A neural network based technique for short-term forecasting of anomalous load periods

The paper illustrates a part of the research activity conducted by authors in the field of electric Short Term Load Forecasting (STLF) based on Artificial Neural Network (ANN) architectures. Previous experiences with basic ANN architectures have shown that, even though these architectures provide results comparable with those obtained by human operators for most normal days, they evidence some accuracy deficiencies when applied to ''anomalous'' load conditions occurring during holidays and long weekends. For these periods a specific procedure based upon a combined (unsupervised/supervised) approach has been proposed. The unsupervised stage provides a preventive classification of the historical load data by means of a Kohonen's Self Organizing Map (SOM) The supervised stage, performing the proper forecasting activity, is obtained by using a multi-layer perceptron with a backpropagation learning algorithm similar to the ones above mentioned. The unconventional use of information deriving from the classification stage permits the proposed procedure to obtain a relevant enhancement of the forecast accuracy for anomalous load situations

Diventare ingegnere un gioco da ragazze

La mancanza di ragazze nelle facoltà tecnico-scientifiche ha un costo economico e sociale molto alto, questo è ormai un dato di fatto di cui sono consapevoli anche i governi. Alla Sapienza alcune donne hanno cercato di capire cosa c'è che non va e cosa si può fare per cambiar

Dalla realizzazione dello spazio europeo della ricerca allo sviluppo economico. Verso il superamento degli squilibri di genere: il caso dell’Università La Sapienza

La realizzazione dell’European Research Area (ERA) si basa su cinque priorità, interrelate e interdipendenti e che dovrebbero essere implementate in maniera sinergica sia a livello di Stati membri sia di singola istituzione in ciascun Paese. Per le singole università o centri di ricerca, le priorità richiedono l’allocazione dei fondi su base competitiva, trasparente e basata su peer-review internazionale, la pubblicizzazione delle open position a livello internazionale, l’accesso, lo sviluppo e il trasferimento di conoscenza attraverso strumenti digitali e l’implementazione di un Gender Equality Plan (GEP) di ateneo. Il lavoro richiama brevemente le interrelazioni esistenti tra superamento degli squilibri di genere e sviluppo economico. Delinea le caratteristiche di genere di Sapienza Università di Roma, il più grande ateneo d’Europa, che rappresenta circa il 7% del sistema universitario italiano, anche in relazione alle medie Europea e Italiana. Propone alcune misure per incrementare l'accesso delle ragazze alle facoltà scientifiche e tecnologiche e mitigare gli effetti della segregazione orizzontale. Presenta infine le principali misure di policy che potrebbero favorire l’implementazione dell’ERA, delineando un GEP adeguato a far convergere le strategie di un grande ateneo con quelle indicate dall’ERA, per generare occupazione e crescita in un Paese con ancora troppo bassi livelli di investimento in Ricerca e Sviluppo e senza slanci per il futuro, come dimostra il modesto obiettivo del 1.5% per il 2020 (Comunicazione della Commissione Europea COM 2014 339 del 10 giugno 2014)

Studi di espansione ottima di sistemi di trasmissione mediante metodi non lineari

The paper illustrates the main characteristics of linear and mixed integer-linear programming for optimal computer-aided expansion planning of transmission networks. Attention is first drawn to the theory of mixed programming, with special reference to technical-economical constraints and the objective function adopted for electric power systems. The results of simulations on model networks are then presented, which illustrate - also by means of comparisons with linear methods - the efficiency of mixed programming to take into account some specific needs for expansion planning. Special attention is paid to cases where preestablished planning horizon should be divided into several time intervals (equivalent to intermediate developments of the future network) and to cases where functions other than the linear one should be considered for capital investment costs associated with transmission lines. Finally, a criterion for reducing both computation time and core storage occupation is proposed

Service Continuity in Hospitals: Overload Risks in Operating Theaters

The paper presents features and protections that the system shall to have in operating theaters and intensive care units (group 2 medical locations) to avoid power outage for fault due to ground faults, overcurrents and overvoltages and interference problems to medical electrical (ME) equipment due to electromagnetic compatibility. The overload, in contrast to the faults, can be predicted; it is due to an improper use of equipment, showing a lack of planning. An analysis of surgery operation types by monitoring their electrical load diagrams is important to identify eventual overloads risks, which involve the automatic disconnection. The implementation, by simulation programs, of different set of ME equipment is possible after a recording campaign of every ME equipment load diagrams, present in the operating rooms ORs. The authors suggest defining an electrical classification of surgery operation types in relation to the overload risk, independent and complementary to the medical classification

A New Methodology For The Optimal Transmission Planning

The paper describes a new procedure for solving a long-term transmission expansion planning problem in a market environment. The main feature analyzed is the evaluation of transmission system flexibility indexes, that define the attitude to use branches residual power capability when new power injections, in a defined nodes set, occur. The procedure, based on the use of Genetic Algorithms (GA), has been tested on some simple networks; in the paper some preliminary test results are presented

Renewable energy integration system: Economic, environmental and energetic assessments

The paper deals with an efficient energy management system that, starting from the analysis of current consumption patterns, suggests how to improve the overall energy efficiency of an industrial site

Voltage harmonic distortion in HV grids supplying dc railway lines

The paper reports some results of an experimental assessment conducted in order to evaluate the effects of various railway system operating conditions on power absorption and voltage harmonic distortion. It is also presented a deterministic methodology for assessing, with acceptable approximation, voltage harmonic distortion levels such as those commonly evaluated on the basis of few data available for a feasibility study of a new railway power supply system or a change in network configuration. A preliminary comparison between simulation and measurement results is finally reported

Harmonic amplitude and harmonic phase angles monitored in an electrified subway system during rush-hours traffic

The paper reports some results of a monitoring activity conducted on the subway system of Rome. Both harmonic amplitudes and phase angles have been monitored at one of the five service entrances during the rush-hours traffic. The subway system provides two railway lines supplied at 1.5 kV DC through several AC/DC converter substations. The power supply of the system is provided at medium voltage level (20 kV) from five different connections to the public grid. Fourteen electrical conversion substations provide the total demand of about 20 MW of the system. The obtained results show that the analysis of harmonic amplitude and in particular harmonic phase angles versus time and scatter plots are useful to better characterize this system and to understand the behaviour of such large non linear loads