Progress 04/01/03 to 03/31/08
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) 1) Measure performance of engines burning biodiesel operating in a wind/hybrid electric power network; 2) Determine the reduction in emissions from engines using biodiesel instead of petroleum diesel; 3) Develop new and revised control specifications for wind/hybrid system controllers for remote farms and villages; and 4) Integrate a microturbine into the wind/hybrid electric power generation network. Approach (from AD-416) A 150 kW wind/diesel (biodiesel) hybrid electric generation plant has been constructed at Bushland, TX with 3 diesel generators, 2 wind turbines, motor and resistance loads, 100 kW of battery storage, and experimental control system. Biodiesel made from different feedstocks will be used in the diesel generators to generate electricity. Performance measurements (power, fuel consumption, electrical stability, etc.) and emissions measurements (Nox, SO2, CO, etc.) will be made to determine the best biodiesel fuels. Controller logic and controller operation will be determined to assist the development of a commercial controller. A microturbine electric generator will be installed and operated in a hybrid configuration with the wind turbines and battery storage system. All systems will be evaluated for operation in remote areas for potential on-farm applications. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations The wind-hybrid electric generating system constructed at Bushland, Texas, consisted of two 43-kW diesel engines, a 29-kW microturbine, two wind turbines (40 kW and 50 kW), the battery storage system (seventy-six 12- volt gel electrolytic batteries), a rotary converter, a 120-kW resistance heater load, three motor loads (5.6 kW, 7.5 kW, and 11.25 kW), a 200-kW resistance controlled balancer load, and a custom designed controller and software. The hybrid system operated only for a limited time during FY-2008 due to significant repair issues with both of the wind turbines and the microturbine used in this system. The 50-kW wind turbine experienced a gearbox failure after 14 years of operation. Repair is waiting on replacement parts. The 40-kW wind turbine experienced a lightning strike that fried the generator and completely burned the electrical leads to the generator. Reliable operation of these 20-year-old plus systems is affecting research accomplishments. The microturbine had a failure after commissioning, and limited funding has prevented repair. During FY-2008, the USDA-ARS Renewable Energy Team provided information and research results to the DOE Wind-Diesel program and technology activities by participating in workshops and technical evaluations, and screening technical concepts to provide future energy to remote villages and rural America. ARS engineers are participating on the DOE technical team to support the industry effort to provide 20% of the nation's electricity by the year 2030. This agreement ended in March 2008, but ARS engineers continue to cooperate with the staff at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and with DOE.
Impacts
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Progress 10/01/06 to 09/30/07
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) 1) Measure performance of engines burning biodiesel operating in a wind/hybrid electric power network; 2) Determine the reduction in emissions from engines using biodiesel instead of petroleum diesel; 3) Develop new and revised control specifications for wind/hybrid system controllers for remote farms and villages; and 4) Integrate a microturbine into the wind/hybrid electric power generation network. Approach (from AD-416) A 150 kW wind/diesel (biodiesel) hybrid electric generation plant has been constructed at Bushland, TX with 3 diesel generators, 2 wind turbines, motor and resistance loads, 100 kW of battery storage, and experimental control system. Biodiesel made from different feedstocks will be used in the diesel generators to generate electricity. Performance measurements (power, fuel consumption, electrical stability, etc.) and emissions measurements (Nox, SO2, CO, etc.) will be made to determine the best biodiesel fuels. Controller logic and controller operation will be determined to assist the development of a commercial controller. A microturbine electric generator will be installed and operated in a hybrid configuration with the wind turbines and battery storage system. All systems will be evaluated for operation in remote areas for potential on-farm applications. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations This report serves to document research conducted under an interagency reimbursable agreement between ARS and the Department of Energy, working with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado. Additional details of the research can be found in the report for the parent CRIS 6209-13610-006-00D, Remote Water Pumping and Electric Power Generation with Renewable Energy. The wind-hybrid electric generating system constructed at Bushland, Texas, consists of two 43-kW diesel engines, a 29-kW microturbine, two wind turbines (40 kW and 50 kW), the battery storage system (seventy-six 12-volt gel electrolytic batteries), a rotary converter, a 120-kW resistance heater load, three motor loads (5.6 kW, 7.5 kW, and 11.25 kW), a 200-kW resistance controlled balancer load, and a custom designed controller and software. The hybrid system was operated only for a limited time during 2007 due to significant repair issues with both of the wind turbines used in this system. The 50-kW wind turbine control panel experienced a lightning strike resulting in an electrical short. Repair of the controller took an extremely long time. The 40-kW wind turbine experienced issues with tip-brakes causing the turbine to stop at random times. The early deployment of a tip-brake caused excessive wear on regular brakes, resulting in more repairs. Reliable operation of these 20-year-old systems is beginning to affect research accomplishments. During FY-2007, the USDA-ARS renewable energy team provided input to the DOE Energy-Water Nexus concept and participated in workshops, technical evaluations, and screening of technical concepts to provide future water for electric power generation. The electric generation industry needs to double the amount of electric power generation by 2030. This means that additional water supplies are needed to meet this demand. The DOE Energy- Water Nexus is charged with describing the research and technology development that will be needed to meet these demands. ARS engineers are assisting with this effort as part of this interagency agreement. The ADODR provides cooperator with required semi-annual report of progress and reviews monthly status of funds reports to verify appropriate use of funds.
