Engineering Commons^™

Energy Efficiency Limits And Future Electricity Demand Of Computing Devices, Ricardo Pinto, Tiago Domingos, Paul E. Brockway, Matthew Kuperus Heun, Tânia Sousa

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

• ICT (information and communication technologies) represented 4% of the world electricity consumption in 2020; 
• Computing devices represented 2% of the world electricity consumption in 2020; 
• In recent scenarios datacentre electricity demand reaches 3% of world electricity in 2030, and more than 4% in 2035

Feasibility Of Small-Modular Reactors In Hybrid Energy Systems, Taylor Reid

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

This thesis evaluates the feasibility of integrating next-generation nuclear technology into hybrid energy systems, framing the analysis within the guidelines suggested by the World Energy Council’s, Energy Trilemma. The trilemma seeks to balance energy security, economics/equity and sustainability. To this end, a computer model was created to illustrate how the limitations of intermittent renewables, like wind and solar (PV), can be addressed when they are combined with a baseload provided by a next-generation nuclear Small Modular Reactor (SMR). The baseload power provided by nuclear energy can smooth the variability of wind or solar power, while simultaneously offsetting the cost of …

Study Of Mechanical Properties Of 3d Printed Advanced Polymer, R. Kumaresan, D. Ramasamy, W.S.W. Harun, Sivaraos Sivaraos, Semin Semin, Krishnan Kanny, Habeeb Hattab Habeeb

The Nexus of Sustainability and Energy Technology Journal

This thesis focuses on the mechanical behaviour of ABS which is an advanced polymer material produced by 3D printing. The ABS specimens used in this work were prepared by fused deposition modelling (FDM) to compare the compressive and tensile strength with ASTM D 695. Critical settings within the range of 3D printing process including layer height, fill angle and density were adjusted to investigate the impact on ABS mechanical properties. The effects of these parameters are observed to have a profound impact on the strength and the stiffness of the printed specimens. Further, the optimal conditions for ABS print were …

Deep Learning And Machine Learning Based Prediction Of Significant Wave Height Along The Grand Coast Of Dakar, Senegal, Dialo Diop, Xu Dongsheng, Sanjay Kumar Shukla

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Recently, deep learning (DL) has become an essential tool for processing large datasets and is playing a crucial role in scientific research. It significantly contributes to protecting the marine environment and forecasting oceanic phenomena. This study applies an autoregressive integrated moving average model (ARIMA) time series model to forecast significant wave heights (SWHs) at two beaches in Dakar, Senegal: Malika and Yoff. Additionally, the long short-term memory network (LSTM) is used for comparative analysis. Both models estimate SWH for future predictions ranging from 12 hours to 60 days. The study utilized ERA5 reanalysis data, comprising 52584 elements of SWH and …

Macro-Encapsulation Of Polyethylene Glycol And Magnetite (Fe3o4) In Concrete As Phase Change Materials For Building Thermal Management, Muhammad Fauzi, Budhy Kurniawan, Anggito Pringgo Tetuko, Timbangen Sembiring, Fanna Nilam, Amdy Fachredzy, Perdamean Sebayang

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

Thermal management technology is a crucial strategy for reducing energy consumption in buildings by utilizing stored solar energy. This study developed a polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based phase-change material (PCM), selected for its superior physicochemical stability, high latent enthalpy, and environmental compatibility. To enhance thermal conductivity, 20 vol% magnetite (Fe₃O₄) was incorporated into the PEG matrix. The composite was synthesized via an ultrasonic-assisted method (37 kHz, 80°C, 1 h). X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the crystalline structure of PEG and the cubic phase of Fe3O4, while Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) validated the synthesis by identifying Fe–O, C–H, and O–H functional groups. Scanning electron …

A Blue Hydrogen Framework For Regional Energy Resiliency, Safwan Shafquat

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

High-pressure gasification is gaining attention as an emerging solution for sustainable energy production due to its potential to achieve higher efficiencies, improved syngas quality and smaller equipment footprints. High operating pressures and temperatures can increase the synergistic reactivity of biomass and organic materials, consequently enabling higher in situ tar reformation and ultimately reducing the number of gas treatment requirements. Additionally, higher operating pressures result in a more concentrated CO2 stream and reduce the amount of post-gasification compression requirements in the carbon capture and storage (CCS) unit, improving overall system efficiency. Plus, pressurized CO2 streams from the gasifier also provides routes …

