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For this research, a 5 KW standalone wind and solar power combined system is developed, manufactured and ground tested. The dimension of this transportable device is width= 8 ft, 5 in, depth =∼ 8 in, 4 in, and height = ∼ 38 ft. This device comprises of four solar panels (120 watts), a wind turbine (1.5 KW), a solar charge controller, remote power storage, battery and battery control. Without the need for a grid, this hybrid device can be used in highways, and various other applications. A summary and characterizations of this device and the photovoltaic data collected in the month of April (Mangalore) are provided. To further increase the performance of solar panel technology, this device can be used. The plan of construction the hybrid energy tower is simple. The hybrid energy tower is a combination of vertical wind axis turbine to obtain wind energy and solar panel to obtain solar energy. The tower is placed in between the divider and the automobile on the roadway, which, owing to its velocity, creates a significant amount of air. The solar panel is utilized for producing energy and is also mounted in a manner which deflects the air from the automobile to the turbine. To produce power, the generator and the gear systems are attached to the shaft of the wind turbines. So it is possible to get a portable solution to energy issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electricity generated from renewable energy sources is becoming widespread due to the adverse environmental effects and increasing costs associated with the use of conventional energy sources like fossil fuels, hydel and nuclear. Electricity generated from readily available renewable energy sources like solar and wind are great alternatives and have the potential of satisfying the energy requirements to a great extent. However, solar and wind energy used independently are not entirely reliable due to their unstable nature and intermittent availability. The use of solar and wind energy together as a hybrid energy system has been found to be more efficient and economically viable. The objective of this paper is to carry out a feasibility study of standalone solar-wind hybrid energy system in Guwahati. Solar irradiation and wind speed of various locations of the city has been collected for the work. A standalone hybrid energy system comprising of solar panels, wind turbines and battery bank supplying an assumed load is used for this study. Particle Swarm Optimisation (PSO) technique is employed to find the optimal number of solar panels, wind turbines and batteries keeping load fulfillment and economical constraints in mind. The study concludes by identifying the hot spots in the city where solar wind hybrid energy systems are feasible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In these days, many people have their own cars to make the life easier. Unfortunately, the fuel price has increased week by week. To solve this problem, the hybrid solar energy and electric cars are introduced in order to reduce the consumption of car fuel. The main objective of this project is to design a system with two inputs of energy sources in generating the power for electric vehicle. This paper provides the solution of the problems that have been faced by electric car users. Besides the electric-vehicle battery (EVB) has been charged by connecting the vehicle to an external power supply, the solar panel roof is the alternative solution as a secondary energy input of source. The rooftops is opened when the light intensity is more than 10 lux. At 50% of battery consumption, the warning alarm will be displayed and the motor speed is automatically reduced to ensure the lengthen journey. This project is developed by using Graphic user Interface (GUI) of Visual Basic (VB) in order to control and monitor the energy used and stored into lithium ion battery. Other than that, the Arduino is used for interfacing between hardware and Arduino IDE software. The whole system is able to provide benefits to car users in planning a proper journey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybrid solar power plants have the potential to combine advantages of two different technologies at the cost of increased complexity. The present paper shows the potential of the software greenius for the techno-economic evaluation of hybrid solar power plants and discusses two exemplary scenarios. Depreciated Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plants based on trough technology can be retrofitted with solar towers in order to reach higher steam cycle temperatures and hence efficiencies. Compared to a newly built tower plant the hybridization of a depreciated trough plant causes about 30% lower LCOE reaching 104 $/MWh. The second hybrid scenario combines cost-efficient photovoltaics with dispatchable CSP technology. This hybrid plant offers very high capacity factors up to 69% based on 100% load from 8am to 11pm. The LCOE of the hybrid plant are only slightly lower (174 vs. 186 $/MWh) compared to the pure CSP plant because the capital expenditure for thermal storage and power block remains the same while the electricity output is much lower. