Alternative Energy Evaluation May06-16 Team Members: Steve ChebuharEE Anhtuan DinhEE Ryan FerneauCprE Justin JorgensenEE Client : Professor Ralph Patterson III Dr. John W. Lamont Faculty Advisor: Tom Baird Date: April 6, 2006

Presentation Outline Introductory material Project activity description Resources and schedules Closing material

Acknowledgment The team would like to thank: Tom Baird Dr. Lamont Prof. Patterson

Problem Statement Analyze alternative energy solutions –No utility –Utility as backup –Alternative energy sources as backup Economic analysis Load analysis

Solution Approach Research alternative energy sources –Solar, wind, fuel cells, biomass, micro hydro, and micro turbines Research geographical area, area regulations, and interconnection with utility Create website to post the solutions

Operating Environment Data is organized and presented on a website that can be viewed using Windows XP and Internet Explorer

Intended User Farmer or rural resident Supplement or eliminate electric utility

Intended Use Provide information for a rural resident interested in alternative energy

Assumptions The user must have basic computer skills The user must have knowledge of power needs The user must have knowledge of system requirements Six sources where considered –Wind, solar, fuel cells, micro hydro, micro turbines, and biomass

Limitations Exact cost of each alternative source Installation cost Maintenance cost Fuel Cost

End Product and Other Deliverables Website Informative spreadsheets with the final results Final Report

Present Accomplishments Research100% complete Design100% complete Website100% complete Testing100% complete

Approaches Considered Interactive program with user inputs which gives recommendation output Informational website (the approach used)

Project Activities Research Design Implementation Testing

Research Sources –Economic analysis –Viability for user –Energy storage Sources divided into two categories –Those which require no fuel –Those which require fuel

Wind Power Advantages –Low cost –Many turbine sizes available –No fuel required Disadvantages –Unreliable as primary source –Requires tower construction

Solar Advantages –Small size –No fuel –Good for low power applications Disadvantages –Expensive –Unreliable as primary source

Micro Hydro Advantages –Requires no fuel –Low maintenance Disadvantages –Unreliable as primary source –Many government regulations –Not environmentally friendly

Micro Turbines Advantages –Small size –Affordable for large power needs (>30 kW) –Can use multiple fuels Disadvantages –Expensive for small power needs –Fluctuation of fuel cost

Biomass Advantages –Can often be substituted as diesel fuel –Generator is low cost –Can meet many different power needs Disadvantages –Fluctuation of fuel costs –Noise –Takes up a lot of space

Fuel Cells Advantages –Useful for energy storage –No combustion required Disadvantages –Expensive –Requires fuel source to generate hydrogen –Involves many different components

No Utility Case Main source would most likely be wind Backup source would be Diesel/biomass generator or micro turbines Inverter & Controller Main SourceAC Load 120 VAC 12, 24, or 48 VDC Generator Controller Secondary Source Batteries 120 VAC 12, 24, or 48 VDC

Utility as Backup Case Main source is most likely wind Requires safety equipment to interconnect with utility company Inverter & Controller Main SourceAC Load 120 VAC 12, 24, or 48 VDC Electric Utility 120 VAC

Utility as Primary Source Diesel generator is most cost effective Micro turbines and batteries also a possibility User would have to manually switch over in the event of power loss

Informative Website Provide information about each source Explain how to calculate monthly energy usage (kWh) Present spreadsheets with cost analysis Provide links for additional information

Data Organized into Spreadsheets

Sample Webpage

Testing Design was tested by making comparison with systems currently in use Wind was most cost effective alternative source Diesel generator was most common form of backup

Other Activities Team attended an 8 hour long alternative energy workshop at the University of Minnesota Focused on many types of alternative energy (solar, wind, fuel cells)

Personnel Effort

Resources ItemWithout LaborWith Labor Poster$23 Team Memberat $11/hr Steve Chebuhar$1870 Anhtuan Dinh$1848 Justin Jorgensen$1793 Ryan Ferneau$1661 Total$23$7195

Schedule

Project Evaluation All required deliverables were completed All tasks completed on schedule Project was a success

Commercialization No plans to commercialize this product Not likely to be high enough demand Possibility exists to sell advertising space on website if popular enough

Recommendations for Additional Work Installation and maintenance costs Reevaluate project within a few years due to rapidly developing technology Obtain funding to implement a system

Lessons Learned What went well –Research was effectively divided among group members –Flexibility of scheduling meetings What did not go well –Lack of understanding of project definition

Technical Knowledge Gained User energy needs Cost of equipment Components required to create system Web design

Non-technical Knowledge Gained Communications skills Time management Risk management

Risk Management Anticipated risks –Loss of team member –Difficulty finding sufficient data to complete research –Unsuccessful approach Management of risks –Share information between group members –Frequently evaluate project approach

Risk Management Unanticipated risks –Lack of understanding of project definition –Loss of faculty advisor Management of risks –Extra effort at later stages of project to make up for previous lost time –Additional effort on the part of remaining faculty advisor

Closing Summary Informational website created Present information in spreadsheet form Power output and cost evaluation of each source Links for additional information

Questions ?