With maturity of advanced technologies and urgent requirement for maintaining a healthy environment with reasonable price, India is moving towards a trend of generating electricity from renewable resources. Wind energy production, with its relatively safer and positive environmental characteristics, has evolved from a marginal activity into a multibillion dollar industry today. Wind energy power plants, also known as wind farms, comprise multiple wind turbines. Though there are several wind-mill clusters producing energy in different geographical locations across the world, evaluating their performance is a complex task and is an important focus for stakeholders. In this work an attempt is made to estimate the performance of wind clusters employing a multicriteria approach. Multiple factors that affect wind farm operations are analyzed by taking experts opinions, and a performance ranking of the wind farms is generated. The weights of the selection criteria are determined by pairwise comparison matrices of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The proposed methodology evaluates wind farm performance based on technical, economic, environmental, and sociological indicators. Both qualitative and quantitative parameters were considered. Empirical data were collected through questionnaire from the selected wind farms of Belagavi district in the Indian State of Karnataka. This proposed methodology is a useful tool for cluster analysis.

Sanjeev H. Kulkarni

Tumkur Ramakrishnarao Anil

Rajakumar Dyamenally Gowdar

Wind Energy Development in India and a Methodology for Evaluating Performance of Wind Farm Clusters

The method of generalized extreme value family of distributions (Weibull, Gumbel, and Frechet) is employed for the first time to assess the wind energy potential of Debuncha, South-West Cameroon, and to study the variation of energy over the seasons on this site. The 29-year (1983–2013) average daily wind speed data over Debuncha due to missing values in the years 1992 and 1994 is gotten from NASA satellite data through the RETScreen software tool provided by CANMET Canada. The data is partitioned into min-monthly, mean-monthly, and max-monthly data and fitted using maximum likelihood method to the two-parameter Weibull, Gumbel, and Frechet distributions for the purpose of determining the best fit to be used for assessing the wind energy potential on this site. The respective shape and scale parameters are estimated. By making use of the <svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" style="vertical-align:-0.0498209pt" id="M1" height="8.68572pt" version="1.1" viewBox="-0.0498162 -8.6359 8.15071 8.68572" width="8.15071pt"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,0,0)"><path id="g113-81" d="M600 480C600 590 528 650 384 650H143L137 622C222 614 225 607 210 531L130 127C113 41 106 36 23 28L17 0H294L300 28C204 36 195 42 212 127L243 284L314 263C327 263 339 263 352 264C465 271 600 337 600 480ZM508 481C508 351 402 304 329 304C289 304 265 311 250 317L295 559C302 594 310 606 323 611C335 616 350 619 367 619C455 619 508 573 508 481Z"/></g></svg> values of the Kolmogorov-Smirnov statistic (K-S) and the standard error (s.e) analysis, the results show that the Frechet distribution best fits the min-monthly, mean-monthly, and max-monthly data compared to the Weibull and Gumbel distributions. Wind speed distributions and wind power densities of both the wet and dry seasons are compared. The results show that the wind power density of the wet season was higher than in the dry season. The wind speeds at this site seem quite low; maximum wind speeds are listed as between 3.1 and 4.2 m/s, which is below the cut-in wind speed of many modern turbines (6–10 m/s). However, we recommend the installation of low cut-in wind turbines like the Savonius or Aircon (10 KW) for stand-alone low energy need.

Nkongho Ayuketang Arreyndip

Ebobenow Joseph

Generalized Extreme Value Distribution Models for the Assessment of Seasonal Wind Energy Potential of Debuncha, Cameroon

Analyses of the unsteady flow behaviour of a 5&#x2009;MW horizontal-axis wind turbine (HAWT) rotor (Case I) and a rotor with tower (Case II) are carried out using a panel method and a RANSE method. The panel method calculations are obtained by applying the in-house boundary element method (BEM)<i> pan</i>MARE code, which is based on the potential flow theory. The BEM is a three-dimensional first-order panel method which can be used for investigating various steady and unsteady flow problems. Viscous flow simulations are carried out by using the RANSE solver ANSYS CFX 14.5. The results of Case I allow for the calculation of the global integral values of the torque and the thrust and include detailed information on the local flow field, such as the pressure distribution on the blade sections and the streamlines. The calculated pressure distribution by the BEM is compared with the corresponding values obtained by the RANSE solver. The tower geometry is considered in the simulation in Case II, so the unsteady forces due to the interaction between the tower and the rotor blades can be calculated. The application of viscous and inviscid flow methods to predict the forces on the HAWT allows for the evaluation of the viscous effects on the calculated HAWT flows.

