• The Journal of Korea Institute of Information, Electronics, and Communication Technology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.178-188
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• 2022

The introduction of virtual power plants is actively being discussed to solve the problem of grid acceptability caused by the spread of distributed renewable energy, which is the key to achieving carbon neutrality. However, a new business such as virtual power plants is difficult to secure economic feasibility at the initial stage of introduction because it is common that there is no compensation mechanism. Therefore, appropriate support including subsidy is required at the early stage. But, it is generally difficult to obtain the cost model to determine the subsidy level because of the lack of enough data for the new business model. In this study, a survey of domestic experts on the requirements, appropriate scale, and cost required for the introduction of virtual power plants is conducted. First, resource composition scenarios are designed from the survey results to consider the impact of the resource composition on the cost. Then, the cost estimation model is obtained using the individual cost estimation data for their resource compositions using logistic regression analysis. In the case study, appropriate initial subsidy levels are analyzed and compared for the virtual power plants on the scale of 20-500MW. The results show that mid-to-large resource composition cases show 29-51% lower cost than small-to-large resource composition cases.

• Clean Technology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.232-237
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• 2022

Biorefineries, in which renewable resources are utilized, are an eco-friendly alternative based on biomass feedstocks. Alginic acid, a major component of brown algae, which is a type of marine biomass, is widely used in various industries and can be converted into value-added chemicals such as sugars, sugar alcohols, furans, and organic acids via catalytic hydrothermal decomposition under certain conditions. In this study, ruthenium-supported activated carbon and magnesium oxide were mixed and applied to the depolymerization of alginic acid in a batch reactor. The addition of magnesium oxide as a basic promoter had a strong influence on product distribution. In this heterogeneous catalytic system, the separation and purification processes are also simplified. After the reaction, low molecular weight alcohols and organic acids with 5 or fewer carbons were produced. Specifically, under the optimal reaction conditions of 30 mL of 1 wt% alginic acid aqueous solution, 100 mg of ruthenium-supported activated carbon, 100 mg of magnesium oxide, 210 ℃ of reaction temperature, and 1 h of reaction time, total carbon yields of 29.8% for alcohols and 43.8% for a liquid product were obtained. Hence, it is suggested that this catalytic system results in the enhanced hydrogenolysis of alginic acid to value-added chemicals.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.285-290
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• 2023

Poly-lactic acid (PLA) is the most promising polymer in additive manufacturing as an alternative to acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). Since it is produced from renewable resources such as corn starch and sugar beets, it is also biocompatible and biodegradable. However, PLA has a couple of issues that limit its use. First, it has a comparatively low glass transition temperature of around 60 ℃, such that it exhibits low thermal resistance. Second, PLA has low impact strength because it is brittle. Due to these problems, scientists have found methods to improve the crystallinity and ductility of PLA. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is one of the most studied plasticizers for PLA to give it chain mobility. However, the blend of PLA and PEG becomes unstable, and phase separation occurs even at room temperature as PEG is self-crystallized. Thus, it is necessary to investigate the optimal mixing ratio of PLA-PEG at the molecular scale. In this study, molecular dynamics will be conducted with various ratios of L-type PLA (PLLA) or DL-type PLA-PEG (PDLA-PEG) systems by using BIOVIA Materials Studio.

• The Journal of the Korea institute of electronic communication sciences
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.265-278
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• 2022

The global energy paradigm is rapidly changing by centering on carbon neutrality, and wind energy is positioning itself as a leader in renewable energy-based power sources. The success of onshore and offshore wind energy projects focuses on securing the economic feasibility of the project, which depends on securing high-quality wind resources and optimal arrangement of wind turbines. In the process of constructing the wind farm, the optimal arrangement method of wind turbines considering the main wind direction is important, and this is related to minimizing the wake effect caused by the fluid passing through the structure located on the windward side. The accuracy of the predictability of the wake effect is determined by the wake model and modeling technique that can properly simulate it. Therefore, in this paper, using WindSim, a commercial CFD model, the wake diffusion pattern is analyzed through the sensitivity study of each wake model of the proposed onshore wind farm located in the mountainous complex terrain in South Korea, and it is intended to be used as basic research data for wind energy projects in complex terrain in the future.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.10 no.7
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• pp.33-41
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• 2012

