Power and Energy Commons^™

Estimating Hourly Solar Radiation For One-Axis Tracking Focusing Collectors, Carl E. Bingham, David M. Posner, Jerry O. Bradley

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

Performance simulations of focusing parabolic collectors are hampered by a limited amount of useful insolation data. Hourly values of total radiation on a horizontal surface are the most common data available from the National Oceanographic & Atmospheric Administration. This paper develops a method to convert this total horizontal radiation to direct radiation on the surface of the tracking collector.

Agricultural Crop Drying And Space Heating Using A Solar Energy Intensifier, M. A. Hellickson, W. H. Peterson, S. E. Saienga, J. L. Julson

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

A solar energy-intensifier-thermal energy storage system was developed and tested under actual climatic conditions in South Dakota. Performance characteristics of the system are presented for its use in drying shelled corn and for agricultural space heating. Comparisons between solar and conventional drying between solar supplemented and conventional heating are reported.

Optimal Fuel Supply Control For Electrical Energy Systems -- A Real Time Computer Technique, J. Derald Morgan, Richard Thomas Smith

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

The techniques of linear-integer programming are applied to the problem of supplying coal to power plants. A heuristic technique for optimizing the supply of coal to power companies is created. The optimization minimizes the purchase, transportation, and demurrage costs of coal subject to power system operations, power plant demands, coal purchase supply, power plant coal handling operations, and transport options. A procedure for calculation and analysis of cost sensitivity of optimal solutions to input data perturbations is presented which utilizes the optimizing technique.

The nature of the constraint set developed allows for the inclusion of loading and unloading operations in …

Training Programs For Energy Management In Developing Countries, J. Byron Nelson, Burns E. Hegler, J. Derald Morgan

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

This paper discusses some of the general inter-related energy, management, and economic problems in developing countries as well as a common project methodology that can be used to formulate and implement development strategies according to the needs of any particular country. Because the development of human resources, especially managerial skills, is critically needed, the characteristics of managers in developing countries, the problems they face, and their training needs are discussed. Finally an example of a specific training program is outlined.