Digital Commons Network^™

Model-Based And Model-Free Control Approaches In Subgrids: A Conceptual Review Of Control Strategies In Microgrids, Omobolade H. Abioye

Theses and Dissertations

Increased reliance on the power grid and concerns over climate change issues have resulted in the rapid adoption of renewable energy technologies. Consequently, it is necessary to consider how renewable energy resources are combined and controlled. The microgrid serves as the control center for distributed energy resources. This thesis paper introduces the microgrid elements and framework, its control strategies highlighting frequency and voltage control, and the prospects of artificial intelligence for control, considering two significant approaches. Key components of sub grids like the energy management system (EMS) and energy storage systems (ESSs) are discussed, and lastly, the …

Mineral Matter Behavior During The Combustion Of Biomass And Coal Blends And Its Effect On Particulate Matter Emission, Ash Deposition, And Sulfur Dioxide Emission, Rajarshi Roy

Theses and Dissertations

Combustion of coal is one of the primary sources of electricity generation worldwide today. Coal contains different chemicals that cause particulate matter(PM) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions. These are health hazards and are responsible for deteriorating the ambient air quality. Particulate matter also forms ash deposits inside the coal combustor, which in turn decreases the energy efficiency of the power plants. Using biomass as a fuel in these utility boilers can potentially reduce the problems of particulate matter emissions and ash deposition, and can significantly reduce the SO2 emissions. However, biomass needs to be pretreated to make its properties similar …

Modeling And Mitigating Power Grid Vulnerabilities: A Comprehensive Analysis Of Renewable Energy Integration, Cascading Failures, And Microgrid Resilience, Saikat Das

Theses and Dissertations

In modern power systems, rapid integration of renewable energy and the emergence of microgrid technology emphasize the necessity for a comprehensive understanding of vulnerabilities and robust defense mechanisms. The research begins with an exploration of power grid vulnerabilities to cascading failure amidst the increasing integration of renewable energy sources. A novel power balance technique is employed for cascading failure analysis and power grid vulnerability measurement. Simulation results indicate that the growing penetration of renewable energy has a proportionally higher impact on grid vulnerability to cascading failures. After a certain level of renewable energy penetration, some systems may deteriorate rapidly, necessitating …

Reactive End Capped Polybenzimidazole Oligomers For High Temperature Thermosets And Improved Membranes For Electrochemical Devices, Caroline Marie Rohlfing

Theses and Dissertations

Polybenzimidazoles (PBI) are heterocyclic polymers that possess high thermal and oxidative stability. The inherent strength and chemical and thermal stability of PBI make it ideal for use in extreme environments; however, the current processing of PBI molded parts makes the process practically and economically unfavorable. These intrinsic properties make PBIs of particular interest for many industrial applications, varying from fabrics to membrane materials to molded parts. Processing these molded parts is extremely difficult, as the high glass transition temperature and extremely high melting point (>500°C) of PBI result in poor flow properties of PBI resins even at high temperatures. …

Improving Demand Response Strategies Utilizing Data Collected By Industrial Assessments To Reduce Cost For Users, Monsur Habib

Theses and Dissertations

Demand Response Programs have the potential to incentivize users to modify their electricity consumption pattern based on their given price and any bonuses that come along with it. Through the effective utilization of renewable sources and energy storage devices, household electricity bills can be reduced since the consumption of electricity during high price periods can be replaced by either renewable resources or electricity from energy storage devices. The balancing of energy demand and generation using the latest management technologies is considered as an immediate requirement to improve the operation of electrical distribution networks and peak demand management. Many Independent system …

Planning A Renewable Power System In Texas As An Introduction To Smart Power Grid, Ghaleb S. Al Duhni

Theses and Dissertations

Design electrical systems from six renewable energy sources: photovoltaic, wind energy, geothermal, concentrated solar energy, biomass energy, and hydropower in addition to a storage system in the state of Texas, This power system converts the electric system in Texas into a 100 % renewable energy power system. Optimization technique has applied to the results to make the system economical and reduce the wasting resources, this system is considered as decentralized as well which is a great advantage for achieving the smart grid technology compared with the conventional plants where the generation parts are deposed in a small part of the …

Optimization Of Solar-Coal Hybridization For Low Solar Augmentation, Aaron T. Bame

