scholarly journals Demand-Side Optimal Sizing of a Solar Energy–Biomass Hybrid System for Isolated Greenhouse Environments: Methodology and Application Example

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (13) ◽  
pp. 3724
Author(s):  
Juan D. Gil ◽  
Jerónimo Ramos-Teodoro ◽  
José A. Romero-Ramos ◽  
Rodrigo Escobar ◽  
José M. Cardemil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Energy ◽  
Storage System ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Biomass Boiler ◽  
Sustainable Solutions ◽  
Fuel Prices ◽  
Energy Hub ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
Solar Field

The water–energy–food nexus has captured the attention of many researchers and policy makers for the potential synergies between those sectors, including the development of self-sustainable solutions for agriculture systems. This paper poses a novel design approach aimed at balancing the trade-off between the computational burden and accuracy of the results. The method is based on the combination of static energy hub models of the system components and rule-based control to simulate the operational costs over a one-year period as well as a global optimization algorithm that provides, from those results, a design that maximizes the solar energy contribution. The presented real-world case study is based on an isolated greenhouse, whose water needs are met due to a desalination facility, both acting as heat consumers, as well as a solar thermal field and a biomass boiler that cover the demand. Considering the Almerian climate and 1 ha of tomato crops with two growing seasons, the optimal design parameters were determined to be (with a solar fraction of 16% and a biomass fraction of 84%): 266 m2 for the incident area of the solar field, 425 kWh for the thermal storage system, and 4234 kW for the biomass-generated power. The Levelized Cost of Heat (LCOH) values obtained for the solar field and biomass boiler were 0.035 and 0.078 /kWh, respectively, and the discounted payback period also confirmed the profitability of the plant for fuel prices over 0.05 /kWh. Thus, the proposed algorithm is useful as an innovative decision-making tool for farmers, for whom the burden of transitioning to sustainable farming systems might increase in the near future.

scholarly journals A Standard-Based Method to Simulate the Behavior of Thermal Solar Systems with a Stratified Storage Tank

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edoardo Alessio Piana ◽  
Benedetta Grassi ◽  
Laurent Socal
Keyword(s):  
Solar System ◽  
Solar Energy ◽  
Storage Tank ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Fluid Temperature ◽  
Forced Circulation ◽  
Solar Systems ◽  
Solar Field ◽  
The Impact

Thermal solar systems are interesting solutions to reduce CO 2 emissions and gradually promote the use of renewable sources. However, sizing such systems and analysing their behavior are still challenging issues, especially for the trade-off between useful solar energy maximization and stagnation risk minimization. The new EPB (Energy Performance of Buildings) standard EN 15316-4-3:2017 offers several methods to evaluate the performance of a forced circulation solar system. One of them is a dynamic hourly method that must be used together with EN 15316-5:2017 for the simulation of the stratified storage tank connected with the solar loop. In this work, such dynamic hourly method is extended to provide more realistic predictions. In particular, modeling of the pump operation due to solar fluid temperature exceeding a set threshold, or due to low temperature differential between solar field and storage tank, is introduced as an on–off control. The implemented code is applied to a case study of solar system for the preparation of domestic hot water and the impact of different design parameters is evaluated. The model predicts a higher risk of overtemperature lock-out or stagnation when the solar field surface is increased, the storage volume is reduced and water consumption is set to zero to simulate summer vacation periods. Finally, a simple modulating control with a time step of a few seconds to a few minutes is introduced, quantitatively showing the resulting benefits in terms of useful solar energy increase, back-up operation savings and reduced auxiliary energy use.

scholarly journals Gravitricity based on solar and gravity energy storage for residential applications

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oluwole K. Bowoto ◽  
Omonigho P. Emenuvwe ◽  
Meysam N. Azadani
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Storage System ◽  
Computational Modelling ◽  
Dynamic Modelling ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Energy Potential ◽  
Height Range ◽  
Efficient System ◽  
Priority List

