Design Of Distributed Systems Research Articles

Vehicle To Building (V2b) Peak Load Shaving and Tariff Analysis

Abstract Commercial buildings are essentially important energy consumers for national electricity grid provider as it’s owned by businesses owners that directly keep up the national gross domestic product (GDP). Soaring load demand from commercial buildings usually occurs within few hours on peak business hour. Electricity grid infrastructure designed to support maximum demand of the system but underutilize most of the time outside the peak session. Growing number of EV penetration in local market can serve as mobile energy storage for Vehicle to Building (V2B) energy integration thus enable peak load shaving to minimize maximum demand during peak period. This study presents a feasible methodology approach on determining the suitable V2B tariff on several peak load shaving scenarios to provide attractive return to building owner and discounted off-peak tariff to accommodate lower EV owner’s charging cost. By having the combination of attractive V2B and off-peak tariff that benefits both sides, subsequently increase EV penetration for V2B. It may also charm EV markets as it minimizes the total cost of EV ownership and reduce maximum demand from electricity grid. Hence it reduces the transportation CO2 emissions and contribution toward optimization of grid network electrical infrastructure of transmission and distribution systems design with lower maximum design system requirement.

Exploration of Energy-Saving Technologies in Building Electrical System Design

Green energy conservation is the mainstream trend in the current development of the construction industry. The application of energy-saving technology in building electrical system design can effectively reduce energy consumption, avoid unnecessary energy consumption, and truly achieve energy conservation and environmental protection. Based on this, the article elaborates on the principles of energy-saving design in building electrical systems, and actively explores the application of energy-saving technologies from different perspectives such as optimizing power supply and distribution system design, adopting high-efficiency energy-saving lighting equipment, applying renewable energy, promoting smart home technology, and improving the efficiency of building electrical equipment.

Vehicle routing problem for cold-chain drug distribution with epidemic spread situation

We investigate a vehicle routing problem considering the influence of epidemic spread (VRP-ES) for the design of a novel cold-chain drug distribution system, in which the disease spread model is used to capture virus transmission characteristics and demand fluctuations. To this end, we aim to minimize the total travel time and transmission risk of the distribution network by incorporating realistic features including priority distribution and temperature control. We propose a hybrid tabu search heuristic (HTS) with a specifically designed initial solution, several neighborhood operators, and diversification strategies to solve this problem. A series of numerical experiments are conducted to test the proposed solution methodology. The virus spread model and vehicle routing results are discussed to analyze the VRP-ES optimization strategies through an empirical case study of Chongqing city in China. Sensitivity analysis is conducted to identify the impact of various parameters on the VRP-ES and provide some management implications as well.

Unlocking the potential of biogas systems for energy production and climate solutions in rural communities

On-site conversion of organic waste into biogas to satisfy consumer energy demand has the potential to realize energy equality and mitigate climate change reliably. However, existing methods ignore either real-time full supply or methane escape when supply and demand are mismatched. Here, we show an improved design of community biogas production and distribution system to overcome these and achieve full co-benefits in developing economies. We take five existing systems as empirical examples. Mechanisms of synergistic adjusting out-of-step biogas flow rates on both the plant-side and user-side are defined to obtain consumption-to-production ratios of close to 1, such that biogas demand of rural inhabitants can be met. Furthermore, carbon mitigation and its viability under universal prevailing climates are illustrated. Coupled with manure management optimization, Chinese national deployment of the proposed system would contribute a 3.77% reduction towards meeting its global 1.5 °C target. Additionally, fulfilling others’ energy demands has considerable decarbonization potential.

Towards transferable metamodels for water distribution systems with edge-based graph neural networks

Data-driven metamodels reproduce the input-output mapping of physics-based models while significantly reducing simulation times. Such techniques are widely used in the design, control, and optimization of water distribution systems. Recent research highlights the potential of metamodels based on Graph Neural Networks as they efficiently leverage graph-structured characteristics of water distribution systems. Furthermore, these metamodels possess inductive biases that facilitate generalization to unseen topologies. Transferable metamodels are particularly advantageous for problems that require an efficient evaluation of many alternative layouts or when training data is scarce. However, the transferability of metamodels based on GNNs remains limited, due to the lack of representation of physical processes that occur on edge level, i.e. pipes. To address this limitation, our work introduces Edge-Based Graph Neural Networks, which extend the set of inductive biases and represent link-level processes in more detail than traditional Graph Neural Networks. Such an architecture is theoretically related to the constraints of mass conservation at the junctions. To verify our approach, we test the suitability of the edge-based network to estimate pipe flowrates and nodal pressures emulating steady-state EPANET simulations. We first compare the effectiveness of the metamodels on several benchmark water distribution systems against Graph Neural Networks. Then, we explore transferability by evaluating the performance on unseen systems. For each configuration, we calculate model performance metrics, such as coefficient of determination and speed-up with respect to the original numerical model. Our results show that the proposed method captures the pipe-level physical processes more accurately than node-based models. When tested on unseen water networks with a similar distribution of demands, our model retains a good generalization performance with a coefficient of determination of up to 0.98 for flowrates and up to 0.95 for predicted heads. Further developments could include simultaneous derivation of pressures and flowrates.

