76 University Drive
Hazleton, PA 18202-8025
Biography
Dr. Joseph Ranalli began his career as a postdoctoral researcher at the National Energy Technology Lab studying combustion dynamics and thermoacoustic instabilities. Dr. Ranalli joined Penn State in 2012 and he shifted focus to develop research related to solar energy, to complement the campus's Alternative Energy and Power Generation Engineering program. He further expanded his solar energy expertise with a sabbatical at the German Aerospace Center in 2019.
Research Interests
- Renewable Energy
- Solar Irradiance Variability
- Solar Energy Forecasting
- Appropriate Technology
- Technology Tools for Engineering Pedagogy
Publications
SolarSpatialTools: A Python package for spatial solar energy analyses, Journal of Open Source Software - September 16, 2024
Collaborator: William Hobbs
Automating Methods for Validating PV Plant Equipment Labels - June, 2024
Collaborator: William Hobbs
PV Plant Equipment Labels and Layouts can be Validated by Analyzing Cloud Motion in Existing Plant Measurements, IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics - May, 2024
Collaborator: William Hobbs
Adapting Capstone Design for the Solar District Cup Competition - June 26, 2023
What makes a solar engineer? - June 26, 2023
Collaborator: Mesude Bayrakci Boz
New Faculty Experiences in Integrating Retention Support Programming into Teaching - June 17, 2023
Collaborators: Mesude Bayrakci Boz; Katina Moten
Validation of Inverter Labelling with Plant Transfer Functions - June 16, 2023
Generalizability of Neural Network-based Identification of PV in Aerial Images - June 16, 2023
Collaborator: Matthias Zech
Penn State’s Multidisciplinary Energy Education - March, 2023
Collaborator: William Yourey
PYroMat: A Python package for thermodynamic properties, Journal of Open Source Software - November 6, 2022
Collaborators: Christopher Martin; Jacob Moore
Analyzing Effects of Solar Variability and System Location on LMP Prices - June 10, 2022
Collaborator: Mesude Bayrakci Boz
Correlations In Spatial Variability When Accounting For Cloud Advection - June 10, 2022
Developing an Interdisciplinary Pathway for Engineering Education Master’s Curriculum, Frontiers in Education 2021 - October 16, 2021
Collaborators: Kathy Jackson; Ivan Esparragoza; Steven Nozaki; Jacquelyn Huff; Jared Butler; Nancy Study
Cloud Advection Model of Irradiance Smoothing by Spatial Aggregation, Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy - June, 2021
Collaborator: Esther Peerlings
Downscaling of Spatial Irradiance Based on Cloud Advection using Transfer Functions - June 25, 2021
Collaborator: Esther Peerlings
Configurations of renewable power generation in cities using open source approaches: With Philadelphia case study, Applied Energy - July 1, 2020
Collaborator: Alaa Alhamwi
Cloud Advection and Spatial Variability of Solar Irradiance - June 15, 2020
Collaborators: Esther Peerlings; Thomas Schmidt
Predicting PV areas in Aerial Images With Deep Learning - June 15, 2020
Collaborator: Matthias Zech
An Online Tool for Facilitating Thermodynamic Property Lookups - June 19, 2019
Collaborators: Christopher Martin; Jacob Moore
Effect of a part-hour shading methodology on the sensitivity of shading calculations to horizon uncertainty, Solar Energy - August, 2018
Collaborator: David Starling
Compressive sensing for spatial and spectral flame diagnostics, Scientific Reports - February 7, 2018
Collaborator: David Starling
Toward comprehensive solar energy mapping systems for urban electricity system planning and development , The Electricity Journal - January, 2018
Collaborators: Kirby Calvert; Mesude Bayrakci Boz; Jeffrey Brownson
A Model for Development of Employer Engagement at a Small Campus - June, 2017
Collaborator: Susan Chappell
Problem-based-learning module for teaching thermodynamic cycle analysis using PYroMat - June, 2017
Collaborators: Christopher Martin; Jacob Moore
Sensitivity of Solar Resource Estimates to Shading Uncertainty, Solar Energy - March 1, 2017
Collaborators: Robert Vitagliano; Mauro Notaro; David Starling
Teaching the foundations of thermodynamics with PYro - October 15, 2016
Collaborators: Christopher Martin; Jacob Moore
Targeted Flipped Classroom Technique Applied to a Challenging Topic - October 15, 2016
