Oil, Gas, and Energy Commons^™

Solar Power And The Electric Grid, Energy Analysis, Nrel Energy Analysis

Publications (E)

In today’s electricity generation system, different resources make different contributions to the electricity grid. This fact sheet illustrates the roles of distributed and centralized renewable energy technologies, particularly solar power, and how they will contribute to the future electricity system. The advantages of a diversified mix of power generation systems are highlighted.

Consortia Focused On Photovoltaic R&D, Manufacturing, And Testing: A Review Of Existing Models And Structures, Charlie Coggeshall, Robert M. Margolis

Publications (E)

As the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Solar Energy Technologies Program prepares to initiate a new cost-shared research and development (R&D) effort on photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing, it is useful to review the experience to date with consortia focused on PV R&D, manufacturing, and testing. Information was gathered for this report by conducting interviews and accessing Web sites of 14 U.S. consortia and four European consortia, each with either a primary focus on or an emerging interest in PV technology R&D, manufacturing, or testing. Additional input was collected from several workshops held by the DOE and National Academy of Sciences (NAS) …

Preliminary Investigation Of Methods For Correcting For Variations In Solar Spectrum Under Clear Skies, B. Marion

Publications (E)

Two types of methods were evaluated for correcting the short-circuit current of photovoltaic (PV) modules for variations in the solar spectrum under clear skies: (1) empirical relationships based on air mass, and (2) use of spectral irradiance models and PV module spectral response data. Methods of the first type were the Sandia absolute air-mass function, or f(AM(a)), and the CREST air-mass function, or f(AM). The second type used SEDES2 and SMARTS spectral irradiance models. The methods were evaluated using data recorded during June, September, and December 2008 at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and during June 2008 at the Florida …

Solar Eclipse Monitoring For Solar Energy Applications Using The Solar And Moon Position Algorithms, Ibrahim Reda

Publications (E)

This report includes a procedure for implementing an algorithm (described by Jean Meeus [1]) to calculate the Moon’s zenith angle with uncertainty of ±0.001° and azimuth angle with uncertainty of ±0.003°. The step-by-step format presented here simplifies the complicated steps Meeus describes to calculate the Moon’s position, and focuses on the Moon instead of the planets and stars. It also introduces some changes to accommodate for solar radiation applications. These include changing the direction of measuring azimuth angles from north and eastward instead of from south and eastward, and the direction of measuring the observer’s geographical longitude to be measured …

What Is Clean Cities?, U.S. Department Of Energy

Publications (T)

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Vehicle Technologies Program (VTP), Clean Cities is a government- industry partnership designed to reduce petroleum consumption in the transportation sector. Clean Cities contributes to the energy, environmental, and economic security of the United States by supporting local decisions to reduce our dependence on imported petroleum. Established in 1993 in response to the Energy Policy Act (EPAct) of 1992, the partnership provides tools and resources for voluntary, communitycentered programs to reduce consumption of petroleum-based fuels.

Battle For The Arctic/The Tipping Point, Thomas A. Ipri

Library Faculty Research

Although The Tipping Point: Global Warming at the Arctic Circle and The Battle for the Arctic come from different filmmakers and different distributors, they work well together as companion films. Both films are under 50 minutes each, making them a good fit for many classroom settings.

Algal Biofuel, Feb 5, 2010, Harry Reid Center, University Of Nevada, Las Vegas

Biofuels

News in Brief

1. UVa engineers find significant environmental impacts with algae-based biofuel (Jan-21, 2010)

2. IPCC scientist: Global cooling headed our way for the next 30 years? (Jan 11, 2010)

3. Shining a Light on Plants' Quantum Secret to Boost Photosynthesis (Feb 3, 2010)

The Value Of Concentrating Solar Power And Thermal Energy Storage, Ramteen Sioshansi, Paul Denholm

Publications (E)

