Decentralized Control Framework for Mitigation of the Power-Flow Fluctuations at the Integration Point of Smart Grids

In this paper, a decentralized control framework for reducing power-flow fluctuations at the integration point of DC smart microgrids (SMGs) is proposed. The output powers of non-dispatchable renewable energy resources are unpredictable and vary time to time. In this work, plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) are employed as distributed energy storage systems (DESSs) in order to minimize the power-flow fluctuations at the integration point. In this regards, the proposed control system increases the charging rates of PEVs in excess power generation and reduces the charging rates in power shortage. The simulations are performed using Matlab/Simulink. According to the simulation results, the proposed method is able to lessen the fluctuations. It also reduces the dependency of SMGs on the main grid and improves the overall power quality in the main power systems as it minimizes the integration point power-flow fluctuations. © 2019 IEEE

A Distributed Control System for Enhancing Smart-grid Resiliency using Electric Vehicles

This paper presents a decentralized control system based on cooperative control for managing the discharging rates of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) during islanding mode. Since energy storage systems (ESSs) are essential for the microgrids relying on renewable energies, it is assumed that the smart microgrid (SMG) is equipped with one main ESS. It is also assumed that several PEVs are connected to the grid via bidirectional controllable chargers, considering the proliferation of PEVs. In case of islanding, the proposed method controls the discharging rates of the PEVs to decrease the output power of the main ESS. This leads to an enhancement in the grid ride-through-ability, and consequently, its resiliency since the SMG can longer supply the loads in islanding mode. The proposed method is evaluated utilizing Matlab/Simulink. According to the simulation results, the advantages and disadvantages of the proposed control system are presented and discussed. © 2019 IEEE

Human amniotic membrane for guided bone regeneration of calvarial defects in mice

Due to its biological properties, human amniotic membrane (hAM) is widely studied in the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. hAM is already very attractive for wound healing and it may be helpful as a support for bone regeneration. However, few studies assessed its potential for guided bone regeneration (GBR). The purpose of the present study was to assess the potential of the hAM as a membrane for GBR. In vitro, cell viability in fresh and cryopreserved hAM was assessed. In vivo, we evaluated the impact of fresh versus cryopreserved hAM, using both the epithelial or the mesenchymal layer facing the defect, on bone regeneration in a critical calvarial bone defect in mice. Then, the efficacy of cryopreserved hAM associated with a bone substitute was compared to a collagen membrane currently used for GBR. In vitro, no statistical difference was observed between the conditions concerning cell viability. Without graft material, cryopreserved hAM induced more bone formation when the mesenchymal layer covered the defect compared to the defect left empty. When associated with a bone substitute, such improved bone repair was not observed. These preliminary results suggest that cryopreserved hAM has a limited potential for GBR