Technical Functionality Research Articles

Introducing Videoconferencing on Tablet Computers in Nurse-Patient Communication: Technical and Training Challenges.

Background This article examines personnel and patient experiences of videoconferencing (VC) trials on tablet computers between oncology certified nurses (OCNs) and patients with cancer who live at home. The study points to organizational pitfalls during the introduction process. In many different arenas, the use of VC has increased recently owing to improved Internet access and capacity. This creates new opportunities for contact between patients living at home and their nurses. Video conferencing presupposes knowledge about Internet access, training, and usability of technological equipment. The aim of this pilot study was to illuminate patients' and nurses' experiences of the technical functionality, usability, and training of tablet use in VC in primary cancer care. The results point to the drawbacks concerning the introduction of VC. Method A pilot study with an explorative design was used to describe patients' and OCNs' experiences of technical functionality and usability of VC on tablet computers. After a three-month trial, data were gathered, focusing on both patients' and nurses' perspectives. Individual interviews with four female OCNs, aged 32–65 (mean 46), and six patients with cancer, two men and four women aged 49–78 (mean 69), were content-analyzed. Results The analysis revealed two main categories: network connectivity and tablet usability and training and educational pitfalls. Conclusion When planning VC implementation, the organizational leadership should consider network access and stability, as well as individualized VC training on tablets. Ensuring patient safety should also be a priority. Further research should provide knowledge of technological and educational pitfalls, and possible implications of VC on the care quality of nursing.

Moral Imaginaries of Performance Measurement Systems in the Pharmaceutical Industry: Struggles and Negotiations to Define What is an Agent and What is Not

This study explores how morality is constituted into accounting objects and how accounting becomes a moral mediator. We retrace the moral practices that subtend the field-level construction of a Principal-Agent incentive algorithm in a Big Pharma company, with particular focus on the inscribing work through which different communities of knowledge, internal and external to the organization, try to realize particular moral principles for the performance measurement system in the making. The study draws upon Science and Technology Studies (Latour, 1989; Jasanoff, 2015) to explore performance measurement systems as existing in Moral Imaginaries, ethical visions that positions accounting devices, and their material features and technical functionalities, as embedding and enacting ‘moral’ and ‘just’ viewpoints. We show how performance measurement systems emerge as moral calculating devices that are shaped by, and struggle with, the contrasting moralities of heterogeneous designers, but also act as moral mediators that reshape human actors’ moral imaginaries as their algorithmic constructions and data outputs perform. In so doing, we contribute to Science and Technology Studies by highlighting how the constitution of who / what is an “Agent”, and its actantiality, is embedded upon movements in which morality circulates, is claimed by actors and attributed to others, and finally objectified in material technologies.

Impact of Cathode Material Particle Size and Applied Pressure on the Cycling Performance of All-Solid-State Batteries

All-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) containing solid electrolytes (SEs) are considered promising for use as next-generation energy storage devices in electric vehicles and portable electronics. Apart from safety benefits, in principle, they offer both higher energy and power densities than conventional lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) using a liquid carbonate-based electrolyte. However, ASSBs will only become competitive in the near future if some major problems are solved. These concern mainly technical functionality aspects, SE conductivity, and the stability of the electrode-solid electrolyte interface. The latter is not only crucial in terms of enabling the use of a Li-metal anode, but also at the cathode side, where a stable and robust contact between the SE and the cathode active material (CAM) is vital for long-term cycling performance. For example, this is the case when using layered Ni-rich oxide CAMs such as Li1+x (Ni1-y-z Co y Mn z )1-x O2 (NCM) with high specific capacity and thiophosphate-based solid electrolytes. Here we report on the strong impact of both CAM particle size and external applied pressure on the capacity of bulk-type ASSBs. Our model cell system comprised compacted pellets of NCM622 (60% Ni) as CAM, ß-Li3PS4 or Li6PS5Cl as SE, and In-metal as anode. In particular, we demonstrate the benefit of using small-size cathode particles (≤ 5 μm) to achieve virtually full theoretical specific capacity at low external pressure. This finding is rationalized through complementary galvanostatic cycling and X-ray diffraction on operating cells (in situ) as well as on harvested CAM/SE composites (ex situ). Besides, we reveal the significance of considering electrochemically inactive CAM in ASSBs, the proportion of which is equally increased for large particles and low applied pressure. Using charge transport measurements, we provide evidence that the presence of inactive CAM is due to a lack of electronic contact; ionic percolation seems not to be an issue for the two-phase cathode composites employed here. Overall, the results emphasize the importance of using size-tailored CAM, allowing for good electronic percolation, and thus conductive additives, which may cause SE degradation upon cycling, can be avoided. Figure 1

