1,720,985 research outputs found
A model for filter diagnostics in a syngas-fed CHP plant
No full textBiomass gasification is an important opportunity for power generation and combined heat and power (CHP), as it allows for biomass use in high efficiency, low emissions energy systems, e.g., internal combustion engines. Biomass-based CHP is particularly interesting for the service sector, as it allows to use a programmable renewable energy source to produce both electricity and heat, unlike photovoltaic systems which are typically used in this sector. Yet, small-scale gasification and CHP systems have a poor diffusion, due to a lack of acknowledged reliability. To improve reliability and performance, accurate simulation models may be useful, in particular for system control and diagnosis. For this purpose, the project SYNBIOSE proposes the installation, testing and simulation of a commercial-grade system for the gasification of lignocellulosic woodchips and pellets coupled to CHP in the campus of the University of Parma. One of the project deliverables is a simulation model of the whole gasification and CHP plant, for system diagnosis. The model has a modular structure (to allow for improvements and applications) and is implemented in MATLAB®/Simulink®. The present work focuses on syngas filters, which are among the most critical components. The outcome is a model able to predict the operation of filters taking into account inlet gas characteristics and fouling. Model analysis, sensitivity analysis and validation showed that simulation outputs are consistent with the physical behavior and experimental data. The model proved to be useful for system and components simulation and diagnosis
Design and energy performance assessment of high-efficiency lighting systems
No full textIndoor lighting efficiency is a major opportunity for energy efficiency in buildings, towards near zero energy buildings. In addition to increasing lamp efficacy, lighting design has evolved from a “night-time” approach to a “day-time approach”, taking advantage of control equipment and strategies and of daylight contribution. To date, lighting efficiency is committed to the designer’s skill, while an aided design tool could allow for a real-time efficient design. In this work, evaluation procedures are reviewed and a design tool is devised. A set of case studies is then evaluated, returning reference values and
comments for an efficient lighting design. An efficient lighting system is then proposed, according to design comments. In conclusion, a real-time design aid can be a useful tool for efficient lighting design
A fuzzy-based building automation control system. Optimizing the level of energy performance and comfort in an office space by taking advantage of building automation systems and solar energy
No full textBuilding Automation Systems BAS are the key to improve the energy performance of buildings and the occupants’ comfort. There is a need to build a knowledge base on the matter and to grow suitable algorithms for a smart management of the “intelligent buildings”. Indeed, fuzzy logic is a valuable candidate for developing robust algorithms. The scope of the present work is to validate a fuzzy logic approach able to optimize the level of energy performance and comfort in an office space, taking advantage of BAS and solar energy. In BAS, dynamic elements (e.g. dynamic façade and luminaires) can exploit daylight and solar gain; on the condition that well-programmed integrated multicriteria decision making methods are used. In this paper, a virtual model of a Smart Office Room SOR, equipped with dynamic shading, lighting and air conditioning control system, was studied and different scenarios were considered: i) control versus no-control; ii) economy versus comfort mode; iii) fluorescent versus LED; iv) dimming versus switching. Both economy and comfort mode showed a better energy performance than non-controlled scenarios. In conclusion, the proposed model is a valuable tool to optimize comfort features and energy demand as a whole
Electrical Vehicles and Charging Stations: State of Art and Future Perspectives
No full textElectric Vehicles are receiving significant attention due to their zero or low emissions, thus decreasing the high CO2 emissions of the transport sector. Their spread is subordinated to the availability of the suitable electrical infrastructure for the charging, connected to the public and private electric grids. In addition, in the next future, the interaction with the grid will not be limited to charging service (Grid to Vehicle, G2V), but could become bidirectional: EVs will also be able to provide auxiliary services to the electric grid, according to Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) operation. The present paper includes an overview on EVs and charging stations classifications, in reference to different features. Then, the state of art in terms of market features on EVs and charging stations at international and Italian national level is analysed. Finally, a focus on the current performance and costs is reported
Assessing the Economic Feasibility of PV-BESS Systems in Connection with Pandemic-induced Loads
No full textCOVID-19 has impacted on energy (uses, load pro-files) and mobility (patterns, means of transport). The change can create a fertile environment for local renewable generation, energy storage, and electrical mobility. In this context, the scope of this work is to assess the economic feasibility of a residential system of PV generation, electrochemical storage, and charging point, following pandemic-induced loads. First, the prospected impact is estimated via a simplified model. Then, a dynamic model is used to simulate the system operation subjected to a rule-based control. Different scenarios are considered, to assess the impact of the pandemic. The results show that the pandemic loads increase the savings from the PV-BESS system, +36% in the presence of a home-charged EV and +40% in its absence. Further savings can be theoretically achieved by tailoring the system design to the specific load demand
