Development of an Alternative Energy System For Use as an Active Learning Platform

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard B. Mindek ◽  
Aaron F. Rickis ◽  
Said Dini
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Active Learning ◽  
Wind Energy ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Alternative Energy ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Solar Panel ◽  
Learning Platform ◽  
Essential Components

A demonstration system that employs solar and wind energy to power a fuel cell was recently developed as part of a senior capstone design project. This system demonstrates the essential components of a completely renewable hydrogen recovery system. Using the renewable energy produced from a 80-watt photovoltaic solar panel and a 60-watt wind turbine, an electrolyzer, rated at 65 cm3 per minute, disassociates water into its components of hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen and oxygen are then recombined into water by the fuel cell, which produces electricity and releases heat in the process. The electricity is used to power a cooling fan installed in the system. The entire system, which is mounted on a mobile cabinet for easy transportability, and to facilitate outdoor testing, includes a control box to regulate the voltage and current into the electrolyzer, as well as a variable resistance box to test and demonstrate the energy efficiencies of the solar panel, wind turbine, electrolyzer, and fuel cell. It was recently incorporated as part of three separate active learning laboratories within a graduate course on alternative and renewable energy. The laboratories allow students to discover the theoretical and practical application of solar energy, wind energy, and fuel cells. This paper describes the development, operation and capability of the alternative energy demonstration system, as well as its utilization in developing the graduate laboratories. Plans for implementing the system in the undergraduate engineering curriculum are also discussed.

scholarly journals The Impact of Temporal Complexity Reduction on a 100% Renewable European Energy System with Hydrogen Infrastructure

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dilara Gulcin Caglayan ◽  
Heidi Ursula Heinrichs ◽  
Detlef Stolten ◽  
Martin Robinius
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Wind Energy ◽  
Alternative Energy ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Promising Alternative ◽  
Renewable Energy System ◽  
Hydrogen Infrastructure ◽  
Storage Technologies ◽  
The Impact

The transition towards a renewable energy system is essential in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The increase in the share of variable renewable energy sources (VRES), which mainly comprise wind and solar energy, necessitates storage technologies by which the intermittency of VRES can be compensated for. Although hydrogen has been envisioned to play a significant role as a promising alternative energy carrier in a future European VRES-based energy concept, the optimal design of this system remains uncertain. In this analysis, a hydrogen infrastructure is posited that would meet the electricity and hydrogen demand for a 100% renewable energy-based European energy system in the context of 2050. The overall system design is optimized by minimizing the total annual cost. Onshore and offshore wind energy, open-field photovoltaics (PV), rooftop PV and hydro energy, as well as biomass, are the technologies employed for electricity generation. The electricity generated is then either transmitted through the electrical grid or converted into hydrogen by means of electrolyzers and then distributed through hydrogen pipelines. Battery, hydrogen vessels and salt caverns are considered as potential storage technologies. In the case of a lull, stored hydrogen can be re-electrified to generate electricity to meet demand during that time period. For each location, eligible technologies are introduced, as well as their maximum capacity and hourly demand profiles, in order to build the optimization model. In addition, a generation time series for VRES has been exogenously derived for the model. The generation profiles of wind energy have been investigated in detail by considering future turbine designs with high spatial resolution. In terms of salt cavern storage, the technical potential for hydrogen storage is defined in the system as the maximum allowable capacity per region. Whether or not a technology is installed in a region, the hourly operation of these technologies, as well as the cost of each technology, are obtained within the optimization results. It is revealed that a 100 percent renewable energy system is feasible and would meet both electricity demand and hydrogen demand in Europe.

scholarly journals ENHANCING WIND/FUEL CELL HYBRID ENERGY SYSTEM

2013 ◽  
pp. 176-180
Author(s):  
PAVAN R. PADGHAN ◽  
P.K. KATTI
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Cell Hybrid ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Sustained Load ◽  
Hybrid Energy System ◽  
Hybrid Energy ◽  
Fuel Cell Hybrid

This paper describe of a renewable energy based hybrid energy system with MATLAB implementation results. In order to meet sustained load demand during varying natural conditions, different renewable energy sources need to be integrated with each other. This paper focuses on the combination of wind/fuel cell hybrid energy system. As wind turbine output power varies with wind speed & FC systems can be integrated to ensure that the system performs under all conditions. The result show that the proposed hybrid energy system can be tolerate the rapid change in natural condition and suppress the effect of the fluctuation on the voltage wind turbine the acceptable range.

