The Photovoltaic Challenge

MRS Bulletin ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 18 (10) ◽  
pp. 18-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wim C. Sinke

The term “solar energy” refers to a wide variety of techniques for using the energy available as sunlight. Well-known examples are active and passive thermal solar energy and photovoltaic solar energy but, strictly speaking, hydropower, wind energy, and biomass are also forms of solar energy. Today, only hydropower is used in significant quantities, covering approximately 6% of the world's energy demand. Traditional use of biomass, mainly in developing countries, accounts for more than 10% of the total energy consumption, but is sometimes left out of statistics because it falls outside the category of organized and commercial use.The global potential for solar energy is huge, since the amount of energy that reaches the earth's surface every year exceeds the total energy consumption by roughly a factor of 10,000. There are, however, various barriers to the large-scale use of solar energy technologies. Most technologies have in common that the power density of the generator is low; in other words, one needs large areas to generate significant amounts of energy. This is especially true for biomass, with typical conversion efficiencies (solar energy to chemical energy) of 1% or less. Further, many solar energy technologies have proved technically feasible, but have yet to be proved economically feasible. Last, but not least, the large-scale use of solar energy requires substantial modification of our global energy supply system, which is based largely on fossil fuels.

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 ◽  
pp. 00040
Author(s):  
Ewelina Krawczak

Although the total energy production from fossil fuels in Poland has been decreasing for the past few years, still at least 80% of the total energy consumption derives from coal. To reduce this high consumption rate alternative energy sources should be developed. One of the most promising is photovoltaics. This paper presents modeling studies of large scale PV power plant design to fulfil the electricity needs of a small community located in Poland. Based on the energy demand prognosis and monthly solar radiation data PV power plant capacity and a number of modules were computed. The distance between rows of the modules was also determined to avoid the shadowing effect. System configuration and energy production simulations were carried out using DDS-Cad software. Results of energy calculations were compared with the yearly energy needs of the studied community. Reduction of greenhouse gases emission was estimated. Modeling results show that proposed 3.1 MWp photovoltaic plant can produce enough energy to fulfil the yearly energy demand of the households in the studied area. Moreover, significant reduction of CO2 emission and other gaseous pollutants were observed.


2018 ◽  
Vol 211 ◽  
pp. 17006
Author(s):  
Wieslaw Fiebig ◽  
Jakub Wrobel

An innovative method exploiting mechanical resonance in machines drive systems, especially useful in impact machines, has been developed. Accumulation of energy at resonance can be applied to the drive system in a similar way as flywheels in eccentric presses. Under resonance conditions, the total energy consumption of the oscillating mass is equal to the energy lost due the damping forces. Energy accumulated in the oscillator can be several times greater than the energy supplied continuously to the oscillator. The developed method can be used in many applications, especially in impacting machines. Finally, the energy demand of resonance punching press will be compared with the energy demand of eccentric press.


2014 ◽  
Vol 1073-1076 ◽  
pp. 2457-2461
Author(s):  
Chang Sheng Li ◽  
Qing Ling Li ◽  
Zhong Min Lei ◽  
Han Yang ◽  
Hui Qing Qu

These paper investigated the relationship between economics development and energy demands based on Energy Kuznets Curve (EFC) in China. The results show that, the prospects of economics and energy demand in China in further will undergo three important stages to 2050.The peak of energy demand maybe around 2035 and the corresponding total energy demand maybe amount 5.7 billion tce. In 2035, the GDP per capital maybe about 17000 (2005 US$) and the urbanization will reach a relative high level. It is urgent for China to take actions to curb the increasing total energy consumption.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrzej Bieniek ◽  
Mariusz Graba ◽  
Jarosław Mamala ◽  
Krzysztof Prażnowski ◽  
Krystian Hennek

The analysis of energy consumption in a hybrid drive system of a passenger car in real road conditions is an important factor determining its operational indicators. The article presents energy consumption analysis of a car equipped with an advanced Plug-in Hybrid Drive System (PHEV), driving in real road conditions on a test section of about 51 km covered in various environmental conditions and seasons. Particular attention was paid to the energy consumption resulting from the cooperation of two independent drive units, analyzed in terms of the total energy expenditure. The energy consumption obtained from fuel and energy collected from the car’s batteries for each run over the total distance of 12,500 km was summarized. The instantaneous values of energy consumption for the hybrid drive per kilometer of distance traveled in car’s real operating conditions range from 0.6 to 1.4 MJ/km, with lower values relating to the vehicle operation only with electric drive. The upper range applies to the internal combustion engine, which increases not only the energy expenditure in the TTW (Tank-to-Wheel) system, but also CO2 emissions to the environment. Based on the experimental data, the curves of total energy consumption per kilometer of the road section traveled were determined, showing a close correlation with the actual operating conditions. Obtained values were compared with homologation data from the WLTP test of the tested passenger car, where the average value of energy demand is 1.1 MJ/km and the CO2 emission is 23 g/km.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 03-17
Author(s):  
Gazal Dandia ◽  
◽  
Pratheek Sudhakaran ◽  
Chaitali Basu ◽  
◽  
...  

