4943

(SERI/TP-212-1989) Opportunities for high-efficiency amorphous-silicon thin-film solar cells. Madan, A. (Solar Energy Research Inst., Golden, CO (USA)). Jun 1983. Contract AC02-77CH00178. 19p. (CONF-830622— 24). NTIS, PC A02/MF A01. Order Number DE83011975. From American Solar Energy Society meeting; Minneapolis, MN, USA (1 Jun 1983).

Amorphous-silicon-based alloys have attracted a considerable amount of interest in the past few years because of their potential as inexpensive solar cells. The highest conversion efficiency so far reported exceeds 10%. However, some recent economic studies suggest that for a viable phototvoltaic market, thin-film solar cells would have to attain still higher conversion efficiencies. We review some of the basic properties of amorphous-silicon-based alloys and consider the multijunction stack arrays which provide a route towards the attainment of higher efficiencies.

4944

(SERI/TP-214-1976) Wind-energy systems for electric utilities: a synthesis of value studies. Hoock, S.; Flaim, T. (Solar Energy Research Inst., Golden, CO (USA)). May 1983. Contract AC02-77CH00178. 11p. (CONF-830622-23). NTIS, PC A02/MF A01. Order Number DE83011968.

From American Solar Energy Society meeting; Minneapolis, MN, USA (1 Jun 1983).

Portions are illegible in microfiche products. Original copy available until stock is exhausted.

The results from five major studies that assess the value of wind-energy-conversion systems (WECS) to 14 electric utilities have been normalized by a set of standard economic assumptions to facilitate comparisons across studies. The results indicate that WECS breakeven value is highly dependent on several factors: (1) wind resource, (2) utility generation mix, (3) assumed WECS penetration, and (4) year of WECS installation. The studies also show that WECS increase system reliability in many cases and thus can displace some capacity. This capacity displacement - measured in terms of effective load-carrying capability (ELCC) - declines with increasing WECS penetration. Sensitivity cases were examined to determine the effects of changes in utility financial parameters, fuel cost projections, WECS operation and maintenance costs, and the generation mix overtime. The results of the normalization indicate that the value of WECS to utilities ranges from $1500 to $4000 per kW, depending on the factors listed above. In reality, however, the amount that utilities could afford to pay will probably be significantly lower due to the uncertainties inherent in the predictions, and the limitations of the value-analysis methodology, which is based on a single-year simulation of a utility system. Thus, the normalized-value estimates reported here are optimistic because they ignore dynamic changes in the generation mix and competition from other alternatives.

4945

(SERI/TR-231-1926) Alcohol fuels activities at the Solar Energy Research Institute, 1982. (Solar Energy Research Inst., Golden, CO (USA)). Apr 1983. Contract AC02-77CH00178. 49p. NTIS, PC A03/MF A01. Order Number DE83009394.

Portions are illegible in microfiche products. Original copy available until stock is exhausted.

The purpose of this report is to present and describe the SERI R & D activities in alcohol fuels during FY 1982. This report summarizes both in-house and contracted research tasks. Individual task summary sheets are included which report budget allocations, the objectives, and the technical approach. The major emphasis of the program is on cellulose-to-ethanol process development, with a smaller emphasis on methanol synthesis through gasification. To improve biological processing of biomass, the program also includes many of the long-lead-time, basic research tasks in such areas of recombinant DNA, genetics, and mutant strain selection.

The contributions of methane from landfills and raw sewage, alcohol fuels, and agricultural wastes could increase, but on a limited basis. Efforts to phase out government support for biomass have met with resistance, but budget cuts have been offset to some extent by an increase in private industry funding. A review of research, development, and commercialization programs describes biomass production and conversion programs and ethanol and methanol fuel programs. 7 tables. (DCK)

4947

Oil company brings photovoltaic solar power to the electric-utility industry in California. Smock, R. Electric Light and Power; 61: No. 5, 22, 26(May 1983).

Generous tax credits encouraged Arco Solar Inc. to bring photovoltaic power generation to California's electric utilities. While not yet cost-cpmpetitive, rapid technological development is improving the prospects for photovoltaic solar power. One breakthrough in the late 1970s dropped photovoltaic module prices from $20 a watt to $2.80 this year and a projected 40 cents by 1990. Arco sells power from the one-megawatt installation at avoidedcost price to Southern California Edison. A cheaper material, such as amorphous silicon, to replace single-crystal silicon will be the next cost breakthrough. The momentum in pursuing photovoltaic power for intermediate-load capacity may bring renewable energy sources into economic viability. 3 figures, 2 tables. (DCK)

4948

Prospects of wind-energy utilization in India. Singhal, O.P. (Central Inst. of Agricultural Engineering, Bhopal, India). Urja; 13: No. 4, 219-224(Apr 1983).

