• SOCIETY & ”INDUSTRY 4.0”

    Energy efficiency measures to reduce the carbon footprint: A case study of Tirana airport

    Industry 4.0, Vol. 9 (2024), Issue 4, pg(s) 149-153

    One of the biggest challenges of our century is climate change. The aviation industry is a major contributor to global carbon emissions, and airports are responsible for a significant portion of this impact. To reduce the carbon footprint of airports, it is necessary to implement energy efficiency measures that can help reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. This study analyzes the impact of the use of photovoltaic panels (PV) and the replacement of boiler burners with oil, on energy efficiency and the reduction of carbon emissions at the airport of Tirana. The electricity produced by these panels is used to power airport buildings, lighting systems and other infrastructure, reducing the need for traditional energy sources.
    The reviewed period covers the year 2023, because during this year important investments were made with the installation of photovoltaic panels and the replacement of oil boiler burners with LPG burner, in addition to the improvement of the lighting system and the replacement of diesel vehicles with electric vehicles. Energy consumption data is used to calculate the carbon footprint and key energy performance indicators. The results showed that the use of photovoltaic panels and the change of burners of oil boilers brought a significant reduction of the carbon footprint and a significant economic benefit.

  • TECHNOLOGIES

    From 3D scanning, reverse engineering to real part production of personalized car parts

    Machines. Technologies. Materials., Vol. 18 (2024), Issue 3, pg(s) 97-99

    In personalized mechanical parts production, an important issue is the functionality of the part itself in the chain of multi assembled parts. There are cases when same custom parts need to be produced by fulfilling the solution of connecting two or more elements together and creating a functional mechanical system. Personalized components that are going to feet in between two existing and functional element or systems are difficult to be produced. These difficulty in terms of mechanical solutions means, dimensional accuracy tolerances of the new part and real existing features parts. By creating these personalized middle nodes which will connect two existing elements the precision accuracy feature, like tolerances, is very important. The challenges are bigger when dealing with maximum lifespan performance while withstanding mechanical shock and minimizing fatigue destruction problems. Reducing such a challenging task the 3D scanners and reverse engineering workflow fill the gap by increasing precision and accuracy tolerances digitalization’s of existing parts, creating the reverse counterpart, and reducing time to market. In our work we show a full workflow from non-contact 3D scans, reverse engineering process, for CNC aluminium milling of the digitized part in a real application sector such as modified car application. This attempt will show the benefits of active 3D scanner by surpassing some challenges such as metallic surface reflection problem that arises during scan. In the end the entire process gives to the user all the detailed technical documentation including drawings, materials, and manufacturing instructions.

  • BUSINESS & “INDUSTRY 4.0”

    Energy optimization of the building through the use of thermal insulation, solar panels, and efficient boiler

    Industry 4.0, Vol. 8 (2023), Issue 6, pg(s) 326-329

    This study presents an evaluation of the application of thermal insulation, solar panels, and an efficient boiler in a kinder garden to improve energy efficiency. The main objective of this study is to identify and analyze the benefits of using these technologies in reducing energy losses, increasing clean energy production, and achieving economic benefits. Thermal insulation is used to limit the transfer of heat between the building and the external environment, reducing energy losses for heating and cooling. In our case we have a saving of 7148 kWhr/year. The installation of the solar panel plant for heating sanitary water has brought an annual economic benefit of 102,583 ALL per year, meanwhile the choice of a gas boiler for heating the premises has been more cost effective compared to the use of oil.

  • DOMINANT TECHNOLOGIES IN “INDUSTRY 4.0”

    Energy utilization of high-water content biomass in albanian rural areas

    Industry 4.0, Vol. 7 (2022), Issue 5, pg(s) 174-177

    The use of renewable sources for energy purposes is very important from the global environmental perspective. Biomass is part of this group of fuels. This article focuses on the characteristics of wet biomass, a typical fuel source in the Albanian rural areas and not only. Thus, the most significant factor of biomass combustion is its moisture content in natural conditions. This property significantly influences the burning quality of biomass. Drying of this fuel using conventional methods or energy intensity processes aims to decrease the moisture content in biomass and meantime increase of its calorific value. The techniques of drying wet biomass vary significantly. Energy utilization of wet biomass is the main goal of this paper, considering it an important fuel source especially during winter season in Albanian rural areas. The variation of heating value to moisture content and other significant parameters have been investigated.

  • BUSINESS

    An assessment of energy efficiency measures in a public building in Albania in the prospect of cost and emissions reduction

    Science. Business. Society., Vol. 6 (2021), Issue 2, pg(s) 47-49

    The building sector in our country has an important share of energy consumption. According to Eurostat data, final energy consumption in the residential sector was estimated about 35 % of the total consumption. On the other hand about 75% of the electricity consumption takes place in the building sector. It should be noted that currently this sector faces many challenge, as the quality of energy supply (heating) in public buildings and the residential sector remains at low rates. Nevertheless, reducing energy consumption is one of the main targets set in the National Energy Strategy 2018-2030. By 2030 this target suggests 15.5 % of the energy reduction. This study has at its core the assessment of energy consumption in a public building placed in the city of Durres. Determining the typology and thermophysical characteristics of the building is of primary importance. The evaluation of the energy performance of the building in the dynamic regime was carried out through the Hourly Energy Analysis (HAP) software. The implementation of energy efficiency measures is carried out taking into account the energy and cost criteria. A cost analysis of EE measures was performed using the dynamic Net Present Value method.

  • BUSINESS & “INDUSTRY 4.0”

    Industry 4.0 a strategic adaption view; implementation model in an Albanian company

    Industry 4.0, Vol. 5 (2020), Issue 5, pg(s) 239-242

    With time going by, industries have revolutionized, and continuous upgrade has taken place to strengthen its functionality of resources sharing and integration capabilities of functional units. The article aims to identify and suggest industrial models with the country’s potential in adapting Industry 4.0, and conceptual implementation in an Albanian company. The work clears the overall picture of Industry 4.0 in a country with modest adaptation potential, where technologies adapt to the country’s current needs. The study is based in an analysis of the most important indexes to understand the overall approach of adaptation. All the concepts and analysis are finalized with the Industry 4.0 principle and implementation in the Sideral company. The methods presented offer some good proposals for further
    implementation policies in industrial companies

  • TRANSPORT. SAFETY AND ECOLOGY. LOGISTICS AND MANAGEMENT

    Parametric design of a waste-to-energy plant using rankine thermodynamic power cycle

    Trans Motauto World, Vol. 5 (2020), Issue 4, pg(s) 135-137

    Handling with municipal solid waste nowadays is becoming a global challenge. Albania is facing equally this issue. Although, in recent years a considerable progress has been achieved, still the country is lagging behind the EU states. In generally, the overall progress is slow and the requirements set by the policy and legal framework are not met. However, in recent years in Albania there are some developments related to solve the waste treatment dilemma. Thus, the government chose the public-private partnership model to operate in this field. Therefore currently in Albania are proposed three waste firing plants, placed in Elbasan and Tirana, central Albania and Fier,
    southwest of the country. The Elbasan waste to energy plant is in operation since June 2017. Another plant in Fier is projected to start operation soon. This article aims to optimize a 5.5 MWe waste to energy plant in the Albanian conditions. Parametric design of thermodynamic properties of the WtE plant based Rankine cycle model are presented in this study. Optimization of plant efficiency in relation to extraction pressure and feed-water temperature is some of the outputs of this study.