Day 1 :
Keynote Forum
Babu Joseph
University of South Florida, USA
Keynote: Conversion of landfill gas to drop-in renewable liquid
Time : 09:30-10:00
Biography:
Babu Joseph has graduated from IIT/Kanpur with BTech (Silver Medalist) in ChE and obtained his MS and PhD in ChE from Case Western Reserve University. He then joined the Energy Lab at MIT where he has worked on the development of ASPEN Simulator. He has joined the faculty of Chemical Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis in 1978 where he became the Edward C. Dicke Professor in 2000. In 2002, he has moved to become Chair of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering at USF. He is the Author of two books (Real Time Personal Computing,1989 and Techniques of Model Based Control, 2002), one edited volume (Wavelet Applications,1996) and over 200 technical publications. During the year 1985-86, he was a Visiting Professor at the University of California at Berkeley. He is the Founder and VP for Research at T2C-Energy, LLC., a small business working on commercializing technology for converting landfill gas to diesel and jet fuel.
Abstract:
Landfills need robust technology that can efficiently convert the environmentally harmful pollutants found in Landfill Gas (LFG) into harmless products. This LFG also represents a zero-cost feedstock that can be converted into highly desired renewable liquid fuels that are in demand both in-house (diesel for garbage collection trucks) and outside markets (transportation sector). The garbage-trucking sector in the US consumes 1 billion gallons of diesel fuel annually with the average garbage truck using 8,600 gal/year, making up 3% of the total US diesel consumption. This equates to a $3-4 billion-dollar expenditure on diesel fuel in this sector alone. USF has developed new catalyst technologies to first convert the landfill gas to syngas using a tri-reforming catalyst and then produce liquid hydrocarbon fuels using a Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis (FTS) catalyst specifically tailored to produce large fractions of middle distillate fuel. T2C-Energy, LLC is working to commercialize this technology. By integrating this technology into gas capturing systems at landfills, landfill sites are able to convert naturally produced landfill gases into liquid transportation fuel (diesel). This technology provides a renewable source of energy while satisfying EPA regulations for reducing landfill gas (LFG) emissions at municipal solid waste (MSW) facilities. This technology produces a renewable, high quality, liquid transportation fuel resembling its petroleum derived counterparts. Thus, existing fuel infrastructure can be utilized in the use (no engine modifications) and transportation of the fuel. By using the green-fuel produced to power the landfill trucking fleet, this reduces greenhouse gas emissions not only from the landfill site but from the vehicles as well. This technology reduces fossil fuel use for the transport of waste to the landfill and drastically reduces the carbon footprint of the entire waste industry.
Biography:
Erfan Ibrahim works with the public and private sector to identify security requirements; evaluate cyber-security standards; test cyber-security controls; and determine residual risk in smart networks in the electric, water, oil, and gas sectors. He also serves on the cyber-security and resilience team within the Grid Modernization Lab Consortium for DOE.
Abstract:
Today's standard based cybersecurity controls for Supervisory Control & Data Acquisition (SCADA) Systems are very IT centric and do little to protect against the Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) from nation states and nefarious organizations that compromise trusted systems and use the security credentials to their advantage. The National Renewable Energy Lab has developed a systemic security architecture that leverages sound network design principles, context based intrusion detection systems and in-line blocking tools to provide an end-to-end security layer across critical infrastructure networks to address cyber-attacks from APTs. In this talk Dr. Erfan Ibrahim, Center Director for Cyber-Physicals Systems Security & Resilience at NREL will provide an outline of this systemic security architecture and explain how this architecture can be used to securely integrate Distributed Energy Resources (DER) such as solar panels, wind turbines, energy storage, electric vehicles and fuel cells to the grid without forcing the power systems to adhere to sophisticated cyber-security controls. This approach will save the electric sector billions of dollars in avoided costs of unnecessary power systems upgrades for improving the cyber-security posture. Purpose built cyber-security technologies maintain the cyber-security posture while leaving the power systems and DER to focus on job of delivering safe, reliable and affordable electricity to the customers.
Keynote Forum
Mike G Hart
Sierra Energy, USA
Keynote: FastOx gasification: An integrated solution to zero waste
Time : 10:30-11:00
Biography:
Mike G Hart, President and CEO of Sierra Energy, has over 24 years of active experience in forming and running industrial companies with a proven record of success. He is a passionate Environmentalist who has been named an “Environmental Hero” by the US EPA and a “Champion of Change” by the Obama administration. He actively works with public agencies- local and regional governments, academia, and private industry on regulatory and environmental issues ranging from waste processing and disposal to renewable energy production.
