Test Facility for Low Potential Pumped Storage Power Plants and Hydrokinetic Turbines

The electric energy which is generated by wind power plants depends on the wind speed and exceeds with strong permissible wind speed the electric energy requirements of the country. In order not to reduce this electrical energy, it must be stored. The sensible energy storage is currently the pumped storage power plants. As the mountain ranges for conventional pumped storage power plants with drop heights of H 〉 600 m are strictly limited, the development of low potential pumped storage power plants has begun. Increasing the capacity of pumped storage power plants with regard to the wind power plants is urgently needed. In this paper, it is shown using the example of an unneeded port facility, how a port facility can be used after low conversion as a test facility for low potential pumped storage power plants and at the same time for the testing of hydro-kinetic turbines. This type of pump storage power plants does not save the energy due to large drop heights, but primarily due to the large volume flow of water.     

Counter-Rotating Type Pump-Turbine Unit Stabilizing Momentarily Fluctuating Power from Renewable Energy Resources

It is difficult for renewable energy resources to provide constant power with excellent quality for the grid system. This serial research proposes a power stabilization system with a pumped storage to guarantee power quality and capacity, while the outputs from the energy resources are at unstable and/or fluctuating conditions. The power stabilization system with a counter-rotating type pump-turbine unit was prepared and operated at the pumping and the turbine modes. The unit composed of the tandem impellers/runners connected to the inner and the outer armatures of the unique motor/generator. The experiments have verified that this type pump-turbine unit is reasonably effective to stabilize momentarily/instantaneously the fluctuating power from the renewable energy resources.     

Evaluation of Building Integrated Photovoltaic Systems＇ Potential in the Industrial Sector： Case Study of Oinofyta-Viotia Zone,Greece

The aim of this paper is to propose a flexible and accurate methodology for the evaluation of the BIPV （building integrated photovoltaic） potential on industrial building roofs. The use of more realistic and case specific data obtained by accurate technical on-site audits is proved to be of significant importance in the reliability of the proposed methodology results. Moreover, the most recent PV market information is used, considering however that this factor is rapidly changing during the last years, owed to the vast growth of the PV sector. To this end, emphasis is given on the country of Greece, where besides the fact that there is an increase of PV installations; no progress has been met in the use of BIPV systems in the industrial sector, opposite to the situation met in other EU countries. Acknowledging the above, the proposed methodology is currently applied so as to evaluate the BIPV potential of a large industrial zone close to the Greek capital, Athens. The results of this study can be used by both other researchers, for similar evaluations, and energy policy makers, to support the clean energy production concept on the basis of BIPV systems in industrial areas.     

Analysis of Energy Saving Achievable through Solar Photovoltaic Systems on School Roofs： A Case of the City of Rome

Embracing renewable energy technology makes a lot of sense for the public sectors and schools as it meets the government sustainability goals and provides a financially viable means of achieving carbon savings while offering income potential. This study is aimed to quantify the achievable energy saving by spread use ofphotovoltaic systems on public building stock in the city of Rome. The installation of PV （photovoltaic） systems in the historic center depends on the feasibility conditions, generally more complex compared to the cases examined in the consolidated city, because they require compliance with the formal and aesthetic characteristics of the buildings, so the choice must be made between compatible components, which allow to minimize the transformation. The suburbs are characterized by large plane roofs in bad conditions and belonging to isolated buildings, so the useful surface, according to shading condition, offers a big potential for renewable technologies. The research provides an evaluation of maximum production of solar energy and the subsequent energy saving and reduction of greenhouse gasses, using parametric data, and an evaluation of the cost-effectiveness, with a rough calculation of return on investment.     

