Energy Storage Systems and Their Role in Smart Grids

Energy storage systems play an essential role in today’s production, transmission, and distribution networks. In this chapter, the different types of storage, their advantages and disadvantages will be presented. Then the main roles that energy storage systems will play in the context of smart grids will be described. Some information will be given on interactions between energy storage systems and renewables. The emphasis will be on the problems that these storage systems will have to deal with and the possible means that can be used for this purpose. Also the battery management system will be presented as a general concept. The different types of regulation that take place in smart electrical systems (also called smart grids) and the role of energy storage systems will also be discussed. In the end, we will also present one of the biggest weaknesses of storage systems, among others, the degradation of batteries with their use

Forecast and impact of electromobility development on the Polish Electric Power System

Thanks to the development of technology, the presence of electric vehicles (EVs) on the roads is no longer a purely theoretical issue. Also in Poland, electric cars are already visible on the streets, and charging stations (EVCS) are increasingly being installed near newly emerging buildings and housing estates. The article attempts to determine to what extent the use of electric cars will affect the demand for power and energy in the Polish electric power system (PEPS). The basis for PEPS modernization plans should be a detailed analysis of the technical adequacy of all its subsystems: generation, transmission and distribution, on the basis of which it will be possible to assess the potential impact of EVCS infrastructure operation on the Polish electric power system. This publication presents an example of such analysis for the distribution sub- sector, most exposed to potential negative interactions with the future, extensive infrastructure of EVCS

4C Mortality Score correlates with in-hospital functional outcome after COVID-19-associated ischaemic stroke

Aim of the study. The 4C Mortality Score was created to predict mortality in hospitalised patients with COVID-19 and has to date been evaluated only in respiratory system disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate its application in patients with COVID-19-associated acute ischaemic stroke (AIS).Clinical rationale for study. COVID-19 is a risk factor for AIS. COVID-19-associated AIS results in higher mortality and worse functional outcome. Predictors of functional outcome in COVID-19-associated AIS are required.Materials and methods. This was a retrospective observational study of patients with AIS hospitalised in seven neurological wards in Małopolska Voivodship (Poland) between August and December 2020. We gathered data concerning the patients’ age, sex, presence of cardiovascular risk factors, type of treatment received, and the presence of stroke-associated infections (including pneumonia, urinary tract infection and infection of unknown source). We calculated 4C Mortality Score at stroke onset, and investigated whether there was a correlation with neurological deficit measured using the National Health Institute Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and functional outcome assessed using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at discharge.Results. The study included 52 patients with COVID-19-associated AIS. The 4C Mortality Score at stroke onset correlated with mRS (rs = 0.565, p < 0.01) at discharge. There was also a statistically significant difference in the mean 4C Mortality Score between patients who died and patients who survived the stroke (13.08 ± 2.71 vs. 9.85 ± 3.47, p = 0.04).Conclusions and clinical implications. 4C Mortality Score predicts functional outcome at discharge in COVID-19-associated AIS patients

A concept of an electricity storage system with 50 MWh storage capacity

Electricity storage devices can be divided into indirect storage technology devices (involving electricity conversion into another form of energy), and direct storage (in an electric or magnetic fi eld). Electricity storage technologies include: pumped-storage power plants, BES Battery Energy Storage, CAES Compressed Air Energy Storage, Supercapacitors, FES Flywheel Energy Storage, SMES Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage, FC Fuel Cells reverse or operated in systems with electrolysers and hydrogen storage. These technologies have diff erent technical characteristics and economic parameters that determine their usability. This paper presents two concepts of an electricity storage tank with a storage capacity of at least 50 MWh, using the BES battery energy storage and CAES compressed air energy storage technologies