Optimal design of air distribution systems in large indoor spaces during the construction of walls: A case study on liquefied natural gas terminal storage tanks

Efficiently organizing indoor airflow is crucial for optimizing the working environment in large-scale wall construction projects, particularly when constructing liquefied natural gas membrane tanks. This helps prevent membrane corrosion, optimize construction time, and mitigate future safety risks. However, due to their size, these tanks often experience air stratification, posing challenges in meeting simultaneous temperature, humidity, and uniformity requirements during construction. To effectively address this issue, this study developed Computational Fluid Dynamics models that numerically simulated three commonly used ventilation systems: displacement ventilation system, stratified ventilation system, and fabric duct air supply system. Laboratory experiments were conducted to validate the accuracy of numerical simulation. Additionally, response surface methodology (RSM) was used to determine optimal combinations of air supply parameters for superior environmental uniformity control. The findings indicate that the fabric air supply system is more suitable than displacement and stratified ventilation systems for achieving environmental uniformity control in large spaces. It can limit wall temperature nonuniformity coefficient up to 9 % during summer and provide better uniformity in air velocity during winter conditions. Moreover, under summer conditions, the optimal range for air supply speed is between 9.62 m/s - 11.22 m/s with temperatures ranging from 16 °C to 19 °C, while under winter conditions, the optimal range is between 18.3 m/s −19.3 m/s with temperatures ranging from 33.0 °C to 35.0 °C.The optimal design of the ventilation system is advantageous for various building construction scenarios with stringent temperature and humidity requirements, particularly for large-scale buildings.

BlockEdge: Building Bridges to Safe and Efficient Distributed Systems

Abstract: In the ever-evolving landscape of distributed systems, ensuring safety, efficiency, and scalability remains a paramount challenge. BlockEdge emerges as a pioneering framework designed to address these critical issues by leveraging the principles of blockchain technology and advanced consensus mechanisms. This abstract outlines the key features, innovations, and potential impacts of BlockEdge on the realm of distributed computing. BlockEdge integrates blockchain's immutable ledger properties with a novel consensus algorithm tailored for distributed systems. Unlike traditional blockchain applications that prioritize decentralization for financial transactions, BlockEdge focuses on enhancing the performance and reliability of distributed applications. The framework employs a hybrid consensus model that combines Byzantine Fault Tolerance (BFT) with Proof-of-Stake (PoS), optimizing both security and energy efficiency. A standout feature of BlockEdge is its modular architecture, which allows seamless interoperability between different types of distributed networks. This modularity facilitates the integration of various consensus protocols, catering to the specific needs of diverse applications, from IoT networks to large-scale data processing systems. By enabling secure and efficient cross-chain communication, BlockEdge effectively mitigates the silo effect prevalent in current distributed system designs.

Developing an Optimal Model for Water Distribution System Design

Future difficulties related to water utilization in sustainable cities will be influenced by factors such as urban development, climate change, and resource scarcity. Distribution accounts for 80–85% of the entire cost of a water supply system, making it a crucial part of all urban water systems. To increase system reliability, water distribution systems (WDS) are typically designed with the "worst scenario" or "robustness" in mind. Because deterministic assumptions are historically incorrect, a new design methodology that acknowledges uncertainty and provides greater flexibility is needed. To design WDS that are more adaptive, a Genetic Algorithm Flexibility Optimization (GAFO) model is created in Visual C++ and connected to EPANET. In contrast to classical GA optimization, GAFO uses a dynamic decision-making method to maximize a WDS's versatility at the lowest possible cost while taking into account a variety of potential future scenarios. The result is a WDS that may develop a staged implementation strategy that enables a gradual evolution of the WDS over time and follows various future trajectories (changing conditions). The convergence and flexibility of the GAFO model were determined to be good after it was tested on several fictitious scenarios. In comparison to traditional, non-flexible designs, cost reductions of 35% to 72% were achieved. DOI: https://doi.org/10.52783/pst.386

