Industrial processes are currently responsible for nearly 26% of European primary energy consumptions and are characterized by a multitude of energy losses. Among them, the ones that occur as heat streams rejected to the environment in the form of exhausts or effluents take place at different temperature levels. The reduction or recovery of such types of energy flows will undoubtedly contribute to the achievement of improved environmental performance as well as to reduce the overall manufacturing costs of goods. In this scenario, the current work aims at outlining the prospects of potential for industrial waste heat recovery in the European Union (EU) upon identification and quantification of primary energy consumptions among the major industrial sectors and their related waste streams and temperature levels. The paper introduces a new approach toward estimating the waste heat recovery in the European Union industry, using the Carnot efficiency in relation to the temperature levels of the processes involved. The assessment is carried out using EU statistical energy databases. The overall EU thermal energy waste is quantified at 920 TWh theoretical potential and 279 TWh Carnot potential.

Virtual synchronous generator (VSG) control technique presents a promising alternative for controlling the inverter-based distributed generator (DG), due to its capability to improve the microgrid stability when the renewable energy has a high penetration level into the grid. The analyses and parameters design of the active and reactive power loop of DG are often based on a small-signal model, where a linear relationship between active and reactive powers versus control variables is obtained based on quasi-static method, in which the currents dynamic is neglected. This model gives qualitative results only in case of large conventional synchronous generators. However, for a small DG based on VSG controller with a small virtual inertia, fast power electronics devices and with coupling between active and reactive powers loops, this model does not give satisfactory results. To overcome the aforementioned problem, this paper proposes a new model of DG systems based on VSG operating in island microgrids. The proposed model incorporates the line impedance dynamic of the microgrid into the DG model. The accuracy of the proposed model has been investigated and compared with the conventional one using MATLAB/Simulink environment. Simulation obtained results prove that the new model is more precise compared to the conventional one in transit state reflecting by the way better the dynamics of the system and allowing as a consequence of a good analysis of the stability and behaviour of the global system.

To precisely control and measure the performance of a single-rotor spark ignition rotary engine, a control system and measurement system were developed. A redundant design for hardware and software of sensors was applied. A symmetrical layout formed by two crankshaft position sensors was used to generate square wave signals that were complementary and inputted into the electric control unit as the crankshaft position reference. The corresponding software timing strategy and fault diagnosis were designed. Based on a simulation test and engine bench test, the electric control system shows a reasonable control effect, and the engine performance parameters including output torque, intake air flow and pressure, fuel and oil consumption, cooling air and coolant flow, and excess air ratio indicate that the engine control system and measurement system can operate smoothly.

A heterocystous cyanobacterial isolate Nostoc carneum was found to be capable of degrading low-density polythene utilising it as a carbon and energy source. The structural, morphological and chemical changes of the degraded PE were monitored by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, CHN microanalyses and tensile strength measurements. The TGA-DSC and CHN microanalyses corroborated about 3% carbon utilisation by Nostoc carneum from the PE. The higher generation time of the cyanobacterium on PE substrate vis-a-vis the biotic control augmented PE carbon utilisation by the species. The diagnostic features for alcohol and ester were observed in FT-IR and NMR spectra as the end products of biodegradation. The bond indices and enzyme activity further furnished evidence for PE degradation. Formation of holes and cavities on the surface of the PE indicated the disruption and reduction in the polyethylene integrity. The cellular constituents and enzymatic activities of the PE grown cells indicated a possible role of the enzymes in biodegradation.

On December 31, 2002, the Shatabdi Express, one of the top trains in India, ran from Amritsar to New Delhi using fuel blended with Jatropha curcas L. (Jatropha) seed oil. After this, very ambitious goals were set by India in 2003 to blend 20% Jatropha seed oil and ethanol in diesel and petrol by 2017, respectively, and this was expected to reach 30% by the end of 2020. During the last decade, India has undertaken various programs like Ethanol Blended Petrol Program, National Biodiesel Mission, Biodiesel Blending Program, etc., to promote the use of biofuels. Currently, the blending of ethanol in petrol and biodiesel in diesel is only about 2 and 0.1%, respectively. On June 4, 2018, India has revamped its National Policy on Biofuels, with few modifications in earlier bioenergy policies and almost same target of 20% blending of ethanol in petrol and 5% biodiesel oil in diesel by 2030. Within 3 months of release of this policy, Jatropha biodiesel has energized Indian aviation to fly its first biofuel-based flight to cover about 126 miles of air distance on August 27, 2018. Here, I am briefly sharing my views about the journey of bioenergy globally and mindset of Indian policy makers regarding potential developments of bioenergy in India.