The identification of extreme wind events and their driving forces are crucial to better integrating wind generation into the power system. Recent work related the occurrence of extreme wind events with some weather circulation patterns, enabling the identification of (i) wind power ramps and (ii) low-generation events as well as their intrinsic features, such as the intensity and time duration. Using Portugal as a case study, this work focuses on the application of a weather classification-type methodology to link the weather conditions with wind power generation, namely, the different types of extreme events. A long-term period is used to assess and characterize the changes in the occurrence of extreme weather events and corresponding intensity on wind power production. High variability is expected under cyclonic regimes, whereas low-generation events are most common in anticyclonic regimes. The results of the work provide significant insights regarding wind power production in Portugal, enabling an increase in its predictability.

The exponential grow of the wind sector in Portugal required the development of planning tools for the siting of the wind farms, its connection to the existing grid, as well as the assessment of the country's existing wind resource capable of enabling an economic, social and environmental sustainable development. The methodology developed and presented in this paper was initiated a decade ago with the classification of the existing wind data adequate to wind energy resource assessment as well as the identification of the constraints to the deployment of wind power plants. This GIS based methodology was systematically applied to the Portuguese territory and resulted on the identification of the available optimum sites for wind plant development at the lowest grid connection costs. The methodology may be easily applied to other countries or regions, thus enabling a systematic and objective approach to the wind power deployment.

The challenges associated with traditional cooking methods in African countries, particularly the use of firewood and charcoal, which have negative impacts on the environment, health and human and economic development and safety, are addressed in this work. Given the high annual solar irradiation on the African continent, photovoltaic-powered electric cooking alternatives, such as electric pressure cookers (EPCs), are identified as a potential efficient, clean and affordable cooking solution. This work focuses on the potential of standalone solar electric cookers for use in rural African locations, namely, if this type of solution can satisfy cooking demand. Surveys and experimental data from several households in two different countries (Rwanda and Kenya) were collected. Specifically, the researchers performed a survey regarding cooking habits and an experimental campaign to determine real energy consumption profiles of EPCs. The main results are analyzed and discussed in this work. An assessment of the solar power capability to directly supply the EPCs’ energy demand, as determined from the experimental data, is performed. The findings indicate that, for the most commonly prepared food types, using EPCs saves considerable time in comparison with traditional cooking methods. In Rwanda, time savings range from 55% to 84%, while in Kenya, the time saved varies from 9% to 64%. Results show that, even for scenarios with high installed solar capacity, storage solutions are required to enable the PV-powered EPC system to supply more than 50% of meal demand.

In the framework of the wind energy network for distributed generation in urban environments for most South American countries, wind resource assessment studies have been carried out in activities to establish a suitable methodology to assess the wind potential in urban environments. Some methodologies are already published in research studies, and the wind tunnel is the most accurate solution to obtain insight into the wind resource when measurements are unavailable, which is the most frequent case. Nevertheless, besides its validity, one cannot disregard the high cost of producing a scaled urban model and access to a wind tunnel. In this sense, this paper compares results from a wind tunnel experiment and different numerical modeling approaches. Two commercial models (WindSim and Wasp Engineering) and one open-source CFD code (OpenFOAM) are used. The results from the modeling simulation concluded that CFD models could achieve lower deviations for the mean wind speed and turbulence intensity when compared with non-CFD models. With such results, CFD modeling is a promising tool for reliably evaluating wind potential in urban environments.

This study examines whether green hydrogen production using combined wind and solar energy on Marmara Island can meet the island’s electricity demand and fuel the fuel needs of a hydrogen-powered ferry. A hybrid system consisting of a 10 MW wind farm, a 3 MW solar PV system, and a PEM electrolyzer sized to meet the island’s hydrogen demand was modeled for the island, located in the southwestern Sea of Marmara. The hydrogen production potential, energy flows, and techno-economic performance were evaluated using HOMER-Pro 3.18.4 version. According to the simulation results, the hybrid system generates approximately 62.6 GWh of electricity annually, achieving an 82.8% renewable energy share. A significant portion of the produced energy is transferred to the electrolyzer, producing approximately 729 tons of green hydrogen annually. The economic analysis demonstrates that the system is financially viable, with a net present cost of USD 61.53 million and a levelized energy cost of USD 0.175/kWh. Additionally, the design has the potential to reduce approximately 2637 tons of CO₂ emissions over a 25-year period. The results demonstrate that integrating renewable energy sources with hydrogen production can provide a cost-effective and low-carbon solution for isolated communities such as islands, strengthening energy independence and supporting sustainable transportation options. It has been demonstrated that hydrogen produced by PEM electrolyzers powered by excess energy from the hybrid system could provide a reliable fuel source for hydrogen-fueled ferries operating between Marmara Island and the mainland. Overall, the findings indicate that pairing renewable energy generation with hydrogen production offers a realistic pathway for islands seeking cleaner transportation options and greater energy independence.