scholarly journals Opportunity for Revamping/Repowering of a Large Photovoltaic Plant in Sicily, a Case Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 65 (2-4) ◽  
pp. 285-291
Author(s):  
Aneli Stefano ◽  
Arena Roberta ◽  
Antonio Gagliano ◽  
Guido Sciuto

The current Italian photovoltaic park begins to show significant underperformance in efficiency mainly due to degradation of the modules, component defects, incorrect design, construction and maintenance of the systems. Such criticisms have the highest occurrences for the older installations which have had to meet feed-in tariff deadlines. According to GSE data, in Italy at the end of 2013 about 11,000 photovoltaic systems of between 200 kW and 5000 MW were installed, for a total power of about 11.0 GW, the prospective of upgrading and improving these older plants becomes progressively significant to both producers and PV plant owners. To meet these new needs, the Italian Energy Service System Operator (GSE) has recently issued new directives for repowering that allow producers of photovoltaic energy to maintain and modernize their plants without losing incentives. To evaluate the opportunities deriving from the possibility of revamping existing plants, a case study on a PV plant built in Sicily for which significant production losses were found is presented. The total investment costs, estimated in approximately € 444,000, is based on a market survey and the advice of industry experts. Considering the residual incentive period still recognized equal to 13, the economic return on investment is expected 8th year of post-revamping. The possibility of making this type of operation compatible with the maintenance of incentives is, therefore, an opportunity to increase the efficiency and enhancement of the national photovoltaic park and at the same time a potentially advantageous investment for producers.

Machines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 370
Author(s):  
Miguel Angel Orellana ◽  
Jose Reinaldo Silva ◽  
Eduardo L. Pellini

A solid demand to integrate energy consumption and co-generation emerged worldwide, motivated, on one hand, by the need to diversify and enhance energy supply, and, one the other hand, by the pressure to attend to the requirements of a heterogeneous class of users. The coupling between energy service provision and final users also includes balancing user needs, eliminating excesses, and optimizing energy supply while avoiding blackouts. Another motivation is the challenge of having sustainable sources and many adapted to the user ecosystem. Altogether, these motivations lead to more abstract design approaches to co-generation-distributed systems, such as those based on goal-oriented requirements used to model smart grids. This work considers the available design practices and its difficulties in proposing a new method capable of producing a flexible requirement model that could serve for design and maintenance purposes. We suggest coupling the approach based on goal-oriented requirements with model-based engineering to support such a model. The expected result is a sound and flexible requirements model, including a model for the interaction with the final user (now being considered a producer and consumer simultaneously). A case study is presented, wherein a small energy service system in an isolated community in the Amazon rain forest was designed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 290 ◽  
pp. 02006
Author(s):  
Anca Mocan ◽  
Anca Draghici

Lack of appropriate warehouse ergonomics is one of the leading causes of worker injuries in industry environments. As management teams are trying to reduce the cost of doing business, they look to worker’s health statistics and realize they must improve their way of operating. The paper presents a warehouse analysis done at the request of the management team of a Belgian manufacturing plant. The factory’s warehouse was audited with focus on Kanban bin weight, storage rack height and rack width to assess the ergonomic strain it causes on workers. The paper then presents possible automation options in order to find the best fit to reduce ergonomic impact, while also optimizing the total investment cost.


Author(s):  
Bernard Tuffour Atuahene ◽  
Sittimont Kanjanabootra ◽  
Thayaparan Gajendran

Big data applications consist of i) data collection using big data sources, ii) storing and processing the data, and iii) analysing data to gain insights for creating organisational benefit. The influx of digital technologies and digitization in the construction process includes big data as one newly emerging digital technology adopted in the construction industry. Big data application is in a nascent stage in construction, and there is a need to understand the tangible benefit(s) that big data can offer the construction industry. This study explores the benefits of big data in the construction industry. Using a qualitative case study design, construction professionals in an Australian Construction firm were interviewed. The research highlights that the benefits of big data include reduction of litigation amongst projects stakeholders, enablement of near to real-time communication, and facilitation of effective subcontractor selection. By implication, on a broader scale, these benefits can improve contract management, procurement, and management of construction projects. This study contributes to an ongoing discourse on big data application, and more generally, digitization in the construction industry.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 72-91
Author(s):  
Tri Wahyudi ◽  
Harianto ◽  
Sahara