Collaborator: Jacob Moore
Assessing demand impact of solar capacity growth in Philadelphia - July 11, 2016
Collaborators: Mesude Bayrakci Boz; Kirby Calvert; Jeffrey Brownson
An Actively Quenched Single Photon Detector with a Light Emitting Diode , Modern Applied Science - January, 2016
Collaborators: David Starling; Blake Burger; Edward Miller; Joseph Zolnowski
Solar Survey: Development and Validation of a Smartphone-Based Solar Site Assessment Tool, Solar Energy - December, 2015
Characterization of a Nitrogen Diluted Hydrogen Diffusion Flame for Model Validation, Combustion Science and Technology - September, 2015
Collaborator: Peter Strakey
A Mastery Learning Approach to Engineering Homework Assignments - June 18, 2015
Collaborator: Jacob Moore
New Faculty Experiences with Mastery Grading - June 18, 2015
Collaborator: Jacob Moore
Bringing Solar Site Analysis to Smartphones - July 7, 2014
Collaborators: Matthew Caccese; Jesse Fox
Sensitivity of Shading Calculations to Horizon Measurement Accuracy - July 7, 2014
Collaborator: Jeffrey Brownson
Testing a Method for De-energizing Solar Panels for Firefighting - July 7, 2014
Collaborators: David Starling; Kenneth Dudeck; Ron Steber
Assessing the Impact of Video Game Based Design Projects in a First Year Engineering Design Course - October 26, 2013
Collaborator: Jackie Ritzko
“Sage-ly Solar: Online Math Tools to Teach Solar Energy” - April 19, 2013
Collaborator: Jeffrey Brownson
Field Tests of the Raman Gas Composition Sensor, Proceedings of the 2012 Future of Instrumentation International Workshop - November, 2012
Collaborators: Michael Buric; Ben Chorpening; Jessica Mullen; Steve Woodruff
Simple analysis of flame dynamics via flexible convected disturbance models, Journal of Propulsion and Power - October, 2012
Collaborators: Donald Ferguson; Christopher Martin
Measurement of Flame Frequency Response Functions Under Exhaust Gas Recirculation Conditions, Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power - September, 2012
Collaborator: Donald Ferguson
Measurements of ensemble averaged flame dynamics using spatially resolved analysis, Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science - July, 2011
Collaborators: Christopher Martin; Uri Vandsburger
Characterization of Instabilities in a Low-Swirl Injector with Exhaust Gas Recirculation - January, 2011
Collaborator: Donald Ferguson
Measurement of Flame Frequency Response Functions in a Low-Swirl Flame under Exhaust Gas Recirculation Conditions - January, 2011
Collaborator: Donald Ferguson
Spontaneous Raman Scattering Measurements and CFD Simulations of Major Species and Temperature in a Turbulent Dilute Hydrogen Diffusion Flame - January, 2011
Collaborator: Peter Strakey
Influence of exhaust gas recirculation on combustion instabilities in CH4 and H2/CH4 fuel mixtures - June, 2010
Collaborators: Donald Ferguson; Peter Strakey
Characteristic Linear Dynamics of Kinetically Controlled Burning. Part I: Traditional Single-Reactor Models, Combustion Theory and Modelling - 2009
Collaborators: Christopher Martin; Uri Vandsburger; William Baumann
Measurement of Flame Transfer Functions in Swirl-Stabilized, Lean-Premixed Combustion, Journal of Propulsion and Power - November, 2009
Collaborators: Christopher Martin; Paul Black; Uri Vandsburger; Robert West
Education
Ph D, Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech
BS, Mechanical Engineering, Penn State University
Papers and Presentations
April 25, 2024
Seminars
Get Your Head in the Clouds: Leveraging spatiotemporal variability of solar energy
Penn State ETCE Spring Meeting
State College, PA
June 26, 2023
Oral Presentations
Adapting Capstone Design for the Solar District Cup Competition
ASEE Annual Conference 2023
Baltimore, MD
June 26, 2023
Oral Presentations
What makes a solar engineer?
ASEE Annual Conference 2023
Baltimore, MD
June 12, 2023
Posters
Generalizability of Neural Network-based Identification of PV in Aerial Images
50th IEEE PV Specialists Conference
San Juan, Puerto Rico
June 12, 2023
Posters
Validation of Inverter Labeling with Plant Transfer Functions
50th IEEE PV Specialists Conference
San Juan, Puerto Rico
April 13, 2023
Seminars
What is Artificial Intelligence Anyway?
