Capacity Demand Research Articles

Calculation of Required Air Volume and Verification of Ventilation Capacity for Mines

The ventilation system is an important component of the mine safety production system, which directly affects the mine production capacity and on-site safe and efficient production. Taking the air demand and ventilation capacity of the Xinyuan coal mine as the research object, the air demand of the coal mining face, excavation face, backup face, chamber, and other air consumption tunnels were analyzed and calculated. The ventilation capacity of the mine ventilation system was verified, and the actual total air demand of the Xinyuan coal mine was determined to be 15943.6m3/min. After verification, its ventilation capacity can meet the daily safety production needs of the mine.

Courier satisfaction in rapid delivery systems using dynamic operating regions

Rapid delivery systems where an order is delivered to a customer from a local distribution point within minutes or hours have experienced rapid growth recently and often rely on gig economy couriers. The prime example is a meal delivery system. During an operating day, couriers in such a system are used to deliver orders placed at different restaurants to different customer locations. Operating a rapid delivery network is challenging, primarily due to the high service expectations and the considerable uncertainty in both demand and delivery capacity. We seek to fill a gap in the literature by considering courier satisfaction in a rapid delivery system, which may improve retention/loyalty in a highly competitive environment. Under the premise that couriers prefer to operate in relatively small geographic areas to increase their efficiency, we propose the novel concept of dynamic courier regions: small operating regions for couriers which can be dynamically and temporarily expanded to allow delivery capacity to be shared between neighboring regions when necessary to keep customer service performance metrics high. We propose an optimization-based rolling horizon algorithm for courier management that handles both region resizing and delivery task assignment decisions. Experimental results for realistic settings demonstrate that the proposed algorithm successfully balances customer and courier satisfaction, simultaneously achieving delivery times that are comparable to those of a single operating region and courier satisfaction metrics that are comparable to those achieved by fixed, inflexible regions.

Experimental Research on the Stiffness Step between the Main Hull and Superstructure of Cruise Ships

The demand for larger passenger capacity and more entertainment facilities has led to the rapid growth of the cruise tourism market. The superstructure of cruise ships is designed to be plumper, with numerous decks and complex structural forms. To control the weight and the center of gravity, the bending stiffness of the superstructure is always designed to be weaker than that of the main hull, resulting in a stiffness step. Currently, there is no satisfactory method to accurately estimate the influence of the stiffness step between the main hull and superstructure on the structural response of cruise ships. In the present research, an experimental analysis is conducted to investigate the stiffness step between the main hull and superstructure of a typical cruise ship. By comparing the longitudinal stress distribution characteristics with and without the stiffness step with the theoretical results, the influence of the stiffness step on the longitudinal strength is investigated. Furthermore, the maximum stress and the bending efficiency of the superstructure are also discussed. The present research is of reference significance for the structural safety and reliability design of cruise ships.

Hub Network Design Problem with Capacity, Congestion, and Stochastic Demand Considerations

Our study introduces the hub network design problem with congestion, capacity, and stochastic demand considerations (HNDC), which generalizes the classical hub location problem in several directions. In particular, we extend state-of-the-art by integrating capacity acquisition decisions and congestion cost effect into the problem and allowing dynamic routing for origin-destination (OD) pairs. Connecting strategic and operational level decisions, HNDC jointly decides hub locations and capacity acquisitions by considering the expected routing and congestion costs. A path-based mixed-integer second-order cone programming (SOCP) formulation of the HNDC is proposed. We exploit SOCP duality results and propose an exact algorithm based on Benders decomposition and column generation to solve this challenging problem. We use a specific characterization of the capacity-feasible solutions to speed up the solution procedure and develop an efficient branch-and-cut algorithm to solve the master problem. We conduct extensive computational experiments to test the proposed approach’s performance and derive managerial insights based on realistic problem instances adapted from the literature. In particular, we found that including hub congestion costs, accounting for the uncertainty in demand, and whether the underlying network is complete or incomplete have a significant impact on hub network design and the resulting performance of the system. Funding: This work was supported by Türkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Araştırma Kurumu [Grant 218M520]. Supplemental Material: The online appendices are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/trsc.2022.0112 .

