High fluctuation in cyclic variations influences engine combustion negatively, leading to higher fuel consumption, lower performance, and drivability problems. This paper examines the impacts of injection strategies (injection pressure, injection timing and injection duration) on the cyclic variation of gasoline spark ignition (SI) optical engine under clean and fouled injectors. The principal oscillatory modes of the cycle to cycle variation have been identified, and the engine cycles over which these modes may persist are described. Through the wavelet power spectrum, the presence of short, intermediate and long-term periodicities in the pressure signal have been detected. It was noticed that depending on the clean and fouled injector, the long and intermediate-term periodicities may span many cycles, whereas the short-period oscillations tend to appear intermittently. Information of these periodicities could be helpful to promote efficient control strategies for better combustion. T... [more]

Complex Engineering Systems are subject to cyber-attacks due to inherited vulnerabilities in the underlying entities constituting them. System Resiliency is determined by its ability to return to a normal state under attacks. In order to analyze the resiliency under various attacks compromising the system, a new concept of Hybrid Attack Graph (HAG) is introduced. A HAG is a graph that captures the evolution of both logical and real values of system parameters under attack and recovery actions. The HAG is generated automatically and visualized using Java based tools. The results are illustrated through a communication network example.

In this work, a neuro-fuzzy (NF) simulation study was conducted in order to screen candidate reservoirs for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) projects in Angolan oilfields. First, a knowledge pattern is extracted by combining both the searching potential of fuzzy-logic (FL) and the learning capability of neural network (NN) to make a priori decisions. The extracted knowledge pattern is validated against rock and fluid data trained from successful EOR projects around the world. Then, data from Block K offshore Angolan oilfields are then mined and analysed using box-plot technique for the investigation of the degree of suitability for EOR projects. The trained and validated model is then tested on the Angolan field data (Block K) where EOR application is yet to be fully established. The results from the NF simulation technique applied in this investigation show that polymer, hydrocarbon gas, and combustion are the suitable EOR techniques.

Lithium ion (Li-ion) batteries work as the basic energy storage components in modern railway systems, hence estimating and improving battery efficiency is a critical issue in optimizing the energy usage strategy. However, it is difficult to estimate the efficiency of lithium ion batteries accurately since it varies continuously under working conditions and is unmeasurable via experiments. This paper offers a learning-based simulation method that employs experimental data to estimate the continuous-time energy efficiency and coulombic efficiency of lithium ion batteries, taking lithium titanate batteries as an example. The state of charge (SOC) regions and discharge current rates are considered as the main variables that may affect the efficiencies. Over eight million empirical datasets are collected during a series of experiments performed to investigate the efficiency variation. A back propagation (BP) neural network efficiency estimation and simulation model is proposed to estimate t... [more]

Numerous studies on wind power forecasting show that random errors found in the prediction results cause uncertainty in wind power prediction and cannot be solved effectively using conventional point prediction methods. In contrast, interval prediction is gaining increasing attention as an effective approach as it can describe the uncertainty of wind power. A wind power interval forecasting approach is proposed in this article. First, the original wind power series is decomposed into a series of subseries using variational mode decomposition (VMD); second, the prediction model is established through kernel extreme learning machine (KELM). Three indices are taken into account in a novel objective function, and the improved artificial bee colony algorithm (IABC) is used to search for the best wind power intervals. Finally, when compared with other competitive methods, the simulation results show that the proposed approach has much better performance.

In view of the shortcomings of current image detection methods for icing thickness on power transmission lines, an image measuring method for icing thickness based on remote online monitoring was proposed. In this method, a Canny operator is used to get the image edge, in addition, a Hough transform and least squares are combined to solve the problems of traditional Hough transform in the parameter space whereby it is easily disturbed by the image background and noises, and eventually the edges of iced power transmission lines and un-iced power transmission lines are accurately detected in images which have low contrast, complex grayscale, and many noises. Furthermore, based on the imaging principle of the camera, a new geometric calculation model for icing thickness is established by using the radius of power transmission line as a reference, and automatic calculation of icing thickness is achieved. The results show that proposed image recognition method is rarely disturbed by noises... [more]

This book contains the successful invited submissions [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11] to a Special Issue of Energies on the subject area of “Forecasting Models of Electricity Prices”.

