Pace Of Deployment Research Articles

Overview of the early campaign diagnostics for the SPARC tokamak (invited).

The SPARC tokamak is a high-field, Bt0 ∼12T, medium-sized, R0 = 1.85m, tokamak that is presently under construction in Devens, MA, led by Commonwealth Fusion Systems. It will be used to de-risk the high-field tokamak path to a fusion power plant and demonstrate the commercial viability of fusion energy. SPARC's first campaign plan is to achieve Qfus > 1 using an ICRF-heated, <10MW, high current, Ip ∼ 8.5 MA, L-mode fueled by D-T gas injection, and its second campaign will investigate H-mode operations in D-D. To facilitate plasma control and scientific learning, a targeted set of ∼50 plasma diagnostics are being designed and built for operation during these campaigns. While nearly all diagnostics are based on established techniques, the pace of deployment, relative to the first plasma, and the harshness of the thermal, electromagnetic, and radiation environment are unprecedented for medium-sized tokamaks. An overview of the SPARC diagnostic set is given, providing context to further details communicated by the SPARC team in companion publications that are system-specific. The system engineering philosophy for SPARC diagnostics is outlined, and the design and engineering verification process for components inside and outside the primary vacuum boundary are described. Diagnostics are mounted directly to the vacuum vessel as well as housed within a series of eight midplane and 24 off-midplane replaceable port plugs. With limited exceptions, signal conditioning, digitization electronics and cameras as well as lasers and microwave sources are localized to a series of five Diagnostic Lab spaces, totaling ∼350m2, located >15m from the center of the tokamak, on the other side of a 2.4m concrete shielding wall. A series of 31 large-scale penetrations have been included in the SPARC Tokamak Hall to facilitate integration of early campaign diagnostics and to provide upgradability.

Navigating the landscape of automated truck platooning: A systematic review on stakeholder perspectives, employment implications, and regulatory challenges

Despite the economic and social benefits of vehicle automation and platooning, the penetration of automation in the trucking industry is concerning to the industry stakeholders. Assuming that future technical innovations will address the safety and reliability issues associated with automated truck platooning (ATP), societal concerns, especially the employment implications, require deeper exploration to frame adequate policies to allow ATP. Therefore, a systematic review of 33 relevant research articles and reports was conducted using the PRISMA technique. The study analyzed the perspectives of multiple stakeholders including drivers, policymakers, and fleet owners/industry explored in previous studies through interviews and discussions. The review suggests both positive and negative implications on employment rate, dependent on the scenario of ATP, potential of alternative job creation, and the pace of automation deployment. Previous discussions about ATP scenarios and pace of deployment further reveal the barriers perceived by stakeholders. The gap between research, stakeholders’ perspectives, and policy is identified as the root cause of delay in ATP deployment. Additionally, due to the varied physical and industrial geography and stringent safety considerations, platooning laws adopted across the US vary in requirements, such as licensing and on-site human presence, pre-approved travel corridors, etc. This review suggests that owners seek timely and incentivizing policies to invest in automation and upskill the existing workforce. Future studies should also explore the perspectives of state Departments of Transportation in addition to other stakeholders, to develop strategies and policies aimed at mitigating the concerns identified in this study to support the realization of ATP.

Photovoltaic inverter-based quantification of snow conditions and power loss

Snow is a significant challenge for photovoltaic (PV) systems at northern latitudes, where the pace of deployment is rapid but snow-related power losses can exceed 30% of annual production. Accurate snow-related power loss estimation methods for utility-scale sites can support snow mitigation strategies, inform resource planning and validate predictive snow-loss models. This study builds on our previous work on inverter-based detection of snow, and its implications for utility-scale power production, by validating the accuracy of our snow-loss method across different PV sites and system designs and highlighting its value in bringing greater visibility to PV plant operations in winter. Our estimation method is both novel and scalable, requiring only standard monitoring data to correlate snow-related losses with meteorological data. As demonstrated here, our validation method involved three main steps: 1) estimation of performance losses for multiple systems by comparing measured inverter data to modeled data; 2) application of a detection framework to identify which performance losses are snow-related; and 3) comparison of snow-related losses among three utility-scale sites differing in tilt angle. Results show that utility-scale systems at higher tilt angles consistently shed snow more quickly/completely than their lower-tilt counterparts. Further, monthly and seasonal snow losses are inversely and non-linearly correlated with tilt angle when normalized for cumulative snowfall. These results are consistent with the findings of previous studies and support the broad applicability of this method to fixed-tilt utility-scale PV systems around the world that routinely experience snow-related performance losses.