Abstract:
Sierra Energy has developed a technology that makes it possible to eliminate waste disposal in landfills while generating new, salable resources and energy. FastOx® gasification breaks down waste at the molecular level, via ultra-high heat (up to 4,000°F), converting it into energy dense syngas and inert stone and metals. The FastOx system is ideal as an add-on to existing recycling and waste diversion sites, providing the final phase solution for product recovery from remnant and non-recyclable waste. Sierra Energy’s first commercial-scale system is set to begin operations in 2017. The 10 tonne per day FastOx gasification demonstration system will accept municipal solid waste and biomass, with potential of handling various hazardous waste solids, at U.S. Army Garrison Fort Hunter Liggett in Monterey County, California. This commercial size system includes thorough syngas cleaning and conversion to electricity and Fischer Tropsch (renewable diesel additive) liquids. This FastOx system is co-funded by U.S. Army and the California Energy Commission. FastOx gasification involves several processes including waste preparation, gasification, syngas cooling and conditioning, and end-product conversion. Waste is shredded, dried and fed into the airlock charging system at the top of the gasifier via a conveyor. Oxygen and steam are injected at supersonic speeds at the base of the gasifier using patented nozzles. The resulting thermochemical reaction converts the waste into syngas at temperatures of up to 4,000°F. Syngas exits the gasifier and flows into the polisher to reform volatile compounds into additional syngas. The stream then travels to the gas cleaning isle, where it is conditioned for final product creation. The remaining inorganic waste melts into a vitrified mixture of stone and metals that is collected from the base of the vessel. The gasifier’s high temperature ensures that the stone and metal are non-leaching and safe for reuse.
- Renewable Energy | Bioenergy | Biofuels | Green Technology | Energy and Environment | Biomass | Materials for Energy and Environmental Sustainability | Energy storage & conservation
Session Introduction
Benjamin Welle
Perkins+Will, USA
Title: Architecture and technology: Opportunities and challenges for zero emission buildings
Biography:
Benjamin Welle is the Director of Energy Lab at Perkins+Will. His role is to develop innovative design methods for the next generation of architects working towards the goal of zero emission buildings. His work focuses on the integration of web-based parametric design tools with energy, daylighting and thermal comfort simulation tools for use in multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) environments using parallel and distributed computing. He has received his BS in Energy Engineering and MS in Civil and Environmental Engineering-Atmosphere/Energy from Stanford University, an MS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, San Diego, and a PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering-Design Construction Integration from Stanford’s Center for Integrated Facility Engineering (CIFE). He is a registered professional Mechanical Engineer in the State of California.
Abstract:
The building industry has a love-hate relationship with technology and has been slow to adopt it. This trend is particularly applicable to the use of computer-based analysis in support of high-performance building design with the ultimate goal of zero emission buildings. This lecture will deconstruct the current state of how industry uses technology within this domain, the opportunities that exist for the near future, and the challenges in effectively implementing these opportunities. Current R&D efforts at Perkins+Will for web-based energy and daylighting simulation, optimization, and visualization using cloud computing environments will be highlighted as one possible strategy for rapid, scalable, accurate, and meaningful integration of technology into the architectural design process. A vision of how this strategy’s success will impact and support the green energy industry as a whole, and vice versa, will be presented to and interactively evaluated with the audience.
Omid M Rouhani
McGill University, Canada
Title: Perceptions and preferences about energy and environmental costs: The case of Montreal transport users
Biography:
Omid M Rouhani is an Assistant Professor at McGill University, Department of Civil Engineering and Applied Mechanics. Prior to this, he was a Post-doctoral Researcher at Cornell University. He finished his PhD studies in Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at the University of California, Davis. His expertise is in the areas of transportation systems analysis, transportation economics and modeling, and energy policy. He has been involved in a range of local, national, and international research projects related to these topics. His research has been published in several academic journals, including Sustainability, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Journal of Transport Geography, Environmental Modeling and Software, Energies, Transportation Research Part B, Part A, and Part D and The European Journal of Operational Research, among others.
Abstract:
Providing travel-related energy and environmental information to transport users is becoming increasingly relevant. However, the impact of providing such information on users’ travel behavior is yet to be determined. This research examines the perceptions and preferences of the fuel consumption costs, GHG social costs, and health-related air pollution costs, and the influence such information have on travel behavior. Examining the case of transport users of Montreal, Canada, with a pilot survey, we found that the respondents are generally unaware of the energy and environmental footprints of their travel. Approximately, 70% of the respondents are not able to estimate GHG social costs and health-related air pollution costs across different modes. The respondents who could provide their perceived costs generally overestimate these costs and interestingly perceive higher environmental costs for public transport (metro) compared to cars. They also prefer to receive such information in monetary units rather than in their own units (e.g., grams of emissions) and they are more comfortable in receiving the information through mobile applications over other tools/means (GPS devices, radio and so on). The research also finds that energy and environmental information can influence respondents’ travel decisions especially their route choices. Finally, the respondents are willing to pay an average of $6/month in exchange for obtaining the information.
