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1 – 10 of over 6000Xiongfeng Zhu, Zheng Guo, Zhongxi Hou, Xianzhong Gao and Juntao Zhang
The purpose of this study is to present a methodology for parameters’ sensitivity analysis of solar-powered airplanes.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to present a methodology for parameters’ sensitivity analysis of solar-powered airplanes.
Design/methodology/approach
The study focuses on a preliminary design and parameters’ relations of a heavier-than-air, solar-powered, high-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle. The methodology is founded on the balance of energy production and requirement. An analytic expression with four generalized parameters is derived to determine the airplane flying on the specific altitude. The four generalized parameters’ sensitivities on altitude are then analyzed. Finally, to demonstrate the methodology, a case study is given on the parameters’ sensitivity analysis of a prototype solar-powered airplane.
Findings
When using the presented methodology, the nighttime duration and the energy density of batteries are more sensitive on flight altitude of the prototype airplane.
Practical implications
It is not easy to design a solar-powered airplane to realize high-attitude and long-endurance flight. For the current state-of-art, it is a way to figure out the most critical parameters which need prior consideration and immediate development.
Originality/value
This paper provides an analytical methodology for analyzing the parameters’ sensitivities of solar-powered airplanes, which can benefit the preliminary design of a solar-powered airplane.
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The purpose of this paper is to review the technology and applications of solar‐powered sensors.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to review the technology and applications of solar‐powered sensors.
Design/methodology/approach
Following a short introduction, this paper first considers photovoltaic technology and then describes a selection of solar‐powered sensors and their applications.
Findings
It is shown that solar‐powered sensors may be used as nodes in wireless sensor networks and also as stand‐alone devices. They offer a number of key operational and economic benefits and find applications in such diverse fields as structural and environmental monitoring, traffic management, weather forecasting, agriculture, process control, gas detection, satellite remote sensing and healthcare.
Originality/value
The paper illustrates the important role that solar‐powered sensors and systems play in a wide range of applications and industries.
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Eralp Sener, Irem Turk, Isil Yazar and Tahir Hikmet Karakoç
The aviation industry has started environment friendly and also conventional energy independent alternative energy dependent designs to reduce negative impacts on the nature and…
Abstract
Purpose
The aviation industry has started environment friendly and also conventional energy independent alternative energy dependent designs to reduce negative impacts on the nature and to maintain its future activities in a clear, renewable and sustainable way. One possible solution proposed is solar energy. Solar-powered aerial vehicles are seen as key solutions to reduce global warming effects. This study aims to simulate a mathematical model of a solar powered DC motor of an UAV on MATLAB/Simulink environment.
Design/methodology/approach
Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) is a critical term in photovoltaic (PV) array systems to provide the maximum power output to the related systems under certain conditions. In this paper, one of the popular MPPT techniques, “Incremental Conductance”, is simulated with solar-powered DC motor for an UAV design on MATLAB/Simulink.
Findings
The cascade structure (PV cell, MPPT, buck converter and DC motor models) is simulated and tested under various irradiance values, and results are compared to the DC motor technical data. As a result of that, mathematical model simulation results are overlapped with motor technical reference values in spite of irradiance changes.
Practical implications
It is suggested to be used in real time applications for future developments.
Originality/value
Different from other solar-powered DC motor literature works, a solar-powered DC motor mathematical model of an UAV is designed and simulated on MATLAB/Simulink environment. To adjust the maximum power output at the solar cell, incremental conductance MPPT technique is preferred and a buck converter structure is connected between MPPT and DC motor mathematical model. It is suggested to be used in solar-powered UAV designs for future developments.
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Vikas Kumar, Amanjot Singh Syan, Amanpreet Kaur and Bikramjit Singh Hundal
This study aims to examine the farmers’ awareness level and explores the factors, which may influence their adoption intention regarding solar powered pumps.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the farmers’ awareness level and explores the factors, which may influence their adoption intention regarding solar powered pumps.
Design/methodology/approach
The study consist of a sample of 510 respondents selected from the rural region of Punjab (India) by using convenience sampling. Descriptive analysis, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and multiple regression analysis techniques have been used for the analytical purpose.
Findings
The study reveals that dimensions such as perceived benefit, perceived compatibility and government incentives have a significant impact on intention to use solar powered pumps, whereas high investment cost and lack of awareness regarding government subsidies are the main reason for non-adoption of the same.
Research limitations/implications
The sample size has been selected on the basis of convenience sampling and has been taken from the rural area, which may affect its generalizability.
Practical implications
The present research is expected to be useful for the manufacturers, regulators, customers, commercial banks, product and service providers, and other environmental institutions.
