Mechatronic systems are a class of cyber-physical systems, whose increasing complexity makes their validation and verification more and more difficult, while their requirements become more challenging. This paper introduces a development method based on model-based design, co-simulation and formal verification. The objective of this paper is to show the applicability of the method in an industrial setting. An application case study comes from the field of precision servo-motors, where formal verification has been used to find acceptable intervals of values for design parameters of the motor controller, which have been further explored using co-simulation to find optimal values. The reported results show that the method has been applied successfully to the case study, augmenting the current model-driven development processes by formal verification of stability, formal identification of acceptable parameter ranges, and automatic design-space exploration.

Annular seals of turbomachinery usually suffer from various degrees of eccentricities and disturbances due to the rotor−stator misalignment and radial loads, while the discussion of annular seal under both large static eccentricities and dynamic disturbances is relatively limited. In this paper, the applicability of linear assumption and reliability of nonlinear dynamic model for eccentric annular seals under large eccentricities and disturbances is discussed based on the investigation of seals with various rotor motions through computational fluid dynamics (CFD). After the validation of transient CFD methods by comparison with experimental and bulk theory results, the dynamic behaviors of annular seal are analyzed by adopting both direct transient simulations and the nonlinear Muszynska model. The results show that the nonlinear dynamic model based on rotor circular whirls around seal center can predict the fluid excitations of different types of rotor motions well under small static... [more]

One of the possibilities to reduce carbon dioxide emissions is the use of the CCS method, which consists of CO2 separation, transport and injection of carbon dioxide into geological structures such as depleted oil fields for its long-term storage. The combination of the advanced oil production method involving the injection of carbon dioxide into the reservoir (CO2-EOR) with its geological sequestration (CCS) is the CCS-EOR process. To achieve the best ecological effect, it is important to maximize the storage capacity for CO2 injected in the CCS phase. To achieve this state, it is necessary to maximize recovery factor of the reservoir during the CO2-EOR phase. For this purpose, it is important to choose the best location of CO2 injection wells. In this work, a new algorithm to optimize the location of carbon dioxide injection wells is developed. It is based on two key reservoir properties, i.e., porosity and permeability. The developed optimization procedure was tested on an exemplary... [more]

Large area multi-chip LED devices, such as chip-on-board (CoB) LEDs, require the combined use of chip-level multi-domain compact LED models (Spice-like compact models) and the proper description of distributed nature of the thermal environment (the CoB substrate and phosphor) of the LED chips. In this paper, we describe such a new numerical solver that was specifically developed for this purpose. For chip-level, the multi-domain compact modeling approach of the Delphi4LED project is used. This chip-level model is coupled to a finite difference scheme based numerical solver that is used to simulate the thermal phenomena in the substrate and in the phosphor (heat transfer and heat generation). Besides solving the 3D heat-conduction problem, this new numerical simulator also tracks the propagation and absorption of the blue light emitted by the LED chips, as well as the propagation and absorption of the longer wavelength light that is converted by the phosphor from blue. Heat generation i... [more]

Preserving the frequency stability of multiple microgrid clusters is a serious challenge. This work presents a dynamic model of multiple microgrid clusters with different types of distributed energy resources (DERs) and energy storage systems (ESSs) that was used to examine the load frequency control (LFC) of microgrids. The classical proportional integral derivative (PID) controllers were designed to tune the frequency of microgrids. Furthermore, an imperialist competitive algorithm (ICA) was proposed to investigate the frequency deviations of microgrids by considering renewable energy resources (RERs) and their load uncertainties. The simulation results confirmed the performance of the optimized PID controllers under different disturbances. Furthermore, the frequency control of the microgrids was evaluated by applying regional demand response programs (RDRPs). The simulation results showed that applying the RDRPs caused the damping of frequency fluctuations.

Next to building insulation, heat pumps driven by electrical compressors (eHPs) or by gas engines (geHPs) can be used to reduce primary energy demand for heating. They come with different investment requirements, operating costs and emissions caused. In addition, they affect both the power and gas grids, which necessitates the assessment of both infrastructures regarding grid expansion planning. To calculate costs and CO2 emissions, 2000 electrical load profiles and 180 different heat demand profiles for single-family homes were simulated and heat pump models were applied. In a case study for a neighborhood energy model, the load profiles were assigned to buildings in an example town using public data on locations, building age and energetic refurbishment variants. In addition, the town’s gas distribution network and low voltage grid were modeled. Power and gas flows were simulated and costs for required grid extensions were calculated for 11% and 16% heat pump penetration. It was foun... [more]

