DOCSLIB.ORG

Tesis Doctoral Development of Solar Thermophotovoltaic Systems

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Tesis Doctoral Development of Solar Thermophotovoltaic Systems UNIVERSIDAD POLITÉCNICA DE MADRID ESCUELA TÉCNICA SUPERIOR DE INGENIEROS DE TELECOMUNICACIÓN TESIS DOCTORAL DEVELOPMENT OF SOLAR THERMOPHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS Alejandro Datas Medina Ingeniero en Electrónica 2011 UNIVERSIDAD POLITÉCNICA DE MADRID Instituto de Energía Solar Departamento de Electrónica Física Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros de Telecomunicación TESIS DOCTORAL DESARROLLO DE SISTEMAS TERMOFOTOVOLTAICOS SOLARES AUTOR: Alejandro Datas Medina Ingeniero en Electrónica DIRECTOR: Carlos Algora del Valle Doctor en Ciencias Físicas 2011 Tribunal nombrado por el Magfco. Y Excmo. Sr. Rector de la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. PRESIDENTE: VOCALES: SECRETARIO: SUPLENTES: Realizado el acto de defensa y lectura de la Tesis en Madrid, el día ___ de _____ de 20___. Calificación: EL PRESIDENTE LOS VOCALES EL SECRETARIO A mi padre “What„s the right way and the wrong way to report results? Disinterestedly, so that the other man is free to understand precisely what you are saying, and as nearly as possible not covering it with your desires” Richard P. Feynman Agradecimientos Trabajar en un entorno como el IES ha sido un privilegio, principalmente por la calidad humana de las personas que lo integran, de las que siempre he podido aprender algo. Elisa me ha ensenado˜ a desconfiar de todo aquello que parece facil,´ o como ella dice, a que ”los necios se sorprenden de un eclipse, los sabios de que el sol salga todos los d´ıas”. Tenerla cerca durante este tiempo ha sido una fuente constante de motivacion´ para aprender y comprender. Le debo infinidad de explicaciones, discusiones y aclaraciones sobre todo tipo de temas, que han dado como fruto no pocas de las aportaciones que se presentan en esta tesis. Gonzalo ha sido un seguro de vida para esta tesis. Cuando un problema se volv´ıa demasiado complejo e inabordable, siempre consegu´ıa hacerme ver lo importante: ¿a que´ pregunta quieres responder? Ademas,´ su ayuda en la resolucion´ de todo tipo de problemas, desde matematicos´ hasta informaticos,´ han sido claves para el buen desarrollo de esta tesis. A Pablo jamas´ he tenido que pedirle ayuda, porque siempre se ha adelantado a ofrecermela.´ De verdad, creo que es una buena persona compulsiva. Tanto dentro como fuera del IES, ha sido de los que mas´ me ha ayudado en los momentos dif´ıciles. Cesar nunca ha dudado en perder su tiempo para sacarme de infinidad de apuros con el flash y la estacion´ meteorologica,´ que suelen dejar de funcionar a pocos d´ıas de una reunion.´ A Pilar quiero agradecerle su complicidad y la confianza que siempre me ha demostrado. Su apoyo constante me ha ayudado a confiar en mi propio trabajo. Ademas´ se ha peleado para configurar las estaciones donde he lanzado mis simulaciones. Ivan´ ha estado siempre dispuesto a echarme una mano con medidas de todo tipo, con simulaciones de Spice y con el diseno˜ de mas´ de un circuito. A Jasmin y Hugo, quiero agradecerles el ser tan buenos companeros˜ de despacho y haberme hecho tan agradable el d´ıa a d´ıa en el IES, y a Manu, su correccion´ tan exhaustiva del ingles´ de mi tesis. Y a Rebeca, por todo lo que ha significado para mi durante este tiempo. Han sido muchos mas,´ en el IES, los que me han ayudado en estos cinco anos.˜ Quiero agrade- cer especialmente a mis companeros˜ de grupo (Nacho, Quique, Jesus,´ Mario, Elisa, Jose, Bea, Mateo, Carmen, Ivan´ y Pilar) con los que he compartido muchos momentos y de los que he apren- dido tanto. A Carlos, mi director de tesis, le agradezco todo el apoyo y la dedicacion´ que me ha prestado durante estos cinco anos.˜ Me ha dado todas las herramientas que he necesitado para formarme como investigador y ha sabido encontrar el balance justo entre exigencia y motivacion,´ que me ha permitido evolucionar siempre. A mis ”hermanos mayores” en el IES, Vicky y Diego, que fueron durante el primer ano˜ de tesis mi referencia. A Antonio Mart´ı, jIH ghaj ghoj vaj ’ar tlhej SoH tlho’ SoH. Al grupo ISI del IES, especialmente a Nacho y a Cesar, por haberme dado todas las facilidades y la formacion´ necesaria para usar sus equipos. A Angel,´ porque lo ha sido todo en el desarrollo experimental de mi tesis. Al principio le bajaba planos de las piezas que quer´ıa fabricar, al final me di cuenta de que era mejor bajar solo´ con un folio en blanco y un boli. Daba igual el tiempo que hubiera dedicado a pensar en los disenos,˜ que el´ siempre consegu´ıa