Large scale solar power plant flat roof and carport installation in Finland

This work focuses on the 159.5 kW solar photovoltaic power plant project installed at the Lappeenranta University of Technology in 2013 as an example of what a solar plant project could be in Finland. The project consists of a two row carport and a flat roof installation on the roof of the university laboratories. The purpose of this project is not only its obvious energy savings potential but also to serve as research and teaching laboratory tool. By 2013, there were not many large scale solar power plants in Finland. For this reason, the installation and data experience from the solar power plant at LUT has brought valuable information for similar projects in northern countries. This work includes a first part for the design and acquisition of the project to continue explaining about the components and their installation. At the end, energy produced by this solar power plant is studied and calculated to find out some relevant economical results. For this, the radiation arriving to southern Finland, the losses of the system in cold weather and the impact of snow among other aspects are taken into account.

Project owner���s and outside engineering consultant���s role in power plant implementation projects

The purpose of this study was to investigate the nature of co-operation between a project owner and an outside engineering consultant in combined heat and power plant implementation projects. Moreover, as another focal subject of the study was to familiarize the purchasing behavior of the energy producer and how an outside engineering consultant participated into different stages of the purchasing process. The study was carried out as a multiple case study including altogether six Finnish power plant implementation projects that had been taken into commercial use during 1995 ��� 2015. By adjusting the findings of empirical interview data and comparing those to the theoretical framework concerning, among others, Finnish energy production, engineering consulting businesses, delivery methods of construction project and finally the purchasing process, it can be concluded that especially in the power plant implementation projects in the past have a great influence to decisions made during the project. The role of the main engineering consultant is to act as an assistant, who helps to achieve the project goals successfully rather than an advisor who only knows how the project should be conducted. At least in these five project cases this was the case, meaning that the final decision power always remaining with project owner.

Hydraulic studies of a pressure reducing system for the transformer cooling water, Grand Coulee Power Plant, Columbia Basin Project, Washington /

Mode of access: Internet.

Project finance in Hungarian electricity sector. Effect of feed-in tariff system���s change onto power plant investments

The research analyses the former and the current status of the small gas-motor power plant investments in the Hungarian energy sector. It discusses the development of project financing in the segment and the major changes and effects of new regulations and subsidy-policy implemented in 2010. The objective of this paper is to present the results of an empirical research of the so called GCHP projects, and to draw conclusion concerning how classic project financing conditions were present and changed during the last decade, and how regulation affected the current and future financial status of these projects.

Analysis of a controversial decision process: the case of the pumped hydro storage power plant Atdorf in Germany

Based on the report for the unit ���M��todos Interactivos de Participa����o e Decis��o A��� (Interactive methods of participation and decision A), coordinated by Prof. Lia Maldonado Teles de Vasconcelos and Prof. Nuno Miguel Ribeiro Videira Costa. This unit was provided for the PhD Program in Technology Assessment in 2015/2016.

Competitiveness Survey of a Biofuel Power Plant

Ty��n tarkoituksena on tarkastella Euroopan siirtym��talousalueelta kotimaisen biopoltto-ainevoimalaitoksen kilpailukyky�� potentiaalisimmiksi markkinakohteiksi arvioitujen nykyisten Eu-valtioiden osalta. Ty�� tehd����n osana kokoluokaltaan 3,5 MWth/1,0 MWe pienvoimalaitoksen tuotekehityshanketta, joka on k��ynnistynyt Varkaudessa t��m��n vuoden maaliskuussa. Potentiaalisimpien siirtym��talousmaiden valintakriteerein�� on k��ytetty aiempia tutkimuksia ja raportteja. Huomio keskitet����n kiinte��n biopolttoaineen resursseihin ja biopolttoaineisiin pohjautuvalle energiantuotannolle asetettuihin tavoitteisiin. Edell�� mainittujen kriteerien pohjalta tarkasteltaviksi valittujen valtioiden osalta tehtiin tarkemmat kilpailukykyanalyysit, otettiin yhteytt�� markkina-alueeltaalan ammattilaisiin ja kartoitettiin potentiaalisimmat markkinakohteet. Tavoitteena on arvioida varteenotettavin kilpailija kiinteisiin biopolttoaineisiin pohjautuvalle s��hk��n ja l��mm��n yhteistuotannolle, jonka perusteella laaditaan mallivoimalaitoksen kilpailukykyisen hinnan m����ritt��miseksi tiettyyn takaisinmaksuaikaan ja korkotekij����n perustuen. Lopulta tehd����n maakohtaisesti yhteenveto merkitt��vimmist�� markkinapotentiaaliin vaikuttavista kilpailutekij��ist��, arvioidaan potentiaalisin kohdemaa sek�� esitet����n mahdollinen investoinnin rahoitusvaihtoehto ja keinoja markkinoida tuotetta potentiaalisille asiakkaille.