The purpose of this study is to analyse the state of the energy industry and to determine the efficiency of its functioning on the basis of energy conservation principle and application of innovative technologies aimed at improving the ecological modernisation of agricultural sectors of Kazakhstan. The research methodology is based on an integrated approach of financial and economic evaluation of the effectiveness of the investment project, based on calculation of elasticity, total costs and profitability, as well as on comparative, graphical and system analysis. The current stage is characterised by widely spread restructuring processes of electric power industry in many countries through introduction of new technical installations of energy facilities and increased government regulation in order to enhance the competitive advantage of electricity market. Electric power industry features a considerable value of creating areas. For example, by providing scientific and technical progress, it crucially affects not only the development but also the territorial organisation of productive forces, first of all the industry. In modern life, more than 90% of electricity and heat is obtained by Kazakhstan's economy by consuming non-renewable energy resources: different types of coal, oil shale, oil, natural gas and peat. Therefore, it is significant to ensure energy security, as the country faces a rapid fall back to mono-gas structure of fuel and energy balance. However, energy resources in Kazakhstan are spread very unevenly. Its main supplies are concentrated in northern and central parts of the republic, and the majority of consumers of electrical power live in the southern and western areas of the country. However, energy plays an important role in the economy of industrial production and to a large extent determines the level of competitive advantage, which is a promising condition for implementation of energy-saving and environmentally friendly technologies. In these circumstances, issues of modernisation and reforms of this sector in Kazakhstan gain more and more importance, which can be seen in the example of economically sustainable solutions of a large local monopoly company, significant savings in capital investment and efficiency of implementation of an investment project. A major disadvantage of development of electricity distribution companies is the prevalence of very high moral and physical amortisation of equipment, reaching almost 70-80%, which significantly increases the operating costs. For example, while an investment of 12 billion tenge was planned in 2009 in this branch, in 2012 it is planned to invest more than 17 billion. Obviously, despite the absolute increase, the rate of investment is still quite low, as the total demand in this area is at least more than 250 billion tenge. In addition, industrial infrastructure, including the objects of Kazakhstan electric power industry, have a tangible adverse impact on the environment. Thus, since there is a large number of various power projects that are sources of electromagnetic radiation, the environment is deteriorated. Hence, there is a need to optimise the efficiency of the organisation and management of production activities of energy companies, to create and implement new technologies, to ensure safe production and provide solutions to various environmental aspects. These are key strategic factors to ensure success of the modern energy sector of Kazakhstan. The contribution of authors in developing the scope of this subject is explained by the fact that there was not enough research in the energy sector, especially in the view of ecological modernisation. This work differs from similar works in Kazakhstan in the way that the proposed method of investment project calculation takes into account the time factor, which compares the current and future value of profit from the implementation of innovative equipment that helps to bring it to actual practise. The feasibility of writing this article lies in the need of forming a public policy in the industrial sector, including optimising the structure of energy disbursing rate, which complies with the terms of future modernised development of the domestic energy sector.

• Weed & Turfgrass Science
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.196-205
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• 2014

In this study, to obtain basic data for searching potential resources as new natural fibers, we investigated morphological and classificatory characteristics of 21 weed seed fibers. According to classification keys in this study, the collected weed seed fibers could be classified into total 13 types, showing their diversity. Seven species among them belonged to BOT3 type. Two species belonged to B2N0 and DOS3 type, respectively. Many of weed seed fibers had not branched. However, three species had various branched fibers at one main fibers on the seed. Three species had various branched fibers at several main fibers on the seed. Eight species had a smooth fiber surface but 13 species had a weakly or significantly developed-corniculum on the fiber surface. In the fiber cell shape, fiber cells of eight weed species were composed of one long cell without septum. But others had a fiber cell shape composed of a bunch of several long cells. Based on the easiness of harvesting, productivity of fibers, and morphological characteristics of seed fiber, it seemed that five seed fibers (TYPLA, METJA, HEMLY, IMPCK, and EREHI) should be additionally investigated if they are practically applicable as renewable resources for new natural fibers.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.13-28
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• 2023

This study assessed the biochemical methane potential (B_u-P) of three grass species-Poa pratensis (PP), Zoysia japonica (ZJ), and Agrostis stolonifera (AS). B_u-P values were determined as 0.330 Nm³/kg-VS_added for PP, 0.297 Nm³/kg-VS_added for ZJ, and 0.261 Nm³/kg-VS_added for AS. Notably, PP exhibited superior suitability for methane production. The investigation also examined the impact of silage storage duration on PP grass clippings, revealing a 19% decline in B_u-P from an initial value of 0.269 Nm³/kg-VS_added on day 0 to 0.217 Nm³/kg-VS_added on day 180. Throughout the storage period, there were significant increases in neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and crude protein (CP) contents, rising from 67.59%, 39.68%, and 3.02% on day 0 to 77.12%, 54.65%, and 6.24% on day 180, respectively. These findings highlight the influence of storage duration on the anaerobic digestibility of PP grass clippings. To effectively utilize grass clippings as a renewable resource for methane production, further studies considering factors such as initial moisture content, pretreatment methods, and potential effects of residual pesticides are necessary to optimize anaerobic digestion efficiency for herbaceous biomass.