The importance of neural network (NN) modelling is evident from its performance benefits in a myriad of applications, where, unlike conventional techniques, NN modeling provides superior performance without relying on complex filtering and/or time-consuming parameter tuning specific to applications and their wider ranges of conditions. In this paper, we employ NN modelling with training data generation based on sensitivity analysis for the prediction of building energy consumption to improve performance and reliability. Unlike our previous work, where insignificant input variables are successively screened out based on their mean impact values (MIVs) during the training process, we use the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) plot to generate reliable data with a conservative or progressive point of view, which overcomes the issue of data insufficiency of the MIV method: By properly setting boundaries for input variables based on the ROC plot and their statistics, instead of complet... [more]

To overcome the difficulty of accurately determining the load state of a wet ball mill during the grinding process, a method of mill load identification based on improved empirical wavelet transform (EWT), multiscale fuzzy entropy (MFE), and adaptive evolution particle swarm optimization probabilistic neural network (AEPSO_PNN) classification is proposed. First, the concept of a sliding frequency window is introduced based on EWT, and the adaptive frequency window EWT algorithm, which is used to decompose the vibration signals recorded under different load states to obtain the intrinsic mode components, is proposed. Second, a correlation coefficient threshold is used to select the sensitive mode components that characterize the state of the original signal for signal reconstruction. Finally, the MFE of the reconstructed signal is used as the characteristic vector to characterize the load state of the mill, and the partial mean value of MFE is calculated. The results show that the mean... [more]

Conventional indoor climate design and control approaches are based on static thermal comfort/sensation models that view the building occupants as passive recipients of their thermal environment. Recent advances in wearable sensing technologies and their generated streaming data are providing a unique opportunity to understand the user’s behaviour and to predict future needs. Estimation of thermal comfort is a challenging task given the subjectivity of human perception; this subjectivity is reflected in the statistical nature of comfort models, as well as the plethora of comfort models available. Additionally, such models are using not-easily or invasively measured variables (e.g., core temperatures and metabolic rate), which are often not practical and undesirable measurements. The main goal of this paper was to develop dynamic model-based monitoring system of the occupant’s thermal state and their thermoregulation responses under two different activity levels. In total, 25 participan... [more]

The marine controlled-source electromagnetic (CSEM) technique is an application of electromagnetic (EM) waves to image the electrical resistivity of the subsurface underneath the seabed. The modeling of marine CSEM is a crucial and time-consuming task due to the complexity of its mathematical equations. Hence, high computational cost is incurred to solve the linear systems, especially for high-dimensional models. Addressing these problems, we propose Gaussian process (GP) calibrated with computer experiment outputs to estimate multi-frequency marine CSEM profiles at various hydrocarbon depths. This methodology utilizes prior information to provide beneficial EM profiles with uncertainty quantification in terms of variance (95% confidence interval). In this paper, prior marine CSEM information was generated through Computer Simulation Technology (CST) software at various observed hydrocarbon depths (250−2750 m with an increment of 250 m each) and different transmission frequencies (0.12... [more]

Chemical−biological systems, such as bioreactors, contain stochastic and non-linear interactions which are difficult to characterize. The highly complex interactions between microbial species and communities may not be sufficiently captured using first-principles, stationary, or low-dimensional models. This paper compares and contrasts multiple data analysis strategies, which include three predictive models (random forests, support vector machines, and neural networks), three clustering models (hierarchical, Gaussian mixtures, and Dirichlet mixtures), and two feature selection approaches (mean decrease in accuracy and its conditional variant). These methods not only predict the bioreactor outcome with sufficient accuracy, but the important features correlated with said outcome are also identified. The novelty of this work lies in the extensive exploration and critique of a wide arsenal of methods instead of single methods, as observed in many papers of similar nature. The results show... [more]

The Eclat algorithm is a typical frequent pattern mining algorithm using vertical data. This study proposes an improved Eclat algorithm called ETPAM, based on the tissue-like P system with active membranes. The active membranes are used to run evolution rules, i.e., object rewriting rules, in parallel. Moreover, ETPAM utilizes subsume indices and an early pruning strategy to reduce the number of frequent pattern candidates and subsumes. The time complexity of ETPAM is decreased from O(t2) to O(t) as compared with the original Eclat algorithm through the parallelism of the P system. The experimental results using two databases indicate that ETPAM performs very well in mining frequent patterns, and the experimental results using four databases prove that ETPAM is computationally very efficient as compared with three other existing frequent pattern mining algorithms.

