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Alma universitas studiorum parmensis A.D. 962 - Università di Parma Alma universitas studiorum parmensis A.D. 962 - Università di Parma
Dipartimento di
Ingegneria e Architettura
Università degli Studi di Parma

Energy Systems and Fluid Machinery Research Group

Stampa

The research activities of the group deals with modelling and optimization of integrated energy systems and networks.

In particular, the group developed a specific library for the dynamic simulation of energy systems and networks. The library is composed of several modules for the simulation of components of energy conversion systems and distribution networks with a coherent causality, so that they can be easily combined for the simulation of complex layouts. This library can be used for the setup of virtual test benches where systems layouts and optimal management strategies (e.g. based on Model Predictive Control) can be tested.

In fact, the group developed and prototyped controllers for energy systems from the conceptualization to the on-field test. For example, a controller for District Heating Networks was firstly tested on the virtual test bench, then prototyped on a school complex in Podenzano and on the University Campus, to become finally a commercial tool. Currently the group is involved in two ERA-Net projects (DISTRHEAT and IFAISTOS) in which the controller for heating network is further developed and a similar approach is applied to electrofuel production.

Regarding renewable fuels, besides the activities on simulation and management of electrofuel production, the group has gained a significant experience about the wood chip gasification process and syngas cleaning systems.

Finally, the group is involved in research concerning fluid power systems. The relevant topics in this field are: simulations and experiments on positive displacement pumps and hydraulic components; solutions for reducing fuel consumption in mobile machinery (hydraulic hybrid solutions; energy recovery systems; control optimization); Condition monitoring applied to fluid power components and machines (pumps, motors); Electro Hydraulic systems.  A test bench for testing on pumps, motors and valves is available in the laboratory of the Department, its main features are: max power 75+75 kW; max fluid pressure 300 bar; max flow rate 150 l/min; transducers for pressure, temperature, angular position, etc.

Recent Research Projects

  • 2020- “ALIGHT - Copenhagen Airport: a Lighthouse for the introduction of sustainable aviation solutions for the future” funded by the H2020 Programme of the European Commission www.alight-aviation.eu

  • 2020- “IFAISTOS - Intelligent electroFuel production for An Integrated STOrage System” funded by “the Joint Call 2019 on Energy Storage Solutions (“MICALL19”)” of the European Research Area Network Smart Energy Systems www.ifaistos.eu

  • 2019- “DISTRHEAT - Digital Intelligent and Scalable conTrol for Renewables in HEAting neTworks” funded by “2018 joint transnational call for Regional Energy Systems projects in Europe, the REGSYS joint call” of the European Research Area Network Smart Energy Systems www.distrheat.eu

  • 2019-2022 “CoACh – Cold management in Agro-food Chains: solutions for process digitalization” funded by Emilia-Romagna Region European Regional Development Fund www.coachproject.it

  • 2019-2022 “E-CO2 - Produzione ed utilizzo nei cicli industriali di combustibili sintetici da CO2 ed energia elettrica rinnovabile” (E-CO2 - Production and use in industrial processes of synthetic fuels from CO2 and renewable electricity) funded by Emilia-Romagna Region European Regional Development Fund www.e-co2.it

  • 2019-2022 “ENERGYNIUS - ENERGY Networks Integration for Urban Systems” funded by Emilia-Romagna Region European Regional Development Fund www.energynius.it

  • 2019-2022 “TASC – Trattrici Agricole Smart & Clean (Smart and clean agricultural tractors)” funded by Emilia-Romagna Region European Regional Development Fund www.tascproject.eu

  • 2017-2021 “SYNBIOSE - Gassificazione di biomasse lignocellulosiche in sistemi di cogenerazione di piccola taglia (< 200 kW) per applicazioni nel settore terziario” (Gasification of lignocellulosic biomasses in small cogeneration systems (<200 kW) for applications in the tertiary sector) funded by Italian Ministry of Economic Development www.synbiose.it

  • 2017-2019 “EFFICITY – Efficient energy systems for smart urban districts – Sistemi energetici efficienti per distretti urbani intelligenti” funded by Emilia-Romagna Region European Regional Development Fund www.efficity-project.it

Recent Research Projects

Saletti, C., Zimmerman, N., Morini, M., Kyprianidis, K., Gambarotta, A.
A control-oriented scalable model for demand side management in district heating aggregated communities
(2022) Applied Thermal Engineering, 201, art. no. 117681, .
DOI: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2021.117681

Marzi, E., Morini, M., Gambarotta, A.
Analysis of the Status of Research and Innovation Actions on Electrofuels under Horizon 2020
(2022) Energies, 15 (2), art. no. 618, .
DOI: 10.3390/en15020618