#4980 THE ROLE OF EARLY ACUTE KIDNEY REPLACEMENT THERAPY (AKRT) IN THE PROGNOSIS OF PATIENTS WITH COVID-19: A RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL

Abstract Background and Aims The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the burden of morbidity and mortality worldwide and in its moderate to severe forms is associated with serious complications such as Acute Kidney Injury (AKI). AKI related to COVID-19 appears to be multifactorial and the AKI incidence is around 20%, with the need for dialysis in up to 40-50% of critically ill patients. So far, there has been no evidence of benefit from early dialysis in different contexts of AKI. In the context of COVID-19 it is possible that the indication of early dialysis support can help and improve outcomes with inflammation and volume control. The objective of the study was to evaluate the role of early acute kidney replacement therapy (AKRT) in the context of COVID-19. Method We analyzed 108 patients from a randomized open-label clinical trial with AKI 3 according to the KDIGO 2012 criteria, with severe acute respiratory syndrome with confirmed COVID-19 (RT- PCR technique or serology), admitted from March 2020 to May 2021 in a reference public hospital in the State of São Paulo (Brazil). Patients were randomized to early AKRT indication (either cytokine storm or fluid balance cumulative greater than 3% of body weight) or standard indication (classic indications or systemic demand and renal capacity imbalance). Cytokine storm was characterized as uninterrupted fever (38ºC or more) for at least 12 hours and exclusion criteria were patients younger than 18 years, pregnant women, chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 4 and 5, kidney transplant recipients. Patients were randomized in blocks for allocation to groups and the primary outcome was hospital mortality. The study was approved by the research ethics committee, registered in the Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry. Seeking a detection of a 20% mortality difference between the standard and early groups, the required sample size would be 48 patients per group and was assumed an alpha error of 5%. All analyzes were performed using SPSS 28.0.1.1 (15). Results 108 patients were included in the intention-to-treat analyses (41 in the early group and 67 in the standard group). 66,7% were men, 86,9% white, mean of age was 62,56 ± 14,25 years, 93,9% in intensive care unit, 100% in mechanical ventilation (MV) and 93,5% in use of vasoactive drugs. The most common comorbidities were hypertension (68,5%), diabetes (39,8%) and obesity (52,8%). Hematuria (47,9%) and proteinuria (74,7%) were common. The P/F ratio, ATN-ISS e APACHE II scores mean were, respectively, 145,40 ± 67,70; 0,75 ± 0,12 e 20,04 ± 6,64. 51,9% of the sample had a cytokine storm and the overall mortality was 87%. The standard and early groups were similar in gender, race, comorbidities, severity, medications, and laboratory markers of severity as well as catheter site, system coagulation, number of dialysis sessions and mortality (63,8% in the standard vs 36,2% in the early, p = 0,32). There was a difference in age e modality of dialysis between the groups with lower mean of age (57,78 ± 14,24 years vs 65,49±13,54) and more continuous dialysis (66,7% vs 33,3%, p<0,01) in the early group. Hypertension (68,9% vs 31,1% p = 0,051), CKD (80% vs 20% p = 0,038) and dyslipidemia (80,8% vs 19,2%, p = 0,52) were more common in the standard. The early group had a longer ICU stay (20,26±20,93 days vs 13,22±11,34, p = 0,053), lower maximum creatinine (3,88±1,88 vs 5,24±2,46, p = 0,004) and lower ATN-ISS (0,72±0,12 vs 0,78±0,12, p = 0,017). In the survival analysis, a better hospital survival trend was observed in the early group, but with no statistically significant difference (p = 0,061). Use of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI), 42,9% vs 13,8, p = 0,008, and longer time in MV (28,71±12,48 days vs 13,42±13,99, p<0,001) were associated with lower mortality. In the logistic regression, use of ACEI (OR 0,007, 95% CI 0-0,29, p = 0,009), MV time (OR 0,93, 95% CI 0,88-0,99, p = 0,023) and higher APACHE II (OR 1,28, 95%CI 1,02-1,6, p = 0,03) were associated with mortality. Conclusion It was observed that the use of ACEI, longer ventilation time and APACHE II score were associated with mortality, while early AKRT indication had no impact in survival of patients.