Israa Alesbe

Moustafa Abdel-Maksoud

Sattar Aljabair

Investigation of the Unsteady Flow Behaviour on a Wind Turbine Using a BEM and a RANSE Method

Increased generation of methane (CH<sub>4</sub>) from municipal solid wastes (MSW) alarms the world to take proper initiative for the sustainable management of MSW, because it is 34 times stronger than carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>). Mounting land scarcity issue around the world brands the waste to energy (WtE) strategy for MSW management in urban areas as a promising option, because WtE not only reduces the land pressure problem, but also generates electricity, heat, and green jobs. The goal of this study is to evaluate the renewable electricity generation potential and associated carbon reduction of MSW management in Bangladesh using WtE strategies. The study is conducted in two major cities of Bangladesh: Dhaka and Chittagong. Six different WtE scenarios are evaluated consisting of mixed MSW incineration and landfill gas (LFG) recovery system. Energy potential of different WtE strategy is assessed using standard energy conversion model and subsequent GHGs emissions models. Scenario A<sub>1</sub> results in highest economic and energy potential and net negative GHGs emission. Sensitivity analysis by varying MSW moisture content reveals higher energy potential and less GHGs emissions from MSW possessing low moisture content. The study proposes mixed MSW incineration that could be a potential WtE strategy for renewable electricity generation in Bangladesh.

K. M. Nazmul Islam

Municipal Solid Waste to Energy Generation in Bangladesh: Possible Scenarios to Generate Renewable Electricity in Dhaka and Chittagong City

The standard of living, quality of life, and development of a nation depend on its per capita energy consumption. Global energy supply that mainly depends on fossil fuel is decreasing day by day. It is estimated that the energy demand will be increased five times by the year 2021 from present scenario. Due to the fossil fuel crisis, the development of alternative fuel technologies has drawn more attraction to deliver the replacement of fossil fuel. Pyrolysis is one of the promising alternative fuel technologies which produces valuable oil, char, and gas product from organic waste. Early investigations report that tire pyrolysis oil extracted from vacuum pyrolysis method seemed to have properties similar to diesel fuel. The main concern of this paper is to produce and improve the properties of crude tire pyrolysis oil by desulfurizing, distilling, and utilizing it with diesel in CI engine to analyze the efficiency for various compositions.

M. N. Islam

M. R. Nahian

Improvement of Waste Tire Pyrolysis Oil and Performance Test with Diesel in CI Engine

Mohammad A. Hossain

Ziaul Huque

Raghava R. Kommalapati

Corrigendum to &#x201c;Propagation of Shock on NREL Phase VI Wind Turbine Airfoil under Compressible Flow&#x201d;

The catalytic potential of calcium oxide synthesized from mud clam shell as a heterogeneous catalyst for biodiesel production was studied. The mud clam shell calcium oxide was characterized using particle size analyzer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and BET gas sorption analyzer. The catalyst performance of mud clam shell calcium oxide was studied in the transesterification of castor oil as biodiesel. Catalyst characterization and transesterification study results of synthesized catalyst proved the efficiency of the natural derived catalyst for biodiesel production. A highest biodiesel yield of 96.7&#x25; was obtained at optimal parameters such as 1&#x2009;:&#x2009;14 oil-to-methanol molar ratio, 3&#x25;&#x2009;w/w catalyst concentration, 60&#xb0;C reaction temperature, and 2-hour reaction time. Catalyst reusability test shows that the synthesized calcium oxide from mud clam shell is reusable up to 5 times.

