Prospects Of Renewable Energy Research Articles

RENEWABLE ENERGY PROSPECTS AND FEASIBILITY FOR ISOLATED COMMUNITIES

We are nearing the end of the first decade in the twenty-first century, yet there remain millions of people around the world living in poorly developed areas without electricity. Motivated by their needs, small- to medium-size solar power systems (250−650 W) were set up and utilized to conduct numerous tests to study renewable energy prospects and feasibility for isolated communities outside the power grid. In particular, the experimental efforts focused on modeling the power needs of several rural areas of the Municipality of Ciudad Valles, San Luis Potosi, Mexico, whose mayor approached the authors to design a sustainable working model for the region, which was found to be a good representative of the power needs of many isolated communities. System performance was characterized for a number of parameters including rated power of solar panels, size and number of storage batteries, and electric loads used. The experiments conducted included charging deep-cycle batteries using photovoltaic solar panels and discharging those utilizing different power consumption scenarios. Additional experiments included several week-long tests aimed at determining the real-time operating capability of the devised systems. The experimental results obtained indicate that carefully constructed solar power systems can provide people living in isolated communities with sufficient energy to meet their basic power needs sustainably and without interruption. Achieving this outcome, however, requires not only factoring in standard environmental data but also human factors research to make perfectly clear the end consumer's expectations about what they will power with it, how often, and for how long.

RENEWABLE ENERGY PROSPECTS AND FEASIBILITY FOR ISOLATED COMMUNITIES

We are nearing the end of the first decade in the twenty-first century, yet there remain millions of people around the world living in poorly developed areas without electricity. Motivated by their needs, small- to medium-size solar power systems (250−650 W) were set up and utilized to conduct numerous tests to study renewable energy prospects and feasibility for isolated communities outside the power grid. In particular, the experimental efforts focused on modeling the power needs of several rural areas of the Municipality of Ciudad Valles, San Luis Potosi, Mexico, whose mayor approached the authors to design a sustainable working model for the region, which was found to be a good representative of the power needs of many isolated communities. System performance was characterized for a number of parameters including rated power of solar panels, size and number of storage batteries, and electric loads used. The experiments conducted included charging deep-cycle batteries using photovoltaic solar panels and discharging those utilizing different power consumption scenarios. Additional experiments included several week-long tests aimed at determining the real-time operating capability of the devised systems. The experimental results obtained indicate that carefully constructed solar power systems can provide people living in isolated communities with sufficient energy to meet their basic power needs sustainably and without interruption. Achieving this outcome, however, requires not only factoring in standard environmental data but also human factors research to make perfectly clear the end consumer's expectations about what they will power with it, how often, and for how long.