Clustering techniques can group genes based on similarity in biological functions. However, the drawback of using clustering techniques is the inability to identify an optimal number of potential clusters beforehand. Several existing optimization techniques can address the issue. Besides, clustering validation can predict the possible number of potential clusters and hence increase the chances of identifying biologically informative genes. This paper reviews and provides examples of existing methods for clustering genes, optimization of the objective function, and clustering validation. Clustering techniques can be categorized into partitioning, hierarchical, grid-based, and density-based techniques. We also highlight the advantages and the disadvantages of each category. To optimize the objective function, here we introduce the swarm intelligence technique and compare the performances of other methods. Moreover, we discuss the differences of measurements between internal and external... [more]

Accurately predicting the reheater steam temperature over both short and medium time periods is crucial for the efficiency and safety of operations. With regard to the diverse temporal effects of influential factors, the accurate identification of delay orders allows effective temperature predictions for the reheater system. In this paper, a deep neural network (DNN) and a genetic algorithm (GA)-based optimal multi-step temporal feature selection model for reheater temperature is proposed. In the proposed model, DNN is used to establish a steam temperature predictor for future time steps, and GA is used to find the optimal delay orders, while fully considering the balance between modeling accuracy and computational complexity. The experimental results for two ultra-super-critical 1000 MW power plants show that the optimal delay orders calculated using this method achieve high forecasting accuracy and low computational overhead. Moreover, it is argued that the similarities of the two re... [more]

In order to solve the problem of the inaccuracy of the traditional online operation risk assessment model based on a physical mechanism and the inability to adapt to the actual operation of massive online operation monitoring data, this paper proposes an online operation risk assessment of the wind power system of the convolution neural network (CNN) considering multiple random factors. This paper analyzes multiple random factors of the wind power system, including uncertain wind power output, load fluctuations, frequent changes in operation patterns, and the electrical equipment failure rate, and generates the sample data based on multi-random factors. It uses the CNN algorithm network, offline training to obtain the risk assessment model, and online application to obtain the real-time online operation risk state of the wind power system. Finally, the online operation risk assessment model is verified by simulation using the standard network of 39 nodes of 10 machines New England syst... [more]

The difficulty in precisely detecting and locating an ear within an image is the first step to tackle in an ear-based biometric recognition system, a challenge which increases in difficulty when working with variable photographic conditions. This is in part due to the irregular shapes of human ears, but also because of variable lighting conditions and the ever changing profile shape of an ear’s projection when photographed. An ear detection system involving multiple convolutional neural networks and a detection grouping algorithm is proposed to identify the presence and location of an ear in a given input image. The proposed method matches the performance of other methods when analyzed against clean and purpose-shot photographs, reaching an accuracy of upwards of 98%, but clearly outperforms them with a rate of over 86% when the system is subjected to non-cooperative natural images where the subject appears in challenging orientations and photographic conditions.

In biopharmaceutical manufacturing, a new single-use technology using disposable equipment is available for reducing the work of change-over operations compared to conventional multi-use technology that use stainless steel equipment. The choice of equipment technologies has been researched and evaluation models have been developed, however, software that can extend model exposure to reach industrial users is yet to be developed. In this work, we develop and demonstrate a prototype of an online decision-support tool for the multi-objective evaluation of equipment technologies in sterile filling of biopharmaceutical manufacturing processes. Multi-objective evaluation models of equipment technologies and equipment technology alternative generation algorithms are implemented in the tool to support users in choosing their preferred technology according to their input of specific production scenarios. The use of the tool for analysis and decision-support was demonstrated using four productio... [more]

Predictive analytics is usually cited as one of the most important pillars of the digital transformation. For the oil industry, specifically, it is a common belief that issues like integrity and maintenance could benefit from predictive analytics. This paper presents the development and the application of a process-monitoring tool in a real process facility. The PMA (Predictive Maintenance Application) system is a data-driven application that uses a multivariate analysis in order to predict the system behavior. Results show that the use of a multivariate approach for process monitoring could not only detect an early failure at a metering system days before the operation crew, but could also successfully identify, among hundreds of variables, the root cause of the abnormal situation. By applying such an approach, a better performance of the monitored equipment is expected, decreasing its downtime.

