Geothermal development in Thailand

San Kampaeng and Fang geothermal areas are considered areas of interest for the exploitation of geothermal energy. The technologies of exploration and development have been studied by Thai scientists and engineers during the past four years. The first geothermal deep exploration well was drilled, in cooperation with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), in the San Kampaeng geothermal area. In 1985, supplementary work is planned to define the deep structural setting in greater detail before starting to drill the next deep exploration well. In Fang geothermal area some shallow exploitation wells have been drilled to obtain fluid to feed a demonstration binary system of 120 kWe, with the technical cooperation of BRGM and GEOWATT, France. The plant will be installed next fiscal year.     

Solar hydrogen energy in the F.R. of Germany: 12 theses

In 1986 the F.R. of Germany, the state of Baden Württemberg and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia agreed on the 40 Mill DM/5 year HYSOLAR (Solar Hydrogen) programme on Solar Hydrogen Production and Utilization. Parts of the programme are (1) a 100 kW-solar photovoltaic (PV) hydrogen demonstration plant in Riyadh, (2) a 10 kW PV-Hydrogen experimental HYSOLAR-house in Stuttgart, (3) a 2 kW facility in a Saudi university, and (4) further research and development in the universities of Suttgart, Riyadh, Dhahran and Jeddah. A paper with the aforementioned title was given on the occasion of the laying of the foundation stone ceremony of the HYSOLAR-house in Stuttgart, 17 December 1986. In 12 theses, the major principles are described under which solar hydrogen may become part of the future world energy trade system. Technological, energetic and economic statements are made; advantages and disadvantages of a future hydrogen energy economy are formulated. Financial and political challenges conclude the paper.     

A geothermal field model based on geophysical and thermal prospectings in Nea Kessani (NE Greece)

The present study completes a study by Thanassoulas et al. (1986) Geophys. Prosp.34, 83–97 and deals with geophysical exploration for geothermal resources in Nea Kessani area, NE Greece. The results of some deep electrical soundings (AB = 6000 m) with the interpretation of a gravity profile crossing the investigated area are considered together with thermal investigations. All subsequent information, along with the conclusions of an earlier paper dealing with a reconnaissance geophysical survey of the same area, are used to highlight a subsurface geothermal field model.     

VVBGC demonstration plant activities at Värnamo

The biomass-to-syngas demonstration activities of the EC Framework 6 CHRISGAS Project were originally one of the cornerstones of the project and planned to take place at the 18 MW (thermal) demonstration plant in Värnamo, Sweden. This plant was originally built by the Swedish utility, Sydkraft AB, in the first part of the 1990s as an IGCC combined heat and power plant. The plant was acquired by Växjö Värnamo Biomass Gasification Centre AB (VVBGC) from Sydkraft in 2004 for the purpose of performing the test work and demonstration activities within the CHRISGAS project after a rebuild to syngas version. The required funds for plant modifications to syngas version, as well as operation costs were not covered under the CHRISGAS project grants, but were to be applied for elsewhere.The company VVBGC AB, now owned by the holding company of Linnæus University, was founded during the course of the project and new staff were recruited to head the rebuild project and be responsible of the operation of the plant within the CHRISGAS demonstration program.After a thorough status review of the plant and any necessary repair work three hot test campaigns of the existing IGCC plant were carried out. The results of this testing is reported in this paper.     

Pulling effects of district heating plants on the adoption and spread of willow plantations for biomass: The power plant in Enköping (Sweden)

The development of the willow cultivation for bioenergy in the municipality of Enköping was analysed, with special attention to the changes in the capacity and use of wood fuels of the municipality’s combined power and heat plant, during the period 1986-2005. The evolution is compared with the municipality of Örebro, in Central Sweden, a pioneer in the use of willow plantations. The study was performed including the geographical location of all the plantations and owners using a GIS platform, and a methodology based on n-sigmoidal curves was proposed to study the adoption curves of willow before and after the changes in the district heating plant. The results show significant enlargements of the area planted with willow observed after the enlargement of the plant in 1994; most of these new plantations being located within 30 km from the plant. The method applied seems to be suited to explain the effects in adoption of the power plant. Around 28% of the growers seem to be attributed to the effects of the plant. The results of this study provide empirical evidence of the effect of the district heating systems on the development and promotion of willow plantations. The methodology provided can be valuable in understanding the success or failure of the energy programmes, from the farmer’s perspective, and can aid policy makers in achieving their goals.     

