In order to find optimum design parameters in earthquake engineering, an objective function is optimized. This function comprises the initial cost of a structure and the cost due to the damage of earthquakes. Intangible losses may be included in the latter, such as how much society is willing to invest to preserve a human life. In this paper, the expression of the objective function is developed in terms of the seismic design coefficient, and the aforementioned intangible loss is calculated from both the individual point of view and that of society. The calculation of the intangible is based on utility curves. Finally, optimum seismic design coefficients are calculated for a firm ground site.
This paper presents a method for optimizing a grid-connected photovoltaic system through an LCL filter. An algorithm based on particle swarm optimization (PSO) is used to determine the number of batteries, the number of panels in series and in parallel, as well as to evaluate the joule losses due to cable heating and the switching losses of the multilevel inverters. This system is applied to a village named YAGOUA, located in the far north of Cameroon. The evaluation of the Joule effect and the switching losses as well as the regulation of the voltage level at the point of common coupling (PCC) are carried out in PVsyst and Matlab software, then at IEEE 33 bus. This algorithm reduced the Joule losses to 1.2% and the switching losses to 2.2%. A power of 210.4 MWh is produced, to be injected in the electrical network via an LCL filter. The THD calculation gave a rate of 3.015% in accordance with the 519 standards. Synchronization through the Phase Locked Loop (PLL) is performed. After the power was injected into the grid, the voltage and current remained in phase, showing the power factor correction and the efficiency of the filter. According to NASA meteorological data, the locality of YAGOUA gives the global solar irradiation forecast of 6.8 kW/m2.
Plants typically experience great losses from their reproductive potential represented by ovule production to the post-dispersal crop of viable seed.We examined seed density and viability in a founder population of mountain birch(Betula pubescens ssp.tortuosa),aiming to quantify losses at different stages and examine potential selection forces on the reproduction success of the founder generation of an isolated population.At the time of the study(2017-2020),the population had recently reached reproductive maturity,following its colonization around 1990 through long-distance dispersal onto an early successional outwash plain in southeast Iceland.Seed densities were high,but 89% of apparently intact seeds did not contain an embryo,despite being visually indistinguishable from filled seeds.Externally evident losses amounted to about 45% of the total seed crop and were mostly due to predation by the gall midge Semudobia betulae.When all losses were accounted for,2.7% of the seed crop remained viable and germinated.Pollen limitation may partially explain the high incidence of empty seeds.Excessive flower production is compatible with the predator satiation hypothesis but cannot explain pre-dispersal losses.Another adaptation to predation,masting,appears poorly developed in Iceland.Our results suggest the presence of constraints on the reproduction potential of the new island population,that are more limiting than in neighbouring populations,and we discuss their developmental,ecological,and environmental correlates.
Seoul has good weather settings for incorporating renewable energies, hence, given its small land area living mode was mostly set in an apartment condition it is an ideal place for building applied photovoltaic (BAPV) for solar energy harvesting. On the other hand, the BAPV energy self-consumption hasn’t been thoroughly examined considering the overall energy consumption requirement. Therefore, presented in this communication are the viability of PVL to produce electricity from solar energy and insights on modulating and improving energy harvesting efficiency. To accomplish this objective, three major factors were considered: 1) the photovoltaic (PV) positioning;2) the solar tracking scenario;and 3) the mechanistic system energy consumption. The overall louver energy generation was thoroughly scrutinized from the net energy conception of the BAPV up to the mechanistic module energy expenditure. This work intends to provide insights into the economic feasibility of BAPV assessing its technological profitability in the specified location and building size.
