jtire
Abstract : Simulative Comparison between Electric and Thermal Powertrains on Different Real Road Missions
|
|
|
Abstract: Pure electric mobility is still struggling to emerge in the present road vehicles scenario. This is mostly due to costs, nowadays still very high, and to battery range, which is intrinsically very limited with respect to the fuel tank of a traditional vehicle. To be effectively competitive, e-mobility should not be thought as the mere substitution of the thermal powertrain with the electric one on the same vehicle; instead, a holistic approach comprehensive of the integration of a charging network within the territory should be adopted. The vehicles should be tailored on the missions to be accomplished promoting the lightness, simplicity and low cost, and should be integrated within a charging infrastructure and a car-sharing system implemented in the reference territory. In this paper the authors aim at exposing their idea of e-mobility, justifying it by simulations carried out on three different vehicles (a Diesel-fuelled Renault Kangoo, an electric driven Renault Kangoo and an electric micro-vehicle Renault Twizy) and experimental data. The simulations were carried out with the help of a validated road vehicle model in different real road missions, namely a urban, an extra-urban and a mountain mission. Keywords: Electric mobility, simulation model, comparative assessment, Matlab-Simulink, carbon dioxide Reduction, car sharing.Download Full Article |
Abstract : Solar Updraft Power Technology: Fighting Global Warming and Rising Energy Costs
|
|
|
Abstract: Solar updraft power technology (SUPT) forms a highly innovative, modern and efficient concept for solar-based electricity generation. Solar updraft power plants (SUPPs) are fueled purely by solar irradiation. They require no water for power generation, so their ideal locations are deserts. A SUPP consists of the glass-covered collector area (CA), in its centre the solar chimney (SC), and around the SC’s perimeter the power conversion units (PCU). This arrangement causes a permanent flow of warm air through the SUPP, producing electricity. The paper describes computer simulation concepts to evaluate the power/energy harvest in such plants, based on fluid-thermodynamics and radiation-physics. The nonlinear numerical processes for the SUPPs’ power harvests are solved by fast computer algorithms. Finally, the high economy of SUPT for world-wide arid zones in terms of leveled electricity costs (LECs) is exemplified by several optimized SUPPs. Keywords: Solar updraft power technology, multi-physics computer simulation, thermo-fluiddynamics, low-concentrated solar power, cost-efficient electricity.Download Full Article |
Abstract : Comparative Ecological Based Life Cycle Assessment of Multi-Crystalline PV Technology and Coal Electric Power
|
|
|
Abstract: Multicrystalline (multi-Si) photovoltaic (PV) technology is increasingly common throughout Australia and the developed world, as renewable energy technologies become viable electrical generation alternatives to coal and nuclear power. We have examined the cradle-to-grave life cycle of a 3kWp multi-Si PV system within Australia. The highest contribution of environmental impacts results from the usage of fossil fuel energy resources and their emissions at the pre-production and manufacturing stages. We analyze the impacts of multi-Si technology on ecosystem goods and services (EGS) and compared it with impacts resulting from coal power electricity. For 3kWp multi-Si system, coal, crude oil and iron ore were the critical resources consumed from the lithosphere while the public supply of water was consumed from the hydrosphere. For coal power electricity, coal and water were the resources most consumed from both the lithosphere and hydrosphere. However the resource consumption from coal power electricity is significantly larger than that of multi-Si PV. Coal power electricity is also responsible for much greater energy and exergy consumption compared to multi-Si PV. The main ecosystem disturbances resulting from the lifecycle of a 3kWp multi-Si unit affect supporting and regulating services though these disturbances are considerably lower than the services impacted from coal power electricity. The study concludes that similar analysis performed on another PV technology would provide a greater understanding to the Eco-LCA results for multi-Si PV technology, particularly with relation to exergy analysis. Keywords: Eco-LCA, multi-Si PV, ecosystem goods services, solar, exergy, coal.Download Full Article |
Abstract : How Does Energy Security Definition Vary Across Nations? A Review of Major Energy Consumers
|
|
|
Abstract: The energy security issue has been paid close attention by many countries owing to the rising energy demand, the limited energy reserve, and the climate change problem. In spite of the broad concern, there is no globally accepted definition of energy security because, for any country, the impact of energy insecurity is highly correlated with its economic status, its resource endowment, its geopolitical partnership, as well as many other nation-specific features. Therefore, by using some of the world's largest energy consuming nations as examples, this article reviews the definitions of energy security and discusses the strategies to enhance it, in order to provide insight for policy makers from different countries. The results find that major energy consuming countries take measures to improve energy security status primarily by improving energy self-sufficiency and increasing energy diversification. Besides, this study also provides suggestion for different countries to take part in international energy cooperation in order to achieve a Pareto improvement of their energy security statuses. Keywords: Energy security, energy consuming country, international energy cooperation. Download Full Article |
