Search results for "Electric potential energy"
showing 10 items of 64 documents
The Desalination Process Driven by Wave Energy: A Challenge for the Future
2016
The correlation between water and energy is currently the focus of several investigations. In particular, desalination is a technological process characterized by high energy consumption; nevertheless, desalination represents the only practicable solution in several areas, where the availability of fresh water is limited but brackish water or seawater are present. These natural resources (energy and water) are essential for each other; energy system conversion needs water, and electrical energy is necessary for water treatment or transport. Several interesting aspects include the study of saline desalination as an answer to freshwater needs and the application of renewable energy (RE) devic…
Wave Energy Assessment along Sicilian Coastline, Based on DEIM Point Absorber
2017
The use of renewable energy sources is one of the most relevant goals to be achieved in order to match the climate protection targets. As a case study, the paper shows the current electrical energy production by sources in the Sicilian context. Among the renewable energy sources, the paper investigates the wave energy potential along the Sicilian coasts, because of the favorable climate around the island. A point absorber is present in order to exploit this source. Two scenarios are presented, with two different levels of energy production.
Reliability Analysis of a Stand-Alone PV System for the Supply of a Remote Electric Load
2010
The work presents a reliability analysis of a stand-alone photovoltaic system for the supply of electric loads located in remote areas not easily reachable by the low voltage distribution network. The analysis is performed by characterizing the electric load behavior by means of a Montecarlo approach for taking into account the stochastic variability of the electrical energy demand. A Montecarlo approach is used also for evaluating the electricity production of the stand alone photovoltaic system as a function of the hourly solar irradiation of the installation site. The variability both of the load and of the energy production are correlated and the probability that the load can remain uns…
Manufacturing tolerances effects on PV array energy production
2014
This paper investigates the tolerance effects of commercial photovoltaic modules in terms of electrical energy reduction of photovoltaic plants. Several commercial modules, having the same rated power, present different power tolerance values. A wide tolerance is an indicator of possible defects or differences in the production process and is responsible of remarkable reductions in the electricity production of photovoltaic plants. In this paper, thanks to the development of a suitable simulation tool, several simulations have been carried out, considering different tolerance and shading conditions for the PV array. Simulation results quantify the peak power value of the different plant con…
Renewable energy sources to fulfill the global energy needs of a country: The case study of Malta in Mediterranean Sea
2016
The paper shows the advantages using different energy resources for the islands of Malta. Moreover, this work is focused on the analysis of the wave energy potential along Malta's coasts. This important resource can be exploited to produce electrical energy using an innovative Point Absorber based on a new generator prototype realized by University of Palermo. The use of renewable source will reduce greenhouses emissions and increase the energy independence of Malta. The procedures applied in the present article, as well as the main equations used, are the result of previous applications made in different technical fields that show a good replicability [1]-[7].
Design of a power conditioning unit for a Stirling generator in space applications
2012
The Free-Piston Stirling Generator (FPSG) is a thermal to electrical energy conversion system, based upon the thermal engine of the same name. Intensive research concerning the feasibility of the engine for its application in deep space and planetary missions has been conducted, primarily due to the potential increase in efficiency (−30%) over the currently used Radio-isotope Generators (RTGs). On the other hand, less attention has been paid to the power conditioning requirements and alternatives. The present work has investigated on the dynamics governing the FPSGs in order to assess the design requirements for the subsequent power-conditioning unit (PCU). Thereafter, two alternatives of A…
Piezoelectric Rainfall Energy Harvester Performance by an Advanced Arduino-Based Measuring System
2018
This paper presents the performances of rainfall energy harvesting through the use of a piezoelectric transducer and an Arduino-based measuring system. Different studies agree on the possibility of generating electricity from rainfall, but to date, a study on measuring the quantity of energy produced during rainfall is still missing. The present study begins with results obtained from laboratory researchers using piezoelectric transducers and oscilloscopes, finalized to measure the energy produced from a single raindrop, and concludes with an ad hoc Arduino-based measuring system, aimed to measure the actual amount of electrical energy produced by a piezoelectric transducer that is exposed …
Greening island: Renewable energies mix to satisfy electrical needs of Pantelleria in Mediterranean sea
2016
In this article the authors analyze the renewable mix in order to satisfy the energy needs of a real island in the Mediterranean sea, Pantelleria, which represents an optimal starting point to increase the production of electrical energy from renewable sources in minor islands. In this text are exposed different alternative sources, such as solar, wind and wave energy. Moreover, it is exposed a project of an innovative conversion device proposed by Department of Energy of University of Palermo, compared to a different one proposed by Politecnico di Torino. The procedures applied in the present article, as well as the main equations used, are the result of previous applications made in diffe…
Design of Bilateral Switched Reluctance Linear Generator to Convert Wave Energy: Case Study in Sicily
2013
The aim of this work is a case study of the adaptation bilateral switched reluctance linear generator to the exploitation of energy of the sea. This type of generator can be used to convert wave energy in electrical energy. In this paper we present an analytical sizing and FEM simulation. As for the results, analysis of the data extracted through the simulations it was possible to calculate the emf. The emf was calculated in two cases of motion of the slider: first hypothesis has set the constant speed while the second is a variable speed according to the law of an oscillatory motion of the sea.
The use of sea waves for generation of electrical energy and Hydrogen
2009
Recently linear synchronous generator for the exploitation of sea wave energy has been proposed. That solution does not require reactive power to magnetize but needs permanent magnets to assure the excitation. The electrical energy generated by such a device must be converted and conditioned in order to match the instantaneous utility requirements and a power link from the sea to an interconnection is needed. In this paper in order to overcome that difficulty, the authors propose the use of the electrical energy generated to generate “in situ” hydrogen. As a result the output of the generation would be hydrogen that can be stored and used when needed The proposed electrical generator is a P…