Renewable Energies

Business Outlook 2050

herausgegeben von: Prof. Fausto Pedro García Márquez, Alexander Karyotakis, Prof. Dr. Mayorkinos Papaelias

Verlag: Springer International Publishing

Enthalten in: Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" , Springer Professional "Technik" , Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

Einloggen, um Zugang zu erhalten

Über dieses Buch

This book provides a comprehensive overview of current renewable energy technologies and their basic principles. It also addresses the financial aspects of renewable energy projects and analyzes their profitability, covering the most relevant topics for engineers, economists, managers and scientists who are actively involved in renewable energy research and management. The authors are professionals and researchers who are active in the industry, and supplement the main content with revealing case studies and best-practice examples.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Frontmatter

Multiple Criteria Performance Modelling and Impact Assessment of Renewable Energy Systems—A Literature Review

Abstract

Renewable energy is essential for the world economy and the current and future generations’ welfare, and it contributes in a balanced way to attain the general goal of energy security and environmental protection. However, there are also challenges and barriers to the deployment of renewable energy generation, distribution and consumption, including technical, economic, cultural and financial challenges. In order to understand and overcome the challenges and barriers of promoting the growth of renewable energy, it is important to model, analyse and assess the cost-effectiveness, and societal and environmental impact of various renewable energy solutions systemically. This chapter aims to review relevant performance modelling, impact assessment and decision analysis techniques for renewable energy systems.

Ting Wu, Dong-Ling Xu, Jian-Bo Yang

Towards Energy Self-sufficiency in Large Metropolitan Areas: Business Opportunities on Renewable Electricity in Madrid

Abstract

Large metropolitan areas are generally associated with high energy demand but low energy production, thus acting as vast energy drains. Reducing energy import levels in this type of region may bring about relevant business opportunities. Given the increasingly significant role of green (low-carbon) energy in current and future energy policies, these opportunities are expected to be closely linked to renewable energy. In this chapter, the energy system model of the region of Madrid (Spain) is used to evaluate novel energy scenarios to 2050 based on alternative electricity import levels. As indigenous electricity supply increases, wider market horizons arise for renewable energy technologies as a plausible option. Overall, through the case study of Madrid, it is shown that the path towards clean energy self-sufficiency has the potential to act as an effective catalyst for business opportunities on renewables in large metropolitan areas.

Diego García-Gusano, Diego Iribarren, Javier Dufour

How Do Energy Engineers of the Future Think. Analysis of Master Students’ Proposals

Abstract

The future of energy largely depends on the creativity and innovation capacity of energy engineers. Projects on renewable energy developed by master’s students can be significant to know the vision of the new generation of energy engineers. The projects of 168 international students pursuing EIT KIC InnoEnergy masters, more specifically MSc RENE and MSc SELECT, were analysed. The students were gathered in 25 teams and worked on projects and challenges following their own ideas. The students’ proposals were listed and classified according to technologies, degree of radical innovation, complexity, scope, TRL and agents that would develop the solutions. The typical proposal is based on solar energy, involves several elements, has, at least initially, a limited scope, uses commercially available technology, and is adapted to the case in all other respects. This vision seems to be very promising to spread renewable energy solutions.

Jordi Olivella, Josep Bordonau, Gema Calleja, Enrique Velo

Concentrated Solar Power: Present and Future

Abstract

Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plants exploit the thermal energy coming from the sun in the form of solar radiation in order to generate electricity. This chapter describes the different types of CSP systems currently in use, the technological issues associated with them and possible maintenance management methods. The solar thermal industry makes use of parabolic trough, linear Fresnel, solar towers, dish Stirling CSP plants and solar chimney CSP plants. In this chapter a comparison between the different technologies is also presented. The energy production cost of CSP plant needs to be reduced further in order to increase the competitiveness of solar thermal energy in comparison with other power generation technologies. Effective inspection can help increase maintenance efficiency, increase reliability and reduce downtime, resulting in improved profitability of CSP plants.

Mayorkinos Papaelias, Fausto Pedro García Márquez, Isaac Segovia Ramirez

Concentrated Solar Plants Management: Big Data and Neural Network

Abstract

Big Data is becoming the most powerful tool for analysing the huge amount of data around us. Cloud Processing is among the benefits offered by the Big Data, which allows analysis of data in real time from different parts of the world. These technological advances in mass data processing can be exploited to treat information from thousands of sensors. A new approach for optimal condition monitoring and control of Concentrating Solar Plants spread over different geographical locations is proposed. The information from the condition monitoring sensors (in this instance ultrasonic guided waves) and the data for the optimal control of the plants need a cloud platform in order to be analysed jointly with forecast data (meteorological, demand of other plants, etc.). The main processing tool used is based on neural networks, responsible for correlating the obtained signals in real time, to determine anomalous results and generate alarms.

