Small-Scale Hybrid Photovoltaic-Biomass Systems Feasibility Analysis for Higher Education Buildings

[EN] Applications of renewable electricity in cities are mostly limited to photovoltaics, and they need other renewable sources, batteries, and the grid to guarantee reliability. This paper proposes a hybrid system, combining biomass and photovoltaics, to supply electricity to educational buildings. This system is reliable and provides at least 50% of electricity based on renewable sources. Buildings with small (70%) implies high electricity costs.This work was supported in part by the European Commission through project "Holistic And Scalable Solution For Research, Innovation And Education In Energy Tran project" (Agreement number: 837854). This work was supported in part by the European Commission through GROW GREEN project (Agreement number: 730283 - GROW GREEN-H2020-SCC-2016-2017/H2020-SCC-NBS-2stage-2016. http://growgreenproject.eu/). This work was completed in the framework of the activities of the Renewable Area research group of the IUIIE (Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Ingeniería Energética) in regional, national, and international projects. The authors deeply thank the Universitat Politècnica de València, IMPIVA-Generalitat Valenciana, the Spanish Ministry of Science and Technology, and the European Commission for the funded projects coming from this organization.Alfonso-Solar, D.; Vargas-Salgado Carlos; Sánchez-Diaz, C.; Hurtado-Perez, E. (2020). Small-Scale Hybrid Photovoltaic-Biomass Systems Feasibility Analysis for Higher Education Buildings. Sustainability. 12(21):1-14. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12219300S1141221Pérez-Navarro, A., Alfonso, D., Ariza, H. E., Cárcel, J., Correcher, A., Escrivá-Escrivá, G., … Vargas, C. (2016). Experimental verification of hybrid renewable systems as feasible energy sources. Renewable Energy, 86, 384-391. doi:10.1016/j.renene.2015.08.030Prasad, M., & Munch, S. 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A Monte Carlo approach to generator portfolio planning and carbon emissions assessments of systems with large penetrations of variable renewables. Renewable Energy, 36(8), 2278-2286. doi:10.1016/j.renene.2011.01.015Acevedo-Arenas, C. Y., Correcher, A., Sánchez-Díaz, C., Ariza, E., Alfonso-Solar, D., Vargas-Salgado, C., & Petit-Suárez, J. F. (2019). MPC for optimal dispatch of an AC-linked hybrid PV/wind/biomass/H2 system incorporating demand response. Energy Conversion and Management, 186, 241-257. doi:10.1016/j.enconman.2019.02.044Bajpai, P., & Dash, V. (2012). Hybrid renewable energy systems for power generation in stand-alone applications: A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 16(5), 2926-2939. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2012.02.009Bernal-Agustín, J. L., & Dufo-López, R. (2009). Simulation and optimization of stand-alone hybrid renewable energy systems. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 13(8), 2111-2118. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2009.01.010Karakoulidis, K., Mavridis, K., Bandekas, D. V., Adoniadis, P., Potolias, C., & Vordos, N. (2011). Techno-economic analysis of a stand-alone hybrid photovoltaic-diesel–battery-fuel cell power system. Renewable Energy, 36(8), 2238-2244. doi:10.1016/j.renene.2010.12.003Kusakana, K. (2015). Optimal scheduled power flow for distributed photovoltaic/wind/diesel generators with battery storage system. IET Renewable Power Generation, 9(8), 916-924. doi:10.1049/iet-rpg.2015.0027Koutroulis, E., Kolokotsa, D., Potirakis, A., & Kalaitzakis, K. (2006). Methodology for optimal sizing of stand-alone photovoltaic/wind-generator systems using genetic algorithms. Solar Energy, 80(9), 1072-1088. doi:10.1016/j.solener.2005.11.002Ipsakis, D., Voutetakis, S., Seferlis, P., Stergiopoulos, F., & Elmasides, C. (2009). Power management strategies for a stand-alone power system using renewable energy sources and hydrogen storage. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 34(16), 7081-7095. doi:10.1016/j.ijhydene.2008.06.051Mata, É., Sasic Kalagasidis, A., & Johnsson, F. (2014). Building-stock aggregation through archetype buildings: France, Germany, Spain and the UK. Building and Environment, 81, 270-282. doi:10.1016/j.buildenv.2014.06.013HOMER Energyhttps://www.homerenergy.com/Oladigbolu, J. O., Ramli, M. A. M., & Al-Turki, Y. A. (2020). Optimal Design of a Hybrid PV Solar/Micro-Hydro/Diesel/Battery Energy System for a Remote Rural Village under Tropical Climate Conditions. Electronics, 9(9), 1491. doi:10.3390/electronics9091491Hurtado, E., Peñalvo-López, E., Pérez-Navarro, Á., Vargas, C., & Alfonso, D. (2015). Optimization of a hybrid renewable system for high feasibility application in non-connected zones. Applied Energy, 155, 308-314. doi:10.1016/j.apenergy.2015.05.097Kebede, A. A., Berecibar, M., Coosemans, T., Messagie, M., Jemal, T., Behabtu, H. A., & Van Mierlo, J. (2020). A Techno-Economic Optimization and Performance Assessment of a 10 kWP Photovoltaic Grid-Connected System. Sustainability, 12(18), 7648. doi:10.3390/su12187648Hafez, O., & Bhattacharya, K. (2012). Optimal planning and design of a renewable energy based supply system for microgrids. Renewable Energy, 45, 7-15. doi:10.1016/j.renene.2012.01.087European Pellet Report. European Pellet Quality Certification (PELLCERT) project. PellCert. Published on April 2012https://ec.europa.eu/energy/intelligent/projects/sites/iee-projects/files/projects/documents/pellcert_european_pellet_report.pdf/Alfonso, D., Perpiñá, C., Pérez-Navarro, A., Peñalvo, E., Vargas, C., & Cárdenas, R. (2009). Methodology for optimization of distributed biomass resources evaluation, management and final energy use. Biomass and Bioenergy, 33(8), 1070-1079. doi:10.1016/j.biombioe.2009.04.002Perpiñá, C., Alfonso, D., Pérez-Navarro, A., Peñalvo, E., Vargas, C., & Cárdenas, R. (2009). Methodology based on Geographic Information Systems for biomass logistics and transport optimisation. Renewable Energy, 34(3), 555-565. doi:10.1016/j.renene.2008.05.047Technology Roadmap: Delivering Sustainable Bioenergyhttps://www.ieabioenergy.com/publications/technology-roadmap-delivering-sustainable-bioenergy/HOMER Pro 3.14 User Manualhttps://www.homerenergy.com/products/pro/docs/latest/index.htmlLao, C., & Chungpaibulpatana, S. (2017). Techno-economic analysis of hybrid system for rural electrification in Cambodia. Energy Procedia, 138, 524-529. doi:10.1016/j.egypro.2017.10.23

