title: Field data collection for implementation of Supercapacitor Assisted LED Lighting (SCALED)

authors: Norbu, Tenzin

subjects: Renewable energy

abstract: With the increasing impact of global warming, climate change is becoming the biggest threat for all life on our planet. The conventional way of generating electricity from the burning of fossil fuels releases significant amounts of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, which contributes to the rise in the earth’s temperature. Moreover, fossil fuels are being consumed very rapidly and we now have limited resources, which need to be monitored to face future energy demands. The development of renewable energy sources, such as solar power, is a rapidly growing technology. With the extensive research and investment in this industry at present, in the near future solar power will be one of our leading renewable energy sources. Furthermore, as solar panels directly produce direct current (DC), they can be directly tied to a DC microgrid without requiring any power converter, thereby minimizing losses and increasing efficiency.
The supercapacitor assisted light emitting diode (SCALED) converter is one of the new circuit techniques under development for low voltage light emitting diode (LED) systems at the University of Waikato. In this circuit, an LED is connected in series with the supercapacitor bank forming part of a resistor-capacitor (RC) charging loop. This is to avoid energy losses in the RC charging loop, which can create, in the worst case, a 50% loss. As the commonly used 12 V LEDs are internally DC operated devices, SCALED will be applicable in DC microgrids, which are the emerging technology in low voltage distribution systems.
The groundwork for this project requires various solar-related field data collection and simulations for the successful implementation of this innovative technique. Unlike a conventional power supply, solar power output directly depends on the solar irradiance level, which is very unpredictable. Given the unique behaviour of solar panel output, starting with a near constant current behaviour and changing over to a practical voltage source with an approximately constant array resistance, combining a supercapacitor bank and an LED lamp will be a challenge in developing the SCALED topology. In addition, proper field measurements and analysis of these characteristics are essential to develop more efficient and reliable SCALED circuits for DC microgrid applications.

text: Field data collection for implementation of Supercapacitor Assisted LED Lighting (SCALED) With the increasing impact of global warming, climate change is becoming the biggest threat for all life on our planet. The conventional way of generating electricity from the burning of fossil fuels releases significant amounts of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, which contributes to the rise in the earth’s temperature. Moreover, fossil fuels are being consumed very rapidly and we now have limited resources, which need to be monitored to face future energy demands. The development of renewable energy sources, such as solar power, is a rapidly growing technology. With the extensive research and investment in this industry at present, in the near future solar power will be one of our leading renewable energy sources. Furthermore, as solar panels directly produce direct current (DC), they can be directly tied to a DC microgrid without requiring any power converter, thereby minimizing losses and increasing efficiency.
The supercapacitor assisted light emitting diode (SCALED) converter is one of the new circuit techniques under development for low voltage light emitting diode (LED) systems at the University of Waikato. In this circuit, an LED is connected in series with the supercapacitor bank forming part of a resistor-capacitor (RC) charging loop. This is to avoid energy losses in the RC charging loop, which can create, in the worst case, a 50% loss. As the commonly used 12 V LEDs are internally DC operated devices, SCALED will be applicable in DC microgrids, which are the emerging technology in low voltage distribution systems.
The groundwork for this project requires various solar-related field data collection and simulations for the successful implementation of this innovative technique. Unlike a conventional power supply, solar power output directly depends on the solar irradiance level, which is very unpredictable. Given the unique behaviour of solar panel output, starting with a near constant current behaviour and changing over to a practical voltage source with an approximately constant array resistance, combining a supercapacitor bank and an LED lamp will be a challenge in developing the SCALED topology. In addition, proper field measurements and analysis of these characteristics are essential to develop more efficient and reliable SCALED circuits for DC microgrid applications.

year: 2018

title: Review: Hidden markets: the new education privatization

authors: Thrupp, Martin

subjects: education

abstract: Book review of Hidden markets: the new education privatization.

text: Review: Hidden markets: the new education privatization Book review of Hidden markets: the new education privatization.

year: 2010

title: Contemporary attitudes to traditional facial ta moko: A working paper

authors: Rua, Mohi

subjects: Maori

abstract: Until it came under serious attack from nineteenth century missionaries, ta moko was an
integral part of traditional Maori society. Facial moko conveyed important information about
identity, whakapapa and status. The process of receiving a moko was tapu and highly regulated.
Recent years have seen an increase in the number of Maori receiving ta moko. Moko have been
seen as a symbol of Maori pride and identity and have often been associated with political
activism. This study set out to investigate the contemporary meaning of ta moko, the reactions
wearers encounter from others and the ways wearers cope with those reactions.
Three case studies are presented. These show that the issues of personal identity and
whakapapa were central to the meaning wearers attached to their moko. Receiving a moko was
often associated with significant personal changes and an increased political commitment to
Maori self determination. On the whole, positive reactions were more common than negative
reactions but wearers did find themselves subjected to racist and antagonistic responses.
Wearing moko was also reported to mean that others, particularly other Maori, placed certain
expectations on the wearer, notably to be fluent in te reo and to be able to exercise leadership.
Participants considered that there was a need for education about the significance of ta moko
and recommended that those contemplating receiving a moko ensure that they are reasonably
fluent in te reo.

text: Contemporary attitudes to traditional facial ta moko: A working paper Until it came under serious attack from nineteenth century missionaries, ta moko was an
integral part of traditional Maori society. Facial moko conveyed important information about
identity, whakapapa and status. The process of receiving a moko was tapu and highly regulated.
Recent years have seen an increase in the number of Maori receiving ta moko. Moko have been
seen as a symbol of Maori pride and identity and have often been associated with political
activism. This study set out to investigate the contemporary meaning of ta moko, the reactions
wearers encounter from others and the ways wearers cope with those reactions.
Three case studies are presented. These show that the issues of personal identity and
whakapapa were central to the meaning wearers attached to their moko. Receiving a moko was
often associated with significant personal changes and an increased political commitment to
Maori self determination. On the whole, positive reactions were more common than negative
reactions but wearers did find themselves subjected to racist and antagonistic responses.
Wearing moko was also reported to mean that others, particularly other Maori, placed certain
expectations on the wearer, notably to be fluent in te reo and to be able to exercise leadership.
Participants considered that there was a need for education about the significance of ta moko
and recommended that those contemplating receiving a moko ensure that they are reasonably
fluent in te reo.

year: 1999