scholarly journals THE EFFECT OF BLADE CURVATURE ANGLE OF SAVONIUS WIND TURBINE L-TYPE ON THE PERFORMANCE

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 033-038
Author(s):  
Barlin Barlin ◽  
Chandra Octavian Pratama ◽  
Krerkiat Sasiwimonrit
Keyword(s):  
Energy Source ◽  
Renewable Energy Source ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Wind Energy ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Alternative Energy ◽  
Fossil Fuel ◽  
Blade Angle ◽  
Lower Efficiency ◽  
Savonius Wind Turbine

The wind is a renewable energy source (alternative energy) as a substitute for the dwindling fossil fuel. L-type Savonius wind turbine is a technology that is widely used to convert wind energy into mechanical because its construction is simple and cheap. The disadvantage of this turbine is having a lower efficiency than other types of wind turbines. Modification of the curvature of the L-type Savonius wind turbine blade is assumed can improve its performance because it affects the direction and magnitude of wind and wheel velocity, consequence impact to power. Thus, the blade angle is interesting to review. There are three angles of blade studied: 30º, 45º, and 60º. Based on results, the blade angle influences the performance of the L-type Savonius wind turbine, where the 45º blade angle produced better performance than 30º and 60º.

Conversion of AC wind energy system model to DC model for integration to optimization software with large scales

2021 ◽  
pp. 0309524X2110246
Author(s):  
Souhir Tounsi
Keyword(s):  
Wind Energy ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Alternative Energy ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Multi Objective Optimization ◽  
Optimization Software ◽  
Multi Objective ◽  
Wind Turbine System ◽  
Battery Energy ◽  
Simulation Time

The work presented in this paper deals with an AC model of wind turbine system conversion to a DC model with reduced simulation time, for possible integration to optimization software with larges scales permitting a multi-objective optimization, such as the constrained optimization conjointly of the cost and power losses of the wind turbine energy system. The DC model is based on average calculation of the DC voltage recharging the battery energy accumulator used for recovering the converted wind energy and the electromagnetic torque. Indeed, classical model of wind turbine using generally electric generator associated to a PD3 rectifier to convert the alternative energy on DC energy recoverable on battery energy accumulator with need a large simulation time and thereafter it is non integrable to optimization software for multi-objective optimization problem resolution. The two models are implemented under Matlab-Simulink simulation environment. Simulation results valid entirely the wind turbine system DC model. Finally, as perspective it is interesting to use a booster chopper as an interface between the rectifier and the battery to optimize the recovered energy. An average model of the booster chopper can be integrated into the DC model for performance improvement of the conversion chain.

Development of Alternative Energy Laboratories in Support of a New Green Concentration in Mechanical Engineering

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Said Dini ◽  
Richard B. Mindek
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Active Learning ◽  
Solar Energy ◽  
New England ◽  
Alternative Energy ◽  
Mechanical Engineering ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Engineering Program ◽  
Learning Platform ◽  
Laboratory Facilities

Alternative energy laboratory experiences have been developed to help support a new Green Concentration recently offered for the first time in the mechanical engineering program at Western New England College. These laboratories, which give students hands-on experience and a better understanding of basic concepts in wind energy, solar energy, and fuel cell technology, utilize an improved Alternative Energy Active Learning Platform, as well as newly developed indoor/outdoor Alternative Energy Laboratory facilities. The alternative energy indoor/outdoor laboratory facility includes six 195 Watt photovoltaic panels, a 30,000 Btu/clear day flat-plate solar collectors, a Thermomax evacuated tubes solar collector, as well as a full scale 1 kW wind turbine, whose scale allows for useful power and heat to be provided to the engineering building. This facility will be fully instrumented for the collection of key performance data and allows for large scale demonstration of alternative energy systems to students. Additionally, the improved Alternative Energy Active Learning Platform, which uses wind and solar energy to power an electrolyzer, which disassociates water into hydrogen and oxygen, and then subsequently uses the hydrogen and oxygen produced within a fuel cell to power a fan, has been automated to allow better visualization of each system in operation and more efficient data collection. This paper describes the development, operation and capabilities of both the new indoor/outdoor Alternative Energy Laboratory facilities, and the improved Alternative Energy Active Learning Platform, and their utilization within the Green Concentration of the undergraduate mechanical engineering program.

