The development of energy storage devices has represented a significant technological challenge for the past few years. Electrochemical double-layer capacitors (EDLCs), also named as supercapacitors, are a likely competitor for alternative energy storage because of their low-cost, high power density, and high fast charge/discharge rate. The recent development of EDLCs requires them to be lightweight and flexible. There are many fabrication techniques used to manufacture flexible EDLCs, and these methods can include pre-treatment to ensure more efficient penetration of activated carbon (AC) patterns onto the substrate, or those that utilise masks for the definitions of patterns on substrates. However, these methods are inconvenient for building cost-effective devices. Therefore, it was necessary to find a suitable process to reduce the steps of manufacture and to be able to print multiple materials uniformly. This research work describes the first use of a 3D printing technology to produce flexible EDLCs for energy storage. In this research work, the four essential elements for the EDLCs substrate, current collector, activated electrode, and gel electrolyte were investigated. The AC powder was milled by ball milling to optimise the paste deposition and the electrochemical performance. A flexible composite EDLC was designed and manufactured by 3D printing. The electrochemical performance of the flexible composite EDLCs was then examined. Being highly flexible is one of the critical demands for the recent development of EDLCs. Therefore, highly flexible EDLCs were designed and manufactured by only one single extrusion process. The 3D highly flexible EDLC maintains significant electrochemical performance under a mechanical bending test. To meet the power and energy requirements, the EDLCs were connected and tested in series and parallel circuits. A supercapacitor based on printed AC material displays an area specific capacitance of 1.48 F/cm2 at the scan rate of 20 mV/s. The coulombic efficiency for the flexible EDLC was found to be 59.91%, and the cycling stability was achieved to be 56% after 500 cycles. These findings indicate that 3D printing technology may be increasingly used to develop more sophisticated flexible wearable electronic devices.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T15:14:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Willian_Rottava.pdf: 1085103 bytes, checksum: 2e8e2f0008a606c2c158e781ccd9907b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-04-06 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This work aimed to develop and evaluate an electrolytic reactor system for the production of hydrogen gas by applying an electromotive force from solar energy. Solar energy is converted into electrical energy through photovoltaic panels and the method of electrolysis was generated hydrogen gas. To carry out the work, different electrodes and electrolytes were tested to determine the best combination to be applied in the reactor on a pilot scale. Developed an electrolytic reactor with unipolar electrodes and graphite using formic acid electrolyte with added glycerol. After a series of tests, the graphite electrode was chosen primarily for its ease of acquisition and use, and also due to the good performance. The electrolyte with higher hydrogen production using graphite was added formic acid with glycerol at 40 °C, with the addition of 0,1% glycerol at 25 °C gave a 313,2% increase in hydrogen production compared to using only formic acid / Este trabalho desenvolveu e avaliou um sistema de reator eletrolítico para a produção de gás hidrogênio aplicando uma força eletromotriz proveniente de energia solar. A energia solar foi convertida em energia elétrica por meio de painéis fotovoltaicos e, pelo método da eletrólise, gerou-se o gás hidrogênio. Para a realização do trabalho, foram testados diferentes eletrodos e eletrólitos para determinar a melhor combinação a ser aplicado no reator em escala piloto. Desenvolveu-se um reator eletrolítico do tipo unipolar com eletrodos de grafite e utilizando-se de eletrólitos de ácido fórmico com adição de glicerol. Após uma série de testes, o eletrodo de grafite foi escolhido, principalmente pela facilidade de aquisição e utilização e também devido ao bom desempenho. O eletrólito com maior produção de hidrogênio utilizando o grafite foi o ácido fórmico com adição de glicerol a 40° C, sendo que a adição de 0,1% de glicerol a 25° C proporcionou um aumento de 313,2% na produção de hidrogênio em relação à utilização de somente ácido fórmico.

