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In the study, the effect rates of independent variables (cutting speed, feed rate, cutting depth and tool nose radius) on the dependent variables (surface roughness) used during turning of C45 manufacturing steel were investigated and optimum cutting parameters were determined. Turning experiments were performed according to the L27 orthogonal (Vertical) array of the response surface method (RSM). As independent variables 3 different cutting speeds (160 m/min, 260 m/min and 360 m/min), feed rate (0.05 mm/rpm, 0.18 mm/rpm and 0.31 mm/rpm), cutting depth (0.1 mm, 0.3 mm and 0.5 mm) and tool nose radius (0.4 mm, 0.8 mm and 1.2 mm) were used. As a result analysis of Variance, the effects of independent variables and the effects of interactions on dependent variables were examined. As a result, it was determined that the most effective independent variable on the dependent variable was the feed rate and tool nose radius, respectively, while the effect of cutting speed and cutting depth was found to be low. It was found that while the feed rate increased, the dependent variable increased and the tool nose radius decreased.

The Danish energy system is undergoing a transition from a system based on storable fossil fuels to a system based on fluctuating renewable energy sources. At the same time, more of and more of the energy system is becoming electrified; transportation, heating and fuel usage in industry and elsewhere. This article investigates the development of the Danish energy system in a medium year 2030 situation as well as in a long-term year 2050 situation. The analyses are based on scenario development by the Danish Climate Commission. In the short term, it is investigated what the effects will be of having flexible or inflexible electric vehicles and individual heat pumps, and in the long term it is investigated what the effects of changes in the load profiles due to changing weights of demand sectors are. The analyses are based on energy systems simulations using EnergyPLAN and demand forecasting using the Helena model. The results show that even with a limited short-term electric car fleet, these will have a significant effect on the energy system; the energy system’s ability to integrated wind power and the demand for condensing power generation capacity in the system. Charging patterns and flexibility have significant effects on this. Likewise, individual heat pumps may affect the system operation if they are equipped with heat storages. The analyses also show that the long-term changes in electricity demand curve profiles have little impact on the energy system performance. The flexibility given by heat pumps and electric vehicles in the long-term future overshadows any effects of changes in hourly demand curve profiles. International Journal of Sustainable Energy Planning and Management, Vol 7 (2015)

Hoang Lien National Park has a total area of 68569ha, located at an altitude of above sea 1000-3000m in the territory of the two provinces of Lai Chau and Lao Cai in Vietnam. It has a diversity of flora with 3252 species (including 775 endemic species and 236 endangered species), belonging to 1126 genera, 230 families and 6 different divisions. Due to the mountainous terrain, division diversity of Hoang Lien National Park’s vegetation is thus clearly characterized by high elevations. We have studied the distribution characteristics of the vegetation by high elevations in Hoang Lien National Park of Vietnam by the general survey methodology, fieldwork, remote sensing digital image processing and analysis and inheriting the preceding research results. The study results indicated the divisions in quantity, vegetation composition, especially differentiation of endemic and rare species in accordance with high elevations. Study results were preliminary used to suggest some orientations for preserving plant diversity in high elevations of the terrain. Vườn quốc gia Hoàng Liên có tổng diện tích 68569ha, nằm ở độ cao từ 1000-3000m so với mặt biển thuộc lãnh thổ hai tỉnh Lai Châu và Lào Cai của Việt Nam. Hệ thực vật của Vườn quốc gia Hoàng Liên rất phong phú với 3252 loài (trong đó có 775 loài đặc hữu và 236 loài quý hiếm), thuộc 1126 chi, 230 họ và 6 ngành khác nhau. Do địa hình núi cao, phân hóa đa dạng nên thảm thực vật của Vườn quốc gia Hoàng Liên có đặc trưng phân hóa theo đai cao rất rõ nét. Bằng các phương pháp điều tra tổng hợp, khảo sát thực địa, xử lí phân tích ảnh viễn thám và kế thừa các kết quả nghiên cứu đi trước nhóm tác giả đã tiến hành nghiên cứu đặc điểm phân bố thảm thực vật theo đai cao tại Vườn quốc gia Hoàng Liên của Việt Nam. Kết quả nghiên cứu chỉ rõ sự phân hoá về số lượng, thành phần hệ thực vật theo đai cao và phân hóa thành phần loài đặc hữu và quý hiếm theo đai cao. Bước đầu nghiên cứu đề xuất một vài định hướng bảo tồn đa dạng thực vật theo đai cao của địa hình. Journal of Vietnamese Environment, Vol 6 No 2 (2014)

