Field Testing and Performance of an Amonix Multi-Junction Cell Module at the University of Nevada Las Vegas

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth W. Stone ◽  
Robert Gordon ◽  
David Dutra ◽  
Allison Gray ◽  
Rick Hurt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Power Efficiency ◽  
Las Vegas ◽  
Field Testing ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
Energy Research ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Single Plate ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The University ◽  
Cell Module

This paper discusses the installation, operation, and performance of a high concentration photovoltaic single-plate, multi-junction module developed by Amonix and installed at the Center for Energy Research at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). The paper discusses the objectives and goals of this project and describes the principal of the Fresnel optics, the module, and how it was attached to the Amonix 25-kW unit located at the UNLV Center for Energy Research. Also described are how the module is connected to a load and the measurements taken. Data is presented in the paper showing the module has produced power for over 2200 hours at a power efficiency of 26% to 28.6%. Data is also presented showing the next generation single-plate, multi-junction module achieving an efficiency of nearly 30%.

Installation, Operation, and Performance of the Amonix High Concentration Photovoltaic System at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Solar Energy ◽  
2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth W. Stone ◽  
Vahan Garboushian ◽  
Robert Boehm ◽  
Rick Hurt ◽  
Allison Gray ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Las Vegas ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Photovoltaic System ◽  
Site Location ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Component Level ◽  
Photovoltaic Modules ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Power And Energy ◽  
The University

This paper discusses the installation and operation of the Amonix High Concentration Photovoltaic System at the Center for Energy Research at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). This includes the analysis performed to select of the foundation site location, drilling the foundation, installation of the foundation and pedestal, installation of the drive system, and installation of the concentrating photovoltaic modules. The day-to-day operation of the unit is described including an example of the generated power throughout the day. A summary is presented of the performance of the unit since the start of operation in March of 2004. This includes an example of the daily-generated electrical energy for a month, the monthly-generated energy since the start of the program, the total generated energy, the generating time, the peak power, etc. The result of an analysis of the power and energy generated is given that indicates the system performance has not decreased during this period of operation. Operating reliability data of the unit is presented for the system, subsystems, and major component level.

Operation and Performance of the Amonix High Concentration Photovoltaic System at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas During the Second Year of Operation

Solar Energy ◽  
2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth W. Stone ◽  
Vahan Garboushian ◽  
Rick Hurt ◽  
Allison Gray ◽  
Robert Boehm ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Peak Power ◽  
Las Vegas ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Photovoltaic System ◽  
Current Status ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
System Maintenance ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The University

This paper discusses the operation and performance of the Amonix High Concentration Photovoltaic (HCPV) System at the Center for Energy Research at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) from the start of operation in March 2004. The objectives and current status of this two-phase project are discussed, including: a brief description of the system, daily operation, and system maintenance. Also included are: the performance data of Phase I and Phase II showing a typical daily power profile, the accumulated energy generated, daily peak power and daily generated energy, normalized peak power, normalized energy performance, and an estimate of the annual energy performance based upon the actual measured energy during the operation of the system. System reliability data, in terms of mean-time-between-failure, are also presented.

Initial Testing of the HiTek Solar Tracking Monitor

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Kusek ◽  
Michael Caraway ◽  
Timothy McFarland ◽  
Matthew Lynn ◽  
Aaron Sahm ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Measurement Error ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Las Vegas ◽  
High Accuracy ◽  
Energy Research ◽  
Solar Tracking ◽  
Record Data ◽  
Position Data ◽  
The University ◽  
Better Than

HiTek Services, Inc. has designed, fabricated, and tested a solar monitoring system that can measure the sun’s position with high accuracy. Sun position data, measured by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Center for Energy Research, is presented showing that the instrument’s accuracy is better than 0.004 degrees (one σ). A histogram is presented showing that nearly 100 % of the time the measurement error is less than 0.008 degrees. The capability of using multiple sun monitors with synchronized data collection to measure the structural bending of one part of a tracking structure relative to another part of the structure is discussed and data are presented. Other operating features, such as being self-contained, no external cables required, and the ability to record data for a week without recharging the batteries, are discussed.

