Annual Energy Generation Research Articles

Techno-economic assessment of 10 MW centralised grid-tied solar photovoltaic system in Uganda

There is increasing interest in solar PV installations in Uganda, however, there is little or no information available on performance of solar PV systems in Uganda. Since solar PV performance is site specific, there is need to provide stakeholders with information that could help them in making informed decision. Therefore, this paper presents a performance analysis of a 10 MW solar-photovoltaic plant installed in Soroti City, in Eastern Uganda (latitude 1°N, longitude 33°E). Energy production data for this solar power plant over a 3-year period between January 2017 and December 2019 were collected and analysed using IEC standard 61724–1. It was found that the average annual energy generation by the plant is 16702 MWh and specific energy output of 1670.2 kWh/kW. Furthermore, the daily final yield, annual performance ratio, annual capacity factor and energy yield per unit area are found as 4.58 h/day, 75.84%, 19.07%, and 121.4 kWh/m2. respectively. Based on the assumption used in this study and approved feed-in tariff, the estimated discounted payback period (9.28 years), profitability index (1.51), and internal rate of return (10.55%) showed that it is economically viable. The estimated levelized cost of energy of US$ 0.1087/kWh, is within range of values reported for similar projects.

Exploiting the rooftop solar photovoltaic potential of a tropical island state: case of the Mascarene Island of Mauritius

Mauritius relies heavily on fossil fuel imports to satisfy the energy requirements of its population. Urged by policies to address climate change at the national and international levels, the government is committed to promote sustainable development, with emphasis laid on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Consequently, we provide an assessment of rooftop PV potential at the national level. A sampling strategy is used to acquire reduction coefficients, which are thereafter applied to energy-based equations. The result suggests that the rooftop PV potential at the country-scale is estimated at 20.04 GW with an annual energy output of 32,512 GWh. A novel architectural layout for a Solar City to be located at an identified optimum site is proposed. A shading analysis is conducted to verify the appropriateness of the city’s structural design to harness energy from the sun. An energy analysis performed, reveals that the Solar City has a solar power potential of 13.55 MW and an annual energy generation capacity equivalent to 21.99 GWh. Construction of the Solar City would help avert the emissions of 13,744 tons of CO2 annually.

Performance assessment of conceptual bifacial solar PV system in varying albedo conditions

There is a rapidly growing interest in bifacial module based solar PV. Unlike conventional solar PV modules, the energy output of the bifacial PV module is affected by the reflectance of the ground surface (albedo). This paper aims to assess the performance of conceptual bifacial solar PV systems in varying albedo conditions. Besides, the comparison of energy generation between monofacial and bifacial solar PV system is carried out. In this regard, four sites on an educational campus having different albedo factor is chosen. The annual energy output, specific yield, and performance ratio are estimated using PVSyst simulation software. The energy output of 164.5 MWh/year is predicted for the minimum albedo factor of 0.15. While 175.8 MWh/year is expected for the maximum albedo factor of 0.85. The specific yield for Case 5 (bifacial) is 10.58 % higher than that estimated for Case 1 (monofacial). Based on annual energy generation, the site of Case 4 is the best location for the solar PV system among the studied cases. It is concluded that setting up of bifacial solar PV module on the ground surface with a high value of albedo factor is suitable to maximize energy generation.

Net Zero Energy Building (NZEB) Design

Presently, buildings are expected to be designed to meet higher energy performance, sustainability to enjoy healthy and comfortable environment for the occupants. With the growing public awareness of environment issues, the energy efficient design concept for construction of buildings is being accepted to reduce the day-to-day energy demand of the buildings. In this scenario, net zero energy building design is one of the solutions to combat global warming by reducing energy demand and simultaneously use of renewable energy to run the operations of the building. In this paper, the focus is given on net zero energy building design criteria for composite climate zone. The technical parameters of planning, orientation, envelope, heating ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC), use of energy efficient materials and integration of renewable energy system in designing the net zero energy building were analyzed and evaluated. The net zero energy balance equation was established from the building design strategies by evaluating the total annual energy demand, reduction in annual energy consumption implementing energy efficient technologies and annual renewable energy generation under the boundary of the building. This equation of net zero energy building was validated on design and construction of BISA building located at Ludhiana, Punjab falls under the composite climate zone. The analysis, evaluation and validation were carried out on system-generated model of the building. The reduced annual energy demand of the building of 432,742 kWh was met from the renewable energy generation of rooftop solar photovoltaic power plant of capacity 300kWp and satisfied the net zero energy balance equation.

