Stand-Alone Direct Current Power Network Based on Photovoltaics and Lithium-Ion Batteries for Reverse Osmosis Desalination Plant

Plummeting reserves and increasing demand of freshwater resources have culminated into a global water crisis. Desalination is a potential solution to mitigate the freshwater shortage. However, the process of desalination is expensive and energy-intensive. Due to the water-energy-climate nexus, there is an urgent need to provide sustainable low-cost electrical power for desalination that has the lowest impact on climate and related ecosystem challenges. For a large-scale reverse osmosis desalination plant, we have proposed the design and analysis of a photovoltaics and battery-based stand-alone direct current power network. The design methodology focusses on appropriate sizing, optimum tilt and temperature compensation techniques based on 10 years of irradiation data for the Carlsbad Desalination Plant in California, USA. A decision-tree approach is employed for ensuring hourly load-generation balance. The power flow analysis evaluates self-sufficient generation even during cloud cover contingencies. The primary goal of the proposed system is to maximize the utilization of generated photovoltaic power and battery energy storage with minimal conversions and transmission losses. The direct current based topology includes high-voltage transmission, on-the-spot local inversion, situational awareness and cyber security features. Lastly, economic feasibility of the proposed system is carried out for a plant lifetime of 30 years. The variable effect of utility-scale battery storage costs for 16–18 h of operation is studied. Our results show that the proposed design will provide low electricity costs ranging from 3.79 to 6.43 ¢/kWh depending on the debt rate. Without employing the concept of baseload electric power, photovoltaics and battery-based direct current power networks for large-scale desalination plants can achieve tremendous energy savings and cost reduction with negligible carbon footprint, thereby providing affordable water for all

Sustainable Companies, Addressing Climate Change. A Theoretical Review

Climate change is an unavoidable threat with potentially irreversible effects. In the current economic context, globalization significantly increases the unbalanced use of finite, non-renewable sources of energy. This study aims to describe the main characteristics of sustainable companies, based on ideals and values that are committed to the development of the planet, consuming fewer resources than those that they create. Sustainable companies are based on fundamental principles such as the environment (renewable energy resources, sustainable development, preservation of the environment, responsible energy use, minimization of emissions, eco-efficiency, and the circular economy) and mobility (collective public transport, electric vehicles, clean non-motorized mobility systems). In light of this situation, a number of improvement actions have been proposed aimed at sustainable business development (smart environmental sensor networks, energy efficiency, integrated water cycle management, efficient lighting, smart metering, smart irrigation, environmental protection, smart waste management, smart public transport, monitoring of tolls and access to restricted areas, traffic management, fleet management, smart parking, and electric vehicles). Following a theoretical review of the main related studies, it is concluded that there are gaps in information and research related to climate change. At the same time, a further conclusion is that the instruments currently used to mitigate its effects are insufficient and inadequate. Greater indexes of governance and transnational strategy are urgently needed. Finally, there is also a need for sustainable companies that combine business development with the environment and the protection of the planet

FOCUS Spring/Summer 2002

Contents: Research on Nebraska Agricultural Productivity by Richard K. Perrin Nebraska\u27s Farm Real Estate Market: A Quarter-Century Perspective by Bruce B. Johnson and Glenn A. Helmers The Dynamics of Water Quality Policy by Raymond J. Supalla and Saeed Ahmad Beef Industry Structure, Marketing and Policy Issues by Dillon M. Feuz UNLÕs Agribusiness Program Works for Students by Ronald J. Hanson and Jessica L. McKillip Focus on teaching Focus on research Focus on outreach Focus on peopl

Greening the Saskatchewan Grid

Saskatchewan is home to one of the most greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensive electricity sectors in Canada. To contribute to global efforts to mitigate climate change, and comply with Canadian coal-fired electricity regulations, the province must transform its electricity sector in the coming decades. This dissertation asks, what is the cost of reducing Saskatchewans electricity sector GHG emissions by 80% or more by 2050, using a mix of renewable electricity generating technologies? A renewable focused Greening the Saskatchewan Grid scenario is compared with a business-as-usual scenario and alternative pathways for reducing GHG emissions. Scenarios are selected using a linear programming model called the Saskatchewan Investment Model (SIM). The resulting scenarios are then tested using the Will-It-Run-Electricity Model (WIRE) to understand whether a given electricity generation mix can adequately meet hourly electricity demand. Scenarios are compared using indicators such as electricity cost, GHG emissions, land impact, water impact, and radioactive waste, and sustainability criteria such as path dependence. It is found that a Greening the Grid scenario can reduce electricity sector GHG emissions to near zero levels by 2040. There is an added financial cost for taking this leadership path, but the cost of the Greening the Grid scenario becomes comparable to competing scenarios when an escalating carbon price is assumed. This dissertation also presents the results of a deliberative modelling exercise. Three workshops were held in Saskatchewan that brought together diverse participants interested in the future of the Saskatchewan electricity system. The goal of the workshops was to understand whether deliberation, supported by an interactive version of SIM, could encourage shared understanding of the barriers to and opportunities for expanding renewable energy in Saskatchewan. Workshop participants did not shift their positions to a great extent, except to find consensus that there are political and policy barriers to renewable energy expansion. This research contributes to the energy transitions literature by providing a case study of the costs and barriers faced when pursuing a renewable energy focused electricity system. It also contributes to the field of deliberative ecological economics and provides an example of an ecological economics approach to energy policy modelling

