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The aim of this work is to perform a feasibility study on the power line communication for the development of a new generation of interface devices (IDs) for smart grid applications. More in detail, this paper deals with one of the most important issues on this topic which is the communication system. Among the existing communication technologies, the study is focused on power line communications (PLCs). After a analysis of the state of the art in the field, the main aspects are analyzed, concerning the open issues on the use of PLCs, especially for medium voltage (MV) and low voltage (LV) systems. In this work the use of PLC in MV-LV networks is investigated, by means of simulations and experimental tests. These tests are performed in a test power network, which includes a MV overhead power line and a MV/LV transformer. The two ways communication channel is characterized, by transmitting a signal from the MV bus-bars and receiving it from the LV network and vice-versa. In this way the possibility to cross the power transformer is investigated

Multi-agent system (MAS) is being pointed out as a suitable technology to develop systems that demand flexibility, robustness and re-configurability. Consequently, a significant effort has been noticed to apply MAS to industrial domains exhibiting these characteristics, like manufacturing and smart grids. In spite of the adequacy of the MAS principles to solve the industrial requirements, the truly deployment of MAS for industrial applications is far to be solved. This paper discusses the current challenges for the deployment of MAS in the context of industrial applications, mainly focusing the integration of agents with physical equipment and the ability to run agents directly in industrial or low cost controllers. An experimental MAS solution for a smart grid case study was deployed aiming to support the discussion.

Innovation is receiving increased attention among policymakers as a means of addressing sustainable economic development challenges. However, a range of factors such as inappropriate physical and knowledge infrastructures, incoherence of institutional frameworks, or lack of specific capabilities may have a negative impact on the functioning of the agricultural innovation system. The purpose of this paper is to apply a comprehensive innovation systems analytical framework, reconciling analyses of systemic structures, functions, failures and merits of innovation systems to assess and compare the performance of the agricultural innovation systems of Scotland and the Netherlands. To achieve this an analytical framework was drawn up based on the available literature, and through a process that included document analysis and a series of semi-structured interviews and workshops with experts in the two countries the agrifood sectors were empirically assessed. In both countries, systemic failures in terms of actors’ interactions and competencies as well as market and incentive structures were revealed. However, differences emerge between the two countries that appear to relate more to social and cultural (soft institutions) differences rather than the formal legal and regulatory frameworks (hard institutions)

This paper proposes a novel measurement procedure for load flow analysis in medium voltage (MV) smart grids. The new approach is based on power measurements at low voltage (LV) side of MV/LV distribution substations. Such measurements are carried out by means of power quality analyzers. If compared with the load flow methods based on measurements at the MV side, the proposed approach has a lower cost and it offers an equally reliable measurement system. The proposed algorithm takes the basic concept of the current summation backward/forward method; some modifications are introduced to use LV load powers measurements. To this aim, the MV/LV power transformer is properly modeled and taken into account in the algorithm. The proposed approach is validated by means of both simulations and experimental measurements; the test system is the MV distribution grid of Ustica Island, Italy. First, the proposed algorithm is compared with the MATLAB/Simulink load flow tool, which is based on the traditional Newton-Raphson method. Second, a comparison is carried out between the proposed method and the measurement data collected in the actual MV network of Ustica. Such comparison takes into account the uncertainties of both proposed method, and experimental active and reactive MV power measurements.