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various hybrid solar gas turbine configurations exist. The Stellenbosch University Solar Power Thermodynamic (SUNSPOT) cycle consists of a heliostat field, solar receiver, primary Brayton gas turbine cycle, thermal storage and secondary Rankine steam cycle. This study investigates the effect of the solarization of a gas turbine on its performance and details the integration of a gas turbine into a solar power plant. A Rover 1S60 gas turbine was modelled in Flownex, a thermal-fluid system simulation and design code, and validated against a one-dimensional thermodynamic model at design input conditions. The performance map of a newly designed centrifugal compressor was created and implemented in Flownex. The effect of the improved compressor on the performance of the gas turbine was evident. The gas turbine cycle was expanded to incorporate different components of a CSP plant, such as a solar receiver and heliostat field. The solarized gas turbine model simulates the gas turbine performance when subjected to a typical variation in solar resource. Site conditions at the Helio 100 solar field were investigated and the possibility of integrating a gas turbine within this system evaluated. Heat addition due to solar irradiation resulted in a decreased fuel consumption rate. The influence of the additional pressure drop over the solar receiver was evident as it leads to decreased net power output. The new compressor increased the overall performance of the gas turbine and compensated for pressure losses incurred by the addition of solar components. The simulated integration of the solarized gas turbine at Helio100 showed potential, although the solar irradiation is too little to run the gas turbine on solar heat alone. The simulation evaluates the feasibility of solarizing a gas turbine and predicts plant performance for such a turbine cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electricity systems in Chile are characterized by a variable hourly demand in the central grid and an almost constant demand in the northern grid, which require different operation strategies for solar power plants depending on their location. Hybridizing a CSP plant with a PV plant can increase the whole plant capacity factor by allowing thermal energy to be stored while the PV plant is in production and thus help to achieve a fully dispatchable solar electricity production system. A thermal and economic analysis of hybrid CSP+PV plants is conducted considering a range of plant capacities based on a parabolic trough plant with the addition of a PV plant for the environmental conditions of Crucero in Northern Chile, which is a hotspot for solar energy development in the country. The study considers a parametric analysis and optimization of the storage and power block sizes for the CSP plant in terms of the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) for varying PV plant nominal capacity. The annual production of the plants are calculated by using the Transient System Simulation program (TRNSYS), which uses a new component library developed for that purpose. The results show good agreement with other software packages as well as with actual data from currently operating CSP plants. The adopted approach helps the proper assessment of the integration of different technologies, since it uses the well-kwon modular structure of the TRNSYS. Regarding the potential for the hybrid solar-solar plants in the Atacama Desert, the high level of irradiation available in Chile can provide a competitive electricity cost, allowing to investors the access to PPA contracts with mining companies in northern Chile. Additionally, the optimization analysis shows that the northern regions of Chile present an outstanding potential for the deployment of such projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Hybrid Sulfur (HyS) is a water splitting process for hydrogen production powered with high temperature nuclear heat and electric power; among the numerous thermo-chemical and thermo-electro-chemical cycles proposed in the literature, such cycle is considered to have a particularly high potential also if powered by renewable energy. SOL2HY2 (Solar to Hydrogen Hybrid Cycles) is a 3 year research project, co-funded by the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU). A significant part of the project activities are devoted to the analysis and optimization of the integration of the solar power plant with the chemical, hydrogen production plant. This work reports a part of the results obtained in such research activity. The analysis presented in this work builds on previous process simulations used to determine the energy requirements of the hydrogen production plant in terms of electric power, medium (<550?C) and high (>550?C) temperature heat. For the supply of medium temperature (MT) heat, a parabolic trough CSP plant using molten salts as heat transfer and storage medium is considered. A central receiver CSP (Concentrated Solar Power) plant is considered to provide high temperature (HT) heat, which is only needed for sulfuric acid decomposition. Finally, electric power is provided by a power block included in the MT solar plant and/or drawn from the grid, depending on the scenario considered. In particular, the analysis presented here focuses on the medium temperature CSP plant, possibly combined with a power block. Different scenarios were analysed by considering plants with different combinations of geographical location and sizing criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The degradation and the soiling of the mirrors are dependent of the solar field and the mirrors technologies, the local climate, the meteorological events, the O&M tasks and the human activities around the site. In the frame of the European project SFERA II, the SODAM project has been the opportunity to compare the soiling and the degradation mechanisms on a Fresnel solar field installed in the South of France and on a parabolic-through solar field installed in the South of Spain. The analysis of the soiling has shown equivalent maximum weekly reflectance loss due to soiling in both sites but a double mean weekly reflectance loss in Spain respect to France, as well as typical meteorological events to be taken into account to adapt the cleaning strategies. Among the meteorological parameters mainly influencing the soiling, the study has revealed the effect of the rain and of the DNI. In parallel, the analysis of the degradation mechanisms has highlighted a common chalking of the protective back paint layers due to the irradiation. This chalking being associated to a leaching of the paint layers in the site of Cadarache due to the high presence of liquid water. A difference in the speed of corrosion of the silver layer has been also noticed, leading to a difference in the mechanisms of delamination of the paints layers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents details of the recent installation of a linear Fresnel collector to provide saturated steam for process heat usage through Direct Steam Generation (DSG) for industrial use in the Jordanian pharmaceuticals manufacturing company RAM Pharma, where first solar steam has been provided in March 2015. This commercial DSG project also represents the first solar DSG plant in MENA. During sunshine, the system achieves a solar fraction of 100%, and the conventional steam boiler is not needed. In the evening the fossil fired backup takes over automatically and replaces the solar collector in operation. Operational experience, details of the control strategy, and measurement data are presented in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renewable energies for electricity generation have always been considered as a risk for the electricity system due to its lack of dispatchability and firmness. Renewable energies penetration is constrained to strong grids or else its production must be limited to ensure grid stability, which is kept by the usage of hydropower energy or fossil-fueled power plants. CSP technology has an opportunity to arise not only as a dispatchable and firm technology, but also as an alternative that improves grid stability. To achieve that objective, solar hybrid configurations are being developed, being the most representative three different solutions: SAPG, ISCC and HYSOL. A reference scenario in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has been defined to compare these solutions, which have been modelled, simulated and evaluated in terms of dispatchability and firmness using ratios defined by the authors. The results show that: a) SAPG obtains the highest firmness KPI values, but no operation constraints have been considered for the coal boiler and the solar energy contribution is limited to 1.7%, b) ISCC provides dispatchable and firm electricity production but its solar energy contribution is limited to a 6.4%, and c) HYSOL presents the higher solar energy contribution of all the technologies considered: 66.0% while providing dispatchable and firm generation in similar conditions as SAPG and ISCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dispatchibility potential of CSP in South Africa was investigated in the previous study. This was done by proposing a virtual hybrid system including the planned Open Cycle Gas Turbines and an optimized fleet of CSP plants. The study revealed a number of benefits; mitigates costs of capital, incrementally reduces fuel dependency, adds reserve margin and leads to a lower LCOE of the system. The subsequent paper to that, investigated the effects of the two-tier tariff structure, introduced in the Independent Power Producer Programme of the Department of Energy, which has on the proposed 3 300 MW capacity of CSP plants that is proposed as a peaking CSP system. The former study showed that the proposed CSP system generates 29% less revenue under the two-tier tariff. However, when the CSP system is optimized for the two-tier tariff, it becomes profitable - with a smaller storage capacity of 5 hours. This report investigates and presents the results and beneficial strategies from the previous reports. In addition, this report investigates the strategies of increasing the CSP energy share to the peak energy. The results show that the two-tier tariff results in a smaller storage optimized system - due to profitability. The implications would not reflect an increase in the share of CSP energy during peak time. In addition, it reduces the share of CSP energy during the winter season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sunlight to electricity efficiencies of Parabolic Trough Collector (PTC) plants are typically on the order of 15%, while commercial solar Photovoltaic (PV) technologies routinely achieve efficiencies of greater than 20%, albeit with much higher conversion efficiencies of photons at the band