Theses and Dissertations

One approach to enabling a larger penetration of renewable sources of energy is the implementation of hybrid power plants. 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 coal power plant in Castle Dale, UT. A representative model is developed and validated against published data for a coal power plant of a different configuration than Hunter Unit 3. The simplifications within the representative model include combining multiple feedwater heaters, combining turbines that operate across the same boundary states, and the mass-average …

Analyzing Cost Effectiveness Of Photovoltaic Pavements, Ian N. Parks

Theses and Dissertations

The United States Air Force (USAF) is the largest consumer of energy within the Department of Defense (DoD). As such, the USAF is continually looking for ways to reduce consumption, as well improving network resiliency and assuring supply. One potential method for addressing these items is focusing on applications of renewable energy. A specific application of renewable energy that could greatly benefit the USAF if viable would be photovoltaic (PV) pavements. PV pavements would be able to capitalize upon the large swathes of pavements on Air Force (AF) installations, while not being hampered by other concerns such as clear zones …

A New Approach To Measure Unique Spectral Response Characteristics For Irregularly Shaped Photovoltaic Arrays, Anthony Rafael Peters

Theses and Dissertations

Current photovoltaic (PV) panel test methods do not provide efficient and repeatable standardization, which can result in inconsistent results. Test requirements for individual PV cells are promulgated by standard test conditions (STC), but do not directly translate to new array or panel designs, particularly for panels that are irregularly shaped and used for different applications. Optimal angles that yield the most power delivery from the PV device when integrated into a panel are achieved by manipulating the panel’s orientation via single or dual axis tracking (e.g., maximum power point tracking). In applications where PV is intended to be integrated into …

Application Of Solar Water Heaters For Industrial Use, Lucas T. Atkins

Theses and Dissertations

Solar water heating is a technology that is mainly used for domestic water heating in residential homes. In most applications, the idea is to make a home “off the grid” in that there is no requirement for outside infrastructure or need for energy utility to provide power to this home. This falls in line with the trend of “going green” in an effort to reduce energy use, increase efficiency, or reduce emissions and other harmful byproducts.

This technology can be adapted to reduce the energy costs of industrial manufacturing plants. By eliminating the need for certain sections of a process …

Model Pt-Re And Pt-Sn Surfaces For Heterogeneous Catalysis, Thathsara Deshani Maddumapatabandi

Theses and Dissertations

The dissertation is focused on understanding the growth, morphology and activity of model heterogeneous catalytic surfaces. Vapor deposited metal clusters on single crystal surfaces are well-defined systems that can be used to understand the growth, composition and activity relationships in commercial catalysts. A fundamental understanding of surface reactions is required in order to provide insight into the development of new catalytic materials. The model catalysts approach allows for systematic investigations due to excellent control over growth, composition and characterization under a carefully controlled ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) environment.

The nucleation, growth and chemical activity of monometallic and bimetallic Pt-Re clusters on …

Models And Algorithms To Solve Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Designing And Managing Problem Under Uncertainty, Md Abdul Quddus

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation studies a framework in support electric vehicle (EV) charging station expansion and management decisions. In the first part of the dissertation, we present mathematical model for designing and managing electric vehicle charging stations, considering both long-term planning decisions and short-term hourly operational decisions (e.g., number of batteries charged, discharged through Battery-to-Grid (B2G), stored, Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G), renewable, grid power usage) over a pre-specified planning horizon and under stochastic power demand. The model captures the non-linear load congestion effect that increases exponentially as the electricity consumed by plugged-in EVs approaches the capacity of the charging station and linearizes it. The …

Behavioral Responses Of Sub-Adult Atlantic Sturgeon (Acipenser Oxyrinchus Oxyrinchus) To Electromagnetic And Magnetic Fields Under Laboratory Conditions, Andrew Mcintyre Iii

Theses and Dissertations

Electromagnetic fields (EMF) produced by high voltage (HV), submarine transmission cables leading from offshore wind energy generation facilities could affect foraging or migratory behaviors of electro-receptive fishes, including endangered Atlantic Sturgeon. However, no published studies have quantitatively evaluated the possible behavioral effects of EMF exposure on sturgeon during residence in coastal waters. This study evaluated behavioral responses by sub-adult Atlantic Sturgeon to electromagnetic and magnetic fields under controlled laboratory conditions. Fabricated EMF generators were used to emulate a range of field EMF conditions that migratory fishes could encounter in proximity to submarine HV sources. Sensor arrays and digital video recorders …

