A sustainable transport solution for a Slovenian town

Authorities in Slovenia and other EU member states are confronted with problems of city transportation. Fossil-fuel-based transport poses two chief problems—local and global pollution, and dwindling supplies and ever-increasing costs. An elegant solution is to gradually replace the present automobile fleet with electric vehicles (EVs). This article explores the economics and practical viability of the provision of solar electricity for the charging of EVs by installation of economical available Photovoltaic modules. A steep decline in the module, inverter and installation costs is reported herein. Present estimates indicate that for the prevailing solar climate of Celje—a medium-sized Slovenian town—the cost would be only 2 euros and 11 cents per kWh of generated solar electricity

A statistical analysis of wind power density based on the Weibull and Rayleigh models at the southern region of Turkey

The electric generating capacity of Turkey must be tripled by 2010 to meet Turkey’s electric power consumption, if the annual 8% growth in electric power consumption continues. Turkey has to make use of its renewable energy resources, such as wind and solar, not only to meet the increasing energy demand, but also for environmental reasons. Studies show that Iskenderun (36°35′N; 36°10′E) located on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey is amongst the possible wind energy generation regions. In the present study, the wind energy potential of the region is statistically analyzed based on 1-year measured hourly time-series wind speed data. The probability density distributions are derived from time-series data and distributional parameters are identified. Two probability density functions are fitted to the measured probability distributions on a monthly basis. The wind energy potential of the location is studied based on the Weibull and the Rayleigh models

Present status of photovoltaic energy in Turkey and life cycle techno-economic analysis of a grid-connected photovoltaic-house

The electricity consumption in Turkey increased on average 8.5% annually between 1990 and 2000, but decreased 1.2% in 2001 due to the economic crisis of 2000. The economic growth and electricity consumption are expected to continue in a similar rate of before the crisis in the coming years. Turkey is going through a change of policy in the energy sector, adopting a policy of privatisation. On the other hand, Turkey needs adaptations in the energy field for meeting the European standards as Turkey is seeking a full membership to the European Union. The alternative and renewable energy systems have been neglected so far in Turkey but must be included in the new energy programs. The renewable energy contribution in the total primary energy production is insignificant. The current installed photovoltaic capacity is in the level of a fraction of MW, which is tiny when compared to the solar energy potential in Turkey. In this article, a photovoltaic-house, which would have photovoltaic as the main energy source, is hypothetically designed to assess the techno-economic feasibility of grid-connected photovoltaic systems in Turkey. The grid electricity is used when the photovoltaic system fails to meet the required electricity. The performance of the photovoltaic system is simulated on an hourly basis to determine the autonomy level, using one year long hourly time-series solar radiation data of Ankara obtained from the Turkish State Meteorological Service. Then, some combinations of photovoltaics and grid electricity with different buy-back ratios are analysed.Photovoltaic energy in Turkey Grid-connected photovoltaic energy systems Performance-cost optimisation

Modelling and experimental verification of the operating current of mono-crystalline photovoltaic modules using four- and five-parameter models

This article presents the modelling and experimental verification of the operating current of a 120 W of mono-crystalline photovoltaic module using four- and five-parameter analytical models. The southern part of Turkey, where the experimental system is mounted, is particularly well suited to photovoltaic installations. The operating current of the photovoltaic module, calculated from the models, is validated based on a series of experimental measurements. As well as the current and voltage of the photovoltaic module, the environmental variables such as ambient temperature and solar irradiance were measured and used for validation of the operating current. The photovoltaic cell models considered in this article are drawn from the equivalent electrical circuit that includes light-generated current, diode reverse saturation current, and series and shunt resistances. The simplified four-parameter model assumes the shunt resistance as infinite and thus neglects it. After determining the model parameters, the operating current is calculated using both models and compared to the measured current produced by the photovoltaic module. It is shown that the complete five-parameter model predicts the operating current better than the simplified four-parameter model, especially around solar noon, when most of the power is produced.Photovoltaic cell models Four- and five-parameter photovoltaic cell models Calculation of operating photovoltaic current

Design and analysis of kinetic energy recovery system for automobiles: a case study for commuters in Edinburgh