Sensitivity Analysis of Photovoltaic System Design Parameters to Passively Mitigate Ramp Rates

As solar photovoltaic (PV) generation continues to become a larger part of the energy mix, the challenges associated with their inherent resource variability need to be addressed. Approaches often considered for limiting variability are enhanced cloud forecasting and the utilization of energy storage systems. In this article, we explore addressing variability through the inherent design of the solar site, avoiding the use of additional equipment such as cloud cameras or energy storage. Additionally, we evaluate the sensitivity that three key design parameters have on a PV site's ramp rate, and how intelligent design can limit ramping. A PV power model was developed using plane of array irradiance calculations and manufacturer hardware parameters. Using high resolution environmental data from a site with a relatively large quantity of ramping, annual energy generation and ramp rate estimates for a baseline PV site are estimated as each design parameter is swept. The results show that varying design parameters from a typical “optimal” energy configuration can passively reduce ramp rates by almost 50% with the energy and financial impact also evaluated.

Design of a 100 MW Concentrated Solar Power Plant Parabolic Trough in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

The increase in energy demand and the awareness of renewable energy has been raised due to environmental and climate change and the need to establish sustainable energy development. Using fossil fuels has created a critical situation such as; climate change, air pollution, and emission of greenhouse gases also, the resources are in limited supply. The infinite source of energy such as; the sun can provide an effective and sustainable energy supply. Riyadh city in Saudi Arabia is one of the areas that receive a high quantity of direct solar radiation. An average direct normal irradiance (DNI) for the central region is equal to 2018 kWh/m2/year. This paper shows the design and the performance analysis of 100 MW Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) parabolic trough (PT) power plants with thermal energy storage (TES) for use in Riyadh city. The performance of this design plant is analyzed by using the system advisor model (SAM). Based on the analysis carried out for this design, the capacity factor is equal to 45.3% with an annual energy generation which is equal to 396, 801, 792 kWh. By varying two main parameters, the solar field size and the full load hours of TES to get the optimal design of this plant is done. Based on the simulation result, the proposed design of 100 MW parabolic trough at 1, 150, 000 m2 solar field size and 7 h TES gives the lowest Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) with an assumed lifespan of the plant of 25 years.

Alternative variable refrigerant flow (VRF) air conditioning systems with rational distribution of thermal load

One of the most attractive reserves of enhancing the energetic efficiency of air conditioning systems (ACS) is to provide operation of compressors in closed to nominal modes by choosing the rational design refrigeration capacities and their distribution according to current thermal loading to provide closed to maximum annual refrigeration energy generation. Generally, the overall thermal load band of any ACS comprises the unstable load range, corresponding to ambient air precooling with significant load fluctuations, and a comparatively stable load part for further air conditioning from a threshold temperature to a target value. The stable thermal load range can be covered by operation of conventional compressor in closed to nominal mode, meantime ambient air precooling needs load modulation by applying a variable speed compressor. A proposed ACS enables a wide range of refrigerant flow variation without heat flux drop in air coolers and can be considered as advanced alternative to variable refrigerant flow systems.

