Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Undergraduate
Project Type
group
Campus
Daytona Beach
Authors' Class Standing
Adi Alharbi, Senior Ben Aulenback, Senior Kristen Holman, Senior Qi, Jiang, Senior Chenge Liu, Senior Raymond Miller, Senior
Lead Presenter's Name
Ben Aulenback
Faculty Mentor Name
Marc Compere
Abstract
The Solar District Cup is a two-semester design competition sponsored by the U.S. Dept. of Energy. For this competition, teams from across the nation are tasked with designing the most efficient and cost-effective solar plus storage system for a unique district case. The Embry Riddle team was tasked with designing such a system for New Mexico State University (NMSU) in Las Cruses, NM. During the first semester, the team's primary focus was on selecting the photovoltaic panels and equipment used, placing/wiring that equipment across the campus, and developing a plan that would finish construction of the system within 6-months. For this second semester our focus has been on how to incorporate an energy storage system that will allow NMSU to lower their daily peak demand charges without affecting the 6-month construction period, and, per the competition requirements, ensure that the entire project will be fully paid back within 25 years. Our results showcase our proposed design, with a focus on the benefits associated with installing such a system.
Did this research project receive funding support (Spark, SURF, Research Abroad, Student Internal Grants, Collaborative, Climbing, or Ignite Grants) from the Office of Undergraduate Research?
Yes, Spark Grant
U.S. Department of Energy Competition: Solar District Cup
The Solar District Cup is a two-semester design competition sponsored by the U.S. Dept. of Energy. For this competition, teams from across the nation are tasked with designing the most efficient and cost-effective solar plus storage system for a unique district case. The Embry Riddle team was tasked with designing such a system for New Mexico State University (NMSU) in Las Cruses, NM. During the first semester, the team's primary focus was on selecting the photovoltaic panels and equipment used, placing/wiring that equipment across the campus, and developing a plan that would finish construction of the system within 6-months. For this second semester our focus has been on how to incorporate an energy storage system that will allow NMSU to lower their daily peak demand charges without affecting the 6-month construction period, and, per the competition requirements, ensure that the entire project will be fully paid back within 25 years. Our results showcase our proposed design, with a focus on the benefits associated with installing such a system.