@thesis{Sheryar2024, author = {Sheryar, Muhammad}, title = {Reinforcement learning for building energy system control in multi-family buildings}, publisher = {Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt}, address = {Ingolstadt}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:573-44608}, pages = {viii, 42}, school = {Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt}, year = {2024}, abstract = {The demand for heat energy is increasing worldwide and to achieve net zero carbon emissions targets, more innovation is needed for heat production. Heat pumps are considered a potential replacement for boilers and are currently in high demand. The next approach is to optimize the use of heat pumps with household PV production to avoid grid overloading due to running increased demand by the heat pump. In this work, a Reinforcement Learning algorithm is used in the MATLAB RL toolbox with an energy-building model built in MATLAB Simulink Carnot. The energy building model uses a heat pump to charge thermal storage, and a PV system is considered with a typical ON/OFF strategy. This work shows how the RL toolbox has the potential to interact with this energy-building model to optimize the heat pump with a PV system. All suggested agents by the MATLAB RL toolbox are investigated with this building energy model (BEM), and annual simulation is performed with a well-trained agent, which converges during training. Two different models have been developed for heat pump control. The first model is called the RL-based Heat Pump Controller, which is designed to meet thermal targets only. The second model is called the PV- optimized RL-based Heat Pump Controller, which not only meets thermal targets but also considers the operation of the PV system with the heat pump. The simulation results show that using the RL toolbox, the RL-based Heat Pump Controller model has performed excellently. In the PV-optimized RL-based Heat Pump Controller model, there is almost a 4.37\% increase in PV self-consumption compared to the typical control strategy, resulting in annual electricity savings of almost 3.52 MWh. Some challenges of using the RL toolbox are also highlighted with future recommendations, which mainly include computational efforts.}, language = {en} } @thesis{Akhter2024, author = {Akhter, Khushboo}, title = {Design of photovoltaic off-grid systems with second-life batteries}, subtitle = {a case study from riverside communities in the Amazon}, publisher = {Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt}, address = {Ingolstadt}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:573-51421}, pages = {80}, school = {Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt}, year = {2024}, abstract = {This thesis explores the essential role of infrastructure, specifically electrification, in catalyzing socio-economic advancement in the rural regions of the Amazonas Basin. Despite the presence of several national and global initiatives, progress in implementation remains slow. To address this challenge, off-grid system technologies, notably photovoltaic systems combined with second-life lithium-ion batteries (SLBs), have gained traction in recent years. This case study presents a comprehensive socio-economic factor where in such an off-grid hybrid system successfully electrifies community in the Amazonas Basin, supplying an average of 802 kWh of energy per day to vital infrastructural components including community centers, schools, households, and local industries. Furthermore, this project proposes insight into the potential of SLBs as a second-life scenario, aligning with the expanding global electromobility landscape and the prospect of reusing LIBs. Through economic and ecological evaluations, it demonstrates the viability of SLBs over conventional diesel generators, with health considerations integrated into the assessment process. Technical feasibility, economic viability, and environmental impact of SLBs are thoroughly examined, alongside discussions on various SLB applications and the requisite assessment and testing procedures. Despite the environmental benefits and revenue-generating potential associated with SLBs, challenges such as the absence of standardized assessment methodologies and limited research pose hurdles. Consequently, the thesis supports continued research efforts to enhance understanding and standardize assessment protocols, facilitating broader adoption of SLBs in rural electrification endeavors. By addressing these challenges, this research contributes to the advancement of sustainable electrification solutions in remote regions, thereby fostering socio-economic development and environmental stewardship in the Amazonas Basin and beyond.