Evaluation of energy generation in Iraqi territory by solar photovoltaic power plants with a capacity of 20 MW

The study evaluates the visibility of solar photovoltaic power plant construction for electricity generation based on a 20 MW capacity. The assessment was performed for four main cities in Iraq by using hourly experimental weather data (solar irradiance, wind speed, and ambient temperature). The experimental data was measured for the period from 1st January to 31st December of the year 2019, where the simulation process was performed at a 1 h time step resolution at the same resolution as the experimental data. There are two positionings considered for solar photovoltaic modules: (i) annual optimum tilt angle and (ii) two-axis tracking system. The effect of the ambient temperature and wind on the overall system energy generated was taken into consideration. The study is targeted at evaluating the potential solar energy in Iraq and the viability of electricity generation using a 20 MW solar photovoltaic power plant. The results showed that the overall performance of the suggested power plant capacity is highly dependent on the solar irradiance intensity and the ambient temperature with wind speed. The current 20 MW solar photovoltaic power plant capacity shows the highest energy that can be generated in the mid-western region and the lowest in the northeast regions. The greatest influence of the ambient temperature on the energy genrated by power plants is observed in the southern regions.

Enhance the Plant Operating Capacity - Maximize the Revenue/Asset Utilization

To explore the opportunity for maximum utilization for a Sales Gas Compression Facility (SGCF) in line with ADNOC strategy to enhance profitability and asset utilization. A technical study was conducted to increase the processing capacity up to 133% of its design limit by utilizing the available design margins. This was to identify the potential bottlenecks in the facility and suggest debottlenecking options (if bottlenecks are there). The Technical study covered the following activities: Simulation: Process simulation was performed and H&MB (Heat and Material Balance) was generatd. Engineering: Compressor adequacy checks on increased plant throughputs. Static Equipment rating and adequacy checks performed with the concurrence of original equipment menufacturerers. Line sizing adequacy checks and detailed evaluation of the piping. Adequacy check for In-line instruments like control valves, flow elements/transmitters (Note 1) Relief, blowdown and flare system adequacy check. Utilities adequacy checks. Risk assessment workshop was conducted before the capacity test run. Preparation of Test Run procedure before the actual test run. Actual plant capacity test run to verify the study findings. Note 1: Adequacy check of thermowells had been peformed separately prior to the study. It had already been established that the thermowells were adequate for the increased plant throughputs. The study has concluded the following observations for processing 133% of the design capacity Theoratically, the Sales Gas Compression Plant is adequate to handle the sales gas throughput up to 600 MMSCFD (2 running machines) considering the facts that Sales Gas Compressor suction pressure must always be kept at 32 barg through close monitoring by the operaters.If compressor suction pressure starts dropping below 32 barg, the study outcome would no more valid and the plant throughput would be reduced back to the original design capacity of 450 MMSCFD. Moreover, it was recommended to perform a field test run to validate the study outcome by following the Manageement of Change Procedure as applicable. Based on the successful 48 hours test run, it was established that the facility could handle the increased plant throughput of 600 MMSCFD by following the instructions given in the adequacy study.

Techno-Economic Assessment of Biological Biogas Upgrading Based on Danish Biogas Plants

Biological biogas upgrading with H2 derived from excess renewable electricity was modeled and simulated in PROII® (AVEVA Group plc, Cambridge, UK). An economic analysis was performed for a biogas plant processing 100,000 tons of biomass (substrate) per year. The biogas and biomethane production simulation results were validated with laboratory experimental data, as well as full-scale data obtained from biogas plants. A biomethane production cost of 0.47 €/Nm3 was calculated, while the minimum biomethane selling price for NPV = 0 was equal to 0.66 €/Nm3, considering a H2 price of 1.0 €/kg. The feasibility analysis indicated that the H2-related costs were the major contributor to the capital and operation costs due to high expenses associated with the in-situ H2 storage facility and the purchasing of H2, respectively. Compared to conventional upgrading methods, biological biogas upgrading has a higher capital and production cost, which can be reduced by increasing the plant capacity. The sensitivity analysis showed that the profitability is very sensitive to biomethane prices, capital investment, and the H2 price.

