Annual Energy Potential Research Articles

Evaluating energy consumption patterns in novel foamed ternary alkali-activated masonry blocks

This study endeavors to tackle the energy requirements of the building sector by employing passive design strategies. However, there exists a dearth of comprehension regarding the energy efficiency performance of foamed alkali-activated materials. To bridge this research gap, the study proposes a solution in the form of a thermally proficient wall material crafted from ceramic tile dust (CTD), class C fly ash (FA), and Ground Granulated Blast-Furnace Slag (GGBS), all of which are industrial by-products. The foamed ternary alkali-activated (FTAA) blocks, developed as a result of this research, exhibited commendable performance in terms of mechanical strength of 18.6 MPa, lower density of 1200 kg/m3, porosity of 15.95%, lower specific heat capacity (SHC) of 831 J/(Kg·K), and thermal conductivity (TC) of 0.38 W/(m·K). The thermal efficiency of FTAA blocks curtails the transfer of heat from the external environment to the interior, thereby engendering a more agreeable indoor milieu for occupants. A simulation study utilizing the eQuest tool was executed to evaluate the thermal attributes of the developed blocks and their consequential impact on energy requirements. The findings revealed that in comparison to clay bricks, employing FTAA blocks could yield potential annual energy savings of approximately 4%. Furthermore, notable cost savings of about 4.94% during peak summer months and 5.51% annually were observed. The significance of utilizing these ternary blocks, derived from industrial waste, resides in their affirmative contribution to environmental preservation, augmented indoor thermal comfort, and diminished energy consumption for end users. Consequently, this research makes a meaningful stride towards diminishing operational energy in buildings, harmonizing with sustainability objectives.

Feasibility analysis of solar and wind energy-powered irrigation pumping systems using reanalysis data–A case of Thiruvananthapuram district in Kerala, southwest region of India

This study presents a feasibility assessment of solar photovoltaic and wind energy systems for irrigation at three locations (a coastal lowland location named A, a midland location B, and a highland location C) in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala, in India’s southwest region. The solar and wind potentials are determined using the National Solar Radiation Database and Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications, Version 2 reanalysis data sets, respectively. The technical analyses suggest that site B has the most solar energy potential, while site C has the highest wind energy potential. However, the economic feasibility study reveals that the only suitable location is site B, which has a 10-year simple payback time (SPT). The site has an annual solar energy potential of 1633.85 kWh/kWp, which is enough to pump 3921.24 kL of water to irrigate the majority of crops in one acre.

Energy performance evaluation of the ASHRAE Guideline 36 control and reinforcement learning–based control using field measurements

This study evaluates the energy performance of ASHRAE Guideline 36–compliant control (ASHRAE 36 control) and reinforcement learning (RL)–based control through experimental field tests and a simulation study. Three field tests were conducted at Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s commercial building test facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee: a baseline with a baseline conventional control, a test with ASHRAE 36 control, and a test with RL-based control. The selected ASHRAE 36 controls were trim and respond control, as well as variable air volume (VAV) box control. We compared the measured supply air temperature of the rooftop unit, VAV box supply air temperature, and VAV box supply airflow rate across the three test cases. The field data indicated that ASHRAE 36 controls operated as specified by ASHRAE Guideline 36. Based on these data, ASHRAE 36 control achieved a 45 % reduction in hourly averaged HVAC energy consumption compared with the baseline, and RL-based control achieved a 66 % reduction. These potential annual energy savings were confirmed using a calibrated whole-building energy model. Compared with the baseline, ASHRAE 36 control reduced HVAC energy consumption by 42 %, and RL-based control achieved a 54 % reduction. Furthermore, RL-based control reduced total HVAC energy consumption by 21 % more than ASHRAE 36 control.

