Solar Powered Air Conditioning for Elderly, Low Income
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Transcript Solar Powered Air Conditioning for Elderly, Low Income
Solar Powered Air Conditioning
for Elderly, Low Income
Houstonians
Robert L. Howard, Jr., Ph.D.
National Society of Black Engineers
Houston Space Chapter
Introduction
The Need
– Air conditioning can be as high as 25-40% of
a household’s annual energy costs
– Many low-income residents cannot afford this
and go without air conditioning
– 60,000 homes in Houston without power in
2001; only 14,443 in all of Texas received
assistance
– Senior citizens accounted for 14 out of 20
heat-related deaths in Houston in 2001
NSBE – Houston Space Chapter
August, 2003
Chapter Technology Seminar
Introduction
The Need
– CDC reports fans are useless at temperatures
above 90 deg F with humidity above 35%
• Spur movement of hot, humid air
• Causes increased heat stress – accelerates body
hearting and raises internal body temperature
• Essentially turns room into convection oven
• Should not be used for preventing heat-related
illness in areas of high humidity
NSBE – Houston Space Chapter
August, 2003
Chapter Technology Seminar
Introduction
Problem persists despite local efforts to
help
– Window air conditioners donated, but wiring
in many homes cannot handle added load
– 1998 fatality: widower had turned off air
conditioner to save money
– Houston libraries and multipurpose centers
open as cooling centers, but inaccessible to
some: elderly less mobile, afraid to leave
home, lack transportation
NSBE – Houston Space Chapter
August, 2003
Chapter Technology Seminar
Introduction
Excellent opportunity for NSBE and
NASA to come together in mutual
fulfillment of charters
NSBE-Houston Space Chapter can make a
positive impact by installing solar powered
air conditioners in as many elderly, low
income households as possible
NSBE – Houston Space Chapter
August, 2003
Chapter Technology Seminar
Introduction
Provides a cool zone within home – elderly
do not have to leave homes to be safe
Does not interfere with limited house
wiring
Will not increase household electric bill
Technology available off the shelf, but not
accessible to these communities – cost and
unfamiliarity; we will bring it to them
NSBE – Houston Space Chapter
August, 2003
Chapter Technology Seminar
Introduction
Harmony of NSBE and NASA objectives
– NASA vision is “to improve life here, to extend life
there, to find life beyond.”
– NSBE mission is “to increase the number of culturally
responsible Black engineers who excel academically,
succeed professionally, and positively impact the
community”
Solar power system improves life here in a
culturally responsible way that positively impacts
the community
If we don’t do it, who will?
NSBE – Houston Space Chapter
August, 2003
Chapter Technology Seminar
Introduction
Service project may well save lives; at
minimum it will increase the comfort of
our elderly
Also benefits chapter members by
providing hands-on technical experience
many will not encounter in day-to-day job
responsibilities
NSBE – Houston Space Chapter
August, 2003
Chapter Technology Seminar
Brief Survey of Solar Electric
Power
More than just a set of solar panels
Variety of components required for proper
functioning
Photovoltaic Panel
– Three basic types: single crystal silicon,
polycrystal silicon, and thin film/amorphous
– Convert sunlight directly into DC electricity
NSBE – Houston Space Chapter
August, 2003
Chapter Technology Seminar
Brief Survey of Solar Electric
Power
Inverter
– Converts DC electricity into AC electricity
– Most home appliances require AC power
Battery
– Provide energy storage for use when solar panels
cannot receive sunlight
– Also supplement panels to smooth power level
– Most are Lead-acid (30% sulfuric acid)
– Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) type recommended –
requires no maintenance and cannot leak
NSBE – Houston Space Chapter
August, 2003
Chapter Technology Seminar
Brief Survey of Solar Electric
Power
Charge Controller
– Used in any solar power system that includes
batteries
– Blocks reverse current (solar panels draining
