Thesis (Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering)--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2018. / As the electric energy demand grows, there is a significant increase in the penetration of renewable generation (RG) in the existing electrical grid network. Interconnecting of renewable generation technologies to an existing distribution system has proven to provide various benefits such as meeting the growing load demand and its contribution to energy system decarbonisation, long-term energy security and expansion of energy access to new energy consumers in the developing urban and rural areas. However, the aim of this thesis is to conduct a study on the impacts of renewable generation on the power quality of electrical grid. Therefore, this work aims at assessing the potential effects of Distributed Generation (DG) on the operation of electric power system by modelling of harmonics and voltage distortion. With different types of renewable generation available at present, it is believed that some designs contribute significantly to electrical network’s Power Quality (PQ). After the analysis of harmonic currents (chapter 6 and 7 of this thesis) introduced by renewable generation technologies, their negative impact on the power quality of the grid is seen to be apparent at point of connection (POC) but only within controlled limits. Analytical method for modeling of harmonic interactions between the grid and aggregated distributed generation technologies are investigated using DIgSILENT Power Factory software and the results obtained are discussed.

Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Technology: Electrical Engineering (Energy) in the Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa. / In photovoltaic power systems, the DC/AC conversion efficiency depends on weather conditions causing PV inverters to operate under fluctuating input power from PV modules. The peak efficiency stated by the inverter manufacturers are often used by project designers to estimate how much power PV plants can produce. However, the varying nature of the DC input power to the inverters, occasioned by varying irradiation and temperature, leads to deviations of the actual efficiency from the peak efficiency. Literature surveys prove that inverter efficiencies must be evaluated against local irradiation profiles to get more precise annual energy yield estimations, since meteorological conditions and solar irradiation profiles vary from one site to another around the planet.

Pulsing the flow of reactants in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) is a new frontier in the area of fuel cell research. Although power performance losses resulting from water accumulation also referred to as flooding, and power performance recovery resulting from water removal or purging, have been studied and monitored, the nexus between pulsing of reactants and power performance has yet to be established. This study introduces pulsing of reactants as a method of improving power performance. This study investigates how under continuous supply of reactants, pressure increase due to water accumulation, and power performance decay in PEMFCs. Furthermore, this study shows that power performance can be optimized through pulsing of reactants, and it investigates several variables affecting the power production under these conditions. Specifically, changes in frequency, duty cycle, and shifting of reactants as they affect performance are monitored and analyzed. Advanced data acquisition and control software allow multi-input monitoring of thermo-fluid and electrical data, while analog and digital controllers make it possible to implement optimization techniques for both discrete and continuous modes. / by Aquiles Perez. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2009. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2009. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

The goal of this Thesis is to demonstrate, through experimentation, that ocean waves have a positive effect on the performance of an offshore wind turbine. A scale model wind turbine was placed into a wave tank that was completely covered and fitted with a variable speed fan to create different wind and wave conditions for testing. Through testing, different power coefficient vs. tip speed ratio graphs were created and a change in power coefficient was observed between steady operating conditions and operating conditions with waves. The results show a promising increase in power production for offshore wind turbines when allowed to operate with the induced motion caused by the amplitude and frequency of water waves created. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2013.

The objective of the research is to develop various green-house gas (GHG) mitigations scenarios in the energy demand and supply sectors for state of Florida through energy and environment modeling tool called LEAP (Long Range Energy Alternative Planning System Model) for 2010-2050. The GHG mitigation scenarios consist of various demand and supply side scenarios. One of the GHG mitigation scenarios is crafted by taking into account the available renewable resources potential for power generation in the state of Florida and then the comparison has been made for transformation sector and corresponding GHG emissions through this newly developed mitigation scenario versus Business As Usual and Florida State Policy scenario. Moreover two master mitigation scenarios (Electrification and Efficiency and Lifestyle) were crafted through combination of certain GHG mitigation scenarios. The energy demand and GHG emissions assessment is performed for both master mitigation scenarios versus business As Usual scenario for 2010 – 2050. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2014. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

In this thesis anchoring systems for marine renewable energy devices are examined for an area of interest off the coast of Southeast Florida that contains both ocean current and thermal resources for future energy extraction. Bottom types observed during previous regional benthic surveys are compiled and anchor performance of each potential anchor type for the observed bottom types is compared. A baseline range of environmental conditions is created by combining local current measurements and offshore industry standards. Numerical simulations of single point moored marine hydrokinetic devices are created and used to extract anchor loading for two potential deployment locations, multiple mooring scopes, and turbine rotor diameters up to 50 m. This anchor loading data is used for preliminary anchor sizing of deadweight and driven plate anchors on both cohesionless and cohesive soils. Finally, the capabilities of drag embedment and pile anchors relevant to marine renewable energy devices are discussed. / by Michael Grant Seibert. / Thesis (M.S.C.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2011. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2011. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

