1. 12/07/2006Iowa State University Evaluation of Alternative Energy Sources EE / CprE 491 May 07-03 Christina Erickson Daniel Harkness Matt Kuker Parker Lohrenz Joe Moeller

2. 12/07/2006Iowa State University Project Purpose  This project will provide rural residents with a website to aid in evaluating possible alternative energy sources  A good economic comparison is currently unavailable for use

3. 12/07/2006Iowa State University Scope  This project has many possible variables  The time restriction of this project limits what will be evaluated  The team has created a list of assumptions and limitations to limit the scope of this project

4. 12/07/2006Iowa State University Assumptions  The web user can read English and is able to determine all inputs.  Electric rate structure will not change after implementation of the recommendation  Labor and grain are the responsibility of the user  The investment payback period to be considered will be 10 years

5. 12/07/2006Iowa State University Limitations  Multiple energy sources will not be evaluated together  No special software will be required for the user  Local laws and regulations must be followed  Only single fuel type alternative choices will be considered

6. 12/07/2006Iowa State University Website - Homepage

7. 12/07/2006Iowa State University Website – Ed. Component

8. 12/07/2006Iowa State University Website – Economic Calculator

9. 12/07/2006Iowa State University Inputs – Site Survey  Zip Code  Acreage  Is the Site Clear  Sun  Wind  Flowing Water  10 ft Head?  Flow Rate  Existing Fuel Sources  Distances  Between Connections  Between Load Points

10. 12/07/2006Iowa State University Inputs - Electrical  Monthly Electric Bill  Mode of Operation  Parallel  Backup  Standalone  Load Points  Load Panel Amperage  Major Electrical Devices

11. 12/07/2006Iowa State University Website - Results

12. 12/07/2006Iowa State University Outputs  List of Sources  Initial Investment  10 Year Cost (sorting value)  Details  Explanation of Costs  Explanation of Assumptions  Explanation of Feasibility  Links to More Details

13. 12/07/2006Iowa State University Overview

14. 12/07/2006Iowa State University Load Processor Design

15. 12/07/2006Iowa State University Feasibility Calculator Design

16. 12/07/2006Iowa State University Economic Calculator Design

17. 12/07/2006Iowa State University Databases  Electric Loads  Farm loads  House loads  Shop loads  Alternative energy  Cost  Rated output (kWh)  Lifetime  Etc.  Weather  Wind speed and Density  Photovoltaic production

18. 12/07/2006Iowa State University Shop and Farm loads  Shop loads  Welders, Bench grinders, Saws, etc.  Other loads (for example)  Hog nursery  Lighting, heating, etc  Grain bins  Grain drying, feed mixing, feed grinding, etc.  Dairy barn  Milking machine, milk cooler, lighting, etc.

19. 12/07/2006Iowa State University Farm Loads

20. 12/07/2006Iowa State University House Loads

21. 12/07/2006Iowa State University Alternative Energy Spread Sheets  Wind power  Solar power  Small head Hydro  Microturbines  Biomass  Fuel cells  Diesel Generators

22. 12/07/2006Iowa State University Alternative Energy Data

23. 12/07/2006Iowa State University Additional Equipment  Reliability for solar, hydro, wind  Batteries  Inverters

24. 12/07/2006Iowa State University Weather Database  Iowa Energy Center  Example data from Readlyn, Iowa

25. 12/07/2006Iowa State University 25 Test Cases  The test cases will be run through the flow charts manually to determine feasibility.  There will be three test cases run  Roger Fullenkamp  Steve Schulz  Ralph Patterson III

26. 12/07/2006Iowa State University 26 Test Cases

27. 12/07/2006Iowa State University 27 Summary

28. 12/07/2006Iowa State University 28 Conclusion  The problem which sparked this project is that there is a lack of good, central locations to find general information on a variety of alternative energy sources.  There exists no easy way to evaluate the effectiveness of various sources for a given situation.  The project is currently on track to be successfully completed.