Optimization of large scale bio-methane generation integrating “spilled” hydraulic energy and pressurized oxygen blown biomass gasification

This paper investigates large scale bio-methane generation from renewable sources, mixing hydrogen produced by water electrolysis and syngas obtained by pressurized oxygen blown biomass gasification.     

Multi-objective optimization of an advanced combined cycle power plant including CO2 separation options

This paper illustrates a methodology developed to facilitate the analysis of complex systems characterized by a large number of technical, economical and environmental parameters. Thermo-economic modeling of a natural gas combined cycle including CO₂ separation options has been coupled within a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm to characterize the economic and environmental performances of such complex systems within various contexts.

The method has been applied to a case of power generation in Germany. The optimum options for system integration under different boundary conditions are revealed by the Pareto Optimal Frontiers. Results show the influence of the configuration and technical parameters on the electrical efficiencies of the Pareto optimal plants and their sub-systems. The results provide information on the relationship between power generation cost and CO₂ emissions, and allow sensitivity analyses of important economical parameters like natural gas and electricity prices. Such a tool is of interest for power generation technology suppliers, for utility owners or for project investors, and for policy makers in the context of CO₂ mitigation schemes including emission trading.     

An overview of the state of geothermal energy

This paper provides an overview of the present status of geothermal energy world-wide. Although the origin of this form of energy dates back in history, its impetus (with the notable exceptions of Italy and Iceland) was the ‘energy crisis’ of the mid to late 1970s. A wide range of speculations were made during those years as to the potential contribution of geothermal energy to the world energy demand. The present lull in the energy scene allows a more realistic assessment of present and near future potential. Problem areas related to the development of the geothermal resource potential are also discussed. They address both natural, mainly liquid dominated, sources and the recovery of heat stored at depth in impervious rocks through man-made geothermal reservoirs known as the hot dry rock concept of heat mining.     

Geothermal reservoir simulation

This paper is intended to be a state of the art review of geothermal reservoir simulation. Its recent application to the modelling of real geothermal reservoirs is described and put in the context of an emerging general approach to reservoir modelling. The use of computer simulation for geothermal well test analysis is described. One of the main recent uses of reservoir simulators has been for conducting numerical experiments aimed at improving the understanding of geothermal reservoir physics. Such studies on fractured reservoirs, the thermal structure of reservoirs and the effects of non-condensable gases and dissolved salts are outlined.     

Geophysics in geothermal prospecting

Geophysical prospecting of high temperature geothermal reservoirs aims at identifying either fluid trapping structures or anomalies related to the properties of the hydrothermal fluid and rock to fluid interactions. Two types of reservoir environments can be characterized: (i) sedimentary reservoirs when a carbonate reservoir is generally capped by a dominantly argillaceous, hydraulically impervious and thermally insulating cover, and (ii) volcanic and volcano-sedimentary reservoirs associated with hydrothermally altered areas. Based on the aforementioned exploration goals and reservoir settings, a wide spectrum of geophysical methods can be applied whose selection is largely commanded by local geological conditions and expected reservoir morphology. Major geophysical techniques are reviewed and their potential, as to geothermal reservoir prospecting issues, discussed.     

Multi-objective optimization of the airfoil shape of Wells turbine used for wave energy conversion

Wells turbine is one of the technical systems allowing an efficient use of the power contained in oceans’ and seas’ waves with a relatively low investment level. It converts the pneumatic power of the air stream induced by an Oscillating Water Column into mechanical energy. The standard Wells turbines show several well-known disadvantages: low tangential force, leading to low power output from the turbine; high undesired axial force; usually a low aerodynamic efficiency and a limited range of operation due to stall. In the present work an optimization process is employed in order to increase the tangential force induced by a monoplane Wells turbine using symmetric airfoil blades. The automatic optimization procedure is carried out by coupling an in-house optimization library (OPAL (OPtimization ALgorithms)) with an industrial CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) code (ANSYS-Fluent). This multi-objective optimization relying on Evolutionary Algorithms takes into account both tangential force coefficient and turbine efficiency. Detailed comparisons are finally presented between the optimal design and the classical Wells turbine using symmetric airfoils, demonstrating the superiority of the proposed solution. The optimization of the airfoil shape leads to a considerably increased power output (average relative gain of +11.3%) and simultaneously to an increase of efficiency (+1%) throughout the full operating range.     

