Progress 09/01/09 to 05/07/13
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416): The long-term objective of this project is to develop the technology and demonstrate the equipment needed to provide heat and power for stationary on-farm energy uses. Modern agricultural activities require large amounts of heat and power to achieve the production efficiencies required to meet the demands for food, feed, fiber, and energy. Cities, industries, and service organizations require more and more of the energy produced by large central generating plants; therefore, farmers and ranchers have to seek ways to produce their own energy. Traditionally, farmers and ranchers have produced their own energy by burning wood and crop residues. They also used water, wind, and animal energy to provide the needed power. During the last 80 years, farmers have used alternative fuels derived from petroleum and coal. Now that petroleum-based energy is in limited supply and expensive, producers must return to the basic, natural, renewable energy sources. The project will focus on the following three objectives: Objective 1: Develop (1) hybrid biodiesel/wind/solar- and (2) hybrid wind/ solar-based technologies that enable commercial on-farm production of heat and power. Subobjective 1A: Use hybrid wind/solar energy systems to pump water for irrigation in the Southern High Plains; Subobjective 1B: Develop industrial control algorithms that allow for the safe and efficient integration of biodiesel/wind/solar hybrid systems into agricultural operations for the production of heat and power; Subobjective 1C: Use heat from sun to either heat or preheat water for dairies in the Southern High Plains. Objective 2: Develop hybrid wind/solar-based technologies that enable commercial on-farm production of hydrogen. Objective 3: Develop microbial-based technologies that enable commercial on-farm production of fuels, power, and/or bioproducts from manures. Subobjective 3A: Identify microorganisms that are electricigens or microbial consortia that can act as electricigens that are derived from either beef or dairy concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO); Subobjective 3B: Determine the potential power output of identified electricigens-microbial consortia in low- (H-cell type) and high-power (ministack-type) fuel cell configurations using various types and forms of 'manure fuels;' Subobjective 3C: Evaluate microbial consortia-bioreactor designs for the efficient generation of H from manure wastes. Approach (from AD-416): This project will involve research experiments designed to develop new products that will allow farmers and ranchers to produce affordable, renewable, reliable energy from wind, solar, and biomass resources. The research team has a long history in designing remote power systems for pumping water and providing electricity to remote sites and villages. This activity will continue by the development of hybrid systems using both wind and solar energy with storage capability to provide continuous power or heat. Efforts will be expanded by including research that will examine the feasibility of producing either hydrogen or electricity using a microbial fuel cell in manure-laden waste water retention ponds. At the request of ONP this project was redirected to an emphasis on bioenergy in May 2013. Of the 3 project objectives, the first was mostly achieved; whereas, the other two could not be achieved due to critical vacancies and budget. The main areas that we have worked on over the past 3.75 years were: 1) developing hybrid wind/solar on-grid and off-grid water pumping systems for farms, 2) developing solar hot water systems for feedlots and dairies, and 3) use of micro-organisms from cattle manure to produce electricity and/or hydrogen. A study was conducted to evaluate use of wind turbines and solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays connected to the utility grid for providing energy for crop irrigation systems in the Southern High Plains. It was found that combining a winter crop with a summer crop improved the match of wind energy available to irrigation energy required, but it was necessary to add a solar PV array to get a good match. However, despite the large drop in solar PV module prices over the past 5 years, the wind- turbine-only system had the greatest return on investment. Research on off-grid hybrid wind/solar systems began in 2011. In this hybrid system the wind turbine and solar PV array frequently interfered with each other due to differences in voltage (wind turbine voltage varies with wind speed; whereas, the PV array operates at a near constant voltage). It was found that the wind turbine and PV array would not interfere with each other if a battery bank was used as an energy buffer. When no irrigation was necessary, the wind/solar/battery system could be used to power other electrical loads on the farm. We investigated the use of low-cost solar thermal systems in the heating of water for dairies and feedlots. Two similar unglazed solar thermal hot water systems were constructed. Performance was evaluated by changing one variable on one and not the other. It was determined that connecting the collectors in series resulted in a higher water temperature, but connecting in parallel would heat a larger volume of water. Depending on the amount and temperature of hot water needed, a solar hot water system could be designed. It was also determined the pumps should be powered by a solar PV array