Economic feasibility of small wind turbines for domestic consumers in Egypt based on the new feed-in tariff

This paper provides an overview of the wind power potential at different regions in Egypt, along the Mediterranean and Red Sea, and the Western desert. A further technical and economic assessment is conducted for the electricity generation with 8 different small wind turbines at 17 locations. The annual electricity generation from selected wind turbines is evaluated. The obtained data are presented and discussed investigating the net present value and the payback period analyzing the profitability of selected wind turbines. The dependence of the turbine profitability from the feed-in tariff is specifically addressed

Assessment of CO2 bubble generation influence on direct methanol fuel cell performance

Fuel cells fed directly by liquid methanol represent a class of suitable devices for supply portable small power applications. To become a market attractive technology some issues must be properly addressed and resolved. The presence of gaseous CO2 generated in the anode channels is the main issue as it can hinder the free surface of the Gas Diffusion Layer reducing the active area and the methanol flux through the porous media towards the catalyst layer. In this work the influence of gas phase fraction on the cell performance and the relationship with the operating parameters such as air flow rate, methanol-water solution flow rate and current density is investigated. The characterization of CO2 bubbles flow in the anode channel is carried out

Economic Feasibility of Small Wind Turbines for Domestic Consumers in Egypt Based on the New Feed-in Tariff

Abstract This paper provides an overview of the wind power potential at different regions in Egypt, along the Mediterranean and Red Sea, and the Western desert. A further technical and economic assessment is conducted for the electricity generation with 8 different small wind turbines at 17 locations. The annual electricity generation from selected wind turbines is evaluated. The obtained data are presented and discussed investigating the net present value and the payback period analyzing the profitability of selected wind turbines. The dependence of the turbine profitability from the feed-in tariff is specifically addressed

Development of Improved Passive Configurations of DMFC with Reduced Contact Resistance

Abstract The Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC) represents today an appropriate solution for powering portable applications and small electronic devices, due to: 1) its compactness, 2) the high power density when compared with batteries and 3) the facility in transporting proper quantities of fuel (generally a liquid mixture of methanol and water). In order to further reduce the DMFCs size, passive configurations without external pumps and auxiliary devices are actively studied. Oxygen is supplied from the surrounding air while methanol-water solution is stored into a built-in tank in contact with the gas diffusion layer (GDL) that is constantly kept wet. Such configurations have a lower current density, roughly around 10÷30 mA/cm2, when compared with active configuration (40÷80 mA/cm2). It is then important to improve the baseline performance (power and efficiency) of such cells by optimizing all system components. Here we aim at reducing the effects of the contact resistance between GDL and current collectors by carrying out a sensitivity analysis on a number of relevant cells parameters such as:. assembly shape, gaskets, current collectors materials and open ratios. Analysis will be carried out at different molar concentrations (1 to 4 M) of the water-methanol solution used as fuel

techno economic analysis of in situ production by electrolysis biomass gasification and delivery systems for hydrogen refuelling stations rome case study

Abstract Starting from the Rome Hydrogen Refuelling Station demand of 65 kg/day, techno-economics of production systems and balance of plant for small scale stations have been analysed. A sensitivity analysis has been done on Levelised Cost of Hydrogen (LCOH) in the range of 0 to 400 kg/day, varying capacity factor and availability hours or travel distance for alkaline electrolysers, biomass gasification and hydrogen delivery. As expected, minimum LCOH for electrolyser and gasifier is found at 400 kg/day and 24 h/day, equal to 12.71 €/kg and 5.99 €/kg however, for operating hours over 12 and 10 h/day the differential cost reaches a plateau (below 5%), for electrolyser and gasifier respectively. For the Rome station design, 160 kWe of electrolysers 24 h/day and 100 kWth gasifier at 8 h/day, LCOH (11.85 €/kg) was calculated considering the modification of the cost structure due to the existing equipment, which is convenient respect the use of a single technology, except for 24 h/day gasification

Bubbly flow mapping in the anode channel of a direct methanol fuel cell via PIV investigation

Fuel cells directly fed by liquid methanol represent a class of suitable devices supplying small portable power applications. However some issues must be properly addressed and resolved, before considering them a market attractive technology. The presence of gaseous CO2 generated in the anode channels is the main issue as it can hinder the free volume of the Gas Diffusion Layer (GDL) reducing the methanol flux through the porous media towards the catalyst layer. Here the influence of the gas phase on the cell performance is investigated as well as the relationship with operating parameters, such as air flow rate, methanol–water flow rate and current density. We noticed that higher anodic flow rates can determine energy waste (the utilization factor of the cell can become very low). On the other hand, lower flow rates usually result in generation of gas slugs remaining attached over the GDL surface or slowly moving in the channels. This phenomenon reduces the residence time of the liquid phase and affects the mass transport of methanol towards the Catalyst Layer (CL). The V/I curve, for flow rates lower than 3.4 ml min1 cm2, results to be lower at high current density, where the main cause of losses is the concentration polarization. The study was performed by micro-PIV and it helped to verify the effective temporary clogging of the anode channel when working in controlled conditions. The characteristics of the CO2 bubbles in the two-phase flow at low flow rate regimes in a square channel were investigated and the mapping of different bubbly flows was carried out

Energy production analysis and optimization of Mini-Grid in remote areas: the case study of Habaswein, Kenya

Rural electrification in remote areas of developing countries has several challenges which hinder energy access to the population. For instance, the extension of the national grid to provide electricity in these areas is largely not viable. The Kenyan Government has put a target to achieve universal energy access by the year 2020. To realize this objective, the focus of the program is being shifted to establishing off-grid power stations in rural areas. Among rural areas to be electrified is Habaswein, which is a settlement in Kenya’s northeastern region without connection to the national power grid, and where Kenya Power installed a stand-alone hybrid mini-grid. Based on field observations, power generation data analysis, evaluation of the potential energy resources and simulations, this research intends to evaluate the performance of the Habaswein mini-grid and optimize the existing hybrid generation system to enhance its reliability and reduce the operation costs. The result will be a suggestion of how Kenyan rural areas could be sustainably electrified by using renewable energy based off-grid power stations. It will contribute to bridge the current research gap in this area, and it will be a vital tool to researchers, implementers and the policy makers in energy sector