@article{MehtaEhrenwirthMissalletal.2021, author = {Mehta, Kedar and Ehrenwirth, Mathias and Missall, Siegmund and Degembaeva, Nadira and Akmatov, Kuban and Z{\"o}rner, Wilfried}, title = {Energy Profiling of a High-Altitude Kyrgyz Community: Challenges and Motivations to Preserve Floodplain Ecosystems Based on Household Survey}, volume = {13}, pages = {13086}, journal = {Sustainability}, number = {23}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2071-1050}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313086}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The floodplain areas along the Naryn River in Kyrgyzstan are essential as they hold the riparian (local) ecosystems because they provide firewood, pastureland, and areas for recreation and protection against erosion. Due to limited access to adequate, reliable, and sustainable energy services, the rural population usually derived their energy needs from multiple natural energy resources (i.e., firewood, charcoal, agricultural residues, animal dung, and wood branches). This is considered a common and predominant practice in rural Kyrgyzstan. This situation leads to a negative impact on local ecosystem services. In addition to that, the reliance on solid fuels contributes to indoor and outdoor air pollution, which is partially threatening the local ecosystem services. By contrast, the employment of renewable-based energy supply systems would substantially reduce the burden on the environment, which is mainly untapped. To integrate renewable energies, it is important to understand the energy behavior of floodplain communities. In that response, the presented article is the first attempt to capture the energy identity of the floodplain community of Kyrgyzstan based on a quantitative energy-based (on-site) household survey. Furthermore, the present research article synthesizes the driving factors that have a (direct or indirect) impact on the energy and local ecosystem services. In addition, the present article proposes a brief pathway for the sustainable energy transition. The article records the recommendation to integrate renewable energies to preserve the local ecosystems of Kyrgyzstan.}, language = {en} } @article{MehtaEhrenwirthTrinkletal.2021, author = {Mehta, Kedar and Ehrenwirth, Mathias and Trinkl, Christoph and Z{\"o}rner, Wilfried and Greenough, Richard}, title = {The energy situation in Central Asia}, volume = {14}, pages = {2805}, journal = {Energies}, subtitle = {a comprehensive energy review focusing on rural areas}, number = {10}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {1996-1073}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.3390/en14102805}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The northern part of the globe is dominated by industrialisation and is well-developed. For many years, the southern part of the world (South Asia, Africa etc.) has been a target of research concentrating on access to energy (mainly electricity) in rural regions. However, the Central Asian region has not been a focus of energy research compared to South East Asia and Africa. Despite plentiful domestically available energy resources, the energy supply in Central Asia is very unevenly distributed between urban and rural areas. Almost half of the total population of Central Asia lives in rural areas and there is a lack of access to modern energy services to meet primary needs. To analyse the energy situation (i.e., electricity, heating, hot water consumption, cooking, etc.) in rural Central Asia, this paper reviews residential energy consumption trends in rural Central Asian regions as compared to urban areas. Furthermore, the paper illustrates the potential of renewable energies in Central Asia. To perform the study, a qualitative comparative analysis was conducted based on a literature review, data, and statistical information. In summary, the presented article discusses the rural energy situation analytically and provides in-depth insights of Central Asian energy infrastructure.}, language = {en} } @article{VannahmeEhrenwirthSchrag2021, author = {Vannahme, Anna and Ehrenwirth, Mathias and Schrag, Tobias}, title = {Enhancement of a district heating substation as part of a low-investment optimization strategy for district heating systems}, volume = {10}, pages = {53}, journal = {Resources}, number = {5}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2079-9276}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.3390/resources10050053}, year = {2021}, abstract = {In an ongoing project, low-investment measures for the optimization of district heating systems are analyzed. The optimization strategies are collected in a catalog, which is the core of a guideline. The application of this guideline is demonstrated using two concrete district heating networks as examples. In this study, the improvement of an analog controlled district heating substation by an electronic controller is investigated. High supply temperatures and heat losses are often a challenge in district heating networks. The district heating substations have a major influence on the network return temperatures. The