Proposal and design a comprehensive framework to provide water and energy from rain and precipitation

In this paper a new renewable energy source was proposed based on rain power. Rain energy was not used as an energy source up to now; so, in this research its applicability was investigated as a green large scale power source. Hence, three innovative mechanisms were presented to harvest the energy of rain. Firstly, the kinetic energy of rain drops was converted to electricity using piezoelectric harvesters designed and named as Pizo-panel collectors. Secondly, potential energy of collected rainwater was enhanced by utilizing designed towers and converted to electricity using a water turbine. Thirdly, collected water was used in osmotic power units to generate electricity from the salinity gradient of that rain water and brine. The results show that generated power in the presented power plant named as rain power plant, was considerable and can be used for diversifying of energy basket. In addition to power generation, collected water in the rain power plant can be used for supplying urban and agricultural need for water. The presented power source not only does not have destructive impacts on the environment, but also helps the soil to prevent it from splash and crusting erosion. The results showed that total global annual rain energy potential amount was estimated to be 3.44 × 108 GW h which is comparable with global potential of solar energy. Also, the results showed that for rainy areas with an annual rainfall of 200 cm, 2.59 kW h/m2 could be produced, which is equal to 51.7 MW h for an area of 200,000 m2.

City-Level Solar Photovoltaic Potential Using Integrated Surface Models and Himawari Satellite in Jakarta and Bandung Indonesia

This research focuses on the detailed modeling of solar PV (Photovoltaic) in urban areas by integrating a detailed reconstructed digital surface model (DSM) and high-temporal-resolution satellite data. This study introduces enhancing method for open digital surface model from medium to high resolution to capture building height details, and integrating the new DSM with high-temporal satellite data to get detail spatial and temporal resolution of solar PV. The DSM reconstruction, building heights are determined using a combination of multi-data and multi-machine learning regression approaches to achieve building height results closely aligned with actual height. In Jakarta, building heights ranged from 5 to 223 m, while in Bandung, they ranged from around 3.58 to 254 m. The combination scenarios had a mean absolute error of 1.584 m, and the coefficient of determination (R2) was 0.754. The integration of new DSM detail data and high-temporal data employs an approach to integrate surface solar irradiance by shadow, sky view factor, and reflectance irradiance from surrounding object. The annual average energy potential in Jakarta and Bandung ranges from 260 to 420 W/Wp. Areas near tall buildings exhibit lower potential because of the shadow effect and sky view factor. This research hopefully can contribute to urban planning for carbon neutrality by providing a more detailed understanding of solar PV potential in urban areas in the absence of detailed data limitations.

DETERMINATION OF THE FEATURES OF THERMAL DECOMPOSITION OF SUNFLOWER HUSK IN A FLUIDIZED BED

Sunflower husk (SH) is a plant waste fuel. The carbon content in different samples of SH ranges from 40.5% to 54.5% in an operating state, with ash content ranging from 1.5% to 8.5%, moisture content ranging from 6.9% to 9.5%, chlorine content ranging from 0.05% to 0.3%, and lower heating value ranging from 14.5 MJ/kg to 20.5 MJ/kg. These characteristics make it a suitable substitute for fossil fuels in power boilers. Waste-to-energy (WTE) technologies are rapidly developing worldwide, offering the potential for generating renewable energy from waste, including agricultural and food industry waste such as SH. According to our estimates, Ukraine has an annual energy potential of approximately 3.4 million tons of SH or about two million tons of fuel equivalent. Approximately half of this volume is currently being burned in oil extraction plants' boilers; however, up to one million tons of SH end up in landfills annually, resulting in significant energy losses. To develop new and improve existing WTE technologies that utilize SH as a fuel source, it's essential to understand the thermal processing characteristics of SH under conditions similar to those found in different zones within real power boilers - specifically the heating of fuel particles at rates up to 500 °C/s over a temperature range of 500–1000 °C. In this study, we aimed to investigate the thermal processing characteristics by subjecting SH particles within a laboratory fluidized bed reactor to high-speed heating within the aforementioned temperature range. During rapid heating between 500–1000 °C temperatures range, SH particles undergo conversion into volatile compounds and solid carbon residue. Two distinct stages can be observed on the dynamic yield curves for volatiles. The release and burnout of volatiles occurs during the first stage while the second stage involves coke ash residue burnout. We obtained empirical temperature-dependents for total heat treatment time and carbon residue burnout time under fast heating conditions in the investigated temperature range. The stage of carbon residue combustion is the most enduring and determines the overall duration of thermal treatment. This stage determines the degree of fuel transformation, especially in cases where low-reactivity carbon residue enters the low-temperature combustion chamber area of the boiler. The obtained regularities have practical significance in designing combustion chambers for thermal processing of sunflower husk.