PSU Hazleton Colleague Cluster
March 23, 2023
Oral Presentations
Bringing Renewables into Focus through Engineering Education
TEC Talk: Energy Technologies & Transitions
Hazleton, PA
February 20, 2023
Oral Presentations
Community Collaborative Projects at PSU Hazleton
Engaged Scholarship Workshop
Virtual
August 18, 2022
Panels
Faculty-to-Faculty: Three Approaches to Supporting Student Learning
PSU Hazleton Opening Days
August 11, 2022
Oral Presentations
Energizing Engineers for the Renewable Future
tecBRIDGE 2022
Scranton, PA
June 10, 2022
Oral Presentations
Correlations In Spatial Variability When Accounting For Cloud Advection
49th IEEE PV Specialists Conference
Philadelphia, PA
March 3, 2022
Panels
Open Educational Resources (OER)
PSU Hazleton Colleague Cluster
June 25, 2021
Oral Presentations
Downscaling of Spatial Irradiance Based on Cloud Advection using Transfer Functions
48th IEEE PV Specialists Conference
Virtual
March 5, 2021
Panels
Energy University: Energy Education
Energy University Forum
Virtual
September 18, 2020
Seminars
Modeling Distributed Solar Energy Generation (and adventures in Germany)
Penn State Hazleton Brown Bag
Penn State Hazleton
Compared to traditional power plants, solar energy generation has a high degree of variability, due to the daily solar cycle, as well as clouds and other weather phenomena. Understanding the spatial nature of this variability and how it affects generation over a distributed PV plant is very important for utility planners and operators. In this talk, I will summarize some of my research related this topic, specifically including mathematical modeling of solar resource variability and some use of Deep Neural Networks to identify distributed PV systems from satellite photos. This work was started during my sabbatical in Oldenburg, Germany, so I will also share a few highlights from that experience.
June 15, 2020
Posters
Cloud Advection and Spatial Variability of Solar Irradiance
47th IEEE PV Specialists Conference
Virtual
June 15, 2020
Posters
Predicting PV areas in Aerial Images With Deep Learning
47th IEEE PV Specialists Conference
Virtual
March 16, 2019
Panels
Open Educational Resources (OER) innovation: Moving beyond the basics
TLT Symposium 2019
State College, PA
October, 2017
Oral Presentations
Comparison of Accuracy in Several Site Survey Methods
ASES Solar 2017
Denver, CO
June 28, 2017
Oral Presentations
A Model for Development of Employer Engagement at a Small Campus
ASEE Annual Conference 2017
Columbus, OH
June 28, 2017
Oral Presentations
Problem-based-learning module for teaching thermodynamic cycle analysis using PYroMat
ASEE Annual Conference 2017
Columbus, OH
October 15, 2016
Oral Presentations
Simulating errors in annual energy production from a shaded photovoltaic system
MAS16 Meeting of The American Physical Society
Newark, DE
October 15, 2016
Oral Presentations
Targeted Flipped Classroom Technique Applied to a Challenging Topic
2016 IEEE Frontiers In Education (FIE) Conference
Erie, PA
October 15, 2016
Oral Presentations
Teaching the foundations of thermodynamics with PYro
2016 IEEE Frontiers In Education (FIE) Conference
Erie, PA
July 11, 2016
Oral Presentations
Assessing demand impact of solar capacity growth in Philadelphia
Solar 2016
San Francisco, California
Presentation related to a case study using Solar PVAnalyst 2.0 to model solar on rooftops in the City of Philadelphia.
January 9, 2016
Oral Presentations
3D Printing Opto-Mechanics
AAPT 2016 Winter Meeting
New Orleans, LA
October 25, 2015
Oral Presentations
Trends in urban solar energy mapping and geospatial analysis: a state-of-art case study in Philadelphia, PA
Urban and Regional Information Systems Association “GIS-Pro 2015”
Spokane, Washington
September 3, 2015
Seminars
An Introduction to 3D Printing Processes
Faculty Brown Bag
Presentation about 3D printing technology including an overview of the campus hardware.
July 30, 2015
Oral Presentations
Application Development Using the SAM Simulation Core
Solar 2015
University Park, PA
Presentation related to development of PVAnalyst 2.0, a geospatial solar resource analysis tool using System Advisor Model for calculation support.
July 30, 2015
Panels
Mapping solar energy futures: Emerging trends in geospatial decision-support for stakeholders
Solar 2015
State College, PA
Panel discussion dealing with mapping of solar potential and its role in spatial decision making strategies for solar development.
July 30, 2015
Posters
Solar Charging Station for Electric Vehicles
Solar 2015
University Park, PA
Poster on an undergraduate project related to design of a solar charging station to power electric vehicles parked at the campus.
