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The papers in this special section focus on cyberattacks, strategic cyber-foresight, and security applications. Reports of cyber-attacks against individuals, organizations, and businesses are on the rise. Attackers usually have a deliberate and malicious intent and may involve the criminals taking advantage of flaws in software code, using tricks to get around antivirus tools, and or exploiting unsuspecting users into divulging sensitive information. Often launched by isolated amateurs, or criminals that belong to often well-structured organizations, with money, motivation, and an agenda, such attacks are frequently designed to temporarily or indefinitely disrupt services of a host connected to the internet or simply grind institutional systems to a halt. Popular among social engineering, malwares employed in such attacks are what has come to be known as a distributed denial-of-service attack, which affect the infrastructure of websites, computer servers, and other network resources resulting in the compromise of critical personal or institutional data. Across the globe, these attacks are growing in sophistication, and they tend to have serious economic and security consequences for their targets. The chaos they precipitate can be life-threatening, and their cost can be considerable to target organizations or nations. Such features also affect the dynamics of collaboration among firms, thus posing negative effects on innovation dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achieving the low-carbon transition of power systems requires the coordination of renewable energy generation and other emerging electricity technologies. Their technical indicators are changing rapidly since these technologies are in the initial stages of development. Determining the technical and policy targets for achieving the low-carbon transition is critical for regulators and power system planners. This paper defines this problem as a backcasting problem, whose concept is derived from environmental science research. We introduce it into the power system planning field and innovatively model it as a bi-level optimization problem. According to the characteristics of the backcasting problem, an improved barrier method is proposed to solve it efficiently. The effectiveness of the proposed model and algorithm are verified through case studies on a modified Garver’s 6-bus system and a realistic Northwest China power system, and they are compared with state-of-the-art solution techniques. The results of the backcasting problem provide a new perspective on the economic impacts of the low-carbon transition and are helpful in energy policy formulation for power systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The energy transition is aimed to take advantage of the operational flexibility of hydropower to extend the integration of intermittent renewable sources. Consequently, the hydrogenerators will have to operate in regimes far away from their designed best-point operation. In order to accurately assess the impact, this paper presents a useful approach to determine the overall operating efficiency of synchronous generators under intermittent operation. An accumulated average efficiency (AAE) model is proposed and compared against an alternative approach; the weighted average efficiency (WAE) model. It is found that the WAE approach produces unrealistic low efficiencies when the generator operates in synchronous condenser mode (SCM) for long periods. In general, the AAE supersedes the WAE for all the different load distributions that were investigated. This was further illustrated by a worked example and by constructing more complex load distributions. A load distribution dominated by SCM yields a difference as high as $33.18 \,\%$ , while an even distribution deviates $1.43 \,\%$ in their respective efficiencies. Finally, a yearly on-site measurement of our studied $103 \,\mathrm{MVA}$ generator’s concentrated load distribution revealed a discrepancy of $0.67 \,\%$ , which is a significant deviation considering what the operating regime would mean in terms of economic implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the closed-loop supply chain (CLSC) models are extended to consider the case that the manufacturer can improve the product quality and the retailer can have effective marketing activities to promote the product. One centralized and three decentralized CLSC models are mathematically formulated in this paper. For the centralized CLSC model, the optimal solutions are derived in closed-form format analytically. For three decentralized CLSC models, by assuming the manufacturer is the leader, the equilibrium solutions are also obtained in closed-form format under the Stackelberg game settings. Based on the optimal/equilibrium solutions and the corresponding objective function values for the proposed models, several interesting managerial insights, and economic implications are obtained. Moreover, the proposed models with product quality improvement and marketing efforts are compared with the models with only product quality improvement effort and the models with only marketing effort. The results show that the performance of the proposed models with both product quality improvement and marketing efforts is better in the decentralized CLSC models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a new and comprehensive approach for optimal sizing and placement of a wind farm (WF) in a radial distribution network (RDN) while considering several factors associated with its reliability, operation, economics and environment impact. The consideration of the reliability aspect is essential to correctly assess the impacts