Analysis of Daily Charging Profiles of Plug-in Electric Vehicle (PEV) Drivers

Duration: January 2016 - Present

Cluster analysis of daily charging profiles of PEV drivers
Operational Efficiency analysis of charging stations
Environmental Impact analysis of charging behavior of PEV drivers

Tools: MATLAB, R, Python, Microsoft Excel

Life Cycle Analysis of Different Charging Behaviors of Plug-In Electric Vehicle (PEV) Drivers Based on Cluster Membership

Duration: March 2016 – May 2016

Goals of LCA:
To compare environmental impact of different clusters in terms of CO2 emissions (Global Warming Potential). Cluster membership signifies different charging behavior of PEV drivers. Different charging profiles have different electricity consumption at each hour. Further, grid mix at each hour corresponds to different environmental impact.
Intended Audience: The City of Rochester (Owner of the public charging stations) and the ChargePoint Inc. (operator of the public charging stations), and the PEV user subscribed to their services.
Usage: The results of this LCA can be used to understand which cluster has more environmental impact.

Scope of LCA
Five different cluster profiles were identified and used as basic building blocks for this LCA.
Functional Unit: Electricity Consumed per PEV driver in the respective cluster.
Reference Flow: The average electricity consumed daily per PEV driver in the respective.
Life cycle stages: Electricity generation based on grid mix (of upstate New York) at high voltage and the transmission to medium voltage grid and then to the charging stations (which work at medium voltage) is the basic stage of this LCA.
Flows: Emissions from the processes of electricity generation at different power plants.

Tools: SimaPro, Microsoft Excel.

Multi-criteria analysis of the Energy Recovery Unit at Golisano Institute for Sustainability (GIS)

Duration: January 2016 – May 2016

A multi-variable analysis of the Energy Recovery Unit (ERU) at GIS to minimize energy transfer of the system subjected to the operating temperature.
The results showed that winter (February 2014) energy consumption was higher for the building than summer (July 2014).

Tools: What’s Best—Microsoft Excel based optimization tool.

Experiments in Sustainable Strategic Interactions: Coordinated Personalized Signals and Incentives for Reducing Energy Consumption and Carbon Footprints

Duration: September 2015 – December 2015

Abstract: The overarching goal of this work was to reduce personal energy consumption and carbon footprints through behavioral levers, while ensuring significant system level gains. Laboratory experiments with real decision-makers comprise a key component and provide an empirical basis for developing decision-making tools for addressing the overarching goal.
The results with an adapted laboratory experiment of public goods game show that signaling with the willingness-to-pay (WTP) of the group led to a momentary convergence onto the equilibrium where a public good is provided.

Tools: Z-Tree, Microsoft Excel, Matlab

Analysis of Energy Recovery Unit at Golisano Institute for Sustainability (GIS)

Duration:September 2015 - Present

The smart and LEED Platinum certified building of the GIS is devised with a cutting-edge technology of two wheels (enthalpy wheel and dehumidification wheel) Energy Recovery Unit.
The energy savings (hourly, daily, monthly and yearly) were calculated using the system operations data recorded by building control system of RIT.

Tools: Microsoft Excel.

Impact of Time Constraint, Endowment and Signaling Mechanism on Cooperation and Sharing in Public Goods Experiment

Duration:August 2015 – December 2015

In this work, the Public Goods experiment was used to study the cooperation and sharing for an existence of a public good. An economic experiment was designed to test three different scenarios in order to reduce number of free-riders.
An effect of signaling mechanism as well as stated willingness-to-pay (WTP) and average monthly income (AMI) on decision making was also studied.
Signaling mechanism, in most cases, had a positive impact. Furthermore, WTP had more dominant effect than AMI on contribution. However, both Time Constraint and Endowment scenario could not be more efficient than that of Base Case scenario.

Tools: Z-Tree, Microsoft Excel.

Thermo-Economic Analysis of Central Tower Receiver

Duration: April 2013-October 2013
Supervisor: Rafael Eduado Guedez Mata (KTH, Stockholm, Sweden)
Adviser and Examiner:

Prof. Andrew Martin
Prof. Bjorn Laumert

In completion of a Master’s Thesis and an internship, this research was conducted at Concentrating Solar Power and Techno-Economic Analysis Group in Heat and Power Division in KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden.

The project was performed under TESCONSOL umbrella, a KIC Innoenergy project of the European Institute of Technology in Co-operation with Gas Natural Fenosa and TOTAL as Industrial Partners. As a part of research team established to build up a tool to analyze the Solar Thermal power plants, a model was developed to analyze Direct Steam Generation (DSG) in Solar Central Receiver Tower system.

