Aplicação de um ciclo orgânico de Rankine à indústria Naval

Trabalho Final de Mestrado para obtenção de grau de Mestre em Engenharia Mecânica

A general overview on hybrid and electric vehicles

The economical and environment impacts of fossil energies increased the interest for hybrid, battery and fuel-cell electric vehicles. Several demanding engineering challenges must be faced, motivated by different physical domains integration. This paper aims to present an overview on hybrid (HEV) and electric vehicles (EV) basic structures and features. In addition, it will try to point out some of the most relevant challenges to overcome for HEV and EV may be a solid option for the mobility issue. New developments in energy storage devices and energy management systems (EMS) are crucial to achieve this goal.

QoS-enabled middleware for smart grids

Emerging smart grid systems must be able to react quickly and predictably, adapting their operation to changing energy supply and demand, by controlling energy consuming and energy storage devices. An intrinsic problem with smart grids is that energy produced from in-house renewable sources is affected by fluctuating weather factors. The applications driving smart grids operation must rely on a solid communication network that is secure, highly scalable, and always available. Thus, any communication infrastructure for smart grids should support its potential of producing high quantities of real-time data, with the goal of reacting to state changes by actuating on devices in real-time, while providing Quality of Service (QoS).

Wind-CSP short-term coordination by MILP approach

This paper is on the maximization of total profit in a day-ahead market for a price-taker producer needing a short-term scheduling for wind power plants coordination with concentrated solar power plants, having thermal energy storage systems. The optimization approach proposed for the maximization of profit is a mixed-integer linear programming problem. The approach considers not only transmission grid constraints, but also technical operating constraints on both wind and concentrated solar power plants. Then, an improved short-term scheduling coordination is provided due to the more accurate modelling presented in this paper. Computer simulation results based on data for the Iberian wind and concentrated solar power plants illustrate the coordination benefits and show the effectiveness of the approach.

A survey of technologies and applications for climbing robots locomotion and adhesion

The interest in the development of climbing robots has grown rapidly in the last years. Climbing robots are useful devices that can be adopted in a variety of applications, such as maintenance and inspection in the process and construction industries. These systems are mainly adopted in places where direct access by a human operator is very expensive, because of the need for scaffolding, or very dangerous, due to the presence of an hostile environment. The main motivations are to increase the operation efficiency, by eliminating the costly assembly of scaffolding, or to protect human health and safety in hazardous tasks. Several climbing robots have already been developed, and other are under development, for applications ranging from cleaning to inspection of difficult to reach constructions. A wall climbing robot should not only be light, but also have large payload, so that it may reduce excessive adhesion forces and carry instrumentations during navigation. These machines should be capable of travelling over different types of surfaces, with different inclinations, such as floors, walls, or ceilings, and to walk between such surfaces (Elliot et al. (2006); Sattar et al. (2002)). Furthermore, they should be able of adapting and reconfiguring for various environment conditions and to be self-contained. Up to now, considerable research was devoted to these machines and various types of experimental models were already proposed (according to Chen et al. (2006), over 200 prototypes aimed at such applications had been developed in the world by the year 2006). However, we have to notice that the application of climbing robots is still limited. Apart from a couple successful industrialized products, most are only prototypes and few of them can be found in common use due to unsatisfactory performance in on-site tests (regarding aspects such as their speed, cost and reliability). Chen et al. (2006) present the main design problems affecting the system performance of climbing robots and also suggest solutions to these problems. The major two issues in the design of wall climbing robots are their locomotion and adhesion methods. With respect to the locomotion type, four types are often considered: the crawler, the wheeled, the legged and the propulsion robots. Although the crawler type is able to move relatively faster, it is not adequate to be applied in rough environments. On the other hand, the legged type easily copes with obstacles found in the environment, whereas generally its speed is lower and requires complex control systems. Regarding the adhesion to the surface, the robots should be able to produce a secure gripping force using a light-weight mechanism. The adhesion method is generally classified into four groups: suction force, magnetic, gripping to the surface and thrust force type. Nevertheless, recently new methods for assuring the adhesion, based in biological findings, were proposed. The vacuum type principle is light and easy to control though it presents the problem of supplying compressed air. An alternative, with costs in terms of weight, is the adoption of a vacuum pump. The magnetic type principle implies heavy actuators and is used only for ferromagnetic surfaces. The thrust force type robots make use of the forces developed by thrusters to adhere to the surfaces, but are used in very restricted and specific applications. Bearing these facts in mind, this chapter presents a survey of different applications and technologies adopted for the implementation of climbing robots locomotion and adhesion to surfaces, focusing on the new technologies that are recently being developed to fulfill these objectives. The chapter is organized as follows. Section two presents several applications of climbing robots. Sections three and four present the main locomotion principles, and the main "conventional" technologies for adhering to surfaces, respectively. Section five describes recent biological inspired technologies for robot adhesion to surfaces. Section six introduces several new architectures for climbing robots. Finally, section seven outlines the main conclusions.

