Potential Study of Solar Thermal Cooling in Sub-Mediterranean Climate

Air conditioning is becoming increasingly important in the energy supply of buildings worldwide. There has been a dramatic increase in energy requirements for cooling buildings in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This is before taking the effects of climate change into account, which will also entail a sharp increase in cooling requirements. This paper presents the potential of using a solar thermal absorption cooling system in Sub-Mediterranean Climate. Four sites in Jordan are now equipped with water-lithium bromide (H2O-LiBr) absorption chillers with a total nominal capacity of 530 kW. The focus of the paper was on the pilot system at the German Jordanian University (GJU) campus with a cooling capacity of 160 kW. The system was designed and integrated in order to support two existing conventional compression chillers with a nominal cooling capacity of 700 kW. The system was economically evaluated based on the observed cooling capacity results with a Coefficient of Performance (COP) equals 0.32, and compared with the values observed for a COP of 0.79 which is claimed by the manufacturer. Several techniques were implemented to evaluate the overall economic viability in-depth such as present worth value, internal rate of return, payback period, and levelized cost of electricity. The aforementioned economic studies showed that the absorption cooling system is deemed not feasible for the observed COP of 0.32 over a lifespan of 25 years. The net present value was equal to −137,684 JD and a payback period of 44 years which exceeds the expected lifespan of the project. Even for an optimal operation of COP = 0.79, the discounted payback period was equal to 23 years and the Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) was equal to 0.65 JD/kWh. The survey shows that there are several weaknesses for applying solar thermal cooling in developing countries such as the high cost of these systems and, more significantly, the lack of experience for such systems.DFG, 414044773, Open Access Publizieren 2019 - 2020 / Technische Universität Berli

Potential and Feasibility Study of Hybrid Wind−Hydroelectric Power System with Water-Pumping Storage: Jordan as a Case Study

Periodic daily fluctuating demand for energy and power is a perceptible phenomenon, resulting in some moments of low demand for power and energy related to the huge energy comes from renewable energy systems, and some moments of peak load demand. This phenomenon, when combined with the non-stationary operation of huge capacity of renewable energy systems, results in no stability of voltage and frequency. To assure continuous network stability and to avoid energy losses from renewable energy systems that are subject to such control system, a hybrid system with energy–power storage in the form of pumped-hydro storage is considered the most suitable technically. This paper presents the design, modeling, analysis, and feasibility study of a hybrid wind and water-pumping storage system. The system was designed and analyzed for King Talal Dam (KTD), which is in Northern Jordan. The importance of this study is that it is directed mainly to Jordan and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region in general. The Jordanian renewable energy market is a promising arena that encourages developers, investors, engineers, and companies to develop and install pure renewable energy systems and renewable energy hybrid projects for the generation of electricity. The analysis of wind data is carried out using the “windfarm” software with 5.16 m/s as average wind speed. It is followed by the design of the hybrid system, which is simulated for a daily operation of 2–3 h as peak load hours. Based on the technical outcomes, cost study and feasibility analyses are carried out with Jordanian market prices. The total estimated annual energy production is 26,663,933 kWh from 10 MW wind farm and 5.2 MW pumping storage system. The aforementioned studies showed that a similar hybrid system is not always fully commercially feasible. However, a pure pumped-storage system proved to be technically feasible and assisting the grid. The whole project analysis determines that such a system boosts the operational stability of the grid, increases the penetration of renewable energy systems and reduces the energy import. In addition, 15,100,000 tons of CO2-equivalent is estimated as annual emissions reduction in this study.DFG, 414044773, Open Access Publizieren 2019 - 2020 / Technische Universität Berli

Wastewater Reclamation in Major Jordanian Industries: A Viable Component of a Circular Economy

Water scarcity remains the major looming challenge that is facing Jordan. Wastewater reclamation is considered as an alternative source of fresh water in semi-arid areas with water shortage or increased consumption. In the present study, the current status of wastewater reclamation and reuse in Jordan was analyzed considering 30 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). The assessment was based on the WWWTPs’ treatment processes in Jordan, the flowrates scale, and the effluents’ average total dissolved solid (TDS) contents. Accordingly, 60% of the WWTPs in Jordan used activated sludge as a treatment technology; 30 WWTPs were small scale (<1 × 104 m3/day); and a total of 17.932 million m3 treated wastewater had low TDS (<1000 ppm) that generally can be used in industries with relatively minimal cost of treatment. Moreover, the analysis classified the 26 million m3 groundwater abstraction by major industries in Jordanian governorates. The results showed that the reclaimed wastewater can fully offset the industrial demand of fresh water in Amman, Zarqa, and Aqaba governorates. Hence, the environmental assessment showed positive impacts of reclaimed wastewater reuse scenario in terms of water depletion (saving of 72.55 million m3 groundwater per year) and climate change (17.683 million kg CO2Eq reduction). The energy recovery assessment in the small- and medium-scale WWTPs (<10 × 104 m3/day) revealed that generation of electricity by anaerobic sludge digestion equates potentially to an offset of 0.11–0.53 kWh/m3. Finally, several barriers and prospects were put forth to help the stakeholders when considering entering into an agreement to supply and/or reuse reclaimed water

