Designing an innovative educational toolbox to support the transition to new technologies

Our economies and societies are becoming more and more knowledge based which implies that increasing numbers of people need to be educated and trained on new subjects and processes. Thus, the reduction of the effort needed to design and prepare educational and training programmes that meet the needs of the society and the market is of paramount importance. To achieve this goal, first, we define a learning programme model so that programme designers can easily exchange and re-use programme structures and learning materials. The proposed model additionally enables easier creation of interdisciplinary programmes which is another need of today’s market. Second, we deploy a web-based tool that adopts this model towards facilitating the re-use of structures and materials. Third, to reduce the time required for the training actors to sense the market needs, we propose the establishment of an educational programme marketplace. All three endeavours have been validated in the energy transition sector and (positively) evaluated by experts during an international workshop

Contribution of a power multivector to distorting load identification

The identification of harmonic generating loads and the assignation of responsibility for harmonic pollution is an important first step for harmonic control in modern power systems. In this paper, a previously introduced power multivector is examined as a possible tool for the identification of such loads. This representation of power is based on the mathematical framework of Geometric Algebra (GA). Components of the power multivector derived at the point of connection of a load are grouped into a single quantity, which is a bivector in GA and is characterized by a magnitude, direction and sense. The magnitude of this bivector can serve as an indicator of the distortion at the terminals of the load. Furthermore, in contrast to indices based solely on magnitude, such as components derived from any apparent power equation, the proposed bivectorial representation can differentiate between loads that enhance distortion and those with a mitigating effect. Its conservative nature permits an association between the distortion at specific load terminals and the common point of connection. When several loads connected along a distribution line are considered, then an evaluation of the impact of each one of these loads on the distortion at a specific point is possible. Simulation results confirm that information included in the proposed bivector can provide helpful guidance when quantities derived from apparent power equations deliver ambiguous results

The Recycling Potential of Submersible Sewage Pumps in the EU

Sewage pumps have been among the main electromechanical equipment of the sewage and wastewater management facilities around Europe for over 30 years. Their operational life ranges between 15 and 20 years. Therefore, a significant proportion of that equipment is currently non-operational, and many of them must be disposed of in the forthcoming years. Although the “Waste electrical and electronic equipment” Directive (2012/19/EU) is the main related legislation, sewage pumps are not directly addressed. EcoDesign Legislation is the main legislation applicable on such cases. This work investigates the possibilities of recycling sewage pumps used in wastewater management facilities after their renovation or upgrade. Evaluation results indicate that there is high potential for material recovery and for significant economic benefit. Therefore, the recovery of materials and safe handling of non-operating industrial and possibly hazardous electrical equipment waste, could contribute to the minimization of their impact on the environment

The Recycling Potential of Submersible Sewage Pumps in the EU

Sewage pumps have been among the main electromechanical equipment of the sewage and wastewater management facilities around Europe for over 30 years. Their operational life ranges between 15 and 20 years. Therefore, a significant proportion of that equipment is currently non-operational, and many of them must be disposed of in the forthcoming years. Although the “Waste electrical and electronic equipment” Directive (2012/19/EU) is the main related legislation, sewage pumps are not directly addressed. EcoDesign Legislation is the main legislation applicable on such cases. This work investigates the possibilities of recycling sewage pumps used in wastewater management facilities after their renovation or upgrade. Evaluation results indicate that there is high potential for material recovery and for significant economic benefit. Therefore, the recovery of materials and safe handling of non-operating industrial and possibly hazardous electrical equipment waste, could contribute to the minimization of their impact on the environment

Implementing the EcoDesign Directive in distribution transformers: First impacts review

Since the commission of the Ecodesign Directive 2005/32/EC and the review of the Directive in 2009, there has been radical change on a multitude of aspects across the grid of electrical products. Because of their high volume sales, significant environmental impact and high potential for improvement, distribution transformers were set as a priority for the Ecodesign Working Period 2009–2011. As of July 2015, the requirements of the Directive affect every unit placed into market. This study addresses the impact that the Ecodesign Directive had on the distribution transformer industry financially, environmentally, and technologically. Data has been collected from various authoritative sources in order to give an inclusive picture of the current situation, and how it may improve by the measures presented. We need to ascertain both the importance of the existing difficulties and the validity of the actions and regulations in effect so far. The purpose of this paper will be considered fulfilled if the reader can clearly understand the current state of the distribution transformer industry, the problems that the Ecodesign Directive attempts to overcome, the methods of solving said problems, and the effects that those solutions can have in the near future