}, language = {en} } @thesis{Jain2024, author = {Jain, Rushabh Bansilal}, title = {Solar-powered irrigation in Ghana}, subtitle = {techno-economic analysis and sustainable business models}, publisher = {Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt}, address = {Ingolstadt}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:573-49789}, pages = {x, 78}, school = {Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt}, year = {2024}, abstract = {This thesis investigates the feasibility and economic viability of Solar-Powered Irrigation Systems (SPIS) in Ghana, focusing on smallholder farms. The study addresses the critical need for sustainable and efficient irrigation methods amidst challenges posed by traditional diesel-based systems and limited access to reliable electricity in rural areas. A comprehensive analysis of various SPIS configurations, including off-grid, grid-connected, and mini-grid systems, is conducted manually and validated with HOMER software. The research evaluates technical performance, economic benefits, and environmental impacts, highlighting the potential of SPIS to enhance agricultural productivity while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The findings suggest that community-based models and strategic use of solar power beyond irrigation can maximize benefits, promoting year-round utilization and sustainability. Economic analyses underscore the importance of subsidies to lower initial financial barriers, making solar irrigation an attractive option for smallholder farmers and private investors. The study concludes with recommendations for policy reforms, community engagement, and technological innovations to drive the widespread adoption of SPIS, ultimately contributing to Ghana's goals of sustainable agricultural development and energy independence.}, language = {en} } @thesis{CornejoAsanza2024, author = {Cornejo Asanza, Humberto David}, title = {Design a PID controller for a complex thermal test bench through characterization and modelling}, publisher = {Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt}, address = {Ingolstadt}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:573-49749}, pages = {77}, school = {Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt}, year = {2024}, abstract = {Thermal test benches are of high importance in the industrial and research fields for validating designs, optimizing energy efficiency, and fostering innovations in various applications. To control temperatures and volume flows in thermal test benches, PID controllers are the most used, however, there are challenges in obtaining PID values due to the limitations in tuning, handling nonlinearities, system behavior, first or second-order system, and dead time. There are several methods to calculate PID values, one of the most used is the Ziegler-Nichols method. For systems without dead time, the IMC-PID control method can be utilized. For optimal design of controllers, it is important to characterize the thermal test bench, which is a setup used to evaluate the thermal performance of systems under controlled conditions, by defining working points, recognizing nonlinearities, and verifying the presence of dead time. It was recognized that the maximum voltage percentage of the recirculation pump has an impact on the volume flow at the heat sink circuit. At 100\% of this percentage, 1490 l/h was obtained, while at 50\%, 900 l/h was achieved. Moreover, a non-linear behavior of the flow valve was observed. An important finding is the influence of the heating power of the heat pump on the thermal test bench, as this heating power has a dependency on temperatures and volume flows. Furthermore, in the temperature measurements, the dead time depends on the volume flow, being higher at lower volume flows. The best temperature control depended on a lower temperature, while the best volume flow control depended on a higher volume flow. Once the thermal test bench was characterized, methods were applied to obtain the PI values simulatively. For temperature, the values were Kc = 0.04227 and Ti = 0.8333 min approaching the best stability using Ziegler-Nichols method. For volume flow, the values were Kc = 0.00475 and Ti = 0.0186 min using the IMC-PI method. It was concluded that the obtained Kc and Ti values applied in the LabView presented good system stability for temperature and volume flow control.}, language = {en} } @thesis{Mingaleva2023, author = {Mingaleva, Ekaterina}, title = {Micro-scale solar assisted district heating system for rural Kyrgyzstan}, subtitle = {a feasibility study for a high-altitude settlement}, publisher = {Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt}, address = {Ingolstadt}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:573-45434}, pages = {IX, 66}, school = {Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt}, year = {2023}, abstract = {The present study investigates the viability of implementing a micro-scale district heating system (DHS) powered by solar energy in the elevated rural regions of Kyrgyzstan. The performance assessment of such a system is achieved through modeling and simulation in Polysun software along with a conducted parametric study to find out the optimal volume of the storage tank to the area of the collectors based on the solar fraction. A parametric study resulted in the possible system configuration with a solar fraction of 19.4\%, achieved with 2,000 collectors (4,060 m2) and a 400 m3 storage tank. The follow-up economic evaluation considers total lifecycle costs, comparing the solar-assisted DHS with an electric and a coal boiler as the auxiliary heater, and