Engineering Commons^™

Solar-Powered Microgrids In Northern California: An Opportunity For Resilience, Marina Riddle

Master's Projects and Capstones

Planned and unplanned power outages have been increasing in frequency and duration, negatively impacting all public sectors, and threatening public safety. These outages are deadly to those who rely on medical devices. As climate change-fueled extreme weather events (wildfires, earthquakes, storms, etc.) also increase in frequency, our electrical grid must be prepared to bounce back. Microgrids provide necessary redundancy and reliability. Through a novel GIS suitability analysis, based on solar radiation, land use type, local energy demand, distance to transmission lines, distance to roads, and slope, optimal locations for solar-powered microgrids throughout Northern California were determined. The counties of Fresno, …

Templates To Transition: Making Solar-Generated Electricity Accessible For Lagos Residents, Adeola O. Adebajo

Senior Theses

According to the EPA, direct energy production results in at least 25% of the world’s emissions. This refers to emissions produced by burning coal, natural gas, and oil for electricity and heat. With the increasing effects of climate change, sustainable energy is becoming increasingly important as the world shifts away from fossil fuels. However, implementation of renewable energy sources is not as fast or as widespread as necessary. This paper aims to identify feasible solutions to the problem of renewable energy affordability in Nigeria especially in growing megacities like Lagos to ensure long lasting and climatefriendly energy sources. Two major …

Solid Thermal Storage As An Energy Storage Device In Insulated Solar Electric Cookers: Thermal Modeling And Experiment, Michael Antonio Fernandez

Physics

The use of solid thermal storage (STS) as an energy storage device in insulated solar electric cookers (ISEC) was explored using a thermal simulation before retrofitting an existing cooker without energy storage and testing it under several conditions. STS sizing, material selection, and geometry were examined from both theoretical and practical perspectives and re-examined following experimental results. Characterization of the system’s thermal interfaces and methods to improve their thermal conductivities were investigated resulting in several performance enhancements to the system.

"Demeter" Soil Monitoring System, Ryan Matthews, Rachel Rummer, Temilolu Fayomi, Alex Fuller

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The purpose of this project is to develop a soil monitoring system that can remotely sense and relay soil conditions back to a user. The deMETER soil probe, Demeter is the Greek goddess of the harvest, is designed to aid hobbyist gardeners, small-scale farms, and nurseries to monitor their dynamic soil conditions and maximize their harvest. The probe is a self-powered system that can monitor the moisture and essential nutrients of the soil profile to determine which areas should receive water and fertilizer. This would significantly cut water and fertilizer waste. The solution will include an embedded system with sensors …

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 …

An Investigation Of Diode Failure, Nicholas James Adams

Physics

Solar electricity can be used to cheaply cook food and charge electronic devices. We investigate the viability of using diodes as heating elements for insulated solar electric cooking (ISEC). In addition, information on designing and constructing ISEC compatible phone chargers and rechargeable LED lighting systems is included.

Dual-Axis Solar Tracker, Bryan Kennedy

All Undergraduate Projects

Renewable energies, and fuels that are not fossil fuel-based, are one of the prolific topics of debate in modern society. With climate change now becoming a primary focus for scientists and innovators of today, one of the areas for the largest amount of potential and growth is that of the capturing and utilization of Solar Energy. This method involves using a mechanical system to track the progression of the sun as it traverses the sky throughout the day. A dual-axis solar tracker such as the one designed and built for this project, can follow the sun both azimuthally and in …

Software-Defined Infrastructure For Iot-Based Energy Systems, Stephen Lee

Doctoral Dissertations

Internet of Things (IoT) devices are becoming an essential part of our everyday lives. These physical devices are connected to the internet and can measure or control the environment around us. Further, IoT devices are increasingly being used to monitor buildings, farms, health, and transportation. As these connected devices become more pervasive, these devices will generate vast amounts of data that can be used to gain insights and build intelligence into the system. At the same time, large-scale deployment of these devices will raise new challenges in efficiently managing and controlling them. In this thesis, I argue that the IoT …

Ultrasonic Spray Deposition Of Tio2 Electron Transport Layers For Reproducible And High Efficiency Hybrid Perovskite Solar Cells, Jingsong Sun, Alexander Pascoe, Steffen Meyer, Qijie Wu, Enrico Della Gaspera, Sonia Raga, Tian Zhang, Andrew Nattestad, Udo Bach, Yi-Bing Cheng, Jacek Jasieniak

Australian Institute for Innovative Materials - Papers

The fabrication of high efficiency perovskite solar cells at larger scales will rely on the optimized deposition conditions of every layer using scalable methodologies. Most current perovskite devices that employ the archetypal TiO2 hole blocking layer utilise a simple air-brush approach. This approach is not scalable as it results in significant layer inhomogeneity across larger devices areas. To overcome this inherent limitation, in this work we use ultrasonic spray deposition as an alternative approach for the TiO2 deposition. Focusing on identical reaction chemistries as for air-brush, namely bis(isopropoxide)-bis(acetylacetonate) titanium (IV) based solutions, we find that under optimized conditions smooth TiO2 …

