scholarly journals The “PV Rooftop Garden”: Providing Recreational Green Roofs and Renewable Energy as a Multifunctional System within One Surface Area

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 1791 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Sattler ◽  
Irene Zluwa ◽  
Doris Österreicher
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Surface Area ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Green Roofs ◽  
Energy Output ◽  
Pv Systems ◽  
Summer Temperatures ◽  
Rooftop Garden ◽  
Renewable Energy Generation ◽  
Interdisciplinary Study

In urban areas, summer temperatures are continuously increasing, and cities are aiming at implementing measures to mitigate the urban heat island (UHI) effect. Reducing sealed surfaces and adding plants have been shown to be beneficial for urban microclimates. Green roofs are thus a viable alternative to standard roofs made out of materials that completely seal the top layer. However, roofs are, at the same time, also ideal for the integration of photovoltaics (PVs), as they are mostly unshaded. With both applications competing for the same surface area, solutions must be found that symbiotically combine the benefits of vegetation and renewable energy. Using an interdisciplinary study, various designs were developed for prototypical applications to integrate PV systems into rooftop gardens, with a specific focus on retrofitting flat roofs. The prototypes were analyzed and tested based on structural design aspects, suitable plant choices, and energy output. The results showed that the concurrent integration of PVs and green roofs into the same surface area can be achieved with lightweight construction, which is particularly suitable for existing buildings. The system can contribute to much-needed urban renewable energy generation, the mitigation of the UHI effect, and the provision of recreational spaces.

scholarly journals A Critical Appraisal of PV-Systems’ Performance

Buildings ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 192
Author(s):  
Zainab Usman ◽  
Joseph Tah ◽  
Henry Abanda ◽  
Charles Nche
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Electric Energy ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
Poor Performance ◽  
Performance Ratio ◽  
Energy Output ◽  
Pv System ◽  
Pv Systems ◽  
Energy Technologies ◽  
And Performance

Climate change and global warming have triggered a global increase in the use of renewable energy for various purposes. In recent years, the photovoltaic (PV)-system has become one of the most popular renewable energy technologies that captures solar energy for different applications. Despite its popularity, its adoption is still facing enormous challenges, especially in developing countries. Experience from research and practice has revealed that installed PV-systems significantly underperform. This has been one of the major barriers to PV-system adoption, yet it has received very little attention. The poor performance of installed PV-systems means they do not generate the required electric energy output they have been designed to produce. Performance assessment parameters such as performance yields and performance ratio (PR) help to provide mathematical accounts of the expected energy output of PV-systems. Many reasons have been advanced for the disparity in the performance of PV-systems. This study aims to analyze the factors that affect the performance of installed PV-systems, such as geographical location, solar irradiance, dust, and shading. Other factors such as multiplicity of PV-system components in the market and the complexity of the permutations of these components, their types, efficiencies, and their different performance indicators are poorly understood, thus making it difficult to optimize the efficiency of the system as a whole. Furthermore, mathematical computations are presented to prove that the different design methods often used for the design of PV-systems lead to results with significant differences due to different assumptions often made early on. The methods for the design of PV-systems are critically appraised. There is a paucity of literature about the different methods of designing PV-systems, their disparities, and the outcomes of each method. The rationale behind this review is to analyze the variations in designs and offer far-reaching recommendations for future studies so that researchers can come up with more standardized design approaches.

Performance of Bi-Facial PV Modules in Urban Settlements in Tropical Regions

2013 ◽  
Vol 853 ◽  
pp. 312-316
Author(s):  
Carlo Pisigan ◽  
Fan Jiang
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Energy Output ◽  
Rear Side ◽  
Energy Yield ◽  
Tropical Regions ◽  
Pv Systems ◽  
Irradiation Energy ◽  
Pv Modules ◽  
Urban Settlements

This paper studies the performance of bifacial Heterojunction with Intrinsic Thin-layer (HIT) PV modules through a one-year experiment in Singapore. Two 1.2kWp (front side)/0.84kWp (rear side) PV systems were installed vertically, facing the N-S and E-W directions respectively. The operational data of two systems were monitored and collected to analyze their performance under different weather conditions. This paper will presentthe change of irradiation, energy yield and the AC energy output of the bifacial PV systems. The results help to understand the impacts of system installation on the energy yield of vertically-installedbifacial HIT PV systems, to find out its advantages in applications over monofacial PV modules and to explore the potential of bifacial PV modules in tropical regions, especially in urban areas like Singapore.