Diagnostics of railway control devices

Railway traffic control is performed by the man with the use of specific technical means. Technical development and wide functionality of railway traffic control systems contribute to the fact that one deals with many types of devices, created with the help of various technologies. That is why the maintenance of the devices and systems presents a big challenge for railway infrastructure administrators, and it needs to be supported by technical diagnostics. The need for diagnostics of railway traffic control devices results from their destruction process which is related to their lifespan, use intensity, technical service quality or operation quality level. Gathered in the diagnostics process information concerning changes of the technical condition of the devices allow effective restoring to their original state thanks to regeneration. That is why academic research is being carried out and actions connected to implementing new diagnostic methods in the railway traffic control area are taken. The article presents chosen railway traffic control devices diagnostic systems.

Design, optimization, modeling and testing of a piezoelectric footwear energy harvester

A footwear harvester needs to fulfill both technical and practical functionalities, including but not limited to energy extracting and storage, easy implantation and durability. The very limited space in a shoe is the key challenge to the design of a footwear harvester. This paper presents the design, optimization, modeling and testing of an embedded piezoelectric footwear harvester for energy scavenging from human walking. A force amplification frame is designed and optimized to transmit and amplify the vertical heel-strike force to the inner piezoelectric stack deployed in the horizontal direction. Two heel-shaped aluminum plates are employed to gather and transfer the dynamic force over the heel to the sandwiched force amplification frames. The dynamic force at the heel is measured to design, optimize and simulate the piezoelectric footwear harvester. A numerical model is developed and validated to be capable of precisely predicting the electrical outputs of the harvester. Two prototypes, respectively including eight and six stacks, are fabricated and tested on a treadmill at different walking speeds and external resistances. The numerical simulations agree well with experiments. The harvester with fewer piezoelectric stacks could produce more power at the same walking speed and matched resistance. Experimental results manifest that the footwear harvesters with eight and six stacks, respectively, have 7 mW/shoe and 9 mW/shoe average power outputs at the walking speeds of 3.0 mph (4.8 km/h). Simulation results from the validated numerical model show that the harvester with four piezoelectric stacks could harvest 14 mW/shoe and 20 mW/shoe average power at 3.0 mph (4.8 km/h) and 3.5 mph (5.6 km/h), respectively.

A Decision Support System for Diagnostics and Treatment Planning in Traumatic Brain Injury.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when an external force causes functional or structural alterations in the brain. Clinical characteristics of TBI vary greatly from patient to patient, and a large amount of data is gathered during various phases of clinical care in these patients. It is hard for clinicians to efficiently integrate and interpret all of these data and plan interventions in a timely manner. This paper describes the technical architecture and functionality of a web-based decision support system (DSS), which not only provides advanced support for visualizing complex TBI data but also predicts a possible outcome by using a state-of-the-art Disease State Index machine-learning algorithm. The DSS is developed by using a three-layered architecture and by employing modern programming principles, software design patterns, and using robust technologies (C#, ASP.NET MVC, HTML5, JavaScript, Entity Framework, etc.). The DSS is comprised of a patient overview module, a disease-state prediction module, and an imaging module. After deploying it on a web-server, the DSS was made available to two hospitals in U.K. and Finland. Afterwards, we conducted a validation study to evaluate its usability in clinical settings. Initial results of the study indicate that especially less experience clinicians may benefit from this type of decision support software tool.

Transparency of Financial Information on Crowdfunding Platforms – A Prerequisite for Successful Funding Campaigns

Abstract Crowdfunding, a relatively novel internet-based non-banking funding instrument for startups, innovative, creative or prosocial projects, implies that funders (donors or lenders) and fund seekers (project initiators) interact on a crowdfunding platform. The goal of fund seekers is to raise the necessary amount of money to finance their project, while donors are backers of business or research ideas, social causes or start-up companies. Existing research has proven that for a crowdfunding campaign to succeed, one condition is for the crowdfunding platform to provide the adequate technical functionalities that ensure sufficient financial information both during and after the campaign (such as how the money was used and how the money was returned if the project failed) but also the legal framework through a solid contract between the platform and the fund seeker that can prevent moral hazard of the latter. The purpose of this study is to perform a qualitative analysis of the active crowdfunding platforms in Romania in terms of financial information transparency and to determine whether they fulfil the necessary conditions to ensure fair use of donations by project initiators and distribution of reward to donors

