Power and Energy Commons^™

Electric Vehicles In Smart Grids: Performance Considerations, Uttam Kumar Deb Nath

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Distributed power system is the basic architecture of current power systems and demands close cooperation among the generation, transmission and distribution systems. Excessive greenhouse gas emissions over the last decade have driven a move to a more sustainable energy system. This has involved integrating renewable energy sources like wind and solar power into the distributed generation system. Renewable sources offer more opportunities for end users to participate in the power delivery system and to make this distribution system even more efficient, the novel "Smart Grid" concept has emerged. A Smart Grid: offers a two-way communication between the source and the …

Design, Analysis And Implementation Of An Experimental System To Harvest Energy From Atmospheric Temperature Variations Using Ethyl Chloride Filled Bellows, Gibran Ali

All Theses

The increase in global warming and the dwindling supplies of fossil fuels have shifted the focus from traditional to alternate sources of energy. This has resulted in a concerted effort towards finding new energy sources as well as better understanding traditional renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power. In addition to the shift in focus towards alternate energy, the last two decades have offered a dramatic rise in the use of digital technologies such as wireless sensor networks that require small but isolated power supplies. Energy harvesting, a method to gather energy from ambient sources including sunlight, vibrations, …

Numerical Simulation Of The Heat Leakage At The Gasket Region Of Domestic Refrigerators, Feng Gao

All Theses

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations are performed to investigate the heat loss at the gasket of a standard over/under domestic refrigerator. The study numerically simulates a unique experimental test cell with only the gasket region exposed to the ambient environment and other parts protected by insulation (see picture below). The test cell is cubic with an interior cavity having dimensions 2' x 2' x 2' within which a heating element is placed to create a specified temperature difference. A matching set of door and side panels exposes a 2' width of the gasket region to heat transfer with the surroundings. …

Applied Energy Systems - Rudimentary Thermodynamics, Jim Mcgovern

Book/Book Chapters

This is a compact textbook for a module addressing rudimentary thermodynamics within the context of applied energy systems. It is at an introductory level for engineers or technologists. The book does not attempt to cover the principles of thermodynamics comprehensively. Rather, it provides a practical but theoretically sound foundation, linked to some key areas. Energy, heat and work are all introduced, as are units and dimensions. Ideal gases and properties of liquids and vapours are treated. Non-flow and steady flow processes are described. Simple theory is provided for pumps and for the reciprocating compressor. Rudimentary steam and refrigeration or heat …

Development Of A Black-Box Transient Thermal Model For Residential Buildings, Andrew Cross

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Heavily populated metropolitan areas located in cooling-dominated climates, as are found in the Desert Southwest, pose a challenge to electrical utilities that service these areas. During the late afternoons of the summer months, residents of these metropolitan areas require larger than normal amounts of power to run their homes' air conditioning systems, at significant expense to the utilities. In the study reported here, interior temperature and power consumption data, accumulated over the course of a year and a half from seven houses within a Las Vegas neighborhood, are used to develop a predictive black-box statistical model for residential thermal transience. …

Cnc Torch, Steven Chiu

Computer Engineering

This CNC Torch cuts steel plate. It can cut up to a maximum area of 3x3 feet. The user builds a cut list on the touchscreen from a selection of predefined shapes and enters the parameters need for each shape. When the user is ready, the cut list is sent to an Arduino that will move each motors accordingly to the shapes desired.

Anisotropy Of The Reynolds Stress Tensor In The Wakes Of Counter-Rotating Wind Turbine Arrays, Nicholas Michael Hamilton

Dissertations and Theses

A wind turbine array was constructed in the wind tunnel at Portland State University in a standard Cartesian arrangement. Configurations of the turbine array were tested with rotor blades set to rotate in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise sense. Measurements of velocity were made with stereo particle-image velocimetry. Mean statistics of velocities and Reynolds stresses clearly show the effect of direction of rotation of rotor blades for both entrance and exit row turbines. Rotational sense of the turbine blades is visible in the mean spanwise velocity W and the Reynolds shear stress -[macron over vw]. The normalized anisotropy tensor was …

A Platinum Nanowire Network As A Highly Effective Current Collector For Intermediate Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells, Hanping Ding, Xingjian Xue

Faculty Publications

We report the fabrication and evaluation of a platinum nanowire network as a highly efficient current collector for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). The ink of carbon-black supported platinum nanoparticles was sprayed onto the cathode. After firing, the carbon black was oxidized and disappeared as carbon dioxide gas while the platinum nanoparticles connect with one another, forming a tree-branch-like nanowire network. The diameters of the nanowires range from 100 nm to 400 nm. Compared to a conventional platinum paste current collector, the polarization resistance of the PrBaCo₂O_5+δ (PBCO) cathode with a nanowire current collector was reduced …

