Solar Energy Resource Potential in Alaska

Solar energy applications are receiving attention in Alaska as in much of the rest of the country. Solar energy possibilities for Alaska include domestic water heating, hot-water or hot-air collection for space heating, and the use of passive solar heating in residential or commercial buildings. As a first analysis, this study concentrated on applying solar energy to domestic hot-water heating needs (not space heating) in Alaska, and an analysis of solar hot-water heating economics was performed using the F-CHART solar energy simulation computer program. Results indicate that solar energy cannot compete economically with oil-heated domestic hot water at any of the five study locations in Alaska, but that it may be economical in comparison with electrically heated hot water if solar collector systems can be purchased and installed for $20 to$25 per square foot.This work was made possible by a grant from the Solar Planning Office, West, 3333 Quebec, Denver, Colorado. It was performed as the Alaskan response to a western regional solar energy planning grant from the U. S. Department of Energy. The authors wish to acknowledge the support and cooperation of the Alaska State Department of Commerce, Division of Energy and Power Development, through whose efforts the grant was made available, especially Clarissa Quinlan, Grant Peterson, and Don Markle

Circular 64

Treatment of Alaska-produced food products by ionizing radiation may benefit the seafood and agricultural industries and the Alaskan consumer. A feasibility study to evaluate the potential social and economic benefits and risks as well as the costs of using the process in Alaska on Alaskan products is being coordinated by the Institute of Northern Engineering. A research and development project to determine effects on the quality o f Alaskan products could be the next phase in the introduction o f a new food-preservation technique to Alaska

A Thermal Performance Design Optimization Study for Small Alaskan Rural Schools

1.0 Summary - 1 2.0 Introduction - 3 2.1 Purpose - 5 2.2 Scope - 5 3.0 A Discussion of Thermal Standards - 7 3.1 Recent Federal Government Studies - 8 3.1.1 The ASHRAE Standard - 8 3.1.2 The United States Department of Energy Standard - 11 3.2 Requirements for Standards in Alaska - 18 4.0 Life Cycle Cost Evaluation Technique - 20 4.1 Purpose - 21 4.2 Prototype Building - 26 4.3 Envelope Design Alternatives - 33 4.4 Mechanical System Design Alternatives - 34 4.4.1 Existing Practice - 34 4.4.2 Modeling of Mechanical Systems - 42 4.4.3 Maintenance and Operations Considerations - 55 4.4.4 Cogeneration Concepts - 57 4.5 Electrical System Design Alternatives - 59 4.6 Cost Estimating - 63 4.6.1 Construction Costs for Thermal Envelopes - 63 4.6.2 Construction Costs for Mechanical and Electrical Systems - 64 4.6.3 Analysis of Maintenance Costs - 69 4.7 Statewide Climate and Costs Regions - 71 4.8 Thermal Modeling Techniques - 77 4.8.1 Fuel Inputs - 78 4.8.2 Domestic Hot Water Heating Energy - 78 4.8.3 Internal and Passive Solar Heat Gain - 81 4.8.4 Building Ventilation Scheduling- 83 4.8.5 Model Output - 83 4.8.6 Model Validation - 83 4.9 Methods of Economic Analysis - 84 4.9.1 Analysis of First Costs and Renovation Costs - 86 4.9.2 Analysis of Maintenance and Operations Costs - 86 4.9.3 Analysis of Annual Energy Consumption - 89 4.10 LCC Computer Model T-Load - 89 4.10.1 Program Description - 89 4.10.2 Data Set Organization - 91 4.10.3 Building Cases Considered - 93 4.10.4 Program Output - 94 5.0 Analysis - 97 5.1 Description of Life Cycle Cost Model Results - 98 5.2 Analysis of Results - 102 5.2.1 Design Concepts - 106 5.2.2 Exterior Envelope - 106 5.2.3 Interior Energy Systems -107 5.3 Sensitivity Analysis - 108 6.0 Conclusions - 112 6.1 Optimum Design Concepts -113 6.2 Sensitivity of Results - 114 6.3 Interior Energy Systems - 115 6.4 Applicability of Results - 115 6.5 Summary - 116 7.0 References - 118 8.0 Appendices Appendix A: T-Load Computer Program Output - A-1 T-Load NES-002 - A-2 T-Load NEE-002 - A-10 T-Load NED-002 - A-18 T-Load HES-002 A-26 T-Load HEE-002 - A-34 T-Load HED-002 - A-42 T-Load NHS-004 - A-50 T-Load NHE-004 - A-60 T-Load NHD-004 - A-70 T-Load HHS-004 - A-80 T-Load HHE-004 - A-90 T-Load HHD-004 - A-100 Appendix B: Total Life Cycle Cost Minimum Plots - B-