mejorarlos. Voy a echar mucho de menos los ratos que he pasado en el taller. A Pepe, Zamorano, Miguel y Oscar, cuya ayuda ha sido imprescindible para la buena conse- cucion´ de la parte experimental de esta,´ y de muchas otras tesis en el IES. A Estrella, Rosa, Montse, Maria Helena y Ricardo, que siempre han cuidado tan bien de nosotros. A mis amigos, que han sido testigos de la evolucion´ de esta tesis y que sin su apoyo, nunca le hubiera encontrado el sentido. Especialmente quiero agradecer a Jose, el interes´ tan intenso que ha demostrado en mi trabajo y las eternas discusiones sobre ciencia, y a mis companeros˜ de piso (Cani,˜ Michi, Pablo y Ely) que me han hecho mucho mas´ llevadero el tramo final de escritura de esta tesis. Y permitidme ser escueto en lo mas importante: A mi madre, porque le debo todo, a mi hermana Madal y al resto de mi familia. A mi padre, orgulloso de su hijo y mi maestro. La persona a la que hubiera hecho mas´ feliz ver esta tesis terminada. Aknowlegements This work has been possible thanks to the collaboration of several persons working at the IES- UPM and other institutions. I am extremely grateful to my supervisor, Prof. Carlos Algora, for the time and effort that has devoted to the progress of this work. I also gratefully acknowledge the many colleagues and technical staff at IES-UPM that have made possible this work. I am also very thankful to the many institutions that have collaborated with us during the experimental development of this thesis: • Photovoltaics laboratory of Ioffe Physico-Technical Institute (St. Petersburg) They manufactured the tungsten emitters and GaSb cells that were used during this work. I also gratefully acknowledge Prof. Viacheslav M. Andreev, Prof. Valery Rumyantsev, Dr. Vladimir Khvostikov and Dr. Maxim Shvarts for their valuable advice and support concerning the design and development of the STPV system. • Materials - Solar Cells and Technologies department of Fraunhofer-ISE (Freiburg) They manufactured the Ge TPV cells that have been used in this thesis. I am very grateful to Dr. Andreas Bett, Dr. Frank Dimroth and Dr. Jara Fernandez´ for answering the many questions I had concerning the Ge cells characteristics, and for delivering as many cells as I needed. • Materials Research and Applied Optics department of Fraunhofer-ISE (Freiburg) Many thanks to Dr. Andreas Georg, who deposited the anti-reflective coatings on the tung- sten emitters and performed the reflectivity measurements, and to Dr. Benedikt Blasi,¨ who let me include those data in this thesis. I gratefully acknowledge Dr. Andreas Gombert for the very enjoyable discussions at the project meetings. • Solar cell technologies group at IMEC (Leuven) I am very grateful to Dr. Giovanni Flamand, for his hospitality during my visit to IMEC and for performing the parallel gap welding of the Ge TPV cells. • Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies of MIT (Cambridge, MA) I am extremely grateful to Dr. Ivan Celanovic for giving me the opportunity of being a visiting student at MIT and for allowing me to get fully involved in their projects. I am also very thankful to my officemates Dr. Peter Bremel, Mr. Walker Chan, and Mr. Adrian Y.X. Yeng for the very interesting discussions and their help. • Photovoltaics and Power Technologies Branch at NASA GRS (Cleveland, OH) I am extremely grateful to Dr. Donald Chubb and Dr. David Wolford for allowing me to visit the NASA GRS installations and for their hospitality during that visit. I am indebted to them for being so supportive in many occasions. • Tecnologica´ S.A (Madrid) Many tanks to Mr. Juan Barbero for taking the X-ray images of our modules. • Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales del CSIC (Madrid) Many tanks to Prof. Carlos Prieto and Dr. Isabel Munoz˜ for performing the alumina e-beam deposition on our samples. This work has been funded by the regional government of Madrid (Consejer´ıa de educacion´ de la Comunidad de Madrid y del Fondo Social Europeo) through a pre-doctoral contract and the FULLSPECTRUM European project (ref. SES6-CT-2003-502620) funded by the European Commission. RESUMEN Esta tesis aborda el analisis,´ tanto teorico´ como experimental, de los sitemas termofotovoltaicos solares. En estos sistemas, un material (emisor) se calienta hasta la incandescencia mediante ra- diacion´ solar. La radiacion´ termica´ emitida por dicho material se dirige hacia una celula´ foto- voltaica, que convierte dicha radiacion´ en electricidad. En esta configuracion,´ se pueden emplear elementos de control espectral para lograr que los fotones no utiles´ para el proceso de conversion´ fotovoltaica´ sean devueltos al emisor. En la primera parte de la tesis (cap´ıtulos 2-4) se presentan diversos modelos anal´ıticos de sistemas termofofovoltaicos solares. En el cap´ıtulo 2 se analiza un sistema ideal con el fin de determinar la eficiencia l´ımite maxima,´ que resulta ser del 85.4%. Desafortunadamente, dicha eficiencia solo´ se logra para densidades de potencia electrica´ despreciables y bajo una serie de condiciones demasiado restrictivas. En el cap´ıtulo 3 se presenta un modelado multivariable mas´ completo, basado en la teor´ıa del balance detallado, en el que se contemplan (entre otras cosas) posibles perdidas´ opticas.