Energy Sources and Their Integration
The Freedom Field has five energy sources:
- 35KW Solar thermal (heat)
- Bio-fuel facility (heat)
- 12kW solar photovoltaic (electric)
- 1.2KW vertical wind turbine (electric)
- 10KW wind turbine (electric)
Heat energy generated by the solar thermal array and bio-fuel energy are managed by two different systems. Heat energy is used for space heating. Surplus energy is discharged through the sewerage system. When all the electric energy sources (photovoltaic and wind turbines) are integrated together and collected energy are used for operating the electric load of the Freedom Field. The Freedom Field is connected with the ComEd grid and can supply surplus energy to the grid.
Solar Thermal Energy Generation
Heat energy collected from the 35KW solar thermal (heat) unit is passed through two independent heat exchangers. One passes the heat to a hot water tank and other releases the excessive heat. Fluid from the hot water tank is used for space heating and passes hot water (from hot water tank) through floor heating tubes. An absorption chiller and cooling tower are used to supply cold water and used for space cooling. Various temperature and flow data are monitored and stored on a secured server. A user interface has been developed to monitor the real-time data for the thermal energy collection and its use.
Bio Gas Thermal Energy Generation
The bio-gas system uses wood chip or processed algae as a fuel. The system is connected with the thermal energy handling system that is used for the solar thermal system. A user interface has also been developed to monitor the real-time data for the thermal energy collection.
Electrical Energy Generation
Three systems generate electrical energy. These are the 12kW solar photovoltaic, 1.2KW vertical wind turbine and 10KW horizontal wind turbine. They are integrated within a single system. Part of the generated electricity (30,000KWh/per year) is used for maintaining the Freedom Field facility and at the same time pass the surplus to the local electricity company (ComEd Distribution). A user interface has also been developed to monitor the real-time data for the electrical energy collection and usage.
