Influence of dust deposition on photovoltaic panel performance

Solar photovoltaic power plants are ideally located in regions with high insolation levels. Photovoltaic performance is affected by high cell temperatures, soiling, mismatch and other balance-of-systems related losses. It is crucial to understand the significance of each of these losses on system performance. Soiling, highly dependent on installation conditions, is a complex performance issue to accurately quantify. The settlement of dust on panel surfaces may or may not be uniform depending on local terrain and environmental factors such as ambient temperature, wind and rainfall. It is essential to investigate the influence of dust settlement on the operating characteristics of photovoltaic systems to better understand losses in performance attributable to soiling. The current voltage (I-V) characteristics of photovoltaic panels reveal extensive information to support degradation analysis of the panels. This paper attempts to understand performance losses due to dust through a dynamic study into the I-V characteristics of panels under varying soiling conditions in an outdoor experimental test-bed. Further, the results of an indoor study simulating the performance of photovoltaic panels under different dust deposition regimes are discussed in this paper. (C) 2014 Monto Mani. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is all open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/).

A trade-off between maxima in efficiency and specific work output of super- and trans-critical CO2 Brayton cycles

Several operational aspects for thermal power plants in general are non-intuitive and involve simultaneous optimization of a number of operational parameters. In the case of solar operated power plants, it is even more difficult due to varying heat source temperatures induced by variability in insolation levels. This paper introduces a quantitative methodology for load regulation of a CO2 based Brayton cycle power plant using the `thermal efficiency and specific work output' coordinate system. The analysis shows that a transcritical CO2 cycle offers more flexibility under part load performance than the supercritical cycle in case of non-solar power plants. However, for concentrated solar power, where efficiency is important, supercritical CO2 cycle fares better than transcritical CO2 cycle. A number of empirical equations relating heat source temperature, high side pressure with efficiency and specific work output are proposed which could assist in generating control algorithms. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Monte Carlo Valuation of natural gas investments

This paper deals with the valuation of energy assets related to natural gas. In particular, we evaluate a baseload Natural Gas Combined Cycle (NGCC) power plant and an ancillary instalation, namely a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facility, in a realistic setting; specifically, these investments enjoy a long useful life but require some non-negligible time to build. Then we focus on the valuation of several investment options again in a realistic setting. These include the option to invest in the power plant when there is uncertainty concerning the initial outlay, or the option's time to maturity, or the cost of CO2 emission permits, or when there is a chance to double the plant size in the future. Our model comprises three sources of risk. We consider uncertain gas prices with regard to both the current level and the long-run equilibrium level; the current electricity price is also uncertain. They all are assumed to show mean reversion. The two-factor model for natural gas price is calibrated using data from NYMEX NG futures contracts. Also, we calibrate the one-factor model for electricity price using data from the Spanish wholesale electricity market, respectively. Then we use the estimated parameter values alongside actual physical parameters from a case study to value natural gas plants. Finally, the calibrated parameters are also used in a Monte Carlo simulation framework to evaluate several American-type options to invest in these energy assets. We accomplish this by following the least squares MC approach.

The mechanical effects of water flow on fish eggs and larvae

The impact of mechanical stresses upon ichthyoplankton entrained in power plant cooling systems has long been considered negligible. Arguments and evidence exist, however, to show that such a supposition is not universally true, especially in nuclear power plants. The mechanisms of mechanical damage can be detailed in terms of pressure change, acceleration, and shear stress with in the fluid flow field. Laboratory efforts to quantify the effects of mechanical stress have been very sparse. A well-planned bioassay is urgently needed. (PDF has 11 pages.)

Effects and impacts of physical stress on entrained organisms.