´ Con dicho modelo se ha demostrado que se pueden alcanzar eficiencias y densidades de potencia electrica por encima de 30% y 50 W/cm2, repectivamente.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Mit Solar Electric Vehicle Team
    MIT SOLAR ELECTRIC VEHICLE TEAM The MIT Solar Electric Vehicle Team (SEVT) TEAM GOALS: is a student organization dedicated to • Facilitate continuous demonstrating the viability of alternative innovation and deve- energy-based transportation. The team was lopment in all fields founded in 1985 and since 1993 has worked related to solar under the auspices of MIT’s Edgerton electric vehicles Center. through international participation and We build each vehicle from the ground competition up, allowing us to apply our theoretical knowledge while gaining hands-on • Give our sponsors manufacturing experience and project publicity through management skills. Team members work positive exposure and with professors and industry to overcome press coverage. the design and fabrication challenges • Provide members of inherent to this complex project. Since the MIT community its creation, the SEVT has built nearly 15 with incomparable vehicles and competed successfully in experience in engin- national and international races, most eering, management, recently the 2015 World Solar Challenge in marketing, and Austrailia. We are currently constructing business. our newest race vehicle for competition in the 2017 World Solar Challenge. • Be active in the com- munity, promoting We share our enthusiasm for applied alternative energy and engineering and renewable technologies by transportation. actively reaching out to local schools and • Inspire children the Greater Boston community. Through to pursue careers our interactions, we hope to educate in science and the public about alternative energy and engineering. transportation, as well as inspire the next generations of innovators. WHAT IS SOLAR RACING? In a solar car race, highly specialized Each solar car is accompanied by provement in efficiency and perfor- vehicles that run entirely on solar lead and chase vehicles to provide mance of their vehicles.
    [Show full text]
  • July 12, 2018 Department Report
    Department of Land Conservation and Development Oregon 635 Capitol Street NE, Suite 150 Salem, Oregon 97301-2540 Kate Brown, Governor Phone: (503) 373-0050 Fax: (503) 378-5518 www.oregon.gov/LCD July12, 2018 TO: Land Conservation and Development Commission FROM: Jim Rue, Director Ellen Miller, Urban Policy Analyst and Legislative Coordinator SUBJECT: Agenda Item 6 July 26-27, 2018, LCDC Meeting TEMPORARY RULEMAKING RELATING TO SIZE OF SOLAR AND POWER GENERATION FACILITIES ON FARMLAND I. AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY This agenda item is for the Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC or commission) to consider adoption of a temporary rule amending OAR 660-033-0130, “Minimum Standards Applicable to the Schedule of Permitted and Conditional Uses.” This rule implements Statewide Planning Goal 3, “Agricultural Land.” The purpose of the proposed amendment is to restate the original intent of the rule in regard to size of solar and other power generation facilities sited on farmland without a goal exception. The proposed amendment applies to commercial projects only. Adoption of a temporary rule amendment will not impact the schedule or the scope of the solar siting rulemaking as defined in the 2017-19 Policy Agenda. For further information about this report, please contact Ellen Miller, Legislative Coordinator and Urban Policy Analyst at 503-934-0020, or at [email protected]. II. SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDED ACTION The department recommends that the commission adopt temporary rule amendments to limit the siting of power generation facilities, including solar arrays, to facilities that occupy no more than 12 acres on high value farmland, 20 acres on arable farmland, and 320 acres on nonarable farmland, unless an exception is taken.
