Search Results (51)

Ensuring the resilience and efficiency of modern distribution networks is increasingly critical in the presence of distributed energy resources (DERs). This study presents a multi-objective optimization framework based on a Genetic Algorithm (GA) to improve voltage profiles, minimize active power losses, and enhance resilience in a radial distribution network. A simplified 6-bus radial test system with DERs at buses 2, 3, and 4 is considered as a proof-of-concept case study. The GA optimizes control variables, including DER setpoints and network reconfiguration, under operational and thermal constraints. The optimization employs a weighted objective function combining voltage profile improvement, loss minimization, and a resilience penalty term that accounts for bus voltage collapse and branch overloads during DER contingencies. Simulation results demonstrate that the GA significantly improves network performance: the minimum bus voltage rises from 0.92 pu to 0.97 pu, while the total real power losses decrease by 46% (from 55.3 kW to 29.7 kW). Moreover, in the event of a DER outage, the optimized configuration preserves 100% load delivery, compared to 89% in the base case. These findings confirm that GA is an effective and practical tool for enhancing distribution network operation and resilience under high DER penetration. Future work will extend the approach to larger IEEE benchmark systems and time-series scenarios. Full article

A multilayered coating process, based on cement and silica fume, was applied to the surface of expanded vermiculite aggregate (EVA) using a cold bonding method. This investigation represents the first systematic study of this multilayered coating method, with the objective of evaluating the effectiveness of coating thickness in the production of high-performance lightweight mortar. In the experimental phase of this study, a range of aggregate replacement levels was examined, and a series of tests were conducted to assess parameters such as dry density, porosity, thermal conductivity, water absorption, sorptivity, compressive strength, flexural strength, and shear strength. The obtained Mohr–Coulomb (MC) constitutive model parameters and shear strength properties were verified numerically. The verification process facilitated the simulation of the three-dimensional (3D) combined behavior of the produced mortar with cement paste, cement–silica fume liner, and EVA. The simulation was conducted using a micro-scale finite element (FE) model based on the Computer Tomography (CT) data. The Pareto-efficient utilization boundaries of coated-EVA in the production of high-strength lightweight mortar are then specified using Response Surface optimization analyses. The present study demonstrates that the cold bonding multilayered coating process is a highly effective aggregate-strengthening method. This study revealed that the Pareto-efficient replacement range of coated-EVA is 24–58%, corresponding to a coating thickness of 0.9–2.6 mm. It is evident that the effective utilization of the replaced aggregate in the mortar production is subject to a limit, which can be determined through Pareto-efficiency analysis, and it is contingent upon the performance requirements of the resulting mortar. Full article

This study evaluates the techno-economic feasibility of integrating wind power with hydrogen-based storage to decarbonize the Raglan Mine in northern Canada. Using HOMER simulations with real 2021 operational data, six progressive scenarios were modeled, ranging from partial substitution of diesel generators to complete site-wide electrification, including heating, transport, and mining equipment. Results show that complete decarbonization (Scenario 6) is technically achievable and could avoid up to 143,000 tCO₂eq annually (~2.15 Mt over 15 years), but remains economically prohibitive under current technology costs. In contrast, Scenario 2 Case 2, which combines solid oxide fuel cells with thermal charge controllers, emerges as the most viable near-term pathway, avoiding ~61,000 tCO₂eq annually (~0.91 Mt over 15 years) while achieving improved return on investment. A qualitative multi-criteria framework highlights this configuration as the best trade-off between technical feasibility, environmental performance, and economic viability. At the same time, complete decarbonization remains a longer-term target contingent on cost reductions and policy support. Overall, the findings provide clear evidence that hydrogen storage, when coupled with wind power, can deliver substantial and measurable decarbonization benefits for Arctic mining operations. Full article

The sustainability of Arctic ecosystems that are extremely vulnerable is contingent upon the state of cryosoils. Understanding the principles of ecosystem stability in permafrost conditions, particularly under external natural or human-induced influences, necessitates an examination of the thermal and moisture regimes of the seasonally thawed soil layer. The study concentrated on the variability in the soil’s thermophysical properties in Central Siberia’s permafrost zone (the northern part of Krasnoyarsk Region, Taimyr, Russia). In the industrially affected area of interest, we evaluated and contrasted the differences in the thermophysical properties of soils between two opposing types of landscapes. On the one hand, these are soils that are characteristic of the natural landscape of flat shrub tundra, with a well-developed moss–lichen cover. An alternative is the soils in the landscape, which have exhibited significant degradation in the vegetation cover due to both natural and human-induced factors. The heat-insulating properties of background areas are controlled by the layer of moss and shrubs, while its disturbance determines the excessive heating of the soil at depth. In comparison to the background soil characteristics, degradation of on-ground vegetation causes the active layer depth of the soils to double and the temperature gradient to decrease. With respect to depth, we examine the changes in soil temperature and heat flow dynamics (q, W/m²). The ranges of thermal conductivity (λ, W/(m∙K)) were assessed using field-measured temperature profiles and heat flux values in the soil layers. The background soil was discovered to have lower thermal conductivity values, which are typical of organic matter, in comparison to the soil of the transformed landscape. Thermal diffusivity coefficients for soil layers were calculated using long-term temperature monitoring data. It is shown that it is possible to use an adjusted model of the thermal conductivity coefficient to reconstruct the dynamics of moisture content from temperature dynamics data. A satisfactory agreement is shown when the estimated ($W_{calc}$, %) and observed ($W_{exp}$, %) moisture content values in the soil layer are compared. The findings will be employed to regulate the effects on landscapes in order to implement sustainable nature management in the region, thereby preventing the significant degradation of ecosystems and the concomitant risks to human well-being. Full article