Originality/value
The study has acknowledged various intentional factors, which influence the adoption decision of solar powered pumps. Therefore, the present study will be useful to formulate action plans to improve the environmental quality.
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Ajay Kumar Pathania, Bindiya Goyal and Jagdish Raj Saini
The purpose of this paper is to locate determinants of the diffusion process of solar energy and examine the relationship between variables affecting diffusion and adoption solar…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to locate determinants of the diffusion process of solar energy and examine the relationship between variables affecting diffusion and adoption solar of energy.
Design/methodology/approach
The data used in this research have been collected from users and non-users of solar energy products in Punjab. A research model was used to test for factors of diffusion and intention to use solar energy products.
Findings
The survey results show that the majority of solar product users are aware of the difference between renewable and non-renewable sources of energy. Roger’s diffusion model containing five components, relative advantage, trialability, observability, complexity and compatibility, shows that relative advantage and trialability significantly influence user’s intention to use solar products. In order to increase adoption and usage of solar energy products, more consideration is required toward raising the reliability and utility of solar products. Demos and trials highly convince users toward solar products. Hence sellers of solar products should give effective trials to increase acceptance of solar products.
Originality/value
This work provides a clear focus which will allow the diffusion and adoption of solar energy product by providing guidance and aspiration as well as providing platform to solar energy manufacture and government for policy making and future decision.
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Hoyon Hwang, Jaeyoung Cha and Jon Ahn
The purpose of this paper is to present the development of an optimal design framework for high altitude long endurance solar unmanned aerial vehicle. The proposed solar aircraft…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present the development of an optimal design framework for high altitude long endurance solar unmanned aerial vehicle. The proposed solar aircraft design framework provides a simple method to design solar aircraft for users of all levels of experience.
Design/methodology/approach
This design framework consists of algorithms and user interfaces for the design of experiments, optimization and mission analysis that includes aerodynamics, performance, solar energy, weight and flight distances.
Findings
The proposed sizing method produces the optimal solar aircraft that yields the minimum weight and satisfies the constraints such as the power balance, the night time energy balance and the lift coefficient limit.
Research limitations/implications
The design conditions for the sizing process are given in terms of mission altitudes, flight dates, flight latitudes/longitudes and design factors for the aircraft configuration.
Practical implications
The framework environment is light and easily accessible as it is implemented using open programs without the use of any expensive commercial tools or in-house programs. In addition, this study presents a sizing method for solar aircraft as traditional sizing methods fail to reflect their unique features.
Social implications
Solar aircraft can be used in place of a satellite and introduce many advantages. The solar aircraft is much cheaper than the conventional satellite, which costs approximately $200-300m. It operates at a closer altitude to the ground and allows for a better visual inspection. It also provides greater flexibility of missions and covers a wider range of applications.
Originality/value
This study presents the implementation of a function that yields optimized flight performance under the given mission conditions, such as climb, cruise and descent for a solar aircraft.
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Chandan Parsad, Shashank Mittal and Raveesh Krishnankutty
Recent research on the energy system highlights the need for understanding the bandwidth of drivers and inhibitors of household investor's behaviour in rooftop PV (or photovoltaic…
Abstract
Purpose
Recent research on the energy system highlights the need for understanding the bandwidth of drivers and inhibitors of household investor's behaviour in rooftop PV (or photovoltaic power system) and to fit the broader socio-economic context in which they are deployed. However, apart from few exceptions, these newer perspectives have not been duly applied in the research on rooftop PV. This paper aims to fill this gap and to shed new light on rooftop PV investment decisions.
Design/methodology/approach
This study has been conducted with the primary data collected using two data sets of 237 households and 387 households of Indian southern state Kerala using survey-based questionnaire. The findings from first data set revealed that households considering the adoption of PV were likely influenced by six distinct factors, three motivators and three inhibitors. Second data set for multi-state analytic approach was proposed whereby the research model was tested using structural equation modelling (SEM). The outcomes of SEM were used as inputs for an artificial neural network (ANN) model for forecasting investor investment decision in in renewables. The ANN model was also used to rank the relative influence of significant predictors obtained from SEM.
Findings
In line with the risk–return framework, government subsidies act as primary motivator which helps in overcoming the initial risk of investment in the new technology. Further, low prices and low cost of maintenance are some of the financial motivators which may likely mitigate the long-term apprehension of returns and maintenance cost. Lastly, the strongest motivators of PV investment come from the environmental and financial motivator in the form of PV subsidies, which further solidifies the role of policy interventions in investment decision. The ANN model identified the technical barrier and knowledge and awareness factors play a significant role in forcasting the investor investing decision.
Practical implications
The study results will be useful for policymakers for framing strategies to attract and influence their investment in renewable energy.
