Artificial Intelligence Based Load Scheduling for Plugged in Electric Vehicles in Smart Grid

Plugged in Electric Vehicles (PHEV’s) are enormously eco friendly and highly appreciated transportation system in various developed countries. The PHEV’s integration into the conventional grid required significant modifications in order to control load shedding, reducing unit cost, even out peak demands in quest to make a grid reliable. Recent research studies are mainly focusing to counter these issues by employing multi objective optimization techniques. The objective of this method is to reduce demand; energy cost and enhances the presence of PHEV’s for charging and discharging by creating substantial scheduling vector. This research work has proposed split scheduling vector to charge and discharge an EV, to achieve the required results by minimizing peak to average demand ratio (PAR) and generate profit for the owners by decreasing the total energy cost

A robust vehicle to grid aggregation framework for electric vehicles charging cost minimization and for smart grid regulation

In this paper, we propose an optimal hierarchical bi-directional aggregation algorithm for the electric vehicles (EVs) integration in the smart grid (SG) using Vehicle to Grid (V2G) technology through a network of Charging Stations (CSs). The proposed model forecasts the power demand and performs Day-ahead (DA) load scheduling in the SG by optimizing EVs charging/discharging tasks. This method uses EVs and CSs as the voltage and frequency stabilizing tools in the SG. Before penetrating EVs in the V2G mode, this algorithm determines the on arrival EVs State of Charge (SOC) at CS, obtains projected park/departure time information from EV owners, evaluates their battery degradation cost prior to charging. After obtaining all necessary data, it either uses EV in the V2G mode to regulates the SG or charge it according to the owner request but, it ensure desired SOC on departure. The robustness of the proposed algorithm has been tested by using IEEE-32 Bus-Bars based power distribution in which EVs are integrated through five CSs. Two intense case studies have been carried out for the appropriate performance validation of the proposed algorithm. Simulations are performed using electricity pricing data from PJM and to test the EVs behaviour 3 types of EVs having different specifications are penetrated. Simulation results have proved that the proposed model is capable of integrating EVs in the voltage and frequency stabilization and it also simultaneously minimizes approximately $1500 in term of charging cost for EVs contributing in the V2G mode each day. Particularly, during peak hours this algorithm provides effective grid stabilization services.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Do web-based pedagogical tools promote self-regulated learning in university students : a case study of the learning management system at National University of Sciences and Technology in Islamabad, Pakistan

Master's thesis Global development and planning UT505 - University of Agder 2017Education forms the core of all developmental activities. There exists a strong relationship between education and socio-economic development. However, only the education that prepares individuals which contribute to the society has the potential to unriddle dismal economic growth in the developing countries. The education system in most of the developing countries can be streamlined by employing technology to facilitate the learning processes. Hence an indirect yet a decisive role of technology for better education which paves the way to socio-economic development cannot be denied. Many universities even though they have employed technology into their education system continuously fail to establish effective learning process for the students. Therefore, this study has been conducted aiming to address a similar issue and to examine the use of the LMS at the National University of Sciences and Technology in Islamabad, Pakistan. The study essentially examines whether the use of the Learning Management System (LMS) assists the students to achieve better self-regulated learning and subsequently do the students report better satisfaction with their learning outcomes and productivity level. The study employs a quantitative approach based on descriptive and inferential statistics. The results from this study can help to improve the ways the LMS can be optimally utilized at NUST to effectively facilitate the learning process. Additionally, other universities based in Islamabad can take lessons concerning the use of Web-Based Pedagogical Tools (WBPT) to boost self-regulation and learning outcomes

