Small-scale Renewable Energy Generation Research Articles

Development of IoT-Based Portable Power Quality Monitoring on Microgrids by Enhancing Protection Features

The need for small-scale renewable energy generation is predicted to increase. Distributed energy production, in general, can be more profitable due to the cost of distribution and use of energy storage, especially from the microgrid. However, the utility and consumers face difficulties maintaining demand imbalance, frequent load-shedding, and a drop in power quality. To address this issue, a portable power quality meter and protection based on the Internet of Things (IoT) for low-voltage distribution are proposed. The proposed prototype has several advantages. First, the procedure for implementing a portable IoT-based power meter with power quality and protection features for residential networks. Compared to other devices, this type has the advantages of power quality measurement, such as power factor, frequency, and harmonics. Second, an approach is proposed device with a parallel function in maintaining network security and quality. This increases the advantage of monitoring loads connected to the grid. Third, perform IoT power monitoring devices that provide notifications in real-time. Fourth, an experiment using a power meter on a microgrid connected to renewable energy combines a LiFePO4 battery and methanol to get the maximum benefit from green energy. The test results found that the IoT model can work reliably, where access to monitoring can be done via the website. The smart meter consists of a voltage transformer, current transformer, and microcontroller unit with an embedded communication module. The existence of more affordable monitoring and protection tools can increase the user’s opportunity to gain profitability.

AI Based Smart High Way with Green Energy Resources Using IoT Devices

Abstract: The Worldwide concern to mitigate the soaring energy crisis introduces us to the small-scale renewable energy generation as a preferred enabling source for highway lighting. Production of renewable energy from highways using solar tracking panel can be utilized in various applications. In this project we use solar panels to generate renewable energy which can be stored in lithium batteries. The IOT monitoring system in interfaced with Adafruit software which is used to check the pollution and stores the daily utilization in cloud. The SOS alarm is used along with the device to indicate the accident occurred in remote areas to the nearby toll gate. SOS message will send IFTTT to the domain mail ID toll gate. This prototype uses Node MCU for controlling application and database monitoring. In future the project can be extended by implementing other renewable resources like wind energy. Keywords: Sos alarm, Solar tracking panel, Adafruit, Mcu , Renewable enegry.

Potential Analysis of Hydro Power Plants in Pesisir Barat District, Lampung Province

Hydropower plants are increasingly being heard nowadays, but the growth is still very lacking, especially for residents living in rural and coastal areas. At present several efforts have been made by the government, including the existence of a system of purchasing electricity from small-scale renewable energy generation and the construction of new transmission networks. Pesisir Barat Regency is part of the South Lampung region, Sumatra. This region has a population distribution in the coastal area and is surrounded by Bukit Barisan National Park. So that there are many large river streams that can be utilized by the local community. Large rivers have the potential to be utilized further as hydropower renewable energy sources. River potential is seen by conducting river location surveys, flow measurements and river heads and power calculations. Based on the analysis of measurement results there are two rivers that have the potential to be a micro or mini hydro generator; Way Laai and Way Lami. The maximum design discharge of Way Laai of 4.52 m3/s can produce a mechanical output power of 1223.82 kW with an effective head of 44.16 m. Way Lami with a design discharge of 5,336 m3/s, an effective head of 28.8 m has the potential to provide a mechanical power output of 942.23 kW. Sequentially, with this mechanical output power, the Way Laai and Way Lami rivers, can meet the electricity needs of the community with an installed power of 900VA as much as ± 1350, ± 25100 Houses.

The impact of innovative technologies on consumers in the power supply market

Service of supplying electricity to consumers in the Russian Federation (RF) is carried out based on power supply contract. Utilization of innovative technologies will allow to change the power supply service in the power-supply market. There is an opportunity to create unique powersuppling market approach. With implementation of “Smart meters” technology and Blockchains with “Smart Contract” functionality. The article describes innovative technologies and examines examples of their successful implementation in foreign countries. Article will also talk about tools that are required to replace old service with a new power supply system, based on innovative technologies that include small-scale renewable energy generation.

An efficient scheme for residential load scheduling integrated with demand side programs and small-scale distributed renewable energy generation and storage

An efficient scheme for residential load scheduling integrated with demand side programs and small-scale distributed renewable energy generation and storage

A Stochastic Home Energy Management System Considering Satisfaction Cost and Response Fatigue

Home energy management (HEM) systems enable residential consumers to participate in demand response programs (DRPs) more actively. However, HEM systems confront some practical difficulties due to the uncertainty related to renewable energies as well as the uncertainty of consumers’ behavior. Moreover, the consumers aim for the highest level of comfort and satisfaction in operating their electrical appliances. In addition, technical limits of the appliances must be considered. Furthermore, DR providers aim at keeping the participation of consumers in DRPs and minimize the “response fatigue” phenomenon in the long-term period. In this paper, a stochastic model of an HEM system is proposed by considering uncertainties of electric vehicles availability and small-scale renewable energy generation. The model optimizes the customer's cost in different DRPs, while guarantees the inhabitants’ satisfaction by introducing a response fatigue index. Different case studies indicate that the implementation of the proposed stochastic HEM system can considerably decrease both the customers’ cost and response fatigue.

