Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
- Discipline
-
- Engineering (6)
- Environmental Sciences (5)
- Physical Sciences and Mathematics (5)
- Electrical and Computer Engineering (4)
- Power and Energy (4)
-
- Sustainability (3)
- Life Sciences (2)
- Mechanical Engineering (2)
- Oil, Gas, and Energy (2)
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (2)
- Arts and Humanities (1)
- Biodiversity (1)
- Biology (1)
- Biotechnology (1)
- Business (1)
- Civil and Environmental Engineering (1)
- Energy Policy (1)
- Energy Systems (1)
- Environmental Engineering (1)
- Environmental Studies (1)
- European History (1)
- Forest Sciences (1)
- History (1)
- Marketing (1)
- Microbiology (1)
- Natural Resource Economics (1)
- Natural Resources and Conservation (1)
- Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration (1)
- Institution
- Publication Type
Articles 1 - 12 of 12
Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network
Determining The Impacts Of Corn Silage Mixing Ratios On Hydrogen Production From Beef Cattle Manure, Katya Faber-Quimby
Determining The Impacts Of Corn Silage Mixing Ratios On Hydrogen Production From Beef Cattle Manure, Katya Faber-Quimby
Honors Theses
With global warming becoming an increasingly serious threat and a growing population requiring additional energy resources, interest in the production of clean energy from the agricultural sector has surged in popularity. Biohydrogen, also known as green hydrogen, is H2 that has been produced using renewable energy, such as from agricultural byproducts or waste materials. It presents a promising alternative to nonrenewable resources due to its high potential for energy storage and lack of carbon emissions when used. Cattle manure has been explored as a resource for the production of biohydrogen. Selecting for hydrogen-producing microbes in the manure serves the …
Optimization Of Union College’S Microgrid To Meet All Load With A Least-Cost, Low-Carbon Energy Mix, Caitlin Mcmahon
Optimization Of Union College’S Microgrid To Meet All Load With A Least-Cost, Low-Carbon Energy Mix, Caitlin Mcmahon
Honors Theses
A microgrid is a localized electric grid that generates some or all of the power used to meet its load. Union College currently has a microgrid that meets 70 percent of the campus’ load and is connected to the main grid. It is made up of a cogeneration plant as well as solar photovoltaic panels and wind turbines, which are renewable energy sources. The goal of this project is to determine the least cost, low-carbon energy mix that meets 100 percent of the campus’ load. The issue with solar and wind power is that they are variable based on time …
Nature Abounds: Term Paper, Ricky Verre
Nature Abounds: Term Paper, Ricky Verre
Honors Theses
Nature Abounds is a non-profit organization that is working internationally to spread the word about climate change and all of its effects that we are currently experiencing. Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time and any chance at reversing its erratic effects requires immediate action. Nature Abounds employs numerous programs that serve to increase the general public's knowledge of the climate related issues at hand, as well as to have a positive environmental impact in order to increase global environmental health. The organization has programs that focus on biodiversity, water quality monitoring, forest preservation, and …
Triboelectric Turbines: Design And Construction Of A Multi-Rotor Counter-Rotating Wind Turbine Utilizing Direct-Current Triboelectric Nanogenerators, Adam Forti
Honors Theses
Direct-current triboelectric nanogenerators (DC-TENG) harness the friction generated between dissimilar rotating materials and convert it to useable electrical power. One of the many potential applications of this technology is in small scale renewable energy. A wind turbine was designed in which multiple DC-TENG generators would be attached to turbine blades of varying dimensions. This project involved the design and construction of several rotating DC-TENG prototypes, followed by measuring the electrical output of each nanogenerator at various rotational speeds.
