Browsing by Subject "energy"

Now showing 1 - 7 of 7
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    Addressing Unequal Access to Energy in Indiana
    (Center for Research on Inclusion and Social Policy, 2022-12-12) Schultz, Kristi; Deitz, Ted; Morris, Cheyenne; Eckert, Marissa
    In 2019, state leaders formed the 21st Century Energy Policy Development Task Force to explore and make policy recommendations addressing Indiana’s energy transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy alternatives. As part of their charge, the task force is researching the affordability and reliability of energy as well as how these energy issues impact low-income and racially minoritized communities. The definition of energy access varies but often includes the delivery and use of a minimum level of energy a household requires for basic needs, such as heating a home or cooking meals. As renewable energy sources become more widely available, it is important that all communities have equitable access to these resources. Addressing these concerns early and proactively deploying strategies focused on energy transition could foster more equitable access to clean energy. This report discusses unequal access to energy in Indiana and the resulting impact on underserved communities. This brief also highlights several strategies to address these disparities.
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    Camargo Waste to Energy Power Plant
    (Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, 2013-04-05) Zamenian, Hamed; Nasser, Eminou; Ray, Matt; Iseley, Tom
    The Camargo Waste to Energy Power plant project is being proposed to dispose of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) produced in Mexico. Currently, most urban Municipal Solid Wastes in Mexico are discarded in landfills. The Camargo Waste to Energy (WTE) power station is an opportunity to continue a green path of human ingenuity and technical advancement. The goal of this plant is to achieve a solution that can efficiently deal with the substantial percentages of solid waste, while also creating energy. The facility will be designed to handle 600 pound per hour of MSW collected from Camargo, Monterrey, and other Mexican municipalities. This facility has additional recycling capability by separating glass, ferrous, and non-ferrous metals from raw MSW feedstock. The pyrolytic thermal conversion (PTC) process uses pyrolysis technology to convert organic-based wastes into valuable products like pyro-gas, pyro-oil, and char. Over 99 percent of waste processed by PTC will convert to energy and other saleable and usable products. This facility provides a nearly zero-landfill carbon neutral solution to the waste management field.
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    Combined Generation and Optimization of a Wind-Solar-Battery Power System
    (Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, 2014-04-11) Shen, Dan; Izadian, Afshin
    Compared with other renewables, wind and solar have been established as proven future sources of energy, because of their environment-friendly, safe and cost-effective characteristics. However, there are some difficulties associated with combined utilization of solar and wind, e.g. intermittency of wind and of the solar radiation, and their variation do not match the time distribution of the demand. For this purpose, advanced network of multiple renewable energy systems with storage units have been proposed. Small-scale standalone combination of solar, wind and battery has been found effective in some independent power supply system. Proposed in this research on a standalone distributed hybrid power system which consists of solar power, wind power and battery storage. A control strategy is introduced to maximize the simultaneous energy harvesting from both renewable sources. The supervisory controller results in five contingencies considering the level of power generation available at each renewable energy source and the state of charge in the battery. Power converters interface the source with a common DC bus. The interfacing converter is controlled either as a current or a voltage source. A supervisory controller is proposed to accomplish the source type allocations and balance of energy in the operating contingencies. Simulation results demonstrate accurate operation of the controllers and functionality of the maximum power point tracking algorithm in each operating condition both for solar and for wind power.
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    A Meta-Analysis to Determine the Impact of Restaurant Menu Labeling on Calories and Nutrients (Ordered or Consumed) in U.S. Adults
    (MDPI, 2017-09-30) Cantu-Jungles, Thaisa M.; McCormack, Lacey A.; Slaven, James E.; Slebodnik, Maribeth; Eicher-Miller, Heather A.; Biostatistics, School of Public Health
    A systematic review and meta-analysis determined the effect of restaurant menu labeling on calories and nutrients chosen in laboratory and away-from-home settings in U.S. adults. Cochrane-based criteria adherent, peer-reviewed study designs conducted and published in the English language from 1950 to 2014 were collected in 2015, analyzed in 2016, and used to evaluate the effect of nutrition labeling on calories and nutrients ordered or consumed. Before and after menu labeling outcomes were used to determine weighted mean differences in calories, saturated fat, total fat, carbohydrate, and sodium ordered/consumed which were pooled across studies using random effects modeling. Stratified analysis for laboratory and away-from-home settings were also completed. Menu labeling resulted in no significant change in reported calories ordered/consumed in studies with full criteria adherence, nor the 14 studies analyzed with ≤1 unmet criteria, nor for change in total ordered carbohydrate, fat, and saturated fat (three studies) or ordered or consumed sodium (four studies). A significant reduction of 115.2 calories ordered/consumed in laboratory settings was determined when analyses were stratified by study setting. Menu labeling away-from-home did not result in change in quantity or quality, specifically for carbohydrates, total fat, saturated fat, or sodium, of calories consumed among U.S. adults.
