Search

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have emerged as solutions for developing financially viable, and environmentally friendly monitoring systems in line with the sustainable development goals. However, their long-term operating costs are commonly neglected in literature. In this study, a novel framework for analyzing the cost–benefit trade-offs of urban noise monitoring systems is presented. The framework employs a comparative analysis of WSNs powered by bioenergy plant microbial fuel cells (PMFCs), solar photovoltaic cells, and battery sources. The network sustainability and cost–benefit effects are evaluated through the deployment of ten wireless nodes in Merida City, Mexico. The analysis of the network operational cost, the cost of upgrading technology, the system maintenance, and the battery disposal, as well as, waste savings with the bioenergy source, are considered. The analysis shows that when assessing a Long Range (LoRa) network with a PMFC bioenergy source over a 3-year period, and with a service cost set at $0.01 USD per month for each single data packet transmitted every 5 min, the investment return is attained in 8 months and delivers a profit of approximately 30% within the first year. Compared to conventional battery-powered systems, the PMFC offers significant cost savings, reducing the system cost up to 29%. • Cost–benefit analysis of LoRa networks powered by P-MFCs for urban noise monitoring. • The model reveals an investment return of ∼ 8 months per $0.01 USD transmitted packet. • A profit of around 30% is achieved during the first year with the bioenergy source. • Comparative cost–benefit analysis presented for alternative power sources. • The sustainable LoRa network achieved an investment return within three years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Tecnología y Ciencias del Agua is the property of Instituto Mexicano de Tecnologia del Agua (IMTA) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The growing energy demand has increased the consumption of hydrocarbons in developing countries such as Mexico, which has contributed to accelerating global warming. Although Mexico has suitable offshore wind energy harvesting sites, technical assessments to identify technologies to be placed in specific locations are scarce. In Mexico, offshore wind resources are found in depths larger than 50 m. There, floating platforms are convenient for harnessing wind energy. This work presents a technical evaluation of offshore wind energy in one of the regions with a higher availability of wind resources on the Mexican coasts, the Tehuantepec Gulf, in the Pacific Ocean. First, a specific location is chosen to evaluate its maritime conditions and theoretical wind energy potential. Next, the performance of a floating offshore wind turbine platform has been investigated numerically using potential flow simulations. The motions of the platform were analyzed for different drafts when subjected to different environmental conditions in the evaluated region. These conditions include wave and wind scenarios with the highest probability of occurrence and the most extreme ones. From the evaluation of the platform dynamics in these scenarios, it was possible to identify the general working conditions of the platform. Results showed that the proposed FOWT could be suitable to be deployed in the region of interest for the most probable environmental conditions, presenting a possible energy production within 3–4 MW, approximately. However, motion stabilization should be required when subjected to extreme environmental conditions as the structure could significantly increase its surge and pitch motions. The simplified approach employed in this work can help perform the following steps in technical or practical resource assessments of wind energy in other places in Mexico or similar developing regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A spatial analysis was carried out to evaluate the compatibility of human activities and biophysical characteristics in the Mexican Caribbean Sea, in order to identify the most viable areas for energy generation from ocean currents and the areas where the population would most benefit from such energy projects. Of the study area, 82% have some form of protection legislation. Tourism is the main economic activity in the area and this is reflected in a wide range of activities and services that often overlap within the same spatial area. In the case study, the use of renewable ocean energies is seen as an important innovation to reduce fossil fuel dependency. These energies have the potential to meet the demands of the region. However, it is vital to seek for potential areas for this type of energy harvesting where the social, economic and environmental impacts would be minimal. The lack of marine policies and land-use planning processes in Mexico is a major obstacle in avoiding land use conflicts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The manuscript analyzes the stimulation for an Enhanced Geothermal System development in Acoculco, Mexico. Using an analytical penny‐shaped hydraulic fracture model covering different propagation regimes, we computed the final fracture length and width by varying fluid properties with temperature. Our analysis indicates that for the given scenario, the fluid viscosity plays a minor role and instead flow rate and time of the stimulation are the controlling variables. We computed the fracture reopening as a consequence of water reinjection in the second stage of the stimulation through numerical computations based on the enriched discontinuity method. The computation shows that a single isolated fracture will not provide sufficient permeability, as the continuous injection will quickly fill and pressurize the crack. We demonstrate that the fracture needs to be connected to a