As grid price rises and the feed-in tariff declines, the economics of local storage become increasingly lucrative to the system owner. The attractiveness of a local storage investment is compounded in the presence of a PV grid injection cap. The larger the PV system size is relative to this cap level, the greater the opportunity exists to charge the local storage with PV production that would otherwise be dissipated without credit. This study utilizes two household demand profiles that represent the extremes of the potential for local PV self-consumption and, consequently, the range of economic potential that exists for local storage to be coupled with residential PV systems. A series of algorithms were subsequently developed to analyze the related benefit potential of delayed storage charging to target instances of excess PV production in relation to the grid injection cap. 28th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition; 3751-3756

Recently, development projects have provided support to governments to facilitate technology transfer for climate change adaptation and mitigation. These include the Technology Needs Assessment (TNA) funded by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF). In the TNA project, which was implemented in ten African countries from 2010 to 2013, dedicated government committees have prioritized climate change mitigation technologies and developed action plans for the diffusion of the selected technologies. The project results show that solar PV is high on the agenda in Africa. Six out of ten countries in the region prioritized solar PV, and action plans for the diffusion of solar home systems were put forward in Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, Mali and Senegal, while the implementation of grid-connected systems was proposed in Rwanda, Mali and Senegal. The project reports and technology action plans prepared in these six countries are used as the basis for comparing how solar PV is perceived in these countries and how policy measures enabling environmental adjustments and investment programmes are being planned to promote diffusion of the technology in these different contexts. 1st Africa Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition Proceedings, AfricaPVSEC 2014

Rear passivated point contact solar cells achieving more than 19.3% conversion efficiencies were developed by using 156x156mm, p-type single crystalline silicon wafers. Full area aluminum back surface field solar cells, fabricated with the same wafers exhibit only 18.6% conversion efficiency. Eight different specially formulated aluminum pastes, with varying electrical and surface properties, and varying reactivity of silicon atoms to aluminum matrix were evaluated. The pastes all contain non-leaded frits and the adhesion strength to the substrate of these pastes lies in the range from less than 20N to greater than 40N. The thicknesses of the back surface field (BSF) depend on the firing condition, as well as paste formulation, and range from 3.7μm to 7.5m. The extent of partial contact fill and cavity formation varied from paste-to-paste; was shown to be largely reduced with optimized firing conditions. A modified co-firing process was developed for the fabrication of rear local contacts without affecting the integrity of the front metal contact. 27th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition; 608-613

Survivability is by no means a new concept to ocean engineering; ships must remain stable and structurally intact in violent sea states; the same is true for offshore oil and gas structures. While knowledge from the ship and offshore sectors can be valuable for designing wave energy converters (WECs) for survival in rough seas, the unique scale, siting and operational characteristics of WECs pose a distinct set of engineering challenges. This paper seeks to provide a review of methods for modeling the loading and dynamic response of WECs and analogue marine structures, such as ships and offshore structures, in large nonlinear waves. We identify current knowledge gaps in our understanding of WEC survivability and provide recommendations for future research to close these gaps. U.S. Department of Energy Wind and Water Power Program

A new and applicable environmental rating tool for use as a policy tool, called EcoScore, was developed and allows evaluating the environmental impact of road vehicles with different drive trains or using different fuels. A single environmental indicator integrates different aspects of the environmental impact of the vehicles such as global warming, air quality depletion and noise pollution. To integrate these different aspects, the Ecoscore methodology includes different damage categories like: global warming, human health impairing effects and harmful effects on ecosystems. The contribution of the different normalised damages to the single value, called Ecoscore, is based upon a weighting system. The methodology can also be used for the ranking of heavy duty vehicles and two-wheelers. However, in this paper, the methodology will be explained using passenger vehicles and light-duty vehicles as an illustration. The methodology will be implemented by the Flemish government as a policy tool for the promotion of cleaner vehicles. An extensive database including vehicle records and their related emission data was used to develop, to validate and to analyse the environmental rating system. A sensitivity analysis was carried out which allowed the evaluation of the robustness of the methodology.