Abstract: In mixing processes, the particle size distribution (PSD) is an important physical quality driver of these powders. In most production plants the current method of inspecting this PSD is by means of a manual reference sieve analysis, which is reliant on human effort, and it is slow and time consuming. With the current manufacturing flow, in-process optimisation is difficult to implement and this has caused final output quality to vary considerably per box. This has necessitated the need for real-time process monitoring sensors, to provide the online data needed for quality monitoring and produce opportunity for process optimisation. A summary of in-process sensing methods that can be used to monitor PSD are presented and reviewed. This is followed by a critical analysis of the related research where acoustic emissions have been used to monitor particle sizes.

Abstract: This article examines the evolution of intelligent building technologies and outlines the challenges that building owners, operators and managers face when securing their facilities. It draws on findings from an industry survey conducted in August 2015 by the Continental Automated Buildings Association (CABA), with more than 500 respondents involved in IT management, operations, facility management, security and compliance. This article provides a definition of intelligent buildings, examines the evolution of smart building technologies, describes the emerging cyber security risks in intelligent buildings and provides an overview of CABA survey results. The survey itself provides a synopsis of cyber security trends, a brief survey of cyber security risks, an analysis of the cyber security market through a number of other industry surveys and examines how cyber security solutions should be adopted. The survey also provides a series of short-, mid- and long-term recommendations concerning the creation of an actionable industry roadmap.

Abstract: This study summarises the findings of a feasibility assessment for a potential minewater geothermal energy system in the vicinity of the James Hutton Institute's Hartwood Home Farm, North Lanarkshire in Scotland's Central Belt. This study aimed to assess the potential for Scotland's first minewater geothermal scheme in a rural area with social deprivation. While focused on the specifics of the location, the project is conceived as a readily replicable and fully operational minewater geothermal district heating system demonstrator project that would act as proof of concept for duplication elsewhere. This study concluded that, with current support mechanisms, the scheme is technically and financially viable, breaking even or better with a network scenario covering the ‘representative’ communities of Allanton and Hartwood. As might be expected, there are considerable economies of scale, with the scheme becoming commercially viable when the network is extended to the town of Shotts.

Abstract: The Willenhall Energy Storage System is one of the largest research-led lithium titanate, grid-tied electrical storage systems in Europe. It took nearly 2 years from procurement through to final commissioning and cost £3.3 M. From its location in the West Midlands it forms a test bench for current and future grid support methodologies not possible previously with co-generation methods such as diesel and pumped-hyro. This study details the logistical challenges of construction, initial results from commissioning trials and the technical obstacles to the wider adoption of such systems.

Abstract: While unmanned aircraft have been in use for decades, their suitability for transporting cargo is only now slowly being recognised. The first prototypes of unmanned cargo aircraft (UCA) are currently being tested. There are two categories of UCA: short-distance aircraft for delivering packages and specialised items like medicines, and UCA for long-distance cargo transport. In this study, the potential of the second category is evaluated from both a technical and a business perspective. UCA can in theory have low direct operating cost compared with manned aircraft because the aircraft can be made simpler and more efficient. They can be more productive because there are fewer scheduling constraints. These advantages especially manifest themselves when relatively small loads are carried. UCA can unlock the economic potential of areas that are not yet linked to the worldwide cargo transport infrastructure. However, there are challenges. The theoretical advantages of UCA have not been proven in practice. A safety record has not yet been established. The requirements for UCA, like payload and range, are unclear so that investing in the development of UCA is risky. Present regulations in Europe and the USA do not allow regular UCA operations.

Abstract: Vibrational energy harvesting spans both new technology and traditional technology space. The latter is represented well by wind up watches and the former by self-powered autonomous sensor networks, which is the subject of intense academic and industrial research and development. In this study, the authors introduce the concepts of vibrational energy harvesting with an emphasis on piezoelectric technology. However, much can be learned from more traditional transduction technologies such as electromagnetic so they also discuss some of these systems. The transfer of vibrational energy from its mechanical domain to a useful electrical domain is complex and in this section they explore ways in which the electrical charge (electrical energy state) can be efficiently rectified from its AC character to a viable DC voltage for storage or immediate loading. Finally, they examine some of the very new technologies which permit harvesting of vibrational energy on the very small scale using micro-electromechanical systems based technologies. This length scale is important and better matches the energy density of small scale vibrational sources and power output densities of piezoelectric materials in particular.

