PUBLICATIONS

@article{Serghides2015c,

title = {Energy Efficient Refurbishment towards Nearly Zero Energy Houses, for the Mediterranean Region},

author = {Despina Serghides and Stella Dimitriou and Martha C. Katafygiotou and M. Michaelidou},

doi = {10.1016/J.EGYPRO.2015.12.173},

issn = {1876-6102},

year  = {2015},

date = {2015-12-01},

journal = {Energy Procedia},

volume = {83},

pages = {533--543},

publisher = {Elsevier},

abstract = {The building sector in Europe is responsible for an estimated 40% of the total energy consumption and 10% of the total CO2 emissions. Given that new buildings represent only about 1% of the housing stock annually, it is estimated that more than 80% of the existing buildings will still exist in 2020. Therefore, the energy efficient renovation of the existing housing stock is imperative in order to reduce the building energy consumption. It is for this reason that the European Union ranked the improvement of the energy performance of the old building stock, as a high priority in its research agenda. Following Europe's 20:20:20 objective, this case study investigates refurbishment scenarios in order to achieve Nearly Zero Energy houses, in Cyprus. The research focuses on the Single Family House typology, as classified in previous studies for Cyprus, in the framework of the IEE, EU project EPISCOPE and specifically on retrofitting an old house that was built before 1980. The aim is to upgrade it into a Nearly Zero Energy Building (nZEB) with the implementation of the national energy performance requirements, as drafted by the Ministry of Energy, Commerce, Industry and Tourism (MECIT). Following the EPISCOPE project methodology, a representative Single Family House from the corresponding residential building typology in Cyprus was chosen and modeled using the iSBEMcy tool. This is the official governmental software in Cyprus used for issuing Energy Performance Certificates (EPC), for the categorization of the energy class of the building and the calculation of the CO2 emissions according to the European Directives 2002/91/EC and 2010/31/EC. The study investigates whether it is possible for an old Single Family House to reach the nZEB standards and identifies the lurking obstacles and challenges, through building simulations. To this end, various refurbishment scenarios were developed, with the implementation of strategies aiming at fulfilling the MECIT requirements. Through analysis of the results, the efficiency of each strategy and technique employed towards minimising the energy consumption and the greenhouse gas emissions was evaluated, in terms also of its cost effectiveness. Furthermore, the results of the research were investigated in order to assess whether the nZEB requirements, as developed by the MECIT, are appropriate for the existing single-family houses in Cyprus and whether alternative strategies may be employed in order to meet the target of nZEB and to reduce effectively the energy consumption.},

keywords = {Sustainable Built Environment},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Kakoniti2015,

title = {The role of materials selection in the urban heat island effect in dry mid-latitude climates},

author = {Androula Kakoniti and Gregoria Georgiou and Costas Marakkos and Prashant Kumar and Marina Neophytou},

url = {https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10652-015-9426-z},

doi = {10.1007/S10652-015-9426-Z},

issn = {1573-1510},

year  = {2015},

date = {2015-09-01},

journal = {Environmental Fluid Mechanics 2015 16:2},

volume = {16},

number = {2},

pages = {347--371},

publisher = {Springer},

abstract = {This work investigates the role of materials selected for different urban surfaces (e.g. on building walls, roofs and pavements) in the intensity of the urban heat island (UHI) phenomenon. Three archetypal street-canyon geometries are considered, reflecting two-dimensional canyon arrays with frontal packing densities ($łambda$f) of 0.5, 0.25 and 0.125 under direct solar radiation and ground heating. The impact of radiative heat transfer in the urban environment is examined for each of the different built packing densities. A number of extreme heat scenarios were modelled in order to mimic conditions often found at low- to mid-latitudes dry climates. The investigation involved a suite of different computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations using the Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes equations for mass and momentum coupled with the energy equation as well as using the standard k-$epsilon$ turbulence model. Results indicate that a higher rate of ventilation within the street canyon is observed in areas with sparser built packing density. However, such higher ventilation rates were not necessarily found to be linked with lower temperatures within the canyon; this is because such sparser geometries are associated with higher heat transfer from the wider surfaces of road material under the condition of direct solar radiation and ground heating. Sparser canyon arrays corresponding to wider asphalt street roads in particular, have been found to yield substantially higher air temperatures. Additional simulations indicated that replacing asphalt road surfaces in streets with concrete roads (of different albedo or emissivity characteristics) can lead up to a $sim$5 °C reduction in the canyon air temperature in dry climates. It is finally concluded that an optimized selection of materials in the urban infrastructure design can lead to a more effective mitigation of the UHI phenomenon than the optimisation of the built packing density.},