of forced outages of wind turbines in the field. In this context, a sequential Monte Carlo simulation-based technique has been formulated to evaluate the performance of the WF with varying capacities at different locations in the RDN. Additionally, the capability of the WF to perform Volt-Var and Volt-Watt control has been capitalized on to provide voltage support to the grid in compliance with international standards (IEEE 1547-2018). Finally, a combination of Analytic Hierarchy Process and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution has been used to assess and determine the optimal size and location of the WF, based on a selected set of performance criteria, namely cumulative violations of the steady-state voltage range, cumulative losses in RDN, cumulative violations of the line thermal rating, levelized cost of energy, and reduction in carbon emission. The proposed approach has been validated considering different modes of voltage control on the standard 33-bus RDN system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybrid ac–dc reconfigurable link technology can find interesting applications in medium-voltage power distribution. These are networks having dc links operating in parallel alongside ac links with post-fault reconfiguration capability. A given system can operate in different configurations while maintaining equivalent capacity during (n−1) contingencies using reconfigurability. This paper provides a method for the ideal selection of the link configuration by defining the efficiency and economic viability boundaries with varying operating power demand and power factor. A sensitivity analysis with parameters such as grid voltage, link length, conductor area, and converter efficiency as well as economic factors such as converter cost and link conductor installation cost is discussed. The study identifies the operating zones wherein the refurbished parallel ac–dc reconfigurable distribution links can be an efficient and economically preferred option of delivering power as compared to a system with only ac or dc links. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies the defense strategy for a parallel system subject to an unintentional impact and an intentional impact. Existing research assumes that system damage is caused by either natural disasters (unintentional impacts) or strategic attackers (intentional impacts). However, in practice, the defender may encounter diverse scenarios, where these two kinds of impacts can happen in a sequential order. Without knowing the precise occurrence sequence, the defender must allocate its limited resources against two successive impacts. In each contest, the defender can construct redundant elements and protect them from damage, to minimize the expected loss from system destructions. Illustrative examples of the optimal strategy are presented in three cases: first, where the unintentional impact comes first; second, where the intentional impact comes first; and third, where the two impacts come in an uncertain order. Supplemental protection is considered in the model extension, where the defender can allocate additional protection resources to those elements that have survived after the first impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interconnection networks lie in the heart of all types of parallel architectures, because how processors or memory modules are connected to each other has a significant impact on the scalability, reliability, cost and performance. For example, a nonblocking interconnection network delivers guaranteed path availability to any connection requests, without interference to existing connections. Also, an interconnection network with multicast capability can distribute data from a single source to all the destinations in a one-shot manner, eliminating unnecessary duplications and minimizing communication delays. However, implementing nonblocking multicast networks imposes great challenges to designers because both of them demand high hardware cost. To deal with this problem, in this paper we propose a novel interconnection network, named Multicast Capable Low-cost Network (MCL), which is both nonblocking for multicast traffic and cost-efficient. We first design the topologies and routing algorithms for MCL, and then prove its nonblocking multicast properties. Most importantly, we show that MCL achieves the lowest hardware cost in terms of asymptotic number of crosspoints. Specifically, the theoretical upper bound on the crosspoints of an $N \times N$ MCL is $O(N \log ^{3.39} N)$ . The explicitly constructed instance of an $N \times N$ MCL has a cost of $O(N^\frac{5}{4})$ and constant delay from the input ports to the output ports. These theoretical and practical costs are both the lowest compared to previous designs which deliver the same performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A pandemic outbreak is one of the major planning scenarios considered by emergency-preparedness policymakers. The consequences of a pandemic can significantly affect and disrupt a large spectrum of workforce sectors in today's society. This paper, motivated by the impact of a pandemic, extends the formulation of the dynamic inoperability input—output model (DIIM) to account for economic perturbations resulting from such an event, which creates a time-varying and probabilistic inoperability to the workforce. A pandemic is a unique disaster, because the majority of its direct impacts are workforce related and it does not create significant direct impact to infrastructure. In light of this factor, this paper first develops amethod of translating unavailable workforce into a measure of economic-sector inoperability. While previous formulations of the DIIM only