Abstract: Novel design frameworks for designing electrodialysis (ED) desalination systems for purifying brackish water are provided herein. The design frameworks of the present embodiments include one or more energy management strategies, as well as recirculation-based system architectures. The design frameworks can be independent of each other, or can be used together. In some embodiments, the energy management strategy can include determining a capacity of a battery in communication with an (ED) system and imposing a charge power limit onto the battery to limit the charging rate of the ED system. The energy management strategy can be used in combination with the recirculation-based system architectures to improve efficiency of purification performed by these ED systems. These architectures can include hybrid architectures that operate in continuous flow, but provide a recirculation stream to mix the feed to achieve a desired salinity of the product stream.

Abstract: A robot for cleaning solar panels has a frame and a propulsion system for moving the robot on solar panels. The robot also has arms movably coupled to the frame, and a cleaning assembly coupled to each of the arms for cleaning the solar panels. The arms and cleaning assemblies further facilitate the transportation of the robot between solar panels that are discontinuous and spaced apart from each other. In addition, a water distribution system is included for distributing water during cleaning operations. A control system operates the robot and controls the propulsion system, arms, cleaning assemblies and water distribution system.