Research on grid challenges and smart grid development: the case of Sichuan grid

As the most important driving force of modern social development and a significant symbol of modern civilization, electric power is in booming demand. Furthermore, electric power is a complex system which integrates power generation, power transmission, power distribution and power utilization together and achieves generation, transmission, distribution and utilization instantaneously at the same time. It notably features with network industry and network economy. Power grid is a hub which links electricity production and electricity consumption in the power system. On the basis of basic theories of network industry and network economy, this thesis discusses the development of smart grid from the aspects of “network challenges”, resources and energy challenges and new energy access challenges encountered and counter-measures in the development of modern grid. Based on the development environment of China power, especially the Sichuan power grid, and spatial mismatching of power supply and demand (including new energy resources and distribution), this thesis analyzes and explains China (Sichuan) smart grid is strong smart grid which has UHV power grid as the backbone frame, and features information technology, and automation.Devido ao facto de ser uma força impulsionadora do desenvolvimento económico e um simbolo muito importante da civilização moderna, a procura de electricidade tem aumentado consideravelmente nas últimas décadas. Contudo, a energia elétrica é um sistema complexo que integra geração, transmissão, distribuição e implica que a oferta e a procura sejam simultâneas. A indústria da electricidade tem muitas características da economia em rede. A rede elétrica deve ser vista como um “hub” que liga a produção de electricidade ao seu consumo. Tendo por base, as teorias da indústria em rede e da economia em rede, esta tese discute o desenvolvimento das redes elétricas segundo as perspectivas dos “desafios que se colocam às redes”, dos desafios em termos de recursos e dos desafios que se colocam ao desenvolvimento da rede elétrica moderna. Esta tese estuda de uma forma detalhada os problemas relacionados com a construção de uma rede elétrica inteligente na província de Sichuan, China

Bacteria Through Obstacles: Unifying Fluxes, Entropy Production, and Extractable Work in Living Active Matter

Thermodynamic equilibrium is a unique state characterized by time-reversal symmetry, which enforces zero fluxes and prohibits work extraction from a single thermal bath. By virtue of being microscopically out of equilibrium, active matter challenges these defining characteristics of thermodynamic equilibrium. Although time irreversibility, fluxes, and extractable work have been observed separately in various non-equilibrium systems, a comprehensive understanding of these quantities and their interrelationship in the context of living matter remains elusive. Here, by combining experiments, simulations, and theory, we study the correlation between these three quantities in a single system consisting of swimming Escherichia coli navigating through funnel-shaped obstacles. We show that the interplay between geometric constraints and bacterial swimming breaks time-reversal symmetry, leading to the emergence of local mass fluxes. Using an harmonically trapped colloid coupled weakly to bacterial motion, we demonstrate that the amount of extractable work depends on the deviation from equilibrium as quantified by fluxes and entropy production. We propose a minimal mechanical model and a generalized mass transfer relation for bacterial rectification that quantitatively explains experimental observations. Our study provides a microscopic understanding of bacterial rectification and uncovers the intrinsic relation between time irreversibility, fluxes, and extractable work in living systems far from equilibrium.Comment: 19 pages, 10 figure

Generative design in building information modelling (BIM) : approaches and requirements

The integration of generative design (GD) and building information modelling (BIM), as a new technology consolidation, can facilitate the constructability of GD’s automatic design solutions, while improving BIM’s capability in the early design phase. Thus, there has been an increasing interest to study GD-BIM, with current focuses mainly on exploring applications and investigating tools. However, there are a lack of studies regarding methodological relationships and skill requirement based on different development objectives or GD properties; thus, the threshold of developing GD-BIM still seems high. This study conducts a critical review of current approaches for developing GD in BIM, and analyses methodological relationships, skill requirements, and improvement of GD-BIM development. Accordingly, novel perspectives of objective-oriented, GD component-based, and skill-driven GD-BIM development as well as reference guides are proposed. Finally, future research directions, challenges, and potential solutions are discussed. This research aims to guide designers in the building industry to properly determine approaches for developing GD-BIM and inspire researchers’ future studies