Field Testing of Concrete Crossties and Fastening Systems for the Understanding of Mechanistic Behavior

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Grassé ◽  
D. Lange
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Field Testing ◽  
Element Model ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Load Path ◽  
High Speed Rail ◽  
Railway Infrastructure ◽  
Field Experimentation ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The University

To adequately satisfy the demands placed on North America’s railway infrastructure through ever increasing freight tonnages and development of its high speed rail program, the design and performance of concrete ties and elastic fastening systems must be improved. As a part of a study funded by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) aimed at improving concrete crossties and fastening systems, field experimentation was performed at the Transportation Technology Center (TTC) in Pueblo, CO by researchers from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). This paper details the extensive instrumentation program which includes strain gages and linear potentiometers. Testing was conducted over seven adjacent concrete crossties in tangent and curve track utilizing TTC’s Track Loading Vehicle (TLV) as well as passenger and freight train consists. Measurements taken consisted of the wheel-rail input loads, component stresses (e.g. insulator post compression), concrete tie strains, and displacements of the rail and concrete tie. The data was collected synchronously to provide a means to capture the load path, target areas of uncertainty, and provide comprehensive data for the validation of a multi-tie, 3-D finite element model being developed by UIUC. Varying train speeds, track curvature, and loading types provided a means to assess the loading variability that can be expected within the fastening system and lead to more purposeful and efficient instrumentation strategies. Furthermore, this data can be used to guide future research in further quantifying the field loading demands on system components, ultimately leading to the mechanistic design of the concrete crosstie and fastening system.

Energy balance and performance assessment of PV systems installed at a positive-energy building (PEB) solar energy research centre

Solar Energy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 212 ◽  
pp. 258-274
Author(s):  
C. Zomer ◽  
I. Custódio ◽  
S. Goulart ◽  
S. Mantelli ◽  
G. Martins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Balance ◽  
Solar Energy ◽  
Performance Assessment ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Positive Energy ◽  
Energy Research ◽  
Pv Systems ◽  
And Performance

scholarly journals First-of-a-kind muography for nuclear waste characterization

2018 ◽  
Vol 377 (2137) ◽  
pp. 20180048 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Mahon ◽  
Anthony Clarkson ◽  
Simon Gardner ◽  
David Ireland ◽  
Ramsey Jebali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Waste ◽  
Imaging System ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
Laboratory Facility ◽  
Waste Container ◽  
High Resolution Images ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The University

In the last decade, there has been a surge in the number of academic research groups and commercial companies exploiting naturally occurring cosmic-ray muons for imaging purposes in a range of industrial and geological applications. Since 2009, researchers at the University of Glasgow and the UK National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) have pioneered this technique for the characterization of shielded nuclear waste containers with significant investment from the UK Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and Sellafield Ltd. Lynkeos Technology Ltd. was formed in 2016 to commercialize the Muon Imaging System (MIS) technology that resulted from this industry-funded academic research. The design, construction and performance of the Lynkeos MIS is presented along with first experimental and commercial results. The high-resolution images include the identification of small fragments of uranium within a surrogate 500-litre intermediate level waste container and metal inclusions within thermally treated GeoMelt® R&D Product Samples. The latter of these are from Lynkeos' first commercial contract with the UK National Nuclear Laboratory. The Lynkeos MIS will be deployed at the NNL Central Laboratory facility on the Sellafield site in Summer 2018 where it will embark upon a series of industry trials. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue ‘Cosmic-ray muography’.

scholarly journals Development and Results from Application of PCM-Based Storage Tanks in a Solar Thermal Comfort System of an Institutional Building—A Case Study

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 3877 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Javier Batlles ◽  
Bartosz Gil ◽  
Svetlana Ushak ◽  
Jacek Kasperski ◽  
Marcos Luján ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phase Change Materials ◽  
Exergy Analysis ◽  
Heating System ◽  
Storage Tanks ◽  
Research Groups ◽  
Energy Research ◽  
Solar Cooling ◽  
Daily Energy ◽  
The University

An important element of a solar installation is the storage tank. When properly selected and operated, it can bring numerous benefits. The presented research relates to a project that is implemented at the Solar Energy Research Center of the University of Almeria in Spain. In order to improve the operation of the solar cooling and heating system of the Center, it was upgraded with two newly designed storage tanks filled with phase change materials (PCM). As a result of design works, commercial material S10 was selected for the accumulation of cold, and S46 for the accumulation of heat, in an amount of 85% and 15%, respectively. The article presents in detail the process of selecting the PCM material, designing the installation, experimental research, and exergy analysis. Individual tasks were carried out by research groups cooperating under the PCMSOL EUROPEAN PROJECT. Results of tests conducted on the constructed installation indicate that daily energy saving when using a solar chiller with PCM tanks amounts to 40% during the cooling season.

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