Computational Intelligence, and Smart Technologies in Solar Thermal Systems: Principles and Applications

The text covers emerging technologies and innovations in the field, such as hybrid solar thermal systems, advanced materials for collectors, novel heat storage solutions, and advancements in concentrating solar power (CSP) technologies. It presents artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques for solar thermal system optimization.

Key Features:

• Discusses the use of smart technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning in transforming solar thermal systems by enhancing their efficiency, reliability, and cost-effectiveness
• Provides insights into optimization techniques for online testing of parameters for solar dryers, AI-based predictive modeling for accurate solar power generation, dual-axis solar panel tracking and monitoring systems, IoT in solar dryer design, and greenhouse-type solar dryer systems
• Covers state-of-the-art computational models used in optimizing solar thermal systems, such as neural networks, genetic algorithms for predictive modeling, control strategies, and system optimization
• Presents case studies and examples of implementations of computational intelligence and smart technologies in solar thermal applications, having real-time applications in a 4kW hybrid solar EV charging station, of five-level inverter for solar photovoltaic systems, agrivoltaic systems, and wind-solar-hydrogen hybrid energy generation
• Introduces simulation and modeling tools used in the design, analysis, and performance evaluation of solar thermal collectors for decentralized cooking, next-generation solar power plants, and hybrid energy generation systems

This book is primarily written for senior undergraduates, graduate students, and academic researchers in mechanical engineering, energy engineering, computer science and engineering, renewable energy, solar energy, and clean technologies.

Bharti Sharma earned a PhD in Computer Science and Engineering from Uttarakhand Technical University, Dehradun. She is serving the DIT University Dehradun, as an Associate Professor and Academic Head of the CA department. She has 21 years of rich experience in academics and research. Her research work is mainly associated with Machine Learning (ML) and AI applications, Natural Language Processing (NLP), Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), Big Data Analytics, Machine Learning and respective application domains. In her research work, her team is mainly engaged in the development of intelligent computational models using Machine Learning methods to solve various challenging problems related to transportation and other relevant areas. She has credited her authorship in various quality publications in International Journals, Conferences and Book Chapters. Presently, she is also serving as Editor in many Research Books. She has also served as the Keynote Speaker, and Technical and Program chair committee member in many international conferences. Also, she is an active reviewer in various reputed international journals and conferences. She also has rich experience in conducting Faculty Development Program (FDP) and workshops at the National level.

Utku Kose, an esteemed Turkish academic born on March 26, 1985, is renowned for his profound contributions to the field of Computer Engineering. Holding the position of Associate Professor at Süleyman Demirel University's Faculty of Engineering, Department of Computer Engineering, he also serves as a Visiting Researcher at the University of North Dakota, USA. His academic journey began with a Bachelor's degree from Gazi University, followed by a Master's from Afyon Kocatepe University, culminating in a PhD from Selçuk University, all in Turkey. His research, deeply rooted in artificial intelligence, spans across various disciplines including biomedical AI, machine ethics, and intelligent systems, reflecting his passion for exploring the intersections of technology with ethical considerations and existential risks. Dr. Kose has not only made significant strides in academia through his teaching and research but also holds key editorial and leadership roles in esteemed journals like the International Journal of Information Communication Technology and Digital Convergence, and the Journal of Multidisciplinary Developments. His commitment to advancing knowledge is further demonstrated by his role as a book series editor on topics such as Computational Modeling Applications for Existential Risks and Biomedical and Robotics Healthcare. In addition to his scholarly pursuits, Dr. Kose has contributed significantly to the field through a variety of sectoral experiences, showcasing his versatility and commitment to applying theoretical knowledge in practical settings. His contributions have been recognized globally, further evidenced by his memberships in prestigious organizations such as IEEE and ACM, underscoring his status as a leader in the field. Dr. Kose's research interests are broad yet deeply interconnected, focusing on the safe and ethical advancement of artificial intelligence, the development of intelligent optimization algorithms, and the exploration of AI's philosophical implications. His work is not only theoretical but also practical, as seen in projects like "Artificial Intelligence Based Digital Twin for Healthcare" and the development of "Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence Interaction in Biomedical" systems, highlighting his dedication to leveraging AI for the betterment of society. Through his extensive publications in high-impact journals and conferences, Dr. Kose has established himself as a pioneering figure in his field, dedicated to advancing our understanding and application of AI in ways that are ethically responsible and beneficial to humanity.