Introduction: High energy consumption by buildings is a great threat to the environment and one of the major causes of climate change. With a population of 1.4 billion people and one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, India is extremely vital for the future of global energy markets. The energy demand for construction activities continues to rise and it is responsible for over one-third of global final energy consumption. Currently, buildings in India account for 35% of total energy consumption and the value is growing by 8% annually. Around 11% of total energy consumption are attributed to the commercial sector. Energy-efficient retrofitting of the built environments created in recent decades is a pressing urban challenge. Presently, most energy-efficient retrofit projects focus mainly on the engineering aspects. In this paper, we evaluate various retrofitting options, such as passive architectural interventions, active technological interventions, or a combination of both, to create the optimum result for the selected building. Methods: Based on a literature study and case examples, we identified various energy-efficient retrofit measures, and then examined and evaluated those as applied to the case study of Awas Bhawan (Rajasthan Housing Board Headquarters), Jaipur, India. For the evaluation, we developed a simulation model using EQuest for each energy measure and calculated the resultant energy savings. Then, based on the cost of implementation and the cost of energy saved, we calculated the payback period. Finally, an optimum retrofit solution was formulated with account for the payback period and ease of installation. Results and discussion: The detailed analysis of various energy-efficient retrofit measures as applied to the case study indicates that the most feasible options for retrofit resulting in optimum energy savings with short payback periods include passive architecture measures and equipment upgrades.


2013 ◽  
Vol 291-294 ◽  
pp. 1072-1076
Author(s):  
Ming Zhi Feng ◽  
Bai Yang Jin

As the shortage of global energy is increasing and the building energy consumption in the proportion of total energy consumption is rising, the reconstruction of energy saving for existing buildings gets more and more attention. Through the research on the situation of southward balcony in the heating area and analyzing the disadvantages of the current situation, the author puts forward a preliminary idea of energy-saving for southward balcony. The purpose of the idea is to reduce the energy loss and increase the efficiency in the use of solar energy.


2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mondiu T. Jaiyesimi ◽  
Tokunbo S. Osinubi ◽  
Lloyd Amaghionyeodiwe

Abstract This study investigated the nature or direction of causality between GDP, electricity consumption and total energy consumption in the OECD. Secondary data was used while both the ordinary least square (OLS) and generalized method of moments (GMM) estimators were employed to test for causality in our model. Our result found the presence of a bi-directional causality between energy consumption and GDP for the total energy demand model and between electricity consumption and GDP for the electricity demand model. By implication, the bi-directional causality in our estimated models suggest that both energy consumption and GDP are important factors in economic development in the OECD. Thus, if misguided policy measures are made to reduce energy consumption it could have a detrimental effect on GDP which will slow down economic growth. A recommendation is for policy makers to concentrate on encouraging energy efficiency as a way to reduce energy and electricity consumption.


2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 356-379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Usama Al-mulali

Purpose – The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between gross domestic product (GDP) growth and renewable and non-renewable energy consumption in 82 developing countries categorized by region. Design/methodology/approach – To achieve the goal of this study, the panel model was used taking the period 1990-2009. Findings – The Kao co-integration test results showed that both renewable and non-renewable energy consumption had a long-running relationship with all the economic sectors in all regions. Moreover, the FMOLS revealed that the renewable and non-renewable energy consumption had a long-run positive relationship with the economic sectors. However, the results also revealed that non-renewable energy consumption has a more significant effect on the economic sectors than the renewable energy consumption. In addition, the Granger causality showed the same results, that the causal relationship between the economic sectors and non-renewable energy consumption is more significant than the causal relationship between the economic sectors and renewable energy. Practical implications – The reason behind these results is that these regions still depend on fossil fuels to promote their economic growth. Fossil fuels basically contribute more than 80 per cent of their total energy consumption. Thus, the study recommends the developing countries to increase their investment on renewable energy projects to increase the share of the renewable energy of total energy consumption. Originality/value – This study is considered different from all the previous studies because it will investigate the disaggregate relationship between GDP and energy consumption (renewable and non-renewable) in East Asia and Pacific, Europe and Central Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Middle East and North Africa, South Asia and the Sub-Saharan African developing countries.


2019 ◽  
Vol 116 ◽  
pp. 00044
Author(s):  
Piotr Lis

The communal and living sector, to the extent that it is the sub-sector of buildings with a majority share of residential buildings, on average, account for approximately 41% of total energy consumption in the European Union. Due to a large share in the total energy consumption, the buildings sector has a significant potential to improve the energy efficiency of existing buildings and thus significantly reduce emission of air pollutants. One way is through thermal modernization. The article presents the expected energy and environmental effects of measures which adjust the existing residential buildings to the requirements in force in Poland since 2021. It has been assumed that the energy demand for heating buildings will be limited to the level of 55 kWh/(m2year) for multi-family residential buildings and 60 kWh/(m2year) for single-family residential buildings. The calculations show that it is possible to reduce energy consumption for heating of residential buildings by over 70%, which will result in a reduction of the total air pollutant emissions from housing heating, in relation to the situation in 2011. The article indicates existing reserves in thermal modernization activities and related problems based on the analysis of selected parameters of residential buildings.


Author(s):  
Pramila Dhaubanjar ◽  
Amrit Man Nakarmi ◽  
Sushil B. Bajracharya

This study aims to analyse energy scenarios of residential sector in Panauti Municipality for sustainable energy development and energy security. This study was done by conducting a questionnaire survey, and was supported by secondary data from various sources. Data analysis was carried out with the help of excel and LEAP software. From the results, total energy consumption of Panauti Municipality is 147 TJ in year 2016 with per capita is 4.72GJ and per capita emission 82kg. The main fuel for consumption in residential sector is firewood with share 44% then followed by LPG with 26% of total energy. Cooking is the most energy intensive end-use, accounting 60% of total energy consumption, followed by animal feed preparation 28%. It was seen that total electrification in all end-use can reduce energy demand by 57% and 35% respectively in AEL and SUD scenario and saved fuel import cost about NRs.235 million. in year 2050. Using nationally available electricity ensures energy security and has co-benefit of emission reduction.


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