Agronomic characteristics of US 72-1153 energycane for biomass

Biomass production and plant quality vary between plant species and morphological components of a plant. The purpose of this two-part experiment was (1) to study the influence of energycane [Saccharum sp. (L.) ‘US 72-1153’] harvest treatments (6) on dry biomass yield and (2) monitor changes in quantity and quality of plant components with increased plant height. Treatments for Part 1 determined the influence of plant height when harvested at 1.2, 2.5, and 3.7 m, mature stage in October (4.9 m, in flower), mature stage in December (4.9 m, in flower), and additional treatment harvested in October, which received half the total N (168 kg ha⁻¹) on dry biomass yield from 1986 to 1989. Part 2 treatments were to monitor changes in quantity and quality (crude protein and in vitro organic matter digestion) of plant components (green leaf, dead leaf, and stem) at 0.6 m plant height increments to a final height of 4.3 m during 1986 and 1987. Treatments from both parts of the study received 25 kg P ha⁻¹ and 93 kg K ha⁻¹ in one application and 336 kg N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ in single or split applications applied prior to growth of each harvest. Plants repeatedly harvested at the 1.2 m height (Part 1) and mature stage produced a 4-year average yield of 10 and 48 Mg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ dry biomass, respectively and decreased in dry biomass yield 89% (1.2 m harvest) and 53% (mature harvest) between years 1 and 4. The stem (1986 and 1987) and dead leaf (1986) plant components increased quadratically as plant height increased, and green leaf decreased from 70% (0.6 m) to 17% (4.3 m height). The crude protein concentration decreased 51% (green leaf) and 81% (stem) and in-vitro organic matter digestion decreased 54, 32, and 34% for dead leaf, green leaf, and stem, respectively as plant height increased from 0.6 to 4.3 m. These data indicate that harvest management is an important factor for energycane biomass yield, ratoon-crop success and plant quality if biomass is used as a methane source.     

Energy efficient office buildings with passive cooling – Results and experiences from a research and demonstration programme

To gain access to information on energy use in office buildings, the German Federal Ministry for Economy launched an intensive research and demonstration programme in 1995. In advance of the 2002 EU energy performance directive a limited primary energy coefficient of about 100 kW h m⁻² a⁻¹ as a goal for the complete building services technology was postulated (HVAC + lighting) for all demonstration buildings to be supported. A further condition was that active cooling be avoided. Techniques such as natural or mechanical night ventilation or heat removal by slab cooling with vertical ground pipes as well as earth-to-air heat exchangers in the ventilation system were applied. An accompanying research was established to keep track of the results and the lessons learned from about 22 demonstration buildings realized and monitored until the end of 2005. As one outcome this paper summarises the energy performance of a selection of characteristic buildings together with an overview on the summer thermal comfort situations achieved. The research program will proceed during the next five years. Detailed reports and future results may be downloaded from the internet: www.enbau-monitor.de.     

Real options valuation of fusion energy R&D programme

This paper aims to perform a real options valuation of fusion energy R&D programme. Strategic value of thermonuclear fusion technology is estimated here based on the expected cash flows from construction and operation of fusion power plants and the real options value arising due to managerial flexibility and the underlying uncertainty. First, a basic investment option model of Black–Scholes type is being considered. Then, a fuzzy compound real R&D option model is elaborated, which reflects in a better way the multi-stage nature of the programme and takes into account the imprecision of information as one of the components of the overall programme uncertainty. Two different strategies are compared: “Baseline” corresponding to a relatively moderate pace of fusion research, development, demonstration and deployment activities vs. “Accelerated” strategy, which assumes a rapid demonstration and massive deployment of fusion. The conclusions are drawn from the model calculations regarding the strategic value of fusion energy R&D and the advantages of accelerated development path.     

The secondary energy carrier hydrogen review of DFVLR-activities

This paper describes a review of programmatic and experimental activities as well as study work of DFVLR-Deutsche Forschungs- und Versuchsanstalt für Luft- und Raumfahrt. Intending to achieve a consensus among those concerned with energy in the Federal Republic of Germany, a programmatic paper entitled “Hydrogen as a secondary energy carrier” was presented in 1981 by DFVLR as a proposal for a research and development programme. The programme outlines the objectives and indicates the technological problems of introducing hydrogen into the energy scenario of a national economy; it recommends appropriate research and development activities as well as study and demonstration work. The programme accepts the fact that non-fossil hydrogen, produced from water, will not be a competitive secondary energy carrier within the next few decades. It is, however, important to open up the secondary energy carrier options which are compatible with any of the development paths and thus to maximise maneuvrability in future energy policies. A review of this programme is given, including some results of DFVLR research activities and the more important promotional steps already taken. Finally, a suggestion is made for future research, development and demonstration activities in the international arena.     

