This paper examines various potential methods of hydrogen production using renewable and non-renewable sources and comparatively assesses them for environmental impact, cost, energy efficiency and exergy efficiency. The social cost of carbon concept is also included to present the relations between environmental impacts and economic factors. Some of the potential primary energy sources considered in this study are: electrical, thermal, biochemical, photonic, electro-thermal, photo-electric, and photo-biochemical. The results show that when used as the primary energy source, photonic energy based hydrogen production (e.g., photocatalysis, photoelectrochemical method, and artificial photosynthesis) is more environmentally benign than the other selected methods in terms of emissions. Thermochemical water splitting and hybrid thermochemical cycles (e.g. Cu-Cl, S-I, and Mg-Cl) also provide environmentally attractive results. Photoelectrochemical method and PV electrolysis are found to be least attractive when production costs and efficiencies are considered. Therefore, increasing both energy and exergy efficiencies and decreasing the costs of hydrogen production from solar based hydrogen production have a potential to bring them forefront as potential options. The energy and exergy efficiency comparisons indicate the advantages of fossil fuel reforming and biomass gasification over other methods. Overall rankings show that hybrid thermochemical cycles are primarily promising candidates to produce hydrogen in an environmentally benign and cost-effective way. 

This study determines the grid-connected photovoltaic plant efficiency in harsh conditions of extreme continental climate of the Ural-Siberian Region of Russia. Based on theoretical and experimental study of a 540 W on-grid photovoltaic plant operation, it has been determined that the installed capacity utilization factor in these climatic conditions was at the level of 8% in the annual cycle. It is caused by low solar radiation intensity during a considerable part of the year. At the same time, the installed capacity utilization factor in the spring and summer period can reach 50– 60%. Comparison of the efficiency of the tilted and vertical placement of photovoltaic modules caused by high snow loads during the cold period of the year is carried out. This study presents a mathematical model used for the purposes of calculation of the solar radiation on the Earth's surface based on a Fourier series in daily, monthly, and annual cycles. It takes into account the probabilistic nature of the solar radiation input, as well as stochastic component caused by the changes in atmospheric transmittance. Empirical test has demonstrated high convergence of calculation results with the available statistical data on the solar radiation input. This makes it possible to apply this model for the purposes of determining the solar radiation in the design of solar plants with a sufficiently high accuracy. 

The article presents the results of studies of structural elements of solar collectors (SC), the formulas for the determination of heat transfer coefficients of transparent insulation (glass), the bottom of the case, the side walls of the case, the efficiency of the absorber. It was found that to improve the efficiency of heat transfer from fluid to tubes by up to 18% is sufficient to perform knurling on the tubes. The analytical dependence of the coefficients of hydraulic resistance, of Re criterion and design characteristics are presented. SC prototype was designed, manufactured and tested with optimal energy performance.

In this paper, we have presented the research of problems of the dirty solar panels, showed the basic principles of solar power generation, described the developed devices for protection and cleaning of panels, presented theoretic development of automatic cleaning system for solar panel surface, successfully made experiment, proving of device efficiency. 

The paper describes the analysis of the most efficient methods for power generation control of renewable energy based plants. We have built functional charts of wind power equipment containing controller operating per method of maximum power point tracking with different control algorithms. We have presented the results of research of 3 kW horizontal axis wind turbine and description of all these methods with the charts of obtained dependences of power coefficients on tip speed ratio. 

The paper examines the problems of research kinetics of dissociated steam processes and issues of using of hydrogen in energy cycles of atomic power stations. The scientific works are reviewed on processes of experimental study of stoichiometric combustion of hydrogen in oxygen with aim production of water steam. Moreover, some aims and problems were developed which necessary to solve for the effective use of hydrogen on atomic power station. The paper proposes the methodology of experimentation and scheme of experimental device for research of kinetics of dissociated steam at pressure from 0.5 to 2 MPa at different speeds of cooling and temperatures of received steam. 

The article considers the main principles of green technologies in theRussian Federation, as one of the modern trends through which innovation projects are developed in socially relevant industries (construction and housing). The article states the necessity of conducting general environmental governance (reducing air pollution in air, water, soil, waste), development of energy production from renewable and alternative sources (solar, wind, biofuels, wastes), and energy efficiency. For the development and implementation of green technologies in theRussian Federation, the authors have developed a draft “National strategy for the implementation of energy-efficient, resource-saving and environmentally friendly (green) technologies and productions in theRussian Federation)”. The article highlights the main directions of the implementation and use of green technologies, as well as recommendations for the practical implementation of these directions. 

This work relates to the technology of inorganic substances. It can be used in the preparation of aluminum-silicon and iron-silicon flocculants-coagulants. We have been proposed methods of treating wastewater of industrial enterprises, as well as storm water containing petroleum products. The article describes the specific examples of water treatment using the modified aluminum-silicon and iron-silicon flocculants-coagulants, which were obtained by the new technology. The authors have developed and patented technology for producing this type of flocculants coagulants in solid form with matrix isolation technique of active components. We have been evaluated the effectiveness of the action for coagulants-flocculants ASFC and ISFC on model and real, natural and industrial wastewaters. The article makes a comparison between the new composite materials and the known analogues.

Some aspects of competitive selection of projects for grants within the Federal Target Program “Researches and Developments in Priority Directions of Scientific and Technological Complex of Russia for 2014-2020” are discussed. The reasons for a rejection of the projects from the participation in a competition are analyzed. This article is intended for а participants in tenders for this federal program.