Pankaj Kumar Jha
Envision Energy, USA
Title: Quantification and reduction of uncertainty in the wind resource assessment workflow through design of experiments and higher fidelity flow modeling
Biography:
Pankaj Kumar Jha is a senior researcher in CFD and UQ at Envision Energy, based in Houston. He is the owner of Envision’s CFD and automation software suite for wind resource assessment and wind plant simulations. He holds a B.S. and M.S. in Mathematics and Computing from India’s premier institute, IIT Kharagpur and a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from Pennsylvania State University. He has worked for GE Aviation in Bangalore, India as a database developer and for CMSoft Inc. in Palo Alto as a CFD software developer in the past. He has been collaborating with the researchers at NREL since his Ph.D. days and has co-authored several publications with them. He also represents Envision Energy at ASME Wind Energy Technical Committee and North American Wind Energy Academy (NAWEA) Board
Abstract:
Although ever improving, wind resource assessment (WRA) continues to be fraught with uncertainties and approximations, with developers and financial institutions continuing to demand more accurate WRA assessments to better qualify the business case certainty of wind projects. To meet these needs, Envision Energy has developed the Greenwich cloud platform to ensure the economic indicators of wind power assets and investments, provide developers with comprehensive technological solutions to wind farm planning, wind resource assessment, micro-siting, layout optimization, assessment of economic viability and post asset evaluation analysis. With its digital model structure, the Greenwich cloud platform controls and lowers risk arising from investment in wind farms, thereby significantly reducing the uncertainties of investing in wind energy. The primary engine of Greenwich is the GWCFD computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code, which is a fully automated CFD model leveraging the top super computing resources in the world. As it’s workhorse, GWCFD employs the standard steady state RANS neutral approach to CFD wind modelling. Despite widespread industry acceptance, the neutral approximation can be quite limited, in particular in areas where local site climatology is dominated by strong influences of atmospheric stratification. This work will demonstrate Envision Energy’s implementation of a stratified CFD modelling approach representing the entire atmospheric boundary layer, rather than the more common, but limited, atmospheric surface layer approaches. In addition, we will examine a proposed approach to aggregate neutral and stratified CFD simulations into an effective wind field for AEP estimations, and compare results to operational wind farm data as part of our ongoing internal AEP benchmarking studies. In order to quantify the improvements of various scientific upgrades to the WRA workflow, it is necessary to have an evaluation system in place. To demonstrate this, we will discuss Envision’s algorithm test-bed wrapped within an uncertainty quantification and bench-marking umbrella.
Biography:
José Marques is the CEO of IncBio following a course in Economics, in the Faculty of Economics in the University of Porto, and after working in two different sectors, he created IncBio in 2006. Focusing on sustainability, his work has been mostly on recycled feedstock. To achieve the best results, he concentrated IncBio’s work in new technologies, using solid catalyst, dry wash resins, and mainly Ultrasonic Reactors.
Abstract:
Oil extraction efficiency is the percentage of oil extracted from the total oil available in the total mass, of any feedstock. In the soybean oil industry, efficiency is approximately 95%. In the rapeseed industry, efficiency is approximately 98,5%. In the palm oil industry, efficiency is close to 50%! It is, without a question, the industry with the worst Oil Extraction Efficiency of any oil industry, and it represents an unbelievable waste, which has taken a big toll on the environment. With the increase of demand of palm oil in the last decade, for many different industries, the industry has been focusing on plantations, cutting or burning tropical forests, to produce more palm oil. But efficiencies have only marginally increased. IncBio’s technology has been under development for more than 5 years, and it has been industrially implemented for 2 years. After the first year of learning from issues that were not expected, the plant has been running for a year with and OER (Oil Extraction Rate) above 25%, when the national average for Malaysia is 20,1%. This represents an Oil Extraction Efficiency of 62,5%, or an increase of 25% over the current technology. While there is still a lot of possibilities for growth, this represents a major step in an industry that is known for hurting the environment. This can actually increase palm oil production by 25%, maintaining the same plantations, without cutting or burning any more trees.
Andrew Kwon
Destin Power Co, Korea
Title: Energy storage for renewable energy implementation (trend and future expectation of energy storage)
Biography:
Andrew Kwon is one of the leading pioneers with energy storage in South Korea since 2009. He has worked in Samsung SDI Co (Leading Lithium Battery Manufacturer) for 28 Years including eight years with Energy Storage Business Development in Samsung. Now he is working at Destin Power (#1 power conversion system manufacturer in Korea) as VP of business development and bringing all-in-one energy storage for various applications from residential to utility scale. He graduated NY State University with MBA.
Abstract:
This paper presents some recent trend and installation of energy storage with renewable energy (RE) such as wind and solar in South Korea and other countries including some energy storage friendly regulations and supportive incentive programs in South Korea, so as to let other countries follow. And this paper will show of its prediction of energy storage technology and market based on the advanced battery price forecast and the future of energy storage as one of the core components for sustainable green emission free world with distributed energy resources (DER) and microgrid.
