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PV Large Utility Visual Inspection via Unmanned Vehicles
No full textThe robotics for Inspection and Maintenance (I&M) was introduced decades ago. Increasing their technologies, they were more and more used in more complex scenarios, thanks also to the legged robots able to move on uneven terrain as well as drones always more autonomous. Energy production plants were investigated in this paper, to evaluate how is the suitability for autonomous I&M; that’s matter of facts, that, until now, robotic based inspection of photovoltaic systems was considered only as one of the possible I&M strategies feasible for this category of energy systems. In this work, the advantages of autonomous inspection systems for large photovoltaic systems are discussed by connecting them to the specific characteristics of a large photovoltaic utility plant. The objective is to highlight that, based on a large investigation, in the case of photovoltaic energy, robotic inspection is a necessity rather than an option
Multiphysics FEM Integration Issues – A Case Study in Nuclear Fusion Research Activities
No full textThe engineering design phase usually requires the integration of different types of studies and analyses for the definition of the whole system. Depending on their nature, these studies can be carried out thanks to specific FEM models and tools which differ from each other on the basis of the physics problem under investigation. A proper methodology for integration of different analyses is needed, in order to transfer information and integrate the multi-physics issues. The aim of this paper is to present a methodological framework supporting the analyses integration process and the results assessment. Based on a CAD-centric approach, the framework is applied in the software Ansys Workbench, to show how to deal with this problem in such tool, thanks to the Import Load function. A study case is considered in the nuclear fusion research field: multiphysics analysis on DEMO divertor, where several physics interact with each other due to the relevant complexity of such systems. In this study, force results from FEM EM analysis are imported into the structural analyses, in order to evaluate the effect of such loads on the cassette structure. Problems dealt with concern the difference of meshes’ specifics and the varying of load interpolation settings
Overview of the Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Future of Renewable Energy
No full textThe paper at hand portrays the merging of AI with the realm of renewable energy in the view of sustainable power. It considers the discussion on the advancements made in the state of the art as to the country-wise situation in elaboration to depict how AI is integrated in the betterment of renewable energy feasibility, effectiveness, and levels of grid integration. In applications concerning solar potentials, AI algorithms - primarily when unsupervised - are implemented in such systems to actualize the maximum effective passive solar potential. The next research demonstrates how these algorithms, when used with large datasets to achieve efficiency, may be employed toward the prediction and perhaps aid in the avoidance of recombination events in solar cells. This research will use artificial intelligence (AI) to band gap engineering in order to improve solar absorption efficiency. Gradient Boosting and Random Forest, belonging to the family of Machine Learning techniques, will be used for simulating: the way these patterns are associated between the patterns of solar irradiation, climatic variables, and energy output. It concludes with a view of how the predictive power of AI will shape a future in energy that is resilient and sustainable. (Figure. 1
Engagement Activities with the United Kingdom Regulators for the Westinghouse Lead Fast Reactor
No full textIn the period 2017-2023 Westinghouse and its partners participated in the United Kingdom (UK) Advanced Modular Reactor (AMR) Feasibility and Development program, which resulted in significant advancements in the development of the Westinghouse Lead-cooled Fast Reactor (LFR) and of LFR technology in general. In addition to the setup of eight state-of-the-art LFR test facilities, this program included engagement activities with the UK regulators, i.e., the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) and the Environment Agency (EA). The purpose of this engagement was to seek and receive the regulators’ feedback on topics of interest to support and streamline potential licensing activities for the Westinghouse LFR in the UK, and beyond. A series of seven engagement meetings enhanced the regulators’ familiarity with LFR technology and stimulated feedback on topics that Westinghouse deemed to be of high importance (or unique to LFR technology) from the licensing perspective. This feedback further informed the development plan for the Westinghouse LFR, in a way conducive to streamlining future engagements with global nuclear regulators and thus supporting the path toward deployment of the Westinghouse LFR
Integrative Analysis of Movement: AI-Enhanced Video and Inertial Sensors in Athletic Contexts
No full textAn in-depth examination of human movement proves invaluable for healthcare professionals and trainers, facilitating targeted interventions for specific pathologies, assessing movement compensation in post-injury activity, or identifying particular technical flaws. The exploited video analysis system excels in extracting pivotal features associated with subjects’ movements, and it has been successfully used in diverse scenarios, encompassing clinical contexts with neurodegenerative disease patients and sports environments with both amateur and professional athletes. Wearable inertial devices can provide comparable information, although they may involve, due to their invasiveness, a possible alteration of the specific movement. Nevertheless, they are very useful when video analysis cannot be used due to occlusions or other recording difficulties. This preliminary study aims to integrate movement measurements obtained through a marker less video analysis system that leverages artificial intelligence techniques with those acquired through inertial sensors directly placed on subjects
Decision Support System for the Monitoring and Risk Analysis of National Critical Entities
