Sorption thermal energy storage (TES) seems to be an auspicious solution to overcome the issues of intermittent energy sources and utilization of low-grade heat. Ultrasound-assisted adsorption/desorption of water vapor on activated alumina is proposed as a means of low-grade heat utilization through TES. The effects of ultrasonic power on the storing stage (desorption of water vapor) were analyzed to optimize the desorption and overall efficiencies. To determine and justify the effectiveness of incorporating ultrasound from an energy-savings point of view, an approach of constant total (heat plus ultrasound) input power of 25 W was adopted. To measure the extent of the effectiveness of using ultrasound, ultrasonic-power-to-total power ratios of 0.2 and 0.4 were investigated and the results compared with those of no-ultrasound (heat only) at the same total power. The regeneration temperature and desorption rate were measured simultaneously to investigate the effects of ultrasonication on regeneration temperature and utilization of low-grade heat. The experimental results showed that using ultrasound facilitates the regeneration of activated alumina at both power ratios without increasing the total input power. With regard to regeneration temperature, incorporating ultrasound decreases the regeneration temperature hence justifying the utilization of low-grade heat for thermal energy purposes. In terms of overall energy recovery of the adsorption thermal storage process, a new metric is proposed to justify incorporating ultrasound and any other auxiliary energy along with low-grade heat.

Instruments based on airborne/structure borne ultrasound technology offer many opportunities for reducing energy waste and improving asset availability in power plants. They expand the concept of “Condition Monitoring” to include much more than basic mechanical fault inspections. Since these instruments detect friction, ionization and turbulence, their inspection capabilities range from trending bearing condition to determining lack of lubrication, locating compressed air leaks and detecting arcing, tracking and corona emissions in both open and enclosed electric equipment. Portable, instruments based on this technology are used to trend and analyze bearing condition, detect leaks (pressure and vacuum), test valves and steam traps, identify electrical problems and identify potential problems in gears, motors and pumps. This presentation will provide a brief overview of the technology, its applications, energy savings cost analysis and suggested inspection techniques.

Developing approaches that can improve the value and “affordability” of renewable distributed generation (DG) is a key factor in developing a sustainable market. Program support activity is increasing in the U.S. in response to the 21+ states that have legislated Renewable Portfolio Standards. This paper addresses technology performance and related market entry barriers of several new innovative applications intended to increase the amount of available and harvested biogas resources, incorporate high-value applications of building-applied photovoltaics (BA-PV) and develop a more complete understanding of the impacts of these renewable DG resources upon the local electric distribution system — with the goal of achieving significantly positive net benefits to project owners/developers, their host customer facility operations, and to the serving electric and gas utilities. The overarching goal of this $10 million co-funded California Energy Commission and Commerce Energy Public Interest Energy Research Program (PIER) was to provide effective and more affordable renewable energy solutions within the Chino Basin, while applicable throughout California through specific targeted technology and market demonstrations that will lead to development of a sustainable market for on-site power generation using several types of biogas fuel and solar photovoltaic energy resources. Key outcomes resulting from the Program conclude that approximately 28 to 50 MW of PV and biogas distributed resources are expected to be developed in the nonresidential market segment alone through 2012, representing about 10 percent of Southern California Edison’s total peak load in the basin. Distribution system deferral benefits to SCE are location-specific. Up to $4.4 million in system deferral benefits may be achieved from this incremental renewable generation within the basin. Based on this first California Energy Commission-supported Programmatic RD&D approach, this paper explores the following questions: 1) How can electric grid benefits resulting from a geographically targeted renewable distributed generation effort be more fully quantified and improved? 2) Will the applications of food waste codigestion (with the local dairy waste), or ultrasound technology (applying high concentrations of sonic energy) improve waste activated sludge solids destruction and increase biogas production efficiency and onsite power generation at municipal/regional wastewater treatment facilities? 3) Can side-by-side testing and evaluation of 13 separate photovoltaic systems lead to a recommended format for an independent Consumer Reports style evaluation of the PV industry’s leaders in nonresidential and building-applied applications? These answers and other important results regarding the latest biogas and solar PV technology and their associated benefits and costs that were implemented within the 565 MVA Commerce Energy/SCE distribution system mini-grid are summarized in this paper. An overall program description and project descriptions for each biogas/PV project and associated final report documentation can be downloaded from the Commerce Energy PIER Program website at http://www.pierminigrid.org/.