AGA (Asset Governance Assessment) for analyzing affect of subsidy on MC (Marginal Cost) in electricity distribution sector

Nowadays subsidy payments on electrical energy have to be managed and controlled to prevent any side effect particularly in developing countries. Effects of some external factors on Energy consumption and electricity distribution indices are analyzed in this paper. External factors are classified into three categories of social behavior, governance and urban planning. MC (Marginal Cost) of electricity in distribution is considered as the main index to be analyzed. Also, ANN (Artificial Neural Network) is applied to simulate effect of the mentioned factors on MC of distribution sector. Numerical investigation on the indices for a sample DISCO (Distribution Company) in Iran is made, results indicate that the more subsidies are allocated to consumers the more MC is increased. AGA (Asset Governance Assessment), which is proposed as a kind of governance decision, could improve the performance efficiency and avoid lose of activities done by DISCOs through subsidy management.     

Wall Decay Coefficient Estimation in a Real-Life Drinking Water Distribution Network

Water Resources Management - Injection of chlorine as a disinfectant and the correct prediction of the residual amount in water distribution networks are key points and important principles in the...     

Disinfection of dairy wastewater effluent through solar photocatalysis processes

Due to the strict regulations and reuse policies that govern wastewater's use as an irrigation water resource for agricultural purposes, especially in dry climates, optimization of the disinfection process is of the utmost importance. The effects of solar radiation along with Titanium dioxide(TiO_2) nanoparticles applied to optimization of the photolysis and photocatalysis processes for inactivating heterotrophic bacteria were investigated. Temperature, p H, and dissolved oxygen fluctuations in the dairy wastewater effluent treated by activated sludge were examined. In addition,different dosages of TiO_2 were tested in the solar photocatalysis(ph-C S) and concentrated solar photocatalysis(ph-C CS) processes. The results show that the disinfection efficiencies of the solar photolysis(ph-L S) and concentrated solar photolysis(ph-L CS) processes after 30 min were about 10.5% and 68.9%, respectively, and that the ph-C S and ph-C CS processes inactivated 41% and 97% of the heterotrophic bacteria after 30 min, respectively. The p H variation in these processes was negligible. Using the ph-L CS and ph-C CS processes, the synergistic effect between the optical and thermal inactivation caused complete disinfection after three hours. However, disinfection was faster in the ph-C CS process than in the ph-L CS process. Significant correlations were found between the disinfection efficiency and the variation of the dissolved oxygen concentration in the ph-C S and ph-C CS processes, while the correlations between the disinfection efficiency and temperature variation were not significant in the ph-L S and ph-C S processes. Moreover, the oxygen consumption rate was greatest(3.2 mg··L~(-1)) in the ph-C CS process. Hence,it could be concluded that the ph-C CS process is an efficient photocatalysis process for disinfection of dairy wastewater effluent.     

Response surface modeling,isotherm, thermodynamic and optimization study of arsenic (V) removal from aqueous solutions using modified bentonite-chitosan (MBC)

Arsenic contamination, a worldwide concern, has received a great deal of attention due to its toxicity and carcinogenicity. In the present study, we focused on the combined application of modified bentonite and chitosan (MBC) for the removal of As(V). Arsenic removal experiments were carried out to determine the amount of As(V) adsorbed as a function of pH (2-8), sorbent dosage (0.1-1.5 g/L), As(V) concentration (20-200mg/L) and time (60-240 min). The system was optimized by means of response surface methodology. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) of the quadratic model demonstrated that the model was highly significant (R²≈97.3%). Optimized values of pH, sorbent dosage, initial As(V) concentration and time were found to be 3.7, 1.40 g/L, 69mg/L, and 167min, respectively. The results reveal that the prepared adsorbent has a high adsorption capacity (122.23mg/g) for As(V) removal. Among the isotherm models used, the Langmuir isotherm model was the best fit for the obtained data. The adsorption kinetics following a pseudo-second-order kinetic model was involved in the adsorption process of As(V). Thermodynamic studies confirmed the spontaneous and endothermic character of adsorption process.     

