Self-generation Of Electricity Research Articles

Thermodynamic and economic assessment of two-stage series organic Rankine cycle (TSORC) and regenerative TSORC (R-TSORC) for a solar project in hot, non-temperate climate

This paper provides a thermodynamic and economic assessment of two-stage series organic Rankine cycle (TSORC) and regenerative TSORC (R-TSORC) for a solar project in hot, non-temperate climate. The objective thermodynamic parameters include the net power output (Pnet), the thermal efficiency (ηth) and exergy efficiency (ηex), while the objective economic parameters include the electricity production cost (EPC), the payback period (PBP) and the rate of return on investment (ROROI). The total length of the receiver tube has been also considered as objective parameter. The two solar ORCs were compared on the basis of the same thermal potential generated by the solar system. The results show that, for the same thermal potential of energy source, the R-TSORC requires more mass flow rate of heat transfer fluid, but with a total length of receiver tube less than the TSORC. However, the Pnet, ηth, ηex, EPC, PBP and ROROI of R-TSORC are more competitive than those of the TSORC. In addition, it was found that the EPC of R-TSORC is lower than the electricity self-generation costs for industrial companies in Cameroon. Therefore, the R-TSORC can be effectively exploited in the micro solar plants of hot, non-temperate regions where the electricity issues remain problematic.

Design of a predictive control system for the smart regulation of renewable climatization systems

The objective of this Project is to design a predictive controller for Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning in residential buildings is designed. A realistic residential home has been designed, establishing the dynamics of the temperature according to a theoretical model that has been elaborated, being the basis for the actuation of the temperature-regulation controller. Several simulations have been carried out, defining the objective function and the constraints associated, together with the controller parameters that allow an optimal performance, taking into account different criteria such as thermal comfort and reduction of power consumption for different scenarios. In addition, electricity selfgeneration has been also contemplated, integrating it into the controller actuation for leveraging the increase in economic savings.

Tipping the scale: Why utility-scale solar avoids a solar rebound and what it means for U.S. solar policy

Adoption of residential rooftop photovoltaic (PV) systems is increasingly widespread. However, empirical evidence shows that households who adopt rooftop PV increase total electricity consumption, a response known as the ‘solar rebound effect’ (SRE). The SRE implies that rooftop PV generation displaces conventional, grid-supplied electricity—still overwhelmingly generated by fossil fuel combustion—on a less than one-for-one basis. This article argues that utility-scale solar avoids a SRE because the SRE emerges as a household’s response to the self-generation of electricity by its rooftop PV system, which changes its electricity consumption incentives in ways that utility-scale solar does not. By avoiding a SRE, utility-scale solar allows the carbon reduction potential of increased PV generation capacity to be more fully realized, which has important implications for U.S. solar policy.

The importance of self-generation of electricity through controlled recycling: A case study in West Sub-Saharan African regions

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PdCu/C Catalyst with Electricity Self-Generation via a Fuel Cell for Electroreduction of Nitrate

PdCu/C Catalyst with Electricity Self-Generation via a Fuel Cell for Electroreduction of Nitrate

Efficient pathways to zero-carbon energy use by water supply utilities: an example from London, UK

Urban water utilities are increasing their use of energy-intensive technologies such as desalination and long-distanced pumped transfers. Under pressure to reduce their energy-related carbon emissions to zero, water utilities have devised a variety of energy management strategies, including the purchase of renewable energy and self-generation of electricity using locally installed renewables. These strategies will incur different costs for the utility, whilst some may have implications for the reliability of water supply systems. Yet the trade-offs between costs, water security and energy sustainability remain unexplored. Here, we present a regional scale analysis to test competing energy strategies, mapping pathways to zero carbon energy and water security. Results from a case-study of the London water system show a balanced approach that allows for some energy self-generation, using biogas, solar and wind, while also purchasing green energy credits from the electricity supply grid can best navigate this trade-off. Balanced investment plans can accommodate energy-intensive water supply techniques such as long-distance transfers, desalination and effluent reuse while meeting energy targets. By becoming energy generators and also adopting more flexible arrangements for energy use, water utilities could become significant players in energy markets.

