[en] An H-infinity control strategy has been developed for the design of controllers used in feedback controlled electrical substitution measurements (FCESM). The methodology has the potential to provide substantial improvements in both response time and resolution of a millimetre-wave absolute photoacoustic power meter.

[en] Many suppliers are offering tariffs for export. However, many of the tariffs on offer deliver a value that is higher than the underlying commercial value of the electricity to the supplier. In most cases suppliers do not currently register the export within the industry's settlement arrangements and so gain no value from the export they have purchased. It is clear from this that the current situation is unlikely to be sustainable and suppliers will not be able to offer significant payment for a product that has little commercial value to them when the numbers of exporting microgenerators increases. Initiatives to simplify and streamline the existing trading arrangements should be progressed; this should include simplification of processes for registering new export customers and improvements in the provision of new export meters. Suppliers should initiate the change management procedures required to progress Option 1 (allowing suppliers to register a customer's export and import under a single registration (a single MPAN)) through the industry's normal change management procedures. Ofgem should ensure that its review of the Structure of Distribution charges includes the treatment of DUoS charges for customers with microgeneration and ensure that they properly reflect the benefits of microgeneration. Any changes that are progressed should not prevent the subsequent introduction of 'smart meters' that could process both import and export electricity data. Ofgem should ensure that the cost effectiveness of including both an import and export capability in all new metering systems is assessed as part of the metering innovation agenda. Suppliers should make the prices they are offering for export more widely available in a simple and easy to understand form. Government should consider whether additional intervention is required to yield a higher value for exported electricity (or total generation) via mechanisms such as those contemplated under Option 3 (The supplier/tariff support mechanism) or other enhancements to the Energy Efficiency Commitment. (UK)

[en] Canadian Metering Services provides metrology expertise to power producers and has more than 40 years experience in the industry. The company is privately and nationally accredited in Canada and is an expert in data communications. This power point presentation focused on issues regarding prices and price stability. Graphs were included with the presentation which depicted the profiles of winners and losers in electricity marketing and retailing. The presentation also discussed the benefits of a market surveillance panel, AMV, and MDMA and how to go about choosing them. tabs., figs

[en] Using large-sample high temporal resolution data from a smart metering field trial, we econometrically estimate the effects of providing feedback in addition to smart metering devices. We compare consumption levels and patterns between a pilot group that received feedback in addition to smart metering devices and a control group with only smart metering devices. We investigate, in particular, the persistence of the effects and whether the effects differ between periods of high and low household occupancy, i.e. between morning and evening periods, and between weekdays and weekend days. The findings show that feedback is effective, leading to about 5% electricity consumption reduction that is persistent over an eleven month period. Furthermore, our results show that this reduction affects both low and high occupancy periods, suggesting that feedback is associated with rather permanent changes in habitual behavior and/or investments in energy-efficient technologies. - Highlights: • Analysis of feedback on household electricity use relying on high resolution data. • Average feedback corresponds with savings of around 5% on weekdays and weekends. • Effects of feedback are persistent during the eleven month field trial. • In percentage terms, feedback effects are rather stable over the hours of the day.

[en] Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) is very important for intelligent instruments, and it is an important guarantee for its reliable operation. The complexity of EMC is mainly reflected in how to quickly and accurately locate the disturbance source, effectively suppress the disturbance source, and correctly judge the disturbance coupling path. Intelligent instruments have similar hardware characteristics. In this paper, the characteristics of common hardware characteristics of disturbance source and coupling path are analyzed, the equivalent antenna model of disturbance is analyzed, and the disturbance suppression method is given. Finally, the correctness of the method is verified by experiments. (paper)

[en] This report presents basic concepts within the field of IT security. The ITSEC security and the ITSEM methods given by the European Community are used as a base. The EC INFOSEC research programme has included the project 'PER DOMUM' which focuses on remote reading of energy meters. The project is a co-operation between TACS (U.K.), GPP (Germany), CESI (Italy) and ENEL (Italy). SP has during the spring and summer of 1994 participated in the concluding of the project. Threats, security functions and security mechanisms are given for remote reading of energy meters. All of the listed functions and mechanisms do not origin from the 'PER DOMUM' project, but are the experiences of SP. The security evaluation is explained in two ways. One description of the required by ITSEM is given. Another description is given of which deliverables are required to perform the evaluation

[en] We describe a calibration system that measures the nonlinearity of optical fiber power meters (OFPMs) at a maximum power of 0.6 W and a minimum power of 0.2 mW at 1480 nm. The system is based on the triplet superposition method. This system measures the nonlinearity of OFPMs by using correction factors at different powers; the system is an important tool for characterizing OFPMs at high powers in the S band. The measurement uncertainties, typically better than 0.2%, k=2, associated with the high-power nonlinearity system are also described

[en] The mathematical basis of a fully automatic real-time variable setpoint design for ROP is outlined. Variable setpoints eliminate random epistemic detector error thus raising trip margin. Traditionally, snapshot detector reading simulations are used to calculate fixed setpoints making error unavoidable. With variable setpoints, only a fixed maximum setpoint level is predetermined for the maximum reading detector. On-line detector readings prorate the maximum setpoint thus replacing detector simulations and epistemic error. Probability in real-time is compliant to that calculated for safety analysis. Also, the loss of regulation (LOR) is no longer confined to be spatially uniform and, with a feed-forward derivative term, slow. (author)

[en] Lateral force measurement using a cantilever ruler-beam (CRB) sensor based on linear chirp fiber Bragg grating (LCFBG) is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The lateral force is determined by altering the reflection optical power of LCFBG of which an axial-strain gradient along its sensing is induced. The reflection spectrum intensity responds linearly and monotonically with lateral force increasing from 0 to ≍ 0.6 N. Experimental results demonstrate that the CRB force sensor can successfully achieve lateral forces prediction with less than 0.0015 N resolution using simply Thorlabs PM100USB optical power meter. And can accomplish an adequate accuracy with RMS error < 0.04N of full scale (0-0.749N). The CRB is chosen in one way or another to resemble steerable catheter flexibility as our intention is to developing catheter force sensor based on temperature-insensitive contact force measurement. (paper)

[en] Deployment of customer-sited photovoltaics (PV) in the United States has expanded rapidly in recent years, driven by falling PV system prices, the advent of customer financing options, and various forms of policy support at the federal, state, and local levels. With the success of these efforts, heated debates have surfaced in a number of U.S. states about the impacts of customer-sited PV on utility shareholders and ratepayers. We performed a scoping analysis using a financial model to quantify the financial impacts of customer-sited PV on utility shareholders and ratepayers and to assess the magnitude of these impacts under alternative utility conditions. We find that customer-sited PV generally reduces utility collected revenues greater than reductions in costs leading to a revenue erosion effect and lost future earnings opportunities. We also find that average retail rates increase as utility costs are spread over a relatively smaller sales base. We analyze these results under various assumptions about utility operating and regulatory environments and find that these impacts can vary greatly depending upon the specific circumstances of the utility. Based on this analysis, we highlight potential implications for policymakers and identify key issues warranting further analysis. - Highlights: • Customer-sited PV erodes utility revenues and avoids future utility investments. • Reductions in utility sales greater than utility costs increases average rates. • Impacts of customer-sited PV can vary depending on specific circumstances of utility