Creación, gestión y uso de objetos de aprendizaje en la Web

El proyecto “Creación, Gestión y Uso de objetos de Aprendizaje en un Entorno Web” se ha desarrollado en la asignatura Sistemas Informáticos. Tiene como objetivo la puesta en producción de la versión 1.0 del Museo Virtual García Santesmases de la Facultad de Informática de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid. Este proyecto se centra en la construcción de una herramienta que sirva para la creación y gestión de recursos educativos, Objetos de Aprendizaje, modulares que puedan ser utilizados por diversos sistemas de enseñanza. Los Objetos de Aprendizaje creados con la herramienta a la que se refiere este proyecto están basados en los objetos del museo de informática García Santesmases, por lo que también se pueden utilizar como elementos de un museo virtual. [ABSTRACT] The proyect called “Creation, Management and Use of Learning Objects in the Web” has been developed into the subject “Sistemas Informáticos”. The main target is the setting in production of the 1.0 version of the “Virtual García Santesmases Museum” located at the School of Computer Science of the Complutense University of Madrid. This project focuses in the construction of a tool to be useful in the creation and management of educational resources, Learning Objects, modular Objects that they may be used by various tuitional systems. The Learning Objects created with the tool that this project refers to itself are based in the objects of García Santesmases Museum, so that also they can utilize themselves like elements of a virtual museum

