Models for the modern power grid

This article reviews different kinds of models for the electric power grid that can be used to understand the modern power system, the smart grid. From the physical network to abstract energy markets, we identify in the literature different aspects that co-determine the spatio-temporal multilayer dynamics of power system. We start our review by showing how the generation, transmission and distribution characteristics of the traditional power grids are already subject to complex behaviour appearing as a result of the the interplay between dynamics of the nodes and topology, namely synchronisation and cascade effects. When dealing with smart grids, the system complexity increases even more: on top of the physical network of power lines and controllable sources of electricity, the modernisation brings information networks, renewable intermittent generation, market liberalisation, prosumers, among other aspects. In this case, we forecast a dynamical co-evolution of the smart grid and other kind of networked systems that cannot be understood isolated. This review compiles recent results that model electric power grids as complex systems, going beyond pure technological aspects. From this perspective, we then indicate possible ways to incorporate the diverse co-evolving systems into the smart grid model using, for example, network theory and multi-agent simulation.     

Electromagnetic wormholes and virtual magnetic monopoles from metamaterials

We describe new configurations of electromagnetic (EM) material parameters, the electric permittivity epsilon and magnetic permeability micro, which allow one to construct devices that function as invisible tunnels. These allow EM wave propagation between the regions at the two ends of a tunnel, but the tunnels themselves and the regions they enclose are not detectable to lateral EM observations. Such devices act as wormholes with respect to Maxwell's equations and effectively change the topology of space vis-à-vis EM wave propagation. We suggest several applications, including devices behaving as virtual magnetic monopoles, invisible cables, and scopes for MRI-assisted surgery.     

Magnetic resonance imaging of the uterus in vivo and in vitro at an ultra low magnetic field (0.02 T): Assessment of its normal structure and of leiomyomas

The purpose of this investigation was to analyze the normal anatomy and leiomyomas of the uterus with an ultra low field (0.02 T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device. MR imaging was performed on 18 uteri, 11 of which were imaged both preoperatively (in vivo) and as an operative specimen (in vitro), 6 only as an operative specimen, and 1 only preoperatively. All uteri were examined histologically after imaging. The junctional zone was much better delineated in vivo than in vitro, indicating that its appearance on MR is partly due to blood flow. No structures contributing to its visibility in vitro could be demonstrated histologically. Twenty leiomyomas (size range 7–79 mm) in 12 uteri were found with MRI. They were slightly better discerned in vivo than in vitro. The leiomyomas, having no degenerative changes, had a signal intensity which was the same or lower than that of the myometrium. On images obtained in vitro the signal intensity of these leiomyomas relative to that of myometrium correlated directly with their muscular content (R = 0.74, p = .002). The authors conclude that the junctional zone is a sum of physiological and structural factors, the latter being responsible for its in vitro delineation. MR imaging of the uterus in vitro did not give more information than MR imaging in vivo. All leiomyomas larger than 10 mm could be detected, indicating that MR imaging at 0.02 T is an accurate method for the imaging of the uterine leiomyomas.     

Metrization of Weighted Graphs

We find a set of necessary and sufficient conditions under which the weight ${w: E \rightarrow \mathbb{R}^{+}}$ on the graph G = (V, E) can be extended to a pseudometric ${d : V \times V \rightarrow \mathbb{R}^{+}}$ . We describe the structure of graphs G for which the set ${\mathfrak{M}_{w}}$ of all such extensions contains a metric whenever w is strictly positive. Ordering ${\mathfrak{M}_{w}}$ by the pointwise order, we have found that the posets $({\mathfrak{M}_{w}, \leqslant)}$ contain the least elements ρ _0,w if and only if G is a complete k-partite graph with ${k \, \geqslant \, 2}$ . In this case the symmetric functions ${f : V \times V \rightarrow \mathbb{R}^{+}}$ , lying between ρ _0,w and the shortest-path pseudometric, belong to ${\mathfrak{M}_{w}}$ for every metrizable w if and only if the cardinality of all parts in the partition of V is at most two.     