since pumping should only occur when the sun is shining. To determine how well a wind turbine/solar PV system will work for irrigation pumping and how well a solar hot water system will work for dairies and feedlots, information on energy usage, water flow rate, and water temperature are required. Previous work by others allowed the electricity usage and water flow rate to be estimated for irrigation. Data were collected at a feedlot for one year, but no data were collected on dairies due to insufficient personnel. To evaluate electricity or hydrogen production from manure, microbial fuel cell designs were used to isolate bacteria from feedlot samples. Hydrogen-producing bacteria were isolated and 70 strains were genetically characterized and evaluated for hydrogen production. Genetic characterizations were determined for 300 electricity-producing bacterial communities. Techniques were developed to select the best ones for producing electricity. Accomplishments 01 Off-grid wind/solar/battery powered water pumping. In many locations in the world (including the U.S.), water pumping systems do not have access to electricity generated by a power plant and are usually dependent on diesel-powered generators. Diesel generators use fuel that is expensive, require high maintenance, emit greenhouse gases, and also cause pollution due to fuel spills. USDA-ARS researched the use of off- grid hybrid wind/solar powered systems for on-farm use, but none of these systems are sold currently for water pumping due partly to interference of combining wind turbine with a solar photovoltaic (PV) array. An ARS scientist, in collaboration with a small wind turbine manufacturer, developed and field tested a hybrid wind/solar/battery system that allows the wind turbine to be combined with a solar PV system for pumping water using a commercial solar pump. The hybrid wind/ solar/battery water pumping system was more reliable than either the wind turbine or the solar PV array alone because if the wind or solar system failed, the other system could continue to pump water. Also, when no water pumping is necessary or more renewable energy is generated than needed, the electricity can be used for other on-farm electrical loads. Therefore, adding a battery bank with an appropriately designed wind turbine controller could result in a power system that is less expensive, less polluting, and lower maintenance than a diesel generator. 02 Combining solar power plants with wind farms. Texas generates the largest amount of wind generated electricity in the U.S. (7.4% of total electricity used in Texas in 2012 was generated from wind turbines), but as the percentage increases above 10%, it will become increasingly difficult for utilities to balance the electrical load because peak wind power generation occurs around midnight when the electrical load tends to be low. An ARS scientist at Bushland, Texas, collaborated with a scientist at the Sandia National Laboratory (Albuquerque, New Mexico) to determine if combining a concentrating solar power (CSP) plant with wind farms would improve the match to the utility electrical load in the Texas Panhandle. For the Texas Panhandle, the CSP plant power rating should be half that of the wind farm to match the annual utility electrical loading. The CSP plant with 6 hours of solar thermal storage also performed very well for peak utility loading days (a major criteria for power plant selection by a utility). Although the levelized cost of energy was higher (approximately $0.04/kWh) for the combination wind farm and CSP plant compared to the wind farm only, the improvement in matching the utility electrical load and increased reliability may be worth the cost. Installation of hybrid wind farm/ solar power plants could increase the percentage of renewable energy on the utility's system which will help utilities transition from fossil- fuel-powered plants that produce greenhouse gases, and have a finite fuel source. 03 Effect of wind speed on solar energy performance. A common variable overlooked in the placement of either a solar photovoltaic (PV) system or an unglazed solar thermal hot water system is the wind speed. An increase in wind speed improves the performance of a PV array because they operate more efficiently at cooler temperatures, but degrades the performance of an unglazed solar thermal collector. An ARS scientist at Bushland, Texas, measured air temperature, wind speed, solar PV module temperature, solar collector temperature, water temperature, solar irradiance, and AC power generated by a PV array to determine the effect of wind speed on a solar PV system. For days of similar irradiance and air temperature, an increase in wind speed of 5 m/s resulted in a 3 to 5% increase in electricity produced. In contrast, a 5 m/s increase in wind speed (again for days with similar irradiance and air temperature) resulted in a 50% decrease in the temperature of hot water produced using a unglazed solar thermal collector. This information should help in the design and placement of solar PV arrays and unglazed solar thermal hot water collectors.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Vick, B.D., Myers, D., Boyson, W. 2012. Using direct normal irradiance models and utility electrical loading to assess benefit of a concentrating solar power plant. Solar Energy. 86:3519-3530.
- Vick, B.D., Broneske, S. 2013. Effect of blade flutter and electrical loading on small wind turbine noise. Renewable Energy. 50:1044-1052.