EXPLORING THE DETERMINANTS OF INSTITUTIONAL INSURANCE AND THEIR IMPACT ON BEHAVIORAL INTENTIONS: A MIXED METHOD APPROACH

The present research is a step toward determining the behaviorof corporate customers with regard to the current practices of group/institutional life insurance institutes. Data were collected from intellectual corporate customers using 18 open-ended questions and interviews.Furthermore, 08 insurance experts were selected from service providers for a focus group and 200 closed-ended questions were distributed among corporate respondents. In the initial stage, an exploratory sequential design was used. With the help of existing literature, researchers gathered reactions regarding service justice, service quality, switching cost, and service value on the behavior of individual life insurance and banking patrons. These results reveal that group insurance service providers should be further explored by additional performance strategies based on the results of this study

Temperature dependent plastic deformation of magnesium using micro-pillar compression

This study investigates the temperature dependence of the deformation processes of basal slip, pyramidal slip and {101 ̅2} tension twinning in magnesium single crystals. In situ SEM compression between 23°C and -94°C was performed on FIB-milled square shaped micro-pillars taken from selected grains of a polycrystalline sample of pure magnesium. For low temperature micro-pillar compression testing, a novel cryo-stage was designed and employed in combination with the existing pico-indentation system. Post-mortem SEM and TEM were then used to analyse the microstructures of the deformed micro-pillars. [112 ̅1] oriented micro-pillars were compressed at 23°C, -28°C and -94°C to activate basal slip. These pillars deformed by a similar deformation mechanism, irrespective of the test temperature. The Critical Resolved Shear Stress (CRSS) for basal slip increased with decreasing test temperature, which is the CRSS increased by approximately 9 MPa on reducing the temperature from 23°C to -94°C. This trend is explained by the increase in Peierls lattice friction for the glide of dislocations on the basal plane accompanied by a rise in activation free energy for the nucleation of dislocations on the basal plane. For the activation of tension twinning, micro-pillars with a [13 ̅20] loading direction were compressed over a similar temperature range. The micro-pillars deformed mainly by the activation of {101 ̅2} tension twins followed by basal slip within the twinned region. The CRSSs for the twin activation / nucleation and for the twin growth showed no change with temperature. The temperature insensitivity of the twin activation / nucleation is explained by the dominant role of stress-concentrators in twin nucleation during micro-pillars compression whereas temperature insensitivity of the twin growth is explained by the availability of the dislocation sources and mobile dislocation segments required for twin growth. For the activation of pyramidal slip, [0001] oriented micro-pillars were compressed over the same temperature range. The activation of pyramidal slip was confirmed at all the test temperatures. The CRSS for pyramidal slip decreased with a reduction in temperature i.e. a drop in testing temperature from room temperature to -90°C resulted in an approximately 39 MPa lower CRSS for pyramidal slip. This anomalous temperature dependence of pyramidal slip is explained by the balance between the thermally activated processes of dissociation of dislocations and cross-slip of dislocations between different pyramidal planes. Overall, the findings of this study provide a useful dataset for understanding the orientation dependent temperature sensitivity of the dominant deformation modes in magnesium at micron length scale under uniaxial compression at room temperature and to a range of cryogenic temperatures

An Empirical study on adoption of Agile Project Management Methodology and its effect on Project Success with moderating role of Organizational Culture

Purpose of this research is to investigate the impact of agile project management methodology on project success, as well as the role organizational support as moderator between agile project management methodology and project success. The data for this study has been collected from Telecommunication Services Provider Industry of Pakistan. Total sample size of 197 professionals was recorded. A questionnaire was distributed among the participants via hard copy and internet survey websites. Using collected data, we tested the effect of agile project management methodology on project success and further examined the moderating effect of organizational support between agile project management methodology and project success. The examination included Pearson’s correlation coefficient as well as regression using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 20. Results indicated that project management methodology has a strong correlation with project success and this correlation is not moderated by organizational support. The research findings have practical implications both in organization and project manager’s perspectives. Our research was limited to specific geographic area due to time and cost constraints. Future researchers may opt to conduct the study in other geographic areas of Pakistan and different industry including additional and different moderating variables

