Energy and thermal performance evaluation of an electrified snow removal system at airports using numerical modeling and field measurements

Airports are moving toward the utilization of clean energy technologies along with the implementation of practices that reduce local sources of pollution. This includes replacing fossil fuel-based with electricity-based equipment, technologies, and operations. However, given the anticipated energy demands needed for airport operations electrification, it is important to study airport energy demand profile changes after implementing such systems. Electrically-conductive concrete (ECON) is currently a focus of heated pavement design for replacing conventional practices of removing snow and ice. ECON heated pavement systems (HPSs) use electricity to heat the surface of the pavement. Since experimental studies are resource intensive and the performance of ECON HPS depends on weather conditions, developing a field data-validated numerical model enables the evaluation of its long term energy costs. In this research, a finite element (FE) model is developed and experimentally-validated using two proposed model-updating methods for full-scale ECON HPS test slabs constructed at Des Moines International Airport (DSM), Iowa. The modeling methods are able to predict energy demands and average surface temperatures within 2% and 13% respectively, across a range of snowfall rates and weather conditions. This validated model is then used to evaluate the energy consumption and thermal performance of ECON HPS at DSM, using weather conditions during typical snow events derived from typical meteorological year (TMY) data as model inputs. The estimated power demand ranges from 325 to 460 W/m2 for different weather conditions; the monthly consumption is the highest in a typical January, ranging from 165 to 446 MWh for the smallest and largest typical airport terminal gate sizes. The results of this study demonstrate the accuracy benefits of the use of model updating methods, and provide a validated tool that can be used to evaluate the energy demand of ECON HPS and develop control strategies for minimizing the demand in a diversity of weather scenarios and locations

Energy and thermal performance evaluation of an automated snow and ice removal system at airports using numerical modeling and field measurements

Airports are moving toward utilizing clean energy technologies along with the implementation of practices that reduce local emissions. This includes replacing fossil fuel-based with electricity-based operations. These changes would significantly impact the energy demand profile of airports. Electrically-conductive concrete (ECON) is currently a focus of heated pavement design for replacing conventional snow removal practices. ECON heated pavement systems (HPSs) use electricity to heat the pavement surface. Since experimental studies are resource intensive and ECON HPS performance depends on weather conditions, developing a field data-validated numerical model enables its long term energy performance evaluation. In this research, a finite element (FE) model is developed and experimentally-validated using two proposed model-updating methods for full-scale ECON HPS test slabs constructed at Des Moines International Airport (DSM) in Iowa. The model predicts energy demands and average surface temperatures within 2% and 13% respectively. The estimated power demand ranges from 325 to 460 W/m2 for different weather conditions. The results of this study provide a validated tool that can be used to evaluate the energy demand of ECON HPS. Studying the energy demand of ECON HPS opens the way for developing control strategies to optimize its energy use which will contribute to developing sustainable communities

Carbon fiber-based electrically conductive concrete for salt-free deicing of pavements

Traditional methods of removing snow/ice from pavements involve application of deicing salts and mechanical removal that carry environmental concerns. In this study, the feasibility of applying carbon fiber-based electrically conductive concrete (ECON) in heated pavement systems (HPS) as an alternative to traditional methods was investigated. Optimum carbon fiber dosage to achieve desirable electrical conductivity and avoid excessive fiber use was determined by studying carbon fiber percolation in different cementitious composites. System design was evaluated by finite element (FE) analysis. Heating performance in terms of energy consumption regime was studied by quasi-long-term (460-day) experimental study using a prototype ECON slab. Percolation transition zone of carbon fiber in paste, mortar, and concrete were respectively 0.25–1% (Vol.), 0.6–1% (Vol.), and 0.5–0.75% (Vol.). Optimum fiber dosage in ECON with respect to conductivity was 0.75%, resulting in volume conductivity of 1.86 × 10−2 (S/cm) at 28 days and 1.22 × 10−2(S/cm) at 460 days of age. Electrical-energy-to-heat-energy conversion efficiency decreased from 66% at 28 days to 50% at 460-day age. The results showed that the studied technology could be effectively applied for ice/snow melting on pavement surfaces and provide a feasible alternative to traditional methods if the ECON mixing proportions and system configurations are made with necessary precautions