scholarly journals The Effect of Plants on the Energy Output of Green Roof Photovoltaic Systems in Tropical Climates

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 4505
Author(s):  
Chila Kaewpraek ◽  
Liaqat Ali ◽  
Md. Arfeen Rahman ◽  
Mohammad Shakeri ◽  
M. S. Chowdhury ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Solar Energy ◽  
Production Efficiency ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Green Roof ◽  
Electricity Production ◽  
Energy Output ◽  
Pv System ◽  
Pv Systems ◽  
The Future

The rapid rise in the number of fossil fuel uses over the last few decades has increased carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The purpose of implementing renewable energy solutions, such as solar, hydro, wind, biomass, and other renewable energy sources, is to mitigate global climate change worldwide. Solar energy has received more attention over the last few decades as an alternative source of energy, and it can play an essential role in the future of the energy industry. This is especially true of energy solutions that reduce land use, such as off-grid and on-grid solar rooftop technologies. This study aims to evaluate the energy conversion efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) systems in tropical environments. It also explores the effect of growing plants beneath PV panels. Two identical grid-connected PV systems—each containing five solar panels—were installed. The overall power production of each PV system was about 1.4 kWp. All the collected data were processed and analysed in the same way and by the same method. The PV systems were installed in two different environments—one with the possibility of growing the plants beneath the PV panels (PViGR module) and one with no possibility of growing the plants beneath the PV panels (PViSR module). The experiments were conducted in the Bo Yang District of Songkhla, Thailand over a 12-month period. Our findings indicate that green roof photovoltaic (GRPV) systems can produce around 2100 kWh of electricity in comparison to the 2000 kWh produced by other solar energy systems. Thereby, growing plants beneath PV panels increases electricity production efficiency by around 2%. This difference comes from the growing of plants underneath GRPV systems. Plants do not only help to trap humidity underneath GRPV systems but also help to cool the PV panels by absorbing the temperature beneath GRPV systems. Thus, in the production of electrical energy; the system was clearly showing significant differences in the mentioned results of both PV solar systems, which are evident for great energy efficiency performances in the future.

scholarly journals Solar Green Roofs: A Unified Outlook Twenty Years On

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosaria Ciriminna ◽  
Francesco Meneguzzo ◽  
Mario Pecoraino ◽  
Mario Pagliaro
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Energy Production ◽  
Green Roofs ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Symbiotic Relationship ◽  
Photovoltaic Modules ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The World ◽  
Renewable Energy Production

Solar green roofs, namely rooftops functionalized with properly selected living vegetation and photovoltaic modules, achieve an ideal symbiotic relationship in which promotion of biodiversity and onsite renewable energy production are both enhanced whereas the roof provides a wide range of environmental, health, aesthetic and economic benefits. This study provides a unified outlook of this eminent sustainable technology at the dawn of its uptake across the world, especially in polluted urban areas.

scholarly journals Initial insights on the biodiversity potential of biosolar roofs: a London Olympic Park green roof case study

2016 ◽  
Vol 62 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 74-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Nash ◽  
J. Clough ◽  
D. Gedge ◽  
R. Lindsay ◽  
D. Newport ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Green Infrastructure ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Green Roof ◽  
Green Roofs ◽  
Urban Resilience ◽  
Pv Systems ◽  
Pv Panel ◽  
The Face ◽  
Roof Design ◽  
Sustainable Futures

Cities dominated by impervious artificial surfaces can experience a multitude of negative environmental impacts. Restoration of green infrastructure has been identified as a mechanism for increasing urban resilience, enabling cities to transition towards sustainable futures in the face of climate-driven change. Building rooftops represent a viable space for integrating new green infrastructure into high-density urban areas. Urban rooftops also provide prime locations for photovoltaic (PV) systems. There is an increasing recognition that these two technologies can be combined to deliver reciprocal benefits in terms of energy efficiency and biodiversity targets. Scarcity of scientific evaluation of the interaction between PVs and green roofs means that the potential benefits are currently poorly understood. This study documents evidence from a biodiversity monitoring study of a substantial biosolar roof installed in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Vegetation and invertebrate communities were sampled and habitat structure measured in relation to habitat niches on the roof, including PV panels. Ninety-two plant species were recorded on the roof and variation in vegetation structure associated with proximity to PV panels was identified. Almost 50% of target invertebrate species collected were designated of conservation importance. Arthropod distribution varied in relation to habitat niches on the roof. The overall aim of the Main Press Centre building green roof design was to create a mosaic of habitats to enhance biodiversity, and the results of the study suggest that PV panels can contribute to niche diversity on a green roof. Further detailed study is required to fully characterise the effects of PV panel density on biodiversity.