Analysis and Design Methodology of a Novel Integration Topology of Storageless Off-Grid PV Systems

In this manuscript, a novel topology is proposed to integrate on-grid and off-grid PV systems supplying the same load premises. The load side is investigated and analyzed, and critical and non-critical loads are separated in terms of power supply. Critical and seasonal loads usually place stress on the grid’s point of common coupling (PCC). In the proposed topology, they are supplied by a novel topology for an off-grid solar pump PV system that lacks energy storage integration. The lack of energy storage batteries requires a novel design and sizing scheme for the off-grid PV system, and a methodology is proposed in this manuscript. The on-grid PV system is conventionally designed and coupled with the storage-less off-grid PV system to maintain load supply. The proposed methodology minimizes the ratings of the PCC and hence relieves stress on congested grids with renewable energy penetration, especially in condensed urban areas. The proposed structure enables the operation of microgrids with high penetration levels of renewable energy resources and minimizes dependance on storage batteries for off-grid systems. A case study is presented and thoroughly analyzed with the proposed methodology. The outcomes of the design process are evaluated economically and were found to be feasible, as is detailed and supported with simulation results

Modelling, Analysis, and Optimization of the Effects of Pulsed Electrophoretic Deposition Parameters on TiO2 Films Properties Using Desirability Optimization Methodology

Titanium dioxide thin films immobilized over treated stainless steel were prepared using the pulsed electrophoretic deposition technique. The effects of process parameters (deposition time, applied voltage, initial concentration, and duty cycle) on photocatalytic efficiency and adhesion properties were investigated. To optimize the multiple properties of the thin film, a response surface methodology was combined with a desirability optimization methodology. Additionally, a quadratic model was established based on response surface analysis. The precision of the models was defined based on the analysis of variance (ANOVA), R2, and the normal plot of residuals. Then, a desirability function was used to optimize the multiple responses of the TiO2 thin film. The optimum values of applied voltage, catalyst concentration, duty cycle, and deposition time were 4 V, 16.34 g/L, 90% DC, and 150 s, respectively. Under these conditions, the decolorization efficiency of tested dye solution reached 82.75%. The values of critical charges LC1, LC2, and LC3 were 5.9 N, 12.5 N, and 16.7 N, respectively

Modelling, Analysis, and Optimization of the Effects of Pulsed Electrophoretic Deposition Parameters on TiO2 Films Properties Using Desirability Optimization Methodology

Titanium dioxide thin films immobilized over treated stainless steel were prepared using the pulsed electrophoretic deposition technique. The effects of process parameters (deposition time, applied voltage, initial concentration, and duty cycle) on photocatalytic efficiency and adhesion properties were investigated. To optimize the multiple properties of the thin film, a response surface methodology was combined with a desirability optimization methodology. Additionally, a quadratic model was established based on response surface analysis. The precision of the models was defined based on the analysis of variance (ANOVA), R2, and the normal plot of residuals. Then, a desirability function was used to optimize the multiple responses of the TiO2 thin film. The optimum values of applied voltage, catalyst concentration, duty cycle, and deposition time were 4 V, 16.34 g/L, 90% DC, and 150 s, respectively. Under these conditions, the decolorization efficiency of tested dye solution reached 82.75%. The values of critical charges LC1, LC2, and LC3 were 5.9 N, 12.5 N, and 16.7 N, respectively.TU Berlin, Open-Access-Mittel – 202

Analysis and Design Methodology of a Novel Integration Topology of Storageless Off-Grid PV Systems

In this manuscript, a novel topology is proposed to integrate on-grid and off-grid PV systems supplying the same load premises. The load side is investigated and analyzed, and critical and non-critical loads are separated in terms of power supply. Critical and seasonal loads usually place stress on the grid’s point of common coupling (PCC). In the proposed topology, they are supplied by a novel topology for an off-grid solar pump PV system that lacks energy storage integration. The lack of energy storage batteries requires a novel design and sizing scheme for the off-grid PV system, and a methodology is proposed in this manuscript. The on-grid PV system is conventionally designed and coupled with the storage-less off-grid PV system to maintain load supply. The proposed methodology minimizes the ratings of the PCC and hence relieves stress on congested grids with renewable energy penetration, especially in condensed urban areas. The proposed structure enables the operation of microgrids with high penetration levels of renewable energy resources and minimizes dependance on storage batteries for off-grid systems. A case study is presented and thoroughly analyzed with the proposed methodology. The outcomes of the design process are evaluated economically and were found to be feasible, as is detailed and supported with simulation results