L. Szentirmai

Abstract: Today Europe has some 4000 institutes of higher education in 45 countries; 35% provide graduates in engineering. All institutes contribute to the creation of a knowledge-based society which is rooted in higher education, innovation and research. Europe's added value would be based on the new knowledge generated within the European Research Area. The ideal mechanism for knowledge creation and transfer is when the best universities will become the gold standard i.e. the excellence. Thus priority will be given to academic and research standards and the Bologna process assists in the implementation of this trend. University of Miskolc and its relevant Departments are striving for excellence by four new Research Centers in Engineering. They improve both academic and research standards and in such a way contribute to knowledge society.

Abstract: From the medieval age university quality has been widely known by writings of students, great names of professors and communiques of politicians at universities. But since the last quarter of the twentieth century three most influential and widely observed international university rankings qualify and update world's universities annually. The paper presents all three ranking systems in a new structure, their methodology emphasizing performance indicators and aligns top-100 universities. Deviation of university ranks from the reference is also discussed. Regarding the home countries of universities the US is dominant, the UK is the second and then Switzerland, Canada, Australia and Germany follow. In consequence of comparison the today's ranking systems are to be somewhat mono-dimensional since focused primarily on research and do not fully cover teaching and learning quality of knowledge-transfer. Intensive work is therefore in progress to develop a new European university ranking system.

Abstract: In 2005 electricity generation from renewable energy sources in Hungary was 1721.7 gigawatthour (GWh) which was 4.5% of the total consumption while in the previous year this ratio was only 2.3% i.e. 884 GWh. By the end of 2005 Hungary exceeded the envisaged 3.6%, which will be increased to 7% by 2010. The authors were active members of individual, industry-academia projects in the clean power field and present the challenges existing in today's Hungary.

Abstract: The world wide web became a vital element of all human activities by now. The rapid growth of fast and reliable communication networks provides an easy exchange of information and commands between computers connected to sites of wide area networks such as the internet. Engineers/students form far away workstations can operate through the internet with various remote equipment, since integrated web-learning and web-research environment become more and more accepted. Engineering is transformed into a constructive joint effort within the framework of simulation and exploration. Engineers share information at a rapid pace, with the collective aim of increasing product, process and service quality and reducing development time and costs. The internet-based, virtual or tele-laboratory permits experimentation independently of distance, in a way similar to what occurs in conventional laboratories. With the latest technology available, it reaches the same objectives as for a hands-on or conventional research or university laboratory, and even more efficiently in most cases. The application properties now range right up to the internet-controlled visualization of processes far away from the platforms. University of Miskolc Department contributed to the solution of these challenges by a new smart measuring instrument which performs on-line diagnostics of electrical motors developed particularly for design and production divisions of domestic labor-saving devices, and by an internet-based virtual laboratory serving the Ethernet network-based industrial measurement systems to all users through an “open for all” web site by Fieldpoint and General Purpose Interface Bus (GPIB) modules.

Abstract: The Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering of University of Miskolc has been involved in six European Union Tempus projects since 1991, with the objectives of upgrading academics, modernizing laboratories and introducing new curricula, courses and up-to-date teaching methods in order to approach EU university standards. Microelectronics, electrical drives in automation, mechatronics, energy engineering, PhD engineering programmes in English and telecommunications were focused by the projects. One hundred and thirty-two Miskolc students prepared their diploma theses at EU universities and academics could spend 1100 weeks within the mobility scheme at EU universities. To enlarge the European dimension and prepare academic staff, students and engineers working in industry, two Jean Monnet projects for European integration studies were also awarded.

Abstract: This paper presents techniques for testing fractional horsepower (FHP) induction and brushless dc motors. The procedures for segregation of losses in these motors are presented. The issues encountered in testing FHP motors are discussed, and guidelines are provided to avert the issues. This paper also provides insights into understanding the test procedures outlined in the IEEE 114 Standard.

Abstract: Optimal sizing is necessary in hybrid renewable energy systems for the system to work with highest reliability and minimum cost. The street light system inside Sultan Qaboos University in Oman is considered as a case study for optimal sizing of PV/battery system for three different types of lamps, HPS, LED and discrete LED. The life cycle cost analysis and cost per kWh for two different configurations of panel and battery, the first with larger sized panel/battery and the second, smaller sized panel/battery with and without considering the number of autonomous days(NAD) is compared to investigate the economic feasibility of implementing the system in Oman. Genetic algorithm tool in MATLAB is used for optimal sizing, adopting loss of power supply(LPS) to gauge the reliability using actual data existing in Oman. The cost per kWh of generated energy with large panel/battery system was found to be 0.08 $/kWh while it was 19.9 $/kWh considering the same case for small panel/battery system proving the economic feasibility of implementing the large panel/battery system in Oman. Results also prove that higher the energy requirement, higher the LCC but lesser the cost per kWh. The conversion of the grid connected street light system extending a stretch of 8.6 km with 285 HPS lamps of 400 W to PV/battery system with LED lamp of 80W is expected to reduce the CO2 emissions by 133.595 tonnes annually. The results can be applied to practical systems worldwide to save millions of dollars and CO2 emissions.

Abstract: In response to the environmental impact of climate change, greenhouse gas emission (GHG) reductions has become a common global goal. This has led to policies and measures to meet GHG reduction targets at country levels without much success. Therefore, the assessment of the effects of energy is important for the promotion of public policies at local levels that can lead to actions on GHG reductions. LED street lighting is more expensive than traditional luminaries and its use remains limited. This study analyzes the technical, economic, environmental and social impacts of LED street lighting in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico and proposes changes of the street lighting municipal regulation to promote and ensure the adoption of this technology. The results of the study show that by upgrading the street lighting to LED a 64% of energy savings is achieved, which represents an environmental impact on GHG emissions avoided to the atmosphere of 33,192 tons of equivalent carbon dioxide (tCO2e) per year. We propose that the monetary savings achieved using LED street lightning be used to improve the quality of life for population groups in areas of the city that are most at risk.