Sizing and performance analysis of standalone hybrid photovoltaic/battery/hydrogen storage technology power generation systems based on the energy hub concept

In this study, the optimal sizing and performance analysis of a standalone integrated solar power system equipped with different storage scenarios to supply the power demand of a household is presented. One of the main purposes when applying solar energy resource is to face the increasing environmental pollutions resulting from fossil fuel based electricity sector. To this end, and to compare and examine two energy storage technologies (battery and hydrogen storage technology), three storage scenarios including battery only, hydrogen storage technology only and hybrid storage options are evaluated. An optimization framework based on Energy Hub concept is used to determine the optimum sizes of equipment for the lowest net present cost (NPC) while maintaining the system reliability. It was determined that the most cost effective and reliable case is the system with hybrid storage technology. Also, the effects of solar radiation intensity, the abatement potential of CO₂ emissions and converting excess power to hydrogen on the system’s performance and economics, were investigated and a few noticeable findings were obtained.     

Green energy for the battlefield

Population of the world is growing with increasing rate and it seems that existing fossil fuel energy sources will not be able to meet energy demand in the near future. Energy is not only crucial for civil sector but also it is one of the most important assets in defense sector. Energy for military operations is mostly provided from fossil fuel as it is the case in other sectors; however, fossil fuels have hazardous effects to the environment and cause global environment concerns. These drawbacks of fossil fuels are also valid for battlefield. Furthermore, transportation of fossil fuels causes extra safety and logistics problems in military case. In this study, we developed a hybrid green energy solution with wind, solar, and batteries together to minimize or eliminate the fossil fuel demand for the battlefield. Results of our algorithm are superior to the already used diesel generator solution from the point of view of cost and various other aspects. The novelty of our study stems from applying optimization of hybrid green energy solution to military case with battlefield constraints.     

LCA-Based Economic Benefit Analysis for Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) Façades: A Case Study in Taiwan

Solar energy is one of the major sources of alternative and green energies that humanity need now and will continue to need in the future. There are now a large number of R&D activities on solar power generation facilities and equipment around the world. Located in a subtropical region, Taiwan is rich in solar energy resources; therefore, how to effectively use and store solar energy is a research topic of great interest to Taiwan. The main purpose of this study explores the economic benefits of building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) facilities and equipment by analyzing the net present values (NPV) and payback period of the BIPV façade of a shopping mall in Taiwan over its lifecycle. The NPV and payback period analysis results both indicate that the BIPV façade in the case study reaches its breakeven point within 10 years of payback period and 16 years of NPV during a life cycle of 20 years. By showing BIPV investments can bring an acceptable range of benefits profits, this study hopes to provide references for promoting the photovoltaic (PV) industry.     

Carbon emission reduction and cost–benefit of methane digester systems on hog farms in China

Three different sizes of hog farms were selected to analyze the carbon emissions reduction and the cost–benefit of three methane digester systems. The sizes of the digesters are 2,200, 2,200 and 800 m³, respectively. The sales of slaughter hogs from them are 50,000, 35,000 and 10,000 head, respectively. The carbon emissions reductions were 5,237, 4,017, and 1,334 tons, respectively. The results show that while the methane digester systems have a significant effect on carbon emissions reduction, it is difficult to operate the systems sustainably. If the carbon emissions reduction can be traded at high enough prices in the carbon offset markets, then the systems will be profitable and sustainable. Newly established China's domestic carbon offset market could provide this possibility, but more government support is needed. In addition, this study shows that scale economies make the digester adoption relatively more profitable for larger farms than smaller ones.     

A TEST OF ALTERNATIVES FOR MEETING PUBLIC POTABLE WATER REQUIREMENTS1

ABSTRACT The relative economic costs of meeting projected public potable water demands through increasing the supply, controlling the demand, and increasing the capacity for interagency water transfers are explored. These alternatives and combinations are evaluated with the aid of a linear programming model in northeastern New Jersey, a major metropolitan region of over 4.5 million people, for the years 1975 to 2000. After more than 30 model tests it was found that a combination of increased interagency transfers and added water supplies was the least expensive solution.     