S. Ismail

A. S. Ahmed

Reddy Anr

S. Hamdan

Biodiesel Production from Castor Oil by Using Calcium Oxide Derived from Mud Clam Shell

This paper presents the technical and economic feasibility of grid connected small scale hydropower construction in selected site of the Kulfo River in southern Ethiopia. In doing so the paper presents the general overview of Ethiopia electric power situation; small scale hydropower situation and barriers and drivers for its development; site assessment and cost estimation methods and at the end presents techno-economic analysis of small scale hydropower development on the Kulfo River in southern Ethiopia. The technical and economic feasibility of the site have been studied by using HOMER, RETscreen, and SMART Mini-IDRO software. The result of simulation shows that the construction of small scale hydropower in the Kulfo River is technically and economically feasible with total net present cost of <svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" style="vertical-align:-0.9762802pt" id="M1" height="10.1537pt" version="1.1" viewBox="-0.0498162 -9.17742 6.36303 10.1537" width="6.36303pt"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,0,0)"><path d="M263 363V584C343 572 363 521 380 464L408 470C399 526 392 562 387 596C376 598 367 601 353 604C328 612 296 617 263 617V693H228V615C122 603 67 532 67 453C67 376 123 329 193 300L228 284V41C132 52 93 131 75 189L45 181C54 130 66 71 73 50C113 24 170 9 228 9V-76H263V11C370 24 434 90 434 185C434 275 367 325 292 352L263 363ZM228 376C171 398 136 431 136 484C136 530 164 578 228 584V376ZM263 272L275 267C345 236 359 196 359 150C359 96 325 50 263 42V272Z"/></g></svg>13,345,150, cost of energy <svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" style="vertical-align:-0.9762802pt" id="M2" height="10.1537pt" version="1.1" viewBox="-0.0498162 -9.17742 6.36303 10.1537" width="6.36303pt"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,0,0)"><path d="M263 363V584C343 572 363 521 380 464L408 470C399 526 392 562 387 596C376 598 367 601 353 604C328 612 296 617 263 617V693H228V615C122 603 67 532 67 453C67 376 123 329 193 300L228 284V41C132 52 93 131 75 189L45 181C54 130 66 71 73 50C113 24 170 9 228 9V-76H263V11C370 24 434 90 434 185C434 275 367 325 292 352L263 363ZM228 376C171 398 136 431 136 484C136 530 164 578 228 584V376ZM263 272L275 267C345 236 359 196 359 150C359 96 325 50 263 42V272Z"/></g></svg>0.028/kWh, simple payback period of 12.4 year, and internal rate of return 12.9%. The result also shows that construction of hydropower curtails greenhouse gas emissions such as carbon dioxide by 96,685,45 kg/year, sulfur dioxide by 4,1917 kg/year, and nitrogen dioxide by 20,500 kg/year.

Zelalem Girma

Techno-Economic Feasibility of Small Scale Hydropower in Ethiopia: The Case of the Kulfo River, in Southern Ethiopia

This paper describes the performance of electronic load controller (ELC) of asynchronous generator (AG) coupled to an uncontrolled Savonius turbine and variable water velocity. An AC-DC-AC converter with a dc link capacitor is employed to maintain the required frequency. The ELC which is feeding a resistive dump load is connected in parallel with the generating system and the power consumption is varied through the duty cycle of the chopper. Gate triggering of ELC is accomplished through sinusoidal pulse width modulation (SPWM) by sensing the load current. A MATLAB/Simulink model of Savonius rotor, asynchronous generator, ELC, and three-phase load is presented. The proposed scheme is tested under various load conditions under varying water velocities and the performances are observed to be satisfactory.

Rajen Pudur

Sarsing Gao

Performance Analysis of Savonius Rotor Based Hydropower Generation Scheme with Electronic Load Controller

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<p><em>Journal of Renewable Energy</em> publishes papers relating to the science and technology of renewable energy generation, distribution, storage, and management. It also covers the environmental, societal, and economic impacts of renewable energy.</p>


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Journal of Renewable Energy publishes papers relating to the science and technology of renewable energy generation, distribution, storage, and management. It also covers the environmental, societal, and economic impacts of renewable energy.

Journal of Renewable Energy