Simultaneous desalination and power generation using solar energy

Using solar energy to produce fresh water and electricity simultaneously is a prospective way to solve the problems combining fresh water shortage, energy crisis and farm land degradation in Northern Victoria. This paper records the process of calculating the performance of the nozzle applying homogenous equilibrium model, designing and testing the prototype of such system using three different types of the nozzles in static and rotary systems. The research on the project is divided into two steps: first is about static system in which the spray nozzle is proved to be the best in both production of fresh water and power generation; while on the second stage, the convergent–divergent (C–D) nozzles are the best in rotary system. Some data were analyzed theoretically based on the test and the results found that the percentage of fresh water measured by experiment is consistent with the calculation using homogenous equilibrium expansion model (HEM), however, there is big difference in power generation between theory and experiments. Based on our experimental figures and analysis, the reasons for low power generation are found and a new model is proposed. According to the new model, a different reaction turbine using curve length C–D nozzles is designed to overcome the problems which were encountered in the previous prototype. After analyzing the efficiency of the cycle by T–s diagram, the evacuated tube solar collector integrated heat pipe is suggested to be applied on this system.     

Interannual variability of the summer wind energy over China: A comparison of multiple datasets

Because of the increase in the nation's need for wind energy, the impacts of climate change on wind energy have been investigated. In addition to long‐term changes, wind energy also shows robust interannual variations, but little effort has been devoted to understanding the underlying mechanisms. In this study, the impact of El Niño on the summer mean wind power density (WPD) over China is investigated. The abilities of five sets of reanalysis data in measuring the interannual variability of the WPD over China are assessed. Encouraging results are seen for all reanalysis datasets, with the MERRA and ERA‐Interim datasets showing the best performance. The relationship between El Niño and the following summer WPD is identified over China. During El Niño decaying year summers, the WPD over south of the Yangtze River valley increases, whereas the WPD over north of the Yangtze River valley decreases. The WPD changes are dominated by an anomalous anticyclone located in the northwestern Pacific. The anticyclone leads to strong southerly winds in southern China and thereby enhances the WPD. In regions north of the Yangtze River valley, the low surface pressure gradient causes a reduction in wind speed and thereby a weak WPD. Because the year‐by‐year variation in El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is highly predictable, our results shed light on the seasonal prediction of wind power over China.     

A satellite-based solar energy monitoring system for tasmania, Australia

Visible reflectivity data from the Japanese Meteorological Satellite are used to estimate the daily global radiation in Tasmania, Australia. Data are accessed from the national facsimile network, which provides satellite images for routine meteorological forecasts. This retrieval technique is economical and provides nearly real-time data over the entire state. The main limitation is that logistic problems in the facsimile network do not allow all images to be retrieved. A simple linear relation is presented that uses satellite reflectivity data to estimate daily and monthly global radiation. Mean daily global radiation for the state during August and December 1983 are presented.     

Hybrid power generation system of solar energy and fuel cells

This paper introduces the methods of integration of solar energy and low‐temperature solid oxide fuel cells. On the one hand, we design the system that integrates the solar photovoltaic cells and fuel cells. On the other hand, solar energy is concentrated to heat up the fuel cell and supply the working temperature at hundreds Celsius degrees by Fresnel lens. Then the fuel conversion efficiency is increased because of gain from the solar energy. Moreover, integration of solar thermal energy power system with the fuel is a good method for resolving the instability of solar energy. CHP (combined heat and power) is another aspect to enhance the design hybrid system overall efficiency. Finally, we present a novel device but built on different scientific principle. It can convert solar energy and chemical energy of fuel to electric energy simultaneously within the same device to integrated solar cell and fuel cell from the device level. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

太阳能热发电的显热蓄热技术进展

介绍了太阳能热发电显热蓄热的3种技术:单一流体蓄热,直接接触蓄热和间接接触蓄热。单一流体蓄热,主要有导热油、熔融盐和蒸汽3种选择。直接接触蓄热,使用廉价材料作为蓄热介质,节约了成本。间接接触蓄热使模块化安装成为可能,进一步克服了直接接触蓄热的缺点,为蓄热技术发展提供了便利。     