滇西北地区特色经济的发展与产业结构优化研究

特色经济是发挥地区资源优势的主要途径,产业结构优化是区域经济稳定发展的保证。通过分析滇西北地区产业结构现状和发展特色经济的优势条件以及存在的问题,分析了特色经济的发展与产业结构优化之间的互动关系,进而提出发展特色经济和提升产业结构的策略。     

运用经济手段加强我国环境保护的必要性

我国环境问题的新特点加大了\"单纯环境政策\"的难度,同时高额的环境治理费用使政府\"力不能胜\".因为经济手段在解决环境外部性问题上会产生更大的利益激励和效率弹性,并将环境成本内化为经济主体的生产成本,促使企业基于利益最大化的考虑,做出最有利于环境的经济决策.因此,在环境政策的执行中加大经济手段的力度是大势所趋.     

Cost‐Effective Placement of Best Management Practices in a Watershed: Lessons Learned from Conservation Effects Assessment Project

This article reviews the key, cross‐cutting findings concerning watershed‐scale cost‐effective placement of best management practices (BMPs) emerging from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP) competitive grants watershed studies. The synthesis focuses on two fundamental aspects of the cost‐effectiveness problem: (1) how to assess the location‐ and farmer‐specific costs of BMP implementation, and (2) how to decide on which BMPs need to be implemented and where within a given watershed. Major lessons learned are that (1) data availability remains a significant limiting factor in capturing within‐watershed BMP cost variability; (2) strong watershed community connections help overcome the cost estimation challenges; (3) detailing cost components facilitates the transferability of estimates to alternative locations and/or economic conditions; and (4) implicit costs vary significantly across space and farmers. Furthermore, CEAP studies showed that (5) evolutionary algorithms provide workable ways to identify cost‐effective BMP placements; (6) tradeoffs between total conservation costs and watershed‐scale cost‐effective water quality improvements are commonly large; (7) quality baseline information is essential to solving cost‐effectiveness problem; and (8) systemic and modeling uncertainties alter cost‐effective BMP placements considerably.     

COST SHARING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF NATIONAL WATER RESOURCES POLICY1

ABSTRACT: In this article a managerial approach to developing and implementing National Water Resources policy is suggested. Proper consideration can be given to national economic development (NED), environmental quality (EQ) and conservation and still result in an implementable policy at the operational level if proper incentives are built into the process with proper attention to alternate non-Federal cost sharing rates. Not only can these multiple objectives be entertained but the Administration and Congress will have a management tool that should ensure a certain probability of success.     

OPTIMAL WATER ALLOCATION IN THE LAKES BASIN OF NICARAGUA1

ABSTRACT: The water resources of Nicaragua are largely undeveloped and distributed unequally throughout the nation. In addition, there is a significant geographical imbalance between the abundant water supply in the Atlantic Basin and the less abundant supply in the Pacific Basin which accounts for most of the water demand. The Lakes Basin, comprising Lakes Managua and Nicaragua, could be manipulated to solve the imbalance. Specifically, this paper presents a scheme to transfer water from Lake Nicaragua to Lake Managua and, subsequently, direct water from each lake for irrigation and hydroelectric generation. The scheme has been designed to maximize economic benefits and requires environmental impact analysis.     

CAPITAL COST OF RURAL WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS1

ABSTRACT: The cost of water service to rural residents is very high compared to urban areas. This is true even after subsidization by Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) loans and grants. Capital cost data on 44 projects financed by the Ohio office of the FmHA during the period August 1968 to January 1977 are used to derive cost equations for 26 components of rural water distribution systems. These components represent 92 percent of the capital cost of the pipeline distribution systems studied. The data can be used to economically design rural water supply systems from a capital cost viewpoint. More data are needed on operation and maintenance costs as well as central and cluster well costs before totally economic system designs can be undertaken.