Smart Household Operation Considering Bi-Directional EV and ESS Utilization by Real-Time Pricing-Based DR

As the smart grid solutions enable active consumer participation, demand response (DR) strategies have drawn much interest in the literature recently, especially for residential areas. As a new type of consumer load in the electric power system, electric vehicles (EVs) also provide different opportunities, including the capability of utilizing EVs as a storage unit via vehicle-to-home (V2H) and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) options instead of peak power procurement from the grid. In this paper, as the main contribution to the literature, a collaborative evaluation of dynamic-pricing and peak power limiting-based DR strategies with a bi-directional utilization possibility for EV and energy storage system (ESS) is realized. A mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) framework-based modeling of a home energy management (HEM) structure is provided for this purpose. A distributed small-scale renewable energy generation system, the V2H and V2G capabilities of an EV together with two-way energy trading of ESS, and different DR strategies are all combined in a single HEM system for the first time in the literature. The impacts of different EV owner consumer preferences together with the availability of ESS and two-way energy trading capabilities on the reduction of total electricity prices are examined with case studies.

Micro-generation schemes: user behaviours and attitudes towards energy consumption

In the last decade, there has been increasing pressure on developed nations to reduce their carbon emissions. Distributed micro-generation (MG) initiatives provide incentives for small-scale renewable energy generation, particularly by residential home-owners. This paper investigates the existing knowledge base to consider if living in a property with on-site renewable electricity generation may affect user attitudes and behaviours. This knowledge is interpreted from a human factors perspective by focussing on individual behaviour and social learning as well as identifying underlying user requirements and user needs. Suggestions are then made with regard to the effects that MG schemes may have on public attitudes and where further research efforts should be focused. There is evidence that renewable energy initiatives are likely to result in a shift in public behaviour, particularly towards reduced energy consumption where mechanisms for increased feedback can act as a facilitator to learning and motivator to change. Practitioner Summary: The role of human factors/ergonomics in supporting renewable energy initiatives has not been fully exploited. A range of case studies explore user needs and awareness of renewable energy, presenting mixed evidence for reduced consumption. However, individual behaviour and social learning can be influenced through increased feedback that acts as a facilitator to change.

Green ergonomics and green economics: the effect of feed-in tariff schemes on user behaviours and attitudes towards energy consumption

On 1 April 2010 the UK government introduced ‘feed-in tariff’ (FIT) legislation to provide incentives for small-scale renewable energy generation, particularly by residential home-owners. This paper investigates the existing knowledge base to consider if living in a property with on-site renewable energy generation may affect user attitudes and behaviours. This knowledge is interpreted from an ergonomics/human factors perspective whilst also addressing underlying economic issues. Suggestions are made as to what effects FIT schemes may have on public attitudes and where further research efforts should be focused. A key finding is that FIT schemes are likely to result in a shift in public behaviour, particularly towards reduced energy consumption but only if initiatives address fundamental issues of green ergonomics and green economics.

Clean Diesel Technologies reports full year and 4Q 2007 results

Localized, small scale renewable energy generation by biomass gasification will only find widespread use if simple and efficient technology is available for removing undesired impurities such as particles and tar from the producer gas in order to avoid serious operating problems in the downstream equipment and coupled diesel engine. This work focuses on the further improvement of a novel one-step cleanup with a catalytic candle filter by using alternative ZrO2 or ZrO2–Al2O3 mixed supports in order to improve the activity of Ni-based catalysts at lower temperatures. Porous α-alumina filter materials were prepared with the urea method to deposit 2.5 wt.% Al2O3 or ZrO2, or a combination of ZrO2 and Al2O3 to increase the surface area, followed by 1 wt.% Ni and 0.5 wt.% MgO deposition. The surface area increases with the number of deposition cycles of ZrO2 or ZrO2–Al2O3, but was lower than for pure Al2O3 deposition. Uniform distributions of the zirconia secondary support and the active ingredients such as Ni and MgO throughout the sample could be obtained.Tar conversion achieved from the three types of supports: ZrO2, Al2O3 and a mixed ZrO2–Al2O3 are generally similar, except at high velocity and low temperature where the mixed support is best. As an example, for the mixed oxide deposit of 1.20 wt.% ZrO2 + 1.28 wt.% Al2O3 followed by 0.46 wt.% MgO + 0.996 wt.% Ni at 900 °C, 2.5 cm/s, with 15 g/Nm3 benzene or 5 g/Nm3 naphthalene loading in presence of 100 ppm H2S, conversions of benzene and naphthalene were 95% and 99.5% respectively, which is extremely promising, since the surface area of these new ZrO2 based materials is lower than with pure alumina and leaves room for significant improvement.Extended time testing over 170 h under the condition of 15 g/Nm3 benzene and 5 g/Nm3 naphthalene fed together at 900 °C and in presence of 100 ppm H2S, showed 99.2–99.6% benzene conversion and 100% naphthalene conversion, even at lower temperature (850 °C) a good activity was still achieved in comparison with our previously developed catalysts.

