Abstract
This study explores positive accept of several alternative energy
laboratories that have been designed and constructed to support a course
entitled Solar Energy Systems here at Western New England University. These laboratories, which give students
hands-on experience and a better understanding of basic concepts in wind
energy, solar energy, and fuel cell technology, utilize an Alternative Energy
Learning Platform, as well as an indoor/outdoor Alternative Energy Laboratory
facilities. The alternative energy
indoor/outdoor laboratory facility includes six 195 Watt photovoltaic panels, a
30,000 Btu/clear day flat-plate solar collectors, a Thermomax evacuated tubes
solar collector, as well as a full scale 1 kW wind turbine, whose scale allows
for useful power to be provided to the engineering building. This facility (Figure 1.) has been fully
instrumented for the collection of key performance data and allows for large
scale demonstration of alternative energy systems to students.
The Alternative Energy Active Learning Platform (Figure 2) which
uses wind and solar energy to power an electrolyzer, which disassociates water
into hydrogen and oxygen, and then subsequently uses the hydrogen and oxygen
produced, within a fuel cell to power a fan, has been automated to allow better
visualization of the system in operation and more efficient data
collection. This paper also describes
the development, operation and capability of the improved Alternative Energy
Active Learning Platform, and its utilization within the Green Concentration of
the undergraduate mechanical engineering program. The system can
also be used to demonstrate the capabilities, safety and benefits of using
alternative energy, and demonstrates the essential components of a renewable
hydrogen energy system. Using the
renewable energy produced from a Sharp NE-80EJE, 80 watts, solar panel, and a
Rutland 503, 20-inch diameter, 60 watts, wind turbine, an electrolyzer (15
watts, 2-cell PEM) disassociates water into its components of hydrogen and
oxygen. Energy is stored in the form of
hydrogen, which is then utilized by the fuel cell. Hydrogen and oxygen are combined into water
by the fuel cell (3 watts), which releases energy and heat in the process. The electrical energy supplied by the fuel
cell is used to power a set of LED lights installed on the cabinet of the
demonstration system.