Economic Analysis of Alternative Energy Sources

1. Alternative Choices Calculations Property Info DATABASE Calculated Needed Load Electric Load Data Weather Reliability Margin Utility Supplier Info. Wind INPUT • Design for rural Iowa client • Evaluate alternative energy sources • - Wind • - Solar • - Petroleum • - Fuel Cells • - Microturbine • - Micro-hydro • Evaluate modes of operation • Calculations determined by geographical location • Provide information • - Costs • - Payback Period • - Manufacturers • Will be incorporated as part of webpage If Applicable Wind/Solar Solar Petroleum Generator Fuel Cells Micro-Turbines Economic Analysis Calculator Micro-Hydro Inverters Batteries OUTPUT Primary Source Secondary Source Assumptions Hydro-Websites Project Requirements Primary Specs/Cost Secondary Specs/Cost Liability Incentive Websites • Take user inputs • Create information database • - Scientific data • - Manufacturer information • - Utilities • Easily updatable database • Provide information on rebates • Account for forecasted increase • - Load • - Prices • Determine optimal system • Create user manual Economic Analysis of Alternative Energy Sources The sheet above is the wind speed probability calculator. The sheet above predicts the wind speed probabilities in a specified area by taking known average wind speeds from a database and determining the probability for each speed range.  The calculator takes into account height, turbulence, and other environmental factors. Output Page The output page supplies the user with the information derived from the system they helped specify. Information on the system’s manufacturer provides any important specifications on the system needed by the user. The expected costs associated with the system are shown both numerically and graphically. A brief analysis of the system is given based on costs and system choice to assist in interpreting the data. Input Page Problem Statement Testing • Creating spreadsheets to verify calculations in more complicated cells • Checking against known data from the Iowa Energy Center • Attempting all combinations of possible input values to detect irregularities • Changing cells individually to be sure that function cell is referencing correctly • Ensuring that calculations are not redundant to avoid confusion Conclusion The input page takes all data from the user. The four main information categories are load, property, rate (shown), and alternative energy selection. Several of the inputs, such as the utility company, implement drop down menus that force the user to choose from a pre-selected list. Since the sheet is not going to be seen by the user, it was not built to be completely user friendly, but to best meet the needs of the calculator. With rising energy costs and a greater public awareness of environmental issues, more and more people are looking for greener ways to produce electricity. While there are options available, it is not always easy to determine the costs associated with the device or what system would best fit a user’s needs. It is our hope that this project will provide that information for an interested individual living in rural Iowa., and serve as a first step in the acquisition of such a system. Dec07-03 Team Members Advisors Mr. Tom Baird (ECpE) Dr. John Lamont (ECpE) Prof. Ralph Patterson, III (ECpE) Dr. Greg Smith (ECpE) Kyle Drees EE (Team Leader) ktdrees@iastate.edu Mitchell Frazier EE (Communication Coordinator) gadgets@iastate.eduPeter Howard EE phoward@iastate.edu Abraham Tarbey EE tarbey@iastate.edu http://seniord.ece.iastate.edu/dec0703 Client: Senior Design