In developing countries, windmills could play an important role in water management and agriculture. However, initial costs are high, they generate only part of the power required during peak periods, a minimum wind speed of 10 kmph is required, and position is important. The author discusses windmill availability and design and presents formulae for power estimation. Windmill performance for generating electricity and pumping water is discussed, as is the cost of wind pumps. 10 references, 10 figures, 4 tables.

4949

Wind parks, an economic energy alternative. D'Aquanni, R.T.; Church, C.B. Energy Economics, Policy and Management; 2: No. 4, 4-18(Spr 1983).

The objective of US wind-farm developers is to put up as many reliable wind machines as possible on energetic wind-swept sites using third-party venture capital. The wind-farm process begins by finding a suitably windy site, of an appropriate size, to be able to transmit wind-generated electricity economically. The US government has enacted legislation to help the wind industry achieve stability, but wind-farm development still holds financial risks for developers. As machines become more reliable and less expensive, the cost effectiveness of wind-generated electricity will improve and the electric-utility industry will be more willing to participate in wind-farm development. 14 figures, 5 tables.

4950

Geothermal energy development. Energy Economics, Policy and Management; 2: No. 4, 50-51(Spr 1983).

DONG, the state-owned Danish Oil and Natural Gas Corporation which has exclusive rights to Danish geothermal resources, anticipates that nine towns will be served by geothermal districtheating systems. The geothermal plants will consist of a production well, a surface plant, and a reinjection pump. The breakeven point is estimated to be 40,000 Mvh/year, a supply that could service 1000 to 3000 dwellings. A trial well in northern Jutland has already yielded an acceptable flow of hot water. 1 figure.

4951

Residential firewood use in the United States. Lipfert, F.W.; Dungan, J.L. (Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY). Science (Washington, D.C.); 219: 1425-1427(25 Mar 1983). Contract AC02-76CH00016.

An empirical relation between residential firewood use and population density was developed from survey data for 64 counties in New England and was corroborated by data from other states. The results indicate that usage is concentrated in urbanized areas of the Northeast and north central states and that about 9.0 to 11.0 percent of US space heating input is from firewood. No constraints due to the supply of wood were apparent in 1978 to 1979. These findings have implications for effects on air quality.

4952

World's first municipal wind farm. Reinemer, V. Public Power; 41: No. 2, 10-15(Mar-Apr 1983).

Evaluating wind to be a logical and economic source of electricity, the community of Livingston, Montana is exploiting their windy location by erecting wind-electric generators ranging from 10 to 500 kW. The project has not been free from mishaps, however. In 1981, the then new Reagan Administration indefinitely deferred the promise made by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1980 to finance 85% of the total project cost. Violent winds and engineering-design inadequacies have caused machines to become inoperative, but subsequent redesigns have solved the original problems. Wind firms doing business in the Livingston area include Pan Aero Corp., United Technologies, US Windpower, Enertech, and Windcraft Industries. Livingston's prime objective at this time is to convert wind into jobs and municipal revenue, not retail distribution of electricity. 5 figures.

4953

Dedicating the wind. Udall, J.R. Public Power; 41: No. 2, 16-17(Mar-Apr 1983).

The Bureau of Reclamation, better known for dams than windmills, has sponsored the construction and operation of two giant (2.5 MW and 4 MW) wind turbines in Medicine Bow, WY, capable of powering 3000 homes with electricity. By blending wind with inadequate western water supplies, water can be conserved while the wind is blowing and hydropower could firm up the intermittent wind-generated electricity during calm spells. Reliability is proclaimed to be the chief design consideration in the large and small wind machines being designed and manufactured by a host of companies, among them Boeing, Hamilton Standard, Bendix, Westinghouse, and General Electric, who are all relying on third-party development capital. Windmill turbine design is especially difficult since they have to be machined to exact tolerances, but must also be able to withstand weather extremes. The use of wind power is expected to grow in the future. 3 figures.

4954

Photovoltaics down to earth. Strong, S.J. (Solar Design Associates, Lincoln, MA). Public Power; 41: No. 2, 18-23(Mar-Apr 1983).

Solar photovoltaics, via economical and efficient silicon cells, are being implemented by American utility companies in dispersed, small-scale situations as stand-alone or utility-interactive units. Stand-alone facilities, with no binding ties to a utility, store their power in deep-discharge batteries and will reduce the load demand on utilities as they increase in number and in size. Utilityinteractive PV systems draw power from the grid when photovoltaic (PV) array generation is insufficient to meet load requirements. Examples of working utility-interactive photovoltaic power generation arrangements are given. Hindrances to future PV development include high land costs in certain areas, high costs for PV hardware, and lack of imagination by utilities. 4 figures.

