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Open Source Microgrid Integration
Get PDFMicrogrids are small-scale electrical systems that operate in tandem with a centralized grid to provide power to a smaller group of target devices. These microgrids are used for a wide range of different purposes, which invites the need for a generalized model that can be tweaked for a variety of uses. This document goes over the theory used to design an open source AC and DC microgrid meant for use by anyone. The microgrid is created using a Raspberry Pi that controls two different power converters so that a wide range of voltage and current characteristics can be achieved. These converters can step a DC voltage up or down to almost any voltage under 48 volts and the AC output is the RMS value of the DC input. All of the individual states of the converter will be tested while controlled by the Raspberry Pi to ensure the proper operation of the three devices. A simple GUI interface was created to allow for any user to change live settings of the system. This microgrid system can be used as an educational tool to teach students or professionals about power conversion systems. Everything needed to recreate this system will be saved and documented in a public Github in order to make it widely available
Modeling and Analysis of a Hybrid AC/DC Green Seaport Power System with Photovoltaic Generation and Battery Energy Storage Systems
No full textThis thesis investigates the modeling, simulation, and analysis of a Green Seaport power system integrating photovoltaic (PV) generation, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and coordinated protection within a hybrid AC/DC framework. The work improves a previously established model, enhancing it with detailed protection studies and simultaneous AC/DC power flow analysis using EasyPower software. The system was evaluated under a wide range of operating conditions, including varying solar irradiance, battery charge and discharge states, and both full and zero load conditions. Key performance indicators included voltage regulation, power factor behavior, equipment loading, protection device coordination, and total system power losses. Simulation results confirmed voltage stability across all AC buses and highlighted the importance of capacitor banks in maintaining unity power factor during low-load or high-reactive-power conditions. On the DC side, overvoltage scenarios were traced to software limitations, while undervoltage conditions reflected real-world design constraints. Equipment loading varied by subsystem, prompting a transformer upgrade to handle unexpected backfeeding conditions. Loss analysis showed that power factor correction significantly reduced power losses. Protection coordination was validated across 15 fault locations, with most cases successfully isolating faults at the nearest device. A few coordination compromises were required, but they preserved overall system integrity. The results demonstrate that the proposed system can maintain reliable, efficient operation in a seaport electrification setting
Feminist Participatory Action Research and Service-Learning in the New Feminist Frontier
Get PDFThis critical commentary explores the tensions of embodying feminist pedagogy as both researcher and teacher. Drawing on the success of Feminist Participatory Action Research (FPAR) in redesigning women\u27s shelter intake procedures, I argue for integrating service-learning into the classroom. However, the effectiveness of both PAR and service-learning hinges on a strong foundation in feminist methodologies that prioritize equity, justice, and community care (Bowdon, Pigg, & Mansfield, 2014; Johnson & Flynn, 2021; Vergés Bosch, Freude, & Camps Calvet, 2021). Acknowledging past critiques of these approaches when lacking a feminist lens (Langhout & Gordon, 2021), I call for researchers and teachers to learn from these shortcomings to develop best practices that empower both researchers and students to enact meaningful social change
EERI 2024: Seattle Solstice
Get PDFThis senior project documents the design, analysis, construction, and testing of Seattle Solstice, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo’s entry to the 2024 EERI Seismic Design Competition. Developed through ARCE 453, the interdisciplinary effort involved architectural, structural, and geotechnical coordination in response to a fictional client brief set in downtown Seattle. The team designed a five-foot-tall balsa wood tower with a shifting vertical massing, integrating sustainability features and public use spaces while addressing seismic challenges such as center of mass vs. rigidity alignment, overturning risk, and off-grid load paths. The structure was modeled using ETABS and evaluated using both numerical methods and physical shake table testing. Lessons from early testing informed structural revisions, ultimately leading to a high-performing final model. Financial evaluation and performance scoring were based on EERI guidelines. This project highlights the value of iterative design, team collaboration, and practical application of seismic engineering principles in a competitive academic environment
