Power and Energy Commons^™

Evaluation Of Thermal And Emission Performances Of Briquettes Produced From Carbonized Corn Cob And Corn Husk, Karina S. Motani

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

The Mozambican agro-industrial sector relies heavily on various crops, with maize being the most significant. During processing, substantial waste is generated, which is often discarded as organic matter or burned, contributing to environmental pollution and the loss of potential energy resources. This study evaluated the thermal and emission performance of briquettes made from carbonized corn cob (CCC) and carbonized corn husk (CCH), using cashew nut skin as a binder for clean cooking applications. The briquettes were assessed against firewood and charcoal as control fuels, focusing on several energy performance parameters: water boiling time (WBT), combustion index (CI), thermal efficiency (TE), …

The Impacts Of Renewable Energy Sources: A Review On Grid Inertia And Frequency Regulation, Sospeter Gabriel

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

The power system is gradually transitioning into low inertia due to integrating substantial intermittency quantity of converter-based renewable energy sources, such as wind and photovoltaic power, into the current power grid network. This integration presents significant inertia and frequency control challenges to the network as a result of a decrease in the percentage of synchronous generators. Moreover, faster frequency deviations are posed by the mismatch between the supply and demand during contingencies, which creates difficulties in preserving the frequency stability of the power system. This research explores the impacts of renewable energy sources (RESs) on grid inertia and frequency management …

Analysis Of An Improved Reliability Dual-Buck Structured Three-Level Flying Capacitor Inverter, Almachius Kahwa Dr.

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

With the increased demand for high-reliability power converters in the electric drive-train and propulsion systems, the efforts to design and analyze converters with high fault tolerance have become apparent. Among the emerging trends to improve the reliability of power converters is the incorporation of dual-buck (DB) structures in traditional converter topologies. Thus, this paper studies a single-phase dual-buck structured three-level flying capacitor (FC) inverter. The dual-buck flying capacitor (DBFC) inverter was constructed in such a way as to suppress the shoot-through problems that may occur because of the switching mismatch and gate driver delay, as exhibited in the traditional FC …

Calibration Of Measurement Tools In The Experimental Test Rig For Hydropower Performance Evaluation, Ombeni J. Mdee

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

The demonstration of a typical hydropower plant requires the development of a test rig with the installation of tools to measure the performance parameters. The measurement tools require a calibration process to improve the quality of recorded data. This study involved the calibration of traditional and automated measurement tools connected to the hydropower test rig through an Arduino microprocessor. The automated measurement tools included a pressure transducer, flow meter, digital tachometer, and torque transducer, while traditional measurement tools, including a pressure gauge, concrete water tank, contact tachometer, and force lever arm balance, were connected in the same test rig during …

Review On Gas-To-Liquids Conversion Technology: Lessons From Case Studies And Potential Strategies For Implementation In Tanzania, Joseph H. Kihedu

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

This review paper explores the transformative potential of Gas-to- Liquids (GTL) technology for harnessing Tanzania's vast natural gas resources. With significant discoveries of natural gas reserves totalling up to 57 Tcf in fields such as Songosongo, Mnazi Bay, Block 1, 2, 3 and 4. Tanzania is positioned to leverage GTL technology to convert these resources into high-value liquid fuels like gasoline, diesel and naphtha. Review of GTL process, its products and applications has been done. By analysing successful GTL projects globally and drawing lessons applicable to Tanzania, this paper provides strategic recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders to foster GTL development. …

A Review Of Lithium-Ion Battery Capacity Fade Deceleration At Power Fluctuations In Renewable Energy Systems, Isaac Gwayi

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Application of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries to store energy in renewable energy systems (RESs) is increasing due to their promising properties. Therefore, it is crucial to understand aging behaviours of Li-ion battery during RES life time as this directly affects cost of energy. Li-ion battery aging can be categorised into calendar aging and cycle aging. Calendar aging depends mainly on temperature and state of charge (SoC). In addition to temperature and SoC, cycle aging depends also on charge and discharge current rates and cut-off voltages. Higher current rates lead to faster Li-ion battery aging. It is necessary to identify appropriate battery …

Assessment Of Maintenance Performance Level Of Selected Hydropower Plants In Tanzania, Mahamudu H. Mtebwa

