Les Stations de Transfert d’Energie par Pompage (STEP) sont des structures importantes pour stabiliser le réseau électrique.Les technologies à vitesse variable peuvent améliorer l'efficacité et la souplesse d’utilisation des STEPs. Les technologies actuelles telles que les machines alimentées en fréquence variable, ou les Machines Asynchrone à Double Alimentations (MADA) présentent des inconvénients. Dans ce travail, nous nous concentrons sur une structure non conventionnelle de machine à vitesse variable : la Machine à Induction à Double Alimentation sans Balais (BDFM). Les objectifs sont de mieux comprendre le fonctionnement de cette machine pour la dimensionner, l’optimiser et finalement la comparer aux structures existantes.Après un examen des techniques de dimensionnement et d'optimisation des machines classiques, des approches similaires sont étudiées pour les BDFM. Deux méthodes différentes pour des simulations éléments finis plus rapides de la BDFM sont présentées : une première, la plus rapide mais qui ne considère pas le phénomène de saturation et une seconde basée sur le principe des simulations magnétoharmoniques. Une analyse harmonique minutieuse combinée à une comparaison de cas en charges (couplage-croisés) entre des simulations FE et les résultats obtenus avec des schémas équivalents obtenus dans la littérature conduit à une modification du circuit équivalent de la BDFM. Une nouvelle méthode pour déterminer les paramètres de ce circuit grâce à des essais électriques est ensuite présentée. La détermination des paramètres à partir de la géométrie est également abordée pour aboutir à un modèle semi-analytique dérivable. Un tel modèle, couplé à un algorithme d'optimisation du 1er ordre pourrait être extrêmement puissant lors du dimensionnement d'une BDFM. Le potentiel d'une telle approche est montré dans ce travail grâce à l'optimisation d'une machine à induction. / Pumped-hydro storage plants (PSP) are important assets to stabilize electric grids.Variable speed technologies can improve the cycle efficiency and the power adjustability of PSPs. Current technologies such as fully-fed machines or Doubly-Fed Induction Machines (DFIM) have drawbacks. In this work, the focus will be on an unconventional design of variable speed machine: the Brushless Doubly-Fed Induction Machine (BDFM). The objectives are to better understand the working principles of this machine so as to size it, optimize it, and compare it to other types of variable speed machines.Following a review of sizing and optimization techniques for conventional machines, similar approaches are investigated for BDFMs. Two different methods for faster Finite-Element (FE) simulations of the BDFM are presented: a fast one without saturation considerations and another one based on the principle of magneto-harmonic simulations. A careful harmonic analysis combined with a comparison of cross-coupling tests between FE simulations and results of equivalent circuit found in the literature will lead to a modification of the BDFM equivalent circuit. A new method to determine the parameters of thisequivalent circuit from electrical tests is presented. The parameters determination from the geometry will also be considered for the elaboration of a derivable semi-analytical model. Such a model, paired with a 1st order optimization algorithm could be extremely powerful during the sizing of a BDFM. The potential of such an approach is shown in this work with the optimization of an Induction Machine.

