With the increasing negative effects of fossil fuel combustion on the environment in addition to limited stock of fossil fuel have forced many countries to inquire into and change to environmentally friendly alternatives that are... more
With the increasing negative effects of fossil fuel combustion on the environment in addition to limited stock of fossil fuel have forced many countries to inquire into and change to environmentally friendly alternatives that are renewable to sustain the increasing energy demand. Energy policy plays a vital role to mitigate the impacts of global warming and crisis of energy availability. This paper explores the wind energy industry from the point of view of the wind energy policy. It is noticed that energy policy could help increasing wind power generation as well as stimulating the energy industry. It may be stated that without specific energy policy, a country would not be able to solve the acute problems like reducing greenhouse gases (GHGs) emission, scarcity of energy, etc. This paper discussed the existing successful energy policies for few selected countries. Based on literatures, it has been found that FIT, RPS, incentives, pricing law and Quota system are the most useful energy policies practiced by many countries around the world. Then, status of wind energy policy for Malaysia was investigated and compared with few selected countries around the world.
Finding energy sources to satisfy the world's growing demand is one of society's foremost challenges for the next half-century. The challenge in converting sunlight to electricity via photovoltaic solar cells is dramatically reducing... more
Finding energy sources to satisfy the world's growing demand is one of society's foremost challenges for the next half-century. The challenge in converting sunlight to electricity via photovoltaic solar cells is dramatically reducing $/watt of delivered solar electricity. In this context the sun trackers are such devices for efficiency improvement.The diurnal and seasonal movement of earth affects the radiation intensity on the solar systems. Sun-trackers move the solar systems to compensate for these motions, keeping the best orientation relative to the sun. Although using sun-tracker is not essential, its use can boost the collected energy 10–100% in different periods of time and geographical conditions. However, it is not recommended to use tracking system for small solar panels because of high energy losses in the driving systems. It is found that the power consumption by tracking device is 2–3% of the increased energy.In this paper different types of sun-tracking systems are reviewed and their cons and pros are discussed. The most efficient and popular sun-tracking device was found to be in the form of polar-axis and azimuth/elevation types.
The average American is highly supportive of solar photovoltaic (PV) technology and has the opportunity to earn a high return of investment from a PV investment for their own home. Unfortunately, the average American does not have easy... more
The average American is highly supportive of solar photovoltaic (PV) technology and has the opportunity to earn a high return of investment from a PV investment for their own home. Unfortunately, the average American does not have easy access to capital/financing to install a PV system able to meet their aggregate annual electric needs. One method to overcome this challenge is to allow 'plug-and-play solar', which is defined as a fully inclusive, commercial, off-the-shelf PV system (normally consisting of a PV module and microinverter), which a prosumer can install by plugging it into an electric outlet and avoiding the need for significant permitting, inspection and interconnection processes. Many advanced countries already allow plug-and-play solar, yet U.S. regulations have lagged behind. In order to assist the U.S. overcome regulatory obstructions to greater PV penetration, this article first reviews the relevant codes and standards from the National Electric Code, local jurisdictions and utilities for PV with a specific focus on plug-and-play solar. Next, commercially available microinverters and alternating current (AC) modules are reviewed for their technical and safety compliance to these standards and all were found to be compliant. The technical requirements are then compared to regulatory and utility requirements using case studies in Michigan, which were found to create arbitrary non-technically-valid barriers to grid entry. The analysis also exposed the redundancy of the utility accessed AC disconnect switch for residential and small commercial grid connected solar PV. It is clear that the AC disconnect switch is not necessary technically and thus imposing it is an economic barrier to grid entry for solar PV systems with UL (Underwriters Laboratories) certified microinverters. To reduce consumer and utility workload and the concomitant soft costs, this article provides a streamlined application with only technical requirements and free and open source software to ease utility implementation. Finally, the advantages of supporting plug-and-play solar PV with UL certified microinverters include greater PV system performance, faster uptake and higher PV penetration levels, improved prosumer economics, and more environmentally responsible electric generation.