Biography:
Gianna J Link is an international Neurologist with subspecialties in Neuropsychiatry from Harvard, neurorehabilitation, Cornell and neuroimmunology from the Karolinska Institute. She has obtained her PhD Degree in Neuroimmunology and was awarded a Scholarship to study Medicine. She’d professional teaching appointments and has worked in academic institutions, as stroke Neuro Hospitalist as well as, in the Neuro Consultant in private sector and performing medical legal work as export witness. She has published multiple research papers and her original thesis was on Multiple Sclerosis. She has been awarded for her outstanding service and was professional of the year representing Neurology in Cambridge Who's Who, “Doctor of Excellence” by The Leading Physicians of the World. She has been voted as Most Compassionate Physician by her patients; has appeared on radio and TV shows and has Chaired in Board Medical Committees.
Abstract:
We either change and evolve as one global consciousness or we perish as a species, as previous civilizations did before us. The earth will heal itself once we are gone. Collective Cosmic Consciousness is the BioEM quantum energy field; a noosphere created by 6.5 billion people interacting with each other and with nature as one global consciousness. This has been supported by the research by the Noetic Science Institute originated in Princeton University. Quantum physics supports that The entire universe is a projection of consciousness, as documented by the quantum entanglement particle. In Cern, they discovered the “God particle” and research with the double split experiment has proven that we change our reality by observing it. Technology advances exponentially creating our new reality. An evolutionary transformation of humanity is inevitable, as it merges with the technological singularity advancing ultimately to a cosmological singularity. The global fallout and shifts occurring in our world require us to either evolve collectively as one global consciousness or perish. Awakening the collective consciousness is imperative for our survival by developing a new planetary ethical code and creating a new reality. Humanity is required to change dramatically and irreversibly, achieving the next human evolution. To ensure our survival we must make a critical choice now, to be the first civilization to survive on a new viable earth.
Akihiro Kogure
LTR Partners, Japan
Title: Japanese challenge of introducing renewable energies: Policy, economics, technology and reaction of existing electric power companies
Biography:
Akihiro Kogure is a President of LTR Japan Partners. LTR Partners provide consulting service mainly to the energy companies and technology industry. He has established first Japanese electricity power retail company which sells electricity mainly generated from renewable energies.
Abstract:
In Japan, Feed-in-Tariff scheme started from July 2012, replacing RPS and revising existing purchasing scheme for PV electricity. Thanks to FIT, Japanese renewable energy was introduced very much. The most of them are PVs. Government make some amendment on FIT from 2017. Their main purpose is to meet energy mix at 2030 and lower the cost of FIT at the same time. There are 4 main factors: Policy and regulation, Power generation Technology (including cost), Finance and power system. Policy and regulation is the main key. But, many company rely on it excessively. Cost reduction and new business model is highly needed. Finance sector also rely on FIT. But it is also needed to invest new business scheme. Power system in Japan is very different from those in other countries. Inter connection is limited not only with other country but also within Japan. To make maximum use of the electricity generated from renewable energies, the technology and operation policy of power system have to be changed dramatically. Technological innovation for smart grid has to be introduced.
Biography:
August Donat Wojtkiewicz graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Hunter College in 2013. He has taken additional classes online at Harvard, MIT and other institutions. He was Vice-Chair of the Academic Senate at Hunter and a member of Hunter Sustainability Project and CUNY Divest. He advocated for the divestment of City University of New York’s endowment from fossil fuels and was instrumental in getting 15 separate student governments at the University to pass resolutions in favor of fossil fuel divestment. He started a renewable energy startup, LeoVera, in 2015, and would like to transition New York, the United States and the World to 100% renewable energy. He is a rising expert on renewable energy technologies and has participated in numerous conferences on the issue, including The Solar Summit in New York, and the Sustainable Energy for All Forums at the United Nations.
Abstract:
Renewable Energy is critical for our future energy needs for multiple reasons. The pressing issue of Climate Change requires that we transition to clean energy sources as rapidly as possible, as well as leave the overwhelming majority of fossil fuel reserves in the ground as a means to slow the rate of temperature increase that we have been observing this over the past century. The benefits are manifold. No emissions from energy generation sources mean cleaner air, water, and land for people and the ecosystem. Free energy sources such as the wind, the sun and the flow of water ultimately mean lower electricity prices for consumers in the long term, and increased economic prosperity for society, as funds spent on energy can be invested elsewhere. The prices for renewable energy technologies are falling year after year, and the spread of implementation is increasing rapidly. It is the fastest growing job sector in the United States. New York and other states have set mandates for renewable energy sources. New York is required to produce 50% of its electricity from renewables by 2030. California has set the mandate for 100% renewable energy by 2045. 100% renewable energy is the goal and objective, for individual states, The United States and The World as a whole. The faster we achieve this, the quicker we will see the effects of climate change slow down and ultimately we will see a return to equilibrium planet temperatures if we cease emissions and the use of fossil fuels for energy. Many see this as an incredible opportunity to transform modern society from using highly polluting sources of energy, to using non-emitting advanced forms of clean energy. This means the evolution of our energy technologies and the evolution and modernization of our civilization.
Derek Quinn
Why Energy LLC, USA
Title: Energy: You don’t know what you’ve got ‘till it’s gone?