Circular approach to viticulture: sustainable utilisation of vine shoots to reduce waste and optimise resources

openNegli ultimi anni, la sostenibilità ha guadagnato un'importanza sempre maggiore in molti settori industriali, compreso quello vitivinicolo. I produttori e gli operatori di questo settore stanno riconoscendo l'importanza di adottare pratiche sostenibili non solo per preservare l'ambiente, ma anche per garantire una gestione responsabile delle risorse e perseguire un vantaggio competitivo. In questo contesto, la valorizzazione dei sottoprodotti nel settore vitivinicolo si è rivelata un'opportunità promettente per raggiungere gli obiettivi di sostenibilità e migliorare la redditività delle aziende vinicole. Questa tesi di laurea si propone di approfondire l'argomento della valorizzazione dei sarmenti di vite e di analizzare le opportunità e le sfide che questa pratica offre

Sistemas de energía renovable en las áreas rurales: una demostración en el sector vitivinícola

La investigación ha tenido como objetivo elaborar una propuesta novedosa para el suministro de energía de origen 100% renovable en el medio rural, en modo no conectado a la red y aplicado a la satisfacción de consumos concretos del sector vitivinícola (viñedo).En el marco de la tesis, se desarrolló el proyecto LIFE REWIND (Renewable Energy in the Wine Industry), cofinanciado por la Comisión Europea. El prototipo se instaló en un viñedo de la bodega Viñas del Vero, en Barbastro (Huesca).La tesis incorpora un compendio de cinco artículos publicados en revistas con indexadas en Journal Citation Reports:1. Carroquino, J.; Dufo-López, R.; Bernal-Agustín, J. L. Sizing of off-grid renewable energy systems for drip irrigation in Mediterranean crops. Renewable Energy 2015, 76, 566–574, doi:10.1016/j.renene.2014.11.069.2. Carroquino, J.; Roda, V.; Mustata, R.; Yago, J.; Valiño, L.; Lozano, A.; Barreras, F. Combined production of electricity and hydrogen from solar energy and its use in the wine sector. Renewable Energy 2018, 122, 251–263, doi:10.1016/j.renene.2018.01.106.3. Roda, V.; Carroquino, J.; Valiño, L.; Lozano, A.; Barreras, F. Remodeling of a commercial plug-in battery electric vehicle to a hybrid configuration with a PEM fuel cell. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 2018, doi:10.1016/j.ijhydene.2017.12.171.4. Garcia-Casarejos, N.; Gargallo, P.; Carroquino, J. Introduction of renewable energy in the Spanish wine sector. Sustainability 2018, 10, doi:10.3390/su10093157.5. Carroquino, J.; Bernal-Agustín, J.-L.; Dufo-López, R. Standalone Renewable Energy and Hydrogen in an Agricultural Context: A Demonstrative Case. Sustainability 2019, 11, 951, doi:10.3390/SU11040951.El título y temática de la tesis es Sistemas de energía renovable en las áreas rurales: una demostración en el sector vitivinícola.La primera parte de la tesis abordó seis casos de estudio de riego en cultivos mediterráneos de viñedo y olivar, dimensionando los sistemas óptimos de generación renovable. Al término de esa fase, se elaboró el primer artículo “Sizing of off-grid renewable energy systems for drip irrigation in Mediterranean crops”. En la segunda fase, se abordó el diseño de un prototipo de sistema de energía renovable para viñedo. Dicho prototipo incluye la producción de hidrógeno. El diseño y los resultados se abordan en los artículos “Standalone Renewable Energy and Hydrogen in an Agricultural Context: A Demonstrative Case” y “Combined production of electricity and hydrogen from solar energy and its use in the wine sector”. El hidrógeno producido se utilizó en un vehículo eléctrico al que se le incorporó una pila de combustible, cuyo diseño y resultados se abordan en el artículo “Remodeling of a commercial plug-in battery electric vehicle to a hybrid configuration with a PEM fuel cell”.Finalmente, se estudió la disposición del sector del vino español a incorporar sistemas de energía renovable y se identificaron las vías para fomentar su adopción, en el artículo “Introduction of renewable energy in the Spanish wine sector”.<br /