Comparing the Advancement of Existing and Pending University Campus Microgrids: A Comprehensive Review on Principles, Geographical Locations and Applications | Chapter 7 | Engineering Research: Perspectives on Recent Advances Vol. 8

Microgrid systems have emerged as a sustainable and cost-effective solution for several university campuses. Over the past few decades, many universities have turned to using microgrid systems because of their dependability, security, flexibility, and less reliance on the primary grid. The effectiveness of microgrid technology varies among universities, influenced by factors such as campus size, weather conditions, and geographical location. Microgrids on campuses face challenges in the instability of power production due to meteorological conditions, as the output of renewable sources such as solar and wind power relies entirely on the weather and determines the optimal size of microgrids. Therefore, this chapter comprehensively reviews the university campuses’ microgrids. Some renewable energy sources, such as geothermal (GE), wind turbine (WT), and photovoltaic (PV), are compared in terms of installation costs, availability, weather conditions, efficiency, environmental impact, and maintenance. Furthermore, a description of microgrid systems and their components, including distributed generation (DG), energy storage system (ESS), and microgrid load, is presented. As a result, the most common optimization models for analyzing the performance of campus microgrids are discussed. Hybrid microgrid system configurations are introduced and compared to find the optimal configuration in terms of energy production and flexibility. Therefore, configuration A (Hybrid PV-grid connected) is the most common configuration compared to the others due to its simplicity and free charge operation. The installations of configuration A, configuration B, configuration C, and configuration D are %0.54, %0.08, %0.07, and %0.14, respectively.  Results showed that configuration C is less common due to the high cost of fossil fuels and the causes of air pollution.

 

Author(s) Details

Edrees Yahya Alhawsawi
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Oakland University, Rochester, MI 48309, USA and Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, Effat University, Jeddah 21478, Saudi Arabia.

 

Khaled Salhein
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Oakland University, Rochester, MI 48309, USA.

 

Mohamed A. Zohdy
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Oakland University, Rochester, MI 48309, USA.

 

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/erpra/v8/4797

OPEC and the New Energy Landscape | Chapter 2 | Emerging Issues in Science and Technology Vol. 4

With the emergence of shale oil and other non-conventional energy sources, the relevance of the Organisation for Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has been put to question. Until recent times, OPEC had been the swing producer in the global oil market as many nations depended on oil to meet their energy needs that was evident in the 1973 energy crisis and the devastating effect on the world economy. In the aftermath of this, developed nations started a search for alternative energy sources to avoid a repeat of such an occurrence. In recent past, shale oil has emerged as a viable energy resource that contributed to the crash of oil price in 2014. Other non-conventional energy sources such as renewables have continued to garner attention and gain more grounds as concerns for environmental impact and climate change continue to grow globally. Hence, this study employs a qualitative approach using Technology, Economics, Commercial, Operational and Policies (TECOP) in analysing the potentials of unconventional oil sources such as shale oil and renewable energy sources as well as that of conventional oil. A comparative analysis is also carried out to determine if shale oil and non-conventionals are real competitors to conventional oil. This analysis is based on the context of technical, economical, commercial, operational and political considerations for these energy sources.  Infrastructures for conventional oil such as recharge stations are readily available, when compared to renewables. Moreover, by-products such as asphalt, obtained from conventional crude oil are not the same for non-conventional sources. Operationally, the capacity and efficiency of conventional oil in terms of industrial usage, is more competitive than that of renewables. Politically, renewables do have an edge over conventional oil and unconventional oil such as shale oil, because globally, policies are being implemented to discourage the use of fossil fuels and encourage the use of renewables as a response to the issue of global warming. In this study, it was found that technology is the major driver and the extent to which non-conventional energy sources are used is a function of investment in research and development. Technology is the backbone of the development and sustenance of any energy source. 

Author(s) Details

R. U. Onolemhemhen
University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos, Nigeria.

Y. A. Omotosho
University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

Professor S. O. Ishehunwa
University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.

View Book :- http://bp.bookpi.org/index.php/bpi/catalog/book/184