A comprehensive review of renewable energy resources for electricity generation in Australia

Recently, renewable energy resources and their impacts have sparked a heated debate to resolve the Australian energy crisis. There are many projects launched throughout the country to improve network security and reliability. This paper aims to review the current status of different renewable energy resources along with their impacts on society and the environment. Besides, it provides for the first time the statistics of the documents published in the field of renewable energy in Australia. The statistics include information such as the rate of papers published, possible journals for finding relative paper, types of documents published, top authors, and the most prevalent keywords in the field of renewable energy in Australia. It will focus on solar, wind, biomass, geothermal and hydropower technologies and will investigate the social and environmental impacts of these technologies.     

Performance study of power density in PEMFC for power generation from solar energy

A study has been carried-out on power density in the Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) for its application for solar power generation. It involves a fuel cell approach assisted with specific electro-catalysts to process special chemical coupling (2-propanol/acetone/H₂) for generating the power. This knowledge will be useful for designing the solar power generation system based on this special chemical coupling enabling to use low-grade solar heat (<100 °C). For this purpose, a wide study has been conducted in the PEMFC using different catalytic electrodes at various orientations (0°, 45° and 90°). The investigations were carried-out at different temperatures from 45 °C to 60 °C using liquid oxidant mixtures in different proportions. The maximum power density attained was 1.78 mW cm^?2 at 60 °C. The PEMFC based technique for solar power generation may prove to be a promising option to harness this everlasting source of sun’s energy in the coming future.     

The value of solar: Prices and output from distributed photovoltaic generation in South Australia

The Australian government's Solar Cities Program sees great value in so-called “cost-reflective pricing”, code for valuing solar at pool prices. We test that proposition in South Australia where pool prices and insolation are often high and we show that there were few days in 2004 when the pool price gives better outcomes than if the solar is valued at the regulated and fixed, so-called standing contract price. We also find that the illustrative day used in the Solar Cities Program literature to promote the notion of cost-reflective pricing is highly atypical. Finally, we consider ways in which the incentive to install distributed photovoltaic generation might be improved.     

Photo-electrochemical hydrogen generation from water using solar energy. Materials-related aspects

The present work considers hydrogen generation from water using solar energy. The work is focused on the materials-related issues in the development of high-efficiency photo-electrochemical cells (PECs). The property requirements for photo-electrodes, in terms of semiconducting and electrochemical properties and their impact on the performance of PECs, are outlined. Different types of PECs are overviewed and the impact of the PEC structure and materials selection on the conversion efficiency of solar energy are considered.Trends in research in the development of high-efficiency PECs are discussed. It is argued that very sophisticated materials engineering must be used for processing the materials that will satisfy the specific requirements for photo-electrodes. An important issue in the processing of these materials is the bulk vs. interface properties at the solid/solid interfaces (e.g., grain boundaries) and solid/liquid interfaces (e.g., electrode/electrolyte interface). Consequently, the development of PECs with the efficiency required for commercialization requires the application of up-to-date materials processing technology.The performance of PECs is considered in terms of:

• •excitation of electron–hole pair in photo-electrodes;
• •charge separation in photo-electrodes;
• •electrode processes and related charge transfer within PECs;
• •generation of the PEC voltage required for water decomposition.

This work also gives empirical data on the performance of PECs of different structures and materials selection.It is argued that PEC technology is the most promising technology for hydrogen production owing to several reasons:

• •PEC technology is based on solar energy, which is a perpetual source of energy, and water, which is a renewable resource;
• •PEC technology is environmentally safe, with no undesirable byproducts;
• •PEC technology may be used on both large and small scales;
• •PEC technology is relatively uncomplicated.

According to current predictions, the production of hydrogen will skyrocket by 2010 (Morgan and Sissine, Congressional Research Service, Report for Congress. The Committee for the National Institute for the Environment, Washington, DC, 20006-1401, 28 April 1995). Consequently, seed funding already has been allocated to several national research programs aiming at the development of hydrogen technology. The countries having access to this PEC technology are likely to form the OPEC of the future.     