Facing challenges of low efficiency and severe wear in deep hard formations with conventional drilling bits, this study investigates the synergistic rock-breaking technology combining a pulsed CO₂ laser with mechanical bits. The background highlights the need for novel methods to enhance drilling speed in high-strength, abrasive strata where traditional bits struggle. The theoretical analysis explores the thermo-mechanical coupling mechanism, where pulsed laser irradiation rapidly heats the rock surface, inducing thermal stress cracks, micro-spallation, and strength reduction through mechanisms like mineral thermal expansion mismatch and pore fluid vaporization. This pre-damage layer facilitates subsequent mechanical fragmentation. The research employs finite element numerical simulations (using COMSOL Multiphysics with an HJC constitutive model and damage evolution criteria) to model the coupled laser–mechanical–rock interaction, capturing temperature fields, stress distribution, crack propagation, and assessing efficiency. The results demonstrate that laser pre-conditioning significantly achieves 90–120% higher penetration rates compared to mechanical-only drilling. The dominant spallation mechanism proves energy-efficient. Conclusions affirm the feasibility and significant potential of CO₂ laser-assisted drilling for deep formations, contingent on optimized laser parameters, composite bit design (incorporating laser transmission, multi-head layout, and environmental protection), and addressing challenges, like high in-situ stress and drilling fluid interference through techniques like gas drilling. Future work should focus on high-power laser downhole transmission, adaptive control, and rigorous field validation. Full article

Using waste biomass as a raw material for the combined production of electricity and heat offers corresponding energy, economic, environmental and resource efficiency benefits. The study examines both the performance of a system for combined energy production based on the Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) utilizing wood biomass and the market interest in its deployment within Bulgaria. Its objective is to propose a technically and economically viable solution for the recovery of waste biomass through the combined production of electricity and heat while simultaneously assessing the readiness of industrial and municipal sectors to adopt such systems. The cogeneration plant incorporates an ORC module enhanced with three additional economizers that capture residual heat from flue gases. Operating on 2 t/h of biomass, the system delivers 1156 kW of electric power and 3660 kW of thermal energy, recovering an additional 2664 kW of heat. The overall energy efficiency reaches 85%, with projected annual revenues exceeding EUR 600,000 and a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions of over 5800 t/yr. These indicators can be achieved through optimal installation and operation. When operating at a reduced load, however, the specific fuel consumption increases and the overall efficiency of the installation decreases. The marketing survey results indicate that 75% of respondents express interest in adopting such technologies, contingent upon the availability of financial incentives. The strongest demand is observed for systems with capacities up to 1000 kW. However, significant barriers remain, including high initial investment costs and uneven access to raw materials. The findings confirm that the developed system offers a technologically robust, environmentally efficient and market-relevant solution, aligned with the goals of energy independence, sustainability and the transition to a low-carbon economy. Full article

With the large-scale integration of converter-based renewable energy into power systems and the large-scale construction of HVDC, risks associated with supply–demand imbalance and post-contingency frequency instability of sending-end power grids have significantly escalated. This paper proposes a novel method for evaluating the regulation capacity requirements of sending-end grids, addressing both normal-state power balance and post-disturbance frequency security. In normal states, multiple flexible metrics that can quantify the supply–demand imbalance trend are introduced. Then, thermal power units and energy storage serve as the benchmark to quantify the specific capacity requirements. For post-contingencies, frequency security metrics are derived based on the system frequency dynamic model with synchronous generators, renewable energy, and energy storage. The derived frequency security metrics can quantify the credible frequency regulation capacity required to ensure system stability under a predefined disturbance. A multi-objective capacity requirement assessment model for both the normal state and the post-contingency frequency regulation is ultimately formulated to determine the minimum capacity requirements. The effectiveness of the proposed evaluation method is verified using the numerical simulation based on a practical sending-end grid. Full article

