Abstract: The solar augmented chilled-water cooling system comprises a refrigeration cycle, a cooling tower, an air handling unit (AHU), a supplemental cycle and a solar energy harvesting unit. The supplemental cycle is in fluid communication with the refrigeration cycle, which is in fluid communication with the cooling tower, which in turn is in fluid communication with the supplemental cycle. The cooling tower cools a water stream by evaporation. The water stream from the cooling tower is passed to the supplemental cycle for further cooling using energy from the solar energy harvesting unit. The water stream is then passed to a condenser of the refrigeration cycle for its efficient operation at proper temperature. The water stream is then retuned back to the cooling tower to be re-cooled. In the refrigeration cycle, an evaporator uses operation of the associated condenser for providing cooling effect through the AHU.

Abstract: A light harvesting supercapacitor and a method of preparing the light harvesting supercapacitor is disclosed. The light harvesting supercapacitor includes a transparent conducting substrate, an active layer including TiO2 nanoparticles and polyaniline (PANI) nanoparticles disposed on the transparent conducting substrate, an electrolyte layer including a solid separator soaked with an electrolyte comprising polyvinyl alcohol and at least one ionic material selected from the group consisting of phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, hydroiodic acid, an alkali metal phosphate salt, an alkali metal sulfate salt, an alkali metal hydroxide, an alkali metal halide, and a mixture of a halogen and an alkali metal halide disposed on the active layer, a carbon electrode disposed on the electrolyte layer, and a metal layer disposed on the activated carbon electrode. The light harvesting supercapacitor of the present disclosure can be used in a photovoltaic device.

Abstract: The solar augmented chilled-water cooling system comprises a refrigeration cycle, a cooling tower, an air handling unit (AHU), a supplemental cycle and a solar energy harvesting unit. The supplemental cycle is in fluid communication with the refrigeration cycle, which is in fluid communication with the cooling tower, which in turn is in fluid communication with the supplemental cycle. The cooling tower cools a water stream by evaporation. The water stream from the cooling tower is passed to the supplemental cycle for further cooling using energy from the solar energy harvesting unit. The water stream is then passed to a condenser of the refrigeration cycle for its efficient operation at proper temperature. The water stream is then retuned back to the cooling tower to be re-cooled. In the refrigeration cycle, an evaporator uses operation of the associated condenser for providing cooling effect through the AHU.

Abstract: A light harvesting supercapacitor and a method of preparing the light harvesting supercapacitor is disclosed. The light harvesting supercapacitor includes a transparent conducting substrate, an active layer including TiO2 nanoparticles and polyaniline (PAM) nanoparticles disposed on the transparent conducting substrate, an electrolyte layer including a solid separator soaked with an electrolyte comprising polyvinyl alcohol and at least one ionic material selected from the group consisting of phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, hydroiodic acid, an alkali metal phosphate salt, an alkali metal sulfate salt, an alkali metal hydroxide, an alkali metal halide, and a mixture of a halogen and an alkali metal halide disposed on the active layer, a carbon electrode disposed on the electrolyte layer, and a metal layer disposed on the activated carbon electrode. The light harvesting supercapacitor of the present disclosure can be used in a photovoltaic device.

Abstract: A heating and cooling system powered by renewable energy and assisted with geothermal energy includes a solar cycling unit, a supercritical carbon dioxide (S—CO2) unit, and a refrigerant cycling unit. Solar energy obtained at the solar cycling unit may be used to power the S—CO2 cycling unit. To do so, the solar cycling unit utilizes a solar collector, a thermal energy storage, and a heat exchanger along with a first working fluid which is preferably molten salt or Therminol. Next, the energy generated at the S—CO2 cycling unit, which preferably circulates S—CO2 as a second working fluid, may be used to operate the refrigerant cycling unit. In the refrigerant cycling unit, Tetrafluroethene is preferably used as the third working fluid to produce required cooling effects. Additionally, geothermal heat exchangers may be integrated into the system for use during varying weather conditions.

Abstract: A system for co-generating ammonia and power is described. The system includes oxygen transport reactors having an ion transport membrane (ITM) that separates a feed side and a permeate side. The feed side includes a feed inlet and a feed outlet, and the permeate side includes a permeate inlet and a permeate outlet. A first feed inlet receives water vapor to be converted into hydrogen and first oxygen, and a second feed inlet receives air to be split into nitrogen and second oxygen. The ITM selectively allows permeation of the first oxygen and the second oxygen to respective permeate side to support oxy-combustion process. A first feed outlet discharges hydrogen and a second feed outlet discharges nitrogen, where the hydrogen and the nitrogen are combined in a catalytic converter to form ammonia. Combustion gases from the oxygen transport reactors are used to run a gas turbine to extract power.

