Introduction to Renewable Power Systems and the Environment with R

Miguel F. Acevedo

• Publisher: CRC Press
• Year: 2018
• ISBN:
  9781315279596
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Physical Sciences
• Subtopic: Energy

Introduction to Renewable Power Systems and the Environment with R showcases the fundamentals of electrical power systems while examining their relationships with the environment. To address the broad range of interrelated problems that come together when generating electricity, this reference guide ties together multiple engineering disciplines with applied sciences. The author merges chapters on thermodynamics, electricity, and environmental systems to make learning fluid and comfortable for students with different backgrounds. Additionally, this book provides users with the opportunity to execute computer examples and exercises that use the open source R system.

Functions of the renpow R package have been described and used in this book in the context of specific examples. The author lays out a clear understanding of how electricity is produced around the world and focuses on the shift from carbon-based energy conversions to other forms including renewables. Each energy conversion system is approached both theoretically and practically to provide a comprehensive guide. Electrical circuits are introduced from the simplest circumstances of direct current (DC), progressing to more complex alternating current (AC) circuits, single phase and three-phase, and electromagnetic devices including generators and transformers. Thermodynamics are employed to understand heat engines and a variety of processes in electrochemical energy conversion, such as fuel cells. The book emphasizes the most prevalent renewable energy conversions in use today: hydroelectrical, wind, and solar.

This book is an invaluable for students as a resource to help them understand those aspects of environment systems that motivate the development and utilization of renewable power systems technology.

1Introduction

As we humans developed our capacity to modify and exploit our environment for food and shelter, along with using various forms of energy, we have become more and more aware of the importance of managing and preserving the quantity and quality of natural resources upon which we depend to sustain our livelihood. Electricity has become one of the major uses of energy in the world today contributing greatly to prosperity and many forms of advancements in industry, technology, and information. However, the major sources used to generate electricity today across the world are fossil fuels, which cause at least two complicated issues: These resources are finite and cannot be realistically replenished once depleted, and their consumption enhances Earth’s greenhouse effect causing global climate change. Hence, shifting the sources of electricity generation to more lasting resources that at the same time reduce the impact on climate change has become an important and challenging endeavor.

This chapter introduces the needs for intertwining the two major themes of this book: the environment and electrical power systems. Being an introductory chapter, we first review basic concepts of energy and power, using simple and intuitive mechanical, thermal, radiant, and chemical energy as our first few examples. Second, we examine the sources of electricity generation, emphasizing carbon-based sources and the need for renewable power systems. Important distinctions are made among several terms commonly employed to qualify energy conversion systems. Several textbooks [1–10] serve as reference and supplementary readings to the material presented in this chapter.

1.1Energy and Power

1.1.1Basics of Mechanical Power and Energy

We start by reviewing some basic notions from elementary mechanics as applied to a moving object. Velocity is speed of motion or distance traveled per unit time; it is given, for example, in meters per second (m/s or ms–1). The rate of change of velocity is acceleration, or how fast the velocity changes; it is then ms–1 per second, which is meters per square second (ms–2). Newton’s second law of motion states that force is a measure of how much acceleration you can give to a moving mass and it is given by F = ma, where m is mass and a is acceleration. One newton (N) is the force required to give a mass of one kilogram (1 kg) an acceleration of 1 ms–2.

A force does work when it is applied to an object of a given mass moving it along a certain distance or, in other words, displacing its position (Figure 1.1). This work is a form of energy provided by the force and given to the object. Therefore, we can think of work as a transfer of energy. One joule (J) of energy corresponds to the work done by a 1 N force acting for one meter (1 J = 1 Nm).

Figure 1.1Displacing a mass.

Besides the total amount of work done, the time taken to move the object is important and determines power, which is the...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Contents
• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• Author
• Chapter 1 Introduction
• Chapter 2 Environmental Systems, the Carbon Cycle, and Fossil Fuels
• Chapter 3 Fundamentals of Direct Current Electric Circuits
• Chapter 4 Thermodynamics
• Chapter 5 Electrical Storage Elements, Basics of AC Circuits, and AC-DC Conversion
• Chapter 6 More Thermodynamics State FunctionsEntropy, Enthalpy, and Free Energy
• Chapter 7 Coal- and Steam-Based Processes
• Chapter 8 Alternating Current (AC) Circuits and Power
• Chapter 9 Gas and Liquid FuelsGas Turbines and Combustion Engines
• Chapter 10 Transformers and Three-Phase Circuits
• Chapter 11 Power Systems and the Electric Power Grid
• Chapter 12 Hydroelectric Power Generation
• Chapter 13 Wind Resources and Wind Power
• Chapter 14 Solar Power
• Appendix: Introduction to R
• Index