The Energy Requirement for Supplemental Greenhouse Lighting Can Be Reduced by Considering 'Excess' Light from the Previous Day.

The sunlight greenhouse crops receive varies and is often insufficient for consistent year-round growth in greenhouses. Supplemental lighting is commonly applied in winter, but this practice has a significant energy cost, accounting for 10-30% of operating expenses and impacting greenhouse profitability. Greenhouse lights are traditionally adjusted based on sunlight intensity to meet crops' daily light requirements. However, if plants can withstand lower daily light integrals (DLI) after a sunny day without reducing the growth, there is potential to reduce the energy required for supplemental lighting and increase the profit. To determine whether excess light received one day can be 'carried over' to the next, we grew oakleaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa 'Green Salad Bowl' and 'Red Salad Bowl') under six lighting regimes inside a vertical farm. Plants in all treatments received an average DLI of 15 mol·m-2·d-1, but DLIs alternated from day-to-day (15/15, 17.5/12.5, 20/10, 22.5/7.5, 25/5, and 27.5/2.5 mol·m-2·d-1), resulting in DLI fluctuations from 0 to 25 mol·m-2·d-1. Plants had similar leaf area (~800 cm2/plant) and dry weight (~1.8 g/plant) when grown with DLI fluctuations from 0 to 15 mol·m-2·d-1, while higher DLI fluctuation reduced growth. To confirm this DLI "carrying-over" effect on plants grown under sunlight with supplemental light, we conducted a second study in a greenhouse with 'Green Salad Bowl' lettuce. In this study, plants were grown with five different DLI fluctuations (15/15, 16.75/13.25, 18.5/11.5, 20.25/9.75, and 22/8 mol·m-2·d-1), ranging from 0 to 14 mol·m-2·d-1, while maintaining an average DLI of 15 mol·m-2·d-1 in all the treatments. We observed similar leaf area (~750 cm2/plant) and dry weight (~1.8 g/plant) in lettuce plants grown with DLI fluctuations from 0 to 10.5 mol·m-2·d-1. Higher DLI fluctuations reduced growth. Hence, carrying excess light from a sunny to an overcast day is possible within limits. Our study concluded that the DLI requirement can be reduced by approximately 5.25 mol·m-2·d-1 on the day following a sunny day. By analyzing historical weather data from five US locations, we quantified the potential annual energy savings from incorporating this 'carrying-over DLI' concept. This approach resulted in annual energy savings of approximately 75-190 MWh/ha in greenhouse lettuce production. Such reductions in supplemental lighting energy will enhance the profitability and sustainability of the greenhouse industry.

From Agricultural Waste to Energy: Assessing the Bioenergy Potential of South-Central Texas

This paper addresses the challenge of meeting increasing energy needs by assessing the potential of bioenergy as a sustainable resource option in South Central Texas. Available agricultural crop residues suitable for bioenergy production are evaluated from the 21 counties in South Central Texas Regional Water Planning Area (Region L). The residues produced and available for bioenergy are quantified according to the production areas for each field crop and tree area. Residue-to-product ratios of field crops are determined according to crop type and production quantity. Biomass potential of trees is calculated based on tree density and biomass production per tree. The results demonstrate that the potential productions of utilizable agricultural wastes are in the range of 898.7 t kt–1421.39 kt for Region L. The average annual energy potential is estimated at 19.27 PJ, and ranges between 14.36 and 24.18 PJ. The average potential biomass-based electricity production could compensate significant amount of coal-based electricity generated in the Texas and when agricultural wastes are available.