Low Temperature Flexible Perovskite Solar Cell With Mesoporous Tio2 Electron Transport Layer In High Humidity Environment, Felipe De La Torre

Theses and Dissertations

Perovskite solar cells are the fastest advancing solar technology to date with efficiencies increasing from 3.9% to more than 21% within a few years. They have emerged as a possible alternative to silicon photovoltaics due to their exceptional photovoltaic performance, light absorbing properties, and low-cost fabrication with methylammonium lead iodide (CH3NH 3PbI3) getting considerable interest in research and development. However, there are still many challenges that must be addressed for perovskite solar cells to replace contemporary solar cells, such as improving their stability, making them nonhazardous, further increasing their efficiency, and developing better techniques for large scale fabrication. In this …

Effects Of Intercropping Switchgrass In Managed Pine Stands On Plant Communities And White-Tailed Deer Forage Production, Bradley Robert Wheat

Theses and Dissertations

Interest in renewable energy and governmental mandates has motivated land managers to consider cellulosic feedstocks for bioenergy. I investigated plant community response to a system including switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) as a feedstock intercropped with loblolly pine (Pinus taeda). I estimated plant species evenness, richness, and diversity and biomass production, with emphasis on white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) forages. I detected 225 species in 2,220 1-m2 quadrats, and 7,495 biomass samples (96.4 kg dry weight) from 960 quadrats. Intercropping reduced plant species diversity, total non-pine tree biomass, and biomass of deer forages during switchgrass establishment. These effects were no longer apparent at …

Evaluating Egypt's Renewable Energy And Energy Subsidies Policies., Mahmoud Lotfy El-Refai

Theses and Dissertations

Egypt and the Middle East region as a whole have the lowest domestic prices worldwide for primary energy and electricity which has resulted in an economic disincentive for investments in renewable energy leading to an underestimation of the true potential of renewable energy due to the absence of commercial incentives for investors. In order to unleash the renewable energy potential in Egypt, it is crucial to reconsider the domestic pricing framework, energy subsidies and restructuring the energy market where the economic advantages of renewable energy become clear. In 2008, the New and Renewable Authority (NREA) announced its goal of reaching …

Ferritin-Based Photo-Oxidation Of Biomass For Nanoparticle Synthesis, Bioremediation, And Hydrogen Evolution, Oscar Petrucci

Theses and Dissertations

The cell is the basic unit of all living organisms. It is an amazing machine capable of self-replicating, growing, and synthesizing and shuttling thousands of compounds. To perform all of these activities the cell needs energy. The original source of energy for all living beings is the Sun. The energy of the sun is collected by the autotrophs (mostly plants) through photosynthesis and stored in the chemical bonds of carbohydrates and lipids through carboxylic acid intermediates; animals use these compounds to obtain the energy for their cells. Most of the energy extracted by the cell comes from the citric acid …

A Wind Resource Assessment Of The Mississippi Delta, Jessica Dealy

Theses and Dissertations

The hypothesis tested was that a site in Leflore County, Mississippi, located on the bluff above the Mississippi River flood plain (the Delta) would experience wind speeds adequate for power generation. Wind measurements were collected at a height of 55 m (above ground level) between October 2011 and October 2012. Winds at this height were predominately southeasterly with a mean wind speed less than 4 m/s. Winds did not accelerate above this bluff. Low surface friction of the Delta was not beneficial due to the predominant wind direction. To better understand Delta wind patterns, an S-mode varimax-rotated principal component analysis …

The Future Of Energy In Mississippi: Policy And Politics, Nicholas Luke Fowler

Theses and Dissertations

This study analyzes the elements surrounding renewable energy development in Mississippi, with emphasis on the aspects related to government intervention. This study addresses the question: how can energy policy in the state of Mississippi support a transition from fossil fuels to non-traditional sources of energy? Drawing from existing literature, renewable energy was analyzed on the cost, development, and environmental concerns, while GIS analysis was utilized to determine generation capacity. Additionally, literature was reviewed to indicate the effectiveness of policy instruments in promoting renewable energy. Finally, the political influences that may affect renewable energy development or policy formulation were analyzed through …