Waste-to-energy technologies' technological and economic viability for investment in India: A COPRAS Method

In the Vellore District of Tamil Nadu State, small-scale power generation has recently been recognised as a feasible option for energy access because to unprofitable phase extension in remote rural areas (India). Possibility of creating an Integrated Renewable Energy System to satisfy the electricity and cooking needs of rural hamlets (IRES). Techno-Economic Research on This article conducts Technologies for converting waste into energy (WtE) has been acknowledged as one solution to India's persistent problem with unannounced power outages and load shedding. Which of the four potential WtE technologies—pyrolysis, gasification, plasma arc gasification, and anaerobic digestion—will have the highest techno-economic return on investment? MCDA, or multi-criteria decision analysis, is employed in the current study. The four solutions were assessed using 10 chosen techno-economic criteria by five academic and business professionals. According to the current analysis, gasification, also known as anaerobic digestion, is the third most practical WtE technology for investment in India after pyrolysis and plasma arc gasification. The annual energy production and initial investment are, respectively, the most important technical and economic factors. In this paper, based on COPRAS set theory It is suggested to use a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) paradigm. Alternative processes include anaerobic digestion, pyrolysis, gasification, and plasma arc gasification. Net present value, internal rate of return, and Transformative capacity, generational capacity, Annual Energy Generation, Initial Investment, Operations and Maintenance, balanced energy expenditure, repayment period, and Cost of Electricity is taken for evaluations parameters. As a result the Remanufacturing is in 1st rank and Refurbishing are last rank. The results of sensitivity analysis are more robust, Showing stability and consistency. According to the present analysis, Anaerobic digestion and gasification should be integrated rather than used separately, Because it balances well as a WtE technology. The results of this study will help potential WtE technology investors in India make decisions.

Optimization Design of a Rain-Power Utilization System Based on a Siphon and Its Application in a High-Rise Building

Rain falling from the sky is viewed as a clean energy source with a great potential, owing to the large amount of it and its zero pollution nature, the fact that it has scattered raindrops, and its characteristic rainfall concentration that promotes extensive research on harvesting and utilization. Here, we introduce a new approach to harvest rainwater on rooftops called the Rain-Power Utilization System, which is composed of an initial rainwater disposal system and multistage energy conversion system. Initial rainwater is discharged into a split-flow pipe due to its poor quality and impurities. Additionally, clean rainwater is accumulated in a storage pipe until the water level reaches a specified height, triggering siphonage for energy conversion. The same process is repeated in other storage pipes connected in series. Function relations among physical and dimension parameters have been established for further studies. A kind of simplified optimization algorithm has been proposed considering the maximum instantaneous power under the constraint of a permitted vacuum and maximum energy generation per unit length to find the model with an optimal height combination (hu, hd). The experimental prototype developed in proportion is used to verify theoretical research and conduct error analysis to establish an equation of annual energy generation for a high-rise building. Without building extra tanks, this paper presents an innovative approach to maximizing the use of energy in rain for high-rise buildings based on a siphon.

Large‐scale offshore wind energy installation in northwest India: Assessment of wind resource using Weather Research and Forecasting and levelized cost of energy

AbstractIn India, there are plans for 5 GW of installed capacity of wind power by 2022. This study establishes that the wind resource along the west coast of Gujarat is sufficient for offshore wind farms of between 500 MW to 2 GW rated power to be operated with capacity factors of 40% to 54%. For the majority of sites, a levelized cost of energy (LCOE) in the range 68 to 86 £/MWh can be achieved with installation on floating support structures. The LCOE is up to 3.2 £/MWh greater for installation on bed‐fixed structures closer to shore. The wind resource and energy yield are predicted using Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF). Wind speed occurrence is predicted to within 1.3% for multiple sites simultaneously, and this provides wind turbine energy yield to within 3.4%. Wind speeds occurring due to sea breeze are accurately predicted and contribute 6.2% of annual energy generation at the nearshore locations and 3.8% at the deeper water offshore sites. While these events improve the viability of nearshore locations, floating installations offer lower LCOE for most locations along the Gujarat coast.