- Vick, B.D., Moss, T.A. 2013. Adding concentrated solar power plants to wind farms to achieve a good utility electrical load match. Solar Energy. 92:298-312.
|
Progress 10/01/11 to 09/30/12
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416): The long-term objective of this project is to develop the technology and demonstrate the equipment needed to provide heat and power for stationary on-farm energy uses. Modern agricultural activities require large amounts of heat and power to achieve the production efficiencies required to meet the demands for food, feed, fiber, and energy. Cities, industries, and service organizations require more and more of the energy produced by large central generating plants; therefore, farmers and ranchers have to seek ways to produce their own energy. Traditionally, farmers and ranchers have produced their own energy by burning wood and crop residues. They also used water, wind, and animal energy to provide the needed power. During the last 80 years, farmers have used alternative fuels derived from petroleum and coal. Now that petroleum-based energy is in limited supply and expensive, producers must return to the basic, natural, renewable energy sources. The project will focus on the following three objectives: Objective 1: Develop (1) hybrid biodiesel/wind/solar- and (2) hybrid wind/solar-based technologies that enable commercial on-farm production of heat and power. Subobjective 1A: Use hybrid wind/solar energy systems to pump water for irrigation in the Southern High Plains; Subobjective 1B: Develop industrial control algorithms that allow for the safe and efficient integration of biodiesel/wind/solar hybrid systems into agricultural operations for the production of heat and power; Subobjective 1C: Use heat from sun to either heat or preheat water for dairies in the Southern High Plains. Objective 2: Develop hybrid wind/solar-based technologies that enable commercial on-farm production of hydrogen. Objective 3: Develop microbial-based technologies that enable commercial on-farm production of fuels, power, and/or bioproducts from manures. Subobjective 3A: Identify microorganisms that are electricigens or microbial consortia that can act as electricigens that are derived from either beef or dairy concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO); Subobjective 3B: Determine the potential power output of identified electricigens-microbial consortia in low- (H-cell type) and high-power (ministack-type) fuel cell configurations using various types and forms of 'manure fuels;' Subobjective 3C: Evaluate microbial consortia-bioreactor designs for the efficient generation of H from manure wastes. Approach (from AD-416): This project will involve research experiments designed to develop new products that will allow farmers and ranchers to produce affordable, renewable, reliable energy from wind, solar, and biomass resources. The research team has a long history in designing remote power systems for pumping water and providing electricity to remote sites and villages. This activity will continue by the development of hybrid systems using both wind and solar energy with storage capability to provide continuous power or heat. Efforts will be expanded by including research that will examine the feasibility of producing either hydrogen or electricity using a microbial fuel cell in manure-laden waste water retention ponds. Field testing began on off-grid hybrid renewable energy systems at USDA- ARS-CPRL, Bushland, TX. These systems were composed of a wind turbine rated at 900 Watts and three different solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays with power ratings of 320, 480, and 640 Watts. At times, the wind turbine and solar PV arrays interfered with each other, probably because differences in the voltage between the two systems (the voltage of the wind turbine varies with wind speed; whereas, the PV arrays operate at a near-constant voltage). A controller that modifies the voltage of the wind turbine, so it can be matched to the solar PV array, was developed during the summer of 2012. A 2.4-kW, motorized tracking, on-grid solar PV system was installed at USDA-ARS-CPRL, Bushland,TX. Power data on this solar-PV system was compared with that from a 2.4-kW on-grid wind turbine. To date, the actual power output for both the wind and solar on-grid systems has compared favorably with theoretically predicted values. PV module temperature and irradiance incident were collected on: 1) a solar- PV 2-dimensional motorized tracking system, 2) a solar-PV 1-dimensional passive tracking system, and 3) a solar-PV fixed system. The temperature of the different PV arrays varied between 110 and 150 degrees Fahrenheit, which indicated that designing a cooling system using 60 degree Fahrenheit irrigation water could potentially improve the performance of the PV arrays. We installed and instrumented an unglazed solar thermal hot water system in order to investigate the use of solar thermal energy to assist in the heating of water for dairies or cattle feeding operations. The system consisted of seven 4'x 12' solar collectors (336 ft**2), a modified PV module uni-strut rack (with adjustable incidence angle) for holding solar thermal collectors, a black 550-gallon water tank, a 0.5-hp pump for circulating water through the collectors, and