Showing papers on "Stand-alone power system published in 1979"
TL;DR: In this article, the feasibility of generating electricity from jet-stream winds has been investigated, and computer-based optimization studies indicate that a 100 MW power station based on tethered aerodynamic generating platforms located at a jet stream altitude would generate electricity at capital and operating costs that are competitive with other methods of electricity generation.
Abstract: The feasibility of generating electricity from jet-stream winds has been investigated. Analysis of published meteorological data indicates that annual average power densities approaching 20 kW/m2 are available in the jet-stream altitudes over the complete west-east extent of Australia at a latitude of about 30° S. Computer-based optimization studies indicate that a 100 MW power station based on tethered aerodynamic generating platforms located at a jet-stream altitude would generate electricity at capital and operating costs that are competitive with other methods of electricity generation. The design of the tethered aerodynamic generating platform requires a high lift-to-weight ratio platform housing high power-to-weight ratio diffuser-augmented wind turbines and tethered by a high strength-to-weight ratio cable. Key design parameters include the turbine power coefficient and power-drag coefficient, the rated speed, and the stall speed. The required turbine area is determined primarily by the power coefficient and the rated speed. The cable weight depends directly on the drag associated with the maximum (rated) power generation which follows from the choice of rated speed. The wing area of the aerodynamic platform is fixed usually by the stall speed.
53 citations
TL;DR: In this article, small-scale Dispersed Storage and Generation (DSG) technologies connected to the electric distribution system may offer many of the advantages of central supply management options such as pumped-hydro storage and interconnections.
Abstract: Small-scale Dispersed Storage and Generation (DSG) technologies connected to the electric distribution system may offer many of the advantages of central supply management options such as pumped-hydro storage and interconnections. In addition, they may provide benefits to the distribution systems by reducing capacity requirements, improving reliability, and lowering losses.
8 citations
01 Jan 1979
TL;DR: Schuchuli, a small remote village on the Papago Indian Reservation in southwest Arizona, is 27 kilometers (17 miles) from the nearest available utility power as mentioned in this paper, due to the prohibitive cost of supplying a small electrical load with a long-distance distribution line.
Abstract: Schuchuli, a small remote village on the Papago Indian Reservation in southwest Arizona, is 27 kilometers (17 miles) from the nearest available utility power. Its lack of conventional power is due to the prohibitive cost of supplying a small electrical load with a long-distance distribution line. Furthermore, alternate energy sources are expensive and place a burden on the resources of the villagers. On December 16, 1978, as part of a federally funded project, a solar cell power system was put into operation at Schuchuli. The system powers the village water pump, lighting for homes and other village buildings, family refrigerators and a communal washing machine and sewing machine.
7 citations
TL;DR: Magnetohydrodynamics for electricity generation could lead to greater efficiencies in extracting energy from fossil fuels as mentioned in this paper, and work has already started on a commercial MHD power plant in Russia.
Abstract: Magnetohydrodynamics for electricity generation could lead to greater efficiencies in extracting energy from fossil fuels. In Russia, work has already started on a commercial MHD power plant
4 citations
24 Aug 1979
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors proposed an engine in which the expansion of a gas heated by a nuclear explosion raises a mass of liquid, thereby producing stored hydraulic energy, which could be converted to electricity by hydroelectric generation with water as the working fluid or by magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) generation with molten metal.
Abstract: Nuclear fuels should produce cheaper electricity than coal, considering their high specific energy and low cost. To exploit these properties, the scheme proposed here replaces the expensive reactor/steam-turbine system with an engine in which the expansion of a gas heated by a nuclear explosion raises a mass of liquid, thereby producing stored hydraulic energy. This energy could be converted to electricity by hydroelectric generation with water as the working fluid or by magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) generation with molten metal. A rough cost analysis suggests the hydroelectric system could reduce the present cost of electricity by two-thirds, and the MHD system by even more. Such cheap power would make feasible large-scale electrolysis to produce hydrogen and other fuels and chemical raw materials.
2 citations
01 Mar 1979
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe the principles behind manufacturing of a solar cell for transforming solar energy into electricity and then mention the ways such energy can be used on the railways and compare the economic aspects of different sources of electricity: batteries, solar cells, national grid.