Técnicas como a harmonização da velocidade procuram gerir e controlar o tráfego com base nas condições de tráfego das rodovias em tempo real. A harmonização da velocidade utiliza limites de velocidade variáveis (L.V.V.) para fornecer aos condutores uma velocidade de operação mais apropriada, normalmente inferior ao limite de velocidade estático indicado, em resposta as condições dinâmicas das vias. O L.V.V. tem demonstrado capacidade de melhorar a mobilidade e a segurança nas rodovias. Com isso, modelos de avaliação de risco de colisão em tempo real são frequentemente adotados para quantificar os riscos de ocorrência de colisões em estudos de implantação do L.V.V. Na maioria dos estudos sobre L.V.V., modelos de probabilidade de colisão são adotados apenas para mensurar o desempenho do sistema. Estes algoritmos de controle de L.V.V. não levam em conta o risco de colisões em períodos futuros, e assim não usam impactos do L.V.V. para escolher o plano de controle com relação à segurança. No Brasil, estratégias de harmonização da velocidade não são empregadas. Como as condições de tráfego nas rodovias brasileiras não são homogêneas, e cada faixa de tráfego normalmente possui médias de velocidades, intensidades de fluxo e composições de tráfego diferentes, técnicas como o L.V.V Podem oferecer benefícios ao harmonizar as velocidades entre as faixas e assim retardar o aparecimento de congestionamentos, reduzir o número de ultrapassagens e o risco de colisões. Dessa forma, este trabalho busca avaliar a relação entre as características do tráfego e a probabilidade de ocorrer conflitos entre veículos, para assim desenvolver um modelo matemático capaz de expressar tal relação – usando como estudo de caso um trecho da rodovia BR-290/RS, situada na região metropolitana da cidade de Porto Alegre. Este modelo matemático alimenta um algoritmo L.V.V., empregado em um micro simulador de tráfego, para controlar o tráfego com o objetivo de aumentar a segurança. Resultados indicam que o modelo proposto classificou corretamente 87% dos conflitos efetivamente ocorridos em campo. Os resultados de simulação indicam que o emprego do sistema L.V.V. contribuiu significativamente para a redução da probabilidade de conflitos. Ainda, o L.V.V. aumentou as velocidades médias nos períodos de fluxo elevado, e também reduziu o desvio padrão das velocidades – oferecendo um tráfego mais homogêneo – que contribui para a redução do número de trocas de faixa e, consequentemente, para um aumento da segurança. / Techniques such as speed harmonization seek to manage and control traffic based on road traffic conditions in real time. Speed harmonization uses variable speed limits (VSL) to provide drivers with a more appropriate speed, usually below the stated static speed limit, in response to dynamic road conditions. The VSL has demonstrated its ability to improve mobility and road safety. Thus, real-time collision risk assessment models are often adopted to quantify the risk of collisions occurring in VSL implantation studies. In most VSL studies, collision probability models are utilized only to measure the system performance. These VSL control algorithms do not take into account the risk of collisions in future periods, and thus do not use the VSL impacts to choose the control plan concerning safety. In Brazil, Speed harmonization strategies are not employed yet. As the traffic conditions on Brazilian highways are not homogeneous, and each traffic range usually has different average speeds, flow intensities, and traffic compositions, VSL techniques can offer benefits by harmonizing speeds between lanes, slowing down congestion, reducing the number of overtaking and the risk of collisions.( Continue) Thus, this work seeks to evaluate the relationship between traffic characteristics and the probability of conflicts between vehicles, in order to develop a mathematical model capable of expressing such a relation - using as a case the BR-290/RS freeway, located in the Porto Alegre metropolitan area. This mathematical model will then feed a VSL algorithm, employed in a micro traffic simulator, to control traffic and increase safety. Results indicate that the proposed model correctly classified 87% of the conflicts actually occurred in the field. The simulation results indicate that the VSL contributed significantly to reducing the conflicts likelihood. Even more, the VSL increased the average speeds for high flow periods, and also reduced the standard deviation of speeds - offering a more homogeneous traffic - which contributes for reduction in the number of lane changes and, consequently, to an increase in safety.

No description available.