The fast development in computer and various mobile devices have bought changes to our living environment. Pressing a button to open the door of flat when we are in office is no longer purely imagination in cartoons or films. More... more
The fast development in computer and various mobile devices have bought changes to our living environment. Pressing a button to open the door of flat when we are in office is no longer purely imagination in cartoons or films. More importantly, home automation as such provides us an alternative solution to reduce the usage of energy, save costs and conven-ience. This paper reviews the advantages of home automation smart home in Hong Kong and Australia from industry perspective with the help of content analysis.
Finding energy sources to satisfy the world's growing demand is one of society's foremost challenges for the next half-century. The challenge in converting sunlight to electricity via photovoltaic solar cells is dramatically reducing... more
Finding energy sources to satisfy the world's growing demand is one of society's foremost challenges for the next half-century. The challenge in converting sunlight to electricity via photovoltaic solar cells is dramatically reducing $/watt of delivered solar electricity. In this context the sun trackers are such devices for efficiency improvement.The diurnal and seasonal movement of earth affects the radiation intensity on the solar systems. Sun-trackers move the solar systems to compensate for these motions, keeping the best orientation relative to the sun. Although using sun-tracker is not essential, its use can boost the collected energy 10–100% in different periods of time and geographical conditions. However, it is not recommended to use tracking system for small solar panels because of high energy losses in the driving systems. It is found that the power consumption by tracking device is 2–3% of the increased energy.In this paper different types of sun-tracking systems are reviewed and their cons and pros are discussed. The most efficient and popular sun-tracking device was found to be in the form of polar-axis and azimuth/elevation types.
The main objective of REMIT is to ensure integrity and transparency in wholesale electricity and gas markets, so that wholesale energy markets function properly, reflecting market fundamentals, and to help ensure that market outcomes are... more
The main objective of REMIT is to ensure integrity and transparency in wholesale electricity and gas markets, so that wholesale energy markets function properly, reflecting market fundamentals, and to help ensure that market outcomes are not distorted by abusive market behaviour. Given that price formation on commodity markets has an impact on price formation on derivative markets and conversely, the REMIT aims at being an EU wide regulatory framework that applies to all transactions concluded, regardless of the nature of their object or of the place where they are concluded, taking into account the specific characteristics of the wholesale energy markets, without prejudice to the application of the existing financial European regulatory framework and European competition law. As a regulation, the REMIT is a regulatory framework that applies directly in the Member States since 28 December 2011 except where implementing acts are still needed. To ensure achievement of its objectives the REMIT does not provide a comprehensive regulatory framework governing all aspects of wholesale energy transactions. It addresses three aspects of wholesale trading: (i) prohibition of market abuse; (ii) transparency; and (iii) supervision and rule enforcement. This contribution focuses mainly on the first two pillars of REMIT with the aim to set forth how they impact wholesale electricity trading. After some general considerations on the business activities impacted by the REMIT, the provisions regarding market abuse (Section II) and the specific rules on transparency (Section III) are examined.
Solar photovoltaic (PV) energy conversion offers a sustainable method of producing electricity to maintain and improve the standard of living within cities. Planning for large-scale adoption of PV in cities, however, provides a challenge... more
Solar photovoltaic (PV) energy conversion offers a sustainable method of producing electricity to maintain and improve the standard of living within cities. Planning for large-scale adoption of PV in cities, however, provides a challenge to urban planners because of the distributed nature of PV. This paper develops a new methodology to determine a city's PV potential by analysis of solar PV generation potential by distribution feeder given the solar exposure and orientation of rooftops serviced by a specific feeder within the city. The methodology is applied to an example feeder, and then can be scaled to apply to the network of any city. The method comprises the following steps: (i) rooftop extraction from aerial photos; (ii) service parcel and territory matching based on geographical information system (GIS) data; (iii) simulation of the solar exposure of the customers connected to distribution feeders based on local meteorological conditions and the general roof orientation of the customers serviced by the feeder; and (iv) sensitivity analyses of electricity yield as a function of PV module efficiency. Experience from the case study such as trade-offs between time consumption and data quality is discussed to highlight a need for connectivity between demographic information, electrical engineering schematics and GIS. Finally conclusions are developed to provide final methodology with the most and useful information from the highest constrained sources and can be adapted anywhere in the world.