To meet the targets of the 2030 agenda of the United Nations (UN) to reduce CO₂ emissions, various small-scale renewable generation sources have been integrated into electricity systems to maintain decarbonisation and reduce the use of thermal generation, aiming to achieve the sustainable development of electricity generation. In this context, this paper introduces a battery-based strategy with the integration of small-scale renewable generation sources. This is evaluated through an analysis of the reliability of transmission lines, considering contingencies of the orders of N-1 and N-2 to identify cases where there are isolated nodes and to visualise the cases with maximum load shedding in the system, indirectly affecting nodes close to the isolated nodes. The proposed strategy is analysed in a six-node RBTS and adapted to the IEEE 118-node system, obtaining energy-efficient results and a reduction in reliability indices. Full article

The formation and evolution of ice in the Yellow River represent complex dynamic processes. To elucidate the structural characteristics of ice crystals and their governing mechanisms in the Inner Mongolia reach, this investigation utilized high-resolution Sentinel-2 satellite imagery to systematically monitor spatiotemporal variations in open-water formations across diverse channel morphologies throughout the ice regime period. Systematic ice sampling was conducted across diverse channel morphologies of the Yellow River to quantify critical parameters, including crystalline structure characteristics, equivalent diameter distributions, density variations, and sediment content profiles. The results indicate the transformation of open water resulting from various river configurations during the freezing season exhibits distinct characteristics, which are significantly influenced by temperature variations. Ice crystal characterization exhibits that the crystalline structure predominantly manifests as two primary forms: columnar and granular ice formations, with their distribution varying systematically across different channel configurations. Ice crystal morphology exhibits heterogeneity in both form and dimensional characteristics. Columnar ice consistently exhibits larger equivalent diameters compared to granular ice formations. A progressive enhancement in the equivalent diameter of crystals is observed along the vertical axis corresponding to the thickness of the ice during the growth process. The ranges of variation in ice crystal size, ice density, and mud content within ice exhibit differences contingent upon the specific crystal structures present. Observational studies and comparative analyses of ice samples from the Inner Mongolia reach of the Yellow River reveal that channel morphology, ambient thermal conditions, and hydrodynamic parameters are the primary determinants governing the variability in ice microstructure and its associated physical characteristics. This investigation provides fundamental scientific insights and quantitative data that advance our understanding of river ice microstructural characteristics. Full article

This study examines the impact of Au nanoparticles (Au-NPs) on the chemoresistive gas sensing properties as a function of particle size. The sensing material is composed of ultrathin CuO/Cu₂O films, which are fabricated by either thermal deposition technology or spray pyrolysis. These are used on a silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) micro hotplate (µh) chip with Pt electrodes and heaters. The gas sensing material is then functionalised with Au-NP of varying sizes (12, 20, and 40 nm, checked by transmission electron microscopy) using drop coating technology. The finalised sensors are tested by measuring the electrical resistance against various target gases, including carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and a mixture of hydrocarbons (HC_Mix), in order to evaluate any cross-sensitivity issues. While the sensor response is markedly contingent on the structural surface, our findings indicate that the dimensions of the Au-NPs exert a discernible influence on the sensor’s behaviour in response to varying target gases. The 50 nm thermally evaporated CuO/Cu₂O layers exhibited the highest sensor response of 78% against 2000 ppm CO₂. In order to gain further insight into the surface of the sensors, a scanning electron microscope (SEM) was employed, and to gain information about the composition, Raman spectroscopy was also utilised. Full article

Energy conservation has become a critical issue, especially in the context of global environmental challenges and rising energy costs. This article emphasizes the growing importance of sustainability by integrating technical evaluations of heat recovery ventilation (HRV) systems and energy demand reduction with an economic analysis of new detached buildings in Poland. We studied the economic efficiency of the application of HRV in the context of different insulation thicknesses and quantities of air exchanged. Through over 2500 building energy performance simulations, the study explores the economic and environmental interplay between investments in HRV and insulation technologies. The findings demonstrated that households can achieve significant energy savings, around 2600 kWh annually, by installing an HRV system. These savings are contingent upon various factors, including air exchange rates, insulation thickness, and the thermal properties of windows. The economic analysis revealed that economic benefits due to optimal insulation are in the range of EUR 1000–8600 and from EUR 500 up to 5900 regarding investment in HRV, depending on the energy price and intensity of ventilation. Full article