Wind-CSP short-term coordination by Milp approach

This paper is on the maximization of total profit in a day-ahead market for a price-taker producer needing a short-term scheduling for wind power plants coordination with concentrated solar power plants, having thermal energy storage systems. The optimization approach proposed for the maximization of profit is a mixed-integer linear programming problem. The approach considers not only transmission grid constraints, but also technical operating constraints on both wind and concentrated solar power plants. Then, an improved short-term scheduling coordination is provided due to the more accurate modelling presented in this paper. Computer simulation results based on data for the Iberian wind and concentrated solar power plants illustrate the coordination benefits and show the effectiveness of the approach.

Impacto da introdução de baterias num SEE isolado: o caso da ilha da Madeira

Com a crescente integração de energias renováveis variáveis nos sistemas elétricos de energia surgem novos desafios à maneira como se efetua a exploração dos mesmos, devido à dificuldade na previsão produção e na controlabilidade destas energias. Estes desafios são ainda maiores quando se analisa uma rede elétrica isolada de pequenas dimensões sem possibilidade de ser interligada a uma rede continental, por apresentar uma maior fragilidade e dai resultarem critérios de exploração muito mais apertados, de forma a garantir da melhor forma a segurança e estabilidade da rede. Consequentemente existe a necessidade de serem adotadas medidas que atenuem os impactos da variabilidade e tornem mais previsíveis as energias renováveis. É neste âmbito que surgem as tecnologias de armazenamento de energia elétrica. O presente documento apresenta um estudo aprofundado ao sistema eletroprodutor da ilha da Madeira e às suas especificidades, analisando a viabilidade técnica da introdução de baterias em larga escala no sistema. De forma a realizar esta análise, criou-se uma ferramenta de simulação em Matlab, que visou quantificar o impacto da introdução de baterias, quer ao nível da integração de energia eólica, quer ao nível da redução da produção térmica. Esta ferramenta permite ainda uma análise gráfica do diagrama de produção agregado diário, assim como a evolução de potência e energia na bateria.

Construção de um variador de frequência

A dificuldade de controlo de um motor de indução, bem como o armazenamento de energia CC e posterior utilização como energia alternada promoveram o desenvolvimento de variadores de frequência e inversores. Assim, como projeto de tese de mestrado em Automação e Sistemas surge o desenvolvimento de um variador de frequência. Para elaboração do variador de frequência efetuou-se um estudo sobre as técnicas de modulação utilizadas nos inversores. A técnica escolhida e utilizada é a Sinusoidal Pulse Width Modulation (SPWM). Esta técnica baseia-se na modelação por largura de impulso (PWM), o qual é formado por comparação de um sinal de referência com um sinal de portadora de elevada frequência. Por sua vez, a topologia escolhida para o inversor corresponde a um Voltage Source Inverter (VSI) de ponte trifásica completa a três terminais. O desenvolvimento da técnica de modulação SPWM levou ao desenvolvimento de um modelo de simulação em SIMULINK, o qual permitiu retirar conclusões sobre os resultados obtidos. Na fase de implementação, foram desenvolvidas placas para o funcionamento do variador de frequência. Assim, numa fase inicial foi desenvolvida a placa de controlo, a qual contém a unidade de processamento e que é responsável pela atuação de Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBTs). Para além disso, foi desenvolvida uma placa para proteção dos IGBTs (evitando condução simultânea no mesmo terminal) e uma placa de fontes isoladas para alimentação dos circuitos e para atuação dos IGBTs. Ainda, foi desenvolvida a técnica de SPWM em software para a unidade de controlo e finalmente foi desenvolvida uma interface gráfica para interação com o utilizador. A validação do projeto foi conseguida através da variação da velocidade do motor de indução trifásico. Para isso, este foi colocado a funcionar a diversas frequências de funcionamento e a diferentes amplitudes. Para além disso, o seu funcionamento foi também validado utilizando uma carga trifásica equilibrada de 3 lâmpadas de forma a ser visualizada a variação de frequência e variação de amplitude.

Preliminary study of synthesis gas production from water electrolysis, using the ELECTROFUEL (R) concept

This paper describes preliminary work on the generation of synthesis gas from water electrolysis using graphite electrodes without the separation of the generated gases. This is an innovative process, that has no similar work been done earlier. Preliminary tests allowed to establish correlations between the applied current to the electrolyser and flow rate and composition of the generated syngas, as well as a characterisation of generated carbon nanoparticles. The obtained syngas can further be used to produce synthetic liquid fuels, for example, methane, methanol or DME (dimethyl ether) in a catalytic reactor, in further stages of a present ongoing project, using the ELECTROFUEL® concept. The main competitive advantage of this project lies in the built-in of an innovative technology product, from RE (renewable energy) power in remote locations, for example, islands, villages in mountains as an alternative for energy storage for mobility constraints.

