International Journal of Advanced Renewable Energy Research
Volume:1 Issue: 2, 2012

Design of hydraulic turbines involves several stages of iterative calculations. The operational challenges of these turbines are unique to each site conditions. This makes the R&D of the hydraulic turbines a complicated and time consuming work. Recent advancements in computational tools and processors have added advantages to the R&D process of hydraulic turbines. These tools are able not only to compute solutions for the complex design equations but also provide the user friendly virtual environment for performance test and design optimization. This study is conducted tosimulate the design and operational problems of Francis and Pelton turbines by the application of computational tools. A new program is developed to optimize designs of Francis runners for sediment erosion problems and CFD analysis of some new design conditions is done. True size Pelton runner model is developed by using SolidWorksfor stress and fatigue analysis by using CosmosWorksin its operating conditions. It was found that numerical models are capable to simulate the design and operational problems in hydro turbines. The computational tools can also suggest the design optimization needed to minimize these problems. It was observed that sediment erosion in Francis turbines can be reduced up to 50% by optimizing the hydraulic design.

Despite the attractive potentials of renewable energy (RE) investment in Iran and encouragement packages of the government, the lack of investors tendency illustrates there are gaps between investor's expectations and governmental policies. In this article based on previous researches of the author, the general feasibility of each renewable alternative is described briefly. This can provide some innovative guidelines for private investors to know how they can study the feasibility renewable energy projects.

In the year 2007, Kathmandu University Department of Mechanical Engineering in joint collaboration with Alternative Energy Sector Assistance Program/ Energy Sector Assistance Program(AEPC/ESAP) Signed the Memorandum Of Understanding for selecting appropriate model of metallic stove to be disseminated under subsidy program of Government of Nepal for the people of high hill region who lives in 2000 meter high altitude from the sea level and 1500 meter high altitude whose house is facing due north. After extensive test and verification, KU-3 model was decided as most appropriate model to be disseminated and thus till date more that 6000+ KU-3 model have been already installed under subsidy program. The study address overall efficiency enhancement of KU-3 Model by blending WAPIC system in chimney part and provides additional facilities of pure pasteurized drinking water including Cooking and Room heating with smokeless indoor air pollution. A locally available hollow aluminum pipe with internal diameter 8 mm and length 6.5 m was coiled into a spiral ovular helix of 9±1 cm in diameter. The coil is placed inside chimney of MICS which supplies pasteurized drinking water. Metallic body is design for room heating and three pot hole is for cooking purpose. The thermal efficiency of the KU-3 model with WAPIC system range from 16 -23 % in cold start, 21-25% in hot start and 7-9 % in simmering with 100% removal of EColi form water treated through WAPIC system.

effects of radiation intensity and temperature on the performance of a dye-sensitized solar module (DSSM) have been investigated in a tropical area in Nairobi, Kenya. Outdoor measurements were performed on cloudless days at normal incidence of the incoming solar beam radiation to the module. A series of current-voltage (I-V) characterizations were carried out at different solar radiation intensities and module temperatures. The module performance parameters: Short circuit current density, (Jsc), Open circuit voltage, (Voc), Fill factor, (FF) and solar-toelectricity conversion efficiency, (η) were extracted from the I-V curves. Better efficiencies were observed at lower than higher radiation intensities. There was also an overall improved performance at elevated temperatures. The results may be useful during fabrication

The PV market is undergoing a period of rapid growth with many different technologies competing for market share. It is imperative that the most suitable product is chosen for a given application. However, because photovoltaics do not spend their operating lifetime in the laboratory, a comprehensive knowledge of their outdoor performance is required.. This paper compares measured performance parameters for three photovoltaic modules tested outdoors at the Pandit Deendayal Petrollium University (PDPU). To determine the relative energy and economic performance of thin-film amorphus silicon solar module placed on roofs in comparison to both mono crystalline silicon solar module & multi crystalline silicon solar module. To decrease production costs and improve efficiency of solar cells new semi conductive materials are searched. Amorphous silicon also performs well at high insulations because its large band gap renders it less susceptible to temperature effects. Amorphous silicon has good spectral response to blue wavelengths, and consequently operates more efficiently under overcast conditions. The aim of this work is comparison of the operational characteristics of photovoltaic silicon cells: monocrystalline silicon, polycrystalline silicon and amorphous silicon. It details the performance difference for varying temperature difference and solar radiation level

The Preparation of bio-diesel from non-edible vegetable oil i.e. Jatropha Curcus oil is selected for the study. The fuel properties of diesel & different diesel bio-diesel blends were determined and compared to each other. The diesel & diesel-bio-diesel blends were used for engine performance study and emission test. BMEP, bsfc, and Brake thermal efficiency were determination and compared with different engine speeds. The another objectives of the study is to Comparison of NOx, CO and particulate emissions of a diesel engine with diesel fuel and diesel bio-diesel blends.

In recent years, using fossil fuels has made problems in power generation. The most important environmental anxiety is related to the earth overheat and abundant contamination. Fossil fuel finishing in long term as the most abundant primary energy in power generation makes the study and non – fossil technologies producing necessary. There are abundant primary energies for power generation such as wind, sun, and earth warmness. Among these sources solar energy can be used frequently because it is widely available in all parts of the earth. But there are some problems in using these kinds of energy, which the most important ones are the expensiveness of photovoltaic sheets – as the most common tool for power generation from solar energy and time changes of solar energy. It is expected that the photovoltaic sheets price to be reduced in future. For the second problem, using a battery as a cheap source is very suitable. Battery is used in most studies which are about using photovoltaic in an independent state from the network. In this thesis, battery will be used for the network applications. The main reason for using the battery in the state of connected to the network is photovoltaic sheets power storing and selling power to the network in night consumption peak hours. In this study, photovoltaic sheets measure determination; battery and converter for selling power to the network and presence in power market have been done by optimization algorithm. Moreover, photovoltaic sheets design, battery, converter and sold power to the network are also presented.

Civilization is heading towards the zenith of technology where electricity is becoming an inevitable factor for socio-economic growth indicator of a country. Till now majority portion of world’s electricity demand is met by oil, coal, natural gas etc. But it is predicted that by the year of 2100, 75% of world’s electric demand is going to be fulfilled by solar energy. From several researches we see that there is a proportionate relationship between a country’s electricity usage and it’s GDP growth. Bangladesh is a developing country where electricity is mainly a facility for urban population. Although some attempts has been taken to meet the demand of electricity for rural people, still there is a large gap between demand and generation of power in Bangladesh. Hence, solar energy comes with a bright prospect to show it’s opportunities in this country. In this paper we will show the relationship between electricity usage and GDP growth of a country and then we will discuss the benefits of solar energy and socio-economic aspects in Bangladesh’s perspective.