@inproceedings{WittigRuettersBragard2024, author = {Wittig, M. and R{\"u}tters, Ren{\´e} and Bragard, Michael}, title = {Application of RL in control systems using the example of a rotatory inverted pendulum}, series = {Tagungsband AALE 2024 : Fit f{\"u}r die Zukunft: praktische L{\"o}sungen f{\"u}r die industrielle Automation}, booktitle = {Tagungsband AALE 2024 : Fit f{\"u}r die Zukunft: praktische L{\"o}sungen f{\"u}r die industrielle Automation}, editor = {Reiff-Stephan, J{\"o}rg and J{\"a}kel, Jens and Schwarz, Andr{\´e}}, publisher = {le-tex publishing services GmbH}, address = {Leipzig}, isbn = {978-3-910103-02-3}, doi = {10.33968/2024.53}, pages = {241 -- 248}, year = {2024}, abstract = {In this paper, the use of reinforcement learning (RL) in control systems is investigated using a rotatory inverted pendulum as an example. The control behavior of an RL controller is compared to that of traditional LQR and MPC controllers. This is done by evaluating their behavior under optimal conditions, their disturbance behavior, their robustness and their development process. All the investigated controllers are developed using MATLAB and the Simulink simulation environment and later deployed to a real pendulum model powered by a Raspberry Pi. The RL algorithm used is Proximal Policy Optimization (PPO). The LQR controller exhibits an easy development process, an average to good control behavior and average to good robustness. A linear MPC controller could show excellent results under optimal operating conditions. However, when subjected to disturbances or deviations from the equilibrium point, it showed poor performance and sometimes instable behavior. Employing a nonlinear MPC Controller in real time was not possible due to the high computational effort involved. The RL controller exhibits by far the most versatile and robust control behavior. When operated in the simulation environment, it achieved a high control accuracy. When employed in the real system, however, it only shows average accuracy and a significantly greater performance loss compared to the simulation than the traditional controllers. With MATLAB, it is not yet possible to directly post-train the RL controller on the Raspberry Pi, which is an obstacle to the practical application of RL in a prototyping or teaching setting. Nevertheless, RL in general proves to be a flexible and powerful control method, which is well suited for complex or nonlinear systems where traditional controllers struggle.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{ZahraPhaniSrujanCaminosetal.2022, author = {Zahra, Mahdi and Phani Srujan, Merige and Caminos, Ricardo Alexander Chico and Schmitz, Pascal and Herrmann, Ulf and Teixeira Boura, Cristiano Jos{\´e} and Schmitz, Mark and Gielen, Hans and Gedle, Yibekal and Dersch, J{\"u}rgen}, title = {Modeling the thermal behavior of solar salt in electrical resistance heaters for the application in PV-CSP hybrid power plants}, series = {SOLARPACES 2020}, booktitle = {SOLARPACES 2020}, number = {2445 / 1}, publisher = {AIP conference proceedings / American Institute of Physics}, address = {Melville, NY}, isbn = {978-0-7354-4195-8}, issn = {1551-7616 (online)}, doi = {10.1063/5.0086268}, pages = {9 Seiten}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) systems are able to store energy cost-effectively in their integrated thermal energy storage (TES). By intelligently combining Photovoltaics (PV) systems with CSP, a further cost reduction of solar power plants is expected, as well as an increase in dispatchability and flexibility of power generation. PV-powered Resistance Heaters (RH) can be deployed to raise the temperature of the molten salt hot storage from 385 °C up to 565 °C in a Parabolic Trough Collector (PTC) plant. To avoid freezing and decomposition of molten salt, the temperature distribution in the electrical resistance heater is investigated in the present study. For this purpose, a RH has been modeled and CFD simulations have been performed. The simulation results show that the hottest regions occur on the electric rod surface behind the last baffle. A technical optimization was performed by adjusting three parameters: Shell-baffle clearance, electric rod-baffle clearance and number of baffles. After the technical optimization was carried out, the temperature difference between the maximum temperature and the average outlet temperature of the salt is within the acceptable limits, thus critical salt decomposition has been avoided. Additionally, the CFD simulations results were analyzed and compared with results obtained with a one-dimensional model in Modelica.