Abstract: Reduced computation time for model predictive control (MPC) of a five level dual T-type drive considering the DC link capacitor balancing, the common-mode voltage (CMV) along with torque control of an open-ends induction motor based on determining a reduced set of switching states for the MPC. The reduced set of switching states are determined by considering either CMV reduction (CMVR) or CMV elimination (CMVE). Cost function minimization generates a voltage vector, which is used to produce gating signals for the converter switches. The reduced switching state MPC significantly reduces computation time and improves MPC performance.

Abstract: A light harvesting supercapacitor and a method of preparing the light harvesting supercapacitor are disclosed. The light harvesting supercapacitor includes a transparent substrate, an active layer including TiO2 nanoparticles and polyaniline (PANI) nanoparticles disposed on the transparent substrate, an electrolyte layer including a solid separator and poly(2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid) disposed on the active layer, a carbon electrode disposed on the electrolyte layer; and a metal layer disposed on the activated carbon electrode. The method of preparing the light harvesting supercapacitor involves pulsed laser ablation in a liquid of bulk PANI to form the PANI nanoparticles. The light harvesting supercapacitor can be used in a photovoltaic device.

Abstract: A heating and cooling system powered by renewable energy and assisted with geothermal energy includes a solar cycling unit, a supercritical carbon dioxide (S—CO2) unit, and a refrigerant cycling unit. Solar energy obtained at the solar cycling unit may be used to power the S—CO2 cycling unit. To do so, the solar cycling unit utilizes a solar collector, a thermal energy storage, and a heat exchanger along with a first working fluid which is preferably molten salt or Therminol. Next, the energy generated at the S—CO2 cycling unit, which preferably circulates S—CO2 as a second working fluid, may be used to operate the refrigerant cycling unit. In the refrigerant cycling unit, Tetrafluroethene is preferably used as the third working fluid to produce required cooling effects. Additionally, geothermal heat exchangers may be integrated into the system for use during varying weather conditions.

Abstract: Reduced computation time for model predictive control (MPC) of a five level dual T-type drive considering the DC link capacitor balancing, the common-mode voltage (CMV) along with torque control of an open-ends induction motor based on determining a reduced set of switching states for the MPC. The reduced set of switching states are determined by considering either CMV reduction (CMVR) or CMV elimination (CMVE). Cost function minimization generates a voltage vector, which is used to produce gating signals for the converter switches. The reduced switching state MPC significantly reduces computation time and improves MPC performance.

Abstract: A hybrid geothermal electrical power generation system that utilizes the heat from a deep geothermal reservoir to vaporize a working fluid, such as steam, CO2 or an organic fluid. The vaporized working fluid is used to turn a turbine connected to an electrical power generator. A solar collector may be used to increase the temperature of the working fluid during sunlight hours and a thermal storage unit may be utilized to increase the temperature of the working fluid during the night. A supercritical CO2 power generation cycle may be used alone or in combination with a steam turbine power generation cycle to utilize all of the heat energy. A vapor compression cycle, a vapor absorption cycle may be utilized to provide heating and cooling. A low temperature shallow geothermal reservoir may be used as a heat exchanger to regulate or store excess heat.

Abstract: Reduced computation time for model predictive control (MPC) of a five level dual T-type drive considering the DC link capacitor balancing, the common-mode voltage (CMV) along with torque control of an open-ends induction motor based on determining a reduced set of switching states for the MPC. The reduced set of switching states are determined by considering either CMV reduction (CMVR) or CMV elimination (CMVE). Cost function minimization generates a voltage vector, which is used to produce gating signals for the converter switches. The reduced switching state MPC significantly reduces computation time and improves MPC performance.

Abstract: A microgrid system includes a synchronous generator configured to convert mechanical power into electric power, an energy storage system configured to store and supply electric power, a controller configured to control operation of the energy storage system; and a point of common coupling bus connecting the synchronous generator and the battery energy storage system, wherein a controller parameter of the controller is determined based on a level of a disturbance using a trained artificial neural network in response to occurrence of the disturbance in the synchronous generator.