allowed for the specification of an initial perturbation, this paper incorporates the fact that a pandemic can cause direct effects to the workforce over the recovery period. Given the uncertainty associated with the impact of a pandemic, this paper develops a simulation framework to account for the possible variations in realizations of the pandemic. The enhancements to the DIIM formulation are incorporated into a MatLab program and then applied to a case study to simulate a pandemic scenario in the Commonwealth of Virginia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ocean energy conversion systems have recently seen renewed interest, stimulated mostly by today's increasing energy discussions. In addition to ocean current energy converters, several commercial ocean wave energy projects have already been undertaken; however, no clear economic model exists for developers to follow. Therefore, this paper focuses on U.S. economic factors that affect the use of wave power for generation of electric energy. These are addressed with regard to economic and business incentives for renewables and wave energy. This paper also investigates incentive programs needed to promote wave energy conversion technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Switched reluctance motor (SRM) drives are one competitive technology for traction motor drives. This paper proposes a novel and flexible SRM fault-tolerant topology with fault diagnosis, fault tolerance, and advanced control functions. The converter is composed of a single-phase bridge and a relay network, based on the traditional asymmetrical half-bridge driving topology. When the SRM-driving system is subjected to fault conditions including open-circuit and short-circuit faults, the proposed converter starts its fault-diagnosis procedure to locate the fault. Based on the relay network, the faulty part can be bypassed by the single-phase bridge arm, while the single-phase bridge arm and the healthy part of the converter can form a fault-tolerant topology to sustain the driving operation. A fault-tolerant control strategy is developed to decrease the influence of the fault. Furthermore, the proposed fault-tolerant strategy can be applied to three-phase 12/8 SRM and four-phase 8/6 SRM. Simulation results in MATLAB/Simulink and experiments on a three-phase 12/8 SRM and a four-phase 8/6 SRM validate the effectiveness of the proposed strategy, which may have significant economic implications in traction drive systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an economic model, based on a field-validated load model, for the assessment of impact of conservation voltage reduction (CVR) implemented continuously during both on-peak and off-peak hours. The model evaluates the impact on individual customers and the utility, taking into account the different billing structures, including service class, monthly rates, and reactive power billing. The model considers as well the impact of the utility's revenue decoupling mechanism. The hourly operation of three New York City networks of the Consolidated Edison Company of New York (ConEd) for an entire year has been simulated for the purpose of this study. The results presented for voltage reductions between 2.25% and 8% indicate that for individual customers, the larger the original bill, the greater the relative savings in percentage of the original bill. For the utility, the main advantages are the reduction in aggregated energy consumption and peak power demand with corresponding avoided investment and operating costs. The study and results presented are the first of their kind for a meshed power system. In addition, the economic model presented can be used for any utility system where distribution is separated from generation ownership. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As technological, economic, and social factors drive scientific publishing toward electronic formats, opportunities open beyond traditional reading and writing frameworks. Journal articles now, and in the future, can increasingly include a variety of supplemental multimedia and interactive materials for augmented reading that will impact both the nature and presentation of scientific research. The IEEE Computer Society is preparing for this evolution. The first Web extra at http://youtu.be/06J3yg0SV8o is a video that serves as a short abstract of the paper "Augmented Reading: The Present and Future of Electronic Scientific Publications," presented by the two authors with the support of two young promising scientists. The second Web extra at http://youtu.be/86nN1gCMc1E is a video by David Alan Grier (IEEE Computer Society President, 2013) that discusses the Computer Society and its plans for scientific publications. The third Web extra at http://youtu.be/GCCMYR5Zy70 is a video that collects the personal views of Dejan Milosevic (IEEE CS President, 2014), David A. Grier (IEEE CS President, 2013), Sorel Reisman (IEEE CS President, 2012), Jon Rokne (IEEE CS Publications), Fabrizio Lombardi (EIC IEEE Transactions on Emerging Topics in Computing and member of the IEEE CS Board of Governors), and Steve Woods (IEEE CS Senior Manager Multimedia, Production) about the future of scientific publications. The fourth Web extra at http://youtu.be/7cLNV4SNdjY is a video presentation of the multimedia enhancements Computer magazine offers to its readers each month. The fifth Web extra at http://youtu.be/4csCKb685XQ is a video that presents a collection of definitions for the term "supplemental material." The sixth Web extra at http://youtu.be/d7a7XxMT6eY is a video that reviews the announcement from the Journal of Neuroscience that authors can no longer submit supplemental material. The seventh Web extra at