Ted Spooner | University of NSW (original) (raw)

Papers by Ted Spooner

Proceedings of SWC2017/SHC2017

The impact of low-speed filtration on the performance of salt water chlorinators, pool cleaners, ... more The impact of low-speed filtration on the performance of salt water chlorinators, pool cleaners, and the pool water quality, based on experimental and modelled data, is investigated. Results show that a typical salt water chlorinator and pressure pool cleaner do not work well for flow rates of less than 1 litre s-1 and 1.3 litre s-1 respectively. With the implementation of a robotic pool cleaner, energy savings of more than 70% can be obtained by operating the filtration system at around 1 litre s-1 with a correctly adjusted chlorinator setting. This does not compromise the system performance and achieves a largely improved water quality. Furthermore, it is shown that a small photovoltaic system can provide nearly all the energy required by such energy efficient pool system. This PV powered pool filtration system achieves a discounted payback period (DPP) of 5.4 years in comparison to the grid supplied pool filtration system (the Business as Usual (BAU) scenario).

A whole system approach was adopted to optimize a residential pool filtering system. This project... more A whole system approach was adopted to optimize a residential pool filtering system. This project presents for the first time, the experimental measurements of the pool water quality (i.e., the chemical concentrations) and all energy-consuming components when operating the filtering system at low flow conditions.A full conference paper, describing the work relating to the energy efficient pool filtering system, is attached as an appendix to this report (Appendix 1).A full journal article, describing the work relating to the high efficiency solar pool heating system, is attached as an appendix to this report (Appendix 2).

2017 IEEE 44th Photovoltaic Specialist Conference (PVSC), 2017

New policies supporting photovoltaics (PV) self-consumption and reduced feed-in power flows are a... more New policies supporting photovoltaics (PV) self-consumption and reduced feed-in power flows are advocated in many countries. Consequently, knowledge about the influences of demand patterns and battery energy storage on PV self-consumption and grid impact is required. This study analyzed these influences for 400 residential and 26 commercial systems from the Netherlands. Results show larger self-consumption rates for commercial systems than residential systems. Batteries increase the self-consumption rate depending on the PV size and the battery size. Averaged curtailment losses are larger for residential systems than commercial systems and decrease with the addition of a battery to the system.

2017 IEEE 44th Photovoltaic Specialist Conference (PVSC), 2017

Investors would like to be confident that a PV plant will work as promised before investing large... more Investors would like to be confident that a PV plant will work as promised before investing large sums of money. Data showing that PV modules can withstand thousands of hours of accelerated testing are a comfort, but are not sufficient to characterize the economic useful life (EUL) of the whole PV system. An inability to be confident of every aspect of the system can motivate less favorable contract terms. In the end, a winning partnership is obtained when a carefully engineered, durable design is married with a robust quality management system and the marriage is extended across all parts of the value chain. However, this marriage is challenging because of the conventional cultural divide between design engineers and quality management specialists. International standards are being developed to facilitate this partnership and include technology-specific requirements in the quality management systems used for component manufacture and system design, construction and operation.JRC.C.2-Energy Efficiency and Renewable

2016 IEEE 43rd Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC), 2016

To help address the industry's needs for assuring the value and reducing the risk of investme... more To help address the industry's needs for assuring the value and reducing the risk of investments in PV power plants; the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has established a new conformity assessment system for renewable energy (IECRE). There are presently important efforts underway to define the requirements for various types of PV system certificates, and publication of the international standards upon which these certifications will be based. This paper presents a detailed analysis of the interrelationship of these activities and the timing for initiation of IECRE PV system certifications.

2015 IEEE 42nd Photovoltaic Specialist Conference (PVSC), 2015

One of the key issues facing the PV industry, and renewable energy in general, is the need to ass... more One of the key issues facing the PV industry, and renewable energy in general, is the need to assure investors of the value of their system. As one means of accomplishing this goal, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has established a new system for conformity assessments of renewable energy projects (IECRE). An important activity supporting the new IECRE system is the development of new international or national standards to be used as the basis for conformity assessments. This paper presents a summary of IECRE activities to date, a review of gaps where new standards are needed, and the latest status of efforts to fill these gaps.

