16-05-2012, 03:45 PM
Microgeneration
micro generation.docx (Size: 83.86 KB / Downloads: 32)
Microgeneration is the small-scale generation of heat and power by individuals, small businesses and communities to meet their own needs, as alternatives or supplements to traditional centralized grid-connected power. Although this may be motivated by practical considerations, such as unreliable grid power or long distance from the grid, the term is mainly used currently for environmentally-conscious approaches that aspire to zero or low-carbon footprints[citation needed].
Technologies and set-up
Microgeneration technologies include small scale wind turbines, Micro hydro, photovoltaic solar systems, Plant Microbial Fuel Cells, ground source heat pumps, and Micro Combined Heat and Power (MicroCHP) installations.[1]
The power plant
In addition to the electricity production plant (e.g. wind turbine, solar panel, ...), infrastructure for energy storage and power conversion and ahook-up to the regular electricity grid is usually needed and/or foreseen. Although a hookup to the regular electricity grid is not essential, it helps to decrease costs by allowing financial recompensation schemes. In the developing world however, the start-up cost for this equipment is generally too high, thus leaving no choice but to opt for alternative set-ups.[2]
Extra equipment needed besides the power plant
A complete PV-solar system
The whole of the equipment required to set up a working system and for an off-the-grid generation and/or a hook up to the electricity grid herefore is termed a balance of system[3]and is composed of the following parts with PV-systems:
Energy storage apparatus
A major issue with off-grid solar and wind systems is that the power is often needed when the sun is not shining or when the wind is calm, this is generally not required for purely grid-connected systems:
a series of deep cycle, stationary or sealed maintenance free batteries (the most common solution) [4]
or other means of energy storage (e.g. hydrogen fuel cells, Flywheel energy storage,Pumped-storage hydroelectric, compressed air tanks, ...)[5]
a charge controller for charging the batteries or other energy storage
For converting DC battery power into AC as required for many appliances, or for feeding excess power into a commercial power grid:
an inverter or grid-interactive inverter. The whole is also sometimes referred to as "power conditioning equipment"
Safety equipment
groundings, transfer switches or isolator switches and surge protector. The whole is also sometimes referred to as "safety equipment"
Usually, in microgeneration for homes in the developing world, a prefabricated house-wiring systems (as wiring harnesses or prefabricateddistribution units) is used instead .[6] Simplified house-wiring boxes, known as wiring harnesses can be simply bought and drilled in the wall without requiring much knowledge on the wiring itself. As such, even people without technical expertise are able to install them. In addition, they are also comparatively cheap and offer safety advantages.[7]
battery meters (for charging rate and voltage), and meters for power consumption and electricity provision to the regular power grid
Small scale (DIY) generation system
Wind turbine specific
With wind turbines, hydroelectric plants, ... the extra equipment needed [8][9][10][11] is more or less the same as with PV-systems (depending on the type of wind turbine used ,[12] yet also include:
a manual disconnect switch
foundation for the tower
grounding system
shutoff and/or dummy-load devices for use in high wind when power generated exceeds current needs and storage system capacity.
Vibro-wind power
A new wind energy technology is being developed that converts energy from wind energy vibrations to electricity. This energy, called Vibro-Wind technology, can use winds of less strength than normal wind turbines, and can be placed in almost any location. The vibro-wind setup is also more economically viable.
A prototype consisted of a panel mounted with oscillators made out of pieces of foam. The conversion from mechanical to electrical energy is done using a piezoelectric transducer, a device made of a ceramic or polymer that emits electrons when stressed. The building of this prototype was led by Francis Moon, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at Cornell University. Moon's work in Vibro-Wind Technology was funded by the Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future at Cornell.
Turbine-free wind power was showcased in NY Times' 10th Annual Year in Ideas. A video explaining how it works can be found here.
micro generation.docx (Size: 83.86 KB / Downloads: 32)
Microgeneration is the small-scale generation of heat and power by individuals, small businesses and communities to meet their own needs, as alternatives or supplements to traditional centralized grid-connected power. Although this may be motivated by practical considerations, such as unreliable grid power or long distance from the grid, the term is mainly used currently for environmentally-conscious approaches that aspire to zero or low-carbon footprints[citation needed].
Technologies and set-up
Microgeneration technologies include small scale wind turbines, Micro hydro, photovoltaic solar systems, Plant Microbial Fuel Cells, ground source heat pumps, and Micro Combined Heat and Power (MicroCHP) installations.[1]
The power plant
In addition to the electricity production plant (e.g. wind turbine, solar panel, ...), infrastructure for energy storage and power conversion and ahook-up to the regular electricity grid is usually needed and/or foreseen. Although a hookup to the regular electricity grid is not essential, it helps to decrease costs by allowing financial recompensation schemes. In the developing world however, the start-up cost for this equipment is generally too high, thus leaving no choice but to opt for alternative set-ups.[2]
Extra equipment needed besides the power plant
A complete PV-solar system
The whole of the equipment required to set up a working system and for an off-the-grid generation and/or a hook up to the electricity grid herefore is termed a balance of system[3]and is composed of the following parts with PV-systems:
Energy storage apparatus
A major issue with off-grid solar and wind systems is that the power is often needed when the sun is not shining or when the wind is calm, this is generally not required for purely grid-connected systems:
a series of deep cycle, stationary or sealed maintenance free batteries (the most common solution) [4]
or other means of energy storage (e.g. hydrogen fuel cells, Flywheel energy storage,Pumped-storage hydroelectric, compressed air tanks, ...)[5]
a charge controller for charging the batteries or other energy storage
For converting DC battery power into AC as required for many appliances, or for feeding excess power into a commercial power grid:
an inverter or grid-interactive inverter. The whole is also sometimes referred to as "power conditioning equipment"
Safety equipment
groundings, transfer switches or isolator switches and surge protector. The whole is also sometimes referred to as "safety equipment"
Usually, in microgeneration for homes in the developing world, a prefabricated house-wiring systems (as wiring harnesses or prefabricateddistribution units) is used instead .[6] Simplified house-wiring boxes, known as wiring harnesses can be simply bought and drilled in the wall without requiring much knowledge on the wiring itself. As such, even people without technical expertise are able to install them. In addition, they are also comparatively cheap and offer safety advantages.[7]
battery meters (for charging rate and voltage), and meters for power consumption and electricity provision to the regular power grid
Small scale (DIY) generation system
Wind turbine specific
With wind turbines, hydroelectric plants, ... the extra equipment needed [8][9][10][11] is more or less the same as with PV-systems (depending on the type of wind turbine used ,[12] yet also include:
a manual disconnect switch
foundation for the tower
grounding system
shutoff and/or dummy-load devices for use in high wind when power generated exceeds current needs and storage system capacity.
Vibro-wind power
A new wind energy technology is being developed that converts energy from wind energy vibrations to electricity. This energy, called Vibro-Wind technology, can use winds of less strength than normal wind turbines, and can be placed in almost any location. The vibro-wind setup is also more economically viable.
A prototype consisted of a panel mounted with oscillators made out of pieces of foam. The conversion from mechanical to electrical energy is done using a piezoelectric transducer, a device made of a ceramic or polymer that emits electrons when stressed. The building of this prototype was led by Francis Moon, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at Cornell University. Moon's work in Vibro-Wind Technology was funded by the Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future at Cornell.
Turbine-free wind power was showcased in NY Times' 10th Annual Year in Ideas. A video explaining how it works can be found here.