This thesis proposes a Power Management Model (PMM) for optimization of several green power generation systems. A Photovoltaic/Fuel cell Hybrid Energy System (PFHES) consisting of solar cells, electrolyzer and fuel cell stack is utilized to meet a specific DC load bank for various applications. The Photovoltaic system is the primary power source to take advantage of renewable energy. The electrolyzer-fuel cell integration is used as a backup and as a hydrogen storage system with the different energy sources integrated through a DC link bus. An overall power management strategy is designed for the optimization of the power flows among the different energy sources. Extensive simulation experiments have been carried out to verify the system performance under PMM governing strategy. The simulation results indeed demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. / by Rosana Melendez. / Thesis (M.S.C.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2010. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2010. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Simulations have been carried out to validate a hydrokinetic energy system non-dimensional scaling procedure. The requirements for a testing facility intended to test such devices will be determined from the results of the simulations. There are 6 simulations containing 3 prototype systems and 2 possible model facility depths to give a range of results. The first 4 tests are conducted using a varying current profile, while the last 2 tests use a constant current profile of 1.6 m/s. The 3 prototype systems include a: 6 m spherical buoy, a 12 m spherical buoy and a turbine component system. The mooring line used for the simulations is a 6x19 Wire Rope Wire Core of diameter 100 mm and length 1000 m. The simulations are implemented using Orcaflex to obtain the dynamic behavior of the prototype and scaled system. / by William Valentine. / Thesis (M.S.C.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2012. / Includes bibliography. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / System requirements: Adobe Reader.

O lodo é o principal resíduo sólido gerado no processo de Tratamento de Água para Abastecimento público (ETA). São considerados Resíduos Sólidos Não Perigosos e Não Inertes (Classe IIA) pela ABNT 10.004/2004, devendo ser tratados e dispostos em locais legalmente apropriados. Na maioria dos municípios brasileiros, estes lodos são despejados sem nenhuma forma de tratamento, contribuindo com a degradação da qualidade dos mananciais. O lodo é constituído de materiais inorgânicos como siltes e sílicas, matéria orgânica degradável, com presença de microorganismos patógenos e metais, oriundos do próprio manancial de captação ou do coagulante utilizado durante o processo de coagulação. O objetivo principal deste trabalho foi verificar a possibilidade da utilização dos lodos das ETA como Fonte Alternativa de Energia, comparando os lodos gerados com Sulfato de Alumínio (SA), Polialumínio Cloreto (PAC) e Tanino (T) extraído de casca de Acacia mearsii de Wild. A metodologia utilizada contou com as seguintes análises físicas e químicas: Estereomicroscopia, Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura (MEV), Difração de Raio X (DRX), Perda ao Fogo (PF) e Poder Calorífico Superior (PCS) e Inferior (PCI). Valores simulados de economia com a utilização dos lodos como fonte alternativa também foram levados em consideração. Os lodos ao SA e ao PAC foram coletados diretamente na planta da ETA São Gabriel Saneamento, localizada no Município de São Gabriel/RS e, o lodo ao Tanino foi gerado no Laboratório de Recursos Hídricos e Saneamento Ambiental, na Universidade Federal do Pampa, campus São Gabriel. Os resultados apontaram que o lodo ao tanino apresentou uma quantidade maior de matéria orgânica, com perda ao fogo de 40,5%, maior teor de carbono (15%), hidrogênio de 2,44% e um poder calorífico de 4.347,30kJ.kg-1, podendo ser utilizado como biossólido, na reconstituição de áreas degradadas e como fonte de energia. Já o lodo ao SA, apresentou uma perda ao fogo de 23,2%, carbono de 5%, hidrogênio de 2,3%, um poder calorífico baixo de 1.384,40 kJ.kg-1, enquanto que o lodo ao PAC apresentou uma perda ao fogo de 30,0%, carbono de 6,41%, hidrogênio de 2,05%, um poder calorífico baixo de 2.746,50kJ.kg-1, ficando entre ao SA e ao Tanino. A diminuição na conta de energia elétrica da estação estudada resultou em 3,22% para lodo ao PAC e 4,67% para lodo ao Tanino, correspondendo a uma economia anual com transporte para descarte e com geração de energia elétrica de US$9.590,44 para o PAC e US$10.615,38 para o Tanino. A fim de potencializar estes resultados foram acrescentadas porcentagens diferentes de casca de arroz (CA), técnica esta chamada de cofiring. Para as misturas obteve-se uma economia de consumo de energia elétrica de 6,32% (PAC+15%CA) e 8,39% (PAC+25%), correspondendo aos valores de US$13.839,77 e US$16.795,41 respectivamente. Os resultados mostraram que lodos de ETA possuem potencial de geração de energia, podendo ser aplicada dentro das próprias instalações de processo tornando-as mais sustentáveis em termos energéticos. / Sludge is the main solid waste generated in a Water Treatment Plant (WTP). Non- Hazardous and Non-Inert Solid Waste (Class IIA) by ABNT 10,004/2004 (Brazilian Regulation) is considered as being treated and disposed of in legally appropriate places. In most Brazilian municipalities, these sludges are dumped without any form of treatment, contributing to the degradation of the quality of the springs. The sludge is composed of inorganic materials such as silt and silica, degradable organic matter, with the presence of pathogenic microorganisms and metals, originating from the source of collection or the coagulant used during the coagulation process. The main objective of this work was to verify the possibility of using WTP sludge as an Alternative Energy Source, comparing sludge generated with Aluminum Sulphate (SA), Polyaluminium Chloride (PAC) and Tannin (T) extracted from Acacia mearsii of Wild. The methodology used included the following physical and chemical analyzes: Stereomicroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fire Loss (PF) and Upper Calorific Power (PCS) and Inferior (PCI). Simulated values of economy with the use of sludge as an alternative source were also taken into account. The sludge from the SA and PAC was sampled directly from the São Gabriel Saneamento WTP, located in the São Gabriel City (Southern Brazil), and the sludge from Taninn was generated at the Laboratory of Water Resources and Environmental Sanitation at the Universidade Federal do Pampa, Campus São Gabriel. The results showed that the sludge to the tannin presented a higher amount of organic matter, with a loss of 40.5%, a higher carbon content (15%), a hydrogen of 2.44% and a calorific value of 4 347.30 kJ. kg-1, which can be used as biosolids, in the reconstitution of degraded areas and as an energy source. The sludge to aluminum sulphate (SA) presented a fire loss of 23.2%, carbon of 5%, hydrogen of 2.3%, a low calorific value of 1,384.40 kJ.kg-1, while the sludge to Polyaluminium Chloride (PAC) presented a fire loss of 30.0%, carbon of 6.41%, hydrogen of 2.05%, a low calorific value of 2,746.50 kJ.kg-1, being between SA and Tannin. The decrease in the electricity bill of the station studied resulted in 3.22% for sludge to PAC and 4.67% for sludge to Taninn, corresponding to an annual economy with transportation for disposal and with electric power generation of US$9,590.44 for the PAC and US$10,615.38 for Tannin. In order to potentiate these results were added different percentages of rice husk (CA), a technique called cofiring. For the mixtures, electricity consumption was 6.32% (PAC + 15% CA) and 8.39% (PAC + 25%), corresponding to the amounts of US$13,839.77 and US$16,795.41 respectively. Results showed that WTPA sludge has potential for energy generation, and can be applied within the process facilities themselves becoming more sustainable in terms of energy.

