Small Power Research Articles

A Piezoelectric–Piezoresistive Coupling Electric Field Sensor for Large Dynamic Range AC Electric Field Measurements

We propose a piezoelectric–piezoresistive coupling electric field sensor capable of performing large dynamic range AC electric field measurements. The electric field sensor utilizes direct coupling between piezoelectric (PE) materials and piezoresistive (PR) strain gauges, in conjunction with an external signal conditioning circuit, to measure AC electric fields effectively. We verified the feasibility of the scheme using a finite element simulation, fabricated a prototype of the electric field sensor, and characterized the properties of the prototype. The testing results indicate that the sensor exhibits an ac resolution of 50 V/m and a linear measurable electric field range of 0 to over 200 kV/m, which keeps the linearity at less than 0.94% from 1 Hz to over 5 kHz. Furthermore, the sensor also has advantages, such as a small size and low power consumption. The sensor can enhance the comprehensive observability and measurability of digital power grids.

Beyond AOSIS: small island states’ presence and participation at COP27

ABSTRACT Small islands are at the frontline of climate change – and of climate negotiations. Yet while the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) has allowed small islands to collectively become a key player in UN climate negotiations, a focus on the group level masks important inequalities within AOSIS. This paper hence goes beyond the level of AOSIS to understand the power and agency of small island states in the global climate regime. We are interested in how islands experience and navigate the complex and unequal climate negotiations, and specifically explore the presence and participation of individual small island states at COP27. Drawing mainly on collaborative event ethnography at COP27, our analysis shows indeed stark differences across island states. Whether we look at mere presence, participation in formal negotiations or engagement ‘on the sides’, we notice that some island states are much more active than others, as a result of not only different capacities but also and importantly because of the personal commitment and engagement of individual island negotiators. Overall, this seems to reflect cultural and power inequalities within the group, but does not detract from AOSIS' overall success, as seen in the long-sought fund for loss and damage adopted at COP27.

Risk factors for pediatric intoxications in the prehospital setting. A geospatial survey.

Socioeconomic factors and the COVID-19 pandemic influence children's physical and mental health. We aimed to investigate the association between a census tract's median household income [MHI in United States Dollars ($)] and pediatric intoxications in Rhode Island, the smallest state in the United States of America. Geographical hotspots, as well as interactions with the COVID-19 pandemic, should be identified. This study is a retrospective analysis of ambulance calls for pediatric (<18 years) intoxication in Rhode Island between March 1st, 2018, and February 28th, 2022. March 1st, 2020 was considered the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Prehospital data were joined with information from the United States Census Bureau. The census tracts' case counts and MHI were examined using Poisson regression. Geographical clusters were identified with the Global Moran's I and local indicators of spatial association tests in ArcGIS Pro (Esri Corporation, Redlands, CA). Inclusion criteria were met by 208 incidents (48% female, median age 16 (IQR 15 to 17) years). The regression model showed a 0.6% increase (IRR 1.006, 95% CI [1.002, 1.01], p = 0.003) in pediatric intoxications for every $ 1,000 increase in MHI. Interaction analysis showed that the effect of MHI was less pronounced during the pandemic (IRR 0.98, 95% CI [0.964, 0.997], p = 0.02). Thirty-four (14%) of the 244 census tracts contributed to geographical clusters, which changed after the onset of the pandemic. Higher median household income could be a risk factor for pediatric intoxications. Geographical hotspots changed with the pandemic.

UAE's Balancing Strategy Between the United States and China

AbstractWith its thriving economy, well‐crafted policies, diverse and lively multicultural society, and advanced infrastructure, the United Arab Emirates plays a significant role in the Middle East. It has become strategically and economically important to both the United States and China, and both countries have established strong strategic partnerships with the Gulf state. As the UAE is a small yet ambitious state, both powers are crucial to its strategy for maintaining security and diversifying its economy. Thus, to secure its interests, the UAE has adopted a strategy of balancing its relationships with Washington and Beijing. This article examines the strategy and aims to predict its direction in light of the increasing competition and rivalry between the two global powers. The analysis is part of a special issue examining the responses of Gulf countries to rising Sino‐American competition, edited by Andrea Ghiselli, Anoushiravan Ehteshami, and Enrico Fardella.