Economics of combined power plant and pyrolysis bio-oil production

There are reasons of necessity in bio-fuel use and bio-energy fast development. It includes the material about bio-energy technologies, applications and methods. There are basic thermodynamics and economic theories. The economic calculation presents the comparison between two combinations. There are boiler plant below 20 MW in combination with ablative pyrolysis plant for bio-oil production and CHP plant below 100 MW in combination with the RTP pyrolysis bio-oil production technology. It provides a material about wood chips and bio-oil characteristics and explains it nature, presents the situation around the bio-fuel market or bio-fuel trade. There is a description of pyrolysis technologies such as ablative and RTP. The liquid product of the pyrolysis processes is bio-oil. The bio-oil could be different even of the same production process, because of the raw material nature and characteristics. The calculation shows advantages and weaknesses of combinations and obtained a proof of suppositions. The next thing, proven by this work is the fact that to get more efficiency from energy project it is good possibility to built plants in combinations.

Developing construction site operations for EPC power plant projects

The purpose of this thesis is to find development areas for site operations in power plant construction projects delivered by W��rtsil��. The inspected operations are subcontractor management, site material management and work scheduling. The contractor's role in EPC project is to respond for engineering, procurement, and construction supervision. Geographical and cultural differences brings challenges for finding development areas as W��rtsil�� delivers projects world-wide. Searching for development area is mainly made with survey, which answers were collected from the target company's site personnel. Based on the results, with good planning and preparation various problems would be avoided. An external view for the thesis was collected by an expert interview, which was held to three expe-rienced construction operating executives. Interviewees believed that with the se-lection of right site personnel and clearly defined areas of responsibility will great-ly affect the outcome of the project. Some of the theory has been collected from areas, which have helped to under-stand the inspected operations on site. Improving competence knowledge has been important due to the broad scope of work and the author���s inexperience of the topic. Also generally effective practices from construction projects has been col-lected to the theory part. Functionality of general practices have been reflected together with the results of empirically collected data for W��rtsil��'s projects. As a result, a model was generated where development proposals and the benefits from new procedures were presented.

Aging of nuclear power plant cables: in search of non-destructive diagnostic quantities

The safety systems of nuclear power plants rely on low-voltage power, instrumentation and control cables. Inside the containment area, cables operate in harsh environments, characterized by relatively high temperature and gamma-irradiation. As these cables are related to fundamental safety systems, they must be able to withstand unexpected accident conditions and, therefore, their condition assessment is of utmost importance as plants age and lifetime extensions are required. Nowadays, the integrity and functionality of these cables are monitored mainly through destructive test which requires specific laboratory. The investigation of electrical aging markers which can provide information about the state of the cable by non-destructive testing methods would improve significantly the present diagnostic techniques. This work has been made within the framework of the ADVANCE (Aging Diagnostic and Prognostics of Low-Voltage I\&C Cables) project, a FP7 European program. This Ph.D. thesis aims at studying the impact of aging on cable electrical parameters, in order to understand the evolution of the electrical properties associated with cable degradation. The identification of suitable aging markers requires the comparison of the electrical property variation with the physical/chemical degradation mechanisms of polymers for different insulating materials and compositions. The feasibility of non-destructive electrical condition monitoring techniques as potential substitutes for destructive methods will be finally discussed studying the correlation between electrical and mechanical properties. In this work, the electrical properties of cable insulators are monitored and characterized mainly by dielectric spectroscopy, polarization/depolarization current analysis and space charge distribution. Among these techniques, dielectric spectroscopy showed the most promising results; by means of dielectric spectroscopy it is possible to identify the frequency range where the properties are more sensitive to aging. In particular, the imaginary part of permittivity at high frequency, which is related to oxidation, has been identified as the most suitable aging marker based on electrical quantities.