Calculation of the diffusive flow in complex domains by the finite volume method

Este artículo describe una estrategia de discretización de la ecuación de difusión en mallas no estructuradas aplicando el método de los volúmenes finitos con las variables calculadas en el centroide de cada volumen. Esta aproximación está basada en el trabajo de Date [1] que usa una técnica iterativa conocida como corrección diferida para solucionar el cálculo del flujo difusivo en mallas no ortogonales. Se comprobó que para ángulos internos del elemento menores a 50°, el método propuesto por Date no converge y entonces se propone una nueva forma de calcular el gradiente que favorece la convergencia del problema. Se muestra un estudio de la convergencia donde se demuestra la alta efectividad del método propuesto. A partir de la solución de un problema típico, basado en la solución de la ecuación de Poisson, se realizó la comparación de los resultados obtenidos con los de la solución analítica, donde se observó una alta correspondencia de los resultados sin comprometer el tiempo de cálculo. Finalmente, se demostró la flexibilidad de la aproximación implementada al realizar simulaciones sobre mallas estructuradas y no estructuradas, usando elementos en forma de cuadriláteros y triángulos en 2D, y cubos curvilíneos y tetraedros en 3D. This paper describes a strategy to discretize the Poisson equation on unstructured meshes using the finite volume method based on the center of the cells. This approach is based on Date’s work[1] that uses an iterative technique known as deferred correction to obtain the right diffusive flow field in no orthogonal meshes. It was found that the method proposed by Date does not converge when the internal angles are less than 40°, then we proposes a new way to calculate the gradient in order to ensure the convergence. It shows a  convergence study that demonstrates  the high effectiveness of the proposed method. After  solving a  typical problem, based on  the solution of the  Poisson equation,  we compared  the results obtained with the analytical  solution, where there was a high correspondence of results without compromising  the computational time. Finally, we have demonstrate the  flexibility  of the approach implemented by performing  simulations on structured and unstructured   meshes, using elements  in the form of   quadrilaterals  and triangles in  2D, and curvilinear cubes  and tetrahedrons  in 3D

Nanostructured fibrin-based hydrogel membranes for use as an augmentation strategy in achilles tendon surgical repair in rats

Hydrogels are polymeric biomaterials characterised by their promising biological and biomechanical properties, which make them potential alternatives for use in tendon repair. The aim of the present study was to generate in vitro, and determine the therapeutic efficacy in vivo, of novel nanostructured fibrin-based hydrogels to be used as an augmentation strategy for the surgical repair of rat Achilles tendon injuries. Fibrin, fibrin-agarose and fibrin-collagen nanostructured hydrogels (NFH, NFAH and NFCH, respectively) were generated and their biomechanical properties and cell-biomaterial interactions characterised ex vivo. Achilles tendon ruptures were created in 24 adult Wistar rats, which were next treated with direct repair (control group) or direct repair augmented with the generated biomaterials (6 rats/group). After 4 and 8 weeks, the animals were euthanised for macroscopical and histological analyses. Biomechanical characterisation showed optimal properties of the biomaterials for use in tendon repair. Moreover, biological analyses confirmed that tendon-derived fibroblasts were able to adhere to the surface of the generated biomaterials, with high levels of viability and functionality. In vivo studies demonstrated successful tendon repair in all groups. Lastly, histological analyses disclosed better tissue and extracellular matrix organisation and alignment with biomaterial-based augmentation strategies than direct repair, especially when NFAH and NFCH were used. The present study demonstrated that nanostructured fibrin-collagen hydrogels can be used to enhance the healing process in the surgical repair of tendon ruptures.The study was supported by the Spanish Society of Orthopaedics and Traumatology (SECOT), the Spanish Plan Nacional de Investigación Científica, Desarrollo e Innovación Tecnológica, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (Instituto de Salud Carlos III), the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF-FEDER) Grant number FIS PI20-0318 and the Grant number P18-RT-5059 from the Plan Andaluz de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación (PAIDI 2020), Consejería de Transformación Económica, Industria, Conocimiento y Universidades, Andalusian Regional Government, Spain. The authors are grateful to Dr Ariane Ruyffelaert for her advice on the English version of the manuscript and to Karen Shashok for editing the revised manuscript. The authors are also grateful to Amalia de la Rosa Romero and Concepción López Rodríguez (Experimental Unit, University Hospital Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain) and Fabiola Bermejo Casares (Department of Histology, University of Granada, Spain) for their technical assistance

