Related papers: Modeling energy collection with shortest paths in …
In Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plants based on Parabolic Trough Collectors (PTC), the Sun is tracked at discrete time intervals, with each interval representing a movement of the collector system. The act of moving heavy mechanical…
A common sensing problem is to use a set of stationary tracking locations to monitor a collection of moving devices: Given $n$ objects that need to be tracked, each following its own trajectory, and $m$ stationary traffic control stations,…
A solar panel harvests the most energy when pointing in the direction that maximizes the total illumination (irradiance) falling on it. Given an arbitrary panel orientation and an arbitrary environmental illumination, we address the problem…
Using Photovoltaic systems is gradually expanded by increasing energy demand. Abundance and availability of this energy, has turned to one of the most important sources of renewable energy. Unfortunately, photovoltaic systems have two big…
Improving irradiance forecasting is critical to further increase the share of solar in the energy mix. On a short time scale, fish-eye cameras on the ground are used to capture cloud displacements causing the local variability of the…
Solar-powered electric propulsion systems can operate in multiple modes and their operation is coupled to the power generated by solar arrays. However, the power produced by the solar arrays is a function of the solar array size and…
To ensure efficient and reliable operation of a concentrating solar-thermal power (CSP) plant, its solar collector field needs to accurately focus sunlight. The optical efficiency and structural integrity of the solar collectors is…
We consider a constrained shortest path problem with two resources. These two resources can be converted into each other in a particular manner. Our practical application is the energy optimal routing of hybrid vehicles. Due to the…
Future planetary exploration rovers must operate for extended durations on hybrid power inputs that combine steady radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG) output with variable solar photovoltaic (PV) availability. While energy-aware…
Use of lighter than air platforms (aerostats and airships) for reconnaissance and surveillance over long periods can be facilitated by generation of power on-board through solar photovoltaic arrays. Attempts to integrate solar photovoltaic…
We investigate energy-optimal control of robots with ultracapacitor based regenerative drive systems. Based on a previously introduced framework, a fairly generic model is considered for the robot and the drive system. An optimal control…
The increasing use of fossil fuels to produce energy is leading to environmental problems. Hence, it has led the human society to move towards the use of renewable energies, including solar energy. In recent years, one of the most popular…
The increasing electricity demand and the need for clean and renewable energy resources to satisfy this demand in a cost-effective manner, imposes new challenges on researchers and developers to maximize the output of these renewable…
We study the problem of computing constrained shortest paths for battery electric vehicles. Since battery capacities are limited, fastest routes are often infeasible. Instead, users are interested in fast routes on which the energy…
Energy harvesting offers an attractive and promising mechanism to power low-energy devices. However, it alone is insufficient to enable an energy-neutral operation, which can eliminate tedious battery charging and replacement requirements.…
Solar energy is the most convenient and reliable energy source among all renewable energy resources and an efficient photovoltaic device is required to convert this energy into utilizable energy. Different types of solar cells (SC) are…
The variability of solar energy in off-grid systems dictates the sizing of energy storage systems along with the sizing and scheduling of loads present in the off-grid system. Unfortunately, energy storage may be costly, while frequent…
This paper presents models for renewable energy systems with storage, and considers its optimal operation. We model and simulate wind and solar power production using stochastic differential equations as well as storage of the produced…
There is a desire to observe the sun's poles to further deepen our understanding of solar activity. However, because of the large speeds needed to perform out-of-ecliptic plane maneuvers, chemical and electric rocket propulsion mechanisms…
The variable nature of the solar generation and the inherent uncertainty in solar generation forecasts are two challenging issues for utility grids, especially as the distribution grid integrated solar generation proliferates. This paper…