The Climate Studies Group Mona

Introduction The Climate Studies Group Mona (CSGM) was launched in 1994, in the Department of Physics, the University of the West Indies, Mona campus. The initiative was set in motion by Professor the Honourable A. Anthony Chen, O. M., Professor of Applied Physics. During the formative years we were given valuable assistance from by the Centre for Ocean Land Atmosphere Studies (COLA), the Inter American Institute (IAI) for A Global Change Research and The University of the West Indies Research Fellowship Programme. The group, which now comprises lecturers, postgraduate and undergraduate students, and associate members (former students), has made significant contributions to the study of Caribbean climate. These include, identifying atmospheric and oceanic influences on our climate, investigating climate change and its impact, isolating the relation between climate and crop yield for sugar cane, climate and incidences of dengue fever outbreak, and investigating renewable energy prospects for Jamaica. This article outlines the work of the CSGM and its significance in a local, regional and international context. Mission At its inception, the primary aim of CSGM was to learn the techniques of dynamic modelling of climate by numerical models. Since then, however, the group's activities have expanded to include applications of climate prediction, projections of regional climate change, and prospecting for alternative energy resources as a means of reducing energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore the mission of the CSGM is as follows: * To investigate and understand the mechanisms responsible for a) the mean climate and b) extremes in climate in both Jamaica and the wider Caribbean; * To use this understanding to predict climate on a seasonal and annual basis; * To promote awareness of global warming and to determine how anthropogenic climate change will manifest itself in the Caribbean region; * To investigate the potential for exploiting renewable energy resources; and * To investigate and promote the advantageous uses of climate prediction in socio-economic sectors Pioneering Work Over the last 14 years, the CSGM has been involved in ground-breaking research that has resulted in significant contributions to atmospheric science and society. These include: * The mapping of the average solar radiation available to Jamaica, the results of which highlight the strong prospects of solar photovoltaics applications. * The modelling of wind speed and power across Jamaica, thereby identifying regions with good potential for utility-scale wind power. * Identifying an increase in early season (May-July) rainfall amounts in the year following the onset of an El Nino event. This is in contrast to the amplified dryness over the Caribbean frequently reported in literature in relation to the onset of El Nino. * Elucidating the impact of meteorological drought on sugar cane productions. * Clarifying the role of both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans in modulating seasonal rainfall over the Caribbean and adjacent Caribbean regions. * The issuing of seasonal Precipitation Outlooks for Jamaica, made possible by the creation of statistical models for the early (May- July) and late (August-October) rainfall seasons for the Caribbean and mid-dry season (January-February) rainfall for the eastern Caribbean and Jamaica. * Proposing the atmospheric circulation patterns that facilitate the rainfall gradient pattern evident during the dry season (November- April) for the mature El Nino. It was found that the gradient pattern involved higher than normal rainfall over the northern Caribbean (north of 20°) and below normal over the southern Caribbean in relation to El Nino. * Identifying the evidence of climate change over the Caribbean particularly with respect to temperature. * The development of a Caribbean Climate Interactive Database. …

The Present Status and Future Prospects of Renewable Energy based Triple Hybrid Energy Systems(<Special Survey>Reliability of Power System in Japan)

The Present Status and Future Prospects of Renewable Energy based Triple Hybrid Energy Systems(<Special Survey>Reliability of Power System in Japan)

Evaluating the prospects for sustainable energy development in a sample of Chinese villages

This paper describes the methods used to evaluate the potential for achieving sustainable energy development in six Chinese villages included in the Sustainable Users’ Concepts for China Engaging Scientific Scenarios (SUCCESS) Project by examining energy efficiency potential and local renewable energy prospects. The approaches needed to obtain and analyse information on possible energy efficiency measures and renewable energy resources are summarised. Results are presented in terms of cumulative net savings in primary energy consumption, as an indicator of energy resource depletion, and associated carbon dioxide emissions, as an indicator of global climate change. Options for sustainable energy development are ranked in order of likely implementation and practical actions which could be considered in each village are identified.

Prospects for renewable energy for seaborne transportation—Taiwan example

This paper highlights the need for the development of a renewable infrastructure for marine transportation. The result of a survey performed in this study serves as information for public policy makers on the degree to which policy can or should attempt to provide guidelines and incentives in shaping the attitude or behaviors of the industry towards the application. There is a high degree of preference for renewable over fossil as energy source for both ship power and household electricity. While solar is the most favorable energy type for household electricity, hydrogen combustion (80%) is the most supported alternative for powering commercial shipping. The fuel cell (FC) is the next highly favored (64%) alternative energy that is applied onboard ship as perceived by the Taiwanese maritime industry. The result also indicates that the preference of a specific energy type onboard ship is also based upon other factors such as feasibility rather than the respondents’ personal preference.

The road to green power in Mexico—reflections on the prospects for the large-scale and sustainable implementation of renewable energy

This paper reviews the prospects for renewable energy as a source of electricity in Mexico. It shows that, in spite of the abundance of renewable energy resources, applications to green power generation are minimal. Opportunities to use renewables as part of the Mexican energy mix are many, and could bring a number of benefits, social, economic, political, environmental and otherwise. Barriers to do so are also many and are analysed here. A pragmatic approach based on six strategic elements is proposed for barrier removal, namely: enabling policy and regulatory frameworks; adequate and effective institutional and technical settings; ad hoc financing mechanisms; concerted action plans among government sectors; mechanisms to facilitate participation of private and social sectors; and effective coordination among national and international stakeholders. It is concluded that Mexico is at cross-roads with respect to renewable energy, and that a swift, strong and sustained effort has to be made to alter the present situation. Otherwise, the opportunity ahead will be lost and Mexico will remain a net importer of the new energy technology.