keywords = {Advanced Renewable Energy Systems},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Georgiou2015,

title = {Experimental evaluation of a multiple-effect distillation unit in low seawater flow conditions},

author = {Marios C. Georgiou and Aristides M. Bonanos and John G. Georgiadis},

url = {https://www-tandfonline-com.proxy2.library.illinois.edu/doi/abs/10.1080/19443994.2014.940638},

doi = {10.1080/19443994.2014.940638},

issn = {19443986},

year  = {2015},

date = {2015-09-01},

journal = {Desalination and Water Treatment},

volume = {55},

number = {12},

pages = {3267--3276},

publisher = {Taylor and Francis Inc.},

abstract = {Abstract: In this work, we evaluate experimentally the performance of a multiple-effect distillation (MED) unit in low seawater flow conditions and the potential of its integration with a concentrated solar power system. The innovation of this MED unit is the introduction of a flow distributor within the parallel plates of the falling film heat exchanger, designed to improve the system performance and efficiency under low seawater flow conditions. The main parameters examined were the thermal input power and the flow rate of the inlet seawater to each effect and the inlet seawater temperature of the single unit. Furthermore, the experimental results were compared with a control volume energy conservation model. The results showed that lower heat input load results to a higher value of the performance ratio (PR) of the unit and also under constant heat load, a higher temperature of the seawater lead to higher distillate product for the single effect unit. As the number of effects is increased the PR of the unit also increases approximately by 0.7 per effect. This maximum value for each effect is always observed in a constant ratio of seawater to steam flow rate.},

keywords = {Advanced Renewable Energy Systems},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Serghides2015a,

title = {Energy Retrofitting of the Mediterranean Terrace Dwellings},

author = {Despina Serghides and Marina Markides and Martha C. Katafygiotou},

url = {http://apc.aast.edu/ojs/index.php/RESD/article/view/01.1.138},

doi = {10.21622/RESD.2015.01.1.138},

issn = {2356-8569},

year  = {2015},

date = {2015-08-01},

journal = {Renewable Energy and Sustainable Development},

volume = {1},

number = {1},

pages = {138--145},

abstract = {The building sector in Europe is responsible for an estimated 40% of the total energy consumption. It is well established that the reduction of building energy consumption necessitates energy efficient renovation of the existing buildings. In order to achieve this objective it is necessary to document the existing building stock. This paper focuses on the existing terrace housing in the Mediterranean region and specifically in Cyprus. The processing of the statistical data was carried out and the building typologies were developed based on a harmonised structure for European building typologies according to the IEE EPISCOPE project. A representative terrace housing complex, of the corresponding building typology, was used as showcase for demonstrating the energy performance and the potential of energy savings, by applying energy conservation measures (ECMs). Three units of different location in the terrace building complex were selected to carry out comparative studies for their energy performance and classification. The effectiveness of the strategies and the techniques towards minimising the energy consumption are simulated with the use of iSBEMcy tool. This is the official used for the categorization of energy efficiency in buildings, according to the European Directive 2002/91/EC. The study utilises information from the database, of the thermal characteristics of the building envelope and of the electromechanical systems, which was developed by the European, IEE Episcope Project, for the terrace residential buildings. This research aims to fill in the current knowledge gap of the energy-related characteristics of the specific building typology. Building typologies can be a useful instrument to facilitate the energy performance assessment of the building stock.},

keywords = {Sustainable Built Environment},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Kakoniti2015a,

title = {The effect of urban design parameters on the local microclimate},

author = {Androula Kakoniti and Gregoria Georgiou and Costas Marakkos and Marina Neophytou},

url = {https://aip.scitation.org/doi/abs/10.1063/1.4906712},

doi = {10.1063/1.4906712},

issn = {0094-243X},

year  = {2015},

date = {2015-02-01},

journal = {AIP Conference Proceedings},

volume = {1642},

number = {1},

pages = {429},

publisher = {American Institute of PhysicsAIP},

abstract = {Two-dimensional steady-state simulations have been performed using the standard k-e turbulence model coupled with the heat transfer models available in the CFD software FLUENT 6.1, in order to exam...},

keywords = {Advanced Renewable Energy Systems},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Papanicolas2015,

title = {Design, construction and monitoring of a near-zero energy laboratory building in Cyprus},