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{CaminosSchmitzAttietal.2022, author = {Caminos, Ricardo Alexander Chico and Schmitz, Pascal and Atti, Vikrama and Mahdi, Zahra and Teixeira Boura, Cristiano Jos{\´e} and Sattler, Johannes Christoph and Herrmann, Ulf and Hilger, Patrick and Dieckmann, Simon}, title = {Development of a micro heliostat and optical qualification assessment with a 3D laser scanning method}, series = {SOLARPACES 2020}, booktitle = {SOLARPACES 2020}, number = {2445 / 1}, publisher = {AIP conference proceedings / American Institute of Physics}, address = {Melville, NY}, isbn = {978-0-7354-4195-8}, issn = {1551-7616 (online)}, doi = {10.1063/5.0086262}, pages = {8 Seiten}, year = {2022}, abstract = {The Solar-Institut J{\"u}lich (SIJ) and the companies Hilger GmbH and Heliokon GmbH from Germany have developed a small-scale cost-effective heliostat, called "micro heliostat". Micro heliostats can be deployed in small-scale concentrated solar power (CSP) plants to concentrate the sun's radiation for electricity generation, space or domestic water heating or industrial process heat. In contrast to conventional heliostats, the special feature of a micro heliostat is that it consists of dozens of parallel-moving, interconnected, rotatable mirror facets. The mirror facets array is fixed inside a box-shaped module and is protected from weathering and wind forces by a transparent glass cover. The choice of the building materials for the box, tracking mechanism and mirrors is largely dependent on the selected production process and the intended application of the micro heliostat. Special attention was paid to the material of the tracking mechanism as this has a direct influence on the accuracy of the micro heliostat. The choice of materials for the mirror support structure and the tracking mechanism is made in favor of plastic molded parts. A qualification assessment method has been developed by the SIJ in which a 3D laser scanner is used in combination with a coordinate measuring machine (CMM). For the validation of this assessment method, a single mirror facet was scanned and the slope deviation was computed.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{NiederwestbergSchneiderTeixeiraBouraetal.2022, author = {Niederwestberg, Stefan and Schneider, Falko and Teixeira Boura, Cristiano Jos{\´e} and Herrmann, Ulf}, title = {Introduction to a direct irradiated transparent tube particle receiver}, series = {SOLARPACES 2020}, booktitle = {SOLARPACES 2020}, number = {2445 / 1}, publisher = {AIP conference proceedings / American Institute of Physics}, address = {Melville, NY}, isbn = {978-0-7354-4195-8}, issn = {1551-7616 (online)}, doi = {10.1063/5.0086735}, pages = {9 Seiten}, year = {2022}, abstract = {New materials often lead to innovations and advantages in technical applications. This also applies to the particle receiver proposed in this work that deploys high-temperature and scratch resistant transparent ceramics. With this receiver design, particles are heated through direct-contact concentrated solar irradiance while flowing downwards through tubular transparent ceramics from top to bottom. In this paper, the developed particle receiver as well as advantages and disadvantages are described. Investigations on the particle heat-up characteristics from solar irradiance were carried out with DEM simulations which indicate that particle temperatures can reach up to 1200 K. Additionally, a simulation model was set up for investigating the dynamic behavior. A test receiver at laboratory scale has been designed and is currently being built. In upcoming tests, the receiver test rig will be used to validate the simulation results. The design and the measurement equipment is described in this work.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{NeumannAdamBackesetal.2021, author = {Neumann, Hannah and Adam, Mario and Backes, Klaus and B{\"o}rner, Martin and Clees, Tanja and Doetsch, Christian and Glaeser, Susanne and Herrmann, Ulf and May, Johanna and Rosenthal, Florian and Sauer, Dirk Uwe and Stadler, Ingo}, title = {Development of open educational resources for renewable energy and the energy transition process}, series = {ISES SWC 2021}, booktitle = {ISES SWC 2021}, publisher = {International Solar Energy Society}, address = {Freiburg}, doi = {10.18086/swc.2021.47.03}, pages = {6 Seiten}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The dissemination of knowledge about renewable energies is understood as a social task with the highest topicality. The transfer of teaching content on renewable energies into digital open educational resources offers the opportunity to significantly accelerate the implementation of the energy transition. Thus, in the here presented project six German universities create open educational resources for the energy transition. These materials are available to the public on the internet under a free license. So far there has been no publicly accessible, editable media that cover entire learning units about renewable energies extensively and in high technical quality. Thus, in this project, the content that remains up-to-date for a longer period is appropriately prepared in terms of media didactics. The materials enable lecturers to provide students with in-depth training about technologies for the energy transition. In a particular way, the created material is also suitable for making the general public knowledgeable about the energy transition with scientifically based material.