a motor controller for varying time-of-day operation of pump motor. Data being collected are: atmospheric air temperature, inlet solar collector water temperature, outlet solar collector water temperature, solar collector temperature, water flow rate, and wind speed/direction upwind of solar collectors (e.g. , needed for estimating heat transfer of solar collectors to air). To determine how well hybrid wind/solar off-grid and on-grid water pumping systems can meet irrigation well electrical loading and how well solar thermal hot water systems can meet the hot water requirements of dairies and feedyards, electrical loading data must also be measured. We began measuring the energy required to heat the water and the amount of hot water used at a feedyard (e.g., steam flaking of corn) and at a dairy. Discussions began with Texas A&M-AgriLife scientists concerning measuring electrical use on irrigation wells. Active Aero Load Control (AALC) devices have the potential to improve the efficiency of wind turbine blades. Motor-driven trailing-edge ailerons were installed on wind turbine blades to modify the aerodynamic loading of the blades and to improve dynamic blade load balancing. The test was completed and the data submitted to the Sandia wind energy group. Accomplishments 01 Calculating direct normal irradiance can help evaluate whether to use solar energy systems. Solar direct normal irradiance (DNI) hourly data (measured or calculated) are required to predict the performance of concentrating solar power (CSP) systems, such as the parabolic trough CS plants located in the Mojave Desert of California. However, the instrumentation to measure DNI is expensive, and the equipment requires daily inspection by knowledgeable personnel. An ARS scientist at the USD ARS Conservation and Production Research Laboratory, Bushland, Texas, collaborating with scientists at the Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado, compared measured DNI data to that calculated by three different DNI models (DISC, DIRINT, and DIRINDEX). The DNI values calculated with the DIRINT model had sufficient accuracy to evaluate CSP systems in the Texas Panhandle. These results suggest that Texas Panhand electrical utility planners can investigate the feasibility of constructing parabolic trough CSP plants using the DIRINT model. Installation of CSP plants, or other CSP systems (e.g., like commercial CSP hot water systems), would increase the percentage of renewable energ on the utility�' system and decrease air pollution from coal-powered plants. 02 Wind and sun join forces to pump water for livestock. On the Great Plai wind-powered water pumping systems do not match the livestock water requirement because wind energy is usually least in July and August, whe animal water requirements are greatest. A USDA-ARS Conservation and Production Research Laboratory, Bushland, Texas, scientist field tested the capacity of wind, solar, and hybrid wind/solar water pumping systems to pump water for livestock. A single electrical helical pump (e.g., a screw-type pump) powered with electricity generated by a combination of wind and solar energy pumped more water in August than if the wind and solar systems pumped water separately on two individual helical pumps. T hybrid wind/solar energy water pumping system was also more reliable tha either wind or solar energy alone, because if one system failed the othe was able to continue to pump water. Also, excess wind-generated electricity in the winter can be used to power stock tank heaters. These results may be used by industry to develop improved livestock water pumping systems. 03 New acoustic analysis helps engineers design quieter wind turbines. Sma wind turbines can produce a high sound emission if the blades flutter or the blade rotor speed is too high. A USDA-ARS-Conservation and Producti Research Laboratory, Bushland, Texas, scientist collected acoustic data two wind turbines, each with three different blade designs. Acoustic analysis was performed using a program developed by the ARS scientist. Blade flutter was detected by an abrupt increase in sound level with a small change in rotor speed and the analysis was able to identify blades designs and rotor speeds that minimize sound emissions. The acoustic analysis developed by the CPRL scientist will help engineers determine i their blade modifications are reducing the sound level of the wind turbi Lower sound emission from wind turbines should increase the sale of wi turbines, especially in locations with ordinances requiring low noise levels. 04 Cooling solar photovoltaic arrays increases power. The electric power produced by solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays is reduced as the module temperature of the solar PV increases. A USDA-ARS-Conservation and Production Research Laboratory, Bushland, Texas, scientist collected dat on a two-dimensional tracking 2.4-kW PV array. Results indicate that electrical power generation could potentially be increased by 20% by usi pumped irrigation water to cool the solar PV array. Depending on the cos of the PV array cooling system, a 20% increase in performance could yiel a cost-effective hybrid wind/solar powered irrigation system in the Southern Great Plains. 