author = {Costas N. Papanicolas and M. A. Lange and Nestor Fylaktos and Alaric C. Montenon and G. Kalouris and N. Fintikakis and M. Fintikaki and D. Kolokotsa and K. Tsirbas and C. Pavlou and K. Vasilakopoulou and Mat Santamouris},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84926517338&doi=10.1080%2F17512549.2015.1014837&partnerID=40&md5=0d7c6d715dde1148265ad696d74e5ac6},

doi = {10.1080/17512549.2015.1014837},

issn = {17562201},

year  = {2015},

date = {2015-01-01},

urldate = {2015-01-01},

journal = {Advances in Building Energy Research},

volume = {9},

number = {1},

pages = {140--150},

publisher = {Taylor and Francis Ltd.},

address = {The Cyprus Institute, 20 Constantinou Kavafi Street, Nicosia, 2121, Cyprus},

abstract = {The paper presents the architectural, engineering and energy design of a laboratory building located in Cyprus. The building is designed to meet near-zero energy consumption criteria using advanced energy conservation measures, smart energy management and solar thermal and photovoltaic systems to cover the remaining energy load. The energy conservation techniques used result in reduced energy consumption of the building by almost 70% compared with a conventional building, while almost 27% of the remaining heating-, cooling- and lighting load is covered by photovoltaics. A concentrating solar thermal system for cooling and heating is being installed to cover the remainder of the load.},

keywords = {Advanced Renewable Energy Systems, Sustainable Built Environment},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Fylaktos2015,

title = {Economic analysis of an electricity and desalinated water cogeneration plant in Cyprus},

author = {Nestor Fylaktos and I. Mitra and George Tzamtzis and Costas N. Papanicolas},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84939652776&doi=10.1080%2F19443994.2014.940219&partnerID=40&md5=cce64d9ff2a0952572d5b28f6883399a},

doi = {10.1080/19443994.2014.940219},

issn = {19443986},

year  = {2015},

date = {2015-01-01},

journal = {Desalination and Water Treatment},

volume = {55},

number = {9},

pages = {2453--2470},

publisher = {Taylor and Francis Inc.},

address = {The Cyprus Institute, EEWRC, Athalassa Campus, Aglantzia, Nicosia, 2121, Cyprus},

abstract = {Abstract: This paper builds on and extends the R&D work on the techno-economic analysis of the cogeneration of desalinated water and electricity by the Cyprus Institute (2012) (Solar Thermal Cogeneration of Electricity and Water: Research and Development study for a Concentrated Solar Power—Desalinization of Sea Water (CSP–DSW) C.N. Papanicolas & G. Tzamtzis editors. The Cyprus Institute, Nicosia, Cyprus, 2012. ISBN: 978-9963-2858-0-8). Three different Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plant configuration options for operating in Cyprus are examined in this paper: an electricity-only, electricity with Reverse Osmosis desalination and electricity with Multi Effect-distillation desalination. All plants' rated output is 4 MWe, and desalination capacity is 5,035 m3/d. A discounted cash flow model was developed and used, designed to represent the financial performance of the CSP–DSW concept. The expected financial costs for equipment, operation and maintenance and replacements were estimated. The expected performance in terms of annual electricity and water yields are considered for calculating financial revenues. In addition, to model uncertainty in the inputs, a Monte Carlo algorithm was used. The results show that the CSP–DSW concept is financially feasible for all systems even though the electricity-only plant performs best. If, however, the production of water from renewable sources is supported by policy schemes similarly to electricity production, the projects would perform similarly.},

keywords = {Energy Planning & Analysis},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Votyakov2014,

title = {A perturbation model for stratified thermal energy storage tanks},

author = {Evgeny Votyakov and Aristides M. Bonanos},

doi = {10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2014.03.071},

issn = {00179310},

year  = {2014},

date = {2014-08-01},

journal = {International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer},

volume = {75},

pages = {218--223},

publisher = {Elsevier Ltd},

abstract = {A single phase perturbation model has been developed for the characterization of the behavior of packed-bed thermocline thermal energy storage tanks, derived from the one-dimensional two-phase energy equations. The non-dimensional parameters governing the problem have been identified and separated into two groups, those related to the fluid and solid-filler material thermo-physical properties ($beta$,$gamma$), and those relating to the process flow (Péclet and Biot numbers). A series expansion solution for the perturbation model is derived. The new perturbation model is an improvement over the current one-phase models as it more accurately captures the effect of the diffusion term, and allows for a direct comparison with the two-phase model. textcopyright 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.},