Hybrid wind-diesel power plant valuation and optimization using real option theory and dynamic programming

El sistema de energ��a e��lica-diesel h��brido tiene un gran potencial en la prestaci��n de suministro de energ��a a comunidades remotas. En comparaci��n con los sistemas tradicionales de diesel, las plantas de energ��a h��bridas ofrecen grandes ventajas tales como el suministro de capacidad de energ��a extra para "microgrids", reducci��n de los contaminantes y emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero, y la cobertura del riesgo de aumento inesperado del precio del combustible. El principal objetivo de la presente tesis es proporcionar nuevos conocimientos para la evaluaci��n y optimizaci��n de los sistemas de energ��a h��brido e��lico-diesel considerando las incertidumbres. Dado que la energ��a e��lica es una variable estoc��stica, ��sta no puede ser controlada ni predecirse con exactitud. La naturaleza incierta del viento como fuente de energ��a produce serios problemas tanto para la operaci��n como para la evaluaci��n del valor del sistema de energ��a e��lica-diesel h��brido. Por un lado, la regulaci��n de la potencia inyectada desde las turbinas de viento es una dif��cil tarea cuando opera el sistema h��brido. Por otro lado, el bene.cio econ��mico de un sistema e��lico-diesel h��brido se logra directamente a trav��s de la energ��a entregada a la red de alimentaci��n de la energ��a e��lica. Consecuentemente, la incertidumbre de los recursos e��licos incrementa la dificultad de estimar los beneficios globales en la etapa de planificaci��n. La principal preocupaci��n del modelo tradicional determinista es no tener en cuenta la incertidumbre futura a la hora de tomar la decisi��n de operaci��n. Con lo cual, no se prev�� las acciones operativas flexibles en respuesta a los escenarios futuros. El an��lisis del rendimiento y simulaci��n por ordenador en el Proyecto E��lico San Crist��bal demuestra que la incertidumbre sobre la energ��a e��lica, las estrategias de control, almacenamiento de energ��a, y la curva de potencia de aerogeneradores tienen un impacto significativo sobre el rendimiento del sistema. En la presente tesis, se analiza la relaci��n entre la teor��a de valoraci��n de opciones y el proceso de toma de decisiones. La opci��n real se desarrolla con un modelo y se presenta a trav��s de ejemplos pr��cticos para evaluar el valor de los sistemas de energ��a e��lica-diesel h��bridos. Los resultados muestran que las opciones operacionales pueden aportar un valor adicional para el sistema de energ��a h��brida, cuando esta flexibilidad operativa se utiliza correctamente. Este marco se puede aplicar en la optimizaci��n de la operaci��n a corto plazo teniendo en cuenta la naturaleza dependiente de la trayectoria de la pol��tica ��ptima de despacho, dadas las plausibles futuras realizaciones de la producci��n de energ��a e��lica. En comparaci��n con los m��todos de valoraci��n y optimizaci��n existentes, el resultado del caso de estudio num��rico muestra que la pol��tica de operaci��n resultante del modelo de optimizaci��n propuesto presenta una notable actuaci��n en la reducci��n del con- sumo total de combustible del sistema e��lico-diesel. Con el .n de tomar decisiones ��ptimas, los operadores de plantas de energ��a y los gestores de ��stas no deben centrarse s��lo en el resultado directo de cada acci��n operativa, tampoco deber��an tomar decisiones deterministas. La forma correcta es gestionar din��micamente el sistema de energ��a teniendo en cuenta el valor futuro condicionado en cada opci��n frente a la incertidumbre. ABSTRACT Hybrid wind-diesel power systems have a great potential in providing energy supply to remote communities. Compared with the traditional diesel systems, hybrid power plants are providing many advantages such as providing extra energy capacity to the micro-grid, reducing pollution and greenhouse-gas emissions, and hedging the risk of unexpected fuel price increases. This dissertation aims at providing novel insights for assessing and optimizing hybrid wind-diesel power systems considering the related uncertainties. Since wind power can neither be controlled nor accurately predicted, the energy harvested from a wind turbine may be considered a stochastic variable. This uncertain nature of wind energy source results in serious problems for both the operation and value assessment of the hybrid wind-diesel power system. On the one hand, regulating the uncertain power injected from wind turbines is a difficult task when operating the hybrid system. On the other hand, the economic profit of a hybrid wind-diesel system is achieved directly through the energy delivered to the power grid from the wind energy. Therefore, the uncertainty of wind resources has increased the difficulty in estimating the total benefits in the planning stage. The main concern of the traditional deterministic model is that it does not consider the future uncertainty when making the dispatch decision. Thus, it does not provide flexible operational actions in response to the uncertain future scenarios. Performance analysis and computer simulation on the San Cristobal Wind Project demonstrate that the wind power uncertainty, control strategies, energy storage, and the wind turbine power curve have a significant impact on the performance of the system. In this dissertation, the relationship between option pricing theory and decision making process is discussed. A real option model is developed and presented through practical examples for assessing the value of hybrid wind-diesel power systems. Results show that operational options can provide additional value to the hybrid power system when this operational flexibility is correctly utilized. This framework can be applied in optimizing short term dispatch decisions considering the path-dependent nature of the optimal dispatch policy, given the plausible future realizations of the wind power production. Comparing with the existing valuation and optimization methods, result from numerical example shows that the dispatch policy resulting from the proposed optimization model exhibits a remarkable performance in minimizing the total fuel consumption of the wind-diesel system. In order to make optimal decisions, power plant operators and managers should not just focus on the direct outcome of each operational action; neither should they make deterministic decisions. The correct way is to dynamically manage the power system by taking into consideration the conditional future value in each option in response to the uncertainty.