A model for the simulation of the gas cleaning system in a syngas-fed CHP plant
No full textBiomass gasification is a promising solution for power generation and combined heat and power (CHP). The conversion to syngas allows for a more efficient use of biomasses with low pollutant emissions in internal combustion engines. Small-scale plants do not have the expected diffusion, mainly due to a lack of experimental experience. To overcome this drawback, accurate simulation models may be useful for the diagnostics and control of these systems. A commercial-grade system, fueled by syngas from lignocellulosic woodchips, has been installed in the Science and Technologies Campus of the University of Parma, within the SYNBIOSE project. The scope is to acquire knowledge to improve small-scale gasification and CHP plants for the tertiary sector. The project includes the development of a simulation model for system diagnostics. The syngas cleaning line is a critical part of CHP plants. It must remove any solid/liquid fraction from the raw syngas, as produced by the gasifier, yielding the clean gas. To this extent, a MATLAB®/Simulink® model has been developed and is described in the paper. It is able to predict the operation according to the inputs and operating parameters, e.g. considering fluid inlet characteristics and fouling. Model analysis showed that the calculation results are consistent with the physical behavior of the plant, providing a first validation of the proposed model. The model can be useful for system simulation and diagnostics
Simulation and sensitivity analysis of a fuzzy-based building automation control system
No full textBuilding Automation Systems BAS are the key to
improve the energy performance of buildings and the occupants’
comfort. There is a need to build a knowledge base on the matter
and to grow suitable algorithms for a smart management of the
“intelligent buildings”. Indeed, fuzzy logic is a valuable
candidate for developing robust algorithms. The scope of the
present work is to validate a fuzzy logic approach able to
optimize the level of energy performance and comfort in an
office space, taking advantage of BAS and solar energy. In BAS,
dynamic elements (e.g. dynamic façade and luminaires) can
exploit daylight and solar gain; on the condition that wellprogrammed
integrated multicriteria decision making methods
are used. In this paper, a virtual model of a Smart Office Room
SOR, equipped with dynamic shading, lighting and air
conditioning control system, was studied and different scenarios
were considered: i) control versus no-control; ii) economy versus
comfort mode; iii) fluorescent versus LED; iv) dimming versus
switching. Both economy and comfort mode showed a better
energy performance than non-controlled scenarios. In
conclusion, the proposed model is a valuable tool to optimize
comfort features and energy demand as a whole.Building Automation Systems BAS are the key to
improve the energy performance of buildings and the occupants’
comfort. There is a need to build a knowledge base on the matter
and to grow suitable algorithms for a smart management of the
“intelligent buildings”. Indeed, fuzzy logic is a valuable
candidate for developing robust algorithms. The scope of the
present work is to validate a fuzzy logic approach able to
optimize the level of energy performance and comfort in an
office space, taking advantage of BAS and solar energy. In BAS,
dynamic elements (e.g. dynamic façade and luminaires) can
exploit daylight and solar gain; on the condition that wellprogrammed
integrated multicriteria decision making methods
are used. In this paper, a virtual model of a Smart Office Room
SOR, equipped with dynamic shading, lighting and air
conditioning control system, was studied and different scenarios
were considered: i) control versus no-control; ii) economy versus
comfort mode; iii) fluorescent versus LED; iv) dimming versus
switching. Both economy and comfort mode showed a better
energy performance than non-controlled scenarios. In
conclusion, the proposed model is a valuable tool to optimize
comfort features and energy demand as a whole
Design and classification of smart metering systems for the energy diagnosis of buildings
No full textAt present, buildings account for a great share of energy consumption. It is well known that building automation control systems allow for increasing opportunities of improvement in the performance of buildings, with respect to e.g. energy performance and indoor comfort. As system within a building become more and more complex, buildings can be regarded not merely as a load but as a smart micro grid, with the possibility of actively interacting with a smart grid. In the depicted context, metering is essential for assessing the performance of management and detecting improvement opportunities. The scope of the present work is to propose a best practice for the implementation of smart metering systems in buildings and a practical methodology to classify the systems. In the present work, a novel classification protocol is devised; an existing metering system is then evaluated and an improved metering system is proposed. The proposed protocol rates the system performance via a set of weighted indicators -according to positioning of meters, measured data, system architecture, data visualization and monitored loads -, then calculates an overall grade. The protocol is tested on an existing metering system in an educational building. The metering system returns a poor rating and a number of flaws are detected thanks to the benchmark protocol. An improved metering system is then proposed which fixes existing flaws and returns a much better grade. In conclusion, the designed classification protocol allowed diagnosing an existing metering system and pinpointing improvement opportunities and it can be a useful practice in diagnostics or design of smart metering systems
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
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