keywords = {Advanced Renewable Energy Systems},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Georgiou2013,

title = {Optical evaluation of heliostat mirrors using caustics},

author = {Marios D. Georgiou and Aristides M. Bonanos and John G. Georgiadis},

url = {http://aip.scitation.org/doi/10.1063/1.4826195},

doi = {10.1063/1.4826195},

issn = {19417012},

year  = {2013},

date = {2013-09-01},

journal = {Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy},

volume = {5},

number = {5},

pages = {053139--1 053139--12},

publisher = {American Institute of PhysicsAIP},

abstract = {Solar thermal power generation is based on the concept of concentrating solar radiation to provide high temperature heat for electricity generation via conventional power cycles. The high relative cost of optical subsystems necessitates a careful study of their components. Solar collector fields are typically modeled by ray-tracing or convolution methods; however, no general method is available for engineering analysis. We propose the use of caustics to predict the image of the sun reflected by an arbitrary mirror of focal length F and aperture a on a target. The mirror surface is described parametrically by a quadric and placed at a distance L from the target on a heliostat. The method of caustics was validated against SolTRACE, a ray-tracing code developed by U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratories. We show that there is a value of a F which depends on a L, for which the incident average energy flux to the target reaches a maximum. The method of caustics allows the efficient computation of the image on an arbitrary target surface and obviates many of the difficulties with ray-tracing methods. textcopyright 2013 AIP Publishing LLC.},

keywords = {Advanced Renewable Energy Systems},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Georgiou2013a,

title = {Evaluation of a multiple-effect distillation unit under partial load operating conditions},

author = {Marios C. Georgiou and Aristides M. Bonanos and John G. Georgiadis and Y Al-Assaf and P Demokritou and A Poullikkas and C Sourkounis},

url = {https://downloads.hindawi.com/archive/2013/482743.pdf},

doi = {10.1155/2013/482743},

year  = {2013},

date = {2013-01-01},

journal = {downloads.hindawi.com},

volume = {2013},

publisher = {Hindawi Publishing Corporation},

abstract = {The design of a multiple-effect distillation (MED) system is presented, and the results for partial load operation of a single-effect distillation unit are presented. The MED is designed to be driven by solar energy, and thus the dynamic performance and partial load operation production are of interest. Two operating modes are considered in the analysis, with and without the use of a flow distributor. Various tests were performed varying the heating steam flow rate and the intake seawater flow rate. Results are presented as a function of the performance ratio, representing the amount of distillate produced per unit mass of steam input. Results indicate that a higher performance is obtained with the use of the flow distributor.},

keywords = {Advanced Renewable Energy Systems},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Bonanos2012,

title = {Error analysis for concentrated solar collectors},

author = {Aristides M. Bonanos},

url = {http://aip.scitation.org/doi/10.1063/1.4768546},

doi = {10.1063/1.4768546},

issn = {19417012},

year  = {2012},

date = {2012-11-01},

journal = {Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy},

volume = {4},

number = {6},

pages = {063125},

publisher = {American Institute of PhysicsAIP},

abstract = {Error sources introduced into mirror tracking systems, arising from component limitations, construction and placement of the reflectors, and the discrete motion of the tracking system itself, are examined. The main mechanisms contributing to these sources are identified and modeled. The effect of these optical and geometrical errors is numerically simulated using a ray-tracing code and their relative significance is assessed. textcopyright 2012 American Institute of Physics.},

keywords = {Advanced Renewable Energy Systems},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Ghobeity2012,

title = {Optimal design and operation of a solar energy receiver and storage},

author = {Amin Ghobeity and Alexander Mitsos},

url = {http://asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/solarenergyengineering/article-pdf/134/3/031005/5569440/031005_1.pdf},