• Weed & Turfgrass Science
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.253-261
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• 2014

In this study, we investigated several chemical and physical characteristics of 4 weed seed fibers; Hemistepta lyrata (HEMLY), Imperata cylindrica var. koenigii (IMPCK), Metaplexis japonica (METJA) and Typha latifolia (TYPLA). In chemical composition, there were 74 (TYPLA)-88.5% (METJA) of holocellulose, 17 (IMPCK)-24% (METJA) of lignin, 0.22 (METJA)-4.2% (IMPCK) of ash, 2.2 (HEMLY)-7.8% (IMPCK) of hot water extractives and 0.4 (IMPCK)-6.3% (TYPLA) of solvent extractives. Alpha-cellulose proportion to holocellulose was similar among weed seed fibers as 45-48%. The crystallinity index (CI) of raw seed fibers was 53.2 (TYPLA)-65.9% (HEMLY). However, CI of the chemical treated fibers (EDA fibers) was a little increased and showed 61.1 (IMPCK)-71.8% (METJA). The maximum thermal decomposition temperature (MTDT) of the raw seed fibers were 312, 321.8, 331.5 and $341.6^{\circ}C$ in METJA, TYPLA, HEMLY and IMPCK, respectively. But the MTDT of the EDA fibers were 327, 327, 341.7 and $360.0^{\circ}C$ in HEMLY, TYPLA, METJA and IMPCK, respectively. Taken together, they showed a similar or better characteristics compared to the reported or commercial natural fiber resourses. Accordingly, they seem to be practically applicable as renewable resources for a new natural fibers.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2017

Bio-oil has attracted considerable interest as one of the promising renewable energy resources because it can be used as a feedstock in conventional petroleum refineries for the production of high value chemicals or next-generation hydrocarbon fuels. Zeolites have been shown to effectively promote cracking reactions during pyrolysis resulting in highly deoxygenated and hydrocarbon-rich compounds and stable pyrolysis oil products. In this study, catalytic pyrolysis was applied to upgrade bio-oil from yellow poplar and then fuel characteristics of upgraded bio-oil was investigated. Yellow Poplar(500 g) which ground 0.3~1.4 mm was processed into bio-oil by catalytic pyrolysis for 1.64 seconds at $465^{\circ}C$ with Control, Blaccoal, Whitecoal, ZeoliteY and ZSM-5. Under the catalyst conditions, bio-oil productions decreased from 54.0%(Control) to 51.4 ~ 53.5%, except 56.2%(Blackcoal). HHV(High heating value) of upgraded bio-oil was more lower than crude bio-oil while the water content increased from 37.4% to 37.4 ~ 45.2%. But the other properties were improved significantly. Under the upgrading conditions, ash and TAN(Total Acid Number) is decrease and particularly important as transportation fuel, the viscosity of bio-oil decreased from 6,933 cP(Control) to 2,578 ~ 4,627 cP. In addition, ZeoliteY was most effective on producing aromatic hydrocarbons and decreasing of from the catalytic pyrolysis.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.103 no.3
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• pp.431-438
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• 2014

This study was conducted to assess forest biomass resource which is a carbon sink and a renewable resource in Korea. The total forest biomass resource potential was 804 million tons, and conifers, broadleaved forest and mixed forest accounted for 265 million tons, 282 million tons, and 257 million tons, respectively. Proportionately to regional forest stocks, biomass potential of Gangwon-do had most biomass potential, followed by Gyeongsangbuk-do and Gyeongsangnam-do. The woody biomass from the byproduct of sawn timber in commercial harvesting was 707 thousand ton/year, and that from the byproduct of forest tending was 592 thousand ton/year. The amount resulted in about 1,300 thousand ton/year of potential supplies from forest biomass resource into the energy market. It's tonnage of oil equivalent(toe) was 585 thousand ton/year. In this study, we developed a program (BiomassMap V2.0) for forest biomass resource mapping. Used system to develop this program was Microsoft Office Excel, Microsoft Office Access ArcGIS and Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0. Additionally, This program made use of tool such as ESRI MapObjects2.1 in order to take advantage of spatial information. This program shows the map of total biomass stock, annual biomass growth at forest land in Korea, and biomass production from forest tending and commercial harvesting. The information can also be managed by the program. The biomass resource map can be identified by regional and forest type for the purpose of utilization. So, we expect the map and program to be very useful for forest managers in the near future.