Casoli, P., Scolari, F., Rundo, M.
Modelling and validation of cavitating orifice flow in hydraulic systems
(2021) Sustainability (Switzerland), 13 (13), art. no. 7239, .
DOI: 10.3390/su13137239

Rundo, M., Casoli, P., Lettini, A.
Experimental methods for measuring the viscous friction coefficient in hydraulic spool valves
(2021) Sustainability (Switzerland), 13 (13), art. no. 7174, .
DOI: 10.3390/su13137174

Bahlawan, H., Morini, M., Spina, P.R., Venturini, M.
Inventory scaling, life cycle impact assessment and design optimization of distributed energy plants
(2021) Applied Energy, 304, art. no. 117701, .
DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2021.117701

Bahlawan, H., Morini, M., Pinelli, M., Spina, P.R., Venturini, M.
Simultaneous optimization of the design and operation of multi-generation energy systems based on life cycle energy and economic assessment
(2021) Energy Conversion and Management, 249, art. no. 114883, .
DOI: 10.1016/j.enconman.2021.114883

Ghilardi, L.M.P., Castelli, A.F., Moretti, L., Morini, M., Martelli, E.
Co-optimization of multi-energy system operation, district heating/cooling network and thermal comfort management for buildings
(2021) Applied Energy, 302, art. no. 117480, .
DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2021.117480

Bahlawan, H., Gambarotta, A., Losi, E., Manservigi, L., Morini, M., Spina, P.R., Venturini, M.
Sizing and operation of a hybrid energy plant composed of industrial gas turbines, renewable energy systems, and energy storage technologies
(2021) Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power, 143 (6), art. no. 061013, .
DOI: 10.1115/1.4049652

Bahlawan, H., Morini, M., Pinelli, M., Spina, P.R., Venturini, M.
Optimization of energy and economic scheduling of a hybrid energy plant by using a dynamic programming approach
(2021) Applied Thermal Engineering, 187, art. no. 116577, .
DOI: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2021.116577

Saletti, C., Zimmerman, N., Morini, M., Kyprianidis, K., Gambarotta, A.
Enabling smart control by optimally managing the State of Charge of district heating networks
(2021) Applied Energy, 283, art. no. 116286, .
DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2020.116286

Casoli, P., Scolari, F., Rundo, M., Lettini, A., Rigosi, M.
Cfd analyses of textured surfaces for tribological improvements in hydraulic pumps
(2020) Energies, 13 (21), art. no. en13215799, .
DOI: 10.3390/en13215799

Casoli, P., Scolari, F., Minav, T., Rundo, M.
Comparative energy analysis of a load sensing system and a zonal hydraulics for a 9-tonne excavator
(2020) Actuators, 9 (2), art. no. 39, .
DOI: 10.3390/ACT9020039

De Lorenzi, A., Gambarotta, A., Morini, M., Rossi, M., Saletti, C.
Setup and testing of smart controllers for small-scale district heating networks: An integrated framework
(2020) Energy, 205, art. no. 118054, .
DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2020.118054

Casari, N., Pinelli, M., Suman, A., Candido, A., Morini, M.
Deposition of syngas tar in fuel supplying duct of a biomass gasifier: A numerical study
(2020) Fuel, 273, art. no. 117579, .
DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2020.117579

Saletti, C., Morini, M., Gambarotta, A.
The status of research and innovation on heating and cooling networks as smart energy systems within horizon 2020
(2020) Energies, 13 (11), art. no. 2835, .
DOI: 10.3390/en13112835

Saletti, C., Gambarotta, A., Morini, M.
Development, analysis and application of a predictive controller to a small-scale district heating system
(2020) Applied Thermal Engineering, 165, art. no. 114558, .
DOI: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2019.114558

Casoli, P., Pastori, M., Scolari, F., Rundo, M.
Active pressure ripple control in axial piston pumps through high-frequency swash plate oscillations—A theoretical analysis
(2019) Energies, 12 (7), art. no. 1377, .
DOI: 10.3390/en12071377

Casoli, P., Pastori, M., Scolari, F., Rundo, M.
A vibration signal-based method for fault identification and classification in hydraulic axial piston pumps
(2019) Energies, 12 (5), art. no. 953, .
DOI: 10.3390/en12050953

Cadau, N., de Lorenzi, A., Gambarotta, A., Morini, M., Rossi, M.
Development and analysis of a multi-node dynamic model for the simulation of stratified thermal energy storage
(2019) Energies, 12 (22), art. no. 4275, .
DOI: 10.3390/en12224275

Bahlawan, H., Morini, M., Pinelli, M., Poganietz, W.-R., Spina, P.R., Venturini, M.
Optimization of a hybrid energy plant by integrating the cumulative energy demand
(2019) Applied Energy, 253, art. no. 113484, .
DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2019.113484

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