A comprehensive stochastic energy management system in reconfigurable microgrids

This paper addresses the joint stochastic energy and reserve scheduling problem in microgrids (MGs). The established approach proposes a novel high‐performance energy management system (EMS) making use of automatically controlled switches (ACSs). Accordingly, besides the optimal scheduling of active elements namely distributed generations (DGs) and responsive loads (RLs), the optimal topology of the network for each of the scheduling intervals is determined as well. Likewise, the effects of the reconfiguration process in probable variations of the scheduled energy patterns in DGs, RLs, and grid purchases are thoroughly assessed to highlight the alterations in unallocated capacities of these resources. Moreover, the uncertainties associated with both the load and wind speed forecasting errors are suitably accommodated through the reserve allocations. The proposed optimization procedure is formulated as a mixed‐integer non‐linear problem and resolved using a genetic algorithm (GA). The effectiveness of the projected framework is verified utilizing a typical MG, and the obtained numerical results are discussed in depth. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An Enhanced LVRT Scheme for DFIG-based WECSs under Both Balanced and Unbalanced Grid Voltage Sags

Due to the latest grid codes, wind energy conversion systems (WECSs) are required to remain connected to grid under grid voltage sags and supply reactive power into the grid. So, this paper proposes an enhanced scheme to improve low-voltage ride through (LVRT) capability of doubly fed induction generator (DFIG)-based WECSs under both balanced and unbalanced grid voltage sags. The proposed scheme is composed of active and passive LVRT compensators. The active compensator is performed by controlling the rotor- and grid-side converters of the DFIG to decrease the stator flux oscillations and inject reactive power into the grid. The passive compensator is based on a three-phase stator damping resistor (SDR) located in series with the stator windings. The proposed scheme decreases the negative effects of grid voltage sags in the DFIG system including the rotor over-currents, electromagnetic torque oscillations, and DC-link over-voltage and also injects reactive power into grid to support the grid voltage. So, the LVRT capability of DFIG is enhanced and new grid code requirements are addressed. Simulation results on a 1.5-MW DFIG-based WECS using MATLAB/Simulink demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed LVRT scheme under both balanced and unbalanced grid voltage sags.     

Adsorptive removal of fluoride from water by activated carbon derived from CaCl2-modified Crocus sativus leaves: Equilibrium adsorption isotherms,optimization, and influence of anions

A central composite design using response surface methodology was applied for the experimental design and optimization of fluoride adsorption on an activated carbon derived from calcium chloride-modified Crocus sativus leaves (AC-CMCSL). Fluoride removal efficiency as function of independent variables, such as initial fluoride concentration, pH, adsorbent dose, and time has been investigated. The maximum percentage removal of fluoride at optimum conditions (initial fluoride concentration?=?6.5?mg?L^?1, pH?=?4.5, adsorbent dose?=?15?g?L^?1 and time?=?70?min) was 85.43%. By comparing adsorption isotherm, the Freundlich model provided the best correlation (R²?=?0.99) for the adsorption of fluoride on AC-CMCSL. The maximum adsorption capacity from the Langmuir model (q_max) was 2.01?mg?g^?1. The influence of the co-existing anions on fluoride adsorption was in the following order: PO₄^3??>?SO₄^2??>?Cl^??>?NO₃^?. The results of the present study showed that activated carbon derived from the leaves of calcium chloride-modified Crocus sativus has a good potential for fluoride removal from aqueous solution.     

Demand response regulation modeling based on distribution system asset efficiency

In this paper, a new comprehensive model is represented to analyze the effect of demand response (DR) on the distribution system efficiency and the benefit of distribution companies (DISCOs). This paper defines the distribution system efficiency in view point of government and determines marginal cost of DR to realize governance efficiency. We use energy not supplied index to evaluate quality of services. The proposed model for the distribution system efficiency employs distribution indices called as efficiency indicators to calculate DISCOs’ benefit and governance efficiency. Using the proposed model, the impacts of DR on efficiency of distribution system and benefit of DISCOs are analyzed using graph theory. The new model can help regulators make optimal decisions regarding DR programs. A real distribution system with about 200,000 populations is used to study the impacts of implementing DR programs on efficiency indicators.     

Optimization of in vitro and in vivo antifungal effects of trehalose coating included Artemisia sieberi essential oil on mulberry (Morus alba var. nigra) fruits using the hybrid RSM-GRA method

Food Science and Biotechnology - Mulberry is prone to microbial contamination due to mechanical damage during the harvesting. This study aimed to determine, and optimize fruit microbial loads, and...