Recouping Braking Energy from Diesel-Hauled Commuter Trains

Research was undertaken to define the concept of a coach-based braking energy recoupment, storage and regeneration system to augment the acceleration of regional commuter trains hauled by diesel locomotives. Functional specifications were developed having the goal of increasing by 25% the acceleration rate of a train consisting of 10 bi-level coaches hauled by a 3,000 hp diesel locomotive, typical of the rolling stock now in commuter services in Canada and the USA. Examining three alternate hybrid system technologies for train retardation based, respectively, on hydrostatic, battery and ultracapacitor energy storage. The ultracapacitor hybrid system appeared the most promising due to the capability ofultracapacitors to repeatedly and rapidly accept large energy charges without degradation, temperature insensitive and flexible in the placement of modules in the limited space available. Analyses of train operation simulations showed that in addition to augmenting acceleration and reducing trip time, braking energy recoupment reduced fuel consumption and concomitant diesel emissions.     

Dptimizing Thermal Energy Storage Systems in the Hospitality Industry

Building energy analyses using forecasting optimization strategies are commonly used for predicting TES （thermal energy storage） system performance. These strategies produce perfect optimized cost savings and are not typically realized in the real world, unless a safety factor is applied. Rather than show how to improve the industry＇s ability to accurately model and simulate a true TES system design, this paper will show advanced building information strategies and energy management simulation techniques required to truly achieve the ideal optimized cost savings, determined from the TES energy simulation analysis. This paper uses the hospitality industry as a case study, showing the application of simulation and analytical modeling for an optimized partial TES system. As a result building energy managers can make better decisions through the entire building life cycle from the earliest concept model through operation and maintenance.     

Merit Figures for the Optical Design of CSP Plants

This work proposes some optical merit figures useful for solar concentration in the phase of optical design. The examined systems are CSP （concentrated solar power） plants with heliostats fields. In order to characterize them, it is suggested to use some optical merit figures, applicable to every CSP plant and synthetize its optical performance. The proposed merit figures have the aim of assessing mirrors field efficiency and receiver optical efficiency. In particular, they are identified using a new definition of the input flux on the mirrors field. The practical advantage of using the optical merit figures is illustrated by means of a simulation.     

Simulating the Performance of Solar Water Heating Systems

This paper presents a software for simulating the thermal performance of solar water heating systems. The implemented model computes the energy balance in the hot water storage tank in each time step along a simulation interval. Its input data are values from a typical meteorological year of a chosen location and the hot water load. The system components are the hot water storage tank and the solar collector. Firstly, the validation of the model is presented and then four solar water heating systems are simulated in four different cities along one year. The storage tank water hourly temperatures were obtained for a typical meteorological year and those values were compared with the values obtained by the widespread TRNSYS simulation software. The results obtained from this comparison were satisfactory.     

Power Supply for a Wireless Sensor Network： Airliner Flight Test Case Study

In this paper, we present hands-on experience related to on-going implementation in aircraft of power supply for a wireless sensor network deployed for aerodynamic flight tests. This autonomous battery-free power supply is capturing, managing and storing primary energy from the environment, using solar light and PV （photovoltaic） cells. For practical purposes, it is also equipped with an auxiliary power input. The specifications are detailed, the general architecture is presented and justified, and test results are discussed.     

Addressing Barriers to Off-Grid Rural Electrification in Africa： The Botswana and Namibia Experience

Africa is the most affected continent with energy poverty. Wood fuel is the main source of energy for remote and rural populations. At the same time, most parts of Africa are endowed with abundant solar energy. Together with a highly developed global solar industry and ever declining cost of solar systems, solar has unprecedented potential to combat energy poverty in Africa. However, dissemination of solar systems is faced with a number of barriers and challenges amongst where sustainable financing and lack of technological support for installation, maintenance and repair of systems are the most significant. This paper discusses the cases of Botswana and Namibia where financing schemes based on different partnership models have been successfully implemented. These schemes have the potential for success and adaptation by countries with similar socio-economic conditions. We conclude with recommendations on training programs for different levels of intervention to overcome the lack of technological support.     

Simulation of Maximum Power Point Tracking for Photovoltaic Systems

A PV （photovoltaic） solar panels exhibit non-linear current--voltage characteristics, and according to the MPT （maximum power transform） theory, it can produce maximum power at only one particular OP （operating point）; namely, when the source impedance matches with the load impedance, a match which cannot be guaranteed spontaneously. Furthermore, the MPP （maximum power point） changes with temperature and light intensity variations. Therefore, different algorithms have been developed for finding MPPT （maximum power point tracking） based on offline and online methods. Evaluating the performance of these algorithms for various PV systems operating under highly dynamic environments are essentials to ensure producing reliable, efficient, cost-effective and high performance systems. One possible approach for system evaluation is to use computer simulation. This paper addresses the use of Matlab software as a simulation tool for evaluating the performance of PV solar systems and finding the MPPT.     