Isolated communities are progressively integrating renewable generation to reduce the societal, economic and ecological cost of diesel generation. Unfortunately, as renewable penetration and load variability increase, systems require greater diesel generation reserves, constraining renewable utilisation. Improved diesel generator flexibility can reduce the requirement for diesel reserves, allowing increased renewable hosting. Regrettably, it is uncommon for utilities to modify diesel generator control during the integration of renewable source generation. Identifying diesel generator flexibility and co-ordination as an essential component to optimising system hosting capacity, this paper investigates improved diesel generator flexibility and coordination via low-load diesel application. Case study comparisons for both high- and low-penetration hybrid diesel power systems are presented in King Island, Australia, and Moloka`i, Hawai`i, respectively. For King Island, the approach details... [more]

The use of emerging technologies such as cloud computing, Internet of Things, and Big Data, is increasing as tools to assist the management of data and information related to energy systems grow. This allows for greater flexibility, scalability of solutions, optimization of energy use, and management of energy devices. In this sense, the objective of this research is to present the basic elements and requirements for the energy cloud and its management and discuss the main management challenges and opportunities for the development and diffusion of the energy cloud. This study was based on a systematic review carried out to identify the elements that compose the energy cloud and what is necessary for its management, and to list the challenges and opportunities that may be explored by researchers and practitioners. The results show that the layout for the energy cloud and its management can be structured in layers and management support blocks’ format. It was found that 70 basic element... [more]

This paper introduces a modular testbed to simulate AC/DC microgrids. The testbed is implemented in Matlab Simulink and is based on the energetic macroscopic representation (EMR) formalism. It is designed to be a tool to evaluate energy management strategies in AC/DC microgrids. The microgrid simulation model includes a photovoltaic generator, a fuel cell system, ultracapacitors, and batteries on the DC side. It includes voltage source converters (VSC) to couple the DC side with the AC side of the microgrid, which includes a variable AC load and a synchronous generator. Two case studies illustrate the use of the testbed. The model is implemented in Matlab Simulink and made openly available for the scientific community. Using this model, researchers can develop and evaluate energy management strategies in AC/DC microgrids.

Wheat straw without pre-treatment is only converted to methane to a low degree during anaerobic digestion for fuel production due to its low hydrolysis. Current pre-treatment technologies are challenged by high expenses to energy or chemical agents. We examined the low-tech co-ensiling pre-treatment as an alternative pre-treatment of wheat straw, and compared the results with hydrothermal, chemical and mechanical pre-treatment methods. The effects of co-ensiling duration and the mixing ratio between straw and sugar beet root on the methane yields, surface morphology and chemical composition were examined. It was found that co-ensiling could improve production of methane by 34.7%, while a combined hydrothermal and chemical pre-treatment could increase the production of methane by 25.4%. The study demonstrated that the effect of co-ensiling could overlap with hydrothermal and chemical pre-treatment by having similar effects to increase lignocellulosic hydrolysis and improve methane produ... [more]

Light-emitting diode (LED) grow lights are increasingly used in large-scale indoor farming to provide controlled light intensity and spectrum to maximize photosynthesis at various growth stages of plants. As well as converting electricity into light, the LED chips generate heat, so the boards must be properly cooled to maintain the high efficiency and reliability of the LED chips. Currently, LED grow lights are cooled by forced convection air cooling, the fans of which are often the points of failure and also consumers of a significant amount of power. Natural convection cooling is promising as it does not require any moving parts, but one major design challenge is to improve its relatively low heat transfer rate. This paper presents a novel heat sink design for natural convection cooling of LED grow lights. The new design consists of a large rectangular fin array with openings in the base transverse to the fins to increase air flow, and hence the heat transfer. Numerical simulations a... [more]

In this paper, the dynamic responses of a large-scale multiple-support road viaduct to mining-induced seismic events registered in two regions of mining activity were compared. The regions differ in geological structure, which results in discrepancies in the dominant frequency content. Spatial variation of ground motion causing the kinematic excitation non-uniformity was accounted for in the dynamic analyses of this large-scale structure. Non-uniform mining-induced kinematic excitation models were proposed, with respect to the specificity of mining origin quakes. The dynamic performance of the viaduct was determined using three different methods of calculation: the time history analysis, the response spectrum analysis, and the multiple support response spectrum analysis. Both the uniform and non-uniform kinematic excitation models were adopted for the dynamic performance assessment. The research revealed that the dynamic response of some members of the structure, determined using the n... [more]