Optimal selection of parallel pumps running as turbines for energy harvesting in water transmission lines considering economic parameters

The need for energy is growing due to concerns about development and well-being, but the traditional methods of energy production harm people and the environment. This impact can be reduced by using renewable energy sources like hydropower. Since the cost of electromechanical equipment in small hydroelectric power plants accounts for a large percentage of the capital cost, applying the pump as turbine (PAT) is recommended. In this research, an effort has been made to select the optimal arrangement of PATs for a water transmission line without the need for control systems. The selection optimization process involves selecting the model of the pump as turbine and the number of turbines in parallel simultaneously. The optimization process relies on economic parameters, aiming to maximize the Net Present Value (NPV) of the power plant. In addition, the financial analysis of the project has been carried out. As a first step to achieve this objective, a database including single and double-suction pumps based on available pumps is needed. To cover a wider range of heads and flow rates, impeller trimming relationships for the pumps are considered. The Brute-Force algorithm has been used for the optimization process and two different objective functions (OF) have been investigated. First, it is based on economic optimization, and the NPV function is used as the OF; then, the Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) method is used as the second OF. The case study of this research is a water transmission line between two cities in Iran. A MATLAB code has been developed to perform all the steps of this study. The results demonstrate that by considering impeller trimming for pumps in the database and using NPV as OF, the number of pumps used for the power plant decreased from 12 to 6 and the capital cost decreased by about 10%. By implementing impeller trimming, the NPV and energy production of the PAT power plant are increased. Comparing the two desired objective functions leads to the recommended appropriate OF for applications. It is worth mentioning that the harvested energy from this water transmission line is about 9 GWh/year. The economic analysis results show that the PAT power plant payback period (PP) for this water transmission line is less than one year.

The Role of Small States in Promoting International Security: Lithuania Strategy

The aim of the present article is to analyse the efforts taken aimed to build the security of the region as part of Lithuanian foreign policy in the international arena in the era of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This article seeks to verify the hypothesis that small states are able to set in motion a process that can benefit the entire region, and thus they may contribute to building international peace and security. The theoretical basis of the research is post-structural theory, from its perspective Lithuania accepts and actively shapes its identity as a small state, which is defined primarily in relation to its large and dangerous neighbor. This helps explain the small country’s consistent pursuit of integration and being an active player in the international arena, which was supposed to help it break away from the Soviet past and “return to the West.” Thus, this study contributes to knowledge on the practice of international relations by reflecting on the growing role of the Baltic States.

Small power strategies under great power competition

Small power strategies under great power competition

Organizational responses to scandals: how effective is the European Commission?

How public organizations respond to scandals is important as it affects their reputation and legitimacy. Yet very little research has been conducted on this topic. Drawing on insights from the literature on corporate reputation management, this article questions how effectively the European Commission has responded to recent scandals. It does this by creating an original analytical framework composed of five indicators: speed of response; openness of response; application of relevant rules; tone of response; and engagement with reform. These indicators are then used to evaluate two cases of Commission scandal: the first, a cash-for-influence case involving a Commissioner from a small Member State; and the second, concerning a former Commission President. While no clear pattern emerges across the two cases, the article provides evidence of a mix of good practice and room for improvement in the Commission’s handling of scandals. The article also argues that even in the most bureaucratic of public organizations the management of scandals involves not only rule-following, but also subjective judgements by organizational leaders.

Examining the systemic realities of India in the US-backed Indo-Pacific Strategy

This paper examines India's role in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS). The first section discusses China's rise and the threat perceptions that led the U.S. to adopt the IPS. The main objectives of the IPS are discussed, along with the growing partnership between the U.S. and India, studying the strategic shift from Asia-Pacific to Indo-Pacific. India-China rivalry in South Asia is then discussed, followed by US-India differences and India-China convergence. The systemic reality of India, as well as the consequences of its policy of strategic autonomy on the smaller South Asian states, is also examined. The paper thereafter concludes with the idea that even though India is unquestionably at the centre of any meaningful Indo-Pacific concept, it is not wise to assume that it will choose to intensify its security rivalry with China or become overly dependent on the United States. As the U.S. hopes to play a more meaningful role in establishing and maintaining an Indo-Pacific order, it remains to be determined as to how it will deal with Delhi. Further research into the developing Asian system and its systemic effects on small power behaviour in the Indo-Pacific region would be beneficial.