http://youtu.be/NMFwLJhv11c is a video in which author Paolo Montuschi summarizes the key concepts of the article "Augmented Reading: The Present and Future of Electronic Scientific Publications". [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper focuses on the construction of an optimized financial transmission rights (FTR) or congestion revenue rights portfolio for an FTR market participant given his assessment of the frequency and economic impacts of binding constraints in the transmission network. We overcome the data handling and heavy computing demands of locational marginal price (LMP)-difference-based methods for FTR selection by recasting the problem into one that focuses on the underlying product of “binding constraints”, which are physically observable phenomena, based on the mathematical insights into the structural characteristics of the model used for the clearing of the hourly day-ahead markets. Differentials in the LMPs are due to system congestion and so are merely manifestations of binding constraints in the transmission network. In addition, we exploit extensively the salient topological characteristics of large-scale interconnections. The market participant specifies the subset of “focus” constraints and the position he is willing to take on them. Our approach builds on the mathematical insights and topological characteristics with the effective deployment of the orthogonal matching pursuit algorithm to construct the optimized FTR portfolio characterized by the minimum number of node pairs for the specification of the FTR elements. We apply the proposed approach to a test system based on the PJM ISO network and markets to illustrate its capabilities for solving the FTR market participant's problem in realistic large-scale systems. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In this paper we develop a novel mathematical model to describe the localized economic impact of load recovery by electricity consumers following demand response (DR) event participation. In this model—termed “securitization”—cost and benefit associated with an amount of load recovery change exponentially with time-varying stochastic discount rates. These volatile rates, which can be estimated using the principle of Brownian motion, are further examined via case studies on the Roy Billinton test system. A formal application of the proposed recovery model to the crucial task of global DR scheduling is then studied. The study indicates that it is possible to optimize a DR schedule to cater for uncertainty in the subsequent load recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Several techniques have been proposed in the literature to forecast electricity market prices and improve forecast accuracy. However, no studies have been reported examining the economic impact of price forecast inaccuracies on forecast users. Therefore, in this paper, the application of electricity market price forecasts to short-term operation scheduling of two typical and inherently different industrial loads is examined and the associated economic impact is analyzed. Using electricity market price forecasts as the expected next-day electricity prices, optimal operating schedules and the associated costs are determined for each load. These costs are compared with those of a "perfect" price forecast scenario in which actual prices are used to determine the operating schedules. Numerical results and discussions are provided based on price forecasts with different error characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid growth of the Internet, the ability of users to create and publish content has created active electronic communities that provide a wealth of product information. However, the high volume of reviews that are typically published for a single product makes harder for individuals as well as manufacturers to locate the best reviews and understand the true underlying quality of a product. In this paper, we reexamine the impact of reviews on economic outcomes like product sales and see how different factors affect social outcomes such as their perceived usefulness. Our approach explores multiple aspects of review text, such as subjectivity levels, various measures of readability and extent of spelling errors to identify important text-based features. In addition, we also examine multiple reviewer-level features such as average usefulness of past reviews and the self-disclosed identity measures of reviewers that are displayed next to a review. Our econometric analysis reveals that the extent of subjectivity, informativeness, readability, and linguistic correctness in reviews matters in influencing sales and perceived usefulness. Reviews that have a mixture of objective, and highly subjective sentences are negatively associated with product sales, compared to reviews that tend to include only subjective or only objective information. However, such reviews are rated more informative (or helpful) by other users. By using Random Forest-based classifiers, we show that we can accurately predict the impact of reviews on sales and their perceived usefulness. We examine the relative importance of the three broad feature categories: “reviewer-related” features, “review subjectivity” features, and “review readability” features, and find that using any of the three feature sets results in a statistically equivalent performance as in the case of using all available features. This paper is the first study that integrates econometric, text mining, and predictive modeling techniques toward a more complete analysis of the information captured by user-generated online reviews in order to estimate their helpfulness and economic impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]