Variable-Speed Diesel Retro-Fit for Improved Remote Area Energy Resilience
Abstract
Transformative and disruptive energy challenges are confronting many U.S. communities, as identified within the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) 2014-2018 strategic plan. To address this issue the U.S. is working across technologies to reduce dependence on oil, and to improve energy security. Remote and isolated communities are particularly reliant on diesel fuel for energy, given the lack of network interconnection. These communities face some of the highest energy costs and lowest system reliability.For these communities, the DoE priorities of improved efficiency, diversification of energy resource and improved generation co-ordination are especially relevant. Unfortunately, in modernizing remote and isolated power systems, communities often face significant technical, social, environmental and economic barriers. While a number of emerging technologies exist to address the cost and pollution of diesel generation, very few offer accessible, understood or operable for remote applications. Given limited technical reserves, strategies to address diesel dependence within remote communities should rely on the lowest complexity technology foundation. Two technologies common within remote area electrification include diesel generation and wind/solar generation. This proposal seeks to improve the coordination of these two generation technologies to reduce energy costs and improve energy resilience/reliability.The barrier to improved hybrid diesel coordination remains the fixed speed diesel basis of the diesel generator. Prior ONR supported research programs exploring this theme include low load diesel (N62909-15-1-2006) and variable speed diesel application (N00014-18-1-2147) studies. These priorresearch programs have addressed the operability and efficiency of diesel based enabling technologies.This proposal adds to this existing body of research by proposing a commercially viable variable speed technology. For the proposed application economic viability is delivered through an innovative retro-fit application.Variable speed technologies offer flexible, efficient, cleaner, lighter and quieter diesel generation. To address the high capital cost of variable speed diesel technologies, a retro-fit approach permits participants to utilize existing diesel generation assets. The plug and play conversion process also decouples the technology from the diesel generator life, allowing for repurposing of the converter across multiple sets. The functionality of the retro-fit remains comparable to conventional variable speed configurations. Offering diesel generation both efficient partial-load operation, and over-rated operation.A variable speed diesel retro-fit enables both legacy and new diesel generators, improved efficiency, extended low and high range, reduced noise, reduced size, reduced emissions and improved renewable pairing. Importantly, the technology is easily understood and maintained within remote applications.The proposal aims to deliver:1. Improved unit fuel efficiency at low load by up to 40%.2. Expanded operability, offering an expanded service range via removal of load limits.3. Enhanced generation pairing, facilitating >60% alternative energy supply without battery energy storage integration.4. Extended service life via a reduction in step load (acceptance and rejection) transient loading.5. Reduced acoustic and exhaust emission intensity, irrespective of load.The University of Tasmania, in partnership with Team Sustain and the University of Alaska Fairbanks are currently preparing a variable diesel retro-fit pilot. The pilot will both scale existing variable speed concepts plus incorporateinnovative design elements inclusive of a retro-fit functionality. The pilot will demonstrate a diesel based microgrid solution able to achieve a circa 60% reduction in diesel fuel consumption, yet without the cost or complexityof energy storage integration. The technology will be demonstrated with U.S. applications during the period of the
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Apr 24, 2019
- Source ID
- N000141912161
Entities
People
- Michael Negnevitsky
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Tasmania