The role of fiscal measures in promoting renewable electricity in Spain

The sustainability of the environment implies a dire need to redesign electricity systems. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the role of alternative fiscal incentives to promote renewable electricity. To this end, a disaggregated, electricity-related Computable General Equilibrium model is developed, taking the current structure of the (renewable and non-renewable) electricity sector into account. The Computable General Equilibrium model developed presents at least two advantages: the changes are analyzed from a global perspective (including impacts on prices), and second, rebound effects are accounted for. The fiscal measures examine three scenarios of change in line with the decarbonization processes of economies. Specifically, the scenarios assess: (1) a 100% decrease in renewable electricity taxes; (2) a 23% increase in taxes paid by the non-renewable electricity sector; and, (3) both together. In addition, these fiscal measures are evaluated assuming improvements in electricity self-generation. The case study is the Spanish economy for 2016. The Computable General Equilibrium model is calibrated on a symmetric input–output table, constructed from supply and use tables. These tables disaggregate the energy and electricity sectors. Results reveal the role and strength of fiscal policy in boosting the production of electricity generation technologies using green energy resources, and reducing the production of electricity generated from brown sources. However, results suggest that these effects are limited to the energy chain sectors, with insignificant effects in the whole economy. This study also provides better information and guidance to politicians and decision-makers who wish to promote renewables, and the need to have a clear understanding of the influence price competitiveness has on the economy. Moreover, the results of this study have implications for rebound effects when electricity self-generation is implemented.

Impact of Electricity Shortages on Productivity: Evidence from Manufacturing Industries

Electricity shortages present a significant constraint on manufacturers, who rely on electricity as an important input into production. In China, electricity supply has been growing rapidly. However, the rapid industrialization sometimes makes the power supply still unable to meet the demand. Using a survey of 1673 Chinese manufacturing firms, this paper explores how firms response to electricity shortages and its impact on productivity. We find that self-generation of electricity and investment in Research and Development (R&D) have significant positive relationships with electricity shortages. Further investigations reveal that self-generation is the most common way to deal with electricity shortages. However, it aggravates productivity loss. Though investment in Research and Development can promote productivity, it cannot offset the negative impact of electricity shortages on productivity. Analyses on subsamples show heterogeneity in the impacts of electricity shortages across firms. In particular, large firms are more inclined to invest in R&D than small and medium-sized firms are. They are also the one who suffer significant productivity loss due to self-generation of electricity. Though it is possible for medium-sized firms to reduce productivity loss through R&D, they are not likely to invest in R&D as a response to electricity shortages. This study illustrates that firms can hardly have effective solutions to electricity shortages, and policy makers should take great efforts to increase electricity supply.

Smart Grid for Industry Using Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning

The growing share of renewable power generation leads to increasingly fluctuating and generally rising electricity prices. This is a challenge for industrial companies. However, electricity expenses can be reduced by adapting the energy demand of production processes to the volatile prices on the markets. This approach depicts the new paradigm of energy flexibility to reduce electricity costs. At the same time, using electricity self-generation further offers possibilities for decreasing energy costs. In addition, energy flexibility can be gradually increased by on-site power storage, e.g., stationary batteries. As a consequence, both the electricity demand of the manufacturing system and the supply side, including battery storage, self-generation, and the energy market, need to be controlled in a holistic manner, thus resulting in a smart grid solution for industrial sites. This coordination represents a complex optimization problem, which additionally is highly stochastic due to unforeseen events like machine breakdowns, changing prices, or changing energy availability. This paper presents an approach to controlling a complex system of production resources, battery storage, electricity self-supply, and short-term market trading using multi-agent reinforcement learning (MARL). The results of a case study demonstrate that the developed system can outperform the rule-based reactive control strategy (RCS) frequently used. Although the metaheuristic benchmark based on simulated annealing performs better, MARL enables faster reactions because of the significantly lower computation costs for its own execution.