Waste-To-Energy Solutions That Is Technically and Economically Feasible for Investment in India A MOORA Technique Based on MCDM Method Strategy

In the Vellore District of Tamil Nadu State, Due to the unprofitable nature of phase extension in isolated rural areas, small-scale power generation has recently come to be recognized as a viable option for energy access. It might be possible to develop an Integrated Renewable Energy System to meet the hamlets' energy and culinary requirements. Techno-Economic Research on This article conducts Technologies for converting waste into energy (WtE) has been acknowl-edged as one solution to India's persistent problem with unannounced power outages and load shedding. Research signifi-cance: Which of the four potential WtE technologies—pyrolysis, gasification, plasma arc gasification, and anaerobic di-gestion—will have the highest techno-economic return on investment? MCDA, or multi-criteria decision analysis, is em-ployed in the current study. Methodology: The four solutions were assessed using 10 chosen techno-economic criteria by five academic and business professionals. After pyrolysis and plasma arc gasification, gasification, according to the avail-able statistics, commonly known as anaerobic digestion, is the third most investable WtE technology in India. The annual energy production and initial investment are, respectively, the most important technical and economic factors. Results: Based on MOORA set theory, some multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) paradigm is suggested in this paper. Alter-native methods include pyrolysis, gasification, plasma arc gasification, and anaerobic digestion. The following criteria are used for evaluation: net present value, internal rate of return, transformative capacity, generational capacity, annual energy generation, initial investment, operations, and maintenance, balanced energy expenditure, repayment duration, and cost of electricity. As a result, the Gasification is in 1st rank and anaerobic digestion is last rank. Conclusion: The results of sensi-tivity analysis are more robust, Showing stability and consistency. According to the present analysis, anaerobic digestion and gasification should be integrated rather than used separately, because it balances well as a WtE technology. The results of this study will help potential WtE technology investors in India make decisions.

Electrical Generation of a Ground-Level Solar Thermoelectric Generator: Experimental Tests and One-Year Cycle Simulation

Solar thermoelectric generators (STEGs) are a promising technology to harvest energy for off-grid applications. A wide variety of STEG designs have been proposed with the aim of providing non-intermittent electrical generation. Here, we designed and tested a STEG 0.5 m long formed by nine commercial thermoelectric generator modules and located at ground level. Data were used to validate a numerical model that was employed to simulate a one-year cycle. Results confirmed the very high variability of energy generation during daylight time due to weather conditions. By contrast, energy generation during night was almost independent of atmospheric conditions. Annual variations of nighttime energy generation followed the trend of the daily averaged soil temperature at the bottom of the device. Nighttime electrical energy generation was 5.4 times smaller than the diurnal one in yearly averaged values. Mean energy generation values per day were 587 J d−1 (daylight time) and 110 J d−1 (nighttime). Total annual energy generation was 255 kJ. Mean electrical output power values during daylight and nighttime were 13.4 mW and 2.5 mW, respectively. Annual mean output power was 7.9 mW with a peak value of 79.8 mW.

Capacity configuration of hybrid CSP/PV plant for economical application of solar energy

Concentrating solar power (CSP) technology has received increasing attention in recent years because of its distinct advantage for dispatchable power generation from solar energy. However, owing to its highly levelized costs of electricity, CSP plants are less competitive than photovoltaic (PV) power plants. To overcome this drawback and suppress PV power fluctuations, the concept of a hybrid CSP/PV power plant is proposed and developed. A capacity configuration method based on filtering and checking is proposed to seek a relationship between the capacity configuration of a hybrid CSP/PV system and the cost of solar energy. Co-content hybrid systems with different ratios of CSP capacity and PV capacity are modeled, and their comprehensive performance is investigated. Simulations and comparisons with a standalone CSP system focused on annual energy generation, capacity factor, levelized cost of electricity, and possibility for loss of power supply show that the hybrid CSP/PV systems possess different features depending on their capacity configurations. The results indicate that the proposed method can supply a convenient and simple operation pattern that favors engineering utilization and extension.