Interactive technology embedded in fashion emotional design

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to bridge the gap between human emotions and wearable technologies for interactive fashion innovation. To consider the reasons why smart clothing should satisfy the internet of things (IoT) technical functions and human emotional expression simultaneously, to investigate the manner in which artistic design perspectives and engineering methods combined effectively, to explore the R&D elements of future smart clothing based on the IoT technology.Design/methodology/approachThis study combines artistic design perspectives with information-sensing engineering methods as well as kansei evaluation method. Micro-sensors and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) embedded in couples clothing prototype. The first experiment step in the design and production of prototype clothing, and do the initial emotional evaluation. The second experiment is the comparative evaluation of the prototype and other typical smart clothing.FindingsThe interactive clothing prototype was proven to correlate well with human emotional expressive patterns. The evaluation I indicated the prototype can stimulate the emotional response of the participants to achieve a higher score in the activate sensor state. Evaluation II revealed that in the process of interactive clothing design, the technical functionality should synchronize with the requirements of human emotional expression.Originality/valueThis study builds the research and development theoretical model of interactive clothing that can be integrated into daily smart clothing life design, and analyze the methods and means of blending IoT smart information-sensing technology with emotional design. By means of this experimental demonstration of human-centered interactive clothing design, the authors provide smart clothing 3.0 evolutionary roadmap and propose a new concept of internet of clothes (IoC) for further research reference.

How Renewable Energy is Reshaping Europe�s Electricity Market Design

We present a systematic review of the challenges to the regulation of electricity markets that are posed by the integration of variable renewable energy sources. System integration is the key to developing the required flexibility, because flexibility options exist at all system levels and within the competitive as well as in the regulated (network) domains. The fluctuating nature of variable renewable energy changes the dynamics of investment decisions. We develop a framework for analysing relations between aspects of the regulation of the power sector that need to be coordinated in order to achieve (or at least improve) economic efficiency. We base the framework on the technical functionalities of the electricity infrastructure, which we group along three dimensions: system level (from retail/distribution to transmission/wholesale), geographic scope (the connection between electricity systems) and time scales (from real-time operations and balancing markets to the investment time scale). The framework helps identify regulatory challenges—potential inefficiencies due to a lack of coordination—and to place them into context. The picture that emerges from this approach is that the institutional fragmentation of the European electricity sector will become increasingly burdensome as the development variable renewable energy requires ever closer coordination between countries, between the different levels of the electricity system and between markets that serve different time scales. Interactions between elements of market design and regulation such as congestion management, renewable energy policy and system adequacy policy affect each other and are an additional reason for a system integration approach to regulation.

Adaptive Cost Accounting Control: Issues in Realizing Deming Synergy

We report on a consultation addressing the re-configuration of a Standards Cost Accounting System of a major MNC. We identified two fundamental theoretical issues pertinent to this re-configuration: Their Standards Cost Accounting [SCA] System was (1) not adaptive within their control time frame, and (2) the holistic systemic protocols espoused by W. Edwards Deming were not used to condition the decision-making framework addressing control. We developed an adaptive Decision Support System [SCA:DSS] that offered the following integrated systemic features: (i) The SCA:DSS is parametrized using the Marketing/Sales sub-budget as approved by corporate-level management and (ii) is used to set the control standards for direct Materials & Labor costs and ABC related allocations, (iii) A detailed interactive profiling of production activity is produced at a time when adaptive corrective actions would still be reasonably possible, and (iv) Adaptive: Best, Stasis and Corrective Action Cases regarding the effect of these corrective actions on the contribution margin are displayed. However, even given the adaptive design features and the explicit designs to effect holistic integration over the pilot division and the central headquarters of the firm, the SCA: DSS failed to be implemented. We offer valuable insights into this failure-to-launch that may be indispensable in effecting a synergetic environment where adaptive holistic cost control may be realized. In this paper all of the technical functionalities of the SCA: DSS are detailed and a working illustration is provided. The SCA: DSS is offered as a free download without restrictions to its use.