China has embarked on an ambitious and unprecedented programme of energy reform and climate change mitigation. Yet the motivations for this important shift remain unclear. This paper surveys key central government documents and articles... more
China has embarked on an ambitious and unprecedented programme of energy reform and climate change mitigation. Yet the motivations for this important shift remain unclear. This paper surveys key central government documents and articles by China's leading energy academics to investigate the ideas influencing China's new energy and climate policies. Three key ideas in particular are supportive of greater climate mitigation than in the past. First, domestic energy security concerns have risen on the central government agenda as a result of electricity shortages and rapidly rising energy consumption. Such concerns have deeply influenced China's ambitious and largely successful energy efficiency policies. Second, growing awareness of the environmental constraints on economic growth in general, and the potential damages of dangerous climate change in particular, has prompted stronger official rhetoric in favour of green development. The appearance of targets and policies that specifically target carbon emissions reductions in the 12th FYP for the first time suggests that climate change mitigation is becoming a motivation for policy action in its own right, rather than simply a co-benefit of policies enacted for other purposes. Third, a conviction that the world is moving towards low-carbon energy forms has given rise to the belief that China must become a technological and economic leader in this transition. Large levels of public financing to support the development of China's wind power and solar PV sectors suggests that the Chinese government has strong vested interests in seeing China successfully compete and lead in global low-carbon energy markets. In order to understand the shift in China's approach to climate change since the 11th FYP, it is important to understand how new ideas such as these have reframed and reshaped the Chinese government's interests and objectives.
The horizontal hydro-kinetic river current turbine power technology is one of the renewable decentralized power services potential in delivering energy for the communities in remote regions inaccessible by electricity connection. The... more
The horizontal hydro-kinetic river current turbine power technology is one of the renewable decentralized power services potential in delivering energy for the communities in remote regions inaccessible by electricity connection. The utilization of the kinetic mechanism makes the application of the turbine less environmentally detrimental and more extensively available than the conventional hydro-energy which uses the level differences. However, the only kinetic mechanism of the turbine possibly brings the application to be less economically attractive since the low typical river velocity. This highly possibly results in the low turbine performance. Thus to make the turbine application economically feasible, in the design turbine stage, a preliminary figure on an efficient design is paramount. In order to contribute in satisfying this requirement, this study investigates the effect of the variation of the pitch angle, one of the design turbine parameters, on the horizontal axis river turbine performance. The investigation is conducted by a parametric study with the mathematical model of the Blade Element Momentum theory. The results indicate that the increasing of the pitch angle initially enhances the performance. However, too much pitch angle enhancement results in low performance and reduces the rotation operation which in turn it requires a high gearing ratio of the transmission system. This study also attempts to discuss the philosophy behind the results of the investigation, relating the phenomena to the hydrodynamic behaviour.
A methodology is provided for the application of Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) to automated solar photovoltaic (PV) deployment analysis on the regional scale. Challenges in urban information extraction and management for solar PV... more
A methodology is provided for the application of Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) to automated solar photovoltaic (PV) deployment analysis on the regional scale. Challenges in urban information extraction and management for solar PV deployment assessment are determined and quantitative solutions are offered. This paper provides the following contributions: (i) a methodology that is consistent with recommendations from existing literature advocating the integration of cross-disciplinary competences in remote sensing (RS), GIS, computer vision and urban environmental studies; (ii) a robust methodology that can work with low-resolution, incomprehensive data and reconstruct vegetation and building separately, but concurrently; (iii) recommendations for future generation of software. A case study is presented as an example of the methodology. Experience from the case study such as the trade-off between time consumption and data quality are discussed to highlight a need for connectivity between demographic information, electrical engineering schemes and GIS and a typical factor of solar useful roofs extracted per method. Finally, conclusions are developed to provide a final methodology to extract the most useful information from the lowest resolution and least comprehensive data to provide solar electric assessments over large areas, which can be adapted anywhere in the world.
