Abstract not available

Zugl.: Zürich, Universiẗat, Diss., 2004.

Modern power networks incorporate communications and information technology infrastructure into the electrical power system to create a smart grid in terms of control and operation. The smart grid enables real-time communication and control between consumers and utility companies allowing suppliers to optimize energy usage based on price preference and system technical issues. The smart grid design aims to provide overall power system monitoring, create protection and control strategies to maintain system performance, stability and security. This dissertation contributed to the development of a unique and novel smart grid test-bed laboratory with integrated monitoring, protection and control systems. This test-bed was used as a platform to test the smart grid operational ideas developed here. The implementation of this system in the real-time software creates an environment for studying, implementing and verifying novel control and protection schemes developed in this dissertation. Phasor measurement techniques were developed using the available Data Acquisition (DAQ) devices in order to monitor all points in the power system in real time. This provides a practical view of system parameter changes, system abnormal conditions and its stability and security information system. These developments provide valuable measurements for technical power system operators in the energy control centers. Phasor Measurement technology is an excellent solution for improving system planning, operation and energy trading in addition to enabling advanced applications in Wide Area Monitoring, Protection and Control (WAMPAC). Moreover, a virtual protection system was developed and implemented in the smart grid laboratory with integrated functionality for wide area applications. Experiments and procedures were developed in the system in order to detect the system abnormal conditions and apply proper remedies to heal the system. A design for DC microgrid was developed to integrate it to the AC system with appropriate control capability. This system represents realistic hybrid AC/DC microgrids connectivity to the AC side to study the use of such architecture in system operation to help remedy system abnormal conditions. In addition, this dissertation explored the challenges and feasibility of the implementation of real-time system analysis features in order to monitor the system security and stability measures. These indices are measured experimentally during the operation of the developed hybrid AC/DC microgrids. Furthermore, a real-time optimal power flow system was implemented to optimally manage the power sharing between AC generators and DC side resources. A study relating to real-time energy management algorithm in hybrid microgrids was performed to evaluate the effects of using energy storage resources and their use in mitigating heavy load impacts on system stability and operational security.

BACKGROUND:Airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), a primary characteristic of asthma, involves increased airway smooth muscle contractility in response to certain exposures. We sought to determine whether common genetic variants were associated with AHR severity.METHODS:A genome-wide association study (GWAS) of AHR, quantified as the natural log of the dosage of methacholine causing a 20% drop in FEV1, was performed with 994 non-Hispanic white asthmatic subjects from three drug clinical trials: CAMP, CARE, and ACRN. Genotyping was performed on Affymetrix 6.0 arrays, and imputed data based on HapMap Phase 2, was used to measure the association of SNPs with AHR using a linear regression model. Replication of primary findings was attempted in 650 white subjects from DAG, and 3,354 white subjects from LHS. Evidence that the top SNPs were eQTL of their respective genes was sought using expression data available for 419 white CAMP subjects.RESULTS:The top primary GWAS associations were in rs848788 (P-value 7.2E-07) and rs6731443 (P-value 2.5E-06), located within the ITGB5 and AGFG1 genes, respectively. The AGFG1 result replicated at a nominally significant level in one independent population (LHS P-value 0.012), and the SNP had a nominally significant unadjusted P-value (0.0067) for being an eQTL of AGFG1.CONCLUSIONS:Based on current knowledge of ITGB5 and AGFG1, our results suggest that variants within these genes may be involved in modulating AHR. Future functional studies are required to confirm that our associations represent true biologically significant findings.

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 25-28, 1993 / Riviera Hotel and Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada / Given the small size of hit-to-kill interceptor test vehicles currently under development, volumetric limitations mandate using the experimental vehicle's telemetry system during vehicle ground level acceptance and environmental testing to gather performance data, in addition to the primary function of successfully gathering and transmitting data during the test flight. In small, lightweight test interceptors, volume and mass become major telemetry system design considerations. In this paper we describe a system engineering approach to determine the key requirements and calculate some of the critical design parameters necessary for the successful design and development of a high data rate wide band FM Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) airborne telemetry system.

In order to achieve binding Government targets towards the decarbonisation of the electricity network, the GB power system is undergoing an unprecedented amount of change. A series of new technologies designed to integrate massive volumes of renewable generation, predominantly in the form of offshore wind, asynchronously connecting to the periphery of the transmission system, are transforming the requirements of the network. This displacement of traditional thermal generation is leading to a significant reduction in system inertia, thus making the task of system operation more challenging. It is therefore deemed necessary to develop tools and technologies that provide far greater insight into the state of the power system in real-time and give rise to methods for improving offline modelling practices through an enhanced understanding of the systems performance. To that extent PMUs are seen as one of the key enablers of the Smart Grid, providing accurate time-synchronised measurements on the state of the power system, allowing the true dynamics of the power system to be captured and analysed. This thesis provides an analysis of the existing PMU deployment on the GB transmission system with a view to the future system monitoring requirements. A critical evaluation and comparison is also provided on the suitability of a University based Low Voltage PMU network to further enhance the visibility of the GB system. In addition a novel event detection algorithm based on Detrended Fluctuation Analysis is developed and demonstrated, designed to determine the exact start time of a transmission event, as well as the suitability of such an event for additional transmission system analysis, namely inertia estimation. Finally, a reliable method for the estimation of total system inertia is proposed that includes an estimate of the contribution from residual sources, of which there is currently no visibility. The proposed method identifies the importance of regional inertia and its impact to the operation of the GB transmission system.

Fisheye lenses refer to ultra-wide angle lenses that have field of view equal or larger than 180 degrees. Such lenses introduce large amount of barrel distortion to capture at least the entire hemisphere in front of the lens. Fisheye lenses were initially designed for scientific use, such as cloud recording and angle measuring, and were widely used for commercial purposes later. The development of photographic fisheye lenses started in 1960s. However, the lack of detailed references on photographic fisheye lens design makes such design challenging. This thesis provides detailed introduction of photographic fisheye lens design for 35mm format DSLR cameras. A discussion on the history of fisheye lenses is provided to describe the development of fisheye lenses. The tangential and sagittal magnifications are mathematically derived for each fisheye lens projection mapping method to show their differences. The special properties and design issues of photographic fisheye lenses are described in detail. Along with each design issue, some solutions suggested by the author are also provided. The performance of the current diagonal fisheye lenses for 35mm DSLR cameras are evaluated in detail. Then a new diagonal fisheye lens designed by the author is presented and compared with the current diagonal fisheye lenses on the market. Finally, a zoom fisheye lens designed for 35mm DSLR cameras is presented and discussed.

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 23-26, 2000 / Town & Country Hotel and Conference Center, San Diego, California / A thinned array sensor system develops error voltages for steering dish antennas from signals arriving over a broad range of angles, thereby eliminating need for a priori knowledge of signal location.

published_or_final_version / Business Administration / Master / Master of Business Administration

published_or_final_version / Physics / Master / Master of Philosophy