doi = {10.1115/1.4006402},

issn = {01996231},

year  = {2012},

date = {2012-08-01},

journal = {Journal of Solar Energy Engineering, Transactions of the ASME},

volume = {134},

number = {3},

pages = {031005--1 -- 031005--9},

publisher = {American Society of Mechanical Engineers Digital Collection},

abstract = {Optimization of design and operation is presented for a solar energy receiver combined with a thermal energy storage. The concentrated solar power on-demand (CSPonD) concept, which can be described, in brief, as a volumetric solar energy receiver system combined with a modified raft thermocline concept, is considered. The CSPonD concept is assumed to be providing heat for a general cogeneration scheme where power production is the main product of the cogeneration. With a constant power production, a secondary process is assumed to consume the process heat from the CSPonD and power cycle. Models are developed for thermal analysis of the energy storage, taking into account hourly and seasonal variations in the solar energy as well as the heliostat field efficiency. Nonlinear programming (NLP) is used for optimization of the design and operation. The sequential method of optimization and a heuristic approach (parallel computing) are implemented using an equation-oriented modeling environment and gradient-based local solvers. A strategy is presented to design and operate the plant, considering the significant seasonal variations in the solar energy. Three case studies are presented. The first one optimizes the design based on a design day and a desired thermal duty. The other two address optimal yearly operation of the plant. The results of the optimization case studies show that (a) the CSPonD concept aids in handling variations (hourly, daily, and seasonal) in solar energy, (b) CSPonD is a promising concept for cogeneration, (c) the mass of salt required in the CSPonD concept is not significantly lower than the salt required in a single-tank thermal energy storage system. textcopyright 2012 American Society of Mechanical Engineers.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Ghobeity2011,

title = {Optimal time-invariant operation of a power and water cogeneration solar-thermal plant},

author = {Amin Ghobeity and Corey J. Noone and Costas N. Papanicolas and Alexander Mitsos},

doi = {10.1016/j.solener.2011.06.023},

issn = {0038092X},

year  = {2011},

date = {2011-09-01},

journal = {Solar Energy},

volume = {85},

number = {9},

pages = {2295--2320},

publisher = {Pergamon},

abstract = {Conceptual design, system-level models, and optimization of operation are presented for a cogeneration solar-thermal plant. The solar-thermal energy collected and concentrated in a salt pond is used in a regenerative Rankine steam cycle with an extraction turbine to produce electricity and process steam. The desalination system is based on reverse osmosis (RO) and multi-effect distillation (MED). An equation-oriented modeling environment is used for the development of time-dependent system-level models required for optimization of the plant. A meteorological radiation model is used to estimate the hourly distribution of beam radiation as a function of time (day and hour), location, and local weather (mainly visibility and humidity). A recently developed model is used to estimate the field efficiency, including projection losses and shading/blocking for a given heliostat layout. Time-invariant optimal operating conditions are presented for a summer day, considering Cyprus as a case study. Seawater desalination processes, RO and MED, are modeled by adapting and extending models from the literature. A control-volume model is developed for the steam cycle based on the first and second law, with given isentropic efficiencies, turbine leaks, and a detailed model for thermodynamic properties of steam/water. This model is validated and allows for optimization over a wide range of operating conditions, e.g., various extraction pressures. The optimization problem is formulated as a nonlinear program (NLP) with dynamics embedded and a heuristic global optimization approach is used. The sequential method of optimization is used, decoupling the simulation from the optimization. The results show that for the plant size considered (4MWe equivalent nominal capacity) and the MED design chosen based on the literature and industry practice, RO is preferred over MED from an energy point of view. In addition, under the current feed-in tariff (FiT) and water prices in Cyprus, extracting steam for MED is not recommended. In contrast, if current market prices for electricity and water in Cyprus are used, i.e., FiT is neglected, with a typical steam cycle design, extracting steam for MED at low pressures yields maximum income. A new process configuration is presented based on the findings from the case studies, resulting in significantly higher income and exergetic efficiencies. textcopyright 2011 Elsevier Ltd.},

keywords = {Advanced Renewable Energy Systems},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Slocum2011,

title = {Concentrated solar power on demand},

author = {Alexander H. Slocum and Daniel S. Codd and Jacopo Buongiorno and Charles Forsberg and Thomas McKrell and Jean Christophe Nave and Costas N. Papanicolas and Amin Ghobeity and Corey J. Noone and Stefano Passerini and Folkers Rojas and Alexander Mitsos},