July 9, 2015
Oral Presentations
Lessons Learned from SAM Simulation Core Application Development
System Advisor Model Virtual Conference
Virtual (E-Conference)
Presentation related to the progress in development of PVAnalyst 2.0, using System Advisor Model as a calculation back end.
June 17, 2015
Oral Presentations
A Mastery Learning Approach to Engineering Homework Assignments
ASEE Annual Conference 2015
Seattle, WA
June 17, 2015
Oral Presentations
New Faculty Experiences with Mastery Grading
ASEE Annual Conference 2015
Seattle, WA
June 9, 2015
Panels
Mapping Solar Energy in Philadelphia: Taking Stock and Looking Forward
Mapping Solar Energy in Philadelphia: Taking Stock and Looking Forward
Consortium for Building Energy Innovation
Presentation of Solar PVAnalyst 2.0 development progress to potential stakeholders in the city of Philadelphia.
June 2, 2015
Seminars
An Overview of Renewable Energy Technologies
Penn State Hazleton
Gave a presentation about renewable energy to Dr. Robinson's entrepreneurship program students.
January 31, 2015
Oral Presentations
ABET Accreditation Model for a Multi-Option General Engineering Program at Multiple Locations
Spring 2015 Mid-Atlantic ASEE Conference
Villanova University
October 4, 2014
Oral Presentations
Single photon detection with an actively quenched light emitting diode
2014 Annual Meeting of the Mid-Atlantic Section of the APS
University Park, PA
July 7, 2014
Oral Presentations
Bringing Solar Site Analysis to Smartphones
Solar 2014
San Francisco, CA
July 7, 2014
Oral Presentations
Sensitivity of Shading Calculations to Horizon Measurement Accuracy
Solar 2014
San Francisco, CA
July 7, 2014
Oral Presentations
Testing a Method for De-Energizing Solar Panels for Firefighting
Solar 2014
San Francisco, CA
February 27, 2014
Seminars
Everyday Examples in Science and Engineering
Faculty Brown Bag
Presentation regarding my use of everyday examples in the engineering classroom, and communication about resources for faculty seeking to use this approach in their own classes.
October 25, 2013
Posters
Research Overview for Joseph Ranalli
2013 IEEE Frontiers In Education (FIE) Conference
Oklahoma City, OK
This was a poster presentation resulting from my New Faculty Fellow award. Poster covered my research interests and background and was part of a session showcasing all New Faculty Fellows.
October 24, 2013
Oral Presentations
Assessing the Impact of Video Game Based Design Projects in a First Year Engineering Design Course
2013 IEEE Frontiers In Education (FIE) Conference
Oklahoma City, OK
Paper covered assessment of student outcomes as a result of a video game based course project implemented in Introductionto Design.
April 19, 2013
Oral Presentations
Sage-ly Solar: Online Math Tools to Teach Solar Energy
2013 ASES National Solar Conference
Baltimore, MD
Solar energy education at the University level is sparse, but student interest is driving new classes to be developed and taught. Solar energy is a calculation-intense, multiparameter systems field that relies on numerical tools. In the scaling up solar energy education to meet large numbers of interested students in science, engineering, and economics, we choose to develop numerical tools in the Python language to supplement courses for the new generation of young professionals. We demonstrate the fundamentals of assessing radiative transfer from the Sun, spherical trigonometry, and energy economics using open source software. We find that the core tools in solar energy project development can be explored in the classroom or remotely online using the Sage (System for Algebra and Geometry Experimentation) math suite available as an online server. The Sage mathematical software has capabilities to solve multiparameter problems, interactive plotting, and allows students to develop formalized “notebooks” to demonstrate a flow of work towards a final set of solutions. Integrated with Python, it can also be extended with additional mathematical libraries as needed. The Sage server can be installed on a University server and notebooks can be shared among students and faculty. Additionally, working in Sage allows students to develop basic programming skills that will be essential to future solar software development. The use of an online tool allows students to work on home computer devices or in computer labs on campus, makes the problem solving independent of major operating systems, and removes the barrier of purchasing proprietary software.
March 1, 2013
Seminars
Combustion Dynamics: Finding Music Flames Dance To
Penn State Hazleton
This lecture will introduce flame transfer functions, which are part of the fundamental scientific understanding that engineers need in order to design around the issue of thermoacoustic instabilities in practical gas turbine systems.