FEM Analysis of The Cyclic Behaviour of Steel Beam-to-Column Joints

The construction of a structure undergoes several stages, each of which must be thoroughly thought. In structures that may be subject to seismic actions at some point of their use life, these considerations are especially significant. Joints between steel elements in this type of structures should always be designed, fabricated and erected such that brittle failure is avoided and a ductile mode of failure governs the collapse. Designers must always bear in mind design requirements set by the relevant design standards. In Europe, EN1993 must be observed for the seismic design of structures, with significant reference to EN1993 for the design of steel structures and EN1993-1-8 in particular for the design of steel joints making use of the components method. Nowadays the experimental test is the preferred method between the scientific community to assess the seismic behaviour of steel joints. However, the analysis of the seismic behaviour of beam-to-columns joints at component level directly from the analysis of the results of the experimental test is unfeasible. Accordingly, advanced numerical models must be developed and validated with the experimental tests. In this dissertation advanced FEM based models are developed for the analysis of monotonic and cyclic behaviour of the tension region of beam-to-column steel joints in the framework of the project ?European pre-qualified steel joints (EQUALJOINTS)?, focusing in the behaviour of the column flange in bending.The construction of a structure undergoes several stages, each of which must be thoroughly thought. In structures that may be subject to seismic actions at some point of their use life, these considerations are especially significant. Joints between steel elements in this type of structures should always be designed, fabricated and erected such that brittle failure is avoided and a ductile mode of failure governs the collapse. Designers must always bear in mind design requirements set by the relevant design standards. In Europe, EN1993 must be observed for the seismic design of structures, with significant reference to EN1993 for the design of steel structures and EN1993-1-8 in particular for the design of steel joints making use of the components method. Nowadays the experimental test is the preferred method between the scientific community to assess the seismic behaviour of steel joints. However, the analysis of the seismic behaviour of beam-to-columns joints at component level directly from the analysis of the results of the experimental test is unfeasible. Accordingly, advanced numerical models must be developed and validated with the experimental tests. In this dissertation advanced FEM based models are developed for the analysis of monotonic and cyclic behaviour of the tension region of beam-to-column steel joints in the framework of the project ?European pre-qualified steel joints (EQUALJOINTS)?, focusing in the behaviour of the column flange in bending

ANTECEDENTS OF KNOWLEDGE SHARING AND ITS IMPACT ON EMPLOYEES’ CREATIVITY AND WORK PERFORMANCE

This research aims to investigate and summarize thepredictors of knowledge sharing (KS) that can facilitate knowledge sharing practices among employees’ in the public sector universities.Research data were collected from 216 employees of public sector universities using the self-administrated questionnaires. It has found that employees switching, death and retirement negatively influenced on knowledge sharing practices in these universities. Moreover, a fear to lose reward, status quo, power, authority, recognition,influence, and psychological ownership are the major factors that can create barriers to KS practices. The results reveal that Knowledge Management (KM) culture, social networking and information technology were fostered knowledge sharing practices among employees. Conversely, knowledge sharing motivation was unable to promote knowledge sharing. There are scant studies conducted to construct and test the conceptual model in real context of knowledge hoarding behavior especially in the perspective of developing countries. These results are beneficial for policy makers and top managements of universities

Green and sustainable construction practices impact on Organizational Development

Green Marketing plays important role in the organizational performance irrespective to the industry and the type of project. However green construction research lacks in the field of a construction project. The basic purpose of this work was to highlight the impact of modern techniques such as green construction on organizational performance through the adoption of sustainable practices in business strategies in the construction industry. Data were collected from 132 organizations, working on different construction projects located within the city of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, through an online questionnaire survey in two strata in terms of consultant and contractors. Data were analyzed through different tests, included Pearson’s correlation coefficient as well as regression using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 20. The study indicated that green construction has a strong correlation and positive impact on organizational performance, and this correlation partially mediated by sustainable development. The research findings have practical implications both in organizational and project manager’s perspectives. This research was limited to a specific geographic area due to time and cost constraints. Future researchers may opt to conduct the study in other geographic areas of Pakistan and in different industries. Moreover, additional or different mediating variables can also be used in future work