Search

On the basis of STEM, STEAM, and STREAMS, this paper presents a holistic multidisciplinary improved method for power engineering education of Generation Z students. The proposed STREAMS strategy is based on using the latest developments of technology for a mixed on-the-move and in-house university educational approach. A case study on STREAMS is used within power engineering education. To validate STREAMS, a pilot application and a survey are used. While 66% of the students in power engineering chose to attend on-the-move visits to complete classical teaching, the participation in field visits showed an improvement of the grades by about 20%, the increase of the number of students with comparative cognitive level, and a significant decrease of the fail percentage from 84.2% to 15.8%. The results show that the use of STREAMS in power engineering education allows a better understanding of both theoretical and practical issues, improves the overall attitude on studying the field, and develops critical thinking, thus leveraging the entering into the workforce. The authors consider that on-the-move STREAMS also proves to be a valuable improved teaching method, even under coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic restrictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper investigates the degree of measurement accuracy of several sharp - crested weirs of different shapes, based on the experimental results obtained in the laboratory. A sensitivity analysis is performed to assess the influence the weir shape has on the coefficients of discharge and to identify which one provides the best accuracy for measuring small discharges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the study is to reveal changes of the hydrodynamics and sediment transport induced into the river channel by the operation of small hydropower plants (SHPs). A 36-km reach of the upper Prahova River in Romania has been chosen, along which 10 run-ofriver developments are built. A 1D modeling software was used to compute hydrodynamic parameters over the selected reach. Two discharge scenarios were considered into the channel: (1) mean annual flow (for the natural regime, without SHPs), and (2) the minimum discharge (worst case scenario of SHP operation for the environment). Results of the second scenario show that ecologically relevant hydraulic parameters in the channel are approaching the thresholds of endangering the fish habitat. On average, depth and shear stress drop by 50%, mean velocity by 40%, and flow area by 75%. Comparison between computed nondimensional shear stress and its corresponding critical value indicates that minimum discharge can only transport finer particles than average from the bed surface, thus leading to potential filling of fish spawning areas with sand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The protection of critical infrastructures is essential to the future sustainability of electric power systems. The resilience at the smart meters type threats requires an integrated interdisciplinary approach of the technical and the social components of smart substation. The manner in which the decisions regarding the designing of the electrical substations for the evacuation of the electrical energy produced in a power plant is analyzed and proposed the cost of penalties calculation methodology for nondelivery of power energy from the point of view of socio-technical services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The technological changes along with the psychological and structural changes of the young generation (Gen Z) require adjustment of the educational methods. In this regard, the paper presents a way of explaining uncertainty of measurements by the use of experimental subject-spotting. The method consists in splitting - subject-spotting - a complex subject into small parts that require lower sustained attention and are easier to be understood and memorized. Each subject-spot uses the link between theory and practice, allowing multi-tasking behaviours. The focus is on obtaining quick results. The practical application of experimental subjectspotting of uncertainty is based on the measurement of the water flow through a pipe by the method of time volume collection. The flow rate measurement represents the grounding for developing several experimental subject-spots that explain the uncertainty of analogue and digital readings, of repeated measurements, the level of confidence, expanded uncertainty and the propagation of uncertainty. The mathematical model and program, some final considerations and further reading suggestions open other directions of studying uncertainty, eventually covered by other subject-spots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper proposes a methodology for the dimensioning of a natural draft wet cooling tower. The main geometrical dimensions depend on the packing type, the cooling and the weather conditions. The study is based on splitting the tower in three main zones: the spray and packing zone, the rain zone and the natural draft zone. The methodology is developed on modular bases, by using block-modules both for the three main zones of the cooling tower and for the inlet/outlet air properties. It is useful in explaining to the students the complex physical phenomena within the cooling tower but also for the development of a computer program to be used in engineering, management and education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of technology, electronics and computing opened the way for a crossdisciplinary research that brings benefits by combining the achievements of different fields. To prepare the students for their future interdisciplinary approach,aninterdisciplinary teaching is adopted. This ensures their progress in knowledge, understanding and ability to navigate through different fields. Aiming these results, the Universities introduce new interdisciplinary courses which explore complex problems by studying subjects from different domains. The paper presents a problem encountered in designingpower plants. The method of solvingthe problem isused to explain the numerical methods and to exercise programming.The goal of understanding a numerical algorithm that solves a linear system of equations is achieved by using the knowledge of heat transfer to design the regenerative circuit of a thermal power plant. In this way, the outcomes from the prior courses (mathematics and physics) are used to explain a new subject (numerical methods) and to advance future ones (power plants). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]