A generic hierarchical System of Systems Engineering (SOS) Approach for Model based System Engineering (MBSE) Projects

AbstractModel based systems engineering (MBSE) has been accepted worldwide by many industries, including the automotive industry, for several years. Hundreds of projects have already been developed and deployed using MBSE approaches. MBSE is gaining importance because it provides systems advantageous life cycle processes, such as returns of investments and meeting the demands of global marketplaces, as they become increasingly complex. Consequently, the number and pace of deployment using MBSE approaches will increase in the future.Our current work objective is to define a generic MBSE methodology compatible with Systems Engineering Body of Knowledge (SEBOK) functional decomposition principles, ‘Automotive open systems architecture’ (AUTOSAR) developments and compliant to ‘Automotive software performance improvement and capability determination’ (ASPICE) processes using the ‘systems modelling language’ (SysML). We have proposed a generic SysML process framework, a hierarchical system of systems (SOS) engineering approach and automation solutions. We have shown that the proposed solution helps meet the defined objectives. The work is targeted and relevant for automotive industry MBSE practitioners. In general, the research, apart from transportation and mobility industries, can also be used in other industries.

Scene setter presentation: Why does innovation and technology matter to the industry’s future?

Technology is an enabler, not a metaphysical abstraction that will resolve the energy transition. Many of the technologies our industry is working on could help us reduce potential environmental impacts, advance decarbonisation, and improve efficiency. Some cost-saving examples of innovation include centralising and automating work planning and monitoring in well operations, oil and gas production, and refining through to using Robotic Process Automation to automate manual processes. Revenues can be enhanced by using machine learning and advanced analytics to optimise entire systems from the reservoir through to refineries, enabling intervention ahead of predicted equipment failure, optimising supply and demand functions through trading and shipping. Huge investment is also being placed in carbon reduction technology like satellite imaging and drones. We are finally seeing some momentum in CCUS and hydrogen. Digital technologies enable everything we do, particularly because they can be deployed relatively quickly and low cost. But we need to consider a few things when we consider technology. First, we cannot afford to wait for game-changing technologies to solve climate change. Second, the Paris goals can be met with technologies that exist today, albeit not at the price point we would ideally like. The challenge is pace of deployment, supported by customer demand and regulation. A technology-inclusive approach to policymaking can ensure they are able to use the broadest possible range of emission mitigation solutions possible. By picking winners early in the race and focusing public support on a small number of technologies, we are concentrating risk and increasing chances of failure. To view the video, click on the link to the right.

Net zero by 2050: Investigating carbon-budget compliant retrofit measures for the English housing stock

The UK has enacted one of the most ambitious carbon reduction targets striving for net zero emissions by 2050. A major challenge to achieving this is decarbonizing heating demand with almost 25 m homes in need of retrofit. This paper explores a range of retrofit interventions to the English residential stock. These are deployed immediately in 2021 to investigate the maximum carbon reduction that could be achieved. The impact of these interventions on embodied and operational carbon emissions is estimated from 2021 to 2050. The resulting emissions are compared to estimated national carbon budgets, in order to ascertain, if, and with what combination of retrofit measures, the English housing stock can stay within carbon budgets. The results show that mass deployment of air source or ground source heat pumps can reliably achieve combined embodied and operational emissions within national carbon budgets by 2050. The careful selection of insulation materials is key in bringing down the embodied emissions, particularly to meet stricter carbon budgets. The identified scale and pace of deployment thus needed to stay within carbon budgets is likely to pose enormous practical challenges. To overcome these challenges, we argue for (a) urgently increasing both heat pump deployment, and renewable generation targets beyond existing pledges, (b) increasing social awareness of residential retrofit benefits, and (c) providing more attractive financing options to incentivise and facilitate retrofit uptake.