Development of building driven-energy payback time for energy transition of building with renewable energy systems

Indicators capable of reflecting the life cycle energy consumption and generation for both the building and renewable energy system are necessary to quantitatively evaluate substantive energy transition of the building since most of research or policies only focused on the operation energy of the building. In this regard, this study applied the energy payback time to the building installed with the renewable energy system, and proposed “building driven-energy payback time (BD-EPBT).” To evaluate the BD-EPBT of the building, a building applied with South Korea’s energy transition policy was decided as a case study. With the annual energy generation (19.2 million kWh/yr) based on the current policy, the BD-EPBT was calculated at 53.9 years, which exceeded the building’s lifetime (40 years), and the actual energy transition ratio was 22.2%, far less than the national objective (30%). In addition, the annual energy generation required to achieve a 30% energy transition target within the building’s lifetime was estimated as 26.4 million kWh/yr, which is more than 137% of the current policy-based annual energy generation. Consequently, the energy transition of the building sector cannot be achieved by the current policies. Therefore, the BD-EPBT should be introduced for the substantial energy transition of the building with the renewable energy systems. This reduces the life cycle energy consumption of buildings and renewable energy systems and helps to effectively install the renewable energy systems.

A techno-environmental assessment of hybrid photovoltaic-thermal based combined heat and power system on a residential home

This paper provides energy, exergy and environmental analyses for hybrid photovoltaic-thermal based combined heat and power system. Grid-connected configuration was used to increase the system reliability when satisfying the load. A series of battery and hot-water storages were applied for saving the excess of electricity and heat, respectively. Technical evaluations were conducted based on experimental data using real-time measurement devices throughout 31 days and estimated annual energy generation. The results showed that the average of electrical energy, thermal energy, electrical exergy and thermal exergy generations in a day were 0.34 kWh/m2, 0.60 kWh/m2, 0.34 kWh/m2, and 0.01 kWh/m2 per day, respectively with the solar irradiation average of 3.25 kWh/m2 per day. The maximum efficiencies of electrical energy, thermal energy, electrical exergy, and thermal exergy generations were 16.73%, 51.09%, 16.73% and 0.85%, respectively. This research also found the electrical and thermal energy efficiencies of the system were degraded by 1.20% and 1.89% per year, respectively. The system reduced the carbon dioxide emission annually by 855.1 kg per year or approximately 26.75% lower than a conventional separated system.

“Designing and Simulation using Software’s PV SYST & HELIOSCOPE for Mitigating Challenges of Grid Connected PV Based Solar Plant”

India is having large potential of renewable energy for which Govt of India has a plan to develop 100GW solar generation. Out of which commissioning of 60 GW Distributed RE generation has been the beginning of an era of de-licensed generation. Paper emphasis on the need for active involvement of distribution companies (DISCOMS) for strong scalability of pilot projects concept under clustered solar agriculture feeder in rural areas and its power evacuation with high degree of performance indicators. In this paper we have discussed various issues regarding grid connected ground mounted solar plant with its energy generation, solar insolation, project sizing/designing tools like PV SYST & HELIOSCOPE software with simulation analysis. Paper covers analysis of above software results for critically study annual energy generation & to mitigate its challenges.

Comprehensive Design of an Earthing System for Broadlands Hydropower Station Switchyard

