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Final Report: Renewable Energy for the RiverSphere

EPA Grant Number: SU831891
Title: Renewable Energy for the RiverSphere
Investigators: McLachlan, John , Culley, Briarme , Davey, Elizabeth , Etheridge, Daniel , Manasse, Colin , Meffert, Doug , Pace, Cassandra , Pandian, Shunmugham R.
Institution: Tulane University of Louisiana
EPA Project Officer: Nolt-Helms, Cynthia
Project Period: September 15, 2004 through September 14, 2005
Project Amount: $9,779
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity, and the Planet (2004)
Research Category: Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development

Description:

Objective:

The objective of the research was to review the available renewable energy options at the RiverSphere site for implementation in the future building’s development. Such a review was designed to ensure the most appropriate strategies would be identified and ultimately recommended. A variety of renewable energy production techniques were identified as possibilities — photovoltaics, river turbines, passive solar and energy efficient design, and river water cooling. Each of these strategies was evaluated to provide baseline data on their physical, economic, and regulatory requirements. The criteria used included the ease of maintenance, the variability/adaptability of the technology to changing conditions, as well as the physical conditions at the site of implementation. The research in this project broadly aims to be innovative in the application of design rather than in the designs themselves. With a site as rich in possibility as the Mississippi River, yet poor in existing examples of renewable energy use as Louisiana, this approach to renewable energy application is Important in establishing much needed local protocol.

Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):

We have found that the use of passive energy demand reduction techniques could greatly reduce the energy requirements of RiverSphere. With this scenario, power produced using renewable sources could account for a greater percentage of energy needs. Photovoltaic solutions have also proven to be potentially beneficial from a comparison with an established site. The surface area that will be covered by the solar panels will ultimately determine the economic feasibility of this technology; however, the total area available for this purpose has yet to be determined as negotiations are taking place for alternative uses of surrounding rooftop space. The low flow velocity and varying composition of the water, as well as the variability of the depth of the river are special characteristics that must be taken into account when assessing the feasibility of hydropower at the site. While newer technology would increase efficiency and therefore increase benefits, no specific turbine design has taken place, as this must be preceded by an in depth analysis of the physical characteristics of the river at the site. Once the site is fully assessed, then the design for a site-specific turbine may begin in order to assess the exact benefits of this technology. To date, this technology seems a feasible alternative form of energy production.

Conclusions:

The feasibility of the renewable energy technologies considered in this project greatly increased when integrated with passive solar and energy efficient design. In short, the simple reduction in energy demand from the use of passive techniques raised the relative effectiveness of renewable energies to meet building requirements. This approach depicts the holistic nature in which renewable energy must be approached, and therefore points to the benefits of having an actual site and development plan to consider for our project. The integration of the different technologies will also help to assure energy production from renewable resources independent of the meteorological or other conditions that may limit one method’s capabilities at any given time. We have conducted a rigorous survey of the regulatory requirements for each of the approaches we considered. In many cases the protocol for the regulatory process have been tested by existing projects, however in the case of river turbines, no comparable project exists, therefore all regulations we established have yet to be tested in this context. We are confident however that all strategies we investigated can meet regulatory requirements. In conclusion we recommend at this early stage of investigation that the best strategy for RiverSphere will integrate passive solar and energy efficient design with renewable energy technologies. The final design proposed as a result of Phase II will make best use of the available resources at the site and will ensure they are configured in such a way as to maximize their application as educational materials.

Proposed Phase II Objectives and Strategies:

The first objective will be to conduct a detailed analysis of selected renewable resources available at the site. Most prominent will be a substantial study of river velocity and stage at the site in order to establish the most appropriate turbine strategy. This will be done using an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiling over a period of one year (in partnership with Tulane University’s Earth and Environmental Science Department). We will also further assess the rooftop space available, including the energy potential of the photon energy at the site. This will provide for a more accurate cost-benefit analysis of the photovoltaic system. A more in depth study of the integration of passive technologies will enable us to accurately enumerate which technologies can be integrated and which are simply not physically feasible. An overall and in-depth cost-benefit analysis must be conducted after we have collected all the above data. Further developments are going to include negotiations with the local utility company for the resale of excess energy, which must be taken into account for an accurate cost-benefit analysis to be conducted.

Supplemental Keywords:

Renewable energy, low-head hydropower, turbines, photovoltai c, passive solar, passive design, synergistic, holistic, RiverSphere, , INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION, Sustainable Industry/Business, Scientific Discipline, POLLUTION PREVENTION, Energy, Environmental Engineering, cleaner production/pollution prevention, Ecology and Ecosystems, clean technology, energy conservation, pollution prevention design, cleaner production, green design, engineering, outreach and education, environmentally friendly technology, alternative energy source, renewable energy, low speed mini-turbines, water powered turbines, energy efficiency, environmentally conscious design, emission controls, green technology, renewable resource
Relevant Websites:

http://riversphere.org/ exit EPA
http://www.esru.strath.ac.uk/EandE/Web_sites/03-04/marine/tech_concepts.htm exit EPA
http://www.mvn.usace.army.mil/eng/edhd/watercon.htm exit EPA
http://www.verdantpower.com/initiatives/eastriver.html exit EPA

Progress and Final Reports:
Original Abstract

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The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.

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