MEE40001 Thermodynamics 2

Group Project
Sustainable Energy
You are a team of engineers from a multinational consulting company and have been asked to
design a system to deliver energy for domestic purposes (electricity, heating, hot water, cooling,
etc) in small villages (population ~ 100) in remote areas (100 population just served as a
guideline, the key point is small community); one in Malaysia and one in an overseas location
(see list of suggested regions/countries).
1) Specify the two locations (Malaysia and overseas). For the overseas location you may
choose from the following list:
Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, China, Australia, Cambodia, India, Vietnam, Myanmar,
Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Mauritius, Kenya, Bangladesh etc.
2) You can choose different sources of renewable energy (solar, geothermal, wind, wave,
biomass, biogas, hydropower, hydrogen, geothermal, nuclear- energy) in the two
areas chosen. Research and evaluate further the feasibility of one of these sources for
the above purpose in one of the locations. (Note: You may focus your analysis on one of
the energy applications, e.g. electricity only or heating only).
3) Estimate and plot the energy requirements for the particular application throughout the
year. State the assumptions and the basis of your calculations. Use these results as the
basis for designing your system.
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4) If the temperature inside the house is to be maintained at 23 C. Estimate and plot the
rate of heat loss from the house throughout the year if the heat loss is mainly through
single-glazed windows (double-door type wood-framed). You can assume the total
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window area in the house is 15m ; see Table 9-6, p.558 (Cengel and Ghanjar) for overall
U-factor value. State the assumptions and the basis of your calculations.
5) One way to reduce the energy consumption for heating/cooling is to reduce heat
loss/gain through windows. If the single-glazed windows are to be replaced by vinylframed double pane windows with an air space of 6.4 mm; how much energy and money
the new windows will save the home owner per month. Assume the cost of electricity for
heating/cooling is RM0.07/kWh.

6) Discuss the differences in the applications/practices of the chosen energy in Malaysia

and in the other location. The discussion need to be based on one of the following
aspects:
Energy source requirements and availabilities
Cultural and social aspects
Geographical aspects; e.g. middle of desert, on top of a mountain, etc.
Economic values; e.g. can the system build locally (economically feasible), can local
people afford to pay for this energy, etc.
Transport availabilities
Government policies
Manufacturing facilities
Communication processes
Timing aspects
Other areas

Project Group

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