Browse Topic: Off-board energy sources
SAE JA6097 (“Using a System Reliability Model to Optimize Maintenance”) shows how to determine which maintenance to perform on a system when that system requires corrective maintenance to achieve the lowest long-term operating cost. While this document may focus on applications to Jet Engines and Aircraft, this methodology could be applied to nearly any type of system. However, it would be most effective for systems that are tightly integrated, where a failure in any part of the system causes the entire system to go off-line, and the process of accessing a failed component can require additional maintenance on other unrelated components.
In the context of increasing global energy demand and growing concerns about climate change, the integration of renewable energy sources with advanced modelling technologies has become essential for achieving sustainable and efficient energy systems. Solar energy, despite its considerable potential, continues to face challenges related to performance variability, limited real-time insights, and the need for reactive maintenance. To overcome these barriers, this work presents a Digital Twin framework aimed at optimizing solar-integrated energy systems through real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, and adaptive control. This work presents a Digital Twin framework designed to address the challenges of designing, operating, maintaining, and estimating renewable energy systems, specifically solar power, based on dynamic load demand. The framework enables real-time forecasting and prediction of energy outputs, ensuring systems operate efficiently and maintain peak performance across
Leonardo DRS Arlington, VA mmount@drs.com
Toyota's big claim for its new sixth-generation 2026 RAV4 is that the SUV is now“ 100% electrified.” That's true, as Obi-wan once said, from a certain point of view. As it recently did with the Camry, the automaker has eliminated an ICE-only powertrain from the list of options, giving drivers the choice between a gas-electric hybrid or a plug-in hybrid (PHEV). The hybrids use Toyota's fifth-generation hybrid system, which uses a 2.5-L 4-cylinder aluminum Atkinson cycle engine that produces 163 lb-ft and up to 226 hp (169 kW) in FWD configuration, 236 hp (176 kW) in AWD. Seven trim levels - LE, XLE Premium (which Toyota expects to be the volume trim), Limited, SE, XSE and Woodland - can be had with the hybrid powertrain, while the driving-focused GR Sport version can only be had as a PHEV. The plug-in option is available on the SE, XSE and Woodland. These new RAV4s use Toyota's sixth-generation PHEV system, which produces 324 hp (242 kW) and up to 172 lb-ft So, yes, the entire line-up
As countries race to expand renewable energy infrastructure, balancing clean electricity production with land use for food remains a pressing challenge — especially in Japan, where mountainous terrain limits space. A recent study led by researchers from the University of Tokyo explores a promising solution: integrating solar panels with traditional rice farming in a practice known as agrivoltaics.
The path toward carbon-neutral mobility represents one of the greatest cultural transformations in recent human history. Positioned between industrial heritage, emerging mobility technologies, and the energy supply sector are the users of 1.5 billion motor vehicles worldwide. Conflicting publications on raw material availability, energy efficiency, and the climate neutrality of propulsion systems have led to widespread uncertainty. This Illustrated Energy Primer provides a new foundation for orientation. It begins with a visual explanation of the basic concepts of energy and power, followed by illustrative comparisons of typical energy demands in vehicles and households. The focus then shifts to common types of energy generation systems. Using regional examples—from coal-fired power plants to wind farms, solar installations, and balcony solar panels—the guide provides clear and accessible performance benchmarks for energy production. Next, nine individual experience profiles highlight
The growing demand for improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions in diesel engines has led to significant advancements in power management technologies. This paper presents a dual-mode functional strategy that integrates electrified turbochargers to enhance engine performance, provide boost and generate electrical power. This helps in optimizing the overall engine efficiency. The engine performance is enhanced with boosting mode where the electric motor accelerates the turbocharger independent of exhaust flow, effectively reducing turbo lag and provides immediate boost at low engine speeds. This feature also improves high altitude performance of the engine. Conversely, in generating mode, the electric turbocharger recovers or harvest energy from exhaust gases depending on engine operating conditions, converting it into electrical energy for battery recharging purpose. Advanced control systems enable real-time adjustments to boost pressure and airflow in response to dynamic driving
Direct current (DC) systems are increasingly used in small power system applications ranging from combined heat and power plants aided with photovoltaic (PV) installations to powertrains of small electric vehicles. A critical safety issue in these systems is the occurrence of series arc faults, which can lead to fires due to high temperatures. This paper presents a model-based method for detecting such faults in medium- and high-voltage DC circuits. Unlike traditional approaches that rely on high-frequency signal analysis, the proposed method uses a physical circuit model and a high-gain observer to estimate deviations from nominal operation. The detection criterion is based on the variance of a disturbance estimate, allowing fast and reliable fault identification. Experimental validation is conducted using a PV system with an arc generator to simulate faults. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the method in distinguishing fault events from normal operating variations. The
Researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) have developed a novel triple-junction perovskite/Si tandem solar cell that can achieve a certified world-record power conversion efficiency of 27.1 percent across a solar energy absorption area of 1 sq cm, representing the best-performing triple-junction perovskite/Si tandem solar cell thus far. To achieve this, the team engineered a new cyanate-integrated perovskite solar cell that is stable and energy efficient.
The Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER) has successfully developed ultra-lightweight flexible perovskite/ CIGS (copper indium gallium selenide) tandem solar cells and achieved a power conversion efficiency of 23.64 percent, which is the world’s highest efficiency for flexible perovskite/CIGS tandem solar cells reported to date. The solar cells developed by the research team are extremely lightweight and can be attached to curved surfaces, making it a promising candidate for future applications in buildings, vehicles, aircraft, and more.
Over the past decade, significant progress in nano science and nanotechnology has opened new avenues for the development of high-performance photovoltaic cells. At present, a variety of nanostructure-based designs—comprising metals, polymers, and semiconductors—are being explored for photovoltaic applications. Advancements in the understanding of optical and electrical mechanisms governing photovoltaic conversion have been supported by theoretical analyses and modeling studies. Nevertheless, the high fabrication cost and relatively low efficiency of conventional solar photovoltaic cells remain major barriers to their large-scale deployment. One-dimensional (1D) nano materials, in particular, have introduced promising prospects for enhancing photovoltaic performance owing to their unique structural and electronic characteristics. Nanowires, nano rods, and nanotubes exemplify such 1D nanostructures, offering substantial potential to improve photon absorption, electron transport, and
A new bioimaging device can operate with significantly lower power and in an entirely non-mechanical way. It could one day improve detecting eye and even heart conditions. The device uses a process called electrowetting to change the surface shape of a liquid to perform optical functions. By creating a device that doesn’t use scanning mirrors, the technique requires less electrical power than other devices used for OCT and bioimaging. To test the device’s ability to perform biomedical imaging, the researchers turned to zebrafish. The researchers focused on identifying where the cornea, iris, and retina was from the zebrafish. The two benchmarks that the group hoped to achieve were 10 μm in axial resolution and then around 5 μm in lateral resolution.
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