An Analysis of Renewable Energy Frames in the News Media Pre- and Post-Trump Administration
Get PDFThis paper aimed to examine how news media portrayed environmental issues, specifically renewable energy, and how this may differ between two presidential administrations in the United States. Entman’s framing theory was used to analyze the portrayals of renewable energy in the articles selected. The frames chosen were based on research done by Rochyadi-Reetz et al. (2019) who established four framing dimensions within environmentally-focused news media. These dimensions are as follows: (1) economy, (2) society, (3) environment, (4) technology. A fifth dimension ((5) policy) was added by the researcher. This paper used a deductive quantitative analysis to mark these themes as present or missing from a total of 90 articles across three major news sources: the New York Times, the Washington Post, and the Wall Street Journal. The findings of this research were consistent with the priorities established within the United States in previous research, specifically pertaining to policy and the economy
MAGLOCK - Electromagnetic Pedal Aid for Amputees
No full textFor this project, we aimed to design components that could easily be swapped out and into vehicles, which would help them accomplish the task of locating and securing a prosthetic foot to a bike and/or car pedal. A common problem among cyclists and drivers with prosthetic legs is their foot slipping off the pedal while in use; these components could be used for other common applications such as cars, bikes, etc. Stakeholders for this product included automotive companies and handicap product distributors. The focused objective is to provide dexterity and quick attach/detach support for cyclists and drivers with lower limb disabilities and/or amputations. The overall design consisted of a electromagnetic pedal component that could be easily locked and unlocked from the foot and pedal by the push of a button
Opening the Black Box with REGAL: A Novel Explainable AI Approach to Uncover Key Predictors in Search and Rescue Success
Get PDFThe outcome of a search and rescue (SAR) operation is influenced by a complex, non-linear interplay among numerous factors, including geographic context, subject-specific characteristics, and environmental conditions. The high dimensionality and intricate dependencies among these variables pose significant challenges to traditional exploratory modeling approaches, limiting their ability to uncover meaningful patterns and relationships associated with mission success. This study introduces Rules Based Explanations for Generated neighborhoods Around Localized cases (REGAL), a novel adaptation of the Local Interpretable Model-agnostic Explanations (LIME) framework to explain deep multimodal neural networks and what key features it assesses to determine search and rescue success. REGAL addresses limitations of traditional LIME by incorporating decision tree-based explanation mechanisms. These include split-based feature importance and the analysis of feature interactions, offering more contextually relevant and actionable insights into model behavior. REGAL also utilizes a generative modeling approach to create perturbations, to allow for more controlled, yet extensive analysis around a localized case
Aurela App Mockup – Discreet Drug Detection Wearable
Get PDFAurela is a discreet drug detection technology jewelry brand, and the wearable will connect to the app to tell users if their drink is safe when they test it with the jewelry. Drug-facilitated sexual assault is a deep rooted societal issue, and Aurela works to empower customer’s control of their safety. The brand was created by my beach volleyball teammate Addie Bounds, and my project aims to show how the app would provide fast, accessible information to users, in an easy-to-read and streamlined format. It will include a map feature, that displays ratings of local businesses, likely bars, given by other users, as well as an educational page with news and resources. Another important component is safety features that alert both the user and their selected emergency contacts if a user’s drink is spiked. These features and more are detailed in the app mockup created in Figma
LLNL Raft Flash Pole Redesign
Get PDFDuring research exercises in the ocean, Lawrence Livermore deploys a fleet of rafts outfitted with flash modules affixed to tall poles (in tandem called flash poles) that flash while a photo is taken to act as datums for data collection. The current flash pole design that the LIDSS (Lawrence Livermore Independent Diagnostic Scoring System) team uses is too short to be visible in high seas, not mechanically suited to be made taller, too susceptible to the elements and blunt impact and too difficult to service. We aim to solve these issues