Observations on the transition to a net-zero energy system in the United States

The first detailed studies of how to achieve zero net CO2 emissions from energy and industry in the U.S. by mid-century have appeared in the last year. Our observations on the key findings include: (1) Reaching net-zero by mid-century is technically feasible and economically affordable but requires a large-scale infrastructure transformation. (2) The main economic challenge is not cost, it is political economy. (3) The future holds many uncertainties, but the priorities for this decade are clear. (4) In addition to the clear risks of delaying emissions reductions, there are also risks to setting targets without adequate attention to how they will be achieved. (5) Wind and solar electricity are the main sources of primary energy in a net-zero system, but the scale and pace of deployment poses a major land use and infrastructure siting challenge. (6) Maintaining the current level of gas thermal generating capacity through 2030 is essential for reliability, and may remain so through mid-century, but the plants will operate less frequently. (7) Hydrocarbon fuels are still necessary in a net-zero system, and all sources come with downsides that get worse with scale. (8) Carbon capture (but not necessarily geologic sequestration) is required in all net-zero systems, even ones based on 100% renewable primary energy. (9) Building electrification is a key strategy, but poorly designed policy can lead to serious equity problems. (10) All net-zero pathways involve tradeoffs. (11) Breakthroughs in technology and human behavior are not required technically to reach net-zero, but they may become so if mitigation options are too limited.

Special Section on Degradation Prediction and Recycling of Renewable Energy and Energy Storage Systems: Scenarios of 2020–2025

Abstract Given the degrading environment, countries across the globe have strongly emphasized the development and deployment of renewable energy and energy storage systems across various sectors such as residential, commercial, industry, rural households, charging stations, etc. Given with this pace of deployment, there will be unforeseen problems in next decade on how to diagnose, perform online monitoring and regular maintenance and recycle these millions of these renewable energy and energy storage systems whose life span is over (spent systems). Main challenges that exist includes the heterogeneity of the systems (different standards, size and shape) adding complexity to recycling procedures, laboratory based models having assumptions for online prediction and monitoring, non-uniform reusability and recycling procedures. Due to this, the process adopted for recycling and reusability of the spent systems is mainly manual. There is a strong need for designing and developing the automation, Artificial intelligence (AI) and robust optimization procedures for making these recycling and reusability procedures smart and efficient

Diagnostic Accuracy and Failure Mode Analysis of a Deep Learning Algorithm for the Detection of Cervical Spine Fractures.

Artificial intelligence decision support systems are a rapidly growing class of tools to help manage ever-increasing imaging volumes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of an artificial intelligence decision support system, Aidoc, for the detection of cervical spinal fractures on noncontrast cervical spine CT scans and to conduct a failure mode analysis to identify areas of poor performance. This retrospective study included 1904 emergent noncontrast cervical spine CT scans of adult patients (60 [SD, 22] years, 50.3% men). The presence of cervical spinal fracture was determined by Aidoc and an attending neuroradiologist; discrepancies were independently adjudicated. Algorithm performance was assessed by calculation of the diagnostic accuracy, and a failure mode analysis was performed. Aidoc and the neuroradiologist's interpretation were concordant in 91.5% of cases. Aidoc correctly identified 67 of 122 fractures (54.9%) with 106 false-positive flagged studies. Diagnostic performance was calculated as the following: sensitivity, 54.9% (95% CI, 45.7%-63.9%); specificity, 94.1% (95% CI, 92.9%-95.1%); positive predictive value, 38.7% (95% CI, 33.1%-44.7%); and negative predictive value, 96.8% (95% CI, 96.2%-97.4%). Worsened performance was observed in the detection of chronic fractures; differences in diagnostic performance were not altered by study indication or patient characteristics. We observed poor diagnostic accuracy of an artificial intelligence decision support system for the detection of cervical spine fractures. Many similar algorithms have also received little or no external validation, and this study raises concerns about their generalizability, utility, and rapid pace of deployment. Further rigorous evaluations are needed to understand the weaknesses of these tools before widespread implementation.

Japan, the new “El Dorado” of solar PV?

Japan intends to increase the share of photovoltaic (PV) energy in its mix of electricity production from 4.5% today to 12% by 2030. However, as a result of Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) reductions and limited grid access for new projects, Japan's PV demand shrank by 23% year-over-year in 2016 and another 10% in 2017. Even so, in terms of the cost and pace of deployment, solar PV has grown much more quickly than expected in Japan, similar to what has occurred in other markets in the past (for example, the Spanish market between 2000 and 2008). Due to this fast growth, the generation cost of solar PV appears high in Japan compared with international benchmarks, something that can damage future market development.

