Digital Commons Network^™

The Intertwined Renewable Energy–Water–Environment (Rewe) Nexus Challenges And Opportunities: A Case Study Of California, Shahryar Jafarinejad, Rebecca R. Hernandez, Sajjad Bigham, Bryan S. Beckingham

Michigan Tech Publications

In our built environment, societal production of energy and clean water is inextricably linked to the natural resources from which they are derived. Acknowledgement and consideration of the coupling of energy, water, and the environment (the energy–water–environment nexus) will be critical to a sustainable future. This is particularly true as we transition away from historical energy sources (e.g., coal, petroleum, natural gas) and into the widespread adaptation of renewable energy (RE) sources (e.g., solar, wind, geothermal, hydro, bioenergy) as a strategy to decrease greenhouse gas emissions and consequently slow global climate change. This transition is fraught with both challenges and …

A Study On Scaling Floating Offshore Wind Turbine Geometry And Hydrostatics With Increasing Turbine Size, Samuel Davis

Honors College

Floating offshore wind offers a clean and sustainable alternative to fossil fuels for the future of energy production. In Maine in particular, there is a great opportunity to take advantage of the wind resource off the coast and become a global leader in offshore wind. With the Maine coastal waters being too deep for fixed-bottom turbine structures, floating platforms that support the turbines have the opportunity to gain traction as the technology matures. As wind turbines increase in size and capacity, the floating hulls must also increase in size. The research presented in this thesis aimed to calculate and examine …

Optimization Of Solar-Coal Hybridization For Low Solar Augmentation, Aaron T. Bame, Joseph Furner, Ian Hoag, Kasra Mohammadi, Kody Powell, Brian D. Iverson

Faculty Publications

This work presents a process to determine the preliminary optimal configuration of a concentrating solar power-coal hybrid power plant with low solar augmentation, and is demonstrated on a regenerative steam Rankine cycle coal power plant in Castle Dale, UT, USA (average DNI of 542 W m⁻²). A representative plant model is developed and validated against published data for a coal power plant. The simplifications that lead to the representative model from a coal power plant model include combining multiple feedwater heaters, combining turbines, and using a mass-average calculation for extraction steam properties. Comparing net power generation and boiler …

Afloat 2021: American Floating Offshore Wind Technical Summit, Advanced Structures And Composites Center

General University of Maine Publications

Email invitation to the "AFloat 2021: American Floating Offshore Wind Technical Summit" scheduled for September 8 and 9, 2021. Due to the emergence of COVID variants and the health risks they pose, a decision was made to hold the event virtually to ensure everyone's safety.

Campus Carbon Footprint Study At A South Texas University, Monica Garcia, Christian Florez, Diego Lopez, Jongmin Kim, Maysam Pournik

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

A campus carbon footprint study was conducted at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, a Southern Texan university. This initiative was the school’s strategic plan to set a baseline for overall campus resource utilization status as well as to answer global requests to track and reduce campus greenhouse gas emissions and achieve greater sustainability on campus. For fiscal years of 2016 to 2018, an overall increase of campus carbon footprint was about 0.6%. The biggest increase was observed from sources owned or controlled by the school while the emissions associated with power usage decreased. The university’s carbon footprint was …

A Low-Cost Secure Iot Mechanism For Monitoring And Controlling Polygeneration Microgrids, Josué Martínez-Martínez, Diego Aponte-Roa, Idalides Vergara-Laurens, Wayne Weaver

Michigan Tech Publications

The use of Internet-connected devices at homes has increased to monitor energy consumption. Furthermore, renewable energy sources have also increased, reducing electricity bills. However, the high cost of the equipment limits the use of these technologies. This paper presents a low-cost secured-distributed Internet of Things (IoT) system to monitor and control devices connected in a polygeneration microgrid, as a combined power system for local loads with renewable sources. The proposed mechanism includes a Wireless Sensor Actuator Networked Control System that links network nodes using the IEEE 802.15.4 standard. The Internet communication enables the monitor and control of devices using a …

Potential Energy Generation From Agricultural Residue In Indonesia, Adrian Rizqi Irhamna

International Programs

Indonesia has great potential of biomass sources from their agricultural residue, which can potentially be used for alternative energy generation. This preliminary research explores the most suitable technology for energy generation from agricultural residue and its challenge for application in Indonesia. The study showed that biomass utilization via the direct combustion process is recommended for energy generation. It is also reported that the pretreatment process of drying and washing, are required to increase the fuel quality and plant efficiency.