Alfredo Arcos Jiménez, Carlos Q. Gómez, Fausto Pedro García Márquez

Wind Energy Power Prospective

Abstract

Wind energy and its perspective is introduced and described in this chapter. Wind farms, in contrast to conventional power plants, are exposed to the inclement and variability of weather. As a result of these variations, wind turbines are subjected to high mechanical loads, which require a high level of maintenance to provide a cost-effective power output and care the life cycle of the equipment. The demand for wind energy continues to rise at an exponential rate, due to the reduction in operating and maintenance costs and increasing reliability of wind turbines. Wind turbines make use of condition monitoring systems that allow information to be gathered regarding the condition of the main components, and determine anomalous operating situations. The power generation plants have incorporated a basic online monitoring control system. This system generally includes sensors for monitoring key machine parameters, such as temperature, speed, fluid levels, unbalance in the rotor, etc.

Carlos Quiterio Gómez Muñoz, Fausto Pedro García Márquez

Managing Costs and Review for Icing Problems

Abstract

The weather conditions have a key role in energy production of wind farms. Ice can appear in regions with cold conditions or during winter season. Ice on blades reduces the efficiency of the turbines, increases failures and downtime and causes imbalance of the rotor. This results in power losses which can be translating in operational costs that can reach millions of euros. Therefore, it is necessary to research and develop new methods for detection, prevention and removal of ice from blades. This chapter presents the current state of the art on ice detection and mitigation. Various techniques of detection, anti-icing and de-icing tare considered. Finally, an economic analysis of a selection of commercial ice detection systems is carried out.

Jesús María Pinar-Pérez, Fausto Pedro García Márquez

Big Data and Wind Turbines Maintenance Management

Abstract

Nowadays, the modern technologies and processes demand a big amount of information in order to be optimised. As the consequence, a huge amount of data is being generated. This is the main cause of the current boom for the so called Big Data. There are a lot of systems and sensors capable of generating such data but the processing of these data is currently becoming an arduous task. This chapter is focused on the analysis of the Big Data associated with the maintenance of wind farms. An analysis of the data coming from Condition Monitoring and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition Systems will be carried out. This analysis will be done using two methods whose objectives are to reduce the amount of data and, therefore, to facilitate the data processing. Two case studies will be presented in order to clarify how these methods should be applied.

Alberto Pliego, Raúl Ruiz de la Hermosa, Fausto Pedro García Márquez

Societal and Environmental Impact of High Energy Return on Investment (EROI) Energy Access

Abstract

The Icelandic society is conveniently located where the Eurasian and North-American tectonic plates meet. This allows for relatively easy and cheap access to geothermal energy. Icelanders have benefited from this since settlement, first through direct use of the warm water but later on by co-producing electricity. The nation also benefits from large glacial rivers, offering potential for energy harvesting. This chapter explores the various benefits from utilising renewable energy, using Iceland as a case study. This is demonstrated by exploring the energy return on investment (EROI) for the Nesjavellir geothermal and Fljotsdalsstod hydro power plant and the CO₂ mitigation provided by the resources as the Icelandic society no longer needs to rely on fossil fuels for electricity and heating. This chapter demonstrates systematically how societies may benefit ecologically but also energetically from access to renewable energy sources.

Reynir Smari Atlason, Runar Unnthorsson

Future Maintenance Management in Renewable Energies

Abstract

This chapter describes the future on maintenance management in renewable energy industry. The main advances and research studies shows that it will be based on non-destructive testing (NDT). NDT are tests performed to detect internal or surface discontinuities in materials or determine certain properties. NDT leads to improvement of product quality, public safety and prevention of catastrophic failures. NDT techniques are used in Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) systems for Fault Detection and Diagnosis (FDD). Some NDT techniques are used to prevent serious failures in critical components such as blades, gearbox, tower or receiver tubes. NDT is increasing in many scientific and industrial fields, from wind energy production to the transportation of gases and liquids. Consequently, it is possible to reduce the corrective/preventive maintenance tasks, and to increase the life cycle of the structure.

Carlos Quiterio Gómez Muñoz, Fausto Pedro García Márquez

Titel: Renewable Energies
herausgegeben von: Prof. Fausto Pedro García Márquez
Alexander Karyotakis
Prof. Dr. Mayorkinos Papaelias
Verlag: Springer International Publishing
Electronic ISBN: 978-3-319-45364-4
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-45362-0
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-45364-4