Electric Industry Research Articles

Online learning and continuous model upgrading with data streams through the Kafka-ML framework

A pipeline of constant data streams is being built by the Internet of Things (IoT) to monitor information about the physical environment. In parallel, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is constantly developing and enhancing industrial, economic, and academic endeavors as well as quality of life thanks to these IoT data. In streaming contexts, Kafka-ML is our open-source framework that enables the management of Machine Learning (ML) and AI pipelines over data streams. Accordingly, it simplifies the deployment of Deep Neural Networks (DNNs) in practical applications. Nonetheless, this framework did not support the possibility of carrying out an Online Learning (OL) process, which is needed when new data are continuously arriving, and the models need to adapt to them on the fly. In this work, we have extended our previous work, the Kafka-ML framework, to enhance the management of ML/AI pipelines with OL features to enable both ML/AI distributed and centralized models to learn indefinitely over time. These models are continuously upgraded thanks to a process where automatic and flexible inference is carried out when improvements in the model performance are achieved. This opens up a large number of new possibilities within different fields of application, development, and work under the premise of incremental learning with ML models such as Electrical Vehicles and Industry 5.0. We have validated these new features by adapting and deploying state-of-the-art DNN models in different online scenarios, for both single and distributed configurations. The results show the capability of Kafka-ML to execute effective online training processes for ML models, improving their performance over time as new data becomes available.

Arbitragem e energia no Brasil

The electric industry encompasses the segments of energy generation, transmission, and distribution. It comprises intensive infrastructure investments and energy commercialization. Events related to energy transition and the integration of disruptive technologies have altered the sector’s landscape, requiring system flexibility and increased regulatory proactivity. Additionally, it demands structural, operational, and market changes. The sector is disruptive in terms of governance and operational, market, and legal aspects. In the 2000s, the introduction of competitive areas in the electric industry was the first step towards the use of arbitration, driven by regulatory reforms and in response to the country’s energy crisis, which also led to the first arbitration in the Brazilian electric sector involving the Public Administration. Law nº 10.848/2004 currently makes arbitration mandatory in energy trading contracts managed by the CCEE. Arbitration also finds space in other forms of energy negotiation, such as contracts for mini and micro-distributed generation and energy derivatives. The context of modernization increased renewable energy production and market opening create opportunities for arbitration expansion. There is also potential for further development in enabling relationships of capital-intensive electric industry activities. The paper provides data on the state of the art of these contracts in the Brazilian electric sector, indicating under what circumstances arbitration could enhance governance in the industry.

Electrification reconstruction design and analysis of the coal-to-ethylene glycol process

Abstract Industrial electrification is an important way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address the issue of renewable energy consumption. Using coal-to-ethylene glycol as an example, the methodology and techno-economic analysis of integrating renewable energy sources with the chemical industry are examined. The findings demonstrate that if electricity prices decline, a reconfiguring electrification process for coal-to-ethylene glycol that uses renewable energy can lower CO2 emissions by 90.88%, boost energy efficiency by 2.21%, and result in cost savings. The electrification reconstruction in chemical industry can aid in the energy transition.

Industry star or production elite: evidence from total factor productivity of Chinese electricity sector's green transformation.

China is constantly seeking rapid, high-quality growth in order to meet its carbon peaking and neutrality goals. Approximately 40% of China's carbon emissions come from the electric power industry, which is beset by issues of poor efficiency and excessive emissions. Thus, it is essential to determine if environmental restrictions increase economic benefits total factor productivity while still preserving the environment. We use the Quasi-DID method to examine the impact of carbon emissions trading scheme on firm-level total factor productivity of electric power companies. The findings demonstrate the following: (1) carbon emissions trading scheme considerably impedes total factor productivity development; (2) the primary cause of this detrimental impact is the need for additional improvements in marketization since green innovation is still in its infancy; (3) additional study indicates that law enforcement's heterogeneity is what affects this restriction. Our research may both enhance the Chinese carbon emissions trading scheme's effectiveness assessment framework and point out several potential avenues for high-quality growth.

