Power and Energy Commons^™

State Level Trends In Renewable Energy Procurement Via Solar Installation Versus Green Electricity, Eric Michael Hanson

Masters Theses

“In the past 5 years, consumer options for procuring renewable energy have increased, ranging from rooftop solar installation to utility green pricing to Community Choice Aggregation. These options vary in terms of costs and benefits to the consumer as well as grid integration implications. However, little is known regarding how the presence of a wide range of options for utility-scale renewable procurement affects demand for distributed residential solar installations. In theory, there are three possible relationships, (1) positive correlation, where utility-scale and distributed resources complement each other to increase overall production, (2) negative correlation, where utility-scale and distributed resources are …

New Trends In Building Design And Planning -- For The Age Of Energy Conservation, C. William Brubaker

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

In response to increasing energy costs, building design and planning are changing. Rational design can achieve many of the goals of energy conservation.

The Arizona Solar Tax Incentives Package, Donald E. Osborn

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

The State of Arizona has enacted into law one of the nation's most comprehensive and consumer oriented set of tax incentives to encourage the use of solar energy devices. The development of these incentives and their required regulations and guidelines are covered.

Solar Technology Inventory For The Mid-American Region, L. Icerman, S. K. Parker

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

A mailed questionnaire and telephone contact procedure was developed to identify solar equipment manufacturers in the Mid-American Solar Energy Center (MASEC) region and to collect information required to characterize the solar equipment manufacturing industry. Special emphasis was placed on assembling data that are useful in evaluating the commercialization status of the solar energy industry from an equipment supplier viewpoint.

Generation For Maximum System Efficiency, Charles A. Gross

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

This paper presents a method for solving for the generation combination that supplies a specific load demand at maximum efficiency in a multigenerator power system. The method accounts for transmission losses using the B constant approach and generating losses using heat rate data. Results are presented for an example test system.

Energy Conservative Electric Lines-Now!, Paul F. Pugh, A. S. Yeranian

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

This paper describes the components of a new energy conservative cable system and new methods to service prove new products without disturbing the existing power system. Methods are presented for attaching a new cable design to an existing system for a trial installation. It describes how field splices and taps are easily made to extend the line without a shutdown or disturbance.

Maxwellian Concepts Of Magnetro-Electrodynamics And The Reality Of Med Energy Producing Devices, Tom Day

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

"We can scarcely avoid the inference that light consists in the transverse undulations of the same medium which is the cause of electric and magnetic phenomena."

Toward A Methodology For Evaluation Of Solar Systems, William P. Moran, Gene E. Kouba, Bruce V. Ketcham

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

The shortcomings and inconsistences of the typical return-on-capital evaluation are detailed. Generalizations of evaluation objectives and performance measures and data gathering objectives are given.

Direct Energy Conversions Of Solar Energy, A. A. Rahman

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

In this paper, the design concepts of three direct energy converters were explained. The converters selected were thermoelectric, thermionic and magnetohydrodynamic converters. Discussions and analysis of the material limitations of these converters with possible improvements to make these devices suitable for domestic or public use was also explained.

Mississippi County Community College -- A Photovoltaic Demonstration Project, William M. Woodsmall Jr.

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

An overall view of the integration of all systems involved in the world's largest photovoltaic demonstration project.

Mississippi County Community College in Blytheville is presently being planned using a 240 KW ± photovoltaic collection field for its energy source. Systems include the collectors, thermal, process control, storage (both thermal and electrical) power conditioning, and the building itself.

On The Thermodynamics Of Direct Energy Conversions, A. A. Rahman

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

In this work, a generalized thermodynamic analysis was developed for direct energy converters that operate as heat engines. Examples for various converters as thermoelectric, MHD and Nernst generators were solved. The possibilities of utilizing these concepts on designing generators to convert heat or solar energy directly into electricity were also discussed.

Long Term Stability Of Linearized Thermistor Circuits, Gene E. Kouba

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

The long term accuracy and stability of linearized thermistor circuits used for temperature measurements in a solar home monitoring project are being evaluated by periodic calibration.