4955

Energy from wood for non-residential use: a status report. Toronto, Ontario; Ministry of Energy (1983). 11p. Ontario, Canada's wood and wood residue supply is abundant, and wood gas made from these can replace natural gas in some uses. Although 40% of the pulp and paper mills' energy is from residue conversion, over a million tons of mill and logging residue remain unused each year. The potential energy is equivalent to 50 million barrels of oil per year. The Ministry of Energy's goal is to produce 2% of Ontario's total energy supply from wood and wood residue by 1995. Current projects, available government assistance, and criteria for assistance are given. 1 figure, 1 table.

4956

Energy from municipal solid waste: a status report. Toronto, Ontario; Ministry of Energy (1983). 9p.

Garbage is energy, or can be. Each Ontario, Canada, resident throws out about three-fourths metric ton of waste each year. Each ton's potential energy is about equivalent to one barrel of oil. The Ministry of Energy's target is to provide at least 1.5% of Ontario's primary energy needs by 1995 from municipal waste. Financial and technical assistance for waste-conversion projects is provided by the government. Current municipal-waste projects, research development, and criteria for economical waste conversion are tabulated. 1 table.

4957 Electric power from biogas. Eichenberger, H. Technica (Basel); 21: No. 31, 1853-1856, 1865(13 Oct 1982). (In German).

With the aid of a number of circuit diagrams the function of a Total Energy Module (TOTEM) operated by means of an internal combustion engine without additional cooling device is described. The pertaining automatic control device adjusts the performance of the internal combustion engine according to the required amount of heat. In Switzerland alone, some 40 plants of this kind, using biogas as a fuel, are being operated.

4958

The economics of hardwood fuels produced on biomass plantations. Dolan, L.S. (Seattle City Light, WA); Kropp, F.; Sims, G. pp 63-107 of Symposium papers: energy from biomass and wastes VI. Feingold, B.W.; Courtney, L. (eds.). Chicago, IL; Institute of Gas Technology (Jun 1982). (CONF-820127-). Contract FG01-78ET20593.

From 6. annual conference on energy from biomass wastes VI; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA (25 Jan 1982).

Seattle City Light has conducted hardwood plantation research since 1978, investigating the feasibility of fastgrowth cottonwood and alder plantations to supply fuel for electric generation under a U.S. Department of Energy grant. Two experimental plantations have been operated for three years to determine productivity and optimal management programs. An assessment is made of the cost of fuel produced on these biomass plantations, as well as a scenario that relies on harvest of existing red alder stands. Included in the assessment are: an evaluation of forest plantation equipment availability; feasibility and cost; land availability and cost in western Washington; environmental effects of intensive culture short-rotation plantations and associated mitigation; and a survey of alternative woody fuel use and dollar value by Northwest forest indus

tries.

4959

Operating experience with solar plants. Klein, H.J. Karlsruhe, Germany; Karlsruhe University, Inst. fuer Soziologie (1982). 55p. (In German).

Within the framework of the Energy Conservation Programme 1977/78 the government of Baden-Wuerttemberg had provided subsidies of a total of 6 million DM in order to promote the fast introduction of solar energy into the market. The employment of these means, the operating results achieved by the subsidized plants and the experience gathered during operation are of basic interest when discussing such a new and differently assessed technology. The present investigation provides basic knowledge of the practical operation of solar plants for water heating in private households. These findings were obtained on the basis of standardized inquiries and measurements.

4961

Commercializing solar water heating in the Northeast. Meeker, J. pp 29-38 of Solar business experience. Brattleboro, VT; New England Solar Energy Association ([nd]). (CONF-7901101—).

From 3. annual conference of the New England Solar Energy Association - Solar realities forum: learning from experience; Worcester, MA, USA (26 Jan 1979).

Working with the solar manufacturers, contractors and the state energy offices, an intensive campaign to commercialize Solar Water Heating (SWH) was conducted within our region. This campaign reached in excess of 41 million consumers. It solicited over 30,000 requests for HUD grant applications, 9000+ of which were approved for installation. By December 31, 1979, over 4,039 cus

tomers had installed SWH systems and received the $400 HUD grants since the inception of this campaign. Experience and conversations with several solar contractors indicate that an additional 400+ systems qualifying for the HUD grant were installed in 1979, however, checks had not yet been issued to their owners due to a lag in paperwork. In addition, state energy offices, utility compa

nies, and solar energy associations indicate that a minimum of 600 additional active solar system (not HUD related) were installed in the region last year. In all, over 5,000 active solar systems were installed in 1979. "Operation Sunpower" was the single largest factor in the SWH commercialization process in the Northeast in 1979.