Biography:
Derek Quinn is the Chief Technology Officer for Why Energy, LLC., an energy consulting and solutions company. His experience includes 28 years as an Engineer and Senior Management for the semiconductor industry in design and development for companies including Texas Instruments, Fairchild, Rockwell, and AMCC. Having transitioned to renewable energy technology in 2009, he has developed strategies and an accurate hardware incorporated a software monitoring, analysis, and control service system for businesses with sophisticated micro-Grid capabilities.
Abstract:
With apologies to Joni Mitchell, many companies are purchasing energy saving products and are being pursued by companies representing energy components designed be sold on the basis of sustainability and incentives. Businesses that are seeking energy cost reductions rarely know if the strategy they select will financially benefit them or the company that designed and installs their sustainable systems. This article suggests a new strategy to accurately analyze past, existing and future energy costs and develop a control system leading to corporate usage understanding, control and reduction of energy. All businesses understand “you cannot control something you do not understand.” That is particularly true with energy and the related economical management. For example, a relatively efficient hotel may have utility expenses at 6% of their total budget, a food processor probably much higher and a warehouse somewhere in between. An efficient food processor makes 2% to 5% profit on their products. A LED or solar company will target businesses with the goal of selling the product they have on hand as a solution to reducing energy demand and the associated utility cost. LED or solar companies are not in the business of providing accurate long-term studies of energy usage. Their target is to provide products that reduce or offset energy usage. To do more is counter-productive. Similarly, the green sustainable industry cannot survive solely on grants and tax incentives. Addressing 20% of the utility costs through control of energy use can result in a 40% increase in profits with no other change in business operations. There is little benefit for a utility to encourage their customers to reduce usage and degrade their own revenue stream. Unfortunately, cost saving analyses provided by an energy company, is usually spotty, unreliable and often inaccurate.
Burton C English
University of Tennessee, USA
Title: Economic impacts of producing renewable aviation fuel from cover crops: A case study using pennycress as the feedstock
Biography:
Burton C English has been evaluating renewable energy issues since 1978. His areas of concentration include market evaluation, supply chain feasibility, and economic and environmental impacts of the supply chain. These are critical components to evaluating sustainability of the catalytic systems tailored for the structural features of biomass and its hydrocarbons. Our program evaluates supply chain costs and compares these costs to breakeven analysis of products. In addition, since 2005 we have evaluated the market size for chemical building blocks. Feasibility analysis and tradeoffs analysis between significant environmental and economic variables has been his particular interest. In addition, incorporation of the effects of risk parameters on the supply chain, economic impacts to the communities and techno-economic evaluations of the conversion system have been areas of interest.
Abstract:
In 2015, prior to the climate talks in Paris, the Obama administration wanted to take steps to limit the greenhouse gas emissions from airplanes, after EPA had declared that the aviation emissions contribute to global warming and endanger human health. EPA deferred any ruling until seeing the report of the UN’s International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The use of renewable jet fuel has the potential to decrease fuel-price uncertainties, thereby decreasing fuel-hedging costs, and decreasing profit volatility. The United States Government is actively supporting the development of renewable jet fuels. As of 2015, the standard setting organization, ASTM International, has approved five renewable jet fuels for use in aviation. This analysis examines the potential for pennycress (Thlaspi arvense) to support a renewable jet fuel industry in the United States. The objective of this study is to examine the economic feasibility of a pennycress to renewable aviation fuel plus evaluate the potential economic impacts this industry could have on the US economy. To conduct the analysis, two models are used – POLYSYS and IMPLAN. The output from POLYSYS is used to develop economic impact input data for IMPLAN. Partial equilibrium simulation results from POLYSYS suggest that pennycress has the potential to supply approximately 800 million gallons nationally to an alternative aviation fuel industry. The economic impact of this industry has the potential to increase national economic activity by almost $19 billion and add 66,000 jobs. Many of these jobs will occur in rural areas; therefore adding value to pennycress seed by converting the oil into biofuel could enhance rural American economies.
Eshagh Yazdnahsenas
Global Engineering Solutions, USA
Title: Renewable energy and energy efficiency: Lessons for US from Europe
Biography:
Eshagh Yazdanshenas, PhD, PE, LEED AP, CEM is Head of Energy Group at the Global Engineering Solutions. He obtained his PhD from the Technical University of Denmark within the Marie Curie Training Network, Advanced Solar Heating and Cooling for Buildings SOLNET (Solar Thermal Network) project in 2010. SOLNET was the first international PhD education program on Solar Thermal Engineering with partners from nine universities and seven European countries supported by the European Commission. He is an expert in renewable energy, building energy modeling and performance modeling applications such as CFD and daylighting modeling. He is proficient in many modeling and simulation programs and related applications, such as EnergyPlus, DesignBuilder, Google SketchUp, Ecotect, Radiance, Star CCM+, and FLUENT, TRNSYS, Trane Trace among others. As a member of Maryland, MD IBPSA chapter, he helps to organize meetings and speakers. He has also written numerous journal and conference papers and presented at significant industry events, such as Solar World Congress, EUROSUN, SimBuild and ASES Solar Conference.
