scholarly journals A techno-economic feasibility study on the use of distributed concentrating solar power generation in Johannesburg

2010 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 2-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christiaan César Bode ◽  
Thomas John Sheer
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Thermal Power ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Weather Data ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Organic Rankine Cycles ◽  
Reflector System ◽  
Linear Fresnel Reflector ◽  
The University

The technical and financial feasibility of small-scale distributed Concentrating Solar Thermal Power (CSP) systems for urban areas in Johannesburg, South Africa, is investigated. The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), located in central Johannes-burg, is used as the basis of a case study for the im-plementation of these systems. A number of proven CSP technologies were identified and a technology screening was performed to identify suitable technologies for possible implementation, for a reference output of 120 kW(e). From these, a number of systems were chosen for more detailed evaluation and the hourly energy production of these systems was analysed, using local weather data. The Compound Linear Fresnel Reflector system (CLFR) proved to be most suitable because of the space and cost benefits it offers. Systems that integrate organic Rankine cycles (ORC) as well as thermal storage and hybridisation were also investigated. The levelised cost of electricity (LEC) was predicted to be between R4.31 and R3.18 per kWh. Currently these technologies cannot compete financially with the price of local, fossil produced electricity, but with the increase in electricity tariffs and demand for clean reliable power CSP technologies, may become competitive in distributed generation systems in urban areas.

scholarly journals Small-Scale Hybrid Photovoltaic-Biomass Systems Feasibility Analysis for Higher Education Buildings

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (21) ◽  
pp. 9300
Author(s):  
David Alfonso-Solar ◽  
Carlos Vargas-Salgado ◽  
Carlos Sánchez-Díaz ◽  
Elías Hurtado-Pérez
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Real Data ◽  
Experimental Tests ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Biomass Energy ◽  
Feasibility Analysis ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Renewable Electricity ◽  
Renewable Sources ◽  
Real Costs

Applications of renewable electricity in cities are mostly limited to photovoltaics, and they need other renewable sources, batteries, and the grid to guarantee reliability. This paper proposes a hybrid system, combining biomass and photovoltaics, to supply electricity to educational buildings. This system is reliable and provides at least 50% of electricity based on renewable sources. Buildings with small (<500 kW) installed power based on renewables, mainly biomass, are usually expensive. Besides, in urban areas, photovoltaic capacity is limited due to roof availability. This paper analyzes different configurations, meeting these constraints to obtain an economically feasible solution based on photovoltaic-biomass modelling of small size hybrid systems. The technology used for biomass energy valorization is a fluidized bed gasification power plant, which has been modelled with real data obtained from experimental tests and previous research projects. Thereby, real costs and electric efficiency are included in the model. The techno-economic feasibility analysis using HOMER software with metered real load curves from an educational building has been modelled. The results of the model show that hybrid renewable systems are very feasible in the scenario of 50% of electricity contribution, however, higher contribution (>70%) implies high electricity costs.

scholarly journals Classification of Landforms for Digital Soil Mapping in Urban Areas Using LiDAR Data Derived Terrain Attributes: A Case Study from Berlin, Germany

Land ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Ali Mohamed
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Human Impacts ◽  
Soil Mapping ◽  
Fuzzy Classification ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Ground Truth Data ◽  
Terrain Attributes ◽  
Lidar Dem

In this study, a knowledge-based fuzzy classification method was used to classify possible soil-landforms in urban areas based on analysis of morphometric parameters (terrain attributes) derived from digital elevation models (DEMs). A case study in the city area of Berlin was used to compare two different resolution DEMs in terms of their potential to find a specific relationship between landforms, soil types and the suitability of these DEMs for soil mapping. Almost all the topographic parameters were obtained from high-resolution light detection and ranging (LiDAR)-DEM (1 m) and Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER)-DEM (30 m), which were used as thresholds for the classification of landforms in the selected study area with a total area of about 39.40 km2. The accuracy of both classifications was evaluated by comparing ground point samples as ground truth data with the classification results. The LiDAR-DEM based classification has shown promising results for classification of landforms into geomorphological (sub)categories in urban areas. This is indicated by an acceptable overall accuracy of 93%. While the classification based on ASTER-DEM showed an accuracy of 70%. The coarser ASTER-DEM based classification requires additional and more detailed information directly related to soil-forming factors to extract geomorphological parameters. The importance of using LiDAR-DEM classification was particularly evident when classifying landforms that have narrow spatial extent such as embankments and channel banks or when determining the general accuracy of landform boundaries such as crests and flat lands. However, this LiDAR-DEM classification has shown that there are categories of landforms that received a large proportion of the misclassifications such as terraced land and steep embankments in other parts of the study area due to the increased distance from the major rivers and the complex nature of these landforms. In contrast, the results of the ASTER-DEM based classification have shown that the ASTER-DEM cannot deal with small-scale spatial variation of soil and landforms due to the increasing human impacts on landscapes in urban areas. The application of the approach used to extract terrain parameters from the LiDAR-DEM and their use in classification of landforms has shown that it can support soil surveys that require a lot of time and resources for traditional soil mapping.

scholarly journals Impacts of small scale rainfall variability in urban areas: a case study with 1D and 1D/2D hydrological models in a multifractal framework

2014 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 607-617 ◽  
Author(s):  
Auguste Gires ◽  
Agathe Giangola-Murzyn ◽  
Jean-Baptiste Abbes ◽  
Ioulia Tchiguirinskaia ◽  
Daniel Schertzer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Rainfall Variability ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Hydrological Models

scholarly journals Nature and Trend of Female Participation in Higher Education in Assam: A Case Study of Gauhati University

2021 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 361-369
Author(s):  
Sourav Saha
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Economic Transformation ◽  
Female Participation ◽  
Participation In Higher Education ◽  
The University ◽  
Women Participation