batteries) and prevents battery overcharge
– May also prevent battery overdischarge,
protect from electrical overload, and display
battery status and flow of power
NSBE – Houston Space Chapter
August, 2003
Chapter Technology Seminar
Brief Survey of Solar Electric
Power
Power Outlets and Wiring
– Proper gauge wiring essential to avoid poor
performance of appliances and possible fire
risks
– Power outlets sometimes include circuit
protection
Frame/Structure
– Hold solar panels in place; roof or pole
mounts; some pole mounts track sun
NSBE – Houston Space Chapter
August, 2003
Chapter Technology Seminar
Overview of Mars Testbed Solar
Recharge Station
Some in-house JSC experience with solar
power systems
– Environmental Office (COD) and Advanced
EVA Group built a solar recharge station as
part of a Mars testbed activity
– Used commercially available components
from Solarcraft (Stafford, TX)
– Purpose was to demonstrate how state-of-theart technology can improve life on earth as
well as explore space
NSBE – Houston Space Chapter
August, 2003
Chapter Technology Seminar
Overview of Mars Testbed Solar
Recharge Station
NSBE – Houston Space Chapter
August, 2003
Chapter Technology Seminar
Overview of Mars Testbed Solar
Recharge Station
Reads like a prelude to this project
HSC will seek to tap into their expertise
and possibly their relationship with
Solarcraft
Will also seek to coordinate with MOD and
Engineering Directorate organizations
involved with solar power
NSBE – Houston Space Chapter
August, 2003
Chapter Technology Seminar
Solar Powered Air Conditioning
System
Two main options exist:
– Daylight-only system (no batteries)
• Simpler, significantly less expensive
• Offers no cooling between sunset and dawn
– Continuously operating system (requires
batteries)
• Provides constant temperature
• More expensive and complex
– Presentation will explore both options, but will
not choose between them
NSBE – Houston Space Chapter
August, 2003
Chapter Technology Seminar
Solar Powered Air Conditioning
System
Daylight-only Configuration
NSBE – Houston Space Chapter
August, 2003
Chapter Technology Seminar
Solar Powered Air Conditioning
System
Continuous Operation Configuration
NSBE – Houston Space Chapter
August, 2003
Chapter Technology Seminar
Subsystem Data
In order to conduct a preliminary sizing,
data was compiled on commercially
available solar power subsystems and air
conditioning units
– Voltage, wattage, amperage, BTU cooling
capacity, price, vendor, etc.
NSBE – Houston Space Chapter
August, 2003
Chapter Technology Seminar
Preliminary System Sizing
Complete solar-powered air conditioning
system sized based on current vendor
prices
Should not be construed as an exact
specification of what the system will look
like or cost
– Prices, component availability subject to
change
– Chapter may decide to construct items inhouse rather than use commercial equipment
NSBE – Houston Space Chapter
August, 2003
Chapter Technology Seminar
Preliminary System Sizing
Should be viewed as a ballpark estimate
Both options (daytime vs. continuous)
sized
For simplicity, continuous system assumes:
– 12 hours charge time; 10 hours discharge time
Overcast conditions not modeled in this
analysis
NSBE – Houston Space Chapter
August, 2003
Chapter Technology Seminar
Preliminary System Sizing
Both options assume cooling for a 300 to
350 square foot area, which includes a
kitchen
Rule of thumb suggests 8,000 BTU air
conditioner for this square footage, with
additional 4,000 BTU to account for
kitchen heat
Selected 1140 W Kenmore 12,300 BTU
Multi-Room Air Conditioner
NSBE – Houston Space Chapter
August, 2003
Chapter Technology Seminar
Preliminary System Sizing –
Option 1 (Daytime-only)
Photovoltaic Panel
– SAPC-165 multicrystalline module
– 156 W per module, $612
– Total of seven required, for cost of $4284
Panel Mounting
– UTRF64 Passive Tracking Mount
– Tracks sun passively (no electric power)
– Holds all seven SAPC-165, costs $989
NSBE – Houston Space Chapter
August, 2003
Chapter Technology Seminar
Preliminary System Sizing –
Option 1 (Daytime-only)
Inverter
– Sized based on power generated
– Using Powerstar 1300 inverter, but requires
