Sharif Digital Repository

Portfolio theory has found its model in numerous engineering applications for optimizing the electrical generation mix of an electricity area. However, to have better performance of this theory, this paper presents a new heuristic method as known modified artificial bee colony (MABC) to portfolio optimization problem. Moreover, we consider both dis-patchable and non-dis-patchable constrains variables and energy sources. Note that the proposed MABC method uses a Chaotic Local Search (CLS) to enhance the self searching ability of the original ABC algorithm. Resulting, in this paper a portfolio theory-based MABC model that explicitly distinguishes between electricity generation (energy),... 

This article introduces the concept of latecomer systems integration capability (LSIC) as a construct for theory development in the area of emergence and competitiveness of producers of complex capital goods from developing economies. The study draws on three bodies of the literature to conceptualize LSIC and then presents an in-depth case study of the development of LSIC in a major Iranian firm engaged in producing electricity generation systems. Although an exploratory study, the findings suggest that, in this case, LSIC evolved in a fairly short period of time from simple low-cost project management skills to innovative capabilities, supported by some sophisticated engineering and design... 

Current researches on the development of gas turbine related power plants such as HAT cycle and Combined Cycle are aimed to increase the plant efficiency and output power, while reducing the cost of power generation and emission. Humid air turbine cycle (HAT) is one of innovative cycles, which are able to provide a substantial power boost of the system and an efficiency rise of several percentage points. In order to perform energy analysis of Full Flow HAT cycle and Part Flow HAT cycle an advanced thermodynamic model is developed, which is enabling evaluation of behavior of Full Flow and Part Flow Humid Air Turbines and predicting the influence of operational parameters in the performance of... 

We have observed that a rotating liquid soap film generates electricity when placed between two non-contact electrodes with a sufficiently large potential difference. In our experiments, suspended liquid film (water + soap film) is formed on the surface of a circular frame, which is forced to rotate in the x−y horizontal plane by a motor. This system is located at the center of two capacitor-like vertical plates to apply an external electric voltage difference in the x-direction. The produced electric current is collected from the liquid film using two conducting electrodes that are separated in the y-direction. We previously reported that a liquid film in an external electric field rotates... 

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) represent a new method for simultaneous wastewater treatment and biological electricity generation. In this study, petrochemical wastewater with 8000 mg/l of chemical oxygen demand was examined in a membrane-less single chamber MFC. Effects of wastewater concentration as substrate for microbial oxidation, and anode material (stainless steel or carbon brush) were investigated as designing parameters  

Bio-batteries are environmental friendly electricity generation devices that utilize energy from biological sources, like glucose[1] [2]. It consists of an anode with digesting enzymes and a cathode comprising oxygen-reducing enzymes. Immobilizing enzymes is a considerable issue in these kinds of devices. In this article, we propose two new methods for immobilizing and shifting particles likewise enzymes used in bio-batteries towards the anode or cathode end. Our experiments illustrate how tiny particles could be trapped in the nodes of the ultrasonic standing waves and by two methods of displacing the nodes, we can transfer the particles towards a desired location. First method is based on... 

In a deregulated electric power system in which a competitive electricity market can influence system reliability, system analysts are rapidly recognizing that they cannot ignore market risks. This paper first proposes an analytical probabilistic model for the reliable evaluation of competitive electricity markets and then develops a methodology for incorporating the market reliability problem into composite power system reliability studies. The market reliability is evaluated using the Markov state space diagram. Since the market is a continuously operated system, the concept of absorbing states is applied to it in order to evaluate reliability. The market states are identified using market... 

Microgrids have emerged as a practical solution to improve the power system resilience against unpredicted failures and power outages. Microgrids offer substantial benefits for customers through the local supply of domestic demands as well as reducing curtailment during possible disruptions. Furthermore, the interdependency of natural gas and power networks is a key factor in energy systems’ resilience during critical hours. This paper suggests a probabilistic optimization of networked multi-carrier microgrids (NMCMG), addressing the uncertainties associated with thermal and electrical demands, renewable power generation, and the electricity market. The approach aims to minimize the NMCMG... 

Background: Purified terephthalic acid (PTA) wastewater from a petrochemical complex was utilized as a fuel in the anode of a microbial fuel cell (MFC). Effects of two important parameters including different dilutions of the PTA wastewater and pH on the performance of the MFC were investigated. Methods: The MFC used was a membrane-less single chamber consisted of a stainless steel mesh as anode electrode and a carbon cloth as cathode electrode. Both power density and current density were calculated based on the projected surface area of the cathode electrode. Power density curve method was used to specify maximum power density and internal resistance of the MFC. Results: Using 10-times,... 

