Abstract: Publication year: 2022Source: Energy and Power, Volume 12, Number 1E. C. Merem, Y. Twumasi, J. Wesley, D. Olagbegi, M. Crisler, C. Romorno, M. Alsarari, P. Isokpehi, A. Hines, G. Hirse, G. S. Ochai, E. Nwagboso, S. Fageir, S. Leggett, J. Offiah, S. EmeakporThe essence of unhindered access to wind energy supply in the daily operations of most sectors of the economy from health to agriculture remains very indisputable. With the lethargic power flow in many African nations coupled with scarcity in supplies and the insecurity coming with limited access. The recourse to alternative energy continues to grow. Accordingly, South Africa has emerged as a new frontier of wind energy given the appeal and availability. Known for its low carbon footprint amidst the minimal exposures to the risks of environmental pollution now that nations are saddled with compliance to global protocols requiring the enforcement of mitigation measures in combatting climate change. The prospects of wind power integration into the large energy policy mix have garnered huge momentum in South Africa. Being the second largest economy in the continent with vast raw materials of untapped wind power in abundance in both inland and coast lines in the proximity of two oceans and desert environments. South Africa is better placed to harness the benefits of wind power to sustain its various sectors. Notwithstanding the primacy of conventional power supply, the potentials for wind energy remains widespread with the surge in new facilities coupled with its projections as the likely source of 14% of electricity by 2030 in the nation. Since this comes with ecological, physical, socio-economic impacts and some benefits, no serious efforts have been made to track the state of wind power potentials with a mix scale model. Accordingly, this study will fill that void by assessing the potentials with emphasis on the issues, trends, factors, efforts, and impacts using descriptive statistics and GIS. The results show strong capacities in wind power loads through the presence of new and existing amenities, and the dominance of the study area as a leader in wind assets in Africa. With GIS mappings pinpointing spatial concentration and the spread of wind power loads across states and provinces due to several indicators from economy to the environment. The paper proffered solutions anchored in regular monitoring, robust investment, the design of additional facilities, effective policy, and the development of a regional wind power information system and public education.
Abstract: Publication year: 2022Source: Energy and Power, Volume 12, Number 1Krishiv BhatiaThe photoelectric effect occurs when electrically charged particles are released from or within a material when illuminated by light (or electromagnetic radiation). The light ejects electrons from the surface of the metal, and these electrons can cause an electric current to flow. The phenomenon was discovered in 1887 by the German physicist Heinrich Hertz. In 1905, Albert Einstein explained the photoelectric effect in a paper for which he won the Nobel Prize in physics in 1921. The photoelectric effect shows that light exhibits particle nature while the other properties like diffraction and interference indicate the wave nature of light. Hence, light behaves both like a wave and a particle. Hence, particles like electrons, protons, and even a soccer ball can behave like waves (although the wave properties are only observed at subatomic scales). This phenomenon is called wave-particle duality. The photoelectric effect has many applications ranging from image sensors, astronomy, photomultipliers, photoelectron spectroscopy, photocells (or solar cells), photocopiers, photodiodes, and phototransistors. The photocell is perhaps the most crucial application and is commonly found in solar panels. It works on the basic principle of the light striking the cathode, which causes the emission of electrons, producing current. The photomultiplier tube uses the photoelectric effect to convert light intensity into electrical currents.
Abstract: Publication year: 2021Source: Energy and Power, Volume 11, Number 2Karobia Pauline N., Ngoo Livingstone, Muriuki JamesIn this research, an adaptive method for illegal power connection detection and correction in domestic distribution is presented. The focus is on a domestic supply at the meter box. Illegal power connection has been a major challenge for many years in Kenyan power distribution network. The utility company has estimated to have lost billion dollars yearly due to illegal power connection. The company has been trying to monitor and detect illegal power connection especially on domestic supplies, however the methods used do not satisfactorily identify major cases of these connections. Socio-economic aspects are the major cause that drives the power users to indulge in illegal power usage. Due to this a cost-effective technology need to be developed not limiting to political, economic and engineering aspects to find a lasting solution that involves all power consumers needs and more importantly considering the safety issues of the genuine power users Several types of illegal power usage by consumers are committed but, in this research, illegally connected power users who are aware of their connection status are considered. An adaptive Neural Fuzzy Inference system (ANFIS) is applied to monitor, detect, determine and correct illegal power connection. A model hardware is implemented where several loads are connected to the system to define legal and illegal power connection while also determining the extent to which power is lost. The motivation of this research is to assist the utility company in Kenya to decrease the loss of revenue attributed by non-technical losses which is mainly due to illegal power connection by domestic consumers.