On The Right Track? Energy Use, Carbon Emissions, And Intensities Of World Rail Transportation, 1840–2020, Bernardo Tostes, Sofia T. Henriques, Paul E. Brockway, Matthew Kuperus Heun, Tiago Domingos, Tânia Sousa

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

The history of rail transport can offer valuable insights for future energy transitions due to its importance in promoting clean mobility. There is a complex interplay between the evolution of the railway network, fuel consumption, efficiency, energy service, and CO2 emissions that requires further exploration. We developed a dataset that covers energy use in all stages of rail transportation, as well as the length of track, energy service, and CO2 emissions at the world scale. To deal with missing data we utilized machine learning techniques for the first time in a historical energy reconstruction study. Our analysis reveals that …

Building Services Engineering May/June 2024

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Building Services Engineering September/October 2023

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Zero Net Energy Test House, Timothy Hemsath, James D. Goedert, Avery Don Schwer, Yong Cho

Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction: Faculty Publications

This paper describes the first phase of a residential research program to reduce the impact of new construction on the environment through research and education using a Zero Net Energy Test House as a framework. Containing four bedrooms, three and a half baths, the 1,800 square foot house, 1,000 square foot basement, is located in Omaha, Nebraska. It is being used to validate several research projects and provides a platform for applications research of a number of technological advances. Laminated photovoltaic solar panels, a wind turbine, and an occupant monitoring energy control system are some of the sustainable design innovations …

Optimizing Speed Profiles For Sustainable Train Operation With Wayside Energy Storage Systems, Leon A. Allen

Dissertations

Large hauling capability and low rolling resistance has put rail transit at the forefront of mass transportation mode sustainability in terms of congestion mitigation and energy conservation. As such, rail vehicles are one of the least energy-intensive modes of transportation and least environmentally polluting. Despite, these positives, improper driving habits and wastage of the braking energy through dissipation in braking resistors result in unnecessary consumption, extra costs to the operator and increased atmospheric greenhouse gas emissions.

This study presents an intelligent method for the optimization of the number and locations of wayside energy storage system (WESS) units that maximize the …

Economic Feasibility Analysis Of Variable-Speed Pumps By Simulating 15 Multiple Water Distribution Systems, Conrad B. Truettner, Brian D. Barkdoll

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

The UN Sustainability Goals address measures to reduce environmental pollution. Water distribution systems (WDSs) use electric energy, which pollutes the atmosphere through, at least partly, the burning of coal. This study simulates, through modeling, variable-speed pumps (VSPs) on 15 different real WDSs on the network solver EPANET and analyzes the payback period. An algorithm is introduced here to select the optimal pump speed pattern to save the most energy while satisfying the constrain of sufficient pressure at all times and all locations. It was found that five of the 15 systems operated unsuccessfully using a VSP, due to the VSP …

Techno-Economic Feasibility Of Electrifying Food Markets In Nigeria With Biogas Hybrid Mini-Grids, Demi Temitope Ogunwo

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

This thesis explored the feasibility of electrifying a food market in an urban city in Nigeria with a hybrid biogas-powered mini-grid. Under the Energizing Economies Initiative of the Rural Electrification Agency of Nigeria, nine markets in the country currently receive constant access to electricity via hybrid mini-grid systems. As a majority of these systems are diesel-solar-battery systems, this thesis explored the use of biogas generators as a substitute for diesel generators in hybrid mini-grids for food markets. A fruit and vegetable market in Ketu, Lagos was used as a case study for the research. The research for this thesis was …

Energy Planning Model Design For Forecasting The Final Energy Consumption Using Artificial Neural Networks, Haidy Eissa

Theses and Dissertations

“Energy Trilemma” has recently received an increasing concern among policy makers. The trilemma conceptual framework is based on three main dimensions: environmental sustainability, energy equity, and energy security. Energy security reflects a nation’s capability to meet current and future energy demand. Rational energy planning is thus a fundamental aspect to articulate energy policies. The energy system is huge and complex, accordingly in order to guarantee the availability of energy supply, it is necessary to implement strategies on the consumption side. Energy modeling is a tool that helps policy makers and researchers understand the fluctuations in the energy system. Over the …