Co-supplying the National Grid: An Assessment of Private Off-grid Electricity Generation in Juba-South Sudan

Despite the global campaign for energy transition towards renewable sources, South Sudan's electricity generation is exclusively diesel-based with an installed capacity of 12MW in Juba against 154MW demand. Persistent power outages have led to a rise in off-grid electricity self-generation using diesel generators. This study explored the available electricity generation options in Juba, quantified the off-grid electricity, and assessed the electricity market system dynamics through a survey involving 44 companies, 2 government institutions, and 2 solar energy retailers. The study found that the current off-grid installed generation capacity in Juba is higher than the on-grid with a total of 28.93MW from 142 generator-sets. 98% of this amount is diesel-fired and 2% is from solar. Running these generators for a month cost the companies US$ 533,204 on 589,760 liters of diesel, and the combustion of this fuel results in 1553.8 tCO2e emissions. Knowledge of solar energy adoption was low and showed a mixed perception with most companies having no/limited knowledge. Besides, the governance of the electricity market is monopolized by a government utility company without legal frameworks. The study recommends restructuring the electricity market to attract private players by developing legal frameworks and the creation of awareness for the promotion of solar energy.

Metodología APRENDYSAGE aplicada a los casos de estudio: Briceño (Boyacá) y Cajicá (Cundinamarca)

Contexto: La dependencia a las fuentes convencionales de energía eléctrica, el agotamiento de los recursos y la necesidad de mejorar la confiabilidad y eficiencia del servicio de energía eléctrica conllevan a la promoción de las fuentes no convencionales de energía eléctrica, como los recursos de biomasa residual pecuaria. Método: Este documento presenta los resultados de los potenciales energéticos teóricos y técnicos a partir del aprovechamiento de los desechos de ganado vacuno en la autogeneración de electricidad para dos casos de estudio, a través de la metodología APRENDYSAGE y del análisis de su viabilidad técnica, económica y ambiental, con el software RETScreen.Resultados: La energía eléctrica generada a partir de la implementación de sistemas de biodigestión con recursos de biomasa residual pecuaria y sistemas de autogeneración logra suplir las necesidades propias de un hogar con capacidad instalada de 3 kW.Conclusiones: La inversión económica para la aplicación de este tipo de proyectos es bastante alta; sin embargo, existen beneficios como la reducción de emisiones de efecto invernadero, la reducción de focos de infección debido al manejo inadecuado de la biomasa residual pecuaria, y la producción de biofertilizantes y biogás, que hacen viable la aplicación de estas iniciativas.

Empirical Investigation of Electricity Self-Generation in a Lubricated Sliding–Rolling Contact

The paper reports the empirical observations of voltage generation in a lubricated tribocontact with different oils altering load, sliding and temperature. The investigation is done in the context of research of the root cause of white etching cracks (WEC) failure in bearings. Tested oils of different additive packages found completely different electrical behavior. The oil, which is known to produce WECs in laboratory tests, demonstrated non-zero voltage generation.

Financing schemes for residential, grid-connected pv solar systems in BCS, Mexico

This article presents two proposals to spur the extensive adoption of grid-connected, residential, solar photovoltaic systems in the Mexican state of Baja California Sur. To this aim, electricity generation costs and subsidies were estimated first, together with time-of-generation avoided costs that could result from the implementation of such solar systems. An overview of financing mechanisms for solar and other renewable energies around the world is also presented followed by current mechanisms available in Mexico. The first proposal is centered around the operation of a solar energy service company that would receive the avoided cost of generation as compensation in return for sourcing, installing, and maintaining solar PV systems on residential users’ roofs. This would free up the residential user from any future electricity payments. The second proposal consists in the implementation of a feed-in tariff (FiT), currently unavailable in Mexico for residential users. The FiT could be funded from the avoided generation cost in conventional plants plus the corresponding savings from self-generation of electricity. Alternatively, the option of funding the FiT from small increases in electricity prices to all customers was also explored. Present value analyses suggest that both proposals are worthwhile pursuing in Baja California Sur.

Self-generation of Electricity, Assessment and Optimization Under the New Support Schemes in Colombia

This paper propose a method to evaluate a electricity project self-generation with renewable energy sources under the new Colombian normative framework and it includes the uncertainty than characterized this type of projects. An economic optimization model was designed to evaluate the self-generation project management; the cash discount flow method is implemented with Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS). A Radial Basis Function Network with causal variables (historic and forecast) was used for modeling the forward price and MCS for the system generation and the output of the economic model. The case study that was developed in shopping centers considering the possibilities of electricity generation surplus export and, response demand programs. The applicability of the proposed economic model is shown, through which the scenarios in which the project is viable are determined.

