Wind farm topology-finding algorithm considering performance, costs, and environmental impacts.

Optimal power in wind farms turns to be a modern problem for investors and decision makers; onshore wind farms are subject to performance and economic and environmental constraints. The aim of this work is to define the best installed capacity (best topology) with maximum performance and profits and consider environmental impacts as well. In this article, we continue the work recently done on wind farm topology-finding algorithm. The proposed resolution technique is based on finding the best topology of the system that maximizes the wind farm performance (availability) under the constraints of costs and capital investments. Global warming potential of wind farm is calculated and taken into account in the results. A case study is done using data and constraints similar to those collected from wind farm constructors, managers, and maintainers. Multi-state systems (MSS), universal generating function (UGF), wind, and load charge functions are applied. An economic study was conducted to assess the wind farm investment. Net present value (NPV) and levelized cost of energy (LCOE) were calculated for best topologies found.

Single-ion BAB triblock copolymers as highly efficient electrolytes for lithium-metal batteries.

Electrochemical energy storage is one of the main societal challenges of this century. The performances of classical lithium-ion technology based on liquid electrolytes have made great advances in the past two decades, but the intrinsic instability of liquid electrolytes results in safety issues. Solid polymer electrolytes would be a perfect solution to those safety issues, miniaturization and enhancement of energy density. However, as in liquids, the fraction of charge carried by lithium ions is small (<20%), limiting the power performances. Solid polymer electrolytes operate at 80 °C, resulting in poor mechanical properties and a limited electrochemical stability window. Here we describe a multifunctional single-ion polymer electrolyte based on polyanionic block copolymers comprising polystyrene segments. It overcomes most of the above limitations, with a lithium-ion transport number close to unity, excellent mechanical properties and an electrochemical stability window spanning 5 V versus Li(+)/Li. A prototype battery using this polyelectrolyte outperforms a conventional battery based on a polymer electrolyte.

Gelling and the collective dynamics in ferroelectric liquid crystals.

Dielectric spectroscopy has been applied to investigate the dynamic behaviour of a ferroelectric liquid crystal in the smectic C* and smectic A phases confined in gel matrices of a fibre like (1D) or platelet like (2D) structure. These gel matrices were obtained from semicarbazide or bis-acylurea derivatives, which self assemble because of their H-bonding motif. The confinement strongly influences the magnitude of the spontaneous polarization and the collective fluctuations of the director detected as the Goldstone-mode. It is thus possible to detect gelation by dielectric spectroscopy. By this method it was possible to follow the destruction and restoration of the gel structure induced by the photochemical trans-cis isomerisation.