Data And Analysis Toolbox For Modeling The Nexus Of Food, Energy, And Water, Mojtaba Sadegh, Arvin Farid

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Energy, water, and food resources are highly interdependent. Agricultural irrigation accounts for 84% of global consumptive freshwater use, the food supply chain demands up to 30% of global primary energy use, and roughly 80% of global electricity generation depends on water for cooling (an average of nearly 100 L of water withdrawn per kWh). Improving understanding of the complex interactions of this resource nexus is, therefore, a top priority for human well-being, sustainable development, and policymaking. Here, we present an interactive analysis toolbox, Nexus of Food, Energy, and Water (NeFEW), that synthesizes available global data to …

Neural Network Model Of Information Fusion For Coal Storage And Kinetic Energy Of Ball Mill, Bai Yan, He Fang

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: A dynamic mathematical model of coal pulverizing system was analyzed. Simulation experiments on mill operation process were conducted by PFC3D software platform based on discrete element method. The associated data between different coal quality, coal storage and balls' motion were obtained under certain quantitative optimized operating parameters configuration. Neural network model of information fusion for coal storage and kinetic energy of ball mill was established by using an adaptive combination learning algorithm. Coal storage in mill cylinder was predicted from the energy point of view. The results indicate that there is a close relationship between coal storage, pulverizing efficiency …

Energy And Economic Losses Due To Soiling On Utility Scale Pv Systems To Guide Timing Of Cost Effective Cleaning, Jackson P. Puckett, Maximilian M. Sosa, Brandon F. Grossman

Electrical Engineering

The energy and associated economic losses due to soiling on both residential and utility scale PV (photovoltaic) systems can be both significant and avoidable. Losses from 1.2% up to 6% have been reported, which is of interest to system operators [1]. Modules may be cleaned to reduce losses, but this comes with an offsetting economic cost. A quantification of energy losses, and the corresponding economic loss, will allow a determination of a closer to optimal cleaning schedule depending on the level of soiling and corresponding energy loss. Two methods are proposed and compared. Method 1 uses an ARES Soiling Measurement …

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 …

Unconventional Energy, Fall/Winter 2015, Issue 31

Sustain Magazine

No abstract provided.

Investigation Of Efficiency Loss Of Distributed Solar Power Due To Soiling And Efficiency Recovery By Rainfall, Amanda Mayumi Tanaka

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

As the concern with global warming increases causing the need for CO2 reduction, renewable energy is of great interest as it has lower carbon footprint when compared to conventional sources (natural gas, coal, oil and nuclear). Solar energy has been drawing worldwide attention since it can transform sunlight directly into electricity with the use of photovoltaic (PV) cells. However, this technology has some drawbacks that need to be addressed including dust deposition on solar panels, also known as soiling. Soiling can decrease PV panel’s efficiency thereby resulting in less energy production. The soiling rates are very site specific and depend …

Global Food Security Under Climate-Water-Energy Nexus, Ehsan Najafi

Dissertations and Theses

During the last few decades, the global agricultural production has risen and technology enhancement is still contributing to yield growth. However, population growth, water and energy crisis, and extreme weather, climate change, etc. threaten the global food security. The focus of this study is to advance the understanding of the associations between crops productivity and large scale and local scale climatic variables, climate change, technology enhancement and assessing food-water-energy nexus to enhance global food security in a sustainable manner considering current available resources. As decision-makers try to improve food security, it is important to identify the impact of technology enhancement …

Solar Tracker Renewable Energy, Stephanie Christie, Annabeth Helmly, Matthew Smith, Katrina Vaughan

ENgaging Educators in Renewable enerGY (ENERGY): Lesson Plans & Slideshows (2017-2019)

No abstract provided.