Feasibility of wind power generation for the reduction of power costs in residential buildings

Introduction: The installation of wind power generators on buildings located in areas with regular winds may be a suitable investment in a renewable power source. Brazil has a high eolic potential, where the annual mean wind speed may reach over eight meters per second. This case study is aimed to assess the economic feasibility of the installation of small wind power plants in urban areas. Methods: This work evaluates a project for the installation of a vertical axis wind turbine in three buildings (15-, 22-, and 26-store) including the following stages: 1) Installation of a real-time power meter in the 15-store unit; 2) Demand analysis of the 26-store building´s power consumption; 3) Winds survey along the coast of the State of Ceará; 4) Analysis of the wind turbines available in the market; 5) Simulation aimed to choose the system. Results: Vertical wind power generators offer better conditions of use in urban areas. The turnover time was established to be between four and six years in the three studied units. Conclusions: The installation of a wind power generator on buildings in regions with an adequate eolic regimen reaches a financial return of the investment before the end of the equipment´s lifespan.

Investigation on the effect of wavelet mutation and opposition learning on slime mould algorithm

The study focuses on a hypothesis-based critical analysis of proposed modifications to the slime mould algorithm. The modifications being investigated are opposition learning and wavelet mutation. These modifications help the slime mould algorithm to avoid local optima for better exploration of the search space. The goal is to assess the effectiveness of these modifications in improving the performance of slime mould algorithm. Both, the basic slime mould algorithm, and the proposed variant eventually achieve the desired convergence. However, to compare the efficiency of the two algorithms, the study introduces a measurement index called the ‘swiftness’ of the algorithm. This index quantifies the speed at which an algorithm reaches convergence. It is calculated as the area under the convergence curve of each algorithm. The rationale behind this approach is that visual inspection alone may not be sufficient to discriminate between the algorithms based on the convergence curve. The hybrid approach, incorporating opposition learning and wavelet mutation, is evaluated statistically using the CEC 2008 benchmark function. Additionally, the study examines small and medium single-objective power dispatch optimization problems that adhere to non-convex system limitations. By assessing the performance of the modified slime mould algorithm on these different problem domains, the researchers aim to provide a comprehensive analysis of its effectiveness.

Soviet Diplomatic Efforts to Prevent Hungary’s Alignment with Germany in World War II (1939– 1941)

The history of Soviet-Hungarian interactions from the establishment of diplomatic relations until Hungary joined World War II alongside the Axis powers offers valuable insights into the dynamics between small and great powers, as well as the efforts of small European states, particularly Hungary, to navigate their national interests in foreign policy amidst Nazi Germany's encroachments. This period was defined by two primary factors: the Hungarian political elite, led by Miklós Horthy, sought to join a quasi-"crusade" against Comintern Soviet Russia, while simultaneously striving to avoid deep involvement in major conflicts between the great powers. This dual approach aligned with the policies of Hitler's Western appeasers, who aimed to redirect German expansion eastward. In this geopolitical scenario, American and Western European actors (including Great Britain and France) were relegated to the role of observers, anticipating a prolonged conflict between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union that would drain both. Hungary, as strategized by Budapest, hoped to secure a position among these observers, avoiding direct conflict participation, and to later engage in territorial reconfiguration post-World War II. However, the reality in Europe by the early 1940s diverged significantly, with Western powers (the USA and Great Britain) unable to redirect Hitler's global domination ambitions eastward. Facing an existential threat, these powers were compelled to enter the war. Against this backdrop, Soviet diplomacy endeavored to deter Hungary's alliance with Nazi Germany. Although ultimately unsuccessful, examining these diplomatic efforts offers valuable lessons in the context of the current evolution towards a multipolar world.

