Implications and effectiveness of information management while restructuring an organisation

This research paper undertakes to outline factors of Information Management that organisations should consider when attempting a restructuring process. Conversely, valuable information and knowledge are often mislaid, overlooked or discarded to the eventual detriment of an organisation during the processes of downsizing, rightsizing, restructuring, reorganisation, reengineering, transformation or change. In the global economy organisations are always striving to keep ahead of competition and ultimately to improve their net profit. Information is at the very core of any organisation, its ads value, structure and power to an organisation. Information Management assists with the locating, storing and use of corporate information. A means of controlling and structuring corporate information is via the use of the Information Management elements. A case study using an organisation that is in the process of change and transformation was performed. Potential loss of knowledge and information was identified and examined. The organisation’s implementation of an information portal was highlighted as an effective way to minimise the loss of knowledge and information during the period of change.Professor A.S.A. du Toi

Optimization Techniques for Modern Power Systems Planning, Operation and Control

Recent developments in computing, communication and improvements in optimization techniques have piqued interest in improving the current operational practices and in addressing the challenges of future power grids. This dissertation leverages these new developments for improved quasi-static analysis of power systems for applications in power system planning, operation and control. The premise of much of the work presented in this dissertation centers around development of better mathematical modeling for optimization problems which are then used to solve current and future challenges of power grid. To this end, the models developed in this research work contributes to the area of renewable integration, demand response, power grid resilience and constrained contiguous and non-contiguous partitioning of power networks. The emphasis of this dissertation is on finding solutions to system operator level problems in real-time. For instance, multi-period mixed integer linear programming problem for applications in demand response schemes involving more than million variables are solved to optimality in less than 20 seconds of computation time through tighter formulation. A balanced, constrained, contiguous partitioning scheme capable of partitioning 20,000 bus power system in under one minute is developed for use in time sensitive application area such as controlled islanding

New insights into transport phenomena involved in carbonated water injection: effective mathematical modeling strategies

Carbonated water injection (CWI) is a promising enhanced oil recovery (EOR) method that provides an efficient and a more environmentally friendly alternative to meet the ever-increasing demand for energy. An additional benefit from the implementation of CWI is the storage of anthropogenic CO₂ and this has made it even more attractive. Over the years, several attempts have been made to model CWI as an EOR process but have been of very little success due to the underlying assumptions used or the modelling strategy. There are several multi-physics involved during CWI and to have an accurate model to investigate CWI, these physics need to be adequately captured. In this thesis, we have attempted to model CWI adequately by using more realistic and practical assumptions to present a novel modeling strategy. This thesis shows our research in a manuscript-based format which is presented in each chapter as major contributions. Firstly, a comprehensive review of CWI where the behavior of fluids, fluid-rock interactions and challenges associated with CWI technique have been thoroughly discussed. Secondly, the modelling investigation to capture the critical salinity which plays an important role in EOR techniques for sandstones and carbonate as well as the solubility of CO₂ during CWI is presented. Thirdly, a 3-D modeling method to investigate CWI which considers important terms such as gravity, non-instantaneous equilibrium, heterogeneity, anisotropy and well orientation is presented. Fourthly, a 1-D core modelling approach which considers the reaction term and rock dissolution in an improved attempt to capture CWI is presented. Finally, a deterministic approach is presented to effectively predict oil recovery factor based on pattern recognition and artificial intelligence. To facilitate this, the use of artificial neural network (ANN), least square support vector machine (LSSVM) modelling and gene expression programming (GEP) are adopted

Investigation into the impedance and communication requirements for the low voltage distribution line in the high frequency spectrum