Concentration Of Solar Energy Using A Cassegrain Type Solar Furnace, M. H. Cobble, W. C. Hull

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

A solar furnace consisting of a paraboloid of revolution that tracks the sun, and a hyperboloid of revolution reflector that has a focus in common with the paraboloid is analyzed using a three-dimensional ray trace to determine the image shape and size, and for the concentration to be obtained for various eccentricities e of the hyperboloid when used with an 84 foot diameter paraboloid (radar dish).

The Solar Connection -- Promise Or Peril?, Paul S. Strong

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

During the past decade important progress has been made in understanding the sun-earth environmental system. Modern observations of solar activity document changes in solar output over time scales ranging from seconds to decades, and evidence for longer term variations have been found in historical records. It follows that the sun cannot be considered to be a totally non-variable energy source. Continued research progress into solar-terrestrial interactions will hopefully provide an understanding of sun-weather/climate relationships resulting in energy conservation through more efficient energy utilization of our planet's atmospheric energy system.

Commercially Available Vacuum Tube Solar Collectors, Stanley J. Ring

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

Efficiencies on the order of 50 percent with high differential temperature (150° C) have been advertised with the current distribution of commercially available evacuated tube collectors. Product specifications and, where possible, experimental data have been gathered and presented. The paper also develops a mathematical model for evaluation of these collectors. Results conclude that, although performance is high, collector expense limits the cost effectiveness to necessary high-temperature, high-volume applications. These include both residential cooling and industrial processing.

Computer Modeling Of A Solar Hot Water Collector System, Michael F. Bregar, William E. Stewart Jr.

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

Computer modeling of a solar collector system can facilitate the selection of design paths and produce the optimal orientation and layout of the system for its intended location and seasonal usage patterns. Application of economic criteria to modeling also enables the analysis of alternate designs in terms of their installed and operating costs, as well as allowing calculation of payback periods for the various system configurations.

This program was intended to aid in the design of solar hot water collector systems. Design parameters of the system are used as inputs to the program. System configuration and design can then be …

To Light Or Not To Light? -- That Is The Energy Question, J. Byron Nelson, Burns E. Hegler

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

The controversy over lighting levels has existed for some time. Interest in methods of lighting has been heightened by the energy crisis. It has been estimated that lighting consumes approximately five percent of the nation's energy, therefore lighting is a relatively small energy user when compared to transportation and industrial processes which consume the bulk of the nation's energy. However, any saving that will make a contribution to the energy crisis should be considered. Consequently, this paper shows how energy for lighting may be reduced without sacrificing the present quality of lighting and in some cases, actually improve the lighting …

An Analysis Of Investments In Residential Energy Conservation In Southeast Missouri, Ralph Gunderson

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

This study examines the economic feasibility of residential solar heating. Climatic and economic variables used in this report represent those of Cape Girardeau, Missouri. An annual cost model is used to determine the conditions under which solar heating achieves a reduced annual cost of heating relative to gas and electric heating systems.

Combining Solar Heating With A Wood Burning Furnace, Kenneth Bechtold, William E. Stewart Jr.

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

The objective is to minimize the use of high-cost heating fuels in rural areas with the assistance of a wood burning furnace and a solar collector.

It was discovered that when the output of a wood burning furnace can be diverted into a solar storage battery, more useful heat can be supplied to a house with little extra inconvenience to the homeowner. The total amortized system of the wood burning furnace combined with the solar system will be less than if the systems were operated independently.

Energy Evaluation And Component Characterization Data In A Residential Solar Monitoring Program, Gene E. Kouba, William P. Moran, Bruce V. Ketcham

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

The initial phase of performance analysis, data acquisition system development and short term component characterization of a two year residential solar energy monitoring program are presented. The purpose of the monitoring program is to accumulate both short and long term performance data which would be useful in optimizing system operation, determining possible improvements to the system configuration, validating simulation methods for predicting performance, and estimating the economics of the system.

