Life cycle cost analysis of silicon and organic building integrated photovoltaic systems (BiPV)

Despite the undisputed benefits associated with photovoltaic (PV) technology, the financial barrier acts as the major hurdle before it is seen as a commercial competitive form of renewable energy. Many studies have been performed outlining the life cycle energy benefits of PV technology. However, there has been limited number of studies dedicated to the life cycle cost impacts. The aim of this paper is to identify whether life cycle cost analysis is the best approach to determining the cost contributors or savings associated with this technology. This paper has been structured similarly to previous life cycle energy studies to consider the cost implications involved within each area of the products lifecycle. Amongst many new developments, traditional silicon based units have been challenged by the introduction of new organic systems; and recent studies highlight that these systems offer major cost reductions. Based on an analysis of current literature, this paper identifies that the recent growth and development of both organic and silicon based systems have had a considerable effect on the cost of PV cells. The competitive nature of the renewable energy market will also impact on a life cycle cost analysis; and any potential findings will valid for a limited timeframe.

Examining performance of aggregation algorithms for neural network-based electricity demand forecasting

The aim of this research is to examine the efficiency of different aggregation algorithms to the forecasts obtained from individual neural network (NN) models in an ensemble. In this study an ensemble of 100 NN models are constructed with a heterogeneous architecture. The outputs from NN models are combined by three different aggregation algorithms. These aggregation algorithms comprise of a simple average, trimmed mean, and a Bayesian model averaging. These methods are utilized with certain modifications and are employed on the forecasts obtained from all individual NN models. The output of the aggregation algorithms is analyzed and compared with the individual NN models used in NN ensemble and with a Naive approach. Thirty-minutes interval electricity demand data from Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) and the New York Independent System Operator's web site (NYISO) are used in the empirical analysis. It is observed that the aggregation algorithm perform better than many of the individual NN models. In comparison with the Naive approach, the aggregation algorithms exhibit somewhat better forecasting performance.

EDF and the Brazilian Power Sector

Electricité de France (EDF) is a leading player in the European energy market by being both the first electricity producer in Europe and the world’s leading nuclear plant operator. EDF is also the first electricity producer and supplier in France. However, Europe, EDF’s core market, is currently underperforming: the European sovereign debt crisis is lowering significantly the growth perspective of an energy market that has already reached its maturity. As a consequence, European energy companies are now looking at international markets and especially BRIC economies where economic growth potential remains high. Among them, Brazil is expected to keep its strong economic and electricity demand growth perspectives for the coming decades. Though Brazil has not been considered as a strategic priority for EDF after the Light reversal in 2006, the current economic situation has led the Group to reconsider its position toward the country. EDF’s current presence in Brazil is limited to its stake in UTE Norte Fluminense, a thermal plant, located in the state of Rio de Janeiro. This report investigates the possibility and the feasibility of EDF’s activities expansion in Brazil and what added value it could bring for the Brazilian power market. Considering that the status quo would not allow EDF to take full advantage of Brazil’s future growth, this work is identifying the various options that are currently opened to EDF: market exit, status quo, EDF alone, local partner. For that purpose, this study collects and analyses the latest energy market data as well as generation companies’ information which are necessary to give a relevant overview of the current brazilian power sector and to present EDF strategic options for the country.

Análise da comercialização de energia elétrica cogerada pelo setor sucroalcooleiro no estado de São Paulo

O Brasil viveu, em 2001, uma crise de oferta de energia elétrica sem precedentes que coincidiu com o processo de reestruturação do setor elétrico brasileiro e possibilitou aos autoprodutores de energia elétrica,como o setor sucroalcooleiro, comercializarem o excedente de energia, obtidos pelo processo de cogeração, que apesar do elevado potencial de comercialização, não está sendo devidamente aproveitado. Este trabalho teve por objetivo caracterizar o mercado de energia elétrica cogerada e analisar os obstáculos à comercialização da energia cogerada, à luz da existência dos custos de transação e econômicos, enfrentados pelo setor sucroalcooleiro e distribuidoras. Para a coleta de informações, foram realizadas entrevistas semi-estruturadas com o responsável pela área de cogeração das usinas e distribuidora de energia, que consistiam em perguntas pré-determinadas que foram lidas na mesma ordem e da mesma maneira para todos os entrevistados para assegurar a comparabilidade dos resultados. As entrevistas foram gravadas, transcritas e examinadas por meio da análise de conteúdo. Os resultados indicaram que poderiam ser estabelecidos contratos de longo prazo, mas os custos de transação e econômicos entre os agentes podem estar superando os benefícios da comercialização de energia elétrica cogerada, fazendo os agentes atuarem preferencialmente no mercado spot

Allocation of the costs of transmission losses

An analysis of the performance of six major methods of loss allocation for generators and demands was conducted, based on pro-rata (two), on incremental factors (two), on proportional sharing (PS) (one), and on electric circuit theory (one). Using relatively simple examples which can easily be checked, the advantages and disadvantages of each were ascertained and the results confirmed using a larger sample system (IEEE-118). The discussion considers the location and size of generators and demands, as well as the merits of the location of these agents for each configuration based on an analysis of the effect of various network modifications. Furthermore, an application in the South-Southeastern Brazilian Systems is performed. Conclusions and recommendations are presented. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Location and contract pricing of distributed generation using a genetic algorithm

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Bilevel approach for optimal location and contract pricing of distributed generation in radial distribution systems using mixed-integer linear programming

In this study, a novel approach for the optimal location and contract pricing of distributed generation (DG) is presented. Such an approach is designed for a market environment in which the distribution company (DisCo) can buy energy either from the wholesale energy market or from the DG units within its network. The location and contract pricing of DG is determined by the interaction between the DisCo and the owner of the distributed generators. The DisCo intends to minimise the payments incurred in meeting the expected demand, whereas the owner of the DG intends to maximise the profits obtained from the energy sold to the DisCo. This two-agent relationship is modelled in a bilevel scheme. The upper-level optimisation is for determining the allocation and contract prices of the DG units, whereas the lower-level optimisation is for modelling the reaction of the DisCo. The bilevel programming problem is turned into an equivalent single-level mixed-integer linear optimisation problem using duality properties, which is then solved using commercially available software. Results show the robustness and efficiency of the proposed model compared with other existing models. As regards to contract pricing, the proposed approach allowed to find better solutions than those reported in previous works. © The Institution of Engineering and Technology 2013.

Detecção de faltas em sistemas de distribuição de energia elétrica usando dispositivos programáveis

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Planejamento da expansão de sistemas elétricos de distribuição considerando fatores de riscos em análise econômica

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Um modelo de pré-despacho hidrotérmico para mercados de energia

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Modelo de leilão multiperíodo para sistemas hidrotérmicos com representação da transmissão

Pós-graduação em Engenharia Elétrica - FEB

Um modelo de pré-despacho para o ambiente dos novos mercados de energia

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Análise técnico-econômica da utilização de um gerador à gás natural em um sistema de cogeração: estudo de caso

Pós-graduação em Engenharia Mecânica - FEG

Avaliação de Localizção e preço de contrato de geração distribuida em um ambiente competitivo

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Alocação de perdas e custos pelo uso do sistema de transmissão

Pós-graduação em Engenharia Elétrica - FEIS