abstract: Phase change materials (PCMs) are combined sensible-and-latent thermal energy storage materials that can be used to store and dissipate energy in the form of heat. PCMs incorporated into wall-element systems have been well-studied with respect to energy efficiency of building envelopes. New applications of PCMs in infrastructural concrete, e.g., for mitigating early-age cracking and freeze-and-thaw induced damage, have also been proposed. Hence, the focus of this dissertation is to develop a detailed understanding of the physic-chemical and thermo-mechanical characteristics of cementitious systems and novel coating systems for wall-elements containing PCM. The initial phase of this work assesses the influence of interface properties and inter-inclusion interactions between microencapsulated PCM, macroencapsulated PCM, and the cementitious matrix. The fact that these inclusions within the composites are by themselves heterogeneous, and contain multiple components necessitate careful application of models to predict the thermal properties. The next phase observes the influence of PCM inclusions on the fracture and fatigue behavior of PCM-cementitious composites. The compliant nature of the inclusion creates less variability in the fatigue life for these composites subjected to cyclic loading. The incorporation of small amounts of PCM is found to slightly improve the fracture properties compared to PCM free cementitious composites. Inelastic deformations at the crack-tip in the direction of crack opening are influenced by the microscale PCM inclusions. After initial laboratory characterization of the microstructure and evaluation of the thermo-mechanical performance of these systems, field scale applicability and performance were evaluated. Wireless temperature and strain sensors for smart monitoring were embedded within a conventional portland cement concrete pavement (PCCP) and a thermal control smart concrete pavement (TCSCP) containing PCM. The TCSCP exhibited enhanced thermal performance over multiple heating and cooling cycles. PCCP showed significant shrinkage behavior as a result of compressive strains in the reinforcement that were twice that of the TCSCP. For building applications, novel PCM-composites coatings were developed to improve and extend the thermal efficiency. These coatings demonstrated a delay in temperature by up to four hours and were found to be more cost-effective than traditional building insulating materials. The results of this work prove the feasibility of PCMs as a temperature-regulating technology. Not only do PCMs reduce and control the temperature within cementitious systems without affecting the rate of early property development but they can also be used as an auto-adaptive technology capable of improving the thermal performance of building envelopes. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Civil, Environmental and Sustainable Engineering 2018

The increasing trend of world-wide energy consumption emphasizes the importance of ongoing optimization of new and existing technologies. In this dissertation, two energy–intensive systems are simulated and optimized. Advanced estimation, optimization, and control techniques such as a moving horizon estimator and a model predictive controller are developed to enhance the profitability, product quality, and reliability of the systems. An enabling development is presented for the solution of complex dynamic optimization problems. The strategy involves an initialization approach to large–scale system models that both enhance the computational performance as well as the ability of the solver to converge to an optimal solution. One particular application of this approach is the modeling and optimization of a batch distillation column. For estimation of unknown parameters, an L1-norm method is utilized that is less sensitive to outliers than a squared error objective. The results obtained from the simple model match the experimental data and model prediction for a more rigorous model. A nonlinear statistical analysis and a sensitivity analysis are also implemented to verify the reliability of the estimated parameters. The reduced–order model developed for the batch distillation column is computationally fast and reasonably accurate and is applicable for real time control and online optimization purposes. Similar to estimation, an L1-norm objective function is applied for optimization of the column operation. Application of an L1-norm permits explicit prioritization of the multi–objective problems and adds only linear terms to the problem. Dynamic optimization of the column results in a 14% increase in the methanol product obtained from the column with 99% purity. In a second application of the methodology, the results obtained from optimization of the hybrid system of a cryogenic carbon capture (CCC) and power generation units are presented. Cryogenic carbon capture is a novel technology for CO2 removal from power generation units and has superior features such as low energy consumption, large–scale energy storage, and fast response to fluctuations in electricity demand. Grid–level energy storage of the CCC process enables 100% utilization of renewable power sources while 99% of the CO2 produced from fossil–fueled power plants is captured. In addition, energy demand of the CCC process is effectively managed by deploying the energy storage capability of this process. By exploiting time–of–day pricing, the profit obtained from dynamic optimization of this hybrid energy system offsets a significant fraction of the cost of construction of the cryogenic carbon capture plant.

