Optimized Off-Grid Energy Systems Using Climate-Based Energy Demand for Soft-Walled Facilities

Remote contingency military operations often require the use of temporary facilities powered by inefficient diesel generators that are expensive to operate and maintain. Site planners can reduce operating costs by augmenting generators with hybrid energy systems, but they must select the optimal design configuration based on the region’s climate to meet the power demand at the lowest cost. To assist planners, this paper proposes two innovative, climate-optimized, hybrid energy system selection models. The first model is capable of selecting the facility insulation type, solar array size, and battery backup system to minimize the annual operating cost. The Hybrid Energy Renewable Delivery System (HERDS) model builds on this model by minimizing the entire system’s net present cost, and accounts for the transportation costs of airlifting the system to an operational site. To demonstrate the first model’s capability in various climates, model performance was evaluated for applications in southwest Asia and the Caribbean. An additional case study was performed on Clark Air Base, Philippines to highlight the HERDS model’s capabilities. The capability of both models is expected to support planners of remote sites in their ongoing effort to minimize fuel requirements, lower annual operating costs and increase site resiliency

Observational analysis of cumulus and stratocumulus entrainment using ozone

October 1987.Also issued as Clark Jay Weaver's dissertation (Ph.D.) -- Colorado State University, 1987.Includes bibliographical references.This study demonstrates that ozone mixing ratio (03) is conserved during moist convection and can be used as a tracer for cloud entrainment studies. The approach in Part I is to apply mixing line analysis to pairs of Oe, 01, total water mixing ratio and 03 derived from aircraft penetrations of growing cumulus congestus. Conclusions about entrainment from the mixing diagrams employing 03 agree with those using thermodynamic quantities. Any disagreement uncovered deficiencies in the water substance measurement technique. Ozone is conserved / and recommended for future entrainments studies. Other conclusions were that strong updrafts, thought to be a diluted adiabatic core, entrained laterally from the environment at the observation level. In contrast, the downshear region of the cloud entrained air from above the observation level as well as laterally. Entrainment instability is thought to be a cause of stratocumulus break up. At the cloud-overlying air interface, mixtures may form which are negatively buoyant due to cloud droplet evaporation. In Part II, quantities devised to predict breakup, ~ 2 , X and ~m, are obtained from aircraft observations and are tested against cloud observations from satellite. Often, the parameters indicate that breakup should occur but the clouds remain, sometimes for several days. One possible explanation for break up is vertical motion from passing synoptic cyclones. Several cases suggest that break up is associated with the downward vertical motion from the cold air advection behind a eastward moving cyclone.Sponsored by the National Science Foundation ATM-8114575, ATM-8312615, ATM-8311405, and ATM-8614956

Insulation Sensitivity Analysis for an Optimized Fabric Shelter Off-grid Hybrid Energy System

During military and disaster relief operations, connecting to an established electrical grid is rarely an option. In these situations, camps consisting of poorly insulated fabric shelters are predominantly powered by inefficient diesel generators that require frequent fuel resupply. In order to reduce the fuel demand of these generators, camps may utilize photovoltaic-battery systems. This paper presents an innovative cost-performance model capable of optimizing solar array size, battery backup system, and shelter insulation type to minimize the operating cost of powering a single fabric shelter. Model performance was evaluated using one year of insolation, weather and energy requirement data from a shelter located in Southwest Asia. For a shelter with R-4.7 insulation, the model generated an optimal system configuration consisting of a 251 m2 solar array and an 86 kWh lithium-ion battery. Over one year, this system would reduce the fuel consumption by 97% and save $1.1 million, including system purchase price, compared to a diesel generator. The results of the case study analysis demonstrate the model’s unique capability to optimize photovoltaic-battery system size and shelter insulation material in order to minimize annual operating costs

Cost Analysis of Optimized Islanded Energy Systems in a Dispersed Air Base Conflict

The United States Air Force has implemented a dispersed air base strategy to enhance mission effectiveness for near-peer conflicts. Asset dispersal places many smaller bases across a wide geographic area, which increases resupply requirements and logistical complexity. Hybrid energy systems reduce resupply requirements through sustainable, off-grid energy production. This paper presents a novel hybrid energy renewable delivery system (HERDS) model capable of (1) selecting the optimal hybrid energy system design that meets demand at the lowest net present cost and (2) optimizing the delivery of the selected system using existing Air Force cargo aircraft. The novelty of the model’s capabilities is displayed using Clark Air Base, Philippines as a case study. The HERDS model selected an optimal configuration consisting of a 676-kW photovoltaic array, an 1846-kWh battery system, and a 200-kW generator. This hybrid energy system predicts a 54% reduction in cost and an 88% reduction in fuel usage, as compared to the baseline Air Force system. The HERDS model is expected to support planners in their ongoing efforts to construct cost-effective sites that minimize the transport and logistic requirements associated with remote installations. Additionally, the results of this paper may be appropriate for broader civilian applications

Tooth enamel oxygen “isoscapes” show a high degree of human mobility in prehistoric Britain

A geostatistical model to predict human skeletal oxygen isotope values (δ(18)Op) in Britain is presented here based on a new dataset of Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age human teeth. The spatial statistics which underpin this model allow the identification of individuals interpreted as 'non-local' to the areas where they were buried (spatial outliers). A marked variation in δ(18)Op is observed in several areas, including the Stonehenge region, the Peak District, and the Yorkshire Wolds, suggesting a high degree of human mobility. These areas, rich in funerary and ceremonial monuments, may have formed focal points for people, some of whom would have travelled long distances, ultimately being buried there. The dataset and model represent a baseline for future archaeological studies, avoiding the complex conversions from skeletal to water δ(18)O values-a process known to be problematic

Radiocarbon dating results from the Beaker People Project, 2007: Scottish samples

The Beaker People Project is a major interdisciplinary five-year research programme, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council and led by one of the authors (Mike Parker Pearson of Sheffield University). It aims to investigate patterns of diet, mobility and health in British Beaker-associated skeletons (and in contemporaneous non-Beaker associated skeletons) to help address long-standing issues of identity, such as: are the people who were buried with Beaker pottery any different from their contemporaries who were not? Are possible immigrants identifiable, as was the case with the Amesbury Archer? The Project will investigate 250 sets of remains, from five geochemically-contrasting areas – namely eastern Scotland, Yorkshire, the Peak District, Wessex and Wales – using osteology, dental microwear, histology and pathology, and isotopic analysis of tooth enamel and bone (with carbon and nitrogen in bone providing information about diet, strontium and oxygen in tooth enamel providing information about mobility, and sulphur in bone providing information about coastal vs. non-coastal residence). A subset of the 250 individuals is to be radiocarbon-dated, to improve our understanding of Beaker chronology

Initiating New Community and Field Education Partnerships: The Congregational Social Work Education Initiative

At the start of a new academic year in August 2007, the Joint Master of Social Work Program in Greensboro, North Carolina, launched a new field education venture – The Congregational Social Work Education Initiative (CSWEI).  North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University (NCA&TSU) and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) created and operate a single master of social work program which opened in 1997.  The universities have a rich history of cooperation with managing a joint undergraduate social work internship program since 1978. The Council on Social Work Education has identified that field education as the signature pedagogy for social work education.  The success of any field education experience is dependent upon having students complete their field education experience within community- based programs and services.   However, such training opportunities have changed, which has placed more pressure in locating quality field educational sites or in the development of new models