Editorial: Introducing Energy Quarterly

The paper titled “Engineering Complex, Information-based,Networked Industrial Systems: A Research Roadmap” by Albert Jones et al argues for a new and different approach to design and understand what they termed as complex information-based networked industrial _CINI_ systems. The authors borrow concepts and principles from physical systems and living systems to model and simulate CINI systems. They describe the four major model building activities of engineers that relate to CINI systems, namely, topology, behaviour, decisions, and information.

An interview with Ratan Tata

This paper investigates whether the goal of universal energy access in the post-MDGs dialogue sufficiently addresses the challenges faced by the Southern countries. Though access to energy is an important precondition for development and resilience to socio-economic and climate variability and change, about 1.7 million people lack access to electricity. Hence, the post-MDGs dialogue mandates attention to energy poverty reduction. A critical review of literature on the dialogue was conducted to analyse gaps in the current conceptualisation of the goal.

A double layer δ-NH4V4O10, due to its high energy storage capacity and excellent rate capability, is a very promising cathode material for Li-ion and Na-ion batteries for large-scale renewable energy storage in transportation and smart grids. While it possesses better stability, and higher ionic and electronic conductivity than the most widely explored V2O5, the mechanisms of its cyclability are yet to be understood.

Short-term variability of utility-scale solar PhotoVoltaic (PV) plant is a significant issue for grid reliability. It is necessary to quantify the solar power variability in order to analyze the power variations on the electricity distribution network. In this paper, a Lorenz curve-based method is described to quantify the variability of power output from a megawatt-scale solar PV plant. The proposed method is used to analyze the power variability of Yelesandra PV power plant located in the state of Karnataka, India.

This report is a prelude to the development of a Proof-of-Concept (PoC) decision support tool that will aid cities in providing cost-effective, inclusive and sustainable sanitation options for all with a particular emphasis on the urban poor This is proposed to be achieved through an integrated assessment framework of alternative sanitation technologiesA PoC decision support tool is planned to be developed, with an aim to facilitate an integrated approach to the sanitation investment planning process for ULB in India The PoC tool is envisioned to provide stakeholders the information and kno

This paper evaluates the Pugh Controlled Convergence method and its relationship to recent developments in design theory. Computer executable models are proposed simulating a team of people involved in iterated cycles of evaluation, ideation, and investigation.

Sodium-ion batteries are the commercially and environmentally viable next-generation candidates for automobiles. Structural and electrochemical aspects are greater concerns towards the development of a stable cathode material. Selecting transition metals and their composition greatly influences charge order, superstructures, and different voltage plateaus. This, in turn, influences transport properties and cyclic performance. This article aims to study the electrochemical performance, diffusivity, and structural stability of Na x [M y Mn1−y ]O2 (M = Fe, Ni) as cathode.

In Central Receiver Systems (CRSs), thousands of heliostats track the sunrays and reflect beam radiation on to a receiver surface. The size of the reflected image and the extent of reflection from the heliostats are one of the important criteria that need to be taken into account while designing a receiver, since spillage losses may vary from 2 to 16% of the total losses. The present study aims to determine the size of an external cylindrical receiver, such that the rays reflected from all the heliostats in the field are intercepted.