Investigation of voltage disturbances in a typical distribution system for a rural area

The Electricity Distribution and Service Delivery (EDSD) review conducted in Queensland in 2004 recommended that power utilities, such as Ergon Energy Corporation, must provide regular power quality reporting. Ergon Energy has a number of power quality recorders strategically located throughout their distribution network. Currently Ergon Energy does not have a tool that can be used to efficiently analyse the raw data obtained from the power quality meters, which is stored in a database. The main aim of this paper is to develop a software tool that can be used to analyse the data obtained from the power quality recorders. Ergon Energy will be able to use this software to take a proactive approach to power quality rather than having to rely on customer complaints for fixing the power quality problems. A software tool that meets the requirements set by Ergon Energy Network Planning and Investigations has been produced and named DPDA (Discrete Power Disturbance Analysis). This software uses aspects of the research on power quality and combines it in a format that allows for easy analysis and reporting of power quality disturbances. This paper has focused on the analysis of sags and swells and their related causes. Other forms of power quality disturbances are left to the future expansions of this software

Reactor based voltage regulators for single wire earth return systems

Single wire earth return systems are the lowest cost technology for rural power distribution and have global application. Globally applied As voltage regulation is the determining factor for system capacity. In long systems, directly connected shunt reactors are often used to compensate the effects of line to ground capacitance.The replacement of fixed shunt reactors with controllable reactors provides an opportunity to significantly increase the system capacity. Three methods of reactor control are studied. Thyristor controlled reactors or mechanically switched reactors can be connected via transformers. Alternatively, switched reactors can be connected to consumer transformers. A case study based on the North Jericho system shows all are capable of effecting capacity increases in the order of 85%

Low cost solutions for balancing three phase feeders to SWER systems

Single wire earth return systems, (SWER), are widely used in sparsely settled regions and are a very low cost distribution solution. As the SWER systems are connected as phase to phase loads, the three phase side of a SWER feeder transformer can see significant unbalance. Although effort is made to balance the loads, this can not be entirely achieved. Currently, tap changing voltage regulators are used in either an open or closed delta to provide magnitude compensation, however this still leaves the possibility of phase unbalance. As one major feature of SWER is the low capital cost, it is necessary to explore the feasibility of any proposed solution to ensure that the cost is not prohibitive. A simple, low cost solution uses switched capacitor compensation and this approach is explored, using simulation, to determine the cost effectiveness and practicality. The simulation case study gives an indication of the rating of the capacitors required and the applicable control strategies. The results indicate a feasible, low cost solution applicable to SWER systems

Thyristor controlled reactor methods to increase the capacity of single wire earth return systems

Single wire earth return systems are a widely applied low cost power distribution method used in many rural areas. In Central Queensland a single SWER system supplying approximately 100kW may extend more than 300km. These systems often use shunt reactors to compensate the effects of line to ground capacitance. Recent patterns of load growth are forcing the upgrading of these systems. As voltage regulation is the determining factor, the replacement of fixed shunt reactors with controllable reactors provides an opportunity to significantly increase the system capacity. A study of the North Jericho SWER system shows a capacity increase of approximately 85% can be achieved

A proposal to investigate the problems of three-phase distribution feeders supplying power to SWER systems

Long distribution feeders connected to Single Wire Earth Return (SWER) systems are unique sub-systems of the electric power network in Australia, especially in the State of Queensland. Since the SWER systems are connected between two phases of a distribution line via an isolating transformer, they are inherently unbalanced loads. In this paper a proposal will be developed to investigate the problems associated with the SWER systems and to suggest possible solutions. The study is based on an actual distribution feeder supplying power to several SWER lines in a rural area of the State of Queensland, Australia. Some issues will be addressed including suggestions for correcting the unbalanced operation, high energy losses, voltage and load profile, and the quality of power supplied to the customers

Quantitative characterisations of spray deposited liquid films and post-injection discharge on diesel injectors