Modeling Of Chemical-Mechanical Couplings In Anode-Supported Solid Oxide Fuel Cells And Reliability Analysis, Xinfang Jin, Xingjian Xue

Faculty Publications

Oxygen ionic transport in conducting ceramics is an important mechanism enabling solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology. The multi-physicochemical processes lead to the fact that the distribution of oxygen vacancy site fraction is not uniform in a positive-electrode electrolyte negative-electrode (PEN) assembly. Different oxygen vacancy concentrations induce different volumetric expansion of ceramics, resulting in complicated chemical–mechanical coupling phenomena and chemical stress in SOFCs. In this research, a mathematical model is developed to study oxygen ionic transport induced chemical stress in an SOFC. The model is validated using experimental polarization curves. Comprehensive simulations are performed to investigate chemical stress distribution in …

Identification Of Markov Processes Within A Wind Turbine Array Boundary Layer, Matthew Scott Melius

Dissertations and Theses

The Markovianity within a wind turbine array boundary layer is explored for data taken in a wind tunnel containing a model wind turbine array. A stochastic analysis of the data is carried out using Markov chain theory. The data were obtained via hot-wire anemometry thus providing point velocity statistics. The theory of Markovian processes is applied to obtain a statistical description of longitudinal velocity increments inside the turbine wake using conditional probability density functions. It is found that two and three point conditional probability density functions are similar for scale differences larger than the Taylor micro-scale. This result is quantified …

Heating Effects Through Harmonic Distortion On Electric Cables In The Built Environment, Kevin O'Connell

Doctoral

Under ideal circumstances, electric power supply voltage and current waveforms should be sinusoidal. However, this is very seldom the case in the built environment, due to the proliferation of non-linear loads. Examples of non-linear loads are those containing switched mode power supplies, reactors and electronic rectifiers/inverters. Common devices such as personal computers, fluorescent lighting, electric motors, variable speed drives, transformers and reactors and virtually all other electronic equipment are examples of non-linear loads. Non-linear loads are the norm in the built environment rather than the exception. Such loads produce complex current and voltage waves and simple spectral analysis of these …

Rapid Tool Heating, Jason Chi, Bobby Dodge

Mechanical Engineering

Quatro Composites creates various molded parts for an array of industries. They are seeking to improve their thermoplastic molding process by decreasing the amount of time to heat up the steel tool that molds the thermoplastics. Currently, it takes approximately 1 hour to heat up their 120 pound steel mold from room temperature to approximately 700°F. The goal of this project is to create an optimum heating method that will minimize that heating time to about 20 minutes or less. It is critical for the stakeholders (Quatro Composites) to have a faster heating time in order to increase their production …

Design Of An Energy Efficient Virtual End Node Client Using Openadr2.0a And Smap, Kevin Navero

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

Demand Response (DR) describes the set of actions taken to impose a reduction in electrical loads to stabilize the power grid and decrease costs. It is used when power grid emergencies or extremely high demand and congestion, threaten the electricity supply-demand balance. Automated Demand Response (ADR) describes a web-based control system that triggers DR events automatically by signaling other pre-programmed control systems. This project intends to use the OpenADR2.0 specifications provided by the OpenADR Alliance to construct an open source Virtual End Node (VEN) client to retrieve DR signals. The Simple Measurement and Actuation Profile (sMAP) software is also used …

Low Speed Alternator Design, Scott Merrick

Electrical Engineering

No abstract provided.

Micro Hydropower System, Christpher Neally, Ian Verstuyft

Electrical Engineering

The micro hydropower project strives to meet the needs of a specific village in northern Thailand in partnership with Engineers Without Borders. Specifically, the electrical side of the system must be designed to convert the mechanical power of a flowing river that is turning a turbine into sustainable and dependable power. Currently available hydropower systems will be considered, analyzed, and tailored to suit the specific needs of the community in need. The system to be designed will be flexible enough to demonstrate proof-of-concept with the limited maximum generable power in lab while having the ability to be easily scaled for …

Wind And Hydroelectric Power Simulation For The Dc House Project, Randy Lormand, Christopher Goloskie