Abstract:
This talk presents some recommendations for the current challenges, development and implementation of renewable energy technologies in the US. Europe has been for several years forefront of renewable energy technology in the world. Europe has presented great innovations in applying sustainable development and renewable energy practices into Europeans daily life. With the increase in the renewable market in China and the rest of the world, it is essential for US companies to be more involved in the state of the art renewable energy technology in US and around the globe. The challenges for US would be pulling out from Paris agreement, state level not federal level law, inefficient buildings, plants and automobiles, use of fossil fuels, poor renewable energy infrastructure and final renewable energy cost for American family. The opportunities and hope would be DOE’s 20% Wind energy production by 2030 report, renewable energy job creation, 35 states with 70% of the total US net power with the overall target averages 20% of electricity from renewables by 2020 and diversifying risk of energy route by investing in many different states. Last but not least, the author will focus on renewable energy education based on his practical study of solar thermal in Europe and working in US afterwards and will compare the challenges, opportunities and practices of renewable energy and energy efficiency in two sides of Atlantic Ocean and will propose joint European and American renewable energy schools and connection with the European universities counterpart for the joint renewable energy program.
Rajesh Karki
University of Saskatchewan, Canada
Title: Reliability implications of diversifying wind power resources
Biography:
Rajesh Karki (S’98–M’00–SM’04) received his BE degree from the National Institute of Technology, Durgapur, India, and an MSc and PhD degrees from the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada. Currently, he is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Saskatchewan. He was a Lecturer for Tribhuvan University, Nepal. He was also an Electrical Engineer with Nepal Hydro & Electric, Udayapur Cement Industries, Nepal Tele- communications Corporation, and General Electric Canada, Peterborough, ON.
Abstract:
Fossil fuel is presently the major source for electricity production, and is believed to be a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Enormous effort has therefore been put on the development and application of green energy sources. Wind is a promising alternative, which has the potential to be a major power source in future power systems. Huge investments are being made in this sector, which has led to considerable advancement in wind power technology. It is expected that wind power installations will grow substantially to produce clean energy in electric power systems. Wind penetration, which is defined as the ratio of the installed wind capacity to the total installed capacity of a power system is currently about 5% in the Saskatchewan province of Canada. It is expected to increase to over 20% by the next decade. This trend is seen in many jurisdictions around the world. The characteristics of wind power generation is significantly different from that of other conventional generating plants which dictates a need for wind models and techniques appropriately responsive to these characteristics. An increasing number of wind farms located at different sites with varying geographical terrains are being connected to power systems as the wind power penetration continues to grow. The diversity in the wind speed at the various sites can have significant influence on the variability of the overall system generation. This in turn affects system performance and reliability. The wind generation models required for system reliability assessment should therefore appropriately represent the diversity in wind generation profiles. This becomes more important especially at high penetration levels expected in the near future. Time-synchronized data from all the wind farms are generally required to incorporate this correlation in the analysis and hence to accurately model the combined wind generation characteristics. This paper uses an analytical technique to create wind generation models of diverse wind farms, and quantifies the reliability benefit to the power system in terms of wind capacity credit and the increase in peak load carrying capability of a wind-integrated power system.
Ayedh Ahmed Al-Shehai
Royal commission of Ynabu, Saudi Arabia
Title: Contemporary development and sustainability indicators at the Royal Commission of Yanbu
Biography:
Ayedh Ahmed Al-Shehai has vast experience in the environmental management and planning. He is well-known, high caliber and experienced environmental professional with more than 20 years in different fields such as green technology, sustainable development recycling, hazardous wastes, clean development mechanism, environmental awareness. He has participated actively in numerous regional and international conferences and events as an effective Speaker and is a member of several environmental committees and societies and has many awards for his environmental achievements. He has worked on many environmental projects and studies conducted by Environmental Safety and Protection Department of Royal Commission Yanbu Saudi Arabia as well as a certified environmental Instructor/Advisor
Abstract:
Contemporary development in the Royal Commission of Yanbu (RCY) relies on the comprehensive set of sustainability indicators which have been developed through forty years of experience and studies. The city was built in 1974, with the concept of sustainable development for the oil and petroleum industries which serves the community with a population of 115,000. Recently, the RC won many international awards in development under the United Nation Development Program (UNDP) which is considered an indicator for positive progress in sustainability. The aim of this paper is to explore twelve sustainability indicators implemented at RCY. The proposed sustainability indicators were contributed by nine divisions. The methodology in selecting indicators in terms of measurable success was crafted through the knowledge of local and international organizations such as UNDP, European Union (EU), and Environment Protection Agency (EPA). The findings show that RCY has predominantly made excellent progress in sustainability by accomplishing the goal of efficiency in resources and materials. There are twelve categories designed for sustainable development at the RCY. It contains a comprehensive set of indicators updated annually. In conclusion, sustainability indicators influence the growth of income and made harmonious between the economies and the community at RCY.