Transient injection phases have been identified as a prominent source of inefficiencies and exhaust gas constituents detrimental to both public health and the environment. The rapid reduction of in-nozzle flow rate at the end of diesel injection events inhibits spray atomisation and releases large slow-moving liquid structures into the cylinder. This uncontrolled release of fuel results in wetting of the nozzle surface through rogue droplets diverting back towards the nozzle. The resulting films create fuel-rich regions that may later get drawn into the exhaust, contributing to engine-out emissions. They also present an ideal environment for reactions with combustion products and adherence of deposit precursors. Despite recent experimental advances there is a lack of quantitative data relating the operating conditions to the quantity of fuel deposited on nozzle orifices. To improve our understanding of the underlying near-nozzle and surface-bound processes, we applied high-speed optical microscopy under conditions relevant to passenger vehicles. Image processing techniques were used to quantify the deposition of fuel films and their spreading with time. A single component fuel (n-dodecane) was injected using an injector instrumented with a thermocouple to measure the sub-surface nozzle tip temperature. Injection duration, timing and pressure were varied to reveal their influence on the deposition and overspill of fuel onto the nozzle. We conclude by presenting an analysis of the film behaviour as function of injection pressure, in-cylinder pressure and bulk gas temperature. Relative to the conditions investigated, spray wetting was more pronounced at the reduced load conditions.</p

Community–Academic Partnerships: Addressing Health Inequities Through Community-Engaged Service Learning

In Chicago, Black men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) individuals experience higher rates of HIV diagnoses. The Southside of Chicago has a thriving house ball culture powered by MSM and TGNC individuals who are disproportionately impacted by HIV. While this community has a history of facilitating health promotion at their events, gaps exist in community-empowered education specific to this community. Through partnership between nursing students from University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) and leaders from the Southside Health Advocacy Resource Partnership (SHARP) and the University of Chicago Center for HIV Elimination (CCHE), we aimed to reduce health disparities experienced by the Black MSM/TGNC community in Chicago. We promoted COVID-19 vaccinations and obtained funding for a community-led project to reduce HIV-related stigma. Our team consisted of two community leaders, seven students, and two professors. We met weekly during the development stages and detailed notes were maintained by students and updated with next steps. Four months of collaboration demonstrated how nursing coursework can facilitate community–academic partnership and yielded a COVID-19 viral vaccination promotion video, community administration of vaccines, and SHARP’s procurement of funding to implement a project to reduce HIV-related stigma. Students learned the importance of community leaders’ presence when bringing health care to communities. Community leaders learned to communicate population needs and best utilize students as a resource. Enriching nursing curriculum using an integrated service-learning format offers the opportunity for student development while simultaneously serving the community

Designing rare disease care pathways in the Republic of Ireland: a co-operative model

Background: Rare diseases (RDs) are often complex, serious, chronic and multi-systemic conditions, associated with physical, sensory and intellectual disability. Patients require follow-up management from multiple medical specialists and health and social care professionals involving a high level of integrated care, service coordination and specified care pathways. Methods and objectives: This pilot study aimed to explore the best approach for developing national RD care pathways in the Irish healthcare system in the context of a lack of agreed methodology. Irish clinical specialists and patient/lived experience experts were asked to map existing practice against evidence-based clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) and best practice recommendations from the European Reference Networks (ERNs) to develop optimal care pathways. The study focused on the more prevalent, multisystemic rare conditions that require multidisciplinary care, services, supports and therapeutic interventions. Results: 29 rare conditions were selected across 18 ERNs, for care pathway development. Multidisciplinary input from multiple specialisms was relevant for all pathways. A high level of engagement was experienced from clinical leads and patient organisations. CPGs were identified for 26 of the conditions. Nurse specialist, Psychology, Medical Social Work and Database Manager roles were deemed essential for all care pathways. Access to the therapeutic Health Service Professionals: Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech and Language Therapy were seen as key requirements for holistic care. Genetic counselling was highlighted as a core discipline in 27 pathways demonstrating the importance of access to Clinical Genetics services for many people with RDs. Conclusions: This study proposes a methodology for Irish RD care pathway development, in collaboration with patient/service user advocates. Common RD patient needs and health care professional interventions across all pathways were identified. Key RD stakeholders have endorsed this national care pathway initiative. Future research focused on the implementation of such care pathways is a priority.</p