Use of solar assisted geothermal heat pump and small wind turbine systems for heating agricultural and residential buildings

The main objective of the present study is twofold: (i) to analyze thermal loads of the geothermally and passively heated solar greenhouses; and (ii) to investigate wind energy utilization in greenhouse heating which is modeled as a hybrid solar assisted geothermal heat pump and a small wind turbine system which is separately installed in the Solar Energy Institute of Ege University, Izmir, Turkey. The study shows 3.13% of the total yearly electricity energy consumption of the modeled system (3568 kWh) or 12.53% of the total yearly electricity energy consumptions of secondary water pumping, brine pumping, and fan coil (892 kWh) can be met by using small wind turbine system (SWTS) theoretically. According to this result, modeled passive solar pre heating technique and combined with geothermal heat pump system (GHPS) and SWTS can be economically preferable to the conventional space heating/cooling systems used in agricultural and residential building heating applications if these buildings are installed in a region, which has a good wind resource.     

Geothermal energy and the dissemination of information: the role of the International Geothermal Association

The International Geothermal Association (IGA), founded on 6 July 1988, is an international, worldwide, non-profit and non-governmental association whose objective and mission is to promote the research and utilization of geothermal resources, through the compilation, publication, and dissemination of scientific and technical data and information. The Information Committee (IC) of the IGA is responsible for advising the IGA Board on policies concerned with the collection, compilation, publication, exchange and dissemination of geothermal information, including information on utilization, development, technical findings, scientific research, meetings, publications and Association activities. The Committee is also responsible for the implementation of information policies determined by the Board.     

Rural energy consumption patterns with multiple objectives

The problem of designing a rural energy centre and thus obtain the emerging energy consumption patterns with multiple objectives, can be viewed as matching the various energy sources to cater fully to the energy needs of a wide variety of tasks such as cooking, lighting, ploughing, pumping water for irrigation, rural transport, etc. This, in fact, should satisfy several economic, technical as well as social objectives or goals. In order to arrive at a satisfactory solution, this has to be viewed as a multi-objective optimization problem. This communication develops a mathematical model for optimum energy planning in a rural environment. Goal programming approach is used in evolving a satisfactory solution to the above problem. The model developed is applied in the case of a typical South Indian village situated in a semi-arid region especially with respect to the major domestic energy needs of cooking and lighting. Results from the computer-simulated model are given.     

Atlas of geothermal resources in Europe

The geothermal resources of most European countries have been estimated and compiled in the recently published Atlas of Geothermal Resources in Europe, a companion volume to the Atlas of Geothermal Resources in the European Community, Austria and Switzerland. Publication of this Atlas comes at a time when the promotion of a sustainable and non-polluting energy is high on the agenda of local energy suppliers, municipal administrations and all European governments. The participating countries are: Albania, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine and the UK. A volumetric heat content model for porous reservoirs was the basis for calculating the resources, assuming that exploitation of the geothermal resources would take place in a doublet well system. The geothermal reservoirs are defined in a set of 4 maps, by depth, thickness, temperature and resources. The assessment methodology is simple and is based on a small number of parameters so that regions with very limited data coverage can also be evaluated. An example is given in this paper of the eastern North German Basin. The maps presented in the Atlas permit a first order evaluation of the geothermal potential in terms of technical and economic viability. This uniform procedure applied to all countries and regions allows comparisons and serves as a guide for setting priorities and planning geothermal development. This Atlas also helps in the search for appropriate partners for international cooperation in geothermal exploration in Europe.     

Engineering evaluation of geothermal reservoirs

Reservoir engineering evaluation of geothermal systems attempts to provide answers on the extent of the reserves, their probable longevity and the deliverability and production rate of the reservoir. Economic decisions on the desirability of the exploitation of the particular reservoir hinge on these findings. This paper presents a set of calculational procedure and thinking sequences available to the geothermal reservoir engineer that would aid in an appropriate management decision. An exploitable geothermal system consists of a fluid as well as a heat reservoir. Since much of the heat is stored in the confining rock, reinjection strategies are outlines for the efficient mining of heat.     

Research on the generation of electricity from the geothermal resources in Simav region, Turkey

One of the greatest problems in using renewable energy sources is the great variability of energy level, both in the short and long term. Geothermal energy, by nature, has high availability because the source is not dependent on weather conditions, so it is among the most stable renewable energy sources. Geothermal energy has the potential to play an important role in the future energy supply of Turkey. Although Turkey has the second-highest geothermal energy potential in Europe, electricity generation from geothermal energy is rather low.This study examines the use of geothermal energy in electricity generation and investigates the applicability of the existent geothermal energy resources to electricity generation in the Kütahya–Simav region, Turkey. The binary cycle is used in the designed power plant for electricity generation from geothermal fluid in which the percentage of liquid is high and which is at lower temperature. In this power plant, R134a is chosen as the secondary fluid, whose boiling point temperature is lower than that of water, and is used instead of geothermal fluid in a second cycle. The thermal efficiency of the designed power plant is measured to be 12.93%.     