Countries all over the world are inquiring and taking efforts to implement the environment friendly renewable energy to mitigate the negative impacts of fossil fuels on the environment and their fast depletion. To reduce the reliance on... more
Countries all over the world are inquiring and taking efforts to implement the environment friendly renewable energy to mitigate the negative impacts of fossil fuels on the environment and their fast depletion. To reduce the reliance on fossil fuels and environmental degradation, many countries have focused and formulated solar energy related policies to increase its share into energy mix. In this paper a review of the solar energy policies, implemented in the developed countries and Malaysia, are discussed as well as the discussion of successful existing solar energy policies in the developed countries. According to the 2010 BP Statistical Energy Survey, the world cumulative installed solar energy capacity was 22928.9 MW in 2009, a change of 46.9 % compared to 2008. After the review of literature, FiT, RPS and Incentives are found to be the most beneficial energy policies implemented by the developed countries. These policies create the paths to promote the development and implementation of renewable energy technologies. Also, the current policies related to solar energy in Malaysia are investigated and compared with developed countries.
Most ISOs in the US minimize the total bid cost and then settle the market based on locational marginal prices. Minimizing the total bid cost, however, may not lead to maximizing the social welfare. Studies indicate that for energy only,... more
Most ISOs in the US minimize the total bid cost and then settle the market based on locational marginal prices. Minimizing the total bid cost, however, may not lead to maximizing the social welfare. Studies indicate that for energy only, payment cost minimization (PCM) leads to reduced payments for a given set of bids, and the “hockey-stick” bidding a less likely to occur. Since co-optimization of energy with ancillary services leads to a more efficient allocation, it is important to solve PCM co-optimization while considering transmission capacity constraints for a
comparison with other auction mechanisms. In this paper, PCM is formulated using price definition system-wide constraints. This problem formulation introduces difficulties such as nonlinearity, non-separability and complexity of convex hull. To overcome these difficulties, the nonlinear terms are linearized thereby allowing to be solved by using branch-and-cut. At the same time, the linearization is performed in a way that the “surrogate optimality condition” is satisfied thereby allowing the problem to be solved efficiently.
The relationship between solar photovoltaic (PV) rural electrification and energy-poverty was assessed using social, economic and environmental indicator-based questionnaires in 96 solar-electrified and 113 non-electrified households in... more
The relationship between solar photovoltaic (PV) rural electrification and energy-poverty was assessed using social, economic and environmental indicator-based questionnaires in 96 solar-electrified and 113 non-electrified households in rural Ghana. The purpose was to assess the energy-poverty status of households with and without solar PV systems, and to determine the factors that explain energy-poverty in off-grid rural households. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to construct energy-poverty index scores (EPISs). On the basis of the results of the EPISs, about 80% of the non-electrified households were assessed as relatively energy-poor compared with only 10% of the solar-electrified households. Three significant indicators increased linearly with increasing energy-poverty index score (EPIS) and therefore explained the variation in EPIS. They are monthly savings on lighting (r2 = 0.214), number of children who can sit around lighting (r2 = 0.388) and amount paid to obtain lighting/electricity system (r2 = 0.261). On the contrary, EPIS decreased linearly with increasing monthly costs of kerosene, candles and dry-cell batteries. This indicates that increasing expenditure on kerosene, candles and dry-cell batteries is likely to affect household savings and investment in quality energy delivery systems that can increase EPIS. To improve EPIS, households should invest a bit more in reliable and quality energy delivery systems, which can help to improve their quality of life. The use of EPISs successfully demonstrated the difference in energy-poverty status between households with and without solar PV. This lays down a basis of understanding the relationship between solar PV rural electrification and energy-poverty improvement in off-grid communities.