A Thermal Performance Design Optimization Study for Small Alaskan Rural Schools

1.0 Summary - 1 2.0 Introduction - 2 2.1 Purpose - 3 2.2 Scope - 4 3.0 A Discussion of Thermal Standards - 5 3.1 Recent Federal Government Studies - 5 3.2 Requirements for Standards in Alaska - 15 4.0 Life Cycle Cost Evaluation Technique - 17 4.1 - Prototype Building - 20 4.2 Envelope Design Alternatives - 27 4.3 Mechanical System Design Alternatives - 32 4.4 Electrical System Design Alternatives - 46 4.5 Cost Estimating - 49 4.5.1 Construction Costs for Thermal Envelopes - 49 4.5.2 Construction Costs for Mechanical and Electrical Systems - 52 4.5.3 Analysis of Maintenance Costs - 57 4.6 Statewide Climate and Costs Regions - 59 4.7 Thermal Modeling Techniques - 62 4.8 Methods of Economic Analysis - 66 4.8.1 Analysis of First Costs and Renovation Costs - 68 4.8.2 - Analysis of Maintenance and Operations Costs - 70 4.8.3 Analysis of Annual Energy Consumption - 72 4.9 LCC Computer Model "MAIN" - 74 5.0 Analysis of Results - 77 5.1 Description of Life Cycle Cost Model Results - 77 5.2 Selection of Least Life Cycle Cost Design Alternatives - 112 6.0 Conclusions and Recommendations - 117 6.1 Conclusions - 117 6.2 Recommendations - 119 7.0 References - 120 8.0 Appendices Appendix 1: Electrical Systems Design Appendix 2: Climate Data Appendix 3: Listing of Analysis Program Appendix 4: Listing of Program Variables Appendix 5: Energy Use Summary Appendix 6: Life Cycle Cost Summar

Inflammation-Associated Nitrotyrosination Affects TCR Recognition through Reduced Stability and Alteration of the Molecular Surface of the MHC Complex

Nitrotyrosination of proteins, a hallmark of inflammation, may result in the production of MHC-restricted neoantigens that can be recognized by T cells and bypass the constraints of immunological self-tolerance. Here we biochemically and structurally assessed how nitrotyrosination of the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV)-associated immunodominant MHC class I-restricted epitopes gp33 and gp34 alters T cell recognition in the context of both H-2Db and H-2Kb. Comparative analysis of the crystal structures of H-2Kb/gp34 and H-2Kb/NY-gp34 demonstrated that nitrotyrosination of p3Y in gp34 abrogates a hydrogen bond interaction formed with the H-2Kb residue E152. As a consequence the conformation of the TCR-interacting E152 was profoundly altered in H-2Kb/NY-gp34 when compared to H-2Kb/gp34, thereby modifying the surface of the nitrotyrosinated MHC complex. Furthermore, nitrotyrosination of gp34 resulted in structural over-packing, straining the overall conformation and considerably reducing the stability of the H-2Kb/NY-gp34 MHC complex when compared to H-2Kb/gp34. Our structural analysis also indicates that nitrotyrosination of the main TCR-interacting residue p4Y in gp33 abrogates recognition of H-2Db/gp33-NY complexes by H-2Db/gp33-specific T cells through sterical hindrance. In conclusion, this study provides the first structural and biochemical evidence for how MHC class I-restricted nitrotyrosinated neoantigens may enable viral escape and break immune tolerance

Passive Solar Heating in Alaska

The relationship between the four elements of passive solar design for small buildings; south facing windows, thermal mass, thermal insulating shutters, and insulation thickness, were studied by computer simulation to determine their long-term effects on energy consumption. Solar and weather data for Fairbanks, Alaska, 65(degrees)N latitude, was the input to the TRNSYS Program used to perform the dynamic simulations. Results for an entire heating season are presented. Overall it is shown that shutters and insulation are the most important elements in the design of energy conserving structures for the north. Thermal mass plays a lesser role, especially during the mid-winter months when direct solar gain is balanced by the building envelope losses

Solar Assisted Culvert Thawing Device Phase I

A solar assisted culvert thawing device has been designed, constructed, and installed as an alternate method for the prevention and control of roadway flooding and icing. The proposed solar thawing device is a maintenance-free system and relieves the labor-intensive and expensive culvert thawing methods presently use

Air-to-Air Heat Recovery Devices for Small Buildings

With the escalation of fuel costs, many people are turning to tighter, better insulated buildings as a means of achieving energy conservation. This is especially true in norther climates, where heating seasons are long and severe. Installing efficient well sealed vapor barriers and weather stripping and caulking around doors and windows reduces cold air infiltration but can lead to damaging moisture buildup, as well as unpleasant and even unhealthy accumulations of odors and gases. To provide the necessary ventilation air to maintain air quality in homes while holding down energy costs, air-to-air heat exchangers have been proposed for residential and other simple structures normally not served by an active or forced ventilation system. Four basic types of air-to-air heat exchangers are suited for small scale use: rotary, coil-loop, heat pipe, and plate. The operating principles of each of these units are presented and their individual advantages and disadvantages are discussed. A test program has been initiated to evaluate the performance of a few commercial units as well as several units designed and/or built at the University of Alaska. Preliminary results from several of these tests are presented along with a critique on their design.1. Abstract - 1 2. Introduction - 1 3. Moisture Control - 3 4. Heat Recovery Devices - 4 5. Heat Recovery Device Performance - 7 6. Potential Energy Savings - 11 7. Frosting Problems - 13 8. Cross Contamination in Heat Exchangers - 17 9. Small Scale Heat Exchangers - 22 10. Test Program - 31 11. Economics - 42 12. Conclusions - 42 13. Acknowledgement - 45 14. References - 46 15. Appendix I - List of Manufactures - 4