Assessment of Urban Wind Potential and the Stakeholders Involved in Energy Decision-Making

Urban wind energy has emerged as an attractive source of distributed generation in cities to achieve sustainable development goals. The advancement in technologies for the use of urban wind energy has offered an alternative for the decarbonization of cities and the energy transition. The objectives of this work are (1) to identify the potential of wind energy through numerical weather prediction (NWP) data tools and (2) to identify the roles and responsibilities of the stakeholders involved in the decision-making process. A methodology was developed in two phases and applied to a case study in the Dominican Republic. The first phase consisted of estimating the wind energy potential for the 32 provinces at a height of 10 m using open access NWP tools provided by NASA. In the second phase, 28 stakeholders were identified through snowball sampling. The Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed (RACI) matrix tool was applied to identify the roles of the 28 institutions addressed at the country level as relevant in the decision-making process for the energy sector. The annual average wind speed and energy potential for each province were determined. It was found that 24 provinces have poor potentials, below <4.5 m/s. In the northwest and east is where there is the greatest potential, between 4.83 and 6.63 m/s. The population density was established, and it was observed that the provinces with greater potential are less densely populated. Through 59 interviews, 28 institutions were identified and evaluated due to their relevance in decision making for the implementation of energy projects. According to the RACI matrix, the Ministry of Energy and Mines has been categorized as “A”, electricity distribution companies as “R”, energy associations and universities as “C”, and educational and justice institutions as “I”.

ISO 50002 and ITS Contribution to the Decarbonization of SMES: Case Study

The decarbonization of all sectors of the energy system is essential to mitigate climate change. However, the existing barriers, mainly related to information, prevent the implementation of Energy Efficiency measures and energy management systems in SMEs to reduce carbon emissions. An energy audit is considered a critical step for businesses that want to increase their energy efficiency and reduce energy consumption cost-effectively. The present study addressed ISO 50002 and its contribution to energy management based on the ISO 50001:2019 standard through a case study applied to an SME in the non-metallic mineral sector, which allowed establishing the guidelines and the form to address an energy audit in an SME under ISO 50002, determining opportunities for improvement by eliminating unproductive times, correcting fleeting compressed air, eliminating energy losses due to operational variability, automating the start-up of the Hammer Mill and the feed band in gypsum grinding. Additionally, an annual energy and economic savings potential of 162,599 KWh and COP 49,360,442 was estimated; and 26,992 Kg CO2 stopped emitting.

Beyond short-term savings: A ten-year analysis of energy efficiency program outcomes in swiss households

This paper investigates the enduring impacts of Swiss energy efficiency programs on household electricity use and on the continuation of energy-conserving practices. Employing a mixed-methods research design, we analyzed electricity consumption data from 2009 to 2019 and incorporated insights from 2840 survey responses collected in 2018. Findings reveal sustained reductions in electricity use and continued adoption of energy-efficient appliances among program participants, underscoring the role of non-financial incentives—particularly environmental awareness—in promoting long-lasting energy conservation behaviors. Socio-cultural factors emerged as more indicative of household energy use than social status. Scaling the results to the national level, we estimate a potential annual energy saving of 2400 GWh, equivalent to 13 % of Swiss household electricity consumption in 2009. The paper advocates energy policies that prioritize engagement and periodic reinforcement to enhance long-term program efficacy.