an individual stove-based system. The DHS with a coal-fired boiler resulted in a slightly lower levelized cost of heat (LCOH) at 10.03 €-ct/kWh compared to the electric boiler at 11.77 €-ct/kWh, while an individual home coal-fired system is 1.13 €-ct/kWh. However, LCOH-based energy affordability analysis revealed that the proposed DHS would burden typical households, where the man works and the woman manages the household, exceeding income by 74\% (with electric boiler) and 48\% (with coal-fired boiler). Therefore, the study underscores the need for careful economic consideration in solar thermal projects, especially in low-income areas. To facilitate successful implementation in such regions, securing subsidies or financial support during the project's implementation stage is essential to maintain the affordability of these systems for the local population.}, language = {en} } @thesis{Ghorreshi2024, author = {Ghorreshi, Amirmahdi}, title = {Determining the optimal size of Agri-PV and battery systems in rural areas}, subtitle = {a case study of Morocco and Algeria}, publisher = {Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt}, address = {Ingolstadt}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:573-47614}, pages = {x, 75}, school = {Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt}, year = {2024}, abstract = {The global population is anticipated to experience a significant surge by 2050, posing profound challenges in ensuring food and energy security. Concurrently, the prevalence of hunger, exacerbated by pandemics, climate shocks, and conflicts, underscores the urgency to enhance agricultural productivity and energy efficiency. Agriculture currently accounts for 70\% of freshwater consumption and 30\% of global energy usage, requiring innovative solutions to meet increasing demands. In this context, Agri-Photovoltaic (Agri-PV) systems emerge as a promising approach, integrating agricultural practices with solar technology to enhance food production and energy generation simultaneously. These systems not only address the pressing need for sustainable food and energy sources but also offer benefits such as resilience against extreme weather events and income diversification for farmers. This study investigates the potential of Agri-PV systems to address power outages in rural areas of Kissane in Morocco, as well as Bouda in Algeria. These areas are characterized by weak grid networks. After developing the load profiles of farms and households in the case study areas based on real data and literature, the PV-SOL software is utilized to estimate the size of the photovoltaic system. After simulation in the software and considering the type of Agri-PV substructure, three different scenarios for sizing the system are taken into account. The first scenario aims to cover all energy demands for both farms and households, the second focuses solely on farms, and the third focuses only on household energy requirements. The results reveal that with six hours of power outage in a day, Kissane requires a 39 kWp Agri-PV system with an 85.31 kWh battery to fulfill its total energy demands. For farms alone, a 38 kWp system with an 82.04 kWh battery is necessary, while households, due to cooperative arrangements and few houses, need only a 1 kWp system with a 3.27 kWh battery. In Bouda, facing six power outages in a day, a 46 kWp system with a 144.34 kWh battery is required for total energy, 41 kWp with a 125.78 kWh battery for farms, and 5 kWp with an 18.56 kWh battery for households. Economic analysis favors Morocco due to higher electricity prices, yielding Kissane a positive 8.69\% internal rate of return (IRR) and a competitive 10.95 cent/kWh levelized cost of electricity (LCOE). In contrast, Bouda faces economic challenges with a -2.93\% IRR and a 13.77 cent/kWh LCOE, necessitating financial incentives for viability. Keywords: Agri-Photovoltaic (Agri-PV), power outage, load profile, grid network, rural energy security, Morocco, Algeria}, language = {en} } @thesis{Dhavale2024, author = {Dhavale, Aditya Bhalchandra}, title = {Study on potential of energy optimization in German dairy industry}, publisher = {Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt}, address = {Ingolstadt}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:573-46977}, pages = {IX, 58}, school = {Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt}, year = {2024}, abstract = {The dairy farms form a vital part of German agriculture and consume significant energy for their operation. Germany is working towards energy transition to transform the existing fossil fuel-nuclear system to a sustainable energy system that relies on renewable sources due to various societal and political demands. As the energy demand is increasing due to the rise in population, there is also a growing push in Germany to adopt energy efficient technologies and measures to reduce energy waste. There is a scope for improving the energy efficiency in dairy farms. Using energy optimization techniques can help reduce the load on energy suppliers as well as increase cost savings for farms. German farmers are adopting newer digital technologies to achieve