The traveling salesman problem (TSP) consists of finding the shortest way between cities, which passes through all cities and returns to the starting point, given the distance between cities. The Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP) is the issue of defining the assumptions and limitations in mapping routes for vehicles performing certain operational activities. It is a major problem in logistics transportation. In specific areas of business, where transportation can be perceived as added value to the product, it is estimated that its optimization can lower costs up to 25% in total. The economic benefits for more open markets are a key point for VRP. This paper discusses the metaheuristics usage for solving the vehicle routing problem with special attention toward Genetic Algorithms (GAs). Metaheuristic algorithms are selected to solve the vehicle routing problem, where GA is implemented as our primary metaheuristic algorithm. GA belongs to the evolutionary algorithm (EA) family, which works on a “survival of the fittest” mechanism. This paper presents the idea of implementing different genetic operators, modified for usage with the VRP, and performs experiments to determine the best combination of genetic operators for solving the VRP and to find optimal solutions for large-scale real-life examples of the VRP.

Objectives: Atmospheric pressure is the most objective weather factor because regardless of if outdoors or indoors it affects all objects in the same way. The majority of previous studies have used the average daily values of atmospheric pressure in a bioclimatic analysis and have found no...

Energy from photovoltaics (PV) is becoming an important contributor to the energy mix for many countries. However, its impact on the distribution network is troublesome due the uncontrollable bidirectional transfers and might lead to the reduction in various forms of support for development of distributed PV systems in the future. This could be avoided by shifting from selling to self-consumption of PV energy, so the owner of PV would benefit mostly from reductions in energy purchase. This would also reduce overall power demand and transfer losses in the energy network, for the benefit of the climate. In order to achieve this goal, the PV system must be carefully adjusted to the local consumption profile and annual energy demand. The paper investigates the adjustment opportunities for the PV system with various local consumption scenarios and optional short-term energy buffering, with view of lowering the interaction with the utility grid. The simulation takes into account full-year period and gives guidelines for PV and battery sizing, presented for systems of any size.

Data processing is integrated with every aspect of operation enterprises—from accounting to marketing and communication internal and control of production processes. The best place to store the information is a properly prepared data center. There are a lot of providers of cloud computing and methods of data storage and processing. Every business must do the right thing, which is to think over how the data at your disposal are to be managed. The main purpose of this paper is research and the comparison of available methods of data processing and storage outside the enterprise in the cloud computing model. The cloud in SaaS (software as a service) model—Salesforce.com and a free platform development offered by Salesforce.com—force.com were used to perform the research. The paper presents the analysis results of available methods of processing and storing data outside the enterprise in the cloud computing model on the example of Salesforce cloud. Salesforce.com offers several benefits, but each service provider offers different services, systems, products, and forms of data protection. The choice of customer depends on individual needs and business plans for the future. A comparison of available methods of data processing and storage outside the enterprise in the cloud computing model was presented. On the basis of collected results, it was determined for what purposes the data processing methods available on the platform are suitable and how they can meet the needs of enterprises.

Grid-connected photovoltaic systems with local energy consumption can be equipped with additional energy buffer to increase self consumption when feed-in-tariffs are low or to reduce the negative impact on power network in some periods. The buffer is typically implemented with a lead-acid battery dedicated for day-to-night energy storage. Since the solar energy fluctuates highly during the day, the battery operates with many variable-depth charge/discharge cycles, rather than with one full cycle per day. This paper shows the method of estimation the battery service life in a photovoltaic system under variable irradiance. The results are computed for one year period and presented in respect to PV and consumption ratio for various buffer sizes.