Power Line Communications is long established for low data rate applications over high- voltage power lines. It is now charting new territory in high speed data transmission to the high frequency band of IMHz and upwards over the low-voltage segment below the distribution transformers.' Since the power line is designed for transmission of power instead of signal transmitting originally; it has many shortages when used as a signal communication channel. The heterogeneous structure of the power line network with numerous branches and impedance mismatcheS causing reflections and attenuations during signal transmission, and thus communication signal cannot be sent out or received completely. From this point of view, the power line impedance is a very important parameter in the design of power line communication (PLC) modem architecture, which is subject to legislations that limit the signals in the line. Variations on the impedance of the power line affect the communications channel performance. For the optimum modem design, power line impedance must be known. Power line impedance changes with time, carrier frequency, load variations, architectures and locations of the lines in city, urban, rural & industrial environment. The objective of this study is to determine the impedance of power distribution network in a frequency range from IMHz to 30MHz. This is in line with international standard bodies including CENELEC, IEC, ITV and ETSI, which stipulates that for propagation characteristics of power line and EMC regulations, data transmission rate are evolving and . are being extended all the time to data rate up to 100 Mbps. This thesis covers impedance measurements carried out in college buildings in Somerset, UK together with some residential houses in Somerset and London. The college buildings have both three-phase and single-phase architectures with various laboratories where loads are randomly switched on and off. An impedance analyser is used to carry out the measurements which performs a scan through a programmable frequency limits and acquires impedance parameters in the frequency domain Measurements were monitored using Microsoft Remote Desk Top client application Series of experimental measurements were carried out in the Bridgwater College and residential houses in Bridgwater and also in London. The first part of the thesis offers detailed introduction to the topics of electricity supply networks, power line communications, modulation techniques and electromagnetic compatibility, noise and transmission line characteristics. From the experimental results, presented in graphical format, a number of conclusions can be drawn. A wide range of impedances are observed for single phase measurements, within the range of 3 - 584 Ω for large buildings and residential houses. For three phase measurements impedances varied from 21 - 340 Ω. The thesis concludes with a suggestion of how these measurements may be used in PLC modem design. Dynamic output-impedance PLC modems may be designed using a real-time impedance detector of the power line and the adjustable output impedance-power amplifier. Therefore, modem output impedance may be matched to the real time line impedance

From masterplanning to adaptive planning : understanding the contemporary tools and processes for civic urban order

My research is an examination of the scope of contemporary urban design and planning tools and processes which can act as alternative qualitative methodologies for the renewal of urban conditions at multiple scales through adaptive methods embracing change, stresses and shocks affecting societies and the city as a growing epicentre of human inhabitation and complex systems. With growing urbanisation, the question of what constitutes liveable urbanism across urban territories is a critical one. Addressing the lack of unified and culturally aware analysis of the evolution in urban design and planning practice being applied in various contexts across the developed and developing world, I have, through my own international research programme over more than 15 years, traced their potentials for incubating renewal through a collection of published outputs, each with their own approach: a book, essays for the media and for exhibition catalogues and a webzine. Through examination I have learned about the capacities of tools and processes to break with silo thinking and damaging legacies of the past, and to adapt, or to forge new instrumentalities in ways that are context-responsive and situational. My focus has been on studying largely ongoing, phased projects, so this is a work in progress. This self-appointed intellectual mandate for comparative urbanism has required a form of evaluation that includes consideration of the use and mis-use of history and old rules, operational narratives and contestory factors, enquiry into assumptions made, responsibilities claimed, and objectives combining issues of determination (of plans, by their clients) and self-determination (of communities). I have striven to show how the recognition of planning baggage and the emptying out of its tactics, is, in diverse ways, creating space for alternative behaviors in the form of new, potentially more socially equitable and responsive patterns of operation, engaging and reusing resources. I have learned that new hybrid processes of top down and bottom up planning, and interest in engaging with multi-modal approaches with their relative novelty and unprecedented forms of complexity, represent major challenges to long-held beliefs about planning’s role in society and the typical relationships between planner and those planned for. They foster a sense of the symbiotic relationships, interdependencies, alliances and self-determination cities need to generate their futures in socially equitable and resilient ways. My body of research will help inform and contribute methodologies and concepts to future outputs on related themes concerning urban design and planning’s role and identity, including issues of Urbanista.org, my webzine. The wider implications of my research are also that institutions involved in land use of all kinds accordingly need to carry a responsibility to adopt a higher commitment to the value of and need for adaptive instruments of civic urban order

An investigation of alternative methods for improving system monitoring visualization

As mobile platforms become increasingly popular, the area of system monitoring would likely need to adopt some of the design methods and techniques for mobile usage, which includes exaggeration of size and importance emphasis, less complexity and perception enchanting techniques. This report investigates and suggests alternative methods for visualizing system monitoring data with main focus on mobile device displays. Alternative methods for system monitoring are identified and suggested. An experiment is conducted, where a classic monitoring tool is thoroughly compared to a new tool especially constructed for exploiting alternative methods of enchanting data. The data from the experiment proves a significant difference in findings when alternative methods are compared to the classic tool