gap. Hybridizing concentrating solar power and photovoltaic technologies can lead to higher aggregate efficiencies due to the matching of photons to the appropriate converter based on wavelength. This can be accomplished through spectral filtering whereby photons unusable or poorly utilitized by PV (IR and UV) are passed through to a heat collection element, while useful photons (VIS) are reflected onto a concentrating PV (CPV) receiver. The mechanical design and experimental validation of spectral splitting optics is described in conjunction with system level modeling and economic analysis. The implications of this architecture include higher efficiency, lower cost hybrid CSP-PV power systems, as well as the potential to retrofit existing PTC plants to boost their output by ~ 10% at a projected investment cost of less than $1 per additional net Watt and an IRR of 18%, while preserving the dispatchability of the CSP plant's thermal energy storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A techno-economic analysis is performed to compare two different configurations of hybrid solar thermal systems with fossil fuel backup to provide continuous electricity output. The assessment compares a Hybrid Solar Receiver Combustor (HSRC), in which the functions of a solar cavity receiver and a combustor are integrated into a single device with a reference conventional solar thermal system using a regular solar cavity receiver with a backup boiler, termed the Solar Gas Hybrid (SGH). The benefits of the integration is assessed by varying the size of the storage capacity and heliostat field while maintaining the same overall thermal input to the power block. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"SuperSurya" is a novel, patented hybrid solar concentrating cogeneration system intended to synergistically and cost-effectively harvest both (a) electricity and (b) usable heat for hot water heating and supplementary building heat & optionally swimming pool heating. The electric power is harvested with a low-concentration CPV (concentrated photovoltaic) subsystem using a linear receiver and framed inflatable concentrating mirrors, building upon earlier demonstration of inflatable heliostat technology by RIC Enterprises with some Department Of Energy support. In the SuperSurya configuration, two-axis heliostatic tracking is used to optimize solar energy harvest, and a liquid cooling system uses a heat transfer fluid to convert waste heat from the CPV cooling system into value-added usable heat. Where conventional solar panels only convert around 15 - 20% of incident sunlight into beneficial use for electricity and waste the remaining 80 - 85%; with this cogeneration invention SuperSurya will be targeted to potentially convert 60% of incident sunlight into beneficial use (15 - 20% for electricity, 40 - 45% for usable heat). RIC Enterprises, a Washington State nonprofit corporation, and West Sound Technical Skills Center, a distinctive Washington State technical education institution, are working together collaboratively to design, build and test a full-scale prototype of SuperSurya, the first of its kind in the world. Future offshore versions can efficiently harvest electricity with combined CPV and solar thermal subsystems & synergistically perform low-temperature desalination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces a new textile-based hybrid PV/T system utilizing a spacer fabric treated with phase change material (PCM). The PCM absorbs excess heat from the PV modules, which keeps the modules in their optimal temperature range so that their power output is enhanced. The thermal energy stored in the PCM is then used for hot water generation. Cold water, which is pumped through thin capillaries integrated into the spacer fabric, absorbs the heat stored in the PCM and is warmed. The warm water can be used immediately or stored in an intermediate storage tank. Comparing the proposed textile-based hybrid PV/T system to conventional hybrid PV/T systems, the proposed system is less expensive and provides a higher overall efficiency. The textile-based collector is lightweight, thin and flexible. The collector fits any roof shape and can be applied to roofs of residential and commercial buildings. The collector can also be used for swimming pool or greenhouse covers as well as emergency shelters set up in disaster areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The war in Afghanistan required unique solutions using solar power due to absence of any electrical grid, absence of reliable and practical power generation. This presentation explains why and how a solar hybrid power approach was used for telecommunication sites and health clinics. A major effort in any war zone is minimizing fuel convoys to resupply generators and minimizing field visits for generator maintenance. PV gradually came to replace generator power thereby reducing fuel consumption and fewer maintenance visits. This was done with a hybrid design employing PV as prime power source and one generator for occasional use. The PV design and load had to be carefully matched to optimize PV generation and minimize generator usage. Solar power was chosen not because it was green or ecofriendly, but because it was the only approach based on economics and reducing risks to personnel in a war zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]