F.B. Chaaban

Power generation expansion planning with environmental consideration for Lebanon

This work describes the development and usage of a generation expansion planning (GEP) tool based on dynamic programming, probabilistic production simulation, and environmental assessment. The problem of GEP is solved in stages using tunnel dynamic programming to determine the optimal investment plan of unit additions. The objective function of the planning exercise is to minimize either the cost or the environmental impact or some weighed function of the two. The production costing methodology is based on combining a probabilistic generation model with the load duration curve of the system to deduce a risk model from which the expected energy not supplied and the expected energy produced by each unit are estimated. Estimation of environmental emissions is conducted based on fuel type, heat rate, and energy produced by each unit. The program can model hydroelectric units as well as energy limited units, under economical and environmental load dispatches. The model is illustrated by a planning case study of the Lebanese electric power system to examine the impact of various technical, economic and environmental parameters on the proposed plans.

DETERMINATION OF THE OPTIMUM ROTOR/STATOR DIAMETER RATIO OF PERMANENT MAGNET MACHINES

ABSTRACT Interest in permanent magnet machines has gained momentum with the introduction of NdFeB alloys. However magnet cost is still relatively high and therefore design parameters have to be chosen carefully so as to minimize the volume of the magnet used for any particular application. This paper concerns the derivation of a mathematical expression that determines the optimum rotor/stator diameter ratio, known as the split ratio, in relation to other machine parameters. The analysis takes into account the demagnetizing effect of the load current on the magnet material and consequently the feasibility of the optimized design is examined. This analysis is then applied to several existing designs and the results indicate that the appropriate choice of the split ratio would lead to a significant reduction in the magnet volume and hence in the machine cost.

Renewable-energy developments in Arab countries: a regional perspective

This paper details the status of renewable-energy (RE) developments in Arab countries (AC) as an essential element for the sustainable economic development of these countries, despite their wealth in oil and gas. The paper first presents a review of the RE resources in AC and sheds light on some achieved and/or ongoing RE projects in the region. It also examines the adequacy of the present national institutions responsible for RE developments, and evaluates the effectiveness of work programmes of major regional and international organizations supporting RE activities. Finally, the paper identifies major obstacles hindering the large-scale penetration of RE into the energy markets of AC, and draws conclusions for increasing RE contribution to those markets.

A STUDY OF SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS OF MOBILE SOURCES ON AIR QUALITY IN LEBANON

Abstract The work presented in this paper is aimed at investigating the economic effects of air pollution from mobile sources on public health in Lebanon. It is part of the effort to implement MedPolicies Initiative of the Mediterranean Environmental Technical Assistance Program (METAP III whose objective is to encourage sustainable economic growth through the integration of environmental concerns in economic and fiscal policy-making in 13 Mediterranean countries. In each of these countries, the most significant sector is investigated. The transport sector in Lebanon is the predominant sector in terms of energy consumption and its associated air pollution impacts. A multidisciplinary effort is carried out for this purpose in which measurement and modeling of air pollution caused by motor vehicles, determination of the quantitative relationship between pollutants and public health, and an estimation of the effects of air pollution on public health have been carried out. This study is concluded by highlighting the mitigation options applicable for the country and for similar developing nations from social and economic points of view.

Policy analysis of greenhouse gas emissions: the case of the Lebanese electricity sector

Abstract The energy sector in Lebanon contributes 85% of all CO 2 emissions and 96% of all SO 2 emissions. In addition, the consumption of electricity in Lebanon is relatively low compared with most industrialized countries, but it is high compared with many developing countries of similar conditions (2200 kW h/capita in 1998). This high electricity intensity suggests that there is a low efficiency in both, the generation and end use. For this reason, two aims have been defined for this paper. The first aim is to develop a baseline scenario that reflects the government policies and plans with regard to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions related to the electricity sector, and the second aim is to propose mitigation scenarios for reducing GHG emissions in the electricity supply sector. These mitigation scenarios will explore the merits of options not considered by the government to deduce an optimal planning strategy that will lead to a generation expansion plan at minimum cost and minimum emissions. It will be shown that the choice of natural gas as a future fuel is highly recommended and that the promotion of renewable energy technologies is also recommended and should be given priority when these technologies become economically competitive. Other measures such as network loss reduction will positively contribute to GHG mitigation in Lebanon. However, the achievement of such a goal requires no recommendation, as it should be a normal utility practice.