No full textThe EU Directive “Critical Entity Resilience” (CER Directive) has clearly indicated the need for a change of paradigm in the domain of protection and resilience enhancement of Critical Infrastructures. On the one hand, it has extended the set of Infrastructure having the right to be considered as “critical” and, accordingly must be coherently managed and protected, as it were a unique “system of systems”. On the other hand, the removal of the terms “protection” and “infrastructure” to leave room for the terms “entity” and “resilience” provides further evidence that, besides a complete interdependence among the physical systems (the “infrastructure”), a considerable role and relevance are played by the stakeholders, the operators which have a critical role in infrastructure’s management. The present work highlights the major issues needed to comply with the cited changes of paradigm implied in the CER Directive and the description of technological results allowing the implementation of these changes into an operational contest. The operational implementation of these strategies and technologies in Italy has been designed to be cast into a best practice, currently under further development, which might constitute a driver initiative that could be replicated in other EU Member States. An example of the capabilities of the technologies purposely realized to implement the strategy will be given
Preliminary results of the deployment of the Smart Readiness Indicator in Italy
No full textThe Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI) was firstly introduced by the 3rd Energy Performance of Buildings Directive as an optional certification scheme to rate the smart readiness of buildings and promote building smartness throughout Europe. According to the 4th EPBD recast the Commission shall, by June 2027, adopt a delegated and an implementing act by requiring the application of a common scheme for rating the smart readiness of buildings to highly energy intensive non-residential buildings. Although the SRI legal framework is now well defined, on the technical hand, national authorities must provide details of the SRI calculation for their own building stocks. Nowadays, only a generic technical framework designed after extensive European stakeholder consultations is available, allowing the SRI currently being officially tested in 13 EU countries. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the research activities currently ongoing at a national level on SRI to define a methodological approach for SRI calculation tailored for the national context. The standard and tailored methodologies were then compared using two representative case studies in the tertiary sector of the Italian building stock. Despite the high level of technological equipment, the results showed that the SRI indicator obtainable with the standard methodology was low. This suggests that an adaptation of the catalogue of smart-ready services will be required to make it more responsive to the characteristics of existing buildings and to the devices currently available on the market
0D physical model for the charging phase of shell-and-tube Latent Heat Thermal Storage
No full textThe transition to sustainable energy raises many issues that need to be addressed in order to develop reliable energy production infrastructures. Among these challenges, the mismatch between primary energy sources and energy loads stands out as a significant barrier to the widespread adoption of renewable technologies. Efficient energy storage solutions are crucial to mitigate this mismatch and facilitate the integration of renewable energy sources into existing grids. In this study, to evaluate the performance of this component within any plant, we focus on developing a simple yet effective model for predicting the behavior of shell-and-tube latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) systems limiting the analysis to the melting phase. LHTES systems offer promising potential due to their high energy density and ability to store thermal energy at a slightly constant temperature. However, their performance depends on various factors such as material properties, geometry and operating conditions, which require accurate predictive models for optimization and design purposes. Our proposed model uses fundamental principles of heat transfer and phase change phenomena to simulate the behavior of LHTES systems during the melting phase. By considering factors such as heat transfer coefficients, phase change kinetics and thermal properties of the storage medium, our model aims to provide insight into the thermal performance and efficiency of shell-and-tube LHTES configurations. Through validation against experimental data and numerical simulations, we demonstrate the effectiveness of our model in accurately predicting key performance metrics such as charge rates, temperature distribution within the storage medium, and overall energy storage efficiency. Its simplicity and computational efficiency make it suitable for practical applications, enabling engineers and designers to optimize LHTES systems for specific operating conditions and integration scenarios
Status of the production of GEM chambers for the CMS experiment at Large Hadron Collider
No full textThe High Luminosity LHC phase includes an upgrade to the muon stations for the CMS Experiment. CMS trigger and muon identification performance will be crucial, and it is, therefore, necessary to install new GEM stations to extend acceptance in the high-η region. An explanation of the quality control test and an update on the status of production will be provided
How ENEA is Facilitating the Transition to a Circular Economy in Italy Through Industrial Symbiosis
No full textIndustrial Symbiosis (IS) stands out as one of the most significant tools for implementing the circular economy (CE) at the territorial level and attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This recognition is reflected in various strategic and policy documents of both the European Union and Italy. IS represents a systemic approach to fostering a more sustainable and integrated industrial system, addressing the collaboration of organizations not usually operating together in a territorial interaction process. The main objective is to gain competitive advantages by leveraging underutilized resources, including by-products, residues, waste, energy, water, logistics, capacity, skills, equipment, and materials, thereby extending their productive use. Regarding this, the support of experts in the role of facilitators is paramount for the successful design of an IS pathway. This paper provides a brief overview of the integrated methodological approach and tools developed by ENEA - the Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy, and Sustainable Economic Development since 2010. These tools aim to facilitate Italy’s transition to a CE through the implementation of IS