From Offshore Operation to Onshore Simulator: Using Visualized Ethnographic Outcomes to Work with Systems Developers

This paper focuses on the process of translating insights from a Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW)-based study, conducted on a vessel at sea, into a model that can assist systems developers working with simulators, which are used by vessel operators for training purposes on land. That is, the empirical study at sea brought about rich insights into cooperation, which is important for systems developers to know about and consider in their designs. In the paper, we establish a model that primarily consists of a ‘computational artifact’. The model is designed to support researchers working with systems developers. Drawing on marine examples, we focus on the translation process and investigate how the model serves to visualize work activities; how it addresses relations between technical and computational artifacts, as well as between functions in technical systems and functionalities in cooperative systems. In turn, we link design back to fieldwork studies.

The value of mobile ticketing from a public transport perspective

Within the field of mobile payments, the market segment for mobile ticketing services is expected to grow, driven by the public transport sector. Although a large number of studies have explored the value of mobile payments to customers (ie service end users), there is a lack of research exploring the value of mobile payment and mobile ticketing for business customers (ie transport companies and retailers). This paper aims to address this gap and to explore the kinds of value that mobile ticketing services create for public transport companies. The research considers mobile ticketing services in six Northern European countries. The research findings suggest that within the business-to-business context, mobile ticketing services create multiple dimensions of value, namely enhanced technical functionality; financial value; better working environment; operational value; and reputational and customer relationship value. For passengers, meanwhile, value takes the form of convenience and service enhancement. These benefits are factors driving adoption of mobile ticketing and mobile payment services by public transport companies.

Understanding microblogging continuance intention

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explain how individuals form microblogging habits and why they continue to use microblogs from the perspective of direction social networks.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on the social network theory and the social presence theory, the authors develop a theoretical framework to explain how individuals form microblogging habits and why they continue to use microblogs. To test the proposed model and examine its external validity, the authors collected data from two microblogs: Twitter and Sina Weibo.FindingsSatisfaction and habit have a significant influence on microblogging continuance intention. Whereas, users’ microblogging habits are developed by two key factors – satisfaction and frequency of past behavior – that are further determined by social presence and social network centrality.Research limitations/implicationsLarger sample size with diverse populations is highly recommended for future studies. In addition, exploring the distinct technical functionalities of microblogs when conceptualizing habit formation would be of benefit in future studies.Practical implicationsIn this study, it was found that social presence increases both the satisfaction of users and the frequency of past use behavior. Hence, microblog designers should provide users with greater freedom to modify the form and content of their interface, and enable these modifications to be visible in real time to increase the interactivity of microblogs.Originality/valueIn contrast to past studies that have largely neglected the impacts of the directed social network structure, this study aims to focus on microblogging continuance intention from the directed social network perspective. The results from two independent data sets converge on the conclusion that users’ continuance intention to use is affected by both their conscious evaluations (i.e. satisfaction) and unconscious reactions (i.e. habit).

Technical Features and Functionalities of Myo Armband: An Overview on Related Literature and Advanced Applications of Myoelectric Armbands Mainly Focused on Arm Prostheses

Abstract Technological advances in manufacturing smart high-performances electronic devices, increasingly available at lower costs, nowadays allow one to improve users’ quality of life in many application fields. In this work, the human–machine interaction obtained by using a next generation device (Myo armband) is analyzed and discussed, with a particular focus to healthcare applications such as upper-limb prostheses. An overview on application fields of the Myo armband and on the latest research works related to its use in prosthetic applications is presented; subsequently, the technical features and functionalities of this device are examined. Myo armband is a wearable device provided with eight electromyographic electrodes, a 9-axes inertial measurement unit and a transmission module. It sends the data related to the detected signals, via Bluetooth Low Energy technology, to other electronic devices which process them and act accordingly, depending on how they are programmed (in order to drive actuators or perform other specific functions). Applied to the prosthetic field, Myo armband allows one to overcome many issues related to the existing prostheses, representing a complete electronic platform that detects in real-time the main signals related to forearm activity (muscles activation and forearm movements in the three-dimensional space) and sends these data to the connected devices. Nowadays, several typologies of prostheses are available on the market; they can be mainly distinguished into low-cost prostheses, which are light and compact but allow for a limited number of movements, and high-end prostheses, which are much more complex and featured by high dexterity, but also heavy, bulky, difficult to control and very expensive. Finally, the Myo armband is an optimum candidate for prosthetic application (and many others) and offers an excellent low-cost solution for obtaining a reliable, easy to use system.

