Search results for "Energy source"
showing 10 items of 615 documents
Decentralized price-driven grid balancing via repurposed electric vehicle batteries
2017
Abstract The share of electricity generated from intermittent renewable sources, e.g., wind and solar grows rapidly. This affects grid stability and power quality. If the share of renewable power generation is to be increased further, additional flexibilities must be introduced. Aggregating small, distributed loads and energy storage facilities is a good medium-term option. In this paper, the suitability of decentralized and on-site optimized storage system consisting of repurposed electric vehicle batteries for grid balancing is investigated. Battery operation is controlled via an optimization procedure, which relies on a one-way communicated pseudo-cost function (PCF). Day-ahead electrici…
Anaerobic digestion of organic solid poultry slaughterhouse waste – a review
2002
This work reviews the potential of anaerobic digestion for material recovery and energy production from poultry slaughtering by-products and wastes. First, we describe and quantify organic solid by-products and wastes produced in poultry farming and poultry slaughterhouses and discuss their recovery and disposal options. Then we review certain fundamental aspects of anaerobic digestion considered important for the digestion of solid slaughterhouse wastes. Finally, we present an overview of the future potential and current experience of the anaerobic digestion treatment of these materials.
An interpretive framework for assessing and monitoring the sustainability of school gardens
2016
School gardens are, increasingly, an integral part of projects aiming to promote nutritional education and environmental sustainability in many countries throughout the world. In the late 1950s, FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) and UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) had already developed projects to improve the dietary intake and behavior through school and community gardens. However, notwithstanding decades of experience, real proof of how these programs contribute to improving sustainability has not been well-documented, and reported findings have mostly been anecdotal. Therefore, it is important to begin a process of collecting and monitoring data to quantify the results and …
Evaluating the Sustainability in Complex Agri-Food Systems: The SAEMETH Framework
2015
During the last few years, the definition of sustainability and the translation of its general principles into practical and operative tasks have come into the foreground of scientific research and political agendas throughout the world. The understanding and the evaluation of the environmental, social and economic performances of complex agricultural food systems is probably the real challenge, and the design of more sustainable alternatives has been recognized as necessary for a correct territorial management. This study’s primary goal is the proposition of an interpretive structure “Sustainable Agri-Food Evaluation Methodology” (SAEMETH), able to guide the evaluation of the sustainabilit…
Achieving maximum power transfer in a multi-source renewable system
2014
In this paper, a multi-source DC-DC power system is proposed for renewable applications. A multi-input, single inductor power converter controlled by two interacting control loops is designed. The steady-state and small-signal analysis of the designed system is carried out. A battery-photovoltaic system is designed as an application example. Both the output voltage and maximum power point of solar panels are properly controlled to achieve high performances of the whole system. Experimental results on a 48 V laboratory prototype are presented to discuss system performances.
Design and control of a novel multi-source renewable energy system
2014
In this paper, a novel multi-input, single-inductor architecture is proposed. An innovative hysteretic control strategy of both the output voltage and the sources operating point control is designed and tested. Benefits brought by the proposed architecture over existing solutions are widely investigated. As an example, the design of a 48 V dual input system which is fed by photovoltaic and thermo-electric generators is proposed. Design guidelines are given and simulation results are presented to test the efficiency of the proposed architecture.
Assessment of methodologies and data used to calculate desalination costs
2017
Abstract In desalination, similarly with other industries, the cost of the final product is one of the most important criteria that define the commercial success of a specific technology. Therefore, when new projects are planned or new technologies are proposed, the analysis of the expected costs attracts a lot of attention and is compared to (perceived) costs of state-of-the-art desalination or costs of alternative fresh water supply options. This comparison only makes sense if the cost assessment methodologies are based on the same principles and use common assumptions. This paper assesses: (i) the methodologies used to calculate the water cost; (ii) the boundary conditions and (iii) the …
MED parallel system powered by concentrating solar power (CSP): model and case study: Trapani, Sicily
2014
Abstract: This work presents an overlook on a new model that simulates the physical operation in steady state of a multi-effect distillation (MED) plant with parallel-feed (P) configuration. This model includes the consumption of steam with steam ejectors, and its validation was done using data from a real MED industrial plant using a thermal vapor compressor (TVC) operating in Italy, in the Sicilian city of Trapani. Results show that the MED model returns accurate predictions of the plant behavior, very useful for a first analysis on such type of investments. This MED model was also integrated into the system advisor model developed by the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Simulatio…
Improving the sustainability of transportation: environmental and functional benefits of right-turn by pass lanes at roundabouts
2015
The functional performances of conventional roundabouts (single-lane and multi-lane) and innovative roundabouts (spiral, flower, C and turbo) can be improved through right-turn bypass lanes controlled by stop, yield or free-flow signs. The article presents evaluations of the emissions of air pollutants (carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particle pollution (PM10 and PM2.5)), fuel consumption and construction, management, energetic and environmental costs in roundabouts without or with bypass lanes (controlled by stop, yield or free-flow). The suggested methodology has a general character and can be applied as a multi-parametric criterion for choosing road intersections, although, in the prese…