Economic Analysis of Alternative Energy Sources

Problem Statement• 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

Alternative Choices

Electric Load Data

Utility Supplier Info.

If Applicable Wind/Solar

Weather

Wind

Micro-Turbines

Property Info

Reliability Margin

Calculated Needed Load

Petroleum Generator

Economic Analysis Calculator

Solar

Fuel Cells

Micro-Hydro

Incentive WebsitesPrimary Specs/Cost

Primary Source

Batteries

Inverters

Secondary Specs/Cost

AssumptionsSecondary Source Hydro-Websites

Liability

OUTPUT

DATABASE

INPUT

Dec07-03http://seniord.ece.iastate.edu/dec0703

AdvisorsMr. Tom Baird (ECpE)Dr. John Lamont (ECpE)Prof. Ralph Patterson, III (ECpE)Dr. Greg Smith (ECpE)

Client:Senior Design

Team MembersKyle Drees EE (Team Leader) ktdrees@iastate.eduMitchell Frazier EE (Communication Coordinator) gadgets@iastate.eduPeter Howard EE phoward@iastate.eduAbraham Tarbey EE tarbey@iastate.edu

Project Requirements

Calculations

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.

Input Page

Output Page

• 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

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.

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.

Testing

Conclusion

• 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

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.