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{SattlerSchneiderAngeleetal.2022, author = {Sattler, Johannes Christoph and Schneider, Iesse Peer and Angele, Florian and Atti, Vikrama and Teixeira Boura, Cristiano Jos{\´e} and Herrmann, Ulf}, title = {Development of heliostat field calibration methods: Theory and experimental test results}, series = {SolarPACES 2022 conference proceedings}, booktitle = {SolarPACES 2022 conference proceedings}, number = {1}, publisher = {TIB Open Publishing}, address = {Hannover}, issn = {2751-9899 (online)}, doi = {10.52825/solarpaces.v1i.678}, pages = {9 Seiten}, year = {2022}, abstract = {In this work, three patent pending calibration methods for heliostat fields of central receiver systems (CRS) developed by the Solar-Institut J{\"u}lich (SIJ) of the FH Aachen University of Applied Sciences are presented. The calibration methods can either operate in a combined mode or in stand-alone mode. The first calibration method, method A, foresees that a camera matrix is placed into the receiver plane where it is subjected to concentrated solar irradiance during a measurement process. The second calibration method, method B, uses an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) such as a quadrocopter to automatically fly into the reflected solar irradiance cross-section of one or more heliostats (two variants of method B were tested). The third calibration method, method C, foresees a stereo central camera or multiple stereo cameras installed e.g. on the solar tower whereby the orientations of the heliostats are calculated from the location detection of spherical red markers attached to the heliostats. The most accurate method is method A which has a mean accuracy of 0.17 mrad. The mean accuracy of method B variant 1 is 1.36 mrad and of variant 2 is 1.73 mrad. Method C has a mean accuracy of 15.07 mrad. For method B there is great potential regarding improving the measurement accuracy. For method C the collected data was not sufficient for determining whether or not there is potential for improving the accuracy.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{SattlerAttiAlexopoulosetal.2022, author = {Sattler, Johannes Christoph and Atti, Vikrama and Alexopoulos, Spiros and Teixeira Boura, Cristiano Jos{\´e} and Herrmann, Ulf and Dutta, Siddharth and Kioutsioukis, Ioannis}, title = {DNI forecast tool for the smart operation of a parabolic trough collector system with concrete thermal energy storage: Theory, results and outlook}, series = {SolarPACES 2022 conference proceedings}, booktitle = {SolarPACES 2022 conference proceedings}, number = {1}, publisher = {TIB Open Publishing}, address = {Hannover}, issn = {2751-9899 (online)}, doi = {10.52825/solarpaces.v1i.731}, pages = {9 Seiten}, year = {2022}, abstract = {This work presents a basic forecast tool for predicting direct normal irradiance (DNI) in hourly resolution, which the Solar-Institut J{\"u}lich (SIJ) is developing within a research project. The DNI forecast data shall be used for a parabolic trough collector (PTC) system with a concrete thermal energy storage (C-TES) located at the company KEAN Soft Drinks Ltd in Limassol, Cyprus. On a daily basis, 24-hour DNI prediction data in hourly resolution shall be automatically produced using free or very low-cost weather forecast data as input. The purpose of the DNI forecast tool is to automatically transfer the DNI forecast data on a daily basis to a main control unit (MCU). The MCU automatically makes a smart decision on the operation mode of the PTC system such as steam production mode and/or C-TES charging mode. The DNI forecast tool was evaluated using historical data of measured DNI from an on-site weather station, which was compared to the DNI forecast data. The DNI forecast tool was tested using data from 56 days between January and March 2022, which included days with a strong variation in DNI due to cloud passages. For the evaluation of the DNI forecast reliability, three categories were created and the forecast data was sorted accordingly. The result was that the DNI forecast tool has a reliability of 71.4 \% based on the tested days. The result fulfils SIJ's aim to achieve a reliability of around 70 \%, but SIJ aims to still improve the DNI forecast quality.