The road to nearly zero energy buildings. Case of study: Spain. Comparison between CTE HE 2006 and 2013 in a simulated model

Achieving Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings (NZEBs) is a main goal for the European Union, in order to reduce energy consumption in the building sector. NZEB means a building that has a very high energy performance. Its energy requirements should be covered by renewable sources, produced on-site or nearby [1]. It could be possible if building were turned into a “small power generating station”, or reducing consumption with passive building proposals. However, we think that it is worth looking for a balance between energy consumption and generation for every building, following this simple equation: Consumption = demand – generation The European regulations have already begun to indicate deadlines to implement NZEB requirements in buildings. Therefore, Spanish legislation related to energy efficiency and renewable energy generation in buildings has been recently updated, CTE HE [2]. This paper provides a comparative analysis for the new requirements (2013 CTE DB HE compared with previous 2006 regulation, revised in 2009). This study was performed by using a computer building model, including its geometry, building materials, usage profiles and installations. Thus, we could compare the characteristics of the different regulations, and we could evaluate the progress toward the NZEB concept.

Performance of rotational speed controlled small-scale head-dependent hydroelectric power plant

Small scale or micro scale hydroelectric power production is characterized by high investment costs compared to operation costs. In addition, the repayment time is often long, more than ten years (if not subsidized heavily) which requires that a small-scale hydropower plants can be profitable only if both the investment costs and the running costs are low. The performance and efficiency of a plant is very important because having long repayment time means that the efficiency improvement of one percentage unit often means the ten percentage unit improvement in profit. The most economical way to control the flow is sometimes a two point control where generators are switched on and off depending on high water level used as control variable. The water level cannot be kept constant using this method, but the traditionally used mechanical blade angle adjustment system is too expensive in very small (approximately &lt;100 kW) units. The new method of controlling the upper water level (head) is the use of rotational speed control of turbine, implemented by a four quadrant frequency converter. The efficiency of a 4-quadrant frequency converter is approximately 97 %, which reduces the income compared to the situation where the generators are directly connected to electricity network. However, when the head is kept constant using a frequency converter, it is not required to switch off the generator circuit breakers which have a finite life time and the head height can be kept optimal in terms of performance. In this paper, a system structure, a pilot plant installation and example calculations on the feasibility of a frequency converter driven fixed blade hydro power turbine is given.

Small Hydroelectric Power Plant Site Selection for Hydroelectric Energy Production with Geographic Information System: Sivas Kızılırmak Basin Example

Bu çalışmada, Coğrafi Bilgi Sistemi (CBS) tabanlı model yöntemi kullanılarak Kızılırmak Havzası'nda teorik olarak belirlenen mini hidroelektrik santrallerinin (MHES) lokasyonları tespit edilmiştir. Çalışma sonucunda, incelenen havzada kurulu güç potansiyeline göre 100-150 kWh arasında 151, 150-200 kWh arasında 19 ve 200-300 kWh arasında 13 yer tespit edildi. MHES potansiyelinin en yüksek olduğu noktaların Kızılırmak nehrinin ana kolu üzerinde yer aldığı tespit edilmiştir. Bu çalışma, bu havza içerisinde teorik olarak hesaplanabilecek hidroelektrik potansiyelini destekler nitelikte bir çalışmadır. Bu çalışma ile belirlenmiş enerji potansiyeli tahminleri, enerji kaynaklarının değerlendirilmesine yönelik daha fazla araştırma yapılmasını gerektirecek kadar önemlidir.

Managing the Geopolitical Competition between China and India: Sri Lanka’s Strategic Balancing Act

The competition between India and China has intensified with the changes in the strategic landscape of the Asia-Pacific region. Both countries with their growing economies, trade, military capabilities and global interdependence seek to control the Indian Ocean. China is investing heavily in strategic projects in IOR nations under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Maritime Silk Road (MSR) initiatives. India is also strengthening its engagements and cooperation with its neighbours, resulting in intense competition between the two powers. Sri Lanka, being a small island state, maintains relationships with both the countries despite the challenges. This article highlights that how Sri Lanka is maintaining balance amongst the on-going strategic competition between China and India. The theoretical framework of this article is based on the Role Theory which explains that how Sri Lanka is trying to avoid being trapped in this competition and maximise its economic and diplomatic leverage by balancing its policies between China and India.

