Point estimate method for voltage unbalance evaluation in residential distribution networks with high penetration of small wind turbines

Voltage unbalance (VU) in residential distribution networks (RDNs) is mainly caused by load unbalance in three phases, resulting from network configuration and load-variations. The increasing penetration of distributed generation devices, such as small wind turbines (SWTs), and their uneven distribution over the three phases have introduced difficulties in evaluating possible VU. This paper aims to provide a three-phase probabilistic power flow method, point estimate method to evaluate the VU. This method, considering the randomness of load switching in customers’ homes and time-variation in wind speed, is shown to be capable of providing a global picture of a network’s VU degree so that it can be used for fast evaluation. Applying the 2m + 1 scheme of the proposed method to a generic UK distribution network shows that a balanced SWT penetration over three phases reduces the VU of a RDN. Greater unbalance in SWT penetration results in higher voltage unbalance factor (VUF), and cause VUF in excess of the UK statutory limit of 1.3%

The bryoflora of the Pinka Gorge

The River Pinka originates in eastern Austria and reaches the territory of Hungary at first near Felsőcsatár. The river cuts through the Nagyvilágos Hill forming a gorge. This unique landscape is home to special flora and fauna. The authors have been studying the bryophyte diversity and distribution patterns in the Pinka Gorge in April, July, and August of 2016 and in March, April and July of 2017. The examined area was ca. 2500 m long and maximum 60 m wide along the right side of the river. During the field study, altogether 140 bryophyte species – 115 Bryophyta and 25 Marchantiophyta species – were found in this highly valuable Natura 2000 territory. The main reason for the quite high bryophyte diversity may be the several different habitat types that can be found in this area. Authors succeeded in finding occurrences of several vulnerable and endangered species, such as Isothecium myosuroides Brid. (EN), Porella arboris-vitae (With.) Grolle (EN), Amphidium mougeotii (Bruch & Schimp.) Schimp. (VU), Bryum pallens Sw. ex anon. (VU), Leiocolea collaris (Nees) Schljakov (VU), Nowellia curvifolia (Dicks.) Mitt. (VU), Eurhynchium flotowianum (Sendtn.) Kartt. (VU), Orthotrichum patens Bruch ex Brid. (VU), Ulota bruchii Hornsch. ex Brid. (VU). The results emphasize the importance of further research in this area

Climate Change and Sustainable Agricultural Practices Program in Northern Vietnam: An Approach to Evaluation

Climate change is the biggest challenge to human beings. Among other Southeast Asia countries, Vietnam is considered to be one of the countries that has the most affected by climate change. Climate change is threatening the food security and agricultural development of Vietnam as well as affecting the country’s economy. Climate Change and Sustainable Agricultural Practices Program in Northern Vietnam: An Approach to Evaluation provides a brief review of the “Climate Change and Ethnic Minorities in Northern Vietnam” Project (CEMI), which is implemented by Agricultural Development Denmark Asia in collaboration with People and Nature Reconciliation in Dien Bien, Lai Chau and Son La provinces. The research focuses on the climate change problem in Vietnam; identifies some unsustainable agricultural practices that the ethnic farmers use and the sustainable practices that exist. From there, the paper will include the Term of Reference (TOR), which is a planning tool for Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) for the project. The TOR will include the project description of CEMI, stakeholders mapping and their participation level in the project, the theory of change of the project as well as the logical framework, the budget timeline, and approaches that are used to evaluate the project and data collection plan. This capstone paper is a course – linked paper that ties the research and M&E concepts together; how M&E has been applied to climate change indicators and some approaches that practitioners can use for the purpose of M&E