Harvesting the full spectrum of sunlight using a hybrid approach offers the potential for higher efficiencies, lower power production costs, and increased power grid compatibility than any single technology by itself. In this article, the base technologies for converting sunlight into electricity, including photovoltaics and solar thermal approaches are discussed. Then feasible strategies for c...

The theoretical ability of modular robots to reconfigure in response to complex tasks in a priori unknown environments has frequently been cited as an advantage, but has never been experimentally demonstrated. For the first time, we present a system that integrates perception, high-level mission planning, and modular robot hardware, allowing a modular robot to autonomously reconfigure in respon...

Laboratory demonstrations of spontaneous photoelectrochemical (PEC) solar water splitting cells are reviewed. Reported solar-to-hydrogen (STH) conversion efficiencies range from o1% to 18%. The demonstrations are categorized by the number of photovoltaic junctions employed (2 or 3), photovoltaic junction type (solid–solid or solid–liquid) and the ability of the systems to produce separated reac...

Solar-driven organic Rankine cycle (ORC) has been drawing increasing attention due to its high potential in energy conversion efficiency. The two core components of thermal application systems of solar energy are solar collectors and thermal energy storage systems, and many studies have been published. ORC also has attracted much attention in recent years due to its potential in reducing consum...

Solar energy harvesting allows for wireless sensor networks to be operated over extended periods of time. In order to select an appropriate harvesting architecture and dimension for its components, an effective method for the comparison of system implementations is required. System simulations have the capability to accomplish this in an accurate and efficient manner. In this paper, we evaluate...

energy consumption is very high in greenhouses mainly due to off-season production. the main source of its energy supply is fossil fuels. due to the disadvantages of fossil fuels consumption and preventive laws in the incoming years, study on reducing consumption and replacing a part of them with renewable energy is essential. in this research, a solar heating system, equipped with a concentrat...

This paper adds an exergy analysis of the novel SOLRGT solar-assisted power generation system proposed and described in detail in Part I of this study (Zhang and Lior, 2012, “Use of Low/Mid-Temperature Solar Heat for Thermochemical Upgrading of Energy, Part I: Application to a Novel Chemically-Recuperated Gas-Turbine Power Generation (SOLRGT) System,” ASME J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power, Accepted. ...

Direct solar hydrogen generation via a combination of photovoltaics (PV) and water electrolysis can potentially ensure sustainable energy supply while minimizing greenhouse emissions. The PECSYS project aims at demonstrating solar-driven electrochemical system with an area >10 m2 high efficiency reasonable cost. Thermally integrated PV electrolyzers (ECs) using thin-film silicon, undoped, silve...

Solar thermal water heating systems reduce household energy bills by using the free solar radiation provided by the sun to heat water for residential needs. In order to eliminate the need for electricity to run a pump to drive the fluid circulation in these systems, fluid buoyancy effects can be employed to move the fluid from lower elevations to higher elevations. There are several operational...

This paper presents a formulation of unit commitment for thermal units integrated with wind and solar energy systems and electrical vehicles with emphasizing on Mixed Integer Nonlinear Programming (MINLP). The renewable energy resources are included in this model due to their low electricity cost and positive effect on environment. As well as, coordinated charging strategy of electrical vehicle...