Cryogenic Distribution System for Polish Free Electron Laser Facility

Polish Free Electron Laser facility (PolFEL), presently under construction at the National Centre for Nuclear Research in Warsaw, will consist of an electron gun and four cryomodules each housing two 9-cell superconducting TESLA RF cavities. The cryomodules comprising the cavities will be supplied with superfluid helium at 2 K. Other PolFEL cooling power requirements result from the demand of the power couplers for the accelerating cryomodules (5 K) and thermal shields (40 K – 80 K). The machine will make use of several helium thermodynamic states like two-phase superfluid HeII, supercritical helium and low-pressure helium vapours supplied to cold compressors. A Cryogenic Distribution System (CDS) will provide supercritical helium to the valve-boxes where thermodynamic processing of the helium to a superfluid state will take place. The paper presents the CDS architecture and discusses the possible design options like methods of the power couplers cooling, optional use and location of cold compressors. The second law of thermodynamics has been used for the optimization of the CDS configuration. A generalized approach to the design of helium distribution systems, taking into account thermomechanical aspects and the consequences of the second law of thermodynamics, is presented.

A Branch-and-Price Algorithm for an Integrated Online and Offline Retailing Distribution System with Product Return

This study identifies critical inefficiencies within a dual-channel operation model employed by a fast fashion company, particularly the independent operation of three logistics distribution systems. These systems result in high operational costs and low resource utilization, primarily due to redundant vehicle dispatches to meet the distinct demands of retail store replenishment, online customer orders, and customer return demands, as well as random and scattered return requests leading to vehicle underutilization. To address these challenges, we propose a novel integrated logistics distribution system design and management method tailored for dual-channel sales and distribution businesses. The approach consolidates the three distribution systems into one cohesive framework, thus streamlining the delivery process and reducing vehicle trips by combining retail and customer visits. An optimization algorithm is introduced to factor in inventory and distribution distance, aiming to achieve global optimization in pairing retail store inventory with online customer orders and unifying the distribution of replenishment products, online products, and returned products. The paper contributes to the field by introducing a new variation of the Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP) that arises from an integrated distribution system, combining common VRP issues with more complex challenges. A custom Branch-and-Price (B&P) algorithm is developed to efficiently find optimal routes. Furthermore, we demonstrate the benefits of the integrated system over traditional, segregated systems through real-world data analysis and assess various factors including return rates and inventory conditions. The study also enhances the model by allowing inventory transfers between retail stores, improving inventory distribution balance, and offering solutions for scenarios with critically low inventory levels. Our findings highlight a significant reduction in total operating cost savings of up to 49.9% and vehicle usage when using the integrated distribution system compared to independent two-stage and three-stage systems. The integrated approach enables the utilization of vacant vehicle space and the dynamic selection and combination of tasks, preventing unnecessary mileage and space wastage. Notably, the integration of inventory sharing among retail stores has proven to be a key factor in generating feasible solutions under tight inventory conditions and reducing operational costs and vehicle numbers, with the benefits amplified in large-scale problem instances.

Water distribution system modelling of GIS-remote sensing and EPANET for the integrated efficient design

Abstract Urban settlement depends on water distribution networks for clean and safe drinking water. This research incorporates geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing (RS), and hydraulic modelling software EPANET to analyse and construct water distribution systems in Bota town, India. Satellite images and hydrological data have been utilized for the management of the Bota town's water supply network, sources to cater the demand for urban centres. EPANET simulates hydraulic behaviour in the water distribution system under different operating situations. EPANET simulation shows network leaks, low pressure, and substantial head loss. These findings have advised for water distribution system improvements by analysing network shortcomings. Booster pumps, new pipelines, and repairing of existing leakages are examples of such improvements. GIS, RS, and EPANET provided a comprehensive water distribution system study and more accurate and efficient improvement identification. This study emphasizes the necessity of new technologies in water distribution system analysis and design. The study solves Bota town's water distribution system problems of low pressure, high head loss, and leaks utilizing GIS, RS, and EPANET. The findings of this research can help in enhancing the water delivery systems in other towns with comparable issues.

