Search results

To support ongoing industry efforts to reduce the cost of energy (CoE) of offshore wind compared to other types of energy sources, researchers are applying scientific models and thought processes to identify potential areas of improvement and optimization. This paper aims to introduce a conceptual framework from a supply chain management (SCM) perspective, aimed at promoting the reduction of CoE in the offshore wind energy industry.

Using conceptual arguments from current academic literature in SCM, a comprehensive framework is presented that clarifies how SCM practices can be used by offshore wind energy industry to reduce CoE.

The offshore wind energy sector is a young industry that must reduce CoE to compete with other forms of energy. Applying a supply chain perspective in the offshore wind industry has hitherto been limited to the academic community. This paper offers a SCM framework that includes three interdependent aspects of reducing CoE – innovation, industrialization and supplier partnering – to guide the industry towards sources to reduce CoE.

SCM is a broad research area; thus, the presented framework to reduce the CoE is open for further development.

The paper provides insights into how the CoE can be reduced through innovation, industrialization and partnering in the offshore wind energy supply chain.

The paper offers a seminal contribution by introducing a SCM framework to understand sources and approaches to reduce CoE in the offshore wind energy industry.

This study aims to analyze the effects of variations in annual real interest rates in the assessment of the techno-economic feasibility of a hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) for an off-grid community.

Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Energy Resources (HOMER) software is used to propose an HRES for Abadam community in northern Nigeria. The HRES was designed to meet the basic needs of the community over a 25-year project lifespan. Based on the available energy resources in the community, photovoltaic (PV), wind turbine, diesel generator and battery were suggested for integration to serve the load requirements.

When the annual real interest rates were taken as 10 and 8 per cent, the total amount of total energy fraction from PV, wind turbine and the diesel generator is 28, 57 and 15 per cent, respectively. At these interest rates, wind turbines contributed more energy across all months than other energy resources. The energy resource distribution for 0, 2,4 and 6 per cent annual real interest rates have a similar pattern, but PV contributed a majority of the energy.

This study has used annual real interest and inflation rates dynamic behavior to determine optimal HRES for remote communities. Hence, its analysis will equip decision-makers with the necessary information for accurate planning.

The results of this study can be used to plan and design HRES infrastructure for off-grid communities around the world.

This study aims to investigate the feasibility of proposed microgrid (MG) that comprises photovoltaic, wind turbines, battery energy storage and diesel generator to supply a residential building in Grindelwald which is chosen as the test location.

Three operational configurations were used to run the proposed MG. In the first configuration, the electric energy can be vended and procured utterly between the main-grid and MG. In the second configuration, the energy trade was performed within 15 kWh as the maximum allowable limit of energy to purchase and sell. In the third configuration, the system performance in the stand-alone operation mode was investigated. A whale optimization technique is used to determine the optimal size of MG in all proposed configurations. The cost of energy (COE) and other measures are used to evaluate the system performance.

The obtained results revealed that the first configuration is the most beneficial with COE of 0.253$/KWh and reliable 100%. Furthermore, the whale optimization algorithm is sufficiently feasible as compared to other techniques to apply in the applications of MG.

The value of the proposed research is to investigate to what extend the integration between MG and main-grid is beneficial economically and technically. As opposed to previous research studies that have focused predominantly only on the optimal size of MG.

This research studies the impact of introducing distributed generators (DGs) into a distribution network. The aim of this paper is to optimally site DGs based on economic, environmental and reliability indices are presented.

The considered network was modelled by using the network’s line parameters and capacity of the load bus with the help of Power System Analysis Toolbox. The location of the DG is based on voltage stability index and power loss reduction index. The DG energy sources considered are the diesel generator, solar photo-voltaic (PV) and wind generator, and the objectives were to minimize cumulative cost while maximizing reliability of the network. The Advanced Interactive Multidimensional Modelling System was used for the mathematical modelling.

The obtained results in the cases of introducing renewable energy into a network improves network performance. The benefits of renewable energy on the distribution network measured in terms of electricity production cost, gas emission cost, fuel cost and value of energy not supplied were positive. The research also showed that the total benefit of renewable energy reduces as the price of the renewable generators increases.

This paper introduces a new approach to determining the optimal location of DG for reducing line losses and improved voltage profile. A new cost modelling function based on external grid power transfer cost, technical losses and cost because of the various energies source is also introduced.

Earlier most of the research groups have designed and developed hybrid renewable energy system models with technological, scientific and industrial advancement for the energy systems, but slight attention has been paid towards the grid-connected sustainable urban residential energy systems (SUR_eS) for metropolitan cities. The current research wishes to design, model and analyze grid-connected energy system for residential applications for sustainable urban residential energy system. The works aims to explore the potential of the augmented energy system for grid-connected energy system.

The proposed grid-connected SUR_eS are validated for a sample location at New Delhi (India) with a hybrid optimization model for electric renewable (HOMER) software to define and understand the various load profile. It presents the sensitivity analysis approach to validate the design of the proposed energy system.

The obtained results reports the key barriers, proposed model and scenarios for sustainable urban energy system development.

Similar approaches can be replicated to design and develop an independent, self-sustainable cleaner and environmental-friendly energy system in the future scenario for the extension of complex grid infrastructures.

It will assist the stakeholder in solving the complex urban sustainability issues raised due to the shortage of energy.

It will offer a clean and environment friendly sustainable energy resources with reduced carbon emissions. It will benefit sustainable energy resources with a mix of challenges and opportunities, to suggest an approach for implementation of efficient energy policies to optimize the existing and forthcoming energy systems.

