Abstract: A system and computer-implemented method for determining load shapes for distributed generation (DG) customers in an electricity generation, distribution, and consumption system without using direct load research data. Existing billing data may provide the amount of electricity delivered to and received from each DG customer each month, interconnection data may provide the installed on-site electricity generation capacity for each DG customer, and the average hourly output from a sample of DG or utility/community scale facility may provide a representative generation profile. The load shapes may include the load delivered to DG customers, the excess generated electricity exported back to the electricity distribution network by the DG customers, the generated electricity consumed on-site, and the load in the absence of DG facility(ies)/customer(s).

Abstract: A high efficiency shell and tube heat exchanger coupled to a hydraulic thermal engine includes an insulated cylindrical shell having first and second ends for conveying a coolant and a plurality of tubes passing through at least one of the ends for conveying a working fluid. A plurality of spaced-apart generally-transverse baffles are disposed in the shell. Each baffle is truncated along one edge defining a slot for passage of coolant along the shell inner wall and past the baffle. Successive of the baffles are rotated with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shell to cause the coolant flowing therethrough to follow a non-axial path. Multiple coolant inlets and outlets may be provided. The heat exchanger is optimized for a use wherein the second working fluid is liquid CO2 in a supercritical fluid state. The heat exchanger tubes have an inside diameter of 0.26 inches or less.