Energy Consumption Analysis and Management Strategies for the Dairy Farm in India Towards Sustainable Development

ABSTRACT Environmental pollution and the rapid decline in the availability of fossil fuels are the major concerns of the electric power industry in recent years. Effective utilization of electrical energy is the need of the hour in building the nation towards sustainable development. This study presents the energy consumption analysis and management performed in a diary firm located in Tamil Nadu, India. Initially, the energy usage of the firm is estimated based on its electricity bills, meter readings, and survey followed by detailed energy consumption analysis and evaluation. The study employs guidelines provided by the Indian Bureau of Energy Efficiency for energy management. The detailed analysis performed finds scopes for improvement in efficient energy usage. Numerical analysis shows that implementation of proposed action plans that include installation of automatic power factor correction, replacement of overheating equipment, and replacement of lighting systems with energy-efficient lighting would save annual energy of 123.96 kWh which in turn results in the reduction of annual CO2 emission by 117.76 tonnes. Furthermore, this paper also proposes a novel optimal process scheduling which optimally schedules different processes in the firm without affecting productivity. This makes an additional savings of INR 4,23,360 per annum in the energy cost by minimizing the maximum demand of the firm with zero investment. A comparison of the proposed approach with existing methodologies available in the literature shows the effectiveness of the proposed technique.

A fast charge algorithm for Li-ion battery for electric vehicles

The renewable solar energy industry and electric vehicle industry are today seeking for fast battery pack recharging methods to achieve higher performances, and fast energy recovery for energy storage systems (ESS) and for electric vehicles. The charge rate of batteries impacts directly the temperature which in turn impacts the capacity fade, thus it should be kept low to prevent the cells from warming up. This not only limits the charging rate but also puts us on a trade-off, a long lifetime or a fast recharge. In this study, we tried to achieve fast charging using a new charging method that combine two charging methods, without much deterring the capacity of the battery, in order to be able to maintain a long battery lifetime. Charging time of around 82 min was achieved for a 1.8 Ah battery. We compared our findings with the literature with known charging profiles.

Selective Extraction of Lithium from Spent-NMC Battery Cathodes Using Sodium Hydroxide as a Leaching Agent at Elevated Temperatures

Introduction: The demand for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is rapidly increasing due to the growth of the electronics and electric vehicle industries. Even though the batteries are rechargeable, their storage capacity decreases, and they eventually end up being wasted. Recycling the spent LIBs is necessary to reduce the environmental impact and utilize the precious metals contained in the waste Methods: The present work focuses on the selective recovery of lithium from the cathodes of spent NMC batteries through the hydrometallurgical process using a sodium hydroxide solution. The leaching process was carried out in 2 M and 4 M NaOH concentrations for 120 minutes at high pressure and at temperatures of 398.15 K, 423.15 K, 448.15 K, and 473.15 K. Experimental results showed that 56.53% of lithium could be recovered with nearly 100% selectivity under the optimum leaching conditions of 473.15 K and 4 M NaOH. The release of lithium ions was due to a combination of sodium adsorption, ion exchange, and impregnation mechanisms. Result: Calculation results showed that the activation energy of the lithium leaching process was 2.1990×104 J/mol, the reaction was endothermic with enthalpy and entropy at standard conditions (298.15 K) of 4.8936×105 J/mol and 1.4421×103 J/mol/K, respectively. Conclusion: The present work also suggested that total lithium recovery can be increased through a series of leaching processes.