Beamforming of LOFAR Radio-Telescope for Passive Radiolocation Purposes

This paper presents the results of investigations on the beamforming of a low-frequency radio-telescope LOFAR which can be used as a receiver in passive coherent location (PCL) radars for aerial and space object detection and tracking. The use of a LOFAR radio-telescope for the passive tracking of space objects can be a highly cost-effective solution due to the fact that most of the necessary equipment needed for passive radiolocation already exists in the form of LOFAR stations. The capability of the radiolocation of planes by a single LOFAR station in Borowiec is considered to be ‘proof of concept’ for future research focused on the localization of space objects. Beam patterns of single sets of LOFAR antennas (known as tiles), as well as for the entire LOFAR station, are presented and thoroughly discussed in the paper. Issues related to grating lobes in LOFAR beam patterns are also highlighted. A beamforming algorithm used for passive radiolocation purposes, exploiting data collected by a LOFAR station, is also discussed. The results of preliminary experiments carried out with real signals collected by the LOFAR station in Borowiec, Poland confirm that the appropriate beamforming can significantly increase the radar’s detection range, as well as the detection’s certainty

Autonomous Electrical Vehicles’ Charging Station

This paper presents a model of an autonomous electrical vehicles’ charging station. It consists of renewable energy sources: wind turbine system, photovoltaic cells, as well as an energy storage, load, and EV charging station. In order to optimise the operating conditions, power electronic converters were added to the system. The model was implemented in the Homer Energy programme. The first part of the paper presents the design assumptions and technological solutions. Further in the paper simulation results are discussed and analysed, and then problems observed in the simulation and possible solutions

Evaluation of Transmission Grid Voltage Impact on the Operation of Power Units’ Auxiliary Systems

This paper presents the low voltage impact on the operation of critical auxiliaries of selected generation units in the national power system. Time limits are determined for the operation of these auxiliaries at low voltage in the power system and the acceptable reduced voltages in their secondary circuits at which the generation unit is capable of interoperation with the system. Upgrades of auxiliary systems are proposed which would enable interoperation of the unit and the system at significantly reduced system voltages

Experimental Verification of the Concept of Using LOFAR Radio-Telescopes as Receivers in Passive Radiolocation Systems

The paper presents a new idea of using a low-frequency radio-telescope belonging to the LOFAR network as a receiver in a passive radar system. The structure of a LOFAR radio-telescope station is described in the context of applying this radio-telescope for detection of aerial (airplanes) and space (satellite) targets. The theoretical considerations and description of the proposed signal processing schema for the passive radar based on a LOFAR radio-telescope are outlined in the paper. The results of initial experiments verifying the concept of a LOFAR station use as a receiver and a commercial digital radio broadcasting (DAB) transmitters as illuminators of opportunity for aerial object detection are presented

Start-Up Accelerators and Their Impact on Sustainability: Literature Analysis and Case Studies from the Energy Sector

Start-up accelerators are units supporting entrepreneurs (substantively, financially, legally, and organizationally) in establishing and running young and innovative companies such as start-ups. The commencing energy crisis has led to the need for energy savings, as well as the need to change energy policies and implement energy transformation, creating a wide field for start-ups and start-up accelerators. Making full use of potentially innovative solutions developed by start-ups is, in turn, essential for energy giants and related accelerators in the market. This has created the need for specific research in this direction. Therefore, in this paper we review the literature for 2011–2021 with respect to the role of accelerators supporting start-ups. A survey based on the Scopus database resulted in the identification of 76 papers on accelerators. Particular attention was paid to aspects of sustainable development (economic, social, and environmental). The analysis indicated that 75 works dealt with the economic aspects, 35 focused on social aspects, and only 5 focused on environmental aspects. Due to the perceived gap related to the small number of works dealing with environmental aspects, a decision was made to analyse the energy sector and the methods of operation of accelerators in this sector. Three models found in the market that were used by energy companies to cooperate with start-ups were characterized, along with their goals, in an attempt to enable an improved understanding as to which acceleration model best fits a manager’s organization. The models were supported by case studies—a model of commercial cooperation between a corporation and an external accelerator, a model of creating a corporate accelerator within an internal structure, and a hybrid model