Abstract: The author describes the principles behind manufacture of a solar cell for transforming solar energy into electricity and then mentions the ways such energy can be used on the railways. He then compares the economic aspects of different sources of electricity: batteries, solar cells, national grid.
2 citations
01 Apr 1979
TL;DR: In this paper, a comparison of residential energy supply systems using fuel cells is presented, and the results indicate that the fuel cell systems are most more expensive, most efficient, and have least environmental impact.
Abstract: The report gives results of a comparison of residential energy supply systems using fuel cells. Twelve energy systems, able to provide residential heating and cooling using technologies projected to be available toward the end of this century, were designed conceptually. Only a few systems used fuel cells. All systems used Western coal as the primary energy source, and all residences were assumed to have identical heating and cooling demands typical of the mid-continent U.S. After screening, five systems were analyzed in detail. The entire energy cycle, from coal mine to end use, was examined for costs, efficiency, environmental impact, and applicability. The five energy systems are: (1) a coal-fired power plant supplying electricity and a coal gasification plant supplying SNG; (2) a 26-MW fuel-cell power plant fueled by coal-derived SNG supplying electricity; (3) a 26-MW fuel-cell power plant fueled by coal-derived naphtha supplying electricity; (4) a combined-cycle power plant fueled by coal-derived fuel oil supplying electricity; and (5) a 100-kW fuel-cell power plant fueled by coal-derived SNG, sited in a housing complex, supplying electricity to heat pumps, with heat recovered from the fuel cell supplying supplemental space heating and hot water. Results indicate that the fuel cell systems are mostmore » costly, most efficient, and have least environmental impact.« less
2 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the configuration of an optimal energy generation system, which would serve a given energy demand efficiently and economically, is determined, considering both the utilization of fuel and the economics of power generation.
2 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the economic competitiveness of wave power to the established forms and concludes in saying that for wave-power to become viable, its cost has to decrease significantly, which can only occur through better technology.
Abstract: Considers the exploitation of wave power as an energy source describing the power conversion devices of the wave-power systems under current study. The author points out the economic competitiveness of wave power to the established forms and concludes in saying that for wave power to become viable, its cost has to decrease significantly, which can only occur through better technology.
1 citations
01 Sep 1979
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors developed and evaluated a process configuration using the heat of reaction of: 2 SO/sub 3/ reversible 2SO/sub 2/ + O/sub 1/+ O/Sub 2/ for energy storage, where the forward reaction is endothermic and is used to absorb energy.
Abstract: If any system of solar power generation is to provide a significant fraction of the power requirements of a community, some means of economical energy storage must be used. The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate a process configuration using the heat of reaction of: 2 SO/sub 3/ reversible 2 SO/sub 2/ + O/sub 2/ for energy storage. The forward reaction is endothermic and is used to absorb energy. The reverse reaction is exothermic and releases the energy that has been stored. This process uses the sulfur oxides directly in a gas turbine in a hybrid Brayton-Rankine cycle to produce electricity. Heat for the system is supplied during sunlit hours by a field of heliostats focussed on a central solar receiver. When sunlight is not available, the storage system provides the heat to drive the gas turbine. An efficient process configuration for this power cycle is proposed. Detailed material and energy balances are presented for a base case that represents a middle range of expected operating conditions. Equipment sizes and costs were estimated for the base case to determine an approximate cost for the electricity produced by this process. In the base case the solar receiver absorbsmore » heat at a rate of 230 MW/sub t/ for a period of eight hours during the day. Daytime electricity generation is about 52.3 MW/sub e/. Nighttime generation is about 19.0 MW/sub e/ for a period of 16 hours. The overall efficiency of converting heat into electricity is thus about 39%. The total capital cost for the base case is $71.7 million, of which 69% is for the tower and heliostat field. The average cost of the electricity produced is estimated to be 7.7 cents/kW/sub e/hr.« less
1 citations
01 May 1979
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discuss the kinds of improvements in equipment performance and manufacturing techniques which may lead to photovoltaic systems capable of competing in the communications industry, and estimate the cost of power which could be obtained if such improvements are achieved.