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{SchwagerAngeleNourietal.2022, author = {Schwager, Christian and Angele, Florian and Nouri, Bijan and Schwarzb{\"o}zl, Peter and Teixeira Boura, Cristiano Jos{\´e} and Herrmann, Ulf}, title = {Impact of DNI forecast quality on performance prediction for a commercial scale solar tower: Application of nowcasting DNI maps to dynamic solar tower simulation}, series = {SolarPACES 2022 conference proceedings}, booktitle = {SolarPACES 2022 conference proceedings}, number = {1}, publisher = {TIB Open Publishing}, address = {Hannover}, issn = {2751-9899 (online)}, doi = {10.52825/solarpaces.v1i.675}, pages = {9 Seiten}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Concerning current efforts to improve operational efficiency and to lower overall costs of concentrating solar power (CSP) plants with prediction-based algorithms, this study investigates the quality and uncertainty of nowcasting data regarding the implications for process predictions. DNI (direct normal irradiation) maps from an all-sky imager-based nowcasting system are applied to a dynamic prediction model coupled with ray tracing. The results underline the need for high-resolution DNI maps in order to predict net yield and receiver outlet temperature realistically. Furthermore, based on a statistical uncertainty analysis, a correlation is developed, which allows for predicting the uncertainty of the net power prediction based on the corresponding DNI forecast uncertainty. However, the study reveals significant prediction errors and the demand for further improvement in the accuracy at which local shadings are forecasted.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{SchulteSchwagerFrantzetal.2022, author = {Schulte, Jonas and Schwager, Christian and Frantz, Cathy and Schloms, Felix and Teixeira Boura, Cristiano Jos{\´e} and Herrmann, Ulf}, title = {Control concept for a molten salt receiver in star design: Development, optimization and testing with cloud passage scenarios}, series = {SolarPACES 2022 conference proceedings}, booktitle = {SolarPACES 2022 conference proceedings}, number = {1}, publisher = {TIB Open Publishing}, address = {Hannover}, issn = {2751-9899 (online)}, doi = {10.52825/solarpaces.v1i.693}, pages = {9 Seiten}, year = {2022}, abstract = {A promising approach to reduce the system costs of molten salt solar receivers is to enable the irradiation of the absorber tubes on both sides. The star design is an innovative receiver design, pursuing this approach. The unconventional design leads to new challenges in controlling the system. This paper presents a control concept for a molten salt receiver system in star design. The control parameters are optimized in a defined test cycle by minimizing a cost function. The control concept is tested in realistic cloud passage scenarios based on real weather data. During these tests, the control system showed no sign of unstable behavior, but to perform sufficiently in every scenario further research and development like integrating Model Predictive Controls (MPCs) need to be done. The presented concept is a starting point to do so.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{LahrsKrisamHerrmann2023, author = {Lahrs, Lennart and Krisam, Pierre and Herrmann, Ulf}, title = {Envisioning a collaborative energy system planning platform for the energy transition at the district level}, series = {ECOS 2023. The 36th International Conference on Efficiency, Cost, Optimization, Simulation and Environmental Impact of Energy Systems}, booktitle = {ECOS 2023. The 36th International Conference on Efficiency, Cost, Optimization, Simulation and Environmental Impact of Energy Systems}, publisher = {Procedings of ECOS 2023}, doi = {10.52202/069564-0284}, pages = {3163 -- 3170}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Residential and commercial buildings account for more than one-third of global energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. Integrated multi-energy systems at the district level are a promising way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by exploiting economies of scale and synergies between energy sources. Planning district energy systems comes with many challenges in an ever-changing environment. Computational modelling established itself as the state-of-the-art method for district energy system planning. Unfortunately, it is still cumbersome to combine standalone models to generate insights that surpass their original purpose. Ideally, planning processes could be solved by using modular tools that easily incorporate the variety of competing and complementing computational models. Our contribution is a vision for a collaborative development and application platform for multi-energy system planning tools at the district level. We present challenges of district energy system planning identified in the literature and evaluate whether this platform can help to overcome these challenges. Further, we propose a toolkit that represents the core technical elements of the platform. Lastly, we discuss community management and its relevance for the success of projects with collaboration and knowledge sharing at their core.