AC/DC power transmission: keynote address

This presentation provides a high-level view of the electricity industry and the effects of reform in the industry since privatisation. The impact of this reform from the perspective of the England and Wales transmission system operator (National Grid) is discussed with reference to system design and operation. Issues raised include interconnection with other systems and the future prospects of renewable energy.

Prospects for renewable energy and green energy markets in the UK

The UK's renewable energy programme has been underway for more than 20 years. It was launched following the oil crisis in 1973/74. The intervening years have seen renewables grow from being of marginal importance to becoming a major energy option around the world, and in the UK the privatisation of the electricity supply industry in 1990 gave renewables a boost. 1998 sees the completion of the privatisation process, with the electricity market being fully liberalised. With concerns about climate change growing it could be that renewable energy will begin to play a major role. This paper attempts to assess the post-privatisation prospects for renewables in the UK, looking in particular at the idea of creating a local market for green electricity, with consumers providing the driving force for growth in the use of renewables.

Global prospects for renewable energy

Renewable energy, especially its new forms, starts from a very small base. The pace of recent development and diffusion has been too slow, and effective action is required to accelerate development and diffusion. The paper provides the results of recently published work on global energy perspectives, based on six long-term scenarios, with particular respect to the possible contribution of renewable energy.

Global prospects for renewable energy

Global prospects for renewable energy are bright, but for a number of reasons the pace and scale of development will be slower than some assume.

Renewable Fuels and Electricity for a Growing World Economy: Defining and Achieving the Potential

The Energy Technology Options Conference opened with a presentation from Professor Thomas Johansson on the prospects for renewable energy in a global context. It was based upon a study commissioned by the United Nations Solar Energy Group for Environment and Development, which he chairs. This study has since been published in a large book entitled Renewable Energy: Sources for Fuels and Electricity; it contains reports by specialists on a long list of renewable technologies (see Table of Contents at the end of this paper). The present paper consists of excerpts from Chapter 1 of that book, reprinted here with permission of the publishers. (The book may be obtained from Island Press, Box 7, Dept. UN, Covelo, Coliforna, USA 95428, or by telephone: In the US 1-800-828-1302; From outside the US 707 983 6432; FAX 707 983 6414. ISBN 1-55963-139-2 (hardcover, US$85), ISBN 1-55963-138-4 (paperback, US$45).)

The prospects for renewable energy in the UK: technical challenges and environmental implications

The use of renewable energy sources, like winds, waves and tides, is likely to increase. This raises a range of novel technical and environmental issues which are briefly reviewed here.

Beyond oil: energy alternatives for Greece and the Mediterranean

The global energy situation is examined with respect to dwindling resources and new technologies. Planning and development of energy resources and reserves in Greece are discussed. Alternative renewable energy resources for Greece, particularly wind energy, solar energy, and nuclear power, are considered. Alternative renewable energy prospects for Europe are assessed, and European energy planning activities are described.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>

Bangladesh energy resources and renewable energy prospects

Bangladesh is a low-economy country with annual commercial energy consumption of only 35 kgOE/capita. Fossil fuel reserves are meagre; about 80% of the total energy supply comes from biomass. The fuel import bill is ~ 70% of total export earnings. Solar and wind energy have bright prospects for parts of the country where natural gas is not available and the cost of electricity, generated from oil-fired units, is high. Solar energy is abundant while wind speeds are high in some coastal areas. For rural electrification, the high cost of distribution lines makes solar electricity viable for remote locations, while wind machines may be set up in coastal areas.