Using an inverter-driven compressor in variable capacity heat pump systems has a main drawback, which is the extra loss in the inverter. The present experimental study aims to recover the inverter losses by using brine-cooled and water-cooled inverters, thereby improving the total efficiency of the heat pump system. In order to achieve this goal, a test rig with the air-cooled, water-cooled and brine-cooled inverters is designed and built, and a comparative analysis of the recovered heat, inverter losses and system performance is conducted when the compressor is driven by the water-cooled, brine-cooled and air-cooled inverters at three different switching frequencies for each inverter. The experimental results show that the inverter losses as a magnitude and as a ratio of the total consumed power are lowest in the brine-cooled inverter and highest in the air-cooled one at all the compressor speeds and all the inverter switching frequencies. Moreover, the recovered energy varies between 45 and 125 (W) in the water-cooled inverter, which corresponds to 63 and 69 (%) of the inverter losses; while it varies between 61 and 139 (W) in the brine-cooled inverter, which corresponds to 79 and 90 (%) of the inverter losses. It is also proved that the improvement of the system coefficient of performance (COPsys) is almost the same when the water-cooled or the brine-cooled inverter is used and varies between 0.54 and 3 (%) in comparison with using the air-cooled one. Indeed, the total isentropic efficiency of the compressor is improved slightly when using the water-cooled inverter and little more when using the brine-cooled one at the same running conditions. In addition, the total isentropic efficiency of the compressor is improved by increasing the inverter switching frequency when any of the inverters is used. The experimental results also show that cooling the inverter by the water, which comes out from the condenser, increases the maximum temperature of the base plate of the inverter about 10 °C which could cause a two-fold deterioration in the inverter median life in comparison with cooling the inverter by air. On the contrary, using the brine for cooling the inverter decreases the maximum temperature of the base plate of the inverter about 30 °C which could cause about a six-fold improvement in the inverter median life. / Capacity-controlled Ground Source Heat Pump single-family dwellings

With an evolving energy system, an increased flexibility is necessary, placing additional demand on hydropower plants. New technology, in particular full size frequency converters (FSFC) and doubly fed induction machines (DFIM), allows hydropower turbines to run at different speeds than originally designed, thus making the turbine more flexible. The Kaplan turbine is a common turbine with adjustable runner blades. Unfortunately, because of this design, mechanical failures are known to occur and if left untreated it could cause total turbine failure. In the industry, one solution used to avoid this is to lock the runner blades in one position. This master thesis investigates implementation of variable speed technology, in combination with locking the runner blades, thereby converting the turbines to variable speed fixed turbines. Two different Kaplan turbines were investigated, and operation parameters were simulated to determine how to operate the turbines for maximum electricity production. Additionally, for one of the turbines (K1), measurements were done on site to find out how the turbine is currently operated. In the results, combinations of parameters to use for maximum electricity production are presented. The results revealed that for K1, the runner blades should be locked at an angle of 9.5° and combined with variable speed technology to maximize electricity production. When compared to ordinary operation, the annual production increased slightly, from 34.72 GWh to 35.32 GWh.

Thesis (M.Sc.(Engineering))--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Engineering, 2000.

Freeway work zones with lane closures can adversely affect mobility, safety, and sustainability. Capacity drop phenomena near work zone areas can further decrease work zone capacity and exacerbate traffic congestion. To mitigate the negative impacts caused by freeway work zones, many variable speed limits (VSL) control methods have been proposed to proactively regulate the traffic flow. However, a simple yet robust VSL controller that considers the nonlinearity induced by the associated capacity drop is still needed. Also, most existing studies of VSL control neglected the impacts of traffic sensor failures that commonly occur in transportation systems. Large deviations of traffic measurements caused by sensor faults can greatly affect the reliability of VSL controllers. To address the aforementioned challenges, this research proposes a fault-tolerant VSL controller for a freeway work zone with consideration of sensor faults. A traffic flow model was developed to understand and describe the traffic dynamics near work zone areas. Then a VSL controller based on sliding mode control was designed to generate dynamic speed limits in real time using traffic measurements. To achieve VSL control fault tolerance, analytical redundancy was exploited to develop an observer-based method and an interacting multiple model with a pseudo-model set (IMMP) based method for permanent and recurrent sensor faults respectively. The proposed system was evaluated under realistic freeway work zone conditions using the traffic simulator SUMO. This research contributes to the body of knowledge by developing fault-tolerant VSL control for freeway work zones with reliable performance under permanent and recurrent sensor faults. With reliable sensor fault diagnosis, the fault-tolerant VSL controller can consistently reduce travel time, safety risks, emissions, and fuel consumption. Therefore, with a growing number of work zones due to aging road infrastructure and increasing demand, the proposed system offers broader impacts through congestion mitigation and consistent improvements in mobility, safety, and sustainability near work zones. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / Freeway work zones can increase congestion with higher travel time, safety risk, emissions and fuel consumption. This research aims to improve traffic conditions near work zones using a variable speed limits control system. By exploiting redundant traffic information, a variable speed limit control system that is insensitive to traffic sensor failures is presented. The proposed system was evaluated under realistic freeway work zone conditions in a simulation environment. The results show that the proposed system can reliably detect sensor failures and consistently provide improvements in mobility, safety and sustainability despite the presence of traffic sensor failures.