Fruit packaging is a time-consuming task due to its low automation level. The gentle handling required by some kinds of fruits and their natural variations complicates the implementation of automated quality controls and tray positioning for final packaging. In this article, we propose a method for the automatic localization and pose estimation of apples captured by a Red-Green-Blue (RGB) camera using convolutional neural networks. Our pose estimation algorithm uses a cascaded structure composed of two independent convolutional neural networks: one for the localization of apples within the images and a second for the estimation of the three-dimensional rotation of the localized and cropped image area containing an apple. We used a single shot multi-box detector to find the bounding boxes of the apples in the images. Lie algebra is used for the regression of the rotation, which represents an innovation in this kind of application. We compare the performances of four different network ar... [more]

Oxygen is one of the most important energies used in converter steelmaking processes of integrated iron and steel works. Precisely forecasting oxygen consumption before processing can benefit process control and energy optimization. This paper assumes there is a linear relationship between the oxygen consumption and input materials, and random noises are caused by other unmeasurable materials and unobserved reactions. Then, a novel hybrid prediction model integrating multiple linear regression (MLR) and Gaussian process regression (GPR) is introduced. In the hybrid model, the MLR method is developed to figure the global trend of the oxygen consumption, and the GPR method is applied to explore the local fluctuation caused by noise. Additionally, to accelerate the computational speed on the practical data set, a K-means clustering method is devised to respectively train a number of GPR models. The proposed hybrid model is validated with the actual data collected from an integrated iron a... [more]

Non-intrusive load monitoring (NILM) is an effective method to optimize energy consumption patterns. Since the concept of NILM was proposed, extensive research has focused on energy disaggregation or load identification. The traditional method is to disaggregate mixed signals, and then identify the independent load. This paper proposes a multi-label classification method using Random Forest (RF) as a learning algorithm for non-intrusive load identification. Multi-label classification can be used to determine which categories data belong to. This classification can help to identify the operation states of independent loads from mixed signals without disaggregation. The experiments are conducted in real environment and public data set respectively. Several basic electrical features are selected as the classification feature to build the classification model. These features are also compared to select the most suitable features for classification by feature importance parameters. The clas... [more]

Improved-performance day-ahead electricity demand forecast is important to deliver necessary information for right decision of energy management of microgrids. It supports microgrid operators and stakeholders to have better decisions on microgrid flexibility, stability and control. The available conventional forecasting methods for electricity demand at national or regional level are not effective for electricity demand forecasting in microgrids. This is due to the fact that the electricity consumption in microgrids is many times less than the regional or national demands and it is highly volatile. In this paper, an integrated Artificial Intelligence (AI) based approach consisting of Wavelet Transform (WT), Simulated Annealing (SA) and Feedforward Artificial Neural Network (FFANN) is devised for day-ahead prediction of electric power consumption in microgrids. The FFANN is the basic forecasting engine of the proposed model. The WT is utilized to extract relevant features of the target... [more]

An accurate forecast of the electricity consumption is particularly important to both consumers and system operators. The purpose of this study is to develop a forecasting method that provides such an accurate forecast of the month-ahead hourly electricity consumption in the case of medium industrial consumers, therefore assuring an intelligent energy management and an efficient economic scheduling of their resources, having the possibility to negotiate in advance appropriate billing tariffs relying on accurate hourly forecasts, in the same time facilitating an optimal energy management for the dispatch operator. The forecasting method consists of developing first non-linear autoregressive, with exogenous inputs (NARX) artificial neural networks (ANNs) in order to forecast an initial daily electricity consumption, a forecast that is being further processed with custom developed long short-term memory (LSTM) neural networks with exogenous variables support in order to refine the daily f... [more]

It is difficult to manually process and analyze large amounts of data. Therefore, to solve a given problem, it is easier to reach the solution by studying the data obtained from the environment of the problem with computational intelligence methods. In this study, pool boiling heat flux was estimated in the isolated bubble regime using two optimization methods (genetic and artificial bee colony algorithm) and three machine learning algorithms (decision tree, artificial neural network, and support vector machine). Six boiling mechanisms containing eighteen different parameters in the genetic and the artificial bee colony (ABC) algorithms were used to calculate overall heat flux of the isolated bubble regime. Support vector machine regression (SVMReg), alternating model tree (ADTree), and multilayer perceptron (MLP) regression only used the heat transfer equation input parameters without heat transfer equations for prediction of pool boiling heat transfer over a horizontal tube. The perf... [more]