Biography:
Young-Joon Yu has led all of the developments, resulting in battery regeneration equipment, which is known as the restoration of all kinds of lead-acid batteries with high pulse frequency technology, which is a new concept for domestic and global markets. To change the world’s entire regeneration paradigm, the technology manuals has been written by him, and he trains overseas buyers through online. As such, this is the most comprehensive technical capability of him. He is responsible for all overseas marketing and sales, and sells to approximately 50 countries. Through various experiences of 20 years of corporate CEOs, he is striving to gain the worldwide share of the markets.
Abstract:
PRIME battery regeneration system was developed by Repowertek Inc. in Korea as the new revolutionary battery regeneration technology that revivifies sulphation on the grid of used & dismantled lead-acid batteries by unique electronic and high frequency pulse technology and that activates sulfation to restore the sulfated batteries and improve capacity like new battery condition. The PRIME battery regeneration technology is a green energy technology that extends the battery life over twice. It is a breakthrough that contributes to cost saving as well as global warming, energy scarcity and environment pollution. The principle of the PRIME regenerator is similar to that of ultrasonic cleaner that cleans fine pollutants on the glasses, and this technology is a proprietary technology that is far superior to all of the restoration technologies in the world. Battery related companies can do the maintain services for Solar & Wind Power plants - Eco Town and environmental systems there powered by renewable energy, Telecom, UPS, Marine, Electric Forklift, Lift, Scrubber and other traction cars, Train of Mine, Golf Cart, Military, and so on. You will find a huge business potential with PRIME products accordingly. You can reduce much amount of battery costs through PRIME machines from now on. Let us create a new emerging market together.
Ogunsuyi Helen
Federal University of Technology Akure, Nigeria
Title: Plantain-based integrated bio refinery
Biography:
Ogunsuyi Helen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry, School of Sciences, Federal University of Technology Akure, Nigeria. She is a Lecturer and Researcher with over 20 years of teaching experience. Her current research specialty is on Fuel Chemistry, which embraces both conventional and non-conventional energy options. She has authored and co-authored many scientific papers published both at local and international referred journals. She had attended several seminars, training workshops, symposia and conferences within and outside Nigeria where she presented many of her scientific findings orally and through poster exhibitions. She is a Member of many professional bodies among which are: Institute of Chartered Chemist of Nigeria Science Association of Nigeria; Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World, Trieste Italy; Royal Society of Chemistry (United Kingdom) Professional Member of African Scientific Institute, Fellow of African Women in Agricultural Research and Development, Member of Chemical Society of Nigeria.
Abstract:
In view of the emerging research trend in bio-energy, to circumvent the effects of the impending decline in world’s petroleum reserves and environmental challenges associated with the resource, there is need for African countries to exploit their huge biomass resources towards integrated biorefinery. Nigeria is an agrarian nation with enormous biomass resources that are grossly unexploited for energy generation. Therefore, this present research is investigating the viability of the agricultural residues such as plantain biomass, rice husk, peanut skin and coconut coir from Nigeria for biorefinery operation. These residues were preliminarily analyzed for their monomeric sugar, however, in-depth investigation was focused on plantain biomass due to the enormous yields of wastes from this crop (9,455,000 ton per annual)) compared with other residues under investigation. Our preliminary work demonstrated that the various parts of the plantain biomass namely; flower (inflorescence), leaf and trunk (stem) can be excellent sources of C5 sugars – both in terms of C5 selectivity and yield. The morphology and structural composition of the biomass before and after hydrolysis were studied using SEM and FTIR analysis. The remnant fiber of the biomass was subjected to torrefaction and carbonization processes to produce value-added carbon products such as biochar, carbons for water treatment, etc. BET analysis on the produced carbons showed that surface areas up to 900 m2/g can be achieved. Our work showed that developing a plantain–based biorefinery in Nigeria will impact positively on the economy of the nation with significant agriculture based opportunities in the rural areas.
Gupta M
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, USA
Title: Expression of enzymes in E. coli to produce biofuels
Biography:
Gupta M is currently working as Indo-US Postdoctoral fellow in Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute under the mentorship of Professor Mattheos Koffas, a renowned Scientist in the field of Metabolic Engineering. she is having expertise in microbiology, cell biology and microbial metabolic engineering. Her previous research work focused on exploration of microbial diversity for sustainable environmental solutions. She has published eight research papers in journals of international repute.
