Optimal Power Dispatch in Energy Systems Considering Grid Constraints

As a consequence of the increasing share of renewable energies and sector coupling technologies, new approaches are needed for the study, planning, and control of modern energy systems. Such new structures may add extra stress to the electric grid, as is the case with heat pumps and electrical vehicles. Therefore, the optimal performance of the system must be estimated considering the constraints imposed by the different sectors. In this research, an energy system dispatch optimization model is employed. It includes an iterative approach for generating grid constraints, which is decoupled from the linear unit commitment problem. The dispatch of all energy carriers in the system is optimized while considering the physical electrical grid limits. From the considered scenarios, it was found that in a typical German neighborhood with 150 households, a PV penetration of ∼5 kWp per household can lead to curtailment of ∼60 MWh per year due to line loading. Furthermore, the proposed method eliminates grid violations due to the addition of new sectors and reduces the energy curtailment up to 45%. With the optimization of the heat pump operation, an increase of 7% of the self-consumption was achieved with similar results for the combination of battery systems and electrical vehicles. In conclusion, a safe and optimal operation of a complex energy system is fulfilled. Efficient control strategies and more accurate plant sizing could be derived from this work.

Collaborative Governance on Ecotourism: Towards Sustainable Tourism Development

This study analyses collaborative governance in sustainable ecotourism development in Magelang Regency, Central Java province. Strengthening the collaboration of the three actors is needed in developing ecotourism because it comprehensively regulates natural destinations responsible for the sustainability of natural life, economic activity, and community welfare simultaneously. To explain further the fundamental phenomena that occur in sustainable development. The goal is to create a new environmental friendly concept while also improving people's welfare, the economy, and peaceful social activities. Data were collected from in-depth interviews and observations. Interviews were conducted with 8 local government staffs, 22 ecotourism managers, and 42 communities around the destination. Then an analysis was carried out with Nvivo12+ to see the collaboration of sustainable Ecotourism governance in Magelang Regency. Three variables become benchmarks in the study: planning, implementation, and utilization. Each was measured by using six indicators. The study results showed significant local communities and businesses/private involvement in managing and developing ecotourism. Meanwhile, the local government actors need to strengthen their involvement and response in ecotourism development. So far, the response has been relatively slow and waiting for the independent development of destinations that the community has carried out. Therefore, in the future, it is necessary to strengthen collaboration to ensure effective management of natural resources in ecotourism, which can be achieved through the support and cooperation of local government agencies, businesses/private, and the communities.

Agile Smart Completion Application for Effective Water Production Control in Heterogeneous Carbonate Reservoir in Abu Dhabi Offshore Reservoir

This paper provides the learnings from a successful application of a smart completion in a complex heterogeneous carbonate reservoir. It details the study, planning, coordination, and implementation process of two pilot wells by a multidisciplinary team, and pilot production performance results, illustrating the success. First, to select an optimum completion design for the field, multi-segment well option and local grid refinement option were applied to the reservoir simulation model including calibration of faults/fractures. Second, based on the modified model, sensitivity analysis was conducted; 1) by selecting different types of completion including Open-hole, blank pipes (BP), compartmentalized slotted liners (SL), inflow control device (ICD) and hydraulic flow control valve (FCV); 2) by optimizing the number of compartments (packer and blank pipe placements for all cases), and ICD / FCV numbers and nozzle sizes. Using the data from the modeled cases, economic analysis was conducted, which indicated that the ICD in conjunction with sliding sleeves (SSD) was the best option. Two candidate wells were selected to cover the variation of reservoir characteristics: one well representing the heterogeneous part of the reservoir with high-density of faults, fractures and kurst, and another one representing the relatively homogenous part of the reservoir suffering from heel to toe effect. A multidisciplinary implementation team was set up to align all stakeholders on subsurface requirements, following up the completion design, coordinating material procurement and logistics for mobilizations, daily drilling operations follow-up, real-time logging data interpretations and completion design adjustment. Evaluation of the two pilots’ results based on predefined KPIs during the study, exceeded overall expectations.

