Engineering Commons^™

Hvac System Energy Audit For Leverett Elementary School, Connor Smalling

Biological and Agricultural Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Leverett Elementary School is located in Fayetteville, AR. The school needs significant upgrades to its infrastructure. The Fayetteville Public School District has voted to pursue an Energy Services Performance Contract (ESPC) in order to finance the desired upgrades to Leverett Elementary, among other schools in the district.

The scope of this thesis was to perform an energy audit on the existing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. By using an energy modeling software, eQuest, the building and the existing base system were modeled to determine utility consumption. Three different HVAC system alternatives were analyzed against the base system by …

Design And Measurement Of Strongarm Comparators, Nathan Robert Whitehead

Theses and Dissertations

The StrongARM comparator is utilized in many analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) because of its high power efficiency and rail-to-rail outputs. The performance of the comparator directly affects the speed, power, and accuracy of an ADC. However, the StrongARM comparator performance parameters such as delay, noise, and offset measured directly from silicon prototypes are rare in literature and often consist of small sample sets. In addition, existing techniques to measure the comparator require large chip areas, making it impractical to characterize a large number of comparators to obtain stochastic parameters such as offset and noise. This work presents novel circuit techniques to …

Passive Control Of Structures, Feti Selmani

UBT International Conference

Lately, powerful earthquakes stroke some parts of the world, while the Balkan Peninsula was hit by moderate ones. During a powerful earthquake, a building structure is invaded by an enormous quantity of kinetic energy . As far as the manner is concerned, this energy it is initially absorbed, and thereafter distributed throughout building structure relying not only to the reaction of structure as a whole, or structural elements in particular, but the nature, the distribution and the quantity of the damages also. As Nikola Tesla once quoted:“If you want to find the secrets of universe, think in terms of energy, …

Analysis Of Design And Efficiency Of Absorbtion Refrigerating Machines, K.F. Karimov, N.S. Zakirova, Sh.V. Muminov, J.J. Axmedov

Chemical Technology, Control and Management

The results of analysis of designs and efficiency of absorption refrigerating machines are considered. Based on the analysis of schemes and designs of modern absorption refrigerating machines used for obtaining cold at various levels, the main characteristic parameters of refrigeration equipment are given, their capabilities and disadvantages are indicated. Methods for evaluating the efficiency of absorption columns and machines are analyzed. It is proposed to study the absorption column as part of the refrigeration machine, as well as to evaluate the efficiency of heat and mass transfer devices, machines exergetic method.

Wireless Rf Induced Energy Absorption And Heating Of Lanthanum-Nickel Alloy In The Near-Field, Michael Dillon Lindsay

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis will investigate whether and how a synthetic metal-magnetic alloy absorbs enough near-field electromagnetic (EM) radiation for heating. Although resistive elements could be used for indirect heating, a wireless radio frequency (RF) method is explored because of its advantages in its non-intrusive nature and its ability to direct or focus energy within a specific area. For our case, the RF heating process relies on the materials ability to absorb sufficient RF energy due to the induced currents. We expect there to be significant surface resistance due to the conductivity and magnetic permeability of the material and thus heat. This …

Our Energy Future, Fall/Winter 2007, Issue 15

Sustain Magazine

No abstract provided.

Unconventional Energy, Fall/Winter 2015, Issue 31

Sustain Magazine

No abstract provided.

Isentropic Efficiency And Theoretical Analysis Of The Planetary Rotor Expander, Joseph L. James

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Expanders allow pressurized fluids to undergo a pressure decrease in a controlled environment via volumetric growth to extract fluid energy. There are many types of expanders, and the objective of this thesis is to model the efficiencies of the planetary rotor expander (PRE), a century-old design undeveloped due to insufficient manufacturing capabilities (until recently). Geometric relationships are derived and mathematical models are generated to determine the efficiency of the PRE as a function of design variables. Two industrially relevant case studies show that, to maximize isentropic efficiency, the planetary rotor expander (PRE) rotational frequency is maximized and rotor geometry optimized.

Swarm Behavior To Mitigate Rebound In Air Conditioning Demand Response Events, Jason Yasuto Kuwada

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Thermostatically Controlled Loads (TCLs) have shown great potential for Demand Response (DR) events. However, it has been commonly seen that DR events using TCLs may cause demand rebound, especially in homogeneous populations. To further explore the potential for DR events, as well as the negative effects, a stability and resilience analysis were performed on multiple populations and verified with agent based modeling simulations.