Feasibility of Wind Power Generation for the Reduction of Power Costs in Residential Buildings

The installation of wind power generators on buildings located in areas with regular winds may be a suitable investment in a renewable power source. Brazil has a high eolic potential, where the annual mean wind speed may reach over eight meters per second. This case study is aimed to assess the economic feasibility of the installation of small wind power plants in urban areas. This work evaluates a project for the installation of a vertical axis wind turbine in three buildings （15-, 22-, and 26-story） including the following stages： （1） installation of a real-time power meter in the 15-store unit; （2） demand analysis of the 26-store building＇s power consumption; （3） winds survey along the coast of the State of Ceara; （4） analysis of the wind turbines available in the market; （5） simulation aimed to choose the system. Vertical wind power generators offer better conditions of use in urban areas. The turnover time was established to be between four and six years in the three studied units. The installation of a wind power generator on buildings in regions with an adequate eolic regimen reaches a financial return of the investment before the end of the equipment＇s lifespan.     

Renewable Energy Sources and Pricing of Electrical Power

This report deals with some characteristics of the electric power system of Bulgaria. Emphasis is put on the benefits of joining the small photovoltaic plants in the tourist areas of the country. As an example of that the town of Pomorie is examined. Data on the quality of the consumed electric energy and the price per a four-member family are presented. The amount of the solar radiation for the town of Pomorie is audited through the PVGIS （Photovoltaic Geographical Information System）. Discussed are the types of photovoltaic panels offered on the market by manufacturers in terms of the received power efficiency. Developed is a model of creating a photovoltaic system on the roof of a house, inhabited by several families. Calculations are made on the cost of the electricity generated by the proposed system. Compared is the cost of the electricity supplied by the electricity provider EVN （Energie Verntinftig Nutzen） in the town of Pomorie to the one that will be obtained using the proposed PV-system.     

Benguela CommunitylUNAM Wind Power Demonstration Projectm——Experiences in Implementation

The government of Namibia has committed itself to promote the use of economically viable RE （renewable energy） technologies, as a complement to grid electrification, and to improve energy provision to rural areas. This paper presents the implementation of the Benguela Community-UNAM Wind-Power Demonstration Project, which is a community-run wind-power mini-generation pilot plant in Luderitz, Namibia. Luderitz is located in South-Western Namibia along the Namib Desert. The region experiences abundant south-westerly winds and the coastal weather conditions make it a suitable location for wind energy. This project is an initiative from the community of Luderitz and a first of its kind in Namibia. It demonstrates the application of small-scale wind energy systems in Namibia and contributes to the growing national awareness of RE and use of wind power in the country. Through its activities, the project has created a dialogue between the local authorities, business community, schools and the greater community. The balance of the paper discusses lessons learned; envisaged future development plans; highlights technical, administrative and management activities; as well as potential for replication and barriers encountered during the project implementation including institutional constraints. The solution-methods developed are presented and discussed.     

Design and Sizing Electric Micro Generator Using Thermoelectric Modules

This paper presents the development of a methodology for calculating sizing electric micro sources of power generation using TEG （thermoelectric modules） to capture energy industrial process waste. Since the thermoelectric modules are able to convert a temperature gradient directly into electricity and still occupy a small space, and have no vibration or noise during operation. Furthermore, the cogeneration using thermoelectric modules is totally clean and reuses part of the residual thermal energy to generate power, or improve the overall yield of the process and avoid the emission of gases to the environment. Therefore, this research contributes to the development of a green energy to numerical modeling for the design and dimensioning of micro-sources of electric power generation from performance curves and predetermined temperature gradients industrial processes. The result is an effective methodology for the design and conditioning the voltage level and power of micro allowing the size of the electrical quickly and securely for many industrial applications, varying the types of modules used area, voltage and power generated.     