Application Of Silicon Nanohair Textured P-N Junctions In A Photovoltaic Device, Michael Small

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this project is to design and develop a fabrication process for a silicon photovoltaic device which incorporates a nanohair textured p-n junction. The silicon nanowires are etched into a silicon wafer, comprising an epitaxial p-layer on n-substrate, via metal-assisted chemical etching (MACE). The resulting nanowires contain p-n junctions that lie along the length of the vertical nanowires. This construct has the potential to increase the optical bandwidth of a silicon photovoltaic device by allowing a greater amount of short wavelength light to reach the junction. In addition, the MACE method of nanofabrication has the potential for decreasing …

Solar Powered Single-Axis Heliostat Active Solar Tracking Device, Mason Kyle Roberts

Physics

As a means of cooking food, the burning of biomass accounts for over 4 million premature deaths in third world countries (“Household Air Pollution and Health”). The focus of this project was to explore an alternative that could utilize focused sunlight to cook food. A solar tracker was designed to be affixed to a parabolic, reflective, tilted single axis heliostat to follow the sun throughout the day and focus the reflected light to the bottom of a cooking surface. This surface became hot enough to for the preparation of food or boiling/sterilization of water.

A goal for each project was …

An Economic Analysis Of Residential Photovoltaic Systems With And Without Energy Storage, Rodney Moses Kizito

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Residential photovoltaic (PV) systems serve as a source of electricity generation that is separate from the traditional utilities. Investor investment into residential PV systems provides several financial benefits such as federal tax credit incentives for installation, net metering credit from excess generated electricity added back to the grid, and savings in price per kilowatt-hour (kWh) from the PV system generation versus the increasing conventional utility price per kWh. As much benefit as stand-alone PV systems present, the incorporation of energy storage yields even greater benefits. Energy storage (ES) is capable of storing unused PV provided energy from daytime periods of …

Visualization And 3d Printing Of A 3d Solar Tracker Model Using Mayavi And Pov-Ray, Aditya Mehra

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

In this work, we have created a realistic model of a solar tracker using Mayavi: 3D scientific data visualization and plotting in Python, Enthought Canopy:a comprehensive Python analysis environment and Persistence of Vision Ray Tracer, or POV-Ray, a ray tracing program which generates photo-realistic images from a text-based scene description, a model of the solar tracker was also 3D printed.

Compiled Research & Materials, Appendix F: Valuable Solar Resources, Andrew Tarutani, Laura Kunas, Conor Mcgrail, Colin Joern, Madalyn Beban

Sustainability and Energy

This document lists several URLs that may offer valuable information as it pertains to solar energy and solar initiatives across the U.S.

Compiled Research & Materials, Appendix L: Solar America Initiative, S. Grover

Sustainability and Energy

This National Renewable Energy Laboratory resource details the benefits of the Solar America Initiative.

Compiled Research & Materials, Appendix K: Economic Impact Potential Of Solar Photovoltaics In Illinois, Illinois State University. Center For Renewable Energy

Sustainability and Energy

This 2013 study reviews the potential for economic impact of solar photovoltaics in the state of Illinois.

Compiled Research & Materials, Appendix Q: Energysage Interview, Andrew Tarutani, Conor Mcgrail, Colin Joern, Madalyn Beban, Laura Kunas

Sustainability and Energy

This document reviews several of the topics discussed in an informational interview with a representative with EnergySage.

Compiled Research & Materials, Appendix N: Keybank Interview, Andrew Tarutani, Laura Kunas, Madalyn Beban, Colin Joern, Conor Mcgrail

Sustainability and Energy

This document reviews several of the topics discussed in an informational interview with KeyBank regarding financing options for solar projects.

Compiled Research & Materials, Appendix O: Energywize Interview, Andrew Tarutani, Madalyn Beban, Laura Kunas, Colin Joern, Conor Mcgrail

Sustainability and Energy

This document reviews several of the topics discussed in an informational interview with Wendell Ott of EnergyWize.

Compiled Research & Materials, Appendix P: Current Solar Pricing, Andrew Tarutani, Laura Kunas, Madalyn Beban, Colin Joern, Conor Mcgrail

Sustainability and Energy

This document reviews the current state of solar costs as defined in an informational interview with Wendell Ott of EnergyWize.

Compiled Research & Materials, Andrew Tarutani, Madalyn Beban, Laura Kunas, Colin Joern, Conor Mcgrail

Sustainability and Energy

This document outlines the research conducted and progress made over the Spring 2017 semester. It details the team's efforts to pursue implementation of a solar co-op in the McPherson Town neighborhood along with an innovative tiny homes neighborhood on the University of Dayton's campus.

Compiled Research & Materials, Appendix M: Mcpherson Town Interview, Andrew Tarutani, Laura Kunas, Madalyn Beban, Conor Mcgrail, Colin Joern

Sustainability and Energy

This document reviews several of the topics discussed in an informational interview with McPherson Town neighborhood president Phil Leppla.