A Decision Maker-Centered End-of-Life Product Recovery System for Robot Task Sequencing

End-of-life (EOL) disassembly focuses on regaining the value embodied in products which are considered to have completed their useful lives due to a variety of reasons such as lack of technical functionality and/or lack of demand. Disassembly is known to possess unique characteristics due to possible changes in the EOL product structure and hence, cannot be considered as the reverse of assembly operations. With similar reasoning, obtaining a near-optimal/optimal disassembly sequence requires intelligent decision making during the disassembly when the sequence needs to be regenerated to accommodate these unforeseeable changes. That is, if one or more components which were included in the original bill-of-material (BOM) of the product is missing or if one or more joint types are different than the ones that are listed in the original BOM, the sequence needs to be able to adapt and generate a new and accurate alternative for disassembly. These considerations require disassembly sequencing to be solved by more powerful and versatile methodologies justifying the utilization of image detection technologies for online real-time disassembly while imposing search techniques which would provide more efficient solutions than their exhaustive search counterparts. Therefore, EOL disassembly sequencing literature offers a variety of heuristic techniques. As with any data driven technique, the performance of the proposed methodologies is heavily reliant on the accuracy and the flexibility of the algorithms and their abilities to accommodate several special considerations such as preserving the precedence relationships during disassembly while obtaining near-optimal or optimal solutions. This study builds on previous disassembly sequencing research and introduces an automated robotic disassembly framework for EOL electronic products. The model incorporates decision makers’ (DMs’) preferences into the problem environment for efficient material and component recovery. A numerical example is provided to demonstrate the functionality of the proposed approach.

Understanding users’ continuance intentions to use smart-connected sports products

The authors investigate the salient factors that influence users’ continuance intentions to use smart-connected sports products. Drawing on the theory of planned behavior (TPB), they propose that three major factors—attitude, social comparison as social influence, and perceived behavioral control—significantly influence users’ continuance intentions. Smart-connected sports product users (N=236) participated in this study. Collected data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares (PLS) modeling. Results suggest two different attitudinal beliefs—technology-related (perceived usefulness) and fashion-related (perceived comfort) factors—of smart-connected sports products influence attitudes toward the products and that control-related factors (technical functionality and facilitating conditions) play a role in regulating users’ volitional behaviors from their intentions. The authors highlight user beliefs of smart-connected sports products based on TPB and propose a concrete, practical set of factors that practitioners might manipulate to facilitate users’ continuance intentions to use smart-connected sports products.

A New Tool for Nutrition App Quality Evaluation (AQEL): Development, Validation, and Reliability Testing.

BackgroundThe extensive availability and increasing use of mobile apps for nutrition-based health interventions makes evaluation of the quality of these apps crucial for integration of apps into nutritional counseling.ObjectiveThe goal of this research was the development, validation, and reliability testing of the app quality evaluation (AQEL) tool, an instrument for evaluating apps’ educational quality and technical functionality.MethodsItems for evaluating app quality were adapted from website evaluations, with additional items added to evaluate the specific characteristics of apps, resulting in 79 initial items. Expert panels of nutrition and technology professionals and app users reviewed items for face and content validation. After recommended revisions, nutrition experts completed a second AQEL review to ensure clarity. On the basis of 150 sets of responses using the revised AQEL, principal component analysis was completed, reducing AQEL into 5 factors that underwent reliability testing, including internal consistency, split-half reliability, test-retest reliability, and interrater reliability (IRR). Two additional modifiable constructs for evaluating apps based on the age and needs of the target audience as selected by the evaluator were also tested for construct reliability. IRR testing using intraclass correlations (ICC) with all 7 constructs was conducted, with 15 dietitians evaluating one app.ResultsDevelopment and validation resulted in the 51-item AQEL. These were reduced to 25 items in 5 factors after principal component analysis, plus 9 modifiable items in two constructs that were not included in principal component analysis. Internal consistency and split-half reliability of the following constructs derived from principal components analysis was good (Cronbach alpha >.80, Spearman-Brown coefficient >.80): behavior change potential, support of knowledge acquisition, app function, and skill development. App purpose split half-reliability was .65. Test-retest reliability showed no significant change over time (P>.05) for all but skill development (P=.001). Construct reliability was good for items assessing age appropriateness of apps for children, teens, and a general audience. In addition, construct reliability was acceptable for assessing app appropriateness for various target audiences (Cronbach alpha >.70). For the 5 main factors, ICC (1,k) was >.80, with a P value of <.05. When 15 nutrition professionals evaluated one app, ICC (2,15) was .98, with a P value of <.001 for all 7 constructs when the modifiable items were specified for adults seeking weight loss support.ConclusionsOur preliminary effort shows that AQEL is a valid, reliable instrument for evaluating nutrition apps’ qualities for clinical interventions by nutrition clinicians, educators, and researchers. Further efforts in validating AQEL in various contexts are needed.