Switch to pollution control bonds, else carbon risk will switch us: Evidence from the U.S. electric utility firms

This study explores the implications and effectiveness of pollution control bonds (PCBs) in reducing carbon risk, focusing on a sample of 242 U S. electric utility firms from 2012 to 2022. The research investigates the association of PCB issuances with (i) absolute (unscaled) carbon emissions levels and their three scopes; and (ii) carbon emissions intensity and its three scopes. Using quantile regressions covering the 5th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th quantiles, along with the Propensity Score Matching (PSM) methodology (where the treatment group includes firms using PCBs and the control group comprises firms that do not opt for PCBs), the findings show a significant reduction in carbon emissions due to PCB issuance. Substantial differences were observed between the treatment group and the control group across various quantiles of carbon emissions, particularly for companies with medium to high carbon footprints, both in terms of overall CO2 emissions and scope 2 CO2 emissions. Moreover, disparities between the two groups were notable across all quantiles of scope 1 CO2 emissions. Additionally, among the companies using PCBs, those with lower risk profiles exhibited a smaller carbon footprint, measured by scope 3 CO2 emissions, in comparison to their counterparts. Furthermore, the study highlights a more pronounced impact of PCBs issuance during the second phase of the Kyoto Protocol and the commitment period of the Paris Agreement. The results remain robust when alternative measures of carbon risk are applied. These findings carry significant implications for municipal and financing authorities, as well as investors within the U.S. electric utility industry. This research contributes novel insights to the field of electric utility management.

Floating solar power plant planning based on electricity price fluctuations in Towuti, south Sulawesi

A company located in South Sulawesi, intends to mitigate emissions from the Power Plant by constructing an environmentally friendly alternative, namely the Floating Solar Power Plant (FSPP), in Towuti. The development plan involves a feasibility analysis for each configuration of the FSPP, considering technological, economic, and environmental criteria. The selection of the preferred configuration is determined using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method, based on input from experts. According to this method, the chosen configuration is the on-grid non-battery Floating Solar Power Plant, with a Net Present Value of Rp. 1,431,159,245,752, an Internal Rate of Return of 9.46%, a Payback Period of 8.916 years, a Profitability Ind ex of 1.299, a system efficiency of 21.56%, a carbon footprint of 35,003 kg CO2, and an emission reduction of 9,136,808,273 kg CO2. Decision analysis, involving open and abandonment scenarios based on fluctuations in industrial electricity prices, was conducted using Monte Carlo simulation, yielding a volatility value of 31.2%. The real options analysis recommends abandonment in the twentieth year, with a decision success potential of 38%, based on the results.

Deployment of Lifetime Cost Analysis to Reassess Economic Current Density in the Presence of Vietnam’s Market Economy

A decent choice of conductor size for overhead power transmission lines can provide economic advantages throughout the project’s lifetime. One of the crucial criteria for sizing conductors is economic current density. In Vietnam, the electricity industry has extensively utilized the 1950s-era economic current density that ignores the value of cash flow at diverse points in time and applies the assumption of the constant electricity tariff and wire cost. These costs, nonetheless, are likely to greatly impact the figures of economic current density; as a result, these figures must be modified. This paper puts forward novel figures of economic current density that are systematically determined on the basis of lifetime cost (LTC) analysis in the presence of Vietnam’s market economy. The LTC is made up of the initial capital expenditure (ICE) and the overall operating cost (OPC), which includes the expense incurred for maintenance and electricity energy loss. An analytical formulation of ICE related to conductor size and system voltage is established based on information from recently built overhead transmission lines and a regression-based method. The electricity energy loss is computed based on equivalent hours of maximum power loss contingent upon equivalent hours of maximum power usage throughout an analytical expression obtained on the basis of the regression technique from load consumption patterns in the past. Finally, the feasibility and efficacy of the proposed economic current density values are validated by practical case studies of overhead transmission lines in Vietnam. The deployment of the suggested strategy demonstrates a decrease in lifetime cost ranging from approximately 5% to around 20% in comparison to the methodology prescribed by the existing Vietnam standard.