Air transport capacity and tourism demand: A panel cointegration approach with cross-sectionally augmented autoregressive distributed lag (CS-ARDL) model

This research aims to quantify the effect of air transport capacity on tourism demand by examining their long-term (cointegrating) relationship, accounting for cross-sectional dependence and endogeneity. Panel time series data from 2008Q1 to 2019Q4 for international tourist arrivals from 16 main origins to six Australian states are investigated. The study finds 1% increase in Available-Seat-Kilometers, seat capacity, or flight frequency can result in 0.4%–0.7% increase in tourist arrivals to Australia, adding to the body of evidence that shows a non-negligible aviation-led generative effect on tourism demand. The study finds ignoring cross-sectional dependence can result in significantly different, and potentially incorrect, coefficient estimates. Although using pre-COVID data, the results are useful in highlighting the likely aviation supply—tourism demand relations under reasonably well-performing market conditions. For greater tourism demand, findings call for more liberal international air services agreements, and direct/indirect air route development subsidies with minimum commitment of several years.

Correlations between component size green hydrogen demand and breakeven price for energy islands

The topic of energy islands is currently a focal point in the push for the energy transition. An ambitious project in the North Sea aims to build an offshore wind-powered electrolyser for green hydrogen production. Power-to-X (PtX) is a process of converting renewable electricity into hydrogen-based energy carriers, such as natural gas, liquid fuels and chemicals. PtH2 represents a subset of PtX, wherein hydrogen is the resultant green energy from the conversion process. Many uncertainties surround PtH2 plants, affecting the economic success of the investment and making the price of hydrogen and the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) of this technology uncompetitive. Several studies have analysed PtH2 layouts to identify the hydrogen price without considering how component capacities and external inputs affect the breakeven price. Unlike previous works, this paper investigates component capacity dependencies under variables such as wind and hydrogen demand shape for dedicated/non-dedicated system layouts. To this end, the techno-economic analysis finds the breakeven price, optimising the components to reach the lowest selling price. Results show that the hydrogen price can reach 2.2 €/kg for a non-dedicated system for certain combinations of maximum demand and electrolyser capacity. Furthermore, the LCOH analysis revealed that the offshore wind electrolyser system is currently uncompetitive with hydrogen production from carbon-based technologies but is competitive with renewable technologies.The sensitivity analysis reveals the green electricity price in the non-dedicated case for which a dedicated system has a lower optimum hydrogen price. The price limit for the dedicated case is 116 €/MWh.

Generation of Photon Orbital Angular Momentum and Its Application in Space Division Multiplexing

In the last three decades, light’s orbital angular momentum (OAM) has been of great interest because it has unique characteristics that make it sought after in many research fields, especially in optical communications. To address the exponentially increasing demands for higher data rates and capacity in optical communication systems, OAM has emerged as an additional degree of freedom for multiplexing and transmitting multiple independent data streams within a single spatial mode using the spatial division multiplexing (SDM) technology. Innumerable research findings have proven to scale up the channel capacity of communication links by a very high order of magnitude, allowing it to circumvent the reaching of optical fiber’s non-linear Shannon limit. This review paper provides a background and overview of OAM beams, covering the fundamental concepts, the various OAM generators, and the recent experimental and commercial applications of the OAM-SDM multiplexing technique in optical communications.