Energy hub concept has been emerged as a suitable tool to analyze multi-carrier energy systems. Deregulation and increasing competition in the energy industry have provided a suitable platform for developing the multi-agent energy systems. Planning of energy hubs considering the competition between the hubs has not been sufficiently addressed, yet. A model has been proposed in this study for planning of a multi-hub energy system considering the competition between the hubs. The hubs are interconnected via an electric transmission system. A linear model has been developed to determine the optimal planning/operation strategy for energy hubs in a multi-period planning horizon to meet the heat... 

This paper presents a new approach for optimal operation of distribution networks with regard to Distributed Generators (DGs). The objective function in this problem includes cost of active and reactive electrical energy generated by DGs, electrical energy markets and capacitors. Also, this paper presents both application and comparison of the metaheuristic techniques such as the Genetic Algorithm (GA), differential evolution, Ant Colony Optimization (ACO), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), tabu search, to optimal operation of distribution networks. These methods are tested on two examples distribution network containing an IEEE 34 distribution test feeders and a practical distribution... 

In Iran, there are more than 15,000. MW of wind power potential, but only about 90. MW have been installed since 2009. Because fuel costs are the main part of fuel-consumed power generation costs and fossil resource costs are highly subsidized in Iran, renewable energies such as wind power have yet to be fully developed. This analysis sets out to evaluate the total generating costs of wind power and conventional power plants in Iran. A levelized cost approach was conducted that included investment costs, O&M costs, fuel costs and external costs of emissions for each type of technology. Comparison of cost assessments of power generation show that by taking into account global fuel prices and... 

The increasing use of electrical energy in nowadays modern societies and industries has brought about a sharp need for more efficient means of electricity generation. It seems rather logical to increase the electricity production proportional to the increasing rate of the demand. Distributed Generation (DG) has been recently accepted to be one of the most efficient means of electricity generation, particularly near to the load centers. The DG has been also considered in the generation expansion planning of power systems. In this paper, three main factors associated with the DGs placement procedure is scrutinized through a multi-objective optimization approach. One of the main factors... 

Distribution systems management is becoming an increasingly complicated issue due to the introduction of new technologies, new energy trading strategies and a new deregulated environment. In the new deregulated energy market and considering the incentives coming from the technical and economic fields, it is reasonable to consider Distributed Generation (DG) as a viable option for systems reinforcement in competition with voltage regulator devices, to solve the lacking electric power supply problem and meet the load growth requirements with a reasonable price as well as the system power quality problems. The problem of optimal placement and size is formulated in two stages; minimization of... 

This paper proposes a reliability model for the electrical subassemblies of geared wind turbine systems with induction generators. The model is derived considering the failure of main subassemblies and their parameters are calculated. A productivity comparison is performed between the selected wind turbine systems including reliability issues. Two methods of modification for variable-speed wind turbines with Doubly Fed Induction Generators (DFIG) to improve their availability are finally suggested  

Large-scale integration of wind power in the electricity system presents some planning and operational difficulties, which are mainly due to the intermittent and difficult nature of wind prediction process. Therefore it is considered as an unreliable energy source. This paper presents a new approach for solving the generation scheduling (GS) problem. It will consider the reserve requirement, load balance and wind power availability constraints. The particle swarm optimization (PSO) method is suggested to deal with the equality and inequality constraints in the GS problem. The proposed PSO is applied to a 12-unit test system (including 10 conventional thermal generating units and 2 wind... 

Limited access to energy resources and increasing demand for mitigation of the environmental impacts have necessitated higher production efficiencies. Therefore, the promotion of R&D activities has been one of the main parts of national energy policies. In this research work, two methods are used for assessing the effectiveness of the R&D capital on resource conservation. First, by developing the resource-included knowledge production function of the energy sector and second, through direct assessment of the functionality of resource productivity from R&D capital. Based on official data provided by national statistical centers, a comparative analysis has been conducted to examine the... 

The paper presents further experiments with an extended version of a comprehensive model for assessment of energy technologies and research and development (R&D) planning to evaluate the impact of innovation programs on development of Iranian electricity-supply system. This analytical instrument is a model of energy R&D resource allocation with an explicit perspective of developing countries which has been linked to a bottom-up energy-systems model. Three emerging electricity generation technologies of solar PV, wind turbine and gas fuel cell are considered in the model and the impact of innovation programs on cost-reducing innovation for them is examined. The main results provided by the... 

Energy hub as a super node in electrical distribution level has strong potential to receive energy in various carriers and after convert and store, satisfy hub required demands. On the other hand, CO2 emission and fossil fuels reduction raise up the need for integration of renewable based electricity generation such as wind and solar to energy hubs. In this paper, economical operation of energy hub including, stochastic wind generation, Combined Heat and Power (CHP) unit, boiler, and heat and electricity storages are modelled and analyzed. Responsive loads are used for more flexibility of the studied energy hub. Numerical result is observed through GAMS software to serve a commercial load in...