The impact of different power dividers used in a non-uniform planar antenna array

Wireless communications are widely used for various applications, requiring antennas with different features. Often, to achieve the desired radiation pattern, is necessary to employ antenna arrays, using non-uniform excitation on its elements. Power dividers can be used and the best known are the T-junction and the Wilkinson power divider, whose main advantage is the isolation between output ports. In this paper the impact of this isolation on the overall performance of a circularly polarized planar antenna array using non-uniform excitation is investigated. Results show a huge decrease of the array bandwidths either in terms of return loss or in polarization, without resistors. © 2014 IEEE.

Fractional-order control and simulation of wind energy systems with PMSG/full-power converter topology

This paper presents a new integrated model for the simulation of wind energy systems. The proposed model is more realistic and accurate, considering a variable-speed wind turbine, two-mass rotor, permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG), different power converter topologies, and filters. Additionally, a new control strategy is proposed for the variable-speed operation of wind turbines with PMSG/full-power converter topology, based on fractional-order controllers. Comprehensive simulation studies are carried out with matrix and multilevel power converter topologies, in order to adequately assert the system performance in what regards the quality of the energy injected into the electric grid. Finally, conclusions are duly drawn.

Transient analysis of variable-speed wind turbines at wind speed disturbances and a pitch control malfunction

As wind power generation undergoes rapid growth, new technical challenges emerge: dynamic stability and power quality. The influence of wind speed disturbances and a pitch control malfunction on the quality of the energy injected into the electric grid is studied for variable-speed wind turbines with different power-electronic converter topologies. Additionally, a new control strategy is proposed for the variable-speed operation of wind turbines with permanent magnet synchronous generators. The performance of disturbance attenuation and system robustness is ascertained. Simulation results are presented and conclusions are duly drawn. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Aplicação de um ciclo orgânico de Rankine à indústria Naval

Trabalho Final de Mestrado para obtenção de grau de Mestre em Engenharia Mecânica

Análise do mercado de serviços de regulação de frequência secundária e terciária no sistema eléctrico português

Dissertação para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Engenharia Electrotécnica Ramo Energia

Characterisation and electrochemical behaviour of electrodeposited Cu-Fe foams applied as pseudocapacitor electrodes

Copper iron (Cu-Fe) 3D porous foams for supercapacitor electrodes were electrodeposited in the cathodic regime, on stainless steel current collectors, using hydrogen bubbling dynamic template. The foams were prepared at different current densities and deposition times. The foams were submitted to thermal conditioning at temperatures of 150 and 250 degrees C. The morphology, composition and structure of the formed films were studied by SEM, EDS and XRD, respectively. The electrochemical behaviour was studied by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and chronopotentiometry. The morphology of the 3D Cu-Fe foams is sensitive to the electrodeposition current and time. The increase of the current density produces a denser, larger and more ramified dendritic structure. Thermal conditioning at high temperature induces a coarser grain structure and the formation of copper oxides, which affect the electrochemical behaviour. The electrochemical response reveals the presence of various redox peaks assigned to the oxidation and reduction of Cu and Fe oxides and hydroxides in the foams. The specific capacitance of the 3D Cu Fe foams was significantly enhanced by thermal conditioning at 150 degrees C. The highest specific capacitance values attained 297 Fg(-1) which are much above the ones typically observed for single Cu or Fe Oxides and hydroxides. These values highlight a synergistic behaviour resulting from the combination of Cu and Fe in the form of nanostructured metallic foams. Moreover, the capacitance retention observed in an 8000 charge/discharge cycling test was above 66%, stating the good performance of these materials and its enhanced electrochemical response as supercapacitor negative electrodes. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Rheology of the cytoskeleton as a fractal network

We model the cytoskeleton as a fractal network by identifying each segment with a simple Kelvin-Voigt element with a well defined equilibrium length. The final structure retains the elastic characteristics of a solid or a gel, which may support stress, without relaxing. By considering a very simple regular self-similar structure of segments in series and in parallel, in one, two, or three dimensions, we are able to express the viscoelasticity of the network as an effective generalized Kelvin-Voigt model with a power law spectrum of retardation times L similar to tau(alpha). We relate the parameter alpha with the fractal dimension of the gel. In some regimes ( 0 < alpha < 1), we recover the weak power law behaviors of the elastic and viscous moduli with the angular frequencies G' similar to G" similar to w(alpha) that occur in a variety of soft materials, including living cells. In other regimes, we find different power laws for G' and G".

Control of a power supply with cycling current using different controllers

Fast Field Cycling (FFC) Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) relaxometers require controlled current sources in order to get accurate flux density with respect to its magnet. The main elements of the proposed solution are a power semiconductor, a DC voltage source and the magnet. The power semiconductor is commanded in order to get a linear control of the flux density. To implement the flux density control, a Hall Effect sensor is used. Furthermore, the dynamic behavior of the current source is analyzed and compared when using a PI controller and a PD2I controller.

Control of a power supply with cycling current using different controllers

Fast Field Cycling (FFC) Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) relaxometers require controlled current sources in order to get accurate flux density with respect to its magnet. The main elements of the proposed solution are a power semiconductor, a DC voltage source and the magnet. The power semiconductor is commanded in order to get a linear control of the flux density. To implement the flux density control, a Hall Effect sensor is used. Furthermore, the dynamic behavior of the current source is analyzed and compared when using a PI controller and a PD2I controller.

