Power Balance Research Articles

Embroidering the city map

Street names are omnipresent but hold an often-overlooked symbolic function of representing societal power balances, rendering women largely invisible. With this embroidered T-shirt, we aim to bring attention to this gendered imbalance and create a conversation starter around the topic of equality.

Control of wind energy conversion systems with permanent magnet synchronous generator for isolated green hydrogen production

This paper addresses the design and analysis of the control system for a Wind Energy Conversion System (WECS) with a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator (PMSG) and its application for isolated green hydrogen production. The designed control maximizes the wind turbine (WT) power generation by regulating the electrolyzer current consumption, where the electrolyzer operates as a controlled load, ensuring power balance in the system and enabling the generation of maximum power from the WECS without the use of any energy storage system. The system involves directly integrating a WECS with an alkaline electrolyzer (AEL), and its configuration includes a WT with a PMSG, an AC/DC voltage source converter (VSC) acting as the generator side converter (GSC), and a DC/DC converter acting as the electrolyzer side converter (ESC) with Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) control for the WT. The proposed control system has been fully modeled and tested through simulations in Matlab/Simulink, demonstrating its reliable performance under variable wind speeds. Simulation results illustrate how, over rated wind speeds, the pitch control limits the rotational speed and power to their maximum values, and at under rated wind speeds, the ESC control regulates the AEL current following the MPPT of the WT, while the GSC control maintains the DC bus voltage at its designated nominal value. Overall, the proposed control system shows robust and effective performance across the entire range of possible operational points, ensuring no wind generation power losses by following the maximum power point.

A microgrid control scheme for islanded operation and re-synchronization utilizing Model Predictive Control

Enhancing grid resilience is proposed through the integration of distributed energy resources (DERs) with microgrids. Due to the diverse nature of DERs, there is a need to explore the optimal combined operation of these energy sources within the framework of microgrids. As such, this paper presents the design, implementation and validation of a Model Predictive Control (MPC)-based secondary control scheme to tackle two challenges: optimal islanded operation, and optimal re-synchronization of a microgrid. The MPC optimization algorithm dynamically adjusts input signals, termed manipulated variables, for each DER within the microgrid, including a gas turbine, an aggregate photovoltaic (PV) unit, and an electrical battery energy storage (BESS) unit. To attain optimal islanded operation, the secondary-level controller based on Model Predictive Control (MPC) was configured to uphold microgrid functionality promptly following the islanding event. Subsequently, it assumed the task of power balancing within the microgrid and ensuring the reliability of the overall system. For optimal re-synchronization, the MPC-based controller was set to adjust the manipulated variables to synchronize voltage and angle with the point of common coupling of the system. All stages within the microgrid operation were optimally achieved through one MPC-driven control system, where the controller can effectively guide the system to different goals by updating the MPC’s target reference. More importantly, the results show that the MPC-based control scheme is capable of controlling different DERs simultaneously, mitigating potentially harmful transient rotor torques from the re-synchronization as well as maintaining the microgrid within system performance requirements.

Defence Spending, Economic Growth and Regional Balance: Evidence from Azerbaijan and Armenia

Military expenditures have a significant impact not only on the socioeconomic condition of a state but also on the regional balance of power. In this study it will be examined the relationship between military expenditures and economic conditions in Azerbaijan and Armenia and impacts of military expeditures on the regional balance. In the context of the diplomatic history from the First Karabakh War to the Second Karabakh War, the regional balance between the two states is clarified. Then the complex relationship between military expenditures and economic conditions is empirically analyzed via using non-linear ARDL and ARDL limited test methods. The empirical findings indicate that in Azerbaijan, military spending aligns with the Military-led Standard of Living Improvement Hypothesis, whereas its positive effect on well-being in Armenia is minimal. Specifically, military expenditure positively influences the standard of living and well-being in Azerbaijan, as evidenced by both the ARDL Bound and multiplier effect. Conversely, according to the Military Burden Hypothesis, military spending poses a burden on the budgets of both countries. Nevertheless, this burden is more pronounced for Azerbaijan compared to Armenia, where the adverse impact of military expenditure is comparatively lesser.

