Michela Chimienti

Predictive Dispatch Across Time of Hybrid Isolated Power Systems

The paper proposes a methodology for the optimal dispatch of energy sources in hybrid and isolated energy systems. The proposed approach is based on the formulation and solution of a nonlinear discrete optimization problem aimed at optimizing input and output time trajectories for a set of combined generating and storage technologies. Loads and interruptible loads are among controlled variables, and are modeled according to their interruption costs. The approach is general enough to be applied to any hybrid system configuration and was developed having in mind the complex hybrid system architectures comprising several competing storage technologies (battery, pumping, and hydrogen). Test results are aimed at showing the feasibility of the proposed methodology, comparing optimal trajectories to suboptimal system behavior given by load-following strategies.

Layout-Based Document-Retrieval System by Radon Transform Using Dynamic Time Warping

In the context of sustainability of document management technologies, this paper presents a new system for layout-based document retrieval specifically designed for commercial form retrieval. The system first uses a technique based on mathematical morphology to extract grid-based structural components from the document image. Successively, Radon Transform is used for document layout description. A document matching technique based on dynamic time warping is finally adopted. The experimental results carried out on real and simulated data set, demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach with respect to different classes of commercial forms.

Managing Networked Hybrid-Energy Systems: a Predictive Dispatch Approach

Abstract Energy source management in networked enterprises is one of the crucial tasks of recent times: different energy requests as well as distribution among node-enterprise due to variety of production loads and duties exchanges may in fact bring to un-optimal energetic balance of the network. The idea of optimal balancing of energy sources within a set of nodes of an enterprise network, even though temporarily cooperating, by endeavoring a systemic perspective is the rationale of the present paper. A methodology for the optimal dispatch of energy sources in hybrid as well as isolated energy systems has been devised to this aim. The core of the methodology is based on the formulation and solution of a nonlinear discrete optimization problem aimed at optimizing input and output time trajectories for a set of combined power-generation and storage technologies. The proposed approach is general enough to be susceptible of implementation in any network of enterprises to optimize the energy dispatching.

An auction based agency for demand side management system: An evaluation

Aim of this work is to present a model of an intelligent short term demand side management system (DSM) based on a distributed measurement and management data system. The system is designed to improve the profitability of modern self-production energy plants reducing the power consumption and maintaining the same comfort level for users. The DSM problem is modeled as an auction based multi-agent system. The proposed system is composed of a sensor network and a central processing unit. Each network node is handled by an agent and it is able to regulate the power consumption of a single environment (in this work a room of a public building). Each agent reacts to a new critical condition entering in competition with the others to gain the access at a shared limited resource. The competition is regulated by an auction based system. As the first experimental results are showing, the proposed system can be the consumers key to maximize the profitability of the self-production energy plants.

Hybrid Production-System Control-Architecture for Smart Manufacturing

Highly customized products with shorter life cycles characterize the market today: the smart manufacturing paradigm can answer these needs. In this latter production system context, the interaction between production resources (PRs) can be swiftly adapted to meet both the variety of customers’ needs and the optimization goals. In the scientific literature, several architectural configurations have been devised so far to this aim, namely: hierarchical, heterarchical or hybrid. Whether the hierarchical and heterarchical architectures provide respectively low reactivity and a reduced vision of the optimization opportunities at production system level, the hybrid architectures can mitigate the limit of both the previous architectures. However, no hybrid architecture can ensure all PRs are aware of how orienting their behavior to achieve the optimization goal of the manufacturing system with a minimal computational effort. In this paper, a new “hybrid architecture” is proposed to meet this goal. At each order entry, this architecture allows the PRs to be dynamically grouped. Each group has a supervisor, i.e. the optimizer, that has the responsibility: (1) to monitor the tasks on all the resources, (2) to compute the optimal manufacturing parameters and (3) to provide the optimization results to the resources of the group. A software prototype was developed to test the new architecture design in a simulated flow-shop and in a simplified job shop production.

Improving Sustainability of Energy Production: Design of a Demand Side Management System Using an Auction Model

This work presents an intelligent demand side management (DSM) system modeled according to an auction based multi-agent system (MAS). The system is designed to improve the sustainability of energy self-production systems thanks to energy saving features while guaranteeing the maintenance of the user’s desired comfort level. The proposed system is composed of a sensor network and a central processing unit. Each network node is handled by an agent and it is able to regulate the power consumption of a single environment (e.g., a room). The first live tests were carried out within a public building. Results seems promising for maximizing the sustainability as well as the profitability of self-production energy systems.

Vanadium: A Transition Metal for Sustainable Energy Storing in Redox Flow Batteries

Storage systems are becoming one of the most critical components in the scenario of energy, mainly due to the penetration and deployment of renewable sources. All-vanadium redox-flow batteries (RFB), in combination with a wide range of renewable energy sources, are one of the most promising technologies as an electrochemical energy storage system because of the independence of energy and power rating, fast response, room temperature operation, extremely long life, and low environmental impact. This article reviews the main features and applications of vanadium as a key element of RFB and provides a simple explanation of its properties and use as a means of energy storage.