Assessing the Applicability of Solar Thermal Technologies for Industrial Tea Drying

Most process heat being used for various industrial applications is supplied from fossil fuels. Coal, gas, and wood fuel are the most used heat resources which usually power steam boilers for production of heat used in a wide range of industrial processes. Since economic growth is largely linked to industrial production, it implies that, a shift towards use of clean energy technologies in industries is crucial to meet the rising demand of process heat while, cutting down carbon emissions to mitigate climate change. Solar thermal systems have over the past years shown potential as a practical alternative to fossil fuels for production of heat for several applications including, water and space heating, industrial process heating and electricity generation in thermal power plants. This study seeks to assess the feasibility of employing solar thermal technologies for drying purposes at Tingamira-Tanganda Tea estate in Zimbabwe. Systems advisor model (SAM) was applied to simulate performance of linear Fresnel (LF) and parabolic trough (PT) solar thermal technologies for industrial tea drying. Information on daily heat demand, required process temperatures and current heat sources was obtained to inform the design process of the proposed solar thermal systems. LF system exhibited better techno-economic performance. It requires a smaller collector area (360 m2) with a lower initial capital cost which is about 8% cheaper. Moreover, it produces higher annual energy at lower levelized cost of heat for solar multiples higher than 1. Carbon footprint of the factory would be reduced by about 114 tonnes CO2 annually. Sensible thermal energy storage technology can be considered for back up heat and heat recovery.

Price responsiveness of solar and wind capacity demands

Accurate estimates of the price responsiveness of residential, commercial, and industrial electricity demands are essential for energy policy modelling, integrated resource planning, and determining a competitive wholesale electricity market's generation levels, prices, and capacity investments. Hence, we estimate the own-price elasticities of solar and wind capacity demands of a load serving entity (LSE) that provides retail electricity service, thereby answering two interrelated research questions: (1) does solar capacity demand far exceed wind capacity demand? and (2) are solar and wind capacity demands price-elastic? Inspired by the theory of input demand under input price uncertainty, our innovative methodology integrates (a) wholesale spot energy price forecasts by time of day; (b) pseudo data found by minimizing a LSE's annual risk-adjusted budget for procuring solar and wind capacities; and (c) econometric analysis of (b) to estimate the extent of substitutability between solar and wind capacities and the own-price elasticities of solar and wind capacity demands. Using Texas as an illustrative example, we find that when solar and wind power purchase agreements have similar energy prices, solar capacity demand is approximately four times wind capacity demand. Further, the own-price elasticity estimates are −5.34 for solar capacity demand and −5.65 for wind capacity demand. As a result, solar and wind capacity demands tend to substantially grow (shrink) in response to declining (rising) solar and wind energy prices. This lends support to proposals to raise solar and wind energy prices for mitigating the adverse effects of large-scale variable renewable energy development on an electric grid's efficient operation and system reliability. However, adopting such proposals also slows the grid's pace of decarbonization, thus underscoring the policy and regulatory challenges in the quest for a clean and sustainable electricity future. Hence, our policy recommendation of price managing solar and wind capacity demands is a topic of policy debate that deserves the attention of an electric grid's stakeholders.

Computing edge version of metric dimension of certain chemical networks

In the modern digital sphere, graph theory is a significant field of research that has a great deal of significance. It finds widespread application in computer science, robotic directions, and chemistry. Additionally, graph theory is used in robot network localization, computer network problems and the formation of various chemical structures for networks. Moreover, it finds uses in exploring diffusion mechanisms and scheduling aircraft as well. The present research project examines and concentrates on the edge version of metric dimension of the Concealed Non-Kekuléan Benzenoid Hydrocarbon, Polythiophene, Backbone DNA network and Bakelite networks. All the mentioned networks have constant edge metric dimension except Bakelite network, as demonstrated by the results. If we talk about the applications of these networks, Polythiophene are used to treat prion disorders. It is also capable of detecting metal ions. The concept of Bakelite, which finds applications in the jewelry, electrical, cookware, sports, and clock industries, had an impact on the invention of modern polymers. The functions of DNA include information encoding, replication, mutation, and recombination gene expression.