Abstract:
Methane, as natural gas or biogas, is the least expensive source of biofuel. The main problem with the use of methane is its non-compressing nature. The biological upgrading of this single carbon source to biofuels as well as high value chemicals can bring new sustainable solutions to a number of industries with large environmental footprints. Today, biological engineering has provided new opportunities for metabolic system modulation and give new optimism to the concept of a methane-based bio-industry. The proposed approach is to simultaneously use methanol (MeOH) and CO2 to produce isobutanol (Fig. 1) with a future goal of going all the way back to the conversion of methane to biofuels. We have engineered E. coli cells to utilize MeOH as a carbon and energy source by expressing methanol dehydrogenase (MDH) and two enzymes from the methylotrophic HuMP pathway. The isobutanol pathway has been integrated into E. coli genome using CRISPR technology. The proposed technology is unique and innovative and has a high probability for commercial success. As global energy requirements change and grow, it is crucial that energy infrastructures need to be adapted and changed to fulfill the promises of increasing population for power generation. Hydrocarbon liquid fuel production from natural gas/methane or methanol will help to replace a significant amount of petroleum-based liquid fuel usage while at the same time will also harvest value from a wasted resource and help to mitigate climate change issues.
Seongokn Lee
1Korea Institute of Energy Research, Korea
Title: Energy technology assessment and prioritization integrated AHP and TOPSIS approach: In case of low oil prices and present nuclear power plant
Biography:
Seongkon Lee, Principal Researcher, has his expertise in the implementation of national energy policy since 2005. He was the former Chief of R&D strategy center, Korea Institute of Energy Research from 2013 to 2015. He is the Board Member of Directors related to The Korea Contents Association (KOCON.a), Korean Society of New and Renewable Energy (KSNRE), Korea Technology Innovation Society, and Korea Entrepreneurship Society. He is the Scientific Panel Member of International Society for Professional Innovation Management (ISPIM), England. He was the Visiting Research Fellow of Technology Management for Innovation, The University of Tokyo, from 2010 to 2013. He was the Visiting Scholar of Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard University, from Aug., 2015 to Aug., 2016. He obtained PhD in Technology Management for Innovation, The University of Tokyo, Japan.
Abstract:
Change in energy environment has been rapid in global energy markets. Advanced economies have been trying to build strategic energy technology development copying with environmental changes, their sustainable development, and climate change. The strategic energy technology development is crucial factor for leading global green energy markets and disseminating them in time. In this research, first stage applied scenario planning for making a framework of various scenarios with the upcoming uncertain future of energy environments. We implemented a systematic procedure composed of scenario planning and integrated two multi-criteria decision making approaches, which were the analytic hierarchy process and TOPSIS methods, to assess 15 energy technologies and prioritize them when decision makers implemented a strategic energy technology development plan as a national level for enhancing national energy security, coping with rapid environmental changes, and sustainable development. We made a short-list of 15 energy technologies, including energy efficiency technologies, new and renewables, and nuclear technology. In this research, we focus on case of low oil price changes and present nuclear power plant status. This research suggests how to find and generate a strategic energy technology development plan considering the selected two key uncertainty variables, including oil price changes and nuclear power plant construction, with STEEP and TOPSIS approaches in the first phase. And then, we build scenario framework considering two key criteria. We assess the case of low oil prices and present nuclear power plant by integrated two multi-criteria decision making approaches for prioritizing short-listed energy technologies. We focus on the strategic energy technology development plan. The results of this research provide decision makers for implementing the uncertain future efficiently with the strategic energy technology development with a scientific systemic procedure.
Liguo Wang
Uppsala University, Sweden
Title: Modeling and advanced control of fully coupled wave energy converters subject to constraints: The wave-to-wire approach
Biography:
Liguo Wang has received his PhD degree in September 2017 from Department of Engineering Sciences, Uppsala University, and currently is a researcher at the same university. He has seven years of research experience on Renewable Energy, with specialization in Ocean Wave Energy. Research covers key areas relevant to wave energy converters, e.g. fluid-structure interaction, power take-off systems, energy storage, and control strategies. These activities are conducted through analytical analysis, numerical simulation, water tank test of prototypes, and sea test of full-scale devices, under supervision of internationally recognized experts in wave energy.
Abstract:
Ocean wave energy is a promising renewable source to contribute to supplying the world’s energy demand. The Division of Electricity at Uppsala University is developing a technology to capture energy from ocean waves with a wave energy converter (WEC) consisting of a linear permanent magnetic generator and a point absorber. The linear generator is placed on sea bed and is driven directly by the floating absorber. Since March 2006, multiple wave energy converters have been deployed on the Swedish west coast outside the town of Lysekil. The technology is verified by long-term operation during at sea and satisfactory reliability of the electricity generation. This thesis focuses on developing advanced control strategies for fully coupled wave energy converters subject to constraints. A nonlinear control strategy is studied in detail for a WEC subject to constraints under regular and irregular waves. Besides, two coordinated control strategies are developed to investigate the performance of a wave energy farm subject to constraints. The performance of the WECs using these control strategies are investigated in case studies, and optimal PTO damping coefficients are found to maximize the output power. The results show that these control strategies can significantly improve the performance of the WECs, in terms of mean power, compared to a conventional control. Besides these control strategies, a wave-to-wire simulation platform is built to study the power generation control of the WEC subject to constraints. The wave-to-wire simulation platform allows both nonlinear and linear control force. The results show that there is a good agreement between the desired value and the actual value after advanced control.