Hybrid Biomass-Wind Power Plant For Reliable Energy Generation

[EN] Massive implementation of renewable energy resources is a key element to reduce CO2 emissions associated to electricity generation. Wind resources can provide an important alternative to conventional electricity generation mainly based on fossil fuels. However, wind generators are greatly affected by the restrictive operating rules of electricity markets because, as wind is naturally variable, wind generators may have serious difficulties on submitting accurate generation schedules on a day ahead basis, and on complying with scheduled obligations in real-time operation. In this paper, an innovative system combining a biomass gasification power plant, a gas storage system and stand-by generators to stabilize a generic 40 MW wind park is proposed and evaluated with real data. The wind park power production model is based on real data about power production of a Spanish wind park and a probabilistic approach to quantify fluctuations and so, power compensation needs. The hybrid wind-biomass system is analysed to obtain main hybrid system design parameters. This hybrid system can mitigate wind prediction errors and so provide a predictable source of electricity. An entire year cycle of hourly power compensations needs has been simulated deducing storage capacity, extra power needs of the biomass power plant and stand-by generation capacity to assure power compensation during critical peak hours with acceptable reliability.Pérez-Navarro, A.; Alfonso-Solar, D.; Álvarez, C.; Ibáñez, F.; Sánchez-Diaz, C.; Segura Heras, I. (2010). Hybrid Biomass-Wind Power Plant For Reliable Energy Generation. Renewable Energy. 35(7):1436-1443. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2009.12.0181436144335

Systemic Minoxidil Accidental Exposure in a Paediatric Population: A Case Series Study of Cutaneous and Systemic Side Effects

This article will be part of the doctoral thesis of the author Manuel Sánchez-Díaz.Oral minoxidil is an approved treatment for high blood pressure which is also used as an off-label drug for alopecia. Knowledge about the effects of systemic minoxidil in the paediatric population is limited. A retrospective case series study of paediatric patients with history of systemic minoxidil intake due to contaminated sets of omeprazole was performed to describe side effects of high dose oral minoxidil intake in children. Twenty patients aged between 2 months and 13 years joined the study. They had received high doses of oral minoxidil (mean dose 0.90 mg/kg/day) during a mean time of 38.3 days. Hypertrichosis appeared in 65%, with a mean latency time of 24.31 days. Treatment time was associated with the appearance of hypertrichosis (p < 0.05). Most common initial zone of hypertrichosis was the face. Systemic effects developed in 15%, with no cases of severe disorders. The present study shows a novel insight into the side effects of high doses of oral minoxidil in children

MPC for optimal dispatch of an AC-linked hybrid PV/wind/biomass/H2 system incorporating demand response

[EN] A Model Predictive Control (MPC) strategy based on the Evolutionary Algorithms (EA) is proposed for the optimal dispatch of renewable generation units and demand response in a grid-tied hybrid system. The generating system is based on the experimental setup installed in a Distributed Energy Resources Laboratory (LabDER), which includes an AC micro-grid with small scale PV/Wind/Biomass systems. Energy storage is by lead-acid batteries and an H2 system (electrolyzer, H2 cylinders and Fuel Cell). The energy demand is residential in nature, consisting of a base load plus others that can be disconnected or moved to other times of the day within a demand response program. Based on the experimental data from each of the LabDER renewable generation and storage systems, a micro-grid operating model was developed in MATLAB(C) to simulate energy flows and their interaction with the grid. The proposed optimization algorithm seeks the minimum hourly cost of the energy consumed by the demand and the maximum use of renewable resources, using the minimum computational resources. The simulation results of the experimental micro-grid are given with seasonal data and the benefits of using the algorithm are pointed out.Acevedo-Arenas, CY.; Correcher Salvador, A.; Sánchez-Diaz, C.; Ariza-Chacón, HE.; Alfonso-Solar, D.; Vargas-Salgado, C.; Petit-Suarez, JF. (2019). MPC for optimal dispatch of an AC-linked hybrid PV/wind/biomass/H2 system incorporating demand response. Energy Conversion and Management. 186:241-257. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2019.02.044S24125718