Design of a high-precision clock distribution and synchronization system

In large-scale nuclear and particle physics experiments, there is a high demand for high precision clock distribution and synchronization. In this paper, the design and testing of a high precision clock distribution and synchronization system for the CSR External Target Experiment (CEE) is presented. To achieve high synchronization precision, a dedicated high-quality clock distribution network is designed, while the timestamp synchronization is achieved over the existing trigger link in CEE with a customized protocol in order to simplify the system structure. Automatic metastability elimination and real-time monitoring of both the timestamps on the front end nodes and the clock electronics status are also implemented. The test results indicate that the period jitter of the clock network is better than 4 ps rms, and all the expected functionalities have been achieved successfully.

Optimization of Subsidized Fertilizer Distribution System Design in East Java Due to Uncertainty Factors

Objective: The purpose of this study is to optimize the optimal location and number of distribution warehouses in the face of a significant decrease in the allocation of subsidized Urea and NPK fertilizers. This research is conducted on subsidized fertilizers with multi-product characteristics (Urea and NPK fertilizers), multi-period (2021-2022), and uncertainty (government policy on allocation). The objectives of this study are produce a distribution network design model and optimize the number and location of warehouses needed to minimize total logistics costs.
 
 Methods: This research uses a quantitative approach in solving the problems faced by companies. To obtain the lowest logistics cost, optimization calculations are performed via model development. The model employed is mixed integer linear programming, which employs a combination of multi-source capacitated models, multi-product models, and multi-stage models. Furthermore, by examining storage consumption, the optimization calculation may be utilized to estimate the existing amount of storage facilities. The anticipated goal is to reduce logistical costs and enhance warehouse usage for storing subsidized fertilizer.
 
 Results: The results of this study from 43 warehouses to 33 warehouses located in East Java Province with operational savings costs that can be obtained by PT Petrokimia Gresik amounting to IDR 1,863,794,700.

Electro-Mechanical Synergy in the Design of Hybrid Busbar Distribution Systems

This paper focuses on electric energy distribution and utilizes injection lap riveting to assemble two different configurations of copper-aluminum (hybrid) busbar distribution systems with geometric variations. A combined experimental-numerical methodology is employed to investigate the influence of the different configurations and geometries on current crowding and electrical resistance of the joints. The study reveals that prioritizing the reduction of manufacturing costs through the use of simple and easier-to-fabricate geometries results in poorer electrical performance and increased operational costs of the energy distribution systems in service. The work represents a key step towards achieving electro-mechanical synergy in the design of hybrid busbar distribution systems.

Numerical simulation of convective heat transfer in the discharging process of external ice-melting ice storage systems

The external ice-melting ice storage system was widely used because of its advantages of reducing peak power consumption, reducing energy consumption and emissions, and fast ice melting speed. However, designing the external ice-melting ice storage system proved to be a challenge, and the structure and flow of the water distribution system needed to be fully considered. In particular, the problem of unstable outlet water temperature limited the practical application of the external melting ice storage system. Aiming at the problem of unstable outlet water temperature, a three-dimensional CFD phase change model was constructed in this paper. By comparing with the experimental data, the impact of varying water flow rates on the thermal and cooling properties of the was investigated. The results indicated that when the water flow rate was 226 ml/min for the system with an ice thickness of 74 mm, the outlet temperature of the ice storage tank was consistently below 5°C, the Nusselt number of ice and water remained constant, and the convective heat transfer effect was improved. The numerical simulation results provided guidance for the design and practical application of the water distribution system of the external melting ice storage system.

Synchronization in PLL Networks: Numerical Simulations Using Julia

Clock distribution systems are used in many applications requiring accurate time basis: integrated circuits, computer networks, satellite communications, and Global Position System (GPS). Trying to automatize the design of clock distribution systems, this work presents a general formulation considering the possible topologies and parameters, building a computational tool allowing to design and evaluate the performance of any case to be studied. The developed tool enables to simulate networks setting the number of nodes, internal node parameters, topology, perturbations, and signal propagation delays. The simulation results include response times, synchronization quality, and stability for all types of arrangements: mutually connected, chains, rings, stars, and mixed architectures.

