Energy Systems Commons^™

Semi Open Partitions: A Defense Strategy For Airborne Disease, Kerrie Marshall, Arik Palileo, Eric A. Schiff

SyracuseCoE

This brief summarizes research on two measures that reduce the risk of transmitting COVID-19 from an infected person to a virus-free individual. Semi-partitioned spaces can reduce airborne disease transmission when combined with a proper ventilation flow pattern in a room. With advanced displacement ventilation risk can be reduced by at least 4 times.

Modeling, Simulation, And Testing Of Sweeping Convection, Amir Kiaee

Mechanical Engineering Research Theses and Dissertations

In this study, the new convection heat transfer concept of sweeping convection, using large particles flowing with a fluid in a channel, is considered. This novel concept is inspired by the gas exchange process in alveolar capillaries, where red blood cells (RBCs) flow with blood plasma, yielding very high gas transfer efficiency. An important characteristic of alveolar capillary blood flow, believed to be related to the high efficiency of the lungs, is the snug fitting of the RBCs into the capillaries. This tight fitting sets the RBCs (particles) acting like pistons as they flow downstream with the plasma (fluid), facilitating …

Fsec Energy Research Center Highlights 2020, Brochure, Florida Solar Energy Center, Sherri Shields

FSEC Energy Research Center®

This 5-page "brochure" provides an overview of capabilities at the FSEC Energy Research Center. As Florida's statewide energy research center, FSEC has a 45-year history of basic and applied research excellence, which has grown in scope to include all aspects of renewable energy, energy storage, electric vehicles, and energy efficiency technologies. FSEC's education and outreach programs have trained thousands of energy practitioners and informed energy consumers. This document was originally created to inform City of Cocoa Council members about FSEC during their external visit to the Center in June 2020, during COVID-19. FSEC Art#: PIO-104

Ventilation & Masks: Reducing Airborne Transmission Of Covid-19 In A Classroom, Eric A. Schiff

SyracuseCoE

We've calculated the number of COVID-19 infections that will be spread from a single COVID-19 "superspreader" to students and teachers in a classroom shared for 4 hours in different ventilation and masking conditions.

Measured Cooling Energy Savings From Reflective Wall Finishes: Evaluation As An Efficiency Measure Across Climates, Florida Solar Energy Center, Danny Parker

FSEC Energy Research Center®

In past research, reflective roofs have shown significant potential to reduce cooling in buildings. However, there have been few empirical evaluations of cooling reductions from changing wall reflectance. In the reported study, several experiments with instrumented scale test buildings are used to provide validation for a detailed simulation analysis across varied North American climates. The simulations establish the potential of reflective walls as an efficiency measure in existing buildings against climate.

This paper was published in the 2020 ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings.

Who's Leading: The Dance Between Mini-Splits And Existing Hvac Systems, Florida Solar Energy Center, Cheryn Metzger

FSEC Energy Research Center®

Recently, many utilities across the U.S. have provided incentives for ductless mini-split heat pumps due to their relatively high efficiencies. However, when these ductless mini-splits are installed in existing homes, utilities and researchers find that they are not living up to their energy saving potential, due to a lack of coordinated controls with the existing HVAC system. The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC), and The Levy Partnership are all leading projects across the country to address this problem. The goal for this body of work is to determine which control strategies provide the most …

Targeting The Best Performing Home Efficiency Programs With Advanced Metering Evaluation Supplemented By Simulation, Florida Solar Energy Center, Robin Vieira

FSEC Energy Research Center®

The authors investigated the impacts of seven residential rebate energy efficiency programs offered by a municipal utility. The evaluation examined energy use pre and post retrofit using the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) data, disaggregated by major end-use and weather-adjusted; and also by detailed simulations. Residences modeled were representative of typical participants for that measure based on factors such as year built, conditioned square feet and number of bedrooms.

Our analysis found the residential rebate programs to be of highly varied effectiveness, but important differences surfaced between the simulation and the AMI data evaluation. Not surprisingly, programs with larger samples tended …

Analysis Techniques For Evaluating Energy Conservation Programs Using Utility Ami Data, Florida Solar Energy Center, Richard Raustad

FSEC Energy Research Center®

With the evolution of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) electric meters, utility companies now have direct access to whole building electricity use at a granular time scale. AMI data can be used for a variety of purposes beyond billing, for example, to evaluate the efficacy of energy conservation (EC) programs. Historical methods for calculating EC program savings include building simulation models and laboratory and/or field testing. With big data now available, which analysis methods are more likely to yield quality results?