October, 2011
Oral Presentations
Use of exhaust gas recirculation as a control approach for thermoacoustic instabilities
Eastern States Section Meeting
Storrs, CT
Investigation into exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) as a method for reducing costs of post-combustion carbon capture in gas turbine systems reveals that EGR offers potential applications as a control strategy for thermoacoustic instabilities. Introduction of EGR allows semi-independent variation of the operating parameter of flame temperature and characteristic flame length scales, known to play a primary role in the phase of the thermoacoustic coupling mechanism. Measurements were made showing the ability of EGR to reduce the amplitude of thermoacoustic oscillations over a range of operating conditions in a laboratory scale, swirled dump combustor, without affecting the flame temperature. Theoretical analysis was also performed to investigate the limitations on the ability of this approach to influence dynamics.
March, 2011
Oral Presentations
An equivalent flexible framework for linearized flame sheet model dynamics
7th US National Combustion Meeting
Atlanta, GA
Flame sheet modeling is a common approach in literature for determination of flame transfer functions, which have relevance to the prediction and modeling of thermoacoustic combustion instabilities. The dynamics of the flame sheet model for common flame geometries considered in literature can be shown to be equivalent to a simple model of convective disturbances interacting with a steady heat release region. This framework shows that the flame transfer functions predicted by linearized flame sheet models are infact the Fourier transform of the steady heat release rate profile for the flame sheet geometrytransformed into a Lagrangian convective time reference frame. The incidence of multiple perturbations on the flame can then be treated simply as the linear combination of the responses to individual perturbations, allowing determination of the model flame response to an arbitrary set of perturbations without solution or simulation of a differential equation. Extending this approach toarbitrary steady heat release rate profiles results in dynamic characteristics which differ in significant ways from those previously observed considering only the traditional flame sheet formulations, and may have relevance to comparisons with experimental results.
March, 2011
Oral Presentations
Utilization of exhaust gas recirculation for control of dynamic combustion instabilities
7th US National Combustion Meeting
Atlanta, GA
Exhaust gas recirculation is considered a viable technology for increasing efficiencies and lower the cost of post-combustion carbon management systems for combined cycle gas fired turbine power generation plants. This strategy offers additional benefits related to combustion, in particular a reduction in NOx emissions and the potential to suppress dynamic combustion instabilities. The presence of dynamic combustion instabilities in Dry Low-NOx gas turbines utilizing lean-premixed combustion can limit the operable range thus impacting efficiency, emissions performance and the range of fuel variability. The addition of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) alters the spatial heat release distribution of the flame directly impacting the coupling mechanisms that drive self-sustained instabilities. This study utilizes OH chemiluminescence of a lean pre-mixed, swirl stabilized lab-scale turbulent flame to evaluate the relationship between level of EGR and the heat release per unit length. Tests conducted at fixed flame temperatures show a measurable difference in the spatial heat release distribution which subsequently altered the phase and gain of the dynamic response.
March, 2010
Oral Presentations
An Experimental and Computational Study of Emissions from a Swirl Stabilized Burner under EGR Conditions
Central States Section Meeting of the Combustion Institute
Champaign, IL
March, 2010
Oral Presentations
Convective wave motion during combustion instability in a low-swirl burner flame
Western States Section Meeting of the Combustion Institute
Boulder, CO
Flame-acoustic interactions are known to lead to localized perturbations in the flame surface. These perturbations are observed to travel as a wave along the flame surface, resulting in a spatially distributed disturbance in the flame heat release rate. The specific characteristics of this interaction are of utmost importance to the physics of thermoacoustic instabilities. The speed of wave propagation is a useful quantity for application to flame dynamic modeling strategies, such as flame sheet models. Additionally, the time delay associated with the motion of the disturbance through the flame is crucial to predicting the frequencies at which instabilities may occur. Measurements of this wave motion were made in a low-swirl burner configuration (that was capable of exhibiting self-excited instabilities) through the use of flame radical chemiluminescence imaging.
October, 2009
Oral Presentations
A practical application of the bode criterion for prediction of thermoacoustic combustion instabilities
Eastern States Section Meeting of the Combustion Institute
College Park, MD
October, 2009
Oral Presentations
Analytical Modeling of Spatial Phenomena Dictating the Frequency Response of Turbulent Premixed Flames
Eastern States Section Meeting of the Combustion Institute
College Park, MD
October, 2009
Oral Presentations
On use of OH* and CO2* chemiluminescence for heat release rate measurement in diluted flames
Eastern States Section Meeting of the Combustion Institute
College Park, MD
October, 2007
Oral Presentations
Predicting Dynamic Heat Release Rate in Turbulent Flames with Reduced-Order Models
Eastern States Section Meeting of the Combustion Institute
Charlottesville, VA