Simulation of power station protection equipment

Computer programs have been developed to enable the coordination of fuses and overcurrent relays for radial power systems under estimated fault current conditions. The grading curves for these protection devices can be produced on a graphics terminal and a hard copy can be obtained. Additional programs have also been developed which could be used to assess the validity of relay settings (obtained under the above conditions) when the transient effect is included. Modelling of a current transformer is included because transformer saturation may occur if the fault current is high, and hence the secondary current is distorted. Experiments were carried out to confirm that distorted currents will affect the relay operating time, and it is shown that if the relay current contains only a small percentage of harmonic distortion, the relay operating time is increased. System equations were arranged to enable the model to predict fault currents with a generator transformer incorporated in the system, and also to include the effect of circuit breaker opening, arcing resistance, and earthing resistance. A fictitious field winding was included to enable more accurate prediction of fault currents when the system is operating at both lagging and leading power factors prior to the occurrence of the fault

Organic-inorganic hybrid solution-processed H2-evolving photocathodes

Here we report for the first time an H2-evolving photocathode fabricated by a solution-processed organic inorganic hybrid composed of CdSe and P3HT. The CdSe:P3HT (10:1 (w/w)) hybrid bulk heterojunction treated with 1,2-ethanedithiol (EDT) showed efficient water reduction and hydrogen generation. A photocurrent of -1.24 mA/cm(2) at 0 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (V-RHE), EQE of 15%, and an unprecedented V-oc of 0.85 V-RHE under illumination of AM1.5G (100 mW/cm(2)) in mild electrolyte were observed. Time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL), internal quantum efficiency (IQE), and transient photocurrent measurements were carried out to clarify the carrier dynamics of the hybrids. The exciton lifetime of CdSe was reduced by one order of magnitude in the hybrid blend, which is a sign of the fast charge separation upon illumination. By comparing the current magnitude of the solid-state devices and water-splitting devices made with identical active layers, we found that the interfaces of the water-splitting devices limit the device performance. The electron/hole transport properties investigated by comparing IQE spectra upon front- and back-side illumination evidenced balanced electron/hole transport. The Faradaic efficiency is 80-100% for the hybrid photocathodes with Pt catalysts and similar to 70% for the one without Pt catalysts

High performance photoelectrochemical hydrogen generation and solar cells with a double type II heterojunction

We report on the fabrication of CdSe quantum dot (QD) sensitized electrodes by direct adsorption of colloidal QDs on mesoporous TiO2 followed by 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) ligand exchange. High efficiency photoelectrochemical hydrogen generation is demonstrated by means of these electrodes. The deposition of ZnS on TiO2/CdSe further improves the external quantum efficiency from 63% to 85% at 440 nm under -0.5 V vs. SCE. Using the same photoelectrodes, solar cells with the internal quantum efficiency approaching 100% are fabricated. The ZnS deposition increases the photocurrent and chemical stability of the electrodes. Investigation of the carrier dynamics of the solar cells shows that ZnS enhances the exciton separation rate in CdSe nanocrystals, which we ascribe to the formation of a type II heterojunction between ZnS and CdSe QDs. This finding is confirmed by the dynamics of the CdSe photoluminescence, which in the presence of ZnS becomes noticeably faster

Profit maximization for large-scale energy storage systems to enable fast EV charging infrastructure in distribution networks

Large-scale integration of battery energy storage systems (BESS) in distribution networks has the potential to enhance the utilization of photovoltaic (PV) power generation and mitigate the negative effects caused by electric vehicles (EV) fast charging behavior. This paper presents a novel deep reinforcement learning-based power scheduling strategy for BESS which is installed in an active distribution network. The network includes fast EV charging demand, PV power generation, and electricity arbitrage from main grid. The aim is to maximize the profit of BESS operator whilst maintaining voltage limits. The novel strategy adopts a Twin Delayed Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient (TD3) algorithm and requires forecasted PV power generation and EV smart charging demand. The proposed strategy is compared with Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient (DDPG), Particle Swarm Optimization and Simulated Annealing algorithms to verify its effectiveness. Case studies are conducted with smart EV charging dataset from Project Shift (UK Power Networks Innovation) and the UK photovoltaic dataset. The Internal Rate of Return results with TD3 and DDPG algorithms are 9.46% and 8.69%, respectively, which show that the proposed strategy can enhance power scheduling and outperforms the mainstream methods in terms of reduced levelized cost of storage and increased net present value

