Student Publications

A Survey on Using Second-Life Batteries in Stationary Energy Storage Applications

As a key component of transportation decarbonization, the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) is rapidly increasing. However, EV batteries are typically retired once their state of health drops to around 80%, usually after 10 to 20 years of use. Despite this decline, retired EV batteries still retain 70–80% of their original capacity. Reusing these retired batteries as second-life batteries (SLBs) for battery energy storage systems can offer significant economic and environmental benefits. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the technical challenges and solutions, economic feasibility, environmental impacts, and case studies of existing projects. It also explores the current battery recycling process. The article concludes with an overview of the feasibility assessment, future development trends, market potential, and policy recommendations for the battery energy storage market.

https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/1/42

Gharebaghi, M., Rezaei, O., Li, C., Wang, Z., & Tang, Y. (2024). A Survey on Using Second-Life Batteries in Stationary Energy Storage Applications. Energies, 18(1), 42.

Enhancing Power Grid Stability: Design and Integration of a Fast Bus Tripping System in Protection Relays

This article introduces a novel method for efficiently and promptly operating protection relays within a power system, with a specific emphasis on adaptive overcurrent (OC) protection in a power grid. The approach utilizes SEL751 and SEL751A relays that communicate through the IEC-61850 GOOSE protocol, establishing connections using intelligent electronic devices (IED) at several locations in the system. The power system, consisting of transformers, bus bars, and feeders, employs protection relays to identify OC faults based on time and current parameters. Relay configurations are tested in a case study at the Omicron Lab involving a 138/25kV substation. The test encompasses various fault scenarios on the low-voltage (LV) and high-voltage (HV) sides, incorporating different current values and fault times, utilizing the chosen time-overcurrent U3 (very inverse) curve. The proposed approach exhibits the ability to promptly remove faults in transformers and substations at both the HV and the LV levels. Furthermore, the experimental results closely match the theoretical calculations, validating the effectiveness of the proposed approach in the protection of AC grids. Additionally, built-in cybersecurity measures in SEL relays ensure secure and reliable operation, mitigating the risks of cyber-related relay failures.

https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10804677

Ghiasi, M., Wang, Z., Mehrandezh, M., Alhelou, H. H., & Ghadimi, N. (2024). Enhancing Power Grid Stability: Design and Integration of a Fast Bus Tripping System in Protection Relays. IEEE Transactions on Consumer Electronics.

Enhancing efficiency through integration of geothermal and photovoltaic in heating systems of a greenhouse for sustainable agriculture

This study aims to calculate and analyze the energy requirement and improve the efficiency and sustainability of greenhouse (GH) agriculture by integrating renewable energy sources (RES) and advanced control systems into a hybrid solar-GH heating and cooling solution. The proposed system incorporates both geothermal and photovoltaic (PV) energy to optimize performance, particularly during the colder seasons. The analysis focuses on three widely used double-layer polyethylene materials in Canadian GHs, Thermax, SolaWrap, and SunSaver, evaluating their thermal insulation and light management properties. For a practical test, a typical 1000 m2 GH is designed to calculate the energy requirements for heating and cooling, specifically tailored to the climatic conditions of Regina, using the three types of polyethylene. An energy and cost analysis is performed considering various energy sources to meet these demands. The research calculates and compares the power generation from building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) with traditional maximum power point tracking (MPPT) PV systems and integrates a 5-stage controller with HVAC damper control to further optimize energy consumption under different scenarios. The simulations performed using TRNSYS and SketchUp provide detailed monthly energy consumption and cost breakdowns for each polyethylene type. Additional insights include monthly power generation from both PV and BIPV systems, as well as contributions from geothermal energy. The findings present a comprehensive energy analysis, highlight potential cost savings and system efficiencies, and offer valuable information to advance sustainable GH agriculture in cold climates.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221067072400862X?via%3Dihub

Ghiasi, M., Wang, Z., Mehrandezh, M., & Paranjape, R. (2025). Enhancing efficiency through integration of geothermal and photovoltaic in heating systems of a greenhouse for sustainable agriculture. Sustainable Cities and Society, 118, 106040.