<p>In the current marketplace, most ducted split-system heat pumps feature single-speed compressors and fans. To meet forthcoming minimum energy rating requirements, reduce operational costs, and increase environmental sustainability, the seasonal heating and cooling efficiencies of heat pump systems must be improved. Variable-speed equipment offers significant advantages for load modulation and has the ability to increase the seasonal performance greatly. Additionally, novel electrical motor technologies, such as permanent magnet (PM) motors, can reduce the power consumption of the motors by up to 25-55% compared to the widely used permanent split capacitor (PSC) motor or electronically commutated motor (ECM). In this study, a low cost ducted single-speed heat pump system with a cooling capacity of 10.55 kW was analyzed to quantify the impact of fan and compressor motor efficiency on seasonal coefficient of performance (SCOP). Furthermore, single-speed components were replaced with variable to evaluate the performance increase. The single-speed heat pump was experimentally tested, and the results were used to tune a detailed model for further performance analyses. The efficiency was evaluated in heating and cooling mode according to AHRI Standard 210/240 and with an energy savings and cost analysis, that details the SCOP and costs for different locations. The conversion of the fan motors to high efficiency PM magnet motors increased the SCOP by up to 6%. The impact was dependent on the initial motor efficiency and the operational mode. The indoor unit fan motor has a large impact on SCOP in cooling mode and a low impact in heating mode because of the motor waste heat’s impact on capacity. The conversion to a fully variablespeed system greatly increased the performance, with a 72% increase in cooling SCOP and a 19% increase in heating SCOP. The energy savings and cost analysis concluded that the fan motor conversion from single-speed to high efficiency motors is economically viable, but the financial benefit of the upgrade to variable-speed depends on the intended location of use.  </p>

Recent research at UCF into defining surrogate measures for identifying crash prone conditions on freeways has led to the introduction of several statistical models which can flag such conditions with a good degree of accuracy. Outputs from these models have the potential to be used as real-time safety measures on freeways. They may also act as the basis for the evaluation of several intervention strategies that might help in the mitigation of risk of crashes. Ramp Metering and Variable Speed Limits are two approaches which have the potential of becoming effective implementation strategies for improving the safety conditions on congested freeways. This research evaluates both these strategies in different configurations and attempts to quantify their effect on risk of crash on a 9-mile section of Interstate-4 in the Orlando metropolitan region. The section consists of 17 Loop Detector stations, 11 On-ramps and 10 off-ramps. PARAMICS micro-simulation is used as the tool for modeling the freeway section. The simulated network is calibrated and validated for 5 minute average flows and speeds using loop detector data. Feedback Ramp Metering algorithm, ALINEA, is used for controlling access from up to 7 on-ramps. Variable Speed Limits are implemented based on real-time speed conditions prevailing in the whole 9-mile section. Both these strategies are tested separately as well as collectively to determine the individual effects of all the parameters involved. The results have been used to formulate and recommend the best possible strategy for minimizing the risk of crashes on the corridor. The study concluded that Ramp Metering improves the conditions on the freeway in terms of safety by decreasing variance in speeds and decreasing average occupancy. A safety benefit index was developed for quantifying the reduction in crash risk and it indicated that an optimal implementation strategy might produce benefits of up to 55%. The condition on the freeway section improved with increase in the number of metered ramps. It was also observed that shorter signal cycles for metered ramps were more suitable for metering multiple ramps. Ramp Metering at multiple locations also decreased the segment wide travel-times by 5% and was even able to offset the delays incurred by drivers at the metered on-ramps. Variable Speed Limits (VSL) were individually not as effective as ramp metering but when implemented along with ramp metering, they were found to further improve the safety on the freeway section under consideration. By means of a detailed experimental design it was observed that the best strategy for introducing speed limit changes was to raise the speed limits downstream of the location of interest by 5 mph and not affecting the speed limits upstream. A coordinated strategy - involving simultaneous application of VSL and Ramp Metering - provided safety benefits of up to 56 % for the study section according to the safety benefit index. It also improved the average speeds on the network besides decreasing the overall network travel time by as much as 21%.