Study on electrical energy and prospective electricity generation from renewable sources in Australia

Nowadays renewable sources are being used as clean sources to generate electricity and to reduce the dependency on fossil fuels. The uses of renewable sources are being increased in electricity generation and contributed to reduce the greenhouse gas emission. The function of any electrical power system is to connect everyone sufficiently, clean electric power anywhere and anytime of the country. This can be achieved through a modern power system by integrating electrical energy from clean renewable sources into the nation's electric grid to enhance reliability, efficiency and security of the power system. The paper on the status of review the driving force of the generation of renewable energy and proposing electrical energy generation from renewable sources to be ensured at least 20% of total energy of Australia. This paper has been studied the existing electricity generation capacity of Australia from renewable and non-renewable sources. Optimal electricity generation from renewable sources has been examined. The environmental impact of electricity generation from renewable sources has been considered. Under this paper the yearly average wind data of past 20 years and above for some meteorological stations of Australia have been used. The prospective electricity generation from wind turbines and solar photovoltaic panels has been proposed in the paper that will increase electrical energy of the power grid of Australia. It was estimated the capital cost of prospective electricity generation farms from wind and solar PV sources.     

某15MW太阳能屋顶光伏发电工程的应用分析

在对太阳能屋顶光伏发电系统构成及发展意义阐述的基础上,通过对某15MW屋顶光伏发电工程大量实际数据的分析,表明太阳能屋顶光伏发电工程具有良好的社会、经济效益和广阔的发展前景。     

太阳能热发电系列文章(8)槽式太阳能热发电DSG技术

太阳能热发电是太阳能热利用的重要方向,是最可能引起能源革命的技术成果,是实现大功率发电、替代常规能源的最为经济的手段之一。太阳能热发电的三种方式各自优缺点非常明显,如:塔式效率高,但一次性投入大;槽式成本低,但相对塔     

Spatio-temporal variability of solar energy across a region: a statistical modelling approach

Solar energy collected at a number of discrete sites, which are dispersed over a geographical area, will exhibit both spatial and temporal variability. Being able to model this variability will have many applications, for example in controlling an electricity system that is supplied by decentralised PV arrays. This paper describes a statistical modelling study of solar data that were recorded over 2 years at a total of 22 sites in the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, and in the nearby Pentland hills. A spatio-temporal model is proposed for global irradiation on a horizontal plane: this incorporates the sum of two exponentials to model the decrease in covariance between sites with time lag, and a space–time term to model the combined dependence of covariance on time lag and easterly distance.     

Net energy analysis of solar and conventional domestic hot water systems in Melbourne, Australia

It is commonly assumed that solar hot water systems save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The net energy requirement of solar hot water systems has rarely been analysed, including their embodied energy. The extent to which solar hot water systems save energy compared to conventional systems in Melbourne, Australia, is shown through a comparative net energy analysis. It was shown that the embodied energy component of the net energy requirement of solar and conventional hot water systems was insignificant. The solar hot water systems provided a net energy saving compared to the conventional systems after 0.5–2 years, for electric- and gas-boosted systems respectively.     

Emerging technologies to power next generation mobile electronic devices using solar energy

Mobile electronic devices such as MP3, mobile phones, and wearable or implanted medical devices have already or will soon become a necessity in peoples’ lives. However, the further development of these devices is restricted not only by the inconvenient charging process of the power module, but also by the soaring prices of fossil fuel and its downstream chain of electricity manipulation. In view of the huge amount of solar energy fueling the world biochemically and thermally, a carry-on electricity harvester embedded in portable devices is emerging as a most noteworthy research area and engineering practice for a cost efficient solution. Such a parasitic problem is intrinsic in the next generation portable devices. This paper is dedicated to presenting an overview of the photovoltaic strategy in the chain as a reference for researchers and practitioners committed to solving the problem.     