Baseline energy and electricity consumptions in Lebanon and opportunities for conservation

Abstract Energy production and consumption statistics that are periodically published by different organizations play a significant role in assessing energy trends and patterns. These reports provide information about energy consumption breakdown among different sectors, mainly residential, transportation, and industrial. State and private organizations and agencies make use of these reports to identify cost-effective opportunities for energy conservation, and consequently pollution reduction. Lebanon has gone through a long period of civil unrest and wars. As a result, local and international organizations were not able to keep updated records of various social and economic changes, including energy consumption trends, that took place during this period. Scarce reports that were published during this period were based only on the extrapolation of old historic characteristics without taking into consideration the demographic and social changes. This paper provides information concerning energy consumption taking into account the alignment of the post-war population realities and their energy consumption patterns. The aim is to establish a baseline on energy consumption at the household level in Lebanon in the post-war era. Analysis is also conducted to examine the influence of various social, economic, and even geographic factors on energy consumption trends. Cost-effective opportunities and means for achieving energy conservation taking into account all these factors are also highlighted.

Evaluation of the Hall parameter of electrolyte solutions in thermosyphonic MHD flow

Abstract The objective of this work is to determine experimentally the Hall parameter of electrolyte solutions using a closed loop thermosyphonic magnetohydrodynamic flow. The upper and lower parts of the loop, which represent the heat sink and heat source of the system respectively, are constructed from copper pipe coated with varnish on the inside surface. The middle region, connecting the upper and lower parts of the loop, is made from plastic vertical pipes, with segmented copper electrodes placed vertically opposite to each other on each side of the loop plastic walls and connected as a Hall generator to measure the open circuit voltage. A transverse magnetic field is imposed in the middle non-conducting plastic-wall region by a set of permanent magnets. The magnets provide a magnetic field strength of up to 0.225 T, whereas the driving temperature difference between the hot and cold portion of the loop ranges from 10 to 80 °C. Measurements of the induced flow rate and induced open circuit voltage are reported as a function of driving temperature difference and magnetic field strength. The analytical one-dimensional model of Ghaddar [Int. J. Heat Mass Transfer 41 (8–9) (1998) 1075] is extended to account for the electrode design and the Hall effect pertinent to electrolyte solutions. The open circuit voltage is related to the driving temperature difference, flow characteristic, magnetic field strength, electrolyte electric properties and electrode design. The developed 1-D model and the measured open circuit voltage are used to evaluate the Hall parameter ( ωτ ), which is a property of the fluid of the electrolyte liquid. It is found that ωτ can be as large as 100 for electrolytes and causes a significant loss in power output at the electrodes due to electron drift in the fluid leading to generation of current in an axial direction at the expense of the current flowing in the transverse direction between the electrodes.

A Preliminary Evaluation of Selected Transport-Related Pollutants in the Ambient Atmosphere of the City of Beirut, Lebanon

Particulate matter is emitted to the atmosphere from variousenergy conversion processes, mainly from the electric powerand the transportation sectors. Recent studies and peer reviews conducted by international organizations have indicated the adverse health and economic effects of the accumulation of these particulates in the environment.In the absence of any data related to the levels of air pollution in the Beirut environment, this study was initiated with the objective of conducting a preliminary investigation that includes air sampling and the X-ray fluorescence analysis of the samples. Emphasis is placed on the impact of the transport sector on the dissemination of different pollutants and in particular lead. The results show high levels of particulates resulting from different sources and high concentrations of lead within the city ofBeirut. A direct correlation between the particulate constituents and street activities is identified. The results indicate the seriousness of the air pollution problem that the transport sector can inflict on the society if appropriate mitigative measures are not implemented, especially in urbanized regions where traffic flow is consistently heavy. Mitigation options applicable to Lebanon and possibly to other countries of similar economic and social structure are recommended.

A Cost-Effective Design Approach for Permanent Magnet Brushless Machines

Small-power electric machines that use permanent magnets for providing field excitation are becoming increasingly attractive for use in various industrial applications, including those with high-torque requirements andspace limitations. There exists a wide range of designs based on different topologies and different types of magnetic materials. The cost-effectiveness of permanent magnet (PM) machine designs couldbe affected to a great extent by the choice of the magnet material, the overall size of the machine, and the selection of the most appropriate materials, taking into consideration their relative costs and properties. This paper presents an analytical approach to design a surface-magnet electric machine with optimum use of materials on cost basis. Influence of major design parameters is examined, as well using sensitivity analysis. The results show that the optimum split ratio is inversely related to the remanence of the chosen magnet. Also, the impact of the core saturation level on the overall machine cost is investigated.

A Simplified Electric Circuit Model for the Analysis of Hybrid Wind-Fuel Cell Systems

This paper proposes a simulation methodology for a wind energy conversion system (WECS) incorporating fuel cells as a backup generator. A complete mathematical model for each component of the wind/fuel cell hybrid system is presented, and a simplified electric circuit is developed. The complete electric circuit is composed of two parts; the first part models a wind turbine driving a three-phase permanent magnet alternator connected to a rectifier and an electrolyzer, and the second part models the fuel cell and the load. Simulations are then carried out using simulink to determine the current flowing though the electrolyzer, the amount of hydrogen produced by the electrolyzer, the amount of hydrogen consumed by the fuel cell and the current drawn by the load. Although the paper focuses only on the steady state analysis of the system, the model can also be used to conduct dynamic studies.