comparison of the two substation setups with analog and electronic controllers is carried out by laboratory measurement. It can be shown that the return temperatures can be reduced by an average of 20 K in winter and transition, as well as 16 K in summer. The district heating network losses are calculated for one of both specific district heating networks. They are calculated from the ratio of network losses to generated energy. The generated energy is the sum of network losses and consumer demand. The thermal losses of the network can be reduced by 3\%. The volume flow in the heating network can be reduced to a quarter. Therefore, the pumping energy requirement drops sharply since these changes cubically affect the volume flow}, language = {en} } @article{BugajeEhrenwirthTrinkletal.2021, author = {Bugaje, Aminu and Ehrenwirth, Mathias and Trinkl, Christoph and Z{\"o}rner, Wilfried}, title = {Electric two-wheeler vehicle integration into rural off-grid photovoltaic system in Kenya}, volume = {14}, pages = {7956}, journal = {Energies}, number = {23}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {1996-1073}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.3390/en14237956}, year = {2021}, abstract = {In both rural and urban areas, two-wheeler vehicles are the most common means of transportation, contributing to local air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). Transitioning to electric two-wheeler vehicles can help reduce GHG emissions while also increasing the socioeconomic status of people in rural Kenya. Renewable energy systems can play a significant role in charging electric two-wheeled vehicles, resulting in lower carbon emissions and increased renewable energy penetration in rural Kenya. As a result, using the Conventional and Renewable Energy Optimization (CARNOT) Toolbox in the MATLAB/Simulink environment, this paper focuses on integrating and modeling electric two-wheeled vehicles (e-bikes) into an off-grid photovoltaic Water-Energy Hub located in the Lake Victoria Region of Western Kenya. Electricity demand data obtained from the Water-Energy Hub was investigated and analyzed. Potential solar energy surplus was identified and the surplus was used to incorporate the electric two-wheeler vehicles. The energy consumption of the electric two-wheeler vehicles was also measured in the field based on the rider's driving behavior. The modeling results revealed an annual power consumption of 27,267 kWh, a photovoltaic (PV) electricity production of 37,785 kWh, and an electricity deficit of 370 kWh. The annual results show that PV generation exceeds power consumption, implying that there should be no electricity deficit. The results, however, do not represent the results in hourly resolution, ignoring the impact of weather fluctuation on PV production. As a result, in order to comprehend the electricity deficit, hourly resolution results are shown. A load optimization method was designed to efficiently integrate the electric 2-wheeler vehicle into the Water-Energy Hub in order to alleviate the electricity deficit. The yearly electricity deficit was decreased to 1 kWh and the annual electricity consumption was raised by 11\% (i.e., 30,767 kWh), which is enough to charge four more electric two-wheeler batteries daily using the load optimization technique.}, language = {en} } @article{HechelmannSeeversOtteetal.2020, author = {Hechelmann, Ron-Hendrik and Seevers, Jan-Peter and Otte, Alexander and Sponer, Jan and Stark, Matthias}, title = {Renewable Energy Integration for Steam Supply of Industrial Processes: A Food Processing Case Study}, volume = {13}, pages = {2532}, journal = {Energies}, number = {10}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {1996-1073}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.3390/en13102532}, year = {2020}, abstract = {This study highlights the CO2,e -emission reduction potentials and related economic consequences for changing steam generation from fossil to renewable. Seven different utility concepts are developed, including a steam accumulator for load management. Peculiarities for the integration of biogas boilers, biomass-fuelled boilers, electrode steam boilers, biomethane-fuelled solid oxide fuel cells, micro gas turbine, solar energy systems, heat pumps and steam accumulators into a steam system with fluctuating steam demand are explained and the energy balance based models for the simulation study are described. The characteristics of batch processes, start up times and part load efficiency are considered via an annual dynamic simulation. Based on a detailed process analysis and dimensioning of the utilities and the accumulator a comprehensive simulation study is conducted for a pet food processing company having an average steam demand of 18,000 MWh at around 9 bar and 3 t/h. The results show that the highest CO2,e -emissions reduction of up to 63\% is achieved by the transition to a solid biomass-fuelled boiler system. This leads to an increase of the operating costs by 27.8\%}, language = {en} } @article{ContiSaidiGoldbrunner2020, author = {Conti, Fosca and Saidi, Abdessamad and Goldbrunner, Markus}, title = {Evaluation Criteria and Benefit Analysis of Mixing Process in Anaerobic Digesters of Biogas Plants}, volume = {24}, journal = {Environmental and Climate Technologies}, number = {3}, publisher = {De Gruyter Poland}, address = {Warsaw}, issn = {2255-8837}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.2478/rtuect-2020-0105}, pages = {305 -- 317}, year = {2020}, abstract = {A valid method to evaluate decisions of a project proposal is the so-called cost-benefit analysis. Criteria are selected and properly weighted to determine if the project is effective and feasible. The present research study is focused on methodical selection of design parameters to install two propeller mixers inside anaerobic digesters of biogas plants. A cylindrical tank of 1400 m3 was considered. For the model-based optimisation, the substrate was considered as a non-Newtonian fluid with a density of 1090 kg/m3. The Oswald-de Waele power-law model was selected to account for the rheological behaviour of the fluid. Installation parameters of the mixers were rotational angles and heights of the shafts of the two propellers. A computational model was developed to simulate the fluid dynamics depending on the mixing process inside the tank. Several configurations were analysed according to evaluating criteria such as the value of the fluid velocity, its distribution along the three spatial dimensions, and the power consumption to rotate the mixers. The maximum fluid velocity and minimum power consumption were observed when the propellers are located at intermediate height inside the tank and with the shafts perpendicular to the tank radius. With this configuration, the fluid reaches a maximum velocity of 0.28 m/s. According to the investigation, it is evident that mixing systems with propeller shafts deep-seated and parallel to the tank radius should be avoided, both in term of efficiency of the fluid mixing distribution and in term of power consumption.}, language = {en} } @article{ContiSaidiGoldbrunner2020, author = {Conti, Fosca and Saidi, Abdessamad and Goldbrunner, Markus}, title = {Numeric Simulation-Based Analysis of the Mixing Process in Anaerobic Digesters of Biogas Plants}, volume = {43}, journal = {Chemical Engineering \& Technology}, number = {8}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1521-4125}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1002/ceat.201900650}, pages = {1522 -- 1529}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Stirring systems with two rotational three-bladed propellers were analyzed using computational fluid dynamics. The propellers are located at three heights and seven angles in a tank with 9 m radius. The fluid was characterized by non-Newtonian rheology and simulated by applying the k-ε turbulence model and the standard k-ω model. Reynolds numbers were estimated. High fluid speeds were obtained with the propellers located at a height of 2 m and oriented at 90° with respect to the tank radius. In the top regions of the tank, the fluid velocity was generally less intense and less affected by the angle setting. The configurations identified as good mixing systems showed power consumptions broadly distributed around 30 kW.}, language = {en} } @article{BaerWagenederSolkaetal.2020, author = {B{\"a}r, Katharina and Wageneder, Stefanie and Solka, Felix and Saidi, Abdessamad and Z{\"o}rner, Wilfried}, title = {Flexibility Potential of Photovoltaic Power Plant and Biogas Plant Hybrid Systems in the Distribution Grid}, volume = {43}, journal = {Chemical Engineering \& Technology}, number = {8}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1521-4125}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1002/ceat.202000025}, pages = {1571 -- 1577}, year = {2020}, abstract = {The potential of combining biogas and photovoltaic (PV) power plants in hybrid systems in the German distribution grid is analyzed. The focus of the present research is on balancing the intermittent power supply from PV power plants with the controllable power production of combined heat and power (CHP) units of biogas plants within a period of seconds. To achieve an increase of the total energy feed-in of biogas and PV power plants to the electricity grid, a biogas plant energy management system is described. System parameters, such as the variable feed-in of PV power plants or power ramps of the start-up process of controllable biogas plant CHP unit, are described and adapted to the global installed capacity of PV power plant and biogas plants in the German distribution grid.