Research on the balance optimization of investment demand and investment capability of power grid enterprises

In the context of the in-depth advancement of the power system reform and the increasingly stringent supervision of state-owned assets and state-owned enterprises, it is urgent to clarify the balance between investment demand and investment capacity of the power grid. First, the investment capacity and investment demand estimation models are established respectively, and then a dynamic balance optimization model between investment capacity and investment demand is established. By adjusting the range of adjustable indicators of the investment ability and demand calculation model, the objective is set to be the smallest difference between the investment ability and the investment need, the Quantum Genetic Algorithm is used to solve the problem. And consider future development scenarios to achieve a dynamic balance between investment ability and the investment need. Through the analysis of calculation examples, it is known that the investment capacity of a certain place is 630 million yuan, and the investment demand is 661 million yuan. Combined with the development of related factors affecting the investment in the future, when the relevant factors are at a certain value, the two reach a balance, and the investment scale after the balance is 649 million yuan, which verifies the feasibility of investment optimization of the investment scale, so as to support the investment decision of power grid.

Food safety policy enforcement and associated actions reduce lead chromate adulteration in turmeric across Bangladesh

Turmeric adulterated with lead chromate pigment has been previously identified as a primary source of lead exposure in Bangladesh. This study assesses the impact of a multi-faceted intervention between 2017 and 2021 to reduce lead-tainted turmeric in Bangladesh. The intervention involved: i) disseminating findings from scientific studies via news media that identified turmeric as a source of lead poisoning, ii) educating consumers and businesspeople about the risks of lead chromate in turmeric via public notices and face-to-face meetings, and iii) collaborating with the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority to utilize a rapid lead detection technology to enforce policy disallowing turmeric adulteration. Before and after the intervention, evidence of lead chromate turmeric adulteration was assessed at the nation's largest turmeric wholesale market and at turmeric polishing mills across the country. Blood lead levels of workers at two mills were also assessed. Forty-seven interviews were conducted with consumers, businesspeople, and government officials to assess changes in supply, demand, and regulatory capacity. The proportion of market turmeric samples containing detectable lead decreased from 47% pre-intervention in 2019 to 0% in 2021 (n = 631, p < 0.0001). The proportion of mills with direct evidence of lead chromate adulteration (pigment on-site) decreased from 30% pre-intervention in 2017 to 0% in 2021 (n = 33, p < 0.0001). Blood lead levels dropped a median of 30% (IQR: 21–43%), while the 90th percentile dropped 49% from 18.2 μg/dL to 9.2 μg/dL 16 months after the intervention (n = 15, p = 0.033). Media attention, credible information, rapid lead detection tools and swift government action to enforce penalties all contributed to the intervention's success. Subsequent efforts should evaluate if this is an example of an effective intervention that can be replicated to reduce lead chromate adulteration of spices globally.

Integral jacking of concrete continuous box beam bridge

The rapid development of transportation facilities construction has rapidly increased the demand for transportation infrastructure capacity. The jacking technology can improve the design elevation of the bridge without demolishing the original structure, which is a very reliable and economical method and is widely used in engineering. This research comprehensively examined bridge jacking technology in light of the Chemical Road Bridge's jacking reconstruction project and the project's implementation background. First, the jacking height, jacking form, slope adjustment method, and weight were analyzed, and the bridge synchronous jacking form was designed. Second, the general process of jacking construction and the control points of each construction step was proposed. Finally, the beam displacement, beam stress, and steel tube support stress were monitored, and the bridge beam's geometric posture and stress distribution characteristics during jacking was analyzed. The results showed that the key technology of bridge jacking was feasible in the project, and the construction method adopted was safe.