Küçük topluluklar için yenilenebilir enerji temelli mikro-şebeke değerlendirmesi

Deploying renewable energy systems to supply electricity faces many challenges related to cost and variability of the renewable resources. One possible solution to these challenges is to hybridize renewable energy systems with conventional power systems and include energy storage systems. In this study, the feasibility analysis of two cases for electricity generation systems as (i) photovoltaic (PV)-battery-pumped hydro system (PHS) and (ii) PV-wind-battery are presented as a Renewable Energy Micro-Grid (REMG) for a university campus-scale community on a Mediterranean island. The island has an isolated grid which generally utilizes fuel-oil based steam and diesel electric generators. Models for PV, wind turbine, battery and PHS systems are presented to estimate energy production, and net present cost (NPC) and levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) as economic metrics in the feasibility analysis. As a case study, Middle East Technical University Northern Cyprus Campus (METU NCC) with an average power demand of about 1 MW is considered. A parametric study is performed using a newly developed model for combining short-term and long-term energy storage systems integrated with PV systems for case (i) and HOMER software for case (ii) to determine the sizes of the components for the REMG. Both models are using hourly time-steps. In case (i), battery and PHS are considered as short- and long- term storage systems. For the studied ranges and considering the availability of water resources required for PHS, the lowest NPC of 40.65M USD is found for a configuration with 2.7 MW PV, 0.3 MWh battery and 2.5 MWh PHS. In case (ii), among all the configurations, two alternate configurations are proposed, one with storage and one without storage. Both configurations have identical NPCs of 38.3M USD, renewable energy fractions of 38% and 36%, respectively, and avoid approximately 4000 tons of CO2 emissions per year. The system without storage consists of a 2 MW PV plant and 3 MW wind power system, and the system with storage consists of a 2 MW PV system, 3.75 MW wind power system and a 1 MWh battery. In both cases, the resulting LCOE is approximately 0.15 USD/kWh whilst the electricity tariff for METU NCC is approximately 0.175 USD/kWh.Elektrik sağlamak için kurulan yenilenebilir enerji sistemleri, maliyet ve yenilenebilir enerji kaynaklarının değişkenlik göstermesi ile ilgili birçok zorlukla karşılaşmaktadırlar. Bu zorluklara karşı çözümlerden biri ise geleneksel elektrik üretim sistemlerini yenilenebilir enerji üretim sistemleri ile harmanlamak ve enerji depolama sistemlerini eklemektir. Bu çalışmada Akdeniz’deki bir adada bulunan kampüs ölçeğindeki bir topluluk için yenilenebilir enerji içeren mikro-şebeke olarak iki farklı elektrik üretme sisteminin fizibilite çalışması yapılmıştır. Bu iki sistem şu şekildedir: (i) fotovoltaik-akü/pil-pompajlı su depolama sistemi ve (ii) fotovoltaikrüzgâr türbini-akü/pil. Örnek incelenen ada, anakaraya bağlantısı olmayan bir şebekeye sahiptir ve fuel oil yakan buhar ve dizel santralleri ile şebekeye elektrik sağlamaktadır. Bu çalışmada fotovoltaik güneş enerjisi sistemi, rüzgâr türbini, akü/pil ve pompajlı su depolama sistemine ait modeller; enerji üretimini, net bugünkü maliyeti (NPC) ve seviyelendirilmiş elektrik maliyetini (LCOE) tahmin etmek için verilmiştir. Örnek çalışma olarak, anlık ortalama elektrik tüketimi yaklaşık 1 MW olan Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi Kuzey Kıbrıs Kampusu (ODTÜ KKK) ele alınmıştır. Sistem (i) için yeni geliştirilmiş model ile fotovoltaik sistemleri ile bütünleşik kısa ve uzun vadeli depolama sistemlerinin ve Sistem (ii) için HOMER yazılımı ile yenilenebilir enerji içeren mikro-şebekenin bileşenlerinin boyutlandırması parametrik çalışma olarak yapılmıştır. Bütün modellerde saatlik veriler kullanılmıştır. Sistem (i) bileşenlerinden akü/pil kısa vadeli ve pompajlı su depolama sistemi ise uzun vadeli depolama sistemleri olarak ele alınmıştır. Çalışılan parametre aralığı için ve pompajlı su depolama sistemi için gerekli su kaynaklarını düşünülerek elde edilen sonuçlara göre en düşük NPC 40,65 milyon USD ile 2,7 MW’lık fotovoltaik sistemi, 0,3 MWh’lık akü/pil ve 2,5 MWh’lik pompajlı su depolama sisteminden oluşan tasarıma ait çıkmıştır. Sistem (ii) için incelenen bütün tasarımlar arasında iki alternatif sistem önerilmektedir. Bu sistemlerden birisinde depolama sistemi mevcuttur, diğerinde ise depolama sistemi yoktur. Her iki alternatifin de NPC değerleri yaklaşık 38,3 milyon USD olup üretilen enerjide yenilenebilir enerji oranı %36 ile %38 aralığındadır. Ayrıca bu alternatiflerin yıllık yaklaşık 4000 ton CO2 salınımı önlemesi öngörülmektedir. Depolama sistemi olmayan alternatif, 2 MW’lık fotovoltaik sistemi ile 3 MW’lık rüzgâr türbinlerinden oluşmaktadır. Depolama sistemi olan alternatif ise 2 MW’lık fotovoltaik sistemi, 3,75 MW’lık rüzgâr türbinleri ile 1 MWh’lik akü/pil depolama sisteminden oluşmaktadır. ODTÜ KKK için elektrik tarifesi yaklaşık 0,175 USD/kWh olup her iki alternatifin LCOE değeri 0,15 USD/kWh civarındadırM.S. - Master of Scienc

