Feasibility studies of a converter-free grid-connected offshore hydrostatic wind turbine

Owing to the increasing penetration of renewable power generation, the modern power system faces great challenges in frequency regulations and reduced system inertia. Hence, renewable energy is expected to take over part of the frequency regulation responsibilities from the gas or hydro plants and contribute to the system inertia. In this article, we investigate the feasibility of frequency regulation by the offshore hydrostatic wind turbine (HWT). The simulation model is transformed from NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory) 5-MW gearbox-equipped wind turbine model within FAST (fatigue, aerodynamics, structures, and turbulence) code. With proposed coordinated control scheme and the hydrostatic transmission configuration of the HWT, the `continuously variable gearbox ratio' in turbulent wind conditions can be realised to maintain the constant generator speed, so that the HWT can be connected to the grid without power converters in-between. To test the performances of the control scheme, the HWT is connected to a 5-bus grid model and operates with different frequency events. The simulation results indicate that the proposed control scheme is a promising solution for offshore HWT to participated in frequency response in the modern power system

Satellite animal tracking feasibility studies

A study was initiated in Tsavo National Park to determine movements and home ranges of individual elephants and their relations to overall distribution patterns and environmental factors such as rainfall. Methods used were radio tracking and observations of visually identifiable individuals. Aerial counts provided data on overall distribution. Two bulls and two cows were radio-tagged in Tsavo West and two bulls and four cows in Tsavo East, providing home range and movement data. The movements of individuals were useful in interpreting relatively major shifts in elephant distribution. Results point to the following preliminary conclusions: (1) elephants in the Tsavo area undertook long distance movements in fairly direct response to localized rainfall; (2) a subdivision of the overall population into locally distinct units may exist during the dry season but did not occur after significant rainfall; and (3) food appears to be the primary factor governing movements and distribution of elephants in the area

What is a pilot or feasibility study? A review of current practice and editorial policy

Background: In 2004, a review of pilot studies published in seven major medical journals during 2000-01 recommended that the statistical analysis of such studies should be either mainly descriptive or focus on sample size estimation, while results from hypothesis testing must be interpreted with caution. We revisited these journals to see whether the subsequent recommendations have changed the practice of reporting pilot studies. We also conducted a survey to identify the methodological components in registered research studies which are described as 'pilot' or 'feasibility' studies. We extended this survey to grant-awarding bodies and editors of medical journals to discover their policies regarding the function and reporting of pilot studies. Methods: Papers from 2007-08 in seven medical journals were screened to retrieve published pilot studies. Reports of registered and completed studies on the UK Clinical Research Network (UKCRN) Portfolio database were retrieved and scrutinized. Guidance on the conduct and reporting of pilot studies was retrieved from the websites of three grant giving bodies and seven journal editors were canvassed. Results: 54 pilot or feasibility studies published in 2007-8 were found, of which 26 (48%) were pilot studies of interventions and the remainder feasibility studies. The majority incorporated hypothesis-testing (81%), a control arm (69%) and a randomization procedure (62%). Most (81%) pointed towards the need for further research. Only 8 out of 90 pilot studies identified by the earlier review led to subsequent main studies. Twelve studies which were interventional pilot/feasibility studies and which included testing of some component of the research process were identified through the UKCRN Portfolio database. There was no clear distinction in use of the terms 'pilot' and 'feasibility'. Five journal editors replied to our entreaty. In general they were loathe to publish studies described as 'pilot'. Conclusion: Pilot studies are still poorly reported, with inappropriate emphasis on hypothesis-testing. Authors should be aware of the different requirements of pilot studies, feasibility studies and main studies and report them appropriately. Authors should be explicit as to the purpose of a pilot study. The definitions of feasibility and pilot studies vary and we make proposals here to clarify terminology

Feasibility Studies for the Panda Experiment at Fair

PANDA, the detector to study AntiProton ANnihilations at DArmstadt, will be installed at the future international Facility for Anti-proton and Ion Research (FAIR) in Darmstadt, Germany. The PANDA physics program is oriented towards the studies of the strong interaction and hadron structure performed with the highest quality beam of anti-protons [1]. In the preparation for PANDA experiments, large-scale simulation studies are being performed to validate the performance of all individual detector components and to advice on detector optimisation. The feasibility of the analysis strategies together with the calibration methods are being studied. Simulations were carried out using the framework called PandaROOT [2], based on ROOT and the Virtual Monte Carlo concept [3]. [1] http://www-panda.gsi.de; Technical Progress Report (2005); Physics Performance Report (2009), arXiv:0903.3905v1. [2] [PANDA Collaboration] S. Spataro, J. Phys. 119, 032035 (2008). [3] http://root.cern.chComment: Proceeding of the XXXI Mazurian Lakes Conference on Physics, Piaski, 30.08-6.09, 200

Exclusive Jet Measurement in Special LHC Runs - Feasibility Studies

The feasibility studies of the central exclusive jet production at the LHC using the proton tagging technique are presented. Three classes of data taking scenarios are considered: double tag at high pile-up, single tag at low pile-up and double tag at low pile-up. Analyses were performed at the c.m. energy of 14 TeV for the ATLAS experiment, but are also valid for the CMS/TOTEM detectors.Comment: Presented at XXII Cracow Epiphany Conferenc