A New Normal? Continued Impact of COVID19 on Alzheimer’s Clinical Trials Research

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to unprecedented challenges in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) clinical trials research. Scientists continue to grapple with the potential and multifaceted consequences of COVID-19. This presentation will discuss strategies used at a U.S. Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center to implement virtual methods to counter COVID-19’s impact on safety for continued research engagement; address the disparate impact by age, race, and ethnicity for online accessibility; and plans for virtual engagement in future research. As scientists navigate lasting implications of COVID-19, future study planning, design, and management will likely be altered. Specifically, increased awareness of participant-centered approaches, inclusion of psychosocial implications, and focus on ways to meet older adults’ unique needs of virtual accessibility will be needed. We must be intentional to counter COVID-19’s lasting impact on ADRD clinical trials research while maintaining rigor and reproducibility to uphold and progress advances toward treatment and cures for ADRD.

Resources and Services for Family Caregivers in the Time of COVID-19

COVID-19 has led to increased burden on family caregivers (FCGs) for people living with dementia (PLWD), while simultaneously limiting the resources available to them. Our study surveyed Alberta, Canada FCGs to assess their needs and generate recommendations to inform policies about care access, resources, and agency supports. We conducted a mixed methods study using a sequential triangulation design (QUANTITATIVE + qualitative). Our Community Advisory Committee was involved in all stages of study planning, execution, and dissemination. Survey results informed the qualitative data collected from focus groups with FCGs. A total of 230 FCGs participated in the survey, with an average age of 59. The average age of PLWD was 75. The majority were women (77%), 46% were spouses and 41% were adult children. Respondents reported feeling more isolated (69%), more strain (66%) and decreased quality of life (55%) compared to pre-pandemic. Resource use by FCGs decreased from an average of 5 resources pre-pandemic to 1.6 during COVID-19. Services including day programs and home care were no longer available or reconfigured, leading to greater strain and heightened need for respite, which was also unavailable. Focus groups highlighted that system navigation and accessing services during COVID-19 was overly burdensome, leaving FCGs feeling abandoned by the system. FCGs reported an increase in caregiving responsibility and less access to services resulting in PLWD experiencing a decline in wellness and function. As such: 1) resources should be consistently available for FCGs and 2) FCGs require clear, correct, and concise information about COVID-19.

Bridging the technological divide: Stigmas and challenges with technology in clinical studies of older adults.

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased adoption of remote assessments in clinical research. However, longstanding stereotypes persist regarding older adults’ technology familiarity and their willingness to participate in technology-enabled remote studies. We examined the validity of these stereotypes using a novel technology familiarity assessment (n = 342) and with a critical evaluation of participation factors from an intensive smartphone study of cognition in older adults (n = 445). The technology assessment revealed that older age was strongly associated with less technology familiarity, less frequent engagement with technology, and higher difficulty ratings. Despite this, the majority (86.5%) of older adults elected to participate in the smartphone study and showed exceptional adherence (85.7%). Furthermore, among those enrolled, neither technology familiarity, knowledge, perceived difficulty, nor gender, race, or education were associated with adherence. These results suggest that while older adults remain significantly less familiar with technology than younger generations, with thoughtful study planning that emphasizes participant support and user-centered design, they are willing and capable participants in technology-enabled studies. And once enrolled, they are remarkably adherent.

A Concept for Conducting Scientific Studies in Vehicles and Stationary Test Rooms during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic affected many areas of public life and industry. This also applies to research particularly that relies on scientific studies with test persons. In order to minimize the risk of infection, several aspects of experiment design including the setting might require alteration. An extensive review of the latest research involving the COVID-19 pandemic as a blueprint for dealing with other health situations has been conducted in order to develop a step-by-step approach to plan a study with regard to infection protection. As a result, a generic six-step concept was developed that is applicable for scientific studies in both stationary rooms and vehicles while being adaptable to the respective circumstances. The infection protection measures determined through research were implemented in the individual sub-steps from study planning to execution. They allow a step-by-step approach to prevent infections in scientific studies with different settings during a pandemic and in situations where increased hygiene measures are required.