SAR determination and influence of the human head in the radiation of a mobile antenna for two different frequencies

The big proliferation of mobile communication systems has caused an increased concern about the interaction between the human body and the antennas of mobile handsets. In order to study the problem, a multiband antenna was designed, fabricated and measured to operate over two frequency sub bands 900 and 1800 MHz. After that, we simulated the same antenna, but now, in the presence of a human head model to analyze the head's influence. First, the influence of the human head on the radiation efficiency of the antenna has been investigated as a function of the distance between the head and the antenna and with the inclination of the antenna. Furthermore, the relative amount of the electromagnetic power absorbed in the head has been obtained.

Modeling, control and simulation of full-power converter wind turbines equipped with permanent magnet synchronous generator

In this paper, two wind turbines equipped with a permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) and respectively with a two-level or a multilevel converter are simulated in order to access the malfunction transient performance. Three different drive train mass models, respectively, one, two and three mass models, are considered in order to model the bending flexibility of the blades. Moreover, a fractional-order control strategy is studied comparatively to a classical integer-order control strategy. Computer simulations are carried out, and conclusions about the total harmonic distortion (THD) of the electric current injected into the electric grid are in favor of the fractional-order control strategy.

Dynamical behaviour on the parameter space: new populational growth models proportional to beta densities

We present new populational growth models, generalized logistic models which are proportional to beta densities with shape parameters p and 2, where p > 1, with Malthusian parameter r. The complex dynamical behaviour of these models is investigated in the parameter space (r, p), in terms of topological entropy, using explicit methods, when the Malthusian parameter r increases. This parameter space is split into different regions, according to the chaotic behaviour of the models.

The use of non-standard CT conversion ramps for Monte Carlo verification of 6 MV prostate IMRT plans

Monte Carlo (MC) dose calculation algorithms have been widely used to verify the accuracy of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) dose distributions computed by conventional algorithms due to the ability to precisely account for the effects of tissue inhomogeneities and multileaf collimator characteristics. Both algorithms present, however, a particular difference in terms of dose calculation and report. Whereas dose from conventional methods is traditionally computed and reported as the water-equivalent dose (Dw), MC dose algorithms calculate and report dose to medium (Dm). In order to compare consistently both methods, the conversion of MC Dm into Dw is therefore necessary. This study aims to assess the effect of applying the conversion of MC-based Dm distributions to Dw for prostate IMRT plans generated for 6 MV photon beams. MC phantoms were created from the patient CT images using three different ramps to convert CT numbers into material and mass density: a conventional four material ramp (CTCREATE) and two simplified CT conversion ramps: (1) air and water with variable densities and (2) air and water with unit density. MC simulations were performed using the BEAMnrc code for the treatment head simulation and the DOSXYZnrc code for the patient dose calculation. The conversion of Dm to Dw by scaling with the stopping power ratios of water to medium was also performed in a post-MC calculation process. The comparison of MC dose distributions calculated in conventional and simplified (water with variable densities) phantoms showed that the effect of material composition on dose-volume histograms (DVH) was less than 1% for soft tissue and about 2.5% near and inside bone structures. The effect of material density on DVH was less than 1% for all tissues through the comparison of MC distributions performed in the two simplified phantoms considering water. Additionally, MC dose distributions were compared with the predictions from an Eclipse treatment planning system (TPS), which employed a pencil beam convolution (PBC) algorithm with Modified Batho Power Law heterogeneity correction. Eclipse PBC and MC calculations (conventional and simplified phantoms) agreed well (<1%) for soft tissues. For femoral heads, differences up to 3% were observed between the DVH for Eclipse PBC and MC calculated in conventional phantoms. The use of the CT conversion ramp of water with variable densities for MC simulations showed no dose discrepancies (0.5%) with the PBC algorithm. Moreover, converting Dm to Dw using mass stopping power ratios resulted in a significant shift (up to 6%) in the DVH for the femoral heads compared to the Eclipse PBC one. Our results show that, for prostate IMRT plans delivered with 6 MV photon beams, no conversion of MC dose from medium to water using stopping power ratio is needed. In contrast, MC dose calculations using water with variable density may be a simple way to solve the problem found using the dose conversion method based on the stopping power ratio.

Optimizing the renewable generation mix in the Portuguese power system based on temporal and spatial diversity

Renewable energy sources (RES) have unique characteristics that grant them preference in energy and environmental policies. However, considering that the renewable resources are barely controllable and sometimes unpredictable, some challenges are faced when integrating high shares of renewable sources in power systems. In order to mitigate this problem, this paper presents a decision-making methodology regarding renewable investments. The model computes the optimal renewable generation mix from different available technologies (hydro, wind and photovoltaic) that integrates a given share of renewable sources, minimizing residual demand variability, therefore stabilizing the thermal power generation. The model also includes a spatial optimization of wind farms in order to identify the best distribution of wind capacity. This methodology is applied to the Portuguese power system.

Power Producers Trading Electricity in Both Pool and Forward Markets

The electricity industry throughout the world, which has long been dominated by vertically integrated utilities, has experienced major changes. Deregulation, unbundling, wholesale and retail wheeling, and real-time pricing were abstract concepts a few years ago. Today market forces drive the price of electricity and reduce the net cost through increased competition. As power markets continue to evolve, there is a growing need for advanced modeling approaches. This article addresses the challenge of maximizing the profit (or return) of power producers through the optimization of their share of customers. Power producers have fixed production marginal costs and decide the quantity of energy to sell in both day-ahead markets and a set of target clients, by negotiating bilateral contracts involving a three-rate tariff. Producers sell energy by considering the prices of a reference week and five different types of clients with specific load profiles. They analyze several tariffs and determine the best share of customers, i.e., the share that maximizes profit. © 2014 IEEE.