Otimização estocástica para a exploração de centrais de concentração solar considerando incerteza e risco

Dissertação para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Engenharia Eletrotécnica

Fonte comutada de baixa tensão para utilização em supercondensadores como fonte primária de energia

Dissertação para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Engenharia Electrotécnica Ramo Energia

Optimal generation scheduling of wind-CSP systems in day-ahead electricity markets

This paper presents a coordination approach to maximize the total profit of wind power systems coordinated with concentrated solar power systems, having molten-salt thermal energy storage. Both systems are effectively handled by mixed-integer linear programming in the approach, allowing enhancement on the operational during non-insolation periods. Transmission grid constraints and technical operating constraints on both systems are modeled to enable a true management support for the integration of renewable energy sources in day-ahead electricity markets. A representative case study based on real systems is considered to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. © IFIP International Federation for Information Processing 2015.

Estudo e análise das centrais híbridas de energias renováveis

Com o aumento do preço da eletricidade e o fim dos combustíveis fósseis, associados à necessidade de Portugal reduzir a sua dependência energética do exterior, provoca a necessidade urgente de apostar nas energias renováveis. Perante este cenário, e assumindo que o custo da fatura energética, é para as empresas portuguesas um fator cada vez mais determinante para serem competitivas, devido aos aumentos consecutivos da energia nos últimos anos, bem como, a subida do imposto de valor acrescentado (IVA) de 6% para 23%. Outro aspeto importante é a eficiência energética como instrumento para reduzir os consumos de eletricidade. Com estas duas medidas: utilização de energias renováveis e o aumento da eficiência energética, são extremamente importantes para a redução da produção dos gases de efeito estufa (GEE). Consequentemente, as empresas terão de investir na produção da própria energia a partir de fontes renováveis, de modo a proporcionar um desenvolvimento sustentável, associado à redução da fatura energética. Esta dissertação propõe o dimensionamento de um sistema híbrido composto por tecnologia fotovoltaica e eólica, com e sem armazenamento de energia em baterias, adequado para reduzir uma parte dos consumos de uma empresa enquadrada no sector dos plásticos. O dimensionamento deste sistema, foi efetuado com recurso à caracterização dos consumos da empresa através da recolha de dados e leituras no local da instalação. Paralelamente, foi efetuada uma pesquisa em diversos fabricantes, de modo a identificar qual o sistema mais indicado a adotar, considerando painéis fotovoltaicos, turbinas eólicas, inversores e baterias. Com base nos dados recolhidos na empresa e referentes ao potencial eólico e solar para o distrito do Porto, em conjunto com as características técnicas dos equipamentos selecionados, foi delineado o sistema híbrido utilizando para o efeito um software de simulação e otimização de sistemas híbridos, denominado Hybrid Optimization Model for Eletric Renewable (HOMER). São apresentadas várias simulações para as diversas configurações escolhidas e estudos comparativos entre si, com o objetivo de reduzir o consumo de eletricidade da rede. Adicionalmente, foram realizadas duas configurações apenas com tecnologia fotovoltaica, de modo a efetuar uma análise comparativa entre um sistema híbrido e outro apenas com uma fonte renovável. Os resultados apresentados focaram-se no desempenho diário, mensal e anual, bem como, a produção individual de cada tecnologia evidenciada. Por último, procedeu-se ao estudo da viabilidade técnico-económica das configurações.

Stochastic Framework for Strategic Decision-making of Load-serving Entities for Day-ahead Market

The deregulation of electricity markets has diversified the range of financial transaction modes between independent system operator (ISO), generation companies (GENCO) and load-serving entities (LSE) as the main interacting players of a day-ahead market (DAM). LSEs sell electricity to end-users and retail customers. The LSE that owns distributed generation (DG) or energy storage units can supply part of its serving loads when the nodal price of electricity rises. This opportunity stimulates them to have storage or generation facilities at the buses with higher locational marginal prices (LMP). The short-term advantage of this model is reducing the risk of financial losses for LSEs in DAMs and its long-term benefit for the LSEs and the whole system is market power mitigation by virtually increasing the price elasticity of demand. This model also enables the LSEs to manage the financial risks with a stochastic programming framework.

Incentive-based demand response programs designed by asset-light retailers for day-ahead market

Following the deregulation experience of retail electricity markets in most countries, the majority of the new entrants of the liberalized retail market were pure REP (retail electricity providers). These entities were subject to financial risks because of the unexpected price variations, price spikes, volatile loads and the potential for market power exertion by GENCO (generation companies). A REP can manage the market risks by employing the DR (demand response) programs and using its' generation and storage assets at the distribution network to serve the customers. The proposed model suggests how a REP with light physical assets, such as DG (distributed generation) units and ESS (energy storage systems), can survive in a competitive retail market. The paper discusses the effective risk management strategies for the REPs to deal with the uncertainties of the DAM (day-ahead market) and how to hedge the financial losses in the market. A two-stage stochastic programming problem is formulated. It aims to establish the financial incentive-based DR programs and the optimal dispatch of the DG units and ESSs. The uncertainty of the forecasted day-ahead load demand and electricity price is also taken into account with a scenario-based approach. The principal advantage of this model for REPs is reducing the risk of financial losses in DAMs, and the main benefit for the whole system is market power mitigation by virtually increasing the price elasticity of demand and reducing the peak demand.