Releasing wind farm equity via post-construction yield analysis

During pre-construction yield analysis, an extrapolated site wind regime is applied to a site model in order to produce estimated yield figures. However, once the site has been operational, many of the uncertainties involved in this modelling, such as electrical losses, wake losses, turbulence and power performance, may be resolved into measured operational parameters. This means that off-site anemometry may be directly related to power production on the site. In a post-construction yield analysis, the pre-construction figures are refined using actual operational data. This allows: a) The initial yield report figures to be reassessed in the light of wind farm performance, and b) The uncertainties associated with annual yield figures to be reduced and understood more fully. This increasing reduction in uncertainty allows improvements in financial modelling to take place over the operational life of the wind farm, releasing equity from the wind farm investmen

Observer theory and control system design

Imperial Users onl

Corn Stover Nutrient Removal Estimates for Central Iowa, USA

One of the most frequent producer-asked questions to those persons striving to secure sustainable corn (Zea mays L.) stover feedstock supplies for Iowa’s new bioenergy conversion or other bio-product facilities is “what quantity of nutrients will be removed if I harvest my stover?” Our objective is to summarize six years of field research from central Iowa, U.S.A. where more than 600, 1.5 m2 samples were collected by hand and divided into four plant fractions: vegetative material from the ear shank upward (top), vegetative material from approximately 10 cm above the soil surface to just below the ear (bottom), cobs, and grain. Another 400 stover samples, representing the vegetative material collected directly from a single-pass combine harvesting system or from stover bales were also collected and analyzed. All samples were dried, ground, and analyzed to determine C, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Al, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn concentrations. Mean concentration and dry matter estimates for each sample were used to calculate nutrient removal and estimate fertilizer replacement costs which averaged $25.06,$20.04, $16.62,$19.40, and $27.41 Mg−1 for top, bottom, cob, stover, and grain fractions, respectively. We then used the plant fraction estimates to compare various stover harvest scenarios and provide an answer to the producer question posed above

An investigation into the merits of fuzzy logic control versus classical control.

A project report submitted to the Faculty of Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Engineering.Up to now the benefits and problems with fuzzy control have not been fully identified and its role in the control domain needs investigation. The past trend has been to show that a fuzzy controller can provide better control than classical control, without examining what is actually being achieved. The aim in this project report is to give a fair comparison between classical and fuzzy control. Robustness, disturbance rejection, noise suppression" nonminimurn phase and dead time are examined for both controllers. The comparison is performed through computer simulation of classical and fuzzy controlled plant models. Fuzzy control has the advantage of non-linear performance and the ability to capture linguistic information. Translating quantitative information into the fuzzy domain is difficult; therefore when the system is easily mathematically modelled and linear, classical control is usually better. Which controller should be used depends on the application, control designer and information available.Andrew Chakane 201

The Applied Use of Wearable Technology in Elite Female Ice Hockey

Introduction: The use of wearable technology is increasing in the world of elite sport. The incorporation of evidence-based approaches to training has become a critical component in many competitive sports, including ice hockey. Despite its global popularity, ice hockey remains a neglected area of applied sport science research. Objective: (1) To investigate the applied use of wearable technology in world-class female ice hockey; (2) build a strong foundation of applied literature using elite female subjects in an under-researched sport; and (3) provide information to sports science practitioners and coaches to better inform the preparation of athletes. Methods: This study involved retrospective, secondary data analysis of four years of on-ice training and competition sessions from Hockey Canadas National Womens Team. Chapter three (Manuscript One) focuses on one full season of data and compares forwards and defensive players in various measures of internal and external load. Chapter four (Manuscript Two) uses data from one pre-season to investigate the differences in on-ice external load between sub-elite and elite female athletes. Chapter five (Manuscript Three) uses competition data to determine the differences in external load measures based on match outcome. Results: The first major finding was that there were differences in both internal and external load measures between training and competition. Forwards had both higher volumes and intensities than defense in both training and competition. Furthering our understanding of the on-ice demands of training and competition, it was found that apparent differences exist between sub-elite and elite athletes in measures of external load. Elite ice hockey players had significantly higher measures for intensity-based measures of external load. The importance of on-ice intensity was additionally supported by examining external load measures in relation to match outcome. Conclusions: This is the first study that investigated the use of wearable technology in elite female ice hockey. This data provides a solid groundwork for the continued pursuit of applied sports science in ice hockey. Each of the studies contributes to the existing evidence of athlete monitoring and athlete preparation using wearable technology and the study of elite female athletes

The Role Fitness Testing Plays in Team Selection of Elite Female Ice Hockey Players

The purpose of this study was to determine the role off-ice testing plays in team selection of elite female ice hockey athletes. The odds of being selected to the team were significantly higher for age (OR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.19-1.35), height (OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.02-1.10), fat percentage (OR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.86-0.96), estimated maximum oxygen consumption (VO2 max) from 20m shuttle run (OR = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.03-1.19), bench press (OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.06-1.34), chin-ups (OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.08-1.22), squat vertical jump (OR = 2.63, 95% CI = 1.61-4.28), countermovement vertical jump (OR = 2.33, 95% CI = 1.47-3.70), drop jump (OR = 2.47, 95% CI = 1.53-3.97). The results of this analysis suggest that improvements in aerobic fitness, upper body strength, lower body power will increase a player’s odds of being selected for the team