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Despite significant progress in increasing electricity access to over 78%, electricity reliability in Tanzania remains a concern, with frequent power outages reported. Maintenance issues in hydropower plants have been identified as a critical factor contributing to this problem. However, the specific maintenance performance levels have not been fully assessed. This study conducts a comprehensive evaluation of the maintenance performance of four key hydropower plants: Kidatu (204 MW), Kihansi (180 MW), Mtera (80 MW), and New Pangani Falls (68 MW). Data collected from staff surveys and maintenance records between 2018 and 2022 were used in the study. Although staff demonstrated a …

Redox-Active Monolayers On Ito Prepared By Post-Amidation And Direct Esterification And Their Spectroelectrochemical Characterization, Takamasa Sagara, Sae Nakai, Ryusuke Yofu, Shota Kojin

Journal of Electrochemistry

A redox-active monolayer on an optically transparent electrode constitutes a typical platform for spectroelectrochemical sensing. The necessity for its sophistication arises from the availability of multi-dimensional sensing signals. Simultaneous monitoring of the redox current and color change synchronized with the oxidation state change significantly enhances sensitivity and selectivity. This study aimed to elucidate the modification of an indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode with a viologen monolayer with an ordered orientation. Novel methods were developed to immobilize a viologen molecule bearing a carboxyl group to form assembled monolayers through a condensation reaction using 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide with N-hydroxy-succinimide (EDC/NHS). In the two methods …

Ambient Co2 Capture And Valorization Enabled By Tandem Electrolysis Using Solid-State Electrolyte Reactor, Yan-Bo Hua, Bao-Xin Ni, Kun Jiang

Journal of Electrochemistry

Electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction is a promising technology for addressing global energy and environmental crises. However, its practical application faces two critical challenges: the complex and energy-intensive process of separating mixed reduction products and the economic viability of the carbon sources (reactants) used. To tackle these challenges simultaneously, solid-state electrolyte (SSE) reactors are emerging as a promising solution. In this review, we focus on the feasibility of applying SSE for tandem electrochemical CO₂ capture and conversion. The configurations and fundamental principles of SSE reactors are first discussed, followed by an introduction to its applications in these two specific areas, …

Review Of Energy Storage Systems For Optimal Planning And Operation Of Microgrid Resources, Ibrahim M. Ibrahim Dr., Walid A. Omran Prof., Almoataz Y. Abdelaziz Prof.

Future Engineering Journal

Energy storage systems (ESSs) play a central role in microgrid (MG) research and are widely used in related studies. This is due to the many applications of ESSs that enhance the performance of MGs. These include power quality applications and energy management applications. This paper presents a literature review of various studies that address the use of ESSs in microgrid (MG) systems to perform functions aimed at enhancing overall performance. These studies are classified into two main categories: planning and operational planning, with the MG being either grid-connected or islanded in each case. Finally, the optimization techniques used to obtain …

Improvements To Cal Poly's Hybrid Ac/Dc House, Brandon Ng, Andrew Nguyen, Logan Tom

Electrical Engineering

This senior project details the improvements made to Cal Poly’s Hybrid AC/DC House project. The previous state of the house experienced issues with proper reading of the current power being drawn from the connected AC sources, as well as with the system’s multiple-input single-output converter, where thermal overheating of specific FETs prevented the system from reaching its maximum output power. The updates made to the AC/DC house include improved code to prevent faulty readings and display failure and a cleaned-up power monitoring board that removes noisy signals and allows for the correct power implementation to be displayed. In addition, the …

Compact Modular Photovoltaic System With Mppt Controller, Alain Ardash Kanadjian, Alex Aarnio, Christopher Arango

Electrical Engineering

Energy demands have been on the rise, as environmentally harmful power generation systems stay popular due to lower costs and compact designs compared to renewable energy infrastructure. We challenge this problem with a modular photovoltaic microgrid system for power generation in underutilized spaces. The Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) charge controller employed is low-cost and power efficient. This controller monitors energy generation and usage in real time, with data logging through an online user-friendly interface. With support for a variety of solar panel and battery configurations, this scalable system helps provide a cost and space efficient solution to clean energy …

Development Of A Modular Dual-Phase And Single-Phase Buck Converter Laboratory Module, Maxwell John Kreizinger, Ethan David Robson

Electrical Engineering

This senior project entails the design, creation, and testing of a circuit board to exhibit the differences and advantages of the multiphase buck converter over the single-phase buck converter for use in a future power electronic laboratory experiment at Cal Poly State University. As energy demand requirements continually increase from more advanced and widespread use of technology, it is important to find a method of power delivery that maximizes efficiency while taking up as little area on a circuit board as possible. This is where the multiphase buck converter topology is desirable over the traditional single-phase buck converter topology. For …

