P2P Energy Trading Application In Smart Grids Using Blockchain

This paper helps one to understand the concept of smart grids, blockchain, and their interaction with one another in a real-world application of the energy sector, specifically in the smart grids. Initially, we will focus on the working of smart grids and compare them with traditional models. Formalize a list of existing gaps in the present technology and solve them with the introduction of blockchain technology as the principle solution. In the current energy distribution system, when a supplier produces electricity from a renewable energy source (RES), the distribution process is highly inefficient and mismanaged. The meter readings are first logged onto a spreadsheet and then sent to the registry provider to issue a certificate. Then multiple other intermediaries are involved in the whole process, such as one to broker a deal between producers and consumers. Then another external intermediary is tasked with verifying the certificates. This causes an increase in the operational costs, errors, and multiple third parties/mediators involved, which causes a lack of trust in the system. The current system is also highly centralized, and our proposed system; this is P2P energy trading in smart grids using blockchain aims to eliminate the above drawbacks. Keywords: blockchain, certificates, IoT, smart grid.

Deep Sea Mining: Towards Conceptual Design for Underwater Transportation

This paper presents the first steps towards conceptual design for the underwater transportation of minerals from seabed to shore for deep sea mining (DSM). The methodology is based on conceptual design using a systematic approach. Abstraction was used to identify the fundamental entities of the problem, and a function structure containing the overall function and subfunctions was established based on the abstraction. Further, an extensive search for working principles (WP) was conducted in order to find forms associated with the functions. This was done by exploration of solutions within different industries such as the oil and gas industry, subsea industry and dredging industry. The discovered working principles were then listed and categorized based on their physical principles, i.e. classifying criteria. For each function, the working principles were combined into design catalogues with classifying criteria in the rows and columns. Further, compatibility between principles was reviewed. This led to the selection of four working structure sets: one based on ore moved as bulk, and three based on ore moved inside a container. The container-based solutions are different in how the container is moved: inside the cargo hold, carried outside, or towed by underwater vehicle. A completion of the last steps of the conceptual design process is needed to obtain a principle solution.

An integrated principle solution synthesis method in multi-disciplinary mechatronic product conceptual design

Synthesizing suitable principle solutions together to form the design solution is a universal method in conceptual design. For the modern mechatronic product, the conceptual design is often multi-disciplinary, which would be extremely time consuming and labour-intensive for designers to synthesize multi-disciplinary principle solutions together. Taking advantage of functional knowledge and structural knowledge of principle solution, this article proposes an integrated principle solution synthesis method which not only achieves the automated synthesis of multi-disciplinary principle solutions but also solves the undesired physical conflicts among principle solutions to be synthesized. In integrated principle solution synthesis, a synthesis agent is developed to chain the functional flows of principle solutions to form the combinatorial principle solution set, and synthesis agent selects the combinatorial principle solution with highest availability value as the recommended combinatorial principle solution. Then extensic theory is employed to deal with the partial design conflicts hidden in recommended combinatorial principle solution by extending and transforming the conflict functional structures. A case study on the emergency cutting off device design is given to prove the industrial applicability of integrated principle solution synthesis, which indicates that compared with traditional synthesis method, integrated principle solution synthesis can not only get multi-disciplinary design result of emergency cutting off device but also further resolve the design conflict (i.e. vibration impact) to optimize the functional structure of emergency cutting off device.

Conceptual design conceptual scheme optimization based on integrated design objectives

In the early conceptual design process, a large number of conceptual schemes can be selected. However, existing studies primarily focused on mapping from the function to the principle solution and then evaluating the principle scheme. Currently, many concept selection methods are used for a small number of feasible schemes, thus not addressing a large number of initial conceptual schemes. As the scheme design is objective oriented, a reasonable design objective constraint should be considered when optimizing many schemes to avoid conflict between the conceptual scheme and the design objectives. This approach can quickly eliminate many unreasonable schemes produced by the principle of free combination. To address this problem, we propose a method for optimizing the conceptual design scheme based on integrated design objectives. First, the product design objectives and sub-objectives are obtained based on the functional requirements. A user requirement matrix is then created to cluster and analyse the sub-objectives. Second, a cooperative game model is created to coordinate sub-objective contradictions. Then, the game player and the strategy set are defined via secondary clustering, and the strategy utility is calculated to create a game utility matrix for each objective. Finally, the eigenfunction is analysed to obtain the strategy set satisfying the maximum requirement interest, which is applied in principle scheme optimization to quickly filter unreasonable schemes. The conceptual design of a transmission device is used as an example of the rapidly implemented optimization of the conceptual schemes.

Device for the study of sharp peaks behavior under the action of single electrical discharges

Currently, the electrical discharge machining is mainly applied to obtain surfaces difficult to be obtained using other machining processes in the workpieces made of electroconductive materials. The electroerosion process involves the initiation of electrical discharges in the zones where there is the lowest electrical resistance between the tool electrode and the workpiece. The study of the asperities peaks behavior under the action of the electric discharges would allow a better understanding of gradual developing of the surfaces generated by the electroerosive process. A way of addressing this problem could be based on the use of a device that would allow the study of the influence exerted by some process input factors on the results of a single electrical discharge developed between the test piece sharp peak and the tool electrode. The formulation of the functional requirements and the application of some methods of stimulating the technical creativity and of selecting solutions on the basis of predetermined criteria allowed the definition of a principle solution corresponding to an experimental device applicable for studying the behavior of sharp peaks under the action of single electrical discharges.