Work Stressors, Depressive Symptoms, and Hazardous Drinking Among Navy Members Across Deployment

Few studies have attempted to examine how changes in work stressors from predeployment to postdeployment and reintegration may be associated with changes in mental health symptoms and hazardous drinking. The present study examined associations between work stressors, depressive symptoms, and hazardous drinking, and whether depressive symptoms mediated the association between work stressors and hazardous alcohol use or vice versa across deployment (predeployment, postdeployment, and 6-month reintegration). Participants were 101 U.S. Navy members (72 men; mean age = 28.34 years; SD = 5.99 years) assigned to an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer that experienced an 8-month deployment after recent wars in the Middle East. They completed measures that assessed work stressors, depressive symptoms, and alcohol use at each time point (i.e., predeployment, postdeployment, and 6-month reintegration). Using a parallel process latent growth modeling approach, we found a significant indirect effect at postdeployment such that an increase in work stressors contributed to increases in hazardous drinking via increases in depressive symptoms. Specifically, increases in work stressors significantly predicted increases in depressive symptoms, which in turn significantly predicted increases in hazardous drinking from pre- to postdeployment. Our findings garner support for affect regulation models and indicate that work stressors and changes in work stressors and depressive symptoms may be key to hazardous alcohol use among U.S. Navy members experiencing high pace of deployment. Taken together, our results help identify targets for alcohol prevention efforts among current military members.

Learning through a portfolio of carbon capture and storage demonstration projects

Carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) technology is considered by many to be an essential route to meet climate mitigation targets in the power and industrial sectors. Deploying CCS technologies globally will first require a portfolio of large-scale demonstration projects. These first projects should assist learning by diversity, learning by replication, de-risking the technologies and developing viable business models. From 2005 to 2009, optimism about the pace of CCS rollout led to mutually independent efforts in the European Union, North America and Australia to assemble portfolios of projects. Since 2009, only a few of these many project proposals remain viable, but the initial rationales for demonstration have not been revisited in the face of changing circumstances. Here I argue that learning is now both more difficult and more important given the slow pace of deployment. Developing a more coordinated global portfolio will facilitate learning across projects and may determine whether CCS ever emerges from the demonstration phase. Carbon capture and storage is considered an important element to meet our climate mitigation targets. This Perspective explores the history of the first wave of projects and what challenges must be faced if widespread deployment is to be successful.

What are the Bounds of the FCC's Authority Over Broadband Service Providers? A Review of the Recent Case Law

When the Internet was in its nascency, the Federal Communications Commission rejected calls to impose traditional regulation designed for a monopoly telephone world. Instead, the agency classified broadband Internet access as an information under Title I of the Communications Act, and this light touch approach is widely credited with the rapid pace of deployment, adoption, and innovation consumers enjoy today in the broadband ecosystem. With the Federal Communications Commission’s efforts to move forward with the IP Transition and with its new attempt to draft legally-sustainable Open Internet Rules, some now argue that the current legal regime fails to provide the Commission with sufficient oversight authority and, as such, the Commission should reclassify broadband Internet access as a Title II common carrier service. In an effort to provide some illumination to this important topic, in this Bulletin I review three recent cases from the D.C. Circuit — Comcast v. FCC, Cellco Partnership v. FCC and Verizon v. FCC — to evaluate the current state of the law. These cases indicate that the Federal Communications Commission has ample legal authority over Broadband Service Providers under the current legal regime and, as such, reclassification of broadband Internet access as a Title II telecommunications service is unwarranted.

Partnerships and International Policing: The Reach and Limits of Policy Processes

Although the concept of partnership offers little substantively new to the theory and practice of peace operations, it provides a useful political frame to advance reform efforts in UN policing. In the last few years, several improvements have been made in doctrine, training and increasing the pace of deployment. However, the case of Timor-Leste suggests that these efforts have not resulted in obvious improvements in the abilities of the UN Police (UNPOL) to carry out their mandated functions. Solutions offered by the New Horizon agenda are technical and do not address the political dimensions of the problems encountered in field missions. In Timor-Leste, the host government is not interested in engaging in a partnership with UNPOL. Problems with international policing may be so deep, complex and subject to politics that even substantial process-oriented solutions will not achieve significant results.

Local Power: Generating Clean Energy in Our Communities

In light of the rapid pace of deployment of cost-effective renewable energy projects in Europe and China, it is clear that the United States will eventually make the transition from an electrical power generation model—that predominantly relies on environmentally and economically unsustainable fossil fuel and nuclear technologies to generate the vast majority of its electrical power—to a new one that utilizes, to the greatest extent possible, renewable sources of energy.