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

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.

Solar Energy ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 131 ◽  
pp. 81-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandy Rodrigues ◽  
Roham Torabikalaki ◽  
Fábio Faria ◽  
Nuno Cafôfo ◽  
Xiaoju Chen ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Emmanuel O. Benjamin ◽  
Domna Tzemi ◽  
Daniela Subtil Fialho

Countries in West Africa are adversely affected by climate change (erratic rainfall and rising temperature) resulting in floods, desertification, drought and sea level rise. These events are anticipated to have negative impacts on agricultural development on the continent, ultimately, contributing to food insecurity and environmental degradation. This implies that the production capacity of agrarian communities is unable to meet the food demand of the growing urban population. Can sustainable and innovative urban farming technology such as aquaponics achieve food security as well as sustainable development in countries vulnerable to climate change? This study uses inferential statistic to examine the plant growth performance in micro-scale aquaponics and specific growth rate per day (SGR) for the fish growth performance vis-&agrave;-vis conventional urban farming production. A quantitative analysis use to examine the barriers to adoption based on survey of (five) urban aquaculture practitioners in Lagos, Nigeria. Literature review was use to assess the economic feasibility of a small-scale aquaponics system in developing countries based on Net-Discounted Benefit-Cost Rate (DBCR). The results suggest that aquaponics can improve food security through fish and vegetable production and it is likely that urban farming practitioners will adopt the technology if support mechanism are in place. Aquaponics systems present a novel opportunity to promote environmental conservation as well as sustainable food production and consumption in urban areas in Western Africa if adequate financial credit and knowledge transfer is provided.


2010 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 2-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christiaan César Bode ◽  
Thomas John Sheer

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.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Lauren K. D’Souza ◽  
William L. Ascher ◽  
Tanja Srebotnjak

Native American reservations are among the most economically disadvantaged regions in the United States; lacking access to economic and educational opportunities that are exacerbated by “energy insecurity” due to insufficient connectivity to the electric grid and power outages. Local renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and biomass offer energy alternatives but their implementation encounters barriers such as lack of financing, infrastructure, and expertise, as well as divergent attitudes among tribal leaders. Biomass, in particular, could be a source of stable base-load power that is abundant and scalable in many rural communities. This case study examines the feasibility of a biomass energy plant on the Cocopah reservation in southwestern Arizona. It considers feedstock availability, cost and energy content, technology options, nameplate capacity, discount and interest rates, construction, operation and maintenance (O&M) costs, and alternative investment options. This study finds that at current electricity prices and based on typical costs for fuel, O&M over 30 years, none of the tested scenarios is presently cost-effective on a net present value (NPV) basis when compared with an alternative investment yielding annual returns of 3% or higher. The technology most likely to be economically viable and suitable for remote, rural contexts—a combustion stoker—resulted in a levelized costs of energy (LCOE) ranging from US$0.056 to 0.147/kWh. The most favorable scenario is a combustion stoker with an estimated NPV of US$4,791,243. The NPV of the corresponding alternative investment is US$7,123,380. However, if the tribes were able to secure a zero-interest loan to finance the plant’s installation cost, the project would be on par with the alternative investment. Even if this were the case, the scenario still relies on some of the most optimistic assumptions for the biomass-to-power plant and excludes abatement costs for air emissions. The study thus concludes that at present small-scale, biomass-to-energy projects require a mix of favorable market and local conditions as well as appropriate policy support to make biomass energy projects a cost-competitive source of stable, alternative energy for remote rural tribal communities that can provide greater tribal sovereignty and economic opportunities.


2013 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Noor Fachrizal

Biomass such as agriculture waste and urban waste are enormous potency as energy resources instead of enviromental problem. organic waste can be converted into energy in the form of liquid fuel, solid, and syngas by using of pyrolysis technique. Pyrolysis process can yield higher liquid form when the process can be drifted into fast and flash response. It can be solved by using microwave heating method. This research is started from developing an experimentation laboratory apparatus of microwave-assisted pyrolysis of biomass energy conversion system, and conducting preliminary experiments for gaining the proof that this method can be established for driving the process properly and safely. Modifying commercial oven into laboratory apparatus has been done, it works safely, and initial experiments have been carried out, process yields bio-oil and charcoal shortly, several parameters are achieved. Some further experiments are still needed for more detail parameters. Theresults may be used to design small-scale continuous model of productionsystem, which then can be developed into large-scale model that applicable for comercial use.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rumen Manolov

The lack of consensus regarding the most appropriate analytical techniques for single-case experimental designs data requires justifying the choice of any specific analytical option. The current text mentions some of the arguments, provided by methodologists and statisticians, in favor of several analytical techniques. Additionally, a small-scale literature review is performed in order to explore if and how applied researchers justify the analytical choices that they make. The review suggests that certain practices are not sufficiently explained. In order to improve the reporting regarding the data analytical decisions, it is proposed to choose and justify the data analytical approach prior to gathering the data. As a possible justification for data analysis plan, we propose using as a basis the expected the data pattern (specifically, the expectation about an improving baseline trend and about the immediate or progressive nature of the intervention effect). Although there are multiple alternatives for single-case data analysis, the current text focuses on visual analysis and multilevel models and illustrates an application of these analytical options with real data. User-friendly software is also developed.


1990 ◽  
Vol 22 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 139-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Iwai ◽  
Y. Oshino ◽  
T. Tsukada

Although the ratio of sewer systems to population in Japan has been improving in recent years, the construction of sewer systems in small communities such as farming or fishing villages, etc. had lagged behind that of urban areas. However, construction of small-scale sewer systems in farming and fishing villages has been actively carried out in recent years. This report explains the history of the promotion of small-scale sewer systems, why submerged filter beds are being employed in many cases, and introduces the design, operation and maintenance of representative waste-water treatment plants in farming and fishing villages which incorporate de-nitrogen and dephosphorization.


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