Electrical Engineering

This project details the design and integration of a wind and hydroelectric power simulation system in correlation with the DC House Project. The simulator uses variable speed drives to rotate a DC motor which then drives a generator to produce output. This output is then regulated using a DC to DC converter which holds the voltage level constant making it easier to interface with other power sources for the house. The test results indicate that the simulator will be able to produce two separate power outputs that will provide at least 70 Watts of power in the acceptable speed range …

Swing Human Powered Generator: For The Dc House Project, Juan Vicente Avelar, Juan Jose Galindo, Juan Pramyr Ramos

Electrical Engineering

The Play Park Human Powered Generator project addresses various ways of generating power. More specifically, this project entails the design and construction of the Swing Power Generator to provide electrical power from mechanical energy. The swing generator will eventually be used as part of the human-powered generators utilized in the DC House project.

A swing generator prototype was built for this project, which demonstrates the feasibility of its use for electrical power source. Detailed design and construction of the swing generator is presented in this report along with results from hardware testing.

Design, Fabrication, And Testing Of An Emr Based Orbital Debris Impact Testing Platform, Jeffrey J. Maniglia Jr.

Master's Theses

This paper describes the changes made from Cal Poly’s initial railgun system, the Mk. 1 railgun, to the Mk. 1.1 system, as well as the design, fabrication, and testing of a newer and larger Mk. 2 railgun system. The Mk. 1.1 system is developed as a more efficient alteration of the original Mk. 1 system, but is found to be defective due to hardware deficiencies and failure, as well as unforeseen efficiency losses. A Mk. 2 system is developed and built around donated hardware from the Naval Postgraduate School. The Mk. 2 system strove to implement an efficient, augmented, electromagnetic …

Micro Modeling Study Of Cathode/Electrolyte Interfacial Stresses For Solid Oxide Fuel Cells, Xinfang Jin, Xingjian Xue

Faculty Publications

Delamination of the cathode/electrolyte interface is an important degradation phenomenon in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). While the thermal stress has been widely recognized as one of the major reasons for such delamination failures, the role of chemical stress does not receive too much attention. In this paper, a micro-model is developed to study the cathode/electrolyte interfacial stresses, coupling oxygen ion transport process with structural mechanics. Results indicate that the distributions of chemical stress are very complicated at the cathode/electrolyte interface and show different patterns from those of thermal stress. The maximum principal stresses take place at the cathode/electrolyte interface …

Development And Implementation Of A Simplified Residential Energy Asset Rating Model, Daire Reilly, Aidan Duffy, David Willis, Michael Conlon

Other resources

In accordance with national and European policies, the provision of financial assistance to residential energy consumers has led to a greater awareness of and interest in energy retrofit technologies. However, at present Irish energy consumers have no appropriate advice on the future performance of retrofit options available to them. This is a significant limitation to decision making and technology uptake, since this group need to know whether their investment is likely to be worthwhile.

The asset rating methodology developed for the certification of energy performance of buildings is the current industry standard of prediction of energy demand and post retrofit …

Cal Poly Nano Hydro, Brandon N. Fujio, Alex J. Sobel, Andrew F. Del Prete

Mechanical Engineering

This projects goal was to design, construct, and test a machine capable of generating a usable amount of energy from naturally flowing water. The device conceived for this purpose is a portable raft with a turbine mounted to the underside. The turbine is mated directly to a low angular velocity generator which outputs to a power electronics system on shore. Using a Gorlov Helical turbine, this proof-of-concept is designed to output ~50 Watts of electricity to charge a battery for later use. Possible applications for this device include camping in remote locations, supplemental power generation for a home, or for …

High Voltage Electrophoretic Deposition For Electrochemical Energy Storage And Other Applications, Sunand Santhanagopalan

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

High voltage electrophoretic deposition (HVEPD) has been developed as a novel technique to obtain vertically aligned forests of one-dimensional nanomaterials for efficient energy storage. The ability to control and manipulate nanomaterials is critical for their effective usage in a variety of applications. Oriented structures of one-dimensional nanomaterials provide a unique opportunity to take full advantage of their excellent mechanical and electrochemical properties. However, it is still a significant challenge to obtain such oriented structures with great process flexibility, ease of processing under mild conditions and the capability to scale up, especially in context of efficient device fabrication and system packaging. …

Experimental Investigation Into Particulate Matter Distribution In Catalyzed Particulate Filters Using A 3d Terahertz Wave Scanner, Ryan Kristopher Foley