This paper examines the value of concentrating solar power (CSP) and thermal energy storage (TES) in four regions in the southwestern United States. Our analysis shows that TES can increase the value of CSP by allowing more thermal energy from a CSP plant’s solar field to be used, by allowing a CSP plant to accommodate a larger solar field, and by allowing CSP generation to be shifted to hours with higher energy prices. We analyze the sensitivity of CSP value to a number of factors, including the optimization period, price and solar forecasting, ancillary service sales, capacity value and dry …

Doe Request For Information (Rfi) De-Foa-0000153 Pv Manufacturing Initiative: Summary Report, National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Publications (E)

Clean Cities hosts a collection of tools on the exploring concepts for a “PV Manufacturing Initiative” to facilitate the development of a strong photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing industry in the United States. As an integral part this effort, and to inform the creation of a new funding opportunity in this area, DOE sought feedback from the PV industry.

This document summarizes the results of the PV Manufacturing Request for Information (RFI), DE-FOA-0000153. (See Attachment 1.) The RFI was posted on http://www.grants.gov on 4 September 2009 and the NREL Web site on 9 September 2009. Respondents were asked to submit RFI inputs …

Updated U.S. Geothermal Supply Curve, Chad Augustine, Katherine R. Young, Arlene Anderson

Publications (E)

This paper documents the approach used to update the U.S. geothermal supply curve. The geothermal supply curve analysis undertaken in this study estimates the supply of electricity generation potential from geothermal resources in the United States and the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), capital costs, and operating and maintenance costs associated with developing these geothermal resources. The supply curve data are used as input to annual reporting by the U.s. Department of Energy (DOE) under the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993, the DOE portfolio development support processes, and market penetration models in support of other DOE analyses. Supply …

Report On The U.S. Doe Geothermal Technologies Program's 2009 Risk Analysis, Katherine R. Young, Chad Augustine, Arlene Anderson

Publications (E)

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Geothermal Technologies Program (GTP or “the Program”) conducted a detailed risk analysis of their annual research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) portfolio. The Program worked with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to implement a probabilistic risk analysis of the GTP-sponsored RD&D, primarily enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) in accordance with Program budget authority. EGS technologies are in the early stages of development, and GTP-sponsored, multi-year demonstration projects are now underway to demonstrate technical feasibility, reduce risk for industry, and improve EGS best practices. The risk analysis examined estimates of improvement potential for two metric types: …

Characterization Of Winds Through The Rotor Plane Using A Phased Array Sodar And Recommendations For Future Work, Regina Anne Deola

Publications (E)

Portable remote sensing devices are increasingly needed to cost effectively characterize the meteorology at a potential wind energy site as the size of modern wind turbines increase. A short term project co-locating a Sound Detection and Ranging System (SODAR) with a 200 meter instrumented meteorological tower at the Texas Tech Wind Technology Field Site was performed to collect and summarize wind information through an atmospheric layer typical of utility scale rotor plane depths. Data collected identified large speed shears and directional shears that may lead to unbalanced loads on the rotors. This report identifies suggestions for incorporation of additional data …

Algal Biofuel, Jan. 29, 2010, Harry Reid Center, University Of Nevada, Las Vegas

Biofuels

News in Brief

1. Washington State University on track for $2 million algae research appropriation. (July 10, 2009)

2. $2 million for clean energy algae biofuels research at Washington State University in the fiscal year 2010 Senate Energy and Water Development appropriations bill has been included in the final version of the spending bill. (2010)

3. Department of Energy Announces Inaugural ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit. Washington DC. March 1-3 (Jan 7, 2010)

4. Department of Energy to Invest $366M in Energy Innovation Hubs (Dec. 22, 2009)

5. Catilin Contributes Key Extraction, Sequestration and Conversion Technologies to NAABB Consortium Developing Algal …

Algal Biofuel, [Jan. 21, 2010], Harry Reid Center, University Of Nevada, Las Vegas

Biofuels

News in Brief

1. UVa engineers find significant environmental impacts with algae-based biofuel (Jan-21, 2010)

Split Estate, Thomas A. Ipri

Library Faculty Research

The concept of a split estate refers to the fact that owners of a property do not necessarily own the minerals and resources that reside under the property.
/="/">Debra Anderson’s Split Estate highlights the more damning aspects of this oddity by documenting how oil and gas companies are setting up shop on home
/="/">owner’s land. In some instances, oil rigs are constructing within 100 feet of people’s homes.

