Links of planetary energetics to moon size, orbit, and planet spin: A new mechanism for plate tectonics

ABSTRACT Lateral accelerations require lateral forces. We propose that force imbalances in the unique Earth-Moon-Sun system cause large-scale, cooperative tectonic motions. The solar gravitational pull on the Moon, being 2.2× terrestrial pull, causes lunar drift, orbital elongation, and an ~1000 km radial monthly excursion of the Earth-Moon barycenter inside Earth’s mantle. Earth’s spin superimposes an approximately longitudinal 24 h circuit of the barycenter. Because the oscillating barycenter lies 3500–5500 km from the geocenter, Earth’s tangential orbital acceleration and solar pull are imbalanced. Near-surface motions are enabled by a weak low-velocity zone underlying the cold, brittle lithosphere: The thermal states of both layers result from leakage of Earth’s internal radiogenic heat to space. Concomitantly, stress induced by spin cracks the lithosphere in a classic X-pattern, creating mid-ocean ridges and plate segments. The inertial response of our high-spin planet with its low-velocity zone is ~10 cm yr–1 westward drift of the entire lithosphere, which largely dictates plate motions. The thermal profile causes sinking plates to thin and disappear by depths of ~200–660 km, depending on angle and speed. Cyclical stresses are effective agents of failure, thereby adding asymmetry to plate motions. A comparison of rocky planets shows that the presence and longevity of volcanism and tectonism depend on the particular combination of moon size, moon orbital orientation, proximity to the Sun, and rates of body spin and cooling. Earth is the only rocky planet with all the factors needed for plate tectonics.

Enhanced Inertial Response Capability of a Variable Wind Energy Conversion System

An inertial response emulated control strategy of doubly-fed induction generators (DFIGs) is able to arrest their frequency decline following a severe frequency event. Nevertheless, the control coefficient is unchanged, so as to limit the benefit potentiality of improving the inertial response capability for various disturbances and provide less of a benefit for boosting the frequency nadir. This paper addresses an enhanced inertial response emulated control scheme for a DFIG to improve the maximum frequency deviation and maximum rate of change of frequency for various disturbances. To this end, the control coefficient is coupled with the system frequency deviation so as to regulate the control coefficient according to the system frequency deviation (i.e., sizes of the disturbance). Results clearly indicate that the proposed inertial response emulated control strategy provides better performance in terms of improving the maximum rate of change of frequency and maximum frequency deviation under various sizes of disturbance and random wind speed conditions.

Contrasting thrust generation mechanics and energetics of flapping foil locomotory states characterized by a unified - scaling

Self-propelled flapping foils with distinct locomotion-enabling kinematic restraints exhibit a remarkably similar Strouhal number ( $St$ )-Reynolds number ( $Re$ ) dependence. This similarity has been hypothesized to pervade diverse forms of oscillatory self-propulsion and undulatory biolocomotion; however, its genesis and implications on the energetic cost of locomotion remain elusive. Here, using high-resolution simulations of translationally free and restrained foils that self-propel as they are pitched, we demonstrate that a generality in the $St$ - $Re$ relationship can emerge despite significant disparities in thrust generation mechanics and locomotory performance. Specifically, owing to a recoil reaction induced passive heave, the fluid's inertial response to the prescribed rotational pitch, the principal source of thrust in unidirectionally free and towed configurations, ceases to produce thrust in a bidirectionally free configuration. Rather, the thrust generated from the leading edge suction mechanics self-propels a bidirectionally free pitching foil. Owing to the foregoing distinction in the thrust generation mechanics, the $St$ - $Re$ relationships for the bidirectionally and unidirectionally free/towed foils are dissimilar and pitching amplitude dependent, but specifically for large reduced frequencies, converge to a previously reported unified power law. Importantly, to propel at a given mean forward speed, the bidirectionally free foil must counteract the out-of-phase passive heave through a more intense rotational pitch, resulting in an appreciably higher power consumption over the range $10 \leq Re \leq 10^3$ . We highlight the critical role of thrust in introducing an offset in the $St$ - $Re$ relation, and through its amplification, being ultimately responsible for the considerable disparity in the locomotory performance of differentially constrained foils.

Investigation of Inertia Response and Rate of Change of Frequency in Low Rotational Inertial Scenario of Synchronous Dominated System

The shift to a sustainable energy future is becoming more reliant on large-scale deployment of renewable and distributed energy resources raising concerns about frequency stability. Rate of Change of Frequency (RoCoF) is necessary as a system inertia metric in order for network operators to perform control steps to preserve system operation. This paper presents in a straightforward and illustrative way several relevant aspects of the inertia response and RoCoF calculation that could help to understand and explain the implementation and results of inertial response controllers on power converter-based technologies. Qualitative explanations based on illustrative numerical experiments are used to cover the effects on the system frequency response of reduced rotational inertia in synchronous dominated power systems. One main contribution of this paper is making evident the importance of the governor action to avoid the synchronous machine taking active power from the system during the recovering period of kinetic energy in an under frequency event.

Ultra battery application for adaptive model predictive control in wind penetrated power systems

This work pertains to utilization of small sized Ultrabattery (UB) in wind penetrated power system for LFC. Matlab level 2 S function coding is used to develop a custom made block for adaptive model predictive control for intelligent applications. Inner loop of UB is genetically tuned to mimic the first order reference system; the tuned storage system is connected with wind penetrated power system; with its voltage loop coupled to a function NACE (new area control error) for. A Staircase disturbance is introduced in wind penetrated power system. Investigation studies carried in MATLAB SIMULINK Environment reflect significant improvement in frequency response and tie power deviation of the system. The small rated UB combined with inertial response from wind farms marks for profitable operation. UB voltage and power response is also detailed and power constraints on power electronic converter are maintained within limits.

Damping of Torsional Vibrations in a Type-IV Wind Turbine Interfaced to a Grid-Forming Converter

This paper introduces a Type-IV wind turbine interfaced to a grid-forming converter. In order to retain the stable operation of a wind turbine in the presence of a grid-forming control, the classical control of a back-to-back converter has to be modified. The modification of this control creates a strong link between a wind turbine and grid dynamics. From the grid side perspective, this link allows provision of the inertial response from a wind turbine during transient events. On the wind turbine side, this coupling causes the appearance of the torsional vibrations within the drivetrain structure. These vibrations are then propagated to the grid as power oscillations. As a result, there is a negative impact on the mechanical components of a wind turbine as well as on the power system operation. In this work, a solution is introduced in order to suppress the undesired vibrations by applying a damping technique to the control of a back-to-back converter combined with a grid-forming control. Based on the conducted analysis, the addition of a damping filter results in the mitigation of torsional vibrations.