Enhancing Energy Efficiency in Buildings through PCM Integration: A Study across Different Climatic Regions

In the quest for sustainable and energy-efficient building solutions, the incorporation of phase change materials (PCMs) into building envelopes emerges as a groundbreaking strategy. PCMs, renowned for storing and releasing thermal energy during phase transitions, stand as a promising avenue to curtail energy consumption while enhancing thermal performance. This study rigorously explores the potential energy savings and thermal comfort benefits achievable through PCM integration into building envelopes. Multiple energy simulations are conducted on a residential building model in diverse locations, including Irbid, Amman, and Aqaba in Jordan, and the city of Oradea in Romania, utilizing the EnergyPlus simulation tool embedded in DesignBuilder software v7.0.2.006. The results reveal that BioPCM®, derived from renewable biomass, significantly elevates thermal performance owing to its heightened latent heat of fusion. Optimal outcomes materialize with a PCM melting point of 23 °C, a configuration closer to the interior surface, and a thickness of 37.1 mm. The study underscores the superior performance in moderate climates (Irbid and Amman) compared to hot-dry climates (Aqaba) and cold-wet climates (Oradea, Romania). Financially and environmentally, incorporating PCM in Amman demonstrates potential annual energy savings of 5476.14 kWh, translating to a cost reduction of 1150 USD/year, and a decrease in GHG emissions by 2382.31 kgCO2eq. The estimated payback period for PCM incorporation in external walls is four years, robustly emphasizing the feasibility and multifaceted benefits of this energy-efficient solution.

Techno-Economic Feasibility Study of a 1.5 MW Grid-Connected Solar Power Plant in Bangladesh

This study addresses the pressing energy constraints in nations like Bangladesh by proposing the implementation of photovoltaic (PV) microgrids. Given concerns about environmental degradation, limited fossil fuel reserves, and volatile product costs, renewable energy sources are gaining momentum globally. Our research focuses on a grid-connected solar PV system model at Char Jazira, Lalpur, Natore, Rajshahi, Bangladesh. Through PVsyst 7.1 simulation software, we assess the performance ratio (PR) and system losses, revealing an annual solar energy potential of 3375 MWh at standard test condition (STC) efficiency. After considering losses, the system generates 2815.2 MWh annually, with 2774 MWh exported to the grid. We analyze an average PR of 78.63% and calculate a levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of 2.82 BDT/kWh [1 USD = 110 BDT]. The financial assessment indicates a cost-effective LCOE for the grid-connected PV system, with an annual gross income of 27,744 kBDT from selling energy to the grid and operating costs of 64,060.60 BDT/year. Remarkably, this initiative can prevent 37,647.82 tCO2 emissions over the project’s 25-year lifespan.

Technical Analysis of Sawdust-to-Power: A Paradigm Shift in Waste Management in a Typical Developing Economy

The proper management of sawdust is critical to socioeconomic development. In this research, waste-to-energy has been proposed to utilize sawdust in selected timber markets in Port Harcourt, namely, Illoabuchi Timber Market, Marine Base Timber Market, and Mile 3 Timber Market. A quantitative approach has been taken to estimate the sawdust generation, energy potential, power generation capacities, and pollutant reduction of indiscriminate combustion of sawdust. The findings suggest that, annually, 171 ktons, 42 ktons and 12 ktons of sawdust, respectively, are generated at the Illoabuchi, Marine Base, and Mile 3 timber markets. Also, the annual energy potential of sawdust in each of these timber markets is within 206-3000 TJ, while power generation is within 2.65-42.56 MW. The proposed power generation can serve the energy needs of the timber markets estimated at 10.2 GWh, 2.7 GWh, and 0.7 GWh, respectively, for Illoabuchi, Marine Base, and Mile 3 timber markets, and also provide extra clean energy for their host communities, respectively, at 308.8 GWh, 76 GWh, and 19.2 GWh, annually. Additionally, the study shows the potential for the reduction of pollutants: particulate matter at 5.85-85.5 tons, carbon monoxide at 760.5-11102 tons, sulfur dioxide at 0.59-8.55 tons, and nitrogen oxide at 5.85-85.5 tons. This research can support policy decisions on properly utilizing sawdust in Nigeria and societies with similar waste management challenges.

