Journal of Renewable Energy最新文献

{"title":"A Comprehensive Study on the Physicochemical Characteristics of Faecal Sludge in Greater Accra Region and Analysis of Its Potential Use as Feedstock for Green Energy","authors":"Issahaku Ahmed, Dennis Ofori-Amanfo, E. Awuah, Florence Cobbold","doi":"10.1155/2019/8696058","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/8696058","url":null,"abstract":"Design of treatment plants for faecal sludge management systems relies on a comprehensive accurate knowledge of FS (faecal sludge) characteristics, but this information is lacking. Developing countries like Ghana, where large proportion of the urban population (Accra) rely on onsite sanitation systems, face a lot of FSM (faecal sludge management) design challenges as a result of lack of a comprehensive study data on physicochemical characteristics of raw faecal sludge after primary dewatering. Achieving a fully operational FSM chain would imply a well understanding of the characteristics of the FS and its dynamics after primary dewatering. A study was carried out to determine the characteristics of faecal sludge brought to the Lavender Hill treatment plant, Accra Metropolis, and environs to ensure the treatability and uses of the products after treatment. The treatment plant receives an average of 150 trucks (1350m3) a day with 58% coming from private homes and 42% from public toilets. Composite samples were made from both public and private toilets facilities. Samples were taken from a reservoir holding faecal sludge from both public and private facilities, examined on daily basis and characterized. The values obtained showed high concentrations of BOD and COD values. The COD: BOD ratios showed that the faecal sludge is not stabilized yet and can be further degraded. The calorific value for the dry sludge was found to be 15.16-15.82 MJ/kg and 16.39–18.31 MJ/kg for the wet sludge. The calorific value of the sludge is adequate enough to be used as potential feedstock for green energy generation. The high concentrations of COD and organic matter of the faecal sludge make it suitable enough for biogas generation. A good correlation (r=0.909,R2=82.6%) between the calorific value and the TVS was found to be CV=0.122TVS+7.44. Heavy metal concentrations were low and satisfied the EPA Ghana guidelines for sludge. Thus products from the treatment can be used for agricultural purposes.","PeriodicalId":30460,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Renewable Energy","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1155/2019/8696058","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47114943","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Functional Metagenomics Characterization of an Anaerobic Saltwater Bioreactor","authors":"D. Derilus, A. Forestil, J. Fortune, O. Polyanska, C. Louime, G. Gervais, S. Massey","doi":"10.1155/2019/4527628","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/4527628","url":null,"abstract":"Methanogens are restricted to a few genera of Archaea, however they have great importance in the carbon cycle, impacting climactic considerations, and also find a role in renewable energy in the form of biogas. Here, we examine the microbial contribution to the production of methane in a sargassum fed anaerobic saltwater bioreactor, which are poorly characterized compared to fresh water bioreactors, using a comprehensive functional metagenomics approach. Despite abundant production of methane, we detected a low proportion of Archaea in the system using 16S rRNA community profile analyses. We address the low representation using an additional 16S rRNA analysis of shotgun data and a consideration of CO2:CH4production. Using a novel network alignment and tree building approach, we measured similarity between the meta-metabolic capabilities of different anaerobic microbial communities. The saltwater bioreactor samples clustered together, validating the approach and providing a method of determining meta-metabolic similarity between microbial communities, with a range of potential applications. We also introduce a number of additional approaches for examining and interpreting meta-metabolic network topology. The low abundance of methanogens appears as a common property of such anaerobic systems and likely reflects the relatively poor energetics of methanogens, while examination of key enzymes confirms that hydrogen producing bacteria are the major fermentative guild. Our results indicate that the use of readily available seawater and marine macroalgae is a promising approach to the production of biogas as a source of renewable energy.","PeriodicalId":30460,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Renewable Energy","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1155/2019/4527628","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41771150","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Experimental Characterisation of Photovoltaic Modules with Cells Connected in Different Configurations to Address Nonuniform Illumination Effect","authors":"Damasen Ikwaba Paul","doi":"10.1155/2019/5168259","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/5168259","url":null,"abstract":"Most concentrating systems that are being used for photovoltaic (PV) applications do not illuminate the PV module uniformly which results in power output reduction. This study investigated the electrical performance of three PV modules with cells connected in different configurations to address nonuniform illumination effect. PV module 1 is the standard module consisting of 11 solar cells connected in series whereas PV module 2 is a proposed design with 11 cells in three groups and each group consists of different cells in series connections. PV module 3 is also a new design with 11 cells in two groups and each group consists of different cells connected in series. The new PV modules were designed in such a way that the effect of nonuniform illumination should affect a group of cells but not the entire PV module, leading to high power output. The PV modules were tested under three different intensities: uniform, low nonuniform, and high nonuniform illumination. When the PV modules were tested at uniform illumination, the total maximum power output of PV module 1 was higher than that of PV module 2 and PV module 3 by about 7%. However, when the PV modules were tested at low nonuniform illumination, the total maximum power output of PV module 2 was higher than that of PV module 1 and PV module 3 by about 4% and 7%, respectively. This difference increased to about 12% for PV module 3 and 17% for PV module 1 when the modules were tested at high nonuniform illumination. Therefore, the