2014 IEEE 40th Photovoltaic Specialist Conference (PVSC), 2014

One of the key issues facing the PV industry, and renewable energy in general, is the need to ass... more One of the key issues facing the PV industry, and renewable energy in general, is the need to assure investors of the value of their system. As one means of accomplishing this goal, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has decided to establish a new system for conformity assessments of renewable energy projects (IECRE). An important requirement for the new IECRE system is to establish which international or national standards should be used as the basis for conformity assessments. This paper presents a technical analysis of the available standards, and identification of gaps where new standards are needed.

2012 IEEE Power and Energy Society General Meeting, 2012

ABSTRACT We investigate the value of making hourly operational decisions for residential distribu... more ABSTRACT We investigate the value of making hourly operational decisions for residential distributed energy resources such as interruptible and shiftable appliances and energy storage. The value is determined by computing the savings achieved when making hourly decisions and comparing it to the savings achieved when making day-ahead decisions. These decisions, or schedules, are formulated considering the uncertainties in energy service demand and status of dynamic peak pricing. The robust schedules are generated using an energy service decision support tool we have presented in an earlier paper. We used the tool to formulate day-ahead schedules by maximizing the expected net benefit of the consumer over an optimal set of scenarios that represents the range of uncertainty, and the results were presented in another paper. In this paper, we used the tool to implement hour-by-hour decision-making by applying the rolling horizon model to the optimal scenario set approach. Based on the scenarios we simulated, the average savings is not significant enough to favor it over day-ahead scheduling. The day-ahead schedules, therefore, are already robust and improving it by making hourly decisions savings may not be enough to recover the expenses for the effort and equipment required to support real-time decision-making.

2010 IEEE 11th International Conference on Probabilistic Methods Applied to Power Systems, 2010

We describe a decision-support tool that optimizes the energy services of residential end-users b... more We describe a decision-support tool that optimizes the energy services of residential end-users by scheduling the operation of available distributed energy resources. We discuss the application of the tool to a 'smart' home case study and the solution to the resulting highly-dimensional scheduling problem. We then use the optimal schedules formulated by the tool to determine the value of the forecasted information used when the schedules are created. This is achieved by computing the additional costs avoided by the end-users due to the accuracy of the forecasts. We also demonstrate how to use the tool to derive robust schedules when the end-users are not certain on the magnitude of solar insolation, magnitude of energy service demands, availability of a plug-in hybrid vehicle as storage, and status of Critical Peak Pricing. The robust schedule is derived by maximizing the expected net benefit when the schedule is applied to all likely scenario outcomes.

This report looks in detail at the potential for PV to contribute to summer electricity loads dur... more This report looks in detail at the potential for PV to contribute to summer electricity loads during the high demand week, 9-15 February 2004. This week was chosen because peak loads for summer 2003-04 occurred on Saturday 14 February in SA and Victoria. In NSW, the peak day was Tuesday 9 March, with a corresponding peak price of $9,702/MWh. However, NSW also experienced high loads and prices in the chosen week with the maximum demand occurring on Tuesday 10 February.

IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, 2010

Abstract—We describe algorithmic enhancements to a decision-support tool that residential consume... more Abstract—We describe algorithmic enhancements to a decision-support tool that residential consumers can utilize to optimize their acquisition of electrical energy services. The decision-support tool optimizes energy services provision by enabling end users to first ...

IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, 2009

... The IL violations, therefore, are the soft constraints in the optimization problem. The sum o... more ... The IL violations, therefore, are the soft constraints in the optimization problem. The sum of the payment, penalties for interruption, penalties for violation of IL constraints, and penalties for hours with un-dercurtailment constitute the single objective function. ...