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    AN ONBOARD HYDROGEN GENERATION METHOD BASED ON HYDRIDES AND WATER RECOVERY FOR MICRO-FUEL CELLS
    (Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, 2012-04-13) Edalatnoor, Arash; Qureshi, Mariam; Derry, Matthew D.; Ochung, John; Park, Cho Young; Zhu, Likun
    The purpose of this paper is to conduct experiments to generate hydrogen in a fuel cell by employing hydrides and water recovery methods. Micro-proton exchange membrane fuel cells are the next generation power source for micro-scale applications. The methods presented in the paper make use of the recycled water produced from the cathode reaction to develop high energy density micro fuel cells. The method for this experiment is accomplished by utilizing oxidation-reduction reactions that take place in the cell. These reactants must be constantly replenished through an external source. This paper will introduce the methods and procedures that permit a solution to the small-scale generation of fuel and water byproduct; this is accomplished by implementing a water recovery mechanism. The experiment commenced with designing and manufacturing a Nafion membrane and a fuel cell package. From then the calcium hydride and lithium aluminum hydride was loaded. These hydrides were given controlled amounts of water vapor and the amount of gas production was measured. After the amount of gas is measured, we are able to calculate the most efficient way to receive the greatest amount of hydrogen from the cell. The objective of our experiment is to achieve a higher energy density for micro-fuel cells. Our aim is that the results of our research will replace lithium ion batteries with a high energy density fuel cell that can increase longevity as a source, and is able to be used in multiple environments including pace makers and space exploration. Multidisciplinary Undergraduate Research Institute, CRL Programs
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    PV Based Converter with Integrated Battery Charger for DC Micro-Grid Applications
    (2014) Salve, Rima; Santos Jr., Euzeli C. dos
    This thesis presents a converter topology for photovoltaic panels. This topology minimizes the number of switching devices used, thereby reducing power losses that arise from high frequency switching operations. The control strategy is implemented using a simple micro-controller that implements the proportional plus integral control. All the control loops are closed feedback loops hence minimizing error instantaneously and adjusting efficiently to system variations. The energy management between three components, namely, the photovoltaic panel, a battery and a DC link for a microgrid, is shown distributed over three modes. These modes are dependent on the irradiance from the sunlight. All three modes are simulated. The maximum power point tracking of the system plays a crucial role in this configuration, as it is one of the main challenges tackled by the control system. Various methods of MPPT are discussed, and the Perturb and Observe method is employed and is described in detail. Experimental results are shown for the maximum power point tracking of this system with a scaled down version of the panel's actual capability.
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    Why bones bend but don’t break
    (2011) Burr, David B.
    The musculoskeletal system is adept at dissipating potentially damaging energy that could accelerate fracture consequent to multiple loading cycles. Microstructural damage reduces bone’s residual properties, but prevents high stresses within the material by dissipating energy that can lead to eventual failure. Thus skeletal microdamage can be viewed as an adaptive process to prevent bone failure by dissipating energy. Because a damaged bone has reduced strength and stiffness, it must be repaired, so bone has evolved a system of self-repair that relies on microdamage-stimulated signaling mechanisms. When repair cannot occur quickly enough, low energy stress fractures can occur. The regulating effects of muscle also prevent failure by controlling where high stresses occur. Acting synergistically, muscle forces dissipate energy by appropriately regulating accelerations and decelerations of the limbs during movement. When muscles become fatigued, these functions are constrained, larger amounts of energy are imparted to bone, increasing the likelihood of microstructural damage and fracture. Thus, healthy bones are maintained by the ability of the musculoskeletal system to dissipate the energy through synergistic muscular activity and through the maintenance of microstructural and material properties that allow for crack initiation, but also for their repair.