Energy management considering multiple power markets and microgrid storage

The operational cost of a microgrid is significantly influenced by the response of storage systems and the complexities of the power market’s tariff structures. This paper addresses the challenges arising from the coexistence of new market entries and traditional tariffs, which contribute to a complex market environment. To tackle this issue, the paper establishes a microgrid market environment encompassing four types of tariffs. By modeling the response of electric storage and cold storage in a microgrid, the study formulates a non-linear mixed-integer optimization problem. Numerical studies are then conducted to verify the model and analyze market performance. The results reveal a trade-off in behavior among different market entries when optimizing the total cost of microgrid operation. These findings shed light on the complexities and trade-offs involved in microgrid operational cost optimization within a diverse market environment, offering valuable insights for market participants

Dynamics of Gut Microbiota and Clinical Variables after Ketogenic and Mediterranean Diets in Drug-Naïve Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Obesity

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), the most common form of diabetes, is a progressive chronic metabolic disease that has increasingly spread worldwide, enhancing the mortality rate, particularly from cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Lifestyle improvement through diet and physical activity is, together with drug treatment, the cornerstone of T2DM management. The Mediterranean diet (MD), which favors a prevalence of unprocessed vegetable foods and a reduction in red meats and industrial foods, without excluding any food category, is usually recommended. Recently, scientific societies have promoted a very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD), a multiphasic protocol that limits carbohydrates and then gradually re-introduces them, with a favorable outcome on body weight and metabolic parameters. Indeed, gut microbiota (GM) modifications have been linked to overweight/obesity and metabolic alterations typical of T2DM. Diet is known to affect GM largely, but only a few studies have investigated the effects of VLCKD on GM, especially in T2DM. In this study, we have compared anthropometric, biochemical, lifestyle parameters, the quality of life, and the GM of eleven patients with recently diagnosed T2DM and overweight or obesity, randomly assigned to two groups of six and five patients who followed the VLCKD (KETO) or hypocaloric MD (MEDI) respectively; parameters were recorded at baseline (T0) and after two (T2) and three months (T3). The results showed that VLCKD had more significant beneficial effects than MD on anthropometric parameters, while biochemical improvements did not statistically differ. As for the GM, despite the lack of significant results regarding the alpha and beta diversity, and the Firmicutes/Bacteroidota ratio between the two groups, in the KETO group, a significant increase in beneficial microbial taxa such as Verrucomicrobiota phylum with its members Verrucomicrobiae, Verrucomicrobiales, Akkermansiaceae, and Akkermansia, Christensenellaceae family, Eubacterium spp., and a reduction in microbial taxa previously associated with obesity (Firmicutes and Actinobacteriota) or other diseases (Alistipes) was observed both at T2 and T3. With regards to the MEDI group, variations were limited to a significant increase in Actinobacteroidota phylum at T2 and T3 and Firmicutes phylum at T3. Moreover, a metagenomic alteration linked to some metabolic pathways was found exclusively in the KETO group. In conclusion, both dietary approaches allowed patients to improve their state of health, but VLCKD has shown better results on body composition as well as on GM profile

NGHIÊN CỨU THỰC NGHIỆM TÁC DỤNG GIẢM CHẤN CỦA CÔNG TRÌNH CHỊU TẢI TRỌNG SÓNG XUNG KÍCH DƯỚI NƯỚC Ở QUẦN ĐẢO TRƯỜNG SA

Research on the problem of load damping of the structures under the effect of shock waves in environment generally and in water particularly is important and necessary for military structures and buildings of inhabitants. If properly designed and having solution to reduce the effects of the blast wave, general structures will be increased markedly and reduce ability of being destroyed. One of the solutions to reduce the effects of the blast wave is to glue layers of material having capable of absorbing blast waves onto the structures. The theoretical and empirical studies are currently less pronounced due to many different reasons. This paper presents modeling and experimental results from the underwater explosion topic KC09.06/11-15 in Truong Sa archipelago to determine the damping effect of the structure modeling is designed with layers of featured material on  its surface.Nghiên cứu về vấn đề giảm chấn của công trình dưới tác dụng của sóng xung kích trong các môi trường nói chung và môi trường nước nói riêng đều quan trọng và cần thiết đối với công trình quân sự và dân sinh. Nếu được thiết kế hợp lý và có các biện pháp làm giảm tác dụng của sóng nổ thì sức sống của công trình được tăng lên rõ rệt, khả năng bị phá hủy giảm. Một trong những giải pháp giảm tác dụng của sóng nổ là dán lớp vât liệu có khả năng hấp thụ sóng nổ lên kết cấu công trình. Các công trình lý thuyết và thực nghiệm về vấn đề này hiện ít được công bố do nhiều nguyên nhân khác nhau. Bài báo trình bày mô hình và kết quả thí nghiệm nổ dưới nước từ đề tài KC09.06/11-15 tại khu vực Trường Sa nhằm xác định tác dụng giảm chấn của mô hình công trình được thiết kế lớp vật liệu đặc trưng trên bề mặt