Decision Models for Selection of Industrial Robots—A Comprehensive Comparison of Multi-Criteria Decision Making

Due to increased demands of production capacity and higher quality requirements, industries are automating at a fast pace. Industrial robots are an important component of the industrial automation ecosystem. However, the selection of appropriate robots is a challenging task due to the sheer number of alternatives present and their varied specifications. The various characteristics or attributes of industrial robots that need due consideration before selection of an optimal robot for a given application are found to be conflicting in nature. Thus, in this paper, several multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods are deployed to select an optimal robot depending on the application. Three different industrial robot selection problems are solved in this paper by using Simple Additive Weighing (SAW), the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), the Linear Programming Technique (LINMAP), VIseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR), Elimination and Choice Translating Priority III (ELECTRE-III), and the Net Flow Method (NFM).

Attojoule/bit folded thin film lithium niobate coherent modulators using air-bridge structures

Coherent technology has been employed in long-haul transmission systems in the past decade, with growing demand for capacity at ever-lower costs per bit. High-performance coherent modulators with high data rates, wide bandwidth, small footprint, and low power operation are highly desired. Toward this end, we propose a folded thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) dual-polarization in-phase quadrature modulator featuring a low half-wave voltage of 1 V and a compact footprint of 4 × 8 mm2. To suppress RF wavefront distortion and optimize high-frequency electro-optic performance, we utilize air-bridge structures in the U-turns of the traveling-wave electrodes. As a demonstration of the long-haul transmission capacities with our device, we present driverless 703 Gb/s/λ line-rate transmissions, with a subcarrier modulation scheme, over a 1120 km single-mode fiber link. Here, for the first time, to our knowledge, our device allows for attojoule-per-bit level electrical energy consumption over transmission distances above 1000 km. The device opens opportunities for much lower-cost and capacity-intensive coherent systems that consume ultra-low power, support high data rate, and work in small spaces.

Reliability enhancement for multimedia delivery in caching-assisted MmWave HetNets

Explosive growth of bandwidth-intensive multimedia applications may impose a heavy traffic burden on wireless links of heterogeneous networks (HetNets), which also requires substantial energy consumption. Edge caching is emerging to reduce the service latency and relieve the huge burden on the backhaul links in HetNets. Moreover, millimeter wave (mmWave) spectrum with huge available bandwidth has been regarded as a promising technology to satisfy the high capacity demands in future HetNets. However, the high directionality coupled with harsh propagation environment makes mmWave communication vulnerable to blockage, which makes link establishment and maintenance challenging. In this paper, we propose a joint maximum distance separable (MDS) coded caching and transmission problem for a mmWave HetNet, aiming at minimizing the backhaul energy consumption while satisfying users' quality of service (QoS) requirements on high data rate. The formulated mixed integer non-linear programming (MINLP) problem is solved by decomposing it into two stages of subproblems. In the first stage, the convex optimization technique is applied to tackle the coded caching subproblem. Subsequently, we propose two efficient algorithms based on matching in the second stage to deal with the transmission subproblem. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed schemes can effectively maximize the backhaul energy saving and enhance the download rate compared with the benchmark scheme.

Experimental Investigation of Decoupling Effect on the Nonlinearity of Power Amplifiers in Transmitter Array

In a practical compact massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) transmitter array, each antenna or subarray is connected to an independent power amplifier (PA) with a modest power capacity in order to avoid the challenging demand of high-power capacity of a single PA for the whole array and to facilitate the power dissipation of the transmitter array. In this case, there is simply not enough space for an isolator between the antenna and the PA. As a result, the array mutual coupling changes the load impedances of the PAs and thus further increases the MIMO transmitter’s nonlinearity. In this work, the decoupling effect on the transmitter array’s linearity is investigated experimentally by using an array prototype with PAs. The mutual coupling of the array can be effectively suppressed using a hybrid decoupling structure. Two continuous-wave (CW) signals at different frequencies are injected into the PAs, and the output signal of each PA is measured via a coupler. The measured results show that with effective mutual coupling reduction, the PA interference is greatly suppressed by up to 16 db and the amplitude of the desired signal is enhanced by up to 10 db.

