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New zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc-TDA), peripherally functionalized with donor-acceptor conjugates was synthesized, and its optical, thermal, electrochemical, and photovoltaic properties were studied. The black ZnPc-TDA exhibited both excellent solubility in common organic solvents, and broad absorption covering the range 300-900 nm. The photovoltaic devices with the configuration of ITO/PEDOT-PSS/ZnPc-TDA:PCBM/LiF/Al produced short circuit current densities of 2.26 mA/cm(2), the open circuit voltage of 0.68 V and power conversion efficiency of 0.4% under AM1.5G illumination. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract We demonstrate the importance of stock turnover on industrial energy efficiency through a literature review and a case study of energy-intensive equipment, i.e. the electric arc furnace in the US steel industry. We describe the common methods for assessing stock turnover. We have found that both stock turnover and retrofit are important elements to explain the energy efficiency improvement rates. We investigated the development of electricity use in electric arc furnaces in the United States by tracking the development of individual furnaces over the period 1990–2002. This provides a detailed picture of changes in the stock or fleet of furnaces through turnover and/or retrofit. Our results confirm the results of other empirical studies that there is no clear lifetime of equipment. However, retired furnaces are distinctly less efficient than furnaces remaining in the stock, while new furnaces are distinctly more efficient than the average stock. We found an annual average improvement in specific electricity consumption of 1.3%/year over the studied period, of which 0.7%/year was due to stock turnover and 0.5%/year due to retrofit of stock in service throughout the period.

Abstract Electricity markets, for the purpose of dispatch, approximate non-linear generator dynamics by a constant ramp rate R MW/10 min. The scalar R enables generator serving entity (GSE) to submit convex energy bids. Given the high penetration of renewable energy resources in US utilities, particularly California and Mid-West Independent System Operators (ISO), hard-to-predict wind ramps within the operating hour necessitate frequent ramping of generators, also known as load-following. A generator’s non-linear energy conversion dynamics varies widely over the operating hour. Consequently, the assumption of a constant rate R is often violated under fast changing operating conditions. In this paper, we propose a smart local automation on a non-linear energy conversion model of a coal-fired steam turbine. The proposed controller enables an improved and a near-linear dynamic response, ensuring fulfillment of convex bids.

To meet the increasing challenges on global warming and customer demands, the current hierarchical structure of electric power grid is undergoing a rapid change by focusing on high efficiency, reliability and flexibility. To address such challenges, the new concept of smart grid with a sophisticated communication infrastructure has emerged. While power grid systems are based on traditional information architectures at present, the evolving smart grid has a strong need on communication connections among a huge amount of distributed elements, such as generators, substations, monitoring sensors and customers. However, the power industry is facing dilemma that communication resources are limited due to the lack of wireless spectrum resources and the restrictions of wired applications. This paper firstly provides the architecture of the wide-area monitoring system for smart grid by applying a spectrum sensing and sharing technique of cognitive radio, based on an overview of the current communication technologies. Afterwards, the paper presents the feasible application of cognitive communication architecture on the existing power quality monitoring system by combining long-term and short-term monitoring approaches.

Abstract Many energy-related investments are made without a clear financial understanding of their values, risks, and volatilities. In the face of this uncertainty, the investor—such as a building owner or an energy service company—will often choose to implement only the most certain and thus limited energy-efficiency measures. Conversely, commodities traders and other sophisticated investors accustomed to evaluating investments on a value, risk, and volatility basis often overlook energy-efficiency investments because risk and volatility information are not provided. Fortunately, energy-efficiency investments easily lend themselves to such analysis using tools similar to those applied to supply side risk management. Accurate and robust analysis demands a high level of understanding of the physical aspects of energy-efficiency, which enables the translation of physical performance data into the language of investment. With a risk management analysis framework in place, the two groups—energy-efficiency experts and investment decision-makers—can exchange the information they need to expand investment in demand-side energy projects. In this article, we first present the case for financial risk analysis in energy efficiency in the buildings sector. We then describe techniques and examples of how to identify, quantify, and manage risk. Finally, we describe emerging market-based opportunities in risk management for energy efficiency.

This technical handbook includes comprehensive discussions on nature and occurrence of the geothermal resource, its development, utilization, economics, financing, and regulation. Information on pricing parameters for the direct use of geothermal energy is included as an appendix. (MRH)

This paper develops a strategy for the continuing and improved supply of woodfuels to urban and industrial consumers in Sub-Sahara Africa. It argues that continued use of these fuels is not only a necessity, but is also in the best economic interest of most of the countries in this region. It shows that intensified and more orderly utilization of woodfuels can help to enhance, rather than impinge upon environmental parameters. Some examples are provided that illustrate how such strategies can be put into practice.

Decarbonization of the transportation sector is particularly difficult due to its near-complete reliance on refined fossil fuels at present. In this paper, we describe the energy needs of the main transportation sectors worldwide: road transportation, aviation and maritime shipping. There is a growing commitment to electrification as the dominant decarbonization pathway. While deep electrification is promising (if by no means a certainty) for road transportation in wealthy countries, it will face steep obstacles in other sectors and in the developing world. Transportation decarbonization will require decoupling emissions from economic growth, highlighting the need for both accelerated technology innovation as well as creativity and cooperation in governance. The menu of policy options is replete with grim tradeoffs, particularly as the primacy of energy security and reliability (over emissions abatement) has once again been demonstrated in Europe and elsewhere. Aggregated vehicle ownership, emissions and electricity generate data for Countries and regions, worldwide.

This paper presents experimental results of the impact of CO(2) co-feed on a gasification/pyrolysis process for various feedstocks (biomass, coal, and municipal solid waste (MSW)). Various feedstocks were thermo-gravimetrically characterized under various atmospheric conditions and heating rates. A substantial amount of char burn out was identified in the presence of CO(2) via a series of thermo-gravimetric analysis tests, which enabled high conversion of final mass (approximately 99%) to be achieved. The impact of CO(2) co-feed on the volatilization regime during the pyrolysis/gasification process was not apparent at a heating rate of 10-40 degrees C min(-1). However, the impact of CO(2) on the volatilization regime at a fast heating rate (950 degrees C min(-1)) was substantial. For example, significant enhancement in the generation of CO, by a factor of approximately 2, was observed in the presence of CO(2). The generation of major chemical species, such as CH(4) and C(2)H(4), were enhanced, but this was not as apparent as in the case with CO. In addition, introducing CO(2) to the pyrolysis/gasification process enabled the amount of condensable liquid hydrocarbons, such as tar (approximately 30-40%) to be significantly reduced in the presence of CO(2), in that injecting CO(2) into the pyrolysis/gasification process expedites cracking the volatilized chemical species. Experimental work confirmed that biomass and MSW could be feasible and desirable feedstocks for the pyrolysis/gasification process as these feedstocks can be easily treated compared to coal. To extend this understanding to a more practical level, various feedstocks were tested in a tubular reactor and drop tube reactor under various experimental conditions.