International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids: Data From a Large Swedish Quality Register Database.

The purpose of this study was to analyze a database of completed International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA) questionnaires obtained from over 100,000 clients fitted with new hearing aids in Sweden during the period of 2012-2016. Mean IOI-HA total scores were correlated with degree of hearing loss, unilateral versus bilateral fitting, first-time versus return clients, gender, and variation among dispensing clinics. The correlations with expectations, service quality, and technical functioning of the hearing aids were also analyzed. Questionnaires containing the 7 IOI-HA items as well as questions concerning some additional issues were mailed to clients 3-6 months after fitting of new hearing aids. The questionnaires were returned to and analyzed by an independent research institute. More than 100 dispensing clinics nationwide take part in this project. A response rate of 52.6% resulted in 106,631 data sets after excluding incomplete questionnaires. Forty-six percent of the responders were women, and 54% were men. The largest difference in mean score (0.66) was found for the IOI-HA item "use" between return clients and first-time users. Women reported significantly higher (better) scores for the item "impact on others" compared with men. The bilaterally fitted subgroup reported significantly higher scores for all 7 items compared with the unilaterally fitted subgroup. Experienced users produced higher scores on benefit and satisfaction items, whereas first-time users gave higher scores for residual problems. No correlation was found between mean IOI-HA total score and average hearing threshold level (pure-tone average [PTA]). Mean IOI-HA total scores were found to correlate significantly with perceived service quality of the dispensing center and with the technical functionality of the hearing aids. When comparing mean IOI-HA total scores from different studies or between groups, differences with regard to hearing aid experience, gender, and unilateral versus bilateral fitting have to be considered. No correlation was found between mean IOI-HA total score and degree of hearing loss in terms of PTA. Thus, PTA is not a reliable predictor of benefit and satisfaction of hearing aid provision as represented by the IOI-HA items. Identification of a specific lower fence in PTA for hearing aid candidacy is therefore to be avoided. Large differences were found in mean IOI-HA total scores related to different dispensing centers.

Process and tools for optimising wind power projects connected to weak grids

Integration of wind power plants (WPPs) into weak electric grids has gained a lot of interest in recent years due to an increase in sites with low short-circuit power at the point of connection. In response to this reality, wind turbine (WT) manufacturers have been working on developing suitable technical functionalities. However, it can be argued that technology is not the only challenge faced during the interconnection of WPP to a weak grid. This study aims at proposing and demonstrating the application of a process that can be applied to optimise many aspects of such projects and outlines the tools needed to do so. Outcomes and experiences from applying this process and its tools to a real project including steady-state and time-domain simulation results are also presented. It is shown that, in order to successfully interconnect WPPs into weak grids without putting power system safety and reliability at risk, strong collaboration between project developers, network operators, consultants and WT manufacturers is crucial. The proposed process will greatly support all stake holders involved in developing the market of WPPs connected to weak grids.

Methodology for the Evaluation of Resilience of ICT Systems for Smart Distribution Grids

Ensuring resilient operation and control of smart grids is fundamental for empowering their deployment, but challenging at the same time. Accordingly, this study proposes a novel methodology for evaluating resilience of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) systems for smart distribution grids. Analysing how the system behaves under changing operating conditions a power system perspective allows to understand how resilient the smart distribution grid is, but the resilience of the ICT system in charge of its operation affects the overall performance of the system and does, therefore, condition its resilience. With the aim of systematising the evaluation of ICT systems’ resilience, this study proposes to combine a standardized modelling of Smart Grids, the Smart Grid Architecture Model (SGAM), with a data structured diagram, the Entity Relationship Model (ERM). The architecture of smart distribution grids is analysed through SGAM. Then, their technical characteristics and functionalities are defined and represented in a ERM diagram. Finally, the attributes or properties of the system components are used to formulate resilience indicators against different types of disturbances. This methodology is then applied to analyse the resilience of a ICT platform being developed in EMPOWER H2020 project.