scholarly journals Potentials of the direct use of ethanol fuel cell as backup electricity for renewable energy system

2021 ◽  
Vol 1137 (1) ◽  
pp. 012072
Author(s):  
Penyarat Saisirirat ◽  
Peerawat Saisirirat ◽  
Papopchote Kongdai ◽  
Brodindech Joommanee
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Ethanol Fuel ◽  
Renewable Energy System ◽  
Direct Use

Preparation of Polymer Composite Bipolar Plate with Different Multi-Filler for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC)

2014 ◽  
Vol 699 ◽  
pp. 689-694 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohd Zulkefli Selamat ◽  
Mohd Shakir Ahmad ◽  
Mohd Ahadlin Mohd Daud ◽  
Musthafa Mohd Tahir ◽  
Safaruddin Gazali Herawan
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Conductivity ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Polymer Electrolyte ◽  
Alternative Energy ◽  
Polymer Electrolyte Membrane ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Bipolar Plate ◽  
Filler Loading ◽  
Shore Hardness ◽  
Electrolyte Membrane

Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) is an alternative energy system that has been verified with great potential for high power density, durability and cost effectiveness. Since the bipolar plate is the key component in PEMFC, the component must operate with multifunction and have a balance of properties, essentially well in both electrical and mechanical properties. At present, many different materials have been tested to be applied for bipolar plate in order to fulfill the balance in each property. In this work, the different material is tested and observed. Polypropylene (PP) is used as a binder material, Graphite (Gr) is used as a main filler and Carbon Black (CB), Iron (Fe) and Nickel (Ni) as the second filler. This composite is produced through compression molding and the effect of different filler material loading on the properties such as electrical conductivity, flexural strength, bulk density and shore hardness are observed. The result showed the increasing of electrical conductivity as the increased the CB and Fe loading. But for Ni, the result showed the decreasing of electrical conductivity as the loading of Ni has been increased. The targeted value also achieved for some certain degree of filler loading.

Comparison of Voltage Regulation of a Smart Load for 3 Bus System and 15 Bus System under High Penetration of Wind Energy System

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 1625-1635
Author(s):  
Sharmini Nakkela
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Wind Energy ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Voltage Regulation ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
Renewable Power ◽  
High Penetration ◽  
Renewable Power Generation ◽  
Bus System

Abstract: Modern study about utilizing energy from renewable energy sources was stimulus due to emerging oil crisis in older days due to uncontrolled use of conventional energy sources. Renewable Power Generation from wind and solar energy has become a significant proportion for the overall power generation in the grid. High penetration of Renewable Power Generation (RPG’s) effectreliable operation of bulk power system due to fluctuation of frequency and voltage of the network. The main objectives of high penetration of Renewable Power Generations in distribution system are Regulation of voltage, Mitigating voltage fluctuations due to flickers and Frequency control. The design and control of voltage regulation system using smart loads (SL’s) under large penetration of renewable energy system in distribution level is to be studied with the help of FACT devices like Static Compensator (STATCOM) and It is one of the fast active devices with accurate voltage regulation capability and most importantly for the sensitive/critical loads. Electric spring (ES) is proposed as compelling technique for guideline of framework voltage under fluctuating RPG's with next to no guide of correspondence framework [1]. It is a converter-based framework with self-commutated switches in span design, which is associated with non-basic burdens in series to go about as savvy load. These Smart Loads are controlled to direct voltage across basic burdens and hence partaking popular side administration. Expanded entrance of RPG’s, basically factor speed wind energy transformation framework is having impact on voltage and power quality [1][2]. In this paper, A contextual analysis of impact of variable speed wind energy framework on voltage is completed and which is demonstrated with fluctuating breeze speed. Execution examination of keen burdens are to be contrasted and existing receptive power compensator burdens and Improvement in voltage profile on test feeder is directed on a 3 Bus system and 15 Bus system. Keywords: Renewable energy system (RES), Electric spring (ES), STATCOM, Voltage Flicker, Smart load

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