Will the construction of a nuclear power plant in Belarus exacerbate the country's energy dependence on Russia? OSW Commentary No. 87, 2012-07-23

During Russian PM Dmitry Medvedev���s working visit to Minsk on 18 July, Russia and Belarus signed a general contract for the construction of a nuclear power plant in Belarus. The signature brought to an end the complex negotiations which had been underway since January 2009 involving the leadership in Minsk, the Russian government and Atomstroyexport, the Russian company that will be the main contractor of the investment. However, the power plant���s future ownership structure, management arrangements and terms and conditions of profit sharing remain unclear. The Belarusian leadership hopes that with the launch of the nuclear power plant, it will be able to reduce gas imports from Russia, gas being the main resource used in producing heat and electricity in Belarus. This should in turn reduce the costs of energy generation. In addition, Minsk expects that the new investment will allow it to export electricity surpluses to the European Union, including Poland. Agreements concerning the power plant have been concluded over the last year or so and, according to these, Russia has acquired partial control of the Belarusian electricity grid, especially with regard to the transmission of energy to foreign markets. Russia is also the sole creditor and contractor for the investment, and the sole future provider of nuclear fuel. Therefore, implementation of the project will exacerbate Minsk���s already significant dependence on Moscow in energy and political terms.

Risk-based decision making method for maintenance policy selection of thermal power plant equipment

This study presents a decision-making method for maintenance policy selection of power plants equipment. The method is based on risk analysis concepts. The method first step consists in identifying critical equipment both for power plant operational performance and availability based on risk concepts. The second step involves the proposal of a potential maintenance policy that could be applied to critical equipment in order to increase its availability. The costs associated with each potential maintenance policy must be estimated, including the maintenance costs and the cost of failure that measures the critical equipment failure consequences for the power plant operation. Once the failure probabilities and the costs of failures are estimated, a decision-making procedure is applied to select the best maintenance policy. The decision criterion is to minimize the equipment cost of failure, considering the costs and likelihood of occurrence of failure scenarios. The method is applied to the analysis of a lubrication oil system used in gas turbines journal bearings. The turbine has more than 150 MW nominal output, installed in an open cycle thermoelectric power plant. A design modification with the installation of a redundant oil pump is proposed for lubricating oil system availability improvement. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Thermodynamic information system for diagnosis and prognosis of power plant operation condition

A thermodynamic information system for diagnosis and prognosis of an existing power plant was developed. The system is based on an analytic approach that informs the current thermodynamic condition of all cycle components, as well as the improvement that can be obtained in the cycle performance by the elimination of the discovered anomalies. The effects induced by components anomalies and repairs in other components efficiency, which have proven to be one of the main drawbacks in the diagnosis and prognosis analyses, are taken into consideration owing to the use of performance curves and corrected performance curves together with the thermodynamic data collected from the distributed control system. The approach used to develop the system is explained, the system implementation in a real gas turbine cogeneration combined cycle is described and the results are discussed. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Research on evaluation system of emergency disposal plan for power plant incidents

This paper starts with the analysis of the unusual inherence mechanism, from two aspects: accumulating and human error. We put forward twelve factors affected the decision of the emergency treatment plan in practice and summarized the evaluation index system combining with literature data. Then we screened out eighteen representative indicators by used the FDM expert questionnaire in the first phase. Hereafter, we calculated the weight of evaluation index and sorted them by the FAHP expert questionnaire, and came up with the frame of the evaluation rule by combined with the experience. In the end, the evaluation principles are concluded.