Advanced Modeling, Control, and Optimization Methods in Power Hybrid Systems - 2021

The climate changes that are becoming visible today are a challenge for the global research community. In this context, renewable energy sources, fuel cell systems and other energy generating sources must be optimally combined and connected to the grid system using advanced energy transaction methods. As this reprint presents the latest solutions in the implementation of fuel cell and renewable energy in mobile and stationary applications such as hybrid and microgrid power systems based on the Energy Internet, blockchain technology and smart contracts, we hope that they will be of interest to readers working in the related fields mentioned above

Wind Energy Development Site Selection Using an Integrated Fuzzy ANP-TOPSIS Decision Model

The identification of appropriate locations for wind energy development is a complex problem that involves several factors, ranging from technical to socio-economic and environmental aspects. Wind energy site selection is generally associated with high degrees of uncertainty due to the long planning, design, construction, and operational timescales. Thus, there is a crucial need to develop efficient methods that are capable of capturing uncertainties in subjective assessments provided by different stakeholders with diverse views. This paper proposes a novel multi-criteria decision model integrating the fuzzy analytic network process (FANP) and the fuzzy technique for order performance by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) to evaluate and prioritize the potential sites for wind power development. Four major criteria, namely economic, social, technical, and geographical, with nine sub-criteria are identified based on consultation with wind farm investors, regulatory bodies, landowners and residents, developers and operators, component suppliers, ecologists, and GIS analysts. The stakeholders’ preferences regarding the relative importance of criteria are measured using a logarithmic least squares method, and then the alternative sites are prioritized based on their relative closeness to the positive ideal solution. The proposed model is applied to determine the most appropriate site for constructing an onshore wind power plant consisting of 10 wind turbines of 2.5 MW. Finally, the results are discussed and compared with those obtained using the traditional AHP, ANP and ANP-TOPSIS decision-making approaches

Aerosol-Precipitation Interactions in the Southern Appalachian Mountains

Aerosols directly and indirectly influence the surface energy balance and therefore have an important impact on weather and climate. The indirect effects of aerosols, associated with changes in cloud properties and lifetimes, remain poorly understood. Likewise, there are many uncertainties associated with aerosol-precipitation interactions, particularly in mountain regions where a variety of processes at different spatial scales influence precipitation patterns. Aerosol-precipitation linkages were examined in the southern Appalachian Mountains, guided by the following research questions: 1) How do aerosol properties observed during precipitation events vary by season (e.g., summer vs. winter) and synoptic event type (e.g., frontal vs. orographic); 2) how do they compare between summer (June, July, August) 2009 and 2010, and 3) what influence does air mass source region have on aerosol properties? Precipitation events were identified based on data from the Boone Automated Weather Observing System Station, Boone Environmental and Climate Observing Network station, regional National Weather Service cooperative observer stations, and observations from the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow network. Events were classified using a synoptic classification scheme created for this thesis. Hourly aerosol data were collected by the Appalachian Atmospheric Interdisciplinary Research facility at Appalachian State University. Backward air trajectories provided information on upstream atmospheric characteristics and source regions. Warm season precipitation events were characterized by much higher aerosol optical properties, including both natural and anthropogenic aerosols. The presence of larger, hygroscopic organic particles acting as effective cloud condensation nuclei enhanced warm season precipitation. Cool season precipitation events exhibited overall lower aerosol optical properties dominated my small organic particles. The change in aerosol values from event beginning to event maturation suggests that AppalAIR is impacted by hygroscopic particles from regional sources including local biogenic emissions and biomass burning. The methodology employed in this thesis will be useful in aerosol-precipitation studies in other mountainous regions. The synoptic classification scheme created for this thesis characterized precipitation events in the southern Appalachian Mountains and will be important to climate researchers and weather forecasters in understanding orographic processes of precipitation. Aerosol properties associated with precipitation events were investigated and described in terms of seasonal and synoptic patterns. These findings will contribute to the parameterization of aerosols in weather and climate models and will enhance our understanding of future climate change in the southern Appalachian Mountains and other mountainous regions

