Non-linear Autoregressive Neural Networks to Forecast Short-Term Solar Radiation for Photovoltaic Energy Predictions

Nowadays, green energy is considered as a viable solution to hinder CO2 emissions and greenhouse effects. Indeed, it is expected that Renewable Energy Sources (RES) will cover 40% of the total energy request by 2040. This will move forward decentralized and cooperative power distribution systems also called smart grids. Among RES, solar energy will play a crucial role. However, reliable models and tools are needed to forecast and estimate with a good accuracy the renewable energy production in short-term time periods. These tools will unlock new services for smart grid management. In this paper, we propose an innovative methodology for implementing two different non-linear autoregressive neural networks to forecast Global Horizontal Solar Irradiance (GHI) in short-term time periods (i.e. from future 15 to 120min). Both neural networks have been implemented, trained and validated exploiting a dataset consisting of four years of solar radiation values collected by a real weather station. We also present the experimental results discussing and comparing the accuracy of both neural networks. Then, the resulting GHI forecast is given as input to a Photovoltaic simulator to predict energy production in short-term time periods. Finally, we present the results of this Photovoltaic energy estimation discussing also their accuracy

Global Renewable Energy-Based Electricity Generation and Smart Grid System for Energy Security

Energy is an indispensable factor for the economic growth and development of a country. Energy consumption is rapidly increasing worldwide. To fulfill this energy demand, alternative energy sources and efficient utilization are being explored. Various sources of renewable energy and their efficient utilization are comprehensively reviewed and presented in this paper. Also the trend in research and development for the technological advancement of energy utilization and smart grid system for future energy security is presented. Results show that renewable energy resources are becoming more prevalent as more electricity generation becomes necessary and could provide half of the total energy demands by 2050. To satisfy the future energy demand, the smart grid system can be used as an efficient system for energy security. The smart grid also delivers significant environmental benefits by conservation and renewable generation integration

Energy savings in the combustion based process heating in industrial sector

Energy efficiency and savings strategies in the combustion based industrial process heating has been reviewed comprehensively and presented in this paper. This work compiles latest literatures in terms of thesis, journal articles, conference proceedings, web materials, reports, books, handbooks on industrial process heating systems in the industrial sector. Different types of equipment used (i.e., recuperator, regenerators, heat wheels, heat pipes, economizers, etc.) and energy savings are reviewed in various industrial processes heating. Based on the review results, it is found that significant amounts of energy could be saved by using heat recovery system in the industrial process heating. By using recuperator up to 25% energy can be saved in the furnace. In the case of boiler, by using economizers 10% to 20% energy can be saved. Economic analysis shows that the payback period of recuperator and economizer are normally less than 2 years. It is also found that the payback period is lower when operating hour is comparatively high

Prospects, progress, policies, and effects of rural electrification in Bangladesh

Energy is instrumental for the development and economic growth of a country. Although Bangladesh is known as a developing country in South Asia, it has been recognised as a model country by the United Nations for its remarkable achievements in attaining the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. Successive governments of the country have taken several developmental initiatives that aim to improve the standard of living and to provide basic rights to the citizens. An increase in the demand for energy, particularly electricity, is a normal consequence of many of these initiatives. Thus, the provision of sufficient electricity has become a genuine challenge for the government. Studies have indicated that even if the national demand for electricity remains static, another 35 years is required by the government to provide electricity to all, given the current production pace. Providing electricity to all may nearly be an impossible task because of the ever-increasing demand for electricity. The situation in rural areas, where many people are deprived of electricity supply, is even severe. Fortunately, this coastal and agro-based country is geo- graphically located in an area that has a potential in exploiting different renewable forms of energy. Therefore, renewable energy sources can be considered potential solutions to satisfy the future energy demand of the country and to provide electricity, particularly in rural areas. Bangladesh is one of the countries that is seriously vulnerable to the effects of climate change; hence, the use of renewable energy can contribute to mitigate the effects of both climate change and environmental degradation in the country

Determination of Critical Limit of Zinc for Rice (<i>Oryza sativa</i> L.) and Potato (<i>Solanum tuberosum</i> L.) Cultivation in Floodplain Soils of Bangladesh

The critical limit for zinc (Zn) varies from 0.38 to 2 µg/g soil depending on the crop and soil type. However, the critical limit for Zn was not explored recently for rice and potato cultivation in the floodplain soils of Bangladesh. A pot experiment was conducted to determine the critical limits of Zn in soil and plants for rice and potato cultivation in two agro-ecological zones (AEZs) of Bangladesh. The soil samples were collected from 20 different locations of Old Brahmaputra and Active Ganges Floodplains with low (1.80 µg/g) Zn status. The experiment was laid out in a factorial and completely randomized design with two levels of Zn (Zn0 and Zn1 (0 and 4.87 kg/ha as Zn sulphate)) applied to 20 different soil samples for rice and potato cultivation using three replications. The critical limit of Zn was determined through a graphical and statistical approach and crops were harvested at the stem elongation (for rice) and tuber filling (for potato) stage. The critical limit of Zn in soil for rice was found to be 0.8 and 0.85 µg/g by graphical and statistical methods, respectively, and both methods revealed the same value (0.73 µg/g) for potato. The critical limit of Zn in rice plants was 23.9 and 24.32 µg/g, whereas in potato plants it was 27.1 and 26.61 µg/g, determined by graphical and statistical methods, respectively. The added Zn supply in soil significantly increased the dry matter accumulation in rice (by 5.6%) and potato (by 10%) compared to no Zn supply. Therefore, a significant positive response to added Zn could be observed on crop growth and yield when the Zn concentration remained below the mentioned critical level for rice and potato cultivation in floodplain soils of Bangladesh

Determination of Critical Limit of Zinc for Rice (Oryza sativa L.) and Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Cultivation in Floodplain Soils of Bangladesh

The critical limit for zinc (Zn) varies from 0.38 to 2 &micro;g/g soil depending on the crop and soil type. However, the critical limit for Zn was not explored recently for rice and potato cultivation in the floodplain soils of Bangladesh. A pot experiment was conducted to determine the critical limits of Zn in soil and plants for rice and potato cultivation in two agro-ecological zones (AEZs) of Bangladesh. The soil samples were collected from 20 different locations of Old Brahmaputra and Active Ganges Floodplains with low (&lt;0.9 &micro;g/g), medium (0.91&ndash;1.80 &micro;g/g) and high (&gt;1.80 &micro;g/g) Zn status. The experiment was laid out in a factorial and completely randomized design with two levels of Zn (Zn0 and Zn1 (0 and 4.87 kg/ha as Zn sulphate)) applied to 20 different soil samples for rice and potato cultivation using three replications. The critical limit of Zn was determined through a graphical and statistical approach and crops were harvested at the stem elongation (for rice) and tuber filling (for potato) stage. The critical limit of Zn in soil for rice was found to be 0.8 and 0.85 &micro;g/g by graphical and statistical methods, respectively, and both methods revealed the same value (0.73 &micro;g/g) for potato. The critical limit of Zn in rice plants was 23.9 and 24.32 &micro;g/g, whereas in potato plants it was 27.1 and 26.61 &micro;g/g, determined by graphical and statistical methods, respectively. The added Zn supply in soil significantly increased the dry matter accumulation in rice (by 5.6%) and potato (by 10%) compared to no Zn supply. Therefore, a significant positive response to added Zn could be observed on crop growth and yield when the Zn concentration remained below the mentioned critical level for rice and potato cultivation in floodplain soils of Bangladesh