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The current research seeks to examine the effect of interior architecture on the illuminance of a specific space. Although the existing literature has investigated the effect of the window's placement and specifications on interior lighting magnitude, the effect of interior architecture on interior illuminance has not yet been analyzed. Accordingly, in order to determine the amount of optimum illuminance in a residential apartment, a bedroom of this apartment was modeled. Using the modeling, the average, minimum and maximum illuminance of the bedroom was calculated within 72 days of the year since the first, fifth, tenth, fifteenth, twentieth, twenty-fifth days of per month at 10:30 am. In addition, the illuminance of the floor, ceiling and walls was calculated at different times of March 21, June 22, September 23 and December 22 via a software. Then, the effect of conditions such as the use of various materials for the interior walls of the space, covering color change, interior furniture change, window placement, etc., on the average, minimum and maximum illuminance in the apartment was studied. The results show that not only the window location on the wall but also material, color and specification of interior coverings along with the correct furniture placement in the space can significantly affect the use of natural light. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper gives a novel hybrid optimization method to find optimal sitting and operation of an autonomous MG at the same time. The operation is optimized via finding the optimal droop gain parameters of DGs. The optimization problem is formulated as a multi-objective problem where the objectives are applied to minimize the fuel consumption of DGs and to improve the voltage profile and stability of MG subject to operational and security constraints. A hybrid algorithm, named HS-GA, is developed to solve the paper optimization problem. A new formulation of power flow is derived to run the proposed algorithm where the steady state frequency of system, reference frequency, reference voltage and droop coefficients of DGs, based on a droop controller, are considered as optimization variables. The performance of the paper approach is compared with other optimization and non-optimization methods in MG with 33and 69 buses using MATLAB. The performance of the proposed method is compared with a method that the parameters of DGs are pre-determined without conducting any optimization process. The results show, which optimized droop parameters improves the operation of the MG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To meet the 2050 CO 2 targets, the shipping industry which is responsible for about 3% of global CO 2 emissions needs to be optimized in several aspects. Obviously, alternative fuels constitute the main measure in this respect. However, relatively high fuel prices in combination with increasing political and economic pressure may raise the need for more efficient ship operation. Ship route optimization can make an indispensable contribution to achieving this goal. In this sense, this paper applies an innovative approach for route optimization using Reinforcement Learning (RL). For this purpose, a generic ship model is first developed using Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) to predict the fuel consumption of the ship. Moreover, various RL methods, namely Deep Q-Network (DQN), Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient (DDPG), and Proximal Policy Optimization (PPO) are applied. The application of RL enables continuous action space and simultaneous optimization of ship speed and heading. DDPG demonstrates the best results as an off-policy and policy gradient method which allows a continuous action space. For example, in the fuel consumption minimization scenario without time limitation, this method can achieve savings of 6.64%. For DQN as a method with discrete action space, this value is 1.07%. [Display omitted] • ANN models provide an accurate and realistic representation of the ship's fuel consumption. • Reinforcement learning enables continuous action space for route optimization. • DDPG proves to be the best option for ship route estimation with RL. • Compared to the reference conditions, fuel savings of up to 6.64% are achieved. • The advantages of continuous action space over discrete action space are confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying location and operation of DGs are vital in effective performance of autonomous MGs. This paper gives a novel optimization method for finding the optimal operation and location of DGs. The optimal operation is obtained via setting DGs economic droop parameters which operate based on droop control. A multi-objective function is developed to provide a new problem formulation for finding the optimal operation of DG units. The objectives include the fuel consumption cost, voltage stability index and the total voltage variation of MG. A hybrid optimization algorithm is proposed to solve the problem by combing the harmony algorithm (HS) and mutation and crossover operators of the genetic algorithm (GA). To find the best solution of non-dominated results a fuzzy method is employed. The performance of the paper approach is compared with other optimization and non-optimization methods in MG with 33 and 69 buses using MATLAB. The results support a good performance for the paper approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In recent years there has been a growing attention towards use of solar energy. The main advantages of photovoltaic (PV) systems employed for harnessing solar energy