    [Show full text]
  • Solar Cup Electrical Report 2020
    Electrical Report Submitted to: Metropolitan Water District Solar Cup Challenge 2020 February 13th, 2020 Lennox Academy, Solar Cup Team Lennox Math Science and Technology Academy 110306 Hawthorne Blvd Lennox, CA 90304 (310) 680-5600 Table of Contents Team Roster…………………………………………………………… 2 Introduction …………………………………………………………… 3 Wiring …………………………………………………………………. 3-5 Block Diagrams…………………………………………………………5-7 Solar Panels……………………………………………………………. 7-10 Solar Panel Schematics…………………………………………………10-12 Solar Panel Installation…………………………………………………12-13 Emergency Stop………………………………………………………. 13-14 Bilge Pump……………………………………………………………. 14-16 Schematic Diagram …………………………………………………….16-20 Battery …………………………………………………………………20-21 Battery Mounts ………………………………………………………..21-23 Motor Selection………………………………………………………..23-24 Electronic Speed Controller…………………………………………...25-26 Telemetry and Instrumentation………………………………………..27-30 Conclusion…………………………………………………………….30 References……………………………………………………………..31 1 Team Roster: Name Role Email Omar Vazquez President, Team Captain [email protected] Abel Castaneda Vice President, Team Captain [email protected] Kary Cabrera Secretary, Team Captain [email protected] Brandon Colo Treasurer, Team Captain [email protected] Giovanna Medina Design Team member [email protected] Cristian Gonzalez Mechanical Team Member [email protected] Ricardo Miranda Electrical Team Member [email protected] Jessica Porras Electrical Team Member [email protected] Citlaly Chavez
    [Show full text]
  • Future Generations of Solar Energy an Analysis of Community Knowledge and Interest Towards the Development of a Solar Energy Cooperative in Indre Nørrebro, Copenhagen
    Future Generations of Solar Energy An analysis of community knowledge and interest towards the development of a solar energy cooperative in Indre Nørrebro, Copenhagen An Interactive Qualifying Project to be submitted to the Faculty of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Science May 9, 2006 Michael Cretella Bryan Kaanta Jenelle Pope [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Project Center: Copenhagen, Denmark D06 Project Advisor: Ruth L. Smith Abstract The advancement of solar energy is a forthcoming initiative in Copenhagen, but growth is dependent on public involvement. This project assists the Nørrebro Agenda 21 Center in determining the best course of action for promotion of solar technology in its community. The disconnection between prospective users and existing outreach methods hinders progress towards community implementation of solar energy. A coordinated effort between environmental agencies, businesses, and the government will create the multi- faceted solar promotion program necessary to reach the community. i EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The goal of this project is to promote awareness of the potentials of photovoltaics in Indre Nørrebro, Copenhagen in order to establish the basis for a local solar cooperative. Through extensive analysis, it was determined that a major disconnection exists between promotional organizations of solar energy and the local residents who show an interest to learn more. The recommendations made to the Agenda 21 Center take into account the environment in which the project took place and develops what were determined to be the most effective methods to promote the interest, awareness, and involvement of Nørrebro residents.