Energy and thermal performance evaluation of an electrified snow removal system at airports using numerical modeling and field measurements

Airports are moving toward the utilization of clean energy technologies along with the implementation of practices that reduce local sources of pollution. This includes replacing fossil fuel-based with electricity-based equipment, technologies, and operations. However, given the anticipated energy demands needed for airport operations electrification, it is important to study airport energy demand profile changes after implementing such systems. Electrically-conductive concrete (ECON) is currently a focus of heated pavement design for replacing conventional practices of removing snow and ice. ECON heated pavement systems (HPSs) use electricity to heat the surface of the pavement. Since experimental studies are resource intensive and the performance of ECON HPS depends on weather conditions, developing a field data-validated numerical model enables the evaluation of its long term energy costs. In this research, a finite element (FE) model is developed and experimentally-validated using two proposed model-updating methods for full-scale ECON HPS test slabs constructed at Des Moines International Airport (DSM), Iowa. The modeling methods are able to predict energy demands and average surface temperatures within 2% and 13% respectively, across a range of snowfall rates and weather conditions. This validated model is then used to evaluate the energy consumption and thermal performance of ECON HPS at DSM, using weather conditions during typical snow events derived from typical meteorological year (TMY) data as model inputs. The estimated power demand ranges from 325 to 460 W/m2 for different weather conditions; the monthly consumption is the highest in a typical January, ranging from 165 to 446 MWh for the smallest and largest typical airport terminal gate sizes. The results of this study demonstrate the accuracy benefits of the use of model updating methods, and provide a validated tool that can be used to evaluate the energy demand of ECON HPS and develop control strategies for minimizing the demand in a diversity of weather scenarios and locations.</p

Energy and thermal performance evaluation of an automated snow and ice removal system at airports using numerical modeling and field measurements

Airports are moving toward utilizing clean energy technologies along with the implementation of practices that reduce local emissions. This includes replacing fossil fuel-based with electricity-based operations. These changes would significantly impact the energy demand profile of airports. Electrically-conductive concrete (ECON) is currently a focus of heated pavement design for replacing conventional snow removal practices. ECON heated pavement systems (HPSs) use electricity to heat the pavement surface. Since experimental studies are resource intensive and ECON HPS performance depends on weather conditions, developing a field data-validated numerical model enables its long term energy performance evaluation. In this research, a finite element (FE) model is developed and experimentally-validated using two proposed model-updating methods for full-scale ECON HPS test slabs constructed at Des Moines International Airport (DSM) in Iowa. The model predicts energy demands and average surface temperatures within 2% and 13% respectively. The estimated power demand ranges from 325 to 460 W/m2 for different weather conditions. The results of this study provide a validated tool that can be used to evaluate the energy demand of ECON HPS. Studying the energy demand of ECON HPS opens the way for developing control strategies to optimize its energy use which will contribute to developing sustainable communities.This is a manuscript of an article published as Sadati, SM Sajed, Kristen Cetin, Halil Ceylan, Alireza Sassani, and Sunghwan Kim. "Energy and thermal performance evaluation of an automated snow and ice removal system at airports using numerical modeling and field measurements," Sustainable Cities and Society (2018). doi: 10.1016/j.scs.2018.08.021. Posted with permission.</p

Design and Full-scale Implementation of the Largest Operational Electrically Conductive Concrete Heated Pavement System