Wind Power In Nevada, Hamedah Dhalai

Brookings Mountain West Publications

This bibliography compiles scholarly information and new reports on the topic of wind power in Nevada. As a senior at UNLV majoring in both Economics and French, I began this project in June 2010 in consultation with William E. Brown, Jr., director of planning and communications at Brookings Mountain West. This research topic interests me greatly, and I believe that expanded research and commercial development of alternative energy, including wind power, is essential to the growth and development of Nevada. My service as a Student Ambassador in the College of Business, a position that allows me to represent UNLV to …

Concentrating Solar Power Commercial Application Study: Reducing Water Consumption Of Concentrating Solar Power Electricity Generation, U.S. Department Of Energy

Publications (E)

This report discusses potential methods to reduce water consumption associated with CSP. Four main concentrating solar power technologies are described in this report: parabolic troughs, linear Fresnel, power towers, and dish/engine. Parabolic troughs are the most commercially available technology. Linear Fresnel and power tower technologies are presently being planned as commercial plants, but none have yet been built in the U.S. The first three of these technologies use the heat collected from the sun to power conventional Rankine steam cycles, similar to those used for coal and nuclear plants. Steam cycle power plants require cooling to function (cooling is needed …

The Role Of Energy Storage With Renewable Electricity Generation, Paul Denholm, Erik Ela, Brendan Kirby, Michael Milligan

Publications (E)

Renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, have vast potential to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions in the electric sector. Climate change concerns, state initiatives including renewable portfolio standards, and consumer efforts are resulting in increased deployments of both technologies. Both solar photovoltaics (PV) and wind energy have variable and uncertain (sometimes referred to as “intermittent”) output, which are unlike the dispatchable sources used for the majority of electricity generation in the United States. The variability of these sources has led to concerns regarding the reliability of an electric grid that derives a large fraction …

Wind For Schools: A Wind Powering America Project, National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Publications (E)

Energy is largely taken for granted within our society, but that perception is changing as the economic and environmental impacts of our current energy structure are more widely understood. The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Wind Powering America program sponsors the Wind for Schools Project to raise awareness in rural America about the benefits of wind energy while simultaneously developing a wind energy knowledge base in the United States to educate future leaders of our communities, states, and nation about the importance of renewable energy.

The three primary project goals of the Wind for Schools Project are to:

• Engage …

2008 Solar Technologies Market Report, U.S. Department Of Energy

Publications (E)

This report focuses on the U.S. solar electricity market, including photovoltaic (PV) and concentrating solar power (CSP) technologies. The report provides an overview of global and U.S. installation trends. It also presents production and shipment data, material and supply chain issues, and solar industry employment trends. It also presents cost, price, and performance trends; and discusses policy and market drivers such as recently passed federal legislation, state and local policies, and developments in project financing. The final chapter provides data on private investment trends and near-term market forecasts.

Analysis Of Hybrid Hydrogen Systems: Final Report, J. Dean, R. Braun, D. Munoz, M. Penev, C. Kinchin

Publications (E)

This project examined biomass pathways for hydrogen production and how they can be hybridized to support renewable electricity generation. The project considered many potential hybrid systems before narrowing the focus to two. The systems were studied in detail for process feasibility and economic performance. The best-performing system was estimated to produce hydrogen at a cost ($1.67/kg) within range of the Department of Energy target for central biomass-derived hydrogen production, while also providing value-added energy services to the electric grid.

Nrel: A Year In Clean Energy Innovations: A Review Of Nrel's Feature Stories, National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Publications (E)

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is the nation’s primary laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development.