Cross-jurisdictional analysis and forecasting of North American nuclear fuel inventory using a standardized unit

This study fills the noted gap in comparative analyses of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) by assessing inventories from two key nuclear power regions, the USA and Canada, using a comprehensive analytical framework and standardized data from 2009 to 2021. In the USA, SNF inventory increased by 14.7 % in fuel assembly weight and 47 % in residual heavy metal content compared to Canada, in line with their use of light water reactors. Canada's SNF production is directly correlated to its nuclear power output, influenced by the lower burnup of natural uranium fuel used in CANDU reactors (R2 = 0.57; p-value < 0.05) while the USA shows insignificant correlation, likely due to a variety of reactor types and higher burnup rates (R2 = 0.008; p-value > 0.05). Further, the study identifies a strong negative correlation between uranium mine production and SNF inventory in the USA, indicating a reliance on imports amidst negligible domestic mining. In contrast, Canada also exhibits moderate negative dependency due to its position as a major uranium exporting jurisdiction. The obtained negative correlations with coal rents in both countries indicate a shift towards more nuclear energy use, impacting economic growth and energy patterns. The developed predictive models indicate a higher future SNF

increase in Canada than in the USA. These findings are essential for planning the transition from temporary to permanent SNF disposal, ensuring safe long term management of radioactive waste.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2024.09.119

Chowdhury, R., Mim, S. J., Situm, A., & Ng, K. T. W. (2024). Cross-jurisdictional analysis and forecasting of North American nuclear fuel inventory using a standardized unit. Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 191, 2154-2164. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2024.09.119

Decentralized Algae Removal Technologies for Lake Diefenbaker Irrigation Canals: A Review

Lake Diefenbaker Irrigation Canals in Canada are crucial in providing water for irrigation, preventing droughts and floods, and supporting the Saskatchewan agriculture industry and economy. Unfortunately, filamentous algal blooms occur every summer in Lake Diefenbaker Irrigation Canals. These algae are not toxic but a nuisance. They block farmers’ pumps and reduce irrigation water flow rates. Currently, the Water Security Agency periodically adds the algaecide Magnacide H. to control the algal blooms, which is costly (i.e., one million dollars per year for the Lake Diefenbaker M1 Irrigation Canal only) and requires effort to dewater the canal to protect fish. Therefore, algae removal before the canal water enters farmer’s pumps might be a cost-effective alternative, especially the removal of microalgae during the initial stages of growth in June of each year. This paper has summarized and evaluated algae removal technologies, considering their advantages, disadvantages, and potential solutions for addressing the challenges and limitations associated with these technologies. Five algae removal technologies were identified as promising, which are suspended air flotation (SAF), dissolved air flotation (DAF), hydrodynamic cavitation, spiral blade centrifuge, and coagulation. Among them, SAF seems the most suitable option, while DAF and hydrodynamic cavitation offer eco-friendly advantages. Further research and pilot testing are needed to determine the cost effective and feasible algae removal technology for Lake Diefenbaker Irrigation Canals.

http://www.jeionline.org/index.php?journal=mys&page=article&op=view&path%5B%5D=202400516

Safaei, S., & Young, S. (2024). Decentralized Algae Removal Technologies for Lake Diefenbaker Irrigation Canals: A Review. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATICS, 44(1), 1-16.

