Search results for "Energy source"
showing 10 items of 615 documents
A neural network-based optimizing control system for a seawater-desalination solar-powered membrane distillation unit
2013
Abstract Several schemes have been proposed so far for coupling desalination processes with the use of renewable energy. One of their main drawbacks, however, is the nature of the energy source that requires a discontinuous and non-stationary operation, with some control and optimization problems. In the present work, a solar powered membrane distillation system has been used for developing an optimizing control strategy. A neural network (NN) model of the system has been trained and tested using experimental data purposely collected. Afterwards, the NN model has been used for the analysis of the process performance under various operating conditions, namely distillate production versus fee…
Development of a Membrane Distillation module for solar energy seawater desalination
2012
Abstract Membrane Distillation (MD) processes are gaining growing interest among novel desalination technologies, in particular for small scale applications also coupled with non-conventional energy sources. In the present work an original laboratory scale planar geometry Membrane Distillation unit was designed, built and tested for future coupling with solar energy. Though conceptually simple, the original geometry was developed in order to allow for multi-stage arrangement, compactness, internal heat recovery and possible integration with a polymeric heat exchanger for final brine heating by means of solar energy or waste heat. The laboratory scale unit was tested in order to investigate …
Control of the Biodegradation of Mixed Wastes in a Continuous Bioreactor by a Type-2 Fuzzy Logic Controller
2009
Abstract Type-2 fuzzy logic control is proposed for nonlinear processes characterized by bifurcations. A control simulation study was conducted for a bioreactor with cell recycle containing phenol and glucose as carbon and energy sources in which a pure culture of Pseudomonas putida is carried out. The model developed by Ajbar [Ajbar, A. (2001). Stability analysis of the biodegradation of mixed wastes in a continuous bioreactor with cell recycle. Water Research, 35 (5), 1201–1208] was used for the simulations. The particular dynamics of the bioreactor, characterized by two saddle-node bifurcations, makes its control difficult, since it may become unstable also for small variations of some p…
Small Wind Technology Diffusion in Suburban Areas of Sicily
2015
Among renewable energy resources, wind energy became more attractive in the last decade. Wind farm installations dramatically increased in areas where climatic conditions, topography, and environment have allowed their development. The installation of wind turbines, usually carried out in remote areas, recently began to cover areas identified by a complex terrain such as urban and suburban zones. Although these new plant choices are characterized by lower productivity, there is increasing interest in wind energy production in both urban and suburban areas. In this work the authors have carried out an energy analysis developed from a sample of small wind turbines available on the market. Thi…
Techno-economic optimum sizing of hybrid renewable energy system
2013
Using off grid hybrid renewable energy systems for rural electrification has become an attractive solution for those areas, where grid electricity is not feasible or cost of the grid extension is relatively large. Hybrid system combines several energy systems together, therefore it can supply high reliable electricity rather than a PV/battery system or a wind/battery system. But the most important thing is that the system should be economically attractive. To achieve both of these features, each of the components in the hybrid system should be optimally sized. This requires a detailed techno-economic analysis of different possible hybrid system configurations. The objective of this study is…
Sustainable Transportation Management System for a Fleet of Electric Vehicles
2015
In the last few years, significant efforts have been devoted to developing intelligent and sustainable transportation to address pollution problems and fuel shortages. Transportation agencies in various countries, along with several standardization organizations, have proposed different types of energy sources (such as hydrogen, biodiesel, electric, and hybrid technologies) as alternatives to fossil fuel to achieve a more ecofriendly and sustainable environment. However, to achieve this goal, there are significant challenges that still need to be addressed. We present a survey on sustainable transportation systems that aim to reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. We describe the ar…
Optimization of a thermoelectric system for power generation realized by ‘‘hidden’’ components
2014
Abstract Today the utilization of renewable energy sources is very important to support the traditional ones, and also in order to reach the objectives fixed by the Kyoto Protocol. In this context, also well-known technologies related to the electric energy production, formerly not suitable – due to the poor technological level of the components or due to the high costs linked to the system efficiency – may now find a suitable collocation. Among these technologies, the thermoelectric effect may be very advantageous in some particular applications of small power. A power generation system utilizing this technology has been studied by the authors. This system utilizes the thermal difference b…
Eletric vehicles impact using renewable energy
2015
In this moment, the principle topics for the modern world are the reduction of environmental pollution and the production of energy from renewable sources (for example photovoltaic system, wind farm, hydroelectric plants, etc.). This particular attention is determined by different reasons, in particular from the Kyoto Protocol, and from different problems as greenhouse effect, acid rain and climate change. The scope of this work is to study, for different years (1997-2013) in Italy, the production of electric energy from renewable and non-renewable. At a later stage, the attention will be on the consumption of the electric energy divided for different sectors. In particular, we study the po…
Smart grid integrated green data centres as ancillary service providers
2015
In this paper a review of Green Data Centres facilities to support smart grids operation is proposed. The paper describes the ancillary services a Green Data Centre can provide both in terms of spinning reserve provision and different regulation services. In the application section, a real electrical grid hosting a data centre is considered. The infrastructure is owned by Engineering S.p.A. and is installed in northern Italy. The system has been considered as connected to the MV distribution grid in presence of other renewable energy sources. The impact of possible power management operations over the considered data centre has been studied by means of a simulation software and the spinning…
Optimal Energy Management of Smart Grids With Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles
2015
In this paper, smart grids based on Renewable Energy Sources are addressed. An Italian case study which has been developed in the frame of the research project i-NEXT (Innovation for green Energy and eXchange in Transportation) is presented. Storage elements are included. Electric and fuel cell powered vehicles' charging stations are here included as local loads. In this paper, power management algorithms and the control logic are described. The control subsystem aims at an efficient management of the involved renewable energy sources avoiding faults in the power system and ensuring a fully functional supply of local loads. A “Service Center” software collecting data from renewable sources,…