scholarly journals Optimization Design And Simulation Of Microgrid In Amdjarass Town, Chad

2019 ◽  
Vol 118 ◽  
pp. 02015
Author(s):  
Qing Wu ◽  
Zhongyi Fan ◽  
Jintao Zhang ◽  
Qin Sun ◽  
Junjie Yang
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Optimization Design ◽  
Power Grids ◽  
Diesel Generator ◽  
Remote Areas ◽  
Pv Systems ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Configuration Scheme ◽  
Renewable Energy Generation ◽  
Hybrid Renewable Energy

How to supply electricity to the remote areas has become a very pressing issue for some countries which do not have the ability to connect all power grids to the whole country temporarily. At the same time, with the increase of fossil fuel costs and the continuous development of renewable energy generation technology, the construction of a hybrid renewable energy microgrid system seems to become an economic and technical approach to resolve the power shortage problem in the remote areas of some countries. Based on the analysis of local natural resources and load conditions, this paper designed a microgrid system which contains the wind turbines, PV systems, a diesel generator and an energy storage module to meet the power supply needs of the small town Amdjarass in Chad. Then the authors optimized the capacity of this microgrid and estimated the cost of this system with the utilization of HOMER software. In the end, this paper set the optimal configuration scheme with the target of the lowest COE and analyzed the sensitivity of some important parameters which could affect the economic performance.

scholarly journals The Impact of e-Mobility in Positive Energy Districts

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 24
Author(s):  
Tony Castillo-Calzadilla ◽  
Ainhoa Alonso-Vicario ◽  
Cruz E. Borges ◽  
Cristina Martin
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Storage System ◽  
Energy Generation ◽  
Energy Storage System ◽  
Positive Energy ◽  
Renewable Energy Generation ◽  
The Impact

This article presents preliminary results that assess the effect of electromobility in an archetype Positive Energy District (PED). We present a PED modelling approach that represents renewable energy generation, an energy storage system, the consumption of residential and non-residential buildings, smart lighting services, and the inclusion of electric mobility. We consider renewable energy generation from photovoltaic panels and annual irradiation patterns of the North of Spain to accomplish the electric demands of a synthetic PED. In this general case study, we build up four scenarios where we evaluate at which degree the consumption of EVs would be covered by local Renewable Energy Sources (RES). The simulation results show that the urban areas with great efficiency (in terms of buildings) may support the demand of EVs and even provide a relevant amount of green kms out of PED boundaries.

scholarly journals Renewable Energy Generation Assessment in Terms of Small-Signal Stability

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (24) ◽  
pp. 7079
Author(s):  
Mark Brian Dastas ◽  
Hwachang Song
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Power System ◽  
New England ◽  
Imaginary Axis ◽  
Short Term Memory ◽  
Energy Generation ◽  
Test System ◽  
Energy Output ◽  
Forecasting Error ◽  
Renewable Energy Generation

The popularity and role of renewable energy in the power grid are increasing nowadays as countries are shifting to cleaner forms of energy. This brings new challenges in maintaining a secure and stable power system, as renewable energy is known to be intermittent in nature and may introduce stability issues to the grid. In this paper, a screening framework of renewable energy generation scenarios is proposed to determine which power system conditions and scenarios will make the system unstable. The scenario screening framework is based on a sensitivity analysis of the system eigenvalues with respect to the renewable energy penetration to the system. The average scheduled renewable energy output, forecasting error standard deviation, average forecasting error, and bus location of the renewable energy source were used to define a renewable energy generation scenario. Depending on the amount and variability of renewable energy, there is a possibility for a critical eigenvalue to cross the imaginary axis. The estimated eigenvalue location resulting from the penetration of variable renewable energy is computed by adding the computed eigenvalue sensitivity to the initial operating point. If any of the estimated system eigenvalues cross the imaginary axis, the power system might be unstable in this scenario, so it requires more detailed simulations and countermeasures. Renewable energy forecasting was done using the long short-term memory model, and the proposed method was simulated using the IEEE 39-bus New England test system. The results of the proposed method were verified by comparing the simulation results to the eigenanalysis solution. The obtained results have shown that the proposed method can determine whether the renewable energy generation scenario is critical in power system operation.

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