Supercapacitors, as promising energy storage devices, have been of interest for their long lifespan compared to secondary batteries, high capacitance and excellent reliability compared to conventional dielectric capacitors. Transition metal oxides can be applied as the electrode materials for pseudocapacitors and offer a much higher specific capacitance. Co3O4 is one of the most investigated transition metal oxides for supercapacitor. Besides simple monometallic oxides, bimetallic transition oxides have recently drawn growing attention in electrochemical energy storage. They present many unique properties such as achievable oxidation states, high electrical conductivities because of the coexistence of two different cations in a single crystal structure. This study focuses on the bimetallic iron cobalt oxide based materials for the application of energy storage. We selected iron as the substituent in spinel Co3O4, by virtue of its abundant and harmless character. Four types of iron cobalt oxides based electrode materials with different morphologies and components have been synthesized for the first time. The hydrothermal method was the main strategy for the synthesis of iron cobalt based materials, which achieved the control of morphology and ratio of components. Multiple characterization methods, including SEM, TEM, XRD, XPS, TGA, BET, have been applied to study the morphologies and nano/submicron structures. The electrochemical properties of as-fabricated samples were performed by electrochemical workstation. In addition, in order to investigate the practical application of electrode materials, asymmetric supercapacitors have been assembled by using as-prepared samples as the positive electrodes and activated carbon as the negative electrodes.

Renewable energy is one of the most reliable resource that can be used to generate the electricity. It is expected to be the most highly used resource for electricity generation in many countries in the world in the next few decades. Renewable energy resources can be used in several purposes. It can be used for electricity generation, water desalination and mining. Using renewable resources to desalinate the water has several advantages such as reduce the emission, save money and improve the public health. The research described in the thesis focuses on the analysis of using the renewable resources such as solar and wind turbines for desalination plant. The output power from wind turbine is connected through converter and the excess power will be transfer back to the main grid. The photo-voltaic system (PV) is divided into several sections, each section has its own DC-DC converter for maximum power point tracking and a two-level grid connected inverter with different control strategies. The functions of the battery are explored by connecting it to the system in order to prevent possible voltage fluctuations and as a bu er storage in order to eliminate the power mismatch between PV array generation and load demand. Computer models of the system are developed and implemented using the PSCADTM / EMTDCTM software.

Methods of generating renewable energy such as through solar photovoltaic (PV) cells and wind turbines offer great promise in terms of a reduced carbon footprint and overall impact on the environment. However, these methods also share the attribute of being highly stochastic, meaning they are variable in such a way that is difficult to forecast with sufficient accuracy. While solar power currently constitutes a small amount of generating potential in most regions, the cost of photovoltaics continues to decline and a trend has emerged to build larger PV plants than was once feasible. This has brought the matter of increased variability to the forefront of research in the industry. Energy storage has been proposed as a means of mitigating this increased variability -- and thus reducing the need to utilize traditional spinning reserves -- as well as offering auxiliary grid services such as peak-shifting and frequency control. This thesis addresses the feasibility of using electrochemical storage methods (i.e. batteries) to decrease the ramp rates of PV power plants. By building a simulation of a grid-connected PV array and a typical Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in the NetLogo simulation environment, I have created a parameterized tool that can be tailored to describe almost any potential PV setup. This thesis describes the design and function of this model, and makes a case for the accuracy of its measurements by comparing its simulated output to that of well-documented real world sites. Finally, a set of recommendations for the design and operational parameters of such a system are then put forth based on the results of several experiments performed using this model.

Thesis (P.hD (Physics)) --University of Limpopo, 2013 / Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles, nanowires, nanosheets and nanoporous are of great interest in many applications. This is due to inexpensive, safety and rate capability of the material. It has being considered as a replacement of graphite anode material in rechargeable lithium batteries. Much experimental work on pure and lithiated nanostructures of TiO2 has been reported, mostly with regards to their complex microstructures. In this work we employ molecular dynamics (MD) simulation to generate models of TiO2 nano-architectures including: nanosheet, nanoporous, nanosphere and bulk. We have successfully recrystallised all four nanostructures from amorphous precursors; calculated radial distribution functions (RDFs), were used to confirm crystallinity. Configuration energies, calculated as a function of time, were used to monitor the recrystallisation. Calculated X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) spectra, using the model nanostructures, reveal that the nanostructures are polymorphic with TiO2 domains of both rutile and brookite in accord with experiment. Amorphisation and recrystallisation was successful in generating complex microstructures. In particular, bulk and nanoporous structures show zigzag tunnels (indicative of micro-twinning) while nanosphere and nanosheet shows zigzag and straight tunnels in accord with experiment. All model nanostructures of TiO2 were lithiated with different lithium content. RDFs, microstructures, configuration energies, calculated as a function of time and XRDs of all lithiated structures are presented. / University of Limpopo Research Office,The Royal Institution(Ri),Granfield University,Materials Modelling Centre,UCL,and the CHPC

