Table Of ContentMODELING AND
OPTIMIZATION OF
RENEWABLE ENERGY
SYSTEMS
Edited by Arzu Şencan Şahin
MODELING AND
OPTIMIZATION OF
RENEWABLE ENERGY
SYSTEMS
Edited by Arzu Şencan Şahin
Modeling and Optimization of Renewable Energy Systems
Edited by Arzu Şencan Şahin
Published by InTech
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Copyright © 2012 InTech
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First published May, 2012
Printed in Croatia
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Modeling and Optimization of Renewable Energy Systems, Edited by Arzu Şencan Şahin
p. cm.
ISBN 978-953-51-0600-5
Contents
Preface IX
Chapter 1 Solar-Energy Drying Systems 1
Feyza Akarslan
Chapter 2 Photovoltaic Systems and Applications 21
Feyza Akarslan
Chapter 3 A New Adaptive Method for Distribution
System Protection Considering Distributed
Generation Units Using Simulated Annealing Method 53
Hamidreza Akhondi and Mostafa Saifali
Chapter 4 Exergoeconomic Analysis and
Optimization of Solar Thermal Power Plants 65
Ali Baghernejad and Mahmood Yaghoubi
Chapter 5 Optimization of
Renewable Energy Systems: The Case of Desalination 89
Karim Bourouni
Chapter 6 Heat Transfer Modeling of
the Ground Heat Exchangers for
the Ground-Coupled Heat Pump Systems 117
Yi Man, Ping Cui and Zhaohong Fang
Chapter 7 Promoting and Improving Renewable
Energy Projects Through Local Capacity Development 147
Rafael Escobar, David Vilar,
Enrique Velo, Laia Ferrer-Martí and
Bruno Domenech
Chapter 8 Utilization of Permanent
Grassland for Biogas Production 171
Pavel Fuksa, Josef Hakl,
Zuzana Hrevušová, Jaromír Šantrůček,
Ilona Gerndtová and Jan Habart
VI Contents
Chapter 9 Globalization of the Natural Gas
Market on Natural Gas Prices in
Electric Power Generation and Energy Development 197
Thomas J. Hammons
Chapter 10 An Analysis of the Effect of Renewable Energies on Spanish
Electricity Market Efficiency 239
Blanca Moreno and María Teresa García-Álvarez
Chapter 11 Modernization and Intensification of Nitric Acid Plants 259
Marcin Wilk, Andrzej Kruszewski,
Marcin Potempa, Romuald Jancewicz,
Jacek Mendelewski, Paweł Sławiński,
Marek Inger and Jan Nieścioruk
Chapter 12 Optimal Design of an Hybrid Wind-Diesel
System with Compressed Air Energy Storage for
Canadian Remote Areas 269
Younes Rafic, Basbous Tammam and Ilinca Adrian
Preface
Energy needs are continuously increasing and the demand for electrical power
continues to grow rapidly. The world energy market has to date depended almost
entirely on nonrenewable, but low cost, fossil fuels.
Renewable energy is the inevitable choice for sustainable economic growth, for the
harmonious coexistence of human and environment as well as for the sustainable
development. As we learn how to economically harness the renewable energy sources,
they will get cheaper and cheaper while fossil fuels get more and more expensive. A
wind, solar or geothermal power plant may be more expensive to build now than a
fossil power plant, but the future cost of fuel will be zero. In addition, the effects of the
pollution fossil fuels produce become more and more destructive. The cost of
controlling these pollutants is growing every day.
Arzu Şencan Şahin
Süleyman Demirel University,
Technology Faculty, Energy System Engineering, Isparta,
Turkey
1
Solar-Energy Drying Systems
Feyza Akarslan
Department of Textile Engineering, Engineering and Architectural Faculty,
Süleyman Demirel Univercity, Isparta
Turkey
1. Introduction
Energy is important for the existence and development of humankind and is a key issue
in international politics, the economy, military preparedness, and diplomacy. To reduce
the impact of conventional energy sources on the environment, much attention should be
paid to the development of new energy and renewable energy resources. Solar energy,
which is environment friendly, is renewable and can serve as a sustainable energy source.
Hence, it will certainly become an important part of the future energy structure with the
increasingly drying up of the terrestrial fossil fuel. However, the lower energy density
and seasonal doing with geographical dependence are the major challenges in identifying
suitable applications using solar energy as the heat source. Consequently, exploring high
efficiency solar energy concentration technology is necessary and realistic (Xie et al.,
2011).
Solar energy is free, environmentally clean, and therefore is recognized as one of the most
promising alternative energy recourses options. In near future, the large-scale
introduction of solar energy systems, directly converting solar radiation into heat, can be
looked forward. However, solar energy is intermittent by its nature; there is no sun at
night. Its total available value is seasonal and is dependent on the meteorological
conditions of the location. Unreliability is the biggest retarding factor for extensive solar
energy utilization. Of course, reliability of solar energy can be increased by storing its
portion when it is in excess of the load and using the stored energy whenever needed. (Bal
et al., 2010).
Solar drying is a potential decentralized thermal application of solar energy particularly in
developing countries (Sharma et al., 2009). However, so far, there has been very little field
penetration of solar drying technology. In the initial phase of dissemination, identification of
suitable areas for using solar dryers would be extremely helpful towards their market
penetration.
Solar drying is often differentiated from “sun drying” by the use of equipment to collect the
sun’s radiation in order to harness the radiative energy for drying applications. Sun drying
is a common farming and agricultural process in many countries, particularly where the
outdoor temperature reaches 30 °C or higher. In many parts of South East Asia, spice s and
herbs are routinely dried. However, weather conditions often preclude the use of sun drying
