S.S. Devgan

Impact of environmental factors on the economic evaluation of renewable energy alternative generation

With the ever growing concern about global warming, environmental pollution, and the rising cost of fossil fuels like oil and coal, there is a greater interest in developing renewable energy sources to meeting growing energy demand. Additionally with the requirement for utilities to provide transmission access to independent power producers (IPP) to deliver their energy wherever needed, and the growing interest in distributed utility, it is most important to review the economic viability of these renewable energy sources as compared to traditional energy generation. This paper presents an economic evaluation method that includes the effect of environmental penalties associated with traditional generation and the tax credits for using renewable energy sources. Also it considers the costs associated with distribution and transmission losses and capital investment savings and the generation cost credit. It is recognized that the costs are utility dependent but this paper uses costs associated with a mean of the data from various utilities. This analysis should be most useful in developing similar economic evaluations for other types of energy sources.

Chaotic classification of electromyographic (EMG) signals via correlation dimension measurement

A set of intramuscular electromyographic signals were collected from various patient groups during ramp muscle contraction. The signals were collected using a real-time data acquisition system. The signals were tested for their chaotic behavior using spectral analysis and Poincare map techniques. MATLAB based software tools were developed to compute and plot the correlation function for each data set to determine the time lag for the first zero crossing. This time lag was used to create the signals state-space model. A two-dimensional state-space was created and plotted one state versus the other to observe the Poincare map. A correlation integral was computed for each state-space data set, and the correlation dimension values were then calculated by differentiating these correlation integral signals for each data set. The correlation dimension values were found to be different for different patient groups. The results show promise for online classification of neuromuscular patient groups.<<ETX>>

Application of network address translation in a local area network

The project presents comprehensive coverage of the network address translation application. The step-by-step procedures for implementing, and testing the system are discussed in addition to the various factors involving application of network address translation, including security policy using a packet filtering tool to protect the system by making routing decisions. An example for an optimum application of network address translation for satisfying the shortage of network addresses, security needs, and the ease and flexibility of network administration to local area network is presented.

Neural network based transient stability assessment of electric power systems

Abstract In this paper a systematic procedure to design an intelligent neurocontroller to assess the dynamic security of interconnected power systems is presented. This approach focuses on the integration of modern control theory together with the adaptive networks to determine critical clearing time for power systems.

Evaluating design projects in EE curriculum

The authors describe the design experiences and the evaluation of capstone design projects in the electrical engineering (BS) curriculum at Tennessee State University. Evaluation tools are also described.<<ETX>>

Artificial neural networks and their application to power system industry

A method to apply neural-network technology to the study of transient stability of electric power systems is presented. During the training phase the network is presented with a set of input and output data obtained from an offline study. After the network has obtained the ability to compute the desired output, the network is presented with the data representing different operating conditions for critical cleaning time estimation. An attempt is made to present a design philosophy to determine the most effective architecture for this problem.<<ETX>>

An optimization model for the application of an integrated cogeneration-thermal energy storage system

The authors present a conceptual framework for an integrated cogeneration/TES (thermal energy storage) system and develop an optimization model for such an application. The purpose of this model is to size equipment and select operating levels in order to maximize economic benefits to the end-user. One method of optimizing the operation is to minimize the total cost of energy using a linear programming model or graphical optimization within the system constraints. An energy system analysis of St. Johns Medical Center in Oxnard, California, was conducted as a case study.<<ETX>>

Implementation of embedded streaming of large video application using object-relational database and PHP

There has been much interest in databases that store multimedia data, which comprise static media, like text and images, and dynamic or continuous media, like audio and video. Conventional database systems are designed for managing textual and numerical data. Storing and retrieving such data is often based on simple comparisons of text or numerical values. However, this method of storing and retrieval is not adequate for the multimedia data, since the digitized representation of these data types does not convey the reality of these media items. The conventional method is to store the large multimedia data in a file server and store the associated metadata in a database. The retrieval is done by downloading the files from one computer to the users computer before playing it. The large size of these files results in long download times. The paper proposes an alternative method of storing multimedia data along with its associated metadata in an object-relational database. The proposed method offers faster retrieval time, secured backup, and concurrent login. The paper shows how database systems can be architected to support multimedia data, making use of an object-relational database system such as PostgreSQL. The main challenge is delivering data over the Web using real time video streaming. The results show that there is a significant change in retrieval rate and Web access time when data is stored in a single database instead of a file server. The application of a multimedia database thus created can be used in different application domains such as digital libraries, training and education, medical databases containing X-rays, etc.

Meeting ABET EC 2000 through student research participation

Ever since the announcement of ABET Engineering Criteria 2000, there has been increased emphasis to identify tools and methods, and to develop programs and mechanisms that can be easily implemented and evaluated to satisfy various EC 2000 criteria. Each program will develop methods that are consistent with that programs objectives and also satisfy ABET criteria. ABET Criteria II.3 Program Outcomes and Assessment requires engineering programs to document, through an assessment process, that their graduates meet the criteria 3 items (a) through (k) requirements. This paper discusses the undergraduate student participation in faculty funded research in its College of Engineering and Technology. It also shows hole most of the Criteria 3 requirements can be met by just undergraduate student participation in faculty research. This is especially helpful in meeting some of the difficult criteria such as the ability to function on multidisciplinary teams, ability to identify, formulate and solve engineering problems, ability to communicate effectively, and a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning. This paper discusses the student participation in various research programs and how this research participation has contributed to their abilities in the areas discussed. It also lists some of the faculty that have the course.

Meeting increasing electric load demand in a deregulated utility; an economic comparison

Wind power is considered as one of the cheapest and most environmental friendly renewable energy sources available today. The use of this energy source in distribution systems has increased considerably since 1986 due to technological advances. Hybrid wind electric energy generators consist of one or more wind generators and either standby diesel generators or other energy conversion systems or energy storing devices to provide a reliable power source regardless of the amount of wind available at any time. The use of hybrid wind electric generators in distribution systems not only reduces the need for traditional generation capacity increase, but it also smoothes the power demand and reduces system losses.