best PV module design in addressing nonuniform illumination effect in solar collectors is PV module 2. In practical situation this implies that manufacturers of PV modules should consider designing modules with groups of cells in series connection instead of all cells being connected in series.","PeriodicalId":30460,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Renewable Energy","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1155/2019/5168259","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46200637","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Comparison Analysis of the Experimental and Theoretical Power Output of a Hybrid Photovoltaic Cell","authors":"Damasen Ikwaba Paul","doi":"10.1155/2019/3684284","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/3684284","url":null,"abstract":"In this paper, experimental and theoretical power output of a hybrid photovoltaic cell were analysed and compared for three different weather conditions (clear sky, partial cloudy, and overcast days). The hybrid photovoltaic cell consisted of low efficiency cell (mono-crystalline) and strips of Bosch M 2BB mono-crystalline cell as high efficiency cell. The current and voltage for the experimental results were measured by using optimal resistive load method. Theoretical daily power output of the hybrid PV cell was calculated based on the hourly incident energy on each section, the size of the section, and the electrical conversion efficiency of each section. The hybrid cell was evaluated within a low-concentrating symmetric compound parabolic concentrator suitable for building integration and was tilted at 54°. It was found that the theoretical daily power output on a clear sky, partial cloudy, and overcast days was higher than the experimental results by 136%, 109%, and 121%, respectively. The discrepancy was due to losses as the result of connecting wires series resistance effect, operating temperature effect, and the consequence of the fixed resistive load. However, it was the value of the optimal resistive load that had much impact on the experimental power output. To eliminate the restriction of the optimal resistive load on the experimental results, it is recommended to use data acquisition systems such as photovoltaic peak power measuring device 6020C 6020C or Keithley 2651A source-meter.","PeriodicalId":30460,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Renewable Energy","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1155/2019/3684284","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41776742","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Fault Ride-Through Capability Enhancement for Microinverter Applications","authors":"Sajad A. Ansari, Amirreza Mizani, S. Ashouri, J. Moghani","doi":"10.1155/2019/1036156","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/1036156","url":null,"abstract":"Due to the fast growth of single-phase grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) systems, the existing grid codes are expected to be modified to guarantee the availability, quality, and reliability of the electrical system. Therefore, the future single-phase PV systems should become smarter and support low voltage ride-through (LVRT) capability, which are required for three-phase wind power systems. In this paper, the operation principle of a flyback inverter in a low-voltage ride-through operation is demonstrated in order to map future challenges. The steady state performance of the flyback inverter under voltage rise and drop conditions at boundary conduction mode (BCM) and discontinues conduction mode (DCM) is studied theoretically. The simulation results of the flyback inverter for various grid faults are presented to verify the theoretical analyses. The results indicate the fact that the flyback inverter at BCM condition can provide LVRT capability for photovoltaic microinverter applications in distributed generation (DG) systems, even though it does not need any auxiliary control branches and any limitations in components design.","PeriodicalId":30460,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Renewable Energy","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-03-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1155/2019/1036156","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48264450","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Model-Based Control Design of Series Resonant Converter Based on the Discrete Time Domain Modelling Approach for DC Wind Turbine","authors":"Yu-hsing Chen, C. Dincan, P. Kjær, C. Bak, Xiongfei Wang, C. Imbaquingo, Eduard Sarrà, Nicola Isernia, A. Tonellotto","doi":"10.1155/2018/7898679","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/7898679","url":null,"abstract":"This paper focuses on the modelling of the series resonant converter proposed as a DC/DC converter for DC wind turbines. The closed-loop control design based on the discrete time domain modelling technique for the converter (named SRC#) operated in continuous-conduction mode (CCM) is investigated. To facilitate dynamic analysis and design of control structure, the design process includes derivation of linearized state-space equations, design of closed-loop control structure, and design of gain scheduling controller. The analytical results of system are verified in z-domain by comparison of circuit simulator response (in PLECS™) to changes in pulse frequency and disturbances in input and output voltages and show a good agreement. Furthermore, the test results also give enough supporting arguments to proposed control design.","PeriodicalId":30460,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Renewable Energy","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-12-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1155/2018/7898679","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47273595","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Equation for General Description of Power Behaviour in Fuel Cells","authors":"M. J. Lavorante, A. Sanguinetti, H. Fasoli, R. M. Aiello","doi":"10.1155/2018/2678050","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/2678050","url":null,"abstract":"The analytical development of an equation that allows representing the general behavior of electrochemical cells and, in particular, proton exchange membrane fuel cells is presented in this work. The statement from which the proposed equation emerged was made by Rysselberghe where electrolytic cells work as power supply and around which an electrical current moves out of equilibrium. The data used to test the equation were taken from discharged slopes of PEM fuel cells constructed in the Institute