Traffic safety has become the first concern in the transportation area. Crashes have cause extensive human and economic losses. With the objective of reducing crash occurrence and alleviating crash injury severity, major efforts have been dedicated to reveal the hazardous factors that affect crash occurrence at both the aggregate (targeting crash frequency per segment, intersection, etc.,) and disaggregate levels (analyzing each crash event). The aggregate traffic safety studies, mainly developing safety performance functions (SPFs), are being conducted for the purpose of unveiling crash contributing factors for the interest locations. Results of the aggregate traffic safety studies can be used to identify crash hot spots, calculate crash modification factors (CMF), and improve geometric characteristics. Aggregate analyses mainly focus on discovering the hazardous factors that are related to the frequency of total crashes, of specific crash type, or of each crash severity level. While disaggregate studies benefit from the reliable surveillance systems which provide detailed real-time traffic and weather data. This information could help in capturing microlevel influences of the hazardous factors which might lead to a crash. The disaggregate traffic safety models, also called real-time crash risk evaluation models, can be used in monitoring crash hazardousness with the real-time field data fed in. One potential use of real-time crash risk evaluation models is to develop Variable Speed Limits (VSL) as a part of a freeway management system. Models have been developed to predict crash occurrence to proactively improve traffic safety and prevent crash occurrence. iv In this study, first, aggregate safety performance functions were estimated to unveil the different risk factors affecting crash occurrence for a mountainous freeway section. Then disaggregate real-time crash risk evaluation models have been developed for the total crashes with both the machine learning and hierarchical Bayesian models. Considering the need for analyzing both aggregate and disaggregate aspects of traffic safety, systematic multi-level traffic safety studies have been conducted for single- and multi-vehicle crashes, and weekday and weekend crashes. Finally, the feasibility of utilizing a VSL system to improve traffic safety on freeways has been investigated. This research was conducted based on data obtained from a 15-mile mountainous freeway section on I-70 in Colorado. The data contain historical crash data, roadway geometric characteristics, real-time weather data, and real-time traffic data. Real-time weather data were recorded by 6 weather stations installed along the freeway section, while the real-time traffic data were obtained from the Remote Traffic Microwave Sensor (RTMS) radars and Automatic Vechicle Identification (AVI) systems. Different datasets have been formulated from various data sources, and prepared for the multi-level traffic safety studies. In the aggregate traffic safety investigation, safety performance functions were developed to identify crash occurrence hazardous factors. For the first time real-time weather and traffic data were used in SPFs. Ordinary Poisson model and random effects Poisson models with Bayesian inference approach were employed to reveal the effects of weather and traffic related variables on crash occurrence. Two scenarios were considered: one seasonal based case and one crash type v based case. Deviance Information Criterion (DIC) was utilized as the comparison criterion; and the correlated random effects Poisson models outperform the others. Results indicate that weather condition variables, especially precipitation, play a key role in the safety performance functions. Moreover, in order to compare with the correlated random effects Poisson model, Multivariate Poisson model and Multivariate Poisson-lognormal model have been estimated. Conclusions indicate that, instead of assuming identical random effects for the homogenous segments, considering the correlation effects between two count variables would result in better model fit. Results from the aggregate analyses shed light on the policy implication to reduce crash frequencies. For the studied roadway segment, crash occurrence in the snow season have clear trends associated with adverse weather situations (bad visibility and large amount of precipitation); weather warning systems can be employed to improve road safety during the snow season. Furthermore, different traffic management strategies should be developed according to the distinct seasonal influence factors. In particular, sites with steep slopes need more attention from the traffic management center and operators especially during snow seasons to control the excess crash occurrence. Moreover, distinct strategy of freeway management should be designed to address the differences between single- and multi-vehicle crash characteristics. In addition to developing safety performance functions with various modeling techniques, this study also investigates four different approaches of developing informative priors for the independent variables. Bayesian inference framework provides a complete and coherent way to balance the empirical data and prior expectations; merits