NREL’s mission and strategy are focused on advancing the U.S. Department of Energy’s and our nation’s energy goals. The laboratory’s scientists and researchers support critical market objectives to accelerate research from scientific innovations to market-viable alternative energy solutions. At the core of this strategic direction are NREL’s research and technology development competencies. These areas span from understanding renewable resources for energy, to the conversion of these resources to renewable electricity and fuels, and ultimately to the use of renewable electricity …

Wind Powering America: Fy09 Activities Summary, National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Publications (E)

The Wind Powering America FY09 Activities Summary reflects the accomplishments of state Wind Working Groups, WPA programs at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and partner organizations.

Green Initiatives, Paul Andricopulos, Ned Thomas

Publications (E)

City practices incorporating energy conservation methods.

Connecticut Transit (Cttransit) Fuel Cell Transit Bus: Third Evaluation Report And Appendices, K. Chandler, L. Eudy

Publications (T)

This report describes operations at Connecticut Transit (CTTRANSIT) in Hartford for one prototype fuel cell bus and three newer diesel buses operating from the same location. The prototype fuel cell bus was manufactured by Van Hool and ISE Corp. and features an electric hybrid drive system with a UTC Power PureMotion 120 Fuel Cell Power System and ZEBRA batteries for energy storage. The fuel cell bus started operation in April 2007, and evaluation results through October 2009 are provided in this report.

United Parcel Service Evaluates Hybrid Electric Delivery Vans, National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Publications (T)

This fact sheet describes how the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's Fleet Test and Evaluation team evaluated the 12-month, in-service performance of six Class 4 hybrid electric delivery vans - fueled by regular diesel - and six comparable conventional diesel vans operated by the United Parcel Service.

Solar Technology Innovation Meeting Summary, Solar Innovation And Technology Center

Meetings (SI)

On December 11, 2009, Senator Harry Reid and President Neal Smatresk (UNLV) conveyed a group of approximately 60 people (see attached lists) from the public and private sector to provide input on the structure, focus, and need for a Solar Innovation Technology Center. At this meeting, there were small group discussions followed by a larger group discussion on the needs in the areas of Workforce / Training, Marketing and Finance, Economic and Policy Making, Infrastructure and Manufacturing, Technology Transfer and Commercialization, and Research. The notes below summarize the major comments from the group. This represents individual comments and in other …

College Of Engineering Senior Design Competition Fall 2009, University Of Nevada, Las Vegas

Fred and Harriet Cox Senior Design Competition Projects

Each student in his or her senior year chooses, plans, designs, and prototypes a product in this required element of the curriculum. The senior design project encourages the student to use everything learned in the engineering program to create a practical, real-world solution to an engineering challenge.

A highlight of the year-long senior design project is the senior design competition. This competition, which usually takes place the week before finals each semester, helps focus the senior students on increasing the quality and potential for commercial application for their design projects.

Judges from local industry evaluate the projects on innovation, commercial …

Economic Investigation Of Community-Scale Versus Building Scale Net-Zero Energy, N. Fernandez, S. Katipamula, M. R. Brambley, T. A. Reddy

Publications (E)

The study presented in this report examines issues concerning whether achieving net-zero energy performance at the community scale provides economic and potentially overall efficiency advantages over strategies focused on individual buildings.

Reflective Optics Cpv Panels Enabling Large Scale, Reliable Generation Of Solar Energy Cost Competitive With Fossil Fuels, S. Horne, M. Mcdonald, N. Hartsoch, K. Desy

Publications (E)

The objective of this 18 month subcontract was the improvement of reflective optics CPV panels to enable the large-scale, reliable production of solar electricity to meet SAI-established LCOE targets, and ultimately provide a path to solar power at parity with or better than the cost of energy generated utilizing fossil fuels. To this end, SolFocus has completed this subcontract with great success as evidenced by the end results of a CPV panel with conversion efficiencies greater than the targeted 22% and manufacturing capabilities with a run rate capacity far exceeding the milestone benchmark >3MW.