of Scientific and Technical Research for the Defense with researchers from the Army Engineering Faculty and from literature. The equation Pr=Ir(2-Ir) makes it clear that the relative power (Pr) is a quadratic function of the relative current (Ir) and shows a correlation coefficient close to 0.99 with respect to the experimental results of all data analyzed. It is important to remark that the parameters by which the prototypes were constructed were different: the amount and type of catalysts used, the active area, the material of bipolar plates, the type of electrolyte, the number of unit cells, and the different working conditions. In all cases and in spite of all the differences, which are very significant, the parametric equation proposed fits very well.","PeriodicalId":30460,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Renewable Energy","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-11-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1155/2018/2678050","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43274333","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Life Cycle Costing of Alternative Value Chains of Biomass Energy for Cooking in Kenya and Tanzania","authors":"Abigael Okoko, S. von Dach, Juergen Reinhard, B. Kiteme, S. Owuor","doi":"10.1155/2018/3939848","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/3939848","url":null,"abstract":"In near future, wood-based biomass energy will remain the main cooking energy for households in East Africa, especially for poor households due to its availability and affordability. Alternative biomass fuels however exist. Economic viability of these alternatives is important due to its potential to influence their adoption and sustained use. This research evaluates the economic efficiency of firewood, charcoal, biogas, jatropha oil, and crop residue briquettes value chains in the rural-urban contexts of Kitui, Kenya, and Moshi, Tanzania, using Life Cycle Costing (LCC) methodology. LCC helps to identify areas along the value chains where costs occur and where improvements are feasible. Jatropha oil manual value chain has the highest cost. Firewood use with improved cook stoves is cost efficient. In Moshi’s rural context, royalty fees increases cost of charcoal. Similarly, biogas in Kitui is less likely to be economically viable. Briquettes however have a competitive advantage over charcoal. The costs are dominated by fuel provision compared to cost of stoves. Therefore, payment schemes that improve adoption of improved stoves perceived as expensive will substantially reduce fuel cost. Enhancing availability and accessibility of technologies such as briquette presses will enhance biomass energy access and provide a source of income for households.","PeriodicalId":30460,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Renewable Energy","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1155/2018/3939848","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47235533","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mapping the Wind Energy Potential of Sweden: A Sociotechnical Wind Atlas","authors":"P. Enevoldsen, Finn-Hendrik Permien","doi":"10.1155/2018/1650794","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/1650794","url":null,"abstract":"The installation of onshore wind farms has increased in the past decade all over Sweden, and as a result, more wind projects are facing challenges of, for instance, social opposition and lack of space, which potentially complicate resource assessments. As a response to the current challenges in the Swedish wind industry, this study examines and develops a strategic map of potential areas for the construction of new farms in Sweden. The analyses used to prepare the map are performed using a holistic research strategy that focuses on everything from social to technical challenges. The map is based on an extensive data collection consisting of a comprehensive wind dataset mixed with the outcome of large-scale qualitative studies that include five dominant stakeholder groups in the Swedish wind industry and detailed information on restrictive areas. Consequently, this research presents a resource map, which is intended to inspire all stakeholders in the Swedish wind industry to further develop the successful case of wind power in Sweden. Furthermore, the current research aims to update ongoing debates in the wind energy literature, and finally, it introduces a tool that can be used in all phases of a large-scale energy strategy that involves wind power.","PeriodicalId":30460,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Renewable Energy","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-07-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1155/2018/1650794","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44725277","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Carbon Nanotubes Modified Carbon Cloth Cathode Electrode for Self-Pumping Enzymatic Biofuel Cell","authors":"Ngoc Bich Duong, Shengquan You, L. Huang, Hsiharng Yang","doi":"10.1155/2018/8748731","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/8748731","url":null,"abstract":"A self-pumping enzymatic biofuel cell (self-pumping EBC) with a new cathodic catalyst which was modified by coating the mixture of carbon nanotubes/caffeic acid (CNTs/CA) on a carbon cloth (CC) to form a CNTs/CA/CC cathode electrode was fabricated. By using UV spectrophotometer, the absorbance of CA, CNTs, and the CNTs/CA composite was observed. To evaluate how the CNTs/CA/CC cathodic electrode improves the electrochemical performance of the self-pumping EBC, the measurement of the redox reaction current peak by cyclic voltammetry (CV) was implemented. In accordance with CV measurement, the utilization of the modified CNTs/CA/CC cathodic electrode exhibited a higher oxygen reduction current peak at 319.1μA under the saturated oxygen. The anode and cathode flow rates were 0.416μls−1 and 0.844 μls−1 which contribute to obtaining the capillary driven liquid efficiency as 30% for the former and 59% for the latter. Moreover, the self-pumping EBC performance tests showed that the maximum power density (MPD) of the self-pumping EBC with the modified cathodic electrode achieved 0.592 mWcm−2 which improved 10% in the performance compared with the bare CC electrode, 0.534 mWcm−2.","PeriodicalId":30460,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Renewable Energy","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-07-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1155/2018/8748731","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47752426","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}