    [Show full text]
  • Histoire Des Véhicules Et Des Aventures Solaires
    Histoire des véhicules et des aventures solaires Un récit des origines et des développements des véhicules terrestres, nautiques et aéronautiques propulsés à l’énergie solaire Auteure : Raphaëlle JAVET Rapport réalisé en 2016 par la Fondation SolarPlanet, en partenariat avec l’ADNV et De Witt. 2 Sommaire Prémices ................................................................................................................................. 3 Le moteur électrique ....................................................................................................................... 3 L’énergie photovoltaïque ................................................................................................................. 4 I) Les véhicules solaires terrestres ........................................................................................... 6 Les débuts de la mobilité solaire ...................................................................................................... 6 Les premiers exploits et un intérêt accru pour les véhicules solaires ................................................ 8 Courses et records de vitesse : un engouement mondial ................................................................ 10 Les premières tentatives de conversion à l’usage quotidien ........................................................... 12 Depuis l’an 2000 : tentatives de renouveau ................................................................................... 13 Développements actuels : quelques projets prometteurs .............................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan Proposed Land
    Appendix O Existing Renewable Energy Projects Within DRECP Plan Area DRECP PROPOSED LUPA AND FINAL EIS APPENDIX O. EXISTING RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS WITHIN DRECP PLAN AREA O EXISTING RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS WITHIN DRECP PLAN AREA Background. The list of projects included in this file was developed to help define the number and capacity of existing renewable energy projects in the Plan Area. These projects are considered part of the affected environment in the EIS Volume III. A map indicating the locations of these projects is presented as Figure III.1-2. Existing projects include those that are either operational or under construction as of August 2015. Two tables are attached: Table O-1: Summary of Existing RE Projects (data summarized from Table O-2) Table O-2: Existing RE Projects (all projects) Table O-1 below presents the acreage of existing renewable energy projects in the DRECP Plan Area. For informational purposes, 45% (13,081 acres) of the land affected by existing renewable energy projects on BLM administered land are located in the Preferred Alternative DFAs, as defined in Volume II. This represents less than 2.2% of the DFA acreage for the Preferred Alternative. Table O-1 Summary of Existing Renewable Energy (RE) Projects in the DRECP Plan Area Generation Capacity Acreage Percent of Total RE Percent Percent Total Acres of Total Acres of Project Total of Total of Total RE Projects in RE Projects in Acreage in MW MW Acres the Plan Area DFAs* DFAs* BLM-Administered 2,855 36% 30% 29,128 13,081 45% Public Lands – Total Wind 615 22% 52% 15,028 2,592 17% Solar 2,240 78% 48% 14,100 10,489 74% Private Lands and 5,019 64% 70% 68,460 N/A N/A Other Public Lands – Total Wind 2,015 40% 65% 44,643 N/A N/A Solar 2,904 58% 35% 23,272 N/A N/A Geothermal 100 2% 0.1% 545 N/A N/A Total RE Projects 7,874 100% 100% 97,588 13,081 N/A * The DFA locations for the Preferred Alternative are used to define in this exercise.
    [Show full text]
  • Swc2011-0052-Schwank
    SOLAR ENERGY AND ELECTRICAL MOBILITY BETWEEN UNIVERSITY, SCHOOL AND APPRENTICESHIP- 10 YEARS OF HESSEN SOLAR CUP Alexander Schwank¹, Peter Henniges², Mario Beesten², Wolfgang Kirchhoff4, Heino Kirchhof, Klaus Memmen³, Jürgen Zick4 ¹ University of Kassel, Department of Efficient Energy Conversion ² University of Kassel, Hessen Solar Cup Office ³ Wassererlebnishaus Fuldatal 4 University of Kassel, Institut für Berufsbildung 1. Introduction The core activity of the “Hessen SolarCup” project is the annual contest on solar mobility and education at Königsplatz in the city centre of Kassel. This event motivates hundreds of young people to actively engage themselves in the development of technical solutions and their documentation. At the same time the thus acquired knowledge is integrated in their living environment and social context. From the beginning the Hessen SolarCup has been a project of the University of Kassel. It can be seen as a link between science and technology on one hand and school and education on the other hand. Its focus lies on the renewable energies, in particular photovoltaic use of solar energy and the conservative utilisation of the material. The target of the project is to intelligently combine energy, material, and human creative power. Another important role of the Hessen SolarCup lies in its interdisciplinary combination of technical, social and artistic disciplines. Certainly those aspects have an important impact on the evaluation. The teams of experts mainly consist of engineers, teachers, designers, civil servants and apprentices who intensively discuss with the participants their documentation, ideas and solutions. After all, the Fig. 1: Participant evaluating the solar condition Hessen SolarCup serves as a link between the different age groups and proficiency levels.
