Dr. Reg Pecen
2009
Outline
– Conventional/Distributed Power Generation
– 21st Century Power Systems
– Grid-connected wind energy systems Challenges
– Promoting STEM using RE technologies Applied Research Projects on Renewable Energy
by Rećayi “Reg” Pecen, Ph.D.
Associate Professor & Program Coordinator
University of Northern Iowa
Department of Industrial Technology
Electrical & Information Engineering Technology
pecen@uni.edu
http://www.uni.edu/indtech/eiet
University of Northern Iowa
http://www.uni.edu/indtech/eiet
Electrical and Information Engineering Technology
Dr. R. Pecen
solar, wind, and hydrogen fuel –cell systems
– Promoting renewable energy applications
on campus/off campus with applied
research projects
University of Northern Iowa
http://www.uni.edu/indtech/eiet
Electrical and Information Engineering Technology
Dr. R. Pecen
Conventional (Central) vs. Distributed Generation
The wind blows wherever it pleases.
You hear its sound, but you cannot tell
where it comes from or where it is going.
University of Northern Iowa
http://www.uni.edu/indtech/eiet
John 3,8
Electrical and Information Engineering Technology
Dr. R. Pecen
Stand alone vs Grid-Tied Wind
Power Systems
University of Northern Iowa
http://www.uni.edu/indtech/eiet
Electrical and Information Engineering Technology
Dr. R. Pecen
Stand-Alone “Off-Grid” Wind Power Systems
• Have at least 10 MPH average wind speed.
• Property is unobstructed from tall buildings and
trees. Ideally, you should have at least 1/2 acre
or more and stand 30 feet above any object
• Local zoning allows the height of the tower you
desire to install
• Local utility has an existing interconnection
agreement
• Net Metering “generate first, reduce what you normally
purchase then check the balance monthly”
• Tax Incentives
University of Northern Iowa
http://www.uni.edu/indtech/eiet
Electrical and Information Engineering Technology
Dr. R. Pecen
Interdisciplinary Research on
Renewable Energy
University of Northern Iowa
http://www.uni.edu/indtech/eiet
Electrical and Information Engineering Technology
Dr. R. Pecen
1
Dr. Reg Pecen
2009
Challenges on Large Wind Farms
Synchronization
to Power Grid
Urgent Approval Procedures for
How to
synchronize
RES &
Infrastructure
Development
Administrative
/Legal Work
new EHV Transmission Lines AC
& HVDC, Overhead,
Underground Cables
Must have reliable
forecast tools
Data Acquisition/
Instrumentation
Our Goal Min
20% wind
power based
RES by 2020!
Grid access
Political Climate
Harmonics
University of Northern Iowa
http://www.uni.edu/indtech/eiet
Iowa’s Contribution to Energy Internet
Ensure availability
of sufficient backup and balancing
power due to
variability
“Wind blows where
it wants”
Nature
Protection/Public
Acceptance –
NIMBY “wind
power, oh yes,
but somewhere
else”
Electrical and Information Engineering Technology
Dr. R. Pecen
Applied Research Projects
• Project #1 UNI eBoat
University of Northern Iowa
http://www.uni.edu/indtech/eiet
Source
of Image: The Economist, ABB
Electrical and Information Engineering Technology
Dr. R. Pecen
Solid Works Model and Manufacturing 2006 UNI
e-Boat with three PV modules.
• Worldwide annually 236,000 metric tons of oil & oil
products from average pleasure boats is leaked into the
water, equivalent to more than “7” times the amount
spilled by the Exxon Valdez in Alaska in 1989.
• Aware of agricultural pollution in Iowa's lakes and rivers,
however, oil and gas leaks from boats also require to
develop eco-friendly boat technologies
• Developed for a ZERO EMISSION eco-friendly
boat for Iowa lakes & rivers!
University of Northern Iowa
http://www.uni.edu/indtech/eiet
Electrical and Information Engineering Technology
Dr. R. Pecen
Motor mount with 3 PM motors and pulleys by Solid Works
& the actual motor mount manufactured
A sample “engineering
technology” application: From
Computer modeling to an actual
motor frame manufacturing.
University of Northern Iowa
http://www.uni.edu/indtech/eiet
Electrical and Information Engineering Technology
Dr. R. Pecen
Interdisciplinary Research on
Renewable Energy
University of Northern Iowa
http://www.uni.edu/indtech/eiet
Electrical and Information Engineering Technology
Dr. R. Pecen
2005 UNI Panthers Solar e-Boat received a trophy of
“Most Commercially Viable Hull”
2006 UNI Panthers Solar e-Boat received another trophy of “Most
Commercially Viable Hull”
eBoat was ranked as 9th overall out of 18 teams
University of Northern Iowa
http://www.uni.edu/indtech/eiet
Electrical and Information Engineering Technology
Dr. R. Pecen
2
Dr. Reg Pecen
2009
Pro-E Models of 2007 Hull
University of Northern Iowa
http://www.uni.edu/indtech/eiet
Electrical and Information Engineering Technology
Dr. R. Pecen
June 2007 and June 2008 : UNI ranked; 4th in overall,
2007: 3rd in Qualifications, 3rd in engineering design of visual display.
2008: Outstanding Solar Power System Design, Fourth Overall, Best
Engineering Visual Design Award
University of Northern Iowa
http://www.uni.edu/indtech/eiet
Electrical and Information Engineering Technology
Dr. R. Pecen
Project # 2 Eco-Friendly Lawn Mower “UNIMow”
John Gregorich & R. Pecen
EIET 2006-07 Senior Design project
Circuit Design
– Operating a gas mower for 1 hr produces the
same pollution as driving a compact car 1300
miles.
– Each weekend, about 54 M Americans mow
their lawns, using 800 M gallons of gas per
year.
– An EPA study found that ~ 9 % of some types
of air pollutants nationwide come from lawn &
garden equipment small engines.
– How about a solar-powered Lawn Mower?
University of Northern Iowa
http://www.uni.edu/indtech/eiet
Electrical and Information Engineering Technology
Dr. R. Pecen
UNIMow
70A
University of Northern Iowa
http://www.uni.edu/indtech/eiet
Electrical and Information Engineering Technology
Dr. R. Pecen
Test Drive: Saturday, April 21, Earth Day (April 22)
Celebration in Waterworks Park, Des Moines.
Sponsored by
CNS SOAR Grant - 2007
Ind Tech Dept
John Gregorich
University of Northern Iowa
http://www.uni.edu/indtech/eiet
Electrical and Information Engineering Technology
Dr. R. Pecen
Interdisciplinary Research on
Renewable Energy
University of Northern Iowa
http://www.uni.edu/indtech/eiet
Electrical and Information Engineering Technology
Dr. R. Pecen
3