Layout Optimization Process to Minimize the Cost of Energy of an Offshore Floating Hybrid Wind-Wave Farm

[EN] Offshore floating hybrid wind and wave energy is a young technology yet to be scaled up. A way to reduce the total costs of the energy production process in order to ensure competitiveness in the sustainable energy market is to maximize the farm's efficiency. To do so, an energy generation and costs calculation model was developed with the objective of minimizing the technology's Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) of the P80 hybrid wind-wave concept, designed by the company Floating Power Plant A/S. A Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm was then implemented on top of other technical and decision-making processes, taking as decision variables the layout, the offshore substation position, and the export cable choice. The process was applied off the west coast of Ireland in a site of interest for the company, and after a quantitative and qualitative optimization process, a minimized LCOE was obtained. It was then found that lower costs of similar to 73% can be reached in the short-term, and the room for improvement in the structure's design and materials was highlighted, with an LCOE reduction potential of up to 32%. The model serves usefully as a preliminary analysis. However, the uncertainty estimate of 11% indicates that further site-specific studies and measurements are essential.Izquierdo-Pérez, J.; Brentan, BM.; Izquierdo Sebastián, J.; Clausen, N.; Pegalajar-Jurado, A.; Ebsen, N. (2020). Layout Optimization Process to Minimize the Cost of Energy of an Offshore Floating Hybrid Wind-Wave Farm. Processes. 8(2):1-23. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr8020139S12382Wind Power Capacity Worldwide Reaches 597 GW, 50.1 GWhttps://wwindea.org/blog/2019/02/25/wind-power-capacity-worldwide-reaches-600-gw-539-gw-added-in-2018/Global Offshore Wind Energy Capacity from 2008 to 2018 (in Megawatts)https://www.statista.com/statistics/476327/global-capacity-of-offshore-wind-energy/Haliade-X Offshore Wind Turbine Platformhttps://www.ge.com/renewableenergy/wind-energy/offshore-wind/haliade-x-offshore-turbinePérez-Collazo, C., Greaves, D., & Iglesias, G. (2015). A review of combined wave and offshore wind energy. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 42, 141-153. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2014.09.032Astariz, S., & Iglesias, G. (2015). Enhancing Wave Energy Competitiveness through Co-Located Wind and Wave Energy Farms. A Review on the Shadow Effect. Energies, 8(7), 7344-7366. doi:10.3390/en8077344Floating Power Plant A/Shttp://www.floatingpowerplant.com/González, J. S., Gonzalez Rodriguez, A. G., Mora, J. C., Santos, J. R., & Payan, M. B. (2010). Optimization of wind farm turbines layout using an evolutive algorithm. Renewable Energy, 35(8), 1671-1681. doi:10.1016/j.renene.2010.01.010Lerch, M., De-Prada-Gil, M., Molins, C., & Benveniste, G. (2018). Sensitivity analysis on the levelized cost of energy for floating offshore wind farms. Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments, 30, 77-90. doi:10.1016/j.seta.2018.09.005Montalvo, I., Izquierdo, J., Pérez-García, R., & Herrera, M. (2014). Water Distribution System Computer-Aided Design by Agent Swarm Optimization. Computer-Aided Civil and Infrastructure Engineering, 29(6), 433-448. doi:10.1111/mice.12062Ireland Second Highest in Europe for Wind Energyhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/ireland-second-highest-in-europe-for-wind-energy-910442.htmlIreland Plans 12GW Renewables Boosthttps://www.windpowermonthly.com/article/1587884/ireland-plans-12gw-renewables-boostDS3 Programme Operational Capability Outlook 2016http://www.eirgridgroup.com/site-files/library/EirGrid/DS3-Operational-Capability-Outlook-2016.pdfDesmond, C., Murphy, J., Blonk, L., & Haans, W. (2016). Description of an 8 MW reference wind turbine. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 753, 092013. doi:10.1088/1742-6596/753/9/092013Global Wind Atlas (GWA)https://globalwindatlas.info/Bathymetry Viewing and Downloading Service, EMODnethttp://portal.emodnet-bathymetry.eu/?menu=1

Ultrastructural pathology of primary ciliary dyskinesia: report about 125 cases in Germany

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a rare genetically induced disorder of cilia inducing mainly respiratory diseases. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis of ciliary ultrastructure is classically used for diagnosis. We report our experience of TEM investigations in a large series of patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>TEM analysis performed of 742 biopsies from patients with suspected PCD was reviewed retrospectively. Ultrastructural defects were analysized further in 125 cases with changes typical for PCD.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In 18.1% of patients diagnosis of PCD was made because of morphological alterations, in 68.2% secondary changes were seen. In 13.7% material was not feasible for analysis. Mostly defects of dynein arms were detected in PCD (96.8%). In particular defects of the inner arms (51.2%) and combined dynein defects (37.6%) were found. Total loss of dynein arms was dominant. Only in 3.2% deficiencies of central structures were found alone. Associated situs inversus or dextracardia was reported clinically in 21.4%.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>TEM analysis is possible in most patients and a useful tool for diagnosis of PCD. Functional and genetic analysis should be done additionally. Registers should be installed to collect all available informations and push further research.</p

Infection of Differentiated Porcine Airway Epithelial Cells by Influenza Virus: Differential Susceptibility to Infection by Porcine and Avian Viruses