A Novel ILP Formulation for PCB Maintenance Considering Electrical Measurements and Aging Factors: A “Right to Repair” Approach

The design of longer-lasting products, such as domestic electric appliances, is a key-stone approach of the circular economy to reduce the use of non-reusable materials and the number of wastes to be managed at the end of the product’s life as well as to extend it. The manufacturing of modern electric appliances includes the incorporation of printed circuit boards (PCBs). PCBs provide mechanical support and electrically connect electrical or electronic components using conductive trackpads and other features etched from one or more sheet layers of copper laminated onto and/or between sheet layers of a non-conductive substrate. This paper proposes a PCB maintenance framework, fully compliant with the “Right to Repair” concept, considering the impact of their aging failures based on measurements made on them, as well as the repair and replacement costs of their components. Herein, we present an algorithm that assesses the problem of handling the repair and replacement cost corresponding to specific failures while ensuring that the total cost of repair does not exceed a predefined value. This is achieved through an integer linear programming (ILP) formulation which maximizes the benefit to the life expectancy, Li, of an appliance, constrained by a customer’s limited budget. The proposed methodology is tested with different PCBs and considers different types of appliances. More specifically, two cases concerning PCBs of washing and dishwasher machines are studied to examine the dependency of the solutions on the aging rate of their various components. The simulation results show that considering a medium budget, after 3 years, we can achieve a health benefit of 92.4% for a washing machine’s PCB, while for a dishwasher’s PCB, the health benefit drops to 86.3%

A Novel ILP Formulation for PCB Maintenance Considering Electrical Measurements and Aging Factors: A “Right to Repair” Approach

The design of longer-lasting products, such as domestic electric appliances, is a key-stone approach of the circular economy to reduce the use of non-reusable materials and the number of wastes to be managed at the end of the product’s life as well as to extend it. The manufacturing of modern electric appliances includes the incorporation of printed circuit boards (PCBs). PCBs provide mechanical support and electrically connect electrical or electronic components using conductive trackpads and other features etched from one or more sheet layers of copper laminated onto and/or between sheet layers of a non-conductive substrate. This paper proposes a PCB maintenance framework, fully compliant with the “Right to Repair” concept, considering the impact of their aging failures based on measurements made on them, as well as the repair and replacement costs of their components. Herein, we present an algorithm that assesses the problem of handling the repair and replacement cost corresponding to specific failures while ensuring that the total cost of repair does not exceed a predefined value. This is achieved through an integer linear programming (ILP) formulation which maximizes the benefit to the life expectancy, Li, of an appliance, constrained by a customer’s limited budget. The proposed methodology is tested with different PCBs and considers different types of appliances. More specifically, two cases concerning PCBs of washing and dishwasher machines are studied to examine the dependency of the solutions on the aging rate of their various components. The simulation results show that considering a medium budget, after 3 years, we can achieve a health benefit of 92.4% for a washing machine’s PCB, while for a dishwasher’s PCB, the health benefit drops to 86.3%

Advances in Industrial Waste Reduction

Industry is an integral part of the economic activity of any country [...

Rebuilding of a Classical Robotic System with a Modern Control Software and Sensor Signals

It is widely known that association between the latest modern technology and robotic manipulators of older ages, has always been of interest to engineers. These machines were equipped with classical sensor devices such as absolute encoders and typical transducers like stepper and servo motors. Considering that present programming tools are very effectual and offer more user friendly interaction, the need for this association is enhanced. The aim of this research project is to present a method via which the SCORBOT ER-III robotic arm will be programmed, efficiently controlled and operated entirely by using a contemporary interface tool. For this purpose the former installed software, although still actual, is substituted by the latest version of LabVIEW program, offering additional stability and proficiency, as well as the ability of controlling and monitoring all robot functions in a more easier and flexible way. On the grounds of this project, there will be records and presentation of the control algorithms performance as well as of the robot feedback signals. Moreover, in the rest of this research paper, there will be a thorough explanation of the main interface control panel by demonstrating characteristic examples of operations and additionally the details of the code generation in block diagram format