A Review of Demand-Side Resources in Active Distribution Systems: Communication Protocols, Smart Metering, Control, Automation, and Optimization

Power systems have been going through a barrage of transformations due to the recent developments in the field, such as deregulation and restructuring of the electric power supply chain, the proliferation of distributed generation (DG), and advancements in information and communications technologies. These have significantly impacted the approach to the planning, design, and operation of active distribution networks or systems. Due to this constant change, the system has become more complex to plan, maintain, and control. In this paper, the benefits and challenges of active distribution systems relative to traditional passive and active distribution systems are evaluated and investigated while the management and operational characteristics of demand-side resources in active distribution systems (ADS) are studied. In a typical ADS, there exist several vulnerabilities and threats that eventually pose a challenge in the control and automation of substations. These vulnerabilities and threats are reviewed, and potential mitigation measures are suggested. Also in this paper, the communication technologies and their implementation in terms of control and automation capabilities in active distribution networks are also studied. From this work, it is concluded that communication technologies play an integral role in the realization of more active distribution networks and that the Internet of Energy (IoE) is a major player in ADS in the reduction of faults due to human error, fast responses, and improving the stability of power supply. Cyber threats are also and will still be a continuous challenge in smart metering technologies and in substation automation systems (SAS), which will require frequent evaluation and mitigation measures so as not to prevent the power supply system from collapsing.

Numerical and experimental investigation of a multi-channel heat sink distribution header designed by topology optimization

The fluid distribution had a significant effect on the performance of the I-shaped multichannel heat sink. Previous researchers have improved fluid distribution by arranging baffles; however, this resulted in an increased pressure drop. In this study, a multichannel radiator distribution header was designed using a topological optimization method, and experimental and numerical studies were conducted. Both a numerical model and physical prototype were created and subsequently evaluated to assess the performance of the resultant distribution header. The effects of the distribution and conventional headers on the performance of a multichannel heat sink were compared. The results demonstrated that the distribution header designed using the topology optimization method can significantly improve multichannel performance. The optimized header design exhibited improved flow distribution rationality, enhanced heat dissipation, and reduced pressure drop compared to the two conventional designs. The volume flow rate was reduced by 58.66% and 59.29%, the heat transfer coefficient was increased by 29.39% and 21.42%, and the pressure drop was reduced by 9.38% and 16.98%. A peach-shaped baffle plays an important role in fluid distribution. These findings highlight the effectiveness and potential of topology optimization in the design of complex fluid distribution systems for heat exchanger.

Complementarity reformulations for the optimal design of distributed energy systems with multiphase optimal power flow

The optimal design of grid-connected distributed energy systems (DES) has been previously investigated, but most studies exclude nonlinear multiphase optimal power flow (MOPF) constraints which capture imbalances in alternating current (AC) distribution networks. Previous DES design studies considering AC power flow assume balanced loads and networks, which is an assumption that does not hold for distribution networks that are often inherently unbalanced. This is the first study to present an optimisation framework for designing grid-connected DES while simultaneously considering multiphase optimal power flow (MOPF) constraints to accurately represent unbalanced low-voltage distribution. This study proposes a new algorithm for obtaining DES designs subject to nonlinear multiphase power flow constraints with regularised complementarity reformulations for operational constraints containing binary variables. DES design models with either MOPF or OPF are tested using an unbalanced distribution network, where rooftop solar, gas boilers, and battery storage are considered as distributed resources. Despite the increased complexity, DES design with MOPF obtains the best solution, with 81% greater solar capacity and 6% lower total annualised cost when compared to DES with OPF. Designs from a commonly-used linear DES design framework based on direct current (DC) approximations produce the highest costs (8% more than initially predicted) when tested with MOPF. The proposed algorithm with complementarity reformulations achieves a 19% improvement in the objective value over a previous two-stage decomposition for DES with OPF, where the entire binary topology in the nonlinear model is fixed. The study therefore enables the acquisition of DES designs that can work symbiotically within unbalanced distribution networks.

Cryogenic distribution system design for cryomodules and cavities test in HIAF project

ABSTRACT High-intensity heavy-ion accelerator facility (HIAF) is an accelerator-driven high-current heavy ion facility, currently under construction in Guangdong, China. The proton linear accelerator of HIAF linac has 96 superconducting cavities and 17 cryomodules cooled by 2 K saturated superfluid helium. Cryogenic tests should be carried out in a test cryogenic system prior to the online operation of each cavity and cryomodule. The cryogenic distribution system (CDS) is the main part of the test cryogenic system, which is used for transporting cryogenic fluid between helium refrigerator and test terminals. A specific CDS is developed due to the long cryogenic test time. Each test terminal can be independently cooled and heated up, saving quite a bit of time without impacting the others. This article provides comprehensive explanations for the process design, process analysis, and special structure design which enhance the system’s maintainability. Furthermore, particular technical designs, such as measuring system, helium guard, and elimination of thermoacoustic oscillations, are described in detail.