Assessment of Wind Potential: The Case of Puka Region in Albania

More than any time in the past, renewable energy sources and specifically wind energy are a focus point for research scientists as well as national governments across the world. However, the successful implementation of wind energy projects requires a thorough understanding, study and evaluation of the wind potential in the area of interest. This research work evaluates the wind potential in the region of Puka, Albania based on data from actual terrain measurements over 14 months, as well as measurements spanning 13 years from two atlases (Wind Balkan Atlas and New European Wind Atlas), analysed using the WasP program. Distribution maps of wind speed and power density at 50m a.g.l. show that hill summits in this area are classified as V and VI wind power class. The New European Wind Atlas was closer than the Wind Balkan Atlas to real-life terrain measurements based on the values of wind speed and power density gathered from the 9 wind turbines in the studied area. Observed wind climate files from both atlases show a 300 deviation in wind direction compared to terrain measurements. Changing the wind farm layout design for the turbines according to the main wind direction significantly lowered wake losses

Distribution Network Reconfiguration Considering Feeder Length as a Reliability Index

Power distribution network reconfiguration is achieved by opening or closing sectionalizes and tie switches to optimize a set of objectives. Active loss reduction is the objective in the reconfiguration of distribution networks since distribution networks usually record high levels of power losses. Reliability of the network is also an important objective. In this work, the objective function of the optimization is the reduction of power loss, improvement of line loading index and improvement of reliability. This paper seeks to shift the focus from the traditional objectives of passive (without distributed generations) networks to the security and reliability objectives. Since network reconfiguration is a planning problem, the work was performed to solve the problem for multi – period scenarios which spanned 24hrs. Genetic Algorithm was employed in this study and the simulation was performed in MATLAB software environment using a modified IEEE 69 Bus test system

Model Predictive Control with Softened Constraints for Hybrid Electric Vehicle

This research work develops the modelling of a parallel hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) using a fully automated friction clutch connecting the combustion engine and the main electric motor to switch between the pure electric driving mode and the combustion engine driving mode. A new scheme of model predictive control (MPC) with softened constraints for this HEV is developed and applied to control the vehicle speed and torque of the motor and the combustion engine. The MPC scheme with softened constraints can provide better drivability and stability for the hybrid vehicle tracking on desired speeds and needed torques. This MPC can also change the driving modes with fast and smooth clutch engagement. The HEV can track better and faster along the desired speeds and torques amid the dynamic constraints imposed on the states, inputs and outputs. MPC with softened constraints can improve considerably the control system stability and robustness

Energy Efficiency Analysis in Korça Regional Hospital

In this research work, we have analysed some of the key challenges associated with energy efficiency (EE) in hospital buildings. As the building sector is one of the most important energy users in Albania, our focus will be on hospitals as a complex building typology. A general overview and analysis of the building envelope where energy consumption in hospitals will be given. Afterward the focus will be on energy audit as a process that will facilitate the improvement of energy efficiency in this building typology. In order to prioritise energy efficiency measures some economic indicators will be introduced. The aim is to present an alternative model for energy auditors and energy managers. All these analyses and procedures will be carried out at Korça Regional Hospital. This analysis will assist decision makers in selecting the most appropriate EE measures from among many influential parameters

E-Commerce Business Model in KLER Enterprise for Shirt Manufacturing

E-commerce is emerging as a new way to help businesses to increase competitiveness and thus contribute to the economic success of the country. Spaces and opportunities for e-commerce are growing due to the steadily improving access to technical and communication infrastructure. The integration of information and communication technology in business enables the reduction of product costs, improvement of productivity, as well as the promotion of greater participation and mass activation of consumers. This research work is focused on the realization of a successful study work in electronic commerce and electronic business for shirt manufacturing in Albania called KLER enterprise. Furthermore, project of developing a website that sells shirts according to preference is described in the case study and are explained also the steps towards the development of the KLER web page. This includes creating more effective external interactions with customers, associates, and suppliers, and it can also improve the internal efficiency of the business as well as the emergence of new services and products

Interpreting Results of Band Maths Operations in Sentinel-2 Image

Many studies have been done on environmental pollution of the Reps region regarding Acid Mine Drainage, but there are no studies with the help of remote sensing which is a science of collecting data without a physical contact. In this setting, the purpose of this research work is to monitor the environmental impact of the abandoned mines in water, vegetation and non-vegetation areas by exploring Sentinel-2 data in Reps regions. The information utilized in this paper has been developed from the program of European Space Agency Copernicus.  After the selection of the Reps region it has been explored the products in the Sentinel Application Platform. According to our data, the incorporation of visual optical of flora, ground covering and humidity as well as computing Spectral Angle Mapper can help us in the early identification of Acid Mine Drainage. The combination of field studies with remote sensing increase the overall efficacy in detecting pollution and protecting the environment

Using Concurrency and File Integrity Verification to Transfer Files from Client to Server

In this research work it has been provided a method for ensuring the integrity of the data throughout their transfer from the client to the server by computing the checksum of the data on the server and comparing it with the checksum of the data after they have been transferred on the client side. Concurrency (multithreading) is also implemented to enable the data to be delivered in parallel. Various file sizes were used to test our methodology. This method can be used in different enterprises or governmental institutions to ensure their data are not being manipulated during the transmission process. Furthermore, will also serve as a reference for engineers who will be responsible for implementing integrity measures in their systems

Calculation and Simulation of Vehicle Steering Dynamics

This paper presents fundamental mathematical estimations of vehicle sideslip in stationary conditions regarding the influences of the vehicle parameters such as the tire stiffness, position of gravity centre, vehicle speed and the turning radius. The vehicle dynamics on steady state and transient responses are also investigated to see the effects of the yaw natural frequency and yaw damping rate on the steering system. Results from this study can be used in designing an automatic control of tracking vehicle in the future

Albanian’s Fish Skin, Sustainability and Circular Economy

Leather from fish skins is by no means a new product for Albania. Regularly, this raw material goes unused and is dumped back into the sea, therefore it is wasted. Worldwide with changing consumer tastes, the circular economic practices, and sustainable sourcing, fish skin is a strong candidate to become an industry-shifting material. This is as well the best, most efficient technique to bring sustainability to the leather industry in the country and transform it into a cleaner and more circular sector. The aim of this research is to study the Albanian’s fish skin by using traditional tanning techniques to find alternate, sustainable techniques of making leather. The physico-mechanical properties of Albanian fish skins, were determined, where all fish leathers showed adequate physical strength to be used in the manufacture of leather goods such as clothing, footwear, wallets, and many other products

Autonomous Driving Vehicles and Control System Design

Autonomous driving vehicles and the control system design have been undergoing rapid changes in the last decade and affecting the concept and behaviour of human traffic. However, the control system design for autonomous driving vehicles is still a great challenge since the real vehicles are subject to enormous dynamic constraints depending on the vehicle physical limitations, environmental constraints and surrounding obstacles. This paper presents a new scheme of nonlinear model predictive control subject to softened constraints for autonomous driving vehicles. When some vehicle dynamic limitations can be converted to softened constraints, the model predictive control optimizer can be easier to find out the optimal control action. This helps to improve the system stability and the application for further intelligent control in the future. Simulation results show that the new controller can drive the vehicle tracking well on different trajectories amid dynamic constraints on states, outputs and inputs