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

The particulate matter distribution (PM) trends that exist in catalyzed particulate filters (CPFs) after loading, passive oxidation, active regeneration, and post loading conditions are not clearly understood. These data are required to optimize the operation of CPFs, prevent damage to the CPFs caused by non-uniform distributions, and develop accurate CPF models. To develop an understanding of PM distribution trends, multiple tests were conducted and the PM distribution was measured in three dimensions using a terahertz wave scanner. The results of this work indicate that loading, passive oxidation, active regeneration, and post loading can all cause non-uniform PM distributions. The density …

Human Powered Generation - Seesaw: A Dc House Project, William Varsh, Jeffrey Healy

Electrical Engineering

This project is a proof of concept work, where playground equipment is implemented for power generation. In using a seesaw design, this project was able to show how a simple mechanical motion could be transformed in electrical power. A seesaw power generator was designed and constructed to demonstrate its feasibility. Results show that with some modification and improvement to the current design, the seesaw me indeed provide a viable method to produce electricity.

Hearst Hydroelectric Generation Facility, Anthony Schifano, Richard Wright, Nick Buchanan, Corey Nakai, Joshua Rutheiser

Electrical Engineering

This project proposes a power plant design that provides a supplemental source of electricity for appliances, machinery, and lighting at Hearst Castle and Ranch. The design concept includes a turbine-generator combination to convert kinetic and gravitational potential energy from the existing water distribution system to electrical energy: also known as a hydroelectric plant. The electrical distribution system from the plant to the local grid takes advantage of power flow techniques utilized in current research and industry.

A Study On The Effects Of Solar Power, Jonathan Hayes

Electrical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

The utilization of new and alternative energy sources, specifically solar energy, has been on the rise and will continue to grow as we attempt to diminish our use and dependency on older, nonrenewable energy sources. One of the biggest challenges involved with the use of solar energy, or renewable energy in general, is how to provide this energy for general public use. Some of the limiting factors to this are the efficiency in which solar power can be harvested and converted into usable energy, and the cost of the technology to do this. Recent technological developments have included the microinverter, …

Assessing The Engineering Performance Of Affordable Net-Zero Energy Housing, Jordan P. Wallpe

Purdue Polytechnic Masters Theses

The purpose of this research was to evaluate affordable technologies that are capable of providing attractive, cost-effective energy savings to the housing industry. The research did so by investigating the 2011 Solar Decathlon competition, with additional insight from the Purdue INhome. Insight from the Purdue INhome verified the importance of using a three step design process to design a net-zero energy building. In addition, energy consumption values of the INhome were used to compare and contrast different systems used in other houses.

Evaluation of unbiased competition contests gave a better understanding of how a house can realistically reach net-zero. Upon …

Energy Consumption In Large Wastewater Treatment Plants As A Function Of Wastewater Strength, Timothy Newell, Jacimaria R. Batista, Sajjad Ahmad, Walter Johnson

College of Engineering: Graduate Celebration Programs

Wastewater treatment (WWT) is an energy-intensive process. Strict standards for discharge often require energy intensive advanced treatment technologies. As a result, the number of plants using advanced treatment has increased (Figure 1).

Rising energy costs and concerns about greenhouse gas generation present a major incentive for tracking energy usage of WWT. Energy usage in plant, for instance, typically represents 18 to 30% of the operational budget.

Water efficient fixtures are also increasing loadings of organic matter to plants while lowering or maintaining overall liquid flow. The increased loadings have a significant impact on energy consumption.

Previous work has focused primarily …

Improving Manufacturing Processes Through Energy Monitoring, Andrew Grzelak

Purdue Polytechnic Masters Theses

Energy efficiency and sustainability are very popular topics in the current field of manufacturing. With the increase in use of automation technology as well as the recent growth in the area of energy management, there is much focus on the overall improvement of manufacturing processes. For this research a project was completed to create a system that could improve both process efficiency as well as decrease energy consumption. By taking a look at the machine level energy consumption of an automated piece of manufacturing equipment, by eliminating waste in process, both energy efficiency and operational efficiency can be improved.

Using …

Evaluation Of Ocean-Energy Conversion Based On Linear Generator Concepts, Michael Allen Stelzer

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

A turbine generator is a device that converts mechanical rotation into electrical energy. Unfortunately, the primary driving force that has been used to provide this rotation has, thus far, been fossil fuels. Although fossil fuels have proven to be a reliable resource to continually supply the growing demand for electrical power, they are not without their financial and environmental drawbacks. With the continuously increasing demand for energy, it is hypothesized that the world may, in time, exhaust this precious natural resource and/or inflict permanent environmental damage upon our planet.

However, motions that occur in nature, such as ocean waves, can …