Abstract: India with its growing population and economy, is one of fastest developing power markets in the world. The vast country which accommodates 17% of the world population is transforming into a nation to reckon, rapidly embracing renewable energy and smart grid technologies. The Government of India has initiated a number of projects to boost the electricity transmission, distribution and delivery and the utilities and consumers are equally upbeat about the new opportunities the transition is bringing in. This article discusses the development of the Indian power sector, the institutional set up, the government initiatives towards achieving the smart grid with some case studies. The initiatives discussed include, The National Smart Grid Mission, Integrated Power Development Scheme, Indian Smart Grid Task Force, India Smart Grid Forum, Unified Real-Time Dynamic State Measurements project, Smart City and Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation projects and case studies.

Abstract: Effective integrity monitoring of assets subject to corrosion and erosion while minimising the exposure of personnel and ecosystem to hazardous environments, is a challenge in many industries. One solution to this problem is permanently installed condition monitoring (PICM) equipment, which can continuously provide information on the rate of corrosion, erosion or other fault mechanisms. Coupled with this increasingly popular PICM concept is the need to operate these inspection systems in even the most severe environments. This often involves operating in extreme temperatures to allow in situ monitoring of the processes that cause failure, in order to prevent the outages and unplanned shutdowns that reduce the productivity of the process or power plant assets. Here piezoelectric materials, the essential electro-mechanical heart of ultrasonic PICM devices, are presented to highlight how novel high-temperature variants are enabling condition monitoring systems to operate in the most extreme environments. The system applicability for wall thickness monitoring in high-temperature environments is demonstrated through experimental studies on pipes at temperatures up to 350°C.

Abstract: The immense development in networking and communication technologies can drastically change electrical substations automation and control in the future smart grid. The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 61850 standard is receiving global acceptance to deploy Ethernet local area networks (LANs) for electrical substations. The IEC 61850 standard is a part of the lEC's Technical Committee 57 architecture for electric power systems. High data-rate LANs and fibre- based Ethernet networks may present an excellent candidate for the implementation of the IEC 61850 standard. However, deployment cost, mobility issues of wired LANs, in addition to the emergence of the electrical vehicles may inspire communication system engineers and system integrators to consider wireless communication technologies such as wireless LANs (WLANs) or wireless sensor networks (WSNs) as legitimate candidates for implementing the IEC 61850 standard. The authors present an overview of the IEC 61850 standard, highlight its importance, requirements and limitations. In addition to that they present the main challenges of implementing WSNs and WLANs in monitoring and controlling substations in a smart grid environment. Furthermore, they present a heterogeneous wireless network architecture for substations automation and suggest recommendations to align the capabilities of this network with the requirements of the IEC 61850 standard.

Abstract: There are attractive opportunities to use organic waste materials as a source of energy for several industries. This allows for the elimination of waste and residues, and at the same time saving money and minimising the use of fossil fuels. This entails important challenges due to the special nature of wastes and the need to focus on appropriate equipment design that minimise the risks involved, really obtain the economic advantages, keep environmental emissions within limits and ensure process safety and equipment stability. This study presents a review of some of the challenges that involve the use of organic waste materials as fuels in boilers, and how these can be resolved. Some real cases are presented.

Abstract: Cities of the future will deliver better on the needs of their citizens despite facing challenges from environmental change, changing demographics and reduced council budgets. This will be achieved by new and upgraded infrastructure that is smart, resilient and integrated with other key systems in a city to provide better value to its inhabitants. The accessible global market for these solutions will be £200 billion pa by 2030. The challenges facing cities will be described in this paper, along with an explanation of a system integration approach to solving these challenges. A number of case studies are included herein to illustrate this holistic approach.

Abstract: In this short article, the authors will present a number of mathematical models of information security. They will start with some of the earliest work which focused on access control. The unifying theme throughout the study is information flow. They will move from lattice-based models through to the more recent information theoretic and probabilistic models. These latter models recognise that, in most systems, some information flow is inevitable but that it is important to be able to quantify this.

