Twirre is a new architecture for mini-UAV platforms designed for autonomous flight in both GPS-enabled and GPS-deprived applications. The architecture consists of low-cost hardware and software components. High-level control software enables autonomous operation. Exchanging or upgrading hardware components is straightforward and the architecture is an excellent starting point for building low-cost autonomous mini-UAVs for a variety of applications. Experiments with an implementation of the architecture are in development, and preliminary results demonstrate accurate indoor navigation
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n the work package described in this report, members are investigating whether a cooperative of farmers can become self-sufficient in energy and fertilization by using manure and organic waste flows in combination with anaerobic fermentation. The aim is to link the nutrient cycle (from manure to digestate to green fertilizer consisting of, for example, nitrate, phosphate, potassium, and trace elements) to a self-sufficient energy system, by the combined production of electricity, green gas, green fuels, and green fertilizers. Within this research such a system is called a circular multi commodity system (CMCS). In effect linking, the nutrient cycle with an energy production chain. In addition, other energy sources and sinks can also play a role in the system such as wind, solar PV and storage (e.g. batteries or hydrogen). For this symbiosis of production techniques to succeed in practice, intensive cooperation between arable farmers and dairy farmers is needed. Farmers supply part of the input from the biofermenter and receive green fertilizers at the end of the process, which are used as a substitute for fertilizer. The case is based on a cooperative of farmers with a minimal geographical spread and maximum diversity in type of business. In this way, the current waste and nutrient chain is being replaced by a more sustainable and closed cycle. This could provide significant environmental benefits: reduction of the environmental impact through the use of fertilizer, reduction of dependence on fossil raw materials, and reduction of CO2 emissions.
Summary Project objectives This study fits into a larger research project on logistics collaboration and outsourcing decisions. The final objective of this larger project is to analyze the logistics collaboration decision in more detail to identify thresholds in these decisions. To reach the overall objectives, the first step is to get a clearer picture on the chemical and logistics service providers industry, sectors of our study, and on logistics collaboration in these sectors. The results of this first phase are presented in this report. Project Approach The study consists of two parts: literature review and five case studies within the chemical industry. The literature covers three topics: logistics collaboration, logistics outsourcing and purchasing of logistics services. The five case studies are used to refine the theoretical findings of the literature review. Conclusions Main observations during the case studies can be summarized as follows: Most analyzed collaborative relationships between shippers and logistics service providers in the chemical industry are still focused on operational execution of logistics activities with a short term horizon. Supply management design and control are often retained by the shippers. Despite the time and cost intensive character of a logistics service buying process, shippers tendering on a very regular basis. The decision to start a new tender project should more often be based on an integral approach that includes all tender related costs. A lower frequency of tendering could create more stability in supply chains. Beside, it will give both, shippers and LSPs, the possibility to improve the quality of the remaining projects. Price is still a dominating decision criterion in selecting a LSP. This is not an issue as long as the comparison of costs is based on an integral approach, and when shippers balance the cost criterion within their total set of criteria for sourcing logistics services. At the shippers' side there is an increased awareness of the need of more solid collaboration with logistics service providers. Nevertheless, in many cases this increased awareness does not actually result in the required actions to establish more intensive collaboration. Over the last years the logistics service providers industry was characterized by low profit margins, strong fragmentation and price competition. Nowadays, the market for LSPs is changing, because of an increasing demand for logistics services. To benefit from this situation a more pro-active role of the service providers is required in building stronger relationships with their customers. They should pay more attention on mid and long term possibilities in a collaborative relation, in stead of only be focused on running the daily operation.
Doel is een slim werkend besturingsmechanisme voor multi-commodity energiesystemen (MCES) experimenteel toe te passen in de gebouwde omgeving, de industrie, en in hun onderlinge samenhang. Het mechanisme wordt ontworpen en gerealiseerd. De werking wordt in 2 praktijksituaties getest. Doel van het besturingsmechanisme is borging van de kwaliteiten van het energiesysteem (robuustheid, betrouwbaarheid, betaalbaarheid, veiligheid, acceptatie, efficiency en functioneren in het wenselijke regime) terwijl verschillende events op de proef wordt gesteld.