THE MECHANISM OF COMMITMENT TO DISCLOSURE IN THE CONSUMER AND MEDICAL FIELDS ACCORDING TO ALGERIAN LEGISLATION

This study addresses the mechanism of the commitment to disclosure. Both professionals and physicians bear the crucial responsibility of providing information that is not only accurate but also understandable and appropriate for the intended patient or consumer. By mirroring its international counterparts, Algerian law mandates this duty, attaching legal consequences for its breach. Before any medical intervention, a doctor must obtain the patient’s consent, fulfilling an essential preliminary step. Likewise, before initiating a sales process, a professional must inform the consumer about all necessary details regarding the product or goods. This paper delineates the extensive aspects of this obligation, including its defining features, evidentiary requirements, and the nature of the resultant damages from non-adherence. The aim is to recalibrate the balance of power within medical and consumer interactions, thereby augmenting the safeguarding of patients and consumers. This duty is considered one of the fundamental rights of patients and consumers, linked to ethical and humanitarian responsibilities, and is a precursor to obtaining consent.

Non-intrusive demand response management strategy to mitigate the impacts of residential electric vehicle charging on distribution systems

The proliferation of electric vehicles (EVs) is expected to significantly increase electricity demand. However, if left uncontrolled, the aggregated demands from EVs have the potential to affect the power balance and quality of distribution systems adversely. Given this complex framework, this work presents a non-intrusive demand response management (DRM) approach to mitigate the impacts of residential EV charging on distribution systems. After analyzing a database comprising 157,250 operations, 74,316 charging patterns described by 17 attributes are obtained. These patterns are used for sampling EV fleets distributed in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 33-bus test system. From scenarios with different levels of EV penetration, critical regions in the demand curve are identified, while actions for demand response (DR) are taken. Despite the increase in total energy consumption, larger EV fleets have greater potential for participation in DR. At a penetration level of 5%, it is not possible to shift excess energy consumption during the peak period, even with the participation of about 47% of the fleet, which corresponds to all users involved in EV charging during the peak period. At a penetration level of 50%, the energy goal can be achieved with the participation of about 15% of the fleet. In this latter scenario, the proposed management strategy can achieve a peak demand reduction of 9–11%.

Prison Officers’ Perceptions of Delivering Trauma-Informed Care in Women’s Prisons

ABSTRACT Since 2015, women’s prisons across England have been working toward providing trauma-informed care (TIC) given the high rates of psychological trauma in the prison population. Research into TIC in prisons has been limited to date. This qualitative study explored the perceptions of 35 prison officers from two English women’s prisons about their experiences of providing TIC, including the role of training. Four main themes were identified using thematic analysis: Creating trauma-informed settings was noted as a dynamic process, complicated by prisons being triggering environments for women. Prison officers described attempting to negotiate the power (im)balance between them and women in prison, to allow them to nurture positive relationships with them. Operational practices reportedly regularly undermined these efforts by reinforcing the power differential. Staff also observed variable and limited capacity and opportunities for TIC, further reducing the ability to create settings conducive to TIC. These findings have important implications for women’s prisons, including the need to review and revise TIC training for new and existing staff; prioritize staff well-being and support, and improve recruitment processes to develop a staff group with the aptitude and skill to deliver TIC.

STRATEGY FOR THE PREVENTION OF WORLD WARS IDEAL POLITICAL MAP OF THE WORLD, FROM 195 TO 21 MEGA-FEDERATIONS

Wars have always caused millions and millions of dead, destroyed peoples' wealth and held development back. Geopolitics, alternative history, futurology or nationalist politics tackle this problem by creating regional paintings, but the results are low compared to expectations, the war due to border disorder is still intense. This research aims to develop a conceptual framework, based on five principles: historical, linguistic, religious, cultural and geopolitical, through which to create a theoretical direction, a map of the world close to the ideal IPMW (Ideal Political Map of the World). The concept of megastates, economically and nationally stable, such as: Brazil, the United States, China, Russia, India or the European Union currently existing, can expand worldwide, materializing in 21 countries with large areas and large populations, encouraging globalization, trade, free movement but above all an optimal framework of the balance of power.