Impacts
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Progress 10/01/05 to 09/30/06
Outputs
Progress Report 4d Progress report. This report serves to document research conducted under an interagency reimbursable agreement between ARS and the Department of Energy (DOE) working with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden Field Office, Golden, Colorado. Additional details of this research can be found in the report for the parent CRIS 6209-13610-006-00D, Remote Water Pumping and Electric Power Generation with Renewable Energy. The wind-hybrid electric generating system constructed at Bushland, Texas, consists of two 43-kW diesel engines, a 25 kW microturbine, two wind turbines (40 kW and 50 kW), the battery storage system (seventy-six 12-volt gel electrolytic batteries), a rotary converter, a 120-kW resistance heater load, three motor loads (5.6 kW, 7.5 kW, and 11.25 kW), a 200-kW resistance controlled balancer load, and a custom designed controller and software. The hybrid system was operated only for a limited time during 2006 due to significant
repair issues with one of the wind turbines used in this system. The wind turbine control panel experienced an electrical short that required that the entire control panel be replaced. Since this was an old prototype wind turbine, the replacement of the controller took an extremely long time. A totally new controller had to designed and tested. Final acceptance testing on the controller is being conducted and should be completed by October 2006. The microturbine that was installed in 2006 will be operated as part of the hybrid system and will be fueled by blends of biodiesel. Initial testing will be done with 100% diesel, then with blends of 2, 20, and 50% diesel, and finally 100% biodiesel will be used. During FY-2006, the USDA-ARS renewable energy team at Bushland, Texas, provided input to the DOE Energy-Water Nexus concept and participated in workshops, technical evaluations, and screening of technical concepts to provide future water for electric power generation. The
electric generation industry needs to double the amount of electric power generation by 2030. This means that additional water supplies are needed to meet this demand. The DOE Energy-Water Nexus is charged with describing the research and technology development that will be needed to meet these demands. ARS engineers are assisting with this effort as part of this interagency agreement.
Impacts
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Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/05
Outputs
4d Progress report. This report serves to document research conducted under an interagency reimbursable agreement between ARS and the Department of Energy working with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the parent CRIS 6209-13610-006- 00D, Remote Water Pumping and Electric Power Generation with Renewable Energy. The wind-hybrid electric generating system constructed at Bushland, TX, consists of three 43-kW diesel engines, two wind turbines (40 kW and 50 kW), the battery storage system (seventy-six 12-volt gel electrolytic batteries), a rotary converter, a 120-kW resistance heater load, three motor loads (5.6 kW, 7.5 kW, and 11.25 kW), a 200-kW resistance controlled balancer load, and an Encorp controller with custom designed software. The hybrid system was operated only for a limited time during 2005 due to significant repair issues with one of the wind turbines used in this system. The wind
turbine control panel experienced an electrical short that required that the entire control panel be replaced. Since this was an old prototype wind turbine, the replacement of the controller has taken an extremely long time. A microturbine has been installed to replace one of the diesel engines. The microturbine will be operated as part of the hybrid system and will be fueled by blends of biodiesel. Initial testing will be done with 100% diesel, then blends of 2%, 20%, 50%, and finally 100% biodiesel will be used. Instrumentation was upgraded and a new programmable load controller was installed as part of the renovation of the hybrid system in preparation to operating the engines on biodiesel. The new hybrid system will operate entirely on renewable energy sources.
Impacts
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Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04
Outputs
4. What were the most significant accomplishments this past year? D. Progress Report: This report serves to document research conducted under an interagency agreement between ARS and the Department of Energy working with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the parent CRIS 6209-13610-005-00D, Renewable Energy Systems for Water Pumping and Remote Electric Power Generation. The wind-hybrid electric generating system constructed at Bushland, TX, consist of three 43-kW diesel engines, two wind turbines (40 kW and 50 kW) , the battery storage system (seventy-six 12-volt gel electrolytic batteries), a rotary converter, a 120-kW resistance heater load, three motor loads (5.6 kW, 7.5 kW, and 11.25 kW), a 200-kW resistance controlled balancer load, and an Encorp controller with custom designed software. The hybrid system was operated only for a limited time during 2004 due to significant repair issues with
the two wind turbines used in this system. The rotary transformer that provides electricity to the tip brakes on the AOC wind turbine had to be replaced. The manufacturer has changed the design of the rotary transformer, and a completely new unit had to be built. It was delivered 10 months after being ordered and then it did not fit the shaft. The AOC wind turbine was unusable for almost a year. The 22-year-old Enertech wind turbine experienced a gearbox failure in June 2003 and was reinstalled after being totally reconditioned. Reconditioning became a challenge after it was learned that the gearbox manufacturer no longer provided replacement gears or even a replacement gearbox. A used gearbox was located, purchased, and reconditioned. Instrumentation was upgraded and a new programmable load controller was installed as part of the renovation of the hybrid system in preparation to operating the engines on biodiesel. The new hybrid system will operate entirely on renewable
energy sources.
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