Selective lithium extraction with LiMn2O4: Impossible triangle and reconcile via in-situ growth on flexible 3D substrate

The electrochemically switched ion exchange (ESIX) with LiMn2O4, which can selectively extract lithium from salt-lake brines, has attracted intensive attention in recent years owing to the rapid development of the electric vehicle industry. However, the balancing of the membrane electrode’s impossible triangle, i.e., high load capacity, high porosity, and high conductivity, is something that has long puzzled scientists. In this study, one-step in-situ hydrothermal synthesis was utilized to prepare LiMn2O4 one-dimensional nano-rod (ODNR, 10 ∼ 40 nm and a length-diameter ratio of 18–220) on the flexible carbon cloth substrate (LiMn2O4@CC), thus reconciling the impossible triangle. The exchange capacity (37.73 mg/g), dissolution ratio (<0.05 %), kinetics (88 % capacity with 1.5 h), and specific energy consumption (5.04 Wh/mol·Li) of ODNR LiMn2O4@CC flexible electrode are significantly superior to the LiMn2O4 on rigid titanium electrode (LiMn2O4@RTE) ascribing to the 3 times higher conductivity, 2 to 4 orders of magnitude higher internal Li+ diffusion coefficient, and the intrinsic 3D porous nature of the flexible electrode. Electrochemical analyses verified the redox of ODNR LiMn2O4/λ-MnO2 is a one-electron transfer electrochemical reversible process with a fast electron transfer process, which may be induced by the in-situ growth ODNR and the 3D porous structure of the flexible substrate. The separation coefficients for Li+/Mg2+ and Li+/Na+ were 804.6 and 513.2, respectively. And the capacity retention ratio is > 92 % even after 50 cycles. This work sheds light on the reconciling of the impossible triangle for membrane electrode fabrication.

Process Integration and Electrification for retrofit: Case studies of milk evaporator systems

Industrial Process Integration and Electrification represents a critical path to harnessing renewable electricity for a net-zero future, particularly through advancements in heat pump and vapour recompression technologies for industrial applications. This paper addresses the challenge of decarbonising an energy-intensive aspect of dairy processing plants, milk evaporation, which is a critical processing step in milk powder production. Employing three different milk evaporator case studies, it introduces a retrofit methodology that merges Process Integration with Electrification technologies to achieve energy, emissions and cost savings. The study leverages Heat Pump Bridge Analysis, extended to evaluate process unit operations, and work consumption and generation, facilitating a comprehensive retrofit analysis for optimal energy use. The study concludes with several retrofit solutions, notably replacing steam ejectors with mechanical vapour recompression fans, resulting in energy savings of 13.7 %–41.6 % and emissions reductions of 14.5 %–47.3 %. This approach offers a holistic framework for industrial electrification, demonstrating significant efficiency and sustainability gains in dairy processing.

Intra- and inter-sector spillover effects within a supply chain: Evidence from Taiwan electric motorcycle industry

This study adopts a TVP-VAR based connectedness approach to investigate dynamic spillover effects of stock return in the supply chain of Taiwan's electric motorcycle. The decomposition of spillovers into intra- and inter-sector parts finds that the intra-sector connectedness is larger than the inter-sector one. Our results further suggest the midstream sector as the main transmitter of shocks as taking either intra-sector or inter-sector effects into consideration. We also find that inter-sector spillovers diminish with the echelon distance in the supply chain. The results provide insights for investors in assessing how stock returns shocks transmitted in the supply chain.

Managing coopetitive innovation: sharing while protecting knowledge in separated project teams

Existing research on coopetition acknowledges the dilemma companies face regarding sharing and protecting knowledge when developing coopetitive product innovation. To manage this dilemma, coopetitors can rely on two different organizational designs: the coopetitive project team (CPT) or the separated project team (SPT). The CPT fosters high knowledge sharing but creates uncertainty about knowledge protection. In contrast, the SPT limits the knowledge sharing but offers higher knowledge protection. While the CPT design has been studied in‐depth, the SPT design remains an underexplored black box. We know little about how knowledge is shared and protected within the SPT. To fill this gap, we conducted an ethnographic case study of a joint innovation project using SPT in the Chinese electric car industry. Our research shows how the SPT design manages the necessary knowledge sharing while protecting the knowledge. The project managers facilitate knowledge sharing by acting as the interface coordinator with the coopetitor, and the knowledge protection is guaranteed by a strict separation between the two coopetitors' operators. In SPT, the nature and the management of knowledge flows are not rigid but evolve according to the project stage.

