Date of Award

Fall 2024

Project Type

Dissertation

Program or Major

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

First Advisor

Weiwei Dr. Mo

Second Advisor

Yashar Dr. Eftekhar Azam

Third Advisor

Ju-Chin Dr. Huang

Abstract

Decentralized energy systems, such as solar PV and wind, are often seen as key to improving the sustainability and resilience of energy systems in both urban and remote communities. This research aims to enhance the sustainability of adopting these systems in both grid-connected and off-grid contexts. In urban communities, a choice experiment model was developed for Boston, MA, and Atlanta, GA, and the results were analyzed using latent class analysis to understand household preferences for two decentralized renewable energy systems. For islanded communities, a process-based dynamic model was developed to simulate the operation of the decentralized energy system on Appledore Island in Maine, USA, and optimized for both economic and environmental metrics. The modeling framework was expanded to include a water treatment system, with an AI-based optimization technique employed to determine the optimal scheduling of the water system when integrated with the energy system, allowing it to function as a virtual battery within the microgrid. The findings underscore the significant implications for the future of decentralized energy systems, demonstrating that optimized energy utilization, strategic planning, technology adoption, and customizable solutions can greatly enhance system efficiency and sustainability.

Share

COinS