Abstract: As the efficiency of the first-generation solar cells asymptotically approaches an efficiency limit of 32%, it is necessary to broaden our search for methods to harness the power of the sun. We discuss the cause of this fundamental efficiency limit and methods to overcome it, with particular reference to the hot carrier solar cell. The hot carrier solar cell operates as a heat engine between a hot and a cold population of electrons; by operating a solar cell in this way it is theoretically possible to reach a far higher limiting efficiency of 85%. This mechanism is no longer just a theoretical possibility, with recent experimental work pointing the way to a future of highly efficient hot carrier solar cells.

Abstract: Biomass fuel offers a cleaner, renewable and carbon neutral way to produce energy, and wood has become a major source of this fuel for utilities and residential use. As both feed to pellet mills, and competitor to pellets, microchips have emerged, due to a new generation of in-forest chippers. The microchippers produce a nominal 1/4″ long by 1/16″ thick chip (6 mm long×1.5 mm thick). When dried, microchip fuel has all of the positive properties desired for combustion: low moisture, good handling, near zero dust, little breakage and dusting when handled, and based on preliminary tests, no detectable CO generation in storage. In addition, cost including shipping is about 20% less than wood pellets. These savings are due to cutting about half the capital cost in production, and about half the electric power required. This study covers the subject of upgraded biomass fuels, from the raw resource through size reduction (e.g. chips and microchips), drying, densification and torrefaction. Practical information is offered including diagrams and photographs of actual equipment and installations to provide the reader with an understanding of the issues. Emphasis is on fuel preparation and transport for direct combustion of wood and biomass, and costs are provided for conventional and alternate fuels.

Abstract: UK Electricity thermal generation is creaking at the seams. A large amount of coal and oil fuelled generation has and is retiring due to age and environmental legislation including the European Union Large Combustion Plant Directive. Furthermore, challenging economics for gas fuelled generation has resulted in few new power plants being built and in fact many being mothballed, including units only two years old, until the business case for their operation becomes more favourable. The resulting decline in capacity and generator availability has lead to very tight capacity margins – the difference between electricity supply and demand levels, which can make National Grid's role – the UK's Transmission System Operator (TSO) – in matching generation and demand quite challenging. Indeed, spare electricity power production in the electricity system is predicted to fall to only 2% by 2015, increasing the risks of blackouts across the UK, should an unforeseen operational issue arise or the UK experience a cold winter. Demand Side Response (DSR) could provide an important contribution to managing security of supply and cutting energy consumption. It offers a cheaper and greener alternative to building new generating capacity and could make a meaningful contribution towards security of supply. This study provides a brief overview of the recent developments on the growing DSR market in the UK. Fast acting, clean flexible load is a unique asset which currently is virtually untapped in the UK. With the emerging regulatory support in the UK and across Europe, this is a valuable commodity which can potentially meet the pressures of peak electricity demand while giving businesses security over their power supply needs. The role of the Demand Response Aggregator (DRA) using an Automated Demand Response (ADR) platform to draw on flexible loads across many sites in a coordinated and automated fashion has been discussed. Furthermore, the relationship between the DRA and ADR Technology Solution Provider in establishing a new business to provide aggregated demand response (load adjustment; down and up) as a service to distribution network operators, TSOs, and wholesale Traders have been explored.

Abstract: In the early 2000s, the UK automotive industry was in a state of decline. Factory closures were commonplace, innovation levels modest, the supply chain shrinking, and environmental regulations seen as a threat. However, the industry has undergone a renaissance in the past decade, with UK low-carbon automotive investments of around £40 billion, increasing sector turnover, rising vehicle production volumes, and major OEM capacity expansions. This article sought to identify and understand the causal relationships between the UK's low-carbon policies and automotive industry investments via a triangulated methodology comprising an industry-wide survey, interviews of senior industry executives, extensive secondary research, construction of an investment database, and detailed policy analyses. It is concluded from the research that the strong co-operation between government and industry has proved vital to weathering the economic crisis and maintaining growth. Also, introduction of strong, cumulative industrial policies, and environmental regulations, together with funding programmes emerged as powerful driving forces for continued investment. Nevertheless, challenges remain and there is no room for complacency. Continued dialogue, support, and action are required to ensure that UK industry can deliver on low-carbon targets and build a sustainable industry and vehicle fleet.