Management Assessment of used Oil, Filters, and containers in the Canadian automotive sector using resource recovery metrics"

The efficiency of the resource recovery system in the automobile industry is not well understood. The effectiveness of resources recovery for used oil, filters and containers in four Canadian provinces were assessed from 2010 to 2022. The collection rates of resources, financial performance, and temporal changes of two original indicators: Resource Recovery Per

Vehicle (RRPV), and Expenses Per Vehicle (EXPV) were examined. British Columbia and Quebec had the highest collection rates of used oil, filters, and containers (mean ranging 83.0 to 92.9 %). Despite having lowest mean collection rate of used oil (71.0 %) and filters (78.7 %), Saskatchewan has significant RRPV for used oil (20.4 L) and filters (2.12 units). Decreasing RRPV (−0.01 to −0.38) trends were identified in all jurisdictions, suggesting the need for targeted recovery strategies towards automotive sectors. A mild increasing trend of EXPV in all jurisdictions is observed (slope + 0.02 to + 0.08). Quebec exhibited the most cost-efficient resource recovery, with EXPV ranging from $2.4 to $3.3 per unit vehicle. Profit margin analysis revealed consistently high margins of 8.6 % in Quebec, contrasting with Manitoba’s lower 1.3 %. The lower profit margin may partly be due to higher administrative costs (16.1 %). The findings highlight the potential benefits of the proposed RRPV and EXPV indicators in evaluating management systems for used oil, filters, and containers.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2024.11.020

Tasnim, A., Abha, A. T., Naghibalsadati, F., Tam, E., Ng, K. T. W. (2025) "Management Assessment of used Oil, Filters, and containers in the Canadian automotive sector using resource recovery metrics". Waste Management, 191, 284-293.

Quantification of construction and demolition waste disposal behaviors during COVID-19 using satellite imagery

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted conventional municipal solid waste (MSW) management practices and affected waste generation rates. While MSW streams have been extensively studied and reported, the impact on construction and demolition (C&D) waste remains overlooked. This research develops an innovative analytical framework utilizing satellite imagery to quantify C&D waste disposal rates during COVID-19 restrictions in a mid-sized Canadian city. Supervised classification of Landsat-8 images is conducted to derive the settlement area over a period of 8.8 years (2014–2022). The C&D disposal rates and settlement area relationship is evaluated using regression analysis. Results reveal a 73.4% reduction in mean weekly C&D disposal in 2020 compared to pre-pandemic years, reflecting diminished construction activity. The settlement area exhibits a strong positive correlation (R2 = 0.812) with per capita C&D disposal rate, providing spatial evidence of urbanization patterns affecting C&D waste generation. Among socioeconomic factors examined, the value of building permits issued most influences C&D quantities (R2 = 0.934). The satellite imagery-based approach allows indirect estimation of disrupted C&D waste streams when on-site auditing is restricted during pandemics. The framework offers municipal authorities spatial decision support to formulate data-driven C&D waste management policies that are essential to smart cities and resilient to future public health emergencies.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indic.2024.100502

Ray, S., Ng, K. T. W., Mahmud, T. S., Richter, A., Naghibalsadati, F. (2024) "Quantification of construction and demolition waste disposal behaviors during COVID-19 using satellite imagery". Environmental and Sustainability Indicators, 24, 100502.

The role of collaborative research network on E-waste studies in North American using a bibliometric approach

Electronic waste (E-waste) has been extensively investigated by researchers throughout the globe, however specific research trends in North America (NA) are yet unknown. This study attempts to present an up-to-date bibliometric view of the e-waste studies, and to identify the research sub-fields and networks. A total of 370 documents were retrieved from the WoS database (from 2005 to 2023). E-waste research topic that originated from NA, as well as its relative growth rate, collaborative measures, institutional productivity, and the popular journals were evaluated in this bibliometric analysis. The study showed that research productivity increased noticeably in the last decade. The USA has the most e-waste publications (72.70%), followed by Canada (22.70%) and Mexico (9.19%). The topic with the highest percentage of papers (209, or 56.49%) was environmental science. Resources Conservation and Recycling was the most active journal on e-waste research. The University of California, USA (8.64%) played an active role in the publication. Author's keywords can be generally grouped into four clusters. Network analysis results suggest that collaborative activities by leading universities will likely boost the number of studies. A diversified and strong collaborative research network may be a key driver for e-waste research output, but not necessarily research impact. It is recommended that policy makers and funding agencies create collaborative funding programs specifically for e-waste research.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoinf.2024.102736

Hasan, M. M., Ng, K. T. W., Mahmud, T. S., Xue, J., Ray, S. (2024) "The role of collaborative research network on E-waste studies in North American using a bibliometric approach". Ecological Informatics, 82, 102736.