Originality/value
Building upon behavioural finance and institutional theory, this paper posits that, in addition to a rational evaluation of the economics of the investment opportunities, various non-financial factors affect the household's decision to invest in renewables.
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Alessandro Premier, Ali GhaffarianHoseini and Amirhosein GhaffarianHoseini
This research is focused on solar-powered (smart) urban furniture, and it is aimed at providing a classification of it and to understand the main problems related to the adoption…
Abstract
Purpose
This research is focused on solar-powered (smart) urban furniture, and it is aimed at providing a classification of it and to understand the main problems related to the adoption of these devices and where future design-led research should focus.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology involved a selection of international case studies in important urban contexts focussing on three main aspects: architectural integration, context sensitivity and system visibility of photovoltaic (PV) technologies applied to smart urban furniture.
Findings
The preliminary results indicate that potential limits to the application of these technologies are urban morphology and lack of design of some solutions.
Research limitations/implications
This research is focused on solar-powered (smart) urban furniture. Further investigation on built case studies may lead to a better understanding of the efficiency of the smart urban furniture and their appreciation by the people.
Practical implications
This study can be useful to understand the potential use and customization of these products in New Zealand.
Social implications
In Auckland’s central business district, these tools can be useful to help homeless people to recharge their phones and offer access to free Wi-Fi. Energy generation can be useful also for providing temporary heating during winter and so forth.
Originality/value
Design proposals and research highlight public benefits of smart urban furniture without considering aspects like their integration with the surrounding context. This is also the first study that identifies lack of design in some of the solutions available in the market.
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Solar as an energy source has a massive potential to reduce dependence on fossil fuels in Gulf Countries (GC). One attractive application of solar energy is solar-powered…
Abstract
Purpose
Solar as an energy source has a massive potential to reduce dependence on fossil fuels in Gulf Countries (GC). One attractive application of solar energy is solar-powered desalination, which is a viable method to produce fresh water. The most significant factor determining the potential deployment of this application is economics.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, the classical economic analysis model has been modified to assess the penetration of solar technology to power desalination plants at different periods during the project lifetime. Furthermore, the environmental and financial values were combined to assess the incentive of powering desalination plants with solar energy in Saudi Arabia. Three systems of solar technologies accompanied with water desalination based on technical applicability were modeled and economically analyzed to understand the impact of various design and operation parameters.
Findings
This study shows that PV-RO is currently more competitive at both market and administrated prices in Saudi Arabia, followed by the MED-CSP system and finally CSP-RO system. CSP-RO system starts to generate positive surplus after 11 years, while the base case shows no positive surplus at all during the entire lifetime. Moreover, the same trend continues to hold with MED-CSP and PV-RO systems. The MED-CSP generates positive surplus after six years and PV-RO after five years only. On average, it takes eight years for a project running based on solar (CAPEX and OPEX) and desalination OPEX to generate positive cash surplus.
Originality/value
This paper discusses the debate about incentives for renewable energy in GC and the impact of coupling water production and solar generation. Given that there is no analytical framework built earlier, this paper provides an alternative methodology for policy analysis to understand the role of economies of scope to incentivize solar generation. In other words, the authors are investigating options to reduce the total cost of solar production as a result of increasing the number of different goods produced.
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Electric motor heating during biomass recovery and its handling on conveyor is a serious concern for the motor performance. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to design and…
Abstract
Purpose
Electric motor heating during biomass recovery and its handling on conveyor is a serious concern for the motor performance. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to design and develop a hardware prototype of master–slave electric motors based biomass conveyor system to use the motors under normal operating conditions without overheating.
Design/methodology/approach
The hardware prototype of the system used master–slave electric motors for embedded controller operated robotic arm to automatically replace conveyor motors by one another. A mixed signal based embedded controller (C8051F226DK), fully compliant with IEEE 1149.1 specifications, was used to operate the entire system. A precise temperature measurement of motor with the help of negative temperature coefficient sensor was possible due to the utilization of industry standard temperature controller (N76E003AT20). Also, a pulse width modulation based speed control was achieved for master–slave motors of biomass conveyor.
Findings
As compared to conventional energy based mains supply, the system is self-sufficient to extract more energy from solar supply with an energy increase of 11.38%. With respect to conventional energy based \ of 47.31%, solar energy based higher energy saving of 52.69% was reported. Also, the work achieved higher temperature reduction of 34.26% of the motor as compared to previous cooling options.
Originality/value
The proposed technique is free from air, liquid and phase-changing material based cooling materials. As a consequence, the work prevents the wastage of these materials and does not cause the risk of health hazards. Also, the motors are used with their original dimensions without facing any leakage problems.
Details