PT TAF is one of multifinance companies in Indonesia. The increase in low segment sales from 2013-2017 with a high credit amount led to an increase in the quality of PT TAF's receivables categorized as Non Performing Financing (NPF). This increase in NPF was also accompanied by an increase in PT TAF's net loss in 2017 and affected the company's profits. Therefore an analysis is needed to find out factors that influence the amount of credit and NPF, in order to formulate the strategy to manage it. This study uses secondary data of PT TAF debtors which related to the amount of credit, debtor delays and NPF from 2013 to 2017. The approach of this study is a case study in PT TAF about the level of NPF from 2013 -2017. The method used in this study is descriptive analysis and statistical tests. Multiple linear regression is performed to determine the factors that influence the amount of credit, while binary logistic regression is carried out to determine the factors that influence NPF. The results of the analysis will be used to formulate a strategy proposal for controlling NPF at PT TAF. Factors that significantly influence the amount of the credit are vehicle price, age, loan interest, installment amount, income, down payment, type of first installment, type of vehicle, education, gender, credit package, and credit tenor. The factors that influence NPF are the amount of credit, Loan to Value (LTV), the residence area of ​​the debtor and inflation. The proposed strategy formulations are: to consider factors which affecting amount of credit in granting credit, to increase the debtor portfolio with LTV less than or equal to 80 percent, avoid low down payment and long tenor products, strengthen collection organizational structures and increase team collection capabilities, and utilize the Financial Information Service System from OJK to obtain information about the debtors.


2021 ◽  
Vol 336 ◽  
pp. 05020
Author(s):  
Piotr Hadaj ◽  
Marek Nowak ◽  
Dominik Strzałka

A case study based on the real data obtained from the Polish PSE System Operator of the highest voltages electrical energy network is shown. The data about the interconnection exchange and some complex networks (graphs) parameters were examined, after the removal of selected nodes. This allowed to test selected network parameters and to show that the breakdown of only three nodes in this network can cause significant drop of its average efficiency.


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 667-680 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennie Molinder ◽  
Heiner Körnich ◽  
Esbjörn Olsson ◽  
Hans Bergström ◽  
Anna Sjöblom

Abstract. The problem of icing on wind turbines in cold climates is addressed using probabilistic forecasting to improve next-day forecasts of icing and related production losses. A case study of probabilistic forecasts was generated for a 2-week period. Uncertainties in initial and boundary conditions are represented with an ensemble forecasting system, while uncertainties in the spatial representation are included with a neighbourhood method. Using probabilistic forecasting instead of one single forecast was shown to improve the forecast skill of the ice-related production loss forecasts and hence the icing forecasts. The spread of the multiple forecasts can be used as an estimate of the forecast uncertainty and of the likelihood for icing and severe production losses. Best results, both in terms of forecast skill and forecasted uncertainty, were achieved using both the ensemble forecast and the neighbourhood method combined. This demonstrates that the application of probabilistic forecasting for wind power in cold climates can be valuable when planning next-day energy production, in the usage of de-icing systems and for site safety.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennie P. Söderman ◽  
Heiner Körnich ◽  
Esbjörn Olsson ◽  
Hans Bergström ◽  
Anna Sjöblom

Abstract. The problem of icing on wind turbines in cold climates is addressed using probabilistic forecasting to improve next- day forecasts of icing and related production losses. A case study of probabilistic forecasts was generated for a two- week period. Uncertainties in initial and boundary conditions are represented with an ensemble forecasting system, while uncertainties in the spatial representation are included with a neighbourhood method. Using probabilistic forecasting instead of one single forecast was shown to improve the forecast skill of the ice-related production loss forecasts and hence the icing forecasts. The spread of the multiple forecasts can be used as an estimate of the forecast uncertainty and of the likelihood for icing and severe production losses. Best results, both in terms of forecast skill and forecasted uncertainty, were achieved using both the ensemble forecast and the neighbourhood method combined. This demonstrates that the application of probabilistic forecasting for wind power in cold climate can be valuable when planning next-day energy production, in the usage of de-icing systems, and for site safety.


2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 222-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie King ◽  
Niki Edwards ◽  
Ignacio Correa-Velez ◽  
Rosalyn Darracott ◽  
Maureen Fordyce

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the experiences of a refugee family navigating complex disability and restrictive practice service systems. Living with disability, or caring for someone with disability can compound the disadvantage and marginalisation already experienced by refugees. The nexus between disability and refugee status, particularly intellectual disability and restrictive practices, has received little scholarly attention and almost nothing is known of people’s experiences in this situation. Design/methodology/approach Thematic analysis of a case study is used to illustrate the experiences of a refugee family in this situation. The case study presented was part of a larger ethnographic study exploring the experiences of people of refugee background living with disability. Findings There were numerous barriers to accessing appropriate services. The family experienced high levels of stress simultaneously navigating the resettlement process and the disability service system. They were poorly informed and disempowered regarding the care of their loved one and the use of restrictive practices. Experiences in the country of origin, employment responsibilities, and unfamiliarity with the service system were key factors in this family’s difficulty in safeguarding the rights of their family member with disability. Originality/value This case study examines the complexity experienced when disability intersects with refugee background. Areas for additional research and significant gaps in service provision are identified. The case study clearly demonstrates the importance of understanding people’s pre- and post-settlement experiences to inform policy and service provision.


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