Geothermal resources in Iran: The sustainable future

Because of disadvantages of fossil fuels, renewable energy sources are getting importance for sustainable energy development and environmental protection. Among the renewable sources, Iran has geothermal energy potential. The Iranian government is considerable attention to the utilization of renewable energy, especially wind, solar and geothermal energies. Due to recent advancements in geothermal energy, many investors in the country have become interested in investing in this type of energy. Geothermal studies in Iran started in 1975 with a cooperative between the ministry of Energy of Iran and ENEL Company from Italy. Preliminary studies indicated potential for geothermal power generation in four areas in northern Iran (Khoy-Maku, Sabalan, Sahand and Damavand at Azarbaijan Gharbi, Ardebil, Azarbaijan Sharghi and Tehran provinces), respectively. Geothermal development in Iran has gained momentum in the last five years with increased exploration and industry growth in the country. Iran is developing a geothermal plant for power production. Iran government plans to build 2000 MW of renewable energy capacity over the next five years. Total projected use (geothermal capacity) has been estimated 100 MW at the end of 2010. Exploration drilling is currently in-progress for Meshkinshahr project in North-Western Iran. The Sabalan geothermal power plant is expected to produce 50 MW electric powers in 2011. The plants are planned by Iran Ministry of Energy and the Renewable Energy Organization of Iran (SUNA). This study presents a brief introduction to the resource, status and prospect of geothermal energy in Iran.     

Modified exergoeconomic modeling of geothermal power plants

In this study, a modified exergoeconomic model is proposed for geothermal power plants using exergy and cost accounting analyses, and a case study is in this regard presented for the Tuzla geothermal power plant system (Tuzla GPPS) in Turkey to illustrate an application of the currently modified exergoeconomic model. Tuzla GPPS has a total installed capacity of 7.5 MW and was recently put into operation. Electricity is generated using a binary cycle. In the analysis, the actual system data are used to assess the power plant system performance through both energy and exergy efficiencies, exergy losses and loss cost rates. Exergy efficiency values vary between 35% and 49% with an average exergy efficiency of 45.2%. The relations between the capital costs and the exergetic loss/destruction for the system components are studied. Six new exergetic cost parameters, e.g., the component annualized cost rate, exergy balance cost, overall unavoidable system exergy destruction/loss cost rate, overall unavoidable system exergy destruction/loss cost rate, overall unavoidable system exergy production cost rate and the overall unavoidable system exergy production cost rate are studied to provide a more comprehensive evaluation of the system.     

Experimental prediction of total thermal resistance of a closed loop EAHE for greenhouse cooling system

The design of an earth to air heat exchanger (EAHE) requires knowledge of its total thermal resistance (R_Tot) for heating and cooling applications. In this research, a 47 m long horizontal, 56 cm nominal diameter U-bend buried galvanized was studied experimental EAHE used for the determination and evaluation of thermal properties of heat exchanger. This system was designed and installed in the Solar Energy Institute, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey. Based on the experimental results, generalized relationships were developed for predicting of thermal resistance of the heat exchanger. Average total heat exchanger thermal resistance was estimated to be 0.021 K-m/W as a constant value under steady state condition.     

Progress in hot dry rock exploitation

The term hot dry rock (HDR) has been used to describe the exploitation of the thermal energy contained in rocks that have a sufficiently high temperature but contain insufficient fluids to enable the heat to be extracted. The attraction of such a resource is that it is probably available everywhere, but at varying depths. International activity has focused on the problem of circulating fluids through the rock and extracting the heat by conduction from the rock to the fluid. The initial concepts were based on creating individual cracks to interlink two wells approximately 500 m apart. The necessary heat exchange area was to be achieved by using multiple systems of interconnections in parallel. The results from the field work have shown that the interlinking is dominated by stimulated natural joints and the degree of normal dilation that can be achieved is limited by the orientation of the natural discontinuity with the pre-existing stresses and, hence, the shear stress on the joint. The normal dilation is important because it controls the resistance to flow between the wells. The shear mechanism controls the far-field water losses and the direction of growth of the more permeable interwell region and has obvious implications for the proposed geometry of any system. The cost of drilling has been shown to be comparable to deep drilling for other purposes and the development of deviated holes in strong crystalline rocks has been shown to be possible. The progress of the stimulation has been mapped successfully by locating the microseismic events generated by shearing but the relationship of the microseismically active areas and the heat transfer region has yet to be identified. No adverse environmental problems have been identified; the produced fluids are generally benign and the microseismicity is well below any threshold of damage. The goal of a universally available heat source free of stack emissions and waste products that does not consume finite reserves of minerals and hydrocarbon demands substantial investment in the research to determine if it is attainable. The major field programmes should have reached their preliminary conclusions by the middle of 1986.