05 Solar-powered water systems for dairies save gas. Dairies use large amounts of hot water for washing milking machines, and a significant percentage of total dairy expense is for natural gas used in heating wat A USDA-ARS-Conservation and Production Research Laboratory, Bushland, Texas, scientist supervised the installation and instrumentation of an unglazed solar hot water system to determine if it could totally or partially replace the natural gas currently being used on the Southern High Plains dairies. It was found that a 336-square foot unglazed solar collector could heat water in a 550-gallon tank from 70 deg F to at leas 120 deg F in July. Use of solar energy instead of natural gas for heatin water at dairies will decrease atmospheric pollution, lower energy costs and increase profits. 06 Ailerons should increase longevity of wind turbine blades on the Souther High Plains. High wind shear at night in the Great Plains results in hi blade loading for blades rotating above the wind turbine generator and l blade loading for blades rotating below the wind generator. Scientists a the USDA-ARS-CPRL, Bushland, Texas, in collaboration with scientists fro Sandia National Laboratories, installed and instrumented motor-driven trailing-edge ailerons on wind turbine blades to modify the aerodynamic loading of the blades and to improve the balance of blade loading. Computer analysis indicated that use of ailerons on wind turbine blades could decrease the total wind turbine cost 5 to 8% by modifying the blad loading. The use of these ailerons has the potential to decrease stress on wind turbine blades, thus increasing the life time and decreasing the maintenance of wind turbines.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Vick, B.D., Neal, B. 2012. Analysis of off grid hybrid wind turbine/solar PV water pumping systems. Solar Energy. 86(5):1197-1207.
|
Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/11
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) The long-term objective of this project is to develop the technology and demonstrate the equipment needed to provide heat and power for stationary on-farm energy uses. Modern agricultural activities require large amounts of heat and power to achieve the production efficiencies required to meet the demands for food, feed, fiber, and energy. Cities, industries, and service organizations require more and more of the energy produced by large central generating plants; therefore, farmers and ranchers have to seek ways to produce their own energy. Traditionally, farmers and ranchers have produced their own energy by burning wood and crop residues. They also used water, wind, and animal energy to provide the needed power. During the last 80 years, farmers have used alternative fuels derived from petroleum and coal. Now that petroleum-based energy is in limited supply and expensive, producers must return to the basic, natural, renewable energy sources. The project will focus on the following three objectives: Objective 1: Develop (1) hybrid biodiesel/wind/solar- and (2) hybrid wind/solar-based technologies that enable commercial on-farm production of heat and power. Subobjective 1A: Use hybrid wind/solar energy systems to pump water for irrigation in the Southern High Plains; Subobjective 1B: Develop industrial control algorithms that allow for the safe and efficient integration of biodiesel/wind/solar hybrid systems into agricultural operations for the production of heat and power; Subobjective 1C: Use heat from sun to either heat or preheat water for dairies in the Southern High Plains. Objective 2: Develop hybrid wind/solar-based technologies that enable commercial on-farm production of hydrogen. Objective 3: Develop microbial-based technologies that enable commercial on-farm production of fuels, power, and/or bioproducts from manures. Subobjective 3A: Identify microorganisms that are electricigens or microbial consortia that can act as electricigens that are derived from either beef or dairy concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO); Subobjective 3B: Determine the potential power output of identified electricigens-microbial consortia in low- (H-cell type) and high-power (ministack-type) fuel cell configurations using various types and forms of 'manure fuels;' Subobjective 3C: Evaluate microbial consortia-bioreactor designs for the efficient generation of H from manure wastes. Approach (from AD-416) This project will involve research experiments designed to develop new products that will allow farmers and ranchers to produce affordable, renewable, reliable energy from wind, solar, and biomass resources. The research team has a long history in designing remote power systems for pumping water and providing electricity to remote sites and villages. This activity will continue by the development of hybrid systems using both wind and solar energy with storage capability to provide continuous power or heat. Efforts will be expanded by including research that will examine the feasibility of producing either hydrogen or electricity using a microbial fuel cell in manure-laden waste water retention ponds. Data were collected on hybrid renewable energy off-grid water pumping systems. The hybrid renewable energy systems were composed of a wind turbine rated at 900 Watts and three different solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays with power ratings of 320, 480, and 640 