Applying Renewable Energies Against Climate Change: Solar Photovoltaic (Pv) Energy, Juan Jose Estribi

International Programs

In recent years, more efforts towards fighting climate change have been done. As a direct response, research and technology have offered several insights regarding the specific causes, effects, and even possible solutions for resolving this global issue. Among these solutions, renewable energies and their potential contributions as clean energy sources can be assessed as feasible options for the energy transformation through the decarbonization process of the energy industry. This poster is mainly focused on solar photovoltaic (PV) energy and its great potential as a renewable energy by making a brief assessment of some important aspects such as resource availability, its …

An Assessment Of Renewable Energy Technology Implementation In Storrs, Connecticut: Emissions Reduction And Feasibility Of A Microgrid System At Uconn, Sophie Macdonald

Honors Scholar Theses

The purpose of this project is to design a clean energy-sourced microgrid for UConn’s main campus that would reduce the university’s energy emissions while remaining within the geographic boundaries of viable UConn-owned land. Economic cost was not considered in this analysis; instead, emissions and space constraints were the optimized measures of value and feasibility. Sources of energy that were considered include photovoltaics (PV), wind turbines, hydrokinetic systems, and fuel cells. Energy storage capacity was included in the analysis as well. The overall system was optimized first by ignoring space constraints and for a minimum of 10% reduction from the current …

Internet Of Things In Sustainable Energy Systems, Abdul Salam

Faculty Publications

Our planet has abundant renewable and conventional energy resources but technological capability and capacity gaps coupled with water-energy needs limit the benefits of these resources to citizens. Through IoT technology solutions and state-of-the-art IoT sensing and communications approaches, the sustainable energy-related research and innovation can bring a revolution in this area. Moreover, by the leveraging current infrastructure, including renewable energy technologies, microgrids, and power-to-gas (P2G) hydrogen systems, the Internet of Things in sustainable energy systems can address challenges in energy security to the community, with a minimal trade-off to environment and culture. In this chapter, the IoT in sustainable energy …

Economic Appraisal Of Hybrid Solar-Biomass Thermophotovoltaic Power Generation, C. M. Iftekhar Hussain Cmih, Aidan Duffy, Brian Norton

Conference Papers

The techno-economic parameters that influence the commercial deployment of hybrid thermophotovoltaic (TPV) solar power generation are determined using annual system simulations. It has been found that a TPV cell price of E5/cm2 or less together with a TPV operating temperature under 800°C is required for a hybrid solar–biomass TPV power plant to be economically competitive with the state-of-the-art hybrid solar–biomass Rankine cycle power plants.

Communication Based Control For Dc Microgrids, Mahmoud S. Saleh, Yusef Esa, Ahmed Mohamed

Publications and Research

Centralized communication-based control is one of the main methods that can be implemented to achieve autonomous advanced energy management capabilities in DC microgrids. However, its major limitation is the fact that communication bandwidth and computation resources are limited in practical applications. This can be often improved by avoiding redundant communications and complex computations. In this paper, an autonomous communication-based hybrid state/event driven control scheme is proposed. This control scheme is hierarchical and heuristic, such that on the primary control level, it encompasses state-driven local controllers, and on the secondary control level, an event-driven MG centralized controller (MGCC) is used. This …

Electric Vehicle Energy Impacts, Florida Solar Energy Center, Katherine Mckenzie

FSEC Energy Research Center®

The objective of this research project was to evaluate the impacts of electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable wind and solar photovoltaic (PV) power generation on reducing petroleum imports and greenhouse gas emissions to Hawaii. In 2015, the state of Hawaii mandated fossil fuel electric power displacement by imposing Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) that will reach 100% renewable electricity generation by 2045. With small, remote and isolated island electricity grids, utilities in Hawaii face unprecedented technical and economic challenges to meet these goals with exceedingly high levels of intermittent wind and PV power generation. To meet these RPS goals, EVs become …

Preface-Jes Focus Issue On Electrolysis For Increased Renewable Energy Penetration, B. Pivovar, M. Carmo, K. Ayers, X. Zhang, J. O'Brien

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

(First paragraph) Today represents a particularly exciting time, as our planet’s energy system is undergoing major changes due to dramatically decreasing renewable energy prices and increasing societal concerns over greenhouse gas emissions, criteria pollutants (arsenic, mercury, NOx, particulate matter), and climate change. These factors are pushing society toward deep decarbonization of our energy system, perhaps the most challenging issue facing the planet today. Unfortunately, wind and solar energy, while both promising generation sources, come with intermittency challenges and have limitations in their abilities to impact industrial and transportation sector demands where fossil fuel energy carriers based on chemical bonds have …

Comprehensive Modeling Of Optimal Paths To Reach Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (Nzebs) For New Constructions In Europe, Florida Solar Energy Center, Delia D'Agostino

FSEC Energy Research Center®

As established by the recast of the European Union (EU) Directive on Energy Performance of Buildings (EPBD), all new buildings have to be nearly zero energy buildings (nZEBs) by the end of 2020. However, reaching this result considering cost-optimality is still an open challenge. Balancing renewable power generation with energy efficiency to reach the nZEB target is a key goal of all EU Member States. We describe results obtained from the modeling of nZEBs for new constructions in Europe using the energy performance software EnergyPlus. The model performs hourly sequential simulations showing how to best achieve nearly zero energy home …

High Tech High Touch: Lessons Learned From Project Haiti 2011, Yan Tang, Marc Compere, Yung Lun Wong, Jared Anthony Coleman, Matthew Charles Selkirk

Publications

In this paper, we will share our experiences and lessons learned from a design project for providing clean water to a Haitian orphanage (Project Haiti 2011). Supported by funds from a renewable energy company and the university president’s office, five engineering students and two faculty members from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University successfully designed and installed a solar powered water purification system for an orphanage located in Chambellan, Haiti. This paper discusses the unique educational experiences gained from unusual design constraints, such as ambiguity of existing facilities due to limited communication, logistics of international construction at a remote village location, and cross-cultural …

