World Journal of Environmental Research

Message from Editor

Haluk Soran — 2018-12-31

Dear Readers,

It is the great honor for us to publish 8th volume, 2nd issue of World Journal of Environmental Research. World Journal of Environmental Research welcomes original empirical investigations and comprehensive literature review articles focusing on environmental issues. World Journal of Environmental Research is an internationalpeer-refereed journal which publishes global research articles about all aspects of environmental areas with the aim of sharing the findings of different environmental issues to provide contributions to the scientific studies.

The scope of World Journal of Environmental Research (WJER) includes major topics such as environmental agriculture, environmental biology, environmental biotechnology, environmental engineering, environmental health, environmental nanotechnology, environmental microbiology, environmental toxicology, environmental pollution and monitoring, environmental zoology, environmental ethics and biosciences, environmental informatics, environmental biochemistry, environmental genetics, environmental botany, environmental issues related to biosciences, environmental biophysics, environmental geology.

A total number of eight (8) manuscripts were submitted for this issue and each paper has been subjected to double-blind peer review process by the reviewers specialized in the related field. At the end of the review process, a total number of two (2) high quality research papers were selected and accepted for publication. Aim of this issue is to give the researchers an opportunity to share the results of their academic studies. There are differentresearch topics discussed in the articles. The topics of the next issue will be different. You can make sure that we will be trying to serve you with our journal with a rich knowledge in which different kinds of topics are discussed in 2018 Volume. We present many thanks to all the contributors who helped us to publish this issue.

The right to water as a fundamental right

Maria Joao Mimoso — 2018-12-31

Water is a Human Right of first necessity. We verified that water resources have been used at a rate higher than their replacement capacity, causing problems of water scarcity. This study aims to draw attention of the world community to the need to implement measures to a real social responsibility and cooperative. A review of the literature and an analysis of the various international legal instruments on water resources will be carried out to highlight the absence of social and cooperative responsibility and the need to create sanctions. It is observed that states and international organisations have failed to develop measures to curb their misuse and to overcome the shortage of water in some regions. We believe that the current situation can only be improved through the implementation of policies in terms of social responsibility and cooperative and the companies or the organisations in general.

Keywords: Environment, management, water, water shortage.

Comparison of Middle-Sized PTC and PV Power Plants for METU NCC

Gozde Taylan — 2018-12-31

Since usage of fossil fuels for producing electricity causes climate change, renewable energy options have become one of the best substitution for fossil fuels. Solar energy promises high amount of resources for producing electricity. Among solar energy alternatives, Photovoltaic (PV) and Parabolic Trough Collectors (PTC) are dominant in the market. This paper compares middle size of PV and PTC power plant for the electricity need of Middle East Technical University Northern Cyprus Campus. Based on the maximum hourly demand of METU NCC, both PV and PTC are sized to 3 MWe. The simulations were performed via SAM software using the hourly values from typical meteorological data, which include solar irradiation, wind speed, dry and wet bulb temperatures, relative humidity and pressure. For the PTC and PV plants, commercially available components are used. The scenario assumes METU NCC to be a grid-connected micro-grid with one-way tariff, so that any deficit energy can be met by the utility and any excess energy produced by the suggested renewable energy systems will be given to the grid for free. The results indicate that 3 MW PV plant would generate annual energy of about 4.95 GWh with a capacity factor of 18.9%. These numbers would yield to a LCOE value of 2.60 ¢/kWh. On the other hand, the suggested 3 MW PTC plant with 2 solar multiple would supply about annual energy of 6.3 GWh at a capacity factor of 24.0%. The LCOE of the energy from PTC plant was estimated to be 8.47 ¢/kWh due to high capital and operation cost of PTC plants compared to PV plants. However, over years the cost of PTC power plants has been decreasing. Additionally, both PTC plant and PV plant would consume water only for cleaning purposes that makes them suitable for Cyprus water scarcity conditions. Overall, this study shows pros and cons of middle-sized PV and PTC plants with the case study of METU NCC.

Keywords: economic comparison, levelized cost of energy, parabolic trough, photovoltaic, renewable energy, solar energy