Media and Journalism Research in Small European Countries

Big and small states all function as comprehensive entities: they require state apparatuses, the ability to provide services for citizens, the capacity to protect themselves, and appropriate media systems to guarantee a deliberative communication space for democratic processes. Investigating media, in turn, is important since it informs us about risks and opportunities for media transformations. To examine the impact of smallness on monitoring and research capabilities in news media and journalism, we have compared four small European countries with contrasting historical backgrounds and different types of media systems: Austria, Croatia, Estonia, and Latvia. While earlier research has mainly focused on Western European countries, the current study broadens the perspective to Central and Eastern European countries. The analysis shows that smallness can influence research capabilities in different ways, with advantages and disadvantages for media and journalism research. Fewer national resources can foster internationalisation, with the side effect of less attention to country-specific problems. In the situation of growing specialisation in media and journalism research, small countries may be less capable of providing sufficient infrastructure for knowledge exchange. The article builds on research performed within the framework of the H2020 project Mediadelcom.

The role of international education on public diplomacy: the case of Kosovo International Summer Academy

Through international education programs such as the Kosovo International Summer Academy (KSA), countries aim to change their image, influence, and shift the perception and attitudes of international students towards the host country. In this article, we analyze the role of KSA in bringing international students to Kosovo and the changes in KSA students’ perceptions, beliefs, and evaluations of Kosovo after visiting the country. We analyze the results based on how often KSA students have been to Kosovo, their most significant impressions, their attitude before and after visiting the country, and whether they would return to Kosovo after exposure to the information in KSA. Our findings suggest that after coming to Kosovo, KSA students evaluate Kosovo more positively compared to their opinion before participating in KSA. In turn, this suggests that international education programs may be a viable strategy for improving the image and public perceptions of small states facing similar state-building and diplomatic challenges as Kosovo.

A Rift in Red: Sino-Soviet Split and the Deconstruction of the Cold War Ideological Dichotomy

The bipolar worldview that prevailed in the Cold War era has been dominating peoples understanding of the world back then and the world today. The dichotomy between capitalism and communism in the Cold War era does not simply divide the international order into a bipolar world as it seems. The very notion of defining global order by the divergence of ideologies and poles is biased and misleading since it often overlooks the influence of small states and other players that indirectly influence or even challenge the decisions and the authority of great powers. Countries with the same ideology may have conflicts and even develop into direct opposition. Evaluating the incidents in the communist sphere of the Cold War, the author speculates that states were orientating based on self-interests instead of ideological coherence. This paper aims to review the process and the causes of the Sino-Soviet Split and its significance to the Cold War specifically on how the incidents between two of the biggest communist nations refreshed peoples perception of the Cold War that categorized the world and states into two sides based on ideology similarities and differences among nations.

Security for the small: materializing securitization in Finland and Norway

ABSTRACT Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 ruptured Europe’s security constellation, leading to historically neutral Finland and Sweden to seek NATO memberships. While there is literature on how NATO influences country’s security apparatus, the impact of NATO on smaller states’ securitization capacity remains unclear. We undertake 1) a discourse analysis of Norway and Finland’s three respective Arctic strategies, 2) a discourse analysis of two online Arctic newspapers ‘High North News’ and ‘The Barents Observer’, and 3) an analysis of the allocation of Finnish and Norwegian military spending from 2014-2022. We explore both countries as cases where one is a historic member of NATO and the other is not. Despite this, both states share similar structural security risks such as Russia’s geographic proximity. We periodize securitizing dynamics related to the Arctic, matching it to changes in the Finnish and Norwegian military sectors. Given small states lack relative material capabilities, we argue there is a systematic deadlock in transforming securitizing moves into material action. However, as a NATO state, Norway exhibits a significantly higher level of participation in military maneuvers and additional securitizing behavior compared to Finland. By contrast, Finland relies more heavily on intense securitizing rhetoric without accompanying material actions.