C. Fernandez-Aballi (of Cujae University - Centre for studies in renewable energy and Technology) continues the project with cooperation with Bristol university in the UK.
This project is part of on going collaboration with the Solar Fire Community to develop and diffuse low tech solar concentration, notably in Cuba.
At the moment we are in the process of characterizing and validating the existing models usefulness, looking at automating (Solar Tracking) for these composite parabolas and at a radical modification of the technology in order to further simplify their construction and operation.
Objectives:
1. Havana
1. Finish the construction of the Vesta at Cujae
2. Measure the performance of the Vesta
3. Develop a solar tracking mechanism
4. Mechanically optimize the composite parabola for better use of space, ease of construction and mechanical simplicity of the tracking mechanism.
2. Bristol
1. Design a cheap efficient solar concentrator that tracks the Sun
2. Build design (single axis trough collector)
3. Evaluate built prototype
4. Compare with theoretical estimates for alternate designs and measured results of Vesta Solar Concentrator at Cujae
5. Examine specific scenarios and uses of solar collectors and assess feasibility
6. Produce thorough cost/benefit and payback period graphs to allow selection of optimum solution for any scenario
Expected Results:
1. The thesis work of 2 mechanical and 2 automation engineering students at Cujae
2. The fourth or third year projects of a group of students at the University of Bristol
3. The characterization of the Vesta solar concentrator
4. A feasibility study of the use of solar concentration technology in Havana and in Bristol
5. Multidisciplinary and intercultural exchange between students from both teams
6. Initiation of the work towards a project for the Mondialogo
Engineering Awards 2009 looking at solar concentration technology for the Cacao and Coffee industry in Cuba (Solar assisted refrigeration is also a possibility, and we have already won a award on a proposal in this area)
Future Developments:
1. To construct a Vesta solar cooker for use and long scale functionality testing at the Ecorestaurant in Havana’s Botanical gardens
2. To construct a Helios solar coffee toaster for "Cafe Escorial" in the Old Square at the Historical Center of Havana.
3. (PHD studies) To develop a series of applications for processing cacao and coffee, that the industry in Cuba can use in order to reduce its fuel consumption of non-renewable and environmentally depleting sources.
4. (PHD studies) To develop/select adapt absorption refrigeration technology to be powered with these concentrators
5. (PHD studies) To develop/select adapt Stirling technology for power generation using these concentrators
Team:
Cujae
CETER – Centre for the Study of Renewable Energy Technologies
* Staff:
o Prof. Dr. Antonio Sarmiento
o Prof. Dr. Juan José González Bayón
o Jesús Iglesias Carlos
Faculty of Electrical Engineering
* Staff: Alejandro Perez Malagón
University of Bristol
* Staff: Dr. Mike Tierney
* Students:
o Hugo Baker Timothy Roberts
o Ian Scott
o Michael Sykes
ISDI (Higher Institute of Industrial Design),
CubaEnergía (Cuban Ministry of Science and Technology Research Centre for Renewable Energy)
Carlos Fernandez-Aballi January 2008
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