are lack of greenhouse gas emission, low maintenance costs, fewer limitations with regard to site of installation and absence of mechanical noise arising from moving parts. However, PV systems suffer from relatively low conversion efficiency. Therefore, maximum power point tracking (MPPT) for the solar array is essential in a PV system. The nonlinear behavior of PV systems as well as variations of the maximum power point with solar irradiance level and temperature complicates the tracking of the maximum power point. A variety of MPPT methods have been proposed and implemented. This review paper introduces a classification scheme for MPPT methods based on three categories: offline, online and hybrid methods. This classification, which can provide a convenient reference for future work in PV power generation, is based on the manner in which the control signal is generated and the PV power system behavior as it approaches steady state conditions. Some of the methods from each class are simulated in Matlab/Simulink environment in order to compare their performance. Furthermore, different MPPT methods are discussed in terms of the dynamic response of the PV system to variations in temperature and irradiance, attainable efficiency, and implementation considerations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: An optimization method, which considers the Combined Heat and Power (CHP) model under uncertainty, has been developed to determine the optimal capacities for the CHP and boiler such that thermal and electrical energy demands can be satisfied with high cost efficiency. The proposed method offers an energy management system (EMS) strategy which employs the fuzzy set theory to account for the uncertainties associated with electrical and thermal energy demands as well as those associated with natural gas and electrical power prices in order to determine the optimum ranges for boiler and CHP capacities which maximize an objective function based on the net present value (NPV). The reduction in operational strategy expenses arising from the monetary cost of the credit attainable by air pollution reduction is also taken into account in evaluation of the objective function. The optimal range for boiler and CHP capacities and the resulting projection for the range of optimal value of the objective function are derived using a hybrid optimization method involving the particle swarm optimization (PSO) and the linear programming algorithms. The viability of the proposed method is demonstrated by analyzing the decision to construct a CHP system for a typical hospital. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Excessive energy consumption is one of the serious problems of large cities in Iran. In order to avoid unreasonable growth in energy use as well as conservation of natural resources, more attention should be paid to energy consumption patterns in metropolitan cities. Accordingly, the current study aims at analyzing energy demand and its related pollutants in the household sector in Tehran Metropolitan. The study includes a discussion of past trends and future scenarios to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in this sector. Using LEAP software and according to Iran's long-term development policies, energy demand and its greenhouse gas emissions were evaluated based on a baseline scenario within a long-term horizon (from 2011 to 2036). Energy demand was analyzed in the form of seven alternative scenarios. The obtained results indicated that natural gas consumption will increase to 21,084 MCM by the year 2036. In addition, the electricity consumption rate will grow to 21,084 million kWh over the studied period, if the current trend of consumption continues. The findings also revealed that maximum energy savings (equal to 23%) can be achieved by implementing Note 19 of National Building Regulations until 2036. Consequently, with implementation of this law, around 21.7% of total greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced in Tehran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The energy management system is executed in microgrids for optimal integration of distributed energy resources (DERs) into the power distribution grids. To this end, various strategies have been more focused on cost reduction, whereas effectively both economic and technical indices/factors have to be considered simultaneously. Therefore, in this paper, a two-layer optimization model is proposed to minimize the operation costs, voltage fluctuations, and power losses of smart microgrids. In the outer-layer, the size and capacity of DERs including renewable energy sources (RES), electric vehicles (EV) charging stations and energy storage systems (ESS), are obtained simultaneously. The inner-layer corresponds to the scheduled operation of EVs and ESSs using an integrated coordination model (ICM). The ICM is a fuzzy interface that has been adopted to address the multi-objectivity of the cost function developed based on hourly demand response, state of charges of EVs and ESS, and electricity price. Demand response is implemented in the ICM to investigate the effect of time-of-use electricity prices on optimal energy management. To solve the optimization problem and load-flow equations, hybrid genetic algorithm (GA)-particle swarm optimization (PSO) and backward-forward sweep algorithms are deployed, respectively. One-day simulation results confirm that the proposed model can reduce the power loss, voltage fluctuations and electricity supply cost by 51%, 40.77%, and 55.21%, respectively, which can considerably improve power system stability and energy efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]