Program to Evaluate Alternative Energy Sources May 08-03

1. Input Page Output Page The general problem lies with residents who may be dissatisfied with their current energy provider and are unaware of possible alternative energy sources that might be used as a primary or backup source. Some concerns a resident may have are cost, installation, lifespan, and a comparison with their current energy costs. Residents need a tool to aide them in their research and decision on their energy supply. Key Project Requirements Program to Evaluate Alternative Energy SourcesMay 08-03 -The program shall accept a zip code to utilize the weather database to see which sources are more feasible in their area. -The program shall list feasible sources including the average costs of installation, operation, maintenance, and protection and compare them to their current utility costs. -The program shall provide generic information about each source which will be outputted. This includes the pros and cons of the source, the average life span of the source, the requirements of the sources including costs, and links to more information about the source. -The program shall take no longer than five minutes of run time, which will be measured from when the user submits all data to when the user receives the final outputs. -The program shall be designed so that multiple users can access the program at the same time with no problems. -The program shall interface to the Dec07-03 Economic Engine. The program shall take all outputs and data from the Dec07-03 Economic Engine. -The program shall be compatible with a standards-compliant web browser. (Firefox 2.0 or higher, IE 7 or higher, Safari 3 or higher) The output page comes directly from the Economic Engine built by December 07-03. It includes the estimated total costs, along with which pieces of equipment are used in the calculation. It also includes average maintenance and repair costs associated with the equipment. The cost is calculated over a 30 year period that takes into account the loan information and provides an analysis section that determines whether or not this setup is feasible in the current users’ conditions. After viewing this information, the user can return to their inputs and make modifications as they see fit. Load Processor System Testing Speed Testing: -Maximum time of five minutes to retrieve results Multiple User Testing: -Can handle up to five users simultaneously Browser Compliance Testing: -Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Safari compatibility Zip Code Testing -Zip code retrieves correct weather data Solution Problem Statement Alpha/Beta Testing The solution that has been chosen is to create a website that can meet the needs of these residents and provide a central source for alternative energy information. This would be done by providing a form that the user can intuitively access and navigate through via an internet browser. This form would ask for information regarding their current utility rates, information regarding the significant loads they have, as well as some simple information regarding the layout of the surrounding area. Using this information, as well as information gathered through research on local weather history, and regulations, the system will choose feasible sources for the user and pass them onto an economic engine. This engine, provided by Dec07-03, will calculate rates and costs for the feasible sources which will be returned to the user in a readable fashion. Alpha: -Survey given to client and advisors. Any issues/bugs mentioned are addressed. Beta: -Survey given to potential customers unrelated to project. Any issues/bugs mentioned are addressed System Diagram The Load Processor is the part of the project that converts the user’s load information into a format capable of being inputted into the Economic Engine. It also takes into account whether a user wishes to just use their current utility bills, wishes to replace a high power usage item, add an addition to their house, or just enter information for a completely new house. All the estimates made are over a five year span and include the average increase in power usage from year to year. Conclusion Schedule & Resources Alternative energy sources are receiving a lot of attention in the energy market of the world due to their clean emissions and non-dependency on oil, coal, or other resources. While the efficiency of these devices has yet to reach the level of other forms of energy, the benefit they provide to the world encourages us to continue and pursue their usefulness. This project is geared toward those who wish to explore how these alternative sources could help improve their own life. Our primary purpose was to create a user friendly internet-based form that an average user could use to better educate themselves on the feasibility of alternative energy throughout Iowa. We hope that they receive the most accurate estimate available to them. Alternative energy sources are the energy of the future. It is small projects like these that work to give public awareness of their continuously improving feasibility in a world that is working to cut their dependency on environmentally damaging energy sources. Team MembersClientAdvisors Brad Smith (Team Leader) Senior Design Dr. John Lamont GraigSchadle (Communications Coordinator) Prof. Ralph Patterson III Ethan Wilder Mr. Steve Larsen MukulSabharwal http://seniord.ece.iastate.edu/may0803 Personal Information/Login Property Information Profile Manager HTML Output User Current Future Bill Information Interaction Common Loads Input Form New House Information No Changes Changes Load Database Energy Use Information Zip Code Load Information Location and Billing Information Source Code Zip Code Convertor Addition Item Form Processor Load Processor Formatted Information Formatted Load Information City, County Current and New Item Information Addition Information Engine Output Page (Dec 07-03) Modify Bill Information Create Data to Fill Form Economic Engine (Dec 07-03) Engine Input Page (Dec 07-03)