Convergence of FFT‐based homogenization for strongly heterogeneous media

The FFT‐based homogenization method of Moulinec–Suquet has recently attracted attention because of its wide range of applicability and short computational time. In this article, we deduce an optimal a priori error estimate for the homogenization method of Moulinec–Suquet, which can be interpreted as a spectral collocation method. Such methods are well‐known to converge for sufficiently smooth coefficients. We extend this result to rough coefficients. More precisely, we prove convergence of the fields involved for Riemann‐integrable coercive coefficients without the need for an a priori regularization. We show that our L² estimates are optimal and extend to mildly nonlinear situations and L^p estimates for p in the vicinity of 2. The results carry over to the case of scalar elliptic and curl ? curl‐type equations, encountered, for instance, in stationary electromagnetism. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Determination of the spacetime from local time measurements

We consider an inverse problem for a Lorentzian spacetime (M, g), and show that time measurements, that is, the knowledge of the Lorentzian time separation function on a submanifold \(\Sigma \subset M\) determine the \(C^\infty \)-jet of the metric in the Fermi coordinates associated to \(\Sigma \). We use this result to study the global determination of the spacetime (M, g) when it has a real-analytic structure or is stationary and satisfies the Einstein-scalar field equations. In addition to this, we require that (M, g) is geodesically complete modulo scalar curvature singularities. The results are Lorentzian counterparts of extensively studied inverse problems in Riemannian geometry—the determination of the jet of the metric and the boundary rigidity problem. We give also counterexamples in cases when the assumptions are not valid, and discuss inverse problems in general relativity.     

Variance reduction in sample approximations of stochastic programs

This paper studies the use of randomized Quasi-Monte Carlo methods (RQMC) in sample approximations of stochastic programs. In numerical integration, RQMC methods often substantially reduce the variance of sample approximations compared to Monte Carlo (MC). It seems thus natural to use RQMC methods in sample approximations of stochastic programs. It is shown, that RQMC methods produce epi-convergent approximations of the original problem. RQMC and MC methods are compared numerically in five different portfolio management models. In the tests, RQMC methods outperform MC sampling substantially reducing the sample variance and bias of optimal values in all the considered problems.     

SPH simulation of oblique shocks in compressible flows

The Lagrangian smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method is used to simulate shock waves in inviscid, supersonic (compressible) flow. It is shown for the first time that the fully Lagrangian SPH particle method, without auxiliary grid, can be used to simulate shock waves in compressible flow. The wall boundary condition is treated with ghost particles combined with a suitable repulsive potential function, whilst corners are treated by a novel ‘angle sweep’ technique. The method gives accurate predictions of the flow field and of the shock angle as compared with the analytical solution. The study shows that SPH is a good potential candidate to solve complex aerodynamic problems, including those involving rarefied flows, such as atmospheric re‐entry. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Individual strings of conducting carbon cones and discs in a polymer matrix: Electric field‐induced alignment and their use as a strain sensor

We demonstrate micromechanical strain sensors with integrated readout based on carbon nanocones and discs (CNCs) which are aligned into a string‐like formation using an alternating electric field and studied by AC impedance spectroscopy and electromechanical methods. The CNC particles are first dispersed into a polymer matrix with a particle fraction of 0.1 vol %. This value is well below the percolation threshold (～ 2 vol %), which suppresses particle aggregation and facilitates transparency allowing the use of an UV‐curable polymer. Alignment was carried out with a 1 kHz, 4 kV/cm electric field and is a consequence of dielectrophoretic effect. It develops in minutes and makes the initially insulating, nonaligned material conductive. This is followed by UV curing of the polymer matrix, which renders a solid state device. The stretching of the aligned strings in the cured polymer leads to a reversible piezoresistive effect, and a gauge factor of about 50 is observed. This is in a sharp contrast to CNC films with particle fraction above percolation threshold (13 vol %), which are conductive but not sensitive to stretching. The strings are Ohmic in nature and moreover show higher DC conductivity (22–500 S/m) compared to identically prepared carbon black strings (1–22 S/m). © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2011