A comprehensive review on the recent advances in applications of nanofluids for effective utilization of renewable energy

Renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, water and geothermal are abundant and replenished by nature, making them crucial for both present and future sustainable energy needs while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions, environmental pollution and can mitigate adverse climate change. This review work focusses on the recent applications of nanotechnology in energy production from renewable and sustainable energy sources. The recent advances in the application of nanoparticles and their nanofluids in solar panels, waste heat recovery, fuel cells, wind and hydropower turbines, and geothermal energy are discussed in detail. Moreover, this review highlights the role of nanotechnology in the conversion of biomass to bioenergy and biogas upgrading techniques. In addition, contribution of nanotechnology in carbon dioxide capture via various methods have also been discussed, which is closely associated with renewable energy production. This research reviewed various nanofluids for heat transfer across different equipment used in renewable energy production, comparing their performance to aid in nanoparticle selection for specific tasks. The review article explicitly addresses challenges in applying nanofluids for renewable energy, bridging the gap between nanotechnology and renewable energy generation. While nanoparticle applications hold promise for industries, challenges must be addressed for their full integration into industrial processes. Currently, nanofluid use in wind and hydropower energy is limited, but research potential exists for lubricating agent applications and energy recovery.