Search the digital library catalog

Abstract: This article presents the development and implementation of an IoT-enabled, off-grid solar power supply prototype designed to power a range of electrical devices. The developed system comprises a Photovoltaic panel, a Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) charger, a 2.5 kWh/24 V high-performance LiFePO4 battery bank with a Battery Management System, an embedded controller with IoT connectivity, and DC/DC and DC/AC converters. The PV panel serves as the primary energy source, with the MPPT controller optimizing battery charging, while the DC/DC and DC/AC converters supply power to the connected electrical devices. The article includes a case study of a developed platform for powering an information and advertising system. The system features a predictive energy management algorithm, which optimizes the appliance operation based on daily solar irradiance forecasts and real-time battery State-of-Charge monitoring. The IoT-enabled controller obtains solar irradiance forecasts from an online meteorological service via API calls and uses these data to estimate energy availability for the next day. Using this prediction, the system schedules and prioritizes the operations of connected electrical devices dynamically to optimize the performance and prevent critical battery discharge. The IoT-based controller is equipped with both Wi-Fi and an LTE modem, enabling communication with online services via wireless or cellular networks.
Keywords: energy consumption control, forecasted solar irradiation, power management, off-grid power supply, photovoltaic, solar, IoT, LTE, Wi-Fi, ESP32
Published in DKUM: 14.11.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 7
Full text (5,16 MB)

Abstract: Energy is an essential component of our daily lives. Despite the expanded use of new and renewable energy sources, oil and gas remain the primary sources of energy. Recently, oil and gas sources have become more vulnerable due to their limited and uncertain availability, as well as geopolitical issues that threaten the security of their supply chains. As a result, securing energy sources in general and oil and gas in particular at reasonable prices and reliable supplies has become a major global concern. As a result, the establishment and operation of energy hubs along energy transit routes between producing and consuming countries is crucial for the security and sustainability of the energy supply. These energy hubs can facilitate the trade and exchange of energy by offering logistics services such as transportation, storage, processing, and distribution. This means that establishing and operating such energy hubs necessitates some logistics requirements. However, previous studies did not tackle the logistics requirements for establishing and operating energy hubs in a single, comprehensive framework. Accordingly, the purpose of this study is to address the logistics requirements of energy hubs, with a focus on oil and gas, and to develop a comprehensive framework for establishing and operating GLEH through conducting an empirical study on the Egyptian oil and gas industry. The study was carried out through seven sequential phases. The study conducted a systematic review of the previous literature using the PRISMA flow diagram and visual bibliometric analysis via VOSviewer software to identify the main research gap and develop an integrated theoretical framework for creating and operating a GLEH. The study then adopted mixed research methods to reap the benefits of both qualitative and quantitative methods. The qualitative technique was used to convert the theoretical framework into a practical framework by conducting semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders. The quantitative method was applied to examine the relationships between the variables and validate the study’s hypotheses in the Egyptian context through a survey. The study set out an applied framework to help establish and operate GLEHs that can improve the security of energy supplies. It also highlighted the key challenges that might face the establishment and operation of GLEHs and suggested strategies to deal with them. The study would contribute to science by developing a unique and comprehensive framework for establishing and operating GLEHs, considering both theoretical and empirical aspects. At a practical level, the proposed framework can help improve the global energy supply chain and its sustainability, especially for oil and gas. It can also be used as a model by other countries and regions to establish and operate logistics hubs for energy and other sectors. Furthermore, the framework can be used in further research to develop the performance of energy hubs.
Keywords: Energy supply chain, energy sustainability and security, global logistics energy hub, oil and gas, Egypt
Published in DKUM: 27.08.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 10
Full text (9,35 MB)

Abstract: External wall thermal insulation is one of the most effective solutions on the market to increase energy efficiency in the built environment. Off-Site Construction (OSC), through better control of the various parameters involved, can bring important advantages, such as the reduction of construction time, the improvement of product and process quality, etc. In the last years, the rapidly growing demand for thermal insulation systems, stimulated also by tax incentives, has generated a unique situation in Italy compared to the rest of Europe, also leading to a considerable fragmentation of the supply chain with several players involved (component and system manufacturers, distributors, and installers). The complexity of such context makes Italy an extremely challenging and insightful case study for a supply chain and sustainability study, also considering the fact that the energy efficiency of the Italian building stock represents a crucial challenge to achieve the country's energy saving goals since 40% of final energy consumption derives from buildings and 75% of the building stock presents a low energy performance (energy labels E, F and G). This article presents both an analysis of the Italian market of manufacturers of building envelope thermal insulation solutions, highlighting the different players in the supply chain in terms of number, type, and marketed products and solutions, and a focus on sustainable and recycled materials. The study also aims to define a methodology to investigate the state of play and opportunities for industrialisation of this market and its bottlenecks. In the article, a questionnaire is proposed to collect information and opinions on the spread of OSC and the perception of companies and professionals regarding the advantages and disadvantages of industrializing the sector. A first validation of the survey is presented in the form of industrial focus groups.
Keywords: supply chain sustainability, industrial energy efficiency, off-site construction, construction industrialisation, sustainable building materials, modular buildings
Published in DKUM: 01.10.2024; Views: 0; Downloads: 395
Link to file
This document has many files! More...

Abstract: The global economy has barely begun to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, only to be thrown into a new crisis because of the Russian-Ukrainian war. The war exacerbated the energy problem by causing a shortage of energy supplies for the EU and other countries, affecting quality of life. As a result, establishing energy hubs for collecting, processing, storing, and transiting energy resources between producing and consuming countries has become imperative to manage energy supplies efficiently. However, previous studies have not yet addressed the requirements for setting up energy hubs from a practical point of view. Therefore, this paper investigates the requirements for the establishment of energy hubs, particularly for oil and gas, from a practical perspective. The researchers conducted 13 semi-structured interviews with different energy stakeholders. Using the SWOT analysis matrix tool, the findings assessed the current state of the global oil and gas market, and the main practical requirements for the establishment of energy hubs were identified, along with the elements for implementation. Furthermore, the article highlighted the most pressing practical issues confronting the establishment of energy centres. Finally, the paper laid out a comprehensive practical framework based on the industry practitioners’ views to help establish energy hubs. The framework provides a possible guide for countries to establish energy hubs based on the main requirements outlined in this study. It can also improve the diversity, flexibility, and security of energy supply, especially for countries that rely on sole suppliers, such as the EU.
Keywords: energy hubs, energy stakeholders, diversification of energy supplies, security and sustainability of energy supply, European Union countries, Russian-Ukrainian war
Published in DKUM: 19.04.2024; Views: 296; Downloads: 14
Full text (915,12 KB)
This document has many files! More...

Abstract: Food supply chains have a significant impact on the environment, using large amounts of fossil energy resources and other non-renewable resources. Energy is directly and indirectly needed in all the steps along the food supply chain. This paper explores energy-related indicators in food supply chains and life cycle assessment within sixty-six research papers, gathered from the Web of Science database. Furthermore, a quantitative content analysis was carried out to assess the research trends and future opportunities regarding energy-related topics. The results revealed that a holistic perspective is needed, as energy-related indicators should be included in the use and end-of-life stages, not only in the production processes, and that the inclusion should follow the life cycle assessment methodology. The current research topics are energy issues related to production processes and environmental impacts. Improvements are possible in extending research areas to renewable resources, whole lifecycle perspectives, and socio-economic consequences.
Keywords: energy, food supply chain, life cycle assessment, Leximancer
Published in DKUM: 05.12.2023; Views: 368; Downloads: 105
Full text (898,12 KB)
This document has many files! More...