Analysing the Effects of Cyber Security on National Security from a Realist Perspective: "Stuxnet" Example

In this study, the effects of providing cyber security on national security are examined from a realistic perspective using the example of the Stuxnet virus. It has been stated that the increasing complexity of cyber threats due to technological advances poses serious risks to states' national security. In the study, the critical role of cyber security in protecting national security is emphasized through the Stuxnet attack. The Stuxnet attack is a cyber-attack on the facilities where Iran carried out its nuclear enrichment program in 2010. As a result of this attack, it was revealed that Iran had both interruptions in its nuclear program and a weakness in cyber security. As such, it is underlined that cyber security can affect the international balance of power and the strategic interests of states. From a realist perspective, since ensuring national security requires a resilient defense against cyber threats and vulnerabilities, it has become necessary to consider cyber security as an important parameter in determining national security policies. This study reveals the interdependent relationship between cyber security and national security in this age when cyberspace has become a very important arena for power struggles. Considering these reasons, it has been recommended that states, which realists consider the main actor in the international system, should make investments that will support their cyber security to protect their national security.

Phage-Mediated Digestive Decolonization in a Gut-On-A-Chip Model: A Tale of Gut-Specific Bacterial Prosperity.

Infections due to antimicrobial-resistant bacteria have become a major threat to global health. Some patients may carry resistant bacteria in their gut microbiota. Specific risk factors may trigger the conversion of these carriages into infections in hospitalized patients. Preventively eradicating these carriages has been postulated as a promising preventive intervention. However, previous attempts at such eradication using oral antibiotics or probiotics have led to discouraging results. Phage therapy, the therapeutic use of bacteriophage viruses, might represent a worthy alternative in this context. Taking inspiration from this clinical challenge, we built Gut-On-A-Chip (GOAC) models, which are tridimensional cell culture models mimicking a simplified gut section. These were used to better understand bacterial dynamics under phage pressure using two relevant species: Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. Model mucus secretion was documented by ELISA assays. Bacterial dynamics assays were performed in GOAC triplicates monitored for 72 h under numerous conditions, such as pre-, per-, or post-bacterial timing of phage introduction, punctual versus continuous phage administration, and phage expression of mucus-binding properties. The potential genomic basis of bacterial phage resistance acquired in the model was investigated by variant sequencing. The bacterial "escape growth" rates under phage pressure were compared to static in vitro conditions. Our results suggest that there is specific bacterial prosperity in this model compared to other in vitro conditions. In E. coli assays, the introduction of a phage harboring unique mucus-binding properties could not shift this balance of power, contradicting previous findings in an in vivo mouse model and highlighting the key differences between these models. Genomic modifications were correlated with bacterial phage resistance acquisition in some but not all instances, suggesting that alternate ways are needed to evade phage predation, which warrants further investigation.

Optimal Solution of the Dynamic Economic Dispatch by Improved Teaching-Learning-Based Artificial Bee Colony Algorithm

Dynamic economic dispatch is one of the most handled problem in modern power system operations. It aims to optimize the output power from thermal generating units over a specified time period to minimize the total fuel cost, while satisfying the several constraints such as generation limits, ramp rate limits, and power balance. In addition to these constraints, the prohibited operating zones and the valve-point loading effect are included the DED problem. In this case, the complexity, nonlinearity, and non-convexity of the DED problem are increases. Therefore, in order to solve the DED problem, a powerful meta-heuristic search (MHS) algorithm are proposed. In this study, an improved teaching-learning-based artificial bee colony (TLABC) algorithm, where the fitness-distance balance based TLABC (FDB-TLABC) and natural-survivor method based TLABC (NSM-TLABC) algorithms were hybridized. To prove the performance of the proposed algorithm, it was applied to solve the DED problem and benchmark problem suites. In the simulation study carried out on benchmark problems, the results of the proposed algorithm and five MHS algorithms were evaluated statistically. According to Friedman test results, the proposed algorithm ranked first with 2.2836 values among them. On the other hand, the proposed algorithm and its rival algorithms were applied to solve the two DED cases. The results of them show that the proposed algorithm achieved superior performance to find the best objective values for both case studies.