AbstractThis study proposes a design model for conserving and utilizing energy affordably and intermittently considering the wind rush experienced in the patronage of renewable energy sources for cheaper generation of electricity and the solar energy potential especially in continents of Africa and Asia. Essentially, the global quest for sustainable development across every sector is on the rise; hence, the need for a sustainable method of extracting energy cheaply with less wastage and pollution is on the priority list. This research, integrates and formulates different ideologies, factors and variables that have been adopted in previous research studies to create an efficient system. Some of the aforementioned researches includes pumped hydro gravity storage system, Compressed air gravity storage system, suspended weight in abandoned mine shaft, dynamic modelling of gravity energy storage coupled with a PV energy plant and deep ocean gravity energy storage. As an alternative and a modification to these systems, this research is proposing a Combined solar and gravity energy storage system. The design synthesis and computational modelling of the proposed system model were investigated using a constant height and but varying mass. Efficiencies reaching up to 62% was achieved using the chosen design experimental parameters adopted in this work. However, this efficiency can be tremendously improved upon if the design parameters are modified putting certain key factors which are highlighted in the limitation aspect of this research into consideration. Also, it was observed that for a test load of 50 × 103 mA running for 10 h (3600 s), the proposed system will only need to provide a torque of 3.27Nm and a height range of 66.1 × 104 m when a mass of 10 kg is lifted to give out power of 48 kwh. Since gravity storage requires intermittent actions and structured motions, mathematical models were used to analyse the system performance characteristics amongst other important parameters using tools like MATLAB Simscape modelling toolbox, Microsoft excel and Sysml Model software.

Development of an Innovative Code for the Design of Different Parabolic Trough Solar Fields

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ennio Macchi ◽  
Giampaolo Manzolini ◽  
Paolo Silva
Keyword(s):  
Solar Energy ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Working Fluid ◽  
Fluid Temperature ◽  
Parabolic Trough ◽  
High Solar Radiation ◽  
Power Block ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Solar Field ◽  
Steam Cycle

The role of renewable energies and in particular solar energy could be fundamental in future scenarios of worldwide increase of energy demand: thermodynamic solar energy can play an important role in country with high solar radiation. This paper discusses the development and testing of an innovative code for the prediction of thermodynamic performances at nominal conditions and the estimation of costs of the whole plant, for different parabolic trough solar fields. The code allows a preliminary design of the solar field lay-out, the sizing of the main components of the plant and the optimization of the steam cycle. The code, named PATTO (PArabolic Trough Thermodynamic Optimization), allows to separately calculate the thermal efficiency of (i) parabolic trough systems in commerce as well as (ii) combination of components of various commercial systems, in order to exploit different technology solutions: combination of mirrors, receivers and supports. Using the selected parabolic troughs, the plant configuration is then completed by connecting pipes, heat exchangers, the steam cycle, and storage tanks. The code is also flexible in terms of working fluid, temperature and pressure range. Regarding the power block, a conventional steam cycle with super-heater and re-heater sections and up to seven regenerative bleedings is adopted. It is possible to use also simpler configuration as without re-heater or with less regenerative bleedings. Moreover, thanks to simple or sophisticated economic correlations depending on available data, the code calculates the overall investment cost for the considered solar field and the power block. The code performs steady state analysis at nominal conditions, while future developments are planned regarding part load analysis and transient simulations. The model is tested towards real applications and reference values found in literature; in particular, focusing on SEGS VI plant in the USA. Detailed results showing code potentiality, are presented in terms of solar field and power block energy balances, plant auxiliaries, piping and economic analysis.

Optimization of Solar Terrestrial Power Production Using Heat Engines

1970 ◽  
Vol 92 (2) ◽  
pp. 173-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. K. Selc¸uk ◽  
G. T. Ward
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Model ◽  
Economic Performance ◽  
Storage System ◽  
Power Production ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Unsteady State ◽  
Labor Costs ◽  
Specific Design ◽  
Heat Engines ◽  
Power Costs

Mathematical model and computer programs have been developed for the analysis of the economic performance of a terrestrial solar power system using heat engines. Various combinations of cycle, collector, engine, storage system, and sink have been studied and the influence of design parameters on power costs examined for both the steady and unsteady state cases. Typical minimum power costs under central Australian conditions for units of 12 kw capacity at current levels of materials and labor costs range from 7 to 47 U. S. cents per kwh, according to the specific design of installation.

scholarly journals Performance of a bridge deck as solar collector in a thermal energy storage system