Estimating surface utilization factors for BIPV applications using pix2pix on street captured façade images

While techniques for assessing solar potential, particularly on roofs, are well-established, estimating solar potential on building facades often requires more work due to the complexity of urban features and the elaborate design of building facades. Existing methods to assess the solar potential of building facades often neglect the characteristics of individual facades. This study presents an image-based method for a more accurate estimation of the PV potential of facades. The proposed method is composed of four steps: (1) data acquisition, preprocessing, and manual labeling, (2) training a pixel-wise semantic image segmentation model based on Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), (3) color content analysis of segmented images, and (4) estimating the annual solar energy potential. We apply the proposed workflow to several buildings in Zurich, Switzerland, and evaluate segmentation quality and resulting changes in façade surface utilization factors. In a comparative analysis between the widely used web-based solar potential assessment tools, Sonnenfassade, Global Solar Atlas and the simulation software Climate Studio, we demonstrate the downstream impact of surface utilization factors on resulting solar potentials. Considerable deviations in façade availability for BIPV deployments among the various tools as compared to our segmentation approach indicate the potential impact of the proposed method on policy-making and the benefits for BIPV design and planning.

Modeling Annual Electricity Production and Levelized Cost of Energy from the US East Coast Offshore Wind Energy Lease Areas

Offshore wind energy development along the East Coast of the US is proceeding quickly as a result of large areas with an excellent wind resource, low water depths and proximity to large electricity markets. Careful planning of wind turbine deployments in these offshore wind energy lease areas (LA) is required to maximize power output and to minimize wake losses between neighboring wind farms as well as those internal to each wind farm. Here, we used microscale wind modeling with two wake parameterizations to evaluate the potential annual energy production (AEP) and wake losses in the different LA areas, and we developed and applied a levelized cost of energy (LCoE) model to quantify the impact of different wind turbine layouts on LCoE. The modeling illustrated that if the current suite of LA is subject to deployment of 15 MW wind turbines at a spacing of 1.85 km, they will generate 4 to 4.6% of total national electricity demand. The LCoE ranged from $68 to $102/MWh depending on the precise layout selected, which is cost competitive with many other generation sources. The scale of the wind farms that will be deployed greatly exceed those currently operating and mean that wake-induced power losses are considerable but still relatively poorly constrained. AEP and LCoE exhibited significant dependence on the precise wake model applied. For the largest LA, the AEP differed by over 10% depending on the wake model used, leading to a $10/MWh difference in LCoE for the wind turbine layout with 1.85 km spacing.

An integrated energy analysis framework for evaluating the application of hydrogen-based energy storage systems in achieving net zero energy buildings and cities in Canada

The integration of hydrogen-based energy storage systems into urban residential buildings is a promising method to reduce urban greenhouse gas emissions and achieve clean energy supply. However, a comprehensive energy evaluation method that accurately reflects the system lacking. To address this gap, this study proposes a robust integrated energy analysis framework for evaluating the application prospect of hydrogen-based energy storage systems in urban residential buildings. The framework involves building energy analysis modeling, uncertain modeling, and energy management optimization modeling and provides comprehensive energy analysis results that fully consider urban characteristics. The study evaluates the economy, environment, and energy development potential of hydrogen-based energy storage systems in 20 Canadian cities. The results indicate that the implementation of hydrogen-based energy storage systems in residential buildings in these cities resulted in annual economic costs ranging from 10,682 Canadian dollars to 234,689 Canadian dollars, annual reduced carbon emissions ranging from 29 kg CO2e to 20,712 kg CO2e, and annual energy potential rate ranging from 45.28% to 223.92%. The study found that hydrogen storage has an economic advantage in hydrogen-based energy storage systems, whereas battery storage has environmental and energy potential advantages. The proposed energy analysis framework can provide techno-economic references for Canadian planners to plan a reasonable hydrogen roadmap for urban residential buildings.