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{SchulteSchwagerNoureldinetal.2023, author = {Schulte, Jonas and Schwager, Christian and Noureldin, Kareem and May, Martin and Teixeira Boura, Cristiano Jos{\´e} and Herrmann, Ulf}, title = {Gradient controlled startup procedure of a molten-salt power-to-heat energy storage plant based on dynamic process simulation}, series = {SolarPACES: Solar Power \& Chemical Energy Systems}, booktitle = {SolarPACES: Solar Power \& Chemical Energy Systems}, number = {2815 / 1}, publisher = {AIP conference proceedings / American Institute of Physics}, address = {Melville, NY}, isbn = {978-0-7354-4623-6}, issn = {1551-7616 (online)}, doi = {10.1063/5.0148741}, pages = {9 Seiten}, year = {2023}, abstract = {The integration of high temperature thermal energy storages into existing conventional power plants can help to reduce the CO2 emissions of those plants and lead to lower capital expenditures for building energy storage systems, due to the use of synergy effects [1]. One possibility to implement that, is a molten salt storage system with a powerful power-to-heat unit. This paper presents two possible control concepts for the startup of the charging system of such a facility. The procedures are implemented in a detailed dynamic process model. The performance and safety regarding the film temperatures at heat transmitting surfaces are investigated in the process simulations. To improve the accuracy in predicting the film temperatures, CFD simulations of the electrical heater are carried out and the results are merged with the dynamic model. The results show that both investigated control concepts are safe regarding the temperature limits. The gradient controlled startup performed better than the temperature-controlled startup. Nevertheless, there are several uncertainties that need to be investigated further.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{SchwagerAngeleSchwarzboezletal.2023, author = {Schwager, Christian and Angele, Florian and Schwarzb{\"o}zl, Peter and Teixeira Boura, Cristiano Jos{\´e} and Herrmann, Ulf}, title = {Model predictive assistance for operational decision making in molten salt receiver systems}, series = {SolarPACES: Solar Power \& Chemical Energy Systems}, booktitle = {SolarPACES: Solar Power \& Chemical Energy Systems}, number = {2815 / 1}, publisher = {AIP conference proceedings / American Institute of Physics}, address = {Melville, NY}, isbn = {978-0-7354-4623-6}, issn = {1551-7616 (online)}, doi = {10.1063/5.0151514}, pages = {8 Seiten}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Despite the challenges of pioneering molten salt towers (MST), it remains the leading technology in central receiver power plants today, thanks to cost effective storage integration and high cost reduction potential. The limited controllability in volatile solar conditions can cause significant losses, which are difficult to estimate without comprehensive modeling [1]. This paper presents a Methodology to generate predictions of the dynamic behavior of the receiver system as part of an operating assistance system (OAS). Based on this, it delivers proposals if and when to drain and refill the receiver during a cloudy period in order maximize the net yield and quantifies the amount of net electricity gained by this. After prior analysis with a detailed dynamic two-phase model of the entire receiver system, two different reduced modeling approaches where developed and implemented in the OAS. A tailored decision algorithm utilizes both models to deliver the desired predictions efficiently and with appropriate accuracy.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{GedleSchmitzGielenetal.2022, author = {Gedle, Yibekal and Schmitz, Mark and Gielen, Hans and Schmitz, Pascal and Herrmann, Ulf and Teixeira Boura, Cristiano Jos{\´e} and Mahdi, Zahra and Caminos, Ricardo Alexander Chico and Dersch, J{\"u}rgen}, title = {Analysis of an integrated CSP-PV hybrid power plant}, series = {SOLARPACES 2020}, booktitle = {SOLARPACES 2020}, number = {2445 / 1}, publisher = {AIP conference proceedings / American Institute of Physics}, address = {Melville, NY}, isbn = {978-0-7354-4195-8}, issn = {1551-7616 (online)}, doi = {10.1063/5.0086236}, pages = {9 Seiten}, year = {2022}, abstract = {In the past, CSP and PV have been seen as competing technologies. Despite massive reductions in the electricity generation costs of CSP plants, PV power generation is - at least during