The technical and scientific challenges to provide reliable sources energy for US and global economy are enormous tasks, and especially so when combined with strategic and recent economic concerns of the last five years. It is clear that as part of the mix of energy sources necessary to deal with these challenges, fuel cells technology will play critical or even a central role. The US Department of Energy, as well as a number of the national laboratories and academic institutions have been aware of the importance such technology for some time. Recently, car manufacturers, transportation experts, and even utilities are paying attention to this vital source of energy for the future. In this thesis, a review of the main fuel cell technologies is presented with the focus on the modeling, and control of one particular and promising fuel cell technology, aluminum air fuel cells. The basic principles of this fuel cell technology are presented. A major part of the study consists of a description of the electrochemistry of the process, modeling, and simulations of aluminum air FC using Matlab Simulink™. The controller design of the proposed model is also presented. In sequel, a power management unit is designed and analyzed as an alternative source of power. Thus, the system commutes between the fuel cell output and the alternative power source in order to fulfill a changing power load demand. Finally, a cost analysis and assessment of this technology for portable devices, conclusions and future recommendations are presented. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2013.

The efforts addressed in this thesis refer to assaying the degradations in modern solar cells used in space-borne and/or nuclear environment applications. This study is motivated to address the following: 1. Modeling degradations in Si pn-junction solar cells (devices-under-test or DUTs) under different ionizing radiation dosages 2. Preemptive and predictive testing to determine the aforesaid degradations that decide eventual reliability of the DUTs; and 3. Using electrical overstressing (EOS) to emulate the fluence of ionizing radiation dosage on the DUT. Relevant analytical methods, computational efforts and experimental studies are described. Forward/reverse characteristics as well as ac impedance performance of a set of DUTs under pre- and post- electrical overstressings are evaluated. Change in observed DUT characteristics are correlated to equivalent ionizing-radiation dosages. The results are compiled and cause-effect considerations are discussed. Conclusions are enumerated and inferences are made with direction for future studies. / by George A. Thengum Pallil. / Thesis (M.S.C.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2010. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2010. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Many issues related to the design and implementation of a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) converter as part of a photovoltaic (PV) system are addressed. To begin with, variations of the single diode model for a PV module are compared, to determine whether the simplest variation may be used for MPPT PV system modeling and analysis purposes. As part ot this determination, four different DC/DC converters are used in conjunction with these different PV models. This is to verify consistent behavior across the different PV models, as well as across the different converter topologies. Consistent results across the different PV models, will allow a simpler model to be used for simulation ana analysis. Consistent results with the different converters will verify that MPPT algorithms are converter independent. Next, MPPT algorithms are discussed. In particular,the differences between the perturb and observe, and the incremental conductance algorithms are explained and illustrated. A new MPPT algorithm is then proposed based on the deficiencies of the other algorithms. The proposed algorithm's parameters are optimized, and the results for different PV modules obtained. Realistic system losses are then considered, and their effect on the PV system is analyzed ; especially in regards to the MPPT algorithm. Finally, a PV system is implemented and the theoretical results, as well as the behavior of the newly proposed MPPT algorithm, are verified. / by Thomas Bennett. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2012. / Includes bibliography. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / System requirements: Adobe Reader.

Barometric distillation is an alternative method of producing fresh water by desalination. This proposed process evaporates saline water at low pressure and consequently low temperature; low pressure conditions are achieved by use of barometric columns and condensation is by direct contact with a supply of fresh water that will be augmented by the distillate. Low-temperature sources of heat, such as the cooling water rejected by electrical power generating facilities, can supply this system with the latent heat of evaporation. Experiments are presented that show successful distillation with a temperature difference between evaporator and condenser smaller than 10ê C. Accumulation of dissolved gases coming out of solution, a classic problem in lowpressure distillation, is indirectly measured using a gas-tension sensor. The results of these experiments are used in an analysis of the specific energy required by a production process capable of producing 15 liters per hour. With a 20ê C difference, and neglecting latent heat, this analysis yields a specific energy of 1.85 kilowatt-hour per cubic meter, consumed by water pumping and by removal of non-condensable gases. / by Eiki Martinson. / Thesis (M.S.C.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2010 / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2010. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

The incorporation of an ejector refrigeration cycle with a high temperature PEM fuel cell (HT-PEMFC) presents a novel approach to combined heat and power (CHP) applications. An ejector refrigeration system (ERS) can enhance the flexibility of a CHP system by providing an additional means of utilizing the fuel cell waste heat besides domestic hot water (DHW) heating. This study looks into the performance gains that can be attained by incorporating ejector refrigeration with HT-PEMFC micro-CHP (mCHP) systems (1 to 5kWe). The effectiveness of the ERS in utilizing fuel cell waste heat is studied as is the relulting enhancement to overall system efficiency. A test rig specially constructed to evaluate an ERS under simulated HT-PEMFC conditions is used to test the concept and verify modeling predictions. In addition, two separate analytical models were constructed to simulate the ERS test rig and a HT-PEMFC/ERS mCHP system. The ERS test rig was simulated using a Matlab based model, while two residential sized HT-PEMFC/ERS mCHP systems were simulated using a Simulink model. Using U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) air conditioning and DHW load profiles, as well as data collected from a large residential monitoring study in Florida, the Simulink model provides the results in system efficiency gain associated with supporting residential space cooling and water heating loads. It was found that incorporation of an ERS increased the efficiency of a HT-PEMFC mCHP system by 8 t0 10 percentage points over just using the fuel cell waste heat for DHW. In addition, results from the Matlab ERS test rig model were shown to match well with experimental results. / by Michel Fuchs. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2012. / Includes bibliography. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / System requirements: Adobe Reader.

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