Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have become a popular research area that is widely gaining the attraction from both the research and the practitioner communities due to their wide area of applications. These applications include real-time sensing for audio delivery, imaging, video streaming, and remote monitoring with positive impact in many fields such as precision agriculture, ubiquitous healthcare, environment protection, smart cities and many other fields. While WSNs are aimed to constantly handle more intricate functions such as intelligent computation, automatic transmissions, and in-network processing, such capabilities are constrained by their limited processing capability and memory footprint as well as the need for the sensor batteries to be cautiously consumed in order to extend their lifetime. This thesis revisits the issue of the energy efficiency in sensor networks by proposing a novel clustering approach for routing the sensor readings in wireless sensor networks. The main contribution of this dissertation is to 1) propose corrective measures to the traditional energy model adopted in current sensor networks simulations that erroneously discount both the role played by each node, the sensor node capability and fabric and 2) apply these measures to a novel hierarchical routing architecture aiming at maximizing sensor networks lifetime. We propose three energy models for sensor network: a) a service-aware model that account for the specific role played by each node in a sensor network b) a sensor-aware model and c) load-balancing energy model that accounts for the sensor node fabric and its energy footprint. These three models are complemented by a load-balancing model structured to balance energy consumption on the network of cluster heads that forms the backbone for any cluster-based hierarchical sensor network. We present two novel approaches for clustering the nodes of a hierarchical sensor network: a) a distance-aware clustering where nodes are clustered based on their distance and the residual energy and b) a service-aware clustering where the nodes of a sensor network are clustered according to their service offered to the network and their residual energy. These approaches are implemented into a family of routing protocols referred to as EOCIT (Energy Optimization using Clustering Techniques) which combines sensor node energy location and service awareness to achieve good network performance. Finally, building upon the Ant Colony Optimization System (ACS), Multipath Routing protocol based on Ant Colony Optimization approach for Wireless Sensor Networks (MRACO) is proposed as a novel multipath routing protocol that finds energy efficient routing paths for sensor readings dissemination from the cluster heads to the sink/base station of a hierarchical sensor network. Our simulation results reveal the relative efficiency of the newly proposed approaches compared to selected related routing protocols in terms of sensor network lifetime maximization.

This diploma thesis describes possibilities of thermal insulation of a detached house and choice optimization of insulating materials especially based on economic and ecologic factors. The thesis describes basic physical effects that are associated with heat transfer and that should be respected in insulation design. These effects influence the choice of suitable insulating materials based on their properties.

The diploma thesis with research of efficiency of renewable and low-potential energy sources of buildings. It is available on numerical simulations for sharing office and heating and cooling system buildings in DesignBuilder. There are various energy sources and ways of controlling heating and cooling. The results are evaluated in terms of time, after the expected compromises in the building, in terms of energy consumption and its price.

Cílem práce byl návrh a implementace řídicích algoritmů pro optimalizaci spotřeby energie elektrického vozidla. Hlavním úkolem byla optimalizace rozložení energie mezi hlavním zdrojem energie (bateriemi) a super-kapacitory v průběhu jízdního cyklu. Jízdní výkonový profil je odhadován a předpovězen na základě 3D geografických souřadnic a matematického modelu vozidla. V první části jsou uvedeny komponenty vozidla a jejich modely. Poté jsou představeny algoritmy na základě klouzavého průměru a dynamického programování. Byly provedeny simulace a analýzy pro demostraci přínosů algoritmů. V poslední části je popsána Java implementace algoritmů a také aplikace pro operační systém Android.

The research part of the diploma thesis is focused on an issue of energy consumption in sludge treatment at wastewater treatment plants divided by the number of population equivalent. The aim of the practical part is to set indicators and propose evaluative criteria concerning energy performance of urban wastewater treatment plants. The verification of proposed criteria and energetic analysis result from data of the wastewater treatment plant in Novy Jicin.

The main aim of this thesis is design air-conditioning system and optimization of indoor climate by solar shading. In theoretical part I focused on dividing and description off different types of solar shading. In the next part I designed suitable air-conditioning system for the open space office. The last part is first concentrating on the simulation of the indoor climate in software BSim2014. And then on evaulation of the appropriate solar shading system, whick I can use in the building.

