Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences
Thermodynamics is a universal science. The language of thermodynamics is energy and its derivativ... more Thermodynamics is a universal science. The language of thermodynamics is energy and its derivatives such as entropy and power. The physical theory of thermodynamics reigns across a full spectrum of non-living objects as well as living beings. In the traditions of the past, the dichotomy between matter and life resulted in the natural sciences studying matter while the social sciences focused on living beings. As the state of human knowledge continues to evolve, anticipating the sciences of matter (natural science) and of life (social science) becoming unified under a single overarching theory is not unnatural. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Thermodynamics 2.0: Bridging the natural and social sciences (Part 1)’.
Microhydro power (MHP) system can be an additional renewable energy technology option at many loc... more Microhydro power (MHP) system can be an additional renewable energy technology option at many locations around the world to supplement universal access to modern energy stipulated by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Modern microhydro power systems usually employ unregulated turbines and an electronic load controller, a demand-side power management device. Existing analytical models for such systems are lacking details, especially supply-side control, for performance simulation at hourly or sub-hourly scales. As presented in this paper, this work has developed a stochastic model for downscaling of streamflow and an empirical model of MHP system. These models were integrated within the framework of the Hybrid2 tool to simulate the long-term performance of hybrid MHP systems. Three design configurations are presented for a case study in Nepal. The results show that, along with a small pond that can store water for an hour, a hybrid MHP system with half the size of the battery bank can supply the load to comply with the Tier 3 level of energy access stipulated by the Global Tracking Framework (Sustainable Energy for All). Future use of this model will enable designers and developers of MHP systems to enhance performance and cost-effectiveness of hybrid renewable energy systems.
This paper investigates the technical and economic feasibility of a floating offshore wind driven... more This paper investigates the technical and economic feasibility of a floating offshore wind driven ammonia production system. The ammonia plant is located on a floating plantship with no connection to the grid. An analytical model (MATLAB based) for this system was based on an all-electric Ammonia plant and the use of 4.5 MW wind turbines. The model results showed that ammonia was produced at a much lower capacity and at a cost about $350/ton higher than a land-based grid connected system. Future work recommended includes the use of larger sized wind turbines and cost reductions in the ammonia plant and efficiency increases in the auxiliary ammonia powered gas turbine system.
... In order to demonstrate the trade-otis between the vari-ous components the following objectiv... more ... In order to demonstrate the trade-otis between the vari-ous components the following objectives had to be met : (a) The development of an analytical model which simulated a complete wind/diesel electric system, including a ... G. Cramer and R. Rosendahl, Hoch auf dem Hugel. ...
Ammonia production with offshore wind power has the potential to transform energy and fertilizer ... more Ammonia production with offshore wind power has the potential to transform energy and fertilizer markets within the United States. As summarized in this paper, the offshore wind resource can be converted directly into liquid ammonia using state-of-the-art technologies. The liquid ammonia can either be used as a fertilizer or a fuel. This work reviews the technologies required for all-electric, wind-powered ammonia production and offers a general design of such a system. Cost models based on the physical equipment necessary to produce ammonia with wind power are developed; offshore wind farm cost models are also developed for near-shore, shallow, wind farms in the United States. These models are capable of calculating the capital costs of small industrial-sized ammonia plants coupled with an offshore wind farm. A case study for a utility-connected, all-electric ammonia plant in the Gulf of Maine is used to assess the lifetime economics of such a system. The results show that significant utility grid backup is required for an all-electric ammonia plant built with present-day technologies. A sensitivity analysis showed that the total levelized cost of ammonia is driven in large part by the cost of producing electricity with offshore wind.
This paper presents a comprehensive review of the state of knowledge of materials used in the maj... more This paper presents a comprehensive review of the state of knowledge of materials used in the major wind turbine components of both land based and offshore wind turbines. The paper is divided into the following seven major sections: utility scale wind turbine design overview; current state of wind turbine technology; review of degradation of materials used in wind turbines; a summary of materials degradation service experience; condition monitoring overview; review of materials based research and development for wind turbines; a summary of missing knowledge and future materials challenges. The review points out that the most important degradation mechanism is fatigue which limits the life, reliability and performance of current wind turbines. As even larger machines are built in the future, with pressures to cut weight and cost, continued materials research and development, as summarised in this paper, is warranted. This critical assessment and review of materials based degradation should be of interest to a wide range of technical energy specialists including those from manufacturers, research and development centres, end users (i.e. electric power generation companies) and financiers and insurers.
... gearboxes of the largest current helicopters and largest current wind turbines have similar p... more ... gearboxes of the largest current helicopters and largest current wind turbines have similar power specifications: 8000 shaft horsepower for ... of continuity of optical fibres to detect incipient cracking or buckling at the trailing edge of the rotor blade, where fatigue cracks form ...
This report summarizes the results of an analytical performance and economic evaluation of three ... more This report summarizes the results of an analytical performance and economic evaluation of three advanced wind furnace heating systems. The work represents an extension of previous work on wind powered heating systems and extends t h i s wind energy application t o the supply of elect r i c i t y as well as space and hot water energy loads for rural residences and farms. Details of the proposed systems and the analytical modeling of the overall system and subcomponents are presented as well as typical system energy and economic performance.
This report contains d e t a i l s o f design p r i n c i p l e s and i n s t a l l a t i o n of ... more This report contains d e t a i l s o f design p r i n c i p l e s and i n s t a l l a t i o n of the solar and windpowered heating systems i n s t a l l e d i n UMass Solar H a b i t a t I. Included a r e a complete s p e c i f i c a t i o n o f materials and operating instructions. A sumnary o f p o t e n t i a l modifications and improvements to the system i s a1 so included.