doi = {10.1016/j.solener.2011.04.010},

issn = {0038092X},

year  = {2011},

date = {2011-07-01},

journal = {Solar Energy},

volume = {85},

number = {7},

pages = {1519--1529},

publisher = {Pergamon},

abstract = {A concentrating solar power system is presented which uses hillside mounted heliostats to direct sunlight into a volumetric absorption molten salt receiver with integral storage. The concentrated sunlight penetrates and is absorbed by molten salt in the receiver through a depth of 4-5. m, making the system insensitive to the passage of clouds. The receiver volume also acts as the thermal storage volume eliminating the need for secondary hot and cold salt storage tanks. A small aperture and refractory-lined domed roof reduce losses to the environment and reflect thermal radiation back into the pond. Hot salt is pumped from the top of the tank through a steam generator and then returned to the bottom of the tank. An insulated barrier plate is positioned within the tank to provide a physical and thermal barrier between the thermally stratified layers, maintaining hot and cold salt volumes required for continuous operation. As a result, high temperature thermal energy can be provided 24/7 or at any desired time.The amount of storage required depends on local needs and economic conditions. About 2500m3 of nitrate salt is needed to operate a 4MWe steam turbine 24/7 (7h sunshine, 17h storage), and with modest heliostat field oversizing to accumulate energy, the system could operate for an additional 24h (1 cloudy day). Alternatively, this same storage volume can supply a 50MWe turbine for 3.25h without additional solar input. Cosine effect losses associated with hillside heliostats beaming light downwards to the receiver are offset by the elimination of a tower and separate hot and cold storage tanks and their associated pumping systems. Reduced system complexity also reduces variable costs. Using the NREL Solar Advisor program, the system is estimated to realize cost-competitive levelized production costs of electricity. textcopyright 2011 Elsevier Ltd.},

keywords = {Advanced Renewable Energy Systems},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{McKnight2011,

title = {Analysis and design of a multi-effect desalination system with thermal vapor compression and harvested heat addition},

author = {Andrea Vozar McKnight and Marios C. Georgiou and Myunghoon Seong and John G. Georgiadis},

url = {https://doi.org/10.5004/dwt.2011.2382},

doi = {10.5004/dwt.2011.2382},

issn = {19443986},

year  = {2011},

date = {2011-07-01},

journal = {Desalination and Water Treatment},

volume = {31},

number = {1-3},

pages = {339--346},

publisher = {Taylor & Francis},

abstract = {The design and optimization of a concentrated solar power-desalination of seawater (CSP-DSW) plant is based on the accurate characterization and better integration of sub-components, such as the multiple effect distillation (MED). We set out to design and fabricate two pilot MED systems that consist of high performing components and involve a high degree of thermal integration with the rest of the system. An MED system with a series of thermal vapor compressors (TVCs) driven by heat harvested from the thermal storage subsystem of the CSP-DSW is proposed. An algorithm is presented which optimizes the gain output ratio (GOR) by varying of the number and entrainment ratio of TVCs. The use of modular parallel plate falling film heat exchangers and overall process thermal management increase the flexibility and overall efficiency of MED. Experience with the design and fabrication of a transparent single-effect experimental MED aimed to quantify the performance of the parallel plate falling film heat exchanger and to allow visualization of permeate vapor is discussed. A 10 kWt four-effect MED design is also described for use in a proof-of-principle CSP-DSW study to be performed at the Cyprus Institute. textcopyright 2011 Desalination Publications. All rights reserved.},

keywords = {Advanced Renewable Energy Systems},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Noone2011,

title = {Site selection for hillside central receiver solar thermal plants},

author = {Corey J. Noone and Amin Ghobeity and Alexander H. Slocum and George Tzamtzis and Alexander Mitsos},

doi = {10.1016/j.solener.2011.01.017},

issn = {0038092X},

year  = {2011},

date = {2011-05-01},

journal = {Solar Energy},

volume = {85},

number = {5},

pages = {839--848},

publisher = {Pergamon},

abstract = {In this article, a new tool is introduced for the purpose of locating sites in hillside terrain for central receiver solar thermal plants. Provided elevation data at a sufficient resolution, the tool is capable of evaluating the efficiency of a heliostat field at any site location. The tool also locates suitable sites based on efficiency and average annual normal insolation. The field efficiency, or ratio of radiation incident to the receiver to direct normal solar radiation, is maximized as a result of factors including projection losses and interference between heliostats, known respectively as cosine efficiency, shading, and blocking. By iteratively defining the receiver location and evaluating the corresponding site efficiency by sampling elevation data points from within the defined heliostat field boundary, efficiency can be mapped as a function of the receiver location. The case studies presented illustrate the use of the tool for two field configurations, both with ground-level receivers and hillside heliostat layouts. While both configurations provide acceptable efficiencies, results from case studies show that optimal sites for ground-level receivers are ones in which the receiver is at a higher elevation than the heliostat field. This result is intuitive from the perspective of minimizing cosine losses but is nevertheless a novel configuration. textcopyright 2011 Elsevier Ltd.},

keywords = {Advanced Renewable Energy Systems},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}