Ivanpah Solar Thermal Power Plant, being the latest in Concentrating Solar Power and based on Direct Steam Generation principle, was considered as the basic framework for this work.

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Malta-Energy System Analysis

Duration: September 2012-December 2012
Course: Energy and Environment (KTH, Stockholm, Sweden)
Supervisor: Rafael Eduado Guedez Mata (KTH, Stockholm, Sweden)
Adviser and Examiner:

Prof. Mark Howells

The project was aimed to develop an applied model of the energy system of Malta by using LEAP, as a modeling tool. Four different scenarios were developed to analyze the Maltese energy system. The analysis was majorly based on Malta's Renewable Energy potential, energy security as well as vital policy measures such as European Union's (EU) goals to address climate change. Along with these, a voluntarism scenario was developed to incorporate modern day technologies such as Smart Grids.

The results were analyzed to put forth policy recommendations to allow maximum possible renewable energy sources in energy outlook of Malta and minimum GHG emissions.

Biogas Upgrading in Indian Context

Duration: February 2012-July 2012
Adviser and Examiner:

Dr. Shivaji Ramalingam
Integrated Engineering Project (EMN, Nantes, France)

Description:

This work was performed to select and design an upgrading facility with adsorption columns for a medium scaled (200 m3/hr) biogas plant by using PROSIM as a simulation tool. Moreover, India's current policy developments were analyzed to develop a futuristic scenario for Biogas technology in India.

• Adsorption columns were designed

• Simulated using PROSIM, and calculations were performed using Matlab and Microsoft Excel

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Layer Freezing in Freeze Concentration Technique (FCT)

Duration: January 2010-September 2011
Guide:

Prof. S. K. Jabade

'Freeze Concentration' is used to separate two phases of a binary liquid such as milk, fruit juices, and alloys. Sugarcane juice—a binary liquid of sucrose (C12H22O11) and water is gradually cooled below the liquidus line; by running over a refrigerated plate where water in the juice crystallizes out as ice, along the liquidus line, up to a eutectic point, and leaves a semi-solid solution with higher concentration (Brix).

Furthermore, Freeze Concentration is an effective energy conservation technology, as the energy needed to freeze out water consumes lesser energy, than boiling it off. The remaining water content from the semi-solid jaggery at the end of the plate is then evaporated out. This entire process needs lesser energy than what otherwise would be required in boiling alone.

During this process, the thermal and physical properties of the fluid change with respect to time and space, both. Therefore, a comprehensive mathematical model (this work was presented at an international conference, MIMT 2011, in Singapore) was developed, using MATLAB, to analyze and study this intricate phenomenon. This model can be used as a handy tool to design an industrial scale system.

The experimentation and validation of this model were carried out using sugarcane as working fluid.

During these experiments, we realized an issue with dis-lodging with ice from the refrigerated plate. An innovative prototype was designed with a mechatronic system with piezo-electric crystals. The new technology is patented (410/MUM/2012)

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Scheffler Concentrator

Duration: October 2010-May 2011

A technology transfer MoU was signed with Mr. Wolfgang Scheffler-an innovator himself, for manufacturing Scheffler Concentrator as an industrial product.

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Design, Manufacturing, and Testing of Parabolic Trough Concentrator (PTC)

Duration: Research and Development Project (AKSON'S Solar June 2010-March 2011)
Final Year Project (July 2009-May 2010, VIT, Pune, India)
Adviser and Examiner:

M. D. Akole (Managing Director, AKSON'S Solar) and Prof. K. Sundaram (VIT, Pune, India)

Background:

The project was aimed to provide a solution to energy intensive industrial processes such as process heating. In India, many small and medium scale industries (SMEs) spend a hefty amount of their income for fuels (which are used for these processes). India being geographically situated in earth's Sun-Belt, concentrated solar can precisely be technology which can provide a feasible solution.

Few constraints, which were considered while defining the problem statement, were the initial cost, space, complexity of the operation, maintenance cost and manufacturing intricacies due to locally available resources.

Description:

This project was a Bachelor's thesis, first, and then it was further pursued to develop a commercial industrial product.

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AKSON'S PENTA -Solar Water Heating System

Duration: November 2010-May 2011
Research and Development Project (AKSON'S Solar)
Description:

Scaling, inside water tanks in a Solar Water Heating system, because of hard water is a problem needed to be addressed to develop new market prospects for the company.

An Innovative five layered polymer tank was developed and tested and a very cost-effective product was developed to explore rural markets in India.

• Product developed as a scaling immune system.

• A commercial product for the company

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