Continuous glucose monitoring in pregnant women with type 1 diabetes (CONCEPTT): a multicentre international randomised controlled trial

Background Pregnant women with type 1 diabetes are a high-risk population who are recommended to strive for optimal glucose control, but neonatal outcomes attributed to maternal hyperglycaemia remain suboptimal. Our aim was to examine the effectiveness of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) on maternal glucose control and obstetric and neonatal health outcomes. Methods In this multicentre, open-label, randomised controlled trial, we recruited women aged 18–40 years with type 1 diabetes for a minimum of 12 months who were receiving intensive insulin therapy. Participants were pregnant (≤13 weeks and 6 days' gestation) or planning pregnancy from 31 hospitals in Canada, England, Scotland, Spain, Italy, Ireland, and the USA. We ran two trials in parallel for pregnant participants and for participants planning pregnancy. In both trials, participants were randomly assigned to either CGM in addition to capillary glucose monitoring or capillary glucose monitoring alone. Randomisation was stratified by insulin delivery (pump or injections) and baseline glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c). The primary outcome was change in HbA1c from randomisation to 34 weeks' gestation in pregnant women and to 24 weeks or conception in women planning pregnancy, and was assessed in all randomised participants with baseline assessments. Secondary outcomes included obstetric and neonatal health outcomes, assessed with all available data without imputation. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01788527. Findings Between March 25, 2013, and March 22, 2016, we randomly assigned 325 women (215 pregnant, 110 planning pregnancy) to capillary glucose monitoring with CGM (108 pregnant and 53 planning pregnancy) or without (107 pregnant and 57 planning pregnancy). We found a small difference in HbA1c in pregnant women using CGM (mean difference −0·19%; 95% CI −0·34 to −0·03; p=0·0207). Pregnant CGM users spent more time in target (68% vs 61%; p=0·0034) and less time hyperglycaemic (27% vs 32%; p=0·0279) than did pregnant control participants, with comparable severe hypoglycaemia episodes (18 CGM and 21 control) and time spent hypoglycaemic (3% vs 4%; p=0·10). Neonatal health outcomes were significantly improved, with lower incidence of large for gestational age (odds ratio 0·51, 95% CI 0·28 to 0·90; p=0·0210), fewer neonatal intensive care admissions lasting more than 24 h (0·48; 0·26 to 0·86; p=0·0157), fewer incidences of neonatal hypoglycaemia (0·45; 0·22 to 0·89; p=0·0250), and 1-day shorter length of hospital stay (p=0·0091). We found no apparent benefit of CGM in women planning pregnancy. Adverse events occurred in 51 (48%) of CGM participants and 43 (40%) of control participants in the pregnancy trial, and in 12 (27%) of CGM participants and 21 (37%) of control participants in the planning pregnancy trial. Serious adverse events occurred in 13 (6%) participants in the pregnancy trial (eight [7%] CGM, five [5%] control) and in three (3%) participants in the planning pregnancy trial (two [4%] CGM and one [2%] control). The most common adverse events were skin reactions occurring in 49 (48%) of 103 CGM participants and eight (8%) of 104 control participants during pregnancy and in 23 (44%) of 52 CGM participants and five (9%) of 57 control participants in the planning pregnancy trial. The most common serious adverse events were gastrointestinal (nausea and vomiting in four participants during pregnancy and three participants planning pregnancy). Interpretation Use of CGM during pregnancy in patients with type 1 diabetes is associated with improved neonatal outcomes, which are likely to be attributed to reduced exposure to maternal hyperglycaemia. CGM should be offered to all pregnant women with type 1 diabetes using intensive insulin therapy. This study is the first to indicate potential for improvements in non-glycaemic health outcomes from CGM use