Abstract: Publication year: 2021Source: Energy and Power, Volume 11, Number 1M. Marouf WaniThis paper presents the results on the CFD investigations on the digital valve mechanism of a single cylinder spark ignition engine using the numerical finite volume method. The investigations were done by replacing the conventional valves by the digital valves with an aim to improve the volumetric efficiency and therefore the performance parameters and emissions characteristics. The thermodynamic simulation software AVL BOOST was used for computational investigations for both the cases. The software is based on the solution of thermodynamic conservation equations of mass, momentum, energy and the equation of state for an ideal gas. The engine performance and emissions parameters were computed for both the conventional cam and follower based valve mechanism and the proposed digital valve mechanism. The digital valve system was designed for a constant valve lift for all crank angles involved during gas exchange process whereas the conventional cam and follower type valve system design has a variable valve lift from crank angle to crank angle during gas exchange period. The results showed that with proposed digital valve system the performance parameters like volumetric efficiency and therefore power, torque, brake specific fuel consumption were better as compared to the conventional cam and follower type valve system design. The engine designed with digital valves produces less CO and HC emissions. Also the specific weight of the engine designed with digital valve system is likely to be lesser than the conventional engine.
Abstract: Publication year: 2021Source: Energy and Power, Volume 11, Number 2P. K. Ngongo, MTE KahnA challenge for industries nowadays is to optimize the functionality of their critical processes. Whether they be manufacturing, production, healthcare, banking, data, research, or shopping centres, they are becoming large and complex with several critical loads and processes whose availability is crucial to their overall effectiveness and market competitiveness. Based on their design specifications and accuracies expected, these processes often tend to have a low tolerance and are susceptible to power failures, spikes, brown-out, dip, or surges. They require a high integrity power supply to guarantee their correct functioning, increase their robustness against the damaging effect of power disturbances and operational availability. Eskom’s network instability, lower energy availability, and poor power quality, unfortunately, cannot guarantee the integrity of supply to these critical loads. An increase in load shedding in the past few years highlights this low energy availability factor. Based on these reasons, the facility opted to install 4 x 1100kVA online lead-acid-based rotary UPSs to sustain a sturdy power supply through periods of power disturbances. The sustainability of power will also allow orderly processes shutdown in case of prolonged power interruption and avoid any outage-related financial setbacks. Commissioned back in 1995, they have attained their end-of-life and suffer regular costly maintenances, higher losses, and higher spares cost due to unavailability. Although these are considered legitimate running costs, they occur on a capital scale after few years. Given the system’s age, running cost, and inefficiency, the facility would be efficiently and cost-effectively served by newer high-performance UPS systems. The process of choosing the right UPS system and energy storage solution for critical infrastructure has now become more challenging than ever. Today’s UPS technologies and their corresponding backup storage solution must maintain or even increase the availability and manageability of power on their respective facilities. In the effort to reduce the total cost of ownership, it is imperative to extend lifetime, decrease footprint, streamline maintenance, and lower cooling costs and other operating expenses, in addition to reducing the upfront capital investment. Lithium-ion-based static UPS systems are poised to enhance energy storage for secure power applications. They provide benefits in reducing the installation and maintenance costs and have low waste energy resources making them have high operational efficiency and weigh less than the rotary UPS system. The energy storage system used in these systems has since transformed from medium-lifetime, sprawling, and heavy lead-acid batteries to a long-life, compact, lightweight solution with predictable performance, simplified maintenance, and robust life cycle management. The intervention strategy will present a comprehensive assessment that offers a site-specific solution. It will also provide a financial and performance analysis of the current rotary UPS system versus the new static UPS system with the desire to improve the facility’s power protection, secure its long-term availability, strengthen its energy efficiency capacity, and reduce maintenance costs and carbon footprint.
Abstract: Publication year: 2021Source: Energy and Power, Volume 11, Number 1M. Marouf WaniThis paper presents the possible design of a zero carbon emission hydrogen engine based on its octane demand. The result investigations were done on a turbocharged four stroke four cylinder spark ignition engine using hydrogen as its fuel supplied with the help of a carburetor. The professional, thermodynamic, internal combustion engines simulation software AVL BOOST was used during analysis and synthesis of the engine design. The Software uses the basic conservation equations of mass, energy and momentum along with the numerical finite volume method. The laws of thermodynamics and gas dynamics were used to compute the values of various thermodynamic and gas dynamic variables in all engine components. The software has provision for designing the model using basic elements. It allows selection and use of suitable combustion model, heat transfer model, model for the frictional power, etc. The modeled engine was run in the hydrogen mode by varying its engine speed, air-fuel ratio, compression ratio and start of combustion one by one. It was observed that the octane demand of the hydrogen engine varies for each of these design and operating variables under consideration. It was observed that higher engine speeds and lower compression ratio suit the design of this type of engine. Further the richer mixture, otherwise suitable for maximizing power, and an optimum spark timing range suits the selection of hydrogen as a fuel for internal combustion engine.