BACKGROUND: Swine are important hosts for influenza A viruses playing a crucial role in the epidemiology and interspecies transmission of these viruses. Respiratory epithelial cells are the primary target cells for influenza viruses. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: To analyze the infection of porcine airway epithelial cells by influenza viruses, we established precision-cut lung slices as a culture system for differentiated respiratory epithelial cells. Both ciliated and mucus-producing cells were found to be susceptible to infection by swine influenza A virus (H3N2 subtype) with high titers of infectious virus released into the supernatant already one day after infection. By comparison, growth of two avian influenza viruses (subtypes H9N2 and H7N7) was delayed by about 24 h. The two avian viruses differed both in the spectrum of susceptible cells and in the efficiency of replication. As the H9N2 virus grew to titers that were only tenfold lower than that of a porcine H3N2 virus this avian virus is an interesting candidate for interspecies transmission. Lectin staining indicated the presence of both α-2,3- and α-2,6-linked sialic acids on airway epithelial cells. However, their distribution did not correlate with pattern of virus infection indicating that staining by plant lectins is not a reliable indicator for the presence of cellular receptors for influenza viruses. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Differentiated respiratory epithelial cells significantly differ in their susceptibility to infection by avian influenza viruses. We expect that the newly described precision-cut lung slices from the swine lung are an interesting culture system to analyze the infection of differentiated respiratory epithelial cells by different pathogens (viral, bacterial and parasitic ones) of swine

Very Low Tidal Volume Ventilation with Associated Hypercapnia - Effects on Lung Injury in a Model for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

BACKGROUND: Ventilation using low tidal volumes with permission of hypercapnia is recommended to protect the lung in acute respiratory distress syndrome. However, the most lung protective tidal volume in association with hypercapnia is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of different tidal volumes with associated hypercapnia on lung injury and gas exchange in a model for acute respiratory distress syndrome. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In this randomized controlled experiment sixty-four surfactant-depleted rabbits were exposed to 6 hours of mechanical ventilation with the following targets: Group 1: tidal volume = 8-10 ml/kg/PaCO(2) = 40 mm Hg; Group 2: tidal volume = 4-5 ml/kg/PaCO(2) = 80 mm Hg; Group 3: tidal volume = 3-4 ml/kg/PaCO(2) = 120 mm Hg; Group 4: tidal volume = 2-3 ml/kg/PaCO(2) = 160 mm Hg. Decreased wet-dry weight ratios of the lungs, lower histological lung injury scores and higher PaO(2) were found in all low tidal volume/hypercapnia groups (group 2, 3, 4) as compared to the group with conventional tidal volume/normocapnia (group 1). The reduction of the tidal volume below 4-5 ml/kg did not enhance lung protection. However, oxygenation and lung protection were maintained at extremely low tidal volumes in association with very severe hypercapnia and no adverse hemodynamic effects were observed with this strategy. CONCLUSION: Ventilation with low tidal volumes and associated hypercapnia was lung protective. A tidal volume below 4-5 ml/kg/PaCO(2) 80 mm Hg with concomitant more severe hypercapnic acidosis did not increase lung protection in this surfactant deficiency model. However, even at extremely low tidal volumes in association with severe hypercapnia lung protection and oxygenation were maintained

Diagnostik der primären ziliären Dyskinesie

Characteristics: Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a rare congenital disease of the cilia which is mostly manifested in the respiratory system. Diagnostics: When there is a clinical suspicion of the presence of PCD and/or a positive screening result with reduced nasal nitrogen oxide (NO) values, further diagnostic measures should be initiated as soon as possible. In centers where high-frequency video microscopy analyses (HVMA) of beating of cilia are available, an initial nasal NO measurement for screening must not necessarily be carried out. As the first diagnostic measure for confirmation or exclusion of PCD, HVMA should be carried out. If the findings are conspicuous transmission electron microscopic analysis (TEM) of the ciliary structure and high-resolution immunofluorescence (IF) microscopic analysis of the cilia should follow. Mandatory for diagnosis are at least two congruent pathological findings from HVMA, TEM or IF. When a PCD variant with no evidence of ultrastructural defects is present, an identical pathological beating of cilia must be demonstrated with HVMA on three independent occasions. Following that a targeted genetic clarification should be attempted based on the findings for HVMA, TEM and IF. A clear genetic result can also confirm the diagnosis. Approach: When PCD is suspected contact with a diagnostic center should be made. A reference center for PCD diagnostics will evaluate uncertain findings

Surveillance in the field : over-identification of Ebola suspect cases and its contributing factors in West African at-risk contexts

During an Ebola outbreak, the WHO recommends that health professionals consider people as suspect cases (SCs) when they show key signs such as the sudden onset of high fever or specific symptoms after having had contact with a suspect or confirmed Ebola case. SCs should then get care, be isolated and be reported to health authorities until the Ebola virus disease is confirmed through a lab test. This exploratory study aims to understand this identification process in the field based on a qualitative analysis of the diagnosis and therapeutic itineraries of 19 SCs in Cote d'Ivoire and Senegal (2014-2015). Results indicate that the main criteria for SC identification at the field level were fever (understood broadly) and provenance from a highly affected country (applied indiscriminately). WHO criteria were not followed in at least 9 of the 19 cases. Several medical, social and cultural factors favour over-identification of people as SCs, including relativism in defining 'high fever', placism, humanitarian or securitarian bias, issues in categorising SC's contact cases, and the context of fear. To avoid undue categorisation and its possible harmful social effects, the WHO definition should be implemented more carefully in various contexts and with greater consideration for ethical issues, while prioritising diagnosis strategies with higher specificity