Development Life Cycle

Security in the Software Life Cycle This article emphasizes how developers need to make additional, significant increases in their processes, by adding structure and repeatability to further the security and quality of their software. by Joe Jarzombek and Karen Mercedes Goertze

DALILA - Design architectures in a Living Lab

Real-time testing of a Multi-Microgrid system emulated in Matlab Simulink. The experimental tests were undercarried on real hardware components through a analog/digital converter (Power Harware in The Loop).This thesis provides an overview of Microgrids and Multi-Microgrids control architectures and validates control functionalities through the combined efforts of numerical simulation and practical tests in a real laboratory by using Power Hardware In the Loop (PHIL) technology. The thesis is divided in five major topics. The first topic is related with Microgrids, Multi-Microgrids and Smartgrids. It starts by describing the context of such concepts and their implications on power systems: the operational challenges they brought along are laid out in order to make sense out of the proposed solutions. Afterwards it details what characterizes these concepts and the essential components behind them. The devices that enable main functionalities such as autonomous operation, active demand response, voltage/var control, blackstart, etc. This involves explaining the models of microgeneration units, storage devices, electric vehicles and system coordinators. Lastly, there is mentioning to some international reference projects.The second topic is related with Living Labs. In order to conduct experiments regarding Microgrids/Smartgrids, it is necessary to identify key laboratory infrastructures and their main experimental objectives. Therefore, a brief outlook of the most notorious international laboratories and their topics of research is presented.The third topic revolves around the simulation mechanics and the software utilized to study power systems behaviour, which in this case was \textit{Matlab Simulink}. A base case of a Multi-Microgrid system scenario was built based on an existing rural grid and is presented. The MicroSource modelling and the control strategy implemented are described and test results are driven and analysed. The fourth topic details the theory associated with the PHIL converter and describes the series of steps to be followed that allow interaction with \textit{Simulink} and proper operation. Finally, the last topic describes the experimental tests that were under carried in the laboratory and their respective results. These results will serve to validate the ones obtained in the simulation environment. This serves the purpose of demonstrating microgrid operation and testing

Third CLIPS Conference Proceedings, volume 1

Expert systems are computed programs which emulate human expertise in well defined problem domains. The potential payoff from expert systems is high: valuable expertise can be captured and preserved, repetitive and/or mundane tasks requiring human expertise can be automated, and uniformity can be applied in decision making processes. The C Language Integrated Production Systems (CLIPS) is an expert system building tool, developed at the Johnson Space Center, which provides a complete environment for the development and delivery of rule and/or object based expert systems. CLIPS was specifically designed to provide a low cost option for developing and deploying expert system applications across a wide range of hardware platforms. The development of CLIPS has helped to improve the ability to deliver expert systems technology throughout the public and private sectors for a wide range of applications and diverse computing environments

Distribution system congestion management through market mechanism

Nowadays, the electricity industry has experienced essential changes compared to the past. The idea of distributed generations (DGs) in distribution networks replacing the bulk power plants traditionally connected to the high voltage levels is one of those changes. Irrespective of the positive aspects of the mentioned change, congestion is the problem that is increasingly occurring in distribution systems due to an upward trend in DGs’ penetration in distribution net-works. Methods to solve the congestion in distribution networks has received the attention of researchers and those who are working in the distribution network domain recently. The idea of the thesis is to solve the congestion in distribution networks through market mechanisms. To do so, a simulation environment is designed and implemented in order to ena-ble us to analyze and understand the features of various scenarios associated with congestion management with or without using market mechanisms. By using the simulation environment, five different scenarios are investigated, and the results show the congestion relief of the distri-bution network by linking the flexibility buyers (distribution system operators (DSOs)) to flexibil-ity providers (aggregators) through the local flexibility market (LFM) platform. Timing and fre-quency of operation are proposed for LFM in the thesis. Besides, the benefits of LFM for DSOs are investigated, and the impact of inaccuracy in predictive optimal power flow (OPF) on the real-time operation of the distribution system is studied as well

NASA Tech Briefs, June 1989

Topics include: New Product Ideas; NASA TU Services; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences

Edge and Big Data technologies for Industry 4.0 to create an integrated pre-sale and after-sale environment

The fourth industrial revolution, also known as Industry 4.0, has rapidly gained traction in businesses across Europe and the world, becoming a central theme in small, medium, and large enterprises alike. This new paradigm shifts the focus from locally-based and barely automated firms to a globally interconnected industrial sector, stimulating economic growth and productivity, and supporting the upskilling and reskilling of employees. However, despite the maturity and scalability of information and cloud technologies, the support systems already present in the machine field are often outdated and lack the necessary security, access control, and advanced communication capabilities. This dissertation proposes architectures and technologies designed to bridge the gap between Operational and Information Technology, in a manner that is non-disruptive, efficient, and scalable. The proposal presents cloud-enabled data-gathering architectures that make use of the newest IT and networking technologies to achieve the desired quality of service and non-functional properties. By harnessing industrial and business data, processes can be optimized even before product sale, while the integrated environment enhances data exchange for post-sale support. The architectures have been tested and have shown encouraging performance results, providing a promising solution for companies looking to embrace Industry 4.0, enhance their operational capabilities, and prepare themselves for the upcoming fifth human-centric revolution

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN ROMANIA

The purpose of this paper is to identify the main opportunities and limitations of corporate social responsibility (CSR). The survey was defined with the aim to involve the highest possible number of relevant CSR topics and give the issue a more wholesome perspective. It provides a basis for further comprehension and deeper analyses of specific CSR areas. The conditions determining the success of CSR in Romania have been defined in the paper on the basis of the previously cumulative knowledge as well as the results of various researches. This paper provides knowledge which may be useful in the programs promoting CSR.Corporate social responsibility, Supportive policies, Romania