«Распаковка» агентности в школьном проекте: перспективы участвующего подхода

School has become more project-oriented. There is tremendous potential for student agency here. Children's agency can be revealed through a participatory approach to childhood sociology. The analysis model is based on the principles of participatory methodology and interpretive reproduction by Corsaro. Three groups of variables are identified: the subjectivity of the child, the balance of power between the child and the adult, and the joint creativity of the participants. The empirical basis of the study is the “Green School” case, implemented online with the participation of five schoolchildren and one teacher from the Khabarovsk Territory. Observation, interviews, focus groups, and text analysis were used for the monographic analysis of the “case”. In a space of “equal participation”, where students and a teacher are co-participants and co-researchers, children’s agency can be disclosed. Children maximally expresses themselves through free choice, gaining personal experience in the process of making decisions. Responsibility arises not as an “obligation”, but as a motivation for learning: “how can we do it to make it better”. The results of this work can be used by educators in organizing project-based research activities for students, utilizing sociological methods adapted to the study of children.

Voltage control strategy of a high-permeability photovoltaic distribution network based on cluster division

The use of distributed photovoltaics (PVs) on a large scale often causes voltage over-limit problems in distribution networks. This paper proposes a distributed photovoltaic cluster collaborative optimization voltage control strategy based on an improved community algorithm to address the issue of centralized control being unable to respond quickly to the randomness of distributed photovoltaics and the difficulty of achieving overall coordination with local control. First, by improving the community algorithm, the division of reactive and active clusters, considering the power balance and node coupling degree, is realized. Then, the cluster-coordinated voltage control strategy is proposed by making full use of the power control ability of a photovoltaic inverter. Finally, a voltage regulation ability evaluation index is proposed to assess the node regulation ability within the cluster and select key nodes. This effectively reduces the number of control nodes. The simulation analysis of the improved IEEE 69 distribution network shows that the proposed voltage control strategy can mitigate the issue of voltage over-limit in high-permeability distributed photovoltaic access distribution and enhance the photovoltaic consumption capacity.

Manaz’s City: The Narrative of Manzikert in Ancient Armenian Texts

Manzikert, located in the southern regions of Armenia, has consistently held a significant place in the literature of various communities from ancient times to the medieval period. This importance is attributed to the multidimensional nature of Manzikert from geographical, political, and religious perspectives, as well as its comprehensive influence on the surrounding historical trajectory. The geographical analysis of the region encompasses the etymological extensions of names, revealing the linguistic complexity that has influenced the various ways Manzikert is named in Armenian texts, primarily as Taron. From a political standpoint, the history of Manzikert unfolds through the region’s feudal structure and the power balance between dominant forces such as Rome and Iran. The rise and fall of powerful feudal families, especially the Manawazean and Mamikonean dynasties, have shaped the political landscape of Manzikert. Undoubtedly, the significance of the city transcends the political realm; Manzikert embodies a centre for cultural and religious interactions between Armenian and Syriac traditions. This region emerges as a crucial centre for the south-to-north spread of Christianity in Armenia. Therefore, the aim of this study is not only to understand the political importance of Manzikert but also to explore its religious significance and discuss its relationship with Armenian Christianity.

Power and competition in the transitions toward postrentierism: The cases of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates

AbstractThe imperatives of economic diversification mean that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are scrambling to secure international markets and investments amid a series of domestic changes taking place, including centralized decision making, the marginalization of other traditional modes of governance, and rising nationalism. While there is some evidence of formal security‐related cooperation in the Gulf Cooperation Council as well as an informal security alliance operationalized by Saudi Arabia and the UAE at the onset of the Arab uprisings, these two states have gone on to pursue competing economic policies. This article assesses the economic and political interactions of Saudi Arabia and the UAE, arguing that contrary to Rosecrance's concept of “virtual states” with an emphasis on services, expertise, and creativity, connected to visions strategies in these cases, their primary power remains rooted in territorial aspects. It also finds that there are other factors such as leadership style, political and economic role conceptions, the regional and international balance of power, threat perception, and alliance formation that will continue to determine the shape and form of their cooperation or competition.