A Solar-Cooling Pool Assisted Heat Pump System, Walter J. Schaetzle

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

A swimming pool is used in parallel with a water-source heat pump for both cooling and heating. For cooling, the pool is used as a spray pond (cooling tower); and for heating, the pool is used as a solar collector, and thermal energy storage. Both theoretical studies and experimental work have been done on this system. A full scale system is almost complete and has been used during the summer for cooling. Economically, on both an operating basis and a capital basis, the system appears feasible.

An Architectural Application For Fchart (Solar Feasibility In The Midwest), Rodney Wright, Larry Dieckmann

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

Examination of climatic conditions in the twelve Midwestern states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin reveals that this region receives from 50% to 70% of the possible annual total hours of sunshine.

Degree day heating requirements range from 4,000DD to over 10,000DD per year. In the northern tier of states, some areas require heat at some time in each month.

The FCHART Method for Solar Heating Design, developed at the Solar Energy Laboratory at the University of Wisconsin, is a method for making a computer study of solar capability for …

Principles Of Design Of A Solar Heated House, Alex Stefanovic, Chaman Kashkari

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

This paper explains the principles of design of a solar heating system for a house in Akron, Ohio area. The house is a standard one family, two story house, such as Ryan Home's Brockington model. It has, approximately, 2,000 square feet of living area, a full basement, and an attached two car garage. The solar heating system is designed to provide as much of the heating needs as is economically feasible.

An Analysis Of Solar Heating Costs In Arkansas Broiler Houses, Ralph Gunderson, J. Martin Redfern

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

This study is based on the computer simulation model of a solar heated broiler house in four locations in Arkansas. This simulation model estimated the annual energy savings in each broiler house due to the installation of a solar heating system. This paper uses present value analysis to estimate the life cycle costs of heating conventional and solar heated broiler houses in the state of Arkansas. From these calculations, the number of years required to achieve a break-even cost of heating is estimated.

Design And Operational Characteristics Of A Retrofit Solar Heating System, D. J. Wetteroff, Bassem F. Armaly

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

The construction and the operation of a retrofit solar assisted space heating system are described. Performance characteristics of each component were measured and used to estimate the contribution of solar energy to the yearly space heating energy requirements.

The National Solar Heating And Cooling Information Center, Jeremy A. Lifsey, Sanford Zane Meschkow

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

The Center is an information service funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Energy as part of a program to foster the use of solar energy in domestic hot water systems and the heating and cooling of buildings. The Center answers questions by mail and over toll-free hot lines, operates a mobile exhibit van and several exhibits that appear at conferences and trade shows, and distributes HUD and DOE publications on solar energy. Users can request lists of addresses of solar design and construction professionals, manufacturers, distributors, banks that have given solar …

Testing Of Solar Collectors By A Standard Method, Harry J. Sauer Jr., Bassem F. Armaly

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

A description of the recently adopted standard for testing solar collectors "ASHRAE STANDARD 93-77, METHOD OF TESTING SOLAR COLLECTORS BASED ON THERMAL PERFORMANCE" is presented. Results from the standard could be used to simulate the transient performance of an installed solar system.

The National Solar Energy Research Institute: Function, Organization, And The First Six Months, Dennis R. Costello

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

The role of the Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI) in the national solar program is discussed. A brief history of developments leading to the formation of SERI is included. Functional responsibilities, organization and the current plans for staff and facilities growth are addressed.

Design Optimization For Solar Array Of Multiple Collector Types, Jerry O. Bradley, David Posner, C. E. Bingham

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

Methodology is presented for optimizing solar arrays used for heating fluids from ambient to elevated temperatures. The optimal array consists of the appropriate combination of available collector types which delivers the most energy per dollar invested in the array. An example optimization is presented and verified using computer simulation of numerous combinations of collector types.

Current State-Of-The-Art Of Electrochemical Batteries From A Users Point Of View, John G. Wolter, John A. Gilbert, James V. Leonard

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

This paper will present a description of some of the battery types (couples) on the market, energy densities, and recycle lives. The possibility that some of these could be used in the transportation industry will be explored. Speculation of future battery development will be discussed.