At the core of this study is an added thermostat criterion created from the combination of a proportional gain and the average compressor operating state of neighboring TCLs. Where DR events in TCLs are commonly controlled by …

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 …

Ultraefficient Thermophotovoltaic Power Conversion By Band-Edge Spectral Filtering, Z. Omair, G. Scranton, L. M. Pazos-Outón, T. P. Xiao, M. A. Steiner, Vidya Ganapati, P. F. Peterson, J. Holzrichter, H. Atwater, E. Yablonovitch

Engineering Faculty Works

Thermophotovoltaic power conversion utilizes thermal radiation from a local heat source to generate electricity in a photovoltaic cell. It was shown in recent years that the addition of a highly reflective rear mirror to a solar cell maximizes the extraction of luminescence. This, in turn, boosts the voltage, enabling the creation of record-breaking solar efficiency. Now we report that the rear mirror can be used to create thermophotovoltaic systems with unprecedented high thermophotovoltaic efficiency. This mirror reflects low-energy infrared photons back into the heat source, recovering their energy. Therefore, the rear mirror serves a dual function; boosting the voltage and …

Energy Transformation And Conservation Investigation, Mike Jackson, Holly Haney

High School Lesson Plans

Students will use a thermoelectric generator module to analyze the relationship between thermal and electrical energies. Using data collection sensors and analysis software, students will investigate the relationship between the temperature gradient across a thermoelectric generator module and the resulting electrical potential. Students will then use their data and analysis to solve problems relating to waste thermal energy in electrical systems and communicate their work to their peers and teacher.

Evaluating The Potential For Renewable Energy Technology At Us Ski Resorts, Tyler Farrell

ENGS 86 Independent Projects (AB Students)

The ski industry is one of the most at-risk industries as a result of climate change. Warming temperatures and decreasing snowfall are contributing to a decline in skier visitations, shorter seasons, and higher energy costs. Currently, only 3 of 478 ski resorts in the United States rely on 100% renewable energy sources. The intent of this paper is to understand what the issues and barriers are to renewable energy development at ski resorts, and what technologies are feasible and appropriate for this industry to develop. While the renewable energy industry faces many issues and barriers, the ski industry faces its …

Feasibility Study Of Dartmouth's Renewable Energy Future, Lily R. Hanig

ENGS 88 Honors Thesis (AB Students)

This is a feasibility study of Dartmouth's Renewable Energy propositions. This study analyzes the carbon offsets of implementing a 13 MW solar PV system at Oak Hill. This study used the Energy Database to calculate the carbon emissions of the college for 2010 (the baseline year) and 2018. It also projected carbon emissions for the year 2025 assuming the Oak Hill solar PV system is implemented as outlined and the biomass plant is implemented with similar fuel ratios to nearby biomass plant projects. It was found that Dartmouth should sufficiently make its carbon emissions reductions goals for 2025.

Numerical Investigation Of Coalescence-Induced Self-Propelled Behavior Of Droplets On Non-Wetting Surfaces And Wedged Surfaces., Yan Chen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

When small drops coalesce on a superhydrophobic surface, the merged drop can jump away from the surface due to the surface energy released during the coalescence. This self-propelled behavior has been observed on various superhydrophobic surfaces and has potential applications in areas related to the heat and mass transfer, such as heat exchangers, anti-icing and anti-frost devices, thermal management and water harvesting. The jumping velocity model was obtained based on published experimental data and the balance of various energy terms described in previous studies. However, the self-propelled mechanism is still not fully understood. In this study, the self-propelled droplet phenomenon …

Energy Consumption And Routing Model For First Responder Vehicles, Alex Rodriguez

The Pegasus Review: UCF Undergraduate Research Journal

The ongoing research and prototyping of electric vehicles (EVs) offers numerous opportunities to investigate their performance in various service contexts. As EVs are integrated into society, the reliable prediction of fuel consumption and routing time becomes particularly important in emergency response services. This project develops a preliminary stochastic model that can route and predict the energy consumption and travel time for hypothetical emergency vehicles operating on an electric battery cell. Using a Monte-Carlo framework, we constructed a routing model designed to minimize travel time and resource consumption under various simulated conditions. In doing so, we establish the foundation for balancing …

Microgrid Renewable Energy Integration, Do Quang Thanh Vo

Electrical Engineering

The Microgrid is a small-scale electrical system that is designed to give Cal Poly students hands-on experience on power generation, system protection, distribution, and automation that would otherwise be very difficult to experiment in a large-scale model.

To closely replicate the modern electrical grid, a renewable energy source shall be added to the Microgrid in conjunction with the existing synchronous generators. Electrical engineering student, Virginia Yan initiated this effort, namely Grid-Tied Solar System project [1], by designing and constructing a set of solar panels and microinverter for future connection to the Microgrid. The scope of Virginia’s project was, however, limited …

Dual Axis Solar Tracker: Trends, Influence & Impact, Alazone Smith

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This supplementary document examines the international relevance and impact of the device in the Central Washington University, M.E.T. Senior Project entitled, “Dual-Axis Solar Tracker”. This is done so by analyzing the data collected from the device, as well as related trends in society, and establishing connections between the device’s viability and its impact within the society. Climate change, the solar industry, technology, policy, and market are the main topics of research within this document to provide background and context for the methods of analysis. Following intensive research, two major research strategies were implemented: (1) the data collected from the device …

Energy Lesson Design, Jessica Lyons

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

No abstract provided.

