15 research outputs found
Photovoltaics and Electrification in Agriculture
Integration of photovoltaics and electrification in agriculture. Works on the integration of photovoltaics in agriculture, as well as electrification and microgrids in agriculture. In addition, some works on sustainability in agriculture are added
Assessment of Socio-Economic Sustainability and Resilience after COVID-19
The pandemic period has caused severe socio-economic damage, but it is accompanied by environmental deterioration that can also affect economic opportunities and social equity. In the face of this double risk, future generations are ready to be resilient and make their contribution not only on the consumption side, but also through their inclusion in all companies by bringing green and circular principles with them. Policy makers can also favor this choice
Proceedings of the European Conference on Agricultural Engineering AgEng2021
This proceedings book results from the AgEng2021 Agricultural Engineering Conference under auspices of the European Society of Agricultural Engineers, held in an online format based on the University of Évora,
Portugal, from 4 to 8 July 2021.
This book contains the full papers of a selection of abstracts that were the base for the oral presentations and posters presented at the conference.
Presentations were distributed in eleven thematic areas: Artificial Intelligence, data processing and
management; Automation, robotics and sensor technology; Circular Economy; Education and Rural development; Energy and bioenergy; Integrated and sustainable Farming systems; New application
technologies and mechanisation; Post-harvest technologies; Smart farming / Precision agriculture; Soil, land and water engineering; Sustainable production in Farm buildings
Definition of management criteria and design of complex electrical, thermal and cooling energy and fuel distribution networks
The energy networks are playing an important role for the achievement of the targets imposed by the national and international policies in the field of environmental protection. To this respect, the traditional energy production systems have been increasingly integrated with the distributed generation systems and in particular with the ones based on the renewable energy sources exploitation. This led to a significant change in the traditional energy networks which become even more complex representing a new challenge within the energy sector. In particular, an important aspect is represented by the definition of the optimal design as well as the management optimization of such complex energy networks.
In this context, the PhD activities have been focused on the complex energy network analysis and on the investigation of the different algorithms to face these optimization problems. Furthermore, different case studies of energy networks have been analyzed and implemented within different algorithm-based software
Energetische upgrading van Nederlandse Wederopbouw flats
Problem definition
According to the European Union, the future (2050) will be completely energy neutral and circular. Renovation concepts are needed for making existing homes more sustainable, taking into account the housing qualities of the existing stock, changed requirements and housing requirements, accessibility of the concepts on a large scale and simultaneous technical, social, energetic and circular renovation. For terraced houses, many energy concepts and strategies are available for the energy transition in the direction of energy neutral, while for high-rise houses, little knowledge is available. In the area of renovation to circular, as far as feasible, little knowledge is available. The research, therefore, focuses on high-rise system houses from the Reconstruction period 1950-1975, with a focus on the energetic spatial part of the renovation concept.
Aim
The research aims to develop possible strategies for energetically upgrading existing Dutch high-rise system houses from the Reconstruction period to energy-neutral for large-scale application with a view to circularity. This objective has practical relevance: society benefits from large-scale upgrades to achieve European climate objectives. Corporations, which primarily own the Reconstruction high-rise flats for social rental, owners’ associations and residents, benefit from new insights that can contribute to the circular energy upgrade of this stock. The theoretical relevance is to increase scientific knowledge in the field of energetic and circular upgrading.
Research methods
The existing high-rise housing stock from the Reconstruction Period (Flat 1.0) is mapped based on literature research and case studies to provide an answer to possible strategies for energy upgrading. The theoretical framework studies general system theory and various layers approaches to support the research. The essential concepts are defined using literature research. Flat 2.0 categories energetic adjustments focused on ‘comfort upgrading’. The focus of a new generation of adaptations of Reconstruction of high-rise flats (Flat 3.0) is on spatial energy upgrading to energy-neutral apartments and on which design principles and technical and energetic principles they are based.
Conclusions
The system theory provides tools for determining the choice of modular or integral upgrading. The scale-up of upgrades requires a modular approach because of a few relationships beyond a specific system boundary of upgrade elements. Accessibility and a layered approach are essential conditions.
The simultaneity of the necessary technical, social, energetic and circular renovation, with the approximately 650,000 porch houses and 250,000 gallery houses that have to be renovated in a short time, provides an entirely different approach to the Flat 3.0 upgrade concept. This forces a radical approach in which an incremental approach is no longer sufficient. Scaling requires industrially oriented, innovative ideas.
Flat 3.0 describes five possible strategies in the form of positions relative to the thermal shell, and combinations between them, to limit heat loss.
