Agent-based simulation of electricity markets: a survey of tools

Agent-based simulation has been a popular technique in modeling and analyzing electricity markets in recent years. The main objective of this paper is to study existing agent-based simulation packages for electricity markets. We first provide an overview of electricity markets and briefly introduce the agent-based simulation technique. We then investigate several general-purpose agent-based simulation tools. Next, we review four popular agent-based simulation packages developed for electricity markets and several agent-based simulation models reported in the literature. We compare all the reviewed packages and models and identify their common features and design issues. Based on the study, we describe an agent-based simulation framework for electricity markets to facilitate the development of future models for electricity markets.     

Deterministic global optimization approach to steady-state distribution gas pipeline networks

Natural gas is normally transported through a vast network of pipelines. A pipeline network is generally established either to transmit gas at high pressure from coastal supplies to regional demand points (transmission network) or to distribute gas to consumers at low pressure from the regional demand points (distribution network). In this study, the distribution network is considered. The distribution network differs from the transmission one in a number of ways. Pipes involved in a distribution network are often much smaller and the network is simpler, having no valves, compressors or nozzles. In this paper, we propose the problem of minimizing the cost of pipelines incurred by driving the gas in a distribute non-linear network under steady-state assumptions. In particular, the decision variables include the length of the pipes’ diameter, pressure drops at each node of the network, and mass flow rate at each pipeline leg. We establish a mathematical optimization model of this problem, and then present a global approach, which is based on the GOP primal-relaxed dual decomposition method presented by Visweswaran and Floudas (Global optimization in engineering design. Kluwer book series in nonconvex optimization and its applications. Kluwer, Netherlands, 1996), to the optimization model. Finally, results from application of the approach to data from gas company are presented.     

Active Integrated Antenna Design Using a Contact-Less, Proximity Coupled, Differentially Fed Technique

A novel contact-less, differential feeding technique suitable for integrated active antenna design is demonstrated. This technique utilizes an odd mode signal to generate fringing fields on either side of a microstrip gap under the antenna. This allows electromagnetic energy to be efficiently coupled from the transmission lines to the radiating antenna. In a balanced integrated antenna amplifier configuration, the proposed non-contact feeding method removes the need for any balun or power combining network. Hence in theory, a compact RF front-end design with lower losses can be realized. This feeding method has been successfully applied to the design of simple passive microstrip patch antennas and active integrated antennas (AIA). Simulated and measured results are also included to validate the proposed feeding concept and antenna designs. The performance of the proposed differential feeding technique on a simple microstrip patch antenna has been systematically studied. The study suggests that the proposed proximity method is broadband in nature, allowing antennas operating at different resonant frequencies to be swapped without the need to change the feed dimensions and without degrading the matching performance     

On the performance of random vector quantization limited feedback beamforming in a MISO system

In multiple antenna wireless systems, beamforming is a simple technique for guarding against the negative effects of fading. Unfortunately, beamforming requires the transmitter to have knowledge of the forward-link channel which is often not available a priori. One way of overcoming this problem is to design the beamforming vector using a limited number of feedback bits sent from the receiver to the transmitter. In limited feedback beamforming, the beamforming vector is restricted to lie in a codebook that is known to both the transmitter and receiver. Random vector quantization (RVQ) is a simple approach to codebook design that generates the vectors independently from a uniform distribution on the complex unit sphere. This correspondence presents performance analysis results for RVQ limited feedback beamforming     

X-Ray Radiation Effect in DRAM Retention Time

For quality verification, an X-ray inspection process is commonly being used for evaluating obscured and defective solder joints in surface-mount technologies, such as ball grid arrays and flip chips. Integrated circuits subjected to any form of radiation, i.e., ionizing or nonionizing, may incur some amount of damage depending on the absorbed dose. Though most X-ray inspections for high-quality imaging require ionizing dose amounts that are considered inconsequential for device failure or non-functionality, the degree of latent damage must be carefully considered. This paper discusses X-ray-induced vulnerabilities of high-density dynamic random access memory exposed to low ionizing radiation levels typical in X-ray inspection systems. We look at critical parameters and their sensitivity in relation to varying dose amounts of X-ray irradiation. In consideration of different methodologies of reducing radiation dose amounts and limiting device exposure, we propose a procedure for attenuating potentially harmful X-ray radiation levels while preserving quality images.     

Mechanisms for synergistic oxidation of organics in ultrapure watersystems

A mechanistic model is developed for the distribution, oxidation, and removal of organic impurities in typical polishing loops of ultrapure water (UPW) plants. The model is applied to the case of the oxidation of organics by ultraviolet (UV), ozone, and a unique method of adding ozone to the UV unit. The model is validated with direct experimental measurements using various oxidation tests. In particular, the accumulation problem related to the recalcitrant (hard to remove) impurities in the UPW systems with recycle is explained. The model is also used to analyze the dynamic behavior of polishing and reclaim/recycle loops. The results show the potential oscillatory behavior of UPW loops in case of impurity surges. This behavior is important and needs to be prevented to avoid metrology and control problems     

Preparation of Porous Tin Oxide Nanobelts Using the Electrospinning Technique

The electrospinning method is adopted to prepare utralong PEO/stannic hydroxide composite nanofibers. Tin-oxide nanobelts can be obtained by calcination of the composite nanofibers in an open atmosphere. The nanobelts were characterized by a field emission scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, a transmission electron microscope, a Raman spectromicroscope, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Microstructural analysis has shown that the nanobelts prepared consist of a continuous network of interconnected SnO₂ grains. As a result, the SnO₂ nanobelts possess a high surface area and continuous porosity, which may be applied for the fabrication of sensitive gas sensors.     

Fluorination of carbon fibres in atmospheric plasma

Carbon fibres were successfully fluorinated in atmospheric-pressure plasma. By treating carbon fibres in a chlorodifluoromethane containing nitrogen atmospheric-pressure plasma, we were able to introduce fluorine groups to the surface of the carbon fibres. XPS confirms the presence of fluorine moieties on the carbon fibre surfaces. Measured contact angles confirm a significantly increased hydrophobicity of the treated carbon fibres. Zeta-potential measurements showed that acidic character of carbon fibres was increased. Although exposure of the carbon fibres to the atmospheric plasma jet causes surface sputtering; XRD analysis, Raman spectroscopy and conductivity measurements performed on the treated fibres show that atmospheric plasma treatment only modifies the surface of the carbon fibres without affecting the bulk properties.