Pico-Grid Smart Homes Power Management System, Kathleen Hobbs, Mbonya Myers

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

No abstract provided.

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.

Analysis Of Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine Array Optimization, Peter-Claver Nwanze, Keith Bazemore, Jessica Lyons, J. Ann Mitchem

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

Wind energy is the fastest growing form of renewable energy, with a multitude of possibilities for expansion. This, as well as other forms of renewable energy, will facilitate understanding of the growing concerns regarding global warming by decreasing our dependence on fossil fuels. Wind energy requires wind speeds of at least six miles per hour; therefore, only certain geographical areas are suitable for the use of this technology. The purpose of this experiment was to determine whether the orientation of an array of wind turbines increases or decreases energy production and efficiency. In this study, various arrays consisting of five …

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 …

Sustainability In Higher Education: Perceptions Of Social Responsibility Among University Students, Younghan Jung, Kayoung Park, Junyong Ahn

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

Many construction-related training and education programs in the United States have now embraced the concept of sustainability, offering sustainable construction courses that highlight sustainable design and construction practices. These courses have mainly focused on green building strategies for the design and construction of built environments and indoor environmental quality necessary for students’ knowledge enhancement and career development. This study examined the effect of sustainability course on students’ knowledge as well as their perceptions of social responsibility and sustainable behaviors. Data were collected by conducting a survey from construction related programs in U.S. universities. Students were categorized based on their experience …

The Internet Of Energy: Architectures, Cyber Security, And Applications, Kun Wang, Yan Zhang, Song Guo, Mianxiong Dong, Rose Qingyang Hu, Lei He

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

The energy crisis and carbon emissions have become two critical concerns globally. As a very promising solution, the concept of Internet of Energy has appeared to tackle these challenges. The Internet of Energy is a new power generation paradigm developing a revolutionary vision of smart grids into the Internet. The communication infrastructure is an essential component for implementing the Internet of Energy. A scalable and robust communication infrastructure is crucial in both operating and maintaining smart energy systems. The wide-scale implementation and development of Internet of Energy into industrial applications should take into account the following challenges:

Solar Parking Lot Analysis: Smart Investment Or Waste Of Capital, Jared J. Davis

Construction Management

In the last couple decades solar panels have been developed into a sustainable and effective method for harnessing clean energy. Today, solar panels have been engineered into solar roadways. Solar roadways are structurally engineered solar panels which can be installed in the Earth, driven on, and can replace the need for traditional asphalt roads. These solar roadways also include built in LEDs which mimic road lines and light up wildlife crossing the road, making these road panels a very safe alternative to traditional asphalt roads. This senior project is an analysis of solar roadways and their capabilities when applied to …

Solar Parking Lot Analysis: Smart Investment Or Waste Of Capital, Jared James Davis

Construction Management

In the last couple decades solar panels have been developed into a sustainable and effective method for harnessing clean energy. Today, solar panels have been engineered into solar roadways. Solar roadways are structurally engineered solar panels which can be installed in the Earth, driven on, and can replace the need for traditional asphalt roads. These solar roadways also include built in LEDs which mimic road lines and light up wildlife crossing the road, making these road panels a very safe alternative to traditional asphalt roads. This senior project is an analysis of solar roadways and their capabilities when applied to …

Emission Reduction Opportunities Of Coal-Fired Steam Generator, Marigona Krasniqi, Risto Filkoski

UBT International Conference

Energy and its production today has become one of the most controversial topics. Power plants around the world produce energy with different sources, but so far there is no energy source that can make competition with coal for many years and for many reasons. Even though power plants with this kind of fuel have their own advantages, the biggest drawbacks are the release of hazardous and toxic substances. These emission components negatively affect the environment and for this reason in many countries of the world, are described the limits of the emitting rate. For this purpose, in this paper there …

Open Source Low-Cost Power Monitoring System, Shane W. Oberloier, Joshua M. Pearce

Department of Materials Science and Engineering Publications

This study presents an entirely open-source, low-cost power monitoring system capable of many types of measurements including both loads and supplies such as solar photovoltaic systems. In addition, the system can be fabricated using only open source software and hardware. The design revolves around the Digital Universal Energy Logger (DUEL) Node, which is responsible for reading and properly scaling the voltage and current of a particular load, and then serializing it via an on-board ATTiny85 chip. The configuration of the DUEL node allows for custom sensitivity ranges, and can handle up to 50 A and 300 V. Up to 127 …

What You Don’T See, Brent Sturlaugson

Architecture Faculty Publications

Follow the supply chains of architecture and you’ll find not just product manufacturers but also environmental polluters and elusive networks of financial power and political influence.