The Correlation Between Energy Cost Share, Human, And Economic Development Using Time Series Data From Australasia, Europe, North America, And The Brics Nations, Ryan Roberts, Josephine Kaviti Musango, Alan Colin Brent, Matthew K. Heun

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

This paper investigates how a change in a region's energy cost share (ECS), a ratio of a region's energy expenditure as a fraction of its gross domestic product (GDP), affects the region's social and economic development. Nations from four regions of the world, namely Australasia, Europe, North America, and the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) were chosen for this study. Using time series data from the period of 1978 to 2010, the annual ECS of each country was compared to the year-on-year GDP change, as well as the components of the human development index (HDI). High …

Lithium And The Foreseeable Future, Paolo Vargas

Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

This paper aims to clarify the uncertainties regarding worldwide lithium resource availability in the years to come. Previous studies made on the subject are presented with some ambiguity and this work intends to fill the gaps. The information and data presented throughout this script with respect to global lithium resources and reserves are mostly based on data released by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). Lithium resource availability in the future is a point of paramount significance primarily for the automotive, portable electronics, and the power generation industry. Since, a change of supply would ultimately affect the price of lithium, …

Single-Stage, Venturi-Driven Desalination System, Brandon Proetto

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Water demand is increasing at a rapid pace due to population increase, industrial expansion, and agricultural development. The use of desalination technology to meet the high water demands has increased global online desalination capacity from 47 million m^3/d in 2007 to 92.5 million m^3/d as of June 2017 [49]. Membrane and thermal processes are the two mainstream desalination categories used worldwide for desalination plants. Reverse Osmosis (RO) is the most widely used membrane process and it has become the dominant technology for building desalination plants over recent decades. Thermal distillation, however, has become less and less competitive due to its …

Energy Potentials Of Briquette Produced From Tannery Solid Waste, Olatunde Ajani Oyelaran, Faralu Muhammed Sani, Olawale Monsur Sanusi, Olusegun Balogun, Adeyinka Okeowo Fagbemigun

Makara Journal of Technology

The vast quantity of waste generated from industries is one of the serious outcomes of unplanned development, resulting into quantum of hazardous organic and inorganic waste generating daily. Proper waste management is a challenging issue that must be addressed adequately. This is, therefore, carried out with a view of assessing the energy and combustion quality of tannery solid waste with a view of converting them into briquettes for cooking, heating and small home industries and reducing the menace caused by tannery waste disposal. The results of the experiments showed that the combustion rate ranged between 0.171 and 0.217 g/min, the …

A Study Of Iron-Nitrogen-Carbon Fuel Cell Catalysts: Chemistry – Nanostructure – Performance, Michael J. Workman

Nanoscience and Microsystems ETDs

Fuel cells have the potential to be a pollution-free, low-cost, and energy efficient alternative to the internal combustion engine for transportation and small-scale stationary power applications. The current state of fuel cell technology has already achieved two of these three lofty goals. The remaining barrier to wide-scale deployment is the high cost, which is primarily caused by dependence on large amounts of platinum to catalyze the energy conversion reactions. To overcome this barrier and facilitate the integration of fuel cells into mainstream applications, research into a new class of catalyst materials that do not require platinum is needed.

There has …

Green Energy Or Nuclear Power Plants, Besnik Skenderi, Diamanta Skenderi

UBT International Conference

World seems to go green regarding the energy, however the cost of green energy is high and as a result of security issues nuclear energy seems to be avoided, while introducing business and outsourcing concepts nuclear energy seems to be solution.

Development Of A Decentralized And Off-Grid Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor (Anmbr) For Urban Sanitation In Developing Countries, Robert Alonso Bair

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Urbanization has led to rapid and uncontrolled growth of informal housing settlements in many developing countries. As most slum growth is unplanned, these areas tend to lack basic infrastructure including sanitation. The high user rates, lack of water and electricity infrastructure, space limitations, and scant financial resources make sanitation provision a major challenge in slums. As most decentralized sanitation technologies fail when applied in these environments, better technologies need to be developed that cater to the specific needs of slum dwellers. One promising technology, the membrane bioreactor (MBR) is routinely used in developed countries when a compact and resilient treatment …

A Life Cycle Assessment Of A Uranium Mine In Namibia, Janine Lambert

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Uranium mining and nuclear power is a controversial topic as of late, especially in light of the recent Fukushima event. Although the actual use of nuclear fuel has minimal environmental impact, its issues come at the very beginning and end of the fuel’s life cycle in both the mining and fuel disposal process. This paper focuses on a life cycle analysis (LCA) of uranium mine in the desert nation of Namibia in Southern Africa. The goal of this LCA is to evaluate the environmental effects of uranium mining. The LCA focuses on water and energy embodiment such that they can …