A geração de energia a partir de biomassa lignocelulósica pode contribuir de maneira significativa com a ampliação do escopo energético, no que se refere ao uso de fontes alternativas voltadas à geração de combustíveis renováveis. Porém, a utilização destas fontes enfrenta ainda desafios relacionados à exploração de diferentes matérias-primas com potencial de utilização e o desenvolvimento de tecnologias de processos que garantam a viabilidade técnica e econômica da geração do etanol 2G. Neste estudo foi estimada a produção de etanol da biomassa aérea da batata-doce (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) e da biomassa do capim-elefante (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach), cv. Roxo e cv. Napier após pré-tratamento ácido e básico, sob hidrólise de dois complexos enzimáticos comerciais (CTec2 e HTec2) e o extrato enzimático obtido a partir de fungo isolado de ninhos de Acromyrmex balzani. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos inteiramente casualizados e o arranjo dos tratamentos o Esquema Fatorial 3x3, em três repetições. Foi verificado, para a batata-doce, o rendimento estimado médio de 37,42 mL/Kg de MS hidrolisada com os complexos enzimáticos comerciais e que o capim-elefante, nesse experimento, confirmou seu potencial para ser utilizado na produção de energia renovável, pois apresentou o rendimento médio de 123,5 mL/Kg de MS hidrolisada nas mesmas condições da hidrólise da biomassa aérea da batata-doce. / Power generation from lignocellulosic biomass can contribute significantly to the energy scope expansion, with regard to the alternative sources use focused on the renewable fuels generation. However, the use of these sources still faces challenges related to different raw materials exploration with potential use and technologies processes development that ensure the technical and economic viability of generating 2G ethanol. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ethanol production potential from aerial sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) (B) crop residues compared to elephantgrass materials (Pennisetum purpureum Schum), cultivar Roxo and cultivar Napier by the hydrolytic action of three enzyme solutions: two commercial enzymatic complexes (CTec2 e HTec2) and an enzyme extract obtained from filamentous fungi isolated from Acromyrmex balzani. The experimental design was the Factorial Scheme 3x3, in triplicate. It was checked on the sweet potato, the average yield of 37.42 mL/kg MS hydrolyzed with commercial enzymatic complexes and the elephantgrass, this experiment confirmed its potential to be used in the renewable energy production, as it presented average yield of 123.5 mL/kg MS hydrolyzed under the same conditions of biomass sweet potato hydrolysis.