Varun Pratap Singh is an assistant professor with the Mechanical Engineering cluster at the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES), Dehradun, India, and also associated as a PDF with the Solar Thermal Energy Research Group at the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa, renowned as one of the top energy research centres in the world, specializing in solar thermal energy research. Dr Singh started working on solar thermal technology as his major project with his bachelor's (B.Tech. Mechanical Engineering, Rank Holder) and continued his passion with a master's (M.Tech. Thermal, Mechanical Engineering, Gold Medallist), and during his PhD (Mechanical Engineering-Solar Thermal) by conducting thermohydraulic analysis of different roughnesses in solar air heaters, respectively. His experience includes thirteen years of teaching, seven years of research and industrial projects, and seven years of administrative experience as the centre head of a Center of Excellence (CoE), industry-academia coordinator, and responsible for industry-academia integration at various fronts. He has published thirty research publications (including sixteen SCIE and twelve Scopus papers), and five patents, edited three books, and authored more than fifteen book chapters for international publishers of repute. He is a series editor for a book series titled “Solar Thermal Energy Systems: Advancements in Engineering, Ergonomics, and Sustainable Development” with Taylor & Francis. He also served as an editor for the IJERA journal, edited two special issues of the SCIE journal Energies, and reviewed more than ten SCIE journals. He completed nine projects as principal investigator (PI) and two projects as co-PI for various government research organizations and industry partners with a total research grant of more than thirty lahks INR. He has delivered many invited talks in international and national webinars, FDP and Workshops and attended 20+ MOOCs and 15+ FDPs from various international and national bodies like DTU-Netherlands, Tsinghua University-China, National Chiao Tung University- Taiwan, IMF, IITs, and AICTE. He has been awarded an award for outstanding mentoring of students and a perfect faculty award for excellence in academics and research. He has successfully guided 23 B.Tech., M.Tech and Ph.D. project work and thesis. His major research interests include the design, development, experimental and simulation performance assessment of solar thermal systems. His extended research interests include working on climate change and mitigation, carbon capture technology, hydrogen production, LCA and techno-economic analysis, and small and micro-hydro applications with the development of special-purpose machines (SPM). With a substantial background in solar thermal energy and a distinguished affiliation with UPES India and Stellenbosch South Africa, Dr. Singh brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table.

Ashwani Kumar holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, specializing in Mechanical Vibration and Design with a diverse and impressive career spanning over 14 years. He currently holds the position of Professor & Head of Department Mechanical Engineering (Gazetted Officer Class 1) at the Technical Education Department Uttar Pradesh (under Government of Uttar Pradesh) in Kanpur, India. Prior to his current role, Dr. Kumar served as Senior Lecturer & Lecturer in same organization and Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Graphic Era University, Dehradun (ranked 52nd by NIRF India) from July 2010 to November 2013. Beyond his academic contributions, Dr. Kumar possesses extensive leadership and administrative experience. He has held numerous key positions within the education sector, including: Coordinator for AICTE-Extension of Approval, Nodal Officer for PMKVY-TI Scheme (Government of India), Internal Coordinator - CDTP Scheme (Government of Uttar Pradesh), Industry Academia Relation Officer, Assistant Centre Superintendent (ACS) - Institute Examination Cell, Zonal Officer for Joint Entrance Examination (JEE-Diploma), and Sector Magistrate for State Assembly and General Elections. Dr. Kumar is a passionate researcher and a prominent figure in the field of academic publishing. His dedication to knowledge dissemination is evident in his role as Series Editor for eight distinguished book series published by reputed international publishers. These series encompass a wide range of topics, titled as: Advances in Manufacturing, Design and Computational Intelligence Techniques / Renewable and Sustainable Energy Developments / Smart Innovations and Technological Advancements in Mechanical and Materials Engineering / Solar Thermal Energy Systems: Advancements in Engineering, Ergonomics, and Sustainable Development / Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Intelligent Engineering Systems / Computational Intelligence and Biomedical Engineering/ Advances in Green Technologies for Sustainable Energy Solutions/ Advances in Materials, Manufacturing and Computational Intelligence Techniques. Dr. Kumar's editorial expertise extends beyond book series. He serves as Editor-in-Chief for the International Journal of Materials, Manufacturing and Sustainable Technologies (IJMMST, ISSN: 2583-6625), and Editor of the International Journal of Energy Resources Applications (IJERA, ISSN: 2583-6617). He has also been a guest editor for a special issue of Buildings titled as Sustainable Buildings, Resilient Cities and Infrastructure Systems (ISSN: 2075-5309, I.F. 3.1) and holds editorial board positions on eight international journals and acts as review board member of 20 prestigious (Indexed in SCI/SCIE/Scopus) international journals with high impact factor. Dr. Kumar's dedication to scholarship is further demonstrated by his prolific authorship of over 200+ articles in prestigious journals, book chapters, and conference proceedings. Additionally, he has co-authored or edited over 40+ books in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, and Renewable Energy Engineering. Dr. Kumar's achievements have been recognized with prestigious awards, including a Best Teacher award for excellence in academics and research. He has also successfully guided 15 students through their B.Tech., M.Tech, and Ph.D. theses and currently serves as an external doctoral committee member at S.R.M. University, New Delhi. Dr. Kumar is actively involved in cutting-edge research, focusing on areas such as Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Mechanical Engineering, Smart Materials and Manufacturing Techniques, Thermal Energy Storage, Building Efficiency, Renewable Energy Harvesting, Sustainable Transportation, and Heavy Vehicle Dynamics. He holds four patents and frequently participates in international conferences as an invited speaker, session chair, and member of advisory boards, review boards, and program committees.