Impact Of The Nuclear Phase-Out In Germany: Examining The Costs And Benefits Of Aggresive Energy Policy In Relation To A Sustainable Future, David M. Olio
Honors Theses
The German nuclear phase-out legislation of 2011 will cause substantial changes in the country's energy mix, energy generation and electricity grid demands. The phase-out exists as part of the Energiewende, or energy transition, occurring in Germany where renewable energy has been subsidized to replace the share of nuclear energy, which is decreasing annually and moving towards a complete phase-out in 2022. This paper will analyze the benefits and costs of Germany's decision to phase out nuclear power. First, it will explore the dynamic history of German energy policy and discuss how a history of anti-nuclear sentiments led to the nuclear …
Computational And Experimental Investigations Towards Improving Organic And Dye-Sensitized Semiconductor Solar Cells, Nathan D. Colley
Computational And Experimental Investigations Towards Improving Organic And Dye-Sensitized Semiconductor Solar Cells, Nathan D. Colley
Honors Theses
The global energy consumption is expected to double by 2050. Therefore, alternative energy sources such as solar power will have to be utilized. This work seeks to improve next generation solar cells, namely organic solar cells (OSCs) and dye-sensitized semiconductor solar cells (DSSCs), using theoretical and experimental approaches. Computational studies were done on electron acceptor and electron donor molecules that have potential use in OSCs and DSSCs. An improved Density Functional Theory (DFT) method that better represents experimental cyclic voltammetry was developed to predict the electronic properties of these molecules. The electronic data of the electron acceptor molecules were used …
Cost Effectiveness Of Renewable Energy Policy On Military Installations, Zachary L. Esakof
Cost Effectiveness Of Renewable Energy Policy On Military Installations, Zachary L. Esakof
Honors Theses
In 2007, the United States government issued the National Defense Authorization Act, and Section 2852 mandates that the Department of Defense (DoD) meets 25% of its energy needs from renewable sources by 2025. This paper investigates the production decisions that the DoD faces when increasing its share of renewable energy to meet this objective. A linear programming model is created to solve for the cost-effective renewable energy portfolio mix for each military base to meet its production target of renewable energy. The renewable sources utilized in each base’s energy portfolio include solar, wind, geothermal, and renewably-sourced energy from the grid, …
Putting The Wind At Our Backs: Assessing U.S. Potential For 20% Wind Energy By 2030, Kevin T. Harnett
Putting The Wind At Our Backs: Assessing U.S. Potential For 20% Wind Energy By 2030, Kevin T. Harnett
Honors Theses
The discussion surrounding the future of energy, particularly in the United States, has gained significant momentum in recent years for an obvious reason — it’s daunting. Our dependence on fossil fuels has positioned our nation in an undesirable predicament with a questionable future. With the associated consequences, principally Climate Change, it is essential that energy be addressed as a primary national concern. Renewables need to flip the switch.
Investigating Potential Improvements To Enhance The Performance Of A Solar Thermal Collection System: Design Of The Dual Axis Tracking System, Eric Landry
Honors Theses
Due to the current energy crisis, there are a large number of opportunities in the applications of renewable energy technologies. Specifically, my partner and I have explored those associated with a solar thermal collection dish. The sun, being a virtually limitless supply of energy, ought to be used to its fullest potential. This technology is designed to do just that. Using a concave reflective surface, the sun’s thermal energy is concentrated to a central location where it is then collected by a working fluid. This type of approach achieves very high temperatures and maximizes the effectiveness of the thermal energy …
Net Co2 Reduction Analysis For A Wind Farm, Darren Del Dotto
Net Co2 Reduction Analysis For A Wind Farm, Darren Del Dotto
Honors Theses
The purpose of this study was to determine the net CO2 reduction benefit that can be achieved by using wind instead of coal power. Coal power has a significantly higher rate of CO2 emissions than wind generation, but wind power generation has a significant amount of embodied energy. The goal of this study is to determine the net carbon reduction benefit that can be achieved using wind power after accounting for factors such as embodied energy in materials and construction.
Modeling Biofuel Production In Southern Pine Forests: The Effects On Soil Properties, Brittany L. Oakes
Modeling Biofuel Production In Southern Pine Forests: The Effects On Soil Properties, Brittany L. Oakes
Honors Theses
From consuming energy alone in 2009, the United States ranked second as a carbon emitter at 5,425 million metric tons annually; China was the leader at 7,706 million metric tons and India placed third at 1,591 million metric tons (EIA, 2010). Yet in 2009, the U.S. consumed more electricity than both China and India and was the leading importer of electricity (EIA, 2010). Incorporating more domestic sources of renewable energy can simultaneously alleviate two issues: mitigating climate change catastrophes and significantly reduce our dependence on foreign markets for electricity and other forms of energy. Additionally, evidence of dwindling international oil …
Net Metering And Interconnection Standards For Santee Cooper And Three Investor-Owned Utility Companies In South Carolina, Barnes Anderson
Net Metering And Interconnection Standards For Santee Cooper And Three Investor-Owned Utility Companies In South Carolina, Barnes Anderson
Honors Theses
Net metering and interconnection standards are designed to allow private residential and non-residential electric utility customers to pursue generating some of their own electricity through renewable sources such as solar, wind, and geothermal power. Net metering allows customers to use their own electrical generation to offset their consumption over a billing period by allowing their electric meters to run backwards when they generate electricity in excess of their demand (SC Energy Office, vi). The interconnection standards govern the technical and procedural process by which an electric customer connects an electric-generating system to the electrical grid of their utility company (SC …