Development of a Software System for Selecting Steam Power Plant to Convert Municipal Solid Waste to Energy

A software system that enhances the selection of appropriate power plant capacity that will convert combustible municipal solid waste (MSW) into energy was developed. The aggregate of waste to be converted was determined and the corresponding heating value was established. The capacities of steam power plants’ components required for the conversion were determined, using thermodynamic mathematical models. An algorithm based on models used to determine the energy potential, the power potential of MSW, the capacities of the components of the steam power plant, were translated into computer soft code using Java programming language; saturated steam and superheated steam tables, together with the thermodynamic properties of the power plant required were incorporated into the soft code. About 584 tons of MSW having a heating value of 20 MJ/kg was the quantity of waste experimented for energy generation. This information was input into the software as data and was processed. Then, the software was able to predict 3245.54 MWh energy potential for the quantity of waste, and electrical power potential of 40.54 MW. The capacities of the steam power plant components that were predicted include 100.35 MW of boiler power, 40.54 MW of turbine power, and 59.80 MW of condenser power. The methodology adopted will make it easy for the managers in the waste-to-energy sector to appropriately select the suitable capacity of the required steam power plant that can convert any quantify of MSW at any geographical location, without going through the engineering calculation and stress or rigor involved in the plant capacity design. Moreover, the accuracy obtained for the software is greater than 99%.

Economics and Energy Consumption of Brackish Water Reverse Osmosis Desalination: Innovations and Impacts of Feedwater Quality

Brackish water desalination, using the reverse osmosis (BWRO) process, has become common in global regions, where vast reserves of brackish groundwater are found (e.g., the United States, North Africa). A literature survey and detailed analyses of several BWRO facilities in Florida have revealed some interesting and valuable information on the costs and energy use. Depending on the capacity, water quality, and additional scope items, the capital cost (CAPEX) ranges from USD 500 to USD 2947/m3 of the capacity (USD 690–USD 4067/m3 corrected for inflation to 2020). The highest number was associated with the City of Cape Coral North Plant, Florida, which had an expanded project scope. The general range of the operating cost (OPEX) is USD 0.39 to USD 0.66/m3 (cannot be corrected for inflation), for a range of capacities from 10,000 to 70,000 m3/d. The feed-water quality, in the range of 2000 to 6000 mg/L of the total dissolved solids, does not significantly impact the OPEX. There is a significant scaling trend, with OPEX cost reducing as plant capacity increases, but there is considerable scatter based on the pre- and post-treatment complexity. Many BWRO facilities operate with long-term increases in the salinity of the feedwater (groundwater), caused by pumping-induced vertical and horizontal migration of the higher salinity water. Any cost and energy increase that is caused by the higher feed water salinity, can be significantly mitigated by using energy recovery, which is not commonly used in BWRO operations. OPEX in BWRO systems is likely to remain relatively constant, based on the limitation on the plant capacity, caused by the brackish water availability at a given site. Seawater reverse osmosis facilities, with a very large capacity, have a lower OPEX compared to the upper range of BWRO, because of capacity scaling, special electrical energy deals, and process design certainty.

Hydrogen and the Transition from Gas Networks to a New Energy Carrier Paradigm

Portugal has developed a national roadmap for hydrogen deployment as a key element of the Portuguese energy transition towards carbon neutrality, with a major contribution towards the electrification of society, generating synergies between the electric and gas systems. Considering the government goals for hydrogen injection within natural gas infrastructures for 2025 and 2030, as long as the indicative trajectories for 2040 and 2050, the authors used the natural gas forecast of the security of supply official report in order to obtain the hydrogen demand and power plant capacity, evaluating the system effort to meet public policy goals. Several alternative scenarios were developed for sensitive analysis, in order to assess the different strategies of hydrogen deployment, considering production from an electrolyzer. Regarding the current Portuguese situation and every scenario outcome, the authors stated that major efforts must be undertaken in order to develop full-scale hydrogen projects in order to meet the national goals.

Optimal model of desalination planning under uncertainties in a water supply system

A requirement for developing desalination in coastal regions suffering water scarcity is proposed to address the increased water demand and limited traditional water supply. The determination of plant capacity and water allocation scheme in a multiple-source water supply system, the first problem in planning desalination under stream flow and water demand uncertainties, remains a challenge. To address this gap, an interval-parameter two-stage stochastic programming model is developed in this study. The first-stage problem is to determine a proper desalination plant capacity, and the second is the water allocation scheme under uncertainties of natural stream flows, water demands, benefits and economic losses. The objective function is to maximize the net benefit of the system, and the cost function of desalination, including capital and operational costs, implying environmental impact, is linearized within a range of plant capacities to solve the model. The proposed approach is applied to an urban area of Weihai city in China to illustrate the validity of the model. The results suggest a capacity of 46 103 m3/d in 2030 and 56 103 m3/d in 2040. Sensitivity analyses of the parameters indicate that the unit price of electricity influences the utilization level of desalinated seawater, and a complementary relationship is observed between reclaimed water and desalinated seawater.