severe water scarcity and soil salinity challenges. The research is particularly novel as it explores maize production in marginalized soils, a subject previously unexamined in this context. The experiment was designed as a three-factor factorial study with three replications, following the guidelines of the Uzbekistan Cotton Scientific Research Institute. Five irrigation treatments (Fresh Water, Fresh Water 70% vs. CDW 30%, Complex Method (Mixing with Specific Rules), CDW 70% vs. Fresh Water 30% (Mixing) and only CDW) were evaluated using an Alternate Furrow Irrigation system, incorporating various mixtures of fresh water and CDW to determine their effects on soil salinity, crop health and yield. The amount of irrigation water required was determined using a soil moisture balance model, with soil samples collected at multiple depths (0–100 cm) to monitor changes in moisture content and salinity. Salinity levels and soil health parameters such as alkalinity, chloride, sulfate and cation/anion balances were measured at different stages of crop growth. Data were collected over three growing seasons (3 years). An analysis of the data revealed that using CDW, even in mixtures with fresh water, can sustain crop production while managing soil salinity. Notably, irrigation methods such as Mixing 70–30 and the Complex Mixing Method effectively reduced freshwater dependency and maintained the crop yield without significantly increasing salinity. The results suggest that CDW could be a viable alternative water source in regions where traditional water resources are limited. The findings have significant implications for improving water use efficiency and agricultural productivity in areas facing similar environmental challenges. This research not only contributes to the broader understanding of sustainable irrigation practices in arid regions but also provides a scientific basis for the wider adoption of CDW in Uzbekistan, potentially enhancing food security and supporting long-term agricultural sustainability in the region. UR - https://doi.org/10.3390/world6010001 KW - water management KW - Central Asia KW - Uzbekistan KW - sustainable irrigation KW - SDGs KW - sustainable agriculture Y1 - 2024 UR - https://doi.org/10.3390/world6010001 UR - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:573-55516 SN - 2673-4060 VL - 6 IS - 1 PB - MDPI CY - Basel ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Mehta, Kedar A1 - Zörner, Wilfried T1 - Cracking the code: mapping residential building energy performance in rural Central Asia through building typologies JF - SN Applied Sciences N2 - Buildings in rural Central Asia have unique characteristics as they were built during the Soviet era (during 1950–1960) without any energy efficiency measures. The special and aged building stock pose a crucial challenge on energy security and energy supply. However, accurate scientific data on their energy usage is lacking, highlighting a research gap about robust and validated methodology to determine the energy use of rural Central Asian buildings. In response to this need, this research paper proposes a set of generalised residential building typologies for rural Central Asia, with a focus on Kyrgyzstan. The study combines quantitative and qualitative methods, including household surveys, energy demand modelling, EnergyPlus simulations, and result validation. It derives energy-based building typologies from construction year and building envelope characteristics. Through numerous validated simulations, it was identified that the heat demand for rural Kyrgyz houses is 3–5 times here compared to European houses (250–400 kWh/m2). The study revealed the estimated heat demand for homes in rural Kyrgyzstan, indicating a significant potential for improving building energy efficiency in the region. These results can inform specific approaches, such as building renovation plans, energy certification, and renovation strategies. Furthermore, the validated methodology introduced offers opportunities for researchers in the field of building energy efficiency and can be applied to similar regions in Central Asia with comparable building stocks and climates. UR - https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-023-05607-1 Y1 - 2023 UR - https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-023-05607-1 UR - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:573-41536 SN - 2523-3971 VL - 5 IS - 12 PB - Springer Nature CY - Cham ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Mehta, Kedar A1 - Zörner, Wilfried T1 - Crop selection in Agri-PV: international review based strategic decision-making model JF - Solar Compass N2 - Agri-Photovoltaics (Agri-PV) is well known for its dual land use, integrating solar energy generation with agricultural production. This not only optimizes land use but also enhances food and energy security. Since Agri-PV is closely linked with crop cultivation, it is not solely about energy generation but also requires careful consideration of crop suitability within Agri-PV installations. Despite its significance, there is limited information available to guide decision-making for crop selection in Agri-PV systems. Selecting suitable crops remains a complex challenge, as factors such as shading tolerance, water requirements, and economic viability vary across different geographical and climatic conditions. This study develops a novel, review-based decision support model for crop selection in Agri-PV systems, synthesizing international research and case studies to provide a structured framework for decision-making. The model is based on 12 main crop typologies and key parameters such as water use, shading adaptability, crop yield/economic potential, and space requirements, derived from 117 research articles and case studies from 25 countries. By leveraging insights from successful international implementations, the model provides a practical framework for policymakers, farmers, and energy planners to enhance the sustainability and efficiency of Agri-PV projects. Findings suggest that crop selection strategies must align with regional climate conditions and PV system design to maximize synergies between energy and food production. High-value crops that require less space and have higher shade tolerance are more suitable for small-scale or decentralized Agri-PV systems. Future research should focus on advanced modeling techniques, AI-driven optimization, and real-world pilot studies to further refine decision-making in Agri-PV deployment. This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on Agri-PV systems by providing a novel crop suitability matrix for effective decision-making. UR - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solcom.2025.100143 Y1 - 2025 UR - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solcom.2025.100143 UR - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:573-62476 SN - 2772-9400 VL - 2025 IS - 16 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam ER -