Abstract: A critical review of wind turbine performance shows that outputs have steadily increased with the increases in wind turbine size. This article examines the increases in wind turbine size that have taken place and discusses the design options that have been used. 40 years ago wind was a nascent technology, but a number of large megawatt size machines, mostly government funded, were being constructed or planned. However, incentives in California and Denmark encouraged the construction of small wind turbines in large numbers and these evolved from the kilowatt size to the megawatt size and the trend is towards ever-larger machines. Focusing on performance issues and rating philosophy, the article shows that recent moves towards lower power ratings per unit area of rotor (the specific rating) have masked substantial reductions in wind turbine costs and given a misleading impression of increases in productivity. The article concludes with a brief summary of the characteristics of the largest wind turbines currently available, and points to an increasing preference for variable speed designs and a continuing quest for larger machines.

Abstract: Threads is a Cloud-based software service the authors describe as a message hub. It allows an organisation to store, search and share all its digital messages – emails and phone calls – to improve collaboration and productivity and to extract otherwise hidden information. Information overload and privacy concerns have conspired to suffocate the attempts of many firms to share their own data internally. Employees have responded by treating their company mail server as a private file server, something no mail server was ever designed to be. Threads addresses these issues at source by providing a framework where large amounts of data can be shared with confidence and searched, they believe, more easily than with individual private email accounts. Threads achieves this transparently to the user and requires no changes in working practices. It uses database de-duplication, speech and speaker recognition, artificial intelligence and a raft of human factors ideas to overcome the obstacles to data sharing. This study examines the background to Threads, its technology, and the work in progress. By way of example, it discusses the Threads Enron Database. Threads, they believe, is a unique and technically novel service which they present here as case-study of an application well-suited to Cloud implementation.

Abstract: Blockchain, a continuously growing tamper resistant data structure, was developed as the technology underlying the Bitcoin crypto-currency and it is now being applied to a wide range of problems as a form of ‘Distributed Ledger’. The promise of this technology has been recognised by governments and the financial industry. It also has application to enhance privacy of personal information, to secure the Internet of things and to change electronic identity. This study explains what a Blockchain is and how it works. It describes some actual and the potential applications of this technology together with some of the risks associated with its use.

Abstract: This study considers the economics of connected and autonomous vehicles, assessing the opportunities and challenges in their development and their potential impact on the authors’ economic welfare. The authors describe what autonomous and connected vehicles are and provide a view on the roll out of the new technology. Then they provide an economic assessment of how this technology could impact on the drivers and passengers, vehicles manufactures and their supply chains, and the wider community. This study seeks to quantify the costs and benefits of new vehicle technologies and open up the policy discussion around them.

Abstract: India, with its goal of installing 175 GW of new renewable energy capacity by 2022, including 60 GW of wind, is a market which is too big to ignore. Wharton Business School recently ranked India as the best country in the world to invest in. India is progressing an offshore wind regime designed to attract wide interest from developers and the supply chain. In 2015 India adopted an offshore wind policy and two pilot projects are being developed: one in Gujarat and another in Tamil Nadu. The port and power transmission infrastructure in Gujarat is currently far more capable and suited to support offshore wind than for Tamil Nadu; however, the annual average wind speeds are lower in Gujarat and could be close to the limits of economic viability. The tender for the first projects could occur during 2018 and be followed by the developer-led design, procurement and build out of projects. With support from the EU and the British Government, the offshore wind resource is being surveyed, environmental assessments have started, and a policy framework is being crafted to guide and support the development of a pipeline of projects and a local supply chain. In Indian waters with depths of 0–50 m, >800 GW of theoretical wind energy potential exists. A realistic potential, considering technical, environmental and economic viability, will likely offer an extractable resource of many tens of GW.

Abstract: This study describes the use of advanced lead-acid batteries in hazardous areas defined by the ATEX/IEC (Atmospheres Explosibles/International Electro technical Commission) Ex Type ‘Ex e’ certification It describes the requirements for the use of large batteries in ATEX areas and how these criteria can be met It goes on to highlight the important aspects to consider when specifying a battery for use in hazardous areas and provides two practical examples