Potentialities of Renewable Energy in Victoria,Australia

In utility power system, electricity demand is being covered largely by fossil fueled power generation, which contributes high level of GHG （greenhouse gas） emission and causes global warming worldwide. In order to reduce GHG emission level, most of the countries in the world targeting towards green energy that is power generation from RE （renewable energy） sources. In this paper, it is considered to study prospects of RE sources in particular, solar and wind in Victoria State which are abundant as compared to other sources of renewable. The wind and solar energy feasibility study and sensitivity analysis has been done for Victoria with the aid of HOMER （hybrid optimization model of electric renewable） simulation software. From the study, it has clearly evicted that wind energy combinational HPS （hybrid power system） has more contribution, and high potential than solar PV （photovoltaic） systems for a particular location. This study also investigates the influences of energy storage in the proposed HPS.     

Net Energy Ratio and Greenhouse Gas Analysis of a Biogas Power Plant

The results of a net energy life cycle analysis and greenhouse gas analysis for a 1.45 MW （0.71 MW electrical） biogas power plant operating with a 70% corn silage and 30% cow dung feedstock mixture are presented after its initial five years of operation. A ratio of 8.0 for the total output electrical energy divided by the total input energy from fossil fuels is found. A net efficiency of 1.2% of converting solar energy into electricity and usable heat （0.6% electricity） is achieved. Only 16 g CO2 per kWh are generated in the process. If all greenhouse gases are considered, this process even actively reduces the total greenhouse gas load on the atmosphere. In terms of producing transportation biofuels, this process provides 3.8 times more yield per hectare than bioethanol generation.     

Current Situation and Perspective of Second Generation Solid Biofuels Production： Case Study——CMR （Campinas Metropolitan Region）, Sao Paulo,Brazil

This proposal aims to assess the market introduction of advanced technologies for the production of 2nd generation solid biofuels, specifically technologies for the production of briquettes and pellets from agro-industrial wastes. The development of this project will evaluate the socio-environmental and techno-economical feasibility and use of 2nd generation solid biofuels in the CMR （Campinas Metropolitan Region）. The successful introduction of second generation briquettes and pellets to market depends, mainly, on two aspects： logistics in supply chains which generate waste, and the efficiency of production technologies. The study of logistics （supply chain） is based on survey data of the main productive supply chains, analysis, and modeling to optimize the facility location in the network for each case. The evaluation of the efficiency of production technology is provided by testing specially designed waste compacting devices, and comparing these results with the resulting power consumption during the production, in demonstration-scale, of a round of briquettes. The costs and consumption during the demonstration-scale production of briquettes are used for validation and correction of an optimization model. This project was approved in late 2012 with a period of two years for its implementation. Later in 2013, it was decided also to extend its implementation to the Metropolitan Region of Manaus, Amazon. Due to its recent beginning, the results shown here are only preliminary.     

Study of Space Reactors for Exploration Missions

Nuclear propulsion has been studied for many decades. The power density of nuclear fission is much higher than chemical process, and for missions to outer solar system requiring several hundred of kilowatts, or for flexible manned missions to Mars requiring several megawatts, nuclear electric propulsion might be the only option offering a reasonable mass in low earth orbit. Despite the existence of low power experiences--SNAP10 in the 60＇s or Buk/Topaz in the 60-80＇s--no high power reactor has been developed： investment cost, long term timeframe, high technological challenges and radioactive hazards are the main challenges we must overtake. However, it seems reasonable to look at the technical challenges that have to be overcome for a next generation of nuclear electric systems for space exploration. This paper will present some recent studies going on in France, on space reactors for exploration. Three classes of power have been considered： 10 kWe, 100 kWe, and several megawatts. Available data from previous studies and developments performed in Russia, USA, and Europe have been collected and gave us a large overview of potential technical solutions. This was the starting point of a trade-off analysis aiming at the selection of the best options, with regards to the technological readiness level in France and Europe. The resulting preliminary designs will be presented and critical technologies needing maturation activities will be highlighted.