Combined Peak Reduction and Self-Consumption Using Proximal Policy Optimization

Residential demand response programs aim to activate demand flexibility at the household level. In recent years, reinforcement learning (RL) has gained significant attention for these type of applications. A major challenge of RL algorithms is data efficiency. New RL algorithms, such as proximal policy optimisation (PPO), have tried to increase data efficiency. Additionally, combining RL with transfer learning has been proposed in an effort to mitigate this challenge. In this work, we further improve upon state-of-the-art transfer learning performance by incorporating demand response domain knowledge into the learning pipeline. We evaluate our approach on a demand response use case where peak shaving and self-consumption is incentivised by means of a capacity tariff. We show our adapted version of PPO, combined with transfer learning, reduces cost by 14.51% compared to a regular hysteresis controller and by 6.68% compared to traditional PPO.Comment: Submitted to Elsevier Energy and A

A SAS Program Combining R Functionalities to Implement Pattern-Mixture Models

Pattern-mixture models have gained considerable interest in recent years. Patternmixture modeling allows the analysis of incomplete longitudinal outcomes under a variety of missingness mechanisms. In this manuscript, we describe a SAS program which combines R functionalities to fit pattern-mixture models, considering the cases that missingness mechanisms are at random and not at random. Patterns are defined based on missingness at every time point and parameter estimation is based on a full group-bytime interaction. The program implements a multiple imputation method under so-called identifying restrictions. The code is illustrated using data from a placebo-controlled clinical trial. This manuscript and the program are directed to SAS users with minimal knowledge of the R language

Proof-of-concept demonstration of an all-optical de-multiplexer using III-V/SOI microdisk resonator fabricated in a CMOS pilot line

We present a proof-of-concept demonstration of all-optical de-multiplexing of a non-return-to zero 10Gbps data controlled by 2.5GHz clock in an ultra-small III-V-on-silicon microdisk fabricated in a CMOS pilot line

A tale of two charters

Charters are official commitments to quality and reform. Belgium introduced its Charter of the User of Public Services in 1993. The federal administration’s Copernicus reform began in 1999 and had a strong external outlook. It therefore may be considered as a second User Charter. In this article we focus on the administrative and political contingencies of the introduction of the two charters in Belgium. We show that actual administrative reform and political attention for administrative reform are distinct phenomena. Variations in political attention for reform depend on crises and on political realignment. Both charters were introduced in a period of disturbed relations between citizens and politics. The introduction of a User Charter and the launch of the Copernicus reform were definitely political events, and not merely administrative ones. A charter was needed to restore citizen-government relations. The charters, as pledges for reform, served as lightning rods for political discontent