Development Of A Versatile Switching Mode Inverter Laboratory Module, Zachariah Lee Mustar

Master's Theses

DC-AC converters, or inverters, are complex devices that play an essential role in photovoltaic, energy storage, and microgrid systems. Therefore, they constitute a class of power electronics that any power-focused electrical engineering student should be familiar with. This thesis presents the development and testing of a single device that power electronics students will use in a laboratory setting to experiment with each of the four different switching techniques employed in inverters: a simple square wave (SSWI), modified square wave (MSWI), bipolar PWM, and unipolar PWM. The module was built with a physically modifiable control stage and a power stage constituting …

Study On The Application Of Smart Electric Meters For Secondary Voltage Protection, Jayaditya Sisodia

Master's Theses

The purpose of our research is to utilize PG&E’s Smart Meters installed across California to protect the Secondary Voltage delivered to the meter. This means detecting electrical faults between the utility’s distribution transformer and the installed Smart Meter. Our goal is to propose and implement various solutions through additional devices and protocols to detect and prevent these faults, communicate them with the meter, and forward fault information to the utility. A device will be designed to be installed on the transformer, detect faults, shut off power transmission, and communicate to the meter via fiber optic cable. Research will then be …

Modeling And Efficiency Analysis Of Hybrid Ac/Dc And Conventional Ac House Electrical Systems For Net-Zero Energy Homes, Tyler Bury

Master's Theses

This thesis presents the design, simulation, and comparative efficiency analysis of hybrid AC/DC residential homes versus conventional AC homes for Net Zero Energy Homes (NZEH). Motivated by the increasing prevalence of DC-native technologies such as solar photovoltaics, battery storage, and DC-powered electronics, this work evaluates whether hybrid AC/DC distribution can offer measurable efficiency benefits over traditional systems. Twelve detailed house models were developed—six employing a hybrid AC/DC architecture and six based on conventional AC systems, each supplying a combination of AC and DC residential loads. Simulations were conducted using MATLAB/Simulink to model steady-state efficiency under various loading conditions. Grid configurations …

Design And Development Of A Half-Bridge Llc Resonant Converter Laboratory Module, Alyssa Lam

Master's Theses

Resonant DC-DC converters have become a well-known solution in power supplies due to their ability to improve efficiency by utilizing soft-switching techniques. This further has caused a growing interest in industry to use these converters for high-switching-frequency, high-efficiency, and high-power applications such as EV charging stations, photovoltaic systems, battery chargers, etc. One particular resonant topology that has gained popularity in recent years is the LLC resonant converter. Due to the prevalent use of the LLC resonant converter, it is therefore crucial for students preparing for a career path in power electronics to become well-versed in the concept and implementation of …

Open Source Microgrid Integration, Zachary J. Kwast

Master's Theses

Microgrids are small-scale electrical systems that operate in tandem with a centralized grid to provide power to a smaller group of target devices. These microgrids are used for a wide range of different purposes, which invites the need for a generalized model that can be tweaked for a variety of uses. This document goes over the theory used to design an open source AC and DC microgrid meant for use by anyone. The microgrid is created using a Raspberry Pi that controls two different power converters so that a wide range of voltage and current characteristics can be achieved. These …

Expeditionary Ocean Power Generator, Ethan Gossard, Julian Steele, Alex Gray, Hunter Herring-Alderete

Electrical Engineering

Point Absorber Wave Energy Converters are currently being explored as a new form of energy harvesting. The Naval Facilities' Expeditionary Ocean Warfare Center (NAVFAC EXWC) has commissioned an interdisciplinary project for students at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, to design a prototype Expeditionary Ocean Power Generator (ExOPG) for charging batteries in the ocean.

The Mechanical Engineering team is responsible for assembling the prototype chassis, which converts the vertical bobbing motion of a buoy into kinetic rotational energy that can be used to rotate a generator shaft. They are additionally tasked with isolating the electrical components from the harsh …

Piezoelectric Actuator Driver System, Daniel Hoefer

Electrical Engineering

This work presents the design, fabrication, and testing of a high-voltage piezoelectric actuator driver system purposed for integration into defense and aerospace precision motion control applications, particularly those in laser optics. The core challenge addressed was the mismatch between the standardized 28V DC power bus used in military systems and the significantly higher voltage requirements of piezoelectric actuators. Existing commercial drivers were evaluated and found unsuitable for field deployment due to inadequate ruggedness, excessive complexity, or power limitations. Consequently, a modular system architecture was designed featuring four independent driver channels, each using a high-voltage, high-current linear amplifier topology to scale …