sunshine hours - significantly cheaper. If electricity is required not only during the daytime, but around the clock, CSP with its inherent thermal energy storage gets an advantage in terms of LEC. There are a few examples of projects in which CSP plants and PV plants have been co-located, meaning that they feed into the same grid connection point and ideally optimize their operation strategy to yield an overall benefit. In the past eight years, TSK Flagsol has developed a plant concept, which merges both solar technologies into one highly Integrated CSP-PV-Hybrid (ICPH) power plant. Here, unlike in simply co-located concepts, as analyzed e.g. in [1] - [4], excess PV power that would have to be dumped is used in electric molten salt heaters to increase the storage temperature, improving storage and conversion efficiency. The authors demonstrate the electricity cost sensitivity to subsystem sizing for various market scenarios, and compare the resulting optimized ICPH plants with co-located hybrid plants. Independent of the three feed-in tariffs that have been assumed, the ICPH plant shows an electricity cost advantage of almost 20\% while maintaining a high degree of flexibility in power dispatch as it is characteristic for CSP power plants. As all components of such an innovative concept are well proven, the system is ready for commercial market implementation. A first project is already contracted and in early engineering execution.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{MahdiDerschSchmitzetal.2022, author = {Mahdi, Zahra and Dersch, J{\"u}rgen and Schmitz, Pascal and Dieckmann, Simon and Caminos, Ricardo Alexander Chico and Teixeira Boura, Cristiano Jos{\´e} and Herrmann, Ulf and Schwager, Christian and Schmitz, Mark and Gielen, Hans and Gedle, Yibekal and B{\"u}scher, Rauno}, title = {Technical assessment of Brayton cycle heat pumps for the integration in hybrid PV-CSP power plants}, series = {SOLARPACES 2020}, booktitle = {SOLARPACES 2020}, number = {2445 / 1}, publisher = {AIP conference proceedings / American Institute of Physics}, address = {Melville, NY}, isbn = {978-0-7354-4195-8}, issn = {1551-7616 (online)}, doi = {10.1063/5.0086269}, pages = {11 Seiten}, year = {2022}, abstract = {The hybridization of Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) and Photovoltaics (PV) systems is a promising approach to reduce costs of solar power plants, while increasing dispatchability and flexibility of power generation. High temperature heat pumps (HT HP) can be utilized to boost the salt temperature in the thermal energy storage (TES) of a Parabolic Trough Collector (PTC) system from 385 °C up to 565 °C. A PV field can supply the power for the HT HP, thus effectively storing the PV power as thermal energy. Besides cost-efficiently storing energy from the PV field, the power block efficiency of the overall system is improved due to the higher steam parameters. This paper presents a technical assessment of Brayton cycle heat pumps to be integrated in hybrid PV-CSP power plants. As a first step, a theoretical analysis was carried out to find the most suitable working fluid. The analysis included the fluids Air, Argon (Ar), Nitrogen (N2) and Carbon dioxide (CO2). N2 has been chosen as the optimal working fluid for the system. After the selection of the ideal working medium, different concepts for the arrangement of a HT HP in a PV-CSP hybrid power plant were developed and simulated in EBSILON®Professional. The concepts were evaluated technically by comparing the number of components required, pressure losses and coefficient of performance (COP).}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{KramerBragardRitzetal.2024, author = {Kramer, Pia and Bragard, Michael and Ritz, Thomas and Ferfer, Ute and Schiffers, Tim}, title = {Visualizing, Enhancing and Predicting Students' Success through ECTS Monitoring}, series = {2024 IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON)}, booktitle = {2024 IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON)}, publisher = {IEEE}, address = {New York, NY}, issn = {2165-9559}, doi = {10.1109/EDUCON60312.2024.10578652}, pages = {5 Seiten}, year = {2024}, abstract = {This paper serves as an introduction to the ECTS monitoring system and its potential applications in higher education. It also emphasizes the potential for ECTS monitoring to become a proactive system, supporting students by predicting academic success and identifying groups of potential dropouts for tailored support services. The use of the nearest neighbor analysis is suggested for improving data analysis and prediction accuracy.