Richard E. Blanchard

Using feedback control engineering for analyzing and designing an effective lecturing model

Control theory has seldom been used as an analytical tool in pedagogical research for modeling, analyzing or designing effective educational processes, despite its proven benefits in other social sciences, especially economics and finance. In this paper, we use the elements of open-loop and closed-loop feedback systems for evaluating two modes of teaching and lecturing. The first is the open-loop lecturing mode, which still dominates in many European universities, whereas the second is the so-called closed-loop lecturing with feedback and reflection. We provide mathematical models for both modes and apply control engineering techniques and tools to analyze the properties of the two lecturing modes. It is shown that the learning and information retention dynamics differs considerably between the two modes. Furthermore, we show how the closed-loop lecturing mode supersedes the open-loop lecturing mode. The simulation results demonstrate that with lecturing improved higher educational performance requires continuous feedback and reflection.

Developing an open access monitoring device for off-grid renewables

Electricity access is a key driver for developing a modern society. The use of locally generated renewable energy can overcome limitations of expensive grid infrastructure. However, there are still barriers to access particularly for the rural poor in the global south. When individuals or communities invest in electricity provision it is important to know how well the system is performing. Commercial monitoring systems have been developed for large scale renewable energy systems. The cost of these can outweigh the cost of a small decentralised renewable energy system. This paper describes the development of a low cost data logger that is going to be used to monitor the system performance of small photovoltaic nano-grids in Kenya and Bangladesh. The device performs within the expected range for the current, voltage, temperature and irradiance sensors. Data from the data logger device is sent via GPRS to a Website where it can be accessed as real time graphical displays and data files.

Educating the world: A remote experiment in photovoltaics

The increasing deployment of photovoltaic (PV) systems requires large numbers of skilled engineers with a greater understanding of all aspects of PV technology both theoretical and practical. Developing experimental rigs at universities is expensive and limited to students physically attending the university. One recent approach to increase access to laboratories is the development of remote experiments. Here students can control real experimental equipment using a visual interface via the Internet. In this paper we explore the development of a photovoltaic laboratory to enable users to access and remotely control experimental equipment based at Loughborough University, UK, from anywhere in the world.

A hybrid biogas system for Kolkata

Municipal solid waste (MSW) is a global problem. Four processes for treatment include landfilling, incineration, recycling and composting the organic fraction. Landfilling can cause the release of the potent greenhouse gas methane into the atmosphere. In many parts of the world, including the European Union, legislation to limit the amount of generated Organic Fraction Municipal Solid Wastes (OFMSW) going to landfill has been introduced. An alternative to landfilling is to anaerobically digest the OFMSW. This paper investigates the concept of a Hybrid Biomass System (HBS) consisting of solar thermal Flat Plat Collector (FPC) providing heat energy to the thermophilic (55°C) anaerobic digestion process, and the potential energy yield of hotel OFMSW in Kolkata. The methodology comprises development and assessment of a theoretical model representing the anaerobic digestion process for optimum biogas yield and TRNSYS simulation of a 5m2 and 10m2 FPC. Theoretical biogas production rates derived are 0.44m3/kgVS or 0.21m3 biogas/guest/day with a C/N ratio of 35:1. 5m2 and 10m2 FPC simulations maintained the thermophilic temperature of 55°C within -1.9 and +2.1. 10m2 FPC provides largest energy contribution at 11% of the annual energy requirement. In is concluded that FPCs can support thermophilic digester heating requirements with heat store or direct integration. In order to meet optimum biogas yield, legislation and policy is required to evolve the current waste management processes with emphasis on infrastructure development and source segregation.

Micro-generation in conflict: The conditions necessary to power economic development in rural Afghanistan

Access to reliable electricity eludes many poor rural Afghan communities despite plentiful renewable resources. Micro-generation seems particularly well suited to Afghanistan’s mountainous, decentralised society but even with substantial investment since 2001 it has not lived up to expectations. Recognising the causes are likely to dwell in the human (rather than technical) domain, this study takes a qualitative, soft systems approach to deriving and validating the necessary conditions that might improve the success rate of micro-generation projects in enabling sustainable economic development. It acknowledges the governance limitations inherent in fragile states and the significance of the community as the most stable element of society, putting the latter at the centre of its thinking. Those conditions identified as critical are summarised as: a holistic approach that sees micro-generation as a component of broader economic development; an environment safe enough for project build and operation, and for the markets necessary for wealth creation; and external support to build community capacity to fund and maintain schemes through-life. These conditions are likely to have relevance for other fragile states; the next step is to develop them in the field before deployment as part of a comprehensive approach to poverty alleviation in Afghanistan and similar states.