In a recent project, the Orlando Utility Commission provided monitored AMI data from Oct 1, 2015 - Sep 27, 2018 …

Improving Energy Savings And Peak Demand Reduction Estimates Using Ami Data For Utility Commercial Rebate Programs, Florida Solar Energy Center, Karen Fenaughty

FSEC Energy Research Center®

Solar reflective, or cool roofs, are a demonstrated method of reducing air conditioning energy, particularly in cooling-dominated climates. Similarly, efficient lighting or mechanical equipment replacement programs have a reputation for achieving large savings in c01mnercial buildings. Savings estimates for such measures have historically used monthly utility bills, which only provide a macroscopic view of utility program savings. Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) is commonly used in the U.S. by utilities for residential and commercial customers and provides not only a valuable record of changing premise energy use and demand profiles but in much greater detail than utility bills, if desired.

Partnering …

Characterization Of Mechanical Ventilation Systems In New Us Homes: What Types Of Systems Are Out There And Are They Functioning As Intended?, Florida Solar Energy Center, Eric Martin

FSEC Energy Research Center®

As the airtightness of homes improves to meet energy efficiency goals, it becomes more important for mechanical ventilation systems to help maintain a comfortable and healthy indoor air environment. ASHRAE Standard 62.2 provides national guidance for mechanical ventilation system design and installation, however adoption of those guidelines into local building codes has occurred at different rates. Once provisions for mechanical ventilation are adopted in a local code, are mechanical ventilation systems properly designed, installed, commissioned and operated according to code or above-code program requirements? This paper presents results from field studies that include characterization of whole house mechanical ventilation (WHMV) …

Measured Energy And Moisture Performance Impacts From Vented And Unvented Attic With Insulation On Top Of Ceiling In The Hot Humid Climate Zone, Florida Solar Energy Center, Charles Withers, Jr.

FSEC Energy Research Center®

Sealing attic vents helps decrease house air leakage and may reduce some moisture issues in attics in hot humid climates. new code-approved unvented attics can use different types of insulation materials, however, there are specific requirements that vary by materials used and climate zone. These requirements may be complex and may increase construction and operational energy costs.

This paper was published in the 2020 ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings.

Potential Energy Generation From Agricultural Residue In Indonesia, Adrian Rizqi Irhamna

International Programs

Indonesia has great potential of biomass sources from their agricultural residue, which can potentially be used for alternative energy generation. This preliminary research explores the most suitable technology for energy generation from agricultural residue and its challenge for application in Indonesia. The study showed that biomass utilization via the direct combustion process is recommended for energy generation. It is also reported that the pretreatment process of drying and washing, are required to increase the fuel quality and plant efficiency.

Applying Renewable Energies Against Climate Change: Solar Photovoltaic (Pv) Energy, Juan Jose Estribi

International Programs

In recent years, more efforts towards fighting climate change have been done. As a direct response, research and technology have offered several insights regarding the specific causes, effects, and even possible solutions for resolving this global issue. Among these solutions, renewable energies and their potential contributions as clean energy sources can be assessed as feasible options for the energy transformation through the decarbonization process of the energy industry. This poster is mainly focused on solar photovoltaic (PV) energy and its great potential as a renewable energy by making a brief assessment of some important aspects such as resource availability, its …

Dynamic Analysis And Fabrication Of A Bi-Stable Structure Designed For Mems Energy Harvesting Applications., Masoud Derakhshani

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Thanks to the rapid growth in demand for power in remote locations, scientists’ attention has been drawn to vibration energy harvesting as an alternative to batteries. Over the past ten years, the energy harvesting community has focused on bistable structures as a means of broadening the working frequency range and, by extension, the effective efficiency of vibration-based power scavenging systems. In the current study, a new method is implemented to statically and dynamically analyze a bistable buckled, multi-component coupled structure designed specifically for low-frequency vibration energy harvesting systems in both macro and MEMS-scale sizes. Furthermore, several micro-fabrication steps using advanced …

Study Of Heat Transfer And Friction Loss Of Nanofluid Suspension Flow In Square Pipe Heat Exchanger, Krishnan Jayprasanth

Student Works (2020-2029)

An experimentational analysis was done to evaluate heat transfer features of graphene oxide (GO) nanofluid inside the cross section of square cross tube that was exposed to a uniform constant heat flux of the test segments. Lately huge figures of researches have been are proceeded out to examine the outcome of nanofluid in augmentation of the heat transfer rate in numerous heat exchangers particularly using hummer method to attain GO. In this case, advanced hummer method was used to obtain GO and further analyses the effect of the nanofluids. The viscosity and thermal conductivity for the (GO) nanofluids at the …

Kinetic Study Of In-Pipe Water Flow For Power Generation, Surendaran Venuthan

Student Works (2020-2029)