In previous studies on the indirect rebound effect due to income saved from energy efficiency improvement by households in an input−output model, household income is typically assumed constant before and after an efficiency improvement of their energy use. The assumption is implausible if we observe that households may not re-spend the saved income, which potentially reduces their consumption and national income including households, at least in the short term, in a country like China, where they have high saving propensity. In addition, income of other economic agents than households may also be affected. In this article, we provide an improved input−output model to clarify the issue and then use the 2017 input−output data of China to illustrate the potential indirect rebound effect due to household income saved from an energy efficiency improvement. Our results show that if the income impact in the short term is properly considered, then the indirect rebound effect due to the income... [more]

The increasing renewable energy sources RES penetration in today’s energy islands and rural energy communities with weak grid connections is expected to incur severe distribution network stability problems (i.e., congestion, voltage issues). Tackling these problems is even more challenging since RES spillage minimization and energy cost minimization for the local energy community are set as major pre-requisites. In this paper, we consider a Microgrid Operator (MGO) that: (i) gradually decides the optimal mix of its RES and flexibility assets’ (FlexAsset) sizing, siting and operation, (ii) respects the physical distribution network constraints in high RES penetration contexts, and (iii) is able to bid strategically in the existing day-ahead energy market. We model this problem as a Stackelberg game, expressed as a Mathematical Problem with Equilibrium Constraints (MPEC), which is finally transformed into a tractable Mixed Integer Linear Program (MILP). The performance evaluation results... [more]

Voids that are formed by gas injection in a packed bed play an important role in metallurgical and chemical furnaces. Herein, two-phase gas−solid flow in a two-dimensional packed bed during blast injection was simulated numerically. The results indicate that the void stability was dynamic, and the void shape and size fluctuated within a certain range. To determine the void morphology quantitatively, a probabilistic method was proposed. By statistically analyzing the white probability of each pixel in binary images at multiple times, the void boundaries that correspond to different probability ranges were obtained. The boundary that was most appropriate with the simulation result was selected and defined as the well-matched void boundary. Based on this method, the morphologies of voids that formed at different gas velocities were simulated and compared. The method can help us to express the morphological characteristics of the dynamically stable voids in a numerical simulation.

This paper focuses on the interdependent relationship of power generation, transportation and CO2 emissions to evaluate the impact of electric vehicle deployment on power generation and CO2 emissions. The value of this evaluation is in the employment of a large-scale, bottom-up, national energy modeling system that encompasses the complex relationships of producing, transforming, transmitting and supplying energy to meet the useful demand characteristics with great technological detail. One of such models employed in this analysis is the BUEMS model. The BUEMS model provides evidence of win-win policy options that lead to profitable decarbonization using Turkey’s data in BUEMS. Specifically, the result shows that a ban on diesel fueled vehicles reduces lifetime emissions as well as lifetime costs. Furthermore, model results highlight the cost-effective emission reduction potential of e-buses in urban transportation. More insights from the results indicate that the marginal cost of emis... [more]

The electrical sector needs to study how energy demand changes to plan the maintenance and purchase of energy assets properly. Prediction studies for energy demand require a high level of reliability since a deviation in the forecasting demand could affect operation costs. This paper proposed a short-term forecasting energy demand methodology based on hierarchical clustering using Dynamic Time Warp as a similarity measure integrated with Artificial Neural Networks. Clustering was used to build the typical curve for each type of day, while Artificial Neural Networks handled the weather sensibility to correct a preliminary forecasting curve obtained in the clustering stage. A statistical analysis was carried out to identify those significant factors in the prediction model of energy demand. The performance of this proposed model was measured through the Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE). The experimental results show that the three-stage methodology was able to improve the MAPE, reac... [more]

Adsorption refrigeration systems are promising, sustainable solutions for many cooling applications. The operating range and the performance of an adsorption cooling cycle are strongly dependent on the properties of adsorbents, adsorbates, and bed coatings. Therefore, further research and analysis may lead to improved performance of adsorption coolers. In this paper, studies on working pairs using natural refrigerants and the properties of adsorbent coatings were reviewed. The selected working pairs were then thermodynamically characterised and ranked in terms of refrigerant evaporation temperature values. This was found to be a key parameter affecting the applicability of a given adsorbent/adsorbate pair and the value of SCP (Specific Cooling Power), COP (Coefficient of Performance) parameters, which are now commonly used comparison criteria of adsorption chillers. In the analysis of the coating studies, the focus was on the effect of individual parameters on the performance of the co... [more]

