Characterization of non-intentional emissions from distributed energy resources up to 500 kHz: A case study in Spain

Narrow Band Power Line Communications (NB-PLC) systems are currently used for smart metering and power quality monitoring as a part of the Smart Grid (SG) concept. However, non-intentional emissions generated by the devices connected to the grid may sometimes disturb the communications and isolate metering equipment. Though some research works have been recently developed to characterize these emissions, most of them have been limited to frequencies below 150 kHz and they are mainly focused on in-house electronic appliances and lightning devices. As NB-PLC can also be allocated in higher frequencies up to 500 kHz, there is still a lack of analysis in this frequency range, especially for emissions from Distributed Energy Resources (DERs). The identification and characterization of the emissions is essential to develop solutions that avoid a negative impact on the proper performance of NB-PLC. In this work, the non-intentional emissions of different types of DERs composing a representative microgrid have been measured in the 35–500 kHz frequency range and analyzed both in time and frequency domains. Different working conditions and coupling and commutation procedures to mains are considered in the analysis. Results are then compared to the limits recommended by regulatory bodies for spurious emissions from communication systems in this frequency band, as no specific limits for DERs have been established. Field measurements show clear differences in the characteristics of non-intentional emissions for different devices, working conditions and coupling procedures and for frequencies below and above 150 kHz. Results of this study demonstrate that a further characterization of the potential emissions from the different types of DERs connected to the grid is required in order to guarantee current and future applications based on NB-PLC.This work has been financially supported in part by the Basque Government (Elkartek program)

Contested States, Hybrid Diplomatic Practices and the Everyday Quest for Recognition

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from OUP via the DOI in this record.This article examines contested state diplomatic practices with the aim to challenge structural legal-institutional accounts of these actors’ international engagement, which are unsatisfactory in explaining change and acknowledging their agency. Considering contested states as liminal international actors, their diplomatic practices stand out for their hybridity in transcending the state vs. non-state diplomacy dichotomy as well as their structure-generating properties in enabling social forms of international recognition – absent legal recognition. The concept is empirically applied to examine the everyday interaction between the representatives of Palestine and Western Sahara and the EU institutions in Brussels. It is argued that there has been a renewal and expansion of the Palestinian and Sahrawi repertoires of diplomatic practices vis-à-vis the EU, which has entailed growing hybridisation. Innovation originated in more “transformative” diplomatic practices capitalising on the contested states’ own political inbetweenness, which established relations that contributed to constituting and endogenously empowering them in the Brussels milieu. The way was thus paved for more “reproductive” diplomatic practices that mimic traditional state diplomacy to gain prominence. The impact achieved on “high politics” demonstrates how bottom-up practice-led change may allow contested states to compensate for their meagre material capabilities and punch above their structural weight in international politics

New nonlinear coherent states and some of their nonclassical properties

We construct a displacement operator type nonlinear coherent state and examine some of its properties. In particular it is shown that this nonlinear coherent state exhibits nonclassical properties like squeezing and sub-Poissonian behaviour.Comment: 3 eps figures. to appear in J.Opt

Operator method in solving non-linear equations of the Hartree-Fock type

The operator method is used to construct the solutions of the problem of the polaron in the strong coupling limit and of the helium atom on the basis of the Hartree-Fock equation. $E_0=-0.1085128052\alpha^2$ is obtained for the polaron ground-state energy. Energies for 2s- and 3s-states are also calculated. The other excited states are briefly discussed.Comment: 7 page

Nidificación del Tadorna tadorna en Ibiza

Abstract not availabl

The theory of planned behaviour, self-identity, and moral disengagement: what predicts sustainability at work?

Objectives: On the occasion of the Green Impact sustainability initiative at our university, we sought to identify predictors of sustainability-related behaviours (recycling, energy saving and sustainable transport choices) among staff. Design: A quantitative on-line survey was conducted among university staff. In line with the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), we measured intentions (to recycle, to save energy, and to choose sustainable transport), attitudes, subjective norm, and perceived control. Self-identity was added as a popular extension to the TPB. Additionally, we took one of the first measurements of moral disengagement in a sustainability-related study. Methods: All staff participating in the initiative were contacted, 130 responses were received. Correlational methods were used to analyse the survey data. Results: The TPB was broadly supported; however, perceived control was not significant in predicting recycling intentions, subjective norm did not contribute to the prediction of energy saving intentions, and attitude did not predict transport intentions. Self-identity, conversely, made a substantial additional contribution for all target behaviours. The moral disengagement measures were all correlated with sustainability intentions, but there were multicollinearity issues with the TPB variables and between sub-scales. Conclusions: The TPB is useful in predicting workplace sustainability intentions, but different predictors apply to different behaviours. Moral disengagement is another useful explanatory concept, but difficult to incorporate in the TPB. The consistently significant contribution of self-identity suggests that sustainability at work can be promoted by making staff feel like sustainability champions

Sustainability in the workplace and the theory of planned behaviour: Norms and identity predict environmentally friendly intentions

Social psychology offers an insightful perspective on the psychological processes underlying sustainability-related intentions and actions, at universities and elsewhere. Ajzen’s theory of planned behaviour (TPB) is a well-supported model, positing that attitudes alone will rarely predict intentions and behaviour accurately. Rather, individuals are sensitive to social norms (the perceived requirements of a setting and/or a group to which the actor belongs) and perceived control (the sense that the actor is capable of the behaviour and the environment offers the opportunity). Recently, it has been suggested to include self-identity (the notion that the behaviour is part of who you are). This paper summarises previous research linking the TPB to sustainability, and then reports a quantitative survey of 130 staff members at Canterbury Christ Church University. An online questionnaire measured attitudes, social norms, perceived control, self-identity, and intentions relating to office waste recycling, energy saving, and transport choice. Overall, only self-identity and norms reliably predicted intentions to act in environmentally sustainable ways. Follow-up analyses suggest that different predictors were significant for different intentions, but self-identity always improved prediction over and above the original TPB variables. In conclusion, universities can best cultivate sustainability intentions by promoting favourable norms and self-identities