of these informative priors have been tested along with two types of Bayesian hierarchical models (Poisson-gamma and Poisson- vi lognormal models). Deviance Information Criterion, R-square values, and coefficients of variance for the estimations were utilized as evaluation measures to select the best model(s). Comparisons across the models indicate that the Poisson-gamma model is superior with a better model fit and it is much more robust with the informative priors. Moreover, the two-stage Bayesian updating informative priors provided the best goodness-of-fit and coefficient estimation accuracies. In addition to the aggregate analyses, real-time crash risk evaluation models have been developed to identify crash contributing factors at the disaggregate level. Support Vector Machine (SVM), a recently proposed statistical learning model and Hierarchical Bayesian logistic regression models were introduced to evaluate real-time crash risk. Classification and regression tree (CART) model has been developed to select the most important explanatory variables. Based on the variable selection results, Bayesian logistic regression models and SVM models with different kernel functions have been developed. Model comparisons based on receiver operating curves (ROC) demonstrate that the SVM model with Radial basis kernel function outperforms the others. Results from the models demonstrated that crashes are likely to happen during congestion periods (especially when the queuing area has propagated from the downstream segment); high variation of occupancy and/or volume would increase the probability of crash occurrence. Moreover, effects of microscopic traffic, weather, and roadway geometric factors on the occurrence of specific crash types have been investigated. Crashes have been categorized as rear- vii end, sideswipe, and single-vehicle crashes. AVI segment average speed, real-time weather data, and roadway geometric characteristics data were utilized as explanatory variables. Conclusions from this study imply that different active traffic management (ATM) strategies should be designed for three- and two-lane roadway sections and also considering the seasonal effects. Based on the abovementioned results, real-time crash risk evaluation models have been developed separately for multi-vehicle and single-vehicle crashes, and weekday and weekend crashes. Hierarchical Bayesian logistic regression models (random effects and random parameter logistic regression models) have been introduced to address the seasonal variations, crash unit level’s diversities, and unobserved heterogeneity caused by geometric characteristics. For the multi-vehicle crashes: congested conditions at downstream would contribute to an increase in the likelihood of multi-vehicle crashes; multi-vehicle crashes are more likely to occur during poor visibility conditions and if there is a turbulent area that exists downstream. Drivers who are unable to reduce their speeds timely are prone to causing rear-end crashes. While for the singlevehicle crashes: slow moving traffic platoons at the downstream detector of the crash occurrence locations would increase the probability of single-vehicle crashes; large variations of occupancy downstream would also increase the likelihood of single-vehicle crash occurrence. Substantial efforts have been dedicated to revealing the hazardous factors that affect crash occurrence from both the aggregate and disaggregate level in this study, however, findings and conclusions from these research work need to be transferred into applications for roadway design and freeway management. This study further investigates the feasibility of utilizing Variable Speed Limits (VSL) system, one key part of ATM, to improve traffic safety on freeways. A proactive traffic safety improvement VSL control algorithm has been proposed. First, an viii extension of the traffic flow model METANET was employed to predict traffic flow while considering VSL’s impacts on the flow-density diagram; a real-time crash risk evaluation model was then estimated for the purpose of quantifying crash risk; finally, the optimal VSL control strategies were achieved by employing an optimization technique of minimizing the total predicted crash risks along the VSL implementation area. Constraints were set up to limit the increase of the average travel time and differences between posted speed limits temporarily and spatially. The proposed VSL control strategy was tested for a mountainous freeway bottleneck area in the microscopic simulation software VISSIM. Safety impacts of the VSL system were quantified as crash risk improvements and speed homogeneity improvements. Moreover, three different driver compliance levels were modeled in VISSIM to monitor the sensitivity of VSL’s safety impacts on driver compliance levels. Conclusions demonstrate that the proposed VSL system could effectively improve traffic safety by decreasing crash risk, enhancing speed homogeneity, and reducing travel time under both high and moderate driver compliance levels; while the VSL system does not have significant effects on traffic safety enhancement under the low compliance scenario. Future implementations of VSL control strategies and related research topics were also discussed.