Simulation Model of PV Module Built from Point-Focusing Fresnel Radiation Concentrators and Three-Junction High-Performance Cells

The silicon photovoltaic modules that dominate the market today are constantly being modified, but at the same time, the search for new, more efficient design solutions is underway. The study examined a less popular photovoltaic module built from point-focusing Fresnel radiation concentrators and high-efficiency three-junction cells. The advantage of this type of module is its high overall efficiency, exceeding 30%. The disadvantage is that they require biaxial precision tracking mechanisms because even a small deviation of the direction of direct solar radiation from the perpendicular to the module’s surface causes a large and abrupt drop in efficiency. This type of photovoltaic module structure is often also marked with the symbol C3PV. A mathematical model and simulation calculations were carried out in the Matlab/Simulink package for the C3PV module—the CX-75/200 model based on the “Solar Cell” component. The concentration of direct solar radiation was taken into account. For the module under consideration, experimental and simulation results show the necessity of accurate positioning concerning the direction of solar radiation—deviation of the radiation angle by about 5° causes a very high power loss (by about 92%).

Life–Cycle Oriented Risk Assessment Using a Monte Carlo Simulation

State of the art mechatronic systems are complex assemblies of various parts and sub-systems. In such an interconnected system, even relatively cheap parts can have a major impact on the overall performance due to unexpected failure. Hence, lifecycle management has major implications on the successful modification of existing products. Potential savings due to changes in production and procurement must be compared to the implied risk of products failing in the field due to these changes. This work documents a generic approach for risk assessment based on the distribution of the expected savings and incident costs over the whole lifecycle. To do so, a stochastic model is introduced to quantify the expected savings and costs given a non-risk-free product modification. Using a Monte Carlo simulation, the effects of uncertainty are incorporated into the risk management. The model and simulation are deployed within an industrial use case. The application demonstrates both the appropriateness of the tool and its useability.

Influence of Hydraulics on Electric Drive Operational Characteristics in Pump-Controlled Actuators

Transitioning from a valve- to pump-controlled system has been observed in working hydraulics to reduce energy consumption and accelerate the response to decarbonization requirements in Non-road Mobile Machinery (NRMM). The utilization of an electric motor as a prime mover significantly enhances the chances of completing this task. While the concept of combining hydraulics with an electric motor is not new, the functionality of electro-hydraulics can be improved due to multidisciplinary domains, the impact of the electric drive and its control is usually underestimated. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the influence of hydraulics on electric drive operational characteristics in pump-controlled actuators. It utilizes an electro-hydraulic model and simulation study under various conditions, a stability analysis, and a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) of the frequency converter (FC) evaluation on a selected variable speed pump-controlled actuator to demonstrate the influence of hydraulics on an electric drive. Experimental validation of the model demonstrated an acceptable accuracy of 5%. Moreover, the stability analysis indicated a rise time of about 0.051 s, an overshoot of 0.53%, a transient process time of 0.13 s, and a steady-state value difference of 0.16%; all of which guarantees stable operation of the electric drive with a hydraulic load. In addition, an optimal PWM of an FC frequency of 5 kHz was selected to guarantee accurate speed control with minimum overshoot.

Prediction of the monthly cost of energy usage by PEMFC at housing in North Sumatra Province, Indonesia

The development of renewable energy is increasing nowadays. Besides, the development of energy conversion systems that can work at high efficiency also increases along with the decreasing availability of fossil energy. The fuel cell is an electrochemical device that converts chemical reaction energy directly into direct current electrical energy. The use of fuel cells as power generating in housing has also increased rapidly, especially in developed countries. This study aims to develop a model and simulation for the Polymer Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) system with a working temperature of 165 °C) using Aspen Plus simulation. In this analysis, the model and simulation developed are used to predict the amount of fuel needed when used in housing as an electricity generator and obtain a monetary value for the monthly fuel procurement. The PEMFC system is designed to generate power up to 0.60 kW by consuming hydrogen fuel with a current density of 0.02 A/cm2. The hydrogen consumed by the PEMFC system is around 0.030 kg/hour, with a monthly cost of hydrogen consumption by the system is Rp. 2,052,000. Meanwhile, the monthly electricity from the national grid (PLN) bill costs around Rp. 569,261 (in the year 2019). In comparing the energy bill, at the moment, the fuel cost for PEMFC as a power generation system is much more expensive than PLN’s electricity consumption costs due to the high hydrogen fuel cost.

Blockchain-Based Wine Supply Chain for the Industry Advancement

The wine sector is one of the most ‘amazing’ and significant agri-food sectors worldwide since ancient times, considering revenue or employment as well as health aspects. This article aims to describe the impact of the implementation of blockchain technology (BCT) in the wine supply chain. After the literature review, the study is based on Agent Based Models (ABMs) and carried out by the GAMA program. Then, the model and simulation of BCT wine supply chain is designed. Finally, the paper compares traditional and BCT-based supply chains, and the advantages of the last one are evident. Blockchain is a useful tool to ensure a traceability system and to protect the production from any type of fraud and contamination.

Modelling and Analysis of Topographic Surface Properties of Grinding Wheels

Grinding is one of the effective manufacturing processes with which to produce highly accurate parts with an ultra-fine surface finish. The tool used to remove materials in grinding is called the grinding wheel. Abrasive grains made of extremely hard materials (alumina, silica, cubic boron nitride, and diamond) having a definite grit size but a random shape are bonded on the circumferential surface of the grinding wheel. The fabrication process is controlled so that the wheel exhibits a prescribed structure (in the scale of soft to hard). At the same time, the distribution of grains must follow a prescribed grade (in the scale of dense to open). After the fabrication, the wheel is dressed to make sure of its material removal effectiveness, which itself depends on the surface topography. The topography is quantified by the distribution and density of active abrasive grains located on the circumferential surface, the grains’ protrusion heights, and their pore volume ratio. The prediction of the surface topography mentioned above requires a model that considers the entire manufacturing process and the influences on the grinding wheel properties. This study fills this gap in modelling the grinding wheel by presenting a surface topography model and simulation framework for the effect of the grinding wheel fabrication process on the surface topography. The simulation results have been verified by conducting experiments. This study will thus help grinding wheel manufacturers in developing more effective grinding wheels.

Mathematical Modelling and Operation Simulation of the Indirect Connection Scheme of the Heating Installation and of the Consumption Hot Water Preparation in an Accumulating Stage

This paper presents the mathematical model and simulation of a thermal system for heating and supplying hot water to industrial or residential consumers consisting of a heat exchanger on the heating circuit and a heat exchanger provided with an accumulation tank on the domestic hot water circuit, this scheme is generally adopted in the industrial thermal points and increasingly in module-type thermal points for residential consumers. The mathematical model is based on the mathematical equations describing this system and developed using the MATLAB - Simulink program. Thus, as a result of the simulations, we can see the evolutions in time of the water temperatures on the heating circuit and the domestic hot water circuit, as well as the quantity of heat delivered by them.