Analysis of Large Scale PV Systems with Energy Storage to a Utility Grid

With electric distribution network operators experiencing an exponential increase in distributed energy resource connections to the power grid, operational challenges arise attributable to the traditional methods of building distribution feeders. Photovoltaic (PV) solar systems are the major contributor due to recent technological advancements. Though this renewable energy resource is beneficial to human society, unfavorable electrical conditions can arise from the inherit variability of solar energy. Extreme variability of power injection can force excessive operations of voltage regulation equipment and potentially degrade customer voltage quality. If managed and controlled properly, battery energy storage systems installed on a distribution feeder have the ability to compliment solar generation and dampen the negative effects of solar generation. Now that customers are connecting their own generation, the traditional design assumption of load flowing from substation to customer is nullified. This research aims first to capture the maximum amount of generation that can be connected to a distribution feeder. Numerous deployments of generation scenarios are applied on six unique distribution feeders to conclude that hosting capacity is dependent on interconnect location. Then, existing controllers installed on voltage regulation equipment are modeled in detail. High resolution time series analysis driven from historical measurements is conducted on two contrasting feeders with specific PV generator deployments. With the proper modeling of on-load tap changer controls, excessive operations caused by extreme PV generation swings were captured. Several services that battery energy storage systems can provide when connected to an individual distribution feeder with significant PV generation include long term absorption of excessive PV generation, dynamic response to extreme PV generation ramping, and release of stored energy for system peak shaving. A centralized master energy coordinator is proposed with the ability to dispatch the battery system in such a fashion to implement each service throughout consecutive days of operation. This solution was built by integrating load and solar energy forecasting predictions in order to construct an optimum charging and discharging schedule that would maximize the asset’s lifespan. Multiple load and solar generation scenarios including a consecutive three day run is included to verify the robustness of this energy coordinator

Are interventions effective at improving driving in older drivers?: A systematic review

Background With the aging of the population, the number of older drivers is on the rise. This poses significant challenges for public health initiatives, as older drivers have a relatively higher risk for collisions. While many studies focus on developing screening tools to identify medically at-risk drivers, little research has been done to develop training programs or interventions to promote, maintain or enhance driving-related abilities among healthy individuals. The purpose of this systematic review is to synopsize the current literature on interventions that are tailored to improve driving in older healthy individuals by working on components of safe driving such as: self-awareness, knowledge, behaviour, skills and/or reducing crash/collision rates in healthy older drivers. Methods Relevant databases such as Scopus and PubMed databases were selected and searched for primary articles published in between January 2007 and December 2017. Articles were identified using MeSH search terms: ("safety" OR "education" OR "training" OR "driving" OR "simulator" OR "program" OR "countermeasures") AND ("older drivers" OR "senior drivers" OR "aged drivers" OR "elderly drivers"). All retrieved abstracts were reviewed, and full texts printed if deemed relevant. Results Twenty-five (25) articles were classified according to: 1) Classroom settings; 2) Computer-based training for cognitive or visual processing; 3) Physical training; 4) In-simulator training; 5) On-road training; and 6) Mixed interventions. Results show that different types of approaches have been successful in improving specific driving skills and/or behaviours. However, there are clear discrepancies on how driving performance/behaviours are evaluated between studies, both in terms of methods or dependent variables, it is therefore difficult to make direct comparisons between these studies. Conclusions This review identified strong study projects, effective at improving older drivers' performance and thus allowed to highlight potential interventions that can b- (undefined

A Centralized Energy Coordinator Reliant on BESS and DER-PV Operation

Abstract Many existing battery energy storage system (BESS) control schemes focus on mitigating negative impacts resulting from the operation of distributed energy resources-photovoltaic facilities (DER-PV). These include out-of-firm conditions from reverse power flow or extreme variability in the service voltage. Existing control strategies fail to consider how BESS control schemes need to operate in a consecutive day-to-day basis in order for them to be implemented in the field. In this paper, a novel energy management algorithm capable of dispatching a BESS unit upstream of a multi-megawatt DER-PV is introduced. This algorithm referenced as the Master Energy Coordinator (MEC), accepts forecasted DER-PV generation and individual feeder load to create daily charge and discharge rate schedules. Logic is integrated to the cyclic discharging event to sync with the forecasted peak load, even when it will occur during the morning of the next day. To verify the MEC operation, Quasi-Static Time Series (QSTS) simulations are conducted on a 12.47 kV distribution feeder model utilizing historical head-of-feeder and DER-PV analog DSCADA measurements