Die verschiedenen Maßnahmen zur Senkung des Kraftstoffverbrauchs von dieselbetriebenen Schienenfahrzeugen sind Gegenstand der Forschung und werden in den kommenden Jahren, bedingt durch weltweit anwachsendes Transportvolumen, begrenzte Ressourcen und steigendes Umweltbewusstsein, weiter an Bedeutung zunehmen. Die Nutzung der Abgasenthalpie des Dieselmotors stellt dabei eine Möglichkeit zur Reduktion des Kraftstoffverbrauchs dar. Im Vergleich zu anderen Methoden ist der absolute Einfluss auf den Verbrauch zwar geringer, eine Kombination ist jedoch möglich und führt zu einer Verbesserung der Energieeffizienz. In dieser Arbeit wird die Möglichkeit der Abgasenthalpienutzung mittels thermoelektrischer Generatoren (TEG) betrachtet. Diese hat den Vorteil einer hohen Leistungsdichte, eines geringen Wartungsaufwands sowie einer einfachen Integration in die Topologie der exemplarisch untersuchten Lokomotive. Bei der Umsetzung sind wesentliche Randbedingungen wie die herrschenden Abgastemperaturen und -massenströme das verfügbare Einbauvolumen und der maximal zulässige Abgasgegendruck, zu beachten. Weiterhin stellt sich die thermomechanische Festigkeit der thermoelektrischen Module (TEM) als Herausforderung dar. Dies macht eine Optimierung auf Systemebene unabdingbar, welche mit numerischen Methoden effizient und wirtschaftlich durchgeführt werden kann. Aufgrund der Systemkomplexität und unterschiedlichen Skalierungsebenen der Systemkomponenten wird dazu ein Multi-Layer-Multi-Scale Optimierungsansatz vorgestellt, welcher eine realitätsnahe Konzeption und Bewertung des Systems ermöglicht. Wesentliche Fragestellungen der thermomechanischen Festigkeit des Moduls, der technischen Realisierbarkeit bis hin zur Gestaltung einer systemleistungsorientierten Betriebsstrategie werden im Laufe des implementierten Prozesses mit Hinblick auf die maßgebende maximale Systemleistung adressiert und beantwortet.

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC) are the single largest consumer of energy in commercial and residential sectors. Minimizing its energy consumption without compromising indoor air quality (IAQ) and thermal comfort would result in environmental and financial benefits. Currently, most buildings still utilize constant air volume (CAV) systems with on/off control to meet the thermal loads. Such systems, without any consideration of occupancy, may ventilate a zone excessively and result in energy waste. Previous studies showed that CO₂-based demand-controlled ventilation (DCV) methods are the most widely used strategies to determine the optimal level of supply air volume. However, conventional CO₂ mass balanced models do not yield an optimal estimation accuracy. In this study, feed-forward neural network algorithm (FFNN) was proposed to estimate the zone occupancy using CO₂ concentrations, observed occupancy data and the zone schedule. The occupancy prediction result was then utilized to optimize supply fan operation of the air handling unit (AHU) associated with the zone. IAQ and thermal comfort standards were also taken into consideration as the active constraints of this optimization. As for the validation, the experiment was carried out in an auditorium located on a university campus. The results revealed that utilizing neural network occupancy estimation model can reduce the daily ventilation energy by 74.2% when compared to the current on/off control.

Demand-Side Management concepts have the potential to positively impact the financial as well as the environmental aspects of energy-intensive industries. More specifically, they allow reducing the energy cost for the industrial plants by dealing with energy-availability fluctuations. In this context, efficient frameworks for scheduling with energy awareness have been studied and showed potential to reduce the overall energy bill for energy-intensive industries, for instance stainless steel and paper plants. Those frameworks usually combine scheduling and energy optimization into one monolithic system. This work investigates the possibility of integrating the two systems by specific exchange of signals, while keeping the scheduling model separated from the energy-cost optimization model. Such integration means that the pre-existent schedulers and energy optimizers could be easily modified and reused without re-implementing the whole new system. Two industrial problems with different scheduling approaches are studied. The first problem is about pulp and paper production which uses the Resource Task Network (RTN) scheduling approach. The second one is about stainless steel production which is based on a bi-level heuristic implementation of an improved energy-aware scheduler. This work presents the decomposition methods that are available in literature and their application to the two industrial problems. Besides an improvement in the RTN approach for handling storages, this thesis describes a prototype implementation of the energy-aware RTN scheduler for paper and pulp production. Furthermore, this work investigates the performance of the application of different decomposition methods on different problem instances. The numerical case studies show that even though the decomposition decreases the solution quality compared to the monolithic system, it still gives good solutions within an acceptable duration with the advantage of having two separate pre-existent systems which are simply exchanging signals.