Numerous countries are trying to reach almost 100\% renewable penetration. Variable renewable energy (VRE), for instance wind and PV, will be the main provider of the future grid. The efforts to decrease the greenhouse gasses are promising on the current remarkable growth of grid connected photovoltaic (PV) capacity. This thesis provides an overview of the presented techniques, standards and grid interface of the PV systems in distribution and transmission level. This thesis reviews the most-adopted grid codes which required by system operators on large-scale grid connected Photovoltaic systems. The adopted topologies of the converters, the control methodologies for active - reactive power, maximum power point tracking (MPPT), as well as their arrangement in solar farms are studied. The unique L(LCL)2 filter is designed, developed and introduced in this thesis. This study will help researchers and industry users to establish their research based on connection requirements and compare between different existing technologies. Another, major aspect of the work is the development of Virtual Inertia Emulator (VIE) in the combination of hybrid energy storage system addressing major challenges with VRE implementations. Operation of a photovoltaic (PV) generating system under intermittent solar radiation is a challenging task. Furthermore, with high-penetration levels of photovoltaic energy sources being integrated into the current electric power grid, the performance of the conventional synchronous generators is being changed and grid inertial response is deteriorating. From an engineering standpoint, additional technical measures by the grid operators will be done to confirm the increasingly strict supply criteria in the new inverter dominated grid conditions. This dissertation proposes a combined virtual inertia emulator (VIE) and a hybrid battery-supercapacitor-based energy storage system . VIE provides a method which is based on power devices (like inverters), which makes a compatible weak grid for integration of renewable generators of electricity. This method makes the power inverters behave more similar to synchronous machines. Consequently, the synchronous machine properties, which have described the attributes of the grid up to now, will remain active, although after integration of renewable energies. Examples of some of these properties are grid and generator interactions in the function of a remote power dispatch, transients reactions, and the electrical outcomes of a rotating bulk mass. The hybrid energy storage system (HESS) is implemented to smooth the short-term power fluctuations and main reserve that allows renewable electricity generators such as PV to be considered very closely like regular rotating power generators. The objective of utilizing the HESS is to add/subtract power to/from the PV output in order to smooth out the high frequency fluctuations of the PV power, which may occur due to shadows of passing cloud on the PV panels. A control system designed and challenged by providing a solution to reduce short-term PV output variability, stabilizing the DC link voltage and avoiding short term shocks to the battery in terms of capacity and ramp rate capability. Not only could the suggested system overcome the slow response of battery system (including dynamics of battery, controller, and converter operation) by redirecting the power surges to the supercapacitor system, but also enhance the inertial response by emulating the kinetic inertia of synchronous generator.

Though economically favorable when compared to other renewable energy storage technologies, thermal energy storage systems for concentrating solar thermal power (CSP) plants require additional cost reduction measures to help transition CSP plants to the point of grid-parity. Thermocline packed bed storage is regarded as one potential low cost solution due to the single tank requirement and low cost storage media. Thus sensible heat storage (SHS) and latent heat storage (LHS) packed bed systems, which are two thermocline varieties, are frequently investigated. LHS systems can be further classified as single phase change material (PCM) systems or cascaded systems wherein multiple PCMs are employed. This study compared the performance of SHS, single PCM, and cascaded PCM direct storage systems under the conditions that may be encountered in utility-scale molten salt CSP plants operating between 565°C and 288°C. A small-scale prototype SHS packed bed system was constructed and operated for use in validating a numerical model. The drawbacks of the latent heat storage process were discussed, and cascaded systems were investigated for their potential in mitigating the issues associated with adopting a single PCM. Several cascaded PCM configurations were evaluated. The study finds that the volume fraction of each PCM and the arrangement of latent heat in a 2-PCM and a 3-PCM system influences the output of the system, both in terms of quality and quantity of energy. In addition to studying systems of hypothetical PCMs, real salt PCM systems were examined and their selection process was discussed. A preliminary economic assessment was conducted to compare the cost of SHS, single-PCM LHS, cascaded LHS, and state-of-the-art 2-tank systems. To the author's knowledge, this is the first study that compares the cost of all three thermocline packed bed systems with the 2-tank design. The SHS system is significantly lower in cost than the remaining systems, however the LHS system does show some economic benefit over the 2-tank design. If LHS systems are to be viable in the future, low cost storage media and encapsulation techniques are necessary.