1,721,203 research outputs found
The impact of the GB Feed-in Tariffs and Renewable Heat Incentive to the economics of various microgeneration technologies at the street level
Full text linkEngland, Scotland and Wales planning regulations require zero carbon homes by 2016. This can be expected to accelerate the uptake of microgeneration technologies. To incentivise small low-carbon generators the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) proposed two new systems: the Feed-in Tariffs (FIT) and the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). This paper investigates the impact of these two systems on the carbon performance and the economics of various microgeneration technologies under two scenarios: (a) at the single dwelling level and (b) a local microgrid at the street level. The economic implications of combining a number of houses to form a local microgrid are assessed and expressed in terms of percentage of capital investment outstanding. The paper concludes that the current structure of the FIT and RHI does not incentivise microgeneration technologies according to their carbon performance and does not favour street-level schemes such as the one investigated in this paper. However it is sufficient to drive the market forward
Photovoltaic power for refrigeration of transported perishable goods
No full textSolar photovoltaic driven refrigeration represents an application which warrants major attention as a market opportunity, especially in northern latitude countries. Not only are the economics favourable but the technology represents a means to achieve CO2 reduction in the transportation area. The objective of this work was the development of a photovoltaic system to replace the diesel generator used on conventional trailers. The system is sized in such a way as to provide power to allow the same operational regime as that of the diesel chill refrigerator. The performance of the trailer has attained its design brief of the daily required deliveries of chill produce throughout the year. An update of the results of operation of the solar powered, refrigerated delivery trailer operated by one of the leading food retailers in the UK, J Sainsbury plc is also include
Implementation of the first building integrated photovoltaic cladding on the south coast of the United Kingdom
No full textIn 1994, an opportunity arose to augment the expanding research activities in photovoltaic at the University of Southampton with a large-scale test in building integrated photovoltaic technology. Building 2 on the University's Highfield Campus was earmarked for renovation both internally and externally. The University welcomed the opportunity to combine the refurbishment of the facades with the installation of the PV cladding. This, at the time, had the added advantage of combining University requirements with the aim of the UK photovoltaic community to have an installation and an exemplar PV system for test and development on the south coast of England. The data collected from such an installation will be used to address the paucity of information concerning the use and implementation of PV technology. The work on the installation is described in the paper, giving step-by-step explanations of processes undertaken and problems encountered from initial design brief to final 'switch on' of the PV facade. The difficulties encountered during both the design, contracting and installation phases of the project are detailed. The aim of this paper is to highlight the success of the project and to outline some of the difficulties encountered so that other similar projects will hopefully be able to avoid such pitfalls
Simulation of extraction of tidal energy within a 2-D coastal finite element numerical model
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Solar photovoltaic energy: electricity generation in the built environment
No full textCompared to other renewable energy technologies, modular solar photovoltaic technologies that convert sunlight into electricity and can generate power from watts to megawatts are more versatile and can be integrated within building envelopes. The cornerstone of the technology is the solar cell, which is manufactured from various semiconductor materials including silicon. Conversion efficiencies and costs have improved significantly in recent years and there are now many national schemes and energy targets promoting the use of photovoltaic technology in the built environment. This paper describes the current state of solar photovoltaic technology and the approaches being considered for using it to generate electricity within buildings
Means of enhancing and promoting the use of solar energy
No full textThe development of renewable technologies in the last decade has been exceptional. In photovoltaic (PV) for example, efforts were not only limited to merely improving their efficiency but also to the reduction of the cost of cells and modules via volume production for commercial markets. There are many national schemes promoting the use of PV technology and regional targets for a share of renewable energy production. This paper attempts to relay to the reader a journey, based on experience, approaches for enhancing the prospect of utilising solar energy within the society we live in. The issue of expansion or enhancing the utilisation of solar energy can be undertaken by individuals, groups, institutions and governments. The aim of this paper is to provide some examples, which could serve as a framework in which action could be taken to promote solar technology
The effect of concentration and valency of iron sulphate media on the bio-magnetic iron sulphides produced through continuous culture
No full textBiologically produced iron sulphide (FeS) is of great interest in the area of bioremediation as it posses adsorbing properties surpassing those produced by chemical means. This paper reports on the effect of varying the relative concentrations of Fe(II) and Fe(III) sulphates in the culture medium of a sulphate reducing bacteria chemostat on the magnetic properties of the iron sulphide produced. An optimum Fe(II):Fe(III) ratio is determined to maximise the magnetic susceptibility of the microbial sulphide produced. This will result in a reduction of the magnetic field intensity used in magnetically separating heavy metals in bioremediation applications. The paper details the economics of the separation and proposes a magnetically and cost optimised process for such applications
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