Mixed zirconia–alumina supports for Ni/MgO based catalytic filters for biomass fuel gas cleaning

Localized, small scale renewable energy generation by biomass gasification will only find widespread use if simple and efficient technology is available for removing undesired impurities such as particles and tar from the producer gas in order to avoid serious operating problems in the downstream equipment and coupled diesel engine. This work focuses on the further improvement of a novel one-step cleanup with a catalytic candle filter by using alternative ZrO 2 or ZrO 2–Al 2O 3 mixed supports in order to improve the activity of Ni-based catalysts at lower temperatures. Porous α-alumina filter materials were prepared with the urea method to deposit 2.5 wt.% Al 2O 3 or ZrO 2, or a combination of ZrO 2 and Al 2O 3 to increase the surface area, followed by 1 wt.% Ni and 0.5 wt.% MgO deposition. The surface area increases with the number of deposition cycles of ZrO 2 or ZrO 2–Al 2O 3, but was lower than for pure Al 2O 3 deposition. Uniform distributions of the zirconia secondary support and the active ingredients such as Ni and MgO throughout the sample could be obtained. Tar conversion achieved from the three types of supports: ZrO 2, Al 2O 3 and a mixed ZrO 2–Al 2O 3 are generally similar, except at high velocity and low temperature where the mixed support is best. As an example, for the mixed oxide deposit of 1.20 wt.% ZrO 2 + 1.28 wt.% Al 2O 3 followed by 0.46 wt.% MgO + 0.996 wt.% Ni at 900 °C, 2.5 cm/s, with 15 g/Nm 3 benzene or 5 g/Nm 3 naphthalene loading in presence of 100 ppm H 2S, conversions of benzene and naphthalene were 95% and 99.5% respectively, which is extremely promising, since the surface area of these new ZrO 2 based materials is lower than with pure alumina and leaves room for significant improvement. Extended time testing over 170 h under the condition of 15 g/Nm 3 benzene and 5 g/Nm 3 naphthalene fed together at 900 °C and in presence of 100 ppm H 2S, showed 99.2–99.6% benzene conversion and 100% naphthalene conversion, even at lower temperature (850 °C) a good activity was still achieved in comparison with our previously developed catalysts.

Usage of Energy Sources and Environmental Problems

This article deals with use of global energy sources and their environmental impacts. The energy sources have been split into three categories: fossil fuels (oil-coal-natural gas), renewable sources, and nuclear sources. Oil and gas are expected to continue to be important sources of energy. New efficient and cost-effective small-scale renewable energy generation options are commercially available today. The share of renewable energy sources is expected to increase very significantly. Recently, environmental problems resulting from energy production, conversion, and utilization have caused increased public awareness in all sectors of the public, industry, and government in both developed and developing countries. The environmental impact of energy use can be seen in two ways: The utilization of limited natural resources and the stress caused by environmental pollution. To combat that environmental damage, exploring and exploiting the utilization of combustible renewables and waste would be a necessary measure for decreasing the environmental impact of energy use.

Global Energy Sources, Energy Usage, and Future Developments

Energy affects all aspects of modern life. The demand for energy is increasing at an exponential rate due to the exponential growth of world population. Oil and gas are expected to continue to be important sources of energy. Contemporary electric power generation is based on non-renewable resources such as oil, coal, and nuclear power. New efficient and cost-effective small-scale renewable energy generation options are commercially available today. The share of renewable energy sources is expected to increase very significantly. Alternative energy technologies are being disseminated in many countries with an objective to reduce the uses of traditional and commercial energy sources. For each country, the choice between the various available options is strongly dependent on the local condition.

Humankind’s detour toward sustainability: past, present, and future of renewable energies and electric power generation

Renewable energies have been the primary energy source in the history of the human race. During the last 200 years, industrialized countries have shifted their energy consumption toward fossil fuels. Contemporary electric power generation is based on non-renewable resources such as oil, coal, and nuclear power. New efficient and cost-effective small-scale renewable energy generation options are commercially available today. Market distortions are to be overcome in order to make renewable energies cost-competitive in today’s economic environment. Social, environmental and also economic reasons will reverse the worldwide primary energy use back to renewables and thus reapproach a sustainable economic system based on traditional and new high-tech technologies.