Watts (e.g., used 160-Watt multi-crystalline modules that converted approximately 12% of solar energy to usable power). The 640-Watt solar PV array was determined to be the most efficient array to use with the 900-Watt wind turbine. In the future, we will modify the controller to determine whether adjusting the voltage output of the wind turbine will affect the hybrid wind turbine and solar PV array performance. We are planning to collect data for a grid-tied hybrid wind-solar powered irrigation system. A solar-PV motorized tracking on-grid system was purchased and installed at the laboratory. We purchased a solar pool heating system that will be installed in the fall of 2011. With this, we will investigate using the solar energy alone to heat water for dairies or animal feeding operations. This heating data will be used to determine if using a solar pool heating system can be recommended for heating water for cleaning milk equipment, cow udders, etc. at a dairy, or preheating water for steam-flaking of corn at a beef cattle feedlot. Another option for heating water is to use a parabolic trough solar collector to concentrate the energy. We have constructed a parabolic trough that ranged in efficiency from 56 to 75% for making biodiesel. This parabolic trough can also be used for heating water. In 2012, we plan to install a tracking system for the parabolic trough. A feedlot and a dairy have been identified for monitoring the electrical and heat loads of several animal feeding operations. Data loggers, power transducers, anemometers, pyranometers, and some water flow measuring equipment for these studies have been purchased. Another possible method of electricity production at feedlots is to use animal manure as a biofuel feedstock for the production of electricity for onsite usage. Manure from beef cattle animal feeding operations were evaluated for the potential to produce two forms of energy: electricity via the use of various types of microbial fuel cells (MFC) and the generation of bio-hydrogen from microorganisms belonging to anoxygenic pigmented bacteria. We were able to recover microbial consortia capable of generating low levels of power in a sediment microbial fuel cell (sMFC) , whereas a single cell MFC generated several fold more power in a much shorter period of time. Use of a single MFC design will also allow for batch and continuous methods of operations, thus facilitating the cleanup and recovery of agricultural waste water. We were able to recover nearly 600 strains potentially capable of making hydrogen. The majority of the isolates were Rhodobacter capsulatus (approximately 75%), followed by Rhodopseudomonas palustris (approximately 15%), with the rest being Rubrivivax gelatinosus or closely related strains like Rhodocyclus. These three genera are capable of generating hydrogen gas by two different mechanisms. Accomplishments 01 Developing a method for analyzing hybrid wind/solar energy systems. Electrical output from wind turbines and solar arrays are analyzed using different independent variables; therefore, a uniform system is needed t analyze water pumping potential of wind only, solar only, and hybrid wind�solar powered water pumping systems. An ARS research engineer at th Conservation and Production Research Laboratory, Bushland, TX, determine that the power output of a hybrid wind-solar system can be analyzed usin an independent variable that is in the same fundamental units used to analyze solar energy (e.g., W/m2). The independent variable used to analyze the wind systems is wind power density, which is calculated usin an equation that uses the measurable values of wind speed, air temperatu and barometric pressure. Wind power density is in the same units as sol irradiance, so that the water pumping rate, daily water volume, and powe production of solar, wind, and hybrid solar-wind systems can be compared This procedure will allow other researchers to estimate and compare the potential power output of hybrid wind-solar systems. 02 Improving small wind turbines to decrease the cost of energy for farms. An ARS research engineer at the Conservation and Production Research Laboratory, Bushland, TX, worked with small wind turbine manufacturers t increase the performance of their small wind turbine systems. Improvemen in blades, generators, and inverters were implemented for a 10-kilowatt (kW) wind turbine. The changes to the wind turbine system resulted in an increase in peak power of 66%, and an approximate doubling of annual energy production (e.g., 11,100 kilowatt hours compared to 22,000 kilowa hours) at an average wind speed of 13.4 miles per hour. Reliable, high- performing small wind turbines will potentially help farmers reduce production costs by allowing the farm to produce its own energy, conserv natural resources, and reduce reliance on foreign energy sources. 03 Sediment microbial fuel cell evaluations. Sediment microbial fuel cells (sMFC) have the potential to produce energy from manure, thus allowing manure to be used as a fuel feedstock in addition to traditional uses su as a fertilizer. An ARS scientist at the Conservation and Production Research Laboratory, Bushland, TX, conducted two separate sMFC experimen using feedlot retention pond sediment and waters as the source material for microbial communities with the potential to produce electricity. In both experiments, there was a gradual increase in power production (two four months duration) during the course of the experiment. The low power outputs of these sMFC suggest that this method may be useful for obtaini long-term power generating microbes from the manure waste-stream; howeve large amounts of power generation will require different MFC designs. 