Lead acid battery storage configurations for improved availablecapacity

Battery storage is a crucial element in alternative energy and electric vehicle systems. Three battery storage configurations: a conventional; a parallel; and a dual, were analyzed for both shallow cycle and deep cycle lead-acid batteries to determine if capacity improvement is achievable. Daily profiles for the weekly irradiance, daily loads, and ambient temperature are simulated. Cycle tests were performed monthly to determine the effect each configuration had on the available battery capacity. Results for each battery type differ. Available capacity was improved using the parallel configuration with shallow cycle batteries and the dual configuration with deep cycle batteries     

A new contact model for the discrete element method simulation of $$\hbox {TiO}_2$$ nanoparticle films under mechanical load

We develop a novel coarse-grained contact model for Discrete Element Method simulations of \(\hbox {TiO}_2\) nanoparticle films subjected to mechanical stress. All model elements and parameters are derived in a self-consistent and physically sound way from all-atom Molecular Dynamics simulations of interacting particles and surfaces. In particular, the nature of atomic-scale friction and dissipation effects is taken into account by explicit modelling of the surface features and water adsorbate layers that strongly mediate the particle-particle interactions. The quantitative accuracy of the coarse-grained model is validated against all-atom simulations of \(\hbox {TiO}_2\) nanoparticle agglomerates under tensile stress. Moreover, its predictive power is demonstrated with calculations of force-displacement curves of entire nanoparticle films probed with force spectroscopy. The simulation results are compared with Atomic Force Microscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy experiments.     

Redefining the Water Poverty Index

Abstract

The Water Poverty Index (WPI) of arid and semiarid climatic zones is redefined by introducing the contribution of rainfed agriculture into WPI calculations and by making the WPI equation account for diversities in climatic conditions within arid and semiarid zones and for recycled household water used in irrigation.     

Probabilistic quality-aware routing in cognitive radio networks under dynamically varying spectrum opportunities

In this paper, we introduce a probabilistic routing metric that considers the peculiar characteristics of the operating environment of cognitive radio networks (CRNs). This metric captures the dynamic changes in channel availabilities due to the randomness of primary user’s activity and the rich channel diversity due to the fact that a CRN is expected to operate over highly separated frequency channels with different propagation characteristics. Our metric, Probability of Success (PoS), statistically quantifies the chances of a successful cognitive radio (CR) packet transmission over a given channel. Based on the PoS metric, we propose a joint probabilistic routing and channel assignment protocol for multi-hop CRNs that attempts at selecting the path with the maximum probability of success among all possible paths for a given CR source-destination pair. Selecting such a path results in minimizing the number of disruptions to CR packet transmissions, which consequently improves network throughput. Simulation results verify the significant throughput improvement achieved by our protocol compared to reference CRN routing protocols.     

Strategic Information Systems: Current Research Issues

To ensure the maximum financial performance of organizations in rapidly changing environments, the coordination between strategic management objectives and information systems capabilities is of fundamental importance. This article proposes a conceptual framework for linking these 2 elements and suggests 10 hypotheses regarding this subject that merit further investigation by MIS managers.     

Integrated standalone hybrid solar PV,fuel cell and diesel generator power system for battery or supercapacitor storage systems in Khorfakkan,United Arab Emirates

Renewable energy resources play a very important rule these days to assist the conventional energy systems for doing its function in the UAE due to high greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy demand. In this paper, the analysis and performance of integrated standalone hybrid solar PV, fuel cell and diesel generator power system with battery energy storage system (BESS) or supercapacitor energy storage system (SCESS) in Khorfakkan city, Sharjah were presented. HOMER Pro software was used to model and simulate the hybrid energy system (HES) based on the daily energy consumption for Khorfakkan city. The simulation results show that using SCESS as an energy storage system will help the performance of HES based on the Levelized cost of energy (LCOE) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The HES with SCESS has renewable fraction (68.1%) and 0.346 $/kWh LCOE. The HES meets the annual AC primary load of the city (13.6 GWh) with negligible electricity excess and with an unmet electrical load of 1.38%. The reduction in GHG emissions for HES with SCESS was 83.2%, equivalent to saving 814,428 gallons of diesel.     

Channel assignment mechanism for cognitive radio network with rate adaptation and guard band awareness: batching perspective

Wireless Networks - Cognitive radio (CR) is a promising technology that allows devices to effectively utilize the underutilized or unutilized portions of the licensed spectrum. In literature,...     

The potential of surface water utilization for domestic purposes in Jordan

Two main problems seem to face the use of surface water for domestic purposes in semi‐arid regions. These problems are eutrophication of surface water bodies and the formation of chlorinated hydrocarbons during water treatment. Both problems develop as direct of indirect results of anthropogenic activities. The eutrophication problem will be discussed with reference to King Talal Reservoir, whereas the formation of chlorinated hydrocarbons will be illustrated when discussing the use of the East Ghor Canal water for domestic purposes.     

A funding and governing model for achieving sustainable growth of computing e-infrastructures

The current access policies and funding schemes of computing e-infrastructures represent a huge challenge for the sustainable growth of computing e-infrastructures and a serious jeopardy for investments made into these e-infrastructures. In order to be able to address these issues, the economics of computing e-infrastructures has to be understood thoroughly. As a first step in this direction, this paper conducts a set of computing e-infrastructure case studies and discusses the economic issues of different global computing e-infrastructure efforts. The analyses results show that the major shortcomings that need to be resolved are the insufficient involvement of the private sector in the development of computing e-infrastructures, the restricted user access to e-infrastructure resources, and the lack of sustainable funding. As a solution to these shortcomings, we propose a new funding and governing model for computing e-infrastructures. It follows a token-based market mechanism that allows a business-oriented operation of the computing e-infrastructure. We argue that this new model fosters the transition towards a sustainable computing e-infrastructure, being another requirement for successfully implementing the cloud computing vision. Our arguments are supported by an analytical analysis.