permeable network to avoid excessive pressurization and achieve a commercially exploitable reservoir for Enhanced Geothermal System. Plain Language Summary: At Acoculco, Mexico, the temperature of the rock at 2 km depth is approximately 300°C, which can be potentially exploited for the production of geothermal energy. To produce deep geothermal energy, water must be extracted from the rock, which is currently not possible in Acoculco because the host rock, a granite, is practically impermeable. A possible solution is to inject water into the rock formation and create one or multiple large fractures: Through the fractures, the fluid will be able to circulate and geothermal energy can be extracted. In this work, we show, through numerical calculations, that it will be relatively easy to create a large fracture by injecting high‐pressure fluid, but if the fracture is not connected to a network of preexisting fractures, harvesting geothermal energy would be unlikely. The pressure will rapidly increase during the reinjection, which could trigger induced earthquakes if it exceeds sufficiently large values. We suggest instead to create fractures in multistage and maximize a chance of intersecting existing networks through zonal isolation. Key Points: Hydraulic stimulation can achieve fracture lengths of hundreds of meters in an EGS siteReinjection pressure quickly increases if the fracture is unconnected, making stimulation ineffectiveProlonged fluid injection does not improve permeability in unconnected fractures and zonal isolation should be employed instead [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Torrid temperatures in northwestern México have caused the widespread installation of air-conditioning appliances which, in turn, lead to a high demand of electric energy. Peak consumption, however, occurs when the irradiance is at its highest, suggesting that the problem can be partially solved by injecting photovoltaic energy into the DC link of the adjustable speed drive in inverter-grade air-conditioning appliances. In this paper, the optimal design of an isolated Resonant Boost – Half – Bridge DC/DC Converter is described. The converter was optimized using the NSGA-II algorithm, with weighted-efficiency and cost as objective functions. Annual irradiance and temperature data was used to develop site-specific weighted-efficiency coefficients. Since photovoltaic power evolves throughout the day, several optimizations, at different power levels, were carried out. Components to build the converter were selected from a data base taking into account individual temperatures, and suitable maximum and peak ratings. Optimization results demonstrate that optimizing the converter at its nominal power does not provide the best solution. Rather, it was found that the best result is obtained when the converter is designed at the power level that coincides with the maximum energy harvesting. The main differences between optimization results are in the transformer design, leakage inductance, switching frequency and capacitors. Results also highlighted the fact that cost is very sensitive to efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In many parts of the world, renewable energy is being considered as an alternative to supply electricity to communities in developing regions. However, even though various technologies are becoming available, there are several socio-environmental constraints that impinge on the viability of ocean energy conversion projects in isolated communities. By assessing environmental restrictions and socioeconomic attributes where electric power may be produced from the ocean can be useful in prioritizing the locations (especially those isolated) where this alternative is more viable. This paper examines socio-economic and environmental factors that may affect the introduction of ocean energy harvesting in areas currently without electricity. Our findings reveal that: a) in the coastal area of the state of Michoacán, southwest Mexico (at < 20 km from the coast and <100 m.a.s.l.), 153 human settlements with over 4,000 inhabitants lack electric power; 16 of these settlements are indigenous; b) economic activities are mostly fisheries and ecotourism; yet, marginalizaion is very high in the area; c) there are four protected areas with nesting sites for several marine turtle species (greater black, hawksbill, leatherback, and green); the "Deep Pacific Sea" natural protected area harbors great biodiversity; and d) electric power may be produced from ocean energy, especially waves, currents and thermal gradients. The infrastructure for grid connection and technical and logistical support is limited, and the topography near the coast is complex. However, our results indicate that the coastal region of Michoacan, has promising sources of ocean energy, especially for isolated settlements with limited, or no, electricity supply. The results show that waves and thermal gradients are viable options for energy generation in the area studied. Considering socioeconomic conditions and environmental restrictions, our observations suggest that, in particular, ocean energy projects might be successfully implemented in two locations on the coast of Michoacan, Future on-site studies into the environmental impact, the percepction and acceptance of society towards the new technologies and economic costs are necessary before implementing these new technologies. • We examine the feasibility of implementing ocean energy projects in remote regions. • We identified potential sites of ocean energy production in the Mexican Pacific. • Environmental, socio-economic attributes and topography were considered. • Wave and thermal gradient energy harvesting may be suitable in Michoacan. • Ocean energy alternatives can help provide electricity for isolated communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]