04 Recovery and storage of microbes from sediment microbial fuel cell experiments. Microbial fuel cells (MFC) is a potential technology that can be used to produce electricity from agricultural byproducts using microbes; however, the best laboratory methods to recover, store, and preserve microbial strains and consortia of microbial strains in MFC hav not been determined. An ARS researcher at the Conservation and Productio Research Laboratory, Bushland, TX, used several different growth media types and different laboratory selection protocols to isolate and recove microbes from electrodes in sediment microbial fuel cells (sMFC). In general, when a more nutritious growth media was used, a less diverse microbial population (i.e., fewer species) was recovered, suggesting tha a few subpopulations of rapidly growing bacteria were able to out-compet other members of the bacterial community. Recovery of bacteria after lon term storage at -80 degrees C was much more efficient when bacteria were stored in a glycerol-based solution than when stored in a dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)-based solution. The use of less nutritious bacterial growth media will potentially increase the recovery of bacterial species that can be used to generate electricity in microbial fuel cells.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Vick, B.D., Almas, L. 2011. Developing wind and/or solar powered crop irrigation systems for the Great Plains. Applied Engineering in Agriculture. 27(2):235-245.
- Vick, B.D., Clark, R. 2011. Experimental investigation of solar powered diaphragm and helical pumps. Solar Energy. 85:945-954.
|
Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/10
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) The long-term objective of this project is to develop the technology and demonstrate the equipment needed to provide heat and power for stationary on-farm energy uses. Modern agricultural activities require large amounts of heat and power to achieve the production efficiencies required to meet the demands for food, feed, fiber, and energy. Cities, industries, and service organizations require more and more of the energy produced by large central generating plants; therefore, farmers and ranchers have to seek ways to produce their own energy. Traditionally, farmers and ranchers have produced their own energy by burning wood and crop residues. They also used water, wind, and animal energy to provide the needed power. During the last 80 years, farmers have used alternative fuels derived from petroleum and coal. Now that petroleum-based energy is in limited supply and expensive, producers must return to the basic, natural, renewable energy sources. The project will focus on the following three objectives: Objective 1: Develop (1) hybrid biodiesel/wind/solar- and (2) hybrid wind/solar-based technologies that enable commercial on-farm production of heat and power. Subobjective 1A: Use hybrid wind/solar energy systems to pump water for irrigation in the Southern High Plains; Subobjective 1B: Develop industrial control algorithms that allow for the safe and efficient integration of biodiesel/wind/solar hybrid systems into agricultural operations for the production of heat and power; Subobjective 1C: Use heat from sun to either heat or preheat water for dairies in the Southern High Plains. Objective 2: Develop hybrid wind/solar-based technologies that enable commercial on-farm production of hydrogen. Objective 3: In collaboration with USDA-ARS NCAUR, develop microbial fuel cell-based technologies that enable commercial on-farm production of power from manures. Subobjective 3A: Identify microorganisms that are electricigens or microbial consortia that can act as electricigens that are derived from either beef or dairy concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO); Subobjective 3B: Determine the potential power output of identified electricigens-microbial consortia in low- (H-cell type) and high-power (ministack-type) fuel cell configurations using various types and forms of 'manure fuels;' Subobjective 3C: Evaluate microbial consortia-bioreactor designs for the efficient generation of H from manure wastes. This project replaced project 6209-13610-006-00D and was not approved until Dec. 2009. From Oct. through Dec. 2009 we continued to finish experiments started in the previous 5-year project plan. 1. We continued to collect data on solar water pumping systems to improve a chart to help consumers and pump installers decide what type pump is best to use in particular applications (daily water volume and pumping depth). To develop this chart, thousands of hours of data were collected on several different pumps, pumping depths, and photovoltaic (PV) array power settings. In general, the testing has shown that for the Southern Great Plains, solar systems are a better match than wind systems for remote water pumping. 