Global plant characterisation and distribution with evolution and climate

Since Arrhenius published seminal work in 1921, research interest in the description of plant traits and grouped characteristics of plant species has grown, underpinning diversity in trophic levels. Geographic exploration and diversity studies prior to and after 1921 culminated in biological, chemical and computer-simulated approaches describing rudiments of growth patterns within dynamic conditions of Earth. This thesis has two parts:- classical theory and multidisciplinary fusion to give mathematical strength to characterising plant species in space and time.Individual plant species occurrences are used to obtain a Species-Area Relationship. The use of both Boolean and logic-based mathematics is then integrated to describe classical methods and propose fuzzy logic control to predict species ordination. Having demonstrated a lack of significance between species and area for data modelled in this thesis a logic based approach is taken. Mamdani and T-S-K fuzzy system stability is verified by application to individual plant occurrences, validated by a multiple interfaced data portal. Quantitative mathematical models are differentiated with a genetic programming approach, enabling visualisation of multi-objective dispersal of plant strategies, plant metabolism and life-forms within the water-energy dynamic of a fixed time-scale scenario. The distributions of plant characteristics are functionally enriched through the use of Gaussian process models. A generic framework of a Geographic Information System is used to visualise distributions and it is noted that such systems can be used to assist in design and implementation of policies. The study has made use of field based data and the application of mathematic methods is shown to be appropriate and generative in the description of characteristics of plant species, with the aim of application of plant strategies, life-forms and photosynthetic types to a global framework. Novel application of fuzzy logic and related mathematic method to plant distribution and characteristics has been shown on a global scale. Quantification of the uncertainty gives novel insight through consequent trophic levels of biological systems, with great relevance to mathematic and geographic subject development. Informative value of Z matrices of plant distribution is increased substantiating sustainability and conservation policy value to ecosystems and human populations dependent upon them for their needs.Key words: sustainability, conservation policy, Boolean and logic-based, fuzzy logic, genetic programming, multi-objective dispersal, strategies, metabolism, life-forms

Renewable energy challenges and opportunities. The prospect of adopting a new policy and legal paradigm in Ghana

This thesis was submitted for the award of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University LondonGlobal consumption of fossil fuels has wreaked havoc on the environment through anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. Meeting the ever-increasing demand for energy and limiting its impact on the environment are the two intertwined issues that confront the world. Against this backdrop, national and international stakeholders have been called to transition to renewable energy (RE) to provide energy security and stem climate change. As such, governments around the world have been formulating legal and policy frameworks to encourage the deployment of RE along with technological innovations. However, poor legal frameworks and policies, insufficient financial support, and incentives have rendered the adoption of RE technologies, especially in developing countries, woefully inadequate and Ghana is no exception. In Ghana, various legal and policy frameworks have been deployed for the development of hydro and non-hydro RE. However, the contribution of non-hydro RE (solar and wind) to the country's electricity generation mix is paltry due to various challenges. The research uses desktop analysis, empirical research, and comparative analysis to critically examine the existing Renewable Energy Act, 2011 (Act 832) and policies on RE in Ghana to ascertain the extent to which they effectively address energy security challenges. The results reveal many challenges as follows: a general poor implementation of the provisions of the Act, poor funding, obsolete grid network, transmission and distribution losses, and bureaucratic processes in licence acquisition to be responsible for the paltry diffusion of non-hydro RE in Ghana whose share was 0.3% in 2020. The research recommends that the government of Ghana (GoG) reviews the existing Renewable Energy Act, policies, and regulatory frameworks currently in operation to address deployment constraints. The thesis concludes by calling on the GoG to focus on specific legal and policy frameworks that would promote solar photovoltaic deployment as the country is endowed with abundant solar energy

BGSU 1987-1988-1989 Undergraduate Catalog

Bowling Green State University undergraduate catalog for 1987-1988-1989.https://scholarworks.bgsu.edu/catalogs/1016/thumbnail.jp

Transportation Systems Analysis and Assessment

The transportation system is the backbone of any social and economic system, and is also a very complex system in which users, transport means, technologies, services, and infrastructures have to cooperate with each other to achieve common and unique goals.The aim of this book is to present a general overview on some of the main challenges that transportation planners and decision makers are faced with. The book addresses different topics that range from user's behavior to travel demand simulation, from supply chain to the railway infrastructure capacity, from traffic safety issues to Life Cycle Assessment, and to strategies to make the transportation system more sustainable

1981 March, Memphis State University bulletin

Vol. 70, No. 2 of the Memphis State University bulletin containing the graduate catalog for 1981-82, 1981 March.https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/speccoll-ua-pub-bulletins/1153/thumbnail.jp

BGSU 1980-1981 Undergraduate Catalog

Bowling Green State University undergraduate catalog for 1980-1981.https://scholarworks.bgsu.edu/catalogs/1021/thumbnail.jp