2020 ◽  
Vol 205 ◽  
pp. 07009
Author(s):  
Di Wu ◽  
Gangqiang Kong ◽  
Hanlong Liu ◽  
Xi Zhu ◽  
Hefu Pu
Keyword(s):  
Wind Speed ◽  
Solar Energy ◽  
Solar Collector ◽  
Bridge Deck ◽  
Collection Efficiency ◽  
Numerical Models ◽  
Storage System ◽  
Structural Response ◽  
Radiation Energy ◽  
Heat Element

Solar energy can be stored in subsurface and extracted to melt snow and deice in winter. In summer, the bridge deck heat element in a bridge deicing system could serve as a solar energy collector without additional cost. Numerical models were developed in this study to investigate the performance of a bridge deck solar collector. The effects of radiation intensity and wind speed on the solar energy collection efficiency of a bridge deck solar energy collector were discussed and analyzed. The results show that the temperature of the slab was decreased during the solar collection process, and the solar energy collection efficiency of the bridge deck solar collector was about 26~47%. The collection efficiency of solar energy at a given wind speed was increased with the decreasing of the radiation energy, and this effect was more pronounced when the wind speed was higher. The solar energy collection was beneficial to the durability of the top asphalt layer as well as the structural response of the bridge because the magnitude and gradient of the slab temperature were much lower when the bridge deck served as a solar energy collector.

Integral Techno-Economic Analysis of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Cycles for Concentrated Solar Power

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Crespi ◽  
David Sánchez ◽  
Tomás Sánchez ◽  
Gonzalo S. Martínez
Keyword(s):  
Storage System ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Energy Storage System ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Concentrated Solar Power ◽  
Power Cycle ◽  
Thermodynamic Performance ◽  
Thermal Energy Storage System ◽  
Major Equipment ◽  
Solar Field

Previous work by the authors has shown that broader analyses than those typically found in literature (in terms of operating pressures allowed) can yield interesting conclusions with respect to the best candidate cycles for certain applications. This has been tested for the thermodynamic performance (1st and 2nd Laws) but it can also be applied from an economic standpoint. This second approach is introduced in this work where typical operating conditions for CSP applications (current and future generations of solar tower plants) are considered (900 °C and 30 MPa). For these, the techno-economic performance of each cycle are assessed in order to identify the most cost-effective layout when it comes to the Overnight Capital Cost. This analysis accounts for the different contributions to the total cost of the plant, including all the major equipment that is usually found in a CSP power plant such as the solar field and thermal energy storage system. The work is thus aimed at providing guidelines to professionals in the area of basic engineering and pre-feasibility study of CSP plants who find themselves in the process of selecting a particular power cycle for a new project (set of specifications and boundary conditions).

Impacts of Solar Electricity Generation on the Thai Electricity Industry

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 157-163
Author(s):  
Buncha Wattana ◽  
Phinyo Aungyut
Keyword(s):  
Solar Energy ◽  
Financial Incentives ◽  
Electricity Generation ◽  
Fossil Fuel ◽  
Storage System ◽  
Energy Storage System ◽  
Electricity Industry ◽  
So2 Emissions ◽  
Solar Electricity ◽  
Analysis Platform

This paper analyses the impacts of electricity generation from solar energy on the Thai electricity industry. In this paper, three scenarios (REF, Solar2015 and Solar2018) are developed to represent an increased levels of electricity produced from solar energy. A Low Emissions Analysis Platform (LEAP) model is employed, in this paper, to assess the impacts for the period 2019–2037.This paper assesses and analyses the scenario impacts in terms of diversification of electricity generation, fossil fuel requirement and emissions of CO2 and SO2. The analysis reveals that increased electricity generation from solar energy would help diversify energy supply for electricity generation, reduce fossil fuel imports, and therefore help improve energy security of the country. Furthermore, it would help mitigating CO2 and SO2 emissions – an issue of environmental significance. Despite several benefits, there are a number of emerging barriers for promoting electricity generation from solar energy in Thailand. These include the intermittency of solar energy, high-capital cost, unsupportable grid infrastructure and unfavourable regulatory framework. This paper, therefore, suggests that the implementation of energy storage system, provision of financial incentives to potential investors, improvement of grid flexibility and the revision of the regulations to support solar energy business could be effective strategies in order to address the barriers facing the Thai electricity industry.

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