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences
Thermodynamics is a universal science. The language of thermodynamics is energy and its derivativ... more Thermodynamics is a universal science. The language of thermodynamics is energy and its derivatives such as entropy and power. The physical theory of thermodynamics reigns across a full spectrum of non-living objects as well as living beings. In the traditions of the past, the dichotomy between matter and life resulted in the natural sciences studying matter while the social sciences focused on living beings. As the state of human knowledge continues to evolve, anticipating the sciences of matter (natural science) and of life (social science) becoming unified under a single overarching theory is not unnatural. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Thermodynamics 2.0: Bridging the natural and social sciences (Part 1)’.
Microhydro power (MHP) system can be an additional renewable energy technology option at many loc... more Microhydro power (MHP) system can be an additional renewable energy technology option at many locations around the world to supplement universal access to modern energy stipulated by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Modern microhydro power systems usually employ unregulated turbines and an electronic load controller, a demand-side power management device. Existing analytical models for such systems are lacking details, especially supply-side control, for performance simulation at hourly or sub-hourly scales. As presented in this paper, this work has developed a stochastic model for downscaling of streamflow and an empirical model of MHP system. These models were integrated within the framework of the Hybrid2 tool to simulate the long-term performance of hybrid MHP systems. Three design configurations are presented for a case study in Nepal. The results show that, along with a small pond that can store water for an hour, a hybrid MHP system with half the size of the battery bank can supply the load to comply with the Tier 3 level of energy access stipulated by the Global Tracking Framework (Sustainable Energy for All). Future use of this model will enable designers and developers of MHP systems to enhance performance and cost-effectiveness of hybrid renewable energy systems.
This paper investigates the technical and economic feasibility of a floating offshore wind driven... more This paper investigates the technical and economic feasibility of a floating offshore wind driven ammonia production system. The ammonia plant is located on a floating plantship with no connection to the grid. An analytical model (MATLAB based) for this system was based on an all-electric Ammonia plant and the use of 4.5 MW wind turbines. The model results showed that ammonia was produced at a much lower capacity and at a cost about $350/ton higher than a land-based grid connected system. Future work recommended includes the use of larger sized wind turbines and cost reductions in the ammonia plant and efficiency increases in the auxiliary ammonia powered gas turbine system.
... In order to demonstrate the trade-otis between the vari-ous components the following objectiv... more ... In order to demonstrate the trade-otis between the vari-ous components the following objectives had to be met : (a) The development of an analytical model which simulated a complete wind/diesel electric system, including a ... G. Cramer and R. Rosendahl, Hoch auf dem Hugel. ...
Ammonia production with offshore wind power has the potential to transform energy and fertilizer ... more Ammonia production with offshore wind power has the potential to transform energy and fertilizer markets within the United States. As summarized in this paper, the offshore wind resource can be converted directly into liquid ammonia using state-of-the-art technologies. The liquid ammonia can either be used as a fertilizer or a fuel. This work reviews the technologies required for all-electric, wind-powered ammonia production and offers a general design of such a system. Cost models based on the physical equipment necessary to produce ammonia with wind power are developed; offshore wind farm cost models are also developed for near-shore, shallow, wind farms in the United States. These models are capable of calculating the capital costs of small industrial-sized ammonia plants coupled with an offshore wind farm. A case study for a utility-connected, all-electric ammonia plant in the Gulf of Maine is used to assess the lifetime economics of such a system. The results show that significant utility grid backup is required for an all-electric ammonia plant built with present-day technologies. A sensitivity analysis showed that the total levelized cost of ammonia is driven in large part by the cost of producing electricity with offshore wind.
This paper presents a comprehensive review of the state of knowledge of materials used in the maj... more This paper presents a comprehensive review of the state of knowledge of materials used in the major wind turbine components of both land based and offshore wind turbines. The paper is divided into the following seven major sections: utility scale wind turbine design overview; current state of wind turbine technology; review of degradation of materials used in wind turbines; a summary of materials degradation service experience; condition monitoring overview; review of materials based research and development for wind turbines; a summary of missing knowledge and future materials challenges. The review points out that the most important degradation mechanism is fatigue which limits the life, reliability and performance of current wind turbines. As even larger machines are built in the future, with pressures to cut weight and cost, continued materials research and development, as summarised in this paper, is warranted. This critical assessment and review of materials based degradation should be of interest to a wide range of technical energy specialists including those from manufacturers, research and development centres, end users (i.e. electric power generation companies) and financiers and insurers.
... gearboxes of the largest current helicopters and largest current wind turbines have similar p... more ... gearboxes of the largest current helicopters and largest current wind turbines have similar power specifications: 8000 shaft horsepower for ... of continuity of optical fibres to detect incipient cracking or buckling at the trailing edge of the rotor blade, where fatigue cracks form ...
This report summarizes the results of an analytical performance and economic evaluation of three ... more This report summarizes the results of an analytical performance and economic evaluation of three advanced wind furnace heating systems. The work represents an extension of previous work on wind powered heating systems and extends t h i s wind energy application t o the supply of elect r i c i t y as well as space and hot water energy loads for rural residences and farms. Details of the proposed systems and the analytical modeling of the overall system and subcomponents are presented as well as typical system energy and economic performance.
This report contains d e t a i l s o f design p r i n c i p l e s and i n s t a l l a t i o n of ... more This report contains d e t a i l s o f design p r i n c i p l e s and i n s t a l l a t i o n of the solar and windpowered heating systems i n s t a l l e d i n UMass Solar H a b i t a t I. Included a r e a complete s p e c i f i c a t i o n o f materials and operating instructions. A sumnary o f p o t e n t i a l modifications and improvements to the system i s a1 so included.
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