The Effect of Student-Run Vision Screenings on Ophthalmic Education and Recognition of Visual Impairment

Objective: For many in the United States, standard health insurance does not cover eyecare, leading to lapses in care and exacerbations of pre-existing conditions. Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine (TouroCOM) recognizes the importance of ocular health and offers the opportunity to engage the community through student-run vision screenings. This study aims to assess the effect of medical student-run vision screenings in supplementing pre-clinical education and to review health fair data on common vision pathologies seen in Harlem, New York.Methods: Pre- and post-surveys were administered to medical student volunteers to assess their comfort in performing a basic vision screening. Training was given in regards to screening protocols and applied at health fairs.Results: 90% of medical students (n=20) indicated discomfort in performing a basic vision screening when solely relying on their preclinical coursework. In comparison, after a training session and use during a health fair, 100% (n=20) indicated that they were comfortable with performing a vision screening.  60% of health fair participants (n=193) met referral criteria in requiring further testing or follow-up care. 100% of participants had some degree of refractive error, with 6% (n=7) having concomitant color vision abnormality and 9% (n=11) with macular abnormalities.Conclusion: Osteopathic medical students are better equipped to perform basic vision screenings and recognize visual disease with additional training and practice at health fairs. This engagement allows for early clinical experience, osteopathic outreach, and interprofessionalism. Furthermore, this provides an opportunity for community members to receive information that may guide future health decisions

The quantified-Self and wearable technologies in the workplace: implications and challenges for their implementations

Introduction of technologies in the workplace have led to a dramatic change. These changes have come with an increased capacity to gather data about one’s working performance (i.e. productivity), as well as the capacity to track one’s personal responses (i.e. emotional, physiological, etc.) to this changing workplace environment. This movement of self-monitoring or self-sensing using diverse types of wearable sensors combined with the use of computing has been identified as the Quantified-Self. Miniaturization of sensors, reduction in cost and a non-stop increase in the computer power capacity has led to a panacea of wearables and sensors to track and analyze all types of information. Utilized in the personal sphere to track information, a looming question remains, should employers use the information from the Quantified-Self to track their employees’ performance or well-being in the workplace and will this benefit employees? The aim of the present work is to layout the implications and challenges associated with the use of Quantified-Self information in the workplace. The Quantified-Self movement has enabled people to understand their personal life better by tracking multiple information and signals; such an approach could allow companies to gather knowledge on what drives productivity for their business and/or well-being of their employees. A discussion about the implications of this approach will cover 1) Monitoring health and well-being, 2) Oversight and safety, and 3) Mentoring and training. Challenges will address the question of 1) Privacy and Acceptability, 2) Scalability and 3) Creativity. Even though many questions remain regarding their use in the workplace, wearable technologies and Quantified-Self data in the workplace represent an exciting opportunity for the industry and health and safety practitioners who will be using them

Productivity in older versus younger workers: A systematic literature review

BACKGROUND: Worldwide ageing and thus, workforce ageing, is a concern for both developed and developing nations.OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current research was to determine, through a systematic literature review, the effects of age in three dimensions that are often used to define or assess productivity at work.METHODS: PICO framework was used to generate search strategies, inclusion criteria and terms. Scopus and PubMed databases were used. Peer-reviewed journal papers written in English and published (or in press) between January 2014 and December 2018 were included.RESULTS: After filtering through inclusion criteria, 74 papers were included in the review. Considering productivity, 41% of the findings showed no differences between younger and older workers, 31% report better productivity of younger workers and 28% reported that older workers had better productivity than younger workers. Performance was better in older workers (58%), presenteeism generally showed no significant differences between age groups (61%). Absenteeism was the only outcome where younger workers outperformed older workers (43%).CONCLUSION: Overall, there was no difference in productivity between older and younger workers. Older workers performed better than younger workers, but had more absenteeism, while presenteeism showed no differences. As ageing has come to workplaces, holistic approaches addressing total health are suggested to overcome the worldwide workforce ageing phenomenon.This work was supported by the Mutual de Seguridad C.Ch.C en el marco del fondo "Proyectos de Investigacion e Innovacion SUSESO". "Trabajo fue seleccionado en la Convocatoria de Proyectos de Investigacion e Innovaci ' on de Prevencion de Accidentes y Enfermedades Profesionales "2017" de la Superintendencia de Seguridad Social (Chile), y fue financiado por "Mutual de la C.Ch.C" con recursos del Seguro Social de la Ley No 16.744 de Accidentes del Trabajo y Enfermedades Profesionales"