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{RuettersBragardDolls2024, author = {R{\"u}tters, Ren{\´e} and Bragard, Michael and Dolls, Sarah}, title = {The Inverted Rotary Pendulum: Facilitating Practical Teaching in Advanced Control Engineering}, series = {2024 IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON)}, booktitle = {2024 IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON)}, publisher = {IEEE}, address = {New York, NY}, issn = {2165-9559}, doi = {10.1109/EDUCON60312.2024.10578937}, pages = {5 Seiten}, year = {2024}, abstract = {This paper outlines a practical approach to teach control engineering principles, with an inverted rotary pendulum, serving as an illustrative example. It shows how the pendulum is embedded in an advanced course of control engineering. This approach is incorporated into a flipped-classroom concept, as well as classical teaching concepts, offering students practical experience in control engineering. In addition, the design of the pendulum is shown, using a Raspberry Pi as the target platform for Matlab Simulink. This pendulum can be used in the classroom to evaluate the controller design mentioned above. It is analysed if the use of the pendulum generates a deeper understanding of the learning contents.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{BeckerBragard2024, author = {Becker, Tim and Bragard, Michael}, title = {Low-Voltage DC Training Lab for Electric Drives - Optimizing the Balancing Act Between High Student Throughput and Individual Learning Speed}, series = {2024 IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON)}, booktitle = {2024 IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON)}, publisher = {IEEE}, address = {New York, NY}, issn = {2165-9559}, doi = {10.1109/EDUCON60312.2024.10578902}, pages = {8 Seiten}, year = {2024}, abstract = {After a brief introduction of conventional laboratory structures, this work focuses on an innovative and universal approach for a setup of a training laboratory for electric machines and drive systems. The novel approach employs a central 48 V DC bus, which forms the backbone of the structure. Several sets of DC machine, asynchronous machine and synchronous machine are connected to this bus. The advantages of the novel system structure are manifold, both from a didactic and a technical point of view: Student groups can work on their own performance level in a highly parallelized and at the same time individualized way. Additional training setups (similar or different) can easily be added. Only the total power dissipation has to be provided, i.e. the DC bus balances the power flow between the student groups. Comparative results of course evaluations of several cohorts of students are shown.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{BurgethKleefeldZhangetal.2022, author = {Burgeth, Bernhard and Kleefeld, Andreas and Zhang, Eugene and Zhang, Yue}, title = {Towards Topological Analysis of Non-symmetric Tensor Fields via Complexification}, series = {Discrete Geometry and Mathematical Morphology}, booktitle = {Discrete Geometry and Mathematical Morphology}, editor = {Baudrier, {\´E}tienne and Naegel, Beno{\^i}t and Kr{\"a}henb{\"u}hl, Adrien and Tajine, Mohamed}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Cham}, isbn = {978-3-031-19897-7}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-031-19897-7_5}, pages = {48 -- 59}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Fields of asymmetric tensors play an important role in many applications such as medical imaging (diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging), physics, and civil engineering (for example Cauchy-Green-deformation tensor, strain tensor with local rotations, etc.). However, such asymmetric tensors are usually symmetrized and then further processed. Using this procedure results in a loss of information. A new method for the processing of asymmetric tensor fields is proposed restricting our attention to tensors of second-order given by a 2x2 array or matrix with real entries. This is achieved by a transformation resulting in Hermitian matrices that have an eigendecomposition similar to symmetric matrices. With this new idea numerical results for real-world data arising from a deformation of an object by external forces are given. It is shown that the asymmetric part indeed contains valuable information.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{LangohrBungCrookston2022, author = {Langohr, Philipp and Bung, Daniel Bernhard and Crookston, Brian M.