The superconducting Dirac AlB6 monolayer as an excellent anode material for Li/Na ion batteries

The electric vehicle industry is growing fast. This puts higher and higher requirements on on-board batteries. Aluminum-boron based two-dimensional materials have the potential of high energy storage due to their lightweight advantages. In this paper, the feasibility of using AlB6 monolayer as anode material for Li/Na ions batteries was theoretically verified and its equilibrium performance was theoretically proved by first principle calculation. Interestingly, the AlB6 monolayer has excellent stability, which lays the foundation for future synthesis. In addition, the calculation results show that stable adsorption of Li/Na ions, small diffusion resistance (Li: 0.34 eV; Na: 0.18 eV), high ion specific capacity (Li: 2334.5 mA h/g; Na: 1167.2 mA h/g) and low electrode potential are the advantages of AlB6 monolayer as an anode material. Therefore, AlB6 monolayer has a bright future as an excellent anode material.

Attention Focus and New Opportunities: The Moderating Role of Managerial Attention to Alternative Issues

The strategy literature highlights the critical role that managerial attention plays in shaping firms’ responses to industry change. However, attention to change alone is not sufficient to precipitate action. The context in which this attention is paid is also critical in determining the translation of attention to action as managers generally pay attention to multiple issues within their strategic agendas. We argue that attention to a competing issue and the breadth of managerial strategic attention impair the relationship between attention to a focal issue and related organizational action as these attentional constraints may lead to hesitancy or confusion at an individual level and reduced coordination at an organizational level. Realizing that at an organizational level, firms vary tremendously with respect to their sizes, resources, and by implication their overall attentional capacities, we argue that the negative moderation impacts of attention to a competing issue and the breadth of strategic attention on the attention to a focal issue–subsequent action relationship are larger for smaller firms. Studying the U.S. electric utility industry and the emerging new distributed electricity generation business model, we find broad support for our arguments and also important nuance. By melding theory, important details of our empirical setting, and intriguing empirical results, we develop greater insights into when and how the other strategic issues to which managers pay attention can shape the translation of managerial attention to a new business model into subsequent organizational action. Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.2021.15861 .

How Demand Shocks “Jumpstart” Technological Ecosystems and Commercialization: Evidence from the Global Electric Vehicle Industry

We examine how exogenous demand shocks overcome ecosystem bottlenecks in the commercialization of an emergent technology. We argue that demand shocks that spur new technology adoption by niche users pull “hub” firms into country technology markets, despite ecosystem bottlenecks, thereby serving to “jumpstart” the process of ecosystem development and technology commercialization. By analyzing global electric vehicle markets over the period 2008–2017, we find that extreme weather events such as abnormal heat-related events spur adoption of electric vehicles by end users, thereby propelling automotive or hub firms’ entry into country technology markets, and the subsequent shift of their electric vehicle product portfolios toward the more radical version of the technology. Notably, such demand shocks propel firms’ commercialization strategy, despite ecosystem bottlenecks such as the lack of regulatory and economic inducements for adoption, relative absence of complements, and product market differences. After entry, entrant firms’ electric vehicle product portfolios transition from hybrids toward radical technology products and investments in complements, albeit contingent on their competitive market position in the legacy technology. We discuss the implications of these findings concerning the uptake of demand shocks, and their robustness to modeling choices, technological generations across extended timeframes, potential mediating forces, and boundary conditions owing to firm and country-market heterogeneity. Supplemental Material: The online appendices are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/stsc.2022.0075 .