    [Show full text]
  • HEIZUNGSTECHNIK Quelle: Scienzz Communication
    Offizielles Fachorgan der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Sonnenenergie e.V. November-Dezember November-Dezember 6-2011 | 6-2011 Fossile Heizungen Wie lange machen sie es noch? Turbulente Märkte Und die Folgen für den Pelletsmarkt EEG 2012 Vorrang für Erneuerbare neu reguliert Ressourceneffi zienz Teil 4: Nahrungsmittelverschwendung Elektromobilität Die Projekte REZIPE, OPTUM und Babelbee Seit 1975 auf dem Weg in die solare Zukunft Seit 1975 auf dem Weg • Schwerpunkt HEIZUNGSTECHNIK Quelle: Scienzz Communication www.dgs.de www.dgs.de Photovoltaik Nutzerinformation enthalten D: € 5,00 • A: € 5,20 • CH: CHF 8,50 ISSN-Nr.: 0172-3278 Beispiele aus www.EnergyMap.info KENNEN SIE DEN STAND BEIM AUSBAU DER ERNEUERBAREN ENERGIEN IN IHRER REGION? KENNEN SIE UNSERE ENERGYMAP? 31% EE-Strom 41% EE-Strom 37% EE-Strom Bundesland Bundesland Bundesland NIEDERSACHSEN SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN MECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 Entwicklung EE-Strommenge (MWh/a) Entwicklung EE-Strommenge (MWh/a) Entwicklung EE-Strommenge (MWh/a) 16% EE-Strom 48% EE-Strom Bundesland Bundesland THÜRINGEN BRANDENBURG 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 Entwicklung EE-Strommenge (MWh/a) Entwicklung EE-Strommenge (MWh/a) 13% EE-Strom 32% EE-Strom Bundesland Bundesland RHEINLAND-PFALZ SACHSEN-ANHALT Solarstrom Windkraft Wasserkraft 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 Biomasse 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 Gase Entwicklung EE-Strommenge (MWh/a) Geothermie Entwicklung EE-Strommenge (MWh/a) Die Deutsche Gesellschaft für Sonnenenergie 11% EE-Strom hat auf der Internetseite www.EnergyMap.info 17% EE-Strom alle verfügbaren EEG-Meldedaten zusammenge- Bundesland tragen.
    [Show full text]
  • Tradeoffs in the Design of Solar Powered Vehicles Dr. David
    Tradeoffs in the Design of Solar Powered Vehicles Dr. David Serrano Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Puerto Rico P.O. Box 9045, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 00681-9045 Abstract. The University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez (UPRM) has many past efforts in developing alternate energy vehicles. Due to our lack of fossil fuels, the island has to import all of its energy producing fuels. Furthermore, our limited land area has stressed the need for clean renewable energy sources for the island’s future well being. The automobile has the greatest potential due to its central role in today's society. Past efforts include projects such as electric, hybrid and solar powered vehicles (SPVs). In 1990 "The Shining Star of the Caribbean", Puerto Rico’s first SPV participated in GM Sunrayce, the first solar powered vehicle race across the United States. The UPRM also participated in Sunracye 1993 (USA) and The World Solar Cup (Australia) with it's second generation SPV, "Discovery" and in Sunrayce 95 with the third generation SPV, "The Shining Star II”. These projects were developed by students in an interdisciplinary environment. This paper describes the evolution and design tradeoffs of our solar powered competition vehicles during the past decade. The most important design considerations are its overall efficiency, low cost, design for serviceability, and design for shipping. Experiences learned from the competitions are also presented. Keywords: Solar powered vehicles, engineering education 1. INTRODUCTION In the 1970’s the energy crisis sparked interest in alternate energy systems for everyday use. Today’s environmental considerations have renewed this interest further.