optimization of energy in their farms. One of the key tools in realizing energy optimization is the Energy Management System (EMS). The use of EMS in the case of dairy farms has been reviewed and presented in this work. The objective of the study is to investigate the potential of energy optimization in dairy farms. Efficiency measures like replacing inefficient farm equipment are necessary to achieve energy efficiency. These measures are discussed in detail and their potential to save energy in dairy farms is presented. A comparison of all these measures is studied and how much energy savings can be obtained is reviewed. The use case scenario of EMS in different applications is presented as an indication of possibilities for energy savings using EMS. Furthermore, how the AI technology in combination with EMS can be used in farms and its benefits in dairy farming is reviewed. The types of farms on which the energy optimization measures can be implemented in an ideal case scenario are reviewed. The result of the study shows that there is vast potential for energy optimization in German dairy farms. Thus, the presented work can be further studied to identify further optimization possibilities with the advancement of AI and newer technologies.}, language = {en} } @thesis{Timilsina2024, author = {Timilsina, Sangam}, title = {Feasibility study of biogas production for dairy farmers in Morocco (Fes-Meknes region)}, publisher = {Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt}, address = {Ingolstadt}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:573-50727}, pages = {viii, 70}, school = {Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt}, year = {2024}, abstract = {The study investigates the potential for biogas production in Fes-Meknes region of Morocco, a region notable for its significant agricultural sectors. The quantity of manure generated from cattle, sheep, goats and horses is considered to be the organic raw material for biogas production that can be utilized by the farmers as an alternative fuel source for their daily energy needs. Both small-scale household biogas systems and large-scale community biogas plants are evaluated, considering the local conditions of the region, availability of resources, and socio-economic factors.}, language = {en} } @thesis{Vyavahare2024, author = {Vyavahare, Priyanka Balasaheb}, title = {Evaluation of the techno-economic feasibility of potential electrification options for Tsumkwe and Gam, Namibia}, publisher = {Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt}, address = {Ingolstadt}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:573-50744}, pages = {viii, 63}, school = {Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt}, year = {2024}, abstract = {Despite having multiple renewable energy sources, Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in rural areas, has the largest population without electricity. In SSA, rural electrification is challenging because of economic, infrastructural and geographical reasons. Namibia's sustainable energy policy complies with global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 7, which aims to provide access to affordable and reliable modern energy for all. This policy seeks to facilitate mini-grid deployment and decentralized power systems as practical solutions for electrifying rural communities. Even though there has been an increase in the number of connections made through mini-grids that have contributed to rural electrification in recent years, these interventions often become unsustainable with time. This thesis will explore two existing mini-grids at Tsumkwe and Gam as case studies on the current situations of these renewable energy sources. Based on this evaluation, it aims at recommending the most techno-economically viable solutions for these two rural communities. The main source of electricity for rural areas in Namibia is mainly mini-grids, decentralized energy solutions, and main grid extensions. This thesis examines whether or not these three methods are feasible ways of bringing electricity to the remote communities located in Tsumkwe and Gam. A methodology that involves HOMER Pro software for capacity expansion of mini-grids, PVsyst software for sizing decentralized PV systems, and MS Excel for main-grid extension is employed here. MS Excel was used to evaluate energy profiles and the economic feasibility of various options that are being considered for Gam and Tsumkwe. Therefore, the results aim to compare the electricity supply, total net present cost, and levelized cost of electricity while approaching the viability of such systems.}, language = {en} } @thesis{ValderramaZorro2024, author = {Valderrama Zorro, Laura Natalia}, title = {Analyzing and simulating the integration of waste heat from high-power charging infrastructure (HPCI) as a heat source in fifth generation heating and cooling networks (5GDHC)}, publisher = {Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt}, address = {Ingolstadt}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:573-50735}, pages = {IX, 65}, school = {Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt}, year = {2024}, language = {en} }