Change in carbon footprint of canola production in the Canadian Prairies from 1986 to 2006

Accounting for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at the production stage of a bioenergy crop is essential for evaluating its eco-efficiency. The objective of this study was to calculate the change in GHG emissions for canola (Brassica napus L.) production on the Canadian Prairies from 1986 to 2006. Net GHG emissions in the sub-humid and semi-arid climatic zones were estimated for fallow-seeded and stubble-seeded canola in intensive-, reduced- and no-tillage systems, with consideration given to emissions associated with synthetic nitrogen (N) fertilizer input, mineralized N from crop residues, N leaching and volatilization, farm operations, the manufacturing and transportation of fertilizer, agrochemicals and farm machinery, and emission and removal of CO₂ associated with changes in land use (LUC) and land management (LMC). The GHG emissions on an area basis were higher in stubble-seeded canola than in fallow-seeded canola but, the opposite was true on a grain dry matter (DM) basis. Nitrous oxide emissions associated with canola production, CO₂ emissions associated with farm energy use and the manufacturing of synthetic N fertilizer and its transportation contributed 49% of the GHG emissions in 1986 which increased to 66% in 2006. Average CO₂ emissions due to LUC decreased from 27% of total GHG emissions in 1986 to 8% in 2006 and soil C sequestration due to LMC increased from 8% to 37%, respectively. These changes caused a reduction in net GHG emission intensities of 40% on an area basis and of 65% on a grain DM basis. Despite the reduction in GHG emission intensities, GHG emissions associated with canola in the Prairies increased from 3.4 Tg CO₂ equiv in 1986 to 3.8 Tg CO₂ equiv in 2006 because of the more than doubling of canola production.     

PWR-FBR with closed fuel cycle for a sustainable nuclear energy supply in China

From the thermal reactor to the fast reactor and then to the fusion reactor; this is the three-step strategy that has been decided for a sustainable nuclear energy supply in China. As the main thermal reactor type, the commercialized development phase of the pressurized water reactor (PWR) has been stepped up. The development of the fast reactor (FBR) is still in the early stage, marked by China experimental fast reactor (CEFR), which is currently under construction. According to the strategy study on the fast reactor development in China, its engineering development will be divided into three steps: the CEFR with a power of 65 MWt/20 MWe; the China prototype fast reactor (CPFR) with a power of 1 500 MWt/600 MWe; and the China demonstration fast reactor (CDFR) with a power of 2 500–3 750 MWt/1 000–1 500 MWe. With regards to the fuel cycle, a 100 t/a PWR spent fuel reprocessing pilot plant and a 500 kg/ a MOX fabrication plant are under construction. A project involving the construction of an industrial reprocessing plant and an MOX fabrication plant are also under application phase.     

Coal-water fuel (CWF) project at Yukong

Coal-water fuel (CWF), one of the newer fluid fuels, can be stored, transported, and burned like oil, and will be competitive in price with No. 6 fuel oil. Yukong Ltd, Korea's largest petroleum refiner, has set up a demonstration project to develop CWF commercialization in Korea. This project, scheduled for completion by the end of 1986, includes the construction of a 600-(BPD) CWF plant, the modification of a 68-ton/hr oil-designed boiler, and the completion of a CWF combustion test.     

Methanol from Wood II. Current Research and Development Programs

The current research projects on gasification of biomass for synthesis gas production are reviewed. Particularly the various pilot plants presently under construction or already in operation at the demonstration scale of 10–50 tons wood/day are discussed in some detail, with emphasis on the demonstration programme of the European Community

Special features, possible disadvantages and areas still requiring additional R & D efforts are indicated for each project. The paper concludes with an outlook on the possible role of catalysis in both primary and secondary gasification and with a discussion on economic feasibility, economics of scale and the need for creative ideas on successfully downscaling of the process.     

Cost-effectiveness of energy efficiency programmes—evaluating the impacts of a regional programme in France

This paper presents the evaluation of a regional energy efficiency programme implemented in two “départements” of France. électricité de France (EDF), a French energy company, provides refurbishment advice and financial incentives to end-users in the residential sector as well as specific training courses and certification to local installation contractors and building firms. Refurbishment measures analysed in this paper are efficient space heating equipment (condensing boilers, heat pumps and wood stoves or boilers), solar water heating systems and the installation of double-glazed windows. A billing analysis based on a survey of programme participants’ energy consumption is used to calculate the energy savings attributed to the programme. In order to receive an economic feedback of this demonstration programme, the evaluation of both saved energy and programme costs is of importance. Detailed knowledge of the programme’s cost-effectiveness is essential for EDF to achieve the saving obligations imposed by the French White Certificate scheme at the lowest cost. Results of this evaluation can support the development and implementation of further energy efficiency programmes with similar characteristics in other regions of France. The cost-effectiveness is determined from the perspective of the programme participant and the society as well as the energy company in charge of the programme. All cost and benefit components are calculated in Euro per kilowatt-hour, which allows a direct comparison of levelized costs of conserved energy with the avoidable costs of the energy supply system.     