Environmental studies of power plants have recently shifted their emphasis from examination of the effects of heated discharges to studies of the impacts of entire cooling systems. One of the major impacts arises when planktonic organisms are carried into and through a plant with the cooling water. Because of their relatively immobile, free-floating character, planktonic organisms are highly vulnerable to being "entrained" or passively drawn into the cooling water condenser systems of power plants. More than 70% of estuarine animals have planktonic eggs and larvae. The environmental impact of entrainment is related to the composition and abundance of affected organisms, the numbers of organisms in the adjacent waters, survival rates during entrainment as related to natural survival, the ecological roles of entrained organisms, and their reproductive strategies.

The Economics of Gasification: A Market-Based Approach

This paper deals with the economics of gasification facilities in general and IGCC power plants in particular. Regarding the prospects of these systems, passing the technological test is one thing, passing the economic test can be quite another. In this respect, traditional valuations assume constant input and/or output prices. Since this is hardly realistic, we allow for uncertainty in prices. We naturally look at the markets where many of the products involved are regularly traded. Futures markets on commodities are particularly useful for valuing uncertain future cash flows. Thus, revenues and variable costs can be assessed by means of sound financial concepts and actual market data. On the other hand, these complex systems provide a number of flexibility options (e.g., to choose among several inputs, outputs, modes of operation, etc.). Typically, flexibility contributes significantly to the overall value of real assets. Indeed, maximization of the asset value requires the optimal exercise of any flexibility option available. Yet the economic value of flexibility is elusive, the more so under (price) uncertainty. And the right choice of input fuels and/or output products is a main concern for the facility managers. As a particular application, we deal with the valuation of input flexibility. We follow the Real Options approach. In addition to economic variables, we also address technical and environmental issues such as energy efficiency, utility performance characteristics and emissions (note that carbon constraints are looming). Lastly, a brief introduction to some stochastic processes suitable for valuation purposes is provided.

NOx emission and thermal efficiency of a 300 MWe utility boiler retrofitted by air staging

Full-scale experiments were performed on a 300 MWe utility boiler retrofitted with air staging. In order to improve boiler thermal efficiency and to reduce NOx emission, the influencing factors including the overall excessive air ratio, the secondary air distribution pattern, the damper openings of CCOFA and SOFA, and pulverized coal fineness were investigated. Through comprehensive combustion adjustment, NOx emission decreased 182 ppm (NOx reduction efficiency was 44%), and boiler heat efficiency merely decreased 0.21%. After combustion improvement, high efficiency and low NOx emission was achieved in the utility coal-fired boiler retrofitted with air staging, and the unburned carbon in ash can maintain at a desired level where the utilization of fly-ash as byproducts was not influenced.

Evaluation of two alternative carbon capture and storage technologies

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Effects of Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage in Germany on European Electricity Exchange and Welfare

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Behavior of spherical particles at low Reynolds numbers in a fluctuating translational flow

The behavior of spheres in non-steady translational flow has been studied experimentally for values of Reynolds number from 0.2 to 3000. The aim of the work was to improve our qualitative understanding of particle transport in turbulent gaseous media, a process of extreme importance in power plants and energy transfer mechanisms.

Particles, subjected to sinusoidal oscillations parallel to the direction of steady translation, were found to have changes in average drag coefficient depending upon their translational Reynolds number, the density ratio, and the dimensionless frequency and amplitude of the oscillations. When the Reynolds number based on sphere diameter was less than 200, the oscillation had negligible effect on the average particle drag.

For Reynolds numbers exceeding 300, the coefficient of the mean drag was increased significantly in a particular frequency range. For example, at a Reynolds number of 3000, a 25 per cent increase in drag coefficient can be produced with an amplitude of oscillation of only 2 per cent of the sphere diameter, providing the frequency is near the frequency at which vortices would be shed in a steady flow at the mean speed. Flow visualization shows that over a wide range of frequencies, the vortex shedding frequency locks in to the oscillation frequency. Maximum effect at the natural frequency and lock-in show that a non-linear interaction between wake vortex shedding and the oscillation is responsible for the increase in drag.