 Higher education plays a crucial role in socio-economic transformation of a country. At present the rate of female participation in higher education has been increasing, especially in the urban and sub-urban areas of the State Assam. But this scenario is very much disheartening in the State’s rural areas. Very recently, some new universities have been established in Assam which makes the rate of female participation in higher education increased. However, the involvement of female in different technical and job oriented courses is still lagging behind. The present study is therefore an attempt to analyse the trend and pattern of women participation in different faculties of Gauhati University and also to investigate the socio-cultural factors behind the low rate of female participation in some particular faculties. The study is based on secondary data collected from the office of the university.

scholarly journals Methods and Practices for Institutional Benchmarking based on Research Impact and Competitiveness: A Case Study of ShanghaiTech University

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 55-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiang Chang ◽  
Jianhua Liu
Keyword(s):  
Research Output ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
Research Impact ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Main Research ◽  
Topic Maps ◽  
Composite Indices ◽  
The University ◽  
Dimensional Assessment

Abstract Purpose To develop and test a mission-oriented and multi-dimensional benchmarking method for a small scale university aiming for internationally first-class basic research. Design/methodology/approach An individualized evidence-based assessment scheme was employed to benchmark ShanghaiTech University against selected top research institutions, focusing on research impact and competitiveness at the institutional and disciplinary levels. Topic maps opposing ShanghaiTech and corresponding top institutions were produced for the main research disciplines of ShanghaiTech. This provides opportunities for further exploration of strengths and weakness. Findings This study establishes a preliminary framework for assessing the mission of the university. It further provides assessment principles, assessment questions, and indicators. Analytical methods and data sources were tested and proved to be applicable and efficient. Research limitations To better fit the selective research focuses of this university, its schema of research disciplines needs to be re-organized and benchmarking targets should include disciplinary top institutions and not necessarily those universities leading overall rankings. Current reliance on research articles and certain databases may neglect important research output types. Practical implications This study provides a working framework and practical methods for mission-oriented, individual, and multi-dimensional benchmarking that ShanghaiTech decided to use for periodical assessments. It also offers a working reference for other institutions to adapt. Further needs are identified so that ShanghaiTech can tackle them for future benchmarking. Originality/value This is an effort to develop a mission-oriented, individually designed, systematically structured, and multi-dimensional assessment methodology which differs from often used composite indices.

scholarly journals Theoretical Deduction of the Optimum Tilt Angles for Small-Scale Linear Fresnel Reflectors

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (10) ◽  
pp. 2883
Author(s):  
Arsenio Barbón ◽  
Covadonga Bayón-Cueli ◽  
José A. Fernández Rubiera ◽  
Luis Bayón
Keyword(s):  
Geographic Location ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Brute Force ◽  
Theoretical Justification ◽  
Climate Zones ◽  
Optimum Angle ◽  
European Climate ◽  
Reflector System ◽  
Linear Fresnel Reflector

A theoretical justification and computation of the optimum values of the two longitudinal tilt angles of a small-scale linear Fresnel reflector is provided. The optimum angle of the mobile structure is proved to be half the latitude of the geographic location, while the optimum angle of the secondary reflector system is proved to be equal to that latitude. Brute-force verification is carried out for five EU cities, each in one of the five European climate zones.

scholarly journals Geo-Spatially Based Analysis And Economic Feasiblity Evaluation Of Waste-To-Energy Facilities: A Case Study Of Local Government Areas Of Anambra State Of Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Chukwuma ◽  
John Ojediran ◽  
Daniel Azikiwe Anizoba ◽  
Joseph Azikiwe Ubah ◽  
Pius Nwachukwu
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Waste To Energy ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Optimum Number ◽  
Organic Fraction ◽  
Anambra State

Abstract Access to affordable clean energy source as stipulated in UN SDG goal number 7 is important for the development and socio-economic well-being of people, the need for proper assessment of resources to achieve this goal is indisputable. The goal of this study is to assess the economic feasibility of utilizing organic fraction of Municipal Solid Wastes (MSWof) using a case study of 21 Local Government Areas (LGA) or Authority for Anambra State of Nigeria for waste to energy project. The quantity of organic fraction of MSW, energy recovery and optimum number of plants at the various LGAs was estimated. The result of the study indicates that about 198 tons maximum value of MSWof can be generated daily in Aguata LGA, with electric energy potential value of 545MW. The number of plants for the LGAs ranged from 10 to 50 and from 3 to 12 for small and medium scale plants. A large scale plant of about 50m3 can possibly be installed at all the LGAs, with a maximum of 4 plants in Idemili and Aguata LGA. The economic assessment based on Net Present Value (NPV) criteria shows poor economic feasibility for small scale plant, while NPV was positive for medium and large scale plants. The Internal Rate of Return (IRR) ranged from 0.32 to 0.94, with a general increase from small scale to large scale economic feasibility. It is suggested that the autonomy of the various LGAs in the country should serve as a major motivation in adopting bio-energy projects independently, and this study will serve as a decision toolkit in the appropriate scale to be adopted.

scholarly journals Effective feedback for language assessment

2020 ◽  
pp. 41-45
Author(s):  
Catherine Franc ◽  
Annie Morton
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Student Experience ◽  
Language Assessment ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Effective Feedback ◽  
Creative Solutions ◽  
The University ◽  
University Of Manchester

The provision of effective feedback is challenging and remains a much-criticised element of the Higher Education (HE) student experience. This case study examines innovative approaches to providing feedback for modern foreign language assessment, based upon a small scale study at the University of Manchester (UoM). We identify problematic areas in current practice, and propose creative solutions not only to help staff produce clear, useful feedback in a sustainable way, but also to raise student’s awareness and guide them in how to make the most of our provision, in turn becoming efficient language learners.

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