}, title = {Hybrid investigation of labyrinth weirs: Discharge capacity and energy dissipation}, series = {Proceedings of the 39th IAHR World Congress}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the 39th IAHR World Congress}, editor = {Ortega-S{\´a}nchez, Miguel}, publisher = {International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research (IAHR)}, address = {Madrid}, isbn = {978-90-832612-1-8}, issn = {2521-7119 (print)}, doi = {10.3850/IAHR-39WC252171192022738}, pages = {2313 -- 2318}, year = {2022}, abstract = {The replacement of existing spillway crests or gates with labyrinth weirs is a proven techno-economical means to increase the discharge capacity when rehabilitating existing structures. However, additional information is needed regarding energy dissipation of such weirs, since due to the folded weir crest, a three-dimensional flow field is generated, yielding more complex overflow and energy dissipation processes. In this study, CFD simulations of labyrinth weirs were conducted 1) to analyze the discharge coefficients for different discharges to compare the Cd values to literature data and 2) to analyze and improve energy dissipation downstream of the structure. All tests were performed for a structure at laboratory scale with a height of approx. P = 30.5 cm, a ratio of the total crest length to the total width of 4.7, a sidewall angle of 10° and a quarter-round weir crest shape. Tested headwater ratios were 0.089 ≤ HT/P ≤ 0.817. For numerical simulations, FLOW-3D Hydro was employed, solving the RANS equations with use of finite-volume method and RNG k-ε turbulence closure. In terms of discharge capacity, results were compared to data from physical model tests performed at the Utah Water Research Laboratory (Utah State University), emphasizing higher discharge coefficients from CFD than from the physical model. For upstream heads, some discrepancy in the range of ± 1 cm between literature, CFD and physical model tests was identified with a discussion regarding differences included in the manuscript. For downstream energy dissipation, variable tailwater depths were considered to analyze the formation and sweep-out of a hydraulic jump. It was found that even for high discharges, relatively low downstream Froude numbers were obtained due to high energy dissipation involved by the three-dimensional flow between the sidewalls. The effects of some additional energy dissipation devices, e.g. baffle blocks or end sills, were also analyzed. End sills were found to be non-effective. However, baffle blocks with different locations may improve energy dissipation downstream of labyrinth weirs.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{CrookstonBung2022, author = {Crookston, Brian M. and Bung, Daniel Bernhard}, title = {Application of RGB-D cameras in hydraulic laboratory studies}, series = {Proceedings of the 39th IAHR World Congress}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the 39th IAHR World Congress}, editor = {Ortega-S{\´a}nchez, Miguel}, publisher = {International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research (IAHR)}, address = {Madrid}, isbn = {978-90-832612-1-8}, issn = {2521-7119 (print)}, doi = {10.3850/IAHR-39WC252171192022964}, pages = {5127 -- 5133}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Non-intrusive measuring techniques have attained a lot of interest in relation to both hydraulic modeling and prototype applications. Complimenting acoustic techniques, significant progress has been made for the development of new optical methods. Computer vision techniques can help to extract new information, e. g. high-resolution velocity and depth data, from videos captured with relatively inexpensive, consumer-grade cameras. Depth cameras are sensors providing information on the distance between the camera and observed features. Currently, sensors with different working principles are available. Stereoscopic systems reference physical image features (passive system) from two perspectives; in order to enhance the number of features and improve the results, a sensor may also estimate the disparity from a detected light to its original projection (active stereo system). In the current study, the RGB-D camera Intel RealSense D435, working on such stereo vision principle, is used in different, typical hydraulic modeling applications. All tests have been conducted at the Utah Water Research Laboratory. This paper will demonstrate the performance and limitations of the RGB-D sensor, installed as a single camera and as camera arrays, applied to 1) detect the free surface for highly turbulent, aerated hydraulic jumps, for free-falling jets and for an energy dissipation basin downstream of a labyrinth weir and 2) to monitor local scours upstream and downstream of a Piano Key Weir. It is intended to share the authors' experiences with respect to camera settings, calibration, lightning conditions and other requirements in order to promote this useful, easily accessible device. Results will be compared to data from classical instrumentation and the literature. It will be shown that even in difficult application, e. g. the detection of a highly turbulent, fluctuating free-surface, the RGB-D sensor may yield similar accuracy as classical, intrusive probes.}, language = {en} }