These days, sustainability is a key issue for many private companies that address their sustainable corporate performance (SCP). The perspective is essential for their license to operate and forms the basis for business principles and practices. The lack of internationally accepted reporting standards on what, when and where to report makes it difficult to assess sustainability, however. Moreover, measuring tools providing information on SCP are only the first step towards sustainability. To prevent negative effects of operations being transferred from one company to another, the second step is the development of a system-based approach for all companies that contribute to an end product. This paper presents the findings of a study about the use of environmental indicators for food production and proposes a measuring method for environmental sustainability in food production systems. The study shows that environmental SCP often focuses on events at a local level. The enormous number of indicators found in the literature generates too much data that often provide no additional knowledge on the environmental sustainability of a system. Moreover, although environmental research has addressed many aspects of sustainability, it has often ignored interactions. Overall environmental implications of food production are therefore poorly understood. The proposed measuring method uses three indicators that address global environmental issues: the use of energy (from both fossil and renewable sources), land and water. The systemic approach can calculate trade-offs along supply chains that make up a production system. The use of the method implies an extension of environmental SCP towards the overall performance of a production system. The final outcome is expressed in three performance indicators: the total land, energy and water requirement per kilogram of available food. For companies, the data generated can be used to compare trends over time, to compare results with targets and to benchmark a company against others. For consumers, data can be used to compare the environmental effects of various foods. The method is also applicable to other business sectors. The study is part of a multidisciplinary project on the scientific modeling and measuring of SCP involving economic, social and environmental dimensions. Acceptance of the measuring methods developed may be a powerful contribution towards creating sustainable business practices. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Driven by a rapid development of the so-called ‘open innovation’ paradigm, previous studies have provided broad evidence of the positive effects of external knowledge sources on innovation. Yet, little is known about the impact of external knowledge sources on innovative activities in the renewable energy sector. Based on an analysis of original survey results involving R&D organisations, we examine the role of different knowledge sourcing strategies for innovation in two technology fields, namely solar and wind power. The link between external knowledge sourcing and innovation performance is found to depend on sourcing strategies and technology fields. Our results contribute to the evaluation of strategy design by showing that solar power innovation benefits from a broad search strategy drawing on a large number of external knowledge sources, while wind power innovation tends to thrive through intensive use of a more limited number of external sources. We derive implications for innovation and energy policy.

Under the pressure of shortening product life cycle to cope with turbulent market environment, manufacturing industry has to re-configure factory more and more in order to promote sustainable growth. Therefore the modularization and standardisation become key objectives for life cycle oriented plant design. This paper introduces the implementation of modular plant design, which is a result of EU-funded project "Modular Plant Architecture" (MPA). Object Oriented, Virtual Reality and Discrete Event Simulation technologies are adopted in this project.

There is a strong connection between economic growth and development of cities. Economic growth tends to stimulate city growth, and city economies have often shaped innovative environments that in turn support economic growth. Simultaneously, social and environmental problems related to city growth can be serious threats to the realization of the socio-economic contributions that cities can make. However, as a result of considerable diversity of competences combined with interactive learning and innovation, cities may also solve these problems. The ‘urban order’ may form a platform for innovative problem solving and potential spill-over effects, which may stimulate further economic growth and development. This paper discusses how waste problems of cities can be transformed to become part of new, more sustainable solutions. Two cases are explored: Aalborg in Denmark and Malmö in Sweden. It is shown that the cities have the potential to significantly contribute to a more sustainable development through increased material recycling and energy recovery. Waste prevention may increase this potential. For example, instead of constituting 3% of the total greenhouse gas emission problem, it seems possible for modern European cities to contribute to greenhouse gas emission reduction by 15% through up to date technology and integrated waste management systems for material and energy recovery. Going from being part of the problem to providing solutions; however, is not an easy endeavour. It requires political will and leadership, supportive regulatory frameworks, realistic timetables/roadmaps, and a diverse set of stakeholders that can provide the right creative and innovative mix to make it possible.

Unintended consequences are at the heart of a dilemma for firms acting on corporate sustainability. On the one hand, corporate sustainability encourages businesses to take bold, timely and ethical action to address society's grand challenges. On the other, due to the complexity and unpredictability of our world, action brings with it a higher risk of unintended consequences. This paper makes the case that unintended consequences are real and an important consideration for businesses taking action to improve their sustainability in complex environments. This paper develops a framework which positions unintended consequences among other business concepts. Further, I demonstrate fear of unintended consequences is a challenge that can further hinder corporate action on sustainability. However, developing tools and processes to detect unintended consequences, learn from them and respond innovatively provides an opportunity for businesses to better manage in uncertain and complex environments. This paper demonstrates why, in a complex world, a strategy for unintended consequences is needed to empower action on corporate sustainability strategy.