Broadlands Hydropower Project (BHP) harnesses the last hydropower potential of Kehelgamu-Maskeli Oya rivers with an installed capacity of 35 MW and 126 GWh annual energy generation. Excavation of the powerhouse switchyard site exposed to a bedrock formation with highly weathered granitic gneiss beneath a thin layer of scum soil top, resulting in an irregular high soil resistivity profile. Therefore, the main purpose of this research is to design a safe and effective grounding system for the switchyard of BHP, which can carry fault current into the ground without exceeding tolerable ground potential rise, ensuring the desired operation of protective & control devices so that not to endanger human & equipment. Owing to the nature of non-uniform high soil resistivity and limited land space for extension, this has become a great challenge. Research used two approaches, guidelines of conventional IEEE 80-2000 standards and Finite Element Method (FEM). Initially, resistivity measurement was conducted covering the entire area of concern. A soil model was prepared using orthodox horizontally stratified two-layer soil model using Sunde’s graphical technique based on measured data. Then the grounding grid was designed adhering to guidelines given in IEEE 80:2000 standard and observed high overall grid resistance, eventually exceeding the tolerable step and touch potential levels. Thereafter a soil model was prepared based on FEM which facilitates plot of accurate and smooth surface voltage distribution over the entire switchyard area. Applying fault current to these discrete finite elements and based on the first principle of Kirchhoff’s current distribution balance, the localized voltage distribution has been developed for the entire area and plotted using a self-developed MATLAB computer program. FEM model can trace the points where the touch and step potentials exceed safe limits in two-dimensional stratified grid, estimation of voltage gradients at boundary areas, which all are unable to track using conventional IEEE method. Accuracy of the model can further be increased by reducing the size of the soil element. Finally, several sensitivity studies were conducted so as to optimize the BHP switchyard grid design ensuring safe grid operation.

Effects of Wind Turbine Curtailment on Bird and Bat Fatalities

ABSTRACTBird and bat fatalities increase with wind energy expansion and the only effective fatality‐reduction measure has been operational curtailment, which has been documented for bats but not for birds. We performed opportune before‐after, control‐impact (BACI) experiments of curtailment effects on bird and bat fatalities and nocturnal passage rates during fall migration at 2 wind projects, where 1 continued operating and the other shut down from peak migration to the study's end (study 1). We also performed BACI experiments during a 3‐year study of curtailment and operational effects on bird fatalities among wind turbines of varying operational status (study 2). In study 1, wind turbine curtailment significantly reduced near‐misses and rotor‐disrupted flights of bats, and it significantly reduced fatalities of bats but not of birds. In study 2, converting wind turbines from inoperable to operable status did not significantly increase bird fatalities, and bird species of hole or sheltered‐ledge nesters or roosters on human‐made structures died in substantial numbers at vacant towers. Of bird species represented by fatalities in study 2, 79% were found at inoperable wind turbines. Because the migration season is relatively brief, seasonal curtailment would greatly reduce bat fatalities for a slight loss in annual energy generation, but it might not benefit many bird species. © 2020 The Authors. The Journal of Wildlife Management published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of The Wildlife Society.

Hydropower Potential of Agricultural Dam in Bukit Merah

Malaysia, although having a good number of small to medium hydro power potential sites, has still not exploited all of them. The focus of this manuscript is a feasibility study of the technical viability of power generation from a medium hydropower potential site, the Bukit Merah Dam site, on the Terusan Besar irrigation canal in northern region of Malaysia. This study is carried out using flow data of 2016 from the main irrigation canal of Bukit Merah dam. The data was obtained from Department of Irrigation and Drainage, Perak. The power capacity, yearly energy output of the potential hydro site are studied in this work. Technical analysis of the power output capacity and yearly energy output of three (3) hydro-turbine types (Kaplan, Propeller, and Francis) operable at the same given head and design flow were studied. The study shows that there is a potential capacity of 2.2 MW and an annual energy generation capacity of 7028.47 MWh at a turbine peak efficiency of 92.8% at a design flow of 19.23 m3/s using Kaplan turbine.

Optimization method for photovoltaic integration in residential houses

Good design and sizing of photovoltaic (PV) systems is very important in order to effectively harvest energy and minimize the investment cost. The optimum tilt and azimuth angles at which a PV system should be installed are often debated. This paper evaluates the trade-off between annual energy generation and payback period reduction through the analysis of a small house with pitched roof integrated PVs in both East and West sides. Validated irradiance and PV models were used for the analysis. The optimum tilt and azimuth angles are found to be 35° and 10° respectively. Finally, a contour map plot illustrating all possible tilt and orientation angles, corresponding to a payback period less than 20 years, is provided. The results are valid for different building typologies and locations with similar climate conditions as Prague.