Active buildings in smart grids—Exploring the views of the Swedish energy and buildings sectors

The development of smart grids is expected to shift the role of buildings in power networks from passive consumers to active players that trade on power markets in real-time and participate in the operation of networks. Although there are several studies that report on consumer views on buildings with smart grid features, there is a gap in the literature about the views of the energy and buildings sectors, two important sectors for the development. This study fills this gap by presenting the views of key stakeholders from the Swedish energy and buildings sectors on the active building concept with the help of interviews and a web survey. The findings indicate that the active building concept is associated more with energy use flexibility than self-generation of electricity. The barriers to development were identified to be primarily financial due to the combination of the current low electricity prices and the high costs of technologies. Business models that reduce the financial burdens and risks related to investments can contribute to the development of smart grid technologies in buildings, which, according to the majority of respondents from the energy and buildings sectors, are to be financed by housing companies and building owners.

Portafolio para Auto-Generación de Electricidad con Fuentes Renovables en Edificios Comerciales

The aim of this study is to perform an optimum electricity self-generation portfolio with renewable energy sources in commercial buildings based on consumer characterization, renewable uncertainty, Colombian regulation and the real options of the project. The optimization methodology designed starts with the selection of renewable alternatives using multi-criteria methods. The economic evaluation of the alternative options was done using the cash flow method. The flexibility of the present value of the project was defined using the Real Options theory and the optimal portfolio was estimated through maximization of the present value of the project. The case study was developed in a commercial center concluding that renewable energies are feasible when the real options are considered in the project. Returns increase with optimization up to two thousand three hundred percent.

Buildings in the future energy system – Perspectives of the Swedish energy and buildings sectors on current energy challenges

Buildings are expected to play a key role in the development and operation of future smart energy systems through real-time energy trade, energy demand flexibility, self-generation of electricity, and energy storage capabilities. Shifting the role of buildings from passive consumers to active players in the energy networks, however, may require closer cooperation between the energy and buildings sectors than there is today. Based on 23 semi-structured interviews and a web survey answered by key stakeholders, this study presents the views of the energy and buildings sectors on the current energy challenges in a comparative approach. Despite conflicting viewpoints on some of the issues, the energy and buildings sectors have similar perspectives on many of the current energy challenges. Reducing CO2 emissions is a shared concern between the energy and buildings sectors that can serve as a departure point for inter-sectoral cooperation for carbon-reducing developments, including the deployment of smart energy systems. The prominent energy challenges were identified to be related to low flexibilities in energy supply and use, which limit mutually beneficial cases, and hence cooperation, between the energy and buildings sectors today.

Design of Micro Power Self-Generation Device

Power supply for micro-system such as wireless sensor network node (WSNN) is an open and interest issue. In this paper, the principle of power self-generation device based on mechanical vibration transformation is introduced, which absorb the energy of mechanical vibration and transform to pressure on piezoelectric materials to produce micro-current, and a mechanical frequency-adjustable vibration absorber based micro electricity self-generation device is designed.

Firms Operating under Electricity Constraints in Developing Countries

Many developing countries are unable to provide their industrial sectors with reliable electric power, with the result that many enterprises must contend with an insufficient and unreliable supply of electricity. Because of these constraints, enterprises often opt for self-generation of electricity even though it is widely considered a second-best solution. This paper develops a theoretical model of investment behavior in remedial infrastructure in the presence of physical constraints. It then illustrates the model’s predictions using a large cross-country sample of enterprises from the World Bank Enterprise Survey database. Electricity-intensive sectors in high-outage countries are characterized by a significantly lower share of small firms.

Electricity Self-Generation Costs for Industrial Companies in Cameroon

Industrial production in developing countries (DC) is frequently perturbed by electric energy supply difficulties. To overcome this problem, generators are used in self-generation of energy, but this leads to an increase of electricity-related expenses. This article assesses the impact of electricity self-generation on Cameroonian industrial companies. The model described in this article is based on data collected through a survey of a representative sample of industrial companies and from numerous previous thematic and statistical studies. The results of our analyses show that expenses related to electricity in industrial companies in Cameroon have increased five times due to electricity rationing and untimely power cuts. The article also suggests some solutions to improve the electricity self-generation capacity of industrial companies.