Electric Power Systems Research, 2011

We propose a novel decision-support tool that aims to optimize the provision of residential energ... more We propose a novel decision-support tool that aims to optimize the provision of residential energy services from the perspective of the end-user. The tool is composed of a novel energy service model and a novel distributed energy resources scheduling algorithm. The proposed model takes into account the time-varying demand and benefit that end-users derive from different services, and assigns the benefit to the energy that realizes the service. The scheduling algorithm determines how distributed energy resources available to the end-users and under their control should be operated so that the net benefit of energy services is maximized based on the energy service models, and their technical characteristics and capabilities. The scheduling is a challenging optimization problem; hence, a heuristic simulation-based approach based around cooperative particle swarm optimization is used. The paper presents a case study where this decision-support tool is used to optimize the provision of desired energy services in a 'smart' home that includes a number of controllable loads, energy storage and photovoltaic generation.

There is a need to improve the provision of energy services, and utilizing distributed energy res... more There is a need to improve the provision of energy services, and utilizing distributed energy resources ... (DER) offers significant potential. In this paper, we describe a novel decision-support tool that aims to ... 3 Scheduling of DER for Optimized Energy Service Provision

… Conference, 2008. AUPEC …, 2008

Interruptible loads are consumers who agree to be interrupted, or whose consumption may be reduce... more Interruptible loads are consumers who agree to be interrupted, or whose consumption may be reduced by the utility, in order to maintain system security or to reduce market prices. Incorporating interruptible loads in day-ahead markets could maximize their ...

The vast majority of such systems use photovoltaic panels, with a small proportion using wind tur... more The vast majority of such systems use photovoltaic panels, with a small proportion using wind turbines, and an even smaller proportion using microhydro generators. A fair indication of the relative proportions of different types of generators can be obtained from the number of RECs registered by the Australian Registry for Renewable Energy Certificates. As at November 2003, a total of 1,695 RECs (95% of SGU RECs) were registered for PV small generating units (SGUs), 84 for wind SGUs and none for microhydro units. Thus although this Discussion Paper is relevant to all small-scale gridconnected renewable energy systems, the needs of PV systems are emphasised.

Proceedings of SWC2017/SHC2017

The impact of low-speed filtration on the performance of salt water chlorinators, pool cleaners, ... more The impact of low-speed filtration on the performance of salt water chlorinators, pool cleaners, and the pool water quality, based on experimental and modelled data, is investigated. Results show that a typical salt water chlorinator and pressure pool cleaner do not work well for flow rates of less than 1 litre s-1 and 1.3 litre s-1 respectively. With the implementation of a robotic pool cleaner, energy savings of more than 70% can be obtained by operating the filtration system at around 1 litre s-1 with a correctly adjusted chlorinator setting. This does not compromise the system performance and achieves a largely improved water quality. Furthermore, it is shown that a small photovoltaic system can provide nearly all the energy required by such energy efficient pool system. This PV powered pool filtration system achieves a discounted payback period (DPP) of 5.4 years in comparison to the grid supplied pool filtration system (the Business as Usual (BAU) scenario).

A whole system approach was adopted to optimize a residential pool filtering system. This project... more A whole system approach was adopted to optimize a residential pool filtering system. This project presents for the first time, the experimental measurements of the pool water quality (i.e., the chemical concentrations) and all energy-consuming components when operating the filtering system at low flow conditions.A full conference paper, describing the work relating to the energy efficient pool filtering system, is attached as an appendix to this report (Appendix 1).A full journal article, describing the work relating to the high efficiency solar pool heating system, is attached as an appendix to this report (Appendix 2).

2017 IEEE 44th Photovoltaic Specialist Conference (PVSC), 2017

New policies supporting photovoltaics (PV) self-consumption and reduced feed-in power flows are a... more New policies supporting photovoltaics (PV) self-consumption and reduced feed-in power flows are advocated in many countries. Consequently, knowledge about the influences of demand patterns and battery energy storage on PV self-consumption and grid impact is required. This study analyzed these influences for 400 residential and 26 commercial systems from the Netherlands. Results show larger self-consumption rates for commercial systems than residential systems. Batteries increase the self-consumption rate depending on the PV size and the battery size. Averaged curtailment losses are larger for residential systems than commercial systems and decrease with the addition of a battery to the system.

