Integration of risk, flexibility, and resilience in the optimization of water–energy nexus

Advances in the integration of solar thermal energy with conventional and non-conventional power plants

Thermodynamic, economical and environmental performance evaluation of a 330 MW solar-aided coal-fired power plant located in Niger

Reliability of electric energy supply and its cost-efficiency are the main indicators, which are highly important for electric energy customers. In rural areas, especially those not far from the sea, strong winds blow quite often, and they are causing a lot of damage – electricity supply failure, damage to electricity networks. As a result, villages, small settlements, farmsteads, and farms near them remain without electricity for a long time – up to a week and sometimes more. As a result, farmers and other villagers suffer significant material and financial losses. Nowadays, the cheapest power-producing RES-based power plants dominate the electricity production sector, allowing for the installation of autonomous hybrid solar-wind power plants in rural areas with sufficient wind energy resources. Solar energy resources in countries up to 60° parallel (and a bit more) are sufficient for electricity production. They do not vary much by location and are sufficient for power users in homesteads, farms, or small companies. Such a hybrid solar-wind power plant could be a continuous power supplier for local needs. Only in rare cases, when solar and wind energy resources are insufficient, could a hybrid power plant charge its batteries at night. The hybrid power plant could use the cheapest nighttime energy from the electricity system grid as a backup source to charge its battery. It can also be useful for the energy system itself, which wants to increase electricity consumption at night. In areas with abundant solar and wind resources, stand-alone hybrid solar-wind plants can produce electricity at a lower cost compared to purchasing it from the power system. The installation and operation of the experimental power plant can provide a definitive answer to this question. The article presents and describes a block diagram of connections in a stand-alone hybrid solar and wind power plant (HSWPP) and explains its benefits to its owners. The conclusions of this study and the list of literature for useful information are submitted.

An improved flexible solar-aided power generation system (SAPG) for enhancing both selective catalytic reduction (SCR) de-NOx efficiency and coal-based energy efficiency of coal-fired power plants is proposed. In the proposed concept, the solar energy injection point is changed for different power plant loads, bringing about different benefits for coal-fired power generation. For partial/low load, solar energy is beneficially used to increase the flue gas temperature to guarantee the SCR de-NOx effectiveness as well as increase the boiler energy input by reheating the combustion air. For high power load, solar energy is used for saving steam bleeds from turbines by heating the feed water. A case study for a typical 1000 MW coal-fired power plant using the proposed concept has been performed and the results showed that, the SCR de-NOx efficiency of proposed SAPG could increase by 3.1% and 7.9% under medium load and low load conditions, respectively, as compared with the reference plant. The standard coal consumption rate of the proposed SAPG could decrease by 2.68 g/kWh, 4.05 g/kWh and 6.31 g/kWh for high, medium and low loads, respectively, with 0.040 USD/kWh of solar generated electricity cost. The proposed concept opens up a novel solar energy integration pattern in coal-fired power plants to improve the pollutant removal effectiveness and decrease the coal consumption of the power plant.

PV and CSP solar technologies & desalination: economic analysis

Integration of solar energy in coal-fired power plants retrofitted with carbon capture: A review

Impact analysis of electricity supply unreliability to interdependent economic sectors by an economic-technical approach

Актуальность работы обусловлена интенсивным экономическим развитием стран Северо-Восточной Азии, увеличением их потребности в электроэнергии и целесообразностью повышения экономической и экологической эффективности электроснабжения за счет реализации проектов электроэнергетической интеграции. При этом важную роль может играть широкомасштабное внедрение возобновляемых источников энергии. Цель: определение оптимальной структуры ветросолнечных электростанций в монгольской части пустыни Гоби (соотношения мощностей электростанций разных типов и выработки ими электроэнергии) для разных сочетаний экономических и климатических условий. Методы: систематизация климатической и метеорологической информации, предварительная оценка эффективности энергоисточников разных типов по критерию стоимости производимой электроэнергии, математическое моделирование структуры и режимов работы энергосистемы. Математическая модель учитывает случайный характер поступления солнечной и ветровой энергии. Результаты. Показано, что произведенная фотоэлектрическими преобразователями и ветротурбинами электроэнергия с учетом стоимости ее транспорта по линиям электропередачи конкурентоспособна на электроэнергетических рынках Китая и других стран Северо-Восточной Азии. Для различных значений прихода солнечной радиации и скорости ветра определены оптимальные соотношения между мощностями возобновляемых источников энергии, производством электроэнергии фотоэлектрическими преобразователями и ветротурбинами, а также поставками электроэнергии из энергосистемы Китая для компенсации неравномерности выработки возобновляемых источников энергии. Показана экономическая эффективность совместного использования солнечной и ветровой энергии в монгольской части пустыни Гоби за исключением некоторых районов с низкими скоростями ветра. Совместное использование солнечной и ветровой энергии позволяет снизить суммарные затраты на систему электроснабжения более чем на четверть по сравнению с вариантом использования только солнечной энергии.

