Reference no: EM132358978

Energy Systems Assignment -

Question 1: There are two options to run a water pump using a wind mill.

Option 1: Direct coupling the windmill using a mechanical belt drive to run a centrifugal water pump. Mechanical efficiency of the drive system is 0.80 and the efficiency of the centrifugal pump is 0.8.

Option 2: Use an in-built wind turbine and generator to generate electricity and run the pump connected with the generated electricity.

Combined efficiency of the turbine and the generator is 0.80, efficiency of the electrical installation is 0.95 and the efficiency of the electrical water pump is 0.75.

i. Compare the two options for the overall system efficiency and recommend an options which mostly suited for the application

ii. What are the drawbacks associated with the selection?

Question 2: In an energy systems installation, following financial requirement was identified.

• Capital cost of equipment and installation - $ 120,000.
• Recurrent cost of maintenance - $ 3,000 per year.
• Replacement of parts - $ 4,000 per year.
• Life time of the system - 12 years.
• Income through energy generation - $ 22,000 per year.

i. Calculate the payback period of the system.

ii. If the scarp value of the equipment is $ 5,000, what is the net profit expected to be collected for the investment?

iii. Explain how this profit is affected by "cost of money" or "interest". No calculations needed.

Question 3: List four design approaches recommended in improving energy efficiency of a new building.

Question 4: When transmitting electricity across a long distance, significant amount of energy is lost.

i. Explain how the transmission line losses are quantified. What are the main variables?

ii. What are the possible approaches to reduce this loss?

iii. What is preferred method (or modifications) of reducing line loss?

iv. What are the additional devices and features of such a modified transmission system?

Question 5: Draw a block diagram to illustrate the energy conversion of hydropower. Label the form of energy in each state and indicate the losses where necessary.

Question 6: i. If the energy density of Petroleum fuel is 45MJ/kg, how much of fuel needed to contain 1GJ of energy?

ii. If the conversion efficiency of the engine which uses this fuel is 0.40, how much of mechanical energy is generated if this fuel is burnt?

iii. If the same amount of mechanical energy is to be generated using an engine runs with natural gas (efficiency 0.45 and energy density of natural gas has 36MJ/kg), how much fuel is needed?