Emerging technologies to power next generation mobile electronic devices using solar energy

Mobile electronic devices such as MP3, mobile phones, and wearable or implanted medical devices have already or will soon become a necessity in peoples’ lives. However, the further development of these devices is restricted not only by the inconvenient charging process of the power module, but also by the soaring prices of fossil fuel and its downstream chain of electricity manipulation. In view of the huge amount of solar energy fueling the world biochemically and thermally, a carry-on electricity harvester embedded in portable devices is emerging as a most noteworthy research area and engineering practice for a cost efficient solution. Such a parasitic problem is intrinsic in the next generation portable devices. This paper is dedicated to presenting an overview of the photovoltaic strategy in the chain as a reference for researchers and practitioners committed to solving the problem.     

Distributed solar renewable generation: Option contracts with renewable energy credit uncertainty

Solar energy is rapidly emerging thanks to the decreasing installation cost of solar panels and the renewable portfolio standard imposed by state governments, which gave birth to the Renewable Energy Credit (REC) and the Alternative Compliance Payment (ACP). To make profits from the REC market in addition to reduced energy costs, more and more home and business owners choose to install solar panels. Recently, third-party financing has become a common practice in solar panel investments. We discuss optimal timing for the host to potentially buy back the solar panels after being installed for a period of time and how to incorporate the optimal timing into a power purchase agreement between the host and the third-party developer. Because the REC price is a major source of uncertainty and also due to the ACP capping the REC price, we first propose a REC price forecasting model that specifically considers the ACP values. Then by a modified real option structure, we model the buyback contract as a real option and solve it with an approximate dynamic program based Monte Carlo simulation method. We find that as the ACP value increases, the value of the buyback option also increases under optimal timing. The method used does not only apply to solar projects but also to other distributed renewable projects that are third-party financed, such as wind generations.     

太阳能与燃煤机组集成发电系统的研究现状

介绍了太阳能与燃煤机组集成发电系统的发展背景、国内外发展状况以及集成方式,对太阳能与回热系统集成等三种集成方式进行了比较,分析了几种提高集成发电系统经济性的优化方式,指出了发展中存在的一些问题及发展前景。     

Short-term variability of solar radiation

This paper presents a study of the variability of solar radiation in the minute-long time range. The solar climate in Northern Europe is classified in this paper as being either stable, or highly variable, due to stochastic cloud cover inducing fluctuations of the solar irradiance. In general, solar radiation exhibits both positive and negative increments in the radiation during any period. The distribution functions of these increments with respect to their magnitude and duration are investigated, as well the distribution functions of stable intervals during generally variable radiation. The distribution functions are found to be a superposition of two exponential functions with different exponents, which depend on the magnitude of the radiation increments.     

A novel MCFC hybrid power generation process using solar parabolic dish thermal energy

In this paper, a novel molten carbonate fuel cell hybrid power generation process with using solar parabolic dish thermal energy is proposed. The process contains MCFC, Oxy-fuel and Rankine power generation cycles. The Rankine power generation cycles utilized various types of working fluid to emphasize taking advantage of the cycles in different thermodynamic conditions. The required hot and cold energies are provided from solar dish parabolic thermal hot and liquefied natural gas (LNG) cold energies, respectively. The carbon dioxide (CO₂) from MCFC effluent stream is captured from the process at liquid state. The process total heat integrated and in this regards, no need to any hot and cold external sources with the net electrical power generation. The energy and exergy analysis are conducted to determine the approaches to improve the process performance. This integrated structure consumed 2.30 × 10⁶ kg h⁻¹ of air and 2.67 × 10⁶ kg h⁻¹ of LNG to generate 292597 kW of net power. The products of this integrated structure are 6.25 × 10⁴ kg h⁻¹ of condensates, 183 kg h⁻¹ of water vapor, 2.20 × 10⁶ kg h⁻¹ of MCFC effluent stream, 2.60 × 10⁶ kg h⁻¹ of natural gas and 1.10 × 10⁵ kg h⁻¹ of CO₂ in liquid state. The presented new integrated structure has overall thermal efficiency of 73.14% and total exergy efficiency of 63.19%. Also, sensitivity analysis is performed for determination of the process key parameters which affected the process operating performance.