Eliminating structural and building physical defects of the existing stock (Flat 1.0) is an opportunity for functional upgrading in the field of accessibility and social safety. Comfort upgrading (Flat 2.0) is the starting point. The technical upgrading of the shell of the building can take place in several ways: adapt the existing shell or place a new shell for the current shell. Both whether or not in combination with an extension or with gallery/balcony replacement due to thermal bridges or poor technical condition. Sixteen strategies are described for this. A simple building model shows the relationship between energy ambition and the amount of self-generated energy on or on the building. The building model shows that with a closedness of at least 40 % of the sun-oriented facade, 40 % of the access facade and 100 % of both end facades and roof, the generation of standardized building-related and user-related energy can be met on an annual basis. The possible closedness of the facade consists of 5 principal variants. The design of the upgrade depends on the construction method within which a construction system has been applied. A unique way is an entirely new circular ‘overcladding’ around the existing building envelope. The new industrial overcladding repairs defects in the old building envelope. Functionally, this means better wheelchair accessibility, better separation between public and private and more spacious balconies for increased living comfort. The roof zone and the front wall zone can serve as a place for additional housing for small families in the form of stacked and connected tiny active flat house modules. These modules designed for circularity simultaneously provide thermal upgrading of the relevant existing facade surfaces. To become energy-neutral or even energy-supplying, and thus also to meet the userrelated energy demand, the façade and roof area sustainable can generate energy. Enlargement of these energy-generating surfaces is an essential condition for a lower closedness of the residential facade.
Recommendations
The indicated directions for the upgrade of high-rise flats can be converted into specific elaborations for specific high-rise flats in particular contexts with particular clients. The detailing and materialization in support of the modular circular upgrade principle are central to this. Besides, financial feasibility based on circular business models and multiple value creation needs additional research
Photovoltaic potential in building façades
Tese de doutoramento, Sistemas Sustentáveis de Energia, Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências, 2018Consistent reductions in the costs of photovoltaic (PV) systems have prompted interest in applications with less-than-optimum inclinations and orientations. That is the case of building façades, with plenty of free area for the deployment of solar systems. Lower sun heights benefit vertical façades, whereas rooftops are favoured when the sun is near the zenith, therefore the PV potential in urban environments can increase twofold when the contribution from building façades is added to that of the rooftops. This complementarity between façades and rooftops is helpful for a better match between electricity demand and supply. This thesis focuses on: i) the modelling of façade PV potential; ii) the optimization of façade PV yields; and iii) underlining the overall role that building façades will play in future solar cities. Digital surface and solar radiation modelling methodologies were reviewed. Special focus is given to the 3D LiDAR-based model SOL and the CAD/plugin models DIVA and LadyBug. Model SOL was validated against measurements from the BIPV system in the façade of the Solar XXI building (Lisbon), and used to evaluate façade PV potential in different urban sites in Lisbon and Geneva. The plugins DIVA and LadyBug helped assessing the potential for PV glare from façade integrated photovoltaics in distinct urban blocks. Technologies for PV integration in façades were also reviewed. Alternative façade designs, including louvers, geometric forms and balconies, were explored and optimized for the maximization of annual solar irradiation using DIVA. Partial shading impacts on rooftops and façades were addressed through SOL simulations and the interconnections between PV modules were optimized using a custom Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm. The contribution of PV façades to the solar potential of two dissimilar neighbourhoods in Lisbon was quantified using SOL, considering local electricity consumption. Cost-efficient rooftop/façade PV mixes are proposed based on combined payback times. Impacts of larger scale PV deployment on the spare capacity of power distribution transformers were studied through LadyBug and SolarAnalyst simulations. A new empirical solar factor was proposed to account for PV potential in future upgrade interventions. The combined effect of aggregating building demand, photovoltaic generation and storage on the self-consumption of PV and net load variance was analysed using irradiation results from DIVA, metered distribution transformer loads and custom optimization algorithms. SOL is shown to be an accurate LiDAR-based model (nMBE ranging from around 7% to 51%, nMAE from 20% to 58% and nRMSE from 29% to 81%), being the isotropic diffuse radiation algorithm its current main limitation. In addition, building surface material properties should be regarded when handling façades, for both irradiance simulation and PV glare evaluation. The latter appears to be negligible in comparison to glare from typical glaze/mirror skins used in high-rises. Irradiation levels in the more sunlit façades reach about 50-60% of the rooftop levels. Latitude biases the potential towards the vertical surfaces, which can be enhanced when the proportion of diffuse radiation is high. Façade PV potential can be increased in about 30% if horizontal folded louvers becomes a more common design and in another 6 to 24% if the interconnection of PV modules are optimized. In 2030, a mix of PV systems featuring around 40% façade and 60% rooftop occupation is shown to comprehend a combined financial payback time of 10 years, if conventional module efficiencies reach 20%. This will trigger large-scale PV deployment that might overwhelm current grid assets and lead to electricity grid instability. This challenge can be resolved if the placement of PV modules is optimized to increase self-sufficiency while keeping low net load variance. Aggregated storage within solar communities might help resolving the conflicting interests between prosumers and grid, although the former can achieve self-sufficiency levels above 50% with storage capacities as small as 0.25kWh/kWpv. Business models ought to adapt in order to create conditions for both parts to share the added value of peak power reduction due to optimized solar façades.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT), SFRH/BD/52363/201
A COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY BASED ON LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS FOR ON-BOARD PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR MODULES IN VEHICLES
This dissertation presents a novel comprehensive assessment methodology for using on-board photovoltaic (PV) solar technologies in vehicle applications. A well-to-wheels life cycle analysis based on a unique energy, greenhouse gas (GHG) emission, and economic perspective is carried out in the context of meeting corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards through 2025 along with providing an alternative energy path for the purpose of sustainable transportation. The study includes 14 different vehicles, 3 different travel patterns, in 12 U.S. states and 16 nations using 19 different cost analysis scenarios for determining the challenges and benefits of using on-board photovoltaic (PV) solar technologies in vehicle applications. It develops a tool for decision-makers and presents a series of design requirements for the implementation of on-board PV in automobiles to use during the conceptual design stage, since its results are capable of reflecting the changes in fuel consumption, greenhouse gas emission, and cost for different locations, technological, and vehicle sizes. The decision-supports systems developed include (i) a unique decision support systems for selecting the optimal PV type for vehicle applications using quality function deployment, analytic hierarchy process, and fuzzy axiomatic design, (ii) a unique system for evaluating all non-destructive inspection systems for defects in the PV device to select the optimum system suitable for an automated PV production line. (iii) The development of a comprehensive PV system model that for predicting the impact of using on-board PV based on life cycle assessment perspective. This comprehensive assessment methodology is a novel in three respects. First, the proposed work develops a comprehensive PV system model and optimizes the solar energy to DC electrical power output ratio. Next, it predicts the actual contribution of the on-board PV to reduce fuel consumption, particularly for meeting corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) 2020 and 2025 standards in different scenarios. The model also estimates vehicle range extension via on-board PV and enhances the current understanding regarding the applicability and effective use of on-board PV modules in individual automobiles. Finally, it develops a life cycle assessment (LCA) model (well-to-wheels analysis) for this application. This enables a comprehensive assessment of the effectiveness of an on-board PV vehicle application from an energy consumption, Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission, and cost life-cycle perspective. The results show that by adding on-board PVs to cover less than 50% of the projected horizontal surface area of a typical passenger vehicle, up to 50% of the total daily miles traveled by a person in the U.S. could be driven by solar energy if using a typical mid-size vehicle, and up to 174% if using a very lightweight and aerodynamically efficient vehicle. In addition, the increase in fuel economy in terms of combined mile per gallon (MPG) at noon for heavy vehicles is between 2.9% to 9.5%. There is a very significant increase for lightweight and aerodynamic efficient vehicles, with MPG increase in the range of 10.7% to 42.2%, depending on location and time of year. Although the results show that the plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) do not always have a positive environmental impact over similar gasoline vehicles considering the well-to-wheel span, the addition of an on-board PV system for both vehicle configurations, significantly reduces cycle emissions (e.g., the equivalent savings of what an average U.S. home produces in a 20 month period). The lifetime driving cost (4.0 per gallon) assuming battery costs will decline over time. Lifetime driving cost (/kWh) is at least similar, but mostly lower, even in regions with less sunlight (e.g., Massachusetts). In places with low electricity prices (0.13 $/kWh), and with more sunlight, the costs of operating an EV with PV are naturally lower. The study reports a unique observation that placing PV systems on-board for existing vehicles is in some cases superior to the lightweighting approach regarding full fuel-cycle emissions. An added benefit of on-board PV applications is the ability to incorporate additional functionality into vehicles. Results show that an on-board PV system operating in Phoenix, AZ can generate in its lifetime, energy that is the equivalent of what an American average household residential utility customer consumes over a three-year period. However, if the proposed system operates in New Delhi, India, the PV could generate energy in its lifetime that is the equivalent of what an Indian average household residential utility customer consumes over a 33-year period. Consequently, this proposed application transforms, in times of no-use, into a flexible energy generation system that can be fed into the grid and used to power electrical devices in homes and offices. The fact that the output of this system is direct current (DC) electricity rather than alternative current (AC) electricity reduces the wasted energy cost in the generation, transmission, and conversion losses between AC-DC electricity to reach the grid. Thus, this system can potentially reduce the dependency on the grid in third world countries where the energy consumption per home is limited and the grid is unstable or unreliable, or even unavailable