Um Sistema de Informações Geográficas para Gestão de Energia Elétrica Móvel - SIGGENELM

Um problema que as empresas distribuidoras de energia elétrica convivem são as quedas repentinas no fornecimento, causando inúmeros prejuízos tanto para essas empresas quanto para seus consumidores. Essa dissertação apresentará uma ferramenta que utilizará conhecimentos de sistemas de informações geográficas junto com o uso de inferência nebulosa para orientar a disposição de veículos híbridos (elétricos e à combustão) que podem operar como mini-usinas elétricas no abastecimento de localidades que esteja necessitando de energia em um determinado momento. Para isso, será levantada uma base de dados com características dos veículos híbridos e locais necessitados, dados esses que alimentarão um sistema nebuloso agregado à ferramenta MapServer e a um SIG (Sistema de Informações Geográficas) para, dessa forma, mostrar como saída do sistema qual veículo estará mais apto naquele instante para abastecer o local da demanda de energia.

Análisis de las diferentes tecnologías de centrales termosolares.

[ES]En este proyecto se recoge un análisis de las diferentes tecnologías de centrales termosolares. Las energías renovables tienen un papel fundamental en el abastecimiento energético futuro, ya que son una fuente inagotable con un impacto medioambiental mínimo. Dentro de las renovables, la energía termosolar es una de las más destacables en España, que se ha situado como el país líder en termosolar. Existen cuatro tecnologías diferentes para este tipo de centrales, por lo que el objetivo de este trabajo es profundizar en su conocimiento y proporcionar un criterio objetivo que permita seleccionar la más adecuada en futuras instalaciones. Para ello, se considerarán tanto aspectos técnicos como económicos, con el fin de estudiar las principales ventajas y desventajas de cada tipo.

Gestión Energética. Estimación de necesidades de potencia eólica.

[ES]Este trabajo de fin de grado (TFG) pretende analizar la evolución de la demanda en el sistema eléctrico peninsular y la potencia disponible para decidir si, en el medio plazo, será necesario incorporar nueva potencia o prescindir de alguna de las centrales existentes. El estudio considerará tanto fuentes de energía renovables como no renovables, centrándose en la necesidad, o no, de incorporar nueva potencia eólica. El TFG considerará los siguientes aspectos: el contexto energético de la península española, el análisis de la situación actual y previsiones. Este TFG responde a la necesidad de realizar una buena gestión energética con el objetivo reducir las emisiones de CO2 mejorando el uso de la energía eólica y optimizando el mix energético.

Proyecto de un parque eólico para la alimentación de las bombas de la central hidráulica de Belesar (Lugo).

[ES]El proyecto consiste en el estudio de las necesidades energéticas de las bombas de una central hidráulica y la construcción de un parque eólico para satisfacer dichas necesidades. Para ello será necesario llevar a cabo un estudio del área y así encontrar el lugar más adecuado para ubicar los aerogeneradores, teniendo en cuenta la frecuencia, velocidad y dirección de los vientos predominantes del lugar. Después habrá que estudiar el mercado y elegir el aerogenerador adecuado para las condiciones del lugar y del viento, atendiendo también a otras cuestiones de relevancia. Se estudiará, además, la posibilidad de inyectar un posible exceso de electricidad a la red general. Una vez hecho esto, habrá que calcular el coste del proyecto.

Poluição do ar: Doenças respiratórias e cardiovasculares. Caso da Região da Grande Tijuca - RJ.

A poluição do ar é um problema de saúde pública nas grandes cidades, no Brasil e no mundo. As principais fontes de contaminação são as emissões dos veículos automotores, indústrias, usinas de energia, e as atividades humanas em geral, como a agricultura. Os objetivos deste estudo foram investigar as associações de curto prazo entre os níveis de material particulado (PM10) e internações de crianças e idosos, devido a problemas respiratórios ou cardiovasculares em uma região ao leste do Rio de Janeiro cidade, conhecida como Grande Tijuca. Uma associação entre PM10 e os resultados obtidos sobre a população sensível foi encontrada na área de estudo.