Sparse district-heating in Sweden

This paper presents a review of the sparse district-heating research programme undertaken in Sweden between 2002 and 2006. The goal of the programme was to increase the future competitiveness for district heat in low heat density areas, e.g., suburban single-family houses and small villages. Such areas are unfavourable, since revenues from heat sold are low compared with the investment cost for the local distribution network. In Sweden, district heat has a dominant position in the heat market for residential and service-sector buildings. In order for the business to grow, it is necessary to increase the rate of expansion in the detached-house segment. This is why the programme was initiated. The extent of the programme was set at € 3.6 million with equal financing from the Swedish District-Heating Association and the Swedish Energy-Agency. The research was carried out in three phases: a state of the art survey; a development phase focused on productivity gains where new research on both technology and customer interaction was performed; and finally a demonstration phase where new methods were tested in full-scale field operation. The programme has shown that the Swedish district-heating industry needs to adjust in order to reach a higher profitability for sparse district-heating investments. Tradition from large-scale high-density district heating is hard to scale to fit sparse district-heating systems. For example, the construction becomes very labour intensive and the industry is weak when it comes to market-oriented business logic, sales and private customer interaction. Innovation seems to be a way forward and active management of innovations is a way to create increased value of the investments. Other keys to improving the profitability of sparse district-heating investments are more efficient working routines (resulting in higher productivity) and revised ways of customer communications. These seem more important than increasing efficiency in district-heating technology.     

Understanding the Chena Hot Springs,Alaska, geothermal system using temperature and pressure data from exploration boreholes

Chena Hot Springs is a small, moderate temperature, deep circulating geothermal system, apparently typical of those associated to hot springs of interior Alaska. Multi-stage drilling was used in some exploration boreholes and was found to be useful for understanding subsurface flow characteristics and developing a conceptual model of the system. The results illustrate how temperature profiles illuminate varying pressure versus depth characteristics and can be used alone in cases where staged drilling is not practical. The extensive exploration activities helped define optimal fluid production and injection areas, and showed that the system could provide sufficient hot fluids (∼57 °C) to run a 400-kWe binary power plant, which came on line in 2006.     

彭水水电站水轮机参数选择

介绍彭水水电站选型设计中对水轮机主要参数的合理选择，通过技术经济比较，确定机组的最佳选型方案和单机主要技术参数。     

Development of a robust and efficient biogas processor for hydrogen production. Part 2: Experimental campaign

In this study, a robust and efficient decentralized fuel processor based on the direct autothermal reforming (ATR) of biogas with a nominal production rate of 50 Nm³/h of hydrogen and a plant efficiency of about 65% was developed and tested. The ATR unit is composed of a structured catalyst support for the biogas reforming close coupled to a catalytic wall-flow filter to retain eventual soot particles.The performance of the conventional random foam and homogeneous lattice supports structures for the production of hydrogen from the ATR reaction was investigated. 15–0.05 wt%-Ni-Rh/MgAl₂O₄-SiSiC structured catalyst and LiFeO₂-SiC monolith were selected for the conversion of biogas to hydrogen and for the syngas post-treatment process, respectively. For all the experiments, a model synthetic biogas was used and the catalytic activities were evaluated in three different experimental facilities: lab bench, pilot test rig and demonstration plant. High methane conversions (>95%) and hydrogen yields (>1.8) reached in the lab bench were also achieved in the pilot and demonstration plant operating at different GHSV.Results of duration test using a foam coupled to the filter has demonstrated that the pre-commercial processor is reliable while offering a satisfactory reproducibility and negligible pressure drop. A thermodynamic equilibrium and a cold gas efficiency of 90% were reached for an inlet temperature of 500 °C, O/C: 1.1 and S/C: 2.0, as predicted with the Aspen simulation.     

Summary of the PISC II project: PISC II report No. 1—June 1985

In assuring light water reactor safety, it is vital to have confidence that no leaks or breaks will develop in the reactor pressure vessel and associated piping, which together constitute the primary coolant circuit. Initially small defects in these thick steel components can grow under the stresses arising from repeated pressure and temperature changes and the embrittlement of the metal caused by the radiation emanating from the reactor core.

Ultrasonic testing is widely used for detecting, locating and sizing flaws in primary circuit elements at various stages of plant life. The successive PISC projects have constituted the most notable sustained international effort to assess the effectiveness of these inspection techniques.

The Plate Inspection Steering Committee (PISC I) programme (1976–1980) was intended to establish the capabilities of the 1974 ASME Code Section XI ultrasonic procedure. The Programme for the Inspection of Steel Components (PISC II, 1981–1986) constitutes a more profound evaluation of the best performance obtainable by modern ultrasonic techniques under optimal conditions.