2. Wind farm royalty is possibly an important revenue source for farmers, so we are analyzing improving the match between wind farm electrical generation and the utility electrical load. Previously we found that combining wind farms with concentrating solar power (CSP) plants will result in a better match to utility electrical loads in Texas and California. This means a large percentage of total electricity used in these states could be obtained from wind and solar energy. An analysis of all states in the southwestern U.S. (Ariz., Calif., Colo., Nev., N. Mex., and Utah) found that solar (both CSP and PV) will be needed to meet as much as 40% of the electrical load. 3. The feasibility of using wind and solar energy for crop irrigation in the northern High Plains of Texas was analyzed. We found that combining a winter crop with a summer crop and using the excess renewable electricity for on-farm uses, rather than selling at low prices to the utility, should result in payback periods of approximately 7 to 8 years with no government incentives. With 55% incentives, the payback period is predicted to be 4 to 5 years. Solar energy potential was a better match to irrigating a winter and summer crop, but wind energy was still significantly less expensive to use in the Great Plains than solar energy. 4. An off-grid hybrid wind/solar system containing a 900-W wind turbine and a 640-W PV array were connected to a helical pump water pumping system. In addition to the manufacturer controller, a controller with a heater dump load was added to absorb excess renewable energy generated by the hybrid wind/solar system and also to keep the wind turbine from running offline. The purpose of the testing is to develop wind/solar hybrid water pumping systems and to determine the optimum amount of solar to add to a wind turbine for irrigation water pumping. 5. Retention lagoon pond sediment was used as the source material for microbial exoelectrogens and/or microbial consortia (E/MC) capable of generating electricity. Sediment microbial fuel cells (SMFC) using carbon electrodes were constructed and used to select for the E/MC capable of producing power. Very low levels of intermittent power production were observed during initial experiments. Additional sampling locations and methods to produce source materials of E/MC will be implemented. Preparations of community DNA samples for evaluation of microbial composition are underway. Accomplishments 01 Improving the cost effectiveness of wind and/or solar powered crop irrigation systems. To develop efficient wind and/or solar powered irrigation systems the power requirements for irrigation should match wi the potential power from solar and/or wind energy. An ARS agricultural engineer at the Conservation and Production Research Laboratory in Bushland, Texas, determined (1) that combining a winter crop with a summ crop would significantly improve the match of irrigation energy requirement to wind turbine electrical generation in the Texas northern High Plains, (2) that solar photovoltaic (PV) electrical generation is a better match than wind, to the irrigation requirement of winter and summ crops, and (3) that using a wind turbine with a solar PV array was a better match than using a wind turbine alone. However, it was more cost effective to use wind turbine(s) only, rather than using a solar PV arra alone, or a hybrid wind turbine-PV array. It was also found that to improve efficiency and cost effectiveness, the farmer needs to use the excess renewable electricity on the farm rather than selling it at a low price back to the electrical utility. This analysis will help farmers understand how to transition from fossil-fuel powered irrigation system (natural gas, diesel, coal via utility) to renewable energy powered irrigation systems, such as wind, solar, and bio-diesel. 02 Acoustical testing of Bergey 10-kW grid-tie wind turbine. The manufacturer of a new wind turbine had concerns about the potential nois produced by the turbine. Therefore, acoustical noise data was collected a redesigned Bergey 10-kilowatt (kW) wind turbine by ARS engineers at th ARS Conservation and Production Research Laboratory at Bushland, Texas. The noise level for the redesigned wind turbine was significantly less a lower wind speeds than an earlier version of the turbine. Decreasing the noise level of the turbine will improve the likelihood of these wind turbines being used on farms. 03 Acoustical testing of 115-kW wind turbine with acoustical array of microphones. There was concern that the flat back airfoils common on ma wind turbines might generate significant noise. Therefore, wind turbine blades with flat back airfoils at the blade root were tested at the ARS Conservation and Production Research Laboratory at Bushland, Texas. An array of microphones that pinpointed where the noise emanated from on th wind turbine blades was placed in front of the wind turbine. At low wind speeds the noise was highest for the blade root, whereas at higher wind speeds most of the blade noise was coming from the blade tips. Placing splitter plates on the trailing edge of the flat back airfoils significantly decreased noise at low wind speeds. These results may lead to improved wind turbine blade designs that decrease noise levels withou reducing production efficiency.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
|
|