Navigating Climate Variability for the Pursuit of Transportation Infrastructure Sustainability: A Systematic Review

The increasing frequency and severity of climate variability poses substantial challenges to the sustainability and reliability of transportation infrastructure worldwide. Transportation systems, vital to economic and social activities, are highly vulnerable to extreme weather, sea-level rise, and temperature fluctuations, which can disrupt their structural integrity, operational efficiency, and maintenance needs. The aim of this study is to explore the scholarly landscape concerning the effects of climate variability on transportation systems, analyzing 23 years of scientific publications to assess research trends. Utilizing bibliometric methods, this analysis synthesizes data from numerous scientific publications to identify key trends, research hotspots, influential authors, and collaborative networks within this domain. This study highlights the growing acknowledgment of climate variability as a crucial factor affecting the design, maintenance, and operational resilience of transportation infrastructure. Key findings indicate a notable increase in research over the last decade, with a strong focus on the effects of extreme weather events, sea-level rise, and temperature changes. The analysis also shows a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating perspectives from civil engineering, environmental science, and policy studies.

This comprehensive overview serves as a foundational resource for researchers and policymakers, aiming to enhance the adaptive capacity of transportation systems to climate variability through informed decision-making and strategic planning.

https://www.mdpi.com/2412-3811/9/10/182

Islam, M., & Kabir, G. (2024). Navigating Climate Variability for the Pursuit of Transportation Infrastructure Sustainability: A Systematic Review. Infrastructures, 9(10), 182

Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) supply chain risk management framework development

For reducing CO2 emissions and slowing down climate change, carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technology has received an enormous amount of attention. However, the research on CCUS supply chain (SC) risk management is insufficient, even though the application of CCUS is increasing. This study has deployed Delphi technique to validate the risks that have been identified from the literature. Moreover, principal component analysis (PCA) has been used to identify the communalities of the risks related to the CCUS SC functions. At the same time, 43 risk management strategies have been identified from the supply chain risk management literature in relation with the CCUS SC risks. Finally, a risk management framework has been developed in CCUS SC context which is the main objective of this study. This is the first risk management framework in CCUS SC context which connects the CCUS SC functions, risks, and strategies. This framework provides a comprehensive guideline for the management to develop sustainable roadmaps in CCUS SC management systems. Moreover, this framework helps to prevent the environment and promotes further research in CCUS risk management systems.

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10098-024-02940-w

Kabir, M. A., Khan, S. A., & Kabir, G. (2024). Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) supply chain risk management framework development. Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy, 1-26.

Prediction of CO2 emissions to achieve net-zero objectives in the iron and steel sectors of North America

Predictive models are widely used to create effective plans for reducing CO2 emissions in manufacturing. The Iron and Steel (I&S) industries play a crucial role in meeting international commitments to achieve Net-zero emissions by 2050. The objective of this study is to forecast carbon dioxide emissions from the I&S industries in North America through the utilization of a Multi-Objective Mathematical model. The proposed data-driven approach is integrated with various machine learning algorithms capable of accurately predicting future values with a small dataset. Additionally, sensitivity analyses under different scenarios are conducted to evaluate the impact of implementing proposed solutions by the research community. Results show a significant improvement in accuracy through the employment of the Whale Optimization

Algorithm (WOA). Forecasts reveal a sustained increment of 0.7 MtCO2 every year spanning between 2022 and 2050. This study provides valuable information for stakeholders and policymakers as it allows a more precise evaluation to integrate new technologies to abate forthcoming CO2 emissions.

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17509653.2024.2426492?src=exp-la

Román, Á. F. G., Kabir, G., & Azim, M. B. (2024). Prediction of CO2 emissions to achieve net-zero objectives in the iron and steel sectors of North America. International Journal of Management Science and Engineering Management, 1-14.