2017 IEEE 44th Photovoltaic Specialist Conference (PVSC), 2017

Investors would like to be confident that a PV plant will work as promised before investing large... more Investors would like to be confident that a PV plant will work as promised before investing large sums of money. Data showing that PV modules can withstand thousands of hours of accelerated testing are a comfort, but are not sufficient to characterize the economic useful life (EUL) of the whole PV system. An inability to be confident of every aspect of the system can motivate less favorable contract terms. In the end, a winning partnership is obtained when a carefully engineered, durable design is married with a robust quality management system and the marriage is extended across all parts of the value chain. However, this marriage is challenging because of the conventional cultural divide between design engineers and quality management specialists. International standards are being developed to facilitate this partnership and include technology-specific requirements in the quality management systems used for component manufacture and system design, construction and operation.JRC.C.2-Energy Efficiency and Renewable

2016 IEEE 43rd Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC), 2016

To help address the industry's needs for assuring the value and reducing the risk of investme... more To help address the industry's needs for assuring the value and reducing the risk of investments in PV power plants; the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has established a new conformity assessment system for renewable energy (IECRE). There are presently important efforts underway to define the requirements for various types of PV system certificates, and publication of the international standards upon which these certifications will be based. This paper presents a detailed analysis of the interrelationship of these activities and the timing for initiation of IECRE PV system certifications.

2015 IEEE 42nd Photovoltaic Specialist Conference (PVSC), 2015

One of the key issues facing the PV industry, and renewable energy in general, is the need to ass... more One of the key issues facing the PV industry, and renewable energy in general, is the need to assure investors of the value of their system. As one means of accomplishing this goal, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has established a new system for conformity assessments of renewable energy projects (IECRE). An important activity supporting the new IECRE system is the development of new international or national standards to be used as the basis for conformity assessments. This paper presents a summary of IECRE activities to date, a review of gaps where new standards are needed, and the latest status of efforts to fill these gaps.

2014 IEEE 40th Photovoltaic Specialist Conference (PVSC), 2014

One of the key issues facing the PV industry, and renewable energy in general, is the need to ass... more One of the key issues facing the PV industry, and renewable energy in general, is the need to assure investors of the value of their system. As one means of accomplishing this goal, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has decided to establish a new system for conformity assessments of renewable energy projects (IECRE). An important requirement for the new IECRE system is to establish which international or national standards should be used as the basis for conformity assessments. This paper presents a technical analysis of the available standards, and identification of gaps where new standards are needed.

2012 IEEE Power and Energy Society General Meeting, 2012

ABSTRACT We investigate the value of making hourly operational decisions for residential distribu... more ABSTRACT We investigate the value of making hourly operational decisions for residential distributed energy resources such as interruptible and shiftable appliances and energy storage. The value is determined by computing the savings achieved when making hourly decisions and comparing it to the savings achieved when making day-ahead decisions. These decisions, or schedules, are formulated considering the uncertainties in energy service demand and status of dynamic peak pricing. The robust schedules are generated using an energy service decision support tool we have presented in an earlier paper. We used the tool to formulate day-ahead schedules by maximizing the expected net benefit of the consumer over an optimal set of scenarios that represents the range of uncertainty, and the results were presented in another paper. In this paper, we used the tool to implement hour-by-hour decision-making by applying the rolling horizon model to the optimal scenario set approach. Based on the scenarios we simulated, the average savings is not significant enough to favor it over day-ahead scheduling. The day-ahead schedules, therefore, are already robust and improving it by making hourly decisions savings may not be enough to recover the expenses for the effort and equipment required to support real-time decision-making.