Production of Ethanol from Waste Potato Using Locally Available Biocatalyst

Bioethanol is a renewable energy source produced from the resources which can be easily replenished. The bioethanol production through fermentation may provide an economically competitive source of energy by its incorporation into gasoline. Production of bioethanol from waste food crops like potatoes could be the better substrate, and the waste produced is also biodegradable. Lack of storage facilities and postharvest losses make potato a promising crop which can be used for production of ethanol. Moreover, the conversion of potato starch into glucose by bakhar is more cost-effective, and fermentation with baker’s yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae yields maximum amount of ethanol. This process of production of ethanol from waste potato would be promising and economically effective for the production of biofuel, called bioethanol.

Dynamic modelling of updraft gasifiers: Incidence of feedstock quality and operational variables in the transient model structure

This paper describes the definition of the transient model structure for an updraft gasifier and the input variables related to the process and the feedstock quality with the most significant influence on the dynamic models and the transient behaviour. For such purpose, a set of open-loop dynamics experiments were carried out in the gasifier. Moreover, the output variables performance was recorded together with the composition analysis of the municipal solid waste batch (MSW). The output and operational variables record was used as base information for performing regressions of transient models with the purpose of determining the model type choice that achieves the largest occurrence frequency of fitting percentage figures above 50%. In addition, the dataset of regression parameters is analysed through feature selection in order to establish the influence of feedstock quality parameters and independent dynamic operational variables in dynamic changes. The model structure selection determined that underdamped, second order with one zero transfer function (P2ZU) is the most accurate case for updraft gasifiers. Regarding the influence of feedstock-related information, feature selection results show that ultimate composition is the group of quality parameters with the most significant influence on transient behaviour. Results also show that recirculation flow rate is the operational variable whose effect in the output variables is the most likely to be predicted and potentially controlled. The results for this variable show that 64.3% of the performed regressions achieved a fitting percentage value above 50%.

Community scale, decentralised anaerobic digestion for energy and resource recovery

The paper describes “Community scale, decentralized anaerobic digestion for energy and resource technology” which is a joint UK-Thailand project much in line with the current aims of the Thai Government for decentralized energy generation. The use of food waste for biogas generation by the process of anaerobic digestion provides multiple benefits: decreased energy dependency, nutrient preservation and recycling, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. It is also promoted in the remoter Scotland and Wales of the UK. The aim of the project is the design and deployment of small scale digesters and their networking into remotely monitored units. Here, we are describing initial design of the reactors and some issues associated with using food waste as substrate. Based on the literature, we have also estimated the reactors performance to be 0.40-0.50 m3/kg of feedstock for biogas production.

Assessing a rural electrification program in Malaysia: System performance analysis on 11 solar PV-diesel hybrid systems

In 2006, there was a significant numbers of schools in rural Sabah in Malaysia that had no access to 24-hours electricity. Extension of grid electricity networks becomes uneconomical because of the geographical conditions of these areas and the low electrical energy density demand of the population. Malaysias rural development policies, therefore, emphasizes on the need to improve the learning and living condition at the rural schools. The abundant solar energy resource in the region is used for providing alternative power supply for these schools. 160 schools in rural Sabah were installed with solar photovoltaic (PV)-diesel hybrid systems. Even though the systems have been in operation for some years, knowledge informing the systems performance is difficult to find. Thus, understanding the system operation is a highly valuable experience and lessons can be learned for implementation of the rural electrification program (REP). This paper describes the finding from a field study at 11 solar PV-diesel hybrid systems. It highlighted some parameters that define the reliability of a solar PV system. The solar PV systems installed at schools in rural Sabah were found to be reliable. They reduced dependency on the diesel fuel consumption and fully utilized clean energy from the sun. It is essential to have reliable solar PV system that can provide sufficient energy for the load demand.

Putting the End-User First: Towards Addressing Contesting Values in Renewable Energy Systems Deployment for Low-Income Households—A Case from Likoma Island, Malawi

This paper focuses on barriers and opportunities for the adoption of modern renewable energy technologies by low-income households in the light of energy requirements for household well-being; household prioritization of energy services; household purchasing power for energy; and households’ experiences with traditional and conventional energy sources. Approaches for addressing the identified barriers to the adoption of renewable energy solutions by low-income households are discussed as well. Our findings show that low-income households will continue to use traditional and conventional energy sources and technologies unless modern energy solutions come with integrated financing mechanisms that enable households to pay for good-quality systems capable of meeting their energy needs. The work is based on empirical evidence from Likoma Island in Malawi.