In-pipe turbine generator has a potential to harvest energy from an existing water flow from distribution pipe which have natural and pumping capacity. That flow will be used to convert kinetic energy from the pipe to rotate the turbine. In turn, the turbine may be connected to a generator to produce electric power. The fact that the in-pipe turbine generator will be a useful energy harvesting tool with potential with industrial application is recommended by many scholars. However, there is a concern where there are many types and sizes of pipe that is readily used in the water works industry. …

Feasibility Study On Concentrated Solar Power Plants In Malaysia, De Jen Choy

Student Works (2020-2029)

The rapidly growing economy and population in Southeast Asia has elevated the need for affordable, secured, sustainable and environmentally friendly energy sources. One such energy source is solar energy which is a suitable energy source for most Southeast Asian countries which are within the Sun Belt region. This study performs a performance and financial analysis on concentrated solar power (CSP) technologies, specifically the solar power tower (SPT) in the Malaysian environment through the use of simulation software. The significance of the study lies in the fact that limited research has been done on CSP technologies in Malaysia and the study …

Thermodynamic Analysis And Optimization Of Organic Rankine Cycles Using 1-Butylpyridinium Tetrafluoroborate As A Geothermal Fluid, Kazemi Shabnam

Student Works (2020-2029)

Organic Rankine cycle (ORC) is a promising technology for electricity generation by utilizing heat sources at low to moderate temperature that ranges between 80-350° C. In the present work, an ionic liquid (1-butylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate, C9H14NBF4), a known green chemical and non-volatile compound with good thermal and chemical stability, significant heat capacity, low vapor pressure and a wide liquid temperature range (25 to 459 °C), is utilized as a geothermal fluid. Simulation and optimization were conducted for a basic organic Rankine cycle (basic ORC), a regenerative organic Rankine cycle (RORC) and a two-stage evaporative organic Rankine cycle (TSORC) by maximizing exergy …

Study Of Heat Transfer And Friction Loss Of Nanofluid Suspension Flow In Circular Pipe Heat Exchanger, Ramadas Sandru

Student Works (2020-2029)

This stated experiment focused on the study of convective heat transfer and friction loss in a circular flow passage for Graphene oxide-based nanofluids which are consist of Graphene Oxide/Distilled water with their different wt. % concentrations. These GO/DW based nanofluids where been prepared by using a facile two-step method, while the GO particles were synthesized by a modified hummer method. Four different (0.025, 0.05, 0.075, and 0.1 wt. %) were produced by dispersing graphene particles in distilled water under high probe sonication. The GO/DW based nanofluids flowing in a horizontal shell and tube heat exchanger counter flow under turbulent flow …

Optimization Of Bioethanol Production, Engine Performance And Exhaust Emissions From Manihot Glaziovii And Sweet Sorghum In A Spark Ignition Engine, Sebayang Abdi Hanra

Student Works (2020-2029)

The ever-increasing fossil fuel consumption over the years is attributable to economic and population growth, which in turn, increases greenhouse gas emissions. Bioethanol is one of the promising solutions to address the depletion of fossil fuels as well as environmental problems. Manihot glaziovii tubers and sweet sorghum grains are inedible feedstocks that can be used for bioethanol production. The carbohydrate content (70%) of these biomasses makes them suitable as feedstocks for bioethanol production. In this study, enzymatic hydrolysis (liquefaction and saccharification) was used to obtain the reduction of sugars. The enzymes α-amylase from Bacillus licheniformis Type XII-A and amyloglucosidase from …

Experimental Investigation Of The Wind Energy Harvesting Potential Of A Stand-Alone Piezoelectric Strip, Phillip Christopher Scott

Mechanical Engineering ETDs

The purpose of the study was to investigate the feasibility of harvesting wind energy on a small scale in residential areas. The method investigated was the initiation of movement-induced excitation (MIE), a type of aeroelastic flutter, within samples of polyvinylidine fluoride (PVDF), a piezoelectric polymer. Single samples of PVDF were secured in a wind tunnel and sample voltage was measured over a broad range of wind speeds. Power was calculated then via the addition of ohmic resistance matched to the magnitude of the capacitive impedances of the samples. The geometry of the PVDF samples studied was maintained as a simple …

What Difference Does A Catalyst Make?, Tammy Guthrie, Mike Jackson, Holly Haney

High School Lesson Plans

Students will use different catalysts for the decomposition of Hydrogen Peroxide, to determine if different catalysts affect the energy that is generated during the reaction.

