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Degree

Doctor of Engineering, Cleveland State University, Fenn College of Engineering, 2008.

Abstract

We study the feasibility of a novel hybrid solar-wind hybrid system that shares most of its infrastructure and components. During periods of clear sunny days the system will generate electricity from the sun using a parabolic concentrator. The concentrator is formed by individual mirror elements and focuses the light onto high intensity vertical multi-junction (VMJ) cells. During periods of high wind speeds and at night, the same concentrator setup will be reconfigured to channel the wind into a wind turbine which will be used to harness wind energy. In this study we report on the feasibility of this type of solar/wind hybrid energy system. The key mechanisms; optics, cooling mechanism of VMJ cells and air flow through the system were investigated using simulation tools. The results from these simulations, along with a simple economic analysis giving the levelized cost of energy for such a system are presented. An iterative method of design refinement based on the simulation results was used to work towards a prototype design. T he levelized cost of the system achieved in the economic analysis shows the system to be a good alternative for a grid isolated site and could be used as a standalone system in regions of lower demand. The new approach to solar wind hybrid system reported herein will pave way for newer generation of hybrid systems that share common infrastructure in addition to the storage and distribution of energy.

Subject Headings

Energy; Engineering; Industrial engineering; Technology

Keywords

hybrid energy system; renewable energy; solar energy; wind energy; levelized cost

Committee / Advisors

Taysir Nayfeh, PhD (Committee Chair)
Mounir Ibrahim, PhD (Committee Member)
Majid Rashidi, PhD (Committee Member)
M. Brian Thomas, PhD (Committee Member)
Kiril Streletzky, PhD (Committee Member)

Pages

174p.

Document number: csu1225821057
Permalink: http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=csu1225821057

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