Incentive Design of Conservation Voltage Reduction Planning for Industrial Loads in Ontario

In this thesis, a novel framework for planning and investment studies pertaining to the implementation of system-wide conservation voltage reduction (CVR) is presented. In the CVR paradigm, optimal voltage profiles at the load buses are determined so as to yield load reductions and hence energy conservation. The system modifications required for CVR is known to be capital intensive; therefore, the proposed model determines the system savings and the appropriate price incentives to offer industries such that a minimum acceptable rate-of-return (MARR) is accrued. In this model, the industrial facilities are represented by a combination of constant impedance, constant current, and constant power loads. A detailed case study for Ontario, Canada, is carried out considering that industrial loads are investing in CVR implementation to reduce their energy costs. The optimal incentives that need be offered by the system planner, over a long-term horizon and across various zones of Ontario, are determined using the presented mathematical model. Furthermore, a comprehensive risk analysis, comprising sensitivity studies and Monte Carlo simulations, is carried out considering the variations in the most uncertain model parameters. In this work, it is shown that savings from CVR are enough so that incentives are not required in Ontario. Sensitivity analysis shows that electricity price and project cost have the highest impact on the incentives, and that electricity price and industrial demand have the most effect on system savings. Monte Carlo simulations show that the expected energy cost savings result in expected incentive rates to be relatively low compared to the average electricity price in Ontario. CVR is shown in this thesis to be a low cost Demand Side Management program to implement from the perspective of the power system planner, and a worthwhile investment for the industrial load

Deep learning approach to the Higgs boson CP measurement in H to tau tau decay and associated systematics

The H to tau tau decays form the prime channel for the measurement of the Higgs boson state and tests of the CP invariance of Higgs boson couplings. A previous study has shown the viability of deep learning techniques for the measurement. In this paper, the study is expanded. Effects due to the partial modelling of experimental effects are discussed. Furthermore, systematics due to ? decay modelling for complex cascade decays to tau^pm to a_1^pm nu_tau to rho^0 pi^pm nu_tau to 3pi^\pm nu_tau are also addressed. Various parameterisations are considered using low-energy collision data.Comment: 13 pages, 4 figure

Infrared point source variability between the Spitzer and MSX surveys of the Galactic mid-plane

We present a list of 552 sources with suspected variability, based on a comparison of mid-infrared photometry from the GLIMPSE I and MSX surveys, which were carried out nearly a decade apart. We were careful to address issues such as the difference in resolution and sensitivity between the two surveys, as well as the differences in the spectral responses of the instruments. We selected only sources where the IRAC 8.0 and MSX 8.28 micron fluxes differ by more than a factor of two, in order to minimize contamination from sources where the difference in fluxes at 8 micron is due to a strong 10 micron silicate feature. We present a subset of 40 sources for which additional evidence suggests variability, using 2MASS and MIPSGAL data. Based on a comparison with the variability flags in the IRAS and MSX Point-Source Catalogs we estimate that at least a quarter of the 552 sources, and at least half of the 40 sources are truly variable. In addition, we tentatively confirm the variability of one source using multi-epoch IRAS LRS spectra. We suggest that most of the sources in our list are likely to be Asymptotic Giant Branch stars.Comment: 47 pages, 12 Figures, 3 Tables, accepted for publication in A

Malaria in South Africa the past, the present and selected implications for the future

No Abstract

The design of a common lunar lander

The Austin Cynthesis Corporation was formed to respond to a Request for Proposal for the design of a Common Lunar Lander (CLL) capable of carrying lightweight (less than 500 kg), unspecified payload to the moon. This Final Design Report Document includes information on the requirements for the design project; the ideas proposed as solutions to the design problem; the work which has been completed in support of the design effort; justifications, validations, and verifications of decisions made during the project; and suggestions for future work to be done in support of the project. A project schedule, including current status of the items included on the schedule, as well as cost and management summaries is also included

Measuring knowledge management as a strategic resource

This paper reviews the existing research on the measurement of the value of knowledge and the impact of KMS on organizations in the Information Systems, Finances and Management literatures to try and derive a better understanding of the strategic value of knowledge. The papers argues that the focus of existing metrics is at the operational rather than the strategic level and subsequently does not provide a sound basis to determine strategic value, a metric important in Finance. The paper proposes that the strategic value of knowledge can be derived from an aggregated sum of the metrics at the operational level supplemented by some measure of the alignment of knowledge value aggregates with strategic goals and plans and another measure of the opportunity cost of tacit knowledge. An exploratory exemplar of a Thai company is used to illustrate the framework