Monocyte populations as markers of response to adalimumab plus MTX in rheumatoid arthritis

INTRODUCTION: The treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) biological drugs has dramatically improved the prognosis of these patients. However, a third of the treated patients do not respond to this therapy. Thus, the search for biomarkers of clinical response to these agents is currently highly active. Our aim is to analyze the number and distribution of circulating monocytes, and of their CD14(+high)CD16(-), CD14(+high)CD16(+ )and CD14(+low)CD16(+ )subsets in methotrexate (MTX) non-responder patients with RA, and to determine their value in predicting the clinical response to adalimumab plus MTX treatment. METHODS: This prospective work investigated the number of circulating monocytes, and of their CD14(+high)CD16(-), CD14(+high)CD16(+ )and CD14(+low)CD16(+ )subsets, in 35 MTX non-responder patients with RA before and after three and six months of anti-TNFα treatment using multiparametric flow cytometry. The number of circulating monocytes in an age- and sex-matched healthy population was monitored as a control. RESULTS: Non-responder patients with RA show an increased number of monocytes and of their CD14(+high)CD16(-), CD14(+high)CD16(+ )and CD14(+low)CD16(+ )subsets after three months of adalimumab plus MTX treatment that remained significantly increased at six months. In contrast, significant normalization of the numbers of circulating monocytes was found in responders at three months of adalimumab plus MTX treatment that lasts up to six months. CX3CR1 expression is increased in monocytes in non-responders. At three months of anti-TNFα treatment the number of circulating monocytes and their subsets was associated with at least 80% sensitivity, 84% specificity and an 86% positive predictive value (PPV) in terms of discriminating between eventual early responders and non-responders. CONCLUSIONS: The absolute number of circulating monocytes and of their CD14(+high)CD16(-), CD14(+high)CD16(+ )and CD14(+low)CD16(+ )subsets at three months of adalimumab plus MTX treatment, have a predictive value (with high specificity and sensitivity) in terms of the clinical response after six months of anti-TNFα treatment in patients with RA

Developing speaking competences in technical English for Spanish civil engineering students

[EN] Traditionally, Spanish schools of civil engineering provide their students a class on “Technical English” in order to develop their language skills. However, this class does not cover all the skills that the student would need in the labor market and mainly focuses in the reading and writing skills, and in a lower degree in the speaking and listening ones. This paper proposes a series of innovative and informal training activities (cine-forum on technical civil engineering topics and role playing on real professional situations) that allow Spanish civil engineering students to develop English skills that can rarely be worked in the classroom (i.e. speaking, negotiating and conversing), encouraging debate, participation, and fostering their self-confidence to speak about technical-English topics in public. Although the students’ level of English is much lower than expected, they all agree on the importance of technical English for their future career. The results also show the students’ lack in skills that are difficult to train in regular classes (speaking and talking). Consequently, this situation would require to provide complementary activities like the ones suggested in this project in order to develop these skills and increase the students’ demand for engineering classes taught in English.Romero De Ávila Serrano, V.; Diaz García, S.; Asensio Sánchez, L.; Lozano Galant, JA.; Moyano Enríquez De Salamanca, A.; Porras Soriano, R.; Poveda Bautista, E.... (2017). Developing speaking competences in technical English for Spanish civil engineering students. En Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Higher Education Advances. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 1228-1236. https://doi.org/10.4995/HEAD17.2017.55641228123