Transport and its energetic and environmental impacts affect our daily lives. The transport sector is the backbone of the United Kingdom’s economy with 2.3 million people being employed in this sector. With a high dependency on transport for passengers and freight and with the knowledge that oil reserves are rapidly decreasing a solution has to be identified for conserving fuel. Passenger vehicles account for 61% of the transport fuel consumed in the U.K. and should be seen as a key area to tackle. Despite the introduction and development of electric powered cars, the widespread infrastructure that is required is not in place and has attributed to their slow uptake, as well as the fact that the electric car’s performance is not yet comparable with the conventional internal combustion engine. The benefits of the introduction of kinetic energy recovery systems to be used in conjunction with internal combustion engines and designed such that the system could easily be fitted into future passenger vehicles are examined. In this article, a review of automobile kinetic energy recovery system is presented. It has been argued that the ultracapacitor technology offers a sustainable solution. An optimum design for the urban driving cycle experienced in the city of Edinburgh has been introduced. The potential for fuel savings is also presente

Solar powered transport solution

Fossil-fuel based transport poses two chief problems - local and global pollution, and dwindling supplies and ever increasing costs. An elegant solution is to gradually replace the present automobile fleet with electric vehicles (EVs). This article explores the economics and practical viability of the provision of solar electricity for the charging of EVs by installation of economical available PV modules. A steep decline in the module, inverter and installation costs is reported herein. Present estimates indicate that for the prevailing solar climate of Celje - a medium-sized Slovenian town - the cost would be only 2.11 EUR cents/kWh of generated solar electricity

Sustainable transport solution for a medium-sized town in Turkey—A case study.

The United Nations projects that 60% of the world's population will be living in urban areas by 2030. Cities account for 2% of the world's area but 75% of the world's energy consumption. For over a century, the automobile has offered affordable freedom of movement within urban areas. However, with the current vehicle population exceeding 850 million, almost all of which are powered by internal combustion engines this situation is becoming unsustainable.In this article a critical review of the present energy budget of Turkey and its over dependence on imported fuel oil to support the transport sector is carried out. By way of having a closer examination of the energy needs for the private vehicle fleet, experimental work was undertaken for one town in western Turkey—Bolu. The latter town represents a typical municipality in Turkey with the possibility of replication of the present work to other similar conurbations. The work entailed determination of the driving cycle. A software program that has been expressly developed for this type of exercise was then used to ascertain the savings in fossil fuel that may be achieved via use of solar PV-electric vehicles. It has been presently argued that the use of electricity-propelled, two- and four-wheelers offers a sustainable solution

Modeling and Experimental Verification of Solar Radiation on a Sloped Surface, Photovoltaic Cell Temperature, and Photovoltaic Efficiency.

This article presents modeling and experimental verification of conversion of solar irradiation from horizontal to sloped surfaces and photovoltaic cell temperature and an analysis of photovoltaic conversion efficiency. Modeling and validation of the models are carried out on the basis of measurements conducted using the experimental system set in a city in southern Turkey. In addition to current, voltage, and cell temperature of the photovoltaic module, environmental variables such as ambient temperature and solar irradiance were measured and used for validation purposes. Correlation of conversion of solar irradiation from horizontal to sloped surfaces indicated that the presently used model is highly successful because of the fitting parameters: the coefficient of determination (R 2 )=0.97 , and the mean bias error (MBE)=−2.2 . Similarly, the cell temperature model used in the present article is validated by the following correlation parameters: (R 2 )=0.97 , MBE=0.7 , and root-mean-square error (RMSE)=2.1

Modeling and Experimental Verification of Solar Radiation on a Sloped Surface, Photovoltaic Cell Temperature, and Photovoltaic Efficiency.

This article presents modeling and experimental verification of conversion of solar irradiation from horizontal to sloped surfaces and photovoltaic cell temperature and an analysis of photovoltaic conversion efficiency. Modeling and validation of the models are carried out on the basis of measurements conducted using the experimental system set in a city in southern Turkey. In addition to current, voltage, and cell temperature of the photovoltaic module, environmental variables such as ambient temperature and solar irradiance were measured and used for validation purposes. Correlation of conversion of solar irradiation from horizontal to sloped surfaces indicated that the presently used model is highly successful because of the fitting parameters: the coefficient of determination (R 2 )=0.97 , and the mean bias error (MBE)=−2.2 . Similarly, the cell temperature model used in the present article is validated by the following correlation parameters: (R 2 )=0.97 , MBE=0.7 , and root-mean-square error (RMSE)=2.1