An integrated system design interface for operating 8-DoF robotic arm

This study examines the system integration of a game engine with robotics middleware to drive an 8 degree offreedom (DoF) robotic upper limb to generate human-like motion for telerobotic applications. The developed architectureencompasses a pipeline execution design using Blender Game Engine (BGE) including the acquisition of real humanmovements via the Microsoft Kinect V2, interfaced with a modeled virtual arm, and replication of similar arm movements on the physical robotic arm. In particular, this study emphasizes the integration of a human “pilot” with ways to drive such a robotic arm through simulation and later, into a finished system. Additionally, using motion capture technology, a human upper limb action was recorded and applied onto the robot arm using the proposed architecture flow. Also, we showcase the robotic arm’s actions which include reaching, picking, holding, and dropping an object. This paper presentsa simple and intuitive kinematic modeling and 3D simulation process, which is validated using 8-DoF articulated robot to demonstrate methods for animation, and simulation using the designed interface.

Performance Analysis of a Waste-to-Energy System Integrated with the Steam–Water Cycle and Urea Hydrolysis Process of a Coal-Fired Power Unit

An innovative hybrid energy system consisting of a waste-to-energy unit and a coal-fired power unit is designed to enhance the energy recovery of waste and decrease the investment costs of waste-to-energy unit. In this integrated design, partial cold reheat steam of the coal-fired unit is heated by the waste-to-energy boiler’s superheater. The heat required for partial preheated air of waste-to-energy unit and its feedwater are supplied by the feedwater of CFPU. In addition, an additional evaporator is deployed in the waste-to-energy boiler, of which the outlet stream is utilized to provide the heat source for the urea hydrolysis unit of coal-fired power plant. The stand-alone and proposed designs are analyzed and compared through thermodynamic and economic methods. Results indicate that the net total energy efficiency increases from 41.84% to 42.12%, and the net total exergy efficiency rises from 41.19% to 41.46% after system integration. Moreover, the energy efficiency and exergy efficiency of waste-to-energy system are enhanced by 10.48% and 9.92%, respectively. The dynamic payback period of new waste-to-energy system is cut down from 11.39 years to 5.48 years, and an additional net present value of $14.42 million is got than before.

Understanding Power Market Dynamics by Reflecting Market Interrelations and Flexibility-Oriented Bidding Strategies

Power markets are becoming increasingly complex as they move towards (i) integrating higher amounts of variable renewable energy, (ii) shorter trading intervals and lead times, (iii) stronger interdependencies between related markets, and (iv) increasing energy system integration. For designing them appropriately, an enhanced understanding of the dynamics in interrelated short-term physical power and energy markets is required, which can be supported by market simulations. In this paper, we present an agent-based power market simulation model with rule-based bidding strategies that addresses the above-mentioned challenges, and represents market participants individually with a high level of technical detail. By allowing agents to participate in several interrelated markets, such as the energy-only market, a procurement platform for control reserve and a local heat market representing district heating systems, cross-market opportunity costs are well reflected. With this approach, we were able to reproduce EPEX SPOT market outcomes for the German bidding zone with a high level of accuracy (mean absolute percentage error of 8 €/MWh for the years 2016–2019). We were also able to model negative market prices at the energy-only market realistically, and observed that the occurrence of negative prices differs among data inputs used. The simulation model provides a useful tool for investigating different short-term physical power/energy market structures and designs in the future. The modular structure also enables extension to further related markets, such as fuel, CO2, or derivative markets.

Potential Deployment and Integration of Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier Technology within Different Industries

The deployment of hydrogen as an infrastructure fuel and an energy vector across a range of industries is expected to aid with meeting decarbonisation goals and achieving net zero emissions. For the transition towards a low carbon hydrogen economy, not only the production of hydrogen needs to be addressed, but also its transportation and storage. Liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs) are an attractive solution for the storage and transportation of hydrogen to allow a reliable and on-demand hydrogen supply, enabling industrial decarbonisation. This work describes the potential deployment and integration of LOHCs within different industries. These include: the transportation sector; steel and cement industries; the use of stored hydrogen to produce fuels and chemicals from flue gases, and a system integration of fuel cells and LOHCs for energy storage.