http://hdl.handle.net/10174/5260 Sat, 04 Apr 2026 09:54:03 GMT 2026-04-04T09:54:03Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/37641 Title: DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY FOR AN AGRIVOLTAIC PILOT PROJECT IN THE ALENTEJO REGION Authors: Oliveira, Helena; Bunge, Lisa; Silva, José; Fialho, Luís; Infante, Paulo; Horta, Pedro Abstract: This paper presents a study for an agrivoltaics pilot project in the Alentejo region, aimed at identifying the average percentage increase in efficiency between different types of photovoltaic panels (monofacial and bifacial modules) due to cooling effects from shading, when installed over monoculture rotations and intercropping systems with crops that benefit from Shade Avoidance Syndrome (SAS). The study will utilize the existing photovoltaic installations at the Renewable Energies Chair (CER) on the Mitra campus of the University of Évora, located in Nossa Sra. da Tourega, Évora municipality. Strategies were developed to integrate agricultural production with the existing photovoltaic system in two zones: the control zone (corridors distributed between the rows of solar panels) and the reference zone (unaffected by the operational aspects of the solar power plant). Two cropping configurations are proposed, both implemented simultaneously and in duplicate across the control and reference zones, over a two-year cycle. In the first year, monoculture rotation of tomato and lettuce will be carried out; in the second year, the crops will be intercropped. In addition to monitoring climate parameters between the zones, the study aims to conduct a comparative analysis of the biomass yield from each crop configuration in both zones. Fri, 15 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10174/37641 2024-11-15T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/37276 Title: Solar Driven Syngas Production Potential in Portugal Authors: Horta, Pedro; Canavarro, Diogo; Camilo Alves, Constança; Brito, Paulo; Panizio, Roberta Abstract: The production of synthesis gas, or syngas, from the thermochemical conversion of different carbon-based feedstocks, including biomass, is an important alternative for the conversion of waste from sources such as agroforestry or urban waste into renewable gases or fuels. The use of solar radiation as an energy source for these thermochemical processes can reduce or even eliminate their environmental impacts and increase the energy content of the resulting syngas. Portugal, with its high levels of solar radiation, has significant potential for solarized syngas production through biomass gasification. This paper analyzes the cost competitiveness of solar-driven syngas production in Portugal using different feedstocks and solar radiation levels and compares these costs to conventional gasification costs. The results show that solarized syngas production in Portugal is economically viable and has the potential to contribute to a more sustainable and low-carbon energy system. Tue, 27 Aug 2024 23:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10174/37276 2024-08-27T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/37012 Title: The Effect of Long-term Corrosion on a Molten Salt Pump in Contact with a Ternary Mixture in a CSP Plant Authors: Henriquez, Mauro; Guerreiro, Luis Abstract: Solar thermal plants commonly plan their operation for a period of approximately 25 years. Therefore, it is key to accurately predict and evaluate the damage and faults occurring for that long period. Among all components, we find that choosing the heat storage medium (molten salt) and the material (steel) used in the equipment and pipping plays a crucial role in the plant’s design. We tested the long-term corrosion effect of the molten salt pump in a low-melting-point ternary mixture composed of 30wt.%LiNO3+57wt.%KNO3+13wt.%NaNO3 over a period of more than 5 years, corresponding to 30,000 hours of operation in a pilot experimental facility built at the University of Antofagasta (Chile). Fri, 05 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10174/37012 2024-01-05T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/36840 Title: Carbon-Based Hybrid Supercapacitors for high Power Photovoltaic Irrigation Authors: Horta, Márcia; Fialho, Luis; Foles, Ana; Horta, Pedro Abstract: A photovoltaic pumping system comprises the following components: a solar photovoltaic (PV) installation, a variable frequency converter, a motor-pump, and a water source. The application combines solar PV technology, hydraulic engineering, and high-efficiency water management techniques to optimize irrigated farming. In the last decades, a growing trend has been observed in the application of renewable energies, which depend on the weather and daily conditions. In the case of cloud passing periods, the generation of energy by the photovoltaic system is drastically reduced, which will affect the overall general operation of the system. To better account for the considered operating parameters of a high-power PV pumping system, dedicated control algorithms have been developed in recent years [1], with the aim of mitigating solar power intermittency. One of the options that can be considered to avoid the sudden change in power generated by the solar PV system is to integrate an energy storage system that could accommodate those changes. In this way, carbon-based hybrid supercapacitors (HSupercap) represent the opportunity to solve this issue with a cost effective and long-lasting energy storage system, controlling PV power ramp rate, improving its overall lifetime. The HSupercap [2] was installed, configured, and tested to characterize it and assess this integration possibility. The tested system presented overall performance characteristics suitable for its application in high power photovoltaic pumping or irrigation. Thu, 31 Aug 2023 23:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10174/36840 2023-08-31T23:00:00Z