H2M: Exploiting Heterogeneous Shared Memory Architectures

Over the past decades, the performance gap between the memory subsystem and compute capabilities continued to spread. However, scientific applications and simulations show increasing demand for both memory speed and capacity. To tackle these demands, new technologies such as high-bandwidth memory (HBM) or non-volatile memory (NVM) emerged, which are usually combined with classical DRAM. The resulting architecture is a heterogeneous memory system in which no single memory is “best”. HBM is smaller but offers higher bandwidth than DRAM, whereas NVM provides larger capacity than DRAM at a reasonable cost and less energy consumption. Despite that, in several cases, DRAM still offers the best latency out of all three technologies.In order to use different kinds of memory, applications typically have to be modified to a great extent. Consequently, vendor-agnostic solutions are desirable. First, they should offer the functionality to identify kinds of memory, and second, to allocate data on it. In addition, because memory capacities may be limited, decisions about data placement regarding the different memory kinds have to be made. Finally, in making these decisions, changes over time in data that is accessed, and the actual access pattern, should be considered for initial data placement and be respected in data migration at run-time.In this paper, we introduce a new methodology that aims to provide portable tools and methods for managing data placement in systems with heterogeneous memory. Our approach allows programmers to provide traits (hints) for allocations that describe how data is used and accessed. Combined with characteristics of the platforms’ memory subsystem, these traits are exploited by heuristics to decide where to place data items. We also discuss methodologies for analyzing and identifying memory access characteristics of existing applications, and for recommending allocation traits.In our evaluation, we conduct experiments with several kernels and two proxy applications on Intel Knights Landing (HBM + DRAM) and Intel Ice Lake with Intel Optane DC Persistent Memory (DRAM + NVM) systems. We demonstrate that our methodology can bridge the performance gap between slow and fast memory by applying heuristics for initial data placement.

Development and Evaluation of an Onion Bulb Size Grading Machine: A Promising Solution to Enhance Efficiency and Reduce Costs for Local Onion Farmers

Grading is vital in food processing, ensuring adherence to commercial standards and facilitating marketing. Unfortunately, the Philippine Onion industry lacks a suitable onion grader for field-level operations. Consequently, farmers still resort to manual grading, leading to labor scarcity during peak seasons, increased time and financial costs, and physical strain on the workers. Thus, the study aimed to develop a suitable onion (Allium cepa L.) bulb-size grading machine for farm-level operations. The device comprised six significant parts: input chute, cylindrical grader, discharge unit for onion bulbs, frame assembly, cover of the grading machine, and power transmission assembly. To evaluate the grader's performance, tests assessed grading efficiency, grading capacity, and energy demand at different shaft speeds (10 rpm, 20 rpm, 30 rpm). The experimental layout followed a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) and was analyzed using the Analysis of Variance test. The mean comparison was carried out using the Least Significant Difference (LSD) method, with a significance level set at 5\%. The results revealed that the most effective shaft speed was 10rpm, yielding an impressive 95.45\% grading efficiency and a notable grading capacity of 583.23 kg/hr. The cost analysis indicated that the grader could generate an additional income of at least 82,301.52 Php/year for onion farmers, with a payback period of 0.32 years and a remarkable rate of return of 204.85\%. These findings highlight the grader's cost efficiency, making it a valuable device for onion farmers.

Spatiotemporal Characteristics of Food Supply-Demand Balance in Uzbekistan under Different Scenarios.

The food supply-demand balance is a perpetual concern for many countries, especially developing countries, such as Uzbekistan. Using the land resource carrying capacity model, here, food supply and demand for the cereals and calories in Uzbekistan during 1995-2020 were revealed. Despite increased demand for cereals and calories, unstable crop production has led to volatile growth patterns. The carrying capacity of cropland resources under Uzbekistan's consumption standard shifted from overload to surplus and then to balance. Moreover, the carrying capacity of cropland resources under the healthy diet standard moved from balance to surplus in the past 25-years. Additionally, the calorific equivalent land resource carrying capacity under Uzbekistan's consumption standard fluctuated, with the carrying state shifting from balance to surplus, and the healthy diet standard still in overload. These findings can help guide sustainable production and consumption strategies in Uzbekistan and other countries by analyzing the consumption structure and changes in supply and demand relationships.