Infrared (IR) sensors are widely used in various applications due to their ability to detect infrared radiation. Currently, infrared detector technology is in its third generation and faces enormous challenges. IR radiation propagation is categorized into distinct transmission windows with the most intriguing aspects of thermal imaging being mid-wave infrared (MWIR) and long-wave infrared (LWIR). Infrared detectors for thermal imaging have many uses in industrial applications, security, search and rescue, surveillance, medical, research, meteorology, climatology, and astronomy. Presently, high-performance infrared imaging technology mostly relies on epitaxially grown structures of the small-bandgap bulk alloy mercury–cadmium–telluride (MCT), indium antimonide (InSb), and GaAs-based quantum well infrared photodetectors (QWIPs), contingent upon the application and wavelength range. Nanostructures and nanomaterials exhibiting appropriate electrical and mechanical properties including two-dimensional materials, graphene, quantum dots (QDs), quantum dot in well (DWELL), and colloidal quantum dot (CQD) will significantly enhance the electronic characteristics of infrared photodetectors, transition metal dichalcogenides, and metal oxides, which are garnering heightened interest. The present manuscript gives an overview of IR sensors, their types, materials commonly used in them, and examples of related applications. Finally, a summary of the manuscript and an outlook on prospects are given. Full article

In some scenarios, electric heavy-duty trucks with battery swapping mode (ETBSm) are more cost-effective than battery charging mode. The viability of battery swapping stations is contingent upon the operational requirements and range capabilities of the ETBSm. Low temperatures have the effect of reducing the range of the ETBSm, thereby creating difficulties for battery swapping. This article proposes the use of motor waste heat recovery (MWHR) to heat batteries, which would improve range. A number of subsystem models have been established, including the ETBSm, battery, motor, and thermal management system (TMS). The calibration of battery temperature and motor efficiency is achieved with a model error of less than 5%. Comparison of performance, such as temperature, energy consumption, and range, when using only positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heating and when using both PTC heating and motor waste heat. The results indicate a 15% increase in the rate of rise in battery temperature and a 10.64 kW·h reduction in energy consumption under Chinese heavy-duty vehicle commercial vehicle test cycle (CHTC) conditions. Then, the motor waste heat percentage, energy consumption, and range are analyzed at different ambient temperatures. At an ambient temperature of −20 °C, −10 °C, and 0 °C, the percentage of the motor waste heat is 32.1%, 35%, and 40.5%; when 75% of the state of charge (SOC) is consumed, the range is improved by 6.55%, 4.37%, and 4.49%. Additionally, the effect of the PTC heater on temperature characteristics and power consumption is investigated by changing the target temperature of the coolant at the battery inlet. In accordance with the stipulated conditions of an ambient temperature of −20 °C and a target coolant temperature of 40 °C at the battery inlet, the simulation results indicated a battery temperature rise rate of 0.85 °C/min, accompanied by a PTC power consumption of 15.6 kW·h. This study demonstrates that as the ambient temperature increases, the utilization of motor waste heat becomes more effective in reducing PTC heating power consumption. At the lowest ambient temperature tested, the greatest improvement in driving range is observed. It is important to note that while an increase in the target heating temperature of the PTC helps to raise the battery temperature more rapidly, this is accompanied by a higher energy consumption. This article provides a reference for the ETBSm with MWHR. Full article

The integration of renewable energy is rapidly leading the existing grid systems toward modern hybrid power systems. These hybrid power systems are more complex due to the random and intermittent nature of RE and involve numerous operational challenges. This paper presents the operational model for solar integrated power systems to address the issues of economical operation, reliable solar share, energy deficit in case of contingency events, and the allocation of system spinning reserve. A mixed-integer optimization is formulated to minimize the overall cost of the system operation and to maximize the solar share under robust system spinning reserve limits as well as various other practical constraints. A Pareto-optimal solution for the maximization of the number of solar power plants and minimization of the solar cost is also presented for reliable solar share. Further, a decomposition framework is proposed to split the original problem into two sub-problems. The solution of joint optimization is obtained by exploiting a Lagrange relaxation method, a binary search Lambda iteration method, system spinning reserve analysis, and binary integer programming. The proposed model was implemented on an IEEE-RTS 26 units system and 40 solar plants. Full article

This critical review provides a comprehensive analysis of various condition monitoring techniques pivotal in additive manufacturing (AM) processes. The reliability and quality of AM components are contingent upon the precise control of numerous parameters and the timely detection of potential defects, such as lamination, cracks, and porosity. This paper emphasizes the significance of in situ monitoring systems—optical, thermal, and acoustic—which continuously evaluate the integrity of the manufacturing process. Optical techniques employing high-speed cameras and laser scanners provide real-time, non-contact assessments of the AM process, facilitating the early detection of layer misalignment and surface anomalies. Simultaneously, thermal imaging techniques, such as infrared sensing, play a crucial role in monitoring complex thermal gradients, contributing to defect detection and process control. Acoustic monitoring methods augmented by advancements in audio analysis and machine learning offer cost-effective solutions for discerning the acoustic signatures of AM machinery amidst variable operational conditions. Finally, machine learning is considered an efficient technique for data processing and has shown great promise in feature extraction. Full article