}, language = {en} } @article{DotzauerPfeifferLaueretal.2018, author = {Dotzauer, Martin and Pfeiffer, Diana and Lauer, Markus and Pohl, Marcel and Mauky, Eric and B{\"a}r, Katharina and Sonnleitner, Matthias and Z{\"o}rner, Wilfried and Hudde, Jessica and Schwarz, Bj{\"o}rn and Faßauer, Burkhardt and Dahmen, Markus and Rieke, Christian and Herbert, Johannes and Thr{\"a}n, Daniela}, title = {How to measure flexibility - Performance indicators for demand driven power generation from biogas plants}, volume = {2019}, journal = {Renewable Energy}, number = {134}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1879-0682}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2018.10.021}, pages = {135 -- 146}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Flexible power provision from biogas can significantly contribute to energy systems with high shares of renewables. However, the characteristics and demands for this flexibility are not clearly defined or measured. In this paper eight indicators are defined to shape "flexibility" and perform a downstream investigation of eight research projects focusing on flexible energy provision of biogas plants. The indicators are structured in three dimensions (1) velocity (ramps) by which the system can be modulated, (2) power range (bandwidth) and (3) duration for specific load conditions. Based on these indicators bottlenecks for the flexibility potential were identified. One crucial result shows that short-term flexibility of biogas plants is mainly driven by properties of the combined heat and power unit (velocity and bandwidth). The long-term flexibility depends mainly on gas storage, mode of operation and ability for modulation of the target gas production.}, language = {en} } @article{ContiSaidiGoldbrunner2019, author = {Conti, Fosca and Saidi, Abdessamad and Goldbrunner, Markus}, title = {CFD Modelling of Biomass Mixing in Anaerobic Digesters of Biogas Plants}, volume = {23}, journal = {Environmental and Climate Technologies}, number = {3}, publisher = {RTU Press}, address = {Riga}, issn = {2255-8837}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.2478/rtuect-2019-0079}, pages = {57 -- 69}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Cut in greenhouse gas emissions, increment of energy from renewables and improvement in energy efficiency represent the three key targets for future energy systems. Among the available bioenergy technologies, biogas production via biodegradation and anaerobic digestion is a widely applied approach, not only to produce biofuels but also to manage industrial and domestic organic waste. Within the biogas production, a sufficient mixing of the organic mass is a crucial step to ensure high biogas yields by bacteria and enzymes. Measurements of the electric power consumption of biogas plants revealed that the electrical energy demand of the stirrer system has a high share of the total electricity consumption of a biogas plant. Investigations on real biogas digesters to optimize the mixing process are cost and time intensive. Therefore, laboratory prototypes and computational simulations represent promising alternatives to analyse and improve the efficiency of mixing systems. In this paper, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model is presented, which is applied to commercial stirring systems. The case of two propeller stirrers, located in diametrically opposite positions in a tank filled with ca. 1400 m3 of substrate is described in detail. For the simulation, the rheology of the fluid is adapted to a biomass with 12 wt \% dry matter content and obeying the non-Newtonian generalized Ostwald-de Waele power law. The developed simulation procedure considers the rotation angle of each propeller and its height. A total of 441 mixing configurations are calculated and evaluated in terms of the technical benefit. The investigation reveals that locations of the rotors far away from the bottom and high rotational angles cause advantageous fluid dynamics.}, language = {en} } @article{ReiterTrinklZoerneretal.2015, author = {Reiter, Christoph and Trinkl, Christoph and Z{\"o}rner, Wilfried and Hanby, Victor Ian}, title = {A Dynamic Multinode Model for Component-Oriented Thermal Analysis of Flat-Plate Solar Collectors}, volume = {2015}, pages = {280694}, journal = {Journal of Solar Energy}, publisher = {Hindawi Publ.}, address = {New York; Cairo}, issn = {2314-6230}, doi = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/280694}, year = {2015}, abstract = {A mathematical model of a flat-plate solar collector was developed on the basis of the physical principles of optics and heat transfer in order to determine collector's component temperatures as well as collector efficiency. In contrast to many available models, the targeted use of this dynamic model is the detailed, theoretical investigation of the thermal behaviour of newly developed or adjusted collector designs on component level, for example, absorber, casing, or transparent cover. The defined model is based on a multinode network (absorber, fluid, glazing, and backside insulation) containing the relevant physical equations to transfer the energy. The heat transfer network covers heat conduction, convection, and radiation. Furthermore, the collector optics is defined for the plane glazing and the absorber surface and also considers interactions between them. The model enables the variation of physical properties considering the geometric parameters and materials. Finally, the model was validated using measurement data and existing efficiency curve models. Both comparisons proved high accuracy of the developed model with deviation of up to 3\% in collector efficiency and 1 K in component temperatures.}, language = {en} }