    [Show full text]
  • MIT | the Future of Nuclear Energy in a Carbon-Constrained World
    The Future of Nuclear Energy in a Carbon-Constrained World AN INTERDISCIPLINARY MIT STUDY The Future of Nuclear Energy in a Carbon-Constrained World AN INTERDISCIPLINARY MIT STUDY Other Reports in the MIT Future of Series: The Future of Nuclear Power (2003) The Future of Geothermal Energy (2006) The Future of Coal (2007) Update of the Future of Nuclear Power (2009) The Future of Natural Gas (2011) The Future of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle (2011) The Future of the Electric Grid (2011) The Future of Solar Energy (2015) Revision 1 Copyright © 2018 Massachusetts Institute of Technology. All rights reserved. Cover art by Sara Ferry, Nuclear Science and Engineering, MIT. Study Participants STUDY CO-CHAIRS Jacopo Buongiorno, Co-Chair John Parsons, Co-Chair Associate Department Head and TEPCO Professor, Senior Lecturer, Sloan School of Management, MIT Department of Nuclear Science and David Petti, Executive Director Engineering, MIT Laboratory Fellow, Nuclear Science and Technology Michael Corradini, Co-Chair Directorate, Idaho National Laboratory; Visiting Professor Emeritus, Engineering Physics, University Research Scientist, MIT of Wisconsin-Madison STUDY GROUP Rasheed Auguste Jessica Lovering Undergraduate Student, Department of Nuclear Breakthrough Institute Science and Engineering, MIT Lucas Rush Patrick Champlin Master’s Student, Department of Nuclear Science Master’s Student, Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering, MIT and Engineering, MIT Nestor Sepulveda Karen Dawson PhD Candidate, Department of Nuclear Science PhD Candidate, Department
    [Show full text]
  • Draft DRECP and EIR/EIS CHAPTER IV.25
    Draft DRECP and EIR/EIS CHAPTER IV.25. CUMULATIVE IMPACTS ANALYSIS IV.25 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS ANALYSIS IV.25.1 Introduction and Methodology The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) require preparation of a cumulative impact analysis. This chapter analyzes how the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP or Plan) may affect the environmental conditions within and beyond the Plan Area. This Environmental Impact Report/Environ- mental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS) also analyzes how DRECP-related future transmission facilities in the vicinity of the Plan Area and outside the Plan Area may be affected by the DRECP in combination with other activities likely to take place over the next 25 years in those areas. IV.25.1.1 Legal Requirements IV.25.1.1.1 CEQA Under CEQA, “a cumulative impact consists of an impact which is created as a result of the combination of the project evaluated in the EIR together with other projects causing related impacts.” An EIR must discuss cumulative impacts if the incremental effect of a project is “cumulatively considerable” (14 California Code of Regulations [CCR] Section 15130[a] et seq.). Such analysis requires a determination as to whether the combined impact of all projects considered together is cumulatively significant and, if it is, whether the incremental effect of the project [DRECP] evaluated under CEQA is cumulatively consid- erable (14 CCR Section 15064[h])[1]). If the combined cumulative impact is not significant, the EIR must briefly explain why the impact is not significant and is not discussed in detail (14 CCR Section 15130[a][2]).
    [Show full text]
  • Development and Experimental Evaluation of a Complete Solar Thermophotovoltaic System Alejandro Datas and Carlos Algora
    Development and experimental evaluation of a complete solar thermophotovoltaic system Alejandro Datas and Carlos Algora ABSTRACT We present a practical implementation of a solar thermophotovoltaic (TPV) system. The system presented in this paper comprises a sunlight concentrator system, a cylindrical cup-shaped absorber/emitter (made of tungsten coated with HÍO2), and an hexagonal-shaped water-cooled TPV generator comprising 24 germanium TPV cells, which is surrounding the cylindrical absorber/emitter. This paper focuses on the development of shingled TPV cell arrays, the characterization of the sunlight concentrator system, the estimation of the temperature achieved by the cylindrical emitters operated under con­ centrated sunlight, and the evaluation of the full system performance under real outdoor irradiance conditions. From the system characterization, we have measured short-circuit current densities up to 0.95 A/cm2, electric power densities of 67 mW/cm , and a global conversion efficiency of about 0.8%. To our knowledge, this is the first overall solar-to-electricity efficiency reported for a complete solar thermophotovoltaic system. The very low efficiency is mainly due to the overheat­ ing of the cells (up to 120 °C) and to the high optical concentrator losses, which prevent the achievement of the optimum emitter temperature. The loss analysis shows that by improving both aspects, efficiencies above 5% could be achievable in the very short term and efficiencies above 10% could be achieved with further improvements. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. KEYWORDS solar thermophotovoltaic; TPV cell array; sunlight concentration; high-temperature emitters 1. INTRODUCTION the STPV technology is that it could allow building a highly efficient, stable (non-intermittent), modular, and Solar thermophotovoltaic (STPV) systems were proposed scalable solution to generate electricity from the sun en­ for the first time by Swanson in 1979 [1].
    [Show full text]