Performance Analysis Of Renewable Energy Resources In Rural Areas: A Case Study Of Solar Energy, Jackson Justo

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

This paper presents an overview of the recent development trends of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and the performance in the Tanzanian context. The two types of solar power generation that are considered in this paper are: i) solar PV systems and ii) concentrated solar power (CSP). The two are compared in terms of cost of energy and energy storage mechanism. Moreover, the effect of ambient temperature on the solar PV module is analyzed. In addition, a detailed analysis on using solar axis tracking to increase the power generation is also presented. The extent to which the cell surface temperature and …

Modeling And Control Of Solar Pv With Battery Energy Storage For Rural Electrification, Irene Masenge

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

In rural areas where electric power grid network is rarely available, power generation from renewable energy resource such as solar photovoltaic (PV) is mostly accomplished in standalone mode. The standalone solar PV system requires energy storage device to achieve reliable power supply to the end users. This paper presents modelling and coordination control of solar PV with battery energy storage system (BESS) for rural-electrification applications. The proposed control is accomplished via a bidirectional buck-boost converter with the objective of maintaining voltage at the DC bus constant. Simulation results based-on MATLAB/Simulink platform confirms good performance of the proposed system

Quantifying The Environmental Impacts Of Cookstove Transitions A Societal Exergy Analysis Based Model Of Energy Consumption And Forest Stocks In Honduras, Noah Ver Beek, Elvin Vindel, Matthew K. Heun, Paul E. Brockway

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

Unsustainable consumption of biofuels contributes to deforestation and climate change, while household air pollution from burning solid biofuels in homes results in millions of premature deaths globally every year. Honduras, like many low and medium Human Development Index countries, depends on primary solid biofuels for more than 30% of its primary energy supply (as of 2013). We conducted a societal exergy analysis and developed a forest stock model for Honduras for 1971–2013 and used the results to model an energy transition from traditional wood stoves to either improved efficiency wood cookstoves or modern fuel cookstoves (using Electricity or Liquefied petroleum …

Development Of Water Coning Control Design Metrics In Naturally Fractured Reservoirs, Samir Prasun

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Naturally fractured reservoirs (NFRs) with bottom-water are known for their instant water breakthrough and severe water coning that reduces oil recovery. This is because water channels through the highly permeable fractures easily connecting the well to the aquifer bypassing the oil contained in the matrix. Remedial techniques such as producing below critical-oil rate, optimizing the well spacing and installing the downhole water sink (DWS)/ downhole water loop (DWL) technology, have already been successfully tested in single-porosity reservoirs (SPR). However, applicability of these techniques in NFRs are unknown since only a few studies have been performed on their feasibility in NFRs, …

Fsec Energy Research Center Strategic Plan (2020-2025) Executive Summary, Florida Solar Energy Center, James Fenton

FSEC Energy Research Center®

The Florida Legislature created the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) in 1975 to support the growth and development of renewable energy. The year 2025 will mark the half-century mark for FSEC's service as the statewide energy research and education institute. In preparation for the next 50 years of dynamic energy developments, the FSEC Energy Research Center is undertaking a strategic planning and rebranding process.

Cal Poly Microgrid Fixed Pv Array, Christopher L. Ewert, Justin R. Syracuse, Donald A. Syracuse, Jason M. Kehl

Mechanical Engineering

The Mechanical Engineering Department at California Polytechnic State University of San Luis Obispo would like an adjustable, fixed angle solar panel mount to help educate students on basic solar energy principles. Our team has developed a unique sawhorse design utilizing ideation techniques and design selection tools. The selected design allows for multiple panel adjustability and control of both azimuth and tilt angle. Safety concerns are addressed with action plans to mitigate risk. Concept prototypes to justify gearbox functionality and subsystem cohesion was utilized to reduce manufacturing issues. Manufacturing began in March 2020 and proceed through until the end of the …

Thermal Energy Storage For Load Shifting, Jordan Benton Lopez Corley, Weston Cruz Montgomery, Taylor Glenn Harms

Mechanical Engineering

The following document accounts for the progress made in the prototype development of our design solution since the Critical Design Review, and our group’s response to recent world events which greatly impacted planned activities. Our design challenge is to develop a thermal energy storage system which will sequester the energy from a photovoltaic (PV) array during the day and allow for its dispersal at night in the form of near boiling water. Looking at our user’s needs, we broke our design solution into four components: water heating, storage, distribution, and controls. Research of all components was conducted to ascertain which …

Performance Analysis For Single-Stage And Multi-Stage Coreless Axial Flux Permanent Magnet Generator With Different Rotor Structures, Habib Asiful

Student Works (2020-2029)

Axial flux permanent magnet (AFPM) generator is a good candidate for both low and high-speed applications. Compared to radial flux machines, AFPM generators can be easily cascaded for enhanced power/torque while maintaining a fixed machine diameter. To improve power density and reduce cogging torque, some researchers have proposed the removal of iron core in the stator of AFPM machine, giving rise to the concept of coreless AFPM machine. Nevertheless, most of these coreless machines still require back iron on the rotor and/stator to reduce leakage flux. In this project, different rotor structures for single-stage coreless AFPM generators were considered, using …