The current research offers a design and model to analyze grid-connected energy system sustainable urban residential applications. It explores the potential of the augmented energy system. The proposed model are validated for a sample location with HOMER simulation software to define and understand various scenarios of the multiple load profile. The work presents the sensitivity analysis approach to validate the proposed energy system.

The application of hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) can mitigate inadequate access to clean, stable and sustainable energy among households in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Available studies on HRES seem to concentrate only on its techno-economic and environmental viability. In so doing, these studies do not seem to underline the likely challenges that follow the acquisition of HRES by especially low-income households. The ensuing reality is, of course, a limitation in the use of HRES in homes with low incomes. It is therefore imperative to analyze how a household with low income can afford this kind of energy system. The purpose of this study, therefore, lies in presenting a techno-economic, environmental and affordability analysis of how HRES is acquired.

To arrive at a grounded analysis, a typical household in SSA is used as an example. The analysis focused on the pattern of energy use, and this is obtained by visiting an active site to evaluate the comprehensive load profile. In the course of analysis, an optimal techno-economic design and sizing of a hybrid PV, wind and battery were undertaken. Additionally, an acquisition analysis was done based on loan amortization.

The interesting result is that a combination of the photovoltaic-gasoline-battery system is the most cost-effective energy system with a net present cost of $2,682. The system combination can lead to an emission reduction of approximately 98.3 per cent, compared to the use of gasoline generating sets, common mostly in SSA. If an amortized loan is used to purchase the energy system, and the payment plan is varied such that the frequency of payments is made quarterly, annually, semi-annually, bi-monthly, semi-monthly and bi-weekly, it will be observed that low-income household can conveniently acquire a HRES.

The result presented a framework by which a low-income household can purchase and install HRES. To facilitate this, it is recommended that low-income households should be given interest-friendly loans, so as to enhance the acquisition of HRES.

The aim of this paper is to analyze the wind regime at Wainiyaku, Taveuni in Fiji, estimate Annual Energy Production (AEP) using a 275 kW Vergnet wind, and determine its economic viability.

The only grid supply is in the northeast (suburban area) of the island. The main source is diesel generators, which are operated only certain hours per day. The study around Wainiyaku state was essential to determine an alternative continuous source of energy. The wind assessment on the island was based on the data provided by the Department of Energy (Fiji) and WAsP was used to reliably estimate the wind power potential on the island.

The report suggested that Wainiyaku Taveuni is a good site for wind power generation based on mean wind speed at 30 m agl. The software predicted a resource grid for mean wind speed and power density around Wainiyaku. An economic analysis for a prospective wind power generation using Vergnet 275 kW showed a reasonable promise.

The conclusion justifies that a longer period (3y) data are necessary for better accuracy. However, one‐year data are sufficient to predict annual energy production with reasonable certainty.

The paper provides an alternative solution for a continuous supply of electricity for a remote island. It shows the economics of utilizing wind power generator to provide unobstructed supply of electricity. It further explores the saving in foreign exchange for a small Island economy. The analysis of wind regime suggests that an independent power producer may consider investing in a wind farm at Wainiyaku.

The important factors, which should be considered in the design of a hybrid system of photovoltaic and wind energy are discussed in this study. The current load demand for electricity, as well as the load profile of solar radiation and wind power of the specified region chosen in Iran, is the basis of design and optimization in this study. Hybrid optimization model for electric renewable (HOMER) software was used to simulate and optimize hybrid energy system technically and economically.

HOMER software was used to simulate and optimize hybrid energy system technically and economically.

The maximum radiation intensity for the study area is 7.95 kwh/m²/day for July and the maximum wind speed for the study area is 11.02 m/s for January.

This research is the result of the original studies.

This paper aims to focus on technical and economical analysis of small scale wind/solar hybrid system for domestic consumers. The analysis is carried out on HOMER II simulation software. Pakistan is one of those developing countries which are encountered with severe energy crises. The purpose of this paper is to introduce a technically and economically feasible system to meet the domestic consumer’s demand, as well as contribute to the central grid. HOMER Energy software is used to analyze different systems and to obtain the most reliable and feasible system for the customer. Simulation was carried out to find an economically and technically feasible system. Sensitivity analysis was carried out with hub height, PV De-rating factor, PV life, Wind turbine life. Change in hub height drastically affected energy production and economic prospect as the main factors of the system. Implementing such type of small hybrid systems on domestic level can be truly helpful to overcome energy shortage.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate and compare the effects of rod and vane-type vortex generators for wind turbine applications. In large wind turbine rotors, an attached flow at all sections along the span direction is difficult to achieve which leads to an increase in aerodynamic losses, noise generation, and fatigue stress. Therefore, flow control strategies such as vortex generators (VGs) are beneficial to improve performance.

The benefits of the application of rod-type vortex generators (RVGs) to control flow separation on a wind turbine airfoil are assessed numerically using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The validation of the computational model is conducted against the experimental data available for the DU96-W-180 wind turbine airfoil equipped with 44 RVGs. In addition, a revised wind tunnel angle of attack (AoA) calibration procedure (based on CFD) is proposed that is applicable for separated flows. A comparison of the RVGs to the conventional vane-type vortex generators (VVGs) is presented for inflow velocity of 30 m/s and AoA leading to significant flow separation. A parametric evaluation of the geometric characteristics of both types of VGs is conducted to quantify the generated streamwise vortices.

The comparison of the induced flow structures and aerodynamic efficiency enhancements proves that RVGs may be used as an alternative to the more conventional VVGs applied on wind turbine blades for boundary layer separation control.

A new type of VG (rod) has been investigated and compared against conventional VG (vanes) for wind turbine applications.