Abstract: Publication year: 2021Source: Energy and Power, Volume 11, Number 1E. C. Merem, Y. A. Twumasi, J. Wesley, D. Olagbegi, M. Crisler, C. Romorno, M. Alsarari, P. Isokpehi, M. Alrefai, S. Ochai, E. Nwagboso, S. Fageir, S. LeggettIn the last several years, the choice of hydrological fracking as an alternative method of nonrenewable energy production in the US oil sector continues to gain currency across regions especially the Southeast and the West. In a country where fracking is no longer deemed as an exercise on the fringe amidst unprecedented expansion, economic boom, and ecological liabilities. The use of fracking techniques in shale fields remains so widespread across different states from California to Mississippi that it now constitutes 60% of the nation’s oil and gas output in the past two decades. This occurred in the face of favorable regulatory environments that catapulted the US atop global ranking of oil producers. While this has resulted in ample generation of revenues and job prospects in the respective states, communities in those places have endured grim impacts and risks on their ecosystems in the form of pollution, degradation, hydrological stress, induced seismicity, land disturbance and greenhouse gas emissions. Aside from efforts of the sector, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders in the search for a common ground on the issues. The mounting ecological liabilities has in many cases aggravated tensions between affected communities and the oil sector. Yet, very little studies exist on the vulnerability of the study area to the impacts of hydraulic fracking using mix scale method tools of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and energy statistics. Even when data is available, the sketchy nature tends to mar analytical proficiency given the lack of an accessible regional energy information system. Accordingly, this enquiry will fill that void by assessing the issues in hydraulic fracking in the study area. Emphasis are on the issues, trends, factors, impacts and efforts using techniques of GIS and descriptive statistics. Just as results revealed a surge in production activities and revenues, the impacts consist of large use of water and chemicals together with extensive pollution, the disturbance of fragile landscapes and ecosystem decline. Additionally, GIS mappings pinpointed a gradual spread of production activities and concentration of risks across states in the zone due to several socio-economic and physical elements located withing the larger energy structure. To remedy the situation, the paper proffered solutions ranging from ecological monitoring to the design of a regional energy information system, effective policy, community participation/education of the public and the formation of an interagency task force.
Abstract: Publication year: 2020Source: Energy and Power, Volume 10, Number 3M. Marouf WaniThis Paper presents the computational investigations on the possible conversion of a high thermal efficiency engine into a low emissions engine by optimization using its bore to stroke ratio. The results were computed in a professional thermodynamic internal combustion engine simulation software, AVL BOOST. The software is designed using the conservations laws of mass, energy and momentum. The research investigations were done under variable bore to stroke ratio and results were computed for engine performance parameters like power, torque and brake specific fuel consumption. Results were also computed for the CO, HC, NOX emissions produced by the engine under same design and operating conditions.It was found that by varying the cylinder bore to stroke ratio the engine performance parameters as well as the emissions characteristics were changed. It was observed that the existing engine having a bore to stroke ratio of 0.95 has been designed on the basis of minimum fuel consumption or maximum thermal efficiency. The existing engine produces a reasonable output of power and torque. The CO and NOX emissions with the existing engine design are high however the HC emissions are almost minimum. It was finally observed that it is possible to design the same engine for minimum CO and NOX emissions, as needed by the demand in the market, by using a bore-stroke ratio of 1.2 at design and manufacturing level. However the HC emissions are higher with this bore to stroke ratio.
Abstract: Publication year: 2020Source: Energy and Power, Volume 10, Number 2Sunday Yusuf Kpalo, Mohamad Faiz ZainuddinIn Nasarawa state, over 70% of the population are involved in subsistence farming. Varied agricultural resources are produced in millions of tons annually. Large quantity of residues is generated that are either left to rot on farmlands or disposed of by burning in open air. In many rural areas, the residues are also used in their raw form for cooking purposes which is inefficient. The disposal and use of the residues cause pollution in the environment which affects human health. Residues can provide a source of clean and renewable energy in the form of solid biofuel called briquettes through densification. Briquetting is a densification technology that converts residues with a low heating value per unit volume into high density and energy concentrated fuels. This paper offers a perspective on the potentials of agricultural residues in Nasarawa state to produce briquettes as an alternative clean and sustainable domestic cooking fuel. The paper concludes that briquettes could be economically and environmentally friendly alternative to fuelwood. The use of biomass briquettes would reduce dependence on fuelwood, environmental pollution and the amount of time spent on cooking. Adopting the briquetting technology will enhance access to clean and affordable energy in line with the 7th goal of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Abstract: Publication year: 2020Source: Energy and Power, Volume 10, Number 2M. Marouf WaniThis paper presents the results of the CFD research investigations on a single cylinder spark ignition engine modeled alternatively with a digital intake valve and a cam based intake valve. The results were computed in the thermodynamic simulation software AVL BOOST. The software uses the finite volume method along with the conservation equations of mass, momentum, energy and the equation of state for an ideal gas. The parameters computed were pressure, velocity, density and temperature etc. The emissions and performance parameters of the engine were simulated for both the conventional cam based valve and the digital valve. The digital intake valve was modeled for a constant maximum valve lift throughout the intake process where as the conventional cam based valve was modeled for variable valve lift on a crank angle to crank angle basis. The results showed that the engine with the digital intake valve gave better volumetric efficiency, power, torque and brake specific fuel consumption as compared to the engine using the conventional cam based valve. Further the engine with digital intake valve has better emissions characteristics as compared to the engine with cam based valve.
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