Many aviation and transportation agencies allocate significant time and resources each year to remove ice and snow from their paved surfaces to achieve a safe, accessible, and operational transportation network. An electrically conductive concrete (ECON) heated pavement system (HPS) has been shown to be a promising alternative to the conventional snow removal operations using snowplows and deicing chemicals, which is time-consuming, labor-intensive and environmentally unfriendly. ECON HPS utilizes the inherent electrical resistance of concrete to maintain the pavement surface above freezing and thus prevent snow and ice accumulation on the surface. This sustainable concrete pavement system improves the resiliency of infrastructure by allowing it to be safe, open, and accessible during even harsh winter storms. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the full-scale implementation of 10 ECON HPS slabs at the Iowa Department of Transportation headquarter south parking lot in Ames, Iowa. This study consists of system design and control, field implementation, and sensor instrumentation procedures for the construction of the ECON system, which took place on October 2018. A programmable logic controller (PLC) was designed, programmed, and utilized to control, operate, and monitor the system remotely. The heating performance of the remotely-operated ECON slabs was evaluated using the instrumented sensors under snow and ice events in 2019. The performance evaluation showed promising results in providing snow, and ice-free pavement surfaces through several winter weather events

Design and Full-scale Implementation of the Largest Operational Electrically Conductive Concrete Heated Pavement System

Many aviation and transportation agencies allocate significant time and resources each year to remove ice and snow from their paved surfaces to achieve a safe, accessible, and operational transportation network. An electrically conductive concrete (ECON) heated pavement system (HPS) has been shown to be a promising alternative to the conventional snow removal operations using snowplows and deicing chemicals, which is time-consuming, labor-intensive and environmentally unfriendly. ECON HPS utilizes the inherent electrical resistance of concrete to maintain the pavement surface above freezing and thus prevent snow and ice accumulation on the surface. This sustainable concrete pavement system improves the resiliency of infrastructure by allowing it to be safe, open, and accessible during even harsh winter storms. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the full-scale implementation of 10 ECON HPS slabs at the Iowa Department of Transportation headquarter south parking lot in Ames, Iowa. This study consists of system design and control, field implementation, and sensor instrumentation procedures for the construction of the ECON system, which took place on October 2018. A programmable logic controller (PLC) was designed, programmed, and utilized to control, operate, and monitor the system remotely. The heating performance of the remotely-operated ECON slabs was evaluated using the instrumented sensors under snow and ice events in 2019. The performance evaluation showed promising results in providing snow, and ice-free pavement surfaces through several winter weather events.This is a manuscript of an article published as Malakooti, Amir, Wei Shen Theh, SM Sajed Sadati, Halil Ceylan, Sunghwan Kim, Mani Mina, Kristen Cetin, and Peter C. Taylor. "Design and Full-scale Implementation of the Largest Operational Electrically Conductive Concrete Heated Pavement System." Construction and Building Materials 255 (2020): 119229. DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.119229. Posted with permission.</p

Carbon fiber-based electrically conductive concrete for salt-free deicing of pavements

Traditional methods of removing snow/ice from pavements involve application of deicing salts and mechanical removal that carry environmental concerns. In this study, the feasibility of applying carbon fiber-based electrically conductive concrete (ECON) in heated pavement systems (HPS) as an alternative to traditional methods was investigated. Optimum carbon fiber dosage to achieve desirable electrical conductivity and avoid excessive fiber use was determined by studying carbon fiber percolation in different cementitious composites. System design was evaluated by finite element (FE) analysis. Heating performance in terms of energy consumption regime was studied by quasi-long-term (460-day) experimental study using a prototype ECON slab. Percolation transition zone of carbon fiber in paste, mortar, and concrete were respectively 0.25–1% (Vol.), 0.6–1% (Vol.), and 0.5–0.75% (Vol.). Optimum fiber dosage in ECON with respect to conductivity was 0.75%, resulting in volume conductivity of 1.86 × 10−2 (S/cm) at 28 days and 1.22 × 10−2(S/cm) at 460 days of age. Electrical-energy-to-heat-energy conversion efficiency decreased from 66% at 28 days to 50% at 460-day age. The results showed that the studied technology could be effectively applied for ice/snow melting on pavement surfaces and provide a feasible alternative to traditional methods if the ECON mixing proportions and system configurations are made with necessary precautions.This is a manuscript of an article published as Sassani, Alireza, Ali Arabzadeh, Halil Ceylan, Sunghwan Kim, SM Sajed Sadati, Kasthurirangan Gopalakrishnan, Peter C. Taylor, and Hesham Abdualla. "Carbon fiber-based electrically conductive concrete for salt-free deicing of pavements." Journal of Cleaner Production 203 (2018): 799-809. DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.08.315. Posted with permission.</p