Fuel Properties of Slab Wastes from Sengon Sawmills: A Case Study in Sleman and Wonosobo Regencies

Sengon (Paraserianthes falcataria (L.) Nielsen) is a fast-growing and versatile species that has been established in community forests. Many sawmills utilize sengon wood as a raw material which generates wastes in the form of sawdust and slab consisting of a mixture of bark and wood. Those wastes are widely used by communities and home industries as fuel. The objective of this study was to characterize the energy properties of slab wastes from sengon sawmills in Wonosobo dan Sleman Regencies. The results showed that the calorific value and fuelwood value index (FVI) ranges were 4,089 to 4,749 cal/g and 2.71 to 18.74, respectively. The values of density ranged from 0.23 to 0.94 g/cm3. The proximate analysis showed that the values of moisture and ash contents ranged from 13.90 to 20.03% and from 0.30 to 4.59%, respectively, whereas volatile matter and fixed carbon contents ranged from 75.84 to 88.94% and from 10.23 to 20.62%, respectively. In general, the slab samples from Wonosobo gave higher values in fixed carbon content and FVI but smaller values in density, moisture content, volatile matter content, and ash content than those of the samples in Sleman. The bark part showed higher amounts in density, moisture content, fixed carbon content, and ash content but lower in volatile matter content, calorific value, and FVI than the wood part. Based on the wood consumption, sawmill recovery, calorific value, and dry weight biomass value, the potential annual energy from slab wastes in Sleman and Wonosobo reached 1,374 × 1013 cal (equivalent to 1,525,222 L of kerosene) and 1.521 × 1014 cal (equivalent to 16,884,016 L of kerosene), respectively.

ANALISIS UNJUK KERJA PLTS CARPORT 37,8 KWP DI AREA PERKANTORAN KEMENTERIAN ESDM REPUBLIK INDONESIA JAKARTA PUSAT

The utilization of PV in Indonesia increased significantly. Based on data submitted by the Director General of EBTKE, the PV capacity value until first semester of 2021 is 217 MW. New challenge has emerged, namely maintaining performance of the PV system in good condition. Performance of the PV Carport system is analyzed by simulating PV using PVSyst software to see the potential value of electricity production, then calculating the performance parameters of the PV system such as Yield Factor (Yf), Yield Reference (Yr), Performance Ratio (PR) and Capacity Factor (CUF). Then compared with the results of electricity production and performance parameters of the PV system during operation for one year. The object of research on performance of the 37.8 kWp Carport PV system belonging to Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. Based on the PVSyst simulation results, the potential annual electrical energy from the Carport PV system is 53,910 kWh with performance parameters (Yf, Yr, PR, and CUF) respectively 1,426.19 kWh/kWp, 1,751.9 kWh/kW, 81.4% and 16%. The production value of the Carport PV system for a year in 2021 is 21,694.67 kWh with performance parameters (Yf, Yr, PR, and CUF) respectively of 573 kWh /kWp, 1,679.9 kWh/kW, 34% and 6.6%.

Estimating annual energy production from short tidal current records

Deploying Tidal Energy Converters for electricity generation requires prior-knowledge of the potential Annual Energy Production (AEP) at the site, Ideally using a year-long tidal current record at the proposed site to minimize uncertainty. However, such records are often unavailable. Fortunately, using the periodic nature of tidal variability, the International Electrotechnical Commission Technical Specification for tidal energy resource assessment requires AEP calculation using at least 90 days of tidal current records at each turbine location. The sensitivity of AEP to different record durations has not been fully assessed. This is the goal of our study. The study utilized the U.S. tidal energy geodatabase to simulate tidal currents with various lengths, during 100 years of the 21st century. We then consider two frameworks for evaluating AEP: (a) The long-term (months) fixed instrument (FI) measurement at each proposed tidal turbine location, and (b) one FI measurement and short-term (hours) boat-based moving vessel measurements. Under the two scenarios, we examine the AEP assessed from short tidal current records, including how the AEP uncertainties vary spatially and temporally, and how they are associated with various astronomical factors. This helps provide guidance on choosing the appropriate assessment methodologies to reduce the AEP uncertainties and project cost.