Barney L. Capehart

Minimizing residential electrical energy costs using microcomputer energy management systems

Abstract Load dependent or time dependent pricing structures provide electrical utilities with a means to use their existing capacities more effectively. Assuming that some type of load or time dependent price structure will be implemented by most utilities in the near future, it is worthwhile to assess the use of microcomputer energy control systems for minimizing residential electrical energy costs. This paper discusses the development of an optimizing energy management algorithm to reduce the cost of electricity under either a time-of-use or demand dependent price structure. A computer model which simulates the electrical demand and energy needs of a typical residence was developed to test the effectiveness of the optimizing algorithms. The results are presented for a period of 30 days for each season and price structure, under varying demand profiles. For a customer with an all-electric home using 2000 kWh each month, a savings of

Distributed Generation and Your Energy Future

140 a year is very realistic.

An interdisciplinary approach to cost/benefit analysis of innovative electric rates

ABSTRACT Distributed generation (DG) is electric or shaft power generation at or near the site of use as opposed to central power station generation. Combined heat and power (CHP) takes advantage of this site location to recover the normally wasted thermal energy from power generation and utilizes it beneficially to increase the total system efficiency. This article explores the rapidly developing world of DG and associated CHP. First the article shows why DG is necessary in the US power future and that DG is going to happen. Then, the article briefly looks at the different technologies that might be employed and their relative advantages and disadvantages. The article then explores who should be the major designers and implementers of DG and CHP technologies, and develops a strong argument that in many cases this should be an Energy Service Company (ESCO). Finally, the reasons for selecting either an independent ESCO or a local utility affiliated ESCO are discussed, and in particular, opportunities for t...

Optimum operation of a small power production facility

Abstract Contributions from many disciplines must be incorporated in a comprehensive framework if cost/benefit analysis is going to be both rigorous analytically and convincing to utility managers and regulators. This paper describes a new class of software tools available for evaluating the impact of innovative electric rates. The components of one such simulation model are briefly described and sample results presented. The policy recommendations that emerge from these simulation studies have important implications for the regulatory process, including the division of labor between regulators and companies, level of detail (and realism) needed to support proposed policies, and criteria for evaluating alternative scenarios. Although sophisticated methodologies can be a catalyst for improved decision-making in the electric utility industry, they may raise more issues than they resolve.

Analyzing facility energy use : A balancing act

Abstract To help reduce the U.S.A.s dependence on imported oil for electrical power generation, the 1978 National Energy Act established regulations to promote construction and operation of cogeneration and small power production facilities. Many of these facilities are presently under construction, with a great number planned. This paper examines the operation of a small power production facility with on-site generation and storage, on-site use, and connection to an electric utility grid system for the purpose of both selling excess power and buying power. It is assumed that the buying and selling price of electricity varies frequently during the day and that the relevant price and demand data may be accurately projected into the near future. With this system description, a mathematical model is formulated and solved by linear programming to obtain a series of periodic buy and sell decisions so as to maximize the profit from operating the small power production facility. Results are presented to illustrate the methodology for determining potential profits.

Microprocessor Education in Industrial and Systems Engineering

ABSTRACT—PART I When you do an energy audit, you must have a good understanding of how the energy is used by a facility to make sure that your energy efficiency recommendations are accurate and appropriate. You must know what equipment uses energy, how much energy it uses and how much energy it uses as a proportion of the total energy used at the facility. You can do this by monitoring the energy use of all the major pieces of equipment, but this is quite expensive and time-consuming. In this article, Part I, we discuss an alternative way for you to estimate the energy use by developing an ENERGY BALANCE. This method is particularly helpful if you have limited time to gather the energy use data.

A Proposal for Broadening the Education of Power System Engineers

The microprocessor represents one of the most important technological advances of the past decade. The engineer who understands the microprocessor and knows how to use it in industrial applications will be a leader in his firm. Many industries are installing microprocessors for automating plant production functions such as assembly, production control, inventory accounting, and quality control. Since most industrial and systems engineers will be working in environments where such systems are designed, sold, or installed, it is extremely important that they have a working knowledge of microprocessor oriented systems. The purpose of this paper is to describe the development of an introductory course on applications of microprocessors offered by the Industrial and Systems Engineering Department at the University of Florida. Substantial effort was required to develop teaching materials and laboratory equipment to support the course. The authors hope that the information presented in this paper will aid other faculty and schools in developing their own courses in this area.

A computer simulation of oil spills

Engineering education has placed its major emphasis on developing graduates with a high degree of technical competence in the traditional engineering disciplines. However, societys expectations for the role of an engineer now reflect the increased concern for inclusion of social policy considerations in engineering decision making. Engineering education must respond to these changes so that engineers will be better prepared to meet todays changes. The authors have focused their discussion on suggested modifications to the power system engineering curriculum as an example of the changing needs of a typical engineering program. The paper discusses some of the limitations the authors perceive in the present education of most power system engineers including a lack of study of nontraditional alternatives to central station power generation. Many of the suggested topics can be added to existing courses; for example, power system planning which could be expanded to cover topics such as load management systems and innovative rate designs which influence load patterns. The addition to the curriculum of a course which provides engineers with a broad overview of the laws affecting engineering decisions and the social policy these laws seek to implement is recommended. Such a course should broaden an engineers perspective of his/her role in society. The authors feel that this overall proposal is responsive to the needs to be faced by many of the future power engineering graduates. The suggested curriculum changes and additions should aid power system engineers in understanding their role in solving societys energy-related problems.

A state variable integration routine for IBM system 360/CSMP

The discovery and development of oil resources in the Northern Florida Gulf Outer Continental Shelf will ultimately cause oil spills in this area. This study estimates the percentage of the spills that will reach the Florida coast. A computer simulation model incorporating data for seasonal winds, weathering of oil on the sea, and develop ment and transportation of crude oil is presented. Investigations show the effects of both the original location of the spill and the seasonal winds on the frequency with which oil spills reach the coast.

A Case Study for Energy Auditing Using an Interactive Energy Balance

CSMP is an IMB System/360 program for the simulation of continuous systems. 1 The CSMP package includes several standard integration routines. However, none of these routines takes advantage of the special structure of a linear constant-coefficient dynamic system. This paper presents the technique of state variable integration for linear constant-coefficient systems. This technique has the advantage of greater accuracy and a considerable reduction in computation time for the solution of linear constant-coefficient differential equations. The routine is easily incorporated into the standard CSMP program and in many