ABSTRACTMinimizing the detrimental effects of global warming and pollution from fossil fuel consumption is essential to meet the growing demand for energy and fresh water, making it imperative to adopt renewable energy alternatives. The integration of solar energy and biomass in hybrid renewable energy systems will grow in importance. The proposed study introduces a new design that facilitates the simultaneous production of power, biogas, and fresh water in a continuous process. The present research aims to tackle the challenge of utilizing multiple renewable energy sources, such as solar and biomass, to generate power, fuel, and fresh water. To achieve this, a 4‐stage multi‐effect desalination system will be employed for desalinating seawater. This paper discusses combining hybrid solar and biomass feedstocks to address the challenge of maintaining consistent energy production in renewable solar power plants at night, when there is no sunlight. The challenge at hand involves assessing various factors using ASPEN Plus software, such as solar heat transfer fluid (SHTF), sewage sludge flowrates, biogas production, output waste stream of gasification reactor, power generation, and freshwater production. Additionally, the payback period for this project is approximately 4.8 years, with a net present value (NPV) of around 560 million dollars. By performing a sensitivity analysis, the viability of the designed process and the quality of the resulting products were effectively demonstrated. From the gasification process, an impressive 76.8586 tons per hour of syngas, composed of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, was generated. Additionally, the power output of the system reached 34.547 MW, while simultaneously producing approximately 783 m3/h of fresh water. Due to efficient energy recovery throughout the entire process, only 25 MW of solar power was required. Despite efforts, fresh water production was only operating at a 50% productivity level. To supply the required solar energy during daylight hours, a total of 38,908 square meters of Parabolic trough collector (PTC) was necessary. According to the environmental analysis, the primary concern is the detrimental effect of pollution on human health. Solar collectors and sea water desalination units account for over 95% of the pollution. The revelation showed that combining solar and biomass energy resources could provide a sustainable solution to meet the rising demand for fresh water, electricity, and fuel.

A novel renewable polygeneration system for a small Mediterranean volcanic island for the combined production of energy and water: Dynamic simulation and economic assessment

Energy and economic analysis of a hollow fiber membrane-based desalination system driven by solar energy

Myanmar is a unique country where the majority of the people live in rural areas, away from grid electricity and reliable water supplies. The penetration of grid electricity in rural areas is minimal and even then it is often erratic. This paper focuses on the challenges of transitioning from an electricity-poor country to a renewable energy based-economy augmented with photovoltaics (PV). Based on optimization modelling and assessments of Myanmar's current energy barriers, we examine the feasibility of PV-powered desalination systems for the Ayeyarwady region and Tanintharyi region. An analysis of the technical and economic feasibility of a stand-alone solar-powered desalination system indicates that the needed price of water for economic sustainability should be approximately US$0.0224/litre. From our economic modelling, we found that the major capital cost is the installation of PV and maintenance. The major operating cost is maintenance of batteries. Minor operating costs are membrane replacement and PV maintenance. The country's limited capital inhibits the creation of these systems, and foreign investment or incentives from international financial institutions will be needed to secure off-grid, clean energy solutions for Myanmar.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has set a goal to reduce the cost of seawater desalination systems to $0.50/ cubic meter (m3) through the development of technology pathways to reduce energy, capital, operating, soft, and system integration costs.1 In support of this goal and to evaluate the technology pathways to lower the energy and carbon intensity of desalination while also reducing the total water cost, DOE is undertaking a comprehensive study of the energy consumption and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions for desalination technologies and systems. This study is being undertaken in two phases. Phase 1, Survey of Available Information in Support of the Energy-Water Bandwidth Study of Desalination Systems, collected the background information that will underpin Phase 2, the Energy Water Bandwidth Study for Desalination Systems. This report (Volume 1) summarizes the results from Phase 1. The results from Phase 2 will be summarized in Volume 2: Energy Water Bandwidth Study for Desalination Systems (Volume 2). The analysis effort for Phase 2 will utilize similar methods as other industry-specific Energy Bandwidth Studies developed by DOE,2 which has provided a framework to evaluate and compare energy savings potentials within and across manufacturing sectors at the macroscale. Volume 2 will assess the current state of desalination energy intensity and reduction potential through the use of advanced and emerging technologies. For the purpose of both phases of study, energy intensity is defined as the amount of energy required per unit of product water output (for example, kilowatt-hours per cubic meter of water produced). These studies will expand the scope of previous sectorial bandwidth studies by also evaluating CO2 intensity and reduction opportunities and informing a techno-economic analysis of desalination systems. Volume 2 is expected to be completed in 2017.

The features of sustainable Solar Hydroelectric Power Plant

The Framingham Heart Study has contributed importantly to understanding of the causes of coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases. Framingham research has helped define the quantitative and additive nature of these causes or, as they are now called, “cardiovascular risk factors.”1 The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP)2 3 has made extensive use of Framingham data in developing its strategy for preventing CHD by controlling high cholesterol levels. The NCEP guidelines2 3 adjust the intensity of cholesterol-lowering therapy with absolute risk as determined by summation of risk factors. The National High Blood Pressure Education Program (NHBPEP) has set forth a parallel approach for blood pressure control. In contrast to the NCEP,2 however, earlier NHBPEP reports issued through the Joint National Committee4 did not match the intensity of therapy to absolute risk for CHD. “Normalization” of blood pressure is the essential goal of therapy regardless of risk status. Blood pressure–lowering therapy is carried out as much for prevention of stroke and other cardiovascular complications as for reduction of CHD risk. Nonetheless, risk assessment could be important for making decisions about type and intensity of therapy for hypertension. Thus, the most recent Joint National Committee report5 gives more attention to risk stratification for adjustment of therapy for hypertension. Although Framingham data have already been influential in the development of national guidelines for risk factor management, the opportunity may exist for both cholesterol and blood pressure programs to draw more extensively from Framingham results when formulating improved risk assessment guidelines and recommending more specific strategies for risk factor modification. The American Heart Association has previously used Framingham risk factor data to prepare charts for estimating CHD risk. Framingham investigators of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute prepared the original charts and have now revised …