Fuel Cycle Co2-E Targets Of Renewable Hydrogen As A Realistic Transportation Fuel In Australia, Alberto Boretti

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The claim of catastrophic manmade climate change or global warming through anthropogenic CO₂ has presently focused the interest on the tailpipe emissions of CO₂ per km, with recent legislations obsessively targeting these emissions of CO₂ with defectively implemented procedures. with a variety of different propulsion solutions (electric, hybrid electric, hybrid mechanic, conventional) and different fuels (Diesel, Petrol, alternative fossil, alternative renewable) available in the near future, a more comprehensive approach based on the full fuel cycle, and eventually also the full life cycle of the vehicle appear to be necessary. the paper is a contribution to trigger …

Solar 2007: Renewable Energy Disaster Relief Fund Gives A Helping Hand, Florida Solar Energy Center, William Young

FSEC Energy Research Center®

In a disaster, support and utility services are damaged or destroyed leaving people without electricity, water, sanitation, and communication. Thousands of people from emergency management agencies and volunteer organizations are deployed to help after a disaster to provide life support and basic services. In this response effort, energy resources and services are lacking, making recovery efforts difficult in our high-tech world. In response to this problem, the National Energy Foundation and the Florida Solar Energy Center have formed the Renewable Energy Disaster Relief Fund (REDRF).

REDRF will collect donations from the general public, businesses, and various organizations through a variety …

Potential Of Energy Efficiency And Renewable Energy Savings To Impact Florida's Projected Energy Use In 2014, Florida Solar Energy Center, Philip W. Fairey

FSEC Energy Research Center®

Florida's 2004 electrical energy use was 233 billion kilowatt-hours. Over half (51%) of this energy use went to residential building energy. The state's current 10-year predictions for electrical energy use in 2014 show a requirement for approximately 308 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity, an increase of approximately 75 billion kilowatt-hours. This study presents an example of how Florida can radically alter its 2014 energy use projection by aggressively pursuing residential building energy efficiency improvements and aggressively increasing its use of proven renewable energy resources.

Assuring Power In A Disaster And Providing Energy Security, Florida Solar Energy Center, William Young

FSEC Energy Research Center®

Daily use of a myriad of electrical and electronic devices has contributed to a steadily increasing dependence on electric power. The degree of importance of electricity is temporarily highlighted with any type of power outage, whether caused by a disaster as destructive as a Hurricane Andrew or as minor as an afternoon thunderstorm knocking down local utility lines. After September 11, terrorism added a new dimension to our definition of energy security. While the American public is dependent on utility providers to meet energy needs, it is the right and the responsibility of each citizen to become aware of energy …

Renewable Energy Limits, Florida Solar Energy Center, Ross Mccluney

FSEC Energy Research Center®

"The more we get out of the world the less we leave, and in the long run we shall have to pay our debts at a time that may be very inconvenient for our own survival." - Norbert Wiener

Introduction: The world's energy and environmental crises are inextricably linked. The processes of extracting, processing, and burning fossil fuels generates copious pollution of air, water, and land. Fossil-fuel-derived energy lies at the heart of other environmental problems. Fossil energy powers the bulldozers clearing rainforests. It runs the tractors and other farm equipment of industrial agriculture, compacting and mineralizing soils thus increasing …

Photovoltaics In Disaster Management, Florida Solar Energy Center, William Young

FSEC Energy Research Center®

Man made or natural, disasters can happen at any time, often with little or no advance warning. Major disasters, such as hurricanes, floods, tornados, and earthquakes, can leave many people without adequate medical services, potable water, electrical service and communications. They can be as destructive as Hurricane Mitch leaving several hundred-thousand people homeless or as minor as an afternoon thunderstorm knocking down local power lines to your home.

In response to a disaster, photovoltaic (solar electric) modules offer a source of quiet, safe, pollution-free electrical power. Photovoltaic (PV) power systems are capable of providing the electrical needs for vaccine refrigerators, …

Study Of Photoelectrochemical Cells For Hydrogen Production By Water Splitting Using Cigs2/Cds Heterojunction, Florida Solar Energy Center, Neelkanth Dhere

FSEC Energy Research Center®

Study of Photoelectrochemical Cells for Hydrogen Production by Water Splitting Using CIGS2/CdS Heterojunction

Open-Cycle Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion, Florida Solar Energy Center, Magdy Girgis

FSEC Energy Research Center®

In May 1983 the Florida Solar Energy Center(FSEC) received $ 328,000 from the federal Solar Energy Research Institute in Colorado to determine the feasibility of an Open-Cycle Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) concept. The objective of the project is to assess the economic and technological viability of the conceptual design of an Open Cycle OTEC power plant. FSEC and Create R&D Inc., Hanover, New Hampshire, bring together complementary skills and experience in resource assessment, component design, system engineering and project management. FSEC also will study possible sites for an OTEC plant in Florida as part of a complementary project funded …