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Ship-to-shore connection is an important technological element that reduces air pollution in ports. Therefore, ports install facilities that allow mooring ships to connect to the port distribution network. By 2025, this will be mandatory for all ports in Europe. This can be a challenging task in most ports due to the different frequency of the network and ship frequency. This problem can be solved by the use of grid-forming static frequency converters. This solution also brings some other advantages: The ship is not threatened by high shore short-circuit currents, and the port distribution network is not affected by the character of the ship load. However, frequency converter software must include a droop control algorithm to ensure that voltage deviations do not exceed the allowed limits during transients. Typical frequency converters used for shore connection are those developed as static frequency converters (SFCs). However, those converters were not developed for large power outputs, which are needed to power large vessels, such as ferries or cruise ships. This paper proposes motor drives that were modified to operate as SFCs. This approach has quite a lot of advantages which are described in this article. This paper describes both a standard shore connection system without a frequency converter and a solution that includes static frequency converters. The paper then focusses on voltage deviation estimations during connection/disconnection of large load (ferry or cruise ship) to static frequency converters. In this work, a high-voltage shore connection (HVSC) simulation model is developed, including a frequency converter, a shoreside transformer, medium-voltage (MV) connection cables, and a power system of the ship, to analyze in detail the behavior of the system in the case of connection or disconnection of the ship load. The model was made in DIgSILENT PowerFactory for the case of a commercial port in southern France. The model gives credible estimations of voltage drops/surges during transient and steady states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In France, most of the trains are electrical and some are fed by 1500 V DC voltage. When a train is traveling, the power consumption creates a voltage drop. Therefore, below a certain limit, the train has to slow down its speed. This limitation prevents the increase of traffic in some area that needs an electric reinforcement. This paper proposes to use embedded storage systems to support the voltage of the catenary. The main issue is how to size such an energy storage system? In this way, several aspects (e.g.: the energy management strategy) have to be taken into account. The paper deals with an optimization-based sizing method for the embedded energy storage systems. The proposed method takes into account the energy management strategy in the sizing by optimization. A comparison is made between the use of batteries or supercapacitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The VErtex LOcator (VELO) is a vital piece of apparatus providing tracking, triggering and vertexing to the LHCb experiment. Its superb impact parameter resolution and high efficiency enable LHCb to make precision measurements and searches for New Physics in the flavour sector. These proceedings focus on the R&D for the future LHCb VELO detector to be installed in the upgraded LHCb experiment. In order to increase hadronic yields and to be able to run at higher luminosities LHCb plans to upgrade the front end electronics, currently limited by a first level hardware trigger. For the silicon vertex detector this implies a complete rebuild of the modules and electronics, with improved cooling capability to cope with the high voltages and currents expected after significant radiation damage has been accrued. This paper presents the design considerations for the vertex detector upgrade together with the two proposed options for the sensor layout, based on strips or pixels. As part of the R&D programme a pixel based tracking telescope has been developed for use in testbeams, to gain experience with pixel tracking and to evaluate the technologies under consideration. This paper presents results from the last years running of the TimePix telescope and describes the integration of various test devices. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper discusses the plant-oriented instrumentation developed for a solid electrolyte-based hydrogen sensor. The sensor detects any event of steam leak at the steam generator of fast breeder reactors, by continuously monitoring the hydrogen concentration in secondary sodium. A specially designed in situ preamplifier measures the electromotive force (EMF) generated by the sensor and the temperature of sodium. After digitizing, these signals are transmitted to a signal-processing unit. A microcontroller-based signal-processing unit receives the signals and calculates the hydrogen concentration in parts per billion (ppb). The instrument measures hydrogen concentration in the range of 50 to 1000 ppb. It provides the analog signal of the hydrogen concentration to the plant computer for logging purposes. The instrumentation makes surveillance checks on instrument performance and provides a system healthiness status to the plant computer. These instruments are installed in a fast breeder test reactor (FBTR) in Kalpakkam, India, in other sodium experimental facilities of Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam, and in a fast breeder reactor in Phenix, France. The long-term performance of these instruments is found to be very good. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Renewable energy sources play a role in providing energy services in a sustainable manner. In this paper, we review and estimate the renewable electricity potentials in France in a long term perspective, considering technical as well as social acceptability factors. Previous assessment studies are reviewed, and specific evaluations are conducted to estimate both the solar electricity potential on residential rooftops and the wind electricity potential in likely-developable areas. Potential effects on the grid power balance are examined for typical winter and summer days based on historical data sets. France has the resources to produce a large portion of its annual final electricity consumption with renewable energy. However, further analysis is needed to evaluate more in depth the influence of limiting factors such as the variability of certain resources, the distribution and transmission constraints, and the potential usage conflicts. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The CMS silicon strip tracker is the largest detector of its kind. It is expected to operate at the LHC for more than 10 years. In order to quantify aging effects, it is important to keep track of the evolution of fundamental detector properties under radiation and thermal fluctuations. Our aim is to define monitoring procedures to determine the characteristics regularly. In this paper we focus on the silicon sensor''s full depletion voltage. We present the first results obtained with two different methods: a standard one with signal from particles and a newly developed approach based on noise. In addition we compare our output with the measurements performed during the construction. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In general, an autotransformer (AT) is used to improve the voltage sag and inductive interference in power lines and communication lines in the Korean ac electric railway feeding system. In particular, the Korean AT feeding system has a different configuration compared to those of the other countries, such as Japan or France; therefore, it has certain distinctive characteristics. However, a fault locator imported from the other countries has been used in Korea, and the settings of these equipment should be modified and reflect the distinct characteristics of the Korean AT feeding system. Thus, the development of a novel fault-location scheme for the Korean railway system is required. Herein, we analyzed the fault current and developed a specific relationship for use in our new algorithm. We presented the current magnitude of each branch, expressed by the boosting current of the ATs; further, the novel fault-location scheme using this relationship is developed. The novel scheme performance is verified through power system computer aided design/electromagnetic transients including DC (PSCAD/EMTDC) and the field measured data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thermal neutron SEU cross-section of the Toshiba SRAM memory used in the LHC RadMon system was measured at different voltages. A method using the difference in its response compared to mixed particle energy field is proposed to be used as a discriminator between thermal neutron and high-energy hadron fluences. For test purposes, the proposed method was used at the CNGS and CERF facilities to estimate the field composition by counting SEUs at two different voltages and the results were compared to simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the performance of medium voltage cables and the effects of changes made to production methods. The problem of early breakdown caused by water trees was studied and various techniques for increasing the life time of cables were investigated. French, American and German companies prefer water tight construction, an additive water tree retardant (WTR) package and a polymer WTR. Real cable failure data for European utilities are presented. Failure rates include cable failures related to electrical breakdown.