2010 IEEE 11th International Conference on Probabilistic Methods Applied to Power Systems, 2010

We describe a decision-support tool that optimizes the energy services of residential end-users b... more We describe a decision-support tool that optimizes the energy services of residential end-users by scheduling the operation of available distributed energy resources. We discuss the application of the tool to a 'smart' home case study and the solution to the resulting highly-dimensional scheduling problem. We then use the optimal schedules formulated by the tool to determine the value of the forecasted information used when the schedules are created. This is achieved by computing the additional costs avoided by the end-users due to the accuracy of the forecasts. We also demonstrate how to use the tool to derive robust schedules when the end-users are not certain on the magnitude of solar insolation, magnitude of energy service demands, availability of a plug-in hybrid vehicle as storage, and status of Critical Peak Pricing. The robust schedule is derived by maximizing the expected net benefit when the schedule is applied to all likely scenario outcomes.

This report looks in detail at the potential for PV to contribute to summer electricity loads dur... more This report looks in detail at the potential for PV to contribute to summer electricity loads during the high demand week, 9-15 February 2004. This week was chosen because peak loads for summer 2003-04 occurred on Saturday 14 February in SA and Victoria. In NSW, the peak day was Tuesday 9 March, with a corresponding peak price of $9,702/MWh. However, NSW also experienced high loads and prices in the chosen week with the maximum demand occurring on Tuesday 10 February.

IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, 2010

Abstract—We describe algorithmic enhancements to a decision-support tool that residential consume... more Abstract—We describe algorithmic enhancements to a decision-support tool that residential consumers can utilize to optimize their acquisition of electrical energy services. The decision-support tool optimizes energy services provision by enabling end users to first ...

IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, 2009

... The IL violations, therefore, are the soft constraints in the optimization problem. The sum o... more ... The IL violations, therefore, are the soft constraints in the optimization problem. The sum of the payment, penalties for interruption, penalties for violation of IL constraints, and penalties for hours with un-dercurtailment constitute the single objective function. ...

Electric Power Systems Research, 2011

We propose a novel decision-support tool that aims to optimize the provision of residential energ... more We propose a novel decision-support tool that aims to optimize the provision of residential energy services from the perspective of the end-user. The tool is composed of a novel energy service model and a novel distributed energy resources scheduling algorithm. The proposed model takes into account the time-varying demand and benefit that end-users derive from different services, and assigns the benefit to the energy that realizes the service. The scheduling algorithm determines how distributed energy resources available to the end-users and under their control should be operated so that the net benefit of energy services is maximized based on the energy service models, and their technical characteristics and capabilities. The scheduling is a challenging optimization problem; hence, a heuristic simulation-based approach based around cooperative particle swarm optimization is used. The paper presents a case study where this decision-support tool is used to optimize the provision of desired energy services in a 'smart' home that includes a number of controllable loads, energy storage and photovoltaic generation.

There is a need to improve the provision of energy services, and utilizing distributed energy res... more There is a need to improve the provision of energy services, and utilizing distributed energy resources ... (DER) offers significant potential. In this paper, we describe a novel decision-support tool that aims to ... 3 Scheduling of DER for Optimized Energy Service Provision

… Conference, 2008. AUPEC …, 2008

Interruptible loads are consumers who agree to be interrupted, or whose consumption may be reduce... more Interruptible loads are consumers who agree to be interrupted, or whose consumption may be reduced by the utility, in order to maintain system security or to reduce market prices. Incorporating interruptible loads in day-ahead markets could maximize their ...

The vast majority of such systems use photovoltaic panels, with a small proportion using wind tur... more The vast majority of such systems use photovoltaic panels, with a small proportion using wind turbines, and an even smaller proportion using microhydro generators. A fair indication of the relative proportions of different types of generators can be obtained from the number of RECs registered by the Australian Registry for Renewable Energy Certificates. As at November 2003, a total of 1,695 RECs (95% of SGU RECs) were registered for PV small generating units (SGUs), 84 for wind SGUs and none for microhydro units. Thus although this Discussion Paper is relevant to all small-scale gridconnected renewable energy systems, the needs of PV systems are emphasised.