Raising the Resilience of Industrial Manufacturers through Implementing Natural Gas-Fired Distributed Energy Resource Systems with Demand Response

The use of relatively small-scale distributed electric power generation sources is one of the key focus areas in the development of global industry and regional power generation. By integrating distributed generation sources into their on-site energy infrastructure, industrial consumers gain new characteristics and possibilities as entities of the power system that do not only consume power, but in fact can flexibly generate and deliver electricity to local and even centralized grids. This type of entity is called a distributed energy resource system with demand response (Russian: ‘active energy complex’). The purpose of this study is to lay the methodological foundation for the use of distributed energy resource systems with demand response in industrial sites under existing gas and power market conditions and for ensuring the synchronization of parameters that is necessary for managing complex energy consumption. This article provides an empirical study of the principles of the natural gas pricing under the demand volatility of regional markets and the Russian Mercantile Exchange. The article outlines the key drivers, as identified by the authors, that impact gas consumption by a distributed energy resource system, including demand characteristics, limitations and capacity of the gas network and the mode of gas consumption by an industrial enterprise and its generator. Accounting for all of these factors is essential for effective management and proper operational adjustment of a distributed energy resource system with demand response. The result of the study is a proprietary model and a tool for the management of distributed energy resource systems in integration with the gas demand management, which analyze the internal and external parameters of the industrial entity’s operations and its distributed energy resource system, as well as factors existing in the integrated distributed energy system where the consumer is able to buy natural gas in various market segments. The proprietary tool of distributed energy resource system management is based on the centralized control system, which combines performance analytics, operational scheduling of production and the distributed energy resource system, price planning for the wholesale and retail power markets, regional gas markets and exchange, monitoring all elements of the system, and assessment of different active energy management scenarios under various external and internal conditions impacting production and energy demand. Our proprietary tool has been successfully tested in a typical industrial site and was reported to deliver a significant electricity and gas cost-saving effect, which amounted to an 18 percent reduction in the total energy costs of the company, or more than USD 2.6 million per year. The resulting saving effect can recoup the costs of investing in a distributed energy resource system, including construction and installation of the local grid and automation infrastructure, and can be obtained in any country of the world.

Accepted Guidelines on the Potential of Water Budgets for Solving Droughts: A Case Study of Chum Saeng Sub-District, Satuek District, Buri Ram Province, Thailand

Drought situations remain a serious problem in the northeast region of Thailand, especially in Buriram province. The official guidelines are not accepted by farmers within the area and are difficult to apply. Therefore, this research aims to find acceptable guidelines for water resource management in order to solve the problem of droughts in Chum Saeng Sub-District, Satuek District, Buriram Province, in which there are three water reservoirs (Nhong Chonlaprathan, Nhong Taban and Nhong Jabok-Takian). In this study, we applied the principles of water balance analysis to evaluate both storage capacity and water demand and we also used community participation to confirm this information. The physical data of the reservoirs considered here comprise water demands, hydrology and monthly rainfall. The evaluation of available water was divided into three parts: the highest rainfall, the lowest rainfall and the average rainfall. It was found that the available water of the three reservoirs would exceed the highest storage capacities of the reservoirs for the highest rainfall and average rainfall cases, whereas when water demands were incorporated, it was found that the available water would exceed the highest storage capacities of the reservoirs only in the highest rainfall case. In addition, the output of the analyses was approved and accepted by the participating communities. It was found that three guidelines were acceptable for including increasing storage capacities: (1) increasing the reserved volumes, (2) expanding the watershed area for collecting rainfall and (3) encouraging the expansion of potential agricultural areas.