[ES] El objetivo general de la presente Tesis es investigar metodologías que permitan obtener en tiempo real los parámetros de operación de redes hidráulicas a presión que minimicen el consumo y/o el coste energético, garantizando el cumplimiento de las condiciones de funcionamiento necesarias para una adecuada calidad del servicio. Al tratarse del ámbito de la operación diaria de la red, una de las condiciones indispensables que deben reunir los métodos de optimización es una respuesta lo suficientemente rápida como para que no solo se pueda disponer de las soluciones más convenientes en el momento de ejecutar las consignas de operación, sino que además se habilite un procedimiento flexible que permita dar respuesta a posibles cambios en las predicciones o eventos que puedan producirse. Se ha abordado de manera aislada la optimización energética de los subsistemas de transporte de agua y la de los subsistemas de distribución debido a las distintas características que se pueden observar en ellos. En la parte relativa a los subsistemas de distribución, particularizada al caso de un sistema de riego con bombeo directo a red, se han explorado los métodos metaheurísticos de optimización, realizando varias aportaciones originales orientadas a la mejora en la eficiencia computacional de los mismos, debido a la necesidad de obtener una respuesta rápida compatible con la toma de decisiones en tiempo real. En cuanto a los subsistemas de transporte, se ha explorado la aplicabilidad del método determinista de optimización por programación lineal, a la vista de las importantes ventajas que presenta respecto al resto de métodos generales de optimización. Asimismo, en el contexto de los subsistemas de transporte, se ha trabajado en la definición de una heurística basada en el cálculo del coste energético y/o económico del agua entregada en los puntos de consumo y almacenada en los depósitos intermedios, que ha permitido formular un algoritmo voraz para la optimización energética en cada instante de tiempo. Este método ha conseguido igualar el desempeño alcanzado mediante la programación lineal y se espera que ofrezca unas mejores capacidades en sistemas con un comportamiento marcadamente no lineal, así como también una mejor adaptación a problemas de optimización con la participación de energías renovables. / [CA] L'objectiu general de la present Tesi és la investigació de metodologies que permeten obtindre en temps real els paràmetres d'operació de xarxes hidràuliques a pressió que minimitzen el consum i/o el cost energètic, garantint el compliment de les condicions de funcionament necessàries per a una adequada qualitat del servei. En tractar-se de l'àmbit de l'operació diària de la xarxa, una de les condicions indispensables que han de reunir els mètodes d'optimització és una resposta prou ràpida com perquè no sols es puga disposar de les solucions més convenients en el moment d'executar les consignes d'operació, sinó que a més s'habilite un procediment flexible que permeta donar resposta a possibles canvis en les prediccions o esdeveniments que puguen produir-se. S'ha abordat de manera aïllada l'optimització energètica dels subsistemes de transport d'aigua i la dels subsistemes de distribució (reg per injecció directa) a causa de les diferents característiques que es poden observar en ells. En el treball amb els subsistemes de distribució s'han explorat les possibilitats que ofereixen els mètodes meta-heurístics d'optimització, realitzant diverses aportacions originals orientades a la millora en l'eficiència computacional dels mateixos a causa de la necessitat d'obtindre una resposta més ràpida que siga compatible amb la presa de decisions en temps real. Quant als subsistemes de transport, s'ha explorat l'aplicabilitat del mètode determinista d'optimització per programació lineal a la vista dels importants avantatges que presenta respecte a la resta de mètodes generals d'optimització. Així mateix, en el context dels subsistemes de transport, s'ha treballat en la definició d'una bona heurística basada en el càlcul del cost energètic i/o econòmic de l'aigua entregada en els punts de consum i en els dipòsits intermedis, que ha permés formular un mètode voraç per a l'optimització energètica en cada instant de temps. Aquest mètode ha aconseguit igualar l'acompliment aconseguit mitjançant la programació lineal i s'espera que oferisca unes millors capacitats en sistemes amb un comportament més marcadament no lineal, així com també una millor adaptació a problemes d'optimització amb participació d'energies renovables. / [EN] The general objective of this Thesis is the research of methodologies to obtain in real time the operating parameters of pressurized hydraulic networks that minimize energy consumption and/or cost, ensuring compliance with the operating conditions necessary for an appropriate quality of service. Since this is the field of daily network operation, one of the indispensable conditions that optimization methods must meet is a response fast enough so that not only the most convenient solutions are available at the time of executing the operating instructions, but also a flexible procedure is provided to allow a response to possible changes in the predictions or events that may occur. The energy optimization of the water transport subsystems and that of the distribution subsystems (direct injection irrigation) have been approached separately due to the different characteristics that can be observed in them. In the work with distribution subsystems, the possibilities offered by metaheuristic optimization methods have been explored, making several original contributions aimed at improving their computational efficiency due to the need to obtain a faster response that is compatible with real-time decision making. Regarding transport subsystems, the applicability of the deterministic method of optimization by linear programming has been explored in view of the important advantages it presents with respect to the rest of the general optimization methods. Also, in the context of transport subsystems, there has been a work on the definition of a good heuristic based on the calculation of the energy and/or economic cost of the water delivered at the consumption points and intermediate reservoirs, which has allowed to formulate a greedy method for energy optimization at each time instant. This method has been able to match the performance achieved by linear programming and is expected to offer better capabilities in systems with a more marked non-linear behaviour, as well as a better adaptation to optimization problems involving renewable energies. / Alonso Campos, JC. (2021). Desarrollo e implementación de algoritmos para la optimización energética en tiempo real de redes hidráulicas a presión [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/180389 / TESIS