Distributed state-of-charge and power balance estimation for aggregated battery energy storage systems with EV aggregators

Aggregated battery energy storage systems (ABESSs) play an important role in smart grids. This study considers distributed ABESSs containing electric vehicle (EV) aggregators and battery energy storage systems (BESSs). Due to randomness and uncertainty caused by EV aggregators, the distributed ABESSs face heterogeneous random communication failures between the EV aggregators and the BESSs. Aiming to solve this problem, this study proposes a distributed state-of-charge (SoC) and power balance estimation strategy for ABESSs with an event-triggered mechanism. Different from the traditional SoC balance problem definition in the BESSs, this study introduces an innovative balance convergence condition to solve the problem of power imbalance between the EV aggregators and the BESS units. In addition, an adaptively robust estimation algorithm is designed to estimate the precise value of SoC and power under heterogeneous random failures caused by EV aggregators. Further, a distributed periodic dynamic event-triggered mechanism is developed considering redundant messages in the ABESS communication channels. This mechanism can both handle the Zeno phenomenon and obtain a larger minimum time interval with fewer sent measurements. The simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed distributed approach in both the discharging and charging modes of ABESSs.

A study of novel real-time power balance strategy with virtual asynchronous machine control for regional integrated electric-thermal energy systems

A study of novel real-time power balance strategy with virtual asynchronous machine control for regional integrated electric-thermal energy systems

Managing power balance and reserve feasibility in the AC unit commitment problem

Incorporating the AC power flow equations into unit commitment models has the potential to avoid costly corrective actions required by less accurate power flow approximations. However, research on unit commitment with AC power flow constraints has been limited to a few relatively small test networks. This work investigates large-scale AC unit commitment problems for the day-ahead market and develops decomposition algorithms capable of obtaining high-quality solutions at industry-relevant scales. The results illustrate that a simple algorithm that only seeks to satisfy unit commitment, reserve, and AC power balance constraints can obtain surprisingly high-quality solutions to this AC unit commitment problem. However, a naive strategy that prioritizes reserve feasibility leads to AC infeasibility, motivating the need to design heuristics that can effectively balance reserve and AC feasibility. Finally, this work explores a parallel decomposition strategy that allows the proposed algorithm to obtain feasible solutions on large cases within the two hour time limit required by typical day-ahead market operations.

Developing-Country Representation and Public Attitudes toward International Organizations: The Case of IMF Governance Reform

Abstract Several prominent international organizations (IOs) maintain decision-making structures that under-represent developing countries. This paper argues that individuals in developing countries are more supportive of engaging with IOs that give a greater voice to fellow developing countries. We posit that the balance of decision-making power influences support for IOs by improving perceptions of both input legitimacy and output legitimacy. Empirically, we focus on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and draw on original survey experiments in four developing countries: Argentina, China, South Africa, and Turkey. Results reveal that increased representation of developing countries increases public support for IMF participation. We also find consistent evidence that this effect works through an input legitimacy mechanism, specifically by improving perceptions of procedural fairness. These findings suggest that public support for IOs is affected by the balance of decision-making power within these organizations.

Organic Visible‐Blind Ultraviolet Photodiodes and Pixel‐Array Imagers Based on [1]Benzothieno[3,2‐b]Benzothiophene (BTBT) Derivatives

AbstractVisible‐blind ultraviolet (VBUV) photodetectors are designed for UV detection without responding to visible light, thus having many applications in communications, flame detection, environment monitoring, and astronomy. Herein, an organic device concept based on the bulk heterojunction (BHJ) photodiode is presented for high‐performance VBUV photodetection and imaging. The BHJ, comprised of an organic electron donor, 2,7‐dioctyl[1]benzothieno[3,2‐b][1]benzothiophene (C8‐BTBT), and an electron acceptor, indene‐C60 bisadduct (ICBA), shows efficient generation and transport of free charges upon UV irradiation. The organic photodiode (OPD) delivers exceptional VBUV photodetection performance. At a low voltage of −0.5 V, the device exhibits a wide linear dynamic range of 98.15 dB. Furthermore, the OPD can detect ultra‐low light intensities down to 0.58 µW cm−2 with a high photoresponsivity of 0.12 A W−1 and specific detectivity of 2.75 × 1012 Jones. More importantly, by integrating the OPD with a readout integrated circuit, the pixel‐array organic VBUV imager is demonstrated to have high‐quality imaging capability. The results reveal a novel strategy to design VBUV photodetectors and imagers with balanced performance, cost, area, flexibility, and power consumption.