Lateral support systems in vehicles have a high potential for reduction of lane departure crashes. To profit from their full potential, such systems should function properly in adverse conditions. Literature indicates that their accuracy varies between day and night-time. However, detailed quantifications of the systems’ performance in these conditions are rare. The aim of this study is to investigate the differences in detection quality and view range of Mobileye 630 in dry daytime and night-time conditions. On-road tests on four rural road sections in Croatia were conducted. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to test the difference between the number of quality rankings while absolute average, average difference and standard deviation were used to analyse the view range. Also, a paired samples t-test was used to test the difference between conditions for each line on each road. The overall results confirm that a significant difference in lane detection quality view range exists betwe... [more]

Rural two-lane highways are the most common road type both in Poland and globally. In terms of kilometres, their length is by far greater than that of motorways and expressways. They are roads of one carriageway for each direction, which makes the overtaking of slower vehicles possible only when there is a gap in the stream of traffic moving from the opposite direction. Motorways and express roads are dual carriageways that are expected to support high speed travel mainly over long distances. Express roads have somewhat lower technical parameters and a lower speed limit than motorways. Two-lane highways are used for both short- and long-distance travel. The paper presents selected studies conducted in Poland in 2016−2018 on rural two-lane highways and focuses on the context of the need for their reliability. The research was carried out on selected short and longer road sections located in various surroundings, grouped in terms of curvature change rate CCR, longitudinal slopes and cros... [more]

Results-based financing (RBF) programmes in the clean cooking sector have gained increasing donor interest over the last decade. Although the risks and advantages of RBF have been discussed quite extensively for other sectors, especially health services, there is limited research-documented experience of its application to clean cooking. Due to the sheer scale of the important transition from ‘dirty’ to clean cooking for the 4 billion people who lack access, especially in the Global South, efficient and performance-proven solutions are urgently required. This paper, undertaken as part of the work of the UKAid-funded Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS) programme, aims to close an important research gap by reviewing evidence-based support mechanisms and documenting essential experiences from previous and ongoing RBF programmes in the clean cooking and other sectors. On this basis, the paper derives key strategic implications and learning lessons for the global scaling of RBF programmes... [more]

Some of the frequently used buzz words in the corporate sector include green leadership, green human resource management, green employee engagement and green work-life balance. The intention of this article is to identify and examine the logical reasons that govern “green work-life balance” or, in simple terms, “greenwashing” work-life balance. The paper also aims at providing a comprehensive conceptualization of work-life balance, while thoroughly examining the components of measuring the construct. Based on a cross-sectional study in the banking industry with a sample of 170 managerial employees, this study analyzes the impact of work-life balance on employee job performance mediated by employee engagement. Results support the assumed relationship between work-life balance and employee job performance embedded in employee engagement. The theoretical contribution of this study concerns the application of role behavior theory to describe the mechanisms shaping the relationship between... [more]

Climate change has visible effects with growing dynamics in the last decades [...]

The growing number of variable speed drives (VSDs) in industry has an impact on the future development of condition monitoring methods. In research, more and more attention is being paid to condition monitoring based on motor current evaluation. However, there are currently only a few contributions to current-based pump diagnosis. In this paper, two current-based methods for the detection of bearing defects, impeller clogging, and cracked impellers are presented. The first approach, load point-dependent fault indicator analysis (LoPoFIA), is an approach that was derived from motor current signature analysis (MCSA). Compared to MCSA, the novelty of LoPoFIA is that only amplitudes at typical fault frequencies in the current spectrum are considered as a function of the hydraulic load point. The second approach is advanced transient current signature analysis (ATCSA), which represents a time-frequency analysis of a current signal during start-up. According to the literature, ATCSA is mainl... [more]

The fourth industrial revolution is accelerating industrial automation. In industrial networks, manufacturing processes require hard real-time communication where the latency is less than 1ms. Time-sensitive networking (TSN) technology over Ethernet already supports deterministic delivery for real-time communication. However, TSN technologies over wireless networks are currently in their initial development stage. Therefore, this study presents an overview of TSN research trends in wireless communications. This paper focuses on 5G networks and IEEE 802.11. We summarize standardization trends for TSN in 5G networks and introduce the TSN technologies for 802.11-based WLAN. Then, we introduce the integration scenario of 5GS with WLAN. This study provides insights into wireless communication technologies for wireless TSN.