DC Converter
• Powerstar operates at 12 V, photovoltaic panels
operate at 24 V
• Powerstar costs $540, converter costs $285 for
total of $825.00
NSBE – Houston Space Chapter
August, 2003
Chapter Technology Seminar
Preliminary System Sizing –
Option 1 (Daytime-only)
Wiring and Receptacle
– Length will vary with each house; impossible
to specify in advance
– Assuming generic value of $200
Total cost for Option 1: $6,698
One unresolved concern: uneven power
supply levels may damage air conditioner
Chapter will need to resolve concern
NSBE – Houston Space Chapter
August, 2003
Chapter Technology Seminar
Preliminary System Sizing –
Option 2 (Continuous Operation)
Batteries
– AGM batteries chosen - 12V Concorde PVX2120L offers the best value (2520 W-hrs)
– Six batteries required to meet power goal
– Cost $304.95 each, for a total of $1,829.70
Photovoltaic Panels
– 15 SAPC-165 providing 2400W at $5,999.85
Inverters
– Two Powerstar 1300 Inverters at $1,080
NSBE – Houston Space Chapter
August, 2003
Chapter Technology Seminar
Preliminary System Sizing –
Option 2 (Continuous Operation)
Charge Controller
– Trace C35: three units used – one for every
two batteries
– Total cost: $337.05
Tracking Mounts
– Two UTRF64 tracking mounts used at cost of
$1,978
– Total cost for Option 2: $11,819.64
NSBE – Houston Space Chapter
August, 2003
Chapter Technology Seminar
Preliminary System Sizing –
Difference in price visually shows why
Option 1 remains a preferred choice
– $6,698 vs. $11,819.64
Limitations in Option 1 must be solved
before it can be considered valid, however
NSBE – Houston Space Chapter
August, 2003
Chapter Technology Seminar
Fundraising
Chapter cannot pay for this project from
dues, shirt sales, and dinners
Will seek to partner with JSC, contractors,
and solar power companies in hopes of
equipment donations
Will pursue grants and contracts from
foundations, government agencies,
businesses, nonprofits, etc.
NSBE – Houston Space Chapter
August, 2003
Chapter Technology Seminar
Fundraising
Need chapter members to join Finance
Zone to help Marlo in this area
Need new members from business
directorates within JSC and contractors,
especially B, H, and L mail codes
NSBE – Houston Space Chapter
August, 2003
Chapter Technology Seminar
Engineering Roadmap
This paper is only a first step, not a
complete analysis
Need for additional studies - engineering
work continues
– Deepen understanding of solar power systems
– Resolve outstanding technical issues
– Generate
• Finalized specifications
• Safety reviews
• Implementation procedures
NSBE – Houston Space Chapter
August, 2003
Chapter Technology Seminar
Engineering Roadmap
Need for electrical engineers in the chapter
to step up and get involved
New members especially needed from
DF7, DT4, EC, EP, and JA13
Room for other chapter members –
engineers and non-engineers to contribute
NSBE – Houston Space Chapter
August, 2003
Chapter Technology Seminar
Engineering Roadmap
Paper studies likely to continue through fall and
into early spring
Build hardware experience prior to assembling
air conditioner units
– Conduct series of smaller, less expensive solar
projects (e.g. solar fans, other low wattage devices)
– Side benefit: many of these may have outreach uses
Goal: first operational unit completed in time for
summer 2004
NSBE – Houston Space Chapter
August, 2003
Chapter Technology Seminar
Candidate Selection
No mechanism in place yet to select
recipients – must be accomplished prior to
first delivery
Churches, United Way, etc. work routinely
with the types of elderly we wish to serve
Coordinating with such organizations will
help us to identify responsible elderly with
genuine need
NSBE – Houston Space Chapter
August, 2003
Chapter Technology Seminar
Conclusion
We can’t help everyone suffering in Houston
We will make a difference
We will pioneer a roadmap other organizations
can follow
Enhance image of NASA, NSBE, contractors,
partners
Gain sense of satisfaction – we will have used
our skills to change the lives of people
NSBE – Houston Space Chapter
August, 2003
Chapter Technology Seminar
Questions?
NSBE – Houston Space Chapter
August, 2003
Chapter Technology Seminar