Compiled Research & Materials, Appendix J: Solar For Economic Development Toolkit, National Association Of Regional Councils

Sustainability and Energy

This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the …

Smart Home Energy Management: An Analysis Of A Novel Dynamic Pricing And Demand Response Aware Control Algorithm For Households With Distributed Renewable Energy Generation And Storage, Jamal Abushnaf

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Home energy management systems (HEMS) technology can provide a smart and efficient way of optimising energy usage in residential buildings. One of the main goals of the Smart Grid is to achieve Demand Response (DR) by increasing end users’ participation in decision making and increasing the level of awareness that will lead them to manage their energy consumption in an efficient way. This research presents an intelligent HEMS algorithm that manages and controls a range of household appliances with different demand response (DR) limits in an automated way without requiring consumer intervention. In addition, a novel Multiple Users and Load …

Experimental Investigation Of Plasma Dynamics In Jets And Bubbles Using A Compact Coaxial Plasma Gun In A Background Magnetized Plasma, Yue Zhang

Electrical and Computer Engineering ETDs

Numerous solar and astrophysical observations of jet- and bubble-like plasma structures exhibit morphological similarities, suggesting that there may be common plasma physics at work in the formation and evolution processes of these structures at different system scales. The ideal magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) provide the necessary theoretical basis for employing laboratory experiments to investigate key physical processes in nonlinear astrophysical and solar systems, especially when magnetic fields are present.

A coaxial magnetized plasma gun has been designed, installed, and operated in the HelCat linear device at the University of New Mexico. In Region I, a current-driven plasma jet is formed. The plasma …

A Novel Approach For Evaluating The Impact Of Fixed Variables On Photovoltaic (Pv) Solar Installations Using Enhanced Meta Data Analysis Among Higher Education Institutions In The United States, Diane N. De Hoyos

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The global demand for electric energy has continuously increased over the last few decades. Some mature, alternative generation methods are wind, power, photovoltaic panels, biogas and fuel cells. In order to find alternative sources of energy to aid in the reduction of our nation's dependency on non-renewable fuels, energy sources include the use of solar energy panels. The intent of these initiatives is to provide substantial energy savings and reduce dependence on the electrical grid and net metering savings during the peak energy-use hours.

The focus of this study explores and provides a clearer picture of the adoption of solar …

A High Energy Density Solar Rechargeable Redox Battery, Mohammad Ali Mahmoudzadeh, Ashwin R. Usgaocar, Joseph Giorgio, David L. Officer, Gordon G. Wallace, John D. W Madden

Australian Institute for Innovative Materials - Papers

An integrated solar energy conversion and storage system is presented using a dye sensitized electrode in a redox battery structure. A stable discharge voltage is shown with high areal energy storage capacity of 180 W h cm-2 by choosing iodide/polysulfide as the pair of active materials matched with permeable porous electrodes. The solar rechargeable battery system offers a higher round-trip efficiency and potential cost savings on fabrication compared to individual devices.

A New Algorithm Of Parameter Estimation Of A Photovoltaic Solar Panel, Mustapha Belarbi, Kamel Haddouche, El-Habib Belarbi, Amine Boudghene-Stambouli

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

In this paper, we present a new approach for estimating the one-diode model parameters of a photovoltaic solar panel according to the irradiance and temperature. These parameters are given, at a known irradiance and temperature, from the knowledge of three operating points: short circuit, open circuit, and maximum power. In the first step, the adopted approach concerns the resolution of the system of equations constituting the three operating points to write all the model parameters according to series resistance. Secondly, we make an iterative resolution at the optimal operating point by using the Newton--Raphson method to calculate the series resistance …

Ambient Synthesis Of One-/Two-Dimensional Cuagse Ternary Nanotubes As Counter Electrodes Of Quantum-Dot-Sensitized Solar Cells, Xin Qi Chen, Yang Bai, Zhen Li, Lian Zhou Wang, S X. Dou

Australian Institute for Innovative Materials - Papers

2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim. One-/two-dimensional ternary CuAgSe nanotubes (NTs) were successfully prepared from copper selenide (Cu2-xSe) NTs at room temperature within a short reaction time by the facile cation-exchange approach. Cation exchange leads to the transformation of the crystal structure from cubic into orthorhombic and/or tetragonal with good retention of morphology. The exchange reactions are spontaneous owing to large negative changes of the Gibbs free energy. The effects of parameters such as reaction time, precursor source, and precursor ratio on the exchange reaction were investigated. The resultant CuAgSe NTs were explored as counter electrodes (CEs) of …

Photovoltaics: An Investigation Into The Origins Of Efficiency On All Scales, Jeremy Alexander Bannister

Senior Projects Spring 2016

This project is comprised of a set of parallel investigations, which share the common mo- tivation of increasing the efficiency of photovoltaics. First, the reader is introduced to core concepts of photovoltaic energy conversion via a semi-classical description of the phys- ical system. Second, a key player in photovoltaic efficiency calculations, the exciton, is discussed in greater quantum mechanical detail. The reader will be taken through a nu- merical derivation of the low-energy exciton states in various geometries, including a line segment, a circle and a sphere. These numerical calculations are done using Mathematica, a computer program which, due to …